Travel Information & Updates to Our Normal Terms & Conditions
March 18, 2020
OUR #1 PRIORITY
YOU, our Guest. Your health, safety, security, and well-being and that of our crew members is our number one priority. We are committed to safeguarding our Guests against Coronavirus and have taken the following actions to ensure this:
KEEPING UP TO DATE WITH COVID-19
We are closely monitoring global developments regarding coronavirus through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and World Health Organization's statements to have the most up to date information.
COVID-19 | UPDATE BY DESTINATION
Much has transpired over the last hours. The COVID-19 situation is developing very quickly. Governments are taking drastic measures to ensure our wellbeing both in health and financially.
Galapagos & Ecuador – As of this Monday morning, March 16th, the government of Ecuador closed its borders, effectively shutting down tourism and the Galapagos National Park to international travelers. As Quasar, we fully support these actions and encourage everyone to be safe, remain at home and weather out the storm. There are NO REPORTED CASES in the Galapagos Islands at this time.
Anticipating such actions and with the purpose of being part of the solution to the containment of COVID-19, late in the afternoon of Thursday March 12th, we officially shut down our Galapagos operations starting Saturday, March 14th for the next 4 weeks. We immediately proceeded to inform our guests that were already in or traveling to Ecuador of our decision so that we could help them plan their urgent return home before airports were closed. Tentative departures will be addressed on a week by week basis as we monitor the evolution of COVID-19. It is our duty to keep all our guests and partners informed.
Patagonia, Chile & Argentina – Torres del Paine National Park and Los Glaciares National Park have shut down to all travelers until further notice. Museums, excursions, tours and other events have been also been closed.
OUR CANCELLATION POLICY FOR EXISTING RESERVATIONS
The COVID-19 Pandemic is understandably a major global event outside Quasar's control, which falls under our Inability to Perform Clause of Quasar's Terms and Conditions. The fine print is there to protect our livelihood and that of 110 staff members and their families from major situations such as this one. As such, Quasar is under no obligation to provide substitution, replacement of services or refunds to affected Guests. This is what our agreement says but here is what we are going to do.
Our purpose at Quasar is to provide our Guests with Memories for a Lifetime and we intend to honor that just as soon as we are able to, therefore, we are granting:
Galapagos Cruises – All guests with departures in March, April and May have the ability to rebook for a later date. All others will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis to determine the best way to move forward, and to provide a level of comfort during this challenging time. Given the uncertainty of the situation this is the only option we can provide at this moment.
Mainland Ecuador – All guests have the ability to rebook for a later date. Given the uncertainty of the situation this is the only option we can provide at this moment.
Patagonia | Chile | Argentina – All cancellations and bookings will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis to determine the best way to move forward, and to provide a level of comfort during this challenging time.
NEW RESERVATIONS
Galapagos Cruises – Until August 31, 2020, the following amended terms and conditions apply to new bookings only. These terms do not retroactively apply to past bookings, and are applicable for cruises departing in 2020 and 2021 (except for Christmas & New Years departures).
Fully-Refundable Deposit for Individual Bookings:
- For bookings made 66 days or more prior to departure, a fully-refundable deposit of US$ 500 per person is due at time of booking. Final, non-refundable payment is due 65 days prior to departure.
- For bookings made 65 days or less prior to departure, the full, non-refundable payment is due at time of booking.
- Postponing Cruise Dates for up to 15 Months: Guests will be able to amend their booking and postpone their cruise dates for up to 15 months, maintaining quoted cruise rates, from their original cruise departure date if they are not comfortable traveling due to Covid-19.
- Bookings may be amended up to 14 days prior to departure. If Guests wish to amend their booking less than 14 days prior to departures, standard cancellation fees, terms and conditions will apply.
- Bookings can only be amended once and are applicable only to individual (FIT) bookings.
- Private Charters & Groups: For charter bookings or groups (4 or more cabins), please consult with our Galapagos specialist for booking terms and rates.
- Cancellation Policy: If Guests wish to cancel their booking due to the coronavirus or in the event that the World Health Organization issues advisories against traveling to Ecuador, Quasar's standard cancellation terms and conditions would apply which is why we strongly recommend all guests to purchase travel cancellation and interruption insurance or Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) insurance.
- The above terms are subject to availability.
Ecuador & Peru – Fully-Refundable Deposit for Individual Bookings: For individual bookings a fully-refundable deposit is due at time of booking (properties that have different policies are Hacienda Zuleta & Napo Wildlife Center). Final, non-refundable payment varies per program.
Patagonia Overland Safaris – Until August 31, 2020, the following amended terms and conditions apply to new bookings only, are not retroactive to past bookings, and are applicable for Jeep Overland Safaris departing up until May 31st, 2021 (except Christmas and New Year’s dates).
Fully-Refundable Deposit for Individual Bookings:
- For individual bookings made 66 days or more prior to departure, a fully-refundable deposit of US$ 800 per person is due at time of booking. Final, non-refundable payment is due 65 days prior to departure.
- For bookings made 65 days or less prior to departure, the full, non-refundable payment is due at time of booking.
Postponing Travel Dates for up to 15 Months: Guests will be able to amend their booking and postpone their travel dates for up to 15 months, from their original travel departure date if they are not comfortable traveling due to Covid-19.
- Bookings may be amended up to 36 days prior to departure. If Guests wish to amend their booking less than 36 days prior to departures, standard cancellation fees, terms and conditions will apply.
- Bookings can only be amended once and are applicable only to individual (FIT) bookings.
- All changes will be subject to availability and if change is for a future season, rates will be adjusted accordingly.
Cancellation Policy: If Guests wish to cancel their booking due to the coronavirus or in the event that the World Health Organization issues advisories against traveling to Ecuador, Quasar's standard cancellation terms and conditions would apply which is why we strongly recommend all guests to purchase travel cancellation and interruption insurance or Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) insurance.
*Jeep Overland Safaris that include Aguas Arriba Lodge in tour have special terms and conditions. Please consult with our Patagonia specialist for booking terms.
Chile | Argentina - Standard terms and conditions apply. Please consult with our specialist.
QUASAR'S BIOSECURITY MEASURES & CLEANING AND SANITATION PROCEDURES
Guests, staff and crew have been always required to follow a strict sanitary protocols which include:
- All guests, staff and crew members are required to regularly wash their hands with antibacterial soap and hot water, followed by a spray of antibacterial, disinfecting gel.
- Antibacterial gel is provided to guests and crew throughout the yacht, transportation and hotels. Guest rooms and cabins are cleaned thoroughly with antibacterial wipes and organic cleaning agents.
- All Quasar yachts follow a strict and very detailed 50-step cleaning and disinfection procedure which can be found in all cabins. In addition, there is a separate cleaning and disinfection procedure with additional 20 steps for Food & Beverage. Our yachts are all undergoing deep cleansing and disinfection procedures on a regularly basis.
- Additional cleaning procedures from the ones normally carried out on our fleet are currently underway. These include deeper cleaning of all hard surfaces in social areas including jacuzzis, bar, sofas, dinner tables, chairs, coffee tables, buffet tables, etc.
- All tableware, cutlery, and glassware is washed with antibacterial soap and further disinfected at high temperatures that kill all viruses and bacteria.
Quasar, under its sole discretion, reserves the right to deny boarding or to disembark any guest who might be considered a threat to the health and safety of other guests and crew onboard our yachts. We strongly encourage all guests to come with full trip cancellation / interruption insurance, including emergency medical evacuation coverage.
Your trip of a lifetime is waiting for you. We are eager and ready to serve you just as soon as our health, safety and wellbeing are assured when COVID-19 is contained.
standard terms & conditions
