A Good Lesson

Upon arrival at the Orlando International Airport this morning, I found out that my connecting United flight to Asheville, NC from Newark, NJ was canceled. Apparently this was a weather related indecent.

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Despite how much I have traveled I have never had to deal with a canceled flight. A long delay yes but, not a cancellation. The lesson here is to always check your flight's status before leaving home.

Sam's Travel Memories #3: Holding My Tounge

As I have stated before, I travel with Allegiant Airlines fairly often for domestic trips. Since Allegiant charges ($50 or more) for carry-ons and checked bags, I have learned to how to stuff my back-pack (about the only thing I can take on their planes free) with all I need and mail  home what I buy.

So this particular time I was traveling back up to Asheville, NC for a couple weeks with an exceptionally stuffed back-pack. On my way through the normal security line a TSA guy took my bag out of the x-ray machine and with a smile made the comment, "That bag looks like its' ready to burst!" I thought for a second (anyone who knows me knows that I am very quick witted with funny sarcastic quips) and I almost said, "More like explode!" However, I ended-up holding my tongue. In all honesty I don't think any TSA agent would have found such a remark very funny... :P

It was probably a good thing that I held my tongue that time, I would not have wanted to get delayed or miss my flight. As it turned out, I would have missed the joy of eating squirrel soup for the first time. It tastes just like chicken (I thought it was chicken soup at first) in my opinion! LOL :D

Cruising With Your Pet (Non-Service Animals)

At the present time there is only one cruise ship, the Queen Mary 2 that allows pets on very long voyages. However, there are dozens of ferry liners with accommodations for both pets and their humans. Many of these are located in Europe, where you will be aboard ship with your pet for between several hours and several days. These are very large ships which make ports of call in several countries. Some of them accept automobiles on board as well. Other smaller ferries are more local. They generally serve two ports of call with a journey of only a few hours. Ferries provide for convenient transportation to locations that would otherwise call for flying or longer drives. It is a great way to travel with your pet by your side.

TO READ THE LIST OF ALL CRUISE AND FERRY LINES WHICH ALLOW PETS, CLICK HERE!

Source: Pet Travel

Image: Pet Travel

Final US Airways Flight

Last night at 9:55 PM (PT) the last U.S. Airways flight took off from San Francisco. It arrived in Philadelphia at 6:18 AM (ET).

The American Airlines and U.S. Airways merger is the last, for now, large airline merger in the United States. First it was Delta and North West Airlines then, United and Continental. Now the the US has 3 "world" airlines, it is yet to be decided if these mergers have been good for the consumer.

The Quick And Easy Guide To Delayed Flight Compensation - By: Martin Bob Hamilton

Note from Sam: "I wish I knew these things back in 2013 when my flight to Glasgow via Manchester was delayed 12hours!"

Is your knowledge on late flight compensation up to scratch? If not, you may be losing out! Read this short article in an overview of the EU law regarding compensation for flight delays.

1. The delay has to be three hours or longer

To qualify for delayed flight compensation, the delay to your journey must be three hours or more. Note that the three-hour rule applies to the time of arrival, not departure. It is also applied per person, meaning that groups will be eligible too much larger payouts.

2. The delay has to be the fault of the airline

To be able to claim for late flight compensation, the delay to your journey has to be the fault of the airline itself. Extraordinary circumstances such as strikes of airport workers or extreme weather conditions do not apply under EU law.

3. The compensation amount is not linked to your ticket price

Perhaps surprisingly, the amount of delayed flight compensation you could potentially receive is not related to the price of your ticket. If you are traveling through a budget airline such as Ryan air or Easy Jet, it is possible that your compensation could end up being higher than the cost of the ticket itself! As for the actual amounts concerned, they range from €250 at the lower end to a maximum of €600. British residents will receive the Sterling equivalent based on current exchange rate.

4. The rules only cover the legal jurisdiction of the European Union

Compensation laws are quite different outside of the jurisdiction of the European Union. To qualify for compensation for the EU, your flight should have either:

1. Depart from an EU airport 
2. Arrive in an EU airport via a European airline

It is important to add to the above that, for the purposes of late flight compensation, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein are all treated in the same manner as EU countries.

What about canceled flights?

You may be wondering about the rules for concerning compensation for a canceled flight. First, if your flight is canceled, you are entitled to either a full refund or a rerouted flight of your destination. Depending on the circumstances, you may also be eligible for compensation on top of that if your arrival to your destination ends up being significantly delayed. Again though, to receive compensation for your canceled flight, the airline needs to be at fault.

