TRAVEL INSURANCE
Domestic Insurance
Insurance for Domestic travel is currently available from many companies. Insurance for New Zealand trips is entirely at your discretion.
International Insurance
Insurance for International travel is currently available from many companies. For our trips overseas it is a requirement that proof of cover be sent to our office some time before departure from NZ. We cannot accept travellers who hold no cover for international travel as per our term and conditions.
MOBILITY
Operatunity provides group senior travel and with this in mind we plan trips to suit our target market. But not every trip is created equal in terms of mobility. We want to give you the best possible experience but that will only be achieved if you are able to enjoy everything that our trips have to offer.
Most of our long haul trips require a better level of mobility. We will look after everyone as well as we possibly can, but we cannot look after one at the expense of the rest of the group. We also cannot have one person slowing the rest of group to the point where the group is not able to enjoy every experience we are able to provide.
With this in mind we have put a mobility clause into every trip. Under each explanation here I have popped a statement. Ask yourself if this is ‘you’, when booking on a trip.
None of the following mobility clauses preclude you from ordering a wheelchair at the airport if required.
Assess your mobility:
1. GENTLE TOUR
This tour will suit most people, even with a stick or a walker, but sorry not someone in a wheelchair. The activity level is gently paced, but you still need to be able to get on and off buses easily. There will be walking, but not a lot.
"I love travelling, but at a gentle pace. I like to avoid stairs or too much activity, but I am able to get on and off buses easily."
2. EASY TOUR
This tour will suit people with a stick, but not a walker. You will be required to walk to get from place to place and stand in museums, but it is designed to be an easy tour with lots of times to rest, travel on a coach and walk easy leisurely distances.
“Walking is fine. I can get on and off a coach. I am happy to stand for an hour or two in museums and galleries and gently stroll through places of interest. I am happy to climb the odd set of stairs.”
3. MODERATE WALKING TOUR
This tour requires a better level of fitness with no wheelchairs or walkers. Generally, there may be times when we can’t get the coach close. In some of our Pacific Island tours we will need you to transfer onto a tender and walk on soft sand. We also will have much longer flights and long walks through airports.
“I like walking at a moderate pace. I love to keep my days full and experience everything the tour has to offer. Stairs, tender transfers and cobblestones don't bother me."
4. EXPLORING TOUR
This is still a moderately paced tour, but you will be required to walk longer distances, walk on cobblestones and stand in museums. To really get the best out of this tour you need to be able to stand or walk for a couple of hours comfortably, be it at a leisurely pace.
“I like to spend most of the day exploring. Whether walking historic neighbourhoods on cobblestones at a moderate pace or out and about on a coach, I want my days full. Stairs don’t bother me and I am keen to see and do as much as I can with the odd day off to recuperate.”
TERMS & CONDITIONS
The purchase of any travel services offered by Operatunity Ltd (hereafter called The Company) constitutes a contractual arrangement between you (hereafter called the Guest) and The Company and represents your acceptance of the terms and conditions set out herein.
Please ensure that you read carefully and understand these Terms and Conditions prior to booking. The completion of a booking form and/or payment of deposit constitutes acceptance of these terms and conditions as below in full.
Operatunity Ltd is an independent provider of travel arrangements and all bookings can only be made directly with our office. We do not accept bookings made by 3rd parties such as travel agents.
• Prices are correct at time of publication but are subject to change without notice up until time that final payment is made. If cost factors dictate the need for fare increases, The Company may do so at any time prior to final payment date. Guests may cancel (without paying a cancellation fee) rather than accept fare increases. This right does not apply to fuel surcharges or increases in taxes or other surcharges or supplier increases; The Company reserves the right to impose or pass through fuel surcharges, security surcharges or fluctuations in foreign currency relevant to this trip or similar incidental surcharges that may be imposed on it.
• Prices are quoted in NZ$ and are per person from Auckland or other listed starting point for this trip. Airline flights are in economy class (unless upgrades have been booked and paid extra for) and are subject to availability. Any transfers to and from Auckland International Airport or accommodation required prior or after the trip are at the cost and responsibility of the guest. The Company are able to facilitate such transfers or accommodation but only upon request and at an additional quoted charge.
• Minimum/maximum numbers: each trip will have a limit and a minimum as to the number of guests on a trip. Please contact our office for futher details. Acceptance of a booking and acceptance of a deposit does not guarantee a place on the trip nor guarantee that the trip will proceed should the minimum number of guests required not be met or your booking may be cancelled should the maximum number of guests be reached (this will be handled in strict order of deposits received). In such an event full refund will be made.
