Smart Traveler Enrollment Program

[TXTransplant]

In light of the events in Belgium yesterday, the US State Department has issued an updated European travel alert (as of 3/22). It can be found here https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/alertswarnings/europe-travel-alert.html

In browsing their site, I found something called the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program, where basically you can register the details of your trip (where you are going, who is traveling with you, emergency contact info, etc.). You provide an email address where they can send you travel alerts, and they forward your travel information on to the nearest Embassy.

I just enrolled with the information for our June ABD to Italy (I did elect to not provide my passport information, though) and thought it might be of interest to the others who read this board.

Enrollment can be started here https://step.state.gov/STEP/Index.aspx

At this time, I have no plans to cancel our trip, but I am certainly watching the situation very closely.

 

[sayhello]

In light of the events in Belgium yesterday, the US State Department has issued an updated European travel alert (as of 3/22). It can be found here https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/alertswarnings/europe-travel-alert.html

In browsing their site, I found something called the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program, where basically you can register the details of your trip (where you are going, who is traveling with you, emergency contact info, etc.). You provide an email address where they can send you travel alerts, and they forward your travel information on to the nearest Embassy.

I just enrolled with the information for our June ABD to Italy (I did elect to not provide my passport information, though) and thought it might be of interest to the others who read this board.

Enrollment can be started here https://step.state.gov/STEP/Index.aspx

At this time, I have no plans to cancel our trip, but I am certainly watching the situation very closely.

Hey, thanks! I just signed up for the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program, too. You can never be too careful!

Sayhello

 

[Cinderella's Slipper 2015]

From what I've read, you should always register with your country's embassies abroad, either through the US Smart Traveller Program or with whichever program your country has. We just have to register with the embassies through the Government of Canada's website. By registering you are letting your government know where you are should there be an emergency of some sort. The people that are registered with the embassies are the first to get out because the government knows where to find you. I plan on registering myself and my mom for our Central Europe trip in September as well as our trip to SE Asia in February.

 

[AnnaS]

Great info. - thank you.

 

[Alacrity]

I've used the service for various places I have traveled. They send out alerts if things are shaky in the destination areas. Doesn't hurt to be informed but I don't think I'd let the alerts alone spoil a trip.

It's also a good idea to make a copy of your passport ID page and carry passport pictures in a secure location. If your passport is lost or stolen these can help get a replacement made or ease lost passport woes. I also keep scans of passports and other IDs on my mobile device (Tab or Phone) as well as credit card numbers and service phone numbers using a encrypting, password protected app (Andrognito in my case on Android). Again, in case passports, wallets or whatever, should go missing. Finally I keep an encrypted, password protected USB drive with the same stuff in case of issues with that. All stored in different locations, just in case.

 

[Bobo912]

Thanks, TXTransplant. I signed up and provided info for the pre and post-days for our Rhine cruise this summer. Considering current events, I'm a little nervous about the pre days in Amsterdam. Sayhello, did you provide any information for the days when you're on the cruise? I wasn't sure how to handle that part and I'm hoping it's not necessary and the tour company will keep us informed if anything happens during that part of the trip.

 

[*WDW*Groupie*]

From what I've read, you should always register with your country's embassies abroad, either through the US Smart Traveller Program or with whichever program your country has. We just have to register with the embassies through the Government of Canada's website. By registering you are letting your government know where you are should there be an emergency of some sort. The people that are registered with the embassies are the first to get out because the government knows where to find you. I plan on registering myself and my mom for our Central Europe trip in September as well as our trip to SE Asia in February.

Do you have a link? While I've never done this before I think now would be a good time to start. Never hurts.

It's also a good idea to make a copy of your passport ID page and carry passport pictures in a secure location. If your passport is lost or stolen these can help get a replacement made or ease lost passport woes. I also keep scans of passports and other IDs on my mobile device (Tab or Phone) as well as credit card numbers and service phone numbers using a encrypting, password protected app (Andrognito in my case on Android). Again, in case passports, wallets or whatever, should go missing. Finally I keep an encrypted, password protected USB drive with the same stuff in case of issues with that. All stored in different locations, just in case.

What a good idea. Does anyone know of an equivalent app for Apple devices? Of course I'd be worried about my phone being stolen but I'm super careful about keeping it close to me at all times when outside of a hotel room.

 

[sayhello]

Thanks, TXTransplant. I signed up and provided info for the pre and post-days for our Rhine cruise this summer. Considering current events, I'm a little nervous about the pre days in Amsterdam. Sayhello, did you provide any information for the days when you're on the cruise? I wasn't sure how to handle that part and I'm hoping it's not necessary and the tour company will keep us informed if anything happens during that part of the trip.

I gave them the ship name (AmaViola w/AmaWaterways) and Adventures by Disney's name & phone number. Absolutely, ABD (or whatever tour company you're with) would be keeping track of all of this stuff, and let you know what's going on, but if someone stateside is trying to get ahold of you through the embassy, the tour company wouldn't know that. I figured it couldn't hurt to provide all the info I could...

By the way, that *is* one of the reasons I travel with a tour company. So that they can worry about and track stuff like this!

Sayhello

 

[2003Eeyore]

I have used the STEPS program since 2013 when we travel overseas. It just makes me feel better knowing they know I am there and how to get a hold of someone in the USA for me if I can't speak for myself.

 

[Cinderella's Slipper 2015]

Do you have a link? While I've never done this before I think now would be a good time to start. Never hurts.

Here is a link to the start of the registration process. http://travel.gc.ca/travelling/registration

 

[Alacrity]

Do you have a link? While I've never done this before I think now would be a good time to start. Never hurts.



What a good idea. Does anyone know of an equivalent app for Apple devices? Of course I'd be worried about my phone being stolen but I'm super careful about keeping it close to me at all times when outside of a hotel room.

Not an Apple person but a Google pops up some links that look promising:
http://appadvice.com/appguides/show/secure-file-locker

and

https://blog.kaspersky.com/must-have-iphone-security-apps/721/
(This one looks like it has a lot more that secure docs...)