The Traveler Guide

Going on cruises as a travel option will be more enjoyable when you design your cruise travel according to your budget, time and desired destination. Not only that, a cruise trip can reflect your lifestyle accurately so that you will be a truly happy cruiser. Cruises are much like other travel alternatives because that with good planning, you can create great memories for when you come home from your vacation. The difference between cruise travel and other forms of travel is that cruise travel offers a huge variety of themes for cruise vacations. You can choose a destination or specialty cruise that reflects your life.

If you have children, you will want the family friendly cruise package. There are singles cruises, weight loss cruises and other health themed cruises. You can choose cruises that explore natural areas or you can choose celebrity cruises. These are just some examples of the many cruise themes that are available. The point is that there are so many specialty cruises that you will be able to match the cruise to your personal style. With the right theme, the destination may not be as important in comparison to the theme.

You can find different pricing options for cruise vacations. There are many fun trips for under $500. You can find different packages for a range of prices that go up to $3000 and over. Luxury cruises are in their own class of pricing and well worth the money for those who can afford the extra expense. Cruise travelers can be very loyal to cruise as a travel favorite. Some cruise travel fans will take any suitable available cruise trip as long as it fits their budget if it can be taken right away. That is how enchanted with cruise travel, that these travelers can be.

Customer service and special features will make or break your cruise vacation. When you are choosing a cruise vacation, consider the services that you will get from the cruise line. Find out about a company's reputation before you choose that company. Compare the different cruise lines to decide which company suits your budget and needs. Another important consideration is the length of the cruise vacation. For short getaways, travelers can take a cruise trip for one day or less. You can also book a cruise for much longer vacations. Trips are categorized though not restricted to groups of up to one week and under, two weeks, three weeks and longer.

You will also have to consider the location of your departure port. You will need to find a port that is closest to your location. A great deal of coordination may be done to match the departure location and your desired cruise destination. It is best to make reservations well in advance. You should consider making your reservation for cruises a year ahead for popular cruises. Some popular cruises are booked solid for more than a year in advance. 

You will not be disappointed if you plan for your cruises and have realistic expectations on your departure date for some cruises. By weighing all the factors carefully that are a part of planning for cruise travel, you will be able to find the cruise vacation that will be worth your time and money. When you find that specialty cruise vacation that matches your personality and lifestyle, when you get back home, you will not be able to wait until your next cruise vacation.

The worst of the worst comes to mind when insurance is on your mind. This is why a number of mature travelers do not think about insurance to avoid impulsively buying a policy without reading details of the coverage or doing comparison shopping. Considering their health insurance, thinking that their policy covers them when they travel, even outside the country is the common thinking of people. There are people who may face expensive and difficult choices if something should go wrong.

What was mentioned by a travel insurance company was that the number one reason why people file travel insurance claims is trip cancellation caused when either the traveler or a family member becomes ill or injured. Understanding your own insurance is important in terms of the coverage needed for any given trip. For medical treatment outside the United States, you can use supplemental policies since Medicare will not pay for it. You need to existing coverage and ask yourself how much you can afford to pay for insurance.

When you fall and break a leg or when you suffer a stroke, are you covered for bills up to $30,000 for medical treatment or evacuation? When you file a small claim to be reimbursed for lost luggage at say an amount of about $1,500, can you risk a higher homeowners' insurance premium? As policies are evaluated, three key factors should be taken into consideration according to the vice president of a travel agency insurance provider. Excluded in this case are intentional self-injury or war and definitions of terms used when it comes to covered perils where you are covered for perils. One agency defines terrorism as an incident occurring within 30 days of the trip and in a city on the traveler's itinerary.

Taking the specifics of particular coverage into consideration, many people still confuse travel insurance with flight accident insurance as he says. It is accident insurance that is commonly purchased through an airport machine in this case. With regard to flight accident insurance, if a plane accident results in death then a lump sum payment is given to a beneficiary. In terms of understanding the difference between a trip cancellation waiver which you can get from a travel supplier and an insurance plan purchased which you can obtain via a travel insurance provider, some confusion may arise.

