Retreat Terms & Conditions
RETREAT TERMS & CONDITIONS
These are the Terms and Conditions that will apply to your booking for one of our retreats. Please read them carefully, as you will be bound by them.
These Terms shall constitute the entire agreement between Oceanic Awakening Retreats (OAR) and the Client relating to the subject matter herein and shall constitute a binding agreement. There is no verbal or written representation, warranty, prior agreement, or description of services other than as expressed herein.
The contract and booking are made with, and services will be provided by, Oceanic Awakening Retreats. By booking a retreat, you agree to be bound by these Terms and Conditions, including the cancellation policy and limitations of liability. These Terms and Conditions affect your rights and designate the governing law and forum for the resolution of any and all disputes.
BOOKING TRIPS & THE CONTRACT
All persons wishing to make a booking must carefully read and understand the Terms and Conditions that follow. By making a booking with Oceanic Awakening Retreats, you accept on behalf of yourself and all those named in the booking to be bound by these Terms and Conditions. A booking is accepted and becomes definite only when Oceanic Awakening Retreats sends a confirmation email, and you have completed the deposit payment.
Please note that Oceanic Awakening Retreats only offers retreats and related activities to those 18 years of age and over. If an exception has been made in specification with a guest and agreed upon, that is at the discretion and approval of the retreat operators.
DEPOSITS
For all advertised retreats and dates, a non-refundable deposit per person and submission of our online booking form are required to complete your booking.
You may book a retreat with a deposit (down payment) until 31 days prior to the retreat start date, after which full payment is required to secure your spot (if any are still available).
The remaining balance of your retreat payment is due 30 days before the retreat begins. We will notify you of the balance due date after your deposit has been processed.
If the final balance is not received by the due date, your booking cannot be guaranteed, and Oceanic Awakening Retreats reserves the right to cancel your booking and forfeit your deposit.
Please note: deposits made on all bookings are non-refundable and non-creditable due to the requirement to purchase non-refundable and non-transferable essentials, including but not limited to accommodation reservations, on your behalf to secure your spot on the retreat.
Deposits are paid via the Oceanic Awakening Retreats Retreat Payment Link and can be made using all major credit cards. All remaining payments are to be paid by bank transfer. If you prefer a payment via Stripe, Paypal or another purchase method, additional fees may occur to cover payment vendor surcharge(s).
REFUND / CANCELLATION POLICY
All retreat deposits and payments are non-refundable, as per Australian Consumer Law (ACL), refunds are only required if there is a major problem with the product or service provided. For this retreat, refunds will not be issued unless your spot can be sold to another participant.
Australian Consumer Law defines a major failure as:
A service that does not meet its intended purpose. Failure to meet any guarantees under ACL, such as quality of service or the retreat being canceled by the Organizer. If you are unable to attend and your spot cannot be resold, a partial credit may be offered towards another retreat, at the discretion of the Organizer. The amount and terms of the credit will be decided based on the circumstances.
CANCELLATIONS BY PARTICIPANT
As aforementioned, cancellations initiated by the Participant will not qualify for a refund unless the spot is resold.
Deposits of $1500 are non-refundable under all circumstances.
In the event of unforeseen circumstances that require the Organizer to cancel the retreat, all participants will receive a full refund or the option to transfer to a future retreat, in compliance with ACL.
BALANCE TRANSFER
Full and partial retreat payments can be transferred to another participant if you notify us 60 days or more before the retreat start date.
There is a $100 deposit transfer fee associated with making this change, which avoids incurring the cancellation fee.
You may only transfer your retreat deposit once.
PRICING
All retreat prices shown are per person and are quoted and payable in USD or your preferred currency amounting to $4699 USD (dual occupancy for 1 week).
Oceanic Awakening Retreats is not responsible for any fees incurred due to currency exchange or fees charged by your credit card or bank for processing funds in another currency.
Unless stated otherwise, the price of your travel arrangement includes each of the components described in your booking confirmation invoice.
Not included in the price: flights, travel insurance, most meals (included meals are specified), excess baggage charges, snorkelling equipment and wetsuit, tipping, or additional excursions or activities not confirmed as part of your retreat arrangements. Additionally, any items or services purchased during a retreat are not included unless specifically stated.
