General Conditions

DEPOSIT PAYMENTS: A non-refundable land deposit of $250 per person is required for coach tours, $150 per person for self-drive and city vacations and $400 for river cruises. Deposits are required within 5 days of making the reservation.

CREDIT CARD PAYMENTS: We accept most major credit cards. The travel agent needs to provide us with the cardholder's information, including billing address and must have the cardholder's signature on file.

FINAL PAYMENTS: Full payment must be made no later than 70 days prior to departure date for coach tours and self-drives; 95 days prior to departure date for river cruises. CIE Tours accepts payment by check or major credit cards. Canadian clients may pay by a Canadian check drawn on a U.S. bank, money order in U.S. dollars or credit card. If payment is not received as scheduled, the reservation will automatically cancel and deposit payment become forfeit.

LAND REVISION FEE: Any revision to land arrangements made after the original booking has been processed will incur a $50 handling fee per [booking]. If clients cancel from one tour and rebook on another tour or another date, a cancellation fee may apply. We cannot accept revisions within 14 days of departure or once we have issued documents.

LAND CANCELLATIONS: Penalties per person apply:
70 days or longer: Forfeiture of deposit
69 - 46 days: 25% per person
45 - 8 days: 35% per person
7 - 1 days: 50% per person
On day of departure: 100% per person

B & B CANCELLATIONS: When open B & B vouchers are purchased from CIE Tours and accommodation is booked directly by you with homeowners, it is your responsibility to cancel such reservations directly with homeowners in the event that vouchers are cancelled with CIE Tours.

AIR CANCELLATIONS: Many airfares require instant purchase and are non-refundable. No refund can be made for non-refundable airfares. As each airline’s cancellation conditions vary; details should be requested at time of booking.

CRUISE CANCELLATIONS: Penalties per person apply:
121 days or longer: Forfeiture of deposit
120 - 90 days: 15% of total price or minimum of $400
89 - 60 days: 35% of total price
59 - 30 days: 50% of total price
29 - 7 days: 80% of total price
6 days or less: 100% of total price

NOTIFICATION OF CANCELLATIONS: All cancellations must be advised in writing (by mail, fax or e-mail) to CIE Tours prior to tour departure during normal business hours (9:00 am to 5:00 pm ET, Mondays through Fridays). Notification shall be deemed to have taken place on the date of receipt of such written notification by CIE Tours. It is the client’s responsibility to ensure that any notification of cancellation is received by CIE Tours. Minimum cancellation penalty is the deposit amount.

TRAVEL PROTECTION PLAN: CIE Tours' travel protection plan is intended to safeguard your travel investment and your well-being while on vacation. Policy coverage only becomes effective upon receipt by CIE Tours of the premium, which is required with the trip deposit. (We automatically include the cost on your invoice as the premium must be paid at time of deposit. If you decide not to purchase coverage, deduct the premium from your payment.) Once you pay the premium, we will send a certificate of insurance with your final documents. The plan also covers airfares purchased separately, provided cancellations are made for covered reasons. Please ensure to view our travel insurance page or read page 90 of our 2010 brochure for overall conditions, benefits and exclusions.

AIR TRANSPORTATION: CIE Tours has selected airfares that are most suitable when combined with our land arrangements. As airfares, fees and taxes change frequently, they are not printed in this brochure but are available on our website or call our toll-free number. Airfares are guaranteed once they have been paid and ticketed. You must ensure that the name on the CIE Tours’ invoice matches the passport as corrections or changes requested after reservation has been made are subject to cancellation or change fees. CIE Tours cannot issue copies of airline tickets for clients with frequent flyer programs.

TRAVELERS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS: Clients who require particular assistance must advise CIE Tours at time of booking and must travel with a qualified travel companion as CIE Tours drivers and guides cannot provide individualized help. As coaches are not equipped with wheelchair ramps, all tour members must be able to mount 3 or 4 steps into coach. CIE Tours is not responsible for denial of services by any of our suppliers.

COACH TRANSPORTATION: Coach tours are usually operated by 48 seat motor coaches. When passenger numbers are low, a smaller coach may be used.

