myvacationlady

We've moved

2010-11-19T12:49:00.002-05:00

Thanks for subscribing to the My Vacation Lady blog. We haven't stopped blogging about interesting travel information but have moved our location.

Effective Nov 15, 2010, you can find us at
My Vacation Lady's Blog
Check out our new website while you're there.
Looking forward to sending you away very soon!

What your bank won't tell you about currency conversion

2010-11-11T14:53:00.004-05:00

Did you know that if you don't take the right steps in converting your US $ to Euros, you can lose up to 22 cents for every dollar that you convert?

When it comes to navigating exchange rates, it pays to know all your options. From buying money online to grabbing it on the go at the airport, Budget Travel Magazine has assembled a handy guide to the seven most common methods for foreign exchange. Each has its pros and cons (some of which can feel like legal swindling), so they've evaluated the options for you with the euro as our base tender, using an Exchange Rate Rip-off Meter from 1 to 5.

Read more

Tips for reducing stress during holiday flying

2010-11-10T08:13:00.002-05:00

The year has zipped by and before you know it, Thanksgiving and Christmas will be here. These are also 2 of the busiest times of the year to fly. Whether you are flying home for the holidays or going on a vacation, be prepared to wait in longer lines at the airports.

This article looks at whether it is worth the money to pay some of the airline fees to reduce your stress during the holiday peak flying season. Read More.

If it sounds too good to be true...

2010-11-08T07:53:00.003-05:00

You get a call or a letter saying that you can get a free cruise just by sitting through a 90 minute time share presentation. What do you do? Do you hang up the phone or rip up the letter?

In this case, this central NJ couple took the offer, sat through the time share presentation and sent in their money for their "free" cruise. They never got it and realized that they got scammed.

Read More

Honeymooners guide to the hot beaches

2010-11-05T09:31:00.003-04:00

After the stress of planning a wedding and the wedding day itself, many of My Vacation Lady's honeymooners just want to relax at a beachfront resort. With beaches all over the world, how do you know which are the best beaches for your honeymoon?

Click here for a list of some of the world's hottest beaches.

As a honeymoon specialist, My Vacation Lady can help recommend a honeymoon that will combine a great beach, great accommodations and the right property that will make your honeymoon dreams come true.
Contact us for your complimentary honeymoon consultation.

Review of the MSC Poesia

2010-11-02T13:19:00.009-04:00

My Vacation Lady was invited to visit the MSC Poesia on the day the ship was in NYC before heading down to the Caribbean for the winter.

Sister ship to the Orchestra, which we saw a while back, the Poesia is a beautiful ship full of European touches. This ship is owned by an Italian company so the decor, cuisine and style is definitely European.

There are 2 specialty restaurants (at an additional cost)- and Italian restaurant and Asian/Sushi.

The main dining rooms are lovely and the food was very tasty.
The spa is gorgeous with a spacious sauna and jacuzzi room with 2 hot tubs overlooking the ocean just outside (a perfect way to finish a spa treatment!)

I found the service on the Poesia to be much better in terms of attentiveness. Please keep in mind that when the ship is in Europe, the wait staff might be a bit more unobtrusive, which is what the European guests prefer. The wait staff here was definitely in tune with an American market this time. They were constantly coming around to refill water glasses and checking that all was ok.

My favorite areas on the ship:
The theatre- in one of my favorite colors- purple. This show lounge offers completely unobstructed views from all of the 1240 seats.
The Zebra Lounge is a great and slightly wild place to spend some time enjoying the music with a cocktail. Don't drink too much here since the carpet might make you a bit dizzy!

The spa, sauna and Jacuzzi relaxation room
The pool deck with movie screen and stage on one side, the quieter pool on the other, separated by 2 hot tubs overlooking both.

All in all, MSC is building a presence in the Caribbean and is worth taking a 2nd look at. They typically offer great promotions, including kids sail free so they can be a very cost effective cruise to take. I would recommend the MSC Poesia to the client who is well traveled and likes a European flair. For those clients who want to sail only with Americans where English is the only language spoken, MSC, even in the Caribbean, might not be the right line for you but if you are looking for something with a bit of international flair, the Poesia might be just the thing!

Make sure your airline ticket matches your ID

2010-11-01T08:27:00.002-04:00

For months, My Vacation Lady has been preparing our clients for this day and today, it has arrived. As of Nov 1, 2010, if the name on your airline ticket does not match your ID, the TSA says it will not approve airlines to issue a boarding pass if the required information - your name, date of birth and gender as it appears on your government ID - was not provided by customers at the time of booking.

Read more

Kauai- hiking the Na Pali Coast

2010-10-28T13:51:00.004-04:00

Kauai is probably my favorite of the Hawaiian islands and one of the most lush. This is the island where so many movies, including Jurassic Park, were filmed.

There is one part of the island, the Na Pali Coast, that is inaccessible by car so the only way you can get there is by boat or hiking.

If you decide to take a hike, the short trail is about 2 miles.
These are some of the views you might see
Click Here

If you prefer not to get muddy and take a boat instead, you might be treated to views like this

Should you book your honeymoon online?

2010-10-27T08:42:00.002-04:00

My friend, Laura Frazier, posted this blog a couple of days ago and I thought she made some excellent points that I think are so important when deciding which travel consultant to use when booking the most important vacation of your lives- your honeymoon.

"At least a couple times a month someone will call me or walk into my office and ask the question that’s probably somewhere on your mind right now-why should I use a honeymoon specialist?

There are just as many myths about travel agents as there are about Jell-O. I mean, we’ve all heard that Jell-O is made from horse hooves right? And that there’s a giant wall around the Jell-O factory so no one can see in. And travel agents went out of business when the internet came out. And everyone knows that the handful of travel agents that are still around cost way more than booking it yourself online.

Well, while I am still waiting for someone at Jell-O’s customer service dept to get back to me about the horse hoofs, (hey I am a vegetarian after all!), I can clear up some of the myths about travel consultants for you.

Travel consultants aren’t what they used to be. Just like Madonna, we’ve had to constantly reinvent ourselves to stay current. We’ve packed away our bangle bracelets and paper airline tickets, and moved into the electronic world. In fact, what you may not have realized is that travel consultants are much better today than they were in the past. Thanks to the internet, there’s an unending amount of travel information available everywhere. Since there’s nothing we hate more than looking uninformed, (or even worse knowing less than you do), we spend an ungodly amount of time doing research, attending seminars, and traveling to the destinations we sell.

To the internet retailer, travel is a commodity. It’s an airline ticket and a hotel room. To us, travel is an experience. It’s a week of your life that you probably saved up for a year or two to enjoy. It’s laying in the sunshine or having a great dinner. And, if you’re working with us, it’s likely that it’s your honeymoon or destination wedding, which is probably one of the most memorable trips you’ll ever take. An online travel site will happily take your money, and a week of your life, without ever bothering to make sure that you really intended to go to a clothing optional resort, or that you clearly understand the difference between a European and all inclusive plan. However, a good travel consultant will take the time to make sure that the trip you’re about to embark upon is actually the trip that was just a dream floating around in your head for months on end.

Price vs. Value- So we’ve all heard that it costs more to use an agent than it does to book online. Sometimes that’s true. Most of the time, it’s not. We have access to the same pricing and promotions as you’ll find online. And we frequently have access to upcoming promotions that you’re not going to be able to see yet. (Think an online site will tell you to wait a couple of weeks before booking because there’s a great sale starting later?) Feeling like you got a great deal is exciting! But, it’s important to remember that price and value are not the same thing. Sure you can find a resort that looks fantastic online (but will it actually be that fantastic in person? Will the internet tell you that the beach is rocky or the beds are hard as rocks or that reservations are required for the specialty restaurants and that in your 7 night stay, you are only entitled to eat at them 3 times- the rest of the time you get the buffet for dinner?)

What you also can’t see is that you’ve just dug out your passport and traveled for hours to this exotic location, only to find that the chicken nuggets and Jell-O jigglers are the highlights of the lunch buffet.

Oh they didn’t mention that on the website? Maybe you should ask a travel consultant!"

The main point of this article that Laura posted is not whether you can book your honeymoon online but rather why you should contact a honeymoon specialist.

A point that happened first thing this morning. I picked up email at 745am to find an email from honeymooners in Hawaii. Their tour to Pearl Harbor had problems due to traffic, then crowds, then high wind and they didn't get to see the Arizona- the groom's reason for going to Oahu. I called the travel supplier (5am their time) to see if we could re-arrange their flight to Kauai and get them back to Pearl Harbor this morning. What internet company do you think will do that for you.

My Vacation Lady is a vacation and honeymoon specialist. Our goal is to make sure your vacation or honeymoon will create memories to last a life time. We look forward to sending you away very soon on your dream vacation!

Mexicos new rules on using US $$

2010-10-25T08:21:00.002-04:00

I have brought this up before but since Mexico is such a big travel destination for Americans, I thought I would bring this back as a reminder.

"Traveling abroad means converting to the local currency, right?
While Mexico has had a very liberal acceptance of US dollars for decades, the Mexican Government passed a new anti-money laundering law beginning September 14, 2010.

With this new law, the use of American Dollars (CASH) to make purchases in Mexico will change. Other payment methods such as credit cards of all types and all issuing banks, Travelers Checks, Mexican pesos and non-American foreign currencies (such as Euros or Canadian Dollars) are NOT affected in any way by this new law.

The most noticeable differences to your customers will be:
• Hotels and Exchange Booths, and Local Banks will only be able to change a maximum of $1,500 USD CASH per person per month into Mexican Pesos. Previously there was no limit.
• Businesses (including restaurants, shops, and Destination Managment Companies/Tour Operators) will only be able to accept a maximum of $100 USD CASH per transaction - but the number of transactions per customer is not restricted.
• Certain businesses may not be able to, or may choose not to accept American Dollars for any purchase at all (this may include shops, etc), however still accepting Mexican Pesos.
• If a customer wants to purchase an excursion (for example) that costs $150 US dollars per person, customers will only be able to pay $100 of this amount in USD CASH and the remainder will need to be in another form of payment (credit card, Mexican pesos, etc).
• Airlines are advising that within Mexico, they will only accept Mexican Pesos and credit cards for any fees (including baggage fees).

Vacationers should never carry large amounts of American dollars with them abroad, but instead they should consider either using a Credit Card, taking or locally withdrawing Mexican Pesos from an ATM (very easy and convenient), or use Travelers Check's (of any currency)."

For my clients visiting Mexico, their hotel bills and round trip airport transfers are already included in their pre-paid vacation packages. We can certainly pre-book excursions that are paid for in US $ to avoid any exchange rate fees.

Cancun's new Underwater Museum

2010-10-22T08:37:00.002-04:00

The title may sound odd but this is one of Cancun's new attractions in the National Marine Park.

With hundreds of cement sculptures placed at the depth of 27 feet below the surface, it is art with a purpose.
"The cement sculptures constitute an artificial reef, providing surfaces for new coral growth and a habitat for fish and other sea creatures. It also diverts snorkelers and scuba divers, thereby reducing wear and tear on the natural reefs nearby. Local tour operators ferry visitors to the site for diving, snorkeling or glass-bottom-boat rides."

Read More

Dr Beach's List of the 10 best beaches in the US

2010-10-20T08:27:00.002-04:00

Dr. Beach is actually a scientist and college professor who loves sand. His specialty is studying beach erosion but got started ranking beaches in 1989 when a travel writer asked him what some of the best beaches were. Little did he know that this was the start of something big.

His list of the top 10 beaches in the United States, includes a few of my favorites in Maui and Waikiki. Does his list include any of yours?

Check out his list here

Do you use all your vacation time?

2010-10-18T09:01:00.002-04:00

If you are like 50% or more of the working Americans, you don't use up all of the days your employer gives you for vacation.

I was talking to a friend yesterday who mentioned that after her vacacation next week, she would still have 3 days left over. She was going to "save" them, in case of snow or illness. With many employers adding PTO to benefits rather than vacation days + sick days + personal days, and lumping them all together, most Americans are losing out on days off that they are entitled to.

A friend once told me, no one ever said, as they lay dying in their hospital bed, "I wish I worked more and stayed away from my family more". Not to be so morbid but it really made sense to me.

READ MORE

Sunrise over Haleakala

2010-10-15T13:24:00.004-04:00

One of the most amazing sights you can see in Maui, is the sunrise over Haleakala.

At 10,000 feet above sea level the visitors center is the ideal spot to view the sunrise (or in my case, the sunset). Whether you want to drive up on your own, take a tour or even take a sunrise tour and bike down the crator, sunrise over Haleakala is a Maui must see/must do.

Please remember that is will be COLD at the summit. For most visitors to Hawaii, winter coats, gloves and scarves are not going to be gear that you would normally pack, but please do pack some cold weather outer wear if you intend to go up to the summit.

Read more...

Making waves in Hawaii

2010-10-15T08:31:00.003-04:00

Hawaii has the most unique feature of any of the U.S. states. It's completely surrounded by water, which means there are lots and lots of water sports to enjoy when you visit any of the Hawaiian Islands.

When you think of watersports in Hawaii, many people will think of surfing, snorkeling and perhaps,swimming with the dolphins but there is so much more to try in Hawaii. How about stand up paddle boarding, scuba diving, deep sea fishing, swimming with manta rays and more.

READ MORE...

Airline Fees Cheat Sheet

2010-10-13T08:34:00.002-04:00

2010 will go down in history as the year that airlines starting charging fees for just about everything- checked luggage, carry on luggage, aisle seats, window seats, premium seats, meals and much more. I'm sad to hear that Continental, one of the last carriers to offer meal service (if you can call it that), will no longer offer food on flights shorter than 6 hours as of this month.

To help you navigate through the maze of airline fees, I've attached a cheat cheat on most of the fees charged by most of the major carriers. Of course, things in the airline business can change on a moment to moment basis so always check the airline website for the most up to date information.

Hope you find this helpful.

READ MORE....

Why book through a travel agent?

2010-10-09T08:36:00.003-04:00

There is a thread on Linked In in the Travel and Tourism members only section asking about whether you should book your travel through the internet or online.

This excerpt is from one of the responses posted a few days after the question was posted. The writer has responded to some previous responses and really makes some excellent points. I've highlighted ones that really are key to why people should book their vacations through a travel professional.

Let me know what you think............

"I am in the travel industry (not an agent) and very interested in all your observations. You have made several points that I think I can address for those people who are doing more than a 'point to point' airfare. Firstly your comment Jonni about how Travel Agents market themselves is a great one as marketing ones 'travel' skills has been one that has always demanded alot of training. Hence many consumers think all travel agents are the same!. However...consider this... an exceptional Travel Agent needs only 'word of mouth' marketing to be successful as his/her customers are assured of the best value and return from every trip ready to book another. These agents will often charge a service fee instead of earning commission and believe me, you won't pay any more overall than you would have done when the prices were higher including commission (of course, previously this had to be passed on to you the consumer and included in the airfare!) A good travel agent is all about relationships and not paying lip service to that honor. Understanding your customer really well is critical and then the depth of the search (time) to customise your itinerary via the utilisation of their enormous resource of buying options. So,even if she/he includes a service fee, due to this 'depth of search' their customers can honestly be assured of the best value prices around.

Relationships within the travel industry have changed enormously with airlines, tour operators and hotels ever since these operators have needed to sell direct. There is very little commission (if any) given to agents by anyone today which, believe it or not works better for the agent because the can now work for their client and be totally unbiased. Many Travel agents are agents for YOU now....top consultants have always done this. I have lived and worked in the travel industry in the UK, Australia and the USA and you would be amazed how often I am asked for me to recommend a good travel agent in ALL countries, so consumer behaviour is (almost) the same everywhere....we all want to be looked after, to have our travel expert really understand us and for those of us who are time poor, it can be a WOW experience...

and Steve, its not just upmarket itineraries you can get help with...its upmarket experiences! for this reason, I never do my own plumbing! "

World's Most Romantic Islands

2010-10-08T10:09:00.002-04:00

Romance vacations are not just limited to honeymooners. With our busy lives, couples really need to carve out time for themselves.

Travel and Leisure rated some of the world's most romantic islands.
Read more

Ode to Maui

2010-10-06T08:49:00.002-04:00

Maui is one of my favorite of the Hawaiian islands and is a huge travel destination. Always rated one of the top islands in the world to visit, it is one of the most popular islands that my honeymoon couples request.

I found this nice article by a woman who revisits Maui many years after her first visit for their honeymoon.

Read more....

Keep your Frequent Flier Miles from Expiring

2010-10-04T08:41:00.002-04:00

With all the rules and changes, it's hard to keep up with frequent flier miles and when they might expire.

Read more...

Hawaii Waterfalls Worth Gushing Over

2010-10-01T08:34:00.002-04:00

Hawaii has long been one of my favorite vacation destinations and one of the best features is the natural beauty of each of the individual islands.

Take a look at some of the most exquisite waterfalls that Hawaii has to offer. I do admit, some of my personal pictures might be better.

Click Here

Best Family Resorts

2010-09-29T08:23:00.002-04:00

In my last blog posting, I reviewed Beaches Turks and Caicos, which I recently visited and was very impressed. It is a great resort that offers fabulous amenities for adults and children alike.

When I was a kid, family vacations meant a long drive in the back of the Chevy up to the mountains or a local resort. Times have changed. Family vacations have evolved into much more than an amusement park visit or trip to the shore.

Take a look at this artcle for 50 of the top family resorts. Many of my favorites have made the list.

Review of Beaches Turks and Caicos

2010-09-27T08:38:00.002-04:00

As a travel professional, I was always amazed at the high prices at Beaches Turks and Caicos and could never quite figure out if this property is worth the money. Then I stayed at Beaches Turks and Caicos as part of a travel agent familiarization trip.

What is my feedback now--- WOW. Beaches Turks and Caicos is the Rolls Royce of family all inclusive resorts. It is to all inclusive resorts as Disney is to theme parks. I have been to MANY all inclusive properties and was literally blown away by the service level, entertainment, amenities and types of accommodations that this property offers.

This is not to say that I would recommend this resort to everyone but let me share a bit about it and why I would recommend this to the young and the young at heart. If my kids were young, I would want them to experience Beaches Turks and Caicos. I am looking forward to having grandchildren so that I can take my kids and grand kids here. It is just a phenomenal property and I can’t say enough positive about it.

Let’s start with the room accommodations:

My colleague and I were put up in the one of the least expensive rooms- the Caicos Premium rooms with 2 double beds on the 2nd floor of the West Wing in the Caribbean Village. Would I recommend this category of room to my clients? Probably not. Unless they were really stretching their budget to stay here in the first place. The rooms are your typical Sheraton rooms (that is what this block of rooms was originally built as). The rooms are ok, nothing special, nothing that I can gush over. They are a bit dated and I was told that they are scheduled to be updated in the fall of 2010. What you can’t change is the view (garden or pool only- ours was of the basketball court), the smell of sulfur from the pipes and the size. They are adequate for 2 double beds or 1 king bed, an upholstered pull out single sleep chair and a table. The bathroom is ok with a single sink and tub and shower combination. The armoire holds a TV, mini fridge and drawer space. Hopefully the furniture and the soft goods (bedding, blankets, etc) will be replaced soon. The room is basic and as long as my clients realize that it is not a great room, but they want to stay in this resort, they should be ok.

The location of these rooms, however, is very good- right near the kids club, pool, main lobby and a short walk to the beach. Reflections restaurant is just downstairs in the lobby and this was a great place for a buffet breakfast. The meeting space was also in this building. It is a short walk to the water park (which is in between the French and Italian Villages). There are some larger rooms with better views in this village but honestly, if I was spending more money, I would opt for the other, newer villages with nicer and larger rooms.

The French Village is the furthest from the beach but newer than the Caribbean Village. Their entry level room, the luxury room, is similar to the Turquoise Deluxe or Caicos Premium rooms but they have been updated and might be a bit larger.

There are a couple of other room categories, of the 30 different room categories, that don’t offer concierge or butler service.

The rooms that I really liked were the family suites with separate kid’s bedroom in the Italian Village. These rooms had a king bed in the master with a trundle bed, a gorgeous master bath with whirlpool tub and separate shower. The kid’s room has a bunk bed with a trundle, XBOX and game table, TV and a separate closet and bathroom sink and mirror. These rooms can sleep 6 comfortably and offer concierge service. The views ranged from pool and garden views to full ocean views.

Amenities at this resort are just too many to name but the ones I was most impressed with were:
 The water park including pirate ship, slides, lazy river and surfing simulator- just a great place to spend lot of time.
 The Red Lane Spa-a Sandals/Beaches exclusive.
 Camp Sesame for the youngest kids on up to the XBOX “Garage” and the Shadow Lounge for the teens, complete with DJ recording studio. You won’t have to worry that the kids will ever be bored here.
 Choice of 16 restaurants (although we only ate at a few- loved Le Chateau for dinner. Wanted to try Kimonos for dinner but had to settle for a couple of pieces of Sushi, instead. Marios- great place for a buffet lunch- great choices and food. Reflections- for breakfast- everything was nice and fresh)
 Water sports, including diving, snorkeling, kayaking, hobie cats, aqua trikes and windsurfing
 The pools (7 of them)
 The beach- just gorgeous
 The service

Just to give you an idea of the service, on the first night, we asked about restaurants at the front desk. Not only did the woman at the desk make recommendations, she escorted us to one for us to check out the menu. I was having a bit of trouble with the internet service in the business center, so I called the front desk. In less than 2 minutes, one of the staff was in the business center assisting me and then gave me a $10 free internet card because of the problem. We were in Cricketer’s Pub and my colleague wanted to know the score of the baseball game. The waitress came back 3 times with the score, as soon as she heard it. Every staff member went out of their way to be pleasant and helpful. I was quite impressed with the level of service.

I can’t speak highly enough of Beaches Turks and Caicos. I would, without a doubt, recommend this property to families of all ages, a girl’s getaway, destination weddings and family reunions. I think this is a great choice for any of the vacationers mentioned. I would not recommend this property to couples or honeymooners who want seclusion or a quiet vacation- there are many other resorts for them. The Sesame Street characters are around but not overwhelming so adults can certainly enjoy this property without children and there were many there during out stay. There is enough to do for both kids and adults so that everyone can have a great time.

For more information on Beaches Turks and Caicos, please contact us at mindy@myvacationlady.com

Mexico and US currency

2010-09-17T16:33:00.004-04:00

Still a bit sketchy but a new law passed just a few days ago limiting the use of US dollars in Mexico.

This is the latest that My Vacation Lady knows:

You may have heard that a new law has been passed in Mexico effective September 14th regarding transactions done in US dollars. While the interpretation of the law is still unclear we do know a few facts:

1. There will be a limit on US dollar cash transactions of $1500.00 per person per month. We are not sure if this includes converting American dollars at banking institutions or exchange booths.

2. There will be a per transaction limit of $100.00 per person US Dollars. With unlimited transactions up to $1500.00 per person per month. For example: if an item costs $150.00 they can pay $100.00 US dollars with the balance being paid with either credit card, travelers checks, or Mexican pesos.

3. To the best of our knowledge these restrictions do not apply to credit card or travelers checks transactions. They only relate to cash transactions.

Again we are still getting more information; however, you do want to advise your clients travelling to Mexico that they many encounter this situation and to make sure they travel with a credit card or travelers checks. They can also exchange their money into Pesos and purchase items in Mexico using Pesos, which might be a good idea if your clients are high ticket item shoppers.

I will of course keep you up to date as we verify all the little pieces to this new law and get better clarification for you

Mexico limiting the use of US $?

2010-09-17T08:46:00.002-04:00

This has been tossed around a bit on some of my travel agent boards and I have not found any information on this on the Mexico tourism board or any of my trusted travel agent information sites.

This link is saying that in order to stop money laundering, Mexico is restricting the amount of US$ in cash that vendors can take to $100 per person. If you are purchasing an excursion and the price is $150, you can pay for it with $100 in cash and $50 on a credit card or traveler's check.

For my clients, their packages are prepaid and I always recommend paying any charges to their rooms on a credit card but for those who prefer to use cash, you might want to go back to traveler's checks, just in case, until this is deemed fact or rumor.

Just a tip:
If you are using a credit/debit card and the vendor is using the old fashioned machines that use carbon copies, ALWAYS ask for the carbon paper.

To see the link to the article, click here

2 More Reasons to Use a Travel Professional

2010-09-13T08:47:00.003-04:00

Your honeymoon is the most important vacation that you will take as husband and wife. Why chance it to booking online without the assistance of a knowledgable travel professional?

These 2 articles were written by a travel writer/ombudsman and he has pointed out in both, that he does recommend using a travel professional, especially for booking honeymoons.

Help! My honeymoon went south
By Christopher Elliott, Tribune Media Services
(Tribune Media Services) -- Loyd Jobe's honeymoon doesn't get off to a good start when his flight is canceled. His airline sends the newlyweds on their vacation the next day, but they must pay for an extra night in their hotel. Is that fair?
Q: My wife and I recently booked a honeymoon in Costa Rica through Apple Vacations. On the morning we were supposed to leave, our flights on Delta Air Lines were canceled, and they didn't have any other flights until two days later.
I called Apple and they simply told me to call the airline. They refused to help. Delta's customer service was only a little more helpful. They ended up getting us to Costa Rica a day later on a different airline.
Because of this we missed one day at an all-inclusive resort and decided to stay an extra day. I again called Apple and asked them to refund our missed day and wanted to book an extra day on the end of our honeymoon. They would not refund any money for the missed day and charged us for the extra day.
I sent a letter to Apple's customer service like they suggested I do. I have not gotten any response from them after two letters. Any advice on this issue?

A: It sounds as if Apple could have done more to save your honeymoon. But let's take a closer look at the facts.
Delta canceled your flight, not Apple. So in a sense, Apple was right: You would have to talk with the airline about rescheduling your flight. At the same time, Apple advertises a "beginning-to-end" vacation experience, which includes employees greeting you at your departure airport and meeting you when you arrive.
Perhaps Apple raised the bar a little high when it promised "the ultimate in a quality vacation experience."
I contacted Apple, and a few other details emerged. First, the company says you were offered travel insurance, which would have protected your vacation investment. You declined, according to Apple.
So technically, the delay wasn't Apple's fault and you didn't buy its insurance. It owed you nothing, in a contractual sense.
But who cares about contracts? This is your honeymoon, and you booked a vacation with a company that you believed would take care of you rather than do just what's legally required of it.
I always recommend that for once-in-a-lifetime vacations like yours, travelers consider the services of a travel agent who specializes in honeymoons. I think an agent would be able to offer this kind of personalized attention you require for your Costa Rica getaway.
It turns out Apple asked your resort for a date swap, which would have allowed you to stay an extra day at your hotel, but it turned them down. I think you might have started a dialogue with your hotel, letting them know that this was your honeymoon and that you didn't really want to lose the last day of a special vacation.
Next time -- and I really hope there isn't a next time -- you might want to either send an e-mail to Apple Vacations or ask for a return receipt from the post office. The company had no record of either of your letters.
Apple contacted your resort again on your behalf and secured a $184 refund for the last night of your vacation. It also sent you two $100 travel certificates.

