Terms & Conditions

RATES & CONDITIONS

All rates are NET. Exceptions may apply. Rates are guaranteed for the stated period, unless there are steep increases in prices for fuel and logistics, international or local policies and government regulations, exchange rate fluctuations or any other event affecting the operation beyond our control. If there is any adjustment, it shall be reported when a firm booking with full payment is received. All items not specifically included in the itinerary must be paid directly by the passenger.

1. BOOKING GUIDELINES

We must be advised in writing about all reservation requests, changes in reservation, deposits and/or payment. Reservations shall be confirmed when total payment is credited to our accounts. The client is also responsible for double-checking vouchers and pro forma invoices.

1.1. Waiver of Liability forms duly signed are required along with passport´s copy in the following cases:

1. Children under 12 years old: along with a copy of legal representative´s passport.
2. Passengers with special needs including physical disabilities or health problems: For passengers and suppliers´ safety, we reserve the right to decline the provision of services in case physical condition information has been distorted or omitted.

1.2. Special requirements:

Diet or allergy requests should be notified on the passengers’ information form up to 61 days before tour departure date. We shall do our very best to meet reasonable special dietary needs; some, however, cannot be guaranteed. In certain cases, we might need further information such as height, weight, physical condition, etc., to be able to provide the best accommodation and services for the user.

2. DEPOSIT, PAYMENT AND CANCELLATION POLICIES

We shall proceed to book space when deposit/payment conditions are fulfilled. All payments must be made to our accounts within the time-limits indicated, otherwise the space that has been booked could automatically be released, deposits forfeited or might be listed on first pay/first served basis.

2.1. Galapagos Cruises

a) Individual Passengers

Deposits and Payments:

• To confirm a booking, a deposit of 25% per cruise is required. If the deposit is not credited, the reservation shall be given a «priority two» status. Deposit is non-refundable.
• Total balance must be fully credited into our accounts up to 61 days prior to departure.

Cancellations and penalties:

• Deposit is non-refundable.
• 60 days prior to departure, reservations shall automatically be considered as firm; therefore, 100% of the total negotiated rate of the cruise will be charged and withheld if the booking is cancelled.
Changes: Rather than cancelling services, we suggest changing the name in the same held departure, under the following conditions: Between 60 and 31 days prior to departure, a 20% discount will apply for new reservations involving date change with the same names. Balance will be forfeited. Price adjustments apply depending on available date, ship, and cabin(s).

2.3. Payment Process

Payments can be made only to the account specified in U.S. Dollars.

Major credit cards and PayPal payments are accepted, request for conditions. Any extra expense for transferring funds must be covered by the user and included in the payment. We must receive notice of payment to be able to check when money was credited. Booking shall be confirmed once the money has been completely deposited into our accounts. Otherwise, we reserve the right to render the requested services, place said booking under request, refuse services.

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES.

INSURANCE

It is obligatory for all passengers using any our services to obtain necessary insurance before arriving in Ecuador. Insurance is not included but highly recommend.

OPERATION SAFETY

CORAL I or II are certified yachts that comply with international standards and regulations.

If a passenger is believed to be a hazard for himself/herself or others, or causes disturbance to other passengers, the Coral I or II representative, the ship’s captain, or the tour guide, may refuse the passenger or terminate any cruise or mainland program for that passenger at any time, at the complete risk and expense of the passenger.

For safety reasons, we will not admit on cruises or mainland tours any passenger carrying firearms or sharp weapons that could cause any injury to himself/herself, or other passengers, crew, flora, or fauna. Forbidden articles include guns, knives, compressed gas, corrosive substances, poison, explosives, firearms, ammunition, fireworks and flares, inflammable liquids and solids, radioactive materials, and oxidizing materials.

