Frequently Asked Questions ~ and the Answers!

Sometimes students have questions about our tours and need answers to them before they can decide whether to sign up to travel with us. The following is some information that might address a few of these questions.

Where do we stay at night?

You will be housed in hotels on each tour. You will receive a list of the tour hotels and contact telephone numbers for your host family near the time of the tours. 

Is there a curfew?

Yes.  Hotel regulations require us to enforce a 10 PM curfew for student groups.  Tour staff also follows a 'lights out' procedure that will be detailed during the tour orientation.

Can we make calls home?

Yes, using a cell phone or a pre-paid phone card using a public telephone in the hotel lobby. Many hotels charge for telephone use from the rooms, toll free calls, local calls and occasionally even from one room to another. The phone in your room is only to be used to call a member of the tour staff for emergency purposes.

Do we have to buy our own meals?

March trips: some meals are included.  Breakfast is provided at our hotel each day.  We also include a Welcome Pizza Party.  However, due to the compact nature of these trips, we are not together as a group for lunch and most evening meals.  Please plan to bring spending money for those meals. 

June tours: all meals are included .  Breakfast is provided at most hotels where we stay. There are many scheduled group meal functions such as at a Hard Rock Café on each tour. Some days, you will be given a cash allowance to cover that expense. The amount of each allowance will be based on the number of meals you will have to purchase. This allowance should cover all meal costs for the average appetite. You may want to bring additional money according to your personal appetite.

How can I make sure the things I bring on the tour will be safe?
You are responsible for all of your personal belongings while on this trip. Take precautions to secure your money, purse or wallet, backpack, camera, etc.  Every year, we have students that lose items such as cameras, walkmans, wallets, etc.  Make sure your items have your name on them. Neither the tour staff, nor anyone associated with South Central Ambassador Tours is responsible and/or accountable for loss of your personal items.

Will there be others on the tour that speak my language?

Possibly.  There be students from 20 to 30 different countries on your trip.  English is the only language that every student shares in common so we ask that out of respect and courtesy to other students, you speak English at all times.

What clothes should I bring on the tour?

As the time for the tours get closer, you will be sent a suggested packing list of items to bring.  Plan to pack your things in only one reasonably sized suitcase, preferably with wheels, and one carry-on bag.

How many bags can I bring?

One wheeled checked bag and one carry on.

For the June tours, luggage space on the bus is very limited.  Plus you will changing hotels nearly every day and will want to keep your bags manageable for YOU to carry. You will have an opportunity to wash clothes if necessary.  

For the March trips, we do not change hotels, but these are short trips. For the Shop 'til You Drop trip, you may wish to collapse a duffle bag inside your suitcase to carry home your purchases.  Please remember that most airlines now charge extra fees for more than one bag.

Should I bring any extra money?

Yes.  For the March trips, you will need extra money for most lunch and dinner meals and souvenirs.  And while the June tour fees include most expenses, you will want money for souvenirs. Most students average $200 to $300 on souvenirs, although for the March shopping trip, your budget may vary from the average.  Because many businesses no longer accept traveler's checks, we advise students bring some cash and use debit or credit cards where possible.

What is the temperature in the cities we will be visiting?

Orlando in March will usually be in the 70°s (20°s C) during the day but evening temperatures in the 50°s (10°s C) is common.  You will be outside every day, most of the day.

Minneapolis in March will be quite cold - ranging between 20° (-4°C) and 40° (4°C).  Although most of our time will be spent indoors at the Mall or other entertainment venues, we will be walking outdoors each day.

On the June tours where you will be outside a great deal every day, you can expect temperature ranges from a low of 45°F (7°C) at night to a high in excess of 100° F (38°C) during the day.

What kind of clothing should I bring?

Prepare to dress casually and comfortably for the tour. Wear layered clothing that can be removed as the day warms up. Some days you will walk long distances so bring good walking shoes. DO NOT BRING NEW SHOES THAT ARE NOT BROKEN IN. Blisters on your feet could curtail your fun.   All clothing must be consistent with the accepted dress code for most American high schools. The tour staff will advise you as to the proper attire for each day’s activities. We will email you a packing list with more details at a later date.

Are there places to wash dirty clothes?

