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On June 28, 2010, the U.S. Department of State published its Schedule of Fees for Consular Services in the Federal Register. The schedule includes fees for passports, immigrant visas and other consular services. The changes will take effect on July 13, 2010. The revised fees will cover actual operating expenses for the 23 domestic passport agencies.
 
The adjusted fees are based on a Cost of Service Study completed by the Bureau of Consular Affairs in June 2009. The study, which was the most detailed and exhaustive ever conducted by the U.S. Department of State, established the true cost of providing these consular services, which the Department recovers through the collection of fees.

In their official public announcement the State Department says, “While the Department of State is aware of the financial impact this fee increase may have on individuals and businesses, its passport processing operations must be self-sustaining to the extent possible, and it has accordingly set these fees at a level that will allow cost recovery–and not more. The Department also maintains that the increase in passport fees is not significant in comparison with the overall costs of international travel.”

The most significant changes are increases in standard adult passport fees from $75 to $110 and standard minor passport fees from $60 to $80. Passport cards will increase in cost from $20 to $30 ($15 for minors). The Department of State expediting fees remain at $60 per application.   The Department will begin charging $82 for adding extra pages to existing passports, plus applicable State Department $60 expediting fees. In the past, the Department provided extra pages in a customer’s passport, at no charge. The Department found that the cost of the pages themselves, having the pages placed in the book in a secure manner by trained personnel, and of completing the required security checks results in a cost to the U.S. Government more than $82 per passport book, therefore, the Department will charge the same for previously free service.

A Briggs suggests that the traveler request a larger 52-page passport book offered by the State Department for travelers who anticipate needing more than 28 visa pages over the lifespan of the passport.  Any passport applicant may request a larger book at the time of application by including a letter of explanation.  The larger passport is issued at the discretion of the Passport Office and is available at no additional cost.
 

You can get your passports at the post office and a local county clerk office (if available) or one of the federal branches.  You’ll need to have a certified copy of your birth certificate (I recommend ordering two) and your passport photos.   Please verify requirements for children.  For more information go to:

www.travel.state.gov/passport

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There are so many reasons to celebrate. Birthdays. Anniversaries. Reunions. Or any of life’s most special moments. But this year, Disney Parks is celebrating something new and that’s the good things people do for their communities.

New! Give a Day. Get a Disney Day.
Beginning Jan. 1, 2010, we want to inspire one million people to volunteer a day of service to a participating organization in their communities. So we’re celebrating their good works by giving each of them one-day admission to a Theme Park at the Disneyland® Resort or the Walt Disney World® Resort, free.* There’s no better time to make a dream come true for others and let us make a few come true for them.

How will this work for Clients who purchase vacation packages with multi-day tickets? When your Client signs up for “Give a Day. Get a Disney Day.” and completes the volunteer activity, they can choose one of the following options instead of receiving the one-day admission to a Theme Park:

• Disney’s Special FASTPASS® card for certain attractions for themselves and up to five additional members of their party⁺
• A collectible Ear Hat figurine with exclusive trading pins**
• Donate their free ticket to one of the select non-profit organizations designated by Disney Parks:
  • Boys & Girls Clubs of Southern California
  • Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Florida
  • Dreams Take Flight Canada

Throughout 2010, Disney Parks will continue to celebrate all of life’s milestones with special entertainment experiences, occasion celebrations and recognition moments.

Call 262-347-4776 Katie Cianciolo & Crew to book your Disney vacation and find out how to volunteer.

Travel Dates:

• 3-night cruises: Jan. 7 – April 15, 2010
  3-night cruises Booking Window:
  Now through Dec. 4, 2009
• 4-night cruises: Jan. 10 – April 11, 2010

Additional Details:
Applies to stateroom Categories 4-12 only
Available to book online and through GDS
Must mention booking code KFO

*Offer applies to new bookings only. The number of staterooms allocated for this offer is limited. Other special offers, discounts or onboard credits do not apply. See Disney Cruise Line® brochure for applicable Terms and Conditions.