For more help or your compensation for flight delay claim visit us at: late flight compensation.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Martin_Bob_Hamilton/2158931

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/9191153

Are Balcony Cabins Worth The Extra Cost?

This is an opinion piece about necessity, or lack thereof, to purchase (or upgrade to) a balcony cabin on a cruise ship. Do note that this is based off my personal experience with Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL), the only line I have sailed with thus far.

So would I purchase (or upgrade to) a balcony cabin on a cruise ship? My short answer is: No, I would NEVER outright purchase a balcony cabin. However, I might upgrade if the price is right. Out of the 4 cruises which I have been on, only twice have I upgraded in any form, both times from an inside to a balcony.

When I look at getting an upgrade there are three (3) things I take into consideration:

#1: COST - This is very important to me, no matter the "perks" I ask myself, "can I afford it?" However, depending on my budget at the time, I will also consider the following criteria.

#2: LOCATION - As they say in real estate, "It's all about: Location, Location, Location!" For me this is same with cruising and helps me deciding if I want to get an upgrade. What are the ports of call and how far does the ship sail from the coast?

#3 DURATION - If I was to go on a weekend cruise, I could totally handle an inside cabin. But, if I was to take a 21-day cruise I might prefer to get an upgrade.

The first time I upgraded was when I was on a 14-day Trans-Atlantic Cruise from Copenhagen to Miami back in October of 2012 with my older brother. This upgrade took place after we had boarded the ship and we had asked to be placed on a waiting list for upgrades. The day after departure, the front desk notified us that there was an upgrade to a balcony cabin available for $300, we accepted. This was an okay upgrade though, I would probably have skipped this offer if I knew then what I know now.

Now I will jump forward to May of 2015 when I went on an Alaskan Cruise with my mom for my 21st birthday. In the spirit of thriftiness, we did as we always do... book the cheapest available cabin.

Being that May is usually the first month when cruise lines start to re-enter Alaska after Winter ends it was still "off-peak" season. At the time of booking, we paid only about $1100 - $1200 for a 10-day Inside passage cruise for two people. However, we watched the prices of the balcony and ocean-views closely. We felt the prices were too high for us to upgrade and we were really just happy that our beloved friend from Scotland was going to join our ship too.

Less than a week to departure my mom got an email from the NCL Upsell Department (1-800-625-4309, Mon-Fri, 9am - 5pm) offering us an upgrade to a balcony cabin for only $200 per-person. As $200 per-person was MUCH cheaper than what the NCL's website was still offering, we decided to call for more information. We ended up calling on a Friday just before the department closed and the overly honest lady told us to call back Monday as we would probably be offered a better deal.

Sure enough, she was right! The new offer was only $100 per-person. We jumped on it just 3 days before departure. This was certainly the best upgrade deal we had ever heard of, let alone gotten for ourselves. Plus we were able to get our friend from Scotland the same deal as well, something she could not have done on her own because NCL only upsells to US and Canadian travelers.

So, the Alaskan Cruise upgrade brings me to my last point... out of the four cruises (all separate locations) the Alaskan Cruise was the only one truly worth trying to get an upgrade on. As I mentioned above, location is a major factor. On my other three cruises (two of which I did not upgrade) I easily enjoyed the ocean scenery just fine from public areas.

However, on the Alaskan Cruise (the Inside Passage to the exact) it just would not have been the same without my own balcony. Watching a pod of dolphins pass by early in the morning or seeing the Aurora late at night from my own cabin was totally worth it.

Unless you like just staring at ocean for endless hours then I would not recommend getting a balcony or ocean view upgrades on Baltic, Trans-Atlantic or even Mediterranean cruises. You may be surprised I included Med Cruises too but, the ships are often too far out at sea for you to see much anyway. As I said before, there are plenty of public spaces you can view the ocean if you so desire.

Well, that is my "two cents" on this matter. I hope it is helpful to you in deciding "Yay" or "Nay" on an upgrade decision. Please, let me know what you think in the comments below.

New Mile Stone!

Today my blog has officially reached the 600 views miles stone! Originally, I was going to post for the 500th view but, that past my by too quick!

