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FAQs: Additional Tips: |
Who is eligible for interline pricing?
An employee of an airline or qualifying company (active or retired), employees spouse, dependant children and parents and in-laws of the employee.
Can I take friends along at the interline price?
Yes! As long as they are sharing a cabin with the eligible employee. In some cases, friends can travel in their own cabin at the same rate when traveling with the interliner. Remember, there are different rules for every departure. We will help you find what is best for you and your family. We know the interline market better than anyone else, that is why our clients keep coming back again and again.
Do parents and in-laws have to travel with the airline employee?
It is surprising how many airline employees DO NOT realize that they can extend these benefits to their parents and in-laws AND they don't even have to travel with the employee. It is easy! Your parents can call Dargal directly and we would be happy to register them to get access to our pricing and send them email updates weekly or they can go to our website at www.dargal.com and register themselves. We will take care of your parents like they were our own!
Why would I book with an interline agency when there are other low rates with some retail agencies?
We have had so many situations where an interliner booked through a retail agency at a low rate AND THEN a lower rate became available through interline. You know what? A retail agency cannot offer you the interline rate WHEN it becomes available. At Dargal we have access to the lowest cruise only rates and the interline rates. So what does that mean to you? At Dargal, we have direct access into our suppliers inventory.....something no other interline agency has. We also get access to the lowest retail and interline rates in the marketplace. We know the interline market better than anyone else, which means we keep finding the best rate for you again and again.
What is Bump Protection?
Dargal understands the unique needs of the Interline traveler. Bump protection is our way of protecting your resort vacation. If you get bumped from your flight and will not be able to make your destination in time to check in to your resort room (flying stand-by is the typical example) - simply pick up the phone and call us before 7pm the day of travel and let us know of the situation and we will do one of the following:
- add the day(s) to the end of your vacation*
- rebook you at another resort or date range*
- credit you for the day(s) you missed
- credit you for the entire amount of the resort stay
* subject to availability
What is AI, ROH, EP and BP?
AI - When you see AI indicated with regards to Resorts, it means that the resort is an "All-Inclusive". All-Inclusive means that everything is included in the price you pay... meals and snacks, beverages (both alcoholic and non-alcoholic), watersports (non-motorized) and taxes and gratuities. So you only pay once and then forget about everything except relaxing and having a good time.
ROH - The best available room at the time of check-in. If you want a specific room type then please request this when you make your bookings so it can be guaranteed (some room types will attract a surcharge i.e suites).
EP and BP - When you see EP or BP indicated with regards to Resorts, it means that the resort is more similar to a hotel in that you will receive hotel accomodations and typically breakfast served in a common area (not room service). Taxes and resort fees are also included in the pricing so there are no surprises when checking out.
Who is eligible for Interline rates on Resorts?
An employee of an airline or qualifying company (active or retired), employees spouse, dependant children and parents and in-laws of the employee.
Can I take friends along at the interline price?
Yes! If they are sharing a room with the eligible employee. In most cases, friends can stay in their own room at the same rate even when staying without the interliner. There are different rules for every resort. We will help you find what is best for you and your family. We know the interline market better than anyone else, that is why our clients keep coming back again and again.
Do parents and in-laws have to stay with the airline employee?
No, parents and in-laws qualify as Interliners themselves. It is surprising how many airline employees DO NOT realize that they can extend these benefits to their parents and in-laws AND they don't even have to travel with the employee. It is easy! Your parents can call Dargal directly and we would be happy to register them to get access to our pricing and send them email updates weekly or they can go to our website at www.dargal.com and register themselves. We will take care of your parents like they were our own!
Tips for Buying Hotel and Resort Packages
- Include a Saturday night stay. Many hotels and airlines offer weekend discounts.
- Book flights for Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday. These days have the lowest airline fares.
- Check for off-peak times. When you travel during off-peak times, there are fewer crowds and lower fares.
- Take the weather and seasons into account. Many places are less expensive when temperatures start to drop.
- If you find a good deal - make the reservation! Inventory changes can result in higher costs and limited availability.
