Travel by Randi

TSA update! Rules can change at any moment but here are recent TSA changes

#TSA
#staysafeeveryone

Beaches Turks & Caicos to closing dates..

Tax Issue disputes result in Beaches Turks closures. Clients will have options for changes.

Beaches Resorts
#experiencetheartoftravelingwell

Bucking Industry Trend, Delta Air Lines Promises Free WiFi For Passengers

Delta airlines will join JetBlue to offer free wifi

#delta
#freewifi

Bucking Industry Trend, Delta Air Lines Promises Free WiFi For Passengers The move will no doubt popular with customers who have been complaining about ever-rising ancillary charges.

Travel to These Top 'Crazy Rich Asians' Filming Locations in Singapore and Malaysia | TravelAge West

Visit some of the location highlights from #CrazyRichAsians

If you want to learn more about eating street food safely
check out Travel by Randi - The Art of Traveling Well for tips!

#experiencetheartoftravelingwell
#wanderlustwednesday
#movielocations
#destinationsoutheastasia

Travel to These Top 'Crazy Rich Asians' Filming Locations in Singapore and Malaysia | TravelAge West These ‘Crazy Rich Asians’ filming locations are worth discovering off the silver screen

Time Magazine Reveals First Annual List of World’s Greatest Places

Time features entries that span 48 countries on six continents.
Hotels amusement parks cruise ships and natural parks are on the list

Time Magazine Reveals First Annual List of World’s Greatest Places We are all probably familiar by now with Time magazine and its annual list of the world’s 100 most influential people. This week the magazine and its online news website are rolling out a differ

Enter to WIN a $100 Credit Toward a Future Vacation, Courtesy of Travel by Randi

Enter to WIN a $100 Credit Toward a Future Vacation, Courtesy of Travel by Randi

Click here to enter: https://gleam.io/fb/z0TdJ

Enter to WIN a $100 Credit Toward a Future Vacation, Courtesy of Travel by Randi Enter to WIN a $100 Credit Toward a Future Vacation, Courtesy of Travel by Randi

See Royal Caribbean’s Harmony of the Seas Debut in New Netflix Movie

Harmony of the Seas stars with Kristin Bell and Kelsey Grammar star in the this Netflix Movie.

Have you sailed on Royal Caribbeans Oasis Class trips?

#harmonyoftheseas
#royalcaribbean
#oasisandnetflix

See Royal Caribbean’s Harmony of the Seas Debut in New Netflix Movie Royal Caribbean’s Oasis-Class mega-ship Harmony of the Seas is starring in a new movie this summer, along with Kristen Bell, Kelsey Grammer and Seth Rogen, in the Netflix original “Like Fa

How Vacations and Meditation Heal the Body and Mind - Mindful

Vacations are good for your health!
Adding meditation to your vacations can have an even stronger impact. 🧘‍♀️🧘‍♂️

#mindfulvacations
#experiencetheartoftravelingwell
#wanderlustwednesday
#wellnesswednesday

How Vacations and Meditation Heal the Body and Mind - Mindful Harvard research reveals how going on vacation, especially if you meditate while you're on vacation, restores your body and mind on a genetic level.

Enter to WIN a $100 Credit Toward a Future Vacation, Courtesy of Travel by Randi

Enter to WIN a $100 Credit Toward a Future Vacation, Courtesy of Travel by Randi

Click here to enter: https://gleam.io/fb/z0TdJ

Enter to WIN a $100 Credit Toward a Future Vacation, Courtesy of Travel by Randi Enter to WIN a $100 Credit Toward a Future Vacation, Courtesy of Travel by Randi

Insider Places: New York City Plans a “Monumental” 2019 for Tourism

NYC has big plans for 2019! Locals may want to play tourist and visitors will have even more to explore!
Join Travel by Randi - The Art of Traveling Well for hotels, specialty tours and things to do in NYC.

#iloveny
#theartoftravelingwell
#thebigapple
#explorenyc
#beatouristinyourownbackyard

Insider Places: New York City Plans a “Monumental” 2019 for Tourism Even the most hardened New Yorkers should give some thought to touring New York City next year because the five boroughs are about to look much different. New York is getting set for a series of block

Timeline photos

Why Hawaii Just Banned Some Sunscreens

Not until 2021 but Hawaii is taking steps to protect the environment. Suggest Zinc based and paraben free products.
#makehawaiihappen
#protectyourskinandtheenvironment

Why Hawaii Just Banned Some Sunscreens Hawaii just passed a first-of-its-kind law to ban over-the-counter sunscreen containing chemicals proven to damage marine ecosystems. Here's what that means for travelers.

