Faqs

For specific border crossing requirements, the DeNure Tours COVID-19 information page has Border Crossing Information with links to the applicable government sites.

For Sunshine Getaways land-based packages, guests are responsible for getting to the starting point of the tour, so guests will need to complete the declarations and provide COVID-19 vaccination information as necessary.  Then, if during the tour there is a border crossing, information will be provided describing the declarations and COVID-19 vaccination registrations that may be required.

For Sunshine Getaways motorcoach-based tours, border crossing information will be provided 1-2 weeks in advance of departure, describing the declarations and COVID-19 vaccination registrations that will be required. If only a passport is required for the border crossing, then staff may ask at the time of boarding, that the passport is being carried by the guest and NOT packed away in luggage. The successful crossing of borders by the motorcoach requires that everyone on the coach meets the requirements to cross. If there are questions, please feel free to call 1-866-967-9910 or email us: info@sunshinegetaways.com 

No matter where we travel, it is strongly recommended that, at a minimum, every traveller should bring along their passport, government issued photo ID and printed copies of all vaccination confirmation receipts.

Sunshine Getaways offers several options to "Escape to Warmth":

Sunshine Long Stay Getawayss

We have several locations where you can choose to stay for a longer period of time.  With the benefit of having rooms with kitchen facilities and a schedule of optional activities, these vacations provide a balance of independent relaxation and the warmth of socializing with fun, like-minded fellow travellers.

Sunshine Getaways Tours

Travel by motorcoach or plane to a sunshine destination and explore the region with lots of free time to enjoy the sun.

Sunshine Cruise Combos

We have a number of cruising options to choose from. A Touring and Cruising combination involves a motorcoach tour to the cruise port where guests embark on a cruise.  Then, at the end of the cruise, guests are met and brought home again by coach.  Also, with certain long stay destinations there are opportunities to add a cruise to the end of the vacation before the return trip home.

The biggest difference is what is available to you once you get to the destination. With our long stay vacations there is an on-site Sunshine Getaways Program Director who is there to see to your enjoyment. Day trips, shopping trips, dinner theaters, museums, local special events and attractions, and a variety of local restaurants are arranged so you can enjoy the flavour of the destination. You are travelling with like-minded people and for the solo traveller there is always someone to be with, if you choose.

With a vacation rental by owner arrangement, long stay arrangements can be made for accommodations, but you are on your own with respect to transportation, finding interesting things to do, and having people with whom to enjoy exploring the region.  With Sunshine Getaways, guests are free to do things on their own, but transportation for shopping and the group activities is provided, and with the activities program, there are many opportunities to meet new friends.

Absolutely! It’s your holiday and we want to make it just right for you. For tours involving flights, we can arrange your outbound flight to arrive before the group, if you want to spend some time before the tour, or we can arrange your return flight later than the group if you would like to spend some time afterwards. Please note that flights different from the group arrangements are subject to availability and pricing.  When you refer to our Optional Add-Ons, you’ll see that we may also be able to arrange additional nights of accommodation at the airport hotel.

Transportation is an important component of our holidays and we recognize that air travel is not for everyone. Thus, we offer a unique “express” motorcoach service to get to our long stay destinations in Florida and Myrtle Beach.  Luxury motorcoaches are bunk-equipped so that two drivers can alternately drive and sleep. This eliminates an overnight stay, though we do stop for comfort breaks every 3-4 hours, and our friendly drivers provide guidance at border crossings and restaurants stops. 

For motorcoach trips originating in Southern Ontario, the Connections Program is an included feature, and provides transportation to a pickup point or an overnight stay at one of our partner hotels along the route.  

While some tours may involve a drive or a flight to get to the starting point, most of our tours have motorcoach travel as the primary mode of transportation.

Cruise Combo tours include transportation by coach to and from the port, and will have the cruise included in the price.

A standard motorcoach accommodates 56 passengers; however, we have removed seating and reconfigured them for your travel comfort, providing greater legroom so you can sit back and relax. Seating is subject to availability and is assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. Our luxury motorcoaches feature:

• Increased legroom
• Reclining seats
• Washroom 
• Onboard Entertainment system  (To listen to movies, regional informational videos, or satellite radio, guests will need to bring their own headphones.)

SUNSHINE LONG-STAY GETAWAYS: Absolutely! It’s your vacation, flights can be arranged to suit your location, subject to availability, or you can book your own flight. If we book your flight, arrangements can be made to have a car meet you at the airport and deliver you to the hotel.

SUNSHINE GETAWAYS TOURS AND CRUISE COMBOS: Many of these tours start at a fly in location where you can be  met at the airport by the Sunshine Getaways Tour Director and local coach.  With a coach tour you are welcome to skip the drive and meet up with the group at the first destination hotel.

Yes, flights can be arranged to suit your location, subject to availability and pricing, and where possible, will be coordinated with the flights for the group. 

