INTERNATIONAL CELL PHONE

In this world of technology, I am sure many of you many want to take advantage of keeping yourself connected by your cell phone. But what is the best way to do this without costing you lots of money?  I don’t know the right answer for you as each cell plans vary upon your carrier. Below are some informative articles by Independent Travelers, hope this will assist you in understanding your options before you visit your carrier representative.

International Cell Phone Guide
http://www.independenttraveler.com/travel-tips/stay-connected/international-cell-phone-guide

Traveling with Smartphone:Cut Costs Overseas
http://www.independenttraveler.com/travel-tips/travelers-ed/traveling-with-a-smartphone-cut-costs-overseas

Use Your Cell Phone to Travel Better

http://www.independenttraveler.com/travel-tips/stay-connected/use-your-cell-phone-to-travel-better

How to Escape While Staying Connected
http://www.independenttraveler.com/travel-tips/stay-connected/how-to-escape-while-staying-connected

Photo provided by Flickr.GaetenLee

Gratuity & Tipping

As varied as language, customs, traditions and values are with each country. Note that on this cruise we will be visiting some 6 different countries. Gratuity and Tipping customs vary, including on our ship world aboard the Diamond Princess. Potential tipping circumstances that  you may come across besides the ship staff who serve you are: taxi drivers, shuttle drivers and assistance, airport and hotel porters for baggage, waiters/waitress at restaurants, food service servers, hotel concierge, shore excursion guides & drivers, room service attendants and restrooms attendants to name a few. Below are information and links for you to explore and note on how to properly tip for receiving services rendered but to also learn not to insult other ethnic customs while in port. Hope this helps to prepare you in our upcoming journey.

Princess Cruises “Gratuity & Tipping”
During your cruise on the Diamond Princess, you will meet a number of crew staff who provide you with service. To simplify the tipping process for our passengers, a discretionary gratuity of $12 per person for mini-suites and suites, and $11.50 per passenger in all other staterooms per day (including children) will be automatically added to your shipboard account on a daily basis. This gratuity will be shared amongst those staff who help provide and support your cruise experience, including all waitstaff, stateroom stewards, buffet stewards, and housekeeping staff across the fleet. For your convenience, this gratuity can be pre-paid before you sail by calling 1-800 PRINCESS and referencing Special Services item number 0597.

A 15% gratuity is added to bar charges and dining room wine accounts. This is shared amongst the beverage staff and their support staff. We know you will find these services onboard exemplary.
Casino dealers and Lotus Spa® personnel do not share in these gratuities, as not all passengers utilize these services.

Budget Travel
http://www.budgettravel.com/feature/budget-travel-advice-tipping-guide,9030/

Tipping In Asia

http://goasia.about.com/od/Customs-and-Traditions/a/Tipping-in-Asia.htm

Tips for Tipping Abroad
http://www.independenttraveler.com/travel-tips/passports-and-international-travel/tips-for-tipping-abroad

Tipping Etiquette: Guide for Travelers
http://www.independenttraveler.com/travel-tips/money-and-insurance/tipping-etiquette-a-guide-for-travelers

Photo provided by Flickr.ErikSiang

One More Packing Tip Resource?

Want more information and website links on packing tips? Here’s an old blog article I wrote for our Mediterranean cruise. Some of you fellow cruiser may recall this information.Please feel free to explore and discover....

  

Cruise & Travel - Packing Links, Tips, Hints & Lists

http://davismedcruise2008.blogspot.com/2008/10/cruise-travel-packing-links-tips-hints.html

The Best Way to Carry Money Overseas

Some of you cruisers have begun to inquire about foreign exchange, use of credit card and ATM’s. Though I have heard that some Southeast Asian countries will accept US dollars such as Vietnam. I would not count on this as a for certain option. Plan on either getting some cash ahead of time at your local bank. Keeping in mind of course, that this could easily take a week or more. So please plan ahead. 

