CRUISE CONNECTION SERIES ...Intro by Diana

Calling all guest writers from this upcoming 2013 Asia to Alaska Cruise... don’t be alarmed, surprised or shocked if in your email inbox you find a invitation to be a guest writer for this upcoming blog article series.

I wanted to do something different and ask our guests to write an article about how they heard about this cruise, what prompted them to want to go, what are they looking forward to. I also wanted to take this opportunity for our writers to introduce themselves to the group and share their cruise experience which may or may not include past trips with the Davis‘ as well as their interest and passion for travel. 

The article is pretty much in the hands of the guest writer. You can be creative, matter of fact or humorous! The article has no length limits, so short couple of paragraphs or pour your heart out and write a novella. You can personalize it and share stories of fellow cruisers  (as long as you are “nice”, remember what your mother taught you?) or keep it simple and share what you know best...yourself and your passion for cruising, traveling or friendships. 

Want to give a shout out thanks to Jo Mary for being our first guest writers as well as to Karen & Buzz Vaughn, Scott & Liddy Paulsen, Linda Spacil, Cristin George and my hubby Roger who quickly responded with a of course I can help! Thank you, Thank you, Thank you....oh by the way Jo Mary, Michael, Karen, Buzz, Scott & Liddy are all returnees to our group. And Linda and Cristin are our new friends which I look forward to officially meeting them soon. So Welcome Aboard and thanks for your help in our Cruise Connection series... Can’t wait to see you all in print!

Photo provided by RTA & Associates

CRUISE CONNECTION ... by JO MARY

Hello Fellow Cruisers,

 Diana asked me to write something for the blog, so here goes.

For those of you who don’t know me, my name is Jo Mary Murphy. I am retired from the City of Irvine, Community Service Dept. I worked at City Hall for 15 years.  I think I’ve known Diana for 19 + years. Roger worked on the third floor of City Hall and though I knew his name I never met him until the Med Cruise.

My husband Mike and I love to travel so when Diana approached us about the Mediterranean Cruise 6 years ago we jumped at the chance to be part of her travel group. We have been to Europe before but not to any of the cities on that cruise. This was something we had always wanted to do. The trip was two years in the making and it’s been almost four years ago since we flew to Barcelona.  What an amazing adventure we all had, all 60 plus of us. Mike and I met so many new friends and I got to spend time with my friends from the City. One of the best parts of the day for us was dinner where everyone came together and discussed what they did that day. Not everyone goes on the same excursions so it was great to hear about the things we missed. Unfortunately we can’t “do it all” as they say.

Now we get to do it all over again with the Asian Cruise. We can’t wait!!!!!

For you new cruisers, being with a large group has its perks. Familiar faces in a foreign country for one. Or being able to join a group of friends on an excursion, or just going off on your own. Having drinks before dinner or lunch with old and new friends. It’s all up to you. If you just want some alone time to relax, you’ve got it. Also, you don’t need to pack a lot since the ship has laundry service. It’s well worth the extra fee.

This will be our 5^th cruise, first time on Princess and second time with Diana and Roger. Our other cruises were with groups of friends, some large and some small. We have always had a wonderful time.  So if some of you are still trying to decide whether to go, just do it. You won’t regret it.

Mike and I hope to travel again in the future on one of Diana and Roger’s famous cruises. We are looking forward to seeing old friends and making new ones on this Asian Cruise.

Bon Voyage,

Jo Mary

What to Pack for a Cruise

Grab a drink, a pad of paper and a pen, sit back, you will want to take notes! Watch this helpful video of "What to Pack for a Cruise"! Thought it had some great ideas of what you might want to add to your packing list. If you have about 10 minutes, its worthwhile...check it out!

Video provided by YouTube, What to Pack for a Cruise, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O4D_KzcqWVg 

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?

Easily Misunderstood Abroad

etiquette |ˈetikit, -ˌket| , noun

the customary code of polite behavior in society 

or among members of a particular profession or group.

As a kid, our parents hopefully  taught us this important life lesson about manners. We learned to be polite, pay attention, be gracious, kind, considerate. We learned to shake hands and say “please and thank you”. It seems simple, doesn’t it? And it is here in America because it’s what is familiar to us. But now, what about the countries we will be visiting. In Asia, is it all the same? Is Thai the same as China or Japan or Korea? Then what about Singapore Malaysia where there are three major different cultures Chinese, Malay and Indian as in India, oh my! 

The term “Ugly American” derives from the 1958 political novel of the same title by Eugene Burdick and William Lederer as well as a 1963 Movie starring Marlon Brando. “The Ugly American”, is fiction based on reality, alluding to Americans losing political presence in Southeast Asia because of their failure to understand local culture. The novel quotes a Burmese character as saying,

For some reason, the [American] people I meet in my country are not the same as the ones I knew in the United States. A mysterious change seems to come over Americans when they go to a foreign land. They isolate themselves socially. They live pretentiously. They’re loud and ostentatious.

As best shared by my Japanese cousin on a past visit to Tokyo, he said “...of course we don’t expect you to know all of the customs, culture and ways of Japan as a tourist...”

But I still couldn’t help think that I certainly did not want to be THAT Ugly American! 

My cousin is right. We as tourists, aren’t expected to know everything, but I also don’t believe we need to be ignorant and not aware either. With a little effort, preparation and lessons from our parents we don’t have to be Ugly Americans. 

Let me leave you with this final quote:

“Treat everyone with politeness, even those who are rude to you, not because they are    

                      nice, but because you are...”     Unknown 

                                                                                                                                                        

So following are quite a few links to help you explore and prepare to create a better "International Relations" as you sightsee, dine, and shop in our various visiting ports of call.

