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Sweeping View of the French Riviera |
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Sweeping View of the French Riviera |
I know tour operators don't want you to know because I posted some of the following information in a popular FaceBook cruise travel group, and the piece, after garnering dozens of comments, was removed by an administrator with a hand-slap for me — I was told never to supply such information again. Of course, the reason cruise lines and tour operators don't want you to have this information is because it affects their bottom line. When you buy travel insurance from them, they get a kickback from the insurance company.
Travel insurance, according to Ms. Mehta who is the chief executive of Squaremouth, a popular travel insurance company, said in The New York Times on 9 January 2025, that travel insurance costs 5-10 percent of the cost of the cruise or tour. So, a $5,000 trip might cost $250-$500 for insurance. That is, in my opinion, a totally unnecessary expense.
The tour and cruise industry would prefer I not tell you that you may not need travel insurance. But that is the truth. Let me explain why.
While I love my Lincoln Zephyr, a model only made for one glorious year in 2006, I have never had it blessed as is the routine for new taxis in Mexico. That was undoubtedly my mistake. Maybe the "check engine" light would not have been flashing furiously last week if only I could have counted on a little divine intervention.
Dinan, France |
Last time I was in North Carolina, I noticed that my son had this clever cell phone holder that mounted to his car's air vent. That seemed like a great idea, so when I was in the 99 cent store here in Tucson I found this one for just a dollar.
It works really well and is small enough to be portable so I can take it on trips when I have car rentals that are not equipped with GPS. It's hard to go wrong with a dollar investment that, at just four inches long, takes up next to no space in my suitcase!
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ORD Airport in Chicago has restrooms that encourage social distancing. Each sink faucet is flanked on the left by a soap dispenser and on the right by your own private hand dryer! |
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A rare sunny day in Alaska. |