MEDICAL CONDITIONS & SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
Clients must inform Oceanic Awakening Retreats on the registration form of any medical conditions, pregnancy, disabilities, or other mental or physical conditions that may affect their ability to participate, including medications being taken. Failure to notify us may result in the Client being refused certain activities during the retreat at their own expense.
It is vital to accurately disclose fitness levels and medical conditions for safety.
While Oceanic Awakening Retreats will do its best to accommodate dietary or physical limitations, such requests are not guaranteed.
Clients must carry medical insurance. While Oceanic Awakening Retreats will assist in bringing you to a proper medical facility if needed, no warranties are made regarding the standard of such treatment.
FINAL PAYMENTS
For all retreats, the final balance of the retreat price is due 40 days before the retreat start date in the currency advertised.
If a booking is made within less than 40 days, the deposit and full payment are required at sign-up. Bookings are not accepted within 30 days of the retreat start date.
If the final balance is not received by the due date without an explanation, Oceanic Awakening Retreats reserves the right to treat the Client’s booking as cancelled and retain all payments made up until that point.
Deposits are non-refundable under all circumstances.
CANCELLATION OF A RETREAT BY Oceanic Awakening Retreats
Oceanic Awakening Retreats reserves the right to cancel any retreat for any reason but will not cancel a retreat less than 30 days before the retreat start date except for unusual or unforeseen circumstances outside Oceanic Awakening Retreats’s control. When a retreat is cancelled by Oceanic Awakening Retreats before the agreed date of departure for any reason other than the fault of the Client, the Client can either:
Transfer their deposit to another retreat taking place within one calendar year, or:
Receive a full refund of all monies paid under the contract as soon as possible.
Oceanic Awakening Retreats is not responsible for any incidental expenses or consequential losses that the Client may have incurred as a result of the booking, such as visas, vaccinations, non-refundable flights or rail, non-refundable car parking or other fees, loss of earnings, or loss of enjoyment, etc.
If the Client is offered a refund but requests an alternate retreat of a higher value than that originally booked, then the Client must pay the difference in price. Where after departure a significant element of the trip contracted for cannot be provided, Oceanic Awakening Retreats will make suitable alternative arrangements for the continuation of the trip. If it is not possible to provide a suitable alternative or the Client reasonably rejects any suitable alternatives, Oceanic Awakening Retreats will provide the Client a refund of unused tour portions. Where a significant alteration or cancellation occurs which is not due to Force Majeure or other circumstances beyond Oceanic Awakening Retreats’s control, Oceanic Awakening Retreats will in some circumstances offer compensation. Significant alterations do not include the substitution of a transportation method, modification of itineraries, change in hotel accommodation, or meal offering.
AIRFARE
All Oceanic Awakening Retreats retreats do not include national or international airfare unless airfare is expressly mentioned as an inclusion.
Oceanic Awakening Retreats strongly recommends you wait until the trip is confirmed to run before booking airfare or making any non-refundable travel arrangements.
TRAVEL & HEALTH INSURANCE
Oceanic Awakening Retreats recommends Clients obtain travel medical insurance. This insurance must cover personal injury and emergency medical expenses including, but not limited to, helicopter evacuation, air ambulance and repatriation (if applicable).
It is strongly recommended the coverage be extended to include cancellation, curtailment, and all other expenses that might arise as a result of loss, damage, injury, delay or inconvenience occurring to the Client during travel. Oceanic Awakening Retreats shall have no liability for loss, theft of or damage to baggage or personal effects. Personal belongings lost or stolen while unattended by the client in public lounges or other public areas, whether on board a train, bus, or other mode of transportation, publicly owned or operated by Oceanic Awakening Retreats or elsewhere, are not reimbursable. Losses due to ordinary wear and tear, and other acts of God are not reimbursable. Oceanic Awakening Retreats cannot accept responsibility for and in no event shall be liable for loss or damage of valuables or other articles left in or on facilities used by Oceanic Awakening Retreats such as hotels, huts, expedition vehicles, or any other mode of transportation.
The Client acknowledges that the cost of Oceanic Awakening Retreats retreats do not include insurance and that the Client has been advised to obtain separate coverage at an additional cost. When obtaining travel insurance the Client must ensure the insurer is aware of the type of travel to be undertaken.
