DT Tour Manager

Every DT coach has a full-time DT Tour Manager, who will meet you at your departure destination (in most cases this is the school). If, in rare cases, the tour manager cannot meet you at your departure destination your group will be met at their first scheduled activity.

Itinerary changes

Tour itineraries are produced as a guideline only. It may be necessary for DT to modify the order in which sites are visited, alter the duration of the stay in a city or country, arrange ground transportation to an alternative airport, etc. On certain dates, especially holidays, some tour inclusions may be unavailable. In this case, DT reserves the right to substitute inclusions at its discretion.

Emergencies

During the operation of your program, our office number may be used for emergency inquiries. Toll-free nationwide, we can be reached at (800) 590.2669. If there is no “in person” reply, please leave a detailed message. We will get back to you as soon as possible.

Travel documents

In order to protect our travelers, DT personnel reserves the right to deny access to travel to passengers at the departure location, when the required identification is not provided. No refund will be available to the passenger if unable to travel due to improper citizenship requirements. When departing the U.S. for another country (including Canada), proof of citizenship is mandatory and must be carried with you. This includes a current passport. Naturalized U.S. citizens must carry a naturalization certificate and some other evidence of citizenship. Persons other than U.S. citizens or legal, permanent residents of the United States, require a Passport or a VISA.

A traveler’s passport, as suggested by the United States government, should be valid for six months after a traveler’s return to the United States. Non-United States citizens should check with their consulate for documentation requirements. Expired passports are NOT accepted. A traveler’s tickets and other travel documents must match the name as it is listed on the passport: first, last and middle initial.

DT is not responsible for decisions made by customs officials. Travelers are reminded that health, accident and other insurance coverage is their personal responsibility and should check with their insurance provider to assure that they have adequate coverage for all foreign tours. For further details on immigration requirements and/or regulations, please visit www.travel.state.gov.

Any minors traveling without one or both parents are required to present notarized permission for travel from the absent parent(s). Have at least two original documents notarized. The temporary guardian/escort needs to carry a copy and keep this with his/her identification. If the child is old enough to be responsible for his/her papers, he/she should also carry a copy. If custom officials want a record at the border crossing, they will keep a photocopy.

Customs

Anyone traveling outside of the U.S. (including Canada) for up to 48 hours is allowed to bring back no more than $200 worth of goods acquired while out of the country, duty (tax) free. If you are out of the country for more than 48 hours, the tax free allotment increases to $800. For further details, contact your local U.S. Customs office.

Currency (international destinations)

Credit-cards are the best protection for carrying money. We suggest that travelers do not carry large amounts of cash. For credit card purchases, the rate of exchange will be the date the transaction is posted or billed to the credit card.

Travelers may wish to buy some foreign currency before departing and exchange money as required once they are at their destination. The best exchange rate for the U.S. Dollar is usually found at a bank. For a small fee, a United States bank with an International Department can exchange money for a traveler prior to a traveler’s departure, and foreign currency bills (not coins) upon the traveler’s return. As ATMs vary widely overseas and a U.S. ATM card may not always be accepted, we recommend that travelers do not rely solely upon an ATM for travel funds.

Health information

For your own safety and protection, please make sure that your group leader has your completed and signed health/medical release form. Should you need emergency medical services while on your tour, this information must be provided to the hospital, doctors, etc. before any treatment will be rendered (note any allergies, medications or special conditions that may exist). This information is considered confidential and will only be used by your group leader in case of an emergency.

Please note that if your child needs medical, dental, health or hospital services, you as a parent/legal guardian must give permission. IT’S THE LAW.

A child may be treated without consent when a physician determines a true emergency exists. This means a doctor may determine that the child needs immediate medical care, and that an attempt to obtain consent would result in a delay which would increase the risk to the child’s life or health. However, unless such a true emergency exists, care may only be given to a child with the permission of the parent/legal guardian.

Special Requests

If a student should have special needs (i.e., meals and/or room accommodations), please inform DT. We will do our best to accommodate your request. We are, however, not responsible for any inconvenience that is caused by an itinerary modification.

• all requests are subject to availability
• requests must be received at DT 90 days prior to departure
• requests received after 90 prior to departure will be subject to a $25 service fee

Parent travelers program fee

DT’s program fees are based on student / chaperones rates for transportation, admissions, accommodations, etc. We do, however, accept parents on our educational tours as well.

Parents:

• are defined as a paying participant authorized to travel with the group
• are charged a per-person parent supplement of $50 (flat fee) plus the rate per the group contract for all tours to cover the difference between student/chaperone and parent rates.

Rooming

All rooming requests, including upgrades, must be submitted 45 days prior to departure. Each hotel room is equipped with a private bathroom. Most hotels are located outside the city.

