Welcome to the fourteenth edition of SINGLE PARENT TRAVEL e-zines - a continuing series of monthly newsletters created for the community of single parents and single adults who like to travel with their kids.

In this issue:

I. THE BRAND SPANKING NEW SingleParentTravel.Net COMMUNITY II. TRAVELING OUT OF THE U.S. WITHOUT THE "OTHER" PARENT III. UNCOVERED - SINGLE PARENT SPECIALS
IV. RECOMMENDED READING
V. PARENTS WITHOUT PARTNERS SPONSORS A CRUISE VI. SUBSCRIBERS SPEAK UP-REQUESTS, INQUIRIES, COMMENTS

Special Note: A few days ago, my computer suffered a catastrophic failure. Unfortunately, I had been a bit lax lately in backing up my email files. If anyone sent me an email and didn't receive a response, please send it again. Next weekend I will install an automatic backup system. Around the same time, my daughter's laptop was stolen from her hotel room in London while she was on a business trip. She keeps track of all the comments for my monthly newsletter. So if we missed any comment that was supposed to be sent out on this newsletter, we are sorry. Please let us know and we will include it next time.

Brenda Elwell

I. THE BRAND SPANKING NEW SingleParentTravel.Net COMMUNITY Many of you have been asking us to put up bulletin boards on http://www.SingleParentTravel.net so that you can meet other traveling single parents or trade tips and suggestions. After months of struggling, we finally found an inexpensive (as in free) solution. We have created a bulletin board on another Web site called ezboard. We have started with four boards:

Looking for a Travel Buddy
Destination Suggestions
Single Parent Specials
Tips for Traveling with Kids

To get started, click here: http://www.singleparenttravel.net/BBoards/index.htm!

II. TRAVELING OUT OF THE U.S. WITHOUT THE "OTHER" PARENT, PART I

We frequently receive comments about single parent families struggling through the documentation issues of traveling abroad. In response, we have done some of our own research on the topic. Below we include information on the new (July 2002) requirements for obtaining passports for minors under the age of 14 and entry requirements for the UK. (In the next next issue we will provide entry requirements for Canada and Mexico.) Don't take our word for it, though, DO YOUR OWN RESEARCH. This is critical because requirements change. If you find information that conflicts with ours, please e-mail my daughter at monique@SingleParentTravel.net and she will update SingleParentTravel.net.)

So how do you research this topic on your own? Three steps.

1. Read the Consular Sheets http://travel.state.gov/travel_warnings.html
The sheets provide contact info for embassies and consulates are kept fairly up to date by the U.S. government.

2. Contact the embassy or consulate of your destination.
The destination country has the final say, but remember, what you hear from a bureaucrat over the phone, may not equate to what you hear from immigration officials upon entering the country. Make certain to document phone calls in writing by jotting down the name of the person you spoke to, the date, and the number you called. This may help you in a difficult situation.

For a list of phone numbers and Web sites, try this Web site: http://consulate.travel.com.hk/

3. Contact your airline, cruise line or tour operator and ask what they require for your particular situation. Airlines, cruise lines and tour operators are subject to enormous fines from the destination country. As such, they may be over cautious and require more documentation than the destination country. The documentation requirements for a destination may differ based on the time spent in that country and the way that you enter the country (airport, seaport, land).

We recommend that you err on the side of over documentation. This is particularly relevant if your name differs from your child or if you look significantly different from your child. In other words, regardless of the situation, you should bring the child's passport, his or her birth certificate and a notarized letter of permission from the non-accompanying parent. If you are unable to obtain the letter, provide a substitute: documentation proving you have custody of the child, a death certificate of the other parent, or any other documentation relating to your situation. A sample letter of permission is available on our Web site at http://www.singleparenttravel.net/Articles/Documentation/Notarized%20Letter.htm courtesy of Family Travel Forum.

On July 2, 2001 a new law went into effect outlining the special requirements for children under the age of 14. Detailed requirements for obtaining a passport are on the U.S. Department of State Passport Service's Web site http://travel.state.gov/specialreq.html. In this article, I address only those requirements that deal with parental permission. To satisfy the new requirements for parental permission, either
1. Both parents must appear together and sign or
2. One parents appears, signs, and submits second parent's written statement of consent (including the child's name and date of birth) authorizing passport issuance for the child or
3. One parents appears, signs, and submits primary evidence of sole authority to apply (such as one of the following):
* Child's certified U.S. or foreign birth certificate (with translation, if necessary) listing only applying parent; or
* Consular Report of Birth Abroad (Form FS-240) or Certification of Birth Abroad (Form DS-1350) listing only applying parent; or
* Court order granting sole custody to the applying parent (unless child's travel is restricted by that order); or
* Adoption decree (if applying parents is sole adopting parent); or
* Court order specifically permitting applying parent's or guardian's travel with the child; or
* Judicial declaration of incompetence of non-applying parent; or
* Death certificate of non-applying parent.

