Travel Ideas, Trekking , informations On The Benefits of Hiking

Packing your bags for a cruise may seem like a no-brainer but there is travel preparation involved. While forgetting an item or two won’t ruin your vacation, it will create unnecessary headaches and hassles. Here are some things to remember when packing for your trip.

Cruise ships are not required to have doctors or medical facilities. That being said, there is usually a first aid station and a physician or nurse onboard. The ship’s gift shop usually stocks some basic over the counter medication but you’ll pay for the convenience. You can also purchase things at your ports of call but dealing with this hassle can take away from enjoying your trip.

First off, make a list of the things that you usually forget. After you’re done packing consult your list to make sure you haven’t forgotten anything.

Be prepared for the sun. The sun can be the most deceiving in cool weather destinations or when it is overcast. While returning with a nice bronze glow can be ideal, don’t be over anxious. Bring sun block and sunscreen and apply it frequently. Getting a burn early on in your vacation will limit your activities on your cruise ship tour and make for a less enjoyable holiday. Don’t forget a hat, sunglasses, and lip balm as well. Again, you can (and should) buy these onboard the ship but it will be an added hassle and expense. If you’re especially sensitive to the sun then consider bringing loose fitting long sleeve shirts and long pants; linen clothing is perfect for the warm weather.

Sea sickness is a problem for many and if you have a tendency to get sea sick then come prepared. Bring sea sickness pills or other alternative treatments. Remember that the center of the ship sways the least. Your first couple of hours (if not day) will be adjusting to the movement of the ship so don’t plan any big activities.

Pack all of your prescription medication since filling a prescription will be a hassle, if not impossible, at sea. Make a copy of your prescriptions or a copy of the medicine bottle; if you loose your medication then replacing it will be easier. It’s also a good idea to bring an over the counter medicine kit for tummy aches, headaches and allergies. If you’ll be traveling to other countries, your digestive system may not be immune to the bacteria in the food and water. Your doctor can prescribe you anti-diarrhea pills to take just in case you encounter this problem.

With some travel preparation you can have a cruise ship tour that is hassle free. Protect yourself from the sun, prepare for sea sickness and remember your medicine.

Living in the Northern Hemisphere doesn’t mean you have to take a ski vacation or sit at home next to a fire. There are plenty of warm weather options and a cruise may be just what you need to get your fix of sun and fun. Here are some cruise suggestions that are sure to warm you up.

If you’re looking for something closer to home then there are plenty of options. The Caribbean has the best weather in the winter; it’s warm and there is little chance of hurricanes or storms. A popular choice is the Virgin Islands with its fine sand beaches and plentiful water sports. Packages tend to be on the pricey side but many of them include excursions and activities such as diving. Hawaii has warm weather all year round and there are week long cruises with ports of call at most of the Hawaiian islands. Each island has different “must sees” from secluded beaches to rain forests to active volcanoes.

If you’re thinking of traveling further and experiencing new cultures then your options are almost limitless. Travel destinations near the equator are warm all year round and the Southern Hemisphere is enjoying summer weather during our winter. There are small, but unique tours down The Nile with stops at all the sightseeing “musts”. Despite their size, most of the cruise ships have pools and other amenities to keep you occupied in between the sights. The Orient is another cruise destination that has cultural charm and plenty of beach and sun options. A popular choice is a cruise that travels around the Southeastern Thai and Malaysian Islands with stops for lazing on secluded beaches and diving in warm, crystal blue waters.

For those that are more adventurous and want to feel like an explorer there are trips through the Amazon. Boats are usually small but more personalized and your room will have its own shower. You’ll be able to call on Pacific Islands off the coast of Ecuador and visit indigenous tribes along the banks of the Amazon River. Some go as far as the Galapagos Islands where Charles Darwin studied his theories of evolution; there is wildlife that can only be seen on these islands.

If you can’t get enough of the cold weather then consider winter cruises through Scandinavia. These are for the adventurous types and are usually on small ships. You’ll be able to see cold weather aquatic life and visit charming towns.

Winter is no time to sit at home and read a book. Get out of town and take a cruise holiday!

On your typical land vacation you will spend around $150 per night to $300 per night for a nice standard hotel room for two people. A rental car will run you around $35 to $50 per day for a cheap car. Breakfast will average you around $15 per person, Lunch will run you around $20 per person and dinner will run you around $30 per person after taxes and tips. For a one week trip, two people will be spending somewhere between $2,200 and $3,400 before you factor in any airfare, entertainment or attractions. These figures are conservative for a budget vacation.

If you look at some of the recent cruise deals, particularly some of the last-minute cruise deals available, you can cruise for as low as $50 per day per person. Generally, that low price is going to offer you an inside cabin (no port windows). However, if you upgrade and pay around $100 per person per day, you can get an outside stateroom and possibly a balcony if you shop around. Peter B. Diaz, President and CEO of VoyageMonkey Online Travel says we’ve recently seen 7-day Alaska and Caribbean cruises going for under $350 per person. A value like that is hard to beat. The ships simply can’t go out with empty cabins. They must fill them in the last few weeks prior to sailing or they lose money.

Your typical cruise price will include all of your meals and entertainment. Your meals will generally consist of three daily sit down full course meals, three daily cafeteria style buffet meals and various other dining venues throughout the day including room service. There is no shortage of good food. Sit down dinners often include steak, lobster, prime rib as well as some ethnic theme nights. You’ll also find late night buffets and 24-hour pizza and snacks on many ships.

Your entertainment will generally consist of nightly Las Vegas style musical & dance shows, stand-up comedy, magic shows and various lounge & dance club performers. Other ship amenities generally include swimming pools, Jacuzzis, fitness center & day spa and gambling casino complete with slot machines and gaming tables. Not included in the price of your cruise is cocktails, spa treatments, gambling, shopping and shore excursions.

The nice feature of a cruise is that you’ll get to see exotic ports of call along the way. Most 7-day cruises will generally visit three or more ports. Just hop off the ship at each port and enjoy the day. It doesn’t cost you any money to leave the ship and walk around town. Most ports of call are safe to venture on foot and sight see. On your typical land vacation you will visit one destination and stay for the duration. On a cruise you get multiple destinations without packing and unpacking between destinations. There is also no need to worry about making dinner reservations. Cruise life is easy.

Your time on the ship between ports is anything but boring. Today’s ships are large floating resorts and entertainment facilities with plenty of elbow room. Spend the day at the pool or spa, dance each night away or enjoy the evening stars on deck. You’ll meet plenty of really nice interesting people from all over. It’s hard to find such a great value vacation today. But thanks to the cruise lines, it’s easy to get away and have an affordable trip and a great time.