Were you aware that a Passport Card will only allow passengers to travel back into the US at land border crossings and sea ports of entry? Therefore, travelers cannot use the Passport Card for international air travel. This can be an expensive lesson if you are not prepared ahead of time.

The Passport Book, on the other hand, allows passengers to travel international via land, air, or sea. The purpose of the Passport Card is for frequent land border crossings.

"The passport card was designed for the specific needs of northern and southern U.S. border communities with residents that cross the border frequently by land. The passport book is the only document approved for international air travel." - US Department of State

The Passport Card is cheaper which is why some people decide to get it instead of the Book, but passengers will be denied bording at the airport if all that is presented for an international flight is the Card. Also, travel insurance will not cover trip expenses for this reason so it's possible that passengers could be out thousands of dollars for an international trip if they are not equipped with the proper documentation.

Be prepared for your next trip by visiting travel.state.gov. 

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TSA to Notify Travelers of Upcoming 2018 Real ID Airport Enforcement

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) have started posting signs at airports notifying travelers that beginning January 2018 it will start enforcing REAL ID requirements at airport security checkpoints, meaning that travelers seeking to use their state-issued driver’s license or identification card for boarding commercial aircraft may only use such documents if they are issued by a REAL ID compliant state or a non-compliant state with an extension.

TSA’s notification follows Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson’s announcement earlier this year of the final phase of implementation of the REAL ID Act.  Effective January 22, 2018, TSA will only accept state-issued driver’s licenses or identification cards if they are issued by a REAL ID compliant state or a non-compliant state with an extension.  As always, travelers may use alternate forms of identification such as a passport, military ID, or permanent resident card. A complete list of identification documents accepted at TSA checkpoints is available on tsa.gov.

The REAL ID Act, passed by Congress in 2005, establishes the minimum security standards for state-issued driver’s licenses and identification cards and prohibits federal agencies, like TSA, from accepting licenses and identification cards for certain official purposes, including boarding federally regulated commercial aircraft, from states that do not meet these minimum standards and have not received an extension for compliance from DHS.

DHS continues to work with states to encourage compliance and may grant extensions or determine compliance for additional states as warranted.  TSA will update signage if and when states that are currently listed receive extensions.  Learn more about REAL ID, check the status of your state’s complianceor read the frequently asked questions.

The Real ID Act of 2005 states that state-issued IDs from these nine states do not meet the minimum security standards of the federal government. They are Kentucky, Maine, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina & Washington.

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Recently, I stayed at the Hampton Inn & Suites Miami Brickell Downtown for one night before a cruise out of Miami. In my opinion, this hotel is great for a business guest or families looking for a short stay before or after a cruise.

My husband and I were treated with a complimentary welcome beverage following check-in. Our young son who obviously would not benefit from an adult beverage was offered a goodie bag with candy and water. We had a long day traveling to get to Miami so we enjoyed taking a quick dip in the 6th floor outdoor pool before searching for somewhere to eat dinner. There are many restaurants within walking distance and we found one close to the hotel that offered outdoor seating. Then, it was back to the pool and hot tub to relax before getting on the cruise ship the next day. (They don't advertise this, but the pool is open 24 hours which is great for those looking for a late night dip)

Every morning, all guests of the hotel are treated to a wonderful hot and cold breakfast spread, along with a fresh waffle bar. We were able to fill up on food knowing that we wouldn't be on the cruise ship until after lunch.

For cruise guests, the hotel offers shuttle service from the hotel to the cruise port for a small nominal fee which was useful to us.

This hotel is on my recommendation list for anyone traveling to Miami for the fact that it is a short drive from the cruise port and airport, close to restaurants, offers a complimentary welcome beverage and complimentary breakfast, along with the great atmosphere by the outdoor pool. The staff was friendly and attentive which made the whole experience unforgettable.

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Preparing for a cruise involves many components. One component I always recommend is a hotel stay before the cruise to ensure you are near the port in time for embarkation because flights and other travel delays are always a possibility. I also feel a post cruise hotel stay is beneficial as well.

It can be very risky to schedule flights the same day your cruise is scheduled to leave, but can work out just fine in most cases. You must consider the stress involved though and if it's worth the hassle of waking up to catch a flight, then be transported to the port to wait in line to get onboard by a certain time. Sometimes the stress of cramming it all in during one day can be overwhelming.

On my recent cruise experience, my family and I arrived in the port city one day early. We were supposed to arrive by 4pm (after leaving our house at 6:30am), but because of flight delays, we did not check in to our pre-cruise hotel until after 6pm. I could not have imagined flying in and dealing with delays while rushing to get to the port all in one day. It was a very long travel day as is. It was refreshing to have time to spare and a relaxing night in the port city before starting the cruise (and we were lucky enough to stay in a hotel with a complimentary welcome beverage which definitely helped with relaxation!).

