How Do You Respond To A Flight Delay?
What do you do during a flight delay?
I am writing this from 36,000 feet above the western portion of the United States somewhere. Our first attempt to leave Dallas was thwarted by a malfunctioning hydraulic pump. We drove back from the runway to the gate and the maintenance men took over. The pump was promptly replaced and now we’re on our way. Our projected delay is about an hour and twenty minutes.
While I was sitting there waiting I was hearing passengers around me start to call family members, travel agents and the airline reservation center. Some people were getting upset and making disparaging remarks about the situation.
I do understand that people have plans, and meetings and connections. The fact is though, if you look at the situation rationally, that you want the airline to identify and correct mechanical delays prior to being sealed into a large metal tube miles above the surface of our planet. Right?
So, rather than getting upset, I suggest that you make whatever provision you need to make for the delay, open a book and enjoy the found time. Enjoy the few extra minutes of internet access. Call someone you’ve been meaning to call.
You might as well enjoy the time, because getting upset doesn’t make the situation any better for anyone
Standard Equipment For a Hotel
What equipment do you need in a hotel room?
What are your “must haves” in a hotel or resort room?
I recently stayed at a resort that had a few items missing that I consider to be standard equipment. It was missing, for instance, a luggage stand. I don’t think I’ve ever been in a hotel room where they didn’t have a luggage stand stashed in the closet.
That got me to thinking, what should be considered standard equipment in a hotel room? Here’s my list:
Hair Dryer
Luggage Stand
Coffee Maker (even though I never use it)
Shampoo / Lotion / Soap / Shower Cap
Here’s the list of equipment that gives a hotel extra points in my book:
Mat by the bed where I can brush sand off my feet before putting them in bed.
Extra pillows
Really yummy toiletries
Really big towels
Slippers
Bathrobes
What about you? What’s important to you to find in your hotel or resort room?
How To Get Through Airport Security Like A Pro
How do I get through airport security faster?
Getting through airport security is not the best part of any trip. (If it is the best part of your trip, you need a new travel agent.) With some pre-planning and a few tips, it can, however, be a lot less of a hassle.
To start with, plan for security before you leave home. For instance, dress in shoes that will be easy to remove and replace. My daughter wore a pair of knee high converse. This meant that she had to completely unlace and relace them to get through security. It is easy to see that slip ons would have been a better choice. Just from a hygienic perspective, be sure to wear socks. As you’re considering those flip flops, imagine the fungus on thousands of bare feet walking that same path every day.
Checking a bag rather than carrying everything will also speed your way through security. The less you have with you, the quicker it will be. Although my husband usually refuses to check a bag, he has his own way of getting through security quicker. He takes everything out of his pockets and puts it in the outside pocket of his suitcase. This way he isn’t messing with emptying his pockets while in line.
Plan your arrival at the airport such that you have plenty of time to get through security without stress. If you’re concerned about missing your flight, you’re likely to have a stressed attitude in security and that is something that can get you tagged for secondary screening. Secondary screening is no fun.
As you approach security, have your ID and boarding pass already out. Don’t stand at the podium and dig through your purse or pockets and hold the line up. When the first TSA officer hands you back your ID and boarding pass, put it somewhere very accessible. For one thing, you need to put it somewhere quick, and for another thing you want to be very sure not to lose it. If you lose your picture ID, you won’t be able to fly home. One handy accessory is a pouch to wear around your neck to put your ID in. It’s very easy to keep your ID and boarding pass and it’s very easy to get to. Yes, you may look like an unaccompanied minor, but you’ll be one that gets through security faster.
Think of what is coming ahead. Just like you need to pre-plan the shoes you’ll wear and you’ll need to have your ID out and ready, pay attention to what’s ahead of you in line. Read the signs around you. Listen to what the TSA people are saying over, and over, and over. I flew to Chicago last week and they kept saying over and over as people would enter the full body scanner, “Take everything out of your pockets”. The gentleman ahead of me in line either wasn’t listening or didn’t think that applied to him. He had to be rescanned because he left a piece of paper in his pocket. According to TSA they have to “resolve any anomaly”. This means is something looks funny, they have to figure out what it is. This holds up the line. Don’t be that guy. Go ahead and get those shoes off and take that computer out of its bag. Don’t wait until the line is waiting on you to put stuff on the belt before you wise up and do what you need to do.
Finally, recombobulate elsewhere. (You know, “discombobulate”, recombobulate is the opposite of that.) Don’t stand at the other side of the xray machine conveyor belt and put your shoes back on and generally put yourself back together. Grab everything that’s yours and walk to a bench or chair somewhere out of the way of the whole security operation. Do grab EVERYTHING.
So there you go. Those are my suggestions. What are your best suggestions for getting through security easier and faster?
Looking for a Last Minute Spring Break Trip?
Looking for a Last Minute Spring Break Trip?
