While True Blue Travel allows you to reconnect with U-M alumni and experience the world, there are many questions that come along with international travel. The answers to the most commonly asked questions are below. If your question wasn’t answered here, please contact us at 800.847.4764 or truebluetravel@umich.edu.
Q: I have a specific question regarding the airfare, trip price, room dimensions, facilities or accessibility of a trip. Whom do I contact?
A: Please contact True Blue Travel at 800.847.4764 or the tour operator at the number listed on the Web site.
Q: I have a question about travel insurance. Whom do I contact?
A: Please contact Travel Insurance Services at 800.937.1387 or visit here.
Q: What happens if I need to cancel my trip?
A: If you decide you need to cancel your trip reservations, please refer to the terms and conditions found on the Web site or contact your tour operator directly at the number listed on your trip confirmation letter. The Alumni Association will need a copy of the letter that you will be asked to write confirming your cancellation. This may be faxed to us at 734.936.3089 or mailed to 200 Fletcher St., Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1007.
Q: Do I need to be a member of the Alumni Association to travel? Can I bring friends and family who are not alumni?
A: Yes. Travel is a benefit of Alumni Association membership. However, only one person per room needs to be a member of the Association. If you would like to travel with us and you are not a member, you can sign up for membership online [placeholder crosslink to 8.3] or contact a Customer Relations Representative at 800.847.4764.
Q: How early should I make a reservation?
A: We always suggest making reservations as early as possible after the trip brochure is available. Some trips sell out very quickly. It is not possible to predict how quickly a trip will sell out. The longer you wait, the greater the chances are that the trip will be filled.
Q: Why do I have to pay more if I am traveling alone?
A: Trip pricing is always based on two people sharing the cost of the hotel room or ship cabin. If you are traveling alone, there is no one else to share in the lodging expense. Therefore, a single traveler must cover this entire cost, instead of half. Please note that the single supplement for a cruise is generally much higher than a “land” trip since a substantial portion of the total trip cost is the ship cabin. There are no other “extra” fees charged to a single traveler other than the additional lodging cost. If you would like to request to have a roommate and not pay the single supplement, our tour operators will try to honor requests for roommates, but there is no guarantee that a roommate will be available.
Q: Can I register over the phone?
A: Yes. Please contact True Blue Travel at 800.847.4764 or the tour operator at the number listed on the Web site.
Q: I have questions regarding passports, visas, travel announcements and warnings, and background on a specific country. Where do I go?
A: Please visit the State Department’s Web site or contact True Blue Travel at 800.847.4764.
Q: I have questions regarding vaccinations, health tips, etc. when traveling abroad. Where do I go?
A: Please visit the Center for Disease Control’s Web site or contact the tour operator. You should also contact your primary health care physician.
Q: Can I take my children on a trip?
A: We do offer trips that are designed especially for families. If a trip is not designated as “Family Adventure” it is best suited for adults. Limited children’s activities will be offered on our non-family trip departures. If you are interested in traveling with children, please contact our travel staff or the tour operator to find out if a particular trip is appropriate for children.
Q: Is it possible to upgrade my flights and/or deviate from the planned itinerary?
A: Travelers have the option to upgrade their flights as well as to extend their stay either pre- or post-trip. Any additional cost will be the responsibility of the traveler. Please contact True Blue Travel at 800.847.4764 or the tour operator for additional information.
Q: Can I remove the air component from the travel package so that I can use my frequent flyer miles to get to the destination city?
A: Yes. You can choose to travel with us for the land/sea only price. This will allow you make your own flight arrangements. However, if you are not traveling with the group, you will be responsible for the cost and arrangement of the transfers during the trip (airport to hotel, and any interior trip flights).
Q: Will I receive additional information after I book my trip?
A: Once the tour operator has received your registration, you will receive detailed information regarding a suggested reading list, packing list, background information on the countries you will be visiting, currency requirements, and any other information you might need.
