Year-end vacations bring out more than the usual thousands of tourists on famous Hollywood Boulevard. The visitors like to read the sidewalk plaques of hundreds of stars along the sidewalk, pose in the cement movie star footprints at Grauman’s Theater and buy the usual tourist souvenirs in the many gift shops along the street.

There are also many costumed characters on the sidewalks, some dressed to look like familiar movie and co  mic book figures, including Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman and Darth Vader. Others imitate older icons, such as Charlie Chaplin, John Wayne, Marilyn Monroe and Harpo Marx.

Currently, the live Hollywood Boulevard characters aren’t required to have licenses nor permits. They’re not supposed to be aggressive, but just stand away from foot traffic until tourists ask them to pose for photos. They’re not allowed to charge fees, but they expect tips, the only way they make a living from their efforts.

There have been incidents, mostly characters fighting for turf, but the scene is usually very peaceful. The laws could become more restrictive in the future, such as requiring them to buy licenses, and that could cause them to fade away. However, most tourists, especially the kids, enjoy the characters and believe they add a bit more glitter to the glamor capital of the world.

The vending machine is called Beverly Hills Caviar. However, the first one has just been set up in the modest bedroom town of Burbank, about 20 miles and billions of dollars away from the other snooty and grossly wealthy Southern California city.

It’s a digital touch-screen vending machine now in operation on the second floor of the Burbank Towne Shopping Mall at 201 E. Magnolia Blvd. For a high price, you can choose from what the company calls “a large selection of the world’s finest caviar, truffles, escargot, bottarga, blinis, oils, Mother of Pearl plates and spoons, gift boxes and gourmet salts.”

If you happen to be visiting Burbank and in the mall there, take a look at the example of excess that few people can afford these days. According to price listings, the items can each cost anywhere from under $50 up to $500. 

Public dispensing machines have come a long way. How many of us can still remember the penny chewing gum and tiny Hershey bar machines? Back in the 1930s and 1940s, they were on el and subway platforms in Philly, New York, Chicago, Boston and elsewhere.

We live 30 minutes from the Port of Los Angeles, and sometimes we've grabbed deeply discounted last-minute cruises. Should we have trip cancellation insurance for these deals? J.L., Pasadena CA

A: Trip cancellation insurance is well worth the investment. Because you live so close to the port, you may not miss a cruise because of a late flight or ground transportation problem. However, sudden illness, accidents and other unforeseen events can cause you to cancel.

If you don't have trip cancellation insurance and miss the cruise, you'll typically lose your entire fare, with no possibility of refund or credit. We've heard the most heartrending accounts of missed cruises due to deaths in the family, catastrophic illnesses and freak accidents.

Trip cancellation insurance may add from 4% to 6% to your total price of a cruise vacation. For the peace of mind it brings, you should factor it into your budget. You’ve been lucky so far on your last-minute cruises. Don’t tempt fate on your next one.

Q: I’m a senior and have serious glaucoma, which allows me to use a marijuana product as medically necessary. My job keeps me air traveling almost every week, on both domestic and foreign flights. With two states, Washington and Colorado, now about to decriminalize it, I’m hoping the day will come soon when marijuana will be legal all over.

If the law is passed in other places I travel, it means I won’t have to sneak around to get it illegally. Then I can buy it more cheaply on the open market, and as I would alcoholic drinks and cigarettes. What’s the situation in other states?

A: So far, 15 allow the sale of marijuana in approved stores, some requiring medical prescriptions. They are Alaska, California, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Delaware, Hawaii, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island and Vermont.

Incidentally, marijuana is legal in Iran, Peru and Uruguay. In many other countries, where it is illegal on the law books, common everyday use and sale is not prevented, as in the Netherlands. .

Before you take your next business trip, check laws and restrictions at scheduled destinations for carrying items that include marijuana. Be sure you have necessary medical and other documents, and they comply with all airport security rules.