Are you using a Couples Travel Concierge ??

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As a travel professional, I’m often asked why people should use a travel agent.  There are literally hundreds of answers to this question; today, we are going to talk about specifically why people would use a Couples Travel Concierge.  As a Couples Travel Concierge,

I help couples celebrate and embrace the special moments in life.  I believe every vacation should be a vacation experience – not just another trip away from home or time away from the office.  As a Couples Travel Concierge, I’m here to help you create your perfect vacation experience and start creating future memories!

I firmly believe you should be taking your perfect vacation – not the “picture perfect” vacation you see in brochures or on the internet.  Unfortunately your real life vacation won’t have Photoshop to make imperfections look perfect!  The last thing you want to happen is to show up on your honeymoon or landmark anniversary expecting that beachfront suite like you saw in the picture and find you have a view overlooking the roof next door, or worse.

When you start thinking about your next vacation, it is important to remember that it is “your” vacation.  It is not a vacation in a brochure, not a trip on the internet, not your friend’s trip, not your co-workers trip, and not anyone else’s vacation but yours!  Remember, it shouldn’t be a trip at all; it should be a vacation or travel experience!

Working with a professional travel concierge will insure your vacation experience meets your expectations.  Most couples want to have their trips planned to their exact specifications.  Many couples want special activities or events planned during their vacation.  How about that romantic dinner on the beach?   Or that private, personalized guided tour in your destination?  Are you not the “shuttle bus” kind of person – How about private transfers?  Perhaps you are a honeymoon couple or a landmark anniversary couple and want to be recognized as such during your honeymoon or anniversary trip.
Travel with a group can present some challenges and a professional travel concierge knows just how to hand them!  Are you traveling with a group of couples?  Would you like to have a private event just for your group?  Is this a special occasion – do you want gifts delivered for members of your group?  Do you want to make sure staterooms on the cruise ship are in close proximity?  (Balcony row, as one of my groups refers to it!) Do you want private transfers just for your group?
The vast majority of vacationers that return disappointed are disappointed because their experience did not meet their expectation.  A brochure and the internet cannot match expectation and experience.

Don’t let this happen to you!

Safe Travels,

All Inclusive Resorts – are they worth it ???

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As you are thinking about options for your honeymoon,vacation, celebration with family or friends,  it is not hard to get overwhelmed by all of the choices. One of the most popular choices, and for good reason, is an all-inclusive resort option.

The all-inclusive resort used to be considered the “budget inn” of travel. Images of a rowdy crowd drinking in the Jacuzzi, bland food, forced group activities and limited entertainment was the norm.

Today, the all-inclusive concept has expanded to unlimited activities such as golf on a championship golf course, gourmet meals, and more upscale and intimate resorts.

More and more couples and families are looking into all-inclusive resorts and the industry is listening. The reasons for the popularity of all-inclusive resorts are time and value. Travel experts say that prepaying for all the food and drinks ahead of time allows you to have a more enjoyable getaway because you don’t have to think about how much you are spending and you don’t have to worry about carrying your wallet around the resort.

 

             

Think of it as a no-hassle, stress-free vacation.  Also, having daily activities and entertainment available at the resort and included in the cost really increases the value proposition of the resort vacation.

If you are considering a destination wedding, this is literally one stop shopping.  The wedding coordinators, the caterer, ceremony, reception, even the honeymoon – all in one place!

It’s best to choose the resort that has the activities and atmosphere that best matches your needs.  If considering a family vacation, will children under 18 be traveling?  If so, you need to consider a family friendly resort.  If no young children, perhaps an adult only resort is more suitable. If this is for a couples vacation or honeymoon, what type of honeymoon do you want?  Relaxing and Romantic?  Active and Adventurous?  A little of both? There is a perfect destination and resort out there just for you!

 

 

When I am looking to steal away with just the hubby, you bet I’m going to hit one of the upscale hideaways. The upfront sticker price may be a shock at the beginning, but when you do the math, it is all worth it. Plus, not having to think about pulling out the credit card and tipping the attendant every single time is, well, what a vacation is all about. Not a single care in the world! Are all-inclusive resorts worth it?