• All accommodation is based on twin share. Single supplements are not always available but will be quoted where possible and on request but not guaranteed. Where possible people travelling alone who wish to, will be paired up with a person of the same gender however, The Company does not guarantee that the person you are paired with will be a match in terms of temperament and such, however every effort will be made to match comparable people.
• Travel documents: Final travel documentation is only issued approx. 2 weeks prior to travel and upon receipt of full payment. All such documents should be read by the passenger and checked for accuracy at that time and any errors notified to the company immediately.
• Deposits: A deposit is required at the time of booking. Acceptance of the booking form and deposit does not guarantee a position on the trip. Final and supplementary payments will be required in terms of the brochure relevant to the trip booked. Should a deposit or any instalments or final payment not be received then we reserve the right to cancel the booking and cancellation charges will be applied.
• Cancellations: Deposits paid prior to the published final payment date are refundable LESS COSTS that have been already incurred by us and are not refundable from the suppliers plus an additional administration fee up to $500. After Final payment date all claims for refunds become a matter for your travel insurer. We strongly encourage you have travel insurance in place at time of booking.
Any matters regarding cancellation charges and Travel Insurance claims are solely between the guest and their relevant insurance provider. Name changes and departure date changes are considered reservation cancellations and are subject to charges. An administration fee will be charged on any alterations once final date has passed.
• Payments: Payment by direct credit incurs no surcharge. Credit card payments wil incur a surcharge of 1.5%.
• Force Majeure: Force Majeure means the occurrence of an event that is beyond Operatunitys reasonable control and which could not have been reasonably prevented by the company, which includes, but is not limited to: (a) armed conflict, criminal damage, riot, civil strife, industrial dispute, terrorist activity or the threat of any such acts; (b) natural disaster (including but not limited to flooding, fire, earthquake, landslide), adverse weather conditions, high or low water levels; (c) nuclear or other industrial accident causing environmental pollution or contamination. Such clause may also be exercised by the company when the proposed travel date falls, or looks likely, in the sole opinion of the company, and travel may be restricted to one of more of the destinations on the trip under such regulations as pandemic lockdown or government restrictions.
Standard cancellation clauses will then then be applied as usual with the added safeguard that if the trip has gone past “Final payment date” and then has to be cancelled in its entirety then the company may hold all or part of your money (less allowable costs) as a credit for future use and endeavour to run the trip at a later date. Any request for a full refund would be a matter for an insurance claim if the customer does not wish to hold their money. If “final payment date” has not arrived by the time the company cancels the trip then normal rights of “refund of deposits” applies as per our standard terms.
• Unused inclusions: Refunds cannot be made for any unused trip inclusions, airfares, tours, transfers or individual features voluntarily cancelled or omitted by the guest or missed due to illness, injury or other factors.
• Miscellaneous charges: Such as, but not limited to laundry, telephone, mini bar, alcohol, taxi/transport, additional sightseeing tours, guides, beverages and food or meals (not specified as included), optional excursions or inclusions and insurance are the responsibility of the traveller unless otherwise clearly stated in the trip itinerary.
• Health: Your Doctor must approve your travel and the Guest is responsible for any medicines and/or vaccinations required whilst overseas.
• Guests with disabilities: we seek to accommodate the needs of guests with disabilities whenever possible. However in most cases we are unable to take customers with walkers, wheelchairs or other mobility issues. Certain trips may be unsuitable due to walking or limited availability of accommodation with disabled facilities. We cannot be responsible for the care of customers suffering from significant cognitive illness (such as dementia). We ask such customers to consult with your doctor to obtain medical clearance. Guests needing assistance must be accompanied by an able companion who will be available to assist them and assume full responsibility for their wellbeing.
• Operatunity reserves the right to take photographs and video of guests during the operation of any program or part thereof and to use, re-use, publish, and republish their image, identity likeness, name, voice, interview, statements, video clips and sound recordings, and/or photographic portraits or pictures in which guest(s) may be included (an “Image”), for promotional purposes during the program and thereafter. By booking a program with Operatunity, guests acknowledge that Operatunity is the owner of the photographs and video and agree to allow their Image to be used in such photographs and videos, which may thereafter, be used by Operatunity.
• Denial: We have no control over and are not responsible for any denial of services by carriers, hotels, restaurants or other independent suppliers. We must be notified at the time of booking of any special medical, physical or other requirements of guests and in consultation each case will be dealt with individually dependant on guest’s requirements and trip limitations.
• Passports/Visas/Immunisations: All guests must have a valid visa and a passport that does not expire earlier than at least 6 months beyond their intended return to NZ. The Company is not responsible for inability to travel due to invalid passport or visa or such documents as visas and medical immunisations for the trip. Please contact our office for advice if you wish as to the requirements for this trip.
