Booking Agreement Terms and Conditions
For Travel in 2021

Alexander+Roberts (A+R) is a tour operator and a founding member of the United States Tour Operators Association. We have a very experienced team of travel experts that is ready to help you and we look forward to serving you in our intimate style when you next explore the world.

By booking your travel arrangements with us, you are agreeing to be bound by the following terms and conditions together with any additional documentation we give you (“The Agreement”) and any additional terms and conditions of any Supplier that are applicable to your travel arrangement. The Agreement describes what you are legally entitled to expect from us when you book your trip through us, in addition to important obligations you make as a guest that effect your legal rights.  Therefore, it is of vital importance that you read the terms and conditions in their entirety. The guest making the booking assumes the responsibility of sharing these Terms and Conditions with each trip guest. In the case the booking is made by a Travel Advisor, the Advisor is responsible to provide all guests with a copy of our terms and conditions. Alexander+Roberts is not responsible for any guest’s unawareness of the Terms and Conditions due to the failure of the lead guest or Travel Advisor to share this information with all other guests/guests.  If you do not agree with our terms and conditions you must speak with us before making any booking.
 
In this document the terms "we", "us" and "our", and “Alexander+Roberts refer to General Tours, Inc. dba Alexander+Roberts. The term "you" or “guest” refers to the guest visiting our website, and/or booking a reservation through us.
 
Sometimes changes to our terms and conditions may become necessary. Changes will be made directly to this page and become effective immediately.  Your continued use of our website or services following any changes will confirm your agreement to be bound to the new terms and conditions. Because of this, you agree to check this page from time to time to be aware of any changes.
 
Bookings
 
We would be delighted to make your booking.  All bookings start by contacting your Travel Advisor or us at 800-221-2216.  Our Travel Experts will discuss your travel options and find the perfect itinerary for you.  Planning travel takes time and effort and many costs are incurred before you ever depart therefore, we require a non-refundable deposit as outlined below.  Upon receipt of that deposit a booking is made and considered held.
 
Payment/Forms of Payments
 
Upon booking, we will provide you with instructions of payments and all due dates.  You must make all payments in full and on time.  Failure to make a payment may result in the cancellation of your travel.  In such a case this would be considered a cancellation by you and the cancellation terms and fees as described below would be in effect. We reserve the right to refuse a booking without giving any reason and shall, in that event only, return any deposit received. Reservations are non-transferrable, except with written permission by A+R. 
 
We accept Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express, and check. Checks may be sent to Alexander+Roberts, 53 Summer Street, Keene, NH 03431. While we do accept major credit cards, you must provide to us a signed charge authorization. Your authorization is a binding agreement for us to charge your card and as such you waive any right to dispute the charge (unless for fraud) in the case of cancellation for any cause whatever, including a Force Majeure event, as defined herein, and agree to refund policies and procedures as outlined in these Terms and Conditions.

Rates
 
Prices shown in printed materials are land only and do not include international airfare to or from the U.S. We reserve the right to correct pricing errors, and prices are subject to change without notice. On-tour transportation is included as indicated on each program. Land prices are guaranteed upon receipt of deposit.
 
Rates on private tours  are based on a minimum of two guests travelling together. Single/solo travelling alone rates will be higher. Rates on private and independent journeys may vary due to trade fairs, festivals and holidays.  If a guest is traveling with one other guest and that companion guest cancels the remaining guest will be subject to single/solo supplement fees.
 
We can book international air for you at an additional cost. If you purchase international airfare, airline taxes, fuel surcharges and government-imposed fees are included; baggage check and seat assignments may cost extra. For information on baggage and seat fees please visit your airline’s website. If you are booked on a tour that includes on-tour flights, the checked luggage weight restrictions for these flights may be lower than the weight restrictions for your international flights.  Seat assignments are not available on all airlines and are subject to fees and change without notice. Flight schedules, aircraft and seats (even purchased seats) may change without notice. TSA PRE and Online check-in are at the discretion of the airline and cannot be guaranteed. Foreign departure taxes cannot always be prepaid and may be charged at the airport upon departure.  You should check with your carrier and become familiar with their requirements and terms and conditions as your agreement for air services is with the airline and not with Alexander+Roberts.
 
