Embarkation Night

Tales of the High Seas: Norwegian Prima and MSC Seashore Part 3

A Video Tour of my Studio room aboard NCL Prima

In the port of Galveston, you are charged with sales tax on beverages that you purchase, even on a cruise ship docked nearby.  Once out of US waters and into international waters, there is no sales tax.  The trick, for me, was to limit my intake of beverages while still within Galveston’s jurisdiction.  I did it.  I was steadfast.  I didn’t get too crazy.  I had myself a nice little cocktail during the Sailaway but if left to my own devices, it might have been another story.  I have led a life without alcohol since March 2020.  I’m a social drinker and when lockdown hit, I just didn’t find the appeal to imbibe.  At the end of the Sailaway there were a few of us at a table who continued to chit chat.  Most of the others had vacated the aft area of deck 8.  It became apparent that I should prepare for my dinner.

My dinner was in one of the two main dining rooms aboard Norwegian Prima, the Commodore Room which has a slightly smaller feel than her sister dining room, Hudson’s.  I thoroughly enjoyed my solo dinner.  I was able to show up when I desired and they sat me at a table immediately.  The Commodore Room has portholes throughout.  I was able to look out onto the ocean the whole evening.

NCL has changed how the menu is presented in these main dining rooms.  In the past, they had let’s say 14 different menus that they would shuffle through on your sailing.  Now, they are gradually rolling out a new concept starting with Prima.  Since there are so many other dining options, they maintain the same menu every day of your sailing.  The menu has expanded with more selections, but it is the same menu daily.  I,personally, did not notice.  I was out eating, taking advantage of all of the dining venues onboard.  By my count there were about 25 different places to grab a bite to eat throughout this ship, not including the Haven restaurant. Some complimentary, others were specialty. The Haven is the ship within a ship concept and Haven guests can dine in their own private restaurant.  I was not a Haven guest. I ate at a whole bunch of the dining venues available to me.  Looking at my pictures, I would guess that I had glazed pork chops that first evening.  I just remember how much I enjoyed the food.

Following dinner, since it was Halloween, Prima was celebrating with a costume dance party.  I got dressed as an elven hunter.  Too bad the authorities had to confiscate my weapons of choice including my bow and quiver of arrows and my knives and I could not bring them onto the ship.  Just kidding, I didn’t even attempt to bring toy, faux weapons aboard.  I know how touchy they can be about that thing.  The party was being held in the Prima Theater which acts like a multi-purpose room.  The seating can be pushed up to the back of the space leaving a whole wide area open, perfect for dancing.  We are now officially out in open waters.  You would think I would be getting sloshed.  For some reason, that wasn’t the case.  But I did enjoy myself out on the dance floor.  But because I didn’t have a lot to drink, I wasn’t out all that late.  I’m more of a lark, rather than a night owl.  Some have complained that Prima Theater was inadequate as a nightclub space.  I was perfectly fine with it.  I enjoyed myself.  The music was pumping.  What was there to complain about?

Claudine and me taking a break

Deb and I capturing a moment

I also got the chance earlier that evening to explore the Studio Lounge.  It is absolutely fantastic.  I met some really nice people in that space.  I usually popped in every day for my mostly sugar with espresso and a fair amount of snacks and filled up my insulated water bottle.

Amanda and I spreading the love on the dancefloor

Studio Lounge exploration

That is today’s recommendation.  Bring an insulated water bottle.  It keeps the cold drinks cold, and the hot drinks hot.  Mine is from Iron Flask. I absolutely love it.  Although, I didn’t go too big because my aim was to travel light.  I used a 24 oz. stainless steel insulated flask and loved it.

NEXT:  Exploring the ship on a sea day

Embarkation Day

Tales of the High Seas: Norwegian Prima Embarkation Day

Part 2:  Embarkation Day

I had a good night’s rest with my nice, quiet room.  In my daily life I have been practicing intermittent fasting, so not eating in the morning was no big deal for me.  Time to pack up all my things and go. 

In order to understand what comes next, you need some back story.  This is a solo journey for me.  To make the Norwegian cruise more enjoyable, I organized an onboard group.  First, I used a site that I have used in the past, “Cruise Critic”.  Cruise Critic has what are called Roll Calls where people find others that are going on the same sailing and can create events for themselves to make the trip more enjoyable.  In addition, I created a Roll Call of my own on Facebook.  Unfortunately, at least 6 other people had the same idea around the same time.  That was just nonsense.  So, I reached out to the others and asked if they wanted to join forces.  Only one person responded.  She and I became Facebook group administrators of this one group for this one particular sailing.  I invited her into my Cruise Critic group, and we had one big family of sorts.  Over time, we organized group planned events that were optional if you wanted to participate.  After all, people had plunked down good money, and this was their vacation.  When all was said and done there were about 300 people following our group.  In reality, about 50 people participated in events.  If I were to do it again, I would not create a Roll Call in Cruise Critic.  Cruise Critic is an excellent source of information, and I would learn things there.  But there is no longer a way to communicate privately with any individual in any matter.  I would be put into a temporary “jail” should I try to provide an email address of any sort.  The messaging service has been deactivated.  Also, you could not reference any other outside source or very few urls.  That could send you into “jail”.  You could absolutely not mention any social media platform.  Facebook, on the other hand, did not have these issues, but issues of their own.  People wanted to glean information from what the group had to offer while offering nothing in return and had no interest in participating in any group events.  As one of the group events we scheduled was an unofficial Sailaway Party on Deck 8 Aft outside the Soleil Bar.  All attendees were encouraged to wear blue tops/dresses/shirts with Mardi Gras beads to identify themselves.

