Booking Conditions

These booking conditions together with our General Information, Privacy Policy and any documents referred to in them will apply to: (A) Your use of our website; (B) Our supply of products and services; and (C) Our contact with you, so please read them and the product descriptions through carefully before booking.

Please note that to book any of the products described on our website or to you over the telephone you must agree to be bound by these booking conditions. If you have any questions about the booking conditions, please contact us for clarification prior to booking.

References to “you” and “your” include the first named person on the booking and all persons on whose behalf a booking is made or any other person to whom a booking is added or transferred. References to “Travel Arrangement(s)” in these booking conditions are to the accommodation, transport, cruises, experiences, activities, car hire and other services we offer for sale. References to “Supplier” means the supplier of the Travel Arrangements including but not limited to accommodation providers, cruise lines, transfer providers, experience and activity providers and car hire companies. References to “Principal Supplier” or “Principal” means the Supplier with whom your contract is with.

Please understand that if you refuse to accept these booking conditions, you will not be able to make any bookings with us for any products or services we offer for sale.

About Us

We are Light Blue Travel Ltd (‘Light Blue Travel’, ‘we’, ‘us’, ‘our’) a company registered in England and Wales Company No: 2686703 with its registered office at 2nd Floor Nucleus House, 2 Lower Mortlake Road, Richmond, UK TW9 2JA and trading office at 1 Longview Terrace, Histon Road, Cambridge CB4 3JH.

By making a booking, the first named person (the ‘lead name’) on the booking agrees on behalf of all persons detailed on the booking that he/she: a. has read these booking conditions, and the General Information and has the authority to and does agree to be bound by them; b. consents to our use of personal data in accordance with our Privacy Policy and is authorised on behalf of all persons named on the booking to disclose their personal details to us, including where applicable, special categories of data (such as information on health conditions or disabilities and dietary requirements); c. is over 18 years of age and resident in the United Kingdom and where placing an order for services with age restrictions declares that he/she and all members of the party are of the appropriate age to purchase those services; d. accepts financial responsibility for payment of the booking on behalf of all persons detailed on the booking and is authorised to use the credit or debit card that is used to pay for the booking; e. has provided information that is true and accurate; f. will only make legitimate reservations. False and/or fraudulent reservations are strictly prohibited.

Please Note: We act in the following capacities: as a Package Organiser/Principal in the sale of Package Holidays in accordance with the Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018 (‘PTRs’); as a Principal in the sale of single-element Travel Arrangement bookings; or as agent in the sale of Packages or single-element Travel Arrangement. This means that your contract will always be with Light Blue Travel regardless of what you book. You will be advised at the time of booking which one of these scenarios applies to your booking and it will also be confirmed on your confirmation invoice. For the avoidance of doubt, we do not sell Linked Travel Arrangements (as defined under the PTRs). Our obligations to you will vary depending upon what you book with us, and we have tried to set them out below as clearly as possible:

(A) Section A contains the conditions which will apply where we are acting as Principal to your booking whether you are booking a Package or a single element Travel Arrangement. Sections B OR C will also apply depending on what you have booked.

(B) Section B contains the conditions in addition to Section A which will apply when you make a booking for a Package with us where we act as the Package Organiser and Principal.

(C) Section C contains the conditions in addition to Section A which will apply where you make a booking for a singleelement Travel Arrangement booking with us where we act as Principal.

(D) Section D contains all the conditions which will apply where you make a single-element Travel Arrangement booking with us, where we are acting as agent. Please note that the Section D terms and conditions are completely standalone.

SECTION A

1. Your Holiday Contract

All bookings are subject to availability at the time of booking. We do not guarantee that any of the Travel Arrangements or Packages we advertise will still be available at the time of booking. Your booking with us is subject to the relevant parts of these booking conditions and we advise you to read these carefully prior to booking. In addition to being bound by our booking conditions you will also be bound by the terms and conditions of the companies we choose to facilitate your booking, such terms and conditions are available on request.

