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A NOTE FROM BREAKAWAY TOURS

Safety is our #1 Priority

We want to ensure that parents feel comfortable with their son or daughter travelling with us. We are committed to a standard of excellence focused on creating happy travellers.

We have developed an industry-leading safety system that ensures not only fun but safe travel experiences.

Breakaway Tours is a private company operating independently from academic institutions. This is not a school or board-sanctioned trip. We are not affiliated with the school

SPECIALIZED DESTINATION TRIP LEADERS

We are always available throughout the trip to assist with arrivals and departures, and attend events and activities during the trip! We also have a 24/7 Emergency Line available to parents while the students are on site.

1:30 TRIP LEADER TO STUDENT RATIO

To ensure students can always find a Breakaway Tours Trip Leader or destination team member when they need assistance.

CENTRALIZED BREAKAWAY INFO DESK

On destination, our Info Desk is centralized in the hotel lobby and open daily. Travellers can visit Breakaway Tours Team Members for any information or questions they have!

STUDENT/PARENT INFORMATION SESSIONS

These sessions are held once during the sign up period and again prior to departure to assure everyone has all of the details they need to be ready to travel.

BEFORE YOU BOOK 

How do I start planning a trip?

Planning your group’s trip could not be easier! Fill out this form and one of our Breakaway Tour travel specialists will contact you. Once you decide where to go, your travel specialist will be with you every step of the way.

How do I book my trip?

See how to book your trip here or follow the steps below:

  1. Please visit www.breakawaytours.com
  2. Click the red “Book Now” button, located on the screen’s top right corner
  3. In the left-most box, select Canada from the drop-down and then select your school
  4. Review Trip Information & Click the “Join Trip” button
  5. Enter Traveler’s information and agree to the Terms & Conditions
  6. Complete the initial deposit

An initial deposit is required to secure your spot. A confirmation receipt will be sent after payment and will list your Customer ID. This Customer ID is your unique account number, used for logging into your account, so please note this for future reference. 


Please contact our Help Desk if you have any questions or concerns at info@breakawaytours.com.

How to Contact Our Help Desk?

Our Help Desk team is around to help answer any questions you may have.

We are open from:

  • Monday – Friday: 10 am – 5 pm EST
  • Saturday: Closed
  • Sunday: Closed

We are also available via email at info@breakawaytours.com. We strive to reply to emails within 48 hours. 

During our trips, we also have a 24hr assistance line that parents can reach us in case of emergency.

BEFORE YOUR TRIP

EVERYTHING YOU NEED BEFORE TRAVELLING

Payments, rooming lists, and travel documents are just a few of the important items you’ll need to remember before travel. Here’s a complete list of important information as well as tasks you will need to complete before going on your Breakaway Tours trip:

When are the trip dates finalized?

Your trip dates are set before you even sign up! The dates of your trip are listed on the Booking Page as well as on your individual profiles for your reference.

Why are we asked to sign up so early? What is the rush?

Signing up early reserves your space and guarantees the lowest pricing. The earlier you sign up, the more time you have to pay off your trip before the final payment.

Where can I see the payments that I have made?

To get started, please use the below login information to your account.

  1. Log in to your account here
  2. Login under customer login with ‘Customer ID’ & ‘Last Name’
  3. At the very top of the page click “Payment History”

You will see a record of all of your payments that have been made towards your trip. You can also access a downloadable invoice by clicking “Invoice” at the top of the page.

How do I change the card on file?

You cannot change the card on file through your online account. Please schedule a call with our office to update or change the card on file. You can schedule a call here.

Do I have to pay each month?

To keep your spot on the trip, you are required to pay each month until the final balance date. This monthly payment is due by the last day of each month. 

If you have opted into manual payments, we will send a monthly payment reminder email. 

If you opted into automatic payments, the card on file will automatically be charged the monthly payment amount on the last day of the month. You will receive a receipt for successful withdrawals. 

What does my payment plan look like?

We’ve put together an easy monthly payment plan to help you pay for your trip, starting with a deposit to hold your spot, then low monthly payments leading up to your final balance date. 

Each month, your payment will be due by the last day of each month.

The final balance date is the same for every traveller based on the destination you are travelling to. 

Please remember that to keep an active spot on the trip, you will need to keep up with your monthly payments.

How do I retrieve my Customer ID Number?

Search your inbox for an email from us! The majority of our emails list your Customer ID Number for your reference.

We recommend searching Breakaway Tours, info@breakawaytours.com, or payments@gradcity.com

A payment receipt from payments@gradcity.com will be sent after a payment is made; this email will list your Customer ID in the body of the email. 