Help, my honeymoon flight's been canceled!
By Christopher Elliott, Tribune Media Services
(Tibune Media Services) -- Doug Miller's honeymoon flight to Costa Rica is canceled by US Airways, and he's left with only one option: a full refund. The airline later agrees to reschedule him on a flight the following day, but it won't cover his hotel bill. Is it allowed to do that? And is there anything he can do to make US Airways sweeten the offer?
Q: About a month ago, I took advantage of a Travelocity e-mail fare alert for a flight from Minneapolis to Costa Rica. The deal seemed too good to be true: $230 roundtrip on US Airways. I booked the flight for my September honeymoon and then went to a Web site and bid on our accommodations, which I also booked.
A few days ago, US Airways notified me that it had dropped a connecting flight to Costa Rica, and that our only option was a full refund.
I checked the ticket prices to Costa Rica and found that they had tripled. I felt like I was a victim of a bait-and-switch.
I called US Airways, which offered to fly us to Costa Rica a day after we were supposed to leave. But it would involve an overnight stay in Charlotte, which the airline was unwilling to pay for.
I understand that airlines have flight schedule changes, but I also feel that it is their choice and that if they choose to do so, they should be responsible for the consequences. Is there anything you can do?

A: US Airways shouldn't have canceled your flight. But if it did, it should have offered an alternative flight that suited your schedule, rather than leaving you high and dry for the most important vacation of your life.
Did the carrier and its online travel agent, Travelocity, engage in a bait-and-switch? I can see how you would think so. But flight schedules change constantly, and your rights are outlined under US Airways' contract of carriage, the legal agreement between you and the airline.
Section 8.2 of the contract describes your rights in the event US Airways is unable to accommodate you. Basically, you have the right to a refund, or a flight of the airline's choosing -- but nothing more.
While Travelocity and US Airways did all of this by the book, I can understand why you would be disappointed. I mean, it's your honeymoon.
About your reservations ... you booked a too-good-to-be-true special and bid on your accommodations for your honeymoon. Don't you think that's a little risky? I always recommend working with a qualified travel agent who specializes in honeymoons, because you don't want anything to go wrong on this vacation. This is no time to cut corners.
But let's take the honeymoon out of the equation, and just assume it was a late summer vacation. Between US Airways, with its "customer commitment" and Travelocity, with its "guarantee," I just think this could have been handled better.
A brief, politely written appeal to US Airways would have been my first choice to get this resolved. Phoning the airline probably wasn't the most effective way to fix this. I'm surprised Travelocity just passed along the airline's decision without trying to do more, but in the end I think this was a case for US Airways to resolve.
I contacted the airline on your behalf, and it offered you a $75 voucher to cover your hotel bill during your layover in Charlotte.

My Vacation Lady has been helping honeymooners and vacationers, just like you, plan your dream vacations since 1994. We only deal with travel suppliers that offer 24/7 customer service- in case there is a problem or issue. Why risk your vacation to just few clicks of the mouse when you can have the assistance and guidance of an experienced travel professional?

10 days of clothes in 1 carry on?

2010-09-10T12:42:00.002-04:00

Sceptical? So was I but if you watch this step by step pictorial article, you can see how it can be done.

Click here to read and see how a flight attendant can get 10 days worth of clothing into 1 carry on bag.

Vacations are good for you

2010-09-09T17:04:00.003-04:00

How many elderly people, toward the end of their lives, have said "I wish I worked more hours in a day." Or how many say that they wish they spent less time with their friends and family?

This blog from Adam Goldstein, the president of Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, put it very well when he said that all of his photos of his dad were from vacations- never of him walking out the door going to work.

How many vacation days do you want to give back to your boss this year?
It's time to take a vacation!

Are you booking your next vacation online?

2010-09-08T08:22:00.003-04:00

This is an article that was published in Travel Weekly, a travel industry magazine and written by a travel professional, Richard Turen. He was able to verbalize what a lot of travel professionals think on a daily basis.

Please read the article and let me know what you think the benefits are of booking your next vacation online.

"To clients considering booking direct
By: Richard Turen
September 06, 2010

Dear client:

I hope and trust that you will book your next vacation with our firm. But we know there are alternatives out there, and we know you are receiving mailings and seeing ads that often urge you to book directly with a travel supplier online.

We enjoy an open and honest relationship with our clients. So I would like to share some straight talk with you about using toll-free numbers or websites to book your vacation directly with the provider.

The best-kept secret in the travel industry is that those who book direct are paying for something they are not receiving: the services of a professional travel consultant.

I realize you are being told that it is easy to book your cruise, tour or airline tickets online. You can do it yourself. Just trust the supplier to take care of everything and have your credit card within easy reach.

Be thrilled that you live in a time when you can just click and travel. It's all so easy, isn't it? Turn over your credit card number and personal information to someone in a cubicle in a reservations factory or, better still, to outsourced labor working out of a call center overseas. Now your credit card information is in Bangladesh, and your vacation will be expertly planned and delivered.

So why use my services?

Well, the first thing you need to know (the industry's best-kept secret) is that you are going to pay my fee or commission when you book directly because it is always -- not sometimes, always -- built into the price of any brochure program. It's the way the industry prices.

Tour operators and cruise lines, even top-grade hotels, love direct bookings because a portion of the travel agent's commission that is built in to every program simply goes into their pockets. They believe that it costs them far less to maintain order-takers in a reservations center.

One hotel chain, years ago, was actually using prisoners on work release to handle phone reservations. Most telephone res agents who work for cruise lines are commissioned salespeople with little knowledge of the industry. Their goal is simple: Try to get a direct booking, earn their smaller commission, and let the company pocket the rest of the total commission built into the fare.

So when you book something directly, you are making a sucker bet that the person on the other end of the line has your best interests at heart, will look out for further discounts and apply them to your record and will be there for you in an emergency.

Imagine what happens when you make a direct booking. Your credit card information is stored, and you receive a computer-generated invoice. That's it. You are now a travel statistic. The computer software that is now your "agent" will notify you when final payment is due, and you will receive final documents.

Of course, you will not receive any of the amenities available through our office, so you might actually be missing out on pricing incentives and advantages.

Let me state it as clearly as I can: With the exception of certain airline and hotel websites that run occasional online "sales," you will never receive preferred pricing on any online site.

If a tour operator or cruise line did not give us pricing that was equal to or better than what they offer on their site, no reputable travel consultant would ever again sell their product. It just never happens. You can always count on the fact that our pricing will be as good or better than any tour or cruise prices you see on direct booking sites.

But frankly, I don't want you to book with us because it is always a better value than booking directly. There are other, more important reasons that have little to do with price.

There is not enough space to list all of the things we provide to our valued clients that are never provided when you book directly with a cruise line or tour operator. But here are just a few to keep in mind:

We are going to compare what competitive companies offer. We are going to advise you on the very best product to meet your needs. We can point out the advantages and disadvantages of several options. Booking directly puts you in touch with a single-product sales person. That is all you get.

We provide special documentation and advice about ports, sightseeing options and even restaurants. We know the best times to do your itinerary, and we might have affiliated offices abroad that can make your vacation truly memorable.

One of the most important things we can do is analyze your travel insurance needs. If you book direct, you get no options, no discussion. You are offered only whatever the site happens to be selling. We offer a universe of options, and that often saves you money.

Suppose something goes wrong? Suppose someone gets sick, and you need help getting home in a hurry? Suppose your vacation experience was unsatisfactory? Who is your advocate if you are dealing directly with the company operating the program? You have none.

Perhaps the most important single thing that we do is give you an honest, unbiased view of both the upside and downside of the vacation option you are considering. Book direct and you get none of that. Everything about the product will be painted in glowing terms. Everything will smell like a strawberry.

Finally, a personal note.

When I go to sleep at night, I am generally aware of where my clients are traveling and what current conditions they are likely to encounter. I worry about my clients. I think about their welfare, and I think about ways that I can enhance their experiences abroad.

I am fairly certain that the direct booking tied up somewhere in a supplier's software booking program is incapable of showing a "booking statistic" much empathy.

Contributing editor Richard Turen owns Churchill and Turen"

Making the most of your cruise time in port

2010-09-06T09:42:00.002-04:00

This posting was taken and adapted from an article posted on Cruise Critic on Sept 6, 2010

Guide to the Best Cruise Ship Shore Excursions
ERICA SILVERSTEIN

Snorkeling through coral reefs, exploring ancient Roman ruins, hiking on glaciers, shopping at local outdoor markets; all these shoreside activities are as much a part of the cruise experience as enjoying the onboard amenities of your ship. Indeed, half the fun of taking a cruise is exploring exciting new places, tropical islands, bustling metropolises, exotic countries.

So to enhance each port visit, cruise lines offer organized shore excursions on all ships for additional fees. The land-based trips run the gamut from sightseeing city tours to cultural events and active pursuits.

You can take a sunset pleasure cruise in St. Lucia, visit penguin colonies in the Falkland Islands, go wine-tasting in Provence or rollerblade through Copenhagen. The tours can be booked onboard at your ship's excursions desk or online before you depart on your trip.

The benefits of booking ship-sponsored tours are many. You can skip the hassle of arranging your own onshore activities, you'll know the tour provider is licensed and reputable and the ship won't depart until all of its tour buses have returned, even the tardy ones. You may also meet other shipmates whose company you'll enjoy back on the ship.

But ship tours are not always the way to go. The pleasurability and efficiency of tour operators varies from ship to ship, and some tour offerings are simply duds. All too often, shore excursions translate into time-consuming bus rides with drop-offs at shopping centers proffering souvenirs you can live without. Also, please note that the shore excursions offered by the cruise lines, represent a very large profit center for them. Yes, you will have security and ease but not often the best use of your time or money.

For example, after a long, hot (but worthwhile) tour of the Acropolis outside of Athens, passengers who thought they were being driven back to their ship were squirreled into a tacky little shop, belonging to the tour guide's brother-in-law.

To give you the skills to make the best decisions about your days in port, here is our advice on what to expect from a shore excursion and how to make the most of your time ashore.

What the Cruise Lines Offer
Cruise lines offer a mind-boggling array of tours, everything from basic snorkeling trips to more involved, overnight tours to see the Great Pyramids in Egypt. Here's a primer on what you can expect to see on offer.

Active vs. Sightseeing Tours: Shore excursions cover all levels of activity and interest and vary greatly, depending on what's available in each destination. Active tours could be anything from water sports to zip-lining, hiking, biking and dog-sledding. Activity-based trips might feature a day at the spa or beach, a pleasure cruise on a sailboat, wine or food tasting, a cultural performance or a visit to a museum.

Sightseeing excursions are typically bus tours that take passengers to the highlights and shopping areas of the port city or nearby destinations. Remember that excursions look different in different parts of the word. In the Caribbean, you'll find options like snorkeling with sting rays or transportation to private beaches; European tours focus more on sightseeing -- for example, full-day tours from the port of Livorno to the museums and cathedrals of Florence or multi-hour lunches, featuring local produce, meats and wine at a farmhouse in Tuscany.

Full vs. Half-Day Tours: Shore excursions vary in length. Some take up all your time in port, while others are just a few hours of an all-day visit. Choose a full-day tour to see the most you can in one trip or for journeys to destinations outside the port city. A half-day tour might only focus on one specific itinerary -- a three-hour kayak trip or a highlights tour of a city -- but gives you free time to explore the port on your own before or after.

Guided vs. Free Time: Not all shore excursions involve busloads of tourists, dutifully following flag- or umbrella-waving guides. You will find these types of sightseeing tours, as well as athletic endeavors overseen by dive masters or hike leaders. However, some tours simply bring you to a destination where you're free to explore until it's time to meet the bus to go home, while others feature guided components, followed by an hour or two of free time.

Highlights vs. In-Depth: Some shore excursions -- such as daylong trips from Tunis to the marketplace, museum and ancient Carthage -- pack many activities into one trip. Others focus on one destination or activity, like a trip to the Mayan ruins from Cozumel. It's up to you whether you'd prefer to see many things for short amounts of time or focus on one place, in-depth.

Concierge or Boutique: Some of the newest trends in shore excursions include intimate tours that are limited to 25 or so guests. Many lines offer these boutique excursions, which could be cooking classes at a renowned French cooking school or a behind-the-scenes tour of the Hermitage in St. Petersburg. Many lines also offer car-and-driver packages, so you can customize your own tour, or have concierges to arrange shoreside activities exclusively for your travel party. You can skip the caravan of four large tour buses and trade up for a more exclusive experience.

Should You Opt for Independent Exploration?
One of the biggest questions cruisers have is whether or not to take a ship-sponsored shore excursion. The answer banks on your budget, as well as your inclinations. Port tours vary in price, depending on the cruise line, and can run you anywhere from $40 per person for a simple beach break to hundreds of dollars each for such higher-priced options as helicopter rides, golf and day-long or overnight tours. Taking a tour in every port can quickly inflate your onboard bill.

Shore excursions are worth it if you want to venture to attractions that are located far from the pier, learn more about an area through a guide or participate in physical activities where gear is required (biking, diving, golf). However, if all you want to do is walk around town, shop or visit the beach, it could be much cheaper and less time-consuming to get a map and go it on your own. For instance, in St. Thomas, the shops are a stone's throw from the ship, but beaches are a cab ride away. (Keep in mind it still might be less expensive to hail a taxi to the beach than to participate in a tour.) And, in tiny Monte Carlo, the castle, cathedral and casino are all within walking distance of your ship. Don't forget about arranging your own transportation, too. In Hawaii, many ports offer on-site car rentals or rental agency pickups. In Barcelona, you can easily use a combination of local buses, the subway and hop-on, hop-off tourist buses to get around.

However, in big cities like Athens, Rome and Florence -- which are far from the port -- it may make more sense to spring for a tour. It is also wiser to take a shore excursion in any third world country or in foreign ports, where language and customs might prove to be barriers. For example, in Brunei, you would definitely want to take the guided tour to sites like the biggest mosque in Asia -- Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque. You'd probably never find it on your own. And, without guidance, you may not realize the necessity to respect local customs by covering your body from head to toe in long pants, long skirts and long sleeves. (Don't laugh -- this happened on a recent visit. Luckily, the locals are used to this and have a few robes on-hand to loan visitors.) In Tunis, you might not wish to participate in the aggressive haggling, conducted by the taxi drivers at the pier. Opt instead, for a ship-arranged tour to the souk or ancient Carthage.

The third option is the hybrid: book your own tour in advance through a local provider. You can often save money by eliminating the cruise-line middleman, or customize the trip to your interests. However, remember that, while the cruise ship will wait for any late-returning, ship-sponsored tours, you run the risk of getting stranded in port if your independent tour gets stuck in traffic and is late returning to the pier.

Just some other points to consider:
1. If you are cruising in Europe and are sailing on a cruise line like Royal Caribbean or Celebrity, the shore excursions you purchase from the cruise line will be in US$ rather than Euros.
2. If you are not very adventurous, sticking to the cruise tours are usually the safer bet.
3. If you are booking with a local vendor you find on line some might require local currency in cash, rather than credit cards. If they do accept credit cards, it might be payment in full prior to arrival. What happens if your ship doesn't make the port of call?
4. In many cases, My Vacation Lady can offer advise and opinions on shore excursions and might be able to offer private (and reliable) companies that offer shore excursions. These may be at a lower price, may offer smaller groups or may be more unique than those offered by the cruise line.
Let us know how we can help enhance your cruise experience with shore excursion assistance.

Is it safe to go to the Riviera Maya? YES

2010-09-01T08:09:00.004-04:00

This article is yet another one that might scare tourists about the safety of Mexico.
Please note, that while I don't mean to downplay the seriousness of this event, it took place outside of the tourist area in a residential area of Cancun. This is the same as telling people not to travel to mid town Manhattan in New York City because of murders in Harlem or the Bronx or Brooklyn or Newark, NJ.

Almost all of my clients that fly into the Cancun airport head down to the Riviera Maya. Just so you can understand some of the distances, Puerto Morelos (where properties like Excellence Riviera Cancun and Secrets Maroma are near) is 36 kilometers or 22.5 miles south of the Cancun airport. Playa del Carmen is 68 kilometers or 42 miles south of the Cancun airport. This event took place NORTH of the Cancun airport so my clients who are traveling to the Riviera Maya, should feel safe on their vacation.

CNN) -- Eight people died early Tuesday after attackers hurled several Molotov cocktails into a Cancun, Mexico, bar, the state attorney general said.

Six women and two men, all Mexican nationals and employees of the tavern, were killed in the 1:30 a.m. strike, now under investigation by judicial police, according to a release from Francisco Alor Quezada, attorney general for the state of Quintana Roo.

Eight men hurled the explosives at the bar and fled in vehicles, the release said. No shots were fired. Although the tavern is just 5 kilometers from the city's tourist stretch, it sits apart from the area frequented by tourists, and the clientele is composed of locals, it said.

Top US Cities for Family Vacations

2010-08-31T10:50:00.002-04:00

Where do you take your kids on vacation? Beaches and amusement parks are the typical go-to destinations when summer comes around, but urban life can be just as entertaining.

ABC News recently published a list of the top 10 cities for family vacations, which included Los Angeles, Denver, Miami, Atlanta and Chicago.

One of the other cities was New Orleans. Whether it's sampling delicious gumbo or touring the beautiful architecture in the French Quarter, travelers are sure to have a good time in this diverse and vibrant city. Let's not forget the zoo, aquarium, Mardi Gras World-where they can learn how they make the floats used for the parade. What about a swamp tour or a cemetery tour?

San Francisco, CA offers attractions like the Golden Gate Bridge, Haight-Ashbury and seaside views. A tour of Alcatraz is sure to thrill as well as a drive down the crookedest street in the world.

Families can take advantage of free admission to 19 Smithsonian museums in Washington D.C., among the numerous historical monuments to visit. Contact your local congressman to get tickets for a White House Tour.

Boston, MA comes in at number two with its sports and shopping opportunities. Tours are available at Fenway Park, and the Museum of Science and New England Aquarium both provide interactive exhibits for adults and children.

Number one on the list is New York, NY. The city is ideal for family vacations because of its limitless number of activities. From Broadway plays and zoos to worldwide cuisine and views from the Empire State Building, the Big Apple has something for everyone.

The best thing about visiting these cities is that you can visit year round. You don't need to wait for summer.

Family only sections on planes?

2010-08-30T08:06:00.003-04:00

I remember very well taking my kids on planes when they were very young, including a trip down to Florida when my son was 5 months old. I was concerned about keeping him quiet on the flight so that he didn't disturb the rest of the passengers. I know that now that my kids are adults, I dread being near a baby on any plane trip and cringe at the idea of being near a young child who will be kicking the back of my seat all flight long.

This article suggests a family only section of the plane. Not sure how that can be handled considering the airlines are now charging extra for "premium seats", extra leg room seats and some even window or aisle seats.

If planes could create a family only section, do you think the idea would fly?

2010 Travel Trends

2010-08-24T08:39:00.003-04:00

In a recent survey of travel purchasing and travel styles, these were the results

2010 Consumer Trends

The average American traveler took four leisure trips during the past year and spent more than $3,500 on leisure travel services.

A leisure trip is 75 miles or more from home, requiring overnight accommodations.

Four different 'tribes' of leisure travelers emerged
Sensationals make up 28%: Mean age of 40; professional singles and couples with a preference for action/the club life
Familias make up 23%: Mean age of 42; family vacation oriented; dual-income households with children under 18; package-travel oriented
Touristers make up 23%: Mean age of 47; happily married; entrepreneurial/driven to succeed and favor 'no-mistake' travel. They take the most trips and spend the highest amount per trip
Extraordinaires make up 26%: Mean age of 52; more than one-third are grandparents; wealthy empty nesters seeking urban cultural experiences

Describing today's consumers as 'newly resourceful'...consumers have reaffirmed their priorities... and discovered that living with less was not as burdensome as they expected....
Because of the ever-growing array of easy-to-use tools...consumers visit an average of 20 websites before making a travel purchase.
Consumers are asking for and receiving instant feedback about price, value and suitability and reading countless reviews.
Travelers were asked to identify the fear most likely to keep them from planning a vacation: It was the fear of overpaying. That's why they spend so many hours researching online...
Yet for all the talk of the new frugalness, it is not just price that is determining our choices....They don't want to give up luxury. They do want another layer of feeling good about going away. They want to be connected in a good way. Travel remains an entitlement for many, but it does need to parallel their values
One place where consumers are giving themselves "permission" to travel is anything involving family, relationships, or getting in touch with oneself.

The leisure traveler profile is:
age 64+ 11%;
45-63 45%;
32-44 30%;
18-31 14%

The profile of those using traditional travel agents is:
age 64+ 13%;
45-63 39%;
32-44 28%;
18-31 20%
People in the echo-boomers (18-31) represent 14% of the total population of leisure travelers, but they represent a significantly higher percentage (20%) of the leisure travelers who use traditional agents. Why? Their long acquaintance of the Web is old hat and they are not nearly as taken in with what they can find on the Web; they are pushing back from overload and the time it takes for research.

The study also reported agent usage based on factors other than age, including gender, ethnicity and income....Women, Asians and the affluent are overrepresented among agency clients.

Two-thirds of leisure travelers based a trip on a life event such as a wedding, birthday or anniversary celebration during the last year.

The researchers commented that: 'It's a new consumer mindset. Given all that is going on with the economy and difficult times for family and fiends, it's OK to travel if you have a reason. You can justify it when there's a life event happening'

More Vacation Safety Tips

2010-08-23T13:45:00.003-04:00

More Ways to Avoid Theft on Vacation

August 19, 2010 3:16 pm
by Jaclyn Liechti published in the
Smarter Traveler

Our recent story on how to avoid theft when you're on vacation garnered some helpful reader tips about keeping your valuables safe when you travel. In fact, smart vacationing begins before you even shut the door. Dinek writes, "Don't 'advertise' on Facebook and other sites that you're going to be away from home." Thieves can use this information to target your home while you're away, so if you do want to brag about your travails, be sure to check your security settings to make sure only close friends and family know you'll be away.

While on the road, there are many steps you can take to make yourself less suceptible to petty theft. "Be careful where you park," writes Millicent, "We look for busy streets with lots of people around and good lighting if we have to return in the dark." If you didn't drive your own car, Joanne's advice will come in handy: "In many locations rental cars are very easy for local thieves to identify, so always learn how the door locks work before you leave the rental office. Also, keep your purse or carry-on in the trunk, not on the floor or seat of the vehicle."

Pickpockets are a common menace in popular tourist destinations, but with a little prep you can impede sticky fingers. "Here is a simple one," says Travelingprof. "Wrap your wallet with one of [those] thick rubber bands. Why? Have you ever tried to get a wallet out of your pocket with one of those thick rubber bands wrapped around it?" Reader dinek recommends a money pouch or belt worn under your clothes, and also has advice for those traveling out of the country. "Leave [your] passport in [the] cruise ship/hotel safe and carry [a] photocopy ... Just carry your driver's license as picture identification." This way, if your information is stolen, you still have the necessary documents to return to the country.

Packing Tips

2010-08-23T08:22:00.002-04:00

Another great article from the Independent Traveler

Some travelers jam two weeks' worth of gear in their bags for a long weekend. Others pack a bit too lightly and forget important things like medicine or passports. Savvy travelers strike the perfect balance and bring just what they need -- with a little help from our list of road-tested packing tips, of course!

Packing Methods
When packing your clothes, you don't want to neatly fold them individually as you would in a dresser. If you do, they will crease when compressed. Here are a few alternatives:

Rolling Your Clothes
Backpackers swear by this method. Rolling works well with pants, skirts and sports shirts. Lay the item face down, fold back the sleeves and then roll from the bottom up.

Fold Clothes Together
Take two or more garments, for example trousers, and lay half of one pair on top of the other. Fold the one on the bottom over the pair on the top. Then take the other and fold it on the top. This gives each pair some cushion where you've folded it so it's less likely to crease or wrinkle in the folds.

The Bundle Approach
This ingenious method of packing, which we learned from Judith Guilford, co-founder of the Easy Going travel store and author of the "The Packing Book," has now become our favorite. It's a bit difficult to explain without a demonstration, but we'll do our best. You need luggage that opens up and lays flat to do this. You will also need a flat, soft, pouch-like rectangular "core" with dimensions that are at least 1/2 to 3/4 the size of your luggage compartment. This can be a pouch filled with underwear or something similar.

Start with your sports jacket or the longest, most wrinkle-prone item you have. With the collar or waistband flat, place it against the bottom edge of the bag and drape the rest of the garment over the opposite side of the bag. Take another garment and place it in the opposite direction, flattening and smoothing out both garments in the bag and draping the remainder over the side. If you have trousers or other narrow items, do the same with them in the narrow direction of the bag. Keep alternating your items, ending up with the most wrinkle-resistant clothes you have.

When you finish, place your "core" in the middle. Now you're going to start folding the garments over the core and each other in the reverse order you put them in. If you fold something over and there's excess draping over the sides of the bag, tuck it underneath the bundle you are creating.

What you will end up with is a bundle of all of your clothes that looks like a pillow. You can pick it up in one piece. It's compactly packed and doesn't waste an available space in your luggage. Plus, because of the way things are folded, your clothes will wrinkle less.

To find something in the bundle, lay it flat and unwrap until you reach the layer you want. Take the item out and refold the remainder. If done properly each layer should result in a self contained bundle at each layer.

Tissue Paper
For delicate items, try tissue paper. Lay the item face down and place tissue paper on top. Fold it up with the tissue paper inside. Use additional layers of paper as you fold the garment so it is completely wrapped in and around paper. This is easy enough the first time you pack, but becomes a pain if you have to keep repacking. We only use this approach for evening clothes that we don't want to crush.

