What is an EU digital Passenger Locator Form
NOTE: Italy no longer requires the digital Passenger Locator Form (dPLF). Check with the countries to see if they require it. Or if they re-instate it.Travelers to the EU may be wondering what a Passenger Locator is and why I need to complete it. Where do I find it and how do I complete it. This blog post will help to answer those questions.Recently EU member countries required all travelers entering the EU ......
Travel bookings are reaching all-time highs
After nearly 18 months of quarantining, Americans are ready to travel again and boy are they booking reservations. Pent-up demand is boosting bookings to near record highs for many companies. Since Americans haven’t traveled for over a year, they have funds available to book those dream and bucket list vacations. As Europe opens up, river cruises start sailing again, cruise lines are re-starting their fleets, and airlines are near capacity, it is not surprising ......
Sports vacation packages for 2022/23
Cruises aren't for everyone. That's why we offer so much more. Not everyone wants to go on a cruise for their next vacation. Our clients have a vast array of interests ranging from culinary, wine, history, architecture, adventure, romance and sports. Many of you may be sports aficionados and may not realize that we offer vacation packages for many major sports events. In 2022 this list includes: Champion League Final Daytona 500 Indy 500 ......
Understanding travel restrictions in the age of Covid
Click here to see YOUR travel restrictions Understanding the current state of COVID travel restrictions is one of the top questions we get nowadays. The rules change frequently and are not consistent even within regions. To work through this confusion, we use a program called Sherpa to help guide our clients through this maze. The information is current at the moment the report is provided, but conditions can change at any time so you'll ......
CDC lifts cruise restrictions for cruises requiring guest vaccinations
Celebrity Edge to be first ship to sail from a US port The CDC has approved the Celebrity Edge to be the first ship to be able to sail from Fort Lauderdale with paying guests. This makes the Edge the first ship with revenue paying passengers to receive CDC approval to sail since the pandemic began. The CDC authorized 7-night Caribbean cruises on the Edge starting June 26. CDC outlines two paths for cruise ......
Europe prepares to open its borders – to vaccinated tourist
Europe is beginning the process of opening its borders to vaccinated US residents in time for the summer vacation season. The re-opening process which has been agreed to by EU member states (after being recommended by the European Commission), must now be adopted by the European Council. Yes, it is a convoluted process but the goal is to open the borders quickly. Which vaccines are EU approved? The proposal will allow fully vaccinated tourist ......
Alaska cruises set to resume this summer – Surprise!
Sailings to start in July Surprise! Alaska cruises will be sailing this summer! Thanks to a federal law (H.R. 1318) signed into law by President Biden, the cruise lines will be able to sail to Alaska between US ports without the need to stop in Canada. Last year Canada closed its ports to cruise vessels in response to the international Covid-19 pandemic. This effectively prohibited the sailing of Alaska cruises because of an obscure ......
The case for mandating Covid-19 vaccinations to board a cruise ship.
Should Covid-19 vaccinations be mandated for all guests & crew? One small UK-based cruise line has already done it. Saga Cruises now requires all crew and guests to have proof of a Covid19 vaccination. No vaccination, no boarding – that simple! The Washington Post reported Saga Cruises’ position this way, “We have made the decision not to allow a guest to travel with us if they choose not to receive the vaccine.” He went ......
Biden Administration issues series of orders on international travel
The Biden Administration has issued several orders aimed at reducing the spread of Covid-19 from foreign countries. The executive order follows on the CDC's orders the previous week which requires all travelers, including US citizens, to obtain a negative Covid-19 test no more than 3 days prior to entering the US from foreign countries. The new executive order will also require those arriving to self-quarantine for 10 days. In addition, the executive order requires ......
Azamara Cruises buys the Pacific Princess
Princess Cruises has sold the Pacific Princess to Azamara Cruises. The Pacific Princess is the same "R-Class" ship as the other three ships in Azamara's fleet. The ship started service in 1999 as part of Renaissance Cruises. It was later acquired by Princess cruises in 2002. The ship holds 670 passengers. It will be renovated before entering service with Azamara to reflect the tones and touches as found on its sister ships. The ship, ......
CDC requires Covid-19 test for inbound passengers
Let's talk about Covid-19 coronavirus doodle illustration dialog speech bubbles with icon. 72-hour advance testing requirement Starting January 26, 2021, the CDC will require all passengers traveling to the US to get tested for Covid-19 no more than 72-hours before their flight departs and to provide proof of a negative test result to the airline before boarding a flight. This applies to foreign and US travelers abroad flying into the U.S. This ......
Azamara Cruises sold by Royal Caribbean to private equity group
Azamara Cruises announced today that the Royal Caribbean Group has entered into a definitive agreement to sell Azamara to Sycamore Partners, a private equity firm. Azamara expects to close the sale during the first quarter of 2021. The line was sold for $201 million. Sycamore Partners will acquire Azamara's three ships. The sale will allow Royal Caribbean to focus on its three remaining brands - Royal Caribbean, Celebrity (a premium line) and Silversea (an ultra-luxury ......
