Travel Terms and Conditions
Organizer and General Travel Terms
The organizer under the Swedish Travel Guarantee Act is:
Resemakaren i Väst AB, Parallellgatan 14, SE-462 24 VÄNERSBORG
The company has provided a travel guarantee to the Swedish Legal, Financial and Administrative Services Agency (Kammarkollegiet). For journeys arranged by us, the General Terms and Conditions for Package Tours agreed between the Association of Swedish Travel Organizers and the Swedish Consumer Agency on 1 September 2014 apply.
Special Travel Terms
The special travel terms set out below take precedence over the general travel terms reproduced further down.
Prices
Our prices include VAT and margin scheme taxation.
Booking
The booking fee is normally SEK 300. The booking fee shall be paid at the time of booking. Final payment is due no later than 20 days prior to departure. For bookings made later than 20 days prior to departure, the total amount is due upon booking. Other rules and amounts may apply to, for example, air travel. Payment shall be made to the specified bankgiro. The bank’s receipt constitutes our receipt. A booking is binding as soon as an oral or written order has been placed. You can book by phone and online at www.resemakarn.nu.
Cancellation of a Journey by the Organizer
Trips may be cancelled if the number of travelers is insufficient. Normally, a minimum of 25 passengers per departure is required.
If the trip is cancelled due to too few passengers, notice will be given no later than 14 days prior to departure. For certain trips, such as day trips and short cruises of 2–3 days, we reserve the right to cancel up to 6 days prior to departure. Should we, contrary to expectations, cancel your trip, we will notify you by telephone or letter/email. It is important that we have correct contact details for you. All amounts paid to us will be refunded without delay.
Cancellation Fees (by the Traveler)
For cancellations earlier than 30 days before departure, a fee equal to the booking fee will be charged. For cancellations earlier than 14 days before departure, 25% of the trip price will be charged, but not less than the booking fee. Thereafter, but earlier than 8 days before departure, the fee is 50% of the trip price. For cancellations within 8 days before departure, the fee is 100% of the trip price. Special cancellation rules for air travel: For cancellations up to 70 days before departure, the fee is the booking fee. For cancellations thereafter up to 14 days before departure, the fee is 50% of the trip price. Thereafter, the fee is 100% of the trip price.
For trips that include theatre & show tickets, such tickets are non-refundable in the event of cancellation.
If other rules apply to your trip, these are stated in your travel documents.
Changes
For changes to bookings that require re-issuing travel documents or changes with hotels or similar, we charge a fee of SEK 50. Changes cannot be made closer than 4 working days prior to departure.
Under 18 years of age
If you are under 18 and travelling without an accompanying adult, you must state this at the time of booking without special prompting. Your legal guardian must then send a certificate confirming that you may travel on your own. We do not assume extra responsibility for minors; they receive the same service as other participants. Special age rules apply to, for example, cruises.
Online Booking Discount
When booking online, many of our trips offer a booking discount. Each trip states whether a discount applies and its amount.
The Coach Journey
We primarily use our own coaches and drivers. Our drivers are highly experienced with the vehicles and with heavy traffic in Europe. When our own coaches are not sufficient, we hire other companies that maintain a standard equivalent to our own coaches.
Delays
No coach company or airline can avoid delays. Causes may include traffic, queues, roadworks, customs, and technical problems. ReseMakar’n and the coach companies do everything possible to mitigate the effects. We do not compensate economically for delays nor cover, for example, telephone calls or special taxi rides upon return. We advise you not to schedule important meetings, weddings, or similar events in connection with your return from a trip.
Baggage
On our coach trips you may bring one standard suitcase and one small item of hand luggage per person. Total baggage weight may not exceed 30 kg per person. If exceeded, the driver has the right to refuse loading. For reasons of space and safety, coolers may not be brought. If other baggage restrictions apply, these are stated on your travel certificate; for example, shopping trips may allow a higher weight.
For air travel, baggage allowance is stated in your flight information, which you receive approximately one week before departure. Normally, this is about 22 kg of checked baggage and one item of hand luggage of about 8 kg.
