2023 Travel Planning Tips

Our 2023 travel planning tips will help you smoothly sail through the intricacies of travel as we approach the coming year.

There has been a significant paradigm shift in travel planning in the past few years.

In years past, travel brands would put out their best offers in the first quarter of the year, and folks would book travel for later in the same year.

In the cruise world, it was called Wave Season. And while we may still hear some rumblings about Wave Season in January, the truth is that many people have already made their travel plans for 2023.

Looking at travel planning from our side of the business, we’ve already got more 2023 bookings than we had in 2022. And 2022 was a record-breaking year.

So while there is still availability for 2023, it is starting to be slim pickings.

So with that top of mind, let’s look at some of our best travel planning tips for 2023.

Travel Planning Tips for 2023

• Book Early – As I mentioned above, you must start your travel planning earlier than ever before. Some of the more popular destinations and routes are sold out for 2023.  And when I mention this to folks, many are tempted to wait a year to make a new booking.  The problem is you will find the same problem a year from now.  Covid changed the way people plan their travel.  Folks are booking farther out into the future.  And folks are booking longer trips.  The industry has coined this as revenge travel.  Folks were shut out from travel for nearly two and a half years, and now they are traveling with a vengeance, making up for the lost time. Most travel brands have released their itineraries for 2024, and we are already experiencing heavy booking volume for 2024.  If you desire to travel in 2023, or even 2024, I highly recommend that we talk and get something on the books today.  There isn’t a day that goes by where I have to tell someone that the trip they desire is sold out, or at the very least; they’re left picking through the leftovers.
• Check Your Passports – Do you know when your passport expires?  When traveling overseas, you will need at least six months of validity on your passport and at least two blank pages for stamps. According to the State Department’s website, renewing or getting a new passport will take up to 9-weeks. And if you pay an additional $60 to expedite, it will still take 3-5 weeks.  To learn more about how to renew or get a new passport, please CLICK HERE.
• Global Entry – If you plan to be a frequent overseas traveler and don’t already have a Global Entry Card, let me encourage you to get one. Getting a Global Entry Card will require a background check and in-person interview at selected airports around the country.  However, having this card in your possession will get you through U.S. Customs in a matter of minutes instead of possibly hours.  Plus, your Global Entry Card will also suffice for this requirement when the federal government finally imposes the REAL ID standards for all flights. Carol and I have had a Global Entry Card for years, and we’re glad to have it. To learn more, please CLICK HERE.  You might also want to take a look at the Global Entry Enrollment on Arrival program: CLICK HERE.
• Airlines & Airports – While the world’s airlines and airports have improved since this summer’s major issues, there are still problems.  If you want to book premium economy or business class seating, you must get these tickets booked as soon as the 330-day booking window opens.  These seats are in short supply and also getting expensive. Carol and I just booked business class seats to Oslo next summer; the tickets were over $12,000.  YIKES! Further, as the airline industry is yet to be fully staffed, it is a good idea to plan for longer layover times and perhaps get to your destination a day early. If we get any complaints from our clients, it generally concerns the airlines.  Forewarned is forearmed.
• Think Outside the Box – As the travel industry continues to evolve to meet the desires of baby boomer travelers, we see many new travel options available. As I mentioned in this article, a massive wave of new luxury expedition cruise ships is coming to the world’s oceans. Carol and I sailed the Galapagos Islands with our friends from Silversea Expeditions (here’s the review). And this summer, Carol and I will sail aboard a new expedition vessel with our friends from Lindblad Expeditions/National Geographic. We’re going to see polar bears, maybe a walrus or two, and even break some arctic ice as we sail around Svalbard in the Arctic Circle. This journey will have us only 500 miles from the North Pole. I’ve got a 600 mm lens ready to photograph the Arctic wildlife.  I can’t wait for this trip!

How to Book Travel

Did you know that when you book your travel with Roaming Boomers Travel Services, the price will be the same as booking directly with a travel brand?

And, when you book with us, you’ll get our expert advice and service.

Plus, we will likely have additional perks from our relationships with Virtuoso, Cadence, and the travel brands we work with.

Therefore, if the price is the same, why not take advantage of our advice, service, and perks?

For more information about our services, please call Roaming Boomers Travel Services at (480) 550-1235 or use our convenient online information request (click here), and we’ll reach out to you.

Additional Reading:

• Our Favorite Ocean Cruise Brands
• Our Favorite River Cruise Brands
• Our Favorite Small Group Tour Brands
• Our Favorite Expedition Cruise Brands

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Roaming Boomers Travel Services is an Independent Affiliate of Cadence, a Virtuoso® member. CST#201120-40