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I have a confession that I've only shared with a handful of people. I am lousy at games. Especially any kind of trivia. And especially if having the "fastest response" is required. I'm particularly horrible at the TV game show, Jeopardy! If you aren't familiar with it, the show is packed with facts that they present to you as an answer. Then three people vie for being the fastest one to "answer" with the relevant question. Here's a sample of the format: Sample question: "What career involves planning people's trips including finding extra value for them, knowing the needed details for a smooth trip, and being their advocate if there is an issue?" Answer: "What is a travel agent?" Okay, I would have known that one. But generally speaking, you don't want me on your trivia game team at a party. I have strengths, but I don't watch Jeopardy since trivia isn't one of them. Though, surprisingly, I do have a fond memory when I think of the show. As a child, I enjoyed sitting in my grandparents' family room while my grandfather would watch Jeopardy after dinner. Pop-Pop knew most of the answers, and especially for that reason, I knew my Pop-Pop was one of the smartest people in the whole world! So watching Jeopardy gets me a bit frustrated since I know very few answers. And even if I do know the answer (err, question??), I can't spit it out of my mouth quickly enough. BUT the show also brings me a smile when thinking of my grandfather. My mom called me one evening, "Watch Jeopardy tonight. It's got old segments of Alex Trebek from when he was traveling around the world, and this one has him in the Galápagos. I know you do a lot with Galápagos and thought you'd like it." She's right. I run a Facebook group for people interested in cruising to the Galápagos, write blogs about it, and love helping clients to get their memorable experience there. "When is the Best Time to Visit the Galápagos Islands?" "Don't Pack These 11 Things for Your Galápagos Cruise" So, with more excitement than I would generally muster up for this task, I flipped on a rerun of an "Around the World with Alex" episode of Jeopardy. I tuned in as the game started that showed "Galápagos Wildlife" in the last column. It was the last column that the contestants attacked. You can see the segment here. I knew all five answers! And quickly! My career helped me excel in a column on Jeopardy. Thank you, Pop-Pop. I know you were smiling down on me. Hugs to you and Nanny. Happy Traveling! -Connie

Viking has three divisions consisting of Viking Ocean Cruises, Viking River Cruises, and Viking Expeditions. This post compares their river and ocean cruises. It's also going to cover Viking's strengths and weaknesses. You'll get facts and my viewpoint as a cruise-selling travel specialist. I want to include a warning. I'd love everything having to do with vacations to be positive, and I appreciate and value a lot of what Viking is about and offers. But this post is going to present the positives and negatives. It's not going to be all "unicorns and rainbows." For a fully rounded perspective, I'm sharing the thoughts and feedback from my clients, Laura and Joe. They have sailed multiple times on Viking's river cruises and recently returned from their first Viking ocean cruise. Watch for quotes from Joe in blue later in the article. I think you'll appreciate his input. Viking Cruises' From Birth (Berth?) to Now Viking Ocean Cruises' Ships Viking Ocean Cruises started in 2015. Now, with eight ships, they sail North and South Americas, including the Panama Canal and the Caribbean, Northern Europe, the Mediterranean, Asia, and the Pacific. Their eight 930-passenger ocean ships are identical, with minor changes to some public areas on the newer ships. Viking River Cruise' Ships Viking River Cruises began in 1997. Growing in numbers quickly, Viking currently has 78 river vessels, including their 56 signature "longships," which I'll be discussing. You'll find Viking sailing rivers in Europe, Russia, Ukraine, Egypt, and Asia. They will begin sailing the Mississippi River in August 2022. Viking's riverboats hold 100 to 386 passengers. The longships specifically accommodate 190 guests. All longships are identical, with possibly a few minor public room changes. Longship video tour Longship 360 degree tour Viking is the largest riverboat company with the number of ships and the number of guests they bring along the rivers. No other line builds as many ships so quickly or out-markets them. The Viking Experience Viking is often referred to as "luxury," a word possibly overused in the travel industry. There's no doubt that Viking is certainly upscale. But for those who have been on a luxury line, you'll not feel it's quite at the same level. Yet, it's a very elevated experience beyond the premium lines. I believe it's a crossbreed and would put it at "ultra-premium." All of Viking's cruises are port-intensive. You are going to be in a port every day (river) or with few "at sea" days (ocean). Viking Chairman Torstein Hagen encourages us to "Be curious." Viking offers excursions that immerse you in the local cultures. Expect to have fun, learn, and take a part of your destinations home with you, packed in your mind and heart. You will find the river longships nearly identical to each other and the non-longships boats to be relatively similar to the longships in many ways. You'll also find the ocean ships to be similar to each other. All of the ships are beautiful, comfortable, and elegant. Travelers who are destination-focused tend to appreciate the consistency in the vessels. The region you are sailing in is your destination, and the floating hotel that hosts you between the ports does it with style. Features & Services Offered on Both Viking Ocean and Viking River Cruises There's quite a bit that's consistent between both types of cruises: 1) Viking is "adults only" with a minimum age of 18. 2) No smoking. 3) No formal nights. 4) Dress is casual by day and "country club casual" in the evenings. 5) Free Wi-Fi. 6) All accommodations are for single or double occupancy. Ships do not accommodate triple or quad occupancies. 7) All staterooms and suites have views, most of which have full balconies or French balconies. All guests get to enjoy natural daylight and scenery. 8) Both ocean and river ships have Scandinavian design features. There is a lot of natural light due to floor-to-ceiling windows around the ships, leather and natural wood elements, and wool fabric textures. Designs are sleek, light, clean, and upscale casual, but not ultra-modern. There's a feeling of bringing the outdoors inside and create a peaceful, relaxed atmosphere. 9) Beer, wine, and soft drinks are included with shipboard lunches and dinners. 10) There is no limit on the amount of wine, beer, spirits, and soft drinks you may bring onto the ship at embarkation or in a port. 11) The optional Silver Spirits Premium Beverage Package is available if you wish to have unlimited drinks and prefer premium wines at meals. The cost of the package which can be purchased in advance is $19.95 per guest, per day. 12) Dinners on the riverboats and in the main dining room on the ocean ships are open seating. You can sit with whom you want and when you want during dining times. 13) In addition to the main dining room, both types of ships have the Aquavit Terrance. This venue blends the indoors with the outdoors. 14) 24-hour availability of complimentary specialty coffees, teas & bottled water 15) All accommodations have both 110V and 220V outlets to accommodate American and European appliances. 16) All cabins have heated bathroom floors, anti-fog mirrors, 40-42" flatscreen TVs with Movies On Demand, mini-refrigerators, security safe, hairdryer, and premium toiletries. 17) Robes and slippers are available. 18) Twice-daily housekeeping by your stateroom steward 19) One complimentary excursion per port is offered along with optional ($) excursions. 20) Business Center with computers 21) Library (stocked with books & board games) 22) Walking track 23) Ground transfers when airfare is purchased through Viking 24) Onboard cultural enrichment programs with guest lecturers and presenters What You'll Experience Only on Viking's River Boats: Regional guest performers provide entertainment, typically musical or dance, indicative of the area's culture in which the ship's sailing. Foods are mostly locally sourced. In addition to some well-known meal entrees, you will find many regional cuisines and mostly regional wines and beers. Constant locally sourced foods also mean the freshest of foods. Each longship has its own herb garden for chefs to pick from. Laundry and press services are available. While both ocean and river have local lecturers and programs, the riverboats are heavier on demonstrations and activities. Extras You'll Experience Only on Viking's Ocean Boats: With 930 passengers, Viking's ships are on the smaller side for ocean ships which are large enough for more activities, food, and entertainment options, but intimate enough for guests to know each other and small enough to get into ports not available to mega-ships. The difference in size allows the ocean ships to offer a lot more options than their riverboat cousins. Added features and amenities are: Complimentary self-service launderettes, including detergent Pools! A covered main pool, a pool with an open roof, and an infinity pool 24-hour room service "We had room service breakfast on early excursion days which was excellent. They offer the full breakfast menu." -Joe Alternative restaurant dining at no extra charge A top-rated spa with a thermal suite that offers a thalassotherapy pool, steam room, snow room, heated lounge chairs The ships have a theater, and they travel with their own entertainment staff and guest entertainers. Guests can enjoy tributes such as ABBA and possibly the Beatles and the Rat Pack, as well as headliners. "The evening onboard musical entertainment and lectures were exceptional. All of the public areas had musical accompaniment in the evening, there were also extensive libraries throughout the ship and a variety of quiet areas." -Joe Seven more restaurants and eateries! Chef's Table (dinner with wine pairings, reservations required) Manfredi’s Italian Restaurant Mamsen's (think "Nordic comfort food") World Café (buffet) Wintergarden (afternoon tea, finger sandwiches & pastries) The Kitchen Table (unique interactive culinary experience from shopping through preparation and dining) Pool Grill "Chef's Table was outstanding." -Joe The Good, the Bad, and What You Want to Know to Decide if a Viking Cruise is for You: DINING: Food is subjective, but the consensus is that Viking's food is very good. Riverboats may have one edge due to the freshness of ingredients being procured throughout the sailing, fresh-from-the-garden herbs, and local infusion on the menus. The dining variety, on the other hand, is better on the ocean cruises. There's a choice of seven restaurants and eateries compared to the two on riverboats. That offers a lot of change of scenery and dining-type options. Tip: Chef's Table changes their menu every 2-3 days, depending on the length of the sailing. Keep that in mind when making reservations if you wish