Travel is the only thing you buy that makes you richer.
I want to share a link that has the vast majority of travel related companies policies regarding the Virus. This is a link to a page on our website that is constantly updates with the latest information.
https://www.dhkvacations.com/pages/coronavirus-travel-information-28156
Thanks
There are things we might not think about or know about until too late. You can make plans ahead and hopefully avoid unpleasant surprises.
For example, you never know when you might have to gate check your carry on bag due to overhead bins being full, etc. Don’t leave your most indispensable possessions in that bag. Pack jewelry, IPad, camera, house and car keys, medications, etc. in a pouch or small bag inside your carry on. If you have to gate check the bag, you can easily remove the items and carry them with you.
When you book a hotel or cruise for a special occasion, let your travel advisor or the hotel know the reason you are booking. Often you can get a free upgrade or they might provide something extra to make the celebration memorable.
Always check the U.S. State Department Travel Alert (https://travel.state.gov/) before you go overseas but don’t rely solely on those alerts. Also check with the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia. The alerts aren’t written for tourists but also diplomatic officers and others who end up in places and situations everyday tourists do not.
If you have your heart set on visiting a particular port on your cruise, plan your cruise to start or stop there. If it is scheduled for mid-cruise, the unforeseeable may occur and the ship may not stop there.
If you see something you like, buy it as soon as you see it. You may not remember exactly where the shop is and it probably isn’t going to be less expensive at another store. You may regret it if you don’t get it.
Check your phone plan before you travel abroad. Make sure you understand the terminology and exactly how much the charges are. DON’T use “Cellular at Sea”. It is very expensive.
If you need to use different currency, the better option is to ask your bank ahead of time to get the currency for you. Otherwise, changing money at the airport is about the same as getting it in town. Sure, you will save a little changing it in town, but is it worth the hassle to not have the correct currency on the trip into town?
Buy the travel insurance! You aren’t just buying it in case you don’t get to go on the trip. The primary reason is that you can’t afford to pay for medical care outside of the US and you sure can’t afford to pay for a flight home if needed. US insurance rarely, very rarely, pay for medical care outside of the US and certainly not the flight home.
Print out your reservation details and put it with your documents. You may have it on your phone, but you might not have instant access to phone service to check that information right away.
Notify your bank and major credit cards of the dates you will be gone and which countries you are visiting. You don’t want them to not honor a purchase you make due to “unusual activity”.
Your memories are one of the most valuable things you get from your trips so back up your pictures on a regular basis. You can back them up on a USB stick, internet site, etc.
Double-check your documents and reservations for everything from hotels, flights, trains, buses, etc. Always corroborate the time and location, and make sure they are scheduled correctly. Also, check that your name is correctly spelled especially on your flight reservation.
Have a hard copy of your documents (passport, IDs, travel insurance policy, credit cards) with you. In case you lose your original documents, copies facilitate your identity verification and quicken the renewal process.
Don’t try to do too much in one trip. Give yourself time to enjoy where you are and not just check things off your bucket list.
Consider the different time zones between home and places you are visiting. Consider the possible effects of jet-lag during your first days.
Use a guidebook but don’t rely totally on it. Just use one or two suggestions per day. Do your research!
If you see a lot of locals at a street food vendor, chances are it is safe to eat there. Don’t be afraid to try local food.
Don’t stay solely in the “touristy areas”. Wander some but keep an eye on your surroundings. You may find a fabulous local restaurant, shop, or meet interesting locals.
Alaska is an amazing state. You can cruise between May and September, perfect for school vacations! Alaska has breathtaking scenery, amazing wildlife, and spectacular glaciers. You can see whales, go dog sledding, visit frontier towns, go on amazing helicopter tours, and see glaciers calving. It is a fabulous experience! You can cruise on the major cruise lines or some of the smaller lines for more adventurous cruising.
Hawaii is an exotic place with several islands to explore. The good part of traveling to Hawaii is you don’t need a passport. After all, it is part of the United States. You can whale watch from November to early May and visit sea turtle sanctuaries. There are extinct and active volcanos to visit; beautiful beaches from pink sand to black sand; stunning cleaved, green-clad volcanic cliffs dripping down to the sea, cascading waterfalls and many more awesome sights to see. And where else can you go to an authentic traditional luau?
How about the Fjords of Norway, Sweden, or Iceland? Fjords are beautiful, long, narrow inlets with steep sides or cliffs, created by glacial erosion and offer beautiful vistas. Speaking of Iceland, you can go for the Northern Lights, several national and state parks, rainbow colored mountains, the Blue Lagoon where you can swim in the healing waters, black sand beaches, geothermal pools, and urban cities as well as stunning scenery.
Imagine, visiting Antarctica and seeing penguin colonies, soaring glacier cliffs, calving icebergs, whale seals, albatross. There are icebreaker ships and expedition ships which have experts and naturalists for learning about wildlife, geology, oceanography, glaciology and history. Visit the Galapagos Island and see giant tortoise, sea lions, birds, iguanas beautiful white sand beaches, hiking, diving and snorkeling.
