Home Booking Conditions

Britannia’s reputation has been built on client satisfaction because we go that extra mile, striving to ensure that you, our client, get value for money. We want you to enjoy your holiday to the full and return to Malta feeling both satisfied and relaxed. We therefore invite you to please read these booking conditions.

GENERAL TERMS & CONDITIONS

The holidays in this programme have been planned and are operated by Britannia Services Limited of Britannia House, 652, St. Joseph, High Street, Hamrun to ensure maximum client satisfaction. These terms and conditions have been laid out according to Maltese legislation and international rules, and cover every aspect of your holiday, from the moment you book until the moment you return home. The general conditions clearly spell out our obligations to you, and your commitments when you book your holiday with us. In these Terms & Conditions, the term “you” and its derivatives include you and all other persons travelling with you, in whose name you have made the booking.

OUR COMMITMENT TO YOU

1. BOOKING AND DEPOSIT

After you have paid your deposit (€400 per person on any package, €800 per person on long haul holidays, €400 per person on cruises) and a receipt has been issued by us, the booking is considered confirmed. Payment of the initial deposit also confirms that you have read and understood these Terms and Conditions. However, your participation in the tour is only confirmed, and can only be ensured, once you have paid the full amount due.

When making a booking, it is important that the name you give us is exactly as shown on the passport or other valid travelling document. If you fail to do so, you may be denied boarding on the tour altogether, or we may be constrained to affect a name-change, in which case, an administrative fee of €50 will be levied, together with any additional fees which our suppliers may impose. This also applies should you require a transfer of the booking to a different traveller. The notice for change or transfer is to be given within a reasonable time, at the latest seven days prior to your intended departure. Should you wish to change your holiday arrangements in any way, we will try our best to meet your wishes to the best of our ability. We reserve the right to charge you a handling fee of €50 for any such change to your booking, in addition to any actual costs incurred in respect of such a change.

Where the price varies depending on the number of persons booked into the accommodation and you wish to change that number of persons, you will need to pay the price on the basis of the new party size as shown in this brochure. Any increase in the price per person, which would be due by you and payable as a result of a part cancellation (eg: for a hotel room under-occupancy, changing from twin room to single room), is not a cancellation charge.

2. PRICE POLICY

The prices indicated in this brochure are set at the time of its publication and are the price per person. Children’s rates apply provided the children share the room with 2 or 3 adults. The actual costs relative to your holiday may vary from the date of booking due to:

• An increase in cost of fuel prices, imposed by the airlines or the cruise ship companies, or any other increase relative to other power sources that affects the price directly or indirectly;

• An increase in taxes or fees imposed by third parties, such as government authorities, including but not limited to, any increase in tourist taxes, landing taxes, embarkation or disembarkation costs;

• Changes in Visa Costs;
• Change in the exchange rates or currency fluctuations.

3. PAYMENT OF BALANCE

The balance due for the holiday must be settled by not later than six (6) weeks prior to departure in the case of packages, and eight (8) weeks prior to the departure in the case of cruises or long hauls. If the booking is made less than eight (8) weeks prior to the departure of your cruise or long haul, or six (6) weeks prior to the date of departure of any other holiday, the full payment is due immediately. Payments may be made in Cash, by Personal Cheque, Banker’s Cheque or Bank Transfer. Since it may take up to 7 working days for cheques to clear, payment by Personal Cheque will not be accepted in the last 10 working days before the date of travel.

