>Terms & Conditions

Scuba Diving Packages

Dive The World Terms and Conditions

This page describes the booking and payment procedures, terms and conditions of Dive The World's vacation packages.

The following sections on this page include:

Price Guarantee Special Offer

Our prices are so competitive that we are prepared to make you a Lowest Price Guarantee: If you can book the same diving package elsewhere online, at the same time, then we will beat that price - making Dive The World the lowest price!

How can we do this? Well because you don't pay for our service, our operators do. So you can benefit from our independent advice and experience and it costs you nothing!

Conditions include:

• Dive The World is satisfied that the comparative website package price is not the result of a clerical error.
• Comparative packages must have all the components identical, such as, but not limited to:

Dive The World agrees to consider all claims in good faith.

If the claim is deemed valid then we agree to offer you a lower price immediately.

Special 'local' prices to residents of each destination and special offers that may subsequently arise are excluded from this offer.

All judgments of claims are final and binding.

Free Dive Insurance

This offer applies only to bookings of in excess of USD 2 000 per person and to new customers, not returning customers. After booking and paying in full for the package, new customers are entitled to apply for this free insurance. The policy will provide cover only in relation to scuba diving accidents and its validity restricted to the dates of the relevant booking.

This offer cannot be combined with any lowest price guarantee claims. Mandatory extras such as port and park fees are not considered part of the booking value.

Loyal Customer Benefits

When you have booked a trip with us once, there are many benefits you can enjoy:

• Returning customer discount - book 2 scuba diving trips with us and receive a 5% returning customer DISCOUNT applicable to your second trip. Just complete our simple QA form to qualify.
  
  Note: this discount is limited to the price of your previous booking(s). You will be entitled to a full 5% discount off your next booking, provided that the total price of your previous bookings is greater than or equal to the price of your next booking. Otherwise the discount will be limited by and applied to the total price of your previous bookings.


• Frequent diver discount - the more you book, the more you save:
  2nd, 3rd and 4th bookings - 5%


• Gold Range Customer - become a Dive The World Gold Range Customer for life when you make 5 bookings with us:
  5th booking - 5%, or 10% from our Gold Range
  6th booking - 6%, or 10% from our Gold Range
  7th booking - 7%, or 10% from our Gold Range
  8th booking and beyond - 7.5% or 10% from our Gold Range
  
  Dive The World's Gold Range is a select number of products where we can offer a 10% discount. Here is the latest full list of Gold Range products. Discounts above 5% do not apply to a limited number of other excluded options.

Note: All loyal customer discounts apply only to the price of the dive packages, not to park fees, taxes or any other supplementary charges.
Due to our ongoing discounts in Malaysia, loyalty discounts do not apply to bookings in Malaysia.


• Free booking amendment - we will waive our US$ 100 administration charge for the first change you request to any booking as a repeat customer. See the 'Changes to Your Booking' section.

Refer a Friend Voucher

As an initiative to reward our customers who recommend our services, Dive The World offers a 'Refer a friend voucher' to reward a referrer who introduces a new customer(s) to Dive The World with a voucher worth US$ 100. This reward system operates as follows:

• The potential new customer must quote the name of the referrer in the initial communication with us.
• We will confirm to the potential new customer whether or not the referrer is a recorded customer of Dive The World.
• Upon receipt of final payment from the new customer, for a booking of at least US$ 1,000, Dive The World shall issue to the referrer a discount voucher.
• A single voucher will be issued for each referred booking, not one for each referred person within that booking. Only 1 voucher will be issued to the referrer for multiple bookings of the same trip (including elements such as dates, destination and operator).
• A voucher may be used in conjunction with any other special offers including the returning customer discount.
• The voucher can be applied only to bookings of a minimum price of US$ 1,000 per person.
• Vouchers must be used (meaning final payment must be received) within 12 months from the date of issue.
• A voucher is issued for referring a friend, not booking with a friend. The referrer cannot book and use a voucher on the same diving trip (including elements such as dates, destination and operator) for which the voucher was earned.
• Vouchers are transferable to a third party but may be used only once, and only 1 voucher of any kind can be used per booking.
• A new customer is a person that has never been part of a booking with us before.
• A referrer is an existing (recorded) customer of Dive The World.
• In all instances the decision of Dive The World as to the validity or terms of use of the voucher will be final.

