Terms & Conditions

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Terms & Conditions

By making a booking, customers are deemed to have read, understood, and agreed to the following conditions. "Sapphire Tours" refers to the tour operator.

1. Reservations & Deposit
A deposit is required at the time of booking. If the amount paid is less than the required deposit, please top up the difference within 3 days. Travelers under 21 without an accompanying adult must inform Sapphire Tours upon booking. An undertaking may be required. Deposit payment does not confirm the tour; confirmation is subject to minimum group size and other conditions.

Deposit Requirements (Per Person):

• All Group Tour Packages: S$1,000
• Group Tours with Domestic Flights: S$1,500
• Arctic/Alaska/Finland/Iceland: S$2,000
• Free & Easy Packages: 80% of Total Tour Fare
• Third Party Tours: As per supplier terms
   

Additional top-ups may be required due to changes in airfare, taxes, or surcharges.

2. Credit/Charge Card Payments
Credit card payments may not apply to promotional fares. Installment plans are subject to bank terms. Refunds (if applicable) will be processed via the same card.

3. Payment & Cancellation Charges
Full payment is due 15 days before departure. Late payment may result in cancellation and the following fees:

Cancellation Charges (Per Person):

• More than 35 days: 100% of deposit
• 16–34 days: 100% of deposit or 50% of tour fare + taxes (whichever is higher)
• 15 days or less: 100% of tour fare + taxes
   

For third-party services (e.g. airlines, cruises), their cancellation terms apply, plus a handling fee of $50–$200.

Visas should be secured at least 35 days before departure. Failure to do so does not waive cancellation fees.

4. Amendments by Customer
Changes to departure date or tour type are treated as cancellations. An admin fee of S$100 per person applies to each amendment, plus supplier charges. Requests must be submitted in writing at least 15 days before tour start and before ticket issuance.

5. Cancellation by Sapphire Tours
If a tour is cancelled due to insufficient numbers or other factors, Sapphire Tours will:

• Notify customers at least 15 days in advance for tours over 6 days; 8 days for shorter tours
• Offer alternatives or full refund within 4–6 weeks
   

6. FIT Bookings & Cruises
Hotel/land/cruise bookings are subject to confirmation. Any fare differences will be borne by the customer. Third-party terms apply for non-Sapphire Tours services.

7a. Tour Fare Includes (Group Tours)

• Return economy airfare
• Airport transfers
• Hotel (twin/triple-share; roll-away bed or existing bedding)
• Meals in itinerary (no refunds for missed meals)
• 20–30kg baggage allowance (varies by airline)
   

7b. Tour Fare Excludes

• Visa fees, airport taxes, excess baggage
• Custom/user/environment/port/fuel taxes
• Items not listed in itinerary (e.g. room service, gratuities, insurance)
• Price differences due to currency or tax changes after booking
   

7c. Child Fare
Applies to children under 12. Based on sharing a room with two adults. Additional charges apply if sharing with one adult.

8. Accommodation
If requested hotels are unavailable, alternatives of similar standard will be provided. Triple rooms may be unavailable in some locations.

9. Special Requests
Requests (e.g. special meals, seat preference, adjoining rooms) must be made at booking and are subject to availability.

10a. Travel Documents
Passports must be valid for at least 7 months from departure and have 4 blank pages. Passengers are responsible for necessary visas, permits, and vaccinations. Sapphire Tours is not liable for denied boarding due to incomplete documents.

10b. Visa Requirements
Visa services are offered but approval is not guaranteed. Charges apply regardless of outcome. Passengers are solely responsible for holding valid visas and documentation.

11. Seat Rotation
Coach seats will be rotated for group harmony. Please cooperate with the tour leader.

12. Travel Insurance
Strongly recommended. Sapphire Tours is not responsible for losses due to trip cancellations, baggage loss, accidents, illness, etc.

13. Extensions/Deviations
Requests to extend or deviate from the tour must be made before ticket issuance and are subject to airline/hotel availability. Extra costs and arrangements are the passenger’s responsibility. No refunds for unused services.

14. Responsibilities
Sapphire Tours acts as an agent for service providers and is not liable for injury, loss, or disruption due to external factors. Itineraries may change due to local conditions. Sapphire Tours reserves the right to:

• Cancel tours due to insufficient numbers (full refund offered)
• Alter arrangements due to unforeseen circumstances
• Refuse participation of passengers whose behavior is disruptive
   

Guided tours are primarily conducted in English unless otherwise specified.

15. GST
GST applies to local services. International services are zero-rated.

16. Complaints & Claims
Must be submitted in writing within 14 days after the service is rendered. Late claims will not be accepted.