Acceptance of Terms & Conditions:
These terms and conditions (Conditions) form the basis of the contract between You and O’Shannessy’s Quality Tours (“O’Shannessy’s Quality Tours”, “We”, “Us”, or “Our”) (“Contract”).
It is important that You read the Contract carefully to ensure that You understand Your rights and obligations. By agreeing to participate in a tour arranged by Us, You are deemed to have accepted these terms and conditions in full.
Payments, Cancellations and Refunds:
Bookings can be made by completing Our booking form or over the phone or in our office and a deposit, refundable/non-refundable as per the detailed itinerary, is payable on confirmation of your booking. All balance payments must be received by O’Shannessy’s Quality Tours within the date specified prior to the tour commencement. Payments may be made by cash, cheque, credit card and direct deposit. O’Shannessys Quality Tours also reserves the right to cancel this tour due to insufficient numbers and in this instance a substitute date will be offered, or a full refund will be made available. In the case of computer or human billing errors, We reserve the right to re-invoice participants with correct billing.
Cancellation Policy:
Please see Your detailed itinerary for the cancellation terms which apply to Your specific tour. Where a non-refundable ticket/option extension is pre-paid this will be charged/withheld in addition to the cancellation fee. If the tour has already commenced, no refund of fare or unused portion of the tour can be given.
Travel Insurance:
Travel insurance is not included in this tour. Travel insurance is not compulsory however We strongly recommend that You take out fully comprehensive travel insurance with a reputable insurance provider. It is strongly recommended that insurance be taken out to fully protect against any unforeseen events that might occur including, but not limited to cancellation fees, airfare and / or land content costs or curtailment expenses arising as the result of illness, strikes, loss of luggage etc. Travel Insurance is the responsibility of the passenger and is subject to conditions, including pre-existing illnesses and mature age passenger surcharges as well as exclusions for some events, please check details as per your individual policy. O’Shannessy’s Quality Tours are not liable for lost or damaged baggage and or personal property.
Tour Prices:
Tour prices are correct at time of printing but subject to change without notice for unforeseen circumstances such as higher hotel rates, government surcharges and fuel prices. All prices quoted are in Australian dollars and include all compulsory taxes and GST. Tour price includes meals, sightseeing and other activities as per the detailed itinerary. Anything not specifically listed/stated in the detailed itinerary is not included in the advertised tour price. Accommodation is included to the advertised standard and is on a twin share basis with ensuite facilities. Tour price excludes drinks, telephone calls, travel insurance or items of a personal nature.
Itineraries:
O’Shannessy’s Quality Tours arranges charters, attractions and tours on the condition that it is not liable for any damage, injury or loss which may occur due to accident, delay, irregularity or defect of any vehicle, vessel or accommodation. The tour itinerary is a guide only, and although we will make every reasonable effort to adhere to the program, we reserve the right to make any alterations as necessary.
Alterations may come about due to tidal or weather conditions, strikes, public holidays, local festivals, renovations and/or upgrades or other reasons.
Any additional expense incurred by the passenger is not Our responsibility. We can give no guarantee of the exact arrival and departure times for carriers and operators used by Us on the tour and will not be liable for failure to make connections with other services or attractions beyond our control. O’Shannessy’s Quality Tours are not responsible for any attractions or places of interest included in Our itineraries, which are a natural phenomenon, a product of nature, reliant on certain weather conditions or affected by drought or excess rainfall, not meeting the expectations of passengers. Weather conditions, outside temperatures, drought and rain are forces of nature beyond our control and we cannot be held responsible for the affect these conditions may have on naturally occurring phenomena or on a passenger’s enjoyment of the tour. Images in brochures, all printed material and electronic platforms are indicative only and may not reflect specific destinations visited.
Single Supplement & Travelling Alone:
All accommodation is twin share unless stated otherwise. Single rooms may be available for an additional single supplement fee; however, We give no guarantee that sufficient (or any) single rooms will be available on any given tour. Where a single passenger is willing to share accommodation with a fellow single passenger, we will endeavour to find a compatible rooming companion of the same gender for you, but O’Shannessy’s Quality Tours accepts no responsibility for the rooming partner. If a suitable rooming partner is matched to You, the single supplement charged may be waived. Passengers who are smokers, who snore or who require a CPAP or APAP machine, unless travelling with a companion, will be required to pay the single supplement premium for the sole use of a room.
