◀ Wonders of Palau: A Snorkel & Kayak Journey
TERMS & CONDITIONS
To help us provide you with the very best travel experience and to avoid confusion and misunderstandings, we ask that you read the Terms & Conditions (the “Terms”) below carefully. By booking, registering for, making a payment towards, or participating in a tour or other trip or service with the California Alumni Association (“CAA,” “we,” or “us”), you agree to these Terms which represent a legally binding contract.
PRICE PER PERSON: Main trip: $6,995 per person (double occupancy), $8,590 per person (single occupancy). Prices and availability are subject to change until you make a reservation and that reservation is confirmed. After that, your package price will not change. All advertised prices and costs are in U.S. currency.
FINAL PAYMENT: Reservations are to be paid in full by November 20, 2024 (90 days prior to departure). Final payment may be made by personal check, MasterCard, Visa, or American Express. Checks may be made payable to Cal Alumni Association. Late payments will be subject to a $100 per person late fee and/or subject to cancellation. Changes to your reservation may require an increased payment. If a check payment is made to CAA but is returned due to insufficient funds, stop payment, a closed account, or any other reason, we will notify you, and a returned check fee of $50 may be added to your balance due, at CAA’s sole discretion. You are responsible for making alternate payments to timely pay your balance due. If we notify you after your final payment due date that a check has been returned, we must receive a replacement payment within 48 hours, or your reservation may be subject to cancellation.
CANCELLATIONS AND REFUNDS: All cancellations must be submitted in writing to be valid. Cancellations made for any reason from registration to the final payment date will forfeit a $400 cancellation fee from deposit. Cancellations made 90-61 days before departure will forfeit 25% of the total trip cost. Cancellations made 60-45 days before departure will forfeit 50% of the total trip cost. No requests for cancellation or refund are granted within 45 days of tour departure or for no-show or early departure from a trip already in progress. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, all refunds–whether partial or otherwise–are ultimately at CAA’s sole discretion.
CAA MEMBERSHIP POLICY: One traveler per room, whether alumni or friend, must be a current Cal Alumni Association member at the time of departure to participate in Cal Discoveries Travel offerings. Payment of $60 for seniors 65 years and over and $75 for others establishes a regular or affiliate membership with all other association benefits. Memberships are for individuals only and are nonrefundable and non-transferable. A traveling pair and their children under 21 years of age may travel on one membership. Please make dues payable to CAA by separate check, or, provide a Visa, MasterCard, or American Express number with expiration date for payment. You can also enroll online at alumni.berkeley.edu/join.
COST INCLUDES: Main program: 9 nights accommodation; daily breakfast and lunch, and 4 dinners; local transportation via private; ground transportation to/from airports; luxury bus; all visits and sightseeing as indicated on the itinerary; English-speaking tour director; gratuities for local guides, drivers, and service at included restaurants; gratuities for baggage handling, hotel tips and taxes; services of on-site tour director and lecturer (cannot be guaranteed).
COST DOES NOT INCLUDE: International airfare; costs of passports and visas (if needed); meals other than those specified; beverages; optional tipping or gratuities; travel insurance; and other expenses of a personal nature (liquor, laundry, etc.).
MOBILITY AND FITNESS TO TRAVEL: This trip has a Level 4 activity rating. What to expect: These tours feature longer touring days and many full-day excursions, plus full, active itineraries that move at a faster pace to cover longer distances. Travelers are required to stand and walk over uneven terrain for extended periods, and should be comfortable at higher altitudes with steep ascents and descents. Outings last more than six hours each day. Suitable for: Travelers who can comfortably walk six to eight miles, or 9,200–11,500 steps, each day.
TRAVELERS WITH DISABILITIES OR DIFFICULTIES: Travelers requiring any type of special assistance must notify us of their requirements at the time of reservation. We will make reasonable attempts to accommodate special needs and notify our partners of these requirements. However, we cannot guarantee that all disabilities or difficulties can be accommodated, especially in foreign countries and remote locales. We regret that we cannot provide individual assistance to travelers for all circumstances. Travelers who require such assistance must be accompanied by a qualified companion who is a paid traveler.
Our itineraries may feature sightseeing and other activities that may involve strenuous activities such as hiking moderate distances, walking up steps or over uneven surfaces, ascending to high elevations, etc. In general, travel conditions in some destinations may be more difficult than what you are accustomed to. It is the responsibility of all travelers to consider their abilities, consult with appropriate medical personnel, and determine if they are in sufficient physical condition to comfortably undertake the requirements of each itinerary. If you are uncertain, please contact us to discuss.
If during travel, our representatives become concerned that your physical health or mental condition may make it unsafe for you to continue to participate in the planned itinerary, they may ask you to avoid certain activities. In extreme cases, we or our representatives may ask you to leave the tour. In this case, we will make reasonable attempts to transport you to the appropriate airport or other departure point, but otherwise, you will be responsible for all costs incurred. In either case, there will be no refund of unused services. You grant us and our representatives permission to discuss your situation, including your physical health or mental condition, and share any information we deem relevant with any travel companion, family member, medical professional, designated emergency contact, or other person we believe would be necessary or appropriate to deal with such concerns, at our sole discretion. We recommend you carry travel insurance.
