Watkins Shared Adventures

Terms & Conditions

Introduction

These Terms & Conditions apply to all travel experiences organized by Watkins Shared Adventures ("WSA"), including day trips, overnight trips, extended tours, and other organized travel experiences unless otherwise stated.

By booking or participating in a WSA trip, each traveler acknowledges that they have read, understood, and agree to these Terms & Conditions.

Our Role

Watkins Shared Adventures organizes and coordinates group travel experiences. Depending on the specific trip, transportation, lodging, attractions, meals, and other travel services may be provided directly by WSA or by one or more independent travel partners or third-party service providers.

WSA serves as the trip organizer, group leader, and primary point of contact for travelers. While we carefully select our travel partners and work to provide an enjoyable travel experience, WSA does not own or operate transportation companies, hotels, restaurants, attractions, or other independent service providers unless specifically stated.

Third-party providers are responsible for the services they provide and remain subject to their own policies, operating procedures, and terms of service.

Booking & Payments

Reservation Deposit

Unless otherwise specified for a particular trip, a deposit is required to reserve a seat. The required deposit amount will be identified in the trip information or booking materials.

Reservations are confirmed once the required deposit has been received and accepted.

Final Payment

The remaining balance is due by the payment deadline established for each trip.

Failure to submit payment by the stated due date may result in cancellation of the reservation. Travelers experiencing difficulty meeting a payment deadline should contact WSA as soon as possible.

Payment Methods

Payment instructions vary depending on the trip and travel partner.

When paying by check, travelers should make checks payable to the organization identified in the trip payment instructions and mail them to:

Watkins Shared Adventures
215 N. 4th Street
Cannelton, IN 47520

Electronic payments may be available through WeTravel or other approved payment platforms. Any processing or transaction fees associated with electronic payments are the responsibility of the traveler and are non-refundable.

WSA is not responsible for delays caused by mail delivery, financial institutions, or third-party payment processors.

Cancellations & Reservation Changes

Standard Cancellation

Unless otherwise stated for a specific trip, cancellations made at least fourteen (14) days prior to departure are eligible for a full refund, including the deposit, provided WSA receives the cancellation in sufficient time to process it with any applicable travel partner.

A cancellation is considered received on the date WSA acknowledges the request.

Late Cancellation

Unless otherwise stated, cancellations made fewer than fourteen (14) days before departure are not eligible for a refund.

Occupancy Changes

If one traveler cancels from a double, triple, or other shared occupancy reservation, the remaining traveler(s) are responsible for any resulting change in room pricing.

WSA is not responsible for locating replacement roommates.

Refund processing times may vary depending on the travel partner and payment method.

Traveler Responsibilities

Travelers are responsible for reviewing trip information, departure locations, departure times, payment schedules, and travel requirements before travel.

Travelers are responsible for ensuring that the name provided during booking matches any government-issued identification required for the trip.

For international travel, travelers are solely responsible for obtaining and carrying all required passports, visas, identification, or other travel documents.

Travelers are also responsible for monitoring the email address provided during booking and, when applicable, the Watkins Shared Adventures mobile app for important trip updates and announcements.

Conduct During Travel

WSA is committed to providing a safe, enjoyable, and respectful travel experience for everyone.

Travelers agree to:

  • Treat fellow travelers, WSA leaders, drivers, hotel staff, attraction staff, and other service providers with courtesy and respect.
  • Follow reasonable instructions from WSA staff and trip leaders.
  • Return to the motorcoach and scheduled meeting locations on time.
  • Use personal electronic devices in a manner that does not disturb others. Earbuds or headphones should be used when listening to audio.
  • Respect shared spaces by keeping noise at a reasonable level.
  • Refrain from disruptive, abusive, threatening, or inappropriate behavior.
  • Avoid excessive intoxication that negatively impacts the group.
  • Respect the property of hotels, motorcoaches, restaurants, attractions, and fellow travelers.

