Security

These passport problems will ruin your vacation

Many travelers mistakenly believe once they have a valid passport they are good to travel the world. They aren't aware of a variety of foreign requirements and assume if there are any the airline, cruise line or a travel agent will notify them. All too many people learn the hard way that it is their responsibility to learn the rules. Here are the TOP FIVE Reasons Your Passport May Be Rejected 1) Your Passport Expires Too Soon Your Passport Expiration Date May Need 90 or 180 Days Beyond Your Return Date This is one of the most confusing and ......

By |2024-02-02T13:37:21-05:00March 1st, 2020|

Passports – apply earlier & wait longer

While the number of passport applicants is at record levels, staff levels at the State Department's Passport Services office has dropped 14% leading to a 50% increase in the amount of time it now takes to obtain a passport. Passports Taking 50% Longer to be Issued Prior to June 2019, it took roughly four to six weeks from the time you submitted your passport application until you received it. Now the State Department is advising applicants that it will take between six to eight weeks to receive your passport. According to the Washington Post, the Trump administration ......

By |2024-02-02T13:38:13-05:00June 19th, 2019|

How to skip long TSA security and Customs & Immigration lines

If you’re a frequent traveler, you’ve undoubtedly had the near-universal experience of enduring a TSA security line or an immigration line upon re-entry to your home country. ?What if you could bypass these lines for good? Global Entry - Speed through Immigration You may have heard of Global Entry, a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) program that allows expedited clearance for pre-approved, low-risk travelers upon arrival in the United States. You fill out a (fairly lengthy) application, pay $100, and if your application passes the initial phase, you’re invited to an in-person interview/screening at a participating airport. If ......

By |2024-02-02T13:38:49-05:00May 2nd, 2019|

Why cruise passengers should always have a valid passport

 Accidents and other unforeseen incidents can happen on any trip. But when you are out of the United States, getting back home afterwards can be a problem if you don't have your passport with you. When re-entering the United States by land or sea, a US citizen is required to present one of the following: US Passport US Passport Card Enhanced Driver’s License Trusted Travel Card Military Identification US Merchant Mariner Document Many sophisticated cruisers on the Caribbean know about the “Closed Loop” exception which only requires that you have a government issued photo ID or birth certificate (issued by ......

By |2024-02-02T13:39:05-05:00November 24th, 2018|

10 steps to stop pickpockets!

Fortunately Europe is very safe for tourists. Violent crime is extremely rare there. However, you do have to take precautions to prevent being a victim of pickpockets. My husband and I were in Madrid a while back, and in an extremely crowded subway (Metro), as we pulled into the station, he felt a slight tug on his back pants pocket. He reached back and grabbed the hand of a woman, who immediately pulled free and jumped out just as the doors opened. Then she vanished. Fortunately, he had his wallet in a front zipped pocket. He was prepared and ......

By |2024-02-02T13:39:34-05:00October 23rd, 2018|

Airport VIP concierges can let you skip the line

Jump to the front of the line at immigration & passport control ?If you've ever flown into one of the world's busiest airports, you know how miserable the immigration, passport control, and customs process can be entering a foreign country. We've waited hours in line at London's Heathrow. During high tourist season, expect long waits in Madrid, Amsterdam, Paris, Amsterdam and Milan of up to four hours. While TSA Pre-Check and Global Entry can speed you up in the United States, they don't help you overseas. But we have clients who don't want to wait for hours to clear ......

By |2024-02-02T13:39:35-05:00October 18th, 2018|
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