to eat there more than once during your cruise. "The choice of restaurants onboard was a new experience compared to the river cruises. The quality of the food was comparable to the river cruises and the kitchen and wait staff were the best." -Joe COMMUNICATION: Receiving notices from Viking in advance of sailings has been a continual weak point which we mainly experience regarding flights and operational changes. For that reason, my agency tries to predict possible weak points and increase verification of those potential items. To be fair, Viking did a wonderful job conveying all of the health protocols of our clients who recently cruised to Iceland regarding Covid-19 protocols for them and for Iceland. MY VIKING JOURNEY: This is Viking's online guest portal where clients complete their Guest Information Form, reserve shore excursions, and purchase the optional Silver Spirit Premium Beverage Package. Ocean cruise guests can also manage spa and restaurant reservations. Many of our clients have experienced "computer glitches" with the system. Sometimes it's more than glitches. One instance was an excursion mysteriously getting canceled for one person in the cabin. Viking blamed the client, which is possible. However, it would be hard to accidentally have done this, and he's pretty computer savvy. Another example was clients who made reservations for Chef's Table in advance. As soon as they got on the ship, they learned that the reservations never got to the ship. We don't know if the problem was My Viking Journey or shoreside-to-ship communication. It's always wise to take a copy of confirmations of advance purchases, appointments, and reservations with you. Thankfully our client took their restaurant confirmation with them and the ship staff happily "made it happen." "Prior to sailing, we struggled to book our excursions and dinner reservations online. The servers kept crashing, reservations disappeared, excursions were dropped and our accounts either were double-booked or dropped. Although we (including you Connie) spent hours on the phone with Viking reps something always turned up missing or incorrect. Upon boarding, we found some of our excursions were incorrect and there was no record of any dinner reservations." -Joe PAYMENTS: Viking normally requires final payment 12 months in advance of sailings. While that's not unheard of, it is unusual. Frankly, I'm not a fan of people having to part with their money that early. I imagine it's at least part of how their aggressive shipbuilding is paid for. (Oh my, I promised my viewpoint, didn't I.) As much as I dislike the very early final payment, Viking does have a discount offer that I like that has been embraced by some of our clients. If you pay by electronic check instead of credit card, they will give you a 3.3% discount on your cruise. If you are planning to pay off your credit card once your next statement arrives and you have purchased third-party trip insurance such as Travel Insured, it's a win-win option for saving some money. CREW: The crew on both river and ocean are known for being friendly and wanting to genuinely deliver terrific service. They adapt quickly to resolving any problems and also "fixing" lost or erroneous details that had been planned pre-sailing. "The response of onboard Viking Guest Services to (missing pre-booked plans) could not have been better..... Armed with your email Connie, we went to Guest Services along with many others on the ship, expecting a battle. Well the staff could not have been more accomodating. Within minutes we had our excursions and requested dinner reservations. That experience set the tone for the remainder of the trip.The smallest change or request was either accomodated or a satisfactory alternative solution provided. -Joe NAVIGABILITY: The ocean ships' size enables them to get into smaller ports that can't be directly accessed by other cruise lines' larger ships. This is the last of a three-part series involving Laura and Joe's trip. The first was what it was like cruising during Covid-19. The second highlighted their experience in magical Iceland. I look forward to helping you “navigate” your river or ocean cruise. Let’s talk about what line best fits your lifestyle, interests, and needs. Email me so we can start off with a complimentary telephone consultation to meet, see if we’re a good fit, and start planning your next great vacation or group trip! Happy Traveling! -Connie

Iceland's nickname, "Land of Fire and Ice," couldn't be more fitting. It's an island country of extremes, including over 200 glaciers and 30 volcanos, with the last eruption occurring in 2010. There are many reasons people want to visit Iceland. My clients, Laura and Joe, are part of a small group I work with that has sailed on Viking River Cruises on rivers in Europe. Iceland was one of the first countries to open to Americans without requiring quarantining of travelers who have been vaccinated against Covid-19. It was also a place they've wanted to visit. In April, Viking Ocean Cruise announced a summer series of Iceland cruises. Twenty-four hours later, Laura and Joe were booked on their first Viking Ocean cruise. I was able to get them booked on one of the last July cabins available. Yes. Iceland really IS that hot of a destination right now. (no pun intended!) Laura and Joe were my travel agency's first clients to cruise in 16 months. I'm grateful that they've been so willing to share their experiences across three blog posts. The first one was about what it was like to be among the earliest American cruisers as the world opens up. The third post will be about Viking, including comparing Viking Ocean vs Viking River. There are countless ways to visit Iceland. My agency has people booked in 2021 through 2023. Here are a few of the future ways our clients are planning to explore this arctic island country's highlights and how varied options can be: · Luxury cruise aboard Viking Sky, which these clients did. · Luxury yacht cruise complete with its own submarine and helicopter of the Arctic Islands of Svalbard, Greenland, and Iceland aboard Scenic Luxury Cruises' Scenic Eclipse. · National Geographic land tour with G Adventures to see Iceland and the Northern Lights. · Celebrity Cruises' Celebrity Silhouette sailing to England, Ireland, Iceland, and Scotland Laura & Joe's "Iceland's Natural Beauty" Cruise Aboard Viking Sky July, 2021 Their cruise began with an overnight aboard the ship in Reykjavik and ended there. The information from this couple is in blue. These are the recollections that Laura & Joe shared about the towns and tours: The Golden Circle Tour in Reykjavik was my favorite tour. Although it was a long day crammed in a bus, it was worth it. The excursion was part history, part culture, and a great deal of the Icelandic countryside, complete with geysers, waterfalls, lava fields, mountains, glaciers, and sulfur springs. Our tour guide was Icelandic with 20 years' experience. Given the uncertainties with travel abroad (i.e., Covid, weather), taking as many 'big' tours as possible early in the trip is recommended. The next day in Isafjordur, we took the Dynjandi Waterfall tour. The waterfall was spectacular. However, our guide also took us to a small fishing village which was not advertised as part of the tour. The village was Sudureyri and home to about 250 people, 70 of which were children. Additionally, this village is the temporary home to many of the Viking guides in Isafjordur. Sudureyi was also home of the founder of 66° North, a popular clothing manufacturer in Iceland (think Under Armour), which he originally designed for the village fishermen. This little village is a model of sustainability living in a very environmentally aware country. It was also the site of a tragic event when a rockslide caused a 30-foot tall tsunami to wash ashore and kill 20 townspeople. Our tour guide was a young woman who was Guatemalan and German. She chose an online learning curriculum to become a guide in Iceland. She tried living through the winter in Iceland, learned to knit (allegedly 15 sweaters that first winter), and now winters instead in Belize. (Note from Connie: One of the things I love about this couple is that they like to dig in and learn about local culture and history, and to talk to the guides and people to know what their lives are like. They aren't just about pretty sites and museums.) The next day we were in Akureyri. A beautiful town billed as 'The Iceland Capital of the North' where we went whale-watching. The temperature reached 79 or 80 degrees that day, unheard of for Iceland. We spotted several pods of Pilot whales and a Humpback whale named "Sparky," identifiable by his fluke. I believe this was the third year in a row he has been spotted in the fjord. Sparky also has been spotted and identified in the Caribbean, according to the onboard naturalist Tess Hudson. Later in the same day, we did another tour of Akureyri which included the Botanical Gardens and Ski Lodge overlooking the town, a favorite winter destination for visiting Japanese tourists. I could go on and on with the other tours. Seydisfjordur is another small town with coffee shops and artists. It's in the middle of nowhere, except it has a ferry landing that connects it to the Faroe Islands. A recent landslide destroyed 12 homes. Fortunately, most of the occupants were at work and safe. Next up, we traveled to Djupivogur and went to shore on tenders. It's another example of artistry and sustainable living. We traveled to a waterfall by coach and strolled the town to observe egg-shaped rocks representing all the seabirds in the area and other unique, interesting artwork. More legends of elves, trolls, and aliens were spun by our guide. Our last port-of-call was to be Heimaey Island the following day. But the weather turned sour as we rounded the Southeast corner of Iceland. The fog was so thick that we could barely see the ship's rail. Captain Markus Jurland attempted two different anchorages and made the decision to head back to Reykjavik. Laura was disappointed as we had made last-minute arrangements to see the Beluga Whale Center and Seabird Sanctuary. I asked Joe and Laura, "If you had a 'do-over,' what would you do differently? The big 'do-over' I would consider is an early arrival prior to the sailing date and maybe staying over an extra day or two post-trip. Reykjavik's airport is small, and the majority of passengers arriving that day were sailing with Viking. This was not an issue we encountered with the river cruises. Of course, they were larger cities and airports. (Note from Connie: Due to the overnight in Reykjavik on the ship, we didn't need to worry about a flight delay causing them to misconnect with the ship. Because of that and the uncertainties caused by Covid with the sailings just starting and the need for testing to come back into the U.S, we didn't discuss hotel stay options pre or post-cruise. Given 20-20 hindsight now, my do-over would be to have talked with Laura and Joe about flying into Iceland before embarkation day even with the ship staying in Reykjavik overnight.) Lastly, I asked my clients if there was anything either wanted to add "about Viking, Iceland or traveling at this time." I would do it all again. I had a great time and Iceland is a harsh and beautiful country. Sailing along the coast was entertaining, and never seeing the sun truly set for eight days was a trip. 12 Top Outdoor Activities to Consider When Visiting Iceland Are you thinking about a trip to Iceland? It's a great destination, particularly for those who like to be outdoors. It fits well with those who are less active all the way to the sportiest among us. Here are 12 outdoor suggestions, whether you are doing Iceland by land or sea: Whale watching Horseback riding Blue Lagoon (or other geothermal or hot spring pool) spa day Puffin watching Ice cave exploring Northern Lights gazing (September – April, subject to conditions) Landscapes (waterfalls, black sand beaches, cliffs, glaciers, lagoons, lakes, fjords, icebergs, geysers, basalt pillars, lava fields) viewing and photographing Game of Thrones Hot spring dipping Volcanic viewing Snowmobiling Enjoy a midnight sunset, three hours of twilight and a 3:00am sunrise If you are ready to plan your Arctic Circle trip for later this year or into the following two years, let's talk. Send an email and we'll schedule a complimentary consultation so we can discuss it. Happy Traveling! -Connie

