Jamaica!

So, I'm finally writing about my favorite country in the Caribbean so far - Jamaica!

I've been to Jamaica 10 times, and the last time we were there is not my last! There are so many great things to love about this beautiful island!
It's very easy to get to and there is a lot of air service going in, so the rates are usually quite good. You don't have to overnight anywhere to get there like some islands and you don't get in really late at night (in most cases, depends on where you leave from)

You have MANY choices in accomidations. You can stay in a villa (small, medium, and large), an all-inclusive resort - which you would be able to do a family friendly, adults only, couples only, or more risque. There are also more upscale resorts, some of which will offer an all-inclusive or EP Plan. Then, there are the smaller, more intimate resorts. There really is something for everyone here!
There is A LOT to do in Jamaica; Horseback riding, swiming with dolphins, Appleton Rum Factory, Black Rivier Safari, Canopy tours, Blue Mountains, waterfalls to climb, snorkeling, diving, loominus lagoon tours, and so much more. There are still things we want to do that we haven't done when we've been there before!

Many people are scared that Jamaica isn't safe. I'm not sure why they got that reputation. Yes, there is crime there and you will see poor people (which I think to some makes them think that there is more crime because they are poor). I can also guarantee you that there is crime near your home, work, or school. Kingston is the area where most bad things we hear about happen and it is not a tourist area, so generally in Ocho Rios, Runaway Bay, Montego Bay, or Negril and the South Coast (where Jake's and Sandals Whitehouse are located) you're going to be just fine. The crime rate against tourists in Jamaica is very low, so as long as you use your head, you should be just as safe there as you would be in any other Caribbean island.

Personally, I consider myself a Jamerican and can't wait to go back!

Sometimes, you gotta make lemonade outta those lemons

I've had quite a few clients experience some various issues while on their vacation. I wanted to give some tips on how to deal with some of these situations.

1st, always remain calm (or as calm as you can be depending on your situation)

Remember that you catch more flies with honey than vinegar - IE, be nice to whomever you are dealing with and they are more likely to help you or give you what you want.

One common situation with all the airlines is cancelled or delayed flights. This is a really stinky situation to be in, I've been there myself more than once. What to do? If you get to the airport and find out your flight is cancelled or delayed, talk to the person at the ticket counter. Some airlines are outsourcing the airport personnel and they aren't as helpful. The people at the airport should not ask you to call the airline (you are standing right there after all!), they are the ones who should take care of getting you on another flight. If they don't (or won't) then ask for a supervisor or manager. If you still aren't getting any help, then you may be forced to call the airline. Try to be as calm and nice as you can to whomever you are speaking with and have them give you your options.

If you're at the gate and your flight is delayed, which may make you miss your next flight, go to the gate agent and see if they can get you booked on something else, or put you on a different airline. If there is a long line, you might go ahead and call the airline from your cell while you're waiting to see who you reach 1st. Sometimes calling is quicker than waiting in line when there are a lot of people waiting for that flight.

If you are traveling on a vacation package (with Funjet, Travel Impressions, Worry-Free Vacations, ect) they have 24 hour service to help their clients during travel. Be sure to print out any travel documents you get from me and read thru them to get familiar with where this information is located in case you need it.

If you have a flight delay or cancellation, there is a chance you may not get to your destination the day you wanted to. Try to make the best of the situation and don't let it ruin your trip. this is where you gotta try to chill out and make that lemonade!

Another problem that happens on occasion is you get to the hotel, and they don't have a room for you. This doesn't happen real often, but it does happen. Hotels can overbook at times - so, what do you do? Generally, most resorts (in places like Mexico, Jamaica, ect) will put you up at a resort that is equivalent or better than the one you're booked at. All of the vacation package companies have people located at the destinations to help you in situations like this. If you're not happy with what your hotel is suggesting, ask for a manager. If they still aren't making you happy and you're booked with a vacation package company, call the people at your destination (this is also a number that will be located on your travel documents) They are there to help you, so just ask.

What if you get to the hotel, and they have rooms, but don't show you have a reservation? This doesn't happen often either, but it's usually just human error and is easily fixed. If you're booked with a vacation package, the same people mentioned above will be able to assist you. I've had clients who have had this happen, and it was fixed with a simple phone call and a fax to the hotel. Usually, what has happened is the information was entered wrong when the information was received from the vacation package company or the fax that was sent wasn't received.

Hope this helps you and I hope you never need my tips! If you do, try to make the best of the situation and don't let it ruin what will hopefully be a wonderful vacation!

A Few Important Tips

I was trying to think today about some of the important things people need to consider when they are traveling. There are so many depending on where you are going, but here are a few I thought of that apply to pretty much everywhere.

