Category: Travel Tips

6 Reasons Why Your Next Cruise Should Be a Luxury Cruise

4/6/2021

By John Roberts
Luxury travel means something different to each individual. But, make no mistake, most travelers like to enjoy at least an occasional bit of pampering or poshness, alongside gourmet food, while traveling in style surrounded by gorgeous amenities and designs.
The right cruises can offer a great mix of everything you might be looking for to treat yourself.
Admit it: Sometimes, you just want to enjoy the finer things in life while you explore unique destinations and dive into your adventures.
Luxury cruises offer amazing food, attentive service and an all-around hassle-free experience.
This really gives your trip that added something special. Adding an element of luxury can make a good trip great.

Here are a few reasons why it can pay off to spend a little extra -- OK maybe a lot extra depending on the cruise -- to take a luxury voyage.

Attentive Service
While the crew on most cruise ships are generally outstanding, the staffers on luxury sailings truly go above and beyond. They have more time to get to know your personal preferences, daily habits and what you love. With a smaller passenger-to-crew ratio, these friendly people -- from wait staff to cabin stewards and bartenders -- are able to be more attentive.
This is easily the No. 1 reason we love a luxury cruise. We truly feel special while onboard.
Inclusive Pricing
These upscale cruises are either all-inclusive or mostly inclusive. This means that you pay one price upfront without added a la carte fees that you see elsewhere. Your all-inclusive fare includes things like gratuities, wi-fi, all meals and drinks, shore excursions and airport transfers.
Some luxury line packages also include items like airfare and hotel stays in their pricing.
Amazing Cuisine
Luxury cruise ships feature top-notch fine dining options, with some gourmet cuisine crafted in partnerships with award-winning chefs -- like Nobu on Crystal Cruises and Thomas Keller on Seabourn. You dine in eateries that offer intimate settings for special meals that will be among the highlights of your trip.
The culinary programs offer delicious meals with special touches, like free-flowing Champagne and bottomless caviar. Most luxury lines offer an amazing amount of flexibility; if you can't find something that appeals to you, just ask for something you'd like! Menus onboard are often just a starting point.
Cruisers can enjoy top-deck barbecue extravaganzas, wine tastings and memorable experiences like a chef's table meal during which you can often see the kitchen in action as each course is prepared and then introduced by the chef.
Special Touches
Beyond the highly attentive service, special touches onboard a luxury cruise ship include such things as the decor and design features of the ship. You will travel on ships that have high-quality and well-thought-out designs. The ships can serve as art galleries.
You can wander the decks to see pricey works of art, such as sculptures and paintings.
Brass railings and other shiny trimmings, as well as plenty of glass let you know you are immersed in a world of luxury and comfort.
Also, cruisers may be treated to butler service in their suites, which means you can have a romantic meal in your room or on your verandah or have them provide other services such as packing or unpacking your luggage or taking care of dinner reservations or other requests like setting up a cocktail party in your cabin.
No Crowds
Luxury cruise ships offer more square footage per passenger -- and the ships are much smaller than the mass-market mega-ships that you might be familiar with. This means, most of these cruises will be on ships that carry anywhere from 140 to about 1,000 passengers. This is a much more pleasant experience because you never feel crowded, whether in the theaters, dining rooms, in bars and lounges, during embarkation or when going ashore with your fellow cruisers.
Better Itineraries
The smaller luxury ships can get to ports and destinations that the big ships can't visit. Itineraries might include fascinating ports like Tangiers, Morocco; tiny Greek islands like Hydra and stunningly scenic Kotor, Montenegro. These are just a few of the hundreds of exotic and lightly visited destinations that you and your like-minded fellow cruisers can seek out. Plus, you get a more highly curated onshore experience, so the itineraries and excursions offer a more intimate and engaging experience with the people who live and work in these places.