Earthquakes rattle Hawaii’s Big Island after Kilauea shoots lava, ‘dangerous’ gas into the air

Earthquakes and volcano eruptions on big island of Hawaii.
Adjusting my clients schedules.
Be safe.

Earthquakes rattle Hawaii’s Big Island after Kilauea shoots lava, ‘dangerous’ gas into the air “You could hear the power of it pushing out of the ground,” a resident of the Big Island said.

Symphony of the Seas is Officially Delivered: Royal Caribbean Welcomes World's Largest Ship

Royal Caribbean takes delivery of the world's largest cruise ship!
Symphony of the seas is the newest and biggest in the Oasis class of ships. Maiden voyage April 7th out of Barcelona but will be coming to Florida for Caribbean sailings on November 10th.
#royalcaribbean
#oasisclassships
#worldslargestship
#symphonyoftheseas
#experiencetheartoftravelingwell

Symphony of the Seas is Officially Delivered: Royal Caribbean Welcomes World's Largest 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. Mic...

The Big Easy

So grateful to see my clients having fun on their trips! Extra special when they have a talent for film, fashion and fun! Thank you Jan Rosenthal Holtzberg for sharing!

#thebigeasy
#nolalove
#neworleans
#thankfulthursday

The Big Easy My family and I visited New Orleans over Thanksgiving (late video I know), but I just dusted off the 'ol SD card and threw this cute lil video together. :-) ...

Newest nor'easter: 5,700+ cancellations (and counting)

Airlines are waiving change fees. Updates in the link below
#noreasterupdates #dontgetgrounded #flighttracker #travelprofossionalshandlethisforyou

Newest nor'easter: 5,700+ cancellations (and counting) Wednesday looked to be one of the worst air travel days of the year so far in 2018. East Coast flights were snarled from the 4th nor'easter in 3 weeks.

Be an airport VIP at ClubMobay in Jamaica!
Complimentary food, drinks, lounges, WiFi kids play area.
They even have showers and a spa to freshen up and relax before your flight!
#clubmobay #feelthevibe #jamaicaVIP

Pier1 Friday Night Club in Montego Bay Jamaica

#fridaynightmontegobay
#pier1montegobay
#feelthevibe
#ilovejamaica
#fridaynightfun

Travel advisory lifted in Playa del Carmen

Destination selection and safety concerns with my clients is something I do every day with my clients I'm here to discuss help and advise.

#ilovemexico
#playadelcarmenadvisorylifted
#travelsmarttravelsafe
#experiencetheartoftravelingwell

#Mysticmountain #feelthevibe
Bobsled Zip lining hummingbird garden
Great way to spend the day
#ilovejamaica #traveldesignerlife

U.S. Passports Will Cost More Starting This April

$10 increase per adult passport starting in April
#checkyourpassports

U.S. Passports Will Cost More Starting This April Travelers can save by applying for a passport before April 2nd.

Recovery Moves Forward As Caribbean Islands Look to Welcome Travelers

Progress in the Caribbean
#caribbeanwelcomesyou

Recovery Moves Forward As Caribbean Islands Look to Welcome Travelers Months after Hurricanes Irma and Maria slammed the region, islands such as Anguila, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, and more are still recovering.

You Should Renew Your Passport Before the End of the Year

End of year reminder! Check your passports!
Expiration Date good for at least six months from dates of travel?
Are they damaged in any way?
#dontgetgrounded
#checkyourpassport

You Should Renew Your Passport Before the End of the Year It will help prevent any trip-destroying stress, for starters.

Mount Agung: 100,000 told to evacuate as Bali volcano spews huge ash cloud

Airports closed in Bali
#balivolcano
#staysafebali

Mount Agung: 100,000 told to evacuate as Bali volcano spews huge ash cloud Heightened seismic activity, mudflows and confirmation the volcano is shifting into magmatic phase prompts warnings and airport closures

Happy Thanksgiving!
Whether you are clients, partners, friends or family, we are truly grateful to have you in our world.
#happythanksgiving
#gratefulheart

#experiencetheartoftravelingwell
#livelikeajimmybuffetsong
#mondaymusings

Travel by Randi updated their phone number.

Travel by Randi updated their phone number.

Netflix Partnering With Airlines to Improve Wi-Fi

Netflix coming to airlines in 2018
#streaminginthesky
#bingewatchinthesky

Netflix Partnering With Airlines to Improve Wi-Fi The streaming service will lend its tech to airlines for a better in-flight binge-watching experience.

