Happy Passport Day!

Well, it's finally here, Passport Day. As of today, January 23, 2007 any US citizen FLYING back into the United States from foreign soil is required to show a valid US Passport. Now that you know you have to have a passport here's a little help in pointing you in the right direction to obtain one.
All the information is on the website listed below and I will give a basic "How To" also. Here's the web site to go to;

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc_2223.html

To obtain a valid US passport you will need;
1. A completed official application. DO NOT SIGN IT. It can be downloaded from the web site above or obtained at many official government buildings, court houses and post offices or call me and I will send you one.
2. Proof of US Citizenship such as a certified birth certificate
3. A government issued photo I.D. such as a driver's license
4. 2 Passport Size photo's, they can be obtained at many drug stores and photography outlets as well as some passport offices.
5. Approximately $85.00

Assemble all the requirements
Locate the office you want to use to apply for your passport and make an appointment. On the web page you can locate the offices near you by putting in your zip code and you are given a choice of locations.
Double check that you have everything that is required.
Show up for your appointment with all applicants including children.
Sign the application in the presence of the official.
Pay for the Passport.
It will be mailed off to the nearest Passport Issuing Agency and sent to you at your house within 6 weeks.
After you have your passport.
1. Take photo copies of the inside page and keep them in a safe place
2. When you travel, treat your passport like cash and put a photo copy of it in each piece of luggage, carry on, camera case etc. Having a photo copy can make life easier if your passport is lost or stolen.
You can get the answers to most questions on the web site I listed above or feel free to call me at:
727-573-2883 ext 229
800-562-0616 ext 229
Show your pride in citizenship by applying for a passport today.

Barry Russo

Cruise Food for Thought

The “Dining Experience” is a big part of cruising and by no means is it the grand experience it was half a century ago but it still is a major factor when selecting a cruise.
If you weren’t already aware of this you should know Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruise Lines are the same company.
Both lines announced recently they are making some major changes in their cuisine.
First of all, the change I am most interested in is that Celebrity and Chef Michael Roux are ending their 15 year relationship. Celebrity Cruise Lines is my personal favorite for many reasons, the cuisine was always tops. I am talking about excellent menu selection and variety, very good preparation and presentation of the plate. I am an amature chef with restaurant experience and I have an eye for and appreciate culinary excellence. Chef Michel Roux, pronounced Michelle Rew, earned his reputation for excellence at the Waterside Inn restaurant in England and he is associated with the Queen of England. A replacement executive chef hasn’t been announced yet but what I know about Celebrity Cruise lines is that he or she will be of equal quality and reputation or better. Hello, Wolfgang, your phone may be ringing.
Equally as important for many reasons their sister company Royal Caribbean announced they are eliminating “Trans Fats” from their menus. Trans Fats are a byproduct of chemically hydrogenated vegetable oil linked with diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol, all of which lead to my nemesis, heart disease. Royal Caribbean tested the new trans-fat free menus on the Navigator of the Seas on November with no complaints.
I applaud Royal Caribbean for once again being an innovator in the cruise industry .
Now on the lighter side of all that, if they are serving healthier food there will be less heart attacks etc. on the ships so they can fire their doctors on board and lower the cruise rates with the savings, talk about a win / win situation.
That’s all from the Admiral for now!

The American Way

Freedom.
Liberty.
independence.
It's the American way AND it is also the names of the largest cruise ship series in the world.
Royal Caribbean announced today the name of the 3rd ship in the Freedom Series, it is the independence of the Seas, joining the already sailing Freedom Of The Seas and the soon to be launched Liberty of the Seas.
The independence will virtually be the same ship with minor aesthetic changes and mechanical improvements. This class of ships is really a stretched version of the highly respected Voyager Class that has five versions sailing so other then system updates the mechanicals have all the unwanted idiosyncrasies worked out already.
We are all eagerly awaiting Royal Caribbeans 220,000 ton, five thousand passenger ship the Genesis of the Seas to be launched in 2008.
That's all from the bridge for now.