Sequel Travel is a division of Maupin Travel Management, LLC, a North Carolina limited liability company. The terms “Sequel Travel,” “Maupin Travel,” or “Sequel Collective” may be used interchangeably and refer to the same legal entity.
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The purchase/payment of any travel services offered by Sequel Travel constitutes a contractual arrangement between the Traveler (“you”) and Sequel Travel and represents your acceptance of the Sequel Travel Terms & Conditions.
As the lead traveler, you accept and confirm you have authority and consent to accept these Sequel Travel Terms & Conditions for yourself and all members of your traveling party.
Terms & Conditions are subject to change prior to booking. They can also change prior to your departure time. It is your responsibility to check our website or request the latest version of the Terms & Conditions from your Group Department Travel Agent or Sequel Travel.
All tours are based on a limited number of seats and reservations will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.
To make your reservation, see our Group Department Advisor, or for more information, visit our website at SequelTravel.com or call Sequel Travel at 919-832-5550.
Payment on any tour indicates you and all members of your traveling party have read and accepted these Terms & Conditions. Your booking is not confirmed until your payment is processed by Sequel Travel and you receive a confirmation invoice/statement.
A $500 non-refundable, non-transferable, per-person deposit is required at the time of registration to reserve your space, with some limited exceptions as noted below. Air arrangements are made separately and may require an additional deposit as noted below.
For tours including special events (i.e., tours involving sporting events, special performances, etc.), the deposit may vary. Please see your invoice/statement for more information on deposit and/or final payment dates.
Final payment for your tour is due 120 days prior to commencement of services, with some limited exceptions (which would be mentioned on your confirmation invoice/statement). If your booking is made within 120 days of departure, payment in full is required at the time of booking to reserve space. Reservations (land, cruise, and air) are canceled if final payment is not received by the due date; cancellation penalties will apply.
You are responsible for verifying that everything on your invoice/statement is accurate and complete, including travel dates, options selected, and that each traveler’s name matches the relevant passport or government-issued ID to be used for travel. Sequel Travel will not be responsible if we are not notified of inaccuracies within 7 days of sending out the invoice/statement. Changes are subject to the fees and penalties noted on the invoice/statement. In the case of billing errors, Sequel Travel reserves the right to re-invoice you with correct pricing.
Sequel Travel accepts checks, ACH, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express. Please note that payments made by credit card will incur a 3.5% processing fee.
All tour itineraries are subject to change, taking into consideration specific circumstances in the destination that are outside of Sequel Travel’s control.
Cancellations for all or any part of the tour will not be effective until received in writing in the offices of Sequel Travel. All cancellation notices must be sent via email to Stacy.Hoeksel@SequelTravel.com. If a booking cancellation is received by Sequel Travel prior to the final payment date of your tour, your non-refundable deposit, our professional fees, and any travel insurance payments will be retained. In addition, any applicable airline cancellation fees will be assessed.
If a booking cancellation is received by Sequel Travel after final payment has been processed, all funds paid to Sequel Travel will be retained. Our cancellation fees are strictly enforced.
A fee of $150 per transaction will be charged for any alteration or modification made to a reservation. Airline penalties may also apply. A change of traveler name, tour date, or itinerary within the final payment period will be treated as a cancellation and a new reservation; standard cancellation fees will apply.
Gratuities for your Tour Director, local hosts, local guides, drivers, and ship’s crew are not included in the tour price (unless otherwise noted in pricing details) and are at your discretion.
Airfare may be purchased through Sequel Travel for travel originating from the United States. All carriers are independent operators and are not owned, managed, or operated by Sequel Travel. Your airline ticket is a contract between you and the air carrier only, even if you purchase it through Sequel Travel. By purchasing your air services through Sequel Travel, you waive all liability against Sequel Travel for such air services.
Sequel Travel is not responsible if an airline cancels, reschedules, or delays a flight for any reason. If you purchased air through Sequel Travel, we will attempt to assist in making new arrangements, provided you have not already checked in with your airline for your first flight segment. After check-in, you must work with the airline directly to reach your destination or to make any alternate arrangements, including amendments to return flights. Airline fees often apply for modifications to air schedules that are not related to airline-imposed cancellations, reschedules, or delays; these fees would be payable to the airline at the time of the request.