There you have it!
A luxury cruise is worth the splurge for an extra special travel experience. These cruises might be just what you want for a change of pace or to celebrate a special occasion like a retirement, milestone birthday or anniversary.
We love all kinds of travel and cruises, from budget road trips to joining a mega ship for a rocking theme cruise.
But every now and then, it can be nice to immerse yourself in a vacation where you will be pampered completely and where you can just lose yourself in the comfort and wonder of it all.
Let us know what you think about luxury travel. Have you had a memorable experience? What did you do? Drop a comment below and join the conversation.

Thanks for reading, and remember to always travel happy!
JR

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3 Awesome Essentials for the Active Traveler in 2021 and Beyond

2/17/2021

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We've stumbled upon a few items that you'll find useful -- if not essential -- as you head out on your adventures.

By John Roberts
I'm eagerly looking toward spring and the glorious possibility that more travel is coming as we emerge from the pandemic. Vaccines are being distributed, and the effectiveness against the virus should serve as hope that travel will begin to somewhat normalize.
That doesn't mean things will immediately go back to the way they were. Precautions and health protocols will still be in place for many parts of society.
With that in mind, we are bringing you a few travel products that could well become be essential parts of your gear for the immediate future and for years to come These items just make sense to us.
Here are three convenient and easy-to-pack. Must-have travel accessories for 2021 and beyond.

HALOmask
Mask wearing has become a necessary part of our lives during the coronavirus pandemic. So, hundreds of companies have emerged trying to refine and perfect masks that deliver the proper mix of hygiene and comfort while offering protection against transmission of COVID-19.
As someone who is extra active, with daily workouts and weekend hikes and runs, I have been frustrated in trying to find a mask that gives me the protection and comfort I desire when I am around others in the gym or on the trails.
HALOmask is the best option I have discovered so far. The company touts its masks as the most comfortable, stylish and technologically advanced masks that you'll find. (Of course, it does.)
I gave the mask a try, and here is what I found.
The cloth mask features soft ear straps, which make the mask tolerable for hours, with no tugging and discomfort that I get from the standard masks with elastic straps. This means, I can wear the HALOmask for hours (as is required when flying) without a great hassle.
The softness, comfort and breathability of this mask -- which also comes with a nanofilter that you replace every two weeks or so (depending on the amount of use and your daily contact with the public) to maximize the capture of particles -- makes it ideal for use while working out or enjoying other active pursuits like biking, hiking or sports competitions.
HALOmask says its mask with the nanofilter captures more than 99 percent of airborne matter down to a size of 0.1 microns. The mask would be considered safer than simple cloth masks or standard "neck gaiters" because the HALOmask, with its paper-thin nanofilters feature a proprietary "nano-matrix" that blocks virtually all smoke, dust, pollution, pollen, particulates and pathogens.

We're extremely happy with the fit and comfort of our HALOmasks. Plus, they come in a variety of colors.

Overall, I loved the comfort of the mask. It's made of a soft cloth and the fit makes it easy to breath, even while undertaking strenuous activities. This was my main hang-up with other masks I have tried. I would be working out, trying a heavy lift or sprinting session at the gym, and it would be difficult to breathe. With the HALOmask, these tasks have become much more manageable. You can adjust the tightness of the fit around the nose by pinching the small wire insert at the top. I'll keep mine as tight as possible when traveling on a plane or elsewhere in public. I keep it a little looser for air flow and breathability at the gym during strenuous workouts.
I'm extremely pleased to have discovered this mask. For as long as we're going to be wearing masks in society, it's a relief to find something so effective that also offers comfort and convenience.

NakeFit Protective Soles
This could become your go-to footwear if you prefer to be barefoot. Nakefit stick-on soles are easy to apply single-use foot protection that give you comfort and protection for all kinds of travel environments.
The soles are great for wearing on vacations at resorts -- when you'll be around a pool or in public spas and community showers. They are waterproof, so you keep them on while swimming or wandering the beach. The slim cushion effect is nice and offers protection from hard surfaces and those that get very hot in the summer sun, like sand and pavement.
Nakefit soles are made with a blend of cotton, Spandex and silicone. They are applied with an easy-on and easy-off adhesive, and the soles create a great hygienic, non-slip barrier ideal for those of us who prefer a minimalist feel on our feet.

