We are in the middle of summer. According to the Farmer’s Alamac, the “Dog Days of Summer are July 3rd to August 11th, the hottest days. If you aren’t on vacation, you should be. Let’s look at why taking a cruise in the next week or two might be a sensible idea. Not all reasons work for all people, but a few should work for everyone. It’s hot. We have been seeing record temperatures across the US. …
Most of us look forward to port stops on cruises. We love the ship, but get “cabin fever” after a while. We want to wiggle out toes in the sand. We get tired of the shops onboard and want more variety. Many ports around the world are dependent on tourism. What are some Do’s and Don’ts? Do: Walk purposefully. You brought along a map. Trace out your route ahead of time. The people who live here go …
We celebrated our 40th Wedding anniversary over the weekend of July 15 to 17. It took three months’ worth of planning to pull all the pieces together. My original plan was to fly to Europe and sail back. Because of airport chaos and Covid (plus traveling friends getting sick), I decided something closer to home would be more prudent. Sticking to the cruising theme, this might be an ideal way to start or end your cruise if …
You love cruises. You like fly and drive vacations too. You love your friends. They hear you rave about your unforgettable travel adventures. One day an idea comes up: “Why don’t you travel with us next time?” This has the potential for a great positive bonding experience or a great disaster. Let’s look at why a cruise is the best and “safest” choice from the relationship standpoint. Costs are known up front. When you book a cruise, …
Air travel makes the news every day. The news often leads off with stories about flight delays and spending time in crowded airports. Is this the ideal time to book a cruise and take advantage of sailing soon fares? It’s easy to make the case the answer is yes. Here’s why: Home port cruising means no airline flights. If you are a US resident and live on the East, West or Gulf coasts, there is likely a …
For anyone with mobility or walking issues, is a cruise the right vacation for you? There are different levels of mobility issues and different types of vacation possibilities. It is easy to make the case taking a cruise is the best vacation option available, especially if there is a home port nearby. Let us look at 10 reasons supporting this case: Cruise lines are welcoming for an aging clientele. Cruises come in all lengths. World cruises can …
Shopping in the US is mostly an anonymous experience. We buy online, which involves no human interaction, or we shop at a warehouse store where you know what you want to buy, put it in your cart and go through the automated checkout line. Shopping in Europe and most of the rest of the world is different. Especially if you are on a cruise vacation in other parts of the world, consider these tips. Shopping in General …
Life is getting back to normal. People are cruising again. There are some restrictions, but the overall thrill is back. My wife and I enjoy making friends on vacation and keeping in touch afterwards. How do you do it in 2022? Here are some opportunities. Speaking of opportunities, bear in mind these are enormous. Imagine your ship carries 2,500 passengers. Next imagine you could meet 50 people in your seven-night cruise. If you could accomplish that task, …
Once upon a time cruise ships resembled jigsaw puzzles. Cabin sizes varied considerably. When you booked a certain ship, having a travel agent who knew the ship well was a great advantage. Today, cabins onboard are similar to Lego blocks. They are very standardized, reducing the likelihood of getting a bad cabin. Having a good travel agent is still a major benefit. Let us start by excluding suites. These are a category unto themselves and priced accordingly. …
Doesn’t everyone enjoy the sun, especially after a cold winter? When you take a cruise, enjoying good weather is one of the major reasons you chose this type of vacation. It is important to remember the dangers posed by the sun and take adequate precautions. After enduring cold weather and dark winters, how can you make the most of your time in the sun. Sit out on your balcony. It is surprising how little time you spend …
Heidi, Editor-In-Chief
