Our Savvy Terms & Conditions

IMPORTANT INFORMATION PERTAINING TO BOOKING YOUR TRIP WITH US!

1) RESERVATIONS AND PAYMENTS

A) Reservations should be made by contacting Northward Expeditions Services Corp. dba Savvy Navigator, hereinafter referred to as “Savvy Navigator,” a business located at 214 Sullivan Street, Suite 2C, New York, NY, 10012, USA

B) Travel is booked and confirmed only on receipt of a 35% advance payment of the total trip cost. This advance payment is due within five (5) days of making the reservation. There shall be no binding contract until the advance payment has been received by Savvy Navigator Failure to remit your advance payment on time will result in an automatic change of status of any confirmed space to a provisional basis and the possible inability to reinstate your reservation. Your cancelled check and / or wire transfer authority will act as your receipt. (As a courtesy to clients, Savvy Navigator will however also acknowledge all payments received by way of an e-mail message).

i) If Savvy Navigator is NOT making your complete travel arrangements for you, it will be necessary to furnish us with a copy of the confirmation of your transportation arrangements before we confirm our portion of your travel plans. Savvy Navigator cannot be held liable for any penalties or losses incurred as a result of voluntary or involuntary changes to transportation schedules.

ii) Please make all payments by credit card or check payable to: Northward Expeditions Services Corp. If you pay by credit card, you will be provided a secure payment link. If you wish to use a wire transfer to pay, please contact our office for details.

C) The balance is due no later than sixty (60) days prior to commencement of your trip. If the balance has not been received by that date, Savvy Navigator shall be entitled in its discretion to treat your reservation as canceled, and consequently to forfeit such part of the advance payment as determined solely by Savvy Navigator.

D) Any reservation made within sixty (60) days of commencement of a trip may be accepted provided space is available, payment in full is received, and provided that documents can be delivered prior to departure.

E) Savvy Navigator will not provide tickets, coupons, vouchers or documents until full payment has been received by Savvy Navigator.

F) Savvy Navigator will not accept responsibility for wire transfer and/or overnight mail charges.

G) No client will be permitted to travel without payment in full being received by Savvy Navigator

H) Special airfares are capacity controlled and often sold out months in advance. In addition, many accommodations offered by Savvy Navigator have a limited capacity. It is essential to make reservations well in advance to insure your preferred arrangements.

2) CANCELLATION AND REFUNDS

Any cancellation of a booking must be in writing. Cancellations are only effective when we receive written notification.
If written cancellation is received prior to 8 weeks before your departure, your deposit will be forfeited (35% of travel costs). If your cancellation is made to us within 8 weeks of departure, 100% cancellation charges will be assessed. For these reasons, trip cancellation insurance is highly recommended

A) Should you fail to join a trip after departure or leave it prior to its completion, no refund can be made. (Please note that if the reason for the cancellation falls within the terms of any vacation insurance policy you may hold, then any such charges will normally be refunded to you by your insurance company, subject to the terms of the insurance).

B) If you are a “no show,” Savvy Navigator shall be entitled to treat your reservation as canceled without having given Savvy Navigator any notice, and the cancellation charges as indicated above shall apply.

C)   Any request to amend or change a booking once it has been confirmed may be accommodated subject to space availability. If Savvy Navigator is able to assist, an administrative fee of $100 per change may be assessed. These fees will be added to your final invoice.

D) No refunds are given (1) for lost travel time or substitution of facilities, (2) for itineraries amended after departure, (3) for circumstances arising beyond the control of Savvy Navigator, necessitating alternative arrangements being made to ensure the safety and / or further participation and enjoyment of your trip, (4) if you do not appear for any accommodation, service, sightseeing or trip segment without notifying Savvy Navigator, or (5) if you leave your trip after it has begun, or miss any scheduled sightseeing, activities, meals or accommodations.

E)   By taking out Trip Cancellation Insurance at the time of booking your trip, guests can usually cover cancellation fees.

F) If you are a “no show,” Savvy Navigator shall be entitled to treat your reservation as canceled without having given Savvy Navigator any notice, and the provisions of Paragraph 2(A) shall apply.

G) Any request to amend or change a booking once it has been confirmed may be accommodated subject to space availability. If Savvy Navigator is able to assist, an administrative fee of $100 per change may be assessed. These fees will be added to your final invoice.

