GENERAL TOUR INFORMATION & TRANSPORT

The tours and prices featured on this web site were valid at the time of writing.

• On receipt of an enquiry we will provide you with a quotation that is tailor made to meet with your requirements.

• We will try and keep the tour in line with your and the groups budget.

• We will provide you with information about your chosen destination, the hotel and the places of interest that are within easy reach of your hotel.

• Once the tour has been discussed and agreed, we will provide you with flyers that you can distribute to your group to help promote the tour.

• The flyers will give the group all the necessary information about the proposed tour including what is included, a detailed itinerary that describes all of the places of interest that the group will be visiting as well as the price, deposit, any supplements, and a balance date.

• Booking forms for each person will also be provided so that people can make their reservation, which in turn can either be returned to the group organiser or directly to Simply Groups along with deposits.

• Simply Groups also offer a group presentation to assist with the promotion of the tour prior to any financial commitment.

• We recommend that you keep pick up points to a minimum but we will schedule as many as you and the group requires.

• A comprehensive information pack is provided for each person travelling and these will be sent to the group organiser 1-3 weeks in advance of travel. These information packs provide each member of the group with all the necessary information about every aspect of their tour.

We must stress in the strongest possible terms that you must make contact with us if you have even the slightest concern or question. Dotting the 'i's and crossing the 't's is vital to ensure that every aspect of your tour has been discussed and agreed prior to departure.

COMPLAINTS

We are fortunate that we very rarely receive complaints primarily because of the length of time we are afforded in the planning of the tour and also our 25 years experience in the group travel business. However, in the unlikely event that you or any of the group has a problem whilst away, you must make sure that you follow the procedure laid out below.

1. Speak to your driver. He or she will take the necessary action to try and resolve the problem.

2. If the driver is unable to resolve the situation to your satisfaction he or she will make contact with us so that we can act on behalf of you and the group.

3. If you wish to contact us directly, please do so on the emergency number that is in your information pack.

4. If the problem cannot be resolved whilst you are away and you feel that you have received a less than acceptable service during your tour, please write to Mr Simon Ayers at the company address.

ADDITIONAL CRUISE INFORMATION

ALL CROISIEUROPE CRUISES INCLUDE**

Ÿ Full board from dinner on day 1 to breakfast on the departure day.

Ÿ Adaptable cabins for twin and double use, all with air conditioning, shower & WC

Ÿ A welcome cocktail

Ÿ Evening entertainment

Ÿ Assistance of a Croisi representative

Ÿ A gala evening.

If you are away from the boat during the day on an excursion over the lunch time period, you will be supplied with a packed lunch to replace lunch on board.

For reasons of navigational safety, the captain and crew of the boat alone may decide to modify the cruises. All cruises are subject to tidal influences and arrivals times at the ports of call may be altered. Subject to the general and particular terms and conditions of sale CROISIEUROPE – Licence 067 95 0029

All cruises are operated by CroisiEurope with the exception of those tours in the above index that are marked with a red asterisk.

** The above applies to all CroisiEurope cruises except page 3, Cruise & Stay Paris & Brussels Themed Breaks. See this page for details.

If you wish to take out an allocation for a specific cruise all you need to do is phone or email Simply Groups giving us your details, chosen cruise, provisional numbers (required cabins) etc and we will discuss holding an option for a limited period until you have had time to collect deposits. We can also assist you by providing flyers and booking forms for you to distribute to your group’s members.

For coach & cruise packages we can provide a quote based on the number in your group or try and assist you by joining you with another small group. We can add individuals to existing groups however, we reserve the right to cancel any package should a minimum number (determined by Simply Groups), not be achieved at the time the deposits are payable.

Combined Flight & Cruise Packages. These may not require minimum numbers. Subject to availability, we can accept bookings from individuals as well as from small and larger groups.

Combined Coach & Cruise Packages. These packages are subject to minimum numbers.

Virtually all the excursions are included for each package, which are subject to minimum numbers. However, occasionally there may be an excursion that is bookable and payable on board, which will be detailed in the itinerary where applicable. Some excursions might not be appropriate for people with mobility or other medical conditions. Please ask either Simply Groups or seek the advice of the crew, if you are unsure if an excursion is appropriate.

We will provide you with a copy of Simply Groups booking conditions at the time of your confirmation of booking along with all the appropriate details relating to your chosen cruise and relevant payment schedule.

Please be aware that all airlines operate a fluid pricing structure and flights increase in price as availability decreases. If seats cannot be secured by the ATOL holder at the price allowed for within our package price, we will contact you to advise of the supplement that will be incurred. The same applies to rail packages.

Tickets & a comprehensive travel pack will be despatched approximately 3 weeks prior to your cruise departure date. Simply Groups have been complimented on the ticket and information packs that we provide each and every client. The information provided is comprehensive to say the least and enables you to read about each place of interest that you are visiting which enables you to get the most out of your tour.