Flexible Change Policy
 
Guests may postpone or change their 2021 Small Group or Private Journey travel date or destination at any time prior to final payment (see exclusions below*). The guest is responsible for any additional costs incurred including: 1) seasonal price differences for new dates of travel; 2) price differences of a new program or destination; 3) any additional air travel cost including change fees, cancellation penalties and/or fare differences on international and internal on-tour air 4) any increases in insurance premiums. Any unused funds will be held in a travel credit. These terms are subject to change and may be withdrawn at any time.
Exclusions*: All Africa programs, Antarctica and Iceland Cruises, Australia Explorer, Finland’s Lapland, Polar Bears of Churchill, Tucano cruise on the Amazon, Victory Cruises, All Custom Travel and Custom Groups.
 
Travel Credit Vouchers

Each voucher has its own unique terms, conditions and special discounts that vary by tour program. Please refer to your voucher for specific terms, conditions and discounts.

Guest Information
 
Names provided to secure reservations must match guests’ passport. Middle names are not required to appear on airline tickets. Date of birth and complete passport details are required. Any minor name corrections advised after airline tickets have been issued will incur fees. Not all name corrections will be permitted by airlines and may require the purchase of a new ticket. Documents are sent 21 days prior to departure and cannot be released until full payment and the Guest Information form have been received. Guests voluntarily assume full and sole responsibility for any and all risks and/or costs involved with failure to report any errors and/or omissions to documentation.
 
Cancellations & Changes
 
A minimum $50 fee will be charged for any change made to your itinerary. Since changes are considered canceled services, additional cancellation penalties may apply. Changes are subject to additional airline or hotel charges based on availability and may incur additional fees. Changes from double to single occupancy incur a single supplement.
 
We reserve the right to cancel or reschedule any departure for any reason. If we cancel, except in the case of a force majeure event, we will offer alternate arrangements. Guest is responsible for any additional costs for air tickets or other travel arrangements not made by us.
 
A minimum of 2 guests is needed for a guaranteed departure to travel. Ours travel with no more than 16 guests on land. Our small ships carry 44 - 200+ passengers; more than 16 Alexander+Roberts guests may be on-board; more than 16 guests may be on shore excursions. Privately Guided trips may include shared transport services on flights, trains, boats and other multi passenger vehicles. Cruises will include shared shore excursions.
 
As described above, Alexander+ Roberts incurs costs with the suppliers of your tour well in advance of your tour date. All suppliers have their own cancellation policies, which apply to your booking. Supplier policies are available upon request. Should a cancellation become necessary, please inform Alexander+Roberts immediately in writing and request a written confirmation of your cancellation. Upon, receipt, Alexander+Roberts will follow industry procedures for any applicable refunds as outlined in the supplier’s terms and subject to their review. If you are entitled to a refund, please note that the supplier is responsible for this refund, not Alexander+Roberts.  Generally, flight tickets, hotel reservation and other items provided for the travel cannot be refunded if they are partially used. We are not responsible for a supplier’s failure to pay a refund. 
 
In addition to any of our Suppliers’ cancellation terms the following terms and fees apply to any cancellation:

For cancellation of purchased air, a minimum $100 fee applies up to 100% of air cost.

Because we adhere strictly to our cancellation terms and because you are subject to the cancellation terms of the suppliers of your travel, we strongly recommend that you purchase a travel protection plan, to protect your investment.
 
Force Majeure
 
Alexander+Roberts assumes no liability for, any loss, damage, delay, or cancellation resulting in whole or in part from an Act of God or any other force majeure condition, including, without limitation: fire, volcanic eruption, environmental pollution or contamination, inclement weather, earthquake, low or high water levels, flood, water or power shortages or failures, tropical storms or hurricanes, riots or civil commissions or disturbances, and any other acts of a similar nature, sabotage, arrests, strikes or labor disruptions, restraint of rulers or peoples, expropriations, acts of terrorism, war, insurrection, quarantine restrictions, government health advisories, epidemics, pandemics, or warnings or alerts of any kind of nature, government seizures, refusal or cancellation or suspension or delay of any government authority or any license, permit or authorization, damages to its facilities or the travel supplier and its facilities, or any other unforeseen circumstances or any other factors unforeseen by Alexander+Roberts that impacts negatively on, or hampers, its ability to fulfill any of its contractual conditions. In the event that any of these conditions apply, Alexander+Roberts shall be excused, discharged, and released from performance to the extent such performance is so limited or prevented, without liability of any kind including liability to make any refund. In a Force Majeure occurrence, Alexander+Roberts reserves the right to issue a credit to you in lieu of a money-back refund, applicable to a future Alexander+Roberts journey.
 
