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10/25/2020
Perfect Port Day: Barcelona A question I get quite often from my cruise clients is whether or not to take a cruise excursion while in port or go at it independently. My answer depends on the port of call, if my clients have been to the port before and how comfortable they are exploring on their own. (Note: As of this writing, many cruises are on hold and excursions must be taken through the cruise line. This article assumes we will have options to book our own excursions or explore independently in the near future.)
 Every air traveler today is required to present a valid (not expired) form of identification to get though airport security and board a flight. Common forms of ID include driver’s licenses or state photo identification cards, passports, passport cards, DHS trusted traveler cards (ex. Global Entry) and military ID cards.
 One of the top questions I get is how to snag the best airfare for an international trip. I’ve seen good tips and many more myths (at least in my opinion) on the internet about this topic.
So I’m sharing ones I know work consistently over time.  Labor Day weekend is the kickoff to a "new" season. Summer and all the adventures that come with it are coming to a close. School is back in session. Fall sports and activities are back in full gear. Cooler weather is on the horizon. We get back into normal daily routines.
Everyone is, well, busy with life. Right?  This article originally posted October 2018 has been updated to include the newest program, CLEAR. You know the airport security routine. Take off your shoes, belt and jacket and put them in a bin. Remove everything from your pockets. Place your computer and liquids under 3 ounces in another bin. Go through the security scanner and hope you don't beep. And hope that you aren't one of the lucky random checks or that one of your items doesn't look suspicious on the x-ray.
I am all for this security, especially when flying. But I'll be the first to admit that it can be very inconvenient, the lines frustrating. So when I discovered TSA Pre✓® , I was elated!  You book a ticket. Then the airline changes the schedule. I've seen this happen often enough I consider it "normal" procedure (in the US anyway). There might be new departure or arrival times, new flight numbers, changed or discontinued routes. I'm sure there are other reasons I'm missing.
Why do they do this? Airlines make these changes for a number of reasons, including switching aircraft (which may equate to faster flight times or different seat configurations), or removing a flight from the schedule. The majority of cases I have seen had very minor changes (for example flights leaving 5 minutes earlier or arriving 10 minutes later) with little to no effect on travel.  One of the best questions I get from potential clients is 'Why should I book this cruise through you versus booking direct"? You're just going to cost me more money.
I love this question. It allows me to communicate my value and dispel a few myths at the same time.  Photo courtesy of AmaWaterways River cruising and barging has grown exponentially over the past few years, and options continue to expand. For those who have been on the rivers and love the experience, new and varying choices are exciting but can become overwhelming. For those new to the experience, all these options can certainly be daunting.
But selecting the right river cruise doesn't need to be any of this. Following these steps will help narrow down your choices on finding a good match.  Having been through a good number of TSA checkpoints, I have a pretty good idea of what can trigger a secondary check after a bag has gone through the x-ray machine. This goes for checked bags as well.
1/31/2019
Don't Forget About Your Passport Details It seems that most everyone is experiencing "Where did the time go?" syndrome.
So my tip for today is for you to take a moment to think about any time sensitive tasks you have for your upcoming trips. Write them down (if you haven't already) and make sure you set some time aside to get them done. One big example - if you are going on an international trip, check when your passports expire! You do not want to risk being denied boarding due to an expired or soon to expire passport. With how quickly time passes by, you may not realize how long ago you received or renewed your current passport. Best to double check. If you don't have a passport, getting one isn't difficult. It just needs some planning. 11/6/2018
The Ups And Downs Of River Cruising There is very little about river cruising I don't like, except that the time goes by far too quickly. Then again, for me, every cruise feels that way, no matter the length.
A rarely talked about fact in ocean cruising is that itineraries are not set in stone and cruise lines can change them with little or no notice. My guess is that most people never read the contract details, so when this happens, they are "shocked". While most sailings follow the scheduled itinerary, stops are occasionally skipped or changed due to weather conditions or operational logistics that make it unsafe to call on that particular port. This too can happen on a river cruise, especially when the river levels are too high or too low to navigate. Levels too high make it difficult to get under the bridges; levels too low make it difficult to navigate through sections of the river or to get close enough to the pier. River cruise ships are built for optimal performance (for example the navigation bridge lowers down into the ship so it can get under bridges) and have incredibly low drafts (some as low as 1-3 feet under the keel!). This allows for minimal interruption, but even the best designs can't cover every situation. How do you plan for this and what happens to your cruise if there are changes made to the itinerary? 10/31/2018
17 Annoying Travel Habits On An Airplane With holiday travel soon upon us, I found the following excerpts from an article written by Laura Begley Bloom, Senior Contributor, Forbes Women, to be very timely. The full article can be found on www.forbes.com, published on October 31, 2018.
