Please review the following terms and conditions before proceeding with your booking:

OPERATIONAL PROCEDURE & OVERVIEW OF OBLIGATION FOR RETAILER

In these circumstances, Living Blue Travel Co is referred to as the wholesaler and the entity undertaking the group booking (eg: dive shop, club or similar) is the retailer.

QUOTING AND BOOKING PROCEDURES

Our proficient international travel consultants will engage in detailed discussions regarding your inquiries and promptly furnish comprehensive quotations via email or phone. Once the retailer accepts the quote and confirms their intention to proceed with the booking, Living Blue Travel Co will confirm the booking with the primary operators and advise final confirmation in writing to the retailer. In undertaking this process, the retailer agrees to all terms and conditions outlined here, with particular note to the financial responsibilities if confirmed passenger numbers are not achieved.

Individual passenger will be provided with the general terms and conditions and also in this case, with group passenger terms and conditions. These terms will detail that the passengers are agreeing to participate in a group trip as provided and detailed on their invoice. They will also detail that the primary decision makers for the booking details will be the retailer, and that the retailer reserves the right and responsibility to make changes to the trip details within the originally agreed cost to the passenger. If changes are made by the retailer to the trip that alter the price to the passenger, the retailer must first seek agreement in writing from the passengers, and Living Blue Travel Co will amend passenger invoices only after this is achieved. Living Blue Travel Co will invoice the retailer for any financial obligations that have been a result of the terms and conditions here. Travel documentation will be provided for passengers individually, and a copy provided to the retailer. Travel documents will be sent my email no later than 2 weeks prior to date of departure, and only when all invoices pertaining to the group trip have been paid in full.

FOC CONDITIONS

The quote provided to you will indicate if there is a “free of charge” passenger criteria available. If the required number of paying passengers falls BELOW the provided FOC number, the cost of a tour leader passenger will be the responsibility of the retailer. The responsibility for filling the number of passengers required for the group trip to operate is the responsibility of the retailer.

GROUP AIRFARE CONDITIONS

If a group airfare is included in the calculated quote delivered it will be noted on the quote, and if that group airfare requires a minimum number of passengers to operate, it is the responsibility of the retailer to reach that confirmed and deposited number of confirmed passengers. If this number of paying passengers is not achieved, the airfare and other associated costs will revert back to individually ticketed airfares, which may incur different costs and conditions (most commonly they will revert to instant purchase fares). The additional cost per person for these airfares will be the responsibility of the passenger. In this case, the retailer will be advised first, and then the individual passengers will be advised and their financial contracts updated. This is explained in the group passenger terms and conditions that are provided to the passenger with their invoice.

PROMOTION & ADVERTISING

Living Blue Travel Co will provide images and some promotional materials, such as purpose designed flyers and web landing pages, for the agreed group trip. This is intended as support, and the sole responsibility for promotion of the trip remains the responsibility of the retailer. Any impact on the trip for incorrect promotion, or failure to promote, will be the responsibility of the retailer.

PAYMENT TERMS

Living Blue Travel Co will issue invoices to passengers directly. Payment schedules will be noted on the invoice provided to the passenger, of which the retailer will have a copy. The schedule will be set according to the payment terms set by the primary operator for the specific trip, and this may be different for each trip.

Living Blue Travel Co will issue passengers directly with financial contracts (invoices) for the trip outlined in the agreed booking as above and will collect funds on behalf of the retailer for the agreed published retail price of the trip. At the cessation of the booking process, and at the time when all primary operators involved in the trip are paid, Living Blue Travel Co will pay the agreed commission to the retailer.

Living Blue Travel Co agree to undertake work in chasing the final payment of all invoices pertaining to the group trip. If reasonable efforts have not been successful, Living Blue Travel Co will revert back to the retailer to chase the balance payment. If full payment has not been received by the primary operator payment deadline, the passenger that failed to make the payment will have their individual travel cancelled. Any impact to the passenger number requirements for the trip will be the responsibility of the retailer.

Passenger reservation remains provisional until we receive the requisite deposit. Please be advised that all travel documents are non-transferrable. It is imperative that airline tickets reflect the name as per the passport/photo identity holder, as discrepancies may result in denial of carriage by certain carriers, leading to booking cancellations. It is incumbent upon the individual passenger to furnish accurate information as required by our consultants and any additional travel costs associated with this will be the responsibility of the passenger.

Outlined below are our standard payment terms:

- Immediate deposit is required to confirm your booking, with the deposit amount varying based on the chosen trip. Deposit details will be clearly delineated on the provided invoice.

