Whether you prefer to travel to tropical, white sand beaches or take in rich historical architecture with family or good company on a European river cruise, it pays to cover your travel with a travel insurance plan through Travel Safe Vacation Plan
Travel Safe is one of the most popular plans with Basic, Classic and Classic Plus benefit schedules. The Classic Plus Plan is perfect for international travelers or families and includes 24/7 travel assistance services, coverage for medical expenses, trip cancellation and interruption, lost baggage, baggage delay, severe weather, strike, and medical evacuations. The Classic Plan also includes coverage to cancel for any reason, if the plan is purchased within 21 days of your initial deposit of your trip. Plus- good news for the family – children who are 17 and under and traveling with you are covered at no additional cost ( some restrictions apply). Travel Safe insurance plans have covered millions of travelers throughout the world. Travel Safe is one of the leading providers of travel insurance and assistance service programs and they are available to assist 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Coverage provided through Travel Safe is easy to buy and with 24-hour emergency travel services it's even easier to use. Benefits: Trip Cancellation Trip Interruption Trip Delay (6 hours or more) Missed Connection (3 hours or more) Medical Expense/Assistance Baggage and Personal Effects Baggage Delay (12 hours or more) Accidental Death & Dismemberment Optional Benefits Available Cancel for any reason Extended Personal Property Package (cell phones, Laptops, & Tablets (100.00 deductible) Rental Car Damage We understand that your trip can take a year or more to plan and save for, but only a second to ruin. While you can’t do anything to prevent an unexpected storm from closing the airport, you can do something to help cover your initial investment. Benefits discussed are described on a general basis only. There are certain restrictions , exclusions and limitations that apply to all coverages and services. Contact the Hyman Travel Network for a certificate or policy. You may also call Travel Safe directly : 888-885-7233 and give them the following agent code: HYMMD01 If you are not satisfied for any reason, You may return your certificate/policy to Travel Safe within 14 days after receipt and prior to the date of your trip. Your plan/ payment will be refunded (less the enrollment processing fee)
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With travel season well underway for vacationers and corporate travelers, jet lag is a common problem for anyone traveling considerable distances. Traveling to vacations, conferences and meetings can take its toll on your energy and your body. Learn how to battle jet lag and arrive refreshed after your flight!
Get Some Sleep A few days prior to your trip, begin to adjust your bedtime (an hour a day) in order to more closely match your sleep schedule at your destination. This is especially important if you are traveling west to east, as you will be losing time. Do whatever you can to ensure restful sleep during the nights leading up to your trip. Take Care of Yourself In addition to getting good sleep during the days leading up to your trip, you should also be eating well, exercising, and managing your stress level. All of these behaviors promote more effective circulation. Eating well and exercising will help regulate your body and keep you healthy, strong and well adjusted. Drink Water Many experts believe that dehydration, due to the extremely low humidity levels (2 to 3 percent) on airplanes, is one of the leading causes of jet lag. Be sure to drink plenty of water before, during and after your flight. In addition, try to avoid drinking alcohol or anything with caffeine, as both will only increase dehydration during longer flights. Relax on the Plane Once your airplane reaches cruising altitude, head to the restroom if you need to. Then head back to your seat, remove or loosen your shoes, and settle in. Also, reset your watch to match the time at your destination. From this point forward do the best you can to adapt to your new time zone. If it’s daytime there, stay awake and if it’s nighttime, try to sleep. If you are someone who has trouble sleeping on planes, the purchase of a travel pillow, eye mask, and earplugs or noise-canceling earphones are worthy investments. Wearing comfortable, non-restrictive clothing will also help you to relax and feel more at ease. Eat Lightly Digestion is a big issue when it comes to jet lag, so help out your system and eat lightly. One trick is to call the airline prior to arriving at the airport and order one of their specialty meals, such as a vegetarian or diet plate. Besides, who wants to fill up on airplane food when there’s probably great food to be found at your destination? Exercise on the Airplane That’s right, you