If none of the above documentation is available, the applying parent/guardian should submit a signed statement to the passport agency (including the child's name and date of birth) explaining why the non-applying parent/guardian's consent cannot be obtained.

If someone other than the parent of the child is applying for a passport on behalf of a minor under the age of 14, then they must do the following. Submit a notarized written statement or affidavit from both parents or guardians authorizing a third-party to apply for a passport. When the statement or affidavit is from only one parent/guardian, the third-party must present evidence of sole custody of the authorizing parent/guardian.

Another interesting discovery from passport services was that parents who are in arrears of child support payments in excess of $5,000 are ineligible to receive a U.S. Passport.

Below, we have researched the UK's entry requirements.Next month we will provide entry requirements for Canada and Mexico, two other popular destinations. (Would you like us to research another destination for you? E-mail monique@SingleParentTravel.net and we will post our findings in subsequent newsletters.)

ENTRY INTO THE UK
British Consulate in NY
(212) 745-0200
http://www.britainusa.com

According to Steve Thompson at the NY British Consulate the only thing required to get into the UK for an adult and minor child is a passport, a return ticket and spending money. Continental Airlines confirmed this, but added that it would be better if a single parent traveled with a notarized permission letter. Other information on this topic can be found in the documentation section of Single Parent Travel [http://www.singleparenttravel.net/Articles/Documentation/index.htm], including helpful comments from readers with real experiences, a sample notarized letter of permission and an article on this topic from Family Travel Forum.

III. UNCOVERED - SINGLE PARENT SPECIALS

* Coastal Carolina Boat Tours
Rumrunner charters offers sightseeing and or fishing trips along the outer banks of North Carolina. Guests leave from Harkers Island NC, near the Morehead City/ Beaufort area of NC. They go looking for dolphin, explore the Cape Lookout lighthouse, see the wild banker ponies, cruise the Beaufort and Morehead City waterfronts and fish the local waters for mackerel, flounder, bluefish or whatever's biting. Kids get to drive the boat! 25' Carolina built boat with full cabin, twin 140 Outboards. 1-5 persons.

If you mention SingleParentTravel.net, Bill will give you $50.00 off a full or half day trip!!

Prices (per trip, not person):
2 1/2 hour Sunset Cruise $75.00
1/2 Day Tour and/or Fish $250.00
Full Day Tour and/or Fish $400.00
Add 2 1/2 hr sunset cruise to 1/2 or full Day trip $40.00

Contact Bill Carver and tell him Single Parent Travel sent you!
Phone: 919-489-8308
E-Mail: bctarheel@yahoo.com

* Pinelands, Ontario, Canada
Their Web site, http://www.pinelands.ca, offers a Single Parent Special that is available all season. For this special, single parents pay the standard adult rate for the adult and half the standard adult rate for the first child for a standard room. Subsequent children in the family pay according to the children's rates listed on their Web site. (Children must occupy same unit as adults.)

Jean-anne of Pinelands gave me an example. For one of their summer packages a standard room for two adults would be $292. For a single parent family, the charge for the adult would be $146 and the charge for the child would be $73. Additional children would be charged the child's rate. Rates vary throughout the season so call 1-800-461-4260 or go to their Web site at http://www.pinelands.ca.

* Melia hotel in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Thanks to K.K for some feedback on the Melia hotel property in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. "My nine month old daughter and I returned yesterday from Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. We stayed at the Melia, Puerto Vallarta. It was wonderful!!! Everyone at the hotel were so helpful and accommodating. I had to pay a "single parent price" which was about $400.00 more than double occupancy price. For my daughter I had to pay a $30.00 tax. The hotel had cribs for the rooms, high chairs in the restaurant, and a Club 4 program which is for children 0 -4, they have 2 wonderful staff who love young children. The program was just play time and they have playpens set up for nap time with TV monitors on at all times!!! They also have a mini club for kids 4 and up. These services were available for parents who were NOT leaving the hotel grounds, but that wanted some time to themselves. I utilized it during the hottest hours of the day, at which time my daughter usually slept, and I could bask in the sun! The food was excellent and so was the service. I have recently been widowed and needed some time with my baby to play and heal. I will go back for sure!"

