“These conditions apply to all travel booked on or after August 22, 2024”

Your agreement with UTOvacation is subject to the terms and conditions outlined below. 

Please read them careful prior to deciding whether to enter into this agreement. Do not hesitate to ask a UTOvacation staff member of any questions you may have in respect to these conditions before booking your travel. They are required to answer any questions you may arising from the information provided during the booking process and these terms and conditions. These terms and conditions can also be found on UTOvacation’s website at utovacation.com.

By booking your tour online with UTOvacation.com you acknowledge and agree to all terms and conditions herein.

Online Reservations

Step 1. Visit UTOvacation website: www.utovacation.com, login or register your account. (Learn how to book online Click Here)

Step 2. Choose your desired departure date and departure city

Step 3. Please identify and provide the contact information for the main passenger. All communication from UTOvacation will be sent to the main passenger only. 

Step 4. Review the required documents page, provide the requested passport information for each traveller, and upload the requested passport information for each traveller.  

Step 5. Read these terms and conditions and, if agreeable, indicate that you agree to abide by them.

Step 6. Make a deposit online. A Non-refundable, non-transferable payment is required to secure the space. The specific deposit amount is determined by the requirements specified on the product pages and the amount indicated during the enrollment process for each respective product.

Step 5.  Finalize the booking. 

Final Payment 

Balance payment of any regular products or services is due 180 days prior to departure unless specified. If the full payment is not obtained by the due date, UTOvacation reserves the right to cancel such reservation and retain the pre-paid deposit to cover any expenses occurred.

Step 6. Trip Confirmation.

A final trip confirmation by email including day by day itinerary, hotel information, and flight information will be sent to the main contact passenger approximately one month before departure.

UTOvacation notice 

Generally

If UTOvacation becomes aware of a change to any matter that might have affected your decision to purchase this travel, they will promptly advise you of this change. 

Such notices may include doubt as to your tour meeting minimum attendant requirements thereby threatening cancellation or alteration of your tour. In either such circumstances UTOvacation will offer the customer the choice of a travel credit acceptable to you, comparable re-scheduled travel acceptable to you, or reimburse you the amounts paid to UTOvacation minus such amounts already received by you directly from or on behalf of the relevant travel supplier.  

Specifically

If UTOvacation becomes aware of the following events, it will promptly notify you and offer you the choice of a full and immediate refund or comparable alternative travel acceptable to you:

1. Transportation that forms part of your travel is delayed or advanced by at least 24 hours, unless caused by mechanical problems, safety considerations, weather conditions, a strike or lockout, or force majeure.

2. A different cruise ship is substituted (if applicable)

3. An accommodation is changed, or the standard of the accommodation is changed. 

4. The contract permits price increases by more than 7%, except any increase resulting from an increase in sales tax.

5. The documents needed for the trip have changed because of changed transportation routing and there is not enough time for you to obtain the documents before departure. 

Travel Outside Canada

You will require your passport and, depending on your destination, a travel visa, to travel to your destination. The entry to a stopover country or your final destination may be refused if the required information and travel documents are incomplete or even if they are complete. UTOvacation is not responsible in either circumstance for denial of entry to a country by their relevant officials.

Before entering into an agreement with a customer for travel services and taking payment, UTOvacation will advise you of the typical information and travel documents, such as passports,  visas, affidavits, and notarized consent letters, that will be needed for each person whom travel services are being purchased. Please utilize the IATA as a resource - https://www.iatatravelcentre.com/passport-visa-health-travel-document-requirements.htm

The living standards and practices at your destination in respect to the provision of utilities, services, and accommodation may differ from those found in Canada. 

Travel Visa 

The following documents from the passenger are required if travel visa is applied through UTOvacation’s Visa Center:

• Original Passport (Make sure your actual passport must be valid at least 6 months beyond the date of your expected departure time)

• Recent passport size photo with white background. Please note, each countries requirement may differ, please check requirement click here  

• Visa Application Form (Complete with signature and date)

*Remarks: If acquiring a visa on your own, the supporting documents will be provided from UTOvacation One Month prior to the trip departure date. Supporting documents requested early are subject to a $100 per person administration fee.

