Keep Calm and Pre-Check !!

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Just in time for the holidays, TSA has announced significant expansion to their TSA pre-check program.  If you aren’t already TSA Pre-check approved, I highly recommend you look in to this!  This program can truly make a difference in your travel experience.
In a nutshell, what does TSA Pre-Check experience mean for you?

(Information courtesy of www.tsa.gov)

  • Quicker transit through airport lanes
  • Shorter lines
  • Shorter wait times
  • Improved customer experience
  • No Removal of:
    • Belt
    • Shoes
    • Light outerwear/Light Jacket
    • 3-1-1 compliant bag and laptop from carry-on
      • Note- you still have to comply with 3-1-1 rules, you just don’t have to remove them from your carry –on bag.

Here is a summary of some of the recent enhancements to the program:

  • TSA now has an online application process via their website (www.tsa.gov); this will allow you to directly enroll in their expedited screening program.
  • TSA also recently announced the expansion of the TSA Pre-Check program to include Jet Blue Airways and Southwest Airlines.
  • TSA has also partnered with the DOD to provide Military TSA Pre✓™ at 100 Airports.  Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force and Coast Guard, as well as Reservists and National Guard members, eligible for expedited screening beginning December 20, 2013.

There are currently 100 airports and 9 different airlines that participate in the TSA Pre-Check program, with more being added on a regular basis.   To see if TSA Pre-Check is available at your local airport, please check http://www.tsa.gov/tsa-precheck/airlines-airports
To enroll, there is an $85 non-refundable fee and a very specific application process.

To learn more about the application process, please visit http://www.tsa.gov/tsa-precheck

and to find the nearest Universal Services Enrollment center, please visit:  https://universalenroll.dhs.gov/faq
There are other ways to take advantage of TSA Pre-Check as well.

 

If you enroll in Global Entry and become a trusted traveler, you are also eligible for TSA Pre-Check.  I am a huge proponent of Global Entry, this one program can save you time and frustration when re-entering the US after international travel.  You may also be eligible based on your status within a given airline’s frequent flier program.
Sometimes, the most challenging part of your vacation experience is the getting there and getting home.

TSA Pre-Check can significantly ease that challenge and provide for a better airport experience during your travel.  I love it!!  For me, just the fact that I don’t have to take off my shoes, virtually unpack my carry-on to get out my laptop, and 3-1-1 bag make it all worthwhile.  Of course the shorter line is nice too!   I do feel a little bad when I am traveling with others and they aren’t part of the TSA Pre-Check program… just a little….
    

Happy Travels!

The rivers are growing !!

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River cruising is still a growing trend and experiencing some of the most rapid growth in the travel industry, and no doubt the most growth in the cruise market.  In the past 10 years, the number of passengers taking river cruises has grown by 15 percent; the ocean cruising segment has seen about 5.4 percent growth. The industry has experienced 10 percent annual growth for five years running.  River cruising is done predominantly in Europe and other exotic areas of the world, but it is becoming increasingly popular in the United States as well.  This is destination immersion at its finest!  Some of the world’s greatest cities are accessible only by river – not by the ocean.  You visit a different city each day and have the entire day and often the evening to enjoy the local area and culture. Cruising the world’s rivers from Europe to Russia and is truly a special experience.

                 

 

I for one thought river cruising was for the older generation but I was completely wrong in more ways than one. This new way to cruise is for the adventurous.  You are docked right into the heart of the city. You walk on cobblestones. You are eating pho, knockwurst and other traditional foods. You are there to really experience the cultures and sounds of the world.  This is for the “Bucket List” crowd.  Let’s not forget about the romance of it all!  Can you imagine spending your honeymoon immersed in European culture?

        

 Photo courtesy of Uniworld River Cruises.                   Photo courtesy of Viking Cruises.

 

Although an increasingly popular and an amazing experience, river cruising is not for everyone.  The river cruise ships are not designed with small children in mind; there are no children’s programs, activities or menus available on the majority of the ships and itineraries.  Some of the river cruise lines offer specific family itineraries during the summer months, but most report less than 2% of their passengers are under the age of 18. 

 

           

River cruising can also be a challenge for physically challenged guests as well; the ships are not designed with handicap accessibility for the most part.  Many ships have no elevators, or if they do, they may not reach the lower decks on the ship.   Cobblestone streets and many stairs throughout Europe can also present challenges.

Even in the US, the ships and destinations can be challenging, but they are certainly more accessible than the global options.
For those only familiar with the rules of big ships, here are three reasons riverboat fanatics come back, time and again, for more.

