GENERAL TERMS & CONDITIONS
Each pilgrimage has its specific terms and conditions; however, below are the general terms and conditions for trips organized by Catholic Heritage Tours:
PILGRIMAGE PARTICIPANTS
The Parish Tour Organizer reserves the right to accept or reject any person as a passenger. The Parish Tour Organizer has the right to expel any passenger from a trip if we deem this necessary for the comfort, convenience or safety of the pilgrimage participants. If a passenger is removed from a trip in progress, they will not be entitled to any refund, payment, compensation or credit of any kind for unused or missed services or costs incurred resulting from the termination of the travel arrangements and they will be responsible for their travel costs to return back home.
RESERVATION & PAYMENT
A non-refundable deposit of $500 per passenger and a complete registration form are required to hold space on the pilgrimage. For passengers registering after the registration deadline, there is an additional late fee of $100. Prices after the registration deadline are subject to change depending on air space availability. Reservations are processed in the order they are received. Payments can be made only by ACH bank withdrawal or by debit or credit card. Payments made by ACH bank withdrawal will incur no fees. Payments made with a debit or credit card will incur a convenience fee charged by the debit/credit card company or bank. A minimum of 20 passengers is needed to form the group.
PILGRIMAGE PRICES
Pilgrimage prices have been based on current costs of services included in the itinerary and on a minimum number of passengers. In the event of less passengers than the minimum, change in currency conversion rates or amendments in local government taxes, we reserve the right to adjust the price accordingly. The estimated air taxes and surcharges for the group air reservation are subject to change until ticketed. Prices are in US dollars.
CANCELLATION PENALTIES
All cancellations requested by participants must be in writing and are subject to the following fees. If cancellation is received more than 120 days prior to departure, the deposit will be retained. Then the following per person cancellation fees apply:
* 120-90 days prior to departure: 25% of total price
* 89-60 days prior to departure: 50% of total price
* 59-30 days prior to departure: 75% of total price
* 29-0 days prior to departure: 100% of total price
If air tickets have been purchased at the time of cancellation, the air ticket fare will count as part of the refund, if a refund applies.
PILGRIMAGE CANCELLATION
If Catholic Heritage Tours cancels the pilgrimage 90 days before travel due to lack of participants or due to prohibitive travel conditions/restrictions, it will refund all monies paid to Catholic Heritage Tours for the scheduled pilgrimage, with the exception of airline cancellation fees, if any. There is no additional liability. Catholic Heritage Tours cannot assume responsibility for any additional cost or any fees relating to the issuance and/or cancellations of individual air tickets, travel insurance or other arrangements made for the pilgrimage.
TRAVEL INSURANCE
Travel insurance is not included in the trip price. We strongly recommend travel insurance to protect your investment in case of trip cancellation/interruption, and to help you cover expenses while you travel in case of trip delay, baggage delay/loss, accident, sickness, etc. If you do not have a pre-existing medical condition, we advise you not to purchase travel insurance until you make your final trip payment. This is because once purchased, your insurance premium may not be refunded; instead, you may simply receive a voucher to use the premium for a future trip. If you do have a pre-existing medical condition or if you want to cancel the trip for any reason, please note that for it to be covered, travel insurance must typically be purchased within 15 days of your initial trip deposit. Be sure to know the insurance terms and conditions before you purchase. For more information, click here.
GROUP TRAVEL
This is a group journey– not an individual trip – with its goal being the benefit of the group as a whole. All planned activities are for the entire group; therefore, passengers are expected, but not required, to participate in these activities. One may choose not to participate in parts of the sightseeing; however, there is no refund or compensation for missed sightseeing. Participants will have the courtesy of being punctual at all times, knowing that the group is on a strict time schedule in order to cover all the sites on the itinerary. If a participant is late for the group’s rendez-vous, it will be their responsibility to find their own way to the next group activity.
GROUP AIR RESTRICTIONS
Due to the airlines’ reduced capacity and restrictive group reservation terms, group air reservations are often difficult to coordinate. The number of connections, length of layovers, and all conditions surrounding air travel cannot be guaranteed and may change before departure. Accordingly, if passengers require specific air travel needs and are not flexible concerning group air travel, they may wish to consider purchasing the land-only package and secure their own preferred air arrangements. If a passenger requests to be included in the group air reservation and later decides to purchase their own plane ticket, they will incur a $150 per person penalty fee charged by the airline if it is within 120 days of travel.
AIRLINE SEATING & TICKET UPGRADES
Seating requests under the group air reservation may be made; however, please know that seating requests are rarely granted by the airline. If the request is not granted, we will ask that it be made directly to the airline at the ticket counter on the day of departure. Passengers may also exchange seats with other group members once on the plane. If passengers are not flexible concerning their seat assignment, they are advised to purchase the land-only package and secure their own preferred air arrangements. Seats under the group air reservation are economy seats and cannot be upgraded. Passengers wishing an upgrade are advised to purchase the land-only package and secure their own preferred air arrangements.
