Russian Federation Travel Alert

Courtesy Sochi 2014

SOCHI 2014 OLYMPICS

 Information for Travelers 

The U.S. Department of State updated a Travel Alert today for U.S. citizens planning to attend the 2014 Olympic Games in Russia that they should remain attentive regarding their personal security at all times.

Issued:              24 January 2014

Replaced:         10 January 2014

Expires:            24 March 2014

The alert replaces the previous one and provides updated information on reported threats against the Games.

Full information about the Olympic and Paralympic games for U.S. citizen visitors is available on the Sochi Fact Sheet and the Country Specific Information for the Russian Federation on their website, travel.state.gov.  The Department strongly recommends that all U.S. citizens residing or traveling abroad enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) in order to receive pertinent safety and security information.  

The alert covers several areas including the following:

MEDICAL CARE:  

• first large-scale event
• medical capacity is untested
• treatment differs substantially from Western standards
• recommend purchasing private medical evacuation and/or repatriation insurance

TERRORISM:

• attractive target for terrorist  
• U.S. Government monitoring threats
• bombings & hostage events have occurred
• no indication of a specific threat to U.S. institutions or citizens
• be aware of personal surroundings and follow good security practices

CRIME:

• remain alert regarding personal security at all times
• Criminal activity in Sochi is similar to other cities of comparable size
• avoid carrying large amounts of money or other valuables 

PUBLIC DEMONSTRATIONS:

• avoid large crowds in areas that lack enhanced security measures
• use caution if protests, demonstrations, or other public disturbances are taking place

LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL, AND TRANSGENDER (LGBT) ISSUES:

• LGBT travelers should review the State Department’s LGBT Travel Information page

LODGING:

• May be shortages of lodging
• Book well in advance

SOURCE:   Russian Federation Travel Alert Last Updated: January 24, 2014 U.S. Embassy Moscow Bolshoy Deviatinsky Pereulok No. 8 (Consular Section located at Novinskiy Bulvar 21) Moscow 121099, Russian Federation Telephone (7) (495) 728-5000 or (7) (495) 728-5577 Emergency Telephone (7) (495) 728-5000 Fax (7) (495) 728-5084 Email moscowwarden@state.gov U.S. Embassy Moscow

Winter Weather Hampering Travel

Anyone Else Thinking About Escaping to the Warmth of Alaska?

Wave Season is in full swing now and thoughts turn to warmer climates and those where it isn't snowing.   Usually one would exclude Alaska from the list of candidates, but ironically when we checked the weather tonight, we found that Ketchikan was in the mid-40s at 9:30 PM while our temperatures had fallen below zero.

Accidents, Flight Delays, Cancellations, Stranded Travelers

Tonight's newscast featured arctic temperatures in our region, up to 2 feet of snow for those unlucky enough to be near the lake front, more cold, and more snow still on the way.   This weather isn't limited to the Chicago / Indiana area, but also extending to the East Coast where a new snow storm cancelled flights and caused nightmares for those trying to travel across the country.

The following headlines tell the story - no need to repeat them here (you can click on the links to read details on the various news sources):

Nearly 3000 US Flights Cancelled As Snow Hits Northeast
Thousands of flights canceled (again) by snowstorm
Thousands Of US Flights Cancelled - Business Insider 
Flights cancelled as Northeast braces for polar vortex 2 | New York ...
LIVE: Snowstorm Dumping Heavy Snow on I-95 Corridor

Live Airline Flight Cancellations Info & Statistics FlightAware
 


Protect Your Vacation

When our guests book their trip with us, we highly recommend they purchase travel protection insurance in the full amount of their trip.  We've heard all the reasons why that doesn't seem to be necessary - "there's no way we aren't going on this trip - we've planned for it so long" is a pretty common one.


Tell that to the people spending the night at O'Hare International or one of the other major airports across the country as this bad weather grounded or delayed flights.   Hopefully those stranded will be able to get out tomorrow and still be able to continue their journeys.   If that flight was taking them to their escape from winter weather at some Caribbean resort or cruise vacation, odds are they are now in need of assistance to somehow join that trip now in progress.   Hopefully that have a passport because they may now need to fly into a foreign port and their birth certificate and driver's license will no longer suffice (for those on closed-loop cruises, technically you don't need a passport, but we always suggest you have on).