4. CANCELLATION

If, for whatever reason, we do not receive your payment in time as indicated above, we reserve the right to cancel the booking and impose a cancellation fee. You are entitled to cancel your booking with us at any stage prior to your departure, subject to a cancellation fee. A cancellation can only be accepted once this is communicated in writing to us by any of the persons listed on the booking form or by the Travel Agent through whom the booking was made. The cancellation will be effective from the date it is received and duly stamped by our offices. The stamp constitutes irrefutable proof of the date of receipt of the cancellation. The cancellation fee which you must pay shall be:

• If you cancel more than 43 days before scheduled departure – a sum equivalent to your deposit

• If you cancel between 29-42 days before scheduled departure – a sum equivalent to 50% of the total price of your package inclusive of extras if previously booked by you

• If you cancel between 15-28 days before scheduled departure – a sum equivalent to 75% of the total price of your package inclusive of extras if previously booked by you

• If you cancel between 14 days or less before departure – a sum equivalent to 100% of the total price of your package inclusive of extras if previously booked by you

In the case of a cancellation of a cruise package, should the cancellation be affected more than 65 days before scheduled departure, only the deposit shall be lost. Should, however, the cancellation be affected less than 65 days before the scheduled departure, a cancellation fee equivalent to 100% of the total price of your package will be imposed. In the event of unavoidable and extraordinary circumstances at the holiday destination, which would significantly affect your trip, you may cancel your booking, without paying the cancellation fee, and receive a full refund of any payments made to us. We reserve the right to cancel the tour if there are not at least 30 people booked on the tour you have reserved, or if sales of that holiday are so low as to make it economically not feasible for us to operate it. In this event, we may offer you an alternative holiday to purchase, of comparable standard, if available, with no obligation on your part to purchase such alternative package. If you choose not to purchase an alternative holiday, we will refund you all the money you have paid us for your cancelled holiday.

In case of cancellation by us, you will be informed at least:

• 20 days before the departure date of said cancellation, if your tour was planned to last longer than 6 days;

• 7 days before the departure date of said cancellation, if your tour was planned to last between 2-6 days

• 48 hours before the departure date of said cancellation, if your tour was planned to last less than 2 days.

Furthermore, we reserve the right to cancel the tour at any time should this be necessitated by force majeure or unavoidable and extraordinary circumstances. In the latter event, we shall contact you to inform you about the cancellation without undue delay. No compensation will be due by us in the event that the cancellation results because of:

• reasons attributable to you;
• unforeseeable and unavoidable reasons attributable to third parties unconnected with the provision of services included in the package that we are supplying, such as government authorities;
• force majeure;
• unavoidable and extraordinary circumstances.

5. OUR ASSURANCE ON STANDARDS, DUTIES & OUR OBLIGATIONS

We take all reasonable steps to ensure that proper arrangements have been made for all the holidays which are advertised in this brochure. We are not responsible for any prejudice, extra costs or consequential loss that you may suffer, directly or indirectly, if you choose to make any independent arrangements with third parties in relation to your holiday, separately to the services included in our package. You will appreciate that we have no direct control over the provision of services to you by suppliers. We cannot be held responsible if any activities are cancelled due to force majeure or due to unavoidable and extraordinary circumstances, such as adverse weather, strikes or the indisposition of the protagonist in a show or entertainment event. We always try our utmost to communicate your specific requests to our suppliers; however, we can never give a guarantee that these will be definitively confirmed since adherence to said requests is always subject to availability.

We assure you that should any of the travel services included in our package not be performed in accordance with the package booked with us, we shall seek to remedy the lack of conformity, unless this is impossible or entails disproportionate costs. We plan our holidays to give you the maximum enjoyment. In order to do so, we may occasionally have to change your holiday arrangements, and we reserve the right to do so in the unlikely event that this should become necessary. Such changes may be necessary, for example, as a result of force majeure, government or local authority action, essential maintenance or cleaning, lack of support or demand, religious or local holidays or changes made by our suppliers, and include, changes in flight times, hotels closing down, hotel overbookings, or inclement weather imposing a change in itinerary.

