Booking Terms & Conditions

These terms apply to all retreats, in-person workshops, and online workshops offered by Vocal Odyssey / Nessi Gomes, based in Guernsey, Channel Islands.

By making a booking, you are confirming that you have read and agreed to the points below.

1. Who You Are Booking With

All bookings are made with a Guernsey-based business.
Even if an event takes place abroad, your booking agreement is made with us in Guernsey and follows Guernsey law.

2. Payments & Deposits

A non-refundable deposit is required to hold your place on any retreat or workshop.
The deposit amount and payment schedule are always clearly shown on the individual booking page at the time you book.

The remaining balance must be paid by the deadline shown at checkout. If payment is not completed by the due date, your place may be released.

Returning participants from previous retreats receive a 10% discount as a thank-you for continuing the journey with us. To use this discount, please email us before booking so we can share your personal discount code. Discounts cannot be applied retroactively after payment has been made.

3. Why Payments Are Non-Refundable

Once you book, we commit financially to venues, accommodation, facilitators, and suppliers many months in advance. Because of these commitments, all payments are non-refundable and non-transferable.

By booking, you understand that your place cannot usually be resold at short notice.

4. If You Need to Cancel

We are unable to offer refunds or credits for:

  • Cancellation for any reason

  • Illness or personal circumstances

  • Late arrival or early departure

  • Non-attendance

  • Unexpected weather conditions

All payments made are final.

5. If We Need to Cancel

If we ever need to cancel an event, you will receive a full refund of all payments made.
Please note that we cannot cover any additional personal costs you may have booked separately, such as travel.

6. Online Workshops

For online workshops:

  • Full payment is required at the time of booking

  • All payments are non-refundable

  • Refunds are not available for non-attendance or illness

If we cancel an online workshop, a full refund will be given.

7. Fees & Currency

Any bank, PayPal, Stripe, or international transfer fees are the responsibility of the participant.
Currency conversions follow the xe.com rate on the day payment is received.

8. Travel, Insurance & Belongings

For in-person events, you are responsible for arranging your own:

  • Travel

  • Passports and visas

  • Travel insurance

We strongly recommend insurance that covers cancellation, illness, injury, and personal belongings.
We cannot be responsible for travel disruption, missed flights, illness, or loss or damage to personal items.

9. Health, Wellbeing & Personal Responsibility

By booking, you confirm that you feel physically, mentally, and emotionally well enough to take part in the retreat or workshop.

You understand that our work may include elements of voice, breath, movement, emotional expression, and group process, and that participation is always by personal choice and at your own responsibility.

You agree to:

  • Take full responsibility for your own physical, emotional, and mental wellbeing throughout the experience

  • Listen to your body and respect your own limits at all times

  • Inform us in advance of any medical, psychological, or physical conditions, injuries, pregnancy, or medications that may affect your participation

Our retreats and workshops are not a substitute for medical, psychological, or therapeutic treatment. You remain responsible for seeking professional support where needed.

10. Programme Changes

Sometimes small changes may be needed to the programme, facilitators, schedule, or venue. If this happens, we will always do our best to communicate clearly. These changes would not be a reason for a refund.

11. Participation & Group Care

We aim to create a safe and supportive space for everyone. In rare situations where someone’s behaviour feels unsafe or disruptive to the group, we reserve the right to ask that person to leave without refund.

12. Photography & Recordings

Photos, video, or audio recordings may be taken during events for sharing, promotion, or archiving. If you would prefer not to be included, you can let us know in writing before the event.

13. Force Majeure (Events Outside Our Control)

Occasionally, events outside anyone’s control may affect a retreat or workshop, including (but not limited to):

  • Extreme weather

  • Natural disasters

  • War or acts of armed conflict

  • Terrorism or security threats

  • Travel disruption

  • Government restrictions

  • Strikes

  • Power outages or platform failures

If an event must be cancelled for these reasons, any refunds will depend on what costs we are able to recover from venues, platforms, and suppliers.

14. Payments & Disputes

If there is ever a payment issue or concern, we ask that you contact us directly so we can try to resolve it together.

15. Governing Law

These booking terms follow the laws of Guernsey, Channel Islands.

16. Data Protection

We take your privacy and data protection seriously. Any personal information you share with us is handled in line with our Privacy Policy (Section 17), which explains how we collect, use, store, and protect your data.

By booking with us, you agree to the handling of your personal information as outlined in that policy.

17. Privacy Policy

We are committed to protecting your privacy and handling your personal data with care, transparency, and respect. This policy explains how we collect, use, and protect your information when you use our website or book a retreat or workshop with us.

17.1 What Information We Collect

When you contact us, make a booking, or use our website, we may collect:

  • Your name

  • Email address

  • Phone number

  • Billing and payment details

  • Any information you choose to share with us through enquiry or booking forms

Payment information is processed securely by our payment providers (such as Stripe and PayPal) and is never stored by us directly.

17.2 How We Use Your Information

We use your information only for the purposes of:

  • Managing your booking and payments

  • Communicating with you about events you have booked

  • Sending important updates related to your retreat or workshop

  • Providing access to online content or recordings (where applicable)

  • Meeting basic legal and accounting requirements

We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal data.

17.3 Emails & Mailing Lists

If you choose to join our mailing list, you may receive occasional updates about our work, retreats, or workshops.
You can unsubscribe at any time using the link at the bottom of our emails, or by contacting us directly.

17.4 Cookies & Website Analytics

Our website may use cookies and basic analytics tools to understand how visitors use the site and to improve the experience. Cookies do not give us access to your personal identity.

You can choose to disable cookies in your browser settings if you prefer.

17.5 How Your Data Is Stored

We take reasonable steps to keep your personal information secure. Data is stored using secure platforms and services provided by Squarespace and our payment providers.

We only keep your information for as long as necessary for the purpose it was collected, or as required by law.

17.6 Your Rights

You have the right to:

  • Ask what personal data we hold about you

  • Request corrections to your information

  • Request that your data be deleted

  • Withdraw consent to communications at any time

You can make any of these requests by contacting us directly.

17.7 Third-Party Services

Our website and payments rely on trusted third-party services such as Squarespace, Stripe, PayPal, and email platforms. Each of these services has its own privacy policies and security measures.

17.8 Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Any changes will be posted on this page.