You may never need to file a claim or call for assistance, but the intangible benefit to travel insurance is that when it counts the most, when you are in need, you have someone to turn to for assistance.  You aren't alone in a "sea" of stranded travelers anymore.  You have the ability to "phone a friend" or "use your lifeline" in the words of a popular game show.

Top Ten Reasons to travel with the LeisureCare Travel Protection Plan

1. You have to cancel your trip due to an unexpected event such as bad weather, an illness in the family or the financial default of your airline, cruise line or tour operator.
2. You have to return home early due to an unexpected emergency such as an illness or death in the family.
3. Your luggage is lost or delayed, forcing you to purchase necessary essentials, or prescription medications.
4. Your luggage or personal effects are damaged or stolen.
5. You become ill or injured and learn that your health care plan doesn't cover you outside the U.S.
6. You need an emergency medical evacuation due to an accident or sudden illness.
7. You run into flight delays and miss a portion of your trip or cruise.
8. Your trip is interrupted due to an unexpected hurricane or storm.
9. You lose your passport, leaving you stranded abroad.
10. You need assistance with replacing a prescription or an emergency cash transfer. 

If the weather is bad in your area and you don't need to travel, stay home - warm and safe. For those trying to get to their vacation destination, we hope that you'll be able to do so and also that you had assistance so that your vacation isn't ruined.

Add Unique Perspective to Travel Pics

Unique Perspectives

Today we joined #TRAVELPICS chat on Twitter for a fun packed hour exchanging ideas and travel photos with like-minded posters. The theme was “unique perspectives” and participants shared their own travel pics about the theme and answered per-arranged questions.

Q1: How do you define unique perspectives in travel?

How would you answer this question?

A1. When your photo is different than those in the travel brochures 

A1. Also visiting the same place multiple times but capturing different memories

We responded to the first question and also shared several images as the chat progressed.   There is no right or wrong answer here - but if you are interested in breathing new life into your travel photography, some of the ideas shared here and in the chat may be helpful.  Follow us on Twitter: @ChrisPappinMCC

Look for a Unique Vantage Point

The main subject in the two images above is the Old Castle in Corfu, Greece.  We think that you'll agree the first photo could be a typical photo showing the castle from a distance.   It does capture the main subject, but isn't a very interesting photograph.    If your purpose is simply to document one of the sights seen during your Corfu visit, it would suffice.

The second image however is much more interesting to the viewer.  Your eyes are drawn to the main subject, the castle, and you also have the feeling of being outside the castle's gates, trying to look inside.   You are suddenly back in history when the castle fortress was full of life as it stood guard over the town.

Q2: Show us a unique perspective in a travel photo using different interpretations or unusual viewpoints-no right or wrong here!

This was one example we shared.   The images were both captured during our National Conference on Norwegian Breakaway last fall.  The image on the right could be a typical photo taken by every cruise passenger on the ship.  

The image on the left was once again from a different vantage point.   We captured it by accident.  While waiting for the rest of our group to catch up with us, we looked up and saw how amazing the chandelier looked from this vantage point.  So, quite simply, don't forget to look up for subjects to capture in your images.


Q3: Do you have any unique perspective or advice when it comes to traveling differently? Share it!

A3. Give yourself a photo shoot assignment especially if you've been to the same location before 

Some of our more interesting images use archways and doors to frame our subject.   Some of our self-directed photo assignments have been to capture interesting doors across the globe and also lamps, such as those on castles or outside historical locations.

Visiting a Port Multiple Times

If you are like most leisure travelers, odds are that you'll visit a location multiple times in your lifetime.   For those that like a winter getaway on a cruise ship, you'll probably visit several ports in the Caribbean many times.

So what do you do when you find yourself back in a town you've visited before?   You can seek out new attractions or shops to visit, or you can view the familiar sights differently.   For example, find a different angle to view them from;  look through a doorway or hole in the wall as we have above.  If you are able to bend down low, you can view your subject from the vantage point of a child (in other words, from ground level).

Plan for your Visit

To get the most out of a visit to either a new or familiar destination, we encourage you to do some research before you travel.   You may want to check with your professional travel consultant  for ideas about popular attractions as well as those that are off the beaten path.   That was another topic we discussed during the live chat.

