Imagine as you are getting off your plane in Montego Bay, you are greeted by a VIP Representative. They are holding a sign with your name and greet you warmly. They then Fast Track you… More
KBoss Travel By Dream Vacations
Hello and welcome to my blog! I’m Karen Boss – owner of KBoss Travel by Dream Vacations. As a Navy veteran, I developed a travel bug early in life and my love of travel has grown exponentially ever since. I now have the pleasure of planning travel every day!
There are a lot of great travel agents out there. How do you choose one? You can ask what type of travel they specialize in and see if it aligns with your travel goals. Also, ask what type of training they participate in and certifications they earn to keep their skills current. I am always working on continuing education to assure I can give the highest level of service to my clients.
I specialize in resorts in the Caribbean and Mexico as well as cruising. With that being said, I work with my vendors and suppliers on land tours and vacations all over the world and take as much training as possible to keep my knowledge base strong.
Professional Certifications:
- Certified Autism Travel Professional
- Special Needs at Sea Certified Accessible Travel Advocate
- Travel Safety Certified
- Certified Sandals Specialist
- Jamaica Specialist
- St. Kitts Specialist
- Regent Seven Seas – Luxury Cruise Expert
- Norwegian Cruise Lines Master’s Degree
- Virgin Voyages Certified
- Avalon Waterways Specialist
- National Geographic Journeys Specialist (and a member of the G Adventures Agent Advisory Panel)
- Certified Globus Tour Expert/ Globus +Cosmos Specialist
- MBA – Monograms Booking Agent Independent Travel Specialist
- Universal Orlando Resort Specialist
- Authorized Disney Vacation Planner
- CLIA Member (Cruise Lines International Association) – CLIA supports policies and practices that foster a safe, secure, healthy and sustainable cruise ship environment and is dedicated to promoting the cruise travel experience. They also provide travel agents with valuable training and industry information.
Where would you like to go next? Let’s talk about your next adventure!
To visit my website, go to: kboss.dreamvacations.com
Secrets St. James, Secrets Wild Orchid and Breathless Resorts
As part of my familiarization trip with the Jamaican Tourism Board (JTB), we visited 9 total resorts. We toured 7 properties and stayed at 2. The 2nd resort we checked into was Secrets in Montego Bay. My room was on the St. James side of the resort in the Preferred Club Junior Suite Ocean View room.
There isn’t a road to to get to the St. James side, so we got off the bus in front of Wild Orchid. The valet’s took our luggage and sanitized everything. They took our temperature and then we walked over to St. James to check in (it wasn’t far, maybe about the distance of a block in the city). They took our temperature again, scheduled our covid test for our return to the US, and gave us drinks in the concierge lounge. I went to my room and less than 5 minutes later, my luggage arrived.
We went to Breathless to have dinner in Sofrito (locally grown ingredients and Latin influences) on our first night and it was so nice! They welcomed us with some purple sparkling wine. I loved the presentation and it was actually pretty tasty!
A lot of people wonder what the differences are between Secrets St. James and Wild Orchid. They’re actually more similar than different. Both were built at the same time, they offer the same amenities, and the room size and layout are about the same. There are some differences that I’ll share as well as some information about Breathless.
The rooms in St. James are decorated with Jamaica’s history in mind and Colonial style architecture. There’s beautiful dark wood furniture and warm decor throughout the room. The rooms in Wild Orchid have a more contemporary design and are equally as beautiful.
Secrets St. James and Wild Orchid are right next to each other and you could probably walk from one end to the other in 5-7 minutes. It is also very flat, so if you have any mobility issues, I think you might have a fairly easy time getting around. The properties share pools, restaurants, bars and entertainment. The restaurants are all located on the Wild Orchid side of the resort and most of the entertainment will be found there as well. The St. James side of the resort is a little quieter and has a slightly nicer beach area. Wild Orchid is on the tip of the peninsula so the views might be a little different (not necessarily better or worse) from the St. James rooms.
All three resorts offer what they refer to as “Unlimited-Luxury®” and that includes some nice options. You get typical things such as daily maid service and Wi-Fi, but it includes much more. Things such as gratuities included, pool and beach wait service, 24 hour room service, theme parties, etc. You also don’t have to wear a wrist band (and I loved that!)
