What do you do if your flight is delayed or cancelled ??

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What do you do if your flight is delayed or cancelled?  There are some steps you can proactively take to stay informed and alleviate some of the stress associated with disrupted travel.

My first recommend is to always book your flights with a reputable travel agency or directly with the airline.  Please remember, that the online booking sites are not all equal in the eyes of the airlines.  When you book with some of them, you are not necessarily the customer of the airline.  Not being the customer of the airline can present many challenges when it comes to delays or cancellations.

If you have not already, I highly recommended downloading the apps for your preferred air carriers.  If you don’t have a preferred air carrier, once we have vacation flights booked, download the app for that carrier.   You can check flight status via the app and many of the airline apps allow you to sign up for text message alerts for your flights.  If you aren’t an “app” kind of person, you should visit the airline website; check your reservation via the record locator number and sign up for text alerts about that reservation.  Having the app on your phone, or receiving text alerts, make it easier to monitor your flight status for changes, delays, or cancellations.  Of course if you have booked through me, I’m happy to assist you with any of these steps!  I also monitor flights as best I can for you while you travel.

                

If the flight is cancelled prior to your day of departure, most airlines will automatically rebook you on another flight if they have control your reservation.  An important note here – if you have not booked with a travel agent or directly with the airline, the automatic rebooking may not occur instantly.  If you booked with one of the big online booking sites, you are their customer, and not necessarily the direct customer of the airline.  The airline may refer you back to the company where you booked your flight so they can assist you.  (This can be a real challenge if you are out of the country and your online site of choice only has internet support or no international phone number to call.)

If the flight is cancelled the day of departure and / or you are already at the airport, most airlines will immediately begin the rebooking process.  Some of the airlines have automated systems that rebook you, others it is a manual one by one done by the agents at the ticketing counter or gate.  Many of the airline apps will allow you to rebook within the app.  This will save you from having to stand in line at the airport ticket counter, or spend time on hold.   If the cancel occurs prior to you checking in for your flight and you have booked with me, I am always happy to work with you to reschedule your flight.  If you are already checked in for your flight or at the airport, working directly with the airline is often the most streamlined process.  If the airline is unable to assist, and you have booked with me, you should definitely call the 24 hour customer care number provided in your travel documents.  Again, if you booked with one of the online booking sites, getting help directly from the airline can be a challenge.  Please remember, it is not that they do not want to help you, but their first priority is their customer – those that book through travel agents and directly with the airline.

If you are at the airport and your flight is delayed, always stay close to the gate area so you can hear announcements.  At many airports, the flight schedule monitors are not actually updated by the airline, but by airport operations so the screens aren’t always updated as quickly as the changes occur.  If you have text alerts set up on your phone, these will be helpful as well.  If your delay is that of more than a few hours, the airline may be willing to provide a meal voucher for you.

If your delay turns in to a cancellation that requires an overnight stay at the airport, you do have options.  Depending on why the flight was cancelled, the airline may provide a hotel option for you.

If it is not a complimentary option (that is correct, it is not always a “free” hotel night), make sure to ask if they are offering a distressed traveler rate.  Most of the times they have negotiated distressed traveler rates with the airport area hotels.  Also inquire about meal vouchers, and toiletry kits.  In most cases, the airlines will not be able to provide you with your checked luggage in the event of an overnight situation.  This is one reason I always carry on a few toiletries and a change of clothes.  If I have them I don’t need them, it’s when I don’t throw them in that it comes back to haunt me!

Yes, delays and cancellations are painful for all involved, including the airport staff.  Please remember, they are no happier about the delays or cancellations than you are.  You may be traveling for an important event, or simply trying to get home after a long trip, whatever the reason for your travel, and whatever the reason for your delay, please do not take it out on the airline staff (or your travel agent!).    

Happy travels.                     

      Kelley

Do you know your name ??

