Feature Tours

FAQ's and Policies
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Any travel business requires legalities and policies to cover unforseen circumstances.  Check here for answers to your questions.  If you don't find an answer feel free to contact us.

FAQ's

1.   Can my flight be at a different time or to/from a different airport than the tour? 

Our group rate is based on flying a large number of people on the same flight.  However, if you live in Saskatoon or want to visit your grandchildren in Ontario we understand.  If you would like to fly at a different time you must make your own flight arrangements. Contact Feature Tours for the amount of reduction for booking your own flight.  If you live outside of Alberta, Feature tours will arrange flights from cities other than Calgary or you may make your own arrangements.

2. What meals are covered in the tour?

The price of the tour includes all breakfasts and either lunch or supper each day. These will usually be buffet meals with many choices of entrée as well as salads, beverages and desserts. NO MEALS ARE SERVED ON THE PLANE. You are responsible to eat before flying or taking a light lunch. Several options are available for purchase at the airport or you may bring from home. 

3.  What about meals not covered?

Generally when the bus stops for meals not covered by the tour you will have your choice of several fast food and/or sit down restaurants to choose from. The only exception to this is the Hill Cumorah Pageant. We will eat on-site from the concessions sponsored by Palmyra area service clubs. The choices there include BBQ chicken, burgers, salads, salt potatoes (a local favorite), and more.

4.  What should be in my carry on?

Each person should have a carry on bag. Please respect other passengers when you are choosing your bag. There is no foot space for luggage and limited space in the overhead bins. A bag the size of a large back pack is sufficient.

ALL your identification should be in your carry-on bag or in a purse, wallet, etc. Your carry on should contain anything you may need on the bus or during the day including edication, sweater or jacket, sun screen, mosquito repellant, reading material etc. You may also want to bring some snacks though some will be provided.  Luggage stowed underneath the bus will not be accessible until we stop for the night.

5.  How much extra money will I need?

The answer to this question depends on how much you like to shop, how many souvenirs you want to buy etc. You will need money for one meal/day, usually lunch, and shopping. Most tips (see 7 below) are included with the tour as is baggage handling. You should bring US money as exchanging can be a hassle. Most places will take major credit cards though many fast food outlets in the US do not. Bring some US cash even if you plan to use a credit card for most purchases.

Some of the hotels we have booked may be near a shopping center or mall but we will not be making scheduled stops just for shopping.  We will have time in both Palmyra and Nauvoo for souvenir shopping.

6.  What about tips?

Tips for all meals covered by the tour are included.  You will be expected to tip at your own discretion for meals purchased on your own as well as for maids in hotel rooms.  Drivers for tour buses are given a tip from passengers at the end of a tour.  The amount given is at your own discretion dependant on the quality of the driver but a minimum of $1 per day per person is common practice.  An envelope will be passed to each person or couple as we disembark at the last hotel.  The guide will collect the envelopes the next morning and hand them over to the driver with our thanks.  There will NOT be a tip collected for the guide since the tour operator (Jane Ficiur) will be the guide.

7.  What about bathroom breaks?

The bus will be making regular stops every two to three hours for stretching and bathroom. The bus is equipped with a toilet should it be needed between stops.

8.  Will I get to go to the temple?

Optional temple sessions are listed for Billings, Winter Quarters, Nauvoo and Palmyra. Not all will be open during the tour time. Some will be closed for summer maintenance and some we will arrive too late in the day to attend.

However, the tour will have the option of at least one temple session in Nauvoo. Also, youth 12 and over may have the option of doing baptisms in Nauvoo.  Of these temples, Nauvoo is the only one that rents temple clothing. If you plan to attend a session at one of the others you will need to bring your own clothing. Attendance at a session in one of these temples will be booked and confirmed for you before departure so that you know whether or not to bring your clothing.

For some you will be responsible for transportation to and from (taxi) as the bus driver must have nine hours for sleeping and cannot be expected to drive a few people to the temple and wait for the session to be over. If you wish to attend a session at any temple you must carry a current temple recommend.

9.  Can I leave my things on the bus?

Leaving your carry ons etc. on the bus while on the day's tour is expected. It is not advisable to leave things on the bus overnight as the bus is fueled and serviced while you are sleeping. Neither the tour or bus companies will be responsible for lost or stolen articles from the bus.

Luggage compartments underneath the bus are locked and secure at all times. 

10.  I’ve never taken a bus tour. What do I need to know about etiquette?

a) Don’t be late. The time listed for departure is when the bus needs to be leaving, not loading.  This applies to all departure times, both from hotels each morning and as we leave tour sites for our next destination.

b) Clean up after yourself. Waste cans are provided.

c) Be friendly. Expect to go home with new friends.

d) If you have a concern, discuss it with the tour guide and we’ll do our best to fix the problem.

