Passports

LDS.Travel recommends all passengers joining one of our cruises or tours obtain a passport. 

While originally the U.S. Department of State regulations stipulated that passports would be needed by January 8, 2007 for land and sea travel, regulations changed and are subject to further revision.  Having a passport is the best way to be prepared and is the easiest way to be sure you have the documents you need.  For example, even if your cruise does not involve air travel outside the U.S., should you be required to unexpectedly depart a vessel prior to the end of the sailing, a passport would be required to re-enter the U.S. by AIR.  Your passport must not expire until 6 months after you have returned home from your cruise. Women who have recently married, or who have chosen to keep their maiden name will need to also bring their marriage certificate, to avoid any confusion at the port.

Information on how to obtain a United States Passport is available through the US Department of State\'s Web site http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html.

The following is a summary of US travel regulations.

ALL PERSONS traveling by air outside of the United States are required to present a passport or other valid travel document to enter or re-enter the United States.

Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) Information

The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative is a result of the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 (IRTPA), requiring all travelers to present a passport or other document that denotes identity and citizenship when entering the U.S.  The areas included in WHTI are Bermuda, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean region.  As many of the cruises offered by LDS.Travel are in these areas, we would like to highlight some additional travel information about them. CURRENTLY:
U.S. citizens need to present either (a) a passport, passport card (available as of Spring 2008), or Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) WHTI-compliant document; or (b) a government-issued photo ID, such as a driver’s license, along with proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate. LATER:
On June 1, 2009, the U.S. government will implement the full requirements of the land and sea phase of WHTI. The proposed rules require most U.S. citizens entering the United States at sea or land ports of entry to have a passport, passport card, or WHTI-compliant document.

If you are not able to obtain a passport, cruises that depart from the United States will require an original birth certificate (with the raised official seal) AND valid photo ID (i.e. driver\'s license) for each adult passenger.  In an effort to combat international child abduction, have an original birth certificate for each child under the age of 16 years.  Most cruise lines require that there be at least one adult over the age 25 in a cabin, however this requirement is waived if the passengers are married, so younger couples will also need to bring their marriage certificate. A VISA may also be required on more exotic itineraries. If your departure port is outside the US, we highly recommend that you make a photocopy of all important documents (i.e. VISA, passport) and keep the copies inside your luggage, to avoid long delays if your documentation is lost or stolen. You should confirm that you have the correct documentation ahead of time, since ordering official copies, etc. can take some time.

Foreign nationals should contact their governments for further details.

Vaccinations, Health Issues, Food You are not required to have any type of vaccinations prior to traveling to Mesoamerica. If you have any health problems, it is recommended that you check with your personal physician prior to departure. Also, please advise us of anything we should know regarding your health, as adjustments can sometimes be made to accommodate you.

Excellent medication is available in Mexico for what is commonly referred to as "Montezuma's Revenge." However, it does contain sulfa, which some people are allergic to. To avoid getting sick while on the tour, just follow common sanitation guidelines. Wash your hands before eating meals or snacks. Don't eat foods that you aren't accustomed to. We recommend that you only drink purified bottled water, which is readily available for purchase throughout the entire tour. As a standard of precaution, you should use the bottled water for teeth brushing as well. Most modern hotels have their own purified water systems, and sometimes even provide bottled water in your hotel room.

Preparing for Your Tour Time spent preparing yourself for a trip can greatly enhance the trip itself. To mentally prepare, we suggest you read up on the areas you will be visiting and the topics your Escort will be discussing. This is especially important in helping children and/or teenage travelers make the most of their travel.
Another area for preparation for travel is to develop a physical exercise program. Although there is usually not an excessive amount of walking, the decision to participate in all areas (climbing etc.) may be determined by your own physical condition. Also, try to familiarize yourself with the customs and traditions of the people in the areas you will be visiting.

Travel Insurance

LDS Travel strongly recommends that you purchase travel insurance to protect your trip investment and yourself while traveling. We are pleased to offer our Custom Travel Max policy available for purchase through Travelex Insurance Services, Inc.

Life is unpredictable, and there are plenty of good reasons that can make it necessary for a traveler to cancel his trip. There are also many uncontrollable variables associated with traveling. Travelers may purchase insurance which, under the terms of the policy, can cover most of these situations and unpredictables. This policy also offers the ability to waive the pre-existing conditions exclusion.

