Frequently Asked Questions

Transportation Security Administration since the early 2000s has limited “liquids” that should not exceed 3.4 ounces in a qualified clear container or plastic bag. The restriction covers liquids, gels, aerosols, creams, and pastes, with an exception for travelers needing larger quantities of medications, baby formula/food, and breast milk for the flight. (Be sure to inform the airport officers of your extra items and that they have the original labeling.) However, there are other items that may fall into a grey area and would need you to contact the airport authority ahead of time to verify any other items you're not sure about. For these objects, plus thousands more, the agency has designed an app and online tool called “Can I Bring My ______?”

For example, type in any item you're curious about taking with you, and the App will respond with an answer of where it should be placed, whether it be in your carry-on bag or checked bag, or it may say not allowed. Also, remember that CATSA may restrict objects that look or behave like weapons, so my best advice is that if you have any doubt, pack it in your checked bag or leave it at home.

Please Note: This information is not verified and can change at any moment at the discretion of CATSA and the Airport Customs. It's important to always check with the necessary sources to make sure you know all the facts during the time you're planning on traveling. To find out more you can visit the CATSA website here: https://www.catsa-acsta.gc.ca/en

The short answer would be no. It’s a non-refundable ticket, which means the airlines sell this ticket at a reduced rate with more restrictions than other category of tickets.

However, these are the airlines policies and if you inform your airline you won’t be able to fly, depending on the company you're dealing with and their ticket rules, you may have up to a year from the time you booked your ticket — not the date of your flight to use a ticket credit, minus a possible airline change/booking fee.

Or, in the event of a known disaster at your flight destination, or you had a death in the family and can provide required documentation, many airlines may issue a refund, waive the change fee, or re-book you on another travel date at no additional cost.

If you are not a legal citizen of the country you're traveling to, you cannot fly with a one-way ticket. You would need to purchase a round-trip ticket.

Research suggests that if you buy your ticket when most people do — between one and four months before you fly — you’re likely to find the lowest price. Don’t push the button too early or too late, because fares tend to rise, especially as you close in on your departure date. Some airfare soothsayers claim you can find a bargain by waiting until a particular day and time, like Wednesday at 1 a.m. in the airline’s time zone. But the savings are minimal and probably not worth your time, not to mention the lost sleep.

To further help you with your purchase decision, I recommend that you set your maximum budget that you're wanting to spend. If you see a really good fight that is within your budget and you need to travel, make the purchase even though the price could possibly go down at some point. At least you kept within your budget and that's the end goal.

There's no straight answer from this one, and it all depends on the situation at the time of booking. Some 'special offers' require payment to be made at the time of booking. Some other airline fares could be paid a few days after the reservation is done. Travel Tip: It's always wise to pay early, due to the fact when a flight is placed on hold, this does not guarantee the rate. Until full payment is placed the rate can go up at any time. So, this is why I say pay early, and this way you avoid possible fare increases.

Depending on what Class of Airline Ticket you will purchase or have already purchased. There will be certain rules and restrictions that would apply to each ticket issued. If you purchase the flight through me I would go over the ticket rules and policies to let you know what's allowed and whether there would be any restrictions or additional fees to make such changes. However, if you are making your ticket reservation via an online travel company, make sure you check and verify all the rules and restrictions prior to making payment. This way you will have peace-of-mind that if you require to make such changes that you can and if there's a cost to do so.

So, when I say "Class", this is the airline class that reflects on the price of the flight ticket and the number of rules that will apply. For example, if you book a 1st Class ticket, you will more than likely have relaxed rules and your name change would be allowed and most likely a certain number of changes will be complimentary. But, if you booked an Economy Class ticket, chances are that ticket will not allow any name changes, or if it does, there would be a hefty change fee applied.

Both examples above are the reasons when purchasing an airline ticket that if you believe that you will be making one or more changes, that you consider purchasing the right ticket that allows you to do so and at no charge or a minimum fee charged.

Yes, the airlines still offer discounted bereavement fares, however, they are not the same as they used to be back in the days. Prior to all the recent airline changes, they used to have a specific bereavement fare that was very low cost, and worth purchasing if you were able to provide them with the required proof, such as a certificate of death. However, even though they still offer a bereavement discount, it's normally based on the most expensive fare currently listed in their reservation system, so, you can more than likely find a cheaper fare if you can get an economy rate from the airline you're looking to fly with.

