10 New Things to Try on a Cruise Ship

A cruise vacation can be the ultimate getaway - great food, unique destinations and spectacular entertainment are all combined on one floating resort. But how can you make the most of all the experiences your cruise has to offer? No matter what cruise line, ship or itinerary you choose, these vacations are far more than just food, ports and entertainment.

10 New Things to Try on a Cruise Ship

1. Try a New Drink

Cruise lines concoct a wide variety of signature beverages, and if you try a featured drink you just might discover your new favorite libation. If you want to be a bit more reserved, use the opportunity to try a drink you've always wondered about, sample a new beer or wine, or just enjoy drinks you wouldn't normally imbibe at home.

2. Try New Foods

All the main dining options are included with the cost of your cruise fare, so take advantage of that by selecting menu items to challenge your taste buds. While you can always get a familiar steak, salad, or pasta dish, a cruise also gives you the opportunity to experiment with unique gourmet selections such as regional soups and exotic desserts. Don't like what you chose? No one will mind if you ask for something else!

3. Learn a Line Dance

Line and group dances are the mainstay of cruise ship deck parties, and there will be more than one such party on your cruise. Join in the fun and follow the host's instructions to learn the Cupid Shuffle, Cha Cha Slide, Macarena, or or brush up on the crazy dances you forgot years ago.

4. Join a Contest

The daily activities on a cruise ship will include a wide range of contests, from low-key Sudoku puzzles to energetic trivia competitions, karaoke nights, and game show events. Join in a contest and you just might be coming home with a trophy, medal, or other prize for a memorable souvenir.

5. Explore the Ship

If all you learn on your cruise is the path from your stateroom to the buffet, you're missing out on the beautiful décor and elegant lines of the ship itself. Take time to wander around different decks and you might discover a stunning lounge, unique artwork, or amazing view to enjoy, and you'll feel more confident when you need to go from part of the ship to another to take part in ongoing activities.

6. Take a Shore Tour

Every port of call offers unique experiences, and the best way to enjoy those experiences is on a shore tour. These tours are selected by the cruise line for their value and safety, and by choosing a tour you get a unique perspective on the ports of call far beyond the port shopping plaza. Tours might include canopy adventures, dolphin encounters, cultural exhibits, local attractions, snorkeling and more, and there is a tour right for everyone.

7. Strike a Pose

Evening photo sessions are commonplace on cruise ships, when professional photographers are on hand with numerous backdrops. There is no obligation to purchase any photos, so why not take the opportunity to pose a few times and create a memorable memento? If you like one of the shots, the on board photo gallery can make prints of different sizes for you to frame or share.

8. Take Your Own Photos

Don't forget your camera on a cruise ship, and take as many photos as you can of the ship, the ports, and all the fun you've had. One especially memorable photo will be a shot of the water you see - the rich Pacific blue of a Mexican Riviera cruise or the Caribbean green of a tropical sailing can be stunning photos that will have you longing for another voyage every time you see them.

No matter how many cruises you have been on, there is always more to try, explore, and enjoy. By stretching out of your comfort zone, you'll find you're more relaxed and comfortable on a cruise ship than on any other vacation you've taken, and you won't be able to wait to set sail again.

Publisher: uuibbui - 06:36

7-tips-survive-move-emotionally

There is no doubt that all moves are stressful. Even if you are looking forward to your new home it can be hard to say goodbye to your old one. Moving under the difficult circumstances of a sudden job change or loss, foreclosure or other reasons can leave you emotionally drained.
If this sounds like you then this article may help. Is has some helpful tips on how to emotionally survive a move.

Tip #1 How to survive a move emotionally.
Gather your friends.
This is the time to have friends by your side. Invite them over to help you pack or help you decide what to keep or donate. Friends can also help you collect boxes, newspaper or other supplies.

Tip #2 How to survive a move emotionally.
Reserve time for yourself.
Even 5 minutes a day can help. Go for a short walk. Take a few extra minutes in the shower. Linger over a cup of coffee. These few minutes can help you get through the day.

Tip #3 How to survive a move emotionally.
Make a list.
Decide what room to pack first and make a list. You'll realize how much progress you've made as you cross items off.

Tip #4 How to survive a move emotionally.
Leave the knickknacks for last.
This is what makes a home feel like a home. Pack up closets and dresser drawers that you seldom use first. Knickknacks can often be saved until the last day of the move.