Visit the “IATA Travel Centre” for detailed information on country-specific passport, visa and health requirements: click here

Payment Info

Payment amounts and due date shall be outlined on your invoice. Kindly be advised that you will receive our emails before the set payment due dates. The first notice will be within two weeks following your initial deposit. The second notices will be 180 days before the tour departure date and will remind you to settle your 2nd deposit and final payment respectively for the tour package you have reserved. Please check your email regularly, including your junk box, to ensure you don’t miss a notice.

Please note: Your timely payment is important to guarantee your seat/cabin and ensure the overall tour package price. Your balance or final payment will NOT be charged automatically by UTOvacation.

Full or final payment is due 180 days before tour departure date. Travel documents, including but not limited to, a valid Passport copy shall be collected prior to booking.  

Trip Cancellation and Eligible Refunds

UTOvacation Cancellations or Modifications

UTOvacation reserves the right to cancel or reschedule a tour prior to departure date. The travel provider may also be unable to provide the travel services you contracted for. In either such circumstances UTOvacation will offer the customer the choice of a travel credit acceptable to you, comparable re-scheduled travel acceptable to you, or reimburse you the amounts paid to UTOvacation minus such amounts already received by you directly from or on behalf of the relevant travel supplier. 

Refunds may take up to 6 to 8 weeks to process but UTOvacation will make best efforts to provide a refund as soon as possible. 

Please note, any refundable amount will not include fees associated with Travel Visas already been issued, any services that have already been delivered, or any incurred fees already charged by suppliers when such amounts will be returned directly to you from the supplier.  

Customer Cancellations and Modifications 

Subject to these terms and conditions, if a customer cancels their travel before or during their travel, any and all payments made to UTOvacation are non-refundable. This includes cancellation due to denial and/or rejected by relevant immigration and/or customs department, cruise port terminal officer, inability to obtain necessary visas and/or passports, or any other reason outside UTOvacation’s control, other than cancellation by a travel provider. 

Cancellation or change requests must be confirmed in writing by email including your reservation number, full name and date of travel. Cancellations will only be accepted in writing. 

No refund or reimbursement will be available to passengers who voluntarily forego meals, cruise, tours and/or accommodations for which they specifically paid for. A surcharge may apply should there be any additional fees occurred from services refused by the passengers.

Optional programs 

In order to secure your spot and price for any of the early bird deals or promotional packages, a full payment or deposit may be required at UTOvacation’s discretion.

No Show- Sponsored Tour

If your travel is a sponsored tour and the sponsor requires that all passengers attend all the included activities during the trip, “No Show” fees will apply. Each and any no show in this instance will incur a penalty of $100 per person, per day. If the traveller does not attend daily activities, payment will be immediately collected for the day missed. This penalty applies no matter the cause (including illness, flight/cruise delays, quarantines, and etc). If passengers do not attend the activities or pay associated penalties for missing scheduled activities, the sponsoring associations will cancel remaining hotels and flights.

Liability

The customer shall hold UTOvacation harmless for all damages incurred and harm suffered as a result of actions or inaction of an another out of its control. Furthermore, should the traveller violate any local/provincial or national laws during their travels, UTOvacation is not responsible or liable for any damages or harm suffered. 

No children under 2 years old

UTOvacation does not allow travel of children less than 2 years old. 

Price Adjustments

You agreement permits price increases. After the booking is confirmed, if the total price and the cumulative increase, except any increase result from increase in sales tax, is more than 7%, the customer has the right to cancel the contract and obtain a full refund. You are responsible for paying for the increase if 1) the increase is less than 7% for reasons other than increase of sales tax, 2) the increase is more than 7% as a result from increase in sales tax, or 3) the increase is more than 7% for reasons other than increase in sales tax and you wish to proceed with the travel.

No price increases are permitted after you have paid UTOvacation in full

UTOvacation reserves the right to impose relevant fuel/inflation surcharge if Crude Oil Price Index or US/Canada Official CPI has increases by 4% or more between your booking date and tour departure date.

Tour Adjustments

UTOvacation retains the right to modify tours, if deemed in the best interest of its passengers, including in cases that involve the health and safety. UTOvacation will do its best to notify you of any such changes before your departure, or as soon as possible if you have already departed. If the adjustment is due to the supplier failing to provide travel services paid for by you at your desired time, UTOvacation will offer the customer the choice of a travel credit acceptable to you, comparable re-scheduled travel acceptable to you, or reimburse you the amounts paid to UTOvacation. 