Back to our story.  The co-administrator of the Facebook group is named Dee Gee.  As I was underway hoping to grab a cup of tea at a local coffeeshop, she texted me and said she was waiting nearby her hotel, the Harbor House, which is adjacent to where the ship was docked. Harbor House was also a quick walk from Domum de Vence. Ok, I decided to skip my tea and meet her with my bags.  I was easy to spot, we found each other and made our way to the terminal. We were sailing out of Terminal #2. Once there, we were nicely greeted by some porters who checked our luggage to be taken onto the ship.  A couple of dollars for one bag of mine was a small price to pay to not have to lug that thing around.  I still had two carry-on bags with me.  One of the bags contained all those spreadables I purchased at CVS.  We both had a 9:30 am appointment for check-in at the terminal.  It was now 9:00 am ish.  Already a line was forming to gain entrance into the terminal.  Waiting was made light work, since if there is one person who can talk more than me, that would be Dee Gee.  We spent the morning chit chatting away.  Once 9:30 am struck, the line started to move and into security we went.  The line through security was a breeze and we passed into Norwegian check-in.  I had already pre-checked at home and done as much as I possibly could via the NCL website.  They asked me and Deb a health questionnaire at the desk.  They recorded our responses, checked our passports, took a picture of our faces, and then they handed us our sail cards.  A sail card is linked to a credit/debit card of your choice and is used to make payments for anything on board the ship.  It is also used to track your coming/going on and off the ship and reservations to entertainment. The sail card also acts as a key to gain entrance into your room. It is similar in size to a credit card.  I was already wearing a lanyard.  In popped my sail card.  I probably would have lost my sail card a number of times, if I didn’t have it attached to me via the lanyard.  There were roughly 25-30 agents at the desk, checking people in at the same time.  We were directed to move through the terminal to a seating area.  There were quite exact about where we were to sit.  They arranged us in the order that we arrived.  Our information when we checked in online said boarding time starts at noon.  However, after having been seated for about an hour, a gentleman came around to announce that they would allow folx to board the ship starting at 11 am.  Dee Gee and I had an unofficial bet going to see when they would allow boarding.  I won!  They were adamant about the order of when you could board.  Thank goodness it didn’t turn into a cattle call.  The Haven guests were given an earlier time and boarded first.  In the past, Platinum and above loyalty tier could get a priority boarding time but not on this sailing.  Dee Gee and I were in the first 100 people boarding the ship out of about 2,400 people who would be on this sailing, according to hearsay.  The ship has a guest capacity of 3,215 at double capacity.  This means our ship would be about 75% full. 

My first impression of the ship was that it was glorious.  We were led into the Atrium area and it is beautiful.  It is asymmetrical in design which is appealing to my eye.  However, in practicality, it makes for some awkward deadends.  I absolutely loved this ship as soon as I was onboard.  I equate it as a boutique hotel at sea.  Think of a Kimpton Hotel on the ocean and that is what Prima is like.  It doesn’t surprise me since Frank Del Rio and his team were approving things regarding this ship.  Mr. Del Rio comes from the Oceania and Regent Seven Seas brands so my impression was he was trying to push Norwegian a bit further into a more upscale market.

As soon as Dee Gee and I got on the ship, we went to the area where entertainment reservations could be made.  Dee Gee had definite ideas about times.  Me, less so.  I followed her lead, and we booked the same times.  We were each given a little slip with the entertainment choices, days, and times.  We checked off our selections, included our room number and handed the slip to a Norwegian staff member who recorded all of our choices onto a laptop.  Since we were among the first onboard, we got all of our choices, no problem.  PRO TIP:  Make your entertainment reservations on board as soon as possible.  Since venue space is limited, we could have gotten locked out.  Prior to the sailing, I had already made my specialty dining reservations.  I booked so early my “Free at Sea” promotion included FOUR specialty dining opportunities. It has since changed, and I believe that it now would be one since I was sailing in a studio.

Next, we both had viewed our safety/health/muster drill video, already. I had viewed it on three separate occasions because NCL kept bugging me about it.  All that was left was to check in to our respective muster stations.  We both had similar places right next to each other.

Lunch!  Avoid the crowds at the buffet.  Prima has the smallest buffet in the fleet.  We chose to dine in the Local which is open almost 24 hours.  All Dee Gee could do was rave about their chicken salad sandwich.  I had the chicken wings among other things.  They were baked, not fried, so wasn’t as crispy as one would hope.  But they were quite tasty!

From the Local we wandered the ship, exploring the layout together.  PRO TIP:  I highly encourage you to do the same on your journey.  I still was getting perpetually lost throughout my voyage, but at least I knew what options were out there.  Prima, also has carpeting to help the directionally challenged.  They incorporate triangles that point to the forward part of the ship.

Now Dee Gee and I separate and go to our respective rooms.  Dee Gee on deck 13, me on deck 12.  Pretty soon my bag arrived after I had organized what I brough with me.  There is so much storage that there was enough for two.  I LOVE this room.  It is ideal for a solo traveler.

Before you know it, 3:40 pm has approached and I could be found at the Soleil Bar to meet my fellow Cruise Critic/Facebook passengers.  I was prepared with envelopes to take people’s cash for a few activities.  I got swamped by people and it was quite a bit to take in.  I got to know a few people.  The piece de resistance was the view of the wake of the ship as we pulled away from Galveston and into the sea.  It was a great vantage point to enjoy Sailaway.  That part of the ship was pumping music, I had a fun cocktail, the sun was shining.  By the way, the weather that day in Galveston was perfect.  It was sunny and low 80’s.  Everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves.