Dinner
Forget buffet dining with 2,000 strangers. River cruises average about 200 passengers per boat, so the wait staff will likely know your name by the end of the first meal (and so will your fellow travelers).
Evening Entertainment
Instead of dance clubs, karaoke, and glitzy Vegas-style reviews, nightlife on river cruises trends toward string quartets, guest lectures on regional history, local entertainment, and staring out at actual scenery, not just a watery horizon.
Extra Costs
The dirty little secrets of ocean cruises? They always charge extra for excursions, and beer and wine costs are on par with pro sports arenas. River cruise lines opt for flat fees up front.  Yes, your excursions are included, as are wine and beer with various meals.

(Each river cruise line has its own version of their inclusive plan)
River cruising is such a fast-growing trend that by the end of 2013, 167 new ships will have been built since 2000.
When will you be ready to experience the world’s great rivers for yourself?

Kelley

 

 

 

 

 

Don’t leave home without these 5 things.

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Whenever you travel, there are 5 things you should not leave home without!  I often take these for granted because I do travel often, but last week I forgot one essential, and I saw the outcomes for other travelers that forgot (or in one case remembered!) the others.

 
Here are my top 5 items not to forget!

 
1 – Copy of your passport (or Driver’s license if domestic travel)  
You should always carry a copy of your ID and keep it in a separate place from your original documentation.  If you have a copy and something happens to the original (lost or stolen) you are in a much better position for a quick resolution.

Case in point, on our cruise last week a guest lost her passport in one of the towns.

Because she had a copy of her original, the concierge on the ship was able to arrange a next day appointment for her at a consulate in Germany.  She took the train from the port city to Frankfurt, at her appointment she was able to obtain an emergency passport valid for travel home, and she took the train back to the port city and rejoined the cruise before dinner.   If she did not have a copy, she was told it would have been a 24-48 hour process and she likely would have missed at least 1 or possibly 2 more days of the cruise.

 
2 – Over the counter medications. 
Many countries in the world have very different rules regarding over the counter medications.  For example, in many parts of Europe, it is almost impossible to purchase over the counter cold medicine or allergy medicine like we have.  You won’t walk in to a store and find DayQuil, NyQuil, or whatever your favorite brand is.  Typically, I am like a walking pharmaceutical chest when we travel, but this trip I forgot to pack cold medicine and guess what I needed on the last day of the trip – cold medicine!!  Another example – you won’t find anti-nausea or diarrhea medication in the gift shop of a cruise ship.  If you need it, but don’t have it, off to the ship’s doctor for you!

 

3 – Prescription Medications
I know this should be a no brainer, but trust me – it happens, and more often than you might think.  If you are traveling domestically, this can be dealt with after a couple of phone calls.  Internationally, it is not going to happen without a visit to a local physician or clinic.

 

4 – Credit Cards and Debit Cards
Always, always, always let you bank and credit card company know that you are traveling outside of the US, (or outside of your local spending area  if you do not travel or use your cards often) so they do not put a fraud alert on your card and deny all activity.  You should also always have a 2nd card available to use in the event a particular merchant has issues with the first card you provide.  If you are going to use a debit card, make sure to talk with your local bank and find out which network of machines you need to use to access your account and withdraw local currency when traveling.

We were with a couple last week that discovered upon arrival in Europe that their debit card was not accepted because they had a 5 digit pin number and only 4 digits are accepted in Europe.  They had to use a credit card and do a cash advance (and pay the astronomical fees!) to have cash as needed for tips and small purchases.

 
5 – Contact Information
It is always a good idea to keep a list with you (separate from your phone!!) with emergency contact information.  This list should include 1 immediate family member, travel insurance policy number and contact number, your credit card numbers and their customer service numbers.  Also you should always carry the hotel or ship contact information for your trip.  If your phone is lost or stolen, it does no good to have these numbers just in your phone.  If your credit card is lost or stolen, you will need the number to call and you will need to provide them with the lost card number so they can deactivate the card immediately.  Imagine getting separated from your tour group and not being able to find your way back to your hotel or ship; if you have the name, phone number and address, any cab can get you there.  Thankfully the 2 ladies that got separated last week from our group had the ship contact info and they were able to make their way back to the ship without any stress.

There you have my top 5 items not to forget on your next vacation!

Happy Travels!

 

Kelley

Must Have Mobile Apps. for travel

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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 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 absolutely must make calls, I highly recommend not using your cell service!  Use a Wi-Fi app!  Two of my favorites for making calls are Magic Jack and Skype.  Yes, Skype can include video, but it is also great for voice only.

