Enjoy Cancun Like Never Before!

Cancun. Do you hear the wonderful mystery of the word? It's a sea tune, a wind melody, a dolphin sound. Cancun is charming, interesting, magnificent, tempting, entrancing, and beautiful! 


Cancun offers the pleasures of numerous activities, world-class hotels, fiery clubs, savory cuisine, and wild depths to discover and conquer. In Cancun you can parasail, scuba dive, snorkel, surf, or you can go sport fishing where you can catch over one hundred species of fish. All of this and more is available at many of the beach resorts along the coast. 


Do you want to swim with the dolphins? In Cancun you can do that! Swimming with these wonderful, intelligent creatures can be a once in a lifetime experience. 


Visit Mayan ruins, go biking, motorbike along tracks, see a bullfight, wander through the famous jungles, or play tennis or golf. Or shop at the impressive malls, swank boutiques, and rich markets. 


Cancun is never boring. Embrace the mystery . . . visit Cancun. 

Let's plan your Cancun getaway today!

Making Your Way Through Airport Security

Is there a trip to the airport in your future? If so, the following information from the TSA can make you trip through security a lot easier.


Travel Assistant

Air Travel

Travel Alert!: TSA now allows laptops to remain in bags that meet new 'checkpoint friendly' guidelines to remain in laptop bags. To learn more about checkpoint friendly laptop bags and see what they look like, click here.

• The Screening Experience
• Dress the Part
• What You Need
• Do I Have to Remove My Shoes?
• Keep Your Experience Simple
• Travel Tips to Make Your Screening Experience Hassle-Free
• Know What to Expect

The Screening Experience

Everyone who travels by air goes through airport security checkpoints. These checkpoints are operated by Transportation Security Officers from the Transportation Security Administration.

The checkpoints are there to make sure that terrorists can't bring anything aboard the plane that would enable them to take it over or destroy it. These are called "prohibited items" and cannot be brought to a checkpoint, into the secure area of an airport, or aboard an aircraft.

Not only do all passengers go through checkpoints, their checked baggage is also screened. This may happen out of passengers' view depending on the physical configuration at each airport.

It's a good idea to prepare before you arrive at the airport so that you move more quickly and efficiently through the security process. Here are some suggestions to help make the process as smooth as possible.

Back to Top

Here's a link to the complete article:  http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/assistant/index.shtm

The TSA website has additional information on the liquid 3-1-1 for carryon rules, prohibited items, baggage locks, etc. Being informed and following the TSA guidelines will help you pack and dress for hassle-free screening.

Are YOU Having Fun?

So you're scoping out options for your next vacation and you want it all! A great resort with amenities, exciting destinations, delicious dining options, and a whole lot of fun. Well, good news . . . you've found it. A Carnival Cruise. 

This is the resort that takes you to exciting destinations at 21 knots! At about the length of 3 football fields, your ship is packed with fun.

If fact, it's possible you may forget you're on a ship at all. Except for one little thing . . . you're surrounded by 360 degree views of the great big blue.

And as if that's not enough, pretty much everything is included on a Carnival Cruise. Accommodations, all meals and snacks, entertainment, youth programs, fun day and night--yep, all included. It's a vacation all by itself.

But this vacation happens to take you to your vacation. Exciting destinations like the Caribbean, the Bahamas, Mexico, Hawaii, Alaska, Canada, and New England. The fun starts the minute you board your ship. And with lots of close-to-home departure ports, all this fun is really closer than you think. 

So if you want to be the one having FUN, contact me about one of these great specials. Call today--savings end July 30, 2010.

Why Use A Travel Agent? Part II

In Part I of Why Use A Travel Agent? we talked about how travel agents get paid and how travel agents get good deals. In Part II, we'll talk about how to work with a travel agent . . .

How To Work With A Travel Agent (Hopefully Me!)

All of my business comes from word-of-mouth advertising. It’s music to my ears when someone says it’s the easiest trip they’ve ever taken.

So how do we get you from sitting at home to on the road?

First, I’ll need to know who will be traveling and when and where you'd like to go. Then, information on your travel budget, expectations, and flexibility helps to narrow down the choices.

I take that information and find a number of options for you to consider. Based on your comments, we proceed to booking or continue looking. Once we’ve found THE trip, I'll get payment and personal information.

Just before you leave, I’ll check in with you to make sure you have everything you need for an enjoyable journey. And if you have questions or problems any time along the way, I’m just a phone call away.

My Request To You

But in return I have a request . . .

When you go online to compare your quote, please let me know if you find a better deal. Many websites advertise lead-in prices (with small print saying starting at . . .) and add on fees/taxes many pages into the booking process just before you push the BUY button.

 

We need to compare apples and apples, not apples and oranges. To get you the best deal, we need to compare your find and my quote for the same level of hotel/room, amenities, flights, etc. Chances are, I can get the same pricing if we’re comparing apples and apples.

And if you’ve truly found a better deal, I’ll congratulate you and then request a price match from one of the companies I represent. You just have to provide a printout with the details and pricing.

