Ten Travel Professional Tips for Planning Your Next Vacation

By Daniela Harrison

The world has changed a lot in the last few years, and the travel industry is no exception. There are so many new rules, exciting new itineraries and spectacular new products, that it can be overwhelming to start planning your next trip. Our travel professionals are here to help, and we’re excited to share our Top 10 tips for smooth vacation planning:

1. Make sure your passport is up to date. For most International trips, your passport needs to be valid for at least six months after you return from your vacation. So, if you travel in April, your passport should be valid until at least the end of October of the same year. Passport renewal times are still longer than normal and if you expedite your application for renewal, please expect between six and nine weeks for processing.

2. Vaccination requirements have eased up overall, but there are still some areas and some travel companies that require proof of vaccinations. Some cruise lines still require all passengers to show proof of at least two COVID-19 vaccinations prior to embarkation – even if the countries you are visiting may not. Make sure you know what requirements are in place and bring proper documentation with you so you can enjoy a smooth vacation experience.

3. Visas and Site Permits have increased in the last five years. While it’s not unusual to require a visa to visit some countries, many popular sites have added site permits to more effectively control crowds and maintain popular tourist attraction sites. Make sure you know the best way to get your visas and site permits issued.

4. If you’re looking to score a deal, book as far out as possible!

Many cruise lines are opening up reservations for 2026 itineraries this month! Many guided vacation experiences are already advertising their spring 2025 dates. And, if you want the opportunity to travel into space via space balloon, we’re current- ly taking reservations for 2028 and 2029. Early bookings will be rewarded with the lowest rates available. Even if a better deal comes along in the next year, our travel advisors monitor all deposited reservations and will automatically match the rate for you to the better deal.

5. Airlines and their flight schedules can still be difficult to navigate. When booking flights, opt for LONG connection times. Don’t book anything with less than two hours connecting domestically, and four or more hours internationally. If you don’t want to check a bag, consider sending it ahead to your destination so you don’t have to worry about it the day of travel. If you need a special diet meal, order it at least one week prior to your trip and pack snacks in case of flight delays and cancellations. Get travel insurance so you have coverage for delays, cancellations, miss-connects, lost luggage and more.

6. When talking about your next vacation, consider traveling in off-season for better pricing and smaller crowds. Let’s navigate you off the beaten path. If you want to see Italy, let’s look at Ischia, just 50 minutes outside of Naples, for a more authentic and relaxing visit. In Greece, let’s consider Naxos for the entire family or Paros for an adults-only visit instead of heading into overcrowded Santorini. Consider Istria as an alternative to Dubrovnik in Croatia. Istria has much better beaches and you won’t have to elbow your way through the crowds. Other hot destinations to consider right now: Arctic, Antarctic, Slovenia, Morocco, Romania, Australia, Africa, Greenland, private villas, private yachts and private jets.

7. Exploration travel has evolved a lot in the last five years. Painstaking expeditions are a thing of the past. We now have better access to remote locations, tour companies provide better amenities, better food, more activities to choose from, and there are a lot more family-friendly options. Many itineraries carry minimum fitness requirements and include special permits. Let’s work on that bucket list!

8. Solo travelers now have more options than ever! The solo traveler is on the rise and most cruise lines and tour companies have specially designed solo traveler accommodations now. Many are at a reduced cost, but some are saying goodbye to solo traveler supplements.

9. WiFi is no longer a luxury – in the travel world, it is now considered a basic human need. We have more than 1,200 preferred hotel partners that will provide free high-speed internet to all our travelers. Many cruise lines have followed this path and now include WiFi free of charge as part of your voyage fare. Even our space capsule includes free WiFi!

10. Create a bucket list to work on loyalty programs and past guest discounts. If you plan on taking multiple cruises through the next few years, let’s find a line that perfectly matches Continued on page 30