Good to Know: You get one chance to place them on your feet, so make sure you are lining up your toes and heel for perfect coverage before you commit to sticking them on. Also, if you have excessivley sweaty feet, the company warns that the soles might not adhere as well.
We think they fit into your travel lifestyle well in the following scenarios: at the airport for when you have to remove your shoes, at a waterpark, resort vacations, beach time and swimming, especially when you have to wade in to the sea from a rocky beach.
Nakefit protective soles come in convenient three-packs for as low as $17.99 on sale (reduced from $19.99 as of this post).

TP Kits
Let's talk about the urge.
We have a lot of urges as humans -- to travel, explore and connect with nature.
Sometimes, our urge is just an urge, though.
When you gotta go, you gotta go!
You know what I mean. It usually happens when you're out in nature satisfying your urge for adventure.
It sure can be a miserable experience when you have to poop while wandering in the woods and realize you aren't really properly prepared.
Who hasn't been caught in one of these desperate situations? You definitely understand the need for our discussion here.
TP Kits will become a staple in your backpack and leave you feeling confident every time you head out into the wilderness.
If you often get the urge to go -- after you leave the comfort of your home and just as you start your outdoor adventures, these are just what you need. These kits take up no space in your backpack. You'll barely know they are there, but will be the most valuable item when you come to need it.
Each individual package comes with five double-ply tissues, two cotton-blend sanitizing wet wipes and a fully biodegradable resealable pouch.

The kits come in especially handy when you've got to take a quick potty break. Excuse me while I duck behind the saguaro in Phoenix.

TP Kits take a little bit of the hassle out of your planning for many types of outings. We used to create our own "bathroom kits" when we went out for a hike. Essentially, I would throw a few Kleenex into a zippered sandwich bag. These work fine -- when I remember to include them in my pack. We also relied on any sanitizing wipes we happened to toss in, as well.
With TP Kits, I have placed several in my backpack, so I am always set. An extra box sits in the car, so we never run out.
We used them for the first time on our hiking week in Arizona, and they gave us peace of mind. I always pack out what I bring in to any park, but with TP Kits we have the comfort to know that if we happened to inadvertently drop a pouch or any part of the kit along the trail, the biodegradable product wouldn't damage the environment.
TP Kits can be bought as "singles" and as a 10-pack box.

Have you found any new products that are essentials for your adventurous lifestyle? What do you think about these items?
Let us know in the comments below, and thanks for reading,
JR

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Best Places to Retire Overseas for Pennies on the Dollar

1/26/2021

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You can have access to beautiful beaches if you choose to live abroad in places like Nha Trang, Vietnam. // Courtesy Vietnam Tourism

By John Roberts
If you have ever thought of living overseas, whether part of the year or full time in retirement, we've got some cool spots for you to check out. These amazing destinations are incredibly affordable compared to living in the United States and offer plenty of culture, food and activities to keep you living your most vibrant and exciting life while abroad.
Travel magazine International Living released its Annual Global Retirement Index, which ranks the 25 best retirement havens in the world.
We'll take a look at the top five destinations in these rankings; they're all places where you can enjoy the ex-pat life safely and comfortably for less than it would cost in the United States.
The index analyzes categories like day-to-day expenses -- groceries; rent; movie theater tickets; eating out; garbage collection; gas; gym memberships; and even the cost of a getting a flight back to the U.S. -- as well as other hidden costs that typically slip our minds.
"While people consider a retirement overseas for lots of reasons -- the adventure, the chance to explore a new place and maybe learn a new language, the travel opportunities, and so on -- the idea of lowering their cost of living while improving their quality of life plays an outsized role for many," said Jennifer Stevens, executive editor of International Living.
"Even before the pandemic, most people had not saved enough for retirement. The extensive job loss we're seeing is going to further exacerbate that situation. But a move to one of the best-value destinations overseas -- even if it's simply for a year or two -- can dramatically lower retirees' everyday costs."
This can help lower stress levels, too, she says.
"Consider a monthly budget of, say, $1,800 for a couple," Stevens said. "In the States, that would require penny-pinching. But take those limited funds to the right spots abroad, and you could watch your lifestyle expand.
"In fact, in the spots that top our Cost of Living category this year, as little as $1,000 a month can bankroll a comfortable lifestyle."
International Living's 2021 Annual Global Retirement Index ranks these countries as the best places to retire safely, comfortably and affordably:

