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COVID-19 EXPERIENCE UPDATE

As of January 1, 2022, all destinations are as scheduled.

If there are any changes, attendees will be notified.

 

Onyx Odyssey

  • What is your refund policy?
    Unfortunately, we don’t offer refunds due to the immediate process of your arrival and payment immediately after your payment or deposit has been submitted.
  • Room Matching (What If I'm Traveling Alone?)
    Are experiences are thoughtfully designed with you in mind. If you are traveling alone and you don't have a plus one, we will match you with another traveler on the experience that has also booked a double or triple occupancy option.
  • Air & Land & Land-Only Difference
    Air & Land - We will book your flights to/from our departure airport. The flight is always economy class unless otherwise stated. You will be responsible of securing your own flight to/from the departure airport to depart with the group. Land-Only - You will book your own flights to/from the destination. We will not be involved in your coordination to arrive at the accommodations at the destination UNLESS otherwise stated on the booking page.
  • What If I Need To Cancel?
    If you just so happen to need to cancel your experience with us, please submit your cancellation via email. As a reminder, we do not offer refunds for any deposits or payments made towards any experience. No exceptions.
  • Insurance Recommendations
    Travel insurance is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED for any Melanin Voyage Experience, meet-up or trip. Review our recommendations here: https://www.mvexperiences.com/travel-insurance
  • What if my experience gets cancelled due to COVID-19 restrictions?
    Melanin Voyage will issue you a travel voucher equal to the amount paid to be used for future travel with us. Vouchers are good through December 31, 2022. We recommend reviewing your travel insurance as well to understand what is covered. Please review in detail your coverage and direct coverage questions to your provider.
  • What if my confirmed experience gets cancelled due to low attendance?
    We will rebook you or issue you a travel voucher equal to the amount paid to be used for future travel with us. Vouchers are good through December 31, 2022.
  • When can I use my voucher if I have to receive one?
    Destinations are either available now or they will be on sale in the coming weeks. Please make sure that you subscribe to our website to receive weekly newsletters.
  • What if I travel and get sick or quarantined by a local government?
    We will follow policies and advice of the local authorities and your Melanin Voyage experience leaders will assist you as much as possible – including contacting your emergency contacts and assisting with local medical facilities. We strongly recommend checking your travel insurance policy before you travel to determine what level of insurance coverage you may be eligible for in the event that you are quarantined or get sick while traveling. Direct all coverage questions directly to your provider. We recommend a contingency fund for unavoidable situations such as severe weather, natural disasters and civil unrest when you travel. With this in mind, we recommend you carry US $500 for medical expenses in case it is needed. Please note that Melanin Voyage is not responsible for additional costs due to quarantines and/or medical sickness.
  • What screening procedures are in place at my destination?
    Every port of entry will have its own screening requirements in place. If you have traveled through a country affected by Covid-19, you may be denied entry or be required to quarantine for a period of time. Before arriving at your destination, you will need to make sure you meet all entry and exit requirements. Many countries have put in place new entry measures due to the Covid-19 outbreak and these are changing daily. We strongly recommend that you check this information frequently. The link below has information on screening and COVID-19 per country.
  • What are Melanin Voyage's COVID-19 requirements before departure?
    Effective January 1, 2021, Melanin Voyage attendees must present a negative COVID‑19 PCR test certificate that is valid for 96 hours from the date of the test before an international or domestic departure for the safety of our staff and experience attendees. The certificate must be for a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test. Other test certificates including antibody tests and home testing kits are not accepted. If you are taking a test before you depart, you must bring an official, printed certificate in English to check in. Please note that SMS and digital certificates are not accepted. If the test result is positive, you will be required to file an insurance claim with your travel insurance provider, but you are not allowed to participate in the upcoming destination.
  • Is a deposit required to secure my booking?
    Yes, a deposit is REQUIRED. No exceptions. Initial deposits are non-refundable as well as ALL PAYMENTS. The deposit secures bookings for serious travelers.