Interest in traveling to Iceland was growing by leaps and bounds before Covid-19. I was glad to see Iceland do so well with the Coronavirus. Ninety percent of adult Icelandics are vaccinated. They were one of the earliest countries to allow Americans with proof of being fully vaccinated or having had Coronavirus to enter without needing to go into quarantine. My office went 16 months with no clients departing on a cruise or tour. As the pandemic persisted, we had continual waves of suspended trips since back to March 2020. Nothing in this world has ever affected the travel industry to anything near this extent. Thankfully that pattern broke in July 2021 when my clients, Laura and Joe, flew from Philadelphia to Keflavik Airport in Reykjavik, Iceland, to board their cruise ship. I'll be sharing their story in three blogs beginning with this one. This blog post will go over: My clients' experience with "Covid-19 travel" Viking Ocean & River Cruises' Covid-19 Policies & Procedures Requirements to Enter Iceland Requirements for Return to the United States Though this article is heavily specific to a Viking cruise to Iceland, the jist of it applies to the need for flexibility and the extra steps needed for many destinations for at least the immediate future. If you are comfortable with what you read, you are likely a good candidate for travel right now. There are many ways to visit Iceland. We have clients booked from last month through 2023 to Iceland. Some are booked on land tours. Others are looking forward to visiting on luxury cruise ships, a luxury expedition ship with its own helicopter and submarine, and premium larger ships with some trips including other countries along with Iceland. Laura and Joe enjoy cruising. It had been quite a while since they had been on an ocean cruise, but they've been enjoying river cruises in Europe, specifically Viking River Cruises, over these past few years. It was a natural migration for them to try a Viking Ocean Cruise aboard Viking Sky. What it's like to book a trip during Covid-19: The best travelers are the ones who are adaptable. These people best handle unexpected changes and other cultures. Because of changing criteria by cruise lines, tour companies, and countries worldwide, it's best to assume there will be Covid-related policy changes. Their job is to follow the growing science of the virus, abide by various governments' protocols, and to keep everyone safe. Laura and Joe are experienced travelers, adaptable, and go over all materials sent to them. They didn't go into this trip with blinders on. In an email early in the planning, they admitted to being "a bit anxious and excited!" I probably would have been concerned if they weren’t at all anxious and also upset if they weren’t excited! Joe, Laura, and I caught up by phone and email after their trip. They had a great time and were very candid about everything they encountered. They were willing to share their experiences with our other clients. You'll see my questions in bold and their answers in blue. What was the biggest concern you had about going on a "first trip" after the world was opening up from the pandemic? "Maintaining and protecting our health was my 'biggest' concern. The past year we have been isolated and in a family bubble. In renewing international travel we had to 'trust the science' and Viking. Overall, Viking did a tremendous job preserving our health while providing onboard guests a relaxed and entertaining experience. Mandatory PCR testing and temperature checks were part of the daily routine. Mask wearing and social distancing were strongly encouraged regardless of Icelandic standards." How did you feel about the trackers? (Note: These are devices that are worn on a lanyard or put in your pocket when you are outside of your cabin. It's not a "tracker" in that Viking isn't keeping track of where everyone is at. But if someone tests positive during the cruise, the device can be used to determine what other guests and crew members came within six feet of that person for at least 15 minutes) "Honestly, it didn't bother me at all. I also believe in masks and science! The biggest problem was it gave me something else to forget in the cabin." By phone, we talked about the daily Covid test. It's a saliva test and has to be done without eating, drinking, or brushing your teeth beforehand. We joked about how the only hard part is remembering to wait to drink your coffee when it's been delivered by room service. I can relate. I shared my secret with them--- I need coffee before I deal with the world and before the world deals with me. Shhh.... don't tell anyone. ;-) How Viking Cruises is handling Covid-19: Here’s an outline of Viking’s current procedures. In addition to this list, you can click on the image at the top of this section or here to see the full embarkation letter guests received on the 7/16/21 sailing. All crew members and guests must be vaccinated with no exceptions. (Viking is an "adults only" line.) All guests must be fully dosed with an FDA-approved COVID-19 vaccine at least 14 days before embarkation. A copy of that card has to be uploaded at least 14 days before sailing. The card also has to be shown at embarkation and may be requested to be seen by other authorities during your trip. Between 5-7 days before embarkation, guests will receive a health survey which must be completed. That is also when you receive pre-embarkation COVID-19 testing procedures. If there is anything questionable in the survey or a positive Covid test, there is follow-up. Airport transfers are being done in smaller groups. Everyone is required to use hand sanitizer and wear masks during transfers. At embarkation, check-in procedures include completing a negative PCR test, a temperature check, a health survey, and accepting and agreeing to wear a contact tracing device. Temperatures are taken by thermal cameras with face recognition capability at least once daily. Currently, all guests must participate in Viking's shore excursions and stay with the group to maintain a "bubble." Your cabin attendant leaves test tubes in your cabin. Before eating or drinking the next morning, you spit into the vial, screw on the lid and leave them in a designated bag for your cabin. Viking invested in having labs added to every one of their ocean vessels. The shipboard lab will perform the PCR test. For their riverboats, they are working with a network of labs in the ports to be able to do daily Covid tests. The buffet is open, with crew members serving the food. Masks are required when in public areas and social distancing takes place in the theater. By requiring appointments for the spa and gym, Viking can limit the number of people in those areas. These policies may change. You can access Viking's latest Ccovid-19 policies and procedures here. Iceland's requirements for tourists: Passports must be valid for at least six months past your planned departure from Iceland. For Americans staying no longer than 90 days, a visa is not required. (Note: ETIAS travel authorization is expected to go into effect in late 2022.) Certificate of being fully vaccinated at least 14 days before arrival or certificate of previous Covid infection is required. The first time you must present this in person is at the airport before departing on your flight. It also has to be uploaded in advance of your trip. Certificate of a negative PCR or antigen test from within 72 hours of arrival into Iceland is required. The first time you must present this in person is at the airport before departing on your flight. Complete an online registration within 72 hours of arrival in Iceland. Children born in 2005 and later are exempt from pre-registration, presenting a negative test and testing. This can all change. In fact, when my clients flew into Keflavik Airport which serves Reykjavik, fully vaccinated passengers didn't need to be tested before arrival. By the end of their trip, it was announced that Iceland was requiring a negative result from a test taken within 72 hours of arrival into their country beginning the next week. Please consider the above requirements for Iceland as both simplified and subject to change. Everyone considering travel to Iceland must check current requirements. U.S. requirements for entry: All airline passengers age two and over must present a negative result from a Covid-19 test taken within three days of arrival into the U.S. or present acceptable proof of a recent recovery from Covid. Please consider the above requirements for the United States as both simplified and subject to change. Everyone planning to travel outside of the U.S. should check for the most current needs. So far, all cruise lines and tour operators handling Iceland that I've spoken with are, at the least, handling the arrangements for the Covid-19 test. Viking has been performing the U.S. required tests on their ships free of charge and issuing the paperwork needed for guests to present to the airline to board their flight home, assuming the test results are negative. On my clients' cruise, there were no positive cases. During the previous week, there was one positive case. From everything I've heard and read, guests understand the need for these procedures and the advantages of working together to benefit them all. Not all travelers are as understanding, but I think that's the difference between those traveling now and to places such as Iceland. I didn't get the impression that Laura or Joe had issues with any of the requirements or felt that they were overly invasive or annoying. Instead, I think they felt that everyone was working together to ensure that all went as smoothly as possible so people could get back to the business of traveling and having fun. I've dubbed this post, "Joe & Laura's Viking Iceland trip: Part 1 – Booking Now with Covid." Admittedly, I found it impossible to write about all of these requirements in an "interesting" way, but felt that it would benefit people thinking of leaving the western hemisphere right now. I promise that "Part 2 – The Beauty of Iceland" and "Part 3 – The Scoop on Viking including Viking Ocean vs. Viking River" will be more fun to read. They already sound like more fun, right?! Are you ready to book your trip to Iceland? Its beauty and uniqueness await those who are anxious to see it. Email me so we can talk about the best way for you to explore there. And when you book, I'll send you our popular vaccination card protectors. Happy Traveling! -Connie