If you miss your departure flight or connection, it is your responsibility to work with the airline on which you are ticketed to reach your destination. No refunds will be provided by Sequel Travel for portions of trips missed due to canceled, rescheduled, or delayed flights after airport check-in, nor is Sequel Travel responsible for any additional expenses you may incur prior to joining your trip if you miss your departure flight or flight connection.
For air purchased through Sequel Travel, if any air schedule requires an overnight stay in a gateway city, Sequel Travel can assist you with hotel reservations; however, the cost of the overnight stay (including, but not limited to, hotel and meals) is your expense. Air routings are subject to availability and are not guaranteed and are subject to change at any time.
If you make your own flight arrangements, Sequel Travel will not be responsible for any loss resulting from cancellation or changes in international gateways, itineraries, or travel dates. We strongly recommend that you do not purchase airline tickets with high penalty charges for changes.
Airfares quoted by Sequel Travel are not guaranteed until tickets are purchased and issued. Prices are subject to additional airline fuel surcharges, taxes, and fees until ticketing.
Unless otherwise noted, the following are not included in the tour price: international or domestic airfare to the tour starting point; taxes; passport fees; visas and fees for obtaining visas; personal expenses such as laundry, telephone calls, or minibar charges; travel insurance (accident, sickness, trip cancellation, baggage, etc.); travel agency service fees; optional sightseeing excursions; excess baggage charges or baggage handling fees imposed by airlines; local departure taxes or fees; airline fuel surcharges, airport facility taxes and federal inspection fees; meals not listed in the “Included Features” section of your tour program; transfers and baggage handling to/from the airport or hotel on days of arrival or departure (if you are arriving or departing
outside the scheduled group transfers); and any other services not specifically mentioned in the “Included Features” section of your tour program.
In the sole discretion of Sequel Travel, Sequel Travel may refuse transport to any passenger or may require any passenger to leave the tour if it is reasonably believed that the passenger:
1. is dangerous to others or to himself or herself;
2. has engaged in, is engaged in, or is threatening to engage in behavior that may adversely affect the safety, security, comfort, enjoyment, or well-being of other passengers or Sequel Travel representatives, including but not limited to behavior that is disruptive, verbally or physically abusive, obnoxious, harassing, discriminatory, or obscene;
3. has failed or refused, or is failing or refusing, to follow Sequel Travel’s rules and procedures or the instructions of Sequel Travel or its representatives.
In the event a passenger is removed under these circumstances, such passenger may be left in any city at his/her own expense, without any liability to Sequel Travel or its representatives. Sequel Travel shall not be required to refund any portion of the price paid by any passenger who is removed in this manner, nor shall Sequel Travel be responsible for lodging, medical care, meals, transportation, or any other expenses incurred by the passenger. Sequel Travel reserves the right to recover from the passenger any costs or expenses incurred by Sequel Travel or its representatives in the removal of the passenger or the enforcement of this clause.
Baggage handling at hotels for one suitcase per person is included in the tour price (where available) and if listed under the “Included Features” of your tour program. Airport and train station baggage handling is not included unless otherwise specified in your travel documents. You should be prepared to carry your own suitcase on and off airplanes and trains and through airports and train stations. (Regulations in most airports require travelers to handle their own luggage through Immigration & Customs.)
Air carrier restrictions on baggage may differ from the limitations listed above. Size and weight limitations for carry-on and checked baggage vary by airline and destination. When making an air booking, you will be provided with baggage fee information. After booking an airline ticket, up-to-date information on the specific carrier’s standard checked baggage allowance (including size and weight limitations), the allowance and any fees for carry-on baggage, and the fees for the first and second checked bags (including any discounts that may apply based on frequent flyer status, military status, credit card used for purchase, early online check-in, etc.) can be found on the carrier’s website.
Sequel Travel is not responsible for additional fees imposed by air carriers for baggage; such fees are not included in the air-inclusive tour price. You will be required to pay any airline baggage fees directly to the airline upon check-in.
No responsibility is accepted by Sequel Travel for loss of or damage to baggage or any of the traveler’s belongings throughout the duration of the tour. Travelers are strongly encouraged not to bring valuables such
as jewelry or large amounts of cash. Any valuables should not be left in baggage out of the traveler’s immediate control.