No. 4 (Tie) Ecuador and Cambodia
Ecuador is one of the least-expensive countries in the world and has been gaining favor as an expat destination. Everything from the price of real estate and rent to the cost of hiring a full-time maid and dinner out is much lower than in the States.
Plus, you won't have to forego your favorite conveniences in major cities like Quito, Guayaquil, and Cuenca. New cars are common, including several brands made in Ecuadorian factories. Almost everyone owns a cellphone (or two), and internet connections are easy to come by.
World-class restaurants serve excellent meals, yet residents report they rarely pay more than $50 for dinner for two at a high-end place -- with drinks included. It's easy to live on less than $20,000 per year.
Donna Stiteler, an International Living Cuenca correspondent who grew up in St. Petersburg, Florida, embarked on a new journey in search of somewhere cheaper to live in 2014 -- in Ecuador.
"When I tell people I easily live off $1,800 a month, the first response is usually 'What's the catch?' " Donna said. "I respond by telling them it's what I don't spend that helps me live off of my Social Security.
"I do own my house, but with rents averaging around $450 a month, housing is affordable. I don't need a car because Cuenca is a walkable city, and if I don't feel like walking, taxis run around $3.50 to get almost anywhere in town. Public transportation costs 35 cents for a bus or train ride.
"I live in the Andes where temperatures run in the high 50s in the morning and rise to the mid-70s during the day, so there are no high electric bills; mine averages around $70 a month compared to the $400 I paid during hot summers in Florida."

Cambodia
Progress has been accelerating in Cambodia. Phnom Penh, the capital city of this small, sparsely populated country, is alive with new high-rise buildings, a modern hospital and an improved standard of living for all residents. Once one of the world's poorest countries, Cambodia is now considered to have a lower-middle-income status.
Though the country is advancing, the cost of living is still extraordinarily low when compared with the U.S. A couple might spend as little as $1,355 a month living in the main cities and towns of Cambodia. A housekeeper charges $35 a month to come in once a week, and a cell phone bill might come to less than $10 a month for unlimited calls, messages and internet.
"One of the best values, if you're living in Cambodia, is the low cost of your rent," said Wendy Justice, International Living Southeast Asia correspondent. "Prices for apartments with Western amenities in the heart of cosmopolitan Phnom Penh start at less than $300 per month; spend around $600 and you'll be living in a comfortable, middle-class place with all the conveniences you need and maybe a few extras, too."
Phnom Penh is the largest city in the country and offers a diverse mix of historic cultural landmarks, French colonial buildings and grand boulevards, traditional markets, pagodas and palaces.
"One of the most enjoyable activities in this city is taking a stroll along the boardwalk at Sisowath Quay," Justice said. "Pull up a chair at one of the many bars and restaurants, and cool down with a cold Angkor beer for $1. The fantastically ornate Royal Palace and the chaotic night market are just down the street, too."

No. 3 Bolivia
Bolivia might slip under the radar of most potential expats. Yet, this landlocked South American country surrounded by Peru, Argentina, Brazil, Chile and Paraguay offers a lot of advantages. One being the extremely low cost of living.
A retired couple can live on $1,000 or less per month. During research trips, International Living correspondents have met retired singles living on as little as $500 per month. How is this possible?
"I met two single retired women, one who owned a home in the countryside, the other whose rent was $125 per month for a two-bedroom home in the colonial center of Sucre," said Jason Holland, the magazine's roving Latin America editor. "Both have a monthly budget of $500 to $600."
Itâ€™s very affordable in Bolivia, clearly. This is because it's still a developing country and one of the poorest in the Western Hemisphere. Also, tourism, which tends to drive up prices worldwide, is very limited. So far, Bolivia sees few expats, and this helps keep prices low, especially for things like housing.
Holland reports: "Those pioneers who've made a home there enjoy a great lifestyle for less because even if it is a bit rough around the edges, it still has plenty of modern conveniences and amenities in the cities.
"It's surprisingly sophisticated. You can stroll through modern shopping malls, go to fancy restaurants, chill out in trendy cafes, and buy imported items in large supermarkets."

