Episode Transcript
[00:00:00] Speaker A: Welcome to In Plain Legal. I'm DNA High Easton, and today we're making the law something everyone can understand.
You're watching now Media Television.
Welcome back to In Plain Legal, the show where we simplify the rules, risk and realities behind the decisions that affect everyday people. I'm your host, DNA High Easton. And today we're stepping into a world many of us travel, but with challenges that have dramatically changed in just a few short years.
Our guest today, Stacy Haines, is the owner of Ports to Resorts Travel, a full service travel agency known for creating stress free, unforgettable vacations. With expert planning and personalized support, she helps individuals, families and groups travel with confidence, especially in this new era of shifting rules and unpredictable changes. Stacy, we're thrilled to have you here with us today.
[00:00:52] Speaker B: I am so excited to be here with you, DNA.
[00:00:55] Speaker A: So great. And I have to say that I am a personal client of Stacy's as well. So we'll get into that later.
Today we're diving into how travel has changed after the pandemic. What's new, what's risky, and what travelers need to understand before booking that next trip.
Many travelers feel unsure or overwhelmed because post pandemic travel rules seem constantly shifting. People worry about cancellations, illness, policy changes and unexpected disruptions and often don't know their rights or their best way to protect themselves.
So, Stacy, let's get into it. What are the biggest changes travelers should know about post pandemic travel?
[00:01:35] Speaker B: Yeah, so that is a great question. You know, we thought things would slow down a little bit after Covid and it didn't. So we are still on that train. But that's okay.
The biggest thing that I can tell you is to have somebody there to guide you. So obviously somebody like me who can kind of help guide your way.
But the other big tip that I would probably give people post pandemic is patience.
A lot of things have changed, whether it's trying to get through the airport, whether it's trying to navigate different websites and book the right thing.
So just having patience, having grace, I think that that will take you a really long way. No matter what the challenges are, even if things aren't going your way, it's usually if you're a little bit nice, a little bit patient, you can usually figure something out and make it happen for you.
But it's really just about being strategic and being smart.
Obviously checking the restrictions on the destinations where you're trying to go and making sure that you have all the proper paperwork and things that you need, whether it's a Visa or not as common anymore was having to have your Covid vaccination card with you. Thankfully, some of those rules are kind of going away, but it is always good to have that stuff on hand.
[00:02:44] Speaker A: Just.
[00:02:44] Speaker B: Just like having a second form of ID when you travel. It's always just good to have that because you never know when something could pop up. And so if you have it while you're out, it's always better than just kind of being aimless or having to call from a different country and try to get your COVID vaccinations over to you so that you can fly home or something like that. So just being prepared is probably the most important part.
[00:03:05] Speaker A: You know, that's amazing. And I have to say we gotta talk about patience, because Stacy has the most patience that I have ever known someone to have. Because me as a client, I'm ruthless in the best way possible because I'm all over the place, right? As an attorney, my schedule is crazy busy. I'm not able to kind of respond as quickly. Stacy has the best patience. So if you need a travel agent with the best patience, Stacy's your girl.
[00:03:28] Speaker B: But I love clients like you, DNA, because part of why I got into this is so that I could help take that stress off of people. Right? I want you to be able to go and relax and be able to have your first family trip in 10 years or whatever the case may be. And so I love clients like you who maybe are a little bit more scattered or however you'd like to word it, because that's really how I thrive. And being able to help people like that, that's amazing.
[00:03:52] Speaker A: Well, we're not just talking about how she's gonna be able to help with post pandemic travel. We're gonna go a little bit deeper. Right, so how have airlines and hotels updated their policies on cancellations or illness?
[00:04:03] Speaker B: Yeah, yeah, that's a great question.
A lot of things have become a little less late, actually.
So I believe we'll talk in a minute about like, maybe travel insurance and protections.
But just because the world is so unpredictable right now, they have kind of become more strict on what their policies are. So it's really important to just make sure you understand what those are. Whether you're booking for yourself or you have a travel agent, it's really important to understand what those changes in those policies look like, what a last minute cancellation looks like, when is the last day you can cancel without there being any kind of penalty.
So there's a lot that goes into It. But it's really important to just kind of make sure that you understand those things to protect yourself and protect your money when you're traveling. Because travel can be really expensive.
[00:04:48] Speaker A: It can. And you know, it's funny because you would think that based on the way that the world is, that they wouldn't be as strict with a lot of things. The fact that they're restricting it is something that a lot of people don't think about, right?
[00:04:59] Speaker B: Yeah, absolutely.
You know, it's. They're trying to do the travel agent, the travel companies are trying to do what they can to, you know, protect themselves on the back end because they did lose a lot of money and travel during COVID And so it's trying to understand that that balance between, you know, they are trying to make money as well as you are trying to go on a trip and just trying to find that. That nice little comfort zone for everybody, you know. So, again, patience, like we talked about before, just having some patience.
[00:05:26] Speaker A: That's amazing. And you touched a little bit on this, but let's kind of delve a little deeper. So what extra precautions can people take to stay safe and protected while traveling right now?
[00:05:34] Speaker B: Yeah. So obviously, travel insurance, I recommend that to everybody. Sometimes you can get it through your credit card lender. However, sometimes it doesn't provide a full coverage. It may just provide just your airfare or just the specific things that you purchased with that credit card itself.
