Consent to Terms and Conditions - Any use of the website of area-vacations.com or business conducted with the use of that website or business conducted in person or over the telephone with our office or with independent contractors of AREA Vacations is subject to these Terms and Conditions. Please read these Terms and Conditions and only do business with AREA Vacations if you agree to be bound by these Terms and Conditions. By doing business with AREA Vacations you are agreeing to be bound by these Terms and Conditions.   

Travel Documents - All travelers regardless of the country of citizenship, nationality, residence, or status are responsible for having the necessary documentation for domestic and international travel; and for making sure that names on all bookings and reservations are the same as they appear on the necessary documentation. For international trips necessary documentation includes passports, and may include visas and required or current immunizations and other documentation necessary to leave the country of residence, enter a foreign country, and return to the country of residence. Generally, a United States citizen traveling abroad must be in possession of a current passport which will be valid for six months beyond the expected travel dates. Current travel requirements and restrictions can be found on the U.S. State Department’s website http://www.state.gov. For “closed loop” cruises (leaving from and returning to the same U.S. port), travelers may use an original or certified copy of their birth certificate AND a government issued photo ID in the same name as shown on the birth certificate (or provide government issued documentation to show the “chain” of any name changes). AREA Vacations recommends that travelers research and understand the risks associated with taking closed loop cruises without a passport. Because of those risks, AREA Vacations strongly recommends the use of passports for all travel outside of the United States.

Travel Insurance - Most reservations require a partial or complete non-refundable financial commitment to travel. Cancellation of travel plans and/or changes in those plans may result in additional charges. AREA Vacations recommends protecting travel plans with travel insurance which may permit recovery of some or all of the non-refundable fares and/or change and cancellation fees for unforeseen events covered by the policy. Depending on the insurance company and the coverage selected, travel insurance may offer compensation for trip cancellation, trip interruption, trip delay, and loss of baggage. In addition, most policies will offer assistance with medical expenses and a variety of travel assistance services. It is recommended that travel insurance be purchased within 14 days of your initial deposit to receive maximum benefits which may include a waiver of previous medical conditions and coverage for default of the travel or cruise provider. Call 770-591-5552 or send an email to travel@area-vacations.com to obtain additional information about travel insurance.

Booking and Service Fees - With some exceptions (such as travel packages and other exceptions identified below), AREA Vacations generally does not charge a booking fee or “mark up” prices. Our prices are the same or lower than the prices you will find offered by travel providers such as cruise lines, hotels, tour operators and resorts. Our lower prices are often the result of our group rates, promotions, travel packaging, or selling volume. AREA Vacations is generally compensated by the travel provider (cruise lines, hotels, tour operators, and resorts) when travel is completed according to the terms and conditions of the travel provider. However, exceptions do apply which may require charging a service charge. Examples include shorter cruises (3-4 nights), lower cost resorts, more complex travel, or travel requiring more agency counseling, involvement or resources. Service fees are often included in the total travel costs and may not be shown separately or disclosed. AREA Vacations also will charge a non-refundable service fee to assist travelers in planning a trip or for assembling a variety of travel options. Service fees are based on the complexity and extent to which services are requested. Certain service fees may be credited toward any booking made within 30 days of the service provided. The credit will be provided as part of the final or full payment for travel arrangements. Service fees which are credited will be forfeited if the booking is later cancelled.

Cancelation Costs - In recognition of the uncompensated and additional effort on the part of AREA Vacations when reservations or bookings are canceled (either actively or passively by failing to make required payments), transferred to another agency, or transferred to the travel provider, AREA Vacations charges a cancellation or transfer fee for any reservations or bookings which have been partially paid or fully paid. For reservations or bookings that have been deposited or otherwise partially paid but not fully paid, the cancellation or transfer fee is $75. For reservations or bookings that have been fully paid the cancellation or transfer fee is equal to 10% of the gross travel costs or $75 per reservation whichever is greater. By doing business with AREA Vacations and thereby agreeing to these Terms and Conditions AREA Vacations is authorized to charge cancellation or transfer fees to the traveler’s credit card on file. Additionally, the traveler will forfeit any service fees associated with the booking. AREA Vacations cancellation penalties are in addition to those that may be imposed by the travel provider. Please refer to the travel provider’s policy regarding cancellations. Contact travel@area-vacations.com or call AREA at 770-591-5552 if you have any questions.

Change Fees - Both the travel provider and AREA Vacations may charge fees for making any changes to a reservation or booking which has been partially or fully paid.

Fuel Supplement Charge - Travel providers including cruise lines reserve the right to impose a fuel supplement charge based on the price of oil. Fuel supplement charges are imposed at the discretion of the travel provider.

Subject to Change - Fares, itineraries, and accommodations are all subject to change without notice.

Prices Quoted - Cruise passengers are advised that prices quoted for most cruise travel does not include taxes and government fees, the cost of transportation to and from the port; parking at the port; gratuities; travel insurance or alcoholic/carbonated beverages unless specifically stated in the quote.

Payments, Online Check-in, and Boarding Documents - Each traveler is responsible for making timely payments on bookings to avoid cancellation and/or price changes. In addition, each traveler is responsible for completing online check-in, printing boarding passes, obtaining luggage tags, and providing requested personal information to the travel provider which will facilitate both boarding and access to accommodations upon arrival. For travelers who prefer – AREA Vacations will be happy to assist with online check-in including printing boarding passes and/or luggage tags ($35 service fee per reservation) and with printing boarding passes and/or luggage tags ($25 service fee per reservation). For more information or assistance please contact AREA Vacations.

Returned Check Charges - AREA Vacations charges $50 for checks that are returned.

Failure to Charge or Waiver of Fees - In the event that AREA Vacations fails to charge (or agrees to waive) any of the above cancellation fees, transfer fees, change fees, or other booking or service fees it is not precluded from imposing such charges in subsequent transactions. AREA Vacations reserves the right to impose such fees in any and all subsequent transactions regardless of its failure to impose such fees, or its decision to waive such fees, in prior transactions.

Limitation on Liability - It is understood and agreed that should AREA Vacations, or the agents, employees, or independent contractors of AREA Vacations be found liable for any losses or damages resulting from a failure to perform any of the obligations of AREA Vacations, including, but not limited to negligence, breach of contract, failure to act in a timely manner, failure to inform, failure to follow instructions, or otherwise, that the liability of AREA Vacations or the agents, employees, or independent contractors of AREA Vacations shall be limited to a sum equal to the commission earned by AREA Vacations in the specific transaction or $500 whichever is the lesser amount.