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jpegDo you know your name?  I’m serious; do you actually know your name as it appears on your official documentation?  You would be shocked if you knew how many people give me their “names” but upon further questioning or looking at their documents, they learn their name isn’t what they have been calling themselves!  When you get a chance, take a look at your driver’s license, your passport, your social security card.  Do they all have the same name?  Many people have different names on every piece of government issued identification or document they have!
Ideally, you should have the same name on all of your documentation so there is no mistaking your identity.   Then there is the whole, how does your name appear on your credit card?  More often than not, the name appears slightly different on your credit card than it does any of your documentation.
When it comes to travel outside of the US, your passport is ultimately all that matters.  Before booking any travel that involves travel outside of the country, please make sure you look at your passport and know how your name appears.  It does not matter how your name appears on your driver’s license in another country, they only care about your passport name.  If you don’t already have a passport, or it needs to be renewed, please make sure you know how your name will appear on the passport when booking your travel.  It is important that the name on your travel reservation and the name on your documentation be an exact match. Remember, your name must exactly match!  If there is Jr, Sr, II, or III, etc. after your name that matters too!
Airlines are not fond of name changes and there can be significant financial penalties.  Many times, the name cannot be changed; the ticket must be cancelled and reissued.  This is a double whammy, they will not refund your money on the cancelled ticket, plus you have to buy a new ticket.
It’s not just the airlines; it is the immigration officials in the country you are entering or exiting, and even the resort you are visiting.  If your name does not match on your travel documentation and your passport, you may be subject to additional immigration screening upon entering or the country.  Surprisingly, exiting a foreign country to return to the US can be even more of an issue if there is a name discrepancy.  Resorts also check your name at check-in and if it does not match your passport, your check-in process can be long and arduous.  Also at the resort, if the name on your passport does not match the name on the credit card they will be using for incidentals, they may ask for an additional form of identification to prove the credit card is indeed yours.
Many travelers (including myself) will use their passport names for all travel, including domestic travel.   There is absolutely nothing wrong with that, just remember to always have your passport with you!
It sounds so simple, but at least once a week I get a call about a name issue with clients.   This is the one issue that can make me (and all other travel professionals) lose sleep at night.  There is nothing more gut wrenching than getting that call from a client that is at the airport and cannot check-in for their flight due to a name discrepancy.
Now, go check all of your documentation so you know your name!
Kelley

Do you know about these changes ??

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Travel is always changing and this summer is no exception!  There have been a few announcements recently about changes that are both interesting and “need to know”.  Here are just a few of the changes!

Carnival Cruise Lines has been busy with announcements this last week.  The announcement from Tuesday will have an impact on anyone cruising Carnival starting in July.    Effective July 9, Carnival is prohibiting passengers from bringing on bottled beverages.  According to Carnival they are implementing the bottled beverage ban for two main reasons. First, it slows down the boarding process due to security checks for contraband booze. Second, it can lead to behavioral problems caused by overconsumption.   Carnival will still allow one 750-milliliter bottle of unopened wine or champagne in carry-on baggage on embarkation day. If they choose to consume it in a restaurant or bar, they will be charged a $15 corkage fee. Carnival did clarify a policy regarding the ability to bring on soda or bottled water.   “We will continue to allow up to 12 unopened cans or cartons of water, sodas and non-alcoholic beverages per person to be brought on board during embarkation,” the line said. “Guests can now purchase a 12-pack of bottled water from Carnival at a price of $2.99 plus tax online prior to their cruise or $4.99 plus gratuities once on board. We sincerely apologize for any disappointment these changes may cause. However, we firmly believe these changes will ultimately benefit all guests.”

