Preparing for Air Travel

Are You Ready to Take to the Friendly Skies Once Again? 

These tips will help guide you through the process. We'd be happy to answer any questions you might have as well.  Be sure to watch the video from Alaska Airlines as they do their safety dance.

But First - Is Air Travel Safe?

We recognize that before you decide to travel, you need to address your health and safety concerns.  Latest research indicates that the risks of air travel may be significantly lower than those in your daily life, due to the health and safety measures which have been put in place by the travel industry.

Highlights of Health & Safety Measures:

• Frequent Air Exchanges in airports and onboard
• Implementation of HEPA Filtration
• Forward-facing seas create transmission barriers
• Use of masks

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Top Travel Preparation Tips

• Travel only if feeling well
• Keep contact information updated with your travel professional & airline
• Complete Flight check-in via app or online
• Use self-service kiosks at airport
• Arrive early
• Minimize carry-on luggage
• Bring food for flight if desired
• Bring extra hand sanitizer (can be up to 12 oz)
• Pack extra masks

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Expect Changes at Airport & Terminals

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Don't Forget Your Masks

At the time of writing, there seems to be some confusion on which mask offers the best protection.  There has recently been some suggestions of doubling your masks with a surgical mask first and a cloth mask on top.  Follow recommended CDC guidelines at the time of your travel.   Be sure to note the types of masks which are not allowed (see graphic).   Wear your masks properly !

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Life Onboard Your Flight Will be Different

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And Now - Let's do the Safety Dance with Alaska Airlines

 

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New International Air Travel Rules

CDC Issues Order for 

COVID-19 Testing For  

International Air Travelers

On January 12, 2021, CDC issued an Order requiring all air passengers arriving to the US from a foreign country to get tested no more than 3 days before their flight departs and to provide proof of the negative result or documentation of having recovered from COVID-19 to the airline before boarding the flight. This Order will go into effect on January 26, 2021.

Under the new order, if you plan to travel internationally, get tested before you travel by air into the United States (US), or be prepared to show proof of a recent positive viral test and a letter from your healthcare provider or a public health official stating that you were cleared to travel.

Here are the specifics of the Order:

• Documentation of a negative COVID-19 viral test (called a Qualifying Test) conducted within the 3 days before their flight to the U.S. departs must be presented to airline in order to board
• Documentation should be for a viral test as approved or authorized by the relevant national authority.
• Test results must state: Negative, SARS-CoV2 RNA Not Detected, SARS-CoV-2 Antigen Not Detected, or COVID-19 Not Detected.
• Documentation may be paper or electronic copy and must include the name and contact information for the laboratory or healthcare personnel who performed the test.
• Test results may be required to be shown again upon landing.

What if You Recently Recovered from COVID-19?

CDC does not recommend getting tested again in the three months after a positive viral test, as long as you do not have symptoms of COVID-19. If you have had a positive viral test in the past 3 months, and you have met the criteria to end isolation, you may travel instead with documentation of your positive viral test results and a letter from your healthcare provider or a public health official that states you have been cleared for travel. The positive test result and letter together are referred to as “documentation of recovery.”

• Test results must state: Positive, SARS-CoV2 RNA Detected, SARS-CoV-2 Antigen Detected, or COVID-19 Detected. Invalid will not be accepted. 
• Additionally, a letter from a licensed health professional stating that the passenger has been cleared for travel (called Documentation of Recovery).

Airline passengers will be required to present a simple CDC attestation form to the airline for collection prior to boarding. That form can be found here for reference. 

For more information, you may reference the FAQs on the CDC website, which can be found here.

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Illinois - You Are Grounded

10 ... 9... 8...7...6...5...4...3...2...1...

Real ID Deadline Approaching

As 2016 begins, the clock is running out for the State of Illinois to comply with "Real ID" law requirements for state issued drivers licenses. Back in 2005, a federal law was enacted requiring states to comply with various security measures to state ID and drivers license issuance procedures. Illinois applied for an extension, which runs out January 10, 2016.

The Department of Homeland Security could give notice (of at least 120 days) to the public that it would no longer accept the Illinois IDs. If that were done, Illinois could be "grounded" unless alternate procedures, which might include using a U.S. Passport for security screening, were put in place at airports across the country. Of course passports have always been accepted, but not everyone has a valid passport or typically carries them for domestic trips.

