General travel Terms & Conditions 

Thank you for deciding to book a trip with VIP Travel Agency!

Before you make a definite booking, we recommend you (hereinafter referred to as “contracting party”) to read carefully the following travel conditions. These general travel conditions and the term contracting party apply both to private persons (direct booking) and to (travel) organisations (see par. 1.2).

  1. Reservation of trip / travel notification

The contract is concluded by means of a written acceptance by the contracting deal of the offer of VIP upon which a binding travel contract with VIP is effected, to which all conditions set out in these general terms apply. If the contracting party in addition to him/herself also lists one or more other persons on one notification form, this contracting party is automatically severally liable for all obligations ensuing from the travel contract (in line with the general travel conditions of VIP) which concern the other persons booked.

1.2 The contracting party shall – before the parties enter into the travel contract – provide VIP with the necessary (personal) data concerning him/herself or other persons booked. Incorrect or incomplete provision of (personal) data can result in faulty vouchers, boat or bus tickets etc. VIP can not be held liable for the consequences of such defaults and/or incorrect data.

1.3 On receipt of the written booking form, the trip that has been booked will be confirmed by VIP by means of a confirmation (which will also include an invoice) sent to the contracting party.

  1. The travel offer / the travel elements

2.1 The scope of the travel offer (the travel elements) booked by the contracting party is contractually recorded in the travel confirmation (invoice).

2.2 Any deviation from the travel elements as described in the brochure and publications are valid only if confirmed by VIP in writing (in e.g. the original offer made, travel confirmation or a communication sent later).

2.3 VIP bears no responsibility for photos, brochures and other information material, insofar as these have been published or distributed under the responsibility of third parties, nor for any undertakings, expectations or promises of third parties towards the contracting party.

  1. Payment

We understand that plans can change! Here’s our cancellation and transfer policy:

48 hours in advance before booked tour starts – Full refund
Less than 48 hours – No refund

Our tours often sell out, so we recommend booking with confidence.

  1. Changes in travel elements / price changes

4.1 Changes in the travel offer agreed in the travel confirmation (which can occur before the start of the journey) are permitted only if they do not substantially alter the nature of the trip.

4.2 The agreed price is based on the prices, exchange rates, duties and taxes as known to VIP at the time of the travel confirmation. WPCX reserves the right to raise the agreed price (on the grounds of, among other things, unforeseeable increases of e.g. exchange rates.

5.Liability of  VIP EXCURSIONS

VIP is obliged to provide a correct execution of the trip according to the travel contract and in line with the expectations the traveller may reasonably have on the grounds of the contract. VIP is responsible for the selection quality control of the travel elements and excursions, description of the travel elements in the VIP brochures and other publications, the processing of the travel confirmation, reservation of the travel elements and control and dispatch of the travel documents.

6.Exclusion and limitation of the liability of VIP       

6.1.VIP (in the case of complaints, claims, loss and damage of possessions/baggage, personal injury, death etc.) are excluded. In the case of claims, VIP will try to mediate between the provider of excursions and the contracting party. VIP is not responsible for optional travel elements booked by the contracting party elsewhere (optional excursions, sightseeing etc).

6.2. All travel elements booked with VIP, which relate to stay on board of a ship and/or excursions or programmes off ship (such as but not limited to excursions or programmes on land or on or in the water (incl. (scuba) diving, swimming and snorkelling) are for 100 % own risk of the contracting party. VIP is never liable for any damage, such as but not limited to (bodily) injury, illness, death etc. whatever the reason or cause may be. If the contracting party has booked a diving programme, VIP or as the case may be the diving base or the diving leader on board the ships will ask the contracting party to sign a form, according to which the contracting party accepts 100 % own risk and promises that he will not lodge any claims against VIP, the diving base and/or the diving leader on board the ship in the case of any calamity which may or may not result in (permanent) injury or death. For the diving trips, it is stated precisely in the travel information what the conditions are for participation. In any case the contracting party or participant must have a health certificate signed by a registered physician and must provide VIP or the diving base a copy of an internationally accepted diving certificate. In the case of the land programmes, the contracting party should be in a good physical condition. In the travel information, conditions are stated. By entering into a travel contract with VIP the contracting party commits itself to VIP to acquire a proper travel insurance, at least  before departure.

VIP may not be held liable for loss, damage and robb VIP may not be held liable for loss, damage and robbery of travel documents, luggage or other possessions.

VIP shall accept no liability for damage for which there is a claim to compensation based on a travel and/or cancellations insurance.

VIP may not be held liable for damage as a consequence of the travel contract not being correctly implemented, if the deficiency in the execution of the contract is attributable to the contracting party.

6.3.The trips offered by VIP are mainly conducted in “marginal zones” and require the qualification of expedition trips to places where infrastructure and (medical) facilities are often lacking. On booking the trip, the contracting party fully understands that booking the trip of VIP is not comparable to booking an everyday standard trip. If due to weather conditions, sea currents, nautical reasons,  etc. the decision is taken to change the programme, every effort will be made to offer an alternative. In certain exceptional cases, however, this will not always be possible. Non-fulfilled expectations of the contracting party may not be grounds for claims in such cases. If the programme cannot be carried out according to the travel description and (certain) places described in the travel programme cannot be visited, VIP may not be held liable for damage suffered and/or the spoiling of holiday enjoyment. VIP cannot be held liable for restitution of any amount paid in such a case.

