Samoan Cacao & Chocolate Journey Retreat
These are the Terms and Conditions that apply to your booking any Cacao Ambassador retreat. Please read them carefully because upon booking you will be bound by them..
These Terms shall constitute the entire agreement between Oonagh Browne, a sole trader trading as The Cacao Ambassador (NZBN: 9429047881143) 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.
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The contract and booking is made with, and services will be provided by The Cacao Ambassador. By booking a retreat, you agree to be bound by these Terms and Conditions that govern the relationship, 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 have carefully read and understand the Terms and Conditions that follow. By making a booking with The Cacao Ambassador, you accept on behalf of yourself and all those named on the booking, to be bound by these Terms and Conditions.
A booking is accepted and becomes definite only from the date when The Cacao Ambassador sends a confirmation email, and when you have completed the deposit payment, if an agreed deposit is allowed or full payment at time of A Cacao Ambassador team member will contact you within 72 hours, regarding your booking to complete a registration form to confirm your participation in your selected retreat. Confirmation of your participation does not necessarily mean that your trip is confirmed to run. The Cacao Ambassador asks that you refrain from purchasing non-refundable travel until you receive an email confirmation from The Cacao Ambassador staff. In order for our retreats to take place we require a minimum of 6 participants.
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**Please note that The Cacao Ambassador only offers retreats and related activities to those 18 years of age and over.
Deposits
For all advertised retreats and dates, full payment is required to complete your booking.
*If a special case is made, and the Cacao Ambassador agrees to a deposit to hold your space, the 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 etc on your behalf to secure your spot on the retreat.
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We DO NOT keep your credit card on file. When we send over an invoice, a bank transfer is to be made.
Refund / Cancellation
We understand that unexpected events can arise that can affect your plans.
If you cancel more than 60 days before the retreat start date, you may request a refund, less a cancellation fee equal to 15% of the price paid will be applicable. If you cancel more than 30 days before the retreat, then a 50% refund will be made on the price originally paid.
All retreat payments become non-refundable less than 15 days before the retreat start date, as full payment will have been made to the resorts and other bookings. If you have paid a deposit then the deposit is non refundable.
Pricing
All retreat prices shown are per person and are quoted and payable in NZD.
The Cacao Ambassador is not responsible for any fees incurred due to currency exchange or fees charged by your credit card/bank for processing funds in another currency. The Cacao Ambassador reserves the right to alter the prices of any of the travel arrangements shown on our website. You will be advised of the current price of the travel arrangement you wish to book before your contract is confirmed.
Unless stated otherwise, the price of your travel arrangement includes each and all of the component parts, listed on the website and described within your booking confirmation invoice.
Not included in the price of your travel arrangement are flights, transport to and from the hotel, travel insurance, excess baggage charges, tipping and any food or drink or additional excursions or activities which are not confirmed as being part of your retreat arrangements. Additionally, any items or services purchased during a retreat are not included in the cost of your retreat unless specifically stated.
Medical conditions & special requirements
The Client must inform The Cacao Ambassador on our registration form of any medical conditions, pregnancy, disability or any other mental and or physical condition which may affect fitness to travel, including medications you are currently taking. Failure to notify us may result in the Client being refused certain activities during the retreat at the Client’s own expense. Some retreats may be unsuitable for Clients due to age, mobility, disability, pregnancy or physical or mental conditions, please email if you have concerns.
It is absolutely vital that you are accurate with your fitness level and medical conditions for your own safety.
The Cacao Ambassador will do its best to meet special requests including dietary or physical limitations but such requests may not always be possible depending on the retreat, in which case The Cacao Ambassador reserves the right to refuse Clients with certain conditions.
The Cacao Ambassador will do its best to meet Client’s special requests including dietary, but such requests do not form part of the Contract and therefore The Cacao Ambassador is not liable for not providing these requests.
As a client, you MUST carry medical insurance. Medical facilities vary from country to country and The Cacao Ambassador will do its absolute best to bring you to a proper medical facility as needed, but makes no representations and gives no warranties in relation to the standard of such treatment. Travel and medical insurance are imperative as part of your booking.
Please ensure The Cacao Ambassador is on your contact list so our emails don’t go to your junk folder!
Cancellation by the client
Any cancellation by a Client must be made in writing (via email) and be acknowledged by The Cacao Ambassador in writing (via email).
Under no circumstances is 15% of your payment refundable. Fees apart from the 15% can be refunded in special circumstances including:
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Serious injury or illness of the client
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Serious injury or illness of close family member, requiring immediate care by the client
If you cancel more than 60 days before the retreat start date, you may request a refund, less a cancellation fee equal to 15% of the price paid will be applicable. If you cancel more than 30 days before the retreat, then a 50% refund will be made on the price originally paid.
All retreat payments become non-refundable less than 15 days before the retreat start date, as full payment will have been made to the resorts and other bookings.
In the case of a natural disaster, The Cacao Ambassador applies to the “act of god” rule and no fees will be reversed.
Ultimate discretion of a request for cancellation is with The Cacao Ambassador.
Cancellation by the Cacao Ambassador
The Cacao Ambassador 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 The Cacao Ambassador’s control.
When a retreat is cancelled by The Cacao Ambassador before the agreed date of departure for any reason other than the fault of the Client, the Client can:
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Receive a full refund of all monies paid under the contract as soon as possible, with the exception of 15%.
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The Cacao Ambassador 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. Where after departure a significant element of the trip contracted for cannot be provided, The Cacao Ambassador 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, The Cacao Ambassador 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 The Cacao Ambassador’s control, The Cacao Ambassador 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. A clients insurance must cover this.
