Do you know about these changes ??

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

 

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 !!

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

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!

Credit and Debit can make a difference in travel !

by In Brides, Cruise, Destinations, Europe, General Travel Information, Luxury Travel, Wedding Tagged , , , , , , , Leave a comment
Do you know the difference between a credit card and a debit card with a credit card symbol (V or MC) on it?  Often times, I find many of my clients don’t really understand the fine differences between the 2 of them.  This can lead to some challenges during your travel if you are not fully informed.  I certainly recommend you to check with your bank and credit card company for specifics, but I thought I would share a brief over view of some of the differences for you.
Credit and Debit cards with credit card symbols have many similarities, such as they are all accepted at the same locations and offer great convenience.  However, there is one fundamental difference between the two types of cards that can impact you greatly.  The biggest difference is where the card pulls the money.
A credit card is charging it against your line of credit with your credit card company, as long as you have available credit, you can make the charge.  Depending on your billing cycle you may have up to a month to pay the bill and may have the option of paying a minimum amount each month.
A debit card is pulling the money directly from your checking account when you make the purchase. They do this by placing a hold on the amount of the purchase. Then the merchant sends in the transaction to their bank and it is transferred to the merchants account. It can take a few days for this to happen, and the hold may drop off before the transaction goes through. The hold can also extend past the date of the transaction!   For this reason, it is important to keep a running balance of your checking account to make sure you do not accidentally overdraw your account. It is possible to do that with a debit card.  There are some other points of consideration when using a debit card for your travel expenses both when booking your travel and when traveling.
Many debit cards have a daily spending limit.  Yes, I know, it can be “run as a credit card”; however, many of them are still subject to the daily spending limits.  I run in to this daily with clients! They will have a deposit due of $500 and they only have a daily spending limit of $300; or they have a final payment due of $3500 and have a daily spending limit of $1000.  It doesn’t matter how much money you have in the bank, if the card has a daily spending limit, it won’t confirm the transaction.  With most banks you can call them, give the amount, and the merchant name and they will extend the limit for the business day.  While I personally always process the payments with a couple of days or more to spare (for this and other reasons), if you have waited until the last minute, this can be problematic.
When it comes to fraud, while they both offer fraud protection, they do not handle it in the same way.  Remember, your debit card is tied directly to your checking (or savings) account and has a higher fraud liability.  If someone steals your card or the number, they can drain funds in relatively short order.  Investigating this damage takes time. The longer you wait to report the fraud, the more likely you will be held liable for your own losses.  If you choose to use a debit card when traveling and will be on an extended length trip, please make sure you have access to secure internet service (not a public wifi!!) to monitor any activity on your checking or savings account.
Also, many bank debit cards cannot be used outside of the US.  You should check on this prior to travel!  This will be very important to know.  Debit cards are actually a great way (in all honesty, the best way) to obtain foreign currency from local ATM machines, but it will not help if your card is restricted from making international transactions.  This is most common with smaller local banks.  Credit cards on the other hand are not a good way to get foreign currency when traveling.  If you use a credit card in a foreign ATM, it is often considered a “cash advance” and your interest may start accumulating right at the time of the transaction.
Finally, the dreaded “hold” on the account.  When you are traveling, the holds can be extended for a good amount of time.  I know one cruise line that will put a hold on debit cards for up to 3 weeks after travel.  Depending on your financial circumstances and what other transactions you have automatically withdrawn from your account, this can be problematic.
When traveling, regardless of credit or debit, when you board a ship, or check in to a resort, you will need to have a credit / debit card in your name.  You will not be able to use someone else’s card unless that person is rooming with you or with you on the trip and will provide financial authorization for this to be done at check in.
Another point is your PIN number for both debit and credit cards.  Yes, credit cards have PIN numbers as well.  If you are traveling in Europe, I highly recommend that you find out your credit card PIN before travel.  You may need it to complete any purchases.  These can often only be mailed to you, so please don’t wait until the last minute!  Always make sure to contact your credit card and bank prior to travel outside of the US.  You need to alert them so they don’t put any fraud alerts on your account for valid purchases you may try to make.  I speak from experience when I tell you it is less than convenient to try and call your bank or credit card company from another country to resolve issues.
Both credit cards and debit card have distinct advantages and disadvantages when it comes to travel.  The choice of which you use is your personal decision to make.  I only ask that you know the differences so you are well prepared and don’t run in to any issues while trying to enjoy your travel experience.
Happy Travels!
Kelley

Don’t waste your money !!!

