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Archive for December, 2011

Riding In The Lap Of Luxury Travel With A Virgin Island Yacht Charters

If you’ve never had the experience of being at the helm of a yacht as you sail through the crystal waters of the Virgin Islands, then consider making that your next vacation goal. A variety of yacht rental and/or vacation facilities are available that will provide you with a complete line of vessels from which to choose for your luxury excursion.

Yacht Chartering Services

+ Bareboats BVI – Located in Tortola, British Virgin Islands, this facility offers a comprehensive line of yachting models and services. Complete with Caribbean sailing charters, motor yacht vacations and crewed yachting holidays, there’s something for everyone – with every level of experience – at this premier yacht chartering establishment. They can be located online at www.bareboatsbvi.com.

+ Island Yacht Charters – Be the skipper of your own chartered yacht or rent a crewed charter when you choose a vacation package through this top-of-the-line Caribbean facility. Located in the Red Hook area of St. Thomas, these folks also offer land packages which include accommodations at Villa Nathalie – a two-bedroom villa on the island’s east end. For more information, visit their website at www.iyc.vi.

+ St. John’s Classic Motor Yacht – Complete with public cruises and private charters, this establishment – located in Cinnamon Bay – offers a variety of vacation and charter packages. Destinations include Virgin Gorda, Outer Cay and Norman Treasure Caves, and will personally customize your trip to accommodate up to 40 guests. Their luxurious yachts include amenities such as spacious salons, teak and mahogany construction, awnings, oversized sun decks, on-board heads and more. Visit their website at http://motoryachtcinnamonbay.com to check out their vessels and vacation options.

+ Destination BVI – This wonderful online travel facility allows you to charter a yacht, plan a vacation and virtually tour the surrounding areas that you may choose to sail by visiting www.destinationbvi.com. Both motor and luxury yacht charters are available to guests, as well as special holiday options that are available during designated times. Whether you prefer a sailing yacht, motor yacht or luxury crewed yacht, you’ll find what you’re looking for at Destination BVI.

+ VIP Yacht Charters – With more than a dozen models to choose from and a variety of locations throughout the 75 islands which comprise the Virgin Islands territory – including both the US Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands – VIP Yacht Charters offers comprehensive packages for vacationers who are looking for more than the run-of-the-mill boating excursion. Their website, www.vipyachts.com, includes fully linked pages that provide information on all aspects of your Caribbean vacation.

Amenities and Activities

For the most part, the basic types of activities and amenities that can be expected from a yacht chartering vacation are pretty much the same, regardless of which facility you choose for the planning of your excursion.

Although the particular attractions will vary from one destination to another, you can expect to enjoy excellent opportunities for fishing, water skiing, wind-surfing, snorkeling, scuba diving and kayaking, in addition to other water-related sports. For those who prefer to soak up the sun at the water’s edge, there are plenty of beaches throughout the Virgin Islands, and most of the chartered yachts are equipped with spacious decks that are just right for getting a bit of sun without ever leaving your lodgings.

If you’re booking a crewed yacht charter, or taking a group tour with others on a luxury yacht, then the menu is often prepared in advance, offering a delectable assortment of foods that will appeal to just about everyone. In addition, most will offer custom dishes for those who wish to enjoy a special favorite, since the chefs that accompany such cruises are generally pleased to accommodate guests in such a manner. Other amenities include a wide variety of luxury items, specific to each model.

For a great sea-going vacation in the Virgin Islands territory, treat yourself to a chartered yacht, and enjoy the best of all possible worlds.

A passport is an internationally recognized travel document that verifies the identity and nationality of the bearer. Only the U.S. Department of State and U.S. Embassies and Consulates have the authority to grant, issue, or verify U.S. passports. For travel overseas and to facilitate reentry into the U.S., a valid U.S. passport is the best documentation available.
A valid passport is required to enter and leave most foreign countries.