Seat Reservations
Seats on the coach may be reserved. The reservation applies for the entire journey from Gothenburg. If the trip proceeds northbound, it applies from the last boarding point. On fully booked coaches, we will assign you a seat at departure so larger parties can sit together. It is important that we are informed if you are travelling with others. We often have very limited possibilities to change your seat at boarding.
For air travel, seat reservations are handled by the airlines. We have no ability to influence this.
Departure Time, Boarding Point, and Connections
These are stated on the travel certificate; arrive no later than 10 minutes prior to departure. If the coach is more than 15 minutes late, please call our on-call number at 0521-577 899. This phone is manned at departure times. The on-call service cannot answer questions about new or changed bookings. Connecting transport to Gothenburg may take place by another coach and, in isolated cases, by local public transport, taxi, or train. We reserve the right to adjust your departure time to better accommodate the connection. If so, we will inform you of the change before departure.
Ferry Crossing Times
Helsingborg–Helsingør 20 minutes
Rødby–Puttgarden 45 minutes
Gedser–Rostock 1 hour 45 minutes
Changes to the Itinerary
We reserve the right to change ferry routes and stopover hotels without prior notice.
The order of the daily program may be changed by the tour leader during the trip to adapt the journey to prevailing conditions.
Hotel Classification
Each hotel is classified by the tourist authority of the respective country. However, this may differ from reality. The classification in the catalogue is our own assessment, measured against the general standard at the destination and similar destinations in that country. This means our classification does not always correspond to the hotel’s own. Sometimes ours is higher; sometimes ours is lower. A “+” after the classification means it is slightly better than the local average.
** Low standard but always with shower and toilet in the room. Often somewhat older hotels fall into this category.
*** Tourist-class standard, often well-located hotels with pleasant surroundings. Good service level.
**** Very good hotels of a high standard. Always well located with pleasant surroundings. Hotels generally have good facilities and a high level of service.
Unspecified hotels are sometimes sold. This may be any hotel at the destination, and is often not one of our regular hotels. If no classification is stated for the hotel, it is generally a “***” hotel.
Accommodation
On our multi-day trips, accommodation is normally in double rooms. Single rooms can be booked at a supplement. Single rooms may be smaller than double rooms and of slightly lower standard. You pay to occupy the room alone. A solo traveler may, if possible, be paired with another traveler. If this is not possible, the single supplement will be charged. Multi-bed rooms are normally double rooms with extra beds, which means space can be tight. On such rooms, hotels normally grant children’s discounts. We do not recommend more than three adults in one room. Multi-bed rooms are not available in, among other places, Rostock and Prague. Grand Lit beds may occur.
Meals and Beverages
For full and half board, table beverages are not included unless otherwise stated on your confirmation.
Requests
Some guests have special requests, such as rooms with a specific location or rooms adjacent to fellow travelers. We can receive such requests and forward them to the destination. We cannot provide any guarantee or prior confirmation that requests will be met. Requests must not be confused with requirements/promises.
High & Low Season
During high season there is bustle and activity at the destination; during low season, for example, pools, bars, and hotels may be closed. In high season it is usually crowded at the destination and prices are higher. In low season there are fewer people and the price level is lower. High season at most destinations is 15/6–15/9.
Excursions
Our excursions are always operated. With low participation, excursions may be combined with other companies or operated by a local excursion company. Certain destinations require you to pre-book the excursion; this is stated on our website or in the booking engine. A few excursions are not covered by the excursion guarantee, as these require a minimum number of participants in order to be offered.
Passport, Visas, and ESTA
Travelers are obliged to carry valid identification on our trips. If you travel outside the Nordic countries, you must have a valid passport with you. Remember to check the expiry date in good time! We always recommend that the passport be valid for 6 months after return. For travel to the USA, you are required to apply for ESTA authorization yourself.
For travel to countries where a visa is required for Swedish citizens, we assist in applying. The cost is normally not included in the price of the trip. Travelers who are not Swedish citizens are themselves responsible for checking any visa requirements for the countries we travel through and to.
Lost Property
Enquiries about lost property shall be made to the office during office hours as soon as possible after return. The on-call service cannot answer questions about lost property. We keep lost property for one week. In cases where we trace an item on request, we charge a fee of SEK 100 plus any postage.