Carry-on bags should not exceed the dimensions of 12″ x 11″ x 6″. For safety reasons, wheeled carry-on bags are not suitable as hand luggage on motor coaches or mini-buses. Carry-on bags must be small enough to store in the overhead bins or under the seat in front of you on motor coaches and other transportation.
Some government agencies in foreign countries require Sequel Travel to collect and pass on, in advance of travel, certain personal and other details related to you. This may include, but is not limited to, government-issued identification and passport details. If you fail to supply the required details fully and accurately by the deadlines requested, your trip may be interrupted or canceled. There are no refunds for failure to provide required documentation or for failure to provide documentation by the time required.
We will use the personal data you provide during booking or online check-in to process your tour arrangements with our suppliers. These details include (but are not limited to) your full name, address, date of birth, passport or government-issued ID number and expiration date, occupation, credit/debit card information, and any disability, medical condition, or dietary restriction disclosed to Sequel Travel for you or anyone in your traveling party.
It may be necessary to transfer these details to other countries or authorities whose data protection and privacy laws may be less stringent than those of the United States. This may include passing details to our suppliers as well as to certain governments or government-appointed bodies or agencies in the interest of security or as required by law. By making a booking with Sequel Travel, you agree to allow Sequel Travel to store and use this data and to pass it on to third parties for the purposes stated above. Sequel Travel shall not be held liable for the use or protection of that data by those third parties.
All passengers must provide emergency contact details and passport or government-issued ID information (when required) prior to travel. This includes providing a US based emergency contact, so that Sequel Travel can get in touch with a friend or family member in the rare case of an emergency, as well as an “on tour” contact (such as a mobile phone number or email address) for use by the Tour Director or Cruise Director during the tour.
Sequel Travel assumes no liability for any loss, damage, or injury of any nature resulting from an Act of God or any other force majeure event, including, without limitation: fire; volcanic eruption; environmental pollution or contamination; inclement weather; earthquake; low or high water levels; flood; water or power shortages or failures; tropical storms or hurricanes; riots or civil disturbances; acts of war or civil unrest; strikes or other labor disruptions; acts of sabotage; arrests; requisitions; restrictions or restraints imposed by government authorities; pandemics, epidemics, or health crises; acts of terrorism; or any other sudden or unforeseen events beyond the reasonable control of Sequel Travel that materially affect the fulfillment of tour arrangements.
In the event that any of the above conditions apply, Sequel Travel shall be excused, discharged, and released from performance of tour obligations to the extent such performance is prevented or hindered, without liability of any kind.
For financial coverage of a third-party supplier’s insolvency, bankruptcy, or financial default, it is the traveler’s own responsibility to ensure that his/her chosen travel insurance plan provides coverage for such events. Sequel Travel will not be responsible to refund any funds paid in case of a third-party supplier’s insolvency, bankruptcy, or financial default.
Frequent flyer mileage accrual is at the discretion of the airline(s) and is not always granted for airfare purchased through Sequel Travel. You will need to contact the airline(s) directly for information on frequent flyer programs and any applicable reward-mile accrual. Sequel Travel cannot assist with this process. Cancellation penalties, as noted above, will apply to all airfare, regardless of frequent flyer reward credit. Please take this into consideration before purchasing airfare.
Hotel rewards/points cannot be earned or redeemed with hotels used by Sequel Travel on tour.
During local or national holidays, special events, peak seasons, on Sundays, and during religious occasions, certain facilities (e.g., museums, churches, restaurants, sightseeing tours, hotels, and shopping) may be limited or not available. Alternative sightseeing or other arrangements will be offered whenever possible. Sequel Travel cannot be held responsible for any closures, necessary itinerary changes, or curtailments due to holidays or special events.
(Christmas markets generally open in late November and close around the third week of December.)
The hotels listed in your itinerary (whether on our website or in the brochure) are intended to be used; however, hotel availability is not guaranteed. Sequel Travel reserves the right to substitute hotels of equivalent quality for those listed, if a change becomes necessary for any reason. If a change in hotel or location becomes necessary, the substitute hotel will be of equivalent quality to those shown. No refunds are provided for hotel changes, and full cancellation penalties, as noted above, apply.
