My Personal Experience As I Traveled In Havana, CUBA

My Name Is Lynnette & I Am A Travel Agent With Concierge Cruises - Travel Agency. 

I Recently Had The Pleasure Of Traveling To Cuba Aboard Norwegian Cruise Line. The Ship Was Called Sky. This Country Is A New Experience. American Citizens Have Been Unable To Travel To Cuba For Over 50 Years. Therefore, It Was Important To Myself That I Experience Cuba First Hand. It Turns Out Much Of The Information Given To Us In The States Was Incorrect. So I Have Provided A First Hand Experience All About Cuba. 

This First Thing You Hear About Traveling To Cuba Is That You Are Required To Participate In "People To People Travel". This Means That You Must Keep A Record Of Your Travels In Cuba. What Did You See Or Do. If You Book A Shore Excursion Through The Cruise Ship Than You Have Met The Requirement Of People To People Travel. At No Time Did We Have To Report To The Ship What We Did While In Cuba. We Were Told To Keep Our Records For A Period Of Five Years. The Government May Require Proof Of What You Did While In Cuba. 

Havana Is The Largest City & Also The Capital Of Cuba. Cuba Is Home To More Than 11 Million People. The Government Offers Free Medical, Free College Education, Free Funeral Expenses And Free Food To All Of It's Residents. This Sounds Amazing However Everything Is Rationed & This Gives The Government More Control Over The People. 

Most Of Cuba Is In Ruins. Most Of The Buildings Destroyed. However The Government Has Recently Started To Repair Cuba. There Was Alot Of Construction Throughout The Country. Cuba Is Required To Keep The Original Building. They Are Not Allowed To Destroy The Old Building A Then Build A New Building. Throughout Cuba You See New Buildings Being Built Around Old Buildings. Now That The Renovations Have Begun You See Many Nice Buildings & Houses Around The Area. 

We Found That By Interacting With The Local People They Were Happy To Have Us In Their Country. We Heard Stories Of There Families. Stories Of The Nightlife. Stories Of Day To Day Living. Most Of The People Were Very Friendly. We Did Experience A Few People That Were Not Polite But That Is To Be Expected When Traveling. 

We Departed Miami On Monday & By Tuesday Morning We Had Arrived In Havana, Cuba For An Over Night Stay. We Wished To Stay Longer However The Cuba Government Does Not Allow The Cruise Ships To Stay Longer Than A Day & Half. 

Before Arrival In Cuba We Needed To Purchase A Travel Visa. You Must Have A Valid Passport Book Not The Passport Card. The Passport Must Be Valid For More Than Six Months. The Visa Was Provided To Us By The Cruise Line. 

We Began Our Tuesday By Leaving The Ship. We Needed To Have Our Ship Key Card With Us At All Times. We Proceeded To Immigration. They Stamped Our Passport And Took The Visa That We Had Purchased To Travel To Cuba. Then We Proceeded To Customs. This Was The Security Check For Ourselves & Bags As We Entered Into Cuba. We Were Immediately Greeted By The Cruise Line Staff Taking Pictures. 

We Then Proceeded To The Money Exchange. This Is Where We Exchanged Our US Dollars Into Pesos. We Found It Was Necessary To Travel With Two Different Types Of Currency. Some Of The Local People Wanted Only Cuban Pesos While Others Wanted US Dollars. The Local People Would Charge Extra Once They Realized You Had US Dollars. For Example We Were Quoted $ 10.00 For An Item. They Would Tell Us The Price Was $12.00 If We Were Paying With US Dollars. We Assumed This Was To Cover The Cost Of The Exchange Rate. Credit Cards Are Not Accepted Any Where On The Island. You Could Also Exchange Canadian Dollars Or Euros Into Cuba Pesos. 

