CAN YOU SIMPLIFY TRAVEL INSURANCE AS IN ‘WHAT SHOULD WE TAKE OUT”?
Q – Much of what you cover on your “Traveltruth Media” sites makes sense and we feel travel educated when we spend some time reading the postings. But there is an exception. Travel insurance just confuses the hell out of me. I am 71 years old, both my wife and I are cancer survivors, and…
IS THERE REALLY A SO-CALLED $2000 RULE AT RITZ-CARLTON HOTELS?
Q – In a previous post, you mentioned the $2000 Rule at the Ritz-Carlton. I am in HR at a Fortune 500 Bank Group, and I am really curious as to how this works. I understand it is a “Rule” at the hotels and not necessarily aboard the new Ritz-Carlton Cruise line. Can you explain…
ARE ALL THESE ‘BLACK FRIDAY’ OFFERS REALLY LEGIT?
Q –(11.21.25) – It seems as though our e-mail and our physical mailbox have been inundated with so-called “Black Friday” travel offers from hotels, cruise lines, tour operators – everyone! The offers sound good. In one specific case, the current offer and amenities seem better than what I had when I booked my Viking cruise…
JUST WHAT CAN WE DRINK ON AN AIRCRAFT THAT WON’T MAKE US SICK?
Q – We are not yet clients – but hopefully, we soon will be. So let me pose a serious question. You have been somewhat specific about some beverages you advise your clients to avoid when flying. These include coffee, Coca-Cola, Hot Tea, and that famous Mrs. T Bloody Mary Mix, which tastes better at…
WHAT DO WE DO IF ONE OF OUR PLANNED EUROPE VACATIONS IS AFFECTED BY A FLIGHT CANCELLATION?
Q – This coming year, we have two trips planned to Europe: one for a Baltic Cruise on Seabourn and the other for a Douro River Cruise on Scenic. In each case, we are doing the air arrangements ourselves, taking your advice to work directly with the airlines. Given all the delays and cancellations we’ve…
FLYING TURKISH AIRLINES TO ISTANBUL TO CONNECT – KIND OF WORRIED – ANY ADVICE?
Q – We will be flying Turkish Airlines because it has the best connection to Italy, where we are headed. I am a rather Goth-looking fellow, as is my girlfriend, who will be joining me. We have a fair share of tattoos, and we are a bit concerned about being stopped and searched in the…
WHICH CARIBBEAN ISLANDS SHOULD BE AVOIDED BY HONEYMOONERS?
Q – 11.9.25 – We will be planning a honeymoon to the Caribbean in the next three months, and we have a rather specific question we hope you can answer without fear of backlash. Obviously, we will be choosing a five-star resort or as close as we can get to it. My bride and I…
ARE YOU KIDDING ME? 20% ADD-ON FOR TRAVEL INSURANCE?
Q – 11.9.25 – We are sailing to the Caribbean aboard one of the new Explora Cruise ships in a nice Suite. The Travelex insurance for this trip is a 20% premium. I believe this is really excessive. I am curious, what percentage of your customers actually purchase this high-cost insurance? A –The vast majority…
ANY STRATEGIC ADVICE IF MY THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY, OR EVEN CHRISTMAS, FLIGHTS ARE CANCELLED DUE TO GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN?
Q – (11.8.25) – We are, I am certain, not alone when it comes to concern and more than a little anger that we are subjected to so much stress over our next two major holidays regarding the shutdown and its impact on flights within the United States. If our political parties actually speak to…
MY CHASE VISA GETS ME AIR MILES: HOW DOES THAT REALLY WORK?
Q – 11.1.25 – I have a high-level Chase Sapphire card and I earn miles which I use on American Airlines for free tickets to Europe and upgrades in the States. But no one ever really explains how the system works. Am I really earning something tangible? It seems as though I am. A –…
CAN YOU GIVE IT TO US STRAIGHT – AFTER ALL THE ADVERTISING BS WHAT ARE THE BEST THREE CRUISE LINES OVERALL?
Q – I don’t know if there is an answer to this question but your advice would be truly appreciated. We have traveled within the US and have always gone the deluxe route. We can, fortunately, afford the best accommodations, food, guides etc. when we are on vacation. We’ve traveled abroad seven times, staying at…
DO YOU HAVE A HANDY SUBSTITUTE FOR VENICE ITALY NEXT SEPTEMBER?
Q – (9.27.25) – We are traveltruth newbies – thoroughly impressed. But we are frustrated. My wife and I honeymooned in Venice thirty-four years ago. We have been back once, but were thinking of going again for our vacation next September. But when I look at the overcrowding and the long lines I wonder if…
IS CRYSTAL RIGHT FOR THE KIDDIES?
Q – 8.28.25) – I have a question for you; here is the background: My wife would like us to take a cruise with her son and his family (wife and two small children, currently aged 2 and 4). Obviously, after Mickey let me down, the Cult is out of contention. I have been…
HEADED TO MYKONOS AND PAROS WHERE WE HEAR THE BEACHES ARE MOBBED
Q – A quick question, as I imagine you are busy booking “Southwest tickets”. We leave for the Greek Islands in three weeks and I am hearing stuff on TripAdvisor and TikTok about crowds on some beaches in Greece. I guess you need to make a reservation to hold a spot. I am less concerned…
WHERE CAN WE SEND OUR DAUGHTER ON HER HONEYMOON?