Offered in this case because the trip cancellation waiver will not pay cash for the cancelled trip are travel reimbursements which you can use for a future trip and the amount is usually around 75 to 100 percent of what you paid for. When it comes to the policies offered by travel suppliers, there will be no coverage provided if the suppliers go out of business. In the case of mature travelers, they find the insurer's definition of a pre-existing medical condition important.

If a traveler has a medical history of an illness such as diabetes or asthma some insurers will not consider it to be a pre-existing medical condition. If the travel insurance is purchased within a week or two of when the customer makes his first payment for the trip then there are no worries here. Able to get protection against financial default of many tour operators, airlines, or cruise lines are those who will be able to buy insurance within this period of time.

Each insurer has a variety of policies available, designed to try to match the different needs of specific travelers which include coverage for business purposes, recreational travel or for a trip taken on the spur of the moment. Considering the price of a travel insurance policy, it usually amounts to 5 to 7 percent of the cost of the trip. For mature travelers, experts advise them to get insurance on the same week they make their reservations. They can waive any pre-existing medical conditions in this situation. Always ask if the insurer offers a 24 hour hot line for you to call if any problems arise.

While a recession takes hold worldwide, it seems people are not holed up inside their homes. In fact, despite the recession in Europe and elsewhere, people are spending money on foreign holidays. People may be forgoing other luxuries, but vacations are not one of them for the most part. Travelers from Britain, Germany and Scandinavia are indulging in their desires to get away from grey, mood-sapping, dreary winters. Increasingly they are heading for Tenerife in the Canary Islands.

Tenerife is the largest of the seven Canary Islands and has the biggest population of this island group. Tenerife has an area of 2.057 square kilometers. It sits 200 miles off the west coast of Northwest Africa. A Spanish archipelago, the Canary Islands is a popular family winter destination. Tenerife offers a relaxing beach getaway, the perfect remedy to the winter doldrums of central and northern Europe. Tenerife has lush forests, beautiful and exotic flora and fauna as well as mountains. The island also has deserts, volcanoes and gorgeous coastlines.

Tenerife is a year-round destination. The high season for the island is December to February. Airfares are attractive in November through the first half of December. During high season, you can find travel deals to the island, but you have to shop around. You can try the last-minute option if you have the freedom to just pick up and go. With the exception of Easter time, travelers traditionally find lower airfares from March to May as well. With the current economic situation travel agencies, resorts, hotels and airlines will be jostling for every tourist dollar available. These enterprises will be looking to hold onto their market shares. There are deals to be had if you're patient and comparison-shop.

While northern Europeans look for warm destinations, their American and Canadian counterparts are doing the same. A popular winter destination for travelers from both countries is Florida. This state offers their fellow Americans and visiting Canadians beautiful coastlines and beaches. They also offer them familiar North American food and accommodations. With resorts, hotels and airlines trying to make their way through the recession in North America, price-cutting is occurring. Travelers who are budget conscious will find attractive packages here too, if they shop around.

Along with Florida, the Dominican Republic and Costa Rica traditionally have good pricing for travelers. For Canadians, Cuba promises an inexpensive tropical respite during the winter months. Why are Europeans and North Americans not foregoing fun in the sun during these recessionary times? The reason may be the emotional, mental and physical boost that the sun and warm climates give us. They soothe us, invigorate us and put those at ease smiles on our faces.

It's a fact that there are benefits to getting the proper amount of sunshine. Combine that with fresh ocean breezes and warm waters and you have a recipe for restoration of the body, mind and spirit. That's why warm weather vacations are so popular. That's also why it takes more than tough economic times to stop people from traveling. Research shows that getting a daily dose of sunshine may lessen cancer risks. Sunshine in the appropriate doses may also help the immune system fight infections. Some researchers believe that daily does of sunshine and a vitamin D supplement are beneficial.

