From money matters to packing tips, we’ve got all the information you need to prepare for your upcoming Vantage journey. Just click on an item below to read more about it.
Passports & Visas
Passport and Visa
The following information applies to United States citizens only. Those traveling with a passport issued by a county other than the United States should contact the embassies or consulates of the countries they are visiting for further information and special requirements.
| Country |
Passport |
Visa |
| Israel |
Y |
N |
| Jordan |
Y |
Y |
| Oman |
Y |
Y |
| United Arab Emirates |
Y |
Y |
| Egypt |
Y |
Y |
NOTE: Non-U.S. citizens or passport holders, it is your
responsibility to contact their local embassy or Consulate for
requirements which will vary from above.
Passport must be valid for at least six months after entry. Visa applicants who do not have the required number of blank "visa" pages will be required to renew their passports regardless of remaining validity. The U.S. Department of State no longer adds visa pages into U.S. passports.
Oman Visa: The government of Oman requires travelers to apply for an unsponsored visa before visiting the country. The cost is $12 USD and can be obtained online by following the prompts to apply for the unsponsored visa:
https://evisa.rop.gov.om/. You must have a valid email, a personal photo, and a copy of your passport as a .jpeg or .pdf file. Travelers can also obtain a visa in the Muscat airport for $15 USD, but we recommend you obtain it online, prior to departure.
United Arab Emirates Visa can be obtained upon arrival at airport at no fee.
A visa to enter Egypt is required. U.S. citizens can obtain a renewable single-entry 30-day tourist visa on arrival at Egyptian airports for a $25 USD fee.
A visa to Jordan is required. (Subject to change at any time). Single-entry visas issued on arrival are valid for 1 month, so guests will not be required to pay any visa fees for the duration of the trip irrespective of how many times they cross the border.
Should the above requirements change, you will be notified in a mailing prior to departure. All visa, entry requirements, and fees are subject to change without advance notification by action of the government and port authorities. Vantage is not responsible for any additional charges resulting from such changes.
For up-to-date information, please visit Generation Visa at
http://www.genvisa.com/vantage.
Note: Please make sure to submit your completed doc at least 40 days prior your departure, anybody who fail to submit all documents might have trouble of obtaining the visa.
U.S. Customs Information
If you are traveling internationally, it is important to understand U.S. Customs regulations including required documents that are valid at least six months following your departure date, rules for bringing back items, and duty-free exemption. Please click the link below to visit the U.S. Customs website and read their helpful info, "Know Before You Go."
View "Know Before You Go"
(Link opens new browser window.)
Gratuities
We know that you’ll want to reward great service, so we've included the following guidelines for gratuities:
- Porterage: Gratuities are included, except in Customs areas; porterage is included at hotels
- Outside Dining: Varies according to local customs; your Cruise Director or City Host will advise
- Now including gratuities for local guides and drivers
Vantage Cruise Director, Concierge, Ship Staff & Crew:
- Non-suite passengers: gratuity of €17 per passenger, per day will be pre-charged to the guests’ credit card and can be adjusted at the end of the cruise or modified to cash gratuities.
- Suite guests: including the Owner’s Suite will be pre-charged €20 per passenger, per day.
- Shipboard gratuities are shared among the whole crew, including the Cruise Director and Concierge.
Trip extension gratuities:
Tips for City Hosts and/or Cruise Directors on trip extensions: €3 - €5 per person per day
Please note: It is strongly recommended that you contact your credit card company and/or your bank to advise them that you will be traveling, and credit card charges will be posted from foreign countries. For onboard expenses, you may see charges from Cyprus, where our credit processing company is based.
Vaccinations
All travelers must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 at least 14 days prior
to departure of their journey. Travelers will be required to produce their vaccine card displaying their name, date of doses, and vaccine type to embark. Travelers who cannot product proof of vaccination will have to return home at their own expense.
Specific entry requirements for your chosen destination
To ensure that you have a smooth travel experience, you will need to know the requirements for both your specific airline carrier and the country you’ll arrive in prior to your departure. We’ve listed some considerations below to help you plan.
- Entry into most countries will require you to show proof of a negative PCR COVID-19 test. For country-specific information about entry requirements and COVID-19 status, visit the U.S. Department’s COVID-19 Country Specific Information page
- Vantage will facilitate onsite PCR tests for border crossings and re-entry into the United States. Travelers will be responsible for the cost of testing
- We highly recommend that you contact your air carrier prior to departure to confirm what their requirements are for take-off and landing
At this time, additional vaccinations are not required for your tour; however, we advise that you check with your personal physician to verify your particular needs. For more information on health related issues while travelling overseas, contact the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) by visiting http://www.cdc.gov/travel or calling toll free 1 (800) 232-4636.
