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We are members of the Association
of British Travel Agents (no. W5344, L3461) and all arrangements are fully
bonded in accordance with ABTA requirements. Bookings are subject
to the conditions of carriage of Eurostar (UK) Ltd or the appropriate
transport or service provider, and also of the applicable international
conventions.
Our Terms and Conditions define the obligations and commitments
entered into by both sides and together with your confirmation invoice,
comprise the contract between ShortBreaks Ltd - hereafter ‘the
agent’ - and all persons on whose behalf the booking is made.
Further details are provided under the heading Important Information
and you should familiarise yourself with both sections carefully before
making your booking.
You are also advised to download a print version of this page for
your future reference. |
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Download
terms and conditions below |
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zipped.pdf |
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zipped
.rtf |
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zipped
.doc |
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Your booking and contract
You must be at least 18 to make a booking with us. A binding contract
exists between us as agent of providers of transport and/or hotel
accommodation once you have paid full payment (or deposit if booked with our sales team) and we have despatched your confirmation invoice. You should check
this carefully, as it may not be possible to make changes later and
non-confirmed items will not be supplied. Please note that once confirmed,
Eurostar tickets and (after the appropriate cooling-off period) the
insurance premium are non-transferable and non-refundable. An oral
request or provision of an option does not give rise to contractual
obligations and may be cancelled by either party.
Pricing
Prices are based on two persons sharing a standard room and are based
on the exchange rate of Euro 1.40. Published prices are for guidance
only and may be subject to change without notice, dependent upon such
variances as transport costs, currency fluctuations and the availability
of certain fares. However, the price confirmed at the time of booking
is guaranteed and will not be subject to surcharge.
Payment
Full payment is required if purchasing through our online booking system. If a deposit is the preferred initial payment you must call us to make your booking. You must call us to pay
the balance or send a cheque, by the date shown on your invoice. If
full payment is not made at the required time, we reserve the right
to treat your booking as cancelled and apply the charges set out below.
If your booking is made less than eight weeks before departure, full
payment is required at time of booking. Credit card payments can only
be accepted from the cardholder or if specifically authorised by the
cardholder. Transactions are undertaken in £ sterling. If you
are using a foreign currency credit/debit card, we cannot be responsible
for any currency conversion charges or any transaction fees incurred.
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Cancellation by you
The party leader must confirm cancellations in writing directly to
the agent, not to individual suppliers. If the number of people
in the party changes, the price will be recalculated on the basis
of the amended party size/ room types. Please remember that in order
to take advantage of special fares, Eurostar tickets are non-transferable
and non-refundable. Some optional extras such as concerts and shows
are also non-refundable. In the event that an optional extra is withdrawn
by the supplier or is not available for any reason, any refund due
is limited to the cost of the pre-paid extra and does not constitute
grounds for cancelling or amending a confirmed booking without appropriate
charges. Cancellation charges are payable as a proportion of the invoiced
price; these shall be calculated from the date we receive written
notification of the cancellation and are as shown on the right: |
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Days prior to departure/Cancellation
charge
More than 56 days £60 per person or loss of deposit (whichever
is higher)
56 - 29 days 50% of total
28 - 15 days 75% of total
14 - 4 days 90% of total
Within 4 days 100% of total |
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Amendments to
your booking
An amendment fee of £25 per person (excluding infants) will
be charged in addition to any suppliers’ charges for changes
to room types or hotels. If you want to change any details regarding
your confirmed transport arrangements, we will have to cancel the
original Eurostar reservation and buy a new ticket. You will be required
to pay the full travel cost again. No refund will be made for unused
accommodation or services during an independent variation to a holiday,
or where you curtail your holiday.
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Cancellation or
amendment by us
We shall not cancel a holiday after the balance due date unless necessary
due to force majeure (as detailed below) or unless you are in default
of payment. However, should we have to amend your booking, we will
endeavour to offer accommodation of a similar or higher standard and
trains as close to the original departure time as possible. You may
accept such changes or receive a full refund. In the case of a more
significant amendment, we will also pay compensation* as shown on
the right: |
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No of days prior
to departure/Compensation
More than 42 days nil
42 - 29 days £5.00 per person
28 -15 days £7.50 per person
Within 14 days £10.00 per person |
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N.B Force Majeure
*Compensation will not be paid when changes or cancellations occur
as a result of war, civil strife, terrorism, strikes, industrial disruption,
natural disaster, fire; technical problems or accidents with ports
of transport; government action; changes/withdrawals in arrangements
or facilities by accommodation/ transport/ optional extra suppliers
or any other events beyond our control.
Complaints
In the unlikely event that you have a complaint, you should allow
the supplier the opportunity to resolve the matter for you. If this
is not achieved to your satisfaction, you must notify the agent
in writing within 28 days of the date of your return. If your complaint
is related to your hotel, you must in the first instance register
this with the hotel management. Complaints related to Eurostar or
rail services must be lodged with the train manager. Written confirmation
of a complaint must be obtained from the service provider and failure
to follow these procedures may affect any subsequent claim for compensation.
We will respond to you within 28 days. Disputes, which cannot be settled
amicably, may be referred to arbitration under a special ABTA scheme,
administered independently by the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators.
