I just finalized all of the booking for a cruise/city vacation in Holland and Baltic Cruise. Below are some of the tips for reducing costs that I put into action.
1. The cruise was almost free as I had a future cruise credit due to a cancelled cruise by the cruise line. All I had to pay was $100 and the taxes. But the tip here is that I used the future cruise credit at CruCon.com (crucon.com) and got a $150 on board credit (OBC). If a cruise line offers you a cruise credit, use it in the time frame allowed and find a travel agency giving OBCs this way you will reduce your overall cost. This will pay for the daily service charges)
2. Try to use your credit card, travel agency and or airline points even if its only a partial payment. This time I used my expedia points (expedia.ca) and doubled the credit at one of their VIP hotels. In this case it allowed me a discount of $200 for a much better hotel in Amsterdam. I also used up my Visa Adventura card points (cibc.com) which reduced a $1200 flight to $733 but I still had to pay for my seats and baggage. I am flabbergasted that a seat on KLM is now $32 CDN each way and 1 checked bag is $60 each way. If my KLM points had not expired I would have saved some money there.
3. If you are only staying one night as I am the last day of the cruise you really only need a hotel close to transportation to and from the cruise port and airport. I have to stay one night in order to get a morning flight home the next day. I used Booking.com (booking.com) and my genius 2 level discount for a hotel walking distance to the cruise port and easy 1 train to the airport the next day.
4. This is likely the most important tip - watch the prices of your flight, cruise as this way you can book at sale times and you get the double wammy of the sale price plus the use of your rewards to get the lowest price.
I only like direct flights when I have to check a bag, prefer an aisle seat close to the front of the plane and hotels on the train lines and public transit or walkable to the sights I want to see. With a little planning and use of reward points I am saving over $2500 on this vacation.
Hope this helps
Marcia
Travel help for solos, couples that want the best value for their money based on my personal experiences over the past 40 years of travelling.
Thursday, October 31, 2019
Tuesday, October 29, 2019
Link to good article on safest countries for women travelling solo
As I have mentioned in previous posts I find the articles on smarter travel.com (https://www.smartertravel.com) www.smartertravel.com very helpful. There is a good one on which counties (based on most travelled to countries) are safest and those that are not for female solo travellers based on a number of factors.
Below is the link
https://www.smartertravel.com/safest-countries-for-solo-female-travel/?source=91&u=DED129A403&nltv=&nl_cs=51498934%3A%3A%3A%3A%3A%3A&mi_u=DED129A403
You can copy it into your browser to see if where your going is on the safest or worse. I am glad Canada is in the top ten but think it should be higher than the first which is Spain?? I saw lots of pickpockets and vandalism in Spain. I also was not surprised that Dominican Republic was on the 10 least safe as I had my bad experiences there in the past.
Take a look at the article and see if you agree.
Hope this helps
Marcia
Below is the link
https://www.smartertravel.com/safest-countries-for-solo-female-travel/?source=91&u=DED129A403&nltv=&nl_cs=51498934%3A%3A%3A%3A%3A%3A&mi_u=DED129A403
You can copy it into your browser to see if where your going is on the safest or worse. I am glad Canada is in the top ten but think it should be higher than the first which is Spain?? I saw lots of pickpockets and vandalism in Spain. I also was not surprised that Dominican Republic was on the 10 least safe as I had my bad experiences there in the past.
Take a look at the article and see if you agree.
Hope this helps
Marcia
Monday, October 28, 2019
Safety tips for solo senior travellers
I have been travelling solo since I was a teenager and have recently realized that some of the things I had to worry about as a young traveller are now true as a senior traveller. Travelling alone has its perks (do your own thing), no schedules to keep or joint decision making but you can be a target for pick pockets and other unsavory characters. When I was young the various service people called me "dear" or "Miss", in middle age they called me mam, and now in my sixties its back to "dear" again. Quite weird. So below are my tips
1. Arrive and depart in the daytime if possible. Easier to travel alone and you don't stand out. To Europe I take the night flights that arrive in the morning.
2. Use a "Travelon" (amazon.ca) purse/bag as it locks and is really hard for pickpockets to get at you. The strap also has metal so can't be cut.
3. Make sure you have either pre-booked your pick-up when you arrive or know the public transport you will be taking. I use Rome2Rio (rome2rio.com) to figure out what routing and transportation options I have in each new destination. The same applies for your departure.
4. I prefer shuttles to taxis if possible for pickup or departure - I feel safer with others in the van and of course its cheaper for one person.
5. Take public transport if possible in the town/city as there are cameras and lots of staff to help you.
6. Travel light - you must be able to carry your suitcase without looking like you need help. The only help I have needed is on some trains in Europe, staff or kind gentlemen have lifted up my suitcase to the overhead when there wasn't another option. I prefer the lower section and ALWAYS lock your suitcase after you get off the plane - pickpockets like to rifle thru unlocked suitcases on trains/buses.
7. Look for hotels/inns that include breakfast. It saves you money and time in the morning.
8. Eat your big meal in a nice restaurant at lunch. It will be cheaper and there are usually lots of other solo (usually business people) eating alone and a few times they have asked to join me.