So if you bought your airfare with a credit card, but then not your hotel or not your cruise or whatever, they're not going to cover those pieces. So it's really important to find a full coverage travel insurance package.
They have them specifically for each trip, and they also have them for annual trips as well. So if you like to travel a lot and you don't want to have to deal with it every time, get that annual travel insurance and it will help you out for sure.
[00:06:16] Speaker A: That's amazing. So with some. I know that they offer some travel insurance like when you buy a flight. Right.
If that's the case, I mean, it doesn't cover you for everything. Right. Only specific instances that happen.
[00:06:28] Speaker B: Yes.
[00:06:29] Speaker A: Okay.
[00:06:29] Speaker B: Yeah. So it'll only cover, in that case, the flight specifically. And then it may only cover, you know, a delay or up to only three hours, too. So let's just say you got delayed for six hours. Well, you're just kind of sitting there by yourself, stuck, you know, or it's not going to cover, you know, a cancellation, only a delay. And so it's really important Again, to really understand those things. And that's why it's important to have somebody on your side, like a travel agent who can kind of walk you through all of that. You know, I'm not an insurance agent by any means, but I do understand travel insurance fairly well. And so having somebody that can kind of walk you through that is super.
[00:07:09] Speaker A: Super helpful so that you can stay protected, that's amazing. Well, let's talk about having someone to walk you through it. Right. So how do travel advisors keep up with changing rules around the world?
[00:07:19] Speaker B: Oh, man, that's a big one. So I am subscribed to so many different vendors and platforms and different things that, you know, talk about those things. I get a newsletter every single morning in my inbox about different changes and things that are happening.
Also, just watching the news and keeping up with things that are going on out in the world, sometimes you can kind of almost predict some things that are going to happen. And so it's just really important to stay in tune with what's happening in the world, not just stay in your little silo of, oh, I just need to book all the things.
Because a lot of times you can kind of prevent some of those things that may be happening if you're staying in tune to it.
[00:07:59] Speaker A: Well, that makes sense. Well, I'm glad that you're in tune with that because you help us as clients to do what needs to be done and get where we need to go.
[00:08:06] Speaker B: That's right. I just want you to go have a good time. So let me worry about all the crazy stuff.
[00:08:12] Speaker A: Well, why is flexibility more important than ever when planning a vacation?
[00:08:16] Speaker B: Oh, man. Okay. I don't know when this is going to be aired, but what I can say is two weeks ago, all the airports in Houston were all over the news. Right. Everybody saw all the lines that were backed up at IAH and everywhere else. And, you know, it's really important to stay in tune with what's going on, because that was not necessarily specifically a travel thing. It was a government shutdown thing. And so if you're not staying in tune with all of that, you can miss a lot of things. You could have shown up for your flight two hours before, like you thought, and then realized you were in line for three hours and missed that flight. So, yeah, it's just really important to stay up to date with everything, make sure you're watching the news, and again, just having somebody on your side, because it's a lot to monitor that on your own as just a person, a mom, a Business owner, all of the things. And so to have somebody else that's on your team that can kind of have your back and look out for that stuff to help protect you, it's peace of mind that you've never known.
[00:09:17] Speaker A: That is so true. And I'm gonna say you gave me a whole level of peace of mind because I went on my first little staycation in a very long time and you checked in with me, you were super flexible with my schedule and I just really appreciated the fact that you were on my team. And as far as the airport is concerned.
[00:09:35] Speaker B: Oh, y.
[00:09:36] Speaker A: We talked about flexibility just a second ago. But I'm gonna go a little deeper into it because you don't realize when you have a limited amount of time to work on things. Right. I showed up at the airport four and a half hours early, thinking that I was gonna miss my flight. I got through security in 15 minutes and I was waiting for hours. And then my flight got delayed twice, so I was in the airport all day. Now, if I had had you as my travel agent when I had booked it at the time to go back home to Boston to go visit my family, I. I would have been like, Stacey, oh my gosh, what can I do? And you probably would have been there to be at my beck and call as my support team to help me through that, correct?
[00:10:14] Speaker B: Absolutely. And I could have even monitored it that morning to say, hey girl, you maybe don't need to show up four hours early. It's gonna be okay.
But yeah, also sometimes it's unavoidable.
[00:10:26] Speaker A: Right? Right.
[00:10:27] Speaker B: And so I like to just have a place where I like to go hang out. So for me, when I'm at the Miami airport, first off, there's this little statue of this little lady and she looks like she's having the best time. Like she looks like some old retired la and she's just hanging out in front of this restaurant. So I always go check in with her, see how she's doing, and then I kind of post up at this TGI Fridays, and that's just kind of where I go. And so, you know, sometimes it's unavoidable. Sometimes you just gotta kinda make the airport your home sometimes, whether it's finding a good place to eat, checking out a Lego store. A lot of airports have Lego stores, keep those kids busy, or, you know, hanging out with the local little statue resident lady that I like to hang out with at the Miami airport. So just, you know, it's all about being flexibility, being flexible. It's all about, you know, understanding you're about to go have a good time, you're about to go relax or have a cool adventure or something. And just bringing you back to in the moment and what you're gonna do. Not worrying about the stress of just, oh, I'm stuck here at the airport for a few more hours or whatever. Like, okay, that's a couple extra game of Candy Crusher, getting to Knockout or something, you know, it's all about what you make of it, really.
