A Must Do....Your Passport Requirement!

With all the security and regulations these days our passport might as well be our Driver’s License. And to the international countries and cruise line it is certainly that and more...it is your key travel identification. I can’t help but to encourage you to DOUBLE CHECK your passport expiration date TODAY and make plans to schedule to apply for a passport if you don’t have one. Or renew your passport, if your passport is not valid with a minimum of six (6) months after the day you are scheduled to arrive home.

Here’s a true story, I had to assist my girlfriend’s college daughter in getting a new passport because her passport did not have the valid 6 month window for her travel period. The waiting period was unrealistic for our needs (long wait) and the last minute ordeal & stress was truly not a way to start off a trip. There are agencies that can expedite your passport process. But, it will COST YOU. So, my suggestion is GET IT NOW and save your dollars for that fabulous shopping excursion in port!

PASSPORTS are REQUIRED FOR CRUISE TRAVEL to all International destinations. Again, Passports must be valid for a minimum of six (6) months after the day you are scheduled to arrive home.

For information about obtaining a passport for the first time, or about renewing a passport visit the U.S. Department of State's Web site. 

Photo provided by Flickr.nathanborror

Two Visiting Countries Need Visas

Alex has informed me that we will need two Visas on this cruise. One for Vietnam and another for China. Below are information that I had taken off of “My Princess” of the Princess.com website.

Additionally, Alex has informed me that the Vietnam Visa will be issued upon arrival in Vietnam for all passengers and a Visa fee will be charged to our shipboard account. However, Alex noted since we will be entering, leaving and re-entering China. It is imperative that we get a double entry visa. This must be done either directly with the Chinese Consulate or with ZVS Visa Service. This cannot be done until we are within the 90 day of our travel.

The process takes about 30 days , so you should start end of January 2013. Please make sure your passport is valid for a minimum of 6 months after the day you are scheduled to arrive home. Since we are so far out, the exact cost and application form is not yet available. 

Currently, if you were leaving in a couple of months, the Chinese consulate charges $140 per person plus any shipping charges. UPS or Federal Express is highly recommended to avoid your passport loss. ZVSVisa Service currently charges $50 per person for this service. 

Those of you that live in the Los Angeles & Orange County area and can get your passport to Alex. She has graciously offered to coordinate a big bundle send out to save on Fed Ex Charges. More details will be following, but keep this in mind as a need to do!

Below are information from Princess Cruise Website:

Vietnam Visa Requirement

A visa will be issued upon arrival in Vietnam for all passengers. Therefore,you are not required to obtain a Vietnam visa in advance of the cruise. A visa fee of $31.00 per person will be charged to your shipboard account. For those participating in an overland package in Vietnam, the visa fee is $45.00 per person and a passport-size photo is required. Please note, for both visa types your passport must contain at least one unused page for entry/exit endorsements. Please note, the prices quoted above are in USD and are subject to change. OnDawn, Sea and Sun Princess voyages operating in Australia, the visa fee will be converted to AUD.

China Visa Requirement 

A double-entry visa is required for all passengers on this voyage. This visa must be obtained in advance of your voyage, cannot be obtained upon arrival and is required regardless of whether you choose to remain onboard or go ashore.

Visa Service Information

Visas may be obtained directly from the consulate of the countries visited. U.S. and Canadian passport holders may also obtain visas from Zierer VisaService (ZVS). Please visit ZVS at www.zvs.com/home.aspx?login=75009 or call 866-788-1100 in the U.S.

Photo provided by Flickr: HelenK

SUMMER SALE for Travel Essentials?

Summer Sales Continues....I just received a couple of catalogs from two travel wear source you might want to check out. They are Travelsmith and Magellan’s. You can jump on the sales by simply checking out each of the website Sale or Clearance page.

These sources are also great for getting ideas for not only travel wear but all your travel essentials. Certainly worth a peek to get your brain thinking for our upcoming trip. Oh,  and remember sales and clearances are for a limited time so don’t delay!

Photo provided by Travelsmith

FLYIN' TO & FRO...Asia or Alaska

On our continuous effort to plan our 2013 Asia-Alaska Cruise, Alex is ready and waiting for your next step which is to plan your flight transportation. But, before you do this there are some things you will need to have ready for her in order to proceed.