New Product Discount Voucher

When launching a new product, Dive The World may choose to offer a new product voucher worth US$ 100 to each customer for early bookings. In such cases:

• Unless otherwise stated, payment in full must be received within 28 days of the offer date.
• A voucher may be used in conjunction with any other special offers including the returning customer discount.
• The voucher can be applied only to bookings of a minimum price of US$ 1,000 per person.
• Vouchers are transferable to a third party but may be used only once, and only 1 voucher of any kind can be used per booking.
• Vouchers must be used (meaning final payment must be received) within the time periods they state, normally 12 months from the date of issue.
• In all instances the decision of Dive The World as to the validity or terms of use of the voucher will be final.

Product Pricing

The prices on our websites can be displayed in a variety of currencies (default is USD) for guidance purposes only. This is to allow our customers to make easy, direct comparisons between different dive trips and destinations in a currency they are familiar with. We use the most up-to-date exchange rates reasonably possible and therefore these quoted prices are subject to currency fluctuation.

Final prices in source currency will be quoted in all email correspondence and official documentation.

Your Free Shortlist of Options

After you fill out the website inquiry form you will receive an email with your free shortlist of diving options.

The email that we send you contains the best recommendations to match your requirements that you identified in the inquiry form.

Depending on your requirements, the options may include details of the following package choices:

• Dive Boat(s)
• Resort(s)
• Hotel(s)

Important: These options are held open as available to you only for a short time.

Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee that all options and prices quoted in your Shortlist of Options will be available unless within 48 hours of receiving your quote you confirm your intention to purchase!

Therefore, you must confirm immediately to avoid disappointment and to prevent the option being unavailable due to another customer booking it.

Confirming Your Intention to Purchase

You can confirm your intention to purchase by replying to our email indicating your preferred option(s), or reply with any further questions you may have.

Provisional Booking Confirmation

When we receive notice of your intention to purchase, we will double check availability, put on hold your space(s) according to the operator's deadline, and send you an email with your Provisional Booking Held Notification, with instructions on how to make your full payment or your Confirmed Reservation Deposit.

A Confirmed Reservation Deposit is payable by you, to guarantee your reservation. The non-refundable deposit required is 30% of the total price of your booking.

As soon as we receive your Confirmed Reservation Deposit then we shall inform the operator of your reservation. As soon it is confirmed by the operator that the reservation process is complete we will send you Confirmation of Reservation Completed. We recommend purchasing flights only after receiving your Confirmation of Reservation Completed. We suggest you buy tickets that allow for itinerary changes (to allow for unexpected events).

Please note that the way a contract is formed on-line for the purchase of a retail product will be different from the way scuba diving vacations or courses are purchased through Dive The World.

Our business operates to an agency model. This means that we act as a disclosed agent for third party suppliers, such as PADI centres, liveaboard operators or other dive operators, hotels and resorts. We gather all the information and representations from the operators and put it all in one place for you. We do our best to verify and update this information as much as is practical. Since we act as agents this means that we have no contractual liability to you in respect of the product. However we may still be liable to you if we have been negligent, if we have misrepresented important information or have been in breach of any other relevant law.

What this means is that the contract for the product is between you and the operator. In most cases this will mean that there are additional terms and conditions governing the contract as each operator will have terms and conditions relating to their trips. Please make sure that you have read these terms and conditions before completing your transaction with us. You can easily request them from us.

The technical steps required for a contract to be formed are as follows:

When we place products on the site we are inviting you to make an offer for their purchase. You do not make this offer until you communicate an Intention to Purchase (i.e. not a general inquiry). Your offer is an offer to purchase the products from the operator for whom we are acting as agent. We are authorised by each of the operators to accept this offer on their behalf. After checking availability we send our "Provisional Booking Held Notification" and in doing so we are accepting your offer and requesting a payment. Once payment is confirmed there is a binding contract between you and your supplier for the product.