For both St. James and Wild Orchid – If you are in a Preferred Club room, you will have upgraded amenities, butler and concierge service and be located in a quieter area of the resort. Top shelf liquors, beer, natural juices and soft drinks are available in your room. You will have a beautiful tub in your room and a huge soaking tub on your balcony. You will also have access to all the great things at Breathless. This includes the restaurants, bars, entertainment, pools and all beach areas. Breathless is located right next to St. James, so you can walk over. Anyone staying at Breathless has access to both the Secrets properties and amenities.
Due to covid, you have to request that your mini bar is filled and refreshed and the room service currently has shorter hours. There is a tablet in your room that you can order room service on and your order will be delivered through your butler door. This is a small cubby with a little door in your room and a little door just outside your room. Whatever you order will be placed in the cubby from the outside and you can get it at your leisure inside. Here is a picture of what they brought to my room. It was a plate of fruit, a bottle of water, Pringles and a bag of M&Ms. The bottle of rum was a gift found on the dresser in the room.
My room was very spacious, clean and inviting. I used an image of the bathroom area from the Secrets website as mine came out very dark. The picture of the pool and ocean was taken from my balcony.
There were multiple places around the resort available for a romantic dinner. Of course there is a charge for this and price varies.
The property was really lovely and well maintained.
Pictures of Breathless Montego Bay
Breathless is where the party is happening every night! It’s going to be more lively than Secrets and probably a little younger crowd (although we were not a young group overall and did not feel out of place at all.)
Views from the Rooftop Bar – and yes, there is a pool up there as well. I got lucky and managed to get a picture before people arrived to party!
Here is a picture of room at Breathless. Notice the shower is clear glass on all sides. If you are not comfortable with that bedroom setup, then I would book at Secrets in the Preferred Club and still enjoy all the great stuff at Breathless. The second picture is a view from the balcony.
If you would like to read about my travel experience to and from Jamaica during covid, click here. The article covers the process of getting tested before leaving for Jamaica and how I was tested at my resort to get back to the US. I also cover what it is like to fly at this time and any other documentation that is needed to enter travel.
If you would like more information about these resorts or travel in general, you can reach me at:
Karen Boss
KBoss Travel by Dream Vacations
919-346-7779
kboss@dreamvacations.com
www.kboss.dreamvacations.com
Grand Palladium Lady Hamilton Resort and Spa
On my familiarization trip with the Jamaican Tourism Board (JTB), we visited about 9 resorts in total. Our first property was the Grand Palladium Lady Hamilton Resort and Spa. It is listed as being located in Montego Bay but it’s actually in the town of Lucea. It’s close to the airport compared to going to Negril or Ocho Rios and will take about 45 minutes to drive there. This was my view as I got ready to check in!
The check-in process was pleasant. The porters took our bags and pointed us the the little bar set up nearby to get our welcome drink. From there we walked over to the front desk and got our room information. We were a little early, but they were able to find rooms for all of us to go to right away. Had they had not been able to give us access to our rooms right away, they would have held our luggage for us while we enjoyed the resort. One of the porters put our luggage on a large golf cart and drove us to our rooms.
Here was the view from my balcony. This would be considered an “Ocean View” room. If I had an Ocean Front room, it would directly face the water. Each resort may have different definitions of “views”, so if the view is important to you, make sure you let your travel agent know exactly what you want to see. But remember… with a better view comes a higher price point. The grounds were actually very pretty – I just happened to overlook a brown patch below. There were lots of people working on the landscaping, so I’m sure this was a recent issue and would be taken care of.
Here are some pictures of my room. I thought the room was nice looking and I was able to keep the temperature cool enough for me. This is not always easy when in these tropical locations! At some resorts, the cooling system has a hard time keeping up.
We were invited to a cocktail reception that evening. They had a lovely violinist playing which we all enjoyed thoroughly. The sunset from the reception area was beautiful.
Here is a look at the Adult Only pool. And close by is a secluded area for topless sunbathing.
This is a nice setting for a destination wedding. They have locations all over the resort where you can choose to have your ceremony.
One thing I love about this resort is that they grow some of their vegetables right on the property!
They also have a large, wonderful spa area!
