Thaddeus B. Kubis and Single Step Travel Planners Present:

Terms and Conditions for Single Step Travel Planners LLC - Thaddeus B. Kubis Photography Tour Packages

Please read these Terms and Conditions carefully before booking your Thaddeus B. Kubis Photography Tour Package (The Package). By booking this tour package, you agree to be bound by these Terms and Conditions.

1. Booking and Payments:

1.1. Payment Methods: All payments will be collected by Single Step Travel Planners, LLC in US Dollars.  We accept Bank Checks (US Customers Only), Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover and ACH payments.  Paypal and wire transfers may be arranged if you prefer. Any additional banking fees or charges are solely the responsibility of the customer.

1.2. Deposit: To secure your booking, a minimum non-refundable deposit of $750 per person will be collected at the time of booking for the land portion of The Package.  This deposit is non-refundable by Single Step Travel Planners LLC, however may be refundable by your travel insurer, depending on your policy and cancellation circumstances. If you choose to make full payment at the time of booking, any refunds will be based on the terms outlined in section 2.3 below. The deposit amount and payment schedule will be outlined in your invoice. Any single supplement fee must also be paid at time of deposit and is also subject to the terms outlined in section 2.3 below.  If you pay for the single supplement, and later decide to switch to double occupancy, the single supplement fee will be added to your deposit and credited to your account.

1.3. Final Balance Due: 120 days prior to departure, the full balance of The Package is due.  This amount is non-refundable by Single Step Travel Planners LLC, however may be refundable by your travel insurer, depending on your policy and cancellation circumstances. Failure to make this final payment on time may result in the cancellation of your booking.

2. Cancellation, Changes and Refunds:

2.1. Cancellation requests must be made in writing via email or by speaking with a representative at Single Step Travel Planners LLC. The cancellation date will be the date the written request is received, or the verbal request is acknowledged by email.

2.2. The $750 minimum deposit amount paid at the time of booking is non-refundable.

2.3. If you cancel 180 days or more prior to departure, you will receive a full refund, less the non-refundable deposit amount. Per-person charges for cancellations that occur less than 180 days prior to departure are as follows: 150-179 days prior to departure: 75% refund on the total amount paid, less an administrative fee of $400 per person; 121-149 days prior to departure: 50% refund on the total amount paid, less an administrative fee of $400 per person; 120 or fewer days prior to departure: no refunds.

2.4. Any and all refunds made to a credit card will be issued less a 3.5% credit card merchant service transaction fee. 

2.5. Leaving a tour in progress for any reason whatsoever will not result in a refund or credit, and no refunds or credits will be issued for any unused portions of a tour.

2.6 Single Step Travel Planners LLC and Thaddeus B. Kubis reserve the right to cancel or change the duration of a tour due to unforeseen circumstances, including insufficient bookings, natural disasters, or events beyond our control. In such cases, you may be offered equivalent credit toward an alternative tour or provided with a full or prorated refund of unexpended funds on deposit. Single Step Travel Planners LLC and Thaddeus B. Kubis will not be responsible for any refund for nonrefundable airline tickets or for any airline tickets purchased by the passenger directly from an airline or other travel vendor. 

2.7. Single Step Travel Planners LLC and Thaddeus B. Kubis reserve the right to change or replace components of the tour including lodging properties, shooting locations, and other logistical arrangements by providing alternative arrangements of equal or greater value.  In these cases, no refunds or trip credits will be offered.

3. Travel Insurance:

Single Step Travel Planners LLC, Thaddeus B. Kubis, and our partner suppliers want you to have a safe, enjoyable, and worry-free experience during your upcoming photo workshop. Travel insurance protects your trip investment against unforeseen circumstances prior to and during your trip and ensures that you will have adequate emergency health and medical transportation coverage in your destination country. Please take a moment to review the following information regarding travel insurance.

