To be safe, before you travel thin down your wallet or even better, carry a whole separate wallet with less cards etc. in it to better protect yourself. Add more pictures, leave more valuables at home safe. Do not carry any identification with your home address on it – a name and telephone number is fine for people to be able to reach you. Keep your drivers license in a different location than your wallet, to keep it safe as well.

Never carry your social security number card in your wallet – keep that safely locked up at home.

Traveling is fun, just be safe while you travel!

Travel Lady Cruises, always providing you with TLC!

Travel Tips For Safety

It is easy. Book yourself into a pre-existing group.

Travel agents, like myself, can get these special amenities for their clients by booking group space with the cruise lines. As a cruise specialist with Cruises, Inc. I have access to hundreds of cabins inside group space booked to offer all of my clients. Group amenities are wonderful to take advantage of when you can be flexible with your dates. Cruises, Inc. offers all types of cabins in pre-booked group space, on almost all sailings, on all the major cruise lines, every week of the year and to all destinations! To book a cabin in a group, reservations must be made at least 3 months in advance, since the cruise lines require travel agents to release any unsold space back to them usually 90-75 days prior to sailing.

All amenities are based on the destination and the length of the cruise. So a travelers will get more options on a longer cruise, than that of short 3 – 4 day cruise. Often there are no amenities offered on cruises less than 3 days.

Another advantage of booking into group space? Cost. Group space locks in cabin rates from future cabin rate increases plus many times there is a lower deposit amount due up front.

Even if you don’t want to meet anyone in the group while you are cruising, you can still take advantage of getting the best deals by booking your next cruise cabin as part of a group, and take advantage of getting all the special amenities the travel agent has negotiated with the cruise line on the groups behalf.

So next time you call or email about a cruise, ask ” Are there any groups I can get a cabin with and get some extra treats?” I know, I always try to offer these to my clients – it is an extra added value to the travel services I offer.

Travel Lady Cruises, always providing you with TLC!

How To Get The Best Rates & FREE Amenities On Your Next Cruise

Or worse yet – taken advantage of…you may be held up somewhere when the local vendor is trying to jack up the price on you and refusing you service to get you back to where you want to be.

Be safe, ask ahead of time for local vendors and do some research. The cruise lines and resorts worldwide have created business agreements with many local vendors to continually do business with them. They don’t want to mess up and lose that valueable business they are given. So when researching a vendor as the cruise line or resort who they use. The prices may be higher through the cruise line or hotel/resort, but the often these companies are bonded and insured. You are much sfaer using a vendor who is recommended by the local Vistors Beuaru or ask your travel agent to help you set up side trips with vendors they know are safe. They are often less expensive and a travel agent often can book the side trips for you and get confirmations with out you having to go through all the hassel!

Travel Lady Cruises, always providing you with TLC!

Beware Of Cheap Excursions

This way you have extra outlets for your cell phone charger, digital camera charger, hair dryer, curling iron etc.

Travel Lady Cruises, always providing you with TLC!

It’s Electric!

Now ask your self why would a certified Travel Agent and Cruise Specialist write about questions?

Because everyone has a few they need answered, that’s why.

Travel is personal. It is also doing something new and out of the norm for people. Even if you have traveled many times before, to the same place you still have to ask yourself – Has anything changed since the last time I was there. There world is always changing, things get improved or need refurbishment. Nothing in this world ever stays the same. Which is a good reason again to ask questions.

I have been on 16 cruises and have traveled the world, yet I do not know all there is to know about everything. So if you ask me a question I don’t know, I’ll be honest and tell you don’t know, but ask if it is ok if I research this and get back with you. Now I need to know so I can teach you. I now need to ask questions for your sake and mine.

For first time travelers asking questions is imperative and as your travel agent I need to ask you questions to make sure I understand and help you plan the trip that you want. Where is that hotel located? Does the resort have scuba? How big is a cruise ship – will I feel closed in? Will I get sea sick? These are all excellent question not only for the first time traveler, but for seasoned travelers as well.

It is not about me, it is all about you the traveler. I ask questions of you so I can ensure that I have found a hotel you’ll feel safe in for your business trip. I ask questions to make sure I get you to your destination with as much time to spend there doing what you want to do. I ask questions to make sure that in 6 months, 1 year, 5 years or decades later you are saying to your friends and family ‘did I ever tell you about that one vacation I took?’

