Russia Travel

Travel East Russia - Travel Partners Travel Partners Throughout our years of involvement in Eastern Russia, we have worked and cooperated with numerous travel companies. We have had a chance to look at their operating capabilities and procedures, their product, their management style and most importantly how they deal with their clients. We also monitor for safety concerns and client's response to their tour programs. We undertake at least two to three trips each year to monitor development and work very closely with the travel community here in the US and in Eastern Russia. We have also put in a system of ranking tour operators according to their experience with foreigners. *Extensive working experience with international travelers **Interested in working with foreigners. Great experience working with Russians These travel partners provide individual arrangements. They also can put together tour packages upon request: Buryatia Region Baikal-Naran Tour * Contact: Sesegina Rabdanova, General Director baikalnarantour@mail.ru This company has lots of logistical experience in Buryatia. The General Director is a former Intourist employee and of Buryat heritage. They offer a number of different programs with local Buryat communities. They formerly operated in cooperation with a US partner. Firn Travel * Contact: Larissa, International Travel Coordinator Info@travelbaikal.net Firn travel has long time experience in ecotourism operations in Buryatia. They started out at Firn Club, dedicating their efforts to leading volunteer youth groups on ecotours in the regions of Severobaikalsk and the Barguzinsky Reserve. They have both English and German speaking staff and have a lot of experience in operating tours for German tour operators. Irkutsk Region Baikal-Discovery * Contact: Alexei Nikorof, Manager travel@baikal-discovery.com Alexei Nikiforov has been involved in tourism in Irkutsk for a long time, about twenty-five years, first as an Intourist guide, later connected with the Baikal Business Center, Green Express and now his own company. The company has long -term experience in operating eocotours connecting the regions of Mongolia, Buryatia and the Irkutsk region. Their itineraries are well researched and include unique encounters with the indigenous populations. Alexei is a tireless supporter of ecotours in this part of Russia. He writes a lot of articles about ecotourism development, speaks at conferences and educates other tour companies on following ecotourism principles in their own operations. Ivan Ivanov who oversees the operational aspects for the company has achieved one of Russia's highest accomplishments graduating from the Presidential Management course with honors. Both Alexei and Ivan are involved in the development of interesting program spanning all nearby regions. The company also offers an interesting program of winter activities and is always interested in new ecotourism ideas. They have cooperated with a number of travel companies from Europe and the US, including TCS Expeditions. Kamchatka Region Kamchatintour * www.kamchatintour.ru Contact: Irina Sedova, Director of Tourism inform@kamchatintour.ru Kamchatintour was one of the first companies after Perestroika that took the lead in catering to international travelers. They met the first expedition ship traveling from the Komandor Islands to Petropavlovsk. They also developed the first business partnership with Japan now generating about four to five charters of ecotravelers to Kamchatka from that country. Innovative ideas and excellent operational qualities characterize this agency. ExploreKam * Contact: Martha Madsen, Director explorekam@elizovo.ru Explore Kamchatka In 1991, Martha Madsen was the Curator of the Pratt Museum of Homer, Alaska. Even at that time, Martha had a great interest in bringing cultures together and worked with both native Alaskan and Koryak and Even cultures of Kamchatka. Little did she know that she would eventually move from Alaska to a totally different environment, Kamchatka, Russia? When I met Martha, she had finished a stint as Assistant Director for Program Development and Fund Raising at the Yelizovo District Library System and just started her career in travel with Yelizovo Tour Service. This