Also in the news late last week, Carnival announced a new brand of cruising specifically dedicated to volunteerism.  Carnival will be launching fathom in April 2017 with seven-day voyages from Miami aboard the Adonia.  The Adonia is a 710-passenger vessel redeployed from Carnival Corp.’s P&O Cruises. The first destination for this new concept will be the Dominican Republic.  According to Carnival the Dominic Republic was chosen as the first destination because the average household income is about US$6,000 a year and more than 2 million Dominicans do not have access to piped water.  Passengers will pay cruise fares starting at $1,540 per person for an outside cabin. On the initial sea days guests will attend onboard “readiness experiences,” such as an orientation to the Dominican Republic, conversational Spanish lessons, activity training, workshops, personal enrichment and more.  There will be on-shore social impact activities such as helping cultivate cacao plants and helping a women’s cooperative produce artisan chocolates; teaching English in schools or to adults; or helping build water filters using clay.  This is certainly going to be a unique and rewarding cruise experience!  Keep your eyes and ears open for more fathom details as they are released!

Frontier Airlines also made headlines this week.  Frontier Airlines is no longer going to put the actual departure time on their boarding passes!  Yes, it’s true.  They are now going to put the time that “boarding begins” and the time that the boarding “door closes,” which is 10 minutes prior to a flight’s scheduled departure time.   In an article for Today in the Sky As for Frontier, spokesman Jim Faulkner says the goal for the change is to keep flights on schedule.

“It’s part of our emphasis to ensure an on-time departure for our customers, if the door closes 10 minutes before scheduled departure, customers still have time to stow their bags, get their seat belts fastened and get settled in so that the plane can push back from the gate on time or before.”   While I don’t think this is a bad thing, it is worthy of noting the change.  If you are flying Frontier, please make sure to check your boarding passes!

Keep an eye out over the coming months for possible changes to carry-on size luggage.  Currently, there is no standard in the industry, each airline sets their own.   The industry trade association International Airline Transport Association (IATA) is recommending that all airlines standardize so consumers are no longer confused with the different airline allowances.  They are recommending a smaller size that will allow for all flying passengers to have room in the overhead or under the seat in front of them for their carry-on bags.  One of the goals is to stop the “fight for the bin” space and therefore expediting the boarding process.  The European carriers already (and always have) have smaller carry-on size allowances than the US carriers.  So far 8 international carriers have formally signed on and back the IATA recommendations and another 30 have expressed interest.  Currently, no US Airlines have formally supported the recommendation.  This will be an interesting story to follow and will certainly change the way we fly if all airlines adopt the recommendation.  For now, my recommendation is the same as always – check your airline website for their carry-on allowance prior to your travel.

Travel is constantly changing, and I will always do my best to keep you informed of any significant industry changes or announcements.   Since the changes may not be a topic of my newsletters each week, I do hope you will engage on social media with me so you can continue to be informed and probably entertained by some of my posts or photos.

Happy Travels!

      

Protect Yourself and be healthy !!

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I am often asked how people can protect themselves from getting sick when traveling.  My first concern is always for your safety and well-being.  I will never recommend areas or resorts that I feel are unsafe or that I would not travel to personally.  If you have any health concerns, please make sure to advise me when we are in the planning process, or prior to travel so you we can manage any situation!

One thing to remember (and this is on every one of my confirmation invoices I provide) is that it is your responsibility to ensure you have the proper travel documentation (passports, visas, identification, vaccinations, etc.) in order to travel abroad.  Did you notice that word vaccinations?  Too often people always overlook this and think it doesn’t pertain to them or their destination.  In most cases you are right – it doesn’t.  However, the CDC is constantly updating their information with regards to required or recommended vaccinations for any destination you may travel to.  Please note there is a difference between a requirement and a recommendation.  For a requirement, it is just that – and you will have to show proof before being allowed to enter the country.  Recommendations are just that, general wide scope recommendations.  For any questions regarding the recommendations, you should consult with your physician to see if the recommendation applies to you in your health assessment.  Often times, the recommendations will not apply to you based on your overall health.

