Newsletter

Greetings!

Nomadic Star Travel is appreciative of its dedicated clients. Thanks to the new clients that trust us to service your travel requests.

The travel advisors we employ are certified and accredited. Accordingly, our advisors must stay abreast of the latest travel trends through formal training.

Hours of Operation

• Monday-Thursday, 9:00am-5:00pm

• Friday, 9:00am-4:00pm

• Closed all federal holidays and weekends

If you have a desire to see the world, travel, be together and connect with other people, Nomadic Star Travel, LLC would love to be “Your Passport to Adventure.” In addition, we have different agreements with various partners, so we know one size does not fit all.

Our Travels

To date, we have visited every continent, except Antarctica. The recent trip to South Africa, January 6-20, 2024 while escorting 25 clients was amazing!

I must admit, this was one of the best groups I can remember accompanying in years. There were no hiccups. Clients treated everyone as family.

South Africa – January 2024

Visiting Cape Town and Johannesburg filled our days with memories to last a lifetime. We visited Robben Island, Cape Point, Pretoria, Lesedi Cultural Village, Soweto, and Cradle of Mankind. Sipping South Africa’s finest wines at two wineland tours, and having a delicious five course dinner with wine pairings, satisfied everyone’s thirst.

The local handmade crafts and street stands support local businesses or families who rely on tourism for their income. This is an opportunity to interact with locals and find out more about the goods they sell. We stopped on two occasions for clients to purchase extra luggage for their return trip, so shopping is a must!

Witnessing history is a definitely an eye-opener. The two drumming lessons were fun. The group savored specialty dishes throughout Africa.

All were alert and eager on the morning and evening game drives. The delight in everyone’s eyes seeing FOUR of the big five in Pilanesberg National Park captured our attention. Lodging accommodations were top-notch.

Client Satisfaction

Clients were thrilled with their tour of South Africa. Some express interest to return again! As a result of the follow-up briefing after we returned, several clients shared their experiences with family and friends. Their positive reviews prompted us to book a second trip scheduled for January 21-February 2, 2025. Nomadic Star Travel, LLC limits its groups to 25.

Black Rhino Game Lodge Safari is the perfect escape. It combines a true bush experience during the day with luxury accommodation at night. The meals were delicious. The local guides throughout the trip, drivers and rangers were excellent.

Future trips

• Girl’s Getaway (June 19-24, 2024), Punta Cana, DR
• South Africa (January 21-February 3, 2025)  
• Canadian Rockies with Rocky Mountaineer (May 11-21, 2025)
• Dubai/Abu Dhabi (October 2025)
• Caribbean Spectrum (November 16-December 10, 2025) cruise on Oceania’s Allura
• Greece … more information forthcoming
• Cruise, South Pacific and Tahiti … more information forthcoming for 2026
• Morocco, 2026 … more information forthcoming
• International African American Museum, South Carolina by luxury motorcoach … more information forthcoming

Payment Plan

A convenient payment plan to fit most budgets, allow you to book travel at ease through Nomadic Star Travel, LLC. Included are individual and group travel. The payment plan for airfare is extended only for group travel. Individual airfare must be paid in full at time of booking.

Health Care Experts

Travelers are excited and we caution you to listen to health care experts to stay safe. Precautionary measures of wearing masks in crowds and on public transportation is a wonderful practice. 

Service Fee

Nomadic Star Travel, LLC charge a service fee to ensure compensation for the time devoted to your individual request(s).

Questions for Clarification

It is important to ask questions for clarification when we receive your travel request: Questions may include:  (1) What is your budget? (2) Are your passports current? (3) What gateway (airport) will you depart? (4) Is this travel request for an all-inclusive resort? Are you interested in a family resort or all-adult resort? 

Travel, Accident and Baggage Insurance

Nomadic Star Travel, LLC sells travel, accident and baggage insurance on all travel booked through the agency. This insurance protects the agency and the client(s). The cost of insurance is based on the age, cost of trip and destination. Insurance should be purchased within 15 days of deposit, which covers pre-existing conditions. 

