Vacation Safety Tips

How To Stay Safe While Vacationing

by Alli

I have opinions; we all do. Our opinions may not be necessarily correct or shared by others, but we still have them. This is my vacation opinions. #ChangeMyMind 🙂 

Opinions – Everybody Has Them

I think it’s comical to search the web for a particular recipe, find it, and then read the comments. The first person to comment loves the recipe and gives it 5 stars. She says, “It’s the best I’ve ever tasted.” 

The second person gives it zero stars and says it’s the worst thing she has ever put in her mouth and had to throw it out.

What’s the difference? It’s our opinions (and sometimes we don’t execute correctly), based on our likes and dislikes. And, some people just can’t cook. There, I said it. 

The same thing goes for restaurants. When I’m about to try a new place to dine, especially on vacation, I will often go online and check out the reviews. Just as in reviewing recipes, opinions differ from one spectrum to the other.

That particular dining experience may be the best one reviewer has ever had. And then it could be a complete disaster according to another. Opinions. Likes. Dislikes.

Vacation Opinions – Mine Are Strong!

Buckle up, buttercup! I said all the above to muster up the courage to say this, I have specific vacation opinions and . . .  

I Hate Cruises – There I Said It!

Don’t hate me but I don’t like cruises. At all. I tried to like cruises. I did. 

We have friends who rave about their latest cruise. I jokingly say that cruises are for people who don’t know how to plan a vacation. Okay – so maybe there’s an element of truth in everything we say.

I also say that when I’m on a cruise I feel like I’m a cow in the middle of a large herd on a cattle drive.  I have a song for that.

Friends laugh and give me a puzzled look when I say things like that. I have a strange feeling that they are laughing at me and not with me.

My Dream Vacation (My Vacation Opinions)

My dream vacation always includes the sea. It could have something to do with my childhood. Every summer vacation was by the sea.

I coined another phrase and should trademark it, “If I’m not on the beach, I’m not at the beach” meaning I must have an oceanfront room. It’s a must. Blame my mom. She instilled that in me!

Vacation Opinions - Get Healthy After Vacation - Plan It

While I’m boldly stating my opinion, let me just put it all out there and say that I don’t like to vacation in the mountains, either. It could have something to do with that horrible skiing accident I told you about here.  

I’m not a down-in-the-valley type of girl. I always feel like I’m in a teacup and all those mountains are looming overhead and edging in on my space.

Don’t get me wrong, I love a majestic mountain range in the distance. I love to visit my sister in Colorado. It’s simply breathtaking.

I Need Wide Open Spaces 

Chase Away Post Vacation Blues

But I need wide open spaces, room to make a big mistake (singing at the top of my lungs). So, my vacation usually involves driving or flying to my destination and enjoying a room with an oceanfront view.

We love spending the week exploring (or just sitting on the beach, under an umbrella, daydreaming).

One of my not-really-in-existence bucket list plans is to visit all of the Caribbean Islands in my lifetime.  

Oh, and I want to make it to Hawaii one of these days. But every time I think about going to Maui, I think about how long the flight is and I put it off for a short flight to the Caribbean.

To me, a Caribbean trip is a perfect vacation. And, of course, a far-away, exotic beach vacation would be the icing on the cake (Bali, Tahiti, etc.)  

Bay Gardens Beach Resort Review

By the way, the time I dipped my toes in the Mediterranean Sea while visiting Israel is one of those events that has left an impression on me for life. Yes, I’m crazy about oceans! Looking at them, that is.

And someday (fingers and toes crossed) I will visit Paris and London (also on my not-really-but-maybe-should-start bucket list in my mind).  See, I can have non-ocean vacation dreams, as well.

When I go on holiday, I like to rub elbows with the locals. I try to find the best local places to eat, and the least crowded beaches and just pretend I live there. And did I say I like to get away from the crowds?  

I also do recon (that’s my I-Should-Have-Been-A-Private-Eye speak) before I leave so I know a little bit about the place I’m going to visit.

North Myrtle Beach - Goodbye 2016

Back To Cruises – Vacation Opinions

Now, back to cruises, I have to explain that I have no ill will toward people who crave cruises. I have lots of friends and family that cruise often. They love it and I say, “More power to you.”

And I’m not saying I won’t ever go on another one (my grandkids want to go). I won’t judge you for your love of cruises if you don’t judge me for my apathy toward them. Deal?

My Daughter Planned A Staycation For Her Kids

My daughter and her family planned a staycation a couple of years ago. They stayed home and visited a different place (within driving distance) each day in their home state. They loved it!

So, in your very respected opinion, what’s your favorite vacation destination? Come on, stir the pot with me! You may just give me some new ideas.  