Yes!  More than ever.

 

Safe Travels,

Kelley

So many beaches – so little time !!

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Antigua, so many beaches, so little time!

               

Antigua has 365 beaches!  That’s right, a beach for every day of the year.  Surely with that many choices, you won’t run out of beaches on your vacation!
The secluded white beaches beckon you, whether you’re snorkeling, water skiing, sailing or just soaking up the sun.

 

Antigua is an island in the middle of the Leeward Islands in the Eastern Caribbean.  This island paradise combines magnificent resorts, impeccable service, bursting hotel nightlife, and pristine, aqua-blue waters combined with lustrous sands and soothing trade winds.
Divers and snorkelers will find a plethora of reefs and tropical marine life to explore just off Antigua’s shores.

 

Those who prefer to stay above water can hit the breeze and sail or yacht across the island to discover many an uncharted cove or bay.

Who should visit Antigua?
Beach Lovers
Honeymooners
Divers and Snorkelers

When is the best time to visit Antigua?
Best weather is December – April
Best value is May – November

Time Zone:
Atlantic Standard Time, one hour ahead of Eastern Standard Time and the same as Eastern Daylight Time.

Currency/Money:
Official currency is the Eastern Caribbean dollar which is fixed to the US dollar. Recent exchange rate was US$1.00 = EC$2.65. US currency and major credit cards are welcome everywhere.

Tipping / Gratuities:
Same as in the US; 10-15% depending on the service. Some restaurants & hotels will automatically add a 10% gratuity. If in doubt, just ask. Give porters and bellhops 50 cents per bag, taxi drivers 10-15% of the fare.  As a note about the taxi’s – they are not metered in Antigua.  Some of the drivers can be very creative with their fares so make sure to negotiate in advance.

Attire:
Informal, but conservative. Beach attire is appropriate for the beach but not town, shops or restaurants. Some hotels and restaurants stipulate jacket and tie for men and dresses for women in the evening.   Very important to note, wearing of camouflage on the island is prohibited.  The wearing of camouflage or military apparel is illegal in Antigua and clothing will be confiscated and persons charged accordingly.

If you enjoy excellent beaches, food and water sports—and aren’t on a strict budget—Antigua may be the perfect island for your vacation.

 

Remember, thinking about a beach is one way to get warm, going to a fabulous beach is an even better way!

Safe Travels,

Kelley

How is your timing ??

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As a professional travel agent and Couples Travel Concierge, one of the most commonly asked questions I get, is:

When the best time to book my travel?

There is no one single answer to that because it can vary significantly depending on the type of travel and the destination.  Let’s look at some different scenarios and see if I can shed some light on this for you.

Honeymoons:   The best time to start planning your honeymoon is 6-9 months prior to travel – possibly longer for some more exotic options!  Can it be booked in less time?  Sure!
However, keep in mind, the flights may be limited and higher priced (especially for popular destinations or destinations that do not have daily flight service), and the room type or even the resort you want may not be available for you.

Destination Weddings or Celebration Travel for a group:  9-12 months if you have a very specific date in mind.  Many resorts do not allow more than 1 or 2 weddings on any given day, and the venues sell out quickly.  Also, if you will have a number of guests traveling with you, we need to secure the room space well in advance to make sure we have space for everyone.
As for flights, those can only be booked at a maximum 9 – 10 months out (can be as low as 6 months for some destinations) but the flights can be added later.  The important thing is to secure the resort and the wedding day.

Cruise:  While it is true that you can book a cruise up until the week of sailing, this is not a good idea.  The myth of last minute “cheap” pricing is just that – a myth.  Booking at the last minute (considered within 30 days of sailing) basically gives you access to what staterooms are left – or what no one else wanted.  These are most often not desirable locations on the ship.  The best recommendation for pricing and the availability of the accommodations you want is 6 months prior to sailing.  If you are part of a group and want to organize a group cruise, you need to plan at least 9 months prior, preferably one year if itineraries are available.