I’ve been finding out that the best exchange rate is by using an ATM, but understand that this option has a service charge so think about the amount you will need to make it worth your while. And its very important to get a PIN number in advance for usage as using an ATM in another country is not like the USA. The article I found below may be more specific in detail to address your specific needs or questions.

Also to my surprise, credit card usage is not widely accepted in the Asian countries like in Europe. Small vendors for shopping and eatery prefer to deal with CASH and so exchanging to the local currency would be your best bet. Of course the hotels we will be staying at will easily accept your credit card for services. And on the Diamond Princess you will need a Credit Card for all your purchases and expenses as upon check-in you will be required to provide a credit card for the cashless purchases onboard with the Cruise Card. I also found out that the Diamond Princess also has an ATM machine for foreign exchange. But AGAIN plan on a service charge for this service.  

.

Of course, on our flight to and fro you will need a credit card. As most airlines have stop using cash and only deal with credit card transaction for bar drinks, headphones etc.. Be sure to check on line with your specific airline to see what their procedure requires.

Lastly, think about taking extra credit cards. There has been incidents where you might put in your credit card in an ATM machine and for one reason or another. It does not return and holds your card due to circumstances. Yes, this actually happened to someone in our group in Europe. So be prepared with a couple of backups.

I will continue to keep my eyes open and post information regarding this issue. But in the meantime, these articles may assist you in getting prepared for what you will need to do to address your specific monetary needs. Happy Countdown!

IndependentTraveler - Best Way to Carry Money Overseas

http://www.independenttraveler.com/travel-tips/money-and-insurance/the-best-way-to-carry-money-overseas

Get the Best Exchange Rate

http://www.independenttraveler.com/travel-tips/money-and-insurance/get-the-best-exchange-rate

About.com - How to carry Money in Asia

http://goasia.about.com/od/Planning/a/How-to-Carry-Money-in-Asia.htm

Travel Money

http://seniortravel.about.com/od/seniortravelbasics/f/TravelMoney.htm

Photo provided by Flickr.borman818

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

Just a note to inform our cruise readers that we will be off-line as we will be visiting family, friends and celebrating this incredible holiday season till mid-January when we will be officially back on-line.

We wish each and everyone of you a very Merry Christmas and a most Happy New Year. Celebrate, Enjoy and Be Safe as you close this 2012 year and let's all bring in the 2013 Cruise Year with good health, joy, cheers and happiness!

Looking forward to seeing you on board soon.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Diana & Roger    

What’s Your Packing Personality?

Quiz: What's Your Packing Personality?

So, what is your packing personality? Here’s a fun quiz to take to see what your personality type is for the ultimate choice in packing! Found this on the website of Independent Travelers and the results may just help you with some thoughts on how to prepare as we get closer to our embarkation date. Here is the link http://www.independenttraveler.com/packing-quiz

Packing For a LOOOOOONG Cruise

Anxious, Nervous, Concerned ...Panic!!! How do you pack for a 32 day Cruise and not be dressed in style with at least some what of a “fashionista”, have enough luggage to bring all my “gotta have’s” and still not have to spend tons of dollars on baggage fees?

You gotta start by being smart and tough! Know that you will need to bring only the essentials

Cruise Critic: Long Cruise Packing
 http://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=1440#



Packing for a 36 day Cruise

http://traveltips.usatoday.com/pack-36-day-cruise-17899.html

Create Your Personal Packing List

One could easily create your own packing list by simply planning to dump in the corner of your room all the items you want to take and then hopefully eliminating a third to half and then make a list as you pack. 

OR you could also check out these website and print up a copy and since we still have plenty of time. Take the initiative by making a list so you don’t forget anything? Either way, just be sure you make a list of all your items so you have it for insurance purposes (hopefully you chose to opt for that) and also if the credit card you used for your air fare may cover baggage? Worth a phone call...

Below are a sampling of website links that I came across for packing lists. See what works for you.....