[00:11:37] Speaker A: That's amazing. Well, we know based on Stacy's personality that she's a fun travel agent to work with and she will help you in the calmness times of when things are really, really stressful. Well, coming up next, family vacations, why they cause more drama than relaxation, and how Stacy helps turn chaos into connection. Stay with us.
Stay with us. We'll be right back with clear explanations, practical advice, and the legal insights you need without the jargon.
This is In Plain Legal on NOW Media Television.
And we're back. I'm DNA High Easton, and you're watching In Plain Legal on NOW Media Television. Let's continue breaking down the law together.
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Welcome back to In Plain Legal. I'm here with travel expert Stacy Haynes, and this segment hits home for so many viewers. Family travel what should feel fun often becomes stressful, complicated, or downright chaotic. Stacy helps families create trips that don't just check boxes, but actually build connection and meaningful memories.
Families often struggle to balance ages, interests, budgets and expectations, leading to conflict before the trip even begins.
Many people end up overwhelmed, frustrated, or unable to enjoy the experience they planned.
Stacy, let's get into it.
Why does family travel often feel more stressful than relaxing?
[00:13:35] Speaker B: That is a great question.
So it feels more stressful because you're invested in it. It's your family. You know, you don't want to upset anybody. You want everybody to have a good time. So automatically, just from the get go, it feels more stressful just because of that.
And I can firmly say, as a travel advisor, listen, I am not immune to it.
I'm actually helping the ladies in my family plan a cruise. It's the first time we've ever done a big ladies trip together in my family, and we're butting heads a little bit. And so it's important to have somebody who can help you navigate that.
So when I'm setting up meetings with clients for the first time, I really like to get an understanding of what the family dynamic is, who all's going, how old are they, what are some things that they like to do, and then just really set a realistic boundary of we're going to be able to do a lot of stuff that people want to do, but maybe not everything. And so maybe we need to be a little bit flexible or let's figure out really what our priorities are and what we want to do so that we can focus on those things. And then if something else falls to the back burner, it doesn't feel like as big of a hit.
So it's really important to just communicate with your travel advisor first off on what your expectations are and what you really want out of your trip.
And then they can really help guide you through how to make all of those things happen. I like to say that I'm not a miracle worker, Right. But I'm somewhat of a magician, so I can find ways to maybe fit things in that you didn't think were possible or okay. If we have to give something up, I'm assuming we have to give this up. Well, maybe not, you know. And so it's really important to talk through those and figure out kind of what those main priorities are and then how we can make everything else connect.
But going back to that family dynamic, you know, it's really just important to understand you're here with your family.
I really like to look at travel as something that we should be so blessed to be able to have.
A lot of people don't get these opportunities to travel the way that a lot of us do.
And so I really take that to heart when I'm working with people and try to really make sure that we focus on what is the mission of this trip.
Are we celebrating grandma's 80th birthday? Right. That's a big deal. And she may not be around with us for much longer. And so we don't need all the family bickering to get in the way. And when you pass some of that off to a travel advisor as well, it kind of takes you out of it, and so you don't feel maybe is hurt by some of the decisions that are made of like, well, we're not going to do this. We're going to do this instead, because somebody else is just kind of helping guide you and make those decisions. And when you look at the big picture, at the end, it all works. You know, it may not work in the little detail and the little, like, oh, well, this exact hour, I wanted to do this. But in the big picture, we fit everything in. We did what we wanted to do, we accomplished our goals, we saw new places, we made memories with our families, and that's really what the key is, and that's really what it comes down to at the end of the day. That's why we're doing it.
[00:16:38] Speaker A: That's amazing. And I will say that you are very, very good at pulling information out. Right? Like, I have ideas in my head, and I'm like, oh, I know I want to do this. And you ask all of the right questions, and I think who you are as a person and kind of your spirit and your heart, you're able to kind of discern what's somebody needs and draw it out to give them that family type of experience. Because I'm going to tell you, it was stressful planning my little staycation with my husband, because I got to a point where I was like, I'm not even going to ask him questions, Stacey. Just do your thing, and I'm going to tell him what we're doing. Because, I mean, every family dynamic is a little different because, you know, you figure out the questions, you pull them out, you get the answers, and then you plan accordingly.
[00:17:19] Speaker B: And sometimes you may not even know what you really want. Right, Right.
[00:17:23] Speaker A: That's me. I didn't know what I wanted. I just knew I wanted to relax, and that's it. And she was like, okay, I got the perfect thing for you. And I'm like, okay, this is so great.
[00:17:30] Speaker B: Yeah, yeah. Or you may not even know something exists. Right.
And so from doing this for so many years and looking into so many different things all the time, I'm able to be like, oh, hey, well, have you ever heard of this thing? Or have you ever done that or thought about this and can kind of toss out some new ideas that maybe you hadn't thought about before.
And so, again, that's another just a good thing to have somebody on your team. Somebody's there to support you and really listen to you figure out what your real goals are and where you're trying to get out of the trip and make it happen for you.
So, you know, you don't know what you don't know.
[00:18:02] Speaker A: Right, right.
[00:18:03] Speaker B: And so having somebody who does know, maybe what you don't know is super helpful.
