Importantly, EES is a different program than ETIAS, which is a separate program that we’ve covered previously. Because these two programs are being implemented around the same time, let’s highlight some of the details and differences.

EES:

• You don’t need to do anything before traveling.
• Biometric data will be collected at entry. Children under 12 years of age will not be fingerprinted.
• It does not require paying an entry fee.
• Applies to all non-EU and non-Schengen passport holders.

ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorization System)

• You do need to complete a digital application form before you travel.
• Basic traveler information will be collected at application, but this program does not capture biometric data.
• There is a €20 fee due at time of application. The fee can be waived for people under 18 and over 70.
• Applies to any visa-free nationals that are traveling to these European countries.

The EES should become faster over time, but it’s quite slow right now.

These two programs have different aims. Going through the EES happens every time a traveler enters or leaves any of these countries and it is intended to track the movements of travelers through them. ETIAS is intended to raise money and control entry before travel. Additionally, the EES is active now and ETIAS is being rolled out in the last quarter of 2026.

Right now, the EES seems to be slowing down entry to Europe. Just a matter of two weeks ago, we had personal experience entering the travel zone at the Lisbon cruise terminal. Disembarkation took several hours to clear customs. That’s not great news for upcoming travels but, in the long run, European officials hope that EES will speed up the process.

For the moment, make sure that you plan for extra time to enter Europe.

Also, please note that these changes do not apply to the UK which, rather famously, is not part of Europe, I mean the EU. Indeed, The United Kingdom has it’s own travel fees coming online.

Princess Pours Program, What Is It?

The next update that might interest our readers is a major one from Princess Cruises. Just over a week ago, Princess announced that they are launching a new POURS collection, which will be arriving this summer.

As the name implies, this program is Princess looking to step up their game in the cocktail and mocktail experience. This collection isn’t another beverage package, it’s more of a marketing stunt. Princess wants to capture people’s attention by showing off nice drinks, and they’ve pulled in celebrities to help with that.

The announcement includes promotional images with Matthew and Camila McConaughey, Liev Schreiber​, Jason Momoa, Blaine Halvorson, Jon Bon Jovi and Jesse Bongiovi, and more besides. These stars aren’t just there for pictures, they all have their own alcohols that will now be served on Princess Cruises’ ships. From the McConaughey’s Pantalones Tequila to Kylie Minogue’s no alcohol sparkling rosé.

With the POURS program, you’ll be saying, “Alright, alright, alright…”

As I said, this isn’t a new drinks package so these new beverages will be included in Princess Plus and Premier. Which is nice to hear, since those programs got a price hike a while back.

My favorite thing about this is that as part of this revamp, Princess Cruises is markedly increasing the number of mocktails and other non-alcoholic drinks on offer. This is wonderful news for any sailor that doesn’t drink alcohol, like Nichole. These new offerings include drinks like the Hibiscus Zenberry Crush and Golden Orchard, which bring a level of sophistication without the hangover.

Given the shifting trends in alcohol consumption by the youngest generations, Princess is likely reading the room and looking to enhance their options. With Gen Z consuming far less alcohol than previous generations, increasing NA offerings will appeal to a larger portion of that market. Older generations still consume alcohol at pretty much the same rate between them, but over the years consumers of all ages have trended toward higher quality and more sophisticated drinks. The POURS program hits both of those desires and will step up Princess’ game at the bar, which is something I’m quite glad to see them do.

United Airline Changes: The Good and the Bad

United Airlines has announced several changes recently which are being met with both joy and annoyance.

First, United announced that they will begin kicking people off flights should they be listening to music or shows without headphones. In other words, if someone is broadcasting whatever they are watching to the whole cabin, you may be removed from the plane. While I haven’t personally encountered behavior like this before, it was apparently happening enough that they felt the need to create a rule for it.

Let it be known that if you fly United, you should bring some headphones. Or maybe a book. I really loved A Gentleman In Moscow, so I would pick that up.

In slightly less welcome news, United recently announced Fare Options, separating each seat type into three new forms, Base, Standard, and Flexible. These fare options will have different costs and different rules associated with them.

New fares from United means that you’ll be paying more for miles.

For example, a Base fare ticket will be charged extra if you want to choose your seat location, while a Standard and Flexible fare will let you choose the seat. Similarly, the Base fare will get one checked bag, while the others will have 2 bags. Flexible operates much more like Standard, but can get a refund, while the other two typically do not.

Finally Base Fare, even in business class, doesn’t earn miles when flying or give lounge access. This means you could pay top dollar for a Polaris seat and not get to stay at their special lounge or get a single mile for the flight if you choose the Base Fare option.

This puts United much more in line with how Delta has operated since they announced their fare options around this time last year. All of this comes on the heels of United cutting back their milage program to make it much harder to earn miles outside of the higher-cost seats.

I’ve included a chart from United so you can see some of the restrictions placed on the base fare. The chart you see is specific to Polaris, which is United’s top tier long haul flight cabin. As you can see, the base fare has plenty of restrictions on it.

I wrote an article last year that asked if airline status is worth it. These changes give me one more reason to say, no. I say, fly the best rate in the best seat you care to pay for, and whichever airline that’s with is who you fly on – diamond be damned.

The post You Need To Plan For Long Wait Times With EES appeared first on Far Far Away Travels.

Oh… You’re still here. You want an explanation, you say? Well then, I guess I’ll explain.

Can cruise ships really just change your itinerary?

Once again, yes, cruise ships can just change your itinerary with, basically, no notice. The cruise lines reserve the right to amend, alter, and cancel any part of the cruise, including any ports, and even cancel the entire sailing. To show you what I mean, let’s take a look at a contract from Princess Cruises. It’s a typical representation of a passage contract, which is what you agree to when you book a cruise.