Tip #5 How to survive a move emotionally.
Get cleaning help.
From the moment you hear of the move start putting a few dollars back each week. Use this money to hire cleaning help. This will take much of the pressure off of moving.

Tip #6 How to survive a move emotionally.
Lighten other stresses in your life.
Do whatever you can to lighten the load in other areas of your life. Don't take on any new projects. Buy frozen or prepped entrees for easier cooking. Can a friend pick the kids up at school or take them to ball practice? Will your boss let you have time off from work? Try to simplify wherever you can.

Tip #7 How to survive a move emotionally.
It's ok to grieve.
For some people a move may be one of the hardest things that they ever have to do. It's ok to grieve and it's ok to cry. This is an overwhelming time. If you feel that you are developing depression you may need professional help. Talking with your doctor or a trained therapist can help.

Publisher: uuibbui - 05:01

7-tips-disney-first-timers

Your first time staying at Walt Disney World is a very exciting and new experience. The Walt Disney World Resort property is like no other resort on earth. Their customer service is top-notch and the 40+ square miles are opened for you to explore. Your experience begins and ends at your hotel of choice. Here are some tips for your first time at a Walt Disney World hotel to make the best out of your stay.
Manage your time well.
This could mean that you don't have to manage your time at all. Or, you could plan every day down to the minute. There is so much to do and go see at Walt Disney World. Choosing the "must do" for your trip before you go is a great way to ensure that you will be able to go to those places. Check the Walt Disney World website and attraction guides to find your "must do" attractions. Then, plan which days of your trip you will see each one.
Make good restaurant choices
When it comes to eating, make smart choices based on budget and time. Make sure your restaurant of choice coincides with where you are at on the property. For instance, you won't want to eat at Liberty Square if you are spending the day at Epcot Center. No matter which restaurant you choose, make sure you make reservations. Then, you are guaranteed a table no matter how crowded it is.


Pick a theme park on the right day
Each theme park at Walt Disney World has good days and bad days for crowds. Plenty of travel guides will tell you estimated crowds for the days you are going. If you are going over a holiday or peak time, most parks will be crowded but each park will have a peak day of the week. Try to avoid the parks on their highest crowd days and choose another park to see that day.
Make time for buses
The Walt Disney World Resort has a fantastic bus system that transports you from your hotel to theme parks and other areas on the property. However, there is no set schedule for your bus. You want to give yourself plenty of time to wait for your bus to pick you up and get transport to the theme park or area you are going to. Allow yourself at least one hour of travel time by bus whenever you are using the Walt Disney World bus transport system.
Take a day "off"
A vacation at Walt Disney World can get crazy. You can run from one place to another without stopping. It's enough to tire anyone out. Make sure you choose a day during your trip to do nothing but enjoy what your resort has to offer and relax. Or, choose one of Disney's many recreation options like fishing or boat rentals.


Be nice to the staff
This should be a no brainer but many people don't realize what kind of stress someone working in a tourist heavy industry is all about. The staff you encounter every day are very busy people who are doing their best to make everyone around them happy. Be nice to them and be patient with them during long lines or mix-ups. Walt Disney World staff have the power to help you and offer you extra help when there is a problem. Being kind to them is one of the best ways to ensure this happens.


Tip your housekeeping service
Many people don't know it is kind and customary to tip your housekeeping service. A tip of $5 a day is the least you should do. Just leave them a note with the tip in plain view. Make sure to include in your note that is a tip for them! Many times, well-tipped house keepers will leave you extra towels and items you need. Sometimes, they even make little shapes and characters out of the towels.

Publisher: uuibbui - 04:53

7-things-love-amelia-island

Amelia Island is a beautiful barrier island just north of Jacksonville, Florida. There are lots of things to see and do here, but this is a list of my favorite things about Amelia Island.
1. Time passed it by. Even though Amelia Island has miles of beautiful beaches, a temperate climate, and lots of beauty, it hasn't been overrun by mega-hotels and concrete. There are two state parks protecting the natural beauty of the island, one on the north end and one on the south end. There are plenty of hotels and places to eat, but the beach isn't crowded with them. There are tons of unspoiled and no so crowded beaches, lots of parks for the kids, nature trails, and so many quiet places just to sit and think.

