Blue Bus Tours Terms & Conditions of Travel

Acceptance of Terms & Conditions
It is understood by Blue Bus Tours that the terms and conditions of travel are understood and accepted by the passenger when the booking form is completed and signed, and the deposit is paid.

Payments, Cancellations and Refunds
Bookings can be made by completing the booking form and a non-refundable deposit per person is required within 7 days of booking to confirm your seat. All balance payments must be received by Blue Bus Tours within the date specified prior to the tour commencement. Payments are available to be made by cash, cheque, credit card and direct deposit. Blue Bus Tours also reserves the right to cancel this tour due to insufficient numbers and in this instance a substitute date will be offered, or a full refund will be made available.

Cancellation Policy
Our cancellation policy takes into account our chances of re-booking another passenger to replace you and the reasonable costs we may have incurred before the booking was cancelled. It is also contingent on our ability to recover funds paid in advance to third party suppliers, subject to their refund/credit policies. Where possible, we may offer a credit for a future tour rather than charge a cancellation fee or pay a refund. The initial deposit is non-refundable.

If you cancel your Blue Bus Tour booking, this is considered a “change of mind” and you should contact us as soon as possible. Cancellations must be made in writing by the person that made the booking (this helps to protect you).

The following fees apply according to the notice given: –
• Bookings cancelled after the deposit has been paid and more than 60 days prior to the commencement of the tour— forfeit deposit paid per person (subject to specific tour conditions)
• 60—30 days prior to commencement of tour— up to 50% of total fare to be paid
• Less than 30 days prior to commencement of tour— no refund payable.
Where a non-refundable ticket is pre-purchased, e.g. flight tickets, this will be in addition to the cancellation fee. If the tour has already commenced, no refund of fare or unused portion of the tour can be given.

For the avoidance of doubt, any cancellation by you is considered a change of mind by you, including if your reason to cancel is due to any health issue, bereavement, fear of travel or unexpected commitment, e.g. jury duty. Note your Travel Insurance should cover most contingencies (see condition below). You are responsible for any costs, expenses, charges, fees, losses or damage incurred as a consequence of any cancellation or amendment of your booking.

Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is not included in this tour. It is strongly recommended that insurance be taken out to fully protect against any unforeseen events that might occur including, but not limited to cancellation fees, airfare and / or land content costs or curtailment expenses arising as the result of illness, strikes, loss of luggage etc. Travel Insurance is the responsibility of the passenger and is subject to conditions, including pre-existing illnesses and mature age passenger surcharges. We suggest you contact your local Insurance Agent to discuss options available to you.

Tour Prices
Tour prices are correct at time of printing but subject to change without notice for unforeseen circumstances such as higher hotel rates, government surcharges and fuel prices. All prices quoted include GST. Tour price includes meals, sightseeing and other activities as per the itinerary. Accommodation is included to the advertised standard and is on a twin share basis with ensuite facilities. Tour price excludes drinks, telephone calls, travel insurance or items of a personal nature. It also does not include the cost of your travel to our pick up locations.

Itineraries
Blue Bus Tours arranges charters and tours on the condition that it is not liable for any damage, injury or loss which may occur due to accident, delay, irregularity or defect of any vehicle, vessel or accommodation. The tour itinerary is a guide only, and although we will make every reasonable effort to adhere to the program, we reserve the right to make any alterations as necessary. Alterations may come about due to tidal or weather conditions, strikes, public holidays, local festivals, renovations and/or upgrades or other reasons. Any additional expense incurred by the passenger is not our responsibility. We can give no guarantee of the exact arrival and departure times for carriers and operators used by us on the tour and will not be liable for failure to make connections with other services or attractions beyond our control.

Single Supplement & Travelling Alone
A single supplement (additional fee) is payable by a solo traveller for accommodation where only one person is staying in a room. Blue Bus Tours gives no guarantee that sufficient (or any) single rooms will be available on any given tour. If you wish to twin share you will need to organise your own travelling companion, as we do not arrange ‘willing to share’ rooming companions. If you book as a twin share and your rooming companion cancels their booking, the single supplement will be added to your fare unless you find a new rooming partner.

