Standard Policies
Responsibility Clause: Embracing The Culture, LLC acts only as an agent in arranging motorcoach charters, hotel accommodations, select meals, tickets, and other services and does not assume any liability for injury, damage, loss, or delay due to any policy or act of any person or entity other than Embracing The Culture, LLC. Our vendors work independently of our influence. Embracing The Culture, LLC. cannot be held liable for any negligence, lack of performance, or changes by any of our vendors, including but not limited to, motorcoach amenities, type of food, hotel accommodations, or ticket availability. Embracing The Culture, LLC cannot be held responsible for changes in the itinerary due to weather, traffic, mechanical failure, or similar circumstances beyond our control. Embracing The Culture, LLC reserves the right to make minor changes to the trip itinerary without prior notice. This includes dates, times, hotel accommodations, menus, inclusions, etc. All information given including but not limited to marketing material, website, verbal correspondence with Embracing The Culture, LLC representatives, etc., are as accurate as we could have known at the time the information was disseminated. Embracing The Culture, LLC reserves the right to decline acceptance of any person on their tours for any violation of any policies both written here or elsewhere.
Protocols for Infectious Diseases: By attending the tour, tourists recognize and acknowledge that there are certain inherit risks associated with infectious diseases, including COVID-19, and accept full responsibility for personal injury to themselves or others in their party. Tourists understand and agree that if after attending or even if tourist has fully complied with all wellness policies and procedures. If the tourists test positive for an infectious disease or exhibits signs or symptoms, Embracing The Culture, LLC may remove said tourists, refuse reboarding, and remove the tourist as well as members of the tourist’s traveling party. Embracing The Culture, LLC, in its sole discretion, are necessary under the circumstances to protect the health and well being of others. Each such tourist is responsible for all other related costs and fines, including without limitation travel expenses. Under no circumstance shall Embracing The Culture, LLC be liable to any such tourist for any costs, damages, or expenses whatsoever incurred by any tourist.
Tour Documents: Complete joining instructions with pick up times and locations, an itinerary, and hotel listing will be provided to you approximately 30-days prior to the tour’s departure date.
Included meals/attractions: You will be advised of those meals that are included as part of your tour. We regret that food substitutions are not always possible for pre-arranged or set menus. Please let us know when signing up if you have dietary restrictions and we will do our best to accommodate those needs if we can. Refunds cannot be given, should you choose not to join the tour group for an included meal, or for sightseeing that has been prepaid or arranged on a group basis.
Tour Participation: Tour participation will be granted to all persons. Any person who requires special assistance, needs to be accompanied by an able companion who will assist throughout the trip. Embracing The Culture, LLC regrets that we are not able to provide individual assistance to guests with walking, wheelchairs, or other personal needs.
No Shows: It is the individual’s responsibility to arrive at the departure location on time. Embracing The Culture, LLC cannot be held responsible if you do not arrive on time (no matter what the reason) and miss departures. We are on a schedule and must depart on time. If you are unsure of where a departure point is located, make a dry run so you will be sure you know where to go the day of the trip. There will be NO REFUND for no shows on a trip; so be sure you allow enough time to get to the departure point and be sure you know how to get to that departure location.
Special Requests: Tourists must make Embracing The Culture, LLC aware of any special requirements at the time of booking. These may include but are not limited to, smoking preference, allergies, handicap accessibility, roommate requests, etc. Any requests will be passed on to the appropriate vendors, however, Embracing The Culture LLCC cannot guarantee the fulfillment of any requests because outside vendors’ decisions are outside of our control. With that said, the earlier a request is put in the better chances for a request to be honored.
Alcohol and Smoking Policy: Embracing The Culture, LLC and vendors are not responsible for individuals who consume alcohol or their actions. Many of the hotels we visit are now completely smoke-free. If any vendor determines that a customer or any of their tourists were found smoking anywhere that is designated as a non-smoking area it will be that customers responsibility to pay any additional fees or charges before they will be allowed to continue the tour. If you do not know if you are in a smoking or non-smoking room, please ask for clarification.
Lost or Forgotten Items Policy: It is each tourist’s responsibility to make sure that no personal items are left behind in the motor coach and/or tour locations we visit.
Traveling Etiquette: Travel etiquette covers a wide range of topics and even more basic rules to make sure that everyone enjoys the tour. Here are but a few of the many basic rules.
- Be on time. This begins at the very first pickup and should continue throughout the duration of the trip. Tourists who are tardy can run the risk of being left behind without transportation. Tourists who are left will not be refunded for portions of the trip they have missed and will not be compensated for any additional cost incurred because the motorcoach had left.
- Come on the tour with a positive attitude. Negativity is contagious and brings other people down on what may be a very enjoyable trip for them. If you have any issues or concerns, please bring it to the attention of an Embracing The Culture, LLC member, they will be more than happy to assist you.
- Yelling and other disruptions will not be tolerated. Everyone, including vendors and other tourists should be always treated with respect, this includes hotel staff, drivers, restaurant employees, etc.
- Please be considerate of your fellow tourists while on the tour. Put your cell phone on vibrate, or silent, if possible. Turn the volume on your ringer down if you must leave it on. Lower your voice when taking a call while attending scheduled tours, events and while traveling by charter bus.
Gratuities: Gratuities are customary for escorts and drivers; however, they are voluntary. They should be given to both the driver and escort based on a job well done on their individual performance, not based on outside circumstances beyond their control. Likewise, in the event an escort or driver is below expectations, decreasing the tip amount is appropriate.
Traveling Tips
- Dress in Layers – Everyone’s temperature can vary on the bus, so we recommend you bring a sweater or light jacket on the coach with you. Some may choose to even bring a little pillow and/or blanket for added comfort. Keep in mind there may be limited space on the coach if filled. Another thing to keep in mind is wearing comfortable walking shoes. There may be parts of the trip that require extensive walking. Did you know? Changing the temperature on the motorcoach is not as easy as a car. Some motorcoaches must pull over to flip a valve to change from air conditioning to heat.
- Medication on Carry On – Please have any required medications in your carry on with you on the motorcoach. Be sure to bring enough for the duration of your trips and extra in case of an emergency. Additional medications can be stowed in your overnight bag below the motorcoach.
- Medical Form – On any trip we recommend everyone carry emergency information along with any medical coverage cards you may have. Always be prepared.
- Luggage Tags –Due to luggage looking similar, marking your bags may be helpful with a luggage tag or for example, a bright colored string, band, or duct tape.
