Before Your Trip

What's included and what's not

Just about everything is included in your fare:

• Transfer from La Paz airport to ship is included April 10 if arriving on Alaska Airlines flight
• 7 nights on the ship with all meals
• Water, coffee, tea and soft drinks are included
• All excursions
• Use of kayaks and snorkeling equipment
• Naturalists
• Gratuities to ship staff
• Port charges and service taxes
• Transfer from ship to La Paz airport is included April 17 if departing on Alaska Airlines flight
• Olivia programming and entertainment
• Olivia assistance throughout

The price of your trip does not include airfare, incidentals on board, wine, alcohol, insurance, telephone, spa services, fax, internet access and medical attention.

NDA charges are not included in the price of the trip but have already been added to your reservation as reflected on your invoice.

Travel documentation and identification

You will need a passport that is valid for six months past the date of the trip. If you are not a US citizen, please check with both your country's consulate and the consulate to make sure that you do not need an entry visa or other additional documentation.

Vaccinations

Please check with your local Public Heath Department or personal physician regarding immunization requirements for all countries on your itinerary. You may also check the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Web site at: www.cdc.gov. Just click on “Traveler’s Health” and then “Vaccinations.”

Travel insurance

We encourage all guests to purchase travel insurance. Olivia has recently partnered with Travelex to make things easier for you; you can now add your travel insurance when you book your trip, all in one call. In order to receive the most comprehensive coverage, please purchase your insurance within 14 days of your initial invoice. If you have questions about Olivia’s travel insurance, call (800) 631-6277 to talk to one of our travel consultants, or visit the Olivia Travel Protection Plan page for more information.

Joining the Olivia.com trip group

If you’d like to chat with people who are going on the trip, sign up for the official Olivia trip group, Whales & Sea of Cortez Cruise.

About Our Destination

Climate

In April, temperatures range from lows of around 58 (at night) to the mid-80s (during the day).

Currency

Peso

Languages

You will find Spanish and English.

Time Zone

Baja is on PST.

Travel and arrival

Air travel

Where to fly into/out of

You will need to fly into and out of La Paz, Mexico.

Suggested arrival/departure times

You should arrive by 5 PM on April 10, 2010. For your departure, you can depart at anytime after 10 AM on April 17.

Discount airfare offer

Olivia travelers enjoy a 7% discount on American Airlines for flights originating from the US to Los Angeles (LAX). The dates of travel are April 5-23, 2010. To take advantage of this offer, call American Airlines at (800) 433-1790 or go to www.aa.com/rainbow. Please note a $20 ticketing fee applies to phone reservations. Use discount code A2940AD.

A 10% discount on Alaska air is available for the flight from LAX-La Paz-LAX, and the discount is applied for the last leg from La Paz, Mexico to Los Angeles. The first leg from LAX to La Paz on April 10 is ineligible for the discount because of a blackout period from April 9-11, 2010. However, the last leg is available for a 10% discount. So, this means that overall, you will receive a 5% discount on this flight.

To take advantage of this discount, please go to www.alaskaair.com/gaytravel and select your departing and returning cities and dates of travel in the “Flights Quick Search” box. Next, enter code ECCMB1113 into the discount box.

Please note – there are other airlines that fly to La Paz for a lesser price, but most have stops in Guadalajara or Mexico City which we do not recommend. We strongly encourage you to book an American flight into LAX on April 9, overnight at the Sheraton Gateway, and take the Hotel’s complimentary shuttle to LAX the following morning for the non-stop Alaska flight into La Paz.

Discount Hotel at LAX

A special $99/night rate is available at the Sheraton Gateway Hotel near the LAX airport on the nights of April 9 and April 17 for those departing on the morning of April 10, or returning for an overnight on April 17 to depart LAX on April 18. Just call the hotel directly at (310) 642-1111 or the world-wide Starwood reservation number, (800) 325-3535, and mention “Olivia” for this special rate. You may also reserve online by using the following links: Olivia Pre Cruise Rooms LAX (April 9) Olivia Post Cruise Rooms LAX (April 17 or 18). This includes a complimentary shuttle to/from the hotel to/from LAX. Additional Hotel taxes of 14.065% are not included in the price. Join other Olivia travelers for this pre-trip stay!

Luggage allowances

While there is no luggage limit on the cruise itself, airlines often restrict (or charge) for excess baggage. Because each airline is different, and the regulations change over time, please check with your airline for baggage allowances.

Transfers and meeting up with Olivia

Getting to your ship

Transfers from La Paz airport to ship on April 10 are included if arriving on Alaska Airlines flight. Please provide us with your Alaska itinerary if transferring with the group. More specific information will be sent in your final informational package.

Transfers after your trip

Transfers from the ship to La Paz airport April 17 are included if departing on Alaska Airlines flight. Please provide us with your Alaska itinerary if transferring with the group. More specific information will be sent in your final informational package.

Check in

Ship

Embarkation begins at 3:00 PM on April 10, 2010.

During your trip

Amenities

Amenities include a library; lounge with full-service bar and facilities for films, slide shows and presentations, an observation deck, a partially-covered sun deck with chairs and tables, and LEXspa. Staterooms have individually-controlled thermostats, a bathroom with shower, twin beds, and window.

Dining

There is one seating; tables are unassigned for an informal atmosphere and easy mingling. Breakfast and lunch are wide-selection buffets. Dinner is a sit-down meal with table service. The menu emphasizes local cuisine.

Electricity

The cabins have 110 volt electricity. This is the same as in the US.

Excursions

Excursions will include snorkeling, interpretive nature walks, bird watching, hiking, kayaking, Zodiac trips and more!

Gratuities

Gratuities are included in the cost of the cruise. Gratuities are provided for your cabin steward, dining room steward, bus person, maître’d and other-behind-the-scenes crew members. Gratuities for the naturalists are not included; tipping them is optional.

Internet/e-mail/fax

There is internet access onboard at an additional charge.

Laundry and dry cleaning

No laundry service is available on board.

Medical services

There is an onboard infirmary with a doctor. Services are complimentary.

Money: Paying for things on board

Onboard, the currency is US Dollars. Upon embarkation, you will register a credit card to your shipboard account in order to charge drinks, services, etc. You will not be able to get cash advances through your credit card; however, you will be able to cash traveler's checks.

Phone

Phone service is an additional charge and may not always be available.

Smoking policy

The ship is completely non-smoking except for an area of the exterior Upper Deck. Smoking is discouraged on most of the uninhabited islands.

Spa services

There is a Wellness LEXspa onboard, and massages and other services are available for an additional fee.

Solo travelers

On this trip, solos will mix and mingle with everyone. For a trip this small, there are no solo coordinators, but you can meet other solo travelers online at www.olivia.com/connect. Just join the trip group and introduce yourself!

After your Trip

Disembarkation time

We will disembark in the early morning for our transfer to the airport.

Transfers to the airport

Transfers to the La Paz airport from the ship on April 17 are included if departing on Alaska Airlines flight. More specific information will be sent in your final informational package.

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