On the June tours, you will be traveling for 14 days and are allowed only one suitcase so you may need to do some laundry. We've allocated specific time in the itinerary to wash clothes.  Be sure you bring a zip lock bag of  powdered laundry soap.
 

Can I smoke while on the tour?

No. All of our tours are smoke free.  We do not want students who use of any form of tobacco products, even smokeless or oral tobacco.  If students are caught using tobacco products, they can be removed from the tour and sent home at their own expense – with no refund if they are underage.  If you smoke, please do not sign up for these tours.
 
When will we know our exact travel schedule?

There will be an orientation on the day you arrive for the start of your tour that reviews your exact schedule. The tour staff will also review daily activities, meeting times, and other important details each day.

On our longer tours, you will also have a tour book that contains all of the information about the tour that you will need to know, such as meeting and meal times, daily departure schedules, etc.
 

Can I bring my iPod?

Yes, however no ‘open’ music is allowed on buses or in the hotels. This is a bus and hotel company rule. You will need to use headphones to listen to any music you bring along for traveling. There will be times when you are not permitted to use listen to music, such as during announcements and during planned activities.  Be sure that you have some form of identifying marks on personal items.

What if I get sick on the trip?

All students are required to have health and accident insurance in order to travel with us.  You were probably required to have this as part of your youth exchange program anyway.  We only accept American administered insurance policies.  Policies from your home country are not acceptable to meet the requirements of tour travel. Hospitals, clinics and doctors will not go to the trouble to deal with 'foreign' insurance policies which will leave the student owing the total cost of any medical bill.  And EVERY year we have students who require some form of medical care from very simple to being hospitalized. 

You must be prepared to pay this in the event you need medical attention.  You must also be prepared to pay for the cost of any prescriptions and/or medications that are prescribed due to illness or accident as most insurance policies have NO provision to pay for prescribed medications.  The tour does not cover these expenses.

If you take any medications on a regular basis, you should bring a sufficient supply for the entire trip plus a few extra days. Bring all medicines in their original container. We do carry a simple first aid kit on every bus for emergency care.

If you have any kind of medical condition, the staff needs to know it ahead of time. At a date closer to time of departure, students confirmed on the tour will receive a questionnaire that will include medical information.

Can I visit friends or family that live in a city that we will visit?

For security and insurance reasons, unplanned side trips are not allowed. If you have friends or family in one of the places we will be staying, they will only be allowed to meet with you if you make arrangements with the Tour Administrator in advance as we must have written permission from your natural parents and your youth exchange counselor.  You will not be allowed to leave the tour to go with them.  Friends or family members will NOT be allowed to join the trip. No exceptions!

Since this is a vacation, there's no rules, right?

No.  The tour is operated by Rotarians who have adopted conduct policies and rules that mirror those you are expected to follow under the Youth Exchange Program.  To complete a registration for one of our tours, you are required to sign our Rules Agreement  which detail tour policies and consequences.

Can I “date” another person on the tour?

No. Tour policies reflect those of the Rotary Youth Exchange program.  “Exclusive” friendships, romances, and cliques are discouraged and students can be sent home early at their own expense if boy/girl relationships persist. The tour uses the same rules about touching, holding hands and signs of affections that most schools use.

I want to get a tattoo before I go home.  Is that OK?

No. We do not allow students to obtain new tattoos and/or new body piercing while on the tour. Because much of our entertainment involves water activities and there is a risk of infection if you have a new tattoo or new body piercing, you will be sitting on the bus or in the hotel while others are participating in the fun.

What happens if I can't get along with my roommates or someone on the tour?

Students are expected to show proper respect for not only each other but the tour staff, other tour guides, bus drivers, and anyone you come in contact with as well. Disrespectful behavior and attitude are reasons to be sent home early with no refund of fees paid. 

If I have to cancel, do I get my money back?

The terms of our refund policy is outlined in the Registration Form for your tour.

Who are the chaperones on the trip?

Your tour staff members are mature adults experienced in dealing with young people and youth exchange students.  Often they are Rotarians.  They offer you their personal time to ensure your safety and well-being so that you might have this great travel experience. Please give them your highest respect and show your gratitude to them by cooperating with them. 

Questions?