Terms and Conditions

You understand that Lawson Discovery contracts on your behalf with  a number of third party suppliers including cruise companies who assist with the running of, or fully operate the cruises and tours, and is not responsible for the acts and omissions of these third parties. You agree to be bound by the conditions of these suppliers and cruise companies.

DEPOSIT
A non-refundable deposit of 10% of the base tour price is due within 7 days of booking.

AMENDMENTS
Any changes made to tour arrangements and flights after ticketing will incur additional fees based on airline charges. A per booking amendment fee of $100 will be charged for any changes made to a booking after ticketing or after the final payment date (whichever is earlier). This does not include any 3rd party supplier fees that may be associated with the change.

PRICES
The price is quoted in Australian Dollars and is converted at a set rate of exchange from the currency in which payments are settled. Lawson Discovery reserves the right to adjust prices due to factors outside our control, such as foreign currency exchange rates. Such adjustments may be made at any time before we have received full payment. In the case that there is an increase in the US dollar exchange rate against the Australian dollar by more than 20% in your disfavour due to price adjustments as per above you will have the right to cancel the tour with a full refund providing you notify Lawson Discovery within the time period provided.

NOT INCLUDED IN YOUR TOUR COST
Unless otherwise indicated the following costs are not included in your tour price: visas, passport costs, travel insurance, vaccinations & medical expenses, excess baggage, laundry, drinks, optional activities and trips, and any items of a personal nature.

BOOKING & CONDITIONS
On the date Lawson Discovery has received your booking and/or a deposit, and/or full payment, you acknowledge that you have read and understood these booking conditions, and that you have entered into a legally binding contract with Lawson Discovery and the third party operators.

PASSPORTS AND VISAS
All passengers must have a valid passport with at least 6 months validity from return date for overseas tours. It is the responsibility of each passenger to ensure any applicable visas for all countries visited have been obtained prior to departure. Meeting necessary passport and visa entry requirements and costs is the sole responsibility of passengers.  For domestic travel, one form of government photo ID is required.

FLIGHTS
Flights that are included in the tour must be booked by Lawson Discovery. Offers are with an airline and in a particular class of Lawson Discovery’s choice. If that airline and/or class is not available, Lawson Discovery reserves the right to use an alternative airline of their choice.

CANCELLATIONS BY YOU
If you wish to cancel all or part of your booking with us you will need to notify us in writing. The date Lawson Discovery receives the written cancellation notice is the date that will determine the applicable cancellation charges.
Days before departure:
151 days or more – Loss of deposit
91 days to 150 days – 50% refund of entire tour price.
90 days or less – 0% refund of entire tour price.

CANCELLATIONS OF TOURS WITH THE PASSION PLAY
For tours which include the Oberammergau Passion Play, the cancellation charges vary from other tours.
Days before departure:
301 days or more – Loss of deposit
241 days to 300 days – 50% refund of entire tour price.
240 days or less – 0% refund of entire tour price.

CANCELLATION BY THE TOUR OPERATORS
Third party tour and cruise operators reserve the right to cancel the planned trip up to 30 days before departure, if the minimum number of participants has not been achieved. Any payment already received from the contracting party will be paid back if you are not in agreement with an alternative trip offered. The tour operators have the right in the case of force majeure (e.g. war, uprising and, natural disasters, abnormal / exceptional weather and ice conditions, legal stipulations of the local/regional authorities and other “acts of God”) to cancel the trip. Lawson Discovery and the cruise operators may not be held liable for any claims made due to force majeure. If situations of force majeure occur during the trip, the tour operators will try to offer an alternative program. If this should prove impossible, the operators or your are entitled to cancel the trip. In such a case, Lawson Discovery may not be held financially liable.

CHANGES TO YOUR TOURS & SERVICES
If due to, but not limited to, weather conditions, sea currents, nautical reasons and ice conditions, the decision is taken to change the program, every effort will be made to offer an alternative. In certain exceptional cases, however, this may not be possible. Lawson Discovery will not be held liable for claims made on the basis of non-fulfilled expectations in this regard.

TRAVEL INSURANCE
It is a mandatory requirement to have adequate travel insurance for participation in international tours. The travel insurance policy must cover; any medical expenses following accident, injury and/or death, including any related to pre-existing medical conditions and/or disability; third party risk insurance; emergency repatriation (including evacuation by air where applicable); and personal liability. In case of a medical problem arising during the tour which results in costs for medical treatment, evacuation, use of aircraft or repatriation etc., the responsibility for payment of these costs lies solely with the passengers.