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Let's talk travel!

As travel agents, we try to keep up with the latest travel information, like news on passports, destinations, and what's important to you - the traveler! Here you'll find all sorts of information. Out of all the wonderful places in this world that there are to visit, we have focussed in on the areas we have experienced, and fallen in love with....
small ship cruising (800 passengers or less), Hawaii, Fiji, and the Caribbean. We'd love to share our knowledge and love of travel with you. Let's talk!

Airline employees - is my theory correct?

When arriving at the airport for a recent flight  home, I discovered that all flights in and out of Atlanta were delayed due to a tornado watch/warning, and severe weather. My flight was to be delayed by an  hour and 45 minutes which meant I would most likely miss my connection in Atlanta to fly home!

 

 Unable to get help from the gate agent my flight was assigned to,  I quickly looked for a nearby gate showing the same destination city (Atlanta) . I got in line, and was able to get booked on another plane, which allowed me to make it to Atlanta in time for my connection.

 

I am not sure if this would work everytime, but I believe my actions helped me to get rebooked quickly in this case.  My experience makes me think that you shouldn’t automatically stand in the same line with everyone else, unless you are near the front! Assess your particular situation and  take action quickly!  Find another gate with the same destination, and/or, call the 1-800- reservations number on your cell phone….. I believe the quicker you can speak to an agent, the quicker you can get rebooked on another flight. I’d love to hear from an airline employee to know if my theory is correct.

 

Sandals Resorts heads to Exuma, Bahamas

This just in. A former Four Seasons resort on Great Exuma Island in the Bahamas will become a new Sandals property on January 22nd. The five hundred acre resort will be called Sandals Emerald Bay.

Sandals plans include adding a half-acre swimming pool with the largest Jacuzzi in the Bahamas, a swim up pool bar, and a fire-pit seating area on an island surrounded by the pool. Wi-Fi access will be available at nearby cabanas. A second pool bar, Irish pub, and two additional restaurants are also in the works.

This exclusive resort will offer butler service, six tennis courts, Red Lane spa, 18 hold golf course, and a deepwater marina.

Don't know about you, but I'm ready to check it out!

Name, Date of Birth, and Gender Please

Do you know exactly how your name is spelled on your driver’s license and/or passport? You might want to double check. The next time you book a flight, you just might be asked for this information. And that won’t be a temporary request. Not only will you be asked to give your full name as it is written on the government issued ID you plan to travel with, but you will also be asked your date of birth and gender. Why?

 

The Transportation Security Administration has implemented a newly formed program called Secure Flight, and ALL airlines are required to participate! If you are not asked for this additional info the next time you book an air ticket, it is because the particular airline  you are flying on is still integrating this new data collecting into their  system.

 

According to the TSA, passengers will not be delayed in travel if this info is not recorded, as the program is being phased in gradually with each airline based on their capacity to record this extra info.

This additional data collection is supposed to be able to clear more people from the government's No –Fly list, (terrorist watch program) and should be appreciated by people who have been misidentified on this list in the past. For more details about this new TSA program, and the privacy policies behind, log on to the TSA website.

 

Baggage Bungling for a song!

You need to check out and see the video entitled United Breaks Guitars, if you haven't viewed it on You Tube.

A musician who claims United Airlines busted his guitar, wrote a song about his experience. It would be nice if the airlines "paid up" when they break personal items, but I know their documentation states that they are not liable for items above a certain price. Travelers beware!!! The song is great, though - check it out!!!

Travel Tip On .....Flight Scheduling

When planning your vacation times, make sure you check out return flight schedules to coincide with when you need to be back home before making final trip selections. Flite schedules don't always match when YOU want to fly, and you will want to coordinate last hotel nights, and final day arrangements accordingly.

Flying U.S. Airways with Luggage? Better have Computer Access

And we thought it was bad enough to hear that the airlines would start charging for checked luggage. Now U.S. Airways has come up with a new scheme to make even more money off of wary travelers.