- Book as far in advance as possible. Booking a minimum of two months in advance can save a lot of money later.
- Travel after a holiday. Rates drop as people return to work and school.
- Be flexible with your time. Sometimes booking a week or two off your original schedule saves you money, or leaving several hours earlier or later in the day.
- Shop for Specials. Often, limited time offers and specials can save you 30 to 40% off the regular price for a package vacation.
- Make a stop or connection on your flight. Flights that are not direct can save you money.
Who is eligible for Interline rates on Tours?
An employee of an airline or qualifying company (active or retired), employees spouse, dependant children and parents and in-laws of the employee.
Can I take friends along at the interline price?
Yes! If they are touring with the eligible employee. In some cases, friends can book at the same rate even when touring without the interliner. There are different rules for every tour. We will help you find what is best for you and your family. We know the interline market better than anyone else, that is why our clients keep coming back again and again.
Do parents and in-laws have to stay with the airline employee?
No, parents and in-laws already qualify as Interliners themselves. It is surprising how many airline employees DO NOT realize that they can extend these benefits to their parents and in-laws AND they don't even have to travel with the employee. It is easy! Your parents can call Dargal directly and we would be happy to register them to get access to our pricing and send them email updates weekly or they can go to our website at www.dargal.com and register themselves. We will take care of your parents like they were our own!
Do you have more tours than are listed on your website?
Yes. We try to put all of our tour product on the website but there is simply much too much available to display it all. Tours are different than cruises or resorts in that there are many variations for each basic tour... call your travel planner and inquire about variations of tours we offer online. Most often, we can even customize a completely new itinerary to suit your needs.
Tips for booking Tours
- Decide on your destination.
- Decide on your budget.
- Consult a travel agent for quotes on places you would like to travel.
- Tours usually have three categories, determined by the hotel: Deluxe, First Class, and Budget
- Read up on your destination to determine what meals and sightseeing trips are included, and what is "optional".
- Make sure that the vacation includes free time.
- Find out the hotel's location and budget for taxi fares.
- Ask your travel agent if Transfer fees (transportation to and from the airport to the hotel) are included in the package.
- Book the transportation from your city to the point of origin for the tour, and ensure the tour starts in the same place it ends.
- Ask about signing on for part of a tour if the pace is too hectic or you'd like to explore on your own.
- Study a map ahead of time.
- Dress like a local, don't look like a tourist.
- Don't wear jewelry, even if its fake.
- Wear a money belt, looped into your belt loops.
- Only carry one credit card and photocopies of important documents with you.
- Become familiar with local currency before you have to use it.
- Remove ID tags if you have been at a meeting.
- Bring a calculator to calculate the exchange rate.
- Bring a flashlight.
- Bring a note with any important medical history, written in the local language in case of a medical emergency.
- Bring your mobile phone and make sure your provider provides service in your destination area.
- Keep your valuables close to you in airports and other busy locations.
Families with Children
Let us know if you are traveling with family and we will arrange a suitable vacation for you. Babysitting is available on many cruise lines, and most include daytime programs and activities for teens and children.
Travel Tips for children:
- Consider bringing a babysitter so you can enjoy your evenings and know the kids are having just as much fun as you.
- Bring along a friend. Your children will enjoy the extra company and it will calm sibling rivalry.
- Give them an inexpensive camera to take their own pictures of what interests them on the trip.
- Don't forget the plastic zipper bags and storage containers for art supplies, toys, and CDs. The container tops make great traveling desks.
- Make a list of everything to pack and check it twice. Give older children a list of things they'll need so they can pack themselves.
- Bring plenty of band-aids, sunglasses, sunscreen, batteries, tape and scissors.
- Don't forget room for the souvenirs in your suitcase.
If you are sailing while pregnant, please be aware that you will be denied boarding if you are 24 weeks or more pregnant at time of embarkation. A physician's letter is required at boarding confirming the due date and that you are medically fit to travel.
Group Travel, Conventions and Reunions
Large groups require extra consideration. Ask us about our group travel if you are planning a convention, meeting or reunion. Our experts will help take some of the pressure off organizing the event and make sure arrangement are suitable to your group's needs.