• We reserve the right to refuse, revoke, accept or prevent the further participation of any person whose actions impede trip operations, or jeopardize the rights, or welfare, of other groups members or interfere with their enjoyment of the trip, who might be a hazard to himself/herself and others, harm nature, or violate regulations. We also reserve the right to refuse, revoke, accept or prevent the further participation of any person it deems incapable of withstanding the hardships or meeting the requirements of participating in the activities that have been planned or contracted.
• We shall not be required to refund any portion of the rate paid by any passenger who must leave the cruise, or mainland service prematurely, for any of the reasons specified above. Therefore, we will not be responsible for accommodations, meals, return transportation or other expenses incurred by the passenger for these reasons.
• We shall not be held liable for the actions or activities of any passenger who consumes, purchases, or obtains, by any means, alcoholic beverages or illegal drugs. Illegal drugs are strictly forbidden on board or during mainland excursions. Illegal drug possession shall be reported immediately. If detected, the cruise or tour will be terminated immediately for that person and all money paid forfeited.
Any physical disability or health problem that might require special attention or treatment, should be reported in writing to us.
• We will not be held liable for any consequences, or expenses, incurred for any changes, cancellations, accidents, injury, death, etc., caused by any disability, whether it has been reported to us, or not.
No refund is applicable for missed sightseeing, meals, early/late departures and visits that were not enjoyed by the user. We shall not be held liable for the provision of medical care during the trip.

OPERATION GUARANTEE

We will endeavor to guarantee tours as far in advance as possible. Some tours, however, cannot be guaranteed until 15 days prior to departure.

Should a passenger’s program or service be cancelled due to lack of enrollment, for commercial reasons, the customer will be contacted prior to the scheduled departure date. The program or service may be re-booked, or we may refund the total payment made for the service not provided.

Changes to the itinerary may be made when deemed necessary or advisable by us, including substitutions for comparable hotels, yachts or vessels, attractions, sightseeing or transportation units. Extra costs due to unexpected changes to the itinerary for reasons beyond our control are not included. (If an upgrade is required, higher rates may apply.)

Any major changes will be advertised as soon as possible before departure. The user may choose between: a) accepting the change, b) accepting any alternative tour offered, or c) a refund for the service not given. Refunds will be made as a credit note directly to the tour operator involved, or the paying party (check section 2.4 for details). If the customer decides to take the alternative offered, no further refunds or credit will be allowed unless so specified in writing. We will not be held liable for any further claims. To uphold the safety and security standards that are required and to improve services, maintenance of units and dry dock might be affected without prior notice.

In force majeure situations, we reserve the right to withdraw a tour either completely or any part of it, to make alterations as deemed necessary, and to pass on to tour members any outlays caused by delays or events beyond its control.

All airfares, taxes, schedules, ports of departure, time of arrival/departure and special programs are subject to change without prior notice. Local flights allow one piece of checked soft luggage weighing 20 kilograms.

The Galapagos cruise itineraries are subject to change without prior notice or can be operated in a different sequence. All Galapagos itineraries are under the direction of the Galapagos Park Administration, or can be changed at the captain’s discretion.

There is no guarantee that specific wildlife shall be observed during a particular mainland tour or cruise. All sightings and optional activities are subject to environmental, and operational conditions and passengers’ physical conditions.

Any independent arrangements that the passenger may partake locally, that are not included in the program contracted with us, but are rather provided by an independent airline, operator, or local supplier, shall be the passenger’s sole responsibility, who is fully liable for all related risks and costs that must be paid directly to the organizer.

JURISDICTION

This present agreement shall be governed by Ecuadorian Law and therefore interpreted within the framework of this law. In the event of a dispute between the parties as a result of the present agreement, if it has not been resolved amicably between the two parties, both us and the customer shall be subject to the jurisdiction of the Arbitration Court of the Chamber of Commerce of Quito (CCQ), pursuant to the regulations of the Ecuadorian Arbitration Law. The rules for the arbitration process shall be as follows: the parties waive ordinary administration of justice and are bound to accept the rulings issued by the Arbitration Court. The Arbitration Court shall be comprised of three (3) members. The arbitration process shall be in Spanish and shall be conducted in the Arbitration Center of the CCQ and shall be confidential. All parties must cover corresponding fees and charges.