2. Fernandina Beach. This little town has been in place for over a hundred years. The traffic is slow, the walkers are many, and it is full of shops, galleries, bars, and restaurants. The people are friendly and the sunsets are breathtaking.

3. The Beaches. The beaches aren't too crowded on Amelia Island. There are several major accesses, complete with restrooms, showers, and playgrounds. But there are many quiet little accesses with parking lots all along the beach, because of the aforementioned lack of mega resorts. These beaches are great places for walking and shell hunting. Though you will run into a few people no matter where you go, you won't be fighting for elbow room on Amelia Island.

4. The Restaurants. Despite being such a small community, Amelia Island is quite diverse in it's cuisine. From Japanese and Korean to Seafood and Fast food, you won't be hungry here. I recommend T-Rays for burgers, and the Surf is great if you want seafood with an ocean view. A great place for tourists is also Sliders, with great views of the Atlantic and a playground for kids.

5. The Scenery. Call me old fashioned, but I love wondering around looking at historic homes and places. You won't lack any of that here. The houses near downtown are big and beautiful, and the downtown itself is historic. Historic Fernandina nearby current downtown is even older, and boasts the house used in the 1988 Pippi Longstocking movie. The cemetery is very photogenic, and of course, the old Spanish moss draped oak trees make a nice backdrop.

6. How Family Friendly It is. Amelia Island is super great for families. Tons of playgrounds and parks abound. The shops cater to kids with toys, clothes, and souvenirs. There are lots of great events, parades, and festivals all year long. And the beach makes the best natural playground. Not only does this place cater to your human family, but your furry one as well. Dogs are allowed on many of the beaches, as well as in many of the shops in Fernandina Beach. Amelia Island is fun for the whole family.

7. Amelia Island loves itself, in a good way. Amelia Island is proud of it's heritage and boasts that it is the only place in the US to have been under the rule of eight flags. The history of pirates is celebrated, as well as the past huge shrimping industry. Amelia Island tries to protect it's natural beauty. Two state parks are located on the island, protecting the fauna and the wildlife therein. Amelia Island is also big on recycling, and the residents try to keep the beaches clean and the wildlife safe. And that, Amelia Island, is something to be proud of.

Publisher: uuibbui - 04:53

7-humbling-days-hong-kong

Tom Carter Reporting Live from the Chungking Mansions - Hong Kong's Haunt for Anyone Who is No One.
Having spent over two-and-a-half straight years in the Chinese mainland without leave, it was with both anticipation and apprehension that I crossed the southern border into Asia's wealthiest city.

Despite its one-stop-shopping popularity with Mainland expats needing new clothes and a new visa, I truly had no idea what to expect in the former crown colony that supposedly makes even rich men feel poor. Rather terrified of exacting reverse culture shock, I hence saved English-speaking Hong Kong and its "One Country, Two Systems" self for the tail end of my journey across the 33 Chinese provinces.

And it is here I report that all my preconceptions and fears about Hong Kong were... true . To quote the under-appreciated American writer Thomas Carter (me!) upon his brief sojourn in the legendary Chinese city, "I've never felt more poor than when I was in Hong Kong... I've never felt more ugly than when I was in Hong Kong."

DAY 1: Cross the Shenzhen-Hong Kong border at Louhu and catch the immaculate KCR railway, immediately impressed that nobody is staring, shoving or spitting. Arrive in Kowloon's southern peninsula and emerge from the underground into the land of lights - Tsim Sha Tsui. Blinded with excitement, I have to ask a resplendent group of Indian women draped in saris where the Mirador Mansion is. They point their gold-ringed fingers straight up. A towering, rust-stained concrete block, and one of Hong Kong's only affordable accommodations. I check in to a claustrophobic dorm room (three times the price of a Mainland dorm and three times as small), then hit Nathan Road. Peering up into the neon lights, tripping in the crush of the crowds, I feel just like a migrant worker back in Beijing.

