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Vacation Planning

Dressing to make flying easier

December 21, 2022 by crystal Leave a Comment

I love to travel, and that often requires flying, but I usually dread the entire airport/flight experience. Even if you don’t have a fear of flying, flying can be very stressful. Airports can be crowded, chaotic, and confusing; security lines can be long (and the TSA agents can be grumpy); and the planes themselves are usually cramped and congested. If you’re planning to fly, what you decide to wear for your flight can help alleviate some of that stress and make your flying experience more enjoyable and comfortable.  Yes, a lot of people decide to go strictly the “comfort” route and choose to wear their gym clothes or what looks like pajamas, but you can look professional or stylish and be comfortable at the same time. By the way, if you ever want to get upgraded to first class or business class, what you are wearing can make a difference.

I am all about comfort. Do I own any clothing without at least some spandex in the fabric? Maybe, but if I do, not much. Wear clothing that “gives” when you have to bend and reach. Usually these fabrics don’t wrinkle much either, so you can step off an overseas, overnight flight without looking like a rumpled mess.

Choose slip-on clothing, so you don’t have to deal with removing belts at security. Also, you won’t have to deal with buttons and zippers in the bathroom (the less time spent in an airplane lavatory, or any bathroom, the bet

 

ter). I recently bought a pair of travel pants that look like dress pants, but feel like pajamas.  I can honestly say that they are the most comfortable item of clothing that I own. 

I am usually cold in airports and on airplanes, so I always wear a sweater or jacket no matter what season it is. You can always take it off if you get too warm, and by wearing it, you save a little space in your luggage. I avoid wearing a hoodie. For me, it’s easier to slip off a jacket or sweater than trying to pull a hoodie over my head without my shirt coming off too, messing up my hair, or knocking my glasses off. I’m not the most uncoordinated person in the world, but when the grumpy TSA agent is glaring at me along with all of the other passengers in the long security line, I can get a little flustered. It’s also difficult to gracefully remove a hoodie if you are sitting in the middle seat of an airplane. Also, don’t wear large jewelry or clothing with excessive metal embellishments in order to avoid slow-downs at security scanning.

Comfortable shoes can make a big difference too, especially if you are changing planes and running through huge airports trying to make connecting flights. I purchased a pair of leather ballet flats and wore them on a flight from Edinburgh to St. Louis through 4 airports and for a period of about 24 hours. I didn’t realize until after the fact that I hadn’t taken my shoes off once, except going through security. They are so comfortable; I didn’t even take them off while on the long overseas flight. Choose a shoe that can be easily removed at security. If you are wearing shoes without socks, remember to bring a pair of socks to put on while you go through security or to slip on in case your feet are cold on the flight.

Personally, I’m not a fan of flying, but I do it because of the time saved and the accessibility to overseas destinations. I am, however, a fan of taking as many steps as possible to make the experience more comfortable and convenient.

Give me a call to help you make all of your travel easier! ~Julie Tapp

Julie@dwbvacations.com

Filed Under: Travel Tips Tagged With: Bahamas, Cathy Palazzo, central Florida, Crystal Burriss, DWB Vacations, Florida, Holidays, Julie Tapp, Norwegian Cruise Line, Orlando, Royal Caribbean, travel advisor, travel agency, Travel Agent, travel consultant, Travel Planning, Universal Orlando, Vacation, Vacation Planning

Heading out on Royal Caribbean’s newest ship Odyssey of the Seas

November 10, 2021 by crystal Leave a Comment

Tomorrow is a very exciting day as we will be boarding the brand new Odyssey of the Seas sailing out of Fort Lauderdale! Make sure you check our Facebook and Instagram pages for pictures and live posts.

In the meantime, here’s a little more about the food options on Odyssey.

 

 

Introducing the first Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar. Royal Caribbean International’s transformed Italian dining experience debuts on the new, innovative Odyssey of the Seas. Learn about how the cruise line’s team of experts in food, beverage, product innovation and more cooked up this authentic, fresh taste of Italy at sea. Serving up a menu of Italian favorites – like an array of handcrafted pizzas, charcuterie boards and pastas – as many as 50 wines by the glass and classic cocktails with a twist, Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar sets the table for an experience guests of all ages can enjoy.

