On the road again

The saying, "Take a vacation to rest-up from your vacation" may have more truth than fiction. For example, have you ever been on a cruise? The day of the cruise you lug everything to the airport, walk to the other end of your connecting terminal, deplane, pick-up your luggage, find your way to the cruise-person holding up a sign, board a bus for a ride to the ship, stand in line to go thru customs, get your ID badge to be able to charge onboard extra expenses, lug your luggage into your cabin and sit down.

The next thing you know, they are calling for a fire-drill. You must put on your floatation vest and report to the suspended boat above your head in the correct location. (You remember when they went thru a similar drill on the Titanic and all the good it did them.) By the time it is ready to set sail, you are ready for bed.

If you think the first day is tiresome, just wait until the last day. The first day will seem like a picnic. I guarantee you will fall exhausted into your own bed that night and murmur the words in a low-tone…"There's no place like home."

I've been on three cruises and trust me; I know what I'm talking about. All kidding aside, once you are on a cruise it will be hard to vacation any other way. There is no "Where do you want to go for dinner?" because every meal is at the same table with more than likely, the same wait staff who will cater to your every whim.

There is lunch on the Lido deck with bloody marys or mimosas. A band will play while you soak up the sun's burning rays. I always got a kick out of looking at fellow passengers at dinner after that first day at the pool. Little red faces looking around to compare their burns and see if anyone else over did it and mouthing, "Oh, you look as if you are in pain." It is part of the ritual, I experienced it myself first-hand.

I know some people who travel so much for their job that they seldom go away on vacation. I was having the breakfast buffet at a hotel in Chicago one morning and I asked some of these "Road Warriors" as they are lovingly referred to, what they do with all their frequent flyer miles and hotel points. One guy from Ohio laughed and said he gives them to his wife and kids so they can go away on vacation while he stays home and watches the fort. He says he plays up the fact he is always traveling and his family is stuck at home. This way he gets a vacation while his wife and kids are on vacation. "I let the lawn mowing go until the day before they get home along with the housework."

"The house doesn't get that messed up because I am usually sitting in my recliner drinking beer and ordering in pizza while watching sports" he said laughing. "Yep, that is my idea of the perfect vacation."

A lady sitting nearby almost choked on her cup of coffee as she heard his rendition of vacation madness. She turned and said, "Funny, that is exactly what I do with my husband and children."

"If your wife goes to Miami and stays at the Doral, we may have a problem." "My daughter said a really nice lady from OH taught her how to swim on vacation."

How is your wife's swimming?

"She was an Olympic swim instructor in her younger days." He said very matter-of-fact.

Things that I have learned traveling are:

1. Call the hotel directly to make reservations. Ask where the quietest rooms are and request upon check-in.

2. If you are working or vacationing for 30 days or longer, it is cheaper (most of the time) to book thru the end and not have days or weekends when you will check out. For example, Residence Inn in Chicago will give you a daily rate of $79.00 if you book for 30 consecutive days. If you check out for a weekend to go home (Friday thru Sunday) and return Sunday, the daily rate is $99.00. It actually saves you about $500.00.

3. Research the hotel, some that boast a three or higher rating are not as nice as one would think.

4. Make your plane reservations well ahead of 14 days. You will probably find a better flight and price if you go in after midnight.

5. If a cruise line has a new ship with its Maiden Voyage, book it. More than likely they will miss the date and you will get a free or deeply discounted rate.

6. Read the points earnings for hotels, airlines and rental cars. Some let you piggyback points. Drive a hertz rental and earn extra points at Holiday Inn.