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Freedom To Wander
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why do we have to go to specific pickup locations to get picked up?
Free Spirit Vacations and Events services the entire Phoenix Valley – from Gold Canyon to Florence to Buckeye to Casa Grande to Goodyear and everywhere in between. So we have selected pickups that are close to a freeway and can accommodate cars left overnight. We then use anywhere from 1-3 vehicles to pick everyone up – depending on how many of the specified pickup locations have guests boarding there. These are the regularly scheduled pickups areas:
Sun Lakes Cottonwood Golf Pro Shop
Burger King on Superstition Springs Blvd
Pebble Creek
Bell Recreation Center – Sun City
Ford's Travel Sun City West
2. What if I want to get picked up at my location?
If we have 20 or more guests, we will pick up at your community. We will need your community to reach this number two weeks prior to the departure date.
3. What is the difference between cancellation protection and cancellation insurance?
Cancellation protection is not insurance, and only covers the money that you paid for the trip in case of illness. Free Spirit Vacations offers Cancellation Protection at 9.11% of the cost of your tour. This is offered for trips operated by motorcoach $500.00 and below only and packaged by Free Spirit Vacations and Events. If you become ill and are physically unable to travel you must have a doctor note or medical bill with explanation of diagnosis for medical cancellation to receive a refund. If your spouse cancels; he or she will be given a refund as well.
4. Why is travel insurance so important?
Cancellation insurance (Travel Protection) is much more inclusive than cancellation protection and is purchased through a licensed insurance company. Travel Protection Policies offered by most major travel insurance providers include benefits such as Trip Cancellation, Trip Interruption, Emergency Medical and Emergency Evacuation/Repatriation, Trip Delay, Baggage Delay and more.
In today’s changing travel environment, it’s important to protect your travel investment so you can relax and enjoy your trip. Unforeseen events such as flight delays, baggage loss or even a sudden sickness or injury could impact your travel plans. For your convenience, we offer a Travelex Insurance Services protection plan to help protect you and your travel investment against the unexpected. For more information on the available plans contact Travelex Insurance 800-228-9792 and reference location number 03-0264. The product descriptions provided here are only brief summaries and may be changed without notice. The full coverage terms and details, including limitations and exclusions, are contained in the insurance policy. Travelex Insurance Services, Inc CA Agency License #0D10209. Travel Insurance is underwritten by Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance Company, NAIC #22276. V94.
5. What is the deposit amount and when is it due?
Deposit amounts vary based on type of tour.
For multi-day motorcoach trips, a $100.00 per person deposit is due at the time of reservation.
For day trips or any trip under $200 per person, full payment is due at the time of reservation.
Payments can be made on-line, by check mailed to our office, or by calling our office and providing a credit card number. The final payment is due 45 days prior to departure and can be paid in the same manner.
For cruises and trips involving air travel, deposits will vary, and you will be advised of these when making a reservation. Upon paying a deposit, you will receive a confirmation via e-mail showing. The final documents which will include your detailed itinerary and pick up time and location are mailed to you 21 days prior to departure.
6. What is the cancellation and refund policy?
Regardless of reason, cancellations and transfers result in costly process of letters, calls, adjustments, refunds, etc., plus additional loss if time does not permit resale. All tours are non-refundable 30 days prior to departure. Additional cancellation policies vary based on type of tour. Depending on the tour, money is fully refundable if cancelled ninety (90), sixty (60), or forty-five (45) days prior to departure. When making a tour reservation, please inquire into cancellation policy, and review the invoice you receive via email to confirm cancellation policy for your tour.
Cruises and extended tours not packaged by Free Spirit Vacations and Events may have different cancellation penalties. You will be notified of any revised policies at time of booking. Free Spirit Vacations acts only in the capacity as agent for the owners and contractors providing means of transportation, hotel or other services that are offered or provided. Tickets are subject to any, and all terms and conditions under which such means of transportation, hotel or other services are offered or provided.
Free Spirit Vacations shall not be or become liable for or responsible in any way whatsoever for any loss, injury or damage from sickness, weather, strikes, war, or quarantine howsoever cause or arising. Free Spirit Vacations reserves the right to cancel any tour prior to departure in which case, full refund on monies received will constitute full settlement to passengers. Free Spirit Vacations also reserves the right to decline to accept or retain any passenger as member of a tour. The acceptance of any service or the purchase of any ticket shall be deemed acceptance of and consent by the tour member to these conditions. Free Spirit Vacations reserves the right to substitute comparable hotels if necessary.