Also as of today, my blog has been viewed by people in 14 countries: USA, UK, Portugal, Spain, Brazil, Romania, Singapore, Vietnam, Canada, Germany, France, Australia, New Zealand and Japan! Almost as many nations as I have been to! LOL :D

10 Absolutely Annoying Things About Traveling - By: Ade Olumofin

Note from Sam "1, 2, 9 & 10 are the ones that REALLY resonate with me!"

1. Airport Security

This has to be the most annoying aspect of travel. It is obvious security officials at airports have a tough job to do. They are supposed to be the first line of defense against a possible attack on an airplane. However, with the way one gets treated when going through airport security, some paranoia starts to set in because one is left to wonder if these security officials secretly despise you for having enough discretionary income to go on a vacation. With burly airport officials barking orders at you like; "Take off your shoes!!", "Put your bags through the screener again!!", "Sorry you have to dispose of your water bottle!!!" thus making it an unpleasant experience for anyone traveling. It only adds insult to injury to find out later that during random audits of the efficiency of the airport security process, 95% of banned items make it past the screeners. You begin to feel justified in your paranoia and wish you are able to afford a private jet sooner rather than later.

2. Meeting Someone Awesome On The Last Day Of Your Vacation

You are sitting down in the common area of your hostel or the lobby of your hotel, a stranger comes over and you guys strike up a conversation, you find out this person is actually kinda cool. They find out you are at the end of your vacation and invite you out to explore the city one more time. You guys have a blast and they just went from kinda cool to "brother from another mother or sister from another mister". The problem is that the person is from Canada and you are from... say Thailand. If this person lived in the same city as you maybe this would have been your new best friend. Unfortunately, they live 6,000 miles away and apart from adding them on Facebook and creeping on their photos afterwards you will most likely never have much contact with them again.

3. Not Understanding The Local Language

It is usually a gesture of goodwill and some cultural sensitivity to learn a few phrases of the local language of your destination of choice, but if you are on a multi-country tour you start mixing up phrases from different languages and then you sound even more silly than you would have if you did not bother trying at all.

4. Justifying Your Visit To Curious Locals

This happens to me a lot when I visit the more traditionally isolated parts of the planet. During my last trip to one of the Baltic states, the locals seemed genuinely surprised that anyone would travel so far to visit their country. I was queried relentlessly by the locals trying to see if there were any ulterior motives for me wanting to visit their country. Give a brother a break! I am just curious.

5. Getting Scammed

There is nothing that ruins travel plans like getting scammed while you are on vacation. The Eastern European states are notorious for attractive girls waiting outside bars for young testosterone riddled men, and then getting them to buy drinks for these women. This usually leads to the men getting charged a ton of money and then getting threatened for payment. The scenario usually takes a dark turn where the men find themselves at the mercy of overbearing bouncers staring them down angrily while they withdraw hefty sums from their ATM accounts to pay for the drinks they supposedly purchased at the club. Another scam that is tiring comes from taxi drivers in foreign countries charging hapless tourists exorbitant rates for rides to and from anywhere in your destination country.

6. Overcrowded Hostel Dorms

Anyone who is an avid budget traveler has probably experienced this. You walk into your hostel dorm and it is like the United Nations of "sweat, smelly feet and bad odors". To top it all off, the cute British girl that seemed interested in you when you first arrived has found a more interesting guy from France and now they are having sex on your top bunk. Ouch!! After two weeks of this, you decide maybe it is a good idea to cut the trip short and [A]irbnb it from this point on.

7. Getting Lost

Even with the advent of mobile apps like Here or Google Maps it is still possible to get ridiculously lost while overseas. The street signs could be in a language you don't understand or the city could just be constructed in a way that leaves anyone new to it confused. Getting lost is never any fun and could reduce even the most worldly traveler in a pool of tears every now and then.

8. DELAYED FLIGHTS, TRAINS, OR BUSES

We need not say more, but still, this has to be the most frustrating part of travel, well apart from not having infinite cash to travel permanently. There is nothing fun at all about having to wait around in the airport for a flight that is delayed or canceled.

9. Not Being Able To Travel On A Permanent Basis

There are tons of people still trying to figure this one out. You go overseas and you just don't want your trip to end so you start trying to figure out a way to make it permanent. You start a travel blog and hope you get enough traffic to sustain your lifestyle on the road only to see a balance of $7.48 in your AdWords account after a year of writing top quality blog posts. How about just working for a travel magazine on a freelance basis. You find that is maybe a good idea until they tell you they want to pay you in tweets. You finally realize gallivanting around the globe on a permanent basis is a privilege only a few will ever get to enjoy and then you return home and settle for 14 days a year just like everyone else.

