Globetrotting Tips for Savvy Traveler

Untamed Uganda with Abercrombie & Kent

Forested shores filled with tropical birds; quality time with rare mountain gorilla and chimpanzee;lion that climb trees-experience this and more during a unique, personalized journey through Uganda's ever-changing landscapes and parks flush with endemic, colorful wildlife. Stay at remote, but comfortable,camps that feel like an extension of their lush, natural surroundings.

Call us to tailor make your journey through Uganda

There's good reason why many couples choose to getaway in Hawaii for their honeymoon. Prettier sites are not easily found. All couples - new and old - can appreciate the warmth, relaxation, and beauty of these islands. 

Hillary McNamara agrees, and she posted an article to Frommers.com - 10 Best Honeymood Spots in Hawaii.   She names her favorite spots to capture some romance. From the Sheraton Keauhou Bay (pictured) that sits on an ancient black lava flow, to the chic Hotel Renew that offers couples sunset surf lessons, the hardest part might be choosing where to go. 

As always, if you need any help with your trip, contact the experts at Regal Cruises and Travel. Whether it's a honeymoon or an anniversary, we can make your trip with that special someone unforgettable. 

Contact us to get started!

(Photo by Cunard Line; Photo Caption: Model passengers down a pint with lunch at Queen Mary 2's Golden Lion Pub)

Every cruise is different. One thing they all share is allowing you to bring your stuff on board - and leave it there. No carting it from hotel to hotel. It can stay organized in your cabin from your first day aboard.

But what do you bring?

Certainly clothes to relax in, though many cruises enjoin you to pull out some evening wear (which is always fun!) for the more formal dinners and events.

Frommers.com just posted this helpful article - "Cruise Ship Dress Codes: What To Weat at Sea."

It goes through the history of cruise dress code and what it has currently evolved into. Daytime is pretty casual, and many other cruiselines - especially the family-style ones - don't require the same fancy dress as was common. 

The article also considers weather (e.g. Caribbean vs. Alaska cruises) and talks about tux rentals. Check it out for more info!

I believe that ultimately, you should dress for you - that is, comfortable and fun. And there's something kind of nice about getting dolled up for a fancy dinner with your loved one - certainly not something we get to do everyday!

For anymore questions about cruise dress codes, or to book your next cruise, contact us at Regal Cruises & Travel! 

Havana is known for its revolutionary history, vibrant culture and infectious energy. There's so much to do in this dynamic city, but here are three of the top tourist attractions.

Habana Vieja - "Old Havana"

Nearly 500 years old, many of the buildings date back to the 1700s. It's a mixture of narrow cobblestone streets, beautifully restored buildings and a wealth of art and history.

The Malecón

Saunter down the Malecón, a long stretch of road with the sea along one side and colonial architecture along the other. 

Cigar Factories

There are two major cigar factories in Havana, the oldest being the Partagas (Calle Industrtia 250). You can visit this factory and take a tour ($10). The other is El Laguito, which also offers tours (2301 Street 146 Mariano). 

Side Note: Both factories close for one month as of December 20. 

Book your next trip with Regal Cruises and Travel!

SUNWING’s second Summer European program is said to be “bigger and better” and is now available to book at Regal Cruises.
 
 
Weekly departures to Barcelona have been added with non-stop flights departing each Saturday evening. Along with an array of hotels across the Catalan capital, there are also Mediterranean beach offerings on the famous Costa Brava and Costa Dorada, each a short drive or transfer from the city, plus local excursions. If you want to see even more of the Mediterranean, then take a week’s cruise from Barcelona, or combine a week’s cruise with one of the land options. Sunwing is offering amazingly priced cruise deals on Norwegian Epic and the MSC Splendida. Each of these ships has Sunday sailings that are timed to combine perfectly with the flights. Friday sailings on MSC Fantasia are also available to custom build your clients’ vacations around.
 
