Travel Tips

TSA Updates - Important information from the Transportation Security Administration.

Please arrive at the airport no later than 3 hours prior to your scheduled departure to allow for extra time going through security.
Do not pack cash, medication, important documents, valuables or fragile items in your checked luggage. Homeland Security now requires that all electronics larger than a cell phone are subject to a secondary screening at select airports. If in disrepair (broken screen, etc.), these devices will not be allowed through security. Cases must be removed and placed in their own bin for (round-trip) screening. For more information visit: www.tsa.gov.

Health and Safety Tips for Travelers - Use common sense for a rewarding vacation.

Apple Vacations strongly recommends that you visit the U.S. Department of States’ website http://travel.state.gov/, as well as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website, https://www.cdc.gov/, which includes important information on foreign travel. Use common sense while vacationing abroad. For example, if you choose to drink alcohol, do so in moderation. In addition, be cognizant of the effects of mixing alcohol and certain medications. Should someone in your party become ill while on vacation, alert the resort front desk for immediate medical attention or call the emergency number provided by the resort. Also advise your Apple Representative as soon as possible, who may be able to provide assistance. If you have medical issues or concerns about medical services, Apple Vacations urges you to contact your hotel with specific questions. Please be aware that medical standards and training of emergency responders and resort medical facilities vary greatly, and health care abroad may not be the same as you might expect at home. It may be standard policy for hospitals and medical providers abroad to require cash payment upfront for services. Check with your insurance provider regarding claims for reimbursement. Sports and aquatic equipment, especially scuba gear, may not meet U.S. safety standards and many resort pools and beaches may lack lifeguards. Balcony railing heights in Mexico are lower than the mandated heights in the United States, and also may be lower in other countries. Low balcony railings create a risk of falls, which may result in serious injury or death. In tropical climates, we strongly recommend the use of insect repellent, especially during rainy season; seek shade in order to avoid heat exhaustion, and stay hydrated. Bottled drinking water is recommended.

Reservations, Payments and Late Bookings - What you should know.

To book an Apple Vacation, see your travel agent, visit applevacations.com or call 1-800-517-2000. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) regulations require you to provide your full name as it appears on your travel documents, date of birth, and gender at the time of booking for the purpose of watch-list screening. Failure to provide this information will result in you not being allowed to travel. For details, visit www.tsa.gov. Once your reservation is confirmed, the amendment and cancellation charges as explained in the Fair Trade Contract apply. For online bookings at applevacations.com, full payment is required at time of booking and only major credit cards are accepted. When booking with an airline-sponsored credit card, benefi ts such as free baggage fees which may apply when booking with the airline directly WILL NOT apply to your Apple Vacation.

Special Requests - We are at your service, please let us know what you need.

Apple Vacations will provide the services and facilities of your vacation package as confirmed on your invoice. If you would prefer special arrangements such as adjoining rooms/room locations, bedding requests, specific assistance or special meals, we will pass on your request to the vendor on your behalf. However, since these requests lie outside our contracts with our suppliers, we cannot guarantee special requests unless otherwise stated. Requests for special transportation/ transfers is also not guaranteed and subject to an additional charge.

Items Not Included - Taxes and other items.

Passport and visa fees, port/embarkation fees, laundry, telephone calls, other items and services of a personal nature, and tips to airport baggage handlers are not included in the price of your vacation. Unless specified, alcohol, meals, and excursions are also not included. In some instances, departure taxes or tourist card fees are payable at the airport upon arrival or departure. Airlines may charge fees for carry-on and checked baggage, seat assignments and snacks/meals/drinks. Check with the airline for specifics. Tourist Cards for the Dominican Republic must be purchased at your resort airport upon arrival ($10 U.S per person). Airport/hotel transfers are not included in Turks & Caicos. $29 Costa Rica departure tax payable at upon departure- U.S. dollars, colones, Visa or MasterCard are accepted. Riviera Maya Municipality of Solidaridad environmental levy of 20 Mexican Pesos per room per day is not included and will be collected at hotel check-out; the proceeds will be deposited in an environmental trust to fund local projects. Transportation from the Cancun airport to the Puerto Juarez ferry terminal and back is included when traveling to Isla Mujeres. Travelers must purchase their own ferry tickets (approx. $16-$18 roundtrip per person) and taxi to/from hotel (approx. $7-$12 round-trip per vehicle). All prices above are subject to change.

