Carefully review all the information we included in your package your airline, cruise or tour documents, your Go Bucket List Travel “Bucket Bible” daily itinerary schedule, each local tour, hotel and transfer voucher and insurance papers.
Please call us immediately at 804-557-3006 if you have any questions.
IS YOUR PASSPORT CURRENT?
Most countries require that you have at least six months of passport validity left on your passport from your date of entry OR from your expected date of departure from the country you are visiting, plus have empty pages in your passport for entry and exit stamps.
If not, you must apply for a new passport and/or extra pages as soon as possible.
Carry a photocopy of the information pages in your passport and a passport photo with you when you travel separately from your original passport. If your passport is lost or stolen, these items can expedite the replacement process.
DO YOU NEED A TOURIST VISA?
Do you need a tourist visa to visit the countries on your tour or cruise? It may depend on how long you intend to visit there.
As you are preparing for your upcoming trip, be sure you know if the countries on your itinerary, such as China, require a tourist visa in addition to your passport to enter the country.
As with any other type of travel you do, it is your responsibility to obtain and have available the proper visa necessary for each country you will visit.
It is extremely important that you have all the necessary travel documents before you arrive at the cruise ship or airport before you travel overseas. Boarding your cruise or airplane connection may be denied if you arrive without the proper passport and visa(s), and the unfortunate result would be that, not only would you miss the cruise or tour you’ve been waiting for, but you would also not be eligible for a refund.
There are also associated costs to obtain these additional visas.
Non-US citizens should check with your country’s consulate, as regulations vary.
ARE YOUR VACCINATIONS UP TO DATE?
Be sure to check with the U.S. State Department country guides or the official websites for the countries on your itinerary for current vaccination requirements.
ARE THERE ANY ALERTS OR WARNINGS?
Check with the U.S. State Department to be aware of any current travel warnings or alerts for the destinations you are about to visit.
There may be weather, health, environmental or terrorist warnings issued for your chosen vacation destination.
IS YOUR BAGGAGE TOO HEAVY?
Buy a baggage scale and keep it with you. Be sure to know the airline baggage weight and piece limitations before you go to the airport. Weigh your bags ahead of time.
Know the charges for checking bags and the penalties for overweight bags. This will vary by airline, destination, and your class of service.
ARE YOUR POWER CONVERTERS AND ELECTRICPLUGS READY?
We’ll let you know what types of electrical plugs and power voltage to expect at your destination. Be sure to have an international plug set and power converter handy if you are outside of North America.
WHEN IT IS TIME TO GO
Luggage Tags and TSA-Approved Locks
Use the luggage tags we gave you or the ones that came with your cruise or tour materials.
Please attach one luggage tag to each piece of luggage, including your carry-on bag to help facilitate baggage claim and group transfers.
BUT….If you are taking a cruise, do not attach your embarkation baggage tags until you are ready to give them to the cruise porters for check-in.
Buy a TSA-approved lock for each bag and be sure your bags are locked before you check-in at the airport or board your ship.
Load the Apps for Your Airline and Cruise Line
Every airline and cruise line use apps to link you to your reservation record and to upload contact information and important documents such as passport numbers and even passport photos. Have these apps ready on your phone or tablet. Establish your account and frequent flyer numbers.
Have Your Travel Documents With You and Ready
Remember to bring your passport, any required visas, vaccination cards, airline and cruise tickets, but do not pack them in your checked bags at any time. You may be required to show your continuing or return travel documents to immigration officials.
Medications
Make sure you bring more than an adequate supply of your prescription medications, as it may be impossible to refill during the vacation.
Remember not to pack your medication in your checked luggage but keep it on you or in your carry-on. Your carry-on should also include anything else you may need in transit.
Credit and Debit Cards.
Make sure your credit card companies and banks know where and when you are traveling beyond the USA.
Credit cards are widely accepted and ATMs will normally accept your credit and debit cards. We have had problems with some store cards, such as COSTCO, accepting foreign charges. Please have more than one card handy.
Keep photocopies of your cards and website logins with you in a separate place
Do Your Family and Friends Know Where You Are?
Be sure to leave contact information with family, friends or colleagues.
Your “Go Bucket List Travel “Bucket Bible” will have emergency numbers to use to reach us at any time.
WHEN IT IS TIME TO FLY HOME
Have a Plan to Receive Your Mandatory COVIDTest
If you are flying back to the USA, have a plan to receive your mandatory clean COVID test within one day of your flight.
Most major international airports have walk-in or by-appointment testing facilities.
Many major hotels in Mexico and the Caribbean will offer testing services.
American flag airlines, including United, American and Delta accept the results of proctored at-home tests, such as the Abbott BinaxNOW test, but not all foreign flag carrier do.
Some airlines, such as American, utilize a third-party app to upload vaccination and testing results. American uses the VeriFly app which you should load onto your phone.
