BlogHer - vacation - Comments

Getting Off Without Getting Out

Bitches on a Budget — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 07:14:04 -0600

We're big fans of old fashioned, all for free, fun and games. When was the last time you played Monopoly? This time get your friends together (sleepovers only if you're drinking--love your libations but no driving after, ladies) for a sleepover and every time you pass go, land on chance, pay the rent make a party of it! How about Taboo? Partner up and see what comes out. You'll be rolling on the floor by nights end. We promise.

Xo Roz

games?

sarah_bee — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 11:19:47 -0600

I'm a kid at heart and absolutely adore board games. Any faves? (Preferably ones that get bawdier the more drinks you have....)

Downtime at home

AR — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 11:26:17 -0600

I'm so looking forward to not going away this winter. I plan on reading lots and lots of books and catching up with friends that I don't see often. There's nothing better than having some time to actually relax. Vacations are often stressful -- planning flights, hotels, itinerary. Looks like I'm taking a vacation from vacations.

Staycation

Bitches on a Budget — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 10:58:20 -0600

Let us know what fun things you found to do in you own back yard!

Xo Roz

Staycation

RTG — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 10:55:52 -0600

I think these ideas will come in handy this winter if we're not able to go away. I already used the term "staycation" with my kids when they were off from school in early November, and they got into it. Looking forward to getting the new book, BITCHES ON A BUDGET for more fun ideas.

Maybe someday?

dani4suitcases — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 17:49:14 -0600

I appreciate you seriously considered the trip as part of the whole don't knock it before you try it philosophy. You go in thinking you will hate something, you probably will. However, I do think despite this you would have been able to give a fair assessment of cruising. Much like thinking you would love RVing didn't keep you from being able to give an honest evaluation. Perhaps if you found a cruise (ship, itinerary, etc.) that included a bit more of the things you do like about travel you would try it?

Well thanks for responding Tracy as well

Vita lingus — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 03:12:33 -0500

In fact that is my whole deal being ahead of the future mark my words this will take off as most things do... And seriously having done much writing and been in this social networking world for nearly 10 years and having done radio I can hear your voice through your language and that tracy is rare I find ... Do keep in touch

Cheers

vita

Thank you!

House of Clams — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 20:04:20 -0500

And that's actually brilliant! I also love the idea too of having saucy comediennes doing the voiceovers instead of staid old fuddy-duddies. . . How much more fun to have someone like Bette Midler doing giving you directions then launching into a raunchy song, or Sarah Silverman calling you a filthy name if you turned the other way?!?!?

You're ON to something, Vita!

Tracy

www.houseofclams.com

You are so very funny and have great visuals via your languuage

Vita lingus — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 22:42:04 -0500

That is a fab story you are seriously hilarious and very visual indeed I love your description of "Nigel' most amusing indeed.... I must say coming from a product development and careers point of view there is so much scope for voice over work as this personalized technology takes off in the next year..

Imagine if Marlene Dietrich or Mae West were still with us.. Now their voices would be great for getting one from A to B etc.. It would be interesting to know how many women's voices they use for GDP's technology .. MMm got look into that now!!

Vita

Rock on

karasw — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 13:48:41 -0500

Once again, Pam, you blow me away w/ your candor. Very cool.

And commenter Elyse of www.anonymoustraveler.com -- great tips!

Cruising

anonymoustraveler — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 13:36:41 -0500

Hi Pam,

There are many things you might want to consider before you finally take your cruise.

I am a travel writer so I do travel often. I have gone on many FAMS and Press Trips. I have paid for many cruises as well.

I have cruised with friends, alone with my kids, , with extended family, colleagues, alone with my spouse and alone with girlfriends.

I've been on big-big boats and super small ones.

Over the last 9 months I have been taken 3 cruises. 2 different Mexican Riviera Cruises (NCL & Princess) and an Eastern European River Cruise that was hailed as top of the line though I wouldn't support that rating after my experience. (UNIWORLD).

