Bermuda Is Another World

Airport Security Checkpoints - Hassle Free (Is There Really Such A Thing?)

Planes Being "De-Iced" - Manchester Airport

Whether you are flying to a business meeting, visiting family or friends, or heading off on that vacation of a lifetime - your airline experience will begin the very same way!  For every person taking a flight, their experience begins with a stop at the Airport Security Checkpoint.  To help make this experience as simple as possible, there are three things that you should keep with you as you approach the checkpoint:  You airline boarding pass, a government issued photo ID (unless you are a child),and your common sense.  Yes!  Please don't pack your common sense - bring it on the plane with you!

Every airline passenger must be screened for objects that would be considered "Prohibited" by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).  For all passengers, this screening includes being scanned by a metal detector.  Although there are no restrictions on the type or style of clothing you may wear on an airplaine, passengers wearing oversized, loose fitting, baggy clothing may be asked to submit to further screening in addition to the metal detector.  (Yes young men - baggy "pants on the ground" type jeans would meet this criteria, and could possibly cause you to be called aside for further screening!).

The purpose of a metal detector is exactly that - to detect metal objects that a passenger might be wearing or carrying.  If the metal detector buzzes as you pass through, the TSA Officers are required to conduct further screening to determine what the cause of the detection is.  This "further screening" would include the use of a hand held Metal detector wand as well as a pat-down.  Some of the most common causes of the metal detector being activated are:

• 
  
  Heavy Jewelry (including pins, bracelets, necklaces, watches, earings, lanyards, and body piercings)
• 
  
  Clothing with metal snaps, buttons, studs, and snaps
• 
  
  Metal hair barrets or other hair accessories
• 
  
  Belt Buckles
• 
  
  Underwire bras

TIPS:  If at all possible, you should refrain from wearing any of these items while traveling by air.  If heavy jewelry is a way of life for you, you may save yourself some time by placing it in a plastic bag and placing it inside a side pocket of your carry-on bag before you leave home.  Once you clear security and arrive at your gate, it will be easy enough to find and you may put it on while waiting for your plane to board.  It is also important to know that the little piece of metal found on many hair elastics is enough to set off a metal detector.  I know that bras are a necessity for women as are belts for most men.  Although I cannot speak for bras, I can say that removing your belt is easy enough to do, and regardless of the size of the buckle - removing the belt and placing it in a bin could save you some time in the end.

It is also important to understand that although many body piercings may be hidden from the view of the TSA Officers, the metal detectors are very likely to detect them, and you could/will be directed aside for further screening.  If directed aside for further screening, you may ask to remove the piercing in private as an alternate to a pat-down search.

Once you arrive at the security checkpoint, you will be asked to remove everything from your pockets including keys, cell phones, loose change, pens, etc.  TIP:  This is another situation where it can save you some time by having another plastic "zipper" bag to place these items in.  By placing these items in your carry on, again you will be able to remove them easy enough when you arrive at your gate, and return the items to your pockets.  Otherwise you will be required to put them in a bin, send them through the X-Ray machine, retrieve the bin on the other side, worry about someone else picking them up if you get called aside for additional screening.  Just put them in your carry on and go!!

All coats and jackets that you wear or carry to the security checkpoint must go through the X-Ray machine.  This includes ALL jackets and coats: winter jackets, suitcoats, blazers, trenchcoats, sports coats, zip-up sweatshirts, etc.  When at all possible, you should pack these in your luggage.

At this point in time, all TSA security checkpoints require the removal of your shoes before passing through the metal detector.  This includes ALL footwear, including sandals and flip flops. This is the one area that seems to take time for most passengers at the checkpoint.  Although it is unreasonable to think that all passengers can wear sandals or flip flops when they travel, you should take this into consideration when determining your travel wardrobe.  The simpler the better.  "Easy off - easy on" will save you time at the checkpoint.

As you would expect, when placing items on the belt to be scanned, an X-ray image is taken of your items, and that image is scrutinized by a TSA Officer (who you know is just hoping he can find a reason to make you open your bag!!)  The more you have in your bags, the more they have to look through.  The more they have to look through, the more time it takes and the greater the chances of them wanting to take a closer look at something inside.  You should make it a point to fill your carry-on items with only those items you will need while traveling.  Anything that CAN go into your checked luggage SHOULD go into your checked luggage.  This includes brief cases and pocketbooks.  By cleaning them out before you leave home, you'll save yourself some time at the security checkpoint.