The second new destination is Glasgow, with two flights per week, Wednesday evenings and Saturday evenings. This resurgent modern city continues to be a popular destination from Toronto, and serves as the gateway to exploring Scotland and beyond. Hotel options and car rentals are available to customize your clients’ Sunwing vacations to Scotland this summer.
 
In addition to Barcelona and Glasgow, Sunwing’s Champagne flights will operate four times a week to London Gatwick, twice weekly to Paris (Orly), along with weekly flights to each of Porto, Lisbon and Rome. All Sunwing Airlines flights are on board wide-body Boeing 767s and offer Elite service with a free checked baggage allowance of 25kg or higher, a bon voyage glass of champagne, hot towel service, a choice of hot meals, complimentary snacks and non-alcoholic beverages, free headsets, movies, and bilingual flight attendants where applicable. Upgrades to Elite Plus service are available for a small fee offering extra legroom, complimentary advance seat selection and priority check-in and boarding in Toronto and the majority of other European airports.
 
This is great news and with amazing cruises originating from many European ports it's never been a better time to book your dream vacation!!! Contact our Team at Regal Cruises Today
 

 

Even budget-conscious travellers can enjoy the fun of a cruise vacation - there are so many packages and specials out there to choose from (just ask us!).

Once you're on board however, is a different story. There are plenty of ways to spend money, whether it's in the casino or at the souvenir shop. It might seem like small amounts, but over the course of the trip they can add up.

(Photo Caption: The Adagio Dining Room on Royal Caribbean's Allure of the Seas)

Fortunately there are also plenty of ways to save. Just ask Heidi Sarna of Frommers.com, who posted 10 Money-Saving Cruise Tips. Her article has a bunch of ideas that will help you stick to your budget while still enjoying the finer things. 

For example, did you know that many cruise lines now have pre-purchase packages for meals and spa services, prior to departure? These packages are often available at significant discounts, like 25% savings on dinner packages. 

Check out the article for ideas, and for any more questions on cruising, contact us at Regal Cruises and Travel.  

Because after all, the easiest way to save money and stress on your next trip is to travel with us!

A sarong might be the most useful item that you pack on your trip, from beginning to end. Freezing on the flight? Wrap yourself up and get cozy. Headed to the beach? Use it as a beach blanket. It's also a quick make -shift towel, and can be gathered in a way that you have a tote to carry around some belongings.  

If you enter a place of worship, you can use the sarong to cover your shoulders or legs. Depending on your creativitiy, its use is limitless.

They're light and can be easily rolled up, so don't worry about them taking up too much room in your bags. You can also just buy one at your destination and voilà - it's a souvenir. 

Even a guy could appreciate this kind of utility! 

Aloha

A couple of winters ago my wife and I took a trip of a lifetime to Hawaii.
Our Vacation started with our flight from Toronto to Honolulu via Chicago on American Airlines. American is my least favorite airline by far, however it is the least expensive way to get to Hawaii from the East Coast. Our planned trip started in Honolulu at the Sheraton Waikiki. The Sheraton is located right on Waikiki beach and has great views of the the ocean and diamond head. We really enjoyed Honolulu we spent our days hanging on the beach, having cocktails at the famous Dukes and taking a couple runs along the board walk. Our next stop on our Aloha vacation was Maui. We had heard that Maui was the best of all the islands so we decided to book 7 nights at the Westin in Maui. Upon arriving on Maui via a 45 min flight we made our way to the car rental depot to pick up our Jeep TJ. After a frustrating 10 min experience with the Jeeps rag top I decided it would be alot easier to forget the jeep and go with a more practical mustang convertible. After an amazing drive across the island we arrived at the Westin Maui. The Westin was great, it had all the amenities one could want beach front location, 4 plus pools and state of the art fitness among a long list of amenities made our stay great.

Our stay was filled with amazing sites and sounds. Below are the top Five things in my mind to experience while on Maui.