Many times people will get sick when traveling and assume they have food poisoning.  True food poisoning is actually quite rare in the more mainstream tourist destinations or on cruise ships.  Often times it is your body reacting to unfamiliar or excessive foods (especially when combined with alcohol), or different bacteria or pesticides.  It can also be an indicator there is something more serious going on.  There are ways you can protect yourself when traveling.  The two biggest ways you can protect yourself are through eating safe foods and personal hygiene.  The other way is by working with a travel professional that visits the resorts on a routine basis and knows the practices at each resort.  Did you know that most of the resorts I recommend use only bottled and treated water throughout the entire resort?

Eating safe foods such as those that are cooked and served hot is one recommendation.   If you don’t know the food source, you want to make sure your eggs are hard cooked or cooked thoroughly, and that you are consuming pasteurized dairy products.  If you are working with a good travel professional, they will have good insight for you on this type of thing.  (Did you know some resorts actually have their own greenhouses and grow their own produce?)  There are some general recommendations – but these will vary slightly based on the destination and health concerns.   If you are at a good quality resort (this is where value comes in to play and not necessarily just price!), or on a cruise ship, the recommendations will be slightly altered.  The recommendations below should definitely be followed if you are eating out side of your resort or in a port of call!

Some general recommendations of foods not to eat:

Food served at room temperature

Food from street vendors

Raw or soft-cooked (think runny) eggs

Unwashed or unpeeled raw fruits or vegetables (if you want these – please make sure to wash them!)

Peelings from fruits or veggies

Condiments made from fresh ingredients if you don’t know or trust the food source

Salads

Unpasteurized dairy products

“Bushmeat” (monkeys, bats, or other wild game)

Drinking safe beverages is also important.  While most of the better resorts only use bottled or filtered water, it is always best to ask about the water source!  I only recommend resorts that use bottled or filtered water, but believe it or not, some people choose not to take my recommendations!

Don’t forget about the ice!  Ice is water!  You need to know if the ice cubes are made from filtered water or tap water.  If tap water – stay away!  Personally, I don’t use ice at all when I am traveling, no matter where I am going.  The safe beverages are generally bottled water (that is sealed or opened in front of you), water that has been disinfected (boiled, filtered, treated), ice made with boiled or disinfected water, carbonated drinks, hot coffee or tea, and pasteurized milk.

Drinks to avoid include:

Tap or Well water (Don’t even brush your teeth with it if it is not treated!)

Ice made with tap or well water

Drinks made with tap or well water (such as reconstituted juices or iced tea)

Open market drinks made with fresh fruit pulp

Flavored ice and popsicles

Unpasteurized milk

Personal hygiene cannot be understated here!  You hear it all of the time “wash your hands” – but do you do it?  You should wash your hands often and with soap whenever possible.  If soap is not available, make sure you clean your hands with sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.    Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth unless your hands are clean.  Avoid close contact with anyone who is sick.

One other hint – if you have ever been on a flight and they give you a hot / warm towel before you eat or land – Don’t use that to wipe your face!!  Those towels can be a breeding ground for bacteria!  Use those towels to wipe your hands (but don’t touch your face!), and clean the tray table you will be using.

If you have any questions regarding health concerns in the area you are visiting, I encourage you to visit with your doctor to determine if you need any vaccinations or if following a few simple precautions will be all you need.  Most of the time, just following simple precautions is all you need to have a safe and healthy vacation experience!

Happy Travels!

Are you a Smart Traveler ??

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When it comes to your vacation experiences, are you a Smart Traveler?