Tips for Air Travelers
• You may not pack liquid or gel substances in your carry-on unless they are in individual three-ounce containers, enclosed in one clear, quart-size, plastic, zip-top bag per passenger. Any larger containers of liquids and gels must be packed in your checked luggage.
• Be aware of restrictions on the size and number of bags you may bring onto your flight. Many airlines now charge a fee for every checked bag or have lowered the maximum permitted weight limits for checked luggage.
• Do not lock your checked bags except with TSA-approved locks; otherwise, if your bag is selected for random screening, agents will have to break the lock to get inside.
• Do not overpack your bag. Screeners will have a difficult time closing your luggage if selected for inspection, which will only lead to wrinkles and the potential for lost articles.
• Carry all film with you onboard, as screening equipment for checked luggage can damage undeveloped film.
• Place any packed belongings you don't feel comfortable with strangers handling in clear plastic bags. (I've been doing this for year- I use gallon size ziplock bags and put undergarments in them.)
• Do not stack books and other documents on top of each other; instead, spread them out throughout your bag.

Is it worth saving a few dollars....

2010-08-18T16:13:00.002-04:00

Everyone is looking to save a few dollars on travel these days but after you read this article, please let me know if you feel that it was worth it.

As I have said before, how cheap does a bad vacation or trip have to be, before it becomes ok...

Walt Disney World announces Fall and Winter Promotions

2010-08-17T06:59:00.005-04:00

Fall brings a number of special events to Walt Disney World Resort, as well as three offers that will help clients book early and plan their vacations. Beginning with Night of Joy (Sept. 10 to 11) and continuing with Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party (select nights from Sept. 14 to Nov. 1; separate admission required), Epcot International Food & Wine Festival (Oct. 1 to Nov. 14; theme park admission required), Children’s Miracle Network Classic (Nov. 11 to 14; separate admission required) and Festival of the Masters (Nov. 12-14), guests will have so much to see and do during this upcoming season.

Travel agents can help their clients select one of the three special offers below that best fit their vacation needs during select dates. Travel agents can book their client’s vacation by Nov. 21, 2010, and help them save at least 25 percent on a room at a select Walt Disney World Resort hotel. Plus, by upgrading to a package, they’ll get special benefits and magical extras. This offer is valid for stays most nights Oct. 3 to Nov. 23 and Nov. 27 to Dec. 25, 2010, and Jan. 1 to Feb. 16, 2011.

Clients who purchase a four-night, five-day non-discounted Walt Disney Travel Company room and ticket package at select Disney Moderate Resorts by Dec. 20, 2010, will receive a free Disney Dining Plan. This offer is valid for arrivals most nights from Oct. 1 to 7, Oct. 22 to 28, Nov. 12 to 18, Nov. 27 to Dec. 2 and Dec. 10 to 21, 2010, and Jan. 1 to 5, Jan. 9 to 13, Jan. 21 to Feb. 3, Feb. 11 to 17, Feb. 25 to March 3, May 27 to June 2 and Aug. 19 to Sept. 29, 2011.

Clients who buy a five-night, five-day non-discounted Walt Disney Travel Company room and ticket package at select Walt Disney World Resort hotels by Nov. 21, 2010, can get a Disney Gift Card worth up to $500 free. The offer is valid for arrivals most nights Oct. 3 to Nov. 23 and Nov. 27 to Dec. 25, 2010, and Jan. 1 to Feb. 16, 2011. The Disney Gift Card can be use at participating locations throughout the Walt Disney World Resort for shopping, dining and more.

Let My Vacation Lady help you figure out which fall promotion is best for your next Walt Disney World Vacation.

Avoiding a Large Phone Bill When Traveling

2010-08-16T09:01:00.002-04:00

By DAVID A. KELLY July 27, 2010

UBIQUITOUS connectivity has its downside, especially when it comes to the price of using your cellphone abroad. The proliferation of smartphones and the increased use of data have made it easier than ever to rack up huge communications bills while traveling overseas, even on a short trip.
“Many leisure travelers with iPhones are going to Europe, not turning off their data and allowing their apps to continue downloading data,” said Ken Grunski, chief executive of Telestial, a company that provides wireless services for travelers. “U.S. travelers were already getting hammered with expensive voice calls that start at $1 per minute. I know of people that have returned home to $1,000 or more roaming bills.”
Luckily for tech-savvy travelers who want to stay in touch, there are ways to avoid spending a small fortune. Here are some options.

Getting the Right Phone
Many countries outside the United States rely on a wireless network technology called GSM. But two major American carriers — Verizon and Sprint — use different technologies in most of their standard phones. Owners of those devices will need a special cellphone when traveling to many countries.
Verizon users have a fairly convenient way to deal with this problem. If you’ve been a subscriber for six months or longer, Verizon will lend you a global phone free of charge for trips of 21 days or less; the customer pays only the two-day FedEx fee of $9.99. Once you receive the phone, call Verizon to activate it and select an international rate plan (with the $4.99 a month plan, a call from, say, France, will cost 99 cents a minute compared with $1.29 without the plan; texts, which cost 50 cents per message sent and 5 cents per message received, are not included). After the trip, just ship the phone back. AT&T and T-Mobile have GSM networks, so many of their standard phones will work overseas, although you’ll still need to sign up for an international roaming plan to keep rates down. For example, with the $5.99 a month AT&T plan, calls from many Western European countries to the United States are only 99 cents. A package of 50 roaming texts costs $10.

Another option is to buy an inexpensive travel phone from a company like Telestial (telestial.com) or Planet Omni (planetomni.com). They typically cost less than $50. For example, Planet Omni’s Kit V520 ($49) offers a dual-band GSM phone, SIM card with both a United States phone number and a global phone number, and $5 in airtime. The service allows you to receive free incoming calls in France, Italy, Spain and Britain on the global number, and free voice mail in 60 countries. Costs for outgoing calls depend on the country. For example, an outgoing call from France to a United States landline is 99 cents per minute, while a call to a mobile phone is $1.49 per minute. Telestial’s Passport package (starting at $99) provides free incoming calls in Europe, as well as calls back to the United States for 49 cents per minute.

Data Deals
With everything from Internet radio to online maps to multitudes of apps, iPhones and smartphones can consume huge amounts of data. It might not be a big deal at home, but using all those apps on the road can add up quickly. If you plan on using a lot of data services while traveling, make sure you check with the carrier to see if it offers international data roaming plans. For example, AT&T offers data roaming plans for the iPhone and smartphones that provide 20 megabytes of data usage within 90 countries for $24.99 per month, and up to 200 megabytes for $199.99 per month.
These charges are in addition to whatever your usual monthly charge is in the United States, but the cost pays off if you use a lot of data, especially when you consider that the standard international roaming rates for many Western European countries are about $20 per megabyte (according to Mr. Grunski, of Telestial, some Web pages are half a megabyte, so downloading, say, five pages in a single day could cost you $50 without a plan).

In addition, AT&T recommends that iPhone users go to their settings and turn off data roaming and options to fetch new data. They should also reset their usage tracker to zero so they can keep an eye on new charges, and make sure to use Wi-Fi instead of their phones’ 3G services to check e-mail messages or use the Web.

SIM Cards
Frequent travelers may want to consider another money-saving technique: replacing a phone’s American SIM card (the little electronic memory card that identifies and configures your phone) with a local (or country-specific) SIM card. In general, when you do that, all incoming calls will be free and outgoing calls (local or international) can be significantly cheaper. Be aware that replacing the SIM card means that your phone has a different number, so you may want to let your contacts know, or set your phone to forward all calls to the new number before you go. Your phone also has to be unlocked so it can work with other carriers’ networks — your cellphone company can provide information on how to do this — and it needs to be compatible with the wireless services in the country you’re visiting.
“Even with an international roaming package on AT&T, it can cost 99 cents a minute or more for voice calls,” said Philip Guarino, an international business consultant and founder of Elementi Consulting in Boston. “The moral of the story is, dump your American SIM card and buy a local one instead.” When Mr. Guarino travels he simply buys a SIM card at his destination airport and uses it for cheap local calls.
“In a pinch, even if I call directly from my phone using a foreign SIM card, the average direct-dial rates are about 60 cents U.S. per minute, which is cheaper than using my original U.S. SIM,” he said.

The VoIP Option
Internet-based voice services (VoIP) such as Skype (skype.com) or Truphone (truphone.com), which charge as little as 2 cents for calls to regular phones, are among the cheapest ways for international travelers to communicate. This spring, Skype announced support for the iPhone, allowing iPhone users to make or receive Skype calls over either Wi-Fi or 3G connections. One good option for travelers wanting to use Skype or Wi-Fi while traveling is Boingo Wireless. For $7.95 per month, travelers can sign up with Boingo (boingo.com) for unlimited Wi-Fi access in hotels, restaurants, cafes, airports and more in over 70 countries. Coupled with Skype or a similar VoIP product on an iPhone, smartphone or computer, it’s hard to beat the value.

Last, but Not Least
Don’t forget the old-fashioned calling card. When Mr. Guarino travels, he often uses discounted international calling cards from local cafes or newsstands.
“The rates to the U.S. are about 3 cents per minute, plus the cost of the local call,” he said. “It’s a good option for making a call from a land line, especially if you have a conference call to make where you don’t want to worry about call quality.”

Sandals Resorts cuts ties with Apple Vacations

2010-08-13T07:12:00.002-04:00

A couple of years ago, Sandals announced that it would cease sales through Apple Vacations. Rumors were flying, at that time, about the reasons. Some said that since Apple owned a stake in AMResorts, the management company for Secrets, Zoetry, Dreams and Now properties, they were in direct conflict with Sandals. Now that Secrets has 2 properties in Jamaica, it is something to consider. Another rumor, back then, that Apple didn't want to classify or rank Sandals properties uniformly equally, as Sandals required. Again, these were all rumors back then. Now, we hear that as of Aug 2010, Sandals is again pulling their line from the Apple inventory:

"Unique Vacations International (UVI), the company that acts as the worldwide sales and marketing representative of Sandals Resorts and Beaches Resorts, terminated its wholesaler agreement with Apple Vacations. UVI said the move is part of an overall strategy to partner with fewer companies that give priority to UVI, particularly Sandals Resorts and Beaches Resorts. Sandals bookings that have already been made through Apple will be honored. The change only applies to new bookings going forward.

UVI said it is investing in the traditional distribution system and will continue to grow this sector and to richly reward wholesalers, tour operators and agents who share its goals. The company did not specify why Apple Vacations in particular would not be included as part of its distribution system going forward. A spokesperson from Unique Vacations told Travel Pulse that the decision to terminate the relationship was made by UVI, not Sandals.

In a statement from Apple Vacations, Tim Mullen, senior vice president, said Apple had been notified on July 20 by Sandals and Beaches Resorts that it would no longer be able to sell their properties. No reason was given, according to the statement. The move was puzzling, Mullen said, because “Apple Vacations continues to increase production to Jamaica each year. Specifically, Apple has increased its 2010 production by 34 percent over 2009 and advanced sales are up more than 20 percent for 2011.”

Mullen said Apple Vacations continues to be optimistic about the growth of business to Jamaica, as well as the continuing improvement in the quality of products at the destination. Mark Noennig, vice president and general manager of Apple, told Travel Pulse that UVI’s move had taken Apple by surprise. “There didn’t seem to be any particular reason for this to happen, but we’ve accepted it and are moving on,” he said. “Apple doesn’t want to speculate on it. Business to the Caribbean has been very good. There’s a lot of new product there. We’ve been doing a lot of business with Couples. Secrets does very well for us, as well as Iberostar, Superclubs and Riu. So we’re not going to feel a lot of impact. Apple has the most charters into the Caribbean of anyone, so we are very committed to the region and will continue to move forward aggressively.”

Will we see Sandals back up in Apple's inventory soon? Time will tell.

If you bought too many souvenirs...

2010-08-11T08:05:00.002-04:00

We all do it. We go on vacation and feel the need to buy souvenirs for everyone from the person watering your plants on up to your family. Your luggage is now overloaded, overweight or just won't carry anything else. What do you do?

Here are some suggestions that came from an article from the Independent Traveler.

Packing Problem: Too Many Souvenirs
You could always just pack less and leave room in the bag for some extra souvenirs. But who really wants to do that? After all, in the current context of expensive baggage fees, empty space in your suitcase is valuable real estate. And if you only brought a carry-on bag, some souvenirs you might purchase, like liquid-filled snow globes, may be prohibited past the airport security checkpoint. So with no room in your bag for anything larger than a postcard of Tuscany and only a carry-on in which to cart two weeks' worth of clothing, how do you get those bottles of pricey Italian merlot back to the States?

Many travelers ship souvenirs back home -- especially large or fragile things like handmade Moroccan rugs or Waterford crystal. A reputable shop that caters largely to tourists (and sells big and expensive items like furniture) will likely ship your goods back home right from the store. However, without shipping insurance or a tracking number, you have little control over the fate of your purchase.

A second option is to mail the item yourself. We recommend using major international shipping companies like UPS and FedEx as opposed to a local post office because overseas postal services (especially in developing areas) may be unreliable. Check out the major international shipping companies' Web sites before you leave to see if there's a location near where you will be traveling; if so, write down the address and phone number and stick it in your wallet. Also look up restrictions, shipping costs and shipping times. And make sure to get your shipment insured and write down a tracking number!

Your third, probably cheapest option is to pack a squashy, foldable bag that takes up little room in your suitcase. A soft duffel or zippered tote bag will work. If you end up with a mass of bulky souvenirs, you can unfold the extra bag and check it at the airport. Although you may end up paying a checked-bag fee for an extra piece of luggage, this might be a more economical way to cart your souvenirs home than paying for international shipping, which is not cheap. Wrap some T-shirts or sweaters around any breakable items.

I'm going to add another option: Take disposable clothes with you on vacation and throw them out after wearing them. By taking clothes that you have no intention of bringing home, you'll have more room in your suitcase for souvenirs. I've done it with underwear, shoes and more. Rather than packing your best, pack stuff that you are ready to get rid of anyway. Wear them and toss them. It will leave space and weight left in the suitcase for all of the new stuff you are going to buy :)

5 Ways to Upgrade your Vacation

2010-08-06T07:10:00.003-04:00

This is an article that I found on the Independent Traveler.

"Most travelers can't afford five-star hotels and first-class airfare, but there are plenty of inexpensive -- and sometimes free -- ways to add comfort and small luxuries to a trip without clearing out your bank account. Things like a leisurely morning meal or a few extra inches of legroom in coach can make a big difference on an otherwise budget-minded getaway. Following is a quick list of five low-cost upgrade suggestions simple enough to try on almost every trip you take.

1. Ask for an upgrade.
You don't necessarily have to have tons of miles or tons of cash to fly business or first class, as many airlines offer low-fee upgrades based on availability at the time of check-in. These same-day upgrades can cost as little as $25, and often check-in agents can upgrade you for any connecting flights -- and in some cases for your return trip as well.

Even if no seats or upgrades for a higher class are available, you may be able to get a better seat, sometimes even for free. As more airlines have designated certain seats in coach as "premium" seats, they may offer you a seat in the front section of coach (where seat widths or pitch may be more generous), or perhaps right behind one of those exit row seats that have one seat taken out so you actually have two full rows of legroom -- more than enough space even you're built like Wilt Chamberlain.

If upgrades are available, the agent can usually tell you the exact cost, and you can accept or decline the offer. (You may not even have to go to the desk, as this option is also becoming more common for both online and kiosk check-in options.) At the very least, most check-in agents will scan their seating charts to try to find you the best available seat at no extra cost, just for the asking. You almost can't go wrong inquiring politely about any upgrade options; if you travel regularly, you'll be pleasantly surprised over time at how well this works.

2. Avoid long lines by buying tickets in advance.
An excruciating wait in a ticket or admission line can tarnish an otherwise great vacation day; shuffling along in the heat (or cold) with a horde of other folks in the same predicament is no one's idea of a good use of precious vacation time. Fortunately, most popular establishments have learned this lesson and now offer ways to purchase advance admission tickets -- which in many cases may offer a set entrance time as well, further reducing time wasted standing around.

This option is usually best employed at very popular attractions with instant name recognition and broad appeal: the American Museum of Natural History, the Uffizi, Disney. There is usually a small fee for the service (usually in the $2 - $4 range), but getting to skip the mile-long General Admission line and grab your tickets at Will Call -- or better yet, have your tickets mailed to you in advance -- is almost always worth a couple of bucks.

If you are traveling as a family or with a group, you might even find that buying a museum membership pays off, even for a one-time visit. For example, a year-long family membership at the American Museum of Natural History costs $115, and includes unlimited admission for two adults and up to four children all year long. Meanwhile, regular admission for two adults and four children is $92.

If you have even the most remote plans to visit again, the family membership is the way to go. Additionally, the AMNH will even let you have other family members use your membership -- so, for example, I could give my brother and his family my membership card, and they could all attend as well, on their own time. Check out these and similar options when you visit museum and theme parks; potential price savings aside, lines for members tend to be shorter than those for the general public.

3. Upgrade your rental car affordably.
One thing you can rely on about most rental car upgrades is that they're usually an add-on to the amount you are already paying, not a completely "new" price per se. That is, when you upgrade a rental, you are paying only a pre-determined upgrade fee, not necessarily the going full price for the higher car class.

For example, say during booking you see an economy car for $18 a day, and a full-size car for $50. If you book the economy car, and then are offered an upgrade at the rental desk, typically you will be quoted a few dollars per day more for the upgraded vehicle, perhaps $5 a day per rental class -- but not the full $50 you were originally quoted.

When reserving a car online, sometimes you will be offered the option to upgrade during the booking process; on a trip to Cleveland last year, I upgraded three full car classes for $3 a day. Learn more tactics for upgrading your car rental in How to Save on Car Rentals in a Recession.

The risk here is obviously that no upgrade is available, and that you are stuck in the economy car. Unless you are going to be driving a lot, this may not be a deal-breaker.

4. Use a travel agent.
Handling the countless tiny details of travel planning can sometimes feel like torture by 1,000 small cuts. Despite the glut of Web sites that offer endless flexibility and options for booking your own travel, somehow the whole process seems more grueling than ever. If you can find a good travel agent, the hassle of searching for and purchasing airline tickets can be offloaded entirely for fees starting around $35. A good travel agent can quickly filter out all the stuff you don't want and drill down to see things you can't see, such as seating charts, to find you the right flight at the right price with the right seats.

Especially when traveling as a family or with a group, when getting seats together can be critical to a sane and safe trip, you can save yourself a lot of hassle and anxiety by having a pro put together a sensible and reliable flight itinerary.

While your agent is at it, you might have him or her look into rental cars, hotel rooms and more -- and, if the price is right, go ahead and book it. Researching and reserving these yourself usually requires visiting multiple Web sites and can take a few hours of your time, so having a travel agent book them for you can save you time ... and it may not cost you anything more in fees.

5. Use room service.
To many folks, room service sounds like an extravagance, but the truth is that the cost of a meal delivered to your room is almost always exactly the same as if you went down to the hotel restaurant. The menu is the same, the prices are the same, the beer costs the same and the water is still free. The gratuity (usually 18 percent these days) is almost always added automatically, and at most properties you can put the meal on your hotel bill, so you don't even have to pick up your wallet.

Unless the hotel breakfast is included in your room cost, I find this option particularly attractive in the morning. While waiting for and eating breakfast, I can check in at work, dispatch e-mail, read the newspaper or watch the morning news, which for me beats slumping down to a hotel restaurant first thing in the morning by a country breakfast mile. Often you can order your meal the night before and choose a predetermined delivery time.

You will want to take a close look at the menu prices, as hotel breakfasts can be on the pricey side (although not always) and may be a more expensive option than popping down the street to the local coffee shop. But for a morning or two it won't break the bank, and the benefits are worth it. An omelet, buttered toast, some fruit and a pot of coffee delivered right to your room while you are still in your PJ's? There's the lap of luxury for you -- breakfast in bed.

Go Anyway,
Ed Hewitt"

Travel Review Sites

2010-08-06T06:53:00.002-04:00

As a travel consultant, I know that many of my clients will check reviews on the major travel review sites. I also use them as a part of my research but never make them the sole or primary source of reviews but would rather rely on personal experience, client feedback and the experiences of my colleagues from throughout the US and Canada.

I came across this excerpt from an article in the Independent Traveler that really reiterates what I tell my clients as well:

"Travel Review Sites
On both Yahoo! Maps and Google Maps, you can click on a particular hotel to find more information about it, including driving directions, user reviews, photos and a link to the property's Web site for booking.

For a more in-depth view of a property, though, I head to TripAdvisor.com. While Yahoo! and Google both offer reviews and links to reviews, I know of no other site where you can get such candid reviews as you'll find at TripAdvisor.

This can be a mixed blessing. While negative reviews often tell you a lot about the hotel, I have sometimes found they tell you a lot about the reviewer as well; you sometimes need to read with a judicious eye to separate a fussbudget's whine from a valid complaint."

What I always advise my clients to do is take each review with a grain of salt. Put more credence in postings from reviewers who live close to your general geographic area. If you are from the New York Metro region, look more closely at the reviewers who live in the states surrounding NY, like New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania or Massachusets, rather than those from Europe or Alabama, Tennessee or Oklahoma. No offense to anyone who lives in those states or Europe but, particulary, when reviewing an all inclusive resort, food tastes vary greatly by geographic areas.

I also advise my clients to eliminate the glowing reviews- from those who say "I want to stay here forever" and the negative reviews "my luggage was lost and I hated the entire vacation" in favor of the reviews in the middle. You need to read between the lines on many reviews. Was the reviewer a honeymooner- their reviews will tend to be more glowing. Was the reviewer annoyed at an outside source- the weather, airline, travel agent or their spouse?

Travel review sites can help in your vacation planning but please don't make it your only site in deciding upon a vacation destination or resort.

Before you buy your airline tickets...

2010-08-04T08:39:00.001-04:00

I have brought this up before but it is important enough to revisit. If you are planning a trip that includes air line tickets, some changes have taken place in the last year that you need to be aware of.

You will now need to provide your legal name- EXACTLY as it reads on your photo ID or passport as well as your DATE OF BIRTH and gender. I am not being a nosey travel agent. This is now required by the TSA. You can be denied boarding if this information is not provided. If you have a redress #, please make sure you give it to me. If you don’t know what one is, don’t worry about it.

If you are flying within the US, you only need your driver’s license. Don’t know the last time you checked yours but I had no clue if my middle name or initial was on mine until I checked in order to purchase airline tickets. Well, now I know- driver’s license has my middle initial. Passport has my middle name spelled out.

Until a few months ago, there was no place to even enter a middle name or initial on your airline tickets. Most airlines and all of the tour operators that I use for my clients now have included spaces for that information.

So far, the only travel suppliers that have not adopted these rules are the cruise lines. Carnival Cruise Line, for instance, will not allow you to put a middle name, initial or even a Jr. on the cruise documents even if it is on your passport. So if you are George Smith traveling with George Smith Jr, your son, both of you will be listed as just George Smith. How can they tell the difference, you might ask? I was told that the 2 will be differentiated by dates of birth.

Just another FYI, when it comes filling out online registration forms for Carnival, if you add a middle name to the registration form, that can’t be added to your cruise ticket, your past guest status may not be applied correctly. So for now, at least with Carnival Cruise Lines, leave off your middle names.

All Inclusive Resorts-Great Vacation Value!

2010-08-02T08:14:00.002-04:00

Whether you’re looking for a romantic getaway, a worry-free family holiday, or simply a relaxing vacation where you can leave schedules and decision-making behind, consider an all-inclusive resort.

Picture postcard beaches, comfortable accommodations, friendly service, and a variety of activities await you at the all-inclusive resort of your choice. And the best part is just about everything you eat, drink, or do is included in the price of your vacation—along with gratuities, entertainment and hotel taxes. All-inclusives offer value, convenience, and comfort. You won’t be presented with a check every time you order drinks or food, so you can safely leave your credit cards and wallet in your room safe.

Because of the variety of activities available, vacationing at an all-inclusive resort is an economical way to experiment and find new interests you might like to pursue at home. For example, you can learn to scuba dive while your traveling companion takes an aqua aerobics class or practices her golf swing. Most all-inclusives offer professional instructors and top-of-the-line equipment, making learning fun and easy.

Planning a wedding or a honeymoon? All-inclusives provide picture perfect, romantic settings. In some cases, weddings are free and include the assistance of a wedding coordinator who handles all the details, including making arrangements for a minister, a marriage license, champagne, a wedding cake, flowers, and music.

From ultra-luxurious resorts to family-friendly properties, there is an all-inclusive resort for every type of vacationer. Most of the all inclusive resorts are in the Caribbean and Mexico and the options seem endless. Because of the differences among all-inclusive resorts, it is important to work with a knowledgeable travel counselor who can match you with the resort that best fits your needs. Please contact us today for advice on which all-inclusive resorts are right for you.

Tips for Driving Overseas

2010-07-30T09:56:00.002-04:00

This is part of an article from the Smart Traveler:

" Five Tips for Driving Overseas
July 15, 2010 10:06 am by Christine Sarkis (Smart Traveler)

Unfamiliar roads and inscrutable street signs are just a few of the challenges. But with a little preparation, you can take the challenges in stride and enjoy the freedom to explore only a car can provide. After all, how else are you going to get to that little farmhouse in Provence serving up Cavaillon melons filled with Port, or happen upon a handmade pottery shop in the Japanese countryside?

Here are five tips for driving in foreign countries.

• Call your insurer and credit cards before departure to figure out what coverage you'll need: When you get to the rental counter in your destination country, you'll almost always find they recommend the most expensive insurance option. But by knowing in advance what sort of international coverage you already have through your existing car insurance and credit cards, you may be able to save yourself some money.
• Get an International Driving Permit: They don't look very official, but in many countries, you won't be able to rent a car without one of these flimsy booklets with your photo pasted into it. International driving permits are supplements to your drivers license and are valid in more than 150 countries, and cost about $15. They are available from AAA and the National Automobile Club.
• Familiarize yourself with signs and basic rules: What does a Japanese stop sign look like? Who has the right-of-way in France's 30,000 roundabouts? There's no better time to appreciate the cultural specificity of iconography than when you're surrounded by utterly mystifying road signs while driving in a foreign country. Study up in advance (you can often find a country-specific road-sign guide online), or contact the car-rental agency to see if it provides a cheat-sheet you can keep with you in the car.
• Consider a GPS navigation system: The last thing you need when you're keeping up with unfamiliar traffic patterns is to be constantly glancing down to trace your route on a map. If you don't have a GPS device, you can often rent them along with your car. A word to the wise: Be sure your rented navigation system speaks English before you leave the car rental location. Or you might end up like my in-laws, who found themselves on the open road in New Zealand with a GPS system that spoke only Japanese. (These can be rented in the US before you leave home- just ask your travel consultant about that)
• Beware Old Parts of Cities: This one is a personal favorite. When you're planning your driving routes, beware old neighborhoods in cities. What look like normal roads on maps can easily turn out to be streets so narrow you have to flip the side mirrors in to squeeze through. Look for larger streets whenever possible to avoid finding yourself sweating copiously and berating your navigator in strong tones while attempting a 12-point turn around a corner flanked by stone buildings."