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

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 ??

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

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,

Do you have your travel documentation ??

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

Do you have your travel documentation?  jpeg

Any time you are planning travel, you need to make sure you have or are prepared to obtain proper travel documentation.  First things first, do you know what the proper travel documentation is for your travel? This answer can vary based on the type of travel and your specific circumstances.  There are a variety of travel documents to consider such as Passports, Visas, and Unaccompanied Minor forms.  Legal status may also have an effect on your travel documentation.

When it comes to passports and flying in and out of the US, the rule is simple.  You must have a passport book.  Passport cards are not valid for international air travel.

 I am often asked, “Do I have to have a passport for my cruise?”  There isn’t really a simple answer to this question.  My recommendation, and that of any reputable travel professional or organization, is always YES!  However, technically speaking, there could be a slightly different answer.

Let’s look at the easy scenarios first.  If your cruise departs out of any foreign port of call such as Canada, England, Europe, etc. then yes, you must have a passport.  (Remember, you need a passport to get to the departure city.)  If your cruise departs out of one US port and returns to a different US port, then yes, you must have a passport.

Now here is where it can be tricky, if your cruise departs and returns from the same US port, and you are a US citizen, although highly recommended, you may not be required to have a passport.  The department of Homeland Security has a policy that exempts passengers on a “closed loop” cruise from the passport requirement.  According to the department of homeland security, as shown on their website, a closed loop cruise is defined as a voyage or itinerary where a vessel departs from a U.S. port or place and returns to the same U.S. port upon completion of the voyage. They go on to further state that travelers on “closed loop” voyages are not subject to the same documentary requirements for entry to the United States as other travelers.

Having said that, most travel professionals and organizations agree while it may not be required, it is strongly recommended that you have a passport for any travel that involves leaving the United States.  There are many reasons for this.  Did you know that your birth certificate, even a certified copy, is not really proof of citizenship?  It does indeed prove you were born, but offers no current proof of your citizenship status.  Without being able to prove you are a US citizen, it is almost impossible to get back in this country if for some reason you aren’t coming back the same way you left!  For example, if there is some sort of family emergency while you are traveling, without a passport you would not be allowed to fly back to the US from any other country.  If you personally experience any sort of unforeseen circumstance or emergency while traveling and you need to return to the US via crossing a land border or flight, you will not be allowed to do so without a passport.  In this day and age, it is never a good idea to leave the US without a passport and proof of citizenship.   Many travel professionals are now requiring any passengers that opt to travel without a passport to sign a waiver stating that they understand they are leaving the country without a passport and they accept that risk and responsibility.

While we are on the subject of passports, please do yourself a favor and get a passport book, not the passport card.  The passport cards are not valid for air travel.  As per the US department of state:   The U.S. Passport Card can be used to enter the United States from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda at land border crossings or sea ports-of-entry. The passport card cannot be used for international travel by air.  The passport card will not do you any good if you need to fly home in the event of an emergency or other unforeseen circumstance.  Yes, passport cards are less expensive, but passport books are good for 10 years and when you do the math, very cost effective.  Plus with a passport book, you are ready to go at a moment’s notice regardless of where and how you are traveling.

If you don’t already have a passport, there is no time like the present to go and get one!

Another important topic for travel documentation is Visas; many countries require them.  The need for a Visa is determined by your country of citizenship, and the country you are visiting.  There is a very specific process and time frame for obtaining your travel visas.