NEXT:  The night of October 31, 2022

Prima carpeting pointing the way

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Tales of the High Seas

Travel Day for a Norwegian Prima and MSC Seashore Voyage

Hello everyone.  I’m here to say that something will go wrong with your trip.  I don’t know what it is, but you will encounter obstacles.  This trip was no exception.  This included a tropical storm, a hurricane, a phone going kablooey, conducting a slot pull done the wrong way, a seizure during a tour, embarkation and debarkation needing traffic cops taking far too long than it should, and a plane stuck out on the tarmac.  All of that said, I am in one piece, safe, and fine and it still was a journey worth living.  Let’s start at the very beginning and give you some background on what was supposed to happen.

I live in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and was departing there on October 30, 2022 to land in Houston Texas.  I had a choice of two different airports.  William P. Hobby Airport is closer to where my Norwegian cruise ship would be departing at the cruise port of Galveston, Texas.  The other airport is George Bush Intercontinental Airport is the larger of the two and a bit further away from Galveston, Texas, resulting in greater charges in a transfer.  At first, I planned this trip in my usual fashion.  I thought I would only need to arrive one day ahead of my sailing.  The ship will sail with or without me and I wanted to be sure that despite travel issues I would be on that ship.  However, the summer progressed and more and more instances of flight cancelations and delays were occurring including a ton of lost luggage.  I knew of too many guests missing their plans because they did not arrive in time to start their plans.  Prior to this vacation, all of the flights going to my airport of choice, Hobby, included a layover.  A layover means that additional problems may ensue.  You could have a cancelation of a leg.  You could have a delay of a leg.  You could have your luggage not travel with you.  You could have your luggage lost and just not arrive.  Bush airport had flights that were direct and that means less potential problems.  I used my AmEx points and booked a direct flight to Bush airport.  As summer progressed, more and more reports of mishaps were being reported so I switched the time to leaving Philadelphia on October 29.  I had already booked one night in a hotel in Galveston.  I decided to book a hotel very close to the airport in Houston for the night before that was safe, clean and cost as little as possible.  Good news my flight to Houston was uneventful. 

Part of that was because I packed only a carry-on bag that fit in the overhead compartment and a personal bag that fit under the seat in front of me.  After having done this whole trip, I would have taken even less clothing.  No one cares what I’m wearing except me.  I have a friend and colleague, Heather, that does not live too far from the Bush airport.  We made plans to have lunch together.  As soon as I made it down to the area to be picked up, I let her know that I was all good to go.  Since I was traveling light, I did not have to wait for the luggage carousel.  Before you know it, there she was!  Off we sped to our lunch destination in the Woodlands of Texas at Hearsay by the Waterway which I had chosen back a few months prior.  The best way I could describe the place is to say it was like a gastropub. It was very pleasant place to enjoy a good meal.  What I do remember was that Heather and I both wanted the bread pudding for dessert and the kitchen delivered on that day.  It was quite yummy.  In fact, the entire meal was quite good.

My hotel was over at Humble and after we enjoyed our lunch, Heather drove me over to my modest hotel, America’s Best Value Inn and Suites IAH Airport.  The hotel was modest and clean and super inexpensive.  I spent $55 total for the one night.  That’s all I could say about it.  Part of why I chose this hotel was because it was supposed to include a continental breakfast.  However, I went down to the breakfast area on two different occasions the next morning and there was no sign of a breakfast or staff to speak of.  Additionally, this hotel had a shuttle bus that ran to the airport.  As soon as I checked in, I arranged for the shuttle the following morning.  I was told to arrive in the lobby 15 minutes before I wanted to depart.  That’s when I showed up.  A husband and wife ran the hotel, and I heard them talk and the wife realized she had never called to arrange for my shuttle and she remembered me making the request.  So, they called the shuttle driver and asked him to come over as quickly as possible.  He had traffic and was busy and might not get there for 40 minutes more.  For me, that was fine because I had purposely arranged for this shuttle hours before I needed it.  I had arranged for a shared shuttle via Galveston Express to depart the airport at 11:00 to take me to Galveston.  My shuttle from Humble was originally scheduled to pick me up at 9:30. He eventually picked me up at the hotel at 10:00 am.  Turns out it was a shared shuttle and we made additional hotel stops along the way to the airport.  No big deal for me since I planned for plenty of time for all sorts of eventualities that did take place.  The driver was super friendly, and we talked about different things, and he was familiar with the next shuttle I was taking and pointed out where the shuttle would take me.  Turns out he dropped me off right at the place where Heather picked me up the previous day.  I was early so I popped into the airport, found a chair, and listened to some music as I waited for the next shuttle. 

While waiting, I got a phone call from the shuttle driver.  He was already at the parking lot and could take me over to Galveston.  The shuttle was full and a whole bunch of us were whisked off to Galveston about 20 minutes early.  It took some time to load all of the luggage and people onto the van.  The shuttle ride was uneventful.  I was the first person dropped off.  I asked to be let out at the pier where the cruise ship was going to be anchored.  The rest of the gang had arranged for drop off at their various hotels in Galveston.  My hotel was a very small, boutique, independent operation.  I doubt any driver would know of it, but the pier they would know about it.  Galveston was incredible to visit.  What a wonderful Gulf coast seaside town.  Such a wonderful place to visit to have a vacation or start your vacation.  It reminded me a little of the Jersey shore of my youth combined with the charm of New Orleans.  I planned to go to a local CVS to pick up some spreadables/liquids that I didn’t have to worry about on my flight and get sizable amounts.  Off I walked to get my sunblock, shampoo, conditioner, and other necessary needs.  While walking I loved seeing the sights of Galveston, Texas.