Tips on taking toddlers to Disney World

2010-07-28T08:11:00.002-04:00

Traveling with young children is always challenging but taking them to an amusement park the size of Walt Disney World can be overwhelming.

Take a look at these tips that I found on a blog about traveling with children:

Here are Sandra’s Walt Disney World Tips for Toddlers:

1. Take or rent a stroller, Disney offers discounts for multiday rentals, and a rental is transferred to all 4 theme parks. Little legs get tired very quickly, a stroller is a must have to avoid tantrums. (these strollers will all look alike so if you are going to hang your diaper bag on the back- make is a brightly colored one so you can spot it easily)

2. Book character dining. Characters visit and interact with little ones so you can all enjoy your lunch or dinner. Tip: Advanced Dining Reservations are highly recommended. Advance Dining Reservations are available at most Full Service dining locations up to 90 days in advance. (One of the services offered by My Vacation Lady, is making dining reservations for you)

3. Take advantage of the “Child Swap” offered at Disney parks on most height restricted rides. One parent/guardian can go on a ride while the other waits with the child. You then “swap”, and the 2nd parent/guardian goes on the ride without waiting. Ask the Disney Cast member at the entrance of the ride about it. Tip: use Fastpass! (Disney’s system to help reduce long waits at popular attractions) to make the wait for the first parent even shorter!

4. Take a break – go back to your resort for an afternoon swim/nap/snack and go back to the parks refreshed and ready for evening fireworks and parades. (Another great reason to book an on site Disney hotel)

5. Take advantage of early risers, most parks do not get crowded until around 10:30-11am. If you are a resort guest you can take advantage of Extra Magic Hours, where particular parks are open 1 hour before and/or 3 hours after regular park hours on selected days. Check the schedule at the Disney owned resort you are staying at for details. (Extra Magic Hours are only available to those guests who are staying within the park at a Disney hotel. Another good reason to book an on site Disney hotel.)

6. Bring a change of clothes and/or bathing suit & towels. There are water spouts coming from the ground at Magic Kingdom and Epcot. Little ones can have fun getting wet and cooling off. Good luck keeping your kids away from them!

7. Find the Baby Care Centre, there is one located at each major park. This facility is not only great for changing diapers, it also carries a great assortment of baby/toddler supplies and gives nursing mothers a quiet place to feed. They even have toddler toilets for those who are training!

8. Purchase an autograph book for character greetings. Whether you are at character dining or meeting them at the parks, this is big for toddlers. Tip: don’t forget to put your name/phone number/address inside the front cover. Disney will mail a missing book to you if they have recovered it, and this tip comes from first-hand experience!

9. Keep your child safe and in sight. Sometimes crowds can be overwhelming especially after parades and fireworks. Make an emergency plan depending on the age of your child just in case.

10. Avoid disappointments by measuring your child ahead of time and know which rides they will be able to go on before you line up for them.

To make the most of your WDW vacation, please check out more Disney World Area Family Activities

The most important tip that I can add to this list is... EVERY MORNING BEFORE YOU LEAVE THE HOTEL, TAKE A PICTURE OF YOUR CHILDREN WITH YOUR PHONE OR CAMERA. IF YOU ARE SEPARATED FROM THEM, YOU CAN TELL THE AUTHORITIES IMMEDIATELY WHAT THEY ARE WEARING

Tips on Finding Great Vacation Deals

2010-07-26T08:03:00.003-04:00

If you want to save the most money on your next cruise or vacation, look for seasonal discounts. As a general rule, shoulder-season vacations (those that take place at the beginning or end of a tourist season) tend to be the most budget-friendly. While the weather may be less than ideal, you can often benefit from less crowded destinations and possibly more affordable airfare.

Autumn is a bargain time for vacationing in many regions, but the lowest prices are for Caribbean, Bahamas, and Mexico. This is notoriously a low season for cruising. Carnival Cruise Lines, Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises, for example, are advertising 7-day cruises from South Florida for under $100 per person, per day (based on double occupancy). Hotels are not as full as during the summer or winter months so many are offering free nights or resort credits. CuisinArt in Anguilla is offering 6th and 7th nights free for travel until November 23. AMResorts (Secrets, Dreams and Now Resorts) are offering $200 in resort credits, just to name a few.

These low prices are partly caused by fewer people vacationing between Labor Day and Christmas but also are a result of tropical storm season. Of course, it’s impossible to predict what the weather will be on any given day or week, so be certain to get travel insurance to protect yourself against cancellations or delays due to stormy weather.

To cruise Alaska at budget rates, choose a sailing in May or September right after the ship has arrived in the region or right before it’s set to depart for warmer waters. For instance, some cruise lines offer savings of $300 to $400 per person when you sail in September rather than in July. Although the weather is typically cooler in May and September, you can still enjoy the spectacular scenery and wildlife for which the Great Land is famous.

In the past, most cruise ships left the Mediterranean in fall and returned in the spring. Now, more ships are staying through November and returning in March or even remaining in Europe during the winter. Cruising the Mediterranean during the winter months has several distinct advantages, including fewer crowds, comfortable temperatures, value, and unique holiday celebrations in culturally diverse settings.
Prices for winter cruises—and airfares to get to and from Europe—are a bargain. In addition to low cruise fares, this year the USD is stronger against the Euro, so your vacation dollars will go further at shops and restaurants in your ports of call.

Visiting Italy in November through March will be less expensive than traveling in April through October. Weather in Northern Italy might be a bit chillier but you can save a good amount by traveling off season. Southern Italy (Rome, Naples and Sicily) is more moderate in temperature and it will likely be very comfortable for sightseeing. Beware of booking the Greek Islands after September or before May. Many of the hotels and restaurants may be closed since their season is much more defined. You can certainly visit Athens, Delphi and mainland Greece during the winter months and have a great vacation. You can still cruise around to many of the Greek islands but staying there might not work.

A bargain is only a bargain, if the vacation you book is the right vacation for you. At My Vacation Lady, we just don't book your vacation. We help plan your vacation experience! For more info, email us at mindy@myvacationlady.com

Spot Light on London

2010-07-23T08:25:00.002-04:00

From Buckingham Palace to friendly neighborhood pubs, London offers visitors a diverse blend of fascinating sights that include world-famous museums, unique galleries, expansive parks, and impressive architecture. And during what is traditionally called the “off season” for European travel—late fall, winter, and early spring—London shows more of its true character. Museums stay open, theaters are in full swing, and all of the fascinating sights in this great city can be experienced, without fighting the crowds.

One of the most economical ways to experience Britain’s capital is to book an independent package. To help you get your bearings when you arrive in London, you might want to book a half-day sightseeing tour featuring Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, and Buckingham Palace. The tour will give you a good idea of the main sites but leaving you plenty of time to enjoy this exciting city. You may choose to explore the British Museum, visit the City of London’s business district and the Tower of London, or browse through the National Gallery in Trafalgar Square. If you’re in the mood for shopping, head to Oxford Street, Regent Street, and Bond Street. And, of course, you won’t want to miss Harrods and the many boutiques in Knightsbridge.

To make the most of your stay, we suggest the following activities:
• Ride on the world’s largest and stylish observation wheel, the British Airways London Eye, and enjoy incomparable views of London.
• Sample the cuisine of any of the 60 different countries that are represented in London.
• See Tate Modern’s controversial exhibits, minimalist architecture, and fabulous river views.
• Take afternoon tea in any one of the many tea shops or grand hotels. (Scones with clotted cream are a must.)
• Explore one of London’s villages such as Greenwich, Hampstead, and Richmond.

What ever you decide to do in London, enjoy yourself!

Holland America Veendam

2010-07-21T08:39:00.005-04:00

My Vacation Lady was invited to visit the Holland America Veendam when she was in NYC on Sunday.

The Veendam is the only ship sailing from NYC to Bermuda that docks in both Hamilton and St George. It is the smallest of the ships sailing to Bermuda and that gives the Veendam the unique ability to dock right in Hamilton as opposed to docking in Kings Wharf. Although small is size, the ship has the amenities that are sure to please. With some new added features, the Veendam is a great option for the Bermuda cruises this summer and for 2011.

Some of my favorite features:
1. The Retreat- located in the aft of the ship, this adults only pool has lounges that sit directly in the water. What a great place to relax! With the movie screen above- what can be better?

2. The Teen Oasis- on deck 14- the highest deck, the Veendam has a great spot for teens to hang out- although I wonder if the adults can bribe the kids to leave :)
It looks like it might be part of Jurassic Park with rock boulders and palm trees but the water fall and hammocks make this spot a true OASIS!

3. Lanai cabins- since the Veendam is not a new ship, during the last refurbishment in the spring, Holland America added some new cabins to the ship. On the Promenade Deck, some of the cabins where changed to Lanai cabins offering direct access from your cabin right onto the wide teak promenade. Although these cabins don't offer a private balcony, the sliding glass door has a mirror exterior to offer complete privacy when the doors are closed and you can sit and relax right outside your cabin on the promenade. They are usually priced in between the oceanview cabins and the verandah suites (with the private balcony) so they offer a great alternative to those who want an alternative to the oceanview cabins but don't necessarily want to pay the price of the verandah suites.

The Holland America Veendam may be the perfect ship for those cruisers looking for a bit more of an upscale cruise to Bermuda and want the convenience of docking right in town. Holland America is running a sale right now and the Veendam's last few sailings to Bermuda for 2010 are on sale. Give My Vacation Lady a call to book your cabin today!

Handy Tipping Guide

2010-07-19T08:26:00.001-04:00

This is a great little tipping guide that you can print off and keep with you during your travels!

Check it out here

15 Travel Safety Tips

2010-07-16T07:56:00.003-04:00

This was taken from an article posted by CNN a few months ago. The information in it is timeless...

"
15 safety tips for travelers

1. Luggage: When leaving an airport, never board public transportation with your luggage in tow, Brooks says. Lugging bags on buses, trains or trams, especially while traveling alone, is more dangerous than it's worth. If a thief runs off with one of your bags, you're left with a choice of stopping the criminal or protecting your remaining luggage. Short answer from CNN Security Analyst Mike Brooks: Find a cab. (or better yet, ask your travel specialist to arrange for transfers at your arrival destination)

2. Unsolicited car service: Never accept transportation from a person who first approaches you at the airport, grabs your bags and says they have a car waiting. If you want car service, arrange it in advance. If you rent a car, never stop for anyone who's not wearing a uniform. A common trick among criminals along the roadside is to lure unsuspecting drivers to pull over by faking a flat tire. Don't fall for this tactic, say experts. Keep going.

3. What's the safest hotel floor? Always try to get a room on floors 2-8. A room on the ground floor will be more easily accessible to criminals from the outside, Brooks says. A high level -- such as the 20th floor -- may be quieter, but in case of a fire, there's little chance firefighters could reach you with even their tallest ladder.

4. Dressing safely: Do your research and emulate locals and how they dress, Robert Siciliano, a personal security expert and the author of "The Safety Minute” says. Blending in makes you less of a target than if you announce your home country by wearing your country's flag or national colors.

5. Instincts: Trust your instincts and don't venture through side streets, even if it seems like a convenient shortcut. Criminals like to strike in uncrowded areas, Brooks says. If you stick to the well-traveled streets, you'll be less likely to have anyone approach you with a gun or a knife, the experts say.

6. Jewelry: Leave the fancy jewelry at home. And carry your wallet in your front pocket, or better yet, get a money belt or a passport holder/wallet you can wear around your neck (but be sure to keep in under your shirt when you can). Be aware that people who are jostling you are potential pickpockets.

7. Wallet: Clean out your wallet before you leave home, Brooks says. Don't carry any more credit cards than you need. Make sure you leave your Social Security card behind.

8. Hotel behavior: Try to stay away from budget hotels as they are usually not in the best of areas, Brooks says. When you get to your hotel, keep an eye on people in the lobby and note how far your room is from a stairway. If there is a fire, Brooks says, you can't take the elevators and you need to know the quickest way out.

9. Where's the safest place on a bus? If you ride on a bus, stand near the bus driver or near an exit. If you find a seat, sit with your back to the side of the bus so you can see people in the front and back of the bus.

10. Invitations: Never go with someone you just met to their hotel room or invite them to yours, says Brooks. Also if they want to give you a ride to another hotel or bar, get your own cab.

11. Abductions by car: If someone orders you or tries to force you into a car, you must do whatever you can to stay out of that vehicle. "That means they are going to take you to the secondary crime scene, and nothing good ever happens at the secondary crime scene," Siciliano says. "That's where they identify the body."

12. Eye contact: Make eye contact with people, Siciliano says. Don't stare but use a "stern gaze" to acknowledge people around you. Criminals count on the element of surprise and will seek other victims if they know you have checked them out. "I'm not talking about staring people down, but acknowledging people around you," he says.

13. Eyewear: If you wear glasses, bring an extra pair, Brooks says. If they're broken in another country, getting a new prescription could be difficult and you want to be as alert as possible to your surroundings.

14. Knife or gun: Your options when someone approaches you with a gun are pretty simple. Both Brooks and Siciliano say to give the criminal your wallet, turn and run while yelling as loud as you can. Siciliano says the odds that person shoots at you are 50-50 and the chances they hit you are 50-50. If they come at you with a knife, drop to the ground, ball up to protect your torso (the kill zone) and kick at the attacker's knees or groin.

15. Proper research: Experts agree that the first thing any U.S. traveler should do to prepare for an international trip is go online at http://www.travel.state.gov.

Search the Web to find out what's happening right now at your destination which might affect your safety during your trip.

The U.S. State Department Web site posts official travel warnings and alerts for specific nations, along with details. The site also provides U.S. travelers a place to register with U.S. consulates and embassies in the countries they plan to visit, something experts say is an essential safety tool."

Staying Safe in Port

2010-07-14T08:05:00.002-04:00

This article has some information that can be used by all travelers- not just cruisers.

"Staying Safe in Port

Most cruise travelers don't expect to encounter armed robbers on their shore tour. But in fall 2009, three groups of cruise travelers were robbed at gunpoint in Nassau, Bahamas. One group was taking a taxi tour of Nassau's highlights, while the other two were on cruise line-sponsored Segway excursions. Although no one was seriously injured, the cruise passengers lost wallets, cell phones and cameras, and got a very good scare. These crimes, which took place at popular attractions in broad daylight, were serious enough to convince multiple cruise lines to cancel the Segway tour and to cause Royal Caribbean to issue warnings about Nassau on subsequent cruises. The events have also served to reawaken travelers to the possibilities of crime in port.

The sad truth is that tourists -- especially the ones that broadcast their arrival with gigantic cruise ships on set schedules -- are often targets for crime. Port destinations make their living from taking money from tourists. Many people do so in a legitimate way, offering services such as tours, taxis, guides, souvenirs and meals. However, others take a more nefarious route through robbery, pickpocketing and scams. And as the economic recession takes its toll around the world, more people are turning to illegal measures to make ends meet.

Travel abroad is still a safe endeavor for the vigilant traveler. Still, cruise passengers now need to be extra diligent in their vigilance. Think of preparedness as a three-step program with the acronym ARM: Assess the risks; Research the risks; Minimize the risks.

A -- Assess the Crime Risks You May Encounter

Some types of crime are prevalent worldwide; others are unique to certain regions or population groups. Violent crime represents only a tiny portion of the total picture; theft represents the vast majority of infractions. Pickpocketing is by far the most oft-reported variety, encountered most often in crowded squares and aboard public transit, especially after dark. Theft of purses and backpacks is also commonplace.

Be particularly cautious of street crime in countries with high levels of political unrest, poverty, and law enforcement corruption or malfeasance. Any combination of one or more of these factors should be a red flag. However, street crime can also be quite common in European countries like Spain and Italy, typically near the most popular tourist attractions. Theft is likely to occur both in crowded areas and on deserted streets.

Americans may be more at risk due to the generalized perception that all Americans are wealthy and thus excellent targets for theft. According to Dan Mulvenna, formerly with the security unit of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, and now a security consultant to multinational corporations, Americans are more likely to be the victims of street crime in Paris or London than in New York. Some Americans are also easy to spot (fanny packs, Hawaiian shirts, bright white sneakers).

Scams specifically targeting cruise tourists regardless of nationality are also becoming problematic. Con artists have been known to secure such things as crew T-shirts and even cabin stewards' tunics from various ships in order to fleece passengers ashore from those vessels. For example, while calling in Jamaica, you might be approached by a guy who appears to be a cabin steward on break ashore. He introduces himself, says he takes care of the next block of cabins down from you, tells you he's on his way to pick up some Blue Mountain Coffee, or rum, and asks if he can pick up some for you and leave it with your cabin steward. He writes down your cabin number, takes your $20, shakes your hand, and when the ship sails leaves, you have neither your Blue Mountain Coffee nor your $20.

Lastly, tourists abroad need to beware of organized crime. We're not talking Mafia here, but about groups that plan and work together to maximize their success at relieving the tourist of his or her property. Pickpockets often work in teams of two or more, one to distract while the other lifts the wallet or purse. Street gangs of youths in St. Petersburg and Moscow overwhelm resistance or escape with pure numbers. In Barcelona, someone may spill coffee or food on you, then have his or her partners pose as concerned individuals offering to bring you inside to clean up, but really to take you to a secluded place where they can rob you.

But one of the most pervasive of criminal enterprises existing throughout the Mediterranean, especially in Italy, is the proliferation of groups of Gypsy children, who are extremely adept at singling out tourists, pickpocketing them and disappearing into the crowd in the blink of an eye. If you feel that this threat is overblown, consider this: In 2000, former Olympic sprinter Ben Johnson was relieved of his wallet by a group of Gypsy girls in Rome. He gave chase, and, yep, those little girls all outran him!

R -- Research the Risks Before Departing

There is much to be gained from checking out your destination(s) prior to departure, including info on current crime trends, areas to avoid, governmental travel warnings issued, and useful addresses and phone numbers should you become the victim of a crime. These resources should be more than enough:

The best starting point is to do a focused Google search. We found the most effective search string to be "crime against American tourists [name of specific country here]." (Quotes and brackets should not be included in the string.) This search should yield several links you can pursue further. Non-Americans can substitute in their own nationality or omit it altogether.

The U.S. State Department, featuring updates and warnings, is probably the most valuable site on the Web for security-conscious travelers. Even if there has been no travel warning or alert issued for your destination, be sure to go to the country-specific briefs and read the sections on safety and crime. For Brits, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office gives similar warnings and country-specific travel information.

You may also want to look up the Web site of your destination's embassy or consulate in the U.S. or U.K. as well as the Web site of the Embassy of the U.S. or U.K. located at your destination. Look for information geared to travelers.

The U.S. State Department also operates the Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC), which, though aimed primarily at U.S. corporations operating abroad, offers a substantial amount of in-depth information on crime and other security concerns.

Lastly, ask your cruise director or shore excursion manager if they are aware of any crime risks for the areas you plan to explore ashore. It is a little-known fact that the courts have ruled (in Carlisle vs. Ulysses Line Ltd.) that cruise lines are legally obligated to inform their passengers of any known dangers "that are associated with places that passengers are reasonably expected to visit."

M -- Minimize the Risks You're Likely to Encounter

Here are some precautions you can take to minimize the risks of crime while you're traveling.

Seek protection in numbers. Whenever possible travel in groups of two or more. Never get into a taxi with a passenger already inside, even when offered a chance to split the fare. The driver and the "passenger" may be in cahoots.

Lower your profile. Americans -- or other affluent tourists, for that matter -- are prime targets. So, as much as you may be proud to be an American, the prudent traveler tries to maintain a low profile in this regard. Avoid American logo merchandise and loud Hawaiian shirts, minimize the amount of jewelry and other trappings of wealth you display, and try to converse in public at a volume level that doesn't alert everyone for hundreds of feet that you're from the States. According to Chris McGoey of McGoey Security Consulting and the Crime Doctor Web site, bright white sneakers are also dead giveaways of your U.S. nationality.

As part of maintaining a low profile, do not carry your valuables in a fanny pack. Time was when this was the recommended choice to foil pickpockets, as it was always in view and the contents were protected by a zipper. Now, according to security consultant Mulvenna, there is a phrase used by thieves to describe fanny packs: "One Stop Shopping."

Never put your valuables where you can't see them, or where they are too easy for a thief to quickly snatch and run. The worst choice of all is a backpack, which can be opened surreptitiously or slit without any clue to the bearer. Men should not carry their wallet in their back pockets for the same reason. Women should not carry their purses over their shoulders; they should carry them across their chests. McGoey cautions that money belts are not a good idea if they are visible as a bulge at your waistband or if you have to practically undress to get out some cash to buy a snack or souvenir. He prefers wearing clothing with multiple deep front pockets, secured by buttons or zippers, which are harder to get into.

Minimize your loss in the event you are victimized by a thief. Take just one or two credit cards and a minimal amount of cash ashore with you. Unless absolutely unavoidable, never go ashore with your actual passport; bring a photocopy of the data pages. Spread out your valuables among your various pockets and bags, as well as among members of your travel party.

Photocopy all important information including your passport's data pages, both sides of your credit cards, travel itinerary, other IDs and contact information. Leave one copy of those pages with a friend or relative back in the States and another in your cabin's safe. In the event of a theft, you can have the info faxed to the U.S. embassy to get an emergency replacement passport and will have the contact number of your credit card company so you can cancel your card and get a new one.

Carry a "mugger's wallet." This is a cheap wallet with a small amount of money, a credit card, business cards, etc. that you give to a robber while keeping your actual funds and important docs concealed. Hand over the "mugger's wallet," and immediately hightail it!

Carry a disposable camera ashore, even if you bring your brand-new 12-megapixel digital with you. If you want to have someone take your picture, hand them the disposable, not your good camera.

Stay sober. Many cruise ports, especially in the Caribbean and Mexico, are renowned for their bar scene. But with your judgment impaired due to alcohol, you're more likely to be taken advantage of by a thief or scam artist. If you plan on partying in port, either keep the drinks to a minimum or assign one person in the group to stay sober and watch out for the interests of everyone else.

Hiring a taxi or local guide can be a wonderful way to explore -- but you can also end up getting fleeced. Consider finding a reputable guide or tour service online and booking in advance. If not, look for or ask about licensing, or go to a big hotel and ask the concierge to hail you a cab or recommend a guide. Otherwise, just use your best judgment and be on alert.

Taken together, this litany of warnings makes tourist travel seem fraught with dangers -- but, as we stated at the start of this article, travel abroad is hardly more dangerous than visiting any city close to home. The prudent traveler remains aware of his or her surroundings and acts intelligently and with discretion. In the final analysis, when it comes to crime, the best defense is common sense.

--updated by Erica Silverstein, Senior Editor, Cruise Critic"

10 tips for a smoother travel experience

2010-07-12T08:29:00.002-04:00

This article was posted on the Independent Traveler:

"Travel is full of major decisions -- like which country to visit, how much to spend, and when to stop waiting and finally make that all-important airfare purchase. But beyond the big picture, it's the little things that can make a trip easier and less stressful. Following are 10 simple but clever tips to smooth the way on your next vacation.

1. Park with your car nose out.In the rush to catch the parking lot bus, it's easy to leave an interior light on; I'd guess that more travelers I know have had dead batteries at an airport than in any other situation.

If you return to your car to find a dead battery, broken windows due to thievery or any other potential problem, you'll want your car to be parked nose out for easier access to the battery, or for an easier hook-up to a tow truck.

2. Leave time to get to economy lots.As airports expand, they need more parking spaces; those spaces are ever more frequently found in parking lots that are off-airport in every respect but name.

You'll also find that these lots are often significantly lower-priced than other lots. As a result, they're the best place for economy-minded travelers, especially for longer trips where you're racking up several days' worth of parking fees. Also, these are the last lots to fill up; if you're flying during peak travel periods, you may have no choice but to use these distant lots.

I've found that buses and monorails run regularly to these lots, but I invariably need up to 20 - 30 minutes more than I might in less remote parking lots. If you're looking to save money, or are traveling over a major holiday weekend, leave extra time to get from the lot to the terminal. I, personally, prefer to use the off airport parking. The prices are reasonable, they provide free shuttle service and the lots are locked and secure. You might want to check a few off airport lots.
3. Pack essentials in your carry-on.
This is one of the tips that I stress to all of my clients! I actually pack a full days worth of clothing in a carry on so if my luggage is lost, at least I will have clean clothes for the next day!Recent stats indicate that, on average, at least one bag on every flight is lost or delayed. If there's anything you can't live without, pack it in your carry-on. This is especially true of items that are not easily or inexpensively replaced, such as running shoes or a lightweight raincoat.

And you'll get through airport security faster if you pack your carry-on more efficiently. For example, have your quart-size plastic bag with liquids and gels packed in an outside pouch or right near the top of your bag so that you can easily pull it out for screening. See Packing Tips and What Not to Pack for more ideas.

4. Know your hotel information.If a) your baggage is lost or delayed; b) you miss your connection and will be late checking in; or c) you are going to a destination you've never visited before, you'll want to have complete contact information for your hotel on your person. Before you leave home, print out the hotel's name, address and phone number, and program the latter into your cell phone. It's also a good idea to print out a map of the hotel's neighborhood, whether for your own use or to show to a confused cab driver.

5. Take old currency with you.Exchanging foreign currency after you've returned home is a hassle, especially since almost no one spends any time in an actual bank these days. Why else do so many travelers have so much funny money lying around?

If you travel abroad with any frequency, and have any stray foreign currency laying around, take it with you the next time you cross international borders. Then, when you get some local currency, you can exchange the money from any other country at the same time.

6. Save your boarding pass.
Do you usually toss your boarding pass as soon as you step off the plane? You might want to reconsider. Your boarding pass can serve as proof of travel if your airline fails to give you the proper credit for frequent flier miles; this type of problem is particularly common if you're flying on a codeshare partner of the airline in question. Your boarding pass can also be useful as a receipt for tax purposes, particularly if you're self-employed.

7. Know when to use -- and when to skip -- the skycaps.
Skycap upside: you check-in at the curb, lose the bulky luggage and head straight to your gate.

Skycap downside: they don't give you a seat assignment, and they cost a few bucks. (Don't forget to tip; skycaps often aren't paid a full wage and depend on tips to make their living.)

So when is it best to use the skycaps, and when can you skip them?

First off, if you're running late, the skycaps could get you onto a plane you'd miss otherwise. If it's really tight, there's no guarantee that your bags will make it onto the plane, but I've seen some skycaps work near-miracles in this department.