10. AND LASTLY... DREADING A VACATION COMING TO AN END

You had a blast while you were traveling, you got to find out that despite what the news and maybe your parents have to say, the world is actually full of awesome people, great cultures, food, and an almost infinite amount of things to see. Then you realize you have to go back to your mundane life back home and then you start counting the hours, minutes, and seconds hoping somehow the good times won't end. Sadly they do and you have to board the flight or train back home.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Ade_Olumofin/2189351

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/9181862

Jet Lag 101 - By: Sabrina Toth

One of the worst things about air travel is having to deal with jet lag and the consequences it has on our business trips and vacations. There are a myriad of articles on the Internet that deal specifically with how to cope with jet lag. Not all the tips, even those in this article, will help everyone since we're all so different from each other. However, it pays to try them out at least once to see what works or does not work for you. I think you'd be surprised to discover a new way of dealing with this pesky consequence of travel.

It's pretty obvious when I write that being well-rested before you travel will help you deal with the jet lag. Personally, sleeping on the plane ride to my destination helps me. There are those that swear by eye masks and earplugs. While I am not one of them, give it a try and see if it works for you. For others, it works to simulate whatever time it is at their destination. If you decide to do that, try to stay awake by either working, watching a movie, reading a book, or whatever else keeps you awake. Just remember to be courteous to your fellow travelers while you do this since no one wants to be that annoying person on the plane that keeps everyone else from sleeping.

If you're traveling for work and can arrive a few days earlier, do so. This will certainly help you get some rest and adapt to the time difference before you have to get down to business. If you can't, see if you can schedule the meeting for later in the day or the next morning after your arrival. Even if it's a vacation, try to see if you can plan for an extra day at the beginning to rest up before diving into all the sightseeing and activities you want to do during the trip.

If you are a frequent traveler, jet lag has somehow become part of your life. Don't let that stop you from traveling comfortably. If it is a real concern for you, speak with your doctor or get a specialist. They can give you better advice and help alleviate jet lag and the consequences that come from this pesky side effect of traveling the world.

Jet lag doesn't have to be a pesky nuisance when you travel. Learn what works for you in order to alleviate even some of the effects so that you can give your business trip or your holiday all the attention it deserves.

Sabrina Toth is a certified travel associate and owner of Toth International. For help with your travel needs, contact us at Sabrina@tothinternational.com. You can also check out our website at http://www.tothinternational.com or like us on Facebook.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/9096259

Helpful Australian Tourist Visa Information

For those of you who have been following my blog, you know that I am going to New Zealand in January to take part in a YWAM Medical Compassion DTS (https://www.givesendgo.com/ywamnz). So yesterday, as I was looking at available flight options, I found that some of the flights from the USA to New Zealand will have stopovers (layover, plane change, etc) in Either Brisbane or Sydney, Australia.

 

Now I have always wanted to visit Australia, not long enough to get eaten but, just to visit. However, I knew that Australia, unlike New Zealand, required US citizens to obtain visas prior to entry.

Not really finding the info I was looking for online, I called the Australian Embassy in Washington D.C (202-797-3000). After following the prompts, I got a guy on the phone who told me to call a particular visa service at 613-238-1040. Now this number is apparently an area code for Ottawa, Canada, not sure if I will get charged for that call.

Anyway, the lady was most helpful for both my questions. I had two scenarios which I asked about.

#1: If I only change planes in Australia and never leave the airport, do I still need a visa?
Answer: No, as long as you do not leave the airport or have to re-check your bags.

#2: Do I still need a visa to leave the airport even for less than 24hrs?
Answer: Yes, you need one to leave the airport and/or if a bag re-check is required.

So, not knowing at this time what a plane change in Australia would mean, different airports handle long layovers and international bags differently I asked about getting a visa. She told me that Australia has an E-visa which is linked to your passport number. It costs only $20AUD (approx. $15USD as of posting) and is good for stay up to three months. You apply for it online and will be notified of an approval decision automatically. To qualify you must be free of any past criminal convictions and not have Tuberculosis. You can apply as well as get more information about this type of Australian visa here: www.eta.immi.gov.au

Long story short, I decided against changing planes in Australia as I was not prepared to pay the extra taxes upfront on my award flight, about $80USD per ticket. This is on top of US and NZ taxes too, However, I am glad that I got this information, it could be useful in the future. :D

PLEASE NOTE: "Answers" are paraphrased (not word for word quotes) and visa requirements may change at anytime. While I have made an effort to make sure the information I am providing is accurate I am NOT authorized to give immigration advice for ANY country. Please check with the nearest embassy of a country you plan to travel to for the most up to date information.

