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Your Experience with Companies Running Eclipse Tours

Eclipse
15 replies to this topic

#1 LightPollutedJim

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Posted 11 April 2024 - 01:59 PM

Good afternoon to all,

 

Forgive me if this has been discussed previously, but I'd like to know what your "recent"  experiences  (within the last several years) have been with the various companies that run eclipse tours. I've found a few on the Internet, but am not sure which one to follow up with for future eclipses. Any information/advice would be much appreciated.

 

Thanks, and have a good day!

 

Jim



#2 SporadicGazer

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Posted 11 April 2024 - 06:01 PM

+1 for AstroTrails 

 

We were with them in Texas for the eclipse and have continued on an extension. For us,  they have nailed the essentials and made reasonable tradeoffs for the etcs, keeping the cost down some. Of course,  YMMV and you might want more or less. So read the detailed descriptions carefully while considering your preferences,  but I would check out AstroTrails.


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#3 LightPollutedJim

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Posted 12 April 2024 - 10:27 AM

Great! Thanks so much.



#4 Diana N

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Posted 13 April 2024 - 04:32 PM

I agree with checking out Astro Trails.  You might also want to check out the tours offered by Sky & Telescope (though they tend to have large groups, which is a disadvantage), Spears Travel, and MelitaTrips.  I have had good experiences with both Sky & Telescope and with Spears Travel, and have heard good  things about Astro Trails (I will be going with them in 2026 to Spain) and MelitaTrips.


Edited by Diana N, 14 April 2024 - 08:43 AM.

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#5 LightPollutedJim

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Posted 14 April 2024 - 08:06 AM

Appreciate your insights, Diana! I think I'm gonna start with Astro Trails, and see if there are still any openings for Spain in 2026.
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#6 LightPollutedJim

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Posted 14 April 2024 - 08:13 AM

Diana, which Spain tour would you recommend - Astro Trails has two observing sites.

#7 Diana N

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Posted 14 April 2024 - 08:42 AM

Diana, which Spain tour would you recommend - Astro Trails has two observing sites.

It just depends on your personal preference. I chose their Classic Spain tour because I have never visited Spain before. But if I had seen Spain before, I certainly would’ve considered one of the other two. I am sure both of the observing sites are fine.  Astro Trails isn’t going to pick a bad viewing spot.


Edited by Diana N, 14 April 2024 - 07:05 PM.

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#8 LightPollutedJim

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Posted 14 April 2024 - 07:42 PM

Thanks again Diana!
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#9 DeepSky Di

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Posted 29 May 2024 - 06:45 PM

Hi all - any recommendations for comprehensive travel insurance providers for a trip like this? Looking for medical, repatriation, cancellation for any reason, delays, property etc. 



#10 SporadicGazer

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Posted 31 May 2024 - 09:46 PM

Hi all - any recommendations for comprehensive travel insurance providers for a trip like this? Looking for medical, repatriation, cancellation for any reason, delays, property etc. 

Of course read the fine print and evaluate it versus your needs.  But our travel agent (and friend) and her agency prefer and recommend Allianz for their bookings.

 

Fortunately we haven't tested them too much, but did get a large refund when we caught COVID and missed the second 1/2 of a trip.  (It was a very minor case, though we flunked a mandatory COVID test, so we didn't test the medical insurance portion.  We just rescheduled our return flight and flew home.)


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#11 kfiscus

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Posted 31 May 2024 - 10:12 PM

My wife and I just had a great experience w/ Spears Travel to Mazatlan (2024).  Also, check into Sirius Travel, they had a large group at the same hotel we did.


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#12 Diana N

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Posted 04 June 2024 - 02:51 PM

Hi all - any recommendations for comprehensive travel insurance providers for a trip like this? Looking for medical, repatriation, cancellation for any reason, delays, property etc. 

I always compare policies offered through http://tripinsurancestore.com and pick the one that best fits my needs.  They only work with reputable travel insurance companies, and have an office with real people you can call if you need to discuss policy options.


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#13 EricSi

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Posted 07 June 2024 - 12:23 AM

My wife and I just had a great experience w/ Spears Travel to Mazatlan (2024).  Also, check into Sirius Travel, they had a large group at the same hotel we did.

Were you at the El Cid? My wife and I went to Mazatlan with Sirius Travel. Overall I thought they did a good job, but we had a hard time with the hotel's dinner reservations being full and we got stuck eating the buffet food a lot.

 

And we were really lucky with the weather! The thin clouds during totality didn't interfere very much, but 4 or 5 hours later thick clouds rolled in.



#14 Firewood

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Posted 07 June 2024 - 11:18 AM

Were you at the El Cid? My wife and I went to Mazatlan with Sirius Travel. Overall I thought they did a good job, but we had a hard time with the hotel's dinner reservations being full and we got stuck eating the buffet food a lot.


Thanks for this! I signed up with them for Egypt on their second tour. I haven't found a ton of reviews, but what I have have been positive. Looks like they're an astronomer run company focusing on astro tours only, so that's another plus for me.
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#15 kfiscus

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Posted 12 June 2024 - 10:18 PM

Were you at the El Cid? My wife and I went to Mazatlan with Sirius Travel. Overall I thought they did a good job, but we had a hard time with the hotel's dinner reservations being full and we got stuck eating the buffet food a lot.

 

And we were really lucky with the weather! The thin clouds during totality didn't interfere very much, but 4 or 5 hours later thick clouds rolled in.

Yes, we were @ the El Cid- we had a great time.  I've never had such luxurious totality viewing (this was our 4th total).  We had pleasant ocean breezes, food and beverages 50 feet away, and decent skies.

 

I took the attached photo from inside the restaurant early in the partial phase.  You can see the waterline and my travel scope.  The scope has the white rectangular light shield in the upper right corner of the glass above the woman in the striped sweater.

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Edited by kfiscus, 13 June 2024 - 12:58 AM.

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#16 kfiscus

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Posted 12 June 2024 - 10:23 PM

Were you at the El Cid? My wife and I went to Mazatlan with Sirius Travel. Overall I thought they did a good job, but we had a hard time with the hotel's dinner reservations being full and we got stuck eating the buffet food a lot.

 

And we were really lucky with the weather! The thin clouds during totality didn't interfere very much, but 4 or 5 hours later thick clouds rolled in.

Regarding those clouds- they created the most spectacular sunset that evening I have ever seen.  That's Isla de Pajaros (Isle of Birds) just off the beach in Mazatlan.

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Edited by kfiscus, 12 June 2024 - 11:13 PM.

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