 
Magic Jack –FREE Calls to U.S. and Canadian phone numbers – or to any MagicJack number, anywhere in the world. The MagicJack APP will NEVER use your mobile minutes and does not require a voice plan. Wi-Fi or 4G recommended.  MagicJack APP is 100% FREE and does not require any purchase.  You can use your iPhone’s or Android phone’s stored contacts with the MagicJack APP.

This app is my absolute favorite for making calls back to the US when I am outside of the country.  Whoever you are calling does not need to have MagicJack installed on their phones and you can call mobile numbers or land lines at no charge!

 
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 feel you have to text, there is an app for that too!  My two favorite texting apps are Tango and What’s App.  Both of these apps require that whoever you are going to text, they must have the app as well so these do take some advanced planning.  Tango is my favorite, but I use both of them.

 
Tango – Tango allows you to easily connect with friends & family or make new friends. Make video & voice calls, send text messages, play games and more all for free.  No login & password – create an account in seconds, automatically finds your friends using Tango, calls & messages work just like they do on your phone.  Tango works across most smartphones, tablets, & PCs.  It has great quality on 3G, 4G, and Wi-Fi.

I use Tango primarily for texting only and I use it on Wi-Fi so as not to incur any data charges when I am traveling.  This is hands down, my favorite app for texting via Wi-Fi

 

WhatsApp – WhatsApp Messenger is a cross-platform mobile messaging app which allows you to exchange messages without having to pay for SMS. WhatsApp Messenger is available for iPhone, BlackBerry, Android, Windows Phone and Nokia and yes, those phones can all message each other! Because WhatsApp Messenger uses the same internet data plan that you use for email and web browsing, there is no cost to message and stay in touch with your friends.
This app has a very cool feature where you can send an invitation to your friends to download the app so they will have it.  Always give them a heads up because many think the text invitation is spam and don’t download the app.  Also, make sure to tell your friends to keep WhatsApp on – or check it often as it does not alert to a next text in the same manner that Tango does.  This is a very good app and has some cool group features as well.
There you have my 4 favorite apps for staying in touch while you are traveling!   Some of my other “must have” apps that I use often during travel are:

 

My TSA  – you can monitor security check point line wait times and airport delays

Translator – translate English to local country language and vice versa.  There is a “pro” version for $1.99 that is well worth it.
Airline Apps – don’t leave home without downloading your airline’s app.  You will have up to the minute info on delays, schedule changes, the ability to check in for your flight, and more.

 
                         

 

Of course there are many, many others, these are just a few that I use on every trip I take; feel free to share with me your favorite must have apps for travel!

Safe travels!

Kelley

Jamaican me crazy !!

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Jamaica is an island country situated in the Western Caribbean Sea, comprising the third-largest island of the Greater Antilles. The island is roughly 4,240 sq miles in area and lies about 145 90 miles south of Cuba.  It is about 119 miles west of Hispaniola, the island containing the nation-states of Haiti and the Dominican Republic.

 
Jamaica is the largest English speaking island in the Caribbean; this is one of many reasons Jamaica is such a popular vacation destination.    Another reason is the nice year round weather on the island.  The annual average temperature is 80 degrees Fahrenheit. The hottest months are in the summer, from May to September.  While hurricane season is officially June – November, Jamaica usually sees the largest weather impact in September.  Of course I was there in August last year and we were visited by a hurricane.  The “winter” season (December to March) is appreciably cooler. Areas of high altitude have chilly times. For example, the Blue Mountain Peak has an average temperature of 55 degrees Fahrenheit, and sometimes cooler, depending on the time of year or weather.  The lower altitude (think beach!!) areas are still very nice during the winter season with an average temperature closer to 75 degrees Fahrenheit.   December through April often is the best weather for your vacation, while May – November is often the best value.

             

       SANDALS WHITEHOUSE                               JEWEL RUNAWAY BAY
One of my favorite reasons to visit Jamaica is the people and the culture. The people are warm, kind, hospitable, and downright fun!!   Sometimes things do tend to be on “island time”, but no worries, it will get done, and it will be fun!
The main tourist areas of Jamaica are Montego Bay, Ocho Rios, and Negril.  Runaway Bay and the South Coast also have some great options for your  vacation.    Jamaica offers the perfect blend of romance, quiet time, adventure, and excitement.  There are activities and attractions all over this amazing island! Water sports – you name it, it’s here.  Hiking, river tubing, cave tubing, zip lining, Bob Marly museum, Margaritaville, Appleton Rum estate tours (tasting included!), horseback riding, golf and so much more.