DAY 2: Awoken at 6am by one of my bunkmates stumbling in after a long night. His name is Pat, a young American backpacker with long red hair whose introduction is immediately followed by a long-winded narrative about his two-week romps in Hong Kong, including scoring with the mythical "Asian girls who LOOOVE foreign guys." When I counter that I never had any such luck, the fast-talking but likeable Pat proffers some off-the-cuff advise ("Dude, lose the beard") before launching into more useful information. "It's Sunday, okay, and there's gonna be, like, 120,000 Filipino nannies and maids on their only day off - and looking for boyfriends!" I'm a little dubious of Pat's generalizations, but sure enough his mobile rings continuously with calls from adoring cleaning ladies he met the Sunday before. An afternoon stroll around Statue Square indeed reveals a literal blanket of thousands of picnicking South Asian women (Hong Kong's largest migrant communities) whose collective chatter sounds just like a large flock of seagulls. When I attempt to candidly photograph one attractive young Filipino, she shouts "Hey! I klick jor azz!" So much for getting a date.

DAY 3: Fieldtrip to Shek O beach on Hong Kong Island's south side, savoring the soft sand and splashing in the subtropical South China Sea. Supposedly this place is packed out on the weekend, but that's what weekdays are for, no? It's one of those moments when I enjoy being unemployed. Chase my fun in the sun with a tram ride up Victoria Peak for a breathtaking evening vista of skyscrapers, which appear to be constructed entirely out of lights. Dafnit, an Israeli girl clearly in awe of the Hong Kong skyline, remarks, "We have no tall buildings in Israel. Oh wait... we have one!"

DAY 4: Spend the day traversing Kowloon, the fashion billboards of TST turning into seedy massage parlor billboards as I descend northwest down the Nathan Road side streets, the sun lost behind precipices of neon signs stretching horizontally over the streets. The markets of Mong Kok are mobbed with uniformed students on lunch break: long-haired boys with untucked white shirts and loosened ties, and made-up girls in little outfits out of a Japanese kogal/hentai fantasy: knee-high black stockings, short skirts and a Louis Vuitton bag to carry their pencils and books. They have tattoos, tongue piercings and smoke cigarettes. After commenting that they are the hippest students in China I've seen, one 15-year-old boy replies in perfect English, "Yes, so cool, but so young."

DAY 5: I want to see how the other half lives and spend the day in Central, Hong Kong Island's microcosm of capitalism. Cross Victoria Harbor by the centuries-old Star Ferry through a morning miasma of pollution and follow white-collared crowds of businessmen contending with cell phones, briefcases and lattés into their respective skyscrapers. Later observe as many women shopping in designer department stores - these must be the wives. I notice that they all clutch their purses as I walk by, then realize why as I catch a glimpse of myself in the reflective facade of the Bank of China tower. My head cast down in self-consciousness, I almost get rolled over by a Rolls (driving on the wrong side of the road, damn Brits!), then almost again by a double-decker cable car. Everyone in Central must be against me. My insecurities are firmed up that evening in Lan Kwai Fong, a gentrified neighborhood of upscale restaurants and bars on the Island's northern escarpment. The steep streets are congested with young, well-to-do westpats toasting yet another successful day of money-making. I can't believe there are so many white people in China who aren't English teachers! They are all smartly dressed and have well-groomed hair; I am wearing cutoff army pants, low-top fake Converse, an eight year old t-shirt that I bought used, nor have I shaved or cut my locks in the eight months I've been on the road. I want to belong, but I don't. It's one of those moments when I regret being unemployed.

DAY 6: I give the Island another chance and take the night ferry across the harbor to the north end's older and seedier nightspot, the infamous Wan Chai. Recall it is where Richard Mason penned his 1950's tale of forbidden love, "The World Of Suzie Wong," though a lot has changed since he wrote "take a minute's stroll from the center and you won't see a European." The pick-up bars still line the road, yum-yum girls luring passersby into their neon-lit dens, but these are the illegitimate daughters of Suzie Wong, not of Chinese but Thai dissent, wearing not elegant silk cheongsams but cheap miniskirts raised to immodest heights. And unlike the kindly ladies of the Nam Kok Hotel, these modern-day working girls are vicious, mercenary, cold. When a group of obviously disappointed white boys emerge from one venue exclaiming, "In Thailand they take off ALL their clothes," the brown-skinned door girl in plastic go-go boots is quick to shout back, "Then go to Thailand!" Further down Lockhart I follow a couple of older Europeans primed with drink and flirting heavily with a lovely bouquet of girls looking for generous company. After making their arrangements, one of the men leans on me and confides, "Wy mife, I mean my wife, thinks I'm *HICCUP* at a conference." The remaining girls give this poor writer a cursory glance then quickly cross the street away from me.