[00:18:08] Speaker A: Well, that's amazing, because then essentially, what you're saying, that communication and planning can definitely help avoid conflict during any type of trip.
[00:18:14] Speaker B: Absolutely.
[00:18:15] Speaker A: Between you as the travel advisor with your client, but also your client with the rest of their family members.
[00:18:20] Speaker B: Absolutely. And, hey, listen, I'm not scared to get on a group call with your family.
Put me on zoom with your grandma and your great cousin and your aunts and whoever. I'm more than happy to talk to them about what options are, what's reality, what's not, and kind of get everybody on the same page. So don't be scared to put me on speaker at your family Thanksgiving.
[00:18:45] Speaker A: Well, you know, that's actually a very interesting question that I have, because as an attorney, we have specific people that are clients, and if family wants to get involved, we have to say that this is our client. You can be involved if they give me permission to in writing, authorized, of course, but I'm not going to communicate things because this person's my client. As a travel advisor, if you're working with one person directly, does that mean that that one person is your client and everyone else is just someone you're talking to, or do you consider everybody to be your client in that sense?
[00:19:12] Speaker B: That's a great question.
So I consider everybody to be my client, but. But normally I have a point of contact, so it's not that I'm legally bound to only talk with this person or whatever the case may be.
So, for example, the family trip that I'm doing for my family, my mom is technically the point of contact, but I also have cousins and aunts that all want to be involved, that all want to have an opinion in what we're doing.
It's their trip, too, to some extent. It's not quite as binding as something legal like that, so it allows a lot of flexibility.
Now, obviously, in this case, Grandma's paying. Right. So I gotta be a little respectful of what grandma wants to do at the end of the day.
[00:19:55] Speaker A: Right, right.
[00:19:56] Speaker B: And so I kind of lean towards that, but it's always an open conversation about stuff.
[00:20:01] Speaker A: Okay. And if you have multiple people that you consider everyone to be your clients, does that create a lot of conflict amongst everybody, or are you very good about kind of differentiating and. And kind of resolving that conflict, so to speak?
[00:20:14] Speaker B: Yeah, so I'm really good at resolving the conflicts there. And there's a lot of things depending on what the trip is where it can be customized to that person, maybe not the whole group.
So, you know, Stacy wants a spa package on the cruise, right. But DNA doesn't have to get the spa package. And so there are different points along the way where things can be customizable to specific people versus the group as a whole. So. So it really depends on what we're talking about. If we're talking about a big group excursion for the day, a big dinner, obviously that's something that we want to get more people involved in and have their feedback in.
But if it's something simple like, okay, I want to throw the spa in one night, or maybe I want to go have a brunch with just my mom or something like that, there are different points along the way where you can kind of customize those things individually. So it's a good little mix. Right. We gotta play to everybody's personalities really well.
But I think that I do a really good job at it, so.
[00:21:13] Speaker A: She does.
She does. You do a great job at it.
So very quickly, what tips do you give for creating meaningful memories instead of stressful ones?
[00:21:22] Speaker B: Oh, gosh.
So I would say the most important part is just to remember where you're at, remember what you're doing, be present in the moment, right?
Ten years from now, you're not going to be like, oh my gosh, I didn't like want to go sit on the beach for an extra 30 minutes, right? Like, I just wanted to go take a nap or something. But in 10 years, you are going to remember, oh my gosh. I had the best bachelorette troupe with my girls. We were hanging out on the beach. We were having such a good time. We laughed, we drank, we made memories. You know, the pictures will last forever.
So it's really important to stay present in the moment. Remember where you are, remember why you're doing this.
We don't just travel just to go, right. There's always a purpose behind it. So figuring out what that purpose is and just really living in that in the moment, that's really what's more important than anything else.
[00:22:12] Speaker A: That's amazing. Well, Stacy, where can viewers follow your travel tips or reach out for help planning their next stress free getaway?
[00:22:20] Speaker B: Yeah, so they can reach me at 936777.
You can also reach out to me on my website. I've got a link where you can start reaching out to me to start planning something and kind of give me a little information about what you're looking to do or follow me on all the social medias orchestoresortstravel, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, all the things. I'm everywhere.
[00:22:49] Speaker A: She is everywhere. And we love to hear it.
[00:22:52] Speaker B: We.
[00:22:52] Speaker A: Well, up next we're going to talk about group getaways. When too many opinions ruin the trip, Stacy shares how to regain control and keep everyone happy. Stay tuned.
Stay with us. We'll be right back with clear explanations, practical advice and the legal insights you need without the jargon. This is In Plain Legal on NOW Media Television.
And we're back. I'm Deanna. Hi Easton. And you're watching In Plain Legal on NOW Media Television.
Let's continue breaking down the law together.
Welcome back to IN Plain Legal. If you've ever tried planning a group trip, you know it can go from exciting to overwhelming fast. Too many opinions, unclear expectations and last minute surprises.
Stacy specializes in coordinating large groups smoothly. And today she's helping us understand what really works.
Group travel can quickly fall apart without structure. From arguments over budget to last minute cancellations and confusion, a clear system, professional guidance and proper communication can turn chaos into a seamless experience.
Stacy, let's get into it. Why is group travel so difficult to plan without professional help?