Some countries may allow you to enter with only a birth certificate, or with a birth certificate and a drivers license. Note, however, that rules established under the U.S. Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004, require that all persons, including U.S. citizens, traveling by air, must present a valid passport to reenter the United States. (Until September 30, 2007, U.S. citizens who have applied for but not yet received passports can enter and depart the United States by air to Western Hemisphere countries with a government-issued photo identification and official proof of application for a passport. This accommodation does not affect entry requirements of other countries, and U.S. citizens who are traveling to a country that requires a visitor to have a passport must still obtain one.)

If you are traveling by land or sea, make certain that you can return to the United States with the proof of citizenship that you take with you. U.S. regulations require that you document both your U.S. citizenship and your identity when you reenter the United States.

Some countries require that a travelers U.S. passport be valid at least six months or longer beyond the dates of the trip. In addition, with the number of international child custody cases on the rise, several countries have instituted passport requirements to help prevent child abductions. (Mexican law, for example, requires a child traveling alone, or with only one parent, or in someone else’s custody, to carry written, notarized consent from the absent parent or parents if the child is not in possession of a U.S. passport.) Contact the embassy of the foreign destination for more information. Foreign embassy and consulate contact information can also be found on the Country Specific Information for each country.

How to Apply for a U.S. Passport

Apply for your passport several months before your planned trip, and, if you will need visas from foreign embassies, allow even more time. Even if you dont have specific travel plans, but have family living abroad or are waiting to find a bargain trip, it is a good idea to apply as early as possible. You may be required to show you birth certificate to get your first passport. So, make sure that you allow time to get your birth certificate.

Check with State Department web site for the latest rules and regulations. Passport and visa rules change from time to time, so please ensure that you have the most current information.

When you think it’s time to pause your routine activity, you will be gladly to spend that paused time in Bali. You will be start to asking about the accommodation, a place that far from home that still have the luxury of five star resorts. Here in Bali that though is not a wrong idea, of course you can have a privacy of your own home while rent Bali Villas. Although most villas in Bali area located in seminyak area, because that’s the most favorite places that traveler always asking when arrive or plan a vacation in Bali. More than hour flight to reach Bali, Seminyak villas is more than you need for this holiday.

Great spa services are here in Bali, Always welcome traveler that have journey far from home to be in the most wonderful island. If you are couple that seeks the romance ambiance, Bali has all the best spot for you. From romantic shore scene or you can choose the great dining taste to enjoy inside the Seminyak villa or outside at the local famous restaurant. For Family with children, Bali also provide some fun activity to do, places to visit together that will rare to have when doing daily activity. For you that come with friends, of course lot of great facilities and activities that await you here, to share the same adventure with friends. You already paid the price, but the fun still waiting for you to come in Bali. The luxury also awaits you at Bali Villa

One new popular way to explore Europe on luxury vacations is by rail. This travel trend is growing in leaps and bounds. With the emergence of the European Train Network, trains are becoming the preferred mode of travel. Often chosen over air travel, trains are a great option for those interested in seeing multiple cities or countries in just one vacation.

The European Train Network

Trains are a convenient mode of short, medium and long distance travel across Europe. Western and central Europe has a dense and widely used railway network spanning the entire continent. With over twenty countries and five-hundred cities, this rail network can literally supply eager luxury world cruise travelers with a comprehensive view of Europes interior. Trains on the network are also great for short jaunts around your country of choice. These European trains are fast, reliable and depart and arrive approximately every half hour. With the European Train Network, travelers of can travel to capital cities and charming, forgotten towns. Get a great deal on your luxury world cruise by going to http://www.amtcruises.com.

Trains Versus Flying

Travelers on luxury vacations are out to consider trains as an alternative to flying. Trains have more spacious and comfortable interiors than most airplanes, offering you a more comfortable way to travel. Trains in Europe will allow you to take advantage of scenic routes and allow you a new way to experience the beautiful countryside. You will also avoid the long waits in security at airports. The railway stations are usually located in or very close to the center of the city, whereas airports can be up to 100 km away from the citys center. Trains have more of a romantic feel than airplanes. Train tickets that are booked in advance are also a bit cheaper. The developing train technology makes the train usually the same speed as airplanes, especially when you calculated the needed time to check in early and go through security. Plus, if you miss the train, you can take another one in about thirty minutes. For help with your next luxury vacation visit http://www.amtvacations.com/american-express-vacations.html.