A contract will exist with us, as Principal, for your Package or Travel Arrangement as soon as we issue our confirmation invoice via email with a booking reference number. We dispatch this confirmation invoice to the lead name and the lead name will become directly responsible for the payment of the total price and if applicable, any cancellation charges. The lead name will also be responsible for passing any information regarding the booking or any changes made in relation to the booking to all members of the booking party including, but not limited to, information on schedule changes or copies of booking confirmations.

Please check your confirmation invoice carefully on receipt. In the event of any discrepancy in the details contained on the confirmation invoice please contact us immediately at sales@lightbluetravel.co.uk as it may not be possible to make changes at a later date and/or you may have to pay amendment or cancellation fees in accordance with section 4.

These booking conditions are governed by English Law, and the jurisdiction of the English Courts. You may however, choose the law and jurisdiction of Scotland or Northern Ireland if you wish to do so.

2. Your Holiday Price and Payments

We reserve the right to alter the prices of any of the Packages or Travel Arrangements shown. You will be advised of the current price of anything that you wish to book before your contract is confirmed. All prices include any applicable VAT. The information and prices shown in this brochure or on our website may have changed by the time you come to book. Although we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information and prices at the time of publication, regrettably errors do occasionally occur. You must, therefore, ensure you check the price and all other details of your chosen Package or Travel Arrangement with us at the time of booking. Should we become aware of the need to revise information or prices, we may do so by informing you before we accept your booking. In this case, the revised information or prices will be considered to form part of our contract with you as if they had originally been published in our brochure or on our website. We will not be liable for booking errors which are attributable to you or which are caused by unavoidable and extraordinary circumstances as defined in section 6. Where the Package or Travel Arrangement has been incorrectly priced and the booking has already been confirmed, we reserve the right to cancel the booking and refund all monies paid to you.

When you make your booking you must pay a minimum deposit of £450 per person unless you are advised otherwise. If we have to make special flight arrangements we reserve the right to charge you the full cost of these flights at the time of your booking. We will quote you the cost of these arrangements before we confirm your holiday. If we advise you prior to booking that your flights are ‘non-refundable’ then no refund will be due to you for your flights if you later cancel unless we can obtain a refund for you from the airline. Infants must be under two years of age on the date of return travel to qualify for infant status.

Unless you are otherwise advised by us, the balance of the price of your Package or Travel Arrangements must be paid at least 90 days before your departure date and the date will be advised on your confirmation invoice. If the balance is not paid in time we reserve the right to cancel your holiday arrangements and retain your deposit. Please see section 4 ‘If You Change or Cancel Your Holiday’ (below) for cancellation terms.

Please note: Resort fees including, car parking and refundable deposits are now commonly charged by hotels/resorts, which can only be paid locally and not at the point of booking. We will do our best to inform you of such fees but accept no responsibility for the payment of fees. If you are unclear as to whether resort fees will be payable please ask and we will do our best to advise you.

3. Insurance

It is a condition of booking with us that you take out appropriate travel insurance and you are not permitted to travel with us without having adequate travel insurance in place.

Your policy should include cover for (i) cancellation or curtailment of your holiday as a result of circumstances outside your control (including accident or illness and inability to travel for other reasons), (ii) personal accident, (iii) personal liability, (iv) medical expenses and repatriation in the event of medical need, and (v) cover for costs and liability arising from any specific activity you intend to participate in. Please note, it is your sole responsibility to ensure that the travel insurance purchased is suitable for your particular needs, including without limitation, in respect of any pre-existing medical condition (which must be disclosed to the insurer prior to purchasing the policy.)

Any travel insurance you purchase must include specific cover for Covid-19 related issues and incidents which may affect your Package or Travel Arrangements and, if necessary, travelling to a destination subject to a FCDO advisory against travel.

It remains your responsibility to read and understand the insurance policy and ensure that it is suitable and adequate for your particular needs. Please read your policy details carefully and take them with you on holiday. If you choose to travel without adequate insurance cover, we will not be liable for any losses suffered by you in respect of which insurance cover would otherwise have been available.

4. If You Change or Cancel Your Booking

Changing Your Holiday

If, after our confirmation invoice has been issued, you wish to change your Package or Travel Arrangements in any way, for example your chosen departure date or accommodation, we will do our utmost to make these changes but it may not always be possible. Any request for changes to be made must be in writing from the lead name on the booking. You will be asked to pay an administration charge of £40.00 per person per change and any further cost we incur in making this alteration. You should be aware that these costs could increase the closer to the departure date that changes are made and you should contact us as soon as possible.

