• Prior to traveling, make a copy of your passport as it is always good to have a copy in case something happens to your passport.
• Print out any documents you need. Even though you can pull up documents on a phone, it's best to have a copy as well.
• Notify your credit card companies that you will be traveling out of the country. If you don’t travel very often, they could flag your transactions as fraud and lock your card. Please make sure to bring a credit card to the hotel as they will put a hold on your card for incidentals at check-in. 
• Check with your mobile phone company about the cost to use your phone outside the country. Mexico is free for most, but anywhere else in the Caribbean should have a charge, usually $10 per day. However, you can avoid the charge by keeping your phone on airplane mode and only using your phone with wifi.
• For your return into the States, some airports have Mobile Passport to help streamline the entry process into the US. Download the app and once you land in the States, you can fill out your information and find the Mobile Passport line. 
• Most all inclusive resorts have dress codes requiring long pants and closed toe shoes for men in their restaurants. Check the website for your specific resort to see the requirements. Some accept jeans and others do not.
• Tipping is allowed at most resorts (Sandals being the exception). This is at your discretion. Take small bills such as $1s and $5s as they might not be able to change larger bills at the hotel. Suggested Tipping Amounts:
  • Bar drinks $1 - $2 per drink
  • Waitstaff at buffet meals $2 - $4 per guest
  • Waitstaff at served breakfast/lunch $3 - $5 per guest
  • Waitstaff at served dinner $5 - $10 per guest
  • Luggage handlers $5 - $10
  • Drivers $5 - $10 per guest
  • Daily Housekeeping $5 – I like to leave it on the table with a note so they know it's for them. Or leave it on a pillow. I do this daily as you might have different housekeepers each day.
  • Room Service $5 - $10 per order
  • Butler - $20 per day minimum
• The frozen drink cups served at the pool are generally pretty small. Take an insulated cup such as a Yeti for your frozen drinks. The bartenders will make your drink right into your cup and you won’t find yourself waiting for a drink as often.
• A portable battery charger and a waterproof phone protector are good to have with you. Many travelers like to bring pool floats and clips for towels.
• Please use the safe in your room for valuables. 
• Rooms are generally not ready until 3 pm. Make sure you pack a swimsuit and sunscreen in your carry on so you can enjoy the pool/beach when you arrive. The bellmen will hold your luggage until your room is ready .
• Depending on your resort some restaurants require reservations and others don’t accept reservations at all. Ask when you check in what policy your resort has if they don't tell you.
• You may be approached by people at the resort trying to sell their Vacation Club (time share). They may offer you something free to sit through their presentation which could last hours. If you are not interested, tell them you are a travel agent and they will leave you alone.
• Sargassum (seaweed) is a naturally occuring event and is a product of Mother Nature. It can't be predicted when or where it will occur, but each resort does their best to remove it once it washes ashore.

How Can TSA Pre-Check Help Me?

TSA Pre Check can assist travelers who fly domestically skip those long lines and get to the gate faster. So, for those of you like me who are always running just a little behind, this can be a game changer!

Another major reason to apply for TSA is that you get to keep your shoes on! You don't have to take off your jacket or your belt. And, for me, I don't have to take out my laptop which is always with me when I travel. In fact, your TSA compliant liquids can even stay in your carryon. Maybe this doesn't sound like much to you, but just the fact that my feet won't touch the floor is almost enough for me! 

With TSA Pre-Check You Don't Have to Remove

• Shoes
• Laptops
• 3-1-1 Liquids
• Belts
• Light Jackets

One drawback to TSA Pre-Check is that it may not be available or even open at all airports at the time of your flight. My flights are usually very early in the morning especially if I have an international flight. There have been times at 5am that I have seen many frustrated people waiting in the TSA Pre-Check line when there was no one there. However, the regular line was flowing. But, most of the time, this is not the case.

There is an application process for TSA Pre-Check and the cost is $85 for a five-year membership. After applying online and paying the fee, you will need to go to a certified enrollment center for a quick interview, fingerprinting, and photo. Once everything checks out, you should receive your approval within a couple of weeks.

Traveling with medications can be difficult when you don't know what to expect. Here is what you need to know about flying with medications departing from the U.S.

Before You Travel

Consider temperature changes at your destination. Extreme temperature changes can disrupt the effectiveness of the medication.

Research local laws of the visiting country. Medications prescribed or over the counter in one country could be unlicensed or controlled in another. The country may also require documents from your physician for the medication. There can be serious consequences for violation of laws. If you need any help with this, please let me know.

Airport Arrival

Take prescription medication in the original prescription bottle. It is Not recommended to put medicine in a pill container.

Medications in solid or liquid form greater than 3.4 ounces is allowed in your carry-on bag.

Medication in liquid form is allowed in carry-on bags in excess of 3.4 ounces in reasonable quantities for the flight. It is not necessary to place medically required liquids in a zip-top bag. However, you must tell the officer that you have medically necessary liquids at the start of the screening checkpoint process. Medically required liquids will be subject to additional screening that could include being asked to open the container.

You can bring ice packs to keep liquid medication at the required cooled temperature.

You can travel with your medication in both carry-on and checked baggage. It’s highly recommended you place these items in your carry-on in the event that you need immediate access.

Request a private screening if desired.

It is advised that you travel with no more than personal use quantities.

Please remember that delays happen, so take a few days of extra medication, just in case.

I recommend that you travel with a small bag of medications. I have headache, motion sickness, stomach, allergy, chap stick, Pedialyte packets, and ear plugs in my bag. 

If you have any questions at all, please let me know.

Disabilities and Medical Conditions | Transportation Security Administration (tsa.gov)