Use this handy list to learn about tour information
and policies generally applicable to our trips.
| Booking | Cancellation | Coach Information | Final Payments | Gratuities |
| Insurance | Meals | Methods of Payment | Responsibility | What’s Included |
GENERAL TOUR INFORMATION AND POLICIES
Call our office to sign up for the trip(s) of your choice. No seat will be confirmed without a deposit which should be made within tens days after booking unless otherwise stated. If you are interested in a trip, let us know right away so that we will have some idea as to whether there is sufficient interest to make this trip a reality. Usually a trip has to be canceled more than thirty days prior to departure to avoid penalties from hotels, shows, etc. Knowing your interest early helps make that decision.
You may also use the seating chart for the bus (shown below) to place your seating request at the time that you book your trip. If you have difficulty with stairs, please notify us at this time.
Once your deposit has been received, you may cancel without any penalty with notice given 33 days prior to departure and your deposit will be refunded. (This may not apply to trips where show tickets are involved or to cruises.)
Should you find it necessary to cancel within 33 days of departure on trips four days and over, we will make every effort to sell your space and refund your entire payment with the exception of a $25.00 administrative fee to cover expenses incurred in cancellations. If we cannot sell your space, we will refund all monies except those non-recoverable expenses incurred by Royal Tours. Trips that are three days or more are automatically insured with the price being reflected in the cost of the trip.* On one and two-day trips, there will be no cancellation insurance. If these short trips are canceled within two weeks of departure, we will make every effort to resell you space. If we cannot sell your space, we will refund all monies recoverable by Royal Tours, with the exception of a $5.00 cancellation fee. One-day trips are not insured. If you should have to cancel within two weeks, we will refund all but a $5.00 cancellation fee provided we can fill your space, and if you or we are unable to find a replacement, your payment will be non-refundable. This has not been a problem because we can usually work out something to everyone’s satisfaction.
All trips originate in Franklin, Virginia. Depending upon the route, certain stops can be made (provided they are on the designated route) for additional pick-ups. If there is a sufficient number from a particular place, arrangements may be made for a group pick-up.
Soft drinks, cups, and ice are provided aboard the motor coach each day. The group welcomes your goodies for snacks along the way!
Frequent stops will be made to eliminate the need for smoking aboard the motor coach.
There will be no mandatory rotation of seats. If you prefer a particular seat, you may choose according to the order in which you make your deposit using the chart in the Booking section. The earlier the deposit, the better your choice of seats. No one chooses the front seats on the door side as these are left for all who wish to move there at times during the trip. This does not apply to one-day trips. This policy has worked well and is well received by those who have traveled with us.
Most final payments for motor coach trips are due approximately 45 days prior to departure. Final payments for cruises are 60 to 90 days prior to sailing. Prior to that time you will receive a letter which will acknowledge receipt of your payment, the departure time, travel and clothing suggestions, names and phone numbers of hotels, and baggage tags. For ONE-DAY trips, full payment is due within 30 days after booking unless otherwise stated.
Gratuities to our driver for one-day trips are included in the price of the trip. If you wish to tip above the allotted amount, please feel free to do that on an individual basis. Gratuities for our driver on overnight trips are not included in the price of the tour. Such expressions of appreciation should be extended to him on a personal voluntary basis, preferably in an envelope. The passing of a hat or an envelope is to be discouraged. Most people enjoy giving on a one-to-one basis and most gifts are accompanied by a note of thanks. We are indebted to him, first of all, for our safety, for all that he does to insure our comfort, the many times he moves the coach to prevent our walking any distance, and the handling of our baggage and the responsibility he feels for each and every piece. A driver’s responsibility is awesome. He deserves our thanks and prayers daily, and a monetary expression of our appreciation at the end of the trip.
In general, all passengers are insured against injury while on the motor coach. Moving about on the motor coach while it is in motion is done at your own risk.
Royal Tours, Inc. is not responsible for lost, stolen or damaged articles or luggage. We will do everything within our power to make sure that your luggage is accounted for each day that it is in our care. (Note that there is new insurance to cover baggage. Please see the insurance link above.)
The cost for all trips includes breakfast and one other meal each day with the exception of the day we depart on our trip (dinner only is provided) and the day we return home (breakfast only is provided). See also What’s Included for more information about meals provided on particular trips.
Our preferred methods of payment are checks and cash. They involve no “hidden” costs for you or for us. When dealing with credit cards, however, there are fees that have an impact on the transaction.
When planning trips, we have always kept in mind that we are the stewards of your money. Rather than increase the cost of our trips for everyone in order to offset the additional fees incurred from the use of credit cards, we have decided it would be best to simply add a 3% surcharge only for those paying with a credit card. This is the same fee that we are charged by the credit card company for processing the transaction.
When you call us to book a trip, we will inform you of the additional cost if you choose to use a credit card; otherwise, the cost of the trip will be what is printed in the brochure. For those who want to go on the larger trips and not put it on a credit card, we will be happy to allow you to pay by check or cash on an installment plan. This does not involve any additional costs for you nor for us.
Please note that this new surcharge for using credit cards only applies to land trips. You can still use credit cards for all cruises and Collette Vacations without incurring a 3% fee. It is noted in the trip description if it is a tour where we are partnering with Collette Tours.
Royal Tours, Inc. acts solely in the capacity of an agent on behalf of its tour patrons in arranging for lodging, sight-seeing, and any other service as described in the itinerary. We reserve the right to change the itinerary or hotels if necessary provided we feel such change will enhance the trip or when some unforeseen circumstance necessitates such action. Royal Tours, Inc. is not responsible for any loss, delay, injury or accident due to any act or default on the part of any company or persons engaging in providing any of these services.
Unless stated otherwise, prices on all tours include transportation, overnight accommodations, all meals indicated by (B), (L), and (D) each day, sightseeing and admissions as outlined in the itinerary, local guide service and gratuities for such in most cases, gratuities for all included meals, baggage handling in the hotels, and all applicable taxes. All trips include the services of Tour Director Gaynelle Riddick or Donna Adams (or a substitute should that be necessary). Tour Directors are available at all times of the day or night while on the tour. Do not hesitate to solicit our help. Sandra Edwards and Marina Ricks are available in the office to assist you with your bookings and payments. They are ready to help you whenever possible. SERVICE TO YOU IS OUR BUSINESS AND PLEASURE!