Each installment I would like to mention a handy item that I brought along on my trip.  This week, I had an inexpensive watch designed for underwater use.  On a cruise you will likely be visiting a variety of time zones back and forth.  Watches that are linked to your phone will not be set to the correct time zone.  A ship will have its own time.  Always set your watch to ship time.  Your destination port may have a different time than ship time.  Several people I ran into had an issue with the time that was all aboard time because they had an apple watch or a google watch and they showed the incorrect time.  I had a simple Timex Ironman watch to use in pools and to go snorkeling with.  It was a bit of a pain changing for the time zones on multiple occasions.  But it never led me astray.  It is still ticking today!

My stay in Galveston was at a place called Domum de Vence.  It is a bit of a hybrid establishment.  There is no front desk.  The doors are controlled digitally.  I received a code that gives me access to the front door and to my room via email.  Thankfully, I have a similar “Ring” system at home so it wasn’t completely foreign to me.  Domum de Vence is not for everyone, but it was exactly what I needed.  If you have traveled through Europe you would be familiar with the type of room I received.  It was perfect for a person traveling solo.  It had an en suite bathroom.  It was a very small room with just enough room for the full bed.  All I needed was a place to fall asleep and store my things and a bathroom available to me.  I needed it to be clean.  This room was exactly that.  It was quite tidy.  The bathroom floor sloped a little so that the water of the shower could drain properly. 

I was pleasantly surprised to discover that the bath was outfitted with Beekman 1802 toiletries.  I don’t know if you are familiar, but they are a couple that took over the Beekman 1802 farm in rural, upstate New York along with over 100 goats.  They now produce a whole line of skin care products based on goat milk which is supposedly awesome for your skin, especially during those harsh, NY winters.  I also had access to their Netflix subscription while at the place.

Just down the street from Domum de Vence was an eatery called, the Original Mexican Café.  This is where I chose to have my dinner.  Such a great choice.  It is a Tex-Mex restaurant operating since 1916 with spot on service.  I was dining alone and they were wonderfully attentive.  Sometimes, I veer towards the basic.  Today was one of those days.  I ordered a Taco plate which was two shredded chicken or seasoned beef tacos served on crispy corn tortilla, soft corn or soft flour tortilla w/lettuce, tomatoes and cheese.  I chose the soft corn tortilla.

 The food was quite yummy and I enjoyed myself immensely.  Plus, I was pleasantly surprised at how affordable it all was.  I recall that my meal was a little over $10.  Once I arrived there were only a few people dining there but by the time I finished, tables started to fill up.  There were signs throughout stating to please be patient since they were short staffed.  I think I timed it just right and they were adequately staffed for the few tables that were occupied.  Next time I find myself in Galveston I will definitely be back.  NEXT: EMBARKATION DAY  

Possible End to Liquid Limits at Airports

10, May 2022

For 16 years we have all been used to taking out our electronic devices and limit our liquids to a quart sized bag with 100 ml/3.4 oz containers.  There is now an airport in Europe that is utilizing new technology which can eliminate that requirement.  At Shannon airport in the west of Ireland, they are using computed tomography (CT) which provides a more detailed image when scanning your items.  This new technology is also available at Schiphol airport in Amsterdam.  The downside is that wherever you fly to doesn’t have this new technology yet, so you will need to follow liquid limitations at the other airport.  But use of computed tomography means you no longer need to obey the limitations of liquids.

Why hasn’t this new technology caught on like wildfire across the globe?  It is very expensive.  It cost approximately $2.6 million to install at the Shannon airport in October 2021. Liquids and electronics could now remain in bags, with no restrictions on liquid volume, and cabin bags could go through scans in new larger trays.

Just as with the CT scans we know from hospitals, the security scanners at airports replace conventional 2D X-ray scanning with much more precise 3D imaging.  Shannon Airport estimates that time spent going through its passenger security screening will be halved by the new technology.

Once more countries are able to complete full nationwide rollouts of the technology, we will start to see more airport and regions start to see the ban being lifted or relaxed — but changes to regulations will not come fast or universally.

In the United States, Leidos has been awarded a $470.7 million TSA contract to deploy checkpoint screening technology in the States.  The new technology could mean more manpower will be needed. Instead of only using one operator to look at the scans, with this new technology you could have up to four operators looking per machine.  Besides less confusion, less planning, less organizing travelers should expect quicker times spent going through security.  New York’s JFK airport has been undergoing a trial using this technology as has London’s Heathrow.

It looks to me this gradual rollout of new technology across airports means within the next decade we all could see the end of the changes to airport security that was made in 2006.  Here’s hoping the changes come sooner rather than later at an airport near you.

If Ocean Cruises are Like a Domestic Cat, What Kind of Animal is a River Cruise?

11 March, 2022

If ocean cruising is like a domestic cat, what kind of animal does that make a river cruise?  A dog?  Domestic cats have a lot of independence and rely as little as possible on their owner besides keeping them safe and fed.  Same can be said of ocean cruising.  For many ocean cruises, you can do what you like, when you like.  Dogs require far more attention, including taking them out for walks.  They enjoy a routine.  River cruises have a routine.  There is not as much freedom on river cruises as there are in ocean cruises.  Everyone follows a schedule on a river cruise.  Everyone does the same types of things at the same time.  Although almost everyone goes ashore and does an excursion at the same time, different excursions are available for different interests.  Since a river cruise experience is more curated, the day is shifted earlier.  There really are no late nights.  Everyone is up and starting their day fairly early.

