In the following, we answer some basic questions you may have. For more information, please don’t hesitate to contact us: toll-free at (888) 370-6765 or by e-mail: customerservice@odysseys-unlimited.com

For up-to-date information on our actions and policies regarding COVID-19, please visit our landing page here. 

1: Who is Odysseys Unlimited?
2: How would you describe your tours?
3: Where do your tours go?
4: Who is eligible to travel on your tours?
5: Do you welcome single travelers on your tours?
6: What is the quality of the hotels that you use on your tours?
7: Do you offer a roommate matching program?
8: Do you allow guests to make their own air arrangements?
9: Do you make special arrangements to meet guests’ dietary needs?
10: What are your payment options?
11: What happens if I have to cancel my reservation or my tour is cancelled?
12: Do your tours require a passport or visa?
13: Do you offer Travel Protection?
14: Do you offer a frequent traveler program?
15: What information do I need in-hand when I call an Odysseys Unlimited Travel Counselor to reserve a tour?
16: How can I contact you?
17: How can I share photos from my trip with Odysseys Unlimited?
18: Where can I learn more about passports and the REAL ID program?

1: Who is Odysseys Unlimited?

A: Since 1989 we have created custom-designed tours for more than 100 of America’s most prestigious non-profit organizations, including Smithsonian Journeys, as well as many well-known college alumni associations such as Brown University, Dartmouth College, Duke University, MIT, Northwestern, Ohio State, University of Michigan, University of North Carolina, University of Texas, UCLA, and the University of Washington. We also put our expertise to work on a wider scale by making our tours available to all travelers, while continuing to serve our client institutions.

2: How would you describe your tours?

A: We design our tours specifically for small groups of just 12 to 24 guests, guaranteed, which enables us to move about with more flexibility and efficiency, enjoy more spontaneous encounters, and experience a degree of freedom and independence not available to travelers on conventional group tours of 40 or more. An experienced professional tour director accompanies the group throughout the tour. We see the highlights and go behind the scenes – as well as leave time for independent exploration.

3: Where do your tours go?

A: We offer a diverse array of tours and small ship cruises throughout the world, ranging in length from 11 days to three weeks: Europe on and off the beaten path; coastal, river, and private yacht cruises; adventures in Africa & the Middle East, and the Americas; discoveries in Asia & the Far East; far-reaching journeys to Australia & the South Pacific – all with unique features available only to small groups.

4: Who is eligible to travel on your tours?

A: Most of our travelers range between the ages of 50 and 80, though we often host those under 50. On occasion we receive requests from travelers who would like to travel with children or grandchildren. All travel companions must be at least 12 years of age.

We welcome all travelers, but request that you be in fairly good health to participate in an Odysseys Unlimited tour. All of our tours involve a reasonable amount of walking, often uphill or on uneven or cobblestone streets. You must be able to get on and off motorcoaches on your own. We regret that we cannot provide individual assistance; in such cases you must be accompanied by a companion who will assist you. Please note that our itineraries cannot accommodate wheelchairs.

5: Do you welcome single travelers on your small group tours?

A: We absolutely welcome single travelers on our small group tours. On most of our tours you will find a combination of singles traveling alone, singles traveling together, and couples. Our experienced tour directors work to ensure single travelers feel comfortable and part of the group.

6: What is the quality of the hotels that you use on your tours?

A: We select hotels that we believe are the best for a particular trip and experience – those that offer guests the best combination of quality, value, and atmosphere for each destination. Our hotels in major cities are usually centrally located so guests can get around easier; our unique lodgings are often out of the way, offering our tour members a local ambiance larger groups never experience. Typically, our hotels include Deluxe, Superior First Class, and First Class properties.

7: Do you offer a roommate matching program?

A: We do not have a roommate matching program as such, but we do enable interested guests to contact one another and determine whether they wish to share a room on tour. Should you have further questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us by e-mail at customerservice@odysseys-unlimited.com or toll-free at (888) 370-6765, Monday–Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., ET.

8: Do you allow guests to make their own air arrangements?

A: If desired, guests may make their own air arrangements and book their tour as “land only” and receive a reduction in the tour price.

9: Do you make special arrangements to meet guests’ dietary needs?

