 Hello Fellow Travelers! I hope your having a fun week. I’m planning a series of trips and working up a travel budget this month. If your like me, you know its important to budget carefully for your travel, I need to make every dollar count. I would rather spend money staying in Paris, than spending money on hidden hotel fees or disguised rental car charges! So I thought I would write a series of posts on the lessons I have learned about obscure charges and hidden fees.  Avoiding hidden fees: Your Flight Booking your flight online can be costly if you make a mistake. As soon as you get the conformation email, check to see that your name is spelled right and your travel dates are correct. If they are not, call the airline immediately. Most of the time when I have had an issue of this sort, they have cheerfully changed the tickets with no extra fees or issues. BUT I also called within 5 minutes. The longer you wait, the more likely you are going to be charged a fee.  And no one wants to pay extra fees! If you have to change your flight date the airlines will often charge fees so high they are not much different from the airfare itself. I had this happen last month, I bought a ticket for a work trip and then it was pushed back. We bought the insurance, but there was a “change fee” even with the insurance that made the flight almost the same price. To avoid this look for a website or airline that offers a flexible booking period. They do exist, but you may pay more…but if your unsure of the dates of your trip it might be worth it.  As I said I didn't save anything with the trip insurance on that flight. But I have seen people (my mother for one) buy and use insurance for cruises that have refunded their entire trip when they ended up canceling because they were to ill to board. It might seem like another added expense that you would wish to avoid, but it can save a lot of money in the long run.
Next we will discuss Frequent Flyer Programs. Catch you later~  It's Chinese New Year and once again I'm moved to plan a MEGA trip to Asia. I really had hoped to go before 2017, but the whole move to England, then move to New Mexico kind of got in the way. Plus there was that hurricane...  An unexpected turn of events caused me to postpone this adventure for a couple of years, but I think it's time to start planning.  I’ve always wanted/planned to sail from California, take in the Hawaiian Islands, then on to Australia, Singapore and end up in Japan. I know that's vague AF and a whole lot of land to cover. I have a friend in Maui I'm gonna spend a week with before moving on to the land down under. I'm trying to allot as much time as I can for exploring there. (2 months? 3 Months?) Then spend six weeks in Japan. And that’s where you come in. Since I have no itinerary, I thought you could help plan my trip.  I also need some logistical help: I want to avoid flying and take boats and trains as much as possible. If anyone knows the best routes, please let me know. I want to stay away from the tourist traps and really see Australia and Asia. If you visit here much you know I'm an 'off the beaten path' type traveller. I like to eat local and stay in holiday houses over big hotels. If anyone has traveled through the region this way before, I’d love to hear about your experience and pick your brain for information. You can email me msoneworld4me@gmail.com or leave a comment below and we can chat. The rough plan is to spend 5 months in late 2020 having this amazing adventure. (Why does that sound so far in the future? It's only 2 years away!) While is this a huge trip, with lots of planning I want the pace to be slow and relaxed so that I have time to really enjoy the experience.  How long should I plan to be in Singapore? Lastly, if you live in the region, I’d love to meet up, so leave information on how to contact you (if you want to host my friend and me, that would be super, too!)
I’ve been dreaming of a big Asian trip for many years. Japan has always called to me and there are so many places I want to visit. Who knows what this trip will bring?! Speak soon~   We arrived a few days early in Southampton. It's September and it's time to make the crossing again. I was whining and crying about leaving the UK - but the cruise was lovely. We had a wonderful time. The seas were smooth, the food was great and service is always top notch with Cunard. This was our 3 trip to date sailing with them. Read about the first trip here and our trip in January here. We have made the crossing with other cruise lines, and each has its perks. But for overall calmness Cunard wins hands down. I just like to be left alone- let me lie in the sun, gamble or read. I don't need constant stimulation - I want to relax for God's sake. This voyage we sailed from Southampton (UK) to New York City (USA).  Had bags delivered to the hotel.  Once again we are taking 2 seasons worth of clothing with us. Both coats and sundresses are packed.  We rode the train down from the North.  No real images of Southampton.    We lazed out and ate take out while in Southampton. #GoodTimes And didn't do much else. The cruise terminal is very organized and there is very little "stand up/wait in line/move one foot and stand in line" like some places I've been. We arrived, dropped bags, checked in, went through security and then boarded. Easy Peasy.  The terminal  Our boarding group.  I was glad to see the luggage all made it. This ship was 100% full - so we were unable to upgrade - but was still fine. The cabin was big enough.  We then headed down to try the buffet. I    We pushed off and were on our way. Steady sailing to New York.  Here are just random pictures from the 8 days we were on board.                I have a ton of pictures -- so part 2 will probably be all food.             I walked 2 miles every day and then enjoyed just being on deck. The closer we sailed to American the warmer the weather.   Scones, Jam and clotted cream.    Smooth seas~     Much more to come. See you at the airport-
 Hello! We started off from Southampton on the Queen Mary 2 bound for New York City. #HowCoolIsThat?
Leaving on the 27th of August 2015. - Boy do I have stories already, but wait for the full post, please! Truthfully we are having a great time on the "crossing". Lots of good food, fun and nice people. See you at the airport!  Thursday we board the QM2 in Southampton. (Yes, that's a picture of the Queen Victoria - but it's MY picture I took in January. If you want to read about the January cruise click here.)