1. Have the best Fish Taco in the world at Leilanis beach front bar

2. Go Whale Watching

3. Take a drive on one of the worlds most scenic highways. The Hana Highway - with 54 bridges along 56 miles is sure not to disappoint.

4. Attend a Luau. We went to the Luau at the Hyatt regency which is known on Maui for being the best.

5. Site see in Lahaina. Lahaina is a cool town. You have to grab a burger at Cheeseburger in Paradise or have some shrip at Bubba Gumps. Also the local art studios are quite interesting as well.

Often people ask me what makes Hawaii different than other beach focused vacation spots? My only response is, Hawaii just makes you feel different its unexplainable.

If you ever get the chance to take a trip to Hawaii don't think just pack
 

Click to enlarge

Donna Hull of MyItchyTravelFeet.com just posted a really terrific article I wanted to share: 8 Tips for Eating Healthy on a Cruise.

Anyone who has been on a cruise knows that temptations await at every turn: a 24 hour ice cream bar; unlimited drink (soda) passes; rich, filling meals. This calls for some smart decision making if you’re watching what you eat.

Staying healthy while you travel is a popular topic, but this is one of the best articles I’ve read for tips and info. And not only does this list apply to cruising, but with the holiday season coming up, it’s a great read for any conscientious eater.

Here are some examples:

Boomer Travel Tips:

• Ask for a smaller plate or ½ portion
• Transfer 1/3 of the meal to your bread plate, then ask the waiter to remove it
• Use a smaller salad plate for the buffet
• Survey the buffet first and put only items you’d rate as a “10” on your plate
• Eat a low calorie, high volume food first: a non-creamy soup (watch the sodium here though) or salad with vinegar only or light dressing so you’re less hungry.

I particularly like the point about eating only food you’d rate as a “10.” When the holidays come around, and you’re inundated with treats and eats, instead of mindlessly snacking because it’s out in front of you, only eat your favorites.

Another tip Donna recommended is taking a walk around the deck after your meal. It helps your food settle and burns off a few calories - plus with the right person and a salty breeze, can be very romantic.

So! Whether you’re headed off on an ocean liner or preparing to see mom for the holidays, check out these tips to stay healthy.

Tipping on a cruise can be confusing: how much gratuity has been included in the package? Is it evenly distributed among the staff? When do I tip? Here are some tips to tip appropriately while on a cruise.

Most standard cruise packages set up your shipboard account with an extra (usually $10) gratuity fee per person, per day - and thus no tipping is required.

Or is it? Some luxury cruises have a no-tipping policy, but in many the cruise staff heavily depend on tips as part of their income. Automatically included gratuity picked up steam with an influx of European and Asian cruise travelers, unfamiliar with tipping customs in Canada and the States.

This is common on more luxury-type cruises. Some cruises allow passengers to opt out of the automatic service charge, leaving it up to their independent discretion as to who and when to tip. On more commercial cruise lines tipping cash is acceptable and recommended.

The automatic gratuity does help ensure more evenly distributed tips among the crew. Some of the service staff who work in the breakfast or snack areas aren’t tipped and instead depend on tip sharing with other staff and the automatic gratuity charged to passengers.

It is customary to tip cabin stewards, butlers, dining room servers and assistant servers on the last night of the cruise. You also can tip dining staff every night about $5. For cabin stewards you can give $5 a night and bartenders $1 per drink. The maître d’ does not need to be tipped.

A good estimate for your tipping budget is around 10% the cost of the cabin, so so something like $15-20 per person, per day. Envelopes are sometimes left in cabins, or can be picked up at the Cruise Information Center.

Ultimately, tip according to what feels right for you. Gratuity can save you some hassle, like having enough cash to tip with on board. But tipping may help to build more personal relationships with the staff that serves you and your family on vacation.

And if you have any questions - don't hesitate to contact one of our agents! We know the industry inside and out and want to ensure a smooth, stress-free trip for you.