need to exercise on the plane in order promote good circulation. Stretching your back, arms and legs, as well as walking up and down the aisles a few times are good places to start. Take a couple trips down the aisle to the restroom. Squeezing a rubber ball will help the circulation in your arms and hands. While sitting in your chair, raising your knee and flexing your foot will do the same for your lower appendages. Adapt on Arrival The sooner you adapt to your new schedule, the better off you will be. From eating and sleeping to exercise and relaxation, do it at the appropriate times at your destination. If a nap is needed, keep it to less than 45 minutes, as anything longer will affect your nighttime sleep. Expose yourself to 15 minutes of sunlight (without sunglasses) as soon as possible upon arrival. The effect of sunlight on our circadian rhythms is dramatic. Going without it for a prolonged period of time while on the plane is bad enough, so make it a priority as soon as you arrive. By Thomas Faddegon
While a cruise ship in rough seas can be unpleasant, it will rarely result in a cancelled voyage. However, it may make nausea-prone passengers seasick and force the ship to skip ports. Rough waters can occur anywhere at any time, but because of ocean currents, high winds, and nearby landmasses — or the lack thereof — some itineraries can be expected to have particularly rough seas at certain times of year. So even though you can’t predict the weather months in advance of your cruise, you can increase your chances of smooth sailing by not booking during the stormiest seasons. Here are the roughest seas you are most likely to encounter on a cruise, and when to avoid them: Africa South African cruises depart from Durban or Cape Town, traveling as far north as Madagascar. Western Africa cruises depart from Spain and cruise as far south as Freetown in Sierra Leone. The Cape of Good Hope on the southern tip was originally called the Cape of Storms. Although not the official dividing point between the Atlantic and Indian oceans, it is where the cold water current meets the warm water current. The currents, combined with the directional shift in the landmass from south to east, create rocky seas year-round, but winter (May through July) sees the most frequent gale-strength winds. Alaska Cruises depart from Seattle or Vancouver and travel via the Inside Passage, between the Pacific coast and a string of islands. The shelter provided by these islands typically means smooth sailing to the ports of Ketchikan, Juneau, and Skagway. Cruising to Anchorage, Seward, or Whittier means crossing the rough Gulf of Alaska, where strong surface currents and cold arctic air generate powerful storms that affect British Columbia and the western U.S. Water here can be rough year-round. The months from October to February are particularly stormy, so watch out for the tail end of the cruise season. Asia Most cruises depart from Singapore, although Hong Kong, Beijing, Shanghai, and Bangkok also serve as departure ports. China, Cambodia, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam are the most frequently visited. The strongest typhoons — the Pacific version of a hurricane — hit the South China Sea, so cruising between China and southern Asian countries like Taiwan, Cambodia, and the Philippines can be especially rocky. Typhoons typically occur in the northwest Pacific from July through November. Baltic Cruises depart from Copenhagen or Amsterdam, or the English ports of Harwich or Southampton, and sail east toward St. Petersburg in Russia. Cruises from England are longer and typically encounter rough waters crossing the North Sea. The Baltic is sheltered from open waters by the Scandinavian countries, so it’s much gentler than the neighboring North Sea. Still, it’s prone to sudden, strong thunderstorms. Thunderstorms are most likely from May through August, but it’s the eastern ports of St. Petersburg and Helsinki that are the most commonly affected. Caribbean Caribbean cruises are broken down into eastern, western, and southern itineraries. Hurricanes and tropical storms are the number one cause of rough waters in the Caribbean. The season lasts from June through the end of November, but the majority of storms occur during August and September — so beware of fall sailings. Any Caribbean island can be hit by a hurricane, but the Bahamas and the British Virgin Islands have had the most storms make landfall. Seasickness is hardly fatal, but with symptoms such as nausea, stomach cramps and vomiting, it can certainly put a damper on your cruise fun. Motion sickness is thought to be caused by the visual disorientation resulting from being on an object in motion (ship) competing against our body's natural inclination for balance. Whatever the technical cause, the majority of cruisers are familiar with how rough, rocking seas can leave us feeling less than our best.
