Cruising from New York

New York is such a strategic place to start a cruise from. It kind of makes you feel like one of those immigrants back in the day, but in reverse (you get what I mean?). Whether you’re a New Yorker or would simply want to visit the big city before embarking on a cruise, making New York the starting point to your new adventure is a great decision.

Cruises from New York depart from one of these three ports: the cruise terminal in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and (technically not in New York, but close) the Cape Liberty Cruise Port in New Jersey. Which port you would depart from actually depends on which cruise line or cruise ship you booked your cruise in.

Manhattan Terminal
55th and 12th Street, by the Hudson River
Its prime location and proximity to Times Square and Central Park make it an ideal springboard for visitors who wish to do a little New York sightseeing before heading to their cruise.
• Cruise lines sailing from the Manhattan Terminal are: Norwegian Cruise Line, Carnival Cruises, Holland America, and Crystal Cruises.

Brooklyn Terminal
Pier 12 at Red Hook
Located about one mile from the Brooklyn Bridge and Battery Park in Manhattan and easily accessible by taxis, limousines, and public transportation.
• Cunard Line and Princess Cruises both depart from the Brooklyn Terminal.

Cape Liberty Cruise Port, NJ
Bayonne, New Jersey
One big draw of this terminal is its accessibility and proximity to the New Jersey turnpike and the Newark Airport.
• Royal Caribbean Cruises and Celebrity Cruises are the cruise lines that depart from Cape Liberty.

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.

 

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.

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 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.

Popular Cruise Misconceptions

How to get rid of cruise misconceptions as you travel

For many people who love cruises, it is a great experience that nothing can replace, however, others believe that a cruise is boring and not much fun or excitement.  Why is it that some people don’t like cruises?

Some people believe that cruising is boring, however this isn’t true.  Cruise ships offer such a variety of activities that there’s just about something for everyone.

There are events from spas and workouts to dancing and dinint.  There are games and relaxations.  Night time brings on bars and parties with dancing and entertainment – and the chance to socialize and mingle with your ship mates.

Another concern that people have is that they might get seasick.  Today’s cruise ships are specially made so most people don’t get seasick – except in extremely rough waters.  There are medications that work so most people don’t have to be worried about this

Some people believe that cruising is only for “old” people, however more and more singles are now cruising.  This is a safe and exciting way to travel and to also meet people – and now many cruise lines are creating specialty cruises – cruises designed for people with similar interests.  Some of the specialty cruises can be geared toward singles – and there are also cruises for groups such as romance writers, or even political parties.

So if you’ve ever thought about taking a cruise, check out some of the options available to you.

Traveling light on a cruise

So you’re going on a cruise.  You’ve booked your reservations, asked your friend to take care of the dog and water the plants and now it’s time to pack.  But what will you wear?

You know that the way a person dresses has an effect on how others look at you.  You want to be well-dressed and confident instead of dowdy.  So how can you be fashionable without looking like a diva and dragging a ton of luggage aboard? Well really, it’s easier than you think.

The first rule to traveling light is to only bring what is important and what you need.  Remember, a cruise is generally for a short time and you don’t need to empty out your closet and medicine cabinet. You’re cruising to relax and over packing creates a hassle and stress that you’re trying to get away from.

So how do you pack for a cruise?  Well, first of all, break your packing into three areas:  Casual, formal and informal.  Casual clothes would be those things that you’ll be wearing during the day. They are shorts, t-shirts, pants, sneakers, bathing suits, etc.  Also, falling into that category are such things as sunscreen/sun tan lotion, flip flops, sun glasses, and even a hat.

Your nighttime clothes can be a little more formal – perhaps a long dress for ladies and trousers and a blazer for men.  You don’t have to be fancy in order to dress up, and the most important thing is to make sure your clothes are as wrinkle free as possible.  It’s important that you don’t look messy.

When packing try to put together mix and match outfits…pants or skirts that can be worn with more than one top and tops that can go from casual to fancy with just the addition of a nice jacket, scarf or additional accessory.

When traveling on a cruise, make sure you try to look for outfits that are lightweight.  You’d be surprised how much difference this can make when you have your suitcase all packed.  There are several online stores that specialize in light weight travel clothes and their websites are a great place to start.

Remember, you want your vacation to be hassle- free, stress-free and packing light is a great start for achieving that.

Honeymooning on a Cruise Ship

He proposes.  She says ‘yes’…now comes the hard part…planning a wedding and honeymoon.  When couples plan their wedding they almost always also plan their honeymoon and the destination.

Honeymoons traditionally are chosen for the newly married couple to get away, have fun and excitement and best of all, romance and private time.

There are a number of options to take into consideration when you’re planning your honeymoon.  Many newly married couples decide to go to beaches, skiing or other areas.  But others consider taking a honeymoon on a cruise ship.  Why?  Because cruise ships offer a number of excellent reasons for planning a honeymoon.

Perhaps one of the deciding factors in planning a honeymoon cruise is the cost involved. Yes, cruises can be expensive, however if you plan ahead, purchase a discount package, and an all-inclusive trip, then the honeymoon cruise can be very affordable.

Check online for discount cruise packages or check with your travel agent.  And if you find them make sure that you purchase them immediately or they might be gone.

Once you’ve decided on cruise as a honeymoon, book your reservations.  You can find cruises that specialize in romantic destinations and settings.  Since your honeymoon is going to be romantic, what are the destinations you’re going to? Make sure that the environment is romantic and relaxing.

Cruise ships are worldwide and you have your choice of places like Alaska, Hawaii, Greece, The Caribbean and Italy.  After you’ve selected your destination, make sure that the ship stops at as many destinations as possible.

Make sure that you determine what kind of cruise you will be on.  Many times cruise lines target various groups so you might want to avoid cruises that are set up especially for children and families.

Before booking your honeymoon trip, examine want you want and need out of your trip.  Doing so will enable you to select the perfect cruise ship for you and your new spouse.

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