EVACUATION PROCEDURES AND COSTS
Oceanic Awakening Retreats Retreat Leaders, local guides or other representative’s decisions will at all times be final on all matters likely to affect the safety and well-being of the trip. We reserve the right to prohibit any traveler from continuing on a trip with no right of refund if, in our opinion, that traveler’s actions pose a threat to the safety of others, to the wildlife, the habitat, themselves, or if the traveler’s actions and/or behaviors are harming the enjoyment of the trip for others.
Evacuation costs are to be covered by the person being evacuated.
TRAVEL DOCUMENTS
Any international travelers from outside the USA are required to have a valid Passport: The Client must be in possession of a valid passport required for entry, departure and travel to retreat destinations (passport must be valid 6 months past the return date), all visas, permits and certificates including vaccination certificates (if required), insurance policies, etc. are required for the whole of the journey. The Client accepts full responsibility for obtaining all such documents, visas and permits prior to the start of the retreat and is solely responsible for any adverse consequences resulting from missing or defective documentation.
All Clients must be in possession of all permits and certificates required for travel, including vaccination certificates, local travel documentation, insurance policies, etc. for the whole of the journey. The Client accepts full responsibility for obtaining all such documents, visas and permits prior to the start of the retreat and is solely responsible for any adverse consequences resulting from missing or defective documentation.
Any information or advice given by Oceanic Awakening Retreats regarding visas, vaccinations, climate, clothing, baggage, special equipment, etc. is purely advisory, provided as a courtesy to the Client and Oceanic Awakening Retreats is not responsible for any errors or omissions as to the information provided by third parties such as the appropriate governmental authorities.
CLIENT RESPONSIBILITY
The Client acknowledges he or she may be visiting places where the political, cultural and geographical attributes present certain risks, dangers and physical challenges greater than those present in their daily life. By booking travel with Oceanic Awakening Retreats, the Client acknowledges they have considered the potential risks, dangers and challenges, and expressly assumes the risks attendant to such travel conditions. The Client is solely responsible for acquainting themselves with customs, weather conditions, physical challenges, and laws in effect at each stop along the itinerary.
SUPPLIERS & INDEPENDENT CONTRACTORS
Accommodation, shuttle services, excursions or other elements of Oceanic Awakening Retreats may be arranged by Oceanic Awakening Retreats with local suppliers who may themselves engage the services of local operators and/or sub-contractors. Oceanic Awakening Retreats will at all times endeavor to appoint reputable and competent local suppliers. The terms and conditions of the suppliers will be applicable. These may limit or exclude the liability of the supplier. The liability of Oceanic Awakening Retreats will not exceed that of any supplier. Local laws and regulations of the relevant authority will be relevant in assessing the performance of the services of any supplier. Neither Oceanic Awakening Retreats nor any carrier is liable for independent contractors.
SAFETY & TRIP ENJOYMENT
We take your safety and well-being very seriously, which is why we partner with trained professionals for all of our retreats. However, you are ultimately responsible for your safety, which is why we ask all retreat participants to sign a liability waiver before departure. To avoid possibly dangerous situations, it is extremely important that you obey any rules and regulations imposed by the Oceanic Awakening Retreats Retreat Leaders and/or Local Guides and instructions given by them.
Oceanic Awakening Retreats reserves the right to prohibit any Client from continuing on a trip with no right of refund if, in our opinion, that Client’s actions pose a threat to the safety of them, others, or to the wildlife and habitat, or if that Client’s actions or behaviors are seriously jeopardizing the enjoyment of the trip for others, or are in violation of local laws and customs. The decision of the Oceanic Awakening Retreats Retreat Leader or representative will at all times be final on all matters likely to affect the safety and well-being of the trip. All Clients must, at all times, strictly comply with the laws, customs, foreign exchange and drug regulations of all places visited, and Oceanic Awakening Retreats will not accept responsibility or liability for any Client who contravenes any laws or other regulations of any place visited.
HEALTH & FITNESS
Most of Oceanic Awakening Retreats’s trips should not be overly strenuous for people who are healthy and reasonably fit. If you (or anyone on whose behalf you are booking) are affected by any condition, medical or otherwise, that might affect your or other people’s enjoyment of the trip, you must advise us of this at the time of booking. If your health or fitness changes between the time of booking and your trip departure date, you must notify the Oceanic Awakening Retreats office of these changes before the retreat starts.
