The idea of experiential gifting has gained popularity recently, with many people wanting to share experiences over material things. Add travel to that experience, and now you have not only given the recipient a chance to make memories that last a lifetime but have also officially won the title of top-gift-giver in your circle!
Travel Gifts for Everyone on Your List
Be prepared for gleeful, ear-piercing screams when the kiddos or Disney fanatics on your list open a gift of Disney Cruise Line® cruise tickets! They will be ready to set sail to Castaway Cay, Disney’s private island, before you can say Mickey Mouse.
There will be high fives, fist pumps, and hugs all around when the music lover that tops your nice list opens the envelope to find a pair of concert tickets for their favorite band or bucket-list music festival. Just wait until they see those plane tickets to go with it!
Expect a toast in your honor when the wine lover in your life sees the wine country tour on which you are sending them. It’s hard to beat the intoxicating (pun intended) smells, sights, and tastes of Napa Valley during crush – maybe they’ll even bring you back a bottle or two!
Rad snowboarder in your life? Plane tickets and lift passes are a no-brainer. If they don’t want to travel with their gear, you can call the resort and rent ahead of time, so it’s waiting for them when they get there. Just be sure you know which resorts are better for snowboarding, as ski and snowboard runs can be vastly different.
Maybe your stressed-out best friend has been dreaming of a yoga retreat away from it all to recharge. Make it a week-long yoga retreat in Hawaii or Costa Rica, and you may witness their stress melting away right before your eyes.
The Finishing Touch: Travel Insurance
Now that you have purchased the perfect travel experience for your loved one, you’re ready to wrap it up and tie a bow on top. But before you do, consider adding a travel insurance plan as the finishing touch. A little-known but useful feature of travel insurance is that, unlike other insurance, you can purchase it for someone else.
Giving travel insurance gives the traveler security in knowing that if something unforeseen happens and the trip is canceled, delayed, or interrupted, it is not a total loss. In addition to prepaid, nonrefundable airfare, even the concert tickets, wine tour, and rented snowboarding gear can be covered if purchased before the trip is taken. A trusted travel insurance provider like Trawick International can help you determine which plan is right for the trip you are gifting.
When you are ready to purchase the plan, you need to have basic information about the traveler to put their name on the policy. This will allow the gift recipient to make a claim and be reimbursed instead of you, the gift giver. One thing to keep in mind, if a claim is made, the traveler will need to provide proof of payment for trip costs. Be sure to hold onto your receipts or share them with the recipient.
Whatever you decide, a gift of travel is bound to be the highlight of the season for the recipient. We know we’d love to be on any list that involves being gifted travel!
Happy gifting!
Founded in 1998, Trawick International is a full-service travel insurance provider specializing in protecting travelers of all types worldwide. We offer various travel insurance plans designed specifically by types of coverage, including comprehensive travel protection insurance, international travel medical insurance, visitor’s insurance, and international student insurance. Our company's mission is to deliver superior travel and medical insurance products that offer the best 24/7 emergency assistance services available. Contact us at 888-301-9289 or info@trawickinternational.com.
By
Administrator at 15 Dec 2021
We are already in November and headed full swing into the holiday season, as hard as it is to believe. Here in the U.S., Thanksgiving is right around the corner – is anyone else excited for the return of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade this year? And around the world, preparations have begun for the many festivities that take place as the year starts to wind down.
To add to the celebratory mood, it seems the world is opening back up, little by little. Travel bans are relaxing in many parts of the world, and mandatory quarantine guidelines are lessening in others. Recently, the FDA has approved the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for children ages five and older in the United States, and in Britain, Merck's COVID-19 oral pill is approved.
All of this, combined with almost two years of video conference celebrations and limited to no travel, means people are primed to get out and travel this holiday season, albeit cautiously. With the delta variant persisting and COVID-19 cases on the rise in some areas, understandably there is still some hesitation in tapping the 'buy' button when booking flights or other means of travel, and many are waiting until the last minute.
If you are among those looking to travel but on the fence about when to purchase your plane tickets, you may want to do so sooner rather than later. According to recent articles by The New York Times and Travel & Leisure, airfare prices are rising and will continue to do so as the holidays approach, likely getting back to 2019 prices once December hits. Lower fares can be had if you buy now, but if you are still nervous, trip cancellation insurance may help give you some peace of mind.