LAND-ONLY PASSENGERS
If a passenger purchases the land-only package and their own individual plane ticket, they are responsible for meeting the group at the assigned place and time. Catholic Heritage Tours has no responsibility in waiting for land-only passengers past the rendezvous time, even in the case of a delayed or canceled flight. The rest of the group must proceed with the scheduled airport transfer. If a land-only passenger is late, they will be fully responsible for catching up with the group.
SINGLE ROOMS & ROOMMATES
A limited number of single rooms are available at the single supplement price. In case they are all taken, there may be an additional fee for a double room in single occupancy. If passengers wish to have Catholic Heritage Tours assign a roommate, we will do our best; however, if we cannot find a roommate, we will ask if the passenger would like to pay the single supplement fee.
PILGRIMAGE SCHEDULE
Catholic Heritage Tours’ itineraries depend mainly on the opening times of the visited shrines and on the celebration of Holy Mass. Itineraries are prepared in advance and are subject to change.
PHYSICAL HEALTH AND FITNESS
Participants will take full responsibility for being fully able to participate in the daily scheduled activities of the group, noting that pilgrimages organized by Catholic Heritage Tours require physical fitness in order to keep up with the group pace.
Walking and standing: There is daily walking and standing, and some days may be intense. Sometimes walking is up or down slopes, and at times sidewalks and terrain will be uneven. We strongly recommend preparing oneself by walking before the trip, building up to at least 2-3 miles per day.
Full mobility required: Please note that pilgrimages organized by Catholic Heritage Tours are not wheelchair or motorized scooter accessible. Therefore, our itineraries are not for individuals with walking difficulties or mobility issues. Travelers must be able to climb several stairs, since many of the visited places have no other access. Catholic Heritage Tours cannot provide individual assistance to any participant. Catholic Heritage Tours is not responsible for any medical condition that occurs prior, during or after the trip.
Keeping the group pace: A certain pace must be kept in order to cover the scheduled sightseeing. Out of courtesy for the other group members, each participant is responsible for traveling at the group pace; the group will not wait for or assist pilgrims who cannot keep up. One may choose not to participate in parts of the sightseeing; however, there is no refund or compensation for missed sightseeing.
Passengers 80 and older: For their safety, passengers 80 years of age and older are required to be accompanied by a qualified and physically able travel companion who is capable of and is completely responsible for providing assistance.
Children: Our trips are designed for adult travelers who will appreciate the visited sites and adhere to the group’s spirit. Children under 10 years of age are not recommended to participate. Adults traveling with minors are solely responsible for their behavior and monitoring them throughout the trip.
BAGGAGE
Porterage at the hotels for one suitcase on the pilgrimage is included. Its weight should not exceed 50 pounds, nor 62 linear inches (L+W+H).
NOT INCLUDED
Travel insurance, beverages and food not included on the itinerary of the pilgrimage; laundry; fees for excess baggage; fees for passport/visas; Mass stipends; tips for the tour escorts, local guides and drivers; and all other items of a personal nature.
PASSPORTS AND VISAS
A valid passport with an expiration date of at least 6 months after the traveling dates is required for all participants. Non US citizens, please contact the proper embassy or consulate to see if you require a tourist visa for the visited country(ies). When and if a visa is required, it is the passenger’s responsibility to obtain one. Catholic Heritage Tours is not liable for passengers not having proper passports, visa, or other travel documents. Cancellations due to lack of appropriate documents will incur aforementioned penalties. Passengers are responsible for providing Catholic Heritage Tours a clear photocopy of their passport at least 75 days before traveling. Passengers will be responsible for name change fees charged by the airline if they do not provide their name as it appears on their passport.
TRAVEL ADVISORIES
From time to time the State Department (www.state.gov) and other government agencies and departments issue travel advisories or warnings for one or more of the destinations that participants may be visiting on their pilgrimage. We encourage participants to contact these agencies directly to obtain the most current information. Catholic Heritage Tours cannot change the cancellation terms or conditions based on the issuance of any such warning or advisory, or the occurrence of any terror, health or other incident in one or more of the places this journey is scheduled to visit. All cancellation penalties must remain in full force and effect as outlined in these Terms & Conditions.
RESPONSIBILITY & LIABILITY
Catholic Heritage Tours acts only as an agent for the various independent suppliers that provide hotel accommodations, transportation, sightseeing, activities, or other services connected with this journey. Such services are subject to the terms and conditions of those suppliers. Catholic Heritage Tours and their respective employees, agents, representatives, and assigns accept no liability whatsoever for any injury, damage, loss, accident, delay, or any other incident which may be caused by the negligence, defect, or default of any company or person in performing these services. Responsibility is not accepted for losses, injury, damages or expenses of any kind due to sickness, mental disorders, pandemics, weather, strikes, hostilities, wars, terrorist acts, acts of nature, local laws or other such causes.