The internet is a wealth of information.   Once you know some attractions that are on your bucket list, search for some images that professionals and amateurs have captured.   You may want similar images in your photo journal of your trip.   We suggest that you add a few more unique perspectives as well.

We hope that this has sparked your interest in taking your photography to a new level.  Follow the weekly #travelpics chat on Twitter for more ideas on this and other travel topics.   We'd love to hear your ideas as well, or better yet, join us for the next chat.

Thank you to this week's co-hosts: @AntiTourist @TheTravelCamel @poonamparihar @Sihpromatum @StephensPhotos @melbtravel

Dining at Sea Part 5

Looks Too Good to Eat

We've already talked about how presentation is a key ingredient of  the cruise ship dining experience.  From the time you get onboard the ship and head to the buffet for the first time, to your first dinner at the main dining room, to the evening you dine at one of the specialty venues, the food you eat is on display.

Your sense of sight is delighted by the food displayed in front of you each and every time you sit down to eat while on the cruise.  The crew spends hours in preparation to make sure that everything is just right, not just the taste, but also the way it appeals to you even before you take that first bite.

Did you ever have a plate put in front of you that looked too good to eat?  Perhaps when you went to a local diner, they had a display case of desserts just inside the entry way.   If you are like me, you want to skip the main course somehow and get to those tempting treats that were on display.

Chocolate Buffet

Norwegian Cruise Line is known for their Freestyle Dining which allows you to dine any time you want (within some boundaries) and at any venue on the ship.   Some of the options are included in your cruise cost while others have a modest fee, which is an extra gratuity for the special service and quality of food that you are given.

Another thing they are known for is their Chocolate Buffet.   The image above shows some of the creative treats that the crew prepared for us on one of our recent NCL cruises.   Next time you are on Norwegian, be sure to find out when that buffet occurs and at least take some pictures.

Dessert Extravaganza

Very similar to NCL's Chocolate Buffet is Holland America Line's Dessert Extravaganza.  As the name suggests, dessert items are prepared and put on display for you to enjoy, first by taking pictures, and of course, you can eat until your heart is content.

Grand Buffet

In years gone past, cruise lines had a special midnight buffet which usually had a name like "Grand Buffet".  It was held sometime around midnight, which often became one of the jokes of the Cruise Director ("what time is the midnight buffet?").   Thirty minutes to an hour before the official start of the buffet, the main dining room doors would be open to allow for picture taking.  

With the advent of multistory dining rooms,  this was quite impressive, as you would enter from the top level, walk down the staircase which would give you a birds eye view of the entire setup.   Perhaps we'll go through our archives and share some of those past memories with you. Do you remember them?

Always read your daily paper during your cruise so that you can find out about any special treats thatthe crew has in store for you.   The culinary staff is quite talented and they love sharing their handiwork.   Several lines have cookbooks that even share some of the recipes.

Passengers Robbed Honduras

CRUISE PASSENGER
CRIME VICTIMS

The U.S. State Department reissued their Honduras Travel Warning just before Christmas and we reported this to you in early January (link below).  Subsequent to that article, we have learned that a family of 5, husband, wife and 3 daughters, rented a car on their own and ventured off to find a beach which is less frequented by tourists.   What they found instead was trouble, as they became the victims of an armed robbery.

News of this robbery surfaced on the web as the husband shared his story on the Facebook page "Missing America's Project".

According to reports, the family was vacationing on the Carnival Conquest and were not on a ship-sponsored excursion.  Fortunately, they were not injured but the car was wrecked, as they  tried to flea the robbers. The loan masked robber made off with the family's valuables including cash, iPhone and camera.   Carnival Cruise Line provided assistance to the victims once they were back on board.  

Many crimes that involve cruise passengers are crimes of opportunity.  If you read the State Department warning, they indicate that there are significant number of people that travel to Honduras without incident.  Of course for this family, that is of little comfort.  The warning suggests that you stick to well-traveled (guarded) destinations.  That of course is no guarantee of your safety, but statistically it increases your odds. 

We live in a society where crime is everywhere.  Often we hear about some crime incident where the news media mentions their surprise about where the crime occurred.   It can happen anywhere - so the only defense is to take all the precautions you can and be aware of your surroundings.  Traveling in groups is another safe practice that is also not a guarantee.