I would have to say without knowing the entire situation, the answer would be it would at the discretion of the cruise line you're sailing with. However, if you missed your cruise due to the situation being the Cruise Lines fault, they may assist you in getting to the next port-of-call to continue with the cruise, but this would be a rare occurrence. If you missed your cruise due to bad weather or an unknown incident that prevented you from boarding the cruise ship, then my recommendation for this would be to make sure you purchase a Travel Insurance Plan that includes; Cancellation, Interruption, and Flight Delay coverage. Such coverage will protect you under an unknown situation, and the Insurance company may even assist you in getting to the next destination to join your sailing.

When you're looking to find the right cruise vacation it's important to ask yourself if you're searching online cruise sites, or if you are working with a travel agent they should be able to help you narrow down the best cruising options for you.

Here are some questions I would ask you when discussing cruises:

During your cruise where do you want to visit?
Cruises offer so many destination options where you can visit a variety of ports including the Eastern, Western, and Southern Caribbean Islands. Then you have cruise itineraries that sail the Western coast of California, Mexico, and several cruises go to South America as well. You have Europe where the Mediterranean is a popular destination, and also North America and Alaska is a choice as well. So, having a good idea what you want to see, visit, and experience will help narrow down the best cruise ship and itinerary.

What Duration are you wanting to cruise?
Many cruise companies offer a variety of sailings, from 3, 5, 7, 14, 21-day cruises, to around the world and Transatlantic sailings. The length of your cruise will also determine how many ports stops the cruise ship will have, and where some visit only a few destinations during the sailing to others that reach a port-of-call every day during the duration of the cruise.

What type of ship experience are you looking for?
Are you wanting to have many activities for you and your kids? Or, if it's just the two of you cruising together, do you want a cruise experience where options to experience complete relaxation is the most important to you? As many mainstream cruise lines offer a ton of activities onboard their ships, having a good understanding of the types of services and amenities will help me and you understand what type of sailing you're looking to have. Too big of a ship will have you overwhelmed with crowds of people and a ton of activities that will make the ship look like a shopping mall during the holiday season. However, if you're looking to escape to total peace and relaxation, then a smaller more intimate cruise is one to consider. Don't get me wrong, there are larger cruise ships that provide ample hidden spaces and secluded areas to escape and relax, but once you leave that space you may encounter the hustle and bustle that you just don't want. Or, maybe you are looking to take a River cruise! Then this would change everything and I would ask you the necessary questions that would pertain to a River style cruise...

What is your Budget for your cruise vacation?
This is important as many cruise companies offer everything from low discount sailings, to semi to all-inclusive cruise packages, to luxury cruising that provides top-notch amenities and services that will give you that "WOW" factor. Usually, when I discuss budget I would like to factor in the cost of your flight, duration of the cruise, type of cabin (inside, outside with window or balcony, or a suite), and any travel insurance you require.

These are the few questions I would start with as they would help narrow down your itinerary choice, cruise ship you desire to sail on, and what your total budget you want to spend. Once you provide me your answers to these questions, I can then start working on providing you my top recommendations.

A few rules to consider when traveling to Europe:

• Don’t try to do too much. You don’t want to look at the photos later and not remember if that cathedral was in Rome, Barcelona, London or Vienna. Ten days and three cities is a good starting point.
• If you're a first-timer who wants to do the planning and go it alone, an itinerary that concentrates on countries where English is either the official language or commonly spoken, such as Ireland, England, and Holland may be the best option to avoid any confusion and miscommunication.
• If you’re more adventurous, but traveling with a group is a no-go, book with an independent tour company, such as Monograms, or G Adventures. These specialized agencies plan individual trips with airport transfers, train tickets, hotels, sightseeing tours while offering peace-of-mind you have a company taking care of all your needs when you require them.
• Social types who feel more comfortable with a guide in charge should opt for an escorted group tour with a company such as Collette Vacations, Trafalgar, or Globus.

Europe provides so much to do and see, and if you plan on visiting, some of the important decisions you need to make would be:

• How long are you planning on visiting? This will help you build your itinerary of places to visit and experience.
• What's your budget? If you have a healthy budget, the time of year you go will not be a deal breaker on your budget. However, if you want to save as much money as possible, you should consider traveling during low season, and in most cases when you talk to me or a vacation tour operator, you will find out when the low seasons begin and end and how much money you can potentially save.
• Depending on where you want to go, Europe offers an extensive rail system that can take you to wherever you wish to visit. However, pre-planning your travel itinerary will help you narrow down your rail pass requirements, and also reserving your rail pass in advance will provide you additional savings over purchasing one locally.

For a domestic flight at check-in, you would be required to show your government issued ID or a valid Passport. For international flights, a valid Passport is mandatory, and a Visa may also be required if the Country you're traveling indicates you need to to apply for one. So, please be advised to check if you need a Visa for your destination. Please understand that this is your responsibility to know what documents are required, however, this is the very reason I say it's important to work with a professional Travel Agent. This is something that I would help you with and provide you the necessary assistance in obtaining the proper documentation needed for your specific trip.