Jodi Thompson of CruiseCritic.com brought up this concern: Why Late-Comers to the Main Dining Room Leave a Bad Taste. 

The issue is this: late-comers to mealtime on a cruise delays service for others as well, putting those who arrived on time behind schedule and possibly late for a show they had planned to attend after dinner. 

Is this fair? The obvious answer is no, but most cruise lines are reluctant to enforce a cut-off time and turn away late-comers. You can also make the case that those with plans after dinner should simply change tables or skip dessert, but some old-time cruisers believe this does not address the larger problem.

One commenter summed it up quite nicely: 

"Rules and guidelines are in place for a reason, and that is because while one issue may seem like nothing to one person it may be a very big deal to somebody else. Therefore, as a courtesy to other travelers and the staff everyone should follow the rules and guidelines that are in place." - CA girl in TX

What do you think? Should cruisers be able to come and go as they please, or is there a line to draw for the greater good?

Take a tour in the grand Lake Lugano in the Italian section of Switzerland with the all-inclusive Navigation Company of Lake Lugano (SNL).

The Navigation Company of Lake Lugano offers more than 30 excursions on boat and is the perfect way to explore this truly magical area. Enrich your stay with a tour of the Lake and discover romantic and majestic landscapes, parks, museums, and other local wonders.

SNL has cruises with tours in English, stopovers in Porlezza (Italy), across the Lavena strait, morning and lunch cruises, evening dance cruises, and more.

The company also offers excursions: walk through the Mountains in Gandria, Malcantone, Monte San Salvatore, and Monte San Giorgio; visit one of the area’s many museums; check out the fabulous Swissminiatur; take a ride in Cableway Brusino Serpiano.

Take advantage of the company's special services. You can rent the boats for parties or private occasions, the whole year, day and night. Customize your own tour route, or even set up the internal furnishings yourself, e.g. change the dining room into a dance floor.

Keep an eye on the events calendar as you plan your trip. 

Company Website

Tel: +41 (0) 91 971 52 23

Address: Viale Castagnola 12, CH-6906 Lugano

Email: info@lakelugano.ch

Plus!

Let us plan your trip! We can take all of the arrangements so your trip to Switzerland is stress-free. Contact one of our expert travel consultants for more info. 

Here are some options to see Amsterdam by boat, ranging from luxury, candlelight cruise to self-guided paddle boat.

Amsterdam Jewel Cruise

A luxury cruise through Amsterdam’s famous canals aboard an antique riverboat. The 20 seats capacity guarantees intimacy, comfort, and individual service. Take theBubbles & Bites Cruise - a 2hr early evening cruise with apetizers and drinks; theDinner Cruise - a cruise with a 3-course à la carte, gourmet dinner; the Candlelight Cruise - a romantic 2hr cruise in the evening. You can also arrange a private cruise.Book online and save 10%.

Amsterdam By Boat

Take a personalized private boat tour for a unique and relaxed experience. There is a wide variety of custom and package deals, ranging from basic city tours to elaborate dinner cruises.

Boaty Rental Boats

Rent a boat with family and friends for a private Amsterdam canal self-guided tour. Boats are electronically driver (no noise or exhaust fumes) and charged with renewable energy (unlimited time). No license required. Book online.

Rent A Boat Amsterdam

A directory of local open boats, classic canal boats, sailboats, ferries, and more. Rent the Marretie Boat, or the similar Kleijn Amsterdam, which means “Little Amsterdam.”

From WikiTravel:
There are several free ferry services across the IJ river, to Amsterdam North, the most frequent running every 7 min. They all leave from a new jetty on the northern (rear) side of Centraal Station. The nicest one is the 15 min service to NDSM Werf, a funky, up and coming, industrial neighborhood with a nice cafe-bar (IJkantine) restaurant (Noorderlicht), indoor skateboard park, and the Pancake Boat (Pannekoekenboot) which sails many times each week. Ferries leave every 30 min from Centraal Station and from NDSM Werf. Double frequencies during rush hours.

and Remember!