WSA reserves the right to request reasonable health-related precautions from travelers displaying symptoms of illness when necessary to help maintain a safe and comfortable travel environment.

Failure to comply with reasonable instructions or conduct expectations may result in removal from the trip without refund.

Any expenses resulting from such removal, including lodging, transportation, meals, or other costs, are the sole responsibility of the traveler.

WSA also reserves the right to refuse future reservations from individuals whose prior conduct has negatively affected the travel experience.

Departure Times

Group travel depends on maintaining the published schedule.

Travelers are responsible for arriving at departure locations and returning to the motorcoach at the scheduled times communicated by WSA.

The group cannot be delayed for late arrivals except when required by law or extraordinary circumstances.

Travelers who miss a scheduled departure are responsible for any costs associated with rejoining the group or returning home.

Health, Accessibility & Special Assistance

Travelers should carefully review the activity level described for each trip before booking.

Many itineraries involve walking, stairs, uneven terrain, extended periods of standing, or other physical activity.

Each traveler is responsible for determining whether a trip is appropriate for their personal health and physical abilities.

Travelers requiring mobility devices, oxygen, dietary accommodations, or other special assistance should notify WSA at the time of booking.

While WSA will make reasonable efforts to communicate accommodation requests to applicable service providers, accommodations cannot be guaranteed.

If a traveler becomes ill or injured during the trip, WSA may arrange emergency assistance when reasonably necessary. All resulting medical expenses, transportation costs, lodging, or other related expenses remain the responsibility of the traveler.

Luggage & Personal Property

Luggage allowances vary by trip and will be communicated in the trip information.

Unless otherwise specified, checked luggage may not exceed fifty (50) pounds per piece.

Travelers are responsible for their own luggage and personal belongings.

WSA is not responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged personal property.

Itinerary Changes & Operational Flexibility

Group travel requires coordination among numerous independent organizations and is subject to circumstances beyond WSA's control.

Published itineraries, departure times, hotels, attractions, restaurants, transportation, and other trip components may be modified when necessary due to weather, safety concerns, operational requirements, transportation issues, venue availability, government actions, public health events, or other unforeseen circumstances.

Reasonable substitutions may be made when necessary to maintain the overall quality and operation of the trip.

Assumption of Risk & Limitation of Liability

Participation in group travel involves inherent risks, including those associated with transportation, weather, physical activity, public venues, and services provided by independent third parties.

To the fullest extent permitted by law, Watkins Shared Adventures is not responsible for injury, illness, death, property loss, delays, cancellations, additional expenses, or other damages arising from:

  • Acts or omissions of independent travel partners or third-party service providers.
  • Weather or natural disasters.
  • Transportation delays or mechanical failures.
  • Government actions or travel restrictions.
  • Public health events.
  • Civil disturbances or other events beyond WSA's reasonable control.
  • The actions or omissions of other travelers.

Nothing in these Terms limits any rights that cannot legally be limited under applicable law.

Travel Insurance

Travel insurance may be available depending on the trip and travel partner.

Information regarding available insurance options will be provided with the applicable trip when offered.

WSA does not provide insurance coverage and is not responsible for insurance policies, claim determinations, coverage decisions, or disputes between travelers and insurance providers.

Travel insurance is strongly recommended for all overnight and extended trips.

Photography & Media Release

During WSA trips, photographs and videos may be taken by WSA representatives. Travelers may also voluntarily share photographs or videos with WSA through email, text message, social media, the WSA mobile app, or other communication platforms.

By participating in a WSA trip, travelers grant Watkins Shared Adventures permission to use such media for promotional, educational, informational, and marketing purposes, including websites, social media, printed materials, advertisements, and other publications.

No compensation will be provided for such use.

Travelers wishing to opt out of promotional use should notify WSA in writing before departure. While reasonable efforts will be made to honor such requests, incidental appearance in group photographs or videos cannot be guaranteed.

Governing Law

These Terms & Conditions shall be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of Indiana.