agency was way ahead of the crowd, perhaps not in experience, but in concept as it brought together many of he smaller entrepreneurs who had specific skills related to travel and used their expertise to create and manage their own tours. Not an easy thing to do, in a region where competition is frowned upon. The idea itself though, offers the traveler the best experience. Martha not satisfied with this experience alone, also opened the first Bed & Breakfast in Yelizovo, in a house she and her Russian husband are carefully refurbishing. From feedback, we have heard they serve the most wonderful meals and the ambiance brings travelers back over and over again. Martha as an extension to her hospitality efforts also now operates her own tours, continuing the principle of joint operations with those who have the greatest knowledge. Martha is also the creator and editor of the Kamchatka Explorer brochure. This brochure contains great information about the region and its tourism possibilities. The information is also available through a Web Site www.kamcahtkaepxlorer.com. Volcanolog Tour * Contact: Elena Kochneva, Director travel@mail.iks.ru This company is lead by a scientist in volcanology and a man with great knowledge and humor. He has worked with many German and French groups and has an excellent reputation. Kamchatka Travel Group Ltd. ** Contact: Yulia Nenasheva, inbound travel services yulianiko@yahoo.com This company was founded and is managed by a number of travel professionals with long term experience in tour management in Kamchatka The Climb ** Contact: Galina V. Volgina, Owner climbkam@hotmail.ru This company has been offering hiking and climbing tours in Kamchatka for at least ten years. The company has also a partner in Alaska. Beringia Land ** Contact: Inna Obukhova, Executive Manager inna@mail.iks.ru Beringia Land has been leading sled dog races over the past years. . Beringia is a philosophy as much as a company, offering unique experiences beyond the conventional for the last twelve years. Itineraries offered include remote wilderness travel to general sightseeing and activities from hiking, river rafting and sea kayaking to dog sledding. The company focuses on tours off the beaten path an entrance into what makes Kamchatka so special. Khabarovski Krai Unitravel ** Contact: Ivan Kazzenov Ivan@unitravel.com We have not worked with this company before. They did attend our training and have been excellent in following through with our recommendations. The company has established several ecotours in the region. Bon Voyage * Contact: Svetlana Cherkasova, Director svetlana@mail.kht.ru The company has an excellent record in operating complex logistics and has shown a aptitude for working with foreigners. Primorski Krai Dalintourist * Contact: Olga V Bekhtereva, Director Inbound Department dalint@mail.primorye.ru This company has good experience with international travelers and offers programs all over the Primorski Krai. One of their new efforts includes the development of community tourism in a small village north of Vladivostok. The village still offers travelers a look at the traditional way of life during the soviet years. Dalintourist offers accommodations in its own lodging facility. Villagers are employed in all activities and benefit economically from them. Intourist, Nahodka * Contact: Natalia Kucherenko, Head of International Department natalia@intourist.nahodka.ru Intourist has both an office in Nahodka and Vladivostok. Mirabel Tour Company ** Contact: Elena Andreeva, General Director mirabel1@vladivsotok.ru An established, innovative tour company in Vladivostok offering a variety of tours in the region. They are one of the first agencies offering nature oriented tours to the local population and foreign travelers accompanied by a specialist. The agency is very supportive of new tour development and is always looking for new tour product. "Nika tour - 2000" Co., Ltd** Contact: Tatyana Kalinina, General Director nikatour@mail.ru Terratour ** Contact: Anastasiya K. Kaushinskaya, Manager terra-julie@mail.ru This company has not had much experience with the international market place. However, they are very experienced in handling logistics all over Russia. They just finished managing a