Please note that once the payment is confirmed you can only cancel the diving product in accordance with our terms and conditions. It is your responsibility to ensure you are familiar with any cancellation charges relevant to your booking.

Making Your Final Payment

You make your final payment of your package price (normally the remaining 70%) to be received by us more than 60 days before the package commencement date (or more than 90 days for some products and whole boat charter reservations). Note that the package commencement date is the original date your diving package is scheduled to begin. Therefore, it is important to allow time for the transaction to be finalised before this 60 day requirement. We will endeavour to keep you informed, by email, of the final payment amount and due date. Failure to pay your balance prior to such due date will be considered as cancellation by you within 60 days before the package commencement date and you will be subject to the terms and conditions that apply in the event of customer cancellation.

Payment Methods

All payment instructions are sent to you by email when a payment is required. Payments can be made by bank transfer/deposit, credit/debit card, or Paypal (for further advice about making payments, please see our customer payment guide).

If you have any problems or questions, we are +7 hrs, GMT or +12 hrs, EST. Tel.: +44 7360 261245, or ask@dive-the-world.com.

Cancelling Your Booking

If you decide to cancel your reservation 60 days or more before your package commencement date you will not be entitled to the return of your deposit. We will return your payment less the deposit and any bank charges incurred by us.

If you cancel your reservation any less than 60 days before your package commencement date you will not be entitled to the return of any payment. Such payments are retained in compensation for potential lost bookings.

It is your responsibility to inform us of any changes to your booking at the earliest opportunity.

Additional Terms for Phuket Dive Course Cancellation

If you cancel your reservation before day 1 of the course, then the above cancellation terms shall apply.

If you cancel your reservation on day 1 of the course, then you will be returned your payment by the course provider, less deposit and the cost of any materials used (including, but not limited to, the student manual).

If you cancel your reservation after day 1 of the course, we retain the right to keep any payments made.

Additional Terms for Whole Boat Charter Cancellation

For a full boat charter reservation, please cancel 90 days or more before your package commencement date to qualify for a return of monies paid less your deposit and any bank charges incurred by us.

Changes to Your Booking

If you decide to change your booking after you have made your reservation we will do what we reasonably can to accommodate you but it may not always be possible. You should notify us as soon as possible of any changes as the sooner you do this the more likely it is that we can make the change. There will be an administration fee of US$ 100 (in addition to any changes necessary to the price of your reservation) for any booking changes which require the issuance of a new Confirmation of Reservation Completed or invoice including, but not limited to, changes in dates, room type and diving programme.

Complaints and Disputes

We want you to have the scuba diving vacation you've been dreaming about. However, life doesn't always work out like that. Although the contract for the product is between you and the operator, if you have any queries concerns or complaints, please follow these guidelines to help us to help you in any conflict resolution.

1. Act early
   Make sure that you express any dissatisfaction at the soonest opportunity so any problem can be resolved sooner rather than later.
2. Inform the manager
   Be sure to speak to your captain, trip leader or resort manager. Tell the captain exactly what your problem is, and how he can solve your problem. In most cases, boat captains are good diplomats capable of solving your problem to your satisfaction.
3. No joy? We can help
   If your problem cannot be solved by the manager then we guarantee to represent and support you and to attempt to resolve any settlement to a conclusion to your satisfaction so...
4. Tell us as soon as possible
   For us to represent you in any conflict resolution settlement then we must know about all the facts, events, conversations, agreements that are related to your complaint so...
5. Keep a record
   If appropriate, then take the time to write down a factual record of what happened, when and with whom.

We'll help you to make a formal complaint, which will need to be submitted in writing no later than 28 days after the end of your diving package.

We will follow up and support you in your complaint to see that you are treated fairly by the operator and get adequate compensation from them for your troubles.

In the event that you are entitled to and receive a refund after your vacation, there will be an administration fee of US$ 50 deducted from such refund, to cover our own costs.