The best way to see Amsterdam is through Regal Cruises and Travel! We know exactly what it takes to put together your dream trip. Just contact us for more information. 

As regulation in Cuba gradually softens, more and more artists are coming out to share, exhibit, and sell their work. The Cuban art scene has a rich history, and now it is easier to visit these amazing collections in person. La Galería La Acacia in particular is a must-see for art aficionados.

La Acacia

Located in the heart of Central Habana, the Galería La Acacia is surrounded by some of Habana’s most valued architectural structures, including The Grand Theatre of Habana, the National Capitol, and Hotel England, and is a short walk from Central Park.

La Acacia is widely recognized as one of the premier art institutions in Cuba and holds collections of styles ranging from La Academia, La Vanguardia, to contemporary pieces that have won National Art Awards. The gallery also promotes young talent and regularly circulates new exhibitions.

Hours: Mon-Fri 10am-3:30pm, Sat 10am-1pm 
Address: San José 114 e/ Industria y Consulado, Centro Habana, Ciudad de La Habana, Cuba. 
Phone: (537) 861-3533 

Remember!

We are here to help you plan the perfect trip. If you're thinking of visiting Cuba, let us help you create the best trip for your budget and interests. 

Swim with the dolphins in Punta Cana to experience these beautiful creatures in their natural habitat!

Dolphin Explorer in Punta Cana invites visitors into its unique tropical world where you can discover, touch and swim with the dolphins in their natural environment. 

Although this trip is super fun, it's also educational, and you'll learn about the anatomy and convervation of the dolphins. The trainers will coach you for the "foot push" where the dolphins push you at a high speed across the water. 

For those of you a little more adventurous, you can also try swimming with sharks and stingrays!

Bonus!

A trip to Punta Cana might be just what you need - warm, relaxing, fun. We can take all of the stress out of the planning and booking of your travels. Just contact us for more info!

Let's face it - in these economic times, most of us have reigned in our budget and aren't able to travel as much as we'd like to.

We all love a good cruise, but who can stand getting those itemized bills at the end, full of nickel-and-dime surcharges and fees that almost come out to what you paid in the first place.

By booking through us you can save BIG time on cruise travel but here are a few more ways to avoid surprise charges and keep your money where it belongs - with you.

Firewater 
Alcoholic beverages are not included in your cruise fare. So if a $10 highball doesn’t appeal to you, BYOB. Most cruise lines allow one bottle of wine per person. Bring it to dinner and pay a small corkage fee.  

Consider getting a drink voucher. Compare prices first - how much per drink vs. drink pass, and decide accordingly. 

The Captain’s Party and the Welcome Back party for return cruisers are exceptions to this, so be sure not to miss out on free cocktails! 

Plan Your Own Excursions
Sure, it’s convenient that the ship sets up day trips onshore, but with some planning, you can put together your own excursion at a fraction of the cost. Sometimes just exploring is better than being herded around en masse (make sure you get back to the ship on time - they will leave without you!).

Check prices ahead of time on the cruise line’s website, or visit online shore excursion websites to compare and shop. Our travel consultants can also point you in the right direction.

Spare the Spa
If you can’t go without, wait for special promotions to be announced during port days. If you go during the day tours, you can probably get reduced rate treatments. Ask around!

Turn Off Your Cell Phone
Seriously. You’ll pay like $3 a minute. Ship-to-shore can be $10 a minute. Holy crap, right? You might as well just pretend your cell phone doesn’t exist.

Also, skip out on the internet package. They can be a few hundred dollars and for what? To check your email? Use the internet cafes instead wherever you dock.  

Casino
Don’t head toward the ship’s casino thinking you’ll win back your cruise fare. Your odds here are worse than in an onshore casino because it’s mostly unregulated. Set aside some money and be okay with losing it.

Watch What You Eat
Food is included, but many cruises now offer separate, fancy dinners for $20-$30 a pop. Not worth it!