It’s a mistake that can cost you your vacation and thousands of dollars down the drain for nothing. A simple error in some respects, but an unforgivable error when traveling. I'll go over the problem, who is at the biggest risk, and what needs to be done. The problem popst up something like this: “We leave for Mexico tomorrow. Someone just told me that my toddler has to have a passport?!” “We’re at the airport, and they are telling me that Baby John can’t get on the plane because we don’t have a passport for him.” “I just called my parents because I don’t know what to do. We’re at the port, and the cruise line says we can’t get on because I didn’t realize that preschoolers also had to have passports!” The mistake? Forgetting that, no matter the age, a person is a person. Whether that person is a newborn or centenarian, you have to have proof of citizenship when traveling outside of the U.S. And that proof is usually required to be in the form of a passport booklet. As the world slowly reopens, I’m reading these horror stories over and over again on social media. And who are the panicked people who are posting? Parents and grandparents who have booked a family trip. And what do they have in common? They researched their trip and booked online. They booked through an inexperienced MLM representative. * They booked directly with airlines and cruise lines or resort. In other words, they neglected to take advantage of the guidance and advocacy of a professional travel consultant. When someone takes on handling their own trip (or plumbing, selling their house, representing themselves in court, etc.), they take on the responsibilities of knowing all they need to know. The problem with that? You don’t know what you don’t know.So what happens at the airport or pier if you don’t have the needed passport for your child or grandchild? Sadly, your options are to cancel your trip or call the closest relative who can babysit your child while you are away. The U.S. Department of State is now warning that passports may take “up to 18 weeks” to get back. They suggest that passport applications be sent “at least six months prior” to travel. Click here for all you need to know about obtaining a passport for children under 16. Your vacation and the money you spend on it are too important for you to lose either. Hire an experienced travel professional whose career and livelihood are about vacation planning and relationships with their clients. They will support you in planning your trip, including letting you know what you need to know. I’d like my office to be your travel agency. If you plan to go on an ocean or river cruise or on an escorted motorcoach tour, email or call 610-532-0989 to set up a complimentary consultation call to see if we’re a good fit for you. Happy Traveling! -Connie

I wrote this to assist three types of readers. It’s filled with years of experience in cruising and guiding our clients to have their best cruise vacation. First-time cruisers: It’s intended to help first-time cruisers better understand your options with tips on determining the best type of cabin and cabin location for your needs. Experienced cruisers: It’s also meant to help experienced cruisers who may be wondering about trying a new location. Our clients: And it’s written to support our clients to coincide with our conversations about the best location for you, our valued travel customers. Choosing the right cabin for your first cruise can be understandably scary. I've counseled thousands of people on choosing the best accommodations for their needs and preferences. While an article can't replace working one-on-one with a skilled professional, you should feel a lot more confident about cabin location in a few short minutes. Sound good? It's like a hotel- but it's not a hotel Port, starboard, forward, aft, middle, upper deck, or lower? A cruise ship is a "floating hotel" except it has its own language, it is moving and, well, it’s not a hotel. So what do you need to know to figure out where on the ship you want to call home? We'll start with some terms that help describe locations around the ship. Not to worry. There's no test at the end and no one will make you walk the plank on the ship if you don't remember these words once you're onboard! Then we'll go over what locations best fit where you want to be. By the way, though the article is geared mostly toward ocean cruise ships, much of this applies to the smaller river cruise boats as well. Blog Sections For your convenience, I've included the below links to specific areas. If you are short on time, please review the "Ship Terminology" section and then click the link to the type of cabin you are looking for. Ship Terminology Cabins with the Best Views Cabins with Bigger Balconies Cabins for Guests Who Go to Bed Early Cabins for Guests Who Like to Sleep In Cabins for Families with Children Cabins for Guests Prone to Motion Sickness Cabins for Guests with Mobility Limitations Ship Lingo By knowing some simple nautical terms for your cruise, you'll better understand your cruise ship's locations. The ship has two sides. Port- Left side of the ship when facing forward. Starboard- Right side of the ship when facing forward. How to remember port from starboard? "Port" and "left" both have four letters. Therefore starboard is "the other side” (right). Top to bottom of your ship. Upper Decks, Middle Decks, Lower Decks- These aren't official nautical terms. But they are self-explanatory terms that clearly explain whether we're talking about the top, middle or bottom decks open to the public. Waterline- Where the top of the water meets the ship. All passenger and crew quarters must be above sea level (the waterline). Deck- (1) Which "floor" of the ship. (2) Outside area excluding private cabin balconies. Dividing the ship into thirds- front, middle and back. Bow- The front of the ship. Forward- Toward the front of the ship. How to remember bow and forward? When you bow, you bend forward. Forward, front…. Bow. Midship- The middle of the ship horizontally. Between the front (forward) and back (aft) of the vessel. Aft- Toward the rear (stern) of the ship. How to remember aft? Think of "aft" as in after or behind. Stern- The extreme rear of the ship. Top to bottom of your ship. Upper Decks, Middle Decks, Lower Decks- These aren't official nautical terms. But they are self-explanatory terms that clearly explain whether we're talking about the top, middle or bottom decks open to the public. Waterline- Where the top of the water meets the ship. All passenger and crew quarters must be above sea level (the waterline). Deck- (1) Which "floor" of the ship. (2) Outside area excluding private cabin balconies. What Blocks Your View. Obstruction- Something inhibiting the view from a balcony or oceanview cabin. It could be a column or some other part of your ship's structure. It could also be tender and lifeboats hanging on the sides of the ship. Lifeboat- Boat attached to the ship's side, which can be lowered to remove passengers and crew in an emergency. Tender- Boat attached to the ship's side, which can be lowered to transfer passengers and supplies when a ship is anchored in a harbor. A Few More Parts of the Ship. Cabin- Equivalent to a room in a hotel. Stateroom- A cabin. Category- Type of cabins such as inside (no window), oceanview (porthole or window), with a balcony or suite. Hump- Some ships have a section of the structure which "bumps out" wider than the rest of the ship. Also known as bump-out. What's Going on Outside the Ship. Wake- The waves created by the ship slicing through the water. Deck Plan- An illustration that "maps" the ship so you can see the layout. Starboard balcony view as we arrived at St. Thomas port aboard Princess Cruise Line's Crown Princess. How to Get the Best View our views are of water, possibly sea life, land, sunrises, and sunsets when sailing. Because you don’t know in which direction a ship will be tied up when docked, you can’t accurately predict a side based on whether port or starboard will face land when the ship isn’t sailing. For most sailings, it doesn’t matter whether you are on the port or starboard side. And truly, there’s never a “bad” side on any sailing. Advantages of a cabin specifically booked on the port or starboard sides will be coastal cruises where you are within sight of land for a large part of your trip. Three examples of sailings when you could have a preference are one way Alaska sailings, cruises around Cape Horn and some Mediterranean sailings. When sailing one way in the Alaskan waterways, the preference is to see the coastline. In that case, being on the port when cruising southbound or on starboard when cruising northbound is preferred. Another example of when it could matter a bit more is when sailing around Cape Horn on the southern tip of South America. I would suggest port if cruising from South America’s west coast to east coast or vice versa. Third would be some Mediterranean cruises where you are visiting multiple ports in one or more countries that’s causing the ship to sail along the coastline. More often, it there is no advantage specifically to being on the port or starboard sides. Some examples of this would be Caribbean, Galapagos, South Pacific and…. Some Mediterranean cruises which spend more time out at sea between visits. The first element your cabin needs is a floor-to-ceiling window in the form of a panoramic window or the window balcony doors. Look for aft-facing (also called rear-facing) balcony cabins off the back of the ship. These cabins give sweeping views of over 90 degrees, including the beautiful meditative wake from the ship. Unfortunately, there aren’t many aft-facing cabins, and they tend to get booked up quickly. Balcony cabins along the sides of the ships offer beautiful views and a lot of natural light. The ones on the broadest part of a hump give you a perspective that extends a bit beyond 90 degrees, offering you a little more of a panoramic view. The best balcony views are from cabins on the upper decks. Some ships have oceanview cabins across the bow of the ship. The outer front wall will typically be sloped with either portholes, windows, or the coveted panoramic windows, giving you a vast view across the front of the ship. There are relatively few cabins across the bow that have balconies. The balconies may have steel fronts instead of more often used glass fronts. Front-facing balconies are usually off-limits except for when the ship is in port because of the strong wind when sailing. As you can see, there are disadvantages as well as advantages to front-facing cabins. How to Get a Bigger Balcony Having a balcony is like having your own private deck space. Aft-facing cabins often have more oversized balconies. Sometimes as much as twice the depth! A glimpse at the deck plan can give you an idea of whether your ship's aft-facing