Ask an Expert
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DECEMBER 2023 TOPIC: Holiday Travel Pitfalls
Elizabeth Bell
Travel Expert |
OUR EXPERT:
Elizabeth (Liz) Bell started in Tourism in 2000 as a narrator for a local boat tour company. Then, she became an expert (as a tour guide) in the Canadian Rockies, Alaska, and Eastern United States. Personal travel has brought Elizabeth to five continents! Elizabeth’s product expertise includes: Holland America Line, Princess Cruises®, Rocky Mountaineer, Royal Caribbean International®, UnCruise Adventures, and Viking. Destination specialties include: Alaska, Calgary, Canada, Canada, Central America, Chicago, Costa Rica, England, England, Europe, Greece, Hawaii, Ireland, Italy, Mexico, Mexico, New York, New York City, Philadelphia, Seattle, Spain, United States, United States, Vancouver, Vermont, Virginia, Washington D.C. She has a passion for bicycle touring (she’ll tell you about her epic bicycle trip of New Zealand!), and she is well-versed in options for active vacations and those with a luxury element. Her favorite country to visit is Ireland. She shares, “If you have mobility challenges, this is one of the best countries in Europe to visit.” Elizabeth also notes, “If by sea, cruising is a great way to see a wide variety of areas and is how I have seen most of Asia and Africa.” |
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Any tips for how to get a seat on an airplane if you haven’t booked well ahead of time during the holiday season?” ~ Marilyn (NC)
Hi Marilyn, Airline seats are tough these days. Sometimes the only option to get what you want is to pay the extra fee for an exit aisle seat or premium seat. If you secure a seat, and then get a notification that the time of the flight has changed by a few minutes, double-check your seat! Sometimes all the seat reservations get wiped with just a slight change in schedule. |
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“Do you have any packing tips? I’m always worried about going over specified weights on the way home. I like to shop. However, I also like to go to nice restaurants and events in the evenings, which means a change of clothes. I always struggle with the packing aspect of things.” ~ Lainey (FL)
Hi Lainey,
Yes! My favorite tip for suitcase organizing: packing cubes. REI is a good place to get them, or you can find additional options on Amazon or similar online shopping sites. This way you can organize your suitcase like a chest of drawers – a separate cube for socks, underwear, shirts, shorts, and pants. Many dresses are easy to pack and take up little space.
Sometimes you can find garments that are reversable – two outfits in one! Pack your suitcase half or three quarters full, so you have lots of room for souvenirs. Also, a large, flowy scarf is a great item to pack. It allows you to dress up a more basic outfit and takes up very little room in the suitcase.
You can also buy a small device that will weigh your suitcase, so you can get an idea of whether you’re getting close to the limit.
“Do you have a preferred travel insurance provider? Some cruise lines no longer offer insurance.” ~ Beth (NY)
Hi Beth,
I like CSA Travel Insurance. Their rates are approximately 10% of what you paid for the trip, sometimes less. They have excellent customer service, and their coverage is generous. I work with a rep there called Julie Baker.
Additional Tips from Liz for our Readers:
When Traveling by Air
Do What’s Right for You
Lastly…
Hi Lainey,
Yes! My favorite tip for suitcase organizing: packing cubes. REI is a good place to get them, or you can find additional options on Amazon or similar online shopping sites. This way you can organize your suitcase like a chest of drawers – a separate cube for socks, underwear, shirts, shorts, and pants. Many dresses are easy to pack and take up little space.
Sometimes you can find garments that are reversable – two outfits in one! Pack your suitcase half or three quarters full, so you have lots of room for souvenirs. Also, a large, flowy scarf is a great item to pack. It allows you to dress up a more basic outfit and takes up very little room in the suitcase.
You can also buy a small device that will weigh your suitcase, so you can get an idea of whether you’re getting close to the limit.
“Do you have a preferred travel insurance provider? Some cruise lines no longer offer insurance.” ~ Beth (NY)
Hi Beth,
I like CSA Travel Insurance. Their rates are approximately 10% of what you paid for the trip, sometimes less. They have excellent customer service, and their coverage is generous. I work with a rep there called Julie Baker.
Additional Tips from Liz for our Readers:
When Traveling by Air
- Arrive at the airport early, especially during high season (e.g., holidays, summertime). You can always find a café to relax in while you’re waiting for your flight. This way you aren’t stressed!
- The airlines have not increased their schedules to pre-pandemic levels, so it’s wise to book your flights early.
- If you’re flying overseas, double-check the expiry date of your passport. It must be good for 6 months past your LAST DATE of travel. They are checking this carefully now, so be prepared. If you’re due for a renewal, please plan ahead, as the wait times can be considerable.
- Double check the spelling of your name on flight reservations. I know this sounds pretty basic, but some airlines will only allow you to change 1-3 letters without a huge penalty.
Do What’s Right for You
- Remember, a perfect vacation is what is perfect for YOU. What your neighbor Sharon raves about as fantastic might not be your cup of tea. Reflect on what makes you happy, then design your dream vacation around that.
- Ask yourself questions like: Do you like lounging by the pool? Do you want to be active every day? Do you prefer luxury dinners or casual cafes? Do you like to immerse yourself in the culture? Do you like high-end boutique hotels? These are some things to consider!
Lastly…
- There are a lot of new people working in all aspects of tourism (because so many people got laid off during the pandemic and left the industry). Be patient, and if something just doesn’t seem right, ask to speak to a supervisor.
