OH NO!!! A Storm is Coming!!!

Where is your cruise ship?  What about my airline ticket?  What do I do now?

The first and most important question is “How did you book your travel?”  A knowledgeable travel professional could have saved you stress and perhaps a lot of money.  Without one, you are on your own and that can be very uncomfortable and expensive.

Once again we see a storm disrupt travel in the south.  Every year we see this happen and still people book their own travel online.  As a travel professional, I am equipped to advise my clients on all possibilities with travel during this time of the year.  I know where the ships are.  I know what the airlines are offering.  I know how to find a hotel or rental car.  I know the resorts and what they offer incase of a storm.

Cruise ships never fail to go out.  They may change course, stay longer or shorter, go into or out of a different port.  But they ALWAYS GO!!!  If you are booking online, you don’t know those things.  Once you book online, that is the only way you can make any changes.  Have you talked to a computer lately?  Don’t cry to the cruise line and ask for a refund.  It is up to you or your agent to keep up with the weather and the cruise line.

If your ship has to embark or disembark in a different port, how do you find flights home?  I know how to do that.  You may need a hotel in that different port until you can get a flight out.  How will you find a hotel?  I know how to do that.

My question to you is this, “Why do you book any travel online?”  With the exception of a flight, maybe 1 night hotel and a rental car for a day or so, you need a travel professional to help you.  We know weather and seasons and what to advise you. 

Call me to save you this ruined vacation.

And lastly, did you buy travel insurance?  See my blog “Don’t Leave Your Home Without It”.

I’m Dreaming of a Wonderful Vacation, Part I

I HAVE A DREAM VACATION.  HOW DO I MAKE IT HAPPEN?  Part 1

 

Let’s try to make it a “dream”, not a “nightmare”.  No matter what your travel plans are, you need a travel professional.  In choosing one, make sure they have the proper certifications:  CTC (Certified Travel Counselor) and MCC or ECC (Master or Elite Cruise Counselor).  Ask how extensive the agent has traveled and are they constantly in training attending seminars and conventions.  There are many “agents” who are only selling memberships and have no concern in your travel experience.  A legitimate travel professional cares about you and constantly following up on all aspects of your travel.

 

First of all is the WHEN?

Next is the WHERE?

Last is the HOW?

 

WHEN??

 

Every place in the world has an idealic time to visit.  There can be spring, summer, winter, and fall seasons.  Places in the southern hemisphere the seasons are direct opposite from the northern hemisphere.  Tropical places have dry seasons and wet seasons.  Desert places have dry and humid seasons. Along the equator the seasons do not vary much.   For travel seasons there is:

 

      High season.  When tourism is at its peak.  Usually based on school and tourist holidays

      Low season.  Uusally based on the weather – the least desirable for the most tourists.

      Shoulder season.  In many places, shoulder seasons are idyllic seasons to travel.  Weather is mild, summer crowds are gone and winter weather has not yet become a problem.  Travel prices are lower in shoulder than in summer.

 

 Holidays need to be considered at your destination.  Sometimes it is a great time to visit a destination and other times it can be very expensive and hard to get accommodations.  For some people, holiday times are the only way they can travel.  PLAN AHEAD.  A professional can give you good advise.

 

Do you like active travel?  In this case you need the best weather conditions for your activity.  You may also need to take some equipment for your trip.  We can give you advise on how to prepare for packing.  There are many weight and size restructions, especially on airlines.