cruise

Cruise Ship Drink Packages

January 24, 2020 by Kavonda Rogers Leave a Comment

Are Cruise Ship Drink Packages Worth It?

One of the best part of a cruise (besides boarding the ship) is when you finish paying and start exploring add-ons and extras. You know things like shore excursions, specialty restaurants and of course drink packages. If you are a drinker, you may quickly decide to make a drink package a part of your budget. No worries if you don’t drink alcohol, they have drink packages for sodas and juices too. Yet, before you whip out that debit/credit card let’s examine some things and make sure that the drink package will be worth the money you are going to spend. Let’s dive deep into Cruise Ship Drink Packages!

What do Packages Include?

Most cruise lines have 2-3 package types available.

Sodas and/or Juice Only. These packages allow you to get unlimited sodas and juices anytime of day or night. It also includes ordering from bars, and in the dining room.
Sodas, Juice and Mocktails. These packages include unlimited soda, juice and non-alcoholic drinks (i.e daiquiris, etc.). Some packages also include coffees as well.
Alcohol package. This package includes all of the above plus alcoholic drinks. Most cruise lines limit the alcoholic drinks to between 12-15 drinks per day. Remember this number it becomes important later.

How Much Does It Cost?

The cruise lines all charge about the same amounts for their drink packages. The prices differ according to whether or not you are cruising on a mass-market, premium or luxury cruise line. The only cruise line that does not offer a drink package is Disney Cruise Line; they instead have a discount on wine and beer bundles.

In general, the prices for packages are charged by the day. You will simply take the cost of the drink package and multiply it by the amount of days your cruise lasts. Soda packages cost around $8-9 per day. If the cruise line offers a secondary package for sodas, juices and mocktails it will cost around $18-22 a day. Finally, alcoholic packages cost $50-90 a day. A few lines like Princess offer a coffee only package which gets you 15 specialty coffees (i.e Starbucks) for a flat fee of $35.

It’s an All or Nothing Deal?

You can not buy a drink package for part or some of your cruise. You will need to pay for everyday of your cruise. The only exception to this rule is if your ship leaves from New York or Galveston. These two cities do not allow the use of unlimited drink packages while in port. So, your package will start the second day of your cruise. You will also have to pay for any drinks you purchase on the first day of your cruise.

Related: Cruise Ship Drink Calculator

Do You Still Need to Pay Tips?

The price of the drink package does not include tips or gratuity. You will be charged an additional 15-18% gratuity when you purchase the package. This means when you buy the drink you won’t need to pay extra for a tip.

Is It Worth It?

In order for a cruise ship drink package to be worth the money you have to consider how much you will drink during your cruise.

For example, if you buy a soda/juice package you will need to consider the following:

Cost of Soda on Cruise $2-3 each

If you drink 3-4 sodas a day then you will break even quickly on the soda package. In order for it to be worth your money you will need to order at least 5-6 sodas per day.

If you purchase an alcoholic drink package you will need to consider the following:

Cost of a beer on a cruise $ 6-8 for 12-16oz.

In order to break even you will need to drink 8 beers a day. If you want to get your money’s worth you will need to drink around 10 beers a day.

If cocktails or shots are more your preference, then you will need to consider the following:

Cost of average cocktail or shot $8-12.

In order to break even you need to drink 5-6 cocktails/shots a day. In order to get your money’s worth, you need to drink 7+ drinks a day.

Also, don’t forget that every adult (21+) in the cabin must buy the cruise ship drink package (unless it’s the soda package). The only exception to this is pregnant/nursing women. So that means if you are a couple you must meet the above requirements times two!

Bottom line really think long and hard about your beverage intake. If you are not going to indulge to the max, you may want to skip the cruise ship drink packages and buy a la cart instead. There is nothing worse than knowing you paid for something you really didn’t use.

Related: 30 Carnival Cruise Tips

If you are interested in more tips, and destination info please sign up for my newsletter below.

I’m Kavonda L. Rogers and I’m a Certified Travel Agent who specializes in Destination Weddings, Honeymoons and Group Travel in Hawaii, Mexico and the Caribbean.