With so many great reasons to go, European train travel has become a leading way to explore the interior of Europe for travelers on a luxury travel vacation. Besides the air of romantic hype that has developed around rail travel, it has simply become extremely practical. New technologies have evolved into an extensive European Train Network, which offers stops in most European countries and hundreds of cities. Train travel has become preferable to air travel because of the better availability, the better location stops, the speed and the price. Experience the joys of European train travel. Learn more about the benefits of planning your next luxury travel vacation with AMT American Express Travel by visiting http://www.amtvacations.com/world-class-customer-service.htm.

Everybody eagerly looks forward to his or her next vacation. From choosing the destination to selecting the hotels, planning for the next vacation seems to be a favorite pastime for most people. After all, a trip once a year rejuvenates you physically and mentally and prepares you to withstand the stress of everyday life through the whole year ahead.

But all your excitement and all the meticulous planning can go astray if something unpleasant and unexpected happens during your vacation.

Just imagine the shock and panic if one member of your family or travel group suddenly needs emergency medical attention. Or what if your luggage and all your important documents get lost? What happens if natural calamity leaves you stranded in the middle of nowhere? How will you cope if all flights are cancelled indefinitely following natural, political or other kinds of disturbances?

All these situations are extremely difficult to manage, at home let alone in a foreign country. But you can better cope with these emergency situations without letting all the money that went into paying the air tickets, hotels etc. go to waste by purchasing a travel insurance policy. If you are under the protective coverage of travel insurance, you do not have to stress about the unexpected. Once you are armed with travel insurance you can be rest assured of 24-hour emergency assistance services.

Here are some situations where a travel insurance plan can come to your rescue:

Medical emergency – You will not be covered by your usual health insurance beyond a certain territorial limit. So a medical emergency outside your coverage area means a huge expenditure. International travel insurance usually provides coverage for medical and dental expenses and emergency medical transportation.

Natural calamity – You have invested a considerable amount of money in your vacation and now every thing seems to be going to waste, now that your vacation is spoilt due to a natural calamity or very harsh weather conditions. Though the vacation is ruined does not mean you have to suffer monetarily too as the travel insurance will take cover all your financial losses.

Loss of belongings – You may find yourself in an unfortunate situation where you fall prey to muggers in a foreign city. You lose all your identity documents and you have not a penny in your pocket. In such cases international travel insurance provides you with an Identity Theft Protection that includes recovery services, lost ticket and passport assistance, translation services and emergency and cash transfer assistance.

So as soon as you have decided on your next vacation, purchase your travel insurance too right away. It will allow you to enjoy your vacation with peace of mind because you know the insurance company will take care of everything else for you.

Protect Yourself From Pickpockets When You Travel On Luxury Vacations

The greatest travel destinations in the world are similar to each other in so many ways. They are visited each year by hundreds of thousands of luxury travel vacation tourists and have some of the greatest sights and experiences. Unfortunately, they are all full of pickpockets. Pickpocketing is one of the oldest forms of theft in the world, and is rampant anywhere there are tourists to rob. Knowing that you WILL be targeted on your trip, here are some great ways to protect yourself from pickpockets.

Protect your Valuables

Thieves are looking mostly to steal cash, and in some cases, your passport. The first step in thwarting attacks on your luxury vacation is to be aware of where you place your valuables. Men should never carry their wallet in their back pocket. If you must use a pocket, your front pocket is best. Another way to protect yourself is by using a money belt underneath your clothing. Stay away from keeping money in backpacks and fanny packs. Women who use purses should only carry ones that zip completely, and carry them on their shoulder with their arm over it, holding the purse in front of you. Get the latest luxury vacation deals by visiting http://www3.latesttraveloffers.com/lton/axdefault.asp?dir=std.