ACCOMMODATION: Land arrangements are provided as described in each tour program. CIE Tours reserves the right to substitute hotels for accommodations in similar categories. Accommodation in B&Bs (farmhouses, town and country homes) is clean, comfortable and includes private bathrooms.

VISITS, ENTERTAINMENT AND OTHER FEATURES: CIE Tours reserves the right to substitute visits, entertainment and other features when establishments are closed or cannot be visited for reasons beyond our control.

CRUISE ITINERARIES: Deviations to the planned cruise itineraries and hotels are possible if conditions render such deviations advisable or necessary. All cruise routes are subject to change without notice. In the rare event of water level problems, it may be necessary to operate part of the itinerary by motor coach.

CIE TOURS CANCELLATIONS: If it becomes necessary to cancel a coach tour prior to departure, CIE Tours will offer the next available date at no additional land cost or will make a full refund of all monies paid to CIE Tours. CIE Tours cannot accept responsibility for any additional costs or fees relating to such a tour booking or for any cancellation penalties due to nonrefundable airfares, unless ticket is purchased from CIE Tours.

GUARANTEED COACH TOURS: Due to events beyond our control, it may be necessary for CIE Tours to cancel a guaranteed coach tour. Under these circumstances we will offer either the next available date at no additional land cost or 100% refund of all payments made to CIE Tours. In addition, we will also reimburse or absorb documented airline penalties/fare changes not exceeding $500 per person, even if the air is purchased independently.

LUGGAGE: Handling of one piece of luggage per person is included in the cost of all coach tours. Size should not exceed 30 x 20 x 10 inches and weight should be under 50 lbs. Luggage is carried at owner's risk throughout the tour unless insured. Trunk space in self-drive cars is limited so pack lightly, preferably using soft-sided suitcases. Airlines impose their own restrictions. It is the client’s responsibility to ensure that luggage complies with such restrictions.

TIPS: Tips for personal services and to tour directors and drivers are not included in tour cost and are left to your discretion.

CHILDREN/YOUNG ADULTS: Children under 8 are not permitted to travel on coach tours. Those aged 8 or over are charged the full adult rate (less $100 discount) and must travel with an adult. Young people traveling unaccompanied must be at least 21 years old.

SMOKING POLICY: Smoking is not permitted on any motor coach.

NOT INCLUDED: All items of a personal nature (room service, beverages, telephone charges, laundry, special food requests, etc.) and meals not specified on the tour itinerary are not included and must be paid by the client.

DOCUMENTS: Documents will be shipped by U.P.S. ground service approximately 21 days prior to departure provided full payment has been received. If documents are required earlier, we need sufficient notice to arrange for early delivery by regular service. Late bookings will incur an express service delivery charge.

UNUSED TOUR ARRANGEMENTS: CIE Tours cannot make refunds or exchanges for unused accommodations, services or features of any tour unless agreed upon in writing prior to departure.

CAR RENTAL INSURANCE: Car rental charges include Collision Damage Waiver (CDW), theft protection (TP), unlimited mileage and local taxes. Please read the following clauses closely to see how the hirer can purchase supplementary insurances. Collision Damage Waiver indemnifies the driver against damage to the rental car. The following deductible amounts vary depending on car rented and are not covered by CDW – €1,200-2,500

ADDITIONAL CHARGES: The various charges listed below must all be paid at start of hire in Ireland.

SUPER CDW: To insure against CDW deductible amounts above, the hirer may purchase a Super CDW. Super CDW does not cover tires, wheels, fuel contamination or loss of keys. Daily cost: €10.00-19.00

DRIVER/BAGGAGE PROTECTION (DBP/PAI): DBP protects the driver. Daily cost: €5.50

AGE LIMITS: 25-75 years. Certain conditions apply for drivers 76-79 years. Drivers aged 23-24 years are restricted to car types A, B & E and pay a daily surcharge of €26.00.

EXTRA DRIVER(S) SUPPLEMENT: Daily cost per additional driver: €9.50

CAR RENTAL TAXES (VAT) & VEHICLE LICENSE FEE: Included in basic rental cost.

DRIVING LICENSE: Drivers must have one year's driving experience and produce a valid driving license with no endorsements, issued in their state/country of residence.

GASOLINE/PARKING: Hirer is responsible.