Here is an excerpt from Princess Cruises passage contract:

Except as otherwise provided, Carrier may, for any reason, without prior notice, cancel the cruise; deviate from the scheduled ports of call, route and timetable; call or omit to call at any port or place or cancel or modify any activity on or off the vessel; comply with all governmental laws and orders given by governmental authorities; render assistance to preserve life and property; or change the date or time of sailing or arrival, change the port of embarkation or disembarkation, shorten the Cruise or substitute vessels, aircraft or other transportation or lodging.

Since most people are not versed in legalese, the “Carrier”, in this case, means the cruise line and that wall of text means they can change itinerary plans with no prior notification and they can do so for any reason. The passage contract continues:

Accordingly, You should not make any important arrangements or meetings based on the scheduled Cruise, which may change without liability to Carrier.  Furthermore, the Captain of the vessel as well as the operator of any other means of transportation may, in his/her sole discretion, take any action deemed necessary for the safety, security, comfort, or well-being of any person or to prevent damage to or loss of the vessel.

In other words, this is the cruise line advising you, the passenger, not to make important plans around the cruise ship arriving at where or when its scheduled to arrive. “Important plans” is open to some interpretation, but that could be something like a wedding, a business meeting, a funeral, even a medical appointment. The contract goes on to give notice that the Captain of the ship has the power to, at their sole discretion, change plans and take actions to keep people safe, secure, and comfortable and do the same for the ship itself.

This is just the first paragraph of Section 8, which covers schedule deviations, of 18 sections in the contract. There are three more paragraphs in Section 8 alone.

Lawyers be thorough.

To be clear, I am not one and this is not professional legal interpretation. Additionally, just to be doubly clear, Princess is not being singled out here. That language is similar to other lines, and I chose it because Princess is one of the largest cruise companies in the world so many people have taken a cruise under that exact language.

Should This Make Me Nervous?

Let’s step back and have a reality check about this for a second. When legal structure comes into play it starts to feel intimidating to many folks, which I get. However, this is not the time to hit the panic button.

The reason that this language exists is to protect the cruise companies from lawsuits because they didn’t go to a specific port on the itinerary and ensure that the captain of the cruise ship can make the call to keep a ship safe and undamaged even if it means that the passengers don’t get to go to The Bahamas.

It’s good to ask, can a cruise just change the itinerary, but it’s not a common occurrence.

In practice, this doesn’t really impact your typical cruise all that much. It’s not like cruise lines are out here just taking people’s money and telling them to get bent every time they leave port. It’s in the cruise line’s interest to give the passengers a good time so they want to come back and, broadly speaking, people want more cruises. The cruise industry has grown consistently over the decades to be one of the most popular ways to vacation, especially for families.

Customers often don’t go back to companies when they have a bad time and given the growth of the industry it’s reasonable to conclude that most people are having a good time on cruises.

That’s not to say that bad times don’t happen, though. What you need to know is what to prepare for.

Why do these changes happen?

To understand why the cruise lines reserve the power to change the cruise without prior notice, we need to discuss the realities of sailing.

The moment you step onto a cruise ship, you are embarking on one of the largest vehicles and most complex systems ever created. Take a moment to think about all the things that a cruise ship is, what it contains, and the tasks it performs. It contains hundred or even thousands of hotel rooms for guests, hundreds more rooms for the staff, not to mention the commons spaces like bars or theaters for people to spend time in. There are desalination plants to provide fresh water, there is an engine to propel the ship and provide power to every inch of the vessel. There is a brig, medical facilities, food preparation and storage to feed thousands of people every day. Most have at least one pool, many have two or more, there are hot tubs, gyms, spas, and shops. All of it needs to be cleaned, daily, and the ship is ten stories tall, or more, above the water.

Oh, the water. I almost forgot. The entire thing floats on the ocean and needs to navigate, safely, waters that can experience 100+ mph winds and waves that crest 40 feet or more.

Careful consideration needs to be given to the safety of all the people on board and all the equipment. That’s not something to be taken lightly and cruise lines will do what they need to keep you out of harm’s way. The reason you so rarely hear stories of ships navigating weather like that is because they take pains to avoid it, even if it means skipping ports or changing destinations.

The weather doesn’t even need to be that extreme to cause a problem. Some ports have narrow channels or shallows that could wreak havoc on a massive ship being piloted through tight spaces. If the waves and currents are too strong, ships might not be able to safely dock.

Besides the weather, another reason that needs to be considered is medical emergencies. Sometimes this means that a person needs to be evacuated from the ship and that means changes to schedules or experiences. I’ve taken several cruises that diverted for medical emergencies where we stopped at ports that weren’t planned on so someone could get lifesaving care.

Other considerations are widespread violence or war. We’ve seen companies scuttle destinations or pull out of entire regions because of both of those. Earlier this year, Mexican cartel violence exploded and some lines skipped Mexican ports. On the other side of the world, cruise ships no longer go through the Red Sea because of war in Yemen and ships being threatened.

I’ve given examples of just a few things, but once you consider the complexity of everything at play you start to understand the caution needed. Ships don’t like to change plans because they pick up fuel and supplies at some stops and sourcing all their various needs becomes more challenging the more itineraries are altered. They also, let’s not forget, want you to have a good time and changing plans makes that harder to do in many cases.

While all that is true, the bottom line for a cruise ship is that none of that comes before safety and security.

What recourse do you have?

If the plans change and your entire cruise is altered, there are still obligations that the cruise line has to you but, there are also things they are not obligated to do. Let’s start with what they are obligated to do.

Should the cruise line not stop at a port, they do need to refund you the port fee that you paid. Most of the time these fees are between $5 – $15 per person for each port. They also need to refund you any excursions that were booked at that port, if, and this is critical,you booked it through the cruise line. If youbooked thatexcursion on your own, outside of the cruise company, that loss is on you.