Dont Look Like a Victim

Pickpockets carefully choose their victims. They are looking for tourists, who are probably carrying a lot of cash and credit cards. Do not dress like a tourist if you can avoid it. Try to blend in with the crowed and not stand out. Pickpockets are also attracted to people who are looking lost, confused or distracted. If you have that deer in the headlights look, you wont notice your wallet is gone right away. Be as familiar as possible with your surroundings when you travel. A good reason to consider a luxury world cruise is you can explore the land, sights and attractions in a guided tour, offering group protection and being comfortable with the guided tour. For your luxury world cruise needs go to http://www.amtcruises.com.

Be Prepared

One of the most important things about traveling on luxury vacations is to be prepared for the worst. It is helpful to keep an accurate list of everything in your purse or wallet back at your hotel, so that should you be robbed, you can discover immediately what was taken. You should also carry emergency numbers for your credit card companies so that you may report stolen cards. It is also vital to keep copies of your passports, so that in a pinch, you have a copy of your international ID and a way to prove you are a citizen. Learn more about American Express Vacations by going to http://www.amtvacations.com/values.htm.

Pickpocket thefts can happen even to the most experienced traveler on any luxury travel vacation. It is important to be aware of these common dangers. Make sure to store your valuables in an inaccessible area. Try to blend into your surroundings so that you do not look like someone to be taken advantage of. Should all of these precautions still not save you from being a victim, be prepared for the worst. If you follow these steps, you should be able to protect yourself no matter what a pickpockets plans are.

The best Professional Travel Health Advice about food and drink on holiday, can easily be summarised as follows

1. The first thing to realise is that unpasteurised milk, non bottled drinks , and uncooked food, are likely to be contaminated and therefore possibly unsafe. This does not include fruit which can be peeled.

2. Use bottled or boiled water for cleaning your teeth.

3. Don’t open your mouth and drink water in the shower.

4. Dishes containing raw or undercooked eggs, such as home-made mayonnaise, some sauces (e.g. hollandaise) and some desserts (e.g. mousses), are not a good idea.

5. Ice-cream that doesn’t have a recognisable international brand name, and could be made locally, is often contaminated and could be a danger.

6. When confronted with cooked food, the holidaymaker should ensure that it has been thoroughly and freshly cooked; i.e. that it is piping hot.

7. Be aware of eating out the day after a public holiday, as reheated food appears, and it can be dangerous.

8. Foods that are cooked in advance need to be held at a temperature of below 10 C or above 60 C to ensure their safety.

9.Cooked food left out for some time constitutes one of the greatest risks of food borne disease. Contaminating or surviving bacteria may multiply in it if it is. Put another way, if the food has been cooked but not refrigerated between cooking and serving, because it has been left out, then you could be taking a risk eating it. This means attractive cold buffets are very definitely unsafe if they have been laid out hours before being eaten.

10. Unpasteurised milk should be boiled before it is drunk. 11. Bottles of drinking water that contain non carbonated water should be regarded with suspicion, unless you see the seal broken in front of you, because it could be straight from the TAP!!

12. Ice should be avoided unless made from safe water.

13. Drinks such as wine or beer hot tea or coffee, and carbonated soft drinks or fruit juices that are bottled or otherwise packaged are usually safe to drink.

14. Apply strict hygiene while away especially after using the bathroom and before you eat food – never use communal, damp towels in public conveniences! Use disposable paper towels or hot air.

BASIC TRAVEL HEALTH ADVICE SAYS boil it, cook it, peel it, or forget it.

Presenting: Pablo Chufeni – Servas Traveller And A Champion Of Cross-border Youth Exchanges

I met Pablo at the Canada-US Servas Conference that was held at the beginning of August in Vancouver where I had a chance to spend about an hour and a half with him to find out more about his involvement as a volunteer for Servas, an organization with hosts and travellers in more than 130 countries whose motto is “Travel for peace” to promote greater inter-cultural understanding and tolerance. Pablo is one of those people who always has a smile on his face and he is filled with an incredible amount of energy. Through Servas he has travelled through a variety of European and North and South American countries.

