I was searching for a great travel tip and came across the website of 1000tips4trips.com.  I found a tip that new cruisers may or may not know regarding Alaskan cruises.  If you’re wanting to cruise to Alaska you have probably already done your homework but thought everyone else may like the information too. 

• Alaska Cruise Vacation Tips

   

   

Get more cruise tips at cruisetravel-tips.com.
Armando ID2156

Here is something that is “know before you go”….Cruise Terminology           

Below is some cruise terminology that might be helpful on your next cruise.  If you are cruising for the first time, familiarize yourself with this list.

•   Aft: the back of the ship
•   Bridge: where the captain and his officers do their Thing (as in, control the ship)
•   Berth: a bed; also where the ship ties up
•   Bow: the front of the ship
•   Cabin: where you sleep; also called a stateroom
•   Course: the direction the ship is headed in
•   Disembark: to get off the ship
•   Dock: the landing wharf or pier
•   Embark: to get on the ship
•   Fore: the front of the ship
•   Galley: the ship’s kitchen
•   Head: a bathroom
•   Inside cabin: a cabin without an outside view
•   Muster: to assemble the passengers and/or crew
•   Nautical mile: 6,080.2 feet
•   Outside cabin: a cabin with an ocean view
•   Pitch: up and down rolling of the ship
•   Port side: the left side of the ship (when you’re facing the front)
•   Roll: side to side motion of the ship
•   Starboard (right side of the ship when you’re facing the front)
•   Stern: the back of the ship
•   Tender: a small boat you take to get from the cruise ship to shore

My next post on “Setting Sail“?………I am in search of tips for your next cruise.  Some tips, if you’re a seasoned cruiser, may already know some tips may be new for you.

Bahama Island Music – Calypso – Steel Drums of The Caribbean – Brazilian Love Song

Now more than ever, women are traveling by themselves for business or pleasure, ASTA says, offering timely tips for women traveling alone: Know Before You Go. The advice is part of ASTA’s ongoing series of consumer-targeted promotions for professional travel agents.

ASTA notes that although their reasons for traveling are similar to their male counterparts, women traveling alone have very different concerns. From safety issues to cultural variations, women travelers encounter a variety of difficulties that can be avoided if the necessary precautions are taken,” ASTA says.
 
“ASTA travel agents understand that both men and women need to be educated travelers, but women, especially, need to plan every step of their trip – from packing a suitcase to choosing a hotel room – to ensure a safe return,” said ASTA President and Chair Chris Russo.
 
ASTA recommends that travelers learn as much about the destination as possible, especially when traveling to a foreign country. An area’s religious or cultural beliefs can directly impact you, compelling you to adapt your dress and demeanor to comply with local customs.

Other key recommendations from ASTA:
Welcome to Hotel Safety 
    * Get to know the staff, who will be familiar with guests and are able to more effectively monitor who enters and exits the building.
    * Ask for a room on a higher floor near the elevator but away from emergency exits, stairwells, and any renovation work.
    * Never accept a room if the clerk loudly calls out your name and room number.
Getting Around
    * While at the front desk, grab a card or matchbook from the front desk with the hotel’s name, address and phone number on it, and keep this card on you at all times. This is especially helpful in foreign countries where you taxi driver might not speak English or in case there are several hotels with similar names in the area.
    * Explore transportation options available at your destination ahead of time, especially if you will be arriving late in the evening. Travel agents can help determine the safest choice and make the necessary arrangements.
    * If renting a car, carefully examine maps, or rent a GPS to help you navigate unfamiliar roads.
Packing Smart
    * Pack light so you won’t be weighed down and look weighed down, both of which could make you an ideal target for pickpockets.
    * Avoid expensive looking baggage and clothing, lock all suitcases and only use covered luggage tags with your office address written on it rather than your home.
    * Carry only one credit card, and don’t keep all your money in one place.
Know Your Surroundings
    * Study a map of the area you will be visiting. If available, consider downloading area maps to your phone.
    * Learn as much as possible about getting around the streets to avoid looking like a lost tourist.
    * Ask the concierge about where – and, more importantly, where not – to go.
 
There may be safety in numbers, but there is also safety in knowledge, ASTA says. “With some advance planning and the advice of a professional travel agent, your vacation or business trip can be safe, hassle-free and memorable. ASTA urges consumers to contact a trusted ASTA travel agent at TravelSense.org and get professional assistance and advice for your next trip.

Article written by George Dooley October 5, 2009 in Travel Agent Central