Do's and Don'ts On A Cruise

Below are some Do's and Don't on a Cruise!

DO:
Have a Passport if required!
Bring ID with you when you leave the boat
Bring travelers' checks
Make use of the ship vault for valuables
Bring standard medicines for headache or stomachache
Leave your PJs out if you're hanging out most of the night!
Get the anti-nausea patch or take Dramamine BEFORE boarding
Get up for breakfast...there's plenty of time for sleep and relaxing in the afternoon and pre-dinner
Buy the shipboard photo (good keepsake)

DON'T:
Venture too far from the boat unless you're on a tour

Forget to pack dress-up clothes unless you know your ship allows jeans/shorts in the dining areas

Bring back booze - it's a pain to carry as a carry-on (to keep from breaking)

What are some Do's & Don't you would like to add? Please feel free to leave a comment!

Reference for more Do's & Don'ts

Travel Getaways

The weather is getting nicer and this can only mean one thing – it's time to dust off those clubs and play some golf! There aren’t many places you can go for an amazing golf vacation than Myrtle Beach and Hilton Head Island, SC. These two places seem as if they were created specifically for amazing golf courses!

Myrtle Beach, South Carolina is a golfer’s dream come true! There are 9, count them 9 “Prime Time Signature” courses. There’s Kings North, Long Bay, Waterway Hills, Aberdeen Country Club, Litchfield Country Club, River Club, Willbrook Plantation and the Southcreek and West courses at Myrtle Beach National. You can stay a week, play one a day and still have missed two. The toughest part of your vacation will be deciding which course to try next!

For those who don’t play golf, there are great things to do in Myrtle Beach for the whole family. First off, the beautiful beaches here are pristine with plenty of things for the kids to see and do. Let the kids play as you relax on the beach in front of the beautiful ocean waves. Speaking of the ocean - the deep-sea fishing off the coast is full of excitement and makes for an exciting adventure everyone is sure to love!

Once the sun goes down, Myrtle Beach comes to life in a whole different way. Featuring shows for the whole family, great local bands playing live every night and dance clubs where you’ll dance till you can’t move anymore. Myrtle Beach really does have something for everyone!
Not to be outdone, Hilton Head, SC has more golf courses that you can shake a club at! Check out the Sea Pines Resort, Hilton Head National, Island West Golf, Rose Hill Golf Course and The Heritage Collection of Courses – which features six more world-class courses. It’s as if Hilton Head Island was made for golf and nothing else.

But wait! There’s more to Hilton Head than amazing golf courses everywhere you turn. This island is home to over 250 restaurants, grills, pubs and other eateries. Don’t let all the courses distract you from the culinary delights sprinkled all over this beautiful island or you’ve missed something truly special.

Since Hilton Head is an island, there are beaches all around you. What’s the point of going to an island if you aren’t going to spend some time at the beach? No matter which way you head, keep going and you’ll see the beauty and grandeur of the beaches of Hilton Head Island.

Don’t forget to bring your sea legs with you when you head to Hilton Head Island. The fishing and water sports here are activities you don’t want to miss. Deep-sea fishing, motor boating, swimming, surfing and water skiing are only a few of the adventures awaiting you on Hilton Head Island.

Have you been to South Carolina? Where was the last place you visited?

El Cinco De Mayo!

El Cinco De Mayo! If you are planning a trip to Mexico or if you just don’t want to miss this party, we have some great packages to get you there on the cheap! Mexico is a glorious destination packed with beautiful vistas, entertaining places and some of the nicest people you’ll meet anywhere in the world.
Cancun

Cancun, Mexico is as perfect as you can get for a quick getaway from the stress and rush of day-to-day life. While the stunning blue lagoons with their tequila bars are more than enough reason to spend some time here, you can’t miss the local late night scene that is alive and kicking constantly.

Getting around in Cancun is made easy with their superb bus service, which can take you from those idyllic beaches to a thriving market community. Once there, you won't need to worry about getting hungry with all the local eateries covering the landscape. You can also check out some of the outstanding outdoor markets selling an incredible array of handmade wares.

One place you don’t want to miss is Xcaret - it’s amazing! During the day, it’s a fun filled water park where you can swim with dolphins or go snorkeling in a crystal clear underground river. At night, Xcaret features dinner with a show filled with Mexican music and dance featuring a fiery version of hockey that makes standard hockey seem calm and relaxing.

Mayan Rivers
The ancient Mayan civilization may be gone, but the people left behind unbelievable architecture in the form of the Mayan Pyramids. If you want a more laid back Mexican experience, there’s no better place than here. South of Cancun to Tulum, there’s a stretch of beach so pristine and beautiful the relaxation will take over your mind and body much like the waves of the ocean.
The beaches here received an extra boost of sand from Hurricane Wilma, which means there’s just more to love about this destination. Compared to Cancun, the Riviera Maya is very laid back and quiet. The hotels in this area are spread further apart and meant to be a destination of their own without the need of other locations.

