Announcing the 2009 Pirate Adventures Program

Be sure to check out our 2009 travel offerings for the 2009 Pirate Adventures Program

including trips to: Charleston & Savannah April 22-26, Alaska August 2-14, and Walt Disney World November 4-8

8 Steps to Take before Departure

(Travel + Leisure) — How can you prepare for next trip? Here, Travel + Leisure offers its checklist of eight simple — yet easily forgotten — steps to take before departure.

ONE WEEK BEFORE TAKEOFF

Freshen up your suitcases
Air out your bags before you pack. And next time you put luggage away, leave lavender sachets by L’Occitane en Provence in the pockets.

Stock up on storage bags for small items
Our favorites: Stephanie Johnson designs stylish Dopp kits with protective plastic interiors; a nylon-lined cotton sack by Zazendi is well suited for wet swim gear; and the drawstring laundry bag by Flight 001 is treated with polyurethane, which keeps odors under wraps.

THREE DAYS BEFORE TAKEOFF

Get your gadgets in order
Empty memory cards and charge your phone and camera. Consolidate power cords, chargers, and extra batteries in your carry-on (new DOT regulations prohibit putting them in checked luggage). Pick up the Tumi Electronics Charger Kit, with adapters that work in 150 countries.

Refill necessary prescriptions
Bring medications with you on the plane; make sure they are properly labeled according to TSA requirements.

Copy important documents
Carry paper duplicates of your passport, visa, and itinerary, and e-mail yourself electronic copies. With a password-protected itinerary on Google Docs, close friends and family can keep track of where you are.

Pare down your travel wallet
Only bring essential documents: driver’s license, medical insurance cards, passport, and credit cards. (T+L Tip: Alert your bank and credit card companies before you depart, so that they won’t be alarmed by out-of-town charges and ATM withdrawals.)

ONE DAY BEFORE TAKEOFF

Record the contents of your suitcase
Take pictures of your clothes, shoes, and jewelry, which will serve as documentation if your bag is lost or stolen. Download the shots onto your home computer, just in case.

 

Packaged travel and tours can save up to 30 percent over individual planning

Washington – According to an informal member survey by the United States Tour Operators Association (USTOA) travelers can save an average of 20 percent to 30 percent during high season by buying a vacation package or tour rather than making athe same arrangements on their own.

The survey found that travelers can save on average 30 percent on land/sea vacations and 20 percent on packages that include airfare versus planning the same trips on their own.

Savings are based on a typical one-week package during high season at rack rates.

Depending on the destination, travel in low season nets an additional 20 percent savings, with savings of up to 40 percent for areas like Mexico and the Caribbean.

USTOA reports that savings have remained constant since 2005, when the association last surveyed its members.

The survey also revealed that for travelers with limited time, booking a one-week air-inclusive escorted tour saves an average nine hours of planning time and an average 16 transactions.

Booking a vacation package rather than a tour saves an average five transactions.

Transaction are defined as booking airfare, transfers, hotel accommodations, sightseeing, events and meals.

The USTOA survey was based on a sampling of 12 companies representing a wide range of tours and vacations to all parts of the world. www.ustoa.com

-taken from the 2008 Group Travel Industry Buyer’s Guide pg. 51

New Checked Baggage Fees from Continental Airlines

Good to know: Continental now charges for every checked bag!

A Dream Come SHU

A survey taken by the U.S. Tour Operators Association has shown that travelers are looking for four main components on group tours: flexibility, customization, value, and service. These are the four main elements that the Pirate Adventures travel program strives to provide on all of its tours.

What’s the 311?

Click here for information regarding carry-ons and airport security.

Carry-On Toiletry Solution

Check out this site for a great solution to carry-on dilemmas. Click here to view Smart Pak, an airport security approved bag of toiletry necessities.

Text for Airport Security Wait Times

Did you know that you can send a text message to 4INFO (44636) with “WAIT”+AIRPORT CODE or NAME (i.e. Wait JFK) to receive the current security line wait time?

Fun Products for the World Traveler

Enjoy this new product line safe for international carry-ons: Flight 001