When it comes to vacation, travelers are faced with many different and equally exciting options.  Sometimes, the options can seem almost overwhelming with all the types of travel now available to vacationers.  One option is for vacationers to plan a trip on a cruise ship.  As with any type of travel, there are many advantages as well as disadvantages associated with taking a cruise.

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In this economy, many people are steering clear of very expensive getaways. One advantage of taking a cruise is the amazing pricing. Most cruise lines are all-inclusive packages. This includes a person’s cruise fare, lodging, food and some onboard entertainment and sightseeing. Cruise lines make it easy for the worrisome traveler by including everything they need. Instead of having to book plane tickets, call a hotel and then have to pay for food and entertainment separately, cruises offer it all.  When a cruise trip is booked, the traveler can rest easy knowing no further calls have to be made, except to figure out their transportation to the port of departure.

Not only do cruise-goers save money, but they also have the added benefit of having a stress free vacation. Compared to a road trip or flying, those on a cruise can sit back and enjoy the time it takes to get to their destination. There are no delays that will mess up a connecting flight or traffic that will add hours onto a road trip. Half the fun of the cruise is the ship itself. The ships, which are usually state of the art, are part of the destination. Those aboard a cruise do not have to worry because they are not in charge; they have a captain and crew to take care of them.  In addition to this, cruises offer a ‘true’ vacation from the outside world.  Let’s say a person books a seven day cruise; that is seven days they are without large cities and the hustle of life.  The only stops the ship will be making are at their destination sights, where everyone is able to get off the ship and enjoy local towns and sightseeing.

Traveling can be very relaxing for the average person, but if a traveler is bringing their children, it can be anything but. One of the best features of cruises for parents is the unbelievable deals they can receive for their children. Children of a certain age are prorated since they eat less and will be doing fewer activities on the ship. This is helpful because, sometimes, it is difficult to afford travel when children are charged full price despite their age. In most cases, child care is available aboard most ships.  Parents are usually given a pager in case of an emergency. This gives parents the ability to enjoy themselves while their children are engaged in fun onboard activities, under the watchful eye of individuals paid to play and cater to children. This almost guarantees both parents and children have a great vacation.

One significant advantage to a cruise is the plentiful options for what type of cruise a traveler desires to take. There are cruise packages for everyone.  If a person wants activities for the kids and the adults, there are cruise lines that cater specifically to that sector.  If a person would rather have an adult only vacation, there are cruise options for that too.  The list, it seems, is endless. There are lesbian and gay cruises, and cruises tailored to older generations. This gives individuals the ability to create a trip that is specifically for them.

Despite the many advantages of cruises, like any type of vacation, there are also several disadvantages.  Although a cruise is all-inclusive, there are several things the traveler will have to pay out of pocket.  When a ship reaches a destination, they will have to pay extra if they want to do any sightseeing, such as snorkeling, horseback riding or scuba diving. Most travelers know this already, but if a traveler is unable to pay for any extras, they basically have only the ship to enjoy.

It may appear humorous but one downside to a cruise is the possibility of becoming sea sick.  Although this is usually an oversight, it is important to mention this because it can greatly affect one’s trip.  If a person is feeling sick for most of the trip, it is going to seem like a very long trip.  On most cruise lines, ships spend several days at sea.  This is something to take into consideration when planning a cruise.  It is important to make sure that all travelers are comfortable and this can cause quite a discomfort if one is not prepared.

When travelling, we all hope for wonderful weather, but the reality is that Mother Nature does not always cooperate. This is especially true on a cruise.  If the weather is bad, the trip along the sea can be bumpy; this brings sea sickness to mind again.  The weather can also hinder the activities planned both onboard and onshore at destination sites.  There are usually outdoor areas such as pools, waterslides, running tracks and other activities on a cruise ship.  If weather is bad, travelers will not be able to enjoy these recreational activities, which can be frustrating since they are part of the package. If the weather is bad during visits to the onshore destination sites, many travelers will miss out on sightseeing activities, which is part of the excitement of taking a cruise.

Another disadvantage of a cruise is the price changes during holidays. Most prices rise during the holiday season and it is no exception on a cruise line. The prices can change significantly; it changes almost week-to-week as the departing date approaches a national holiday. This is exasperating because this is when most travelers have extended leave in which to take a long cruise. Many cruises charge more even though it is the exact same type of cruise. It’s all just because of the holidays.

