Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What is the cancellation policy for this trip?

 

Payment Terms:

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Due to the small and exclusive nature of this bucket-list trip, large commitments on the number of rooms are required well in advance. Due to these commitments, your booking is non-refundable (100% penalty from the time of booking onward). If you are unable to attend, it is possible to transfer your booking to another person (note that most flight bookings are non-transferable). If you decide to transfer your booking to another party, you are responsible for collecting payment.

 

• Prices are per person, based on double occupancy. Prices are estimated and subject to change based on actual number of attendees, exchange rates, etc.

• You may choose to pre-pay your booking in full or pay the initial deposit and subsequent payments at their due dates.

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Trip Payment Plan:

Due at Time of Registration
Non-Refundable Deposit of $6,000 ($3,000 Per Person)

Due April 1, 2025
50% of Trip Balance

Due October 1, 2025
Final Balance

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Q. What travel documentation do I need?

 

UNITED STATES CITIZENS

All United States citizens must have a Government Issued Passport, valid for at least six months beyond the return date of your trip, in order to travel to Greece & Turkey and board the Emerald Azzurra. Your passport should have at least two blank pages for entry and exit stamps. More information for United States citizens can be found HERE.

NON-UNITED STATES CITIZENS

If you are NOT a United States citizen (are traveling on a non-United States passport), please verify your specific documentation and vaccination requirements with your country's consulate before departing. Please note that non-United States citizens may require a visa to enter certain countries and may require blank pages for entry and/or exit stamps.

ALL GUESTS

It is the sole responsibility of the attendee to verify, obtain, and be aware of all necessary documentation and vaccination requirements when traveling to another country. Please check your destination’s specific requirements as well as the requirements of the airline you are traveling on. Many countries require passports to be valid for at least six months beyond the date of your expected return and may require multiple consecutive blank passport pages. Some citizens may be required to obtain a Visa and/or have specific vaccinations to enter certain countries.

We also recommend packing a photocopy of the picture and signature pages of your passport. If your passport should get lost, the photocopies will make it much easier to get an emergency replacement.

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Q. How do I get a Passport? (United States Citizens)

 

Click HERE to learn everything you need to know about how to obtain or renew a United States Passport.

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Q. How do I apply for Trusted Traveler Programs like Global Entry or TSA Precheck?

 

Benefits for Global Entry Members: Your time is valuable. As a pre-screened Global Entry member, you arrive in the United States, check-in at the Global Entry kiosk and you're on your way! Global Entry also includes TSA Pre✓® Eligibility.

 

Click HERE to apply for Global Entry or TSA Precheck

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*If you do not travel multiple times per year internationally, they recommend applying for the TSA PreCheck Program. Most TSA PreCheck applicants can schedule an appointment in less than 2 weeks and, if approved, can receive a Known Traveler Number (KTN) in about 3 to 5 days after the appointment. Global Entry is experiencing application processing delays and have limited interview availability. While many applications are quickly reviewed, in some cases the process can take from 6-18 months to complete. Moreover, interview availability in various regions is limited. Current Global Entry applicants or first time Global Entry applicants whose applications have already been conditionally approved may also participate in our Enrollment on Arrival (EoA) program. No appointment is needed and this option may offer the fastest path to membership approval for individuals with upcoming international travel.

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Q. What are the overall dates for the trip?

 

Main Trip

 

The overall main trip dates are May 21-31, 2026, departing the United States on May 21 and arriving in Athens, Greece on May 22, and departing Istanbul, Turkey on May 31 and arriving back in the United States on May 31. We will be staying one night in Athens at the Hotel Grande Bretagne from May 22-23, sailing the Greek Isles and Turkey from May 23-30 (departing from Athens, Greece and ending in Istanbul, Turkey), and staying one night in Istanbul at the Conrad Istanbul Bosphorus from May 30-31.

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Pre-Extension

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The pre-extension is an additional nights stay at the Hotel Grande Bretagne in Athens from May 21-22. Flights will depart the United States on May 20 and arrive in Athens on May 21.

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Post-Extension

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The post-extension is an additional 3 nights stay: one additional night at the Conrad Istanbul Bosphorus in Istanbul from May 31 - June 1 and two nights at Argos in Cappadocia from June 1-3. Flights will depart from Cappadocia on June 3.

