Ready to plan a vacation? Get help from a professional

BOOK YOUR TRAVEL

BY FREDA MIKLIN -- STAFF WRITER

Tom Trent and his staff at Adame Travel have over 75 years of combined experience helping their clients plan great vacations. They understand that people want to do something that will be fun and also safe. The Villager reached out to him to get answers to the questions people might have as they consider their options.

We asked, “Why use a travel agent when it’s easy to book online yourself?” Trent responded, “Why not? It doesn’t cost you anything and we are available 24/7 to help our clients. Look at what just happened. In today’s world, anything is possible. We had clients on an 18-day cruise to South America when the pandemic hit. It took ten days to get them home. We talked to that client multiple times per day. We coordinated with Celebrity to make sure they could get refills of their prescriptions. Celebrity was helpful but we were there to assist our client every step of the way with their individual needs.”

Trent added, “We provide a lot of amenities. Our agency is part of Cruise Planners, an American Express Travel Representative, which was established over 25 years ago and allows us to add amenities that aren’t otherwise available, including using American Express points. We are one of the relative few that believes in brick and mortar We have great online technology but we also have offices people can walk into and sit down. Our local office is at 8400 E. Prentice Avenue in Greenwood Village and we are open from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on weekdays and until 4:00 p.m. on Saturday. Of course, our phones are answered 24 hours a day and we have a mobile app and a website with a chat feature.”

We asked Trent about travel insurance. He said, “Insurance is something that I’ve always believed in very strongly. It covers medical expenses if a traveler becomes ill with COVID-19 while on their trip. Trip cancellation and interruption benefits are also included due to the traveler becoming ill with COVID-19 either before or during their trip. Cancel at any time coverage used to be good enough to get 80% back but may not if it’s COVID related. All the insurance companies are still trying to work out how to handle issues around this virus. It is important to have a travel agent who can get answers to those sorts of questions for you.”

Where to go? For maximum safety, many who are traveling this year are heading to destinations in the United States. “We’re seeing some segments of the U.S. market that are very strong. There is renewed interest in travel to Canada for hiking and national park travel. We also have a few tour providers who put together unique, personalized trips to places on the east coast like colonial America, Washington D.C. and throughout New England. People are even taking another look at train travel with bedroom compartments.” he told us. “Las Vegas hotels and casinos have begun to open up. They have robust policies to ensure social distancing and cleanliness.”

Trent explained, “Like everyone else, we had many cancellations during the past few months, but we are seeing very strong bookings. Everyone in the travel industry, especially cruise lines, recognize that travelers need to feel safe or they are not going to come back.” Specific steps cruise lines are taking include strongly encouraging online check-in to minimize touch points at the cruise terminal, where medical staff will be in the building to evaluate anyone who shows a temperature of over 100.4 after checking it twice. For those who pass basic health screening, the abbreviated check-in process will be done with masks and social distancing. On board, buffet restaurants will no longer be self-service. Ship culinary staff will dish out all food and seating in the restaurants, as well as in activity areas, will include social distancing. Special air filtration systems are being added to ships to absorb airborne particles that could transmit virus. Health screenings will be conducted for guests upon returning to the ships from ports of call.”

Mexican resorts are also starting to reopen, Trent told us. He explained, “Cancun largely escaped the COVID-19 pandemic. As they reopen, resorts are installing lots of plexiglass for added safety. If we don’t know exactly what is going on with a particular port or resort, we will find out and tell our clients before they book. Major properties in Mexico and Caribbean give people a greater sense of comfort.”

Fmiklin.villager@gmail.com