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 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.

Planning Your Summer Vacation

Every year many people take summer vacations. If you plan on taking a vacation, it’s important to review your options and plan ahead.

First of all, where do you plan on going for your summer vacation? What’s your destination? This should be your first determination because without a destination, it’s impossible to make travel reservations.

Some of the factors you should use in determining where to vacation are the following…

1. Will you be traveling with children and if so, what are their ages and the cost of the travel. When you budget in the travel make sure that you also factor in costs of food, snacks etc.

2. Reservations – After determining your destination, you need to make reservations. Although many amusement parks, campgrounds and hotels don’t require reservations, it’s wise to make them anyway. Since many popular vacation destinations quickly fill up, without proper reservations you may arrive and not be left ‘hanging’.

3. Travel Agents – You might want to consider using a travel agent when arranging your vacation. Not only do travel agents have access to online reservations, but they also can make suggestions on additional day trips and other things that you might have missed. The down side of using a travel agent is that their services don’t come free – so with the proper research, you might consider making your own reservations. When you’ve pre-planned properly, you can make reservations in a short time – either online or by phone. Write down the various reservations you need (hotel, travel, etc) and book everything at one time.

4. Method of Travel – After traveling by car, the most preferred method for vacation is by air. You can easily book all your airline reservations online by using either the airline website or by choosing one of the other websites that allow you to compare prices, schedules and airlines all in one shot. These websites are, in many cases, either equal to or less than the individual airlines.

5. Accommodations – Unless you are camping, then you’ll probably need to reserve accommodations. These accommodations can be either a hotel, motel or resort. Also consider B&B’s and places like dude ranches or other family run smaller accommodations. Other popular hotel/motel chains would be good as they generally have pools, hot tubs, restaurants, etc. Nowadays most places allow online booking.

Although a majority of people might prefer to stay indoors, there are many people who enjoy the outdoors – which include camping and/or backpacking. If you plan on vacationing at a national or state park or public campground, it’s recommended that you make a reservation. These campgrounds are often limited as far as the amount of space available. A reservation will ensure that you have a place to set you your tent or park your camper/trailer.

6. Booking at a discount – Everyone loves a deal – and especially if you’re traveling with a family, it’s important to see if you can find as many discounts as possible. Oftimes this may include discounts offered by hotels, airlines and reservations throughout the world. The downside is that the services offered might focus on popular vacation destinations. If you are planning on traveling to a little known resort, you might be unable to obtain a discount.

Whether or not you choose to use the a discount travel website, a professional travel agent, or make your own reservations, you should make the appropriate plans. By not properly planning, you might make a costly mistake that could ruin your vacation. Instead, plan ahead for the summer vacation to be (positively) remembered.

Choosing the Right Packages for Paris Travel

If you’ve decided that you want to vacation in Paris, it can be confusing to know what kind of travel package to choose.  Here are some tips to help you get on the right track when planning your Parisian vacation.

First of all, it’s important that you compare packages.  Make a budget and then look for your travel package that fits within your criteria.  The best place to start is looking online.  Many times you’ll find 8 day/7 night packages which include your hotel accommodations, flight, meals and even tours.

There are plenty of activities in Paris, including sightseeing, shopping and visiting the museums and landmarks that Paris is famous for.  However, if this is your first time in Paris and you feel that you’d like some help, by all means, purchase a tour package.  The tour guides will assist you by answering your questions, and even offering suggestions for additional places for you to visit.

Where would you like to visit?

It’s important for you to choose

Probably the best way to determine where you would like to visit when in Paris is to research and then make a list of what interests you.  Do you want to sightsee the famous landmarks like the Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame?  Or would you prefer shopping in shops and the famous Parisian flea markets?  Would you prefer to dine in well known restaurants or small out of the way cafes?

The next thing to figure out is your budget.  Tour packages vary from $45 to $130 per person – but first class prices are generally $80 to $280 per person and the deluxe prices go from $100 -$400 per person.  If you also choose, you can combine a London/Paris package together which sometimes be less expensive.  For instance, some deluxe packages will give you 8 days/7 nights of amazing sightseeing along with three nights in London and three nights in Paris.

Family Packages

Are you going to be taking a family vacation?  Then you want to make sure that it’s one to remember.  Some packages are special family deals with rates that will meet your requirements.  They family packages will give you the opportunity to spend time together.

When visiting Paris, children might enjoy not only Disneyland, but also the historical sights of Paris and London.  Check into some tours that are “off the beaten path” such as the Paris tour of the sewers or even a Haunted Paris or Haunted London tour.

Take time to just sit and enjoy the sights…Yes, tours are great but then maybe you might want to sit and watch the sunset off the Seine in Paris.  Paris does have many parks, plazas and much more. When looking into family entertainment in Paris, check the newspapers which have many activities and entertainment designed to fit your family’s requirements.

There is such a wide variety of stores, malls, historical landmarks, museums and much more in Paris that whatever you and your family decide you will enjoy your visit.

Safety Tips while vacationing in Mexico

When planning a vacation in Mexico you need to consider a some important factors, not the least of which is safety.  A Mexican vacation is fun but there are also dangers so you need to know how to protect yourself.

One of the first things you should do prior to vacationing is to register with the United States Travel Registry.  This is an agency that few people know about but it alerts the government to the fact that you are leaving the country.  By registering with the USTR, if you become a crime victim, you can immediately receive government assistance.  It’s easy to do – just use the internet to register and leave a detailed itinerary of your plans.

Leave your travel plans with several people – close friends, family, co-workers or neighbors.  Also make copies of your passport, airline tickets, insurance cards etc.  Take a copy with you, leave a copy home and also leave copies with an emergency contact.  This way, if you need help, you can receive assistance if you need it.

When you’ve arrived in Mexico, make sure you use common sense.  Always take a taxi cab that you’ve previously arranged for at your hotel.  Don’t just wave down a taxi on the street.  Crimes have been reported by people who have been robbed by unscrupulous taxi drivers.

Never carry large amounts of cash or extra credit cards.  Also, if you wear flashy clothes or jewelry, it’s an easy thing to single you out.  Always look out for people who appear to be ‘shady’.

No matter where you’re at, use caution – especially when traveling by bus or using other forms of public transportation.  Unless you absolutely have to, try to travel during the day only as nighttime can be more dangerous.  If you are traveling by bus, be aware and stay alert.  Make sure that if at all possible you don’t travel alone.

If the worst happens and you need assistance, contact the United States Embassy and also the Mexican Ministry of Tourism twenty-four hour hotline.  You can also contact the Mexican Red Cross who will help if you need medical assistance.

By taking precautions and being prepared prior to your Mexican vacation, you can prevent trouble occurring while in Mexico.

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