If you never leave the hotel while you are here, you’ll still get everything you could imagine from a visit to the Riviera Maya. We suggest you pry yourself away from the tequila long enough to visit some of the ruins in Tulum to see something truly breathtaking. The vistas from this area are postcard perfect and the beaches are relaxing with crystal clear water in reach.

If you are planning to head to Mexico around late April or in May, you would be crazy to miss the el Cinco de Mayo celebrations. It’s as if the country comes to a halt to throw one of the most incredible parties you’ll find anywhere in the world! The 5th of May marks the date when Mexico was finally free of their foreign occupiers. This is a party you do not want to miss! Book your trip to Cancun or the Riviera Maya today!

Last Minute Trip Deals

If you are looking to get away for a little while without spending a great deal of money, here are some great places to visit. All of these places have a serious charm all their own and there is truly something for everyone.


Bangor, Maine
If you are a fan of Stephen King, you’ll want to check out the town where he came from. Bangor, Maine is a quaint, 19th century town featuring more than just snow and the home of one of the scariest writers of our time. You can wander down to the birthplace of Paul Bunyan and create an adventure all your own on of the 140 wooded islands in the Penobscot River.


This quiet town is full of history, antique shops, cafés and museums and it’s the perfect place to get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. If you are looking for somewhere you can slow down and relax, you won’t find a better place to do it then Bangor, Maine. Sit down, have a cup of coffee at a café and breathe in the easygoing lifestyle for a bit.


Sarasota, Florida
If you seek a little more action out of your quick getaway, Sarasota, Florida is a great place to consider. This place is a sophisticated home for the arts and a haven for those who love the beach and all that entails. Sarasota has some of the finest sandy beaches in the world and most are only a hop from the Florida Key Islands where adventure waits at every stop.
If you want to do a little fun historical sight seeing, you can check out the Ringling Museums, which include the Italian mansion of John Ringling himself of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus. Sarasota has what you need whether it’s relaxing on a boat tour on the turquoise waters of the Bay of Sarasota or the excitement of their beautiful beaches.


Ottawa, Canada
Perhaps you feel like going a little further away from it all? Well, how does Ottawa, Canada sound? There is something fun to do here no matter the season – skating in the winter, boating in the summer and excitement all year around. You can take a ride down the Rideau Canal as it winds down past memorable city landmarks and the “beaver huts” which are riverside sources of their delicious beavertails.


You can also take a walk down to the ByWard Markets and sample some local flavors. There are plenty of local shops selling hand-crafted goodies you won’t want to miss. If you are in the mood for some enlightenment, the all-glass National Gallery of Canada has a breath taking view of the Ottawa River as well as an impressive collection of truly unique artwork. The people here are friendly and welcoming to visitors to their great city.


If you need to get away for a little bit and don’t want to blow your life savings doing it, there are plenty of great places just waiting for you! Where would you like to travel to?

Lifetime Sweepstakes

Who doesn’t love sweepstakes? No one, that’s who! Now you have a chance to win an all expense paid luxurious vacation for two at the Paradise Village in sunny Mexico! Mexico has been a destination favorite for millions throughout the years for its sunny beaches, fantastic margaritas and of course, the friendly and accommodating people.


Paradise Village is located in Riviera Nayarit, just north of Puerto Vallarta. USA Today has called the Riviera Nayarit area the new destination for travel in Mexico. Complete with beautiful sandy beaches, an upscale hotel and a world-class marina, you'll never want to return home! It’s as if your life melts away as you are swept up in all of the excitement Mexico has to offer.


What else will you find in the Riviera Nayarit area? Not only do you get the water and the beaches while staying in a luxury hotel, you’ll get so much more! You may not even have enough time to get it all in before your trip is over! There is so much going on in Riviera Nayarit and you’ll be sure to make memories that last a lifetime!


You could spend a whole day exploring the rich history and culture of the area with delicious authentic cuisine in all the hot spots to eat. Sample the art and history of the area with shows and live performances all over the city - not to mention the local shops and vendors. You are certain to appreciate experiencing these native performances.


Are you an avid golf lover? On the other hand, maybe what you really want is a relaxing day at a world-class spa? Well, you got both in Riviera Nayarit! The area has earned the reputation as being one of the world’s best destinations for golfing. If the spa and pampering are what you need, you are in some of the best hands anywhere in Riviera Nayarit -their specialty is making sure you leave relaxed and happy.


Perhaps you are a bit more adventurous and want some excitement on your trip? Riviera Nayarit has it all - deep-sea fishing, whale watching, snorkeling and sailing are but a few of the adventures awaiting you in this beautiful location. There are so many things you can do here, I can't possibly tell you about them all, but suffice to say, you won't have to worry about finding things to do while you visit.


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