Check out your possible signature

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Did you know we are a Preferred Sandals Agency?  We are!   One of the signatures of my agency is our strength in industry and product knowledge.  I actually just returned from the Destination Wedding and Honeymoon Specialist Association conference.  (Proud to be a charter member of that organization specifically dedicated to honeymoons and destination weddings!)  We work hard to be “in the know” so we can offer you the best in service and value.  Some people who follow me on Social Media (are you??) would say that my “signature” is traveling!  LOL!!  What is your signature?

Celebrity Cruise Lines offers signature sailings.  These are sailings that are above and beyond your typical cruise experiences.  These are great options for honeymoons, anniversaries, bucket list travel, and those who enjoy themed travel.  The signature sailings are fun, unique sailings that have special touches included for you.  Let’s take a look at them and see which one interests you!

One of my favorites is the Mardi Gras & Caribbean Signature Sailing in March 2017!  The 11 night sailing is round trip Fort Lauderdale with visits to Grand Cayman, Costa Maya, Cozumel, and of course New Orleans for Mardi Gras!  You’ll spend 3 nights in New Orleans with some special Mardi Gras events!  You can experience New Orleans’ famous annual Mardi Gras parade like you never imagined with exciting grandstand seating.  Join in on the fun and excitement of Mardi Gras as the extravagant floats and costumed entertainers pass you by!  On board you will hear jazz performers and speakers on board before you dock for Mardi Gras.

Are you a golf fan?  It’s not too late to experience the British Open on a 12 night British Isles & Open on a Celebrity Signature Sailing this July!  The sailing is round trip Amsterdam with visits to Belfast, Glasgow, Cork, The Channel Islands, Paris, and Liverpool for the British Open.  You will be able to attend the British Open as it returns to Royal Troon Golf Club escorted by PGA Professional Steve Parry and two other golf professionals. Be there when the winner raises the Claret Jug!  On Board the ship attend golf clinics and an exclusive cocktail party with Steve Parry and two other golf professionals as they share their pro golfer experiences.  The tournament will be broadcast on the ship and food and beverages will be served.

Have you ever heard of the Edinburgh Military Tattoo?  “Tattoo” is the traditional signal used to call British soldiers to return to their quarters. Edinburg Castle hosts the Military Tattoo which is now Scotland’s largest and most popular event.  Over time, the custom evolved to become one of the world’s most spectacular visual and musical celebrations.  Celebrity’s 14 night Edinburgh Military Tattoo Signature Sailing this August is round trip Amsterdam and visits The Channel Islands, Cork, Dublin, Liverpool, Belfast, Lerwick/Shetland, Inverness/Loch Ness, Edinburgh, and Brussels.  In Edinburg you will watch Scotland’s extraordinary history come to life at the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo from your exciting Front Stand seating.  Experience the beauty of the Edinburgh Castle; its romantic setting atop an extinct volcano sets the mood for this magnificent event.  Enjoy a masterful performance by an acclaimed international cast of military bands, pipe and drum corps, and dancers.  Feel the somber tones of the lone piper’s echo across the castle’s ramparts as he plays floodlit on the battlements, the most moving performance of the night.  On Board you will enjoy the music and dance of Scotland on board before joining the tattoo at Edinburgh Castle.

Would you like to experience New Years Fireworks in Dubai on a Celebrity Signature Sailing?  You can cruise the Arabian Sea and India this December and ring in the New Year afloat watching fireworks that light up downtown Dubai from the world’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa.  The 14 night sailing is round trip Abu Dhabi visiting Oman, India (4 great ports!), and Dubai.  Celebrate New Year’s Eve in style on a private yacht with personalized butler service or over a sumptuous dinner at the Four Seasons Dubai Mercury Lounge. Marvel at Dubai’s beautiful skyline and enjoy unparalleled views of the city’s world-renowned New Year’s fireworks displays.  Dubai broke the world record for fireworks by setting of 479,651 fireworks to bring in 2014; will they top that this year?  Both the Burj Kalifa and Downtown Dubai will be illuminated with fireworks.  Join the rich and famous in Dubai for New Years to view the fabulous fireworks from the comfort of your ship!