Mentally and emotionally, feeling better in the sun contributes to feeling better physically. Some of those aches and pains just seem to go away. The skin produces vitamin D when we spend time outside in the sun. However, it's estimated a billion people worldwide are deficient in the vitamin. The sun and supplements can help but the key is not overdoing sun exposure. Small daily does are sufficient. Travelers from northern climates worldwide will continue to take those foreign holidays. Many will not let a recession put a crimp in their vacation plans. For many, a holiday is essential; many other things are not. During these recessionary times, they'll cut a host of other things, except holidays in warm sunny places.

Looking forward to a week's vacation can occupy people's thoughts to the point where they seldom have room to worry about potential threats. As the itinerary is arranged, the need for travel insurance will surely arise and these concerns will be pointed out. Numerous what if situations begin to plague your mind from those surrounding missed departure times to accidental cases of death overseas.

As much as possible, travelers try to escape from these worries. In line with the terrorist situation abroad, protection for travelers is growing into a desirable need. A person's fear can provoke him to purchase travel insurance. Find out if a personal policy can be extended to cover your needs for when you travel, and if not, be selective with the coverage you buy. People who do not travel on a regular basis often resort to excessive spending on travel insurance believing how it protects them more. Your money will only be wasted on futile efforts to find the perfect coverage plan especially since there are various options to consider.

Evidence that can justify how the risks of injuries or death become heightened in travel is yet to be found. Both the National Safety Council (NSC) and National Center for Health Statistics have no facts with regard to this. From homes to public locations, there are figures for cases of injury or death but there is no way to tell if a victim was traveling. But you are more susceptible to certain types of illnesses when you travel. Take note of stomach problems in Mexico or malaria in Kenya, you are more at risk abroad. Some protection may be necessary in this case. A traveler's vulnerability to a particular illness is based on where he travels to. Consider a few cases of illnesses in London, whereas in Nigeria, there may be an endemic.

Wherever you go, do not get travel insurance unless you have thought about these things. An existing health insurance plan might include sickness and accident coverage. An existing health insurance policy sometimes offers reimbursements for overseas medical expenses you have paid for. Be aware of the requisites involved. Bring the claim forms when you travel. It is possible not to have another option but to pay the full amount when you need medical treatment abroad. Alternative travel assistance programs offer all types of emergency services, from paying your medical bills on the spot to helping with legal and financial matters. If you can justify the need for such policies, the high premiums may be negligible.

With any type of travel insurance, understand what is included and more important, what's excluded. Only those belonging to a health maintenance organization (HMO) are immediately covered overseas should there be an experience of treated ailments manifesting. In Mexico or Canada, services through Medicare may not be as complete compared to when a person uses it inside the United States. Having flight insurance ensures that people aboard aircrafts are protected should a case of injury or death arise. Many travelers pay this type of coverage as a last minute decision at the airport. Money is wasted on this.

Two hours of safety and a coverage of $100,000 amounts to $7. For a proper life insurance plan that covers heart attacks at home, why is it still necessary to have this for a two hour trip? Do you agree? Getting extra insurance is pointless for a two hour car ride. Having to pay $7 per two hours can be frustrating when the costs add up. When tickets are paid with credit cards, travelers may be provided with coverage for injuries or death.

Many travelers think of a Spanish holiday as an incredibly luxurious vacation. The beautiful countryside, festive events and fascinating culture and history offer a welcome change from the standard "vacation." Now there are more reasons than ever to pursue the dream of a Spanish vacation. Private villas are a hot trend for the avid vacationer. With such endless possibilities, it's easy to see why the demand is rising. Private villas offer many accommodations and amenities that you won't find elsewhere.

Villas are constructed to be lived in. Unlike hotel or motel rooms that cater to single or double-night occupancy, villas are there to welcome travelers who want to stay a week or a month. They are also less expensive than many hotels. Villas are much more open and welcoming. They are expansive in comparison to the majority of hotel or motel rooms. They also have all appliances, furniture, linens and towels. Some travelers may even want to take advantage of the villas that offer staff to cater to your every need.