cabins are among those with the larger decks that can be a few feet up to double the depth of your cabin. Take the deck plan's view with the proverbial grain of salt because they aren't to scale. A travel consultant has some extra tricks for knowing if your ship's aft-facing cabin balconies are bigger. Very difficult to get unless you book super early are aft-facing corner cabins. If you can manage to get one of these, you've got the trifecta of balconies. Aft-facing for a beautiful view, and often they are wrap-around balconies on the two sides of your stateroom. Cabins on the sides of where a hump juts out often have angled, more spacious balconies than the others on the ship's side. Again, a combination of the deck plan and other research or a travel agent can help verify the size. Royal Caribbean International's new ship, Odyssey of the Seas along with some other Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises and Princess Cruises' ships have this type of section. For Passengers Who Go to Bed Early It's all about your surroundings. Look at the deck plan to ensure that there are no lounges or theater above or below you. Your best bet is to be surrounded by cabins in each direction so you aren't hearing music and other festivities on the speakers from nearby. And avoid being one of the cabins by the elevator bank, so you aren’t bothered by potential partying passengers waiting for an elevator. For Passengers Who Like to Sleep Late Again, it's what's around you. By being cocooned by staterooms, you’ll likely experience quieter surroundings than if you were near public areas. Particularly avoid being below community areas with chairs scraping across the floor, such as out on the pool deck or the buffet. Also, watch out for spaces that may be corridor closets or staff entryways onto your deck used by cabin stewards who are setting up each morning. Additionally, avoid the lowest passenger deck as you are more likely to hear the engine, thrusters, and anchor. If your ship has decks with self-serve laundries, being somewhat nearby could be convenient. But don't choose to be right next door or across the hall as it can be a busy spot before getting into port and on your sailing’s last day. For Families with Kids If you have younger children, you’ll need to drop them off and pick them up from the children's program. Go for a cabin near the elevator closest to the ship’s kids’ program for your convenience. For Passengers Prone to Motion Sickness Remember playing on a seesaw when you were young? The part of the wood or pole that moved the least was "centered and low." The part of the ship with the least movement is also "centered and low." Keep to midship on the lower decks. For Passengers with Mobility Limitations The newer and larger the ship, the more you’ll find a variety of accessible cabins across various cabin categories in several locations around the ship. These can be booked if someone in your party uses a mobility device or needs the accessible features of a "handicapped cabin." If you don't need an accessible cabin, but you do have some distance limitations, instead choose an area that will be convenient. For example, stick with accommodations closer to elevators, preferably toward midship. That way, if you use the elevator further from you to come up/down to your deck, it will be a bit less walking. Have I Ever Been in an Awful Location? I don't believe there's an "awful" location on a cruise ship, but there are certainly a few less wonderful places to call your own on the ship. Having been awoken early every day by a cabin steward getting in and out of their storage closet that was near my cabin has made me particularly sensitive to trying to keep my clients from going through that experience. What is My Personal Favorite Location? I've been asked this many times. I'm in heaven if I can get an aft-facing cabin that has an enlarged balcony. Between the balcony, the view, and watching the ship's wake, I am one very happy gal! Because I don’t handle heights well, I tend to lean toward decks eight and nine when possible. It’s not too high for me but still gets me elevated for good views. Would you like to work with an agency that is going to work closely to set up a cruise vacation experience tailored to your interests and needs? Including the best cabin location? Email me with an idea of what you are looking to do with your next vacation and we'll set up a complimentary consultation. Happy Traveling! -Connie

Can a complimentary upgrade be a bad thing? For some people, yes. It can also be an excellent opportunity for the right people. Your understanding of the program will enable you to make the right vacation choice. When booking with Princess Cruises, there’s an option to accept being eligible for a “Complimentary Upgrade.” But should agree to it? The first thing you need to know about: Categories Each Princess’s ship has over 30 categories. These are split between inside cabins (no windows), oceanview cabins (windows or portholes), cabins with balconies and suites. The categories are further broken down by details such as location, a possible obstruction outside your window or balcony, size, and amenities. The second thing you need to know about: What is an upgrade? An upgrade is being moved to any category higher than the one you paid for. It does not mean you will be upgraded to an entirely different type of accommodations. You could be upgraded from inside to oceanview. Or oceanview to a balcony cabin, balcony cabin to mini-suite, or mini-suite to a full suite. Theoretically, you could be upgraded by more than one type of cabin. But I see a lot more upgrades within the kind of category that people purchase. For example, let’s say you paid for an inside category IE cabin on Royal Princess. Princess may “upgrade” you to category IB (also an inside cabin), but in a location that Princess Cruises feels is better. The third thing you need to know about: Is an upgrade always better? Whether an upgrade is better depends ultimately on whether you see it that way. I’ll explain that further when I talk below about reasons not to agree to be on the complimentary upgrade list. The fourth thing you need to know: Will I definitely get upgraded? If I’m upgraded, when will I find out? No. You may be upgraded. If it happens, it could take place any time from after you make the final payment up until embarkation that day of sailing. More often than not, guests do not get offered an upgrade. The fifth thing you need to know about: Can you turn down an upgrade? Yes, maybe. The guest and their travel agent both receive an email that you have been upgraded. Notice that I said you’ve been upgraded. It’s already happened by that point. You have up to 48 hours for your travel agent (or you if you booked directly) to turn it down. If turned down, Princess Cruises will check to see if your old cabin is still available. If it is, you will be rebooked back to your original cabin. However, suppose your room has now been booked by someone else. In that case, Princess will attempt to get you back into a cabin closer to what you paid for, subject to what’s still available. Four Reasons Why You Should NOT Agree to Be Eligible for an Upgrade There are some people and circumstances that should not agree to an upgrade. In these scenarios, people are much better off to “just say no.” 1) You are booked into an accessible cabin. Suppose you use a scooter, powerchair or manual wheelchair and/or need the features that make your cabin accessible. In that case, you should never agree to be on the complimentary upgrade list. The computer doesn’t look for upgraded accessible cabins. You will likely be moved to a non-accessible cabin, and it’s doubtful you’ll get the cabin back that you need. 2) You are picky about your location. I don’t mean that negatively. It’s your vacation, and there are locations on the ship that you may not like. As there are no criteria you can submit that control the upgrade location, you may be better off in the cabin you booked. Here are a few examples of possible “upgrades” you may not feel are good: You have an incredible aft-facing cabin with an extended balcony and an amazing expansive view off the back of the ship on Sky Princess. You’ve been upgraded to a higher-category balcony cabin which is midship but with a much smaller balcony. You prefer to be midship and booked into a midship inside cabin on Caribbean Princess. An upgrade came through for an oceanview cabin---- but it’s in the very front of the ship and has some type of huge metal mechanism outside the window. You booked on Princess Cruises’ newest ship, Enchanted Princess, into a mini-suite. You got upgraded to a Window Suite. Now THAT’S sweet! Except that your wife’s dream of romance includes sunsets with cocktails, sunrises with coffee, and romantic dinners on the balcony. Your mini-suite had a balcony. Your new Window Suite does not. None of the above are horrible unless they aren’t what you want. 3) You are traveling with others. Suppose you want to be next door, in the same vicinity of a deck, or at least share the same elevator bank or stairway as family and friends who are traveling with you. You should not agree to a possible upgrade. There is no way, even if all parties go on the complimentary upgrade list that you will be guaranteed to be near each other. 4) You are a “control freak.” If the thought of not knowing where you could end up being, not knowing if you will be upgraded, and not knowing when you’ll be upgraded (if at all), this is not for you. We all have limits, easily pushed buttons or things that make us a tad nuts. Embrace it rather than risking how comfortable you will be if anything in this article makes you worry. One Great Reason to Say “YES!” to Being on the Complimentary Upgrade List If you’ve read through this thinking, “no big deal” on each point, then the good news is that you are a GREAT candidate to be eligible for a complimentary upgrade. Do you want to book your cruise with a specialist who has your back through the process? Take advantage of our years of experience booking individuals and groups with Princess Cruises. You get our expertise and the advantage of the relationships we've developed. And at no extra cost to you. Contact me to set up a complimentary consultation so we can talk about your next great vacation. Happy Traveling! -Connie