You will also receive several emails and texts from Breakaway Tours that will include your Customer ID Number. 

This Customer ID is your unique account number, used for logging into your account, so please note this for future reference. 

If you cannot find your Customer ID Number, please contact our office.

PAYMENTS & FEES

How do I make a payment?

Login to your account:

  1. Click here to access your online account
  2. Login under Customer login with ‘Customer ID’ and ‘Last Name
  3. Click Make a Payment tab
  1. Agree to terms and conditions
  2. Enter the amount that you would like to pay into the payment amount field
  3. Check the box entitled Automatic Payments if you wish to continue with autopay.
  4. Enter credit card information and submit

** If you are not sure of your Customer ID Number, please contact our Help Desk at info@breakawaytours.com.

Are there any other fees?

Occupancy Fees:

Upon sign-up, pricing is per person based on maximum occupancy in the room. If there are fewer people listed in the hotel room, there will be an occupancy fee assessed per person. This occupancy fee varies based on the destination, hotel, and week of travel. Your team will inform you of the price per person, the maximum occupancy of the hotel room, and the occupancy fees upon sign-up or preliminary rooming requests. 

Change Fees:

Changes are no problem as long as our suppliers can accommodate the request. We can’t make any guarantees, but we promise to make every effort on your behalf. Change fees will be applied for, but are not limited to, the following situations: name changes, hotel changes, and destination changes. These additional fees will appear on your final price after the change.

How Do Payments Work?

To secure your spot on the trip, an initial deposit is required. Upon registration, all travelers are opted into automatic payments. Autopay is the easiest, worry-free option. The card used for the initial payment will be kept on file for automatic payments. Automatic payments follow the payment schedule displayed under the “Make a Payment” plan. 

Auto payments are withdrawn on one of the last days of each month, between the 28-30/31, and will withdraw the remaining balance on the final payment due date. Automatic payments follow the payment schedule displayed under the “Make a Payment” plan. 

Should you ever change your mind about the autopay option, you can turn it off at any time by emailing our Help Desk at info@breakawaytours.com.

If you need to change the card on file, you must call our office to update this information over the phone.

Where can I see the payments that I have made?

To get started, please use the below login information to your account.

  1. Log in to your account here
  2. Login under customer login with ‘Customer ID’ & ‘Last Name’
  3. At the very top of the page click “Payment History”

You will see a record of all of your payments that have been made towards your trip. You can also access a downloadable invoice by clicking “Invoice” at the top of the page.

Do I have to pay each month?

To keep your spot on the trip, you are required to pay each month until the final balance date. This monthly payment is due by the last day of each month. 

If you have opted into manual payments, we will send a monthly payment reminder email. 

If you opted into automatic payments, the card on file will automatically be charged the monthly payment amount on the last day of the month. You will receive a receipt for successful withdrawals. 

If you have any questions about your payments, please do not hesitate to contact our Help Desk at info@breakawaytours.com.

What does my payment plan look like?

We’ve put together an easy monthly payment plan to help you pay for your trip, starting with a deposit to hold your spot, then low monthly payments leading up to your final balance date. 

Each month, your payment will be due on the last day of each month.

The final balance date is the same for every traveller based on the destination you are travelling to. It will be scheduled for approximately 60 days before the trip date.

Please remember that to keep an active spot on the trip, you will need to keep up with your monthly payments.

ROOMING

How does rooming work?

Students choose their roommates! Breakaway Tours will request your preliminary rooming either by working with your Group Rep/Travel Specialist or by contacting you directly. Once final payments are made, Breakaway Tours will finalize rooming and your roommates will be listed in your online customer portal. 

Upon sign-up, all travellers are billed at the maximum occupancy rate. It is the student’s responsibility to fill their room to maximum occupancy to ensure the lowest cost. If there are fewer travellers in the room, there will be an occupancy fee assessed to all roommates (essentially fewer people splitting the cost of the room).

If a roommate cancels, the remaining students are responsible for filling the room or paying the increased price due to occupancy changes.

*Breakaway Tours does not randomly room travellers. If a traveller does not have any roommates, they will be assigned to a single-occupancy room and will thus incur the total cost of the room.

Do you allow co-ed rooms?

If students wish to room co-ed, an authorization form must be filled out and signed by all occupants in the room (if under 18, the form must also be signed by their parent/guardian). This must be completed and submitted to info@breakawaytours.com to confirm any co-ed rooming request. Find the Co-ed Rooming Form here.

