Staying Safe aboard a Cruise Ship

Staying Safe aboard a Cruise Ship

Every year, millions of people cruise. There is a reason why so many people cruise – it can be a hassle free, relaxing way to vacation.  Although over the past few years there have been reports of cruise ship crime and accidents, the reality is that cruise ship crime is actually very low.

Having said that, and despite being safe aboard a cruise ship, it’s important for you to take precautions to protect your belongs and yourself.  Most precautions are simple and can be accomplished with a minimum of effort — and despite being simple this will keep you, your belongings and your finances safe while on a cruise.

Although you might believe that your safety begins once aboard ship, you should actually begin well in advance.  For instance, because you’re on a cruise, it could be that you are visiting a foreign country.  If there’s a mistake (or a disaster), you should have all your important papers and documents available.  This includes your driver’s license and passport.  Prior to leaving, you should make copies of all your documents – leaving a copy at home and carrying another copy with you. 

After you board there are a couple of things that you need to do in order to ensure your safety.  First of all, make sure that you are familiar with the layout of the cruise ship.  Most cruise ships are large and it may take a bit of time to familiarize yourself with the ship – but of course, you’re going to want to know the layout of the ship anyway, so a tour is a fun way to do it.  Additionally, if you’re not given a map upon check in, then make sure that you request one.  This map should be carried with you in case you lose your way.

Getting to know the other passengers.  You don’t have to socialize or even be outgoing in order to do this, however make sure that you keep an eye out for people who appear to are “shady”.  Make sure that you protect yourself – afterall, if you’re on land, you will avoid people who make you feel uncomfortable…you should also do this aboard ship.

Even when traveling on land, it’s generally wiser to travel with others, if possible, do the same while aboard a cruise ship.  This will reduce or even eliminate your chances of becoming a victim.  When moving around the ship alone, tell one or two people where you’re headed and when you’ll return.  If something happens, a friend or relative should know where to locate you.

Always remember that personal safety should be your main concern when traveling.  Additionally, your belongings also should be kept safe.  If you travel with expensive luggage or money, take extra precautions.  In face, consider leaving those items behind.  Also, realize that most cruise ships will not reimburse you for any lost belongings or money – so if you can’t afford to replace or lose it, don’t bring it.

With theft, cash and credit cards are the most common items to steal.  Instead of carrying your wallet or purse, invest in an inexpensive money pouch that can be worn around your neck or waist and tucked under your shirt.

If, for some reason you don’t have a money pouch, make sure that you divide up your money into multiple locations.  This way, in the event that a theft occurs, you will still have financial protection. 

Cruising is, for the most part safe, however by following the above simple precautions, you can safely enjoy your vacation aboard a cruise ship.

 

St. Thomas Vacations for Seniors

St. Thomas Vacations for Seniors

One of the best things about retirement is that you have the opportunity to travel.  You have more options now that you’re not tied down by the 9 to 5 grind.  Seniors are generally healthier than they used to be and so often they choose to vacation several times a year.

If you’re a senior and you enjoy traveling there are many options available.  One of the most affordable destinations that you should consider is St. Thomas.

St. Thomas is a Caribbean island, part of the Virgin Islands.  It’s known for romantic getaways and beautiful beaches.  It’s a warm and inviting place that’s ideal for senior travelers.

So what is there to do when you’re on vacation in St. Thomas?  What are some of the activities you might want to participate in?  Well, St. Thomas really has an almost unlimited amount of things to do for people of all ages. 

As you might have suspected, St. Thomas, being an island, has absolutely beautiful beaches which offer a variety of activities that are ideal for especially seniors.  For the active seniors, there is swimming, SCUBA, skin diving and snorkeling and deep sea fishing as well as strolling down the warm sand.  You can always just relax by sunbathing or people watching.  And many resorts on St. Thomas have private beaches which are ideal for seniors.

St. Thomas has numerous resorts to choose from if you decide to vacation on the island.  Check to make see if the resorts are reserved for people over eighteen years old.  An age limit may be ideal so you don’t have to contend with overcrowded beaches and screaming children.

