The best beach town in Florida? Clearwater!

 I recently came across the following article from USA TODAY contributor Laura Bly:

What do volleyball players, a crippled but plucky dolphin named Winter and Hulk Hogan have in common?

They're all claims to fame for Clearwater Beach, the Gulf of Mexico barrier island resort community that USA TODAY Travel readers crowned the best beach town in Florida.

Readers voted online on 10 nominations submitted by "Dr. Beach" — aka Florida International University professor and coastal expert Stephen P. Leatherman. Nearly 30,000 votes were received, and Clearwater was a clear winner with more than 25% of the tally, followed by Siesta Key, Cocoa Beach and Sanibel Island.

Visit St. Petersburg/Clearwater spokesman David Downing admits to an all-out campaign for victory, from concerted appeals to the tourist bureau's 137,000 Facebook fans and 8,500 Twitter followers, to hiring a plane that trailed a "VOTE CLEARWATER AS USA TODAY'S #1 BEACH" banner over the Gulf on a postcard-perfect, 80-degree day.

The findings of this article from USA TODAY are something I have been saying since my first visit to Clearwater Beach many years ago: It’s awesome!

Next to Key West, Pier 60 at Clearwater Beach is the best place in Florida to see the sunset. In the spring and summer, Pier 60 is the place to be. Local vendors, artists, and street performers have something for everyone, from original crafts to exciting acts. And if you like to people-watch, well, grab a seat and enjoy! People gather at Pier 60 from all over, locals and tourist alike just enjoying the warm sunshine and cool ocean breezes.

There are some great places to stay. The Sheraton Sand Key Resort is my top pick. This property right on the Gulf of Mexico is well-maintained. There is an onsite restaurant serving local flavors, and it’s just a short walk or drive to many of the local attractions. Their service is great, the rooms spacious and comfortable. The nightly stay can be a bit pricy in the summer or during a very popular spring break, but in the fall some great rates are available, and you will find the fall/winter weather is very inviting. Check out Sheraton Sand Key Resort for a great stay!

From Raleigh, Clearwater Beach is about a 12 -14 hour drive but well worth the trip. With some advanced planning, you can find inexpensive flights to the Tampa Bay area. Southwest Airlines has a number of direct flights from RDU to Tampa. Other airlines such as Delta, AirTran, and US Airways fly into Tampa with stops for direct connections in Atlanta or Charlotte. Another option is to fly into Orlando; it’s a very simple one-hour drive to the Clearwater Beach area. And if you would like to make an overnight stop at Disney, SeaWorld, or Universal Studios, you might as well—you’re right there.

Central Florida is a wonderful place to spend a weeklong vacation, and Clearwater Beach is one of its hidden treasures. If you’re ready to check it out for yourself, give us a call! Agape Travel can help you make all the arrangements you need for a wonderful and memorable Florida vacation.

Question: Do I Need a Passport?

One of the most frequently asked questions I get as a travel agent is, “Do I need a passport?” The statement below is from the Cruise Lines International Association website:

CLIA recommends a passport on all cruises. While the U.S. Government may not require a Passport for Sea travel on certain “closed loop cruises” originating in the U.S. and for travel only within the Western Hemisphere, other specified documentation is required. For specific U.S. governmental Passport and Visa regulations visit: http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html.

Be sure to ask your travel agent what passport requirements apply to your cruise vacation. CLIA strongly recommends that all travelers apply for or renew their passports as soon as possible. Government regulations are continually being modified and it is best to be prepared. Besides, a passport grants you unlimited cruise vacation options around the world!

The short answer is that it’s always better to have a passport when traveling, though not every trip requires one. If an emergency came up while you were on a cruise and you needed to fly back to the USA, you would not be able to enter the county without a passport. Also, when you visit different countries, the cruise line can have your passport stamped, thus giving you a record of the places you have been. A note on traveling with a passport: When you get one, make sure you make a photocopy of it and bring it with you in case the original gets lost.

If you choose to cruise without a passport, you will need current government-issued identification (e.g. a state driver’s license or ID card) and a certified copy of your original birth certificate. In this case also, make sure you have an extra copy in case one is lost. I recommend having one person in your party as the designated document holder; it works well to keep all that import stuff in one place. When we cruise, Shirley is in charge of all the papers—she hands everything out to each of us and then collects it back after we pass through customs or the check-in areas.

The cruise lines are very strict when it comes to passport and identification issues; they really don’t have a choice. Make sure the spelling between your identification and cruise/air registrations are the same. I run into problems because my first name is “Bill” (not “William”) and my middle name is “Ricky” (not “Richard”), so I have to make sure no one made an assumption about what my name really is. Another problem I run into is that I go by “Rick,” so I have to be sure that I remembered to register myself as “Bill.” It can be confusing; I still have to double-check myself! Another very important reason to make sure the names on the registration are correct is that many companies charge $50-$100 to correct these issues, a fee which your travel agent will in turn charge you. Some companies will allow a grace period for misspellings and name corrections before the final payment is made, but life is much easier if it’s right the first time. Communication with your travel agent is very important so that issues like this can be avoided.

If you are a lady getting married, you the bride should register for the cruise under your maiden name or the name you used before your wedding. I know you’re eager to start using your new name, but it is challenging to get your identification or passport changed in time for your honeymoon. (If you’re concerned about how it may look to have two apparently single people rooming together in this scenario, don’t be. Believe me, everyone will know you’re on your honeymoon!)

To obtain a passport, the forms are available online and through your local post office. Most post offices require appointments to apply for a passport. Passports are good for a 10-year period, so it’s worth the investment. If you have any further questions, just shoot me an email.

Happy New Year!

Rick