Additionally, if a cruise is shorter in length than what you paid for, you are likely entitled to compensation. As an example, if you paid for a 10 night cruise and the sailing only lasted 5 nights, then there is likely a refund of your fare that you are owed, prorated by the portion of the length of the voyage that was completed. In our example that would be a 50% refund. That may even be true in the case of weather causing the shortening.

You also may have paid attention to the phrase, “Except as otherwise provided”, in the passenger contract above. That clause is, really, about mechanical issues. Should a ship suffer mechanical problems, like an engine failure, those are, typically, considered to be the responsibility of the cruise line and, should they occur, the cruise line then becomes liable for some form of compensation to passengers. The specifics of the compensation will vary by situation, but there will be some form of remedy.

There’s another important document that passengers, at least North American ones, should know about when it comes to their rights, the International Cruise Line Passenger Bill of Rights, the PBOR. This document is not a law, but rather a set of rules that has been adopted by oceangoing members of CLIA, the Cruise Lines International Association. The PBOR outlines certain rights that these companies guarantee for passengers sailing on their ships. Take a few minutes and read it over, it isn’t dense legalese or complex, but it is important.

Beyond what I’ve stated above, there is nothing that a cruise line is obligated to do should they change your itinerary. They owe you no refund, explanation, or apology.

That, and this is true, does not mean that it doesn’t suck if they do that.

What can you do?

Well, there’s really only one thing that you can do should a cruise line decide to change all the plans and not tell you until it’s happening – complain.

There isn’t a better answer than that, truly. Complaining about the way that you were treated or how much the situation sucks is the only thing you can, realistically, do. With that in mind, I’m going to share my advice on how to complain most effectively.

Here are my bona fides on complaining.

• Manager of customer service call center that served 100,000+ customers.
• Food service employee, supervisor, and restaurant manager for 5+ years.
• Twenty years working in customer service and customer engagement and retention.

Believe me when I tell you, I know how to effectively complain.

Here’s the strategy:

1. Do not be rude. Personal insults, hostility, name calling, etc., will always get you little or nothing. The company has more money, PR, and lawyers than you do and the employees are often cogs in a machine given little ability to override policy or compensate people. What abilities, and mental/emotional bandwidth, they do have will not be used on a person who belittles them.
2. Know your rights. Understanding exactly what your rights are gives you grounding in the conversation. Not all employees fully understand the rights of the consumer, not out of maliciousness, but because most call centers suck at providing training to their staff and that’s something that’s only getting worse in my opinion. If you have firm ground to stand on with your argument, you are in a much better position should you need to escalate it.
3. Be firm and consistent. Know what you are looking to get before you complain. If you are looking for an amount, state that amount and don’t change it. It doesn’t mean you are going to get it, but being consistent in what you ask for makes you seem more reasonable.
4. Contact your travel agent. We travel agents have some pull with these companies. I don’t want to overstate our influence, but we do have a different relationship with them than you do as a consumer. If you book through a travel agent, we can help take up the fight with you and coordinate our efforts. There’s also the advantage that we can help advise you on the first three points.
5. As a last resort, publicly air your grievance. Sometimes shaming a company can get results. They want to control their image as much as possible and a public display of your bad interaction can bring about actions. However, you still need to follow the first three rules when you do this. If you post something publicly and you just make yourself look bad, it won’t help your case. Being courteous, professional, informed, and consistent are absolutely key to this working.

This is not a huge problem

I’ve just put more than two thousand words down, explaining the legal structure of passenger contracts and what your rights are under them. That’s a lot of information but it really isn’t that big of deal most of the time.

I’ve sailed on cruises more than most people; it’s part of my job. Changing or cancelling ports has only happened to me once. Yes, we missed some ports we wanted to see because bad weather made it unsafe to stop. In the grand scheme of things, that’s a small problem. The line gave our port fees back and we got some onboard credit for the trouble. I wish we could have stopped there, but sometimes things can’t be helped.

I’ve said this before, many times, but sometimes your job as a traveler is to roll with the punches. No one can control everything in life, and it can get messed up. Keep a level head, try to have a positive attitude and, if something goes wrong, follow the advice I gave above.

The post Can A Cruise Just Change The Itinerary Last Minute? appeared first on Far Far Away Travels.

Late last week, an executive order was signed that commanded TSA agents to be paid. This should not be confused with Congress passing a funding bill for the Department of Homeland Security, far from it. Disfunction still remains within the halls of Capitol Hill and no bill to fund DHS has been passed by both chambers. However, airport wait times dropped on Monday to normal levels.

Where does that leave all of us?

What Was Going On?

The partial government shutdown that’s been going on for more than a month is over Department of Homeland Security funding. DHS includes the Coast Guard, TSA, and Customs and Border Protection, which houses ICE. That last agency is what the impasse revolves around, with Democrats refusing to fund ICE further and Republicans wanting to continue funding ICE as normal.

As the shutdown has dragged on, the funding to pay employees in DHS evaporated. ICE, however, was given a massive funding increase in the reconciliation process last year in Congress and they continue to be paid out of those funds. The relevant impacts for travelers is that ICE has now been deployed to airports and the TSA was working without pay.

I covered this previously and it remains true that it is unclear what ICE agents are doing or can do to support TSA operations. The lack of pay was driving callouts and resignations by TSA agents, leading to huge wait time increases at security screening checkpoints around the nation. Many commented, around the internet, that TSA agents working without pay while watching ICE agents get paid, further embittering them to the entire situation. I cannot say how true that is, but the sentiment is understandable.

TSA Gets Paid

Over the weekend, an executive order was issued that charged DHS to pay TSA employees. Monday, payments hit employee bank accounts and wait times at major airports seem to be down. How is that possible without funding from Congress?