9. Be back in your hotel/inn mid evening - I target for 8 or 9 pm and if I am going to be really late (seeing a show etc) I make sure I know my routing or take a cab to my hotel.
10. Don't be afraid - look confident - a little planning on your routes, your travel options to the various destinations in big cities or country side will give you confidence.
11. Avoid big crowds as this is where the pickpockets are and they love Seniors - in Rome its the crowded buses and line ups for tourist sites. If you can travel off-peak times, you will find breathing space.
12. Be open to meeting and talking to other fellow travellers - I always meet fellow tourists and am friendly and polite to all service people and other travellers. If there is an issue I speak up but respectfully and calmly.
13. Most of all enjoy yourself, do your own thing and try new things.
Lastly you don't always need a tour, but for some who need the company, want others to plan your days go ahead but remember its likely more expensive than travelling on your own.
Hope this helps
Marcia
1. Arrive and depart in the daytime if possible. Easier to travel alone and you don't stand out. To Europe I take the night flights that arrive in the morning.
2. Use a "Travelon" (amazon.ca) purse/bag as it locks and is really hard for pickpockets to get at you. The strap also has metal so can't be cut.
3. Make sure you have either pre-booked your pick-up when you arrive or know the public transport you will be taking. I use Rome2Rio (rome2rio.com) to figure out what routing and transportation options I have in each new destination. The same applies for your departure.
4. I prefer shuttles to taxis if possible for pickup or departure - I feel safer with others in the van and of course its cheaper for one person.
5. Take public transport if possible in the town/city as there are cameras and lots of staff to help you.
6. Travel light - you must be able to carry your suitcase without looking like you need help. The only help I have needed is on some trains in Europe, staff or kind gentlemen have lifted up my suitcase to the overhead when there wasn't another option. I prefer the lower section and ALWAYS lock your suitcase after you get off the plane - pickpockets like to rifle thru unlocked suitcases on trains/buses.
7. Look for hotels/inns that include breakfast. It saves you money and time in the morning.
8. Eat your big meal in a nice restaurant at lunch. It will be cheaper and there are usually lots of other solo (usually business people) eating alone and a few times they have asked to join me.
9. Be back in your hotel/inn mid evening - I target for 8 or 9 pm and if I am going to be really late (seeing a show etc) I make sure I know my routing or take a cab to my hotel.
10. Don't be afraid - look confident - a little planning on your routes, your travel options to the various destinations in big cities or country side will give you confidence.
11. Avoid big crowds as this is where the pickpockets are and they love Seniors - in Rome its the crowded buses and line ups for tourist sites. If you can travel off-peak times, you will find breathing space.
12. Be open to meeting and talking to other fellow travellers - I always meet fellow tourists and am friendly and polite to all service people and other travellers. If there is an issue I speak up but respectfully and calmly.
13. Most of all enjoy yourself, do your own thing and try new things.
Lastly you don't always need a tour, but for some who need the company, want others to plan your days go ahead but remember its likely more expensive than travelling on your own.
Hope this helps
Marcia
Sunday, October 27, 2019
Should you use a travel advisor/agent?
The quickest answer is sometimes you can/should use a travel agent/advisor. They are now calling themselves advisors (a recent change).
All I can do is tell you when I use a travel advisor.
1. I use a travel advisor when I am booking cruises. Often they offer additional credits beyond what the cruise line is offering. For instance on my recent booking to the Baltic CruCon (https://www.crucon.com) www.crucon.com, offered a $150 USD on board credit. They are a high volume cruise booker so it is likely based on volume??? Not sure.
2. I use a travel advisor at Expedia Cruise Centers when I have found the best deal, and its thru the Cruise line only. I don't pay anything extra, she gets the commission, I get expedia points that I use for hotel bookings thru Expedia and I have the added protection of going thru a travel agency.
When do a book on my own?
1. I do it when I book flights and hotels only.
I often find that I like the convenience and safety of booking the airlines directly on their site. The price (even with sales) are the same and I can book my seats and pay for my bag all in one transaction. They are the best at keeping me informed on any flight changes as I have found Expedia has had an issue with the flight changes as they always ask me to accept the change (I do) and then for some reason it doesn't take. I caused me a whole lot of hassle with a Delta/WestJet flight last summer and the Expedia supervisor was extremely rude and still didn't fix it so I had problems checking in with WestJet. Thankfully West Jet did the best they could and I got on all my flights, but had to check in with agents versus online and kiosks even though I only had a carryon.
With Hotels I use Expedia and/or Booking.com. I use Expedia, (Expedia.ca) when I am using up the credits I have earned from Cruises and hotel bookings. But I like Booking.com (booking.com) the best as I have the Genius level discounts from booking many hotels and I trust the ratings of people who have stayed at the hotel. I find if the place has an average guest score of 8 or more out of 10, regardless of the hotel star rating ( I usually stay at 3 star) I can trust the experience I will have.