Although you might enjoy relaxing on the beautiful St. Thomas beaches, it’s also a lot of fun to explore St. Thomas and its many interesting sights.  One thing to consider is to take a guided tour.  If you decide to tour St. Thomas this way, there are a variety of tours to choose from.  The most popular tours are by boat, however there are also tours available by car or bus.  By taking a guided tour, you can learn more about St. Thomas and you’ll have the opportunity to sit back, relax and enjoy your vacation.

An activity that most tourists enjoy while vacationing in St. Thomas is shopping.  St. Thomas is well known for having top of the line products at reasonable process.  Beach resorts also have reasonably priced retail shops.  But for the cheapest prices and best deals, shop at an inland shopping center as everything is more expensive at the beach shops.

Spa Resorts in St. Thomas

Spa Resorts in St. Thomas

When you start planning your vacation, are you confused about where you’d like to go and even what activities you’d like to participate in? Perhaps you’re an active person who craves a wide variety of activities, or maybe you’d just to relax, read a good book or even get a massage.

Well if this is you, then you should consider vacationing in St. Thomas, in the Virgin Islands. St. Thomas is a very popular destination because there are so many things to do while there. St. Thomas has an almost unlimited number of accommodations including hotels and resorts to choose from. In fact, you might have a difficult time deciding which resort or hotel to choose. However, you can narrow it down by deciding what you’d like to do while you’re vacationing there. For instance, do you like the beach and water activities, or would you prefer something like golfing or spending time at a spa? If you sit down and make a list of what you enjoy, then you can pick out the best resort to suit your needs.

Although many people visit St. Thomas strictly for the beach and water activities, there are those who choose one of the spa hotels for the perfect relaxing vacation.

If you are interested in spending the day at a spa, you may want to consider vacationing at a spa resort. Below is a summary of three top rated spa resorts in St. Thomas.

One of St. Thomas’ most famous resorts is the Wyndham Sugar Bay Resort and Spa which is not only a spa but an all-inclusive one at that.

The Wyndham Sugar Bay Resort and Spa caters to people of all ages and levels of activities. While children certainly are welcome, there are areas which are designated off limits for children under 18. This means that adults can enjoy the onsite restaurants, bars and gaming rooms while the children enjoy the onsite activities in the kid’s club.

The Wyndham Sugar Bay Resort and Spa is located along the coast which makes it ideal for those who enjoy swimming, SCUBA diving, sunbathing, boating and snorkeling.

Another Spa resort that is located along the beach shore of St. Thomas is The Frenchman’s Reef and Morning Star Marriott Beach Resort. Owned by the Marriott International, this hotel chain is one of the most respected and popular worldwide and the Frenchman’s Reef lives up to the reputation.

The Frenchman’s Reef and Morning Star Marriott Beach Resort is best known for its onsite spa, the Reef Health Club. While the health club is very popular, guests can also enjoy activities such as golf and tennis. No expense was spared when decorating the rooms and the common areas such as the restaurants and bars. The Frenchman’s Reef is the ultimate spa destination.

But the spa isn’t the only reason to visit this fantastic resort. There are numerous beach/water related activities such as SCUBA, swimming, snorkeling, sailing, boating, wind surfing and kayaking.

Located on the eastern side of St. Thomas, the Ritz-Carlton St. Thomas is considered one of the island’s most beautiful resorts. And while it caters to people of all ages, including children, adults will benefit from the first class treatment at the Boutique Spa. There is also a fitness center, golf course and salon. When adults are enjoying their favorite activities, children can enjoy the fun activities designed specifically for them.

The Ritz-Carlton St. Thomas is, as the other two, a beach resort and therefore activities can include swimming, SCUBA, sun bathing, beach activities and sailing.

These three resorts are just three of the many first class accommodations located on St. Thomas. For more information, check online or with your travel agent.

Singles Cruises

Travel and cruises: Searching for LOVE?

