Travel Lady Blog

I went onto the Southwest Airlines web site the other day and they are prominently advertising that you can check in your bags for free on their flights. Since so many other airlines are now having to pay for even checking in their 1st bag ths is something to advertise and celebrate. As for me, this could actually sway me to purchase tickets from them more often as well.

I also just read in one of my many travel magazines that I get, that American Airlines has decided not to charge our military men returning from war the baggage fees as well. My first gut reaction was ‘How dare they charge these wonderful, courageous men and women in the first place’! Then I got sarcastic and said ‘How nice of them to to do this’ and then I just wanted to write a scathing letter to the airline and to every single newspaper and say they better reimburse these US military people.

So my thoughts wandered, as they often do, as to what exactly is the issue with having to check bags (besides for greed). What makes luggage so very special they get to be picked on by the airlines? So I did some research about luggage.

Did you know that the word luggage comes from the lug or to drag around? Historically luggage used to be wooden boxes or trunks. Since people did not move about that often, that when they did they needed a large piece to hold all their things. Luggage or Baggage as air travelers have taken over the years to calling it, have shrunken in size for the most part. Luggage makers even created specific sized bags to fit under the seat of an airplane or in the overhead compartments. That is how important luggage is to the airlines. So why are they picking on luggage anyway? I don’t know why, but I like Southwest Airlines idea of not charging still to bring along a few extra pieces of clothes when we travel and keeping it in our luggage.

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When I was growing up I used to hear a radio ad that said ‘Leave the driving to us’. It was Greyhound Bus Lines advertising tag line to see the USA and of course, leave the driving to them. Greyhound is still a great value with the rising cost of fuel and a great way to avoid the hassles of the airports.

Amtrak says ‘All Aboard’ to entice travelers to come on board a train and getting to their destination. My adult son loves Amtrak ever since we traveler across country from California to Washington DC in 1998. When he left for college he decided he hated the stress of airline flight travel from Orlando to Washington DC area so he took the train. Yes, it took him a bit longer but he truly enjoyed the pace, the scenery and the chance to get up,move around and meet the people he was traveling with.

Both of these types of travel are wonderful additions to a cruise vacation as well. Or any vacation in fact. Enjoy the gentle sway of a train as you gaze out of large picture windows at the landscape. See the USA in a way not many of us take advantage of…in our rush to get to our business meeting or to start our vacation we miss out on a true journey that can be relaxing and enjoyable.

Imagine arriving at your next business meeting relaxed, your emails caught up, you anwsered all those phone calls you have had to return, your spreadsheet is complete and you had the chance to play a bit of solitaire on your computer while you relaxed in large comfortable reclining chairs on board an Amtrak train. What about how long it takes to travel by train? Well check in for flights now take up to 90 minutes due to the TSA check in, then the wait before a flight - lets say 30 minutes then the flight itself is 1 hour 15 minutes from Washington DC area to NY City, as an example. Total travel time for taking an average flight without any flight delays today is 3 hrs 15 minutes or longer. Which the Amtrak Acela train check in is 30 minutes and the actual trip time is 3 hrs 20 minutes. Almost the exact time but the level of stress taking a train is so much lower.

Amtrak and Greyhound also have stations near almost every single cruise port in the USA. So take an extra day or two..sit back, relax see the USA like you may never had considered seeing it before. Rid yourself of the stress before your next trip and leave the driving to them.

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Gadgets are a part of life, we all have them for our every day life and for our spacial hobbies. Think about all the gadgets we use in a typical day that were not as prominent 10, 15, 20 years ago. Gadgets such as cell phones, iPhones, MP3 players, portable DVD players, electric coffee grinders for the home, Sonicare toothbrushes etc. We are now more than ever a world filled with gadgets. And so there is a whole category just for travel gadgets - Here is my Top Ten List.

1. Apple’s Airport Express - great for those who travel with their computers and need internet access everywhere.

2. Digital Camera - as simple or fancy as you want. Take lots of pictures and enjoy the memories.

3. Franklin Foreign Language Translator - don’t get the message mangled let the translator help you. Has 12 languages stored to help you get to do and see what you want to without offending anyone.

4. Universal Power Adapter Kits - handy for cars, trains, hotels, cruises and more.

5. Personal GPS for when you get lost anywhere in the world. Hand held with car adapters so it is more versatile.

6. Stash Sandles - Flip Flops with a secret storage area in the wide rubber bottom for your cash or hotel key.

7. Swiss Army Knife with 1 GB USB Flash - Make sure you have it packed in your checked bag bu still a big help.

8. TSA approved Clear Card to sail through security lines at 20 airports in the USA. Great for frequent flyer’s.

9. Menospeak Book helps you ask someone simple questions by showing them a picture - such as of a taxi so you can be directed where you can catch one. Passport size , useful in Asia but has pictures of many items so can be used anywhere really.