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Q. What is Emerald Cruises pregnancy policy?

 

Most cruise companies do not allow mothers-to-be onboard past their 28th week of pregnancy. Pregnant women that do decide to sail may be asked to provide a doctor's certificate stating their fitness for travel.

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Q. Are flights included in the trip pricing?

 

Flights to/from Europe are NOT included and will be an additional cost.

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Destinations can assist in booking your airfare to/from Europe. If you would like to book your airfare through Destinations, please ​note there is an additional fee of $​40 per ticket for airfare assistance, in addition to the cost of flights. Additional ticketing fees may apply after ticketing due to possible schedule changes that require re-issues by our air desk.

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If you would like to book your own flights to/from Europe, please keep in mind when you should plan to arrive and depart:

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Arrive

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• ​Flights should arrive in Athens, Greece anytime on May 22, 2026

  • If participating in the pre-extension, flights should arrive in Athens on May 21, 2026

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Depart

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• Flights can depart Istanbul, Turkey anytime on May 31, 2026

  • If participating in the post-extension, flights should depart Cappadocia, Turkey on June 3, 2026. You will also need to book flights from Istanbul to Cappadocia on June 1, 2026.

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Q. When should I leave for the airport?

 

The recommended airport check-in time for international flights is three hours prior to departure. 

Please check with your airline for schedule changes or flight delays and confirm the recommended check-in time prior to leaving for the airport. Please remember to allow extra time if you are unfamiliar with the airport, are leaving during heavy traffic times, or have excess baggage.

For general travel information issued by the State Department, please visit the U.S. Department of State website at https://travel.state.gov/content/travel.html.

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Q. Should I purchase Travel Insurance?

 

Because unforeseen circumstances may arise, we strongly recommend that you purchase travel insurance. Travel Insurance gives you access to a 24-hour assistance hotline for expert, personalized support in a crisis. Travel insurance can reimburse you for prepaid, non-refundable trip costs - including vacation rentals, car rentals, hotels and flights - if you have to cancel for a covered reason, and can reimburse you for eligible meals, accommodation and transportation expenses during a covered delay. Travel insurance can also reimburse you for care following a covered medical emergency while traveling. Travel insurance can even arrange and pay for a medical evacuation if needed. Coverage is only available for United States citizens.

 

Please email our Destinations Travel Partner and advise you are interested in purchasing Travel insurance. They will provide the Sequel Travel Vacation Department the necessary information for your travel insurance quote and connect you with an agent.​​

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Q. What items can I carry on?

 

Due to potential security issues on flights, the Transportation Security Administration has updated its aviation security measures. For the latest information regarding what to bring, what to leave at home, and what to generally expect while traveling, please visit the Transportation Security Administration website at https://www.tsa.gov.​

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Q. Can I travel with my medication?

 

The answer is yes, with some qualifiers. Here are a few tips that you might find helpful.

 

• It is not necessary to present your medication to, or notify an officer about any medication you are traveling with unless it is in liquid form (See next bullet).

• Medication in liquid form is allowed in carry-on bags in excess of 3.4 ounces in reasonable quantities for the flight. It is not necessary to place medically required liquids in a zip-top bag. However, you must tell the officer that you have medically necessary liquids at the start of the screening checkpoint process. Medically required liquids will be subject to additional screening that could include being asked to open the container.

• You can bring your medication in pill or solid form in unlimited amounts as long as it is screened.

• You can travel with your medication in both carry-on and checked baggage. It’s highly recommended you place these items in your carry-on in the event that you need immediate access.

• TSA does not require passengers to have medications in prescription bottles, but states have individual laws regarding the labeling of prescription medication with which passengers need to comply.

• Medication is usually screened by X-ray; however, if a passenger does not want a medication X-rayed, he or she may ask for a visual inspection instead. This request must be made before any items are sent through the X-ray tunnel.

• Nitroglycerin tablets and spray (used to treat episodes of angina in people who have coronary artery disease) are permitted and have never been prohibited.

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Additional Information

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Q. What if I have a special health concern?

 

If you have any health concerns that may require special attention, please contact us prior to departure. Passengers requiring prescription medications are advised to keep them in their carry-on luggage. While we don't require information about the extent of your health concern or disability, the more information you can share with us about your specific needs, the better we are able to assist you.