If a booking is made as a twin share and one passenger cancels, then the party who is still travelling will be required to pay the single supplement charge.
The willing to twin share option is available for overseas tours, however if a suitable single traveller cannot be matched to You, the single supplement surcharge must be paid.
Special Dietary Requirements:
Special meal requests/food allergies must be advised at the time of booking. All efforts are made to accommodate special dietary requirements, like vegetarian and coeliac meals however in some locations this cannot be guaranteed. If You have life threatening food allergies, O’Shannessy’s Quality Tours is not responsible for ensuring special meals requested, meet the needs of Your particular circumstances.
It is the responsibility of You the passenger in this circumstance to make it known at the time the meals are served, that Your food allergy is life threatening.
Health and Fitness:
It is important that all passengers are reasonably healthy and able to participate fully in our tours.
Our tours are designed so that You the passenger, in most cases can be as active or inactive as You prefer, however some tours do require a higher level of fitness and the ability to walk on uneven ground un-assisted, the ability to walk up-stairs or up hills may also be required to fully participate in the tour. There may be times when you will be standing for up to 30 minutes during a tour of an attraction. You may have to walk over uneven ground with no paving. You should be able to get in and out of transportation including but not limited to O’Shannessy’s Quality Tours coaches, unassisted and be able to manage your own luggage where necessary, ie: at airports.
There may be times when the shower provided in your accommodation is over a bath. Wherever a request for a walk-in shower is made, We pass these requests on to all Our accommodation providers, however We take no responsibility if these requests cannot be met.
Pre-existing Medical Conditions:
Passengers must advise O’Shannessy’s Quality Tours of pre-existing medical conditions that may affect their ability/mobility/health or wellbeing whilst on tour. Passengers must provide Us with emergency contact information for a third party, before embarking on a tour. O’Shannessy’s Quality Tours reserves the right to accept / decline and / or terminate a passenger’s participation in a tour, if it is believed that it is in the best interest of that passenger or other passengers on tour. If terminated whilst on tour, no refund of the unused portion will be given, and the passenger is responsible for their return transportation arrangements and cost. Wherever possible O’Shannessy’s Quality Tours and or Our representatives will provide assistance with obtaining transport at the passenger’s cost.
Passenger Code of Conduct:
O’Shannessy’s Quality Tours has a passenger code of conduct. O’Shannessy’s Quality Tours have a seat rotation program which applies to all passengers on all tours. We will endeavour to accommodate any passengers who experience travel sickness, however requests to sit in specific seats on the coach may not be guaranteed. O’Shannessy’s Quality Tours representatives/crew or any carrier reserves the right at its discretion to exclude from a tour, or to terminate the travel arrangements of, any person during the course of the tour without refund, anyone who:
- Fails to comply with the reasonable instructions of an O’Shannessy’s Quality Tours representative.
- Engages in illegal or undesirable behaviour or interferes with the enjoyment of or jeopardises the safety of other tour participants.
- Is likely to become objectionable to other passengers, O’Shannessy’s Quality Tours staff and/ or third-party suppliers.
- Refuses to co-operate with the O’Shannessy’s Quality Tours seat rotation plan each day.
Special Needs:
It is essential you advise us of any mobility, medical conditions or special needs you may have at the time of booking so that we can ensure your needs are met as best as possible. Passengers requiring special assistance are welcome onboard provided they are accompanied by an able-bodied companion/carer capable of providing all necessary assistance and do not require special assistance from O’Shannessy’s Quality Tours personnel or anyone else on the tour.
We do not, nor are we required to, provide carers or assistants for those with reduced mobility or other health needs or who are unable to cope with the requirements of the tour or who may require services or facilities that are not available.
O’Shannessy’s Quality Tours coaches are not equipped with wheelchair ramps or lifts, so regrettably wheelchairs and motorized scooters cannot be accommodated on tours.