CAR RENTAL CATEGORIES: Car rental companies reserve the right to substitute cars for other models in similar category.

CHAUFFEUR-DRIVE CARS: Rates are calculated on a maximum driving time of 7 hours per day.

RESPONSIBILITY: CIE Tours and CIE Tours International are trading names of CIE Tours International Inc. Your contract will be with CIE Tours International Inc and any reference to “CIE Tours”, “CIE Tours International”, “we”, “us”, and “our” in these booking conditions is to CIE Tours International Inc. Neither CIE Tours International Inc. nor its employees or directors own or operate any entity which is to or does provide goods or services for your trip, including, for example, lodging facilities, transportation companies, local ground operators, including, without limitation, various entities which may utilize the name of CIE Tours, CIE Tours International or CIE, guides, entertainment, food or drink service providers, equipment suppliers, etc. As a result, CIE Tours is not liable for any negligent or willful act or failure to act of any such person or entity. In addition, CIE Tours is not liable for any negligent or willful act or failure to act of any person or entity it does not own or control, nor for any act or inaction of many other third parties not under its control. You may see the name CIE Tours, CIE Tours International or CIE affixed to motor vehicles, on signs around the hotel or elsewhere. This use of our name is purely for reasons of identification and does not denote ownership, supervision, or control by CIE Tours in any way. Italian and Eastern European coach tours are operated for CIE Tours by Kompas Holidays International and European River Cruises by Amadeus Waterways. Without limitation CIE Tours is not liable for any direct, indirect, consequential, or incidental damage, injury, death, loss, accident, delay, inconvenience or irregularity of any kind which may be occasioned by reason of any act or omission beyond its control, including, without limitation any willful or negligent act, failure to act, breach of contract or violation of local law or regulation of any third party such as an airline, train, hotel, bus, taxi, van, local ground handler or guide, financial default or insolvency of any supplier and/or restaurant which is, to, or does supply any goods or services for this trip. CIE Tours is not liable for any loss, injury, death or inconvenience due to delay or changes in schedule, overbooking of accommodation, default of any third party, attacks by animals, sickness, the lack of appropriate medical care, evacuation to same, if necessary, weather, strikes, acts of God or government, acts of terrorism, or the threat thereof, force majeure, war, quarantine, epidemics, or the threat thereof, criminal activity, or any other cause beyond its control. CIE Tours reserves the right at its sole discretion to alter the itinerary as it may deem necessary or advisable. CIE Tours reserves the right at its sole discretion to decline to accept or retain any passenger on any of its tours if it deems accepting or retaining any such person as being detrimental to the tour. In the event any passenger is removed from a trip, CIE Tour's only obligation is to refund to that person that portion of the payment allocable to unused services. Any disclaimer of liability by CIE Tours under this clause is enforceable to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law. Each of the provisions of this clause is severable and if any such provision is held by any court or other competent authority to be illegal, void or unenforceable in whole or in part, the legality, validity and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this clause shall not be affected or impaired. Changes in the RESPONSIBILITY CLAUSE can be made only in writing signed by an officer of CIE Tours.

ARBITRATION: Any and all disputes concerning this contract, the brochure or other literature about your trip or the trip itself shall be resolved solely and exclusively by binding arbitration according to the then current commercial rules of the American Arbitration Association. Any such arbitration will take place in Morris County, New Jersey (or the closest AAA to Morris County). In any such arbitration, the substantive (but not procedural) law of New Jersey will apply.

IMPORTANT: CIE Tours accepts no responsibility for losses or expenses due to delay or changes in schedules, flight cancellations or misconnections due to mechanical problems, sickness, quarantine, weather, acts of God, strikes, government actions, war, terrorism or other circumstances beyond its control. Passengers must bear all such losses or expenses. To guard against unforeseen circumstances, we recommend you purchase our optional [tour] protection insurance plan.

VALIDITY: Rates in this brochure are valid from January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2010 and are quoted on a per person, sharing twin room basis. Unless otherwise indicated, all prices are shown in U.S. dollars and are calculated on currency rates and fares existing on September 15, 2009. CIE Tours reserves the right to alter prices at any time prior to departure and without prior notice if circumstances so warrant. Any devaluation or revaluation of currencies may affect published prices.