Then We Headed Down The Stairs And Into The Bus Area Where We Met Our Tour Guide. We Boarded Our Bus And Began Our Tour Of Cuba. We Saw Old Havana, New Havana, East Havana And West Havana. This Bus Tour Was Very Informative. We Learned About The Culture & History Of Cuba. Our Tour Guide Spoke English With An Accent. We Could Understand Him. Most Of Our Tour Was On The Bus Driving By The Local Sites. However We Did Stop & Walk At The " El Castillo De Los Tres Reyes Del Mooro" An Historical Fort. We Were Able To Do Some Shopping. At This Store They Accepted Pesos, US Dollars & Canadian Dollars. However They Were Not Thrilled About Figuring Out The Exchange Rate On The Money. This Store Offered Rum, Coffee And Cigars. We Drove By The National Hotel, The American Embassy, The University Of Havana & The Christopher Columbus Cemetery. We Were Able To Visit A 65 Feet Tall Statue Called " El Cristo De La Habana" Which Represents The Entrance To The Havana Harbor. This Statue Is Referred To As The Jesus Statue. We Traveled Through A Tunnel To The Beautiful Palm Tree-Lined Fifth Avenue. We Were Educated On The Cuban Architecture Which Demonstrated The Transition From Colonial To Modern Times. The Tour Returned Us To Our Terminal. I Was Impressed That The Driver And Tour Guide Did Not Ask For A Tip. However When We Offered A Tip They Graciously Accepted It.  

We Proceeded Back To The Ship To Have Lunch. On The Return We Went Through Security And Immigration Again. This Time Was Much Faster Due To The Fact That They All Ready Had Our Visa On File & Our Passports Were All Ready Stamped. 

After Lunch We Left The Ship. Immigration & Customs Again. We Found A Cuban Gentleman With A Horse & Cart. For Ten Pesos Each He Took Us About 15 Minutes Away From The Ship To A Flea Market. He Agreed To Come Back In An Hour To Pick Us Up. The Flea Market Was For All The Locals To Sell There Products. We Saw Art Work, Souvenirs Items, Handmade Leather Bags, Wallets, Handmade Crochet Hats, Shirts And Bathing Suits. Wood Cars Which You Could Have Your Name Engraved On. Coffee Mugs, Shot Glasses, Wind Chimes & So Much More! The Locals Would Ask You In To The Booth. If You Refused They Stopped Asking. Most Of Them Were Bilingual Speaking Spanish & English. Many Of Them Negotiated On Prices. Very Nice Experience. In One Hour A Different Gentleman Stood Outside The Front Entrance. He Waited For Us To Come Out. He Said " Lady Your Horse Is Here". The Same Gentleman We Had Before Returned To Pick Us Up As He Promised. For 5 Pesos Each He Returned Us To Our Ship. 

In Our Travels We Learned That If You Let The Local Person Takes Your Picture They Expect You To Pay Them For Taking The Picture. Be Aware Of This When Traveling Throughout Cuba. We Met Many People Wanting To Take A Picture.

We Returned To The Ship For Dinner. Immigration & Customs Again. 

After Dinner We Left The Ship. Immigration & Customs Again. We Met Our Tour Guide Where We Boarded A Bus To Enjoy The Legendary Tropicana Cabaret. The Night Club Was Located About 30 Minutes From The Ship. There Was Dress Code For The Evening.  Upon Arrival Our Tour Guide Paid For The Show. The Ladies Received Carnations. The Men Cigars. We Were Charged 5 Pesos To Take Pictures Of The Performance. However, No One Checked To Make Sure We Had A Ticket For The Pictures. Our Table Was In Front Of The Stage. Amazing Location. The Show Was Held In A Club Built In 1939, Surrounded By Trees And Located Outside. The Production Included Over 200 Dancers & Singers Performing Under The Stars. We Received Complimentary Bottled Water, Champagne, Rum, Coke And Peanuts To Enjoy During The Performance. Other Food And Drinks Were Available For An Additional Cost. The Performance Was Music, Spanish Singing, Costumes, Dancing And Lighting. By Far The Most Incredible Show Ever Seen And A Highlight Of My Cuba Trip. We Left The Ship At 9:00 PM And Returned To The Ship At 1:30 AM. Even At The Late Hour We Were Still Required To Go Through Immigration & Customs However It Went Quickly.  