Typically, the answer is, it’s not. However, the reconciliation bill passed last year, which contained the large funding increase for ICE, and is apparently being used to pay TSA agents. It remains unclear whether the move is legal or not. The impacts of the move are clear, though, as callouts at major airports have dropped so have the wait times at security checkpoints.

In the meantime, Congress failed to agree on a measure to restore DHS funding. The Senate passed a resolution to fund DHS, except for ICE, but the House rejected that and responded with their own measure that funded ICE and the rest of the DHS. In turn, the Senate rejected the House measure.

What Does This Mean For Travel?

While TSA agents have been paid, the measure is a temporary one at best. Congress holds the power of the purse and has been unable to agree on how to fund DHS. That means that no more funding is flowing to the agency, which is to say zero, than it was before the executive order to pay TSA agents.

Without an agreement from Congress, the root of the problem remains, and funding for the TSA will hang over every traveler’s head like the Sword of Damocles. It’s possible that someone challenges the legality of the payments, which could put us back at square one. It’s possible that this won’t last for long and we may find ourselves back here within a few weeks. The only remedy is passage of a funding bill, which the two chambers seem to be unable to agree on and the White House has indicated they may not sign even if they do pass legislation.

This funding failure by the U.S. elected representatives has put us all in a quagmire of uncertainty. In February, TSA PreCheck and Global Entrty were shut down. Then PreCheck was almost immediately reinstated following intense backlash from the public. Some days later, Global Entry resumed, although that bit of news was under reported by comparison because we were then dealing with the effects of war with Iran.

It’s good news that TSA agents are getting paid. When people do work, they must be paid for it. It would be better if they were paid in a way that didn’t raise questions of legality. For now, though, the crisis of wait times and paying TSA agents has been mitigated and the wait times at airports have gone back to normal.

The post Airport Wait Times Reduced to Normal as TSA is Paid appeared first on Far Far Away Travels.

What Is Impacted

Over the weekend, airspace over large parts of the Middle East was closed. How long those closures will last is unknown but if past is any indication, it is likely to last for longer than a week. In June of 2025, when the last joint U.S. and Israeli attack on Iran was launched, the airspace disruption lasted for 12 days.

The only clarity to be found regarding travel disruptions is that they are happening. Airspace has already been closed in the region and passengers have already been stranded. To give a sense of scale to the disruption, the airports in Lebanon, Jordan, Israel, Qatar, Kuwait, and the UAE were just some of the countries that experienced flight cancellations.

Airlines have already advised passengers to keep a close eye on their flight status. A number of airlines have issued waivers to impacted passengers allowing rebooking their flight without paying additional fees or higher fares.

What To Expect

This is our take on the situation. If you are traveling to the region soon, definitely in the next two weeks, your flight will almost certainly be delayed or cancelled. Be ready to adjust your plans with no notice.

Travelers who are not traveling to the Middle East may not be directly impacted by the disruptions, but it is likely some knock-on effects will be felt. What those effects are remains unknown but there are a few things that could be easily imagined.

Increased security screening could be seen at all airports. The State Department indicated that this was a caution for U.S. citizens worldwide, which means here at home as well. Additional delays in TSA screening and customs is, in my opinion, likely. These delays are on top of any delays from the Department of Homeland Security’s decision last week to suspend Global Entry and TSA PreCheck (they quickly reinstated PreCheck).

The U.S. State Department’s Worldwide Travel Caution Could Herald Many Headaches.

Beyond the security delays, airlines themselves are massive machines and disrupting travel in one region can make things harder in other regions. I guarantee that you’ve had a flight delayed because a flight was delayed from another region. That could be because flight crew was needed from the other flight or it is just causing a disruption in takeoff and landing schedules.

The worldwide travel caution may also mean more crowded airports with more passengers on edge. Last-minute cancellations and delays could mean people stuck at terminals waiting hours or days. Those frustrations compound on everyone in the airport and airplane. Flight crews then have to deal with the additional pressure.

In short, be ready for tension and stress when traveling.

What Can You Do?

I give this advice to every single person who travels, regardless of the circumstances, timing, or destination: “Be aware, be prepared, and be reasonable.”

When you plan for the possibility of delays, it’s less stressful when they happen. If you get travel insurance, it can protect you from losses from disruptions. If you stay reasonable and calm, especially when dealing with employees of companies like Delta (think of gate agents and flight attendants), it will pay dividends.

The post State Department Issues Worldwide Travel Caution For All Americans appeared first on Far Far Away Travels.

Climbing Number of Cruise Ship Outbreaks

2025 saw 23 recorded outbreaks on cruise ships. That number is up from 18 in 2024. That marks an increase of almost 27.8% year over year. This is a similar, but slightly slower, increase from the 2023-24, which was at a rate of around 28.6%. Both of these numbers are higher than the overall cruise passenger growth during that time, which is to say more people are cruising and they are getting sick more frequently.

As I’ve mentioned in the past, norovirus is by far and away the most common cause of illness. Of the recorded outbreaks last year, almost 74% of them were norovirus. That percentage could be higher since there are unknown illnesses, which means that VSP could not determine what the illness was. Typically, this is done with bacterial cultures made from samples taken from spaces the impacted people all had in common, like a dining area or the pool. Those do not always create clear results, such as a large culture of one type of bacteria. That means that even the unknown illnesses could also have been norovirus.

The Good News

I’m a silver lining sort of person, much to the irritation of many people around me, so I will almost always find the nugget of hope, but there is one to find here. Thus far in 2026, the number of recorded cruise ship outbreaks is lower than previous years at a similar point. We’ve just passed the halfway point of February and there’s only one (1) recorded outbreak at this time.

That number can increase as reports are slightly delayed from initial detection and reporting to the Vessel Sanitation Program (VSP). The delay makes sense as it takes a bit of time to examine and culture problems areas and then log them in the system. As of writing (February 16^th), I could easily see an outbreak from the last two weeks not being entered, or even an ongoing outbreak that has yet to conclude from being reported.