Have you always wanted to visit Carnival in Rio de Janeiro? Celebrity has a 10 night South America and Rio Carnival Signature Sailing in February 2017 that is sure to be fun and fantastic!  The round trip Buenos Aries cruise visits Argentina, Brazil (4 ports!), and 2 ports in Uruguay.  Samba down the Sambadrome of Rio during Carnival in an extravagant costume and makeup, and experience the iconic Samba Parade in the ultimate grandstand or VIP seating.  Onboard the ship you can take samba lessons by day, then dance all night at our Latin party, Sizzle, with music from South Beach to South America.

Happy Travels,
Kelley

My Top Apps for staying in touch

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With smartphones being a part of everyday life, having the right apps is essential to make your life easier during travel.  While travel is often meant for relaxation, rejuvenation, or celebration; sometimes it is important that we are accessible and have access to important information.  Lucky for us, the technology wizards of the world have developed some great mobile apps!  Everyone knows about Facebook and that is certainly one tool to use, but there are others that are great as well!  I’m going to give you my list of must-haves to keep in touch when you are gone.  The best part?  They are free to download and if used on Wi-Fi are free to use!  (You may have to pay for the Wi-Fi service wherever you are, but the use will be free once connected!)

If you have an iPhone, you can use FaceTime over Wi-Fi and no additional app is required.  FaceTime isn’t always quite as stable as some of the apps, so I never recommend relying on it alone.

If you absolutely must make calls, I highly recommend not using your cell service!  Use a Wi-Fi app!

SKYPE – Skype is not just for mobile devices, but has long been used on desktops and laptops as well.  Call your world from Skype – Talk to your heart’s content with free voice and video calls to all your friends and family on Skype.  Chat with anyone, anywhere – Skype’s available on smartphones, tablets, PCs, Macs, and even TVs; whatever device your friends or family use, Skype just works.

* Operator data charges may apply. We recommend using an unlimited data plan or Wi-Fi connection.

If you want to use the free version of Skype, whoever you call will need to have Skype on their device as well.  They do have a low cost paid plan so you can call anyone.  They also have Video Messaging, MMS, and SMS options as well.  I do not use those, I post pictures I want to share to Facebook, and as for texting, I have other apps I prefer for that.

 

If you have the need to text, there are apps for that too!  My three current favorite texting apps are Facebook Messenger, Viber, and WhatsApp.  Both Viber and WhatsApp require that whoever you are going to text, they must have the app as well so these do take some advanced planning.  I use both of them, but I really love WhatsApp right now for just texting and pictures!  Facebook Messenger works best if both parties have the app, but it isn’t actually required, as long as the person you are messaging has a Facebook account.

Facebook Messenger and Viber are both double duty apps; they can be used for calling and texting.

 

Facebook Messenger –

The Messenger App isn’t just for sending private messages; did you know that you can make calls with it as well?  Making phone calls via Messenger is easy and free as long as you have the app and are on wifi! The app supports text, images, and location sharing, and even Wi-Fi voice calls.

 

 

Viber –

Viber is a great app for free phone calls and texts; you can also send pictures and video.  Another great feature is that not only can you use it on Wi-Fi (certainly best international option), you can use it over 3G as well for free.  There is also a paid service, Viber Out, for calls to non-viber land lines, and mobile numbers.  The app syncs with your phone contact list and will automatically let you know which of your friends already has Viber.  You can also use Viber with groups of up to 100; could be great for your group of family or friends traveling together!

 

WhatsApp –

WhatsApp Messenger is a cross-platform mobile messaging app which allows you to exchange messages without having to pay for SMS. One of the really cool things about WhatsApp is the ability to do group messages and send pictures to a group.  Any pictures you receive via WhatsApp (group or individual) are automatically saved to your phone’s camera roll.

There are many more apps out there that allow you to keep in touch while traveling; these are just my current favorites.  What do you use?  If you have a different app you use and recommend, I’d love to hear about it!  I’m always open to new suggestions.

Happy Travels,
Kelley

Are you sure your Passport is valid ??