I want you to ask yourself questions such as “why don’t we take a cruise again?” If you answer that is a great idea then I have done my job well.

But the hardest part of asking questions is not in the asking or in my knowledge but in my ability to LISTEN. I need to listen to you answer my questions. I need to listen to your needs, fears and excitement. If you are asking me questions and I am helping you by listening to you, understanding your needs and explaining the answers then I have provided you with the highest customer service that I can. Because I know when you ask me questions you have confidence in my ability to provide you with the answers you are seeking.

So please, ask me all the questions you want to. It would be my pleasure to help…for I get paid by the question!

Travel Lady Cruises, always providing you with TLC!

I get paid by the question…Don’t You?

Cruises can also be a fun getaway for singles and friends traveling together. There are so many varied activities for people to enjoy on the ship and while in port. This is also a great way to meet new friends.

Couples of any age can enjoy a romantic getaway or a relaxing vacation that helps melt away the stress.

No matter if you are a kid, a family, a single person or a couple,cruises lines have you covered. They offer you varying dining times from early in the day to late at night. They offer age appropriate entertainment for everyone. There are adult only pools and family pools that are seperated. Besides the Casinos and the lounges there are now adult only areas on the ships to enjoy a good book or catch a nap.

So cruising really is for anyone – no matter what your age!

Travel Lady Cruises, always providing you with TLC!

Planning your first cruise – Cruises are for everyone

It is always best to do a comparison with airfares on commercial carriers to make sure you are getting the best deal because sometimes the air sea packages won’t meet your travel needs or the cruise lines will charge you extra for not traveling on the dates and times they have scheduled. So check both options and see which one bests fits your travel needs.

Travel Lady Cruises, always providing you with TLC!

Planning Your First Cruise – Air/Sea Packages

Ask for a cabin upgrade when you check in or go to the pursers office once you board. You may not get one but it never hurts to ask, sometimes you’ll be surprised.

Don’t go thirsty. Pack a personal travel mug with you while you cruise. Fill it with ice and enjoy cool refreshing ice water while you are lounging around the pool. This way you have cool water all the time without having to pay for bottled water while on board.

If you are visiting a port you have been to before stay on board and save on some of the ship services. Often the beauty salon, spa , shops and even the casino will run specials while in port. The shops and casinos are usually open only when the ship is at a private island or out to see. So check on the specials when you first board the ship and make appointments early.

Often the tours that the ships offer can be pricey. If you want a more personal experience when you get to port, hire a private car to take you to the destinations you can research before going on your cruise. Ask the crew when getting off the ship what taxi company they use when they are in port. They often are at the same ports time and time again and can tell you the name of reputable company. Often these drivers can also tell you stories and information about the place you are visiting that you can’t get from a large tour. This way your tour is more interesting and gives you a different perspective that what you would get on a crowded tour bus.

Another plus is that they can tell you when the locals shop and you can get a more local flavor to your purchases an better prices than you can get at the tourist traps.

Travel Lady Cruises, always providing you with TLC!

Simple Tips To Try When You Cruise

On a cruise, the cost of your trip will include the accommodation’s, your meals, the destinations each ships bring you to plus all the entertainment that is on board for passengers of ALL ages! Think in comparison to a 4-5 star resort… they provide you with your room, one location, pools, spas, food, drinks and limited entertainment.

Looking at the entertainment factor alone, cruise lines offer children several options day & night then the adults have options during the day and at night plus then there is family entertainment which can be enjoyed by all. The entertainment runs from simple piped in music by the pool to small live bands located throughout the ship. There are the small venues to enjoy jazz, piano or easy listening music, or laugh with a comedian or a comic troupe. Of course every night there is the live show in the main theater.

These main theater productions are becoming more sophisticated, high tech and offer a myriad of options for all passengers. Each cruise line offers headline shows that vary and have talented, hardworking professionals who aim to do one thing and that is to Entertain!

Each cruise line has created a theme or special venue for it’s ships that equate to what will not only entertain but surprise passengers. Cruise lines know and understand that not all people will enjoy one type of entertainment and so they have really expanded what they offer passengers now a days with a variety of entertainment on each sailing to really try to meet different likes and dislikes.