How can I add/change roommates?

As long as rooming is still open to changes, we will do our best to accommodate your request. Please make the request to our help desk at info@breakawaytours.com. You must cc’ everyone in the room so we have everyone’s consent.

RESERVATION DETAILS

Where do I find my hotel information?

Once we release hotel information, it will be listed in your online account under the “Reservation Details” tab. 

Typically hotel information is not released until after the final balance date, about two weeks before departure.

As we block space nearly a year in advance, once the final payment date passes, we evaluate group sizes and the group space we have in each hotel. We never separate travelers signed up with the same group/trip code.

If you do not have a hotel listed on your profile, do not worry! As soon as we have your group’s assigned hotel, you will receive an email to let you know it has been added to your online account.

Optional Events and Excursions

On all Breakaway Tours trips, we have optional Night Events and Excursions available to purchase.

Although we recommend adding these options to your trip ahead of time for the lowest price, we will also be selling these options at our On-Site Info Desk while supplies last. Please note, that space may be sold out if you wait to book on-site.

Are there any other fees?

Occupancy Fees:

Upon sign-up, pricing is per person based on maximum occupancy in the room (typically quad occupancy which means four guests per room). If there are fewer people listed in the room, there will be an occupancy fee assessed per person. This occupancy fee varies based on the destination, hotel, and week of travel. Your Reps and our team will inform you of the price per person, the maximum occupancy of the hotel room, and the occupancy fees upon sign-up and/or during the rooming process. 

Change Fees:

Changes are no problem as long as our suppliers can accommodate the request. We can’t make any guarantees, but we promise to make every effort on your behalf. Change fees will be applied for, but are not limited to, the following situations: name changes, hotel changes, and destination changes. These additional fees will appear on your final price after the change.

Destination Fees:

There may be fees mandated for travel to specific destinations that the destination’s government requires. These are not fees made by or paid to Breakaway Tours. These could include entry visas, testing fees, environmental fees, and more. If you have any questions regarding your specific destination, please email info@breakawaytours.com

When are the trip dates finalized?

Your trip dates are set before you even sign up! The dates of your trip are listed on the Join Trip page as well as on your individual profiles for your reference.

I have to make alternate travel arrangements. What are my options?

Since we secure the reservation as a group booking, we are unable to alter your individual itinerary. You would be responsible for booking any alternate transportation to meet your specific travel needs and notify our team.

Once you’ve booked your new travel details, you must send us an email with your new itinerary. This is so that we can notify the Breakaway Team of your separate plans. Any unused bus transportation is non-refundable.

If you must leave due to any other reason, we would be happy to help you find return transportation home if you do not feel comfortable doing it on your own.

If you are planning to stay in your destination to join your family on vacation, we will require a letter confirming all of the details. Please include when you will be departing the program and who will be picking you up from the hotel.

If you will be arranging your transportation to meet your family, you will also need to include in the letter that you (and your parents if you are under 18) understand that once you leave the group, Breakaway Tours no longer holds responsibility.

The confirmation of your stay at the destination can be sent to info@breakawaytours.com. From there it will be passed to the appropriate Program Director and our operations team.

BEFORE YOU TRAVEL

What types of documents are needed to travel?

We require all travellers to present a Photo ID to board the bus. This must be a valid photo ID with a full name and picture. This can be a Drivers License, Health Card, High School ID, etc. We strongly recommend that travelers DO NOT take their passports with them to their destination unless they do not have any other form of Photo ID.

You will also need to print your Breakaway Tours Code of Conduct. This document must be signed by the traveller, as well as signed by a parent/guardian if you are under 18 at the time of travel. This form is the expectation of how we expect our travellers to conduct themselves while on our trips. You will hand this form to your Bus Captain as you board your bus. If you do not have it, we will not allow you to board.

Are meals included?

Meals are not included on Breakaway Bus trips. Depending on the dietary needs of each traveler, we generally recommend bringing $30-$40 per day for food.

Tip: To cut down on the cost of food, we recommend packing snack foods like granola bars or fruit snacks for when you need a quick bite!

Not every room comes equipped with a fridge/kitchenette so we do not recommend bringing foods that could go bad at room temperature or that require a stove, oven, or microwave.

What is the age of the majority on my trip?

The age of majority in the destinations we travel to is 18, as all our trips take place in Montreal. This being said, as our Travelers are almost all under the age of 18, there is zero tolerance for underage consumption of alcohol on our trips.