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Each time I prepare for a trip, one of the first things I do is check my passport to make sure it is valid for travel.  Whenever you are planning travel, it should be the first thing you do as well!  You don’t want to plan and be excited for that much needed and well-deserved vacation only to find out at the airport your passport is not valid!  Yes, it happens… and sadly more often than you think!  Working with an experienced travel professional can help you avoid this situation.  Every country in the world (including the USA) has entry and exit requirements; and a valid passport is among them.
Having a valid passport is always the sole responsibility of the traveler.  As a note, should you run in to issues with an invalid passport during travel, travel insurance may be of little help to you.  Travel insurance is based on the premise that the traveler has proper travel documentation.
What determines a valid passport?  This is a bit more detailed than you think.
Expiration Date – 
Many countries have a requirement that your passport is valid for a specified time frame after your date of travel.  The general recommendation is that your passport must be valid for 6 months past the return date of travel.  Some countries may require less than that, but 6 months will keep you safe.  If your passport is not valid for the required length of time, the airline can deny you boarding for the flight or worse yet; you do get on the flight and get turned around at immigration in the destination.
Damage beyond normal wear and tear – 
While passports are expected to have normal wear and tear, damage to your passport invalidates your passport for travel.  An example of normal wear and tear is slight bending from being in a pocket or fanning of the visa pages from being opened and closed many times.  Conditions that may constitute damage requiring you to replace your passport include water damage, a significant tear, unofficial markings on the data page, missing visa pages (torn out), a hole punch, or visible damages.
The number of blank visa pages in your passport –
Some countries require that your passport has two to four blank visa/stamp pages. Some airlines will not allow you to board if this requirement is not met.  If the airline does allow you to board, you can be subject to denied entry in the destination country.
Type of Passport – 
Most people are aware there is an option for a passport book or a passport card.  Please, do yourself a favor and get the passport book.  Passport cards are not valid, under any circumstance, for air travel.  The passport card was designed for the specific needs of northern and southern U.S. border communities with residents that cross the border frequently by land. The passport book is the only document approved for international travel by air.  Even within passport books, there are a couple of different types.  Government contractors and employees are often provided with Special Issuance Passports for the purpose of government related travel.  These passports are not valid for personal / leisure travel.   The special issuance passports are either black (signifying diplomatic status) or red (no diplomatic status).  The “regular” passport for US Travelers will be dark blue.
Criminal History –  (This is the one nobody likes to talk about!)
Anyone who has any sort of criminal conviction or outstanding warrants needs to check with authorities to see if their passport is still valid for travel.  With certain types of crimes, passports are flagged and this will invalidate them for international travel.  This is often overlooked and can create quite an issue upon departure from the US, arrival in a foreign destination, and even return to the US.  One common example is back child-support.  Currently, the Department of State will not issue new or renew passports for anyone owing back child support.  However, if a traveler had their passport, then had the child support issues, their current passport can be flagged.  I know of a traveler recently that arrived in a foreign country only to be turned away by immigration because his passport was flagged and determined to be invalid.  Upon arrival and interview in the US upon his return, he learned it was because of his back child support.
If you need to renew, or haven’t already applied for your passport and you are planning international travel this year or next, please do so as soon as possible.  The State Department is projecting record numbers of first time applicants and renewals this year and has already advised to longer processing times.  You don’t want your vacation experience ruined because you don’t get your passport back in time!
Happy Travels,
Kelley
      

Travel made easy

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It’s funny, when people find out that I own a travel agency, the topic of travel planning inevitably comes up.   The one thing I have learned is that many people have no idea how to work with a travel professional.  As a travel concierge, I specialize in creating travel experiences that are tailor made for you!  Keep in mind that perfect vacation experiences don’t just happen; planning requires thoughtfulness, patience, careful attention to details, and a lot of decision-making along the way.  Working with the right travel professional can streamline the process, insure no details are overlooked, and increase your value and experience dramatically.
Before you contact a travel professional, there are a few things you need to consider.  Thinking about these key items will help the travel concierge make thoughtful and appropriate recommendations for creating your ideal honeymoon.  You may not know the exact answers before contacting your travel professional, but just thinking about them will get you ahead of the planning process.  Here are 5 key questions you should ask yourself:
1. What is your priority for this experience?   Think about choosing up to 3 of the following:  romance, quiet, activity, adventure, food / wine, culture, tropical beach, or exploring cities.  Of course you could have completely different ideas!  Remember this is your vacation and your future memories!  Close your eyes for a minute and picture exactly what you want!
2. Do you have a specific destination in mind or are you looking for someone to help decide?  If you do have a destination in mind, what attracts you to that particular destination?  If you don’t have a specific destination in mind, the answers to question 1 will help your travel professional guide you.
3. What are your preferred travel dates or window of time?    Believe it or not, saying “I can travel anytime” isn’t actually helpful to your travel professional, and if you really think about it, it’s not actually true!  There’s always that “1 thing” you forgot about.  You really need to narrow it down as much as possible.  If you can’t give a 2 week time frame, give a month or at the most 2 months.
4. How long do you want to be gone?   This can make a big difference on your destination options.  For example, you won’t be visiting the south pacific nor doing an African Safari if you can only be gone 5 days.
5. What is your budget for your vacation experience?  While you may not know what “things cost” (I hear this all of the time), you certainly know what you can and / or will spend.  A budget isn’t an exact dollar amount but a range.   Knowing your budget range upfront can help set realistic expectations and eliminate a great deal of frustration during the planning process.  This is usually the hardest part for everyone.  A way to make this easier is to consider the following sample ranges:  Less than $5,000, $5,000-$7,500, $7,500-$10,000, $10,000-$13,000, $13,000 – $15,000, and over $15,000.
Remember – budget has nothing to do with “price” – budget is what we use to create your experience and provide you with value for your dollars!  Price is what you pay, Value is what you get!
Once you have thought about these key elements, the real fun begins!!  Then we move on to the types of vacation experiences:  all-inclusive resorts, multi-destination, river cruises, escorted tours, or cruises are just a few of the options!
Remember, your vacation experience is all about you!  Let’s spend your hard-earned money in a way that provides the most value and creates ever lasting memories!
Happy Travels
Kelley