As I write this, it is early February. Spring Break in Texas is next month. Every day we are getting calls for people eager to book trips during Spring Break. We have been booking Spring Break trips for months now. The people who are calling now are shocked at the high prices and lack of availability.
That is how it goes when you want to travel during a high demand period.
A popular idea we hear alot is “I’ll wait and see if prices go down”. Let me go ahead and predict the future. If you’re wanting to travel during a time when all of the planes and hotels could be filled eight times over, the price isn’t going down. It just isn’t happening. The chances are very, very high that the price you are quoted when you first ask is as good as it’s going to get.
Yes, I know it happened to the friend of a friend year before last. Chances are it isn’t happening for you.
So, if you’re committed to travel during a high demand period of time (Spring Break, Christmas, Memorial Day, Labor Day, Fourth of July, Thanksgiving, during local festivals) the key to success is early booking.
Next up, Memorial Day weekend. Anyone?
My Review of Iberostar Cancun
Iberostar Cancun
Iberostar Hotels and Resorts, operator of seven resorts in the Riviera Maya, hasn’t had a presence in Cancun. Until now.
Iberostar Cancun just opened in December. While it is not a new build (it is formerly the Cancun Hilton) it was completely redone for the new opening. While we were there, the hotel was quite full because of a big gymnastics competition that had traditionally come when it was the Hilton, and decided to continue on with the Iberostar.
Pools at Iberostar Cancun
As you can see, it was a cloudy day the day we were there. Actually, when you’re touring hotels, a cool cloudy day is the best. Most days in Cancun are nice and sunny.
Looking out toward the beach at Iberostar Cancun
If you’ve ever been to Cancun, you might remember the very best part of the beach. It’s the part where you see that public beach where all the locals go. As you’ve passed it in your transfer between airport and hotel you might have pondered how they saved the very whitest sand and bluest water for themselves? Well, the Iberostar is next door to that beach. Simply beautiful.
Lobby Bar at Iberostar Cancun
In this shot of the lobby bar you can get an idea of the colors of the lobby.
Pools and Beach at Iberostar Cancun
Here’s another photo of the pools and looking out onto that amazing beach.
Guest Room at Iberostar Cancun
The standard rooms at Iberostar Cancun are Oceanview. Nice looking, right?
Finally, here is a video of our experience at Iberostar Cancun:
Review of Sens Del Mar
The Entry of the Sens Del Mar
Recently, we were invited down to visit all of the Oasis properties in Cancun. The main reason they wanted us to come was because of the re-opening of the property now called “Sens del Mar”.
Sens del Mar is a new name for this property. The owners put new investment into this property and have re-opened it as an adult oriented property. I say “Adult Oriented” because, while they don’t offer children’s rates or any facilities for them whatsoever, they do allow children. There were only a couple on property while we were there, but then again occupancy was quite low overall.
The lobby was very contemporary looking and was dominated by a large sculpture in the middle. Oversized chairs and sofas also dot the lobby. One of the hotels Smart Cars is also parked in the lobby to promote the promotion whereby guests staying in the VIP room category are entitled to the use of one of the fleet of Smart Cars. The Smart Cars are subject to availability and, in fact, we were told while we were there that there were none available. Also in the lobby a lobby bar.
Lobby at Sens Del Mar
Several of the restaurants are reached by taking a flight of stairs down from the lobby. We did ask and were told that there was no accessible way to reach the restaurants, so keep that in mind if anyone in your party has mobility issues.
Restaurant at Sens Del Mar
Speaking of restaurants, most of the food we ate at the restaurant during our stay was very very good. The hotel offers 24 hour room service as well. I did order it one night and found it quite acceptable. There weren’t printed room service menus. You call the room service department and they describe the offerings of the moment. I’m not sure if that will be the case permanently or if the printed material just wasn’t in place yet.
Room at Sens Del Mar
In fact, there was no printed material in the rooms at all. We were placed in the VIP section where each room has an amazing balcony with a jetted pool and lounge chairs. Since we were there in January, it was great to be in my room and have the big sliding glass door open and watching the sheer white curtains billow in with the breeze of the Caribbean Sea. That balcony really made the room. There is an interesting feature on the wall behind the bed. There is the “swoop” where they’ve installed a light feature that you can set to whatever color you want, or you can set it to change at whatever speed you set.
The room has a small dorm type refrigerator that is stocked daily with an assortment of water, soda and beer. If you want more than what is put there daily, there is a charge. I also used that dorm fridge to put my suitcase while I unpacked because there were no luggage stands in the room. Kudos to them, however, for choosing to have hangars that can be removed from the closet rod. (One of my pet peeves.)
The towels in the bathroom were nice and big. There was a built in hair dryer too.
My favorite part about the room by far was that, attached to the big flat screen TV was a cable box that allowed me to pause live TV. One of my biggest frustrations is that when I watch a show while in a hotel room is that I can’t pause it like I can at home. This was a fabulous discovery while I was in my room at night editing pictures and video. I know you probably won’t be spending hours editing photos and video while on your vacation, but you might find it helpful at some point too.
