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Confirm your cellphone's rates - International travel tip
Before you leave home, make sure your cellphone has the ability for you to call home from all the places you will be visiting.
It's also a good idea to know your calling rates before you go, or purchase a a short-term international roaming plan through your carrier. Further, if your phone has Internet capabilities, be sure you know the international data rates, as well. You don't want to return home to a phone bill that costs as much as your trip!
Go local - Road trip tip
Go local.Whether dining out or purchasing necessities, when you're on a road trip, everything is an adventure.
If you run out of shampoo or shaving cream, instead of going to a big box store or chain pharmacy, go to a local drug store. You might even find a soda jerk behind the counter. Same rules go for dining out -- stay away from chain restaurants that you can go to the other 51 weeks of the year.
Also consider stopping at a fire station or police department and ask where the locals eat.
Research your excursions - Cruise trip tip
Every port of call has local individuals and companies that offer excursions, and they're often much cheaper than those offered by the cruise line. There's a reason your cruise director is constantly urging you to purchase your excursions early -- the cruise line wants to make money! Instead of using the cruise ship's excursion options, consider making your excursion plans before you leave home -- or you can even decide when you get off the ship. Just use your best judgment in choosing with whom you go.
Have a good time, be sure to get back to the ship safely and on time, and always travel off the ship with at least one companion.
[Image credit: Luke Robinson]