Travel Seat Arrangements

Seating/Cabin assignment

The customer understands and accepts that UTOvacation has no power to control the seating selection on the aircraft or cabin location on the cruise (unless where specified). All seating is arranged by the airline or cruise line. UTO vacation cannot help customer change pre-assigned seats/cabins.

Preferred Seat Upgrade: UTOvacation will not be responsible for any preferred seat upgrade on aircraft (except for business or first class seats). Some cruise packages allow the selection of cabins at the time of booking for an upgraded price; please refer to the product page for details.

Reservation Adjustments

Changes to an existing reservation by the passenger for whatever the cause, will incur a $100 per person charge plus any additional supplier fees. This includes name changes and removal of any services such as optional tours and transfers. The deposit and/or full payment for any optional feature that is on an early bird or special sale promotion is non-refundable and non-transferable.

*Please note that name changes to airline or cruise line reservations are subject to full cancellation or re-booking. Replacing a travelling passenger or is subject the cancellation conditions outlined in these terms and conditions.

Changes or additional requests after departure are subject to local rates at the time of amendment and must be paid directly by the passenger to the service provider. UTOvacation will make its best effort to minimize these costs, however, all payment will be payable by request of the local service providers.

There are no refunds for unused services.

Travel Insurance

UTOvacation strongly recommends all tour members to purchase  trip cancellation and health insurance at the time of booking, including health insurance. UTOvacation does not directly offer such insurance. The Travel Insurance recommended by UTOvacation are facilitated and owned by third party operators. Any Travel Insurance purchased by the passenger is governed by the third party and UTOvacation is not liable or responsible for said insurance. 

Baggage

Each airline company has its own rules and regulations with the baggage weight, size, and number. The best way to find out the rules and regulations is to go visit the airline company official website.

Please note that for some destinations, baggage is not included in your package. Refer to your specific tour product page’s terms & conditions for specific baggage allowances.

Tour Fare Includes

Please refer to your tour itinerary for the most updated information.

Tour Fare Excludes

• Visa Application Fee

• Any personal charges, such as phone bills, laundry, postage, and baggage over-weight charge, insurance, beverages, water, etc

• Optional Tours

• Any other charges or incremental costs caused by the acts of God, Force Majeure, natural disasters, fires, weather, governmental and local authority’s order, political change, strikes, war, riots, quarantine, custom regulations, damages or inquiry caused by the accident beyond the responsibilities of UTOvacation or incurred due to the tourist action violating any law.

o If such events lead to the travel supplier failing to provide your travel services UTOvacation will offer you the choice of a travel credit acceptable to you, comparable re-scheduled travel acceptable to you, or reimburse you the amounts paid to UTOvacation

Flight Package Description

Silver Flight Package (Guaranteed maximum of one-stop/layover to your destination country gateway ). If your departure city has indirect flight(s) with only one stop/layover to connect your destination country gateway, we guarantee to provide you with flight with only one stop/layover to your destination country gateway if you select such package early enough before we issue the tickets. (Option and flight itinerary are subject to availability)

Gold Flight Package (Guaranteed non-stop flight to your destination country gateway )

If your departure city has regular direct flight(s) to connect your destination country gateway, we guarantee to provide you with a non-stop flight to your destination country gateway if you select such package early enough before we issue the tickets. (Option and flight itinerary are subject to availability)

UTOvacation’s Affiliate Program

Customers who book via the Affiliate link may not switch tours or reschedule and apply the previous amount or percentage of discount/commission to future trips. Discounts that are offered are only applicable to initial tour purchase and non-transferable.  

Please note, for customers who have booked via the Affiliate program, tour change fees will be applicable should you decide to reschedule originally purchased tours. Please refer to the terms and conditions on the Product Page. 

UTOvacation’s Affiliate discounts/commissions are not redeemable for cash or future travel credit regardless of circumstances. The value of the Affiliate will be deducted from your final payment if applicable. 

Please note, the Affiliate commission is only applicable to the initial purchase. Future additional purchases are not applicable to the Affiliate discount/Commission. 

UTOvacation’s Assurance

UTOvacation"s Travel Assurance program enables passengers to be able to change participants’ name(s) or tour departure date one time for free without any administration fees up to 180 days prior to trip departure date.