Mal de mer, however, is not caused by choppy waters alone. Scientific studies have shown that some folks become seasick by suggestion. They simply convince themselves that being on a ship will make them ill. On the other hand, for those who can forget about it, it's often smooth sailing. Some people have a genuine proclivity for motion sickness and will undoubtedly suffer more during rough seas. According to medical professionals, seasickness is more prevalent in children and women. On the other hand, children under 2 seem to be immune from the ailment. Of equally interesting note, elderly people are less susceptible. If you have a propensity to motion sickness or are concerned that you might develop symptoms, arm yourself with preventive measures beforehand. Drug Remedies One of the most widely recommended remedies is Transderm Scop, a scopolamine patch applied behind the ear at least eight hours before exposure, with effectiveness for up to three days. Available only by prescription, the Scop is preventive, not a treatment, and can cause possible side effects such as dry mouth, blurry vision, drowsiness and dizziness. Over-the-counter drugs used to deter and/or treat mal de mer include Dramamine, Meclizine (common name Bonine) or diphenhydramine (commonly known as Benadryl). On some ships these are dispensed freely. They are also sold in the sundries shop. Remember that the most common side effect of taking Bonine and Benadryl is drowsiness, and alcohol will exacerbate this. For kids, less potent versions of both Benadryl and Bonine are available as well. Of course, we recommend that you talk with your doctor before giving your children any new medications. Stronger, more effective prescription drugs can only be obtained from a physician (the ship's doctor can fix you up, but it often costs you the price of an office visit plus the pills, so you're better off going through your personal physician). These include Promethazine and ephedrine, which when taken together produce quick results as well as potential side effects such as sleepiness. Another option is suppositories, administered by the ship's physician, which work magic for some people. Drug-Free Remedies If you don't like to take drugs, there are plenty of other options, if the numerous Cruise Critic boards' threads on seasickness remedies are any indication. Some swear by applying a Sea-Band wristband the minute you embark. The easy-to-wear, acupressure-inspired product has a plastic bead that presses against the Nei-Kuan pressure point located on the palm side of the wrist. Efficacious in curbing nausea and vomiting without any side effects, it comes in both adult and children's sizes and can even be used by pregnant women. Sea-Bands are available without a prescription at major drug stores. Others faithfully promote the benefits of ginger, which studies have found alleviates nausea associated with motion sickness. The root can be taken in various forms, including powder, tea, pill and candy. Some swear that eating green apples helps with nausea, and some ships offer plates of green apples and crackers on their room service menus. How To Avoid Getting Scammed or Robbed on Vacation
Most Popular Scams
At one time or another you will fall victim to an Internet scam (stolen identity when someone uses your image or tries to contact your face book friends. .When checking into a hotel only use the password that is supplied by the front desk, never use a password that is posted on a wall or a chart. If you fall asleep on a plane, bus or train, always be sure your valuables are secure Note:I am sure there are more scams out there. This list is not to scare you or discourage you from traveling, it is only to keep you safe whenever you travel 1. Climbing/horseplay on railings – Although this should be a no-brainer, we occasionally hear accounts of passengers sitting on the ship’s railings or climbing over balcony partitions.
2. Stiffing the crew – While most cruise lines automatically charge a daily gratuity or service surcharge to your stateroom, you can have them removed by going to guest services. However, just because you are allowed to have them taken off doesn’t mean that you should. You wouldn’t go to a restaurant without tipping and you shouldn’t go on a cruise without tipping. 3. Getting too drunk – No one enjoys having an obnoxious drunk by them on the lido deck or at their dinner table. 4. Getting left behind in port – When the captain says that the ship is leaving port at 5:00, he means it. He isn’t going to wait around for those that lost track of time. If you get left behind in port, you are responsible for your own transportation to the next port or back home. The costs can be several thousand dollars each and will be even more complicated if you are traveling without a passport. Our advice? Plan on arriving back near the ship 1 1/2 to 2 hours before you are scheduled to leave. This not only gives you some time to shop in the port area, but also gives you plenty of leeway if you run into traffic or your taxi or bus has a breakdown on the way back. 5. Going by port time instead of ship time – Going by port time instead of ship time is a great way to miss your ship. Also, never trust the time on your cell phone. Bring a watch and if you don’t have one, pick up a cheap $10 watch and you will never have to worry about getting port/ship times mixed up. 6. Eating only at the buffet – While newer ships like Regal Princess have great buffets, the best food on a cruise is almost always in the main dining room. By eating only at the buffet, you miss out on the great food and service that is offered in the main dining rooms and specialty restaurants. 