 

A friend of mine recently decided that it was time to move on after getting her heart broken, so, she booked her reservation on a 4-night, 5 day singles cruise.  I saw her off and wondered how in the world she was going to even enjoy herself as she cried about her lost love and his new girlfriend all the way to the port. 

 

Occasionally, during the time she was gone, I wondered if she had holed up in her cabin and only came out for meals. 

 

 

Boy, was I wrong.  The first indication came when I received a phone call that I didn’t need to pick her up…because her new friend had offered her a lift home.  Recently, my friend called to let me know that she’d and the man she met on the cruise were talking about getting married.

 

So, if you’re single and would like the chance to meet someone new, consider a single’s cruise.

Singles cruises have organized cocktail parties, group activities, one on one dining and games.  Many of the groups also have singles chat sites.  For the single person who wants to meet someone new, all you have to do is to “go for it”.

 

 

There are many very popular singles cruises.  You can sail on a 7 night Greek Isles cruise from Venice, Italy to Santorini, Mykonos and Corfu for as little as $1,699.

 

 

Or for $1,999 enjoy a 7 night cruise from Honolulu to Kauai and Maui.  Or perhaps a Western Caribbean cruise for 8 nights for around $750 might be more your style. 

 

 

By searching on the internet or asking your travel agent, you can find incredible deals for singles cruises.

 

 

These cruises were created specially for singles. The activities are planned to enhance self-confidence and interpersonal relationships.  There are also a variety of leisure activities that are planned by professional cruise directors.

 

 

Most people who have experienced joining the cruise are working professionals from mid 20s to mid 60s.

 

 

So, based on the success my friend had, I’ve decided that I, too will be looking for a cruise where I might meet my soulmate.

Shopping In Mexico: Traveler’s Tips

Shopping in Mexico: Tips for Travelers 

 A vacation in Mexico can be a wonderful experience, filled with wonderful scenery, resorts and beaches.  But Mexico is also known for wonderful bargains and terrific shopping experience – and tourists love to take advantage of the many deals that are available in Mexico.

While shopping in Mexico can be a wonderful experience, it’s important to realize that there are strictly enforced rules regarding what can and can’t be brought back into the U.S.  Prior to purchasing items in Mexico, you should review the U.S. Customs and Border Protection rules; they will alert you as far as what you can and can’t bring home with you.

Endangered species.  Endangered animals are not allowed to be purchased and brought into the United States. Many products that are available in Mexico are illegal when brought across the border.  The Customs and Border Patrol is very strict about this – and if caught you might not just have your items confiscated, but also fined and possibly jailed.  Stay away from wild animals that are for sale. 

In addition to live animals, stay away from products made from animals that are considered endangered.  One of those animals on the endangered species is crocodile.  While you might enjoy a crocodile purse or pair of boots, avoid the temptation.  The U.S. government is very strict and they take the violations seriously.  The customs patrol makes routine inspections looking for endangered animals and you don’t want to endanger yourself.

Another thing to avoid are the colorful and exotic Mexican Birds, such a parrots.  While it may seem like a great idea, purchasing birds in from Mexico is illegal.  In fact, even stuffed birds are against the last. It’s just probably best if you avoid any kind of wildlife and purchase other souvenirs that are legal and much less hassle.

Another thing that tourists to Mexico have discovered are the Mexican antiques and glazed ceramics.  While it may be tempting to being home an antique from Mexico, the Mexican government considers their antiquities to be government property – so if they discover you trying to bring them out of the country, they can prosecute you for theft and you might face a stiff fine or even prison.  It’s best to just leave any antiques where you found them.

Another area that many people are unaware of are ceramics purchased in Mexico.  While glazed ceramics are bright, colorful and beautiful and maybe look great in your home, many of the ceramics you purchase in Mexico may be made with lead.  So, although it is legal to bring ceramics back across the border, consider avoiding the purchase of glazed ceramics – or make sure everyone in your house is aware of the potential danger that your ceramics pose.  The other possibility is to purchase a small home lead test and test any ceramics prior to purchasing them.  That way you can know that you are purchasing something that’s safe.

