Margaret Owen, Master Cruise Counselor and specialist

Travel Insurance Necessary?

On April 25, 2013, in Cruise, Travel, by owentrvl

Peter Greenberg, well-known travel expert, explains why you should consider purchasing travel insurance on NBC’s Today Show:

Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Travel insurance tip #1

On March 5, 2013, in Cruise, Margaret's Travel Blog, Tours, Travel, by owentrvl

My flight was canceled and my claim was denied?

Many insured travelers are shocked to find that travel insurance doesn’t pay for cancelled flights. When you purchase your ticket with the airline and the airline cancels your flight, it’s their responsibility to compensate you, not your travel insurance provider. This is also true of trains, tour operators, and other travel suppliers as well.

If your travel supplier cancels for lack of attendance, lousy weather, or any other reason, they usually offer the traveler the option to reschedule. While this may not be convenient to the traveler, it’s the deal you made with the travel supplier when you purchased your ticket.

Avoiding this problem: know your rights with the airline, train, or other travel supplier. Read their cancellation policies and work with them to get satisfaction.

Courtesy of Travel Insurance Review.

Tagged with: air travel • Certified Travel Counselor • cruise • travel insurance

How to save money when you book a cruise

On February 27, 2013, in Cruise, by owentrvl

DON’T BELIEVE ME!!!
Well, maybe you should…
IT IS BEST TO BOOK A CRUISE EARLY…

My customers are going on 3, yes 3 cruises in Europe this fall.

The first one departs from Dover, England and they booked it in June, 2012, well over a year in advance.

I just checked on the latest pricing and was able to get them a rate that is $405 lower, PER PERSON!! That’s a savings of over $800 for the couple.

Cruise number two departs from Barcelona, Spain and cruises around the Mediterranean. It was booked in November, 2012, almost a year in advance.

I checked the rates in December and I was able to get them a rate for the same cabin that is $100 lower, PER PERSON!! That’s a savings of $200 for the couple.

Their third cruise begins in Barcelona and cruises the Atlantic, ending in Miami, Florida. The rates haven’t gone down yet, but you never know! And I’ll be checking!

Therefore, I already saved them over $1,000!

Tagged with: cruise • cruise discount • Travel Agent • Travel Blog

Five hotel fees to be wary of in 2013

On February 1, 2013, in Cruise, Travel, by owentrvl

Published on USA Today by Kitty Yancey 10:17p.m. EST January 28, 2013

If you’re like me, you’d like to know the bottom line when calculating how much a hotel will cost per night.

Travelers have learned that atop the room rate there will be taxes (differing depending on where you stay), maybe parking or that very unpopular resort fee (please, build that into the rate), or a charge for Internet use.

Now, USA TODAY’s Digital Traveler columnist Dennis Schaal quotes respected hotel expert Bjorn Hanson of NYU’s Preston Robert Tisch Center for Hospitality, Tourism and Sports Management on Skift.com on what to expect on your bill this year. Hanson predicts U.S. hotel fees climbed 5.4% in 2012 to $1.95 billion, and will rise again this year.

Keep an eye out for:

Continue reading »

Tagged with: hotels • travel

Gold on the menu?

On January 31, 2013, in Cruise, Travel, by owentrvl

World’s Priciest Food Item: It’s on the Menu at Le Champagne

By: Silversea

Silversea guests dining at Le Champagne, the only Relais & Châteaux restaurant at sea, should feel like royalty. They have the opportunity to enjoy an over-the-top ingredient that is more expensive than the finest white truffles or caviar. At an estimated selling price of USD $15,000 per pound, edible gold leaf is the world’s most expensive food, according to a list compiled by CNNMoney.

At Le Champagne, our master chef applies the Midas touch to create what may well be the most decadent dish of risotto served anywhere on Earth. When gold leaf is added as an adornment, this simple, smooth and creamy Italian rice dish becomes an exquisite culinary indulgence — following a tradition that dates back to the 16th century, when Italian dukes and earls decorated their risotto with gold leaves.

Apparently, gourmets and noblemen alike have known for a long time that gold not only dazzles the eye, but like calcium and iron, it is completely digestible.

Reservations are required at Le Champagne, and while there are some pricey items on the menu, the dining fee is only $30.

Check with Margaret for more information.

Tagged with: cruise • Master Cruise Counselor • Silversea • Travel Agent

Planning an Alaska Cruise

On January 30, 2013, in Cruise, Tours, Travel, by owentrvl

Looking Forward to Alaska Cruising

While December is not the season to cruise Alaska, it’s the perfect time to plan a summer cruise to the scenic grandeur and unique culture of the Frontier State. Most cruise lines visit Alaska from May through September, so the number of sailings is limited, and advance planning is important for securing the itinerary and ship that you want.

During the past decade, cruise lines have invested millions of dollars into Alaska’s port facilities. They have also expanded shore excursion options: you can hike, paddle a kayak, pan for gold, search for bears or skim over a glacier behind a team of sled dogs, to mention just a few popular on-shore activities. Or, enjoy the taste of fresh salmon, ride a narrow-gauge train through incredible scenery, learn about native Tlingit culture or zoom through the forest on a zip line.

