Don’t forget to pack a snorkel – Cruise tip

by Gadling Staff on

Whenever we go on a cruise, my husband and I always plan to snorkel on at least one island. On our first cruise, we went on a shore excursion that provided the snorkel, but then we got smart.

Instead of signing up for a snorkeling excursion, we pack our own snorkels and head to the beach. You can buy cheap snorkels anywhere, and they don’t take up much luggage space. At the island, we simply walk to the beach and start swimming — no time limit or groups to slow us down.

And the money we save? It buys lunch at a local restaurant.

Download a walking tour of the city – International travel tip

by Gadling Staff on

A great way to learn about a city before you arrive is to download a walking tour of the city to your MP3 player or smart phone.

Many destinations, particularly in Europe, offer free downloads of maps, audio tours, and podcasts through official city government and tourism websites. Self-guided sightseeing tours of cities and major attractions, such as the Louvre, may also be available through Apple’s iTunes website. Some tours may require a small fee to download, but they’re usually less than $15.

The advantage of learning about the city before your arrival is that you can maximize your time by doing those things you really want to do, rather than trying to figure out your schedule while on the ground. Also, being oriented upon arrival just makes you feel more confident and excited about your adventure.

Sail from local ports to save on airfare – Cruise tip

by Gadling Staff on

As a resident of Richmond, Virginia, I discovered that cruise ships leave from Norfolk after being refurbished at a shipyard in Newport News. When they leave port, the rooms have been thoroughly cleaned and upgraded. The ships are like new again.

The best part is that you can hop on board and cruise down to the Caribbean. The trips usually come back to Norfolk, so you can save on airfare both ways. For each person that cruises, you can save as much as $200 on airfare.

Take advantage of lessons and lectures – Cruise tip

by Gadling Staff on

Many cruise ships offer free lectures and lessons, and they regularly bring aboard one or more specialists to educate guests.

When on my own cruise, my favorite lecturer was the wildlife expert. He spent a week aboard the ship, lecturing once a day or more. During his discussions, he talked about animals native to the ports we were about to visit. His discussions were fun and didn’t feel at all like “school.”

Ultimately, he helped make my shore excursions much more fun. Learning about what I was seeing while ashore made my adventure all the more enjoyable.

Roll the dice, make decisions – Traveling with kids tip

by Gadling Staff on

When traveling with the family, there will inevitably be disputes over things like the television station, choice of restaurants, and who gets the pull-out couch.

Bring a pair of dice along, and let everybody roll the dice to make decisions. Whoever gets the highest roll wins.