The Creation Museum / Ark Encounter - May 2-7, 2026
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“The Belle of Cincinnati”
Captain’s Dinner Cruise on the Ohio River $ 1759 Per Person Double $ 1659 Per Person Triple $ 1599 Per Person Quad $ 2159 Single Occupancy Child 12 years and younger - $ 1039.00 per child |
Join your friends at Happy Trails Tours as we embark on a brand-new destination to see the Creation Museum and the Ark Encounter. At the Creation Museum, you’ll see Bible history come to life at the family-friendly attraction. You’ll explore creation science with stunning exhibits, dinosaur bones, fossils, botanical gardens and a planetarium, zoo, zip-line course, and more. The following day will include the Ark Encounter! This place is amazing featuring a full-sized ARK, built according to the dimensions given in the Bible. Spanning 510 feet, 85 feet wide, and 51 feet high, this modern engineering marvel amazes visitors young and old. Come explore the pages of the Bible like never before! Since we are so close to Cincinnati, we have added an area city tour and a dinner cruise on the Belle of Cincinnati. Join us! We’ll save a seat for you!
Deposits/ Final Payments: $200 per person deposit due with registration. This becomes non-refundable March 15, 2026.
Final payments are due on March 25, 2026. Final documents will arrive three weeks prior to departure. No refunds after March 25, 2026.
Registration: Reservations are taken on a first-come, first-serve basis. No seat is considered solid without a deposit paid.
Happy Trails Tours accepts money orders, personal checks or cash and credit cards.
Cancellations: Monies returned between March 15 and March 25, 2026 are contingent to what Happy Trails receives back from hotels, charters, tour companies, restaurants, and festival organizations.
How to Pack:The tour is completely casual and comfortable.
This tour will require a good amount of walking, however, there are lots of places where folks can sit and relax.
Travel Insurance: Travel insurance can offer financial security and peace of mind in case of unforeseen events causing cancellations or trip interruptions. Preexisting conditions are waived when purchased within 12 days of your initial deposit. Call us for more information.
Final payments are due on March 25, 2026. Final documents will arrive three weeks prior to departure. No refunds after March 25, 2026.
Registration: Reservations are taken on a first-come, first-serve basis. No seat is considered solid without a deposit paid.
Happy Trails Tours accepts money orders, personal checks or cash and credit cards.
Cancellations: Monies returned between March 15 and March 25, 2026 are contingent to what Happy Trails receives back from hotels, charters, tour companies, restaurants, and festival organizations.
How to Pack:The tour is completely casual and comfortable.
This tour will require a good amount of walking, however, there are lots of places where folks can sit and relax.
Travel Insurance: Travel insurance can offer financial security and peace of mind in case of unforeseen events causing cancellations or trip interruptions. Preexisting conditions are waived when purchased within 12 days of your initial deposit. Call us for more information.
Basic Information About the Creation Museum and Ark Encounter Tour
Dress Code & How to Pack: The tour is comfortable and casual. The most important thing is to be relaxed and enjoy yourself. It can get chilly in the in the evenings so plan on layering clothing as you need it. Wear comfortable shoes, bring an umbrella and a raincoat. Bring a warm jacket. Don’t forget your camera and battery charger. For some, you may wish to bring a swimming suit for hotels with pools.
Meals: The meals we include offer limited menu options. Let us know if you have any special dietary needs. So far we are finding sit-down style family restaurants, but on travel days it can be challenging. We promise… we won’t let you starve on this tour! Promise!
Hotels: The hotels are 3 & 4 Star (Holiday Inn Express and a Aloft Hotel). Specifics on each property is in your final documents. All hotels offer elevators, Free Wi-Fi, many have indoor or outdoor pools, two queen or double beds. Though they offer two per room, couples may find they have one King bed. Be sure to let us know if you need TWO. Many things have changed due to Covid. Some offer limited breakfast items … some do not clean your rooms for extended stays …. And some are simply short staffed so even luggage handling can at times be challenging. Kindly roll with us should we happen to come upon some of these challenges.
Fully Guided with Professional Drivers and Escorts: Our tour managers are very personable and will greet each of you as they take great care in operating a well-organized tour. Our drivers are professional and very experienced.
