Travel Solo - Know Before You Go

Traveling solo can be a thrilling experience that pushes the boundaries of your comfort zone. However, you want to make sure you prepare before venturing off! Here are some “know before you go” on solo travel.

Leave Your Contact Info with Someone at Home

When traveling, especially overseas where communication might be trickier, it’s important to let someone know your travel plans. Let them know where you’re going, where you’ll be staying, and the travel dates. This will keep your loved ones at home in the loop just in case they need to get ahold of you.

Keep Copies of Important Documents

Always keep copies of your important documents, such as your passport, social security card, and other necessary paperwork. These copies can come in handy in case you misplace one during your travels!

Network

Talk to your contacts about where you’ll be traveling to, they may have connections in those places and could connect you with other people in their network. This is great for solo traveling because it can help give you more insight from locals into where you’re going and, if you feel so inclined, you can meet up!

Bring a Book and a Journal

You may face some long travel days, and since you’ll be traveling solo, having a book to read can help entertain you. Journaling is another excellent way to keep yourself entertained; it’s also great to have so you can document your journey! Trust us on this! It’s fun and special to find your travel journals and read back and recall those travel moments later in life.

Learn How to be Alone

Traveling solo means spending time alone. Depending on your personality, this might be the most challenging part of traveling solo. Being with yourself alone in another country is a big deal but learning to slow down can create a lot of growth, and you can learn more about who you are.

You May Never Feel 100% Ready

This one speaks for itself. It’s hard to find the time and energy to commit to traveling internationally with our busy lives. But is there ever really a “perfect” time to go? You might also be thinking that you aren’t ready to travel solo yet, but again, is there really going to be a “perfect” time? If you’re considering traveling alone, take the leap!

Things Will Go Wrong... That's Okay

No matter if you’re traveling alone or with others, something will go wrong. If you’re traveling solo and something goes wrong, it might be stressful in the moment, but it’s going to make great stores to tell and will help you learn to be more flexible. Roll with it!

Keep Emergency Contact Info on You

It’s crucial that you give someone at home your information on where you’ll be traveling, but it's also essential to keep their information on you as well. Ideally, it’s great to keep this information in multiple places, such as your mobile device and your journal. This is important just in case your phone is out of battery or misplaced and you need to call home.

Understand The Cultures You’re Entering

When entering new countries, we highly recommend learning more about the local cultures before visiting. This can help prepare you for anything you might face, such as clothing restrictions or norms and understanding mannerisms.

Stay Someplace Where You’ll Meet Others

One of the coolest parts about traveling solo is the people you meet. Staying at a place like a hostel, situates you perfectly to meet like-minded individuals who might be traveling solo as well. And who knows, the people you meet on your solo adventure might turn into life-long friends!

Know Where You’re Going

It’s always a good idea to create some kind of plan before your travels. This will help give you an idea of any transportation you might need to take and how to visit each place on your list effectively.

Ask Locals for Recommendations

Talking to locals is a wonderful way to learn about the place you’re visiting. They can tell you the best places to visit that you might miss if you’re just going to the tourist attractions, and as an added bonus, they’re likely to be much less busy!

Try Not to Overpack

When traveling solo, you’re in charge of all your bags. Make sure you’re able to carry all your items before you leave and have room left for any souvenirs you might be bringing back with you.

Try to Act Confidently in Public

Acting confident is key, especially if you’re not sure where you are or where you’re going. When you show confidence, it’s less likely someone will try and take advantage of you. We’d like to believe that most people you meet wouldn’t do this, but you can never be too cautious.

Traveling solo is truly an adventure of a lifetime, and we believe it can add so much value to your life. It can be a scary one, but well worth it!

Minding Your Cruise Ship Manners

Boarding a cruise ship once again – or, for the very first time – will be exhilarating and exciting. But amid the joy, remember the time-honored rules of cruise etiquette that help make everyone’s time at sea more enjoyable. 