Filed Under: Cruise, Royal Caribbean Tagged With: Amy Lawson, Bahamas, Cathy Palazzo, Cruise, Crystal Burriss, Elissa Colon, Florida, gari-leigh wojciechowski, Holidays, Kristi Gibson, Krystina Savaria, Laura Robinson, Royal Caribbean, shannan Goins, Sheena Truss, travel advisor, travel agency, travel consultant, Vacation, Vacation Planning

Myth Busting: Travel Advisor Edition

May 20, 2019 by crystal Leave a Comment

Thank you to our friends at Travel Insured International for sharing!

Travel Advisor Myth Busting

by Travel Insured | Mar 27, 2019

There’s no denying that the travel industry is drastically different than it was a century, a decade, or just a few years ago. Travel advisors used to virtually be the only source of travel information besides the shuffle between outdated pamphlets and books.

Now travel advisors find themselves fighting through the noise to prove that the internet is not the be-all-end-all and that they’re still the travel experts.

With this extra burden to carry, travel advisors are also feeling the burden of stereotypes. Through Travel Insured’s close work with advisors every day, we’ve gotten to see just how mythological these stereotypes are:

Myth VS Fact

Myth: Travel advisors are obsolete.
Fact: There’s no denying that the internet is an awesome travel-research tool. Travel advisors help travelers sort through all of the “internet fluff” to get to the core of what they are looking for in a dream trip.

Myth: Travel advisors try to sell expensive options to get the highest commissions.
Fact: Travel advisors are invested in converting a one-time client to a lifetime client. To do so, travel advisors work with their clients not to create the most expensive trip, but to ensure their trips are exactly how they envision every time.

Myth: Travel advisors require a huge fee for their services.
Fact: Many travel advisors don’t charge a fee at all, and if they do, a service fee is typically minimal compared to the time and stress spent when travelers plan trips on their own.

Myth: Travel advisors book only cookie-cutter trips.
Fact: Travel advisors’ main goal is to create a trip catered to their client’s vacation vision. Whether that vision is Disney, a safari, or a secluded island getaway – travel advisors are skilled to ask pointed questions to plan the dream trip.

Myth: Travel advisors don’t offer more than the internet.
Fact: The travel industry has never been more convoluted since the rise of the Google search. Travel advisors receive special offers as a travel industry insider, have more leverage in travel bookings, and more experience scanning through the internet jargon.

Travel advisors aren’t a thing of the past – they’re a thing of the present and future. Along with travel protection, travel advisors help ensure travelers vacation relaxed, secure, and insured.

Filed Under: Travel Tips Tagged With: Amy Lawson, Ann Anderson, Bahamas, Cathy Palazzo, central Florida, Crystal Burriss, Elissa Colon, Florida, Frei, gari-leigh wojciechowski, Kristi Gibson, Kristy Vaughn, Krystina Savaria, Laura Robinson, Malia Fredrickson, Quinn Willard, Raleigh Travel Agent, Sarah, Shannan Wright, Sheena Truss, Susan Robinson, travel advisor, travel agency, Travel Agent, travel consultant, Travel Planning, Universal Orlando, Vacation, Vacation Planning, Wendy Stephens

Why you should use a travel advisor

May 15, 2019 by crystal Leave a Comment

Our friends at Travel Insured International want to tell you why you should use a travel advisor! 

Why You Should Use a Travel Advsior

Filed Under: Travel Tips, Uncategorized Tagged With: travel advisor, Travel Agent, travel insurance, Vacation Planning

Overcoming the fear of Disney World in the Summer

May 7, 2019 by admin

We promise, you won’t melt!

Disney World in the summer. When I say those words what is the first thing you think of? Heat, humidity, sweat, the scorching sun, am I right? What if I told you that you were thinking about Disney in the summer all wrong? When I think of summer at Disney World I think low crowds, not missing school and a chance to save some money. I know people have a fear of the heat when traveling to Disney World in the summer, but I have some reasons that might cure that fear of Florida summers permanently.

Reason Number 1 Smaller Crowds: 
There are so many reasons to travel to Disney World in the summer, but the most important of these is that there is a significantly lower crowd. Most people are afraid of Disney World in two situations- the heat and the rain. This is what makes it the perfect time to go. You can walk through the park without having to bump into people. Go shopping or get food without having to push through crowded stores. You can even sit with your family to watch a show or a parade without people sitting on top of you. Most importantly though you can go from attraction to attraction with little to no wait! Just think you can go on your favorite attractions over and over again with little to no wait! Not having to spend hours in lines also means that you have the time and the freedom to truly enjoy all of the amenities that Disney World has to offer. This allows you to come and go between your resort and the parks so you get a better chance to enjoy both. You can do an early morning in the park, head back to your resort for an afternoon dip or nap and then head back to the park in the evenings. You are truly able to go with the flow and live your best life.

Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party starts mid- August. Look how low those crowds are on a summer day!

Reason Number 2, School and Cost:
The second major reason to travel to Disney World in the summer is to not miss school. There are many parents that take their children out of school during the school year for a trip, you are my people. However, there are many people who can not take their children out of school. Perhaps your child is older and is not in a grade where they can easily miss a lot of school work. A member of the family might be a teacher and is unable to miss work to spend time on a vacation. For these families there is only one option, to go when school is off. The problem with going to Disney World or really any travel destination when school is not in session is that is when everyone goes. This means crowds and usually a higher total trip cost. However, summer in Disney World does not follow this rule. Since people are afraid of the heat in Florida this is the perfect time to travel for the folks that can not miss school. The crowds are light, and the prices are typically lower. It is a win-win situation. You get to go to Disney World for less money and do not have to deal with the crowds that are typically there for spring or winter break. Yes, it is hot, but what is a little heat when you get to have a better-quality vacation for less money?

Ice Cream makes a hot day much more magical, especially if it is Mickey shaped!

Reason Number 3, The Heat:
So, let’s talk about the heat. Yes, it is hot in Florida and it is humid, but where is it not? Most of the US deals with either extreme heat, humidity or both during the summer months. The question is where do you want to deal with that heat? Do you want to be sitting on a field watching your kid play soccer or baseball or watching a Disney World parade? Do you want to be in an air-conditioned office or in an air-conditioned attraction? A hot and humid day at Disney World beats a day anywhere else. At least at Disney World there are Mickey ice cream bars!

So, let’s overcome that fear of Florida summer together. Yes, you will be hot, but that wont change if you stay home. At least if you go to Disney World you and your family get to make amazing, magical memories with low crowds while you get to save some money. So, no more fear instead lets say Disney World this summer for sure!

Tips for beating the summer heat in Disney World
No More Fear!
• Get to parks at opening, take a mid afternoon break and then return to the parks at night.
• Take advantage of your resort pool!
• Upgrade to a water park ticket! There are two water parks with so much to do!
• Take water misters that you can carry with you.
• Use hand held fans that are battery powered or that you can charge the night before! Amazon has some great options.
• Use cooling rags! The Frogg Togg cooling towels on Amazon are awesome.
• Order FREE ice water at any quick service locations.
• Use those snack credits for Ice Cream or Frozen Drinks.
• Take advantage of indoor waiting and lounging areas with air conditioning.
• Ride water rides like Splash Mountain or Kali River Rapids.
• Be sure to stay hydrated and take breaks from the sun.
• Escape to a bathroom or a store for a blast of air conditioning.
• Make afternoon full service dining plans to sit inside and escape the heat in the worst part of the day.
• Run through the park in the afternoon rain storms. The park will empty out even more and the rain will cool you down.
• Make sure you use plenty of water proof sunscreen and reapply often. The summer sun can be      brutal to your skin if you do not protect it.

 

Filed Under: Disney World, DWB Vacations Tagged With: Amy Lawson, Beat the Heat, Crystal Burriss, Disney Parks, Disney World, DWB Vacations, Summer travel, travel agency, Travel Planning, Vacation, Vacation Planning

World’s largest cruise ship

March 27, 2018 by crystal

Royal Caribbean International took ownership of the world’s largest cruise ship!

Thirty-six months, 4,700 shipbuilders and crew, and one common goal: to deliver the ultimate family adventure. Royal Caribbean International honored the instrumental project team of Symphony of the Seas during the highly anticipated delivery event at STX France shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, France. Michael Bayley, President and CEO of Royal Caribbean International, Richard Fain, Chairman and CEO of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., and Laurent Castaing, General Manager of STX France, led the traditional flag-changing ceremony, which symbolizes the ship’s official delivery from the ship builder to Royal Caribbean.

Symphony of the Seas by the numbers

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

To book your adventure on Symphony of the Seas or on any vacation, please contact your favorite DWB Vacations agent today!

Filed Under: Cruise, Royal Caribbean, Uncategorized Tagged With: Cruise, Florida, Oasis, Royal Caribbean, Symphony, travel agency, Travel Planning, Vacation Planning

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