We may not be held responsible for changes in the programme resulting from said third party interventions. However, we shall inform you within a reasonable time of any changes to the programme once the relative change is communicated to us. Touring itineraries may also have to be changed, sometimes at short notice, due to weather, road or traffic conditions, mechanical breakdowns, police activity etc. Whilst we strive to make sure that everything goes according to the plan set out in this brochure, we cannot be held liable for said changes when these are caused by force majeure or unavoidable and extraordinary circumstances. Changes to the programme may have to be made:

• Before Departure – Should we be compelled to make any changes, we will inform you or your Travel Agent of all the details relative to said changes within a reasonable time prior to the departure. Should the changes to the travel programme be significant, or increase the price of the package booked with us by more than 8%, and you are not satisfied with the new arrangements, you will be entitled to cancel your booking without incurring any cancellation fees, provided that your instructions to cancel your booking are made within a reasonable time, which shall, under no circumstance, be longer than seven days from the date that we would have informed you about the change, or later than seven days before the scheduled departure, whichever is the earlier.

• After Your Holiday Has Commenced – Occasionally, it may be necessary, due to unforeseen circumstances, to change a hotel or some other part of your holiday arrangement after your holiday has commenced, in which event we will do our best to maintain the overall standard of the holiday arrangements. Should, however, the alternative arrangement be of a lower quality or cost than the one originally planned, you shall be entitled to an appropriate reduction.

5.1 FLIGHTS

Details of the airlines we anticipate using are shown in the programme. The choice of airline is exclusively at our discretion. We reserve the right to substitute alternative airlines and/or aircraft if necessary; however, we shall immediately inform you should such change be made. Flight schedules are subject to changes and confirmation by the airline. Our reservation system will show the latest schedules as advised to us. Please check your flight tickets as soon as you receive them, as they will show the confirmed time for your flights. Some flights may have intermediate stops en route and this is not always known before departure date. In such cases, we cannot notify you in advance. Flights are subject to the granting of permits and licenses by authorities both in Malta and overseas. We cannot be held responsible for any prejudice or consequential damage that you may suffer from such changes. However, we are committed to inform you as soon as the change is made known to us. Should the change lead to a delay which results in an overnight stay abroad, we will cover the costs for reasonable meals and refreshments in a reasonable relation to the waiting time, the hotel accommodation should overnight stays be necessary, transport between the airport and place of accommodation, and also 2 telephone calls or emails. Transport of any kind is subject to the conditions of carriage of the company providing that trip. These conditions applicable to you are likely to embody the provisions of the law of the country where the company concerned is situate.

5.2 ACCOMODATION

Our brochure descriptions are based on the information obtained from hoteliers and other service providers at the time of printing. Check-in at hotels is not done before 3p.m. and check-out from rooms must take place by 9a.m. We kindly ask you to respect such times and abide by the instructions provided by your tour leader or the accommodation manager/s. Hotel rooms and ship cabins may be small or even very small when compared to standards which you may be accustomed to, including any adjoining en-suite or bathroom. We only work with hotels that have single or twin rooms. Triple or quadruple rooms are hardly ever available.

A third and/or fourth person wishing to share a twin room will most probably be given either a small extra folding ‘camp bed’, a bunk bed or a sofa bed, which may make accommodation quite uncomfortable. In America, three or four persons wanting to share a room will always be given just two double beds (single beds for each person will not be available). Therefore, we are not to be held liable should a room or cabin be smaller than what you expected. The assignment of rooms is handled directly by the hotel and at no stage are we involved in said assignment. At the time of booking, you may inform us whether you wish two single beds or a double bed, or whether you wish rooms next to each other or with a specific view. Although we will strive to obtain your desired arrangement, we do not have any control as to whether the accommodation-provider adheres to the submitted request.

Swimming pools may only be heated in colder weather and the general standard of hygiene, public utilities, drainage, plumbing and services in general may not be of the same standard as in Malta.

Breakfast is always continental unless otherwise specified. Lunches and dinners are always served in three courses. No choice of food will be provided unless you have informed us upon booking that you suffer from a particular food allergy, or health condition, in which case, we will inform the catering establishment of said dietary requirements. Please note that portions served abroad are moderate, and sometimes may be considered small when compared to local customary food portions. When buffet meals are provided, a choice is available. Any drinks ordered, including water and soft drinks, are not included in the package price and are to be paid for separately. The use of the mini-bar, telephone and pay-tv, when available, is not included in the package price, and must paid by you separately. Policies vary from one hotel to the other – therefore, if in doubt, you should enquire with the hotel management directly of any charges to which you may be liable, before making use of the service.