 

Don’t reserve lounge chairs. A common breach of etiquette is the “reserving” of lounge chairs on deck; that is, spreading your belongings across several lounges so that you can your companions can sit together later in the day. This rude practice is so widespread that some cruise lines now have policies against it; if you try it, the crew may remove your belongings to the lost and found. 

Don’t party too hard. Just as on land, drinking too much alcohol on a cruise can lower inhibitions and cause problems: being too noisy, hurting yourself or others, or setting the stage for a raging hangover that can cause you to miss the next day’s fun.  

 

Don’t be late. Be on time for dinner, shows, spa treatments and other activities so you don’t inconvenience the crew or your fellow passengers. And when you leave the ship for a shoreside activity, you absolutely must return to the ship on time. If you’re late, the ship can – and will – sail without you. 

 

Don’t let the kids get bored. If you’ll sail with children, think about how you’ll keep them occupied (and therefore, well-behaved). Take advantage of any onboard kids’ clubs and facilities, and bring a few small toys, books or games to help keep them entertained. Also, talk with them before you leave home about being considerate of other passengers and the crew. 

 

Don’t skimp on tips. Tips for the crew are often built into your cruise fare or automatically charged to your onboard account, and while it’s possible to opt-out of tipping, don’t. Cruise ship workers depend on tips for a significant portion of their income and they work hard, often behind the scenes, to provide you with a wonderful voyage. If you do have a negative experience with any crew member, visit the guest services desk to talk with a manager about it; don’t punish the entire crew by withholding tips. 

 

Don’t forget basic courtesy. Sure, you’re on vacation, but that’s no reason to skip the good manners. Saying “please” and “thank you,” holding a door open for those behind you, and saying “pardon me” instead of pushing past others will let everyone know how you would like to be treated while on board, too.  

 

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Sailing in a Spectacular Suite

It’s been proven over and over again that you can enjoy a wonderful cruise in any category of cabin; even the simplest inside cabin has everything you need to rest and relax between activities, dress up for dinner, and get a great night’s sleep. 

Still, if your budget allows it, sailing in a larger cabin does have advantages. And if you’re looking for a truly luxurious, simply over-the-top cabin for your next cruise, here’s a look at some of the most stunning and creative suites at sea. 

 

Each of Royal Caribbean’s Oasis Class and Quantum Class ships have a Royal Loft Suite, where a giant window wall frames a two-deck-high view. The stylish interiors vary a bit between ships, but include spacious living and dining areas, and lofted main bedrooms with a window-wall view (don’t worry, there are blackout drapes for when you want to sleep in). The most amazing part of a Royal Loft Suite may be the large balcony, with plenty of space for an outdoor dining table, lounge chairs, a bar and a private whirlpool. 

 

On the ships of Viking Ocean Cruises, the Owner’s Suite really is the owner’s suite; these cabins are used by Torstein Hagen, chair of Viking Cruises, when he’s on board. When he’s not on board, the Owner’s Suite still contains some of Hagen’s own art, books, and memorabilia for you to enjoy. The sleek, comfortable furnishings – inside and on the private verandah – are in keeping with the line’s elegant Scandinavian aesthetic. And the bathroom is lavish, with a heated floor, anti-fog mirrors, and a dry sauna with an ocean view. The 1,446-square-foot suites even have an adjoining board room with a conference table that seats 12. 

 

Yet another spectacular suite is on the horizon; now under construction, the Disney Wish includes plans for a two-story suite perched in one of the ship’s signature red funnels, promising fantastic views. A private elevator will open into a double-height living and dining area, with décor is inspired by the movie Moana and views through floor-to-ceiling windows. A spiral staircase will lead to the upper level of this 1,966-square-foot suite, where two master bedrooms will have walk-in closets and their own spacious bathrooms. The kids will have their own room with fun bunk beds, and the suite will have a library, too. 

 

To find out how you can sail in one of these or many other very special suites at sea, talk with Anita, your professional travel advisor. 