This all inclusive resort is a beautiful property and the staff were wonderful. They were always smiling, friendly and helpful. I’m so glad I had the opportunity to experience it.
If you would like to read about my travel experience to and from Jamaica during covid, click here. The article covers the process of getting tested before leaving for Jamaica and how I was tested at my resort to get back to the US. I also cover what it is like to fly at this time and any other documentation that is needed to enter travel.
If you would like more information about this resort or travel in general, you can reach me at:
Karen Boss
KBoss Travel by Dream Vacations
919-346-7779
kboss@dreamvacations.com
www.kboss.dreamvacations.com
2nd Trip to Jamaica During Covid – April 2021
The Purpose of my Trip and What I Needed to do to Enter Jamaica and to Return to the US
I was invited by the Jamaican Tourism Board (JTB) to go on a Familiarization Trip with a small group of travel agents. This is something they do on a regular basis to help agents get familiar with resorts they may not have stayed at before. It also gave us the opportunity to meet with key management personal at each resort. Our group stayed at two resorts and toured 7 others.
Before I could enter Jamaica, I needed to fill out my Travel Authorization (no more than 7 days prior to leaving). This is a very simple online form that asks basic questions (name, date of birth, address, etc.) I also needed to have a covid test from an approved location no more than 3 days before travel. I made an appointment with CVS and the process was very simple. I had the rapid test, so I was able to wait in my car for my results. After about 20 minutes, they called me and I went inside to get the paperwork.
Since information about what is required to enter other countries can change quickly, it is best to always check with your travel advisor to make sure you have the latest information.
I flew Delta regular economy and the process was very smooth. For those that have not flown internationally since covid began, you may find that you cannot check in on line. If that happens, don’t be concerned. Since most countries require some sort of covid testing or vaccine before you can enter, some airlines want you check in at the airport so they can go over all of your documents. They need to be sure you have everything needed to be allowed into the country you’re visiting. Some airlines now have an app that allows you to download your required paperwork and information in advance. So, depending on which airline and what airport, your experience can vary.
I had my paperwork and passport organized and ready so check-in was quick and painless at the Delta counter. The line for security was fairly long, but luckily it moved really quickly. Of course masks were required throughout the airport and on the plane unless you were actively eat or drinking. Throughout the airports and the flights (both directions), everything was clean and lots of hand sanitizer was available everywhere you turned. I thought everyone that I encountered that worked for Delta during this trip (and my July trip) were extremely friendly and somehow seemed glad to be at work. I noticed several that went out of their way to just chat with customers about how they were doing, where they were staying, what they wanted to do while there, etc. It was nice to see everyone so cheerful!
On my last trip during covid, I flew Delta and was in the Comfort+ section. This included alcoholic drinks, snacks and earphones. This time I was in the main cabin and the experience is just a little different. We received a very small bottle of water and two snacks. I couldn’t eat the cheese crackers in the snack bag due to gluten issues, but I was in luck – my other item was almonds! Even though I always travel with my own gluten free munchies, it was nice to get something I enjoy and could eat.
JTB had arranged for Club Mobay service for our group. If you’re not familiar, Club Mobay provides VIP service through the Montego Bay airport. They wait for you (holding a sign with your name) as you exit the plane, fast track you through immigration, and then take you to their lounge to wait for your transfer to your resort. While in the lounge, you can enjoy the Wi-Fi, order drinks and food – everything is included in the price. They also have departure service. On the return trip, there was a line to expedite through security, but it didn’t seem to make much difference – at least not when we went through. But, I would still get it next time I go. Most resorts will try to get you to the airport 3 hours prior to departure. This can leave you with quite a bit of time hanging around the airport with not much to do. The departure lounge includes Wi-Fi, food and drinks. The service was great and they made sure our drinks were never empty. With limited service on the planes right now, you may not get a chance to eat much, but if you have been to Club Mobay, you may have had enough food for the rest of the day! They will keep bringing out more food if your are interested. Also, just a side note… I had to inquire about gluten free options. I thought there really wouldn’t be much for me, but I’m used to that when I travel. But, the chef came out and talked to me about things on the menu I could eat and how he could prepare things. I was thrilled and had some really fabulous food. If you want to purchase the bundle of both arrival and departure service, it is currently around $80 per person.