 

      

Montego Bay, Jamaica is where the majority of the flights land for the vacation destinations.  Montego Bay is a lively destination with a wide variety of resorts to suit any needs.  Montego Bay offers travelers to Jamaica a fantastic opportunity to experience the hustle and bustle of an energetic island city set in the midst of absolute paradise with awe-inspiring all-inclusive resorts, myriad golf courses to choose from, wonderful shopping and more.


Ocho Rios, Jamaica is about a 75 minute ride from the airport in Montego Bay, but it is worth the wait! Ocho Rios offers a mixture of natural beauty, including spectacular bodies of water encompassed by gorgeous, lush greenery. One of the area’s best-known attractions is Dunn’s River Falls, a 600 foot stair-stepped waterfall that cascades down the mountain. A sight not to be missed!  Climbing the water falls is a great activity!  You will make friends very fast as you are part of a human chain climbing the falls!
Negril, Jamaica is on the west end of the island, about 45 minutes from the airport, and offers the most stunning beach on the island (in my opinion).   7-mile beach is a world famous stretch of the white sand quintessential Caribbean beach.   This is a hugely popular honeymoon or romance destination as it tends to be much more peaceful and tranquil.
While Sandals is the most well-known resort chain on the island, there are many fabulous resorts to choose from; there is literally something for everyone!  Just this week alone I have stayed at The Jewel Runaway Bay, Sandals Whitehouse, and I will be staying at Secrets Wild Orchid before I return home.  Be sure to keep an eye on my Facebook page as I will be posting pictures and updates from my Jamaica experience this week!

Kelley

Lets have a party !!

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Travel and celebration go hand in hand!  Personally, for me, any and all travel is a celebration.  You can travel and celebrate with a group of your family and friends, or it can be a small intimate celebration for just a couple or even an individual.  The occasions to celebrate are limitless, pretty much whatever you can think of can be turned in to a celebration!  Just about any type of travel is suitable for celebrations as well.

 

          

 

Destination Weddings, Vow Renewals, Girlfriend getaways, bachelor and bachelorette parties, and reunions are just a few examples of some group travel celebration occasions.  Your group can be large, or small, it’s all up to you.  Destination, resort, and cruise travel are all great options for larger group celebrations.  We can do some really fun options for your group celebration!

 

        

 

Can you picture getting married or renewing your vows on a beautiful beach or near a waterfall?  How about a private, exclusive party onboard a cruise ship for your group? What about a private tour or excursion just for your group?  Do you want to take your whole group to a special private dinner?  Sometimes just traveling with your friends and family is a celebration in and of itself, no special arrangements required.

 

Looking for a smaller more intimate celebration?  Destination Weddings, honeymoons, anniversary, birthday, life milestones, and bucket list travel are perfect occasions for smaller private celebrations.  Any occasion can be a celebration!  Any type of travel is well suited for your smaller more intimate celebrations.   Destinations, Resorts, Cruises, River Cruises, Escorted or Guided Tours, and Independent Travel with or without planned activities are all great options for your couples celebration travel.

How about a couple’s massage for that special anniversary or honeymoon?  Dinner on the beach or on your balcony is a very nice way to celebrate an occasion.  Can you imagine watching the sunrise or sunset from your over the water bungalow or safari camp?    Want to get away from it all and have a celebration of yourself and by yourself?  Many people choose to go it alone for their celebrations.  Some are celebrating a life milestone or achievement; some just need to get away.

 

                         

There are some great options out there for the solo traveler.  How about a spa vacation? Escorted or Guided Tour in Europe? Cruise?  Join other like-minded guests for a bicycling tour, or walking tour in North America, Europe, Asia, Latin America, or even Africa!
Special events can be arranged whether you are a large group, a small group, a couple or a solo traveler.  Only your imagination is the limit for your travel and celebration.  If gifts are in order for your celebration, you can even set up travel gift registries to make gift giving easier and to help defray the expense of travel and celebration.
Travel and Celebration go hand in hand!

Kelley

 

Did you know ??

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Did you know that there have been a couple of significant developments and changes in travel recently?  I thought I’d share a couple of them with you so you will be “in the know”.
First and probably most importantly,

 

Did you know        The Houston Passport Agency closed for renovations on Monday September 23, 2013 and is not scheduled to re-open until early2014?  How does this affect you?  Hopefully, you will plan ahead and it won’t!  All of the other passport acceptance agencies are still open and accepting applications and renewals as always.  There could be a slight delay in processing as now one of the major processing offices is closed.  They are not projecting huge delays, but in my opinion, that remains to be seen.  (We also have a potential government shut down, or more possible furloughs on the horizon.)  Please plan early and do not wait until the last minute to apply or renew your passport.  Applicants in the greater Houston are that are in need of emergency passport services for immediate travel should schedule an appointment with the closest passport agencies located in Dallas, El Paso, and New Orleans. Appointments at passport agencies and passport information can also be obtained by calling the National Passport Information Center toll-free at 1-877-487-2778.