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Cruising to Alaska

November 15, 2019 by Kavonda Rogers Leave a Comment

Cruising to Alaska

Cruising is the fastest growing travel segment in the United States. Why? Mainly because of the enormous amount of bang you get for your buck and because you unpack once and see several destinations. Many travelers have Alaska on their bucket list whether it be by land or cruise. We are going to explore why cruising to Alaska may be the best way to explore the area.

A Once In A Lifetime Trip

Alaska is considered to be one of the last frontiers of the world and the 49^th state in the union is a gem of the world. It is a land of ice, bald eagles, mountains, grizzly bears, and the epitome of the American spirit. One of the best ways to see Alaska is by cruise and there are a couple of different ways to see this land. The variations include the type of ship and whether you want to tour the Inside Passage or the Gulf of Alaska.

Related: Explore Alaska

Large Ship vs. Small Ship

Cruise ships are cashless societies. This means that you will need to apply a form of payment to your cabin (sometimes called staterooms). This will be in the form of a debit card/credit card or you can add cash when you board the ship. This will allow you to use your cabin key to make purchases all over the ship and have them charged to your room. Just make sure you keep track of your spending.

Gulf Of Alaska

These cruises go through south-central Alaska. There are 3 different start points for these cruises, Steward, Whittier (both are near Anchorage), or Vancouver. You will go through most of the same ports as you would if you were touring the Inside Passage, but these cruises are one way. They travel north or south depending on where you start your trip.

Some of the stops on these cruises include:

A few days before the cruise or after it in, either, Anchorage or the Kenai Peninsula
College Fjord- which is dotted with amazing glaciers
A few days in Denali National Park

Related: 6 Things to Always Leave at Home When You Cruise

Inside Passage

When a cruise is going along this path it will run from the narrow strip near the Canadian border all the way to the Panhandle (which is the beginning of the Gulf of Alaska). This option runs round trip out of either Vancouver or Seattle. This cruise option is the most popular and many of the sights that you will see on this cruise are going to be very similar to the ones that are included for the Gulf of Alaska option. Sights that may be seen include:

Juneau- the capital of Alaska
Ketchikan is a great location for fishing and a look into the life of Native Alaskans
Glacier Bay National Park
Skagway- a gold rush town with a lot of history

Alaska should be on your list of possible cruises. There are amazing sights, beautiful landscapes, and experiences that you will not see anywhere else in the world. It comes down to taking your time to figure out which one of these itineraries is right for you. Figure out what type of excursions you want and the experience you would like to have on the ship. These will be the factors that will help to determine which is best for you.

Don’t hestitate to call or email me if you have more questions. I would love to help.

I’m Kavonda L. Rogers and I’m a Certified Travel Agent who specializes in Destination Weddings, Honeymoons and Group Travel in Mexico, Hawaii and the Caribbean.

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Dominican Republic Travel Guide

November 1, 2019 by Kavonda Rogers Leave a Comment

Dominican Republic Travel Guide

The Dominican Republic is an amazing island in the Caribbean. It has a party atmosphere but some of the most beautiful shoreline and beaches. If you are planning a trip to the Dominican Republic? Let us guide you through all the info you need to know before your visit.

History

The eastern half of the island of Hispaniola, now known as the Dominican Republic, is the earliest of all the European colonies in the western hemisphere. The settlement of Santo Domingo is established on the south coast in 1496 by Diego Columbus, younger brother of the explorer. It becomes the main base for Spanish activities until the conquest of Mexico.

Before Christopher Columbus arrived, the indigenous Taínos (meaning ‘Friendly People’) lived on the island now known as Hispaniola. Taínos gave the world sweet potatoes, peanuts, guava, pineapple, and tobacco – even the word ‘tobacco’ is Taíno in origin. Yet the Taínos themselves

were wiped out by Spanish diseases and slavery. Of the 400, 000 Taínos that lived on Hispaniola at the time of European arrival, fewer than 1000 were still alive 30 years later. None exist today.

Around 1930, the Dominican Republic found itself under the control of the ruthless dictator Rafael Leónidas Trujillo Molina, who ruled the country until 1961. The civil war of 1965, the country’s last significant period of strife, was ended by a United States-led intervention and was

followed by the authoritarian rule of Joaquín Balaguer, the leader from 1966–1978. Since that time, the Dominican Republic has moved steadily toward representative democracy and has been led by Leonel Fernández for most of the time after 1996.