- Know your budget and research any extra costs.
- Book the best room you can.
- Ask about the size of the bed as sizes vary around the world. In Europe, you may want to ask for a "matrimonial" bed.
- Make sure you both agree on the destination and the budget.
- Let everyone know it's your honeymoon. Often there are special perks for those on their honeymoon, such as champagne and breakfast in bed.
- If having a room looking onto the beach is important to you, make sure you specify this
- Ask about the best way to get to your hotel from the airport.
- If you are renting a car, find out about insurance requirements ahead of time.
- All travel documentation should be ready to go - passports, visas, etc.
- Reconfirm your booking before the trip to ensure your arrangements.
- Check whether you will require any immunizations. Some countries require proof that you are current on certain disease-preventing immunizations.
- If you are traveling by air, make sure that your picture identification matches your airline tickets, and if you are traveling internationally, that your passport information matches your ticket information.
Travel Tips for Singles
If you are on holiday alone, here are some precautions when selecting a hotel:
- Book a hotel on a well trafficked street with busy businesses nearby.
- Room numbers should be written on the key's envelope, not mentioned aloud.
- Amenities like parking and gym should have attendants during times you might need them.
- Parking lot should be well lit and secured.
- Plastic electronic keys with no identifying numbers or addresses.
- Ask a female employee (not in reservations) whether she walks in the area at night.
When you're choosing a room, look for one that is:
- Has double locks, and preferably a bar lock.
- Is near the lobby or another location that is staffed 24 hours.
When using your room:
- Do not use the clean room sign letting others know you are not in. Call housekeeping if necessary.
- Do use the do not disturb sign so others think the room is occupied.
- Lock up valuables in the safe and lock larger items in your suitcase.
- Be careful when lifting heavy carry-on bags into overhead bins on airplanes. Ask for assistance if you need it.
- Buy luggage with wheels so you don't have to carry your suitcases around.
- Carry small packets of anti-bacterial hand cleaner if you're going on a hike or exploring, as places to wash your hands may be few and far between.
- Wear comfortable clothing while traveling that doesn't constrict or bind. You should be able to easily cross your legs when sitting. Sitting in a cramped position for long periods of time increases your risk of blood clots.
- If you are on a tour and prone to motion sickness, ride in the front of the vehicle, as riding in the back can intensify symptoms.
- Avoid drinking any beverages made from tap water in under developed countries. Hot beverages such as coffee and tea are likely to be safe.
- Avoid strenuous activities in hot climates during the middle of the day when the heat is most intense. Your body can lose its ability to regulate your internal temperature at safe levels, and can result in exhaustion, heat cramps, and heat stroke which can be fatal.
- Take a notebook with you while traveling to make notes of the activities you participated in, and write down any experiences you had. This will make your trip more memorable.
- Make sure to purchase supplemental health insurance while traveling.
- Lock up your valuables in your room safe or in the hotel's safe while traveling.
- Try to bring the least amount of jewelry possible, to prevent the possibility of theft.
Special Needs
Ask our travel agents about services that most companies provide for those with special needs. There are destinations that are more suitable for those who require wheelchair access, and we can help you decide on the right vacation for you. Dietary restrictions can also be met on most vacations, if Dargal is informed in advance of your trip. Whatever your needs are, we're happy to help.
Tips and Gratuities
Cruise Lines will often have an established guideline for easy reference; The following represents an industry standard for tips and gratuities.
Dining Room Waiter: $3.50
Dining Room Busboy: $2.00
Dining Room Maitre d': $0.35
Dining Room Head Waiter: $0.15
Room Steward: $3.50
All pricing is per person/per day.
Other personnel, such as Bellboys and Deck Stewards may be tipped as service is rendered. The gratuitiy for bar staff is offten automatically added to your bill. If not 15% is standard.
Dress Codes
Before you start packing we suggest you check the dress code for your vacation. Some places require formal evening wear, casual wear for regular attire, and possibly conservative clothing for sightseeing. Local customs should be taken into account when on holidays, as short shorts and skirts, halter tops and provocative clothing may be frowned upon in some destinations.
