GROUP TRAVEL: OUR ANSWERS TO FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Passports and Visas
If your tour is outside the U.S., you must have a passport valid for at least six months beyond the return date. If you do not already have a passport, or if yours will expire prior to the required time period indicated above, you should begin the procedure for obtaining or renewing one as soon as possible. The Internet, as well as Federal, State, County Court buildings, and some branches of the U.S.Post Office can provide you with application and renewal forms.

Keep your passport with you at all times—never pack it in your suitcase. You will need it at check-in for international flights as well as other situations such as identification when cashing travelers cheques and at hotel reception desks.

It is always a good idea to carry a photocopy of the data page of your passport that has your photograph, along with a spare passport photograph. In the unlikely event that you lose your passport, these can be used as proof of identity and speed the process of obtaining a replacement. Keep these duplicates in a place separate from your passport.

A visa is a permit from a foreign government for you to enter their country. It is issued as a separate card or stamped entry in your passport by that country’s Embassy or Consulate in the U.S. Visas can take several weeks to obtain. Most countries do not require a visa for American citizens. If you are required to have a visa, it will be noted in your brochure and Travelink will send you forms and information at the appropriate time. You must already have a passport before you can obtain a visa. Costs of the visa and the processing fees are generally not included in your tour price.

Health and Safety Matters
For most countries, the government does not require immunizations, but you should consult your personal physician, local health department, or The Center for Disease Control in Atlanta, Ga., who may recommend preventative measures. Required inoculations must be recorded on the Official International Vaccination Certificate, which can be obtained by your physician or from your County or City Health Department. It is the passenger’s responsibility to keep up with inoculation requirements and documentation.

The best thing you can do to protect yourself from illness overseas is to make sure you start your trip healthy.
Be sure to take along sufficient amounts of any medications you normally use. Prescription drugs must be in the container with the doctor’s prescription on it. Be prepared for colds and minor stomach problems more often than not caused by a change in drinking water and an inevitable change in diet. If you have any questions about the water, play it safe and drink bottled water without ice.

Accommodations
Your tour hotel category has been selected by you or your Tour Leader. Categories are normally tourist class, superior tourist class, first class, superior first class, and deluxe.

All tour prices are based on double occupancy with two persons sharing a room.

There is an additional charge if you request a single room, or are traveling without a roommate.

Triple rooms are available, but only a few hotels have them and will grant little or no discount to the double occupancy charge. Usually a roll-away cot or bed will be provided. But remember, you will be sharing closet and bathroom space that was built for two people.

Room assignments are made by hotel management based on run-of-the-house availability with every attempt made to provide rooms of similar size and view in each group block.

Check-out times at most hotels is noon. If you arrive before 4:00 p.m., occupancy is subject to availability and you may encounter a delay while the room is being cleaned for your arrival. It is for this reason our tours often include a lunch stop and/or some panoramic sightseeing en route to the hotel.

Meals
Your brochure will indicate meals that are included in the tour price. Meals, other than breakfast, unless otherwise indicated, do not include beverages. Even if all meals are included on your tour, you may wish to have a few snacks such as granola bars, nuts, raisins, or hard candy on hand as one of the effects of jet lag is getting your body clock adjusted to different meal times.

The Motor Coach
The land portion of your tour is generally covered by the best available, modern, air conditioned, deluxe touring coach designed for comfort, visibility and acoustics. Most coaches have audio systems with speakers located throughout the cabin allowing your Tour Manager/Guide to communicate information and instructions effectively. It is recommended that tour participants rotate seating so that preferred seats are shared by all. While regular comfort stops are made, some touring coaches also have onboard rest rooms.

Sightseeing
A complete program as indicated in your brochure is provided. Admission fees are included, and English-speaking local guides will accompany the tour. From time to time, due to local conditions, changes may be made in the order of places visited, but every attempt will be made to include everything listed in your printed brochure or suitable substitutions will be made.

Luggage
Your tour allows for one full size checked suitcase per person. This is due to space limitations on motor coaches. In addition, you may have a carry-on bag that will fit in the overhead rack or under the seat. Porterage, when available at airports and hotels, is for only one piece of checked luggage per person. Check your brochure to see if this service has been included. However, because porters are not always available, it is best to take only what you can comfortably manage yourself.

The best type of checked luggage is hard-sided with wheels. A sturdy soft-sided bag can also take rough treatment, but is more vulnerable to theft and damage. Do not bring hanging garment bags as there is not space for them on a full coach. We suggest your carry-on luggage include sleepwear, a change of clothing, toiletries, and all prescription medications. Checked baggage will be delivered to your hotel room, but group porterage does take time.

Leave room in your luggage for those special souvenirs you are sure to find, or bring along an extra collapsible tote.

Safeguarding Your Luggage: Before leaving home, itemize your bags’ contents and their worth. This list will help you estimate the extent of your loss if your bags go astray. To minimize that risk, tag your bag inside and out with your name, address, and phone number. Use a tag on the outside of your suitcase that conceals your address and phone number. Or, use your business information on the tag to avoid listing your home address while you are away. Remove old bag tags and stickers. Attach a special identifier to flag your suitcase, such as a piece of colored yarn. Use our color coded bag tags to assist with identifying your bag as part of your group. And remember that only TSA-approved locks are allowed on checked luggage. These locks can be opened by a special TSA key, yet retain your combination and help protect the contents.

At check-in, make sure that the tag attached by baggage handlers bears the correct three-letter code for your destination. If your bags do not arrive with you, or if you detect damage, do not leave the airport until you’ve filed a written report with the airline.