Author: Jack Edwards

Do Cruise Lines Offer Special Rates to Military, Law Enforcement, Etc…?

Cruise Ships

Special Rates?

Do Cruise Lines Offer Special Rates to Military, Law Enforcement, etc…?  Yes, they do.  Sometimes in the form of a reduction in price, other times in the form of a gift of onboard credit.  Some cruise lines extend these offers to law enforcement, fire fighters, etc.  Almost every cruise line offers special rates for various categories of travelers.  In addition to the ones noted above, there are also special rates for returning cruisers too.  Just ask us when you call to book your next cruise!

What Should You Ask Your Travel Agent at Team Edwards Travel?

Whenever you talk with your travel agent about a cruise, you need to ask a couple of questions.  First of all, always ask about special rates for any special group that you are a part of; Seniors, AAA members, AARP members, Military, Law Enforcement, etc…  Secondly, always ask the agent if they or their agency already have group rates available for the cruise you want to take.  In fact, if you check out Team Edwards Travel right now, and click on the Specials button on the main page, you will see several cruise specials.

Group Rates???  Do I have to be a part of a special group to qualify for group rates?

Not Usually. Generally, the best rates you will find are for group packages created by your travel agent or the travel agency.  Let me tell you how that works.

Your travel agent at Team Edwards Travel is always planning ahead at least a year.  When the new cruise itinerary comes out, the agents within the agency will set up groups that usually consists of setting aside 10 inside cabins, 10 outside cabins and 10 balcony cabins.  They can use other quantities and they can accommodate other types of cabins, but that is the basic setup.  Oh, and don’t let the “group” identifier worry you.  All that the agents are doing is locking in the rates for their customers.  Sometimes, the “group” is for a particular set of customers, but usually it is just an effort on the part of your travel agent to hold some cabins for their regular clients.

For example, one of the agents in our agency set up a “group” several months ago for an Alaska Inside Passage Cruise.  I asked him if he had the cabins sold yet because I had a client looking for such a cruise. He said that he had not yet sold any of the cabins and that I was welcome to book my clients into his “group”.

So, in conclusion, don’t forget to ask your travel agent about any “groups” they or their agency have that will save you money on your next cruise.  When you realize how much money you have saved, you will be happy you did. Also, don’t forget to ask your agent about tours and excursions as well as any special air fare rates that are available for the cruise you want to book.  Some excursions will be sold out if you wait until you get on ship.  Also, some sites will tell you that you can get a cheaper excursion if you wait till you get to port and talk with one of the locals looking for business.  Yes, it may be cheaper, but is that person licensed and bonded. Is their vehicle insured.  And most importantly, will they get you back to the ship on time.  If you are on an excursion arranged by Team Edwards Travel through the cruise line, the ship will not sail without you.  If you are booked with Fly By Night tours or someone you meet at the dock, and you are late returning, you have to arrange for your own transportation to the next port.  Hope you took $$ and your travel documents with you when you left the ship because you cannot travel without them. This may be a time where saving a few dollars is not really worth it.

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Turning Dreams into Memories,
One Vacation at a Time.
Bon Voyage!!!

As you might guess, this document is a compilation of information from our travels as well as from other travelers. I hope it has been of value to you.  Check out the important links below.

Don’t hesitate to email us when you return from your trip with any suggestions that will make this document better for you and your fellow travelers!

You may also want to visit our Facebook page, www.Facebook.com/TeamEdwardsTravel

Can Team Edwards Travel Save me $$$ if I Am Using My Timeshare?

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Can Team Edwards Travel save you money?

Maybe Yes, Maybe No

We all know that time is money, and that knowledge is king! And good travel agents, like Team Edwards Travel, can save the consumer time and with their knowledge, money. People in general associate the web with great deals, while in fact, great offers and amenities can be had by using an agent as well. But remember, pricing is not the only issue; the real issue is who will be there when things go wrong? Will you be able to get in touch with someone on that online site?  Wouldn’t you just rather call your agent, and let them take care of the issues?  Service is the hallmark of a good agent.

Now, let’s get on to the question at hand to see if your travel agent at Team Edwards Travel can save you some money. If your timeshare is within driving distance from your home, you probably won’t save any money if you use your travel agent to book your activities, but you can probably benefit from their knowledge of the area.  They may have some great ideas about things to see and do that you may not have experienced before. That is another reason for working with Team Edwards Travel because we love to travel and love to share our experiences with you.  You will have more fun and save money too.

For example, on our last trip to Seaside, Oregon, we took several side trips and visited some great sites enroute that I am sure you would love to do as well. Like, checking out the Spruce Goose at the Evergreen Museum in McMinnville, sampling cheese at the Tillimook Cheese Factory. We also took a great day trip up to Seattle for a visit to The Pike Place Market as well as to see a Cirque du Soleil show.  If you don’t know what is happening in the area, you might miss out.  Ask your agent what is happening.  We may have some great ideas for you.

