Roaming & Recording with Brenda & Craig

OBC: On Board Credit:  What it is.  How to get it.  How to spend it!   TYPES OF OBC: Refundable   is usually given by a travel agent and can be stacked with other OBC. If you don't use all of your refundable credit, the agency will usually send you a check after the cruise. This type will usually stack with non-refundable OBC.    NonRefundable is usually given by the cruise line, travel agent, shareholder benefit or credit card as a perk. If you don't use it, you'll lose it. Make sure you spend every penny! Category Specific is good only for a certain type of on board spend. They usually include one of the following: excursions run by the cruise line, spa or wellness credits, casino credits or beverage upgrades.  How to get it:   Before the cruise:   ·          Special booking offers from cruise lines or travel agents.   Often you can stack them for more OBC. o  ...

 Travel Insurance: Our experience with TWO claims on TWO different trips with TWO different Insurance Companies. What we learned about submitting claims and coverage. No one wants to buy trip insurance after shelling out big bucks for long awaited vacay. When we were younger, we'd often risk it - thinking we were invincible. We're older now, and we see how risky that was. Now that travel is more expensive than ever, we'd NEVER be with out it. We still don't like paying for it on top of the trip, but we've had TWO different occasions to file claims. One when we needed medical care on board a cruise when we were sick and the second when just 8 hours before leaving for the airport my husband needed emergency eye surgery and we had to CANCEL the ENTIRE TRIP at the very last minute. These two events have convinced us that so many things can be out of our control no matter what your age.  Watch the video above to see what happened, how each insurance claim was handled, an...

What to do in Ponta Delgada! We loved everything about our day in the Azores. From the exotic blooms of the Terra Nostra Gardens, to the fascinating Furna and an amazing visit to the ONLY tea plantation in Europe - there are so many wonderful discoveries. We can't wait to get back and truly spend some time exploring. Click the video for a quick look at what you can do with only ONE day from Ponta Delgada!  

Delta Canceled our INTERNATIONAL Flight one month out and didn't bother to tell us! PLUS UPDATE ON WHAT COMPENSATION WE RECEIVED! What we did! And what we learned! Next month, we're embarking on a transatlantic cruise, a trip we planned since last October when we booked our tickets through Air France, with Delta handling the flight. This dual arrangement was easy enough to book directly, but we never expected a cancellation without any notice. What truly bothers me is that our experience isn't unique. We were caught off guard by the lack of communication – no texts, no emails; I only discovered our canceled flights when I checked our airport departure time. It's appalling customer service from BOTH airlines, though Delta bears the brunt of the responsibility as they're the service providers. Here's how we tackled the situation: having all our documents printed and ready proved invaluable when communicating with Delta in person and using online chat to get a tran...

Exploring the World Safely:  Why We Love Using a VPN When Traveling If you're anything like us, you probably love the thrill of exploring new places, immersing yourself in different cultures, and making memories for a lifetime. But in today's digital age, there's one essential tool that you really should consider if you aren't using one already: a Virtual Private Network (VPN). Trust me, once you start using a VPN while traveling, you'll wonder how you ever managed without it. Let me share with you why we love using a VPN when we're at home or away. Most import to us is security. When you're connecting to public Wi-Fi networks in cafes, airports, or hotels, you're essentially exposing your sensitive information to potential cyber threats. Hackers lurk on these networks, ready to steal personal data. But with a reliable VPN, you can encrypt your internet connection and keep your online activities safe from prying eyes. It's like having a digital shiel...

Streamlining Your Travel Experience: Mobile Passport and Safe Traveler Enrollment Program In a world where air travel has become an integral part of our lives, the quest for efficiency and convenience is ever-present. Whether you're a frequent flyer or an occasional traveler, navigating through airports can sometimes be a hassle. Long lines at immigration counters, security checks, and the overall bureaucracy involved in international travel can often leave us feeling drained before we even reach our destination. Thankfully, advancements in technology have paved the way for solutions aimed at enhancing the travel experience. Two such programs, Mobile Passport and the Safe Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP), have been gaining popularity among travelers seeking to streamline their journey through airports and ensure a smoother transition across borders. Mobile Passport: Redefining Customs Clearance Mobile Passport, developed by Airside Mobile and authorized by U.S. Customs and ...