5.3 ENTRANCE FEES & EXCURSIONS

Unless otherwise specified, entrance fees to museums, shows, boat or train trips, and the use of cable cars are charged separately whilst you are on holiday. Excursions that are listed as ‘optional’ are also charged separately whilst you are on holiday, and unless otherwise stated, do not include the service of a local guide, but do cover the cost of the coach transfer. The prices for optional excursions are clearly listed in the price box on the programme. Only items listed in the section ‘Price Includes’ are included in your package price. Prices of entrance fees are subject to change.

We are only responsible for Optional Excursions which are included in this brochure, even if you decide to take them whilst you are already on holiday. The price for these Optional Excursions is extra and unless clearly specified, they only include transportation costs by coach. These are clearly marked in the price box printed at the end of each programme in this brochure. We are not responsible for any additional excursions, and their relative costs, organised by yourself, your Britannia tour leader or any other third party while you are abroad, if said excursions are not indicated in this brochure, and are not carried out with the written consent of Britannia Services Limited management in Malta.

5.4 SERVICES OF A TOUR LEADER

Each group tour is escorted by a Maltese-speaking tour leader who will be responsible for the implementation of the programme. The tour leader is under no circumstance responsible to provide any service over and above the official programme, and is not obliged to accompany members of the group around shops, flea markets or theme parks even if the relative visits are included in this brochure. In cases of emergency, namely if you should suffer any injury or fall victim to a crime, the tour leader will use his best endeavours to offer you emergency assistance necessary to approach local health services, authorities and consular assistance, and assist you in making alternative travel arrangements should you so require. We reserve the right to charge you for the cost of such assistance.

If you have a problem, you should immediately inform your tour leader, ideally also in writing, so that, if possible, the problem can be dealt with promptly.

YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES

• It is your responsibility to ensure that you are in possession of a valid passport or other valid travel document, and any appropriate visas. Be sure to check passport, travel document and visa requirements with your Travel Agent, well in advance, particularly if you are a non-Maltese passport holder. You are responsible for any charges, fines etc. that may be levied by authorities in Malta or overseas for noncompliance with regulations in this area and any such amounts will be charged to you.

• Health facilities, hygiene and risk of disease vary worldwide. It is your responsibility to check if you are healthy enough to travel.

• You must seek all necessary advice regarding your health and specific requirements from your trusted medical adviser, as soon as possible. You must also take any inoculations you may need depending on the country you are going to travel to, and ensure that any medication, such as Malaria pill, can be taken within the stipulated time (this varies and could be necessary months prior to departure) in order for such treatment to be effective on the departure date. You may phone the National Immunisation Service in Floriana on 21250492 for advice on these matters.

• Please ensure that you have a valid European Health Insurance Card so that you may use certain medical services in Europe.

• Airline regulations state that if you are more than 28 weeks pregnant, at the time of return travel, you must have a medical certificate of fitness to travel.

• It is your duty to purchase Travel Insurance. We provide the service to sell Travel Insurance, although you are under no obligation to purchase such cover from us.

• You must be responsible for a reasonable standard of behaviour. We reserve the right to decline to accept or retain any person as a client if their behaviour is, in our opinion, or in the opinion of the airline pilot, ship captain, hotelier or accommodation owner or manager or other person in authority, likely to cause distress, danger, damage or annoyance to other customers, employees and to other people or to property. We shall be under no liability to pay any refund or compensation to, or costs incurred by, any person whose behaviour is considered unacceptable and is made to leave any of the aforementioned premises or facilities.

• All children travelling on a reduced-price holiday must not have reached their 12th birthday by the end of the holiday. Our staff do not normally check passports to verify dates of birth. If a child has reached his or her 12th birthday by the end of the holiday, and was declared as a child on the booking form, the airline will refuse boarding to the child.