Luggage: Pack one suitcase each. This suitcase is delivered each night to your rooms by the porter. (Tips are included for porters). You may bring a carry-on bag, as well, on board. Carry-on bags are handled by yourself. Do not make them heavier than what you can carrry.
The Coach: The coach is a beautiful 56 passenger motorcoach with reclining seats, big windows, restroom, TV’, CD & DVD. It has seatbelts, foot-rests, cup holders and spacious leg room. It also has a restroom, microphone. Wi-Fi & 110 outlets are also offered. You will need to be able to climb about 6 steps to get inside.
Shuttles : Sometimes, if an area where we promised a boarding location falls short in numbers, we may have to offer a small shuttle vehicle to help save costs or have you meet at a location along our route. We'd rather run a shuttle than totally cancel the convenience of a ride for folks for this tour. We hope you'll understand why we occassionally offer smaller shuttle vehicles. By smaller vehicle such as a car or SUV. The shuttle we generally run are a mini-coach. Thank you.
SEATING: We will prearrange all seating prior to boarding. We do not rotate seats so you will keep the seat you have throughout the tour. If you have a special need for seating, kindly let us know in advance. If the coach is full, we will assign seats according to physical need and the date of registration. Look for a “sign” with your name on your seat. We will announce your seat location prior to departure.
Comfort Stops: We stop every 2 - 3 hours for breaks. PLEASE NOTE: Sometimes we end up on a stretch of road that may prevent us from stopping exactly at 2.5 or 3 hours. We do our best to accommodate but remember…there’s also a restroom on board IF you need it. Thank you for your understanding.
Itinerary and Timing: We try our best to stay on the schedule set. We need you to do your part, as well. If you know you need more time to get to the coach, please adjust your schedule to accommodate the time set. This will help us all stay on schedule. Sometimes we have NO control over the estimated time we arrive to a destination. It may have to do with traffic due to heavy congestion and weather could play a part in our timing. And so can construction. But the most important thing we can control is “our personal timing”. Thank you in advance for your respect in that. With such a full coach, it’s very important to to be prompt. Late coaches are not very popular with those who are expecting to receive us on the other end and can cause the driver and tour manager a bit of anxiety. Thank you so very much for your attention to this!
Refreshments: Refreshments are often served on board our coaches and we will continue to to offer snacks. We will also be providing eveyone on board a complimentary refillable water bottle. However, we will no longer be providing bottled water on board “for sale”. This will reduce the amount of trash, running, hauling of large coolers and recycled plastic that gets dumped in the regular gargage. We are getting great reviews on the new refillable water bottles. We hope you will bring them with you when you go to breakfast and fill them before each day begins.
Special Needs: Be sure to let us know of any special needs...such as diet, walking, stairs, allergies or motion sickness, etc…. If you use a wheelchair, walker (one with a seat is best) or a scooter, please let us know. Please refrain from using strong cologns or perfumes while on board the coach. So many folks have allergies and we want everyone comfortable while traveling. Diabetics are encouraged to bring along some little snacks as we cannot always promise meal breaks on schedule though we do our best. Remember we are also on eastern time zone. So pack accordingly.
Tipping: The tour includes tips for luggage handling, included meals. Tips are not included for your driver & on board travel host or meals that you pay for on your own.
Dress Code & How to Pack: The tour is comfortable and casual. The most important thing is to be relaxed and enjoy yourself. It can get chilly in the in the evenings so plan on layering clothing as you need it. Wear comfortable shoes, bring an umbrella and a raincoat. Bring a warm jacket. Don’t forget your camera and battery charger. For some, you may wish to bring a swimming suit for hotels with pools.
Meals: The meals we include offer limited menu options. Let us know if you have any special dietary needs. So far we are finding sit-down style family restaurants, but on travel days it can be challenging. We promise… we won’t let you starve on this tour! Promise!
Hotels: The hotels are 3 & 4 Star (Holiday Inn Express and a Aloft Hotel). Specifics on each property is in your final documents. All hotels offer elevators, Free Wi-Fi, many have indoor or outdoor pools, two queen or double beds. Though they offer two per room, couples may find they have one King bed. Be sure to let us know if you need TWO. Many things have changed due to Covid. Some offer limited breakfast items … some do not clean your rooms for extended stays …. And some are simply short staffed so even luggage handling can at times be challenging. Kindly roll with us should we happen to come upon some of these challenges.