I do it this way: I walk inside the terminal and take a look at both the length of the line for check-in, and the clock. If the line isn't too long, and you have enough time, head for the check-in; you get your seat assignments, can make any special requests, get credit for frequent flier miles, and can best address any problems with the flight such as delays or cancellations.

If the line is long and time is tight, I walk back out to the skycaps, tip them well and sprint for the gate. As I mention above, your bags may not move as quickly as you do, but the skycaps will make the effort.

One other scenario: you have plenty of time, but know that your flight is nearly full, and the line is long. Every minute you spend in line is another minute that the window and aisle seats are given away. If you check in with the skycap, then sprint to the gate for your seat assignment, you'll often find that the line at the gate is much shorter than at check-in, and you'll actually get your seat assignment more quickly.

8. Get your seat assignments ASAP.
As I mention above, every minute you pass without a seat assignment is another minute that your aisle or window seat is given to someone else. Your best bet is to check in online, which can typically be done up to 24 hours before your flight. But note that not all flights, airlines or classes of travel permit advance check-in (or seating assignments).

9. Mark your bags with an easily recognizable item.
The days of flower-pattern steamer trunks are long gone; now we all buy our bags at the same stores from the same manufacturers.

The result: an endless stream of nearly identical bags on the baggage carousel. The solution: mark your bags by tying a colorful ribbon, stitching a unique patch or putting a large sticker on your bags. You won't see other passengers pulling your bags off the carousel to check for their tiny name tags, and you'll be able to see your suitcases come out the door from miles away. I typically have odd colored luggage tags, luggage straps or ribbon tied around my suitcases so there is no doubt which pieces are mine. If you are in the market for new luggage, purchase them in a color other than black!
10. Remember your flight number.This may seem like a no-brainer, but knowing your flight number can make your life easier in small or foreign airports that do not list the full names of destination airports, or list by flight number alone."

Mauna Lani Bay Resort in the Big Island

2010-07-09T12:31:00.001-04:00

Mauna Lani Bay Resort

The Mauna Lani Bay Resort is on 29 ocean front acres right next door to the Fairmont Orchid. This newly renovated property offers a great value on the Kohala Coast. They have no resort fee and offer free parking, free beach cabanas, internet service, bottled water, twice daily maid service, some water sports, a fitness center, children’s activities and a shuttle within the Mauna Lani complex. The complex is surrounded by golf courses which makes this resort popular among golfers.

The beautiful grounds include a beautiful pool area and 3 beaches with ponds in between them, a turtle pond, a small shark pond and great lawn which is an ideal wedding spot. They have a cultural center where hula lessons and lei making classes are offered during the day. A historian is on hand each Saturday evening before a full moon at twilight to tell Hawaiian stories. Take a look at some of the pictures we took on our last visit.

This is a lovely hotel and for those guests who want full luxury, the private bungalows on the resort grounds are to die for. These 4000 square foot, 2 bedroom super suites have their own plunge pools, 2 ½ baths, a large living room and full dining room. They are absolutely stunning and can sleep 5 adults.

Take a look a judge for yourself!

Credit Card vs ATM on the road

2010-07-07T08:59:00.002-04:00

This article was published online by the Independent Traveler a while back.

"Money Matters on the Road
Independent Traveler

Before you leave for your next trip abroad, take a moment to think dollars and cents -- or should we say pounds and pesos? Get the most for your money when traveling internationally by doing a little homework first.

The most important step is to know your options. While traveler's checks were once the most popular way to carry money overseas, today's travelers are much more likely to rely on credit cards and ATM withdrawals, which usually offer better exchange rates and lower fees. But what's the best option for you? Are traveler's check cards worth a look? And is there any way to avoid those pesky currency conversion fees when using your credit card? Read on for answers to these questions and a comprehensive roundup of all your currency conversion options when you're traveling overseas.

Credit Cards
Best for: Large purchases such as airline tickets, hotel bills, car rentals and restaurant meals

Pros: The biggest advantage to using credit cards while traveling overseas is that credit card purchases are exchanged at the interbank exchange rate, usually the best rate you can get for currency exchange. While most credit card issuers charge currency conversion fees each time you make a purchase in a foreign currency (generally 1 percent from Visa or MasterCard plus an additional 1 - 2 percent for themselves), these fees are typically lower than those you'd pay to cash traveler's checks or convert U.S. dollars at a change bureau. And, if you have a Capital One card, you won't pay any fees at all -- Capital One is the only major U.S. issuer that doesn't charge its own currency conversion fee or pass the one from Visa and MasterCard on to the consumer.

Cons: Many restaurants, stores and even hotels won't take credit cards, so you'll need to have some cash on hand at all times. While you can use credit cards to get cash advances at ATM's, bear in mind that they'll be subject to any finance charges your credit card company imposes -- which can add up very quickly. Plus, if you're not home by the time the bills come in and you don't have someone paying them, you'll be hit with hefty finance charges on these advances.

What You Need to Know: The first thing you should do if you are traveling abroad with a credit card, even if you only plan to use it in case of an emergency, is to call the issuer and ask what fees will apply to your purchases, both in local currency and in dollars. We recommend calling before each trip, as these policies may change without notice.

While you're on the phone, you'll also want to let your credit card issuer know when and where you will be traveling -- that way the sudden international activity on your account won't trigger your issuer's fraud alert system. As a precaution, we recommend bringing two credit cards on your trip in case one stops working.

Some merchants (particularly in Europe) offer what's known as dynamic currency conversion, which means that they'll charge you in dollars rather than the local currency. Because some card issuers will waive the currency conversion fee if your overseas purchase is made in dollars, dynamic currency conversion could help you save a few coins. However, keep in mind you'll almost always get hit by a conversion fee from the merchant instead -- sometimes up to 5 percent -- so you may end up losing out on the deal. Be sure you know what fees apply to either option before deciding which currency to use.

A few other caveats to bear in mind: Some hotels and car rental companies may put holds on your credit card for the amount of your total expected bill. This can use up your credit line before you've actually incurred and paid for the charges. All merchants are supposed to inform you if they do put a hold or "deposit" on your card. If they do, make sure you clarify that the hold has been removed when you've paid your bill in full.

Keep in mind that you may not have as much protection overseas as you do at home when problems arise over inaccurate charges. Incidents are always being reported of travelers being charged twice for the same item or for items they never purchased, and credit card companies have been unwilling or unable to intercede on their behalf. Always watch merchants imprinting your card and keep your receipts. After you get home, check your credit card statement. If you see charges you didn't make, call your creditor and ask them to dispute the charges.

Debit and ATM Cards
Best for: Getting cash in local currency

Pros: You'll get the same great interbank exchange rate when you make cash withdrawals with your debit or ATM card as you do when you make a credit card purchase. With ATM's available in major cities and airports all over the world, this is generally the cheapest and most convenient way to get cash in the local currency.

Cons: Each cash withdrawal you make will usually be subject to currency conversion fees, foreign ATM fees or other charges from your bank. For more information, see ATM's Abroad. Debit cards work pretty much the same as a regular credit card for purchases, but if your card is lost or stolen you may not have the same protection. By law, as long as you report your card missing within two business days, your maximum liability for use of that card will be $50 -- the same as for a credit card. However, if you wait any longer, you could be responsible for up to $500 of unauthorized charges.

What You Need to Know: If the ATM card from your home bank isn't connected to the worldwide Cirrus or PLUS networks, you may want to look into getting a MasterCard or Visa debit card. While they look and can be used like regular charge cards, they actually debit your checking account the same way your ATM card does.

If you are renting a car, you should be aware that while you can use a debit card to pay for the rental charges, you might not be able to reserve the car with this type of card.

Finally, don't forget to call your bank and make them aware of your travel plans; as with credit cards, sudden international activity using your debit card could cause your account to be frozen.

Cash
Best for: The first 24 hours of your trip -- to tide you over until you can find the nearest ATM

Pros: It's usually a good idea to get some foreign currency before you leave so that you have cash on hand to handle your immediate expenses -- like buying a meal in the airport or taking a cab to your hotel. This way you're not stranded without cash if the airport ATM isn't working or you arrive after the local exchange bureau has closed.

Cons: You typically won't get a great conversion rate from your home bank, and you may also have to pay fees or commissions. If you're traveling to a major international airport in a large city, which will likely have multiple ATM's and change counters, getting currency beforehand may not be necessary.

What You Need to Know: You can get foreign currency from your local bank or at the airport. Try your local bank first, as they may waive fees for certain accountholders. We recommend bringing $100 - $150 worth of foreign currency.

Traveler's Checks and Check Cards
Best for: Emergency backup if you can't find a functioning ATM (checks) or a secure alternative to cash (checks and check cards)

Pros: Traveler's checks and check cards provide more security than cash because they can be replaced (usually within 24 hours) if lost or stolen. While traditional traveler's checks seem to be slowly going the way of the dinosaur, Visa and Travelex offer travel cards that are prepaid like traveler's checks but work like credit cards for purchases and ATM withdrawals. Traditional checks are still sometimes useful as currency if you can't find a functioning ATM.

Cons: The exchange rate for traveler's checks is not as favorable as the interbank rate you'll get when using a credit or debit card, and few merchants accept the checks for purchases these days. You'll also have to pay commissions, shipping charges and/or conversion fees to purchase and cash the checks (some fees may be waived -- see below). The travel check cards give you better exchange rates, but there are plenty of fees here too -- look out for activation fees, charges for reloading the card, ATM charges or currency conversion fees. In most cases, you're probably better off using your own debit card.

What You Need to Know: You can avoid some of those pesky fees by cashing your traveler's checks at the bank that issued them -- for example, you can cash your American Express checks free at most AmEx offices overseas.

Sending Money Abroad
Best for: Emergencies when you need money sent overseas in a hurry

Pros: If you find yourself stranded overseas without cash, someone at home can wire money to you and you'll have it within a day -- or even a few minutes.

Cons: Fees for sending money abroad can run anywhere from 3 to 10 percent or more; the faster you need the money, the more expensive it will be.

What You Need to Know: The best-known companies for sending money are Western Union and MoneyGram. Both charge variable fees depending on how much money you're sending and where you're sending it. The slower the service you choose, the more economical the price.

Other choices for sending money abroad include bank wire transfers or international postal money orders from the post office. While less expensive, these methods may take more time."

Should you book your cruise directly with the cruise line?

2010-07-05T08:33:00.002-04:00

Many cruisers might feel that if they book their cruise directly with the cruise line, they will get the best cabins, pricing and information.

Please take a look at this mystery shopping experience as published in a travel industry magazine by one of my esteemed travel consultant colleagues.

US Passport Prices Increase on July 13

2010-07-02T15:49:00.002-04:00

If you need to apply for a new passport or need to renew your passport, do it before July 13, 2010. Prices are increasing substantially.

If you need to order a new passport for an adult with normal deliver, the price is going from $97 to $135. Renewals are going from $67 to $110.

For a child under 16, the price of a new passport is going to be $105.

Name changes, replacing lost or damaged passports are all going up in price.

Click here for more information.

Sale on Holland America Cruises 7/5/10-7/12/10

2010-06-30T08:21:00.002-04:00

My Vacation Lady is teaming up with Holland America Cruises to offer a 1 week cruise sale.

You will get a reduced deposit on your cruise and cruise tour bookings PLUS a value added coupon book with values of up to $450.

Look at some of the great discounts from the coupon book:
The Onboard Value Booklet
includes
• Exotic Lime and Ginger Salt Glow for just $25 when added to any treatment
(while in port): Greenhouse Spa & Salon
• Any acupuncture treatment (while in port): 10 percent off — Greenhouse Spa
& Salon
• Nutritional consultation: 10 percent off —Greenhouse Spa & Salon
• Purchase one fitness class and receive a complimentary second class: $12 value —
Greenhouse Spa & Salon
• Any slot or blackjack tournament: two entries for price of one: $20 value
• $5 Casino match-play certificate
• $2 per-minute discount on stateroom call:$20 value
• $10 off purchase of second telephone calling card
• 15 minutes free with the purchase of any Internet time package
• $10 off Holland America Line bathrobe
• 14K gold earrings with any fine jewelry purchase of $500 or more: $100 value —
Signature Shops
• 7-bottle Navigator Wine Package: 10 percent off
• Complimentary chocolate-covered strawberries with purchase of Champagne
for stateroom delivery
• Receive a grande coffee beverage for the price of a tall — Explorations Café
• Dinner for two at the Pinnacle Grill with purchase of 7-bottle Admiral’s Choice
Wine Package: $40 value
• Purchase a souvenir glass and receive a complimentary second glass
• Receive a complimentary bingo card with the purchase of three
• 10 percent off order of fresh flowers
• Regular or Express Laundry Services: 10 percent off
• Holland America Line Master Chef cookbooks: 10 percent off
• Tuxedo rental: 10 percent off
• Black Label Photography purchases: 10 percent off (on purchases up to $500)
• $5 off Voyage or Destinations DVD: Photo Gallery
• Special $12 rate for one-year subscription to Food & Wine Magazine: 77 percent
savings
• Any item at shophollandamerica.com: 10 percent off (Mariner’s DreamTM bed
excluded)spacious, elegant

This sale is not applicable to Grand Voyages, flash fares or community appreciation fares.

Give My Vacation Lady a call at 732-418-0819 to book your Holland America Cruise today!

Airline Fees Cheat Sheet

2010-06-28T08:37:00.002-04:00

It's so hard to keep track of all of the fees the airlines have started charging.
With the checked luggage fees, carry on luggage fees, overweight luggage fees, meals, priority seating, etc, it's no surprise that many cruise passengers would prefer to cruise from a port closer to home.

Just to help you figure out some of the fees charged by many of the airlines world wide, click here.

Just one example from my local area:
Fly from Newark to Fort Lauderdale with 2 pieces of checked luggage
Continental's fees (if you pre-pay online prior to arriving at the airport) $55
Jet Blue's fees- $30

These luggage charges are in each direction so even if the prices are the same, Continental is costing $50 more per person round trip. This might be something to think about when booking your flights.

Non liquid toiletries help TSA 3-1-1 compliance

2010-06-25T08:04:00.003-04:00

When the TSA started limiting the number and size of liquid that you are allowed to carry on to an airplane, passengers had to scramble to find small sizes of their favorite toiletries. The 3 oz, 1 quart size bag per person ruling makes it very had for passengers just to take a carry on instead of checked luggage.

Here are some ideas from Smart Travel Magazine

Benefits of using a Travel Agent

2010-06-23T08:34:00.002-04:00

Don't take my word for it. Travel agents have never disappeared with the arrival of the big online travel booking agencies. We provide a completely different service.

Check out this article

I especially like the quote from Warren Buffett:
Price is what you pay; Value is what you get.

7 Health Benefits of taking vacations

2010-06-21T07:25:00.002-04:00

Have you planned your 2010 vacation yet? If not, what are you waiting for?

This article was written by Chanpoy Rith and published on LifeClever.com in Aug 2007.

"Summer’s almost over. Have you taken a vacation yet? If you haven’t, will you?

Acccording to a 2006 survey by Harris Interaction and Expedia, 36 percent of workers don’t plan to use all their paid vacation days, and 37 percent never take more than a week off at a time.

So to convince you to take a much-needed break, here’s my list of how vacations can benefit your health and mind. While relaxation and exposure to culture are obvious benefits, there’s a wealth of other rewards too:

Live longer
A State University of New York survey found that men who took annual vacations reduced their risk of death by 20 percent. Men who didn’t take any vacations in five years had the highest death rate and incidence of heart disease than any other men surveyed.

Improve your mental health
A study by Wisconsin Medical Journal found that women who took frequent vacations were less likely to become depressed, tense, or tired. Women who rarely took vacations were likelier to have stress at home and sleep less.

Revamp your relationships
I don’t have any fancy studies to back this one up, it’s just common sense. A real vacation is the ideal time to reconnect and revitalize relationships that have taken a toll from an on-call, always-on, and work-obsessed culture. My 9-hour work days and blogging duties have caused my relationships to suffer more than I’d like to admit. Yes, I too need a vacation.

Recapture your childhood
When was the last time you went out and play? I mean really play. Without worry of someone calling or interrupting you. Real vacations let you recapture that feeling of childlike exploratory freedom. You can wake up when you want, go to sleep when you want, and eat what you want. Most importantly, you can have fun without worrying about the consequences on work back home.

Gain self confidence
“Don’t put yourself on sale.” This is my favorite mantra from financial guru Suze Orman. While Suze’s target audience is directed to women, the advice applies to everyone. When you skip vacations, you put yourself on sale. If you have 2-weeks of paid vacation and don’t use them, you’re essentially working for free. By committing to a vacation, you declare to yourself (and to others) that you are important and deserve dedicated time for yourself.

Find creative inspiration
Most of the year, we live on a schedule. We eat at the same restaurants, see the same people, and experience the same environment. This monotony reduces the opportunities for inspiration and for new ways of thinking. By traveling to a foreign environment, we put ourselves in an uncomfortable situation, and allow our brains to think differently.

Become more productive
What? You can more productive by not working? Yes. By scheduling two weeks of vacation a year, you force yourself to make the other 50 weeks more efficient. Your scheduled becomes an award—a carrot. This means more incentive to eliminate distractions, work more efficiently, and get things done.

How to take a vacation
So now that I’ve convinced you, here’s how to do it:

Create a vacation fund
Put money into a vacation fund every time you get your paycheck. For a $2000 vacation, you only need to set aside just $77 dollars each paycheck (if you get paid twice a month).

Let your boss and coworkers know earlyAside from being nice and giving your employer time to make staffing changes, telling everyone at work makes your vacation concrete. It prevents you and anyone else from piling on work with no end in sight.

Don’t ask, declare it.
You know the classic aphorism: better to ask for forgiveness than permission.

Instead of: “Hey guys, I’m thinking of going on vacation October 1-15th, is that a good time?”

Say: “Hey guys, I’ll be taking a vacation and will be in Buenos Aires between October 1–15th. Let’s work together on making sure everything is taken care of before I leave.”

Book your flights and hotels early
Yes, you’ll get cheaper rates. But since you’ve sunk money into it, you’re fully committed now. This makes it harder for you and your boss to delay or reschedule your vacation.

Pack light
I’m always afraid of airlines losing my luggage, so I pack everything into a carry-on, even for long two-week trips. For the rare moment I forget something, like a toothbrush or a razor. I can pick it up quickly at a store once I arrive.

Leave your Crackberry at home
The same goes for your laptop and cellphone. You’re not really on vacation if you’re on a leash. In other words, your boss is just letting you out for a walk.

Wear headphones
Who can afford the quiet comfort of first class these days? Chances are, you’ll be in coach next to a noisy baby or talky grandmother. Make your flight more enjoyable and bring noise-cancelling headphones. It’s the polite and universal way of saying, “don’t talk to me.”

Try sleeping pills
I’m not a fan of taking unnecessary pills, but its impossible for me to fall asleep on a plane. If I’m changing time zones, I’m wrecked for 3-4 days after landing. To counteract insomnia and jetlag, I take sleeping pills on long flights. Prescription sleep-aids like Ambien and Lunesta supposedly don’t have the groggy side-effects that over-the-counter drugs do.

Don’t plan every minute
Vacations shouldn’t be about stress. So don’t plan everything to the minute. Make a general schedule and a list of what you want to see and do. If you don’t get to it all, it’s another reason to go on vacation again.

Don’t cut your vacation short
If work calls and asks you to come home early for an “emergency.” Don’t. Most emergencies aren’t emergencies, and by saying no, you empower others to handle difficult situations without you. If you really can’t get out of it, use your return to negotiate for additional vacation days. Compensation for your return flight should be expected. Remember, don’t put yourself on sale."

Carry on Luggage and TSA security

2010-06-18T07:59:00.002-04:00

This excerpt came from the Independent Traveler:

Airport Security Confiscates Your Prized Possession
If you plan correctly and make sure everything you're packing in your carry-on bag is permitted on an airplane by the TSA, you shouldn't have any problem getting your luggage through the airport security checkpoint. But if you're a procrastinator who carelessly throws a bag together as the airport van is waiting in the driveway (or if you simply forgot about the rules), you may have some trouble getting through security. So when an officer finds your four-ounce bottle of designer perfume and permanently removes it from your carry-on bag, is it lost forever? Not necessarily.

According to the TSA Web site, "If you bring a prohibited item to the checkpoint you may be criminally and/or civilly prosecuted." Keep this in mind before you start to argue with the guard who is taking away your jumbo-sized tube of toothpaste. It's not worth it. If you try to bring anything through airport security that is not allowed on a plane, or anything that the security guard deems dangerous (no, it doesn't necessarily have to be listed on the TSA's inventory of prohibited items), airport security has the right to take your property and dispose of it. If the security officer has confiscated something that has value to you, politely ask him or her if you can take the item away from the checkpoint. If you're lucky and the officer says yes, here are your options:

If you're certain you have plenty of time before your flight takes off, you can go back to your airline's check-in counter and either check your carry-on bag or ask to have the prohibited item placed in your checked luggage. Keep in mind that you will have to wait in line at the check-in counter and at the security checkpoint all over again, so you may need an extra hour or two before your flight is scheduled to depart. There is no guarantee that the airline staff will be able to help you out, so don't return to the check-in counter unless you have time to spare; otherwise, you may risk missing your flight for nothing.

If you haven't checked a bag and you drove to the airport, take your item to the parking lot and place it in your car. Again, be very aware of how much time you have, especially if you've parked in a lot that is a lengthy walk or ride away from the airport. You will have to wait in the security line all over again.

Did someone drop you off at the airport? If he or she is a very good friend (or someone who owes you a favor), give that person a call and ask him or her to turn the car around. Promise to bring your helpful friend a souvenir from your trip.

Some airports still have storage lockers. If you are lucky enough to be in one that has lockers, you can store your items in the locker for the duration of your trip and claim it upon your return.

I really see a new business opportunity here! Someone should open a shipping kiosk right at the security area so travelers who tried to take things that are prohibited by the TSA can just ship them back home. Obviously, this wouldn't apply to dangerous items but it would work for the expensive bottle of perfume, wrapped gifts and more. Anyone looking for a new business opportunity?

Bahamas Departure Tax Increase

2010-06-16T07:56:00.001-04:00

This news release came from my Sandals sales representative.

BAHAMAS DEPARTURE TAX INCREASE:

Bahamas departure tax is increasing from $15.00 to $20.00 effective July 1, 2010. This will apply regardless of when the airline tickets were issued. The difference in departure taxes will be collected at the airport directly from the passengers.

Tipping while on vacation

2010-06-14T09:21:00.002-04:00

Tipping can be so confusing while you are traveling. Cruise lines are starting to add gratuities to your cabin bill automatically. All Inclusive resorts say that tipping is not expected and some even say that their employees are not allowed to accept tips. If you are going to a hotel or resort that is not all inclusive, how are you supposed to know who to tip and what to tip?

Here are some tips from the Independent Traveler:

Tipping requires more than cash and generosity; a modicum of research is essential for travelers to know exactly who deserves a tip and how much to give. Generous travelers shouldn't hand out gratuities like Halloween candy to cover their bases. In some countries -- like Japan, where giving someone a wad of cash is often considered rude -- tipping can be an insult. On the other side of the coin, traveling tightwads shouldn't try to save money by stiffing their service person, because millions of waiters, bellmen, tour guides and other workers in the tourist trade rely on tips to feed their families and pay the rent.

The happy medium between spendthrift and scrooge is a well-informed traveler! Below, we've listed some solid-gold tips for handling the tricky practice of tipping in a foreign country with often different and sometimes confusing customs and codes of behavior. Take our advice and tip wisely...

Know Before You Go
Here's the most important tipping tip you need: destination-specific tipping information is vital if you want to avoid an awkward or offensive encounter with a service person during your trip. Magellan's offers a useful Worldwide Tipping Guide that summarizes acceptable tips in other countries in a convenient chart.

You'll also want to pore over a good guidebook for more detailed information on local tipping practices; this way you won't be caught off guard when the colorfully dressed musicians in Marrakesh's Jemma el-Fna square want a few dirhams for letting you snap their picture, and you'll know not to leave a tip at that trendy restaurant in New Zealand.

Cover Your BasesWhom you should tip (as well as how much you should give and how often) varies by destination. But here's a list of the types of folks you may have to present with some extra euros or pesos when you're jetsetting around the globe. Yes, the list is long, but remember that you will probably not need all of these services on a single getaway (unless you have some kind of elaborate around-the-world spa and boat trip planned -- in which case we're jealous!).
• Waitstaff
• Hotel cleaning staff
• Porter
• Bellhop
• Taxi/van driver
• Tour guide
• Concierge
• Restroom attendant
• Local who is posing for a photograph
• Bartender
• Tour boat captain and staff
• Maitre'd
• Childcare staff/day camp counselor
• Hairdresser/masseuse/manicurist

Carry CashIf you're taking a cab or shuttle from the airport to your hotel, in most countries you'll have to tip. This means that you will need some local currency almost as soon as you get off your plane. Although some countries, like many Caribbean destinations, accept U.S. dollars in addition to their own local currency, it's important not to tip in dollars if it's not an accepted national currency.

Most airports have ATM's and exchange rate counters -- even if you're not planning on exchanging all of your money at the airport, you need to get enough local currency to cover your tips before you get in that cab. Contact your airport before you leave to find out what banking or money exchange facilities they offer.

Make sure you have plenty of small bills on hand throughout your trip, too. Use larger bills to pay for souvenirs, meals and other expenses, and keep the change to use as tips. If you run out of small bills, your hotel's front desk may be able to make change for you.

Follow the Leader
If you forget to research the acceptable tipping practices of your locale, or simply don't know what to do, look around and see what other visitors are doing. Is there money on the empty tables in your restaurant? Did everyone else on your boating excursion offer the captain and crew a few dollars? You get the idea.

If that doesn't work, here's a basic, common-sense rule of thumb: tip 5 to 10 percent, or a few dollars (in the local currency), to anyone who is providing you with a service -- like arranging an excursion with a tour company, bringing you a meal, or handing you some mints and a warm towel in the bathroom -- when you are visiting a country where tipping is generally an accepted practice.

Don't AskA common mistake made by travelers is asking their service person if he or she requires a tip. Not only does this present a conflict of interest to a cash-strapped service person who doesn't normally take tips, but in countries where saying what you mean is not the social norm, a clueless traveler may end up stiffing a polite waiter or bellhop. For example, in India, a service person whose income is mostly comprised of tips may say that he or she requires no gratuity out of modesty and good manners. This doesn't mean you shouldn't tip if it's the acceptable practice in your destination! Know before you go (see above) and you won't have to ask.

