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Navigator: Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Q. What is included in each package?
  A.
  • Air: Airfare from the New York City Area (Kennedy or Newark, depending on the flight) to your destination and return via an IATA or ARC Carriers, in coach class. The fare basis is “group fares” (Most airlines define a group as at least 10 or more participants flying on the same dates and same schedule), which is subject to penalties if changes are made. The rate includes airport taxes and surcharges. The airfare, airport taxes and surcharges are subject to change until ticketing.
  • Tour Educator: From arrival at the first destination as per the itinerary until the end of the program
  • Transportation is by licensed air-conditioned motor coach as per the itinerary.
  • Accommodations: in 3-4 star hotels based on two full paying participants sharing a double room, with en-suite facilities. A child may room with two full paying adults for a reduced fee
  • Meals: Breakfast daily and meals according to the program description
  • Entrance fees for all sites set forth in the itinerary of the program.
  • Taxes and service charges are included
  • Educational programming and special events: as set forth in the itinerary
  • Educational materials: will be provided by Oranim, based on materials available
  • Email delivery service
  • Dedicated website and pictures: each group will have a website where pictures and notes will be posted on a regular basis enabling family and friends to view you as you tour.
  • 24-hour emergency contact service
2. Q. What is NOT included?
  A.
  • Transportation from the passengers' residence to the departure airport in New York and back.
  • Tips and gratuities for guide and drivers
  • Porterage
  • Items of personal nature: room charges, telephones, minibar etc.
  • Meals not mentioned in itinerary
  • Drinks at meals, other than those provided by the restaurant
  • Passport and Visa Fees (It is the responsibility of each traveler to have the necessary documents prior to departure)
3. Q. How much luggage can I bring?
  A. For safety and convenience we ask that each participant limit themselves to only 1 piece of luggage (up to 40 lbs) and one carry on piece of luggage (up to 10 lbs) in accordance with airline regulations. No responsibility is accepted for loss or damage to baggage or any of the passengers’ belongings. In any traveling it is not advised to bring luggage that you can not carry/lift on your own comfortably.

4. Q. What travel documents do I need?
  A. Every participant needs a valid passport. The passport must be valid for 6 months after the end of the program. If you are from the US, you do not need a visa to enter Israel, Italy, Poland or the Czech Republic. If you are not traveling on a US Passport, please be sure to check with the consulate of the countries visited.

5. Q. Can I have my own room?
  A. Yes, you may book a single room

6. Q. Can I share a room?
  A. Yes. Please make sure that both participants interested in sharing a room note this in the indicated place on the registration form.
If you would like us to find you a room mote for you, please indicate so on the registration form. You may ask for a smoking or non smoking room mate.
Please note: every effort will be made to find you a suitable roommate. In the event that no room mate could be allocated, you will be charged the single supplement.

7. Q. Do I need travel insurance?
  A. Oranim strongly recommends that each participant purchase travel insurance which provides for reimbursement for trip delay/missed connections, sickness medical expense, accident medical expense, lost baggage/personal effects, baggage delay, etc. Please contact your Insurance Agent or click here to purchase insurance online.

8. Q. Is the food Kosher?
  A. In Israel all food is Kosher. In other destinations, provided by Oranim are Kosher Style (no pork, shellfish, mixing of milk and meat products). Vegetarian food is available (when requested in advance).

9. Q. How religious is the program?
  A. Our programs are non denominational. We respect all streams of Judaism and all religions. The Shabbat atmosphere is kept with a festive Kabbalat Shabbat and Shabbat Dinner. No touring is done on Saturdays, but Shabbat programs and walking tours in the vicinity of the hotels are often held.

10. Q. What is Club Sababa?
  A. Club Sababa is a set of programs especially geared for the traveler of college and post-collage age (18-30). The programs have more physical and adventure elements added as well as parties and other activities that would be of interest to that age group.

11. Q. What are the New Israel Missions?
  A. This is the new concept in travel to Israel. You can travel to Israel on a quality Jewish program that is not affiliated with a philanthropic organization. We know you care. We simply don't tell you who to support. That's your business. We just want to show you Israel!

