Get the right cabin for you – Cruise tip

by Gadling Staff on

Not all berths are created equal.

Keep in mind the following tips when choosing a room on a cruise ship:

  1. The quietest rooms are in the middle of the ship and – if you really want to sleep later – you won’t see any signs of a sunrise in an inside cabin.
  2. Unless you like to climb stairs, choose a floor that’s close to the main deck.
  3. Elevators on cruises are slow so you don’t want to rely too much on them. Also, rooms near elevators can be noisy.
  4. Finally, call right before your cruise to see if upgrades are available. If the ship isn’t full, the cruise line may give you a better cabin for little or no extra money.

Happy cruising.

Gamble wisely – Cruise trip tip

by Gadling Staff on

Skip (or severely limit) casino time.

Ahh, the open seas. The relaxing, stress-free moments of your annual cruise to a tropical paradise. Sun, drinks, food and all the entertainment you can handle. That is — until you drop more cash in the casino than you spent on the cruise itself!

The siren’s call of the cruise ship casino is sometimes too much for passengers to resist. However, to make sure you don’t end up bankrupt post-vacation, be sure to limit your time playing games of chance to ensure your trip remains fun-filled and memorable for you and your entire family.

Stuff your shoes – Packing tip

by Gadling Staff on

Make use of the “dead space” within shoes by packing underwear, socks, or anything small inside them.

Shoes are bulky and take up precious suitcase space. However, this space shouldn’t be lost! To conserve even more space, chose underwear and socks made with lightweight fabric. Remember to roll underwear and socks tightly before placing them inside the shoe.

Also consider stuffing other smallish items — like batteries, phone charging cables, spare camera lenses, etc. — inside the shoe until it’s full.

Do your homework before leaving – Dining out tip

by Gadling Staff on

Fish tacos in San Diego, deep dish pizza in Chicago, crab cakes in Maryland: anywhere you travel, there’s likely a specialty food to go along with it.

Thanks to the Internet and sites like Yelp, researching has never been easier when it comes to finding the best food and restaurants in a particular locale. Don’t forget to check the web for local tips — and be sure to consider sourcing information on Facebook and Twitter.

Before your next trip be sure to do your homework and it will pay off when you arrive and are ready to experience the local cuisine.

One last tip: try to find the places locals prefer … and avoid restaurants who thrive on the business of tourists.

Get to know your co-passengers – Road trip tip

by Gadling Staff on

Make the road trip as memorable as the destination itself.

Although car rides with the family can be a great experience, the road trip was designed for great friends to get away and escape everyday life. While traveling with friends, keep the radio off. Try playing a game like, “Top Five Celebrities I Want to Date.” Not only will games like this make the miles pass quicker, you can learn an awful lot about your friends. (Sometimes too much!)

Bonus Tip: Make frequent stops along the way for sightseeing, dinner, etc. This will provide the opportunity for new experiences and encounters.