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Congress Seeks Passport Rule Delay

Mon, 17 Dec 2007 16:58:20 GMT

By DEVLIN BARRETT, Associated Press Writer
1 hour, 11 minutes ago

WASHINGTON - Congress is seeking to delay a new security rule requiring passports at all U.S. border crossings next year in hopes of avoiding a repeat of last summer's vacation-killing backlog of passport applications. ADVERTISEMENT

The Bush administration said Monday it opposed the measure and still plans to go forward with implementing the planned passport rule next summer.

Lawmakers said Monday that under a major end-of-the-year spending bill to be voted on this week, the border passport rule would be moved back even further, to no earlier than June 1, 2009.

The first phase of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, or WHTI, went into effect earlier this year, requiring U.S. travelers returning by plane from Mexico, Canada and the Caribbean to carry a passport. As a result of the new requirements, demand for passports soared and the State Department issued a record 18.4 million passports in fiscal year 2007, compared to 12.1 million in 2006.

As a result, wait times for passports ballooned from four to six weeks to 12 weeks, but they have since returned to normal.

Sen. Norm Coleman, R-Minn., said the government should have more time to implement the law, and "do it in a way that won't cause the same passport headaches we saw with the air travel requirement earlier this year."

In border states like Coleman's, the new laws have also raised concerns that local trade and tourism will suffer. In response, the State Department plans to create passcards which will cost less than half the nearly $100 charged for a new passport.

Department of Homeland Security spokesman Russ Knocke said the agency opposes the measure but doesn't believe it will actually stop their implementation plan for the border passport rule.

"A delay in WHTI implementation would create the very type of chaos at the border that Congress has repeatedly urged our department to avoid," Knocke said.

WHTI was passed by Congress as part of a 2004 intelligence reform bill.

Why booking Through US blows the competition AWAY!

Fri, 15 Jun 2007 11:24:25 GMT

SMART Travelers Book Their Vacation Through a Travel Agency!
WHY? Travel Agents obtain lower rates than the
‘unknowninternet.com’ 80% of the time.

An Experienced Travel Agent… vs www.unknowninternet.com...
Always Considers Your Best Interests. Has it’s Own Agenda. Close the
Sale. Get Your Money.

Is Relationship, Service & Value Driven. Is Sales Driven. NO Regard for
Your vacation, Experience, Memories.

Respects Your Time, Providing QUICK, Eats UP A LOT of Your Time. After
Accurate Quotes, w/Details that FIT Hours of Research, are You Certain
Your Style, Desires & Budget. You HAVE the Best Price & Value??

Provides a Detailed Description of NO Guidance, Description or Review
Payments, Penalties, Cancellations of the Penalties / Restrictions.
& Restrictions. Wouldn’t You Prefer Can You Find w/Assurance these
The Knowledge & Friendly Assistance Answers in the Maze of Clicks
Of an EXPERT in the Field? & Information in the Site?

Uses INDUSTRY AUTOMATION, the Agency What “POPS UP” first, ‘PAYS’ to
Pays for & is Trained to Use. The “POP UP” first. Does that mean…
Information is Quick, Accurate, Complete. Best Option, Value, Price???

Has Years of Travel Experience, Completing Sells What Makes the Site Money.
Continuing Education Courses. If Booking
Travel was so EASY, WHY is Continuing
Ed So Important?

Is Your Advocate Before, During & After Is there someone to speak with if
Your Vacation. They Value Your You have Questions? Who is
Business & Want You to Return. Advocate or Knowledgeable Guide
To Obtain Retribution?

Provides Consultation & Professional Books Your Vacation & Takes Your
Advice to Ensure Your Expectations Payment. How Confident are
Are EXACTLY what You Seek. You the Vacation Property/Trip
Is What You Paid for & EXPECT?

Has Office Hours & can Easily be Reached If You CAN Call, are You able to
Reached to Answer Questions, Offer Speak w/Someone who Knows
Assistance & Guidance. & Understands Your Preferences,
Experiences, Concerns?

Will Provide the Specials & ‘Industry Loopholes’, Does the Website Tell You What to
While Sharing Know How & Suggestions Do, What to Avoid, Where the
To Give You the BEST Vacation Experience. Applicable Specials are to SAVE $$ ?

