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Showing posts from August, 2021

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 trave...

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...

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...

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 ...

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.     ...