Alerts, Updates & Useful Travel News
We receive Daily Updates about status of airports, cruise ports, cruise itineraries, resorts and hotels, and changes in government regulations. If you have a concern or question, please contact us.
And our Music City airport is always busy. Visit www.flynashville.com for flight times, current wait times at security checkpoints, & helpful tips.
American River Crusing
You may have heard that the Vikings are invading U.S. waterways. Not literal vikings, but Viking Cruise Lines. I’m sure you’ve seen their ads on TV or online: sleek longboats with modern amenities sailing calm European rivers. Starting in 2022, however, they will also be sailing in the U.S., offering several schedules up and down the Mississippi.
Beyond Viking’s Mississippi plans, small cruise ships are becoming ever more popular, especially as countries open up after COVID-19. Bookings in Europe show cruise passengers definitely have an affinity for smaller, more personal cruises.
What you may not have heard of are the U.S. cruise lines that have offered river cruises for years. From the Northwest and the Colombia and Snake rivers, to the Mississippi, to the Great Lakes, to the Hudson, cruise lines have been plying U.S. waters right under our noses.
These cruise lines’ itineraries include small ship adventures, where visitors can disembark frequently to sightsee, shop, or even kayak. They also include Mississippi cruises on vessels laden with historical value, like the 93-year-old Delta Queen. And the best thing about U.S. lines are the people—the historians, riverlorians, authors, and others who make the history of the countryside come to life.
Here are a sampling of the diverse companies that make up the U.S. river cruising industry:
American Cruise Lines. ACL is the largest U.S. river cruise line, boasting a fleet of 13 river and coastal cruise ships. They provide adventures across the country, from the American Revolution Cruise aboard the American Constitution in the Northeast, to the Northwest, where you can ride the Queen of the West down Washington’s Snake River.
Blount Small Ship Adventures. The founder of Blount Small Ship Adventures invented the term “small ship cruising” to describe the intimate excursions that one could have aboard Blount’s vessels. A Blount voyage could take you on a Great Lakes adventure or through the St. Lawrence Seaway to New York City. These informal, small ship cruises will take you places only they can find, and that you will love.
Delta Queen Steamboat Company. The Delta Queen is a very special, very old ship. If you ever wanted to go on an idyllic cruise through the U.S. Heartland, this ship is for you. Built in 1927, the Delta Queen has been through World War 2 and has served tourists from California to Chattanooga. She is currently undergoing renovations and plans to continue operating as the only wooden steam-powered paddlewheel vessel in the U.S.A.
American Queen Steamboat Company. American Queen’s fleet of 4 paddlewheelers combines the old and the new to render relaxed cruises for their passengers. Float the Mississippi on their most popular route, Charms of the South, while learning history, discovering bayous, and visiting cities like New Orleans and Memphis—both known for their rich musical heritage.
UnCruise. It’s so unlike any cruise out there that the company decided to name itself UnCruise. Their small, rugged boats skirt through Alaska’s islands and wooded coasts and explore the Pacific Northwest. With room for 22-86 passengers (depending on the ship), these vessels are equipped for discovery. Though UnCruise offers cruises outside of the U.S., its Alaska cruise is particularly special. Kayak with orcas, photo grizzlies on a trek between Juneau and Glacier National Park, or enjoy the Canadian coast as you sail between Juneau and Seattle. UnCruise also operates routes in Hawaii, where guests can get an active Aloha state experience, trekking Hawaii’s inland or snorkeling its pristine reefs.
As you can tell, American cruise companies carry passengers on a vibrant array of expeditions, for both explorers and those who want to relax. There’s something for anyone—right here in your very own backyard. As Viking has already booked many of its inaguary voyages, remember that U.S. lines have you covered. They’ll be here waiting for you, whenever you’re ready.
Originally posted on LinkedIn Pulse on July 16, 2020
You need a passport
They wanted it all. An all-inclusive, adults-only resort. This weekend, in Puerto Rico. I wanted to help them—but I couldn’t. Puerto Rico just didn’t meet their demands. Jamaica would have suited them perfectly. So would the beaches near Cancun. The problem? They didn’t have a passport.
This is a problem so many would-be tourists run into. They find a paradise island deal for a great price, or they hear about their friends’ all-inclusive resort escape, and they want to go ASAP. But the U.S. doesn’t offer the same luxurious lineup that Caribbean countries do. Tropical beaches, secluded resorts, and fascinating local culture. You just can’t get all of these things here at home—not on the same level.
That’s why you need a passport.
