{"id":14159,"date":"2025-11-17T13:36:35","date_gmt":"2025-11-17T19:36:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/travel\/?page_id=14159"},"modified":"2026-03-24T09:02:04","modified_gmt":"2026-03-24T14:02:04","slug":"2027-u-s-virgin-islands","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/travel\/2027-u-s-virgin-islands\/","title":{"rendered":"2027 U.S. Virgin Islands"},"content":{"rendered":"<div data-modular-content-collection><p><!-- begin-migrated-from-panel-builder --><\/p>\n\n\t\t\t<div\n\t\t\tclass=\"site-section site-panel__image_overlay panel panel-image_overlay site-section__bg--default\"\n\t\t\tdata-depth=\"\"\n\t\t\tdata-js-panel=\"image-overlay\"\n\t\t>\n\t\n\t\t<div class=\"site-section__inner site-section__inner--no-padding\">\n\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t<div role=\"img\" aria-label=\"Caribbean palm trees beach boat\" style=\"background-image:url('https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/travel\/files\/2025\/07\/Caribbean-palm-trees-beach-boat.jpg');\" loading=\"lazy\"  class=\"site-section__bg-img site-section__bg-img--m-stack\"><\/div>\n\n\t\t<style>\n\t\t@media all and ( min-width: 960px ) {\n\t\t\t#site-panel__image-overlay-69e65dca21c88 {\n\t\t\t\theight: 853px;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t}\n\t<\/style>\n\t\n\t\t\t\t\n    \n\t<div id=\"site-panel__image-overlay-69e65dca21c88\" class=\"site-panel__img-overlay-wrap site-panel__img-overlay--no-ribbon horz-left vert-middle\">\n\n\t\t<div class=\"site-panel__img-overlay-content\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"t-content t-content--light\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"site-section__title bold\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tdata-depth=\"0\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tdata-name=\"title\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tdata-autop\n\t\t\t\t\t\tdata-livetext\n\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t\tHoly Week in the U.S. Virgin Islands\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"site-section__desc\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tdata-depth=\"0\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tdata-name=\"content\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tdata-autop\n\t\t\t\t\t\tdata-livetext\n\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">March 24\u201331, 2027<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n\n\n\t\t\t<div\n\t\t\tclass=\"site-section site-panel__micronavbutton panel panel-micronavbutton site-section__bg--normal\"\n\t\t\tdata-depth=\"\"\n\t\t\tdata-js-panel=\"micronavbutton\"\n\t\t>\n\t\n\t    <div class=\"site-section__inner site-section__inner--top-padding-none site-section__inner--bottom-padding-none micronavbutton\">\n\n\t\t\n\t\n\t<div class=\"site-grid site-grid__no-gutters\"\n\t     data-depth=\"0\"\n\t     data-name=\"buttons\"\n\t     data-livetext\n\t>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"site-grid__col\">\n\t\t\t\t<a class=\"site-panel__micronavbtn-btn u-bc-cranberry\"\n\t\t\t\t   \thref=\"https:\/\/host.nxt.blackbaud.com\/registration-form\/?formId=b83b44c6-742e-4cef-af44-a6cd819e4d2e&#038;envId=p--qx_j5pCMUmCUdC7bVaDdg&#038;zone=usa\"\n\t\t\t\t   \ttarget=\"_blank\"\n\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"site-panel__micronavbtn-btn-label\">Register Now<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"site-panel__micronavbtn-btn-desc\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tRegister by 8\/31\/26\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div> <!-- .site-grid__col -->\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"site-grid__col\">\n\t\t\t\t<a class=\"site-panel__micronavbtn-btn u-bc-teal\"\n\t\t\t\t   \thref=\"mailto:quiram@stolaf.edu\"\n\t\t\t\t   \ttarget=\"_blank\"\n\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"site-panel__micronavbtn-btn-label\">Contact Us<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"site-panel__micronavbtn-btn-desc\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div> <!-- .site-grid__col -->\n\t\t\n\t<\/div> <!-- .site-grid -->\n\n\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n\n\n\t\t\t<div\n\t\t\tclass=\"is-style-default site-section site-panel__accordion panel panel-accordion site-section__bg--normal\"\n\t\t\tdata-depth=\"\"\n\t\t\tdata-js-panel=\"accordion\"\n\t\t>\n\t\n\t\t\t<div class=\"is-style-default site-section__inner l-wrapper \">\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<header class=\"is-style-default site-section__header\">\n\n\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"is-style-default site-section__title h3\" id=\"led-by-matthew-marohl-p-29-college-pastor-and-katherine-fick-pastor-and-marriage-and-family-therapist\" data-name=\"title\" data-livetext data-depth=\"0\" data-index=\"0\">Led by Matthew Marohl P \u201829, College Pastor, and Katherine Fick, Pastor and Marriage and Family Therapist<\/h2>\n\n\t\t\t<\/header>\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t<div class=\"is-style-default site-grid site-grid__wrapper\">\n\n\t\t<div class=\"is-style-default site-grid__col\">\n\t\t\t\n<figure class=\"is-style-default c-caption\">\n\n\t<figure  class=\"is-style-default c-caption__img\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"is-style-default \" alt=\"South Central American Caribbean historic building\" src=\"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/travel\/files\/2025\/07\/South-Central-American-Caribbean-historic-building-1-600x350.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"is-style-default t-content\" data-name=\"content\" data-index=\"0\" data-autop=\"true\" data-livetext>\n\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Experience religious life in the U.S. Virgin Islands, which play host to a strong Lutheran tradition.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>This itinerary is custom-designed and distinctive to St. Olaf!<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">See the Overview to the right for more information on what we&#8217;ll see, do, and learn.