Time for some romance !!

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In the spirit of Valentines, I thought I’d share some ways to make travel more of an experience.  Whether it be your honeymoon, anniversary, destination wedding, bucket list, or any other reason, there are always way to make your travel a bit more special.  It is so easy to incorporate love and romance in to your travel!  There are some small touches that can really make a big impact on your vacation!   It doesn’t matter if you are at an all-inclusive resort, or on a cruise, there are always options to touch the heart of someone you love!
If you are at an all-inclusive resort, whether it is your honeymoon or you are just looking to add a bit of romance, here are just a few great ideas for you:
• Romantic dinner on the beach at or after sunset
• Fresh flower delivery to your room or to the restaurant on your special occasion evening
• Iced down champagne waiting for you in your room, at your beach cabana, or at dinner
• Couples massage
• Butler Service – there is nothing like being waited on hand and foot!  Having a butler draw a bath tub filled with flower petals…priceless!
Believe it not, adding romance to your cruise experience is much easier than you think!  Here are just a few ideas to get you thinking about romance on your cruise:
• Upgrade to a balcony cabin or a suite – yes, just the cabin itself gives you a nice balcony, a private escape for just the 2 of you.  Your balcony is a great place for a private breakfast or dinner!
• Champagne and fresh flowers on the balcony or in your stateroom with chocolate covered strawberries
• Spa day or couples massage
• Dinner in a specialty restaurant  on your special occasion evening
• Private photo session with the ship photographer to capture the memories
I hope you have a fabulous Valentine’s Day weekend!
Happy Travels
      

Kelley

Important Health Advisory for Travel

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January has been an interesting month in the travel world. We’ve had enough weather issues to last us a while, airlines have changed their loyalty programs and other policies, new resorts announced, new cruise ships announced, and of course some really great promotions for you! Also, January brought us an important travel health advisory warning. This warning is geared specifically for pregnant or potentially pregnant travelers, but is important for all travelers. Please note, I am not sending this to scare anyone, but I feel you should be informed about the latest travel related information. I also choose to provide you with accurate information via reliable sources. This information is being widely discussed on social media and some of the facts are being widely distorted.
On January 15, 2016, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) upgraded their Zika virus travel health notice to “Alert Level 2”, (Practice Enhanced Precautions) with specific affected areas of the Caribbean and Central and South America. You may have received our previous communication providing this information. As of January 26th, the CDC notice now includes the Dominican Republic and the U.S. Virgin Islands in the affected areas. For the most up-to-date information on the Zika virus and countries affected, please visit the website: http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices

Zika virus is spread primarily through mosquitoes, which mainly bite during daytime hours. It is not transmitted from person to person. Symptoms of Zika typically develop 3-12 days after being bitten and may include fever, headache, skin rash, joint pain and conjunctivitis (red eyes). The illness is usually mild with symptoms lasting from 2-7 days and most people who contract Zika experience no symptoms at all. Comprehensive health information can be found at http://www.cdc.gov/zika/index.html.

There has been a recent increase in poor pregnancy outcomes among mothers who contracted Zika during pregnancy. These cases are being reported in areas where Zika virus outbreaks have occurred. Knowledge of the link between Zika and these outcomes is still developing. For this reason, the CDC Advisory particularly impacts women who are pregnant and women who are trying to become pregnant.