• Airlines & airfares: If a promotional fare is broken or extended for any reason an additional cost may be incurred. Airfares and flight itineraries are subject to change at any time and are beyond the control of The Company and therefore it is not liable for any costs or losses sustained by such a change. It is the Guests responsibility to be at check-in at the required time and to check for last minute flight changes, The Company will try to advise changes where possible but is not responsible for or liable for any costs incurred due to late check-in.
• Baggage: The Company is not responsible for your baggage, excess baggage charges, cabin baggage or personal effects or documents. Whilst every care is taken by Escorts (and they will assist where possible with your baggage), it is the Guests responsibility to ensure that all possessions are loaded/unloaded from transport or Hotels and that they comply with relevant Countries or carriers regulations.
• Responsibility: The Company will exercise due care in all dealings with travel & arrangements pertaining thereto however it accepts no responsibility for damage to property or person whilst on the trip nor for damage or loss of belongings, documents or personal effects. Situations may arise which in our opinion make it necessary for us to cancel, advance or postpone a departure, change itineraries or make substitutions involving carriers, hotels, restaurants, destinations, modes of transport, inclusions or other travel components. In that event, we do not assume responsibility or liability for any resulting losses, expenses or inconvenience.
The Company reserves the right to accept or reject any person as a trip participant, to expel any participant from the trip, to make changes in the itinerary whenever the company deems it necessary for the comfort, convenience or safety of the participants and to cancel the trip at any time and is not liable for any costs incurred.
The trip participant agrees that neither the Company nor its affiliates shall be liable for any damage, loss (including personal injury, death or property loss) or expense occasioned by any act or omission of any supplier providing services, or any insurer or insurance administrator, or of any other person. No person, other than an authorised representative of the Company, by a document in writing, is authorised to vary, add or waive any term or condition in the trip brochure, including any term or provision set forth in these provisions.
• Insurance: It is a requirement that all guests have comprehensive health insurance and travel insurance for international travel. The company relies on the passenger to have explored all coverage of the said policy and to have made an independent decision on their policy choice. The Company reserves the right to refuse bookings or travel, even if full payment for the trip has been received, should evidence of insurance not be provided. Any matters regrading travel insurance claims are solely between the guest and their relevant insurance provider. This includes all claims relate to, but not limited to Covid 19.
• Health: Travellers need to be independently mobile and fit to travel. On each trip there is a mobility description. Please use this as your guide or contact your doctor and our office to ensure your suitability to travel.
• Refusal of Carriage: Operatunity Ltd retains the right to remove customers from our group tours for reasons that impact on the enjoyment or safety of other tour members, such as, but not limited to, the physical, medical or mental inability of customers to undertake the arrangements of the tour, unsocial or unruly behaviour, or the carriage of prohibited substances and materials. Before making final payment on any tour all customers should visit their doctor to confirm that they are physically able to undertake the day-to-day requirements of the tour. Should any ailments either exist at the time of booking, or arise before their departure from New Zealand, the customer must inform Operatunity Ltd how this condition may affect their health during the tour. Operatunity Ltd does not employ medical personnel to accompany the tours and any medical attention will be provided by a local provider at the customers expense, Nor does the company provide staff to push wheelchairs or assist with day to day medical treatments or the like and a capable companion must accompany any passenger who requires services of a personal nature. The Company will not be responsible for expenses resulting in such persons being precluded from completing the touring holiday for any reason. Of course the company tour escorts will help and support the customer in any way possible if emergency medical help is required at any time.
• Delays due to weather conditions, late running, carriers cancellation or delay, strike, lockouts, riots, safety concerns, security reasons or other uncontrollable reason any additional costs incurred for accommodation, meals, loss of income, subsequent onward carriers charges, connections or inconvenience are the responsibility of the guest.
• Holidays and Closures: The Company has no control over local or National holidays or closures of attractions or inclusions for maintenance or any reason whatsoever and no compensation is payable due to the unavailability of such. Where possible, alternatives will be offered.
• Photographs or pictures appearing in the trip publicity should be used solely as an indication of facilities or attractions, actual facilities or attractions may vary according to the availability.
• Additions: Any additions or alterations made by the traveller to the scheduled itinerary will incur a handling charge, on top of the relevant content charges, details of which will be advised at the time of request.
• Errors and omissions: The Company reserves the right not to honour any published prices or inclusions that it determines were erroneous due to printing, electronic or clerical error.
These Terms & Conditions are dated 9th October 2023.