Welcome to the SUNSHINE TRAVEL CLUB
Dear Traveler,
I would like to say “Thank You” to all of the many customers who have travelled with us over the years. This support has enabled us to continue offering a variety of trips that make our journeys truly magical. Allow the Sunshine Travel Club to uncover the treasures of our destinations and to not only reveal the historic values of the areas, but also create some unexpected delights. We welcome for 2020 new and repeat customers, and hope that you will enjoy our professional drivers, comfortable motor coaches and friendly, courteous, tour directors. We begin our 57th year with a selection of trips from which you can plan a carefree relaxing vacation, as well as provide an opportunity to create new friendships and develop wonderful new memories. I would ask that you to read through the “GENERAL INFORMATION” as there have been several changes to improve your comfort and enjoyment of our trips. Also please ensure that you read the information contained in our “WAIVER” which is located on the inside of the back cover of the tour book. We look forward to sharing our journeys with you.
Sincerely,
Richard Craftchick
Board Chairman
CONTACT INFORMATION
Listed below are the names and telephone numbers of our Board Members and Tour Directors. If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to contact any of the following:
BOARD OF DIRECTORS:
Richard Craftchick - President 705-779-3326
Linda Cote - Secretary 705-759-9079
Elsie Gaetano - Treasurer 705-254-2013
Velma McClelland - Director 705-759-9275
Carol Hamilton - Director 705-949-0461
TOUR DIRECTORS:
Emma Bonin* 705-759-5193
Francine Gignac 705-206-2719
Lynne Morley 705-949-4787
Linda Seabrook 705-971-6888
Gail Rebek 705-575-7711
Patricia Barill 705-450-4507
*Tour Director Representative on the Board of Directors
SUNSHINE TRAVEL CLUB OFFICE: 705-759-4796 (9:00 AM-1:00 PM - Monday-Friday)
TOUR/OFFICE MANAGER: Janet Luczinski
Toll Free: 1-800-722-9638
Office Fax: 705-759-4104
Email: thesunshinetravelclub@outlook.com
Website: www.thesunshinetravelclub.com
MEETINGS:
The Sunshine Travel Club meetings are held at the Seniors Drop-In Centre located at 619 Bay St. in Sault Ste. Marie ON.
IMPORTANT DATES:
2019 Wednesday, November 6th 10:30 AM–1:30 PM Sign-up Day for 2020 tours
2020 Thursday, October 1st 7:00 PM Sunshine Travel Club General Meeting
Sunshine Travel Club Trips include:
Escorted Sunshine Travel Club Tour Director
A.J. Bus Lines deluxe motor coach transportation with WI-FI where available
Twin bedded hotel accommodation in non-smoking rooms
Sightseeing excursions as outlined in trip information
Baggage handling for one piece of luggage, per customer…where available
All taxes included
Not included:
Cost of meals, except where stated Cost of tours and activities listed as optional
Telephone calls, special room service, beverages, etc.
Tipping/gratuities except where stated, airline baggage fees
GENERAL INFORMATION – “Please read carefully”
TOUR PRICES
Prices are based on twin bedded accommodation, per person. For those who wish to share, it is the responsibility of the passenger to find a companion. In the event that a companion cannot be found, then the single price will apply.
PAYMENT
ALL TRIPS WILL BE PAID IN CANADIAN FUNDS. The prices shown are in effect at the time of printing and every effort is made to maintain the prices as quoted. The club, however, reserves the right to adjust the prices if necessary. ALL PRICES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE. All cheques are made payable to SUNSHINE TRAVEL CLUB.
We do not accept credit/debit cards.
SEAT ASSIGNMENT
Seating on the bus will be allocated on the first day of the trip and will be rotated every day. The assignment of the seats is arranged by the order in which you sign up for the trip. In the event of a cancellation the first person on the waiting list will be assigned to the vacant seat.
IMPORTANT NOTE: IF THE BUS IS EQUIPPED WITH SEAT BELTS, THEY SHOULD BE WORN FOR YOUR SAFETY.
BREAKS
The coach will stop in the morning and the afternoon, as well as a one-hour stop for lunch. If you need to eat at a certain time, then it is advised that you carry a snack with you.
BAGGAGE
One large piece of luggage (not to exceed 50 lbs) is allowed per passenger. This piece will be tagged and placed in the luggage compartment under the coach. One small carry-on not to exceed 19”x 9-1/2” with no wheels may be taken inside the coach and placed in the overhead compartment. YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE for this piece of luggage. If the piece does not fit in the overhead it will have to be placed under the coach in the luggage compartment. Safety requirements do not allow this piece to be held on your lap or stored under the seat. GOLF CLUBS are not allowed on the coach except for trips where there are golf opportunities. COOLERS are not allowed on the coach.
ALLERGIES
Many of our passengers suffer from allergies. Due to the enclosed environment on the coach, we ask that you refrain from using perfumes, shaving lotions or any other scented products.
MEDICAL
Please remember to pack all of your medications in their original containers. They should be packed into your carry-on luggage in the event you require them while we are travelling. A current copy of your travel insurance and your OHIP documentation should accompany you at all times. *Any special request (medical, mobility or dietary) must be noted on your registration form at time of booking. (i.e. diabetic) * We are unable to provide individual assistance to a passenger in regards to getting on and off the coach, climbing stairs or walking, due to insurance regulations. If you require special assistance, then it is your responsibility to ensure that a capable travel companion accompanies you on the trip. Our coaches are not equipped to handle large medical assistance aids and are only accessible by using stairs for exit and entry.