The Next Morning Wednesday We Awoke At 8:00 AM. Had Breakfast On The Ship.  
Immigration & Customs Again. We Were Told It Was Not Safe To Walk Around Cuba. I Could Not Disagree More With This Statement. Walking Around The Town You See Roads Go On And On. Side Streets, Business & Houses. The Town Was Located Directly Across The Street From The Ship. We Walked Across The Street & Found The Local Shops Were Open. We Experienced Beautiful Parks, Local People Dressed In Authentic Cuba Costumes, A Lady Singing Opera In The Street Selling Flowers, Local Bands Playing Latin Music At A Restaurant. A Little Coffee Shop Serving Cuban Coffee Much Like Our Espresso For Only One Peso. We Found A Pharmacy, A Eye Doctor, A Photo Shop, A Bookstore & Museums Full Of Artwork. The Buildings Were A Site To See. The Architecture Is From Early 1950's. Cars From The Early 1950's Lined The Streets. Most Of The People Were Bilingual Speaking Spanish And English. We Had No Problem Communicating With Them. One Resident Gave Us Directions Back To The Ship. Very Enjoyable Day And A Great Way To Experience Cuba. 

The Roads Are Made Of Cobblestone. Some Are Cracked. Wear Comfortable Walking Shoes. 

After Speaking With Several Different Customers We Decided That Renting A Private Car With A Driver Was The Best Way To See Cuba. The Driver Is All Yours. A Total Of Four Hours. The Driver Will Speak English. They Take You To All The Sites You Wish To See. They Allow You Time To Get Out & Walk Around The Sites. You Can Request To Go To A Particular Place Or Ask The Driver For Recommendations Of Something To See. The Driver Will Not Ask For A Tip But Will Graciously Accept One. 

When We Returned To The Ship. We Were Greeted By The Norwegian Cruise Line Staff. Offering Us A Cool Wash Cloth, Drinks And Playing Latin Music. 

No Where In Havana, Cuba Was Internet Or WiFi Available. My Cell Phone Had No Service. We Were Told That The Water Was Not Safe To Drink. We Drank Only Bottled Water From The Ship. Toilet Paper Was Not Available In The Terminal Bathroom. The Bathroom Was Not Clean And Should Only Be Used In The Case Of A Severe Emergency. The Bathroom Was Clean With Toilet Paper In The Tropicana Club. This Was A More Upscale Facility. It Was Necessary To Carry Toilet Paper Or Tissues With You When Traveling In Cuba. 

Throughout Our Cruise The Ship Played Latin Music, Served Cuban Food, Offered Cuba Souvenirs Including Rum And Cigars. The Cuba Experience Followed Us Back Onto The Ship. 

We Departed At Noon On Wednesday. By Far An Incredible Experience. I Am Looking Forward To Returning To Havana, Cuba In The Future! 

10 Reasons To Travel To Cuba This Year

10 Reasons to Visit Cuba this Year

Miles of white sand beaches, small tucked away towns, striking architecture, clear blue waters and the best cigars in the world are all found in the lovely country of Cuba. With an ease on travel restrictions for Americans to this Island we have conjured up the top ten reasons you need to visit Cuba this year. From tours of working tobacco farms to world heritage sites to American classic cars that take you back to the 1950’s visitors will feel as though they have stepped back in time when they enter this country. The people of Cuba are really the treasure of this island with their lively culture, beautiful creativity and welcoming hospitality. If you are a return tourist to Cuba; you know just how amazing it is and perhaps this article will uncover a few new things to discover. For the Cuba newbie’s; get ready to explore how fabulous this country is with the top ten reasons to visit Cuba this year.

