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July 26, 2010

Ten Not So Well Known Reasons To Buy Travel Insurance

Most travelers know the obvious reasons to buy travel insurance, that you might get sick or injured at the last minute and have to cancel your trip. But there are many other things that can go wrong where travel insurance can help limit your financial loss, as well as reduce stress and hassle of dealing with unforeseen problems.

1. You arrive for your cruise and but your luggage doesn’t.

2. You house is burglarized the day before you leave.


3. You are in a traffic accident on the way to the airport and miss your flight.

4. You get sick or injured while on a cruise ship and need to see the onboard physician, which is not covered under your regular health insurance.

5. Your company requires you to relocate to another state.

6. Your childcare provider falls ill and you have no one to watch your children during your romantic getaway.

7. Your travel supplier declares bankruptcy.

8. You a member of the military and are called for emergency duty due to a natural disaster.

9. You will forfeit pre-paid tuition and expenses for a study abroad program if your child is unable to travel due to injury or illness.

10. A volcano erupts and shuts down almost all flights to and from an entire continent. (Ok, so that one maybe is more well known.)

(Note that restrictions may apply to coverage limits for the above situations, or require additional upgrades beyond the basic travel insurance policy.)

When purchased directly from an insurance company, policies are very affordable, often just 2-5% of the value of the trip. That’s a small price to pay for peace of mind before and during your vacation.

For more information about travel insurance, contact Suzette Mack, Family Travel Specialist, at suzette@family-treks.com.

July 8, 2010

Guest Blogger: Caribbean Cruise Review

Today I am featuring a guest blogger. One of my clients recently cruised on Royal Caribbean with her family which includes three 12 year old daughters. Here is her review and pictures.

What is your idea of adventure? I like to do it all, but with the help of Suzette Mack, I was able to narrow it down to a Caribbean Cruise on Royal Caribbean. The cruise took us to Haiti, Grand Caymans, Cozumel and Jamaica. Suzette not only booked the most amazing balcony suite on the ship, she also organized our transportation and hotel stays prior to the trip. With her help our vacation was stress free and I will be forever grateful to her.
If you choose to do this amazing trip, I recommend the following. Be sure to book the zip line in Haiti prior to boarding the ship, if you don’t you’ll be green with envy, when you see people flying above the ocean.

Next in Jamaica, we recommend Dunn’s River Falls. We actually went outside the protective walls and hired our own driver for $30 to take us to the falls. Once there it was $15 pp to climb up. It was amazing and luckily we arrived prior to all the tour groups.
In the Grand Caymans, be sure to book a venture to Stingray Island. It is surreal to be surrounded by Stingrays.


Finally, in Cozumel, our girls took the swim of a lifetime with the dolphins. They were able to kiss, ride on and dance with the dolphin.


As for the Freedom of the Seas, what a spectacular ship! Our girls enjoyed the rock wall, water park, and the endless pizza. For the adults, every night a new show, trivia games, dancing, and the food, WOW!

Again, thanks to Suzette for working with me on this vacation. Without a doubt, this was the most perfect family vacation that we have ever been on.

For more information about planning your own "perfect" family vacation, contact Suzette Mack, Family Travel Specialist, at suzette@family-treks.com.

July 1, 2010

Ten Random Things I Learned This Week

1. San Juan airport has a staffed Unattended Minors Lounge. First time I have seen that, it's an interesting idea. I wonder if they let you leave all your bags with them, too?

2. The Base Camp Concierge at Four Seasons Resort Jackson Hole will send guests on a geocache treasure hunt, for 10 hidden treasures around the resort. Exclusive amenities for clients of Brownell!



3. How to tweet.

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4. A new 3-D King Kong attraction has opened at Universal Studios Hollywood. It looks really cool!


5. A contact lens case is a good place to store a diamond that has fallen out of its setting while on vacation. (Can’t believe I found it in my pocket!)

6. Some car rental companies in Europe make you drive to another location to pick up a GPS. How inconvenient! AutoEurope mails the GPS to your home before you leave, with the appropriate maps pre-loaded.


7. Carlisle Bay in Antigua has a screening room which runs kids' movies during the day. Guests booked through a Virtuoso agency receive a complimentary upgrade (based on availability) and a $100 spa credit.

8. Guests who check-in to Barcelo Los Cabos Palace Deluxe on a Tuesday or Wednesday get unlimited spa treatments that day. If you arrive after 6 pm, you get the treatments the next day. (Offer is valid in Deluxe OV Jr Suites or higher, through December 22.)

9. We can still have lots of fun in the rain, even if it’s a downpour.


10. I should paint my nails after snorkeling.

For help planning the family vacation of your dreams, contact Suzette Mack, Family Travel Specialist at suzette@family-treks.com.