Fully Guided with Professional Drivers and Escorts: Our tour managers are very personable and will greet each of you as they take great care in operating a well-organized tour. Our drivers are professional and very experienced.
Luggage: Pack one suitcase each. This suitcase is delivered each night to your rooms by the porter. (Tips are included for porters). You may bring a carry-on bag, as well, on board. Carry-on bags are handled by yourself. Do not make them heavier than what you can carrry.
The Coach: The coach is a beautiful 56 passenger motorcoach with reclining seats, big windows, restroom, TV’, CD & DVD. It has seatbelts, foot-rests, cup holders and spacious leg room. It also has a restroom, microphone. Wi-Fi & 110 outlets are also offered. You will need to be able to climb about 6 steps to get inside.
Shuttles : Sometimes, if an area where we promised a boarding location falls short in numbers, we may have to offer a small shuttle vehicle to help save costs or have you meet at a location along our route. We'd rather run a shuttle than totally cancel the convenience of a ride for folks for this tour. We hope you'll understand why we occassionally offer smaller shuttle vehicles. By smaller vehicle such as a car or SUV. The shuttle we generally run are a mini-coach. Thank you.
SEATING: We will prearrange all seating prior to boarding. We do not rotate seats so you will keep the seat you have throughout the tour. If you have a special need for seating, kindly let us know in advance. If the coach is full, we will assign seats according to physical need and the date of registration. Look for a “sign” with your name on your seat. We will announce your seat location prior to departure.
Comfort Stops: We stop every 2 - 3 hours for breaks. PLEASE NOTE: Sometimes we end up on a stretch of road that may prevent us from stopping exactly at 2.5 or 3 hours. We do our best to accommodate but remember…there’s also a restroom on board IF you need it. Thank you for your understanding.
Itinerary and Timing: We try our best to stay on the schedule set. We need you to do your part, as well. If you know you need more time to get to the coach, please adjust your schedule to accommodate the time set. This will help us all stay on schedule. Sometimes we have NO control over the estimated time we arrive to a destination. It may have to do with traffic due to heavy congestion and weather could play a part in our timing. And so can construction. But the most important thing we can control is “our personal timing”. Thank you in advance for your respect in that. With such a full coach, it’s very important to to be prompt. Late coaches are not very popular with those who are expecting to receive us on the other end and can cause the driver and tour manager a bit of anxiety. Thank you so very much for your attention to this!
Refreshments: Refreshments are often served on board our coaches and we will continue to to offer snacks. We will also be providing eveyone on board a complimentary refillable water bottle. However, we will no longer be providing bottled water on board “for sale”. This will reduce the amount of trash, running, hauling of large coolers and recycled plastic that gets dumped in the regular gargage. We are getting great reviews on the new refillable water bottles. We hope you will bring them with you when you go to breakfast and fill them before each day begins.
Special Needs: Be sure to let us know of any special needs...such as diet, walking, stairs, allergies or motion sickness, etc…. If you use a wheelchair, walker (one with a seat is best) or a scooter, please let us know. Please refrain from using strong cologns or perfumes while on board the coach. So many folks have allergies and we want everyone comfortable while traveling. Diabetics are encouraged to bring along some little snacks as we cannot always promise meal breaks on schedule though we do our best. Remember we are also on eastern time zone. So pack accordingly.
Tipping: The tour includes tips for luggage handling, included meals. Tips are not included for your driver & on board travel host or meals that you pay for on your own.