Special Dietary Requirements
Special meal requests must be advised at the time of booking. All efforts are made to accommodate special dietary requirements, like vegetarian and coeliac meals however in some locations this cannot be guaranteed.

Health, Fitness and Attitude
It is important that all passengers are reasonably healthy and / or fit to participate in our tours. There is generally a reasonable level of walking involved in most tours and some tours include stair climbing (this may include accommodation upstairs). There may be times when you will be standing for up to 30 minutes during a tour of an attraction. You may have to walk over uneven ground with no paving. You should be able to get in and out of transportation unassisted and to be able to manage your own luggage. There may be times when the shower provided in your accommodation is over a bath.

Passengers must advise Blue Bus Tours of pre-existing medical conditions that may affect their ability whilst on tour. Blue Bus Tours reserves the right to accept / decline and / or terminate a passenger’s participation in a tour, if it is believed that it is in the best interest of that passenger or other passengers on tour. If terminated whilst on tour, no refund will be given, and the passenger is responsible for their return transportation costs (see termination of travel conditions below).

When joining a group coach tour, you undertake to conduct yourself in a manner conducive to good group dynamics. This includes the following qualities – punctuality, tolerance, a positive attitude and being open, friendly and interested in other people. If you act in a manner that threatens or disrupts the safety and enjoyment of others on the tour, the tour leader may, acting reasonably, require that you leave the tour. You will not be entitled to any refund for the unused portion of the tour and you will be responsible for any additional costs you incur, including your return transportation costs (see termination of travel conditions below).

Passengers with Special Needs
It is essential you advise us of any mobility, medical conditions or special needs you may have at the time of booking so that we can ensure your needs are met as best as possible. Passengers requiring special assistance are welcome onboard provided they are accompanied by an able-bodied companion/carer capable of providing all necessary assistance and do not require special assistance from Blue Bus Tours personnel or anyone else on the tour. We do not, nor are we required to, provide carers or assistants for those with reduced mobility or other health needs. It is your responsibility to arrange for such a carer if so required. Any such carer will pay the full price of any tour. In particular, hostesses, tour guides, coach captains, and your fellow passengers will not act as assistants or carers in these circumstances.

Termination of Travel Arrangements of Individual Passengers
Blue Bus Tours representatives/crew or any carrier reserves the right at its discretion to exclude from a tour, or to terminate the travel arrangements of any person during the course of the tour without refund, of anyone who:

• is incapable of caring for themselves without a minder/carer
• is unable to cope with the requirements of the tour or who may need or require services or facilities that are not available
• fails to comply with the reasonable instructions of Blue Bus Tours crew
• engages in illegal, offensive or undesirable behaviour or interferes with the enjoyment of or jeopardises the safety of other participants
Anyone so excluded will be required to disembark at a safe public location, transport from which will be wholly their responsibility.

You agree that Blue Bus Tours is released from all liability for, and you agree not to hold Blue Bus Tours responsible for, termination of your travel arrangements in accordance with the previous condition, or any decision made by Blue Bus Tours or by any service provider who refuses to provide you with special accommodation facilities or services that are not available or who refuses to carry you by reason of any disability or medical condition or due to undesirable behaviour.

Luggage Restrictions
Due to strict government vehicle weight restrictions, one medium size suitcase per person. Maximum weight of all luggage not to exceed 20kg. We suggest you have a suitcase with wheels for ease of manoeuvrability that is of a size and weight that you can manage by yourself. In addition, one piece of hand luggage may be carried onboard the coach with your personal items. Payment of excess luggage costs imposed by airlines is the responsibility of the passenger. Blue Bus Tours will not be held responsible for any loss, damage or theft of baggage or belongings. This should be covered by Travel Insurance.

