Page 45 - Egypt & the Eternal Nile by Private, Classic River-Yacht
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• To ensure that you are charged in U.S. dollars, your payment will be processed by our
U.S. headquarters in Boston. This process can take up to three months, so we ask that
you only use a card that will still be valid three months after your trip is over. The charge
may appear on your credit card statement as being from Boston, MA or may be labeled as
“OPT Boston”.
• Your Trip Leader will give you details on the optional tours while you’re on the trip.
But if you’d like to look over descriptions of them earlier, you can do so at any time by
referring to your Day-to-Day Itinerary (available online by signing into My Account at
www.oattravel.com/myaccount).
Communications
Cell Phones
If you want to use your cell phone on the trip, check with your phone provider to see if your
phone and service will work outside of the U.S. It may turn out to be cheaper to rent an
international phone or buy a SIM card onsite. If you want to use a local SIM, just make certain
your phone is “unlocked”, meaning it can accept a local SIM card. If your cell is unlocked,
then you will be able to purchase a local SIM for it and then buy minutes with “Pay as You Go”
cards, so that you have a local contact number for your friends and family.
Calling Apps
Another option is to use a smartphone app like Skype or FaceTime. These services are usually
less expensive than making a traditional call, but you’ll need a Wi-Fi connection and the calls
may count towards your phone plan’s data allowance. Many smartphones—and some tablets
or laptops—come with one of these apps pre-installed or you can download them for free
from the appropriate apps store.
Calling Cards & 1-800 Numbers
When calling the U.S. from a foreign country, a prepaid calling card can be useful because it
circumvents unexpected charges from the hotel. Calling cards purchased locally are typically
the best (less expensive, more likely to work with the local phones, etc.). One reminder: Do
not call U.S. 1-800 numbers outside the continental United States. This can result in costly
long distance fees, since 1-800 numbers do not work outside the country.
Receiving Calls from Home
To ensure you are available during your trip to friends and relatives at home, you will receive
two copies of your hotel list, including phone numbers, with your Final Documents. One copy
is for you to bring, and one is to leave behind with friends or relatives in case they need to
contact you during the trip.
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