I think everyone deserves at least one vacation a year! Don’t you? I want to vacation as the Europeans do! They rarely take just one week at a time!  ðŸ™‚

Helpful Hints for Staying Safe on Vacation

  • Never flash large amounts of cash or expensive jewelry. Leave valuables at home!
  • Be aware of your surroundings – always.
  • Use common sense when talking to strangers (Did you see the movie Taken? Enough said!) Don’t give out your hotel/resort information. 
  • Scan your passport and travel documents and email them to yourself (in case you lose them or they are stolen).
  • Don’t look like a tourist. Blend in.
  • Find out if there are some areas of the city/island that you should avoid.
  • When in crowds, be aware of pickpockets. 
  • Leave a copy of your itinerary with friends or family back home.
  • Beach/street vendors can be pushy. If you don’t want to buy their wares, don’t make eye contact and keep walking.

Before You Go, Check Out These Vacation Related Posts

 

 

8 comments

Randi Hunt June 17, 2013 - 7:41 am

Ok, so I HAVE to post to this one since I’m a travel agent 😉 I have to say, I love them all! I’ve been on over 30 cruises and understand why some may not like them….but it’s usually because people randomly book a cruise without knowing the difference between the 500 ones out there (usually because it’s close to home and leave from Charleston LOL). Smaller ships, newer, less people, more all inclusive…suites etc. make a cruise so much better. If you go on a 3 – 5 night or sometimes even 7 night older ship…that’s a negative. Same with an interior room…if you book an interior, might as well sleep in your closet. My addiction to cruises stems from the fact I’ve done five Caribbean Cruises and visited every Caribbean Island there is to visit. Had I done that by flying…my goodness I’d have spent ten times the amount of money. I’ve done all inclusive and have to say, I’m not a big fan ONLY because I feel that because they’re offering it all for free, the quality isn’t sometimes as good. I do like the feeling of not having to worry about spending additional money on vacation…a biggy for me. I will say I “feel” that if I can get there in my car, it’s not a vacation. I ALWAYS have to fly to before I feel like I’m on vacation (I suppose it doesn’t help that my in laws live on Seabrook Island right on the beach and we go there ALL the time?) BUT that being said, one of MY BEST vacations was a weekend in downtown Charlotte in my own home town just getting to know my own city a little better staying at the Omni. I’ve been COLD, north, HOT, south, east, west, overseas, you name it. I believe a good vacation stems from how you’ve planned it and with whom you spend it and NOTHING else. Some probably think I’m wrong but hey, that’s okay. I’m in the business OF planning vacations. So basically to answer the main question: 1) either a cruise or 2) all inclusive…..I don’t like budgeting on vacation and don’t like spending extra money. I don’t like dinner bills or bar bills on vacation and insist I don’t have to carry my purse….EVER. 🙂

Reply
Alli June 17, 2013 - 8:11 am

I had a feeling, after I hit publish, that you were going to reply to this one – LOL! I almost didn’t publish it at all. BTY – I don’t do the all inclusive, either. Been there, done that and wound up hating the food and having to go outside of the resort to get decent food. But, you know, I don’t really like the food on cruises, either. Hey, it’s just me.

When (if) I go on another cruise, I will definitely NOT have an interior room! I have a thing about small, tight places and that could very well be the reason I didn’t like it.

Another thing, because we hold public office (that’s an inside joke – not political office but pastoral office) we are around people a lot. On vacation, I don’t especially like crowds.

Thanks SO MUCH for stirring the pot with me. I love it!!!! You may have just changed my mind a tiny, little bit . . . . . . maybe!

Reply
Randi Hunt June 19, 2013 - 7:38 am

Haha, yes! Of course I would have to post. Do have to say we did the same thing at the all inclusive’s we’ve stayed out…went outside…even McDonald’s for food!!!!! Haha It just depends on the cruise…definitely go balcony…love my coffee and wine on my private veranda looking out at sea. As far as food…yes some cruise lines plain flat out suck!!!! IF you ever decide to go on a cruise again, let me know, I’ll tell you God’s honest truth whether it’s a good one to go on 🙂 Thanks for the reply!

Reply
Alli June 19, 2013 - 8:07 am

LOL!!!

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Rebekah June 17, 2013 - 11:10 am

As you know, I love the beach! I love to just relax and swim and smell the salt in the air. I guess I got that from you. Lol I also love the mountains. There’s just something great about being snuggled up in a cabin. I want to go on a cruise so I can have an opinion about it. It definitely has to be one to the Caribbean islands. I want to travel and see the world (or at least the United States).

Reply
Alli June 17, 2013 - 11:17 am

A girl after my own heart! 🙂

Reply
Kendra @ AProverbs 31 Wife June 17, 2013 - 2:28 pm

Vacations are rare, so we love them. Mountains. Beach. Rocky Coast. Somewhere different from home. It’s all good! 🙂

Reply
Alli June 17, 2013 - 4:26 pm

When my husband and I were pioneering our current church (over 20 years ago) we went seven years without a vacation. We were always too busy. So, I know where you are coming from. It is all good!

Reply

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