River cruising is an opportunity for building community.  It is wonderful for a family to build a family bond around a river cruise.  Parents can connect with their children.  Couples can cement their relationship.  Friends can become friends for life.  Between the youth programs and activities and features onboard an ocean ship, you could hardly see your children.  Not so, on a river cruise.  There is a ton of togetherness time.

The staff get to know who you are, what are your preferences, what are your likes and dislikes, what kind of traveler you are and consequently can make more accurate suggestions.  Not only does the staff get to know you, but so do your fellow passengers.  When you are talking about hundreds instead of thousands onboard, it is a different situation.  You go on a river cruise to be a part of the group, part of the program.

Because so few people are onboard, embarking and debarking is fast, simple, and easy.  Why are there so few people?  Because of the bridges the ships go under, meaning they can only have a few floors and can’t go very high.  Because of the locks, the size of the majority of river cruises are very similar.

Are you an explorer?  River cruises go through a country; not to it.  It is fantastic to see the interior of countries in a very intensive and simple way. Because of their nature, you cannot help but be immersed in your destination.  Every day, there are briefing sessions aboard to help you learn about the places and people you are about to visit.  Ocean cruise ship have much greater variety with different layouts, features, and designs.  River cruises share similar layouts and designs because of the nature of how they travel.

Ocean cruises have a sizable variety of entertainment.  They often include specialty dining, production shows, spa, shops, and a casino.  With river cruising the destination is the entertainment.  It is far more focused on immersion of a destination.  Tours are culturally focused.  Lots of biking and hiking and walking adventures that focus on the history and culture.  With all of the hiking, biking, and walking tours you will be too tired to enjoy a Broadway-style show. River cruising is very port intensive.  It is not unusual to visit multiple ports in one day.  When you do dock, you are docked into the heart of the action. You will just walk off into the middle of everything.  The distance you cover is much less than by an ocean cruise, so it is an intensive look at a region. 

River cruises parallel park next to each other.  When not parked next to another river cruise ship, the views keep changing, instead of looking out on a vast ocean, it is various scenes of different countrysides. 

Stateroom Cat. AA – Room #326 – Deck 3 Portside AmaMagna – Amawaterways

There is no chance of getting sick on the river cruise.  There is barely any motion or movement on the rivers.  Consequently, there is no medical center unlike ocean cruise ships.

Both types of cruises have theme cruises.  You could experience an 80’s pop music cruise or a Broadway show tune cruise on an ocean cruise.  River cruises have food and wine tours or Christmas market tours.

River cruises tend to be more expensive.  Why?  These are smaller ships; you can’t amortize the cost as much.  You are paying to have a more intimate experience.  Also, more is included including excursions, Wi-Fi, and transfers. Between the more inclusive experience and the more curated, highly organized tour experience of a river cruise, the river cruiser makes very few decisions.  What is your daily life like?  Are you in the medical field, where your decisions are life or death?  Are you a business executive where your decisions impact the livelihood of families? Do you run your home and family?  Sick of always having to make a decision?  River cruising could be the welcome respite you need.

Trav’lin Light

11 February, 2022

“No one to see…I’m free as the breeze…No one but me…And my memories”

Those words of Johnny Mercer describe my method of travel, especially since I often travel solo, there is no one to take up the slack.  I need to be nimble since I could journey via plane, train, lyft, bus, and taxi.  You can’t travel heavy, happy, and cheap.  Pick two.

Traveling light is a philosophy. It isn’t for everybody. That is fine. This is what works for me. The biggest key is to LOVE all of your clothes that you bring, because you will be eliminating choices. You aren’t bringing a closet with you. You need to be okay with not having choices when you travel.

My self-imposed limit is 25 pounds in a 9 x 21 x 14 carry-on bag (that’ll fit overhead on a trans-Atlantic trip) and a personal bag to squeeze under the seat in front of me.  After all, I need to bring a laptop to have access for work.  After you enjoy the mobility and freedom, you’ll never go any other way.

When you carry your own luggage, it’s less likely to get lost, broken, or stolen.  When I landed in Rome, I was on my way while everyone else was staring at the luggage carousel.  When I flew home after a twelve day trip, I was the first to climb into bed.

These days, you can also save money by bringing less.  You’ll likely pay a fee for checking a second bag.  Now with financial crunches of the airline industry, it is not uncommon to be charged for all checked luggage.

How do you fit a whole trip’s worth of luggage into a small bag?  Oh, that’s easy!  Bring very little.  Don’t pack for the worst-case scenario.  Pack for the best-case scenario and just buy yourself out of a possible pickle.  On a cruise, between the ship and the ports, you’ll be able to purchase anything that’s critical.  We won’t be sailing to the deepest part of the Amazon.  If you can’t find one of your essentials, ask yourself how on Earth can the locals live without it? 

What if it is a long cruise?  As you are traveling, do one of two things.  You can bring laundry soap and clean clothes and hang dry in the room or pay to have them laundered.  Often times cruise lines have some laundry special during your voyage.

Pack your bag only 2/3rds full to leave room for souvenirs or bring along an empty featherweight nylon bag to use as a carry-on for your return flight, then check your main bag through. 

Keep it Tight!  Keep it Right!  Keep it Light!

What Kind of Traveler Are You?

4 February, 2022

Who are you? 

Over the millennia, people have been put into different groups because they share similar characteristics. Some are based on research and study while others don’t share the same rigor. Granted, I give you a framework of types of travelers which is based on anecdotal information. However, knowing this information can help you decide on what cruise line or tour company would be the best fit for you. It could also give insight into what kind of excursion to choose. It might make the difference between an outstanding versus a dud of a trip.