Beware of Service Charges
You may think that a "service charge" on your restaurant bill indicates that the tip is included. This is true for most countries; for others, not so much. In destinations such as Greece, Guatemala, Italy and Hong Kong, you should leave a tip in addition to a service charge. This is because the service charge may not necessarily go to the waiter -- and your tips make up a significant percentage of your server's salary.

Bermuda's 15th Annual Music Festival

2010-06-11T08:09:00.002-04:00

Bermuda’s 15th Annual Music Festival is scheduled for Sept 30 – Oct 2, 2010. The performers haven’t been announced yet but last year, Quincey Jones was the headliner.

Just by taking a fast look at the prices for airfare and hotel from the NYC area, you can still get air, hotel and transfers for 4 nights at some great hotels in the $1000-$1200+ per person range. If you are thinking about heading out to Bermuda for the Music Festival, don’t wait too long to book your flights. Last year, a client waited until 4 weeks before and she paid almost $700 for flights alone.

With so much to see and do in Bermuda, why not take a few more days to enjoy the pink sand beaches, great shopping, food and sightseeing along with the music festival?

My Vacation Lady is a Bermuda Destination Specialist. We can help turn your vacation into a Bermudaful Vacation.

Welcome back to the cruise of yester-year!

2010-06-09T07:57:00.002-04:00

Some people might remember when your non cruising friends and family were able to board your cruise ship with you to "send you off". Once the ship was ready to depart, they disembarked and you stayed on for your cruise. With all of the security measures imposed in the last few years, having guests board the ship to send you off was eliminated- until now.

Bon Voyage Program
Princess has revived an old tradition with a new program allowing passengers' friends and family to board their ship on embarkation day. Guests can enjoy a four-course lunch with wine, a ship tour, and a souvenir photo for $39 per person. This cost can be applied towards a future Princess cruise. The program debuts this month in the ports of Los Angeles and Fort Lauderdale and will then roll out to New York, San Francisco, and Seattle.

When I was on the Caribbean Princess (sailing out of NYC) a couple of weeks ago, there was a large group of people with BON VOYAGE tags in the dining room. We were wondering who they were and now we know. They only problem with this program is that Princess may find that the guests don't want to leave!

Helpful Vacation Tips

2010-06-07T11:31:00.001-04:00

With lots of you traveling in the next couple of months, here are a few more helpful vacation tips.

The Value of Travel Insurance

2010-06-04T08:02:00.002-04:00

Is travel insurance a rip off, as Forbes Magazine tries to tell you, or a way to protect your vacation investment in these days of weather and natural disasters, strikes and more?

The Value of Travel Insurance
By John Stone
Published on: June 4, 2010

These days your clients have more reason than ever to ask you as their travel agent about whether they need to purchase insurance when booking their next vacation. This year, which is less than half old, has already seen massive floods in Machu Picchu, Rio de Janeiro and Nashville. It has seen at least four major earthquakes affecting such destinations as Haiti, Chile, China and Mexico. And, more recently, it has seen the unprecedented closure of northern European airspace for a week in April, with briefer subsequent disruptions since then, due to volcanic ash clouds from the Iceland eruptions.

In each of these disasters many trips to affected destinations were cancelled or delayed for many hours, if not days, forcing travelers with prepaid itineraries or unplanned expenses to face substantial financial losses. For those who purchased a comprehensive travel insurance plan prior to the outbreak of the specific disaster that disrupted their trip, their prepaid funds could be protected and their unplanned expenses reimbursed. Without such coverage, as widely reported in the consumer media in the past month, most travelers had to incur significant costs and lost any monies paid for their trip.

It therefore came as a surprise to me when I read the popular financial website Forbes.com describing travel insurance as a “rip-off” in its May 18, 2010 column, “10 Ways You’re Getting Ripped Off.” Forbes.com made no effort to present its two-paragraph “rip-off” proclamation as the opinion of the writer and her single source identified in the column. Instead, the article, presented as informed financial advice, saw nothing good to say about either travel insurance or the travel agents who sell it.

“[Travel insurance] is not a good economic decision for most people," said the official from the Consumer Federation of American, whom Forbes.com quoted. “If you just can't sleep without insurance, don't buy from someone who's selling you something else. It's almost always a bad deal involving kickbacks to whoever is offering the service." The Consumer Federation official further argued that homeowners’ insurance and credit cards can cover cancelled flights, without providing any documented examples of how this could work.

Fortunately for consumers and agents, the U.S. State Department has an opposite opinion from that of Forbes.com, as stated on its website (www.travel.state.gov) under the topic of travel “health issues.” Unlike Forbes’ dismissal of insurance, the State Department sees the necessity for travel insurance to prevent major consumer losses due to unforeseen risks while traveling.

“Obtaining medical treatment and hospital care abroad can be expensive, and medical evacuation to the U.S. can cost more than $50,000,” the State Department says. “Note that U.S. medical insurance is generally not accepted outside the United States, nor do the Social Security Medicare and Medicaid programs provide coverage for hospital or medical costs outside the United States. If your insurance policy does not cover you abroad, it is a good idea to consider purchasing a short-term policy that does.”

In addition to citing the disasters over the past few months that could be covered by pre-purchased travel insurance, you should not hesitate to present to your clients some other potential uncertainties that can be covered by a good travel insurance plan. Here are just a few examples:

• Trip Cancellation or Interruption coverage when a steady job is lost between pre-booking and travel, or the boss says you must work on dates on which you are booked to travel.

• Trip Cancellation or Interruption coverage when a client cancels due to the illness or injury of a family member, whether that relative is scheduled to go on the trip or not.

• Trip Cancellation or Interruption when the supplier providing the trip goes bankrupt and defaults before departure or during the trip.

• Trip Cancellation coverage when the school attended by a client’s child needs to extend the school year calendar into a pre-booked vacation date to make up for snow days.

• Trip Cancellation when the client or travel companion is involved in a car accident en route to the departure airport.

• Trip Interruption when clients learn that their home was burglarized after they left on their vacation.

Now you may still encounter clients, like the Consumer Federation official quoted by Forbes.com, who want to accept the financial responsibility for themselves, regardless of risk. If they sign a waiver saying they heard the insurance recommendation but rejected coverage, you have done your job. However, the outright dismissal of travel insurance without reviewing its content, as suggested by Forbes.com, is when the true “rip-offs” occur. This is when unforeseen trip disruptions cause travelers who did not buy travel insurance are truly separated from their hard-earned, prepaid travel investments.

John Stone, a veteran travel trade journalist, is media relations manager for Travel Insured International in Hartford, Ct.

Over the years, I, personally, have had time that I have used travel insurance and that one claim more than made up for all of the policy premiums that I have spent. Travel insurance is never mandatory. I offer it to my clients as an option- and a highly recommended one at that.

Caribbean Princess ship tour review

2010-06-02T08:34:00.002-04:00

Last week, I was invited to a ship inspection and luncheon aboard the Caribbean Princess. The ship departs from the Red Hook Brooklyn Cruise Pier and sails 2 alternating itineraries to Bermuda and the Caribbean for 9 nights.

Princess Cruise Lines started sailing out of the Brooklyn cruise pier a couple of years ago and the Caribbean Princess was the only ship docked there so parking and check in is very simple. The Caribbean Princess has been sailing from this cruise port for the last few years during the late spring through early fall.

Being a Royal Caribbean and Celebrity cruiser myself, this was my first time on the Caribbean Princess and I was VERY impressed. Not overly huge but certainly not a small or mid sized ship, the Caribbean Princess is relatively easy to get around. Decks 5, 6 and 7 are the action decks with the Piazza (an Italian inspired central area with entertainment during the day and night, the international café – don’t miss the huge brownies or cookies, Vines- a wine bar and library, internet café), dining rooms, casino, theatre, specialty restaurants, lounges, shopping and more. The Lido (pool deck) is deck 15, spa is on 16, kids and teen center on 17 along with my FAVORITE spot- the Sanctuary and let’s not forget Skywalkers, their signature club on deck 18.

The Sanctuary is an adult only private area with a separate pool and Jacuzzis, fabulously lush lounge chairs, food and beverage service and massage cabanas. This area is at an additional cost and you can purchase your lounge chair by the day or for the entire cruise. This is the perfect spot to completely relax.

The cabins on the Caribbean Princess are all a nice size and their unique feature is that the closets are large, open and spacious and the closet and bathroom form its own private section of the cabin. I liked the open closet although one of my colleagues who was sailing on the ship didn’t like that feature. The balcony cabins have a sliding glass door leading out to a small balcony with 2 chairs and a table. The mini suites were considerably larger with a tub and larger balcony. The Penthouse suite was to die for but at a price that probably is out of reach for many cruisers. The Caribbean Princess just came out of a dry dock where a number of window suites were added to deck 6. These very spacious suites have a large bathroom with tub but no balcony. They are well located – mid ship on deck 6 and are worth a look if you want some more space.

A couple of features that I really liked on the ship was, of course, the Sanctuary but I really also liked the Piazza. The International Café is open 11am to 11pm for snacks and lite fare. Vines, the wine bar, offers free sushi if you order a glass of wine- so check the Princess Patter for times. The Piazza is a nice relaxing spot to sit and enjoy a cocktail while listening to some music. The ship features Movies Under the Stars where they offer some first run movies and sporting events. One nice touch was that there were ceiling fans through out the pool area. This helped circulate are – particularly nice when sailing the Caribbean.

All in all, I really liked the Caribbean Princess and would highly recommend the ship both from the NYC area as well as when she sails from her winter port of San Juan. With the great special rates offered earlier in the season and the great past guest rates that Princess offers, the Caribbean Princess was a great deal on many of the summer sailings this year.

For more info on the Caribbean Princess or other cruises or vacation packages, contact us at mindy@myvacationlady.com.

Las Vegas Pool Scene

2010-05-28T08:12:00.002-04:00

A little run down on the pool scene in Las Vegas:

Las Vegas has kicked off the summer season with a variety of pool parties open to the public:

The Encore Beach Club and Surrender Nightclub, located in the former Encore porte cochere, are both set to open Memorial Day weekend. The 60,000-square-foot Encore Beach Club will be a pool complex featuring 26 cabanas, eight, two-story bungalows, a restaurant and poolside blackjack and craps. Connected to the Encore Beach Club will be Surrender Nightclub. The 5,000-square-foot nightclub will open to the outdoors.
Liquid Pool Lounge by The Light Group is an adults-only experience at ARIA. A state-of-the-art sound system and world-class DJs set a lively mood as guests enjoy the exclusivity and seclusion provided by towering palms.
Venus Pool Club at Garden of the Gods at Caesars Palace incorporates luxurious cabanas, chaise lounges, and a variety of amenities including a Mojito cart.
Rehab Pool Party, located on three acres at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, celebrates its seventh season, welcoming more than 4,000 partygoers every Sunday. Now in its third season, Rehab has its own reality television series on TruTV.
Palms Pool & Bungalows offers new reasons to be poolside at Palms Casino Resort. In partnership with 9 Group, Palms offers a Nighttime Pool Lounge every Friday and Saturday night, a monthly nighttime event known as Skinny Dip and a party every Sunday afternoon called Sun Dance,. For the fourth year, Ditch Fridays has also returned.
AZURE, the daytime luxury pool experience at The Palazzo Las Vegas, offers live DJs, poolside cabana massages by Canyon Ranch SpaClub, cuisine from Wolfgang Puck including a new poolside Sunday brunch, water mistings, sunscreen application and much more.
At a spacious 53,000 square feet, WET REPUBLIC at MGM Grand combines the best elements of the city's club scene with two saltwater pools and six jetted spas. Elite VIP service and renowned entertainers are standard amenities.
Mandalay Bay's fun Concerts on the Beach series invites music-lovers to bring blankets, slip on their flip-flops and hit The Beach, where they can wade into the surf or rent a relaxing beach bungalow or villa for an unforgettable summertime music experience. Adjacent to the beach, the adults-only Moorea Beach Club features dipping pools, chaise lounges, daybeds and more.
Guests can dare to reveal (almost) all at Bare Pool and Lounge at The Mirage. European-style sun-worshipping allows guests to experience poolside pampering at two luxury dipping pools.

MSC Poesia- a travel agent's review

2010-05-26T08:27:00.002-04:00

MSC Cruise Line is relatively unknown in the US market, although they are a big player in Europe. They are family owned and have started bringing ships into the Caribbean a few years ago. This year, their new ship the MSC Poesia will be sailing from New York City to New England and Canada in September and October before heading down to the Caribbean.

This review was written by a travel agent colleague of mine after her 3 day cruise aboard the Poesia. She posted this on a travel agent site so this I would consider this to be very honest and unbiased.

MSC Poesia Cruise Review

by Jan Shaughnessy

Sailing Date: April 24th, 2010
Itinerary: Bahamas
Occupation: Cruise Professional
Number of Cruises: 70+

INTRO - There has been so much negative written about the Italian style MSC Cruise Lines. So when the opportunity arose for a special three day cruise, I decided to try them out and see for myself.

I flew out the same day as the cruise. I usually try to fly out a day prior to a cruise in the event of delays, which on this day did happen. I was scheduled to leave Nashville at 6:15AM and just as we were to pull away from the gate they announced a "Ground Stop" in the connecting city of Atlanta due to severe thunder storms. We sat on the plane for over two hours waiting for the storm to pass and clearance to take off. Once in the air things went smooth, I connected in Atlanta and arrived in Ft Lauderdale approximately 12:30PM. I found my travel companion Deb, another Travel Agent, reading a book by the taxi stand. We arrived at the pier at 12:50PM and found no lines waiting to check-in. We were greeted by friendly staff who quickly checked our passports, swiped our credit cards, and took our picture for the boarding card. It was a quick procedure. Even the dreaded embarkation picture (which I usually skip), went quickly. MSC uses a scanner gun on your Boarding card for quick embarkation/debarkation instead of the kiosk most cruise ships use. We were stepping on board at 1:00PM and was greeted by a smiling white gloved crew member. He asked our cabin number and pointed us in the right direction. Other crew members were also in the stairwells to offer assistance along the way.

The first order of business was dropping off our carry on luggage and going up to the Lido deck for lunch. In this case the Lido deck is the Foscolo deck. We would check out our balcony cabin later. The Villa Pompeiana Cafeteria was busy, but I noted it was spacious and still had plenty of seating . It was a bit congested as the buffet was one long buffet, instead of separate islands as on some ships. People have a tendency to stop at the first line they see, when in fact the buffet had a second side. The buffet consisted of a grill area with hamburgers, hotdogs, french fries, and delicious looking Italian sausage. It continued with a variety of salads,fresh fruit,rolls and bread, carved meat, several pasta choices, and several hot dishes. A separate dessert bar completed the buffet. A self-serve ice cream machine could be found else where on the deck. There were many ice tea/punch/coffee stations around the buffet area. I chose some fresh cut up fruit and a pasta dish and found it tasty. After lunch we explored the ship until the mandatory lifeboat drill at 4:30PM. The drill required you report with your lifejacket at a designated lounge on the ship. The drill only took about 20 minutes. The ship departed for our first port of call Key West, at 9:00PM.

THE SHIP - The MSC Poesia came out in 2008. She is 89,000 ton and 964 feet long(Correction- the tonnage is 93.300.) The Poesia is a beautiful ship with a combination of soothing and very rich colors of turquoise, browns, blues, purples and red. She is very rich looking with lots of marble, brass, windows, and mirrors. The mirrored walls throughout the ship added to an expansive appearance, and could easily and often were mistaken for a walk through area. Most areas are spacious and open and gave the ship an appearance that it went on forever. The ship was sparkling clean. I noted no room service trays laying around in hallways, and no ashtray stands cluttering the elevator areas. Hand sanitizer dispensers could be found throughout the ship and not just at the dining venues.

The ship consists of 16 decks. Entrance to the ship was on deck 5 which also has some passengers cabins, the reception desk, Le Rendez-Vous Bar, and one of the main dining rooms. Decks 6 and 7 were the main entertainment and shopping decks. On these decks you will find the other main dining room, the Teatro Carlo Felice main show lounge, the Casino Royale, internet cafe, a small library with books in several languages, photo shop, duty free shopping, and many different bars and lounges. My favorite lounge was the Zebra Lounge. The decor of this lounge was exactly as it's name indicates; everything Zebra! While it may sound over the top, it was not. The lounge is expansive and mirrored walls make it seem even larger. The black and white decor flowed well. The Teatro Carlo Felice main show lounge also amazed me. The rich deep purple seats were contrasted with wall and ceiling twinkle lights that changed different colors. The casino had all the normal slots and table games. What I noticed most about the casino was the layout. Table games were centered together with slot machines on the outer rims. Short divider walls seemed to help cut down on noise. The casino also had wider aisles for a clean walk through the casino to other areas of the ship. Casinos on some other ships make me feel like I'm running a mine field, zig zagging to walk through.

The MSC Poesia Swimming Pool

Decks 8 through 12 are all passenger cabin decks. The corridors had very good lighting. Deck 13 has the pool, bars, spa, buffet cafeteria, and an ala carte restaurant. A large theater screen was above the pool, but the volume was never on and I only saw MSC Cruises being shown on the screen. Deck 14 has some cabins, a jogging track, disco, and the children's area. On this three day cruise I didn't notice a significant amount of children. MSC does offer children sail free specials on many of their sailings. Some of the children's areas were being worked on during this sailing. Deck 15 has shuffle board and mini golf and Deck 16 has a sport center and Solarium.

Elevators were plentiful and quick on the ship. Some stair wells had sets of four elevators and some had three. There were times the ship could be a little tricky to get around as all elevators didn't go to the top floors. The ship also had a few dead ends where you would have to go up one floor and back down.

ENTERTAINMENT - I found the entertainment in the main show lounge each night to be very good. It was different in that there was no live orchestra, and out of three nights only one song was sang live. The songs for each act were pre recorded music. I wondered if the reason for this was because of the large mixture of nationalities. The acts consisted of a lot of dancing, acrobats, and Cirque du Soleil. The costumes, stage props, and backdrops used in the acts were fabulous and creative. I give a lot of credit to the young entertainers who were very talented. Each show we saw had a theme, they were "Island", "Atlantis", and "Euphoria".

Entertainment in the other bars and lounges varied in music style. Closing times of these places varied with the latest being 1:00AM (depending on attendance). I never saw any of them overly crowded. The casino was popular. Smoking was allowed in the casino but I didn't find it overwhelming as on some ships. In fact, I barely smelled much smoke at all. Smoking was restricted to certain open deck areas, certain lounges, and was forbidden on balconies and discouraged from smoking in your cabins.

Day time activities on this three day cruise were very minimal. I don't know if that's normal for MSC, or if it was due to the fact this was a special cruise with no sea day. We had two port days of Key West and Nassau, where most people went ashore. I saw very little planned activities in the daily program. Not even the ever popular Bingo. Some activities that were scheduled were morning stretching and aerobics, a morning and afternoon dance lesson, and a couple quiz/trivia games. The Balinese Spa ran daily spa specials. Unlike other cruise lines that have European operated spas, this spa had Indonesian's. All of the Spa’s on MSC are owned and operated by Aurea Spas –which originates in Bali. The Spa employee’s are all from Bali.

FOOD - This was the part of the cruise that I was most interested in checking out for myself. I had heard and read so many reports that the food was bad on MSC cruises. I didn't find the food to be bad at all - just different. Different doesn't mean something is bad. Admittedly, everyone's taste is different.

I didn't make it down to the main dining room for Breakfast. The buffet breakfast was typical of most cruise lines. A variety of fruit, pastries, cold meats, cereals, and the normal hot items of eggs, sausage, bacon, pancakes, and french toast. I didn't see anyone making made to order omelets. There were some small pre-made cheese omelets.

The lunch buffet was similar as I described on embarkation day. The grilled items were the same each day, hotdogs, sausage, fries, and hamburgers. The carved meat changed, and the hot dishes changed in the variety of veal, beef, chicken, fish. I think what I noticed most about the lunch hot dishes was they were more like casseroles. Instead of individual pieces of broiled or baked fish,poultry,or meats; most were mixed with vegetables and sauces.

Dinner was where I noticed some differences also. The number of choices of appetizers, salads, and desserts seemed more limited. Main entrees offered Vegetarian, a pasta dish, beef/veal/, fish, and poultry. The first night I ordered a chicken filet dish. It came with a large, thin, lightly breaded piece of chicken with steamed vegetables. It reminded me of the delicious Wienerschnitzel that I had in Vienna. The chicken was moist, and the breading was not heavy. It was very good. For dessert I tried Blueberry Cheesecake. It too had a good flavor and was very good. The second night I ordered Prime Rib medium. This was probably the only item that I was a bit disappointed with. It wasn't tough, but it was overly tender either. It was a bit bland. It lacked the tasty seasoning and flavor I am used too with Prime Rib. The third night I ordered a pork chop dish. It too came lightly breaded. It was thick and moist and very flavorful. I assessed the breading must be more of a European way of cooking since two of my three entrees came breaded. On most cruises I've been on these same items would be baked or broiled. The left side of all of our menu’s offer Chicken, Fish or Steak- prepared as the client wishes…so they can be broiled or baked and served plain.

Bar prices seemed reasonably and on par with other cruise lines.I believe that our Bar drinks are much LESS expensive than other cruise lines…and in fact, they are less expensive than what you would pay for the same drink in a local restaurant in the city where you live. The cost of the Martini’s on our ships are $6.25 and a glass of wine costs $4.00….. that is very reasonable, don’t you think? I did notice they used Pepsi products instead of Coke. The soda and beer cans were also only 11oz versus 120z. Each day they would have a drink of the day and coffee drink of the day at special prices.

Casual dinner buffet was only offered on the last night from 6:15-8:15PM. Pizza was offered each night from 6:00-10:30PM. The second night was formal night and a "Buffet Magnefique" (Gala Buffet) was held from 11:45-12:45. Picture taking was allowed for 15 minutes. The other two nights light sandwiches were served during this midnight hour.

CABIN - I had a balcony cabin forward on deck 10. The cabin location was quiet. The cabin was 152sq ft and the balcony 40 sq ft. The cabin had two twin beds which convert to a queen, two very small three drawer night stands with very shallow drawers which were hard to open, a small round table and one small stuffed chair. There also was a small vanity with two small drawers. The hair dryer took up one drawer. The closet was adequate and had more storage with larger drawers. We never could program the safe to work. The cabin also had a flat screen interactive TV with internet access. The TV could be used to order room service, excursions, and check your on board account. The bathroom seemed slightly larger than most bathrooms I've seen. It had two small corner glass shelves to store bathroom necessities. The shower had shampoo and body gel dispensers and still had a cloth curtain. I was very pleased to always find hot water in the shower. A flyer in our cabin informed us that balconies were hand cleaned every day by the cabin steward. It informed us on Port days a more thorough cleaning was done to remove salt, and to keep our curtains and balcony doors closed. A large oversized floor to ceiling mirror on the wall helped give the cabin a larger appearance. The cabin also had lots of overhead lighting.

ITINERARY - This short three night cruise made two stops. Key West and Nassau. The ship offered several excursions in each port ranging in price and activity level. Prices ranged from $30 for a 1 1/2 hour glass bottom boat ride to $87 for 4 hours of Kayak and Dolphin Watch. Deb and I had both been to Key West before and chose to explore on our own. The ship docked at the Navy base pier know as "The Mole". You must take the complimentary Conch Train from the pier to Mallory Square. You aren't allowed to walk off the base. Once off the Navy base some passengers opted to be dropped off at Fort Zachary Taylor State Park. We learned the State Park played an important role during the Civil War and Spanish-American War. It has a beautiful beach for picnicking, swimming, snorkeling and fishing. The beach has a refreshment stand. It is the preferred beach of locals. The park also has a Fort with guided tours. Mallory Square is the meeting point for drop off and pick up of the Conch Train to go back to the ship. Tickets can also be bought for the Conch Train to explore Key West further. A trolley is also available. Key West is an easy walkable town. Duval Street is approximately one mile long. Strolling down this street you will find a variety of shops, bars, and restaurants. Popular places in Key West are the Hog's Breath saloon and Sloppy Joe's; a popular hang out of the famous writer Papa Hemingway. Renting a Motor Scooter or golf cart are other means to explore. Walk along the water front at Mallory Square and you'll find more shopping and restaurants. We enjoyed sitting on the waterfront while sipping on a drink and eating Conch Fritters and Quesadillas. Other activities you might enjoy in Key West are Golfing, Kayaking, Fishing, Museums, and the Butterfly Conservatory.

Our next stop was Nassau, Bahamas. Again, Deb and I had both been there before. We had heard that the famous Straw Market may have changed so we wanted to check it out. We discovered Nassau is building a new Straw Market where the original one had been many years ago before burning down. No specific date was posted for re-opening. For now the present Straw Market is further down Bay Street and is crowded and hot to walk through. Many people like to visit Atlantis Resort and Casino on Paradise Island when visiting Nassau. It is a quick taxi ride or water taxi ride from the pier. Nassau has many other activities of snorkeling, glass bottom boat rides, power boats, Pirate's Museum, and Botanical Garden and small zoo that may be of interest to first timers.

SERVICE - Overall service was very good. Crew was friendly and accommodating. On the first day of the cruise we met our cabin steward and asked him to separate our beds. He quickly attended to our request. One thing that was noticeable was the crew were unobtrusive. Waiters weren't pushing drinks by the pool or in the main show lounge. In fact; you probably would have to flag them down if you wanted a drink or go up to the bar yourself. Waiters also left you alone at dinner. They were quick to take your order and clean dishes away, but they didn't come around asking if everything was alright. I didn't attribute this to rudeness or lack of attentiveness. I concluded it was perhaps the European style to not intrude. Absolutely!

OVERALL - I would definitely sail on MSC Cruises again. This was only a short three day cruise in the Caribbean and some things I experienced may be different when they sail on longer European itineraries. One complaint I had often heard about MSC concerned the announcements in so many languages. I didn't find this to be a problem. Announcements were kept to a minimum. They were given in five different languages and English was always first. The other major complaint I had heard before sailing was about the food. I found it different, but definitely not bad. The lack of planned activities also didn't bother me. I found it made for a quieter ambiance, relaxing and refreshing. This may be different on longer cruises. I think if anyone sailing on MSC cruises is briefed on the differences and knows what to expect, then they should have an enjoyable cruise.

I have locked in rates on virtually every sailing from NYC in September and October of 2010. We also have locked in rates on every Baseball theme cruise in November 2010 through Feb 2011. Kids sail free is available on many of the sailings so give me a call to book your cabin.

Kauai's Starring Role

2010-05-24T07:30:00.002-04:00

This was published in one of my online travel magazines and I couldn't agree more. Since our last visit to the Hawaiian Islands, I have to say that Kauai was my favorite. It may not be everyone's favorite but since I started in this business (way back in 1994), most of my clients will say that they wish they had more time to spend in Kauai.