We called Melia, while their rates are typically $320/night based on double person occupancy, we were glad to find a special that they are running through August 31. Under the terms of the special, a single adult with one child under 12 pays $108 TOTAL for a single room. A single adult with two children pays $144 TOTAL for a double room. I had trouble understanding the agent, so check your prices carefully before booking. Melia can be reached at -888-95-MELIA in the US or 901 24 44 44 in Spain. The free phone in the UK is 0800 962720 and Sydney (61 2 94191777) and Australia (no city mentioned) 1 800 221 176. They also have a Web site http://www.meliahotels.com/cgi-bin/solmelia/home/home?1.

IV. RECOMMENDED READING

* Harry Pariser's "Explore the Virgin Islands"
In our last newsletter, I mentioned that I recently received a copy of Harry Pariser's "Explore the Virgin Islands." I sang his book's praises, but forgot to mention that Harry has offered a special price of $15 for a signed copy of each of his books: "Explore the Virgin Islands", "Explore Costa Rica", or "Explore the Virgin Islands" for subscribers of the Single Parent Travel newsletter. (They are normally $17.95.) In order to get this discount, please purchase them from him directly at
Manatee Press
PO Box 225001
San Francisco CA 94122-5001
Make check out to: "Harry S. Pariser" If you have any questions, feel free to contact Harry at (415) 665-4829.

Harry Pariser is an award winning travel writer who has written ten different travel guides on the Caribbean and Central America, areas that make great single parent travel destinations. Harry's books are published by Manatee Press and are available for purchase online at http://www.amazon.com and http://www.bn.com, as well as at Borders, Barnes and Noble and bookstores in the U.S., Canada and Europe. Alternatively, you can order books through SCB Distributors at 800-729-6423. More information is available online at http://www.exploreavirgin.com and http://www.savethemanatee.com. Enjoy! The books are informative, easy to read, and have my stamp of approval.

* Elliott's E-Mail!
Christopher Elliott publishes a free weekly email newsletter, entitled "Elliott's E-Mail". It features columns that help you save money when you travel by air, land or sea. These aren't ordinary tips you'd find in your Sunday newspaper travel section. No, they tend to be rather controversial and therefore, don't show up on the main stream media. Personally, I wound up spending WAY too much time reading some of his stories. In order to sign up, click on http://groups.yahoo.com/group/elliottslist

* Parents with out Partners
Parents without Partners published my article "Single Parenting Down the Snake" in their February 2002 edition of their magazine "The Single Parent". You can view the article off our Web site at http://www.singleparenttravel.net/Articles/snake.htm. Excerpt: "Before kids I was free-wheeling, ready to race down an expert ski trail in the Rockies or Alps. But once I became a parent - and later a single parent -- I grew more fearful. So here I was, apprehensive inside, trying to look like Super Cool Mom on the outside."

V. PARENTS WITHOUT PARTNERS SPONSORS A CRUISE
Parents Without Partners is sponsoring a five night Western Caribbean Cruise from Tampa which sails to Grand Cayman and Playa Del Carmen/Cozumel. The cruise is from October 5 to October 10, 2002. While we at Single Parent Travel think that Parents Without Partners is a fabulous organization, we were a bit surprised to find that the fine print says "based on double person occupancy". Even though you have to put up with a single supplement, it would be worth considering since you will meet many single parent families. Information is available on their Web site http://www.ParentsWithoutPartners.org or call Helen Lutz at Doneson Crown Travel at 800-772-5811

Prices for the cruise are $330 for an adult, $330 for the first child, $120 for the second child and $120 for the third, plus $145 port charges per person. For example, a family of three would be $1,215 and would probably get a double room with a rollaway bed. Helen told me that Carnival has an excellent children's program, but being a single parent herself, she was dismayed that Carnival didn't cater more towards the single parent family specifically. Then again, so are we, and that is why we created SingleParentTravel.net!

VI. SUBSCRIBERS SPEAK UP-REQUESTS, INQUIRIES, COMMENTS
One of our readers sent in a request to meet fellow travelers. "I was wondering if there is any other single parents near where I live who would like to travel with me and my daughter. I will take my first trip (just me & my daughter) for the first time in April but it will be great if one or two other families can join us. It will be especially better if the children's ages are similar. I live in Sunnyvale, CA which is about an hour drive away from San Francisco." Jumie can be contacted at jumie@artisan.com

POSTING MESSAGES
Feel free to send me your comments, queries or feedback to me directly at: globalbrenda@yahoo.com or to the list directly at: SingleParentTravel@yahoogroups.com. Please note that comments sent to the list must pertain to single parent travel.