Airfare
All Cacao Ambassador retreats do not include national or international airfare. The Cacao Ambassador strongly recommends you wait until the trip is confirmed to run before booking airfare or making any non-refundable travel arrangements.
Travel & health insurance
The Cacao Ambassador insists 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.
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. The Cacao Ambassador shall have no liability for loss, theft of or damage to baggage or personal effects, of illnesses occurred. 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 The Cacao Ambassador or elsewhere, are not reimbursable. Losses due to ordinary wear and tear, and other acts of God are not reimbursable.
The Cacao Ambassador 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 the Cacao Ambassador such as hotels, huts, expedition vehicles, or any other mode of transportation.
The Client acknowledges that the cost of The Cacao Ambassador 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
The Cacao Ambassador’s Retreat Leaders, local guides or other representatives' 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 traveller from continuing on a trip with no right of refund if, in our opinion, that traveller’s actions pose a threat to the safety of others, to the wildlife, themselves, or if the traveller’s actions and/or behaviours are harming the enjoyment of the trip for others.
Evacuation costs are to be covered by the person being evacuated.
Travel documents
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. Any information or advice given by The Cacao Ambassador regarding visas, vaccinations, climate, clothing, baggage, special equipment, etc. is purely advisory, provided as a courtesy to the Client and The Cacao Ambassador is not responsible for any errors or omissions as to the information provided by third parties such as the appropriate governmental authorities.
Claims & complaints
If a Client has a complaint against The Cacao Ambassador, the Client must first inform the Retreat Leader or guide at the earliest opportunity to allow the grievance to be rectified. If satisfaction is not reached, contact hello@thecacaoambassador.com whilst on retreat so that The Cacao Ambassador is provided the opportunity to rectify the matter.
Failure to indicate dissatisfaction whilst on retreat will result in the Client’s ability to claim compensation from The Cacao Ambassador being extinguished or at least reduced. If satisfaction is still not reached through these means of retreat then any further complaint must be put in writing to The Cacao Ambassador within 30 days of the end of the retreat.
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 this retreat with The Cacao Ambassador, 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, local diseases and laws in effect at each stop along the itinerary, and is encouraged to locate or make contact prior to embarkation with their local embassy or consulate at the trip destination.
Suppliers & independent contractors
Hotels/accommodation, excursions or other elements of the retreat may be arranged by The Cacao Ambassador with local suppliers who may themselves engage the services of local operators and/or sub-contractors.
The Cacao Ambassador will at all times endeavour 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 The Cacao Ambassador will not exceed that of any supplier. Local laws and regulations of the relevant country will be relevant in assessing the performance of the services of any supplier. Neither The Cacao Ambassador nor any carrier is liable for independent contractors.
Safety & retreat enjoyment
We take your safety and well-being very seriously, which is why we partner with trained professionals for all of our domestic and international 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 Cacao Ambassador Retreat Leaders and/or Local Guides and instructions given by them.
The Cacao Ambassador 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, or if that Client’s actions or behaviours are seriously jeopardising the enjoyment of the trip for others. The decision of The Cacao Ambassador 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 countries visited, and The Cacao Ambassador will not accept responsibility or liability for any Client who contravenes any laws or other regulations of any country visited.
Health & fitness
Most The Cacao Ambassador retreats 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 hello@thecacaoambassador.com of these changes before the retreat starts.
Photos, video & content creation
In the course of participation in a The Cacao Ambassador retreat, photos or video may be taken by participants, guides and professional photographers. These images may be used in any The Cacao Ambassador promotional materials, website, all social media platforms (i.e. Instagram), etc., unless Clients specifically request to the photographer or in writing to The Cacao Ambassador, to not use any material your image is depicted in.
Otherwise, permission is granted to The Cacao Ambassador to perpetual, royalty-free, worldwide, irrevocable licence to use such images for publicity and promotional purposes.
Retreat itinerary changes
The Cacao Ambassador and its partners reserves 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 due 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.
The Cacao Ambassador 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, ware or other similar causes.
Data protection
To ensure that retreats run smoothly, The Cacao Ambassador need to use personal information (such as name, address, special needs, health conditions, dietary requirements etc.) provided by Clients to The Cacao Ambassador, and also pass on such information to other outfitters/guides or suppliers involved in the operation of the retreat.
The Cacao Ambassador 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 The Cacao Ambassador Retreat Booking Form, Clients consent to this information being transferred as required.
Liability
The Cacao Ambassador 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 The Cacao Ambassador 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 The Cacao Ambassador and/or the relevant supplier could not even with all due care have foreseen or forestalled.
In the event that The Cacao Ambassador 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 The Cacao Ambassador, its staff, volunteers, and owners 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 The Cacao Ambassador from all claims and causes of action arising from any damages or injuries or death resulting from these inherent risks.
At the time of payment, the Client is required to sign the Cacao Ambassador’s RELEASE OF LIABILITY, WAIVER OF CLAIMS, ASSUMPTION OF RISKS AND INDEMNITY AGREEMENT. Please read carefully.
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 The Cacao Ambassador and the Client and their respective heirs, legal personal representatives, successors and assigns.
NZBN: 9429047881143 and its brand The Cacao Ambassador exist under, and is pursuant to, the laws of New Zealand.
Applicable law
The Contract and these Terms and Conditions are subject to the laws of New Zealand.
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, The Cacao Ambassador agrees to carry out the obligations as defined therein.
Updating of terms & conditions
The Cacao Ambassador 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 The Cacao Ambassador’s website.
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If you have any questions or concerns, please email us at hello@thecacaoambassador.com