If you are flying to your timeshare, I am sure that you can save money by having your travel agent book your airfare and rental car, excursions, shows, etc…

As noted in an earlier blog, your travel agent needs to book a package of products in order to save you money and to get paid a commission, otherwise they have to charge you a service fee for their time and effort. They are not in business to work for free.  They are service providers and expect to get paid for providing their services.

As an example, we travel regularly to Hawaii to make use of our timeshare.  In fact, we will be enjoying our timeshare again this fall.  This is a perfect example of where Team Edwards Travel can bundle the airfare, rental car and a couple of excursions, and save you some money.  We can also suggest some great things to do.  When we visit Kauai we really enjoy taking the time to see the Napali Coast either from the air or from a boat.  Both are great excursions!  It is a great hike too if you are in shape and ready for a workout. Booking all of these together saves money.  On this trip, we will try out the Smith Family Garden Luau on Kauai and let you know what we think.

On Ohau, we like to visit the Polynesian Cultural Center which is a great day trip, ending with a luau and a show.  Don’t forget the USS Arizona at Pearl Harbor. This is another area where combining the airfare, car rental and the excursions will save you money. On this trip to Ohau, we will check out the new Disney facility, The Aulani, and let you know what we think.  It’s Grand Opening will be on August 29th; so if you are a big Disney fan, you will want to vacation there the next time you go to Ohau.

Just make sure to contact us before your next vacation, so that Team Edwards Travel can show you how we can save you money and increase your enjoyment.

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Turning Dreams into Memories,
One Vacation at a Time.
Bon Voyage!!!

As you might guess, this document is a compilation of information from our travels as well as from other travelers. I hope it has been of value to you.  Check out the important links below.

Don’t hesitate to email us when you return from your trip with any suggestions that will make this document better for you and your fellow travelers!

You may also want to visit our Facebook page, www.Facebook.com/TeamEdwardsTravel

I’m Flying to Hawaii With My Children. What Documents Do I Need If My Spouse Is Not Traveling With Me?

Travel With Minors Permission Letter

Do I need some sort of written permission to take my child on a trip without the other parent being present?

I should say, “It Depends”, because on his last trip to Hawaii, our son traveled as a single parent with his son, and no one at the airport asked for any travel documents from the child’s mother allowing the travel, so it may depend upon the person at the gate.

We are going to tackle the simple trip first…domestic U.S. travel with a minor child, but without both parents being present on the trip.

We will tackle the more complicated situations in a later blog; going to a foreign country with only one parent, or under the care of someone other than the parents because that brings up the issue of passports and visas in addition to permission slips. The same goes with your child traveling to a foreign country with a school group or sports team, as a foreign exchange student, People to People International, etc… unaccompanied by a parent or guardian.

Let me cover some basics before I answer the initial question raised in this blog.  

Every parent should make sure to get a copy of the official birth certificate when their child is born.  Don’t forget to order the social security number too. With these two items in hand, get the child a passport.  It does not make any difference that you are not planning to take the children out of the country.  What happens if there is an opportunity for them to take a trip with their grandparents or an aunt and uncle? Without a passport, they may miss out on an experience of a lifetime.  If they have the passport, half of the challenges are already taken care of. Remember, for kids, the passport is only good for give years, not 10 like the adults, because they change so much as they grow up.

Similarly, if one of the parents is being deployed by the military, a permission slip should be signed by the deploying spouse granting the remaining parent the ability to travel, domestically as well as internationally, whenever necessary.  Wouldn’t it be terrible if you got leave and could meet the family in Australia or somewhere you have always wanted to visit, but the family could not join you because your spouse did not have a permission slip?  There are probably several other documents the remaining parent may need signed and notarized before deployment, but that is for a different blog, not a travel blog. Additionally, what if the  minor child has to travel alone to meet up with you. You will need a permission slip for this as well.

Finally, don’t wait until the last-minute to deal with this issue.  Please don’t show up at the departure gate at the airport or cruise line without a properly executed permission slip. It can really be a bummer if you don’t have the proper documentation, and what about the cost of rescheduling the trip?

Here are some of the questions I have heard regarding this issue.  

1.   Do we need a passport or visa?
2.   If only the mom or only the dad is traveling with the minor child; do they need a letter from the other parent?
3.   Does it have to be notarized?
4.   Do we need the child’s birth certificate?
5.  What does the letter have to say?
6.  Do I need a lawyer to draft the letter?
7.  If the child is traveling with grandparents, or other persons, and we can get a letter from the parents, do we need a letter signed by both parents?
8.  What if we can only get one parent to sign?  Can we take the child with us or not?
9.  What if the other parent is in the military and cannot be reached?
10. What if we are grandparents who are raising the grandchild, and the parents have flaked out and not available to sign any sort of permission slip, but we are not legal guardians? What do we do?

