Terms & Conditions

How to make your reservation
We have taken care to offer you the simplest possible reservations service for our American tours. Efficient and economical administration is an important part of our service.
Just ask your travel agent to contact us with your requests and we will give immediate answers and booking options on the tour(s) offered to you.

Deposit and final payment
To confirm the reservation, your agent will be asked to send us a non-refundable, non-transferable deposit of $250 per person for each tour and $200 per person for each airfare (airfare payments subject to fare conditions), which must reach us within 14 days from the date of booking, to secure the reservation.

A second non-refundable, non-transferable deposit of $1000 per person is required on Oberammergau tours (5401, 5421, 5620, 5640, 5650, 5660, 5670, 5690 & 5600) 300 days prior to departure.

On certain departures, deposits/full payment may be required at time of booking to hold to confirm space for you.

Cosmos accept selected credit cards. Please note merchant fees will apply. For further payment options, please see your travel agent. Your payment is considered made until it is received by Cosmos.

Your booking deposit forms part of your final payment, which must be received by us not less than eight weeks before departure. If we do not receive the tour deposit and final payment by the due dates, we reserve the right to cancel the reservation. In the case of billing errors, we reserve the right to re-invoice with correct pricing.

Payment of the deposit means that you have read and accepted these Terms and Conditions.

Acceptance on the tour is subject to presentation of the Cosmos Tour Member Certificate.  The Tour Member Certificate also details the services purchased from Cosmos.

Any late bookings (within 21 days prior to departure ex Australia) will incur a $30 per transaction late booking fee.

Cancellations and cancellation fees
Cancellations are very costly and usually do not occur in time for re-sale of the cancelled tour. If cancellation in writing is received by Cosmos more than 45 days prior to commencement of services, the non-refundable, non-transferable deposit will be retained. For cancellations received within 45 days of commencement of services (75 days on holidays that include a cruise and 65 days on holidays with an overnight train), the following per person cancellation fees apply. (For group reservations, refer to the Group Policy Document):

  • 45-22 days prior to commencement of services: 20% of total price
  • 21-8 days prior to commencement of services: 30% of total price
  • 7-1 days prior to commencement of services: 50% of total price
  • On departure day and later: 100% of total price

 Oberammergau (5401, 5421, 5620, 5640, 5650, 5660, 5670, 5690 & 5600):

  • 300 days prior to commencement of services: $250 per person deposit
  • 299-210 days prior to commencement of services: $1250 per person deposit
  • 209-120 days prior to commencement of services: 60% of total price
  • 119-60 days prior to commencement of services: 80% of total price
  • 59-0 days prior to commencement of services: 100% of total price

Cancellation fees may also apply to any additional services, reserved prior to, during and after the tour. 

If flight changes, including flight cancellations or name changes, are requested, revision fees or airline cancellation fees will apply. If an air inclusive tour is cancelled after air tickets have been issued, any applicable refunds will be processed after air tickets are returned to Cosmos.

Cosmos reserves the right to cancel or reschedule any tour departure. If cancellation is made prior to departure of the tour, the only responsibility of Cosmos will be to refund to the passenger the amount we have received for the tour reservation. We will try to re-book the same tour with a different departure date, or a similar tour. Where Cosmos has confirmed flights, we will try to confirm air seats for the selected new dates, subject to availability. Cosmos cannot assume responsibility for any additional costs or any fees relating to the issuance and/or cancellation of air tickets or other travel arrangements not made through Cosmos.

Insurance
The above cancellation charges will be applied in all cases. We do urge you to take adequate travel insurance, including cover against cancellation, as recommended by your travel agent.

Revision fees
A fee of $30 per transaction will be charged for any alteration or revision made to a reservation. Airline penalties may also apply and may be up to 100% of the full ticketed price. Any revisions to a booking may result in the loss of a confirmed airline reservation or an increased airfare which will be payable by the passenger. A change to traveller name, tour date or tour itinerary within final payment dates will be treated as a cancellation and new reservation; standard cancellation fees apply.

