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Post by danaswasko on Sept 18, 2014 0:42:08 GMT
What exactly is included in the travel documents? I should recieve them in the mail soon. Is there a schedule, itinerary, optinals etc?
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Post by auselle on Sept 18, 2014 0:58:11 GMT
Yes to all the above. You don't say which company you are travelling with, but if it is Trafalgar you will receive a travel wallet with your itinerary and list of possible optionals. There will be a label to put on your suitcase when you arrive at your destination airport so that you are easily identified by their rep if you have transfers booked through them. There are other miscellaneous bits and pieces like an ekit sim card and a booklet of travel hints.
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Post by danaswasko on Sept 18, 2014 2:01:37 GMT
Yes to all the above. You don't say which company you are travelling with, but if it is Trafalgar you will receive a travel wallet with your itinerary and list of possible optionals. There will be a label to put on your suitcase when you arrive at your destination airport so that you are easily identified by their rep if you have transfers booked through them. There are other miscellaneous bits and pieces like an ekit sim card and a booklet of travel hints. wonderful. Yes i forgot to mention it ia trafalgar. Thank you so much! I am excited. |
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Post by Oz-T on Sept 18, 2014 11:49:58 GMT
Yes, it's very exciting when you're this close. All the docs that Auselle mentioned will be in that wallet. This is important because the hotel list is usually final at this stage so you have a couple of copies, one of which you can hand to family so they know where to contact you if necessary.
The optionals list is almost final (they can substitute or cancel still) but the prices are pretty well fixed. That's the time to firm whatever optionals you're thinking of taking, although the final decision will be made on Day 1 or 2 of the tour when they ask you to pay. Often this happens whilst on the coach (the TDs have new credit card devices that can process payments whilst on the road).
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Post by danaswasko on Sept 18, 2014 13:00:16 GMT
Yes, it's very exciting when you're this close. All the docs that Auselle mentioned will be in that wallet. This is important because the hotel list is usually final at this stage so you have a couple of copies, one of which you can hand to family so they know where to contact you if necessary. The optionals list is almost final (they can substitute or cancel still) but the prices are pretty well fixed. That's the time to firm whatever optionals you're thinking of taking, although the final decision will be made on Day 1 or 2 of the tour when they ask you to pay. Often this happens whilst on the coach (the TDs have new credit card devices that can process payments whilst on the road). Thank you, so once i pay, i cant change my mind/ add optionals? Oooo i cant wait for those docs. Thank you, you all are so kind and helpful  |
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Post by chech on Sept 18, 2014 13:40:51 GMT
If something comes up (you're not feeling well or see something else you want to do), you can skip an optional and usually you can get a refund. I've paid for optionals in the past but once had talked to the TD about maybe doing something else and he had said that if I decided to do the other thing, I'd get a refund. However, some optionals require reservations/pre-payment etc and the site/company running the optional may not permit refunds once the number and payment is given. But in 14 tours, with the research I did prior to departure (here on the forum and in tripadvisor), I was always able to have a good idea as to what I wanted to do. In most cases, I'd do them all anyway to get the full experience, but if one is on a budget, a bit of research can help determine which optionals are the best bet.  |
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Post by Oz-T on Sept 19, 2014 0:21:29 GMT
"Thank you, so once i pay, i cant change my mind/ add optionals?"
It's a bit flexible as Chech says, Danaswasko. In 2009 we had a optional tour cancelled on Trafalgar's Best of Egypt (due to lack of numbers) so the TD simply processed a credit to my credit card.
In 2013 pouring rain led to the cancellation of our optional cruise on Loch Lomond in Scotland. On that occasion the TD just handed back cash to all of us and somehow later must've reconciled all that with the credit card payments to Trafalgar. There were also some members of the group who were unwell and cancelled their prepaid optional tours and they did get refunds.
Committing to optionals at the start of the tour is still the best system because the TD can determine whether they'll proceed. That doesn't prevent the odd cancellation for whatever reason.
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Post by danaswasko on Sept 19, 2014 12:49:37 GMT
Ok, sounds good. Great information, very clear. I so appreciate it you have no idea!
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Post by chech on Sept 19, 2014 14:29:06 GMT
Don't forget to do your Express Check-in on the website if you haven't already. That gives the TD a lot of information including dietary restrictions. If you have food allergies, gluten intolerance or don't like a food like fish or pork or if you're vegetarian etc, that's where you can let the TD know (and double check on arrival that he got the information if you do have dietary restrictions). You will need your reservation number - it should be on the forms you got emailed to you from booking the tour. It usually starts with an A.  |
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Post by danaswasko on Sept 19, 2014 20:34:30 GMT
Yes, I did do that. I am lactose intolerant, bit I know what I can and cannot handle. I do t want to be too much of a bother lol. Kinda hard to make things without butter milk or cheese in italy I'll just be careful. |
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