However, if we can stick to an average of a single outbreak per month we’d be doing much better than 2025. Since January only had the one occurrence, we’re on track so far.

I can’t find anything specific from any cruise line regarding different approaches to maintenance, but after two years of increasing outbreak numbers it would strike me as sensible that at least some of them reassessed their protocols for cleaning.

What Does This Mean For You?

Putting this in perspective a bit, there were tens of millions of people taking cruises last year. Thousands of those cruises were in the US and were monitored by VSP. Only 23 recorded outbreaks. This is a small portion of the overall cruise industry, including its passengers and staff, that see this happen in a given year. The occurrence rate is trending in the right direction as well, so that portion of cruises that is impacted is getting smaller (for now).

Before we get too footloose and fancy-free regarding cruise ship outbreaks, let’s have a small reality check. We humans easily confuse the phrase, “small chance”, with the statement, “won’t happen.” Getting sick on a cruise can still happen, even if the chances are small. Protecting yourself is easy, though, and it’s mostly just washing your hands. You can read about how to stay healthy while traveling in this article, which I wrote just a few months ago.

The biggest takeaway for you, as a traveler, from this news is that if you wash your hands and cover your sneezes and coughs, you’ll be keeping yourself and everyone else safer.

The post Good And Bad News With Cruise Ship Outbreaks appeared first on Far Far Away Travels.

You have booked and paid for your vacation that you planned for over a year. You are packing and know that nothing can go wrong. But things do happen more often than you realize. Flights are delayed because of weather or mechanical issues. Luggage is delayed or lost. A family member becomes ill and has to be hospitalized. There is a hurricane in the Caribbean. We read about these incidents every day. And the online forums are filled with the stories of people who did not buy travel insurance that would have protected them.

More travelers than ever are taking the extra step to make sure they are covered for costly issues before and during their vacation – by purchasing travel insurance, also known as travel protection. Planning a beach vacation should be an exciting time – not one filled with worry and stress. To help make sure you have a smooth journey, we have put together some essential tips to help you get the most out of your travel insurance.

Travel Insurance: What It Is and What It is Not

Travel insurance is not a substitute for major medical insurance. It covers emergency medical expenses you may incur while traveling, such as hospital stays and doctor visits.

Travel insurance will reimburse you for some or all expenses when you must cancel or interrupt a trip for certain reasons. Called “covered reasons” by the insurers, these include reasons such as a serious illness, accident, or death of you, or a traveling companion, or loved one.

Most policies cover you if you are called to jury duty. Many will reimburse a part of the costs for missing luggage or lengthy travel delays. Some have cancellation clauses for work related issues. 

Many policies have added benefits like an 800 number or concierge to help with issues like lost passports or documents or help in locating clinics or pharmacies. There are some policies with apps where you can file claims immediately on your phone. 

Tip: Always pay by credit card, not debit card, as it improves your chance of getting your money back.

Protect Yourself

When people think of Travel Insurance, they think about coverage for a medical emergency. This is just one benefit and especially important one. Here are a few examples of unexpected medical expenses while on vacation.

We had a family member on a cruise who became ill, but not seriously. The cost for simple tests and medications onboard medical services was over $2000.

Recently a woman became ill on vacation and needed fluids administered. The cost was $1600.

The cost to be medically evacuated can be $20,000 to over $100,000 depending upon the distance and mode of transportation. 

In most cases, a person will pay out of pocket for any medical services (even on a cruise ship). Their personal health insurance may or may not reimburse them. Or the service can be considered “out of network” in which case only a portion of the cost is reimbursed. 

A travel insurance policy can cover the out-of-pocket costs for these situations.

Seniors Take Note!! You Need Travel Insurance

Medicare does NOT cover most foreign medical expenses. Seniors should always buy travel protection that will cover them for medical emergencies when outside of the U.S. Also, look for policies that will cover those extremely expensive medical evacuations should it become necessary.

Some foreign hospitals will not treat you without an upfront payment. There are travel insurance policies that will cover this and pay the hospital directly.

Do You Have a Pre-existing Condition?

Are you planning a trip and have a pre-existing medical condition? If you are taking blood pressure medication or a cholesterol lowering drug, that can be considered a pre-existing condition. Don’t let that stop you from traveling! Many travel insurance policies offer coverage for pre-existing conditions, but you will need to buy the insurance within a certain period after booking your trip. It is usually within 2 to 3 weeks of paying the initial deposit for your trip. With the right policy, you can travel with peace of mind and enjoy your vacation with confidence!

We can help you find the plan that is right for you.

Protection Against Terrorist Action

Are you planning a trip soon? While many travel insurance policies don’t include automatic coverage for terrorism, you can easily add it on for extra peace of mind. Let us help you get the protection you need, so you can relax and enjoy your trip.

Beware: Your Credit Card Coverage May Not Cover You

Many people assume the coverage from their credit card will take care of them. And sometimes it does. Other times, it might not provide the coverage you need. People often find that their credit card travel insurance was not enough to cover expenses. Take the time to read through the details and make sure you know what is and isn’t covered. You don’t want to be left without the protection you need!

Want To Cancel for Any Reason?

These plans exist. Insurance that lets you Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) typically needs to be paid within the first week or two after reservations are deposited. These policies tend to be expensive and often only cover only a percentage of your costs. If you want it, ask for a quote before you put down your initial deposit for your trip.

Should You Buy from the Cruise Line or Airline?

It is easier to buy travel protection from your cruise line, airline, etc. and they sometimes offer more than a travel insurance plan. However, it can be more costly. We are more than happy to provide you with a quote from one of our trusted providers so that you can compare this to the coverage offered by a cruise line, airline, or tour group. 

If a supplier provides the insurance, but then goes bankrupt, will you still have coverage? Will you have help getting home? Many travelers were left stranded when Crystal Cruises suddenly abandoned operations due to financial default. Some travelers were left to find their own way home.

