The following Terms and Conditions apply to all Dreams Come True Respite Grants from the Autism on the Seas Foundation. Families​ receiving a grant will be required to sign and acknowledge full acceptance of these terms before the grant commences.​

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Definitions 

 

The following terms apply throughout these Grant Terms and Conditions: 

“Autism on the Seas Foundation” (“the Foundation”) refers to the nonprofit grant-making organization offering the Dreams Come True Respite Grants. 

“Autism on the Seas” (“AotS”) refers to the Connecticut-based travel agency providing staff-assisted travel services and is a separate legal entity from the Foundation. 

“Grantee(s)” refers collectively to all family members awarded a Dreams Come True Respite Grant. 

By accepting a Dreams Come True Respite Grant, the Grantee agrees to be bound by the terms and conditions set forth below.

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Grant Coverage 

 

Covered costs are determined by the Foundation based on the specific family needs and are provided at the Foundation’s sole discretion. Covered costs may include, where applicable: 

 

• Cruise Fare (a refundable reservation will be made). 

• Standard Daily Gratuities, prepaid and added to the reservation. Grantees may NOT remove gratuities from the onboard account at any time. Grantees will submit a copy of their final cruise invoice showing the gratuities were not removed. 

• Transportation to and from the port of departure, including ground and/or air transportation, and a one-night pre-cruise hotel stay if required 

• If any transportation cost cannot be pre-paid by the Foundation (such as taxi or parking fees), the Grantee will submit receipts to reclaim the cost from the Foundation after the cruise 

• Travel insurance to cover grant-funded costs in the event of cancellation. Travel insurance may not cover all incidental or personal losses. 

• A Wi-Fi package for one device to facilitate communication with the AotS Group Leader 

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Any expenses not expressly covered by the grant are the sole responsibility of the Grantee, including but not limited to:

  

• Specialty Dining or Beverage Packages 

• Shore excursions 

• Additional Wi-Fi packages beyond the single, covered device 

• Any other paid onboard amenities or activities

• Food and drink while traveling from home to port and back 

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Wherever possible, all bookings and payments for covered costs will be made directly by the Foundation to vendors. Funds will only be disbursed directly to the Grantee in exceptional circumstances. 

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Travel Requirements 

 

Grantees are responsible for obtaining all required travel documentation necessary to participate in the cruise. The Foundation is not responsible for the cost of obtaining such documentation or for any fees, penalties, or losses incurred due to failure to obtain required documents in advance. Required documentation may include, but is not limited to:

 

• A valid passport or birth certificate for all travelers to cruise 

• A valid passport or REAL ID for travelers aged 18 or older who require air travel to the port of departure 

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Grant awards are subject to the availability of sailings, staff, and program resources. The Foundation reserves the right to modify, reschedule, or substitute vacation arrangements due to circumstances beyond its control. 

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Employment Leave Confirmation

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Any participating family member who is employed at the time travel arrangements are made must obtain written confirmation from their employer approving the necessary vacation leave, paid time off (PTO), or other authorized absence for the duration of the trip. Such confirmation must be provided to the Foundation upon request and prior to travel if required by the Foundation.

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The Grantee acknowledges that failure to obtain or provide satisfactory proof of approved leave may result in cancellation, postponement, or modification of the trip at the Foundation’s discretion. Any costs, losses, or additional expenses arising from a failure to secure appropriate leave approval may become the responsibility of the Grantee.

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Notification of Circumstances Affecting Travel 

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The Grantee agrees to promptly notify the Foundation of any circumstance, event, condition, or matter that may affect the ability of any participating family member to undertake or complete the vacation arranged by the Foundation. Such matters include, but are not limited to, medical or health issues, employment or workplace restrictions, legal matters, court orders, travel restrictions, passport or immigration issues, or any other circumstance that could prevent, delay, or materially impact travel.

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The Grantee acknowledges that failure to disclose such information in a timely manner may result in cancellation, postponement, modification of travel arrangements, or additional costs, for which the Family may be responsible.

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Cruise Re-booking Policy 

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Cruise bookings made through the Dreams Come True Respite Grant are intended to be final once confirmed. Requests to re-book a cruise will only be considered in exceptional circumstances and solely at the discretion of the Foundation.

 

Conditions for Re-booking 
A request to re-book a cruise may only be considered if all of the following conditions are met:

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1. Final payment has not yet been made to the cruise provider. No changes, transfers, or re-bookings will be permitted after the final payment date. 