Spanish villas offer all the modern amenities that travelers are accustomed to. Many have private pools, gyms and entertainment centers. The fact that you are staying in a reserved facility ensures you will have more privacy. Each bedroom can have its own closet and bathroom, if that is what you are seeking. The greatest benefit from villa living is the ability to go where you wish, when you wish. You don't have to stay in a remote area that's miles away. You can stay in the urban area of your choice.

Costa Calida is a beautiful spot for your villa vacation. This Spanish coast is located in the province of Murcia. It has warm weather year-round and offers the largest saltwater lagoon in Europe. When deciding to rent a villa on this Spanish coast, there are some tips to keep in mind. First, when you locate a suitable property, is the advertisement reliable? It is best to attempt personal contact with any villa owner and speak with a person as opposed to arranging everything via the Internet. The result will be worthwhile. Speaking with the individual ensures you are responding to a legitimate query.

If possible, attempt to get references from previous renters of the property. These should be available online if the owner has an established rental history. Another venue is to find organizations or tourist groups the owner has worked with. This process of verification may save you time and money in the long run. There currently isn't a "standard" process of payment; this varies by agent or owner. Many owners will request anywhere from 20% to 50% of the amount when you make the reservation. There may also be an amount requested as a security deposit or insurance against damage to the property. This extra amount should be refundable at the end of your visit.

Once you have responded to an offer on a villa, you should allow up to two days for the person placing the ad to return your query. If no reply is given, check with the organization hosting the ad. They may have alternate methods of communicating with the property owner or representative and can help you maintain communication. Once your villa is rented, you will need to look into transportation during your stay. The Spanish coast is filled with a variety of rental facilities that meet a variety of budgets and preferences. A rental car gives you the freedom to travel wherever you want, when you want. A private villa and private transportation will give you the freedom to vacation as you please. You can easily have a tranquil and empowering vacation experience in a new and inviting country.

Adventure travel is one of the fastest growing segments of the travel industry, but it is often difficult to find good bargains when booking adventure travel. With so many people itching to go on the adventure of a lifetime, the prices in those travel brochures can lead you to believe that adventure travel is beyond your means. That does not have to be the case, however. The key to affordable adventure travel is to book directly from the providers of the adventure, instead of going through multiple layers of travel agents, tour operators and tour guides.

Booking a tour directly has many benefits besides monetary ones, including meeting wonderful local people and enjoying the local culture. Often the best way to enjoy a vacation on a budget is to book low cost airfare to the destination of your choice, take the local bus into town, and start asking around about the best adventure guides in town.

Local tour operators know the area, they know how to please their clientele, and best of all they are inexpensive. U.S. currency goes quite a long way in many exotic locations in Africa, Asia and elsewhere, so dealing with local tour guides is the best way to make your adventure travel dollar stretch even further.

Many inexperienced adventure travelers are unsure how they can possibly book an adventure tour on their own. For one thing, there is often a language barrier in far off locations, and you may be many thousands of miles from home in an unfamiliar location. What these first time travelers often don't realize, however, is that finding a tour operator is often the easiest part of the journey.

In many cases, the tour operators will find you as soon as you land, without you having to seek them out. And in most places, especially those frequented by American tourists, the guides will speak at least a little bit of English.

Listed below are some of the best tips for booking your own budget travel adventure.

What is the purpose of having travel insurance policies and what makes them an important consideration for someone going to travel ? This article can give any person the knowledge on the provisions that can be included in a travel insurance plan as well as an introduction to the topic of insurance in general. Are travel insurance policies worth considering when a person plans to take a vacation anywhere ?

Travel insurance has been designed in such a way that travelers can be financially and medically secure when they go to different locations. Varying traveling natures can all be secure under this kind of insurance policy. The most common manner by which travel insurance is acquired coincides with the actual booking of the trip so that the policy will almost always cover the entire duration of said trip.