Cruising Insider

http://www.thecruisinginsider.com/cruisepackinglistpdf.pdf

Independent Traveler 

http://www.independenttraveler.com/packing

Cruise Diva for Woman

http://cruisediva.com/print.htm

Cruise Diva for Men

http://cruisediva.com/print_a.htm

Cruise Crazies

http://www.cruisecrazies.com/packing_list.php

Rick Steve’s Packing List

http://www.ricksteves.com/plan/tips/packlist.htm

Universal Packing List- Create Your Own

http://upl.codeq.info/index.jsp

Photo provided by Flickr. zingersb (left) and josuppi (right)

Choosing the Right Luggage

Where do you even begin when you are picking out new luggage? This is the next step in what Roger and I are tackling. Most recently, we made a visit to an independent luggage store called Peninsula Luggage in the Tustin Marketplace. Roger and I have bought luggage here before and have had helpful success in getting questions answered and also getting some hands-on, real look at some actual types of luggages. There are other sources of course, including Department Stores such as Macy’s, Nordstrom’s, Bed Bath & Beyond, Discount Outlets such as Premium Outlets and TJ Maxx/Marshalls,  Speciality Stores such as Travel or Outdoors focus, including Magellan or REI, On-Line Website Sources, Amazon, Zappos, EBay, Overstock, LuggageShow Room,eBags, tibesti and the list goes on and on.   

With our trip being overseas, We knew that we had to begin with our luggage allowance with the airline carrier we chose . Because we opt to travel business class, our particular airline allowed two checked baggage per person and obviously carry-on. But, this may not be the case for all.

Do your homework, so you won’t get caught in the hard sell of the sales person trying to meet their nomination to be Employee of the Month. So let’s start by listing some homework suggestions, before you head out to actually go shopping.  

• Find out what is the allowable baggage on your airline. Number of allowable Luggage, Dimensions, Weight etc. 

• How many days do you need to pack for? 16 day cruise plus ? 32 day cruise plus?

• How much do you want to spend on your luggage?

  

• Know your Luggage options and what you need or want: 

>Regular Suitcase   

>Garment Suitcase

>Duffle Bags

>Carry-On - suitcase, bags, totes, satchels

>Toiletries bags

  >Accessories - tags, belts, hooks, money holders etc

• Choice of Luggage options:

>Soft case vs Hard case

  >Regular weight or light weight 

>Solid Colors vs Prints

>Number of Rollers

>Handles, interior or exterior

>Interior storage and compartments

• Explore the websites and see the different brands and prices

Additionally below are some websites you can view to assist you in your knowledge of  luggage and baggage for your upcoming cruise. 

Choosing the Right Travel Luggage

http://www.independenttraveler.com/travel-tips/packing-and-accessories/choosing-the-right-travel-luggage

Tips for Selecting Luggage for Your Cruise

http://cruisediva.com/luggage.htm

Best Luggage to Use for a Cruise

http://www.overstock.com/guides/best-luggage-to-use-for-a-cruise

4 Most Common Reasons Airlines Lose Luggage

http://www.budgettravel.com/feature/4-most-common-reasons-airlines-lose-luggage,7558/

Photo provided by Flickr.Pellgen

Cruise Critic's ...Packing For A Cruise

Came across this very informative article from Cruise Critic’s website, ‘The Ultimate Guide To Packing For A Cruise’. I know many of you might be thinking, “Really Diana, packing already?” Yes, really! It’s a multi-tasking-gotta do-a plan ahead kind of task! Well worth the effort in the thinking-planning-preparation, especially those ‘venturing onward to the 32 day cruise option. Following is the link to the website and check out the list of subject articles below for Cruise Critic’s...Pack This, Not That: Top Tips for packing on your next cruise. Thanks Cruise Critic for this great introduction to "PACKING"

                                                                The Ulitmate Guide To Packing For A Cruise

     http://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=1436 

The Basics: Cruise Packing 101

Guide to Cruise Line Dress Codes

Graphic: Anatomy of a Cruise Carry-On

12 Tips for Packing for a Long Cruise

8 Reasons to Pack Duct Tape on a Cruise

10 Packing Tips From Real Cruisers

Top 10 Cruise packing Tips

9 'Carry-On Friendly' Mini-Cruises

The Sordid Confessions of an Over-Packer

5 Things You Want to pack - But Shouldn't

Do We Love Free Cruise Bags? Totes! 