[00:24:06] Speaker B: Group travel is so difficult, like you mentioned earlier, specifically because the communication piece. Right. There's so many moving parts to travel in general, let alone when you've got 15 to 50 people trying to plan it.
So it's really important, like I mentioned earlier, to have that point of contact. Right. Depending on what the trip is, you may have, you know, feedback from different people on the trip. But really having that key point of contact where this is probably the most important would be for trips like weddings, right? Destination weddings. Oh, yeah, yeah. So I was a destination wedding bride myself.
It is a lot, right. Not only is the bride trying to handle all of the day to day things of the wedding, you know, plus her dress and makeup and all of that that they really don't have time to focus on. You know, can I get a room block? Where should it be at all the different things? So just having somebody who can support you in that and kind of do all that legwork for you is really, really important. It takes a lot in time and effort off of your plate.
I mean, I had what I would consider a small wedding. Some people wouldn't. It was 30 people in Las Vegas. And so that was a lot of logistics as far as getting everybody there on time, making sure that there's a room block for everybody and that it was going to fit within everybody's Budget, let alone all the cake and everything like that.
So, you know, obviously I wouldn't have planned that off to somebody. Right. I am the girl.
But having a travel agent in your corner to do all of that is great because they can really talk with everybody, figure out their budgets.
It really depends on how you want to structure it. Do you want a room block for everybody where they just kind of fit right into it, it's set pricing? Or do you want to maybe give people a little bit of flexibility? Maybe somebody doesn't want the standard room. Maybe somebody wants a beach view or something like that. If you're doing a wedding at a non inclusive. And so in those moments, it's really important to kind of figure out what your main point of contact is really looking for out of the trip.
Do they want everybody in one section of the resort? Right. Because that can determine what different type of room opportunities you have.
So just really understanding the main contact and what they're wanting and then having those conversations individually with the different people in the group to really understand how you can make the most out of the trip for them as well.
Because at the end of the day, in a situation like that, it is about the group leader. Right. That bride, the groom, the wedding party.
But you still want everybody to go have a good time at your wedding, right?
[00:26:37] Speaker A: Of course.
[00:26:38] Speaker B: So it's really important to get those little pieces as well. Or, you know, maybe not everybody can come in on the same flight. So communicating with all the different guests, but making sure that they all at least arrive on the same time. They may not leave from their destination. Some may come in a day early, but everybody's got to be in time for the wedding.
So just really taking that stuff into account and just really understanding what the client's needs are and kind of what the goals are and really making sure that we make all those things happen.
[00:27:06] Speaker A: That's beautiful. And you know, I have to say, it's so beautiful. I wish I knew you when I was planning my wedding, seriously, because I was doing everything and I, as the bride, the only saving grace I had was that I did it in two and a half. Like two, two years. I had two years. So it gave me a little bit of freedom and flexibility. But if I had you, I would have been so less stressed. It would have been amazing.
[00:27:27] Speaker B: Well, we talked a little bit earlier too about the pandemic. Right. I was a pandemic bride.
[00:27:31] Speaker A: Oh, yeah.
[00:27:33] Speaker B: That brought in a whole new level of just complications. Right?
[00:27:36] Speaker A: Right.
[00:27:36] Speaker B: We can only fit so many people in the venue, we can only, you know, travel at certain times because certain airlines were restricted.
So, you know, that adds a. Adds a huge, like, extra layer to everything that you're trying to do when you're talking about being in a situation like that. So having somebody else on your side to really be able to monitor that is fantastic, for sure.
[00:27:58] Speaker A: Absolutely.
Well, how can setting clear expectations early make group trips smoother?
[00:28:05] Speaker B: Yeah, that's a great question.
So I think that it's really important. You don't want to surprise anybody. Right? So having that communication early, setting those clear expectations as early as possible, whether it's two and a half years before the group event or whether it's three months, because that's happened too, you know, it's really just about having clear communication from the get go, trying to get everybody on the same page as soon as possible, which again, doesn't always happen, you know, but as much as you can, getting everybody on the same page, making sure that everybody kind of knows a similar game plan and knows where their flexibility may be at.
Because once they know that they have a little flexibility too, sometimes they're a lot nicer, I guess, is a good way to put it, because they want to get something out of it, too.
I had people that were like, okay, well, since we're going to Vegas, I also want to be able to go do X, Y and Z. And so building in free time and flexibility, even though it is a group trip, is really, really important. Some people want to go, go, go, go, go. Some people, they want to take a nap in the middle of the day, that's fine. To each their own. But being able to have that kind of blocked out so that they kind of know what to expect from the beginning is really key and really important.
[00:29:22] Speaker A: Well, I guess the next question I have is definitely along those lines. Right? So what tools or systems do travel advisors use to organize large groups easily?
[00:29:32] Speaker B: Ooh, I know.
[00:29:33] Speaker A: That's a good one, right?
[00:29:34] Speaker B: That is a good one.
So I personally have a system that I use. It's called Turn, and it actually is my CRM system. It helps me build itineraries out.
[00:29:44] Speaker A: I think you used it on me. You used it on me. I loved it. I was like, oh, this is nice. And I can go back and refer to it. It was great.
[00:29:51] Speaker B: Yeah, yeah. So it's really nice. There's an app version of it. So it puts everything right there in the client's hands. It's easy for them to see, easy for them to navigate.