What are the answers?

So, first of all, since we are not leaving the U.S., we don’t need to worry about having a passport.

If only one parent is traveling, they should have a permission slip from the other parent.  You can also just print out the Travel With Minors Permission Letter  created for use by grandparents and other temporary guardians and just fill in the blanks. By the way, when you make reservations, you have to put the child’s name on the reservation along with the child’s age. Will you be asked to prove that the child you are taking is the child on the reservation or will the airlines believe you?  Generally, if you have the permission slip with you and the information on the permission slip matches the reservation information, there will be no problems boarding the airplane and enjoying the vacation. Remember, if both parents are taking the trip, you don’t need any sort of permission slip.

Although it is not required that you have the permission slip notarized, it is a good idea to do it, especially for foreign travel.  That means that both parents, along with the children, should set up a meeting with a notary.

It is a good idea to bring a copy of the birth certificate along when you meet the notary.  The notary does not need to take a copy, but may want to see it since the notary does not know you or the children.

As you saw from the link above, the letter must clearly state who is giving permission, what permission is being given, and generally the time frames for the permission.  It is also helpful to provide the contact information for the parent not traveling, so that a call can be made to verify the permission if needed.

As long as the permission slip clearly provides the above information, a lawyer is not needed, unless we get into custody or legal guardianship issues.

If the kids are traveling with anyone else, grandparents, aunts, uncles, etc…, a permission slip signed by both parents is required.  In this case, in addition to having a Travel With Minors Permission Letter, you should also make sure to carry a Medical Treatment Authorization Letter as well.

The next couple of questions are more difficult to deal with.

If you cannot get both signatures, you probably will not be able to take the child on the trip. If one of the parents is no longer available to sign, the remaining parent may have to get a court order declaring them the parent with sole custody, and that parent could sign the permission slip, but you may have to bring the additional documentation showing that the single parent does have the legal authority to grant the permission.

The same type of court action may also be required if the parents are unable  to provide a permission slip to a grandparent or other guardian caring for the kids. This is something that would need to be taken care of long before considering a vacation.  There may come a point when such guardians need to become legal guardians for all the care issues involving the minor children.  Also an issue for a completely separate blog, and one that would require the assistance of a lawyer.

All of this can get very complicated if the parents are divorced or separated, or one of the parents is deceased.  Copies of divorce papers, separation agreements, child custody agreements, death certificates, etc… may need to be shown to a notary to obtain a valid permission slip, especially if both parents cannot appear before a notary.

So, just plan ahead so that you get your vacation off to a good start.

One final note, you will see this info in other blogs but I though it would be especially important in this blog.  It has to do with carrying extra documentation while traveling.  For example, every parent, especially one traveling alone, should have a current photo of the child or children in your wallet or purse. It is easy to get separated from your kids with both parents watching, it is even easier when you are by yourself, in unfamiliar surroundings, away from home.  Also, make sure your children carry emergency notification information on their person.  If they are very young, then pin it inside their clothing.  Also, make sure the emergency number on said notification is the cell phone you are carrying as well as a number back home.  What happens if there is a vehicle accident, the lone parent is killed or seriously injured, and the authorities don’t know how to contact the other parent or guardian?  Who will take care of the child. Is there another family member on the trip that can be contacted? If so, make sure that the person’s contact info is on the notification document on the child.  That goes for the parent too. Do you have clear instructions in your wallet for emergency notifications? If you are injured, it is not likely that your three-year old will be able to tell the authorities anything that they need to know. What info should be included:

1.  Your itinerary.
2.  Name of ship or hotel or condo where you are staying. (Address & phone & room number too.)
3.  Emergency phone number for someone in your traveling group.
4.  Emergency phone number for someone back home.
5.  List of important contact numbers such as medical, dental, etc… with descriptor.
6.  Medical Insurance Numbers.
7.  Photo of child with the parent and photo of parent with child. (If traveling in a group, put all of the individual photos of everyone on a sheet of paper and xerox a copy for every person in the group.)
8.  Copy of passport.

We hope this part was not a downer for you.  I just know that being prepared is always best. I would rather have it and not need it than to need it and not have it. Now that we are finished with this issue, lets relax and enjoy our vacation.

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Turning Dreams into Memories,
One Vacation at a Time.
Bon Voyage!!!

As you might guess, this document is a compilation of information from our travels as well as from other travelers. I hope it has been of value to you.  Check out the important links below.

Don’t hesitate to email us when you return from your trip with any suggestions that will make this document better for you and your fellow travelers!

You may also want to visit our Facebook page, www.Facebook.com/TeamEdwardsTravel

I Am Staying at My Timeshare. What do I need to bring?