Astrology is a pseudoscience that claims to discern information about human affairs and terrestrial events by studying the movements and relative positions of celestial objects. Information can be gleaned based on where and when you were born.  Astrology has been dated to at least the 2nd millennium BCE, and has its roots in calendrical systems used to predict seasonal shifts and to interpret celestial cycles as signs of divine communications. Western astrology, one of the oldest astrological systems still in use, can trace its roots to 19th–17th century BCE Mesopotamia, from where it spread to Ancient Greece, Rome, the Arab world and eventually Central and Western Europe. Contemporary Western astrology is often associated with systems of horoscopes that purport to explain aspects of a person’s personality and predict significant events in their lives based on the positions of celestial objects.  I am an Aquarius with an Aquarius rising.  At least, that’s what I was told when a former roommate did my astrological chart.

There are different types of people.  It’s the reason why those Myers-Briggs Personality profiles are so popular. There are 16 personality types according to Catherine Cook Briggs and her mother, Isabel Myers.  They looked at where do people get their energy from.  Do you gain energy from being around others or from being alone? On the other hand, do you construct your world based on outer or inner information? This is labeled Extroversion (‘E’) or Introversion (‘I’). How do you perceive information? Do you collect information based on your five senses? Conversely, do you observe patterns and trust your gut? This is labeled Sensing (‘S’) or Intuition (‘N’).  How do you make decisions? When making decisions, do you look at logic and human values? Or, do you go by your own emotions about things? Scientists label this as Thinking (‘T’) or Feeling (‘F’).  How do you view the world? In daily life, do you enjoy a more structured existence? On the other hand, are you more of a “go with the flow” type? Researchers label this as Judging (‘J’) or Perceiving (‘P’).  Are you an ENTP or a INTJ?

Some folks subscribe to the theory that we are all one of nine enneagram types.  The enneagram is a system of personality which describes people in terms of nine types, each with their own motivations, fears, and internal dynamics.

The Enneagram is an emotionally focused system of understanding people — honing in on one’s core emotional motivations and fears. Each of the nine personality types has its own driving force, which is centered around a particular emotion.

Some Enneagram types experience strong emotions, while other types aim to avoid emotions in one form or another. However, whether running from emotions or diving into them, each type describes some aspect of emotional experience.

Similarly, I believe that there are different types of travelers.  Which one are you? 

TRAVELER TYPES

Are you the Relaxer?  The Relaxer in their daily life is a busy bee.  Some might call them a workaholic.  When it comes time to take time off, they want to make as little decisions as possible, because making decisions is how they earn a living, and they need a break.  Constantly on the go while on vacation is not their cup of tea.  Lounging on a stone thermal bed in the spa would fit this traveler as all the aches and tension of their ordinary life slip away.  They love to participate in a yoga class. Or maybe a HIIT workout would drive out all their demons.  A dive into an aroma therapy room could be just what the doctor ordered to de-stress.  A perfect excursion is lying on a beach chaise lounge chair enjoying a frosty cocktail.

The Social Voyager is open-minded.  They like to learn new things through meaningful experiences.  While they want a trip to relax, they also want to be active at times also.  The Social Voyager prefers a casual low-key vacation. For cruisers, they are going to make the most out of onboard amenities.

The Discerning Recharger expects a high level of service with great value.  They have a bucket list, and their vacation is often used to check items off.  The goal is having a unique travel experience but is ready to rest.

The Learning Family is looking for enrichment.  Each vacation they would like to go to someplace different.  They hope to enjoy activities together as a family.  One of their biggest desires is to learn about the world.  The Learning Family attempts to embrace the unfamiliar and new.

Which one do I fit into?  None of them I’d say.  I am the Adventurous Explorer.  Interested in other cultures and want to learn and engage.  The Adventurous Explorer wants to learn new things and likes the idea of something that differentiates them from their friends.  I value experiences more than material things and make travel a priority.  The Adventurous Explorer seeks authenticity.  I believe that travel can transform one’s perspective on the world.  See how another culture tackles the same issue but in a different way than one is accustomed to.  Entertain, enrich, enliven, and enlighten your life in an authentic and meaningful way through travel.

Knowing the type of traveler we are, can help us choose which cruise or tour is the best fit for us. It can also help narrow down our choices when it comes to choosing excursions. It can make the difference between a dud of a trip to one that is cherished in our memories.

What kind of traveler are you?

Flight Hacks

28 January, 2022

This is not a complete exhaustive list of how to travel while in the air, but maybe you’ll pick up an idea or three here.  Air travel is stressful and these tips should alleviate that situation for you.

Most airports do have charging centers, but they also have televisions, and most televisions nowadays have USB ports that you can use to charge up your cell phone battery.

Get to the airport early.  You never know what you might encounter.  Of course, nothing will beat the long lines through security that I had to deal with a couple of months after 9-11, but queues at the airport are not uncommon.  No one wants to miss their flight.

Airport parking is becoming overwhelmingly confusing, cost prohibitive, and limiting. Do yourself a favor and hire a Lyft or a towncar service because your buddy really doesn’t want to drop you off at the airport.  He really doesn’t.  Airports are always out of the way.

When flying, the atmosphere can become warmer or colder depending on where you are, the altitude, and how many of your fellow passengers have turned on – or off the air. So, to stay comfy, it’s best to dress for the trip and wear layers. 

Here’s something you can try to avoid that seat – head over to Expertflyer.com and create a seat alert. If somebody on your flight changes or cancels their flight, they’ll notify you, and you can switch your seat for theirs.