And, you know, you can also at least in my case for my system, I can run payments through that and all that kind of stuff. So it's really everything is right there built into one space for the client to use instead of having to flip through 50 different apps. Right. Oh, let me go check my email, see if I have this.
I like to organize everything within that system and then you can just easily navigate through it.
We can easily make changes through it. All of the things versus just. I had one client who said, oh, my old travel agent just used to send me an Excel sheet with everything on it. And I was like, oh, okay. Well, that probably was a good option at the time. Right. Everything has a purpose. It probably worked out for them. And in the 90s or early 2000s it was probably a great option. But we have so much technology nowadays that we can utilize.
So I'm a big fan of using technology to make things easier on your life versus harder.
So, yeah, no Excel spreadsheets for me. You're going to get a nice, beautifully created itinerary. It looks almost like a website when you get it from me.
So, yeah, staying really organized. I kind of put everything in there to make it really easy. And you just got it in one app on your phone.
[00:31:10] Speaker A: That's amazing though, because I'm sure you being organized in this one app helps you to stay organized with your clients and then they feel organized to actually enjoy their trip.
[00:31:19] Speaker B: Oh, yeah, absolutely. When I log into my system, I can see anybody who's currently traveling, anybody who's got upcoming travel, anything that still needs to be worked on. Like, you know, we've got your hotel booked, but maybe we need to book some activities.
So I really like having it all organized in that one space. Don't get me wrong, I'll use an Excel spreadsheet every once in a while if I'm going a little off grid.
[00:31:40] Speaker A: Right.
[00:31:41] Speaker B: But yeah, no, definitely, definitely have to stay organized in this job because when you've got 30 clients that are all traveling within the same week, you got to have a good head on your shoulders. You got to have your stuff together.
[00:31:54] Speaker A: Absolutely. So not everything goes according to plan. Right. So you are obviously very organized, which is amazing. But how do you deal with last minute kind of dropouts or payment changes?
[00:32:06] Speaker B: Yeah, good question.
So it really kind of depends on the vendor too. It's not necessarily always up to me.
You know, depending on how earlier, dropping out of a cruise, you can get a certain percentage of your stuff back or you may not get anything if it's a week before. So A lot of it depends on the vendors, but whenever something is happening, depending on the urgency of it, I usually take that into priority. So, for example, with everything that was happening in the airlines the past couple of weeks, if I had clients that were calling me that were at the airports or traveling the next day and saying they got notifications that their flight was canceled, sorry, person that has a Disney trip in two years, I'm gonna drop that and focus on them.
And the good thing is that so many clients are really.
They're really understanding of that. They're really open to that because they know that if the roles were reversed, right, they would want me to be dropping somebody else with something in two years to be able to pick up the phone and try to get their flight rearranged for them. So it really is just about also staying calm, not panicking, because you can't think straight when you're panicking, right? You're just chaos. And so it's really important to just really, like, take a second, take in the information.
What's going on? Okay, Are you at the airport? Are you not at the airport? Is it today? Is it tomorrow? When is it? And really taking a second to take in all the information, really make a good game plan about, you know, what our options are. And then always staying in communication with the client, right? That is, number one. Like, I'm not just gonna go ahead and rebook you on a new flight without confirming that with you, because what if you decide, oh, you don't want that flight? Or, like, even though you want to get home, you really hate spirit Airlines, right? So I'm not just gonna put you and your money at risk without kind of running that by you. So that's really important as well.
[00:33:56] Speaker A: You know, I have to say, I love how intentional you are with your clients because you go the extra step and the extra mile. Like, the day of my trip, you messaged me to make sure I was okay. Literally, like, five days before, you messaged me. Like, is there any last minute things you need? So that intentionality will go a long way, and your clients will definitely learn to appreciate it, because now you have a client that you're stuck with for the rest of your life.
[00:34:20] Speaker B: I couldn't ask for another one.
[00:34:23] Speaker A: Well, coming up, we're gonna talk about traveling with purpose. Why meaningful intentional trips can transform your life and relationships. You won't want to miss this.
Welcome to In Plain Legal. I'm DNA High Easton, and today we're making the law, something everyone can understand.
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Welcome back to In Plain Legal. In this final segment, we're stepping beyond itineraries and logistics into something much deeper, travel that transforms. Stacy believes vacations shouldn't just be fun, they can also be meaningful, healing and life changing.
Many travelers return home feeling like their trip was enjoyable but forgettable. Purpose driven travel creates emotional connection, personal growth, and lasting impact.
Stacy, I'm going to say something very quickly before we kind of get into this.
I did not realize how important traveling was until I wasn't doing it right. My family, we were able to travel. I used to do it all the time when I was a kid and, and I didn't realize how much it was a great reset. And then when we were purposeful about our trips, we were able to build a lasting connection. And I still talk about a lot of the trips. And I mean, my family, we used to drive everywhere.
We were that family. We didn't take planes because we were like, oh, let's explore the roads as we're driving.
[00:36:37] Speaker B: Let's go see the big ball of string on the side of the road.
[00:36:40] Speaker A: Right, Girl, listen, we drove from Boston to Florida and you can imagine, but it was something that I still talk about to this day. And it's funny because I married somebody who likes to also travel as well, but he travels for work. So it's a little bit a different situation. But I mean, it's really important to travel with purpose. So let's talk about it. What does it mean to travel with purpose instead of just for pleasure?