"Kauai's Starring Role
By Mimi Kmet
Published on: May 24, 2010-Travel Pulse

There’s nothing like waking up to a rainbow nearly every day. And on my recent visit to Kauai, Hawaii’s most verdant island, my husband and I saw plenty of these multicolored arcs. At the end of those rainbows, we found plenty of scenic treasures, such as rugged sea cliffs, a vast canyon, and plenty of rainforests, waterfalls and pristine beaches.

Kauai is indeed the quintessential “tropical paradise,” holding the designation of being the most filmed of the Hawaiian Islands. It has played the roles of other tropical paradises in movies like “South Pacific,” “Jurassic Park,” “Raiders of the Lost Ark,” “Avatar,” “Tropic Thunder” and two “Pirates of the Caribbean” movies, including the upcoming “Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides.” But its biggest starring role is that of a top tourist destination -- especially for those of us who seek a respite from urban life.

You won’t find high-rise hotels, hip nightclubs and designer stores here. For those amenities, Waikiki is the 800-pound gorilla in Hawaii. Instead, you’ll discover plenty of opportunities to visit some of the world’s most beautiful and pristine natural sites.

Among the must-sees is the rugged Na Pali Coast on Kauai’s northwestern side. To get there, we went on a catamaran sail with Kauai Sea Tours (www.kauaiseatours.com), one of several local operators, many of which depart out of Port Allen on the South Shore. Along the way, we saw spinner dolphins, sea turtles and, since we went in early April, the last of the migrating whales from Alaska, who breached playfully, as if putting on a show for us.

We also did a bit of snorkeling. The water can get rough as the boat approaches the coast, but the reward is an up-close look at Na Pali’s undulating cliffs and peaks carpeted in green foliage. These cliffs rise up from the Pacific Ocean almost vertically. Some local operators, including Kauai Sea Tours, also offer inflatable raft tours that venture into sea caves, under waterfalls and onto a secluded beach.

To see Kauai’s “inner beauty,” we took a drive through Waimea Canyon, the “Grand Canyon of the Pacific.” This multicolored state park drops to 3,000 feet in depth and stretches about two-thirds of the length of Kauai from south to north on the western side of the island. The two-lane road that winds through the canyon from the South Shore is 18 miles long and ends up in the adjacent Koke’e State Park on the canyon’s north end.

There are several look-out points and picnic areas (but no drinking water) and plenty of hiking trails to waterfalls and other scenic spots. Near the end of the road is a large rest area with a restaurant, a gift shop, a campground, a small museum that sells trail maps, and plenty of colorful chickens roaming the grounds looking for a handout.

Kauai is the wettest -- and greenest -- of the Hawaiian Islands, thanks largely to Mount Waialeale, located in the center: That peak holds the word record as the wettest spot on Earth, getting 450 inches of precipitation annually. The upshot is acres upon acres of rainforests where you can hike, swim in mountain streams and zipline over the treetops.

And that’s what we did on the North Shore, with Princeville Ranch Adventures (http://adventureskauai.com). Having never ziplined, we discovered that it was perfectly safe. In fact, the only “hazards” we encountered were the meadow muffins in the fields we hiked through to reach the launching areas. While riding the lines, we soared over otherwise hidden parts of the island with topical foliage, babbling brooks and scenic vistas in the distance.

We also took advantage, much as the sugar plantation owners did in the 1800s, of the network of ditches used to irrigate crops as we floated along the shallow waterways and through low tunnels on large, inflatable tubes. The three-hour excursion, provided exclusively by Kauai Backcountry Adventures (www.kauaibackcountry.com), included 45 minutes to an hour of floating, as well as transfers from and to the operator’s headquarters. On the way to the put-in point, we stopped to view Mount Waialeale. And at the end of the float we had a picnic lunch near a waterhole, where those who didn’t get wet enough took a brief swim.

After a morning of adventure, we stopped at the Koloa Rum Tasting Room and Company Store (www.koloarum.com) on the Kiohana Plantation (a sugar plantation-turned tourist attraction) near Lihue. Now I know this is not an activity that highlights Kauai’s natural beauty. But it does highlight the island’s bounty. It’s there where we savored a complimentary taste of rum from Kauai’s first licensed, commercial distillery, which opened just last year.

The rum is produced with locally sourced sugar and island water. The company also makes Mai Tai mix, rum fudge sauce and other products. All of its products are available for purchase at the store, though the rum cannot be shipped legally. Fortunately, Gallo has started to distribute Koloa Rum on the mainland, and we plan to ask our local spirits emporium to stock it. Koloa Rum is also served in select hotels and restaurants throughout the Hawaiian Islands.

The downside to our Kauai visit was that we didn’t have time to experience all of the activities the island has to offer. So I’m making a list for our next trip. Let’s see, we could go flightseeing, horseback riding, ATV touring, kayaking, diving, fishing, bicycling, hang gliding, film location touring and much more. In Kauai, your clients will always find a reason to return."

Experts advise booking summer travel early

2010-05-21T08:22:00.002-04:00

During 2009, booking your vacation a couple of weeks before you wanted to leave was pretty common. In 2010, waiting that long is likely going to prove to be frustrating. You might not get the flights you want, the hotel or room category that you want or the price that you wanted to pay.

Travel Experts Urge Summer Vacationers to Book Early
Published on: May 20, 2010

Americans are hitting the roads and skies, according to leading travel executives from Best Western International, AAA and Airfarewatchdog.com who convened last week to discuss the leisure travel landscape. With the increase in demand, hotel rooms are filling up fast. Dorothy Dowling, Best Western’s senior vice president of sales and marketing, is tracking an increase in advance bookings from May through September as well as an increase in the average length of stay. Dowling says these trends will put greater pressure on demand at hotels and recommends booking travel now in order to secure the best deals.

Capacity cuts and mergers among airlines, along with continued surcharges, are keeping rates high. George Hobica, creator of Airfarewatchdog.com, said that, “fare deals will be few and far between” this summer. “If you see something within your price range, grab it.”

There are many signs that the economy is improving and consumer confidence is growing, which are positive signs for the travel industry, according to Glen MacDonell, director of AAA Travel Services. The association is hoping to see a large increase in the number of travelers when its Memorial Day holiday forecast is released later this month. “Travel by automobile is expected to remain the most popular way to travel,” said MacDonell.

Leisure travel expert and editor of OnTheGoWithAmy.com, Amy Graff, said that staycations and one-tank trips are a thing of the past, and that families are looking to book themed travel in 2010. “People are looking to find unique vacation experiences for their families,” Graff said. “Michelle Obama’s ’Get Fit’ campaign is inspiring active vacations, and more parents are looking into educational vacations that teach their kids in a fun way. Agritourism and culinary vacations will continue to grow in popularity.”

Whatever type of vacation you are looking to plan, my advice is to plan as early as possible.

What do you need to know about airport security?

2010-05-19T08:23:00.002-04:00

If you haven't flown in a while, this is a good article to read to prepare for your upcoming flight. Airport security has tightened in the last few years and with the attempt of the "underwear bomber" to blow up a plane bound for Detroit in December, whole body scanners will soon be introduced at many airports world wide.

In the meantime, this article from the Independent Traveler is a good review of what you can and can't bring on a plane. I thought I knew the rules, until in November, when I tried to bring a container of yogurt through security for breakfast. Obviously yogurt and even peanut butter, are on the list of "liquids" that can't be over 3 ounces.

Click here for the whole article.

24 reasons to bring a sarong on your next vacation

2010-05-17T07:22:00.002-04:00

Thought I would include something a bit more fun for my blog today.
I saw this a while back on www.Journeywoman.com and thought it might be of interest.

With increasing airline luggage fees, packing light is always a good idea. This is one woman's idea of what to do with a sarong.

1. Drape around the waist for a beach cover-up.
2. Use it as a skirt (sans pants), which is particularly helpful in countries with primitive plumbing.
3. Not only do airlines charge to check bags these days, but they seem to be dropping the cabin temperature too. Pack a sarong to use as a blanket.
4. Dress up an outfit when it substitutes as a shawl.
5. Or drape it fashionably around your neck as a scarf.
6. Dry off in your accommodation when you use it as a bath towel.
7. Shade yourself from the sun when used as a window cover or draped between the branches of a tree.
8. Toss it on a picnic table as a tablecloth.
9. Let it help protect breakables in your luggage.
10. In harsh wind in the desert or Burning Man, use it as a dusk mask.
11. Either fold it up or wrap it around some other clothing items to make a pillow.
12. Perfect for a picnic blanket.
13. Feeling a little exposed? Have a friend hold your sarong as a makeshift wall between you and the world when you need some privacy.
14. When you’re riding on two wheels—or feeling bounced around on public transportation—fold it up and use it as a squishy butt cushion.
15. With a little handy work, you can tie your sarong into a dress.
16. Tie the corners together and you’ve got a makeshift bag for a quick trip to the beach or short jaunt down the street.
17. Cover a questionable hostel mattress with a sheet.
18. Got a little one in tow? Do as the mothers in many countries do and use it as a baby carrier.
19. Lay on it as a beach towel.
20. Tie it up as a bandanna or head scarf.
21. Staying somewhere that lets the flies in? Secure the corners and let it work as a quick fix door or window.
22. In an emergency, it can tied and used for compression or to help stop bleeding.
23. Lengthen your shorts with one of these to gain entrance into holy places (great for both guys and girls).
24. Separate dirty from clean with a laundry pouch that contains all the stink to one corner of your suitcase.

Can you add any to this list?

Using your ATM card abroad

2010-05-13T07:59:00.005-04:00

With the peak travel season upon us, this is just another in a series to give you more information about converting money to other currencies while you are traveling.

This article was taken from an Independent Traveler newsletter.

"Whether you need euros, shekels, pesos or pounds, making a withdrawal from an ATM is generally the easiest and cheapest way to get cash abroad. The biggest advantage of exchanging money with your ATM card is that all cash withdrawals, regardless of size, are exchanged based on the wholesale exchange rate, which is usually reserved only for very large interbank exchanges.

This rate is often significantly better than what you can get from exchanging traveler's checks at a local exchange counter. In addition, local banks or money change bureaus will add on transaction fees, which can easily eat up another 2 percent of your money.

That's not to say there aren't any fees associated with international ATM withdrawals -- see below -- but if you need cash, you will still almost always get the best exchange rate at the lowest possible cost by using your ATM card.

Finding an ATM
If your ATM card is linked to the PLUS or Cirrus networks, you have the option of using it to obtain cash virtually anywhere in the U.S. and in hundreds of countries worldwide. Each network has over a million ATM's. The PLUS network is associated with Visa, so your Visa card will usually work at those ATM's. Likewise, the Cirrus network is associated with MasterCard, and Cirrus ATM's usually accept MasterCard for cash advances.

Before you leave home with just your ATM card, however, make sure that the Cirrus or PLUS networks are readily available where you're going. While PLUS and Cirrus ATM's are increasingly common overseas, they are still only available at a limited number of banks in selected countries. Each network has an online ATM locator:
• MasterCard/Cirrus/Maestro ATM Locator
• Visa/PLUS ATM Locator

Cirrus users can also call (800) 424-7787 for a current list of locations worldwide. Results are available on the phone, or you can choose to have them sent to your cell phone as a text message.

Using Your Card AbroadIf you want to use your ATM card overseas, keep in mind that many ATM's abroad, particularly in Europe, do not accept PIN's longer than four digits. If your PIN is longer, contact your bank to have it changed. Also, if your PIN is based on letters rather than numbers, translate the letters into numbers before leaving the country. Many ATM's only have numbers on the keypad. One more thing to keep in mind: Most ATM's abroad will only let you access the primary account on your ATM card.

Sudden changes in your account activity, such as frequent withdrawals in a foreign country using your ATM card, can sometimes trigger a fraud alert and cause your bank to freeze your account. To prevent being stranded overseas without a functioning ATM card, be sure to call your bank before you leave to let them know where and when you will be traveling. During the same phone call, ask for a number that you can call from overseas in case your card is lost or stolen -- often the 800 number listed on the back of your card will only work in the U.S. or Canada.

It's important to have a back-up plan in case your card is lost, stolen or eaten by an ATM machine; this could be in the form of a second ATM card (either your own or a travel companion's), cash, credit cards or traveler's checks.

What Fees to Expect
At the very least you will probably be charged the same transaction fee, if any, that your bank charges you when using another bank's ATM. However, many banks charge higher fees for international ATM withdrawals -- either a flat rate (typically $1 - $5) or a set percentage of your total withdrawal (usually 1 - 2 percent). Check with your bank before each trip abroad, as these fees can change often and without warning. To add insult to injury, you may also be charged a fee by the owner of the foreign ATM.

Because these small fees can add up quickly, you will probably want to withdraw larger amounts than you might normally do at home -- so be sure you have a safe, well-concealed place to keep your cash. (See Money Safety for more.) When deciding how much to withdraw, try to choose an uneven amount (90 euros rather than 100, for instance) so that you don't wind up with huge bills that you'll have trouble breaking.

Editor's Note: If your bank is a member of the Global ATM Alliance (Bank of America, Scotiabank, BNP Paribas, Barclays, Deutsche Bank 24 and Westpac), you'll be able to access ATM's at other member banks overseas for free."

Turks and Caicos- what to see and do

2010-05-12T07:54:00.003-04:00

If you thought that sitting by the beach and working on your tan was the only activity to do in the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI), think again. The TCI is the ultimate water sports and outdoors destination. Sure, the turquoise waters will entice you to snorkle, dive, jet ski, sail and more but with their extensive natural park system, you will have a plethora of outdoor activities and eco attractions to keep you busy.

Take a look at all there is to see and do in the TCI.

Wine and Culinary Delights in Hawaii

2010-05-10T08:37:00.000-04:00

If you didn’t think you could get fine food and wines in Hawaii, think again. The islands are fast becoming a mecca for top chefs and wines.

If you are going to be in Maui at the end of June, don’t miss the Summer Soiree from June 24-27. Mingle all weekend with renowned winemakers, chefs and master sommeliers. Sample hundreds of excusive and rare wines while dining on epicurean delights and award winning cuisine. For more info, click here

How about an elegant bargain in Waikiki?
Every Wednesday, you can sample an assortment of wine at the Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach Resort during the Spa’s new evening wine walk. The Wednesday Wine Walk begins at 4:30pm with a wine tasting at the hotels Na-Ho’ola Spa, followed by sampling at restaurants like the Elegant Dive, The Colony Lounge and Ciao Mein, complete with pupu at most locations. The price is $20 per person and is limited to the first 10 participants so call in advance for reservations- 808-923-1234.

There are so many fine dining venues in the islands that I will have to address that in a future blog. Aloha!

Review of Serenade of the Seas

2010-05-07T08:35:00.003-04:00

Last week, I had the pleasure of sailing aboard the Serenade of the Seas on a travel agent seminar at sea. I have posted a review of the ship on my Feature of the Month.

Click here to read the review

Fuel Surcharges are back

2010-05-05T07:49:00.002-04:00

On Monday, I announced that fuel surcharges were likely to be reinstated on cruise ships due to current market conditions and the fuel spill in the Gulf of Mexico.

On Tuesday, Cunard announced that it was reinstating the fuel surcharges for new bookings made from May 10, 2010 on sailing after November 1, 2010.

Here is the email I received:
"Because of the continued rapid escalation of fuel prices, Cunard Line and P&O (UK) will introduce a fuel supplement of $3.85 (USD) per person per day. These brands will also implement this fuel supplement on third and fourth passengers.
The new fuel supplements will apply to all new bookings effective May 10, 2010 and will apply to all departures from November 1, 2010. The fuel supplements will not exceed $154.00 per person per voyage.
For bookings made prior to May 10, 2010, no fuel supplement will apply.
We regret having to take this action, but fuel price increases have continued, and we now find it necessary to implement a modest supplement.
Please remember that all of your bookings made on or before May 9, 2010 will not be subject to the new fuel supplement."

Since Cunard is a member of the Carnival family of cruise lines, I can virtually guarantee that the other members of the Carnival family (Carnival, Princess, Holland America, Costa and more) will follow suit.

I'll keep you posted but if you were getting ready to book a cruise, I would do it NOW.

Fuel Surcharges- will they be back?

2010-05-03T08:29:00.002-04:00

A couple of years ago, when oil prices skyrocketed, all of the cruise lines instituted fuel surcharges ranging from $5-$15 per person per day in addition to the cruise fare. During 2009, when our economy was at its lowest, the cruise lines held off on re-instating the surcharges, even though each would list it on their confirmations that they could be re-instated if the cost of crude oil hit or exceeded $65-70 per barrel.

Oil prices are rising and now a major spill in the Gulf of Mexico might likely increase the cost of gasoline and crude oil again. Rumor has it that the fuel surcharges might be re-instated over the summer if oil continues to rise in price.

Please note that even if you pre-pay your final balance, the cruise lines may come after you for the fuel surcharge.

I'll keep my clients posted on any changes as soon as I know about them. I hope the cruise lines decide not to re-instate the fuel surcharges. There are many other ways to raise revenue aboard the cruise ships to make up the difference but, unfortunately, it is not up to me.

One of the best kept island secrets

2010-04-23T07:26:00.004-04:00

75 minutes from Miami and less than 3 hours from NY, the Turks and Caicos is still a secret to many travelers. With upscale resorts, great dining options and the best beach in the world (according to Conde Nast Traveler), Turks and Caicos is a gem in the Bahamas.

Dont' just take my word for it, click here to see for yourself.
http://www.travelvideo.com/turks_caicos_01&ckey=DE001

Is your home safe while you are on vacation?

2010-04-21T07:55:00.003-04:00

We all get excited right before we leave for a vacation but you want to take a few steps to make sure that your home is secure and still standing when you return.

Here are some tips to give you peace of mind while you are away and make sure you do not make your house as a target of opportunity. These are some simple precautions from the experts.
• Be mindful of who is around when you are discussing your trip - there is no need to let too many people know or draw attention to the fact your house might be empty for a period. This is very important if you use social media outlets such as Facebook and Twitter. If your friends and followers all know that you will be away, how difficult would it be for someone with other motives to find out where you live?
• The best deterrent is to have someone housesit. If that is not possible, ask a trusted neighbor or friend to take in the newspaper, mail, and any other deliveries and keep an eye on the house. Give them your trip plans and an emergency phone number so they can reach you in case of an emergency. You can also arrange with the post office and newspaper to suspend delivery for the time you are away.
• Lock doors, windows and secure sliding doors (a metal rod or a broomstick in the sliding door track is an inexpensive lock), as well as the garage, the basement, and the attic. Some people even disconnect the power to motorized garage door openers.
• Move any valuables from plain sight.
• Check on your appliances, unplug anything that doesn't need to be on while you're away. Lower air conditioning/heating units to energy-saving levels. You might want to shut off the water to your washing machine. My husband's co-worker came home to a flood of water when the hose to her washing machine burst and the water kept running.
• Set timers to turn on lights if you do not have someone staying at the house.

Above all, enjoy your vacation!

Volcanic Ash and European Flights

2010-04-19T07:54:00.002-04:00

The ash being spewed by the volcano in Iceland is causing serious havoc with air travel to and from Europe for Americans and for flights between European cities. For the 5th day, flights have been cancelled in half of Europe.

"Half of Europe Flights Could Resume Monday; Airlines Press for Service
Published on: April 19, 2010

The European Union said air traffic could return to 50 percent of its normal level Monday if forecasts confirm that skies over half the continent are clearing of volcanic ash from the erupting volcano in Iceland. At the same time, it appeared that some efforts by airlines to persuade European governments to open the skies again were having an effect. EU Transport Commissioner Siim Kallas said: “We cannot just wait until this ash cloud dissipates.” There also were reports that European ministers would meet Monday to coordinate efforts to reopen air space.

Airports Council International Europe (ACIE), whose members handle 48 percent of European air traffic, issued a statement Sunday calling for an immediate reassessment of flight restrictions. “While Europe’s airlines and airports consider safety to be an absolute priority, they are questioning the proportionality of the flight restrictions currently imposed,” the ACIE said. "The eruption of the Icelandic volcano is not an unprecedented event and the procedures applied in other parts of the world for volcanic eruptions do not appear to require the kind of restrictions that are presently being imposed in Europe.

Added Ulrich Schulte-Strathaus, secretary general of the Association of European Airlines: “Verification flights undertaken by several of our airlines have revealed no irregularities at all. This confirms our requirement that other options should be deployed to determine genuine risks. For example, the FAA has a world-established process of identifying clear no-fly zones. Airlines must be able to fly where it is safe to fly and make decisions accordingly. It is what our passengers demand of us.”

Earlier Sunday, much of European airspace remained closed, as the unprecedented air traffic disaster entered its fifth day. British Airways said it has cancelled all flights through Monday. A British Airways spokesman said that “every single flight is cancelled” through Monday. Britain’s National Air Traffic Services (NATS) extended its flight ban until at least 7 a.m. Monday. The NATS website is experiencing such heavy traffic that the agency has taken the site offline and has put up a holding page for posting updates on the impact of the volcano on flights. British Airports Authority, which oversees most airports in the United Kingdom, is relaying NATS information on its website at www.baa.co.uk.

Meanwhile, KLM said it wanted to resume passenger flights as soon as possible after it flew a test flight through the cloud of ash without suffering any damage. KLM said that by midday Sunday it had flown four planes through what it described as a gap in the layer of microscopic volcanic ash over Holland and Germany. Air France, Lufthansa and Austrian Airlines also sent up test flights, although most traveled below the altitudes where the ash has been heavily concentrated. KLM Chief Executive Peter Hartman, who was aboard the 737 that flew the test flight on Saturday, said the airline hoped to receive permission as soon as possible to resume service. He said KLM saw no irregularities during the flight and found none in post-flight inspections.

In Germany, Lufthansa flew 10 empty planes to Frankfurt from Munich at low altitude on Saturday under visual flight rules, in which pilots don't have to rely on their instruments. Germany’s civil aviation authority said that it had also allowed similar ferry flights by Air Berlin and Condor.

Countries where airspace was still closed as of Sunday included Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Latvia, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Poland, Slovakia, Sweden, Switzerland and the U.K. Countries experiencing partial air space closures included Italy (northern airspace closed until Monday), Norway (limited flights in north) and Spain (northern airports closed). Countries were flights were operating included Greece, Portugal, Russia, Turkey and Ukraine. Airlines flying in Europe are reportedly losing a collective $200 million a day. For more information on what airports are open and what flights are still scheduled, visit www.flightstats.com or www.flightwise.com."

I have clients currently in route home from Rome and their flight has taken off as scheduled but my concern is for clients set to travel to Ireland over the weekend. Great Britain has been hit hard and it will be touch and go for the next few days.

This is just another major reason why travel insurance should be part of every vacation package booked.

Waiting for last minute travel bargains may not work this year

2010-04-16T12:32:00.002-04:00

I met with many travel sales representatives the other night at a meeting. Each one said that 2010 is enormously better than 2009. No great surprise there. People are more confident in the economy and many people who put off travel for 2009 are traveling this year.

In the United States, people feel that travel is a right. Most people work very hard and very long hours. To support a family, both spouses have to hold jobs so family time and couple time is at a minimum. A vacation will rejuvenate both.

When I spoke to the sales representative for Celebrity cruises, he was passing out a sheet of sailings to Bermuda from the Cape Liberty (Bayonne) cruise pier on the Celebrity Summit. This is the first time Celebrity has been doing regular sailings from this area to Bermuda in a number of years. At first, Celebrity was very optimistic with pricing and set pricing a bit too high for the market to bear. Time sensitive promotions and specials were announced and all of a sudden, these ships filled up.

Let me give you an example. In mid March, the June 27 sailing had an unheard of resident promotion for residents living in the Northeast and Mid Atlantic states, including NY and NJ. I booked an upgraded balcony cabin for first time Celebrity cruisers at a great rate. Two weeks later, the promotion was taken off the table. The ship had sold enough cabins that they didn't need to offer the discount anymore. That same cabin is now over $500 more than what my clients paid.

Similar stories came from the representatives from Holland America and Norwegian Cruises. It isn't only cruising. I have been waiting to see what Disney was going to announce as their next promotion but after a chat with my sales rep, she said that they, too, have noticed an increase in sales and don't have to offer the kind of promotions as they did last year. Does anyone remember the "buy 4 nights and get 3 free"? It won't be happening anytime soon again. I'm hoping that they still offer their free dining for September reservations.

I had clients book a family vacation to the Riviera Maya a few months back. Their airfare was less than $500 per person. Now, other clients want to go that same week and the price for airfare alone is over $700 each. Will you still get a bargain if you wait until the last minute? Perhaps, but don't expect to get as good a deal as last year. Those bargains are gone.

Norwegian Epic and Macys to host July 4 Fireworks

2010-04-14T08:23:00.002-04:00

If you live in the NY metro region, the Macy's 4th of July fireworks are always a big deal. They shoot the fireworks off from barges on the Hudson or East River and it is a site to see- whether in person or on TV. This year, the Norwegian Epic will be in the NYC harbor and they are teaming up with Macys to sponsor the fireworks.

"This year's Macy's 4th of July Fireworks® in New York is sure to be truly epic. Norwegian Cruise Line and Macy's today announced that Norwegian Cruise Line’s new ship, Norwegian Epic, will be the host venue for the 34th Annual Macy's 4th of July Fireworks event taking place on Sunday, July 4, 2010. The event includes a national, one-hour, live entertainment broadcast on NBC-TV beginning at 9 p.m. and takes place on board Norwegian Epic where invited guests will have a front row view of the fireworks display.
As Norwegian Cruise Line's largest and most innovative Freestyle Cruising ship to date, Norwegian Epic will be an ideal venue for the fireworks show. Guests will have incredible views of the New York skyline and river from the ship's pool and outer decks. The expansive ship – the length of more than three football fields -- will provide multiple vantage points to view the largest and most spectacular fireworks display in the nation.
"We're thrilled to be partnering with Macy's to host their 34th Annual 4th of July Fireworks," said Kevin Sheehan, Norwegian Cruise Line's chief executive officer. "This is the biggest and most spectacular fireworks display in the nation. What better way to salute Norwegian Epic than to host such an epic event on board. It will be an amazing finale to our inaugural festivities in New York and something we're sure we’ll never forget."
"Over the years, Macy's has staged its 4th of July Fireworks in many different locations, but it's my guess that this year's live broadcast, taking place aboard the monumental new Norwegian Epic, will add a dimension to the show that will excite our audience like never before," says Robin Hall, head of Macy's Parade and Entertainment Group. "We are grateful to Norwegian Cruise Line for their partnership." Hall continued, “It seems fitting that the largest ship in the Norwegian Cruise Line fleet should host the biggest fireworks show in America. Now that's an EPIC event!"
In addition to hosting the Macy's Fireworks broadcast on board Norwegian Epic, Norwegian Cruise Line is partnering with Macy's to offer a Norwegian Epic Vacation Getaway Cruise for four on board the ship as part of a national sweepstakes.
Spectators from coast-to-coast will have a front row view of the fireworks by tuning into NBC's national broadcast of Macy's 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular beginning at 9:00 p.m. (check local listings). In addition to the splendor of the nation's largest fireworks display, the spectacular entertainment broadcast will feature a star-studded line-up of performances by America's most popular recording artists.
Viewing information, spectator tips and fireworks event sweepstakes information will be available as of June 2010 at www.macys.com/fireworks or by calling the Macy's 4th of July Fireworks Hotline at (212) 494-4495. "

For more info on the Epic or for reservations, please contact mindy@myvacationlady.com We have some cabins available on the Aug 21, 2010 sailing at substantial savings over current pricing so contact us asap for those rates.