motorcycle race from Moscow to Vladivostok. Also recommended by WWF/Russia. Vladivostok Travel & Excursion Bureau** Contact: Elvira Khodounova, General Director globus@vlad.ru Vzmorye * Contact: Svetlana Lozovskaya, Leading specialist vzmorye@mail.ru This company is lead by a team of scientists in the field or ornithology and biology. They also have set up a network of B & B's throughout the Primorski Krai. The company is very knowledgeable about birding tours in the Far Eastern Marine Preserve and also nature oriented tours to other areas of the Primorski Krai. The company has excellent relationships with WWF/Russia and the local government. Maik-DV Contact: Natalya Nosyreva Maik-Dv@yandex.ru This company has quite a bit of experience handling conferences andmeetings for the regional government. They also have a number ofspecialists they work with specifically on programs focussing on theAmur Tiger. Magadan Region DVS Tour * Contact: Victoria Belger, Manager dvs_tour@sferacom.ru DVS-TOUR has been organizing ecological, fly fishing and rafting tours for many years. Clients include both Russian and foreign clients. Last year the company managed expedition cruise clients of Zegrahm, a well know US company. Virginia ahs spend about four months in the US as an intern with several ecotourism companies. Yakutia Region Tour Service Center. Co. Ltd. * Contact: V. Ipatiev, Director contact@yakutiatravel.com This company offers exciting and well-managed excursions of Yakutia. One of the main reasons they can do this is because they work with a number of tourism partners in the region who have expertise in specific activities. Arctic Travel * Contact: Guerman Arbugaev, Director g-arbugaev@yandex.ru arctic@sakha.ru This company offers excellent experience in one of a kind tours around Yakutia, specifically to off the beaten places, such as reindeer herding camps, both in the summer and winter. They also offer birding tours in the north. The company has excellent contact with all indigenous communities. Join our mailing list be informed of tours as they become available: Email: Subscribe Unsubscribe World Wise Ecotourism Network 1321 W. Emerson #6 Seattle, WA 98119 Phone: 206-282-0824 Fax: 206-281-4417 E-mail: Info@TravelEastRussia.com 2000 All Rights Reserved

Asia travel, Deluxe travel

Luxury travel to Asia - ABSOLUTE ASIA - deluxe tours to Asia "I loved the people, sights, hotels - I enjoyed everything!! Most of all, I enjoyed the flexibility and ease of the entire trip. Thank you!" --- -G.D., Piedmont, CA November 2005 Travel company offering deluxe, private tours in Vietnam , Japan , China , Indonesia , Bali , Tibet , Nepal , Bhutan , India , Central Asia , Cambodia , Burma , Turkey , Papua New Guinea, Hong Kong , Iran , Pakistan , and Thailand . luxury asia tour: Absolute Asia, Absolute Africa, and Absolute South Pacific are the leading providers of deluxe, custom-designed tours to Asia , the Middle East , North Africa, Australia, and the South Pacific. Since 1989 we have been offering an unrivalled collection of creative itineraries throughout these regions. Our parent company, Absolute Asia, began by specializing in travel to Thailand and Indochina. We now arrange customized tours to over 30 other Asian destinations including China, Japan, Bali and Indonesia, India, the Himalayas, Iran, and Turkey. In response to a growing demand for similar services in the South Pacific, we created Absolute South Pacific, a division devoted exclusively to travel in Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, and the South Pacific islands. We have recently expanded into the Middle East and North Africa -- regions where travelers will find the culture and natural wonders to be as magnificent and fascinating as those found in Asia-Pacific - with the launch of Absolute Africa. luxury asia tour: In each destination, our tours include expert local tour guides, exclusive activities, luxury accommodations, gourmet restaurants, and travel innovative touring. We are dedicated to serving our travel clients before, during, and after they luxury asia tour travel and, as a result, most of our clients come to us by personal referral or on a repeat basis. In fact, we are regularly featured in various travel publications that represent