Silversea Cruises will become more all-inclusive in 2022
Starting in April 2022 & continuing in 2023, Silversea Cruises will start including one free shore excursion in each port as well as round-trip airfare. Each port will have a variety of free shore excursions that guests can choose from. Shore excursions will range from easy walking to more active excursions, and will vary to include options like culinary or wine visits, as well as historic tours. Silversea will also offer bespoke "Silversea Selected" ......
2021 Cruise Wave Season Specials
As 2020 sails into the sunset, we all look forward to 2021 when we can begin to start cruising again. As many of you know, "Wave Season" start the end of December and runs into March. During "Wave Season" the cruise lines offer some of their best deals. With cruise lines shut down for a year, demand is high. Its even higher than the same time in 2019. The reason? People are have cooped ......
Alaska Airline’s new safety music video
During this era of Covid-19, it is understandable that travelers have concerns about the safety of their health. Alaska Airlines has created a light-hearted up-beat video to allay some of those fears. The "Safety Dance" video features a cast of all Alaska Airlines employees. Warren Fu was the director of the video. He's done videos for other artists like, The Weeknd, Daft Punk, HAIM and Dua Lipa. The video covers a variety of safety ......
Norwegian Cruises to install continuous air disinfection and purification system
Oceania's Marina Norwegian Cruise Line today announced a partnership with AtmosAir Solutions to install continuous disinfection air purification systems across its 28 ship fleet for its three brands, Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises. The new air filtration system technology will feature continuous active COVID disinfection through bi-polar ionization in the air and on surfaces, an all-natural solution with no harmful chemicals, radiations or by-products. One of the ......
What are “non-comm” or “non-commissionable” (NCF or NCCF) fees
COMPONENTS OF A CRUISE FARE? When you receive a quote or purchase a ticket for a cruise, there normally up to 5 components to the price: 1) Room or Voyage fare (the cost or fare for the stateroom/cabin) 2) Non-commissionable fees (NCF) 3) Governmental taxes and fees 4) Gratuities (optional, but depends on the cruise line) 5) Travel insurance (optional) WHAT DOES NON-COMMSSIONABLE FEES MEAN? The most confusing component is “non-commissionable fees.” What does ......
A Seine river cruise from Paris through the French countryside
A river cruise along the third-longest river in France, Seine, offers a fulfilling experience of history, art, food, and wine. Rising at Dijon, in the north-east of France, the river flows 775 km through the picturesque countryside, passing by many fascinating towns and cities until it finally empties into the English Channel. The highlight of the river cruise is Paris, the famed capital where you can experience wondrous landmarks like the Eiffel Tower and ......
French river cruises on the Rhône and Saône
Lyon, France Rhône River Passing through many of France’s elegant cities and eye-catching landmarks, the Rhône River offers a rich historical experience. Starting from the Rhône Glacier in the Swiss Alps – at the magnificent capital Lyon – it flows through the south-eastern region of Provence before emptying into the Mediterranean near Arles. Wonder at the grandeur of Lyon – its many cobblestone streets and medieval architecture give you an authentic taste of ......
River cruising on the Danube
Passau, Germany on the Danube River Ranking below the river Volga in Russia, the Danube holds the title of Europe’s second-longest river. This magnificent stream of water flows gracefully through 10 countries – connecting some of Europe’s most renowned cities. A journey across the Danube provides an amazing way to experience the historical, natural, and cultural beauty of the gorgeous European landscape. Budapest, Hungry on the Danube River Starting with Hungary’s ......
The magical river cruises of Germany – the Rhine, Moselle & Main Rivers
Burg Eltz, Germany The Rhine, Main, and Moselle rivers offer a magical tour of Germany’s history and cultural elegance. The best way to take in the captivating beauty of the vintage German towns, historic castles, and elegant vineyards is through an amazing river cruise. Each river provides its own set of scenic attractions and adventures that will take you back in time. Rhine Besides being one of the longest rivers in Europe, the ......
Why should I take a river cruise?
From time to time, regular ocean cruisers ask whether a river cruise might be right for them. These are typically seasoned ocean cruise travelers who are looking for something a bit different. I tell them river cruises are a great option to consider. Here’s 10 reasons why: Fewer fellow passengers - Most river cruise ships hold only 100 - 200 passengers, unlike ocean cruise ships which hold between 3,000 – 5,000 guests. On a ......
What’s included on a river cruise? Is it all-inclusive?
One question that always comes up about river cruises is "What's include in the cruise price?" Well it depends on the river cruise line. Some river cruises are more all-inclusive than other. It is a way for some cruise lines to differentiate themselves. It is also a way for some lines to offer a lower price, or for the unsuspecting, the appearance of a lower price. So before booking a river cruise, be sure ......
Tips for flying with pets onboard
We've traveled around the world with our pets. In fact our pets have flown more air miles than many people. But it is important to understand the right way to fly with your pets. Here are some of the tips we've learned over time: Check with your vet Ask your vet if it is OK to fly with your pets. Your pets may have illnesses, conditions, or be of an age which might making ......