It is your responsibility to arrange for such a carer if so required. Any such carer will pay the full price of any tour. In particular, hostesses, tour guides, tour directors and Your fellow passengers will not act as assistants or carers in these circumstances.
Luggage Restrictions:
Due to strict government vehicle weight restrictions and to meet occupational health and safety regulations for our crews, We allow one medium size suitcase per person. Maximum weight of all luggage not to exceed 20kg. We suggest you have a suitcase with wheels for ease of manoeuvrability that is of a size and weight that you can manage by yourself where necessary. Some tours may have different luggage requirements, however you will be advised of this should you book on one of these particular tours. In addition, one piece of hand luggage may be carried onboard the coach with Your personal items. Payment of excess luggage costs imposed by airlines is the responsibility of the passenger. O’Shannessy’s Quality Tours will not be held responsible for any loss or theft of baggage or belongings, this should be covered by Travel Insurance, which is Your responsibility to take out.
Smoking & Alcohol:
Government regulations prohibit the consumption of alcohol on board Coaches. Smoking is also not permitted. Smoking is generally prohibited in all accommodation, restaurants and licensed premises (other than in designated areas).
Tour Photographs & Promotional Material:
You agree that our O’Shannessy’s Quality Tours Representatives or Third Party Suppliers may take photographs and images of you while you are on holiday and that these may be used in our advertising or publicity material or online without obtaining any further consent or payment in respect of such photographs and/or images.
Liability:
O’Shannessy’s Quality Tours reserves the right to alter or change the itinerary, accommodation or carriers at any time for any reason. We reserve the right to substitute coaches at any time when circumstances may require so, without prior notice. We shall not be liable to any person taking Our tour for death, loss (including loss of enjoyment), injury or damage to such persons or their belongings or otherwise in connection with any accommodation, transportation or other services or resulting directly or indirectly for any occurrences beyond Our control including breakdown of equipment, theft, delay or cancellation or changes in itinerary or schedules etc. Any term, condition or warranty express or implied by Statute or otherwise, for the products and/or services is excluded to the full extent permitted by law. However, nothing in Your booking contract excludes, restricts or modifies the application of the Australian Consumer Law as amended, consolidated, supplemented or replaced.
To the full extent permitted by law, O’Shannessy’s Quality Tours liability arising under or in connection with Your booking contract:- (a) Is limited to the
re-supply of the products and/or services or the payment of the cost of the re-supply of the products and/or services to You; and (b) Excludes liability for any indirect or any consequential losses suffered by You or any third party, howsoever caused, including but not limited to pure economic loss or any special, extraordinary, or punitive damage to You or any other party.
First Aid and Defibrillator:
Should an accident occur, O’Shannessy’s Quality Tours crew may administer first aid. A defibrillator may at times be carried onboard O’Shannessy’s Quality Tours coaches and may be used in the event of a major medical emergency to which clothing may need to be removed.
Third Party Suppliers:
Our trips and tours may include the services of other operators who are not agents, servants or employees of O’Shannessy’s Quality Tours. Third party tour components include where applicable land, sea or air transport, accommodation, meals, attractions, etc.
All such providers are referred to as suppliers. Suppliers are not under the direct control of O’Shannessy’s Quality Tours. Whilst we take all reasonable care in selecting the operators of services and optional tour excursions, We cannot and do not take responsibility for the conduct of the operators, their servants and agents, or for any ramifications of that conduct.
We cannot accept any liability for any injury, damage, loss, accident, delay, sickness or irregularity which may be occasioned by any supplier or their employees such as the failure of a hotel to provide any of the service normally available or any defect in any vehicle or other conveyance. Some 3rd party suppliers may require passenger contact details in order to fulfil dietary/medical requirements. O’Shannessy’s Quality Tours is obligated to offer this information unless advised by the passenger/s not to do so. Our trips and tours may include the use of facilities such as public toilets, parks and accommodation (such as campgrounds) that may also be accessed by other users / members of the public at the same time. O’Shannessy’s Quality Tours accepts no responsibility for the cleanliness and safety of such facilities and/or the actions of any other user. O’Shannessy’s Quality Tours accepts no responsibility for losses or additional expenses resulting from any delays or changes in air, motor, and other services, sickness, weather, strikes, lockouts, war, natural disasters or any other causes. O’Shannessy’s Quality Tours cannot guarantee the exact arrival and departure times for any of the services included in the tour arrangements and therefore are not liable for any failure to meet connections with any other service. Whilst We will take all reasonable care to ensure Our passengers enjoy the tour, we accept no liability for any loss of enjoyment experienced by passengers due to circumstances beyond our direct control.