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Day 1: Saturday, May 2nd
We'll begin our journey this morning as early as 5 am with departures beginning in Grand Rapids, the Iron Range and Duluth / Superior area. Folks from Central Minnesota will also join us along the way beginning in Baxter, Little Falls, Rice, Sartel and Roseville. Both vehicles will blend together in Eau Clair, Wisconsin. After our lunch break, just set your seats back and relax as we travel along. You will find the day to go by quickly as you enjoy the company of fellow travelers aboard. Stops will be made about every 2 ½ to 3 hours. We’ll arrive to Romeoville, Illinois around 6 pm. Often we'll make a quick dinner stop before checking in if it looks as though traffic congestion plays a part in our ETA. Our lodging is the lovely Holiday Inn Express. With an estimated arrival of 6 pm. The rooms offer two beds, coffeemakers, irons & ironing boards as well as hair dryers. They also offer breakfast in the morning. They have free WiFi, fitness room and a business center. The evening is at your leisure. |
Day 2: Sunday, May 3
After an early breakfast, we'll begin our travel day around 7:30 am. We'll make comfort stops as we travel through the states of Indiana and Kentucky with an expected ETA in the late afternoon to Newport, Kentucky. We’ll have our lunch stop in Indianapolis, paying on our own. By 3 pm, we’ll arrive to our hotel in Newport, Kentucky, The Loft Hotel. A lovely boutique hotel with a pool and in a nice location. We are here for THREE nights. 5:30 pm- We’ll walk together across the street where we’ll have our dinner. The Hofbrauhaus, modeled after the legendary 400 year old Hofbrauhaus in Munich, German offers a delightful place to spend our first evening in city. The restaurant offers traditional brewery where the beer is brewed on site. Add to that,music and singing (even some dancing!) and, of course, the excellent German fare, Hofbrauhaus Restaurant is sure to be a highlight of this tour!
After an early breakfast, we'll begin our travel day around 7:30 am. We'll make comfort stops as we travel through the states of Indiana and Kentucky with an expected ETA in the late afternoon to Newport, Kentucky. We’ll have our lunch stop in Indianapolis, paying on our own. By 3 pm, we’ll arrive to our hotel in Newport, Kentucky, The Loft Hotel. A lovely boutique hotel with a pool and in a nice location. We are here for THREE nights. 5:30 pm- We’ll walk together across the street where we’ll have our dinner. The Hofbrauhaus, modeled after the legendary 400 year old Hofbrauhaus in Munich, German offers a delightful place to spend our first evening in city. The restaurant offers traditional brewery where the beer is brewed on site. Add to that,music and singing (even some dancing!) and, of course, the excellent German fare, Hofbrauhaus Restaurant is sure to be a highlight of this tour!
Day 3: Monday, May 4
We’ll begin our day after Breakfast, with an 8:30 am departure from our hotel. We’ll start with a visit to the Cinicinnati
Zoo and a guided tour of the Botanical Gardens. Lunch is included at a restaurant nearby the zoo. Then after lunch, we’ll begin rolling as we travel next to Petersburg, KY. (21 miles away). 1:30 pm- We’ll arrive to the Creation Museum.
The state-of-the-art 75,000 square foot museum brings the pages of the Bible to life, casting it’s characters and animals in dynamic form and placing them in familiar settings. Adam and Eve live in the Garden of Eden. Children play and dinosaurs road near Eden’s Rivers. The serpent coils cunningly in the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. Majestic murals, great masterpieces brimming with pulsating colors and details, provide a backdrop for many of the settings. You will be given a daily itinerary as to all the things available to you to see. Some require a ticket, such as the Stargazer’s Planetarium. The Stargazer’s Room features a Digistar 5 digital projection system- providing full color, high resolution environment that is truly awe-inspiring. Sit back and be amazed as the projector displays vividly realistic cosmic images upon a 30-foot-diameter dome, allowing viewers to travel anywhere in the universe. You may wish to purchase a ticket at the museum to see this. It’s pretty cool. We’ve included a nice buffet Dinner is included tonight at the Creation Museum’s Noah’s Café
We’ll begin our day after Breakfast, with an 8:30 am departure from our hotel. We’ll start with a visit to the Cinicinnati
Zoo and a guided tour of the Botanical Gardens. Lunch is included at a restaurant nearby the zoo. Then after lunch, we’ll begin rolling as we travel next to Petersburg, KY. (21 miles away). 1:30 pm- We’ll arrive to the Creation Museum.