Thanks to the Identity Project for sharing the following:
"Don't be misled by TSA threats: You don't have to show *any* ID to fly, & that won't change: http://bit.ly/1PtPHxc"

UPDATED: Jan. 9, 2016

The Department of Homeland Security has given another reprieve to states, such as Illinois, that haven't met the REALID requirements.   The facts on #REALID: You can use your driver’s license from ANY state/territory to fly until Jan 2018. More at http://go.usa.gov/cRptx

On January 22, 2018,  unless granted another extension, residents of Illinois (and any other non-compliant states) will be back in this same situation where they'll need to use an alternate form of identification other than a state Drivers License.   (Note: technically NO ID is required to fly as mentioned above).

IMPORTANT DATES:

• Now Until January 2018 - Residents of ANY state can use a driver's license or other approved form of identification accepted by TSA See the full list on the TSA website

• Effective January 22, 2018, if you have a driver’s license or identification card issued by a state that does not meet the requirements of the REAL ID Act, unless that state has been granted an extension, you must present an alternative form of identification acceptable to TSA in order to board a commercial domestic flight.

• Starting October 1, 2020, every air traveler will need a REAL ID-compliant license, or another acceptable form of identification, for domestic air travel.

Please continue to consult the DHS website to monitor changes in requirements for your state.   

We always recommend our guests travel with passports, even on closed-looped cruises, where they aren't technically required.   If you have a passport for those international vacations, it wouldn't be an issue should they also be required for domestic travel.

Apply for a Passport

Apply for a U.S. Passport

Besides Illinois, Missouri, New Mexico, and Washington are states that haven't yet adopted the Real ID specifications.  DHS has not announced when it might no longer accept those IDs.

If you are planning on traveling by air in 2016 or later, we would recommend obtaining a U.S. passport now before there's a mad rush to obtain one or be grounded (or perhaps subject to additional screening procedures).
 
Federal Building Entrance

One thing for certain, the law also applies to entrance to certain Federal buildings, so after January 10th Illinois IDs will not be valid for entrance to those buildings. This is another reason for obtaining a passport.

More information act can be obtained at the following link:

Real ID Public FAQs | Homeland Security

Heading for Zurich

Avalon Waterways

The Rhine & Moselle Northbound

Pre-Cruise Travel 

Chicago - NY - Zurich

The requirement for the cruise was to be in Zurich, Switzerland by 3 PM on Monday, July 13th for transfer to the ship.   There were pre-cruise hotel stays and excursions also offered by Avalon Waterways.   

 

As usual, we prefer to arrive in our disembarkation city at least a day early, especially in the case of trans-Atlantic departures.  We opted for one night  hotel stay and the optional Excursion to Mt. Pilatus with transfer to ship.   The flights were booked independently using miles.  

Connecting Through New York

When using frequent flier mileage for your flights, there are limitations in the flights you can select, especially if you want to minimize the number of miles consumed.   In our case, we opted for connecting flights through New York.   This added a twist, since the connections included changing planes AND airports.

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LGA to JFK

Our flight from Chicago departed Saturday, July 11th at 10:10 AM and arrived in New York (LGA) shortly after 1 PM.   We claimed our luggage and headed for the NYCAirporter counter to purchase transfer tickets to New York's JFK airport.   

TIP: The cost is $13 per person for this approximately 30 minute ride.   You need to allow plenty of connection time for this transfer because New York traffic can be 
unpredictable, and check-in time at JFK will take quite some time as well.

^{Click on image to see additional Blog Posts}

The LGA to JFK transfer leaves the American Airlines baggage claim area every 30 minutes.  We were able to catch the 1:30 PM shuttle which arrived around 2 PM.    We proceeded to TSA security check-in, which had very long lines and took awhile to complete.

After passing security, we noticed the sculpture pictured above which was quite appropriate: "From New York to the World".  Our next stop was the American Airlines Admirals Club lounge for some snacks before our 4:45 PM flight to Zurich which arrived at 7:55 AM local time.

We had an on-time departure for Zurich, Switzerland.  In our next posts we'll talk about our pre-cruise adventures and then continue with more information about this fabulous river cruise.

