Cruise Archives - Unique Journeys LLC

Host a Virtual Travel Party

Mar 9, 2023

Here are two options how for hosting a virtual travel party.

Planning a River Cruise with friends? A great way to have a virtual travel party as you count down the days until your adventure begins.

Virtual on Zoom or in-person works if you live close enough.

As you and your friends are waiting to embark on your cruise, you can still have a fun travel-themed party to get excited about your upcoming trip virtually. You can do this monthly until the day arrives for your great adventure.

Here are some ideas:

Choose a cruise theme: Select a theme that reflects the cruise you will be taking, such as a tropical island or Caribbean cruise.
Set the scene: Decorate your space to fit the theme. You can use nautical decorations like anchors, fishnets, and shells, or create a tropical atmosphere with palm leaves, flowers, and bright colors.
Dress up: Encourage your traveling friends to dress up in cruise-inspired outfits, such as beachwear.
Serve cruise-inspired snacks: Serve snacks and drinks that fit the theme of your party. You can serve tropical cocktails, seafood appetizers, and desserts with a beachy twist.
Talk about activities: Each of you shares choices of what you have found you can do while on your cruise. (Ask others what they did for ideas or go to Google).
Play music: Create a playlist of music that fits the theme of your party. You can also include songs that you will hear on your cruise.
Make a countdown: Create a countdown to your cruise by making a calendar with the number of days left until your departure. Text your friends with a gif that lets them know you can’t wait for the trip and spending time with them.
Send each other items you can use on your cruises, such as suntan lotion, water bottle, power bank, or sunglasses.

The most important thing is to have fun and enjoy the company of your friends as you get excited about your upcoming cruise.

2nd option for those who like to travel but have not determined their next destination is a virtual travel-themed party can be a fun way to bring people together and explore the world from the comfort of your home. Cultivating relationships is one of the most important things in life.

Here are some ideas to get you started:

Choose a location you would all like to travel to in the future. It is always nice to talk with a travel agent.
Choose a theme: Select a specific location or type of travel, such as a beach vacation, a safari adventure, or a European tour.
Send invitations: Send virtual invitations to your guests, including the theme and any dress code suggestions.
Decorate: Set up a background that fits the theme of your party. You can also encourage your guests to decorate their backgrounds or wear costumes.
Plan activities: Come up with some activities that fit the theme of your party, such as trivia games, virtual tours, or photo sharing. You can also have a virtual scavenger hunt, where guests search for items related to the theme in their homes.
Serve themed snacks: Serve snacks and drinks that fit the theme of your party. For example, if your theme is a beach vacation, you could serve tropical cocktails and beachy snacks like fruit skewers or shrimp cocktail.
Play music: Create a playlist of music that fits the theme of your party. You can also ask your guests to suggest songs that remind them of the location or type of travel you are celebrating.
Share memories: Encourage your guests to share their own travel memories or stories during the party. You can also create a virtual photo album of your past trips and share it with your guests.

Remember, the most important part of hosting a virtual travel-themed party is to have fun and enjoy each other’s company, even if, more important if you can’t physically be in the same location.

You may be considering taking a cruise; here is a must-read article on avoiding river cruise booking mistakes. For the best river cruise experience, you will want to contact Nancy at Unique Journeys. She will assist you in finding the perfect cruise experience where you will create memories for a lifetime. You are welcome to find additional information at AMA Waterways regarding the luxury river cruise experience.

Staying Healthy While Traveling

Jan 14, 2023

Tips for Staying Healthy While Traveling

After years of staying home in isolation, we are seeing an increase in the number of individuals ready to travel. If there is one thing that the last 2 years have taught us, that is the importance of staying healthy while traveling. Regardless of if you are planning a short road trip or flying internationally, there are several important elements to keep in mind before heading on your dream vacation to ensure a healthy and smooth travel experience. Keep reading to learn our 5 top tips on staying healthy while traveling!

Stay Hydrated

The amount of water that you drink is one of the main ways to stay healthy while traveling. It is suggested that when you are on the road, you should consume 8 ounces of water per hour! If you are flying or planning on enjoying some alcoholic beverages, the intake should increase by another 1 – 2 ounces. Make sure to bring your own water bottle everywhere you go – yes, even when going to the beach! If you have trouble keeping track, a good idea is to also add a reminder notification on your phone to drink water every hour! You would be surprised how well it works!

Get Enough Sleep

The second reason why our immune system tends to weaken when traveling is the lack of enough sleep. Many of us get anxious and nervous a few days before leaving for a trip worrying if we have planned it all. Once you have reached your dream destination, on the other hand, it is highly likely for individuals to get hyperactive and overly excited to do as much as possible. All of this results in skimping on sleep and slowly starting to feel rundown. Do not forget to take rest and breaks and plan to sleep at least 7 hours per night. If you are crossing multiple time zones, try to adjust your body a few days before leaving too!