The CDC advisory recommends that women who are pregnant in any trimester consider postponing travel to areas where Zika virus transmission is ongoing. If pregnant women do opt to travel to Zika affected areas, the CDC recommends talking to their healthcare provider in advance and strictly follows steps to avoid mosquito bites during their trip. Specific guidance for women who are trying to become pregnant is also included in the CDC advisory. More information can be found here: http://www.cdc.gov/zika/pregnancy/question-answers.html.

There is no vaccine to prevent Zika Fever however individuals can reduce their risk of contracting Zika and other mosquito-borne illnesses by following these steps:

• Apply insect repellent which contains one of the following active ingredients: DEET, picaridin (KBR 3023), Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus/PMD, or IR3535.
• If both sunscreen and insect repellent is used, apply the sunscreen first and then the repellent.
• Repellent is available for purchase from the shops on board.
• Wear a loose, long-sleeved shirt and long pants, preferably of a light color to minimize the likelihood of being bitten.

Please note, the only advisory for postponing travel is for pregnant woman. If you are pregnant and scheduled to travel to an affected area, please review the information and discuss with your healthcare provider.

Again, this information is not meant to scare you! It is meant to inform you and provide you with the tools to make informed decisions and take appropriate precautions.
I hope January was an amazing start to 2016 for you! Look out February, here we come!

Happy Travels

Kelley

2016 Travel Trends

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As a Couples Travel Concierge, I’m often asked about travel trends.  There are definitely some trends for travel in 2016.  Some trends are about the type of travel and some are about destinations.  Let’s take a look at some of the top 2016 travel trends.
Multigenerational Travel – 
This is a rapidly growing trend in travel.  Because families are now spread out all over the map, it is more and more common for families to “meet” or “go” somewhere.  Destination Weddings continue to be a huge trend.  Since many times family has to travel to a destination for a wedding, many couples are deciding to make it a fun, all-inclusive experience for their guests.  Many couples also use it as a way to help “limit” the guest list, or as a perfect option for a second marriage.  Family reunions or Lifetime Milestone travel is also on the rise.  Many families are meeting on the high seas or at a resort for that reunion.  Many couples are celebrating milestone anniversaries while traveling with friends and family to a bucket list destination.
Honeymoon with friends / Friendmoons
No, I’m not kidding!  We are seeing a trend of more than just the newlyweds traveling on their honeymoon.   Some couples want to share the most important “week” of their life with some of their closest friends.  While we aren’t seeing big groups, we are seeing between 1 and 3 couples traveling with the honeymoon couple on some of these honeymoons with friends.  Don’t worry, there are still plenty of ways to make this very special for the newlyweds and insure they have just the right amount of privacy on their honeymoon.
River Cruises – 
Yes, you’ve heard it in years past, and you will hear it for some time to come.  The rivers are growing!  Okay, not the actual rivers, but accessibility to those rivers.  We are seeing new ships every year, and exciting new programs from many of the river cruise lines.  River cruises are destination immersion at its finest!    You can cruise a river just about anywhere you want to go!  There are river cruises for just about everyone!  Gone are the days that river cruising attracted a mostly “mature” audience.  River cruise lines now attract a wide demographic of guests.  Disney has partnered with AMA Waterways to offer family friendly Disney sailings; this is a new way to travel for families.  Younger active adults are not left out of the options either.   Depending on the itinerary there are many activities in the destinations for the active traveler.  Of course there are also theme cruises such as chocolate (yes!), wine tasting, Christmas Markets, and more.
Cruises – 
Believe it or not, cruising is still a largely untapped market!  A recent article suggested less than 20% of the US Population has actually taken a cruise.  A recent survey on Trip Advisor indicated 1 in 5 global travelers plan to take their first cruise in the next 12 months.  Cruises are becoming a very popular option for solo travelers, even with the solo supplement often charged.  Cruises by nature are a very social way to travel, and very comfortable for the solo traveler.  Cruises are also very popular for group travel, multigenerational travel, family travel, wedding groups, friends, and the newest trend – honeymoon groups
Experiential Travel
More and more, travelers are starting to want more experiential travel, and they are willing to pay for it.  I don’t mean a “spend all you have” vacation; I mean a vacation that is full of experiences.  You know one of my favorite sayings is “Price is what you pay, Value is what you get”.  That is becoming more and more the mantra for travel.  There are many ways to include experience in your travels.  If you are cruising, consider smaller ships or longer itineraries that allow for longer time in ports.  You may want to consider a cultural experience in a port of call.  For example, in some ports you can arrange to visit local schools and help with the children for a day, or visit a local animal shelter and help with the animals.   There is also a new cruise line that specializes in impact travel to provide cultural experiences.  You can also consider those options with destination vacations.  For example, Sandals offers the option of visiting a local community center and interacting with the children for an afternoon.  I did this last September and it was truly an amazing experience.
Cuba – 
As the US and Cuba continue to repair their relationship, travel restrictions have been eased and may eventually be completely lifted.  It has been 60 years since Americans have been able to travel to Cuba, and it has quickly become a hot spot for US Tourists.   While travel to Cuba is significantly easier than it has been in the past, it is not a free for all!  General tourism is still illegal under US Law.  However, there are 12 broad categories of travel activities that are now allowed.  The most common tourism categories are people to people and humanitarian.  Both escorted touring and cruising have embraced this and have travel options available.  Carnival Corporation has introduced a new brand – Fathom Cruises; in Cuba, you’ll participate in an ongoing cultural exchange program that gives you the opportunity to interact with the Cuban people, one on one.
Which trend is your favorite?  I’d love to hear your feedback and ideas!
Happy Travels
Remember to check my social media channels for updates !
Twitter:  @kelleyaus
Instagram:  kelleyaus
      