Many cruise lines and ships also offer special sailings with theme cruises, such as Carnival’s “Whodunit” cruises. Professional Entertainment companies like the Second City Comedy Troupe are actually on many Norwegian Cruise Lines ships. Many sailings have professional singers like John Legend, bands such as the Guess Who on them to provide an even more attractive entertainment package for passengers.

I will be highlighting the different types of stylized entertainment many of the cruise lines offer on all their upcoming sailings.

Travel Lady Cruises, always providing you with TLC!

That’s Entertainment! Cruise Ship Style

When returning to the United States, American citizens may bring home a total of $800.00 (USD) of goods for personal use without having to pay duties or taxes. If you buy more than that, ship it home. You can send up to $200.00 (USD) of goods per day to yourself at a valid U.S. mailing address. You can also send duty-free gifts worth up to $100.00 (USD) per person, per day to people in the United States as well. Make these arrangements ahead of time with family and friends. Also make sure you ALWAYS insure your packages when you ship them in case of loss.

Think smart and remember that shipping companies such as FedEx, DHL and UPS always will charge based on the bulk or weight of each package, whichever costs more. So buy light unique items and pack those items efficiently to save on shipping costs.

Travel Lady Cruises, always providing you with TLC!

Great Tip for International Shoppers…I mean tourists

Hint- check with your credit card company BEFORE you travel overseas to use. Some credit cards issued by local banks are not recognized and therefore can not be used overseas.

Also check out when they will do the exchange rate conversion, some banks do not do them daily, so you may get stuck paying a higher rate for your purchases in the long run.

A good hint may be is to get a temporary or “gift” credit card and load it up with a limited amount of funds. This is wise because of several reasons.

1. You have a set limit now for your purchases, so you won’t bust your budget.

2. This “gift” card does not look any different from any other credit card, but if stolen you only loose what is left on the card BUT nobody has access to your personal account.

3. Since these cards are temporary credit cards, you don’t have to worry about the exchange rate as much because once the amount on the card is used up you can’t get any additional charges added later by disreputable merchants.

4. You can add additional fund to this card if you want to, but it does take some time to do so you’ll again be less likely to over spend.

Ask your insurance agent and the bank about the rules of these cards just in case they are lost or stolen. Can the card be canceled and the remaining funds be placed back into your personal account? It never hurts to ask since these types of cards are a growing trend in travel.

Check before traveling if the exchange rate is to your favor and have some currency already in your wallet for taxis or quick purchases while touring, like following your nose to that local bakery that is making your taste buds water!

Also, while traveling, check daily what the current exchange rate is so you can keep better tabs of what your purchases costs are all the time. These can be found through the hotel or concierge staff, they are often listed in newspapers or while exploring stop in at a local bank. If you are traveling with a laptop you can go online and get this information as well.

Travel Lady Cruises, always providing you with TLC!

Planning your first cruise – CHARGE!

On cruise ships it used to be almost mandatory and cumbersome, since they had to be given to the people who were assigned to your cabin and table. It used to have to be paid in cash only and little white envelopes were left in your cabin with how to calculate what you owed in tips.

If people ran out of cash, they used to have to go to the pursers office and stand in long lines the last night of your cruise. This always seemed to put a damper on the last night to me. Also there was always the overheard conversations that some people did not go to dinner the last night in the main dining room, so they would not have to pay.

Scuttle butt I say, and nobody else’s business but your own.

Now the cruise lines have streamlined their tipping policies and even made it so you could charge the gratuities to your cabin account. I like this idea soooo much better, for several different reasons.

Again, tipping is a personal evaluation of the service that you were provided. Like in almost every Emily Post etiquitte book there are suggestions made as to where you can start to thank someone for their valued service in your own estimate. The cruise lines do provide you for your convenience, a guideline as well. Which to me is very helpful since even after 14 cruises I still am forgetful as to where I should start. I have to look up every single year what the current guidelines are for my mail delivery, news paper and hair stylist.    

If you recieved outstanding service, then reward the people who provided this service to you just like you would do at home.. slip a few bucks to the valet parking person and then you add a special reward of gratitude to the wait staff for making your dining experience wonderful at your favorite resturant. It is no different on a cruise ship.

Here’s a tip for you – If we could all be paid by our own employers every once in awhile for going the extra mile and really providing great custmer service, wouldn’t we all be allot happier at our jobs?

It is always nice to know you are appreciated for what you do for others and I am always grateful for when someone takes the time to make even my everyday chores easier or make my cruise vacation more memorable.