[00:37:02] Speaker B: Yeah. So I think that it's really important to really sit down and like consider what that means. Right.
So you've got people who do an annual trip every year, you know, that can lose its purpose and intention.
[00:37:16] Speaker A: Right.
[00:37:16] Speaker B: You're just like, okay, we're going the same, all inclusive every year. We're just going to sit on the beach. It's the same people.
But when you really sit down and think about it, you know, you're going to create lifelong memories. Like, I have a client who they do an annual trip, right? And it's transformed over the years.
It was okay, well, they're doing it as teens and then they're growing up and they're going. And now they have kids. And so it looks different now that they have kids. And we're not going to the adults only all inclusives anymore. We're going to the ones with the cool water parks and different things like that. And so that alone changes what travel looks like for you over the years, right? Just your life and where you're at in your different stages of it.
But I think it's really important to really, before each trip, figure out what you want out of it. It's not just your standard, oh, we're just gonna go to the beach. It's what memories do we want to make here? How do we want this to live on for the rest of our lives?
I will never forget. And this sounds so cheesy, right?
I was actually in Disney before I started doing my travel stuff. And I was at a conference for the company that I was working for, and I went to Disney for the first time and I just thought, oh, I'm just here for work. I'm just going to this conference. I stepped into Disney. I saw the fireworks for the first time.
Bawling. I'm just a wreck, right? Because once I was there and I was living in it and you could feel it and the energy and the magic, it was just different for me. It just struck my heart differently. I'd gone as a kid, but I never really thought about it or cared about it that way. You know, just like, oh, my parents paid for me to go to Disney. Cool. Like, that sounds so, like, first world problems, right?
We're so spoiled.
But getting to be there as an adult and really be like, oh, my gosh, this is such a magical experience. I mentioned it earlier. We are so blessed to be able to get to travel the way that we do. Many people in our own country, let alone other countries, don't get to do the same stuff that we get to do. And so just really putting into perspective about how blessed we are to get these opportunities and to really, like, live in it for the fullest, you know?
[00:39:32] Speaker A: Absolutely. And I appreciate you saying that because it is very, very true. We don't always have the opportunities that we think we can have. And to be blessed, to be able to experience things, is just amazing. It's just phenomenal. And I love how purposeful you are and how intentional you are about making sure that you are experiencing things so that you can also help your clients experience the very same things.
[00:39:56] Speaker B: Oh, absolutely. So we actually. We took an Alaska cruise this summer, which was probably the coolest thing we've ever done. We've traveled a lot, even internationally. And Alaska cruise was just amazing.
But, you know, we film a lot of content for what we're doing.
We have a YouTube channel, like I mentioned earlier, and there was one point where we had hiked out to this glacier, and there was this giant waterfall. And I looked at my husband and I said, just put it all down. Just put it all down for a minute. We are here. We are living in it. Let's just embrace it. And so we put away all of our cameras, our phones, and we just. We drank water from the glacier, and we just looked around and saw the mountain ranges all around us, and just. It was such a magical experience. We're listening to eagles fly overhead.
And so I think it's really important for us as travel advisors, too. Like, we're on the go a lot because we're trying to experience things for other people.
But I want to make sure that I'm experiencing it like a traveler, Right. And so that is really, really important to me.
[00:40:57] Speaker A: That's amazing. And then I'm sure that helps you to plan purposeful trips for your clients, because you know exactly what it feels like to be in their shoes, having those purposeful experiences.
[00:41:07] Speaker B: Yeah, absolutely.
[00:41:08] Speaker A: That's amazing.
So how can cultural or volunteer travel create deeper connections and personal growth?
[00:41:15] Speaker B: Ooh, that's a good question.
[00:41:16] Speaker A: I know, isn't it?
[00:41:19] Speaker B: So I think that it's really important, no matter where you're going, to really understand the culture that you're going to explore.
So even if it's here in the States, right. Like the Alaska cruise, there's a culture there in Alaska that we don't have down here in Texas 1. It's a lot colder, so it's hard to pack for that. So if you need a packing list for anything, let me know, too.
But I think that it's really important that you're incorporating just different aspects that are local to what you're doing. You know, you wouldn't go to Italy and not eat, like, authentic pasta.
[00:41:53] Speaker A: That's real.
[00:41:54] Speaker B: So, you know, why would you go to Alaska and not go experience glaciers.
[00:41:59] Speaker A: Or play with the penguins?
[00:42:01] Speaker B: What we didn't play with any people. I did get to hold some puppies though.
[00:42:05] Speaker A: Oh, that's cool.
[00:42:06] Speaker B: So like a little side note, okay. I did this thing where we got to go see some sled dogs that were in training and they were like, we have some puppies that we need help socializing. And I was like, oh no, I guess I'll be the one to help socialize these puppies, you know. So it was a hard day at work for sure.
But that's not an experience that you get anywhere else.
[00:42:27] Speaker A: Right, right, right.
[00:42:29] Speaker B: So just really cool, you know, you never know what local things that you can find.
