A Briggs Passport & Visa Expeditors

If you want to order one of the new a passport cards, get a passport application — it’s called a DS 11 and follow the instructions. On the new applications that will be available by February 1, 2008, you will find an option for applying for a passport card which you will select to order a passport card. Alternatively, you can order the traditional passport book with the same application.

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Planning a trip? Is your passport up to date? Click here to order a Passport.

The new passport card has information encoded electronically in the card to speed processing of citizens coming back into the U.S. The card has been criticized by some for the fact that the data in the card could be hacked into because the data can be picked up from more than a few inches away. The critics say the data could compromise the holder’s personal information.

We have never agreed with this criticism because the only data on the card is a unique number of the holder that has nothing to do with their identity. Instead the number is only good for use on the database of the U.S. Customs officials. When put into Customs computer database, the number will identify the holder, so he or she can be correctly and immediately identified and allowed to enter the U.S.

So even if someone did successfully hack into the card and get the passport card number of the holder, it would only be helpful if they also had hacked into the Customs database, and that is as close to impossible as the government can guarantee. We respect the integrity of the databases of the U.S. government, so we do not think the passport card is a personal security risk.

Read an interesting editorial on this subject by the Buffalo News whose readers are heavily impacted by this card because they are only a few miles from the Canadian border.

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Planning a trip? Is your passport up to date? Click here to order a Passport.

Passport Update on new Passport Rules From A Briggs Passport & Visa Expeditors

January 4, 2008

FIRST: New regulations go into effect on January 31st that require all persons entering or re-entering the U.S. to show proof of citizenship. Prior to that date, persons can continue to prove citizenship verbally.

Proof of citizenship can be accomplished by presenting a valid passport, an original or certified copy of a U.S. birth certificate, or an original copy of your certificate of citizenship or naturalization. We recommend a passport because it is the only document that proves both your citizenship and your identity.

SECOND: The Department of State, the agency of the Federal Government that issues passports, issued new rules regarding the new passport card on December 31, 2007. Here is a summary of everything covered in the new regulations. As you will see, there are more rules to be issued in the future telling citizens when and how the State Department will begin issuing passport cards. When and how the State Department will begin issuing the passport cards is not yet known.

1. The State Department will issue passport cards. The official name of the document will be “passport cards.” State will continue to issue “passport books” which up until now we have known as a “passport.”
2. The passport card is valid only for passage through land and sea ports between the U.S. and Mexico, Canada, the Caribbean and Bermuda. The passport card cannot be used for flights into or out of the U.S.
3. The passport card will be issued to citizens in all 50 states but it is exclusively for use for land and sea entrance to the U.S. Passport cards cannot be used for international air travel.
4. Passport cards can be used for identification for domestic flights. Remember: the passport card can be used as government-issued proof of identity and proof of citizenship. So, if you do not have a driver’s license and need identification for passing through security for domestic travel, you can use your passport card for proof of identity instead of presenting your driver’s license.
5. Passport cards have the same validity as passport books – 10 years for adults 16 and over and 5 years for children under 16.
6. Citizens will be able to apply for a passport card at any acceptance agent on the same basis as a regular passport.
7. Passport books must be signed on the signature page by the passport holder to be valid. Passport cards do not have to be signed to be valid.
8. The passport cards will be able to be scanned at U.S. borders when a person is in the vicinity of an electronic reader that will be operated by U.S. border control officials. The chip in the card contains only one item of information – a unique identifying number that has meaning only inside the secure database of the State Department and Homeland Security Department. There is no personal information such as name, date of birth, social security number, etc. stored electronically on the chip. So, if someone did pick up the signal, they would not be able to use the data to learn anything about the holder.
9. The execution fee for applying for a passport card is $25. The execution fee for applying for a passport book is $30.
10. The fees for obtaining a passport card for persons without a passport are as follows:
    • Adults: Total $45 — $20 application fee, plus $25 execution fee
    • Children under 16: Total $35 — $10 application fee, plus $25 execution fee
11. Persons who have a valid passport book (Remember: a “passport book” means a person who has a “passport”) and who are applying for a passport card (in addition to holding a valid passport) are not required to pay the execution fee. Thus, persons with a valid passport who also want a passport card can apply for $20.
12. The government may permit alternative documentation for land crossings such as driver’s licenses issued by states that have established methods for determining citizenship acceptable to the Federal government. Several states have already submitted proposals to the Federal government. This matter will be addressed in subsequent regulations issued by the Federal government.

We’ll keep you posted.

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Planning a trip? Is your passport up to date? Click here to order a Passport.

Arthur Frommer, who writes the Frommers travel books published his New Year’s resolutions for 2008 and we found it very interesting. We add a few ourselves to suggest tips to make travel easier.