Certain parts of Packages and Travel Arrangements (e.g. scheduled flight tickets or “non-refundable flights”) may not be changeable after a reservation has been made and any alteration request could incur a cancellation charge of up to 100% of that part of the Package or Travel Arrangement.

Cancelling Your Holiday

You, or any member of your party, may cancel your Package or Travel Arrangement at any time. Written notification from the lead name on the booking must be received at our offices. Since we incur costs in cancelling your Package or Travel Arrangement, you will have to pay the applicable cancellation charges shown below in addition to an administration charge of £40.00 per person. Charges may be higher where the flights and/or other parts of your Package or Travel Arrangement we have confirmed to you are “non-refundable” and this will be advised to you at the time of booking. Any party members who travel will receive a revised invoice based on the new party size. If the reason for your cancellation is covered under the terms of your insurance policy, you may be able to reclaim these charges.

If you wish to cancel an element of your Package or Travel Arrangement before the full balance is paid your deposit will not be refunded and will not be used to cover any outstanding balance. Certain arrangements may incur a cancellation charge of up to 100% of that part of the Package or Travel Arrangement after it has been confirmed.

In the case of scheduled flights these are non-refundable and are usually fully payable at the time of booking as advised on your booking confirmation invoice. In some cases a deposit is payable and you will be advised of the balance payment date on your confirmation invoice. Once the balance payment date has been surpassed you will be fully liable for the payment of the balance.

Even if an element of your Package is non-refundable, if you wish to cancel your booking you may also have to pay the following cancellation charges in respect of the other elements of your Package.

River Cruise Package Bookings

Amount of cancellation charge:

More than 90 days before departure – Deposit only

61 - 90 days before departure – 50%

31 - 60 days before departure – 75%

0 – 30 days before departure – 100%

Cancelling Due to FCDO Advice & Covid 19

Where you choose to travel to a destination subject to Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (‘FCDO’) advice against non-essential travel, you accept that once your booking has been confirmed, if you decide not to travel due to FCDO advice, you will have to pay our standard cancellation charges as shown in this section. You are not entitled to cancel and receive a full refund in these circumstances as it is assumed and you confirm that you have made your booking with full knowledge of FCDO advice against non-essential travel.

Please note that we will have no liability for any refunds, compensation, costs, expenses or other losses of any kind incurred by you (including, where applicable, the cost of medical treatment), in the following circumstances:

(i) If you, or anyone in your booking party, test positive for Covid-19, or are notified or otherwise become aware that you have, or suspect you may have, come into close contact with someone who has tested positive for Covid-19 (or where they otherwise suspect they may have Covid-19) and have to selfisolate for a period of time.

If this happens within 14 days of your departure date, you must contact us immediately as you may no longer be able to travel. We will offer you the following options where possible and subject to availability:

(a) Postponing your holiday to a later date. We will notify you of any impact on the price the postponement may have (please note that you may have to pay full cancellation charges on some elements of your holiday, such as the flight, as well any increase in cost imposed by Suppliers);

(b) If not everyone on the booking is affected, you will have the right to transfer your place on the holiday to another person nominated by you, subject always to compliance with the requirements within our booking conditions;

(c) Cancelling your booking, in which case we will impose our standard cancellation charges as at the date of cancellation by you.

You may be able to claim these costs back from your travel insurance – please check your policy wording. If this happens whilst you are on your holiday, please notify us immediately and we will provide such reasonable assistance as we can in the circumstances. However, we will not be responsible for covering the cost of any curtailment of your holiday, missed transport arrangements, additional accommodation required, or other associated costs incurred by you. Your travel insurance may cover some of these costs for you –please check the policy wording.

(ii) You fail any tests, checks, have not had any required vaccinations and within the required timeframes or have proof thereof or other measures imposed by a Supplier, airline, port or airport, border control authority or other government body or local authority or fail to submit for testing or assessment when requested to do so, and as such you are denied boarding, entry to the destination, access to the travel services or you are otherwise unable to proceed with your holiday, or any part of the holiday, or you are required to self-isolate within the destination. Your travel insurance may cover some of these costs for you – please check the policy wording.

