Basic Tips For The Business Traveler

Business trips or official trips are those that take you away from your place of work for a significant duration of time. In terms of IRS you travel away from your ‘tax home’ (the place where you are currently working) to a different place for a specific interval of time.

What makes a business trip different from an ordinary overnighter? Simple. A business trip is booked by your company and they get to decide where you go, where you stay, how long you stay and how much you can eat on their dime. In your ordinary overnighter you decide on your destination, your hotel choice, budget for entertainment AND you get to take loved ones along fo the ride.

If you happen to be the owner of the company your travel decision are centered around the bright business prospects i.e. the best place you think would be to enhance and promote your business.

Business trips are to be planned in a slightly different fashion than normal. Usually your company will do the booking for you but if the travel is at your decretion, then you have the opportunity to think about your travel.

If this is the case, here is where you can save a few extra dollars. Do a search and compare prices. Most online travel sites will educate you about various things. For instance you can know about the hotels and their charges, airfares, and the cost to rent a vehicle It's better to do your research as soon as possible before your business trip. Last minute travel planning for business can be troublesome as well as expensive.

While you making a business trip, try and save as much as you can but without compromising on your basic amenities. It's not wise to spend your entire food allowance eating lavishly. If you are visiting a place for the first time, one night to see the nightlife is enough. Don't over pack as some airlines charge by the weight of your luggage. Some elegant official wear shirts and trousers should be preferred than a multitude dresses.

Don't forget to pack your travel alarm clock -- you don't want to miss the meeting or conference that is planned for your business trip.

Lastly, reach the airport or station on time to avoid missing your flight or train. Go with a little planning and make your business trip a huge success!

Air Travel With Your Furry Friends

I am a HUGE fan of animals and I can't imagine taking a vacation without my Yorkies (Ozzie Davis and Billy Dee) by my side. My sister is the fur mommy to two lovable Shih Tzu fur babies drove 24 hours from Houston, TX to Philadelphia, PA because she didn't want to be separated from them on her 2 hour plane ride.

These days doggies are not just family pets, they are an important part of the family. Having to leave them behind can be the determining factor in planning a family vacation.

Here are some helpful tips in planning a family vacation with your four footed loved ones. You will find that traveling with your pet is easier than you think!

Air travel with your pet falls into two catagories: In cabin or cargo.

Pets that are small enough to fit under your seat on the plane are "in cabin". Those that are too large will have to ride "cargo". If this is the case, you will need to check with the airline regarding temperature regulations for the cargo of the plane. Most cargo areas are not temperature regulated. They have no air conditioning or heat. Make sure when booking your flight to see if they will accommodate your pet. If you make your reservation online, you will have to make a separate reservation for your pet. Don't forget to make sure your pet can travel with you.

If the airline does allow pets on the plane, they will require an approved crate. Toy dogs require an "in cabin" approved crate. Check with your airline. If you are traveling with more than one pet, check the limit requirements.

You will need a health certificate from your veterinarian. Health certificates are good for ten days. If your trip will be longer than that you will need to purchase another health certificate for the return trip. Cost of a health certificate varies by location and vets. Cost can be anywhere between $15 and $45.

There are times when your pet may be more comfortable with their toys or stuffed animals inside the crate with them. This must also be approved by the airline as they may require that you pack your pet's toys with your luggage. If the airline does allow toys, it's safe put one toy in the crate with your pet. You may also want to consider adding a blanket with your scent inside the crate for your furry friend's additional comfort.

Some pets will experience a certain amount of stress when flying. Be sure to provide your toy breed pet Nutri-Cal before the flight and as soon as you able to reunite with your pet regardless of whether or not they ride in the cabin with you or in the cargo area. The Nutri-Cal will help keep their blood sugars level. Toy breed dogs are more susceptible to hypoglycemia (low blood sugar attacks), which sometimes occur during the stress of traveling. Do not give your toy breed dog tranquilizers. The motion of the airplane has a soporific effect, which may cause your pet (and people) to drift off into a sleep. Once in the air your toy breed pet will probably sleep most of the trip. I'm sure this will put your mind at ease!