To protect against this, look for policies that cover “financial default of supplier.” We do recommend insurance through the cruise lines at times, but only those we trust with a solid financial record. For many people, buying through a third party is the best choice.

Our Best Tip: Do you travel more than twice a year?

Buy a plan that covers you all year long. This is what we do. An annual plan that covers all your trips can be a great way to save money and reduce stress when it comes to traveling. They are surprisingly cost-effective, and you must only purchase it once a year. It covers all the trips you take in that year, including those within 100-200 miles from your home. 

We highly recommend this approach, as we often find that buying an annual multi-trip plan is cheaper than buying a single trip plan from a travel supplier. Of course, we work with only the most reliable and trustworthy insurance providers to ensure you get the best value for your money.

Learn more about the ins and outs of travel insurance in this excellent Washington Post article.

The post Why You Need Travel Insurance: 2026 Edition appeared first on Far Far Away Travels.

Banned Items

These are the big no-nos that you should not bring with you. The following are banned from cruise ships:

• Weapons – No weapons are allowed. That means you leave your knives, gun(s), and/or explosives at home. The cruise lines will not mess around. Do not FAFO with this.
  
  There are some very specific exceptions to this ban, all of which are line dependent (check before you leave). Things like scissors and shaving razors may be allowed. Some lines may also allow dive knives (for SCUBA and snorkel) so long as they are held by security or guest services.
• Drugs – Just don’t. Cruises frequently stop at different countries and they likely have different laws about which drugs are allowed. In Michigan, my home state, marijuana is legal but in, say, Curaçao it is not. If you bring illicit drugs to Curaçao, you are going to be in a pickle, so leave that party at home.
• Fire risks – Hair dryers, candles, kettles, cigarettes, basically anything that has the job of being hot or burning. This typically includes heating pads and electric blankets.
  
  Hair dryers will typically be supplied in your room by the cruise line, if you are worried about that. Perhaps oddly, curling irons and straighteners are a grey area. Some lines ban them completely, others allow them, some provide their own to use. You’ll need to check your specific line before you leave if you use any of those.

It brightens up the room, but live plants are a banned cruise item. If you want some flowers, talk to cruise line staff.

• Fresh flowers or plants – This is a less obvious category for most people but, once you think about it, it starts to make sense. Cruises stop are all sorts of ports and by bringing live plants from one place to another you may be spreading diseases. It’s a potential threat to local ecosystems to introduce something from another place. If you really want to have some flowers on the ship, there’s usually a way for the cruise line to provide it.
• Drones and other remote-controlled devices – In the last 20 years, remote controlled flying devices went from the sole domain of dedicated hobbyists to mainstream. In that transition, their use has become problematic and more regulations have come into place. The cruise lines have banned them entirely. From their perspective, there’s just too many potential problems from them. Further, many countries have limited their use to only licensed operators. Drones are quite cool, I want to get my license to use them commercially at some point, but we gotta leave them at home.
• Speakers – Most cruises ban all portable speakers, including Bluetooth or other wireless sound devices (this does not include earbuds/headphones). The lines state that this is because these devices could interfere with guest abilities to hear public announcements. That reasoning is sound (get it?!), but I imagine that there’s also a large amount of not wanting guests to be fighting over playing music too loudly and other tension points like that. In either case, leave these things at home.

My surge protectionless power cube. I never travel without it.

• Various tech – The cruise lines will not allow you to bring your satellite dishes, routers, and other similar equipment onboard. I wrote an article about why these are banned that you might want to read. Importantly, every cruise line prohibits surge protectors because the power network on the ship will not play nice with them and could cause them to explode. If you use an outlet expander, make sure that it does not have surge protection. Not all cruise lines are uniform on what tech you can and cannot bring, so this is something you will want to check your individual cruise line for.
• Perishable food – If you buy a packaged snack in port, like a bag of chips, that’s okay to bring back, but fish, for example, is not. Meat, homemade food, and fruits or veggies are not allowed on the ship. If you have special dietary needs be sure to contact the cruise line before (or have your travel advisor do it for you).
• Various sports equipment – Most lines ban sport sticks and bats (hockey, baseball, cricket, lacrosse, ski poles). They also prohibit things like canoes and surfboards and bicycles. The bats and sticks could easily be made threatening, so banning them is obvious. As for the canoe… I mean, yeah, just try to fit a canoe in your cabin.
• Tools and power tools – I… I uhhh… Really!?! They had to ban power tools. Who brought a drill? Why are you bringing tools on vacation? What were ya gonna do with it? Stop trying to remodel the bathroom on your cruise! I know they’re kinda small but this is NOT the right way to go about fixing that!

Partially Banned or Controlled Items

There are also some things that are not completely banned by cruise lines, but they are more controlled.

• Bringing alcohol onboard – Most lines allow you to bring a bottle or two of wine or champagne, but anything other than that is right out. That being said, tons of people buy alcohol on their excursions. I’ve purchased my fair share of rum, tequila, and wine on my travels. Once you bring it back to the ship, it will be confiscated and you will be given a claim check for it to be reclaimed when you are disembarking.

Only on Cunard can you bring your pet. Otherwise, they are a banned cruise item.

• Animals – You cannot bring pets on board most cruise ships. Service animals are allowed, but they typically exclude emotional support animals. There is one notable exception to this – the Queen Mary 2. That ship has a kennel onboard and people do bring their pets on their cruises and play with them while they sail along.
• Power cords – Royal Caribbean and all its subsidiaries ban any extension cords and power outlet expanders. This is separate from the prohibition of surge protectors.
• Door decorations – Almost every cruise goer has seen magnetic or paper door decorations. Many people like to decorate their cabin door to add their own personal touch to it. Some just like adding an identifying marker to their door to make it easier for them to find in a sea of identical doors.
  
