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The All - Inclusive Resort Option

The all-inclusive resort option is appealing to travelers for a number of reasons. First of all, the all-inclusive option can save you money and time. It’s a one-stop shopping for vacationers. It eliminates the hassle of having to make day to day decisions for meals and drinks, and having to budget for food, beverages, and activities while enjoying the vacation.

The hot spots for all-inclusive resorts are Cayman Island, Mexico and the Caribbean, and are most abundant in Jamaica and Cancun. These destinations allow customers to select a resort perfectly suited to their preferences. These days, vacationers can choose between different types of all-inclusive to better match their travel style, budget and preferences.

At a Modest All-Inclusive, taxes and gratuities are included, as well as limited meals and beverages. Buffet-style dining is typical. The lines become a little blurry when considering Standard and Full All-Inclusive options. Both of these categories include taxes and gratuities, as well as unlimited meals, snacks and beverages. Both options can also include a variety of activities, services and access to facilities, like a spa, a children’s program, and non-motorized water sports.

All-inclusive resorts are a great option for families because adults can relax and enjoy themselves while still giving kids some freedom, whether it’s through a daily youth program, or simply not having to ask an adult for a dollar every time they want a soda.

So, while you are browsing the web for the perfect vacation package, be sure to do your research. Find out if the resort is all-inclusive (AI) or European Plan (EP) and decide which one of these options best suits your needs while on vacation.

                                     What to Look For in a Honeymoon Cruises 

Honeymoon cruise can be a very romantic getaway, you'll be able to visit variety of ports and beaches on board a cruise ship. Nowadays more honeymooners opt for a cruise then just a regular trip to Hawaii. If you are planning to book or schedule a honeymoon cruise, here are some things to look for when choosing the perfect cruise.

Read Reviews on Cruise Ship

One key tips to choosing your honeymoon cruise is reading up on the reviews of the cruise ship or type of cruise you plan on taking. These reviews are either from honeymooners' like your self or from travel agency who do in dept reviews on service and hospitality of the cruise ship or cruises. By reading the review you gather information on the customer service, food and accommodations of the cruise.

Cruise Line Age Average

Since you want your honeymoon to be a special event, I highly recommend you to check the age restriction of the cruise line. You wouldn't want to end up on a cruise line that are geared towards elderly gateways or spring break craze teens. If you are seeking a honeymoon cruise, it's best to see the age range of certain type of cruises being offered.

                                                    
 

Applying for Your First Passport
To get your first passport, you need to go to a passport agency. Bring with you :
* Two photographs of yourself;
* Proof of U.S. citizenship (ex: your birth certificate);
* A valid form of photo identification such as a driver's license;
* A passport application form.

Passport agencies are usually a post office, government office or public library. You may not apply for your first passport online. To find an agency near you, visit: http://iafdb.travel.state.gov/.

Your first passport will get you through the next 10 years and will cost $97 if you're age 16 or older. Child passports last for five years and cost $82.   It takes six to eight weeks for your passport to arrive.

Renewing a Passport
You may renew your passport online or by mail. As above, it takes six to eight weeks for your passport to arrive.

Expedited Service
If you are planning to travel within 14 days, look into expedited service. It'll add to your costs but gives you a better chance of having your passport in time.  For an additional $60, you can have your passport in about two weeks. To apply for an expedited passport, you'll need to make an appointment at a regional agency and bring your proof of travel plans with you. Find a passport agency near you.

What to Expect from the New Rules
If you need to apply for a passport, expect two important things:

• Your trip will cost an additional $97 per adult ($82 per child under 16)
• You need to give yourself extra planning time, two months of extra planning time.
  If you'll need a passport for travel in the early part of next year, apply now. Even if you don't have your travel itinerary yet, if you know you will travel next year, do it.

Already, the State Dept. says it has started to see an increase in call volume for appointments at passport agencies. They have added more customer service representatives and expanded customer service hours from 7 AM to 12 AM ET, but heed the warning: passport agencies are busy.

If you're traveling over the holidays this year before the new rules go into effect and won't return to the U.S. until on or after January 23, 2007, you will need to show your passport on your way back to the States.

Air or cruise passengers without passports will have to go through a secondary screening process to verify U.S. citizenship. In this screening, Customs and Border Patrol will look at any evidence of citizenship or identity you may have with you and will verify that information against their databases.

What about emergencies? Contact the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate if you're overseas and find your passport has been lost or stolen. Whether you're overseas or in the U.S. you should report a missing passport immediately protect yourself from identity theft!

MORE INFORMATION
It's always a good idea to get the most recent information before you travel because it can change frequently. For the most recent passport information, visit the State Department's passport Web site at http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html. There you'll find application information, the forms you'll need to apply or renew and where to find a passport agency near you.