Frequently Asked Questions

 

How do I find a vacation?
Choose a destination from our Explore Tours page. Click on a specific tour to be linked to a page that provides a tour overview and links to detailed information about the Itinerary, Highlights, Maps, Hotels, Dates, Prices, and more!

How do I make a reservation?
Once you have found a vacation that interests you, you can use the "Book It" button located on the tour page. You can also contact a travel advisor or call us at 1.866.760.6139 with any questions and to book your exciting Cosmos experience.

Why should I choose Cosmos?

• With 100+ vacations to 60 countries on six continents, Cosmos gives you a variety of ways to truly see the world the way you want.
• A variety of travel styles and specialty travel to meet the desires of today’s traveller, including Small-Groups, Faith-based travel and many more.
• VIP access (no waiting in lines) to major sights throughout your journey.
• Inside visits to major and must-see sights included in the vacation price.
• Hand-selected hotels located in the center of your destination.   
• Expert Tour Directors who share their unique stories and knowledge of destinations in which they actually live.

What is the Travel Insurance Plan?
You can’t wait for your trip of a lifetime, but life is unpredictable. Travel Insurance protects your investment and removes the worry should travel plans need to be changed, cancelled or when life’s unexpected circumstances disrupt your travel plans. Our insurance partner, Manulife Travel Insurance, can assist you with all your travel insurance needs and answer any questions you may have.   Please contact them directly at 1-888-220-5212 or email Manulife Travel Insurance to inquire on any questions relating to their travel insurance benefits on your Cosmos vacation. 

Why am I asked to give my passport name, gender, and date of birth when booking air?
If the name on the airline reservation does not match the name exactly as it appears on your passport or other government-issued ID being used at the time of travel, you may not be allowed to board the plane. It is also important that this information be provided correctly at the time of booking, as any changes to your air booking, which includes spelling, could be subject to a change fee, penalties, higher fares, new schedule, and/or cancellation. TSA information is required within 10 days of booking air with Cosmos. 

How does Cosmos support sustainable travel and protect the environment?
Cosmos is committed to minimizing our impact on the environment and to reducing dependence on non-renewable resources. In this endeavor, we have implemented policies to support this mission and are working carefully to enhance our products with this mission and our values combined. We are committed to complying with all relevant legislation and/or regulations.

Are Cosmos tours disability accessible?
Cosmos makes reasonable attempts to accommodate the special needs of disabled and mobility-impaired travellers but is not responsible in the event it is unable to do so. Because we cannot provide individual assistance to travellers in many situations, and most of our transportation services are not equipped with wheelchair ramps, we recommend that you view our terms and conditions for details and contact us to learn more.

Why is my contact information collected when I book?
There may be times when unforeseen events beyond our control impact travel schedules and potentially disrupt your vacation. These include, but are not limited to, severe weather conditions, acts of nature, and government travel advisories. Under such circumstances, it is critical that Cosmos be able to contact you immediately and effectively - including nights, weekends, and holidays - to make sure we’ve informed you of any possible changes to your travel.

Additionally, the care and safety of our guests have always been our highest priority. There may be a need to contact you while on the trip or to contact someone back home due to an unforeseen event that happens while on the trip. Therefore, in addition to pre-trip contact information, we also require an emergency contact name and number, as well as an on-trip phone number for all travellers .

 

Do I need a passport and a visa?
When travelling outside Canada, a passport is required and many countries require that the passport be valid for at least 6 months after the date of travel. Some countries also require a visa. We know that navigating visa applications and requirements can be confusing. We can help. Cosmos is pleased to offer its customers the expertise and experience of iVisa, with fast and easy ways to obtain visas, passports, and/or other documents required for travel. You can check visa requirements for your vacation by visiting the iVisa Web site at www.ivisa.com. Simply select your country of travel to obtain any necessary visa forms.