 

Did you know       about the TSA Pre-Check Program?  As stated on their website, “TSA Pre✓™ allows select frequent flyers of participating airlines and members of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Trusted Traveler programs who are flying on participating airlines, to receive expedited screening benefits. Eligible participants use dedicated screening lanes for screening benefits which include leaving on shoes, light outerwear and belts, as well as leaving laptops and 3-1-1 compliant liquids in carry-on bags.”  This is available at select airports, and there are plans to expand the program as well.  I can tell you that I personally LOVE this program!  It has really expedited my airport travels.  For more information, please visit:  http://www.tsa.gov/tsa-precheck
Did you know     Southwest Airlines has begun enforcing their new no-show policy?  As stated on their website:  If you are not planning to travel on any portion of your itinerary, please cancel your reservation at least 10 minutes prior to scheduled departure of the flight. For tickets purchased on or after May 10, 2013, for travel beginning September 13, 2013, Customers who fail to cancel or change a Wanna Get Away or DING! fare segment at least 10 minutes prior to travel and who do not board the flight, will be considered a no show, and all remaining funds on this reservation will be forfeited, including Business Select and Anytime funds.  For more information, please visit:  http://www.southwest.com/html/air/fare-information.html
Did you know       in early summer United Airlines started offering Economy Plus Subscriptions?  The annual subscription starts at $499 per person and be purchased by the traveler or given as a gift.  This subscription allows the passenger access to the coveted Economy Plus seating which has more leg room and is closer to front of the plane.  There are some terms and conditions to be aware of so please check http://www.united.com/web/en-US/apps/products/subscriptions/economyPlus.aspx
The only thing consistent in the world of travel is change!  Working with a travel professional will help insure that you are up to date and prepared to travel!

Kelley

Are You ready for an ADVENTURE ???

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Cruise Planners
 Are You Ready For An ADVENTURE ??Date: April  2013                       Issue #: 8

Kelley’s Travel Times #8

 

Are You Ready For An Adventure ??
It’s hard to believe that Easter has come and gone already this year!  I hope you had a great Easter weekend and you were able to celebrate with family and friends.  Steve and I had a nice (and much needed!) quiet Easter weekend and spent part of Easter day with my mom.  Mom is loving being in Texas for the winter months; she now understands why I left Ohio so many years ago.  I have to admit, while it was nice to spend some of the day with mom, my favorite times are the times I spend with Steve.
As a travel concierge who specializes in couples travel, I follow the news and trends in this niche closely.  Couples travel can be any form of travel such as cruises, resorts, escorted tours, independent touring, and more.  Couples travel can involve 1 couple traveling for romance or to celebrate a lifetime milestone; it can also be a group of couples traveling together for a special occasion or to experience new cultures.
              

One of the trends in couples travel is the more adventurous luxury travel for the romantic celebrations.  Because the average age for marriage is getting older, these couples are often established and have a desire for longer or more sophisticated honeymoons.   For many adults that are marrying for a second time, those couples no longer dream of the back packing trip through Europe.  African safaris are becoming very trendy for honeymooners as well as milestone anniversaries and other life celebrations.  This combines the best of both worlds!  Imagine yourself on your African Game Safari during the day, and in the evening your private romantic sunset dinner with breathtaking views.

               

 

Did you know you can do wine tours and river cruising while on your African safari vacation?  Exotic travel is also a hot trend.  Travel to Asia, Cambodia, and Vietnam is very popular.  Nearly all of the river cruise lines now offer these exotic itineraries.  I expect these destinations in particular to become more and more popular.  I expect within the next year, the Africa and Asia itineraries will sell out as quickly as some of the more popular Europe itineraries.  We are already seeing a variety of tour operators and river cruise companies increase the number of sailings or adventures to these destinations.
Some of the best advice I can give to my adventure minded couples is plan early and plan well.  Work with an experienced and professional travel consultant so all of your details are handled appropriately.  You wouldn’t want to get to your far away exotic destination only to be turned away because you don’t have the proper documentation.

Kelley

 

Kelley Austin, ACC

Couples Travel Concierge

936-825-7001   or   1-800-676-8196

kaustin@cruiseplanners.com

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