| Travelonly with Kevin Visser |
| Travel tips, specials, news and insider information… |
As part of the 2010 Throne Speech, the Conservative Government has promised to continue with plans to develop and implement biomentric passports by 2011. Read more in this Toronto Star Article. Passports may also be valid for 10 years instead of 5. It sounds like they still have a lot to figure out, so don’t hold your breath, and continue to renew your passport as needed!
04 MAR 2010: Dad got more than a detention for this one. The Federal Aviation Administration suspended an air traffic controller and a supervisor after they permitted the controller’s elementary-school-aged child to direct air traffic at New York City’s John F. Kennedy International Airport. Now it’s been learned that everybody had so much fun, a second child, was allowed the same privileges the following day. An investigation is underway.
A reminder from Mexico for all Canadians planning to travel to Mexico - March 1, brings new entry requirements into Mexico. Most notably: CANADIAN CITIZENS will be required to present a valid passport.
This change will align Mexico to all the security measures established by the ICAO International Civil Aviation Organization. There is a good chance that this won’t even affect you - of the 1.2 million Canadian tourists that visited Mexico in 2009 only 10,000 did not have a passport as form of ID. Many didn’t even know it wasn’t required!
Your Canadian passport is the best document for proving your Canadian citizenship and your right to return to Canada. If you don’t have a passport or yours expires in the next 6 months, then it’s time to apply. All the info you need to get a passport is provided by Passport Canada.
Disney Cruise Line’s much anticipated third ship will soon be open for booking! Disney is already the premier cruise line for families, and the Disney Dream will only cement that reputation further.
Just a few of the amazing Family Innovations that we can look forward to when the Dream launches in January 2011:
A play of life and death, promised in a moment of mortal threat - so began the history of the Oberammergau Passion Play in 1633. In the middle of the Thirty Years War, after months of suffering and death from the plague, the Oberammergauers swore an oath that they would perform the “Play of the Suffering, Death and Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ” every ten years. At Pentecost 1634, they fulfilled their pledge for the first time on a stage they put up in the cemetery above the fresh graves of the plague victims.
When you book virtually any cruise you can get the price adjusted if it drops before final payment date (usually 70 days prior to sailing). With Royal Caribbean’s new Price Guarantee, even if the price drops after final payment date, they will honor that rate by applying an onboard credit to the reservation equal to the price difference. Book your Royal Caribbean cruise in advance to get the best sailing and stateroom locked up, and you are still guaranteed the lowest rate!
If you are not already receiving my monthly travel newsletter, please sign up in the top right corner of this page! You’ll get breaking news, hot deals, useful tips, and lots of fun stuff. Anyone who registers to receive it during the month of August will be entered into a draw for a $25 Esso Gift card!
WestJet has been the darling of the travel industry in Canada. They are friendly, easy to work with, have video screens in the back of each seat, and recently came out with their CARE-antee. ALSO, they have been paying commissions to Travel Agents, building loyalty and stealing market share from Air Canada as a direct result. Air Canada, on the other hand, decided to cut out all commissions years ago.
Air Canada seems to have woken up and realized that if they want to stay in business, they need Travel Agents on their side. They are now paying commission on domestic flights, and hopefully they will expand this initiative as they experiene the positive effects. This means that I can book your Air Canada and WestJet flights at no cost to you. I can handle research, changes, questions, and more… and it costs you nothing. Also, as always, I can find great rates on international flights, often saving you hundreds of dollars.
Need a flight!? Contact me today!
Dream of having the beach to yourself? Head to Mexico now!
Canadian Foreign Affairs has lifted it’s travel warning for Mexico, and most Canadian tour operators are adding it back into their programs throughout the month of June. It will take a while for the tourist traffic to reach the pre-H1N1 levels, so for the time being you will find incredible pricing and lots of elbow room! The virus has barely affected the tourist regions and many areas have reported zero cases.
This is a GREAT opportunity to take that trip you thought you couldn’t afford, or to try out a higher level of accommodation that you are used to. Contact me for recommendations and to book your getaway. I spent a week on the Mayan Riviera recently, and my pricing is the same or better than on-line. Travelonly also has it’s own booking engine, featuring the best pricing available.
It wasn’t long ago that Canadians could travel to the United States freely without a passport. Those with modest travel plans who never expected to venture beyond North Amerca had no real need for one. Well, those times are over.
A couple of years ago, the U.S. started to require passports for Canadians arriving by air, and as of June 1 2009 they will be required for all methods of entry, including by car. More info HERE.
The fact is that your Canadian passport is the best document to prove your Canadian citizenship and your right to return to Canada. If you don’t have a passport or yours expires in the next 6 months, then it’s time to apply. All the info you need to get a passport is provided by Passport Canada.