When planning a vacation, it is crucial to look at both the pros and cons in order to set up the best vacation. Cruises are a great way to see different parts of the world, with little planning and many adventures. There may be extra costs and bad weather, but with any trip, it is bound to be far from perfect.  However, it will be enjoyable nonetheless.

Medical Tourism or Medical Travel/Health Tourism refers to people/patients traveling abroad to receive healthcare. Also, it is when medical providers travel to other countries to provide care. The many popular sites for these travels are India, Malaysia, Philippines, Cuba, Colombia, Thailand, Argentina, Mexico (surprisingly!) and most recently, Ukraine.  Well over 750,000 US citizens in 2007 alone have gone on these medical ventures seeking cheaper healthcare. It has become a major part of the industry in many countries. It is so important that now South Africa had ‘medical safaris’ to further stimulate their medical touring industry. It’s predicated that if this medical trend continues to gain popularity as it is now, it will be a $100 billion dollar market by next year.

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Why would anyone do this? For medical professionals, this means big bucks, big quick bucks. They know that someone from another country will be willing to pay double sometimes triple what their patients in their country would for a procedure. Or in other cases, they will go to another country to perform a more risky surgery that cannot be done in their home country. For the people seeking the medical help, the case is usually that they don’t want to pay too much to have a certain job done, so those on a tight budget may prefer to travel to have such a procedure carried out, saving money for the next treatment rather than spend too much on this one treatment. For example, a knee surgery performed in Thailand may cost almost $10,000 less than it would in the United States. So of course Miss 90210 would rather travel there and save money for the next procedure than spend all her money on one procedure.

Last year, many of America’s senior citizens traveled to Mexico to receive either dental care or nursing home care. A majority say that they travel to Mexico because their insurance won’t cover all that it should. Or they have full coverage by insurance and they wanted to see another country. One man when asked if he isn’t worried about the current violence in Mexico replied ‘No why should it? Who is going to disturb a nursing home?’ Surprisingly enough, this medical fad is catching on so much now that many companies are thinking about saving money by offering their employees medical treatments in other countries. It’s predicted that this will save them at least 70 percent of what they are paying now.

So how exactly do you go on a medical tour? It sounds seemingly easy. People who are seeking medical treatment will contact a medical tourism provider. The patient will then provide general medical information such as: medical history, what their local doctor says about their condition, and what is the reason they want to go on the medical tour. Next, they are advised by either a certified medical doctor or some type of consultant. Then, the approximate cost for accommodation, travel, and the actual procedure is discussed. After that, the patient will sign bonds and agreements and they can be given recommendation letters for a medical visa. Once the patient arrives at their destination country, the medical tourism provider will assign a case executive to the patient. The case executive will then take over handling all of the patient’s accommodation, traveling to and from the hospital and all other general care. Sounds easy enough right?

But there are risks involved. Some of these risks relate to being sure that the quality of your treatment is excellent. Other risks are related to traveling both before and after treatment and also, what would happen if something goes wrong with your treatment? So you need to research carefully and take reliable advice on whether or not medical tourism is appropriate for you.

I was born into a military family in San Antonio, Texas. At the age of three, my dad was given orders to relocate (family and all) to a military base in Panama City, Panama. When I was 7, we were once again relocated to Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. After 5 years in Oklahoma, my father decided to retire from the Armed Forces as an Air Force Major with 21 years of proud service. Now, this is where the adventure really began.

Almost immediately after retiring, he was recruited by the company SAIC (Science Applications International Corporation) to live and work in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The transition there was rough. For the first year, the only thing anybody could think of was getting out. But by the second year, not one member of my family wanted to leave. The immigration policies in Saudi Arabia are very strict, and so, they restrict anyone from staying there only for an amount of time that would best benefit the country. Basically, we had three month, single entry visas that could only be renewed by leaving the country and reapplying. What this meant was that every three months, my dad’s company would pay us to leave the country, let the visa registration process begin and finish again, and then return back. Every three months, my family would leave the country to somewhere new. Every six months however, the company would give a bit extra to actually enjoy leaving the country and relieve the stresses of living in a socially restrictive culture. In seven years, I have visited close to 20 different countries: Sri Lanka, United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Kuwait, Egypt, Italy, Greece, Germany, Bahrain, Mexico, Canada, and many, many more.