(iii) You are required to isolate on your return home.

5. If We Cancel or Change Your Holiday

If We Cancel Your Holiday

We may in exceptional circumstances be required to cancel your booking in which case a full refund of all monies paid will be made to you. We regret we cannot meet any expenses or losses that you may incur as a result of change or cancellation, including any additional travel arrangements that you have made via another company.

Very rarely, we may be forced by unavoidable and extraordinary circumstances (see section 6 below) to change or terminate all or some of your arrangements after departure. If this situation does occur, we regret we will be unable to make any refunds, pay you compensation or meet any costs or expenses you incur as a result.

Where you have booked a Package, additional terms and conditions apply to your booking, please see section 24.

If We Change Your Holiday

It is unlikely that we will have to make any changes to your Package or Travel Arrangements, but we do plan the arrangements many months in advance. Occasionally, we may have to make changes and we reserve the right to do so at any time. Most of these changes will be minor and we will advise you of them at the earliest possible date. Examples of minor changes include alteration of your outward/return flights by less than 12 hours, changes to aircraft type, change of accommodation to another of the same or higher standard, changes of carriers. See additional provisions and examples that apply to Packages at section 24.

If we make a major change to your Package or Travel Arrangement, we will inform you as soon as reasonably possible if there is time before your departure. You will have the choice of either accepting the change of arrangements, accepting an offer of alternative travel arrangements of comparable standard from us if available (we will refund any price difference if the alternative is of a lower value), or cancelling your Package or Travel Arrangement and receiving a full refund of all monies paid. This doesn’t apply for minor changes. Additional provisions may apply to Packages (see section 24).

6. Unavoidable and Extraordinary Circumstances

In these booking conditions, unavoidable and extraordinary circumstances (also known as Force Majeure) means a situation which is beyond our or the Supplier’s control, the consequences of which could not have been avoided even if all reasonable measures had been taken. Such situations are likely to include, but are not limited to whether actual or threatened, war, riot, civil strife, terrorist activity, industrial dispute, natural or nuclear disaster, adverse weather conditions, flood, epidemics and pandemics, fire, airport, port or airspace closures, restrictions or congestion, flight or entry restrictions imposed by any regulatory authority or other third party, an FCDO advisory against travel to a particular destination and any other government restrictions on travel. Except where otherwise stated in these booking conditions, we have no liability including for compensation, costs and expenses in such situations.

Brexit Implications: please note that certain Package and Travel Arrangements may be affected as a result of the United Kingdom leaving the European Union. This could include changes to the visa requirements of British citizens travelling to, within or through the EU. This is something we will continue to monitor and will advise you as soon as possible if we become aware of any confirmed bookings that will be affected. However, since this is something which is completely unprecedented and outside our control, we would treat any such changes as unavoidable and extraordinary circumstances, and whilst we will endeavor to provide suitable alternative arrangements or refunds where possible, we will not be liable to pay you any compensation.

We shall have no liability to you for any changes, cancellations, failure to perform, or delay in performance of, any of our obligations that are caused by unavoidable and extraordinary circumstances. If such an event takes place and if affects the performance of our obligations to you, we will contact you as soon as reasonably possible to notify you. If you have any concerns about a booking, please contact sales@lightbluetravel.co.uk. We regret we will be unable to issue any refunds, pay you compensation or meet any costs or expenses you incur as a result.

7. Covid 19

Please bear in mind that Covid-19 and the measures and other action being taken by governments, public authorities and businesses to manage its effects (including implementation of mandatory social distancing, face masks/ coverings, hand sanitization and temperature checks) is likely to have an impact on Packages and Travel Arrangements for a considerable period of time. We may, for example, be unable to provide certain advertised services or facilities as a result.

Such measures / action may be introduced or changed with little or no prior notice. Greater flexibility is therefore likely to be required for the foreseeable future which we would ask you to bear in mind at all times, both before and after departure. Any impact which such measures / action has on your holiday will not constitute a significant alteration to your contracted arrangements and will not entitle you to cancel without payment of the applicable cancellation charges as a result.