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/figcaption>\n\t\n<\/figure>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"is-style-default site-grid__col\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"is-style-default accordion site-panel__accordion-items\" data-depth=\"0\" data-name=\"accordions\" data-livetext role=\"tablist\" aria-multiselectable=\"true\" data-js=\"accordion\">\n            <article  class=\"is-style-default accordion__row site-panel__accordion-item \" role=\"tab\" aria-selected=\"false\" id=\"accordion-69e65dca2c037-header-0\" aria-controls=\"accordion-69e65dca2c037-content-0\">\n        \t\t<button\n\t\t\t\t\taria-expanded=\"false\"\n\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"is-style-default accordion__header site-panel__accordion-title clearfix\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-depth=\"0\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-index=\"0\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-name=\"title\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-livetext\n        \t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t                    <span class=\"is-style-default accordion__header-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tOverview\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n                <\/button>\n                <div\n\t\t\t\t\taria-labelledby=\"accordion-69e65dca2c037-header-0\"\n\t\t\t\t\t class=\"is-style-default accordion__content site-panel__accordion-content context-content t-content \"\t\t\t\t\tid=\"accordion-69e65dca2c037-content-0\"\n\t\t\t\t\trole=\"tabpanel\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-depth=\"0\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-index=\"0\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-autop=\"true\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-name=\"accordion_content\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-livetext\n                >\n\t\t\t\t\t                    <div class=\"is-style-default accordion__content-inner context-content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Did you know the oldest Lutheran church in the Western Hemisphere is Frederick Lutheran Church on the island of St. Thomas? <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Join College Pastor Matt Marohl and Associate College Pastor Katie Fick for an unforgettable experience of faith, culture, history, and nature in the U.S. Virgin Islands of St. Thomas and St. John. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We will worship during Holy Week at Frederick Lutheran Church. We will learn about the indigenous history and colonization of the islands, the slave trade, rebellion and emancipation, and the evolving role of religion. We will take historical walking tours that include sites such as the St. Thomas synagogue (a sand-floored synagogue that is one of the oldest synagogues in the Western Hemisphere) and the Catherineberg Estate, the headquarters for the African slave rebellion of 1773. And we will learn about Moko Jumbies, sample local cuisine, and explore botanical gardens, parks, beaches, and ocean sites. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This experience is designed to connect with the local people, businesses, communities, and natural beauty of St. Thomas and St. John.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>We&#8217;re working on the details &#8230; please check back!<\/p>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/article>\n\n\t\t\t\n            <article  class=\"is-style-default accordion__row site-panel__accordion-item \" role=\"tab\" aria-selected=\"false\" id=\"accordion-69e65dca2c037-header-1\" aria-controls=\"accordion-69e65dca2c037-content-1\">\n        \t\t<button\n\t\t\t\t\taria-expanded=\"false\"\n\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"is-style-default accordion__header site-panel__accordion-title clearfix\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-depth=\"0\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-index=\"1\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-name=\"title\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-livetext\n        \t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t                    <span class=\"is-style-default accordion__header-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tItinerary\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n                <\/button>\n                <div\n\t\t\t\t\taria-labelledby=\"accordion-69e65dca2c037-header-1\"\n\t\t\t\t\t class=\"is-style-default accordion__content site-panel__accordion-content context-content t-content \"\t\t\t\t\tid=\"accordion-69e65dca2c037-content-1\"\n\t\t\t\t\trole=\"tabpanel\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-depth=\"0\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-index=\"1\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-autop=\"true\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-name=\"accordion_content\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-livetext\n                >\n\t\t\t\t\t                    <div class=\"is-style-default accordion__content-inner context-content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"14695\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/travel\/destinations\/caribbean-family-people-kites-beach\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/travel\/files\/2025\/08\/Caribbean-family-people-kites-beach.jpg\" data-orig-size=\"2048,2048\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;Made with Google AI&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Caribbean family people kites beach\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/travel\/files\/2025\/08\/Caribbean-family-people-kites-beach-1024x1024.jpg\" class=\"is-style-default alignleft size-medium wp-image-14695\" src=\"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/travel\/files\/2025\/08\/Caribbean-family-people-kites-beach-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" \/>Our intention with each tour is to provide an itinerary that introduces you to key elements related to your destination or the educational theme, while also providing some free time for you to pursue your own interests or have some down time. The balance can vary from day to day, and from tour to tour.