 

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Previewing the New Disney Wish

Disney Cruise Line is preparing for the delivery of its fifth ship, the Disney Wish, set to be the first in its new Triton class. The ship is expected to begin cruising in summer 2022, with up to 4,000 passengers on board. The cruise line hasn’t released all the details yet, but here’s a preview of what we’ve heard about the new addition to this popular fleet.

First, how the ship will move is a sign of the times. In keeping with the trend toward more eco-friendly propulsion systems, the Disney Wish will be the first in its fleet to use liquefied natural gas (LNG) for power.

The Disney Wish will showcase another important design trend: the move to fewer inside (that is, windowless) cabins. About 90% of Disney Wish cabins will have a view to the outside; just 10% will be inside cabins. Plus, about 70% of the outside cabins will have private verandahs.

Disney Wish cabins are being designed with families in mind, with features like extra storage space. While we haven’t seen the actual layouts yet, Disney Cruises says family cabins will provide the feeling of separate spaces where kids and parents can relax.

Disney Concierge Level cabins are popular, and the Disney Wish will have more than other Disney ships. Concierge Level cabins come with some special services and amenities, including access to a private lounge and sundeck, exclusive onboard activities, earlier booking dates for excursions, and more.

The theme of the Disney Wish is “enchantment,” and the planned entertainment sounds enchanting indeed. To begin with, passengers will be greeted by Cinderella in a sparkling, three-story Grand Hall. Dining experiences will include a dinner theater inspired by “Frozen” – featuring Elsa, Anna, Olaf and other beloved characters – and another inspired by the Marvel Cinematic Universe, where guests will become part of an adventure alongside characters from The Avengers.

Superheroes and classic fairy tale characters are also sure to feature in the ship’s kids club activities. The ship will have spaces just for adults, too – for example, a Star Wars-themed cocktail bar, with views of storied planets, like Tatooine, through the windows.

More entertainment plans include three Broadway-style shows, two theaters with first-run movies, and fireworks displays at sea.

The Disney Wish will initially sail to the Bahamas, with stops at Nassau and Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay. To make your reservation to sail on this enchanting new ship, talk with Anita, your professional travel advisor.

 

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Selecting Your Cruise Ship Cabin

Selecting a cabin for your next cruise is a little like choosing a home: you should consider location, size and price. After all, your cabin will be your home while you’re on the ship. 

 

Let’s start with location, which can have a big effect on your cruise enjoyment. The first thing to know is that “inside” cabins are very nice, but they don’t have windows (although some ships use technology to create virtual windows). If you want natural light, choose an “outside” cabin; but, the size of your window may depend on the deck your cabin is on. On lower decks, there may be a porthole or small window, while mid-level decks and higher often have larger windows, or some sliding doors that open to balconies. 

 

The vertical location of your cabin is important: cabins on lower decks usually provide the smoothest ride, good if you don’t like to feel the motion of the ship. On higher decks, you’re more likely to feel a bit of sway, but you’ll be closer to swimming pools, dining spaces and other amenities.  

 

Consider horizontal location, too. If you want one of the widest views on the ship, look at outside cabins at the bow (front) or the aft (rear) of the ship. But, know that bow cabins tend to feel the most motion; and, aft balconies can lack privacy. Mid-ship cabins usually have good stability and are often close to elevators. 

 

On some ships, all cabins are about the same size; on others, they range from about 100 square feet to lofted, multi-bedroom suites. Balconies also vary in size, from small Juliet balconies to expansive outdoor spaces. If your budget allows, treat yourself to some extra square footage and a balcony you can sit and relax on. 

 

And that brings us to price: always an important consideration. When deciding which cabin options fit your budget, remember the other costs of your cruise vacation, which may include airfare, shore excursions, a spa treatment or two, and beverages onboard. Ask your professional travel advisor to let you know about any special offers that could help you reserve a great cabin while saving more of your budget for other things. 

 

And, remember that what seems to be a great deal on a cabin may mean it has a less-attractive feature, such as a little engine noise or a partially blocked view.  Anita, your travel advisor, can help you consider all the options and make the best choice for you. 

 

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