Bring Your Own Medications

Many travelers tend to create packing lists with all the essential clothes and shoes they will need. Oftentimes, however, medications are forgotten and left behind! Do not make the same mistake, though! From a first-aid kit to some basic multivitamins, having your own medications is a crucial element for staying healthy while traveling. Make sure to add Acetaminophen and Ibuprofen as fever and pain relievers. Herbal supplements rich in minerals and vitamins will also help keep your immune system intact.

Wash Your Hands

We bet that you have heard this too many enough times already! The pandemic from the past 2 years, however, has proven the importance of practicing good hygiene. Traveling exposes our bodies to thousands of bacteria and germs per hour. The best way to fight these is to wash our hands regularly. Do not forget to pack hand sanitizer and some wet wipes as well. Make sure to use these before eating and avoid touching your face as much as possible. Wearing a mask might be a thing of the past now; however, if you want to ensure staying healthy while traveling, we strongly suggest having a mask on, especially at highly crowded places such as airports, buses, trains, etc.

Check Your Immunization Record

Last but definitely not least, we would like to stress the importance of your immunization record. Often, individuals do not consider either the vaccines required for their travels or how up-to-date their immunization passport is. Start by researching the requirements of your destination. Especially if you are traveling to a tropical region – check for any potential diseases. Countries are still dynamically changing their entry conditions – so make sure also to check if you need to be vaccinated for COVID-19 or not. Do not hesitate to contact your doctor and check your immunization record with them. There is no better way to stay healthy while traveling than through prevention!

You should no longer be wondering how to stay healthy while traveling. As long as you follow this relatively simple but extremely vital sequence of steps to prepare for your trip, you should have a healthy and smooth holiday. If you still have concerns, though, you should definitely consult with your primary care provider.

Travel is Important for Your Mindset

Dec 14, 2022

Why Travel is Important for Your Mindset!

Traveling can be expensive, and it sometimes requires a significant amount of preparation and planning (you may want to use a Travel Agent versed in the areas you want to travel). Do you ever wonder if it is worth it? Keep reading, as today we are covering 4 reasons why travel is so important for your mindset!

It Reduces Stress

Feeling stressed and overwhelmed has become an inevitable part of our daily lives. Unfortunately, overcoming anxiety and stress and their negative impacts on our mindsets and quality of life has been increasingly more challenging and complicated. If you also feel stuck and are looking for good ways to reduce stress, travel, and take a vacation, getting away from your home might be just the answer you have been waiting for! Take time for yourself and rejuvenate your body and mind! You will definitely notice the difference as soon as you set foot out the door.

Boosts Productivity and Creativity

The stress of daily life often leads to getting stuck in a rut and needing change. If you lack motivation, which is also affecting your mindset, the fantastic idea is to find time to travel and experience something new and exciting. Taking a holiday would allow you to recharge your batteries and boost your productivity and creativity. Before you know it, you will return with a new desire for life and a better perspective on improving your work-life balance!

Travel Helps You Step Out of Your Comfort Zone

Are you still wondering why travel is so important for your mindset? If you do – here is another reason we have prepared for our list! Traveling helps you step out of your comfort zone, embrace the new, and self-improve through these new experiences! Of course, it takes time and is not always easy to adjust, but that makes traveling so rewarding. Go wild, experience new places and cultures, and you will quickly realize how much your mindset has broadened and widened!

Improves Your Relationships and Creates Real Friendships For Life

When people play together, they make memories for a lifetime. Plan a vacation holiday, book some activities for everyone, and experience new moments together. Not only are you creating memories to cherish long after you return home, but you are also improving your relationship with your loved ones. On the other hand, if you prefer to travel alone, everyone you will meet along the way will soon become your friends for life!

Now that you have gone through our list of the four reasons why travel is so important for your mindset, there is only one more question to answer – Are you ready to pack your bags and head on your next travel adventure, which will broaden your horizon and widen your mindset?

You may consider taking a cruise; here is a must-read article on avoiding river cruise booking mistakes. For the best river cruise experience, you will want to contact Nancy at Unique Journeys. She will assist you in finding the perfect cruise experience where you will create memories for a lifetime. You are welcome to find additional information at AMA Waterways regarding the luxury river cruise experience.

Top 5 Tips for Traveling with Pets

Oct 31, 2022

Top 5 Tips for Traveling with Pets

Traveling with pets can be fun and joyful but also difficult and challenging. We know the excitement of sharing your travel experiences with your furry friends, though, and that is why today we have prepared our list with the top 5 tips for traveling with pets!

Know Your Pets and Make Sure They are Ready for The Trip

By far, the most important thing to consider when planning a pet-friendly holiday is whether your animal is actually ready for the challenge. For example, if you have a new small puppy, it might be too early to take them on vacation. Moreover, you should always consider your itinerary and activities and ensure that you have enough time to spend with your pet. Sometimes it is best to know your pet’s personality and know if they would be better left home and safe.

