What are the procedures and availability of extensions at either end.
Can one use frequent flier miles and how much would that affect the price?
What are the costs for "land-only"
What will happen if the Euro decreases in value?
What flights and what airline will the tour use?
How much luggage can one bring?
Are minors allowed on the tour?
Are there other forms to be filled out?
Will there be the possibility of side trips?
How much free time for side trips?
What sort of venues for concerts?
What will be the dress for concerts?
What kind of publicity for concerts - will we be singing only to our "groupies" and "roadies."
Will 110 V AC be available for charging camera batteries? What sort of electrical plugs will we need? (parenthetical comment - I thought all modern chargers were 100-240 V.)
What Hotels will we be using and what facilities do they have? What will be the access to the internet?
What are the procedures and availability of extensions at either end.
Airlines will allow individuals (and only a limited %) to deviate from the group air contract on the tail end of the tour. There is a fee to do this. MCI has a $100/passenger fee + any fees the airlines might impose (will know this once we secure a contract). If individuals wanted to arrive earlier than the group, then we can give them the "land only" package price and they can arrange their own air.
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Can one use frequent flier miles and how much would that affect the price?
Frequent flier miles can be used. These individuals would be charged for the "land only" package which will be reflected in the Letter of Agreement that you will receive shortly after we receive your tour registration materials.
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What are the costs for "land-only"
Land Only:back to questions
- 35-39: $1913
- 40-44: $1830
- 45-49: $1765
What will happen if the Euro decreases in value?
The exchange rate is adjusted around 45 days prior to your scheduled departure. If the Euro decreases in value, then MCI will pass along the savings to the group by adjusting the final payment amount or applying it towards your airline related taxes/fees/fuel.
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What flights and what airline will the tour use?
Aer Lingus - 49 seats together - DIRECT FLIGHTback to questions
- 16 June departure from ORD at 6:15pm, arrival into Dublin at 7:50am
- 25 June departure from Dublin at 12:50pm, arrival into ORD at 3:10pm
How much luggage can one bring?
Each member is allowed: 1 piece not to exceed 62 inches, (length, width & height) or weighing more than 50 pounds, as a check-in for the luggage compartment.
1 piece of carry-on, not to exceed 45 inches (length, width & height) which will fit either in an overhead compartment or under a seat.
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Are minors allowed on the tour?
Yes, but they may be subject to full amount of the tour, depending on their age (lodging, meals, etc.). Any child 2+ years of age needs an airline ticket.
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Are there other forms to be filled out?
Yes, we the chorus needs a medical release form.
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What about tipping?
Tipping is fairly institutionalized and is expected for the tour. I think it would be easier to have a standard amount paid by everyone. See the tipping page for information.
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What about insurance?
MCI supplies an insurance policy. The details are given on the insurance pdf. They strongly recommend the higher priced plan but that is up to each person.
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Interest in information about Ireland - one question was the Celtic language
The Celtic language is spoken more on the western side of Ireland - in the Galway region. Everyone knows and speaks english (though their accents will vary from city to city). Here is some great general information on Ireland
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Will there be the possibility of side trips?
Yes - all depends on the schedule. We can customize the itinerary to allow for free time to allow people to explore on their own. The coach and tour manager are at the group's disposal.
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How much free time for side trips?
We can give you as much free time as you feel you need. You'll have some that want more free time and others that want the schedule packed with organized sightseeing. It will be the committee's responsibility to find the right balance.
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What sort of venues for concerts?
Churches/Cathedrals for choirs. We might be able to do a performance in a castle as well.
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What kind of repertoire will be presented?
This is entirely up to Pete, but we would suggest he program some local irish tunes (Danny Boy always goes over well) and some American folk & spirituals. The Irish audiences really enjoy the "foot tapping" music.
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What will be the dress for concerts?
Whatever your concert attire is for your Naperville performances. Pete will be in communication with our performance department regarding this and the programming of the concerts.
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What kind of publicity for concerts - will we be singing only to our "groupies" and "roadies."
The concerts are fully publicized through the local arts networks, radio announcements, posters, handbills, church announcements, etc. We've done really well in developing audiences in Ireland. Size may range from 50 (smaller venue) to upwards of 200 - 300.
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When will rehearsals be?
Rehearsals will be on Monday nights after our concert in Wentz Hall for Carmina Burana. We will need to revisit Carmina before the performance in Symphony Center but we should have the music well in hand.
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Will there be laundry available in the hotels?
Most hotels offer laundry services. We can confirm this once we have the hotels booked. Note that we will spend two nights in each location making laundry easier.
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Will 110 V AC be available for charging camera batteries? What sort of electrical plugs will we need? (parenthetical comment - I thought all modern chargers were 100-240 V.)
The most common voltage in Ireland is 220V. We suggest that people purchase voltage converters and adapter plugs for any tour to European.
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What Hotels will we be using and what facilities do they have? What will be the access to the internet?
All appear to have internet access-The Carlton Hotel in Galway City may require a cable; the others offer free wifi. Details on the hotels can be found at their website.
1. Galway June 17 -19
Carlton Hotel Galway City
Dublin Road
Galway
Phone: 091-381200
Fax: 091-753187
Carlton Hotel Galway Cityhttp://www.carltonhotelgalwaycity.com/rooms
2. Killarney June 19- 21
Killarney Court Hotel
Tralee Road
Killarney, Co. kerry
Phone: 064-6637070
Fax: 064-6637060
Killarney Court Hotel
3. Kilkenny June 21- 23
Kilkenny Ormonde Hotel
Ormonde Street
Kilkenny
Phone: 056-7723900
Fax: 056-7723977
Kilkenny Ormonde Hotel
4. Dublin June 23 -25
Mespil Road
Dublin 4
Phone: 01-6671222
Fax: 01-6671244
Mespil Hotel
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What about cell phone access?
Europe is GSM country so a triband or 4-band phone from At&T or T-Mobile will work. There will be very high roaming rates. I don't think text message rates will be out-of-line, I think in the range of $0.30-0.50; however, if you have very active thumbs, I would recommend checking those numbers!. Verizon or U.S. Cellular, unless they are special international phones will not work as they are CDMA.>
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