Details on request or from the ABTA website- www.abta.com
Data Protection Policy
In order to process your booking and meet your requirements we need
to use the information you provide, such as your name and address
etc. We take full responsibility for ensuring that proper security
measures are in place to protect this information. We must obviously
pass the information on to the relevant suppliers of your travel/accommodation
arrangements. The information may also be provided to security or
credit checking companies, public authorities, such as customs and
immigration, if required by them or by law. On occasion we may use
it to send you promotional material. We will not pass on information
to any person or organisation, which is not involved in your travel
arrangements. This applies to any sensitive information that you give
us, such as details of any disabilities, or dietary/ religious requirements.
In making this booking, you consent to this information being passed
on to the relevant persons. You have right of access to personal data
held - your data controller is ShortBreaks Ltd.
Our liability to you
ShortBreaks Ltd as agent accepts responsibility for the proper performance
of the contract between us and for the proven acts and/or omissions
of its employees, agents, suppliers and any other third party for
whom the operator acts as agent. We will not be liable where the act
or omission is attributable to the customer or to unforeseeable or
unavoidable failures of an unconnected third party. Likewise, we will
not be liable where there are unusual or unforeseeable circumstances
beyond our immediate control, which could not have been avoided even
with due care or to an event, the consequences of which could not
have been foreseen or forestalled, even with due care. Except in the
case of death or personal injury, our liability is limited to twice
the holiday cost.
Subject to reasonable discretion, the agent will offer general
assistance to any customer who, through misadventure, suffers illness,
injury or death during the course of the holiday arising out of an
independent activity, not forming any part of the contracted services.
Where subsequent legal action is undertaken by the customer, initial
costs up to a maximum of £5000.00 per booking will be met by
the agent, subject to prior agreement and when a request for such
assistance is received within 90 days of the misadventure. In the
event of a successful claim, the agent’s costs will be recoverable
from the customer.
If, in the opinion of a person in authority - i.e. the train manager
or hotel manager - you appear to be unfit to travel or because of
anti-social behaviour are likely to cause disturbance to other passengers/guests
or damage to property, our responsibility for you will cease. We will
not be liable for making alternative arrangements or for repatriation,
and we will not cover any additional costs incurred or make any refund.
Legal
Jurisdiction
These terms and conditions are governed by English law and the jurisdiction
of the English courts but you may choose the law and jurisdiction
of Scotland or Northern Ireland, if preferred.
(19/12/05)
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Your Hotel and Accommodation
Hotel star ratings have been decided by the appropriate tourist authorities
and can vary considerably. Please ask for our own assessment of your
chosen hotel at the time of booking. Our staff regularly visit hotels
on our programme and will try to help you chose a property to suit
your own requirements and budget.
Single rooms
Our prices are based on two people sharing a twin or double. Single
passengers will be subject to a single supplement payable for each
night of their stay and may be allocated a standard room for sole
occupancy or alternatively, a smaller single room. Regrettably single
rooms may not always be the same standard or in such good locations
within the hotel as twins but still incur a supplement.
Twin & double rooms
Hotels may have both twin and double rooms. In Europe it is not unusual
for a double to consist of twin beds pushed or joined together. If
you express a preference, we will pass this request to the hotel but
even if we name a specific room type in good faith on your confirmation,
this may not be available on your arrival at the hotel.
Triple & Quad rooms
The price per person is the same as for a twin or double room. Please
note additional beds are normally folding or sofa beds and space may
be limited. Cots – Most hotels can provide
cots, but these must be requested in advance and there may be a charge
to pay in advance or locally. It is important to examine the cot for
safety/suitability prior to use.
Special Requests and Special Needs
If you have any special request, please tell us when you book. We
will pass on these requests but they are not guaranteed. Whilst we
are not a specialist in special needs holidays, if you consult our
staff at the time of booking, we will try to help you choose the arrangement
best suited to your requirements.
Passengers confined to a wheelchair and one companion can travel First
Class on Eurostar for a small supplement.
Tickets, Vouchers and Emergency Contact
These are normally sent 7 days prior to departure. If a late booking
(usually within 14 days of the date of travel) tickets may be issued
on departure at the Eurostar terminal and your accommodation voucher/contact
number either emailed or faxed to you or directly to your hotel.
Included
in your basic price
Included in your arrangements are return economy rail services from
London Waterloo International or Ashford International to the destination
shown on your confirmation. Direct train services to Paris, Lille,
Marne la Vallee and Brussels are operated by Eurostar. All onward
journeys to Ghent, Antwerp and Bruges involve a change of train to
local Belgian rail services.
Accommodation in the hotel specified on your confirmation on a bed
& Continental breakfast basis (unless otherwise stated).
All local taxes and V.A.T.
N.B. Rail only or accommodation only options are sometimes available,
upon request.
Not included in your basic price
Your transport to/from Waterloo and Ashford and the transfers to/from
the point of arrival and your hotel are not included.
All meals and drinks, unless detailed on your confirmation or included
in First Class Eurostar bookings.
Any travel/ accommodation supplements.
