Archive for January, 2005

Top 5 Travel Scams

Scams are all around us and unfortunately, travel scams tend to be near the top of the heap. It seems that for every legitimate travel offer there is one that isn’t. According to the National Fraud Information Center, the average loss to fraud in 2004 was $803 per incident — up from $468 two years before. While travel is not at the top of the fraud list (that is reserved for online auctions), it is number two in frequency of complaints. Be sure to steer clear of the folks…

5 Secret Caribbean Bargains

The Caribbean has become a second home to the mega-rich including the likes of Mick Jagger (Mustique), Richard Branson (Necker Island) and Donald Trump (Canouan). But with a bit of careful planning, your jaunt to the sunny shores of some obscure island does not need to break the bank. While those islands will definitely be a pain in the wallet, here are five that won’t. 1. Palm Island. There are more than 30 islands in St. Vincent and the Grenadines — but you don’t want to miss this one. Built…

Don’t Sink Your Next Cruise: 5 Tips

Think a cruise is a problem-free, no-hassle vacation? Think again. As with any uncharted waters, danger lurks below the surface. The brochures may advertise smooth sailing — after all, they’re brochures — but as a travel advisor, I know better. Cruise lines haven’t conducted any surveys on floating vacations that head south, figuratively speaking. But I estimate that roughly one in 75 trips run into serious trouble. Most problems can be avoided with a little effort. Here’s how not to become a statistic: 1. Know the required documentation. While the…

Don’t Sink Your Next Cruise: 5 Tips

Think a cruise is a problem-free, no-hassle vacation? Think again. As with any uncharted waters, danger lurks below the surface. The brochures may advertise smooth sailing — after all, they’re brochures — but as a travel advisor, I know better. Cruise lines haven’t conducted any surveys on floating vacations that head south, figuratively speaking. But I estimate that roughly one in 75 trips run into serious trouble. Most problems can be avoided with a little effort. Here’s how not to become a statistic: 1. Know the required documentation. While the…