    

International Etiquette Guide

10 Common Gestures Easily Misunderstood Abroad

Customs & Courtesies

Thai Etiquette

http://thailand.angloinfo.com/moving/country-file/customs-etiquette/

http://asiatours.net/thailand/info/customs.html

Vietnamese Etiquette

http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/resources/global-etiquette/vietnam.html

http://www.asiarooms.com/en/travel-guide/vietnam/culture-of-vietnam/vietnamese-etiquette.html

Malay Etiquette

http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/resources/global-etiquette/singapore.html

http://library.thinkquest.org/05aug/00723/index_files/Page531.htm

Chinese Etiquette

http://library.thinkquest.org/05aug/00723/index_files/Page531.htm

http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/resources/global-etiquette/china-country-profile.html

http://www.travelchinaguide.com/essential/etiquette.htm

http://www.etiquetteinchina.com/

http://chineseculture.about.com/od/businesseconomy/a/Chinese-Culture-Learn-All-About-Chinese-Etiquette.htm

Korean Etiquette

http://library.thinkquest.org/05aug/00723/index_files/Page531.htm

http://kwintessential.co.uk/resources/global-etiquette/south-korea-country-profile.html

http://kwintessential.co.uk/resources/global-etiquette/south-korea-country-profile.html

http://www.vayama.com/etiquette/south-korea/

Japanese Etiquette

http://www.247travelguides.com/937/japanese-customs-tips-things-to-know-before-your-trip-to-japan/

http://library.thinkquest.org/05aug/00723/index_files/Page531.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Etiquette_in_Japan

YOU, YOUR DOCTOR, CDC & IMMUNIZATION !!

One of the requested topic for our blog came from Kelly. She wanted to know what immunization should be considered with our upcoming trip? Great question, Kel’ ! 

The issue at hand is that though I can point you to checking out the Center of Disease Control (CDC) for Travelers, ultimately you need to be sure you make an appointment with your doctor to address "YOUR" specific needs!

First off know where you are going? Be sure you have the following ports of call for your doctor: Bangkok, Thailand / Singapore, Malaysia / Ho Chi Minh City & Nha Trang Vietnam / Hong Kong, Shanghai, Tianjin-Beijing, Dailan China / Nagasaki-Hiroshima, Osaka-Kyoto & Yokohama-Tokyo Japan / Pusan South Korea / Anchorage Alaska. In addition, have the information for your doctor about your planned shore excursions and interests. Whether it will be out in the rural countrysides and villages or if you just plan to stick to local tourist sightseeing sites around the cosmopolitan city.

Second, Don’t wait too long as vaccines take time to become effective. so make your appointment to meet with your doctor at least three months from departure. I was informed by my physician, just recently, that generally Center of Disease Control (CDC)  posts alerts three months in advance. So keep this in mind when setting up your appointment. Also remember, “You” are not the only patient on your doctor’s appointment book. So don’t delay and check your calendar and book your appointment in advance. And yes, I have already made my appointment for the first of the year!

In my exploration into the CDC website, it was noted that the CDC divides vaccines for travel into three categories: routine, recommended and required. It is best to consult your physician for “your” specific needs. However, the generality of the categories were outlined as such:

Routine Vaccinations

Be sure that you and your family are up to date on your routine vaccinations. These vaccines are necessary for protection from diseases that are still common in many parts of the world even though they rarely occur in the United States. If you are not sure which vaccinations are routine, look at the schedules below.

Recommended Adult Immunization/Needs based on age /Check with Doctor

Influenza2,
Tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis (Td/Tdap)3, Varicella4,
Human papillomavirus (HPV)5, Female Human papillomavirus (HPV)5, Male Zoster6
Measles, mumps, rubella (MMR)7, Pneumococcal (polysaccharide)8,9 Meningococcal10,
Hepatitis A11
Hepatitis B12

Recommended Vaccinations

These vaccines are recommended to protect travelers from illnesses present in other parts of the world and to prevent the importation of infectious diseases across international borders. Which vaccinations you need depends on a number of factors including your destination, whether you will be spending time in rural areas, the season of the year you are traveling, your age, health status, and previous immunizations.

Required Vaccinations

The only vaccine required by International Health Regulations is yellow fever vaccination for travel to certain countries in sub-Saharan Africa and tropical South America. Meningococcal vaccination is required by the government of Saudi Arabia for annual travel during the Hajj.

In further drilling into the CDC website you will find extensive information and charts that you can print up to share with your doctor for discussion. Additionally, the CDC website also has information specific to the destinations by countries so look into this also before you consult your doctor for your specific needs.

The Center of Disease Control’s website for travelers is:

http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/page/vaccinations.htm   

Photo provided by Flickr. CTChang

RSVP Requested for STUDY GROUP!

Please check your email Inbox or perhaps even your Spam Folder as I recently sent out an E-Vite Invitation to our Study Group for Saturday, October 6, 2012. If you haven’t RSVP, please take a minute and do so as our final sign-up date will be Monday, October 1st and we are trying to see if we can meet our minimum number of participation!

Our current response status looks as though many have alternate plans and scheduled commitments. Roger and I have decided that if we do not have a minimum of 12 individuals for this group gathering that we will be canceling this event. 

For those who have RSVP’d as a Yes. Thank you so much for your interests. If we do end up canceling, I  hope to address your questions and concerns at an alternate opportunity as discussed previously. So stay tuned and thanks for your help with your RSVP! 

Photo provided by: Flickr.koyochi.planner