The time has come for child seats on airplanes

Please read USA Today's great article on child seats on airplanes. I have always felt that young children would be safer buckled up rather than on their parent's laps, however for the cost conscious families, a lap child was more economical.


Ever since I have heard the story of United Airlines Flight 232 which crashed in Sioux city, and heard about senior flight attendant Jan Brown Lohr's experience, my feelings on this matter have solidified.

Jan "was forced by regulation to ask parents with "lap babies" (children without seats) aboard flight 232 to place their children on the cabin floor during the flight's final moments before impact. One of four children died from smoke inhalation. The deceased child's mother came to her at the crash site and stated "You told me to put my baby on the floor and now he's gone." Since then, Lohr has tirelessly lobbied in Washington D.C. to promote the safety of children on all civilian aircraft and airlines, asking that federal regulations require all children to have a seatbelt on every flight."


While the cost may be more upfront when buying a seat for your infant on a flight, the safety of your child is worth much more. Please consider buying a seat for your infant on your next vacation.


If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at lisa@traveldivalisa.com or call 330-329-9178. Thank you!

Important Notice Regarding New TSA Flight Requirements

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has announced that it will require full name (as it appears on their government issued ID), date of birth and gender for all passengers traveling on or after November 1, 2010 regardless of when the reservation was booked. Failure to provide this information could result in a reservation being refused by the airline or tour operator.


If you have any questions about this new policy, please contact me at lisa@traveldivalisa.com or call (330) 329-9178.

Questions about Hurricanes?

Check out this post on Twitter from NASA....

  

How do Hurricanes form? Will they become big storms? Ask your Qs here: http://bit.ly/cFZebo


If you have any questions about traveling during hurricane season, please contact me at lisa@traveldivalisa.com or call (330) 329-9178.


Happy & Safe Travels,


Lisa  :o)

U.S. Passport Costs Rising

For info on the new pricing for United States passports, go to the U.S. passport website: CLICK HERE!


PLEASE NOTE: I do NOT recommend getting a passport card. These are only good for driving to/from Canada and Mexico. If you are flying or cruising, it is not valid.


If you have any questions, contact me at divalisatravel@gmail.com or call me at (330) 329-9178

Walt Disney World Plans New Art of Animation Resort

New DISNEY NEWS from Travel Pulse, published on 5/13/10.....

Walt Disney Parks and Resorts unveiled plans for Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, one of the largest new hospitality projects in Florida creating hundreds of construction jobs in the state. The new resort, set to open by the end of 2012, will feature quality family suites designed around four unique themes: The Lion King, Finding Nemo, Cars and The Little Mermaid.

“We are always looking for opportunities to expand and enhance our Walt Disney World offerings, and Disney’s Art of Animation Resort is a great example of those efforts. This new resort will feature some of our most beloved characters and stories in a unique and special way that we think our guests will really enjoy,” said Tom Staggs, chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. “This project also underscores our optimism about the future, as we continue to invest in new experiences for our guests around the globe.”

Located adjacent to Disney’s Pop Century Resort, the new resort will include 1,120 family suites in The Lion King, Cars and Finding Nemo wings, and 864 themed rooms in The Little Mermaid wings -- for a total of almost 2,000 new units. Suites will feature both a living room and a bedroom, offering added space for families.

“These themes have both compelling storylines and vivid visuals which will come together to create a truly memorable, immersive resort experience,” said Eric Jacobson, senior vice president of Walt Disney Imagineering. “With more multi-generational families vacationing together, guests are looking for places where they can play together and stay together. This resort was designed with the needs of families in mind, as we continue the Disney tradition of providing a great guest experience for every taste and budget.”

Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, the 26th resort at Walt Disney World, will be one-of-a-kind, with themed building exteriors and room interiors, and larger-than-life icons from the animated films in the courtyard areas. Walt Disney World Resort currently features 25 uniquely themed, Disney owned-and-operated resort hotels with more than 26,000 guest rooms. The new resort is expected to create more than 800 construction jobs, beginning immediately. All of the themed suites and rooms at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort are expected to open by the end of 2012.

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!!