6.4.Obligations of the contracting party

The contracting party is obliged to comply with all instructions given by WPCX and the travel leadership (e.g. trip leaders, guides, diving instructor and diving assistants, crew of the ships, local agent and the personnel of accommodation providers such as hotels, resorts and diving locations) in order to benefit a proper execution of the trip. Furthermore, the contracting party is 100% liable for damage caused by improper behaviour e.g. towards fellow travellers or material damage to the  ships , to be judged according to the standards of behaviour of the model traveller. The contracting party must ascertain the exact time of departure of the return journey at the very latest half hours before the stated departure time and reconfirm the tickets

Any contracting party who causes such disturbance or who threatens to cause such disturbance, that the proper execution of (part of) a trip is seriously hindered or could result in danger for the contracting party and/or the fellow travellers, can by or on behalf of VIP (trip leadership or the local representatives) be excluded from (continuation of) the trip (components). In the case of exclusion, the contracting party is not entitled to make any claim for restitution of (part of) the price.

If the disturbing behaviour or damage  should occur, all costs resulting from this shall be charged to the contracting party.

6.5. If the contracting party is not in a good physical condition and/or does not have the required diving certificates and/or diving experience as required for participation in the trip of VIP, in the interest of the contracting party or his fellow travellers, VIP is entitled to decide to offer an alternative programme for the contracting party in question or, in extreme cases, to exclude this person from (certain) excursions or (parts of) the diving programme.

These limitations apply also if the contracting party is not in possession of the correct (diving) gear, as stated in the travel brochure and other publications of VIP. In the case of exclusion (or of a mandatory alternative programme) the contracting party is not entitled to make any claim for restitution of (a part of) the price.

6.7. The contracting party is obliged to inform the tour leadership of VIP of any negligence noted in the execution of the travel contract, which is noted by him at the location – in the case of a (travel) organisation: noted by the client(s) of the (travel) organisation. This should be done as quickly as possible, in writing, or other appropriate form of communication, to the relevant tour leader/expedition leader of VIP, who shall immediately do his utmost to find an appropriate solution. As far as handling complaints is concerned, the following persons are responsible:

General complaints during a boat trips: the tour leader/expedition leader. If there is no trip leader present, the captain is responsible.

Complaints which concern exclusively diving: the diving instructor .

If an immediate solution for the complaints cannot be found, the contracting party – in the case of a (travel) organisation the client(s) of the (travel) organisation should present these complaints to the relevant (travel) organisation, where the trip was booked, upon which the (travel) organiser shall inform VIP – shall be obliged to report the complaint to VIP and request help. In the case of complaints about travel elements VIP can decide to offer an alternative programme that is virtually identical to that in the originally booked trip (the originally booked travel component).

VIP (incl. the representatives, trip leadership, local agent) is entitled to reject the complaint in the case that the complaint does not seriously influence the character of the trip and/or the complaint results only in hindrance of minor significance, if exaggerated demands are made, if it is impossible to provide help to the contracting party within the set time limit, if the deficiency in the implementation of the contract is attributable to the contracting party him/herself, if the deficiency in the execution of the contract could not have been foreseen or could not be neutralised, or if the deficiency in the execution of the contract is attributable to situations of force majeure (under force majeure are to be understood abnormal and unforeseeable circumstances that are independent of the will of whosoever claims it and of which the consequences, despite every precaution having been taken, could not have been avoided, see also situations of force majeure as described .

In case the contracting party feels that its complaints has not been dealt with during the trip satisfactorily, the contracting party – in the case of a (travel) organisation the client(s) of the (travel) organisation should present these complaints to the relevant (travel) organisation, where the trip was booked, upon which the (travel) organiser shall present the complaint to VIP- shall present the complaint to VIP at the very latest within one month of the termination of the trip (the last travel day). The complaint must be presented in writing and must be fully argumented.

7.General

7.1. If the duration of the trip as stated in the publication is given in days, the day of departure and the day of arrival, irrespective of departure or arrival times, are counted as full days. The definite departure- and arrival times are given in the travel documents.

7.2.The laws of the Croatia apply to the travel contract and all matters ensuing from this contract.

  1. Privacy Policy

This privacy policy sets out how “ uses and protects any information that you give VIP Travel Agency when you use this website.

VIP is committed to ensuring that your privacy is protected. Should we ask you to provide certain information by which you can be identified when using this website, then you can be assured that it will only be used in accordance with this privacy statement. VIP may change this policy from time to time by updating this page. You should check this page from time to time to ensure that you are happy with any changes. This policy is effective from 10 April 2022.

 

  1. What we collect

We may collect the following information:

  • name
  • contact information including email address
  • demographic information such as postcode, preferences and interests
  • other information relevant to customer surveys and/or offers.

What we do with the information we gather

We require this information to understand your needs and provide you with a better service, and in particular for the following reasons:

  • Internal record keeping.
  • We may use your information (and the information of those travelling with you) for purpose of completing travel bookings.
  • This includes sharing your booking information with other parties to fulfil your booking.
  • We also may engage other third-party vendors who provide services or functions on our behalf.
  • We may use the information to improve our products and services.
  • We may periodically send promotional email about new products, special offers or other information which we think you may find interesting using the email address which you have provided.
  • From time to time, we may also use your information to contact you for market research purposes. We may contact you by email, phone or mail.
  • We may use the information to customise the website according to your interests.
  1. Security

We are committed to ensuring that your information is secure. In order to prevent unauthorised access or disclosure we have put in place suitable physical, electronic and managerial procedures to safeguard and secure the information we collect online.