All of our destinations are now fully open for travel, without any requirement for proof of vaccination. Nevertheless, in common with many cruise lines, we do strongly recommend that everyone is fully vaccinated against coronavirus. If anyone comes down with covid during one of our cruises, our vessel may be quarantined, with holidays curtailed for other guests on board, and livelihoods impacted for the crew. There are exemptions for those not vaccinated for medical reasons.
Our small-group holidays are ideal for single travellers. There is always someone to talk to when you want, but enough space to be by yourself if you prefer. Most of our trips are based on relatively small live-aboard vessels, with a limited number of cabins. As you will appreciate, vessel costs are high and we cannot normally let twin cabins go half empty. But at the same time, we do not like single travellers to be penalised financially just because you are travelling alone. So our policy for boat-based holidays is: if you would like guaranteed sole use of a cabin, there will be a surcharge. But if you are prepared to share (with someone of the same sex) then you do not have to pay a surcharge, even if no-one else books. For our land-based holidays (ie our Sri Lanka holidays) we stay in hotels, and single travellers can more easily be accommodated (ask for details).
Our trips run with between 8 and 18 people, with most being in the range 12-16. That is an ideal number – large enough to keep things lively and small enough to ensure that everyone gets to know everyone else.
If you book a holiday with us, your booking is governed by ‘The Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018’. Any payment to us is fully insured in case we were to become insolvent – full details supplied with trip information and on booking. Because we do not arrange flights, we do not have or require ATOL protection. If you would like to know more about your statutory rights: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2018/634/contents/made
In matters of travel security we follow the advice of the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office. For the latest, see: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice
In our experience, most of our clients prefer to make their own flight arrangements, giving themselves maximum flexibility on dates, stopovers and airlines. So we do not arrange flights. These days it is very easy for anyone to book flights online, and often cheaper too! However, we are very happy to provide advice on routes, schedules and other options.
Although booking flights and hotels online is easy, if you do want some assistance, we can recommend the services of:
Sacha Barbato
www.travelcounsellors.co.uk/sacha.barbato
01603-360-099
Sacha is an experienced independent travel agent based in Norwich (UK), specialising in booking flights and hotels for travelling birders and nature-lovers. In case you are thinking that your own private travel agent must come at a cost, well of course it does – Sacha has to make a living. But he has access to much cheaper rates than you and I do (and we do not take any commission from bookings made with him!). So if you do use his services you will not be paying much if anything more than you might be doing anyway.
We do not arrange hotels either side of our trips, but we are very happy to advise on options, and can supply suggestions for all of our destinations on request. These days, booking hotels or resorts is very easily done online via sites such as booking dot com (and usually at a cheaper rate than we could offer).
We have been reviewing trips as they come up, advising travellers in advance of likely outcomes, and making a final decision on whether or not it is possible to proceed one month ahead of departure. As things improve and international travel becomes a possibility once more, it is likely that most destination countries will require proof of vaccination. If your trip is delayed due to covid, you will be offered the choice to reschedule to a later date, or to receive a refund.
In matters of travel security we follow the advice of the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office. For the latest, see: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice
If you book a holiday with us, your booking is governed by ‘The Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018’. Any payment to us is fully insured in case we were to become insolvent – full details supplied with trip information and on booking. Because we do not arrange flights, we do not have or require ATOL protection. If you would like to know more about your statutory rights: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2018/634/contents/made
Our trips run with between 8 and 18 people, with most being in the range 12-16. That is an ideal number – large enough to keep things lively and small enough to ensure that everyone gets to know everyone else.
Our small-group holidays are ideal for single travellers. There is always someone to talk to when you want, but enough space to be by yourself if you prefer. Most of our trips are based on relatively small live-aboard vessels, with a limited number of cabins. As you will appreciate, vessel costs are high and we cannot normally let twin cabins go half empty. But at the same time, we do not like single travellers to be penalised financially just because you are travelling alone. So our policy for boat-based holidays is: if you would like guaranteed sole use of a cabin, there will be a surcharge. But if you are prepared to share (with someone of the same sex) then you do not have to pay a surcharge, even if no-one else books. For our land-based holidays (ie our Sri Lanka holidays) we stay in hotels, and single travellers can more easily be accommodated (ask for details).
In our experience, most of our clients prefer to make their own flight arrangements, giving themselves maximum flexibility on dates, stopovers and airlines. So we do not arrange flights. These days it is very easy for anyone to book flights online, and often cheaper too! However, we are very happy to provide advice on routes, schedules and other options.
We do not arrange hotels either side of our trips, but we are very happy to advise on options, and can supply suggestions for all of our destinations on request. These days, booking hotels or resorts is very easily done online via sites such as booking.com (and usually at a cheaper rate than we could offer).
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