Graphic provided by: CruiseCritic.com

TRAVEL BOOKS - Diana's Top Five

Enjoying the last of the lazy warm days of the season? Thought you might enjoy making a trip to Barnes & Nobles or checking out on-line with Amazon.com for some reading materials for our trip. Fellow cruiser, Kelly asked me me what some of my favorite travel books were and so here are my go to Top Five choices, particularly for this getaway!

Number # 1 
DK EYEWITNESS TOP 10 TRAVEL GUIDE
When taking a cruise and time is limited to a day in port. DK Eyewitness Top Ten Travel Guide works well. It's concise and focused. Just explore by City or Country or Region
and you should be on your way to your destination.

Number # 2
DK EYEWITNESS TRAVEL GUIDE
This is a the go to book if you want more details then the Top Ten. Again I enjoy the DK Eyewitness series because it's focused not always wordy and has quick points of interests and information which is helpful. Plus the photos are generally a great quality. Be sure to check this out, as the book itself is kinda heavy due to the quality and heavier paper stock. Do keep this in mind if you plan to take it with you.

Number #3
LONELY PLANET
Is very detail and what I can describe as a "adventuresome" travel book. I know my girlfriend Stella uses this book quite a lot for her planning resource prior to trips. Note that if culture, history, traditions and nature is your focus this resource may be of interests.  

Number #4
FROMMER's & FODOR's
In my opinion, these two books are what I consider the standard travel books. More like a travel encyclopedia. Lots of details and specifics. But, for me personally these books can be noted for updates and revisions. So be sure you check for the most current publications.  

Number #5
INTERNET 
With access to the world wide web, how can you not list this as a travel resource. Just plan to have plenty of time as you can find yourself lost in hours of explorations drilling into links after links.  Another new territory that I have not explored is the Apps world for your mobile device. Perhaps someone out there can offer their expertise and recommendation?

INFO shared by Karen!

It seems two heads are better than one? I may not be the only one who has conflicting information from time to time. Fellow Cruiser, Karen has pointed out to me that in her cruise information with Princess, there are two different set of conflicting times.  Below is the information Karen shared with me. My recommendation is to allow the maximum of time so at least you can be sure not to miss any scheduled departure time whether it be the ship or your plane ride home. Remember, the distance between the ship’s port  and the airport is quite a lot....

Bangkok City Center to Port - 2 hours driving time
Bangkok Airport to Laem Chabang Port - 1/1/2 hours drive
Princess’ recommendation for airport to port - 3.5 hrs
Tianijin to Beijing Airport - 150 miles
Whittier to Anchorage Alaska Airport - 65 miles 

Comment below from Karen: 
“This is what I was talking about when I said Princess might have 2 different sets of times that people can arrive and depart at the embarkation and disembarkation ports. It's on the EZAir portion of the Cruise Personalizer, in the same spot you can book excursions and other services. If someone is using the EZAir option this is what they see when they click that link.

It appears that Princess shows 2 different sets of times because I see the Notification information you are quoting as well. I'm not sure they know this, but it maybe something Alex will want to verify it with them.

Or it's highly possible I'm not understanding their information correctly. Sometimes I'm a putz, as Roger would say.

One other item that I'm not sure how important it is, but Princess likes people to provide their independent flight information. I think they use that to be sure people are disembarked at the best time for them to get to their flights and that determines the color of the luggage tags they give you at the end. It may not be essential, but they do have a place to fill that out on the Cruise Personalizer as well. Following are the timelines Karen has on her Princess EZAir portion of the Cruise Personalizer."