some of the most discerning travel voices in the world of travel: Conde Nast Traveler, Travel + Leisure, The New York Times, Town & Country, Frommer's, Fodor's, Saveur, Gourmet, and more. From elegant palace travel hotels in travel India, to luxurious travel resorts on the Great Barrier Reef - our tours are truly for the discerning traveler. We look forward to welcoming you to our world of travel! luxury asia tour LUXURY ASIA TOURS Asia, travel, tour, tours, travel Asia tours , Asia tour, Asia travel, Deluxe travel Asia Travel, Luxury Asia travel, Absolute Asia , Tours, touring, Asia, travel, deluxe , luxury, luxury tours, privately guided asia tour , Luxury tours to Asia: private, custom-designed, customized, customized touring , travel Southeast Asia , travel East Asia , travel India asia tour , travel Himalayas , travel Central Asia , travel Thailand asia tour , travel Cambodia , Asia luxury travel: Burma asia tour , Asia luxury travel: Myanmar asia tour , Asia luxury travel: Vietnam asia tour , Asia luxury travel: Laos , Travel Malaysia - asia tour , Asia luxury travel: Travel Philippines asia tour , Luxury tours to Asia: travel Singapore , Luxury tours to Asia: Hong Kong , China asia tour , Asia luxury travel: Indonesia asia tour , travel Bali , Japan , Korea, travel Taiwan , Mongolia , Luxury tours to Asia: travel Tibet , Luxury tours to Asia: travel Nepal , Luxury tours to Asia: Bhutan , Sikkim, Darjeeling, Luxury tours to Asia: Pakistan , Luxury tours to Asia: Maldives , Luxury tours to Asia: Sri Lanka tour , Luxury tours to Asia: Turkey asia tour , Luxury tours to Asia: Iran tour asia tour , Luxury tours to Asia: Jordan , Luxury tours to Asia: Syria tour asia tour , Luxury tours to Asia: Lebanon tour , Israel tour , Middle East tour , Uzbekistan tour , Luxury tours to Asia: Kyrgyzstan tour tour , Luxury tours to Asia: Turkmenistan tour asia tour , Mutli-Country tours.

Japan Travel Tips Japanese

Japan Travel Information - World Travel  You are here: About > Travel > Japan for Visitors Travel Go Japan Essentials Clickable Map of Japan Japan Pictures Japan Travel Tips Japanese Geisha Japan 101 - Fact about Japan Articles & Resources Japan Maps Picture of Japan / Web cams Best of Japan / Attractions Hotels/Accommodations Tokyo / Cities / Regions Japanese Translators Japanese Culture Etiquette / Living in Japan Japan Weather / Geography Japan History / Samurai Japanese Penpal / Chat Plan Your Trip to Japan Air Travel / Train Travel Restaurants / Japanese Food Japanese Gift / Japan Books Buyer's Guide Before You Buy Top Picks Japanese Gifts Product Reviews Forums Help FREE Newsletter Sign Up Now for the Japan for Visitors newsletter! See Online Courses   Search Japan for Visitors From Shizuko Mishima , Your Guide to Japan for Visitors . FREE Newsletter. Sign Up Now! Best Japan Photos in 2005 Which Japan photo gallery was viewed the most by visitors to About Japan for Visitor's site? Best Japan Photo Gallery of 2005 Wednesday December 28, 2005 | permalink Japanese New Year's Cards Sending New Year's cards to relatives, friends, teachers, classmates, and co-workers is an important custom in Japan. Send your favorite Japanese new year's cards online! Free Japanese ecards Monday December 26, 2005 | permalink Photo Gallery: Christmas Decorations in Japan Christmas in Tokyo Disneyland, Odaiba, Ebisu Garden Place, and more. Japanese Christmas Pictures Saturday December 24, 2005 | permalink Christmas in Tokyo There are many fun events and beautiful Christmas illuminations to visit in Tokyo. Here is a list of places to go. Tokyo Christmas Pictures of Christmas in Japan Shibuya Photo (c) Shizuko Mishima, licenced to About.com, Inc. Wednesday December 21, 2005 | permalink Japan Holiday Travel Tips Are you planning to visit Japan in December or January? I have some travel tips for you. Japanese Holidays Monday December 19, 2005 | permalink Japanese Railways Japanese railway systems are very advanced. Traveling by trains is very efficient. Plan a trip by trains in Japan. A list of railways in Japan Photo (c) 2005 Shizuko Mishima, licensed to About.com, Inc. Saturday December 17, 2005 | permalink Health Insurances in Japan "I plan on going to Japan in April to study for two years can anyone tell me what is a