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You can view \u2013 and download and print, if you wish \u2013 the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/docs.google.com\/document\/d\/1Uc3FVmVX9VT7QpwP6NkR-HQBnyAMZn-avl1P4iRbstE\/edit?usp=sharing\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">most up-to-date itinerary<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> here.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You\u2019ll get the most out of study travel if you research what to do during your free time. This allows you to reap the benefits of group travel, while also customizing the tour to your interests and activity level. Read more about <a href=\"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/travel\/how-to-be-an-independent-group-traveler\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">How to Be an Independent Group Traveler<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/article>\n\n\t\t\t\n            <article  class=\"is-style-default accordion__row site-panel__accordion-item \" role=\"tab\" aria-selected=\"false\" id=\"accordion-69e65dca2c037-header-2\" aria-controls=\"accordion-69e65dca2c037-content-2\">\n        \t\t<button\n\t\t\t\t\taria-expanded=\"false\"\n\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"is-style-default accordion__header site-panel__accordion-title clearfix\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-depth=\"0\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-index=\"2\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-name=\"title\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-livetext\n        \t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t                    <span class=\"is-style-default accordion__header-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tFaculty Leaders\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n                <\/button>\n                <div\n\t\t\t\t\taria-labelledby=\"accordion-69e65dca2c037-header-2\"\n\t\t\t\t\t class=\"is-style-default accordion__content site-panel__accordion-content context-content t-content \"\t\t\t\t\tid=\"accordion-69e65dca2c037-content-2\"\n\t\t\t\t\trole=\"tabpanel\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-depth=\"0\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-index=\"2\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-autop=\"true\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-name=\"accordion_content\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-livetext\n                >\n\t\t\t\t\t                    <div class=\"is-style-default accordion__content-inner context-content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"14428\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/travel\/2027-u-s-virgin-islands\/marohl-matthew\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/travel\/files\/2025\/07\/Marohl-Matthew.jpg\" data-orig-size=\"491,614\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Marohl Matthew\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/travel\/files\/2025\/07\/Marohl-Matthew.jpg\" class=\"is-style-default alignleft size-medium wp-image-14428\" src=\"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/travel\/files\/2025\/07\/Marohl-Matthew-240x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"240\" height=\"300\" \/>Matthew Marohl has served as the College Pastor at St. Olaf since the summer of 2012. Matt completed his Master of Divinity degree at Luther Seminary, a Master of Theology degree at the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago and a Ph. D. in New Testament from the University of St. Andrews in St. Andrews, Scotland. Along with his wife, Sarah, Matt led a \u201cFootsteps of Paul\u201d tour to Greece and Turkey with his congregation from the Chicago area. He has spent time in New Zealand and Australia, India and Nepal, and Europe. At St. Olaf, Matt assisted on the interim program \u201cTheater in London\u201d in 2016. Matt says, \u201cI have the best job in the world! It is an honor to be a pastor to college students.\u201d Why does he consider his the best job in the world? The worship life at Boe Chapel is vibrant and he enjoys having conversation with Oles about every matter of college life. Matt loves music and is actively engaged in a number of writing projects. He is the author of three books and most recently penned commentaries on The Gospel of Matthew and Hebrews for a forthcoming single-volume commentary on the New Testament (Bloomsbury Academic Press). Matt lives in Northfield with his wife, Sarah, and their two daughters, Noa and Greta.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"14429\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/travel\/2027-u-s-virgin-islands\/katherine-fick\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/travel\/files\/2025\/07\/Katherine-Fick.jpg\" data-orig-size=\"2048,2560\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Katherine Fick\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/travel\/files\/2025\/07\/Katherine-Fick-819x1024.jpg\" class=\"is-style-default alignleft size-medium wp-image-14429\" src=\"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/travel\/files\/2025\/07\/Katherine-Fick-240x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"240\" height=\"300\" \/><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Katherine Fick served as Associate College Pastor for over 11 years, and currently works as a full time Licensed Associate Marriage and Family Therapist in Northfield and does pulpit supply work in the SEMN synod of the ELCA. Katie has master&#8217;s degrees from Luther Seminary and Saint Mary&#8217;s University of Minnesota, and she has fostered her love of travel and learning by taking Luther and Bach tours of Germany as well as visiting friends working in Kenya, South Sudan, and Washington DC. She has assisted on interim courses in the Holy Land and London, and co-led a previous alumni and family travel tour with Pastor Matt to the Holy Land. She enjoys partnering on projects with Pastor Matt, and leading travel that connects people with local histories, communities, and landscapes. Outside of work, Katie loves to read, hike, go to the theater, and plan her next travel adventure. Her husband, Norbert, will also be joining the trip as a guest.