For some, a passport could serve as an alternate form of legal ID. For others, a passport is the connection to someone dear to them. Let me explain.
A passport allows U.S. citizens to legally depart the country. You’ll also need it to get back into the U.S. once your trip is finished. You might even need a passport to fly in the U.S., since some states have not yet implemented the REAL ID Act (click here to learn about REAL ID).
In some instances, a passport can serve in lieu of a visa. Unlike a passport, a visa is issued by a foreign government, for specific travel purposes like education, tourism, business, etc. But thanks to the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, you don’t need a visa to travel to countries like Canada, Mexico, and many places in the Caribbean. For example, Aruba allows U.S. citizens holding a passport to travel there without a visa. That’s less paperwork on your end—as long as you have a passport.
So the upside to having a passport is obvious: freer travel. But a passport becomes more important once you consider why someone would leave the country. It could be to adopt a child from another country. It could be for a dream honeymoon. It could be for a last-minute business trip. Those are lives touched, moments made, and promotions earned.
And here’s why it’s important to start the passport process soon: time. Before the COVID-19 outbreak, it would take between 6-8 weeks to apply for and receive your passport. Definitely not something you can do overnight. There’s paperwork, documentation, and fees you’ll need to work through during the process.
If you hold a passport right now, good for you! When does it expire? Passports are valid for 10 years, unless you were under 16 when you got yours. In that case, it’s valid for 5 years. The expiration date is important, since some countries will only allow you to travel if you have 6 months or more remaining on the passport from your return date; that is, you need to be able to return home at least six months before your passport expires. This is to prevent legal problems in the case of medical or other emergencies where you cannot return home. Everyone wants to prevent a worst-case scenario, so make sure your passport is up to date.
The people I first brought up are not alone. I can’t tell you how many clients run into travel problems because of their passport (or lack thereof). A simple application is all it takes—get approved, and the world is yours!
Originally posted on LinkedIn Pulse on August 28, 2020
Shrinking Sinks! - Yes indeed - airlines are looking at every way possible to add seats to the cabins. The latest move is to reduce the size of the bathrooms. The space to turn around is tighter, the sinks are now smaller, and passengers and crew are complaining about the "splash" effect. Yes, because the sink is so narrow and shallow, the sink water splashes on you as you wash your hands - one more reason not to dress up for airline travel anymore!
TSA Precheck – Why? Because the lines are shorter and you don’t have to take off your shoes, pull out your liquids, laptop, belts, light jackets, or your snacks! Yes, SNACKS! In some airports, the TSA is asking you to pull out your snacks and put them in the tray to be X-rayed! What does it cost you? $85 and is good for 5 years.
Or if you travel overseas as well, then apply for Global Entry – Why? You receive all of the benefits of Precheck plus expedited processing thru Immigration and Customs. What does it cost you? $100 and is good for 5 year
UNACCOMPANIED MINOR – Children 5 and over are allowed to travel unaccompanied. Each airline has their own schedule of services and fees. Each airline has its own specific rules and procedures for unaccompanied minors. Some restrict unaccompanied minors to direct flights only. The party meeting the minor must also be named. If there is a connecting flight on a different airline, check fees and requirements for both airlines. Some may require a parental consent form. Check each airlines website at time of booking the ticket and again well in advance of the date of departure to ensure that you bring the appropriate documentation and id’s at check in.
BASIC ECONOMY FARES – Beware of those super cheap airline fares – they are the most restrictive. Restrictions vary from airline to airline and change quite frequently. SOUTHWEST Airlines shuns this highly restricted fare. As of today, (6/19/18) these are the posted restrictions for 3 major airlines. If you do purchase the Basic Economy fare, we strongly suggest you purchase travel insurance.
DELTA Basic Economy Fare:
NOT Available – Advance Seat assignments & upgrades to Comfort or premium seats.
NOT Permitted – Flight changes and refunds.
NOT Available – No paid access to priority boarding.
Allowed – Small personal item that fits under seat in front of you.
NOTE: Your seats will be assigned after check in d so families may not be able to sit together.
Check the DELTA site for FAQs on the Basic Economy Fare
https://www.delta.com/…/faqs/planning-reservations-faqs.html
UNITED Basic Economy Fare:
NOT Available – Advance Seat assignments & upgrades.
NOT Permitted – Flight changes and refunds, excepting a one day refund policy.
NOT Available – Family or group seating.
NOT Permitted – Full size carry on–no access to overhead bins.
NOT Available – Certain Mileage Plus and Premier benefits.
Allowed – Small personal item that fits under seat in front of you.