Sequel Travel contracts a mix of twin-bedded and double-bedded rooms. Specific bed types may be requested but are never guaranteed. Triple rooms are the same size as twin/double rooms. Hotels may provide three sleeping spaces (for example, two standard beds plus a roll-away), but three separate standard beds cannot be assured. The additional bed, if available, is often a roll-away cot or a convertible sofa. If a hotel cannot accommodate three persons in one room, the booking may be changed to one twin/double room plus one single room (and the applicable single supplement will apply). Single supplements ensure your own room, not necessarily a room with two beds. Single rooms in hotels are generally smaller in size and may be less conveniently located. On overnight ferries, single cabins may not be available or may be limited, and solo travelers may be asked to share. Room and bed preferences are not guaranteed.
Accommodations outside the United States may not accommodate wheelchairs or be wheelchair accessible. (The Americans with Disabilities Act does not apply outside the U.S.) Check-in times vary worldwide, and Sequel Travel cannot control or guarantee check-in times.
Air-conditioning in overseas hotels is not guaranteed and is often regulated by local laws or seasonal considerations. Hotels may list air-conditioning as an amenity, but usage of air-conditioning may be restricted or unavailable at night or during off-season months (October-May). Other restrictions may apply. Sequel Travel has no control over air-conditioning regulations and cannot be held liable for lack of air-conditioning during your tour.
In the rare event that included train or air services are unavailable, alternate services will be provided. Itinerary timings are approximate and subject to change.
Sequel Travel does not employ medical personnel. Any medical attention you require while traveling with Sequel Travel must be sought through a local medical facility, if available. All related charges are at your expense. Sequel Travel cannot guarantee the availability or quality of any medical facilities or services that may be required.
Sequel Travel reserves the right to remove or quarantine any passenger who shows signs of illness or whose behavior or condition poses a threat to the safety or health of other passengers. Removal or quarantine of a passenger for health, safety, or behavior-related reasons is at the sole discretion of Sequel Travel. Any expenses incurred for medical examinations, tests, or treatment, and any other related costs, are your responsibility and must be paid at the time of service. A passenger removed or quarantined under such circumstances will be allowed to rejoin the tour only with a medical certificate from a licensed health practitioner stating that the passenger is fit to travel and does not pose a risk to other participants.
Sequel Travel follows a mandatory daily seat rotation on motorcoaches. For the enjoyment of all passengers, you must adhere to the Tour Director’s rules regarding seat rotation. Alcohol consumption is not allowed on board any Sequel Travel motorcoach transportation. Many local laws require the use of seatbelts while traveling; when seatbelts are provided, you are responsible for wearing yours. Sequel Travel and its service providers are not liable for any injury, loss, damage, or death resulting from an accident or incident if you were not wearing your seatbelt at the time, in a motorcoach equipped with seatbelts.
Please note that on motorcoaches, availability of electrical outlets/charging stations and Wi-Fi is not guaranteed.
Pictures in our tour brochures, flyers, or other marketing materials are intended to give a general impression of facilities and attractions; actual facilities and attractions may vary from those depicted. Maps shown in brochures or on the website are for general information and may not reflect the precise routing of your itinerary in the event of changes.
All tour prices are based on rates (including foreign exchange rates) known at the time of publication and expected to be in effect at the time of departure. Tour prices do not include airfare, except where specifically noted on an itinerary. Tour prices are per person, based on double occupancy (two people sharing a room). Single room supplements and triple room reductions are listed where applicable (not all accommodation types are available on all tours). Prices are subject to change without notice, subject to the guarantees set forth below.
Pricing for air-inclusive tours (including tours with intra-tour air components) is guaranteed when Sequel Travel has received your full land deposit plus any applicable air deposit or full air payment as required. Sequel Travel reserves the right to issue tickets for Flex-Air bookings, and for tours with intra-tour air, upon receipt of full land and air deposits. Therefore, any subsequent revisions you request (e.g., changes to flights) may be subject to airline-imposed change fees, cancellation fees, and/or changes in airfare, which are your responsibility to pay. Instant Purchase Air (if offered) is ticketed upon receipt of full air payment; thus, full cancellation fees, as noted above, apply immediately for those air tickets.