Embarkation Bangkok Thailand

You must arrive no later than 11:59 PM on April 12, 2013 for embarkation

Disembarkation Whittier Alaska

You must depart no earlier than 03:30 PM on May 18, 2013 for disembarkation

Jim shares...Epic Pictures of Bangkok

Thought you might enjoy checking out some unique and colorful photos of Bangkok from the Business Insider that fellow cruiser Jim Mies shared with me. 

Below is the the link for you to copy and paste in your browser, enjoy the show. 

Thanks again Jim!

http://www.businessinsider.com/16-absolutely-epic-pictures-of-bangkok-2012-8

Provided by the Business Insider

Roger & Diana's ASIA to ALASKA 2013 TIMELINE PLANNER

The following dates and noted information may be subject to change or update.

Please utilize this as a guideline and check into this blog site for any new developments.

Thanks, Diana

July 2012                      Research & Book Airline Flight Arrangements

August 2012                  Arrange Pre & Post Cruise Land Tour  

August 2012                  16 Day Cruisers may currently register for Princess Shore Excursions

September 2012            Apply or Renew Passport

October 1, 2012             Diana's Study Group and Luncheon Sign-Up Deadline
October 6, 2012             Diana’s Cruise Study Group & Luncheon (Specifics to be arranged, please save date)


November 2012             Register and Input Info OnLine at Princess Cruise, My Princess & Cruise Personalizer
Week of Nov 26,2012     May pre-reserve Princess Spa Treatment Appointments
Week of Nov 26,2012    32 Day Cruiser may register within 120 of departure for Princess Shore Excursions


December 14, 2012       32 Day Cruise Payment Balance due to Alex

January 11, 2013          Passport & Payment due to Alex for Group China Visa application processing
January 16, 2013          Available within 75 days of sailing On-Line Boarding Pass & Luggage Tag Printing
January 28, 2013          16 Day Cruise Payment balance due to Alex
January 31, 2013          Individuals filing for Visa application for China


March 2, 2013              Pre-Cruise Meet & Greet Social (Specifics to be arranged, please save date) 

April 8, 2013                 Final Posting Day for Cruise Blog Articles
April 11, 2013               Roger and Diana depart to Bangkok Thailand
April 12-17, 2013          Roger and Diana at Shangri-La Hotel Bangkok Thailand
April 17, 2013               Embarkation on Diamond Princess


FALL 2013                   Post Cruise Social (To Be Arranged)

Photo provided by Flickr:alamodestuff

16 Day Cruisers can sign up NOW!

It has been confirmed by Alex, that 16 Day Cruisers can NOW sign-up for Princess Cruises’ Shore Excursions. Fellow cruiser Jo Mary and Michael Murphy have already signed up for their pick! 

32 Day Cruisers will have to hold to the Planner Timeline as I have been informed by Alex that the reason we are unable to sign-up at this time is because the second segment cruise shore excursions have not solidified their contract agreement. So stayed tuned will let you know if I hear of any changes.

CHINA ... Spotlight & Links

Map provided by www.tour-beijing.com

Still exploring the countries we will be visiting? Well then, this article may help you in your continuing research on China. As you know, our cruise will be visiting four cities/ports in China. Following are a few more website links that I thought you might want to checkout.

Just double click below to direct you to the website link!

China Highlights

Discover Hong Kong

Beijing Visitor

Travel China Guide - Shanghai

Dalian China Tourism

BANGKOK: Top 10 Things To Do

Thanks Karen and Buzz for sharing this simple but easy website. Since many of us are looking at a short Pre-Cruise stay in Bangkok. This may be the website you have been looking for. “Top 10s for Bangkok".  Thanks again Karen & Buzz...I know the group appreciates you sharing, as it truly is starting to become a reality as we begin to make our trip plans! 

Here is the link that you can visit:  http://www.bangkok.com/most-popular-historical.htm

On this same website there are other Top 10s of Bangkok that might also interest you. Just check this out at the website's top heading under "Top Ten".

Photo provided by Bangkok Top 10s.

Princess Cruises' PORTS OF CALL

There are Wonders of the World and then there is the Wonders of the Internet!