NOTE: If you try to take on a full size carryon – you will be charged for checked luggage plus a $25 gate luggage handling fee. You will also likely be last on the boarding group.
Check the UNITED web site for FAQs on the Basic Economy Fare: https://www.united.com/…/content/travel/…/basic-economy.aspx
AMERICAN Basic Economy Fare:
NOT Available – Upgrades.
NOT Permitted – Flight changes and refunds. On some routes, you may be able to change flight details for a fee.
For a Fee – you can purchase a seat assignment 48 hours before departure. Otherwise, you'll be assigned one on check-in.
NOT Available – Family or group seating.
NOT Permitted – Checked luggage. Unless you have AAdvantage elite, you will pay a fee for checked luggage. Otherwise you are allowed a personal item and a bag for carry-on,
Check the AMERICAN web site for more info on their Basic Economy: https://www.aa.com/…/tra…/experience/seats/basic-economy.jsp
Again, this fare is generally the least expensive available, is not offered on all routes, and is very restricted. If for some reason you cannot take the flight, you will LOSE ALL YOUR money, unless you purchase travel insurance. These basic economy fares also change their requirements constantly, so be sure to contact us for updates.
Do you know about the 6 MONTH PASSPORT VALIDITY RULE? 
When traveling overseas, most travelers know that a valid United States passport is required to enter an international destination. But, what will catch many people is that most countries require six month validity on your passport to travel to their country. This is known as the 6 months validity passport rule for visitors. So, if you have booked a vacation departing in October 2020, your US passport must be valid through April 2021. Check your passport expiration date now!
Traveling with kids outside your home country? In general, each adult in your party will need a passport and minor children will need either passports or original birth certificates. Documentation requirements become more complicated when one parent or guardian is traveling alone with a minor. In general, besides your passport, you should bring written consent from the child’s biological parent(s) along with the child’s birth certificate.
Many countries require that the consent document be witnessed and notarized. Several websites let you download or print free parental consent forms. Be aware that specific rules about documentation can differ substantially from country to country, so you should check the US State Department International Travel website for information about requirements for your destination country.
As a reminder, TSA recently completed the roll-out of enhanced screening procedures and there are a few things passengers can do to assist TSA with keeping wait times to a minimum this summer:
- Always check personal belongings/carry-ons for prohibited items before going to the airport.
- Check with the airlines and airports to determine wait times during peak periods. The MyTSA App is also a great resource to help figure out when you should get to the airport.
- Pack your carry-on so that it can be easily screened. Examples of personal electronic items that should be scanned separately include laptops, tablets, e-readers, and cameras. Additionally, TSA may provide instructions to remove items from your bag such as foods, powders, and any materials that can clutter bags and obstruct clear images on the X-ray machine.
For additional travel tips, read “TSA’s 5 Essential Summer Travel Tips” and follow @AskTSA and @TSA on Twitter and Facebook.
Airlines Institute issued enhanced procedures for passengers wanting to bring service and emotional support animals on board in the cabin. For American, new procedures apply for tickets issued on or after July 1, 2018. Check out their web site for info. Check here for Delta's service and emotional support animal policy.
Want to know about events in the Caribbean - culinary, cultural, music festivals, boat races, and more? Check out http://caribbeanevents.com - it is a website listing Caribbean events and as destinations become familiar with it, more and more events will be listed.
Just got married? Need to change your name on your passport? Then submit the form to change the name within a year and there is NO charge, if you wait longer than that, then you have to pay the fee. Note - it is worth the drive! If you drive to Gallatin Post Office passport service desk, 380 Maple St, Gallatin TN 37066, 615-230-5918, no appointment is required and the service is quite fast. If you go to the Airport location, 525 Royal Parkway, Nashville TN 37229, 800-275-8777, it is by appointment only and can involve quite a long wait!
Need Medical help at the Airport? BNA's CareHere Walk-In Clinic and Wellness Store can help you travel with less pain. The clinic is located near the C Concourse entrance on the secure side of check-in and offers primary care services for conditions such as earaches, rashes, nausea and strains/sprains, and is also a medicine dispensary.
Pictured are Mamie, one of professional travel counsellors, and Dot, on our staff, returning from a trip with UnCruise, on a small ship sailing around the San Juan Islands near Seattle. This is called UnCruise, "small ships, BIG adventures" because the experience is so different from what one normally pictures when we say "cruise." The cruise itinerary offers an opportunity to truly experience the outdoors. Excursions from the ship include sea kayaking, swimming, short and long hikes, as well as visits to small ports and towns along the way. To find out more about the UnCruise style of adventure, call us at Brandywine Travel 615-847-4095 .