For my return trip, I needed to have a covid test as this is required to enter the US from any foreign country. I had my test taken at my 2nd resort (Secrets St. James) and it was a very easy process. The concierge made the appointment for the test when I checked in. When I went to take the test, there were a couple of chairs outside and I waited until someone came out to invite me in. I filled out a simple form and they gave me the test. I went to the next room and waited outside until the called me in for my results. They gave me the paperwork at that time and we were done! There was no charge for the test.
These are the resorts I toured and/or stayed at while on my trip. I will create a new post for each property to let you know what the experience was like.
- Couples Negril
- Grand Palladium Lady Hamilton Resort and Spa
- Hyatt Ziva Rose Hall
- Hyatt Zilara Rose Hall
- Round Hill Hotel and Villas
- Secrets St. James
- Secret Wild Orchid
- Breathless
- Zoetry Montego Bay
Did You Know that I am Travel Safety Verified ?
While much in the world has changed as it relates to travel, one thing that has remained the same is my role as a travel advisor. I am an advocate for you – I work directly with resorts, cruise lines and other suppliers – so you don’t have to worry about anything but having fun on vacation. I am here to answer your questions, and now with new guidelines, I know you’ll have many.
It is my duty to make sure you understand the latest recommendations for healthy and safe travel. I am excited to share that I have completed an extensive training program to become a Travel Safety Verified travel advisor. The training covered health and safety best practices while traveling; travel protection health policies; safety protocols in place at resorts, airlines and cruises; and how to address customer concerns for various scenarios.
By being Travel Safety Verified and part of Dream Vacations, I am equipped to answer your tough questions about what to expect when traveling on an airplane, at a resort or on a cruise vacation; what documentation is needed; where to get tested while on vacation; what is covered under travel protection; and much more.
Now more than ever it is important to book a vacation with a travel advisor. I will to walk you step-by-step through the entire booking and planning process, from selecting destinations and excursions based on your interests to providing enhanced packing lists and guidance on what to expect when traveling. By booking with a Travel Safety Verified travel advisor, you can rest assured that I am well-informed on the current travel environment and will share my expertise with you so you can travel with additional peace of mind.
Sandals Negril During COVID – July 2020
Have you been thinking about going to Sandals but wonder what it would be like on the resort during COVID-19? I was wondering too!
If you decide to travel at this time, the best advice I can give is to be open to changes. It could be anything from flights needing to be rescheduled to new Covid testing requirements. The entry requirements for all the Caribbean islands is constantly changing. Each country is learning what works for them and what needs improvement. They are doing everything they can to make your vacation safe and wonderful. I am on calls and webinars almost daily with key representatives of these countries to keep up on all the changes and the latest information so if you have any questions, I would be happy to help!
If you are interested in my airport and flight experience, you can view my post “Traveling to Jamaica During COVID-19“
When we arrived, our temperature was taken, we were directed to the hand sanitizer station and then taken to the Club Sandals room to wait for our butler. We were given a welcome drink and a snack. Our butler escorted us to our room and were given a phone to contact him for anything we might need. The entire staff was amazing. Any time we saw someone, they would ask how we were doing and if there was anything we needed. I forgot to snap a picture of Club Sandals, so here is one of the lobby.
The staff follows very strict protocols to avoid the spread of Covid. They always wear a mask and distance when possible. They have hand sanitizer stations all over the resort, so you do not need to worry about having your own. They ask that guests wear masks when inside areas such as the lobby, photo shop and spa but there was not a requirement to wear one outside. They were constantly cleaning chairs, tables, loungers and anywhere people may have been touching. I felt extremely safe.
If you are not familiar with Sandals, just about everything is included! Of course food (all restaurants), alcohol, Wi-Fi and entertainment are included. Even the transfers to and from Sandals. Tipping is not allowed with the exception of your butlers and the spa staff. Here are some of the activities that are included:
Water Sports:
- Paddle Boarding
- Aqua Trikes
- Snorkeling (equipment is included). You can sign up for the snorkel boat that takes you to a great spot. The team will allow you to explore on your own if you are comfortable or give you lots of guidance if you are not as experienced.