Gavin MacLeod was a talented actor who performed in films and television. He played supporting roles in two well-liked TV shows and a lead role in one of television’s most popular shows, The Love Boat. But he’s also a key person in the popularity of cruising, an industry that has generated over 436,000 American jobs. I never met Gavin MacLeod, but he unknowingly played a huge part in my career. I was fresh out of school when I started working in a travel agency during the height of “The Love Boat.” I had already known him from reruns of McHale’s Navy and the Mary Tyler Moore Show. “Mary” was a role model for this teen of a successful, single woman living out on her own. On her show, Gavin MacLeod’s character is a news writer where Mary works and is her friend. “I think when life gets heavy, people look for an escape. “The Love Boat” is an escape. We have happy endings. You don't see many of those around. I think it gave people a vicarious adventure.” ― Gavin MacLeod, This Is Your Captain Speaking: My Fantastic Voyage Through Hollywood, Faith and Life And then he was on The Love Boat, a show many critics claimed wouldn’t last. As Captain Merrill Stubing, he oversaw the fictitious “MS Pacific Princess,” which was filmed on the very real ships, Princess Cruises’ Pacific Princess and Island Princess and with very real passengers on board. The recipe for this show couldn’t have been better. It was a romantic comedy with a unique setting, a catching theme song and an incredible cast. Each week brought on characters played by a revolving cast of popular famous people, most often actors as well as singers and comedians. Everyone who was anyone seemed to show up at some point over the show’s ten years. It was a time when Americans (and people from other countries) enjoyed fun, easy-going shows. Yes, it was corny, but we loved it for 10 years before revisiting it through reruns. What affected the travel industry and my career was the popularity of the show’s settings. MS Pacific Princess mostly visited Puerto Vallarta and Acapulco. While both towns were growing as vacation destinations, they were often thought of as unattainable by the “average person.” Instead, they were more often in the news as celebrity hangouts. Now, these two Mexican Riviera cities were building in popularity among the rest of us. But the obvious and most significant effect on the cruise industry and travelers was the setting of a cruise ship. The ship was the ultimate hostess, bringing stories of romance, laughs, and cruising into our homes. And Gavin MacLeod was the funny leader, escort, boss, and somewhat “uncle” at times who led the bunch. I wonder if I was the only show fan who wished that Captain Stubing was my uncle? Love Boat introduced millions of people to cruising. I don’t think it’s an exaggeration to say that this show is ultimately responsible, directly or indirectly, for hundreds of thousands of people becoming cruisers. People came into travel agencies wanting to experience what they saw on the show. They wanted to see the shows and exciting destinations, to enjoy the pool, and play the games. They wanted to meet the captains and cruise directors and to chat with the friendly bartenders. They saw the fun, the escape from everyday life and the friendly crew led by Captain Stubing. “If I can do it, anybody can do it. Willpower is strong! I believe that. You just have to have faith in yourself—and God—and make sure you know where your priorities stand.” ― Gavin MacLeod, This Is Your Captain Speaking: My Fantastic Voyage Through Hollywood, Faith and Life MacLeod and his fellow cast and this show built up cruising while I was new in the industry. Heck, it made me want to get on a cruise. Which led to my sailing on many cruises and helping thousands of others to enjoy cruising over the years. I wonder how many cruised because of the show or because parents or grandparents who watched the original episodes brought them on their first cruise? But The Love Boat did present one issue that we always had to address with first-time cruisers coming to us because of the show. As I mentioned, it was filmed on two of Princess Cruises’ ships. BUT it was also filmed on a sound stage. The problem? The perceived size of cabins! The show made cruise ship cabins all look huge. Well, at least large. But huge compared to “real life” ships, particularly back in the ‘70s and ‘80s. People didn’t know what parts were filmed on ships versus land. Therefore, I learned quickly to give novice cruisers whose comparison was a television show a realistic expectation of the size of the cabin they would be living in. “Filming “The Love Boat” was exciting, but sometimes it was hard to keep track of where to show up for work. It all depended on the cut. Some of them were really on the ship. Some were really on the set. Like if they had the stars for a week, that was usually on the set, except if we were on location for that particular show.” ― Gavin MacLeod, This Is Your Captain Speaking: My Fantastic Voyage Through Hollywood, Faith and Life Gavin MacLeod became devoted to Princess Cruises and the cruise industry. For 35 years following the show, he was a brand ambassador and spokesperson for Princess. While much of the cast showed up for some events, MacLeod was a constant at big Princess events. He seemed to love his role. And by all accounts of anything I’ve seen and anyone I’ve talked to who had met him, he was a kind, friendly man who took the time to talk to people. It’s been over 40 years since Gavin MacLeod first brought Captain Stubing and his crew into our living rooms. Princess Cruises’ ships have a channel that plays the reruns back-to-back. I still find myself enjoying those reruns when I want to flip on the TV as I get ready for my day, prepare for my evening, or before going to bed. It sure beats watching the news while on vacation! One of the definitions Merriam-Webster gives to “captain” is “a person of importance or influence in a field.” Gavin MacLeod’s character didn’t just command a fictitious cruise ship. In many ways, he was a captain in a larger sense, influencing many thousands of travelers and people working in the industry. I regret that I never met him and, with is passing this past week, I’ve missed the opportunity. But I have the deepest appreciation for the role he played and especially the person he was. Farewell, Captain Stubing. -Connie

Knowing what you should not pack can be nearly as helpful as having a list of items that you do need to pack. This is especially true when you have a luggage limit that curbs your ability to include many "just in case" items. This article will let you know what you can confidently leave at home. All flights into the Galápagos Islands depart from either Quito or Guayaquil on mainland Ecuador. Luxury cruise lines and upscale packages include your flight into the islands. Your flight will most often be into Baltra though some also fly guests into San Cristobal. We advise our clients of your flight's weight limit for your check-in bag, which will range from 44 lbs to 50 lbs. Plus you can have a carry-on bag. 1) You won't need your dressy clothes. Even for the most upscale cruise, you'll be advised you don't need anything beyond "country club casual" clothing for evenings. That consists of nice slacks and a polo or button-down shirt for men. For women, that would be nice slacks or skirts with a nice top or a sundress. Anything dressier than that can stay home. The "don't pack dressy clothes" extends to shoes, too. 2) Leave your new shoes at home (unless you wear them in before the trip). Don't risk blistered, sore feet limiting your experience. If you purchase any new sneakers, hiking shoes, water shoes or sandals, or evening shoes, be sure to wear them in good before you travel. 3) Don't overpack on clothing and shoes. A Galápagos Islands cruise is a great trip to learn not to overpack if you aren't already experienced in packing light. Pants and skirts can be paired with different tops, so having two "bottoms" are plenty for evenings during the week. Consult your cruise line's packing list and, if you are one of our clients, our list that we supply will also guide you for what you do need. Some larger ships have laundry services available. Celebrity Flora offers complimentary laundry service twice during your cruise to all guests. Silver Origin offers complimentary laundry for up to three items per guest per day. Knowing your ship's policy on laundry is a significant advantage to reduce the number of clothes you need to pack. 4) Please don't pack aerosol sprays. Consider the environment, particularly regarding where you are visiting. When packing products such as sunscreen, insect repellent, deodorant, etc., use lotions, wipes, solids and gels. If taking hairspray, bring a non-aerosol bottle. 5) Leave your good jewelry at home. There's no reason to take more than a bit of costume jewelry for evenings if you want to pack jewelry other than wedding and engagement rings. 6) You can leave your snorkeling gear behind. Most cruise lines include complimentary snorkeling gear. Particularly as we come out of Covid, updated policies will need to keep being checked. But you will likely not have to bring your own mask, snorkel or fins. You may wish to take along your own mouthpiece if that makes you more comfortable. 7) You can't bring any fruit, plants, seeds or animals into the Galápagos Islands. Seriously, none. Even foods served to you on your cruise will be locally sourced. Anything brought into the islands even innocently can potentially present a risk to the environment, so they are understandably strict. " At least 38 different species in the Galapagos Islands, including turtles, marine iguanas, and sea lions have been recorded entangled by plastic such as bags and lines, having ingested it after mistaking it for food or living in affected habitats." -Galapagos Conservation Trust 8) Plastic bags are not permitted in the Galápagos. Since 2018, single-use plastics have been banned. Disposable plastic bags (grocery type bags), disposable plastic bottles, Styrofoam containers, and disposable straws have all been banned. You can bring ziplock bags into the islands. 9) Metal-tipped hiking poles can't be brought into the islands. Many cruise lines have walking sticks. They don't usually have enough for all guests, but not everyone uses them so you're not likely to be disappointed. If you prefer bringing your own that you are used to using, keep two facts in mind. First, hiking poles (trekking poles, hiking staff) and walking sticks must be collapsible to be packed for your plane rides. Secondly, tips must be rubber. Metal-tipped poles are not permitted off the ships as they can harm the islands' fragile environment. 10) You won't need to bring your water bottle. Because of the initiative to keep disposable plastics out of the islands, most ships give their guests a reusable stainless-steel water bottle that is refillable from their filtered water. This is yours to keep. 11) Don't bring anything your ship will supply for you. Toiletries such as shampoo and conditioner are typically included on cruises. Upscale lines often include a moisturizer. Of course, if you have sensitive skin, I recommend bringing products that work well for you rather than trying something new while away from home. Here are some examples of other items you can skip packing thanks to these lines: · Celebrity Cruises' Celebrity Flora is the most generous ship as they also include sunscreen and lip balm. They include snorkeling equipment and walking sticks, as well as complimentary use of wet suits. In addition to giving each guest a reusable water bottle, they also give you a drawstring backpack that is convenient for excursions. · Silversea's Silver Origin also provides a reusable water bottle and drawstring backpack for you to use and keep. They also offer complimentary use of snorkeling equipment, wet suits and walking sticks. · G Adventures' Reina Silvia Voyager also includes a water bottle and complimentary use of their snorkeling gear, wet suits and walking sticks. · Lindblad Expeditions' National Geographic Islander and National Geographic Endeavour II include complimentary reusable water bottles to keep as well as complimentary snorkeling equipment and wet suits to borrow. By not packing what you don't need, you'll have more space for items that will benefit you during your trip. And you won’t waste space in your cabin or suite. If you'd like to have a Galápagos cruise specialist help you plan your adventure, email me for a complimentary consultation. Don't you deserve your best possible vacation? Happy Traveling! -Connie