Unaccompanied Minor documentation is also important to understand.  Any time a minor child is leaving the US without BOTH parents (regardless of marital status or custody arrangements), specific documentation is required.

Legal status is also something to be taken seriously before you book your travel or before travel departure.  Just because you have a date valid passport that does not mean your passport is valid for travel to all countries.  Our legal system here in the US makes significant differentiation between misdemeanor offenses and felony offenses.  This is not the case in all countries.  Just because you have a passport does not mean you are eligible to enter another country.  There are too many scenarios to cover here, but some of the biggest issues come in to play with DUI, DWI, back-child support, and other crimes.

When you book your vacation with me, I make sure you understand all of the documentation required for your travel.  I always recommend having a valid passport on hand so you can book that much needed vacation at a moment’s notice!

Happy Travels,

Are you ready for Europe ??

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

When are you going to Europe?

EuroDid you know that the Euro (€) is at a 9 year low against the US Dollar? What that means for you, is that your dollar will go further in Europe! Earlier this week, the Euro was at 1.17, in other words $1.17=1€. I can remember one of my trips when the Euro was at $1.47. To help put that in perspective for you, let’s look at a shopping scenario for you. If you are in Europe and find an item for 100€, with an exchange rate of 1.17 the item will cost you $117. However, with the higher exchange rate of 1.47, that same item will cost you $147. Which would you rather pay? I know I would much rather pay $117!
The Euro is the second most traded currency in the world after the US dollar. There are 19 of the 28 countries in the European Union that use the Euro as their official, primary, or only currency. Those countries are Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Spain. Also, some of the overseas territories of European Union members use the Euro as their official, primary, or only currency. (For example, on the French side of St. Martin in the Caribbean the Euro is the official currency.)
Something else to consider along with the exchange rate in Europe is how to get cash exchanged when you are in Europe. To get cash, the best exchange rate will be found using your bank / debit card at an ATM machine in Europe. Of course you need to check with you bank before leaving to see which banking machine system your card is compatible with. The ATM machines will charge you a fee for the exchange, but depending on your bank and the bank you are using in Europe, those fees are much lower than using a currency exchange booth at the airport, and most times lower than the fees for pre-purchasing your currency. Please avoid the currency exchange booths if at all possible; the fees are exorbitant most of the time. If you must use them upon arrival because you need it for taxi fare, or you find your card won’t work, only get the bare minimum you need until you can get to an ATM machine or contact your bank. Another option, but one I don’t recommend, is to use your credit card and get a cash advance at a bank. With credit cards, the interest on a cash advance often starts the day you take out the advance, not on the billing cycle date. In addition to that, there is also a fee to do the transaction.

 

Using credit cards in Europe also deserves your attention and fore thought before traveling. For your credit card purchases, you will want to check with your credit card company ahead of time and make sure your card can be used in Europe. Many places in Europe have gone to chip technology with their credit card processing; it is recommended that you have a credit card with a chip. Also, as a note, the most widely accepted cards in Europe are Visa and MasterCard. American Express is not as widely accepted, and Discover Card is rarely (almost never!) accepted. Another thing to consider with your credit cards is the foreign transaction fees. You may want to consider obtaining a credit card that does not have foreign transaction fees.

 

As always, regardless of where you travel, always alert your bank and credit card companies what countries you will be visiting and the dates you will be traveling. It is always the recommendation to use credit cards outside of the country and not debit cards.  Debit cards are a great convenience, but they are not credit card and do not have the same policies when it comes to fraud protection. Many debit cards are not even able to be used outside of the US. Prepaid credit cards are never a good idea outside of the US either; the vast majority of them cannot be used outside of the US.

 

Have you always wanted to visit Europe? Now is a great time! If you can’t visit now, but plan to in the relatively near future (approximately 1 year), you can always look at purchasing Euro’s now to use on your trip later. Now is the time to think about that trip to Italy you have always wanted to take, or maybe you have always dreamed a visit to France, Spain, Germany, or Ireland. Where ever your dream takes you, we can make that dream a reality!