As a volunteer for Servas, Pablo has tried to harness the international network of Servas in new ways, and most recently he has created an initiative that allows young Servas members to go on language exchanges free of charge that are facilitated by other Servas travellers. Both accommodation and language training are provided free of charge by local Servas hosts. So far his network of participating countries includes Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, Mexico, the United States and Canada which will provide no-cost language study opportunities to young Servas members in Spanish, Portuguese, French and English.

In addition he is also organizing a youth summit for Servas, to be held in January 2006 in the resort town of Bariloche, Argentina. And he does all these activities part-time, after work, as a volunteer. Meet this bundle of positive energy – Pablo Chufeni.

1. Please tell us a little bit about yourself. Where are you from, what is your profession, where do you live now?

I’m 27 years old and I work as a theater professor in various institutes. I also study politics at the university as well as French and Portuguese. This year I started to work for the Developing Bank of the Americas in a social program here in my city, Rosario, in Argentina, where I currently live nowadays. I work in the capacitation department as a tutor for teenagers who are at risk. For 7 years I worked for the local TV station as a general producer, but that took up all my time, so now I prefer to use my days in a different way. I also work for a foundation that works with cultural promotion here in my city.

2. You have been a Servas member for a few years now. How did you hear about this organization and what was your first travel experience like?

I heard of Servas by acident,sitting at a coffee table. First I went to Europe as a traveller, but after that I organized my own local group of Servas hosts here in Rosario, and I got involved in the running of the organization. I have been to official meetings in Canada, Spain, Argentina, Mexico, UK and Uruguay. The Servas experiences are so deep and so profound that it is quite complicated to talk about them in a few lines. What I have experienced is simply amazing, it has changed my life.

3. What countries have you travelled to through Servas? What kinds of people from what places have you hosted in your home? What makes Servas travel so
special to you?

I have traveled with Servas in Argentina, Uruguay, Mexico, Canada, Spain, Belgium, France, Ireland, Portugal, and the UK. But Ill make my list larger as soon as
possible!!! At my place I have hosted people from the USA, Germany, France, Spain, the Netherlands and Brazil. My house is open to Servas travellers all year long.

Its not only the bridge that Servas builds for you, but also who is waiting for you on the other side. All the people in Servas are great and interesting, otherwise they wouldn’t open their doors and use their time to chat with you and show you their world.

4. Please tell us about your 3 favourite or most memorable travel stories.

I met a nice couple in Lisbon, she was Mexican and he was born in Angola. The time I spent with them was great. They originally met trough Servas when she was a traveller staying at his house. And now they are married!!!

I also met a guy in Brussels who ate food without cooking it and had strong opinions on flavours and health and how human beings developed the art of cooking only by following their tongue. I had another interesting travel experience with an Arab person who lived in Paris. This was simply amazing. We went together to see a show in Paris of Ute Lemper, a German singer that I always liked, and one day I saw signs in the streets of Paris, announcing one of her concerts. Unfortunately the signs said SOLD OUT! But when I returned to his house he told me, Pablo, I’ve got tickets to a show tonight in case you want to go. We had a great time at the concert.

5. Please tell us about your 3 favourite or most memorable hosting experiences.

Its hard to say, all my guests have been great in their own way.

6. You are very actively involved in harnessing Servas as a network for learning experiences for young people. Please tell us about the language learning opportunities that you have created through Servas.

In 2003, Servas South America organized an essay contest about The role of Servas. I participated and ended up coming in first place. As a contest winner, I was able to attend the Youth South American meeting in Montevideo (Uruguay), also visiting Santa Teresa (Uruguay) where activities were developed for three days. Here I met Camile Costa from Sao Paulo (Brazil) who had taken Spanish classes in Chile. It was then that the idea of using Servas as a platform for developing language study exchanges for young people through Servas was born.