How Does Travel Insurance Work During a Hurricane?

Travel Insurance and hurricanes:
you need to have secured insurance before the storm is named.
#importanceofinsurance #travelinsurance #hopeyoudontneedtouseit

How Does Travel Insurance Work During a Hurricane? Hurricane Irma is a cautionary tale to not wait too long to book travel insurance.

To all Travel Agents and clients that Cruise. See Information on cruise ports!

Barbados

Cruise Port: Bridgetown

While Barbados was spared by Hurricane Irma, some residents on the island did receive damage to their homes from Tropical Storm Harvey. The island has become the hub for a U.N. humanitarian team, which will work with the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency to help hurricane victims.

Antigua

Cruise Port: St. John's

Although it seemed to lie directly in Irma's path, Antigua was spared the worst of the storm, according to the local government. There were no deaths, and most residential, businesses and hotels remain unscathed, with main roads already cleared of debris. The airport reopened Thursday afternoon.

Said Prime Minister Gaston Browne in a statement released by the CTO: "The drains, gutters and reservoirs that were cleared in advanced ensured that the island experienced no flooding, hence eliminating the possibility of water-born disease."

Barbuda

Cruise Port: Low Bay Beach

Only a handful of small cruise ships stop at tiny Barbuda, which is twinned with Antigua; most cruise passengers who visit do so by shore excursion. Unfortunately, this tiny island of 1,800 residents suffered the brunt of Irma, with about 90 percent of its buildings damaged, Browne said. On Friday, 120,000 pounds of hurricane relief for Barbuda were flown into Antigua. Also Friday, the prime minister issued a mandatory evacuation of Barbuda in anticipation of Hurricane Jose's arrival. TMZ is reporting that the actor Robert De Niro, who is building a luxury resort in Barbuda, will help with rebuilding efforts.

St. Kitts

Cruise Port: Basseterre

The eye of Irma passed north of St. Kitts on Wednesday morning. Little damage occurred on the island and the airport opened Thursday, according to a CTO release, and the shops in Port Zante are open.

Nevis

Cruise Port: Charlestown

Under the same government as St. Kitts but less of a cruise destination because of its size, Nevis was also spared damage from Irma. Electricity has been restored and the tourism offices reopened Thursday, according to the CTO. Nevis' airport has also reopened.

St. Maarten/St. Martin

Cruise Port: Philipsburg (St. Maarten); Marigot (St. Martin)

One of the Caribbean's most popular cruise ports, the dual nationality island of St. Maarten and St. Martin suffered a direct hit from Hurricane Irma, and the damage appears to be immense.

The Dutch Prime Minister said the storm caused "enormous devastation" to the island, cutting off electricity, gas and most communications. The island's famous airport, where cruise passengers and tourists watch the low-flying planes come in, has been damaged, but the landing strips remain intact. The airport had partially reopened to allow relief supplies to be flown in and travelers to be evacuated, but it has since been closed again in anticipation of Hurricane Jose. The country's tourism minister said that under the best case scenario, it will reopen September 10 to continue the delivery of supplies, and commercial flights will resume within a week. The minister also said that while almost all of the islands' hotels suffered damage, the port is in slightly better shape. Two ships from the Dutch navy delivered emergency aid Friday.

Several deaths have been reported on the French side, St. Martin, with its major buildings destroyed and almost the entire area under a power blackout. The airport on the northern side of the island did not receive the same damage as the Dutch counterpart in the south, and relief helicopters and planes have been able to get in. The BBC has reported that France is sending three emergency teams to St. Martin and nearby St. Barts, two from France and one from Guadeloupe.

Adventure of the Seas will call there on its current sailing to bring clothing and water as part of relief efforts.

St. Barts

Cruise Port: Gustavia

Synonymous with Caribbean luxury travel, the French island of St. Barts also sustained significant damage to government buildings and some resorts. The main fire brigade station flooded, with all engines put out of service and the island is undergoing a total power blackout. Aid from the French government is arriving.

Anguilla

Cruise Port: Road Bay

Usually a stop for shore excursions and day trips from St. Martin, Anguilla received heavy rains and strong winds, with one fatality reported. According to the CTO, critical infrastructure, such as the hospital, airport, fire station, police station, government buildings and utilities received moderate to severe damage. The most recent report says roughly 90 percent of government buildings and businesses have been damaged, along with 90 percent of the electrical infrastructure. The island's main water supply has also sustained significant damage. The British government has deployed three humanitarian aid experts from the UK to assist and a British naval ship has arrived on island, with 40 Royal Marines and Army engineers on board.