A: We do make every effort to meet such dietary needs as vegetarian, low-salt, and the like; unfortunately, we are unable to provide Kosher meals. We send this information to our tour directors who work to the best of their ability with restaurants and hotels to accommodate dietary needs.

10: What are your payment options?

A: You can make your deposit and final payment by personal check or major credit card (VISA, Mastercard, American Express, Discover card).

11: What happens if I have to cancel my reservation or if my tour is cancelled?

A: You will receive a full refund for any cancellations made up to 95 days before departure (155 days for Burgundy Barging). If because of low participation Odysseys Unlimited cancels your tour, you will receive a complete refund of all payments you have made to us. Refunds for cancellations inside of 95 days (155 days for and Burgundy Barging) are subject to the per person charges found under General Terms and Conditions.

12: Do your tours require a passport or visa?

A: A U.S. passport, with at least three blank pages (six blank pages if your tour requires a visa) and valid for at least six months after your return home, is required of all U.S. citizens on all of our tours. A visa is required for some tours. If your tour requires a visa, we will send the necessary information in the confirmation package you will receive upon reserving your tour. If you are not a U.S. citizen, please contact your embassy or G3 Global Services, the visa service provider we recommend, for information about required travel documents.

13: Does Odysseys Unlimited offer a travel protection plan?

A: Yes. We recommend that you purchase a travel protection plan to help protect you and your travel investment against the unexpected. Unforeseen events such as flight delays due to adverse weather, baggage loss or even a sudden sickness or injury could impact your travel plans. For your convenience, we offer a Travel Protection Plan provided by Generali – U.S. Branch and administered by Trip Mate, Inc; in UT and CA DBA Trip Mate Insurance. To review the full plan details online, go to: www.tripmate.com/wpGR350 to retrieve your state specific plan document.

Please see a summary of the plan benefits below:

Restrictions, exclusions and limitations apply to all insurance coverages and assistance services. Plan benefits, limits and provisions may vary by state/jurisdiction and not all coverage is available in all states/jurisdictions. The cost charged is for the Travel Protection Plan, which includes insurance benefits underwritten by Generali – U.S. Branch, as well as non-insurance assistance services provided by Generali Global Assistance’s designated provider and FootprintID® Medical Records Service.

If you purchased your Odysseys Unlimited trip prior to March 1, 2023, please visit www.tripmate.com/wpn425/  for your state specific plan documents.

14: Do you offer a frequent traveler program?

A: Yes. After your first tour with us, you will save $100 per person off the published brochure price of your next Odysseys Unlimited tour; $200 per person after your third tour; and $300 per person after 10 tours. You may use this frequent traveler credit as many times as you would like.

15: What information do I need in-hand when I call an Odysseys Unlimited Travel Counselor to reserve a tour?

A: In order to make a reservation, we require a deposit of $475 per person. Please have your credit card information available (or you may send a check), as well as each passenger’s home address and telephone number. In addition, to comply with the U.S. Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) Secure Flight program, we will also need each passenger’s full name, birth date, and gender exactly as they appear on their passport. For further information, please visit www.tsa.gov

16: How can I contact you?

A: You can reach Odysseys Unlimited by e-mail: customerservice@odysseys-unlimited.com or toll-free at (888) 370-6765, Monday–Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., ET. Please click here for additional information.

17: How can I share photos from my trip with Odysseys Unlimited?

We welcome and encourage you to share photos from your Odysseys Unlimited tour. You can share photos with us at photosubmissions@odysseys-unlimited.com

What to Share

We are looking for pictures of you and your fellow travelers engaging in tour activities. For example, a picture of you and your travel partner shopping in a bazaar; the group taking a cooking class; folks enjoying a special dinner or walking on a guided hike. When emailing us a picture, please include your name, address, the name of the tour, travel dates, and a brief caption for the picture(s).

Photo Reuse

All photos submitted to us via email are subject to be used by our Marketing team. Photos may be printed in our brochures, posted on the Odysseys Unlimited web site, or posted on Odysseys Unlimited’s social media accounts.

For images to be considered for our brochure, please send original high-resolution images (300 dpi). Please do not send images that have been saved from personal social media accounts as they are low resolution.

We regret that we may not be able to add photo credits.

18: Where can I learn more about passports and the REAL ID program?

This information can be found in the following blog post. Essential Knowledge: Passports and REAL ID.