Don't forget to give your pet some water just before the flight and also minimize its consummation of food from around 6 hours prior the flight.

While going through the security check make sure that you have a good hold on your pet as the pet will be out of its carrier and may try to run away. Make sure the pet carrier goes through so that you can immediately put the pet in its carrier again.

Last but not the least, do not forget to consult the veterinarian for any concern or queries that you may have regarding the health or vaccination of your pet for travel purposes.

Keeping these tips in mind will make sure that you have a stress free journey with your pet. Take your pet along and make most of your holiday or vacation without any worries.

Airline Booking Tips

When my clients talk to me about making travel plans, each one seems to ask the same question.

"When is the best time to actually book travel?"

I'm going to use this forum to provide the answer.

The first step towards getting inexpensive airline tickets is to plan your trip EARLY! If you wait until the last minute to book your trip, then the ticket price could be outrageous! Plan at least a month in advance. Contrary to popular belief, you won't get a better deal by waiting. Airlines give discounts for early bookings at least 1-2 months in advance and 4-6 months in advance in peak season months. As soon as you know you will be traveling, make your reservation!

The absolute WORST time to book an airline ticket is during the business day (9am - 5pm). Since this is when most business takes place, the airlines increase the price of tickets during this time.

If your travel is business related, try to include a Saturday stay. Most business travelers rarely stay over a weekend, but staying an extra day can produce significant savings.

Can you fly out of your destination on Tuesday or Wednesday instead of Monday or Friday? This too can produce a savings. Also if you can, try to avoid flying on the holidays -- this is a no brainer. Locate some airline deals right after the holidays as many airlines try to keep sales high and will offer great specials.

Travel tip: Clergymen and members of the military receive discounts on airline tickets -- check with your airlines first before you purchase.

Also try to book with a travel agent, as they will sometimes have special airfare discounts that are not released to the public.

TBTS Summer Cruise and Conference 2009!

I am flat out excited to announce our First Twitter Cruise! We will Cruise to Ocho Rios, Jamaica & Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands for 5 Days and 5 Nights, August 29 -September 3, 2009! This will be a FUN filled, networking, learning adventure for all us (told you we were going to have fun in 2009;-). Our first Twitter Cruise will be a sneak peak of the Annual Cruises. Each Category will have it’s own Themed Cruise going forward.

We hope that you would want to attend, participate, or help sponsor the event. The Topics are Blogging, WAHM, Social Media & Network Marketing. Going forward, we will hold 3 Cruises annually. One Cruise for Bloggers Cruise, WAHM Cruise, Social Media & Network Marketing Cruise. Deposits start at $100.00 per person for Inside, Ocean, Balcony view. Suite, Quads, Triples deposits are $200.00 per person. Deposits are due March 6, 2009. You can reference http://www.twitterbythesea.com/for updates.

Bringing a Guest or Sharing Cabins?

There can be up to 4 passengers per Cabin. Credit card will NOT be charged until the 1st deposit date, which is always posted on the registration page. Everyone in that triple or quad cabin will be paying the same amount. We will formulates the rates of the triple and quad cabins by adding the 1st & 2nd guest rate to the 3rd & 4th guest rate then dividing by 3 or 4 people, so that everyone sharing a cabin will have the same rate. We will post the correct rates on the website for all the cabin types. 3rd & 4th passenger rates are $90.00 plus Non commissionable fares, Taxes, and Gratuities. Book Now! Cabins will sell out!

Are you a US Citizen?

When you log onto the website to register, I strongly advise that you let us know if you are a US citizens are not. There is a place at the end of the registration process where they can type notes. Please enter this info there. This will be very helpful info to the cruiseline as well. If the cruiseline assumes that a passenger is a US citizen, and you are not, you will be denied boarding. This is a security matter and it is strictly enforced by every cruiseline.
Book the correct cabin type
If you make a mistake and book the wrong cabin type, you will have to redo the whole registration process. This means that if there are only two passengers traveling you must book into a double cabin space and not a triple cabin space just in case you friend may want to go. It must be exact based on their needs. The cruiseline does not allow TBAs (Name to be announced later). It must be the legal given name for each guest or the entire cabin will be cancelled. There is to be NO duplications of the same name, everyone who will occupy a bed in a cabin must use their legal name on the registration page.