However if you do want to try one out, wait a night or two and chat with other passengers for feedback and comparisons.  

And take advantage of room service - it’s included FREE of charge. Order up some juice in the morning, or a cheese platter to go with your personal wine bar.

It's never too early to start thinking about warm-weather getaways. 

Here’s a photo diary from one of my favorite bloggers, French fashion illustrator, Garance Doré. She is spent part of her summer on the absolutely lovely island of Capri, which seems at once both earthy and glamorous. 

Sounds like the perfect trip! 

Why not add Capri to your travel itinerary for next summer?

We can make it happen.

You might think of haggling as being this foreign, difficult concept. But here’s the big secret: it’s easy.

Most of us are used to big box retailers with fixed prices and quick check-outs, but we’re really missing out on all of the fun. Once you’re in the middle of an exotic bazaar, yelling about how a porcelain tea cup can’t be worth more than 65 rupees, let me tell you, haggling’s a blast.

So just follow these basic tips, and you’ll be giving even the most seasoned merchants a real run for the money.

Before You Bargain

Be familiar with the local currency and the exchange rate. Carry small bills with you - it’d be silly to spend time haggling only to need a bunch of change. Trust me - they won’t have it.

Don’t wear super flashy clothing - it makes you look like an easy mark to get swindled. Know where the best markets are by researching beforehand or asking around once you’re there.

Learning a few go-to phrases and expressions in the local language is a good idea too. It’ll let the vendor know you’re not some foreign chump, ripe and ready to be overcharged. 

Be ready to shop around. A lot. Most of the time, the souvenirs you find are not unique. The next stall over, or the market down the street, will have the exact same item, and maybe at a better price.

The Art of Negotiation 
Most items aren’t marked with a price tag, so when you ask the shopkeeper, “how much?” you’re likely to hear back, “how much do you want to pay?” Play along. Ask, “how much do you think it’s worth?” Make him name the first price. Counter with a very low offer, and work your way up from there.

Point out any flaws in the merchandise. “This cup is all scratched up. It’s not worth full price.” And buy authentic goods. I’ve seen everything from wooden statues in the Bahamas to Fabergé eggs from Russia stuck with “Made in China” stickers on the bottom. If the seller refuses to go down, try to thrown in another (small) item to augment your purchase.

Don’t seem too interested. If you look like you can’t live without something, it’ll show, and they’ll use it against you. Act indifferent, shrug your shoulders, don’t say too much and wait for the seller to come down on the price. Remember to be polite though - if you’re friendly and respectful, shop owners are more likely to give you a better deal.

Know What You’re Supposed to Pay 
Tourists are super susceptible to getting ripped off simply because they don’t know any better.

In Lima, Peru, there are literally thousands and thousands of taxi cabs. Instead of using a meter, they operate on an informal system wherein you name your destination and the driver names a price. After being there for a while and spending time with locals, I knew exactly how much I should pay to go to certain parts of the city. If I didn’t get the price I wanted, I simply got the next cab.

Don’t Give Up 
In places like Iran, haggling is an art form. When shopping - even in places like a grocery store - you need to pull out all of the stops. The store clerk will likely tell you, “Your money is no good here!” And you must convince him to let you buy something. Then the haggling; if he refuses your price - walk out. He’ll come after you and you’ll get the deal you want. (Caveat: only walk out though if it is something you can live without, in the event that you walk out alone). Be persistent, and importantly:

Don’t Be Intimidated 
One of the main reasons Western tourist don’t haggle, aside from not knowing that they can, is being uncomfortable with the process. It’s unfamiliar and shopkeepers can be aggressive. Don’t panic, and don’t feel pressured into buying anything.

Another reason is that it may seem unfair to haggle over a price where the difference in USD or CAD is nominal. Don’t be the one to create the power imbalance and over-pay out of pity. The idea here is to come to a fair price agreement to both parties.