  • Are any of my payments refundable?
    No. We prepare for your arrival as soon as your registration is complete. We recommend that you obtain travel insurance to ensure your trip and purchase “Cancel For Any Reason” policies. Payments and deposits are non-refundable. No exceptions.
  • I don't have the money today, but I will soon. Can I book then?"
    Absolutely! If the trip is still available and all slots have not been filled we will gladly welcome you. Please be aware that a travel disclosure & photography release must be signed as well by the end of the second business day after registration. Registration is on a first-come, first-serve basis.
  • How will I keep up with the latest details of my trip?
    Once we have confirmed your booking, you will be added to a private Facebook group/WhatsApp/GroupMe chat with other travelers who have secured their booking on the trip as well. This group chat is separate from the main Facebook community, Melanin Voyage - Black Travel Community. Melanin Voyage will also send out important information related to your trip via email as well. Please make sure you place us on your email list so that you receive all correspondence.
  • I've secured my booking, but now my friend wants to go. How do I make this happen?
    If all slots on the trip have not been filled, he/she is more than welcome to join us! A deposit is required to secure their place! You can see all availability by visiting the experience registration page. On select trips, we will have a waitlist, but if we don’t, unfortunately, they will have to catch us on the next one!
  • Are there single occupancy options available? I'd like a little more privacy.
    Absolutely. During booking, just select the single occupancy option for "Land-Only" or "Air & Land". If you don't see this option available, please email us at booking@mvexperiences.com.
  • If I get the "Air & Land" option, can I upgrade my seat?"
    Yes. 15 to 21 days before departure, you will receive an airline confirmation number for your tickets. You may use your confirmation number to contact the airline and upgrade your seat.
  • How do I get notified about when a group trip opens for registration?
    We will also send out emails first, so please be subscribed to the Melanin Voyage email list. After that, notifications for group experiences will be placed in our Facebook Travel Group, Melanin Voyage - Black Travel Community. The order goes as followed: Email List, Facebook Community, Instagram Followers, and then everyone else!
  • How do I get on the waiting list for a destination?
    If it has been indicated that there is indeed a waitlist officially by Melanin Voyage, you may sign-up for the waitlist by emailing support@mvexperiences.com.
  • Do I need a passport for an international destination?
    Yes. You will need a passport to travel to an international destination. You may also need a visa, but that will be indicated in the booking if it is needed. When booking your trip, if you don't currently have a passport but will have one before your trip begins, place six (0) in the section for a passport number.
  • How do I register?
    At the bottom of each booking page, there will be a button that says, "register now". This button will take you directly to our registration website to complete registration. Each individual that registers for an experience or trip with us will need to make their own individual account.
  • I want to register with a friend. Can I register us both under one account?
    Unfortunately not. Each individual that registers for an experience or trip with us will need to make their own individual account. This is so the traveler can agree with the terms of their participation and submit their payments for their trip or experience.
  • Is travel insurance required?
    Every individual who chooses to participate in a Melanin Voyage experience must have a "cancel for any reason" policy. NO EXCEPTIONS. It is up to you to secure a policy immediately after you have submitted a deposit to secure your experience with us.
  • On the day of the trip, how will things go?
    If you selected the “Air & Land” option, you will meet up with Melanin Voyage and your experience coordinator at the designated departure airport. We will all meet and become slightly acquainted before boarding our plane to the destination. Don’t worry though. You’ll become more acquainted with your new travel family at the welcome dinner!
  • I saw that this is a group experience. What do you mean by group experience?
    A group experience is a group of individuals (typically strangers) who meet to take a trip domestically or internationally. These individuals will come from different backgrounds and different parts of the country. Some will even be from overseas. We all come together with one goal in mind, to see the world.
  • I saw that group experiences include a photography package. What's that?