Air Arrangements
Cosmos is not responsible if an airline cancels, reschedules, or delays the flight for any reason. If you miss your departure flight, it is your responsibility to work with the airline you are ticketed with to reach your destination. Cosmos is not responsible for any additional expenses you may incur prior to joining your holiday. Cosmos is not responsible and will not provide any refund for portions of holidays missed due to cancelled, rescheduled or delayed flights.

If you make your own flight arrangements, Cosmos will not be responsible for any loss resulting from cancellation or changes in international gateways or travel dates. We recommend that you do not purchase airline tickets with high penalty charges for changes

Participation
For the benefit of everyone on your holiday, Cosmos reserves the right to accept or reject any person as a tour participant, and to remove from the tour any participant whose conduct is deemed incompatible with the interests of the other participants. We will not refund nor cover any costs or expenses you incur if we have to terminate your holiday arrangements due to your unacceptable behaviour.

Travellers who need special assistance
You must report any disability requiring special attention to Cosmos at the time the reservation is made. Cosmos will make reasonable attempts to accommodate the special needs of disabled travellers, but is not responsible in the event it is unable to do so, nor is it responsible for any denial of services by carriers, hotels, restaurants, or other independent suppliers. Most transportation services, including the touring motorcoach, are not equipped with wheelchair ramps. We regret that we cannot provide individual assistance to a tour participant for walking, dining, getting on and off motorcoaches and other vehicles, or other personal needs. A qualified and physically able companion must accompany travellers who need such assistance, and must assume total responsibility for the handicapped participant’s well-being. Motorised scooters are unsuitable for tours offered in this brochure.

Young travellers
Travellers who are less than 18 years old on the tour departure date must be accompanied by an adult throughout the duration of the holiday. For any special requirements regarding airline tickets for children, contact your airline directly.

On Cosmos escorted holidays young travellers 8-17 receive a 10% discount on the base land holiday price, not including internal air. To receive young traveller discounts, the age of the traveller must qualify at the commencement of travel.

Due to heightened security, many countries have adopted practices to prevent international abduction of children. If a child will be travelling with adults other than the parents or with only one parent, it is recommended that a notarised letter be written by the parents or non-travelling parent granting authorisation to travel, including the dates of travel. We suggest that you also contact the appropriate consulate and airlines because they may have additional requirements or recommendations.

Smoking
Smoking is not allowed on transportation that is exclusively provided by Cosmos. Smoking is not allowed in “guaranteed share” hotel rooms.

Price Guarantee
All tour prices are based on rates (including foreign exchange rates) known at the time of printing and expected to be in effect at the time of departure. Prices are subject to increase without notice if such rates change prior to departure. However, once Cosmos has received your deposit for any holiday in this brochure, that land cost is guaranteed, and any subsequent land cost increases are at our expense, not including surcharges and any government tax increases. Air tickets booked via Cosmos Australia are guaranteed when we receive full payment. This does not include any Government/airport tax increases and currency fluctuations. 

Tour prices are per person, based on two persons sharing a room. Single room supplements and triple or quad room reductions are listed where applicable.  Not all accommodation types are available on all holidays.

2011 departures are subject to price and itinerary modifications. Full details will be available in October 2010. Passengers have the right to cancel their reservation within 14 days of modification in the event of price increase for departures in 2011.
 
Visas & Passports
A valid national passport is needed for all tours and, as the various countries all have their own formalities, it is imperative that you check with your travel agent the visa requirements to enter the countries of the tour you have chosen. Local consulates will also be in a position to give advice. Passengers are responsible for getting their own visa’s and must ensure that they can obtain these visas before entering into a booking commitment with us.
 
Accommodations
The accommodations listed in this brochure are intended to be used on all departures; however, if a change becomes necessary for any reason, the accommodations substituted will be equivalent in standard to those shown. Every effort is made to reserve only twin-bedded rooms. It may occasionally happen that an accommodation provides some double-bedded rooms instead. These rooms will be allocated to couples where possible. Please note that accommodation check-in times vary worldwide. Triple-room configuration is at the discretion of individual hotels. Paying for a single supplement ensures own room, not necessarily a twin bedded room.