Money

The Dominican monetary unit is the peso, indicated by the symbol RD$ (or sometimes just R$). Though the peso is technically divided into 100 centavos (cents), prices are usually rounded to the nearest peso. There are one- and five-peso coins, while paper money comes in denominations of 10, 20, 50, 100, 500, 1000 and 2000 pesos. Many tourism-related businesses, including most midrange and top-end hotels, list prices in US dollars, but accept pesos at the going exchange rate.

Credit Cards issued by a bank in your home country (Visa, Master Card, American Express) are accepted at most tourist establishments, restaurants, and shops. However, you will find that many local restaurants here on the north coast do not take credit cards – strictly cash. The reason is they are charged a large tax if they accept a credit card, making it better for them financially to simple handle cash transactions.

Major debit cards (American Express, Diners Club, MasterCard, and Visa) are accepted at all Dominican Republic bank machines. Charges can be stiff – $5 per transaction.

It’s always a good idea to carry around some cash for small expenses, like cab rides, or for that rare occasion when a restaurant or small shop doesn’t take plastic, which can happen if you’re dining at a neighborhood joint or buying from a small vendor. U.S. dollars are accepted everywhere.

ATMs (cajeros automáticos) are common in the Dominican Republic and are, without question, the best way to obtain Dominican pesos and manage your money. Banks with reliable ATMs include Banco Popular, Banco Progreso, BanReservas, Banco León and Scotiabank. Most charge ATM fees (around RD$195 on average); it’s worth checking with your domestic bank before you travel whether there are additional fees on their end. And there’s a range of frustratingly low maximum withdrawal limits – BanReservas is RD$2000 and Banco Progreso RD$4000 – and limits to the number of withdrawals per day. As in any country, be smart about where and when you withdraw cash. Most ATMs are not in the bank itself but in a small booth accessible from the street (and thus available 24 hours).

Climate

The Dominican Republic is an all-year destination; the temperature remains constant almost year round. The annual average temperature is 25 degrees Celsius (77°Fahrenheit). Rainfall is very seasonal. The wettest months are October through to April in the north, with May to November being rainy season in the south. The south can also be struck by hurricanes during August and September. The best time to travel to the Dominican Republic is between November and April.

Electricity

Power plugs and sockets are of type A and B. The standard voltage is 110V and the standard frequency is 60 Hz.

Technology & Communications

Telecommunications in the Dominican Republic can be more reliable than electricity. Although, providers in the DR often receive complaints

about their standards of service. Even so, internet service is widely available in the Dominican Republic, while not on the cheap side. Claro, Tricom, and Telecom are the main providers. Cell phone services in the Dominican Republic are average for a Caribbean country. Cellphone and landline coverage are good for most towns and cities. Beyond that, coverage can be nonexistent. Therefore, only around 15 – 20% of the country has coverage. Furthermore, only major locations like Santo Domingo, San Pedro de Maco, and Punta Cana have partial 4G coverage.

Related: Best Resorts in the Caribbean

Infrastructure & Transportation

Infrastructure in the Dominican Republic is poor and unevenly distributed but is being improved. In overview, cities, and towns that attract tourists have a well-developed supporting infrastructure. On the other hand, rural and more remote areas receive little support. The country’s

Dominican Liberation Party (PLD), in power for the past decade, has made country-wide improvements. These include road systems, availability of air travel, ports, and telecommunications. It has primarily invested in towns that attract tourists. The five main highways in the Dominican Republic are well paved and maintained and connect all major cities to the coastal tourist zones. Like any developing nation, many roads branching out to the smaller towns remain unpaved and in poor condition.

Emergency Services

The number for the English speaking tourist police (CESTUR) is +1-809-200-3500. In Santo Domingo.Santiago and the north coast (including Puerto Plata) the number for all emergency services is 911. In Punta Cana-Bavaro.the number for emergency fire and ambulance services is +1-809-455-1551 and in Samana, the number for emergency fire and ambulance services is +1-809-538-3763.

Language

Spanish is the official language of the Dominican Republic although some English and French are spoken. There are variants of the Spanish language are spoken in different parts of the country. The commonly used Spanish dialect in the country is the Dominican Spanish. Dominican Spanish is a subset of Caribbean Spanish based on Canarian and Andalusian dialects of Southern Spain. It also borrows some words from the Arawak language.

