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Travel Journaling Cruise: March 27 - April 11, 2009Become an Expert Travel Journaler as You Cross the Atlantic Ocean!Frequently
Asked Questions
The following frequently asked questions have written and answered by Brad Cilley at Northwest Travel Services. Brad is coordinating the cruise logistics and will be with us on the crossing. Dave will post some other FAQs relevant to the journaling classes soon. In the meantime, here's what Brad has to say: What if I want to spend more time in Brazil prior to the cruise or Spain afterward?I encourage you to take advantage of additional time in each country. Oceania offers hotel programs in both countries, though their pricing is not yet available. Their hotel programs in the past have been relatively expensive, but they include airport and pier transfers. Their hotels tend to be higher end properties, which drive the prices up. I've heard much about crime in Brazil. Should I be concerned?Rio, a city of over 6 million inhabitants has gotten a lot of press related to violent crime. Much of this is related to drug gangs and is generally concentrated in some of the poorer areas of the city. Using common sense is the key to protecting yourself in any city. There are certainly areas of Rio where you shouldn’t journey, just as you shouldn’t be strolling Central Park late at night. Travel with a friend, stay in high traffic areas, or stay with an organized tour. Don’t let these reports keep you from experiencing an incredible city. What about motion issues at sea?Newer ships are built with stabilizers to smooth the ride. Having said this, I recommend that you speak with a pharmacist about prescription or over the counter aids. There is no guarantee that you won’t develop motion illness, but there are many pharmaceuticals and natural remedies that call alleviate the symptoms or nip the problem before it starts. (Note from Dave: I've worked on cruise ships several times before in fairly rough seas. I've found that motion sickness wrist bands, available at most travel stores these days, work surprisingly well, as does gobbling down some candied ginger.) There’s an awful lot of time at sea. Doesn’t this get tedious?With the sheer number of activities available to you, you would have to try very hard to be bored. The ship has a great library where books are available to check out. There are numerous classes and seminars planned for this voyage. On our recent Mediterranean voyage, we had a group of 20-25 in our group that never missed the scheduled trivia battles. The spa is open all day long at sea, as is the casino. There are many venues throughout the ship featuring live music to relax or dance to. Even if you find some way to get bored, your day will be punctuated by five of the best meals you’ll have at sea. March 2009 seems like a long ways off. When should I make my reservations?Oceania is a popular line and this is a very good value for a 15-day cruise. Make your reservations as early as possible. I would not be surprised to see the entire ship sold out by July. What about documentation?United States and Canadian Citizens need a passport with at least six months of validity remaining after you arrive home. You will also need a Brazilian visa, but this will be obtained in advance of the cruise through Oceania. The cost is included in the posted prices. What’s the age range on a cruise like this?There will be a mix of age groups on-board. A longer cruise typically draws a more mature crowd, mostly due to the length of the cruise and the relative cost. A repositioning cruise such as this is priced well below a typical cruise of this duration, attracting a younger-than usual-clientele. I would anticipate you will find the passengers aboard this sailing to be fairly well traveled, in the 40’s-80’s range. Will there be opportunities to meet other people?In addition to the classroom and lecture sessions we will coordinate for this group, there will also be a reception early on in the cruise so our travelers can get acquainted with others in the group. I (Brad) will also be coordinating other events aboard specifically for our group. This will include a dining and activities list for anyone in the group wishing to find others with similar interests. I don’t speak Portuguese or Spanish. Is that a problem?Foreign travelers need not master the language of the countries they visit. That being said, I think it’s important for travelers to know some basics about the destination language. It’s a simple matter to learn the niceties of hellos and goodbyes in their language. I have found that it’s also wise to know what you are ordering off the restaurant menu, especially if you are at all particular about your intake. Even if you don’t get the pronunciation correct, the fact that you made the attempt goes a long way with your foreign host. I will print out a short list in Spanish and Portuguese to study in advance. To enhance your experience in these countries, I suggest you pick up a language course at a used book store or investigate an introductory language course through a local community college. You won’t regret the effort. Is travel insurance available to purchase?I can recommend two companies for travel insurance. Access America and CSA Travel Protection sell policies to protect your travel investment. The cost of these policies range from 6% of the total cost of the package on up to 10% and is determined by your age range. Travel protection provides for cancellation insurance, additional baggage coverage, medical coverage, and emergency evacuation. The decision to purchase travel insurance is a personal choice. I estimate about half of my clients purchase these policies. The major benefit is the cancellation waiver, which provides relief and a full or partial refund should you have to cancel for a covered reason. You can get a cost estimate from CSA Travel Protection. |
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