Travel Protection Plan
 
Alexander+Roberts (A+R) offers a Travel Protection Plan that provides protection for your travel arrangements, your belongings and most importantly, you! We strongly encourage all guests to purchase a Travel Protection Plan.  Details can be found on our website.
 
Such plan should cover Trip Cancellation or Interruption, Medical Expense, Emergency Medical Evacuation, and Baggage. Travel protection plans can help protect you in the event of loss of non-refundable trip deposits and payments that result from cancellation or trip interruption (due to a covered reason such as injury or illness before or during the trip). It also helps with reimbursement for medical emergency costs (including very costly medical evacuation costs), missed connections and baggage loss.
 
Alexander+Roberts is not qualified to answer technical questions about the benefits, exclusions, and conditions of travel protection plans. Alexander+Roberts cannot evaluate the adequacy of the prospective insured's existing insurance coverage. If you have any questions about your travel protection, call your insurer or insurance agent or broker.
 
Certain countries have a requirement for foreign visitors to have valid medical insurance on entry. Alexander+Roberts cannot be held responsible for denied entry if a guest is unable to provide details to authorities of insurance or denial of entry for any reason.Declining travel protection plan coverage could result in the loss of your travel cost and/or require more money to correct the situation. You acknowledge that without this coverage, there may be no way to recoup any losses, costs or expenses incurred. If you choose to travel without adequate coverage, we will not be liable for any of your losses howsoever arising, for which trip protection plan coverage would otherwise have been available.  
 
Travel
 
Travel to many parts of the world may involve the risk of a variety of hazards to health and/or safety, including but not limited to disease, crime, terrorism and warfare. Because each guest’s risk tolerance is different, Alexander+Roberts is not in a position to advise or recommend whether travel to any particular place at any particular time should take place. It is recommended that the guest should refer to objective third-party sources of travel information, such as that maintained by the U.S. Department of State (travel.state.gov). In addition, you should consult with government websites to ensure that you are in compliance with all requirements for admittance into that country as well as understanding local laws that govern travel within a country, such as medical tests and tracking. Should you choose to travel to a country that has been issued a travel warning or advisory, Alexander+Roberts will not be liable for damages or losses that result from travel to such destinations.
 
Visa & Passport Information
 
Your passport must be valid for 6 months after your return to the U.S. It is each guest’s responsibility to obtain any required visas. We are not responsible for delayed processing of visas and passports by Consular offices and normal cancellation charges will apply.
 
For up to date visa requirements US citizens should visit www.travel.state.gov. It is your sole responsibility to secure and/or pay for any and all visas (except for travel to Tibet and Bhutan), reciprocity fees, affidavits, immunizations, etc. that are required to be permitted entry into each destination. In some countries you may be subject to entry (reciprocity) fees and/or departure taxes/ exit fees which will be collected at the airports upon entry/departure by local government authorities.  Please note that entry to any country may be refused even if the required information and travel documents are complete. Alexander+Roberts bears no responsibility for advising and/or obtaining required travel documentation for you (unless we tell you otherwise), or for any delays, damages, and/or losses including missed portions of your vacation related to improper documentation or government decisions about entry. Visas and entry requirements can change without notice, so it is important that you check the U.S. State Department website well in advance of your travel date to ensure you procure the proper documentation for your travel.
 
Health: Recommended inoculations for travel may change and you should consult your practitioner for current recommendations before you depart. It is your responsibility to ensure that you meet all health entry requirements, obtain the recommended inoculations, take all recommended medication, and follow all medical advice in relation to your trip. Inoculation requirements can be found on the Center for Disease Control website at https://www.cdc.gov/.
 