LGBT Travel

Related: Dominican Republic Tourism

Religion

Due to the great migratory flows, the Dominican Republic currently counts with a great variety of creeds being a country which allows religious freedom. The most practiced one is still Catholicism, since more than the 50% of the Dominican population practice this faith. It is followed by the Lutherans and the Atheists. Furthermore, you can also find religions such as Buddhism, Judaism, Islam or China’s Traditional Religion, among many others.

Getting There

The Dominican Republic has eight international airports, five cruise destinations and a variety of marinas for boats and yachts of all sizes, as well as smaller airports for private planes. Because this is such a large and diverse island, it is important to choose your arrival airport to coincide with the final destination of your stay. Major airports in the Dominican Republic are Punta Cana International Airport, Las Americas International Airport (Santo Domingo) and Puerto Plata International Airport.

Driving

Drivers and all passengers are required to wear seatbelts and using a mobile phone while driving is prohibited. Turning right on a red light after stopping is allowed. The speed limit is 120kph (75mph) on highways, 80kph (50mph) on main roads and 40kph (25mph) in small towns and villages. If driving in rural areas, take extra caution as some roads have potholes, speed bumps and people walking along the roadside, especially near populated areas. Make sure to top up petrol when given the chance as petrol stations can be far apart.

Bucket List Locations

Take a Kitesurfing Lesson in Cabarete Bay

Dive the Marine Caves at the Gri Gri lagoon

Hike Mount Isobel de Torres and take a cable car down

Go on a white water rafting adventure on the Rio Yaque del Norte in Jarabacoa

Rappel down a series of 27 waterfall cascades in the Damajagua area

Paragliding at Jarabacoa

Family Travel Highlights

Splash around the Dolphin Island Park

Explore the ChocoMuseo

Take a Safari into the Interior of the Island

Zip-Lining in the Monkey Jungle

Visit the Santo Domingo Aquarium

Foods to Try

Pastelitos

Lorico

Chimichurri

Chivo

Moro de Guandules

Mangu/Salami

Dulce de Leche

Tostónes

Sancocho

La Bandera

Drinks to Try

Refreso Rojo

Batida De Lechoza

Brugal

Presidente

Mamajuana

Photography Hot Spots

Punta Cana

Playa Dorada

Santo Domingo

Lake Enriquillo

Eastern National Park

La Romana

Best Souvenirs

Taino Crafts

Dominican Painting

Dominican Jewelry: Larimar, Amber, Blue Amber

Dominican drum: Tambora

Are you ready for a trip to the DR? I hope so. If you need some help choosing the best place for your Dominican Republic vacation feel free to contact me today. If you have any questions don't hesitate to drop them in the comments below. Also, if you want more tips and info about all things travel sign up for my newsletter below.

I’m Kavonda L. Rogers and I’m a Certified Travel Agent who specializes in Destination Weddings, Honeymoons and Group Travel in Hawaii and the Caribbean.

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30 Carnival Cruise Tips

October 11, 2019 by Kavonda Rogers Leave a Comment

30 Carnival Cruise Tips

Cruising is one of my favorite ways to travel. I have been on several cruise lines but this post is all about Carnival Cruise tips.

If you planning a Carnival Cruise or if you are just a cruise addict looking for more tips this is the place for you! We have gathered 30 of the best Carnival Cruise tips and hacks for your next cruise.

Embarkation/De-embarkation Tips

Don’t Forget Your Documents

When you arrive at the port make sure your boarding passes, and Identification (passport or birth certificate and id) are on your person and ready to show to any employees who might ask.

Explore alternatives to Port parking

Port Parking is pricey. Some ports charge as much as $40 a day. Yikes. There is hope. Make sure you research off site parking for the port you are traveling to and save some money. Also, most offsite parking areas offer free shuttles to the port.

Tip the Porters. Yes, really!

The porters are a lot more connected than you may think. Obviously, they load your luggage onto the carts to be put onto the ship. Which is why you want to tip them so you can make sure you get your luggage early. Secondly, they also know the best doors to enter and which lines you should get in for best service. So, tip them at least $1 a bag.

Flight delays can cause you to miss your cruise.

Don’t cut it too close on your flight. If you end up with a delay you can miss your cruise entirely. If you are worried about this happening; fly in a day early.