10. Get There Before the Crowds                                              

Traveling to Cuba got a little easier for Americans this year when the Obama administration announced a thaw in relations between the two countries. Besides reestablishing the American Embassy in Havana the Obama Government has relaxed the travel restrictions to Cuba. Although at this time Americans are still required to travel with a tour group, it is expected that in the future they will have the same travel rights as everyone else into the country. What does this mean for tourism? It means that more and more tourists are going to discover this magical island and all that it has to offer. The time to get to Cuba is now, before the crowds and before the country is forced into losing some of their culture in order to please the tourists. Part of Cuba’s charm is the lack of giant ritzy hotels, overcrowded beaches and unauthentic restaurants. Cuba stands for authenticity and culture and friendly people and the more tourists that visit the less likely that becomes. So why visit Cuba this year? To get the true experience of an unforgettable country that offers true genuine hospitality, breathtaking landscapes and incredible people.

9. Oak Aged Rum                                                                      

One of the most famous products to come out of Cuba besides tobacco is the sweet delicious Rum. A country made rich by sugarcane it was only a matter of time before the Cubans discovered that the thick sweet molasses; a by-product of sugarcane could be used to make rum. Like the country itself, the history of rum is long and tumultuous. In 1862 The Bacardi Rum Company was formed and for almost a hundred years was the most well-known rum in Cuba; that is until the Castro government seized all property and forced the family into exile. Today the popular Havana Club is found everywhere on this Island whereas Bacardi now operates out of Bermuda. The Mojito, The Cuba Libre and the Daiquiri all originated in this country and can be found almost everywhere you go. Finding the perfect and best one is a challenge a lot of visitors choose to take. Visits to the Havana Club Rum Museum and the Factory Bocoy are just a couple stops on any rum tour. The original Bacardi Rum Factory still exists in Santiago de Cuba and although tours are not allowed inside, it is worth a visit to the grand grounds for tastings and souvenirs. It would be a travesty to leave Cuba without trying at least a few types of rums and is just one more reason to visit this beautiful country.

8. Historical Heritage 

Cuba is home to nine UNESCO world heritage sites; places that are of special cultural or physical significance and therefore are protected and preserved. This small country boasts sites throughout and some of these places are special enough to make visitors come just for them. Old Havana and its fortifications are at the top of this list with many historical landmarks, interesting architecture and private restaurants on rooftops of mansions. San Pedro de la Roca Castle in Santiago de Cuba is one of the most complete and well-preserved Spanish-American defense fortifications and a stunning visual fort that protected the port of Santiago. Desembarco del Granma National Park is unique in that it is named for the Yacht that carried Castro and the others to overthrow Fulgencio Batista. The park features beautiful cliffs, waterfalls and terraces. The other six heritage sites are just as fascinating and well educated travelers will delight in finding a country that offers an array of sites in such a small area. Come to Cuba and cross nine more world heritage sites off your bucket list!

7. Cigars

 

Cuba is often called the land of tobacco as tobacco is both grown and harvested in several regions of the island. There’s little disagreement that the best cigars in the world come from Cuba and even if you are not a smoker the urge to find out how and why these cigars are so good is overwhelming. The area of Pinar del Río is home to the country’s top tobacco plantations; ironically enough the area is also one of the top eco-tourist attractions of Cuba. The 2hr drive from Havana to Pinar del Rio will be well worth it as you can tour a working tobacco plantation and puff on an authentic cigar in Casa del Tabaco; a large welcoming cigar shop with something for everyone. Visiting a cigar factory is a must and perhaps the best place to do this is to head back to the city of Havana where you will come eye to eye with the workers that spend their lives in these factories making each cigar perfect. Tobacco has been and will continue to be a huge part of Cuba’s economy and Cuba offers the chance for outsiders to experience a behind-the-scenes look at how cigars are produced.

6. Music and Art

Cubans were born to play instruments and create beautiful art. Throughout the country there is a background noise that follows you wherever you go, any day of the week, anytime of the day. That background noise is the music that flows so easily from the local musicians who play anytime, anywhere. From opera houses to salsa clubs to jazz bars to the musical trio serenading you at the beach; Cubans love their music and before long you will be tapping your foot to the beat wherever you are. Art is another way Cubans love to share their sense of creativity, from the colorful murals and tiles on the houses to the vendors on the streets selling their paintings. It is a common scene that unfolds as a painter sets up at a local café and starts painting the breathtaking landscape. The markets and shops are full of locally produced art often at a fraction of the cost. Music, art, laughter and dancing are all just a part of life here on this Island.