Any liquids you are bringing with you onto the plane must be contained in a 3 oz. bottle (or less) and must be placed into a clear 1 quart "zipper" bag, and must be kept outside of your carry on as you pass through the security checkpoint.  These items will be examined by the TSA officers and will be returned to you once cleared.  It is important to note that beverages, whether sealed or not, are not allowed through a security checkpoint.  TIP: If you are a person who is dependant upon having a bottle of water with you as you travel, pack an EMPTY water bottle in your carry on.  Once you are on the other side of security, you may either fill it up at a water fountain or many of the restaraunts in the air terminals are happy to fill them for you.

It is important to understand that once you have gone through the security checkpoint, if for any reason you must leave the secure boarding area, you will be required to go through the security screening process again in order to re-enter the secure area.  This is also the case if you have a connecting flight and must leave one secured area to go to another.

If you are a companion assisting an elderly person, a child, or a disabled person but are NOT traveling yourself, you should call the airline ahead to see what documentation you need in order to accompany the person to the gate.  Please understand that even though you are not traveling, you are still subject to the same security checkpoint screenings as all passengers.

Much of the information that I have given was found on the Transportation Security Administration's Website.  For more information regarding airport security, please visit http://www.tsa.gov/ .

So my biggest tip to you when it comes to dealing with airport security, is to use your common sense.  By thinking ahead, you will save yourself some time and frustration (as well as that of your fellow travelers) as you "zip" through airport security.  As Mrphy's Law indicates:  If it CAN go wrong, it WILL go wrong - so be sure to give yourself plenty of time.

TIP:  Although you can not bring beverages with you through the security checkpoint, you CAN bring food items with you on a plane.  Because food is often expensive at the airport, consider stopping along the way to the airport to pick up a meal or snack.  Just remember - no condiment packets and no sauces!!

Travel Safely!!

 

Your Ship Has Come In! Norwegian Cruise Line

Norwegian Dawn

* Snowflakes - Fingerprints - Cruise Lines *

What is it that they all have in common?  The answer would be that there are no two exactly alike.  Holland America - very elegant - very popular with the "senior" crowd.  Disney Cruise Line - cutsie and magical -catering to the young as well as the young-at-heart.  Somewhere in the middle floats Carnival Cruise Lines - living up to their claim to fame "The Fun Ships".  No matter what you are looking for in a cruise vacation, with a little research you can find the perfect one for you.

Having cruised with several of these cruise lines, I have to say that Norwegian Cruise Lines is the one that I will keep going back to. Their ships are clean, their staff is friendly and helpful, the food is always good, and as their advertising slogan states:  You are free to "whatever".  It was Norwegian Cruise Line that pioneered the concept of "Freestyle Cruising".  Although freestyle is definately not for everyone, that is the one thing that has captured my loyalty towards Norwegian Cruise Line.  As time goes on and the freestyle concept grows more popular, other cruise lines are beginning to impliment their own versions of this program. 

So what is this thing called Freestyle Cruising?  It's a program that helps make your cruise vacation  fit you personally.  The two most obvious differences between "traditional" cruising and "freestyle" cruising is that you eat when you want to eat and for the most part,you wear what you want to wear.  With traditional cruising, you have two set dinner times and you are assigned to one of them.  You eat dinner at the same time every evening, and you eat with the same table guests each evening.  With freestyle cruising you eat when you are hungry, and are able to work dinner time around whatever activities you are participating in on any given day.  No more rushing through dinner to get to the show on time.  No more racing back from a shore excursion in order to get to dinner on time.  Freestyle dining = less stress and less indigestion.  It also allows you to decide who, if anyone, you have dinner with.  You want a romantic table for two - you got it!  You want to dine at a table full of fellow cruisers - you got it!  Freestyle is very much your Burger King on the high seas - you can "have it your way".

The other big difference between traditional and freestyle cruising is the laid back dress code.  With freestyle cruising, men are no longer required to wear ties and dress shirts in the evening.  Instead, the dress code for the evening is "Resort Casual".  If you are more comfortable in a pair of khakis and a golf shirt, then you can feel free to dress that way.  For women, dresses and fancy pants are no longer required in the evening.  If you are more comfortable in a pair of Capris and a nice top - feel free!  Originally, freestyle did prohibit jeans in the main dining rooms during the evening meal, however passengers have pushed that envelope to the point that you may now wear jeans in the dining rooms if you choose to.  The only downside to the laid back dress code is on the formal nights when you can choose to get all dressed up only to be sat at a table in the dining room next to a couple with him in his jeans and aloha shirt and she in her sundress and flip flops.  It would be nice if they would reserve one of the dining rooms on formal night for those who choose to dress in formal attire.  On the plus side - if you are traveling with children, this is definately the way to go!  No more fighting with them to get dressed in the evening.

