April 2020

Travel: Navigating a New Normal…

Published on April 10, 2020 in Travel/Travel Agent by Crystal Boston

I have written several blogs about the benefits of working with a Travel Agent. During the past few weeks, I have seen many cases where someone booked on their own and was challenged with the process of modifying their travel plans…

The benefit of using a Travel Agent, especially during times like these, is that I work for you and I am on your side!

Just as soon as cancellations and closures were announced I went to work for my clients that were directly affected and advised them of their options. I was able to successfully take care of all my clients with a quick email reply from them letting me know their decision about their upcoming travel plans. I worked however long necessary to take care of each and every client.

The events of the past few weeks have impacted us all in many ways, including the travel industry. The events of the past few weeks have impacted my small business…

What many people don’t know or realize is that my full-time job as a Travel Agent is not an hourly or salary job. I am an Independent Contractor, self-employed, with annual licensing and state certification fees as well as other business-related expenses. I often spend hours with my clients, planning experiences to help make their trip perfect for them, and then, when travel plans are cancelled, I work again to help you secure your refund or modify your dates, all before I see any compensation for my work.
You see, when you book a trip utilizing my travel planning services I am not paid by the supplier until after you travel, and if you don’t travel, I don’t earn any income...

For those, like myself, who do this full-time, our livelihoods were turned upside down in a matter of days. But travel isn’t just a job for me, it’s a career that I’m passionate about, and I feel that I have developed a level of knowledge, customer service, trust and connections that makes me valuable to my clients.

And, as a Travel Agent, I rely on you just as much as you rely on me! I rely on bookings and referrals from you to bring business my way. You influence my business and I need you now, more than ever, to help support my business moving forward.

I know travel may be the last thing on your mind right now, and I understand that. But what I’m asking now is that, when you are ready to travel again, instead of clicking that online booking service, I hope that you will reach out to me to help you with navigating a new normal…

And I want to say THANK YOU to those that have continued to book their future travel plans thru me or sent referrals my way – your continued support, while always appreciated, means even more now!!

For now, stay home and stay safe, and I look forward to helping you with your travel plans once we get through this together!

Stay up to date with all Disney Destinations as well as other travel destinations!
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Travel – FACTS not Rumors…

Published on April 1, 2020 in Airlines/Aulani/Cruise Vacations/Disney Cruise Line/Disneyland/International Travel/Universal Parks & Resorts Vacations/Walt Disney World by Crystal Boston

As a Travel Agent specializing in Disney and Universal vacations, I have been working to take care of my Guests directly affected by resort and park closures as well as cruise itinerary cancellations for Disney Cruise Line.

While working with my Guests I have received many questions related to rumors posted on other blogs and social media pages. I am here today to explain the current situation with information direct from Disney and Universal – this is not rumor, this is FACT!

Walt Disney World Resort in Florida:

UPDATE – MAY 24, 2020 – Plans Unveiled for the Phased Reopening of Walt Disney World Resort Theme Parks, Resort Hotels and Disney Stores

I have advised all my Guests with upcoming travel plans of the current situation and offered the options available to them at this time. Each Guest must choose how to move forward with what works best for them and their family. I can help you book now.

Disneyland Resort in California:

UPDATE – April 2, 2021 – Disneyland Resort Reopening on April 30, 2021
I have advised all my Guests with upcoming travel plans of the current situation and offered the options available to them at this time. Each Guest must choose how to move forward with what works best for them and their family. I can help you book now.

Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa:

UPDATE: September 24, 2020 – Aulani Resort will plan to begin a phased reopening on November 1, 2020
I have advised all my Guests with upcoming travel plans of the current situation and offered the options available to them at this time. Each Guest must choose how to move forward with what works best for them and their family. I can help you book now.

Disney Cruise Line:

UPDATE: July 23, 2021 – Disney Cruise Line Resumes Sailings on the Disney Dream
Disney Cruise Line announced plans for a return to service, beginning with the Disney Dream, which will depart Port Canaveral starting August 9, 2021. New health & safety updates will be in effect for all sailings. I can help answer any questions you may have or assist you with booking your next cruise now.

UPDATE: June 8, 2021 – Disney Cruise Line Extends Suspension of Sailings
As Disney Cruise Line continues to refine protocols for an eventual return to service, they have announced the cancellation of additional 2021 sailings.