Packing Guidelines
What to Pack
Casual Dress
Dress on tour is generally casual and smart casual. Gentlemen may wish to bring a sport jacket. Formal clothing is not necessary, unless you are traveling on an ocean cruise that has formal nights or one of our popular President's trips. Jeans and shorts are not allowed in the dining room at dinner. Your travel wardrobe should be planned according to the climate of the areas you will be visiting and the length of your stay. Average high and low temperatures for the destinations visited listed under "Climate". A HELPFUL HINT — plan to avail yourself of the laundry services available at an additional fee.
Due to the climate, we advise you to pack sunscreen and moisturizer (in the amounts permitted by TSA regulations), and bring a hat and sunglasses as well. These will be difficult to come by in the Middle East. If you’re traveling in summer, be sure to bring very cool (but modest) cotton or linen clothing. If you are traveling in winter, bring a light winter coat.
Dress in Israel and Jordan is mostly casual and but it is conservative: Strict standards of modesty do prevail. Loose-fitting clothing, long skirts, trousers, lightweight pants, and short-sleeved shirts (not sleeveless) are appropriate. Mosques and temples, especially, require you to dress conservatively. Both men and women should cover their shoulders, arms, and legs at religious sites in Oman and United Arab Emirates especially. You should also wear socks (or carry some with you) as you’ll be asked to remove your shoes when you enter holy sites. Dinner attire can be slightly smarter, but still casual. Women should pack some scarves to wear on occasion — it should be large enough to cover your neck and shoulders.
Bring along a sweater and lightweight jacket for cooler evenings, and be sure to pack a swimsuit so you can take a dip in hotel pools. Comfortable walking shoes are essential as well — sandals may be inappropriate for some activities.
To use electrical gadgets, you will need a step-down voltage converter and adapter plug. The local voltage is 230V. In addition to bringing a voltage converter and adapter plug, don’t forget to bring along charging cables for your electronics.
We also recommend carrying prescription medications in their original packaging and to stow them in your carry-on luggage. For glasses and contact lenses, pack an extra pair.
While on Tour
While on Tour
The information below applies in general to Vantage escorted land tours.
Briefing sessions
At the beginning of your tour, a Vantage Cruise DIrector will conduct an informative briefing concerning the daily schedule, local customs, and the included features of your tour. It is strongly advised that you attend this briefing.
Extending Your Trip
Vantage offers specially arranged pre- and post-extensions on many of our escorted land tours. See specific tours for details. In some cases, your Cruise DIrector that will be on your base trip will be there also on the extension, but not always. On some pre- and post-extensions, there will be a Vantage representative to assist you.
Additionally, if you would like to do some exploring on your own, either before or after your tour, Vantage can help you arrange the details. In most cases, your flights can be adjusted for either an earlier arrival date or a later return date. A non-refundable administrative fee will be assessed, plus any additional costs that may apply to the air ticket and hotel. Transfers to and from your hotel are not included when traveling independent of a Vantage group. Please ask a Vantage Sales Representative for additional details. Note also that some airline contracts may exclude changes to routing.
NOTE: Should you wish to make any changes to your plans to extend your trip, please do so no later than 60 days prior to your scheduled date of departure. Change or cancellation penalties may apply to tickets once they have been issued.
Your Health & Comfort
Vantage wants you to have a safe, healthy, and happy journey. Our tours are planned to combine just the right amount of activity and leisure. For personal medical attention while on tour, your Vantage Cruise DIrector can refer you to reliable physicians in the cities on your tour.
Please note that Medicare and U.S health insurance are generally not accepted in foreign destinations. If you have an insurance claim, it should be made upon your return to the USA and filed through your health insurance provider or through the Vantage Travel Protection Plan if you have purchased it. Keep relevant receipts and doctors' reports for processing your claim.
Jet Lag Precautions
When you cross several time zones to reach your destination, you often lose many hours of regular sleep. Upon arrival your body must quickly adjust to new sleeping and eating patterns. The result is jet lag. Its symptoms may include fatigue, irritability, and vague disorientation. You cannot completely avoid jet lag but you can minimize it. Here's how:
- Try to sleep on overnight flights
- Avoid heavy eating and drinking caffeine or alcoholic beverages right before - and during - your flight
- Drink plenty of water and/or fruit juice while flying
- Try to stay awake your first day until after dinner
Pace of the Tour
Vantage Tours are planned to provide a well-balanced mix of activities and free time. Certain tours, however, may prove to be more challenging than others, particularly for passengers with physical limitations.
Passengers with physical difficulties or concerns about the pace of the tour should contact their Vantage Customer Relations Representative for tips on which tours best suit their individual needs and abilities. See also Medical Issues, below.
Your Personal Safety
Please keep in mind that in any tourist destination, you need to be aware of your surroundings. We recommend that you use a money protector that can be worn around your neck. Flashy jewelry should be left at home. Never place your camera or purse down, or hang it on the back of your chair. Although incidents of theft and pickpocketing while on tour are rare, it is important to be cautious and aware.
Medical Issues
Click here to read important information about travelers with a physical, emotional, or mental condition that may require professional attention or the use of special equipment. "Medical Issues" information also appears in the "Tour Participation Agreement - Terms and Conditions" bound into Vantage catalogs and printed on the back of your invoice.