Regarding the offer of a 'mini-suite.' Mini-suites are often glorified balcony cabins and can be far from glamorous. Depends on the cruise line.

There are no standards for what it includes. As an example on NCL a mini-suite does not come with suite amenities such as private concierge bookings. Also, each ship on each line is as different as can be. I have been on 3 NCL cruises and 4 RCC. You can't assume that the experience on one ship reflects the other on the same line

Be careful with what concierge service includes as well. That too can be very misleading. At its worst it is upgraded towels and floor mats. At its best it is a person catering to your whims.

Make sure you bring a bad of medicine for what might occur. Ginger tablets are benign and can be effective with sea-sickness. Keep in mind that the size of the ship can affect sea sickness. Also the water you are cruising and the time of the year are factors.

While on medical issues: I had a very scary medical experience on a cruise which is written about on my site which I will reference below.

If you are sick, insist on being worked up - not just looked at and written off as norovirus which is often the case. The ship often protects itself from your symptoms so be pro-active (just in case)

My site http://www.travelersanonymous.com has a section on Cruises.

It is under Special Interest Travel where you can read lots of tips and stories.

Why do I still cruise?

I like being able to go to a lot of places and not pack and unpack.
On the cliche Ocean Cruise - it is age-range and demographic friendly meaning your kids, parents, etc. can accompany you.
The rooms are user- friendly albeit often basic.
Food is dependable and on most ships in abundance. if you go hungry on an Ocean Ship, it is your own fault. Now on River Ships, mealtimes are structured and snacking options are limited at best.
Participation in activities or shore excursions are your choice.
You can truly stick within a budget. If you plan well and shop the deals, it is cost-effective. You pick the line, the cabin, the activities. You pick the extras.

Regarding the days at sea. When on an upscale line, I have often enjoyed the day or two at sea. It gives you a chance to enjoy the ships amenities and to relax.

Last summer my husband and I went on a Med. Cruise and felt that an extra day at sea would have made the trip perfect.

And one last but very important tip: On board when staff offers you something always ask "Is this included?"

Cruise lines make lots of money in extras and sometimes the way they offer you a product can be misleading. if you aren't a veteran cruiser you might think that the bottled water at dinner in the Specialty restaurant is included.

The waitperson approaches with 2 bottles of water and asks, "Do you want water with gas or without?" A first time cruiser wouldn't think to ask, "Is that included or extra?"

My answer is "Tap water will be just fine."

Elyse Friedman Caiello (www.anonyoustraveler.com & www.travelersanonymous.com)

Cruisin'

Midwest Guest — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 17:11:05 -0500

I think you made the right decision for you.

The only cruise I've even been on was a on a 12-passenger in Alaska's Prince William Sound. I'd to that again in a heartbeat...but I'd have a difficult time seeing the appeal of a trip on a big, big boat with a bunch of organized activities, casinos and endless meals (nope--I'm not big on the idea of Vegas, either).

www.midwestguest.com

I took a ship to Spitsbergen

Arrietty — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 16:12:17 -0500

I took a ship to Spitsbergen in the Arctic because it was the only way to see the place. It was emphatically not a "cruise" though - we were on a small ship that took only 50 passengers and I spent most of my time either kayaking or on shore.

Aside from that, my only cruising experience was for the purpose of a marketing conference and they were so determined that we would work rather than have fun, they drained the pool.

Even if I did like cruising, I would not take a cruise because they are one of the most environmentally and socially damaging forms of travel ever invented. Flying around the world is more ethical as far as I'm concerned!

i've never been on a cruise

pookielocks — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 15:43:06 -0500

i've never been on a cruise before, but the idea of being trapped on a ship terrifies me. i'm much more content to do an all-inclusive vacation instead.

www.shebecameabutterfly.net and www.msmodern.com and www.taking-back-control.com

"not too much time at sea"

Pam — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 15:28:47 -0500

It cracks me up all over the place that one of your indicators for a good cruise is "Not too much time at sea." I get it, I totally do, but you gotta admit the irony. You gotta.

Nerd's Eye View
@nerdseyeview