In our last posting, I had directed you to start by getting yourself registered with Princess Cruises. So you haven’t done so yet, right? Well fear not, as I thought this might be the case for some of you. So, lets ease you into taking a few steps at a time to explore  Princess Cruises website and NOT having to register. As I explored the pages of Princess Cruises: Prepare for Your Cruise, I couldn’t wait to share this source with you:

Yup, you will have to register at some point or pull out your check book and sweet talk Alex to do your work and then maybe she just might assist? ....Well for right now, let’s just start getting you to explore, drill, search and enjoy the journey of the Wonders of the Internet! So grab a drink of your choice, as Roger often says,  and let me lead you to a source for preparation and exploration to some of our Ports of Call via Princess Cruises....Oh by the way, be sure your drink of choice isn’t too close to your computer as Diana found out that her coffee cup hates that laptop screen when it leans and makes her coffee pour all over the tabletop. Yikes, what a mess!

On this blog posting, I have linked for you some of the pages on Princess Cruises where you can explore the various ports of call we will be visiting. Just double click on the highlighted turquoise word or phrases in this blog to get you to the appropriate page.

Also, I want to point out some great information for you to either create a hardcopy notebook or download to your computer folder for reference. Under each port of call page is also a pdf icon which has terrific introduction information to get you started on each of the city/ports of call we will be visiting. So be sure to look for this. 

I leave you with this thought....”A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step” Lao Tzu ...so shall we begin our journey?!

Ports of Call - Asia

Bangkok, (Laem Chanang) Thailand

Singapore, Malaysia

Ho Chi Minh City (Phu My), Vietnam

Nha Trang, Vietnam

Hong Kong, China

Shanghai, China

Nagasaki, Japan

Busan, South Korea

Beijing (Tianjin) China

Dalian, China

Osaka, Japan

Tokyo, (Yokohama) Japan

Anchorage (Whittier), Alaska

Photo provided by Princess Cruises - Find A Cruise

China's UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Came across this interesting and helpful website called
China Highlights. It had this easy read reference matrix
of China's UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Here is the
website address:

http://www.chinahighlights.com/travelguide/world-heritage/

China Highlights website also has a number of other information
about China its customs, culture, photos and other helpful travel tools. Enjoy exploring and browsing!

Photo provided by China Highlight website

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HAVE YOU MET.... Posted: 14 May 2012 06:30 AM PDT You call or email her and you wonder who can this friendly face be on the line. She has a smile in her voice, a thoughtfulness in her response and you can’t help but wonder who is she really? Well you have just met Alexandra Kuncio, our official certified travel agent! Known simply as “Alex”, Roger and I had the wonderful pleasure of meeting this go to wonder person through Wendy Brown, a fellow cruiser who will also be joining us on our upcoming Asia to Alaska cruise.  Alex first became a part of the Roger and Diana clan in 2005, when she assisted us in our 15th Anniversary Renewal Ceremony with a Caribbean Cruise for some 40 friends and family. Alex has had a career in the travel industry for over 30 plus years, which also included sharing her professional travel industry wisdom through teaching and mentoring. Crossing off one of her personal goals, Alex has now personally traveled to over 100 different countries and has special interest in salsa dancing, yoga/zumba, scuba diving and gourmet foods. Alex is married to Ted Rodriguez and has been with him for 34 years. Both Alex and Ted will be joining us on the 16 Day Cruise option.     On a more personal note from Roger, he wanted to point out that Alex has a wonderful sense of humor but, is not much of a card player (oh yeah sure, next to Peggy Alby, also another card shark and a fellow 32 day Asia-Alaska Cruiser. We can label these two as competitive?!) so please be gentle with her if you play the progressive rummy game on this next cruise. If you haven’t met Alex yet, please introduce yourself as I’m sure you will enjoy her as much as we do.  You are subscribed to email updates from Roger & Diana's Asia to Alaska 2013 To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now Google Inc., 20 West Kinzie, Chicago IL USA 6061 Email delivery powered by Google