Terms and Conditions

TERMS AND CONDITIONS DORSETTOURS.COM

By making this booking and using our website, you are agreeing to comply with and be bound by the following Terms and Conditions. Please review the following terms carefully. If you do not agree to these terms, you should not use this site. The term “Dorset Tours” or “us”, “we”, or “our” “your guide” “the Guide” “Tour Guides” refers to DorsetTours.com; the owner of this site. The term “you”, “customer(s)”, “student(s)” refers to the users and viewers of this website. DorsetTours is a tour operator and acts as an agent for independent guides, tour operators (the “TPO” Third Party Operator), private hire companies and or individuals who provide services contracted with Dorset Tours. Dorset Tours provides a conduit for independent guides, tour operators (the “TPO”) and private hire companies and or individuals to sell tour services to its guests. Dorset Tours connects You with independent guides, tour operators (the “TPO”) and private hire companies and or individuals who are seeking to provide tours and travel related services. We do this through our website, DorsetTours.com (“Site”), which is a tour operator, communications and payment processing system that enables the connection between you, independent guides, tour operators (the “TPO”) and private hire companies and or individuals to attractions in the south west of England.

PAYMENTS

Full payment is required for all day excursions at the time of booking. A confirmation will be forwarded by email confirming the full amount paid, booking number and tour information.

METHOD OF PAYMENT

Payment may be made to Dorset Tours by Debit or Credit Card through our secure booking system. Bookings are made via Stripe or our website. Stripe are responsible for taking payments and securing bookings. Please see their information here: – https://stripe.com/gb.

ALTERATIONS

Dorset Tours will do everything reasonably possible to provide your tour itinerary as planned.

Dorset Tours reserves the right to alter or cancel tour itineraries due to weather, availability of attractions or other circumstances. The Guide reserves the right to change the size and type of vehicle operating on our tours.

LOSS OF PERSONAL BELONGINGS

Please note that Dorset Tours or the guide are not responsible for loss or damage to luggage or personal belongings carried on the tour or their personal vehicle. It is the responsibility of all clients to ensure they have the necessary insurance to cover for personal loss.

BEHAVIOR

You will be responsible for the conduct of yourself and all members of your party and you will indemnify us against any liability for damage caused by you or any members of your party. We reserve the right to terminate the tour in the event of behaviour deemed to be unreasonable by our staff.

PRICES

Tour prices are for guide service only. Meals, drinks, refreshments and entrance fees to visitor attractions, castles, parks and activities etc are additional optional extras and are not included in your ticket price. We do provide free on-board refreshments.

All prices are subject to change without prior notice due to currency fluctuation, fuel prices, vehicle costs and/or unforeseen economic circumstances.

INCLUDED

Free onboard refreshments.

TOUR DEPARTURE TIME

We request passengers be at their departure point 10 minutes prior to the published departure time. Passengers who have a confirmed Hotel, Guesthouse or Hostel pick up must be ready at the main door of their accommodation for the arrival of their coach. Failure to be there may result in the driver departing without you. This will result in a No Show.

Please note if you are late in arriving at your departure point and as a consequence miss your tour you will not be entitled to a refund.

Cruise Passengers Excursion Departure Times

If you are arriving on a cruise ship, the tour will start when your ship arrives. We understand cruise ships have different times of arrival and your guide will be there to meet you. Dorset Tours allows you time to disembark.

If you are going to be late for any reason, you must contact Dorset Tours as soon as possible. (+44) 01305 230053 Email: info@dorsettours.com

PROMOTIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY

Dorset Tours reserves the right to take photographs during the operation of any program or part thereof and to use them for promotional purposes. By booking a reservation with Dorset Tours, you agree to allow your images to be used in such photographs. Anyone who prefers that their images not be used publicly must identify themselves to their tour leader at the beginning of your tour.

LIMITS ON RESPONSIBILITY

Dorset Tours is not responsible for delays, changes, or cancellation costs due to incorrect, incomplete or expired traveler documents. In the event that you must cancel, delay or reschedule your tour due to expired or missing travel documentation, you are responsible for all associated costs to rectify the situation. If you are unable to join your tour, you will not be reimbursed or refunded any amounts as per the cancellation terms listed in this document.

At no point, and under no circumstances, is Dorset Tours responsible for payments or costs relating to external services such as flights, accommodations, car service, or any other part of travel that was booked and paid for externally to Dorset Tours. Dorset Tours is not obligated to alter any tour itinerary or suspend a tour’s commencement for any reason which prevents you from joining a tour as planned. Dorset Tours reserves the right to make alterations to our tours, itineraries, inclusions, and activities at any time.