- Scuba diving. That’s right! If you are a certified diver, you can dive daily at no cost. The dive boat will take you to some excellent dive sites. If you are not certified or would like a refresher course, they do offer this at an additional cost.
- Glass bottom boat tour
- Sailing on Hobie Cats
- Wind Surfing
- Kayaking
- Knee Boarding, Tubing, Waterskiing and Wakeboarding
Land Activities:
- Board Games
- Bocce Ball
- Croquet
- Pool Tables
- Giant Chess
- Shuffleboard
- Table Tennis
- Tennis Courts (2, both lit for night play)
- Volleyball (beach and pool)
We tried most of the activities available. Although we are both certified divers, we opted for snorkeling as we are getting older and it is just easier! Everything we did was so much fun! We didn’t leave the resort all week and we were never bored.
We stayed in a Honeymoon Beachfront Butler Suite. The room is large, decorated beautifully and has a well stocked bar with juice, soda, local beer, wine and and several bottles of alcohol (we had Appleton Rum and Absolut Vodka). The bar was replenished daily.
We had two butlers that worked different shifts. They were both wonderful and couldn’t seem to do enough for us. Every morning at 7:00 am (I’m an early riser) they would set up tea for me on the patio and come by again about 8:00 with breakfast (by then my husband would be up). It was amazing to enjoy my tea and breakfast overlooking the beach each day. We requested a room on the first floor as my husband has some mobility issues, but most people seem to prefer the 2nd floor for better views.
The butlers set up loungers with an umbrella, towels and a cooler of our favorite beverages on the beach each morning. Every day we would let them know what restaurant we wanted to dine in and in the evening they would walk us to dinner to make sure we would get the best table available. The butlers also signed us up for any activities we wanted to do on property that day.
The large main pool played music and had a swim up bar that was shaded if you needed to get out of the sun for a while. We played group trivia a couple of times, but most days, there just weren’t enough people in the pool to get activities going.
We spent a lot of time in the smaller pool close to our room. It didn’t have a swim up bar, but someone was usually walking around offering to get us a drink. If no one was available, we simply walked over to the bar as it was located right next to the pool. There was a hot tub here and no one was ever in it, so we never had to wait.
Sandals has photographers walking around the resort offering to take your picture. I almost always let them take the picture because there was no obligation to purchase anything. Towards the end of the week, we decided to go ahead and set up a photo shoot session. Again, there is no cost for this service. We were able to go into the photo shop and browse through our pictures without any pressure. We decided on a small package and have been thrilled to finally have some professional photos of ourselves!
There’s certainly is a lot to think about before deciding to travel at this time, but if you are ready, Sandals would be a great option! Whether you are ready to travel now or want to make a plan to travel later, give me a call and we can design a trip of your dreams! Where would you like to go?
My 1st Trip to Jamaica During COVID – July 2020
Like so many people, we were ready to take a vacation, but knew we had to plan carefully. Options are limited and you really need to make sure you know all the rules and expectations of the country you are visiting. I have been following many of the tourism authorities within the Caribbean. I have attended their webinars and checked the government websites daily to track what was opening and what the requirements would be for US travelers. Jamaica has a great plan in place and although things changing almost daily, I could see Jamaica’s plan was working well and they were not making huge last minute changes to that plan.
I hadn’t been to Sandals Negril before and thought this was the perfect time to go and check it out! Prices are great and Sandals is being very flexible with changing travel dates if needed.
In case you are thinking of going, but want to know what the process is like, I will explain what it was like for us. Of course things can change and your experience could be different. I would just like to emphasize that if traveling at this time, you need to be extremely flexible about changes and possible last minute cancellations with flights and resorts. Go into this knowing that you may need to change dates at the last minute. If you are not comfortable with that level of uncertainty with your travel plans, you may want to plan your trip for 2021.
Jamaica requires a Travel Authorization form be filled out and submitted a max of 5 days before arrival. That form has to be approved, printed out and carried with you. If you fail to to do this, you will not even be allowed to board the plane here in the US. You also have to agree to the their safety protocols. This currently mean you would stay on the resort unless you are on a resort approved excursion. These resorts and excursions have been through a certification process and are deemed safest options at this time.
The requirements for visiting other countries is always changing. Please check with your travel advisor for the latest rules and protocols.