Oberammergau: Please note that single and triple accommodations is not available. Singles will be asked to share.

Private bath and single rooms
In exceptional cases where private bath or single rooms as reserved by us are not available, refunds will be made by the tour director or local host. Claims made in this respect cannot be accepted after the tour.

Baggage allowance
Porterage for one suitcase on tour is included in the tour price. Due to limited coach capacity, this single bag should have dimensions not exceeding 76x53x28cm (30”x21”x11”) and weight not exceeding 22kg (50 lbs).  We regret that we are unable to accept a second suitcase, or any luggage exceeding these limits. Air carriers may also impose fees if size or weight limits on checked or carry-on luggage are exceeded.

Cosmos carry-on bags should not exceed the dimensions of 30x28x14cm (12”x11”x6”). 

For safety reasons, wheeled carry-on bags are not suitable as hand luggage on motorcoaches and minibuses.

No responsibility is accepted for loss of or damage to baggage or any of the tour participant’s belongings. Baggage insurance is recommended.

Travel documents
Travel documents, including any paper air tickets or e-ticket itineraries are sent by regular ground delivery approximately four weeks prior to departure from Australia, provided full payment has been received.

Not included in the tour price
Aifares, airport taxes and fees (unless specified); passports; visas and vaccinations; tips to your tour director, tour driver (unless pre paid, see below), local city guides; gratuities on ferries and cruise ships; laundry, telephone, mini bar; alcohol, beverages and food not on the regular table d’hôte menu (these extra items will be billed to you before leaving the hotel or restaurant); optional excursions; porterage at airports; travel insurance; excess baggage fees; all other items of a personal nature.

Optional Pre Paid Gratuities
If you have prepaid your gratuities to your Tour Director and Driver, this will be detailed within your Tour Member Certificate and vouchers will be included within your Tour Documentation. Please note that pre-paid gratuities cover only the land portion operated by Cosmos of the tour itinerary. Where we source other leading operators for cruising, rail or local guided elements of your holiday, the option to pre-pay your gratuities is not available.

Refunds
Please note that any request for refunds is subject to the terms and conditions of the brochure; no refund can be made for unused services of less than 48 consecutive hours, for unused transportation where group activity tickets are involved, or for voluntary modifications made by the traveller.

Service inquiries after the tour
If after returning from the tour, you wish to inquire about any tour services provided, please ensure that all correspondence relating to those services is received by Cosmos, Client Relations, Circuit Travel Pty Limited (address right), or e-mail clientrelations@cosmostours.com.au within 60 days of the tour completion date. This will enable Cosmos to make a timely investigation.

Holidays
During local or national holidays or special events, on Sundays, and religious occasions, certain facilities such as museums, churches, restaurants, sightseeing tours, and shopping may be limited or not available. Alternatives will be offered whenever possible. Cosmos cannot be held responsible for any closures or curtails for any reason.
 
Safety
Please be aware that during your participation in tours operated by Cosmos, certain risks and dangers may arise beyond our control including, but not limited to, the hazards of travelling in undeveloped areas; travel by boat, train, automobile, aircraft or other means of transportation; the forces of nature, political unrest; acts of lawlessness or terrorism; and accident or illness in remote regions without means of rapid evacuation or medical facilities. Cosmos will not have liability regarding provision of medical care or the adequacy of any care that may be rendered.
 
Photographs or Pictures
Photographs or picture appearing in this brochure should be used solely as an indication of facilities and attractions.  Actual facilities and attractions may vary according to itinerary. Maps shown on the holiday pages are current at the time of printing and may not reflect the actual tour routing should the itinerary change.

Optional Excursions & Activities
The carriers, accommodations, and other suppliers (referred to as “the Suppliers”)(including but not limited to trains, cruises, ferries, motorcoaches, hotels, and restaurants) providing optional activities and excursions (“the Services”) in the area of the holiday itinerary that are available for booking are not run, supervised, or controlled in any way by the Company. These services are provided by local operators or other third parties that are entirely independent of the Company, which has no control and has no right of control over the operations of these independent contractors. Such activities and excursions do not form any part of the product or services sold to you by the Company or of these Terms and Conditions, even where the Company suggests particular operators/other third parties and/or assists you in booking such activities or excursions.