<\/span><\/p>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/article>\n\n\t\t\t\n            <article  class=\"is-style-default accordion__row site-panel__accordion-item \" role=\"tab\" aria-selected=\"false\" id=\"accordion-69e65dca2c037-header-3\" aria-controls=\"accordion-69e65dca2c037-content-3\">\n        \t\t<button\n\t\t\t\t\taria-expanded=\"false\"\n\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"is-style-default accordion__header site-panel__accordion-title clearfix\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-depth=\"0\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-index=\"3\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-name=\"title\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-livetext\n        \t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t                    <span class=\"is-style-default accordion__header-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tWhat to Expect and Participant Requirements\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n                <\/button>\n                <div\n\t\t\t\t\taria-labelledby=\"accordion-69e65dca2c037-header-3\"\n\t\t\t\t\t class=\"is-style-default accordion__content site-panel__accordion-content context-content t-content \"\t\t\t\t\tid=\"accordion-69e65dca2c037-content-3\"\n\t\t\t\t\trole=\"tabpanel\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-depth=\"0\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-index=\"3\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-autop=\"true\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-name=\"accordion_content\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-livetext\n                >\n\t\t\t\t\t                    <div class=\"is-style-default accordion__content-inner context-content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Expect to learn new things about a subject that you perhaps thought you were pretty familiar with!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Movement between our main activities will be by private motor coach. Movement at cultural\/historic sites will be on foot, requiring a lot of walking and standing, often over uneven ground. You should be capable of walking a mile or more at a time and up to five to seven miles per day, often over uneven terrain, of climbing stairs that may not have handrails, of climbing in and out of various types of transportation, of keeping pace with an active group of travelers on long days of traveling,of dealing with the emotional highs and lows that can occur when experiencing different cultures, and be a considerate member of the group (prompt, courteous and flexible).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Any participant who has demonstrated an inability, in the opinion of the tour leader, of keeping up with the group or of safely participating in program activities may be prohibited from participating in certain activities.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You will be responsible for carrying your own luggage throughout the tour. Traveling lightly is highly recommended.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hotels will be tourist class (four-star or superior rating) with private baths.<\/span><\/p>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/article>\n\n\t\t\t\n            <article  class=\"is-style-default accordion__row site-panel__accordion-item \" role=\"tab\" aria-selected=\"false\" id=\"accordion-69e65dca2c037-header-4\" aria-controls=\"accordion-69e65dca2c037-content-4\">\n        \t\t<button\n\t\t\t\t\taria-expanded=\"false\"\n\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"is-style-default accordion__header site-panel__accordion-title clearfix\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-depth=\"0\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-index=\"4\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-name=\"title\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-livetext\n        \t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t                    <span class=\"is-style-default accordion__header-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tTour Pricing, Inclusions, and Exclusions\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n                <\/button>\n                <div\n\t\t\t\t\taria-labelledby=\"accordion-69e65dca2c037-header-4\"\n\t\t\t\t\t class=\"is-style-default accordion__content site-panel__accordion-content context-content t-content \"\t\t\t\t\tid=\"accordion-69e65dca2c037-content-4\"\n\t\t\t\t\trole=\"tabpanel\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-depth=\"0\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-index=\"4\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-autop=\"true\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-name=\"accordion_content\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-livetext\n                >\n\t\t\t\t\t                    <div class=\"is-style-default accordion__content-inner context-content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Inclusions and exclusions vary by tour, so please read the following information carefully.\u00a0<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We try to strike a balance between nickel-and-diming you once on the tour and allowing you some freedom in your price point: including some meals and activities, for example, while making others optional or on your own. Private motor coaches throughout the tour are pricier than public transportation. Highly rated guides are essential and should command higher wages.