DAY 7: I wake up feeling dejected and classless; the expatriates of Central don't want me, nor do the waterfront girls of Wan Chai. Take a stroll around TST, passing by friendly knots of third-world hustlers hanging out in front of the Chungking Mansions, the immigrant ghetto of Kowloon that serves as temporary living quarters for Hong Kong's financially insolvent émigrés. A street corner tout from Kashmir says to me "The Mansions is where anyone not wearing pastel shorts or a suit stay." I realize this mad cauldron of multiculturalism is the only place I truly feel at home in Hong Kong. The Africans on the never-quiet front steps always high-five me, the Pakistanis all think I'm Muslim (must be the beard), and the Indians bat their eyelashes at me. The Chungking Mansions are the international haunt for anyone who is no one, and I am one of them. It is a peasant's epiphany - in Hong Kong, I am the 'nongmin.'

Publisher: uuibbui - 04:43

6-reasons-out-bed-today

Are you having trouble escaping the confines of your blanketed mattress? That's writer-speak for bed, and you're a lazy boo boo head for sleeping in so late! Here are six reasons why you should wake up, get dressed and do something with yourself today.
6. You've Got a Job To Do
There are people counting on you and that special brand of you-ness that you bring to the world. You may or may not have what some would call a "real" job, but that's cool. You do that thing, or you say that stuff. You might not get paid for it, but certainly you could find at least one person that enjoys the limited amount of regularity that you bring to their life. If nobody depends on you for anything that's particularly important, go ahead and do something nice for yourself today. You're like super important, and if you keep telling yourself that, you might convince others to believe the same!

5. Some People Don't Even Have a Bed
Did you know that if you search the Internet for a statistic about the percentage of people who own beds, there is little to no credible information about this subject at all? Society is too ashamed to even talk about it, much less research it in a lab setting. Sure, there are those who just happen to be "in-between" beds, or sleeping on the couch for a little while until Mommy gets over her issues. However, what about those living in poverty, including innocent children? Yet there you lay, warm and comfortable while others suffer. You are still comfortable, right?

4. The Spider Under the Covers
This isn't a clever metaphor. While you were sleeping a curious arachnid crawled up the side of your bed and is piggybacking off of all that sweet body heat to incubate the ripe satchel of babies that it carries on its back. In fact, it very well could have been two pregnant spiders. Where there's one spider there's probably two more, all of them about to give birth. If aren't interested in sharing your warmest crevasses with a bunch of tiny spider creatures, you should think about getting up. Obviously we don't even have the time to get into bedbugs, but they're there too.

3. People Are Judging You
Who cares, right? You're tired! You've got no responsibilities! Guess what? You're also highly unmotivated, and slightly unkempt. And that's not just coming from me. I love you, I seriously do. It's just that other people are beginning to talk and I don't want you to get your feelings hurt. Even if their opinion doesn't matter, word travels fast. Once it gets around that you're a lazy do-nothing, people will stop asking you for things, like love. People will stop wanting your love, and you will receive none in return. A thankless, loveless life you will lead if you decide to continue this barrage of resting.

2. You Probably Won't Die Today
Most people die while lying in a bed. That's a fact that you can't disprove no matter how hard you try. If you are able to make it out of the clutches of your bed, you're a survivor. There's actually only a 0.0039% chance that you'll be murdered at any given time, granted that you don't live in a major city with a higher than average crime rate. Also, if you've infuriated the wrong people your chances of being knocked off are increased considerably. You might not have much longer to live due to various other reasons like disease or hunger, but that doesn't necessarily mean today's the day! The fact that you're even reading this article means that you haven't died yet, and that accounts for something.

1. Breakfast Time!
Ding, ding ding! There's donuts, eggs, sausages. Of course there's bacon, assorted fruits and delicious exotic coffees - plus a wide selection of tiny boxes of popular cereal brands. It's like a continental breakfast up in here, and it's all for you. But no eating in bed! If you want to eat delicious pastries and succulent breakfast meats you'll have to go to the dining room. If your dining room does not already contain these things, you may have to go to the store to purchase the ingredients, or stay at a hotel for an actual free breakfast. Your delicious morning meal will only limited by your motivation to make it so. If you are hungry, get out of bed and go eat.