Please note that the age of majority for marijuana possession and consumption is 21 in Montreal. We have a zero-tolerance for consumption of illicit substances or underage consumption on our trips.

What is the Bus Pick-Up & Check-In Process?

Pick Up locations for our buses are typically centrally located to the groups travelling from a region and are usually Community Centres, Arenas, or SuperCentre Parking Lots.  A team member, in uniform, will be there to greet you and make sure you are in the right place.

Upon boarding the bus, Travelers must hand over a signed copy of the Breakaway Tours Travel Guidelines which outlines alcohol use and explains that any abuse of alcohol can lead to reduced privileges. Pending the situation, we will remove a passenger from our program if they break this agreement at which point, they will be responsible for paying for their return home.

In addition, carry-on bags will be checked before boarding the bus to help us comply with Highway Regulations and Laws as well as the coach company’s policies. If we locate any illegal substances or alcohol inside of a bag we will ask the passenger to dispose of the items before they are allowed to board the bus. 

The safety of our passengers is our #1 priority! 

What happens when I arrive at the hotel?

Once you arrive at your hotel, your Program Director or Hotel Coordinator will meet with your group, and give you a Briefing speech to remind you of the travel guidelines and hotel policies, and the check-in process. This is the time where we go over what is expected of each traveler, and how to navigate around the area. 

What happens if there is bad weather?

If we and the bus driver feel it is not safe to continue we would then find a safe and warm location for travellers to wait out the storm and then continue on our way once we feel it is safe enough to continue our journey. With lots of experience running our trips during the winter months, we know that there is always a risk of in-climate weather affecting our travel days. With that being said, we can assure you that our Head of Operations works very closely with our Bus Suppliers to make sure that we are only traveling in safe conditions.

If there is in-climate weather on the day of departure, it could cause a delay in our travellers arriving at their destination on time. We do understand that is not ideal. If it does happen, we are not able to provide any compensation for the missed time at the destination. We do however do our best to make sure we are turning the experience around for the students once they arrive.

Should travellers already be on the road and the weather takes a turn for the worst, we entrust our Trip Leaders and experienced bus drivers to make the call and pull over if needed.

DURING YOUR TRIP


What types of documents are needed to travel?

We require all travellers to present a Photo ID to board the bus. This must be a valid photo ID with a full name and picture. This can be a Drivers License, Health Card, High School ID, etc. We strongly recommend that travelers DO NOT take their passports with them to their destination unless they do not have any other form of Photo ID.

You will also need to print your Breakaway Tours Traveller Guidelines. This document must be signed by the traveller, as well as signed by a parent/guardian if you are under 18 at the time of travel. This form is the expectation of how we expect our travellers to conduct themselves while on our trips. You will hand this form to your Bus Captain as you board your bus. If you do not have it, we will not allow you to board.

Who are our Breakaway Tours Destination Team Members and where do they come from?

Our programs have many different levels of Breakaway Team Member positions that provide support for all trips from start to finish.

The Breakaway Tours Team comes from a wide and eclectic background but all believe that working with youth and helping them travel and explore other places is the best role in the world. Our Team Members range from age 21 (Bus Captains) to 40+ (Senior Program Directors) and all are available throughout the trip to the travellers for support, guidance, suggestions, and assistance.

The Breakaway Tours Team must undergo background checks and a comprehensive training program before they are assigned to a destination. Our senior Team Members have often been to the destination on numerous occasions and are very familiar with the programs, destinations, hotels, and tour partners to ensure that the group has the best experience possible.

What is the Team/Traveller ratio?

On our programs, we aim for no less than a 1:30 ratio for our Breakaway Team Members to travellers. These are the ones on the program to run the events, make sure everyone is having fun and is safe, and interact daily with the travellers (think of a camp counselor).

What other Breakaway Team roles are there?

Beyond the Bus Captain that travels to and from the destination with our groups, there is a network of other Leaders to help make sure the program runs without issues. This includes a Program Director, Hotel Coordinator, Activities Coordinator, Staff Coordinator, Student Coordinator, event staff, Security, MCs, and others to support the Bus Captains. Back in our head office we also have a team running the 24/7 Emergency Line.

Where/When does staffing start?

Our team will meet you at your pick-up location and travel with you to your destination. Upon arrival at the hotel, a welcome meeting will be held as well so that we can make sure everyone is on the same page about safety, what will be the itinerary day-to-day, and other important information that our travellers need to know. Breakaway leaders will be around at the dedicated Breakaway Tours info desk during the daytime.