                                       SMART TRAVELER 

Smart Traveler, the official State Department app for U.S. travelers, invites you to see the world with easy access to frequently updated official country information, travel alerts, travel warnings, maps, U.S. embassy locations, and more.
With Smart Traveler, you can create personal itineraries, add notes, and organize your trips.
Smart Traveler also provides access to the State Department’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). Free STEP enrollment enables the State Department to better assist you in emergencies such as natural disasters, unrest in foreign countries, or lost/stolen passports overseas. During your travels, STEP can help family and friends reach you in an emergency.
Smart Traveler also provides quick access to the Department’s Consular Affairs Facebook and Twitter pages. And for a bit of fun, you can shake your device to get information on a random country!
Application is available in both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store for iPhone and Android devices 
(search term: Smart Traveler).
Link to create account on state.gov website = https://step.state.gov/STEP/Pages/Common/CreateAccountStart.aspx
I highly recommend that anyone traveling outside of the USA become a Smart Traveler!
Kelley
Happy Travels!
       

Don’t waste your money !!!

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As a Couples Travel Concierge I am often asked “why should I use a travel agent?” Although I could give a list of 100 reasons off the top of my head, it all boils down to this – don’t waste your time or money!

The famous Warren Buffet quote “Price is what you pay, Value is what you get”. As a professional travel concierge, my goal is to help you find the best value for your vacation dollar. Price and value are not always (and sometimes not at all) the same! We all know what price is… it is the amount you pay for a given item, service, or in this case, vacation. Value is another matter entirely. You might say that as your travel concierge I act as your value interpreter.
Value, what is it to you? For some people, value is time and time is money. For some people value is convenience. For some people value is knowledge and expertise. As a professional travel concierge I work with only the best vacation providers to insure that you have a seamless and flawless vacation experience from start to finish thus providing you with time, convenience, my knowledge and expertise.
I’m often asked “are you more expensive than the internet?” That depends, are you talking about price, or value? Most often my clients will find my prices are very competitive; however, admittedly, sometimes my prices may not be less than “the internet” – but the value I bring is considerably more than that.
Do you have the time to research the endless options for your vacation? Do you have the time to deal with things if something goes awry? How convenient is it for you when there is a schedule change and you are notified? How convenient is it for you if you don’t know the documentation requirements and you show up without the correct documents?
Some people think booking on the internet is the way to book travel. If you decide to book “on the internet”, wouldn’t it be interesting to find out if the internet has ever been to where you want to go? Does the internet answer the phone on the weekends or at night if you have a travel emergency? Perhaps you decide to book with an online agency that has a call center. Often times the call center employees (note: they are usually not travel agents) have never traveled to your destination and only knows what “the internet” tells them. Not to mention, have you ever tried to reach an “online agency” from another country? Rarely do they have international phone support and it can be quite difficult to email the help desk if you are in the midst of a storm with no power.
Obviously, the choice is yours. When it’s my money, I opt for value over price every day.

 

Happy Travels

 

Kelley

Did you think of this ??

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It’s hardjpeg to think of everything when you are packing for a vacation. I always seem to get there and think “I wish I had thought to bring ….” It’s not that we “forget” to pack things, sometimes we just don’t think of things. Sometimes it isn’t “packing” it’s just “things” related to travel you may not think about – until you need or want it of course! I thought it would be fun this week to do a “Did you think of this?” list for you. Did you think of this for packing?