Publisher: uuibbui - 04:29

6 great reasons to live in a dorm

1. Connections - Living at a dorm means living in an area shared by tens, perhaps even hundreds, of other students just like you and odds are at least some of these other students will share some of your interests. Most of these people will be freshmen, but there will also be the occasional sophomore, junior and senior. Living in the dorms is the perfect opportunity to get to know people and make friends and create connections. This is one of the most important things you could do in college, as connections last for the rest of your life and can benefit you greatly further down the road. Many people advance through their careers due to connections that they forged while they were away at college.

2. Proximity - One of the main reasons people choose to live in a dorm is the fact that it is much closer to everything than opposed to living off campus. You will be generally be within walking distance of your classes, giving you more time to do other things which would otherwise be wasted on transportation. You will also be much closer to other important places on campus such as cafeterias, libraries and gyms. Living in a dorm will also put you closer to your college's support services and you will be able to get help much quicker if you need it. Living close to everything will work to make life in college less stressful and more convenient.

3. Cheaper - Living at a dorm usually means that you do not have to pay water, electric, cable or internet bills and it usually means only having to pay a fraction of what an off campus residence would cost. This will save you tons of money which you can then spend on other things you deem more important such as books, food and entertainment.

4. Security - Colleges generally have very good security measures set up in the dorms to ensure the safety of the students who live in them. Many dorms are routinely patrolled by campus police who make sure that the campus is safe. Many dorms also will have security cameras and secure check in areas which will not allow anyone unauthorized to enter the dorm. Rest assured, you will be very safe in your dorm and you will be able to sleep safe and sound.

5. Activities - Living in a dorm on a college campus is an excellent way to involve yourself in various activities going around your campus. People living in dorms are usually exposed to many different clubs and organizations and FREE entertainment possibilities. Many dorms also host intramural sports, so if that is your cup of tea living in a dorm can really make your college experience.

6. Living-Learning Communities - Some college's also offer special dorm areas designated Living-Learning Communities which consist of students pursuing a career in the same field also bunched up together. If you want to live with people who have the same interests as you and are working towards the same goals as you, then this is the perfect opportunity for you.



These are 6 great reasons to live in a dorm and I hope this article has helped you make your decision.

Publisher: uuibbui - 04:28

5-ways-escape-heat-dome

The oppressive heat and humidity is keeping people from going outside and having fun, but there are activities you could be doing to have fun and keep cool during the hot summer days.The following are five ways to stay cool during the heat wave and still have a good time:

Cool tip #1 -- Make a Splash!

Ask any child and they will tell you the most popular way to stay cool during the long hot summer days are to go to the pool. It is a great way to have fun, get exercise and most importantly stay cool. Most swimming pools are kept significantly cooler than the ambient temperature.

Cool tip #2 -- Go See a Movie

Have you ever been in a movie theater and found yourself shivering? That is because most theaters must keep their temperatures well regulated, otherwise their precious film may get ruined. That is why the movie theater is always a cool place to visit during the summer. After a long day in the heat, come inside and sit for a couple hours watching the latest summer movie and enjoying some refreshments.

Cool tip #3 -- Visit the Mall

The mall is not just for teenage girls. It is a great place to go with friends and socialize. It is of course a great place to shop; many stores are offering large sales to encourage customers to come out despite the heat. Most malls also offer a variety of places to dine--ranging from the fast-food joint to fancy restaurants.

Cool tip #4 -- Check Out the Library

If you are like me and can't get your hands on enough books, then this is the place for you. Many people often forget they even have a local library, but don't pass up this resource. Libraries have more than just books and newspapers. They also offer an air-conditioned place to use a computer, movie rentals, some have performance theaters, and of course a quiet place for those who just want to read a summer novel.

Cool tip #5 -- Play an Indoor Sport

Your mother wouldn't appreciate you playing sports inside her house, so check out local areas to play indoor sports. Most cities have indoor roller-skating rinks, tennis courts, bowling and much more. Most businesses are trying to get customers' attention by offering "hot" deals.

Additional articles by this author:

Tesla Motors: Blowing Away Misconceptions

First-Person Perspective from a Biker: 10 Reasons Why I Do Not Own a Car

5 Steps to Becoming a Doctor

Camping in Central Illinois: Three must visit parks

Publisher: uuibbui - 03:56