River Cruise:  The best time to plan a river cruise is as soon as the idea enters your head, book one!  River Cruises are in high demand and sell out very quickly.  One year in advance is the average booking window.
I have several clients that have already booked for September of 2015!  Yes, 2015!!  Sadly, I had to disappoint another couple this week because they wanted to cruise this June and the earliest availability for their chosen itinerary and stateroom type is in October!

All-Inclusive Resorts:  Much like a honeymoon, the best time to start planning is 6-9 months prior to travel, especially if traveling during the holidays or peak season for the destination.

Europe Travel:  The 6 month window is a great timeframe for most European Travel.

Exotic Destinations:  Are you thinking about the South Pacific?  The Maldives? Asia?  An African Safari?  Australia or New Zealand?  These are best planned 8-10 months in advance .

Obviously this is just a general overview and certainly does not encompass all situations.  For advice regarding your specific vacation dream, call me today and let’s start planning your future memories!

Safe Travels!

What if ???

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What if things don’t go as planned?  What if you can’t depart or get home when you are scheduled to?  I experienced this again first hand on Sunday.  We were fogged out of the port and unable to return to Galveston at our scheduled time.  This not only impacted those of us on our ship, but passengers on another ship waiting to get in to Galveston, and all of the passengers waiting to board each of these ships to start their cruises.

What if things don’t go as planned?  What do you do?

First and foremost, you must immediately bring every ounce of your patience to the forefr
ont of your personality.  Being patient, calm, and rational will get you more results than a poor reaction.  I was stunned at the number of passengers yelling at employees that they were g
oing to be late for church, dinner, missing their flights, etc….  Weather for example is no fault of the crew, and honestly… they were no happier than we were to be “stuck”.  Yes, it is frustrating, but there are ways to survive the “what if’s “of travel.

 

 
What if you know you are going to miss a flight for reasons beyond your control?  If you are on a cruise, the first thing to do is contact your travel agent and / or your travel insurance carrier to advise them of the situation and ask how to best proceed.

If you purchased travel insurance, you will have a 24 hour emergency number to contact and that should be your first call.  It is important to alert the insurance company to a potential claim so the integrity of the policy is protected and you receive any benefits (reimbursements for additional costs) possible.

If it is not possible to reach the insurance company right away, keep very good track of your receipts and conversations for later documentation when filing your claim.  For example, on weather disaster days hold times can be very long and frustrating.
I had one client hold multiple times for over 30 minutes; I asked her to keep track so in the days following, when she finally could speak with them they will know that she tried in good faith to immediately notify them.

If you are traveling on a packaged vacation (such as an all-inclusive or escorted tour vacation), the first thing to do is contact the 24 hour emergency number that you were provided in your travel documents.

What if the flights are cancelled and you are already at the airport?
Regardless of type of vacation, work directly with the airline so they can re-accommodate you on the next available flight.  Many airlines have an automated system that automatically will accommodate you on the next available flight.  This is a good reason to download that airline app and sign up for their mobile alerts!  (This came in very handy for me when my flight was cancelled out of Los Angeles 3 weeks ago – I knew my new flight info before I ever got to the front of the line at the gate!)  Once the airline has re-accommodated you, you can notify your travel agent / travel insurance of your new flights and go from there.

There will always be a “What if” when it comes to travel, and many other life situations.  Having a little knowledge up front can help you navigate the situation with less stress.  When you are planning your travel, don’t be afraid to ask the “What if” questions!  A little bit of knowledge and preparation can go a long way!

Now – What time is my Spa appointment ?

by In Brides, Cruise, Destinations, Dining, General Travel Information, Uncategorized, Wedding Tagged , , , , , , ,

Right now,
I’m on the newly renovated Royal Caribbean Navigator of the Seas!  Amazing!!!!

Here are a couple of pictures; I’ll have more for you next week.