Get your Paperwork Ready

Once you are past the first step and you are sure that the holiday you are planning is suitable for your pet, you should start working on getting their paperwork ready. If you do not have previous experience traveling with your furry friends, you might quickly discover that special travel documents take a while to collect. Ensure that your pet has a travel passport, as well as all necessary health certificates signed by their vet. Always check your destination’s vaccination requirements and the airline’s boarding procedure.

Choose the Best Travel Crate for Your Pet

One of the most important elements to remember is the comfort and safety of your pets during the actual travel phase. It might be heartbreaking, but this means having a confined space, such as a travel crate. Try to experiment with crates before your trip to ensure you have the correct size. There is no need to overdo it, but it is also a good idea to add a toy or two in the crate, which will provide your furry friend comfort and relief if needed.

Pack all the necessary supplies

Besides the travel crate and their favorite toys, your pet would benefit from having the most common and necessary supplies you use even at home. A leash with identification tags, some food, fresh water, and comfortable bedding are some of the items worth having on your packing list. It might seem excessive at first, but these supplies will help you massively to prepare for a stress-free pet-friendly vacation!

Find the Correct Accommodation

Last but not least, one of the top 5 tips for traveling with pets is ensuring they are as comfortable as possible and feel safe and at home even while away. Finding the correct accommodation, which is not only pet-friendly but will also provide additional perks for your furry friends, is a great way to do so. Make sure to go above and beyond for your pets, and do not just count on the pet policy listed on the website. Give your accommodation a call, and double confirm the expectations, and requirements, but also any benefits they might offer!

Now that you have our top 5 tips for traveling with pets, do you think you are ready to start planning your next pet-friendly vacation?

Best Ways to Take Photos When Traveling

Sep 30, 2022

Below you will find the best ways to take photos when traveling:

One of the best souvenirs you can bring home after a vacation is all the amazing memories you have made. But to capture these moments and be able to reminisce on them longer, you might also want to take some high-quality photos! Keep reading, as today we are sharing the best ways to take better photos when traveling if you want photos to last a lifetime!

Use the Golden Hour

We bet you have already heard the term “Golden Hour,” often used by professional photographers. If you are still unsure what it is, though, keep reading, as it is one of the best ways to take amazing photos when traveling. The few hours after sunrise and before sunset are known as “golden hour” or “magic hour” and provide the perfect lighting and softness for the dreamy photos you might have been dreaming of! Waking up early to catch the sunrise also means beating the tourist crowds and exploring your destination without additional disruptions and flocks of people!

Invest in a Good Camera /Phone

Nowadays, phones are pretty good at taking photos; however, if you want to step up your travel photography game, you might want to invest in a good, high-quality digital camera. While many popular brands might seem a bit too expensive if you are just getting started, SONY is an excellent choice if you have a tighter budget and are just an amateur. Many of their cameras are also smaller in size and lightweight, which will make them easier to carry around when traveling! Do not forget to spend some time studying your new camera, checking the instructions, and getting yourself familiarized with the settings!

As great of quality as cell phones are today, if yours has a high-resolution lens, this might be all you need. Just be sure you know how to use it and carry extra battery packs.

Bring a Tripod

If you have already invested in a high-quality digital camera and are still wondering what other ways to take better photos when traveling, we have the answer for you – bring a tripod. Many tourists try to stay away from buying and carrying a tripod as it can bulky and heavy; however, there are now multiple smaller and more portable options as well. If you are still unsure if a tripod is worth the investment, you can try borrowing one from a friend or renting it out. Once you start using it, you will immediately notice the massive difference it will make to the quality and sharpness of your travel photos!

Practice and Experiment

There is no doubt that one of the best ways to take better photos when traveling is to go out there, practice, and experiment. Photography is a form of art, so you cannot expect to nail it down immediately. Even still, though, this does not mean you should not be trying and giving it your best. If you want to dive into the world of photography, you might even want to take a class; however, we strongly suggest just trying different scenes, angles, lighting, etc. Do not be afraid to take random shots because you never know what magic moment you might have captured!

Do not Forget about Editing

Last but not least, you should remember that sometimes just taking a photo when traveling might not be enough. When you are back home, and you look at your shots on the computer, you will notice all the little imperfections or lighting issues. That is why it is worth learning a thing or two about editing. Being able to adjust the light and removing small objects are some of the most used editing techniques you should know. Check out Adobe Lightroom, one of the most popular and easy-to-use editing software to help your travel photos look even more dreamy!

Now that you have our list of the five best ways to take photos when traveling, are you ready to head out and capture some memories?

You may be considering taking a cruise, here is a must-read article on avoiding river cruise booking mistakes. For the best river cruise experience, you will want to contact Nancy at Unique Journeys. She will assist you in finding the perfect cruise experience where you will create memories for a lifetime. You are welcome to find additional information at AMA Waterways regarding the luxury river cruise experience.