General Information for Traveling on a Starr Tour
TRAVELING OUTSIDE OF USA
You are responsible for ensuring you have proper identification and documentation and meet all requirements for international border crossing. A passport with an expiration date of at least 6 months after the return date of your trip is always needed when leaving or entering the country. Starr does not accept responsibility for any passenger refused entry into any country due to failure of the passenger to present correct documentation, or failure of country to accept border crossing.
ACCESSIBILITY
Please inform us of any special needs you may have at the time of booking. Please note that we must know in advance if you have a disability that prevents your independence. A capable travel companion who will assume full responsibility for your care and mobility must accompany you. Starr regrets that it cannot provide individual assistance to guests for wheelchairs, motorized scooters, walking, dining or other needs. Passengers requiring a wheelchair must provide their own collapsible wheelchair. If you choose to bring a motorized scooter, it is your party’s responsibility to load it onto and off of the motorcoach, as Starr Drivers are not permitted to handle motorized scooters. At the time of your trip’s departure, if it is determined that you are not suited to travel with us, your boarding will be denied and the cost of your trip refunded, less any monies that may have been advanced on your behalf.
COACH SEATING
Seats are assigned at the time of booking, however they are subject to change. There are no assigned seats on transfers to and from piers/airports and on selected tours.
SMOKING
In accordance with the law, smoking of any kind or device is not permitted onboard the coach.
ALCOHOL
Consumption of alcohol is not allowed onboard the coach. Alcohol may be stored onboard the coach as long as it is unopened and secure. Passengers exhibiting disruptive behavior due to excessive use of
alcohol will be asked to leave the tour without refund.
WiFi
Starr motorcoaches are equipped with Wi-Fi for your convenience. Our Wi-Fi service can accommodate basic internet browsing and checking/sending e-mails. Since this is a shared service with limited bandwidth, please refrain from streaming video, audio and file downloads. Overall connection speed may be affected by the number of Wi-Fi users on the bus. Service is never guaranteed and is not available in Canada.
CHARGING STATIONS
Many Starr motorcoaches offer standard 110-volt electrical outlets at each seat. This amenity is not guaranteed.
BAGGAGE
Each tour guest is permitted to bring one piece of luggage for storage in the luggage bay of the coach. Additional bags will be accepted on day of departure only based on space availability and will not be included in hotel baggage handling (the tour guest is responsible for getting the extra baggage to/from their room). In consideration of our Drivers, every effort should be made to keep luggage weight to a maximum of 40 pounds. Under no circumstances should luggage exceed 50 pounds. We also prefer you use a bag with 8 wheels known as a “Spinner bag” (shown to the right). If luggage exceeds 50 pounds, the guest will be responsible for handling their heavy luggage throughout the trip. A small bag or purse, if carried onto the bus by the tour guest and stored in the overhead compartment on the coach, is permissible. Please do not leave valuables, important documents, or medications onboard, as Starr is not responsible for items left behind. Although every effort is made to handle our guests’ luggage carefully, we cannot be responsible, assume liability or accept claims for loss or damage to luggage and personal effects. It is important for you to have adequate insurance to cover these eventualities.
LOST & FOUND
Occasionally, guests leave items behind. When this happens, we will do our best to keep track of these items and keep them safe. You may contact Starr’s Lost & Found department at 609-587-0626. Starr is not responsible for any personal items left behind.
HOTEL ACCOMMODATIONS
TRIPLES and QUADS are sold with the understanding that there will be two double beds in the room. ADJACENT ROOM, ADJOINING ROOM and FIRST FLOOR ROOM requests can be made at the time of booking, but are never guaranteed.
DIETARY REQUESTS
Dietary requests and preferences must be provided to Starr at the time of booking and we will do our best to accommodate them, but they are not guaranteed and are subject to availability. Once you begin your trip, you should remind your Tour Director of your dietary requests and preferences.
APPROPRIATE CLOTHING
All trips operate rain or shine. We suggest you wear comfortable walking shoes or sneakers while on tour. Bring a light jacket or sweater for the motorcoach.
GRATUITIES
The cost of your tour package includes all gratuities for baggage handling at hotel and meals included in the tour unless otherwise specified. Gratuities to individuals noted below are not included in the price of your tour. If you wish, such appreciation may be extended on an individual basis. Customary recognized guidelines are as follows:
• Starr Motorcoach Driver – $4-$6 per tour guest, per day
• Starr Tour Director – $4-$6 per tour guest, per day
• Local Guide – $2-$3 per tour guest for a half-day sightseeing tour, $3-$5 for a full-day sightseeing tour
• Housekeeping Service at Hotel – $2-$3 per room, per overnight (if daily service is available)
YOUNG TRAVELERS
Children are welcome on all Starr trips. Starr offers several day trips with reduced rates for children. Travelers who are under 18 years old always must be accompanied by an adult (and on multi-day trips must room with an adult).