Australia offers the iconic landmarks in Sydney, beautiful beaches with lots of surfing, and of course, The Great Barrier Reef. You can visit a number of World Heritage Sites including the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area, the Blue Mountains and the Rainforestation National Park, ride a camel along the shore, or learn the secrets to pearl farming, New Zealand has black sand beaches and the world’s yacht racing capital, Auckland. Inside Auckland’s Waitomo Grotto, you will see the glittering glowworms, or enjoy an exclusive kiij at Maori and Polynesian exhibits. Along Akaroa’s Southern Alps you can see the white-flippered blue penguins and fur seals. New Zealand is home to Maori legends and steaming volcanic lakes.
Mediterranean cruise vacations are packed with history and culture. You can have sun and sand or just enjoy the natural beauty of the area and become immersed in the number of diverse cultures in the countries on the Mediterranean. Some of the countries include Italy, Spain, the Greek Islands, Malta, Croatia, Turkey, Portugal and Egypt. Or you can cruise the Italian or French Riviera. The Baltic Sea cruises visit Scandinavian cities such as Copenhagen, Helsinki, Stockholm, plus St. Petersburg in Russia.
Or try a non-sea cruise. River cruising is on small ships typically less than 200 passengers. Rivers don’t have high waves either for those of you who are prone to seasickness. River cruising is more intimate and you usually dock right in the city center so sights are often walkable. River cruising is as varied as ocean cruising. You can cruise on the Amazon, Danube, Nile, Rhine, Dnieper, Douro Portugal, Elbel Germany, Main, or Seine. Cruise the Volga or Svir in Russia, Dnieper Ukraine, or Dutch Waterways. In the US you can cruise the Upper or Lower Mississippi, the Ohio or Tennessee, or the Columbia or Snake Rivers. In the Far East you can cruise the Yangtze in China, Mekong in Cambodia and Vietnam, or the Irrawaddy in Myanmar. There are also Barge Cruises on European canals. Barges typically hold 8 passengers and the cruise is easily customizable so you can see whe you want to see.
Make sure you have photocopies of any travel documents you need and keep them with you. It is also a good idea to make electronic copies of them and email them to yourself. The electronic copy ensures you have them even if you misplace the photocopies.
Traveling with a group is the safest way to travel. You don’t have to stay with the group for everything but if you are sightseeing, find a tour or several other like-minded women who can go together. There is safety in numbers.
It’s OK to talk to locals. If you don’t, you will loose the flavor of the area you are in. Men are OK to talk to, just pick the right man in the right situation. If there are others around or he is with a family, that’s fine.
In Europe if you look at someone in the face, they accept that as you are willing to talk. Wear shades and you don’t have to worry about it. If you don’t want to talk to them, tell them firmly NO and walk off. A wedding band is somewhat of a deterrent.
Act with confidence as if you are comfortable wherever you are. Protect your purse or wallet at all times. In a restaurant, hook the straps in the leg of your chair or keep your purse on your lap.
By using common sense, making good decisions, and above all else, having confidence in yourself and your ability to travel on your own, you’ll be rewarded with rich experiences ― and great stories to tell your friends.
Cruising Hints
It matters what line you choose – how well a cruise suits your personality can have a big impact on your overall onboard experience. Some lines attract fiercely loyal customers with a party vibe; others draw them in with a quieter, more sophisticated ambience.
Consider the Internet and alcohol packages before you board.
When Internet costs around 79 cents a minute and drinks are upwards of $8 – $10 each, a few minutes of web surfing here and a couple of cocktails there can really add up. Research the packages carefully before boarding — they may seem pricey, but you might end up saving money.
Don’t try to do everything on the daily calendar.
You’ll get a schedule each day of events happening on board, but if you try to participate in every little activity — from seminars to trivia contests — you might end up feeling overwhelmed. Pick and choose what you want to participate in.
Make reservations as soon as possible.
Book shore excursions and specialty restaurant reservations online prior to your trip, or as soon as you board. Spots fill up quickly! If you’re hoping to go to the spa on a day at sea, remember that this is the most popular time for bookings.
It’s normal to order multiple dishes at meals.
Want to try more than one entrée? Go for it. A few appetizers? Sure. They’re included in the price of your fare (except at some specialty restaurants).
Sit back and relax — you don’t have to plan much.
This is definitely a vacation for the easy going. It’s hard to see the downside of waking up in a new port each day without the hassle of planning how to get there.
The cruising experience is what you make of it.
The beauty of cruising is that you control the type of day you have, from quiet to active. If you prefer to sleep in and lounge at the pool, you can. But if you want to work out, get a facial, and attend a Broadway-style performance, that’s an option, too. Your schedule on board is totally flexible.
What is a bucket list? It is a list of all the things you want to try, goals you want to achieve and life experiences you want to have before you die. Have you always wanted to go to Hawaii or Alaska? How about Iceland and see the Northern Lights or Australia and see kangaroos in the wild? Or maybe you have wanted to see all 47 State Parks in SC? Do you want to learn how to grow tomatoes, make a table, sew a dress or cross stitch a picture? Whatever you have always wanted to do, you should make plans to do it.