11.  What can I expect for weather?

Plan for all kinds of weather. It is possible to have intense heat and sun as well as cool heavy rain in nearly all of the places we will be going. Have a jacket or sweater on the bus as it is air conditioned. You may also want a small blanket for the Hill Cumorah pageant and/or outdoor evening activities in Nauvoo. It is best to plan clothing in layers. An umbrella can be helpful in either rain or sun and we strongly suggest you bring one per person.  A rain poncho could also be useful.

Our 2006 tour features 12 days, 11 nights including Palmyra, Hill Cumorah Pageant, Kirtland, Nauvoo, Winter Quarters and much more!  We leave from Calgary on July 17 and return on the 28th.  The photo below is the statue of Joseph and Hyrup Smith in front of the Carthage Jail where both were martyred June 27, 1844.

carthage_jail.jpg

CANCELLATION POLICY

A $500 deposit per person, in the form of a cheque or money order,  should accompany your registration form.  The remainder of your fees are due on or before May 15, 2006.  You are not considered registered until your deposit is received.  Registrations after May 15 must include full fees.  If you prefer to pay by credit card please contact us for information.  We are in the process of working with our bank to offer this service.  Please note that there will be an extra charge for this service.

Cancellation policy:  Please note that nearly all family medical reasons for cancelling are covered by travel insurance. 

1.  Until June 23, 2006 if you can find a guest to take your place, all monies will be returned upon the receipt of your replacement's funds excepting deposits that are not refundable to the tour company such as plane tickets.  If you cannot find a replacement there will also be a $500 administrative fee deducted

2.  After June 23 no fees will be refunded by the tour company.  

3.  Cancellation by Feature Tours at any time will result in all registration fees being returned to guests.

INSURANCE INFORMATION

Cancellation for health reasons is covered by cancellation/interruption insurance. Feature Tours strongly suggests you purchase this insurance.  You should also purchase 'out of province' medical insurance.  Both can be purchased from most insurance agencies but is usually required to be purchased within 24 hours of booking your tour.  Simpson Group Insurance regularly sells a travel insurance package which includes $2 million out of province medical coverage, trip cancellation and interruption insurance, loss of baggage, delay of baggage as well as accidental death or disability and air flight accident insurance.  Contact them in the Calgary area at 403 281 4403 or toll free at 1 800 263 0752.  Tell them you are booking a trip with Feature Tours and ask for their 'ALL INCLUSIVE U.S. PACKAGE FOR TRAVEL'.

Other Policies
 
1.  Feature Tours and/or contracted bus companies will not be liable for lost luggage or for medical expenses due to illness or injury.  Feature Tours strongly suggests you purchase out of province insurance that will cover you in the event you need medical care. Health care in the United States can be very expensive and most expect either proof of insurance or payment at the time of service. Simpson Group Insurance has a package for this kind of tour that includes medical insurance as well as cancellation and interruption insurance in the case you must cancel your trip last minute or are injured or become ill enroute.  CANCELLATION AND INTERRUPTION INSURANCE must be booked within 24 hours of registering for this trip.  Contact Simpson Group at 403 281 4403 if you live in the Calgary area or toll free: 1 800 263 0752.  Fees for insurance are dependant on your age and medical history.

2.  Feature Tours and/or contracted bus companies will not be responsible for tour fees and/or transportation to your home in the event you are not allowed to cross the US/Canada border.  To cross the border via bus you must have the same identification and information you would need to cross the US/Canada border if you were driving in your car. You must have proof of citizenship, usually a birth certificate or passport. You must also have photo ID, usually a driver’s license or passport.  For youth under driving age, a student ID along with a birth certificate should suffice.

If you are taking a child under age 18 you must have proof you are the parents or a notarized letter from the parent(s) that you have permission to take him/her on the tour.  It must state that they understand their child will be crossing the border into the United States. For more detailed information please contact Jane at Feature Tours.

You will need the same sources of ID at the airport to board your flight.

3.  LDS dress standards will be expected for this trip.  We will be attending church on Sunday and you may choose to attend a temple session if you hold a current recommend.  Please plan to dress appropriately. Otherwise, please dress comfortably according to church standards.

4.  Youth 12 and over are welcome to travel on Feature Tours for our 2005 trips.  Most children under 12 years are not prepared for the long travel hours required on a bus. If you plan to attend a temple session you must be sure your child is mature enough to take care of him/herself while you are in the temple.

5.  We suggest each person bring one large suitcase as well as a carry on. The bus company allows two suitcases per person but we suggest one due to the fact that we will be staying at several different hotels and loading/unloading can become very time consuming. If you choose to bring only one you are welcome to bring an empty bag that stays on the bus until you need it.  If you will be purchasing new luggage for this trip we suggest buying suitcases on wheels.  They are much easier handling through an airport.  Legally each person must check his own luggage through when flying.


Contact us at:  featuretours@shaw.ca

Be sure to visit our photo gallery!

Bring your friends and save!

For more information call toll free 1 877 880 2800.

featuretours@shaw.ca