Cancellation Policy - Galapagos 2014
The process of setting up and operating photographic adventures is complex.  In some cases deposits have to be made many months in advance to hold space and those are not refundable if we later release that space.  Sometimes a cancellation would result in a group not meeting minimum enrollment and the trip would have to operate at a loss or be canceled.  Accordingly, we need to have  policies to protect our ability to put together and operate the adventures - and to protect those people who do not cancel.  In the Galapagos we are chartering the entire yacht and required to place substantial deposits when we book the space - and those fees are not refundable.
At the same time, we understand that plans sometimes have to change.  Sometimes health issues cause unplanned or involuntary cancellation.  Other events and circumstances beyond your control may necessitate cancellation.  It is not our intention to be unreasonable.
Hence, the following policy for the Galapagos in 2014:
We will refund all payments prior to December 15, 2012 - minus a $200 handling fee. For cancellations received between December 16, 2012 and September 20, 2013, we will refund all payments except the initial deposit and unrecoverable expenses. For cancellations received between September 21, 2013 and January19, 2014 we will refund everything paid except 50% of the trip cost unless our unrecoverable expenses are higher. Those canceling after January 20, 2014 will forfeit the entire workshop fee unless we are able to find someone else to fill the space, then we will refund the fee, minus expenses incurred, plus a $400 handling fee. If a cancellation causes the adventure to fall below the minimum count (ten paying patrons) no refunds will occur unless someone else brings the count back over minimum.
In some cases we may not be able to recover deposits that we make that exceed this policy.  When that is the case, those funds will not be refunded.
With all of that said, when circumstances cause someone to cancel and they have to forfeit funds, we work with them to find ways to recover at least some of that loss on a future workshop.