I finished my high school in the American International School – Riyadh and after a ripe seven years of life, it was time to go back home to the States. The times we did visit the states, all we wanted to do was to go back overseas. Back to our little world of adventure and at the same time, simplicity. People we spoke to about our travels felt sorry for us. I understood where they were coming from with all the rumors about terrorism and such. But we lived in neighborhoods surrounded by 20-foot concrete walls and guarded by half an army. Nobody dared even try to bomb us; as a matter of fact nobody did. But what really sparked my concern about the American people who had never left their hometowns were the questions they asked about life overseas.

“Do you ride a camel to school?”

“Do you live in a mud hut?”

“How big is your hut?”

“What are you doing in church, aren’t you a Muslim now?”

“How many of your friends are terrorists?”

“Saudi Arabia? Where in Texas is that?”

Might seem silly and bizarre to say the least but these are actual questions we were asked.  It is pretty obvious that the people asking these questions maybe need to get out more, or read an encyclopedia cover to cover. But the fact remains that the way things are in the United States (at least the south) if you don’t go there yourself, you’ll never know it existed.

When I came to college, I had a bit of trouble making friends. This was understandable being that I was used to a multicultural community and now the most international thing was a burrito at the university chow halls.  I tried to intrigue people with stories of my travels and the results were catastrophic. I, still, to this day (one full year later) have people I have spoken to on campus stare, point, and laugh at me for having such an odd strategy of acquiring attention. Although this was not my purpose, I did find a few friends that believed me (not before showing them 6 years worth of year books and countless Arabian artifacts). Once I started to really get to know them, I began missing home. You could call it culture shock, you could call me closed-minded (although that one would be a little farfetched), but I felt like almost everyone here was the same. People talked the same, dressed the same, thought the same, and rejected anything and everything that was different from them. I really missed my home, and my home really was nowhere.

One day out of a spark of luck or fate, I ran into a guy who had lived in morocco for almost the same amount of time I had lived in Saudi Arabia. We began talking and I was amazed at how different he was from everybody else, and even especially from me. We both had the same mind-state of looking for something different. Unfortunately, I never saw him again but that one conversation left me with the answer to America’s problem: You need to get out more!

You don’t have to agree with what everybody says or with what anybody says, but listen to it. This is what an international person learns on their travels. Not everything is the same and there is never a completely right answer to anything. Things that are different are to be cherished as an innovation of the mind rather than a corruption of some status quo. In the end, it can be described as conformity versus rebellion but what happens when the conformists think they are rebelling?

Experience is the best way to learn anything. And the best way to learn about the world and its people is to go out and see it. I would actually advise any and every family with an income that can afford it to leave the country on your next vacation, not just the city. I find it depressing to hear of people who die never having left their hometowns. Only 3% of Americans have a passport, now how many of those do you think actually use it? If you have children, do them a favor. Show them that the world is bigger than what is in their backyard. There are a million and one ways of doing the same thing depending on where you go and whom you talk to. And all of these ways are valid and should be considered in the highest esteem.

Please world, go experience yourself.

Luxury travel trends include travelers taking trips abroad, luxury cruises, adventure trips and travels to exotic locations. People are planning and desiring multi-destination trips rather than choosing to stay in one location for their entire vacation time.  Individuals, couples and families are making more stops during their travels and more time is being spent traveling internationally. Currently, the most popular type of luxury trip that people reported they were planning to take is international travel. Most trips planned are for eight days or longer so that many destinations can be included in the trip. Italy and France are some of the most popular locations to travel to this year. Europe in general remains a popular destination for luxury travelers. Trips are planned to create unforgettable moments for the participants. Travelers are looking to explore the world and enrich their lives. Many families and inter-generational members of a family are planning to take a luxury trip together.