They will be joining our travellers on the slopes if skiing is included, going to the Old Port, and will be around in other popular areas of the city that our travellers tend to flock to in case they need anything. 

Since our night events are Breakaway exclusive, our Breakaway leaders also will be at the night event making sure that everyone is having a good time in a safe environment. For our night events, we also hire extra security to make sure only our travellers and staff are part of our party and to make sure we are creating the safest space possible.

What happens if I need to leave early?

Life can be unpredictable, and circumstances may occur where you have to leave early from your trip. This is one of the reasons why we recommend all of our travellers purchase Premium Protection via Manulife Insurance.

The insurance options can be reviewed during the registration process or on your online profile under the Itinerary section.

If you do not have comprehensive insurance, unfortunately, Breakaway Tours is not able to refund you for any unused portion of your trip. Each trip is created, priced, and sold as a package, and we do not receive any portion of those funds back in the case of an early departure.

What is the age of the majority on my trip?

The age of majority in the destinations we travel to is 18, as all our trips take place in Quebec. This being said, as our Travelers are almost all under the age of 18, there is zero tolerance for underage consumption of alcohol on our trips.

Please note that the age of majority for marijuana possession and consumption is 21 in Quebec and we have a zero-tolerance for consumption of illicit substances or underage consumption on our trips.

Upon boarding the bus, Travelers must hand over a signed copy of the Breakaway Tours Travel Guidelines which outlines alcohol use and explains that any abuse of alcohol can lead to reduced privileges. Pending the situation, we will remove a passenger from our program if they break this agreement at which point, they will be responsible for paying for their return home.

In addition, carry-on bags will be checked before boarding the bus to help us comply with Highway Regulations and Laws as well as the coach company’s policies. If we locate any illegal substances or alcohol inside of a bag we will ask the passenger to dispose of the items before they are allowed to board the bus. 

The safety of our passengers is our #1 priority! 

What happens when I arrive at the hotel?

Once you arrive at your hotel, your Program Director or Hotel Coordinator will meet with your group, and give you a Briefing speech to remind you of the travel guidelines and hotel policies, and the check-in process. This is the time where we go over what is expected of each traveler, and how to navigate around the area. 

What happens if there is bad weather?

If we and the bus driver feel it is not safe to continue we would then find a safe and warm location for travellers to wait out the storm and then continue on our way once we feel it is safe enough to continue our journey. With lots of experience running our trips during the winter months, we know that there is always a risk of in-climate weather affecting our travel days. With that being said, we can assure you that our Head of Operations works very closely with our Bus Suppliers to make sure that we are only traveling in safe conditions.

If there is in-climate weather on the day of departure, it could cause a delay in our travellers arriving at their destination on time. We do understand that is not ideal. If it does happen, we are not able to provide any compensation for the missed time at the destination. We do however do our best to make sure we are turning the experience around for the students once they arrive.

Should travellers already be on the road and the weather takes a turn for the worst, we entrust our Trip Leaders and the experienced bus drivers to make the call and pull over if needed.

How do I contact my son or daughter while they are on the trip?

Although most of our travellers can reach their parents via cell phone being that they are still in Canada, while trips are in progress, we will have staff in the office 24/7 to assist with any emergencies. We provide this contact number before departure to all parents and travelers.

*Please keep in mind that this line is for emergencies only.

Safety is paramount for us, so you can rest assured that we will be in contact with you immediately should any issues arise with your son/daughter on our side of things. We always like to say “no news is good news.” Oftentimes our travellers are having such an amazing time, that they just lose track of time and forget to call home.

What happens if there is a medical emergency during my trip?

Before our Travelers even step onto the bus, we go through the below Pre-Travel Medical Emergency Procedure to be as proactive as possible –

  1. We establish relationships and work with hotel/travel partners with exemplary safety protocols
  2. Travellers fill out a medical condition form
  3. Our team reviews every medical condition form response
  4. Escalated medical conditions receive a follow-up from a Breakaway Tours Team Member to ensure travel is the best option for student
  5. On-site coordinators are debriefed on Travellers with medical conditions on their program
  6. Coordinators meet with Travellers with medical conditions upon arrival at the destination and review Emergency Procedures

On-Site Medical Procedure

In the event that there is a medical emergency in the destination, one of our Team Member will be with the Traveller as soon as possible, until the situation has stabilized and the Traveller returns to the hotel.