Be aware that during your participation in tours operated by Sequel Travel, certain risks and dangers may arise beyond our control. These include, but are not limited to: the hazards of traveling in undeveloped areas; travel by boat, train, automobile, aircraft, or other modes of transportation; the forces of nature; political unrest, acts of lawlessness or terrorism; and the potential for accident or illness (including pandemics) in remote regions without immediate access to medical facilities. Sequel Travel will not have liability regarding the provision of medical care or the adequacy of any care that may be rendered. While Sequel Travel will use its best efforts to ensure that adequate measures are taken, by participating in a tour (and any optional excursions) you agree to hold Sequel Travel harmless regarding any provision of medical care or the adequacy of any care rendered. Sequel Travel is not responsible for such risks and dangers that are beyond our control. Payment of your deposit indicates you accept these risks and agree to hold Sequel Travel harmless for any such incidents.
It can be difficult (and sometimes impossible) to properly investigate a complaint if Sequel Travel is not advised of the issue while you are on tour. For this reason, any post-tour service inquiries or complaints should be submitted in writing as soon as possible. Failure to report problems or complaints during the tour may reduce or even forfeit any possible compensation.
Smoking is not allowed on transportation provided by Sequel Travel. On cruise ships, smoking is typically restricted to certain designated areas of the vessel. (For the purposes of these Terms, “smoking” includes the use of cigarettes, e-cigarettes, cigars, e-cigars, or any other smoking device.)
Many hotels, restaurants, and other venues are entirely smoke-free or have non-smoking regulations in public spaces. Smoking may be restricted to specific areas or prohibited entirely. You are responsible for observing all third-party smoking policies. Hotels may impose a 100% non-smoking policy in their rooms. If you require a smoking room, we can make a request, but availability is not guaranteed.
The possession or use of illegal drugs will result in immediate removal from the Sequel Travel tour. You are responsible for knowing and observing the drug possession laws of all countries and states you will visit. Repatriation (return travel arrangements) in such cases will be at your own expense.
Sequel Travel reserves the right to cancel or reschedule any tour departure for any reason, including insufficient demand, force majeure, or a third-party supplier’s insolvency, bankruptcy, or financial default. At Sequel Travel’s discretion, in cases of insufficient demand, we will either provide a full refund or reschedule the same tour for a different departure date. There is no guarantee that the identical itinerary or offering will be available on a new date.
For air-inclusive tours, Sequel Travel will attempt to confirm air schedules for the new dates, subject to availability. Sequel Travel cannot assume responsibility for any additional costs or fees relating to the issuance and/or cancellation of air tickets or other travel arrangements not made through Sequel Travel.
Sequel Travel will not be responsible to refund any funds paid in case of a third-party supplier’s insolvency, bankruptcy, or financial default (coverage for such events should be obtained through travel insurance as noted above).
In today’s changing travel environment, it is highly recommended that you protect your travel investment so you can relax and enjoy your trip. For your convenience, we offer travel protection plans provided by Allianz Insurance Services. For more information on these plans, please contact us or refer to the insurance on our registration website.
Allianz Travel Insurance maintains an updated list of travel alerts and other important coverage information on its website. Travelers may review current notices, coverage details, and policy information at www.allianztravelinsurance.com. Insurance benefits are provided under policies issued by Jefferson Insurance Company (NY, administrative office: Richmond, VA) or Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance Company (administrative office: Boston, MA), depending on the plan purchased. Allianz Global Assistance serves as the licensed producer and administrator of these plans and provides travel assistance services.
Unless otherwise specified on your invoice/statement, transfers arranged by Sequel Travel are provided by independent transportation companies as group transfers (typically by motorcoach) with pre-set departure times. Sequel Travel is not responsible for flight delays, delays in immigration or customs, baggage delays, or any other factor beyond our control resulting in a missed transfer. Missed transfers are non-refundable.
Our tour hosts and ambassadors may take group photos or photos of sites and activities during your trip. Sequel Travel reserves the right to select and post some of these photos on our official social media pages (for example, our Facebook page) after the completion of the tour. No names of participants will be posted with the photos. If you prefer not to be included in group photos, please step aside when these photos are being taken
there will be an announcement before a group photo is captured. Sequel Travel also reserves the right to post any comments or feedback provided in our anonymous post-tour survey.
