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.
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Monday, June 14, 2010
Tipping while on vacation
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.
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.
Friday, June 11, 2010
Bermuda's 15th Annual Music Festival
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.
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.
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Welcome back to the cruise of yester-year!
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!
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!
Monday, June 7, 2010
Helpful Vacation Tips
With lots of you traveling in the next couple of months, here are a few more helpful vacation tips.
Friday, June 4, 2010
The Value of Travel Insurance
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.
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.
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Caribbean Princess ship tour review
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.
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