Time Share Must Bring List

In addition to using our regular packing lists for Women and Men’s personal belongings, you really need an itemized list of what to bring when you are staying in a condo. Since we usually drive to the condo we are staying at, it is much easier to bring items from home that we know we will need.

It is a bigger challenge when flying to Hawaii or Florida  or Cabo to stay in a condo.  Do you really want to bring half the kitchen with you, especially when you have to pay for extra suitcases?  Heck, at $25 or more  for an extra suitcase, you can probably buy and toss most of the “Bring from Home” items and save some money as well.

Of course, the first thing you need to do is check with your timeshare company, either by phone or on their online site, to see what is provided at the timeshare.  Then, of course, you need to decide what you will want to eat and do so that you can create your personal shopping list.

To give you an idea of what we bring, check out “Our Must Haves List” below.

Our experience has shown us that the items in the first group on the left are not available in most timeshare condos, so we bring them from home. The second column at the top are items we bring from home so that we don’t end up buying things in larger quantities at the store that we won’t completely use on this trip and we already have them at home.  Also, depending upon the size of your family group, it may be cost effective to bring pancake mix and/or Bisquick from home too.  The home-made apricot jam, of course, goes with the peanut butter. But we also spoon it over pork chops along with a little white wine for a great juicy pork chop.  Also works great if you are doing a little sweet and sour sauce, use the jam and the vinegar. The celery seeds and vinegar can also be used for making coleslaw. Buy it ready-made if you prefer.

“Our Must Haves List”

Bring from Home (If Driving)

Utensils & Misc.

Spices & Misc
Apron Apricot Jam (Home Made)
Baggies-Ziploc Celery Seeds
Cookie Sheet Cinnamon
Duraflame Logs Flour (2 cups for roux)
Foil (Aluminum) Garlic
Lighter for BBQ Pappy’s or Grill Mates
Recycled Grocery Bags Popcorn
Robber Gloves Rosemary
Sharp Knives Salt & Pepper
Storage Containers Sugar
Tongs Taco Seasonings
Wine Opener Vinegar (1/2 cup)
With the following items, we can make breakfasts, lunches and dinners throughout the week.
Don’t forget to plan on a couple meals out. Don’t want to be a slave to the kitchen!

Pick up at Store
Apple or Orange Juice Pancake Mix & Syrup
Bread, Croissants & Butter Peanut Butter
Biscuits or Bisquick Pork Chops
Chips & Dips Shredded Cabbage
Deli Meats & Cheese Shredded Cheese
Eggs & Bacon & Sausage Soda & Beer
Fresh Fruit & Veggies Sour Cream (2)
Ground Beef & Steaks Spaghetti & Sauce
Ground Italian Sausage Tortillas (for Tacos)
Hamburger Buns Valveeta
Lettuce & Tomato Vegetable Oil
Mayo/Ketchup/Taco Sauce Water
Milk & Cereal & Fruit Wine & Wine Coolers

 

Click here for our Timeshare Packing List which includes meal plans, shopping list, etc…  The bottom line is that if you do a little pre-planning, you can save some money, eliminate some stress, and have a great vacation!

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Turning Dreams into Memories,
One Vacation at a Time.
Bon Voyage!!!

As you might guess, this document is a compilation of information from our travels as well as from other travelers. I hope it has been of value to you.  Check out the important links below.

Don’t hesitate to email us when you return from your trip with any suggestions that will make this document better for you and your fellow travelers!

You may also want to visit our Facebook page, www.Facebook.com/TeamEdwardsTravel

Why is it important to you to use a travel agent?

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Do you know the top 3 reasons to use a travel agent? Probably, the number one reason is that most travel agents know the ins and outs of the travel business and are better equipped to get you the best deal.  The second most important reason is that they yield more power with individual vendors than you do as a single buyer.  And, the third reason is that your travel agent does all of this and generally does not charge you a fee.

I know that you think you can get a better deal if you bid online using one of the online travel businesses, but who do you call when you show up and the hotel or resort says that they don’t have a reservation for you.

Do you really think someone online is going to take your call?  Do you think threatening to never use the hotel or resort again is going to sway the person behind the counter?

The bottom line is that the agent, who books many clients to that resort or hotel, will take your call.  They can call and talk with the manager and get them to honor your reservation or make some sort of acceptable accommodation for you, because if they don’t, the agent will be sending all of their clients to a different hotel or resort in the future.  The hotel or resort can afford to piss you off, but they cannot afford to piss off an agent who will pass the word to the other agents in their circle.

Here is an example that was in the Sacramento Bee on Sunday, July 31st in the Travel Troubleshooter column by Christopher Elliott.  In this case, the buyer made a mistake in making an online reservation.  Though they thought they had corrected the mistake, they discovered later that they had been charged a $477 cancellation fee by Cheaptickets.com.  They did not make any headway on their own with the Cheaptickets.com, but thanks to the author of the article, the buyer did obtain a refund of the cancellation fee.