Disney Dream departures through 8/6/21
Disney Fantasy departures through 8/28/21
Disney Wonder departures through 9/19/21
Disney Magic departures in the U.S. through 11/4/21

UPDATE: May 14, 2021 – Disney Cruise Line Suspends All Departures through July 2021
As Disney Cruise Line continues to refine protocols for an eventual return to service, they have announced the cancellation of additional 2021 sailings for all Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy sailings through July 2021, and all Disney Wonder sailings through July 12, 2021.

UPDATE: April 6, 2021 – Disney Cruise Line Suspends All Departures through June 2021, and Disney Magic European sailings through Sept. 19, 2021
As Disney Cruise Line continues to refine protocols for an eventual return to service, they have announced the cancellation of additional 2021 sailings.

UPDATE: February 24, 2021 – Disney Cruise Line Suspends All Departures through May 2021 and Disney Magic Sailings thru August 10, 2021
As Disney Cruise Line continues to refine protocols for an eventual return to service, they have announced the cancellation of additional 2021 sailings. Sailings are cancelled aboard the Disney Fantasy, Dream and Wonder through May 2021; and Disney Magic through Augsut 10, 2021. Additionally, based on the conditional sail order provided by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Disney Cruise Line must cancel sailings longer than 7 nights.

UPDATE: January 27, 2021 – Disney Cruise Line Suspends All Departures through April 2021 and Select Disney Magic and Disney Wonder Sailings in May 2021
As Disney Cruise Line continues to refine protocols for an eventual return to service, they have announced the cancellation of additional 2021 sailings. Sailings are cancelled aboard the Disney Fantasy through April 24; the Disney Dream through April 30; the Disney Magic through May 6 and Disney Wonder through May 12. Additionally, based on the conditional sail order provided by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Disney Cruise Line must cancel sailings longer than 7 nights.

UPDATE: January 12, 2021 – Disney Cruise Line Sailings Suspended Through March 2021
As Disney Cruise Line continues to refine protocols for an eventual return to service, they have announced the cancellation of all sailings through March 2021.

Adventures by Disney:

UPDATE – April 1, 2021 – Adventures by Disney Departures Suspended Through April 2021
With the well-being of our Guests and Guides as our top priority and in line with direction from health experts and government officials, Adventures by Disney has decided to suspend most of our adventures through the end of April.

Universal Parks & Resorts Vacations (Florida & California):

Universal Parks & Resorts Vacations in California will reopen on April 16, 2021

UPDATE: June 5, 2020 – Universal Orlando Resort Hotels and Parks are open and welcoming Guests again!

Other Cruise and Land Vacation Destinations:

While I do specialize in Disney and Universal vacations, I also help book and plan other cruise and land vacation destinations and I have been keeping my clients that have been directly affected by closures and cancellations updated about their options.

Cruise Lines:

UPDATE: April 6, 2021 – Currently, many cruise lines have suspended all sailings each with different dates to resume sailing. Please check with your Travel Agent or whoever you booked thru for specific details about your specific reservations.

Land Destinations:

As for land vacation destinations, it depends on the destination, please check with your Travel Agent or whoever you booked thru for specific details about your specific reservations.

Airlines:

Airlines are still operating but on a limited schedule and are adjusting travel dates and times based on occupancy of certain itineraries. Please check with your Travel Agent or whoever you booked thru for specific details about your specific reservations.

If you booked your travel plans thru a Travel Agent and they have not yet reached out to you this is likely because your travel dates are not yet directly affected and they are working to take care of their clients with travel plans that are currently directly affected by closures and cancellations, April and some May travel dates. Please be patient, in this type of situation, it is typically in your best interest to wait until your trip is cancelled by the supplier before making any decisions about cancelling or rebooking your future travel plans.

Please do not hesitate to reach out to me with any questions or if you would like more information about anything. I will share as much as I know and can share. I will also post updates as they become available on my social media platforms, please see the links to each below.

(i.e.: If you are not my client I cannot legally or professionally advise you about your current travel plans, you will need to reach out to whoever you booked thru. But, if you are not yet booked for future travel and wish to discuss future travel plans, I can assist and advise to the best of my ability with the information I have available).

While the White House has issued an April 30, 2020 social distancing guideline, please follow this or the guidelines set by your local state or county. If you are not an essential employee, please stay home. These guidelines are being implemented for the safety and well-being of everyone and the more of us that follow the guidelines the better off we will all be in 14 – 30 days and we will then [hopefully] be able to get back to a more normal way of life again very soon!

Stay healthy, stay home and practice social distancing!

CDC / WHO

Stay up to date with all Disney Destinations as well as other travel destinations!
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