Archive for May, 2008

Are you an avid sports fan? If so, there is a good chance that you will try and incorporate sports into your next vacation or business trip. If you are planning on enjoying a game of golf or a game of baseball, it is likely that you will want to bring along some sporting equipment with you. However, did you know there are certain restrictions on those items? If you are planning on traveling with sports equipment, not matter what sport that equipment is for, you are advised to familiarize yourself with these rules and restrictions.

As previously mentioned, golf is a sport that many travelers enjoy participating in. If you are planning on traveling with your golf clubs, you will need to treat them as checked baggage. All airlines currently have a ban on golf clubs being used as carryon luggage. Due to the cost of most golf club sets, you will either want to leave your clubs at home or properly protect them. If you are traveling to a golf resort or other popular vacation destination, there is a good chance that you should be able to rent a set of golf clubs. Although they will not be your own, it is nice to know that your set is safe at home.

In addition to golf, baseball is another sport enjoyed by many. Like golf clubs, baseball bats are banned from being used as carryon luggage. If you are planning on enjoying a game of baseball, on your next vacation or business trip, you will want to store your baseball bats in a secure bag that can safely be transported through different airports. While baseball bats are banned from airplane cabins, there is no mention of other equipment, such as cleats, helmets, or baseballs. For your own convenience, you may want to store these other baseball supplies in the same place as your baseball bats, in your checked baggage.

Of course, if you are planning on enjoying a hunting excursion, when on vacation or a business trip, you will need to keep your supplies in your checked baggage. All bows, arrows, and guns are strictly prohibited from being in airplane cabins. In fact, if you try and pass through a security checkpoint with these items, is there is a good chance that you will be detained by airport security, for further questioning. Although you may not necessarily think about it, bows, arrows, and guns are not only used for recreational purposes, but they are also used to harm others.

Additional sporting goods that are banned from being included in your carryon luggage include pool cues, ski poles, lacrosse sticks, or hockey sticks. As with all other items, if you are concerned with the safety of your sporting equipment, you are advised to rethink your decision to bring that equipment along. You can help to protect your equipment by making sure that everything is properly and safely packaged; however, there are no guarantees. You are also advised against relying on compensation from the airlines if and when your sports equipment suffers damage.

As previously mentioned, there are some sporting goods that are outright banned, but other rules are not so clear. If you are trying to decide whether or not you can pack other equipment in your carryon luggage, such as masks or other protective gear, you are advised to ask before heading out to the airport. In the event that these items are banned, you may have to make additional arrangements. Regardless of whether you choose to return the items to your car or mail them to your home, you may end up wasting unnecessary time and money.

 

Each year, a large number of individuals make the decision to take a cruise. Cruise ships are a great location to have your next vacation. If given the opportunity, many parents would choose to take a cruise alone. This isn’t because of a lack of love, but because of a common misconception among parents and cruise ships. Many individuals, including parents, believe that cruise ships are not designed for children, but that is simply not true.

If you are the parent of a child under the age of twelve, you may be wondering whether or not they should accompany you on your next cruise. If you are able to financially afford an additional ticket, you are encouraged to consider bring your child along. Not only will a cruise be memorable to your child, but it will be exciting. That is because a large number of cruise lines have tailored their cruise ships to children of all ages, including those under the age of twelve.

If you have yet to book your cruise ship reservations, you are encouraged to keep cruise ship activities in mind. The activities for children, under the age of twelve, will vary from ship to ship. That is why it is important that you examine each ship before making a final decision. Despite the fact that activities will vary from ship to ship, there are many activities geared towards children, under the age of twelve, which can be found on almost all cruise ships.

One of the many popular activities found aboard a cruise ship is a gaming. Arcade rooms are common on most cruise ships. They offer children, under the age of twelve, a safe place to have fun and be a child. Many cruise ship arcade rooms are staffed with cruise ship employees, but this should not deter you from keeping an eye on your child. When leaving them alone in an arcade room, you are encouraged to use your best judgment.

Another fun activity for children, under the age of twelve, includes swimming. All vacation cruise ships are equipped with a swimming pool. In addition to an adult sized swimming pool, wading pools can often be found aboard a number of popular family themed cruises. As with the arcade room, you are encouraged to use your best judgment when allowing your children to swim unattended. Lifeguards will be on duty; however, they cannot always guarantee the safety of your child.

In addition to a swimming pool and an arcade room, most cruise ships have an onboard movie theater or a performance stage. A large number of cruise lines offer family friendly movies, plays, and other performances. Children, under the age of twelve, may find these performances and movie showings fun and exciting. To determine if movie showing and performances are targeted to those under twelve, you are encouraged to check a cruise ship’s itinerary. A ship’s itinerary can be viewed with or without previously booked reservations.

Cruise ship restaurants and other dining facilities are likely to cater to children, under the age of twelve. Many restaurants offer children’s menus. These menus are likely to include tasty, but kid sized meals. The cost of your kid’s meals will vary from ship to ship; however, many cruise ships offer discounts on meals for children under the age of twelve.

Cruise ship childcare centers are facilities that benefit both parents and their children. While on a family vacation, even you need a break. For free or a small fee, you should be able to leave your children in the care of a trained and experienced childcare worker. Since a cruise ship is likely to have passengers of all different ages, many childcare facilities are grouped together by ages. As with most other services, you will find that a cruise ship’s childcare policy may vary form another’s.

The above mentioned activities, services, and facilities are just a few of the many that are targeted to children, aged twelve and under. If you are satisfied with the above mentioned services, facilities, and activities, you may want to consider scheduling your next family vacation aboard a cruise ship.