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Planning a cruise trip is a popular option for travelers, because they offer many inclusive amenities and travel to various destinations around the world.  There are also theme cruises that are geared towards your interests.  Luxury cruise trips also offer longer itineraries. Your dream cruise may be to explore nature, history, another culture or to taste fine cuisines and wines. The luxury cruise liners cater to your every need in a relaxing atmosphere. The goal is to help you and your family to take the cruise of your dreams. They also have luxury cabins that are spacious for you and your traveling companions.

Cruise travel abroad is regaining its favorite status among travelers with the means to pay for extravagant trips. Some cruise offers include free airfare to your departing destination. Others may include all inclusive features such as 2 for 1 travel deals, lower fares, open dining options, gratuities included in trip price or free wine and spirits during your relaxing cruise.  Expert guides may also be provided to help travelers understand and appreciate more what they are experiencing.

Another popular travel trend is adventure traveling. Adventure trips that are ecotourism based are gaining in status among savvy luxury travelers. Travelers want to enjoy themselves but not cause harm to the environment while taking their dream vacation. Luxury Travel can benefit the people and communities that a traveler visits.  Adventure travelers are given the opportunity to explore hidden places not traveled by mass tourist. Travel experiences can be varied and cover a wide topic of hobbies and sports. Trips can be planned to go deep ocean fishing or diving, to experience air sports, backpacking, hiking, day hiking, horseback riding, dog sledding, survival training, white water river rafting and of course safari trips to name just a few of the many choices available.  Adventure traveling can take you to places in Antarctica, Africa, Mexico or locations in the United States of America.  Extreme sports vacations are also planned by adventure travelers. Some want to actually stay active and participate in skiing and other amateur sporting events that they are unable to during the normal workday schedules. Others enjoy seeing these sports performed by professionals. Adventure travel may also include leaving the conveniences of civilization behind and roughing it in the wilderness.  Adventure travel will leave you revived and geared up for more travel excitement.

Exotic travel is a gateway to experience new cultures and to view different landscapes, communities, people and countries. Your travels may take you to view Australia’s natural resources which include sun baked horizons, beaches and a dense rainforest.  Or travelers may opt to travel to India to explore the rich culture, food and history. Guided tours to gain insight into the culture of Tanzania or Zanzibar can be arranged to travel into the foothills of the region along with a visit to the local village to observe native customs. You can also take day trips by air or land to Croatia and the Adriac Sea to view the historic beautiful fishing villages. There are also tours to exotic coastlines in many regions of the world where you can explore ancient caves and ruins. A trip to South Africa may be more to your liking to immerse yourself in the newly rising international culture or tasting of the delicious wines in the Cape Town region or the foods of the country. A tour of the Grand Arctic is also an exotic location people are deciding to visit on their luxury travels. You will have a close personal experience with local culture and wildlife in the Arctic.  There are again specialists who will guide and lecture you on the area that you are viewing during your trip.

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International travel is again growing in favor among luxury travelers. Italy, France, England, South Africa, Australia and Mexico are very popular among individuals and families traveling abroad. Italy is a popular destination because of the culture, distinct regional cuisines and beautiful architecture. For example, a day tour of Tuscany, Italy may include wine and chocolate tastings and a guided tour of historic Tuscany.  An entire trip abroad can be spent roaming the different areas of Italy. Many families are taking their very young toddlers and children with them overseas rather than hiring daycare or nannies to care for them while away so that the whole family can share in the travel experience and loved ones can reconnect with each other. Families traveling together are currently the biggest emerging trend. Many are choosing international luxury destinations but are traveling in a way that flaunts their wealth. The choice is towards a low key, relaxing travel experience. Other destinations growing in interest to travelers are China, Sri Lanka, Brazil and the Galapagos Islands.

Luxury travel trends are accommodating the need for families to spend time together relaxing on the ultimate vacation experience.  Whether traveling abroad to an exotic destination or taking a weekend trip to a nearby posh spa, luxury travelers want to have a memorable and stress free moment. Luxury travel is spending time with those you love in a beautiful environment on your dream vacation that is far away from the daily grind and allows for the creation of spectacular memories.

My favorite travel destination is New Orleans, Louisiana. What makes this the most interesting of all the travel destinations I’ve been to is the unique atmosphere, hospitality, diversity, Southern charm and of course, the amazing music and food. New Orleans is world-renowned for its French American blend of a good time, and there is really nothing like being in the French Quarter for Mardi Gras.