No Power No Travel

Attention iPhone, Android, and PC Users

Keep Those Devices Charged 
If You Are Flying

Last week, Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson directed TSA to implement enhanced security measures at certain overseas airports with direct flights to the United States.

Inbound International Flights

In response to new threats of bombs in familiar devices, such as iPhones, Android phones, and laptops,  TSA has been instructed to carefully screen those devices.   It has always been the case that electronics, especially computers, were subject to careful scrutiny, but effective with the new instructions, closer attention will be given to phones as well.

Does the Device Power Up

According to TSA, "During the security examination, officers may also ask that owners power up some devices, including cell phones. Powerless devices will not be permitted onboard the aircraft. The traveler may also undergo additional screening.

Know Before You Go

This is the most recent change in security procedures announced by TSA.  Not all procedures are announced in this fashion.  Security is obtained by several levels of visible and invisible monitoring.

The TSA's Traveler Information tab is a source of good information when preparing for a flight.  When traveling internationally, be sure to check with transportation sights of the countries you are visiting as well.   There are much different security measures in other countries.

For example we once had to fly home for an emergency and flew from Oslo, Norway.   All suitcases and carry-on bags must be unlocked because they will undergo a screening by hand before you even check-in.

Additional Useful Links

Department of Homeland Security Aviation Security

Australian Transportation Safety Bureau
Canadian TSA (CATSA) Security
European Commission Aviation Security

For more links, just use keywords like "security transportation aviation" and country name in your favorite search engine for information relevant to your itinerary.   Your Cruise & Vacation Specialist, airline, or cruise line may also have additional information on their websites.

The Winter Escape Begins

Why Did It 

Have to Snow?

How to Avoid Stress of Winter Travel

You've booked your winter escape cruise months ago and the departure week has finally arrived.  Checking the weather forecast, you see that dreaded four letter word: SNOW !

This is the start of our mini-series Cruise Review of our 7 night voyage on Carnival Conquest.   Besides the obvious review of the ship, amenities, ports, food, etc., we'll also share our experiences and provide you with some advice and tips which hopefully will be useful in your future travel plans.

The Goal - Stress Free Vacation

Your daily life is filled with stress, so you want to get away from that when you head off on your vacation.  As we mentioned, that is the goal, and perhaps a lofty one at that, but let's see how one can cope with winter travels.

Winter Air Travel & Tips

• Expect the unexpected
• You are not in control
• The airlines aren't in control either
• Mother Nature is in charge
• Add extra time and insure your trip  
• Leave early in the day
• Non-stop flights preferred
• Monitor the situation and adjust plans if needed

Our Experience

We've already mentioned some key facts and tips, but let's take a closer look at our planning and how things played out.

We live in the Midwest (Chicago area), which typically has cold / snowy weather in February.   Our cruise departed Miami on Sunday, February 2nd, so the first ingredient to attempt a stress-free trip was to leave at least one day before the cruise.   We booked flights from O'Hare Saturday morning which would arrive late that afternoon.   Since we used frequent flyer miles to pay for our flights, we had connecting flights, which added another dimension to the stress level, but we were willing to accept that risk.

The National Weather Service predicted the snow storm would start Friday night and gradually get heavier with one of the peaks around mid-morning Saturday.   We could expect anywhere from 6 - 9 inches of snow when the storm ended around 6 PM Saturday.

Our flights were on United Airlines, which has its main hub at O'Hare.  That means there should be plenty of flights, some of which should get out.   Since our flight was scheduled to leave around 10 AM, we considered changing to an earlier departure. UAL had announced waivers of fees which would allow re-booking to avoid the storm without the usual heavy fees.  

We decided against changing because we looked at the origin of our flight and when it was scheduled to land in Chicago.   It was coming from San Francisco overnight and would be on the ground around 6 AM if on time.   Even if it were late, we had a four hour cushion before our departure time.

Another factor in not changing flights was the type of aircraft for our flight as well as the earlier ones.  Our plane was a Boeing 757 which has a large capacity while the earlier flights had much smaller Airbus A320 aircraft.   The final deciding factor was that our flight's destination was Houston International another one of UAL's hubs.   With all these factors, we figured that the airline would do everything possible to get our plane off the ground.