2. The reason for the requested re-booking was unknown and unforeseeable at the time the grant was awarded. 

3. The replacement cruise itinerary must be of equal or lower total cost than the original booking. Any additional costs, including fare increases, change fees, travel insurance adjustments, or other related expenses, are the sole responsibility of the Grantee. 

4. The re-booked cruise must involve the same primary Grantee and immediate family members approved under the original grant unless otherwise approved by the Foundation. 

5. Only one re-booking request may be submitted per grant unless otherwise authorized by the Foundation.  

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Re-booking Request Process 
To request a re-booking, the following process must be followed:

 

• The Grantee must submit a written request to grants@aotsf.org explaining in full the reason for the requested change and providing any supporting documentation requested by the Foundation.

• The Foundation’s Review Committee will review the request and determine whether the re-booking may proceed.

• The Review Committee may approve, deny, or place conditions on any approved re-booking request.

 

If the request is denied, the Grantee may:

• proceed with the original booking as scheduled; or

• decline the original booking, in which case the cruise grant will be forfeited. 

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Approval of a re-booking request is not guaranteed. The Foundation is not responsible for penalties, supplier fees, loss of promotional pricing, or other costs associated with re-booking requests.  All re-bookings remain subject to availability and the policies of the cruise line and travel provider.

 

The decision of the Foundation’s Review Committee is final and not subject to appeal.  

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Force Majeure 

 

The Foundation shall not be liable for delays, cancellations, modifications, or losses resulting from events beyond its reasonable control, including but not limited to weather, public health emergencies, government actions, transportation disruptions, or vendor cancellations. 

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Privacy and Information Sharing 

 

By accepting a grant, the Grantee provides informed consent for AotS to share reservation and relevant family information with the Foundation, solely for the purposes of grant administration, service coordination, and program evaluation. Grantees may be invited to share photos, testimonials, or stories for program impact and fundraising purposes. Participation is voluntary and subject to separate written consent. 

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Program Participation and Conduct 

 

AotS operates a structured program both prior to and during the cruise. Grantees agree to always comply with program requirements and reasonable instructions provided by AotS staff.

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Grantees also agree to comply with all cruise line policies, safety requirements, and reasonable instructions provided by cruise line personnel. 

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Grantees acknowledge that cruise travel and related activities involve inherent risks and voluntarily assume all such risks associated with participation in the program. 

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Standards of Engagement 

 

The Foundation is committed to maintaining a professional, respectful, and productive environment for our staff, reviewers, and applicants. The following Standards of Engagement apply throughout the grant application process and before, during and after participation in a granted cruise.

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Respectful Conduct 

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We understand that grant applications and decisions can be deeply emotional. We ask everyone to communicate respectfully with Foundation staff, volunteers and reviewers.

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Serious or Prohibited Conduct 

 

The Foundation will not tolerate harassment, intimidation, or abuse. Prohibited conduct includes, but is not limited to:

 

• Use of offensive, derogatory, or discriminatory language 

• Aggressive or threatening communications directed at staff, reviewers or representatives. 

• Repeated or excessive contact after a negative decision has been rendered. 

• Knowingly making false statements about the Foundation with the intent to cause harm.

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Enforcement and Grant Revocation 

 

Failure to meet booking deadlines, submit required information, or comply with program requirements may result in forfeiture of the grant. 

 

The Foundation reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to revoke a grant and cancel the associated travel at any time if material information provided by the applicant is found to be inaccurate, incomplete, or misrepresented. 

Grants have no cash value and may not be transferred, sold, or substituted.

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Disqualification and Permanent Bans 

 

Failure to comply with these Terms and Conditions or the Standards of Engagement may result in one or more of the following actions, as determined at the sole discretion of the Grant Review Committee:

 

• Immediate disqualification of the current application 

• Permanent ineligibility to apply for or participate in future Foundation grants or programs 

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Decisions related to enforcement, disqualification, or permanent bans are final and not subject to appeal. 

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Governing Law 

These Terms and Conditions are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Connecticut, without regard to its conflict-of-law principles. 

 

If any provision of these Terms and Conditions is found to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect. 

 

The Foundation reserves the right to update these Terms and Conditions as necessary. Any material changes will be communicated to affected Grantees.