We also chose to stay one night after the cruise in the port city before flying home. This has its' advantages and disadvantages. We did not feel rushed to get off the ship by a certain time and were luckily able to check in to the hotel early and utilize all the facilities. However, one downside was having to slightly unpack again after we had just packed up the night before on the ship. We tried to unpack as minimally as possible to make the next morning easy for getting checked out of the hotel and to the airport. Overall, it seemed to minimize the stress of going straight from the cruise ship to the airport and either rushing to get to your plane on time or waiting for several hours until departure because there never seems to be a plane that leaves at a precisely convenient time following a cruise.

A cruise is a great vacation in and of itself, but make sure to consider if either a pre-cruise or post-cruise (or both) hotel stay is something that will make your next cruise vacation even better.

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The web and travel guides are useful for initial research, but the firsthand knowledge and resources of a professional travel agent adds value to your vacation.

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If you have ever been to Vegas or another fast-paced city for a vacation, have you ever felt you needed another vacation to recover? I've experience this feeling a few times after traveling to a destination where there is so much to do that you get sensory overload trying to fit everything in. On more than one occasion, my husband and I have said to each other, "Wow, I feel like we need a relaxing vacation to recuperate from that trip!"

That has me thinking, why not spend 2-3 nights in one of the fast-paced destinations so that you can experience all it has to offer, then head to a tranquil destination for another 3-5 nights before returning home? This will give you the opportunity to enjoy those must-see and must-experience areas, while still feeling relaxed and refreshed before returning home.

Many people go on vacation to escape everyday life and the stresses that come with it. Having a peaceful and calming experience at some point during the trip will rejuvenate people to come back to their normal life and give them that revitalized feeling, while still allowing them to make the most of their trip.

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Follow these simple tips to ensure you have the best group travel experience with your group and travel agent!

1. Proactively Communicate
~Communicate throughout the whole process so no one gets left out which will help contribute towards stress free travel. Assign a group leader who talks with the travel agent on a regular basis and sends out email updates to the group so nothing gets lost in translation. Find an agent who has a group reservation system and web portals to help manage your groups.

2. Talk Money
~Make sure everyone is on the same page when it comes to what each traveler is willing to spend. Be transparent with your agent when it comes to the group’s finances so you’ll have the best vacation within budget. 

3. Be Flexible (this is a hard one for me, I admit it!)
~Keep in mind that you are traveling with a group and need to accommodate everyone. The travel professional will do his or her best to make sure everyone is happy and can help choose a resort or cruise with activities for everyone. Have an adventurous spirit and you may find yourself enjoying a new experience that you love.

4. Set Your Schedule
~Build a day-by-day schedule for your trip with your travel agent, having a schedule is essential for stress free travel. While traveling, this will make it easier for each member of your group to know where they have to be and when. Cruise Planners travel agents have access to special tools and price trackers so you can access every little detail throughout your entire trip whether it be by mobile app, computer or print-out. Remember to build in free time so members of the group can relax and go off on their own.

5. Plan Ahead for Excursions and Special Events
~Because travel agents are the experts, they have all the best connections. Special tours you want to go on can be done with a private guide who can show you once-in-a-lifetime experiences. If your group is celebrating a special occasion, let your travel advisor know ahead of time. They are there to add those memorable details and make sure your celebration is truly magical.

If you follow these key tips with a Cruise Planners travel advisor, you’re sure to have stress free travel, after and during your group vacation. 

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Who wouldn't want to save more time on a vacation to spend it enjoying the trip? These tips can help save minutes here and there which add up to more time for relaxation and fun.

1. Pay for your bags at the time of airline check-in. You may then be able to skip the line and hand your bags directly to the attendant. Better yet, only take carry-on luggage if possible. This will eliminate the possibility of a lost bag and you won't have to wait at the baggage claim for your luggage once you arrive at your destination. 

2. Sign up for the Global Entry Program.  This will decrease your wait time in lines with the TSA and customs. You can also sign up for TSA pre-check which has 97% of its passengers waiting less than 5 minutes to be screened.

3. Get a ride to the airport.  Ask a friend, call a cab, or request an Uber or Lyft ride. You avoid the parking charges for keeping your vehicle at the airport while you are away and you have no wasted time in the airport parking garage.

4. Be prepared.  Have a folder in your carry-on with any paperwork you need to have on hand. Be sure to pack necessities for the airplane in your carry-on and anything you may need for the first day at your location in case your bags are delayed or lost. If you are going somewhere warm, always try to pack your swimsuit and sandles in your carry-on bag.

5. Stock up on supplies.  You don't want to waste time and money searching for essentials, such as sunscreen, aspirin, bug spray, sunglasses, and bandages. Odds are these will cost more at your destination and you'll have to search for where to purchase them.

6.  Plan ahead. Have all your desired activites and excursions booked ahead of time. This will prevent the activity from being sold out and you'll have more time to enjoy what you had planned instead of starting to research what to do after you arrive.

7. Let your travel agent do all the work. Don't spend hours and hours researching the best price for your trip. That's what a travel agent is for and educated in. Let the travel agent use their knowledge and expertise to put together a great vacation for you to save you time and money.

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