 

She underwent extensive renovations last month and she is now home ported in Galveston year round.  The Navigator of the Seas has 15 decks, 16 bars, clubs, & lounges, and 10 pools & whirlpools.

Some of the new enhancements include virtual balconies, more specialty dining venues, a 220 sq. ft. outdoor screen, and a flow rider (think surf simulator).

 

The Navigator of the seas is the first ship to debut virtual balconies! Enjoy the sights and sounds of the sea with expansive real-time views of the ocean and our exciting destinations—all from the comforts of your interior stateroom. In addition to the virtual balconies, there will be panoramic ocean view staterooms with floor-to-ceiling windows.

                 

 

Some of the new enhancements include virtual balconies, more specialty dining venues, a 220 sq. ft. outdoor screen, and a flow rider (think surf simulator).
The Navigator of the seas is the first ship to debut virtual balconies! Enjoy the sights and sounds of the sea with expansive real-time views of the ocean and our exciting destinations—all from the comforts of your interior stateroom. In addition to the virtual balconies, there will be panoramic ocean view staterooms with floor-to-ceiling windows.

Some of the new specialty dining venues include Giovanni’s Table (family style Italian), Izumi (pan-Asian cuisine), and one of my favorites – Cupcake Cupboard!

There is enough activity on this ship to keep anyone and everyone busy!

Speaking of activities, I’m going to get back to enjoying what this beautiful ship has to offer!  It is my obligation to test out everything the ship has to offer so I can better assist you in planning your perfect cruise!

Now… what time is my spa appointment????
Kelley

Do you have what you need ??

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Do you have what you need to travel?  Do you know what you need to travel?  As a professional travel concierge, this is a discussion I have quite often with clients.   One common item required for all travel is a government issued photo ID.  As simple as that sounds, it tends to create some confusion.  I’m going to try and provide you with some simple guidelines for basic types of travel for US Citizens.  This is not meant to be a fact sheet or comprehensive list, only a guide.  All specifics should be discussed with me when we book your travel.

Let’s start with the simple answers:
1. If you are traveling domestically within the USA, you need a government issued photo ID- a driver’s license will suffice.
2. If you are traveling to the US Virgin Islands, and plan to visit no foreign countries or islands, a driver’s license will be all you need for your government issued photo ID.
3. All international travel that will involve a flight requires a passport – no exceptions.

Here is where it can get a little confusing for some people – cruising.

1. If you are doing a closed loop cruise – which means you start and end in the same port of call (Galveston for example), technically you can board the ship with an original or certified copy of your birth certificate and your driver’s license.  HOWEVER!  This is not recommended – a passport book is always recommended whenever you are going to leave the country.
2. If you are doing a cruise that starts in one port and ends in a different port, a passport is required.
3. If you are doing a cruise that starts in a foreign country a passport is required.

Cruising without a passport can be very risky.  A passport is your only proof of citizenship; a birth certificate only proves you were born.  You should never leave the US without being able to prove you are a US citizen and / or can reenter the country legally.   A birth certificate is only guaranteed to let you on the ship, as per the cruise lines policies.  The cruise lines do not make the immigration or customs / border patrol policies and laws.  If something unexpected happens during your cruise, you would have no way to fly home from any foreign country, island, or port of call.

Some people get confused between the passport cards and passport books.  In a nutshell, the passport cards are valid for land border crossings to Canada and Mexico. A passport card is not valid for air travel either, you need a passport book.    While the cruise line will accept it as identification, no other country or airline will accept it.  Do yourself a favor and get a passport book, the passport card will not serve you well.

I hope this information is helpful and useful.  As always, when it comes time to plan your vacation, we will go over this information in detail.

Safe Travels!

Kelley

Are you a Cruiser ??

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My Assistant Emer took her first cruise over the New Year break.  She and her family went on a 7 day Eastern Caribbean cruise on board the Norwegian Epic out of Miami.

She has come back with a refreshing perspective on cruising and some tips and tricks for cruising.

Take it away Emer ……………………….