Self-service your luggage.

When it’s time to exit the ship carry your own luggage. People who take their own luggage get off the ship earlier. This is especially important if you are pressed for time or have an early flight.

Beverage Tips

Leave the Bottle Water at Home

Bottled water is not allowed on cruise ships (cue terrible video of man demonstrating how to smuggle liquor via water bottles). You are allowed to bring on a 12 pack of can soda or juice boxes for the kids. Just limit it to one pack per person.

Wine, anyone?

You cannot bring beer and alcohol onboard a Carnival cruise ship with you, but you can bring one 750ml bottle of win person. If you choose to do this make sure you bring a cork screw to avoid the corkage fee.

Carnival’s Cheers Program

Carnival’s alcoholic beverage program is called Cheers. It includes alcohol, mock-tails, juices, sodas, and premium coffees. Currently, it is priced at $52 per person per day. The cost allows you to have up to 15 drinks per day. The only down side is that all adults in a stateroom have to purchase the plan.

Alcohol Alternatives

If you aren’t an alcohol drinker there are plenty of options onboard. Some are free and others not. Free options include: filtered water, tea (iced and hot) and coffee. Paid options are: sodas, mocktails and premium coffee drinks. If you are big on sodas don’t miss Carnival’s Unlimited Bubbles program that allows you to get unlimited sodas and juices.

Drink of the Day

Every day there is a drink of the day on the ship. They usually come in some type of souvenir glass. That glass allows you to refill the drink at the various bars throughout the day at a lower cost. If you want to keep your drink tab low then check out this option.

Big Water Drinker?

If you are a big water drinker then consider pre-ordering bottle water from Carnival. Currently, a case of water can be ordered for $4.50 a person and they will be delivered to your stateroom the first day of your cruise.

Pack a Re-usable cup.

Bring a re-usable cup and fill it up with your free beverages and sip away throughout the day. It’s a great way to save some money.

Related: Things to NOT Take on Your Cruise

Dining Tips

Try specialty restaurants on day one.

The specialty restaurants (steakhouse etc.) offer specials for cruisers who chose to eat there are on the first night. So, if you are flexible for dinner try one of the specialty restaurants on the first night.

No Limits

If you are eating in the Main Dining Room (MDR) you can order food with no limits. If two entrees catch your eye…order both. Want two desserts? Order two. Just make sure you order everything at the same time so all your food will be piping hot.

Vegan & Vegetarian Friendly

If you are Vegan or Vegetarian this is a great cruise line for you. There are menu items, buffet items, and casual restaurant items for Vegans and Vegetarians. You can also go visit the Maître D and let him know you are Vegan and your servers will offer your alternatives. Carnival is also gluten free friendly as well.

Kid Faves

Kids and Big kids love the unlimited ice cream and pizza onboard all Carnival ships. Recently they have even added frozen yogurt to their ice cream machines.

Sea Day Brunch

If your cruise has a sea day (a day you are not at a port) then make sure you go and partake of the sea day brunch. During the sea day brunch there is a special menu in the dining room and there is everything from a mimosa bar to filet mignon and eggs. It’s worth the trip.

Cabin Tips

They are called staterooms.

Your room on the ship is not a cabin it’s a stateroom. Whenever you go to Guest Services, call room service etc. you will be asked what is your stateroom number? SO, remember it’s not a cabin it’s a stateroom.

Motion Sickness Worries

If you are concerned about motion sickness your stateroom location can help. If you are prone to seasickness then choose a room in the lower part of the ship and in the middle of the floor. The ship has less movement here.

Night Lights

If you choose an interior stateroom make sure to bring a night light as your room will be totally dark. You also may want to set an alarm on your phone so you don’t sleep the day away.

Need Extra Comfort?

If your bed is not quite soft enough ask your Room Steward for an egg crate mattress pad to make your bed softer.

Use the Safe

Use the safe for your valuables such as cash, jewelry and other items. You can even use a gift card with a stripe to open it. It’s better to be safe than sorry.

Are you diabetic?

If you are insulin-dependent diabetic, then be sure to request a sharps container for your room. Most carnival cruise ships have refrigerators to store your insulin.

