Traveling Is Good For You

It's true! Traveling is good for you and your health. It makes us happier and more tolerant. It broadens our minds and teaches us new things. It helps us bond with others and make lasting memories. Even the process of planning a trip is good for us. Want to know more? Check out this infographic that will give you many, many reasons to start planning your next trip now.

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Where will you be going on your next trip?

Does A Cruise Vacation Float Your Boat?

Ah, a cruise. Is there anything as polarizing as a vacation on a giant cruise liner? When it comes to travel, the answer is almost definitely not. You’ll go on a solo trip, head to dangerous and exotic places, but you’ll stop short at bordering a glorified shed on water. 

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Sadly, the perception of a cruise vacation is enough to put most people off booking one, and you might find it enjoyable. You never know whether you will like something until you try it and scratch it from the list. With that in mind, the logical option is to weigh up the pros and cons and come to an informed decision, something most of us don’t do when it comes to travel!

To help, here is a selection of the pros and cons. After that, it’s up to you to make a decision.

Pros of Cruise Holiday

1. City Sampling 

Although you might be cooped up on a ship for a while, there are ample opportunities to get off the boat and explore. A typical cruise stops off at a variety of towns, cities and countries on the route and organizes transport to and from the port. Once in the hub of the action, you can discover what the place has to offer before heading back for dinner and drinks. For those that love to sample different cultures and places, this is the perfect type of vacation. Just be sure to book a package that includes sights which you find interesting.

2. Destination Choice

And, it’s not as if you’ll find it tough to book a cruise that isn’t in line with your needs and wants. As a general rule, there are hundreds if not thousands of itineraries regarding ships and their operators. Some might look the same, but delve into the route and you’ll find small and significant changes which could make or break your getaway. Start by choosing the vicinity, such as the Caribbean or Scandinavia, and tailor it until it’s a fine-tuned schedule that covers all the bases. It takes some thorough research yet it’s worth it when you experience the holiday of a lifetime.

3. Affordable Upgrade 

We all want to seat in a first-class seat 35,000ft in the air or stay in a suite at the Four Seasons, but it isn’t feasible. The sheer cost is too much to spend on a single flight or hotel and so most of us opt for the middle option. If you’re sick and tired or mediocre opulence, a cruise liner is the ultimate choice. Why? It’s because the difference between the middle of the road and first-class isn’t much money-wise. A business-class cabin is a couple of extra bucks but it comes with all the amenities you would expect from a sea view to premium dining. There might even be a free bar to subsidize the costs even more. 

4. Unpacking

Packing and unpacking is the bane of every traveler’s life. You’ve just taken everything out of your case only to find it has to go back in again and it’s annoying. A cruise is different because you’ll stay in the same bed every night for at least a week. So, there is less packing and that makes it feel more like home; it certainly removes the stress. What’s the difference between this and a hotel? In a hotel, you’re in the same place for seven days and don’t get to explore as many places.

Cons of Cruise Holiday

Of course, it’s not all picnics and rainbows as the following will show.

1. Safety 

It’s worth pointing out that cruises aren’t inherently dangerous. Around 20 million people board these ships every year according to The Travel, and only 16 have died up to 2011. Still, there is cause for concern when you’re out in the middle of the ocean, as the Titanic proved. Not only that, but the Hofmann Law Firm points out it’s one of the most dangerous professions, and, if it’s risky for the workers, it’s the same for the passengers. It is always worth checking out the safety features and considering your well being.

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2. Port Time

No, this isn’t a reference to the alcoholic beverage! As pointed out previously, cruise ships dock in lots of ports around the world for their guests; however, it still might not be enough. Travelers who like to spend time exploring a place will hate the fact that they are on a timer. Miss it and you will have to watch as your ride sails off into the sunset. If you’re the opposite of a city sampler, you will prefer organizing an adventure and setting your deadlines to avoid leaving frustrated.

3. Prices

The major problem is the price of amenities onboard the boat. The company in charge of the liner understands one thing: you’ve got nowhere to go. As a result, they can increase their prices for the likes of food and drink – the staples – and charge a small fortune. And, if you try to bypass it by bringing your own, they take it off you because it’s banned. Even if you get it through, you’ll have to spend the night running back and forth to the room to fill up your cup which is tiresome.