Frommer’s resolutions:

1) I will limit myself to carry-ons, and never check a single bag;

2) I will carry sandwiches from home, and never bite into a single airline snack;

3) I will use public transportation from airport into town;

4) I will never book a connecting flight; if there’s no non-stop to my destination, I won’t go there (with some exceptions);

5) I will share courses with my wife, ordering a single main plate for the two of us;

6) I will stop patronizing “duty-free” shops;

7) I will never book an uncomfortable “boutique hotel” designed by a famous fashionista;

I will never use a credit card that doesn’t earn frequent flyer mileage;

9) I will never board a cruise ship carrying more than 700 passengers;

and 10) I will remain calm and unperturbed by refusing to read the travel section of the New York Times

And here are the New Year’s resolutions from A Briggs Passport & Visa Expeditors:

1) I will check the website of every airport before going there to depart or transit to obtain information about parking, wait times, food options, Wifi availability, amenities such as massages, spas, shopping, etc.

2) Park as close to airports as possible (and pay extra for the privilege) so I don’t have to wait on buses to take me to my car.

3) secure my boarding pass 24 hours in advance of my departure.

4) Mark my bag (that looks like someone else’s bag) with distinct bright yellow or orange colors, so someone doesn’t pick up my bag by mistake at the baggage claim area.

5) Check the public transportation status in cities to which I am traveling to ensure there are no strikes or other activities that make getting around difficult at my destination.

6) Join one of the services that allows me to go the front of the line at the security clearance.

7) Renew your passport six months before it expires.

Apply for one of the new passport cards that you can use to cross the land borders to Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean. You may not need it but if you lose your passport, you’re covered.

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Planning a trip? Is your passport up to date? Click here to order a Passport.

The State Department will soon begin issuing passport cards equipped with electronic data chips to U.S. citizens who travel frequently between the United States and Canada, Mexico or the Caribbean.

The $45 card will be optional and cannot be used for air travel. The chip will contain a unique identifying number linked to information in a secure government database but not to names, Social Security numbers or other personal information. It will also come with a protective sleeve to guard against hackers trying to skim data wirelessly.

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Planning a trip? Is your passport up to date? Click here to order a Passport.

Remember that effective January 31, 2008, when returning to the U.S. from any destination, you must present proof of citizenship. A passport is the best proof because it also identifies you and it can be scanned and you can quickly move through the border.

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Planning a trip? Is your passport up to date? Click here to order a Passport.

By Kimberly Carlson

If you’re like most couples or families, taking a cruise for your vacation always sounds like a great idea. On the other hand, there are some many different cruises to choose from that it can sometimes seem easier to just take a road trip to the nearest campground or amusement park.

The key to making sense of all the cruises out there is to narrow it down to the ones that you might like. To do that, all you need to do is decide where you want to go, when you want to go, and what cruise line to use. After that, you’ll be left with a few great options and you can’t lose.

Where to Go

The short answer is anywhere. Most people think of the Caribbean when they think of cruises, but there are so many more options to choose from. There are great trips that sail around Alaska. There are other trips that sail in the Mediterranean. Still more go to South America, but just because there are a lot of options doesn’t mean they’re all right for you and your family.

The best way to narrow down your options is to decide what types of things you want to do while the ship is in port. Most boats will be pretty similar while you’re on the boat but will change drastically when you get off. If you want a lot of outdoor adventures while you’re in port, look at the Alaskan cruises. There will likely be lots of things you wouldn’t be able to experience anywhere else. If history is more your thing, look at the Mediterranean cruises. They usually make stops in Italy, Spain, and France. Try to tailor your current interests towards making your cruise as enjoyable as possible.

When to Go

Again, the short answer is anytime. Cruises are offered by various cruise lines year-around. However, there’s more to think about. When will it be most relaxing? When can you afford to make your cruise everything it can be? Basically, when will it be most enjoyable? Popular times to take a cruise include during winter vacation, spring vacation, or the summer. On the other hand, you can get great deals on cruises during other off-peak times, like the fall.

What Cruise Line to Go On

Finally, you just need to decide which cruise line you want to use. Some might not travel to the location you want to go, so that will be the first step in narrowing down your choices. Others might cater to families, couples, or singles. If you’re taking a family on a cruise, you should definitely avoid using a cruise line that attracts singles. Some might offer amenities that you definitely want to take advantage of, others might offer amenities that you really don’t want to pay for. Once you’ve established where to go, when to go, and what cruise line to go on, the decision won’t be too difficult to make.

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Planning a cruise? You might need a visa. Click here to find out visa requirements for various countries.