Happy Travels,

Kelley

Do you have a New Year Plan ??

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

Kelley - Who we areThe New Year always brings a fresh perspective for many people. January is also the primary month of the year where people look forward at their year and make plans or goals. Did you know January is the most popular month to book travel for the year? January is the beginning of what we call “Wave Season”. There are many travel incentives and promotions available in January that makes it very attractive to book now. Just this week alone, Sandals featured a great air promotion and almost every major cruise line had promotions available for sailings in 2015. We expect the promotions to continue throughout the month both for cruise and resort vacations.Planning is the key to the success of your vacation experience. Let’s take a look at some general guidelines that will assist you with planning timeframes!

 

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

River Cruise: The best time to plan a river cruise is as soon as the idea enters your head, book one! River Cruises are in high demand and sell out very quickly. One year in advance is the average booking window. I have several clients that have already booked for 2016! Yes, 2016!! Sadly, I had to disappoint another couple this week because they wanted to cruise this June and the earliest availability for their chosen itinerary and stateroom type is in October! January brings a great number of promotions for remaining availability in 2015, and the 2016 options.

Destination Weddings or Celebration Travel for a group: 9-12 months if you have a very specific date in mind. Many resorts do not allow more than 1 or 2 weddings or large events on any given day, and the venues sell out quickly. Also, if you will have a number of guests traveling with you, we need to secure the room space well in advance to make sure we have space for everyone. As for flights, those can only be booked at a maximum 9 – 10 months out (can be as low as 6 months for some destinations) but the flights can be added later. The important thing is to secure the resort and the wedding or special event on your chosen day. Even if you aren’t planning a specific event, you really need to secure the dates early for your group. I already have a group on their second choice for November of this year because the resort of their choice does not have the rooms they need for their first choice of dates.

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

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

Europe Travel:  The 6 -8 month window is a great timeframe for most European Travel.

Exotic Destinations: Are you thinking about the South Pacific? The Maldives? Asia? An African Safari? Australia or New Zealand? These are best planned 8-10 months in advance . Sometimes we need to look a year in advance for very specialized itinerary or events. Again, we can always book the accommodations early, and add the flights later if flights are not available when you are ready to book.

I hope this overview of the planning time frame has been helpful to you! I am always here ready to assist you with your travel planning.

Happy Travels,

Kelley

Is your Passport valid ??

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

Is your passport valid?  jpeg

For a passport to be valid, there is more involved than just the actual expiration date.  Let’s take a look at a couple of additional requirements that can determine the validity if a passport.

Many countries require your passport to be good for at least 6 months past the date of travel.  While some countries may be less than that, the general stated recommendations are 6 months past the date of travel.  This is noted on every one of my invoices that go to clients been booking a trip.  Yes, it is important to read the fine print!   When considering international travel, please check your passports to make sure they are not expired and meet the 6 month requirement.  If your passport is not expired, but you will not meet the 6 months, you can renew your passport early.  The general recommendation from the Department of State is to renew your passport 9 months early.  While many people do not do this, you can renew as early as 9 months prior.

Passports must also be free of significant damage to be considered valid for travel.  If the book cover or picture page is significantly damaged, you will need to apply for a new passport.  As stated on the Department of State’s website about passport information “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 other injuries.”    If your cover is separating from the book, this is also considered significant damage.   Normal wear and tear is expected for passports.  If the book bends because it was in your back pocket, or the pages start to fan because the book is open and closed so much, these are signs of normal wear and tear.

Passports must also have a certain number of blank visa pages to be considered valid for travel.   Visa pages are the pages in your passport book that get stamped during the immigration process.   The requirements can vary by country, two to four pages is the general recommendation.  This is important to note in the event you are doing a long multiple country trip and will get multiple stamps on your journey.  During the planning process, or once your travel is booked, you need to look closely and make sure you have enough blank pages.  If you do not, you can order additional pages.   You will have to submit your passport book for them to add the additional pages. Also, you can now request larger passport books that have 52 pages instead of the standard 28 pages.  This is generally recommended only for the very frequent traveler or business travelers that have a high percentage of international travel.