Disinsection: Most countries reserve the right to disinsect aircraft if there is a perceived threat to public health, agriculture, or environment.  While this is not a common practice, we want you to be aware that it is a possibility. This process includes the following: (1) spray the aircraft cabin with an aerosolized insecticide while passengers are on board or (2) treat the aircraft's interior surfaces with a residual insecticide while passengers are not on board. For more information you can visit the U.S. Department of transportation website at: https://www.transportation.gov/airconsumer/spray.
 
Changes to our Programs
 
We will make every effort to operate tours as disclosed in the brochure and itinerary, but circumstances may arise which require modification of itineraries, hotel substitution, changes in transportation, inclusions or staff accompanying the trip. We reserve the right to make modifications. Because waterways can be affected by weather conditions, alternate programs may be arranged by the cruise companies without notice. During local or national holidays or special events, peak seasons, on certain days of the week, and during religious occasions, certain facilities such as museums, churches, restaurants, sightseeing tours, hotels, and shopping may be limited or not available. Alternatives will be offered whenever possible. Alexander+Roberts cannot be held responsible for any closures, necessary itinerary changes, or curtails for any reason. These changes will not be considered a material changes and will not be consider cause for cancellation by the guest. Normal cancellation penalties still apply to the program that has been changed.
 
Flights and Transfers
 
Guests should reconfirm flights directly with the air carrier prior to departure.  The terms of the air carrier apply to your travel. If you booked your own flight, you must provide us your flight information no less than 30 days prior to departure to ensure transfers will be available.  If at any time your flight plans change, you must notify us immediately.  Failure to do so may result in missing these services and no refund shall be due for missed arrival transfers resulting from missing or outdated flight information.
 
Hotels
 
Guests should be aware that hotel room sizes, standards and facilities can vary regionally and are often different from standards in the United States.  This can include difference in bed sizes and room sizes, bathroom amenities, amenities such as air-conditioning and compliance with other standards such as ADA and wheelchair accessibility.  One of the joys of international travel is experiencing different cultures and different ways of life so we hope that you will accept these differences with grace and a sense of adventure.
 
Alexander+Roberts reserves the right, if necessary, to substitute other similar hotels for hotels listed. Such substitutions may be made at any time and without prior notice. Alexander+Roberts cannot be held responsible for hotel over-bookings; should such occur, Alexander+Roberts will undertake to find similar accommodations in the same area. Such substitutions are at our sole discretion and no refunds will be offered for changes in accommodations.
 
While we exercise due diligence in the selection of our partners, hotel and other accommodation profiles are based on information provided to us by the supplier.  This includes images and descriptions of the properties and rooms.  Additionally, guests should be aware that star ratings or similar systems are based on country classifications and therefore can differ.  While Alexander+Roberts does its best to maintain current and accurate information regarding these suppliers, we cannot be held responsible for any inaccuracies in supplier descriptions, amenities, or images.
 
Sightseeing
 
Sightseeing tours are included as provided in the individual itineraries.  These tours are designed to accommodate individuals as well as groups.  As a courtesy to others in the tour, it is mandatory that you be on time for all scheduled experiences.  Tours will begin on-time and failure to arrive will be considered a no-show for which no refunds will be available.  It is essential that you keep in mind that tour times are set to accommodate climate, crowd size and best viewing options for our guests. At times, early morning departure times may help create a better experience. Therefore, late arrivals cannot be accommodated.  Group sizes may vary from day to day. 
 
Optional Experiences

If we suggest alternate activities or you encounter the opportunity to participate in additional, optional activities that are provided by independent third-party suppliers, you will be subject to the terms and conditions of that supplier. The Supplier may require you to execute additional documents, waivers, or releases. In any case, your only recourse in case of damage will be against the supplier of the alternate activity.
 
On Tour
 
There is no smoking on any transportation nor indoor or outdoor facilities subject to local law and customs.
 
