Answers to our travel trivia quiz (see November 2, 2012 post: "What Travelocity Won't Tell You):
1. Tuesday and Wednesday
2. Tuesday at 3 p.m.
3. Does not include meals
4. Around $11 per person, per day
5. Sandals
6. Puerto Rico
7. Bermuda
8. Spirit Airlines
9. Flexible rate
10. Aventura Spa Palace
11. Ocho Rios, Jamaica
12. Antigua
13. Taxi or subway
14. Amtrak rail service
15. La Quinta
16. Partially blocked views
Q. What is the difference between a non-stop flight and a direct flight?
1. Tuesday and Wednesday
2. Tuesday at 3 p.m.
3. Does not include meals
4. Around $11 per person, per day
5. Sandals
6. Puerto Rico
7. Bermuda
8. Spirit Airlines
9. Flexible rate
10. Aventura Spa Palace
11. Ocho Rios, Jamaica
12. Antigua
13. Taxi or subway
14. Amtrak rail service
15. La Quinta
16. Partially blocked views
Q. What is the difference between a non-stop flight and a direct flight?
Answer: A non-stop flight takes you from point A to point B with no stops. On a direct flight, you do not have to change planes, but the plane stops to pick up/unload other passengers.
Q. What is included in the price of a cruise?
Answer: Regardless of the cruise line, the price of your cruise includes your cabin, all meals including breakfast, lunch dinner, snacks and free room service, free admissions to the disco, all shows and entertainment, and free kids programs, use of all facilities on ship like the pools, hot tubs, gym, and recreation activities.
GRATUITIES: Tips will amount to about $10 to $11.50 per person in your cabin per day, depending upon the cruise line. When you check in at the pier they will set up an on-board charge account for you to cover any and everything you may buy on ship.
ALCOHOLIC DRINKS AND SOFT DRINKS: Coffee, tea (hot and cold), milk, juice, and lemonade and punch will be provided FREE but you must pay for soft drinks and alcoholic beverages, and a 15 percent gratuity will be added. The cruise line does sell a soft drink card that allows you unlimited soft drinks for the duration of your cruise. These you must buy the first day of the cruise. The cost of the soft drink card also goes on your on-board tab. You may take on board with you a six pack of soft drinks and/or bottled water to help cut your costs.
PHOTOGRAPHS: Cruise ship employees will take plenty of photographs of you all over the ship, in the dining room, and as you exit the ship in ports. These will be available for purchase.
TOURS/EXCURSIONS: You are not required to book any tours and you can get off and on in the ports as much as you want. The cruise line will offer a lot of tours and these are NOT included in the price of the cruise.
SOUVENIRS: Anything you buy on ship from a gift shop or duty free shop goes on your on board account. Things that you buy on shore you pay cash or credit card for.
CASINO: If you plan to gamble on ship you will need cash for that.
SPA SERVICES: If you want/need to have your hair done, get a massage or wrap, or any other services from the spa, there will be a charge.
INTERNET SERVICE: Ships now have internet cafe and some have WiFi but there is a fee for internet access. There are port stops where you can usually find an internet cafe (hourly charge).
ROOM SERVICE/MINI-BAR: Room service is free. Your cabin will likely have a minibar with soft drinks and snacks; you have to pay for anything you take out of the mini-bar.
Q. How long does it take to get a US Passport?
Answer: Allow 4-6 weeks turnaround time from the time of application for routine service, and 2-3 weeks for expedited service. For more information, visit: http://travel.state.gov/passport/processing/processing_1740.html.
Q. Other than clothes and toiletries, what are some of the recommended items to take to Europe?
Answer: Electrical adapter(s), collapsible umbrella/poncho, camera, DL, Passport and all tickets purchased in advance for rail travel, car rental, tours, etc. Keep a photocopy of your DL, Passport and other important docs in a separate place. Check with your hotel prior to departure, to see if they provide hair dryers, irons, etc. If not, you might want to bring a hair dryer and travel-sized steamer.
Q. Does Disney World have all-inclusive packages?
Answer: Disney does have vacation packages (hotel + air) available with several dining plan options that you can add on to your purchase. I have visited Disney World, but I did not purchase the meal plans personally. If you have 4 or more travelers, you might save money by purchasing food/meals on your own, especially if you stay in lodging that provides a kitchenette and dining area.
Answer: Allow 4-6 weeks turnaround time from the time of application for routine service, and 2-3 weeks for expedited service. For more information, visit: http://travel.state.gov/passport/processing/processing_1740.html.
Q. Other than clothes and toiletries, what are some of the recommended items to take to Europe?
Answer: Electrical adapter(s), collapsible umbrella/poncho, camera, DL, Passport and all tickets purchased in advance for rail travel, car rental, tours, etc. Keep a photocopy of your DL, Passport and other important docs in a separate place. Check with your hotel prior to departure, to see if they provide hair dryers, irons, etc. If not, you might want to bring a hair dryer and travel-sized steamer.
Q. Does Disney World have all-inclusive packages?
Answer: Disney does have vacation packages (hotel + air) available with several dining plan options that you can add on to your purchase. I have visited Disney World, but I did not purchase the meal plans personally. If you have 4 or more travelers, you might save money by purchasing food/meals on your own, especially if you stay in lodging that provides a kitchenette and dining area.