- Full payment is due between 90 and 60 days prior to the date of travel.

- Some trips may necessitate full payment at the time of booking.

SERVICE FEES

A service fee may be levied on select travel arrangements, contingent upon the operational provider being engaged.

AMENDMENTS

Any modifications to confirmed reservations, including ticketed flight reservations, will incur an amendment fee of AUD 150.00 per person, in addition to fees imposed by airlines or operators.

PAYMENT METHODS

We accept payments via funds transfer and cards. Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) payments typically incur minimal fees or are free of charge. For card payments, we utilise TravelPay, with credit card surcharges applicable as follows:

- Mastercard: 1.4%

- Visa: 1.4%

- American Express: 1.8%

- Diners Club: 2.5%

- International Credit Cards: 3%

Please note:

- Card payments are processed in Australian Dollars.

- Cards issued by non-Australian banks are processed as overseas transactions and may incur additional currency exchange and service fees as determined by your credit card provider.

- When utilising TravelPay, ensure to input the Reference provided on your invoice.

- The Payment Processing Fee (credit card fee) levied directly by TravelPay is non-refundable under any circumstances, including on refunds.

- Clients opting to avoid these additional charges should select the funds transfer option.

LIVING BLUE TRAVEL CO CANCELLATION POLICY 

Cancellation of travel arrangements will result in fees determined by both operators and Living Blue Travel Co.

The general cancellation fees from Living Blue Travel Co are outlined below however other cancellation fees may apply in certain circumstances and these will be outlined on your individual invoice.

Living Blue Travel Co - General Schedule of Fees

Please note these fees apply in addition to any applicable operator fees.

Cancellation after Deposit - Loss of deposit - all deposits paid to Living Blue Travel Co are Non-Refundable.

Cancellation after balance due date - Loss of deposit and any applicable operator fees.

Cancellation after final payment - $500 per person Living Blue Travel Co cancellation fee plus any applicable operator fees.

Cancellation within 30 days of commencement of service - 100% Non-Refundable.

After commencement of service - 100% Non Refundable.

 PLEASE NOTE. If the retailer becomes non-communicative within reasonable limits, or decides to no longer run a trip that has deposited passengers confirmed, any financial impact to direct passengers is the responsibility of the retailer. Living Blue Travel Co will endeavour to find a suitable solution for the passengers directly in this instance, and if the passengers proceed with booked travel related to this booking Living Blue Travel Co will then be considered the retailer and take financial responsibility for the booking. No commission will be paid to the retailer in these circumstances.

RISKS AND WARNINGS

For official advisories regarding potential hazards at international destinations, please consult the Smart Traveller website of the Australian government at www.smartraveller.gov.au or the equivalent service provided by your national government.

PASSPORT & VISAS

It is individual passenger responsibility to ensure possession of valid passports, visas, and re-entry permits meeting the requirements of immigration and other government authorities. Any fines, penalties, or expenditures resulting from inadequate documentation will be solely passenger responsibility.

TRAVEL INSURANCE

We strongly recommend procuring comprehensive travel insurance covering trip cancellations, accidents, illnesses during travel, lost luggage, and legal liabilities. Additionally, consider specialized Diving Insurance from reputable organizations like DAN, catering specifically to the needs of divers worldwide.

OFAC COMPLIANCE

Please be aware that at present, we are unable to accommodate bookings from individuals residing in countries sanctioned by the US Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Asset Control (OFAC), nor do we offer tours within any of these countries.

DISCLAIMER

While every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of information on the Living Blue Travel Co website, we do not assume responsibility for its correctness. Travel itineraries, prices, and service descriptions are subject to change at the discretion of service providers. The prices and booking terms outlined in your invoice represent the sole legally binding agreement. Living Blue Travel Co functions as an intermediary between you (the client) and service providers. We facilitate various travel-related services, including diving, transportation, and accommodation, acting on your behalf to arrange contracts with service providers. We assume no liability for these services and do not offer warranties or representations regarding their quality. All bookings are subject to the terms, conditions, and limitations of liability stipulated by service providers. In the event of service provider inability to deliver contracted services, your recourse lies with the provider and not with Living Blue Travel Co, its employees, subcontractors, Associate Group Leaders, or affiliates.

FORCE MAJEURE

Living Blue Travel Co and its service providers shall not be held liable for failure to fulfill obligations specified on your invoice due to causes beyond their control, including but not limited to fires, floods, earthquakes, embargoes, shortages, epidemics, pandemics, quarantines, war, acts of terrorism, insurrections, riots, civil commotion, strikes, lockouts, or other labor disturbances.