TRAVEL DOCUMENTS
You can expect to have your travel documents in your possession approximately 14 days prior to departure. Documents include departure and arrival times, departure location, Multi day trips: hotel information, luggage tags, day-by-day itinerary, plus any helpful hints. Your Tour Director or Driver will give you specific times related to your itinerary.
PRICE STRUCTURE
Some tours vary in price by departure date. The asterisk (*) next to the date and price refers to the lowest price available.
PHOTOGRAPHY
From time to time, Starr customers may be photographed while on tour and pictures may be posted in our publications, on our website and on social media. If you do not want your picture taken, please alert your Tour Director at the start of your trip.
WEAPONS
No weapons of any type are permitted on our trips at any time. This includes, but is not limited to, firearms, knives, mace, brass knuckles.
EMERGENCY ONBOARD LAVATORY
Every coach is equipped with a lavatory that should be used only in case of emergency. Our Drivers will make every effort to provide a rest stop every 2-3 hours.
COOPERATION and CONSIDERATION
Our professional team of tour experts take pride in creating Starr’s exciting vacations. Special effort goes into preparing itineraries, choosing sightseeing stops, as well as providing deluxe motorcoaches and terrific drivers. From the moment you step onboard the coach to the moment you step off, we will do everything possible to make your trip a wonderful travel experience. Our trips are run with you, the traveler, in mind and we will do everything we can to make all our trips enjoyable. We ask that you please understand you will be traveling as a group and personal requests may not be able to be accommodated. Please adhere to the schedule as your promptness will be appreciated by your fellow travelers and is necessary for the smooth operation of your trip. All passengers must leave the motorcoach at meal and rest stops.
SAFETY
When the coach is moving, please remain seated for your safety. When seatbelts are provided, you are responsible for wearing your seatbelt. Starr is not liable for any injury, loss, damages, claims, or death resulting from any accident or incident if you were not wearing your seatbelt at the time of the accident or incident when the motorcoach is equipped with them. A short video will be shown at the beginning of your trip to familiarize you with motorcoach safety and travel.
TOUR COMPONENTS AND PRICES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE
Although every effort is made to operate trips as advertised, Starr reserves the right to vary itineraries and prices and to substitute hotels, events, or attractions of equal or better quality, if necessary.
TOUR CANCELLATIONS
Starr reserves the right to cancel or reschedule any tour departure for any reason, including insufficient demand or unforeseeable circumstances. If a tour is canceled prior to departure, Starr’s only responsibility will be to refund the amount received for the reservation. Starr will try to re-book the same vacation with a different departure date, or a similar vacation, but there is no guarantee of availability of offering.
AUTHORITY TO REMOVE OR REFUSE PASSENGERS
In the sole discretion of Starr, Starr may refuse transport to any passenger or may require any passenger to leave the tour if it is reasonably believed that the traveler (1) is dangerous to others or to himself or herself; (2) has engaged in, is engaged in, or is threatening to engage in, behavior that may adversely affect the safety, security, comfort, enjoyment, or well-being of the traveler, other passengers or Starr representatives, including, but not limited to, behavior that is disruptive, verbally abusive, physically abusive, obnoxious, harassing, discriminatory, or obscene; or (3) has failed or refused, or is failing or refusing, to follow Starr’s rules and procedures or the instructions of Starr or its representatives. In the event a passenger is removed, such passenger may be left at any city without any liability to Starr or its representatives. Starr shall not be required to refund any portion of the price paid by any passenger who is removed under the terms of this paragraph, nor shall Starr be responsible for expenses for lodging, medical care, meals, transportation, or any other expenses incurred by the passenger. Starr shall be entitled to recover from the passenger any costs or expenses incurred by Starr or its representatives in the removal of the passenger or the exercise or enforcement of this clause.
RESPONSIBILITY STATEMENT
Starr Transit Co, Inc. acts only as the agent for the passenger, accepts no responsibility in whole or in part for any delays, cancellations, inconveniences, loss, damage or injury to person or property, resulting from mechanical defect or failure, of any nature, howsoever caused, or for any substitution of hotels or other event or attraction, as deemed necessary, for any reason such as acts of God, war, terrorism, strike, weather, traffic, or beyond the control of Starr. Starr reserves the right to make changes to itineraries with or without notice.