Click for Mini-Series Articles / Images

Fortunately, our thinking paid off.  We did get out on time - with about a 45 minute delay, after we pushed back from the gate, while the plane was de-iced (as you can see in the image above).   We had just enough time in Houston to get from our gate to the next one before they began boarding. 

In our next installment, we'll talk about our hotel stay in Miami.

Why We Recommend Passports

Don't Leave Home Without It

If you were on Carnival Triumph this week and had to get home from Progresso, Mexico by air - could you?

Do you have a valid U.S. Passport?

If you are unsure of the answer to the first question, then you should read on.   If your answer to the second question is no, you too should read the rest of this article.   Getting home to the United States could depend on this information and your actions in response.

Re-Entry Rules

We have written about this several times, and we have a standing section both here on our blog and our Facebook page, which talks about International Travel.   On June 1, 2009, the rules changed (New Passport Rules Starting June 1st - Are You Ready).

The new rules mandated that "most" U.S. citizens entering the country by land, sea, or air must establish both identity and citizenship and therefore must possess one of the following: passport, passport card or other travel document approved by the Department of Homeland Security.

There are many caveats contained within the new rules, so it is best to consult the following websites to learn more about your specific circumstance. The final responsibility for proper documentation rests with the traveler not the cruise line, airline, cruise specialist, or any other travel professional. You’ve planned for this trip and want to be sure you aren’t denied boarding nor do you want problems when entering or exiting any country during your trip.

State Department - overview of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) - see Travel page
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) – see Crossing U.S. Borders page
Canada Border Services Agency - for travel to/from Canada

Closed-Loop Cruises

The image above is the itinerary for the ill-fated Carnival Triumph voyage.   The cruise was scheduled to start and end in Galveston, Texas, constituting what is known as a closed-loop cruise.  If you are following our blog, you know that the ship had a small engine fire and was adrift.   The first plan was to tow the ship to Progresso, Mexico, but fortunately the ship drifted making  Mobile, Alabama a better choice for disembarkation.

U.S. citizens taking “closed-loop” cruises are not required to have a passport but will need proof of citizenship and a government-issued photo ID, such as an original or certified copy of a birth certificate and a driver’s license.  (More information)  It is still highly recommended that you travel with a valid passport.

See the Department of Homeland Security's GetYouHome.gov for more information on the changing travel requirements.

Different Rules if Traveling by Air

Soon after it was reported that Carnival Triumph would be towed to Progresso, the internet chat rooms were abuzz with questions about how passengers without passports would get home.

International air travel requires a passport and not simply a birth certificate and photo id.  That means that 900 passengers currently adrift on the Triumph could have been denied re-entry to the United States at the end of this ordeal.

Explaining the change of plans from Progresso to Mobile, the line indicated:

"Given the strength of the currents, it is preferable to head north to Mobile, rather than attempt to tow against them," the statement explained. Carnival now expects Triumph to arrive in Mobile sometime on Thursday, roughly the same time the ship would have arrived in Progreso. From there, the line said it will provide the necessary transportation to get passengers home. "Mobile also provides simpler re-entry [than Mexico], particularly for the 900 passengers traveling without passports," the line added.

Carnival Cruise Line had claimed that it had the situation under control and would be able to get passengers home from Mexico.   We will never know how complicated, or costly, that would have been since those plans have now been scrubbed.

If you and your family members found yourself in a situation where you had to get home from Mexico (or the Caribbean) without a passport, you would be faced with some challenges that could potentially cost you much more than the price of the initial passport fees.

If you don't have a passport, mark your calendars for March 9th.

Focusing On Family Travel

On Saturday, March 9, from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., U.S. citizens may apply for or renew their passport book or passport card at any one of 25 passport agencies/centers that are open to the general public. No appointment is necessary on March 9 – normally, U.S. citizens would have to make an appointment at passport agencies.  (More details)

Let There Be Green On the Sea

Earth Day 2011 

April 22nd

How Green are Cruise Ships?

Cruise ships operate in every ocean worldwide taking thousands of passengers to all parts of the globe.   There is growing concern that these floating resorts are polluting the waterways and air with all the waste that is generated by normal operations.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has recently conducted a study of the impact of cruise ships and published their findings.  