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The tour price is $6,778 per person, based on double occupancy. The supplement for single occupancy is $1,375.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Inclusions<\/span>: discussions led by Matt and Katie, a full-time guide, accommodations, breakfast daily and group meals as listed on the itinerary, admissions for group activities, ground transportation during the tour (except initial and final airport transfers), internal flight, gratuities to group guides, drivers, and meal servers, and some <a href=\"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/travel\/travel-insurance\/\">limited medical coverage<\/a> while overseas.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Exclusions<\/span>: <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Airfare to and from the US Virgin Islands is not included. Participants are solely responsible for all expenses not specifically included in the tour fee.<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Examples of excluded expenses are: international airfare, airport transfers, any passport and visa fees, any recommended immunizations or vaccinations, baggage and trip cancellation insurance, alcoholic beverages, including at group meals, laundry, dry cleaning, phone charges, room service or other items of a personal nature, expenses incurred during free time or non-group activities, lunch and dinner, unless specifically included on tour itinerary.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">P.S. The highest cost in this tour price is the hotel. Given the timing of Easter we\u2019re paying spring break rates, but we\u2019re NOT staying at a \u201cspring break\u201d hotel. We\u2019ve chosen a historic hotel in the perfectly located neighborhood of Charlotte Amalie on St. Thomas.<\/span><\/p>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/article>\n\n\t\t\t\n            <article  class=\"is-style-default accordion__row site-panel__accordion-item \" role=\"tab\" aria-selected=\"false\" id=\"accordion-69e65dca2c037-header-5\" aria-controls=\"accordion-69e65dca2c037-content-5\">\n        \t\t<button\n\t\t\t\t\taria-expanded=\"false\"\n\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"is-style-default accordion__header site-panel__accordion-title clearfix\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-depth=\"0\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-index=\"5\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-name=\"title\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-livetext\n        \t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t                    <span class=\"is-style-default accordion__header-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tPayment and Refund Schedule\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n                <\/button>\n                <div\n\t\t\t\t\taria-labelledby=\"accordion-69e65dca2c037-header-5\"\n\t\t\t\t\t class=\"is-style-default accordion__content site-panel__accordion-content context-content t-content \"\t\t\t\t\tid=\"accordion-69e65dca2c037-content-5\"\n\t\t\t\t\trole=\"tabpanel\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-depth=\"0\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-index=\"5\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-autop=\"true\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-name=\"accordion_content\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-livetext\n                >\n\t\t\t\t\t                    <div class=\"is-style-default accordion__content-inner context-content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This schedule is <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">based on payments St. Olaf College must make to tour vendors to guarantee group rates. We highly recommend that you purchase additional trip cancellation insurance at the time of registration to recover your payments should you need to withdraw from the tour.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Deposit due:\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0$500 upon registration<br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Refund if you cancel:\u00a0 \u00a0 $475 if you cancel on or before June 21, 2026. If the deposit is made after June 21, 2026 there is no refund.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Interim payment due:\u00a0 \u00a0$3,000 on June 22, 2026<br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Refund if you cancel:\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0$1,500 if you cancel on or before January 23, 2027<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Balance due:\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 January 24, 2027<br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Refund if you cancel:\u00a0 \u00a0 None, unless the tour is full and your place can be resold<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cancellations must be in writing.<\/span><\/p>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/article>\n\n\t\t\t\n            <article  class=\"is-style-default accordion__row site-panel__accordion-item \" role=\"tab\" aria-selected=\"false\" id=\"accordion-69e65dca2c037-header-6\" aria-controls=\"accordion-69e65dca2c037-content-6\">\n        \t\t<button\n\t\t\t\t\taria-expanded=\"false\"\n\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"is-style-default accordion__header site-panel__accordion-title clearfix\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-depth=\"0\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-index=\"6\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-name=\"title\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-livetext\n        \t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t                    <span class=\"is-style-default accordion__header-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tAction Items and