Sunshine Getaways strives to offer clean, comfortable, welcoming accommodations. We make every effort to find the best hotels available at reasonable prices and in desirable locations. (Many of the hotels we frequent can be found through a simple online search, and their web-sites will give you an idea of what to expect.) All accommodations offer a private washroom, and you may request the room type such as two double beds or one queen or king-sized bed.  While we make every effort to accommodate requests, specific room types are subject to availability and are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. If you have questions about a particular hotel, we’d be happy to help you find the answers. 

We understand that it is often hard to plan your vacation far in advance. However, we need to confirm all the key features of our tours including hotels, attractions, and restaurants, typically months in advance. Often dates and room choices are gone the longer you wait to book, and flights seem to get more expensive when booked closer to departure. Booking a land only tour requires a $400.00 deposit and booking a package that includes a cruise requires an $800.00 deposit, and payment arrangements can be made.  With the increasing demand for travel, hotel space is selling out sooner than in the past.  To avoid disappointment, book early and “Save your Seat” for your selected escape to warmth!

Since Sunshine Getaways involves travelling outside Canada, a current passport will be needed, and in most cases, it must be valid for 6 months after the trip return date, and depending on the destination country, visas may be required.  When making your reservation, please ensure that the full name provided matches the name on the passport.  For flights, we will require the passport number, date issued, where it was issued, and the expiry date. Once a flight is booked, it is non-refundable and any changes to the name or details may not be possible or may be subject to fees imposed by the airline.

Please let us know at the time of booking if you will be bringing a mobility aid, or if you have any other health issues or dietary restrictions that we need to know about so that arrangements can be made with restaurants.

The pace of a tour varies by itinerary, and with each destination, the activities and terrain are unique. Pacing is often subject to personal interpretation, but the Fitness Rating applied to each trip will assist in determining if a particular vacation is suitable for you.  As described in our Terms and Conditions, for reasons related to safety regulations, cleaning protocols and logistics we cannot permit guests to remain on the coach if they are unable to participate in an itinerary item with the rest of the group.  Thus, it’s important to have these fitness ratings in mind when selecting your trip.

Many of the facilities and attractions we visit are accessible by wheelchair.  Please ask about wheelchair accessibility when you call to book your vacation. Sunshine Getaways can carry your fold-up wheelchair or motorized scooter in the luggage area of the coach, but we have limited space and can only accommodate them on a first-come, first-served basis. As noted in our Terms and Conditions and in our Accessibility Policies, please advise us at the time of booking if you are bringing a mobility device. For their own protection, Sunshine Getaways staff and fellow guests are not permitted to provide assistance in lifting scooters or guests. If you require assistance that cannot be provided by your travel companion, we will need to discontinue your trip.

Some trips require a minimum number of travellers in order to operate. If you are booking your own flights, it is recommended that flights be booked only after a departure is guaranteed.  If a tour departure is cancelled due to minimums not being met, you will be offered an alternate date, if available, or you will be issued a full refund.

For many years, DeNure Tours developed and offered a ‘peace of mind’ trip cancellation waiver that applied from the time of booking until the departure date.  Today, our partner hotels, restaurants and attractions require a commitment because of staff shortages and the residual impact of COVID-19 on supplies. Thus, with the uncertainty in the travel world, we are currently not able to offer this protection.  For now, please refer to the insurance section in Before You Go. Sunshine Getaways reservation staff will be happy to provide details on other available insurance program options.

Our Denuro program, in operation since 1999, involved earning rewards for travel that could be used to discount future travel. This program ended as of April 1, 2021.  After this date, denuros can no longer be earned.  Those who have denuros 'in the bank’ are welcome to continue to redeem them on future travel reservations, with the same conditions as in the past.  (YES, we have removed the expiration date for denuros!)   Ask how you can use your denuros at the time of booking.

Many airlines have moved away from providing a paper ticket, and now issue what’s called an “e-ticket” or electronic ticket. Often, it is simply a computer print-out of the flight details and includes the reservation number, which may or may not be requested at check-in or at customs. If you have questions about your e-ticket, or if you are concerned that you did not receive it, please contact us.

If you are travelling outside of your province of residence, we strongly recommend that guests have a travel insurance policy to ensure peace of mind before and while traveling.  A complete travel insurance package will provide protection in case of trip cancellation, trip interruption, baggage delays or loss of baggage, and medical expenses.  Sunshine Getaways works with a couple of companies offering travel insurance plans.  See also our Optional Add-Ons and Before You Go information.

For Sunshine Getaways Tours, 1 large piece of luggage per person, plus one carry-on is permitted.

For Sunshine Getaways Long Stay Vacations, 2 large pieces of luggage per person, plus one carry-on is permitted.  

Extra charges apply to overweight or additional luggage.  Please see the luggage section of our Before You Go document, and if applicable, check the documents from the airlines for your flights, regarding baggage fees and restrictions.

Prior to final payment, any change to an existing reservation will incur a service fee per person.  Please ensure that the full name provided on the invoice is spelled correctly, and that it matches the name on the passport and government issued identification.  Name changes with airlines can be costly.