Well, What a wonderful vacation for us – Myself, my husband Neal and our 12 year old twin girls went on our first Cruise and had the trip of a lifetime.  Of course, now that we have done it once, we consider ourselves to be quite the experts now !!!!

We learned many things and figured out ways to be savvy about our activities etc.

Some of the tips that Kelley had passed along to us made all the
difference in the world such as:

Getting to Miami a day early and staying in a hotel the night before the cruise – this gave us the chance to unwind after airport stress, we could get our bearings and explore some of Miami which is a city we hadn’t visited before either.
We took the girls to the Miracle mile in Coral Gables and enjoyed a great dinner along with some exploration.

Our on board experience was wonderful.  We were overwhelmed with the ship and amenities.  The food and choice of restaurants, the entertainment experiences and Guest services surpassed our expectations.  Some of our favorite events were The Cirque Dreams Dinner Show, Teppanyaki Japanese restaurant, La Bistro French Cuisine.
The kids loved the bowling, Water slides, climbing walls and on deck activities, The Blue Man Group and many more.  The met some girls of their own age and had a blast.   One of our most favorite ship experiences was the Svedka Ice Bar on board – what a neat fun idea.

               

One of the other tips that Kelley told us was to book our shore excursions in advance through a 3rd party vendor.   Boy, I wish we had taken her advice – we had some wonderful Shore excursions but I know we paid premium price on board for them and also a lot of people weren’t able to get their first preference as they were already reserved.  The Spa was also very busy which made it difficult to book spa services when you wanted them. In future, I would definitely book these services in advance.

Our ports of call were St.Maarten, St.Thomas and then Nassau Bahamas.
In St.Maarten, We hung out at the beach and rented jet skis.  In hindsight, I think we would book a shore excursion to the other side of the island next time.  It was fun but I felt like we missed out a little on some great local scenery.

St.Thomas was absolutely beautiful.  We did book a shore excursion to Turtle Cove by Hi-speed Catamaran to snorkel and see the sea turtles.  This was a great time.  I would highly recommend this shore excursion.  We stopped off at a private island for lunch and then when we got back to town, we got to shop around for a bit before taking the sea taxi back to the port.

Here are a couple of photos of the St.Thomas island and the snorkel.
         

I think that the highlight of our trip was the Dolphin Cay Adventure at Atlantis.  Wow.  It was a once in a lifetime experience.  Atlantis was really beautiful, we went to Dolphin Cay and played, swam and got up close with the dolphins.
I had no idea how gentle they are and you could totally see their individual personalities, we were intrigued.
We also did a tour of the dig and underground aquarium in Atlantis.

  

Now that we are back on firm ground, we all agree that we would definitely go on another cruise in the future.  Especially now that we have some experience, we can plan ahead and make the next one even better.  Who knows, we might do Alaska, Hawaii, Mediterranean, River ………. the possibilities are endless.
Emer

I bet you know Someone !!

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I bet you know someone… I can finish this sentence with a myriad of phrases… the first one that comes to mind (maybe because I have seen it all over Facebook this morning) is “selling girl scout cookies”.

I bet you know someone or know of someone who has recently made a big announcement!  Here we are in the middle of January and a new season is upon us!  Okay, it may not be upon you, but in my industry, it is known as engagement, bridal show, and celebration season!

The vast majority of engagements occur at Christmas, New Years, and Valentine’s Day.  January and February are the most popular months for bridal shows.  If you think about it, I bet you have heard about at least 1, if not more than one engagement or even a milestone anniversary or birthday that is going to occur this year.  I know I have a milestone birthday this year!  It seems January is the month where most people realize, wow – I’m going to be “X” this year!, or Wow – we’ll have been married “X” number of years this year!, or even Wow, I get to retire this year!
When it comes to Celebration travel (such as Destination Weddings, Honeymoons, milestone birthday or anniversary celebrations), planning your travel in the appropriate time frame is of the utmost importance to maximize your vacation experience and your value.
The best time to start planning your Destination Wedding is 8-10 months prior, possibly up to 1 year in some cases.  The best time to plan honeymoon and other celebration travel is 6-9 months prior to travel – possibly longer for some more exotic options!  Certainly honeymoons and other celebration travel can be planned in less than 6 months, as long as there is availability where and when you want to travel, we can make this happen for you!

