Passport Tip 1

All travel out of the United States requires a passport. The only exception being a cruise that starts and ends in the same US port. For example, a cruise departing from Port Canaveral going to Nassau and back to Port Canaveral. Technically, you can sail these itineraries with a birth certificate and a driver’s license. That being said, should you have an emergency and need to fly home, you cannot gain re-entry to the United States WITHOUT a passport!

Passport Tip 2

You can get information on obtaining a passport at https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/apply-renew-passport/how-to-apply.html You will need to fill out a form, get a passport photo taken and go to a local post office or courthouse that has a passport office. You will need supporting documents to apply. There are different requirements if you were not born in the United States. Please check the requirements for proof of citizenship. The standard turn around time to get a passport is 6-8 weeks at this time. Sometimes it is longer, sometimes it takes less time to obtain the passport. If you are in time crunch, you can apply for expedited processing at an additional fee.

Passport Tip 3

Passports for individuals 16 and older are valid for 10 years. Passports for travelers under 16 are valid for five years. Your passport must not expire within 6 months of travel! You may see an option for a passport card which is less expensive, this is NOT a preferred identification for international travel and has limitations on where it is valid for travel. It is better to go for the full passport book. Current fees are:
First Time Passport over 16: $145.00 (includes $35 due to the acceptance facility)
Renewal Passport over 16: $110.00
First Time Passport Under 16:$115.00 (includes $35 due to acceptance facility)
You cannot renew a passport for a child under the age of 16.
**this information is subject to change at anytime**

Passport Tip 4

Make a copy or two of the information page in your passport book. Leave one at home with a trusted family member or friend and keep one in your luggage, separate from your actual passport. In the event you lose your passport while traveling abroad, that information can help in the replacement of the passport at the US consulate in the country you are in.

Passport Tip 5

Note on your calendar or phone when your passport expires and put a reminder in six months ahead of time so you can apply for your renewal. You do not want to find out a few weeks before your long awaited vacation that your passport is expired or isn’t valid for the next six months! This way you have the proper documentation and you are ready to enjoy your next adventure wherever that may take you!

Adventures By Disney offers you the quality Disney service you expect along with the luxury experience of far away lands! Did you know that an Adventures By Disney tour has a local guide with them in every country? When you visit Italy, you don’t wait in line with thousands of other tourists to visit the Sistine Chapel, your guide takes you in a separate entrance to begin your tour while others are still waiting! In addition, local guides working together with your Adventure Guide will plunge you into the local flavor and culture of the country!

Where can you go on ABD?

You can take a river cruise with Adventures By Disney, you can visit South America, Costa Rica, Europe, Asia and even right here at home with their short excursions. Most importantly, Adventures By Disney will take care of everything, including airfare, accommodations, meals and activities. Kids are welcome on Adventures By Disney and the guides immerse them in the culture with activities of their own! They also offer adults only tours for those that may prefer to travel without children.

Therefore, if you want your family to experience true luxury and immerse yourself in the authentic culture of your region of choice, this is definitely the vacation for you! I would love to help you plan your next adventure. Please contact me for information.

Check out this link for a sample of destinations: https://www.disneytravelcenter.com/eb268559db/

I look forward to the opportunity to work with you~

Stacey Raker with Magical Travel
An Authorized Disney Vacation Planner
610-457-4748
Wherever your dreams take you, I can help you get there!

www.staceyrakertravel.com
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Working in the travel business the most common objection I hear is that it is “too expensive”! It is true that some destinations can be pricey, but how do you put a price or value on relaxing, rejuvenating and bonding. Let’s take a look at some ways a vacation can benefit you and your loved ones.

Vacations are great for families to reconnect and get away from the crazy daily living that tends to pull us apart. The key is to choose a destination that has something for everyone and offers you as much as you want to do or as little as you want to do. Some families just want to relax on the beach and others like to constantly be on the go. This is where I come in, I can determine the best destination fit for your family. Many people think I only do Disney, when in fact, I can book any destination. I recently had a family with two teenagers thinking of going to Disney and I mentioned that Universal may be a better fit with the children’s love of thrill rides. They took my advice and are ready to embark on a week of adventure!

Vacations are proven stress relievers! This makes vacationing good for your health. Let’s face it, we all let the day to day get to us. Work, bills, activities, housework and maintenance, sometimes it is too much! No matter what you choose to do on vacation it shouldn’t be as stressful as your everyday life! Again, your agent, whether it is me or someone else, should take the stress out of planning your vacation and make it as streamlined as possible. I plan your vacation as if it were my own. I can be as involved or uninvolved as you would like. I have done day to day itinerary planning for clients and then others like to be hands on.
You know they say “never stop learning”, this applies to vacations as well. There are opportunities to learn almost everywhere. If you choose a different country destination there is a plethora of things to be learned. In the tropics you can learn about local fish, flora and weather not to mention experience local cuisine and customs. Every destination can help you learn together and grow together!

Couples also need to take vacations without the kids! I love my children to the moon and back but having that time to reconnect with my husband is necessary. I miss my family when we are away but I know I will be a better parent when I get back to reality. This time away can help you reconnect with each other and make your bond stronger. We tend to let the day to day get in the way and pull couples apart and exhaust us to the point of being asleep before your head hits the pillow at the end of the day!

Back to the cost objection….most destinations let you book a fantastic vacation with a deposit. It can be as little as 10% or $200.00 depending on what you choose. This gives you time to make payments on your dream vacation and gives you time to plan and look forward to it as well. Contact me to discuss specific destinations and the deposit requirements.There are so many travel opportunities from cruising, all inclusive vacations, theme parks, river cruising, road trips and foreign destinations, I am confident we can find something to meet your needs!

We all work hard to earn a living and although there are so many costs to cover, don’t short you or your family of necessary down time. Be smart, plan smart and take that vacation you talk about because in the end, it will be a fabulous experience for all and make memories to last a lifetime. They might not remember they had the best clothes, but they will remember experiences shared together!