What size can my suitcase be?
Due to limited coach capacity, your bag should have dimensions not exceeding 30"x21"x11" (62" linear dimensions) or weight exceeding 50 lbs. Carry-on bags should not exceed the dimensions of 12"x11"x6". Please note that air carriers, cruise lines and other forms of transportation may have other restrictions and requirements including weight, and we recommend that you contact the suppliers directly for additional information. We regret we are unable to accept a second suitcase or any luggage exceeding these limits.

Some airlines are also charging fees for checked baggage, and these fees are not included in the vacation or airfare package price. Please check with your airline directly for baggage information and regulations. Cosmos is not responsible for any additional fees imposed by air carriers regarding baggage.

How many bags am I allowed to bring?
Due to limited motorcoach capacity, we only allow one suitcase per person. Your single bag should have dimensions not exceeding 30"x21"x11" and weight not exceeding 50lbs (22kg). We regret that we are unable to accept a second suitcase or any luggage exceeding these limits on published vacation. Some tours have more restrictive regulations than those listed above. Please refer to your Travel Documents for more information.

Your air carrier may have stricter weight/dimension limitations than those listed above. Size and weight limitations for carry on and checked baggage vary from airline to airline and even according to destination. Up-to-date information on carrier specific standard checked baggage allowance (including size and weight limitations), the standard allowance (and fee, if applicable) for carry-on baggage, and the standard fee for the first and second checked bag, along with information that additional discounts may apply depending on flyer-specific factors (e.g. frequent flyer status, military, credit card used for purchase or early purchase online, etc.) can be found by accessing www.iflybags.com. Cosmos is not responsible for additional fees imposed by air carriers regarding baggage. Regulations within most airports require that passengers handle their own luggage through customs. No responsibility is accepted for loss of or damage to baggage or any of the traveller's belongings throughout the duration of the vacation. Baggage insurance is recommended. Review our comprehensive Travel Protection Plan for available coverage options.  

Carry-on bags should not exceed the dimensions of 12"x11"x6". For safety reasons, wheeled carry-on bags are not recognized as hand luggage on motorcoaches and mini-buses. Carry-on bags must be small enough to store in overhead bins or under the seat in front of you on motorcoaches and other transportation.

For vacations in Africa, due to limited capacity on safari vehicles and flights when on safari, your single bag must be soft-sided and cannot exceed 33 lbs (15kg) for vacations in Kenya & Tanzania or 44 lbs (20 kg including hand luggage) in Botswana. Due to limited transportation capacity on South Africa itineraries, your single bag should have dimensions not exceeding 30"x21"x11" and weight not exceeding 50lbs (22kg) unless otherwise noted in your Travel Documents.

What is the difference between a twin bedded room and a double room?
A double room is a room designed to accommodate two people, though not necessarily with two separate beds. A twin bedded room has two separate beds of any size; this is what we usually reserve for our guests.

What size is a triple room?
A triple room is the same size as a twin bedded room. It will have beds to accommodate three people; however, we cannot guarantee that there will be three separate beds. If there are only two beds, a rollaway may be requested but also cannot be guaranteed.

When are final hotel accommodations confirmed?
The hotels and accommodations listed are provisional and subject to change and may be substituted with properties of similar standard. Hotels are confirmed approximately 30 days prior to departure and can be found in your travel documents, but are not guaranteed until check-in.

When will I receive my travel documents?
Travel documents, including any air tickets, itineraries, and other information, are available approximately two to three weeks prior to departure provided full payment has been received.

Where can I find information on currency rates?
If you are in the process of planning your vacation and need information on currency exchange rates, access our currency converter tool.

Can I pre-pay my gratuities before my trip?
Cosmos offers passengers the ability to pre-pay their Tour Director and Driver gratuities before departure in select destinations. A per-person base rate is offered for your specific vacation to conveniently provide gratuities for your Tour Director and Driver (excluding Local Guides and other personnel). You can pre-purchase gratuities at the time of booking online or over the phone, or they can be added after booking. NOTE: Tips to Local Guides are included in pre-paid gratuities in South America. Europe and South Pacific tours are excluded from pre-paid gratuities, but you are welcome to offer tips directly on tour.