Tiaa Travel Tales

09/07/2026

09/07/2026

🚨🚨🚨 MIAMI TRAVEL ALERT 🚨🚨🚨

✈️ Miami International Airport is experiencing MAJOR disruptions following a deadly cargo plane crash at MIA today. 💔🙏🏾

Travelers flying into or out of Miami should CHECK YOUR FLIGHT STATUS before heading to the airport!

👇🏾 DETAILS BELOW 👇🏾

09/03/2026

✈️ READY TO GET YOUR PASSPORT?

The United States Postal Service is hosting several Passport Fairs near the Metro East area. If international travel is on your bucket list, now is the perfect time to get prepared! 🌍

📍 Waterloo
September 11, 2026
9 AM to 3 PM
Morrison Talbott Library
215 Park Street, Waterloo, IL 62298

📍 Litchfield
September 15, 2026
10 AM to 4 PM
Litchfield Public Library
1205 South State Street, Litchfield, IL 62056

📍 Fairmont City
September 18, 2026
9 AM to 4 PM

September 19, 2026
8 AM to 12 PM

Fairmont City Community Center
4001 Cookson Road, Fairmont City, IL 62201

📍 Highland
September 25, 2026
9 AM to 3 PM
Latzer Memorial Public Library
1001 9th Street, Highland, IL 62249

📍 Edwardsville
October 9 and October 10, 2026
9 AM to 4 PM
Edwardsville Public Library
112 South Kansas Street, Edwardsville, IL 62025

What you need to bring:

✅ Evidence of United States citizenship
✅ Valid photo identification
✅ Completed DS 11 application
✅ Separate payments for the Department of State and USPS

Current fees listed on the flyer:

💳 Passport book: $130
💳 Passport card: $30
💳 USPS processing fee: $35
📸 Passport photo service: $15
⚡ Expedited service: Additional $60

Routine processing is estimated at 6 to 8 weeks. Expedited processing is estimated at 2 to 3 weeks.

Visit travel.state.gov for the application, current requirements, and official fee information.

Save this post and share it with someone who needs a passport. Your next adventure is waiting! 🌎🛳️✈️

09/03/2026

Room Tour: Ocean View Cabin 1140 on Margaritaville at Sea Islander

Cabin 1140 was an additional room the cruise line gave me after a strong gasoline odor repeatedly entered my original cabin, 4205. My original cabin was the better room, so they allowed me to keep both cabins.

The odor began around 2:00 a.m. during the first two nights of the cruise. It became so strong that I felt nauseous, panicked, and had to leave the area to get fresh air.

I was told that the odor was connected to work being performed on the ship. The staff promised that the work would stop and would not begin again until after the ship had docked. Unfortunately, the fumes returned around 2:00 a.m. on the final night, despite that promise.

Cabin 1140 was a nice ocean view room with a beautiful view. However, it did not have a refrigerator or a safe, which made me wonder whether it is normally used as an emergency or backup cabin.

I am sharing this tour so future passengers can see exactly what Ocean View Cabin 1140 looks like.

09/03/2026

Suite me!

09/03/2026