The program is organized in four modules, with respective classes. All the classes are weekly and 1 hour in duration. The modules are: A) Language – B) Arts – C) Social – D) special Events. The young people particpating in these programs get a fully rounded picture of their host society.

7. You are also organizing the first international youth meeting of Servas in the southern hemisphere, called “Patagonia 06″, to be held in the beautiful resort town of Bariloche in Argentina during the 3rd week of January of 2006. Please tell us about this initiative.

Working hard with the help of SERVAS Argentina, the first international youth conference in the southern hemisphere will be held January 15 to 22, 2006. PATAGONIA ’06 will take place in Bariloche in the heart of Argentinean Patagonia. The landscape is simply amazing. Although our focus is not on the landscape, it provides an additional incentive to attend the conference.

SERVAS YOUTH is not only for people under 30, if you are interested in youth issues and want to help us and develop youth projects in Servas, you don’t need to be a teenager. The meeting will cost only U$D 160, which will cover four meals a day, access to every single activity, accommodation in bungalows or tents (no transportation from BsAs included).

This youth meeting will help us a lot to continue developing the position of youth in SERVAS and at the same time to grow as people. There will be three different topics during the meeting. The specific topics of Youth in Servas are: how to develop the youth position, how to reach more young people, the programs that we are already working on and how to make them grow, how can we help developing the local activities in our national group, and how to get young people involved, new programs that we can start implementing, and everything linked to the Youth issue inside Servas.

Here is the link to the PATAGONIA’06 Conference: www3.telus.net/SC/SERVAS/index.htm

8. Despite having your hands full, you are already thinking of other ways of harnessing the Servas network to provide internship and job shadowing
opportunities for young people from across the world. Please tell us more about that.

This is an idea for the near future. First I want to reach my personal goal with PATAGONIA ’06 and the international youth exchanges. Then I want to use
the Servas network to provide job opportunites to young people abroad to develop their resume and their skills.

9. You also host local “diversity meals”. What are they and what is their purpose?

I heard about “diversity meals” from Mary Jane at the United States Servas office. She told me about an activity they have in San Francisco where a number of meals are organized at various Servas members houses, where they become hosts to a diverse group of indivdiuals. I decided to borrow this idea and import it to the youth branch of Servas in Argentina.

Although the participants come from different cultural and educational backgrounds, commonalities surface quickly. Diversity meals are intended to foster tolerance and understanding, not just through international travel, but locally with local participants. It is not necessary to visit Bali or Nicaragua to find a different
way of understanding the world. Our neighbours next door are an equally valid option.

10. When you are not volunteering for a good cause, how do you spend the rest of your time?

Honestly I do not have any free time. I work 10 hours a day, so frequently I work on Servas projects at night, thats why all my emails get sent out at weird times. I also go to the gym daily. In addition, my mother has a life-long medical condition, so I have to help her and stay close to her all the time just in case.

11. What are your upcoming plans, travel and otherwise?

It is always a challenge for my try to find a way to be involved in the kind of activities that I am participating in, considering the fact that I also have to earn money. If one day I find a way to get my economic needs met while working at Servas and anothers NGOs I would be absolutely happy. I always have the feeling that Im wasting my time when I am working, thinking of all the things that I could be doing if I had the time to spend working on Servas projects. This is my personal challenge.

Thank you, Pablo, for taking your time to explain all your volunteer activities with us. We wish you the very best for you international youth language exchange program and for the Servas Youth Conference, Patagonia ’06. You are actively helping to spread the message of intercultural tolerance and peace to the next generation.

For the entire story including photos please visit http://www.travelandtransitions.com/interviews/servas_pablo_chufeni.htm

Camping outside in the woods or forest with your family, friends, and loved ones can be a very enjoyable experience. Whether sitting around the campfire and telling stories or bird watching and exploring nature, being outdoors can leave you with unforgettable memories. Now what memories you will leave with depends on how well you are prepared. If a camper is not knowledgeable about his surroundings, nature can give some pretty nasty surprises. Below are some advice and tips that will help you avoid certain situations that can damper your trip.