• Disabled persons are welcome on Britannia Tours Holidays. However please note that our personnel cannot provide the services of a personal assistant or carer. Please advise us about any requirements or preexisting medical conditions that you think may be important for us to know about. Otherwise, we cannot guarantee the provision of adapted services and facilities.

• We also welcome senior citizens and point out that insurance companies impose special conditions for clients 70 years and over. Please check with your insurance company and travel advisor to ensure that the level of activity on your chosen holiday, and the cover you have chosen, are suitable.

LIABILITY

We are not responsible for anything that may happen to you outside the hotel we booked for you, or for the quality of any services not offered directly by the hotel where you will be staying. Nor are we responsible for any theft that you may suffer throughout your holiday, even if this occurs in the hotel or on the coach. We cannot be held responsible for any injuries you may suffer during activities or excursions.

INSOLVENCY

Britannia Services Ltd is a participant in the Insolvency Fund. This fund protects you when purchasing a package holiday. You are to ensure that a certificate is issued as this is the only legal document that will provide you with the necessary protection.

COVID-19 LIMITATION OF LIABILITY

You and us acknowledge the ongoing Covid-19 global crisis and accept the obligation to comply with all health protocols issued by governments or local authorities in Malta and whilst on holiday.

Please note that we have no liability for any refunds, compensation, costs, expenses or other losses of any kind incurred by you (including where applicable the cost of medical treatment), in the following circumstances: if within 14 days of your departure, you or anyone under your booking, test positive for Covid and have to quarantine for a period of time, you must contact us as you may no longer be able to travel. We will offer you the possibility and subject to availability:

• postpone your holiday to a later date. You may have to pay full cancellation charges on some elements of your holiday, such as flight if we do not manage to recover all refunds;

• you will have the right to transfer your booking to another person nominated by you;
• cancel your holiday and may be subject to cancellation charges as shown in article 4 above. You may be able to claim these costs from the recommended Covid Travel Insurance.

Similarly, you may fail any tests, checks or other measures imposed by our suppliers (airport

• authorities, airline, bus company, hotels etc) and you are denied boarding or entry. You acknowledge that suppliers have to comply with health protocols imposed by their governments and local authorities and therefore you have to respect these measures such as wearing a face mask according to local protocols, social distancing, mandatory hand sanitation, etc. These measures will not impede the enjoyment of your holiday but are measures to secure safety for you and for the persons around you.

FORCE MAJEURE OR UNAVOIDABLE AND EXTRAORDINARY CIRCUMSTANCES

Force Majeure or unavoidable and extraordinary circumstances shall be a defence to the nonperformance of the package. If a cruise liner misses a port of call, for the benefit of the passengers’ safety or due to Force Majeure, passengers will be transferred, possibly by air (at no extra cost) to another port. In such cases, no port tax refunds will be issued.

IF YOU HAVE A COMPLAINT

We do our best to give you an enjoyable, trouble-free holiday, but occasionally even the best laid plans can go wrong. If you have a problem or complaint relating to the overseas part of your holiday, you must contact our tour leader, representative or agent in your resort at the earliest opportunity, and ideally register your complaint in writing, in order that it may be investigated, and we may have the opportunity to resolve the matter on the spot. In addition, you must notify us in writing within seven (7) days of the date of your return from your holiday of any difficulties which you may have experienced while overseas. Given the difficulties of investigating a complaint too long after the event, we cannot accept liability in respect of claims received after the seven (7) day period, and/or which have not been reported in writing to the Tour Leader during the holiday. All disputes arising from this package will be subject to Maltese law and adjudicated by the Maltese Courts. In the case of cruises, complaints must be submitted in writing within 2 months after the incident. We shall strive to address your complaint to your satisfaction, but should you disagree with our conclusions, you can lodge an appeal to the MCCAA, in line with your rights as a passenger.

Disclaimer: These terms and conditions have been set-out in accordance with the current Maltese and EU legal provisions and are subject to change should there be any amendments to the relative law.