TSA REAL ID deadline pushed back AGAIN to May 2025
You'll be denied boarding on a plane without a REAL ID or a passport Updated: December 6, 2022 The federal requirements to have a “Real ID” compliant driver's license in order to board a plane or enter a federal building that requires an ID has been pushed back still again. The new implementation date is May 7, 2025. The implementation date has been pushed back several times. Most recently in response to the Coronavirus ......
Exploring Cruise Line Categories: From Mass-Market to Ultra-Luxury
"The Unvarnished Traveler" by Brian Raymond Choosing the right cruise line isn't easy Embarking on a cruise is a thrilling adventure, but with a sea of options, choosing the right cruise line can be as complex as navigating the ocean's tides. To help you steer in the right direction, this guide examines four main cruise line categories – mass-market, premium, entry-luxury, and ultra-luxury. As you journey from mass-market to ultra-luxury, you'll notice a ......
The Hidden Affordability of Ultra-Luxury Cruises: Take A Closer Look at Costs
"The Unvarnished Traveler" by Brian Raymond How Ultra-Luxury Regent Seven Seas May be Cheaper than a Celebrity Cruise Suite The cruise industry can be compared to a three-tiered cake, with mass-market cruise lines forming the broad base, premium cruise lines in the middle, and luxury lines making up the smaller top tier. But here's a secret not many know: ultra-luxury cruises can actually be more affordable than the suites on mass ......
Alfred Hitchcock’s Mysterious Travels: Unveiling the Secrets of the World
"The Unvarnished Traveler" by Brian Raymond This is part of our continuing series where we give a voice to different people (real and imagined) and give our take on what they might say when asked, “Why should we all travel and explore the world?” Welcome, fellow adventurers, to an extraordinary journey that will ignite your curiosity and unveil the enigmatic wonders of our world. Today, I, Alfred Hitchcock, the master of suspense, ......
Yoda’s Wisdom: Travel the World, You Must
"The Unvarnished Traveler" by Brian Raymond This is part of our continuing series where we give a voice to different people (real and imagined) and give our take on what they might say when asked, "Why should we all travel and explore the world?" Canadian Rocky Mountains Greetings, young Padawans, and seekers of adventure! Today, the wise Yoda shall share his insights on the importance of traversing the galaxy and exploring the ......
Grasshopper’s Wisdom: Traveling the World to Embrace New Cultures – Why you should travel the world
"The Unvarnished Traveler" by Brian Raymond This is part of our continuing series where we give a voice to different people (real and imagined) and give our take on what they might say when asked, "Why should we all travel and explore the world?" Greetings, fellow seekers of wisdom and knowledge! Today, I, the humble traveler known as Grasshopper, shall impart upon you the wisdom of traversing this vast world we inhabit. ......
Setting Sail in Style: Celebrity Cruises vs. Seabourn Cruises
“The Unvarnished Traveler” by Brian Raymond Cruising has become an increasingly popular vacation choice for adults seeking a luxurious and unforgettable experience. With so many cruise lines to choose from, it’s essential to understand what sets each one apart. So let’s delve into the differences between Celebrity Cruises (a premium cruise line) and Seabourn Cruises (an ultra-luxury cruise line), two renowned names in the industry, focusing on dining, entertainment, ......
Beyond the Suite: Exploring Celebrity Cruises’ Premium Experience
“The Unvarnished Traveler” by Brian Raymond While Celebrity Cruises advertises a “relaxed luxury resort at sea” and offers suites that provide a near-luxury cruise experience, it falls short of being classified as a true luxury cruise line once you venture beyond the suite accommodations. Several factors differentiate Celebrity Cruises from luxury cruise lines, including the guest-to-staff ratio, food quality, personalized service, and the focus of its education programs. ......
Embark on an Unforgettable Family Cruise Experience with Explora Journeys
“The Unvarnished Traveler” by Brian Raymond Welcome to the world of Explora Journeys, the new luxury cruise line that sets sail this July. Designed with families in mind, Explora Journeys offers an inspiring and inclusive adventure for all ages. In this article, we will delve into the remarkable features that make Explora Journeys the perfect choice for multi-generational travelers. From thoughtfully designed accommodations to exciting activities and a commitment ......
MSC: Delivering Cheap Cruises and Meeting Guests’ Expectations
“The Unvarnished Traveler” by Brian Raymond When it comes to providing value for your money, MSC truly understands its audience. After experiencing a cruise with MSC, it becomes abundantly clear that they know their demographic inside out and deliver exactly what they desire. During our conversations with many of our fellow guests, the two words that they used over and over to describe their primary reason for choosing MSC ......
20 unusual things to see and do in Rome!
Rome, the Eternal City, is renowned for its ancient history, breathtaking architecture, and iconic landmarks like the Colosseum and Vatican City. While these attractions are undoubtedly remarkable, the city has much more to offer than meets the eye. ……
Why you should use a travel agent, from a baker’s perspective!
