Luxury Cruising Overview

Luxury Cruising Overview

Luxury cruising is not just about being pampered in paradise; it’s about unique, once in a lifetime experiences that will completely wow you. Many luxury cruise lines offer their own special “wow” factor, and Dick and Patti can help you to choose what meets your fancy. Is it watching nature unfold on the plains of Africa or savoring vintage wines in the hills of Tuscany? Do want to explore the wild side of the Amazon or relax on a private Tahitian island? The possibilities are endless on a luxury cruise.

Discover the world of luxury cruising as you set sail across the sea. Sit back and relax as the staff attends to your every need. Spend your day exploring cities rich with culture and history while your evenings are filled with elaborate meals, top shelf drinks and entertainment that you are part of. Renew your soul at the spa or enrich your mind through enrichment classes and lectures. You’ll discover new things at these ports-of-call. And, from computer lessons to photography to cooking classes, you’ll also make discoveries on board. But one of the best advantages of sailing on a luxury cruise is the simple fact that these intimate vessels can sail in and out of smaller ports, offering you less crowds and more intimate experiences on shore. But most of all, it’s the people. These experienced travelers are not trying to make impressions with tuxedos or name-dropping. They like where they are in life, and want to discover more with people just like them.

Simple touches can make such a difference between good and great! Luxury cruise lines pay attention to detail and layout, creating the perfect atmosphere for an unbelievable cruise experience. Overall, there’s about twice the space per passenger than you will find on conventional ships.You’ll enjoy top of the line toiletries from leading brands like Acqua Di Parma in spacious bathrooms complete with twin sinks, a separate bathtub and shower, and terry cloth robes. Slumber on 350 thread-count Egyptian cotton linens; then wake up to breakfast served by your butler on your private wraparound teak veranda. Now that is cruising in style!

One of the greatest benefits of luxury cruising is the crew to guest ratio, which is most often 1 crew member to 2 guests, with some ships offering a 1 to 1 ratio. So, what does this mean for you? It means more personal attention and better service. When a crew member only has you and your traveling companion to tend to as opposed to a whole slew of guests, the crew member is able to learn your desires and becomes proficient in accommodating your every wish. When you sail on a luxury cruise you’ll discover what it means to be taken care of.

Even with all this superb service, you won’t need to keep reaching into your pocket when on board a luxury cruise line. Most luxury cruise lines do not encourage tipping. In fact, some make it very clear that tips are not accepted at all. But what kind of service do you get with a no tipping policy, you ask? The best service imaginable. The luxury cruise lines have searched high and low to find the best staff members possible, well-trained and well-disciplined, and they pay them accordingly. Experience what it feels like to be treated like royalty without worrying about tip envelopes or on-board charges. Remember that, in this luxury environment, a specific crew menber's name mentioned on the cruise evaluation is even more important than a tip. Catch somebody doing something perfectly, and tell the cruise line.

Getting to know your fellow passengers is a huge asset of luxury cruising. In this day and age of mega-ships, it’s possible to meet people once on a cruise and never see them again. The smaller, luxury ships have a very personal atmosphere. You will often meet the same people at dinner, in the lounge, on the deck and even on excursions. This country club ambiance gives you plenty of opportunities to meet and mingle with your new found friends. We have always returned from luxury cruises with really interesting new friendships that have lasted years.

Because of the small ships involved, it’s important to start thinking about a luxury cruise early to get the good cabins and itineraries. These cruises cost significantly more than the mass-market liners. For those who have the means, luxury cruises provide added value in every extra dollar. It’s not about spending more to impress other people, it’s about rewarding yourself for your hard earned success. You can get a great overview of the luxury cruise market at www.SeaLuxe.com/pmalone.

Pickpocket Protection Tips

Patti and I have covered the globe from Antarctica to Alaska, and lived in Europe for 3 years. We thought that we were prepared and would never have a problem with street theft. But, pick pockets finally got us in Madrid. Because of good preparation, we lost only $100 cash and 4 hours of police and credit card reporting. The next day, we were out touring with smiles on our faces.

Everywhere in life, you are at risk too. Some risks cannot be controlled and are just part of life. Others are common, and we learn how to avoid them. This third type is the risk you know about but have never encountered, so you’ve not developed defenses. This posting should not deter you from enjoying your travel. Even at home, you have risk of break-ins. Like your home alarm system, these tips should let you travel without worry.

Invitation to be ripped off:

These professionals look for signs that lead them to the best picking (Pun intended).

Wearing flashy jewelry or a dazzling Rolex, even copies, is like waving a flag saying “Your best victim is here.”

Backpacks and shoulder bags, etc are easy to access. Get a bag from a travel specialist such as Travelsmith. Clip zippers together, so that pickpockets will move on to easier victims.

T-shirts with obvious U.S-specific logos yell out “the dollars are over here!”