good insurance company. I hear health care in Japan is very expensive..." Suggestions? Friday December 16, 2005 | permalink Christmas in Japan December 25th is not a Japanese national holiday . How do Japanese people spend Christmas? Read more... Pictures of Christmas in Japan Pictures of Tokyo Ebisu Garden Place, Tokyo - Photo (c) Shizuko Mishima, licenced to About.com Inc. Wednesday December 14, 2005 | permalink Japanese Gift Ideas This is a list of Japanese things which might be good gifts for your loved ones. Japanese Gifts Monday December 12, 2005 | permalink Top 10 Christmas Lights to See in Japan Beautiful Christmas decorations are seen many places. This is a list of popular destinations for Christmas illuminations in Japan. Visit many places near your destinations! Japan Christmas Lights and Decorations Chirstmas in Japan Photo (c) Shizuko Mishima, licenced to About.com, Inc. Saturday December 10, 2005 | permalink Display Latest Headlines | | | Read Archives powered by Movable Type Advertisement Most Popular New Year Cards Japanese Geisha Christmas in Japan Japanese Tattoos Free Japanese postcards - Japanese new year cards - japan fr... What's Hot Japan Postcard - Japanese free email postcards - New Year's ... Japan Map - Nagano Prefecture Map - Map of Japan Universal Studios Japan Odaiba Photos Pictures of Japan - mount fuji picture - mt. fuji Photo Related Topics Japanese Cuisine Japanese Language Asia for Visitors Anime PlayStation Games        Topic Index | Email to a Friend Our Story | Be a Guide | Advertising Info | Work at About | Site Map | Icons | Help User Agreement | Ethics Policy | Patent Info. | Privacy Policy | Kids' Privacy Policy ©2005 About, Inc., A part of the New York Times Company . All rights reserved. Around About New Video iPod - Review POLL: Must-Have Gadgets VIDEO: Portable Gaming VIDEO: Choosing a TV Hugh Hefner's Life What's Hot Japan Postcard - Japanese free email postcards - New Year's ... Japan Map - Nagano Prefecture Map - Map of Japan Universal Studios Japan Odaiba Photos Pictures of Japan - mount fuji picture - mt. fuji Photo Headlines Best Japan Photos in 2005 Which Japan photo gallery was viewed the most by visitors... Japanese New Year's Cards Sending New Year's cards to relatives, friends, teachers, classmates, and... Photo Gallery: Christmas Decorations in Japan Christmas in Tokyo Disneyland, Odaiba, Ebisu Garden Place, and more.... Christmas in Tokyo There are many fun events and beautiful Christmas illuminations to...

Hotel Travel

O'Reilly Emerging Technology Conference 2005 Home Invitation Registration Speakers Program Overview Tutorials Sessions Events BOFs Wiki Community Meetings -- Exhibitors Sponsors Hotel/Travel See & Do Press Mail List Hotel and Travel Information Hotel | Airport Shuttles | Room Sharing | Travel Assistance | Conference Headquarters Hotel Adjacent to the Horton Plaza shopping center and located within walking distance of San Diego's bustling Gaslamp District, the Westin Horton Plaza offers countless opportunities for recreation and relaxation. Westin Horton Plaza San Diego 910 Broadway Circle San Diego, CA 92101 Tel: (619) 239-2200 Fax: (619) 239-0509 Due to the overwhelming popularity of The 4th Annual O'Reilly Emerging Technology Conference, the room block at the Westin Horton Plaza Hotel is currently sold out. The following is a partial list of alternate hotels in downtown San Diego, all within walking distance from the Westin Horton Plaza Hotel. Marriott Courtyard Downtown 530 Broadway San Diego, CA 92101 Phone: 619-446-3000 Holiday Inn on the Bay 1355 N. Harbor Drive San Diego, CA 92101 Phone: 619-232-3861 Gaslamp Plaza Suites 520 E Street San Diego, CA 92101 Phone: 619-232-9500 The Horton Grand Hotel 311 Island Avenue San Diego, CA 92101 Phone: 619-544-1886 More hotel information may be found at the San Diego Convention & Visitors Bureau . O'Reilly Media, Inc. has no affiliation with these hotels. Getting There Airport Shuttles Convenient shuttle transportation to the Westin Horton Plaza is available for those flying into the San Diego International Airport . Cloud 9 Shuttle Phone: 1 (800) 9-SHUTTLE XPress Shuttle Phone: 1 (800) 900-7433 Driving Directions From Northeast Take I-15 South to 163 South. 