Documents\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n                <\/button>\n                <div\n\t\t\t\t\taria-labelledby=\"accordion-69e65dca2c037-header-6\"\n\t\t\t\t\t class=\"is-style-default accordion__content site-panel__accordion-content context-content t-content \"\t\t\t\t\tid=\"accordion-69e65dca2c037-content-6\"\n\t\t\t\t\trole=\"tabpanel\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-depth=\"0\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-index=\"6\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-autop=\"true\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-name=\"accordion_content\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-livetext\n                >\n\t\t\t\t\t                    <div class=\"is-style-default accordion__content-inner context-content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><strong>Read<\/strong> the <a href=\"https:\/\/docs.google.com\/document\/d\/1PwWNCMsbSL5jc1jqqW1nJ0IztbZnzOt4C9v_fMmcNzU\/edit?usp=sharing\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Terms &amp; Conditions<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/docs.google.com\/document\/d\/1lWmm-VQLBpfFgE4m8B28UhJinTIMGkIwYCZqNs5v1T4\/edit?usp=sharing\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Release &amp; Waiver<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Review <\/strong>the latest information on recommended immunizations from the <a href=\"https:\/\/wwwnc.cdc.gov\/travel\/destinations\/list\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Centers for Disease Control (CDC)<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Take time<\/strong> to <a href=\"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/travel\/prepare-for-your-adventure\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Prepare for Your Adventure<\/a> by checking out a variety of resources, including frequently asked questions, general health information, included travel insurance, a safety overview, and more.<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>Hold the dates <\/b>of March 24\u201331, 2027, but do not book non-refundable airfare until we can call this tour a go. You could familiarize yourself with our t<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ips on <a href=\"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/travel\/booking-your-flights\/\">Booking Your Flights<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/article>\n\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t<\/div>\n\n\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n\n\n\t\t\t<div\n\t\t\tclass=\"site-section site-panel__imagetext panel panel-imagetext site-section__bg--normal\"\n\t\t\tdata-depth=\"\"\n\t\t\tdata-js-panel=\"imagetext\"\n\t\t>\n\t\n\t\t<div class=\"site-section__inner site-section__inner--no-padding\">\n\n\t\n\t\n\t<div class=\"site-grid site-grid__no-gutters  site-panel__imgtxt-img-right\">\n\t\t<div class=\"site-grid__col\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t<figure  class=\"c-image c-image--rect\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"\" alt=\"Caribbean palm trees beach boat\" src=\"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/travel\/files\/2025\/07\/Caribbean-palm-trees-beach-boat-820x600.jpg\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1260px) 1260px, 100vw\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/travel\/files\/2025\/07\/Caribbean-palm-trees-beach-boat-520x300.jpg 520w, \nhttps:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/travel\/files\/2025\/07\/Caribbean-palm-trees-beach-boat-820x600.jpg 820w, \nhttps:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/travel\/files\/2025\/07\/Caribbean-palm-trees-beach-boat-1120x853.jpg 1120w\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<div class=\"site-grid__col site-grid__col-safari-fix\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"site-panel__imgtxt-content\">\n\t\t\t\t\n<div class=\"c-text\">\n\n\t\n\n\t\t\t<div class=\"c-text__desc t-content\" data-depth=\"0\" data-name=\"content\" data-autop=\"true\" data-livetext>\n\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This tour needs a minimum of 10 travelers by August 31, 2026 in order to go. But don\u2019t wait until then to register \u2013 it could fill much sooner!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ready to go?<\/span><\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t\t\t<a\n\t\t   \tclass=\"cta\"\n\t\t\thref=\"https:\/\/host.nxt.blackbaud.com\/registration-form\/?formId=b83b44c6-742e-4cef-af44-a6cd819e4d2e&#038;envId=p--qx_j5pCMUmCUdC7bVaDdg&#038;zone=usa\"\n\t\t   \ttarget=\"_blank\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\tRegister Now\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n\n\n<p><!-- end-migrated-from-panel-builder --><\/p><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":616,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"page-templates\/page-panels-beside-sidebar.php","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-14159","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/travel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/14159","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/travel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/travel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/travel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/616"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/travel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=14159"}],"version-history":[{"count":30,"href":"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/travel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/14159\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":15458,"href":"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/travel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/14159\/revisions\/15458"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/travel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=14159"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}