Travel Lady Cruises, always providing you with TLC!

Planning your first cruise – Here’s a tip for you

Statistics agree with my personal feelings about cruising. Its a fact that cruising has a higher percentage of satisfied customers than any other vacation experience. There are over 150 distinctive ships available to cruise on and more being built with over 1800 ports around the world to explore.  There is a cruise ship and destination that can meet anyone and everyone needs and wants.

Chose to cruise for you.

You will have the vacation of a lifetime.

You will be able to see the world, completely unwind or find all the unique peccadilloes of any destination you choose.

You can dine on fabulous cuisines, you can dance the night away or you can spend hours being pampered in the spa.  

You can meet new friends and you can learn something new.

You can bond with your extended family or you can steal precious moments with your special someone.

Whatever your heart desires, you can find it when you cruise.

Travel Lady Cruises, always providing you with TLC!

Planning your first cruise – Satisfaction for YOU

First of all, not all cruise ships have laundry facilities. So it is best not to plan on doing you laundry on board your cruise. To every rule there is an exception…of late many cruise lines are now offering laundry or dry cleaning services. They can be costly, so if you don’t mind paying for the services, then take advantage of them. Otherwise I would suggest to wait till you get off the ship to do your laundry. Again another exception to that rule is that on many cruise lines, if you have purchased a suite, then often laundry is a free service provided by the cruise line, so take advantage of this if you can because it is so nice to come home from a weeks vacation with clean clothes!

Secondly, when planning your first, or next cruise, try to not get your cabin assigned too close to the laundry room. First of all, it is a very popular room, as anyone can imagine. Plus there is the likelihood you will often find allot of traffic by your cabin, so a higher likelihood of more than normal hallway noise is to be expected. Many times I have seen lines for passengers to use the laundry. With the door often open the smell of the water, soap and steam will seep down the hallway and into the surrounding cabins as well.

There is usually laundry soap available on the ship as well, but if you decide to bring your own from home. Pack it well in your bags to ensure it doesn’t get all over your clothes before your vacation even begins. I suggest to pack small sample sizes in a zip lock bag inside your luggage. If there is any spillage then it is contained to the zip lock bag only.

I myself tend to advise people to pack lightly, but bring enough changes of clothes to last the week. Of course my favorite tip is… if you forget something at home you can buy it for yourself while you are on vacation like a new shirt, sandals or light jacket. Then you will enjoy it right away, you have space for it in your luggage and it will aways be a reminder of that wonderful vacation you had. But please don’t tell my hubby THIS is why I can always pack light when I travel on vacation!  

Travel Lady Cruises, always providing you with TLC!

Planning your first cruise – laundry day

Just like any motel, hotel or resort each cruise ship has its own flavor and signature decor. When I think of Carnival Cruise Lines Ships I think of Las Vegas or the Moulin Rouge in Paris France. Bold, brassy, fun, bright with allot of flash and bling.

When I think of Royal Caribbean I think of adventure and my favorite down town city locations. Their decor is eclectic, fun, exciting, beautiful and inspiring and they target the adventurous side inside all of us.

With Celebrity I feel the awe of being someplace special with rich colors and enjoyable atmosphere. Their ships feel like you could be someone special escaping the everyday and seeking a wonderful respite. 

Holland America conjures up the simply elegant and stylish. Every-time I cruise on them I feel pampered and taken care of…my every wish and whim is granted. 

Disney makes me feel like a kid again and recaptures memories from my own childhood and stories I can share with my own children and retell with my sisters and brothers.

On Cunard, I can Imagine being on a transatlantic crossing and meeting my Cary Grant and falling in love all over again with elegant surrounding and decadent atmosphere. 

On Windstar, I am sailing away into the sunset with my one true love with the sails unfurled, champagne being served and the sea breeze invigorating my spirit and tossing my worries to the wind.

So think about what hotel you like to stay when you are traveling and how that makes you feel and where you wish you could stay. Would it be a favorite Hilton Hotel? A four star Marriott Vacation Club? A beach house in the Outer Banks or your own private villa on your own private island in the middle of the bluest ocean you could ever imagine?

Travel Lady Cruises, always providing you with TLC!