Original flight got cancelled?  Instead of waiting for hours on end only to very likely be disappointed by the fact that the next few flights are already fully booked – just call customer service instead. They’ll book the flight for you, and you won’t need to wait in that awful queue all day long.

The ice is brought on board and is ordered from a caterer. But the food carts where the ice is stored might be unsanitary, be careful ordering ice on flights.

If you’d like to protect yourself from germs as much as possible during your flight, then it’s best to keep the a/c above you on full blast – even if it does get a little bit chilly. The air actually helps to keep germs away. 

Another germ awareness tip, always remember to pack some disinfectant wipes, like a Clorox wipe, to clean your seat, and surfaces you’re going to be touching during your flight to make sure you’re always protected.

Instead of indulging in a glass of Coke, try drinking water or juice for the duration of your flight and save the fizzy drinks for when your feet are on the ground. That way, you’ll have less discomfort and embarrassment if your body needs to deal with some added gas.  Don’t bring liquids with you, the airport won’t let you.  Just bring an empty water bottle.  More and more there are water filling stations at the airport.  OR you could ask someone on the flight crew to fill up your water bottle for you.  I recommend an insulated one that can keep your hot beverages hot and your cold drinks cold.

If you are traveling as a pair, book the aisle and window seat. If your flight happens to be under-booked, it is improbable that someone will pick a seat between two people that they don’t know – so your chances of having some extra space are at least a little bit greater.

If you’re prone to ill feelings from turbulence, remember to pick your seat with this in mind. Choose a seat above the wing of the plane and avoid the back as that’s where you’ll feel it the most.

Doing in-seat stretches and making sure that you are getting up and walking around the plane when you have a chance will help your blood flow a little more and help you avoid the swelling.  Additionally, get yourself some compression socks to wear on flight days.

Set an alarm on your phone for a little before your boarding time.  No matter where you are in the terminal it will alert you and you can head over to board your plane.  No missing your flight!

I recommend packing some noise-canceling headphones and silicone earplugs – even the reusable ones – to block out the noise and try to enjoy your time in the air as much as possible.

Want to maintain social distancing at the airport?  You don’t necessarily have to wait for your flight at your gate.  Scope out the other nearby gates.  Is there a gate with hardly any people in it?  You could always wait there.  Pay attention to the announcements for your gate so you don’t miss out on queuing up for getting onto your plane.

All you need to do is pop a few dryer sheets into your bag. The sheets will absorb those unwanted smells and help keep your clothes smelling a lot cleaner and fresher.

Before you leave home, open up Google Maps on your phone and download offline maps for your destination. You’ll have easy and internet-free access to maps, and you’ll be able to find your way around far more easily.

If you’re a germaphobe or someone likely to catch an infection, it’s best to avoid using the blankets you receive at the start of your flight. Aside from when they come in a sealed bag, it’s highly likely that they aren’t perfectly clean.  If you want, you could always pack a small microfiber towel in your personal bag to act as a blanket.

The longer your flight, the more entertainment you’ll need to prepare to keep yourself busy. Download movies, bring a book or two, and if you enjoy journaling, that’s also a great way to pass the time and not go stir-crazy.

The solution? Portable fragrance bottles. They are smaller, easier to carry around, and far less likely to break. Most pharmacies should sell them at a reasonable price. So next time you are packing, don’t forget to transfer some of your favorite scent to a portable fragrance bottle.

People tend to turn towards their dominant hand – and because the majority of people are right-handed, the queue on the right will likely be longer. Save yourself some time and turn left – you might just skip most of that line.

Here’s one for razors.  Do yourself – and your fingers – huge favor and get yourself some binder clips. They’re a great substitute for the plastic cover, and it’s a less expensive solution than buying a new razor every time you lose the cover.

We suggest scanning your passport, ID, and any other important documentation and emailing it to yourself or saving it on your device – that way, if you do become the unlucky victim of theft or loss, you at least have an easier way of trying to get a replacement.  You’ll still need a passport, but it will make getting its replacement easier.

Did you know that due to there being less moisture way up in the air, your body tends to dehydrate faster than it would on the ground? That’s why it’s super important to keep hydrated, especially on a long, international flight. It is recommended to drink at least one cup of water every hour of your flight.

So, instead of spending a lot of extra cash on some water or tea, just pack an empty travel mug or flask and some teabags. Then all you need to do is ask one of the employees in a cafe or a member of the flight crew for some hot water, and you’ll have a much more affordable beverage.

Packing some of your favorite snacks from home means you’ll save money because everything is far more expensive at the airport.

A power bank is a portable charger that you can use to charge your phone, tablet, and other devices.  I never leave my hometown without one.

instead of having to check for an update on your flight constantly, just download the Flightboard App into your smart device and keep an eye on all of the arrivals/departures without having to leave your seat every few minutes.  It’s also very possible that your airline carrier’s app will have this same information.

If search engines or airline’s websites see you’ve searched for a particular flight before, they might just hike the prices up simply because they know you want to book your trip. So, to make sure you aren’t paying more than you should – search your flights in an incognito window that doesn’t track your cookies.

All you need to do is line the inside of your bag with cut up garbage bags, that way, you’ll avoid the misfortune of your things getting wet – and all you’ll need to do is let your suitcase dry out in the sun when the sun comes back out to play.

Just like you would at the airport, check if the TV in your hotel has a USB port – most of them do. You can use the TV to charge your device until you’re able to get to a store to replace your charging port.