While it may seem as if there are things that you can’t purchase, if you look around you’ll find that there are many more things that you can.  Just remember to follow a few simple rules and regulations and stay on the safe side.  That way your Mexican vacation will be an enjoyable and memorable one.

Romantic Cruise Getaways

Cruise Ships: A Romantic Getaway for Couples

 From the time you wakeup in the morning to the time you go to bed, you’re on the go.  You’ve got a heavy workload, a hectic schedule and it seems that you go for long periods of time without spend any quality time together.  And now you not only need but you deserve a break.  So how about taking a romantic getaway together?  And for the ultimate in romantic adventures, consider a cruise.

Some people don’t consider a cruise as an option for a romantic couple’s vacation however there are some who swear by cruising.  And if you’ve never been on a cruise, perhaps it’s now time to reconsider. 

Prior to booking your cruise, consider several things.  There are numerous cruise ships, cruise lines and destinations.  Make sure that you book one that suits your needs.  For instance, you might want to avoid a family cruise line, especially if it is overrun with children.

For an intimate, relaxing cruise, seek one that has an age limit for its passengers.  These ships restrict children and target their cruises for romantic couples.

While it’s possible to find a cruise ship with an age limit, it may be a little difficult.  So if you can’t locate one, inquire where families will be placed and book your room in a different part of the ship.  Many cruise lines do work to keep families and individual couples separated – and it’s easy to determine by checking the policies of each individual cruise line online or calling their toll-free number.

How large is the cruise ship?  Believe it or not, the size of the ship may determine how romantic your vacation is.  A larger ship has more passengers and may deter onboard privacy. In fact, smaller cruise ships often target couples seeking romantic vacations.

Another factor is the style and décor of the ship.  There are some cruise lines that target romantic couples and therefore they create romantic environments such as romantic cabins, room service, etc.

When you’re traveling aboard a cruise ship, it’s a excellent way for couples to spend time together.  But where should you go? Most extended cruise ships dock in one or more ports which are often located in other countries.  Consider a cruise where the ports are considered romantic.  Places like the Bahamas, Hawaii and the Caribbean all have a number of ports.  Passengers enjoy balmy tropical weather which adds romance to a couple’s vacation.

If you don’t have the time or the cost is not affordable, consider a local romantic evening cruise near your home.  These cruises can be dinner and dancing and are often available in lakes and large rivers. 

So whatever the amount of time or money you have available, if you and your partner are interested in a romantic getaway, start checking the internet or with your local travel agent and consider a cruise vacation.

Properly Preparing For Your Vacation

Are you planning a vacation this year? If so, have you already started planning your trip? As you start, you might want to consider some of the online resources including a large number of tips available.

Here are some ideas you might want to consider.

1. Climate – What will the weather be like at your destination? Whatever the weather, you need to bring appropriate clothing. If you will be in a warm, tropical location, bathing suits, shorts, t-shirts, lightweight clothing is the most desirable. And while you might have warm and sunny weather, be prepared for the worse – even packing an extra raincoat or an umbrella in addition to your summer attire.

2. Identification – No matter where you’re traveling to, it’s important to bring the proper forms of identification in the form of driver’s license, i.d. card and passport. Also bring along all health insurance and auto insurance cards. You never know if you might need them.

3. A popular tourist/summer vacation destination is the beach. Millions of people each year flock to popular beaches throughout the year. If you’re vacationing at a beach or pool area, it’s important to bring along plenty of sunscreen, beach towels and water.

4. Cruise vacations are a popular choice – and for good reason. If you plan on taking a cruise, start preparing as soon as possible after you book your reservation. Unlike some other vacations, a cruise often will require more preparation.

When preparing for your cruise, keep in mind the destinations of your ship and the stops that are planned. If you are traveling internationally, you will need a passport. If you don’t have one already, you’ll need to obtain one and although they are easy to get, the time it takes could be as much as 6 weeks. This is why (if you don’t already have a passport) you should apply for one as soon as possible.

