Airline reservations will be coordinated through Waste Management’s COE travel partner American Express. An AMEX travel agent will contact you to secure your air travel arrangements within three business days following submission of your registration information. Round-trip, non-refundable, coach class airline tickets will be provided for Circle of Excellence winners and their guests from their home cities to Barcelona Airport - El Prat (BCN). Any changes, upgrades or deviations that you make will be at your own expense and must be paid for prior to final ticketing.

If you plan to extend your travel before or after the Circle of Excellence dates, all costs associated with travel extensions will be your responsibility. Any changes, upgrades or deviations that you make will be at your own expense and must be paid for prior to final ticketing.

Airline Loyalty Programs

To ease your travel experience airlines offer complimentary membership programs that allow you to earn miles as you fly, points for future travel and gain airline status. If you do not have a frequent flier membership with any of the three major airlines below, you can learn more and apply for membership.

American Airlines AAdvantage  |  Delta Air Lines SkyMiles  |  United MileagePlus

Trusted Traveler Programs – Global Entry

Travelers can apply for Global Entry, the official U.S. Department of Homeland Security allowing approved travelers to skip processing lines and use expedited lanes at the U.S. airports, and when crossing international borders saving time, fewer headaches and overall better experience. Application fee of $100 is at your personal expense.

Please refer to https://ttp.dhs.gov/ for information on how to apply for Global Entry. Please refer to processing timeline on the website as there can be substantial backlog.

A passport will be required and is the only acceptable form of documentation for everyone aboard the Silversea Silver Wind. Please verify that your passport has an expiration date that is at least six months after the conclusion of the 2020 Circle of Excellence program (October 30, 2020 or after).

If you or your guest do not yet have a passport in your possession, please be certain to obtain one soon.

• If you are a U.S. citizen, please refer to www.travel.state.gov for information on obtaining a passport. Current processing time for a United States passport is four to six weeks. Expedited services are available should you wish to pay an increased processing fee.
• If you are not a U.S. citizen, please contact your local Consulate or Foreign Office for information on obtaining a passport and any visas required for travel to Europe.

You may complete your Registration before obtaining a passport, which will record your activity selections and other requests, but you must provide your passport information prior to receiving your trip materials.

2020 Circle of Excellence begins in Barcelona, Spain on April 21, 2020 and ends in Rome, Italy on April 26, 2020. If you wish to extend your travel before or after the 2020 Circle of Excellence dates, please confirm your personal accommodations and itinerary prior to booking your flights through Waste Management’s COE travel partner American Express. An AMEX travel agent can assist you with booking air aligned with your pre- or post-extension travel plans, all extension costs exceeding the fare for official COE travel dates April 21, 2020 and April 26, 2020 are at your own expense.

Hotel Arts Barcelona

A limited number of rooms at the special reduced rate of €295 per night (subject to availability at the time of request and subject to all taxes, VAT and services charges) have been negotiated with Hotel Arts for those Circle of Excellence guests who wish to pre-extend their stay. This rate will be granted up to three days prior to the program, based on availability, on a first-come, first-served basis. All pre-extension costs are at your own expense.

Westin Excelsior, Rome

A limited number of rooms at the special reduced rate of €360 per night (subject to availability at the time of request and subject to all taxes, VAT and services charges) have been negotiated with Westin Excelsior for those Circle of Excellence guests who wish to post-extend their stay. This rate will be granted up to three days following the program, based on availability, on a first-come, first-served basis. All post-extension costs are at your own expense.

The Mediterranean stays cool in April, but sunny afternoons make it a pleasant time of year to explore in port. Daily highs are expected around 64° F / 18° C, ideal for sight-seeing, with evening temperatures dropping to around 50° F / 10° C.

When it is 12:00 NOON in the Mediterranean, it is the following time in:

Los Angeles - Pacific Time        3:00 AM

Denver - Mountain Time             4:00 AM

Chicago - Central Time               5:00 AM

Miami - Eastern Time                  6:00 AM

The Mediterranean can be a bit chilly and you want to be prepared just in case of wind or a rain shower. Layered clothing will be the most comfortable in late spring. Casual attire is appropriate for almost all daytime activities, though, denim, and athletic sneakers are prohibited in the Monte Carlo Casino. A wrap or scarf is a perfect accessory to cover shoulders to maintain discreet dress if you should visit a religious site. When you are packing, consider the optional activity selections that you have made during registration and don't forget comfortable footwear for activities.

On the day of departure, please make certain that you carry on your tickets, passport, personal medications, jewelry, sunglasses, credit cards, travel insurance papers, and driver’s license.

To be sure your carry-on luggage is accepted by the majority of carriers, you will want to travel with luggage that is 22” x 14” x 9” (55 x 35 x 25 cm.) and weights a maximum of 22 lbs. Please check with your specific carrier prior to travel to ensure your carry-on meets weight and size restrictions.

110-volt (American current) and 220-volt (European current) outlets are provided in your suite aboard the Silver Wind, accommodating small appliances without the use of adapters or electric converters. A hairdryer is provided in each suite.