5. The Incredible Cars

Cuban streets are literally filled with American style cars from the 1950’s. If you love old cars Cuba is the place to go because the country is literally a rolling car museum. Back in 1960 when Fidel Castro took power there was an embargo put in place stopping all American imports into Cuba. Since then innovative Cubans have been finding ways to keep their prized American classic cars running. It is here where one will find an array of 1950’s convertibles that have been scratched, bumped, painted and put back together. Lift the hood of a Chevrolet and you might find a Russian built engine providing the power, watch a Ford pass by with a Buick grill on the front; none of this out of the ordinary. There are no junkyards in Cuba and everything that may have once been junk has been turned into something useful on a car. The taxi drivers take pride in keeping their vintage wheels looking good and visitors will often see them shining up the trim and mirrors before picking someone up. The chance to take incredible pictures and take a ride in a 1958 Oldsmobile convertible you thought didn’t exist anymore is absolutely reason enough to visit Cuba this year.

4. The Cuban People

Visitors to this island often say that the people of Cuba made their trip complete; from their outright friendly nature to their genuine hospitality it is hard to find such welcoming locals. Cuba is unique in that it is not overrun with tourists (yet) and perhaps that is why the locals are so willing to be open, honest and genuinely happy to see the tourists who do make it here. From opening up their houses to tourists to join them for a traditional seafood meal to jamming with them on the beach they are truly one of a kind. Cuba is truly a melting pot of different cultures and races accepting all sorts of different colors and creeds without judgment and is an excellent example of how cultural diversity can work. Through the hardships that they have faced these people still remain kind, hardworking, friendly and welcoming. Expect to go to Cuba and make new friends, hear about their lives and country and meet the entire family. If for some crazy reason you don’t love the white sand beaches, the incredible music and the interesting architecture; you will most definitely fall in love with the people.

3. The ArchitectureThere is nothing boring about the architecture in Cuba as it assumes a variety of styles, colors, ideas and backgrounds. It is much like the melting pot of culture that makes up this country. In the early 16^th century Spanish settlers adopted their style of architecture to fit the climate and lifestyle of Cuba; creating grand covered porches, metal bars over window frames to allow the breeze in and multi color glass panes above doorways to diffuse the sunlight. In the 19^th century the neoclassic look was brought to Cuba and throughout the island visitors will find traces of this style in colonnaded avenues, lavished auditoriums and gold-leafed mosaics. Electric architecture came to life in the 1920’s with Art Deco constructions, fairy-tale palaces and mock mansions. Wherever you travel in Cuba, whichever towns and cities you visit you are sure to be witness to more than one type of architecture and that is the beauty of this country. Subjected to the eyes of the artist; this mix of styles makes Cuba what it is today. 

2. The Small Towns

We all know the bigger cities of Cuba; Havana, Varadero, Holguin, Santiago de Cuba and so on but what about the smaller less known hidden gems of Cuba? Beckoning visitors to the island are such towns as Trinidad and Baracoa. Trinidad is a picture perfect town with colonial style pastel architecture, quiet cobblestone streets and town square. There are fascinating museums, discos at every turn; even one located in a cave and pop up pizza shops that open for one hour at lunch and then shut down. The beautiful palaces, the white sand beach a few miles out and the clear waters make this small town a true gem of Cuba. Baracoa on the other hand is the darker side of Cuba, it’s remote location on the far southeast coast past Guantanamo Bay, over a mountain range of tropical rainforest and down a twisty road make it rather hard to reach. The surrounding hills, fantastic waterfalls, jagged black coastline and black sand beach make for an incredible setting. Great food, drink, dancing, kayaking and trekking is found here where the air is hotter and the sea is rougher. Step out from the comfort zone of the typical tourist areas and discover what the real Cuba has to offer.

