Not all berths are created equal.

Keep in mind the following tips when choosing a room on a cruise ship:

1. The quietest rooms are in the middle of the ship and – if you really want to sleep later – you won't see any signs of a sunrise in an inside cabin.
2. Unless you like to climb stairs, choose a floor that's close to the main deck.
3. Elevators on cruises are slow so you don't want to rely too much on them. Also, rooms near elevators can be noisy.
4. Finally, call right before your cruise to see if upgrades are available. If the ship isn't full, the cruise line may give you a better cabin for little or no extra money.

Happy cruising.

If you think all airline seats in the coach cabin are the same, you're wrong. Bulkhead seats (the first row of the cabin) offer more space than others, and you can get them without spending extra money.

These seats offer extra room and are frequently left open by airlines for disabled passengers and their families. If you fall into one of those categories, head up to the counter as soon as you get to the gate and ask for those seats.

If no one in your party is disabled, still go to the counter and ask if the bulkhead seats have been claimed on your flight and if you can have one.

Editor's Note: these seats won't have space under them for stowage, so all bags must go in the overhead bins. If you're a constant "belongings-checker," these seats may not be for you. Also, the tray tables may be less useful than the normally un-useful tray tables, due to their design.

Whether this is your first time at a hotel or you are a regular, you should always be a member of the chain's loyalty program.

There isn't a charge to join and – with your very first stay – you start gaining points. Points can be used for free nights and other perks. Some programs (like Hilton Honors) will even let you exchange points for miles in airline programs.

Members of the hotel's loyalty program also have a better chance of getting upgrades, so make it a habit to join the program.