EFexploreAmerica.com Reviews - 9

EF makes my work simple and stress-free.

EF makes my work simple and stress-free. They offer a toolbox with ready-made materials for promoting, step-by-step guidance for presenting to families and students, and best of all...they do all the hard work. They handle all the travel bookings, provide security so I can rest easy as a chaperone, the trip is all inclusive so no one has to worry about food or budgeting (students only need money for souvenirs if they want to buy anything), 24/7 support, and much more. I can't wait to keep going not only with the current trip I'm organizing, but I'm already planning the next adventure too.

Had a fantastic time on the trip!

Had a fantastic time on the trip! Our Tour Director, Jenn Hensell, was amazing—she really knew her stuff and made the trip enjoyable. She managed the schedule well, so there was always something to do. Our bus driver, Mr. Bruce, did a great job maneuvering that large bus and keeping us secure. I’d definitely join the tour again and would definitely ask for Jenn Hensell as the Tour Director.

Krystle's attendance at the meeting

Krystle's attendance at the meeting and her involvement in discussing topics I'm not usually good at made a positive impact. The consistent communication between Krystle and Jeff throughout the entire process was notable.

My daughter had a pleasant time

My daughter had a pleasant time at every location. The experience was made enjoyable by the careful craft and planning of EF. I found the tour guide and the overall organization quite impressive.

Great tour group!

The app is simple to use, with fast access to helpful details, contacts, and more. It made the trip for a parent so much easier and more relaxed, and our kid had an amazing time!

Enthusiastic and Knowledgeable Tour Guide

Jacquie, our bus tour guide, was a delightful blend of knowledge and fun. Her passion for each destination filled us with excitement. Attentive to our concerns as chaperones, Jacquie provided helpful alternatives when needed. A highly recommended guide for an informative and enjoyable tour experience!

We enjoyed every location we visited.

We enjoyed every location we visited. Our guide Rick Stevens knew a lot and shared interesting facts. The hotels were clean and cozy. Our driver was wonderful and made sure we were well taken care of. Experiencing everything for the first time was great and I think it’s something every American should do. However, we didn’t like starting the tour right after arriving. We landed at the airport at 3am and by the time we got to the hotel at 10pm, we were completely drained. Another thing that bothered me was how short-tempered our guide was. He constantly told the kids to be quiet and would yell at them. The kids tried to be nice, even giving him presents, but he didn’t appreciate it. He actually told the adults to back off, saying the kids were going too far. We tried to cheer him up, but he stayed grumpy, making us feel uncomfortable. The worst part was how Rick treated our driver Manny. He was rude to him, made racist comments, and acted as if Manny was stupid. It was upsetting. For example, Rick told Manny, “Pick us up at quarter past 11.” When Manny asked, “What time is that?” Rick snapped, “I just told you.” It happened so many times. Rick also talked badly about Harlem, saying it was fine until the Blacks moved in. That was disturbing. We also wanted to see more at the sites, but it felt like Rick didn’t want to walk around much. We’d walk a little, then stand still for 15-20 minutes while he talked. It was cold, and we all froze. Staying moving would have kept us warmer. While I’m grateful for the trip with my daughter, it felt rushed. We passed by places without going in, like Trinity Church. I thought we would be seeing the inside, not just the outside. Also, it's important to know your audience when planning a trip. Going to see Harry Potter, the Broadway play, wasn’t really a fit for a Christian school. Plus, we only had 25 minutes in New York’s Times Square. 25 minutes! It felt like we were rushing through the entire trip. We should have spent more time at each place instead of just driving by. Also, fewer chain restaurants would have been nice. The best food we had was from local spots, not from truck stops.

Getting swindled out of $510 is absurd. The

Getting swindled out of $510 is absurd. The trip was scheduled for October 2024, but EF suddenly shifted it to March 2025. This wasn't our agreement, yet they're only refunding $544. Unjust, right? Losing the $95 is understandable, but snatching $510 when EF's date switch caused the cancellation is plain wrong! I won't consider opportunities for my other two kids because it's just a chance to have money snatched. Beware, parents! Keep your distance and stay vigilant!

Called to cancel a school trip

Called to cancel a school trip because we can't make it. The company didn't hesitate to take my monthly automatic payments but also kept over 500 dollars in cancellation fees. Unbelievable. I can understand keeping 95 dollars for a nonrefundable application to a certain extent, but an extra 400 dollars plus on "fees." I don't get it. Be careful with this company.