163 will end and put you on 10th Avenue. Proceed to Broadway and turn right. Turn left on Broadway Circle. The hotel is on the right. From South Take I-5 North and exit at J Street, which is a one-way street. Take J Street to Market Street and turn left. Proceed to First Avenue and turn right. Then turn right at E Street. The hotel is on the corner. From East Take I-8 East to 163 South. 163 will end and put you on 10th Avenue. Proceed to Broadway and turn right. Turn left on Broadway Circle. The hotel is on the right. From Northwest Take I-5 and exit at Front Street, which is a one-way street. Proceed to E Street and turn left. The hotel is on the right. Parking Valet Parking: $25.00 per night Self-Parking: $15.00 per night Rates are subject to change without prior notice. Room Sharing If you are looking to save money on your housing costs, you may wish to room-share. The ETech wiki contains a Room Sharing page where you can post information about yourself along with the type of room sharing situation with which you are most comfortable. If not comfortable with posting your info, simply peruse the listing of others looking for room sharing situations whom you can contact. Room Sharing page to submit your information and be added to the mailing list. The list will be updated and broadcast weekly. -- Travel Assistance The official O'Reilly conference travel planner offers one-stop shopping for your air travel and other travel needs in connection with your attendance at an O'Reilly conference. Vivian V. Russell Travel Services 182 Farmers Lane, Suite 102 Santa Rosa, CA 95405 Phone: (707) 525-0550 Fax: (707) 525-0560 Email: International Attendees Please visit www.unitedstatesvisas.gov for important information about international travel to the United States. Rental Cars Should you choose to make travel arrangements independently, you may contact Hertz directly to receive the special O'Reilly discount on rental cars at the O'Reilly Emerging Technology Conference. To reserve a car with your special rate, call Hertz : 1 (800) 654-2240 in the U.S. 1 (800) 263-0600 in Canada (405) 749-4434 outside of these areas or call your nearest Hertz reservation center, your corporate travel department, or your travel agent. You must give the agent the Hertz CV #022J1438 . Air Travel United Airlines is the official airline of the O'Reilly Emerging Technology Conference. If you or your travel agent call United's toll-free number (1-800-521-4041) to book your reservations, you will receive 5% discount off the lowest applicable discount fare, including First Class or a 10% discount off full fare unrestricted coach fares, purchased 7 days in advance. An additional 5% discount will apply when tickets are purchased at least 30 days in advance of your travel date. Discounts also apply on Shuttle by United and United Express. Call United's Specialized Meeting Reservations Center at 1-800-521-4041 to obtain the best fares and schedule information. You must refer to Meeting ID #537GM in order to receive the conference attendee discount. Be certain to give either your travel planner or the United reservation agent (1 (800) 521-4041) this number. O'Reilly Media, Inc. assumes no responsibility or liability for the facilities or services provided by the vendors and suppliers. Anyone attending this conference releases O'Reilly from any and all claims that may arise out of attending at this conference. Westin Horton Plaza Reservations Choose the "Book Now" button that appears on the left side of the page. Choose your arrival and departure dates, room preference, click "search" and continue through the reservation system. An email confirmation will be sent to you, confirming your hotel reservation at the Westin Horton Plaza for the O'Reilly Emerging Technology Conference. To make your hotel reservations by phone, call: 1 (800) WESTIN-1 or call the hotel directly at (619) 239-2200. Getting There Room Sharing page to submit your information and be added to the mailing list. The list will be updated and broadcast weekly. -- International Attendees Please visit www.unitedstatesvisas.gov for important information about international travel to the United States. Rental Cars Should you choose to make travel arrangements independently, you may contact Hertz directly to