1. Decide how many days you would like to spend in both your pre & post cruise 

    destination port.

2. Do you want to flight to be coach, business or first class?

3. Aisle, window seat?

4. Do you need her to book your hotel as well?

5. Do you want the Princess Package or would you like to go an alternate?

6. Did you need a King or Double room?

7. Do you have alternate plans, such as going to another destination? 

8. Are you wanting to be with a specific member of the group? Who?

9. Do you have specific needs or requests? What are they?
10. Have your credit card handy for payment.


Also there are two other blog articles I have posted with this article that might assist you in getting your informations and questions organized and ready for Alex's assistance.

Okay, now you're ready with all your information, give Alex a call --- Monday through Friday, 9am to 5pm.... 949-756-3223 or make your initial contact by email, bookit1@earthlink.net

Welcome Aboard...it’s becoming a reality!

Photo Provided By: Flickr: The Andy

ALEX' s: Pre & Post Cruise Options

Direct Words from our travel agent, Alex! 

She says ...”You shouldn’t start thinking about 

airfare until you’ve thought about how many nights you can or want to stay in Bangkok, prior to the cruise, or after the cruise in Beijing (for 16 day-ers) or in Whittier/Anchorage, Alaska for (32 day-ers). I will be offering a 2 night package in Bangkok with 1 full day touring. In Beijing, I will be offering a 2 night, 1-1/2 day tour package with transfer included in both destinations.

If you would like something other than these 2 options, please contact me either by phone or email and I can price out whatever you would like to do.”

Photo: Davis' 08 Mediterranean Cruise, Venice Italy

BANGKOK: Top 10 Things To Do

Thanks Karen and Buzz for sharing this simple but easy website. Since many of us are looking at a short Pre-Cruise stay in Bangkok. This may be the website you have been looking for. “Top 10s for Bangkok".  Thanks again Karen & Buzz...I know the group appreciates you sharing, as it truly is starting to become a reality as we begin to make our trip plans! 

Here is the link that you can visit:  http://www.bangkok.com/most-popular-historical.htm

On this same website there are other Top 10s of Bangkok that might also interest you. Just check this out at the website's top heading under "Top Ten".

Photo provided by Bangkok Top 10s.

Seriously, Shopping for 2013, NOW????

Shopping for 2013, NOW??? Seriously Diana, you have got to be kidding! Actually I’m not!

We embark on our cruise ship on April 17, 2013 and though you may think,”Oh I can go shopping later”. Well this may very well be the case, if you would like Fall/Winter clothing as your selection! Where we are headed in the beginning portion of our cruise Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam count on it being hot, humid and sultry. Did I mention hot & humid? And as we sail north towards China, Korea and Japan as well as ultimately to Alaska. Well layering our clothes to accommodate our cooler temp will be our intent and plan. So yes, now is the time to jump on board the sales and get those summer items for next year. 

On the chiff website it was noted that since July 4th is on a Wednesday this year, the stores will be having weeklong sales from July 1st through the 8th!  So besides the fireworks, picnics and BBQ parties...think about hitting the summer sales to enhance your cruise wardrobe. And let us know on the comment section of this blog article any good deals that you come across...good luck on your shopping adventures!

Photo provided by: Flickr: ladybugbkt

Princess Cruises' SHORE EXCURSIONS

Still not registered on Princess Cruises? Okay,  then check this one for Ports and Excursions! 

Head to ... Princess.com home page > Learn About Princess > Ports & Excursions > Browse By Port > Select a Destination (Asia/Africa or World Tour) > Select a Port of Call. 

The Ports are listed under the cruise itinerary for you on the right hand side bar of our blog. So how hard was that...not bad huh?

The Princess Cruise Shore Excursions are basically categorized in the following:

SIGHTSEEING & TOURS

Guided tours that show you many of the top highlights of a port city and/or the local area

NATURE & WILDLIFE

Excursions that allow you to enjoy wilderness areas, view/interact with local fauna or marine life.

ACTIVITIES & ADVENTURES

Fun, exciting explorations that get you outdoors in the sun or surf: hikes, rides, water sports, beach visits, ziplines, flightseeing and more!

                                                                                                                                                                      

SPECIAL INTERESTS

Focused excursions and walking tours that visit select highlights while exploring particular aspects of the port's appeal in greater depth: Cuisine, History, Art/Culture, Religion, or Guided Shopping.