If your cruise is docking in Ocho Rios:

2010-04-12T08:00:00.002-04:00

I found this info on a cruising website (can't remember which) and thought it had some useful info. Hope you find it helpful as well.

"Things worth doing in Ocho Rios within a few minutes of pier (as recommended by a Local):

Internet Cafe - exit the pier, turn left and it's across the street beside the Burger King
Supermarket ( coffee, sauce and spices)- exit the pier, turn left just a short walk.
Island Village/ Magaritaville - turn right about 5 minutes from the pier
Taj Mahal - souvenir/shopping close to Island Village
Mama Marley (Jamaican restaurant) - left across the street from Sunset Jamaica Grande
Craft Market - left of the pier

Waterfalls: Dunn's River vs Coyaba River Garden and Museum
Dunn's River, powerful magnificent. Must see/should see at least once but be ready to deal with very aggressive vendors. Avoid the vendors by leaving through the entrance. Coyaba, beautiful botanical garden with waterfall that is fun and easy to climb.

Beaches: Paradise beach is by Magaritaville which is a tourist trap but a lot of fun.
Reggae beach a short ride away nicer and less crowded.

*** By a local I mean that I was born and raised in this area but now return primarily as an American tourist. The about places I have enjoyed over the years."

Are Shore Excursions too expensive?

2010-04-09T07:43:00.003-04:00

I found this article a while back. I don't know the author or the original date it was published but it is still relevant so I thought I would dust it off and include it in my blog.

"What should you do when a client asks: "Some of the shore excursions on our planned cruise seem a little pricey. Should we rent a car and go out on our own?"

Tell them; They can, but, unless they are very familiar with the area (maybe they have been before), AND the port is in the USA, or in a "friendly" country AND they are fluent in the language, it IS NOT recommended!

Most shore excursions are in the $30.00 to $100.00 range, with some higher, up to $500.00 or more, depending on the length of the excursion, mode of transportation and admission fees to attractions visited.

Chances are, they will see more, have more time to spend and feel much safer if they take an excursion provided by the cruise line.

Remember, on their own, they could get lost, break down, or, heaven forbid, have a medical emergency or get robbed. In any of these cases, if they cannot get back to the ship on time, it WILL NOT wait for them! It will then be at their expense to either get to the ship's next port or get home - neither a particularly easy, quick or inexpensive task - especially in a foreign country!

The best security in taking a cruise sponsored excursion is that they know that ship will not leave without them, regardless of what happens, and how late their group returns.

One of the most enjoyable "shore" excursions I have taken didn't even involve the shore. It was a small boat excursion in Alaska which picked us up at our ship and took us out into the bay beneath a glacier. With the motor off, you could hear the wildlife calling out, and there were two whales, each at least twice as long as the boat we were in, mere yards from us.

The cost: about $35.00 for a two and one half hour bay cruise amongst the Alaskan wildlife. To me, this excursion was vastly underpriced for the experience it afforded me.

And, there are much more costly excursions, too. In St. Petersburg, for example, most cruise lines offer a day excursion to Moscow. It involves a round trip flight and visits the Kremlin, and several other landmarks you may have seen in books, but may never get another chance to visit. This excursion can run as high as $750.00 to $1,000.00 per person or more. Or, an Antarctica flight from a South America cruise - this can run $1200.00 or more.... and then there's the granddaddy of expensive excursions - offered by Crystal Cruises for the second year is a flight in an actual MIG fighter jet at Mach speeds above Russia - at a hefty cost of $22,000.00.
But, what is the cost if they don't go, and they never get the chance again?
What is it worth to walk on the Great Wall in China, or to visit the Valley of the Kings in Egypt, or see the Louvre in Paris.

These are costly excursions, but, as a once in a lifetime experience, they are truly priceless!"

Just a personal experience to add:
In Panama, we took an excursion through the Panama Canal and booked it through the cruise line. There was a delay going thru the canal and we were got back to the ship about 45 minutes after it was scheduled to leave the port. Since the excursion was booked through Celebrity, the ship waited and once the last person went up the gang plank, the ship took off. Had we booked it on our own, we would have been responsible for flying to Costa Rica to meet up with the ship. By the way, travel insurance usually does not cover this expense.

In many cases, I will recommend to my clients that they look for alternate options to the cruise lines excursions but usually in ports where they can get themselves back to the ship in plenty of time if there is a problem on the excursion. This is a company that many of my clients have used successfully in the Caribbean and Bermuda, Mexico, Canada/New England and Alaska. They might offer less expensive excursions, smaller groups or more unique excursions. Always check with me before booking them for my opinion or client feedback on an excursion.

More Fees from Airlines

2010-04-07T07:37:00.002-04:00

I can go off on my rant again about how much happier I would be if I never had to deal with the airlines again, but you've heard it all before. A first in the industry was announced yesterday by discount airline, Spirit Air. Charges if you want to put carry on bags in the overhead compartment!

"Spirit Airlines said it will begin charging for carry-on bags stowed in overhead bins next summer. At the same time, Spirit is introducing what it is calling PENNY PLUS fares and reducing its checked bag fees exclusively for its $9 Fare Club members. The airline reduced its lowest fare by over $40 each way on average with this move. Members of Spirit’s $9 Fare Club now pay as low as a penny plus fuel, taxes and fees for their reservation.

There will be more than a million “PENNY PLUS” fare seats, according to Barry Biffle, Spirit’s chief marketing officer. Spirit describes the lower fares and new fees as a way to give customers the option of paying only for the services they want and use rather than subsidizing the choices of others. Besides charging for carry-on bags stowed in overhead bins (under the seat in front remains free) Spirit also will charge those wishing to be boarded first on the airplane.

Members of Spirit’s $9 Fare Club who pre-reserve their carry-on bag in advance online receive a $10 discount compared to non-members and pay only $20 for their carry-on. In addition, checked bag fees for $9 Fare Club members have been reduced to $15 for domestic flights and $20 for international flights, both a $10 savings compared to non-members. The baggage discounts will be available for purchase by July 1, 2010, for travel August 1, 2010 and beyond.

The new carry-on bag fee is effective for reservations purchased after April 5, for travel starting August 1 and beyond, and will be available for purchase on or before July 1. The fee applies to carry-on luggage to be placed in overhead bins and includes priority boarding in Zone 1. Personal items that fit under the seat are free."

What's next----- charges to use the bathroom on board?

Summer Vacation Prices- My Vacation Lady's Forecast

2010-04-05T08:19:00.002-04:00

If I had a crystal ball and could predict the price of airfare and vacations in any certain time, I wouldn't need to be a Vacation and Honeymoon Specialist. I could just make my predictions and wait for the money to start pouring in. Well, the crystal ball is in the shop for repair so these predictions were made on actual experience with what I have been seeing for summer vacations.

Take a look
at what My Vacation Lady predicts for the summer of 2010.

Cruise cabins do matter

2010-04-02T08:26:00.003-04:00

There are so many times that clients will say that they only use their cabin to sleep so they don't need a cabin with a window or a balcony or a suite with concierge or butler service. Trust me, on the many cruises that I have sailed on with my family, my husband or with friends, I prefer a cabin with a balcony. To me the cruise cabin you choose will enhance your cruise experience, whether it is due to the location of the cabin, the type of cabin or the service that comes with it.

My friend and colleague, Steve, posted this link on his blog a bit ago and I thought I would borrow it.

Click here

TSA Secure Flight Program

2010-03-31T08:58:00.003-04:00

This topic is one that is good to bring up again with the phasing in of the TSA Secure Flight program and regulations.

With all the changes, it is best to know what is being required when you purchase airline tickets. I recently had clients who purchased international tickets to Europe. He doesn't use the first name that is on his passport but, instead goes by his middle name. Unfortunately, he purchased the tickets under his middle name and thought he could just include his first name in the area that the airline asks for date of birth, etc. This was a costly mistake since the airline and the TSA would not allow him to just add his first name that way. The tickets had to be changed for a "small fee".

http://www.independenttraveler.com/resources/article.cfm?AID=1049&category=13

24 hours in Rome

2010-03-29T08:10:00.002-04:00

This is an oldie but worth a reprint. It was originally published in Time Magazine back in October 2008:

24 hours in Rome

Your stay in Rome is all about your state of mind. Making every hour count means letting the timeless grandeur and beauty of the place seep into your blood. So, keep your eyes open for the little things that aren't on any list, the nooks and nuances of this ancient city, which remind me that after 10 years of living here my time in Rome has been but a blink in the city's eye.

The best way to see the city is to walk. The sights of London or Paris might be mapped out by a few select subway stops. But in Rome, where you can usually count on good weather and unreliable transportation, you're best off doing as much as possible by foot. On the street is also where you'll unearth those unexpected finds. The warm aroma of a bakery. The handmade leather of a local craftsman. The tucked-away piazza that seems stuck in the 16th century, with grandma hanging the clothes out the window and six-year-olds chasing each other across the cobblestones. Even if it doesn't ever really change, Rome always has the power to surprise.

Read on for 10 things worth (leisurely) cramming into a day.
1. Galleria Borghese
They say the best museum in Rome is the city itself. That may be so, but the Galleria Borghese is still a gem worth seeing. Its collections are housed in a magnificent 17th-century villa and offer a compact course in the Italian aesthetic. In just 20 rooms, you are exposed to antiquities, the Renaissance and the beginnings of baroque art. Visits to the Galleria in the northeast corner of the sprawling Villa Borghese park are by reservation, which allows you the pleasure of seeing the Bernini sculptures from every angle without being crowded out.
2. San Luigi dei Francesi
Once you've gotten a taste of Caravaggio, a late Renaissance master whose work is featured at the Galleria Borghese, you can't leave Rome without seeing what many say is his most powerful work. You'll have to go to church to do it.
The Calling of Saint Matthew hangs in the Contarelli Chapel of the San Luigi dei Francesi church, a reminder that 400-year-old art was provocatively modern when it was first conceived. Two other Caravaggio works — St. Matthew and the Angel and the Martyrdom of St. Matthew — which round out the triptych, are also on permanent display here. Seeing such a renowned work in a church you might otherwise have easily overlooked is proof that Rome really is a living museum.
Like other basilicas, entry is free (come in the morning, since the church closes at lunchtime); you'll have to drop a few coins to light up the paintings in the darkened interior and see how Caravaggio infused his own light into the baroque melodrama.
3. Giorgio de Chirico House-Museum
It's hard to get away from art in Italy. Here's one last solely art-related suggestion, and one that quickly brings us up to the 20th century. The Giorgio de Chirico House-Museum is a chance to get a guided look at some of the signature works of the master of classically fueled surrealism and to get a peek into his sunny attic studio. The pristinely preserved two-level apartment, where De Chirico lived for more than 30 years until his death in 1978, also lets you glimpse how the city's upper crust have lived for centuries. In this case, it's accompanied by about the best view overlooking the splendid Piazza di Spagna. The living area has been left largely as it was during De Chirico's life and displays dozens of his works. Reservations must be made in advance.
4. Via del Governo Vecchio
If you look out ol' Giorgio's living room window (from the Giorgio de Chirico House-Museum) across Piazza di Spagna, you will see the famous Via Condotti, which stacks most of the best-known Italian designers into a 100-m stretch of real estate. For my money, though, I'd go to the other side of downtown for a less well-known, but no less elegant shopping experience on Via del Governo Vecchio, where you can buy everything from fur to bathing suits. It may not exactly be a bargain for American shoppers, but you'll probably find items not yet available in the U.S.
5. Ponte Sisto Stroll
The best way to soak up the city — and to find some of the quainter (and more affordable) shops — is to zig-zag from vicolo to vicolo (alley), piazza to piazza. For a good two-hour stroll, start at the bustling Piazza Navona, then head south through Campo dei Fiori, where you'll find cafés and daily food and flower markets, to the beguiling Piazza Farnese, with its pair of fountains and Renaissance palace. From there, continue toward Ponte Sisto. The ponte (bridge) offers a great perspective on the beauty of Rome, with the Gianicolo hill rising to the west and St. Peter's Basilica to the north. Cross the Tiber to arrive in the utterly charming Trastevere neighborhood, where laundry swings overhead and flowers burst from window boxes; your stroll can continue, and the enchantment (and shops) will keep coming.
6. Pizza al Taglio
By now you're hungry. If you have a lot of ground to cover and don't have time for a sit-down lunch, try some of the best stand-up pizza of your life. Rome is filled with these pizzerie al taglio (sliced), where ordering what you want is as easy as pointing through the glass toward the variety you like, nodding your approval for the width of the serving, then digging in. Feel free to ask for smaller portions of two or three different types. Beside the standard margherita (tomato sauce and mozzarella), most pizzerie will make a mean potato or zucchini pizza, as well as fresh cherry tomatoes and mozzarella.
Two of my favorite places are near the Trevi Fountain. Da Michele serves kosher pizza (meat, but no cheese) cooked to crisp perfection with endless varieties. Try sausage and broccoli, or mushrooms and arugula. My other favorite pizzeria is so small it doesn't have a name. It is on Via del Piè di Marmo, near the corner of Via del Gesù. Try the eggplant. Buonissima!
7. Gianicolo
This is known as the city of seven hills, but actually Rome has more than that. Indeed, the Gianicolo (or Janiculum), the hill that affords the best view of Rome, is west of the Tiber and outside the ancient city, so it's not counted among the ancient seven. Still, it's close to the historic center, just above the Vatican and the Trastevere neighborhood — and the panorama (not to mention the silence) from the top takes your breath away. At noon, the quiet is momentarily broken by the single shot of a cannon, to mark the exact time, a tradition that dates back to the 19th century.
Besides a stunning view of Rome's ancient landmarks, the Gianicolo gives you a quick and slightly more modern history lesson on the Italian Risorgimento, the 19th-century movement (and wars) that unified modern Italy. Busts of the heroes are scattered along the pathways, and looming over everything is a gigantic statue of the great bearded hero Giuseppe Garibaldi on horseback. Viva Italia!
8. The Pope
As for checking out living VIPs, I have found there is almost no one — Catholic or otherwise — who doesn't get a thrill out of seeing the Pope in person. He isn't always in Rome (particularly in summer), but usually he's around, so check with your hotel! Sunday at noon is the Angelus prayer when the Pope speaks from his window overlooking St. Peter's Square. Wednesday morning is the weekly general audience, which is either in the Square or inside the Pope Paul VI auditorium. Tickets are required for the latter, but if you ask the Swiss Guard at the Vatican's Bronze Door entrance at around 9 a.m., he'll slide you the tickets. In any case, best to bring binoculars. (You can also hear the Pope's addresses online at RadioVaticana.org.)
9. Ristorante Al Presidente
You're hungry again? Because of Rome's agreeable climate, lunch and dinner all'aperto is doable up to eight months out of the year. One of the best restaurants with the nicest terraces is Ristorante Al Presidente, flat in the center of town, under the shadow of the Quirinale presidential palace. The indoor dining room is also lovely. I can't help but order the same thing every time: pasta with fresh sardines and pecorino cheese.
10. Gelato
Like pizza al taglio, gelato is not hard to find in central Rome. Most of the gelato around here is high quality, but arguably still the best in town is at the famous Giolitti, nestled between the Pantheon and the Italian Parliament. Ask for up to three flavors on a medium cone to go, or sit down at a streetside table and savor every moment. Try bacio, pistachio and nocciola for a creamy, nutty, chocolate-touched delight.

Taking the Family to Bermuda

2010-03-26T10:54:00.002-04:00

Bermuda is one of my favorite travel destinations and we have been to Bermuda a number of times both by cruise and hotel stay. We've taken our kids to Bermuda a few times during cruises and they have gone back since with friends. Regardless of age, Bermuda is a great destination for people of all ages.

Taking the family to Bermuda
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/35949227/ns/travel-family/

What to do if your money is stolen while on vacation?

2010-03-24T07:41:00.002-04:00

It is a situation that you never anticipate and, of course, never ever want to happen but you should always be prepared- just in case, your money is stolen or lost while you are on vacation.

These tips were taken from Journeywoman.com, a great resource for female travelers:

Help! my cards are gone!
Ms.Sam Bachand is the Royal Bank's Manager of Retail Foreign Exchange Services. Journeywoman asked what she would do if her credit card and bank card were stolen in a small town in Italy at 11 o'clock in the evening.
Sam writes...if I've prepared properly, this theft would only be a terrible inconvenience, not a huge calamity. Here's a few of my know-before-you-go hints....
1) Diversify your money-- take two $100 travellers cheques (for emergencies only), credit cards, bank cards as well as cash (U.S. cash is best because it's recognized in most places).
2) Be prepared! Before you leave home, record (in triplicate) the numbers on your travellers cheques , credit cards and bank cards. The same applies to all the 800 numbers you might need to report a theft. Leave one list with someone at home, one goes into your money belt and one stays in your suitcase.
3) Be creative! Hide your emergency money in strange places-- a vitamin pill bottle with a few pills in it is great. The bottle isn't see-thru and thieves are generally not interested in your Vitamin C.
4) Be very sure to check the restrictions on your credit cards. Did you know that some cards are not replaceable internationally if they're stolen?
5) Ask your bank for an extra client card. If the first is taken, you still have the second one to withdraw cash with.

Alaska Gov to reduce cruise taxes?

2010-03-22T07:34:00.003-04:00

For the 2010 and 2011 summer cruise season, many of the cruise lines have pulled ships out of Alaska due to the high taxes implemented in the last couple of yours. Better news may be on the horizon...

"Alaska's Gov. Parnell Proposes Reduction in Cruise Head Tax
Published on: March 22, 2010

Alaska Gov. Sean Parnell proposed reducing the cruise passenger head tax from $46 to $34.50 -- a 25 percent decrease -- three days after meeting with top cruise line executives at a major industry convention in Miami Beach. As reported in Travel Pulse on March 16, Parnell met with ranking cruise executives for an hour while attending the Seatrade Cruise Shipping Miami convention. Parnell proposed the tax roll-back March 19 at a luncheon meeting of the Resource Development Corp. in Anchorage.

The meeting came after Holland America Line President and CEO Stein Kruse issued a stinging condemnation of Alaska’s taxes and regulations, saying, “The regulations in Alaska are more burdensome and more costly than anywhere else on earth.” Alaska this year is facing a 17 percent reduction in cruise business that Kruse said is a result of “punitive taxes” and “overzealous regulation.”

“Generally speaking, we’re enthusiastic that the governor is hearing our plea in trying to get costs down,” said Charlie Ball, president of Alaska tour operations for Holland America and Princess Cruises. “Absent all the details, it’s hard to make a very aggressive comment on it. But we had some good time with him this week, and he’s understood the issues for while. Conceptually we absolutely support him trying to fix the cost issues.”

In a statement, Parnell said he wants to bring more tourist dollars to Alaska with a comprehensive strategy to reduce taxes, increase tourism marketing and increase regulatory flexibility. In exchange, he said, the state will require more cruise ship deployments to Alaska. The governor’s proposal needs state legislators to move it forward, and the Legislature is currently in session in Juneau.

“We must make Alaska a more affordable destination to travelers from outside,” Parnell said. “I made it clear to cruise ship executives that we would need public assurances about increased deployments and economic activity in Alaska in exchange for these tax reductions.”

The head tax and other regulations -- which cruise executives say are so stringent the technology does not exist yet to comply with them -- came about after a 2006 initiative approved by voters. But as cruise lines reduced capacity in the 49th state, a grass-roots effort was launched by local businesses hurt by the decline in business. An organization called Alaska Alliance for Cruise Travel (Alaska ACT) was formed to fight what it calls inequitable taxation and regulation. Alaska ACT encouraged Parnell to attend the Seatrade Cruise convention, where he met with Carnival Corp. Chairman and CEO Micky Arison, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. Chairman and CEO Richard Fain, Norwegian Cruise Line CEO Kevin Sheehan, Kruse and others.

Nine cruise lines last year formed the Alaska Cruise Association, which in September filed a lawsuit seeking to overturn the head tax.

Parnell also said he would seek offsets for local head taxes levied by certain cruise ports to eliminate the possibility of taxing tourists twice for the same Alaska destination. Additionally, the governor reiterated his support for corporate income tax credits to incentivize greater Alaska tourism marketing."

Putting Mexico's Travel Warning in Prospective

2010-03-18T17:11:00.005-04:00

"Tourism to Mexico appears largely unfazed by the U.S. State Department Travel Warning, issued on March 14 as a result of violence along the U.S.-Mexico border. Travel sellers told Travel Market Report that once travelers realize the distances between the crime locations in the travel warming and the tourist spots, most are ready to travel, and one of the most important tasks facing Mexico’s new Secretary of State, Gloria Guevara, is making sure consumers are aware of this.

“We’ve had very few calls regarding Mexico travel concerns and cancellation levels have been normal,” reported Funjet Vacations manager of marketing and public relations Michelle Burmeister. Nor has Funjet needed to revise any of its offerings.

Similarly, Travel Impressions has seen very few cancelations — just one group and a few individual reservations — but nothing compared to last year around this time when a rise in the crime rate along the border was followed in May by the H1N1, said Sallie Rawlings, senior director corporate communications for Travel Impressions.

Rawlings said that the education that was done last year by tour operators and government groups might account for the fact that the industry is seeing fewer cancelations due to the travel warning this year.

“The entire tourism industry did a huge education push last year with the trade media. We got together on panels where we talked about how far the crime locations were from the tourist areas. We showed maps. We would ask, for example, if you were planning to visit Las Vegas and heard about crime in NYC, would that convince you to cancel your trip to Las Vegas? That is the distance between the border areas referred to in the warning and Cancun, for example,” Rawlings noted.

Rawlings stressed the important role of travel agents in educating with their clients. “Travel agents have gotten better at talking with their clients.”

Patrice Stafford, owner of Where 2 Now Travel, Brooklyn, NY is a case in point. She has clients going to Cancun in April. “They don't wish to cancel, but were concerned about the latest killings of the three Americans, so I assured them that Cancun to Juarez (more than 1,400 miles) is much farther than from Buffalo to New York City and they were fine with that,” said Stafford.

Those heading to Acapulco should be aware that there has been drug-related violence reported there as well.

The State Department warning includes safety suggestions for travelers throughout Mexico. “Common-sense precautions such as visiting only legitimate business and tourist areas during daylight hours, and avoiding areas where prostitution and drug dealing might occur, can help ensure that travel to Mexico is safe and enjoyable.” For more specific suggestions based on destination and modes of transportation, visit Mexico Country Specific Information.

The U.S. State Department also offers Spring Break ("Spring Break in Mexico- Know Before You Go!!") and Visiting Student memos reminding visitors of the harsh penalties for drug possession, and the dangers of excess alcohol consumption. Heeding beach warnings, avoiding unlicensed taxi and the need for proper insurance for drivers are among the other admonishments.

Travel Impressions’ Rawlings and others pointed out that caution and common sense are still required when traveling. “Think about all the other places you travel. If you are traveling in other parts of the world, or even in the U.S., there are areas that you wouldn’t go into,” she pointed out.

“We advise that travelers use common sense and always be aware of their surroundings when vacationing anywhere, not just Mexico,” added Funjet’s Burmeister.

Linda Cahill of Travel by Land or Sea said she believes that it is important to educate clients. “Safety and health come first with me,” she said.

She said that her advice to clients includes: “Never leave the hotel by yourself, always buddy up, don’t go far distances in a taxi by yourself, be aware of your surroundings, and never sit on the beach by yourself late at night.”

“Nothing is totally safe, no matter where you live. When we go somewhere we have to have a little bit of common sense. If you don’t advise of health conditions and security alerts it will come back and smack you in the face,” Cahill said."

To see where the drug violence is vs. the tourist areas, please take a look at this http://twitpic.com/18v1uv

Best National Parks to Visit in the Spring

2010-03-17T08:20:00.001-04:00

The United States is filled with so many beautiful National parks that come to life in the spring. You can enjoy the beauty of the national park along with the beauty of spring wildflowers in these parks:

Arches - Moab, UT - Features over 2,000 natural sandstone arches as well as many other unusual rock formations. Weather has exposed millions of years of geologic history in a landscape of contrasting colors and textures. Desert annuals like grasses and wildflowers are adapted to the arid environment and can be seen here in April and May.

Great Smoky Mountains - Gatlinburg, TN - well known for its mist-shrouded ridges of forest which straddles the border between North Carolina and Tennessee. Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a world-renowned preserve of wildflower diversity including over 1,660 varieties. It is sometimes referred to as the “Wildflower National Park.”

Yellowstone - Yellowstone, WY - Famous for Old Faithful and a collection of the world's most extraordinary geysers and hot springs, along with the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. This park was established in 1872, and is America's first national park. In the spring you may see Wild Strawberries, Glacier Lilies and Bluebells among many other wildflowers.

Yosemite - Yosemite, CA - is best known for its stunning waterfalls and Half Dome. The best time to visit is late May and early June, when mountain snowmelt and waterfalls are at their peak. In Yosemite Valley & Wawona: you will find flowering dogwood and California Poppies beginning in May. More Wildflowers begin in early June such as Sierra Onion, Lupine, MariposaLlily, and Pentstemon.

Zion - Springdale, UT - Includes towering cliffs and small narrow canyons in unique sandstone ranging in color from cream, to pink, to red. They could be described as sand castles crowning desert canyons. With elevations ranging from 3,600 to 8,700 feet, Zion National Park has a diversity of plant communities, supporting more than 900 species of plants. In the early spring, many plants take advantage of the seasonal rains, to flower such as the Desert Marigold or Slickrock Paintbrush.