Contact Us

After you submit your travel request through the Contact Us link on the website, the travel advisor(s) will follow-up. You will receive an email within two business days or sooner. 

We always acknowledge your email and send questions for clarification. After you confirm receipt and authorize us (by paying the fee) to continue with your request. We are honest and upfront, and clients respect and trust us as they know we are giving them accurate information.  

Email

E-mail is the most utilized means of communication by our travel advisors. Our emails are concise and direct. We reply to emails within 24-48 business hours. At times we put pen to paper and send letters through the postal system.

Group Travel with Nomadic Star Travel, LLC

Happy to travel with your group (minimum of 15 guests). Guests passports must be valid for a minimum of six months for international travel

Your ravel advisor will provide information pertaining to a visa. Some countries accept visas once you arrive. Others want you to purchase visas directly from them, so please follow the guidance.

Travel for Students

We book domestic and international travel for college and university students in pursuit of their studies. Most companies have opted out “Cancel for any Reason” insurance. 

Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibits (MICE)

Organizations interested in hosting your MICE onboard your favorite cruise line? Contact Nomadic Star Travel, LLC to handle the logistics. You can host your MICE during the day. Spend your evenings with family, friends and colleagues.

Best Caribbean Islands for Families

Visiting a resort jam-packed with activities certainly take the strain off parents and let everyone enjoy the trip. If you are looking for fun places for the family, you may want to visit:

• Barbados is the ideal Caribbean island for families. There is  everything from larger, more affordable resorts to smaller boutique offerings. Barbados is the best island for action.
• St. Lucia tops the islands when it comes to serving up romance. Coconut Bay is the biggest crowd pleaser on the island. The all-inclusive caters to couples, families and even wedding parties.

Interested in Adults-only or Almost Adult-only Cruise Lines?

• Virgin Voyages, one of few explicitly adults-only cruise line. Guest must be 19 or older. The ships are unique as they lack traditional dining rooms and buffets. Entertainment offerings are “atypical and engaging” and include pool parties, private karaoke studios, and drag queen cabaret. 
• Viking features the world’s largest fleet of river cruise ships. There is the very popular 930-passenger ocean ships. Do not forget the two true expedition vessels that explore the polar regions and the Great Lakes. This cruise line does not accept children under the age of 18 on any of their ships. There are no casinos, umbrella drinks and inside staterooms. Line is popular with mature cruisers.
• Silversea Cruises does not explicitly exclude children. It is rare to find a few, if any, on board. Silversea offers a more refined, somewhat formal, service and dining experience. Guest enjoys suite accommodations, butler service, complimentary alcoholic beverages and gourmet dining.
• Windstar Cruises is not strictly adults-only and technically welcoming all travelers ages nine and above.
• Seabourn cruises to all seven continents, and does not carry more than 600 passengers. Most staterooms have private verandas. The dining venues is included, as are premium spirits, fine wines and caviar. 
• Regent Seven Seas, another small-ship luxury line geared toward  grown-ups. It is not explicitly adults-only as there are some child-friendly activities. Well=heeled couples, solo travelers, and groups of friends with a taste for the finer things in life will especially enjoy a Regent cruise.
• Crystal made its grand re-debut in the summer of 2023 after a years-long hiatus. The line has long been a favorite among luxury-loving adult travelers. Both Crystal Symphony and Crystal have undergone multimillion-dollar refurbishments and are sure to impress. Highlights include all-suite staterooms (all of which include butler service), gourmet specialty dining (including the first and only Nobu at sea), and adult-oriented entertainment (which runs the gamut from stand-up comedy to Broadway-caliber productions).  
• Azamara offers a fleet of four small-to-medium-sized ships that can accommodate up to 702 guests. The ambiance is serene and sophisticated. Cruisers can enjoy local-led shore excursions.  
• Uniworld River cruise line is a favorite amongst mature couples and groups for its wide variety of itineraries throughout Europe, Africa, Asia, and South America. Once on board, guests enjoy suite accommodations complete with butler service. Meals are prepared made with fresh, locally sourced ingredients from specific ports of call. 