The state-of-the-art 75,000 square foot museum brings the pages of the Bible to life, casting it’s characters and animals in dynamic form and placing them in familiar settings. Adam and Eve live in the Garden of Eden. Children play and dinosaurs road near Eden’s Rivers. The serpent coils cunningly in the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. Majestic murals, great masterpieces brimming with pulsating colors and details, provide a backdrop for many of the settings. You will be given a daily itinerary as to all the things available to you to see. Some require a ticket, such as the Stargazer’s Planetarium. The Stargazer’s Room features a Digistar 5 digital projection system- providing full color, high resolution environment that is truly awe-inspiring. Sit back and be amazed as the projector displays vividly realistic cosmic images upon a 30-foot-diameter dome, allowing viewers to travel anywhere in the universe. You may wish to purchase a ticket at the museum to see this. It’s pretty cool. We’ve included a nice buffet Dinner is included tonight at the Creation Museum’s Noah’s Café
Day 4: Tuesday, May 5
We’ll begin our day after Breakfast, with an 8:00 am departure from our hotel. We’ll travel about 40 miles to Williamstown, Kentucky, home of Noah’s Ark (AKA the Ark Encounter). The Ark Encounter features a full-size Noah’s Ark, built according to the dimensions given in the Bible. Spanning 510 feet, 85feet wide and 51 feet high, this modern engineering marvel amazes visitors young and old. From the moment you turn the corner, and the towering Ark comes into view, to the friendly animals in the zoo, to the jaw-dropping exhibits inside the Ark, you’ll experience the pages of the Bible like never before. Lunch is included today at Emzara’s Buffet. You will receive lunch vouchers. 3:00 pm- We will return to the hotel for a couple of hours to freshen up and rest a bit before going out tonight. 5:15 pm, we’ll travel to the Belle of Cincinnati boat dock for our evening dinner cruise on the Ohio River. A lovely buffet dinner will be served while relaxing on a two-hour cruise on the Belle of Cincinnati Riverboat. Experience the mighty Ohio River on the Captain’s Dinner Cruise. Guests will enjoy a wonderful buffet meal, a two-hour cruise and special entertainment while cruising. After the cruise, return to our hotel.
Day 5: Wednesday, May 6
Breakfast is served this morning before we begin our journey homeward with an 8 am departure in our sights. We will set our seats back and relax as we travel through the lovely state of Indiana and Illinois to Romeoville, Illinois. Stops will be made as the day goes along. We will be at the same place where we stayed enroute on the first day. We will arrive to the Holiday Inn Express in the late afternoon. Your evening dinner plans are at your leisure and paying on own. This property has a lovely pool and a social hour in the evening.
Day 6: Thursday, May 7
6:30 am- Breakfast begins being served in the lobby restaurant. Help Yourself. 7:30 am – We’ll board the coach and check out.
We’ll board the coach early this morning and travel one last day together as a Happy Trails family. Stops are made as we go along. We sure hope that you’ve saved a little room in your suitcase to pack all the memories you’ll have made while traveling on your Creation Museum/Ark Encounter Tour. We appreciate your business and look forward to seeing you on future Happy Trails Tour! We’ll make a stop at the Cheese Haus in Windsor before arriving to Eau Clair, WI, where we’ll transfer to the shuttle coaches that will bring us home. The following is just an estimated time of arrivals to your home destinations:
1:00 pm- We’ll arrive to Eau Clair, WI (Meet the Minnesota Coaches Shuttle Bus)
2:00 pm- Depart Eau Clair after our lunch and once everyone is settled and luggage transferred.
We’ll say good-bye to our Central MN friends as here is where they will meet their shuttle ride.
Our friends from Central Minnesota will arrive home around 4:30 to Maple Grove, 5:30 pm to Sartell and 6 pm to Little Falls
Our friends from the Duluth / Superior area will arrive home between 5:00 pm, Range Cities - 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm
Changes: Happy Trails reserves the right to adjust this schedule for the benefit of all traveling. We have no control over hotels, charters, attractions, or restaurants. If we have to make a change, we’ll replace it with something of equal value or more. Thank you for your understanding.
Disclaimer: Happy Trails Tours acts only as an agent for the various independent suppliers that provide hotel accommodations, transportation, theater, or other services connected with this tour. Such services are subject to the terms and conditions of those suppliers. Happy Trails Tours, INC and their respective employees, agents, representatives accept no liability whatsoever for any injury, damage, loss, accident, delay, or any other default of any company or person in performing these services. Responsibility is not accepted for losses, injury, damages, or expenses of any kind due to sickness, weather, strikes, hostilities, wars, terrorist acts, acts of nature, local laws or other causes. All services and accommodations are subject to the laws and regulations of country in which they are provided. Happy Trails Tours INC is not responsible for any baggage or personal effects of any individual participating in the tours/trips arranged by Happy Trails Tours. Individual travelers are responsible for purchasing a travel insurance policy, if desired, that will cover some of the expenses associated with the loss of luggage or personal effects.