Bugs go away.

Bugs are always a very annoying problem for a lot of campers. These critters keep flying around your food, and buzzing in your ears. Also lets not forget about more serious problems from some insects, like mosquitoes, which love to bite and give you itchy bumps. Then there are lice and ticks which can pass on diseases. Here are some tips to help keep the bugs away.

1. Try not to use fragrant lotions or products. Sweet smells attract insects.

2. Try to stay cool. Bugs are attracted to sweat.

3. Bring bug repellant/ Sunscreen. Just dont use too much,

4. Avoid eating bananas this fruit secretes an odor through your pours which attracts mosquitoes.

5. Use coconut oil this repels mosquitoes

Beware of Ticks

Ticks can be a problem due to the fact they can spread diseases. Ways to prevent yourself from exposure to ticks is to avoid grassy areas, wear a hat, and do not wear shorts when you are on a trail. You should check for ticks and if detected remove it as early as possible. If you find a tick attached to your skin, use tweezers close to your skin as possible and pull off the tick, but do not squeeze its body. You should have the doctor check the bite as soon as possible. Ticks can spread diseases such as Lyme disease and ehrlichiosis to humans, which is fatal if not treated.

General Advice

Here is some useful advice that is good to know on every camping or outdoor trip or vacation:

1. Bring and keep a picture of the travelers with you, in case anyone gets lost.

2. When hiking remember to bring some water, food, a flashlight, and bandages.

3. Never hike by yourself.

4. 80% of your body heat is lost through your head, so to keep warm, wear a hat.

The advices I gave in this article I consider very important in helping to keep your outdoors experience an enjoyable one.

It does not matter whether you are just a novice in cruising since you can expect help from the veterans. Learn from their experiences how best you can benefit from your cruise while you evade unknown but undesirable situations.

To enjoy cruise tour learn to enjoy crossing formalities first
Be ready to produce at the airport or customs your passport or identification and your cruise ticket too if required. Never forget where you have kept those to remain free from tension and any awkward situation. It would be fine if you keep all those in a small case like a business card holder. Keep it in a safe but quickly reachable place.

To keep copies of your passport, visa, driving license, and other important documents would be wise. That applies for your traveler’s checks and credit cards too. For maximum safety precaution, keep at your home a set of the copies with a trustworthy person who is capable of taking out quickly those if your need be, while in the ship’s safe or in your cabin’s safe, if there is one, keep another set. Retain with you the originals and a set of the copies, in different places though.

Travel wise, be practical
You have no idea when it is morning time if you are in an inner cabin inaccessible for direct sunlight. An alarm clock can save you from botheration of rising from the bed now and then and go up the steps to the deck to check if someone else is already up there.

During the cruise you may not wash the clothes and therefore check that clean and worn clothes are not mixed up. Keep a laundry bag for dirty clothing.

Fun holidays-share joys with distant friends!
You can use the phones on the ship but prepaid phone cards will be cheaper. In case you prefer your cell phone better ask your service provider for extension of your calling area, get from them probable cost for receiving and making calls and at special rates, if any.

For taking pictures to record the valuable moments remember to carry enough batteries for your camera and extra memory cards too. Do not forget to bring your charger if you use rechargeable batteries. For use of camera with film be cautious to keep it at such a place that scanners do not spoil the film.

You will learn from knowledgeable cruisers that closer the look better is the view. Therefore for true appreciation of the surrounding beauty you need binoculars.

An important advice waits for you still. Despite your best efforts for a perfect cruise if it goes otherwise you should not take it as a tragedy. If there is a stain on your clothes or a camera film is spoilt you should not ruefully dampen the special vacation spirit. Why should you forget that you are on a pleasant holiday mood on a cruising spree away from your daily worries? To enjoy yourself is the solitary goal there.