FAQ + Policies

Passports and Visas

It is each traveler's responsibility to have a passport valid for at least 6 months beyond the dates of travel and a visa if required.

Although you have a passport have your drivers license or state ID. Make copies all documents and leave a copy at home for your family and have a copy with you. YOU CANNOT TRAVEL WITHOUT A VALID PASSPORT. THE PASSPORT MUST BE VALID FOR 6 MONTHS AFTER TRAVEL. THERE ARE NO EXCEPTIONS TO THIS RULE.

 

How to Get A Passport

Follow the link below to the TSA's website:

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel.html

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Ensure You Have the US Embassy's Information For Each Country You Visit

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/ea/enroll-in-step.html

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Additionally, here is where you can view time zones across the globe:

https://www.timeanddate.com/time/map/

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Cell Phones & Calling Cards

You may wish to carry a cell phone while traveling. Check with your cell phone provider if your phone will work in the destination(s) you are visiting. If you can access the Internet as you travel, you can take advantage of email or a Skype Internet telephone (VOIP) account for the best value. Additionally, if your phone can connect to WiFi you may be able to make voice and video calls free of charge. Please contact your cell phone provider for further details. There is a charge to use the phone at each hotel. I would avoid making in calls using the hotels. You are responsible for all calls and purchases of a personal nature.

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Making Telephone Calls from One Country to Another

When dialing a number from one country to another, you should proceed as follows: dial your country's Exit Code (often indicated with a “+” sign), then the destination Country Code, then the Phone Number. For most countries, the exit code is 00. Exceptions include the USA and Canada (011), Hong Kong and Cambodia (001), Australia (0011), and Russia (8 Pause 10*). For Brazil, please consult with the local telephone company. If you are dialing from a mobile phone, you can enter a “+” instead of the international Exit Code (011, 001, 0011 or 00) by pressing and holding the 0 key. For most countries in Africa, Asia, Europe, South America and South Pacific, if you are calling from a local phone to a number within the same country, you should drop both the exit and country codes and then add a leading 0 (zero). Exceptions include Spain, Italy, Hungary and Malta (no additional zero needed to dial locally).

 

WiFi Access

WiFi access has improved. Free or inexpensive WiFi internet is accessible at coffee shops, airports, restaurants, libraries and on some trains and buses. WiFi access in hotels and cruise lines often involves a fee, determined by that property. Signal strength is subject to local conditions and not guaranteed. Availability on cruises is also dependent upon its location while sailing through multiple countries. Please note that WiFi can be extremely slow, unreliable and sometimes nonexistent in developing countries or, on moving conveyances such as buses and cruise ships.

 

Stay Healthy

All travelers should familiarize themselves with local conditions, such as high altitude or required immunizations, which could affect their health. We recommend you consult with your personal healthcare provider, the Centers for Disease Control (www.cdc.gov) and/or the World Health Organization (http://www.who.int/en/) for their recommendations.

 

There are several easy steps you can take to stay healthy while traveling which may help prevent contracting an illness while away from home.

• Watch what you eat. Try new foods in modest quantities, and depending upon your destination, you may want to avoid street foods, salad bars, raw vegetables and fruits, unless they have thick peels like bananas or grapefruit.

• Stay hydrated. Drink bottled water and avoid consuming ice cubes made with tap water.

• If you have allergies to foods, medications or insect bites, or have any other unique medical issues, consider a medical alert bracelet and/or a physician's note detailing required treatment should you become ill.

• Wash your hands regularly and carry hand sanitizer.

• Where appropriate, pack sunscreen and insect repellent (for both active and warm destinations).

• You may also want to bring a small first-aid kit with band-aids, antibiotic cream, pain killers, bug bite cream, digestive aids like antidiarrheal or anti-bloat medications, antacids, and cold medicine. This is in addition to any prescription medications which should be adequate for the entire trip.

 

For the benefit of all, please be considerate of your fellow travelers in the following ways:

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          • Learn the culture's Do's and Don'ts

• Refrain from wearing colognes, perfumes and/or personal products containing excessive fragrance in respect for other guests who may be allergic

• Avoid smoking cigarettes, e-cigarettes or cigars in the vicinity of other members, including in outdoor areas where smoking may be permitted but may still affect others

• Avoid attire with political or religious messages that may offend other travelers

• Refrain from conversation or talking on mobile phones while commentary is in progress

• Respect the mandatory seat rotation policy on the coach

• Make use of the available hand sanitizer on the coach to support a healthy environment

• Seek approval before taking photographs of other gests

• Respect tour departures times to avoid delay and loss of sightseeing opportunities. We will not wait for you. The best practice is to be early. 

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