Planning your first cruise – All ships are alike

Many people who are uncertain about their first cruise like to attend a theme cruise because they know that they are looking forward to the highlighted entertainment. Many times theme cruises are set up for shorter 3, 4, 5, 7 day cruises depending on the events planned.

If you belong to an organization that would like to host an event like this also a great place to start is with a Travel Agent who has groups experience such as myself, to guide you through the process.  Themed cruises can be for BIG family reunions or High School or College Alumni groups. Theme cruises are allot of fun and since the subject matter is near and dear to your heart, it will also make your first cruise even more memorable.  

Travel Lady Cruises, always providing you with TLC!

Planning your first cruise – Themed cruises

Most ships have some kind of Internet Computer Cafes with e-mail  and Internet capability (they have packages that range from just-like-home to basic service provisions ).  I have been on several ships now that have wireless access as well in each stateroom for a charge. You go to the Internet Cafe and rent their computer cable for a minimum charge based on usage purchased and you can be accessible 24/7 if you need to be always available. With safes provided in cabin staterooms bringing your own personal laptop is now a common occurrence.

So staying in touch while on a cruise is very easy now … but you might want to turn off the cell phone and computer once in awhile if you are on cruise vacation. Go to the spa have them work out those kinks in your neck and shoulders from being in front of a computer all day and ask for some extra pampering to your hand with the carpal tunnel – it is well worth the computer down time – trust me!

Travel Lady Cruises, always providing you with TLC!

Planning your first cruise – Staying Connected

There is still the midnight chocolate buffet on NCL but it is just one night per cruise.  If you do actually eat too much during one meal, take the stairs to and from your cabin if you can, visit the steam room in the spa, use the gym on board, take a dance lesson, take a walk along the cruise ships decks (they post how many times around equals 1 mile).

On any vacation, when not eating at home, we will all tend to eat what we might skip at home. But isn’t that what a vacation is for, to enjoy and be pampered? Just be careful and then burn off anything extra while having fun at the same time.   

Travel Lady Cruises, always providing you with TLC!

Planning your first cruise – getting fat on a cruise with all the food

Scientific studies have shown that some folks become seasick by suggestion. They simply convince themselves that being on a ship will make them ill. On the other hand, for those who can forget about it, it’s often smooth sailing. Some people are more prone to motion sickness and will undoubtedly suffer more during rough seas. Medical professionals state that seasickness is more prevalent in children and women. On the other hand, children under 2 seem to be immune. Elderly people it seems are less susceptible to motion sickness. If you fear you might be prone to motion sickness or are concerned that you might develop symptoms, take some measures before hand to ensure you don’t and then enjoy your cruise thoroughly.

There are different medical and non medical items you can try. There are patches which a doctor can prescribe, or use a 12 or 24 hr over the counter decongestant to open up your inner ears Eustachian tubes. Some people swear by applying a Sea-Band wristband the minute you embark. They are an easy to wear, acupressure inspired product that has a plastic bead that presses against the Nei-Kuan pressure point located on the palm side of the wrist.  

Other tips to consider are the following:

To acclimate yourself to shipboard life, it is good and enjoyable to spend as much time on the deck, using the horizon as a point to maintain your equilibrium.

Booking an oceanview cabin centered in the middle of the ship — the natural balance point — is another option. Having a window will also give you consistent view of the horizon point .

It is also not a bad idea to take port intensive cruises. These have fewer days on the open seas and try to avoid itineraries where the ocean is bound to be rough such as North Atlantic crossings or the Caribbean during hurricane season.

Another suggestion enjoy your cruise on board a large, modern ships — not a difficult proposition with the cruise industry trends of building larger and large ships. Anyone who’s sailed on a relatively new mega-ship, perhaps of 100,000-tons or more, knows that stabilizers are used when needed to provide the smoothest ride possible.

It is not a given that anyone will get sea sick on a cruise. What some people might call sea sickness may be a virus they might have caught before their cruise vacation started. So take precaution, but most of all take a cruise and relax and rejuvenate yourself for the rest of the time when you can’t be on a cruise getting pampered and having fun.

Travel Lady Cruises, always providing you with TLC!

Planning your first cruise – Am I going to get sea sick?

You may need a GPS or map to navigate around some of today’s mega ships since they are basically floating resorts. There is something to do in nearly every nook and cranny or just around the next corner. There are also smaller ships that offer just as many activities as the larger ships but they are often more port intensive because of their size and capability to get into small ports.