We flew on Delta. The airlines are very flexible right now with changes and this worked out great for us. Originally, we were scheduled to go on a cruise to Alaska out of Seattle in August. That cruise was cancelled, so I called Delta to change to flight to Negril. The agent on the phone was fantastic. She helped me get the flights I needed and managed to get back my Skymiles back that I had used to upgrade on the original flight. The only downside was the 3 hour wait on the phone to get an agent. This was not a surprise as things are crazy right now with flight cancellations and changes.
We flew from Raleigh to Atlanta and then to Montego Bay. When we arrived at the Raleigh airport, we had to go straight to the ticket agent because I had been unable to check in online. There wasn’t any line and check in was handled quickly and easily. There was a short line for TSA and it’s the fastest I have ever gotten through. Delta is currently leaving the middle seats empty, but most of the other seats were filled. Masks were required at the airport and the entire time on the plane (unless you were eating or drinking at the moment). Our temperature was taken as we boarded the plane in Raleigh, and again when we boarded the plane in Atlanta. We were handed a sanitizer wipe each time as we boarded the plane. After the plane took off, we were all given a baggie with a small bottle of water, two snacks and hand sanitizer pack.
We flew economy from Raleigh to Atlanta and Comfort + from Atlanta to Jamaica (and same for the return trip). The reason I mention this is to discuss the small difference in service. In economy, after getting the baggie with the food and water, that was the end of service (and that was perfectly fine). In Comfort +, after we received the baggie, we were then asked if we wanted any wine or beer. I don’t know for sure, but this is my theory on why it was available for one group and not the other… Alcohol is free in Comfort + and I think it was allowed since no money had to be exchanged. In Economy, alcohol is not included and it would have been difficult to manage payment in the current COVID environment. The only other difference in Comfort + was when we were offered a headset to watch movies. This was not offered in economy. I think a lot of people travel with their own headset, so this is likely not a big issue.
These are the overwater bungalows at Sandals Royal Caribbean in Jamaica. It was great to catch a view of them as we flew over!
To make our arrival in Jamaica easier, we signed up for Club Mobay. If you are not familiar, it is a service that greets you as you exit the plane, expedites getting through immigration, customs and security and offers a place to hang out while waiting for car service to your resort. The food and drinks are also included in the price. And now, Club Mobay offers another great service – getting to the front of the health check line. This was a huge time saver!
As we exited the plane, our Club Mobay rep was waiting for us with a sign with our names on it. She escorted us to a table where we handed over our Travel Authorization forms, had our temperature taken and were asked general questions about our health. Since we we live in NC, we did not need to have a COVID test before arriving. We knew that they might test us at the airport, but we were lucky and not asked to test. Please note that even if you get tested before coming to Jamaica, they can test you again at the airport. We were then given a number and had to show that to security and immigration. I think the entire process from getting off the plane to getting in our car to Sandals was about 30 minutes. I have heard from others that the process was a couple of hours. I think time will vary depending on how many planes are arriving and if you are using Club Mobay.
Sandals also has a lounge to hang out in until your car arrives and that is where we stayed. But we didn’t get a chance to enjoy it as our car arrived almost as soon as we sat down (and we were super happy about that!)
We were escorted out to our car and were the only passengers for the entire trip. It takes about an hour and twenty minutes to get to Sandals Negril. For those that would prefer to avoid a long car ride, there are two Sandals locations much closer to the airport – Sandals Montego Bay and Sandals Royal Caribbean.
If you would like to read about my week at Sandals in our Butler Suite, you can view my post “Visiting Sandals Negril During COVID-19”
The World is Now More Accessible Than Ever – Explore and Enjoy It!
The world is now more accessible than ever before. Twenty percent (62 million) of the U.S. population has some form of disability, and the number of these individuals is increasing daily. These people need to, want to, and can travel. If you’re part of that twenty percent, a world of travel awaits you.
Travel professionals such as myself who are accessible travel advocates certified by Special Needs Group www.specialneedsgroup.com, the leading global provider of special needs equipment for the travel industry, have unique, specialized knowledge about how to help individuals with disabilities enjoy a wonderful, hassle-free and memorable trip.
Here are a few tips from Special Needs Group to ensure that when your next travel opportunity arises, you are ready to go.
