Travel FAQ

Planning a trip can be a time consuming complicated process that has a $ sign attached to most decisions. We do the research so you don’t have to. A travel agent can handle this process for you that save you time and money. We want to make sure you get the vacations or trip you want. Unlike online only web sites we are available to answer your questions, give advice, handle the details and handle any problems if they come up.

2. Is the price on the Internet the lowest?

Not usually, the prices you find on the Internet don’t often include all taxes and hidden fees and can have many restrictions. Major tours and cruises will match prices as long as illegal rebating is not a part of it. Of course you don’t get personalized service nor is there a guarantee that your personal information and credit card information is protected. Give us the exact information you got from the online site and we will do our best to mach it. Did you know that it costs you no more to use a travel agent than to do it yourself except for time (you save lots of it by using a travel agent) there is no person to contact with any problems? If you have to make changes to a reservation made on an online site good luck. In contrast, when you book with Seashell Travel, you are booking with an agency that has your best interests at heart and will have a person to contact (usually Kay) who has taken the time to build a relationship with you.

3. Why should I book my travel with Seashell Travel and not another travel agency?

Our clients know beyond a shadow of a doubt that we go the extra mile for them and have their best interests at heart. They know that we give them the best value for their dollar as well. We treat our clients by the “golden rule” and treat them, as we would want to be treated if we were the ones purchasing a travel package.

4. Why can’t I just deal with the company directly?

In some cases you can, but Seashell Travel often has gets rates not available to the general public as well as bulk air rates. Most importantly, you are dealing with one agent with whom you have developed a personal relationship. Most companies have hundreds of agents to whom you are just a number but to us you are a very valued client. If you booked directly before you found out about Seashell Travel or because we could not be contacted in time the tour company will often release your booking to us, or any travel agency of your choice providing you do so before final payment is made.

5. How long will I wait for a response from you once I have contacted you?

I will acknowledge your request well within 24 hours through phone or email. I will communicate with you to make sure I have all the specific information I need to research your request and have a quote to you within 48 hours.

6. Why can’t I ever get those unbelievable rates I see in the Sunday paper?

The price you see for the cruise is most likely for the lowest category cabin on a specific date at the height of low season or the shortest stay in a room overlooking the ally or air conditioner for the resort not including, taxes, air or airport transfers. They will only have a few rooms available at this price and will most likely be sold out by the time you call. It is often very difficult to explain to clients why a seven-night stay in ocean front room including air from Dallas, taxes and transfers and/or insurance is so much higher than room listed in the paper. But they want so much more than what was in the ad in the newspaper offers and have not usually added air and the required taxes, etc. that was not listed in the ad.

7. How far in advance should I book my trip?

As far as you can. The farther out you book the more likely you are to get what you want, like specific cabins on cruises or a specific room category or view at a resort. The early bird really does get the best worm. Most suppliers have rates as far out as 9 months and with cruise lines it can be up to 18 months in advance.

8. How can I get the “best deals”?

Usually by booking as far out as possible with the exception of “last minute deals.” One thing to remember with “last minute” deals it that there are often only a few seats or rooms available at that rate and are gone in a very short time. The travel will have sales but these usually have restrictions and/or time constraints.

9. What are my chances of getting “upgraded”?

Everyone wants to be complimentary upgraded to first class on an airline, to a better room at a resort. It does happen but not as often as you might think. In theory most upgrades come at the time of check-in depending on how full the resort is during your stay. Usually you are upgraded from the category you booked to the next higher category. For example if you booked a garden view room then you will likely be upgraded to an ocean view room, not an oceanfront penthouse. Upgrades do occur up more than one level sometimes. I always contact the resort manager in person to try and score an upgrade if possible for my valued clients.

10. I am in Missouri and have never done business with you before so how do I know you are legitimate?

This is a very important question you should ask of any travel agency you are thinking of working with. I would like to refer you to the About Us section of our website for detailed information regarding the legitimacy of our agency . Our agency strongly encourages payments made by Credit card rather than by check, cash or traveler’s checks for your protection. Your credit card statement will show that your payment has gone directly to the cruise line or tour company and not to Seashell Travel, showing that they have your money, not us. Also if for some reason the cruise line or tour company went out of business you could get your money back through your credit card company.

11. What happens if I have to cancel or change my plans?

I strongly recommend you purchase cancellation and trip interruption insurance to give you peace of mind and the knowledge that you are prepared no matter what happens. This must be purchased when you make your deposit. In most cases this will insure you a refund of money paid, minus the administrative fee and the premium of the insurance. If you do not purchase this insurance and you have to cancel or change your plans you will fall under the change/cancellation provisions of the supplier.

12. When and how much of a deposit is required?

Most tours and cruises usually require a deposit of between $150 and $250 per person within 3 to 7 days. In some cases the airfare is non refundable so full payment must be made on the air portion of the trip within 24 hours of booking.