1. Miles of White Sand Beaches

Cuba is home to more than 300 beaches that are spread across the Northern Atlantic Ocean and its Southern Caribbean Coastline with endless miles of soft white sand and breathtaking ocean views. Head to Guardalavaca; Cuba’s prettiest resort area full of lush tropical vegetation, sparkling white sand and turquoise waters. The coastline here is dotted with cove beaches and perfect waters for swimming. In Cayo Jutías escape the tourist area and head along sands dotted with driftwood sculptures on your way to Starfish Beach. Here visitors are treated to enormous burnt-orange colored starfish in the shallow waters. For those visitors who are looking for a bit of colonial culture with their sun and sand; Trinidad is the perfect destination and Playa Ancon is the beautifully large white sand beach located here. This beach is great for diving, relaxing and as a base for exploring the town. For serious divers who are looking for a beach that offers tranquility and numerous diving spots; Maria La Gorda Beach located on the Guanahacabibes Peninsula is where you will want to head. With the largest colony of black coral, the richest biodiversity in Cuba and thirty nine scuba diving spots, the opportunities are endless.  From local hangouts to family friendly beaches to miles of privacy; there is a beach for everyone in Cuba.

Article Written By Lindsay MacNevin On A Website Called Escape Here. com 

11 Reasons Why Travel Makes You a Happier Person

Travel is good for lots of things, but it can also increase mental well-being - and not just in the short-term. Whether you’re traveling for business, on a one-week family holiday, or have sold everything to pursue a life on the road, traveling can make you a happier person by building self-confidence, providing new experiences and memories, breaking routine and allowing you to meet people from all over the world.

Keith Jenkins, founder of the luxury travel blog Velvet Escape and prolific traveler, said:

I feel happy when I’m gaining new experiences and insights, and challenging my boundaries. Travel is the perfect catalyst for happiness, as it has allowed me to experience the natural, cultural and man-made wonders of the world. Being in foreign lands, it also continuously forces me to step out of my comfort zone - a great confidence-builder. In my book, travel is the best school there is: I’ve learned so much about the world and, most importantly, about myself.

Marilyn Tam, entrepreneur and author of The Happiness Choice, was travelling when I emailed her to ask her take on happiness and travel:

I’m travelling right now and yes, I am indeed very happy. I am in Myanmar and learning and appreciating another culture.’ Tam worked with Minister of Home and Culture in Myanmar and the first Prime Minister of Bhutan to introduce the idea of the International Day of Happiness to the UN, an annual day which this year falls on 20th March. ‘Travel expands our capacity for wonder, joy and appreciation of the amazing diversity on our lovely planet. It makes me very happy indeed. If I didn’t travel, I may never have had the opportunity to meet the Minister and, who knows, maybe the International Day of Happiness may not have happened yet.

So the next time you find yourself heading out on a shopping spree to lift your mood, why not put that money towards a vacation instead? Here are 11 ways in which travel can make you happier:

1. FIND YOUR SELF-CONFIDENCE BY DEALING WITH UNEXPECTED SITUATIONS

There comes a time when everyone must deal with an unexpected situation when they’re on the road. Even if you plan your trip to the letter, things can take a surprise turn. Whatever happens, there is a way around the problem and knowing that you can deal with these situations is a big boost to self-confidence and therefore your happiness.

2. HAPPINESS IS INFECTIOUS

When locals are happy, smiling and friendly, it has an immediate knock-on effect. I found the people of Cambodia and Laos to be notably friendly and cheerful, despite the relative poorness of these countries and the former in particular having a very recent traumatic history. When faced with those big beaming smiles, it’s hard to be annoyed at the hassling you might experience; putting that knee-jerk irritation to one side instantly lifts your mood and is a good habit to take home.

3. BEING AWAY MAKES YOU APPRECIATE FAMILY AND HOME

Being away from things we often take for granted — family, close friends, home — makes us appreciate them more. Calling home isn’t a chore, but something to look forward to: no one enjoys listening to your envy-inducing travel stories more than your parents, so it’s the perfect excuse to wax lyrical about whatever place with which you’ve just fallen in love.

