Frequently Asked Questions
If there are any questions you may have that are not covered in the below section, please contact us at info@excelsports.net
Planning your Tour –
What is the minimum length of an Excel International Sports tour? The minimum is six nights in accommodations.
When will all arrangements be confirmed? Depending on the destination and time period, this will generally be 4 – 6 weeks prior to departure. Minor details can change up until a few days before departure.
Can I/we make my own air travel arrangements? Yes, you may book your own flights. Although, Excel Sports has its own in-house airline section which can book group fares available only to travel agents.
What is the standard of the accommodations? Excel Sports selects accommodations with great care. Most accommodations have been used for many years with great satisfaction by other soccer groups. The choice of accommodations depends on the budget of each group. We offer many lodging options, including university dorms, budget hotels, business-class hotels, youth hostels and sports centers.
Are family members welcome on the tour? This is decided by each individual club, school or university. Most tours are 'coach driven' and the goals of the tour are set by the team’s coach. Their decision as to whether it is a soccer intense tour or a social and soccer tour then affects whether families would be welcome.
Can I send my child without a parent, or with one parent only? Yes. It is recommended by the US and Canadian governments that if only one parent/guardian is traveling they carry a notarized (witnessed in Canada) letter of permission from the stay-at-home parent. If sending a child alone, it may be a good idea for the group to obtain a notarized letter of permission signed by the parents or legal guardian.
Ready to Book -
How far in advance should we book our trip? In our experience the teams who start the booking process approximately 15 to 12 months in advance have a better chance of making the trip happen. Our best advice is to decide on your preferred trip and confirm the dates as soon as possible. Because the trip is dependent on availability of services at the time of booking, the sooner you confirm the more likely the exact dates, hotels and flights you want will be available. If you are traveling during high season, airlines and hotels can have significant demand for seats/rooms and the sooner we are able to submit your group’s request, more likely we are to secure your exact, preferred schedule. Please contact us as early as possible for a tour proposal that is fine tuned to the exact the needs of your team.
We are ready to book. What do you need from all tour participants to put it into place? We require a completed and signed general conditions form and deposit from each traveler as well as a group contract from the group leader.
We have others who may be interested in joining us on our tour; can they be added after we book? Yes, subject to flight and accommodation availability.
We do not know all the participants names at this time. Can we still book and provide the names at a later stage? Yes, but we still require a deposit for each traveler, regardless of whether we have their name.
What happens if our full roster of players is unable to go on the tour? Many of our teams travel with less than their full roster. There are many reasons for this; family holidays, school conflicts, financial inability, seasonal employment, academic reasons, or selection for the O.D.P. or Regional squads. In order for the other players not to miss out, you may choose to invite guest players from your own club, other clubs, or classmates to complete your roster. Guest players can also be found for you from your destination country.
Payment and Costs–
Can we make payment by credit card? No. Full payment of each installment should be remitted to Excel International Sports, LLC on or before the due date. Installments can be remitted by club/school check, money order, or bank check (only one check per team).
Does group size affect our tour cost? There are benefits to bringing larger groups, including better discounts. Please request details of this from your soccer travel specialist.
What if I/we have to cancel? Our cancellations policies are clearly defined on our general conditions form and we would encourage you to read them in advance of booking your trip.
Documents and Insurance Information -
Do we need a passport or visa to travel? A valid passport is needed for any person travelling outside your country of citizenship. Tour participants are individually responsible for obtaining a valid passport prior to departure, as well as any visa that may be needed. Please make sure any non-US or Canadian citizens and non-permanent residents have the necessary documents required for entry into your destination as well as any country of transit. Please inform us of any non-US or Canadian citizens in your group as soon as possible.
Does our team need permission to travel? This will depend on your governing body (NCAA, USYSA, etc). Most governing bodies require each registered team advise them of their plans to travel. The group leader/tour coordinator should contact their governing body as soon as possible to complete the relevant paperwork.
Should we purchase trip insurance? We strongly recommend the purchase of trip cancellation insurance. We can provide you with brochures and details of how to purchase travel insurance. The terms and conditions of coverage vary according to the insurance provider. Cost of coverage is generally based upon the cost of the trip. It is understood that Excel International Sports , LLC, accepts no liability for damages incurred by circumstances that would be covered under trip/travel insurance.
Differences in Europe
What is the weather like; can we call home; what is the food like; etc? These, and many other questions, will be answered in our pre-trip handbook which is available on your unique MY TOUR team page.
What is the electricity supply? The electricity supply varies by country. We suggest you travel with an adaptor and converter which are designed for your destination country.
Will my cell phone work over there? Most US cell phones do not work in Europe unless it is a tri-band phone and you have the correct provider. If they do work it can be very expensive to make and receive phone calls. If a cell phone is need we suggest renting a European cell phone.
Should I take my laptop to check my email or will the accommodations have internet access? This varies by accommodation and we provide this information prior to departure.
How do the age-groups work in Europe? Most countries in Europe work from calendar year of birth, similar to how O.D.P. works in the US. However, many tournaments offer dispensation for a certain number of players born between August and January of the previous year. Again, this changes from tournament to tournament. Please contact us for further details.
Is there any difference in tournament or friendly game rules? This changes from country to country and from tournament to tournament. If you are looking to participate in a certain tournament, please ask for details on that tournament’s rules. In most friendly games the make-up of the game is very flexible and can be arranged to suit the needs of both teams. In the past games have consisted of 2 x 30 minute halves; 3 x 30 minute thirds; 2 x 40 minute halves, etc, etc. Much of this depends on the roster size, time of year, and many other factors.
|
