Terms and Conditions
Please read the Terms and Conditions below and sign your full name and date in the form that follows.
Rates, (subject to current restrictions) per person, double occupancy, limited to 10 PARTICIPANTS. A 20% non-refundable deposit at the time of registration is required. All rates are per person, quoted in U.S. dollars, and must be paid in U.S. dollars. Itineraries are subject to change.
Trip price includes all accommodations, group meals, including selected beverages with lunch and dinner, group transfers, guided excursions as stated in the itinerary, entrance fees at sites, all visas, and medical expense coverage and emergency evacuation insurance.
Not Included: All excess baggage charges; transportation to the airport, email/internet/fax/telephone charges.
These Terms and Conditions apply to all Bridging the Nations Ministries Intl. Inc. programs.
1. RATES
Published PROGRAM fees include airfare. Printed rates are subject to change without notice. BNMI provides as a service to PARTICIPANTS, the ability to purchase airfare from Baltimore to Cuba, Cuban visa, and other airport related services for a fixed fee, called FLIGHT PACKAGE. Flight package prices are subject to change unless accompanied by a confirmed booking.
2. REGISTRATION AND PAYMENTS
The PARTICIPANT has agreed to pay the applicable PROGRAM fee in consideration of BNMI providing the opportunity for the PARTICIPANT to participate in BNMI PROGRAM, inclusive of accommodations and other services for the PARTICIPANT as set forth below. A 20% non-refundable deposit is due at the time of registration. The remainder of the fee and Flight Package cost is due 60 calendar days prior to the date that the PARTICIPANT is scheduled to arrive in Baltimore or Cuba, depending on the tour start location. If payment in full for PROGRAM fee and/or Flight Package is not received on or before the due date, the PARTICIPANT’S PROGRAM may be cancelled.
3. CANCELLATION AND REFUND
BNMI reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to reject an individual at any time prior to departure or to cancel the BNMI PROGRAM in which a PARTICIPANT is scheduled to participate. In the unlikely event of such a cancellation by BNMI or if a PARTICIPANT has been rejected, the total amount paid to Bridging the Nations Ministry (less airfare) will be refunded, unless the cancellation is due to non-payment of the PROGRAM fee and/or Flight Package by the PROGRAM fee’s due date, or is due to governmental action beyond BNMI control, in which case the amount refunded will be reduced to the extent BNMI has incurred expenses in organizing the PROGRAM. Other than such a refund, BNMI will not be responsible to a PARTICIPANT for any other refund, costs, interest, liability or damages of any kind.
If PARTICIPANT cancels for any reason, he or she must notify BNMI in writing. The cancellation will be effective upon BNMI’s receipt of the written notification at its office in Annapolis, MD. BNMI incurs substantial administrative and planning costs prior to the departure of PARTICIPANT. Therefore, regrettably, if PARTICIPANT cancels his or her participation in the PROGRAM, funds paid by PARTICIPANT to BNMI can be refunded only as set forth below.
The 20% deposit is non-refundable. PARTICIPANT may apply this deposit to another BNMI PROGRAM to be scheduled to depart within 365 days of the original scheduled start date, subject to space availability.
If the cancellation is effective:
61 days or more prior to the scheduled start date, the Fee and Flight Package costs paid, not including the deposit and any applicable airline cancellation penalties, will be refunded;
60 to 45 days prior to the scheduled start date, 50% of the Fee and Flight Package costs will be retained, and the balance, not including the deposit and any applicable airline cancelation penalties, will be refunded;
44 to 31 days prior to the scheduled start date, 75% of the Fee and Flight Package costs will be retained, and the balance, not including the deposit and any applicable airline cancelation penalties, will be refunded;
30 or fewer days prior to the scheduled start date, none of the Fee or Flight Package costs will be refunded.
If PARTICIPANT cancels his/her program and chooses a refund, PARTICIPANT will forfeit the future use of his/her deposit.
No refunds will be made for unused portions of the PROGRAM for any reason. Flight package costs are non-transferable.
PARTICIPANT is responsible for transportation costs to the start location in Baltimore or other designated gateway city. The PARTICIPANT is also solely responsible for any airfare or other travel fees, charges, expenses or penalties that might result from any cancellation of or change in the PARTICIPANT’s PROGRAM, whether the PARTICIPANT cancels the PROGRAM or it is cancelled or altered by BNMI.
