Baggage Tags

As identification, and to enable our agents throughout the South Pacific to give immediate service, please affix the ATS Tours baggage tags to your suitcase.

Insurance

Ask your travel agent to arrange for ATS Tours insurance. It is also highly recommended that comprehensive insurance coverage be purchased prior to departure to protect your plans from trip cancellation fees and, when you travel, accident and medical expenses.

Money Exchange

We suggest that you cash travelers checks at banks instead of hotels, as you will generally get a better rate for your money. In the majority of international airports, banking facilities are available to service arriving and departing international passengers. It is preferable to reconvert any local currency you may have in your possession prior to departure from each country, as in certain cases, local currencies are not exchangeable outside their respective countries. Coins are never exchangeable, except in country of origin.

Credit Cards

Credit cards normally accepted in the South Pacific: Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Diners Club.

Porterage

In cities, most hotels have porters to carry luggage. However, due to local custom and comparative isolation of many country hotels, hotel porters are not always available. If you are on an escorted motorcoach tour, your courier-driver will of course assist as much as possible with luggage handling for the tour in these country areas.

Wash Cloths

Many hotels in the South Pacific do not provide wash cloths. It is a good idea to bring your own.

Water & Coffee

Tap water in New Zealand, Fiji, Australia and Tahiti is generally considered safe for drinking. However, the different mineral and chlorine content may cause a reaction in sensitive travelers. Also, the American custom of placing glasses of iced water on dining tables is not generally followed in the South Pacific, nor is it the general custom to serve coffee before meals. However, a polite word to the server should satisfy any such request.

Medications

You should bring up to a 4-week supply of medications, and it is a good idea to carry with you a prescription for any medicines you may require. Take along an extra pair of prescription glasses (or a duplicate prescription). Check with your doctor for recommended inoculations for each country.

Clothing

Bring your light clothes and swim suits. Also a light raincoat or shower-proof jacket, a comfortable pair of walking shoes and warmer clothing for travel particularly in the South Island of New Zealand during the June through September period.

Packing Hints

Pack lightly. Dress is generally informal. As mentioned elsewhere, some of the more remote areas you may be traveling through have no or limited porter service, and you may have to carry your own bags. Never pack your passport, money or medicine in the suitcase(s) you check in as baggage. As you know, baggage occasionally goes astray.

Hotel Check-in/Check-out

Check-in time for most South Pacific hotels is normally after 2pm, whereas check-out time is usually no later than 10-11am.

Please refer to our Terms & Conditions for important information on Reservations and Deposits, Cancellations, Modifications, Refunds, Airfares and Tickets, Passports and Visas, Package Inclusions, Baggage Allowance, Travel Insurance, and ATS Tours Responsibilities.

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FAQ's

What's so special about Australia, New Zealand and the islands of the South Pacific?

This is an easy question! Friendly people, stunning scenery, interesting culture, great food and wine, and a wide range of activities - all combine for the perfect vacation in the South Pacific!

Why should I go to the South Pacific rather than the Caribbean, Mexico or Hawaii?

If you want a mass production style of vacation with lots of tourists and enormous hotels, then the Caribbean, Mexico and Hawaii are your destinations. However, if you prefer a special experience, gorgeous scenery, authentic culture, fewer tourists and more intimate hotels, then the South Pacific is for you.

If I'm booking one of the vacations from this web site, do I have to do it as-is, or can I extend my stay or swap things around?

With the exception of Escorted Tours (which operate along a set itinerary), all of our vacations may be modified to suit your preferences. Add or delete a few nights or entire cities, swap day tours, reverse the order of cities visited, or substitute hotels - we want you to have the vacation of your dreams, and we'll work with you to make sure you get exactly the arrangements that suit you best.

What if I plan to travel with a special interest group, club, or large family?

ATS Tours has a dedicated Group Travel department to assist you. We will be happy to help plan your own customized group tour. See more information here: click Group Travel.

What time of year should I travel and what can I expect?

Check out our climate charts for Australia and New Zealand for seasonal information for major cities. Island destinations such as French Polynesia, Fiji, and the Cook Islands have a rainier season and a drier season, but are great travel destinations all year long, with tropical climate and fairly constant year-round temperatures.

I like lots of activities - is there plenty to do?

There is an abundance of activities in and around the water as well as on land. Whether you're looking for cultural experiences, outdoor activities, relaxation, or shopping, you're sure to find plenty of options.

What about adventurous and off-the-beaten-track activities?

There are many possibilities, from 4WD tours, to liveaboard dive adventures, to bungy jumping, to guided walks and hiking...and the list goes on!

Is there a wide range of accommodations available?

Of course! Hotels range from economy all the way up to deluxe. In many areas, unique and boutique accommodations are available.

I'm looking for a true cultural experience - will I find it in the South Pacific?

No problem at all. Australia's Aborigines have the world's oldest living culture, and New Zealand's Maori have blended their unique Polynesian heritage into their country's culture. French Polynesians, Fijians, and Cook Islanders also express their culture in their dress, music, and crafts...it's not a "show" just for tourists.

Dressing up doesn't appeal to me - how "fancy" do you have to be in the evenings?

The South Pacific sounds like the perfect destination for you! You rarely need to dress up in the evenings - a simple, cotton dress or shorts outfit will do for ladies and the gentlemen are fine with a sport shirt and either trousers or shorts. Don't forget your swimsuits, sunblock and sun hats! Another essential to bring with you is rubber-soled or plastic shoes, preferably shoes you can wear in or out of the water to protect your feet from coral when visiting reefs in Australia, French Polynesia, and Fiji.

What about the food?

Australia, New Zealand, and the islands of the South Pacific offer a wide range of cuisine, from Pacific Rim specialties, to Asian dishes, to Italian and French cuisine. Prices are generally comparable to dining out in a major city in the USA, though prices in French Polynesia may be a bit higher.

Great, it all sounds wonderful - but - are there any down sides?

Well, you have to go home - although some visiting the South Pacific have become so enamored, they've stayed there forever!

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