Dream Street Marketing

 Whenever you arrive in any country, whether it be by boat, plane or whatever….. you are vulnerable.
You have all your cash, cards, documents and anything else valuable on you right at that moment.
 It is even worse if you have never been there before and look like you haven’t, there are always people who are willing to “help”.
 Every precaution you take will help to avoid any potential problems. After all you do not want someone to “help” themselves to your belongings, when you have just arrived.

Here are a few tips that should help.

Before leaving for your trip, try to get some prior information as to the rough layout of the airport where you will be arriving.
This will help, to have a vague sense of where you should be going and where the taxis are located etc.

Whenever possible, especially in certain countries we recommend taking either the airport limousine, or a hotel pick up.

NEVER  take a taxi that seems just to be hanging around, offering its services when there is a taxi queue available.

Try to keep your wallet and valuables safely secured in a handbag or in one of your hand luggage.

Change some money into the local currency before you depart. This gives you one less thing to worry about, and will stop you from pulling a large amount of money out at the airport arrivals.

Keep a small amount of this local currency, easily accessible in a pocket or something, and away from the majority of your well earned money.  You will need sufficient for the ride into town, a tip (perhaps) and a little for unforeseen needs like toll ways or a bottle of water.

If you have not been able to find anything out about the airport that you are visiting then ask one of the airline staff, or the government tourism booth (if they have one at the airport) for some assistance, or tips on the best way of travelling.

Most countries really are very safe, but in others it is really very advisable to take as many precautions as possible.
 No matter what, the most important is that……….

You have a Great Holiday!

 Luxury Resorts and Hotels, especially of the four and five star category are normally extremely safe; providing you with a safe in the room and at the reception area, security guards hiding around the place, and cameras that can be as much your friend as your enemy . However still things do occasionally disappear, sometimes without the owner ever knowing that they have gone. 

 Here are a few tips to avoid your valued possessions from taking a walk:

If your vacation place has an in room safe use it and keep all your valuables in there.
However, if the safe is electronic, wipe the touch keys down before operating it with a damp cloth, and then dry it before entering your secret code. Try to do this every time you use the safe. 

 After you have keyed in your code and closed the door firmly locked on the safe. Press all the other keys & numbers that do not make up your code, and press them firmly. Doing this may set off a small alarm from the safe but it stops quickly and no one will pay any attention (!!).

The reason to do this is because certain vacation places have caught their own staff placing, a light oil residue or powder on to the touch keys that shows them when using a certain light what numbers were pressed. They were managing to open the safe, and one very clever thief was taking only 1 or 2 US$ from each room. Would you have noticed ? It is not a lot but in a 400 or 500 room hotel the guy was doing quite well for himself.

NEVER  leave valuables in soft material bags with pockets even if they are padlocked like Alcatraz.

This avoids any potential of somebody simply splitting a seam to a pocket with a knife and removing select contents. This can happen to anyone and you won’t even notice, until you go  into the bag and pocket later.

This should also apply to your  luggage sets that you check into the airplane.

NEVER   get drunk and invite a stranger to your room. This seems funny, indeed, but better safe than sorry.

Have a great Holiday!

As an avid traveler, I’ve become accustomed to the hustle and bustle of people, airports and security that accompany any vacation where it’s necessary to fly. I consider myself an observer as I make my way through the terminal, watching the rest of the population struggle to walk and carry their bags at the same time. Although somewhat amusing, I feel sorry for these people as they try to survive the chaos of airports. So, as an expert voyager I think it’s best that I share my knowledge and experience with those who fall below par.

For the sake of everyone’s attention span, I’ve condensed my advice into a short list of tips for the inexperienced traveler. Here we go. First and foremost, arrive to the airport on time! And when I say on time I mean at least an hour-and-a-half before your flight; remember, all flights board 30 minutes ahead of their scheduled departure time. Secondly, don’t purchase cheap luggage – and when I say cheap, I don’t mean inexpensive. The last thing you want is to have your poorly made or tattered suitcase losing a wheel or handle as you scramble through the airport. Inexpensive luggage sets that are also durable are easy to find. And finally, if you don’t have to check your bags, don’t! If I had a quarter for every time an airline has lost or damaged my luggage, I’d be close to retirement.