Outline Your Travel Needs
Take time to evaluate the logistics of your trip in relation to your ability to keep pace. What modes of transportation will you be using? Airplane, motor coach, train, ship, transit vans for ground transfers? Make a list, referring to relevant brochures, your trip organizer or travel agent to make sure you don’t miss anything.
Now, make a list of your specific requirements. Be honest: what types of special needs equipment do you depend on at home? What do you use or need (or wish you had!) when shopping, sightseeing locally, dining out or going to the movies, attending concerts, the theater, street fairs or sporting events at home?
Can you hear and see clearly without special auditory equipment or visual aides? How far can you walk without a rest break? Are stairs difficult? Can you get in and out of the tub or shower at home without handgrips or other assistance?
Travel, whether solo or in a group, is no time for roughing it or trying to “tough it out.” If a wheelchair, scooter or portable oxygen will make your trip easier, place that item on your list. Many people who do not use wheelchairs or walkers at home feel more comfortable using these mobility aides for tour and excursions. In fact, most of Special Needs Group’s wheelchair and scooter rentals are to individuals who only use such aides when traveling.
Plan Ahead
If you already own a scooter or portable oxygen, it’s important to know the policy and procedures for bringing that equipment onboard all the transport vehicles included in your itinerary, from planes to taxis to ferry boats. Does that transport have a way to stow your scooter or wheelchair? Is oxygen allowed on board? Some airlines prohibit certain types of batteries, such as wet cell batteries, or oxygen cylinders. Airlines operate under strict rules, so there may be packing procedures to follow if they do allow the equipment. Keep in mind, most airlines need at least 48 hours’ notice to make special arrangements, and be prepared to fill out forms.
Overall, cruise ships are more lenient in allowing oxygen, but some disallow certain types of oxygen. All require that the oxygen be delivered to the ship, and that you have enough for the entire voyage. Oxygen may never be brought aboard in your luggage. Requirements vary, so check your cruise line for proper instructions. Again, documentation and paperwork are required.
Whether you are headed for a cruise ship, hotel or all-inclusive resort, double check for wheelchair access at that venue, plus any venues you will be visiting on the trip. Confirm that accessible hotel rooms, resort accommodations or ship staterooms are available for your travel dates. The earlier you book, the better your chances of securing fully accessible accommodations. And early booking increases your chances of securing a ground floor hotel room or cruise stateroom near the elevator, if these issues are important.
Check on the access to public rooms, restaurants, bars, toilets, the swimming pool, hot tub, beach area and other amenities. Are there TDD phone devices? How will you get in and out of the shower or bathtub? Are there flashing lights to accommodate hearing? Braille room numbers? Knowing in advance the scope of your needs gives you time to arrange advance rentals of any necessary equipment, scheduled to arrive when you do. Everything from scooters, lifts, ramps, TDD kits and special mattresses, including special needs cribs, is available for rental.
Will road travel or car excursions be part of the trip? Many car rental companies have vehicles that are modified for drivers or passengers with mobility limitations. Check ahead to make sure a suitable vehicle will be available for your travel dates. If you will be hiring a car or van, make sure the company is aware of your special needs.
When traveling with a limitation or disability, full travel insurance for medical coverage abroad and trip cancellation insurance are even more important and strongly advised.
Ask the Right Questions
When making the final bookings, be sure you ask the right questions, even if the accommodations or cruise stateroom are categorized as “accessible.”
For Example:
- Are doorways wide enough for the largest wheelchairs? Do the doors open outwards or into the room?
- Are all the public areas of the hotel, resort or ship accessible? Do you need to make special arrangements in the dining room to accommodate the wheelchair or scooter?
- Will the bathroom facilities truly fit your needs? Is the bathroom large enough for the wheelchair or scooter? Is there a roll-in shower? Grab-bars?
- Are there facilities for companion/assistance animals?
- Are there shopping and entertainment facilities close by if you are staying at a hotel or resort?
- On shore excursions or tours, does the van have a lift and method for transporting wheelchairs and scooters?
Simply stated, don’t take anything for granted. It’s easy to arrange for almost every situation, and the world is wonderfully accessible, once you know what’s needed, what’s available and how to find the necessary equipment.
I look forward to helping you with all of your accessible travel needs!
