Packing Your Bags
Carry on baggage is now limited to one bag per ticketed
passenger with one additional personal item such as a purse or briefcase. All
baggage is subject to search and x-ray. Your carry on bag must not contain any
gift-wrapped items as you can be required to unwrap the item for inspection. You
must make sure that your carry on bag does not contain any sharp items that can
be used as weapons. These items will be confiscated and will not be returned to
you. Current restrictions limit the amount of liquids that can be carried
onboard an aircraft. Be careful with the size and weight of your bag.
****Due to ongoing changes with the Transportation Safety Administration (TSA),
there are now limitations on what items can be included in your carry on bags.
Please contact the TSA via phone or visit the TSA website for up to date
information. http://www.tsa.gov
Checked baggage is now run through the x-ray machines at the departure airport.
Procedures vary at each airport. Some will scan your checked bags prior to you
passing airport security and others will scan your bags behind the scenes. It is
requested that your checked bags be left unlocked or locked with TSA approved
locks as the authorities will use whatever means necessary to gain access for
hand search. TSA approved locks are available anywhere luggage or travel gear is
sold. Make sure that you are aware of the size and weight restrictions on
checked baggage. Many carriers have recently lowered the weight per bag from 70
pounds to 50 pounds. The charges for overweight bags can really add up. It is
best to carry two (2) smaller checked bags than one (1) larger checked bag!
 Travel
Advisories
Up to date information can be obtained by
checking the websites of the US State Department and the Centers for Disease
Control (CDC)
For US State Department warning on foreign travel
http://www.state.gov/travelandbusiness
For medical information of foreign travel
http://www.cdc.gov/travel
Crimes, sickness, and diseases
can occur anywhere in the world. It is the traveler's responsibility to
obtain the necessary information to be fully informed prior to any travel.
Our agency cannot predict, prevent, or be responsible for any crimes,
sickness, or diseases that the traveler may encounter.
BACK TO TOP
 Passport Information
Get your passport NOW! The laws
regarding travel for US citizens to the Caribbean, Bermuda, Panama, Mexico, and
Canada are changing. A valid passport or other approved document will be
required.
The implementation date of this new policy and the types of travel affected has
changed more than once. You should contact the US State Department for current
information. The other approved document has not yet been created.
It is strongly recommended that you obtain a passport prior to any travel
outside of the continental United States of America.
The average processing time to obtain a passport is 6 - 8 weeks. That time will
probably increase as more and more people apply. Don't delay apply today.
Children of any age will also need passports.
Please remember that it is the
traveler’s responsibility to be certain they possess the proper documentation to
travel outside of the continental U.S. via air, land, or sea.
There are some airlines and
tour operators that will tell you it is the travel agency's job to advise you
and verify that you possess the correct documentation to travel, NOT TRUE. Our
agency is not an official source for passport, visa, or immigration matters, we
can only advise that proof of US citizenship is required and possibly a visa
(entry permit). We cannot validate your documentation. You must contact the US
State Department and/or the foreign embassy of the country to which you will
travel for additional up to date information. Non US citizens will have
different requirements for travel and should consult the US State Dept., and the
embassy of their home country, and the embassy of the countries they plan to
visit to verify what documentation is required.
For additional information please click on the links below:
http://www.state.gov/travelandbusiness
http://travel.state.gov/foreignentryreqs.html
BACK TO TOP
|
Optional Trip
Insurance |
|
Purchase travel
protection Now! |
Think of your dream vacation as an investment, as
such, you want to take the proper precautions to protect your investment.
Before you embark on your dream vacation:
- Examine your personal coverage with your own medical, dental, homeowner’s,
life and auto insurance policies. Be sure you, your family, and friends are
covered for medical emergencies while traveling outside of your city, state or
country.
|
- Does your auto insurance policy include coverage for driving rental cars?
- Does your medical insurance include coverage for emergency air evacuation from
remote locations to major medical facilities?
- Does your medical coverage apply when you are out of the state or country?
- Are you covered for lost or delayed luggage?
- It is best to know these things before you travel.
- Another aspect of optional trip insurance is the trip cancellation and trip
delay coverage. All forms of travel have some sort of cancellation and change
penalties.
- First, make sure you know what the penalties are. If you cancel your dream
vacation due to the unforeseen illness of yourself, an immediate family member,
or your travel companions, you may not be reimbursed for the trip you did not
take, and you are not allowed to just reschedule it for a later date; you stand to lose all
or at least a portion of your investment.
- Optional trip cancellation insurance may pay for or reimburse you and your
family for the financial loses up to the amount of your trip (when cancelled for
a covered reason).
- If airline delays cause you to miss the sailing of your dream cruise, can you
afford to pay for lodging and transportation to meet the ship at the first port
of call? Optional trip delay insurance would pay for or reimburse you for the
expenses of lodging and airfare to reach that first port of call.
- Optional trip insurance may also provide reimbursement for losses suffered
should a tour operator or cruise line become insolvent and cease operation.
It is our policy is to offer a comprehensive trip insurance policy with every
reservation we handle. We will provide you with an insurance information booklet
that outlines the policy coverage. You may obtain information by clicking the
Travel Insurance link below so that you can make an informed decision to accept
or decline coverage. Should you decline this valuable coverage, you must be
prepared to accept the financial risks and consequences should an unfortunate
accident or disaster strike. |
BACK TO TOP
Verify Flight Information
and Schedule Changes
You should always reconfirm
all flights with this agency or the airlines at least 24 hours prior to
departure. It is always best to speak with a live representative, as the
automated systems may not be up to date. Schedule changes can and do occur and
are out of our control.
Whether you purchased your ticket a day, a week or six months prior to
departure, a change can occur.
Your travel consultant will request a cell phone number or number at your final
destination where you can be reached during your travel. This will allow the
airlines or our agency to reach you in the event of a schedule change. This will
also enable us to reach you in the event of an emergency.
Your travel counselor will request a phone number where you can be reached
during your travels. This will allow us to reach you in the event we are
notified of a schedule change to your itinerary, and we will also be able
to reach you in the event of an emergency.
BACK TO TOP
The information on this page is
provided as helpful hints and tips for passengers. This information is
subject to change without notice. It should not be taken as official rules
or regulations.
For up to date information regarding travel documentation required to enter
or reenter the United States, passport and visa information, or for travel
warnings and advisories, please contact the US State Department via phone or
at the website shown here http://www.state.gov/travelandbusiness/
Please remember that it is the traveler’s responsibility to be certain they
possess the proper documentation to travel outside of the US via air, land,
or sea.
For medical information regarding vaccinations and immunizations, diseases
in foreign countries, or other medical concerns while traveling, please
contact your own physician prior to departure and the Centers for Disease
Control (CDC) via phone or at the following website
www.cdc.gov/travel
|