Passenger travel documents, including e-ticket itineraries, will be distributed approximately 2-3 weeks prior to departure, provided full payment has been received and required emergency contact details and passport/government-issued ID information have been provided.
You must inform Sequel Travel at the time of booking of any disability or condition requiring special attention during your tour. Sequel Travel will make reasonable attempts to accommodate the special needs of disabled travelers, but we are not responsible if we are unable to do so, nor are we responsible for any denial of services by air carriers, hotels, restaurants, or other independent suppliers. Please note that Sequel Travel cannot provide individual assistance for walking, dining, getting on or off transportation vehicles, or other personal needs. A qualified and physically able companion must accompany travelers who need such assistance.
If we are not notified at the time of reservation about any special needs or disabilities requiring attention, Sequel Travel reserves the right to cancel your booking or terminate your participation in the tour if your special needs or disabilities are incompatible with the tour, pose a direct threat to the health or safety of other participants or staff, or if you are not traveling with a companion who can provide all necessary assistance. In the event of cancellation or termination due to unrevealed special needs or disabilities, no refunds or compensation will be provided, and the regular cancellation penalties will apply.
Not all sightseeing stops/sites accommodate wheelchairs, and many attractions involve extensive standing, sitting, or walking (sometimes on uneven or cobblestone streets). Sequel Travel will not refund or cover any cost or expense for missed activities due to a participant’s inability to participate with the group. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) applies only within the United States, and facilities for disabled individuals are limited outside the U.S. borders.
Under the Secure Flight Program enacted by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) requires airlines to collect certain information from travelers for the purpose of watch-list matching. TSA may share the information you provide with law enforcement, intelligence agencies, or others under its published system of records notice.
At the time of booking a tour with air reservations, Sequel Travel will collect the required Secure Flight information and provide it to the airline(s). The required information includes your full name, date of birth, gender, and Redress Number (if available). Failure to provide the required TSA information at the time of booking will result in the loss of confirmed flights and airfare prices. If flights are canceled due to missing Secure Flight data, rebooking will be subject to flight availability at the time of rebooking and may result in different flight schedules and/or higher airfare. Any increase in airfare will be payable by you.
It is the traveler’s responsibility to ensure that your Known Traveler Number (for programs such as TSA Prev® or Global Entry) is added to your airline reservations. This must be done when checking in for your flight (or earlier). Sequel Travel cannot be held responsible if your Known Traveler Number is not included in your reservation and you do not receive the benefits (such as expedited security screening).
It is your responsibility to verify all visa, passport, and other travel document requirements necessary for your tour. You are responsible for independently obtaining and paying for all necessary visas and entry documents, and for meeting all health and other requirements set by destination countries. Sequel Travel cannot accept liability for any passenger who is refused entry onto any transportation or into any country due to the failure to carry correct documentation or to meet that country’s entry and exit requirements. (All visa information provided by Sequel Travel, whether on our website, in documents, or in the tour brochure, is for U.S. citizens only.)
You must have a valid passport to travel internationally. Most countries require that the passport be valid for at least six (6) months beyond the conclusion of your trip, and we recommend your passport have at least three blank pages. Multiple-entry visas may be required for some tours. The process of obtaining a visa and/or passport can take up to three months or more. For all international tours, a copy of your passport must be provided to Sequel Travel at least 60 days prior to travel.
During the course of your tour, you may have opportunities to participate in additional optional activities provided by independent third-party suppliers. The suppliers of these optional services may require you to accept additional terms and conditions or to sign additional documents, waivers, or releases. Please understand that any such waivers or releases required by independent suppliers will also inure to the benefit of Sequel Travel. (In other words, to the extent you assume liability or waive rights against the supplier, you are also releasing Sequel Travel from liability for those same activities.)
Wi-Fi connectivity on transportation provided by Sequel Travel (for tours where Wi-Fi is available on the motorcoach) is provided by an independent third-party supplier and will be subject to that supplier’s terms & conditions of use. These terms will be made available upon request. Wi-Fi connectivity is not guaranteed and is often unreliable, unavailable, or slower than what you may be accustomed to in the United States.