Acting nervous: Thieves will assume that you are timid or are carrying a large amount of valuables with you. Being confident will be much easier after you follow this advice.

Here’s the one that got us: Don’t carry your tourist map in your hands, or consult it in public areas. Walk into a store, enjoy the AC or heat, and check your map. Put the map back in your pocket until you need it again.

Pay for trinkets and street food from a separate small wallet or money clip. Thieves will see where you keep it and attack there, leaving your credit cards and documents alone

Be a chameleon. Look at what the locals wear and dress similarly.

Location: Turn up your alertness in these most popular theft areas.

Flea Markets: Massive crowds, and frequent wallet use (An orchard of pockets to pick).

Crowded streets: A similar harvest site.

Subway or Metro: When you get your wallet out to buy a token, you announce where it can be found. Keep it in a different place.

Outdoor Cafes: Do not put your bag on the back of your chair. If you must put it on the floor, place it between your legs with the (sturdy) straps anchored by your leg.

Madrid, Rome, and other major crowded cities are risky. The US government website will let you know how your destination rates.

Execution: Here are some of the methods that you should recognize.

Dip or Clip: Classic pickpockets were called Dips, because they could slip open your purse and dip into it without your catching on. These artists of the highest level are still out there. One of them got us.

Heavy-duty shears can clip the strongest straps, and your entire bag will be swiped. These guys are smart too and will dump the incriminating bag as soon as possible after extracting the wallet on the run.

Box knives are incredibly sharp and can cut through pockets and bags with only slight pressure. This can leave you walking down the street with a securely locked empty bag or a flapping pocket.

Bump and Run: When that nicely dressed man with his raincoat over his arm bumps into you, he can hide the dip with the coat, and then place the stolen items safely in the fold.

Diversion:

A version of bump and run uses one person to distract your attention while another unseen thief gets your goods.

Paper shield: Remember, when you’re signing that young girl’s petition for peace in the world, that both of your hands are tied up. Your purse or pocket is hidden below the clipboard. You are prime for a dip.

Another technique uses a “tourist” asking for directions with a map to shield your valuables while they are stolen. Remember that the thieves use the Chameleon technique too!

The hand-off: That person pointing down the street saying “He went that-away” (or some international equivalent) may indeed have been handed your valuables. Chasing the empty-handed perpetrator could result major league embarrassment or worse. You probably see this technique every Sunday during football season.

Run-in/Run-out: Just as a subway door is closing, a thief may run in, grab your purse, and run out, While you’re still in shock, the door closes and the train pulls out. Notice that I’ve been talking more about purses than wallets. Women are considered an easier target and are at greater risk.

Impact reduction

You probably won’t be pick-pocketed if you adopt the wisdom above. But in the remote chance that they get you, be prepared to continue to enjoy your vacation using these damage control techniques:

Immediately notify your credit card companies to cancel the stolen cards. Use the other cards to continue your vacation..

Ask ANY hotel concierge where to report the theft to the police. You’ll need a report to accompany any insurance claim.

Only take necessary documents with you on the trip. Make copies, front and back of all credit cards and store copies in different places. Do not carry your Social Security Card or number with you.

Only take necessary documents and cash out with you each day.

Carry a copy of your passport, and write down the toll-free emergency numbers for all of your credit cards on the back. Don’t keep this information in your wallet!

When traveling with a companion (a good idea), be sure that your credit cards have different numbers so that cancelling one will not cancel both.

Use the hotel safe. Many insurance companies will not pay claims if you don’t.

Use a money belt. It’s secure from just about all of the techniques above. Keep the day’s working cash in a separate place, so you don’t reveal your secret cache. Do not wear it through customs unless you are prepared for a search. In searching for drugs and drug money, they look for bulges. So, if you are pulled off into a side room for a search, you may want to review your diet to avoid more hassles (this really happened to me).

Carry your money in your left FRONT pocket. Casually keep your hand on it as you walk along, Receive or touch things with your right hand without losing that security. This is a technique that native Madrillenos use. You left-handers will have to switch sides.

Pack critical documents at the bottom of a purse. Remember that the dip has only a second or so to get the job done, He’s counting on finding your money on the top;

Secure zippers with safety pins, zip ties, or those baggage locks that the NTSA won’t let you use on the plane. This won’t protect against box cutters, but will tell the pickpockets that you know they’re there.

Use a digital camera that will easily fit in your pocket. Do not let that convenient wrist strap hang from your pocket as an invitation. Protect your SLR as you would a purse, and keep the straps under your jacket if you can.

This completes my missal. Now, you know what you need to prevent almost all pickpockets from ripping you off, and how to recover without ruining a lifelong dream vacation. Bon Voyage!

Feel free to add your knowledge and experience to this posting. You may help someone avoid a new scam.

Dick and Patti Malone