10. SteriPen - this is an ultraviolet bacteria killing wand to sterilize water anywhere you travel

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This week, World Travel Holdings announced the exclusive ship charter for Cruises, Inc. for the brand new Celebrity Solstice. This is an exclusive basis for a two-day sailing from Fort Lauderdale before the Solstice even it begins its regular seven-night Caribbean sailings. Cruise rates begin at $329.00. The departure date for this exclusive ship charter is November 21. Celebrity Cruise Lines recently moved up its inaugural from December 14 to November 23. So won’t you join us?

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The news continues to tout all the fall out in the travel industry due to fuel costs but to be honest I think Jet Blue is taking this charging for services to a new low. Instead of just adding $20-$30 to the base fare for an airfare many airlines are adding charges to all kinds of goods and services including the small packets of peanuts, 8oz. cans of soda and now Jet Blue will be charging for the use of their pillows and blankets.

I plan on calling my Mom and getting my childhood blanket from her because I just can’t pay to have the privilege of using a previously used, most possibly dirty blanket. I will bring my own thanks and the U-shaped neck pillows work so much better anyway.

So we have the tally updated - we are now being charged additionally for the following products and services:

First and second checked bags

Headsets for TV/Music

soda and water

peanuts and snacks

pillows and blankets

It makes me wonder…am I going to be charged for the air I breath on the plane next? Will there be a coin operated lock on the bathrooms?

So Mom…I need my blankly back please - I am going a trip soon.

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There are hundreds of circumstances that could cause you to cancel your trip, return home early or force you to seek emergency medical treatment while traveling.

To demonstrate the importance of purchasing travel insurance, and emergency travel services, here are 10 common examples of what could go wrong.

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When camping as a child we would always gather around the fire, roast marshmellows or make s’mores and tell ghosts stories. It is fun and though I don’t believe in ghosts many people do and seek out places to visit the paranormal.

The RMS Queen Mary, which is currently moored in Long Beach, CA and operates as a hotel has been known as a site for ghost sitings. I stayed on the RMS Queen Mary many years ago and never had the opportunity to meet or even see a ghost, but my friend Patty who stayed with me on the ship swore the ship was haunted.

The RMS Queen Mary, one of the last great transatlantic ocean liners, also was a World War II troop ship. During the ship’s service in the Indian Ocean, many of the soldiers sailing died from the overheating of the lower decks, some POW’s are believed to have committed suicide on board, and then there were the accidents that happened to the passengers and crew over the years. With over 1,001 Atlantic crossings, the ship pulled into Long Beach harbor, where it has become a permanent and haunted attraction. Ghostly reports abound all over the ship, but the engine room and former second-class swimming pool areas are the most active.

This is a beautiful ship to stay on if you are in the Los Angeles area for a few days. This might not be really cruising, but if you are there for work and can’t be on a real cruise this sure is a wonderful and fun alternative.

Boy, I bet they have accumulated allot of past cruise passenger points by now!

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When you think of all the things you can do on a cruise here are 10 things that everyone can really enjoy.

10. Relax in a steamy hot tub while cruising through Glacier Bay in Alaska and seeing the wildlife.

9. Walk several miles while in the middle of an ocean (even raise funds for breast cancer too).

8. Try a spinning or pilates class for no charge to see if you want to continue these when you get home.

7. Enjoy a gourmet four course meal without having to pay the bill or do the dishes.

6. Take enrichment classes like learning a language or building a website with out having to pay for the class

5. Learn to scuba dive or snorkel.

4. Meet people from around the world and become friends forever.

3. Enjoy a couples aroma therapy stone massage …ahhhhhhhh.

2. Get married or renew your vows as the sun sets with a cool ocean breeze gently blowing.

1. Play a round of gold while on the ship.

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Taylor Sailor has been so busy since he got home from his cruise on board the Carnival Victory, that he just now uploaded his photos on the Terry’s Flickr.com account. So take a look at his pictures of the ship, New York Harbor and some of the friends he met while on the ship.

He’ll be adding more of all that he saw on his shore excursions in St. John’s and Nova Scotia…so stay tuned for more photo fun pics.

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When we go on vacation we all tend to eat out more, eat things we don’t usually have in our every day diet and eat more than we normally do and should. Besides for saying no to all those tempting goodies, here are a few ideas that may help keep the pound away while we enjoy our cruise vacations.

Avoid the elevators and take the stairs.

Avoid the buffets - people take more when the go to buffets.

Take walks there are lots of decks to enjoy the views while you trek around the ship.

Use the gyms and the spa facilities.

When looking for something sweet to eat, enjoy all the fresh fruit available.

Check out the healthy choices on all the menus - they are truly delicious and good for you.

Limit yourself to only one dessert after dinner not three or more.

Stay active - enjoy the shore excursions available even walking while shopping is exercise!

Take a moonlit stroll on one of the top decks after dinner.

Go dancing in the disco.

Swim then sunbath, then swim again.

Take the ship map and play a game of treasure hunt - find all the public places on the ship even the laundry room or medical facility - this helps you really get to know the whole ship you are on.

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