Kelley

 

Travel changes for the New Year

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Once again, travel is changing in the New Year.  There are many significant changes, too many to mention here, but let’s look at a few of them.
Passports:  The department of state will no longer issue additional pages for existing passports.  Beginning January 1, 2016 anyone needing additional pages will have to renew their passports.   It looks like my first task of the New Year is getting a new passport…
On another note about passports, pay close attention to requirements for passports on Domestic Travel!  Yes, domestic travel.  Back at the end of December 2013, the Department of Homeland Security announced the arrival of the Real ID Act, which set federal security standards for government-issued IDs.  In most states, your driver’s license meets these criteria.  However, if you are in Louisiana, Minnesota, New Hampshire or New York, your driver’s license does not currently meet the criteria.  This has been a hot topic for a few months now for those 4 states not yet in compliance.   The exact date of final implementation of the Real ID Act has not yet been announced.  What is known is that the driver’s licenses will not be complaint when it is announced.  Until it is determined if there will be another acceptable 2nd form of ID, you may want to consider just using your passport for all flights if you hold a driver’s license from one of the 4 previously mentioned states.
Frequent Flier Programs:  Many of the frequent flier programs are changing their tier programs this year.  Not only will they be based on number of miles flown, they will also have a “dollar spend” associated with the tiers.  In 2016 American Airlines will join United and Delta with the financial component as part of their rewards / loyalty program.  Each airline has structured it slightly differently so make sure to know how this may impact you.
Extra Leg Room:  Alaska Airlines will be adding seats with extra leg room to 60 of its aircraft and American Airlines will debut a premium economy section on international flights.  Like other carriers that currently offer extra leg room, these will come at a price.   Why is this important to you now?  Because believe it or not, the extra leg room seats do go fast on flights over 2 hours; even faster on international flights.  Knowing now that it may be an option will help with your travel planning.
Travel Apps:  Be on the lookout for some interesting airport apps in 2016.  There are electronic beacons / sensors that detect your smart phone when you enter the airport and will guide you to nearby places such as your gate or restaurant options.
Karisma Resorts will debut their overwater bungalows at El Dorado Maroma this year.  So far, we’re hearing June as the debut month; we hope to have a firm announcement very early in the year.  I toured them earlier this month and can’t wait for them to be open for guests!
Hilton announced this week that it is implementing a $50 cancellation penalty for any hotel cancellation after booking is confirmed.  You can get this fee waived if you are a HiltonHhonors member.
Marriott is changing their rewards program for 2016 with regards to the life of your points.  Starting February 1, 2016, accumulated points will be removed from your account if you do not have a qualifying activity in the prior 2 years.  Qualifying activities are things like making a paid or redemption stay at any Marriott property, making a purchase using a Marriott Rewards Credit Card, earning points with a program partner, or buying points.  If you are a Marriott Rewards member, please check the new requirements.
Speaking of Marriott, it was announced previously that they are purchasing Starwood.  This merger is expected to be complete mid-2016.  It remains to be seen how this will affect the loyalty programs, but if you are a SPG Rewards member, pay close attention… this may affect you.
Cruise Lines are making changes too in 2016!
Norwegian Cruise Lines recently announced a new penalty schedule for cancelling a booking.  The changes will take effect January 1, they are complex and are based on your length of sailing.  One notable change for 7 night sailings is that there is now a 25% penalty for cancellation between 89 and 76 days prior to sailing.  Previously there was no cancellation penalty (unless you are in a suite) until 75 days prior to sailing.  With the new policy, the cancellation penalty for 7 night sailings will be 50% from 75 – 60 days prior, 75% 59 – 31 days prior, and 100% 30 days or less prior to travel.
Royal Caribbean recently announced it will begin charging for their North Star and Rip Cord attractions on the Quantum of the Seas.  The North Star attraction will now be $20 and the Rip Cord is $26.  At this time, they have made no mention of implanting this change on the other Quantum Class ships.
By no means is this an all-encompassing list of changes or things to come in 2016!  Neither of us have enough time or patience to work through them all here!  When planning your vacation, honeymoon, or destination wedding, working with a travel professional will make sure you always have the most accurate and up to date information!
Safe Travels & Happy New Year
Kelley