Most items needed for your trip can be picked up super cheap at Dollar Tree for a third or less than you’d spend at a pharmacy or department store. Plus, you can probably get everything in one trip, saving you time and money! As both a travel agent and a traveler, I believe our trips' financial investment should go toward what will make the trip the most enjoyable, memorable, and comfortable. How much I spend on ibuprofen, toothpaste, and tissues isn't going to make a difference in the memories I'll have for years of my trip. Or yours. In addition to saving money, many of your toiletries and other small items you need can be found at a Dollar Tree, saving you multiple stops in other stores. Even with this year's pricing jump from $1 to $1.25, this store may be your best travel budget, shopping, and packing resource. I’ve created a list of items by category that you may need or want. You're actually going to see many more things than the 49 that I promised. I’ll also add some thoughts that I believe you may find helpful. Lastly, I'm including a link to a handy printable Dollar Tree Vacation Shopping List to help you plan your shopping trip. ACTIVITY ITEMS Dollar Tree carries a lot of options to keep adults and children entertained. Particularly when flying, it’s helpful to have activity choices to keep people occupied in airports and planes. Magazines, books Puzzle books (crossword, sudoku, word find) Toys Stickers & temporary tattoos I love my Kindle and Audible apps, but there’s something nice about holding an “old-fashioned” book or magazine when on vacation. And I’m happy to leave those behind in a ship’s library, cabin, hotel room or lobby, or in an airport for someone else to enjoy them. Even if you’re not a big puzzle book person, these can help kill time when flying and could even become a new hobby. Why the toys, stickers, and tattoos? A “new toy” can be a sanity-saver when traveling with a bored child on a plane, bus, or train. Stickers and temporary tattoos can also be fun or used as bribery. (Yes, I have experience with bribing my sons on trips when they were young.) Just be sure that the stickers aren’t left on something that makes housekeeping try to scrape off memories of your family from furniture and walls. CLEANING ITEMS One of the best ways to avoid illness when traveling has always been diligent with handwashing and cleaning. Hand sanitizer Antibacterial wipes Disinfectant wipes Small sanitizer bottles and antibacterial wipes in ziplock bags are great traveling companions when you wish you could wash your hands, but can’t. And disinfectant wipes come in handy for wiping down your armrests and tables on planes, handles, and TV remotes in hotel rooms and ship cabins, as well as toilet knobs and seats. COMFORT & SAFETY ITEMS These are the type of things you’ll want to pick up from Dollar Tree that you’ll appreciate in a pinch. Nightlight Flashlight Air freshener Sleep mask Earplugs Cushion insoles Socks Rain poncho Face masks & face shields If you like to have a small light on at night, you could keep your bathroom light on with the door cracked, but a nightlight would be better. A flashlight is a great tool that’s helpful at night, especially if there’s a loss of electricity. This may be an item rarely needed but, wow, can it really be beneficial when needed. And don’t forget the batteries! Another helpful item is an air freshener for your bathroom. To avoid the potential mess of a gell or liquid, pick up a car freshener. A sleep mask (eye mask) and earplugs make a difference when trying to sleep on planes, in noisy places, and napping in a cabin or room that doesn’t get dark enough. Another comfort item on a plane is a pair of socks to keep your feet warm if you take your shoes off. Speaking of feet, you’ll likely do more walking than usual, so those cushion insoles help your feet and stamina. The small folded-up ponchos are a terrific item to put in your back pocket, bag, or purse. I’ve appreciated those twice. Once, when I was on a boat excursion in the Caribbean and the other in an Alaskan port. Although it wasn’t cold in Ketchikan in June, it was too cold to be walking around while wet. These rain ponchos will help keep you dry without taking a lot of packing space. DÉCOR ITEMS Some travelers enjoy personalizing their cabin or room. Some enjoy having a touch of home with them. Decorations for your cabin Flameless tea lights Picture frame Not everyone wants to decorate their cruise cabin. However, it’s a popular activity for some travelers, and I’ve seen photos of very decked-out cruise ship cabins. Perhaps you want to celebrate your traveling companion’s birthday or holiday, or you enjoy making your room into your castle. A dollar store is the most economical place to shop for decorating on your vacation. Flameless candles can do the job of a nightlight. They can also lend a lovely ambiance to your accommodations. While I’ve not seen regular-sized flameless candles at our favorite dollar store, I have picked up flameless tea lights there. Why a picture frame? I’ve had many clients tell me they take a photo of their family or dog or cat on vacation. Why not put their photo in a frame on the vanity or night table by your bed? FOOD & BEVERAGE ITEMS Plan ahead to pick these up from your local Dollar Tree, so you don’t end up paying airport prices for these purchases. Reusable water bottle Coffee travel mug Snacks Lollipops Not only can a reusable water bottle save you money over buying bottles of water, but it’s also much better for the environment that you’re out enjoying. And since ship tap water is clean and safe to drink, filling up your bottle when cruising saves you money. Snacks for in the car, airplane, train, bus, and hotel room can be picked up at much lower prices at Dollar Tree. But why did I list lollipops separately? Babies’ ears will “pop” more easily on a plane when sucking on a pacifier or bottle or when they are nursing. But for older kids, a lollipop can be a huge help in clearing their ears and relieving their pain. HEALTH & BEAUTY ITEMS This may be the most significant area in which you can save money by travel shopping at Dollar Tree. Travel-size toiletries Over-the-counter meds Sunscreen Bug spray Washcloth First Aid kit Sewing kit Tissues Sun hat TSA will allow you to bring one 1-quart-size ziplock bag of liquids, gels and aerosols no larger than 3.4 ounces into the passenger cabin of a plane. Medication is an exception. Any other liquids and gels must be packed in your check-in luggage. Here’s where you want to consider stocking up on your deodorant, shampoo, and other toiletries. If you’re already a Dollar Tree shopper, you’re aware they carry a vast array of OTC meds including ibuprofen, acetaminophen, laxatives and vitamins. They carry medicines for allergies, upset stomachs. diarrhea, cough, cold, sinus, and more. Are you wondering why I included a washcloth on the list? People around much of the world wonder about American’s “obsession” with washcloths (also known as “face cloths” and “flannels”) and ice. You’ll find washcloths to be fully available on cruises. But if you stay at hotels on other continents, you may be surprised to not have them in your room. Best to take one or two and a ziplock in which to put damp ones. DESK SUPPLIES: I don’t like to trust that I’ll have ready access when I need even simple items, so I always pack pens and paper. Pens Tablet/journal Highlighter Duct or shipping tape If you are going on a cruise, a highlighter comes in handy for highlighting activities you don’t want to miss on the daily activity sheets. A small roll of duct or shipping tape is an item you could easily overlook but, if something tears or breaks, you’ll be glad to have it. STORAGE & ORGANIZATION The more organized you are, the better your packing will go and the more comfortable you will be in your “temporary travel home.” Refillable toiletry bottles Containers Pill organizers Ziplock freezer bags Plastic hangers Mesh laundry bag Tote bag Magnetic metal clips If traveling outside the U.S., for you to pack your OTC and prescription meds in their original packages. The pill organizers are excellent for storing your earrings, particularly studs. All of my liquids and aerosols that get packed are put into ziplock bags. It only takes one trip of having your clothing affected by a leaking bottle. My experience was a long weekend smelling like my hairspray. Never again! Ziplocks also help with organizing, packing, and separating dirty and wet clothing. I’ve found that the freezer bags hold up much better. A mesh laundry bag can store your dirty clothes while letting them air out a bit. Over-the-door hooks can assist with extra space. Magnetic metal clips are one of my favorite travel packing hacks for cruising. The cabin walls are metal. By hanging your papers (shore excursion tickets, daily activity papers, order forms, invitations, etc.), you give yourself more space, and everything is neater. SPARE PARTS I named these as “spare parts” because, is many cases, these aren’t always the quality I’d likely trust as my primary items. But in case I forget one of them or my main one breaks, having a cheap “spare” that I didn’t invest much money into is helpful and much cheaper than replacing in an airport, tourist destination, resort or on a cruise ship. Spare earbuds Spare phone charger Spare reading glasses Spare sunglasses Spare flip-flops Flip-flops can also double as slippers. Pack your "spare" earbuds, charger and glasses separately from your main ones so you do have a set even if a suitcase gets lost. You can visit Dollar Tree online to help plan your shopping trip along with our printable list. Packing Tip An added way to save time and money is to have a “trip” container for items that are reusable or which don’t expire. Tucked in the back of my closet is a Sterlite container where I toss items that are used for trips. I first raid this treasure chest before seeing what I need to buy. Travel toothbrushes, toothpaste, small tissue packs, and small toiletry containers are among what's in there waiting for the next time I travel. Download and print your free Dollar Tree Vacation Shopping Checklist. It's designed so you can personalize it as needed for you and your trip. Gifting Tip Do you need a gift for a traveler family member or friend? Consider putting together a gift bag or gift basket of travel-related items from this article. Click here for more travel gift ideas. Contact us for your next cruise or group motorcoach tour vacation so we can share many more travel tips with you. If you found this article helpful, please click on the ♥ below and share this with a friend or on your Facebook. Happy Traveling! -Connie P.S. I have been asked if I'm in an affiliate program with Dollar Tree. The answer is "no." I have four of their locations close by my home and find myself there often to save money. :-)

