Terms & Conditions

Terms and Conditions

Payments Accepted

We accept payments through check, Amex, Visa, MasterCard or Venmo. Full payment or a deposit is
required to secure your booking. Please feel free to contact us if you would like to discuss alternate
payment options. Be aware that there is a 3.5% convenience charge when using a credit card.
Booking Procedure
All booking requests will be processed directly on our website. If you prefer you can call and book
directly with M Squared Enterprises. DBA A Whale’s Song Expeditions.
Good to Know
Sometimes, there are elements outside our control, for example, the lodges raise the price after our
tour is announced. The chance is small, but we reserve the right to raise the price if we can’t avoid it.
All expeditions are subject to the realities of the natural world. Although we will do everything in our
power to stay on the planned itinerary, circumstances including but not limited to weather and ocean
conditions may make us alter the itinerary. Payments are not refundable for any itinerary change.
Furthermore, we make no guarantees of seeing any specific species.

Tax

Sitka City sales tax will be added to the cost of all expeditions:
5% October – March
6% April – September

Gratuities

Fees do not include gratuities.

Adjusting Your Reservation

You must contact our office directly to make any adjustments to your reservations. These include times,
dates, the number of guests attending, and type of activity. A new confirmation will be emailed to you
once the changes are completed. Adjusting your reservation does not exempt you from any penalties for
which you may be responsible.

Deposits

To reserve Tours, Expeditions, Charters, Water Taxi Services, and Gear Rental we require a Deposit in
the amount of 25% of the total amount due.
Payment of Balance Due
Full-Day, Multi-Day Tours or Expeditions, and all Charters the balance is due 120 days prior to
the date of the tour. The credit card that was provided for the deposit will be charged.
 Hourly Tours or Expeditions, Water Taxi and Gear Rental balance for is due 15 days prior to the
date of the tour. The credit card that was provided for the deposit will be charged.

Cancellations and Refunds – if you must cancel

We know that plans can change, and unforeseen circumstances can happen. We strive to provide the
best customer service available and at the same time be able to give quality service to our clients by
keeping our groups small and our rates affordable. Our cancellation policy ensures that we can keep our
rates affordable for future tours so that we can continue to provide our clients with the best
photography experience. All cancellations shall be made in writing by email and sent to
Neil@awhalessongexpeditions.com as soon as possible.
Effective December 1, 2023, all cancellations and changes are subject to the following policy:
Full-day, Multi-Day Tours or Expeditions and all Charters
Cancellations or changes made greater than 120 days before the tour start date, we will refund your
payment minus a $250 processing fee.
There are no refunds for cancellations or changes made less than 120 days before the tour or expedition
start date. However, if we or you can fill your spot, we will refund your payment minus a $250
processing fee. We will be happy to apply your deposit to another one of our future Tours or Expeditions
instead, (subject to availability).
In the very unlikely event that a tour is canceled, we will refund the tour fee to participants. Expenses
related to travel and lodging not provided by us will not be refunded. Some tours require that you
obtain Trip Cancellation & Travel Insurance after booking your trip with us. Proof is required 90 days
before the tour starts. Please contact us for any additional questions with regards to our cancellation
and refund policy.
Hourly Tours and Expeditions, Water Taxi and Gear Rental
Cancellations made greater than 15 days will receive a full refund. No refunds will be issued if
cancellation is made less than 15 days from the scheduled tour departure date or date of Water Taxi or
Gear Rental.
Cancellations & Refunds – If A Whale’s Song Expeditions must cancel
Please Note: All Tours, Expeditions and Water Taxi Service will proceed as scheduled in light rain and
other mild weather conditions. Due to safety concerns or unforeseen circumstances, the captain may

choose times of the day when weather and ocean conditions are more favorable. In the rare event that
we, A Whale’s Song Expeditions, must cancel a Tour, Expedition, Charter or Gear Rental you can choose
to reschedule (subject to availability) or receive a full refund.

Credit Card Statement

Your credit card statement will display M Squared Enterprises, (our legal business entity name) as the
company authorized to bill your bank or credit card.

Credit Card Charges

By making your reservation online or by telephone you agree to authorize M Squared Enterprises LLC
DBA A Whale’s Song Expeditions, to bill your credit card the agreed-upon amount for your reservation.
The credit card charges are authorized verbally and/or electronically by you, the reservation holder, and
are valid in lieu of a signed credit card authorization form.
Be aware that there is a 3% service charge when using a credit card.
Booking procedure

Liability Waiver

All tour and Expeditions participants are required to complete a hold harmless liability waiver before the
start of the tour.

Travel Insurance

Sometimes life happens and you must cancel because of unforeseen circumstances. We highly
recommend protecting your travel investment and purchasing a trip insurance policy that includes
emergency evacuation coverage.
Travel insurance provides you with trip cancellation/interruption, travel delay, medical expenses,
emergency assistance, air flight, baggage, and baggage delay coverages. Medical coverage purchased
with your policy is crucial if you do not have health insurance.
Proof of comprehensive travel Insurance is required for the following tours and expeditions:
• 13-Day Photography Tour
• 9-Day Photography Tour
Please note, that A Whale’s Song Expeditions does not recommend or endorse any plan or insurance
company as everyone has different insurance requirements.

Safety

With all the uncertainty around us, we understand more than ever the need for personalized service and
our impeccable attention to detail. In line with our personalized approach and our commitment to you,
we have implemented several policies to keep you safe. Our small groups also ensure that you have a
safe environment to enjoy the beauty of nature.

On 9-Day and 12-Day Photography Tours – For the safety of all participants in the extremely
remote setting of our adventure, we provide a medical form that each traveler must complete
and submit before departure. Your privacy is our priority, and we guarantee the strictest
confidentiality of your information. Specific food allergy information will be shared solely with
the lodges tasked with meal preparation along our journey. This medically pertinent data will be
maintained onboard throughout the trip, serving as a vital resource in case of any urgent
medical situations.
• Hand sanitizer is available for our clients to use during tours.
• Our Captain is first aid, CPR and AED trained and certified by the US Red Cross and will conduct
daily safety checks during the duration of the tour.
• We will conduct a pre-Tour safety briefing with opportunities for our clients to ask questions.

Confidentiality

M Squared Enterprises DBA A Whale’s Song Expeditions respects our guest’s privacy rights and will hold
all information from the Guest in relation to the purchase as confidential. Under no circumstances will
your information be handed to a third party, except as required for billing and regular tour operations
(e.g., hotel reservations, etc.).