Travel insurance policies that are provided by travel agencies are only temporary and may almost always involve minimal or limited insurance coverage. This is why it is advisable for a person traveling to acquire an insurance plan from the main insurance companies in his or her area and not from the travel providers. This is because travel insurance that come from travel agents are usually designed for minimal coverage because these simply pass as add ons to a travel package hence the need for cheap thus limited coverage.

The purpose of travel insurance plans is to be able to handle certain situations when the risks of traveling are at play. Travel insurance can protect the interests of all passengers alike when travel providers fail to deliver quality service. Medical emergencies are inevitable and so this insurance policy serves to assist travelers with the costs from the medical services they might be acquiring.

Injury and death are also within the extensive provisions of a travel insurance policy. War and conflict are highly inevitable yet rare occurrences but most passengers do not wish to take chances and secure a policy which includes these in its provisions. War and terrorism are valid reasons to delay or completely cancel a trip so travelers should have the necessary protection for their money when their trips are interrupted by such events.

Travel insurance policies can aid with the handling of problems that arise when personal belongings of a traveler are delayed in transport or are nowhere to be found. Jeopardized belongings are a regular fault usually committed by particular travel provider personnel. Being equipped with an insurance policy gives a traveler added security for when the occasion of lost luggage arises.

Similar to the purpose of other insurance policies, travel insurance serves to satisfy a traveler's need for dilemmas that occur while in travel. Equipped with an insurance policy, not only will the traveler be more secure during his or her trip but also have the peace of mind that travel providers will not take advantage of him or her should a problem arise.

There are some policies which may include additional benefits in the contract while there are some with fixed provisions.

A traveler has the choice of he or she would want more benefits to be covered by his or her existing travel insurance plan for a fee of course. Separate insurance can be acquired for pre existing medical conditions such as asthma or diabetes for example. Life threatening activities can be managed well with a proper insurance policy.

A trip may cause a traveler to participate in harmful activities but it is highly possible that the country where the traveler is going becomes a danger itself. Steer clear from danger even if a travel insurance policy has the necessary coverage towards it. Particular coverage provisions will serve to manage different situations and a person will always be required to pay more for a much comprehensive plan to be possible.

Having a terrible medical condition as well as being exposed to alcohol and drug abuse will automatically disqualify a person from attaining the full benefits under his or her policy. War and terrorism are provisions usually excluded in most insurance contracts for the interest of the company and the well being of travelers by acting as a form of persuasion tactic influencing them not to go on with a trip to countries under conflict.

Travel insurance can prove to be much help when problematic situations arise when traveling and it is suggested that any one considering such an investment would spend enough time to look for varying choices.

There are some travel arrangements which can call for a hefty sum of money to be deposited early on and when a traveler wants to ensure that this investment is not risked in any way then travel insurance is the solution. It is possible that a person already has existing coverage that he or she might be able to use. Most of the time these plans already provide coverage for some losses.

Readers will be able to understand the extent of a comprehensive travel insurance policy and the limitations of a travel accident policy or an airport flight insurance policy when they go through this article. Brokers can offer clients a series of coverage plans at a single premium or travelers can opt to buy different coverage types at separate prices. A traveler can always rely on a comprehensive policy to assist him or her should losses arise due to possible illness, emergencies, and other mishaps within a trip.

Other provisions that may be available include flight insurance, reimbursements for lost belongings, daily living allowances when flights are delayed, personal liability insurance, and assistance for emergency evacuation. It is normal for exclusions not to have an effect on leisure travelers. Different policies have varying conditions as explained below.

There are some travel arrangements which can end up in huge penalties when a traveler does not push through with the reservations made and in this situation it is always a good idea to get insurance for interruption and cancellation. These payments are usually non refundable but with a policy like this one a traveler can easily ask for a refund should his or her trip not go as planned.