TO ALL GUESTS DEPARTING FROM US PORTS PLEASE NOTE:
US Department of Homeland Security Effective Feb. 18, 2008
Cruise Line Manifests are to be submitted no later then 60 minutes prior to departure from all US ports.
Therefore guest information must be processed no later then 90 minutes prior to sailing. Guests are asked to provide complete and accurate immigration details in advance of their embarkation date. This can be done on-line up to 6 days in advance of sailing. Guests who have not provided all required information 90 minutes prior to boarding will be denied boarding without compensation.
Please click on the name of the cruise line you are traveling with from the Dargal home page, then click on preboarding documents to complete your pre-boarding information.
Please note:
Passports and Visa's are the responsibility of the client. Please check with the appropriate agency to ensure your immigration documents are in order. Dargal recommends that all guests travel with a passport valid for at least 6 months beyond the completion of travel.
USA www.dhs.gov/xtrvlsec/crossingborders/
Canada www.visaconnection.com Toll free 1-866-566-VISA (8472)
World wide http://www.wordtravels.com
Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative
Please be aware of new travel requirements for U.S., Canadian and Bermudian citizens that went into effect on June 1, 2009. While the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) requires valid passports for land and sea travel, a final ruling was issued allowing leniency for U.S. citizens traveling on "closed-loop" cruises, i.e., sailings that both originate and terminate in the same U.S. port.
Recent guidance received from the Department of Homeland Security indicates the documentary requirements under WHTI for "closed loop" cruises are not limited to cruises that travel only to contiguous territories or adjacent islands. This means U.S. citizens calling on ports in Honduras, Panama, Costa Rica and Belize will also be exempt from the passport requirement.
U.S. citizens taking "closed-loop" cruises are not required to have a passport but will need proof of citizenship such as an original or certified copy of a birth certificate, a certificate of naturalization, a passport card, an enhanced driver's license (EDL) as well as a government-issued photo ID. Children are also required to bring proof of citizenship and if 16 and over, a photo ID is also required. Canadian and Bermudian citizens are required to have a passport for air, land and sea travel.
Although a passport is not required for U.S. citizens taking "closed loop" cruises, we strongly recommend all guests travel with a passport (valid for at least six months beyond completion of travel). Having a passport will enable guests to fly from the U.S. to a foreign port in the event they miss their scheduled embarkation or to fly back to the U.S. if they need to disembark the ship mid-cruise due to an emergency.
If a cruise begins and ends in different U.S. ports or begins and ends in a foreign port (such as Alaska and Hawaii cruises), a valid passport or other recognized WHTI-compliant document is required. A valid passport is required if you are traveling on any of our Europe cruises. ALL guests need proper proof of citizenship in order to travel and failure to present a valid document at check in will result in denied boarding and no refund will be issued.
For more information regarding the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative and passport requirements for entry or re-entry into the United States please visit the following websites:
Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative
U.S. Department of State
Passport Canada
If you have any questions regarding your cruise booked with Dargal, please contact your travel planner or visit one of the following links for more detailed and up to date information:
Canadian Citizens
United States Citizens
Visa Waiver Program (VWP)
The Visa Waiver Program (VWP) is undergoing changes. The US government plans to implement the Electronic System for Travel Application (ESTA) Jan 12, 2009. All VWP travelers to the US will be required to have an approved electronic travel authorization via ESTA.
Citizens of the following VWP countries require this authorization:
Andorra, Austria, Australia, Belgium, Brunei, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the UK.
*This does not apply to US or Canadian citizens.
Please visit the US government ESTA website for more information at: http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/id_visa/esta/
Please note that guests who arrive at the pier without proper documentation will not be allowed to embark the ship and will not be eligible for a refund.
Disclaimer - 3rd Party Sites
The links provided are for informational purposes only. Dargal Interline Worldwide accepts no responsibility, either implied or stated, for the content or material contained in 3rd party sites. Please check with your passport/government office before you plan to travel in order to ensure that all of your documentation is correct.
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