It has never been so important to know the status of your passport's validity than now. This article will go over 10 crucial points you need to know if traveling this year or next year. I've included a problem that has been causing people to be forced to cancel trips and what you need to know so you don't have to cancel yours. Knowledge is power and I want you armed with the knowledge that keeps you from being disappointed. Note: This article refers to the traditional U.S. passport “book,” not the passport card which has limited use. When do you need a valid passport? International Travel 1. You must have a passport to board a plane departing the United States. 2. Except for closed-loop cruises from the U.S. to other Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) participating countries, you have to have a passport to board a ship from the U.S. 3. While there is an exception in #2 above regarding proof of citizenship for cruising in some instances, we still strongly recommend passports. We have a few clients and there have been countless other travelers who regretted not traveling with a passport as it resulted in delays of days, a lot of extra unplanned expenses, or altogether missing their vacation when “stuff happened.” But this is a bigger conversation for a separate article. Domestic Travel 4. Beginning May 3, 2023, you will need to travel with a passport, REAL I.D. or other approved identification to board an airplane to fly within the U.S. (Note: This information was updated when TSA changed the date from 10/1/21.) Should you renew your passport now? 5. You want to check how long you have left until your passport expires. Now that the world has opened back up for travel, don't find yourself left behind because your passport expired or won't be valid long enough after your trip to be in compliance with travel requirements. 6. Depending on your next trip’s destination, you may need your passport to be valid for a while past your trip dates. Some countries have a "three-month validity" or "six-month validity" rule meaning that your passport must be valid for at least three or six months beyond the time you are set to depart their country. If yours doesn’t fill your visiting country’s requirements, you will be denied boarding your plane. This can be a costly mistake in addition to missing out on your trip. Brazil, Ecuador (including Galápagos), Italy, Kenya, Thailand, and Turkey are among the long list of countries requiring six months. France, Germany, Iceland, and New Zealand are a few of the countries which require three extra months. Always check the latest requirements when starting to plan your trip. How long does it take to get your passport? 7. U.S. mail and passport agency processing delays are severely affecting travelers right now. Routine processing of original and renewal applications, if they aren't lost, is taking up to 18 weeks. I'm talking about the post office AND the passport agency losing them. I've even read stories of two applications being sent in one package, but one mysteriously gets lost. ** Update 10/4/23 ** Routine passport issuance is averaging 8-11 weeks for turn-around. Expedited are 5-7 weeks. Regional passport office in-person appointments for emergency passports for travel within two weeks remain difficult to obtain. Timframes do NOT include mailing/shipping time in either direction. We strongly suggest applying for your passport at least 4 months prior to your trip. Do NOT trust a court clerk or post office employee who tells you it will be processed more quickly. While the turn-around time is much better than it was over the past two years, we haven't yet caught up to the reduced times we experienced prior to the pandemic. 8. "Expedited" passports are now taking up to 5 weeks to be processed and returned. There is an added cost of $60 over the normal passport costs. ($110 for adults, $80 for children under 16. Plus $35 execution fee for a first-time passport.) Because we don't know if the delays could continue to get longer or an application getting lost, I would suggest investing in expediting your passport if you are traveling within eight months even if it's only for the peace of mind. 9. Whether or not you pay for an expedited passport, I suggest that everyone pay for two mailing services. First, pay for a trackable mailing service when sending your application. Secondly, pay the $17.56 optional fee for the "1 - 2 day" return delivery of your passport. I realize that these add on to the cost of an already expensive document for some people, but think of the cost of resting more easily about getting your passport and what's involved if you don't get your passport back in time. 10. Do not count on getting an "emergency" passport through one of the Passport Agency locations as some people have done in the past. You have to have proof that you are traveling internationally within two weeks. There are a limited number of appointments offered. Some locations will only process an emergency passport for actual emergency-required travel which excludes booking a last-minute trip or not properly planning for an upcoming trip. Keeping your passport safe 11. I’ve heard all kinds of stories from panicked people who are hours or days from packing for their trip. “Lost” and misplaced passports are the most common. Dropped in water (including the toilet) and dogs getting to them and chewing them (it’s a thing that’s less unusual than you’d think) are among the problems. If you don’t have a SAFE place to store yours, make that a priority right now. I have a fireproof box for important documents. My passport has a spot in the front of the box. I get it out when I’m doing my “travel documents” checklist while packing and, after the trip, it goes back in that box. Here is a quick recap of the 11 points you need to know right now about passports: 1. You must have a passport to depart the United States. 2. There is an exception to requiring a passport for some cruises from the United States. 3. There are reasons why it is wise to ignore that exception and have a passport. 4. A passport can be used as an ID when traveling within the U.S. 5. Check your passport to see when it expires. 6. Your travel destination may have a requirement of your passport is valid for up to six months after your expected departure from their country. 7. Passports are now taking up to 1 1weeks to be processed and returned to you. 8. Expedited passport processing is taking up to 5 weeks to be returned to you. 9. Invest in your passport by purchasing a trackable mailing service and expedited delivery. 10. Don’t count on being able to get an “emergency“ passport issued. 11. Keep your passport safe! My passport is something I’m proud of. Having this document is, in my opinion, both a privilege and a responsibility. Knowing and following the above points will keep you appreciating yours rather than having it turn into a pre-trip stressor. Here's one extra tip. Do NOT post the photo page of your passport publicly. I’ve seen this done too often. It offers an opportunity for your identity to be stolen. Happy Traveling! - Connie

MSC Cruises will soon have 17 cruise vessels sailing worldwide. Eleven of these ships have Yacht Clubs, their “ship within a ship.” Or, what I think of them more so as “a private country club on a ship.” Yacht Clubs offer an exclusive luxury experience on a level not typical of large, contemporary cruise lines. They have been exceeding popular among our clients and others who have sailed in this class. MSC Cruises just announced their Summer 2022 season, which covers April 2022 through November 2022. In this article, I want to share the Summer 2022 itineraries on ships having Yacht Clubs. In this article, I'll discuss which ships you'll be able to enjoy the amenities of sailing in Yacht Club on in three regions and whether you should book now. Caribbean Northern Europe Mediterranean Asia Yacht Club Experience Should You Book Now? MSC Yacht Clubs Sailing in the Caribbean: MSC Divina, MSC Seashore MSC Divina will be sailing from Port Canaveral, Florida with itineraries that alternate between 3- and 4-night cruises to Nassau, Bahamas and Ocean Cay along with 7 night cruises which will visit Ocean Cay and Mexican ports. MSC announced that Divina will first operate a 12-night “repositioning” cruise at the beginning of the summer that begins in Miami and ends in Port Canaveral with visits to Jamaica, Aruba, Columbia, Panama, Costa Rica, Honduras and Ocean Cay. Ocean Cay is MSC’s private island that received acclaim before the pandemic. MSC Seashore MSC Seashore, a new ship entering the fleet in 2021, will also sail in the Caribbean, but will homeport in Miami from which she will alternate between Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries, both of which will include Ocean Cay. Back to Top Should You Book Now? MSC Yacht Clubs Sailing in Northern Europe: MSC Grandiosa, MSC Preziosa MSC Grandiosa and MSC Preziosa will sail from Kiel and Copenhagen alternating between two itineraries which will be 7-night cruises to Baltic capitals and 7-night cruises to the Fjords. Back to Top Should You Book Now? MSC Yacht Clubs Sailing in the Mediterranean: MSC Fantasia, MSC Meraviglia, MSC Seaside, MSC Seaview, MSC Splendida MSC Cruises will operate five ships in the Western Mediterranean. MSC Fantasia will depart from Genoa to Marseille, Barcelona, La Goulette, Palermo and Civitavecchia which is the closest port to Rome. MSC Meraviglia will depart from Barcelona, sailing to Cannes, Genoa, La Spezia, Civitavecchia and Palma de Mallorca. MSC Seaside will sail from Genoa to Cittavecchia to Palermo, Cagliari, Palma de Mallorca, Valencia and Marseille. MSC Seaview rounds out the last of the four ships sailing from Genoa and will visit Naples, Messina, Valletta, Barcelona and Marseille. MSC Splendida will sail from Barcelona with ports-of-call in Cannes, Genoa, La Spezia, Civitavecchia and Palma de Mallorca. Back to Top Should You Book Now? MSC Yacht Clubs Sailing in Asia: MSC Bellissima along with MSC Virtuosa, which is scheduled to be delivered to MSC in 2021, will be sailing in Asia. However, we’re waiting for more details. Back to Top Should You Book Now? Are You New to the Yacht Club Experience? If you are new to MSC Yacht Club or would enjoy a minute to relive a past vacation, you'll enjoy this short video. Booking Now: Does it feel too soon to you to plan a trip that far away? It’s not. Consider these facts: There’s a greater level of pent-up demand for cruising due to the pandemic than our industry has ever undergone. As people sail in a Yacht Club and share their experiences with friends and on social media, their popularity is growing. The exclusivity of a small number of suites being in this category that comes with a private club, pool, and restaurant for these guests along with 24/7 butlers and concierge, there’s no such thing as “too early.” I’d be happy to extend a complimentary phone consultation to you, so we match you to a sailing and accommodations that match your interests. Happy Traveling! -Connie P.S. If you found this article helpful, would you share some love with us by clicking on the ♥ below?