Physical limitations requiring special attention and/or equipment must be reported when making reservations. We will make reasonable attempts to accommodate special needs but cannot provide individual assistance.  Should you require assistance, you must tell us at the time of booking of the name of your non-discounted travel companion who will be responsible for assisting you. Please note that accommodations outside of the USA may not be in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and may not have wheelchair accessibility. Tours require walking over many uneven surfaces and you assume responsibility for your personal safety. Should issues become apparent on tour that impact other guests, we may require individual assistance be obtained or require the guest to return home early at the guest’s expense. 
 
Special diets should be requested at the time of booking; however, it may not be possible for special diets to be catered to in some of the destinations we feature. For safety and liability reasons, Alexander+Roberts and its representatives cannot be responsible for directly accommodating any food allergies, or dietary requirements and restrictions, and is not responsible for any issues or problems associated with the same. We will advise the hotels and airlines of your request but we cannot guarantee their availability.
 
Activities, lodges, and camps may require a signed liability waiver on site administered by a local vendor or government. We are not responsible for any denial of services by carriers, hotels, and other independent suppliers.
 
For the safety or our guests, Alexander+Roberts reserves the right to request health information prior to travel and to exclude any guests it deems unfit for travel at its sole discretion. Alexander+Roberts reserves the right to remove or quarantine any passenger who shows signs of illness. Removal or quarantine of guests for any health-related reasons is at the sole discretion of Alexander+Roberts. Any costs incurred for medical assessments, diagnosis and/or any other medically-related charges are your responsibility to pay and are due at time of services. Guests will be allowed to rejoin Alexander+Roberts with confirmed medical certification from a licensed health practitioner indicating fit to travel without causing a health threat to other guests.
 
Your Conduct
 
In the sole discretion of Alexander+Roberts and our Suppliers, Alexander+Roberts may require any guest to leave the tour if it is reasonably believed that the guest has engaged in, is engaged in, or is threatening to engage in, behavior that may adversely affect the safety, security, comfort, enjoyment, or well-being of other guests or Alexander+Roberts representatives and our Suppliers, including, but not limited to, behavior that is disruptive, verbally abusive, physically abusive, obnoxious, harassing, discriminatory, or obscene; or has failed or refused, or is failing or refusing, to follow Alexander+Roberts rules and procedures. In the event a guest is removed, such guest may be left at any city without any liability to Alexander+Roberts or its representatives or Suppliers. Alexander+Roberts shall not be required to refund any portion of the price paid by any guest who is removed under the terms of this paragraph, nor shall Alexander+Roberts be responsible for expenses for lodging, medical care, meals, transportation, or any other expenses incurred by the guest.
 
When you book with us, you accept responsibility for any damage or loss caused by you. Full payment for any such damage or loss (reasonably estimated if not precisely known) must be paid direct at the time to the accommodation owner or manager or other supplier. You must indemnify us for the full amount of any claim (also including legal costs) made against us.
 
Responsibility
 
Alexander+Roberts tour services, including without limitation transportation, lodging, and sightseeing, are provided by the carrier, hoteliers, and other suppliers that are independent contractors and not our agents, employees, partners, or joint ventures. We issue tickets, vouchers, and other travel documents for such services merely as an agent for the companies that furnish such services. Such tickets, vouchers, and other travel documents are subject to all terms and conditions of the respective suppliers (some of them may limit or exclude the supplier’s liability). We are not responsible for any loss of or damage to property or death or injury to persons, resulting from any act or omission of any supplier providing any tour service, or any other person or entity, or caused by strike, war, weather, quarantine, sickness, government restriction or regulation, or any other cause beyond its reasonable control, including supplier’s decision to withdraw and/or cancel a tour for any reason. The tour guest expressly waives all rights or claims, which he or she may have against us in connection with the foregoing. Under no circumstances are we to be construed as a carrier under contract for safe carriage of the passenger or his or her baggage and belongings. We reserve the right to remove a client from a tour at our sole discretion.
 
