Watch Video: Final Provence Cruise Zoom Meeting #2
Watch Video: Final Provence Cruise Zoom Meeting
Flights
1. Do you know who will be on our flight with us?
– A month before we leave, we will share a list of everyone who will be flying together.
2. When we land, how do we get to the boat or hotel (if doing a pre-tour)?
– If you paid for your air through AMA, they will have a representative meet you at the airport and provide transport to the ship or the hotel. If you did your own air, you can either take an uber or taxi to the ship/hotel (we will provide addresses), or you can work with Nick to arrange pre-paid transfers.
3. If I purchased my air through AMA/Twin Travel, who do I contact if there are schedule issues?
- The AMA team will be notified by the airline of any revisions to your schedule. Prior to departure, you can contact them at askair@amawaterways.com for more information, using your Cruise Number. You may also reach them at 800.626.0126 Extension 4 during normal business hours.
- In addition, your Cruise Manager is highly trained and knows exactly who to contact while you are cruising, ensuring we can accommodate any last-minute flight changes if necessary.
- Be sure to download the AMA Waterways App prior to cruising. Here you may also find updates.
4. I purchased my air through Twin Travel/AMA. Where is my information?
- You should have been emailed your confirmation directly from the airline. If you cannot find it there are two options.
- Download the AMA Waterways app and enter your booking number. This will show your airline information. (Available about 60 days prior to departure)
- Call AMA Waterways (800.626.0126 Extension 4) or call Twin Travel Concepts (917-575-6600)
5. What do I do if my airline seats have not been assigned?
– You have full access to your reservation online. Using your confirmation number (6 letters/numbers) and your name on the ticket, you should be able to choose seats. If you have any issues with this, please call AMA -800.626.0126 Extension 4.
Pre and/or Post Tours
6. If we are on the pre-tour to Paris, how do we get to Lyon? And what time do we leave? What about our luggage?
– The pre-tour includes transfers to the high-speed train to Lyon and transfers to the ship once we get to Lyon. They will tell us what time we leave closer to the trip, and we will go as a group. Right now, there are 61 people on the pre-tour. Your luggage will be picked up at your hotel room in Paris and transferred to the train and then on to the boat for you. Smaller carry-ons will need to be brought by you. (keep your medicines and anything you need for the day with you). Chances are good you won’t have access to your big luggage until after lunchtime when you get to your room.
7. Pre and post tour optional activities signups are due by March 22. What happens if I sign up after the deadline?
– We will try to accommodate you on the tour you wish to join, without guarantees.
8. If we are signed up for a post tour (Barcelona or Nice) how do we get to the airport in time for our flights?
– If you signed up through AMA for your airfare, the transfers are included, and they will arrange transport based on your flight times. If you did your own air, you can either pre-pay with Nick to arrange transports, or get a taxi or Uber on your own.
9. What is the AMA Waterways App?
- The AMA Waterways App can be downloaded to your phone. You will need your booking number, which should have been emailed to you. If you cannot find your number, please contact Twin Travel. You will need to register and fill in information prior to the cruise embarking.
10. What is WHAT’S APP?
– Download What’s App. This is the best way to communicate with anyone else who has this. It is free to call and text while you are in Europe.
INSURANCE/TRAVEL PROTECTION
11. How do I make a claim?
– If you have bought your travel insurance through Twin Travel and need to make a claim, we will send you the contact information.
General Cruising/ Boat time
12. When can I sign up for the excursions during the cruise?
– You can sign up now (via the app) for an excursion while on the ship, or you can wait. There are a few tours that have a maximum number of guests, but most tours do not.
13. What if I want to change the excursion I signed up for?
– You can go to your AMA App and change your selection at any time.
14. Can I wait until I am on board to sign up for excursions?
– Yes. Almost all the tours will be available for you to select the night before the excursion. You will see on the AMA Waterways app that a few tours do have maximums and minimums, so maybe not everything will be available.
15. Can we do laundry on the boat?
– You cannot do your own laundry, but you can send it out on the boat and they will do it for you, for a fee.
16. How much money should we take?
– You can order $100 worth of euros (or whatever you want) from your bank prior to going or use an ATM while in country. If you are using a credit card at an ATM you must have a pin number. Most places will take a credit card, but it is nice to have a little cash. They will not take American money. American Express is not as widely accepted as Visa/Mastercard.
17. Do we need to bring dressy clothes for one night on the boat?
– Some people enjoy dressing up, but we have the entire boat chartered and we want you to be comfortable. There is no requirement to bring formal attire. Grungy clothes, flipflops, etc, are not a good look, but I don’t think that will be an issue with our audience.
18. Should we bring converters for our phone/tablet/laptop?
– The ship uses European outlets
19. Will there be refrigeration for medicines?
– There are no refrigerators in the cabins and not at all the hotels. However, the staff at any of these places will be able to assist. Please let Nick know in advance what you need.
20. Is the ship handicap-accessible?
– The ship is handicap-accessible. Though they do not have specific accessible cabins, the showers are all walk-in and the hallways wide enough for a rollator. The motorcoaches are not wheelchair accessible and there are stops along the tours that may not be ADA compliant.
General Questions
21. Should I bring a copy of my passport?
– Yes. Keep a photocopy (color) of your passport, storing it in a separate place from your passport.
22. What about phone calls?
– Check with your phone provider. Let them know where you are traveling to and see if they have a plan. Almost all providers have a daily or monthly plan for being in Europe.
23. What do I dial if I need to call for an emergency?
– In Europe the code is 112 – NOT 911.
24. Should I bring a copy of my travel insurance?
– Yes, if you purchased travel protection through Nick, you could access your Plan and print it out within your account.
25. How much should I tip the ship’s crew?
– All gratuities have been included with your trip. However, if a staff member gives you stellar service, you can tip more.
26. What do I do if we get separated?
- If it is a true 911-type emergency, call 112! Your phone will know you are in Europe and you will be transferred to emergency services.
- If you are separated and want to know where your group or friends are, download What’s App to your phone. From here it will be easier to call or text anyone else.
27. How much am I allowed to bring home through customs?
– When returning to the United States, the amount of goods you can bring home through U.S. Customs without having to pay duty depends on several factors. Let’s break it down:
Personal Exemption:
In most cases, travelers are permitted to bring up to $800 worth of merchandise back to the United States without having to pay duty. This exemption applies to goods acquired for personal use, including clothing, electronics, and souvenirs.
Specific Allowances:
Keep in mind that there are specific allowances for certain items:
- Alcohol: You can include one liter of alcohol duty-free.
- Tobacco Products: You can bring back 200 cigarettes or 100 cigars duty-free.
- American Goods Returned (AGR): These do not have to be declared, but you must be prepared to prove they are AGR or pay Customs duty.
- Duty-Free Shop Articles: Items purchased in a Customs duty-free shop are free only for the country in which the shop is located. If you exceed your personal exemption, these articles will be subject to Customs duty upon entering your destination country.
Additional Amounts and Dutiable Goods:
Any additional amount of goods beyond the $800 exemption will be dutiable at a flat rate of 3%. For example, if you return from Europe with $200 worth of purchases, including two liters of liquor, one liter will be duty-free under your returning resident personal allowance/exemption. The other liter will be dutiable at 3%, plus any Internal Revenue Tax (IRT) that is due.
Remember to declare anything you bring back that you did not have when you left the United States.
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