Smoking & Alcohol
Government regulations prohibit the consumption of alcohol on board Coaches. Smoking is also not permitted. Smokers will find that frequent stops made for sight-seeing provide the ideal opportunity to smoke. Smoking is generally prohibited in accommodation, restaurants and licensed premises (other than in designated areas).

Tour Photographs
You agree that our Blue Bus Tours Representatives or Third Party Suppliers may take photographs and films of you while you are on holiday and that these may be used in our advertising or publicity material or online without obtaining any further consent or payment in respect of such photographs and/or films.

Liability
Blue Bus Tours reserves the right to alter or change the itinerary, accommodation or carriers at any time for any reason. We reserve the right to substitute coaches at any time when circumstances may require so, without prior notice. We shall not be liable to any person taking our tour for death, loss (including loss of enjoyment), injury or damage to such persons or their belongings or otherwise in connection with any accommodation, transportation or other services or resulting directly or indirectly for any occurrences beyond our control including breakdown of equipment, theft, delay or cancellation or changes in itinerary or schedules etc.

Any term, condition or warranty express or implied by Statute or otherwise, for the products and/or services is excluded to the full extent permitted by law. However, nothing in your booking contract excludes, restricts or modifies the application of the Australian Consumer Law as amended, consolidated, supplemented or replaced.

To the full extent permitted by law, Blue Bus Tours’ liability arising under or in connection with your booking contract:-
(a) Is limited to the re-supply of the products and/or services or the payment of the cost of the re-supply of the products and/or services to you; and
(b) Excludes liability for any indirect or any consequential losses suffered by you or any third party, howsoever caused, including but not limited to pure economic loss or any special, extraordinary, or punitive damage to you or any other party.

Third Party Suppliers
Our trips and tours may include the services of other operators who are not agents, servants or employees of Blue Bus Tours. Third party tour components include where applicable land, sea or air transport, accommodation, meals, attractions, etc. All such providers are referred to as suppliers. Suppliers are not under the direct control of Blue Bus Tours. Whilst we take all reasonable care in selecting the operators of services and optional tour excursions, we cannot and do not take responsibility for the conduct of the operators, their servants and agents, or for any ramifications of that conduct. We cannot accept any liability for any injury, damage, loss, accident, delay, sickness or irregularity which may be occasioned by any supplier or their employees such as the failure of a hotel to provide any of the service normally available or any defect in any vehicle or other conveyance. Some 3rd party suppliers may require passenger contact details in order to fulfil dietary/medical requirements. Blue Bus Tours is obligated to offer this information unless advised by the passenger/s not to do so.

Our trips and tours may include the use of facilities such as public toilets, parks and accommodation (such as campgrounds) that may also be accessed by other users / members of the public at the same time. Blue Bus Tours accepts no responsibility for the cleanliness and safety of such facilities and/or the actions of any other user.

Blue Bus Tours accepts no responsibility for losses or additional expenses resulting from any delays or changes in air, motor, and other services, sickness, weather, strikes, lockouts, war, natural disasters or any other causes. We cannot guarantee the exact arrival and departure times for any of the services included in the tour arrangements and therefore are not liable for any failure to meet connections with any other service. Whilst we will take all reasonable care to ensure our passengers enjoy the tour, we accept no liability for any loss of enjoyment experienced by passengers due to circumstances beyond our direct control.

Termination of Booking Contract or Change of Travel Arrangements Due to Force Majeure
A Force Majeure Event means any act of God, war, terrorism, fire, flood or any other extreme weather conditions, loss of power, epidemics or pandemics, industrial disputes, slow-downs or other strike activities, riots or civil disturbances, acts of government, semi government or other authorities, inability to obtain any necessary licence or consent and delays caused by sub-contractors, suppliers or other third parties (including telecommunications carriers), material shortages or other disruption to the tour beyond our control.