4. YOU MAKE NEW FRIENDS

It’s much easier to make new friends on the road than it is at home, where people are less inclined to chat to strangers on a bus or strike up conversation in a bar (at least, that’s true of London). When people are away from home, there seem to be less boundaries to cross and making friends becomes much easier, whether it’s a local curious to know where you’ve come from or a fellow travellers keen to have someone with whom to enjoy a beer or share a taxi. Social interactions make us happier and increasing our social circle means that we’re talking more and meeting different, interesting people, which hopefully means we’re learning more, too.

5. DETOX FROM SOCIAL MEDIA

Social media can be used for both good and bad, but it’s healthy for everyone to have a break from the internet every once in a while. Wi-fi is so prevalent that it’s hard to turn off and you can quite often find yourself tuning out whatever amazing place you’re in with your face in your phone, checking Twitter, scrolling through your Facebook feed, checking your emails... stop. Turn it off. Better yet, find somewhere with no reception and no wi-fi so that you don’t have a choice. It’s liberating and allows you to better enjoy the ‘here and now’, which nicely ties into the following point.

6. GETTING SOME ‘YOU’ TIME

Traveling gives us breathing space that is often lost in our usual day-to-day existence. Having a moment to take advantage of peace and quiet and to simply ‘be’ allows us to let go of stress and tension and just enjoy being in the moment — a key focus of meditation and a practice you can take home with you. If you’re traveling with a partner, it’s a chance to spend time with only each other for company, which is a thought that probably shouldn’t fill you with dread.

7. EDUCATION, EDUCATION, EDUCATION

Whether it’s learning a new skill such as cooking Thai food or learning a new language, travel presents ways in which we can further our knowledge and education. Learning makes our brains more active, which psychologists have found increases our level of happiness - particularly when learning something we find enjoyable.

8. GET A VITAMIN D BOOST

Whilst it’s a bit of myth that you need to be on a sun-lounger for twelve hours to feel the full effects of vitamin D (20 minutes of exposure to sunlight is enough), there’s no doubt that in the same way that the cold and dark of winter makes us unhappy (feeling the effects of seasonal affective disorder or SAD), sunshine and warmth generally put us in a much better mood. A beach break is a great way to relax and enjoy the health benefits of a warm climate. Admittedly, this is more of a short-term boost, but a healthy glow makes everyone feels better and lasts for a few weeks after your trip is over.

9. YOU’RE MORE INTERESTING

You don’t need to be a ‘travel bore’ to have a few interesting stories to tell. Traveling throws up a lot of bizarre, funny and sometimes serious situations that relating back to people will make you — at least — feel interesting. Making someone laugh is an easy way to instantly bump up your self-esteem, so hold on to those embarrassing memories — no matter how much they might make you cringe.

10. NEW EXPERIENCES GIVE US MOMENTS TO REMEMBER

For most people, travelling is about the new experiences. I will always remember that moment of awe when I stood watching the sunlight leak out over the rainforest around the ancient temple of Borobudur in Java at sunrise, the sky turned a striking shade of violet: it was one of the most beautiful sights I’ve ever seen. Recalling memories of happiness can sustain a feeling of contentment long after the moment has passed, and new experiences are memories that can stick with you forever.

11. THE EFFECTS OF TRAVELING AREN’T JUST SHORT-TERM

Aside from making you happier in the short-term, traveling can make you a much more contented, happy and relaxed person in the long run, too. Of course, most travel enthusiasts are constantly planning their next trip, but when we’re at home or past a point of being able to jet off whenever we like, past travels leave us with the memories and personal skills - such as confidence, broad-mindedness, friends and a more worldly perspective — that make people happy. And that’s why travel makes you a happier person.

Article Written By THE BLOG 

Top 10 Cruise Packing Tips

• Tip 1: Pack your carry-on bags wisely.