The mps Amsterdam accommodates just 98 passengers providing a convivial atmosphere. Daytimes are largely spent up on the ship’s Sun Deck with its partially covered area, terrace and plentiful seating. Even if the weather is a little inclement, the comfortable lounge bar on the Promenade deck still allows you to take in those magnificent views through the large panoramic windows. This is also where the evening get-togethers take place, with a spacious dance floor, well stocked bar and seating for everyone, this is the ‘hub’ of the ship where you will gather after dinner to enjoy the evening entertainment. The quality of the food on board the mps Amsterdam is excellent and has been frequently praised. All food is freshly prepared and meals are served in the attractive restaurant, which also benefits from some magnificent views. The ship is air conditioned throughout, including the en-suite, twin berth cabins, which have practical fold up beds that allow the beds to be converted into a sofa during the day. Cabins are located on Promenade and Main decks accessible by a stairway and there is a chair lift between the Promenade and Sun deck. Some front Main deck cabins have restricted views and all Main deck cabin sliding windows are at a higher level, which make them more difficult to see out of

The MV Prinses Christina has 54 outward facing cabins with en-suite facilities and air conditioning throughout the vessel. The picture windows in the main lounge provide panoramic views and there is a lovely restaurant and bar where you can relax and watch the world go by in comfort. The Sun Deck provides added viewing and unrestricted viewing opportunities, weather permitting. The quality of the food has been praised by our regular clients and the staff have been a credit to the ship always providing a professional and friendly service.

The MV Virginia is one of the boats which has been a favourite with our clients for a number of years. All cabins are twin berth with en-suite facilities and are well appointed. The lounge area with it’s panoramic windows provides the perfect location to relax and watch the world go by. Evening entertainments are also provided (not all nights) in the lounge, where there is a well stocked bar. A sun deck, weather permitting, is the perfect place to make the most of the superb views. The food is of the highest quality, served by dedicated, professional and friendly crew who will make your stay fun and enjoyable.

Simply Groups insurance provides comprehensive cover, which is subject to medical screening. Simply Groups cannot provide insurance for the Treasures of the Red Sea package. Anyone choosing to use their own cover MUST provide details of this insurance to Simply Groups, prior to departure.

These cruises are operated by our partners and subject to their operating procedures. In particular, a Captain might need to change the itinerary depending on the tides, or restricted mooring, or for safety reasons and you will be informed of this during your cruise if applicable. The weather may also interrupt the offered itinerary and in certain cases, intermediary ports of call might be used. In this case, the cruise company will endeavour to arrange the best alternative solution that is suitable for passengers.

It is important that you inform us at the time of booking of any specific dietary requirements; eg coeliac, vegetarian etc. You can do this on your booking form in the space provided, so that we can request the necessary arrangements on your behalf. We cannot be held responsible should anyone fail to declare this information on their booking form. On all cruises, if you are away from the ship at midday a limited packed lunch will be provided.

For all cruises you will need to have a valid passport. For all cruises non EU citizens will need to consult the appropriate embassy or consulate. For the Treasures of the Red Sea. Visas and passports must be valid for 6 months after the return date. NonEU citizens are asked to consult the appropriate embassy or consulate. The weather may interrupt the offered itinerary and in certain cases intermediary ports of call may be used. In this case, CroisiEurope will endeavour to arrange the best alternative solution that is suitable for passengers.

TRANSPORT OPTIONS

In recent years we have seen a gradual increase in demand for alternative modes of transport.

Coach has been the mainstay for group travel and this remains the most popular mode of transport for short UK & continental breaks. Simply Groups do not have company representatives on board their coaches. The simple reason is that our drivers are absolutely brilliant. They are superb drivers first and foremost. They know what our groups require and are provided with a drivers information pack that is, to say the least comprehensive. They are aware of every visit time and have duplicate written confirmation forms from hotels and well as each place that is to be visited. they will have entrance vouchers, cheques or cash to make payment for your visits. They will escort you from the coach to the entrances to ensure that there are no problems and assist you throughout with your luggage, on boarding and disembarking. Your driver will become an integral part of your tour and our clients frequently ask for the same drives each year.

However, more recently there has been a demand for tours to further afield and also by rail including Eurostar to the continent. The Eurostar provides fast and comfortable travel to three major departure points from where you can access a superb network of rail partners taking you to destinations throughout Europe. Alternatively you can travel to noprthern europe by Eurostar and we can arrange for an executive coach to meet you at your arrival station and continue to provide an itinerary to suit your requirements

Flights are purchased through ATOL licence holding companies and details of your flights will include the necessary relevant information to conform to CAA regulations. Our flight partners will liaise directly with clients in respect to any flights and monies for this element of the package.

EUROTUNNEL
Your destination, duration and itinerary influence your travel options. In some cases it might be advantageous to take a more leisurely crossing to the continent by the short ferry crossings with P & O, Sea France or Stena Line to Ireland. However, taking the Eurotunnel can open up options, which might enhance your continental itinerary. Accessing northern europe quickly by Eurotunnel is one option we have found enables our itineraries to be more comprehensive on your day of travel and return travel days.