What bothers you most when you're flying? Armrest hogs? Aggressive recliners? Stinky seatmates? Genfare — a company that works with transportation companies to update and improve systems for collecting transit fares — decided to get to the bottom of things. In a new study of 2,000 Americans who fly at least twice per year, the company identified the 17 top travel annoyances for airline passengers. 10/24/2018
TSA Pre✓® VS Global Entry vs Mobile Passport You know the airport security routine. Take off your shoes, belt and jacket and put them in a bin. Remove everything from your pockets. Place your computer and liquids under 3 ounces in another bin. Go through the security scanner and hope you don't beep. And hope that you aren't one of the lucky random checks or that one of your items doesn't look suspicious on the x-ray.
I am all for this security, especially when flying. But I'll be the first to admit that it can be very inconvenient. So when I discovered TSA Pre✓® , I was elated! 8/9/2018
Start A Travel Tradition! Do you have a tradition when you travel? If not, you should start one.
I have friends who no matter where they are in the world will seek out two things: the best local cup of cappuccino and the best local fish and chips (generally not consumed at the same time!). Other friends have sought out the Duck Boat tours (although this tradition may have stopped), and another friend tries to take a local bike tour to check out the neighborhood. I too have a few traditions. 6/17/2018
Where To Find Elbow Room On Big Ships Major mainstream cruise lines have all recently introduced new ships, the 4000 plus passenger mega-ships. The Bliss from Norwegian Cruises, the Symphony of the Seas (the largest ship in the world) from Royal Caribbean, and the Horizon from Carnival, among a few. They are the "hottest" thing in cruising, especially for those who see cruise ships as their vacation destination. What's the attraction? Exciting new amenities - race tracks, laser tag, water parks with unbelievable crazy slides, zip lines, new foodie venues including breweries and restaurants galore. And the list goes on. These mega-ships may not be your normal type of cruise or vacation, especially for those who prefer the intimacy of a small ship experience. There may be times, however, where a big ship experience is the best option for the group traveling, for example a multi-generational family or groups with a wide variety of budgets and interests.
The secret? You can get a similar small ship luxury experience on a big ship. Here's how: 5/24/2018
When Is The Best Time To Book My Cruise? (Updated post from May 2016) Photo courtesy of Azamara Club Cruises
When is the best time to book my cruise? A very common question, one I get at least 50% of the time when booking ocean and river cruises. The answer? It truly depends on you, the type of traveler you are and where you want to travel. Flexible? Not at all concerned about a getting your choice of itinerary, sailing date, cabin or cabin location? Live a short distance from the cruise port? Then yes, you could wait until closer in to the sailing date. You may find a last minute "deal", as cruise lines prefer to sail with as many cabins filled as possible. Watch out though, as they aren't always what they first appear to be. And if airfare is involved, air tends to be more expensive the closer in to travel dates.  Some may think travel agents no longer exist. To the contrary! Maybe smaller in numbers than years ago, but travel professionals are here and making a huge difference for leisure travelers. And don’t think that using a travel professional will cost you more than if you booked your trip yourself directly with the travel supplier. This is a common misconception.
Here are just a few of the benefits a travel professional, like me, brings to you: 4/30/2018
5 Classic Cafes In RomeThis article is from See Italy Travel, who have been so kind to allow me to share their insights and expertise with you. See Italy Travel specializes in creating remarkable Italy itineraries customized specifically for your needs and wishes. Italians call Rome the Eternal City. Each street evokes echoes of Italy’s epic past – from ancient temples to Renaissance fountains. With so many antiquities on
 A recent article written by a travel colleague had me thinking back to a similar experience I encountered a number of years ago. A lesson learned on how NOT to start my vacation. Thankfully it turned out OK - THAT time.