BUSINESS TO BUSINESS… thoughts to share w/local businesses.
The Internet Allows Anyone to Buy ANYTHING Online. That Means ‘YOUR’ Product / Merchandise may ALSO be Purchased Online. Can You Afford to have Consumers BYPASS Your Business & Purchase the Same Products Online at some www.unknowninternet.com because they Erroneously THINK they can save $$ ??

The Luxury of using a Professional Travel Agent …
We SAVE You Money & Time, Providing Unbiased & Relevant Information for Your Entire Vacation Experience. Booking Direct or www.unknowninternet.com
Does NOT Mean a Lower Price, nor, Unbiased Travel Information.

Everyone Wants to Save Money & TRY to Do Things Themselves,
Thinking by Doing So, They’ll Save Money.
There is a LOT MORE to KNOW When Booking Travel than Just a Few Clicks.
Self Booked Vacations Often RESULT in FAR LESS, yet MORE Costly than Anticipated.
Do YOU Want to Leave Your HARD EARNED, LONG AWAITED, Vacation to CHANCE ??

Studies Show…
Travelers Experience the BEST Vacations & are the HAPPIEST & Most SATISFIED,
When They’ve Booked Through a Travel Agency!

Carnival Cruises now has Wi-Fi and Ship-wide cell phone service

Sat, 5 May 2007 15:48:56 GMT

Carnival Cruises now offers Wi-Fi in all public areas and the Suites on all of their ships. Cell phone service is available on all ships. You can use your cell phone onboard all Carnival ships. Cell phones will only work in international waters, not in port.

Passport Processing Facing Delays 4/12/2007

Fri, 13 Apr 2007 09:31:07 GMT

Travelers, beware: It’s currently taking longer than ever to obtain or renew a passport, as high volume over the past few weeks has dramatically increased processing times. Clients needing to purchase or renew a passport should allow 10 weeks.
According to the National Passport Information Center, February through April is always the busiest time of year for passport services, since we’re heading into high-travel spring and summer months. Combined with the new travel requirements of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, routine service for passports (usually received within six weeks) is now taking up to 10 weeks. The government’s expediting service, which costs $60 extra and usually takes up to two weeks, is now taking three to four weeks—and possibly longer if the traveler renews by mail.
Amanda Klimak of Largay Travel in Waterbury, CT says that the best way to handle the delay is to plan accordingly:
“When clients are even just thinking about a trip, the very first thing we mention to them is passports.”

Passport Crisis
“The problem is that they changed the passport rules so much that everyone sort of stopped paying attention,” says Marilyn Cruz of Tzell Travel Group in New York City. “And it’s all of a sudden that people are realizing they really do need one. The passport agencies are so busy that [travelers] now need an appointment to get in, and they’re hard to get.” However, Cruz says that it is possible for travelers who need passports urgently to get them-they are willing to pay an extra fee. Expediting services have a certain number of appointments booked and essentially wait in line for clients; the typical charge is about $200.
“We do all of their work for them,” says Leslie Shapiro of one such agency, It’s Easy Inc., in Manhattan. Her company offers two-day, four-day and one-week options. “We like to hear from people at least 10 days before they are set to travel, though,” she says, calling the current surge in demands for passports “a crisis.”
“Usually we are busy during this season, but not like this,” she adds.
For updates on passport delays, visit www.travel.state.gov/passport.

What is Hot and What is Not?

Thu, 12 Apr 2007 17:25:48 GMT

So far, Alaska, Mediterranean cruises are selling like crazy. The Caribbean is pretty flat. Right now, you'll find the best deals on the Caribbean cruises and later sailings of Alaska and the Mediterranean(August,September).

Mediterranean and Alaska Cruises for 2007

Sat, 10 Mar 2007 09:28:03 GMT

Mediterranean Cruises and Alaska Cruises are selling out very fast. We've noticed that the 3 and 4 passenger limits on some of the Mediterranean Cruises and Alaska Cruises has been exceeded already. So, if you have been on the fence about booking your cruise, especially if you have more than 2 people in your cabin, better hurry!

What's Hot in March

Thu, 8 Mar 2007 21:16:41 GMT

Mediterranean Cruises and Alaska Cruises seem to be the hot destination requests for not just March, 2007, but they are the hottest destination choices for this year. That means that the other destinations are more favorably priced. Give us a call today at 800-677-0110 and see what kind of deal we can get you!