In small print, under News, listed on their website, U.S. Air describes their new policy. As of July 9th, 2009, they will start charging $5 more for travelers who check their bags at the airport, as opposed to claiming they have a bag to check when they check in online. In other words, those who do not have access to computers beforehand, or are returning home from a vacation and do not have time to go online before arriving at the airport, will be charged extra for not paying for those luggage fees during online check-in! Now instead of paying $15 for your first checked bag and $25 for your second, you will be penalized an extra $5 at the airport by not checking and paying for them online beforehand.

It is a shame the airlines have resorted to this sort of revenue-generating tactics. Cutting costs is essential to the airline industry today, as is the case in many industries. Eliminating paper menus in first class, and reducing the number of flights available, to name a few examples, makes economic sense, but charging customers for luggage in general, and penalizing them for lack of computer access is going too far. The airlines have stooped to new lows. Some statistics indicate that less people are flying, and are making other choices when it comes to where and how people get to their destinations. Could the distasteful practices the airlines are incorporating on their 'valued' customers be a result of this?

Christmas for July.... Save on Air to FIJI now!!!

 
If air prices have held you back from visiting Fiji, it may be time to plan a trip after all. Air Pacific, the International Airline of Fiji is now offering great savings on air tickets if you book by July 14th. Economy Bula class is just $863 (including taxes) for round trip air between Los Angeles and Nadi, Fiji. Tickets valid for travel from now until Dec. 31st.

Air Pacific flies Boeing 747 aircrafts, and offers two types of service: Pacific Voyager (economy) and
Tabua (business class with first class service. Meals, beverages, and entertainment (audio/video) are complementary in both sections.

For those enrolled in frequent flyer programs, both American Airlines and Qantas Airways are partners with Air Pacific. See the Air Pacific website for more details on flights and travel information.

Hey! Don't I get my Money back?

On June 22nd, at 11:00 P.M., Identity Pass ceased operations.  This is the company that used to offer a quicker pass through airport security checkpoints for passengers who paid an annual fee.  Evidently, they were unable to negotiate an agreement with their creditors, and the company abruptly stopped operations.They claim that all personal data they have in their records is now "currently secured in accordance with the TSA's security, privacy and compliance standards." Gee, I sure hope so. :- ) The website also indicates that they will "continue to secure such information, and will take approriate steps to delete the information".  OK, that sounds good. Now tell us this - will you return money to travelers that bought your services since they have lost there "go to the front of the line" security access? According to their website, they won't be able to. Now that's a cause for "air rage". For this news announcement in full, click here.

Dreaming of Tahiti? Make your Dreams a reality NOW!

Photo credit - Regent Seven Seas Cruise Line
Originally uploaded by Picture Perfect Vacations

The 332 guest m/s Paul Gauguin is now on sale. At the end of the year, Paul Gauguin will end its partnership with Regent Seven Seas Cruise Line and operate separately under Paul Gauguin Cruises.

Plan to cruise on Paul Gauguin select dates this August or September and save big. Or, plan on booking your cruise for 2010 and receive early bird savings if reserved before July 31st.

Other booking incentives include Free or two-for-one Round trip air between Los Angeles and Papeete, and a possible $250 Shipboard Credit.

The award-winning Paul Gauguin was specifically built to sail the waters of Tahiti. Its' small size and on-board water platform allows guests to make the most of this enchanting group of islands.

It offers all inclusive pricing with relaxed luxury and superb service.
Dreaming about Tahiti can become a reality. Book a cruise aboard the Paul Gauguin today!

Free entrance to U.S. National Parks

Hot lava flows across the road on Hawaii
Originally uploaded by Picture Perfect Vacations

Great news. For those travelers looking for less expensive vacation options this year, the National Park Service has decided to waive its' entrance fees at 147 National Parks. Volcanoes National Park, is just one of three, that are located in the Hawaiian islands. Travelers can take advantage of the free-fee weekends at three different times this summer...June 20 - 21, July 18-19, and August 15-16. For more information, click here.