Neilson Adventures - Tour Information
Passports & Visas
The following information applies to British Citizen's holding a UK passport issued in the UK. Non-British Citizen passport holders or British Citizens holding a UK Passport issued abroad or holders of British Subject Passports should contact the appropriate consulate or embassy for clarification. Please note, both passport and visa regulations can change and you should therefore check with your travel agent or the relevant embassy well in advance of travel. It can often take some time to obtain a visa, so you are advised to apply in plenty of time.
Your responsibility: It is the responsibility of passengers to ensure they have valid, acceptable passports and any required visa or any other documentation for the travel they are to undertake - you must be able to meet the entry requirements for both your final destinations and any stop-off points en-route. Passengers without the correct documentation may be refused carriage by the airline or entry into any country. Where entry is refused, fines or other financial penalty will be imposed on or by the airline and the passenger(s) concerned will be required to immediately return to their country of departure. Any passenger who travels without the required passport/visa/other documentation is solely responsible for and must immediately pay all fines, surcharges, other financial penalty, costs (including the cost of their immediate return flight) and any other sums of any description which are incurred or imposed by the airline or incurred by ourselves. This will be the case regardless of whether the lack of correct documentation is spotted at the departure airport. We can accept no liability in this situation and no compensation, expenses, refund or other sum will be paid.
Visa Information: due to the range of destinations featured in this brochure, we are unable to publish specific visa information applicable to each destination. We recommend you check with the relevant Embassy of the country you are travelling to for up to date entry requirements. The Foreign & Commonwealth Office website provides information on entry requirements and contact details for each Embassy – visit www.fco.gov.uk. Alternatively e-mail traveladvicepublicenquiries@fco.gov.uk or telephone the Foreign Office Travel Advice Unit on 0845 850 2829. Additional information can also be found on our website:www.neilsonadventures.co.uk
Passport Validity: A valid passport is essential when you travel abroad. Although your passport has been issued for 10 years (5 years for children) you should note that some overseas countries have an immigration requirement for a passport to remain valid for a minimum period after the date of entry to that country (typically 6 months). If your passport is in its final year of validity, you are advised to check the requirements of the destination before you make your final travel plans.
Names: At the time of booking please ensure you supply your first name and surname, (as they appear on your passport) as both of these must be stated on your flight ticket. This will reduce confusion and delays at check-in, especially when travelling to the USA. It is anticipated that customers could face more queries and delays as more countries introduce Advance Passenger Information systems. You may not be able to travel and insurance may be invalid if the name on your passport and travel documents don't match. If, after booking a holiday but before travelling, any member of your party changes their name, e.g. as a result of getting married, we must be notified immediately so that we can make the necessary changes to your holiday documentation.
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Advanced Passenger Information
Under the UK Government ‘e-Borders’ scheme, Tour Operators and Airlines are required to collect biographical information contained in the section of your passport that can be read by machine (such as name, passport number). We refer to this as your advance passenger information and will pass this onto the e-Borders programme both prior to your departure from a UK Airport to an overseas destinations, and on any journey to the UK.
We are legally required to collect your advance passenger information – for details visit the UK Border Agency website: www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk. For some destinations this will be obtained at the airport but for others we will ask you to provide the information at least 7 days before you travel. In 2010 this is likely to include USA (where additional information will be required, eg, first night stay address in USA) and Italy, Turkey, Kenya and Mexico. If you are flying with a scheduled airline please visit the airlines website for details of any Advanced Passenger Information they require. Please also carefully note any instructions about Advanced Passenger Information on your confirmation invoice or tickets. The UK Border Agency, e-Borders programme is a legal direction to which all transport carriers must comply, failure to provide the required data may result in carriage being denied.
Children: are required to have their own passport.
Travelling with children
Single parents or other adults travelling alone with children should be aware that some countries (such as Portugal) require documentary evidence of parental responsibility before allowing lone parents to enter the country or, in some cases, before permitting the children to leave the country. For further information on exactly what will be required at immigration please check the FCO website or contact the relevant Embassy of the country you are travelling with.
Important information for all passengers travelling to the USA
USA – Entry Requirements Checklist for all passengers:
Please read in conjunction with the information below:
- You must have a valid machine readable or biometric passport
- You must be eligible for the Visa Waiver Programme or apply for a visa (visit: www.usembassy.org.uk)
- Log onto the website of the airline you are flying with and enter your US Advanced Passenger Information. This requires your passport details and 1st nights address in the US.
- Log onto the US official website ‘ESTA’ at https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov. Apply for authorisation to travel.
