Seasoned travelers have developed strategies and adopted habits after years of travel to make their journeys easier.
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Planning & Packing
Make a calendar of your travel days. I find this very useful when planning any trip. Make sure to note the dates and times of each reservation. I also include prices and locations of hotels, ports, car rentals and/or train schedules. After the trip is over, I keep this calendar in a file with receipts and tourist information I gathered during our vacation. I can’t tell you how many times I have referred back to my files when planning future trips….or just to remember what we did!
Make a checklist. This will make packing soooo much easier. Don’t forget items like sunglasses, passports, sunscreen, any medications you may need, or special items you want to take. Start brain storming as early as possible prior to departing…think about the activities you are planning, possible weather and what types of clothing you will need. Check off the items as you pack them. Nothing is more frustrating than arriving at your destination and realizing you have forgotten something!
Tip: A good packing list is essential: Caribbean, Norway, British Isles, Alaska and Cruise Packing 101
Take a photo of your passport and email it to yourself. Even if something happens to your phone, you will be able to access your email on a public computer.
Use a travel wallet/passport holder. I have found this to be one of the most useful items in my carryon. I keep boarding passes, passports, money, pen and my credit cards here. Travel wallet
Contact your financial institutions and inform them you are traveling. If you are planning to use your ATM and/or credit cards, your bank needs to know you will be making purchases outside your home area. If you don’t, they may put a “hold” on your account and you will not be able to access your funds until you contact them. If you are traveling out of the country, this can be difficult and expensive….not to mention frustrating.
Use credit cards for purchases. Many countries are becoming cashless societies since Covid. Even small purchases like an ice cream in the park can only be done with a credit card….we experienced this in London’s Hyde Park. When using a credit card, always let your bank handle the conversion by purchasing in the local currency. If you feel the need for actual cash, use your debit card at a local ATM. You can withdraw smaller amounts and get a better exchange rate.
Protect your credit cards and passport from thieves. Simply place your credit/debit cards or any other RFID-enabled contactless Smart Cards near a RFID Blocking Card and you’re safe and ready to go.
Use packing cubes. We started using these a few years ago and boy….we are so much more organized. If staying in one place for several days, it is easy to unpack…just place the packing cube in a drawer!
Get travel insurance. Travel is expensive. Protect your investment with a good travel plan. Make sure it covers medical, loss of use, hospital stays and travel home if your trip is cut short.
Flying
Carry on luggage. Having a good carry on bag with plenty of storage is a game changer. I like to use one that fits into the overhead bin and also a tote bag that fits over the handle. That way, I can keep items I want/need during the flight under the seat in front of me.
Tag your bags. There are many fun, easily recognizable luggage tags available. When it’s time to purchase new luggage, find suitcases that are not just black or blue….find some that are a little different….maybe a bright color or a fun pattern. Even then….attach something to your luggage that helps you locate them easily.
Use Air Tags. We always put an AirTag in our carry on and in our checked bags. If something happens and it gets lost or stolen, you can quickly locate it and retrieve if possible (if stolen, get police assistant to retrieve). Luggage gets delayed or put on the wrong plane all the time. These will assist in tracking your bags.
I use a fun, colorful AirTag holder and attach them to the inside of my bags.
Bring Air Pods . Air travel is noisy. If you are trying to watch a movie, read or sleep, Air Pods are invaluable. It will also help to discourage a talkative neighbor!
Get access to an airport lounge. If you have a long layover, this is a quiet place to wait and they offer complimentary food, beverages, magazines, newspapers and Wi-Fi. Some even have showers or rooms where you can catch a few ZZZs. Check out https://thepointsguy.com for excellent information on credit cards that offer lounge access. And remember, if you are flying first or business class overseas, you automatically get free access! Another option is to join Priority Pass. With over 1,700+ airport lounges and experiences, it will help make your airport time more enjoyable.
Use locks for your luggage! We always lock ours when flying or boarding a ship. These luggage locks are designed to keep thieves out but still allow TSA or other airport security to check bags. And because the TSA can’t take their key out without relocking, you can be assured your luggage will stay locked .
Weigh your luggage! Overweight luggage can be very expensive. Make sure your bags are under the weight limit of your airline. This luggage scale is easy to use. Just hook your suitcase for instant weight.
Cruising
Don’t overpack. Make your packing checklist….and then cut it in half! Well….maybe not in half, but don’t take ALL of it. 🙂 I have found that I NEVER wear all the clothes I take. One or two nice dresses, skirts or slacks are fine for evenings. Dress up your outfits with jewelry, shoes or sweaters/wraps for more formal evenings. Same with shoes….a good pair for walking, poolside shoes and a dressier pair are fine. And for the gentlemen….a pair of nice slacks and few collared shirts are all that are needed for evenings. Check with your cruise line to see what the attire rules are or join Facebook groups to see what fellow cruisers are doing.
Be sure to check out the packing lists shared above.
Use over-the-door hangers for the bathroom to organize your toiletries. There are lots of great options. We use several kinds….one with our bathroom toiletries and one that holds items we use often.
Bring magnetic hooks for the walls. Ship cabins have metal walls, so this is an easy way to provide more storage. We also use magnetic chip clips to organize the daily schedules and event invitations.
Use luggage tags for your cruise line. After many years of sailing and having bags go missing due to torn off or damaged luggage tags, these holders are now a must-have item when we cruise! Each cruise line has a specific size, so be sure to buy the ones required for your cruise.
Exploring
Talk to the locals. Ask them where they like to go to dinner or what they like to do for fun. You may find yourself doing something you never expected to do….like we did in Scotland. We were invited to the local ceili that evening! We danced the night away with a whole roomful of new friends!
Don’t over-plan. It’s good to know where you are going to stay each night and have an outline of things you want to do, but give yourself some leeway. You never know what might present itself. Spontaneity and adventure are part of the fun of travel!
Relax and enjoy your trip. If you have other ideas or suggestions, please share them!
Do you have travel insurance for your next cruise? The best day to buy it is the day you book so get it now. Insubuy has policies for all travelers.
Have you booked your excursions yet? Check out my recommended provider.
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This was excellent information! Thank you!
Thank you!