We highly recommend the purchase of out-of-country/province medical insurance. Be sure to purchase insurance that will provide coverage for your conditions and carry the form with you on the trip.
PASSPORTS
Effective June 1st, 2009, US law requires all passengers to present a valid passport to enter the United States. Failure to comply could result in passenger not being allowed into the USA. In the event this happens, there is NO REFUND on your trip.
SMOKING & ALCOHOL
Our coaches are smoke and alcohol free. This policy will be strictly enforced to ensure our customers enjoy a safe and clean environment while travelling with us. If you require a smoking room, please advise us at the time of booking. It is not always possible to make changes when arriving at the hotels. We always book non-smoking rooms ahead of arrival.
GRATUITIES
Tips to servers, hotel staff, waiters and step-on guides are a tangible way for you to express your appreciation for a job well done. This practice, though customary, is voluntary and not included in our tour prices. The general rule is 15% for restaurant meals, $1.00 for complimentary meals or buffets, $1.00/ night for hotel maid service. If the club includes a meal in your itinerary the gratuity is included. Gratuities for our Tour Directors and Coach Drivers are at your discretion. Our Tour Directors are volunteers and we feel that they do a great job to enhance your tour and make it a worry-free vacation.
TOUR COMMENT SHEETS
At the end of each trip the Tour Director will provide you with a tour comment sheet to be filled out. These forms have been invaluable to the club over the years. We would ask that you take a few minutes to fill them out and return to us, along with your name for us to follow up. We have made the form more user friendly providing an opportunity for you to tell us what we did well and what we need to improve on. We would also like to hear from you in regards to suggestions for future trips to be considered. In the event that you have a complaint, concern or suggestion you would like to discuss in private, please do not hesitate to contact the office.
CANCELLATION AND TRIP INTERRUPTION INSURANCE
We do not provide this insurance on our trips. We strongly advise that you purchase insurance as soon as you have booked a trip. It is the sole responsibility of the passenger to ensure proper insurance is purchased.
DESIGNATED PICKUP/DROP-OFF POINTS *** NEW***
Please refer to the back of this book to see a list of these locations. There are no exceptions.
In Sault Ste. Marie the only location is the WALMART NORTH parking lot-Great Northern Rd.
CANCELLATION PENALTIES
The following charges will apply in the event of a cancellation, unless otherwise stated in the brochure.
* from time of deposit to date of final payment a $25 per person penalty will apply
* from time of final payment until time of departure, the tour is non-refundable.
* spur of the moment trips are 100% non-refundable once purchased
* refund of monies must be claimed through your cancellation insurance provider along with the necessary documentation. (I.e. medical or death certificate)
If for some reason you must leave the trip early, we do not refund the cost of the unused portion of the trip. This would be claimed through your insurance provider. Any additional costs incurred or any ancillary loss sustained as a result of cancellations, delays of tours caused by inclement weather, acts of God, bus delay, or any other event is not the fault of the club.
SIGN-UP DAY FOR THE 2020 TOURS
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 6TH, 2019 - 10:30 AM – 1:30 PM.
No need to come early as the doors will open at 10:30 AM, at Senior’s drop in Centre 619 Bay Street. Please use the rear entrance off the parking lot. Numbers will be handed out in the order you arrive.
NO RESERVATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED PRIOR TO SIGN UP DAY
The Sunshine Travel Club reserves the right to limit the number of seats an individual may book for any one tour. You can reserve one seat for yourself and one seat for your travel companion. If there is a couple that wishes to accompany you on a tour, they may be booked at the same time.
***This only applies to registrations received on sign-up day.***
Do not hesitate to make a reservation if you are interested in a trip. Sometimes we are forced to cancel a trip if there is not enough interest, so please sign up early. Some of the popular trips get filled on the first day of registration. If the trip is full, add your name to the wait list in the event of a cancellation. If possible, please come to Sign-Up Day to avoid disappointment. (along with cheques for deposit)
RESERVATIONS
After November 6th, 2019 reservations for our 2020 tours can be made by phone or in person at the office. Office hours are 9:00 AM-1:00 PM Monday to Friday. Phone: 705-759-4796 Toll free: 1-800-722-9638
SPUR OF THE MOMENT TRIPS
Anyone interested in our Spur of the Moment trips is asked to provide us with an email address to enable the trip information to be sent to you. Please provide us with your email address on Sign-Up Day, call the office, or send us an email. For those without a computer, we will contact you by phone with all the details once a tour has been announced. If you are interested in travelling on a tour, visit the office, mail a cheque, or drop a cheque in our mail box. Be sure to enclose your deposit along with your registration form in order to confirm your reservation.
TRIP CHANGES
Changes to any trip will only be made to improve the quality of the tour through unavoidable circumstances.
ACTIVITY LEVELS
These are now indicated at the top of each tour. Please make reference to these indicators to avoid any problems while on the tour.
GIFT CERTIFICATES
We have certificates in any denomination available at the office. They make great Christmas and Birthday gifts! No expiry date on the certificates.
NEW BOARD MEMBERS & TOUR DIRECTORS
We are always looking for new candidates for these positions. If you are interested, please drop-off a resume at the office or telephone a current executive.