Transportation Security Administration (TSA)

Starting 2025 the Transportation Security Administration will require CLEAR travelers to produce a REAL ID or passport at airport check-in. The CLEAR program is based on two premises. It takes you to the very front of the check-in line. Its biometric check-in process means you do not have to pull out your ID. That second advantage seems about to disappear if it has not already.

July the TSA announced it is already screening a limited number of randomly selected CLEAR travelers after “security incidents.” There reportedly have been three cases in which travelers managed to get through the CLEAR line without having valid ID, which prompted a congressional investigation.

For an annual fee of $189 (plus $60 for up to three family members), CLEAR offers its own lanes at TSA checkpoints in more than 50 airports.  

Did you know?

Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL)

• Cancelled Europe sailings in October and November? The Norwegian Epic and Norwegian Getaway will start sailing the Caribbean season earlier for these ships. This is due to a growing guest demand for Caribbean sailings this fall and winter.
• The Epic will now sail Caribbean cruises from Port Canaveral from October 30 through March 29. The Getaway will homeport in New Orleans from October 20 through April 6.
• The Getaway’s Mediterranean and Greek isles cruises from September 29 through and including November 27 are cancelled. 
• Sailings on the Epic are cancelled from October 17 through and including November 10. 
• Norwegian Cruise Line will no longer call in Venice in 2024. The ban on large cruise ships in the Venetian Lagoon means ships must anchor outside the lagoon. Passengers would use tenders to access the Port of Venice. NCL is substituting Ravenna, Italy; Rijeka and Zadar, Croatia; or Koper, Slovenia, based on port availability. Venice scheduled for 2025 is canceled. It is replaced with a day at sea until a new port is confirmed, NCL said. Guests and travel advisors will be notified of the modified itinerary, the line added.

Crystal Cruises

• Crystal Serenity’s 2024 World Cruise has been re-routed due to the situation in the Red Sea.
• This is the 2024 cruise from Mumbai to Piraeus (Athens) on Crystal Symphony. The dates were March 27 to April 13.
• Crystal Cruises is re-routing several segments of the 2024 World Cruise on Crystal Serenity to avoid this area. The voyage length is not affected. The ship will arrive in Miami on June 8, 2024 as originally scheduled.

American Airlines Increased Checked Baggage Fee

• Bag fees for domestic flights (including Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands) will now be $35 for first checked bags purchased online or $40 for first checked bags purchased at the airport.
• The second checked bag fee will be $45 online or at the airport.

Bag fees for Canada-bound flights and short-haul international flights will be $35 for first checked bags and $45 for second checked bags purchased online or at the airport.

The fee for traveling with a pet in the passenger cabin was increased to $150.

These fees may be waived for travelers holding AAdvantage elite status.

State Department’s Travel Advisory – https://travel.state.gov

Travel advisories are categorized with four levels based on their risk level to U. S. travelers.

Level 1 warning expect us to exercise normal precautions.

Please exercise increased caution with Level 2 advisory.

Reconsider travel with Level 2 advisory.

With a Level 4 warning, Nomadic Star Travel, LLC will not book travel for anyone. This warning states – Do not travel.

Travel Advisory for the Bahamas

The U.S. State Department on Friday issued a Level 2 travel advisory. Visitors should exercise increased caution due to crime caution due to crime.

The State Department warn watercraft equipment is not consistently regulated. Watercraft  equipment may be poorly maintained,  and some operators have not obtained safety certifications.

If you decide to travel to The Bahamas:  

• Do not answer your door at your hotel or residence. 
• Do not physically resist any robbery attempt.  
• Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program to receive alerts.