It is very important that a PARTICIPANT understands the cancellation policy. If it is not clear, the PARTICIPANT should ask for clarification. BNMI cannot make exceptions to this cancellation policy for any reason, including medical emergencies. Medical Evacuation insurance of $50,000 of Trip Cancellation insurance is automatically included in the PROGRAM fee. BNMI STRONGLY URGES THE PARTICIPANT TO UPGRADE AND/OR PURCHASE ADDITIONAL TRIP CANCELLATION INSURANCE.
4. CHANGES TO REGISTRATION
Changes to type of PROGRAM or start date by participant are considered a cancellation and are subject to the Cancellation and Refund policy found herein. PARTICIPANT changes may be subject to additional airline or hotel fees should the original rates no longer be available for your revised travel dates. Revisions to air tickets are subject to the airline fare rules, change fees, and cancellation policies. Air prices may vary depending on the day of travel, gateway city, routing, and airline class of service booked, which is determined by seat availability.
5. FLIGHT ARRANGEMENTS TO HAVANA
Baltimore Washington International Airport is BNMI’s main hub. All flight arrangements to Cuba are processed through this hub. It is solely the responsibility of the PARTICIPANT to arrive at the hub a minimum of 3 hours prior to the scheduled departure time of the international flight. BNMI, will inform all PARTICIPANTS as soon as the international flight arrangements have been completed. BNMI strongly encourages PARTICIPANTS to wait until flight times are communicated to make domestic flight arrangements. BNMI is not responsible for any missed, delayed or cancelled flights.
6. PASSPORTS, COVID 19 VACCINATION CERTIFICATE AND U.S. AND CUBAN VISAS
The PARTICIPANT is required to have a passport valid for six months after the return from their BNMI PROGRAM. PARTICIPANTS holding a passport from a foreign country; green card, U.S. visa, or special-use passport are solely responsible for understanding the limitations imposed on their passport, green card, U.S. visa, or special-use passport regarding re-entry back into the United States. BNMI cannot be held liable for a PARTICIPANT who is refused service by the Carrier Service Provider or entry into Cuba because of a restricted U.S. visa or Passport or denial of a visa by the Cuban government. In the event the PARTICIPANT is refused entry to Cuba because of Visa or Passport issues or denial of a visa by the Cuban government, applicable cancellation penalties may apply.
The PARTICIPANT is required to have received both COVID 19 vaccinations and provide a copy of their vaccination certificate. This is required at the time of registration. Boosters when applicable are recommended. BNMI reserves the right to refuse travel to anyone not holding said certificate.
PARTICIPANT is responsible for having on his or her person, proper documentation to enter Cuba as well as to re-enter the United States, and proper documentation to travel via a third country (if applicable) to Cuba. For certain categories of travel, a TSP can assist PARTICIPANT in applying for a Cuban visa from the Cuban government and delivering it before departure. The Cuban Government retains the right to grant or deny visas.
7. CUBAN-BORN PARTICIPANTS
PARTICIPANT acknowledges that the Cuban Government imposes different requirements for Cuban-born persons traveling to Cuba than others, and that such a person obtaining a Cuban visa, if needed, can take a minimum of 8 to 12 weeks. BNMI suggests that all Cuban-born persons wishing to participate in the Program contact BNMI or an authorized Charter Company directly for more information. BNMI is not responsible for any information it provides to participants in this regard, or for any delay or denial in the issuance of a Cuban visa, if required.
8. CHANGES TO PROGRAMS
We endeavor to operate the PROGRAM as outlined herein. However, circumstances beyond our control may require an adjustment to the PROGRAM or its inclusions. We strive to avoid such changes, but must reserve the right to make such modifications. If a PARTICIPANT cancels his or her participation in the PROGRAM because of a PROGRAM change, normal cancellation penalties will apply.
We must reserve the right to substitute hotels if necessary.
9. TRAVELERS REQUIRING SPECIAL ASSISTANCE
PARTICIPANT must report any disability requiring special attention at the time a reservation is requested. BNMI will make reasonable attempts to accommodate the special needs of such PARTICIPANT, but does not guarantee this, and is not responsible for any denial of services by airline charter companies, Cuban carriers, hotels, and other independent suppliers. BNMI regrets that it cannot provide individual assistance to a PARTICIPANT for walking, dining, getting on and off motor coaches, and other transportation vehicles, or assist with other personal needs. PARTICIPANTS who need such assistance must be accompanied by a qualified companion who is also a PARTICIPANT in the PROGRAM.
10. AGE POLICY
Due to the educational and cultural nature of our church-to-church exchanges, PARTICIPANTS on BNMI tours should be at least 18 years-old. Exceptions may be made on a case-by-case basis.