Age Restrictions

Explorica does not accept applications for travelers under the age of 10. As our prices are based on student rates, adults age 23 and older are welcome to participate, however, they are responsible for paying a flat adult supplement.

Cancellations

The parent or guardian of a participant may contact Explorica to inquire about cancellations. Official cancellation requests MUST be faxed to us at 888.310.7088 or emailed to cancellations@explorica.com.

Will my reservations be cancelled by Explorica if I do not make my payments?

If you do not meet the conditions of your payment plan, your reservations will be cancelled and standard cancellation fees will apply.

Explorica's Travel Protection Plan: Cancel For Any Reason Benefit

We offer all travelers the option of purchasing our Travel Protection Plan, which includes a Cancel for Any Reason Benefit. For more information about benefit rules and timelines, please see the Travel Protection section of our website.

Please note: If you are due a refund after cancellation, processing takes approximately four to six weeks.

Adult Rooming

Adults (23 years of age or older) are automatically placed in twin rooms unless a single room is selected and paid for at the time of enrollment. The adult rooming supplement fee for US travelers is $30 per night ($70 per night on ferries and cruise ships) and $65 per night for a single room. For Canadian travelers it is $40 per night ($95 per night on ferries and cruise ships) and $80 per night for a single room.

Roommates are assigned by your Group Leader and requests should be given to your Group Leader 60 days prior to your departure.

Refunds

If your account has an overpayment Explorica will process your refund once all funds have cleared the bank. This usually takes about 2-3 weeks from the time the refund is posted. If your account has been cancelled, any refund due will be processed 4-6 weeks from the date of cancellation. If you purchased Explorica's Travel Protection Plan, you may submit a claim to Trip Mate.

Explorica issues refunds in the same method payments were made. Please note that Explorica cannot refund credit cards that were not originally used for payments, or that exceed the total amount charged to that card. Please contact Explorica at 888.310.7121 with questions concerning your refund.

Special Needs and Disabilities

Students or adults with special needs or physical disabilities may travel on an Explorica Tour. Please let us know in advance of your departure and we will do everything we can to accommodate your needs. Please note: some bus companies and hotels are not wheelchair accessible. We ask that you contact your Program Consultant or a Customer Care Representative with your specific needs.

Alternative Departure Gateways

If you would like to depart or return from a different airport than your group, please indicate this request at the time of your enrollment. Select your desired departure airport from the Alternate Gateway menu on the Customizations page, or include your selections on your paper application. You will pay the Tour Fee and Airport Fees based on your departure city plus a service fee ($145 USD, $175 CAD) and we will change your airline ticket accordingly. Travelers must depart from and return to the same US/Canadian gateway.

Sending a Group Check

If you would like to allocate check funds amongst group members, please fill out Group Check Form. If your check is larger than your participants’ total balance, please assign the extra amount to the Group Leader. If you have more than one group check to submit, please make a copy of the form and submit a separate one for each. Please mail this form(s) with your check(s), payable to Explorica Inc, to:

Explorica, Inc.
145 Tremont St., 6th fl.
Boston, MA 02111

Parental Authorization

The governments of certain countries require parental consent for a minor to enter. This document needs to be completed prior to departure and taken with the traveler on tour. The forms below must be signed and notarized in order for each student to enter the country. Each traveler must present the form, along with a valid passport, to the airline attendant upon checking in.

Any specific questions or concerns regarding the necessity of these forms or how to complete them should be directed toward the embassy of the country being visited.

Greek Cruises

Specific details and requirements vary by cruise line so please be sure to research your cruise line's guidelines prior to your departure. The following is a list of helpful information:

General Information

• Each passenger is responsible for bringing all required travel documents (passports and visas).
• Safety boxes for your valuable items, jewelry, money and documents are available on most ships.

Attire

• Light-weight layers are recommended to suit the weather conditions of Greece and Turkey.
• Comfortable shoes are recommended for excursions as well as formal wear for evening functions.

Health and Medical Requirements

• If you are taking any medication please bring a copy of your doctor’s notes with you.
• Pregnant ladies who are 6 months and over are not allowed on board due to safety reasons.

Frequent Flier Miles

The ability to obtain frequent flyer miles will vary depending on the airline; some airlines will credit your account and others cannot do so because you are flying on a group ticket. You will need to contact the airline directly, as Explorica is unable to negotiate frequent flyer miles on your behalf. It is helpful to obtain your boarding passes.

Travel Delays

Travel can be unpredictable and arrival times are not guaranteed.

• If you are flying from the west coast or into southern Europe, you should expect a late arrival time. Your Tour Director will work to readjust your itinerary in order to accommodate your arrival.
• If weather or mechanical problems delay your flight, your airline must work with you to make alternate arrangements and you will join the tour already in progress.
• We strongly recommend purchasing Explorica's Travel Protection Plan Protection to protect you in the case of a travel delay or other unforeseen circumstances.