TICKETS TO ATTRACTIONS

Please be informed that obtaining tickets to any attractions visited during our tours is solely the responsibility of the customer. Dorset Tours does not include entrance fees or tickets in the tour package. It is crucial for customers to pre-purchase tickets for specific attractions or verify their availability before the tour. Furthermore, it’s advisable to check the attraction’s official website or contact them directly to determine if there are any special events or circumstances that might affect availability or entry on the desired date. Dorset Tours cannot be held accountable for any inability to gain entry to attractions due to the customer’s failure to secure tickets in advance or to account for special events.

By booking with Dorset Tours you are agreeing to pay for independent GUIDE SERVICES ONLY. As a form of good will the guide may offer the use of his or her vehicle or the use a form of transport of their choice to transport you. This transportation cost is free. Where the group size is beyond capacity or large groups, the guide or Dorset Tours will assist you in hiring a vehicle of your choice for up to 16 passengers and the independent guide will accompany you on that transport. Other forms of transport used includes public transport. To carry out your tour, we may hire a 3rd party driver to perform your tour. 3rd party drivers may have their own terms and conditions to adhere to. YOU AGREE TO USE ANY OF THE GUIDES TRANSPORT AT YOUR OWN RISK. Your guide will join you in your coach, car, hire car or can arrange a hire minibus, people-carrier or coach (depending on the size of your party) with a local provider. Dorset Tours, the guide TPO or individual will not be liable for any injuries/accidents which occur whilst you are with your guide, or in transit with your guide or within the guides choice of transport. If you cancel or decide not to take the tour on the day, you are liable for the costs associated with the hire vehicle. By booking this tour and using this website, you explicitly agree to the above.

You understand that the Tour Guides presented on the Site can be independent contractors and that the Tour Guides are not employees or agents of Dorset Tours. You hereby understand and expressly agree that Dorset Tours does not and cannot control the quality, timing, legality or any other aspect whatsoever of the services actually delivered by the Tour Guides, nor of the integrity, responsibility or any of the actions whatsoever of the Tour Guides.

Conditions Of Suppliers: Many of the services which make up your excursion are provided by independent suppliers. Those suppliers provide these services in accordance with their own terms and conditions which will form part of your contract with us. Some of these terms and conditions may limit or exclude the supplier’s liability to you, usually in accordance with applicable International Conventions. You agree that we are not responsible for what the suppliers or guide produce.

Dorset Tours has no liability to you for the actual provision of the services. You agree we will have no liability to you or for anything that happens during the service in question or any acts or omissions of the supplier, its employees or agents.

VEHICLE HIRE: For parties of 9-16 passengers or more, we are able to offer a hired minibus to accommodate for your group. In the event of such an occurrence, the Client acknowledges and accepts that the vehicle could be a private hire vehicle, taxi or hire vehicle and that any monies paid to Dorset Tours under this provision are purely for your tour guide services and for your hired vehicle. No charges will be made for the driving of the hired vehicle. Your guide, TPO or Dorset Tours will assist you in hiring your vehicle of choice. If you cancel or decide not to take the tour on the day, you are liable for the costs associated with the hire vehicle.

PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY

You are responsible for purchasing the style of tour that fits your desired comfort level and participating in activities that are suitable for your fitness level and capabilities. By making a booking, you acknowledge that Dorset Tours are adventurous by nature and may involve a significant amount of personal risk. You also acknowledge that neither you nor anyone travelling with you has any physical, mental, or other conditions or disabilities that would create a hazard to yourself or your group members. Dorset Tours reserves the right to decline anyone from joining a trip with justifiable cause. You understand that the Tour Guides presented on the site are independent contractors and that the Tour Guides are not employees or agents of Dorset Tours.

You hereby understand and expressly agree that Dorset Tours does not control the quality, timing, legality or any other aspect whatsoever of the services actually delivered by the Tour Guides, nor of the integrity, responsibility or any of the actions whatsoever of the Tour Guides. Dorset Tours uses its best efforts to monitor Tour Guides, service offerings, actions and comments, and suspend privileges to any Tour Guide not adhering to policies of Dorset Tours. Dorset Tours also reserves the right to remove you from a trip if you are creating a hazard to yourself or others, impacting the enjoyment of others, or participating in any illegal activity. Any costs resulting from being removed from a tour or being declined participation in a tour is at your expense. No smoking is permitted on the minibus. No alcoholic or hot drinks are permitted to be consumed on the minibus. No drug or solvent abuse is permitted on the minibus. Any passenger in breach of these conditions may be asked to leave the tour with Dorset Tours not being liable for any consequences. Passengers will be liable for any wilful damage caused to vehicles and/or property owned by Dorset Tours or guide. Passengers are responsible for bringing any medication they may need.

Dorset Tours will not be liable for any injuries/accidents which occur whilst you are with your guide, or in transit with your guide or within the guides choice of transport.

