Travelmation - Christina Smith

05/27/2026

The U.S. Department of State is committed to preventing International Parental Child Abduction and can help you take steps to prevent your child from being taken out of the country without your permission. We offer several resources — like the Children’s Passport Issuance Alert Program and support from our Prevention Team — to help parents act early, stay informed, and access legal protections. Learn more at travel.state.gov/prevention

04/26/2026

Wondering where to apply for your U.S. passport? Here are the basics:

First-time adult applicants (age 16+): In person at one of the 7,500 passport acceptance facilities using the DS-11 form. Find locations at iafdb.travel.state.gov

Child under age 16: In person at one of the 7,500 passport acceptance facilities with both parents or guardians present (or with a signed consent form). Passport valid for 5 years.

Ages 16-17: In person at one of the 7,500 passport acceptance facilities. Must show that one parent or legal guardian is aware you are applying. Passport valid for 10 years.

Urgent travel within two weeks: In person at one of 27 passport agencies. By appointment only. Must show proof of travel. If you already have a pending application, call 1-877-487-2778.

Adult renewal: By mail or online (IF you meet the requirements). For both mail and online: last passport was issued when you were 16 or older, it is undamaged, has not been reported lost/stolen, and was issued within the last 15 years. For online: Last passport must be expiring within one year or expired less than 5 years ago, not requesting a name change or expedited service.

Find more information at the official source for all things passport, www.travel.state.gov

03/30/2026

If you have an upcoming trip abroad, here are some tips on where NOT to put your passport based on our experience issuing tens of thousands of emergency passports:

❌The seatback pocket of the airplane

❌The glove compartment of your rental car

❌Sitting out on a restaurant table

❌In a bag hanging on the back of a chair.

If something does happen, our consular teams are there to help. Learn more at travel.state.gov/helpabroad.

03/25/2026

📢 Travel Talk Tuesday 📢

Stop allowing social media, new outlets, clickbait & AI videos create fear and control your decisions -- 𝙚𝙨𝙥𝙚𝙘𝙞𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙮 𝙬𝙝𝙚𝙣 𝙞𝙩 𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙨 𝙩𝙤 𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙫𝙚𝙡--.

There’s a huge difference between 𝐯𝐢𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭 and 𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧.

Most of these sources, especially on social media are just looking to go viral, appear in the know, create fear and have something to talk about.

A Travel Advisory from the U.S. Department of State is not guesswork or hype! 𝙄𝙩’𝙨 𝙖 𝙙𝙚𝙩𝙖𝙞𝙡𝙚𝙙, 𝙧𝙚𝙜𝙪𝙡𝙖𝙧𝙡𝙮 𝙧𝙚𝙫𝙞𝙚𝙬𝙚𝙙 𝙨𝙖𝙛𝙚𝙩𝙮 𝙖𝙨𝙨𝙚𝙨𝙨𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙨𝙥𝙚𝙘𝙞𝙛𝙞𝙘𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙮 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙐.𝙎. 𝙘𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙯𝙚𝙣𝙨 𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙫𝙚𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙖𝙗𝙧𝙤𝙖𝙙. These advisories are based on real conditions in real time that could impact your safety, 𝙉𝙊𝙏 𝙬𝙝𝙖𝙩𝙨 "𝙩𝙧𝙚𝙣𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙜" 𝙊𝙉𝙇𝙄𝙉𝙀.

Here’s what people 𝐀𝐑𝐄𝐍'𝐓 telling you:
🚨Travel Advisories are updated consistently.
• Levels 1 & 2 are reviewed every 12 months
• Levels 3 & 4 are reviewed at least every 6 months
• They are updated immediately if conditions change
🚨 And they clearly define risk levels:
• Level 1: Exercise normal precautions
• Level 2: Exercise increased caution
• Level 3: Reconsider travel due to serious risks
• Level 4: Do not travel due to life-threatening risks and limited U.S. assistance

➡️ They also break down EXACTLY what the risks are:
• Crime (C) – violent or organized crime risks
• Terrorism (T) – threats or recent attacks
• Unrest (U) – protests, conflict, instability
• Health (H) – disease outbreaks or poor medical care
• Natural Disasters 🌀– hurricanes, earthquakes, etc.
• Kidnapping (K) – risk of hostage situations
• Wrongful Detention (D) – risk of being detained by a government
• Time-Limited Events (E) – temporary risks like elections or major events
• Other (O) – additional safety concerns

This is real, structured intelligence, verified information meant to keep US CITIZENS SAFE! 𝙉𝙤𝙩 𝙖 30-𝙨𝙚𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙙 𝙘𝙡𝙞𝙥 𝙙𝙚𝙨𝙞𝙜𝙣𝙚𝙙 𝙩𝙤 𝙨𝙘𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪.

You also have tools most people ignore, that I can 𝙃𝙀𝙇𝙋 𝙔𝙊𝙐 𝙐𝙏𝙄𝙇𝙄𝙕𝙀. ⬇️
• The international Travel Advisory map to check global risk levels.
• STEP (Smart Traveler Enrollment Program) for real-time updates from U.S. embassies
• Destination-specific guidance with safety tips and current conditions.