If you pay by credit/debit card you agree not to file a card chargeback with regard to the purchase without first corresponding with us about the details of your dispute and allowing us reasonable time to investigate and respond to your dispute. In the event that you breach this agreement and file a chargeback, upon a resolution in our favour you agree to reimburse us for any costs incurred in researching and responding to such chargeback, including our actual costs paid to the card processor or our banks, other third parties, and the reasonable value of the time of our employees spent on the matter. In the event that a chargeback is placed on a transaction that will be considered notification of cancellation by you. We also reserve the right to report the incident for inclusion in the chargeback abuser databases.

Liability Release and Assumption of Risk

Dive The World can not be held liable for and will not be responsible for personal injuries, property damage, or wrongful death that may occur during activities, as a result of the inherent risks associated with scuba diving or as a result of acts or omissions of other third parties.

Diving requires a certification from a recognised dive agency such as PADI, SSI, NAUI, TDI, CMAS, etc. It is your responsibility that you are suitably qualified, and provide proof of such qualification upon request, to participate in any scuba activities prior to you taking part. Such activities include all activities other than PADI Open Water Diver or Scuba Diver courses, or Discover Scuba Diving activities that allow participants to take part without a license.

Certified divers must also recognise their responsibility to keep their skills and knowledge up to date. A scuba review / refresher program is highly recommended and maybe required if you have not dived in the past 6-12 months.

Unforeseen Events and Bad Weather

We strongly recommend that you have comprehensive travel insurance to cover unexpected events.

Force majeure cancellations/ re-scheduling

Occasionally unforeseen events arise such as sudden bad weather, travel restrictions, war and political incidents, that prevent a package from being fulfilled. In these circumstances we and you will be bound by the operator’s terms and conditions, and we will provide these to you before you confirm your reservation. Each operator has its own policies and these may include an option to re-schedule your trip to an acceptable later date, re-routing your trip to another acceptable destination, or arranging a full or partial refund. Equally, there may be no automatic right to a refund or compensation of any kind. In the absence of any terms to the contrary, customers will be expected to make a claim on their insurance policy.

Insufficient reservations

In the unlikely event of a cruise being cancelled due to insufficient reservations we will alert you to this as soon as we become aware of the danger. In these circumstances we will take all reasonable steps to ensure you receive an alternative and comparable cruise.

Responsibility to arrive for the trip

It is your responsibility to get to the scheduled departure point of your trip or the operator pick-up point, or to the resort. Generally there will be no right to a refund due to unforeseen circumstances that affect your ability to be present.

Acts or omissions by the operator

If due to some failing of the operator, e.g. mechanical failure, a trip is cancelled/terminated early, Dive The World will do its best to find you an acceptable alternative or re-scheduled trip. If we are unable to do so then we will seek a full/partial refund from the operator for you.

Itinerary changes

Circumstances may arise which cause changes to itineraries, ports or numbers of dives, such as but not limited to weather conditions, illness, technical/mechanical difficulties, dive site inaccessibility or personal choice. Such circumstances are not valid reasons for a refund, partial or otherwise.

Fuel Surcharges

From time to time fuel prices may rise leading scuba operators to apply a fuel surcharge. Such an occurrence may lead to an unexpected addition to the price of your booking. These circumstances are, of course, beyond the control of Dive The World and we understand they can cause some frustration. We will notify you when such surcharges come to our attention. Your understanding is appreciated.

Insurance

All customers should ensure they have appropriate insurance to cover the diving they will be doing during their trip. As a first-time customer you may qualify for free dive insurance (see above). Otherwise we also highly recommend that you take out a comprehensive travel insurance policy with cover that includes cancellation, medical, personal liability and effects. With World Nomads you can get low cost insurance that covers you for both your diving and travel needs:

However, as a student diver attending one of our PADI courses in Phuket, you are insured against diving accidents that may happen during your open water dives.

Medical and Health

Scuba diving can be a demanding activity. It is your reponsibility to ensure that you are medically fit for the purpose of participating in any actiivites booked with us. If you have any doubts whatsoever, you should consult a physician who is qualified to give advice on fitness for the purpose of recreational scuba diving.