5. Some families choose to go camping. Perhaps even more than a cruise, a camping trip requires much more preparation than just packing up and heading to a hotel or amusement park. The amount of preparation however, does depend on where you’ll be going and how you’ll be camping.

First of all, determine where you’ll be sleeping – outside, in a tent or in a trailer or RV. Make sure that you have plenty of supplies stocked and, if camping outside, a tent (with all the pieces accounted for) and warm sleeping bag. If you will be boating, fishing, water skiing or hiking, bring the appropriate gear along. Since many areas are remote and secluded, if you forget something you might have to go without.

Although many times if you forget certain supplies, you can purchase replacements, many times the cost of the replacement is inflated…so prior to leaving, make a list and check your luggage before departing.

6. Inform your friends and family where you’re going. If you have put together an itinerary, give this information to a trusted friend of family member so if something happens at home, you can be reached. If you plan on leaving a pet home, make sure you make proper arrangements for the care and feeding.

The importance of preparing for your summer vacation can’t be emphasized enough. Although sometimes preparing for your vacation may be overwhelming, by preparing in advance, your vacation travel will be much easier to manage.

 

Preparing For Your Cruise

Cruise Ships:  Preparing For Your Voyage

You’ve decided to take a cruise for your vacation and now you’re starting to plan what to take.  While packing your clothes is important, you need to also be aware that there are other, equally important preparations you must make and if you fail to do these, you might now even be able to take your cruise – these are preparations that you should make as soon as you book your cruise.

What kind of cruise are you taking?  A large percentage of cruises travel internationally.  Not only are they in international waters but they also dock in international ports.  This means that before boarding, you will have to show your proper ID. This would include your driver’s license or similar government issued card as well as your passport.

One of the most important things is that when you are planning on traveling internationally, don’t wait until the last moment to get your passport.  Passports take quite a long time to process and if you need to rush, there is a huge extra cost involved.  You’re not granted a passport automatically – you must apply for one and it’s important that you allow time in case extra documentation is required.  Remember that unless you have the proper documentation, you will not be allowed to board the cruise ship.

So you’ve got your passport and driver’s license, but what other documentation will you need?  You should bring your health insurance card in case you get sick or have an accident.  In this case your insurance card will allow you to easily obtain needed medical attention.

Are you taking any special medications?  Don’t forget them. You should consider bringing along extra medications and even for important ones, ask your doctor to write an extra prescription just in case.  If your medications become lost or misplaced, you can easily have them replaced.

Most likely you will be participating in onboard activities as well as sightseeing or shopping in the various ports you stop at.  This means that you should bring along extra money, a credit or debit card or traveler’s checks.  Generally you’re not encouraged to bring large sums of money with you so make sure that you divide it up and put it in safe locations.  Don’t worry about taking a lot of cash.  Most cruise ships and ports accept alternate forms of money, including credit cars, traveler’s checks, etc. These forms of payments are excellent alternatives to carrying cash.

Prior to leaving for your cruise vacation, give a copy of the ship’s itinerary to friends and family.  This way you can be contacted in an emergency.  You also will be required to give the contact information in the case that something happens to you.  Do not give the contact information of someone traveling with you, instead make sure it’s someone whom you trust and supply them with the information to contacting everyone during an emergency.

So now that you’ve followed these simple preparation steps, you can now start packing and enjoying your well deserved cruise.

Popular Places in Paris

Enjoying Paris Travel

One of the many enjoyable activities that most visitors to Paris want to do is take a tour.  These tours can be enjoyable as well as educational and, in some cases can be extremely unique.  Tours are a great way of getting to know a city – especially Paris.

The Louvre

Perhaps the best known Parisian landmark after the Eiffel Tower is The Louvre.  In fact, if you walk around outside, there’s almost as much activity going on as inside.  There are fountains, walkways, statues (such as the Buran Statues in the Paris Royal) and even the Pyramid.  (Seeing it lit up at night is a breathtaking experience).

When you step into the Pyramid, you can go up a winding staircase straight to the top and visit one of the many shops inside.