Check out thses requirements before you embark on your vacation with your hardside luggage set.  

Press Release: Todays Travel Industry

 Whether you are traveling overseas, a cruise, luxury resorts for business, or pleasure, study the best way to ensure a carefree and relaxing trip is to prevent problems before they happen. The more you learn about passports, visas, customs, immunizations, and other travel basics, the less likely you are to have difficulties during your travels.
 

Personal Security While Traveling

Leave contact numbers with family, friends and neighbors.

Check plane, train, and bus times before you travel.
Sit near other people or near aisles or doors. Learn the location of emergency alarms and exits.
Stay awake and alert when using public transportation.
Consider purchasing special clothing or accessories to hide your passport, money, or credit cards. Keep the majority of your funds in travelers checks and hidden; carry some in your wallet or handbag. Use a money clip. If you are robbed, you may lose the money in the clip but will retain important credit cards and documents.
Keep valuables out of sight and luggage close at hand. If carrying a handbag, keep it in front of you, closed, with the fastening toward your body. Keep a wallet in your front pants pocket.
Let go if your bag is snatched.
Do some research on the area you are visiting.

I do hope you find these tips informative and  helpful so you may enjoy a Wonderful Vacation.

Enjoy Your Vacation!

1. The biggest mistake cruising newbies make is booking the wrong ship. Most people focus on the destination (Caribbean, Mexico, etc.) and don’t pay enough attention to the ship itself.  Cruise lines—and even individual ships within a line—vary greatly in terms of atmosphere and facilities. Some have a party-all-the-time ambience and/or a great gym and spa; others are ideal for curling up on deck with a good book

2. Book early. There are two ways to get the best price on a cruise: book early or book at the very last minute. Both will save you money, but early bookers get the best choice of cabins for roughly the same “sale” price as late bookers—and avoid being disappointed because their ship is sold out. “Early” usually means three to six months before the cruise; the savings generally are 25 to 50 percent off the published brochure price per person.

3. Get the best cabin you can afford.

4. A bit of preparation pays off in a carefree trip.Tape a “To Do” list to your fridge, and check things off as you go. Don’t forget to shop for film, extra batteries, sunscreen and travel-size toiletries. These are more expensive to buy on the ship, and you may not find your favorite products. Consider filling small plastic containers with conditioner and shampoo from the big bottles, which you can leave at home.

5. Pack light, pack right. Be prepared for the off chance your luggage will get misplaced. Put a little of everything you’ll want and need in  a  CARRY ON BAG.   As added protection, buy travel insurance that covers you for lost, stolen, damaged or delayed luggage.

6. Beat the rush.It’s also a good idea to make your spa appointments and specialty restaurant reservations on the first day of the cruise so you don’t lose out.

7. Be shore-savvy. Some shore excursions are worth taking. Others are not.To make it more fun (and affordable), put your own group together and share the ride with newfound friends you’ve met on board. But note: if you go solo and miss the boat, you’re on your own.

8. Get the royal treatment. If you celebrating a wedding, Anniversary , Special Birthday, Let the cruise director know. Ask about honeymoon and anniversary parties, dinner at the captain’s table and other special recognition.

9. Then there’s that little business of tipping to take care of. Remember that tipping is always entirely up to you. Most cruise lines will recommend just how much to tip. But when cruising now days most cruise lines add it to your bill at the end of the criuse. The average tip now is $10 per day per person, However if you feel that you did not get the service you exoected you can dicsuss that at the puersors’ office and it will be removed at your request.

10. Cruising for romance. On most cruises, you’ll be assigned a dinner table (usually with other passengers) and time (early or late) for the entire trip. See the maitre d’ as soon as you board to specify which seating you prefer; also let him know if you prefer a table for two and be sure to advise him.  remember that the hot tubs never close, and you’ll probably find yourselves alone under the stars. For more alone time, stay on the ship when everyone else goes ashore it’s like having your own private yacht.

Enjoy Your Cruise!