If they had used an agent in the first place, their agent would have taken care of the problem without all the heartache.

So why wouldn’t you use a travel agent? 

You might choose not to use an agent if they charge you a fee for their services when there isn’t a commission built into the pricing of the service they are providing for you.  For example, domestic airlines do not collect a commission nor do they pay a commission to travel agents.  So, if you asked an agent to book you tickets on a flight from Sacramento to Denver, they may charge you a service charge unless you are a regular client, so that they can cover the costs of providing that service.

The only way a travel agent can earn a commission, without charging the client, is if they are making reservations for a bundled product or if they are making reservations for a cruise or resort.  That means, if they set up a flight combined with a car rental and or a hotel stay.

Did you know that you are paying a commission to the cruise line if you book directly?  Well, you are.

If you buy the cruise from your agent, you will pay the same or less than you will pay if you buy the cruise from the cruise line.  “How can I get it cheaper from the travel agent?”, you ask?  Quite often, the travel agent, or an agent within the company, already has booked several cabins early in the season.  Since they booked several cabins, they were able to get a better price, which they can pass on to you.  Also, since they booked those several cabins many months earlier, usually a year before the sailing date, the agent’s prices are often much cheaper than prices are the closer you get to the sailing.  This is another good reason to talk with your travel agent first.

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Turning Dreams into Memories,
One Vacation at a Time.
Bon Voyage!!!

As you might guess, this document is a compilation of information from our travels as well as from other travelers. I hope it has been of value to you.  Check out the important links below.

Don’t hesitate to email us when you return from your trip with any suggestions that will make this document better for you and your fellow travelers!

You may also want to visit our Facebook page, www.Facebook.com/TeamEdwardsTravel

Cruise – Women’s Clothing & Sundries Packing List

Packing Checklist

I am not even sure why I am writing this blog post.  My wife should be writing it, but she is working on another project now, so I guess she will have to edit it to make it right.  I am sure that I will forget something that she would want or need.

As with the list for the men, remember, you are packing much lighter than you usually do.  They charge extra for those suitcases on the airplane, so cut it down a bit.   Also, I have heard from others that when packing for a cruise, follow your list and do your packing, then take a break.  Come back a day or two later and remove half of what you packed.  Sounds good to me.
Also, as with the list for the men, I suggest that the women also decide now, black shoes or brown shoes.  You can only pick one.  Ok, since you chose black shoes that means a black belt and mixed and matched outfits that go with black.  Right, everything goes with black.  That is why I chose it.  I love my wife in red shoes, but we are trying to pack light here!

Enough said about that unless you are planning to dress up; then bring the skirt or dress that works with the black shoes.  Don’t make the mistake of bringing the brown skirt when you are bringing the black shoes.

I prefer the freestyle cruising, so I am leaving most of the dressy stuff at home.  If I were packing my wife’s stuff, it would be shorts, a blouse or two, hat and sandals or walking shoes. This is a vacation, right?  Well, let’s be truthful here.  If my wife wants to have a dressy night at the Captain’s table, who am I to deny her that special event?

On this list I am including things for a tropical cruise as well as an Alaskan cruise.  So, if you are going north, you may want to opt for warmer clothing.  If you are going south, leave the heavy coat and gloves at home, and take more shorts and lightweight shirts.

Finally, since I wear glasses, you will see that I suggest bringing an extra pair. Also, since I don’t want to lose my glasses as I look over the edge of the ship to the water below, I always use eyeglass straps to keep the glasses from dropping.  I can take them off and they just hang down like a pair of binoculars.  And speaking of binoculars, there will be another list of general items to bring along but are not included in the clothing and sundries lists.

Clothing

  • Underwear (Bras, include strapless, panties, camisole/slips.)
  • Sleepwear (Lingerie, pajamas, sleep shirt, robe, etc…)
  • Shoes & Belts (Black, remember we already decided.)
  • Sox & hose, as needed, to go with shoes
  • Shoes  (Yes, add some sandals, flip flops, walking shoes, etc…)
  • Thongs (You can decide which ones I am talking about.)
  • Exercise wear, including a jog bra, if you are into working out
  • Purses, please no more than a couple
  • Swimsuits and cover-up
  • Jewelry and accessories
  • Dress, skirts, blouses
  • Dressy wear for the Captain’s dinner
  • Shorts, Capris, Slacks
  • Windbreaker
  • Sweatshirt
  • Heavy Coat, Hat & Gloves, if needed
  • Raincoat with hood, if needed

