Pre-departure Meeting

Iceland: A Journey Through Fire, Ice and Sustainability

February – March 2026

​

with Ms. Mandy

​

Preparing for your ACIS Trip and what to expect while

you’re abroad

Agenda

1. Behavior Guidelines
2. What to Pack
3. MPC App
4. Flights
5. On Tour
1. Arrival Day
2. Your Tour Manager
3. Meals
4. Staying in Touch

6. Tips from Experience
7. The “F Word” of Travel
8. Questions

Behavior Guidelines

Know the rules before you go: Following the rules is the best way to ensure that everyone gets the most out of their educational travel experience.

​

www.acis.com/behavior-guidelines

What to Pack

Your hand luggage

Your suitcase (make it a carry-on!) Chargers

Lost/delayed luggage can happen –

be prepared

For pro packing tips, visit

www.acis.com/getting-ready/packing-tips

​

Most importantly…

pack tolerance, patience and a sense of humor!

BAG SIZE and Weight

Checked bag size and weight

• Checked bags should not exceed 62” in overall dimensions (length + width + height) or 50 pounds in weight.

​

• Bags that don’t meet the dimensions and/or weight restrictions are considered oversized and/or overweight and will be assessed a fee for each category that applies.�

�For example, if a bag is overweight and oversized, both the overweight fee and the oversized fee will apply.

​

Oversized bags

63-80 inches including wheels and handles: $150/per bag

​

Overweight bags

51-99 pounds: $150/per bag

​

Mobile Passport Control (MPC) App

Streamline Your U.S. Customs Entry Process at MPC-Approved Sites:

• www.cbp.gov/travel/us-citizens/mobile-passport-control
• Awesome for short connections
• Download a free, secure app; No pre-approval required
• Eligible travelers can submit their passport and customs

declaration info on their mobile device

• Check the website for a full list of approved airports
• Used successfully by ACIS travelers in Boston, Dulles and JFK in the recent past

​

*Currently the MPC mobile app is available to U.S. citizens, U.S. lawful permanent residents, Canadian B1/B2 citizen visitors and returning Visa Waiver Program travelers with approved ESTA..

Flights and P7 Exam

• The timing of the flights interferes with your period 7 exam
• If you have an exam period 7, you will take it in the testing center at 7am that morning
• Students – Send me your period 7 information now

​

Flights - Departing

• Friday Feb 27 –
• Meet at International Terminal JetBlue Counter at 11:30am – or as close as you can make it

​

• Icelandair/JetBlue 7900
• 2:29PM ATL – BOS 5:04PM
• Students will eat at airport
• Icelandair Fl630
• 7:50PM BOS – KEF 6:05AM
• Iceland is 5 hours ahead

​

​

Flights - Arriving

• Friday March 6 –
• Icelandair 631
• 5:00PM KEF – BOS 5:50PM
• Students eat dinner in Boston
• Icelandair/Jetblue 7903
• 8:58PM BOS – ATL 11:57PM
• We will do customs in Boston so we will land domestically in Atlanta.
• If we are releasing your child to anyone but you, I must have that in writing. Email me at mandyk@marist.com

​

On Tour: Arrival Day

• Getting into town – Your ACIS Tour Manager will meet you at the airport and bring you'll be off exploring right away. Hotel check-in won't be until late afternoon, or evening so plan accordingly.
• Don’t nap – Freshen up and resist the temptation of an afternoon nap. You will recover from jet lag faster if you stay active during the day and then go to bed at a reasonable hour.
• We’ll keep you busy – Your tour manager will get your group out-and-about within the country and acclimating to the culture.

Your Tour Manager

• Responsible for travel logistics, educational road commentary, and adding a unique perspective to your trip
• Multi-lingual, knowledgeable, and energetic!
• A great resource for maximizing your exploration time
• Available to you 24 hours a day to solve any emergency situation
• https://webapp.acis.com/trips/2026/63374/1/tour-manager

​

Your Tour Manager is:

Help your Tour Manager and Group Leader(s):

• Be punctual
• Respect curfew and behavior guidelines
• Communicate with them clearly
• Thank them for working hard to make your trip the best it can be!

Meals and Money

• Breakfast and dinner are included daily
• Enjoy a mixture of authentic and familiar cuisine
• Let us know about special meal requests (vegetarian, allergies, etc.) in advance
• You never need to tip your

waiters at ACIS meals

• Plan $25 for each lunch (4 total)
• Money for airport meals in Boston
• Souvenir money
• Credit cards are widely accepted and ATMs are easy to access too

Staying in Touch

• Plan for communication
• WhatsApp – parent group
• WhatsApp – student group

​

WhatsApp - Parents

WhatsApp - Students

For Travelers:

Tips from Experience

• Pack light
• Download the ACIS Travel App
• Be punctual!
• Be prepared for cultural differences
• Electrical sockets in Iceland are standard European electrical socket types C and E. It’s advisable to bring an adapter as it will likely be more expensive on the island.

For Parents:

• Independence and growth
• No news is good news
• Travel changes lives!

Packing

• We advise you to pack in layers. The weather can change quickly and you’ll experience a variety of temperatures and climates such as strong Atlantic winds, low temps of a glacier ice cave and the humidity from precipitation and waterfalls. Be prepared for sun, rain, wind and snow.
• Bathing Suit for geothermal Blue Lagoon.
• Flashlight if you are traveling in the winter
• Games for when the sun goes down early
• Gloves or Mittens (waterproof)
• Hiking Boots (REQUIRED) that are broken in and comfortable (waterproof) Note many activities require hiking boots, if you do not have any you may be required to pay an extra rental fee
• Long sleeve shirts, jackets, vests, etc. Short sleeves will likely only be worn as an under layer.

Packing

• Moisturizer/ Lip balm for the winter months
• Sleeping Mask
• Snow/Ski Pants (waterproof)
• Sunglasses/Ball Cap The sun is strong even in the short winter days
• Sunscreen
• Thermal Undershirts and Leggings that you can wear hiking and walking
• Thermal/wool socks
• Warm Winter Jacket that is both waterproof and wind resistant.
• Winter Hat/Scarf
• Water Bottle It’s safe to drink the water in Iceland and we want to respect Iceland’s sustainable, eco-friendly effort.
• Waterproof bags for valuable items that can’t get wet (We recommend bringing a large, plastic garbage bag tocover your luggage just in case).

​

The “F Word” of Travel

FLEXIBILITY!

• Expect the unexpected
• Go with the flow
• Embrace your sense of humor
• Be proactive

TO DO

1. Email a color copy of passport to mandyk@marist.com

​

• Complete notarized forms and turn in hard copy to Mrs. Mandy (marist.com/travel)

​

• Complete medical form online (marist.com/travel)

​

• Join correct Whatsapp Group

​

• Students – Talk to your 7^th period teachers ASAP

Questions?

Post-Meeting:

1. Ask your Group Leader
2. Visit our FAQ page: www.acis.com/faqs
3. Chat at acis.com, Mon–Fri, 10am to 5pm ET
4. Email accounts@acis.com