Please read all sections carefully to ensure you comply with US entry requirements:
USA - Passports
British passport holders travelling to the USA (or via the USA) are required to have either individual machine-readable passports or biometric passports. (If you need to check your passport we recommend you contact the UK Passport Office). Families will be required to obtain individual passports for each traveller including all children.
USA – Visa Waiver Programme (VWP)
If you have a machine readable or Biometric passport you should be able to qualify for travel (of up to 90 days) without a visa, under the Visa Waiver Programme (VWP). That is, provided no one in your party has ever been arrested (even if not convicted), or if suffering from a serious communicable disease (visit: www.usembassy.org.uk for details of all restrictions). For passengers holding a non-British Passport, or, if you are unsure whether you qualify for travel under the VWP please consult the Identity & Passport Service or US Embassy. For travellers who qualify for travel under the VWP, see important details on obtaining travel authorisation below.
USA – US Advanced Passenger Information
Tour Operators and Airlines are required to transmit details of the full address of your destination accommodation and country of residence and your passport details to the U.S authorities prior to the departure of flights to comply with US security requirements. You must provide the required security information to your airline at least 72 hours in advance of travel. Please carefully check your confirmation invoice for further details and check for up to date information on the website of the airline you are flying with. It is important the information collected by Tour Operators and Airlines as part of US Advanced Passenger Information is the same as the information you have submitted under ESTA as any differences may delay or prevent your entry to the USA.
USA – Travel Authorisation (ESTA)
US Customs & Border Control have introduced an Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA). The system is web based only and requires all passengers (including infants) travelling via or to the USA to apply for authority to travel a minimum of 72 hours prior to travel. You may be denied boarding or refused entry to the US if you have not registered and obtained authorisation. To apply visit the official website: https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov. A charge may apply. It is very important that you complete your ESTA application using the exact address as displayed on the documentation you receive from your Airline/Operator. (If you have booked a flight only or the address of your accommodation is confirmed on arrival, please use our resort office address as stated on your holiday invoice/tickets). We will be providing accommodation details for all passengers to the U.S immigration authorities after you have departed to the U.S. If there are any differences between our information compared to what you have written on your waiver form you may be denied entry into the USA. We recommend that you carry your ESTA approval with you when you travel. For additional information on travel to the US visit http://www.usembassy.org.uk/
How to contact the Passport Service
General passport enquiries should be directed to the Identity and Passport Service. Please visit their website: www.ips.gov.uk or telephone: 0300 222 0000. Apply early: If you need to apply for a passport or renew an expired passport, you should do so well in advance of travel and at least four weeks before. (If you are 16 or over and have never had a passport in your own name, you should apply for one at least six weeks before your holiday. The UK passport service has to confirm your identity before issuing your first passport and will ask you to attend an interview in order to protect your identity). Visit www.ips.gov.uk
Currency & Money
Currency and banking services will differ between the countries we feature in this brochure. Debit cards can be very useful for cash advances but you must remember to take your PIN number. Whilst ATM machines may be widely available there is no guarantee that your credit or debit card will work, please check with your bank before travel. If you do use your credit card in major towns and cities ONLY, you may be charged a credit card fee of approx 5%-10%.
As Travellers Cheques may not be widely cashed in some destinations we recommend taking a combination of cash, travellers cheques and cards. In some cases local currencies may have to be purchased after arrival or there may be restrictions on the amount you are permitted to buy in advance.
We suggest you contact your Travel Agent or refer to your trip notes for details.
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Safety & Hygiene
Your health and safety is of paramount concern to us, and we want to
make sure you have the best holiday possible. It is appropriate,
therefore, that we bring to your attention the need to be careful and to
take necessary precautions whilst overseas.
Your health and safety is of paramount concern to us, especially if
children are involved. It is appropriate that we bring to your attention
the need for you to be careful and to take necessary precautions whilst
overseas and we need your help and cooperation with this. We would ask
you to pay close attention to the following information, together with
any other information we, your Tour Guide, our agents or suppliers,
provide to you before you go, during your flight and when you arrive in
your destination and at your hotel. It is most important that you
familiarise yourself with this information and any other information you
are given or on display, because not only do we want you to have a
great holiday but we want you to have a safe holiday.
Swimming pools and water features: some of our hotels and
apartments welcome local people and other holidaymakers not residing at
the property to use the swimming pool and facilities within the
accommodation. This can lead to pool areas becoming busy at times, for
example sunbathing space and available sunloungers may become limited.