  There’s one notable exception that makes this worth mentioning – Norwegian Cruise Lines. Yup, NCL bans all door decorations due to (checks notes) “their flammable nature.”
  
  Alright then. I want to know the story behind how they became the one line to make that decision.

The post You Need To Know – Banned Cruise Items appeared first on Far Far Away Travels.

More travelers than ever are taking the extra step to make sure they are covered for costly issues before and during their vacation – by purchasing travel insurance, also known as travel protection. Planning a beach vacation should be an exciting time – not one filled with worry and stress. To help make sure you have a smooth journey, we have put together some essential tips to help you get the most out of your travel insurance.

Travel Insurance: What It Is and What It is Not

Travel insurance is not a substitute for major medical insurance. It covers emergency medical expenses you may incur while traveling, such as hospital stays and doctor visits.

Travel insurance will reimburse you for some or all expenses when you must cancel or interrupt a trip for certain reasons. Called “covered reasons” by the insurers, these include reasons such as a serious illness, accident, or death of you, or a traveling companion, or loved one.

Most policies cover you if you are called to jury duty. Many will reimburse a part of the costs for missing luggage or lengthy travel delays. Some have cancellation clauses for work related issues. 

Many policies have added benefits like an 800 number or concierge to help with issues like lost passports or documents or help in locating clinics or pharmacies. There are some policies with apps where you can file claims immediately on your phone. 

Tip: Always pay by credit card, not debit card, as it improves your chance of getting your money back.

Protect Yourself Against This

When people think of Travel Insurance, they think about coverage for a medical emergency. This is just one benefit and especially important one. Here are a few examples of unexpected medical expenses while on vacation.

We had a family member on a cruise who became ill, but not seriously. The cost for simple tests and medications onboard medical services was over $2000.

Recently a woman became ill on vacation and needed fluids administered. The cost was $1600.

The cost to be medically evacuated can be $20,000 to over $100,000 depending upon the distance and mode of transportation. 

In most cases, a person will pay out of pocket for any medical services (even on a cruise ship). Their personal health insurance may or may not reimburse them. Or the service can be considered “out of network” in which case only a portion of the cost is reimbursed. 

A travel insurance policy can cover the out-of-pocket costs for these situations.

Seniors Take Note!! You Need Travel Insurance

Medicare does NOT cover most foreign medical expenses. Seniors should always buy travel protection that will cover them for medical emergencies when outside of the U.S. Also, look for policies that will cover those extremely expensive medical evacuations should it become necessary.

Some foreign hospitals will not treat you without an upfront payment. There are travel insurance policies that will cover this and pay the hospital directly.

Do You Have a Pre-existing Condition?

Are you planning a trip and have a pre-existing medical condition? If you are taking blood pressure medication or a cholesterol lowering drug, that can be considered a pre-existing condition. Don’t let that stop you from traveling! Many travel insurance policies offer coverage for pre-existing conditions, but you will need to buy the insurance within a certain period after booking your trip. It is usually within 2 to 3 weeks of paying the initial deposit for your trip. With the right policy, you can travel with peace of mind and enjoy your vacation with confidence!

We can help you find the plan that is right for you.

Protection Against Terrorist Action

Are you planning a trip soon? While many travel insurance policies don’t include automatic coverage for terrorism, you can easily add it on for extra peace of mind. Let us help you get the protection you need, so you can relax and enjoy your trip.

Beware: Your Credit Card Coverage May Not Cover You

Many people assume the coverage from their credit card will take care of them. And sometimes it does. Other times, it might not provide the coverage you need. People often find that their credit card travel insurance was not enough to cover expenses. Take the time to read through the details and make sure you know what is and isn’t covered. You don’t want to be left without the protection you need!

Want To Cancel for Any Reason?

These plans exist. Insurance that lets you Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) typically needs to be paid within the first week or two after reservations are deposited. These policies tend to be expensive and often only cover only a percentage of your costs. If you want it, ask for a quote before you put down your initial deposit for your trip.

Should You Buy from the Cruise Line or Airline?

It is easier to buy travel protection from your cruise line, airline, etc. and they sometimes offer more than a travel insurance plan. However, it can be more costly. We are more than happy to provide you with a quote from one of our trusted providers so that you can compare this to the coverage offered by a cruise line, airline, or tour group. 

If a supplier provides the insurance, but then goes bankrupt, will you still have coverage? Will you have help getting home? Many travelers were left stranded when Crystal Cruises suddenly abandoned operations due to financial default. Some travelers were left to find their own way home.

To protect against this, look for policies that cover “financial default of supplier.” We do recommend insurance through the cruise lines at times, but only those we trust with a solid financial record. For many people, buying through a third party is the best choice.

Our Best Tip: Do you travel more than twice a year?

Buy a plan that covers you all year long. This is what we do. An annual plan that covers all your trips can be a great way to save money and reduce stress when it comes to traveling. They are surprisingly cost-effective, and you must only purchase it once a year. It covers all the trips you take in that year, including those within 100-200 miles from your home. 

We highly recommend this approach, as we often find that buying an annual multi-trip plan is cheaper than buying a single trip plan from a travel supplier. Of course, we work with only the most reliable and trustworthy insurance providers to ensure you get the best value for your money.

Learn more about the ins and outs of travel insurance in this excellent Washington Post article.

While We are Talking About Money

Check out our Money Do’s

And Travel Money Don’ts

The post Travel Insurance: Boring But Necessary: 2025 Edition appeared first on Far Far Away Travels.

What is the Vessel Sanitation Program?

The Vessel Sanitation Program (VSP) “helps the cruise industry prevent and control public health issues,” according to the CDC website. Critically, this program gathers information about outbreaks of diseases, like norovirus, on cruise ships and reports it in a public database. This is how we know about illnesses on cruise ships.