Sundries

  • Leave the blow dryer and curling iron at home
  • Leave the iron at home
  • Ladie’s version of the DOPP kit with the various sundries that you need.  Don’t forget to squeeze out the air and put the liquids in a Ziploc bag.
  • Lighted makeup mirror
  • Nail polish & remover (Don’t forget the cotton balls.)
  • Nail file, clippers, etc… (In the checked baggage.)
  • Band aids and Antiseptic Cream
  • Seasick Tabs (ginger root)
  • Lip Balm
  • Cold medicine/Pepto Bismol
  • Aspirin/Tylenol/Midol/Excedrin, etc…
  • Sleep Aid

Miscellaneous

  • Don’t pack your jewelry; put it in your carry-on baggage or purse or fanny pack.  With that in mind, leave your fancy jewelry at home. Thieves target women with lots of fancy jewelry.
  • Make sure to pack your prescription meds with the prescriptions, also in your carry-on baggage.
  • Pack light.  Heavy suitcases are a pain in the back and cost more when you fly to the ship.
  • Camera and Charger
  • Smart Phone and Charger
  • Power Strip
  • Extra memory cards for your camera
  • Extra pair of glasses or contact lenses
  • Duct Tape (to patch suitcases, etc…)
  • Maps and Travel Guides
  • Books or Kindle
  • Copy of Passport
  • Flashlight
  • Alarm Clock

Click Here for a printable packing checklist.

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Turning Dreams into Memories,
One Vacation at a Time.
Bon Voyage!!!

As you might guess, this document is a compilation of information from our travels as well as from other travelers. I hope it has been of value to you.  Check out the important links below.

Don’t hesitate to email us when you return from your trip with any suggestions that will make this document better for you and your fellow travelers!

You may also want to visit our Facebook page, www.Facebook.com/TeamEdwardsTravel

Cruise – Men’s Clothing & Sundries Packing List

Packing Checklist

Remember, you are packing much lighter than you usually do.  They charge extra for those suitcases on the airplane, so cut it down a bit.  Next, decide now, black shoes or brown shoes.  You can only pick one.  Ok, since you chose black shoes that means black sox and a black belt. Enough said about that unless you are planning to dress up; then bring the tuxedo or dark suit or sport coat that works with the black shoes.  Don’t screw up and bring the brown sport jacket when you are bringing the black shoes.

I prefer the freestyle cruising, so I am leaving most of the dressy stuff at home.  If I really had my choice it would be shorts, a Hawaiian shirt, hat and sandals or walking shoes. This is a vacation, right?  Well, let’s be truthful here.  If my wife wants to have a dressy night at the Captain’s table, who am I to deny her that special event?

On this list I am including things for a tropical cruise as well as an Alaskan cruise.  So, if you are going north, you may want to opt for warmer clothing.  If you are going south, leave the heavy coat and gloves at home and take more shorts and lightweight shirts.

Finally, since I wear glasses, you will see that I suggest bringing an extra pair. Also, since I don’t want to lose my glasses as I look over the edge of the ship to the water below, I always use eyeglass straps to keep the glasses from dropping.  I can take them off and they just hang down like a pair of binoculars.  And speaking of binoculars, there will be another list of general items to bring along, but are not included in the clothing and sundries lists.

Clothing

  • Underwear
  • PJs (leave the robe at home)
  • Shoes (sandals, walking shoes, dress shoes, flip flops)
  • Shoes (Jogging or workout shoes if you are into it)
  • Sox (as needed for above shoes)
  • Sox (If it is a long flight and you are my age, you may want to wear some of those compression sox to prevent swelling.)
  • Black belt
  • Shirts (Hawaiian, Gayabera, Golf, and maybe a dress shirt)
  • Shorts, Khakis, and even some dress pants
  • Swimsuit or two
  • Hat and Sunglasses
  • Sweaters & Sweatshirt (If going to a cold climate)
  • Windbreaker (Good for anywhere)
  • Jacket/Coat and Gloves and Knit Cap
  • Lightweight or Heavyweight Raincoat with Hood
  • Dressy Stuff (Shirt, Tie, Sport Coat, Dress Pants)
  • Very Dressy Stuff (Tuxedo and all the trimmings)

Sundries

  • My DOPP Kit (It is always ready to go from the last trip.) Just check it to make sure you refilled everything as needed.  I should not have to list the stuff: eg. razor, extra blades, after shave, deodorant, shampoo, bar of soap, etc…  Also, if you have plastic bottles of shampoo, etc…, make sure that you squeeze out the air and put them in a Ziploc bag in case they explode.)
  • Tweezers, Nail Clippers, Pocket Knife (things you cannot carry on the plane)
  • Sunscreen
  • Insect Repellent
  • Seasick Tabs (ginger root)
  • Chapstik
  • Band aids & Antiseptic Cream
  • Safety pins
  • Aspirin/Tylenol/Excedrin
  • NyQuil or generic Cold Medicine/Pepto Bismol
  • Sleeping Aid (Especially if you have trouble sleeping.)
  • Extra pair of glasses or contact lenses
  • Prescription Meds and copy of prescription (all in carry-on)

Miscellaneous

  • Binoculars
  • Camera & Charger
  • Extra Memory Cards for Camera (Bring twice as many as you think you will need.)
  • Thumb Drive or Flash Drive to save your photos.
  • Power Strip
  • Smart Phone & Charger
  • Duct Tape
  • Maps & Travel Guides
  • Books or Kindle
  • Copy of Passports
  • Flashlight
  • Alarm Clock

 Click Here for a printable packing checklist.