Call CruiseOne-Waukesha

On Deck for the Cure® is the innovative fundraising initiative founded by Holland America Line in 2006 and now involves four additional Carnival Corporation brands – Carnival Cruise Lines, Seabourn Cruise Line, Costa Cruises, and Princess Cruises.
On Deck for the Cure has raised more than $2.7 million for the fight against breast cancer through fundraisers on dozens of the brands’ ships, with guests making a donation benefiting Komen for the Cure and participating in five-kilometer walks and other activities on the vessels’ open decks. The cruise lines will donate 75 percent of each registration fee to Komen for the Cure, with a minimum guaranteed donation of $260,000.
Holland America Line – On all of Holland America’s 13 vessels, guests are invited to make a $15 donation and participate in a five-kilometer walk around the ship’s upper deck wearing a custom-designed T-shirt and wristband. A post-walk pink lemonade reception – signifying the color associated with breast cancer research – is held for all walkers. Holland America has given more than $1.4 million to Komen through the On Deck for the Cure program.
Carnival Cruise Lines – Aboard the “Fun Ships,” guests are encouraged to make a minimum $10 donation and partake in a five-kilometer walk around the ships’ jogging track. Carnival Cruise Lines has given more than $600,000 to Komen though the On Deck for the Cure program.
Costa Cruises – Featured on Costa’s two Fort Lauderdale, Florida-based ships, the Costa Mediterranea and Costa Fortuna, during the vessels’ Caribbean cruise seasons, guests participating in On Deck for the Cure activities on these vessels make a $20 donation and then enjoy a five-kilometer stroll on the ships’ upper deck. Costa Cruise Lines has given more than $18,000 to Komen though the On Deck for the Cure program.
Princess Cruises – Following a 5-kilometer walk on the ships’ promenade decks, participants on Princess’ 17 ships enjoy a post-walk reception poolside with refreshments and snacks. The minimum donation is $15 and all participants receive a special baseball cap with the On Deck for the Cure and Komen logos. Princess Cruises has given more than $400,000 to Komen through the On Deck for the Cure program.
The Yachts of Seabourn – The intimate size of Seabourn’s 208-passenger ships limits the opportunities for hosting a five-kilometer walk. Instead, the line conducts “Quiz Night” team trivia contests in which participants can make a voluntary $25 donation and receive a special “On Deck for the Cure” visor and wristband. The Yachts of Seabourn has given more than $10,000 to Komen through the On Deck for the Cure program.

“A play of life and death, promised in a moment of mortal threat” – so began the history of the Oberammergau Passion Play in 1633. In the middle of the Thirty Years War, after months of suffering and death from the plague, the Oberammergauers swore an oath that they would perform the “Play of the Suffering, Death and Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ” every ten years. At Pentecost 1634, they fulfilled their pledge for the first time on a stage they put up in the cemetery above the fresh graves of the plague victims.”

Frightened survivors vowed that if God saved them from the plague, once every 10 years they would reenact the agony and crucifixion of Christ. From then on there were no further deaths from the plague—and the villagers have fulfilled their pledge ever since.

Experience this legendary event on one of the special vacations being offered in 2010 to Germany. There are packages of various lengths and can also be combined with a river cruise.  Call Katie at 877-398-2225.

Train Vacations are a fun and relaxing way to see the sites. Canada trains are especially popular. They are also economical for student and group travel - call Katie to book your train holiday.

1. Travel to a religious destination.

2. Travel for missionary or volunteerism.

3. Travel with a fellowship intent.

Fellowship travel is the fastest growing interest. It can include religious events, retreat, conferences along with cruising, leisure vacations, adventure trips, local getaways, youth camps and much more.

People want these for the benefits of both leisure and fellowship. Even though faith is the untiting factor behind a group’s bond, leisure & fellowship serves as the primary motive. People was companionship, relaxation, or renewal with other like-minded individuals.

With the rising cost of gasoline and airfare combined with an unstable job market, many skipped their typical summer vacation, enjoying a staycation instead. It is a well known fact however that entrepreneurs and employees that take a vacation from work are more productive and healthy. Staycation is a portmanteau or buzzword that combines two words – “stay” and “vacation” and refers to a holiday that takes place either at or near home… (read the rest)