Alaska Cruise with a Mobility Scooter
Cruising near Sawyer Glacier
The first time I went to Alaska was 10 years ago. Since it was the first week in May, it was not very crowded yet. Today, you will find that there are more ships than ever before, so it is can be fairly busy in the cruise ports. Don’t let that deter you! There are lots of great excursions to take you away from the crowds!
Below are the ports we’ve been to, excursions we enjoyed as well as information about how accessible the various places were for those in wheelchairs and scooters.
Juneau – We rented a car and went to a local park that a friend had recommended called National Shrine of St. Therese. We didn’t actually go there to see the church; it was to enjoy the park. The park was beautiful with walking trails that overlooked the Lynn Canal. Seeing the outside of the chapel was a nice bonus as it was gorgeous. Unfortunately it was closed so we could not see the inside. Oh, and just an FYI… Since they don’t allow buses, it will likely never be very crowded!
Location – It is in the Tongass National Forest, approximately 22 miles north of downtown Juneau. Address is 21425 Glacier Highway, Juneau, Alaska 99801.
National Shrine of St. Therese Chapel
After spending some time at the park, we headed back to Juneau to visit the Mendenhall Glacier. Most of the tours had finished by this time and we had the place to ourselves. It was great! We were very lucky with our timing – as we were leaving, there were some other tours coming in.
Mendenhall Glacier
Details and logistics for us in Juneau – there were 4 adults on this trip and the car rental company (Avis) is located right at the port. We walked off the ship and across the parking lot – so easy! I don’t remember what the total cost was for the car rental, gas and Mendenhall daily fee ($5 each is current price), but it was much less than buying four excursion tickets. Plus, we had the added bonus of spending a beautiful morning in a park that didn’t have any other visitors that morning!
Wheelchair and Scooter information – There are actually some trails that are accessible for wheelchairs and scooters at National Shrine of St. Therese. As far as the Mendenhall Glacier is concerned, there are 2 accessible entrances to the visitor’s center with lots to see in there. Also, the Photo Point Trail and salmon viewing area can be accessed by wheelchair and scooter.
Skagway – We took the White Pass Scenic Railway excursion offered by the cruiseline. The train platform was right off the ship, so it was really nice that we didn’t need to board a bus like so many other excursions we have been on. This happened to be a really cold day and that turned out to work in our favor. The rail cars all had wood burning stoves and we were toasty warm the entire trip! They gave us complimentary bottled water which was a nice touch. In case you are wondering – yes, there are restrooms on each car of the train.
It is 40 miles roundtrip (about 2.5 – 3 hours) and the seats are fairly comfortable. The windows are large so you will be able to see out both sides of the train easily and take pictures. You can also open the windows to get better pictures.
Wheelchair and Scooter information from the White Pass website – All Excursion trains are wheelchair accessible. However, space is limited in lift-equipped cars. Please let us know when reserving your seats if you or anyone in your party will require the lift to get onto the train.
This is a shot we took from the train – just to give you an idea of how close it was to the ship. Everyone lined up by the yellow poles and then we were loaded into multiple cars at the same time. It was quick and easy. In case you are wondering, the ship is the Norwegian Star.
View from the Train
Ketchikan – We decided not to do an excursion here. We wanted to check out the town and just enjoy a slow-paced day. We skipped the cruise ship owned shops like Diamonds International and tried to stick to locally owned businesses. I can’t say for sure if the places we went to were locally owned at the time, but we believed they were.
One of the stores we went to was the Dockside Trading Company (now known as Tongass Trading Company) and bought some of the usual tourist type of stuff – t-shirts, magnets, shot glasses, etc. We then found a bar/restaurant where the locals were hanging out. We had a great lunch talking to people who lived there and listening to their stories.
View from our Balcony
Wheelchair and Scooter information – Ketchikan is a short distance from the cruise dock. It is fairly easy to get around with a wheelchair or scooter and you will be able to easily access most shops and restaurants. You can also walk/roll to the Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show and it’s probably less than 10 minutes from the dock. There is accessible seating at the show in the front row.
I know a lot has changed over the years, but I have researched to make sure my information in this article is current. I hope this helps paint a picture for your trip to Alaska!
KBoss Travel By Dream Vacations 