Buying trip cancellation insurance from a trusted travel insurance provider such as Trawick International could help offset financial loss that occurs if your trip is disrupted or canceled for a covered reason. Some Trawick International plans offer an option to Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR), providing further protection against loss. Of course, plan coverages vary, so you should definitely do your research and select the right plan for you.
We recommend buying travel insurance within a week of the date you make the first payment on your trip, but you can purchase the cancellation plan up until the day before you leave. For plans that offer CFAR, however, you must purchase the benefit within 21 days from the initial deposit date and you must insure all prepaid non-refundable trip costs. It is worth noting that, like most travel insurance providers, Trawick International does not have any plans that offer CFAR in NY or WA.
At Trawick International, we understand the importance of spending time with loved ones during the holidays and wish everyone safe, healthy, and happy travels. Visit Trawick International for more information about our available plans or customize a plan and get a Travel Insurance Quote today.
Founded in 1998, Trawick International is a full-service travel insurance provider specializing in protecting travelers of all types worldwide. We offer various travel insurance plans designed specifically by types of coverage, including comprehensive travel protection insurance, international travel medical insurance, visitor’s insurance, and international student insurance. Our company's mission is to deliver superior travel and medical insurance products that offer the best 24/7 emergency assistance services available. Contact us at 888-301-9289 or info@trawickinternational.com.
By
Administrator at 10 Nov 2021
As we are approaching the end of the summer, celebrations don’t seem to stop, especially for the Jewish community, as they enter the High Holiday season with Rosh Hashana, Yom Kippur, and Sukkot in the month of September.
Unfortunately, with the Covid-19 pandemic still around and the new Delta variant taking over, the regulations for travelers going to the Middle Eastern country have changed. All visitors coming to Israel from the U.S, including those vaccinated and recovered, must enter full isolation. Isolation can be shortened if both the PCR test taken upon arrival and the PCR test taken on the seventh (7th) day of isolation are negative.
The good news is, as of September 19th, Israel will allow small foreign tour groups from selective countries to visit. Tour groups of between 5 and 30 people from countries on Israel's green, yellow, and orange lists will be allowed to enter the country only if they show they have received a second dose of a COVID-19 vaccine within the last six months, or a booster shot.
Israelis who have family in the United States and want to visit them to celebrate the High Holidays, still can do it but they also need to take additional precautions to protect themselves and their families when traveling. Currently, non-U.S citizens only need to present a negative PCR (NAAT) or antigen (rapid test) test taken 72 hours before departing to the United States and visitors are not required to quarantine.
It is important that travelers consider purchasing travel medical insurance; but why should a traveler from Israel need to obtain travel medical insurance? The government of the United States does not provide healthcare for visitors from outside of the United States. It is essential to get travel medical insurance if your policy doesn’t cover you while you’re abroad or if your policy limits your coverage during the pandemic.
We at Trawick International offer several plans for citizens/residents of Israel to choose from that provide coverage for COVID-19 related expenses. We treat COVID-19 the same as any other illness. For your added peace of mind, we also provide a travel visa letter that states COVID-19 is covered, as well.
At Trawick International, we understand the importance of family and how much our clients want to protect them during these important holidays.
Visit Trawick International for more information about our Inbound to the USA Travel Medical Insurance plans or get a Travel Insurance Quote below.
PLEASE NOTE: Guidelines may have changed since this was published. Before traveling, you should always check your destination's COVID-19 situation and travel requirements. Countries may have their own entry and exit requirements. Additionally, always check for travel advisories in the area to which you are traveling. Refer to https://www.cdc.gov/ and https://travel.state.gov/content/travel.html for up-to-date information and guidelines.
Founded in 1998, Trawick International is a full-service travel insurance provider specializing in protecting travelers of all types worldwide. We offer various travel insurance plans designed specifically by types of coverage, including comprehensive travel protection insurance, international travel medical insurance, visitor’s insurance, and international student insurance. Our company's mission is to deliver superior travel and medical insurance products that offer the best 24/7 emergency assistance services available. Contact us at 888-301-9289 or info@trawickinternational.com.
By
Administrator at 13 Sep 2021
No industry was hit harder in the travel sector than the cruise industry by the COVID-19 pandemic. The entire industry was shut down for over a year. Luckily today, cruises have started to resume across the world. Yes, they are different from before the pandemic began, but this popular tourism activity has continued again.
Did you know the year before the pandemic in 2019 that over 30 million people took a cruise, as reported by the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA)? Let’s put that into perspective. Almost 10 percent of the entire U.S. population went on a cruise before the pandemic began. Clearly, cruises were and still are a popular tourist activity. In today’s post-pandemic world, travelers can still go on a cruise, and they just have to follow the regulations of the cruise line they are traveling on.