Below you will find the standards and steps that our Team will follow to make sure we are doing whatever we can to handle the situation properly –

  1. Get immediate medical attention for the Traveller
  2. Contact Parent/Guardian and notify of the situation
  3. Contact Breakaway Tours Head Office and notify them of the situation
  4. Communicate any updated information from Doctor to Parent or Guardian (ongoing)
  5. If necessary, help make travel arrangements for the Parent/Guardian to the destination
  6. Once stabilized, find suitable transportation back to the hotel
  7. Continue checking on Traveler throughout the week and help them whenever needed
  8. Should it be applicable, start an insurance claim with Manulife.

Existing Medical Conditions

We have extensive experience in traveling with students who have existing medical conditions such as Diabetes and extreme allergies. No one should miss out on the trip of a lifetime.

  • 10% of travellers have an allergy
  • 5% of travellers have asthma
  • 1% of travellers have a severe medical condition
  • We have experience traveling students in wheelchairs

In the event that a traveler needs handicap accessibility, we kindly ask that the traveller and parents advise us upon booking so that we can be sure that the bus and hotel are as accommodating as possible.

We want to make sure this trip is possible for all potential travellers. We think it is important for everyone to have the chance to experience a trip of a lifetime. We will do everything we can to make that happen! 

Are ski rentals included in the lift ticket?

No, the lift ticket only includes transportation to the mountain and the lift. If a traveller would like to rent equipment, they can do so before departure by adding and paying for it via their online profiles. Once the rentals are available, an email will be sent out with further information.

I have to make alternate travel arrangements. What are my options?

Not able to depart with your group? Have to leave early? Or would like to extend your stay for a family vacation?

Since we secure the reservation as a group booking, we are unable to alter your individual itinerary. You would be responsible for booking any alternate transportation to meet your specific travel needs.

Once you’ve booked your new travel details, please send us a message with your new itinerary. This is so that we can notify the Breakaway Team of your separate plans. Any unused bus transportation is not refundable.

If you must leave due to any other reason, we would be happy to help you find return transportation home if you do not feel comfortable doing it on your own.

If you are planning to stay in your destination to join your family on vacation, we will require a letter confirming all of the details. Please include when you will be departing the program and who will be picking you up from the hotel.

If you will be arranging your transportation to meet your family, you will also need to include in the letter that you (and your parents if you are under 18) understand that once you leave the group, Breakaway Tours no longer holds responsibility.

The confirmation of your stay at the destination can be sent to info@breakawaytours.com. From there it will be passed to the appropriate Program Director and our operations team.

Where do I find my hotel information?

We post the hotel name and information on your online profile under the “Reservation Details” tab at the top of the page. 

If you are unable to see the specific name of the hotel that your group will be staying in, it may be that the details have not yet been released. Typically hotel information is not released until after the final balance date, about two weeks before departure.

As we block space nearly a year in advance, once the final payment date passes, we evaluate group sizes and the group space we have in each hotel. We never separate travelers signed up with the same group/trip code.

If you do not have a hotel listed on your profile, do not worry! As soon as we have your group’s assigned hotel, you will receive an email to let you know it has been added to your online profile.

What is the room damage deposit/ protection plan?

All passengers will be required to, with their roommates, decide whether they would like to choose the Room Damage Protection Fee for $20 each or the Room Damage  Deposit for $60 each

  • Room Damage Protection Fee – $20/pax in the room 
      • The non-refundable fee protects passengers up to $300 CAD on accidental damage
      • Peace of mind to protect you and your roommates if damage brought to the attention of the on-site team at time of damage
      • Please note*** any damage created through a violation of the Traveler Guidelines will void out the protection of this option (ie. underage alcohol consumption, fighting, drug use/possession, etc.)

  • Room Damage Deposit – $60/pax in the room
    • The refundable fee acts as a deposit on any damages suffered by the room 
    • Should the room suffer no damages, then the deposit is returned to the passenger(s) 
    • However, if any damage occurs, accidental or not, the deposit will be applied to the cost of the damage 
      • If there is a remaining damage cost, the passenger(s) will be responsible for paying the difference 
      • If there is leftover money after paying the costs of the damage, it will be returned to the passenger(s) at the end of the program as long as no further damage occurs.



When the damage deposit or damage protection is collected by our destination Team Member, we will provide each room with a Room Damage Report Form. We always recommend that the first thing our Travelers do when entering their room is making sure that there is no previous damage, as well as checking to be sure that they have all of their bedding and towels. Whether or not any damages are found or they have missing items, they must fill out the form and sign acknowledging the state of their room. If we do not receive this form signed and returned, the Travellers are held responsible for the state of the room when they check out.

Are meals included?