7. Why are deposits non-refundable?
Group reservations and payment schedules are different and much stricter than individual reservations. In most instances, Free Spirit has to pay our hotels, attractions and other vendors 30 days in advance and in most cases, this money is non-refundable to us. For that reason, we must abide by the cancellation policies above. If deposit includes cost of air ticket, this is non-refundable.
8. Do you provide drinking water/snacks on the tour?
Free Spirit Vacations provides a complimentary bottle of water per day. We also suggest bringing your own non-alcoholic beverages & snacks, particularly if you have any dietary restrictions.
9. What about luggage tags?
Free Spirit Vacations highly suggests putting your own luggage tags with your name, address and telephone number both on the outside AND inside of your checked baggage and carry-on's. Sometimes, luggage tags come loose on the outside.
10. Will there be rest stops along the way?
Absolutely! While each tour bus is equipped with a small restroom, they are not easily maneuverable. They are the size of an airplane restroom. Therefore, we generally make rest stops about every 2-3 hours in order to give our guests the chance to stretch their legs and use a more comfortable lavatory. It also gives our guests the chance to grab a snack at a fast food outlet!
11. What if I have a problem with my hotel room once I get to my destination?
By all means, inform your Tour Manager AND the hotel Front Desk right away! (i.e. you requested a wheelchair accessible room, but did not get one. The room isn't cleaned to your liking, etc.). At Free Spirit Vacations, we want you to have the most enjoyable experience possible! If you encounter a problem, it's better to solve it right away before it turns into a complaint.
12. Can I request a particular Tour Manager and/or Bus Driver?
You are more than welcome to do so, but please note that the Manager or driver you request may not be doing that particular tour. A better question might be to ask which tours a particular Manager/driver are leading. And this is always subject to change.
13. Gratuities:
Since most people would like to say a special "thank you" to their Tour Manager and driver. Suggested amounts are between $5-$7 per person per day for the driver and the same for the tour director. These individuals are with you throughout the entire tour, so please use your own judgment and tip according to services rendered. Please handle this on an individual basis. We request that group collections not be taken. You may also wish to reward a step-on Manager with a $1 per person gratuity for their contribution to the tour. Gratuities for all included meals are pre-paid.
14. Travelers needing special assistance
You must report any disability requiring special attention to Free Spirit Vacations at the time the reservation is made. Please advise at time of reservation if are bringing a wheelchair, scooter, walker, or need a plug in for oxygen.
*FSV will make reasonable efforts to accommodate the special needs of tour participants.
15. Do you book individual travel OR just group travel?
Free Spirit specializes in group travel. However, we do have a retail department within the company that would be happy to assist you in your individual travel needs.
16. Does Free Spirit Vacations plan private small group travel?
Yes, we can customize a vacation for your group of 10 or more to the destination of your choice.
17. COVID-19
WAIVER of LIABILITY. The novel coronavirus, COVID-19, has been declared a worldwide pandemic by the World Health Organization. COVID-19 is reported to be contagious. The state of medical knowledge is evolving, but the virus is believed to spread from person-to-person contact and possibly by contact with contaminated surfaces and objects or in the air. People reportedly can be infected and show no symptoms and therefore spread the disease. The exact methods of spread and contraction are unknown, and there is no known cure for COVID-19. Evidence has shown that COVID-19 can cause serious and potentially life-threatening illness and even death.
Free Spirit Vacations and Events cannot prevent you from becoming exposed to, contracting, or spreading COVID-19 while utilizing Free Spirit Vacations and Events services. It is not possible to prevent against the presence of the disease. Therefore, if you choose to utilize Free Spirit Vacations and Events services, you may be exposing yourself to and/or increasing your risk of contracting or spreading COVID-19
18. REAL ID
Effective May 7, 2025 REAL ID Act-compliant identification will be required for all domestic air travel. This will render many state-issued identification previously accepted for domestic air travel (such as drivers licenses) inadequate, unless they are already REAL-ID compliant. A valid U.S. Passport is REAL ID compliant Please ensure the government issued photo ID you plan to use for travel on or after May 7, 2025 is REAL-ID compliant, to avoid being turned away at the airport. It is each passenger’s sole responsibility to obtain and carry appropriate identification required for air travel. Travel insurance plans do not cover losses related to passengers being turned away by the airline and/or TSA due to inadequate photo identification. For additional details visit: https://tsa.gov/real-id or: https://dhs.gov/real-id
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