Salty Dog Cruise Planners

Travel Tips

•Use the services of a Travel Agent- Agents offer a wealth of resources in planning your vacation and can be an important ally should problems arise.

•Plan Early. Best pricing is available 6 – 9 months ahead.

•Choose a destination that will allow you to completely escape the “real world”.

•Research. Learn about where you are going. Learn about the climate and pack accordingly.

•Travel sometimes requires Passports or Visas. Be sure you know what the requirements are for the country you will be visiting.

•Money Matters: Verify with your bank that your credit/debit cards will work where you are traveling to. A quick stop at your bank to notify them of upcoming travel will alleviate problems of your cards being denied.

•Money Matters: Will you need foreign currency? Again, your bank can assist with purchasing foreign currencies.

•Avoid Jet lag: The week ahead of long flights try to get as much rest as possible. When you arrive at your destination, do your best to stay on local time.

•When traveling to Europe, consider off-season which is mainly from October to April. You will be able to save on airfare, and find more budget rooms.

•Europe: Use a guidebook. Guidebooks cost approximately $20 and will save you a lot of money. An up-to-date guidebook pays for itself on your first day in Europe and you will learn about best places to stay, eat and visit to get more value for your dollar.

•Money Matters: Use ATMs rather than travelers checks. You’ll get your cash cheaper and faster. Note that they come with transaction fees, but you can minimize them by making fewer and larger withdrawals

•Try to look as if you know where you are going, this may not be easy if it is the first ever time in that country, but still try to look confident as IF you know.

•Carrying maps around looking perplexed, and stopping to look at monuments or buildings, obviously shows that you are from out of town, and may attract the wrong type of attention.

•Money Matters: Using a credit card for any purchases made allows you to take advantage of the additional insurance offered.

•Money Matters: Do NOT pull large amounts of cash out of your pocket. This will attract attention, no matter what country you are in.

•Money Matters: Try to think about where you are going that day and carry sufficient cash for that and any unforeseen extras, plus a card. That should cover all you need and will limit any losses if anything did happen.

•Do NOT accept drinks from anybody that you have just met, especially if in dubious surroundings or do not know, they could be laced with any type of concoction.