Meals are not included on Breakaway Bus trips. Depending on the dietary needs of each traveler, we generally recommend bringing $30-$40 per day for food.

Tip: To cut down on the cost of food, we recommend packing snack foods like granola bars or fruit snacks for when you need a quick bite!

Not every room comes equipped with a fridge/kitchenette so we do not recommend bringing foods that could go bad at room temperature or that require a stove, oven, or microwave.

 

OUR ONSITE/DESTINATION TEAM

Our Team

Our programs have many different levels of Breakaway Team Member positions that provide support for all trips from start to finish.

The Breakaway Tours Team comes from a wide and eclectic background but all believe that working with youth and helping them travel and explore other places is the best role in the world. Our Team Members range from age 21 (Bus Captains) to 40+ (Senior Program Directors) and all are available throughout the trip to the travellers for support, guidance, suggestions, and assistance.

The Breakaway Tours Team must undergo background checks and a comprehensive training program before they are assigned to a destination. Our senior Team Members have often been to the destination on numerous occasions and are very familiar with the programs, destinations, hotels, and tour partners to ensure that the group has the best experience possible.

What rules does Breakaway Tours have?

All of the rules and expectations of travellers are listed on the Breakaway Tours Code of Conduct. These are further explained during the Welcome Orientation in destination. 

Breakaway Tours staff are chaperones, not parents, and expect travellers to behave as adults. Breakaway Tours staff do not know the location of every traveller at all times and cannot prevent all infractions. Breakaway Tours staff reserve the right to remove travellers who pose a threat to themselves or others. 

How do I contact my son or daughter while they are on the trip?

Although most of our travellers can reach their parents via cell phone being that they are still in Canada, while trips are in progress, we will have staff in the office 24/7 to assist with any emergencies. We provide this contact number before departure to all parents and travelers.

*Please keep in mind that this line is for emergencies only.

Safety is paramount for us, so you can rest assured that we will be in contact with you immediately should any issues arise with your son/daughter on our side of things. We always like to say “no news is good news.” Oftentimes our travellers are having such an amazing time, that they just lose track of time and forget to call home.

What happens if there is a medical emergency during my trip?

Before our Travelers even step onto the bus, we go through the below Pre-Travel Medical Emergency Procedure to be as proactive as possible –

  1. We establish relationships and work with hotel/travel partners with exemplary safety protocols
  2. Escalated medical conditions receive a follow-up from a Breakaway Tours Team Member to ensure travel is the best option for student
  3. On-site coordinators are debriefed on Travellers with medical conditions on their program
  4. Coordinators meet with Travellers with medical conditions upon arrival at the destination and review Emergency Procedures

On-Site Medical Procedure

In the event that there is a medical emergency in the destination, one of our Team Member will be with the Traveller as soon as possible, until the situation has stabilized and the Traveller returns to the hotel.

Below you will find the standards and steps that our Team will follow to make sure we are doing whatever we can to handle the situation properly –

  1. Get immediate medical attention for the Traveller
  2. Contact Parent/Guardian and notify of the situation
  3. Contact Breakaway Tours Head Office and notify them of the situation
  4. Communicate any updated information from Doctor to Parent or Guardian (ongoing)
  5. If necessary, help make travel arrangements for the Parent/Guardian to the destination
  6. Once stabilized, find suitable transportation back to the hotel
  7. Continue checking on Traveler throughout the week and help them whenever needed
  8. Should it be applicable, start an insurance claim with Manulife.

Existing Medical Conditions

We have extensive experience in traveling with students who have existing medical conditions such as Diabetes and extreme allergies. No one should miss out on the trip of a lifetime.

  • 10% of travellers have an allergy
  • 5% of travellers have asthma
  • 1% of travellers have a severe medical condition
  • We have experience traveling students in wheelchairs

In the event that a traveler needs handicap accessibility, we kindly ask that the traveller and parents advise us upon booking so that we can be sure that the bus and hotel are as accommodating as possible.

We want to make sure this trip is possible for all potential travellers. We think it is important for everyone to have the chance to experience a trip of a lifetime. We will do everything we can to make that happen! 

What happens if I need to leave early?

Life can be unpredictable, and circumstances may occur where you have to leave early from your trip. This is one of the reasons why we recommend all of our travellers purchase Premium Protection via Manulife Insurance.

The insurance options can be reviewed during the registration process or on your online account under the Itinerary section.

If you do not have comprehensive insurance, unfortunately, Breakaway Tours is not able to refund you for any unused portion of your trip. Each trip is created, priced, and sold as a package, and we do not receive any portion of those funds back in the case of an early departure.