13. When is the balance due?

The final payment is normally due 45 to 90 days prior to travel. This gives the client time to save for the final payment or make payments along the way.

14. When will I receive my travel documents?

Most suppliers mail documents to the travel agency 2 to 3 weeks prior to departure. You can except to receive them from us within 2 to 3 days from our agency unless other arrangements have been made.

15. Where will I receive my travel documents?

You can come by my office, I can come by your office, we can meet at a neutral location i.e. Starbucks, or in the case of clients who do not reside in the Dallas/Ft. Worth Texas area the documents will be mailed by UPS or US mail depending on what arrangements have been made for delivery.

16. What kind of documentation do I need (passports)?

For travel within the US a government issued ID is acceptable. The names on the IDs must match the name on the travel documents. For outside the US some countries will accept a state issued birth certificate with a raised seal; some require a passport that is good for at least 6 months beyond the date of travel; some require a passport and visa. I personally recommend getting a passport, as more and more countries are requiring that over a birth certificate. U.S. State Department and Homeland Security Department officials have withdrawn a proposal that would have required passports by Dec. 31, 2005 for travel to the Caribbean. Similar rules requiring passports for travel into Canada and Mexico by Dec. 31, 2006, were expected to be withdrawn. Travel experts predict that the new policy will require passports for Americans traveling abroad by air or sea at the end of 2006, with passports required for land border crossings by the end of 2007. The charge for an adult passport is $97 and under 16 is $82.Passports are good for 10 years. For children under the age of 18 the policy is sometimes different. I inform my clients of what is required when I help them plan their trip. Some counties require a VISA, which is an endorsement in the passport showing that the person has been granted official entry into a country. Every country has different entrance policies. Make sure that you have what is necessary to get into the country you are visiting. This information should be obtained from the official country source like an embassy. It is important that married or divorced women carry a copy of the marriage license or divorce decree to show that the name connection should the name on the documentation differ from the current last name. I also suggest that honeymooners reserve the travel in the maiden name of the wife if going on the honeymoon directly after the wedding. Minors under 18 and unaccompanied youth traveling with only one parent have an original notarized letter of permission to travel signed by both parents or legal guardians. In the case of divorced or deceased parents, legal proof must be submitted to accept the notarized signature of only one parent.

17. Are tours expensive?

It depends on you. Your budget will be an important part of discussion and planning of your trip. There are tours that meet every budget, especially if you are flexible on travel dates and location.

18. I see great prices for trips advertised in the newspaper and on the Internet. Why should I book a trip through a travel agent?

Usually the prices you see are only for a specific dates in the lowest category room. Travel Agents have access to cabins at special prices, which can save you money and insures that you book a trip which is right for you. We can make shore excursion suggestions which best suit you and what you can expect on your cruise.

19. Why should I buy cancellation insurance?

There is a popular saying, “it will never happen to me”, but believe me situations do occur prior or while traveling. I strongly recommend trip cancellation insurance. A trip is a huge emotional and often financial investment. If you have to cancel your cruise after final payment has been made you could pay extensive penalties. How much penalty you pay depends on the tour company. It could be as little as $50 per person or the cost of the whole trip. Sometimes it depends on how far out you cancel. The tour company won’t care if it is the last dollar you have, if the reason is a death in the family or if a tornado hit your house. You will NOT get your money back after final payment without insurance. Seashell Travel believes in the Girl Scout motto of being prepared. It is always best to prepare for the worst and expect the best. After all we all have auto, health and life insurance for that very reason. We always recommend that our clients purchase trip cancellation insurance but we sure don’t hard sell it. We do worry that something might happen if you decline it though. Before you decline trip cancellation insurance we ask you to ask yourself these questions: Does your medical insurance cover medical expenses out of state and in a foreign country? Will it pay to evacuate you to a hospital in the states? Has the airline ever lost or delayed getting you your luggage? Are you booking your own air transportation? Are you for any reason susceptible to illness, injury or have any pre-existing medical condition? Is your trip expensive in your eyes? Will you be gone for a long time, say over a week? Do you have any children or teens that could possible experience an accident or illness unexpectedly? Do any family members live with any condition that if it changed could cause the cancellation of your trip? Would having to cancel your trip hurt you financially? Trip cancellation only costs about 10% of the total cost of the trip and usually covers trip delay and interruption, baggage delay or loss, medical expenses and evacuation, etc. The cruise line’s insurance usually does not cover pre-existing conditions but we have other insurance that does. The best thing that comes with trip cancellation insurance is peace of mind. PRICELESS!!!

20. What about destination weddings? Do you plan those?

I would be very excited to take the stress of planning a destination wedding off your hands and plan the details of a destination wedding for you. I can also make the arrangements for invited guests as well so they too can skip the stress of planning travel to your wedding. Please email us at info@seashelltravel.com with any questions not answered here.