We don't always have an excursion when my husband and I travel either. We sometimes we'll just explore and walk around. And so we have a whole like walking itinerary that we give to clients when they go to the Dominican Republic. Because we like to go and we just walk around. We're not getting on the buses and going and doing all the touristy things, which are so great and so fun if that's what you're interested in.
But also doing walking tours and just kind of some self guided stuff really allow you to explore on your own and get you a little bit deeper into that culture than you would if you were just, you know, I'm just gonna go ziplining through the cruise lines, excursions or whatever the case may be.
[00:43:08] Speaker A: That makes sense. So what destinations are perfect for travelers who want meaning as well as fun?
[00:43:17] Speaker B: I think it depends on what you're looking for. So that's a great question. So call me and I'll build you something perfect for you.
But I think that it's really important to not do the standard things that you would think. Right. So like if you're looking for something with culture, you're not going to be doing a Disney. You're not just going to be doing a general cruise.
Something that's really cool is that you can do National Geographic cruises. So if you're somebody who's really into nature and to really exploring, that's a great option for you as well. They'll take you into like Antarctica and stuff like that. And you really get to see parts of the world that a lot of people do not have the opportunity to see.
Or even if you're going to Italy or somewhere overseas, look for tours that are done by locals. And I've got great options for those as well. But when you're doing something that's not through like a big box, it really allows you to be just more in tune with everything that's going on, your guide's gonna be local. They're gonna take you to, like, more local things. Like, for example, you know, sure, you can go have pasta wherever, this big restaurant that's by the Coliseum. But, like, do you want to go to Nona's house and have Nona, like, make you some homemade pasta in her house? Like, literally in her house, you know, and so you can't experience those things. One, if you're stuck at home and you're not traveling.
But two, you know, if you're just going through. Through just some of these big box providers that are just catering to more of the masses and more of groups, which may mean you get a little bit more of a deal as far as money wise. But is it really the cultural experience that you're wanting to get out of it?
[00:44:59] Speaker A: You know, that's amazing. And I'm gonna ask you this question.
Why do you believe travel is one of the most powerful teachers in life? Cause, I mean, you were touching on it just now, but I want you to kind of delve a little deeper in, if you don't mind.
[00:45:09] Speaker B: Yeah, absolutely.
So I think you can learn so much about yourself when traveling, whether it's a solo trip.
Man, the things you can learn about yourself on a solo trip are just amazing. And you don't even have to go international for things either. You know, it could be a local trip or just, you know, maybe you want to go camping by yourself through a national park and kind of explore it. You learn so much about your city when you do, like, couples trips. You know, you learn so much of yourself as a couple. Right.
You know, they say you don't know people until you marry them or travel.
But yes, I think that it's. Even if you marry them, you need to travel together. Right. Or even if you, you know, you're not sure you want to marry that guy, maybe go take a trip with him and see how it works.
It's a lot different when you're sharing a bathroom together.
[00:45:59] Speaker A: Right, right.
[00:46:00] Speaker B: And.
[00:46:00] Speaker A: And even friends, too. Traveling with friends. You can't travel with all your friends.
[00:46:03] Speaker B: Oh, yeah, you can't travel with all your friends. No, absolutely. Listen, I've been on girls trips where we thought, you know, one of the girls may not come back or they were gonna leave early and come home early. It's just because you're getting out of your comfort zone. You're putting people in an environment where they're not normally in, and it may, you know, bring up some conversations that you're not used to having, even if it's just what do you want to do for dinner? Right. There's, you know, so much unknown if you're in a place where you don't know where you're at and then let alone having to make decisions. And so it's just a good time to kind of maybe test isn't a good word, but just, you know, kind of, kind of test yourself or your relationship in a good way. In a good way.
And, you know, just kind of really grow. I think that, I don't think that you're growing if you're staying in the same place every day. Right. Like they say that you grow in the uncomfortability.
So get out there, get uncomfortable, but also see something cool along the way.
[00:46:58] Speaker A: That's amazing. Well, Stacy, this has been incredibly valuable.
Where can people connect with you, follow your work or begin planning their next meaningful getaway?
[00:47:08] Speaker B: Yes.
So I am on all the Things, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, ports to resorts, travel. You can also reach out on our website. I've got a link on there. So we can start kind of planning your purpose vacation.
Or give me a call at 936-777-0173 and I'm happy to set up a consultation with you and just get a real good feel for what you're trying to do. You know, like we mentioned earlier, you don't know what you don't know or you may have an idea of what you want, but then I throw something crazy out there at you and you're like, that's actually what I wanted to do.
So it all starts with a conversation. It all starts with you getting to know me, me getting to know you, getting comfortable with each other, and then planning something that you're going to have lifelong memories from.
[00:47:53] Speaker A: You know what, Stacy, I just have to say thank you for sharing all of your insights that go far beyond booking trips. You've helped us understand not only the logistical side of travel, but the human side as well.
[00:48:04] Speaker B: Thank you so much for having me.
[00:48:06] Speaker A: Of course.
Well, today's conversation is a reminder that preparation, clarity, and expert guidance make all the difference whether traveling solo or with people you love. For our viewers, remember, travel doesn't just take you somewhere new. It can reconnect you with what matters most. If you're planning a trip, stay informed, stay protected, and choose experiences that bring joy and meaning. I'm DNA high Easton, and this has been in plain legal. Until next time, stay empowered, stay educated, and keep exploring with confidence.
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