If you are looking for intellectual stimulation you can listen to guest speakers, investigate the many books in the ships library, participate in a Bridge or other  game tournaments, attend a wine lecture or attend a martini tasting event. To keep your heart pumping, play some hoops, visit the ship’s gym, climb the rock wall, go ice skating, practice your golf swing or surf on board the ships flow rider. For those who would rather watch sports that participate, there are sports bars that are always broadcasting some sporting event or take your turn at a Wii game.  There are pools for sunning, soaking and swimming, ship boutiques for shopping and spas for 100% pure pampering. You can join in on a contest, learn a craft, sing karaoke, take dancing lessons or watch a movie in your cabin or under the stars on a huge movie screen. Or simply grab a book, find a relaxing nook and nap…I mean read.

Every night a newsletter is left in your cabin listing all the highlights for the next days activities on board the ship. These newsletters include all the live entertainment you can enjoy, including the nightly shows that could be a Broadway revue to jugglers to headline comedian acts. In the smaller bars and lounges are often other musical or comedy entertainment to be enjoyed. And this is just what is available o the ship itself. When in the many port around the world cruise lines offer shore excursions and tours or take off by yourself if you are a self proclaimed explorer – just don’t miss the ship when it leaves that port! 

Even on small ships there’s plenty to do during times when these ships are at sea; most notably, these tend to offer strong enrichment-oriented activities. Plus, remember you’re not on the ship all the time — most itineraries include a variety of different ports of call.

A cruise be boring? If you decide to sit back and watch the world float away around you it can be very relaxing and rejuvenating. But get bored? Even with all the kids programs I have never heard any child on a cruise ship say “I’m bored…there’s nothing to do around here!”

Travel Lady Cruises, always providing you with TLC!

Planning your first cruise – Isn’t cruising boring?

If you were to take this same trip via a plane, you have to pay for each plane trip, each hotel night, each meal, each new car rental, each show you want to see but on a cruise these costs are all covered for you when you pay up front for your cruise vacation.

There are some cruise lines that do have all inclusive cruise packages, and you do pay more for those as well.

For a normal, average 7 day cruise you have paid and saved in advance when compared to a land vacation. There are some additional cost, which you would have to pay on a land vacation as well. Such as if you order wine with your dinner, or have cocktails on deck at sunset. If you want to buy souvenirs for your family and friends on the ship you can shop in their on board boutiques. If you treat yourself to a hot rock massage or take a special shore excursion. These are items you have to pay for above the cost of your cruise just as you would have to pay for these items on a land vacation. Many times these items have discounted rates if you sign up in advance or take advantage of in port specials. So even while you are on the ship you can get a sale while you sail!

These are items that you would have had to pay for as well if you were on a land vacation.  There are so many things to do while on a cruise you can be budget conscious or you can shop till you drop, pamper yourself to no end and experience all the wonderful adventures the world has to offer while traveling.

I have heard the phrase the cruise lines nickle and dime you while on a cruise but I tend to disagree. If I was in Italy and I wanted a gelato in the middle of the afternoon as a treat, I would have to pay for it from a vendor. Ice cream, snacks and all other kids of food is available 24 hours a day all over the ship or brought to you in your cabin.

Every cruise I take, I order a caraff of coffee to be delivered to my cabin with a glass of orange juice each and everyday in the morning so I have my coffee as I dress for the day and take my vitamins with my juice.

After returning from a day at shore, I often will order a snack to be delivered to my cabin to snack on while I dress for late dinner. If I napped during lunch, no problem I can go to many different locations and find a light and refreshing salad or burger when I wake up.  No matter where I eat on the ship, the cost is already been covered (except in a few specialty restaurants on board now where there is a minimum $20 or so per person charge).  Still worth the cost – if i were to go to a 5 star restaurant I would expect to pay $300.00 for a romantic dinner with my husband $40.00 is well worth it. But even so, all the cruise lines main dining rooms offer wonderful cuisine and you don’t have to pay extra.

I don’t gamble, but if you do, the cruise lines ask that you use your own money when in their casinos BUT if you win – their money is your money!

