Terms & Conditions
The purchase of any travel services offered by Bluewater Travel constitutes a contractual arrangement between you and Bluewater Travel, and represents your acceptance of the Bluewater Travel Terms & Conditions set out herein. Please ensure that you read carefully and understand these Terms & Conditions prior to booking.
Deposits and Payments for Individuals and Groups (I.E. NON BLUEWATER-HOSTED GROUP TRIPS OR PHOTO WORKSHOPS)
Initial deposit: All trips require a minimum deposit of $250 per person or more as required by supplier(s). If you book 60 days or less before departure, full payment must be made at that time. All deposits are non-refundable. Any payment of a deposit constitutes full acceptance of the Terms & Conditions stated herein. Bluewater Travel shall have no obligation and provide no confirmation of reservation until deposits are received.
Final payment: Payment in full is required 65 days prior to commencement of travel, or sooner as required by supplier(s).
Deposits and Payments for Bluewater-hosted Workshops & Guided Trips
Initial deposit: All Bluewater-hosted photo workshops require a minimum deposit as indicated on the website trip page and/or your invoice. Deposits for Bluewater-hosted workshops and guided trips with a retail price less than $5,000 are fully refundable up to 12 months before commencement of the trip. Deposits for Bluewater-hosted workshops and guided trips with a retail price of $5,000 or more are fully refundable up to 18 months before commencement of the trip.
Successive payments: All successive payment amounts and due dates for Bluewater-hosted workshops and guided trips are indicated on the website trip page and/or your invoice.
Methods of Payment
Bluewater Travel accepts payment by cash, personal check, cashier’s check, wire transfer, and credit cards. All Visa, MasterCard, and Discover credit card transactions will be assessed a 3% credit card transaction fee on all Bluewater-hosted group trip bookings. All American Express credit card transactions will be assessed a 3.5% credit card transaction fee on all Bluewater-hosted group trip bookings. All bank fees in connection with sending or receiving wire deposits and payments are the responsibility of the sender.
Individuals and groups (i.e. non Bluewater-hosted group trips or photo workshops) are not assessed credit card fees.
Cancellations/Refunds for Individuals and Groups (I.E. NON BLUEWATER-HOSTED GROUP TRIPS OR PHOTO WORKSHOPS)
All cancellations must be received in writing. As a booking agent for airlines, resorts and other suppliers, Bluewater Travel is subject to the cancellation and refund policies of each contractor/supplier. Air travel is typically non-refundable. PLEASE REFER TO YOUR INVOICE FOR CANCELLATION POLICIES SPECIFIC TO YOUR RESERVATION.
Bluewater Travel reserves the right to assess additional cancellation penalties as follows:
- - 60 days or more prior to commencement of travel: $100 per person
- - 30 - 59 days prior to commencement of travel: $200 per person
- - 30 days or less prior to commencement of travel: 100% of trip cost.
Cancellations/Refunds for Bluewater-hosted Photo Workshops & Guided Trips
All cancellations must be received in writing. Cancellation penalties are assessed as follows.
For Bluewater-hosted workshops and guided trips with a retail price less than $5,000:
- 12 months or more prior to commencement of travel: No cancellation fee. Deposit is fully refundable.
- - 6 - 12 months prior to commencement of travel: Deposit is non-refundable.
- - 6 months or less prior to commencement of travel: 100% of trip cost.
For Bluewater-hosted workshops and guided trips with a retail price of $5,000 or more:
- - 18 months or more prior to commencement of travel: No cancellation fee. Deposit is fully refundable.
- - 12 - 18 months or more prior to commencement of travel: Deposit is non-refundable.
- - 6 - 12 months prior to commencement of travel: Deposit and any additional payments made are non-refundable.
- - 6 months or less prior to commencement of travel: 100% of trip cost.
Air travel is typically non-refundable. As a booking agent for airlines, resorts and other suppliers, Bluewater Travel is subject to the cancellation and refund policies of each contractor/supplier. This may result in more stringent cancellation policies and/or higher penalties.
Trip Leader
Bluewater Travel reserve the right to assign a different trip leader at any time prior to commencement of the trip, should it be necessary. No refunds will be given for changes to the trip leader or itinerary.
Cabin Assignments
When pairing up solo travelers, Bluewater Photo / Bluewater Travel does not guarantee same gender room/cabin assignments.
Group Bookings
Group bookings are based on a minimum number of participants traveling together. Changes to number of participants may result in price increases and/or additional fees.
Force Majeure
Bluewater Photo / Bluewater Travel will not be responsible for any delay or failure in and performance due, without limitation, to adverse weather, fire, flood, earthquakes, typhoons, hurricanes, acts of God, war, warlike conditions, blockade, embargoes, riots, pandemics, governmental restriction, labor disturbances, unavailability of anticipated usual means of supplies, transportation or loading facilities, wrecks, epidemics, quarantine, explosion, any unforeseen change in circumstances, or any other causes beyond its reasonable control.
FUEL SURCHARGES AND OTHER FEES
At any time, an operator may decide to implement a fuel surcharge and/or other fees may be implemented or change (e.g. marine park fees.) These fees are set by the operator and not Bluewater Travel.
Travel Insurance
Bluewater Travel highly recommends that all customers purchase travel insurance protection and/or cancellation insurance.
Assumption of Risks
Customer acknowledges that he/she is in good physical condition to engage in water sports. Customer understands that any activities included but not limited to scuba diving, snorkeling, kayaking, trekking and boating may involve risk, potential exposure to injury and possibly death. Customer understands and voluntarily assumes all risks associated with engaging in travel or activities organized by Bluewater Travel.
Waiver of Liability
In the absence of gross negligence, Bluewater Travel, it’s agents, officers, employees and contractors are not responsible or liable for any injury, loss, accident, damage, delay, or nonperformance occurring in connection with these arrangements.
Bluewater-hosted photo workshops and guided trip participants are required to complete and sign a waiver prior to the trip. A copy of the waiver can be reviewed here.
Accuracy of Information
The information contained on our website and in our documentation is correct to the best of our knowledge, but we accept no liability for any inaccuracies contained herein. All information is given in good faith, and customers are responsible for obtaining any necessary visas and travel documents prior to commencement of travel.
In making use of any services provided by Bluewater Travel, the customer accepts and agreed to abide by these Terms & Conditions.
Resources: Diving Asia, UW Photo Blog, Marine Life, Trips