Traveling with Children - What every parent needs to know before they go.

Some airlines do not charge for infants under two years of age, but the infant must sit on an adult’s lap. Some airlines charge for infants or infant air-related taxes. Some countries charge infant departure taxes. If an infant reaches the age of two at any time during the vacation, federal law requires the purchase of a separate seat for any remaining portions of the flight. Mexican-born minors under 18 years of age traveling alone or with someone other than a parent or legal guardian, require special documentation to depart Mexico, even if the Minor is a Dual Mexican Citizen. For details, contact the Mexican embassy or visit: https://mx.usembassy.gov/implementation-of-mexican-regulations-regarding-minor-travel/. If your reservation includes children at a hotel not accepting children, you will be denied check-in at resort and will be responsible for any additional costs. Hotels may check passports to verify that children qualify for any discounted rate, and any applicable added charges are your responsibility. Child ages apply at time of travel, not at time of booking. Restrictions apply to “Kids Stay, Play and Eat FREE” programs. Children must be accompanied by full-paying adults. At select hotels, a single parent traveling with up to three children may not be charged the single supplement. The hotels reserve the right to collect the single supplement in resort, or cancel any extra room upon arrival, if the promotional policy is not used in the manner for which it was intended. Restrictions apply.

Airport Check-In/Baggage Allowance - Check-in begins 3 hours prior to departure.

Check-in begins three hours prior to departure at the airline ticket counter. Under no circumstances should you check in later than one hour prior to departure. Late check-in WILL result in you not being allowed to travel. Anyone attempting to check-in excess baggage must arrive at the ticket counter a minimum of 3 hours prior to departure, or risk being denied boarding. Many airlines charge fees for checked and/or carry-on bags. Please check with your travel agent, airline or visit applevacations.com/baggage. Carry-on luggage is limited to one bag per person and must be small enough to fi t beneath the seat in front of you. EXCESS/OVERSIZED BAGGAGE MAY BE DENIED AT CHECK-IN and if accepted additional charges apply. Lap children under age two do not receive a separate baggage allowance. Apple Vacations accepts no liability for loss or damage to luggage and recommends a TSA approved lock.

Required Entry/Re-Entry Documentation - Proper id needed for domestic and international flights.

Proper documentation is your responsibility. The following information gives current requirements for United States citizens, effective at time of printing. This information may change, so see your travel agent or contact the consulate for the country to which you are traveling for current requirements. Passengers returning to the U.S. by air from any international destination must have a valid passport, and may be denied boarding by the airline if the passport is damaged, mutilated, or has excessive wear. A “Passport Card” is not acceptable. If your name on your passport (or for non-U.S. citizens, valid travel documents) does not match your name on your travel vouchers/ tickets, you will not be allowed to travel. A passport valid for a minimum of 3 months past the date of arrival is required for U.S. citizens traveling to Panama, and 6 months past the date of arrival for Nicaragua.

CARRYING PASSPORT WHILE IN PANAMA: While in Panama, U.S. Citizens should be able to present upon request by any local authority, an original photo I.D. and either 1) valid U.S. passport, or 2) photocopies of the bio-data page and page containing the Panama entry stamp from the passport. We do not recommend carrying your original passport while in Panama. Copies of the necessary pages can be made at your hotel (usually for a nominal charge).

For details on how to obtain a passport, contact your local courthouse or post office. If you are not a U.S. citizen, contact the embassy of the country to which you are traveling to determine required entry documents. We regret that we cannot accept unaccompanied minors under 18 for any travel.

Failure to comply with the above requirements will result in you not being allowed to travel. Passed by Congress in 2005, the REAL ID Act established minimum ID security standards and prohibits federal agencies, like TSA, from accepting licenses and identification cards for official purposes from states that do not meet these standards. Passengers with a driver’s license issued by a state that is not compliant with the REAL ID ACT (and has not been granted an extension) will need to show an alternative form of acceptable identification for domestic air travel to board their flight. To check whether your state is compliant or has an extension, visit https://www.dhs.gov/real-id. If your state-issued ID or driver’s license is not compliant, visit https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/identifi cation for alternate forms of acceptable ID.

