TRAVEL
INFORMATION
Mayflower Tours wants to provide you with information that is
designed to make your vacation more enjoyable.
Click on the topics below for more details.
YOUR
TOUR MANAGER
LUGGAGE INFORMATION
INCIDENTAL CHARGES
TIPS ON TIPPING
AIRPORT SECURITY
AIRPORT TICKETING
TRANSPORTATION INFORMATION
PROOF OF CITIZENSHIP – CANADA & MEXICO
TRAVEL
U.S. & CANADA CUSTOMS AND IMMIGRATION
VISAS – U.S. PASSPORT HOLDERS – INTERNATIONAL
TRAVEL
AIRPORT DEPARTURE TAXES & OTHER FEES
NO SMOKING PLEASE
CELLULAR
TELEPHONE USAGE
A FINAL WORD
YOUR TOUR MANAGER
All Mayflower Tour Managers have been carefully selected and
specially trained in the skills that assure a carefree, enjoyable
trip. They are knowledgeable, understanding and devoted to making
this a relaxing and memorable tour. They supervise the handling
of luggage, take care of check-in and departure from hotels,
reconfirm included meals, and brief you on the daily events
and timetables during the tour. They will assist with transportation
logistics at the beginning and end of your tour. They are happy
to assist in suggesting restaurants, ideas for free time, or
simply look after reasonable special requests. He or she will
do all that is possible to accommodate you.
LUGGAGE INFORMATION
You are welcome to bring a normal-sized suitcase as well as
a small carry-on bag. The handling of the normal-sized suitcase
will be our responsibility, and the carry-on will be yours.
Simply attach the Mayflower Tours luggage tag to your suitcase
before leaving home. We will see to it that your suitcase arrives
where and when you do. Your Tour Manager or bell man will arrange
for the suitcase to get to your room. On travel days, your Tour
Manager will give you the time your bag should be available
for pick-up by the bell man.
The carry-on bag is allowed on the motorcoach. Carry-on storage
is very limited, bags with wheels will not fit in the overhead
compartments. PLEASE REMEMBER TO PACK ANY MEDICATION IN YOUR
CARRY-ON OR CARRY IT WITH YOU.
Note: If you are traveling on an air tour, airlines have strict
regulations concerning luggage weight allowance. You may be
asked to pay an additional fee at the airport if your luggage
weight exceeds 70 pounds (50 pounds on some airlines). In addition,
your checked bag cannot exceed 62 linear inches (length + width
+ depth). Please check with your airline to verify weight and
size restrictions.
INCIDENTAL CHARGES
While staying at your lodging, costs you incur for phone calls,
room service, cable TV movie charges, in-room bar, laundry,
and other special services are your responsibility. Please take
care of these charges as soon as possible, either the night
before or on the morning of departure, being mindful that your
tour’s departure is not delayed.
TIPS ON TIPPING
When people go out of their way to do their best, providing
extra service with a smile, you like to reward them for a job
well done. Since most people would like to say a special "thank
you" to their Tour Manager and driver, may we suggest
the following guidelines: A gratuity of $3 to $5 per person
per day for your Tour Manager; $2 per person per day for your
driver. These individuals are with you throughout the entire
tour, so please use your own judgment and tip according to
services rendered. Please handle this on an individual basis
- the best way to present this gratuity is in an envelope with
your name on it. We request that group collections not be taken.
You may also wish to reward a step-on guide with a $1 per person
gratuity for their contribution to the tour.
Gratuities for included meals and luggage handling at all hotels are included
in your tour cost. Not included are tips for luggage handling at all airports,
maid service, services of a personal nature, meals or drinks that are not included
as part of the tour, gratuities to Tour Managers, drivers and step-on guides.
Please note that many airlines now have a charge for curbside check-in, typically
$2 per bag. This is a fee imposed by the airline and does not include the
gratuity to the skycap that assists you with check-in.
AIRPORT SECURITY
Travelers using most major airports are now required to have
an airline-issued boarding pass prior to clearing security checkpoints.
Computer generated itineraries, e-ticket receipts or paper tickets
are no longer sufficient to pass security, the boarding pass
must be issued first. Boarding passes can be issued by either
airline personnel at the ticket counter or electronically using
the self-service kiosks located nearby.
Travelers are also subject to random searches at security checkpoints.