Complaints
Complaints shall be made as soon as possible after any defect has been discovered. This shall be done during the trip to our tour leader or driver. If they cannot resolve the issue on site, a written complaint must have been received no later than one month after return. The normal processing time is approximately two months.
Price Changes, Printing Errors, and Website
The price of the trip is determined on the booking date. Our prices are floating, i.e., they are adjusted according to booking levels, exchange rates, and other circumstances. The current price for each trip is available on the website. Catalogues and advertisements show the lowest price at the time of printing.
We reserve the right for any printing errors in catalogues/printed matter and on the website. In the event of discrepancies between catalogues/printed matter and the website, the information on the website prevails.
GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR PACKAGE TRAVEL
These general terms and conditions together with the organizer’s special travel terms form part of the contract. The general terms and conditions were agreed between the Association of Swedish Travel Organizers and the Swedish Consumer Agency on 1 September 2014. Special travel terms are indicated in italics. If there is a conflict between the terms, the general terms apply unless the special terms are more favorable to the traveler.
1 THE CONTRACT
1.1 The organizer is liable to the traveler for what the traveler is entitled to demand under the contract. The liability also covers services to be performed by someone other than the organizer. If the retailer is a party to the contract, the retailer is liable to the traveler in the same manner as the organizer.
1.1.1 The principal traveler is the person in whose name the contract has been concluded. The principal traveler is listed first in the travel documents or in another clear manner. The principal traveler is liable for payment under the contract. All changes and any cancellation must be made by the principal traveler. Exceptions may be made if the principal traveler becomes seriously ill and cannot carry out the change or cancellation. The principal traveler is responsible for providing the organizer with correct booking details for other travelers covered by the contract.
1.1.2 If the traveler is under 18 years of age and travels without a legal guardian, this must be stated at the time of booking. A certificate showing the consent of all legal guardians must be submitted to the organizer before payment for the trip is made.
1.2 The organizer shall keep the traveler informed of matters of significance to the traveler in connection with the contract.
1.3 A connecting journey or special arrangement forms part of the contract only if it has been sold or marketed together with the main arrangement for a joint price, or for separate prices that are linked to each other.
1.4 The contract becomes binding on the parties when the organizer has confirmed the traveler’s order in writing and the traveler, within the agreed time, has paid the agreed booking fee in accordance with the organizer’s instructions.
1.5 The organizer shall confirm the traveler’s order without delay.
1.6 Requests are not guaranteed.
1.7 The traveler is obliged to check the travel documents as soon as they are received. Any errors must be pointed out without delay. A fee may be charged for correcting information.
2 PAYMENT OF THE PRICE FOR THE TRIP
2.1 The traveler shall pay the price of the trip no later than the time stated in the contract.
2.2 The organizer may not demand final payment of the price earlier than 40 days prior to departure, unless otherwise agreed.
2.3 In connection with the booking confirmation, the organizer may charge an initial part payment (booking fee). The booking fee shall be reasonable in relation to the price of the trip and other circumstances.
2.4 If the traveler does not pay the price in accordance with the contract, the organizer has the right to rescind the contract and retain the booking fee as liquidated damages unless this would be unreasonable.
3 THE TRAVELER’S RIGHT TO CANCEL
3.1 The traveler has the right to cancel the trip as follows:
3.1.1 For cancellations earlier than 30 days before departure, the traveler shall pay the booking fee as a cancellation charge.
3.1.2 For cancellations thereafter, but earlier than 14 days before departure, the traveler shall pay 25% of the price of the trip, but not less than the booking fee.
3.1.3 If cancellation is made thereafter, but earlier than 8 days before departure, the traveler shall pay 50% of the price of the trip, but not less than the booking fee.
3.1.4 If cancellation is made within 8 days before departure, the traveler shall pay the full price of the trip.
4 CHANGES TO THE TRIP BY THE TRAVELER
4.1 The traveler has the right to amend the contract if the organizer consents. Changes to the contract may entail additional costs for the traveler from the organizer or others.