3.1. Why Travel Insurance?

Travel insurance offers coverage for a range of unexpected events, including:

• Trip Cancellation: Reimburses non-refundable trip expenses if you need to cancel for a covered reason.
• Emergency Medical Expenses: Covers medical treatment, evacuation, and repatriation in case of illness or injury during the tour.  Medicare and many private health insurance providers do not provide coverage if you are outside the US.
• Trip Interruption: Provides coverage if your trip is cut short due to a covered reason.
• Lost or Delayed Baggage: Reimburses expenses related to lost or delayed luggage.
• Click here to learn why the US Department of State “...highly recommend(s) that you purchase insurance before you travel” and more about international travel on their International Travel web site.

3.2. Travel Insurance Requirements

To participate in The Package, all participants are required to obtain valid travel cancellation and medical insurance that meets the following minimum criteria:

• Coverage Period: Must be in place prior to the final payment date. Insurance must be valid for the entire duration of the tour.  Some insurers require purchase within 15 days of initial deposit for pre-existing conditions waivers to apply.
• Medical Coverage: Minimum of $50,000 for emergency medical expenses and $500,000 for emergency transportation/evacuation.
• Trip Cancellation: Coverage for 100% total cost of The Package plus airfare and other related travel expenses.
• Trip Interruption: Coverage for 150% total cost of The Package plus airfare and other related travel expenses.
• Trip Delay coverage of up to $1,000 if delay of 5 or more hours.
• Baggage Loss/Damage: $1,000
• Provide 24/7 Traveler Support & Assistance

3.3. Single Step Travel Planners LLC, Thaddeus B. Kubis, and our partner suppliers cannot be held responsible for any loss, damage, or injury incurred during the tour. It is your responsibility to ensure that your insurance adequately covers any such circumstances.

3.4. You are free to obtain travel insurance from any vendor or combination of vendors.  Single Step Travel Planners LLC suggests considering Allianz Travel Insurance for your coverage. As an example, the Allianz Journey Plan for Massachusetts residents aged 51-55 purchased on 12/1/23 to cover all of the included costs of The Package would have a premium of $396.  This includes cancellation, loss, medical, and other protection from Allianz Insurance as detailed in the above-linked document.  This is only an example. Travel insurance pricing and coverages vary from state to state and are also based on age as of the date of travel, the insured value of the trip, and how long in advance you book the trip. We will be happy to provide you with a personalized Allianz quote.  

3.5. If you secure your own insurance, please submit a copy of your policy coverages and receipt or other document showing you as a named insured person by email prior to the Final Payment date.  Travel insurance must be in place and verified prior to the final payment date and must remain in place throughout the trip.  Failure to obtain travel insurance prior to the final payment date could lead to automatic cancellation and forfeiture of any deposits paid.  

4. Health and Safety:

4.1. Participants must be in good health and physical condition to undertake the tour activities. Any pre-existing medical conditions or special dietary requirements should be disclosed prior to booking.

4.2. Participants must comply with all safety rules and instructions provided by tour leaders. Failure to do so may result in removal from the tour without entitlement to a refund.

4.3. Failure to participate in daily activities due to physical or mental health will not result in any refund or credit.

4.4.  For special dietary requirements, we do our best to convey this information to restaurants and food establishments, but communication of these requirements to restaurants and food establishments is ultimately your responsibility.

5. Responsibility and Liability:

5.1. Single Step Travel Planners LLC acts only as an agent for third-party suppliers in connection with The Package. Therefore, we shall not be liable for any injury, loss, damage, delay, or inconvenience caused due to any act or omission of any third party.

5.2. Single Step Travel Planners LLC shall not be responsible for any loss or damage to personal belongings or equipment during the tour.

6. Force Majeure: Single Step Travel Planners LLC will not be liable for any delay in, change to, or cancellation of trips due to ‘Force Majeure.’ ‘Force Majeure’ means a circumstance beyond the reasonable control of Single Step Travel Planners LLC and includes, but is not limited to, war or threat of war, riot, civil strife, terrorist activity, industrial dispute, disease, pandemic, epidemic, industrial or nuclear disaster, adverse weather conditions, fire, strikes, or similar.

7. Governing Law: These Terms and Conditions shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Any disputes arising under or in connection with this agreement shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

By booking The Thaddeus B. Kubis Photography Tour Package through Single Step Travel Planners LLC, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agreed to these Terms and Conditions.