Overall, Sens Del Mar was a good property. The timeshare desk in the lobby was somewhat aggressive, but if you don’t mind ignoring that, you’ll have a great vacation at Sens Del Mar.
Pool at Sens Del Mar
Newly Resdesigned MiHotelito Category at El Dorado Maroma
On our recent trip to Cancun, we also took a quick trip down to a couple of our favorite resorts in the Riviera Maya. We were very excited to see the newly redesigned “MiHotelito Beachfront” room category at El Dorado Maroma.
I don’t know how they did it, but somehow the way they rearranged everything makes those rooms that used to feel so tiny, feel very roomy! I also love the Pineda Covalin scarves made into pillows for the bed. Each of those pillows probably costs hundreds of dollars.
The creamy yellow walls lend warmth and tie the whole room together. The beds are to die for, as usual. These rooms are the only ones in the whole El Dorado brand that don’t have in room Jacuzzis, but the private terrace and proximity to the pool, swim up bar and beach make these rooms a great choice.
Take a look:
ATVs at Paradise Maroma
While we were in Cancun this past weekend, we had the opportunity to do the ATVs through the jungle at Paradise Maroma. They gave us the choice between the ATVs and speedboats. Nicki and Erin decided on the ATVs.
I think the tour lasted an hour and a half. There were paths through the jungle where we followed the leader through the whole thing. Of course, Nicki was a wild person and was fishtailing whenever possible. I was the last one in the group, which was fine by me because I didn’t want to feel pressure to go faster than I was going. Much of the time I couldn’t even see the group because I was so far behind. They stopped every so often though to let me catch up.
The whole time I was riding I could only keep thinking, “It’s high season, I have no time to heal…”
They do provide a helmet, so I guess my brains would have been fine. Here are some pictures from our adventure.
Erin Getting Her ATV Unstuck
Erin and Nicki, Ready to Roll
Through the Jungle
Review of Renovations at Azul Beach Hotel
This past Saturday, myself and a couple of our agents went to see hotels in Cancun as well as couple in the Riviera Maya. One of the ones we made time to see is Azul Beach Hotel. I’ve seen it a couple of times as the renovations have been in progress and, now that they’re almost complete, I must say I continue to be blown away. Let me show you what we saw:
New lounge area off the main lobby of Azul Beach Hotel
This is a picture of one side of the new lounge area they’ve built right past the main lobby. It’s just beautiful and makes the lobby so much more open.
View from Main Lobby - Azul Beach Hotel
This is the view from inside the main lobby. See the ocean? Isn’t it pretty? The hotel is using this area as a “Plan B” venue for weddings in case of rain. Lots of brides are using this as their main choice of wedding venue, too!
Here are some restaurant pictures. Breathtaking, right?
Restaurant at Azul Beach
Italian Restaurant - Azul Beach Hotel
Then here are pictures of a family suite. The honeymoon suite is the same, except for no trundle bed and the honeymoon suites are oceanview.
Bathtub in Family Suite or Honeymoon Suite at Azul Beach Hotel
Family Suite or Honeymoon Suite at Azul Beach Hotel
Azul Beach Hotel has always been a favorite. Now it’s better than ever.
Seven Travel Resolutions for 2012
1) Travel
Make travel a priority in 2012. Stop waiting until you feel like you can afford it. Stop waiting until you lose that last 10 (20..30…) pounds. There isn’t a better time in your life to travel than right now. You’re not getting any younger and your kids aren’t either.
2) Don’t Cut Corners
Don’t pick a hotel or resort because it’s the cheapest. Work with an agent who really knows the ends and outs of where you want to go. Tell them what is actually important to you along with the budget you’d really like to stay within. Get the travel insurance. Consider nonstop transfers if they’re available in your destination.
3) Use an agent
An agent can make the difference between an uninformed choice and a perfect match.
4) Book Early
Waiting to book your trip is unlikely to make it better or more affordable. If you wait until the last minute it’s like trying to find your wedding dress on a clearance rack. You just have other people’s leftovers to choose from. Also, with travel, the best deals are usually had by booking early. Once in a blue moon there is a great last minute deal. It happens just often enough to keep the urban legend alive. Don’t count on it.
5) Pack Mindfully
Think about what you really need to bring and what you don’t. Find out what is available at your resort so that you don’t duplicate. Think about each item you bring rather than just throwing a few things in a suitcase.
6) Pick Travel Dates Mindfully
People are always asking how to get a good deal with travel. We always tell them, “It’s simple. Just do what others don’t do.” That’s the truth. Travel when others don’t want to (or be prepared to pay the cost and give up the convenience of traveling during peak time).
7) Get to the airport early
Getting to the airport at the last minute, being stressed in the check-in line and the security line and running to the gate are all horrible ways to start your vacation. Get to the airport early and give yourself the gift of a relaxing start to your trip.
What else? Let us know in the comments.
