travel terms and conditions

Reservations and Payment

Early reservations and service requests are encouraged as tours may have limited space available. All reservations require a $200 per guest deposit. All trips are 100% refundable unless otherwise noted until 120 days before trip departure.  No refunds are available within 120 days of trip departure. Please consider travel insurance. All guests are required to provide a signed Medical Information form before trip departure. Full payment is required 120 days before departure or as indicated on the invoice. All payments must be in the form of U.S. dollars. If payment and appropriate documentation are not received when due, Rail and Sail Vacations reserves the right to treat the reservation as canceled by the client. Payment of deposit does not guarantee space. Reservation confirmation will be sent within seven days of receipt of deposit to confirm trip space.

Cancellation by Client
If written notification of cancellation is received more than 120 days prior to departure of the trip, full payment will be refunded. No refunds or credit for cancellation within 120 days of trip departure. Rail and Sail Vacations are sold as travel packages, and there will be no refunds to individuals who leave a trip early, arrive late, or independently modify the trip itinerary. Exceptions to the above cancellation policies cannot be made for any reason, including weather and personal emergencies. Rail and Sail Vacations STRONGLY RECOMMENDS THAT YOU PURCHASE A TRAVEL INSURANCE POLICY THAT INCLUDES TRIP CANCELLATION AND INTERRUPTION INSURANCE.

Cancellation by Rail and Sail Vacations
Rail and Sail Vacations reserves the right to cancel any trip or service agreement due to acts of nature and/or any other occurrence out of our control. Rail and Sail Vacations rates are based on a minimum group size that varies according to the specific program and is established at time of trip quote. Rail and Sail Vacations is not responsible for additional expenses related to trip cancellation not booked through us, such as airline, ground transportation or hotel cancellations fees.

Pre-Departure Documents
Paid in full guests will receive trip itinerary and guest documents 30 days in advance of trip departure. This will include a descriptive itinerary, a clothing and equipment checklist, information about the culture, information on current medical requirements, passport and tourist card requirements. It is the responsibility of each individual guest to provide and have all proper travel identification, passport with validity, visas, and any needed travel documents or vaccination records required for entry to destination countries. Rail and Sail Vacations does not provide visas or guarantee of admission of any guest to destination countries.

Trip Modification
We design our trips with a degree of flexibility, to provide you with the best possible opportunity for learning and exploring with local guides, and free time for personal discoveries. Therefore our itineraries may change due to weather, availability of new accommodations or routes, problems with old routes, etc. Rail and Sail Vacations reserves the right to change the itinerary due to any factor in our endeavor to maintain trip integrity in the event of adverse conditions.

What is included
Please refer to your unique trip itinerary or service agreement for details related to inclusions.

What is not included
Unless otherwise stipulated in writing in your unique trip itinerary or service agreement, airfare, airport transfers, soft drinks, liquor, laundry services, medical expenses, cost of hospitalization or evacuation from remote areas, entry or departure taxes, insurance, and gratuities for guides or drivers are not included in program fees. Activities listed as optional in an itinerary or service agreement generally require an additional fee. If the trip must be extended or itinerary modified due to causes beyond Rail and Sail Vacation’s control, all associated costs are not included. (In some cases, travel insurance may cover these costs.)

Services available
Although Rail and Sail Vacations is not a travel agent, we are happy to help book hotels and other tours, and can assist with airline information. For an additional fee, other services are available.

Medical Responsibilities

Good physical and mental health are essential for the enjoyment of these trips. Come in good condition. It is essential that any participant with a medical condition requiring regular treatment or which may be affected by sightseeing activity, walking or standing in one place for up to 20 minutes at a time, altitude, heat, cold, other natural phenomena, or foods, notify Rail and Sail Vacations in writing, in advance of the trip. All participants must carry their own medical insurance, valid for the duration of the trip

All guests on all tours will be required required provide proof of Covid-19 vaccination in advance of tour departure.