Explorica

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Fieldtrips Chatboard

Explorica

by Maria

Apr 29, 2009

Hi everybody I am a Spanish teacher and I am planing a trip to Mexico for 2010 for my 8th grade students. Does anybody knows if Explorica is a good option?Please I really apreciate any feed back or comments about this company. Thank you so much Maria

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Kendra I would prefer to go with a company who has been around a little longer. I would be nervous with going with Explorica because they are relatively new and copy/immitate reputable travel companies. I had started planning with a woman from Explorica who seemed very young and inexperienced--she was never able to answer the questions directly and always...See More

May 10, 2009

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John Hey Kendra. Quick question. Have you ever traveled with Explorica? Or, are you just posting stuff about what a friend of a friend said? I think that if we are to give or state opinions, they shoul come with personal or valid reasons.

On 5/10/09, Kendra wrote: > I would prefer to go with a company who has been around a > little longer...See More

May 13, 2009

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Matt M On 4/30/09, P_M wrote: > On 4/29/09, Maria wrote: >> Hi everybody I am a Spanish teacher and I am planing a trip >> to Mexico for 2010 for my 8th grade students. Does anybody >> knows if Explorica is a good option?Please I really >> apreciate any feed back or comments about this company. >> Thank you so much Maria &...See More

May 14, 2009

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terreeteau.ca Hey Solomon,

I respectfully disagree with your suggestion that it is important to travel with a large, well-known company. If anything, this chat board makes a strong case to avoid these monoliths and their inhumane practices (see Explorica vs. EF).

In Canada, travel companies (regardless of size) are registered and hold their cl...See More

May 27, 2009

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instructours On 5/27/09, terreeteau.ca wrote: > Hey Solomon, > > I respectfully disagree with your suggestion that it is > important to travel with a large, well-known company. If > anything, this chat board makes a strong case to avoid these > monoliths and their inhumane practices (see Explorica vs. EF). > > In Canada, travel companies...See MoreOn 5/27/09, terreeteau.ca wrote: > Hey Solomon, > > I respectfully disagree with your suggestion that it is > important to travel with a large, well-known company. If > anything, this chat board makes a strong case to avoid these > monoliths and their inhumane practices (see Explorica vs. EF). > > In Canada, travel companies (regardless of size) are registered > and hold their clients' funds in trust. In the event of a > bankruptcy or fraud, the victims can be reimbursed by a separate > fund. Hopefully, in light of the recent Voyager episode, > legislation will be passed in the US to ensure no other clients > are victimized. > DT

Most school administrators, teachers, and parents don't know about the Seller of Travel Laws throughout the United States and Canada. California has one of the strictest, as well as a restitution fund. One should check to see if the tour operator or travel agency has the right to solicit business from a particular state regardless of where the office is. These seller of travel numbers should be on the tour operator's literature as well as website. Failure to display them is an punishable offense.

I have found recently that some companies (including a very large, established one)have not registered as a Seller of Travel where necessary. Others have been using out-dated numbers. Therefore they are not compliant with the laws of the respective states and provinces; simply put, they are operating in those states illegally.

Current licenses and liability insurance certificates should always be requested by the school, teachers, and parents. If the company cannot produce one, find another to travel with.

Most of the large student tour operators are self-insured or own their insurance companies, which is not in the best interest of the travelers (students)in case of catastrophic occurances i.e. September 11th.

I agree with DT that the smaller companies are much better. Their service is usually more customer responsive and of greater overall value than the large companies that are burdened with tremendous overheads requiring huge profit margins.

Jul 7, 2009

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