It’s all about who you know !!

by In Brides, Cruise, Destinations, Europe, General Travel Information, Jamaica, Luxury Travel, Uncategorized, Wedding Leave a comment
The old adage of it’s not what you know, but who you know is often like the Holy Grail in travel.  Yes, It’s true that anyone can go online, search for this, that, or the other, and book a trip.  However, I want you to know a couple of facts about how booking online travel actually works and clear a bit of misconception about using a qualified travel professional.

You can save time, money and a whole lot of headaches by using a qualified travel professional. I can provide everything you need to book a perfect vacation: packing necessities, various modes of transportation, early booking discounts, special fares, hotel deals and most importantly I will be your personal advocate.  When a trip goes smoothly, it may be natural to think “well that was easy”.  It’s when you encounter some challenges and hurdles that you will truly see the value of having your own personal travel advocate.  Having some to help you at any time, someone to advocate for you when plans go awry, and someone to facilitate a resolution for you can make all of the difference when you are trying to turn lemons in to lemonade.
In October alone, clients had issue with tropical storms, missed flights, cancelled flights, a hurricane, lost baggage, and family emergencies.  When you book your own travel online, who are you going to call or rely on in an actual emergency?  I mean the kind of emergency where you need assistance in the moment and you actually need to speak to someone?   Did you know that most of the online agencies do not 24 hour help desks that you can call?  Some are online help only, or email help only.  How helpful is that if you have no access to internet or email?   When you book with me, you have 24 hour assistance throughout your travel.  Whether that assistance comes from me, the supplier I worked with for your travel, or the travel insurance company, the important note here is that you have someone you can actually speak to at any time during your travel.
I’m always a bit surprised by people that will trust something as important as their travel planning to an unknown entity like the internet.  I can’t tell you how many times “the internet” has been to a particular resort or destination, but I can tell you exactly how many times I have been there or a trusted colleague has been there.  I can provide you with first-hand information about resorts and the views from the rooms.  For example, did you know that the term “resort view” has about 20 different meanings?  At some resorts, it is the view of the resort grounds, at others; it could be a view of the parking lot.  I’ve also seen resort views of dumpsters, or the fence of the resort next door!  Ocean View is another term with many meanings.  Most people think ocean view means looking at the ocean; this is not always the case.  What I like to tell people is that ocean view means that at some point from somewhere out your window or from the balcony you may have a glimpse of where the ocean is located.  You may have to stand on the balcony, lean over, and look around the corner and through the trees.
We offer expert advice and personal service that you can’t get from a dot-com. We work hard at building long-lasting relationships with you. We want to learn your interests and lifestyles, as well as your dispositions. Whether you are looking for a romantic getaway, a family cruise or a European adventure, we will match your needs to the perfect travel experience just for you.
Through an on-going and time-consuming process of familiarization, continuing education and customer feedback, we are your travel experts. We have been on nearly every cruise line, visited destinations around the world, visited more resorts than you have ever heard of, and trekked many off-the beaten path excursions. We are also certified specialists who have completed extensive training on select destinations, cruise lines, resorts, tour operators and more.
One of my favorite sayings… The internet is for looking, travel agents are for booking.  Remember, it all comes down to who you know.
Stayed tuned this week to my social media for updates on my escapades to Florida and next week in Mexico!