Denial of Entry - Stay informed and avoid potential problems when you travel.

Certain countries may deny entry to travelers with even a minor criminal record, and if not a U.S. citizen, entry back into the U.S. Check with the U.S. Embassy and the embassy or consulate of the country being visited to ensure you can travel as planned. Apple Vacations does not accept responsibility if you are denied entry and cancellation penalties apply.

Sightseeing Tours and Itineraries - Optional excursions in resort.

Sightseeing tours and entrance fees to places visited are included. as indicated. Tours are under the direction of licensed local guides as indicated. During holidays, some sites such as museums may be closed or unavailable for visits. We reserve the right to vary the sequence of sightseeing and/or to re-route or substitute the sightseeing. In either case, the itinerary content will be maintained. Optional excursions are offered in most cities. Your tour director and/or local representative will advise you of the optional excursions available to you, all of which must be purchased locally. There are no refunds for any unused portion of the excursions. You are responsible for getting to the pick-up location for any optional excursion, unless it is noted that hotel pick-up is included.

Customs - What is the value of goods you can bring into the U.S. duty-free?

U.S. Customs currently imposes an $800 limit per person ($1600 for U.S. Virgin Islands) on the value of goods you can bring into the country duty-free from most countries. This amount does vary depending on the particular country to which you travel. Also, you are restricted from bringing certain types of goods (e.g. fresh fruits, vegetables) back to the U.S. Ask your travel agent for the latest details and save receipts for purchases made on vacation.

Hotel Security / Dining Dress Codes / Late Check-Out

Valuables and other personal items are your responsibility. Most hotels offer safety deposit boxes (fee may apply). We recommend depositing cash, passports, jewelry and other valuables for security. Many resorts have dress code requirements for dinner -check online or ask your travel agent. Standard hotel check-out is mid-day. At the discretion of the hotel, a room MAY be made available for storing hand baggage or for changing prior to departure.

Credit Cards and Travelers Checks - What is accepted in resort?

Visa, MasterCard and American Express cards are accepted in most destinations. Most local banks and hotels provide a currency exchange. Mexican law restricts the amount of U.S. cash that Mexican banks, hotels and retail businesses can accept. The use of U.S. credit cards is unaffected by the restrictions on cash.

Weddings in Resort/Honeymoon Exceptional Values

If you plan to marry in destination, check with the local tourist office and consulate of the country in which you are getting married for legal documents that may be required. Some honeymoon offers require you to supply a valid marriage certificate.

Handicapped Services and Facilities - Should you desire any special service or equipment.

Should you desire any special service or equipment to assist with a disability, please let us know in advance so we can advise the air carrier or resort (services vary by carrier and resort). Although we will do our best to assist you, Apple Vacations does not guarantee the availability of wheelchairs at any airport. Wheelchair accessible rooms may be requested but cannot be guaranteed. Standards vary by property and country, may not be consistent with the standards required by the Americans With Disabilities Act, and are not within the control of Apple Vacations.

Catalog / Website / Advertising Accuracy - We check and re-check.

We check and re-check prices and facts to ensure accuracy at the time of printing. Sometimes, however, you may find that prices have been changed or features we describe may become unavailable. Whenever possible, we will inform you or your travel agent about such changes. However, all prices and descriptions herein, as well as in our ads and website, are subject to change without notice. Some hotel room images in our catalogs/brochures and our website do not depict the standard room category. Maps not to scale. Apple Vacations is not responsible for omissions or errors.

Customer Comments/Lost Items

Should you have a complaint while on vacation you must provide Apple Vacations with a reasonable opportunity to rectify the issue during your vacation by promptly notifying our representative in resort who will make every effort to help. If the matter cannot be settled on the spot, you must write to our Customer Care Department within 28 days of the completion of your vacation at customercare@applevacations. com. The few complaints we receive are normally resolved by amicable settlement. However, please understand that we cannot consider post-vacation submissions if you did not provide Apple Vacations with a reasonable opportunity to assist you during your trip. We reserve the right to give any compensation in the form of vacation certifi cates, cash or credit card credit. Apple Vacations will make inquiries regarding lost items on your behalf. If located, you will be responsible for shipping charges. E-mail lostitems@applevacations.com.