SAFETY

Our Team

Our programs have many different levels of Breakaway Team Member positions that provide support for all trips from start to finish.

The Breakaway Tours Team comes from a wide and eclectic background but all believe that working with youth and helping them travel and explore other places is the best role in the world. Our Team Members range from age 21 (Bus Captains) to 40+ (Senior Program Directors) and all are available throughout the trip to the travellers for support, guidance, suggestions, and assistance.

The Breakaway Tours Team must undergo background checks and a comprehensive training program before they are assigned to a destination. Our senior Team Members have often been to the destination on numerous occasions and are very familiar with the programs, destinations, hotels, and tour partners to ensure that the group has the best experience possible.



What is the Team/Traveller ratio?

On our programs, we aim for no less than a 1:30 ratio for our Breakaway Team Members to travellers. These are the ones on the program to run the events, make sure everyone is having fun and is safe, and interact daily with the travellers (think of a camp counselor).

What other Breakaway Team roles are there?

Beyond the Bus Captain that travels to and from the destination with our groups, there is a network of other Leaders to help make sure the program runs without issues. This includes a Program Director, Hotel Coordinator, Activities Coordinator, Staff Coordinator, Student Coordinator, event staff, Security, MCs, and others to support the Bus Captains. Back in our head office we also have a team running the 24/7 Emergency Line.

Where/When does staffing start?

Our team will meet you at your pick-up location and travel with you to your destination. Upon arrival at the hotel, a welcome meeting will be held as well so that we can make sure everyone is on the same page about safety, what will be the itinerary day-to-day, and other important information that our travellers need to know. Breakaway leaders will be around at the dedicated Breakaway Tours info desk during the daytime.

They will be joining our travellers on the slopes if skiing is included, going to the Old Port, and will be around in other popular areas of the city that our travellers tend to flock to in case they need anything. 

Since our night events are Breakaway exclusive, our Breakaway leaders also will be at the night event making sure that everyone is having a good time in a safe environment. For our night events, we also hire extra security to make sure only our travellers and staff are part of our party and to make sure we are creating the safest space possible.

CANCELLATION & INSURANCE

If I am unable to travel, what is your cancellation policy?

We offer all of our travellers the option during the booking process to add Premium Insurance with Cancel for Any Reason coverage

If you need to cancel your trip, please contact us via email at info@breakawaytours.com confirming your cancellation.

Please note: this insurance can only be added up to 72 hours after registering and paying the initial deposit for the trip, as per Manulife’s policy. 

I would like to open an insurance claim. How can I contact the insurance company?

If you purchased the insurance, you will have coverage through Manulife Insurance. To move forward with opening a claim, you will need to first be sure you’ve requested cancellation with our team via email at info@breakawaytours.com.

After you have requested the cancellation of your account, our team will send you instructions on how to open the claim, your policy number, and the documents that you need to support your claim.

Can I transfer or sell my reservation to someone else?

In most cases, you may transfer or sell your reservation to a new person looking to join the trip. There may be a fee associated with transferring your reservation. If you are looking to transfer your reservation please email our Help Desk at info@breakawaytours.com and they will be able to further assist you. All transfer requests must be submitted in writing.

Can I reinstate my trip after I’ve cancelled?

Yes! We are excited to hear you may be able to travel with us, after all. You can reinstate your trip as long as we still have space for you to join. Please reach out to us at info@breakawaytours.com and we will do our best to get you back onto the trip.

If the trip has sold out and we may have a Waitlist, do not worry, we will add your name to the list. Most of our waitlist applicants are cleared and join us on the trip!

***Please keep in mind that there may be an increase from your original booking price as prices vary depending on the time of booking. Pending when you would like to rejoin the trip, you may also be required to provide rooming details before we can add you back to the trip.

WORK FOR US

 

We are sorry that you may not be able to travel with us. We understand unforeseen circumstances may come up and prevent you from attending your Breakaway Tours trip. You can always send us a message, and we will try to figure out how to ensure you don’t miss this opportunity.

Breakaway Tours - North America's Best Grad Trips
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Do You Love to Travel?

For over 30 years, Breakaway Tours has created extraordinary travel experiences for High School students. Our trips spread joy and spark an appreciation for travel, culture and friendship. A big part of our success is our knowledgeable, enthusiastic and hardworking team.

We're constantly growing, so if you're passionate about youth travel and want to join a group of like-minded people, we want to hear from you! Take a look at our job openings listed below.