Most people who have traveled by plane have probably had the experience of not being able to find their luggage at the airport afterward.  A lot of luggage containers look the same, and for some of the top rated models, can be exactly the same.  To ensure you can find your luggage easily at the airport, and so that it doesn’t get mistaken with another passenger’s luggage, consider a neon or brightly colored baggage tag.  This will allow you to spot your luggage as it’s coming out of the baggage claim, and will deter other passenger’s from grabbing it thinking it’s theirs. 

If you’d prefer not to have a hot pink baggage tag attached to your business suitcase, consider making an X with a bit of blue painter’s tape on the front.  It’s easily removable and can be reapplied just as quickly.

 Your first checked bag at Delta for travel within the United States, U.S. Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico is free. Find out about baggage allowances on flights, what’s considered special baggage, restrictions, and more. Please review our excess luggage policy.

Regardless of where you’re going, you’ll want to make sure what you’re bringing is allowed. Here are the rules.

Carry-on Luggage
All Delta passengers are allowed one carry-on bag, one checked bag, and one personal item. Excess charges apply for excess, oversize, or overweight items.

How large can your carry-on bag be?

Must weigh less than 40 pounds (18 kg)
Can’t exceed 45 inches (length + width + height)
Must fit easily in our SizeWise® unit (approximately 22″x14″x9″)
Must fit in an overhead bin or underneath the seat in front of you

What counts as a personal item?

Purses, briefcases, camera cases, and diaper bags
Laptop computers (can’t be checked and must be carried on)
Items of a similar or smaller size to those above

What else can you bring onboard?

Food items for immediate consumption
Assistive devices such as wheelchairs or crutches
One box or bag of duty free merchandise, A coat, jacket, or umbrella
There may be more limits to carry-on baggage based on available space and additional restrictions on certain flights. If you have additional questions, please see a check-in agent for help.

Checked luggage
When traveling within the United States, U.S. Virgin Islands, or Puerto Rico you can check one bag, per passenger, free of charge.
When traveling to or from cities outside the United States you can check two bags, per passenger, free of charge.
If you have additional bags to check, you may incur excess luggage fees.

Each bag must:

Weigh 50 pounds (22.5 kg) or less
Not exceed 62 inches when you total length + width + height

If you have a special item:

Each special item you’re checking counts as one bag.
When checking in online, you don’t have to tell us what the special item is—you just have to let us know you have one.
An agent will determine any possible charges for your item when you bring it to the baggage drop.

Exceptions:

Business Elite® and First Class passengers are allowed 3 checked bags at no charge up to 70 lbs.
Active duty military personnel with traveling orders will be allowed to check 2 bags up to 70lbs at no additional charge.

Passengers traveling to or from Key West, Florida are limited to only one checked bag.
The free weight allowance is 70 pounds (32 kg) for tickets purchased in Brazil, or for tickets purchased in Japan when traveling to/from Brazil.

With the exception of original factory-sealed boxes that will be accepted on a standby basis, we do not accept boxes as checked baggage to Central or South America (except Brazil, Mexico, and Chile) at any time of the year.

Your first checked bag at Delta for travel within the United States, U.S. Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico is free. Find out about baggage allowances on flights, what’s considered special baggage, restrictions, and more. Please review our excess baggage policy.

      Here are some quick tips to make your travel easier and safer:   

 Register so the State Department can better assist you in an emergency:  Register your travel plans  with the State Department through a free online service.  https://travelregistration.state.gov.

Sign passport, and fill in the emergency information : Don’t leave this information in your hardside luggage sets, be sure to have this with you on your person at all times.

 Leave copies of itinerary and passport data page: Leave copies of your itinerary, passport data page and visas with family or friends, so you can be contacted in case of an emergency.

Check your overseas medical insurance coverage:  Ask your medical insurance company if your policy applies overseas, and if it covers emergency expenses such as medical evacuation.  If it does not, consider supplemental insurance.
Familiarize yourself with local conditions and laws. State Department web site has useful safety and other information about the countries you will visit.  http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1765.html

Take precautions to avoid being a target of crime.   Keep important information in your carry on luggage.

 To Contact in an emergency.  Note that the Office of Overseas Citizen Services in the State Department’s Bureau of Consular Affairs may be reached for assistance with emergencies at 1-888-407-4747, if calling from the U.S. or Canada, or 202-501-4444, if calling from overseas. 

I hope you all find this very informative., I know I did.