receive the special O'Reilly discount on rental cars at the O'Reilly Emerging Technology Conference. To reserve a car with your special rate, call Hertz : 1 (800) 654-2240 in the U.S. 1 (800) 263-0600 in Canada (405) 749-4434 outside of these areas or call your nearest Hertz reservation center, your corporate travel department, or your travel agent. You must give the agent the Hertz CV #022J1438 . Air Travel United Airlines is the official airline of the O'Reilly Emerging Technology Conference. If you or your travel agent call United's toll-free number (1-800-521-4041) to book your reservations, you will receive 5% discount off the lowest applicable discount fare, including First Class or a 10% discount off full fare unrestricted coach fares, purchased 7 days in advance. An additional 5% discount will apply when tickets are purchased at least 30 days in advance of your travel date. Discounts also apply on Shuttle by United and United Express. Call United's Specialized Meeting Reservations Center at 1-800-521-4041 to obtain the best fares and schedule information. You must refer to Meeting ID #537GM in order to receive the conference attendee discount. Be certain to give either your travel planner or the United reservation agent (1 (800) 521-4041) this number. O'Reilly Media, Inc. assumes no responsibility or liability for the facilities or services provided by the vendors and suppliers. Anyone attending this conference releases O'Reilly from any and all claims that may arise out of attending at this conference. ! -- O'Reilly Home | Privacy Policy © 2005, O'Reilly Media, Inc.

Cruise Vacation Travel Cruises

Better Your Chances for a Safe Cruise Vacation  You are here: About > Travel > Cruises > Cruise Planning > Better Your Chances for a Safe Cruise Vacation Travel Cruises Essentials Planning Your First Cruise Cruise Travel Packing List Choosing a Caribbean Cruise Destination How To Get a Passport How to Choose a Cabin on a Cruise Ship Articles & Resources Cruise Lines Cruise Destinations Cruise Photo Album Cruise Planning Cruise Reviews Cruise Cams Cruise Glossary Cruise News Getting There Lifestyle - Theme Cruises Cruise Activities Travel Gear and Gadgets Cruise Jobs More Cruise Resources Buyer's Guide Before You Buy Top Picks European Cruise Guidebooks Cruise Guidebooks - General Information Alaska Travel Guide Books Product Reviews Forums Help FREE Newsletter Sign Up Now for the Cruises newsletter! See Online Courses   Search Cruises Stay up to date! Email to a friend Print this page Most Popular Cruise Packing List Carnival Cruise Line Reviews Choosing a Cruise Ship Cabin Planning Your First Cruise Cruise Jobs What's Hot Carnival Conquest Review HAL Norfolk Cruises Alaska Cruise Itineraries Radisson Seven Seas Mariner Crown Princess 2006 Debut Related Topics Caribbean for Visitors Europe for Visitors Honeymoons / Romantic Getaways Senior Travel Travel with Kids Better Your Chances for a Safe Cruise Vacation From Linda Garrison , Your Guide to Cruises . FREE Newsletter. Sign Up Now! Things to Do to Avoid Being a Crime Victim A cruise ship is one of the safest places you can take a vacation. However, in today's world, that is not saying much! No one sets out to become a crime victim, but it can happen to anyone. There are steps you can take to lower your risk of being a crime statistic when you travel. Before You Leave Home Make copies of your passport, driver's license, credit cards, wallet contents, and travel documents (plane tickets, etc). You also should make a copy of the credit card "lost or stolen" notification phone numbers to include with this package. Leave one set of copies at home with a trusted friend or family member, and take the other set with you, packed separately from the originals. Many cruise ships will hold your passport to expedite clearing the ship in foreign ports. Therefore, I always make a couple of extra copies of my passport to use to take ashore. Buy an under-the-clothing money bag and use it. These can be quite comfortable, and will thwart "cut and run" thieves who have been known to cut purse straps or waist packs right off their victims. Packing Your Luggage Don't rush out and buy expensive luggage. Plain-looking luggage is less likely to be a target. Some thieves might