H) No refunds are given (1) for lost travel time or substitution of facilities, (2) for itineraries amended after departure, (3) for circumstances arising beyond the control of Savvy Navigator, necessitating alternative arrangements being made to ensure the safety and / or further participation and enjoyment of your trip, (4) if you do not appear for any accommodation, service, sightseeing or trip segment without notifying Savvy Navigator, or (5) if you leave your trip after it has begun, or miss any scheduled sightseeing, activities, meals or accommodations.

3) FOR YOUR INFORMATION

A) Savvy Navigator acts as booking agent for destination management companies, hotels, airlines, air charters, bus companies, ground transportation, boat purveyors or owners, and other independent contractors providing accommodations, transportation and/or other services abroad. Each of these companies is an independent corporation with its own management and is not subject to the control of Savvy Navigator, including, but not limited to, various overseas ground operators.

B) All bookings like those described above are accepted by Savvy Navigator as agent for independent overseas ground operators. The transportation, accommodations and other services provided by ground operators are offered subject to the terms and conditions contained in the tickets, exchange orders or vouchers issued by them or their suppliers. Because Savvy Navigator does not have the right to control the operations of the independent operators and their suppliers, Savvy Navigator cannot be held liable for any personal injury or property damage which may arise out of these services. Savvy Navigator reserves the right to cancel any itinerary or any part of it, to make such alterations in the itinerary as it deems necessary or desirable, to refuse to accept or to retain as a member of any trip any person at any time, and to pass on to trip members any expenditure incurred by delays or events beyond its control. In case of any appreciable variation in cost, Savvy Navigator reserves the right to adjust its rates.

4) RISKS

A) Savvy Navigator draws your attention to the fact that there are certain inherent risks involved in participating in the type of trips sold by Savvy Navigator You will be required to sign a Release to acknowledge this warning and also to release and hold harmless Savvy Navigator from any damages that may result.

B) It is your sole responsibility to take all appropriate medical advice prior to departure as to whether or not you are fit enough to undertake the trip booked. Savvy Navigator shall not be liable for any illness, injury or death sustained on a trip sold by Savvy Navigator which is not due to the gross negligence of Savvy Navigator its officers, employees, authorized representatives or agents whomsoever.

5) FORCE MAJEURE

A) “Force Majeure” means, in relation to Savvy Navigator, any circumstances beyond the reasonable control of Savvy Navigator (including, but without limitation, acts of God, explosion, flood, tempest, fire or accident, war or threat of war, sabotage, insurrection, civil disturbance, or requisition, sickness, quarantine, government intervention, weather conditions or other untoward occurrences).

B) If Savvy Navigator is affected by Force Majeure it shall forthwith notify you of the nature and extent thereof.

C) Savvy Navigator shall not be deemed to be in breach of these terms and conditions or otherwise be liable to you, by reason of delay in performance, or by non-performance, of any of its obligations hereunder to the extent that any such delay or nonperformance is due to any Force Majeure.

D) If Savvy Navigator is affected by Force Majeure it shall be entitled to, and may in its sole and absolute discretion, vary or cancel any itinerary or arrangement in relation to the trip. Payment of any refund by Savvy Navigator to you as a result of the non-performance of any of the obligations of Savvy Navigator hereunder shall remain in its sole and absolute discretion, although Savvy Navigator shall use its reasonable endeavors to reimburse you where possible. However, Savvy Navigator shall be entitled to deduct from any refund recoverable the reasonable actual and potential costs to Savvy Navigator of the Force Majeure.

E) Regarding civil unrest, once Savvy Navigator has investigated the prevailing situation as it deems fit, it shall remain in the sole discretion of Savvy Navigator whether to proceed with the trip. You may in such circumstances cancel the trip. However, if, after having made all reasonable and proper inquiries, Savvy Navigator is of the opinion that the trip may proceed, no refund will be payable to you and the provisions of Paragraph 2 shall apply.

6) INSURANCE

As stated above, Savvy Navigator highly recommends that you obtain the following types of insurance which are commercially available:

Emergency Medical Evacuation
Major Medical
Accidental Death and Disability
Loss of Personal Effects
Clients are asked to purchase Trip Cancellation Insurance at the time of booking their travels, in order to be covered against any financial losses, in the event of guests not being able to do the trip, for whatever reason.

