Always trying to keep YOU informed....

The State Department is proposing increases in the cost of passports. The proposed rule for the new passport fees was published in the Federal Register last month and will be followed by a public comment period of at least 30 days. The public will be notified of the date the new fees will go into effect. Adult first-time passports will increase from $95 plus the $25 execution fee to $135. The U.S. Passport Book and U.S. Passport Card for adults are valid for 10 years.

The proposed schedule of fees for passport application services is as follows:

* Total Cost: $135 for a first-time U.S. Passport Book for adults (age 16 and over)
* Total Cost: $110 for U.S. Passport Book renewal (age 16 and over only)
* Total Cost: $105 for a U.S. Passport Book for minors (under age 16)
* Total Cost: $55 for a first-time U.S. Passport Card for adults (age 16 and over)
* Total Cost: $30 for a U.S. Passport Card for adults (age 16 and over) who currently hold a fully valid U.S. Passport
* Total Cost: $40 for a U.S. Passport Card for minors (under age 16)
* Total Cost: $82 for additional visa pages

The fee for expedited service will remain $60.

The proposed passport “Schedule of Fees” is based on a Cost of Service Study conducted in June 2009. “It’s the most detailed study the Department of State has ever conducted of its for-fee services, and represents a cost correction from the last update of the Schedule of Fees four years ago,” the State Deoartment says.

Passport application fees are not only used to cover the costs of producing a U.S. Passport Book or Passport Card. Passport fees also cover the costs of providing emergency services for American citizens overseas in crisis situations, such as the current earthquake disaster in Haiti, helping Americans who have been the victims of crime while traveling or living abroad, and providing support to the families of American citizens who have died overseas, State says.

Are We Hungry yet?

Royal Caribbean International instituted Daily Reservations, an online system for clients enrolled in "My Time Dining.:"

You can make nightly reservations in the main dining room and include other guests at your table.

Tables for two to 10 are offered.

Guests can access, request and review their Daily Reservations in advance of sailing through the Pre-Cruise Planner or Cruise Enhancements section of RoyalCaribbean.com.

Daily Reservations are currently available for Oasis of the Seas and will be deployed on all their ship throughout the spring.

Princess Cruises Leads the Way - ONCE AGAIN!

Reviving a tradition that vanished years ago with the onset of tighter security procedures, Princess Cruises is debuting a program to give passengers the opportunity to invite their friends and family aboard ship on embarkation day.

Princess is packaging a ‘Bon Voyage Experience,’ complete with lunch in the dining room and a ship tour, for $39 per person. The price can be applied to a future cruise.

Clients can extend an invitation to their guests to join them on board during sailing day for a four-course dining room lunch with wine, a ship tour and a souvenir photo. Participants get priority embarkation and will be able to spend approximately four hours together on the ship prior to sailing.

The number of guests who will be able to participate in the ‘Bon Voyage Experience’ on any given embarkation day will be approximately 50.

Europe - Carnival - NEW SHP - 2011 YES!

The new Carnival Magic will debut with seven-, nine- and 12-day Mediterranean cruises round-trip from Barcelona from May to October 2011.

This marks Carnival Cruise Lines’ first full season of Mediterranean cruises in three years, as well as the first time the line has homeported a ship in Barcelona.

Carnival is offering an exclusive pre-sale for past customers from today until Jan. 25, including free two-category upgrades and pricing starting at $829 per person, double occupancy.

For customers new to Carnival, the line’s full range of cruise fares, including ‘Early Saver’ rates, will open on Jan. 26.

Carnival Magic’s 2011 Mediterranean schedule will encompass three seven-day departures, six nine-day cruises and eight 12-day voyages. A one-time nine-day sailing from Venice to Barcelona will operate May 1.

Each of the three itineraries starts and ends on a Friday, Saturday or Sunday, which Carnival said reflects traditional vacation patterns and provides convenient opportunities for adding a pre- and post-cruise stay.

Seven-day cruises will visit Monte Carlo, Livorno, Civitavecchia, Naples and Messina. Nine-day cruises add Marseilles (a new port for Carnival) and Palma de Mallorca. The special nine-day cruise on May 1 will visit Dubrovnik, Messina, Naples, Civitavecchia, Livorno and Monte Carlo.

The 12-day voyages include Monte Carlo or Marseilles, Livorno, Civitavecchia, Naples, Dubrovnik (excluding the May 22 departure which visits Palma de Mallorca), Venice (overnight) and Messina.

Next year in Jerusalem! - Ok close enough.....

Crystal Cruises is planning Passover seders as Crystal Serenity sails to Ashdod, Israel, and Crystal Symphony cruises New Zealand.

In keeping with Jewish tradition, there will be a seder plate blessed by a rabbi, along with a participatory recitation of the Passover Haggadah, sing-a-longs and a four-course holiday feast.

Crystal Serenity passengers will celebrate Passover March 30, on the ‘Modern & Ancient Marvels’ voyage of the world cruise from Dubai to Athens, while Crystal Symphony passengers celebrate April 1, at the start of their ‘Vineyards and Fiords’ cruise from Auckland to Sydney.

To accommodate Jewish guests disembarking Crystal Symphony’s previous cruise on the first day of Passover, a ceremony and feast will also be offered on March 29.

Kosher food selections are available throughout the Passover holiday.

San Francisco Here I come......Again!

Queen Victoria will make its maiden call to San Francisco on Jan. 27, 2010 making her inaugural visit in 2010.

Queen Victoria will stop in San Francisco as part of the first segment of its world cruise before continuing across the Pacific Ocean to Hawaii.

Cunard said numerous observers are expected to view the ship’s arrival to Pier 35 at approximately 6:30 a.m. and the departure at 6 p.m. Vantage points include the areas to the north and south sides of the Golden Gate Bridge, Piers 45 and 39, Fort Mason, Aquatic Park and Crissy Field.

Keep an eye out for the BIG NEWS!

Oceania’s FIRST TIME in San Francisco will be in April 2011, and there are more surprises in store! Want to know what Oceania has coming up after that? Keep an eye on my blog for a big announcement! Could it be Alaska?