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Turning Dreams into Memories,
One Vacation at a Time.
Bon Voyage!!!

As you might guess, this document is a compilation of information from our travels as well as from other travelers. I hope it has been of value to you.  Check out the important links below.

Don’t hesitate to email us when you return from your trip with any suggestions that will make this document better for you and your fellow travelers!

You may also want to visit our Facebook page, www.Facebook.com/TeamEdwardsTravel

Can I Use my Cell Phone When I am Traveling?

It really depends upon where you are traveling.  If you are stateside, then the only issue may be the cost for roaming and using a system other than the one provided by your carrier.  If you are using a no-contract system, like MetroPCS, then make sure that you pay for nationwide coverage.  The last time we did that, it only cost an extra $5 per month.

Most service providers have excellent information on their websites about where they provide coverage. We have never had an issue with coverage in the Continental US, Alaska or Hawaii, but check with your service provider.

As for using your existing  phone in Europe, that may be a different situation, completely dependent up on where you want to call.

For example, it may be cheaper to get a couple of disposable phones, or better yet, walkie-talkies, to use if you are just wanting to stay in touch with family members who are on the trip with you.  If you are looking for a phone to call family members back home, then read on.

1) The first requirement for using a cell phone overseas is to have a phone that uses GSM (Global System Mobile) technology. T-Mobile, some AT&T phones, and the newer Sprint  and  Verizon smart phones are equipped with this technology. Check this out before you go if you plan to use your existing phone overseas since it often needs to be “turned on” before you leave home.

Before you get into the issue of “Unlocking” your phone, you may want to consider buying a used GSM phone, or use one of your old ones since you probably still have one around if you upgraded to a smart phone.  You may not want to make these changes to your brand new smart phone.

2) You need the “unlock codes” to unlock your phone and use it overseas.

3) You will need a country-specific SIM card to buy pre-paid minutes for the country in which you are traveling. You can buy pre-paid minutes from telestial.com. The company will send you a SIM card that you use to replace the current SIM inside your phone.

Let me know how it worked for you, so that I can make necessary changes to this blog.

Thanks, and have a great trip.

P.S. I have written some additional information about using your cell phone while traveling since technology has moved forward since this blog was written. More Info Here.

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Turning Dreams into Memories,
One Vacation at a Time.
Bon Voyage!!!

As you might guess, this document is a compilation of information from our travels as well as from other travelers. I hope it has been of value to you.  Check out the important links below.

Don’t hesitate to email us when you return from your trip with any suggestions that will make this document better for you and your fellow travelers!

You may also want to visit our Facebook page, www.Facebook.com/TeamEdwardsTravel

Are You Ready for Medical Issues While Traveling?

AIG Travel Guard Logo

You probably read the headline, “Tragic end to Bahamas Honeymoon”.  And this one too, “Five weeks after losing his wife, the injured man flies home alone.”  This is a story about a honeymoon gone wrong.  While enjoying the fun of a parasailing adventure, on the last day of their honeymoon, the harness broke and they both crashed into the sea.  The wife died as a result of her injuries and the husband was hospitalized.  They did not have insurance to cover the medical costs, the air ambulance, any of it.  So I ask again, “Are you ready for medical issues while traveling?”.

I hope that after reading the above story that you don’t decide to skip the travel adventure, but that you will be prepared if an accident happens to you.

So, before you travel, make sure your medical insurance will cover you if something should happen. Purchase travel insurance to fill in the gaps.  One of the things that you will find in any good list of things to bring on the trip is your medical insurance cards, as well as  a list of all the meds you are taking so that you have that info for the doctor if you have to be hospitalized.  Make sure your partner has a copy of the medical info in their pocket or purse, because if you are incapacitated, they will be the one that has to provide information to the medical staff.  Not a bad idea to have it in a Ziploc bag just in case you get wet.

Some additional medical resources can be found online at www.tripprep.com. You can also call the International Association for Medical Assistance to Travelers at 716-754-4883.  They provide a network of doctors in Europe and North America.  These doctors are on call 24 hours to members at a reasonable fee. Most major credit cards provide a network of doctors as well.