Roadies, a new Los Angeles-based travel company, launched a road trip-style tour concept whereby passengers overnight in berths in a luxury motorcoach. The Roadies motorcoaches are equipped with 11 sleeping pods, a bathroom and shower, flat screens TVs, WiFi access, books, games, and a variety of food and snacks. Coaches will park at participating hotels where passengers will have access to amenities like pools, gyms, restaurants, bars and spas at no extra charge. The company has two inaugural routes. The seven-day "Sunshine & Lights Tour" includes stops in San Diego, Los Angeles, Palm Springs, Joshua Tree, the Grand Canyon and Las Vegas. The seven-day "Hot N' Spicy Tour" visits the same sights in reverse order!
Cunard collaborates with Ancestry.com, the largest online family history resource in the world, to offer guests the opportunity to trace their family history on the flagship liner Queen Mary 2 while sailing across the Atlantic.
Cunard played a critical role in the immigration movement to the U.S. in the late 1800s and early 1900s, when one in five immigrants who came through Ellis Island arrived on a Cunard liner. This Ancestry.com crossing offers an opportunity to follow in the footsteps of one’s ancestors and experience sailing across the Atlantic like so many immigrants did. “Cunard has a deep history with immigration to the U.S.,” said Josh Leibowitz, senior vice president for Cunard North America. “Cunard’s partnership with Ancestry.com for the November trans-Atlantic crossing will be an extraordinary experience for our guests to learn about their ancestors as they retrace their passage to the U.S. sailing into New York on a Cunard liner.”
The trans-Atlantic crossing will feature genealogists from Ancestry.com who will assist guests in learning who they are and where they come from. These experts will show guests where their family originated, how to sift through census and military records, and determine their ethnic mix through AncestryDNA. Cunard is offering a tour of Ellis Island and New York’s Ancestral Trail, which offers insight into the early history of New York in downtown Manhattan, including historical landmarks such as Wall Street, the New York Exchange, Federal Hall and the Trinity Church. A detailed 90-minute guided tour of Ellis Island will include the immigration halls and immigrant hospital buildings. Call Brandywine Travel 615-847-4095 for more information.
Basic Economy Fares – The truth you need to know - More and more airlines are introducing the Basic Economy Fares for both domestic and transatlantic routes. Although specific rules and restrictions vary by airline and routing, the Basic Economy Fares will always be the least expensive fare on the day you book your flight. However, know this, that in general:
You will NOT be assigned a seat until after you check in, which means your seats will most likely be middle seats, and families may not be able to sit together.
You may be charged for your carry on, you may be charged for your first checked bag.
You will NOT be eligible for a free upgrade and in many cases will not be able to purchase an upgrade.
At Brandywine Travel we prefer NOT to book you a Basic Economy Fare ticket, because we know from experience that our clients have been unhappy with the service they receive on that kind of a ticket. If you book your tickets through an online travel agency, the lowest fare that we all instinctively are drawn to purchase will more than likely be a Basic Economy Fare. Check the restrictions before you purchase, and know exactly what your are buying!
Tours for Single Parent Families - Intrepid announces dedicated solo parent itineraries that allow children to bond and form friendships with other children in the group while giving a single parent (or a parent traveling without their spouse) the unique opportunity to travel with adults in similar family dynamics. While many family travel experiences are priced based on double occupancy, Intrepid Travel’s new tours are offered at no additional cost. Making family travel even more affordable, all children aged 17 years and younger receive a 10 percent discount off the price of their trip. Tours range from 8-15 days and include destinations such as Costa Rica, Thailand, Northern India, Egypt, Vietnam, and Morocco. Trafalgar and Tauck also offer tours for single parent families. Call Brandywine Travel for more details.
Passport Execution Fees will increase on April 2, 2018. The execution fee will go up from $25 to $35, bumping the cost of a passport up to $145 for adults and $115 for children 16 years and younger. However, that increase does not apply if you mail in your application, rather than go to a post office. The Post Office Passport Window that many folks use is the one adjacent to the airport at 525 Royal Parkway. For information regarding their new times and procedures call 615-872-5742. Appointments are no longer necessary, and it is a walk in and wait operation now. The doors open at 8 am and it is a first come first serve process, with a maximum of 64 applications being processed each day. Other post offices in the region do have passport windows, the next closest to Old Hickory is in Hendersonville at 105 Imperial Blvd. Click here to search for the closest post office to your zip code, and be sure to select Passports.