Happy travels.  

Change is on the Horizon

by In Brides, Cruise, Destinations, Europe, General Travel Information, Jamaica, Luxury Travel, Uncategorized, Wedding Tagged , , , , , , , Leave a comment

 

Change is on the horizon

Wow, this fall is flying by isn’t it?  This time of year is always busy for me because it is travel agent training season.  The fall is when many of the resorts, cruise lines, airlines, vacation package suppliers, and others provide training to agents.  It’s to help us get prepared for next year and update us on any recent or upcoming changes.  Just in the last 2 weeks I’ve attended events with Sandals, Hard Rock, Exclusive Group Travel, Blue Diamond Resorts, Funjet, Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau, Jamaica Tourist Board, AMResorts, and more!  There are still plenty of training events to come in the next few weeks.  It is important for me to attend these events so I am current and updated on the ever changing world of travel!

 

Speaking of changes…

October 15, 2015 Houston Hobby opened its new 5 gate International Terminal.  During this ceremony Southwest Airlines formally announced their Houston to Jamaica flight service!  The daily non-stop flights will begin on November 1, 2015!  This is a great option for your Jamaica weddings, honeymoons, and vacations!!  They will offer one flight each day departing Houston Hobby at 10:35AM arriving in Jamaica at 2:50PM; the return flight from Jamaica leaves Montego Bay at 3:45PM and arrives back in Houston at 6:15PM.

As of Friday, Oct. 16, USAirways will cease to exist.  A historic flight US1939, to honor the founding year of the company, will depart from Philadelphia at 10:05 a.m. and make stops in Charlotte, Phoenix and San Francisco, before departing there at 9:55 p.m., making it the last USAirways flight to operate as USAirways.

Beginning Saturday, Oct. 17, all flights will be American Airlines. If you are flying on American Airlines this weekend, it is advised to arrive a little earlier than normal this weekend, as employees, mostly in former USAirways strongholds, will be using a new system.  At many airports, USAirways flights will relocate to American Airlines gates. Please make sure to check your flight status and gate information prior to departing for the airport.  You can check it up to 24 hours in advance.  Because of the changes, many airports have adjusted check-in and baggage drop off times.  Please arrive at the airport early!

Hard Rock Resorts, part of the All-Inclusive Collection is introducing Woodward at the Punta Cana and Riviera Maya resorts.  It is an area that is designed specifically for teens and extreme sports!  No adults allowed in this area.  There will be no excuse now for a teen to ever say they are board at an all-inclusive resort!  As an example, next year Woodward Riviera Maya will offer skiing, snowboarding, parkour, cheer, and trampolining and more to go along with a state-of-the-art skate and BMX park. Open to every age and every skill, it’s time to add some high-flying action to your day at the beach.

Karisma Hotels (parent company for El Dorado Resorts, Azul Resorts, and Generations Resorts) has announced a major expansion in to Jamaica! They are opening 9 additional resorts in Jamaica.  They are currently building Azul Seven, a 149 room family friendly resort in the Negril area.  This will be bring a much needed additional family friendly resort to one of the most beautiful beaches on the island!  The expected start date for their other resorts is slated for 2017 and 2018.  Their only resort on the island right now, Azul Sensatori Azul Sensatori “was sold out for the entire year less than a month after opening,” leading the company to expand the resort with an additional 149 suites.  Karisma’s expansion in Jamaica is good news not only for Jamaica, but for everyone that loves El Dorado and Azul resorts, but wants a location other than Mexico!

 

Speaking of Jamaica, AMResorts (parent company of Secrets, Dreams, NOW, Zoetry, and Sunscape) has also announced expansion in to Jamaica!   They will be opening 2 Sunscape Resorts in December of this year, Zoetry in December 2016, and Breathless opening in late 2016 as well.

There is a new Secrets resort opening in Mexico on November 1, 2015.  The new Secrets Akumal is sure to be an amazing adult only experience in the heart of Riviera Maya!!  There are also 3 Breathless Resorts coming to Mexico.  There will be one in the Cabo, 1 in Playa del Carmen, and 1 in Riviera Cancun.

There are also management changes, renovations, promotions and more to keep up with!  As I say all of the time, the only constant in the world of travel is change.  Attending all of these events allows me to stay current and provide you with the best information possible during our planning sessions!

             

Happy travels.