Rolling your clothes – Rolling clothes before putting them in your suitcase will help prevent wrinkles and it will also take up less space. I have rolled my clothes for years and you’d be surprised what a difference it makes. If you just can’t bear the thought of rolling all of your clothes, or you really love to iron during your vacation, at least roll 1 outfit and put it in your carry-on with you! This way you won’ t have to go to dinner when you arrive in your destination in wrinkled clothes, or to dinner the first night of a cruise in wrinkled clothes because you did not have time to iron before the early seating.
Downey Wrinkle Release – Do you see a pattern here? I hate to iron anytime, but especially on vacation! You can buy a travel size bottle of this in the trial section of your local drug store or Walmart. Not only does it help with wrinkles, it can help with keeping your clothes smelling fresh after you unpack them, especially if your suitcase was left in the rain on the tarmac at the airport. Yes, that has happened to me.
Dryer Sheets – I know there are some of you that will insist on folding and ironing. That’s okay… put a dryer sheet in each suitcase to keep your clothes smelling fresh.
Ziploc Bags – Bringing a few Ziploc bags on vacation takes up no space and will serve you well. If you are on a cruise you can use them when going on shore excursions so you can keep water and sand away from your phone, camera, cash, passport etc. If you are staying at a beach resort you can use them at the beach to keep sand and water at bay. A gallon Ziploc bag comes in handy for throwing your flip flops or water shoes in to keep any residual sand out of your suitcase. You can also use Ziploc bags for make-shift vacuum packing. Place clothing items in the bag (works especially well with swim suits, underwear, socks, and workout clothes), compress the bag (I have been known to sit on it!), and Ziploc the bag. Presto! Compressed packing equals more room in the suitcase. I always carry quart and gallon size bags.
Pill Containers aren’t just for pills. You can use them to organize earrings or smaller rings. They are also great for keeping fine chains untangled if you don’t want to bring your jewelry boxes or pouches.
Surge Protectors with USB outlets, or Multi Chargers with USB outlets – I have never seen a resort room with enough outlets and in a cruise ship cabin – you are lucky if there is more than one even accessible to you! Who doesn’t travel with more than just one electronic that needs to be charged or plugged in these days? There are some very simple ones and some very fancy ones that have plugs that rotate 360 degrees. All that really matters is that they are small, compact, and will be extremely useful!
Portable USB Chargers will charge your phone just when you need it. Remember, phones aren’t just for calling anymore; they are cameras, photo albums, or gaming centers for some people. For example, when you are sitting in the airport waiting on that delayed flight, or waiting for embarkation or disembarkation of your cruise ship, on that boring transfer ride to your resort while you stop at 3 others if you didn’t take my advice to upgrade your transfers, you can power up your device and have at it!
Travel Size Hand Sanitizer comes in very handy when you are out exploring your destination or on a cruise ship excursion. Let’s face it, not all people have the same idea of personal hygiene that we do! It’s also likely you could be at a crowded resort or attraction and there is no convenient place to wash your hands, or there is no soap available. I’m not suggesting this take the place of good ole fashioned hand washing, but simply suggesting it in a pinch.
Hopefully a couple of these ideas will be helpful on your future vacation experiences!

Happy Travels,

Where can you go ??

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A couple of weeks ago I participated in a bridal show; one question that came up frequently throughout the day is where can I go for my honeymoon if we don’t have passports?  I also get this question quite often from other travelers as well.  Not everyone wants or can get a passport; some people just don’t plan their travel far enough ahead to get a passport or consider their passport expiration dates (you know who you are!).
The good news is there are some really great destinations outside of the mainland US that you can visit without passports!  There can be a slight downside to this as well – all-inclusive resorts will not be prevalent in these destinations, they will be very few if any.  This is not a bad thing, but something to consider when doing your budget for your vacation experience.  Let’s take a look at your options!
Hawaii is always a fantastic vacation destination!  Each island has its own distinct personality so we can really customize your vacation to the type of experience you are looking for.  You can visit one island or multiple; if you have longer than 5 days, I highly recommend visiting at least 2 islands to really get a great experience.  One thing to remember, the flights home are very often over night flights, you will need to keep this in mind when planning your travel dates.
Puerto Rico is another great option that does not require a passport.  Puerto Rico is the perfect blend of colonial Spanish culture, amazing natural beauty and contemporary lifestyles. You can visit historic Old San Juan, awe-inspiring rainforests, coffee plantations and rum distilleries to explore as well.  Explore endless stretches of beautiful beaches where you can snorkel, sail, fish and surf.
The US Virgin Islands offer a tropical vacation option for you with no passport required.  The US Virgin Islands consist of St Thomas, St John, and St Croix.  St. Thomas offers a variety of attractions, beaches and activities.  Water sports, tennis, restaurants and nightlife are very popular.  The capital city, Charlotte Amalie, is a major port of call for duty-free shopping.  St John is just off shore from St Thomas and is a nature lover’s paradise since much of the island is a national park.  Most guests fly in and out of St Thomas and take the ferry over to St. John.  St. Croix is the largest of the US Virgin islands, but in many ways the most unspoiled of them all.  You can explore the beaches, the Old Danish Towns or check out the national parks. I would be remiss if I did not caution you about traveling to the US Virgin Islands without a passport.  Please remember, many of the neighboring islands are considered foreign nations so you will not be able to visit them without passports.
While traveling the world and getting your passport booked stamped until it is full is always a great plan, traveling without a passport can be an awesome experience as well!
Happy Travels,