Working with a travel agent should be fun and can save you time and money. In your quest to find the perfect trip at the best price, ask questions and use all of the resources at your disposal. Just remember, travel agents don’t get paid for doing free research; we only get paid if we book your trip. 

Who You Gonna Call?

Next time you're in the market for travel please let me know. Whether it’s a get-away to Vegas, a visit with Mickey Mouse, a cruise to paradise, or just a hotel room for a road trip, together we can get you moving on the easiest trip you’ve ever taken!

Why Use A Travel Agent? Part I

You want to get away. You want a good deal. You're spending way too many hours on the Internet and you're confused. How do you wade through all of the information you’ve found? How do you get from lots of hassle to a stress-free travel experience from start to finish? 

That's easy. Talk to a travel agent. A good travel agent can save you time and money. How, you ask? Well read on . . .

How Travel Agents Get Paid

It doesn't cost you anything to consult a travel agent. Agents are paid by commissions from travel companies, hotels, and cruise lines. Commission ranges from 2% to 15%. But agents only get paid if you book with their agency.

So, say you book a trip online. You spend hours researching the trip you’ve been dreaming about for months. You think you’ve found the best deal so you book and pay for your vacation.

Guess what? There’s a good chance you just paid the same price you could have gotten with a travel agent. Tour companies, hotels, and cruise lines don’t discount consumer prices even though you’ve eliminated the middleman, in this case a travel agent. Many times, the price you see on a consumer website is the same price you could have gotten with a travel agent.

The big difference is you’ve spent hours doing all of the work!

Travel Agents And Service Fees

Now that you know how travel agents get paid you may wonder why some agencies charge service fees.

I can’t speak for all agencies, but I only charge a fee when booking an airline ticket without a vacation package, cruise, hotel, car, etc. Why? Airlines, in an attempt to cut costs, stopped paying commissions to travel agents. Consequently, travel agents have to charge a fee to sell a stand-alone airline ticket. My fee is $15-25 depending on the complexity of the trip. And there is never a fee if air is booked along with other travel arrangements.

Travel Agents Can Get Good Deals

Suppose you want an economical trip to some place warm and sunny. You don’t care where. Travel agents have expertise and industry connections. Every day agents receive notices of specials and a good fraction of those are for places warm and at a great value.

Additionally, many travel wholesalers sell only to travel agencies. These companies negotiate great rates with airlines and hotels and pass the savings along to travel agents. And we pass those savings right along to you.

Travel agents can find that sandy white beach, the cruise that’s just right, the best deals in Las Vegas, the perfect location for your family reunion, a castle in Ireland, or a villa in Tuscany and transportation to get you there. The possibilities are endless and the deals are out there.

Travel Agents Have Your Back

Travel agents are service providers. We want a long-term relationship with you. Your happiness ensures our future profitability. If you experience a problem while traveling, a good travel agent will advocate on your behalf. Tell your agent and leave the letter writing to someone else!

Travel agents also have the force of the industry behind them. Our agency has over 600 agents. Travel suppliers can hear our voices loud and clear. 

Want To Know More?

Want to know the nitty-gritty on how to work with a travel agent? Well, stay tuned for Part II.

Disney's Free Dining Offer Extended

Purchase a Walt Disney World Resort vacation package with hotel and Theme Park tickets and get a  Disney Dining Plan FREE! Are you hungry for some fun? At this affordable price, you can enjoy meals included for every night of your visit! What a delicious way to enjoy a Walt Disney World Resort vacation. How? Purchase a 5-night, 6-day Walt Disney Travel Company package that includes accommodations for five nights at a select Disney Moderate Resort with 6-day Magic Your Way Theme Parks tickets and you'll get the Disney Dining Plan free**. Purchase a 5-night, 6-day Magic Your Way Package with accommodations at a select Disney Value Resort and you'll get the Disney Quick-Service Dining Plan free. Availability Is Limited So Pick Up the Phone . . . To book your Disney vacation with free dining, call me before this offer expires August 14, 2010. Free dining package valid for stays most nights Aug. 15 – Oct. 7, 2010, Oct. 22 – Oct. 28, 2010, Nov. 12 - Nov. 18, 2010, Nov. 27 – Dec. 2, 2010 and Dec. 10 – Dec. 21, 2010 Packages for other lengths of stay and accommodations at other select Walt Disney World Resort Hotels may also be available. Contact me for more information. Sample Pricing: $1,843 for a family of four*, staying in a standard room at a select Disney Moderate Resort. That’s like paying $77 per person, per day! $1,440 for a family of four*, staying in a standard room at a select Disney Value Resort. That’s like paying $60 per person, per day! * Price based on 2 Adults, 1 Junior and 1 Child. The number of packages available at these rates is limited. Savings based on the non-discounted price for the same package. Tickets are for 1 theme park per day and must be used within 14 days of first use. No group rates or other discounts apply. Offer is nontransferable. Advance reservations required. ** Excludes gratuities and alcoholic beverages. Children ages 3-9 must order from the children’s menu if available. Some table-service restaurants may have limited or no availability at time of package purchase.