As part of the program, cruise ships are also graded on their inspections done through this program. Again, these are all posted publicly.

It is fair to say that these programs are the equivalent of the health department for your local restaurants, but they look at cruise ships. However, VSP is voluntary, and it is funded by the cruise industry. Whenever you take a cruise, part of your fare goes to support this program.

Unclear Impacts of CDC Cuts

At this time, exactly how the cuts will impact the VSP is unknown. In a USA Today article, Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), the industry’s leading trade organization said, “…public reports have noted that the program is administered and staffed primarily by commissioned US Public Health officers, so we expect programmatic activities to continue in some capacity.”

Those commissioned officers were not included in the cuts by the CDC, but Erik Svendsen, the Director of the Division of Environmental Health Science and Practice at the CDC’s National Center for Environmental Health, was. VSP is part of that division. However, HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy has said that some programs and personnel were mistakenly cut and would be reinstated.

It remains to be seen if any staff that were cut from VSP will be rehired.

These changes come at a moment when there are a growing number of outbreaks. In 2024, the CDC recorded 18 outbreaks on cruise ships, which was up from 14 in 2023. As of April 18, 2025, there have been 13 outbreaks and comparing this to last year, there had been only 6 by the same date.

Industry Growth

This increase in cases correlates to massive growth the cruise industry is experiencing. Which isn’t to say causation, but it does mean that more people are cruising, and more ships are sailing. There are lots of people taking their first cruises because of the comparative value the lines offer over land vacations. With so many people cruising, outbreaks are more likely, simply because of probability.

Each outbreak, though, demands attention from the cruise line and agents at the VSP. This is not only in reporting the outbreak, but agents also advise and may oversee the sanitation efforts to stop the spread. With, potentially, fewer staff and more cruises, the strain on the program may increase.

What can you do?

The easiest way to protect yourself from illness is to wash your hands. Far and away, norovirus is the most common disease reported in these outbreaks. Hand sanitizers have no effect or barely affect the virus, so don’t look to them for help. The best way to protect yourself is to wash your hands thoroughly before eating and after touching any public utensil – like you might at a buffet with serving tongs.

Hand sanitizers can still help with other diseases, like colds and the flu, so don’t write them off entirely. You just also need to wash your hands.

Just in case you need any further motivation to prevent the spread of norovirus, the most common way of contracting the disease is from ingesting tiny particles of fecal matter.

That means, this disease is spread by getting poop in your mouth.

Often, that poop is transferred by food, water, and common area surfaces – like a stair handrail or elevator button.

So, once again, wash your hands.

The post CDC Cuts May Impact Cruise Ship Sanitation appeared first on Far Far Away Travels.

Solo travel is becoming one of the most popular types of travel, yet travelers are often plagued with much higher per person costs. Solo travelers are well aware of the dreaded single supplement. Most cruise lines and tour groups require a solo traveler to pay the same as two people sharing a room. This is the 100% single supplement. However, it is possible to find offers that reduce the price of traveling solo. These are the best solo deals available right now.

AMAWaterways. Ever dreamed of a European River cruise?  They are delightful! Book select sailings by March 31 and there is NO single supplement! Explore the Rhine, Bordeaux, the Danube, Moselle and more. You may the same rate as anyone else! Follow this link to explore AMAWaterways solo specials. Before you book, check with us as we can often add additional perks or savings.

It’s no secret we love AMAWaterways.

Beautiful Strasbourg

Looking for an Ocean Cruise? Solo Travel Deals

Regent Seven Seas, one of the world’s most luxurious and all-inclusive lines has reduced single supplements for solo travelers on select voyages. Find one you like and check with us before you book to see what we can add on to enhance your experience.

We are fans of Virgin Voyages. Solo travelers can find reduced single supplement offers from Virgin here. Be sure to check with us before booking as we have many perks and tips to offer. Virgin invites solo travelers to a group dinner early in the cruise, and has other opportunities for singles to meet new friends.

Upscale lines Regent Seven Seas, Silversea, Oceania, Seabourn and Ponant are offering select sailings with no single supplement to destinations around the world, including Alaska, Greece, New Guinea, Norway, Iceland, Pitcairn and Easter Islands, Spain, and Polynesia.

Morocco

Solo Travel Deals: Land Based Tours

Two of the best choices for solo travel deals are G Adventures and Intrepid. These tours are very popular with single women as you travel safely with a very small group and guide.

However, if you’d like your own space, you can pay for an individual room on most of our trips.

Intrepid Travel is known for treating solo travelers well. They specialize in small group travel to fascinating destinations. It is perfect for solo travelers. In fact, half or more of Intrepid’s travelers are singles.

Intrepid will pair you with another solo traveler of the same gender. If you wish to room alone, the upcharge is reasonable.

Intrepid’s motto is Go Solo, But Not Alone. The average Intrepid trip has about ten people on it – people of all ages and backgrounds from all over the world. You are guided by a local guide who knows the backstreet bars, cool tapas joint and hidden galleries. They’ll give you tips for your free time exploring, and introduce you to locals. They can help you travel safely.

Intrepid truly covers the world with travels to the polar regions, Africa, Asia, Australia and New Zealand, Europe, pretty much anywhere you want to go.

Puffins in Iceland!

G Adventures is another great choices for the solo traveler. Known for offering National Geographic and Jane Goodall journeys, they charge no dreaded single supplement. You travel safely with a small group and guide. Visit destinations off the tourist trail such as Pakistan, Tibet, and Madacascar. They too will match you with another traveler of the same gender. And, for a small amount more, you can have your own room. Now they offer “Solo-ish” trips you can choose from too. Everyone in the group will be a solo traveler!

It’s a wonderful world and you can travel solo safely and affordably if you know where to look.

The post Solo Travel Deals Available Now appeared first on Far Far Away Travels.