Welcome to Hurricane Season!!

Today is June 1st and it is the beginning of the hurricane season which runs until December 1^st. Since the National Oceanic Atmospheric Association (NOAA) Climate Prediction Center is forecasting a near-normal or below-normal season for 2014, it is important to make sure that you are ready, whether you are in a location frequented by hurricanes or if you are traveling to one.

If you’re planning on traveling to the Caribbean or United States East Coast, Gulf Coast, Pacific Coast or Hawaii, it’s best to keep informed of what is happening weather-wise in those regions.

                

Some great sites for information are the Weather Channel and National Hurricane Center sites:

Weather Channel Hurricane Update – CLICK HERE!

National Hurricane Center – CLICK HERE!

Please note that most cruise lines will alter their itineraries to avoid hurricanes. For example, if you are booked on an Eastern Caribbean cruise and St. Thomas is in a hurricane’s sights, your cruise line may alter the cruise to a Western Caribbean itinerary.

Tour operators are making travel planning easier at this time of year and are offering insurance where you can cancel for any reason. If you take this insurance and feel uncomfortable about traveling, you can just cancel and get a refund!

Keep in mind however, if it’s the airline, cruise line, tour operator, resort, etc. that does the canceling; they typically will offer you some options. Some examples of options are that they will offer to change your travel dates without penalty, change the destination or receive a refund. As every hurricane is different, your options may be different as well.

A little knowledge and planning prior to your vacation can go a long way. If you need to change your plans, rebook them or if you’re stranded in an airport somewhere, your travel agent is your advocate and can help you. If you book your own travel, you are on your own!

Contact me today to plan your next getaway at lisa@traveldivalisa.com or call 330-329-9178!!

What's the best way to communicate from a cruise ship?

As a travel agent, I am often asked by my clients about communicating with family and friends from a cruise ship. This article from USAToday - CLICK HERE FOR ARTICLE - offers some great tips and pricing information to find your best option.

I am a cruise specialist, so please keep me in mind to help you find the best itinerary, ship and price for you. I also can help with groups.

Contact me today at lisa@traveldivalisa.com or call me at 330.329.9178. Thank you!!

Proof of Citizenship on a Cruise

I am a destination wedding specialist, so I can do weddings just about anywhere. A honeymoon couple that were interested in a cruise asked what they need to have identification-wise. This brought up the question of what is acceptable documentation for proof of citizenship on a cruise.

One thing to point out is that while it is not required to have passports for a cruise, a serious problem can arise if you do not have a passport. If for some reason you would have to go home early, you would not be able to enter the U.S. without a passport. You would have no choice but to stay on the cruise anyway, regardless of the seriousness of the situation that would cause you to have to leave early. So, even if you had a family member who passed away or if you or a family member was seriously ill, you could not leave the cruise early without a passport.

I cannot tell you how upset I would be if I couldn't go home if I had to! I advise all of my clients to get a passport, regardless of what type of trip they are booking. You may never leave the U.S. for a vacation, but wouldn't you like to know that you are traveling with the most comprehensive proof of citizenship? Personally, I like the feeling that I could pack up and go just about anywhere in the world that I would want to! Without a passport, you can't.

For information on obtaining a passport, go to http://www.travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html.

Please keep in mind that it is the traveler's responsibility to have the correct proof of citizenship on a cruise. If you have the incorrect documentation and are denied boarding, you will not be entitled to any refund.

If you have any questions or would like information on destination weddings, please email me at: divalisatravel@gmail.com!!

Cruise Ship Safety & Security

You see everywhere on the news about cruise ship safety and security. It's a growing concern brought to light by events we've all read or heard about.

When booking my clients on a cruise, the advice and information that I give them is the following:

• If you feel uncomfortable, scared or threatened about any situation, leave the area immediately and let the cruise ship security personnel know about it.
• A cruise ship is a floating city. Take the same precautions you would in any city -- be aware of your surroundings, be alert and use common sense.
• Know where your belongings are. If your cabin has a safe, use it. If you don't feel that it is secure enough, you may use a safety deposit box at Guest Relations or the Purser's Office on most cruise line.
• Use the "buddy system". Same as if you were in a city, it's always a good idea not to go anywhere on a cruise ship by yourself, especially at night. If you do go out on your own, let someone know where you'll be and when you will be/plan on returning. I travel by myself a lot for work since I'm a travel agent, and my best advice for those who are traveling by yourself is to be fully aware of your surroundings and the people around you. Keep an eye on your belongings and firmly lock your door to your cabin.
• If you cannot find a traveling companion and it is unusual that you cannot find them, let security personnel know about it immediately.
• Use the cruise line's shore excursions or use a travel agent recommended shore excursion company. You may save some $$ booking your excursions on your own, but your life is too important to risk on an unknown company.
• In case of a fire or other emergency on the ship, if there is a fire, try to act as calmly as possible and get to a designated safe area by cruise ship personnel. This is why it is important to take the lifeboat drill seriously.
• Ships are inspected for safety by the U.S. Coast Guard. Incidents are rare, but keep in mind that these ships are thoroughly inspected for safety by the U.S. Coast Guard. Carnival Cruise Line's Sensation was once delayed for almost 7 hours because the Coast Guard found problems with the fire screen doors, watertight doors and fire station valves. These problems were corrected and the ship was allowed to depart.

Overall, cruising is one of the safest vacations. According to statistics released to the subcommittee and the media by the International Council of Cruise Lines (ICCL), the 15 major cruise lines received a total of 206 complaints from passengers -- including reports of 178 sexual assaults, four robberies and 24 missing persons -- during a three-year period between 2003 and 2005. Relative to the more than 31 million passengers carried by the cruise lines during that period, the reports of crime were low, ICCL officials said.

Bottom line: Use common sense, be alert and aware and don't suspend reality while onboard ship. Your life and safety and that of your family and friends are most important.

For more cruising info, please contact me at divalisatravel@gmail.com!!