CDC Corona Virus Guidance for Travelers
A: When you work with certified travel professionals they have experience in having booked different destinations / excursions, and, in most cases, they've been to many of those destinations and have firsthand experience. When you work with certified travel professionals, they have your best interest at heart and will stay on top of all of the details so you can use your time doing other things.
A: If your cruise is closed-loop -- meaning it goes out of and back into the same port -- then you can use your government-issues birth certificate, a government-issued photo ID, and a government-issued marriage certificate for married ladies. That said, we at Triple R Travel highly recommend getting a passport and having it available for all of your trips. If you are in port in a foreign country, and you are injured while on an excursion and hospitalized and the ship sails away without you, you won't be able to fly home without a passport. It really is best to get the passport and keep it handy.
A: Travel insurance is recommended for all travelers. We all want to believe that "nothing is going to keep us from going on this trip," but truth be told, none of us has a crystal ball. Insurance can cover many things, and most health insurance policies in the US do NOT cover you when traveling internationally. Then there's the chance of delayed trip -- flight, lost bags, etc.
A: We highly recommend that you carry at least one credit card and one debit card any time you travel. Ideally, two credit cards and one debit card are best. If a card is hacked while you're traveling, and suddenly you don't have access to it any longer, you'll have a card to back you up. The debit card comes in handy for atm visits to get local currency.
A: As long as you use a TSA-approved lock, yes, you may lock your luggage. Just be sure it is a TSA approved lock so the TSA agents can open it for inspection.
A: We recommend that you do it as soon as you know you're planning a trip, and at least four to five months in advance. It generally is taking 2-4 weeks these days for passports to be approved and mailed, but it's always best to allow extra time, just in case.
A: By washing your hands in warm soap and water whenever possible, as well as keeping your hands away from your face, you minimize the possibility of becoming ill while traveling. Hand sanitizers (at least 60% alcohol) are better than nothing, but they are anti-bacterial, not anti-viral -- so washing your hands with warm water and soap truly is best.
A: We do recommend that you take some currency of the countries you're planning to visit, as you'll need some for tips and possibly a meal or small purchase. Be sure to use up foreign coins prior to leaving a country/area where you won't need that currency for the remainder of your trip, as most banks (that have foreign currency available) will take bills back, but they will not take coins.
A: It is best to contact your cell phone carrier and discuss your travel plans with them. They will be able to discuss options for you to be able to use your phone while you are seeing the world.
A: We recommend that you arrive at the airport at least two hours prior to a domestic flight.
A: We recommend that you arrive at the airport at least two and a half to three hours prior to an international flight. It could take extra time for screening in security, so it's best to have extra time and not possibly miss that flight. Bring a good book or your tablet/ipad and relax while you wait for your flight.