If you plan to honeymoon in the summer, or around the holidays, advanced planning is critical if you want to take advantage of the best availability combined with the best value.  One of the biggest myth’s in the travel industry is that there are better deals the closer to the travel dates… that is just not true.  Plan early; don’t be disappointed that you can’t get your first choice.

If you are taking a group with you for your special event, early planning is a must.  Resorts and Cruise Lines do not always have group space available if you are planning less than 6 – 8 months in advance.  It is also important when you are ready to plan, that you have a good idea of the number of guests and the budget each guest is willing to spend for the travel.  This is always the hardest part when planning your group celebration, especially Destination Weddings.  You have to take all budgets in to consideration when planning your special event if it requires them to travel.
I can assist you with any type of honeymoon or celebration travel you may be considering.  Resort?  Tour in Europe?  Hawaii?  Tahiti? Cruise?   The possibilities are endless….

I am a Couples Travel Concierge and a Cruise Planners / American Express travel services company. I provide exceptional value and our upscale vacation experiences are known to over deliver.  Thanks to our deep relationships, I am able to offer exclusive amenities and offers to my valued clients.  I will handle every detail and treat your honeymoon planning experience as if it were my own.

Safe Travels!

New Year – New Rules !

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With the New Year brings some new rules with regards to travel.  If you cruise out of Texas, this new policy may affect you.   This announcement affects anyone bringing in any alcohol or cigarettes, duty free or otherwise, in to Texas.
In Late December, The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission issued a press release that they will begin collecting taxes at Texas seaports January 2014.  Here is the press release in its entirety:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   December 20, 2013

TABC to begin collecting taxes at Texas seaports January 2014.

The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) will begin collecting personal importation taxes on alcohol and cigarettes from passengers returning from cruises in Galveston in 2014.

On January 4, 2014, cruise travelers disembarking out of the Port of Galveston will need to pay the tax for alcoholic beverages and cigarettes imported into the state that were purchased either on the ship’s duty free store or at a foreign port of call. TABC currently operates 20 ports of entry collection facilities along the Texas-Mexico border where the tax is presently collected. During the recent legislative session, the agency was appropriated funding to begin tax collection of imported alcoholic beverages and cigarettes from seaport facilities. The Galveston Port facility will be the first seaport location where this tax will be collected with plans to extend to the Houston-Bayport facility in the fall of 2014.

Section 107.07 of the Alcoholic Beverage Code, in effect for over 40 years, requires that each adult (21 years old and over) importing alcoholic beverages into the state for personal consumption pay the state tax and an administrative fee of $3.00. The law limits personal importation by an adult to once every 30 days with limits of: 1 gallon of distilled spirits, 3 gallons of wine, and 288 ounces of malt beverages (24 12-ounce containers). Persons importing alcoholic beverages must personally accompany the product as it enters the state.

View our detailed list of the taxes for both cigarettes and alcoholic beverages.

Tax collection points staffed with TABC personnel will be situated at both terminals 1 and 2 at the Galveston facility located where patrons come through the U.S. Customs secondary checkpoint. Passengers will be able to pay the taxes with either cash or credit cards.

TABC personnel have worked with Port of Galveston officials to ensure that the tax collection is done efficiently and with limited disruption of port operations and delays to the passengers.

For more information contact:

Karen Smithwick, Ports of Entry Director at 512-739-9801
Carla Rios, Ports of Entry Quality Assurance Analyst at 512-206-3351
Carolyn Beck, Director of Communications at 512-206-3347

If you would like to review the actual press release , you may visit

http://www.tabc.state.tx.us/home/press_releases/2013/20131220.asp

Please keep this in mind for your next cruise from Galveston and later this year, Houston.

Safe Travels!