If Blue Bus Tours, in its reasonable opinion, considers that any Force Majeure event prevents us (whether directly or through its employees, contractors, sub-contractors and agents) from lawfully and/or safely providing any products and/or services, the subject of the booking contract to you, we may immediately by written notice:-
(a) Terminate the booking contract (in whole or in part); and/or
(b) Change your travel arrangements as reasonably practicable to ensure your safety and invoice you for any additional costs of performing this service as mentioned above.

See below for specific conditions relating to pandemics.

Limitation of Liability in the Event of Force Majeure
In the event that we cancel or change your travel arrangements in any way due to a Force Majeure event, we will not be liable to you in contract, tort, statute or restitution of any loss (including but not limited to loss of deposit or purchase price and loss of enjoyment), damage, costs, charges, expenses or injury resulting from or in connection with (whether directly or indirectly):-
(a) The cancellation or change of travel arrangements; and/or
(b) The Force Majeure event.
For the avoidance of doubt, we are not liable to refund any part of the deposit and/or purchase price paid by you if we subsequently change or cancel your travel arrangements in connection with a Force Majeure event. World weather patterns, civil unrest, terrorism and disease epidemics are becoming more erratic and unpredictable and these are risks beyond our control. It is your responsibility to purchase adequate comprehensive travel insurance to protect yourself against these risks.

Complaints and lost property
If a problem occurs during your tour, please advise your tour manager or coach captain as soon as possible, so that steps can be taken to resolve the matter. If for any reason you remain dissatisfied, any complaint must be made in writing to us within thirty (30) days of the last day of the tour.
As well as the matters previously referred to in these Terms and Conditions, Blue Bus Tours is not liable for lost or damaged baggage and personal property. We strongly recommend that you take out fully comprehensive travel insurance with a reputable insurer.

Pandemics
The government response to COVID-19 had significant impacts on the travel industry and resulted in a number of travel restrictions and conditions. In the event that another such pandemic occurs, where we are unable to proceed with a tour due to government restrictions on travel, we will endeavour to postpone the tour to another date. In the event that the alternative date is not suitable, we will offer credit for tour pre-payments made to be used on any other Blue Bus Tour. Alternatively, we will refund tour payments made subject to reasonable administrative expenses incurred and our ability to recover funds paid to third party suppliers.

Passengers will be required to complete a health declaration on the day of the tour departure which may include declaring symptoms, recent visits to declared disease hotspots and/or vaccination status. A passenger presenting on the tour departure date with symptoms of disease or having been in a declared hotspot or failing the government mandated vaccination status may be refused access to the tour. We recommend comprehensive Travel Insurance is taken out to cover this eventuality.

In the event that a passenger develops symptoms of a communicable disease during a tour, medical advice will be obtained and the passenger directed to take the following precautions:

• wear a surgical mask (we will have a supply of these in the coach)
• avoid direct contact with other passengers, drivers and crew
• practise good hand washing hygiene and cough/sneeze hygiene.

If the medical advice is that a test is required, we will follow the guidance of the local health authorities / Chief Health Officer. If the tour is unable to proceed, we may be required to do an express return to our tour start. If we are unable to complete the tour due to these circumstances, any refunds will only be possible if we are able to recover tour costs made to third party suppliers and after tour costs incurred to date and costs involved in returning to base have been deducted (see Limitation of Liability in the Event of Force Majeure conditions above). Blue Bus Tours shall not be liable for any transmission of any diseases in relation to passengers travelling on our vehicles and/or participating in any other activities associated with a tour.

Cleaning – We continue to apply our cleaning procedures to maintain high hygiene standards aimed to stop the spread of diseases. This includes frequent cleaning of high-touch point surfaces during the tour and may included additional vehicle sanitising procedures (including full mist Fogger Sanitising of the coach) between tours.

Social Distancing of 1.5 metres cannot be accommodated within our coaches. Our coach seats have ample leg room and high seat backs and we may minimise the movement of passengers within the coach by sequenced entry and exit of the coach. Daily seat arrangements records may be kept. It is recommended that passengers carry and use their own hand sanitiser or cleaning wipes and face masks if required.