Q – Our incredible daughter number three is getting married, and she has asked us to plan the honeymoon. Both she and her fiancé have traveled very little; he to Mexico and the Caribbean, and she has taken one trip to Paris. They think we have a strict budget, but we want to surprise them…
WHERE ARE THE HEAVIEST TRAFFIC JAMS IN THE AIR?
Q – Although I thoroughly enjoy Traveltruth, I have absolutely no plans to travel anywhere this year. But I am a bit of an airline nerd and was wondering about increasing traffic in the air. Where are the skies most crowded these days? It came up in conversation with friends last night, and I honestly…
CONSIDERING TWO OR THREE TRIPS IN ASIA BEFORE 2028. WHAT IS CURRENT STATUS OF TRAVEL IN ASIA FROM A TOURISM PERSPECTIVE?
Q – (8.11.25) – My husband and I are recently retired. We have been fortunate enough to travel quite well in our former positions, but we never spent much time in Asia.. We plan to undertake up to three separate trips to Asia within the next 36 months. We will contact you regarding specifics, but…
LOOKING AT FINALIZING OUR BUCKET LIST: PLEASE HELP US SORT IT OUT
Q – We are looking for good options for the future – retirement is not far away and we want to plan way ahead so we can start getting ready and anticipating each journey. These are some of the places we are considering for two or three weeks per trip: Antarctica Greenland Australia India How…
RETIRED AND WANT TO WORK FOR YOU? HOPE YOU WILL RESPOND
Q – This is an unusual way to apply for a job but I just retired from the US Government, no I was not fired, where I specialized in overseas logistical planning. It has always seemed to me that selling travel might come naturally as I have been fortunate enough to live in Singapore, Dubai,…
IS THIS THE TIME TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF A STRONG DOLLAR IN EUROPE?
Q – We are planning either an October cruise to England an d Ireland on Celebrity or a trip next May/June. Our cruise will be less than 10 days but we want to add a week or so at the beginning and the end so this trip will be in the range of three weeks…
ARE THE SCAMMERS WITH PHONY HOTEL WEBSITES NOW ENTERING THE AIR TICKETING PORTIONS OF THE INTERNET?
Q – (7.21.25) – Am I imagining it or are online scammers, like the ones who have created fake online hotel booking sites now training their efforts on airline ticketing? I just don’t know where to search for air schedules and fares anymore. You think you are dealing with an actual airline or a certified…
WHAT ARE THE REAL ADVANTAGES OF USING ONE OF THE ONLINE TRAVEL AGENCY GIANTS?
Q – (6.24.25) – What are the advantages, if any, of booking our hotels through a travel agent? My wife and I will be setting up two driving trips in Croatia and Spain. and we’re looking for the best strategy. We like travel planning and will do most of the work ourselves but wondering what…
DO I STILL NEED TO AVOID COFFEE OR TEA MID-FLIGHT?
Q – (6.23.25) – You had something wild a few months back regarding never ordering coffee on any flight anywhere in any class of service. Does this still hold, and are there other things one should never order while flying a respectable, commercial aircraft (I fly four times a week on average)? Your site is…
NOT SURE YOU CAN ANSWER THIS; HOW DO YOU PLEASE A SEAFOOD LOVER WITH ONE OF THE BEST MEALS OF HER LIFE DOWN UNDER?
Q – (5.20.25) A bit of a challenge for your researchers: My wife of forty-two years loves great seafood. We will be on a tour of Australia through Scenic and I am wondering if there is one seafood gourmet dining experience that might provide a memorable experience for her? I really want to knock her…
JUST REQESTING YOUR BEST HOTEL UPGRADE SECRET
Q – I travel a lot and, if I’m being honest, I don’t spend a lot of time worrying about getting a deal or an upgrade and my secretary is far too shy to ask hotels for special treatment. But my wife and I have some trips upcoming and I wonder if you might reveal…
LOOKING AT PANAMA CANAL CRUISE IN WINTER – SHOULD WE WAIT UNTIL WE OWN IT?
Q – (5.16.25) – There is this bucket list idea that originated with my lovely wife that we need to cruise through the Panama Canal. I am a Construction Engineer by trade and I have read a bit about the construction phase and I am also intrigued. We were directed to your website because you…
HEADED TO THE DANUBE IN SEPTEMBER – WILL WE BE GREETED BY YANKEE GO HOME SIGNS?
Q – (4.27.25) – This September, we are headed on our first river cruise on Viking. I think we may be less traveled than some of your readers and we are getting extremely concerned about the anti-American feelings we hear mentioned on the news. There are obviously a lot of European who can’t stand Trump…
ARE AIR TAGS A GOOD IDEA WHEN TRAVELING TO EUROPE?
Q – My wife travel overseas two or three times a year since my retirement. We have not had a major lost luggage issue but our next-door neighbor has had two such experiences. My teenage son says I should get the Air Tags. Wondering if that is a good idea? A – We highly recommend…
HOW DOES A SAVVY CONSUMER SHOP FOR AND BOOK A VACATION OR EVEN A BUSINESS RENTAL CAR?
Q – You have not responded to many questions about renting a rental car for vacation or even business use. I realize that this site is more centered on vacation planning. But I read some of the online stuff and everyone talks about Expedia or Kayak for rental cars. There are, apparently, a great many…