Ever Wondered Why Is There A Hole In Airplane Windows? This Is How They Save Your Life

I have always wondered!

"For all those who have traveled in an airplane, you might have pondered upon the question of why is there a hole at the bottom of an airplane window..." http://bloggersarena.com

13 Secrets Airline Pilots Won't Tell You - ABC NEWS

Some of these were funny!

 

"We asked 17 pilots from across the country to give us straight answers about maddening safety rules, inexplicable delays, the air and attitudes up there-and what really happens behind the cockpit door. What they told us will change the way you fly."

CLICK HERE FOR: 13 Secrets Airline Pilots Won't Tell You

Next Trip Booked!

I will heading back to NC soon. This will probably be the last time I get to see my closest childhood friends till well into next year, when I return from missionary training in NZ.

Because I am saving for from DTS Tuition next year, I am on a very tight budget, so thankfully I had enough rewards points to cover my RT flight back to Asheville, NC.

Now, I am not going up willy-nilly, just to go up and say "Hi!" I am going to be confirmed into my church by the Bishop. This has been a long time coming (10 years at least) but, it has all been in God's hands and I am happy as a field lark nonetheless for another big milestone in my life.

5 Useful Benefits of Traveling - By: Leo Eigenberg

Even for those with an active social life and exciting job, there is nothing like the experience of traveling to new and different destinations. Visiting a country with a completely different culture has the ability to provide life-changing experiences. With the help of travel sites, it is possible to easily research the most popular travel destinations across the world.

Here are five of the most popular reasons to travel to a foreign destination:

Embracing new cultures

Traveling to different countries around the world opens up the possibility to embrace new cultures. Even on a short break for a week in a foreign country, it is possible to fully appreciate other cultures.

Foreign delicacies

Eating the local cuisine of the visited country is certain to provide the chance to try new and different foods that haven't been experienced before. For instance, a visit to Vietnam gives the option to try raw blood soup, which is a delicacy known as Tiet Canh, while Iceland has Hakarl which is fermented shark. A traveler should be cautious with the more unique food samples because a bad food choice could have a negative impact on the rest of the stay. But for the well-chosen food, this is certain to enhance the all-round traveling experience.

Learn a language

Traveling to a foreign designation is certain to help those wishing to pick up a second language. Being bilingual can have a positive effect on both the work and day-to-day life. If working in a business that is conducted in other languages, such as Mandarin, Spanish, or Japanese, then it might benefit to travel to one of those countries, and return home with great memories, solid education, and a strong grasp of a new language.

New perspective

A special trip to see attractions like the Pyramids in Egypt or the Coliseum in Rome is certain to inspire and give a whole new viewpoint on things. This might relate to getting out more often and seeing new people, viewing things differently, and caring less about the small things in life. Whether traveling in a group, with a partner, or alone, it is possible to speed up the personal development when you are abroad.

Business opportunities

Traveling can help to develop business opportunities. Striking up a conversation with the right traveler on a vacation can lead to promising business talk and perhaps build contacts for a future business opportunity. Plus, for the existing business with contacts in foreign countries, it will be possible to improve communication and relationships.

Explore the right travel sites to help find the next vacation destination.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/9181721

Fundraising : YWAM Medical/Compassion DTS Tuition

It is already October and time is ticking down to my January departure for the YWAM Medical/Compassion DTS. I have started this GiveSendGo page to help raise money for my DTS tuition.

Any and all contributions are greatly appreciated as you partner with me to become a shareholder in the great things God has planned for me regarding world missions. I know the training that I will receive at this school is going to greatly assist me in positively impacting the world around me, starting with the less fortunate of society.

Thanks in advance for your support and may you be greatly blessed! CLICK HERE TO DONATE!

#ywam #givesendgo

Home Again!

Woke up in Florida this morning for the first time in almost three weeks. Though I was only suppose to stay in Ohio for 12 days, a last minute extension (at the behest of my aunt) of one week was added to my trip. It was totally worth it and she really needed my help.

All in all, I had a great time in Ohio! Considering that I am going away for school in January, I will probably not visit again till Heart Camp in September 2016 (will post pics in a future post).

Well, time to move on to the next chapter in my life! :D