7. Line cutting – We all hate waiting in lines while on vacation, but it’s part of life. 8. Booking late flights on embarkation day – Booking late flights on embarkation day is a great way to miss your cruise. While it is not always possible for everyone to fly in the day before due to work commitments, you should always plan on arriving the day before if you are able to. 9. Booking early flights on disembarkation day – Cruise lines recommend not booking flights before noon on disembarkation day. Just because your arrival time says 7:00 a.m., there is almost no chance of catching an 8:30 flight. There have been times I walked right through customs, and other times it took over an hour to get through the line. 10. Leaving balcony doors open – Leaving your balcony door propped open will create a wind tunnel when your stateroom door is opened. It’s a great way to get your fingers smashed in the door when it slams shut on you. 11. Leaving your curtains open when pulling into port – More often than not, you will be docked directly across the pier from another cruise ship. Those on the ship next to you will be able to see into your cabin if your curtains are open. 12. Forgetting to turn data roaming off – Before stepping foot on the ship, you should go to the settings on your phone and make sure that data roaming is turned off. This will keep your cell phone from racking up huge charges and using data even when it is in your pocket. Putting your phone in airplane mode will also keep you from racking up additional charges. 13. Piling into elevators without letting other passengers out first – This is about having respect for your fellow passengers. 14. Treating the crew like 2nd class citizens – We all have bad days, but how many you would have if you worked 7 days a week and were away from your family for 6-9 months at a time? Kind words to the crew will go a long way, treat them with the same respect that you give to your spouse. 15. Cruising without travel insurance – Cruising without travel insurance is like playing with fire. There are a wide range of policies offered that include coverage for medical (your medical insurance most likely won’t cover you out of the country), travel delays and interruptions, and cancellations. 16. Lying on your medical form – Before you board your cruise, you have to fill out a medical form where you check boxes of certain symptoms that you have had over the past 48-72 hours. Lying on this form is a great way of spreading an illness to other passengers. Lying on your form is one of the biggest mistakes you can make on a cruise. Traveling on it's own can be, while exciting, a daunting experience. When you pair this with crippling anxiety, it can really deflate any excitement and fun you might be feeling for your upcoming trip.
Anxiety feels different for people, depending on whom you ask. Remember the scene in the movie Titanic near the end, Jack is handcuffed to a pipe in a room that is quickly filling with water? This is how I can accurately describe my experience with anxiety. I can't actually explain why I get anxiety. I love traveling, I love flying, I love (most) airports. I am comfortable in airports and on airplanes. All I know is on the way to the airport, I panic. The sooner the bags are checked and I'm through security, the sooner I can try to relax. Maybe my anxiety is the thought of leaving my comfort zone. While traveling, waiting around the gate and looking at the stores can be fun. It can also be enjoyable to stop somewhere to get a meal and a coffee while people watching. If you suffer with anxiety however, below the surface your anxiety may be bubbling. It hinders the excitement, and it's not fair. For me, once I'm on the plane, my anxiety begins to subside. I enjoy the flight, and don't suffer much more for the rest of the trip. If you too are dealing with anxiety, especially while traveling, here are five tips that I find to be helpful when it comes to staying calm. 1. Drink Water. Sipping on water may help your nerves to calm down, and help your mind and body feel less overwhelmed. Also, keeping hydrated is always a good thing! 2. Eat. I find that it's helpful to keep a full stomach when you're feeling anxiety. It keeps your blood sugar up, and you may not notice your body feeling hunger if you're too wrapped up in your anxiety. It's important to keep your body fuelled, especially when exerting so much energy while traveling. 3. Breathe. You hear this a lot when it comes to anxiety, but it's true. Taking deep, calculated breaths does a lot to help keep your anxiety under control. 4. Read. I find this works best if it's a book you're already very interested in. This way it's easier to find yourself swept up in the story. It's harder to keep distracted if you're trying to get into a new storyline. You might find that after you've completed the first chapter, you don't actually remember any of what you just read. 5. Games. Playing games on a phone/tablet can be really helpful. When you have to use your brain to strategically win a game, it keeps your mind focused on that end goal, which can help distract you from your anxiety. Just be sure to have a battery charger because games can be a real battery killer. Anxiety is awful no matter what situation you find yourself in. I hope that by reading this, you realize you aren't alone and that anxiety is a real thing that can happen to anyone. Hopefully you find the aforementioned tips helpful in the way you handle your anxiety. Traveling on it's own can be, while exciting, a daunting experience. When you pair this with crippling anxiety, it can really deflate any excitement and fun you might be feeling for your upcoming trip. |
If you are planning a weekend trip to the caribbean, an International trip to Europe or Africa, or a staycation to enjoy the sights in your local town, travel insurance is a must. ArchivesCategories |