Please make use of the pool shower facilities before swimming - this
helps to prevent any potential infections and helps to keep the pool
clean. Every pool is different and most hotels / apartments do not
employ lifeguards, so you are strongly recommended to familiarise
yourself with the pool layout, identifying the deep and shallow ends
before using. Do not use the pool after dark or when the pool is closed,
even if the pool has underwater lights. You should never swim when you
have been drinking alcohol. Whilst some of our hotels and apartments
have water features, such as slides or flumes, which may appear in our
photography, generally we do not recommend these are used. It is
possible such features may have been replaced or removed since the
photography was taken.
Overseas safety Standards: Although the accommodation featured
does operate to its own country's standards, regrettably the safety
standards and regulations overseas may not be of the same level that we
enjoy in the UK. For instance, the design and height of balconies may
differ. The setting and enforcement of local regulations is a matter for
the Authorities of the country and the foreign supplier of the services
concerned. You should familiarise yourself with fire procedures,
including emergency exits in your accommodation, the swimming pool(s)
area and any unfamiliar cooking appliances.
Children: Children must be supervised by you at all times,
especially near water, on balconies or in unfamiliar buildings and
surroundings.
Stomach Upsets: It is still a relatively common occurrence to
suffer gastric illness when travelling abroad and being exposed to a
different environment. There are many ways you can reduce the
possibility of being affected, such as, not eating undercooked food,
avoiding ice in drinks, ensuring you drink plenty of bottled water and
avoid over exposure to the sun.
Out and About: Due to rough terrain and uneven surfaces, we
recommend that you are extra careful and vigilant when visiting temples
and other sites of interest and when crossing roads. Crimes against
people and property are a fact of life throughout the world and you have
the same responsibility for your own safety as you do at home. In some
places the local police may not be very cooperative or interested when
you report a theft or need insurance confirmation so always take care of
your property. It is recommended not to approach cats and dogs and
other animals as these may carry the rabies disease which can be passed
on through bites and scratches. Please exercise caution before entering
the sea, as the seabed is not even and changes in depth. The sea is
capable of springing surprises and we have not inspected the beach or
seabed for its safety.
The Foreign and Commonwealth Travel Advice Unit may have issued
information about your holiday destination. You are advised to check on
the Internet under the address www.fco.gov.uk.
Photographs
Rooms shown in the photographs are not necessarily the hotel's standard.
Some of the photography featured in this on line guide has been supplied
by external photographers or tourist boards.
Data Protection
To comply with the Data Protection Act we would like to advise you that
in order to provide you with the products or services you require, the
personal information you supply to us will be passed to relevant trusted
partners or suppliers. This may involve sending your details to
countries that do not have an equal level of privacy legislation to that
in the UK. Your details may also be used for improving our customer
service, analysis and occasionally, for the prevention of crime. We may
also occasionally contact you by post or telephone to update you about
great offers, products and services from Thomas Cook group companies and
carefully selected third parties. Should you not wish to receive such
information, please advise one of our sales consultants.
ABTA - The Travel Association
Thomas Cook Tour Operations is a member of ABTA with membership number
V6896. ABTA and ABTA members help holidaymakers to get the most from
their travel and assist them when things do not go according to plan. We
are obliged to maintain a high standard of service to you by ABTA’s
Code of Conduct. For further information about ABTA, the Code of Conduct
and the arbitration scheme available to you if you have a complaint,
contact ABTA, 30 Park Street, London, SE1 9EQ, Tel: 0203 117 0500 or
look at our website: www.abta.com
Your Financial Protection
Where you book a package holiday from our brochure/website, which does
not include a flight, we provide security by way of a bond held by ABTA.
When you buy an air package or flight from us you will receive a
confirmation invoice from us (or via our authorised agent through which
you booked) confirming your arrangements and your protection under our
Air Travel Organisers Licence number 1179. In the unlikely event of our
insolvency, the CAA will ensure that you are not stranded abroad and
will arrange to refund any money you have paid to us for an advance
booking. For further information visit the ATOL website at www.atol.org.uk.
Where you book a flight through us, the price of your flight includes
the amount of £2.50 per person as part of the ATOL Protection
Contribution (APC) we pay to the CAA. If you book arrangements other
than a package holiday or a flight from us, the financial protection
above does not apply.
Telephone Calls
To ensure we consistently deliver excellent customer service,
telephone calls to our UK offices are recorded. Calls to 0844 numbers are charged at 5p per minute and calls to 0871 numbers are charged at 10p per minute (from BT fixed lines, mobiles and other providers' charges may vary).
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