Termination of Booking Contract or Change of Travel Arrangements Due to Force Majeure:
If O’Shannessy’s Quality Tours, in its reasonable opinion, considers that any Force Majeure event prevents Us (whether directly or through its employees, contractors, sub-contractors and agents) from lawfully and/or safely providing any products and/or services, the subject of the booking contract to you, we may immediately by written notice:-
(a) Terminate the booking contract (in whole or in part); and/or (b) Change your travel arrangements as reasonably practicable to ensure your safety and invoice you for any additional costs of performing this service as mentioned above. Limitation of Liability in the Event of Force Majeure In the event that We cancel or change Your travel arrangements in any way due to a Force Majeure event, We will not be liable to you in contract, tort, statute or restitution of any loss (including but not limited to loss of deposit or purchase price and loss of enjoyment), damage, costs, charges, expenses or injury resulting from or in connection with (whether directly or indirectly):- (a) The cancellation or change of travel arrangements; and/or (b) The Force Majeure event. For the avoidance of doubt, We are not liable to refund any part of the deposit and/or purchase price paid by You if We subsequently change or cancel Your travel arrangements in connection with a Force Majeure event.
World weather patterns, civil unrest, terrorism and disease epidemics are becoming more erratic and unpredictable and these are risks beyond our control. It is Your responsibility to purchase adequate comprehensive travel insurance to protect yourself against these risks.
Complaints and Lost Property:
If a problem occurs during your tour, please advise Your tour directors as soon as possible, so that steps can be taken to resolve the matter. If for any reason You remain dissatisfied, any complaint must be made in writing to Us within thirty (30) days of the last day of the tour. As well as the matters previously referred to in these Terms and Conditions, O’Shannessy’s Quality Tours is not liable for lost or damaged baggage and personal property.
Brochures and Printed Material:
The information presented in any printed publications, itineraries, brochures or touring programs is to the best of our knowledge correct at the time of publication/printing. However, changes beyond Our control may occur with respect to prices, duration of tours, standard of services and tour content. Surcharges may apply. Every effort is made to ensure accuracy in all printed materials and publications at the time of going to print and O’Shannessy’s Quality Tours cannot be held responsible for printing or typographical errors arising from unforeseen circumstances.
Chauffeured Pick Up for Tours:
O’Shannessys’ Quality Tours provides a complimentary chauffeured pick up and return service for all of our tours. All tour departures are from Victoria.
This service is defined by our pickup zones of Greater Melbourne, Bendigo, Torquay, Ballarat, Geelong,
the Bellarine and Mornington Peninsulas, Phillip Island and select areas of Gippsland. If you reside outside of these zones or interstate, O’Shannessy’s Quality Tours can assist You in making arrangements for:
- Travel to Melbourne or a location within our pickup zones prior to the tour departure date, additional expense to the advertised tour price may apply.
- Home pick up and return may still be available at an additional expense to the advertised tour price.
COVID19 Safeguards:
We are complying with government guidelines and restrictions on passenger numbers and social distancing and updating these as regulations change.
Our coaches are cleaned daily. Due to the Covid-19 risks, we have increased our cleaning schedule to include the following:
- Daily sanitizing of all coaches including wipe downs of all frequently touched surfaces (handrails, seats, seat belts, armrests, driver controls, doors, door handles, windows, window edges, toilet door and bathroom surfaces and overhead luggage racks).
- Regular sanitizing of high touchpoint surfaces while on tour.
- Installation of ultra-violet tubes in Airconditioning systems to sterilize/purify air as it passes through.