We all say “Someday.” But if you don’t plan for it or even schedule it – it will always be “Someday”. Make a list of all the things you would like to see and do. Include everything – from the River Cruise in Europe to going to see the Braves play baseball or zip lining. Then look at all the things on the list. Mark off everything that isn’t really important to you. Put your list in order of priority. You can break that down into whatever you can do this year, next year or if you need to save money for it, can you achieve it in two or three years? If you save towards a goal, you are more likely to do it.
Or pick out the top three things. What excites you the most? What has to be done in during certain times? (An Alaska cruise can only be April until September.) Then start planning the three things. What do you need to do to make that happen? How much does it cost and how long will it take you to save for that? What is the first step? – then do it! Be as specific as possible and anticipate potential problems so when the time comes to make your memories you can focus on enjoying the moment without facing last-minute issues.
One suggestion is to discuss what is on your bucket list with a travel agent. When they know the things you want to do, they can watch for the best deals to help you attain the things on your list.
Your bucket list should be a changing list. As you do things, you might add something else or take something off. Or even better, you have just done it!
Are you planning to travel and see the sights? Is it overwhelming to plan the trip? There are options. You can do a guided tour, an escorted tour, or you can use a packaged plan or do it on your own. It depends on your travel preference and the amount of time you can spend planning.
Escorted Tours are the easiest. You pick out a tour from one of the many vendors and everything else is taken care of. They are typically conducted by an expert travel director who takes care of every detail for you, from beginning to end. They normally include flights, hotels, any transportation needs, most meals and sightseeing. Most are done mostly using a bus. However, some have bicycling, boats, etc., depending on where you are going. Most have at least one incredible experience that you never thought of doing and all have amazing itineraries.
Guided Tours are similar but are less regimented. They are usually lead by a local expert who will only escort you on some of the activities. Some meals, accommodations and sightseeing are usually included. There will be someone available to answer any questions, but they will not lead all the excursions. This is great for people who want some freedom during their tour but still want the services of a guide.
An Independent Travel Package is just what it says, independent. The trip is planned for you with lots of free time to explore on your own but you are not set into doing specific things. There is usually a local person available to answer questions and suggest sightseeing, restaurants and activities – much like a concierge at a hotel. This is ideal for you if you like to set your own pace. The research and planning is done by the Tour Company who can make reservations, obtain sightseeing tickets, etc. and be available for questions, but you can do the sightseeing at your own pace.
Or you can plan your one trip from start to finish. So, decide which is more your travel style and go explore!
Fitness, on a ship – you are kidding?!? You might be surprised at the fitness centers on almost all cruise ships and even river cruise lines. Don’t want to miss your yoga, Pilates, Zumba or other fitness class? Most have group classes on the ship.
And if the ellipticals, stationary bikes, punching bags, treadmills and other equipment aren’t what you are looking for but you still want to have some exercise on board, how about a ropes course or rock climbing? Basketball courts, jogging tracks, volleyball, dance classes, and surfing are available on some ships. Several of the smaller ships with sports platforms offer paddle-boarding, kayaking, and skiing.
River ships usually carry bikes for use on land. They also have fitness centers but not as extensive on an ocean ship. Some even have cruises focused on wellness and wellness.
Many excursions are more focused on wellness activities including hiking and biking. There is a wellness focused excursion on most ports of call.
So, don’t stop your fitness regime on board ship – pick the cruise ship that most closely fits your current activities and have a great vacation! You might just find that working out at sea is even more fun than working out at home.
Eating on Cruise Ships
Gone are the days of huge piles of food at the buffet line and the midnight buffet. But that doesn’t mean you will go hungry on a cruise ship! There are lots of choices and you can get as much as you want most of the time. For example, in the main dining rooms, you can order whatever you would like. You can order two appetizers, two main entrees, and three desserts if you want – you aren’t limited to one. And there are venues open except for the wee hours of the morning. It may be pizza or a grill, but you can eat almost anytime.
Most lines still offer free room service. Some have a service charge for the service. Check your daily newsletter or in room menu for pricing and/or service charge. Having breakfast in your room sitting on your balcony is a nice way to start the day!
Speaking of breakfast, you can get lots of choices on the buffet, but all the cruise lines also have at least one restaurant open for breakfast for a nice sit down meal. Some of them have two or three other venues open for breakfast. That is also in your daily newsletter
Specialty dining is a good option for the first night on the cruise. It is easier to get the time you want and some cruise lines give discounts or wine for the first night diners.
Do you like ice cream? Most cruise lines have soft serve ice cream on the Lido Deck or the buffet lines. Speciality ice cream often comes with a charge, but soft serve is free. Check each area that serves soft serve, there are often different flavors at different locations.
A sit down restaurant is a good alternative the day of embarkation. Instead of braving the mob, ask a crew member or check the daily newsletter to find out which restaurants are open. Then sit and enjoy having someone bring you your choices.
The main dining room menus are planned out for a week and you can look at them in advance. Visit the front desk and ask to see the menus. You can pick which meals you want to eat in the main dining room and which meals you want to go to an alternate dining venue.
Alert: gaining weight on a seven day cruise is normal. Don’t be surprised if you do!