Your contract for such activity or excursion will be with the organiser or operator of that activity or excursion and will be subject to its Terms and Conditions, which may contain exclusions or limitations of liability. The Company has no liability for any such activity or excursion or for any act(s) or omission(s) of the organizer or operator or for any of its employees or agents or any other person(s) connected with the activity or excursion. Any advice or assistance on or with any activity or excursion provided by any local representative does not mean or imply that the activity or excursion is sold, supervised, or controlled by the Company or that any such advice or assistance is given on behalf of the Company. Holiday participants are asked to check with the operator of any activity or excursion and the applicable Terms and Conditions before booking.
 
Responsibility
Circuit Travel Pty Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as “the Company”) is responsible to you in making arrangements for the tour services offered in this brochure, including transportation, sightseeing, and accommodations. All references to Company include its agents and employees. The carriers, accommodations, and other suppliers providing tour services are independent contractors and are not agents, employees, or servants of, or joint venturers with, the Company or its affiliates. All certificates and other travel documents for tour services issued by the Company are subject to the terms and conditions specified by the supplier, which are available upon request and to the laws of the countries in which the services are supplied.

The international carriage of passengers is subject to international conventions and treaties, where applicable. These international agreements limit and in some events, exclude the carrier's liability to passengers (vacation participants). Where any claim or part of a claim (including those involving death or personal injury) concerns or involves any travel arrangements (including the process of getting on or off the transport concerned) provided by any air, sea, inland waterways, rail or road carrier or any stay in a hotel, the Company's maximum liability is the maximum which would be payable by the carrier or the hotel keeper concerned under the applicable international convention, treaty ore regulation applicable to the travel arrangementsor hotel stay (e.g. the Warsaw Convention, the Montreal Convention for international travel by air, the EU Regulation on Air Carrier Liability for carriers with an operating license granted by an EU country, the Athens Convention for international travel by sea) in that situation.

If, after tour departure, the services included in the tour cannot be supplied, or there are changes in an itinerary for reasons beyond the control of the Company, the Company will arrange for the provision of comparable services. Any resulting additional expense will be payable by travellers and any resulting saving will be refunded by the Company to tour participants. The Company reserves the right to accept or reject any person as a tour participant, to expel any tour participant from the tour, to make changes in the itinerary whenever the Company deems it necessary for the comfort, convenience, or safety of the tour participants, and to cancel a tour at any time. The tour participant agrees that neither the Company nor its affiliates shall be liable for any damage, loss (including personal injury, death, and property loss) or expense occasioned by any act or omission of any supplier providing tour services, or any insurer or insurance administrator or of any other person. Legal proceedings against the Company may be instituted only in a state or federal court within the State of New South Wales, and any claim involved in such proceedings shall be decided in accordance with the laws of the State of New South Wales. Any legal proceedings against the Company must be commenced within one year following the date of tour completion. Neither the Company nor any affiliate shall in any case be liable for other than compensatory damages, and you hereby waive any right to punitive damages. No person, other than an authorised representative of the Company, by a document in writing, is authorised to vary, add, or waive any term or condition in this brochure, including any term or condition set forth in the preceding provisions. The terms and conditions of this brochure do not affect the rights you may have as a “consumer” under the Trade Practices Act 1974 (Cth) or any other statutory rights that by law may not be excluded or limited.

 

Trade name

Cosmos is a registered trade mark.

Our Australian address

Cosmos
Circuit Travel Pty.Limited
Level 6 33 Erskine Street
SYDNEY NSW 2000
GPO Box 3436
SYDNEY NSW 2001

Email: enquiries@cosmostours.com.au

AGENT RESERVATIONS ONLY
Sydney Metro: (02) 8259 1110
Interstate: 1300 130 134
Facsimile: (02) 8259 1120
E-mail: reservations@cosmostours.com.au

Online reservations available at
www.globusfamily.com.au/onlinebookings

ABN 12 001 268 257
Licence No: 2TA000637