The fact that you're here asking this question tells me that you may have already traveled and your trip is complete. If this is correct, allow me to explain a couple of options you have at your disposal, and then you can apply the right solution right now for your incident. Or, you can take this information and remember to use it for future travels where an incident comes up and you need to deal with it at that very moment.

• If you're en route to your destination or you are already there, my best advice would be to have a list of numbers to your airline, vacation supplier, or a travel agent if you were dealing with one at the time you booked your travel. Let's say you're having airline issues, then you should either speak with the airline customer service department or the department supervisor/manager if you're not getting the help you seek through the customer service desk. You can then ask the Rep or the Manager to provide you a complaint form to fill out or have then provide you an email or online complaint form that you can access. Make sure you keep all copies of your current issue and take all names of the airline staff you have been dealing with and feel they have contributed to your horrible experience. Once you have the information, you can then fill out the form and submit it to the airline customer complaint department. It normally takes from 30 - 60 days to receive a response to your complaint.


• When you book a vacation package through a travel agency or directly with the vacation supplier. You should always consult with your travel agent for advice ahead of time, but if you made your reservation via a vacation supplier's website then I will provide you the best advice of what to do. Make sure when you're at your final destination and you board your transfer bus to your vacation location, it's always best to get the name of the vacation supplier's local Representative and the best way to contact them in the event of an issue or emergency. Local representatives are there to assist you with such matters, and if you have issues at your location they are supposed to write a report and provide one copy to you and one copy goes to the vacation supplier's complaints department. If you have an issue at the destination and you can't reach the Supplier Rep. during your stay, the next step would be when you arrive back home to submit a written report to the vacation suppliers complaints department and normally this has to be done within 30 days upon your arrival home.

Again, it's important whether you're dealing with a Travel Agent that you speak with them ahead of time to find out all this information and who you need to contact when such events occur. Or, make sure when you're at the final destination place that you get all the contact information from your hotel or vacation supplier and know when you're able to reach these people if you need to do so. Having this information before you travel saves you time and stress trying to figure it all out when your vacationing.

If you need to expand on this question, please feel free to contact me at your convenience for further details and clarification.

Not knowing your situation it's really hard to asses the right answer to this question. I would recommend that if you have some time to contact me and provide me more details, there's really nothing I can say to help.

The only comment I can make is that even though Travel Insurance plans indicate they do not cover pre-existing conditions, in most cases many Insurance plans will still cover pre-existing conditions as long as your condition falls under a limited qualification that the Insurance plan stipulates. For example, if you had heart surgery and it was successful and you were given medication for your condition. Many travel insurance policies will say as long as your condition doesn't change within a qualifying period of time and there's no change in your medication, then you would be covered under the policy. Any changes in your condition or medication would deem your coverage null and void.

For future, I would suggest that you make certain that all the details of your condition are disclosed to the person your purchasing the travel insurance plan from, and this way they should be able to provide you the best coverage based on your current condition, or they would provide you the best information and advice to what steps to take to make sure you're fully protected on your trip.

• By Cash (Direct Online Bank Payment or Certified Cheque)


• By Credit card (Visa, Master Card, American Express, Discover, etc...)

For credit card payments. In order for the charge to be processed; you must complete and sign The Credit Card Authorization Form and scan/email it to me or the travel company you're currently dealing with, along with a scanned copy of the credit card, front and back and the copy of a government-issued picture ID such as your Passport.

As soon as you are sure which dates you wish to travel, and that your holiday scheduled has been confirmed, then we would advise you to make your reservation at that moment. Traditionally during busy periods (Christmas, Carnival, Spring Break, Easter, Summer), we would suggest you book as early as possible. To obtain the lowest airfare you must be booked several months or more in advance. Some destinations as the Caribbean, Mexico, Central and South American no advance purchase is required, but the earlier the better to confirm available space.

If you're wanting to book your vacation with me, please visit my Contact Page where you can fill out my convenient Form, or you can call me directly to assist you. However, whether you book your trip with me or another company, below is the information you need to provide...

• Full passenger name(s) as per your passport or Id issued by any government. Most travel destinations other than within your residing Country would require a valid Passport.
• Dates you wish to travel (let us know if you have any flexibility) and how long you want to stay.
• Provide your Date of Birth if the airline or supplier requires it, or if you're planning on purchasing Travel Insurance.
• Full Mailing Address, Email Address, Contact number.

If you're a budget-conscious person that needs to know what the total cost of your vacation will be, then the answer will be yes. However, if you're a person that likes to venture off property for days at a time, or you don't like to have a set schedule then an all-inclusive may not be worth it for you.