FORCE MAJEURE

Where we cancel the whole tour before departure because of unusual or unforeseen circumstances beyond our control, then we will refund all money already paid by you (minus our stated admin fee) but you will not be entitled to any compensation for the loss of the tour. Where the tour is interrupted to a significant extent by circumstances beyond our control we will refund what is deemed to be a fair proportion of the cost of the tour.

Unless expressly stated otherwise in these terms and conditions, we will not have any liability to you if we are prevented from fulfilling our contractual obligations to you as a result of any event which is outwith our control (and/or outwith the control of the supplier or provider of the service in question). Such events may include (but are not limited to) war or threat of war; terrorist activity or the threat of terrorist activity; civil commotion or riot; any action taken by a governmental or public authority; industrial disputes; collapse of buildings, fire, explosion or accident; traffic or road conditions or road closures; technical or mechanical breakdown; adverse weather conditions; natural disasters and all similar events or circumstances. Return times for tours are approximate and can depend on traffic conditions, bad weather and other circumstances beyond our control. Dorset Tours cannot be held liable for any delays or inconveniences resulting from a late return.

INSURANCE

Whilst Dorset Tours maintains insurance meeting all statutory requirements, we strongly recommend that passengers hold comprehensive and suitable travel, medical and cancellation insurance to cover their period of travel.

TRANSPORTATION

On some tours, Dorset Tours does not make profit on the transportation or entrance fee elements of a tour. Profit is made by including a variable, per person guiding fee and an office administration/ accommodation booking fee within the total tour cost. On trips where transportation is provided either by private car or by rental car, this transportation is provided at a cost price and is included within your tour price. The transportation is to take you from one guided location to another. Paying to join the tour does not give you the right to be carried in that vehicle, it is provided as a courtesy. You are not obliged to use this transportation to be part of the tour and can also join the tour by following in your own car if you prefer.

TPO

Tours that can be booked through this Web Site could be operated by independent contractors that are neither agents of, nor necessarily supervised or controlled by, Dorset Tours. Dorset Tours does not maintain their facilities or modes of transportation and, where contrary to applicable law, is not responsible for any injury or property damage/loss that Guests using this website may incur in connection with a Tour service where caused by their negligence. All Tours are subject to the Dorset Tours Terms of Service. The independent contractor may have its own terms and conditions and the Tour will be subject to those terms and conditions as well. All Tours are subject to availability and/or cancellation based on weather, itinerary changes, and attendance. All prices are subject to change without notice. Some Tours are final and non-refundable when booked. Other Tours can be cancelled by the Guest up 5 days prior to the Tour departure date. Our full cancellation and change policies can be viewed above.

BOOKING

By completing the booking process on this website, you explicitly agree to ALL of the above terms of this website as set out by DorsetTours.com. If you cannot agree to ALL of the terms set out by this website, you should not use this service.

Privacy Policy

Dorset Tours is committed to maintaining your privacy. Dorset Tours gathers certain types of information about you as part of our operations. This Privacy Policy (“Privacy Policy”) explains the types of information we gather, what we do with it and how you may correct or change that information.

Information Collected by Dorset Tours

Dorset Tours collects one type of information about you – personal information (such as name and e-mail address).

Personal Information

This may include e-mail address, passwords, telephone numbers, address and other data needed to provide services to you. We will only require the minimum personal information we need and use it only to provide the services you have requested.

Sharing Data with Third Parties

Dorset Tours does not distribute personal information that you have shared with us, except as permitted in this Privacy Policy and our then-current Terms of Use, if any.

Some of the Information we collect is shared with tour guides who are directly involved in fulfilling the purchases you have made from us. We only provide our tour guides with your name and your local contact details if you provide them (e.g., your hotel name for pick-ups and drop-offs, your local phone number, your mobile phone number, etc.) We do not provide our tour guides with your email address or any other Personal Information.

We use third party vendors for email delivery and web analytics purposes, in order to improve your user experience and deliver you the most relevant content from Dorset Tours These vendors never share or sell your personal information.

Links to Third Parties

This site may contain links to sites other than our own and those sites may not follow the same privacy policies as Dorset Tours If you visit other sites by clicking on a link from our site, you should determine their privacy policies before using their information or services.

Additional Information

No one can guarantee that transmission of data over the Internet is completely secure. It may be possible for third parties to unlawfully intercept or access transmissions or private communication. While we strive to protect your personal information, Dorset Tours cannot warrant the security of any information you transmit to us and we shall not be liable for any special, incidental or consequential damages you may suffer in the event that your transmission of data was intercepted.

Dorset Tours reserves the right to change this Privacy Policy at any time. Any such changes will be posted online.