FAQs
When people hear about Pale Blue, they always have questions. Well… we’ve compiled a pretty exhaustive list of the most common questions below. If you have a question that you don’t see, feel free to reach out to us via the Contact tab, or on Instagram, and we’ll get you an answer as quickly as possible.
What is a Mystery Trip?
A Pale Blue Mystery Trip is a means of getting lost. A personalized, immersive experience. A truly unique adventure tailored to you and your passions. That means we use our creativity and expertise to tie together your interests, budget, and just a bit of luck to lovingly craft a trip to a surprise destination.
How long will I be gone?
You determine your dates, number of days, and budget, and from there our team creates a custom trip designed to fit the duration and budget requirements you set.
What are examples of activities that might be included?
Previous Pale Blue Mystery Trips activities have ranged from food tours to kayak trips to guided expeditions to romantic off-menu dinners. We love to try to find experiences for our travelers that allow them to experience their destination in a uniquely personal way.
How will I pack?
You’ll receive a packing list and weather forecast two weeks in advance. As your trip gets closer, you’ll get updates if the weather forecast changes. And our team is always available to answer questions if you have any!
When will I find out where I’m going?
You’ll get a package a few days in advance of your trip which will contain your destination card. The idea is to take this card with you to the airport and only open it then, when you are standing outside your terminal with your bags packed. If that sounds too aggressive, then . . . whenever you want! Just let us know on your order form and we can tweak the timelines.
Can a group of friends meet on a Mystery Trip from multiple locations?
Yes! Pale Blue Mystery Trips are perfect for friends’ weekends. Rather than burdening one person with coordinating all logistics, let Pale Blue handle it. That way, only the destination will be a surprise, not the final budget.
Why should I choose to travel with Pale Blue?
To go on a Pale Blue Mystery Trip is to experience real adventure. It is a bold and brave undertaking that will teach you something: about a new corner of the world, a person different from you, and about yourself. It will undoubtedly leave you with a story and just maybe a desire to see more of our little pale blue dot.
Why is the company called Pale Blue?
We were struck by the spirit of exploration and humility expressed in this excerpt from Carl Sagan’s famous “Pale Blue Dot.”
We love the idea of a Mystery Trip, but we’re on a budget. Is pricing negotiable?
We totally get that! The expenses that come with travel can feel overwhelming. Our team would be heartbroken if money is the only thing holding you back from the experience of a Pale Blue Mystery Trip. So if you need to chat about budget, please get in touch! We’re happy to work with any adventurous souls however we can.
Wait, I don’t know anything before I leave?
Pale Blue’s travel team will keep you as informed as you want to be. As soon as you’re booked, you’ll get a save the date email, one month out you’ll get a reminder email, two weeks out you’ll receive a packing list and weather forecast, and a few days out you’ll receive your Pale Blue Mystery Trip package! If there is additional information you need, like vaccines, travel alerts, or additional items to prepare for, you will receive that information from our team with plenty of time to prepare. Don’t want to wait until the airport to find out your destination? We can adjust any of these timelines to suit your preferences.
How will Pale Blue determine what I like?
You’ll complete a survey which helps us get to know you and your likes/dislikes, travel pet peeves, preferred climates, and activity levels, etc. If we have questions as we are creating your trip, we’ll ask you! We are not shy, and part of the reason Pale Blue exists is to get to know amazing people all over the globe, so we look forward to chatting. Check out a survey by selecting a trip type on our “Sign Up” tab.
Who goes on Mystery Trips?
Pale Blue Mystery Trips are great for couples, solo travelers, or groups of friends. The only requirements are a sense of adventure and a little bit of openness to surprises. . .
Can I cancel my trip and get a refund?
If you have not received your “Mystery Trip Booked - Save the Date!” email from us, then we can provide a refund, minus the credit card processing fee and a $30 per person Pale Blue change fee. If you choose to cancel at ANY point after that email has been received, at least a portion of your trip has been booked and may be non-refundable (based on the policies of the airlines, hotels, tour operators, etc.) In that situation, we will do our best to negotiate on your behalf to get money back, but a refund is not guaranteed. Customers will only be entitled to the costs we recover from vendors, all other amounts will be non-refundable.
Short answer – the safest thing to do is to buy “Cancel for Any Reason” trip insurance. See below.
Do you offer travel insurance?
We do. We partner with Allianz to offer travel insurance. Rates will vary on many things like where you live, the cost of your trip, and whether you choose a cancel for any reason plan (highly recommended) or a lesser level of coverage. If you’re interested in travel insurance, let us know when you fill out your survey and we will send you a quote and the information about how to purchase a policy.
Is Pale Blue a licensed travel agency?
Pale Blue books travel through its sister company, Vista Vacations, LLC, which is licensed and has an IATA number.
Can I gift someone a Pale Blue Mystery Trip?
Of course! We think this is a great idea, so long as you make sure the person is up for the adventure of a lifetime. We don’t like to force people too far out of their comfort zones, so we typically would not recommend gifting a trip to your control freak sister or your uncle who likes to plan every minute of his two-weeks-from-now-Tuesday.
What is included in a Pale Blue Mystery Trip?
The budget you set covers transportation to/from your destination, lodging for all nights, at least one activity – hand-selected for you, with the goal of immersing you in the culture of your destination – and an electronic guidebook listing recommendations for restaurants and attractions, as well as local tips and customs.
What will be in the Pale Blue Mystery Trip package?
In addition to the destination card, the package you receive will contain several envelopes that say things like: “October 14: Open on the Train” or “January 3: Open before the Weekend.” Pack these envelopes with you so each stage of your trip is a surprise, or open them all at once to see your full itinerary!
What if I want to peek at the destination/envelopes early?
Once you receive the Pale Blue Mystery Trip package, it’s totally up to you when and where you open each one. We’ve created our system to prolong the surprises, but we also understand that each person’s tolerance for the unknown is different, so you do you!
What happens if I open an envelope too late?
Pale Blue’s team will carefully mark envelopes to prevent this from happening; we never want you to feel rushed. For example, morning activities will be included in the envelope marked for the evening before so you can plan your next day, while an envelope marked “Open at Wake-up” means that you can feel free to sleep-in.
Will I stay in one place for my whole trip?
Up to you! In your survey, you’ll let us know whether you prefer to stay in one place or to move around. We are happy to accommodate either preference, particularly depending on the duration of your Mystery Trip.
Can I use my credit card miles to book a Mystery Trip?
Well… using points could give away your destination, but we don’t want anything to stand in the way of you experiencing this once-in-a-lifetime adventure. Get in touch with us and we can talk you through our options when it comes to booking with rewards points.
Why would I need travel insurance?
If something comes up and you need to cancel or change your Pale Blue Mystery Trip, you won’t be protected unless you have travel insurance. You could get sick, forget to renew your passport, or get a promotion. Travel insurance will reimburse you for nonrefundable costs or for costs incurred in cancelling/changing your trip. And, depending on the plan you purchase, it could provide additional medical insurance or coverage for other kinds of travel expenses. Check out Allianz’s selection of plans for more information.
What if something goes wrong?
Like with all great adventures, sometimes the weather turns or a tour gets cancelled, so we will provide trouble-shooting options and alternative activities. A Pale Blue Mystery Trip can be a great opportunity to challenge yourself to experience the entire fun scale. In addition, we are also always available by email/phone to help navigate any issues that may arise.