We have arranged Travel Insurance for all passengers on our groups which offer the policy on a one-rate basis, so each passenger pays the same rate no matter the age or medical history. You select the level of coverage based on the cost of your trip (consider airfare, bus, hotel, ship, and all costs associated). We highly recommend the purchase of travel insurance. This is a very comprehensive policy for very minimal pricing. Some of our trips may include the insurance premium in our package price, where we have made travel insurance a requirement for that particular trip. If the cost of the premium is not included, the pricing schedule for our Custom Travel Max policy is as follows:

Trip Cost
(use full cost per person) Base Plan Rates Per Person $0 excludes trip cancellation $36 $1 - $500 $41 $501 - $1,000 $71 $1,001 - $1,500 $104 $1,501 - $2,001 $141 $2,001 - $2,500 $180 $2,501 - $3,000 $214 $3,001 - $3,500 $264 $3,501 - $4,000 $299 $4,001 - $4,500 $336 $4,501 - $5,000 $385 $5,001 - $5,500 $448 $5,501 - $6,000 $496 $6,001 - $6,500 $541 $6,501 - $7,000 $584 $7,001 - $8,000 $654 $8,000 - $9,000 $757 $9,001 - $10,000 $851

For your own protection and peace of mind, it is wise to purchase our Custom Travel Max policy, which offers coverage for a broad range of travel mishaps and changes. For more information, or to order your Travel Insurance, please contact LDS Travel at 1-888-573-8687.

This is a partial description of benefits. Certain conditions, exclusions, and limitations apply as set out in the Certificate of Insurance. At this time, Custom Travel Max is not available to residents of New Hampshire, New York and Washington; please contact LDS Travel for alternative travel insurance options. Custom Travel Max is underwritten by: Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company and affiliated companies.

Packing & Luggage Some travel destinations limit the number of checked bags to two per person, with a weight limit of 50 lbs. Check with your airline for any baggage limitations. You should put ID tags on the outside of each piece of luggage, and some people put tags inside as well. Your luggage must NOT be locked for your flight.

Travel light when on a tour, bringing only 1 medium or large suitcase, and 1 small carry-on. The small carry-on or backpack should be filled with items you want on the bus or plane (snacks, medications, identification, reading materials, games, travel pillow, etc.). Also, keep valuables, tickets, sunscreen, cameras, etc. inside the carry-on, since you cannot access your luggage during the day, as it is stowed underneath the bus.

Floor space underneath the seats is limited, and there is approximately 1 overhead bin to every 4 passengers on each bus, so please be courteous with your carry-on. Also check airline restrictions for carry-on luggage. You should put ID tags on the outside of each piece of luggage, and some people put tags inside as well. New security regulations DO NOT allow you to lock your luggage.

Always wear comfortable shoes and cool, comfortable clothing. Weather can be very hot and humid, although evenings can be cool or cold if stormy. Plan according to your itinerary and the time of year. It?s a good idea to be able to layer clothing, keeping a light jacket or sweater available to use, since most busses are air-conditioned and because 75% of our tour is in areas in the mountains, where it is cool year around. It?s best to plan on NOT having the ability to do laundry, since most hotels do not have personal laundering facilities. Many hotels have professional laundering services, but they are usually expensive. Some prefer to do laundry in their own hotel bathroom.

Air Travel

Airline Reservations: Upon receiving your airline tickets or electronic ticket confirmation number, you should independently confirm your itinerary and make your seat assignment prior to departure. We submit seating preferences to the airline, however the only way to make sure you receive your request is by contacting the airline directly. We also recommend that you confirm your flight times within 24 hours of departure. When you arrive at the airport, go to the main ticket counter for your airline carrier to obtain a boarding pass before going through security. Two forms of identification will be required at the ticket counter, with one of them being photo identification. International flights usually require additional documentation, i.e. birth certificate, passport, or VISA. If you made your reservations electronically, you need only to report to the ticket counter. It is not necessary to bring your electronic confirmation number since you are in the airline?s computer system. However, we recommend that you do so to avoid any problems. If you received a regular, hard-copy airline ticket, you MUST take it with you to the ticket counter to check-in. Hard-copy airline tickets are non-refundable and non-replaceable, so keep them in a safe location, and don?t forget them. With added security measures, we recommend that you check in 1? hours prior to departure for domestic flights, and 2? hours prior to departure for international flights. The airlines have the right to give up your seat 30 minutes prior to departure if you are not at the gate ready to board.

Luggage: Airlines have restrictions on carry on of containers and liquids. Check with the airline or their website for the latest restrictions. You are allowed to carry on 1 piece of luggage and 1 personal item, such as a purse, laptop or briefcase. Always pack a change of clothes, medicines, toiletries, identification & documents, valuables and a light jacket in your carry on. Carry-on dimensions are 22? length x 14? width x 9? height, with maximum of 50 lbs. Keep your carry on with you at all times. Most flights allow you to check in 2 pieces of luggage. Some international flights limit you to 1 piece of luggage. If you are unsure, check with us or the airline for details. 1 Wheelchair per passenger may be checked in addition to the regular luggage, with no weight requirements. Wheelchairs will only be permitted in the cabin if the plane has enough space. Put identification tags on all luggage, and you may want to consider tags inside the luggage, in case the outer tags get torn off. We suggest you attach a unique colored band or ribbon to part of your luggage for easy identification at baggage claim.