Any pre-bookable extras, such as travel cards, river cruise, museum,
concert or exhibition tickets (NB sold subject to the terms and conditions
laid down by the individual supplier or organiser.)
Personal hotel charges, such as for laundry, safety deposit boxes,
mini-bar purchases, pool or fitness centre facilities (unless otherwise
stated) etc.
Gratuities and porterage.
Re-imbursement to hoteliers for any damage or loss.
Charges for infant cots (unless otherwise stated on your confirmation).
Travel insurance - We cannot be held responsible for any claims resulting
from an uninsured loss.
Travel insurance
We strongly recommend that you take out our own recommended or similar
appropriate cover. We cannot be held responsible for any claims resulting
from an uninsured loss.
Baggage
Baggage allowance on Eurostar is 2 suitcases and 1 piece of hand luggage
per person (except for infants who do not have a separate allowance
unless paying for a seat). Excess luggage will be charged (currently
£15.00 per item). Larger items, such as non-collapsible bicycles
or trunks, have to be sent as Registered baggage – details on
request.
Accuracy of our published information
Whilst every effort is made to ensure website and promotional material
accuracy, changes can happen sometimes and we will update you at the
time of booking or if necessary, subsequently. Also if we learn of
any building work likely to adversely affect your holiday enjoyment,
we will do our best to forewarn you.
Visas and Passports
British citizens (with right of abode) and EU nationals do not require
a visa for our Eurostar destinations, but do need a valid 10-year
passport. Many non-EU nationals will require a visa and this should
be checked with the relevant authorities. In all cases obtaining any
necessary visas is entirely the responsibility of the passenger and
must be obtained prior to confirming a reservation. N.B. No refund
can be given for cancellation or abandonment of a journey due to lack
of correct personal documentation.
Health and Safety
You should consult the D.o.H leaflet “Advice for Health for
Travellers” or your GP for up to date information on health
matters. All our hotels are obliged to meet local Health and Safety
standards and fire regulations. However, these can vary and particularly
in older city centre hotels, in preserved areas or in listed buildings,
they may not be as high as those we are used to in the UK or comply
with all EU recommendations. Guests should always acquaint themselves
with the emergency procedures and take special care with balconies,
lifts, plate glass doors, and tiled floors in bathrooms etc. Hotel
swimming pools will not always be supervised or have depth markings.
See also Cots.
Valuables should always be kept in safety deposit boxes and just as
at home, there is a need to take sensible safety precautions in respect
of personal security, especially at night or in unfamiliar areas. |
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Insurance
Adequate travel insurance is essential. Our own policy is provided
by Voyager Insurance Services Ltd., underwritten by AXA Insurance
UK plc & Primary Insurance Co Ltd, with emergency assistance by
Global Response and Excel.
Summary of main benefits - available to UK residents and temporary
residents who will be travelling from and returning to a UK address
- is shown on the right:
Extra days cover on request
*Premiums apply to age on the day of purchase. Child premium (aged
2-15) on request. Family Premium (defined as husband and/or wife or
common law partner and their dependent children under 16) also available.
Senior Premium (aged 65-79) is double the adult premium. Maximum age
79 on day of purchase. Under 2s are included in premium of accompanying
parent.
Important – please note the following important features
of the policy: Excesses, Conditions, Limitations, Exclusions &
Warranties
Check these carefully to ensure that your own personal requirements
are provided for. Health – if you or any of your party have
a pre-existing condition requiring continuing treatment or medication,
have had a terminal prognosis, or are aware of any circumstances likely
to give rise to a claim, a medical certificate from your/their doctor
must be obtained confirming you/they are fit to travel and that there
is no reason to expect that cancellation or emergency treatment will
be required. This should be retained for use in the event of a claim.
Any Material facts i.e serious medical conditions of other people
on whose health the trip may depend, should be declared. A 14-day
Cooling Off Period - during which you may return the policy and obtain
a refund, providing no claim has been made. If purchased within 14
days of departure, the policy may be cancelled up to the day of departure
only.
The above information is merely a synopsis of the cover provided and
full terms and conditions, including details of the exclusions and
medical conditions are shown in the policy document, which should
be read carefully. (11/11/05) |
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Up to |
Excess |
Cancellation
/curtailment charges |
£1,500 |
£50 |
| - loss of deposit only £20 |
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| Emergency medical & repatriation costs |
£5 M |
£50 |
| - N.B repatriation is to the UK
only |
Hospital benefit
(amount per day) |
£500 (£10) |
Nil |
| Personal accident |
£15,000 |
Nil |
| - maximum payable in case of death
£5,000 |
| Travel Delay (as defined in policy wording) |
£10 -100 |
Nil |
| Abandonment |
£1,500 |
£50 |
Missed
departure |
£500 |
£50 |
| Personal effects overall limit |
£1000 |
£50 |
| - maximum per item/set/pair £150 |
| - total limit Valuables £200 |
| - emergency purchases £100
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| Money (cash limit £150) |
£300 |
£50 |
| Passport indemnity |
£200 |
Nil |
| Public liability |
£1 M |
£100 |
| Legal expenses |
£10,000 |
£100 |
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