2. Booking trains and buying passes in Europe. I find booking directly with the national train service or tourism site for city passes the best way to go, as you can trust the reservation, don't have to pay a fee and usually the price is the same. However I have had an issue with Canadian Credit cards with the French rail service - for some reason they didn't like my card. So I had to book with a third party and the ticket was fine but there was a small fee.
Hope this Helps
Marcia
All I can do is tell you when I use a travel advisor.
1. I use a travel advisor when I am booking cruises. Often they offer additional credits beyond what the cruise line is offering. For instance on my recent booking to the Baltic CruCon (https://www.crucon.com) www.crucon.com, offered a $150 USD on board credit. They are a high volume cruise booker so it is likely based on volume??? Not sure.
2. I use a travel advisor at Expedia Cruise Centers when I have found the best deal, and its thru the Cruise line only. I don't pay anything extra, she gets the commission, I get expedia points that I use for hotel bookings thru Expedia and I have the added protection of going thru a travel agency.
When do a book on my own?
1. I do it when I book flights and hotels only.
I often find that I like the convenience and safety of booking the airlines directly on their site. The price (even with sales) are the same and I can book my seats and pay for my bag all in one transaction. They are the best at keeping me informed on any flight changes as I have found Expedia has had an issue with the flight changes as they always ask me to accept the change (I do) and then for some reason it doesn't take. I caused me a whole lot of hassle with a Delta/WestJet flight last summer and the Expedia supervisor was extremely rude and still didn't fix it so I had problems checking in with WestJet. Thankfully West Jet did the best they could and I got on all my flights, but had to check in with agents versus online and kiosks even though I only had a carryon.
With Hotels I use Expedia and/or Booking.com. I use Expedia, (Expedia.ca) when I am using up the credits I have earned from Cruises and hotel bookings. But I like Booking.com (booking.com) the best as I have the Genius level discounts from booking many hotels and I trust the ratings of people who have stayed at the hotel. I find if the place has an average guest score of 8 or more out of 10, regardless of the hotel star rating ( I usually stay at 3 star) I can trust the experience I will have.
2. Booking trains and buying passes in Europe. I find booking directly with the national train service or tourism site for city passes the best way to go, as you can trust the reservation, don't have to pay a fee and usually the price is the same. However I have had an issue with Canadian Credit cards with the French rail service - for some reason they didn't like my card. So I had to book with a third party and the ticket was fine but there was a small fee.
Hope this Helps
Marcia
Thursday, October 24, 2019
Helpful article on how to pack everything in a carry on
I just found this good article on Jetsetter. It talks about how to pack everything in a carry on. Below is the link to the article.
https://www.jetsetter.com/magazine/tips-for-packing-a-carry-on/?source=115966&u=DED129A403&nltv=&nl_cs=51663008%3A%3A%3A%3A%3A%3A&mcid=57485&mi_u=DED129A403
jetsetter.com
I like this newsletter as I only get it once a week and usually there is something helpful.
Hope this helps
Marcia
https://www.jetsetter.com/magazine/tips-for-packing-a-carry-on/?source=115966&u=DED129A403&nltv=&nl_cs=51663008%3A%3A%3A%3A%3A%3A&mcid=57485&mi_u=DED129A403
jetsetter.com
I like this newsletter as I only get it once a week and usually there is something helpful.
Hope this helps
Marcia
Sunday, October 20, 2019
MSC Caribbean cruise inside cabin 11 day at $741 CDN
I am seeing a terrific deal for solos on MSC DIVINA at $741 CDN (Expedia.ca expedia.ca) for December 6 to December 17th 2019 for a solo (Fantastica) in an inside cabin on decks 12 or 13. This is a very good deal as a Fantastica cabin means you will likely get your choice of dining time and free room service. I have never been on an MSC ship but have heard mixed reviews - with some reviews saying its the Greyhound bus of cruises and others really liking it. The ports are excellent on this cruise. The worry I have is the price of flights seem to be close to the cost of the cruise with the lowest direct flight over $500 CDN on American Airlines … Air Canada is over $600.
Hope this helps
Marcia
Hope this helps
Marcia
Wednesday, October 16, 2019
9 day Empress of the Seas carribean cruise for 2 $442 USD PP
The deal of the day is Empress of the Seas 9 day Southern Carribean Cruise for $442 USD PP double occupancy or for solo its $849USD. Its on December 13, 2019 and leaves from Miami. This is the rate for an inside cabin on a high deck. On Cruises.com and American Cruise Discount they are also offering onboard credit of $50 USD.
Note this is an older ship and has mixed reviews but with Aruba, Curacao and Bonaire as some of the ports you can't go wrong with this deal.
However direct flights are about $600 CDN on either WestJet or Air Canada for these dates.
It seems if you get a good cruise deal the flights will be expensive.
Hope this helps
Marcia
Note this is an older ship and has mixed reviews but with Aruba, Curacao and Bonaire as some of the ports you can't go wrong with this deal.
However direct flights are about $600 CDN on either WestJet or Air Canada for these dates.
It seems if you get a good cruise deal the flights will be expensive.
Hope this helps
Marcia
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