ACCEPTANCE OF RISK: You acknowledge that travel, especially to foreign and remote destinations, may involve some risk to your health and safety. The degree and nature of personal risk involved depend on the products or services booked and the location(s) in which a product or service operates. There may be a significant degree of personal risk involved in participating in physical and/or high-risk activities (such as ziplining, snorkeling, or hot air balloon rides), carriage by watercraft, or traveling to high altitudes, remote locations, or countries with developing infrastructure. Standards of hygiene, accommodation, and transport in certain destinations we visit are often lower than the standards you may expect in your home country, and there may be a risk of food poisoning, disease, or injury.
By making a reservation with us, you acknowledge that you have considered the potential risks, dangers, and challenges, and your own personal capabilities and needs, and you assume responsibility for all such risks. You agree to take all prudent measures in relation to your own safety while traveling, Absent any negligence on our part, CAA and our representatives will not be held liable for any claims or causes of action arising from any losses, damages, injuries, or death resulting from failure to comply with safety instructions or warnings or the risks inherent in travel and participating in adventurous activities included in our itineraries or otherwise offered by us or our representatives.
COVID-19 HEALTH AND SAFETY PROTOCOLS: The well-being of our guests and staff members on tour will continue to be our highest priority. To maintain a healthy environment for travel, we will be establishing and adhering to a detailed set of health and safety protocols for all facets of your tour. We are committed to following the guidelines of the State Department, CDC, WHO, and authorities of respective countries regarding travel to a particular destination. Detailed protocols for this tour, based on conditions at the time, will be provided approximately 30 days prior to departure.
BAGGAGE FEES: Additional baggage fees may apply. Please contact your airline or refer to its website for detailed information regarding its checked baggage policies.
TOUR OPERATOR: CAA acts as a tour operator only. We connect our travelers to various travel-related services provided by third parties, including, but not limited to, airlines, coach, rail, cruise line operators, and hotels. CAA does not own, operate, manage, or control these independent suppliers of services and is not liable for their acts or omissions. CAA will use its best faith efforts to ensure smooth operations and the provision of services by independent suppliers to make our travelers’ experiences as satisfactory as possible. But given the independent nature of these suppliers, it is impossible for CAA to make legal representations, warranties, or guarantees as to their services. In the event that these services do not meet your expectations, your legal recourse is against the specific provider, not CAA. Conditions can change rapidly in a country at any time. It is your responsibility to check the USA Government Travel advisories for your intended destination at travel.state.gov/content/travel.
TRAVEL PROTECTION: For your protection, we strongly recommend that you purchase trip cancellation and travel accident insurance. CAA is not an insurance company and has no responsibility for the submission, payment, or adjustment of any insurance claims. Any insurance claims that may fall under your relevant travel insurance policy must be submitted to the insurance company identified in the policy.
PASSPORTS: All individuals departing from the United States of America must be in possession of a valid passport. Please check that your passport is valid for at least 6 months beyond your intended travel time. It is your responsibility to ensure that you have valid travel documentation, including but not limited to passports and visas, which meet the requirements of immigration and other government authorities at every destination. You are responsible for confirming with the United States Department of State or the representative government agency of the country to which you are traveling to confirm the requirements for visas and/or other requirements for admission to your destination. Any fines, penalties, payments, or expenditures incurred as a result of such documents not meeting the requirements of those authorities will be your sole responsibility.
REAL ID: Beginning May 7, 2025, if you plan to use your state-issued ID or license to fly within the U.S., it is your responsibility to make sure it is REAL ID-compliant. If you are not sure if your ID complies, please check with our local state Department of Motor Vehicles, or visit tsa.gov/real-id.
TRAVEL DOCUMENTS: Travel documents include, without limitation, airline tickets, hotel vouchers, tour vouchers, or any other document (whether in electronic form or otherwise) used to confirm an arrangement with a service provider. Travel documents may be subject to certain conditions and/or restrictions such as, but not limited to, being non-refundable, non-date-changeable, and subject to cancellation and/or amendment fees. Travel documents cannot be transferred to another person to use. All airline tickets must be issued in the name of the passport/photo identity holder. An incorrect name on a booking may result in an inability to use that booking and the booking being canceled. Any errors in names, dates, and timings may result in an inability to use that booking and the booking being canceled. Any errors in names, dates, and timings on your documentation will be your responsibility if we are not advised at the time of booking. Please reconfirm your flights at least 24 hours prior to departure.
HEALTH AND SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: It is your responsibility to ensure you are aware of any health requirements, health advisories, or health travel restrictions applicable to your travel destinations and to ensure that you carry all necessary vaccination documentation. CAA is not responsible for providing you with this information. Travel carriers and local authorities at travel destinations may require specific testing prior to boarding and/or upon arrival at your destination, including, but not limited to, a temperature check as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. You may be denied entry onto your carrier and/or entry upon arrival at your destination, or be required to self-quarantine at your destination and upon your return to the United States. You must comply with local government regulations. Additional costs are your responsibility. Check with the Center for Disease Control and Prevention for current information prior to and during your travel at cdc.gov.
INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS: Some countries require insecticide spraying of aircraft prior to a flight or while you are on the aircraft. Federal law requires that we refer you to the Department of Transport disinfection website at transportation.gov/airconsumer/spray.
GOVERNING LAW: The construction, validity, and performance of these Terms and any disputes between the parties shall be governed by and construed according to the laws of the State of California, without giving effect to its conflict of law principles, and any federal laws applicable therein. Both parties submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of the State of California with respect to any legal proceedings relating to these Terms.