• UTOvacation"s Travel Assurance Program must be purchased within 14 days of initial booking.

• UTOvacation"s Travel Assurance Program: reschedule/rebook up to 180 days before departure $ 99 - $ 399

• UTOvacation"s Travel Assurance Program: reschedule/rebook up to 120 days before departure $ 199 - $ 499

• UTOvacation"s Travel Assurance Program: reschedule/rebook up to 90 days before departure $ 299 - $ 599

• Please note, upon purchasing UTOvacation"s Travel Assurance program, you understand that this program is non-refundable and non-transferable.

Please note, when UTOvacation"s Travel Assurance program is purchased, payments made by the customer will first be applied to the UTOvacation"s Travel Assurance program and then to the remainder of the tour package.

Additional Conditions

During the tour or cruise, you will be considered have automatically abandoned your trip if you do not attend the pre-arranged tour or check in the prearranged hotel or cruise.

All the extra cost will be undertaken by the client voluntarily. UTOvacation reserves the right to abandon any clients if such clients violate the law or damage the interest of tour groups.

UTOvacation is not responsible for any denied Travel Visa application and will not be offering a refund of received by you. 

If a child- 18 years old or younger- is travelling abroad with only one parent/guardian, children must carry a notarized consent letter signed by non-accompanying parent/guardian. If a child is travelling alone they children must carry a notarized consent letter signed by both parents/guardian. Such a consent letter may be requested by immigration authorities when entering or leaving from a foreign country or by North American officials when re-entering into USA or Canada. Failure of presenting such document may result in the rejection of boarding aircraft or vessel for the children concerned.

If a cruise line substitutes ships or changes its sailing by more than 24 hours, UTOvacation will advise you immediately and offer your choice of a full and immediate refund or a comparable alternate travel service acceptable to you. UTOvacation will not do so for scheduling alterations over 24 hours, if they are the result of mechanical problems with the ship, safety considerations, weather conditions, a strike or lock-out, or force majeure.

The credits in the Affiliate Program cannot be combined with any other promotions or coupons and redeemed in the same booking.

Any promotional coupons cannot be applied to any extra items including but not limited to visa service fees, gratuities, sightseeing, admission ticket fares, meal plans, single supplement charges, airport transfers, travel insurance, any taxes/surcharges and optional tours.

UTOvacation reserves the right to cancel or modify a tour any time prior to departure date if the group has less than ten passengers, subject to these terms and conditions. 

All upgrade packages are 100% non-refundable, items including flight package, hotel, cruise cabin, meal package and etc.

UTOvacation usually sends out important notifications including but not limited to destination health protocols, travel industry policies, tour updates and safety alerts to our agents/customers by newsletter through email. UTOvacation is not responsible for trip delay, service cancellation, price increase or any other types of loss caused by unsubscribing from our email list, wrong email address or a lack of checking email box/spam folder/junk folder on a regular basis. If you have not received our newsletter for a long time, make sure your email address is effective/valid and you are on our email list or contact us immediately at [email protected] for assistance.

Dispute Penalty

Please note, if a customer requires cancellation of a product or service, kindly reach out to UTOvcation customer service. If a customer files a dispute/chargeback directly with their bank, the order will be automatically canceled and suspended in your account. If a customer wishes to reinstate their purchase or credit, they must pay a disputed penalty of $299 per transaction if the total payment amount exceeds $299; 50% of the total invoice amount if the amount is less than $299; all dispute penalties are per transaction. Chargeback fees, transaction fees, administration expenses, marketing/acquisition costs, and operations charges are all part of the disputed penalty. After you have reinstated your order and paid the disputed penalty, you will receive the travel credit. The travel credit can be used to book the same or different tours on our website. You will not be reinstated to your original order, and the amount you paid for that excursion will not be guaranteed.

Ensuring Secure Payments

Safeguarding your payment(s) is our top priority. In order to prevent fraud, we ask our customers to settle payment(s) through your account on UTOvacation official website at www.utovacation.com. Should you choose offline payment submission, Cheque/Money order/Bank draft/Credit card (with credit card authorization form filled out and signed) are accepted and the payee must be UTOvacation. Please be advised that UTOvacation has never been allowing Bank transfer/Email transfer for transactions and Cash is not recommended. If you find something suspicious regarding your payment, please call 1-855.526.1286 before any further actions.