No. 2 Sri Lanka
A prospective expat looking for a destination that's affordable, rich in culture and diverse in its offerings should consider Sri Lanka, which offers a fine quality of life. The destination is fast becoming a popular choice for many expats.
Located just below India, with Africa to the west, Europe to its north and Southeast Asia to its east, the "Pearl of the Indian Ocean" is a gem that's largely undiscovered by Americans, though it's not unknown to British transplants who enjoy the warm sun and nice beaches.
The capital city of Colombo features 5-star hotels, clubs, theaters, museums, shopping malls and restaurants to cater to your every taste. However, living in the city can be expensive, and it's not the best option for budget-minded expats.
"If you're looking for an affordable lifestyle close to the city, the greater city locations such as Dehiwela, Nugegoda, Moratuwa and Ja-ela offer more bang for your buck," International Living contributor Sharmila Perera says. "You can find rentals here from $500 a month. It is close enough to get to the city for a night out but just far enough for it to be less expensive."
For beach lovers, the choices are numerous. For surfers and other water sports enthusiasts, you'll be drawn to the south of the country to live in locations like Arugambe, Beruwala, Bentota, Matara, Tangalla and Mirissa.
"These areas attract a lot of tourists, and you'll find lots of cafes, beach restaurants and vibrant expat communities of retirees interested in an active lifestyle," Perera said. "It can be a little more expensive than the hills; a three-bedroom house here could be rented for between $400 to $700 a month."
A couple in the south could live in a nice home a five- or a 10-minute drive from the coast, employ a maid and eat out -- and do it all for as little as $1,000 a month.

No. 1 Vietnam
Vietnam is a fascinating and vibrant destination, rich in natural beauty, steeped in history and brimming with wonderful activities for expats. You can find plenty of modern, high-quality housing for low prices in the heart of a city, nestled among pine-forested mountains, or overlooking a sun-washed beach.
The country offers lots of great-value options. Prices are consistently less than half of what retirees might expect to pay in the West.
"My husband and I live in a spacious furnished apartment down a small lane in a quiet, friendly neighborhood," International Living Southeast Asia correspondent Wendy Justice said. "It's in the heart of Hanoi, close to everything. There are dozens of great restaurants, three bakeries and several supermarkets all within walking distance.
"Our apartment has more conveniences that we had in the U.S.: a wonderful kitchen with a five-burner gas stove and oven, a huge refrigerator with an ice maker and two freezers, a washer and dryer, two modern bathrooms and big flat-screen TVs."
Justice says, "Our apartment costs about $740 per month, including housekeeping and all utilities other than electricity. It's rare that we'll spend more than $10 for dinner, including beverages and a tip. We can fly to another town for around $25 per person, including baggage, and we can stay in a five-star hotel for $40 or less if we shop around a bit."
"I couldn't afford to live like this back in the U.S. Altogether, we spend around $1,200 per month here in Hanoi, Vietnam's second most expensive city. In towns like Da Lat or Nha Trang, our monthly budget living a comparable lifestyle would be around $1,000 -- or even less. It's a small price to pay to live in one of the most amazing places in the world."
More details on the top five countries in the "Cost of Living" category of International Living's Annual Global Retirement Index 2021 can be found here: The Cheapest Places in the World to Live in 2021.

Thanks for reading,
JR

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6 Reasons Why Your Next Cruise Should Be a Luxury Cruise

3 Awesome Essentials for the Active Traveler in 2021 and Beyond

Best Places to Retire Overseas for Pennies on the Dollar

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