Appleseed Expeditions - Freeport, Florida

Claudia K.

If I could give a company a million stars, it would be Appleseed! I cannot even begin to explain how amazing Joe Moore and his company made our Grand Canyon trip. In April, I brought a group of students from outside of Philadelphia that needed extra time and attention for various reasons. Joe did not hesitate to do everything in his power to make everything perfect, roll with the punches, and have the most spectacular time. We had parents tell us that the trip TRANSFORMED their children. We had students that have never been on a plane or away from their families before. Joe encouraged our students to move out of their comfort zones and to find their "sweet spot" in life, by helping others, and having confidence in themselves. The activites, the drives, the views, the food, the company...everything was AMAZING. Everyone learned SO much, on so many levels. Educationally and emotionally, we hit the lottery! There is a lot of wanderlust going around now!! We are already are scheduled for our next trip with them, to Costa Rica! A million stars.

noodengr3 T.

I booked with a small group tour to Israel for March 2024 , because of the war the tour was postponed until Oct 2024 then it was cancelled in July 2024. All of which is understandable. But I had been making automatic payments since early 2023. The promised refund took unreasonable long and seemed like pulling teeth. Others on the tour got different stories often quite contradictory. Excuse after excuse until one couple threatened small claims court finally got them to issue checks. Seems to me that the money could have refunded back to the bank accounts that the automatic payments had been withdrawn from.

On another aspect of disappointment was when the tour number turned out to be less than the original target additional charges were added. As a veteran of 29 small group tours I have never had a tour price change after I booked based on number of participants.

Cathy M.

Think twice before reserving through this company! My 8th graders School was planning a trip to Crystal river and have been doing fundraisers throughout the year for their trip to Crystal River. Due to the COVID virus which is out of our control they had to cancel. The company will only give a 70 percent refund. I have no clue why they are keeping the 30 percent in these times. I have had 2 trips I had to cancel one to Utah and one to France which have been refunded. Our kids did not buy plane tickets and all companies are refunding money do to the virus. We also took the extra step and bought their insurance. I’m not sure what exactly that covered. I will never ever go with this company again and will do all in my power to get it bad reviews! My son raised all but $100 of the $900 amount so it seems your stealing from a kid! Nice.

Kate H.

Appleseed Expeditions and Joe Moore have failed to refund me over $2,000. It has been over a year of the planned trip canceled by the State School Board due to COVID 19 and about a year since Joe Moore has stopped responding to my emails, written letters and phone calls. This is a TERRIBLE business and I am not the only parent still waiting for a refund. DO NOT PLACE MONEY IN THE HANDS OF THIS COMPANY!
When will I hear a response about my refund? When will I have my refund? When will this company resolve this long overdue issue?

Matt G.

The trip to the Florida Keys was a great experience for our students. Our guide, Leah, did an awesome job. She was always working behind the scenes to make the trip a wonderful experience.
Thanks again for all you did

Elli O.

My son's 8th grade class trip has cancelled due to COVID-19. Our school has been very patient for a response regarding a refund from Appleseed Expeditions, and they have finally replied stating they will issue a 70% refund. They are not issuing 100% due to having already done preliminary work and paid deposits to vendors (which you would think would be refunded based on the circumstances). I understand travel and tour companies are facing big financial distress based on all the cancellations, but to withhold money from 8th grade student families reflects poor business practice, in my opinion. Not only are the students disappointed in missing their trip and graduation from middle school, now the families have to dispute this inadequate refund. Our school will not use this company in the future, and I recommend others look for other options when planning school trips.

Chris B.

DO NOT purchase a trip thru Appleseed Expeditions. We purchased a school trip for my child to go to Arizona. Mission to Mars. The trip was cancelled due to Covid-19. The trip kept getting pushed forward with no option for refund. I have called regarding a refund due to the circumstances of Covid-19 and NO response. DO NOT USE THIS COMPANY!!!! If the trip can not happen due to any unforeseeable events like Covid-19. You will get nothing!! Not even a call back telling you that. $1442.00 Down the toilet.

G D.

Buyer beware!!! My kid’s school uses this outfit for booking their school senior trip and other service trips. We signed up back in Sept 29, 2019 for a trip that doesn’t take place until March 6th, 2020. In January 13th of 2019 I had to cancel the trip because of personal reasons (54 days before the trip). It was then that I was informed by Sheryl Moore at Appleseed that according to their policy, Appleseed would retain 50% of the cost of the trip. I thought they would retain 50% of the amount that I had so far paid in for the trip, but in actuality it is 50% of the cost of the entire trip. The trip was $2695.00 so they are keepIng $1347.50. I have paid in $1493.00 so far, so all I got was $145.50 back. I called them and they stand firm by their policy and have no problem keeping that much for a trip that is almost two months out from taking place. I sincerely doubt that cancelling a potential flight and possibly one less person in a shared hotel room would cost $1493.00. I am not sure if this company is of a Christian background but my son’s school sure is. Appleseed’s motto is “Education travel that inspires a passion to serve”. Unfortunately for me, since I had an unplanned changed of circumstances, the only way I got served was with a very expensive travel arrangement from an unscrupulous company. Bottom line-Make sure you read their fine print and I would think twice about booking anything through these people unless you know with 100% certainty your circumstances will not change.