Why cruise passengers should always have a valid passport
Accidents and other unforeseen incidents can happen on any trip. But when you are out of the United States, getting back home afterwards can be a problem if you don't have your passport with you. When re-entering the United States by land or sea, a US citizen is required to present one of the following: US Passport US Passport Card Enhanced Driver’s License Trusted Travel Card Military Identification US Merchant Mariner Document Many sophisticated cruisers ......
A luxury cruise may be more affordable than you think!
COMPARE APPLES-TO-APPLES When pricing luxury cruises it is important that you compare apples-to-apples (actually this is true for all cruises). Some cruise lines have several additional costs that will increase your total cruise cost above the base fare. In addition to ‘mandatory’ extra fees (like gratuities), most people pay extra for such things as Wi-Fi, shore excursions, soda (no soda isn’t free on most ships), alcoholic drinks, specialty coffees, specialty restaurants, and more. Plus, ......
The best part of a cruise – the food!
Norwegian Cruise Line WHAT TO EXPECT WITH CRUISE DINING ?If food plays a big part on your vacation decision, read up the 9 points below to manage your expectations and get the best out of the experience. Variety of dining options are offered Expect a lot of dining options to delight your taste buds onboard as cruise ships typically houses a variety of restaurants, cafés, bistros, etc. A typical cruise ships have ......
10 reasons to love cruising
IT'S CRUISE TIME... Still skeptical if cruising is the right choice on your next vacation? Let us take you through ten reasons and have an idea on why everyone is raving about cruises! 1. When planning is not your thing – cruises got your covered ?Nowadays, cruise vacation packages are almost all-in. You don’t need to bother with hotel searching, hours spent online organizing, or the transport in between the destination anymore. For a cruise, ......
What is a guaranteed cabin or stateroom? It’s a gamble.
? Azamara Continent Suite What is a guaranteed cabin? ?Most people booking a cruise choose to select their specific stateroom (cabin) when they make their reservation and pay the initial deposit. There is another option. You can book a “guaranteed stateroom” which guarantees you a stateroom in the category that you purchased. The room is not assigned until some future date (which varies by cruise line). ?What are the advantages of a guaranteed ......
Celebrity Edge sets sail out of its shipyard headed to the US
?Today Celebrity’s newest ship, the Celebrity Edge, sails out of its shipyard in Nazaire, France, and begins its transatlantic voyage to its homeport of Fort Lauderdale (Port Everglades). The ship which as been four years in the making. It is Celebrity’s newest class of ship and holds 2,900 passengers. Three additional Edge-class ships are already on order, and start arriving 2020 – 2022. The Edge’s maiden voyage will set sail on December 9, 2018. Celebrity’s last new class ......
Put smartphones in “Airplane Mode” before leaving the U.S to avoid hefty fees
?AVOID A $1,106 BILL ?Smartphones have become such a critical part of our lives that it seems second nature to want to take your phone along with you on vacation. Smartphones have all of your important contact information (friends, doctors, banks, family members, etc.), and once you find a free WiFi hotspot, using Google Maps in a foreign city can be a life and time saver. However, there is a dark-side to smartphones that ......
Baby Boomers & Gen Xers moving upscale in cruise preferences
It shouldn’t really be a surprise, but as Baby Boomers & Gen Xers have watched their kids move out, they have become prolific cruisers, are seeking new experiences, have more free time and money, and now desire a more sophisticated cruise experience. Bottom line, they are wanting to up their cruise game. These cruisers started taking cruises 10, 20, or 30 years ago. They’ve watched ships get bigger, add more entertainment and offer more ......
10 steps to stop pickpockets!
Fortunately Europe is very safe for tourists. Violent crime is extremely rare there. However, you do have to take precautions to prevent being a victim of pickpockets. My husband and I were in Madrid a while back, and in an extremely crowded subway (Metro), as we pulled into the station, he felt a slight tug on his back pants pocket. He reached back and grabbed the hand of a woman, who immediately pulled free ......
Airport VIP concierges can let you skip the line
Jump to the front of the line at immigration & passport control ?If you've ever flown into one of the world's busiest airports, you know how miserable the immigration, passport control, and customs process can be entering a foreign country. We've waited hours in line at London's Heathrow. During high tourist season, expect long waits in Madrid, Amsterdam, Paris, Amsterdam and Milan of up to four hours. While TSA Pre-Check and Global Entry can ......
Flying with pets on board
We've traveled around the world with our pets. In fact our pets have flown more air miles than many people. But it is important to understand the right way to fly with your pets. Here are some of tips we've learned over time: Check with your vet Ask your vet if it OK to fly with your pets. Your pets may have illnesses, conditions, or be of an age which might making flying unsafe. ......
How you might make it to your final destination, but your bags won’t.
Switching airlines at a connecting city can create problems for your baggageImagine checking in for your flight, checking your bags, and arriving at your destination only to learn that your baggage is spinning around on a baggage carousel at your connecting airport. Well, it happens more often than you might think and it happens when you switch airlines at a connecting city.This is going to sound very esoteric and unimportant. But, as more consumers decide ......
How do find a pet friendly hotel
We have two small dogs and when we travel, we usually put them up in a dog resort where they are watched by professionally trained staff with a veterinarian on 24 hour call. It is pricey, but we feel that our "children" will be well cared for, so that we can relax and enjoy our vacation without worrying about them. But there have been times when we have taken the dogs with us, and then we ......
What is the gross tonnage of a cruise ship?
Gross Tonnage (GT) Is Not the Weight of a Ship When you look at the statistics of various cruise ships, you'll notice that cruise lines normally display their ship's "Gross Tonnage" (GT), the year built, the number of crew, the number of passengers, and more. What most people don't know is that GT does not equate to the weight of the ship. Rather GT is a measurement of the ship's internal volume of its enclosed spaces (above and ......
What is “sophisticated cruising?”
Being sophisticated is a lifestyle choice committed to living life with grace, having respect for others, and having a curiosity to discover the world and the people in it. Being sophisticated isn't about money, power or formal education. The television show "The Beverly Hillbillies" made us laugh and showed us that money itself doesn't bring sophistication. You may ask, "Why should I want to be sophisticated?" The answer is simple. Sophistication is about having ......
The Sun Travel Group announces launch of new brand – Sophisticated Cruising
The Sun Travel Group will launch a new suite of travel sites build around delivering concierge travel services to the "sophisticated" traveler. A sophisticated traveler is one who lives life with grace, has a respect for other people and cultures, and has a strong curiosity to discover the world and the people in it. Typically they are busy travelers who like to be pampered, and who demand professional & concierge level service and attention to ......