8. Flights

Occasionally flight operators change the flight times and for that reason it is important that you confirm your flight times two days prior to departure.

For inbound flights, it may be necessary to reconfirm your flight with the airline. Please check this in the correspondence received from the airline or flight provider including all the relevant booking conditions. You should take a note of any reference number or contact name when reconfirming. If you fail to reconfirm you may be refused permission to board the aircraft and you are unlikely to receive any refund.

We cannot accept responsibility in the event that you miss your flight if you do not confirm your flight times as described above.

We are not always in a position at the time of booking to confirm the carrier(s), aircraft type and flight timings which will be used in connection with your flight. Where we are only able to inform you of the likely carrier(s) at the time of booking, we shall inform you of the identity of the actual carrier(s) as soon as we become aware of this. The carrier (s), flight timings and type of aircraft shown on our website and on your ATOL receipt (where applicable) are for guidance only and are subject to alteration and confirmation. The latest timings will be shown on your tickets which will be dispatched to you approximately 7-14 days prior to travel. You must check your tickets very carefully immediately on receipt to ensure you have the correct times. It is possible that flight times may be changed even after the tickets have been dispatched, we will contact you as soon as possible if this occurs. Any change in the identity of the carrier(s), flight timings, and/or aircraft type will not entitle you to cancel or change to other arrangements without paying our normal charges.

You have rights in some circumstances to refunds and/or compensation from the airline in cases of denied boarding, cancellation or delay to flights. Full details of these rights will be published at EU airports and will also be available from airlines. Reimbursement in such cases is the responsibility of the airline and will not automatically entitle you to a refund of your Package or Travel Arrangement price from us. If your airline does not comply with these rules you should complain to the CAA’s Passenger Advice and Complaints Team (PACT) on 020 7453 6888 or visit www.caa.co.uk.

Please note that in accordance with Air Navigation Orders, in order to qualify as an infant status, a child must be 2 years and under on the day of his/her return flight.

Where you have booked a Package or Travel Arrangement that does not include flights and you have booked flights separately in order to take part in a Package or Travel Arrangement we accept no responsibility for any flights, cancellations, amendments whatsoever.

9. ABTA

We are a member of ABTA, membership numbers D6183 and V9324. We are obliged to maintain a high standard of service to you by ABTA’s Code of Conduct. Further information on the code can be found on ABTA’s website www.abta.com. Please note that ABTA membership only applies to services shown as provided by Light Blue Travel and not to services provided by any third parties.

10. If You Have a Complaint

If you have a problem during your Package or Travel Arrangement, please inform the relevant Supplier (eg your hotelier or cruise line) and our resort representative, where applicable, immediately, who will endeavour to put things right. Please complete an Event Report while in resort and ask our representative or the Supplier to sign it. If you fail to follow this procedure we will have been deprived of the opportunity to investigate and rectify your complaint whilst you were in resort and this may affect your rights under this contract. If your complaint is not resolved locally you should follow this up within 28 days of your return home by writing to our Quality Service Department at Light Blue Travel, 1 Longview Terrace, Histon Road, Cambridge CB4 3JH giving your booking reference number and all relevant information. Please note we do not write to clients when we receive Event Reports sent to us by our resort representatives.

If a complaint arising from your holiday contract cannot be resolved amicably we can offer you ABTA’s scheme for the resolution of disputes which is approved by the Chartered Trading Standards Institute. If we can’t resolve your complaint, go to www.abta.com to use ABTA’s simple procedure. Further information on the Code and ABTA’s assistance in resolving disputes can be found on www.abta.com.

11. Additional Assistance in Resort

If you’re in difficulty whilst in resort and ask us to help we will provide appropriate assistance, in particular by providing information on health services, local authorities and consular assistance; and helping you to find alternative arrangements and any necessary phone calls/emails. You must pay any costs we incur if the difficulty is your fault.

12. Excursions

Excursions or other tours, activities, facilities or services that you may choose to book or pay for whilst you are on holiday do not form part of your Package or Travel Arrangements provided by us. For any excursion, tour, activity, facility or service that you book, your contract will be with the operator of that particular service and not with us. We are not responsible for the provision of that service or for anything that happens during the course of its provision by the operator.