Conditions can change at any time and that’s why these advisories exist!

So before you cancel a trip, spread panic, or believe a viral post:
Pause.
Check official sources.
Take time to truly understand and be come aware of any potential risks.
𝐊𝐍𝐎𝐖 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐆𝐄𝐎𝐆𝐑𝐀𝐏𝐇𝐘.

Stop feeding fear. Start using facts to make informed & confident decisions.

The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs provides travel risks, safety updates, and embassy and consulate services for U.S. citizens abroad.

01/28/2026

Reminder: Starting February 1, if you don’t have a REAL ID or acceptable form of ID (like a passport!) for domestic flights, you may pay a $45 fee to verify your identity through TSA ConfirmID. A passport card ($30) or passport book are both accepted REAL ID alternatives for domestic air travel and can help you avoid this fee, but just remember that a passport card cannot be used for international air travel (you'll need a passport book for that). Learn more about the Real ID policy at TSA.gov/real-id and about passport cards at travel.state.gov/passportcard.

01/28/2026

Educators & School Leaders—this one’s for you.

Today, I’m taking my Groups Certification to the next level as I go behind the scenes at Disney’s Imagination Campus 🎓🏰

This isn’t just Disney magic—it’s experiential learning with real-world impact. Students participate in hands-on workshops led by Disney professionals, developing leadership, teamwork, communication, and problem-solving skills, all while unlocking creativity and critical thinking.

Disney’s Imagination Campus offers customized educational programs across performing arts, humanities, science, and leadership—designed for a variety of learning levels—inside the immersive environment of Walt Disney World ✨

Why plan this experience with me?
As a licensed travel advisor specializing in student and group travel, I manage the logistics from start to finish—transportation, accommodations, program coordination, timelines, and communication—so educators can focus on what matters most: their students.

I also have the option to travel with your group, providing on-site support, real-time problem-solving, and an added layer of peace of mind for administrators, educators, and parents—ensuring a smoother, more organized experience from departure to return.

Ideal for school groups, clubs, student organizations, and youth programs seeking a learning experience that is both academically meaningful and truly memorable.

Would this be a valuable opportunity for your students or school community?
Let’s start the conversation 👇

📧 [email protected]

01/23/2026

✨ What’s YOUR Disney Persona? ✨

Be honest… which one are you? 👀

🌟 The Rope Dropper
Up before sunrise. Has a plan. Coffee in hand. Knows exactly where they’re going.

🍿 The Snacker
Park hopping? Maybe. Snack hopping? Absolutely. Churros, Dole Whip, popcorn and all things Mickey Shaped —no regrets.

🎢 The Thrill Seeker
If it doesn’t flip, drop, or scream… you’re not interested.

📸 The Memory Maker
Photos of everything. Castle shots, ride exits, snacks, kids, fireworks—no moment considered “too much.”

😌 The Go-With-the-Flow Guest
No schedule. No stress. Just vibes, magic, and wherever the day takes you.

✨ The Disney Adult (No Apologies)
Ears packed. Loungefly ready. Disney playlists on repeat year-round.

👇 Comment your persona (or tag someone who fits one perfectly!)
Bonus points if you’re a combo—because let’s be real… most of us are! ✌🏼✨

01/14/2026

This achievement is truly thanks to my incredible clients, who have trusted me with their families’ vacations. A vacation is so much more than a social media post. It’s a chance to step away from the everyday and to reconnect with the people who mean the most to you. These moments are often full first-time experiences and all about creating memories that are meant to be treasured for a lifetime.

To be quite honest, when I saw this post, I wasn’t looking for my name. I was looking for agent friends I’ve met along the way so I could congratulate them. I had to reread it. In my head I literally said, “that’s my name!” In the Walmart parking lot I went from shock to tears.

All I know to say is, thank you. From the bottom of my heart, thank you. 💙

It’s an honor to have served each and every one of my clients and I look forward to continuing to serve you all again! I also hope to continue to grow my small business in 2026! Your referrals mean the world to me, if you know anyone looking to travel, big or small, send them my way! I’d love the opportunity to help them book and plan their next trip!

📱 469.999.2482
📧 [email protected]

01/11/2026

Disneyland California Quote

Family of 4
4 Nights at Pixar Place Hotel
3 Day Base Tickets

Under $3740!
Only a $200 deposit

Book it with me today!

12/31/2025

🌴🚢 JUST BOOKED! 🚢🌴

Two balcony staterooms on the Carnival Dream headed for Costa Maya, Cozumel & Belize!

The “C” family is countingdown the days until their having their morning coffee with ocean views on their private balcony, exploring vibrant ports and having nonstop fun at sea—this cruise is going to be a DREAM.

Balcony views make every sailing better—
Ready to start plan your cruise? I’ve got you covered from start to sail-away! Contact me today!