Download the entire Cruise Ship Discharge Assessment Report (PDF) (162 pp, 1MB)

The Cruise Ship Discharge Assessment Report (Assessment Report) examines five primary cruise ship waste streams -- sewage, graywater, oily bilge water, solid waste, and hazardous waste. For each waste stream, the Assessment Report discusses (1) what the waste stream is and how much is generated; (2) what laws apply to the waste stream; (3) how the waste stream is managed; (4) potential environmental impacts of the waste stream; (5) on-going actions by the federal government to address the waste stream; and (6) a wide range of options and alternatives to address the waste stream from cruise ships in the future.



Cruise Ship Wastewater Discharges Fact Sheet | PDF Version (2 pp, 288K, About PDF)

The Problem: Cruise Ship Water Pollution

Cruise ships currently operate largely unregulated. They release hundreds of thousands of gallons of raw sewage and polluted water (containing bacteria, metals, viruses and nutrients) into  our oceans and coastal waters as close as three nautical miles from shore.

Cruise Ship Environmental Report Card

Friends of the Earth’s 2nd annual Cruise Ship Report Card compares the environmental footprint of 11 major cruise lines and 113 cruise ships.  The results of this evaluation may shock you.   The best grade of all the cruise lines evaluated was a B- with the majority of the ships and cruise lines earning C's, D's, and F's.. 

The failures stem from not implementing equipment and procedures which would minimize pollution.  According to their website, the following determined the scores:

• To determine a cruise line’s Sewage Treatment grade, we compared the number of cruise ships in the cruise line that have installed advanced sewage treatment systems against the total number of ships in the cruise line.
• To determine the Air Pollution Reduction grade for each ship in a cruise line, only ships that dock at a North American port that currently provides shoreside power hookups were graded.
• To determine the Water Quality Compliance grade for ships operating in Alaska, we used 2009 notices of violation issued for individual cruise ships to each cruise line by the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation. Ships were given an ‘n/a’ if they traveled to Alaska but avoided Alaska’s strong water quality standards by discharging outside of those protected waters.
• The grades for each of the criteria were averaged to calculate the Final Grade for each cruise line.

The Solution: The Clean Cruise Ship Act

The Clean Cruise Ship Act (S.1820/H.R.3888) will achieve landmark reductions in water-based pollution from the many cruise ships plying U.S. waters. The bill prohibits the discharge of hazardous waste, sewage sludge, and incinerator ash within all U.S. waters and prohibits the discharge of sewage, graywater, and oily bilge water within 12 nautical miles of shore. In addition, the bill establishes cruise ship water quality standards and monitoring and reporting requirements. The Clean Cruise Ship Act is a substantial but feasible change from the currently under-regulated state of the cruise industry and will help to protect America’s coastlines, food supply, and beautiful natural resources from pollution.

Protect the Environment for Future Generations

Most people that love to cruise also have an interest in protecting the environment for the future.   We want to continue our quest to see more of the world, but at the same time, want to make sure Mother Earth is around for generations to come.  So, what can we as individuals do?

The FOE suggests letting Congress know that we want them to support the Clean Cruise Ship Act.  For those that are interested (click the following links):  Tell Congress to Cleanup the Cruise Industry.    Learn more about the FOE.

Is There Any Good News in the Report Card?

I have to admit that my initial reaction to the report card was one of shock.   The majority of the cruise lines have announced initiatives to protect the environment.   You'll see signs posted in your cabin encouraging you to reuse towels, just like you see in hotel rooms on land.   I have to give them the benefit of the doubt that they do intend to turn things around.  

Of the eleven cruise lines that were evaluated, only two had lower scores in the most recent report card.  Six lines remained the same, two improved and the last one wasn't rated previously.  Perhaps with regulation, there can be additional improvement over time. 

When on a cruise ship, do your part by doing the little things:   reuse your towel,  don't throw anything overboard, or pollute in any other way.

We share this information, not to make any cruise line look bad, but rather to call awareness to a growing problem which can seriously impact all living things if left unchecked.  Thank you for reading this article and for doing your part to protect the environment.

Special thanks to the EPA and FOE for their efforts and for publishing the information which was the basis of this article.