Entertainment Tips

Movies

If your ship has the movie screen by the pool, then don’t miss the free movies that will be shown there most nights. We are not talking movies that came out 3 years ago these are current in theater blockbusters. So, grab some free popcorn and enjoy a free movie.

Arrive Early for Shows

Make sure you arrive early for shows. Seating on Carnival ships is first come first serve. This means the best seats go fast. Arrive especially early for comedy shows as they are in smaller venues with less seating.

Extra Tips

Carnival Hub App

Make sure you download the Carnival Hub app before your cruise. The app allows you to keep track of your bill, chat with other cruise passengers (for a $5 per person fee). The app also has a digital version of the Carnival Times so you can keep track of activities.

Power Strips Only

Make sure you bring a power strip with you to plug in additional electronics. Make sure it is a power strip and not a surge protector. Surge protectors are banned on Carnival cruise ships.

Oh, the Photos!

Carnival has amazing photographers and the resulting photos are amazing. Put aside money because there will be a photo you will want, and they are pricey.

Use the Hand Washing Units

Carnival has super cool handwashing units where you just insert your hands and the machine does the work. It’s especially fun for the kids and makes hand washing fun.

No cash needed.

Carnival like most cruise lines is a cashless society. No need to carry around cash as your card will do it all. If you do need cash avoid the high atm fees and go buy chips at the casino and then go cash them out.

Related: Tips for Choosing the best Cruise Ship Room

I hope you enjoyed these 30 carnival Cruise tips and tricks. Did you learn anything new? If so let me know in the comment below and look forward to the next blog in this series.

I’m Kavonda L. Rogers and I’m a Certified Travel Agent who specializes in Destination Weddings, Honeymoons and Group Travel in Mexico, Hawaii and the Caribbean.

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Tips for Choosing the Best Cruise Ship Room

August 23, 2019 by Kavonda Rogers Leave a Comment

Tips for Choosing the Best Cruise Ship Room

Have you ever started planning your cruise and clicked to choose your cruise ship room and instantly became overwhelmed? Whether you are a first-time cruiser of even if you have a few cruises under your belt room choice can be a huge hurdle to overcome. The average cruise line has anywhere between 20-30 room categories available. Yikes, talk about overwhelm.

There are so many types, levels and even perks to cruise ship rooms it can be difficult to understand which room is best for you. No worries travel addict I am here to help. We will explore the types of room categories, and how to choose the best one for your next cruise.

4 Basic Cabin Types

All cruise ship rooms include a private bathroom and basics such as televisions, phones, closets and lamps. After that things begin to change depending on cruise line and room category.

Interior Room

This is the lowest category and is simplistic and doesn’t have any windows.

Ocean View Room

The next category up is ocean view and this room has a bit more space than an interior. It will also have a window or a port hole depending on the cruise line.

Balcony Room

The balcony is usually a bit larger than the ocean view and has an actual balcony you can sit on and enjoy the view.

Suite Room

Suites are the largest rooms available. They are also the most varied. They can include private bedrooms, two bathrooms, butler service, and upstairs lofts. The options at suite level are endless.

Related: 10 First Time Cruise Questions

Other Factors to Consider

How do you view your room? Is it just a place to rest, sleep and change clothes? If so an interior or ocean view may work for you.
On the other hand, if your room is the center of your cruise experience and you see it as your private sanctuary then you may want a balcony or a suite.
Maybe you have a fear of heights but still want to see the scenery? Then an Oceanview may be the perfect fit for you.
Also, think about cruise length. If you are going on a short cruise you may want to chose a lower priced room because you really may not fully enjoy a balcony.

Where are you travelling to?

This becomes a huge factor when going on scenic cruises such as Alaska, Hawaii or Mediterranean cruises. These cruises are all about the view and a balcony will cost more but be worth it because of the view.

Location, Location, Location

There are things to think about before clicking that number for your room choice. I call these location factors.

Are you concerned about noise? Then you will want to avoid floors above or below the theaters, restaurants and pool. The best choice may be a room at the end of the hallway.
Worried about motion sickness? Then choose a cruise ship room on a low deck (3 or below) and is in the middle of the ship. You won’t feel the boat’s movement as much at this level.
Do you have mobility issues? You definitely want to choose a room close to the elevators. Remember to book early because those rooms go fast.