But back to me being SUPER EXCITED! WooHOO! See you on deck?  *Warning Picture Heavy Post* Better late than never - here are the 1st round of photos of the January 2015 cruise Adventure - We left on the Queen Victoria (Cunard) ship out of Southa“pton UK at the end of January for a 2 week vacation/return passage to the US~ So we said Good Bye to the Winter & hello to being spoiled :D   Waiting to board the ship~      sailing off!  Still sad to leave the UK :(  Scones & tea help though-  What I eat while cruising ―  Lots & lots of fruit & veggies~     View  Food View - LOL  “Sometimes things become possible if we want them bad enough.” ― T.S. Eliot  OOOOO LA LA!!  People think it cost a fortune to sail -- which it can- but if you are diligent you can find budget deals at GREAT prices!  The ship is very posh        Shopping ~       Exhibits     Full of history too-         Shows!    Views!    Dinning -    Sunshine!     Island adventures    See you soon for part 2-  Hello- how are things? This picture heavy post is about the Central Park neighborhood on the Oasis of the Sea cruise ship. Yes, I said a Park on a cruise ship!  This ship, as a matter of fact. We sailed transatlantic (click here for more info) September 2014. We made the crossing from Fort Lauderdale, Florida (click here) and sailed to Barcelona, Spain. Yes, more posts here and here. We were on the ship 13 days, so there are about a million pictures.  Mostly unedited too.  It doesn't seem like a bar on a cruise ship does it?  This is a bit blurry, but I wanted to show the scale of the green space. AND the SIZE OF THE TREES! This is the biggest cruise ship sailing right now. I understand that the newest XXL is about to take off any day. I cannot imagine how incredible it must be? Because this one was damn AMAZING!  This ship holds 6,000 + passengers and features so, so many balconies. We were in a balcony over looking the Boardwalk (read about it here) next time I think I will try for a spot in this neighborhood.  There were so many pretty plants! From succulents to vines, to grasses and trees. You really do forget you are on a ship, sitting under the trees.   Look up, yep. Still on the ship.  This neighborhood also has a number of restaurants (most are free) and shops.  TALL trees!    There are lots of little details that really make this park area nice. People sit around this area and visit, read and of course eat.     I was here everyday. I will not post ALL of my pictures but you get the idea.    It was also very, very clean.    Makes you want to just sit and enjoy the warm weather.      Coach store.      This is the middle of the ship, I believe? To be honest its so big you really need a map.      Walls and walls of greenery. All of this is REAL, not plastic fake plants.    I think everyone was still at breakfast when I took this.     Isn't the sidewalk pretty? Real stone.     See? Its empty because it is below. This was one of my favorite places to sit. This is just outside the "Rising Tide" bar. Why sit outside the bar? Well its a bar that slowly rises up through the middle of the ship. (I could not imagine being drunk on it?! WTF?!) or what would happen if you had to get off to go to bathroom? Most of the times that I saw it "dock" no one got off, more people just get on and on... IDK? The waiting area for the bar has plenty of seating and the area was full of the prettiest plants. I didn't feel like I was taking a cafe's spot so we sat there and watched people walk by and of course the bar go up and down. #CheapThrill but it was cool..  The Rising Tide is rising up now.  Same bar, landing at the lower deck.  Water works as bar rises!  This is the UNDERSIDE of the bar. Crazy, right?  And down here too, where it parks.   Leaf on the sidewalk here to remind you that the Central Park is above you.  Pizza Place down.  My son had lunch most days here.  Another cute shop.  The car.    Guess  Now back to the park.    I'm so hungry now just thinking about the cruise and all the delicious food! The weather was IDEAL! The sea was calm as glass and we had a smooth crossing. I wore sun dresses, sandals and shorts the whole time. #Heaven  I was inside a deli and popped out to take this pict. I think it was on Instagram?  From one of the higher decks.   That blue thing in the background is the Rising Tide landing, lol Its looks like a space ship or something.  Do you travel with your flag? This was such a nice trip! I really enjoyed the ship, the food and there was so much to do.  If you get a chance to cruise on this ship DO IT! You will not be sorry. This was our 2nd cruise with Royal and I can't wait to sail with them again.
Catch you later- 
Hey! How are things? Hope all is well in your world. Busy here trying to find my way back into the work groove. :( As you may remember, if you read here much, my son and I left Texas, USA late August and are once again living in the south of France. When people ask me how the flight was, I tell them we sailed over. Usually their eyes get REALLY, REALLY big and I can see they are imagining what the trip must have been like. 
Crossed the ocean on one of these?
Or something like this?
 Or did she mean?? No, No, No. Transatlantic sailing is the ONLY way to make the crossing. The cruise ships are spectacular! They offer comfortable rooms, broadway style shows, fine dinning, deluxe spa pampering and plenty of stuff to do, no matter what your tastes are. Or you can always just lay around on the deck and chill by the pool if you don't care to do anything. 
Did I mention the Food?
My son's dessert plate.
Yes, he eats a healthy dinner first.
Really, did I mention the food? There was something for everyone. From pizza and burgers to sweets and seafood. I made out fine eating mostly healthy food. Lots of fresh fruits, raw salads and the occasional cookie here and there. #ImNotGoingToLie 
Our actual ship.
Sea was so calm and peaceful.
On deck - roaming around the 3rd day of the cruise.
Did I mention these were unedited pictures?
Can you believe all this GREEN space on the ship?
Windjammer...
I will do a complete post of the green area of the ship, "Central Park" soon. It actually was my favorite area. I liked to sit under the trees and read or eat (yes, more eating) and people watch. I did already post about another neighborhood on board, The Boardwalk, click to read that picture heavy post. 
Sea was very, very calm the entire trip.
Have a great weekend!
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Author Welcome to my (I used to travel) blog, my healthy Vegan lifestyle blog and my life! It's a lot, but it's my passions and I just love to write about it. Here I share tips, stories and photos from my adventures and life. This is the place where people can find daily inspiration to travel and motivation to live healthier lives and laugh a bit too! 
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