AIR TICKETING
Let Mayflower complete your travel experience by arranging
air transportation from your hometown. Our air reservations
staff will be happy to work with you to find the most cost
effective and convenient departure and flight schedule. Best
of all, we are able to secure rates that are rarely offered
to the general public.
TRANSPORTATION INFORMATION
No matter what tour you are traveling on, we do all we can
to make your trip rewarding and enjoyable. All of our motorcoaches
feature the luxury of extra-wide, glare-proof windows and reclining
seats. A seat rotation program is followed to allow each traveler
an equal opportunity for viewing the sights from different
perspectives. We appreciate your cooperation in adhering to
this courtesy. No seats are reserved, with the exception of
the seat behind the driver, which is reserved for the Tour
Manager. To prevent injury, please remain seated while the
motorcoach is in motion. If you find it necessary to move around,
please do so carefully, holding on to the seatbacks of the
coach. For the protection of all passengers please be extremely
careful when removing your carry-on bag, or other stored items,
from the overhead rack. Your driver maintains the temperature
of the coach for the comfort of all passengers. Since individual
thermostats vary, you may want to bring a sweater along while
traveling.
PROOF OF CITIZENSHIP – CANADA
& MEXICO TRAVEL
U.S. citizens when traveling to Canada or Mexico by air are
required to carry a valid passport. No other documents will
be accepted. U.S. citizens when traveling to Mexico and Canada
can use a valid passport (preferred) or a photo ID along with
a certified copy (with raised seal) of their birth certificate.
Citizens of other countries should check with the consulate
to verify the documents required for entry into Canada or Mexico.
U.S. & CANADA CUSTOMS AND IMMIGRATION
Entry into Canada:
Upon arrival at the first port or airport of entry to Canada,
you will be required to show proof of citizenship (see valid
forms of ID above) as you pass through Immigration. If your
first port of entry is not your final destination and you are
connecting to another Canadian city, you must claim your luggage
and take it through Canadian Customs (carts available). After
clearing Customs, your luggage must be re-checked to your final
destination city and you then proceed to your connecting departure
gate.
If the first port of entry is your final destination, you may
then proceed to Baggage Claim to get your luggage and then
to Canadian Customs. After clearing Customs, follow the instructions
on transferring to your hotel which appear earlier in these
documents.
Re-entry into the U.S.:
U.S. citizens clear Immigration and Customs before leaving
Canada. If you are connecting through another Canadian city,
you will complete these formalities at the last airport before
leaving the country. Your luggage will be tagged when you check-in
but you must take it with you (carts available) until after
clearing U.S. Immigration and Customs. Be sure to get your
boarding pass at check-in. After clearing U.S. Customs, you
then put your luggage on the baggage belt and then you will
be able to proceed through Security and to your assigned gate.
VISAS – U.S. PASSPORT HOLDERS
– INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL
U.S. citizens must have valid passports, with an expiration
date of at least six months after the scheduled return date,
when traveling to Europe. Please make two facsimile copies
of the signature and photo page of your passport. One should
be kept apart from your passport, and the other should be given
to your Tour Manager. In a very few places a visa is needed
– Mayflower will inform you if your departure needs one.
You should also make a copy of your airline ticket and keep
it separate from the ticket itself.
AIRPORT DEPARTURE TAXES & OTHER
FEES
Not all international departure taxes are permitted to be collected
on the airline ticket. Please note that these taxes and other
fees are subject to change without notice. Also, any additional
fees imposed by the airline industry, such as fuel surcharges,
will be passed along to our tour members. Any departure taxes
imposed by foreign countries would be paid by the traveler
at time of departure from that country, and in local currency.
Special note for travelers to and from Canada: Many airports
in Canada impose an “Airport Improvement Fee” which
is collected prior to departure. This fee (approximately $10.00CAD
or $7.00USD) can be paid in either currency or by credit card
and is the responsibility of each tour member.
NO SMOKING PLEASE
Mayflower Tours has a no-smoking policy on the motorcoach.
Frequent rest and meal stops are made, providing ample time
for those who wish to smoke. Observance of this requirement
helps assure the well-being of all members of the tour.
CELLULAR
TELEPHONE USAGE
We understand the need to stay in touch with family and friends back home however
we request to please refrain from using cellular telephones while on the coach.
This will enable you and your traveling companions to receive full enjoyment
from the tour.
A FINAL WORD
So there you have it! Your next responsibility is simply to
sit back, relax and have the time of your life. Enjoy yourself! |