Hotels
Vantage makes every effort to reserve only hotels that offer well-appointed rooms and a central location. We remind you that quality of accommodations may vary from destination to destination. Vantage strives to provide the best hotels available that meet our standards of quality. You can check descriptions of the hotels for your chosen trip under Accommodations on the website for that trip.
How We Rate Our Hotels
While some tour companies devise their own ratings systems (based on their particular standards), Vantage ranks hotels based on the industry-accepted classifications published by the Hotel & Travel Index - the travel industry standard.
Deluxe/Moderate Deluxe ***** Outstanding accommodations in every way, offering superior service, facilities, and location.
Superior First-Class ****+ Above average accommodations, with many special amenities, including more restaurants, shops, and usually a fitness center.
First-Class/Moderate First-Class **** Comfortable, well-equipped standard rooms with private bath, attractive public areas, and amenities.
Please Note: In some areas where the hotels aren't rated, it's often due to the fact that the hotel may be too new, too remote, or too small. However, the hotel where you stay has been inspected and approved by Vantage personnel.
Religious Services
At Vantage, we count individuals from all walks of life and all religious denominations among our customers. Although we do not offer religious services on our travel programs, services may be available in the cities and towns you visit while on tour. Your Vantage Cruise DIrector can advise you when religious services are available. Please keep in mind that not all religious denominations have a presence in every travel destination. We cannot guarantee the availability of religious services.
Shopping
Shopping for local merchandise is always a part of the travel experience. We are aware that local guides do recommend shops on their tours. Always keep in mind that a purchase is between the buyer and the seller. Always keep receipts and credit card copies. Shipping should always include insurance in the event of breakage. Iit is best to check with your credit card issuer for any insurance that may be included when you use your card.
Sightseeing & Cultural Connections
Vantage offers a variety of included sightseeing tours and special cultural events to enrich your travel experience and bring you "closer to the world." Our tours are specially designed for Vantage travelers. They let you feel the atmosphere, gain a cultural understanding, and become a part of the area you are visiting. They include all transportation and the services of expert local guides.
Optional Excursions
Vantage makes every effort to provide the right balance of both included activities and time for exploring on your own. We've found, however, that many of our passengers prefer an additional guided activity in lieu of free time. For that reason, some of our tours may include a limited number of optional tours and activities, which you may choose to take at a moderate fee. In no case do we replace an included sightseeing tour with an optional tour. Optional tours are strictly voluntary, providing you with the opportunity to visit an attraction that you may not see otherwise.
Taxes
All hotel taxes and hotel service charges are included in the tour price. If airport arrival and departure taxes apply, they are payable in cash at the airports and are not included.
Transfers
All transfers between the airport and hotel/pier are included in conjunction with Vantage air and tour packages and will be via private transportation. Travelers purchasing their own airline tickets will be responsible for their own transfers to and from the airport/hotel/pier based on the itinerary.
Travel Itinerary
Each Vantage Escorted Land Tour is planned with two criteria in mind: It must be to an interesting destination and the tour must offer good quality at an exceptional value.
Although everything is planned well in advance of your departure, our ultimate goal is to ensure that each departure is enjoyable, interesting, and safe. Therefore, the day-by-day itinerary provided for each travel destination is subject to change depending upon local conditions. If any significant changes occur in advance of your departure, Vantage will notify you by phone or by mail. If changes occur while on tour, your Vantage Cruise DIrector or local representative will notify you.
Your Vantage Cruise Director/Local Representative
During your tour you'll be accompanied on tour by an experienced Vantage Cruise DIrector. You will also benefit from the insights of expert Local Representatives and tour guides. Both your Cruise Director and Local Representative can provide suggestions on the best restaurants, shops, and local sights; help coordinate optional tours and excursions; and assist in any manner possible.
Dress Code
Modest dress is expected of all women and men, and even though you may see foreigners wearing shorts or revealing clothing (especially in the cities), local people may consider this disrespectful and will appreciate your discretion. Bare arms or shoulders are not advised in public places, and ladies should bring a head scarf to wear inside mosques. Long skirts, slacks, or capris that cover your knees are advised for women; men should avoid shorts or tank tops, too. Public displays of affection are frowned upon. Non-Muslims are not permitted to enter certain mosques, and there may be some sites that restrict access by gender.
Vantage Hospitality Desk
For your convenience, a Vantage Hospitality Desk will be available daily during scheduled hours at many of the hotels on your itinerary (staffed by an experienced team of local travel professionals or by your Vantage Cruise DIrector). The desk hours vary, depending on your daily scheduling. Tour members will be advised of the desk hours during the briefing held upon arrival at most hotels.
Tipping
We include tipping for all meals that are included in your package, all porterage and tips for local guides and drivers. Tips are not included for your Vantage Cruise DIrector, your driver if he does the entire trip or any maids or other personnel in hotels, ships or trains.
Laundry Services
Laundry and pressing services are available onboard for an additional fee.
View list of services and prices here.