Another area to visit is the Palasis Royal and the beautiful Le Jardin des Tuileris fountain.  The Place de la Concorde is also in the same vicinity.  If you visit them at night, they are lit and absolutely stunning

Of course, the Les Champs-Elysees both during the day and at night is amazing.  The archway stands at the end with trees lining both sides of the street.

You can also visit the Moulin Rouge – a huge building with a windmill sitting on the roof.

Another tour you can take is a glass bottom riverboat tour of the Seine River.  You’ll see such romantic landmarks as the Passer Elle des Arts or Lover’s Meeting Place.  You’ll also pass many fountains and the Eiffel Tower.  The river itself is located 30 feet below street level with ivy covered stone walls, iron rings, as well as trees, old buildings and gardens.

You will pass under 32 bridges and wave at some of the riverboats.

A “can’t miss” landmark should be Notre Dame.  This stunning church has some of the most stunning architecture and stained glass windows of any building in the world.  So make sure that you check it out.  Another place in the same area as Notre Dame is the L’Hotel de Cluny.  This hotel was built to house monks coming from Cluny to visit Paris. It was converted into a museum in 1844 representing the Medieval France.

From the outside and you can see the beautiful cross-windows in the front and the others are all done in Gothic style. Inside the L’Hotel de Cluny, you will see many 15th and 16th century tapestries.

Make sure to visit the Chapel while on your tour of the Seine River. Inside the Chapel, you will see numerous tapestries of the Lady and the unicorn of the 16th century.

Popular Cruise Ship Travel Options

When you consider a cruise ship vacation, many individuals focus their planning solely on their cruise. For many individuals, this can be a costly mistake. While the cruise itself is important, so is how you plan your vacation.

Unfortunately, some people are unaware that they must make travel arrangements to their cruise’s departure location. They realize it, too late for changes.  Don’t be one of those individuals. When booking a cruise, it’s important to keep a cruise ship’s departure location in mind.  Doing so may prevent unnecessary travel expenses.

Selecting a cruise ship, with a close departure location, is advisable.  Unfortunately though, for many this is impossible as a there are limited number of cruise ship departure ports. If you can’t find a cruise ship departure location within a short distance of your home, consider the cost of travel while booking your reservations.

If you must make travel plans to reach your cruise ship departure location, consider all options.  These options may include driving your own vehicle, renting a car, flying, riding the bus, or taking the train.

If you choose to drive, make sure you factor in the cost of fuel, wear and tear on your car, overnight stops as well as food.  Another thing to consider is the cost of parking while you are on your cruise.  Many lots near the cruise lines can cost $10-20/day.  On the other hand, the greatest advantage of if driving is that your travel will be easy. Just hop into your vehicle and hit the road. Also, if you choose to drive to your destination, it’s often much easier.

The other possibility is to rent a vehicle.  Car rentals are a popular way to reach your designation without an excessive amount of planning. Many rental agencies will pick up and deliver their vehicles – so if you rented a car, drove to the cruise line, contacted the rental agency, they can pick up the vehicle from you, and you could save on the cost of parking and have a hassle free mode of transportation.

Flying is a popular travel method; however, again it can be costly.  If you fly, also factor in the cost of airport parking as well as transportation to and from the airport to the cruise line.  If your cruise ship departure port is only a few hours a way, air travel may not be the best option.

Traveling by bus or train to your cruise ship’s departure location is another acceptable travel option.  Although there is a longer time factor involved, they are both inexpensive ways to travel.  Many people can easily afford a bus or a train ticket.  Aside from excessive stops, it is possible that you may not have access to either.  Bus stations and train stations are only available in limited locations.  You may find it difficult or impossible to find a station that offers service to the location of your choice.

Each of the aforementioned travel methods have their advantages and disadvantages.  To find the perfect method of travel to reach your cruise ship’s departure location, weigh the advantages and disadvantages of each.  Once you have decided which method best fits your needs, you can rest assured knowing that you will make it on time for your cruise ship’s departure.

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