12. Q. What is Club60+?
  A. Club 60+ is a series of programs for the discriminating senior traveler. These programs have been planed to offer the best of the destinations visited, in comfortable conditions.

13. Q. What is Club Love?
  A. From the crew that brought you Love in Tel Aviv (a week long summer Jewish singles festival) - we are pleased to introduce out new concept in meeting your Jewish soul mate. These programs are geared toward the adult single (aged 35 and up) who is looking to enlarge their circle of contacts. And why not find your love in Israel - it is the land of miracles, isn't it?

14. Q. What if I am not coming from the US and I want to join one of our tours?
  A. Please register for our program and send us a message detailing your request. We will contact you and provide you with necessary information and update your registration accordingly.

15. Q. What if I want to fly from my home city directly?
  A. Please register for our program and send us a message detailing your request. We will contact you and provide you with necessary information and update your registration accordingly.

16. Q. Do you sell add-on flights to my home city?
  A. Certainly! Please register for our program and send us a message detailing your request. We will contact you and provide you with necessary details.

17. Q. What is the registration fee?
  A. The registration fee is in an intricate part of our plan to offer you quality services for competitive rates. It is used to lock in low rates from our suppliers and these savings are passed back to you.

18. Q. What about Safety and Security?
  A.
  1. The safety and security of the participants in our programs is our number one concern.
  2. As an Israeli company, we are constantly monitoring the security situation as well as sense the mood of the situation and react swiftly to it.
  3. No public transportation is utilized at any time during the program.
  4. We do not approach or enter Judea and Samaria or the Gaza Strip in any way or manner.
  5. Oranim Educational Initiatives operates a 24-hour hotline.
  6. The group has a mobile phone for contact.
  7. The group will be escorted from its arrival until its departure by an armed medic. The medic will provide basic emergency medical assistance only, as well as safety. All activities will be coordinated with the Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel (SPNI) that runs the Situation Room and coordinates all tours for the Ministry of Education and other official bodies in Israel, with the Army, Police and other security services. The Tour Educator will be in touch with the Oranim Educational Initiatives Office where he will receive updates.
  8. To ensure the most comfortable tour in Israel and abroad, security officials in Israel carefully and expertly examine and review the itinerary of every program we operate. Visits to all sites are pending security approval.
  9. The itinerary is subject to change without prior notice in the case of a security reason decided upon by Oranim Educational Initiatives.
  10. We expect good sense to be exercised by all Mission participants. Toward that end, we request your full cooperation by abiding by all guidelines and instructions given to you by Oranim Educational Initiatives staff. This includes any directives given from Oranim staff to refrain from visiting any sites deemed a potential security and/or safety risk.
19. Q. What is the payment schedule?
  A. Upon registration of the trip, a payment of the Registration fee is required. Without the registration fee, your application will not be processed. No allocation of tickets, rooms and services will be applied.
A second payment is due 60 days prior to departure of 50% amount due.
Final payment in full is due no later than 30 days prior to departure.
* Passengers applying less than 45 days prior to departure will be assessed a $200 late fee per person.

20. Q. How can I pay?
  A. Credit Cards (American Express, Visa and MasterCard), Bank transfer, check, bank draft, cashiers check or money order may make payment.
Payment is based on the package rate for the services listed in the agreement and the corresponding itinerary. Oranim Educational Initiatives uses confidential negotiated industry rates and will not provide a breakdown of costs of the package.

21. Q. What happens if I need to cancel?
  A. In case of cancellations, the following penalties will be deducted:

Dates Penalty
Up to 90 days before departure The Registration Fee
Up to 90 -30 days before departure The Registration Fee, plus any penalties requested by suppliers
30 - 14 days prior to departure The Registration Fee, all air costs, plus any penalties requested by suppliers, plus
14 days to date of departure No refunds

In case of force majore, the only penalties we will charge will be those charged to Oranim Educational Initiatives by our suppliers.
In the case cancellation during the trip, no refund will be given for unused services and all expenses and all costs relating to returning the participant to his or her home will be the sole responsibility of the participant.


For more information or questions, click here.


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