Frequently Asked Questions

What are Shared Departures by MARS? 

Shared Departures are tours, created and organized by MARS, that allow operators to book smaller groups and still realize the larger group pricing. Shared Departures also greatly reduces cancellations because numerous operators are selling into the departure.  All Shared Departures are business to business. Individual consumers are not solicited or accepted. They must be booked by a qualified operator.  

Will MARS promote to my clients on these tours?

NO! MARS does not solicit to individual consumers. 

Are Shared Departure budget, moderate, or deluxe packages?

For the most part, they are in between moderate and deluxe.  MARS always searches for the best value in safe locations. 

Are gratuities included? 

Gratuities for tour managers and driver are not included.   Suggested amounts are between $5-$7 per person per day for the driver and between $10 - $12 per day 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.  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 included.

What about travelers needing special assistance?

Please report any special needs to MARS at the time the reservation is made. Please be specific.   MARS will make reasonable efforts to accommodate the special needs of tour participants.

Payments, Deposits, & Booking Availability:

Agents may block up to 10 seats under no obligation. A $250.00 per person deposit is due at the time of confirmed reservation. Additional space may be available based on confirmed bookings and space available at the time of request. Final payment is due 75 days prior to departure. MARS Tours & Travel does not accept payments from individual travelers.  Operators will be invoiced for the entirety of their group sales, less their commission.  Acceptable forms of payment are check and ACH transfer.  Credit card transactions will incur processing fees. 

Next Steps:

Visit your tour(s) of interest.  Download the flyer, familiarize yourself with the content, and when you're ready to begin, email us at Shared Departures so we can follow up with you, send a working itinerary, a Welcome Packet, and start planning.

Marketing & Sales Assistance:

MARS is structured to be able to provide support to our Tour Operator partners in marketing, PR, advertising, print/media needs, and sales assistance.  Our belief is that if we provide proven tools for success, our partners are better able to sell effectively and increase revenue and growth.  This assistance is available to all MARS clients whether traveling through the Shared Departures program, or running a solo tour with their own pre-form or retail group.  Reach out to MARS Sales, Marketing, & Media for additional information.

Travel Protection / Insurance Information: (OPTIONAL)

MARS Tours & Travel works with Travel Insured International.  Travel protection / insurance is not included automatically in any tour.  This is an optional add-on at the discretion of each traveler.  You may purchase your own with the company of your choosing, or you may opt to use the company we have partnered with, or you may skip insurance coverage altogether as it is not mandatory, simply encouraged.

We believe that your upcoming trip is a significant investment which you should consider covering through insurance protection.

For this reason, we strongly recommend purchasing Travel Protection Insurance through our partner, Travel Insured International. For a full list of benefits and coverage information please refer to their website https://www.travelinsured.com/agency?agency=53201

From the link above, you can receive a quote or purchase a policy. If you choose to decline coverage, through the agency above, or a company of your choice, you are assuming the financial loss associated with your travel arrangement. 

TERMS & CONDITIONS: 

MARS Tours & Travel shall not be, or become liable or responsible, in any way for any loss, injury, or damage, from sickness, weather, strikes, war, or quarantine howsoever cause or arising. MARS Tours & Travel reserves the right to cancel any tour prior to departure in which case, full refund on monies received will constitute full settlement to passengers.  MARS Tours & Travel 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. MARS Tours & Travel reserves the right to substitute comparable hotels or restaurants if necessary.

CANCELLATIONS AND REFUNDS - (unless noted otherwise): 

Regardless of reason, cancellations result in a costly process and additional labor. To offset these costs, the following fees will apply: 

Deposits are fully refundable if cancelled more than 75 days prior to departure. For cancellations made within 75 days prior to departure, the following penalties will apply:  75 – 31 days, 50% charge. 31 days - 100% charge.

The operation of shared departures sales is contingent on minimum sales.  In the case that a minimum count is not achieved, MARS Tours & Travel may cancel shared departures tours, in which case all deposits paid to MARS will be fully refunded.