Cruise Regulations
The only problem is each cruise line has different regulations and this can be confusing for travelers. To help mitigate against the confusion, we have identified eight of the top cruise lines globally and clearly explain the travel regulations potential travelers have to follow.
Carnival
Unvaccinated guests sailing on a ship departing from Florida or Texas must show proof of travel insurance coverage during check-in.
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Policy requirements: a minimum of US$10,000, per person, in medical expense coverage and US$30,000 coverage for emergency medical evacuation and without COVID-19 exclusions
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The insurance policy must name the unvaccinated guest as the policyholder or beneficiary and may be purchased from a travel insurance company of the guest’s choosing or through Carnival Vacation Protection, which includes the required coverage
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Unvaccinated guests without the required proof of insurance will not be permitted to sail and no refund will be provided
Effective with sailings as of September 13, 2021, the CDC requires pre-cruise testing for vaccinated guests to be taken within two days before the sailing date. If the sailing is on Saturday, the test may be taken on Thursday and Friday, and as late as Saturday, if you are guaranteed to receive your results in time for check-in.
Royal Caribbean
For travel from the United States, here is what Royal Caribbean requires for a trip:
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Required Pre-Cruise Testing for Cruises Departing September 13, 2021, or later
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Vaccinated guests age 12 and older must show a negative COVID-19 test result for a PCR
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Unvaccinated kids age 2 to 11 must show a negative test result for a PCR test taken
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Guests under two years of age will not be tested
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The cost of pre-cruise testing is the guest’s responsibility
At the terminal for all cruises, a complimentary PCR test when checking in at the terminal. Registration details will be sent via email in advance.
Celebrity Cruises
Before boarding, all guests must complete a health questionnaire and unvaccinated children will be required to take a complimentary test at the terminal.
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In some homeport countries, testing may be required for all guests regardless of vaccination status. An additional test will be administered on board, free of charge if needed for homeport or home country re-entry
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We will sail with a vaccinated crew and at least 95% fully vaccinated guests. All guests 12 years and older must be fully vaccinated with all COVID-19 vaccine doses administered at least 14 days prior to sailing. All U.K. guests sailing on Celebrity Silhouette 18 years and older must be fully vaccinated.
Norwegian Cruise Line
**100% Mandatory Vaccination Requirement**
- Must be fully vaccinated at least two weeks before departure.
Before boarding, all guests will be required to take a COVID-19 antigen test, administered and paid for by the cruise line, and receive a negative result. Guests are also responsible for complying with all local health and safety requirements which may include additional testing.
• Mask-free cruise
• No social distancing
• All restaurants & experiences are fully open
• No restrictions for on-shore excursions
• No capacity restrictions
**On Europe sailings only, currently local government regulations require all guests to wear masks onboard.
Princess Cruises
**100% Mandatory Vaccination Requirement**
- Must be fully vaccinated at least two weeks prior to departure.
Guests must present proof of vaccination, as well as all required travel documents, at embarkation. Acceptable evidence of vaccination must be in the form of the original vaccination record document issued by the country’s health authority that administered the vaccination.
The name and birth date on the vaccination record must match the guest’s travel documents and show that the guest is fully vaccinated. This means that the guest has completed the full cycle of required doses for the vaccine administered (i.e., received the second dose in a two-dose series) and that the guest has received the final dose at least 14 days before the sailing date.
We will also require ALL fully vaccinated guests to produce a negative, medically-observed COVID-19 test (PCR or antigen) taken within two days of their embarkation on all Princess sailings.
We strongly encourage guests to wear face masks when in public spaces indoors. ALL guests will be required to wear a face mask – with no exceptions – in elevators and in designated indoor entertainment areas, all retail shops, and in the casino except when eating or drinking.
Disney Cruise Lines
For all sailings, Guests 12 years of age and older must be fully vaccinated and take a COVID-19 test upon embarkation. Guests 11 years old and under are not required to be vaccinated but must take a pre-trip rapid PCR test or lab-based PCR test for COVID-19, as well as a rapid COVID-19 test upon embarkation.
All Guests (ages two and up, including those who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19) must wear face coverings indoors.
Health and safety measures, ports of call and offerings may change at any time without notice. Upon reopening, certain onboard venues, experiences, and other offerings will be modified or unavailable, limited capacity, and subject to limited availability, advance reservations, or even closure.