7) SURCHARGES AND EXCHANGE RATES

Rates used in the travel are based on tariffs and exchange rates valid at the time of printing and advertising trips. Should a rate vary against the U. S. Dollar by more than 3%, Savvy Navigator reserves the right to recalculate the trip cost and apply the differential as a surcharge. Any refund made by Savvy Navigator shall be in its absolute and sole discretion.

8) TERMS AND CONDITIONS

These terms and conditions govern the relationship between Savvy Navigator and you. To the total exclusion of any other terms and conditions. No alterations to the terms and conditions may be made by any unauthorized employee of Savvy Navigator, authorized representatives or agents, unless in writing by an authorized employee of Savvy Navigator All decisions and matters subject to the discretion of Savvy Navigator shall be made by an authorized officer or employee of Savvy Navigator.

9) CARRIAGE BY LAND, SEA AND AIR

A) Carriage by Land, Sea and Air is subject to the terms and conditions of the carrier with whom you travel and to international conventions – some which may limit liability. Land, Sea and Air travel are also subject to operational decisions of carriers and sea ports which may result in cancellations, delays or diversions, over which Savvy Navigator has no control and for which Savvy Navigator accepts no liability whatsoever.

B) The passenger contract in use by the airline carriers concerned, when issued, shall constitute the sole contract between the transportation companies and the purchaser of these programs and / or the passengers.

10) BAGGAGE

Temporary or permanent loss of baggage is the responsibility of you or the carrier. Please note that when traveling by light aircraft during your adventure trips, space is limited, and luggage is limited to a weight restriction as is indicated in your itinerary, and ONLY soft luggage or duffel bags are allowed. No hard suitcases are allowed, and NO EXCEPTIONS will be made.

11) TRAVEL DOCUMENTS AND VACCINATIONS

It is your responsibility to ensure that passports, visas, travel permits, health certificates, inoculations, international driving license, or other documentation required for the trip are obtained and are in order. It is your responsibility to meet any additional costs incurred by yourself or by Savvy Navigator on your behalf as a result of any failure by you to comply with such requirements. Anti-malaria precautions should be commenced prior to departure. Please consult your physician for more details. Safari clients should bring their own insect repellant as this may not be available in the camps.

12) SPECIAL REQUESTS

You must advise Savvy Navigator in writing of any special requests, i.e. diet, facility or physical handicap, when you submit your reservation request to Savvy Navigator, which will be met if possible.

13) INFORMATION IN BROCHURES / ELECTRONIC ADVERTISEMENTS

All information given in any brochure or otherwise advertised, (including electronic advertisements on the Internet) is, to the best of Savvy Navigator’s knowledge, correct, but Savvy Navigator reserves the right to change same. The photographs reproduced and information provided depict typical scenes experienced and details on each destination; but the subject matter may not necessarily be seen or experienced while visiting that destination.

14) PHOTOGRAPHY

Savvy Navigator reserves the right without further notice to make use of any photography or film taken on a trip participant, any staff member, tour guide or operator for general purposes without payment or permission.

15) DISPUTES

If you have any cause for complaint while on tour, you must immediately bring it to the attention of the local representative of Savvy Navigator or agent, who will attempt to resolve the situation.

16) CONSENT

The payment of the advance payment OR any partial payment for a reservation on a trip constitutes consent to all provisions of the conditions and general information contained in any brochure (electronic or otherwise), invoice and travel documents. The terms under which you agree to take these trips cannot be changed or amended, except in writing, signed by an authorized officer or employee of Savvy Navigator.

17) CONDITION OF BOOKING

You shall comply with instructions of any representative of Savvy Navigator, tour guide or local ground operator at all times. No client shall be accepted or be permitted to continue on a trip while their status or mental or physical condition is, in the opinion of any representative of Savvy Navigator, tour guide or local ground operator, such as to render them incapable of caring for themselves or make themselves objectionable to other tour clients or become a hazard to themselves or other tour clients and Savvy Navigator will not be responsible for expenses by such persons precluded from completing the travel for this reason.

18) NOTICE OF ENFORCEABILITY

Please remember, when you book travel related services with Savvy Navigator, you are entering into a binding agreement that assumes all terms and conditions are fully understood as stated in this document.