4. Amenities

Some of the things you’re accustomed to aren’t available onboard or are sub par. An internet connection is a perfect example. While it encourages you to socialize or unwind with a book, you might need wifi to keep in contact with the family. Plus, what if there’s an emergency – how will they get in touch? You can use mobile data but there’s an extra charge when you leave land so it could break the bank. Everybody wants to enjoy their vacation by switching off, but being off the grid isn’t always healthy.

It’s time to decide if the ship sails. So, do you say yay or nay to the idea of a cruise vacation?

Review: Travelon's Amazing Bottle Totes

Summer has started, which means you're going to outside. A lot. We take trips, we go to the beach, we hit the pool, we go to theme parks, we go to concerts, and we go to festivals. When we travel, we always bring a water bottle with us. It's too expensive to keep buying water all day and it's super annoying to have to carry them or shove them in your purse. In fact sometimes you don't even want to take a purse, but Travelon has you covered with two different bottle totes that are both awesome.

We have been using a bottle strap for our trips, but it's not perfect. It doesn't have an adjustable strap, it doesn't work for all bottles and it's not easy to drink while you're still wearing it. In short, it works, but not well. Travelon has designed two bottle totes that can work for any of our trips/needs.

The first is their Packable Water Tote. It packs into a little square that can fit in your pocket, then unfolds into a great polyester tote that can hold even a large water bottle. It fit my huge Laken thermos with room to spare. It has a great long strap that is adjustable, so it works for me and Eric, who is much larger/taller than me. 

This will work even for those big, bulky bottles you buy at the airport, and the weird shaped ones, like Pellegrino or the square bottles. You don't even have to use it for a bottle. Carry around your travel coffee mug with a closing lid, stuff your cardigan in it. Whatever you need a smaller bag for! I also like that when in use, you have the small pocket inside that can hold some cash or lip balm. 

Eric tested this out by taking it on a day out where he went downtown to play Pokemon and meet a friend for lunch. He was able to have both hands free and didn't accidentally leave his bottle anywhere, which has happened in the past. 

The tote also has a flat bottom, so you're not going to set it down and have to keep picking it up because it fell over a hundred times. Can you guess what annoying things I've dealt with on my outings? LOL 

The second tote is the Anti-Theft Boho Water Bottle Tote, which is a padded tote in a fun pattern that has a zipper pocket in the front for things. I love this one, because not only is it fun, but it also doubles as a "stadium bag". If you have gone to a festival or sporting event lately, you may notice that only certain size bags (in other words, really small bags) are allowed into the venue. These are called stadium bags. 

Not only does this pretty bag hold even a large bottle of water easily, but it has a locking zipper pocket, so you can carry necessities without worrying about it falling out of your pocket or getting stolen. This is also the perfect bag for going through the airport, because it has RFID-blocking technology for your credit cards, ID and passport. It also fits a large phone.

I packed mine like I would go through the airport with it: phone, bottle, a credit card, ID, cash, lip balm, pen, and my powder compact. You might bring something different, like your earbuds or phone charger. They'll both fit. It'll make your trip through security much easier. Trust me.

The tote has an plush, adjustable strap with a locking clip, so it can be secured to a chair or table while you're sitting down to a meal or watching your new favorite band. The body and strap are anti-slash, so you don't have to worry about anyone stealing your belongings, even if they aren't many. Eric's already excited to take this with us to Disney and other theme parks, since he carries the bottle and hates bringing his whole wallet, when he really only needs a few things. Not only will this make riding more comfortable, it will also save us money.  

If you have summer adventures planned, either of these totes will make a great companion to those and all your other year-round errands, outings, and trips. not only are they comfortable to carry, but you'll be able to stay hydrated everywhere you go, as well as save money!

More details:

Where can I buy these totes? On the Travelon website: Packable Tote | Boho Tote

How much do they cost? Packable Tote: $10.50 | Boho Tote: $31.50 Use code SHEREENTRAVELS20% to get my exclusive discount.

What colors do they come in? Packable Tote: Black Grey | Lime Grey | Mosaic Tile (shown) | Basket Weave | Boho Tote: Black Quilted | Blossom Floral | Grey Heather | Mosaic Tile (shown)

Other specs: Packable Tote: Holds up to a 40oz bottle with a base diameter of 3.5", ripstop polyester, water and dirt resistant, packed size 3.25” x 4.25” x .75”, strap drop 15.25"-30". Boho Tote: polyester, strap drop 13"-24", 3 card slots and passport slot with RFID-blocking techonology

Disclosure: Travelon sent me both the Packable Bottle Tote and the Anti-Theft Boho Bottle Tote for the purposes of this review, but all opinions are 100% my own.