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If you’re either driving or flying into New Orleans, you’ll see the unique landscape from the moment you enter the bounds of the city. It’s as if you’re driving into a swamp and then a beautiful modern city appears out of nowhere. The city itself has so much to offer and though it’s difficult to know where to start, you’re always sure to have a good time. The first thing I like to do every time I come into town is go to Mothers restaurant and have a nice juicy sausage po-boy. If you never had one, you have no idea what you’re missing. Mothers must’ve been around for over 100 years and still going strong day in day out. You can sit down with tables and be served with some of the most delicious food you can find in the continental United States. After this, I like to take a stroll down Riverwalk to listen to the jazz musicians playing their soulful melodies as the riverboats on the Mississippi pass by. It’s a scene that takes you back to the days of Mark Twain and Louis Armstrong. Walking by Riverwalk and onto the boardwalk makes you realize that you’re walking through a piece of living history which is New Orleans.

As you walk into the French Quarter, there’s no way to resist the sweet temptation of a warm sugar covered beignet at Cafe du Monde. You can sit down in the open air, sit with warm coffee or cold chocolate milk and eat these delicious fried doughnuts to the backdrop of a live musical performance on the steps of the amphitheater leading to the Mississippi River, and see the beautiful sights of the French quarter hanging in the background. Once you’ve had your fill, it’s time to walk down to Bourbon Street and see the sights and hear the sounds that make this city a world tourist destination.

As you walk down the old cobblestone streets, you will see the old horse posts which pepper the cover of so many books and postcards written about this beautiful city. You might pass by some amazing art museums so it’s always worthwhile to walk in and see what’s on display. There are so many quaint and interesting little stores tempting you to shop till you drop. That’s why it’s always best to budget your finances so you can enjoy everything the city has to offer. And don’t be surprised if you’re walking down the street and see some famous musicians, actors, athletes or even politicians who all come to enjoy the wonders. Each street has its own unique history and each building its own unique architecture. You can notice the beautiful metal work in the windows on the balconies which cover the entire French quarter and give it its special look. Sometimes, I’ll just wander aimlessly with the camera people watching and enjoying the architecture where you can’t find anywhere else in the world. Somehow, though I always end up on Bourbon Street and you should too. Bourbon Street is a giant block party 24 hours a day seven days a week, with sounds of music, laughter and the sites of people dancing and drinking and just having a great old time. I like to stop into every single open door bar just to get a smell of the atmosphere and listen to the jazz emanating from the stage. Sometimes we hear an amazing brass band, sometimes a lone trumpeter, and sometimes a beautiful singer singing the blues.

To lighten up the spirit, it’s always worthwhile to get yourself a drink, since treating on the street is completely legal in New Orleans. The local favorite is the hand grenade, a concoction designed to bring flavor to your mouth, warmth to your belly and put a lot of alcohol in your blood. There is nothing like a night out on Bourbon Street with a hand grenade in your left hand and a camera on the other ready to capture all the amazing colors and bizarre people having a grand old time. As night falls, there are usually dozens of people on different balconies throwing beads even if it’s not Mardi Gras. Just the sight of the street alone makes you feel as if you’re walking down a Hollywood set; it makes you forget all your worries so you can leave your stress behind. Usually, the weather is perfect so you can walk around in shorts and a T-shirt just like everybody else and not have to worry about a dress code to get in to any of the bars, clubs or restaurants on Bourbon Street. If you are thinking, he is speaking a lot about alcohol and food, that’s because this is what New Orleans is all about, so you might as well forget about your diet and just enjoy the delicious morsels that await at every step you take.

Once I’ve had my fill of Bourbon Street, I like to head down to Harrah’s casino only a few blocks away to put a few dollars on the blackjack table and see if Lady luck has accompanied me for the evening. Whether you win or lose, you can always head out to one of the amazing indoor clubs inside the casino where hundreds of people every night dance the night away, and you can rub shoulders and toast all the beautiful people there who are sharing the experience with you. There is no doubt New Orleans is an amazing city with an amazing atmosphere that beckons you back every time you leave it, simply because it lives by its own motto, ‘le se le bon ton roulette!’ meaning ‘let the good times roll!’