We reserve the right to cancel any reservations or purchases—please review your rights in our Terms and Conditions. Subject to government approval.
Viking River Cruises
Depending on your travel dates, Viking may require you to submit verification of COVID-19 vaccination status as part of the Digital Health Survey.
Because every destination continues to adjust its entry requirements for international arrivals, we strongly recommend that all guests take a COVID-19 PCR (nasal swab or saliva) test within 72 hours before departure.
While not all countries require a pre-departure COVID-19 test, traveling with a copy of your negative PCR test result is an added layer of protection for you and your fellow travelers—and will provide peace of mind should your destination change its entry requirement with little notice.
Health and safety measures, ports of call and offerings may change at any time without notice. Upon reopening, certain onboard venues, experiences, and other offerings will be modified or unavailable, limited capacity, and subject to limited availability, advance reservations, or even closure.
Work with the best
Even though travel insurance is not required on some lines, we highly recommend purchasing a travel insurance plan with us—the top-ranked Cruise Insurance Provider for 2021 by Forbes Advisors. We offer plans that fit everyone’s budget.
Founded in 1998, Trawick International is a full-service travel insurance provider specializing in protecting travelers of all types worldwide. We offer various travel insurance plans designed specifically by types of coverage, including comprehensive travel protection insurance, international travel medical insurance, visitor’s insurance, and international student insurance. Our company's mission is to deliver superior travel and medical insurance products that offer the best 24/7 emergency assistance services available. Contact us at 888-301-9289 or info@trawickinternational.com.
By
Administrator at 13 Sep 2021
As a travel insurance provider, Trawick International always recommends that travelers purchase a travel insurance plan to protect their investment in their trip. Yes, we sell insurance, but we don't want travelers to be left exposed and not covered if something unforeseen occurs while traveling. The Stuffed Suitcase website reported that travelers should plan on budgeting approximately $2,225 for one person, $3,400 for a couple, and $5,750 for a family of four for an international vacation. Of course, this will vary greatly depending on the destination and your hotel choices.
Let's think about this for a minute. A family of four has an average vacation cost of $5,750. Could you imagine if one of your family members got sick and couldn't go on the trip? You would lose nearly $6,000 if you were not insured. By having travel insurance, you would be able to recoup your money by submitting an insurance claim. Please note that you could purchase travel insurance for a fraction of the cost of the trip to make sure you are protected.
The effect of the COVID-19 virus
Unfortunately, the world we live in today is quite different from the world just two short years ago. In today's world, we have to cope with the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2020 the pandemic brought international travel to a complete halt. Countries all over the world closed their borders to international travelers to stop the spread of the virus. Luckily this year, with the release of the COVID-19 vaccination, many countries have allowed international travel to resume.
Travel regulations differ from country to country
As global travel continues to pick up. Each country has set up travel regulations for international travelers to follow. Some countries require proof of vaccination and others require a negative PCR test to enter. Many countries across the globe require travel insurance to visit. Over 40 countries have some form of travel insurance requirements to comply with before international travelers can enter their country. Today, with the spread of the delta variant and the potential spread of the lambda variant of the COVID-19 virus, we believe that more countries will require international travelers to have some form of insurance in the coming weeks.
The countries that require travel insurance
Work with a trusted partner
If you and your family are considering international travel in the upcoming months or even next year. Please reach out to us at Trawick International. We have several travel insurance plans that comply with the travel regulations of the above countries. We also offer industry-leading travel insurance plans that can protect when traveling to different countries where travel insurance is not required. Contact us today to get a quote or purchase a policy!
PLEASE NOTE: Guidelines may have changed since this was published. Before traveling, you should always check your destination's COVID-19 situation and travel requirements. Countries may have their own entry and exit requirements. Additionally, always check for travel advisories in the area to which you are traveling. Refer to https://www.cdc.gov/ and https://travel.state.gov/content/travel.html for up-to-date information and guidelines.
Founded in 1998, Trawick International is a full-service travel insurance provider specializing in protecting travelers of all types worldwide. We offer various travel insurance plans designed specifically by types of coverage, including comprehensive travel protection insurance, international travel medical insurance, visitor’s insurance, and international student insurance. Our company's mission is to deliver superior travel and medical insurance products that offer the best 24/7 emergency assistance services available. Contact us at 888-301-9289 or info@trawickinternational.com.
By
Administrator at 11 Aug 2021