But it sure had me totally stressed out. 1/9/2018
My Take On Small Ship Cruising Photo courtesy of Sea Dream Yacht Club There is a lot of excitement these days in the world of cruising with all the new ships recently or soon to be launched. Much of this excitement is focused on the mega ships - the ones with 4000+ passengers. I must say, they are beautiful, with all the "latest and greatest" on board, new technology, new restaurants and even a race track on the top deck of the Norwegian Bliss coming in May. Imagine that!
As an avid cruiser, I understand the lure of all these amenities. The ships have become destinations in of themselves. Perfect for a certain group of travelers. Under the radar, though, are plenty of small ship cruises. New ships and new itineraries, for those seeking a very different experience from the bigger ships. Adventure, expedition, luxury, river, sailing, yachting - as small as 12 passengers up to about 700 - lots of options to be had! 12/8/2017
Don't Let Your Pockets Be Picked! A number of years ago I was on a Mediterranean cruise, starting and ending in Rome. I remember talking with an Australian couple that first evening about how they had lost all their valuables - money, passport, personal items - in the main Rome train station, on their way to the ship. A very professionally dressed man had swiftly cut the bag that she was carrying over her shoulder, and disappeared before she or her husband could even react.
 Calabasas, CA - (Nov. 20, 2017) - AmaWaterways proudly announced today its partnership with Master Chef and James Beard Award-winning cookbook author Joanne Weir, as the lead sponsor of her new PBS series, “Plates and Places with Joanne Weir.” Two episodes of the series, set to debut in February 2018, were filmed in Fall 2017 during AmaWaterways’ Enchanting Rhine river cruise, capturing the culinary highlights on board as well as regional specialties from the cities and towns along the Rhine from Amsterdam to Basel. During the cruise, which took place on board the fleet’s newest ship, AmaKristina, Weir shared her love of cooking with guests through cooking demonstrations and the addition of small touches to the tasting menu at the intimate Chef’s Table restaurant.
 Travel Weekly is pleased to announce that professional travel advisor Laurie Marschall has been selected to participate in the STAR (Select Travel Advisor Recognition) Program during its annual CruiseWorld event, November 15-17, 2018. STAR participants demonstrate what it means to be a qualified professional in the travel industry and are selected based on strict qualifying criteria.
CruiseWorld brings together nearly 1,300 travel industry professionals to participate in a wide variety of specialization and certification programs, hands on workshops, networking opportunities 10/18/2017
The Butler Did It!We hire companies to clean our homes and our pools. We have people who cut our lawns, trim our trees, run our errands, wash our cars. We even take our pets to day spas. These services make our lives easier and better every day, right?  So why not do the same on vacations? You deserve it. Vacations are special- a time to reconnect with yourself, spouse or partner, a time to celebrate special occasions, a time to simply unplug. Transform your vacation and pamper yourself by
having the butler do it for you!  Credit, debit or cash? Clients often ask how best to pay for items when traveling internationally.
My answer really depends on where one is traveling. In most cases, I suggest using a credit card as often as possible. Credit cards subject you to the least amount of risk (banks cut off fraudulent use very quickly), and you get the most favorable exchange rates. I usually take two cards, in the event one is declined for some reason. One card is sufficient if you are traveling with someone who also has a card that can be used as your back up. Just make sure the cards have a large enough credit line to cover your big expenses (hotel, car rentals, etc.). Keep in mind some locations require a deposit that may eat into your credit availability. Advise your bank or credit card company where you will be traveling; otherwise it is almost guaranteed that your card will be declined, especially after the first purchase. These days notification can be done online. Also be sure to use cards without a foreign transaction fee. Those pesky fees add up quickly if you use your card often. Another question that comes up quite often is the need for a PIN when using a credit card. Quite frankly, I have never needed a PIN for regular purchases. However I have heard of some locations requiring it. I request a PIN from my card company just in case. Credit cards, though, are not perfect in all situations. When traveling to more remote areas or smaller towns that don't attract as many tourists, shops (smaller shops especially) may not accept credit cards. In many towns, including big cities, payment with credit cards require a minimum purchase, so if you are wanting a few post cards or a bottle of water, you'll either have to purchase more items or use cash. Credit cards are also the least best option to get local currency as they often come with higher fees and interest charges. So what about debit cards and cash? |
Laurie Marschall - Owner and Founder
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