All-Inclusive Vacations are great for budgeting because they normally include your flight, transfers to/from the airport, accommodations at your chosen vacation property, daily meals and snacks, beverages including alcohol, entertainment, and various other amenities such as watersports and select activities on the property. Your tips may also be included in your all-inclusive package, but it all depends on the hotel/resort you book.

The entire package will be one price where if you book early enough you will only have to place a deposit to secure your all-inclusive package. Then the final payment date will be indicated based on any tax or package promotions offered, or if no promotions are provided, normally the final payment is due approximately 60 days prior to your departure date. The package pricing will be the base all-inclusive rate plus any taxes.

When you arrive at the destination and the transfers take you to your vacation property, the moment you check-in, you may be given a wristband that will give you full access to all the amenities and services included in the all-inclusive package. However, you may find at times that your all-inclusive might not include some services and amenities. Such as Spa services, local Tours, Souvenir shopping, motorized watersports, or if there's an exclusive dining venue offered at an additional charge.

Other than the above-listed services and amenities that may not be included, you should have full access to all the buffets, a' la carte restaurants, bars, entertainment, and sporting areas such as volleyball, tennis, and basketball courts, plus most if not all the properties pools.

In this day and age, gender should never be an obstacle to travel, but unfortunately, some countries are not as welcoming to women as others. Some destinations — India and Egypt, for instance — frequently appear on worst-places-for-female-travelers lists. (For example, see International Women’s Travel Center’s top 10 and Thomson Reuters Foundation 16-city survey of public transportation systems.) But don’t completely rule these spots out; just follow these empowering guidelines. (They apply to solo men, too.)

• Always know where you are going in advance, plan out your route, and leave your itinerary with someone you trust.
• Research in advance safe neighborhoods and methods of travel.
• Choose a hotel in a lively area with a constant stream of people.
• In certain countries, such as Mexico and Brazil, use only certified cabs; ask a hotel or restaurant to call you a ride.
• Wear plain clothes and follow local dress customs, especially in Muslim countries.
• Stick to busy districts and streets and avoid traveling at night.
• If you feel unsafe or sense that someone is following you, duck into the nearest hotel or restaurant and ask for help.
• Even if you are feeling nervous inside, always walk tall, with confidence and attitude.
• (In addition to all of the above, consider wearing a “wedding band” and often drop hints that your “spouse” is waiting for you. It’s not the most feminist approach, but it may help.)
• If you feel overwhelmed by sprawling urban areas, pad your itinerary with trips to smaller towns and villages. For example; Oaxaca instead of Mexico City, for instance.
• For occasional companionship, sign up for a group tour that involves like-minded vacationers that have the same interests as you.

In conclusion, being completely prepared before you travel is key, and having a complete understanding of your surroundings, the culture where you're visiting, and have all your safety contacts accessible to you in the event of an emergency will allow you to travel confidently.

Planning a trip with a specific purpose will need fine-tuning, but the general rules apply no matter what the occasion. First, ask lots of questions of the participants:

• What’s the goal of the trip? (Special Holiday, Anniversary, etc...)
• What’s the budget?
• What are their interests?
• What mode of travel is preferred?
• Is alone time necessary or is everyone group-oriented?
• How many days can they getaway?

For groups comprised of individuals traveling from other faraway countries, choosing the right destination is key. Start by looking at websites of the participants’ home airports for common destinations. Consider finding nonstop flights or the best flights with same-day connections or one with no forced overnights. If connections are mandatory, choose flights that depart early in the day, which will afford more options if a flight is missed.

For groups in which each person has a different idea of fun, providing a number of options is necessary. If it’s an annual or biennial event, take turns choosing. If it’s a one-off, choose a trip that everyone can at least grudgingly accept: A cruise, an all-inclusive, or renting a big house in the Outer Banks may fit the multi-generational bill.

For honeymoons and babymoons, set a budget and a goal. There is nothing wrong with spending a week at a Sandals resort, but couples looking for adventure should consider a more unlikely destination, such as one that offers what your guests are wanting to experience. For those on a tight budget, a shorter trip that's drivable may be the best destination choice, such as a vacation spot that offers many of the amenities and services, but will save money. And don’t forget cities: Manhattan, Austin, San Francisco and a host of others are worthwhile destinations.

When it comes to group vacations or one that has multiple special-occasion components, planning well in advance is important and will take a ton of stress off you. Before you go on your trip, be proactive and make advanced dinner reservations, arrange the tours, and provide a detailed daily itinerary for all guests so they know what to expect prior to arriving at their vacation destination.