    On the trip, you will have a dedicated person taking photographs of you while you are on a trip of a lifetime! The last thing that we want you to do is to be behind a camera lens most of the time. We want you to take in the experience! Our lead photographer will be sure to capture those moments that you’ll always want to remember! A link to previous days’ photos will be sent each morning so that you can share on your Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Snapchat, and more! We also have an exclusive “MV Vacation Filter” that makes our photographs POP!
  • I saw that the experience includes a welcome dinner. What's that?
    The welcome dinner is one of the most important aspects of the trip. Here is where we all become acquainted with one another. We want you to break the ice with people that you will be spending the next 4-10 days with!
  • How will payments be made?
    Payments will be made via our registration platform. Payments become due on the 1st of the month and are considered late on the 15th of the month. A fee of (10) dollars will be accessed for late payments via invoice. After 5 days of non-payment, your trip will be immediately interrupted. The booking will be canceled. Please be sure to keep up with your log-in information for the registration portal to make payments.
  • Do you take cash payments?
    No. We do not take cash payments.
  • When are payments due?
    Payments are due on the 15th of the month. No exceptions. We don’t do payment extensions after 5 days past the due date. We do access a fee of (10) dollars per day that the payment is past due. After 5 days after the due date, if payment has not been received, your trip will be immediately interrupted. Your booking will be canceled.
  • Can I pay my entire payment up-front? I don't want to make payments.
    Absolutely. During registration it gives you the option to make monthly payments or to pay in full. You can submit your full payment within the payment portal if you so choose.
  • Once I make my payments and deposit and I can no longer attend, can I transfer my funds paid to another individual?"
    Unfourtunately not. Upon conformation, we prepare for your arrival immediately. We cannot transfer funds paid to another individual under any circumstance.
  • What if I book the "Air & Land" option, and then I want to book the "Land-Only" option later?"
    Unfortunately, after you have booked the “Land & Air” option, it will not be able to be changed.
  • What if I want to upgrade my seat? How can I do that?
    15 to 21 days before departure, you will receive a document with all travel information including flight confirmation numbers, flight itineraries, trip itineraries, and more. You may use your flight confirmation number to secure an upgraded seat.
  • If I get the "Air & Land" option, can I upgrade my seat?"
    Yes. 15 to 21 days before departure, you will receive an airline confirmation number for your tickets. You may use your confirmation number to contact the airline and upgrade your seat.
  • I selected the "Land-Only" option. Does that mean I will have to secure my own flights and transportation to and from the airport?
    Yes. You will need to secure your own flights and transfers. When it comes to transportation while on the trip, that will be taken care of for you. It will just be the initial transportation option that will be your responsibility to book.
  • Is the "Land-Only" option generally cheaper?
    Yes, due to securing your own flights and transfers, this option is generally cheaper. Please keep in mind that if you choose to fly with the group after registration, you will be subjected to a current quote and not the same rate as listed on booking pages.
  • What if I book the "Land-Only" option, and then I want to book the "Air & Land" option later?
    We can definitely assist you with that. You will be invoiced the fee for the current rate of the flight, transfers, and booking fee. Once you have paid the invoice, you will receive an email confirmation for the change. You will also receive an updated payment schedule. Email support@mvexperiences.com
  • I'm traveling by myself. How will the room matching process go?
    We will send out a questionnaire to match you with someone who has the same likes, interests, and vacation style. The survey will include questions that determine your personality and expectations for the trip. At this point, you should have been getting to know individuals in the chat, and seeing who you feel like would make a great roommate!
  • I have a roommate. When can I request that we room together?
    (3) months before departure, we will make room assignments. We will send out notifications about when we will make these arrangements. Notifications will be placed in the private group chat and via email.
  • What if my roommate and I have a disagreement on the trip? What do we do?
    Disagreements should be handled between both parties. Both parties will be responsible for coming to an agreement. If you or your roommate are unable to remain in the accommodation, you will be responsible for booking your own accommodations and/or return flights. Melanin Voyage will not be responsible for booking additional accommodations/flights. No exceptions.
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