Acknowledgement/Assumption of Risk
 
Additional risks and dangers may arise including, but not limited to, hazards of travel by train, automobile, motor coach, aircraft, balloon, ship and other means of conveyance, animal interactions, forces of nature, political unrest, other unrest, risks associated with water, food, plants, insects and differing animal regulation, and acts of national and local governments and unrest and acts of others against governments. These risks are not an exhaustive list but are examples of many kinds of risks. You are voluntarily participating in these activities with the knowledge that there are significant dangers involved, and you hereby agree to accept any and all risks. As lawful consideration for the agreement with Alexander+Roberts to participate in such trips and activities you agree you will not make a claim against Alexander+Roberts, its related companies or its personnel or sue for bodily injury, emotional trauma, death, property loss or damage or other loss, cost or expense, however caused, as a result of or related to your contracting for, traveling to or from, or in any and every other way participating in the trip. You release Alexander+Roberts, its related companies and its personnel from any and all claims, known or unknown, arising from contracting for, traveling to or from, and in any and every way participating in a trip. This release of liability and assumption of risk agreement is entered into on behalf of you and all members of your family and party, also including minors. This agreement also binds your heirs, legal representatives and assigns.
 
Where the guest occupies a motor coach seat fitted with a safety belt, neither Alexander+Roberts nor the Supplier nor its agents or co-operating organizations or service providers will be liable for any injury, illness or death or for any loss or damages or claims whatsoever arising from any accident or incident, if the safety belt is not being worn at the time of such an accident or incident. This exclusion and limitation of liability shall not be used to imply that the Supplier or its agents or affiliated entities are liable in other circumstances.
 
Complaint/Guest Service
 
Should you have any complaints about an aspect of your trip arrangements when traveling, you must inform the local representative or supplier involved immediately. Most problems can easily be dealt with on the spot. Please note if you do not report a problem or complaint which, if it had been reported at the time it occurred could have been resolved there and then, we cannot accept any liability in respect of that problem or complaint. It is sensible to expect a guest traveling internationally to be reasonably resourceful if things go wrong. In the unlikely event that an acceptable solution cannot be found, you should then write to us within 30 days of your return with full details of your complaint.  All complaints must be in writing and received by either email or USPS.  Our guest service team will work with you towards resolution but may request additional information from you, so please make sure that you save any pertinent documents.  Resolution may take 60 days or longer.  Complaints regarding accommodations or airfare must be addressed directly with the supplier.  Nothing in this paragraph should be construed as a promise by Alexander+Roberts to settle or refund any money to you.
 
Photographic/Video Likeness
 
Guest hereby gives consent to Alexander+Roberts to publish any photographs and/or videos of the trip or Guest in printed or electronic media without obtaining further consent and without compensation. Each Guest releases Alexander+Roberts and its representatives from any liability in connection with any use of such photographs and/or video.
 
Jurisdiction and Applicable Law
 
All matters concerning these tours and services shall be governed by the laws of the State of New Hampshire. 
Legal proceedings against Alexander+Roberts may be instituted only in a state or federal court within the State of New Hampshire, and any claim involved in such proceedings shall be decided in accordance with the laws of the State of New Hampshire. Any claim against Alexander+Roberts must be commenced in writing and within one year following the date of tour completion. Neither Alexander+Roberts nor any affiliate shall in any case be liable for other than compensatory damages, and your payment of a deposit on a tour means that you agree to these conditions of sale and expressly waive any right to punitive damages.
 
Severability

If any provision of these terms and conditions shall be held unenforceable, such provision shall be struck and the remainder shall remain enforceable.
 
United States Tour Operators Association $1 Million Travelers Assistance Program
 
Alexander+Roberts, as an Active Member of USTOA, is required to post $1 Million with USTOA to be used to reimburse, in accordance with the terms and conditions of the USTOA $1 Million Travelers Assistance Program, the advance payments of Alexander+Roberts guests in the unlikely event of Alexander+Roberts bankruptcy, insolvency or cessation of business. Further, you should understand that the $1 Million posted by Alexander+Roberts may be sufficient to provide only a partial recovery of the advance payments received by Alexander+Roberts. More details of the USTOA Travelers Assistance Program may be obtained by writing to USTOA at 345 Seventh Avenue, Suite 1801, New York, New York 10001, or by email to information@ustoa.com or by visiting their website at www.USTOA.com.


Effective date of these Terms is February 1, 2021
Brochure validity: January through Dec 2021
CST: 2009641-20