Miscellaneous: Wear comfortable clothing for travel. You may want to bring a light jacket or sweater, since airplanes tend to be cool. Infant seats and/or strollers should be given to the stewardess or gate agent to be stored away during the flight. Infants under 24 months old do not require a ticket. However, you may choose to purchase a ticket to provide the infant a seat on the plane. Any car seat to be used in the cabin for ticketed infants must be FAA approved. Check the label for FAA approval. A doctor?s written approval is required for infants under 7 days old who are traveling by plane. There are numerous requirements for unaccompanied minors on flight. A minor is any passenger under the age of 12. Check with our office for your specific needs. Not all airlines are approved to provide oxygen while in flight. If you or someone in your party requires oxygen, you must check with us prior to ticketing the flight. There will be an additional fee which varies by airline for oxygen in flight.

Money/Purchases While on Your Tour Money/Purchases While on Your Tour: Major credit cards, Travelers Checks and US Dollars are typically all accepted in all modern foreign cities. It is advisable to have at least $100.00 in American currency, with the remainder in traveler's checks, probably best in $20 denominations. You will always need to show your passport when cashing travelers checks, and most of the time the rate of exchange is a little lower than for cash. If you prefer you may take all of your tour money in cash.

MEXICO The following information will be helpful if you are taking a Central America tour: The Mexican denomination is called the PESO. Guatemala calls their currency QUETZALES (Quetzal-singular).

BELIZE In Belize, they also use dollars, but it takes more Belize dollars to make US dollars.

Exchange rates can change daily, so we advise you to check with your bank if you want to know the current exchange rates.There is a $20.00 departure tax from Guatemala that you will need to pay when checking in for your flight home. This tax is not included in the tour.

Children and Special Needs There are some tours that may be too long or overwhelming for younger children. For this reason, some tours may have a minimum age requirement. If you do have children accompanying you on a tour, remember to bring age-appropriate activities relevant to the tour topic to enhance their learning experience. Also, small games, reading material, and snacks can fill the time on tour busses.

On most tours, we will make efforts to include children and teenagers in the curriculum to offer them the same learning experience. If a person under the age of 18 is traveling alone or with one parent to Mexico or Central America, he/she will need a notarized statement signed by BOTH parents which states that both parents approve of the minor traveling to a foreign country. This is necessary even if the parents are divorced. If one of the parents is deceased, you will need to notify us.

Some portions of the tour may be physically demanding and more difficult for physically challenged tour members. If you or a member of your party has special needs, please contact LDS Trips ahead of time to make any special arrangements that will enhance your tour experience.

Tipping Guide

It is protocol to tip 1-your room steward, 2-personal head waiter and 3-Head waiter at the end of the cruise. The amount is at your discretion, however it is suggested that you plan on approximately $10 per day, per passenger. Maitre d' and Head Waiter tips are at your personal discretion.

Envelopes will be provided the last night on the cruise for tipping in cash, or some cruise lines offer to include your tips on your onboard ship account, that will be charged to your credit card.

Porters will handle your baggage when you arrive at the embarkation dock, and you should plan on $1.00 per bag in tips. Also, remember bus drivers or tour guides for shore excursions usually get $1.00 per passenger. Some specific sites have their own guides that will join the tour for information and assistance at that site. You should plan to pay these guides around $1.00 per person for their services.

Group Tour Etiquette Be a responsible group member. Do not be late when assigned a departure time. When transferring hotels, arrive in the lobby with plenty of time for your luggage to be loaded, so that you can be in your seat and ready to depart at the given time. An announced departure time refers to the actual time the bus will drive away. Make sure you have checked out, eaten, used the restroom, stowed luggage, etc. Avoid wandering off from the group, so that no valuable tour or instruction time is wasted looking for people in your party.

Bus Etiquette The bus driver is not a maid, and we must keep the bus clean. Regularly pick up after yourself during the day. Observe the rules for food and beverage on the bus. At the end of each day, be sure to take everything off the bus with you. The bus gets serviced during the night, and neither the driver, nor the bus company will be responsible for any lost or stolen items that were left on the bus. The toilets on the bus are to be used in emergency only. The bus will make regular restroom stops as per each itinerary. Please be sure everyone in your party has used the restroom prior to re-boarding the bus.