Travel Tips

Pack light. It’s unlikely you will need all the clothes and shoes you are considering. Bring a handful of outfits to wear that are designed for travel- lightweight, wrinkle resistant, and easy to mix and match, plus comfortable walking shoes and some evening, swim, and workout gear if desired.
Leave electronics and expensive jewelry at home or pack in your carry-on. If headed somewhere warm, leave your bulky coat at home and opt instead for a large shawl for the plane or chilly nights.
Invest in a good set of luggage but bring only one suitcase whenever possible in the appropriate size for the trip. You’ll enjoy your trip a lot more if you have just one sturdy suitcase that rolls easily and a carry on (preferably one that attaches to the top of your luggage) vs lugging excess suitcase through the airport, trying to fit them all in a rental vehicle, and moving them from place to place.
Try to leave some space inside your bag to bring back items you purchase while traveling and to avoid going over your weight limit (usually 45-50 lbs). If you expect to make a lot of purchases while you travel, you might bring a second suitcase inside the first or a backpack/duffle bag you can carry back.
Bring a carry-on bag that fits under the seat but is not overly stuffed. Pack your phone, a few snacks, toothbrush/paste if a long flight, electronics, passport, wallet and medication. Leave space for small fragile purchases for the return flight.
Tourist areas are notorious for cheap and often tacky souvenirs. You might consider one nice quality item to remember your vacation vs a suitcase full of things you will likely later throw away. And while you may want to bring back souvenirs for everyone, don’t let that task take away from enjoying your trip.
Depending on where you are traveling to, pack a small amount of other-the-counter items that could be needed such as Tylenol, antibiotic ointment, a few band aids, antacids, anti-diarrhea, moleskin (for blisters), bug spray, sunscreen, etc. You may not need them but if you do, you won’t have to spend time finding them and paying a much higher price.
We suggest you arrive at least a day earlier than your scheduled tour or cruise departure. This ensures adequate time for unexpected delays and allows you to rest from your flight.
Consider booking your last night at the airport departure hotel to take the stress out of getting there last minute. You wake up and you’re right where you need to be with no hassle.
Cruises often list a major city for recognizability, but the actual port is somewhere else. Consider the length of travel from your airport and hotels and arrange transfers in advance if necessary.
Many cruise lines now use Internet suppliers such as Starlink, giving you faster service, but expect it to be slower than at home (or even intermittent depending on the location) as there is no cable running to the ship. You can get a streaming package (often complimentary on luxury ships) if you’d like to stream on your device but you still will likely not have perfect connection all of the time.
As soon as you are on a cruise, put your phone on airplane mode to avoid unwanted data charges!
Check your passport and be sure it is not close to expiring. Many cruise lines require you to have a passport that will not expire within six months. Make a copy to leave at home and one to carry with you.
Be sure you have all the visas needed for each country you plan to visit. This is available from the State Department.
Be flexible, things don’t always go as expected. Flights may be cancelled, ports are often changed, locations and activities may or not be what you expected, and perfectly planned vacations can still have hiccups. Don’t focus on what went wrong- wherever you are and whatever you are doing, make the most of it as you may never have that experience again.

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