Travel Do's And Don'ts

As learned by personal experience, which unfortunately is the best teacher. Hopefully, it will help you avoid some costly mistakes.

Don't book connecting flights to the cruise port on the same day the ship sails. The money you save will not make up for the stress it will cause or the expense of meeting your cruise in the next port. Trust me, the ship will sail without you!

Do travel to the cruise port the day before your cruise leaves if at all possible. Hotels in the area are usually inexpensive and you will begin your cruise refreshed and relaxed.

Do carry your travel documents on your person at all times. Travel neckwear or belts are a great investment. You may look a little like "Joe tourist" and even embarrass your teens, but having them stolen or lost while traveling is a nightmare. I also know about this first hand!

Don't book run-of-house rooms at resorts, expecting to get upgraded. You may and you may not. Run-of-house in travel agent terms means "worst room in the resort". To avoid disappointment and risk ruining your trip, book the room you really want to stay in. If your room overlooks the parking lot or you are in an inside cabin on ship and are claustrophobic, you will not be thinking about the $200.00 you saved, you will be thinking about the $2,000.00 you spent. Do spend a little extra to ensure that you get what you really want.

Don't just "wing" your shore excursions when you get into cruise ports. Planning ahead will ensure that you have a great time and that you will not be ripped off by the locals that hang around at the cruise port that will take you somewhere that does not look at all like the brochure promised. It will ensure that you maximize the time you have in port to its fullest. It will also avoid having to ask everyone traveling with you - "What do you want to do", and hearing "I don't know, what do you want to do?" The happiest clients I have returning from their cruises are the ones that allowed me to book their shore excursion ahead of time.

Do pack a waterproof camera that you purchased ahead of time (at Wal-mart). You will save about $30.00 dollars and will not ruin your good camera at the beach and on shore excursions.

Don't assume that you don't need sunscreen if it is windy, cool or overcast. The sun in the tropics is very different from here. You don't feel sunburn when it is happening and it can ruin the rest of your trip, as well as being dangerous to your health.

Do leave all of your "real" jewelry home and keep anything of value (especially travel documents) locked in the room safe at all times. Do travel in twos at all times and don't assume that everyone is "safe and trustworthy" on vacation. Apply the same safety measures with your children and yourself that you would use at home.

Don't trust your special trip to the internet.

Do allow a professional travel planner to arrange all of the details of your getaway to ensure that it will be glorious.