Tagged with: Alaska cruise • cruise • Master Cruise Counselor • tours • Travel Agent

New Year’s Resolution – Travel

On January 29, 2013, in Cruise, Tours, Travel, by owentrvl

New Year’s Resolution: More Vacation Travel

Americans are known for their love of vacations and travel – aren’t they? Here’s a statistic that may surprise you: only 57 percent of American workers use all of the vacation time they are entitled to. That compares with 89 percent in France, 77 percent in Great Britain and 75 percent in Germany. America’s northern neighbor, Canada, doesn’t do much better than the U.S. – just 58 percent of Canadian workers use all of their vacation time.

In addition, according to the World Tourism Organization, the average American worker receives just 13 paid days off each year. In contrast, workers in Italy average 42 paid days off, French workers get an average of 37, and German workers get 35.

Tagged with: Certified Travel Counselor • cruise • Master Cruise Counselor • travel • Travel Agent

Treasures of the Vatican

On January 23, 2013, in Cruise, River cruise, Tours, Travel, by owentrvl

Treasures of the Vatican

Beginning in 1508, Michelangelo took his paintbrush to the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, located in the Apostolic Palace, the official residence of the Pope in Vatican City. Michelangelo’s beautiful frescoes, considered to be among his finest achievements in painting, were first displayed to the public on November 1, 1512. Now, 500 years later, the ceiling is still awe-inspiring.

The chapel ceiling is just one of many wonders in Vatican City, the Papal state and center of Catholicism located inside the city of Rome. Vatican City has a perimeter of just than two miles around, but this tiny state – considered to be one of the world’s smallest countries – is packed with historical, artistic and architectural treasures.

Much of the Vatican is not open to tourists, but the buildings and museums that are open are spectacular. These include St. Peter’s Basilica: the magnificent dome is the tallest in the world. The vast interior of the church is exquisitely detailed and almost overwhelming in its scale and beauty.

Inside the Apostolic Palace, the Vatican Museums are filled with priceless paintings and sculptures. Some of the best-known are Raphael’s The Transfiguration; da Vinci’s St. Jerome in the Wilderness; and Caravaggio’s The Entombment of Christ. The Vatican’s collection of modern religious art is located in the Borgia Apartment, a beautifully restored series of rooms.

Tagged with: cruise • Italy • travel • Travel Agent • Vatican

Cruise Ship Safety

On January 16, 2013, in Cruise, Travel, by owentrvl

The tragic grounding of the Costa Concordia along the coast of Italy last year may have you wondering about safety on your next cruise. Be assured that cruising is one of the safest of all types of leisure activities and means of transportation. According to the Cruise Lines International Association, “While any accident involving loss of human life is one too many, from 2005 through 2010 there were 16 marine casualty-related deaths out of nearly 100 million passengers carried worldwide. This record demonstrates the industry’s diligence and commitment to the safety and well-being passengers and crew.”

The cruise industry is one of the most highly regulated industries in the world. The industry complies with all International Maritime Organization (IMO) standards governing the operation of cruise vessels. These internationally mandated standards govern the design, construction and operation of ocean-going vessels. Any country where cruise ships dock have the right to board vessels at any time, unannounced, to conduct inspections. For ships that dock in U.S. ports, the Center for Disease Control’s Vessel Sanitation Program ensures cleanliness.

Lifeboats are an essential piece of safety equipment, and the cruise industry has made major strides in their design. Modern lifeboats are designed for quick passenger loading and to be launchable even when a ship begins to list, or lean to one side. For example, Royal Caribbean’s lifeboats are capable of launching even at a 20 percent list.

There has been at least one major change in procedure since the Costa Concordia incident. Previously, passenger safety drills (commonly known as muster drills) had to occur within 24 hours after the ship departed. Now, the drills will take place before the ship sails. And, the best thing you can do to ensure your safety on a ship is to participate in the muster drill. Know where you life vests are stored, your assigned muster station and how to get there from your cabin. Then, relax and enjoy your vacation!

Courtesy of Travel Leaders and www.owentravel.com

Tagged with: cruise • travel

Holiday Travel Tips – Part 3

On December 11, 2012, in Cruise, Tours, Travel, by owentrvl

Holiday Travel: How to Pack Lighter

During the past few years, most airlines have changed their baggage policies. It’s now very common to pay a fee for every checked bag, even the first. And, there are additional fees for overweight or oversized bags.

This can make packing for a holiday season vacation a particular challenge. You want to minimize the number of bags you take, but winter’s cold calls for thicker clothing, which takes more space to pack, which means more bags, which means more fees. Because you’d surely rather spend your money on holiday gifts and fun than on baggage fees, here are some strategic packing tips for winter travel:

Don’t pack anything without asking yourself this important question: “Do I really need this?” It may help to make a list of the days you’ll be away and what you’ll do and wear each day. You may discover opportunities to wear the same items more than once – especially if you’ll have access to a laundry.

Tagged with: Certified Travel Counselor • CIE Tours • cruise • Luggage • travel • Travel Agent

Margaret Owen

Professional cruise planner

Travel Insurance Necessary?

Travel insurance tip #1

My flight was canceled and my claim was denied?

How to save money when you book a cruise

Five hotel fees to be wary of in 2013

Published on USA Today by Kitty Yancey 10:17p.m. EST January 28, 2013

Gold on the menu?

Planning an Alaska Cruise

New Year’s Resolution – Travel

Treasures of the Vatican

Cruise Ship Safety

Holiday Travel Tips – Part 3

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