equate expensive luggage with expensive contents. Make a list of everything you have put in your luggage, and take pictures of it while packing in case of loss. Don't pack medications, eyeglasses, and valuables in your checked luggage. (Better yet, don't take valuables like expensive jewelry with you on the cruise.) Although you need to put external (and internal) tags on your luggage, don't list your full home address on the outside. This is a signal to expert thieves that you won't be home for a week! You really don't want to advertise to everyone at the airport where you live. Although you don't want expensive luggage, you do want luggage that will not pop open at an inopportune time. I've seen all sorts of baggage contents (including some "unmentionables") come out on the luggage carousels at the airport, and always felt sorry for the owners whose bags had come open. Consider using an extra band, airport plastic wrap, or duct tape to help secure your bags. You can buy self-locking plastic tags from travel or home improvement stores for about a dollar. These work well on zippered bags. In Your Cabin When you first get to your cabin, check the bathroom and closet while the cabin door is still open. While a ship is in port, many more people have access to it than you might imagine. Being cautious never hurt anyone. In addition, sometimes the locks on cruise ship cabins are not changed as often as hotel locks. Don't leave valuables lying around in your cabin. Put your wallet and valuables in the cabin's safe or the purser's safe. Be sure to use ALL the locks on the door when you are asleep. Don't open the door to strangers. Protect your cabin key and cabin number. On the Ship Although cruise ships are relatively safe, common sense is needed even at sea. Stay in the public areas, and remember that a cruise ship and its crew and passengers are like a small city, not like your family. If you are cruising with your children, set rules just like at home. Establish curfews for your teenagers, and caution them to not accompany crew members to non-public areas. Don't give your children "the run of the ship" while you are in the club, show, or casino. While In Port If you are going to be a crime victim while on a cruise, it is most likely to occur when you are ashore. Most crimes committed against cruise passengers are those of opportunity. I wear an under-the-clothing bag for my money and credit cards. While in Europe on a cruise vacation, there were at least three men on our cruise whose pockets were picked. Two men had their wallets in their back pocket--the worst place to carry it! One of these men was in the elevator of our pre-cruise Barcelona hotel, and another was waiting to cross the street at a busy intersection. The third man was on a crowded subway in Rome, and had his wallet in his front pants pocket. All three of these crimes could have been avoided. I once had my purse stolen while on business in Washington, D. C. I left it on the back of my chair while dining. I now know to hold it in my lap. I was very glad that I had recorded all of my credit card numbers (and notification phone numbers) in a place other than my purse. I was able to quickly notify the credit card companies and my bank, even though the theft occurred at night. You can't put your camera inside your clothing and have it ready to snap that special picture. Don't put it in a backpack, unless you wear it in front! I have a small camera bag that I can attach to a belt. If you want to carry it in a waist pack, put the strap through your belt loops. These tips are all common sense. Use them to make your next cruise vacation a safe one! Page 2 > > More on Having a Safe Cruise Vacation > > 1 2 3 Next        Topic Index | Email to a Friend Our Story | Be a Guide | Advertising Info | Work at About | Site Map | Icons | Help User Agreement | Ethics Policy | Patent Info. | Privacy Policy | Kids' Privacy Policy ©2005 About, Inc., A part of the New York Times Company . All rights reserved. Around About New Video iPod - Review POLL: Must-Have Gadgets VIDEO: Portable Gaming VIDEO: Choosing a TV Hugh Hefner's Life What's Hot Carnival Conquest Review HAL Norfolk Cruises Alaska Cruise Itineraries Radisson Seven Seas Mariner Crown Princess 2006 Debut