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The AAA Companion
July | August 2005
Volume 79 Issue 4
Volume 79 Issue 4
The departments of State and Homeland Security have made the following changes to passport requirements:
Expired forms no longer accepted. Old passport application and renewal forms dated March 31, 2005 or earlier will no longer be accepted. This is contrary to previous instructions from the U.S. Passport Office. The new forms were redesigned to reflect new security fees.
Passports will be required for all international travel. This requirement (currently in the proposed rulemaking stage), will be rolled out in three phases:
- Dec. 31, 2005: Passport required for all travel to or from the Caribbean, Bermuda, Central and South America.
- Dec. 31, 2006-Passport required for all travel to or from Mexico and Canada.
- Dec. 31, 2007-Passport required for all air, sea and land border crossings.
For more information contact your local AAA Travel professional, visit www.aaa.com, or visit the only official U.S. government website for passport information at http://travel.state.gov/ passport, or call 877-487-2778.
Ride the rails in Europe
While Americans primarily rely on cars and planes for domestic travel, Europeans regularly use their reliable rail system, which is part of everyday life. For Americans, trains can also add adventure, romance and excitement to any vacation, while providing practical benefits.
- No extra costs. A railpass means one set price, paid in U.S. dollars at home, for a given number of days of unlimited travel on the rail network of one, two or more countries (depending on the pass).
- Centrally located stations. Unlike airports, European train stations are centrally located. Sightseeing attractions, hotels, banks and information offices are generally within walking distance.
- Affordable first-class travel. On a train, first class costs only 20-40% more than second, depending on the ticket or railpass.
For more information, contact your AAA Travel professional or visit "Europe" on the Travel page of www.aaa.com.
Make the most of summer snapshots
Summer is here — time to get out the camera. If you want to photograph July 4th fireworks, you'll get the best results with a tripod and a time exposure. Focus your camera on infinity then keep the shutter open for several bursts. If you have a manual camera that allows control of shutter speed, set it on "bulb" or "time."
Exposure is not critical, but a larger lens opening will make the lines thinner and darker. When tracing the fireworks upon the film using a time exposure, an aperture of f8 with a film of speed 1000 ASA usually works.
Summer vacations are also a great time for family photos. Here are three tips:
- Get in nice and close, or use a zoom or a telephoto lens to accomplish the same effect. Fill the frame with the subject.
- Get down to your child's level. This viewpoint will add interest to your photos and help establish a person- to-person rapport between the viewer and the subject.
- Give children something to concentrate on besides the camera. A toy or key chain makes an ideal center of attention for a young child, giving you time to get exactly the shot you want.
Cruising and your risk tolerance
Before booking a cruise, you should consider two different programs that cruise lines offer: the Air/Sea Program and the Cabin Guarantee. When reviewing each, though, you need to consider how much you're prepared to risk for the possibility of either savings or a cabin upgrade.
With the Air/Sea Program, you let the cruise line book your flights. Cons: You probably won't get the least expensive fare, the cruise line gets to choose the air carrier, the routing and city airport, and the tickets may be highly restrictive. Pros: The cruise line can respond quickly in the event of a last-minute itinerary change, without penalty, and your airport/ship transfers will be included.
The Cabin Guarantee means that you have agreed to be booked in a specific category of cabin, but not a specific cabin. Cons: You might not know your specific cabin until the day of sailing, and it may be anywhere on the ship (such as near elevators or far forward, which can be more sensitive to the motion of the ship). Pros: You may pay less for your room than others with assigned cabins, and you have the chance of being upgraded to a higher category cabin.
With both programs, you need to know all the details before deciding what's best for you. A good travel professional can help you in this situation.
Talking turkey about holiday bookings
When you're enjoying the first days of summer, it can be difficult to think about the end of the year. Unfortunately, most families have at least one tale of trying to book last-minute holiday travel and not succeeding.
Thanksgiving is the most popular time of year for air travel, and the rest of the holiday season isn't far behind. As such, most seats for air travel in November, December and January are gone by mid-August, according to travel agents.
Particularly popular bookings for winter travel this year include Hawaii, Mexico and cruise vacations.
So, even if the temperatures are in the 80s and 90s, it's time to think of winter's chill and book your trip now. Flights can be booked online at www.aaa.com. Early booking can also save you money, because you can shop around for the best deals instead of being forced to take the only seat available — maybe at a high price.
Remember, when it comes to Thanksgiving travel, turkeys can't fly.
Tips for traveling with children
Family travel is booming. A recent survey noted a 35% increase in the number of adults who had vacationed with children within the past year. That same survey found that 69% of active travelers cited "spending time with family" as very important or extremely important — up more than 20% from an earlier survey. A separate study revealed that two-thirds of all active leisure travelers had taken a family vacation within the past several years. Here is some practical advice for before you go, once you're en route, and after you arrive.
Before You Go — It's better to budget and pay for as much as possible before the vacation. Consider a family-friendly escorted tour, where all the major cost components are built into the price of the trip and paid for in advance.
En Route — Keep children's snacks and favorite toys close at hand, all packed in a separate, easily accessible carry-on bag.
Once You're There — Schedule the more strenuous, educational, or parent-oriented activities for the morning. Younger children in particular are fresher and more energetic in the morning, so that's the time for cultural or historical sites that may be of greater interest to parents. Also, the promise of a swim in the hotel pool or a trip to the beach that afternoon can be valuable leverage to help get a weary young traveler through a "boring" museum or gallery.
Cruising: less than half the price of 25 years ago
Despite reports that cruise prices are at their highest level in several years due to increased demand, a cruise vacation is a much better bargain than it was 25 years ago. The current minimum price of a seven-day Caribbean cruise from Miami is $599 — just as it was 25 years ago. But when adjusted for inflation, that $599 cruise in 1980 ought to cost $1,521 today.
Ships are different as well-adding real value to your cruise experience. Where older ships were mostly converted transatlantic ocean liners with small cabins and little in the way of on-board amenities, today's cruise ships are stocked with features such as an array of formal and casual dining options, expansive spa and children's facilities, soaring atriums, and double-width promenades lined with myriad entertainment venues.
Staterooms are roomier, with more ocean-view and balcony accommodations than ever before. Internet cafes have been introduced, along with spacious health and fitness centers that rival the best facilities ashore. Cruises can be booked online at www.aaa.com.
Where are you thinking of going?
Each month thousands of AAA members visit the AAA Colorado website, www.aaa.com, in search of hotel rooms, car rentals and airline flights. Here are the top ten destinations researched in May:
| Domestic | International |
| Washington, D.C. | London |
| Phoenix | Calgary |
| Orlando | Cancun |
| San Diego | Paris |
| Boston | Zurich |