There is a good reason Patricia Kuhling’s parents refer to her as a ”gypsy”. Patricia notes that she struggles to stay put for any extended period of time and tends to be plotting her next adventure within days of returning home from a trip. She’s a seasonal crew member for Princess Cruises and Cunard Cruise Lines and has travelled to many a distant land. Patricia has also enjoyed travelling and camping extensively throughout the beautiful Canadian province of British Columbia, where she calls home. Here are Patricia’s tips:1) How do you travel lightly?
- I always try to keep my personal products and daily essentials to a minimum. The large and bulky bottles take up a lot of space and weigh down my luggage.
- I like to mix and match my outfits so that I can wear them repeatedly and still have variety.
- If you are cruising, remember that there are laundry rooms onboard so pack your own detergent to save dollars.
- Most shops on cruise ships offer a range of products. If you neglected to pack something, it can typically be purchased onboard.
2) What are your favorite travel websites?
- I always use www.tripadvisor.com before going on any vacation, whether it be a local adventure or traveling overseas.
- I also like to visit www.lonelyplanet.com.
- I often spend significant time surfing around on airline websites for good deals so as to compare their rates to package deals found through www.expedia.ca, www.travelzoo.ca, and so many other travel websites.
- I also try to find a local website for the destination I am travelling to. Most cities have a great website with local information.
3) What travel accessories/gadgets do you like to travel with?
- I always take an all-in-one personal product bag. If it has a hanging feature, all the better for just hanging up in the bathroom for easy access, especially if there is little counter or cupboard space. [Andrea’s note: We carry this kind of toiletry bag.]
- Luggage tags are a must. I choose brightly coloured tags that are easily identifiable, keep your contact information current and also include it inside your bags. [Andrea’s note: We carry colorful luggage tags.]
- Avoid large purses or bags. I carry a small organizer bag with just enough space for money, credit cards, and copies of i.d. and emergency contacts. [Andrea’s note: We carry this bag.]
- A portable battery operated alarm clock is a must. [Andrea's note: Coming soon!]
4) What are your top tips for people going on a cruise?
- Travel light and always pack an extra outfit and overnight essentials in your carry-on baggage. Your luggage is typically transferred from airline to the cruise ship so there is room for error!
- Research any shore excursions prior to your cruise. I find www.tripadvisor.com to be a great site for feedback. Pre-book your excursions as any of the good ones fill up quickly. If you are planning to venture off on your own and purchase shore excursions through local tour operators, the ship will not wait very long if you return late.
- Most cruise lines now have staff gratuities automatically added to your shipboard account. If this is not for you and you would rather tip only those crew members who serve you directly, go to the pursers’ desk upon boarding the ship and have it removed from your account. Make sure to carefully review your final bill for any double charges. Keep in mind that not all crew and services on the ship are included in the automatic gratuity.
- Make photocopies of your passport, cruise ship itinerary and emergency contacts. Carry them with you on shore.
Are you a globetrotter who’d like to share your travel tips with our readers?
If so, I’d love to hear from you!
Please email me at info@travelsmarts.ca.