Do take time to read warnings and other information prior to your trip.  We've shared some specific links for Honduras below.  Please consult our International Travel tab above for more links.

Honduras Travel Warning Continued   U.S. Embassy Tegucigalpa Avenida La Paz Tegucigalpa M.D.C. Honduras Telephone 011-504-2236-9320 or 011-504-2238-5114 Emergency Telephone 011-504-2236-8497 or (504) 2238-5114 or (504) 2236-9320, extension 4100. Fax 011-504-2238-4357 U.S. Embassy Tegucigalpa  Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) List of State Department Alerts & Warnings

Dining at Sea Part 4

Amalegro Captain's Gala - Click for Larger Image

It is customary to have a Captain's Gala Dinner sometime during the cruise.  On ocean-going cruise ships this is usually the first formal night.  Some cruise lines, like Norwegian Cruise Line, have optional formal nights for those that don't like to dress up.

River Cruise Dining

The menu we are featuring in this article was from the Captain's Gala Dinner on AMA Waterways Amalegro during our Tulip Time cruise.   The meals were fabulous every night from the appetizers through the desserts, some of which were prepared in front of us.

Presentation & Taste

After a full day exploring the sights in port it was great to sit down to some fine dining.   Presentation is a key ingredient to the dining experience on a cruise ship or river boat.

Here is a photo of the grilled entrecote steak entree.   Doesn't it look like it would just melt in your mouth?

It  was garnished with Fried onion rings, Fresh vegetables, and Anna potatoes.  Cooked to order and complimented with sauce chasseur it was one of the best steaks we've had at sea.

Leave Room for Dessert

I think you'll agree that we don't need to say much about these desserts that were on the menu for the Captain's Gala. Once again, presentation is such a key ingredient. For a moment, you might be tempted not to eat them, but then you come to your senses. If you can't make up your mind about what you want to eat, don't worry. You can either ask the waiter for a recommendation or simply order multiple selections. This is a great way to experiment with food you've not tasted before.

Panama Canal Expansion

Images from our Panama Canal Transit

Panama Canal

100 Years Anniversary

Developing a water passage across the Isthmus of Panama uniting the Atlantic and Pacific oceans dates to the early 16th century. 

Official Opening

August 15, 2014

We won't attempt to cover the history here. Instead, we will focus on a milestone which occurs this year, the 100th anniversary of the Panama Canal and the status of expansion plans to bring the canal into its next 100 years. For information on the canal's history, please see the official Panama Canal site.

Panamax

Panamax specifications have been in effect since the opening of the canal in 1914. Ships that do not fall within the Panamax-sizes are called post-Panamax.  Currently ships that are a maximum of 965 feet long and 106 feet wide (beam) can pass through the canal. That typically means the older and smaller ships in a cruise lines' fleet are the only ones that can make the transit. Ships like the Allure of the Seas or the Solstice-class ships are not among them. The new locks would open up possibilities for the larger cruise ships to complete the transit.

Expansion Plans

There are four major parts to the expansion plans.  The purpose of the expansion is to enable post-Panamax vessel transit of the canal.

• construction of two new sets of locks - one on the Pacific and one on the Atlantic side of the Canal
• widening and deepening of existing navigational channels in Gatun Lake
• deepening of Culebra Cut
• new 6.1 km-long access channel to connect the Pacific locks and the Culebra Cut

Each lock will have three chambers and each chamber will have three water re-utilization basins.
For complete details about the plans, see PANAMA CANAL EXPANSION PROGRAM MARCH 2013 (PDF).

Overall, the Expansion Program is 72% complete and at this time, is expected to be open to commercial transits in the second half of 2015.  

The contractor for the new locks, Grupo Unidos por El Canal S.A. (GUPC), is currently threatening a work stoppage due to $1.6 Billion in cost overruns.  The ACP, the autonomous agency of the Government of Panama in charge of managing, operating and maintaining the Panama Canal, has proposed advancing $100 million to GUPC  to allow the contractor to tend to its pending obligations. The contractor must guarantee these funds through a letter of credit. In addition, ACP is willing to extend for a period of two months the moratorium for the repayment of $83 million in advances by GUPC. These would give an additional $83 million for GUPC.

Full story: Panama Canal Proposal to Jointly Contribute $283 Million to New Locks Project

Here is a video published by the ACP describing the Panama Canal Expansion project.