BOB'S cruises & tours's Blog

John F. Kennedy, Indira Gandhi and Queen Elizabeth are some of the names off my head that have stayed at the great Hotel Sacher in the Austrian capital, Vienna. You will be gracing a hotel at the apex of the world's hospitality industry. You and I know that guests such as the ones listed above don't stay at just any hotel...it's got to be the best of the best, and this is what you are guaranteed at the Hotel Sacher. read more

The Nerva Boutique Hotel bills itself as the 'ultimate dream budget hotel in Rome'. And to show how seriously it takes this edict, the hotel sports a truly Italian decor in the rooms, serves some fancy delicacies for breakfast and has a staff body that is eager to please. read more

At Hard Rock Hotel in Singapore, you will not only have the chance to visit great attractions such as the Universal Studios Singapore, S.E.A Aquarium and the Asia’s flagship of ESPA, but also have a chance to relax and unwind in 5-star accommodations and entertainment joints. read more

The City of Light - otherwise known as Paris, France - doesn't need much of an introduction when it comes to offerings for its tourists. The city's bevy of luxury hotels are some of the most prestigious in the world. They are obviously more expensive than standard accommodationsbut few can deny that they are worth the extra money. read more

Among African countries, three countries have had an exemplary performance in the tourism front. This includes; Egypt, Kenya and South Africa. Egypt is mostly popular for its historical sites such as the pyramids of Giza where pharaohs were buried, and Mediterranean beaches. Kenya on the other hand is popular because of its unique wildlife and pristine white sand beaches on the coast while South Africa is popular as gateway to African markets, abundance of wildlife and stable economic and political environment. read more

Luxury four-star accommodations await you at O'Callaghan Alexander Hotel in Dublin. read more

Suitably named for Richard the Lionheart, this luxury hotel sits in the heart of Wachau, where the world of Austria is within your reach. read more

If you're looking for a place to stay on your next trip to New Orleans, consider the Bocage Plantation, where luxury and history are in perfect balance. read more

Wonderful moments like you can never imagine read more

Learn what made today’s featured accommodation part of the National Register of Historic Places. read more

If you want to have a closer look at Singapore’s rich heritage and culture, then a night or two at a tasteful hotel along Jalan Sultan is recommended. read more

No other hotel reputation could beat that of Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong’s. read more

If you went to Rome to truly encounter how Romans live their life in the past, then a Villa Spalletti Trivelli experience is just what you need. read more

 

With a great interior design, reverse cycle air-conditioning, contemporary kitchen amenities, two comfort rooms, laundry services, a garage and a private mooring area for your boat, nothing comes close to the complete facilities at the Portside Noosa Waters. This waterfront townhouse doesn’t only provide convenient accessibility to the lovely Noosa River but also to the numerous travel activities, dining opportunities, attractions and shopping district in Noosa.

Learn more about Portside Noosa Waters in TravelSensations’ clip, in which the creator shares,
 

A Noosa accommodation of 20 luxury 2 & 3 bedroom townhouses beautifully positioned on a peaceful waterway off the Noosa River. Designed for self-catering & waterfront living with private water views from the decks, balcony and gardens, PORTSIDE NOOSA WATERS offers guests every comfort for a great holiday!
 

Get started with your next travel now!

 

So many things to remember!

Once you’ve booked your flight or reserved your spot on a cruise, you realize there are still a dozen or so important details to take care of before you leave.

That’s why we put together this handy travel checklist to help you stay organized and stress-free. 

1) Call your Credit Card Company and/or Bank to let them know you’re leaving the country. 

Most have anti-fraud services in place, so if foreign withdraws start popping up in your account a red flag is going to go off and your account might be frozen. Let them know where you’re going and how long you’ll be there.

2) Place a stop or hold on mail and deliveries. 

A pile of newspapers on your front lawn is a clear message to thieves that you’re away from home.

3) Write down emergency numbers 

… For you and for those back home. Give family, friends, neighbors and/or house sitters a way to reach you should an emergency occur. This includes both your new cell number if you’re using a SIM card and the number and address of the hotel you’re staying at.

For yourself: write down any numbers you might need during your trip. This includes family, friends, Doctor, bank, credit card companies and sitters. If you’re friendly with your neighbors ask them to keep an eye on your place.

4) Prep your home. 

If you have a security system this is the time to use it. Set some lights in and around your place on a timer to make it look like someone is home.

Throw out all garbage and go through your fridge for food that will expire. I also highly recommend cleaning up your place before you go. There’s something to be said about coming home to a clean and tidy home after a long trip.

If you have lawn or pool maintenance, either put the service on hold or let the company know you will be out of town. Turn your thermostat off or set it at a base temperature that will keep your pets and plants alive and healthy.

5) Set up pet care. 

Figure out if a friend can watch your pets from their home, or if they can come over regularly to take care of them. For more info, check out the Lazy Traveler’s Guide to Leaving Pets at Home.

6) If you’re bringing your laptop, back up all data before you go.

Use a cloud backup service like Syncplicity (2GB free) or Dropbox (also 2GB free). You can also save stuff to your Google account in Google Docs.

Clean out the memory card on your camera and save those to your computer or an online program (like our Travel Photos feature!)

7) Learn the basics of the local language. 

8) Pack maps, guides and public transportation schedules.

Do some research beforehand about your destination so you know what you want to see while you’re there. Tentatively plan out the first few days - you don’t need a rigid schedule but rather a loose idea of the sights, restaurants and other local spots you want to check out. Remember - this is something we can help you with if you plan and book with us!

9) Check the weather.

Especially if you’re not familiar with your destination, it’ll help you determine what to pack.

10) Pack only essentials - it will save you stress! 

• The minimum amount of clothes that can be easily mixed and matched throughout the trip. 
• Extra contact lenses, lens solution & glasses. 
• Camera, batteries & recharger. 
• Voltage converter, small flashlight, cell phone & charger. 
• Any RX, vitamins & anti-diarrheal medications.

If you have a medical condition that might cause some delay at the airport (like a metal implant or liquid insulin capsules) bring the appropriate doctors note. Meet with your Doctor before your trip and ask for a written or typed, formal note on the Doctor stationary with the Doctor’s signature at the bottom. The note should be as specific as possible.

If you have a disabilty, let the airline know ahead of time. For every official staff member that asks for your ID, show them your paperwork proving your disability or condition.

11) Pack your carry-on. 

Make sure you have your identification, credit card(s), flight tickets and hotel reservation information / confirmation numbers. If you have them, bring your list of frequent flier numbers and any insurance cards. Don’t bring any more credit cards than you need to. Buy quart-size zipped lock bags if you plan to bring any liquids (under 3oz).

12) Get some cash. 

You should bring credit cards too, but always try to have some cash on you for cab fees and other incidentals. Find out what the local currency is and try to bring some if you can.

 

Bookmark this page for your next trip!

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.

I think I’ve actually paid $25 for a misplaced towel. Pretty awful.

It’s time to fight back. Here’s how you avoid those surprises 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 consult one of our expert travel consultants for the best deals. 

 

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 mackerel!, 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.

Bonus!

The easiest way to save money on your next cruise is by booking with Bob's Cruises. Not only can we take care of all your travel arrangements, but we can plan and book your trip around your budget and and interests. Just contact us for more information.