Booking Terms and Conditions
John Ducie – John’s Tours of Ireland & Find My Irish Ancestors
The following terms and conditions apply whether a contract has been made verbally or in writing. If you have any questions regarding these terms, please contact:
1. Quotations
- Quotations are based on the most direct route and the information provided by you. The route taken will be at our discretion unless you have requested a specific route, which will be specified in the quotation.
- All quotations are subject to vehicle availability at the time of acceptance.
- Quotations are valid for 7 days, unless otherwise stated.
- To secure a booking, an agreed deposit is required. Once received, we will issue a booking confirmation, which you should review for accuracy.
Note: Unless otherwise stated, quotations include only limousine and driver. Additional charges such as admissions and parking are not included.
2. Price Guarantee
- The quoted hire cost is guaranteed if the payment schedule is followed and the original itinerary remains unchanged.
- We cannot guarantee the prices of third-party suppliers, especially those outside the Republic of Ireland, due to currency fluctuations and levies.
3. Payment
- The balance for all bookings is due at least 10 days before departure.
- Bookings made within 10 days of departure must be paid in full at the time of booking.
- Accepted payment methods:
- Bank transfer
- Cheque (must be received at least 14 working days before departure)
- Cash
- PayPal
- Banker’s draft
4. Cancellation Policy
If you wish to cancel your booking, please notify us by phone and follow up in writing. The following cancellation charges apply:
Day Tours | Free cancellation is available up to 48 hours before your scheduled tour departure. Cancellations made within 48 hours of departure are non-refundable. |
Multi-Day Tours | Multi-day tours have stricter cancellation terms because accommodation and other services are booked and paid for in advance. Cancellations made within 30 days of the tour start date are non-refundable. |
Shore Excursions | Shore excursions follow our standard 48-hour cancellation policy. Free cancellation is available up to 48 hours before your scheduled departure, while cancellations within 48 hours are non-refundable. |
Exceptional Circumstances | We understand that unexpected situations can arise. In exceptional circumstances, such as serious illness, John will always endeavour to be as reasonable as possible. Please contact us as early as possible if your circumstances change. |
COVID-19 Pandemic Policy
If you or your driver are unable to travel due to contracting COVID-19 or government-imposed travel restrictions, we will make every effort to:
- Refund deposits or arrange an alternative booking.
- Deduct only unavoidable costs incurred on your behalf.
- Refunds are subject to banking charges.
Travel Insurance: We strongly advise obtaining travel insurance to cover unexpected COVID-related disruptions.
5. Cancellation by Us
We reserve the right to cancel a booking in the event of:
- Emergencies or force majeure.
- Unilateral changes to the agreed hire terms by the client.
- In such cases, all monies paid will be refunded with no further liability.
6. Route and Time Variations
- Additional charges may apply for extra mileage or time beyond the agreed hire.
- Departure times are your responsibility—we are not liable for passenger losses due to missed departures.
- Driver rest periods and legal working hours must be observed.
7. Driver Hours
- Driver working hours are regulated by law. Any delay caused by passengers that leads to a breach of these regulations may result in additional charges.
8. Use of Vehicle
- The vehicle is not available for incidental use outside of the agreed hire period unless explicitly stated in writing.
9. Vehicle Type & Seating Capacity
- We will confirm the seating capacity at the time of booking. No more passengers than the stated capacity may be carried.
- If the agreed vehicle is unavailable, we will provide the best available alternative at no extra charge unless additional seats are used, in which case a pro-rata charge will apply.
10. Breakdowns & Delays
- While we strive to provide accurate journey times, we do not guarantee specific arrival times and are not liable for delays caused by breakdowns, traffic, or other unforeseen circumstances.
11. Itinerary Changes
- We may need to alter certain aspects of the itinerary. We will notify you in advance wherever possible.
12. Passenger Property
- Luggage is subject to statutory safety limits. Generally, one suitcase plus one small piece of hand baggage per person is allowed.
- The driver has full discretion regarding luggage storage.
- We do not accept liability for lost or damaged property left in the vehicle.
- Lost items will be held for three months before disposal.
13. Passenger Conduct
- Music and audio devices may not be played without prior permission.
- Drugs (other than legally prescribed medication) are strictly prohibited.
- The driver has the right to remove any passenger behaving abusively or breaching statutory regulations.
- Passengers are responsible for any damage caused to the vehicle.
- Alcohol consumption is prohibited on the vehicle.
- Food and drink (except small confectionery items) are not allowed without prior permission.
- Smoking (including e-cigarettes) is strictly prohibited.
- Soiling or vomiting in the vehicle will incur a €150 cleaning charge.
- Animals (except guide dogs) are not permitted without prior written consent.
14. Currency, Passports & Duty-Free Goods
- You are responsible for ensuring you have the correct currency, passport, and visas.
- You must comply with duty-free and duty-paid regulations—we are not liable for confiscation or delays due to non-compliance.
15. Travel Insurance
- While not compulsory, we strongly recommend obtaining travel insurance, especially for trips outside the Republic of Ireland.
16. Our Responsibilities
- We will fulfill the terms of your hire agreement as confirmed.
- We carry full indemnity insurance for passenger and third-party personal injury or death.
17. Complaints Procedure
- If you experience an issue during your hire, please notify the driver or our representative immediately.
- If unresolved, submit a written complaint within 14 days.
- We will acknowledge complaints within 14 days and aim to respond within 28 days.
18. Contract Agreement
- These terms and conditions form the contract between you (the hirer) and John’s Tours of Ireland & Find My Irish Ancestors.
- Unless notified otherwise in writing, you accept these terms in full.
- It is the hirer’s responsibility to ensure their group is aware of these conditions.
By booking with us, you agree to abide by these Terms and Conditions, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable experience with John’s Tours of Ireland & Find My Irish Ancestors. Thank you for choosing us for your journey! 🚗☘️