Student travelers

• Room in quads with same-gender members in rooms containing two double beds (beds meant for two people), and two students are expected to share each bed
• may request triple, double or single room accommodations per the group contract rate for other room options, contact DT
• Adult travelers: Are automatically roomed in twin accommodations unless otherwise noted may request single room accommodations per the group contract rate for other room options, contact DT

Luggage

Tour cost includes handling of one standard piece of luggage per person. One small overnight bag (per person) may be placed in the overhead luggage rack inside the motor coach. You are responsible for handling this article at all times. Additional luggage will be handled at $5 per bag per day. Every effort is made to handle luggage as carefully as possible. However, DT does not assume liability for loss or damage due to fire, water, theft, pilferage, breakage, etc. of any checked, unchecked or carry-on luggage, contents or other personal property of any type.

While on tour

Wake-up calls usually begin at 6:00 AM, with breakfast between 7:00 – 7:30 AM. Sightseeing begins right after breakfast. After lunch, sightseeing continues until dinner, which typically occurs between 5:30 and 7:00 PM. An evening tour/activity follows dinner, with the group arriving back to the hotel by 9:00 or 10:00 PM. Security is on the floor by 11:00 PM, at which point students must be in their rooms. Final curfew is at the discretion of the group leader.

Motor coach transportation

DT offers comfortable chartered motor coach transportation for all of our tours. All bus groups will have exclusive use of their own coach and never be combined with another group unless specifically requested.

Airlines

We are not a national wholesaler; we can secure whatever airline you choose. Regularly scheduled flights are used. DT reserves the right to use charter flights. Due to available flight routings, we cannot guarantee non-stop or direct flights. Due to space availability and size of available aircraft, we cannot guarantee that all members of the group will fly together on the same flight. DT cannot be held responsible for airline schedule changes or mechanical, weather or capacity related flight delays. You will receive your seat assignments at the time of check-in unless otherwise noted.

Accessibility

DT does not directly or indirectly discriminate against persons on the basis of special needs. DT complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Although we notify vendors and request accessible facilities, DT cannot guarantee that all facilities and attractions will provide access that complies with ADA requirements. Canada and international destinations do not adhere to ADA requirements. Please provide us with advance notification of special needs as all sites and attractions may not be accessible. Note: persons with disabilities must have a traveling partner who is fully responsible for the person if the disability prevents them from being independent.

Tour safety

With more than 35 years of experience, our position on travel and safety has always been the same. DT will not operate a program, or any part of one, if we feel the safety of any participant will be compromised. Our trips include dedicated evening security, 24-hour emergency service with our office and a full-time tour manager who is with the group from departure to arrival. DT has detailed procedures and plans in place for unexpected events that may occur.

Tour manager / educational guide(s)

All programs have a tour manager and in most cases a local, licensed educational guide. A guide is with you to provide specific information about your destination, while a tour manager (who may also be your guide) is there to assist you with the logistics of your program.

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted anywhere on motor coaches or on any of our tours.

Responsibility Statement

Tours are operated by DT of Cleveland, Ohio, which works with motor coach providers who are certified and bonded by the Interstate Commerce Commission of the federal government. DT acts only as an agent for tour members in arranging room accommodations, transportation, admissions, sight-seeing and restaurants. DT reserves the right in its sole discretion to make changes to its itineraries and is not responsible to any person for expense, loss of time or money, or other circumstances resulting from an itinerary change or change of tour arrangements for tour members. DT reserves the right to decline, to accept or to retain any person, as a member of any tour at any time. DT is not responsible for any loss or damage of personal property, or for injuries, expenses or damages incurred or claimed by any tour member(s). DT acts only as agents for the passenger and therefore accepts no responsibility, in whole or part, for delays, loss, damage, injury to property or person(s) due to mechanical defects or other cause and is not responsible for events outside their control, including but not limited to Acts of God, strikes, terrorism, war, sickness, power failures or government restrictions or regulations, or for acts of any person or entity not controlled by DT, including but not limited to airlines, motor coach companies, taxi services or hotels. DT has the authority at their sole discretion to terminate a student’s participation in any sponsored program or trip for failure to comply with the rules, regulations, standards or instructions. In the event that participation in any sponsored program is terminated, all costs and expenses related to the termination and return home are at the expense of the student. In the event that participation is terminated there will be no refund of any fees associated with the sponsored program or trip. DT will make all arrangements for services and accommodations for the tour program and may cancel any program for insufficient enrollment, or may alter programs, itineraries and/or substitute airlines and equipment as required.

Our promise

Applying our industry knowledge, Discovery Tours can help you create – and implement – sensible solutions for a successful student tour. We have decades of experience, and several members of our leadership team have experience in the education system. Teachers trust us. The essential difference of DT is the way we do business. Our goal is to create a process that is simple and enjoyable for you.

DT has provided extraordinary service to school groups since 1972. Our mission is to exceed the expectations of those we serve (group leaders, chaperones, parents and students) by anticipating and addressing their needs. We always conduct business at the very highest ethical level while maintaining strong partnerships with our suppliers. Our philosophy is to deliver the highest level of service while creating a safe, educational and memorable experience.