We’ll begin our day after Breakfast, with an 8:00 am departure from our hotel. We’ll travel about 40 miles to Williamstown, Kentucky, home of Noah’s Ark (AKA the Ark Encounter). The Ark Encounter features a full-size Noah’s Ark, built according to the dimensions given in the Bible. Spanning 510 feet, 85feet wide and 51 feet high, this modern engineering marvel amazes visitors young and old. From the moment you turn the corner, and the towering Ark comes into view, to the friendly animals in the zoo, to the jaw-dropping exhibits inside the Ark, you’ll experience the pages of the Bible like never before. Lunch is included today at Emzara’s Buffet. You will receive lunch vouchers. 3:00 pm- We will return to the hotel for a couple of hours to freshen up and rest a bit before going out tonight. 5:15 pm, we’ll travel to the Belle of Cincinnati boat dock for our evening dinner cruise on the Ohio River. A lovely buffet dinner will be served while relaxing on a two-hour cruise on the Belle of Cincinnati Riverboat. Experience the mighty Ohio River on the Captain’s Dinner Cruise. Guests will enjoy a wonderful buffet meal, a two-hour cruise and special entertainment while cruising. After the cruise, return to our hotel.
Day 5: Wednesday, May 6
Breakfast is served this morning before we begin our journey homeward with an 8 am departure in our sights. We will set our seats back and relax as we travel through the lovely state of Indiana and Illinois to Romeoville, Illinois. Stops will be made as the day goes along. We will be at the same place where we stayed enroute on the first day. We will arrive to the Holiday Inn Express in the late afternoon. Your evening dinner plans are at your leisure and paying on own. This property has a lovely pool and a social hour in the evening.
Day 6: Thursday, May 7
6:30 am- Breakfast begins being served in the lobby restaurant. Help Yourself. 7:30 am – We’ll board the coach and check out.
We’ll board the coach early this morning and travel one last day together as a Happy Trails family. Stops are made as we go along. We sure hope that you’ve saved a little room in your suitcase to pack all the memories you’ll have made while traveling on your Creation Museum/Ark Encounter Tour. We appreciate your business and look forward to seeing you on future Happy Trails Tour! We’ll make a stop at the Cheese Haus in Windsor before arriving to Eau Clair, WI, where we’ll transfer to the shuttle coaches that will bring us home. The following is just an estimated time of arrivals to your home destinations:
1:00 pm- We’ll arrive to Eau Clair, WI (Meet the Minnesota Coaches Shuttle Bus)
2:00 pm- Depart Eau Clair after our lunch and once everyone is settled and luggage transferred.
We’ll say good-bye to our Central MN friends as here is where they will meet their shuttle ride.
Our friends from Central Minnesota will arrive home around 4:30 to Maple Grove, 5:30 pm to Sartell and 6 pm to Little Falls
Our friends from the Duluth / Superior area will arrive home between 5:00 pm, Range Cities - 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm
Changes: Happy Trails reserves the right to adjust this schedule for the benefit of all traveling. We have no control over hotels, charters, attractions, or restaurants. If we have to make a change, we’ll replace it with something of equal value or more. Thank you for your understanding.
Disclaimer: Happy Trails Tours acts only as an agent for the various independent suppliers that provide hotel accommodations, transportation, theater, or other services connected with this tour. Such services are subject to the terms and conditions of those suppliers. Happy Trails Tours, INC and their respective employees, agents, representatives accept no liability whatsoever for any injury, damage, loss, accident, delay, or any other default of any company or person in performing these services. Responsibility is not accepted for losses, injury, damages, or expenses of any kind due to sickness, weather, strikes, hostilities, wars, terrorist acts, acts of nature, local laws or other causes. All services and accommodations are subject to the laws and regulations of country in which they are provided. Happy Trails Tours INC is not responsible for any baggage or personal effects of any individual participating in the tours/trips arranged by Happy Trails Tours. Individual travelers are responsible for purchasing a travel insurance policy, if desired, that will cover some of the expenses associated with the loss of luggage or personal effects.