Should you choose to check luggage, mark your luggage as fragile – not only will this ensure that your property is taken care of, it will also mean that your luggage will be placed on the top of the pile – meaning you’ll also be one of the first to get your things from the carousel.

Morning flights tend to have less turbulence as the heat of the day has not yet risen – the heat, which causes storms and wind, ultimately causes turbulence on planes. So, if you want to avoid turbulence, your best bet is to book an early morning flight. Also, the first flight of the day tends not to experience late departures, as the day progresses things can get backed up.

Be nice.  Be nice to your flight crew.  Honey always works better than vinegar.

Good news for those that follow this blog, you got the jump before everyone else. Follow the blog and receive more hacks, tips, tricks, and advice for when you travel the world to your next favorite destination.

Hopefully, you have found all of this helpful.  Have a great trip and if you want to go to Universal Parks and Resorts or experience having your room, food, and entertainment all with one fare, contact me to chat about cruises.

Part III and Finale: Call Me the Emily Post of Travel

21 January, 2022

These are the last ten out of thirty guidelines for travel etiquette. Etiquette promotes kindness and consideration, giving us the confidence to deal with different situations in life. It is how we are able to navigate being with others, especially ones who come from different backgrounds and cultures. It is a life skill. At the end, enjoy a wonderful, new announcement.

  1. Don’t let your young children go running around the ship unattended. A large ship is like a city, and it still presents hazards for unaccompanied minors.  Other cruisers might get annoyed if you let your children run around unsupervised near the pool, movie theatre or other play areas. Keep your kids in line for their own safety and for the cruising pleasure of all aboard.
  2. If you are a smoker, check in advance where the designated smoking areas are on your ship – and stick to them.  Nothing creates more fear than a fire on board.  Don’t be the cause of a fire due to smoking in unauthorized areas, like your balcony.
  3. No touching others in the bathroom in any form.  No hugs, no handshakes, nothing.
  4. Always face towards the front doors of an elevator.
  5. Hopefully you will feel at home on your cruise but that’s no reason to act like you are at home, with the curtains shut and no-one but the cat to see you.  Wandering between cabins in dressing gowns, going for lunch topless (men) or in bikinis (women), or wearing extremely revealing swimwear should be avoided. Consider your fellow cruiser.
  6. Always be on ship time.  Your cruise ship must stick to its schedule, so if you are late for embarkation, the ship may leave without you.
  7. In a buffet, keep your hands to yourself.  Do not touch the food.  Do not touch anyone with your tongs.
  8. They are at the beach. They are on your cruise ship too. Chair Hogs! They are evil! Some people get up early and put a towel on a recliner in a prime spot of the deck, either by the pool or by the bar. Then they go off and enjoy breakfast, or the spa, or other activities, all while hogging up the chair so no one else can sit there.  Please do NOT do this.  This makes me angry so much that if I notice you are nowhere near by and have left your belongings on a lounger for longer than 20 minutes, I may move them to another spot or bring it to the attention of the crew and have the crew handle it.
  9. Don’t be that guy.  The ship may seem large, but we all can’t escape.  Conduct yourself accordingly.  Have real conversations.  Be someone I would want to be engaged with.
  10. In general, you are not alone on this ship.  Be mindful of others.  Be kind. Be generous.

Destination Douglas is now a Universal Parks and Resorts specialist. In addition, to cruises I can guide you through the maze of a Universal vacation. Just shoot me an email at douglas@reachforthemagic.com or call me at (267) 475-4676. Coming very soon I will be handling Princess Cruises. Shortly after that, I will be also happy to help you with Ama Waterways and Holland America cruises. In the meantime, I’ve got to think of what to discuss next week.

Part II: Call Me the Emily Post of Travel

14 January, 2022

The second 10 guidelines of travel etiquette. Next week are the last etiquette guidelines.

  1. Please do NOT be a hands-off parent.  Do not let your child run wild throughout the ship.  I’m not blaming the children.  Just because you are on vacation, doesn’t get you off the hook for being in charge of your family.  Don’t shift the burden of parenthood onto others.
  2. Do not flip your long hair behind you over your chair on the airplane.
  3. Be on time picking up your children when the Youth Club is closing. The youth counselors may well have other duties they need to get to after their shift is done. Babysitting during the evenings very likely will entail extra fees.
  4. Respect others’ privacy.  Do not lean over.  Do not read their reading materials or watch their device.
  5. Every ship conducts a muster drill.  Take care of it as soon as you are on board, then you have the rest of the cruise to enjoy your time.  Every cruise holds a training session on the first day which shows you where to find the lifeboats and how to conduct yourself in case of an emergency.
  6.  Be mindful of how thin the walls of your hotel or stateroom are.  Keep your voices to a low level so as not to disturb your neighbors.  Remember, there are people inside these rooms you have decided to have a conversation outside of.  Use a hallway voice and don’t stop outside of a stateroom to have a conversation.  Be mindful of your voice volume level in the hotel hallways and stateroom decks.
  7. When you are in a theater be mindful of your fellow guests and don’t conduct loud conversations, use your electronic devices, act like being still out on the pool deck.
  8. Babies and toddlers who aren’t potty trained cannot usually go in the ship’s swimming pools, for obvious reasons. And if they do and they cause a mess your fellow passengers will never forgive you.  If a line accepts young passengers, chances are they can use a splash area on board.
  9. Do not scroll through photos on another’s phone.  Just view the picture you were invited to see.  Scrolling may result in some surprising photos and prove to be embarrassing to the two of you.
  10. Don’t stop and take pictures clogging up a line or walkway.  If there are other people around, take one picture only and move on.

Check back next week for the last 10 guidelines of travel etiquette