PHOTOS, VIDEO AND CONTENT CREATION
In the course of participation in a Oceanic Awakening Retreats retreat, photos or videos may be taken by participants, guides and professional photographers. These images may be used in any Oceanic Awakening Retreats promotional materials, website, all social media platforms (e.g. Instagram), etc., unless Clients specifically request to the photographer or in writing to Oceanic Awakening Retreats, to not use any material your image is depicted in. Otherwise, permission is granted to Oceanic Awakening Retreats to perpetual, royalty-free, worldwide, irrevocable license to use such images for publicity and promotional purposes.
GEOTAGGING LOCATIONS
Hawaii is a geographic, spiritual, and natural treasure that we want to protect. It is the honor of Oceanic Awakening Retreats and our Clients to visit various locations that are natural wonders, spiritually significant, and have intrinsic value. In order to respect the land and people, we ask that Clients do not geotag any photos posted to social media, such as on Instagram, etc.
RETREAT ITINERARY CHANGES
Oceanic Awakening Retreats and its partners reserve the right to alter retreat programs and itineraries due to weather, road conditions or other circumstances. These programs may be changed or cancelled at any moment during the trip to assure the safety of our clients and staff. No responsibility is accepted for losses, expenses due to delays, changes of flights or other services because of strikes, accidents, sickness, damage, negligence, weather, war, changes in schedules or other similar causes. Oceanic Awakening Retreats and its partners do not assume responsibility for accidents or deaths that can be traced to the participants’ negligence, acts of third parties or exterior circumstances such as weather, natural occurrences, war or other similar causes.
DATA PROTECTION
To ensure that retreats run smoothly, Oceanic Awakening Retreats need to use personal information (such as name, address, special needs, health conditions, dietary requirements etc.) provided by Clients to Oceanic Awakening Retreats, and also pass on such information to other outfitters/guides or suppliers involved in the operation of the retreat. Oceanic Awakening Retreats will apply appropriate security measures to protect such personal data and will only pass on data that is applicable to outfitters or suppliers responsible for the retreat. By completing the Oceanic Awakening Retreats Retreat Booking Form, Clients consent to this information being transferred as required.
LIABILITY
Oceanic Awakening Retreats is not responsible for any improper or non-performance of any services forming part of the Contract which are wholly attributable to the fault of the Client, the unforeseeable or unavoidable act or omission of a third party unconnected with the provision of any services to be provided under the Contract; unusual and unforeseeable circumstances beyond the control of Oceanic Awakening Retreats and/or the relevant supplier, the consequences of which could not have been avoided even if all due care had been exercised including (but not limited to) an event of force majeure; or any event which Oceanic Awakening Retreats and/or the relevant supplier could not even with all due care have foreseen or forestalled.
In the event that Oceanic Awakening Retreats is responsible for any death, injury or illness caused by the negligent acts and/or omissions of its suppliers of services which form part of the Contract then Oceanic Awakening Retreats limits its liability.
ACCEPTANCE OF RISK
The Client acknowledges that the nature of the retreat is adventurous and may involve a significant amount of personal risk. The Client hereby assumes all such risk and does hereby release Oceanic Awakening Retreats from all claims and causes of action arising from any damages or injuries or death resulting from these inherent risks.
SEVERABILITY
In the event that any term or condition contained herein is unenforceable or void by operation of law or as being against public policy or for any other reason than such term or condition shall be deemed to be severed from this Agreement or amended accordingly only to such extent necessary to allow all remaining Terms and Conditions to survive and continue as binding.
SUCCESSORS & ASSIGNS
These Terms and Conditions shall insure to the benefit of and be binding upon Oceanic Awakening Retreats and the Client and their respective heirs, legal personal representatives, successors and assigns.
WAIVER OF BOOKING CONDITIONS
These Booking Terms and Conditions may only be waived or amended by written mutual consent. When a Client completes, submits and makes the payment for booking their place for a retreat, they agree to accept all these conditions, and when the booking is accepted, Oceanic Awakening Retreats agrees to carry out the obligations as defined therein.
UPDATING OF TERMS & CONDITIONS
Oceanic Awakening Retreats reserves the right to update and/or alter these terms and conditions at any time, and it is the Client’s responsibility to be familiar with them. The latest terms and conditions may be found on Oceanic Awakening Retreats’s website.
If you have any questions or concerns, please email us at oceanicawakeningretreats@gmail.com.