Travel insurance is your best protection.  The cost is very reasonable, and you can travel without the worry.

After reading the above story, I am sure that you plan to get travel insurance.  Additionally, if you want to protect yourself in case of a prior medical condition, you will have to purchase your travel insurance within a few days of when you make your travel reservations.  You may or may not want to buy the travel insurance from the cruise line or travel agency,  so you need to check out travel insurance from various carriers, such as Travel Guard, before you book your trip.  Also, if you are using your timeshare for vacation, you may not think about buying travel insurance.  Does your timeshare company offer any type of travel insurance?  If you are an owner with WorldMark®, consider their  travel protection program,  WorldMark TravelSecure®.  It cost less than $60 for the whole year.  Check to see if your timeshare program offers a similar program.

You want to know your options and the costs,  the coverage, and the exceptions to what is covered.

I know you don’t want to think about these possibilities when thinking about all the fun you will have on the vacation of a lifetime, but you need to think about them before your trip.  What do you do if you have to be airlifted to a hospital or have to use an air ambulance to bring you back home?  Is it covered, and if so, for how much, and who do you call for the service.  What if you or a family member dies while on a trip? Does your travel insurance cover the cost of bringing the loved one back home?

If you planned ahead, and if you purchased the right travel insurance, these things will be taken care of. You won’t have financial burdens heaped upon emotional ones.

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Turning Dreams into Memories,
One Vacation at a Time.
Bon Voyage!!!


As you might guess, this document is a compilation of information from our travels as well as from other travelers. I hope it has been of value to you.  Don’t hesitate to email us when you return from your trip with any suggestions that will make this document better for you and your fellow travelers!

Look for our cruise travel packing guide, our packing lists and many other travel tips on our website, www.TeamEdwardsTravel.com

What do You Have in Your Essential Cruising Carry-on Bag?

Packing Checklist

Although men and women may see this list differently, I believe this list will meet the needs of both, especially when you consider that they each may already have in their pockets, purse or fanny pack.  Everything noted here would easily fit into a lightweight backpack (day-pack), like the kids use for their book bag in school these days.  And, to make things easier for all, I will suggest that everything that you both need is laid out on the bed, then packed into the two backpacks so that each of you is carrying an equal amount of weight; maybe the guy will carry a little extra.  Yes, I am over 60 and I am a gentleman.

The essential carry-on bag –

passport/money/documents/keys toothbrush/toothpaste
book or Kindle/deck of cards hand lotion (3 oz or less in Ziploc bag)
smart phone or cell phone germicidal hand cleaner (in Ziploc bag)
lightweight jacket/windbreaker bottle of water
medicines camera/memory cards/batteries/
ear plugs MP3 player
sunglasses/reading glasses if needed Ziploc bags
shorts, shirt/blouse, sandals watch/jewelry
mini flashlight/binoculars folding tote bag/fanny pack
pedometer sun screen (3 oz or less in Ziploc bag)
international diver’s strobe light  (if you are worried about falling overboard)

Each person should have his or her own passport, identification, money, etc… in their own carry-on bag. Don’t include aerosols, use pump sprays.

If you stayed the night before departure in a hotel, because you arrived a day early so that you were not worried about a flight delay causing you to miss your ship, as I recommended, then you may want to transfer some stuff from your luggage to your carry-on bag and vice versa.  Depending upon the flight and the amount of time I expected to be sitting in the airport, I may have had my phone chargers and even a portable DVD player or mp3 player and charger in my carry-on bag for the flight.  On the other hand, my pocket-knife or mini-Leatherman would have been in my luggage.  I will put the chargers and DVD player back in the luggage and the pocket-knife in my pocket so that my carry-on is lighter and only has what I will need until my luggage has arrived at my cabin.

When I get on the ship and find my cabin, I will change into my shorts, short sleeve shirt and sandals, maybe grab a book, and head up on deck to enjoy the departure.  Only when it is time to dress for dinner, will I actually wonder if my luggage is in my cabin. If it’s not, then it will be casual dress for dinner, with a quick check with the cabin steward to ask about the luggage.

You will see that the laptop is not on the above list.  If I do have to bring it, it will be in my backpack.  I am trying to leave it at home.  I can do most everything I need to do on the smart phone, except easily update my websites.  I can even update my blog with my smart phone. If I save enough money, maybe I will add a tablet or notebook to the list.  Have I missed anything? Is there something you would add to this checklist?

———————————————————————-

Turning Dreams into Memories,
One Vacation at a Time.
Bon Voyage!!!

As you might guess, this document is a compilation of information from our travels as well as from other travelers. I hope it has been of value to you.  Check out the important links below.

Don’t hesitate to email us when you return from your trip with any suggestions that will make this document better for you and your fellow travelers!

You may also want to visit our Facebook page, www.Facebook.com/TeamEdwardsTravel