5 THE TRAVELER’S RIGHT TO TRANSFER THE CONTRACT
5.1 The traveler may transfer the contract to someone who meets all the conditions for participation in the trip. The traveler must notify the organizer or retailer of the transfer within a reasonable time before departure.
5.2 The transferor and transferee are jointly and severally liable to the organizer or retailer for all outstanding payments for the trip and for extra costs, up to a maximum of SEK 500. This limitation does not apply if the organizer can show that the actual cost of the transfer amounts to a higher sum, which may then be charged.
6 CHANGES BY THE ORGANIZER BEFORE DEPARTURE
6.1 The organizer’s right to change the contractual terms
6.1.1 The organizer may change the contractual terms to the traveler’s detriment only if it is clearly stated in the contract that such changes may be made.
6.1.2 If the organizer intends to rescind the contract or change the contractual terms, the organizer shall notify the traveler without delay and inform the traveler of the right to withdraw from the contract under clause 6.4.
6.2. Change of price
6.2.1 If, after the contract has become binding on the parties, the organizer incurs cost increases, the organizer may raise the price of the trip by an amount corresponding to the cost increases if these are due to:
(a) changes in transport costs,
(b) changes in taxes, duties, or charges relating to services included in the trip, or
(c) changes in exchange rates that affect the organizer’s costs for the trip.
6.2.2 The price may be increased by an amount corresponding to the traveler’s share of the cost increase incurred by the organizer for the performance of the contract, provided that the cost increase is of the kind stated in (a)–(c) above in this clause. For example, if a charge under (a) above increases by SEK 100 per traveler, the price of the trip may be increased by the same amount. The organizer is obliged, at the traveler’s request, to provide an account of how the price increase has been calculated. The right to a price increase under (a)–(c) in this clause exists only if the total cost increase exceeds SEK 100.
6.2.3 The price of the trip shall be reduced if the organizer’s costs, for the reasons stated above, decrease by at least SEK 100 in total.
6.2.4 The organizer shall notify the traveler of price changes as soon as possible. The price may not be increased, and need not be reduced, during the last 20 days before the agreed departure date.
6.3. Timetable changes
6.3.1 The departure and return times in the booking confirmation are preliminary only. The organizer shall, without delay and at the latest 20 days prior to departure, specify the departure times that will apply to the trip.
6.4 The traveler’s right to withdraw from the contract
6.4.1 The traveler may withdraw from the contract if the organizer will not perform what has been undertaken and the breach of contract is of material significance to the traveler.
6.4.2 The traveler shall notify the organizer or retailer within a reasonable time if he or she wishes to withdraw from the contract under the preceding clause. If the traveler does not do so, the right to withdraw from the contract is lost.
6.5 The traveler’s right to a substitute trip
6.5.1 If the traveler withdraws from the contract under clause 6.4, the traveler is entitled to another package trip of equivalent or higher quality, if the organizer can offer this. If the traveler accepts a lower-quality substitute trip, the traveler is entitled to compensation for the difference in price.
6.5.2 If the traveler waives the right to a substitute trip, or if such a trip cannot be offered, the traveler shall, without delay and at the latest within 14 days from the waiver, receive a refund of all amounts paid under the contract.
6.5.3 The provisions of clauses 6.5.1 and 6.5.2 also apply if the organizer cancels the trip without fault on the part of the traveler.
6.6 The traveler’s right to damages; cancellation by the organizer
6.6.1 In cases referred to in clause 6.5, the traveler is entitled to damages from the organizer, if reasonable.
6.6.2 No right to damages due to the organizer’s cancellation exists if the organizer shows:
(a) that fewer persons than a minimum number stated in the contract have registered for the trip and the traveler is notified in writing within a time stated in the contract that the trip has been cancelled; or
(b) that the trip could not be carried out due to an impediment beyond the organizer’s control that could not reasonably have been foreseen at the time the contract was concluded, and the consequences of which could not reasonably have been avoided or overcome.
6.6.3 If the cancellation is due to someone engaged by the organizer, the organizer is free from liability for damages under clauses 6.6.1 and 6.6.2 only if the person engaged would also be free under that provision. The same applies if the cause relates to someone else at an earlier stage.
