Power cuts and water supply
Hotels in certain destinations are sometimes subject to power or water cuts, although they do endeavour to keep inconvenience to a minimum. Hotels may, from time to time, charge a nominal daily fee to your room bill to cover their
additional costs for power. Such charges incurred are non-refundable and payable locally.
Weather
Some of our featured destinations are occasionally
affected by adverse weather conditions, eg. hurricanes.
Due to their unpredictability, they are a force majeure
event and we shall not be liable for any changes to
your holiday arrangements, either before departure,
or during the holiday, which in our judgement are
necessary to protect your interest and/or safety.
Building Work
Sometimes redecoration work or building work can commence at or near a hotel. These circumstances are beyond our control and we do not always receive advance notification. We will notify you as soon as possible, if we consider that building work will have a significant effect on the enjoyment of your holiday. See the Booking Conditions for more details.
Hotel Gradings
The dictat from Brussels demands that we give categories for our hotels. In the USA, there are no standard grading systems. Indeed some of thegrading awards require the hotels to pay subscriptions! One factor to take into account is the way that Americans actually describe their hotels. They call them 'Inns', 'Lodges', 'Resorts', 'Motels' and even 'Hotels'. 'Motels' can include some of the nicest possible properties. Please note that facilities and standards can vary between hotels of the same rating throughout the world. For example city hotels can have higher overall standards than a beach resort. If you compare the single-supplement charges shown on the individual hotel price panels, you can get a general idea of how hotels, of the same rating or country, compare.We have decided to award 'v' to our hotels. We range from 3 Virgin 'v's' to 5.
Excursions
Please note that height, weight and health restrictions may apply for some excursions.
American Hotels
Most rooms in American hotels have two double beds and can therefore sleep 4. Ideal for a family with 2 children but not so ideal
for four adults who don't know each other that well! Rooms can also come with one large double bed. Perfect for
a couple. Rollaway beds can usually be supplied by the hotel to a maximum of two but this rather depends on the
room size. Some hotels charge locally for these. Most hotel descriptions detail the bedding arrangements.
Special Requests
We will consider special requests such as high floor, pool view, vegetarian meals, seating requests etc, if we are advised at the time of booking. Whilst we will do our best to meet any requests, no guarantee is given as this does not form part of your holiday contract.
Private Villas/Apartments
We will book your accommodation for you with the number of bedrooms requested. However, accommodation can vary in the amount of equipment and bedding provided and this will be allocated in accordance with the number of people shown on your invoice. If additional people join you while utilising the
accommodation booked, we accept no responsibility
or liability for any shortfall in equipment or facilities.
Alcohol in the USA
Liquor Laws are strict in the USA. If you are under 21 or even look under 21 you will not be able to buy alcohol.
Carry some identity with you to prove your age! Remember that you cannot carry booze in your car unless it is
safely locked up in the trunk (boot). Do not drink and drive, you know it makes sense!
Disney Dining Plan
Advance dining reservations are strongly suggested. All Dinner Shows require advance dining reservations - show tickets can be acquired through lobby concierge.
The Dining Plan must be booked a minimum of 21 days before departure, is only available on single-centre holidays and is not valid for wedding packages. Bookings MUST include at least a 5-night stay at a Walt Disney World Resort Hotel and Disney tickets, for all people on the booking, both booked through Virgin Holidays. The Disney Dining Plan must be booked for everyone on the booking, for the full duration of their stay. The Disney Dining Plan is only available at selected restaurants; full details can be provided on request. Children 3-9 years must order from the childrens menu, where available. Children age 2 years and under are not eligible for the Dining Plan and must pay locally for any food/drink consumed.
The Dining Plan will not be valid if the above conditions are not complied with. In these circumstances, we reserve the right to alter your booking accordingly.
Credit Cards
It is standard practice worldwide for a hotel to ask for a credit card imprint to cover incidentals like room service, telephone calls or other hotel services being charged to your room. Most hotels will obtain authorisation on the required amount, which can range from $50 to $350 per room per night, subject to the range of chargeable activities offered. If you do not have a card, and wish to use the charging facility, a cash deposit will be required.
Tipping
Tipping is essential to most American restaurants and
hotels and is a more important part of US culture than
in Europe. It is usual to leave a 15% tip at most bars
and restaurants and with taxis, while airport porters
expect $1 per bag and hotel chambermaids $1 per
person per day. Some restaurants do add an
automatic service charge for groups of 6 or more, so
check your bill carefully before tipping.
Additional Room Charges
Please be aware that some hotels may charge a small fee per room per day for some servicesservices,
where available, eg daily phone charge or safety
deposit box.
Safety
We take the safety and security of our clients extremely seriously. Sadly, crimes against both people and their property are a fact of life the world over and when in a foreign country it is very important to be extra vigilant and avoid drawing attention to yourself. The Foregin & Commonwealth Office Travel Advice Unit may have issued information about your holiday destination(s). We recommend that you seek advice from the Foreign Office regarding your holiday destination(s) prior to making your reservation - this is easily available and can be checked on BBC2 Ceefax page 470 onwards or on the Internet under the address: www.fco.gov.uk/knowbeforeyougo by telephone on 0845 850 2829 or by email to consular.fco@gtnet.gov.uk.
Alternatively, you can contact the ABTA Information Department on 0901 201 5050 (calls are charged at 50p/minute). Your Travel Agent can also assist or
you can contact us direct for advice.
Travellers have the same responsibility for their own safety and that of their possessions as they do at home. Virgin Holidays operate to many parts of the world, some of which do not conform to British health and safety standards. We request that all hotels/operators comply with the local regulations but we cannot guarantee that these meet British standards and therefore urge you to undertake reasonable precaution whilst on holiday.