Land Only

For many of our tours, you may opt to arrange your own airline tickets and join the group at the first hotel at their first overseas destination. We will discount your Tour Fee by up to 35 percent. Tours that include an internal flight (such as China) do not permit the Land Only option.

You may sign up as a Land Only Participant online, by selecting the Land Only box on the Customizations page. Should you wish to mail us a paper application, please mark your application accordingly to reflect this option.

Please note that all Land Only Participants are responsible for their own airline tickets AND airport transfers. You will not be met at the airport by an Explorica representative.

ATTENTION MINOR TRAVELERS (UNDER THE AGE OF 18)

Minors may NOT travel Land Only unless one of the following conditions is met:

1. The traveler is accompanied by an adult. If the accompanying adult is not the parent or guardian of the traveler, written consent must be provided by the legal parent or guardian.
2. The parent or guardian of the traveler has signed a consent form acknowledging that the traveler will not be met at the airport and Explorica will NOT supply chaperone or transport service to or from the airport. Forms must be completed at the time of Land Only enrollment and faxed to Explorica at 1.888.310.7088.

Late Sign Up and Reinstatement (International Tours)

All enrollments and reinstatements received less than 99 days prior to departure are subject to a $125 late sign up fee and must immediately be paid in full, including the service fee. After late applications have been received, additional charges (for last-minute flight reservations, increased Tour Fees, etc) may apply. You will be notified of these additional fees before any charges are made.

Late applicants will be placed on a waiting list and be marked "pending" while we look into securing hotel and flight reservations. Over 90% of our wait-listed participants are accepted.

• Any participant reinstating under 99 days prior to departure must pay a $50 reinstatement fee in addition to the late sign up fee. All current tour costs will apply, as well as any previous late payment fees or selected optionals.
• If your late application is received between 98 and 65 days prior to departure and Explorica is unable to reserve flight space with your group, you may refuse the available flight itinerary and cancel your entire tour reservation for a full refund (or amount paid to reinstate).
• If your late application is received between 64 and 30 days prior to departure and Explorica is unable to reserve flight space with your group, you MUST accept the alternate flight itinerary offered. You will still be met by an Explorica representative at the airport of your final destination and will join your group for all of the tour's activities, transfers, accommodations, etc.
• We cannot make flight arrangements for anyone wishing to sign up or reinstate between 29 and 16 days prior to departure. Should you choose to sign up at this late a date, you must do so as a land only participant.

Payment Plans and Options

Explorica offers three convenient payment plans and accepts Visa and MasterCard (credit and debit), checks, electronic checking account payments and money orders. Payments can be made online, over the telephone or by mail.

Checks should be made payable to Explorica and sent to:

Explorica, Inc
145 Tremont Street, 6th floor
Boston, MA 02111

International Tours:

Monthly Automated Plan:

Pay your $95 Explorica Membership Fee plus any travel protection plan fees with a credit card or checking account upon enrollment, and the balance of your Tour Fee will be automatically charged to your card or debited from your account in equal monthly installments until 65 days prior to your departure date. Please note that you must make all payments by credit card, debit card, or checking account. If two consecutive payments are returned NSF or declined, we will change your account to the 3-Step Manual Plan.

Full Payment Plan:

Pay in full at time of enrollment.

3-Step Manual Plan:

Pay your $95 Membership Fee upon enrollment, and then pay $500 toward your balance 30 days later. The total remaining balance is due 99 days prior to departure. You must make each payment manually.

Monthly Automated Plan:

Pay your $100 nonrefundable deposit plus any travel protection plan fees with a credit card or checking account upon enrollment, and the balance of your Tour Fee will be automatically charged to your card or debited from your account in equal monthly installments until 65 days (45 days for bus groups) prior to your departure date. Please note that you must make all payments by credit card, debit card, or checking account. If two consecutive payments are returned NSF or declined, we will change your account to the 3-Step Manual Plan.

Full Payment Plan:

Pay in full at the time of enrollment.

Optional Excursions

Explorica offers optional excursions on most of our tours to provide flexibility to your itinerary.  Any excursion labeled “optional” on the tour description is not included in your tour fee and may be added, for an additional cost, to your itinerary.  To find out more about Optional Excursion costs, see Optional Excursion section of our Terms and Conditions.

While most optional excursions can be booked during your tour, Explorica recommends that you book them prior to departure to ensure availability.  Some excursions, such as the optional Versailles excursion, are pre-book only and must be booked before departure.  A minimum of 20 participants is required in order to run each activity.