13. Your Responsibilities

(a) Your specific passport and visa requirements and other immigration requirements are your responsibility and you should confirm these with the relevant embassies and/or consulates.

(b) Health & Entry Requirements (see section 14). You must check what vaccinations (including but not limited to Covid-19 vaccinations and timeframes) and/or quarantine requirements, if any, are required for your selected destinations.

(c) Airline regulations require women who are 28 weeks pregnant or more on the date of the return travel to have a doctor’s certificate stating that they are fit to travel. All pregnant women should check the time limits for travel as most airlines do not accept passengers who are more than 34 weeks pregnant at the date of return travel. In addition, for cruise bookings, women who are up to 23 weeks pregnant at the end of the cruise are required to produce a medical certificate of fitness to travel. The Carrier cannot for safety reasons carry pregnant women of 28 weeks or more by the end of the cruise. The Carrier reserves the right to request a medical certificate at any stage of pregnancy and to refuse passage if the Carrier and/or the Master are not satisfied that any pregnant passenger will be safe during the cruise.

(d) You should provide us with full details if you have any form of disability or impairment which may restrict the enjoyment of your holiday before we issue our confirmation invoice (in the case of cruises see section 17). We will only provide precise information on the suitability of your Travel Arrangements taking into account your needs if you specifically request us to do so. Acting reasonably, if we are unable to properly accommodate your needs, we will not confirm your booking and/or if you did not give us full details at the time of booking, we will treat it as cancelled by you when we become aware of these details. In the case of a cruise booking you may be required to complete a health questionnaire prior to boarding (see section 17).

(e) You must be responsible for the behaviour of yourself and your party. We can refuse to accept you as a customer or refuse to continue dealing with you if your behaviour is, in our opinion or the opinion of the airline pilot, hotelier, villa manager, other guests or other person in authority disruptive, dangerous, or annoying to other people or property.

(f) To take reasonable care of your baggage and to insure any high value items as we cannot accept liability for such items.

(g) To arrange holiday insurance (see section 3).

(h) To be aware of current FCDO advice at the time of travel and whilst in resort and any testing and quarantine requirements on your return home.

All costs of the above must be paid by you. We do not accept any liability if you are refused entry onto any transport or into any country due to failure on your part to obtain and carry all required documentation or to otherwise comply with all applicable requirements (including health/covid 19 related ones). If failure to have any necessary travel or other documents results in fines, surcharges, other financial penalty, costs or expenses being incurred by us, you will be responsible for reimbursing us accordingly. If you are unable to travel as a result of failure or inability to comply with any health related or other requirements, cancellation charges will apply.

14. Health & Entry Requirements

You must check entry and other official requirements for all countries to or through which you are travelling as well as any requirements applicable on your return to your home country, at the time of booking and in good time before and close to departure. Requirements are likely to change and travel restrictions may be imposed (which could be at no or very short notice prior to departure) as a result of the coronavirus situation. You must also keep up to date with this information while you are away.

Details of any compulsory health requirements applicable to your holiday are shown are shown on our website or will otherwise be advised at the time of booking. It is your responsibility to ensure you obtain details of and comply with all recommended and required vaccinations, health precautions and other health related measures (including those which are introduced to deal with coronavirus) in good time before departure. Details are available from your GP surgery, local travel clinic and the National Travel Health Network and Centre http://travelhealthpro.org.uk/.

Information on health abroad is also available on www.nhs. uk/Live-well/healthybody/before-you-travel Vaccination and other health requirements/recommendations are subject to change at any time for any destination, including at short or no notice. Please therefore check with a doctor or clinic or other reliable source of information not less than 6 weeks prior to departure and also closer to departure to ensure that you are aware of and can meet the necessary requirements and have the latest information. Please be aware that there may be enhanced screening/monitoring at exit and entry points both in the UK and overseas. In certain situations and when arriving from certain countries, you may be required to self-isolate or quarantine for a set period on arrival.

It is the responsibility of the person who makes the booking to ensure that all persons travelling are in possession of all necessary travel and health documents before departure. All costs incurred in obtaining such documentation must be