Sequel Travel, a division of Maupin Travel, LLC, located at PO Box 98659, Raleigh, NC 27624, is licensed to market and distribute travel products under the Sequel Travel brand name, and to arrange for the tour services offered on its website or in its brochures, including transportation, sightseeing, and accommodations, through independent contracts.
Air carriers, accommodations, and other suppliers (including, but not limited to, trains, cruises, ferries, motorcoaches, hotels, and restaurants) providing travel services are independent contractors and are not agents, employees, servants, or joint ventures of Sequel Travel or its affiliates. Some of these independent third-party suppliers may use the name “Sequel Travel” on signage or attire purely for identification purposes, but this does not signify ownership, management, supervision, or control by Sequel Travel of the services provided by those suppliers, nor of their personnel.
All certificates and other travel documents for services issued by Sequel Travel are subject to the Terms & Conditions of each supplier, which are available upon request, and are governed by the laws of the countries in which the services are supplied.
International carriage of passengers is subject to applicable international conventions and treaties. These international agreements limit, and in some cases exclude, the carrier’s liability to passengers. Where any claim or part of a claim (including those involving death or personal injury) concerns or involves any travel arrangements (including the process of boarding or disembarking conveyances) provided by any air, sea, inland waterway, rail or road carrier, or any stay in a hotel, the maximum liability of Sequel Travel will be the maximum amount that would be payable by the carrier or the hotelkeeper under the applicable international convention, treaty, or regulation that applies to the travel arrangements or hotel stay (for example, the Warsaw Convention, the Montreal Convention for international air travel, the EU regulations on air carrier liability for EU carriers, the Athens Convention for international sea travel, etc.).
After departure, if the services included in the tour cannot be supplied or there are changes in the itinerary for reasons beyond the control of Sequel Travel, Sequel Travel will take reasonable action to arrange for the provision of comparable services. Any resulting additional expense will be the responsibility of the tour participants, and any resulting savings will be refunded by Sequel Travel to tour participants.
Sequel Travel and any sponsoring institution or association, along with their employees, shareholders, subsidiaries, affiliates, officers, directors or trustees, successors, agents, and assigns (collectively referred to as “Sequel Travel”), do not own or operate any entity which provides goods or services for your trip. This includes, for example, lodging facilities; airlines; vessels or other transportation companies; guides or guide services; local ground operators; or other travel providers. All such persons or entities are independent contractors. As a result, Sequel Travel is not liable for any negligent or willful act or failure to act of any such person or entity, or of any third party.
In addition – and without limitation Sequel Travel is not responsible for any injury, loss, death, inconvenience, delay, or damage to person or property in connection with the provision of any goods or services by any third-party supplier. This includes, but is not limited to, incidents resulting from: acts of God or force majeure, acts of war or civil unrest; insurrection or revolt; animals; strikes or other labor activities; criminal or terrorist activities of any kind; sickness or pandemics; lack of access to appropriate medical attention; overbooking or downgrading of accommodations; mechanical or other failures of airplanes or other means of transportation; or any failure of any transportation mechanism to arrive or depart on time.
If, due to weather, flight schedules or other uncontrollable factors, you are required to spend an additional night(s), you will be responsible for your own hotel, transfers, and meal costs. Baggage is entirely at the owner’s risk. The tour operator reserves the right to decline to accept or to retain any person as a participant on the tours at any time.
Sequel Travel reserves the right to increase tour prices to cover increased costs (such as fuel surcharges, airfare fluctuations, or currency exchange rate changes) and all such increases must be paid to Sequel Travel upon notice to the tour participant of such increases.
Any controversy or claim arising out of or relating in any way to these Terms and Conditions, to any brochure or itinerary, or to any information relating to the trip, or to the trip itself, shall be settled solely and exclusively by binding arbitration in Raleigh, North Carolina, in accordance with the rules of the American Arbitration Association then in effect.
By forwarding your deposit for the tour, the participant(s) certifies that he/she does not have any condition of mental, physical, or other disability that would create a hazard for himself/herself or other participants, and the participant acknowledges and accepts these Terms & Conditions as a binding contract.
You further confirm that you have read and consent to these Terms & Conditions, and you agree to review all travel documents for accuracy upon receipt.