Tipping 

For the on-tour convenience of some itineraries, we will collect all gratuities which is to be shared by our local team.  This may include tour leaders, guides, drivers, baggage porters, airport coordinators, restaurant waiters for all included meals and other staff in the team behind the scenes.

These gratuities are not mandatory but are appreciated as recognition for excellent service and we thank you for your encouragement and generosity.

Shopping 

Although we would be happy to assist your shopping needs, UTOvacation would not be responsible for price, quality, and service of any goods purchased during the tour.

Special Notes for Middle Eastern packages:

Please be advised that traveling in the Middle East requires open-mind and willingness to respect the local culture, religion and tradition.

1.It is highly recommended that women wear tops covering shoulders and skirts falling below the knee in public. Knee-length shorts are allowed for men. It is customary for women to cover their shoulders and hair and men to have shirts and long pants when visiting a mosque or temple. More conservative dress is expected during the Ramadan or Jewish holiday period.

2.Non-Muslims above the age of 21 are only allowed to consume alcohol in licensed hotels, clubs and restaurants, never in public open areas.

3.Taking photographs of individuals, especially females, needs a permission first. Do not take any pictures with military facilities, borders and airports.

4.Horse carts and camel rides at tourist sites are mostly not included in the entrance fees. We suggest that you negotiate ride fare and tips with the merchant beforehand in order to avoid any unexpected situation at the end of the ride. Keep the exact change in local currency handy.

5.Ramadan is the holy month for the Islamic world and all Muslims have to fast from dawn to dusk without eating, drinking or smoking. Alcohol is available in licensed bars and restaurants after sunset for non-Muslims. Tourist hotels usually keep one restaurant open during the day catering to resident guests. Also during Ramadan month, live performance, certain music and dancing are prohibited. Shops are open after sunset.

6.Most hotels and restaurants provide kosher foods with no pork or shellfish in Israel.

7.Shabbat is the Jewish holy-day and day of rest of the week. It starts on every Friday after sunset and ends on Saturday evening. Offices, public transportation (except for taxi), private businesses are closed (i.e., stores and restaurants) and reopen after the Shabbat.

Specific requirements for cruise passengers

*Guests are not allowed to sail if entering the 24th week of pregnancy before or any time during cruising. A physician’s “Fit to cruise” note is required if a customer is pregnant 23 weeks or less at the time of debarkation. Please keep in mind that not every vessel has a doctor/nurse or facilities/equipment to accommodate the special need. Please be advised to also check with the insurance company for pregnancy-related care.

*Infants must be at least 6 months of age at the time of embarkation for any itineraries under 7 nights and 12 months of age for any itineraries more than 8 nights.

*Passengers above the age of 21 are permitted to cruise alone. Anyone under such age should get onboard and share a cabin with a parent or legal guardian with a proof. Such clients are forbidden to attend any gambling activities or consume any alcohol beverages. Parent(s) or legal guardian(s) shall be in full responsibility for the minors regarding their conducts and behaviors subject to the terms and conditions of cruise lines.

*Each traveler above the age of 80 shall represent and warrant that he/she is physically fit to travel on the voyage. Contact the cruise line of any existing physical health issues or any other conditions you may require medical attention/special care during the whole journey.

*We request all travelers to provide the accurate information for cruise reservation including name, age, gender, tour dates, nationality, passport number etc. Any change of the above will result in a one time $150USD/$200CAD penalty/surcharge per change within 110 days prior to the sailing. All name changes within the same stateroom will result in applicable cancellation. *Gender X or any other identifications other than M or F might be prevented from going through the security checkpoint at the pier.

*When boarding, all passengers must be responsible for presenting passports valid for at least 6 months upon the end of the international travel date as well as any necessary immunizations and visas required for cruise itinerary. EVUS must be updated in a timely manner and we also strongly encourage our customers to visit the government foreign affairs website for any up to date travel advisories and safety recommendations.

*UTOvacation highly recommends guests to obtain travel/health insurance against any possible or potential issues related to any emergencies, delays, interruptions, cancellations or losses.

Any one who violates the above regulations or fails to provide the required travel documents will be denied for boarding the vessel at any time. UTOvacation shall not be entitled to have any further liability or offer any remedy whatsoever in this circumstance.