Related: 6 Things to Always Leave at Home When You Cruise

Learn Your Views

Lastly, in order to choose the best cruise ship room, you need to know about views. There are two types of basic views when it comes to cruise ships.

Obstructed view- This means the window or balcony’s view is blocked by something. In most cases it will be a wall, a life boat or part of another room.

Deck views- This means that instead of the view being of an area outside of the ship you will see an area inside the ship. These views are usually of the pool deck, the atrium or other areas in the center of the ship.

I hope you are completely prepared for choosing your best cruise ship room. Share with me in the comments when is your next cruise vacation.

Related: Cruise Ship Deck Plans

I’m Kavonda L. Rogers and I’m a Certified Travel Agent who specializes in Destination Weddings, Honeymoons and Group Travel in Mexico, Hawaii and the Caribbean. If you want more amazing travel tips and destination info sign up for my newsletter.

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How to Apply for a Passport and Get Approved on the First Try

July 30, 2019 by Kavonda Rogers Leave a Comment

How to Apply for a Passport and Get Approved on the First Try

The key to the lock known as travel is a passport. If you want to travel outside of your home country it is pretty much a requirement. If you travel domestically especially by airplane, then if expedites an already tedious process. Yet, many people find the passport process overwhelming and down right confusing. As usual I am here to help you clear the hurdles and open the door to the world of travel. I am going to teach you how to apply for a passport and make sure you get approved on the first try.

How to apply for a passport?

You have some options when it comes to applying for a passport. The most traditional way is to fill out the form on the State Department’s Website. For ease I have linked it here. Once you fill out the form you then will take it to an Acceptance Center near your home. You can find a list of acceptance centers here.

You will need some items before you go to the intake center.

Birth Certificate– This is where a lot of people get scared. The intake center will take possession of your birth certificate in order for the State Department to validate it. In other words, it will get sent to the State Department with your other items.
You state issued identification. No worries in this case they will just make a copy.
The form from the State Department’s website. It needs to be filled out completely and honestly.
Payment. The cost to apply for a new passport (you’ve never had one before) is $110. If your nearest intake center is a Post Office, you will need an additional $35 for their processing fee. Both of these items need to be in the form of a money order or cashier’s check. They do not accept cash or personal checks. So be prepared.
Passport photo. You can get a passport photo at your local CVS, Walgreen’s and if you are a AAA member you can get one at the local AAA center for a reduced cost. Pro tip: Skip the wally world passport photos as they are often rejected by the State Department.

Passport Services

If you want to go the easy route you can pay for a passport service to handle your application process. These services charge an additional fee on top of your passport application fee. This is a good option if you just don’t have time to do the process yourself.

Related: Top 10 Honeymoon Planning Tips

Some Common Hurdles to Getting a Passport

Many times, when passports are rejected it often has to do with paperwork. So, make sure your paperwork is in order. Other times there are other things that make applying for a passport a special circumstance so let’s touch on some of the more common reasons passport applications are rejected.

You have a felony drug conviction. Ouch I came out with the big guns, but this is a big reason why a passport application can be rejected. The reasons why this is important are pretty obvious, so I won’t go any deeper.
You owe back child support. If this is an issue you will be rejected. Even if it is just one payment you will not be approved.
Your passport photo is incorrect. If you don’t have the perfect passport photo (and don’t forget no smiling) your passport application can be rejected. Making sure the background is correct, the photo dimensions are correct are very important.
You have had a major life change. If you changed your name (whether by request or marriage) make sure to include a copy of your marriage license or court documents. If you do not include these documents your application can be rejected.

Related: 10 Things to Do in Bali

Once you have done all the items above you just sit back and wait. Usually passport applications are processed within 6-8 weeks. Sometimes you can get your passport even sooner. So, jump in with both feet and get that passport!

I hope I have helped with your travel journey and everything you need to know about how to apply for your passport.

When did you get your first passport? Do you plan on applying for one? If so let me know in the comments below.

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I’m Kavonda L. Rogers and I’m a Certified Travel Agent who specializes in Destination Weddings, Honeymoons and Group Travel in Hawaii, Mexico and the Caribbean.

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I’m Kavonda L. Rogers and I’m a Certified Travel Agent who specializes in Destination Weddings, Honeymoons and Group Travel in Hawaii, Mexico and the Caribbean.