Kelley

 

Love is in the air

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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!
         jpeg    jpeg.jpg3    jpeg.jpg2
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, aprivate 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

Why ?? What ??

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As a travel professional, I am often asked “Why should I use a travel agent?” “What do you do differently than the internet?”, or I hear statements along the lines of “I didn’t know travel agents still exist”. People are always surprised when I tell them that majority of vacation and leisure travel is still booked by travel agents. While the internet is good for looking, travel agents are for booking! The internet can be a great resource tool, but it cannot replace good old fashioned customer service or personal experiences. Also, there isn’t always a way to verify that what you see or read on the internet is factual. Just this week I read an article where an estimated 30% of online views are “paid” or “fraudulent” reviews. Personally, I read a review this week of a resort and the “reviewer” complained about the service in the kids program and the treatment of the kids. The problem with that is the resort is an adult only resort – there is no kids program! I don’t know how many times “the internet” has been to a particular destination or on a particular cruise / cruise line, but I know how many times I have been there or sailed. Also, as part of a large consortium of travel agents and agencies, if I haven’t been there, I can get first hand professional information from someone who has recently visited.

There are also certain updates that are not always widely distributed in the mainstream or social media. Often the best source of this information is your travel professional. We can also sort through what applies to you and what doesn’t apply to your specific vacation.
Did you know part of Mexico is changing time zones this weekend? That’s right! The state of Quintana Roo (Cancun, Cozumel, and Riviera Maya) announced earlier this week that they are changing time zones on February 1! The airlines are working on schedule changes and I will be notifying all clients that are affected as soon as I have confirmation of changes. Not all clients traveling to these destinations will be affected, but many in the next 2-3 months will be. Did you know that if you book your flights via certain online travel agencies that the airlines are not obligated to notify you? They are obligated to notify their customer, which is that online agency – not you. Will that online agency notify you? Some are better than this than others. What I do know is that any of my clients that are affected, I will be notifying them!

Do you book your cruises in advance? If you book directly with the cruise line, or with some of the online agencies, what happens if there is a price drop? Do they call you and tell you? Do they try to get something better for you? I do! I also sort through the marketing and media hype for you. Quite often, the price “reductions” that you see don’t apply to your particular ship and sail date, or to your cabin category. If they do apply, I will automatically make adjustments for you when possible. If they don’t apply, isn’t it better to have me do that research for you than to have to spend that time and energy doing it yourself? Just this week a client found a “cheaper” price – but guess what… there were strings attached to that price point that would not have been a benefit. The client would have risked $800 to save $50-$150…. Not exactly a great value proposition when you really look at it!

In addition to the personal experiences I can bring to you, I also provide very personalized experiences for your vacation. Here are just a couple of examples:
Have your vacation experiences planned to your exact specifications. You should be taking your perfect vacation – not the “picture perfect” vacation you see in brochures or on the internet.
Perhaps you are a honeymoon couple or a landmark anniversary couple and want to be recognized as such during your honeymoon or anniversary trip. I can arrange very special acknowledgements for you.

Do you 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?
I could literally list 100 + reasons on why you should use a travel agent, but no worries, I won’t! Hopefully this has given you a bit of insight to what a good travel professional can do for you!
Happy Travels,

 

Kelley