A policy like this also serves the purpose of assisting travelers when they incur additional fees for changing travel arrangements when their companions back out. A policy like this one can ensure that travelers will have no financial obligation should reservations be cancelled. A person has two options where he or she is either given the means to catch up or given the means to go back home. For claims to be valid three reasons are possible including a case of illness, injury, or death.

A policy will only be applicable should trips be cancelled by the air lines or cruise lines themselves especially when they declare bankruptcy. You can sometimes buy baggage insurance separately and the cost depends on the dollar limit and length of time. When items such as contact lenses, money, tickets, and the like are not checked in as luggage then insurance will not cover any losses.

Your homeowners or renters insurance, and any special floaters for jewelry, furs, camera equipment and other valuables, may already somewhat cover your baggage against named perils like fire and theft. One can rely on baggage insurance for any lost belongings. Medical insurance policies can extend coverage for a year at a time. If a traveler is required to pay for medical services obtained on foreign trips he or she can simply apply for a reimbursement of the expenses back home.

Medicare in the United States can extend limited services to Canada or even Mexico but in other areas outside the border the policy may not be as useful. People should not disregard the possible use of a regular medical policy. How much will a full coverage cost a traveler? 

A comprehensive travel insurance policy designed for a family of four considering two week long travel arrangements can be worth more than a hundred thousand dollars including a combination of services for accidental death and dismemberment, emergency assistance, flight default, lost belongings, and medical expenses. The normal premium price range for such an insurance policy will range from two hundred to two hundred and fifteen dollars for the traveler.

How do you get from Anchorage to Seward in Alaska? It really is one of the most scenic routes in the world and you can have the railroad ride of your life, gazing at the incredible beauty of the Alaskan world the railroad cuts through. This train caters to the package travelers, most of them come for the cruises, as well as for independent travelers. You can just take it one-way or you can do the return journey as well. You'll find that somehow, there's nothing to beat the experience of a train ride, especially through such sheer beauty. For a picturesque ride, hop aboard the Coastal Classic run by the Alaska Railroad. This is the only rail service going and while the front has the railroad's Standard and GoldStar Services, the rear houses the private companies.

The great thing about the Alaska Railroad section is that you can walk right through the train, stretch your legs so to speak. Your seat would be near a large window through which you can view the beautiful countryside whizzing by. While you listen to the tour guides' commentary. These are usually trained high school students who are a lively bunch. You have your dining service on board and there are open-air areas in between the coaches where you can get out for a breather or shoot your pictures for posterity. The Standard option really is an inexpensive way to travel, and comfortable as well. You even have a choice to sit in a domed car which seats two. However, this is not a confirmed seating so you cannot quite be sure of getting it if it's a busy day.

Their GoldStar service is much more expensive and has much more luxury to offer. The coaches are double-decker ones with the top section being glass domes which offer an incredible all-round view. What's more, the seats here are all front-facing and reclining as well. They can be turned around for a 4-person conference. The interiors are plush with gold, crystal and art. And of course it's fine dining with a bar attendant and a tour guide. When you board, you have fast check-ins and you also get preferential seating in the dining room. The freebies include non-alcoholic drinks and a special gift.

You could also book on Holland America which has a lot of modern cars but also includes authentic renovated Budd Cars from way back in the 50s. (In these old ones, the seats face each other.) These railcars are large, with huge glass windows and domes. The dining is downstairs and the drinks are served upstairs in their dual-level seating cars. There is in-seat entertainment and narration that is GPS-triggered. You have live commentary as well as little lounge areas to relax in. This service, however, is more expensive than the Alaska Railroad's.

You also have the Princess Cars with their double-decker glass dome cars. This is very like Holland America. These cars have very large balcony-like areas which are great to be in on warm days. They too have GPS-triggered narration and the dining is in seatings of 4. These cars are usually full of package cruise travelers. However, this is a much more expensive option as compared to the Alaska Railroad's.