“The Unvarnished Traveler” by Brian Raymond Planning a vacation is similar to baking that perfect pie. Knowledge, wisdom, and experience make all the difference, as you’ll learn below. So how is a professional baker similar to a professional travel advisor? ……
MSC – Hits and Misses – Things to know before you book
“The Unvarnished Traveler” by Brian Raymond Let’s be upfront. We usually sail upper premium cruises (Celebrity) and luxury cruise lines. So normally our expectations are pretty high, but for this cruise we have tempered our expectations appropriately. This time we were interested in experiencing something different and wanted to see what MSC Cruises had to offer. MSC is based in Switzerland and is one of the largest cruise lines ......
Our first MSC Cruise vacation
"The Unvarnished Traveler" by Brian Raymond Later this month we'll be taking our first cruise on MSC Cruises. In the past, we've only cruised on upper premium and luxury lines. We prefer a more mature clientele without the noise and activities that little ones bring. In addition, we enjoy a higher quality of cuisine and service that tends to be found on upscale cruise lines. However, this year we are going to explore ......
FEDEX launches expedited passport service
With passport applications now taking 18 weeks to complete, more travelers are needing to use passport expediters. For an extra fee, expediters can reduce the wait time from 18 weeks to just days, even overnight. FEDEX & RushMyPassport Partnership FEDEX has teamed up with RushMyPassport to offer a new service which is available at over 2,000 FEDEX offices throughout the United States. While the U.S. State Department offers expedited passport service, it's ......
Malta, Valletta and the Knights of Malta
Malta isn’t on most travelers’ radar, but it should be. This small island nation in the Mediterranean Sea, located south of Italy and north of Africa, is rich in history that dates back to prehistoric times and has been ruled by various civilizations over the centuries, including the Phoenicians, Romans, Arabs, Normans, and the British. ……
Do I really need travel insurance?
“The Unvarnished Traveler” by Brian Raymond Have you never purchased travel insurance for a vacation? Have you wondered whether you should? Here are some thoughts for you to consider. Traveling can be a great way to explore and experience new things, but it also comes with a certain level of risk. Unexpected events, such as illness, injury, car or bus accidents, slips and falls, and natural disasters, can happen ......
New European entry authorization requirement (ETIAS) pushed back to 2024
UPDATED: March 7, 2023, to reflect new implementation date - 2024 Europe is one of the top tourist destinations for American travelers in part because of our history and heritage ties, but also because of the ease of travel. There are no complicated and time-consuming visa requirements for U.S. citizens to visit Europe. However, starting sometime in 2024, things will change just a bit. The start date has been pushed back several times. No ......
European Union will require new travel authorizations beginning in November 2023
Update: March 7, 2023 ETIAS REQUIREMENTS STARTS SOMETIME IN 2024 Originally the ETIAS system was planned to start on January 1, 2021. It has been delayed several times and now is slated to start sometime in 2024, although no specific date has been set yet. THE EU IS NOT REQUIRING VISAS FOR U.S. CITIZENS There has been a bit of confusion this week over whether the European Union (EU) is imposing a new visa ......
What is “Wave Season” and what do the cruise lines offer?
During Wave Season, cruise lines offer discounts, reduced deposits, and other promotions to entice travelers. It’s the perfect time to book your dream cruise. With so many deals and discounts available, it’s easy to find the perfect cruise to fit your budget. ……
Celebrity announces new “Always Included” pricing program – Well, not always
Celebrity Always Included ad - February 21, 2023 UPDATED January 2023 - Celebrity boasts about its "Always Included" program, which we love, and so do our clients. However, for months, when you go to the Celebrity website, you'll see them advertise "Drinks. Wifi. Tips All Included." However, the prices advertised on their site don't include anything but the bare-bones fare - no wifi, no drinks package, and no gratuities. This is disappointing ......
Discover the Timeless Beauty of the Trevi Fountain in Rome
Trevi Fountain is an iconic landmark in Rome and one of the most famous fountains in the world. It is a beautiful, monumental fountain located in the heart of the city and is a must-see for tourists who visit Rome. The Trevi Fountain is the largest baroque fountain in Rome, standing at 26.3 meters high (86.3 feet) and 49.15 meters wide (161 feet). ……
Exploring the colorful culture, history and architecture of Nice, France
Located on the French Riviera, Nice is the second most populous city in France, and it has a long and colorful history. From its picturesque waterfront to its vibrant culture, Nice is the ideal city to explore and experience. ……
Crystal Cruises and a new name, Crystal, new website and a launch date
Crystal Cruises has announced its return with a new shorter name, ‘Crystal,” a new website, and new itineraries. Its first sailing is on the Crystal Serenity for a 12-day voyage from Marseille, France to Lisbon, departing on July 31, 2023. The Crystal Symphony’s first voyage will depart Athens, Greece, on September 1, 2013, for a 7-day cruise to Istanbul. ……