About The Author:

Kimberly Carlson is an avid traveller and prefers to do all her own research and bookings on line. She has learned the ins and out on cruise holiday pricing and options. You can find more of her interesting articles at Cruise and Tours Online.

By Kimberly Carlson

If you’re like most couples or families, taking a cruise for your vacation always sounds like a great idea. On the other hand, there are some many different cruises to choose from that it can sometimes seem easier to just take a road trip to the nearest campground or amusement park.

The key to making sense of all the cruises out there is to narrow it down to the ones that you might like. To do that, all you need to do is decide where you want to go, when you want to go, and what cruise line to use. After that, you’ll be left with a few great options and you can’t lose.

Where to Go

The short answer is anywhere. Most people think of the Caribbean when they think of cruises, but there are so many more options to choose from. There are great trips that sail around Alaska. There are other trips that sail in the Mediterranean. Still more go to South America, but just because there are a lot of options doesn’t mean they’re all right for you and your family.

The best way to narrow down your options is to decide what types of things you want to do while the ship is in port. Most boats will be pretty similar while you’re on the boat but will change drastically when you get off. If you want a lot of outdoor adventures while you’re in port, look at the Alaskan cruises. There will likely be lots of things you wouldn’t be able to experience anywhere else. If history is more your thing, look at the Mediterranean cruises. They usually make stops in Italy, Spain, and France. Try to tailor your current interests towards making your cruise as enjoyable as possible.

When to Go

Again, the short answer is anytime. Cruises are offered by various cruise lines year-around. However, there’s more to think about. When will it be most relaxing? When can you afford to make your cruise everything it can be? Basically, when will it be most enjoyable? Popular times to take a cruise include during winter vacation, spring vacation, or the summer. On the other hand, you can get great deals on cruises during other off-peak times, like the fall.

What Cruise Line to Go On

Finally, you just need to decide which cruise line you want to use. Some might not travel to the location you want to go, so that will be the first step in narrowing down your choices. Others might cater to families, couples, or singles. If you’re taking a family on a cruise, you should definitely avoid using a cruise line that attracts singles. Some might offer amenities that you definitely want to take advantage of, others might offer amenities that you really don’t want to pay for. Once you’ve established where to go, when to go, and what cruise line to go on, the decision won’t be too difficult to make.

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Planning a cruise? You might need a visa. Click here to find out visa requirements for various countries.

About The Author:

Kimberly Carlson is an avid traveller and prefers to do all her own research and bookings on line. She has learned the ins and out on cruise holiday pricing and options. You can find more of her interesting articles at Cruise and Tours Online.

By Chonticha Marijne

As is the case with all vacations, there are some safety risks that you should keep in mind when you go away on your dream cruise. Considering not only your own safety but also the safety of your family members is a must that will ensure that you will get the most out of your vacation.

Many shut their front door behind them and the thought of anything going wrong never crosses their mind, but the truth is that people can get hurt when things go wrong. It’s not fun to think about it, but it is a fact of life that we all need to deal with at some point. Safety is not the only issue that you should be thinking of, but also what your cruise activities will consist of, and what your expectations are when your ship leaves the harbor. Knowing what’s in store for you and your family can be really beneficial.

Going on a cruise is a fabulous vacation and the ideal opportunity for you and your family to get away from it all. Your cruise can last from a couple of days to a couple of weeks (or even longer) and it is your chance to forget about the rest of the world. Imagine going back home when your cruise is behind you and sharing your fabulous experiences with your friends and neighbors… they’ll be green with envy and you’ll be reliving those thrilling moments all over again.

It’s important to make a checklist of the things you want and need to take with you on your cruise, including your travel papers such as tickets, passports (don’t forget to get your visas on time if required), driver’s license etc. It’s highly recommended that you make a copy of your passport and that of the family members traveling with you and keep the copies separate from your passport, just as a precaution in case the original gets lost or stolen.

Other must have items are your digital camera to record all your special cruise moments (don’t forget the charger and extra memory cards). Don’t forget to bring your medications and have your doctor write out replacement prescriptions and take them with you. If you wear contacts or prescription glasses, make sure that you pack a spare pair in your luggage. In addition to your day and evening wear items, include your swimming and snorkeling gear. Other items that you may want to include are binoculars, a travel alarm clock, ear plugs (if you’re a light sleeper) and your cell phone charger.

Irreplaceable items that have special meaning to you, such as jewelry, should be left safely tucked away — preferably in a safe — at home. If you lose such an item to chance or thieves during your cruise, you would never forgive yourself and it could spoil your vacation, so why take the risk? And before you lock your front door, make sure that a good friend or your neighbor knows where you can be reached in case of emergency. Going on a cruise is not something you do all the time, so by making every moment count and keeping it fun you’ll ensure that you are getting your money’s worth!

