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Just a few tips to help make your vacation planning, packing and travel a bit easier!
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Don’t leave your vacation to chance. Book with Vacation,Cruise and Honeymoon Specialist. |
o Do you want to trust your vacation plans to the internet? It is very easy to make a costly mistake when booking a vacation online.
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Do book the room accommodations that you really want to stay in. |
o Although travel agents have more pull with room upgrades than internet agencies, complimentary room upgrades can never be guaranteed. A standard or run-of-house room or inside cruise cabin may be the least expensive but they also may not be the one you really want to spend your vacation in. I can help you sort through room categories and help you with the right one for you.
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Do plan to fly to your cruise the day before the cruise leaves. |
o In case of airline or weather issues, this will give you a cushion of time to still get to the ship on time. Spending the night before your cruise in a local hotel will ensure that you can board the cruise ship refreshed and relaxed. It is costly to have to join your ship at the next port of call if you miss the ship.
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Do carry your travel documents with you. |
o Don’t pack your passport or travel vouchers in your suitcase. You will need to present these at the airport and at your final destination.
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Do make 2 color copies of your passport. |
o Leave 1 at home with your designated contact person and carry the other in an alternate location. For instance, if you are carrying your passport in your purse, put the copy in your carry-on luggage.
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Do designate 1 person back home to be your primary contact. |
o This person (friend or family member) will have a copy of your itinerary with phone numbers, a copy of your passport, as well as your travel agent’s phone #, your boss’s phone # and a list of people that you might need to contact in case of an emergency. In case your return gets delayed, it might not be possible or it might be very expensive for you to make all these phone calls. Your designated contact should be willing and able to do this for you.
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Do pack a complete change of clothes in a carry on piece of luggage. |
o If your luggage is delayed, at least you will have clean clothes to wear.
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Do pack your medication, extra eye glasses or contact lenses and sunglasses in your carry on. |
o Always take extra medication with you in case your return is delayed.
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Do split your clothes into 2 suitcases, if possible. |
o Instead of putting all your clothes into 1 suitcase and all of your traveling companion’s into another, split the clothes between both suitcases. In case 1 suitcase gets delayed, you will still have clean clothes to wear until the suitcase is delivered to you.
o You can carry 1 quart sized zip lock bag per person with liquid toiletries (3 oz or less) in your carry on but freezer sized zip lock bags come in handy for lots of things. Use them for wet items and for travel documents. Use them to pack your socks and underwear, so they stay together. Bring sandwich size zip lock bags for snacks. They are so easy to pack in a pocket of your suitcase and they have multiple purposes.
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Do use TSA approved locks if you are planning on locking your luggage. |
o The airport screeners can open and search your luggage so if you feel more comfortable with locking your luggage, make sure the lock is TSA approved so it can be opened without breaking it.
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Do check that your luggage is tagged by the airport personnel correctly and your final destination (airport code) appears on the luggage tag they put on it. |
o My friends were headed to London but their luggage was sent to Sweden. This is more common that you think!
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Do purchase travel insurance. |
o We have had to use it when my husband got sick on a cruise many years ago and we take it out for every vacation. You never plan on having to use it, but trust me, you will be happy you took it out when you need it.
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Don’t sweat the small stuff. |
o Yes, flights might be delayed.
o Yes, things may not go exactly as planned but remember that you are on vacation. You are not working, cooking or cleaning. Enjoy your vacation. You have booked with a Vacation and Cruise Specialist who uses reliable travel suppliers for each component of your vacation.
o Rest assured that problems will be resolved and you can have fun!
For more information, email me at mindy@myvacationlady.com
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