EXPLORING ON YOUR OWN

Resources that help you make the most of an independent exploration of the area.

Now if you are registered and have access to MY PRINCESS then Princess Cruise recommends:

Already Booked? Visit Cruise Personalizer

Visit Cruise Personalizer to

• Browse excursions, create your wishlist and share with your travel companions
• Pre-reserve excursions within 120 days of sailing

Photo and Information provided by: 

Princess.Com

Princess Cruises' PORTS OF CALL

There are Wonders of the World and then there is the Wonders of the Internet!

In our last posting, I had directed you to start by getting yourself registered with Princess Cruises. So you haven’t done so yet, right? Well fear not, as I thought this might be the case for some of you. So, lets ease you into taking a few steps at a time to explore  Princess Cruises website and NOT having to register. As I explored the pages of Princess Cruises: Prepare for Your Cruise, I couldn’t wait to share this source with you:

Yup, you will have to register at some point or pull out your check book and sweet talk Alex to do your work and then maybe she just might assist? ....Well for right now, let’s just start getting you to explore, drill, search and enjoy the journey of the Wonders of the Internet! So grab a drink of your choice, as Roger often says,  and let me lead you to a source for preparation and exploration to some of our Ports of Call via Princess Cruises....Oh by the way, be sure your drink of choice isn’t too close to your computer as Diana found out that her coffee cup hates that laptop screen when it leans and makes her coffee pour all over the tabletop. Yikes, what a mess!

On this blog posting, I have linked for you some of the pages on Princess Cruises where you can explore the various ports of call we will be visiting. Just double click on the highlighted turquoise word or phrases in this blog to get you to the appropriate page.

Also, I want to point out some great information for you to either create a hardcopy notebook or download to your computer folder for reference. Under each port of call page is also a pdf icon which has terrific introduction information to get you started on each of the city/ports of call we will be visiting. So be sure to look for this. 

I leave you with this thought....”A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step” Lao Tzu ...so shall we begin our journey?!

Ports of Call - Asia

Bangkok, (Laem Chanang) Thailand

Singapore, Malaysia

Ho Chi Minh City (Phu My), Vietnam

Nha Trang, Vietnam

Hong Kong, China

Shanghai, China

Nagasaki, Japan

Busan, South Korea

Beijing (Tianjin) China

Dalian, China

Osaka, Japan

Tokyo, (Yokohama) Japan

Anchorage (Whittier), Alaska

Photo provided by Princess Cruises - Find A Cruise

MY PRINCESS

As you start preparing for your upcoming Asia Cruise it is now time to sign up on the Princess Cruise Website to establish your account and register for ‘My Princess’. You should have a copy of your Booking Confirmation Number that Alex had sent to you when you placed your deposit and were assigned a stateroom. The booking number is located under the Princess Cruise logo on the upper left hand side of your Passenger Copy Booking Confirmation. If, by chance, you lost or may have deleted your confirmation email attachment, please contact Alex for assistance. Also to register on line with Princess Cruise you will need to provide your email and a password. 

Once you establish your My Princess account, you will need to eventually complete the information on your Cruise Personalizer. Cruise Personalizer is also a part of the My Princess Page. Below is a content peek to:

MY PRINCESS:

• Spotlights YOUR booked cruise - 16 day or 32 day option
• Brochure
• Weather
• Ship: Diamond Princess
• Saved and Shared Cruises
• Cruise Personalizer
• Referral Rewards
• Personal Profile
• My Dream Deals
• Preferences
• Cruise Countdown
• How to Book

CRUISE PERSONALIZER

• View Booking Summary
• View Itinerary
• Complete passenger Immigration
• Book Flights
• Provide Independent Air Information
• Excursion Reservations
• Update Special requests
• Update Onboard Preferences
• Additional Services

More then likely you will be inputting your information in stages. To make it easy and efficient, be sure you have at hand the following information for you as well as your booked companion’s information:

• Passport Number Expiration Dates - current US Passport Booklet 
• Address, Phone Numbers, Email Address
• Emergency Contact Information, not on the cruise
• Booked Flight Information
• Booked Hotel for Pre/Post Cruise
• Credit Card Number

Logo provided by Princess Cruises