Lock your bags! I can't emphasize this enough! There are TSA approved locks you can get from pretty much anywhere that sells luggage. If the TSA needs to search your bag, they have a key, but it will keep out other airline personnel, and anyone else that may get access to your bags. I can't tell you how many times I have heard of people having the most random stuff taken - one of my clients had all her honeymoon lingerie stolen from her bags on the way to their honeymoon destination. A friend of mine had her CD player and other things taken from her bags. So, the lesson here is LOCK IT UP!

Another thing I offer all my clients and recommend is travel insurance. You NEVER know what will happen before you take your trip that would cause you to not be able to go. A death in the family, serious illness or injury, or even loss of your job can occur unexpectedly. Most travel insurance will also cover you while you're on the trip for things like travel delays, lost/stolen/damaged luggage, medical expense, and emergency medical transportation. A friend of a client of mine was touring some Mayan Ruins in Mexico and fell. She broke her hip and had to take an ambulance back to the US because she couldn't fly. She did not have travel insurance and had a HUGE bill! A new thing with travel insurance if booked with certain companies is they will cover the price difference in the event your package rate drops after you book. Certain restrictions apply, but I've had many clients be very happy they opted for that kind of policy when the rate went down by a very large amount of money. Most insurance is not very expensive, around 50-100 per person, but it can save you big in the event something happens.

One last important tip is to arrive at the airport early! We no longer live in the days when you could arrive at the airport 30 mins before your flight. With the luggage scanning, security, and other airport hurdles we have to go through, most airlines cut off check in at 45 mins to a hour before your flight. I had a client call me at about 6am one day because the airline wouldn't let them check in for her 625am flight - she said her taxi was 5 mins late causing them to miss. 5 minutes should NOT cause you to miss your flight - plan to arrive at least 90 mins before the flight so if some sort of unforeseen delay happens on the way to the airport, you'll be OK arriving a little late.

I hope these tips have been helpful to you! More to come!

Luggage Fees?

So, I'm going to vent a bit!

A few years ago, a little airline called Spirit Airlines started up and decided it would be fun to charge for every little thing individually - seat assignments, luggage, ect, and since they were a discount airline, it worked OK for them and people didn't seem to mind. Unfortunatly for us, the other airlines (who are not always so discounted) decided "Hey, that's a great idea" and now charge for luggage (due to the extra fuel consumption they say), some charge for seat assignments, and even drinks (although US Air decided to stop charging for drinks when the other big airlines didn't follow suit)

The only airline who didn't do any of this is Southwest. Man, I love that airline! They are the only airline who regulary posts profits when all the other ones don't - how is that? They don't charge for seats, drinks, luggage, or even change fees when you need to make changes to your reservation! Most airlines now charge at least $150.00 in JUST the change fee! Really airlines? You think it costs you that much in processing (when travel agents are usually doing the work - for FREE)?

I'm so sick of having to make sure my clients factor in luggage costs to the cost of their trip. If the airlines need the money, raise the price, don't surprise them at the airport with a luggage fee. The only thing charging fees has done is made everyone try to squeese all their stuff in a carry-on and the cabin is then really stuffed full.

What's next - charging to use the bathroom?

My 1st Blog

So, I'm pretty new at this whole blogging thing, but I'm going to give it a try! Something that has been on my mind for the past month or so is Mexico. I get at least a call a day asking me if it's safe to travel there. Like anywhere in the world, there are bad parts and good parts. The tourist areas are generally safe. Obviously you would want to use caution, like anywhere else, but if you look at the numbers, you're safer being in the tourist areas of Mexico than some popular US cities. Crazy, but true!

I feel like going postal sometimes when I hear the things some people say. Look, Mexico is a beautiful country and has some really great resorts, fun and interesting things to do, and the people are generally very friendly. Yes, bad things happen there - bad things happen EVERYWHERE! Even my hometown of Norman, OK has it's share of drugs, crime, and murder. Does that mean I want to hole up in my house and never leave? NO! I use my brain and normal safetly precautions!

If you don't want to go to Mexico because you've been tons of times, I get that, but don't cross it off the list because you think there's a good chance you'll get kidnapped, shot at, or murdered. You have an almost 100% chance of coming home safe and sound - and probably sunburned! I found a great blog site that says it all- do the math!
http://www.thetruthaboutmexico.com/2009/03/spring-break-in-mexico-do-the-math-kids/

Another blog about Mexico that I think is GREAT is these 2 Canadian guys who when to all the tourist areas looking for trouble - what they found will surprise you - nothing but fun in the sun!
http://www.whatisreallyhappeninginmexico.com/

Anyway, my point is, stop listening to the media who only wants to blow things way out of proportion - think for yourself, and use common sense! The current travel advisory is basically about the border towns and isn't new, it's an update to one issued about a year ago. Honestly, I would never reccomend going to a border town, unless it was the border of Canada!

I hope this has helped give you some prespective on the whole thing, and maybe you'll think twice before you give someone going there a hard time or before crossing it off your possible vacation list.