Furthermore, all dive courses and training programmes, and certified diving in some states/countries, require participants to complete a medical statement/divers medical questionnaire. Your responses may require you to obtain medical permission prior to your participation in such programmes. A copy of the questionnaire can be found here: PADI Medical Statement.

We are not qualified to give you advice on medical matters relating to vacations. Therefore, be sure to discuss immunisation and prevention of tropical ailments with your doctor and follow their advice.

Miscellaneous Information We Need

When you confirm your reservation, please be prepared to provide us with the following details (we'll remind you again at the time):

• Full names of all passengers
• Indicate Mr/Mrs/Ms, and if you are a couple
• Email addresses for all guests in your party
• Flight arrival and departure details for all of your group
• Hotel arrangements including arrival date and telephone number
• Scuba certification level
• Number of dives
• Date of last dive (note: you may need to complete a scuba review/refresher progam if you have not dived in the last 12 months)
• Any special dietary requirements
• Rental equipment sizes (note: you are responsible for any damage caused to your rental scuba equipment during your package and in the event of damage you will be charged accordingly)

Clients do not need to apply for a Myanmar visa at a Myanmar embassy. You will be issued Myanmar Entry Permits (which includes a 30 day visa) on arrival in Kawthaung (the southernmost port of Myanmar).

Please e-mail or post us 4 colour passport-size photographs and a copy of the main (photograph) page of your passport to help us expedite your Burma entry.

Miscellaneous Terms

If there are any changes to the details supplied to us by you it is your responsibility to inform Dive The World as soon as possible. In particular we will not be responsible for problems arising from your failure to adhere to instructions in our emails or correspondence (e.g. late changes to your transfer information, your failure to satisfy permit documentation requirements etc).

All fares are quoted inclusive of taxes unless otherwise stated. Our prices reflect operator/supplier prices and are therefore subject to changes that they may make without prior notice. We will inform you of such changes as soon as possible.

Please note that the number of dives we quote in our packages is a best estimate based on normal circumstances, not a guarantee. Circumstances may arise during trips (weather, illness, personal choice) where the total number of dives done is less than the number we estimate. There will be no partial refunds in these circumstances.

It is incumbent upon you to ensure that you meet the passport, visa, and health requirements, and that you familiarise yourself with the law and health regulations, of the countries you wish to visit and those that you transit.

Like other online agents our website will NOT stop you from making impossible bookings such as 2 different liveaboard diving trips at the same time or where you book diving on the same day as a later flight. It is your responsibility to ensure that you do not make such reservations.

We will do our best to correct errors and omissions as quickly as practicable after being notified of them. However because of the sophisticated technology that is required in operating Dive The World there may be times when obvious errors occur. For example, very occasionally, this may result in a package price, product or other detail displayed or presented on our websites being incorrect. In this case we will do our best to correct the terms or revise them to mutual satisfaction, notwithstanding we reserve the right to cancel that contract, but this of course will be without any liability to you. Likewise, prices displayed for consumables paid upon arrival are best estimates, indicative only, and are subject to change. Actual prices paid at the time of a trip may vary.

We strive to ensure that the information contained on our websites is as accurate and up-to-date as possible. However we cannot always guarantee representations made by the operators we promote. For example, if a resort or liveaboard declares themselves to be of a particular PADI status, we do not make any representation that they are and continue to be in compliance with all aspects of such PADI status. If nitrox is normally available (at cost or free of charge) but then the dive operator is unable to provide it during your package this will not be reason for a partial refund.

Copyright

The site and any content may not be modified, copied, transmitted, distributed, sold, displayed, licensed, or reproduced in any way by you without our express written permission, except if you wish to make copies of the website for your own personal and non-commercial use.

Links to Other Websites

Dive The World has no responsibility for the content of other third party websites of which links appear on any of our websites or for the actions/inactions of the owners/operators of such sites. We make no representations or warranties in relation to such sites or any packages or services provided on or through those sites or the providers of those services.

Corporate Information

Absolute Internet Business Solutions Limited (T/A Dive The World), 32 Lindley Moor Road, Huddersfield, HD3 3RT, United Kingdom (Company. No. 6011261).

Please print these terms and conditions for your future reference.