Under the age of 21?

Any child who is under the age of 21 must have a paying adult booked in the same cabin who is over the age of 25. This does vary from cruiseline to cruiseline, so please always check the line you are sailing on for updates and rules on this issue. Any child who is traveling with someone other than a parent or legal guardian they must have a permission slip from the absent parents stating that they are aware that their child is traveling with someone other than a parent or legal guardian. This permission slip must be signed by the absent parents/parent and “notarized”. This would include a minor child traveling with a father or mother who are divorced or grandparents. They must have permission from the absent parent for the child to travel with the other parent. Should the cruiseline ask for this permission slip and no one has the notarized letter of permission the cruiseline can deny boarding of that minor.
Travel Insurance Insurance is optional but strongly recommended.
All deposits are due March 6, 2009. All deposits and payments are refundable before June 1, 2009.
All Cabin changes, and refund request need to be made to me via email: dejaniera@warmspiritedtravel.com

All emails must include the group name and sailing date in the subject line. Please include Passenger Full contact information and cabin confirmation number and the changes you would like made.

Welcome aboard Carnival Destiny Jamaica!

(Scroll Down to “1st Twitter By the Sea”)
Download the Flyer
Questions? Want to participate? 1-866-818-8379

Twitter By The Sea!

Let The FUN Begin On A Carnival Cruise Vacation!

5 Day Western Caribbean Cruises from Miami, FL. Join us! Themed Cruise for Bloggers, WAHM's, Social Media & Network Marketing! Saturday, August 29 - September 3, 2009! Your first destination on this adventure is Grand Cayman, an island famous for its Seven Mile Beach where you can enjoy all your favorite watersports. Other fun attractions include wildlife encounters and shopping in pastel-colored George Town. The following day you're in Ocho Rios, Jamaica, where the most popular of many attractions is Dunn's River Fall where you can climb a staircase of cascading water. On this cruise, you'll have one fun adventure after another.

(click the "1st Twitter By The Sea" link)

Email me at dejaniera@warmspiritedtravel.com for the official cruise flyer.
Call me at 1-866-818-8379 for booking questions.
Complete your Traveler's Profile at WarmSpiritedTravel TODAY! I want to address all your travel and vacation needs.
Follow me on TWITTER

Valentines Day is February 14th

If you plan to order flowers for your loved one this Valentine's Day -- may I suggest one of the best online flower shops I've encountered. Take a look at some of their beautiful arrangements.











Feel free to click any arrangement and be transported to the online store! Enjoy and Happy Valentine's Day

Something Just for Our Military!

NEW PROMOTION FROM CARNIVAL
ALLOWS MILITARY PERSONNEL TO BOOK
UP TO THREE ‘FUN SHIP' STATEROOMS
AT DISCOUNTED RATES

Prices Start at $159 Per Person

In honor of Veteran's Day, Carnival Cruise Lines is introducing a promotion throughout November that allows active and retired military personnel to book up to three "Fun Ship" staterooms at discounted rates for themselves and their friends and family members.

Reservations must be made between Nov. 1-30, 2008, to qualify for this special offer, which is available in conjunction with a wide range of three- to 12-day "Fun Ship" departures through Dec. 31, 2009, including voyages to The Bahamas, Caribbean, Mexico, Alaska and Hawaii.

Rates start at $159 per person for three-day cruises from Miami and Port Canaveral, Fla., and five-day cruises from New Orleans and Jacksonville, Fla.; from $189 for four-day cruises from Mobile, Ala., and Jacksonville; from $309 per person for seven-day cruises from Miami, Galveston, Texas, and Port Canaveral; and from $359 per person for six-day voyages from Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

The promotion is valid for individual bookings only, availability is capacity controlled and this promotion cannot be combined with any other discount offer. Fare code CPM1 must be requested during the reservations process and military personnel must provide proof of service. Certain other restrictions apply.