Ask Questions Before Choosing Trip

The wealth of choices and heated competition for our vacation dollars can confuse even the experienced traveler.

How do we determine which trip is best suited to our needs? Here are questions that I recommend travelers ask themselves, their travel agents and travel-service providers:

What are your objectives and your budgetary constraints? If more than one traveler is involved in the decision-making process, are you willing to compromise on your priorities? Blunt honesty now can prevent disappointment later.

If you are booking a group tour, a stay at an all-inclusive resort, a cruise or any other form of travel in which you give up a large degree of independence, are you absolutely certain you know what you will receive for your investment of time and money?

Does the company providing the service have a solid reputation? Has your travel agent booked others with this firm? Was there any feedback? If you learned about a tour by direct mail or over the Internet, have you double-checked its authenticity? If you are dealing with an out-of-town operator, can the Better Business Bureau in its home city verify the company’s legitimacy? Does the company accept credit cards? Beware those who request cash only in advance, even if the rationalization is that this holds down cost.

If you are booking a tour that targets your specific interest - rafting, birding, language studies, biking, cooking, fly-fishing, art - do you know the expertise level of your guide(s)? Can you meet them in advance? Is the itinerary highly focused? Does the company offering the service actually conduct the tour? Or is it subcontracting or aligned with another tour operator about which you know nothing?

Are there hidden charges not revealed in the bold print in advertisements and brochures? I was tickled while reading the other day about a prominent Caribbean golf resort that promoted “all-inclusive packages, excluding golf.” That’s akin to a tour operator advertising “dinner included, except entrees.”

If you are considering competing group tours, does the company offering the lowest price provide the best value? Are entrance fees to major attractions and events included in the advertised rate? Transfers? Gratuities? Taxes? How many meals are included? Can you order from a full menu?

Is the cost quoted round trip from your home town? Or must you pay extra for transportation to New York, Los Angeles or another gateway?

At “all-inclusive resorts,” are activities offered that suit your priorities? Is complimentary transportation provided to and from airports and other area sites? Or are you confined to the resort property? On cruises, is air fare included in the advertised price? And have you budgeted for these potential extra expenses: Port charges? Shore excursions? Cocktails and dinner wines? Tips?

What are the physical requirements? For some travelers, minimal walking and stair-climbing pose a challenge; others relish an active vacation. But even “adventure trips” vary widely in scope. How far do you hike or bike in a day? On flat terrain or up a hillside? What weather conditions should you expect? Is special clothing, footwear or rain gear advisable? Do you have any allergies that would render a trip to some parts of the world impractical?

What age group does the trip target? This doesn’t assume you always want to be with people your age. Maybe you want to rediscover your youth; maybe you treasure the wisdom of elders. The pictures in a brochure usually can provide insight into whether a tour or ship caters primarily to seniors or baby boomers.

Will you be traveling with children? Pets? Are you certain they are welcomed? Or that this trip is suitable for them?

What about accommodations? Are fluffy pillows, cable television, fitness facilities and room service essential? Or do you prefer camping beneath the stars?

What are the dress requirements? Some travelers like to wear tuxedos or evening dresses; others are happier in jeans and sneakers. Tours are designed to fit either preference. What type footwear best fits the itinerary? Securing comfortable shoes is among the essentials for enjoying a trip.

Is free time built into the schedule? Or do you prefer a rigid regimen? How early is the wake-up call each morning on a tour that covers several cities? Do you have the flexibility to detour on your own from an itinerary?

Yes, I know ascertaining the answers to these questions takes time and effort. But it’s better to discover unwanted surprises before leaving home than when it’s too late to turn back.