The Norwegian Cruise Line staffs their ships with an International Crew.  It is so nice to see so many people from so many different countries from all over the world working together in harmony.  You may be served dinner by a server from India and have a room steward from Jamaica.  It's not unusual to see a bartender from Romania and a chef from Sweden.  Just reading the name badges on the staff is a geography lesson in itself.  We have always found the crew to be very courteous and helpful, from the officers all the way down to the maintenance crew.  We have come to experience excellent service on every cruise we have taken with Norwegian, and putting aside a "hic-up" or two with customer service, we have experienced the same quality service from the corporate offices in Miami.  I have on occasion written letters upon my return from cruises - some to offer praise and others to offer "suggestions".  I have been pleasantly surprised to have each of my letters answered (both good and bad), and most often the response was accompanied by tokens of their appreciation (ie: shipboard credit and various ammenities on future cruises).

With 10 ships currently in their fleet, and the 11th scheduled to set sail in a couple of months, Norwegian is currently bringing their passengers to exotic locations all over the world.  Offering cruises to the Caribbean, Mexican Riviera, Hawaii, the Panama Canal, Alaska, Europe, Bermuda, the Pacific Coast, Canada and so many other exotic locations.  Norwegian Cruise Line has the perfect cruise vacation for just about anyone!  I am predicting with the addition of the Epic, scheduled to start sailing in June, we should start seeing some pretty good prices on Cruise vacations.  All of the cruise lines out there are building bigger and better ships.  With more staterooms becoming available, its bound to be difficult to fill all of those rooms - hopefully resulting in more appealing pricing!!

Yes!!  Your ship has come in!!!!  (Now don't get caught at the airport!!).  Tune into my next post for TSA tips to help get you through the airport with minimal hassle!!

TIP:  Most cruise ship staterooms only have one or two electrical outlets available for use.  Be sure to pack a small electrical bar or multi outlet extension cord to accomodate the curling irons, laptops, cell phones, razors, battery chargers and all of those electrical items you may bring along.

Welcome!! Let's Talk Travel !

Welcome to "Voyages and Adventures - Let's Talk Travel". It is my hope that this blog will become an interactive experience where anyone who visits will feel free to become involved by sharing their experiences, thoughts and ideas! This is a blog where we will talk ANYTHING "TRAVEL". Have you just returned from an exciting vacation? Let's hear about it! What about special "packing" tips? That one thing you never leave home without? We want to know! Do you know any secrets to get us through airport security - hassle free? What about traveling with children? Any advice for the "family travelers" (or advice for those who are lucky enough to have the seat in front of the one child on the plane who is less than happy about being there!!). These are the types of things I hope will be shared on this blog!

I have been so lucky to be able to travel throughout my entire life. It is hard to believe that there are folks out there who have never had the opportunity to travel - some who have not even been beyond the borders of their own home state. I have travelled enough to realize that there is beauty all around us and you don't necessarily have to be a "World Traveler" to visit some pretty interesting destinations. There are so many exciting and fun destinations right here in the United States. From a magical day at Disney to a historical tour of our nation's capital, Washington DC. An exhillerating day of Mardi Gras in New Orleans to a relaxing riverboat cruise on the Mississippi River. There is so much to see and do right within our own borders. In fact, I am certain that wherever you are, there is likely to be an exciting vacation spot just hours away from your home. If you are familiar with some of those fascinating places in your area, please feel free to share! With the economy the way it is, more and more people are looking for places to go that are more affordable, yet a nice getaway! We'll talk about that.

Anyone who knows me knows that I am an avid "cruiser". It is my opinion that there is no vacation like a cruise vacation. So naturally, you can prepare yourself to read a lot about cruising here on the blog. I have been to many dynamic destinations via cruise ship. Bermuda, Alaska, Greece, Hawaii, Mexico, the Bahamas and more. It is very hard to pick which would be my favorite - so I guess I will just have to talk about them all! I will say that I have cruised several different cruise lines and I DO have a favorite! You can be sure that you will see me writing about that cruise line here on the blog. Of course the two best things about any cruise are the food and the friends. The friends you travel with and the friends you meet along the way - we all have some great stories to tell!

I can't wait to get started! Tune in tomorrow for my first "real" post where I will talk about my favorite Cruise Line. It has often been said that opinions are like belly buttons - we all have one! Tomorrow I will give my opinion of Norwegian Cruise Line and their "Freestyle" concept of cruising. Until then, please stop by my photo website to view some photos of my own Voyages and Adventures. www.fryesphotos.com I look forward to sharing my thoughts and ideas with you - and hope that you will in turn share with us. Also coming soon is a post on TSA tips for a quick and easy airport security experience.

TIP: To get a nice picture of you and your spouse/companion together while on vacation, ask some one who has a nice camera around their neck to take it for you. If they have a nice camera themselves, they usually know how to take a good picture - centered and focused!