6.7 The organizer’s and the traveler’s right to withdraw from the contract in the event of serious incidents, etc.
6.7.1 Both the organizer and the traveler have the right to withdraw from the contract if, after the contract has become binding on the parties, a disaster, act of war, general strike, or other serious incident occurs at or near the destination or along the planned route that materially affects the performance of the trip or the conditions at the destination at the time the trip is to be carried out.
6.7.2 To assess whether the incident is of the seriousness referred to above, competent Swedish or international authorities shall be consulted.
7 CHANGES BY THE ORGANIZER AFTER DEPARTURE
7.1 Non-performance of services
7.1.1 If, after departure, a material part of the contracted services cannot be provided, the organizer shall arrange suitable substitute arrangements at no additional cost to the traveler.
7.1.2 If substitute arrangements cannot be arranged or are rejected by the traveler on acceptable grounds, the organizer shall, if reasonable and at no additional cost to the traveler, provide equivalent transport back to the place of departure or to another location approved by the traveler.
7.1.3 If a change to the contract as referred to in the first or second paragraph constitutes a deterioration for the traveler, the traveler is, if reasonable, entitled to a price reduction and damages.
7.2 Other defects and deficiencies
7.2.1 In the case of other defects in the contracted services than those referred to in clause 7.1, the traveler is entitled to a price reduction and damages, unless the defect is due to the traveler.
7.2.2 The traveler is not entitled to damages if the organizer shows that the defect is due to an impediment beyond the organizer’s control that could not reasonably have been foreseen at the time the contract was concluded, and the consequences of which could not reasonably have been avoided or overcome.
7.2.3 If the defect is due to someone engaged by the organizer, the organizer is free from liability for damages under these terms only if the person engaged would also be free under that provision. The same applies if the defect is due to someone else at an earlier stage.
7.2.4 In the case of defects based on circumstances described in clauses 7.2.2 and 7.2.3, the organizer shall immediately provide the traveler with the assistance required.
7.3 Scope of damages
7.3.1 Damages under these terms include compensation for pure economic loss, compensation for personal injury, and property damage. The traveler is obliged to mitigate the loss as far as possible.
8 COMPLAINTS AND REMEDIES
8.1 The traveler may not invoke defects in the contracted services unless, within a reasonable time after he or she noticed or ought to have noticed the defect, the traveler notifies the organizer or the retailer. This should if possible be done at the destination.
8.2 Notwithstanding clause 8.1, the traveler may invoke a defect if the organizer or the retailer has acted with gross negligence or in bad faith.
8.3 If the traveler presents complaints during the trip that are not unfounded, the organizer or its local representative shall immediately take steps to find an appropriate solution.
9 THE TRAVELER’S RESPONSIBILITIES DURING THE TRIP
9.1 The organizer’s instructions
9.1.1 The traveler is obliged to follow the instructions for the conduct of the trip given by the tour leader or by any person engaged by the organizer. The traveler is obliged to respect the rules applicable to the trip and at the destination and to behave so as not to disturb fellow travelers or others. If the traveler materially breaches this, the organizer may rescind the contract.
9.2 The traveler’s liability for damage
9.2.1 The traveler is liable for any damages arising from damage the traveler negligently causes to the organizer.
9.3 The traveler is responsible for formalities
9.3.1 The traveler is personally responsible for observing the formalities necessary for the execution of the trip, such as holding a valid passport, visas, vaccinations, insurance.
9.3.2 The traveler is personally responsible for all costs arising due to deficiencies in said formalities, such as repatriation due to lack of a passport, unless the deficiencies are caused by incorrect information from the organizer or the retailer.
9.3.3 The traveler is responsible for taking note of information provided by the organizer.
9.4 Deviating from the arrangement
9.4.1 A traveler who, after the trip has begun, deviates from the arrangement is obliged to notify the organizer or the organizer’s representative.
10 DISPUTE RESOLUTION
10.1 The parties should attempt to resolve disputes concerning the interpretation or application of the contract through negotiations. If the parties cannot agree, the dispute may be examined by the National Board for Consumer Disputes (Allmänna reklamationsnämnden) or by a general court.