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Planning a cruise? Need a visa? Order your visa online. Passport up to date? Click here to order or renew your passport.
About The Author:

Ready to embark on a cruise ship adventure of your very own? Find out more about starting your cruise ship journey.

It happens when you cross several time zones. Your circadian rhythms get out of whack and the bad news is experts consider it takes you about one day per time zone to adjust. How do the business travelers do it? But then how does a family do it - when all of you are crabby and messed up and it’s supposed to be fun-time? There you are in treasured Ischia, which, incidentally is worse, because it’s going eastward (US to Europe) and nobody feels good. But is it any easier flying to Chichen Itza, on of the 7 wonders of the world? Time in the air is still time in the air.

The symptoms are, in order of frequency: lethargy; disordered sleep; fatigue for first 5 days after arrival; dehydration, ENT problems, colds or flu; disorientation; and swelling of limbs. 94% of US jet travelers said they had jet-lag symptoms, and 45% considered them “severely bothersome.” (Journal of the Aerospace Medical Association).

This is personally why I prefer cruises, but let that pass for now, and we’ll talk about what you can do about this.

1. Information and preparation

Expect this and plan for it. Adjust your pace, attitude and expectations, and gently remind your hosts. If you’re traveling to visit relatives, they’ll probably want you to hit the floor running, but it is more prudent to plan little the first day, and simply recoup. I frequently fly from east to west to visit my sister and I always remind her I’ll be sleepy the first day. “No really”.

2. Attitude

Okay, it’s good emotional intelligence. Don’t let jetlag ruin your vacation. Part of the vacation is enjoying the people you’re with. Cut everyone some slack and agree with yourself beforehand to deal with the irritability in a way that isn’t harmful to yourself and others. Like, mouthing off to the security guard about having to open your laptop isn’t going to accomplish anything, except maybe a strip search. Do you need that on top of everything else?

3. Self-awareness is the cornerstone of emotional intelligence

If you travel a lot, you should have learned something about your own adjustment schedule. For instance, when I fly before 10 am, the effects of the jet lag are far worse than when I fly in the afternoon. Why? It doesn’t matter why, it’s just the way I am. Figure this out about yourself and use the information.

4. Use common sense

Avoid caffeine and smoking, drink lots of water, eat light. More importantly, eat right. It’s easy to grab junk in the airport, especially if you have kids. It’s smarter to pack something healthy you know agrees with them, that they’ll eat. Cheaper too!

5. Build your immune system

Wherever you go, and however you get there, you are going to land in a new germ pool. Your immune system is your health. Antibiotics only “help,” after the fact. Try Get Well Soon Dietary Supplement. It has pure natural ingredients and no caffeine!

6. Homeopathic remedies

Taking melatonin is one possibility. That’s the hormone secreted by the pineal gland that controls your circadian rhythm. Since there are no long-term studies about the effects, take the least amount possible and only when you arrive. Studies have shown taking it beforehand doesn’t help, and may possibly make jetlag worse (go figure). And of course you might want to try Bio-Nutria Herbal Colon Cleanse. Other remedies that can help are arnica, bellis perennis, chamomilia, ipecacuanha, lycopodium and valerian.

7. Prepare by sleeping differently

This tip seems impractical to me. You adjust your bedtime and wake time toward the time zone where you’re going. For instance, going east to west, go to bed one hour later and wake up one hour later and do this progressively each day for 3 days. Can you do that? I can’t. I have to work. And try getting a kid to do this! No. 1 is more practical - to just catch up on sleep when you get there and take it easy the first 24 hours. You may feel like you’re “missing” something, but in the long run, it pays off.

8. Try an anti jet lag diet

Some people swear by the Argonne Anti Jetlag Diet.

And don’t forget the obvious:

9. Avoid jet travel

I happen to live near a port, but probably you do too, and a cruise is a smart choice for a vacation for many reasons, not the least of which is the jetlag. On a cruise, you can accommodate all ages and tastes, you can meet and separate easily, they are extremely accommodating to all
sorts of disabilities, there is 24/7 room service, any kind of food (including light and healthy) and many other sources of stress are eliminated such as cars, parking, unpacking more than once, getting lost, and getting medical attention if you need it (they have a doctor on board).

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Planning a trip? Is your passport up to date? Click here to order or renew your passport.
About The Author:

This article was written by Susan Dunn, Personal Coach. Susan speaks on cruise lines and is the author of Speak on a Cruise and Travel the World for Pennies. She offers individual coaching, business programs, etiquette, Internet courses, ebooks and coach certificate programs worldwide.