Although a personal data sheet will be included in the ticket package and this is another way to notify us of your dietary or health concerns, submitting this form when the trip is about to be underway may not provide adequate notice for meal arrangements at the beginning of the trip. Informing our agents of any dietary requests during the booking process, BEFORE DEPARTURE will better enable us to meet your needs.

If you need to cancel your trip, cancellation charges may apply.  The amount of the penalty is dependent upon the number of days from the date we are notified until the departure date.  As you can see from our Payment & Cancellation Policy, if you must cancel, it is in your best interests to notify us as soon as possible.

All seating is subject to availability and is assigned on a first come, first served basis. Currently, because of COVID-19 restrictions, there will be no seat rotation on our sightseeing tours. All guests will retain their assigned seats, and guests will be informed of seat assignments when boarding the coach.  We recognize that this limits the interaction between guests but feel it is the most appropriate way to ensure the safety of all travellers.  The coach will be freshly sanitized but you are welcome to bring along your own hand sanitizer or wipes for use in your area.

Drinks must be in a travel mug or container with a sealed lid (no paper coffee cups or plastic fountain drink containers). Bringing a reusable water bottle is highly recommended and great for the environment. Snacks that are ideal for motorcoach travel include granola bars, muffins, nuts, dried fruit etc.  Please refrain from consuming any dairy, chocolate products, or foods with a strong smell which can disturb fellow travellers.  It should be noted that as part of our COVID-19 Clean Care Promise, Sunshine Getaways staff will be cleaning the coach at planned intervals, and guests are encouraged to keep their area of the cabin clean.

It is your choice to bring your cell phone with you on your vacation. Our staff can be reached if there's an emergency, so a cell phone is not a requirement.  The following are a few tips to ensure you do not come home to a large bill:  

a. Ask your carrier about international roaming and travel plan options if you plan to use your phone or tablet with mobile data while outside Canada.

b. Shut off ‘data roaming’ before departing Canada, so that data is not used inadvertently.  It can be turned back on if you need to use it. 

c. Switch cell phone to ‘manual choice of provider’ (to make sure the phone does not automatically switch to another carrier, especially near the border).

d. Become familiar with ‘Airplane Mode’.  Using this feature for the duration of the trip will decrease the chance of accidental roaming charges.  Airplane mode will also prevent the phone from receiving incoming calls or placing outgoing calls.  This will put the holder of the phone in charge of receiving calls and checking for messages while travelling.  If turned on with data enabled, even for just a few minutes, the expense can be significant if the phone should automatically download emails with large attachments, such as photos.

e. Become familiar with web-based video messaging.  Many restaurants and hotels have good wireless internet service.  With ‘Airplane Mode enabled’, Wi-Fi can be turned on, and web-based video messaging services (Facebook Messenger video chat, Apple Facetime, Google Duo, and Zoom are examples) can be used to communicate with friends and family without using your personal mobile data.  If you need to set up a new account, be sure to practice with a friend or family member before departure.

In your travel documents, you are provided with an extra copy of your hotel listing, which includes the names, addresses and phone numbers of the property you will be visiting. We suggest leaving a copy with a friend or relative, so they have a means of contacting you. In the case of an emergency, a relative may contact the SUNSHINE GETAWAYS head office, and we will contact your tour director or program director.

Absolutely! Many of our guests have friends who are staying in the area; however, our activity buses are restricted to Sunshine Getaways guests only.

Many hotels today have a no-smoking policy. You may smoke in your hotel room, only if it is designated for smoking. Please advise us at the time of booking and we will do our best to accommodate this request.  If there are no guest rooms designated for smoking, unless the property is 100% smoke-free, hotels usually provide a dedicated smoking area where they request you go to smoke. Most properties have a hefty fine if you do smoke in a non-smoking room or in an area where smoking is not permitted, and this will be your responsibility to pay.

If you book your flight with us, we can arrange for a car to meet your flight at the airport and bring you to our location. If you make your own arrangements, or if your arrangements are made through your travel advisor, you can take a taxi or contact the SUNSHINE GETAWAYS office and they can let you know if there is a pick-up service for your destination. There may be an additional fee for this service.

Banking machines are widely accessible, but it may be difficult to find your particular bank, so there may be ATM service fees. Most businesses throughout North America accept debit as a form of payment. When leaving the country, we also recommend that you let your bank and credit card companies know, and take steps to ensure that you can use your debit card if you want to have access to local currency while on the road. Please note that outside of Canada, and particularly overseas, ATMs require a maximum 4-digit PIN number and often must be connected to your chequing account, as opposed to a savings account.

Yes, all long stay properties have access to laundry facilities. On sightseeing tours, your tour director can guide you to laundromats when necessary.

Gratuities have been built into the cost of your trip for baggage handling at hotels and for the included meals on your itinerary. If your tour contains a cruise the baggage handling and shipboard gratuities have also been included. Please note that gratuities for the Program Director, Tour Director and Drivers are not included in the trip cost.  As a per person guideline for gratuities for other components of your trip, for local guides $2/guide, for coach drivers $5/day, and for tour directors, $5/day.