I have been traveling all my life, so I don’t usually take the shore excursions offered by the cruise lines. I like to get out and explore, get the look and feel of the local neighborhoods. I seek out the hidden, often little know historical sites in different places. If I find someplace I love and want to spend 2 hours there I can or if I think YUK, then I can leave when I want to leave and not have to wait for other people in a tour I am on. No all people are like me, some people need and want to be around others to have fun with while on a tour of an island. To each their own, there is no right or wrong. If you take a cruise lines excursion then you pay for the tour. If I take a rental car or scooter and visit a 300 year old church, I still am paying for my tour as well.

Be sensible, if you are on vacation you are going to spend money. Plan on the extras, know you just are going to have to buy that leather purse near the Trevi Fountain in Rome and know that nobody in your town will ever see one just like it at the mall!

Yes a cruise does have added costs, but stop and think of what you would be paying for to see a Broadway show in London vs. a Broadway revue on a cruise ship. Cruising is still a very economical way to see the world and you only have to unpack once!   

So plan on having fun and plan on the extras, for they can make a cruise vacation one you’ll remember for the rest of your life!

Travel Lady Cruises, always providing you with TLC!

Planning your first cruise – plan on the extras….

If you think of a hotel room type and a cabin on a cruise ship you are going to be able to relate to what type of accommodations you would prefer. 

As with many hotels and resorts now around the world, they now have signature bedding. The same goes for cruise lines. So if you prefer a softer bed or a bed of rock you can be accommodated for your personal choice – all you have to do is ask.  The cruise line can not know before hand of your bed type unless they are told before hand.  Two friends traveling together and need two twin beds – ask.  Want a queen or king bed – ask. 

As well as bedding room types vary as well. If when you travel you just want a place to put down your head at night and don’t want to pay more for allot of extras – get an inside cabin. These are always the least expensive cabins on a cruise ship.

You are a bit claustrophobic and need some light in your cabin  – get an ocean view cabin or a cabin with a balcony to be able to open the door and get some fresh air.

Want a bit of privacy when sun bathing or relax alone – get a balcony cabin or a suite with a balcony.

When you travel you only get the very best with all the luxury you deserve there are large suites with private balconies, living rooms, dining rooms and private butler service. There are even some ships that offer private villas with their own jacuzzi and pool areas. 

So when choosing your cabin needs think of what your preferred room type and bedding type as well. Each cabin has plenty of storage space and offers the basic amenities. As you add extra amenities the cost goes up a bit. There are private bathrooms with showers in each cabin with a good size closet space, small desk/vanity, beds, mirrors, towels and complimentary bath and shower products that varies from cruise line to cruise line.

As you move to a larger more expensive cabin type more amenities will be available to each passenger. The cost from one cabin type to another is sometimes less than $100.00 per person and is worth the extra space and amenities.

Each cruise ship is compliant to the American Disabilities Act and has cabins specially designed for wheelchairs, if this is needed.  These cabins are usually larger overall, so if you are booking a cruise for a last minute get-a-way ask if there are any of these cabins still available for sale. They are often held aside for special requests for people with special needs. If they are not sold they can be requested.

So think about your own bedroom when picking a cabin on your first cruise – decide if you want to just have a basic cabin or are you going to treat yourself to a bit of pampering for some really sweet dreams.  

Travel Lady Cruises, always providing you with TLC!

Planning your first cruise – bedtime stories

Then dream a bit! This will help determine the best place for you to take your first cruise.

Are you dreaming of warm, sunny sparkling white beaches? This could be you imaging yourself in Hawaii, the Caribbean or in the Mexican Rivera. 

Historical sightseeing? Do you want to see the New England States and places of interest from the Revolutionary War or how about a river cruise on a steamboat cruising to Civil War sites while passing historical Antebellum mansions. Then there is the rich history of our ancestors from Europe touring Gothic cathedrals, medieval palaces and exploring ruins while walking down cobbled streets. 

A romantic getaway? Run away and pamper yourself on a cruise to no where or a coastal cruise during a long weekend.

Never taken 7-10 days away from the office for vacation? Then plan on your first cruise to be a 3-5 day cruise. You can still visit the places you dream of,  just for a shorter time period. If you fall in love with cruising (as most people do), then plan a longer cruise vacation next time. Many people worry about being stuck on a cruise ship if they don’t like it. There are many 3-5 day options from cruise ports all over the United States.   

So go ahead and dream and then plan on making your dream cruise vacation come true.

Travel Lady Cruises, always providing you with TLC!

Planning your first cruise – dream a little