What's New in Travel
The Year is half over already! It's amazing how quickly time flies!
What's New in Travel is where we address some of the latest noteworthy issues facing travelers this year. We've also gathered some new happenings in the travel industry, like the introduction of new ships and new travel opportunities.
Check back often as we continue to expand this page and add new information!
State Department To Hike Passport, Visa Fees
The U.S. State Department on July 13 will raise the price for visas, passports and other consular services—some by more than $300—to reflect what the department determined is the true cost to provide such services.
For an adult passport, the State Department will begin charging $110—$35 more than the current price—plus a $25 execution fee, which is not retained by the department. Meanwhile, the cost for some visas will jump by even greater amount.
The department's Bureau of Consular Affairs in June 2009 completed a study to assess the full cost to the government to process and issue visas and passports, calling it "the most detailed and exhaustive ever conducted by the Department of State." Following that study, the department "established the true cost of providing these consular services, which by law must be recovered through collection of fees," the State Department said this week.
These days our clients have more reason than ever to ask us about whether they need to purchase insurance when booking their next vacation.
This year has already seen massive floods in Machu Picchu, Rio de Janeiro and Nashville. It has seen at least four major earthquakes affecting such destinations as Haiti, Chile, China and Mexico. And, more recently, it has seen the unprecedented closure of northern European airspace for a week in April, with briefer subsequent disruptions since then, due to volcanic ash clouds from the Iceland eruptions.
In each of these disasters many trips to affected destinations were cancelled or delayed for many hours, if not days, forcing travelers with prepaid itineraries or unplanned expenses to face substantial financial losses. For those who purchased a comprehensive travel insurance plan prior to the outbreak of the specific disaster that disrupted their trip, their prepaid funds could be protected and their unplanned expenses reimbursed. Without such coverage, as widely reported in the consumer media in the past month, most travelers had to incur significant costs and lost any monies paid for their trip.
The U.S. State Department has an opinion on travel insurance stated on its website (www.travel.state.gov) under the topic of travel “health issues.” The State Department clearly understands the necessity for travel insurance to prevent major consumer losses due to unforeseen risks while traveling.
“Obtaining medical treatment and hospital care abroad can be expensive, and medical evacuation to the U.S. can cost more than $50,000,” the State Department says. “Note that U.S. medical insurance is generally not accepted outside the United States, nor do the Social Security Medicare and Medicaid programs provide coverage for hospital or medical costs outside the United States. If your insurance policy does not cover you abroad, it is a good idea to consider purchasing a short-term policy that does.”
In addition to the disasters over the past few months that could be covered by pre-purchased travel insurance, other potential uncertainties can be covered by a good travel insurance plan. Here are a few examples:
• Trip Cancellation or Interruption coverage when a steady job is lost between pre-booking and travel, or the boss says you must work on dates on which you are booked to travel.
• Trip Cancellation or Interruption coverage when a client cancels due to the illness or injury of a family member, whether that relative is scheduled to go on the trip or not.
• Trip Cancellation or Interruption when the supplier providing the trip goes bankrupt and defaults before departure or during the trip.
• Trip Cancellation coverage when the school attended by a client’s child needs to extend the school year calendar into a pre-booked vacation date to make up for snow days.
• Trip Cancellation when the client or travel companion is involved in a car accident en route to the departure airport.
• Trip Interruption when clients learn that their home was burglarized after they left on their vacation.
The outright dismissal of travel insurance without reviewing its content, may not be in your best interest. When unforeseen trip disruptions occur, travelers who did not buy travel insurance are truly separated from their hard-earned, prepaid travel investments. Why not protect yourself? Ask us about Travel Insurance for your next trip. (To Top)
Royal Caribbean's Oasis of the Seas has arrived from Finland and is ready to begin her Eastern and Western Caribbean 7 day sailings.
This mammoth ship is five times the size of the Titanic and 45% larger than the next largest ship in Royal Caribbean’s fleet. The new innovative design features a deep, open space that runs lengthwise down the ship’s superstructure, letting in light and air. Neighborhoods were created, where guests can seek out the one that that fits their personality. See more here -
Sheri Richer, Debra Quinn and Marilyn Lindberg from Viking Travel, previewed the ship during the inaugural sailings from Ft. Lauderdale on Nov. 19 -22. They each can give you first-hand knowledge about the ship's special details and features, just click on their names to email them with your questions.