This Travel Advisor's Opinions On The COVID-19 Hysteria...

It's March~ and things in my industry are pretty bad. Today I really wanted- no need to share another point of view. I hope you will read this post to the end, and give my words consideration!

At his point I swear if I hear the "C" word once more I am going to scream! I honestly had to stop watching the news because I was getting SO angry, I was fearful for my own health and well being! Yes, angry! The media has everyone SO hysterical they honestly should be held responsible for the mess they have created! Many medical professionals (Dr. Oz and Dr. Drew Pinsky to name two) have come straight out in their interviews and said; "The hysteria created by the media~ is in fact worse than the virus itself!"

Let's look at some facts! The COVID-19 has been directly responsible for 4,264 (as of March 10, 2020) deaths around the world. Most of those in China! While standard and annual "influenza" killed just over 12,000 people from October 2019 to February 2020! STOP... look at those numbers! Yet, most people have never heard, or said a word about the flu, only Corona Virus! IF a person is even tested positive for the COVID-19, you have a 99% chance (even higher if you have no other health issues) that you will recover completely after a few days!

The ridiculous behavior; such as buying huge quantities of toilet paper! (Really? Stop it you look stupid!) OR.. canceling your own life and travels, when you are not even going anywhere until June... or later! Completely unnecessary and a decision you will regret later! This last statement, obviously is one that is striking very close to "home" for me and others in the travel industry!

From that point I think it is time to talk about one VERY important and not often talked about fact! I love what I do~ and so do most Travel Advisors who are still in this business! But let's be honest people~ no one works for free! There I said it! Your Travel Advisor works~ hard for YOU! But you do not pay for our services- the cruise lines and vacation tour companies pay us! But here's what you do not know. IF you cancel your vacation, out of fear and concern, "we" do not get paid! What's worse; if you cancel inside of 60-days (for most of the cruise lines) from your vacation start date, your Travel Advisor has not only already done most of the work, we have also already been paid! SO... guess what?! The cruise lines (in particular) will "recall", or bill us back for the work we already did! No lie! How would you feel if you went to work one day and your boss asked for your pay check back?

Now do not get me wrong. I do not expect anyone to take this fact into consideration when making your final decisions on traveling. Especially if you are genuinely scared for your well being. However it is my hope that these words and facts may have also changed your mind. Or at least has you thinking... is your fear actually based on fact?

I hope you have considered these facts, and the opinions of this Professional Travel Advisor. If you have any questions, concerns, or comments I would love to hear from you!

www.dreamcatchervacations.com

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Will You Be "Compliant" in 2020?

This post will be a bit different from my normal. But it's a topic I feel VERY passionate about!

In today's' world we have rules and restrictions set in place for our "protection". To many people these rules are all they know! But to so many people reading this post, they are annoying, freedom sucking, life changing restrictions, that we have not always had to deal with in our lives.

That being said; they are sadly necessary, and must be observed. The next step our government has taken to protect us will further restrict travel. It's really not to restrict us! But in fact makes it harder for those sad and sick humans out there that want to hurt or kill all Americans.

Starting on October 1, 2020; no one will be allowed to board a plane without a valid, "compliant" government issued I.D. First point to clear-up; this means ANY plane! If you live in Northern California and want to take the one hour flight to Southern California- no valid compliant I.D.? You will not travel!

So, what is a compliant I.D.? The best form of identification in our country is a valid U.S. Passport! It always has been, and that has not changed! For travel within the United States; you may also now use something called a "REAL ID". (IF you have not renewed your driver's license lately~ you don't have one!) Now this REAL ID, will get you on board a "local" flight. But you can not use it to travel anywhere Internationally (this includes Mexico and Canada). This new ID is a good thing. But having a U.S. Passport is still- and always will be- the BEST form of identification!

IMPORTANT POINT~ you do not need both! I have had travelers that I work with that did not understand that, because of the way this information is being shared! But rest assured; this is exactly why I say again... just get your U.S. Passport!

I have been traveling my entire life! As a child my parents' favorite vacation was cruising! So, I have experienced a lot of the Caribbean and Mexico! (Back in the day they were the most popular destinations for "regular folk"! Only the very wealthy went to Europe!) I got my first U.S. Passport before I became a teenager!

My point for bringing up my own travels; if you were born in the United States of America, YOU have been blessed with the freedom to travel the world! (So many people are not "allowed" to come and go as they please!) SO... please... take advantage of your birth right and GET YOUR PASSPORT!

When you have that U.S. Passport you are "compliant", and good to go for ten years! So dream of wonderful, beautiful, tropical destinations around the world~ and then contact Teri at DreamCatcher!