Bring a day bag – Cruise tip

by Gadling Staff on

First-time cruisers are sometimes surprised to find that their luggage may not be immediately available upon boarding the ship. It can sometimes take a few hours for your luggage make its way to your stateroom. So that you can get started enjoying your cruise right away, be sure to pack a day bag to carry with you.

Include things like a book, swimsuit, sunscreen, medications, your MP3 player, and even dinner clothing for your first night, just in case.

Pro tip: you’ll need a similar bag on your final morning, after your bags have been collected.

Carry a printed a map showing your hotel – International travel tip

by Gadling Staff on

You’ve been up all night traveling to an international destination. You’re tired, hungry and probably cranky. All you want to do is get to your hotel. You hop in a cab only to find there is a huge language barrier. If you have a printed map with you, just show it to them and you’re off. Bring a few copies just in case.

Ed’s note: this is a good idea in the US, as well, given that some taxi drivers rely exclusively on GPS now, and occasionally the address you need isn’t in the GPS…

Today’s clothes, always on top – Packing tip

by Gadling Staff on

I like to “stack pack” when I travel. I fold my jeans, shorts, dresses, and tops, and carefully place them into two equal size stacks in my suitcase. Undergarments are always in the center, between the stacks.

At your destination, don’t unpack your suitcase: just take the clothes from the top of the stack. When you’re finished with those clothes, place the worn items underneath at the end of the day.

This way, you’ll always have your clean clothes at the top of the stack, ready to wear each morning.

DON’T take lava rocks from Hawaii – Souvenir tip

by Gadling Staff on

…even small ones. Madame Pele, goddess of Hawaii’s volcanoes, has been known to reach out as far as the mainland to make you very sorry that you took her stuff.

The Hawaii Visitor’s Bureau receives rocks in the mail every day from folks who have suddenly hit a run of bad luck. Returning the rocks will get you back in the goddess’ good graces. Even the County of Maui, on their website, lists an address to where one can return the rocks they pocketed.

Buy an aloha shirt and leave Pele’s rocks alone.

Traveling with jewelry – Packing tip

by Gadling Staff on

If you’re going on a cruise or traveling for a special occasion, you’ll undoubtedly pack a few pieces of jewelry. Finding a matching set of earrings in an overstuffed travel-size jewelry case can be frustrating.

To avoid this problem, follow these tips:

  • Pack each pair of earrings, necklace or bracelet in its own container.
  • Fill old film canisters or prescription pill containers half-full with dry rice grains.
  • Use each padded container to store delicate earrings in pairs, keep rings from being scratched, and prevent necklaces from getting tangled.