British Virgin Islands

Cruise Port: Tortola

Irma hit the territory directly on Thursday afternoon. In a statement released by the CTO, BVI Tourism Director Sharon Flax-Brutus said "The destruction caused by Hurricane Irma in the British Virgin Islands has been devastating." Communication is down, including cell phones and internet access, which make it hard to assess the extent of the damage, she said. "The destination has lost entire structures and many homes are without roofs, or have been diminished to merely foundations. Sadly, there may have been fatalities in the territory, but there are none confirmed at this time as we are still in the assessment process, which has been a challenge due to lack of communication." Photos on social media show extensive damage, with buildings in Road Town flattened; reports are coming out that popular islands such as Jost Van D**e sustained direct hits. The government has begun to coordinate humanitarian relief efforts and initial clean-up, and the UK government is sending a Royal Navy ship to the island Saturday.

Billionaire Richard Branson, who currently has plans underway for his own cruise line, Virgin Voyages, rode out the storm in the wine cellar on his private island, Necker Island. While he remained safe, many buildings on Necker were destroyed, according to the Telegraph.

The islands are on edge for Hurricane Jose, which is expected to hit over the weekend.

U.S. Virgin Islands

Cruise Ports: St. Thomas; St. John; St. Croix

The storm came through the Virgin Islands, which are a U.S. territory and a major hub for cruising, on Wednesday and Thursday, causing significant damage to St. John and St. Thomas. According to USA TODAY, Congressional delegate Rep. Stacey Plaskett said that "St. Thomas and St. John are pretty devastated," with hotels damaged and the roof ripped off the only hospital in St. Thomas; patients were evacuated to Puerto Rico and emergency supplies are being distributed. Four people were killed by the storm. The airport is closed and visitors are being asked to stay away from the two islands.

St. Croix, which lies further south than the other two islands, suffered less damage, and resorts are open with limited service. The airport on St. Croix opened Friday, with the first commercial flight from San Juan.

In advance of the storm, the islands were declared an official disaster area on Tuesday evening, a designation that allows the federal government to reimburse the cost of damages. Royal Caribbean's Majesty of the Seas is en route to St. Thomas to help with relief efforts there and in St. John.

Puerto Rico

Cruise Port: San Juan

Irma hit Puerto Rico hard on Wednesday night, with wind gusts of more than 100 mph. But while more than 900,000 people on the island were out of power – nearly 70 percent, according to the New York Times -- and more than 50,000 people were without water, no deaths have been reported.

On Friday, CTO announced that flights to the international airport had resumed and major tourism infrastructure and attractions were operational. The port is operational and as of Friday, Adventure of the Seas and Carnival Fascination, the two ships that homeport in San Juan, have not canceled their upcoming sailings for September 9 and September 10.

Dominican Republic

Cruise Port: Amber Cove; La Romana; Samana; Santo Domingo

The eye of Irma passed the north of the island Thursday near Puerto Plata, which is not far from the Carnival Corporation port of Amber Cove. Evacuations took place in Samana earlier in the week, the New York Times reported.

Turks & Caicos

Cruise Port: Grand Turk

Hurricane Irma hit the island archipelago Thursday night and early Friday morning. In a release, the tourism director reported some flooding and missing roofs, but no loss of life. Cruise ships visited Grand Turk as recently as Tuesday, but all current cruise traffic to the islands is closed, according to a CTO press release.

Bahamas

Cruise Ports: Nassau; Freeport; cruise line private islands

Six Southern islands in the Bahamas -- none of them with cruise ports -- were evacuated in preparation for the storm, which arrived Friday in parts of the archipelago; the "largest such evacuation in the history of the country," according to Bahamian Prime Minister Hubert Minnis. The airport on New Providence, where Nassau is located, closed Thursday at sunset but will reopen September 10 at 5 a.m. The airport on Grand Bahama, where Freeport is located, closed on Friday, according to CTO. All cruise lines have been rerouted away from Bahamas to other destinations. Tropical storm and hurricane force winds, significant rainfall and strong waves are expected to continue into Saturday.

Cuba

Cruise Ports: Havana; Cienfuegos; Santiago de Cuba

The northern coast of Cuba, the largest island in the Caribbean, was hit hard late Friday and early Saturday. Little information is available regarding the extent of the damage, which could affect sailings calling on Havana. Norwegian Sky has canceled two cruises to Cuba from Miami, and Empress of Seas canceled its Sept. 9 sailing from Tampa.