I hope this has even informative and has inspired you to go check your passports!  Trust me, you don’t want that surprise at the airport when you are informed you cannot travel because your passport is not valid.

Another question I often receive is about name changes on passports.  All travel must be booked in the name as it appears on your passport.  If you need to change the name on your passport, there are 2 options.  If you are changing it due to marriage or divorce, you can make the change within 1 year with no fee.  There is a specific form (DS-5504) for this submission.  For any other reason, or outside of one year, you will need to submit the standard application form (DS-82 – Application for Passport by Mail) and pay all associated fees.

If you have any questions about passports, an excellent resource for you is www.travel.state.gov.

Happy Travels,

 

Are you a Freestyle Traveler ??

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

This weekend we depart on Norwegian Cruise Line’s newest ship, the Norwegian Getaway and will be cruising in the eastern Caribbean.

The thing that Norwegian Cruise Line is most well-known for is their FreeStyle cruising.  FreeStyle cruising is many things to many people.  With some of the newest ships in the industry, Norwegian Cruise Line currently boasts the youngest fleet among major North American cruise lines.  Norwegian continues the expansion and modernization of their fleet with the Norwegian Escape set to debut in 2015

FreeStyle cruising is a great choice for the independent folks who want to truly do it their way.  There are no set dining times, no set dining tables, and no formal nights!    FreeStyle dining is fantastic for those long port days on port intensive itineraries.  You no longer have to leave your destination early to get back in time for dining, or on nights when you are hungry early, you don’t have to “snack” before dinner.  Your vacation truly is whatever you want it to be.   Some of the dining options (which can vary by ship) include a wide variety of complimentary dining with up to 3 main dining rooms, a buffet, and 24 hour room service.  Specialty dining is also creative and varied throughout the fleet.  Experience the fine cuisine of Ocean Blue by Geoffrey Zakarian. Indulge in succulent meats at Moderno Churrascaria or on Certified Angus Beef® at Cagney’s Steakhouse, exclusively on Norwegian. Dine on expertly prepared chicken, steak and shrimp at Teppanyaki. Or savor French cuisine at Le Bistro and go for Italian at La Cucina. They’re all on board – and they’re all delicious. Cover charges for the specialty dining venues range between $15 – $99 per guest; with $25 being the average.  Having experienced many of them, I can honestly say they are more than worth the coverage charge!

Norwegian also touts their FreeStyle entertainment and FreeStyle accommodations.

When it comes to entertainment and activities, they have truly raised the bar!  They have bowling alleys, Wii sports, multiple supervised recreational programs, and a golf program with Elite Golf.  The entertainment is first rate with options on some ships such as Blue Man Group, Second City Comedy, Howl at the Moon, amazing production shows, White Hot deck parties and more.  On the new ship, the Norwegian Getaway you will be able to see the musical Legally Blond or Wine Lovers, the musical.

With regards to the FreeStyle accommodations, the choices are vast!  There are the traditional interior, ocean view, balcony, and mini-suites for you.  Norwegian also caters to the solo travelers with their studio cabins.  The studio cabins are specifically designed for the solo traveler complete with their own social gathering area.  The suites are where they have really stepped up the FreeStyle accommodations.
They have recently introduced The Haven.  The Haven is a ship within a ship feel!  Hidden away at the top of the ship is an exclusive enclave with the most luxurious, well-appointed and spacious accommodations. Not only will you have access to all the ship has to offer, you’ll enjoy the personal service of a 24-hour butler and concierge throughout your entire stay.

This is only the tip of the iceberg of Freestyle cruising on Norwegian Cruise Lines.  I’m happy to share any additional information if you have questions.  Be on the watch for an upcoming article dedicated to the new Norwegian Getaway.

Happy Travels!