  Pack a change of clothes and important meds or toiletries in the bags you will take on the plane and personally transport onboard. This is important for two reasons: First, if your luggage gets lost by the airline on the way to your cruise, at least you'll have some essentials with you. It can take a while for your luggage to be found and then shipped to the next port of call. Second, in case your suitcases are delayed in being delivered to your cabin, you'll have a bathing suit or dinner attire on hand and can enjoy all the onboard activities right away, rather than waiting for your bags to show up.

  Photo: Africa Studio/Shutterstock.com
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  Tip 2: Pack your checked luggage wisely.

  Be smart about your checked bags, too. If you tend to overpack, lay out all the clothes you think you'll need, then only pack half the clothing and three-quarters of the shoes. If you're traveling with family, consider packing half of your things in one suitcase and half in a separate one (and have your spouse and kids do the same). That way, if one bag gets lost, then everyone will have some clothing -- rather than one person having nothing. To save space, roll your clothes rather than fold them. Finally, never pack valuables in your checked bags, as they could be stolen. Carry all cameras, electronic games, jewelry and prescription medicine in your carry-on.

  Photo: Olesia Bilkei/Shutterstock.com
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  Tip 3: Know the dress codes.

  If you love to dress up, some lines do offer tux rentals so you don't have to pack your own. But while some folks still dress to the nines (formal gowns and tuxedos) for ships' formal nights, most people dress more informally (suits for men and cocktail garb -- flowing pantsuits or little black dresses -- for women). "Resort casual" is now the ubiquitous evening dress; think date night, with men in slacks and buttoned shirts (no jackets) and women in everything from sundresses to skirts or slacks with cute tops. Even jeans are now a staple in many cruise ship dining rooms. Check out our comprehensive feature on cruise line dress codes.
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  Tip 4: Consider doing laundry onboard.

  If you want to pack light (and do laundry en route), make sure to read our cruise reviews; not all ships offer self-service laundromats. The ones that do have such facilities usually don't offer them for free, and it can get expensive. (Cruise lines often offer complimentary laundry and pressing services to suite guests and top-tier past passengers, so it pays to be loyal.) You can always save on laundry costs by bringing travel detergent and rinsing out underwear and shirts in your cabin's bathroom, or packing a bottle of travel-sized Febreze to get one more day's use out of a gently worn outfit.

  Photo: Lucy Liu/Shutterstock.com
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  Tip 5: Don't assume your favorite toiletries will be in your cabin.

  You'll always find basic toiletries onboard, such as soap and shampoo. In main cabins on some cruise lines -- Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, Carnival -- toiletries offered are limited (in some cases to pump bottles of mystery soap affixed to the shower wall). You might want to make room in your luggage for your favorite brands. Same goes for hair dryers. Most staterooms come with weak dryers, so if you're picky, pack your own. Another tip: Never unpack your toiletry kit. Leave it filled with travel-sized bottles and an extra toothbrush or razor. When it's time for your next cruise, all you need to do is top off or replace the bottles -- rather than wasting time collecting items and possibly forgetting something.

  Photo: Cruise Critic
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  Tip 6: Dress for your destination.

  Simply put, some places are more formal than others. Expect to pack more resort-casual wear if traveling to Europe (all regions) or Bermuda. (Duffer alert: Golf courses in Bermuda have strict dress codes.) Other cruise itineraries, such as Hawaii, the Mexican Riviera, the Caribbean and French Polynesia, are more casual than the norm. And don't forget to think about your in-port activities. Flip-flops are fine for a beach day, but you'll want more comfortable shoes for long days of sightseeing or active excursions like hiking or biking. If you're visiting religious sites in the Middle East or some parts of Europe, you'll want modest clothing that covers your shoulders and knees, even if it's quite hot.

  Photo: Naruedom Yaempongsa/Shutterstock.com
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  Tip 7: Save some room in your suitcase.

  You'll likely pick up at least a few souvenirs during your cruise, so you'll need room in your luggage to bring them home. Whether you're picking up leather goods in Italy, Aloha-wear in Hawaii or duty-free goods in the Caribbean, consider packing a foldable duffle. It won't take up much space in your suitcase, and you can fill it up and check it for the flight home.

  Photo: Chutima Chaochaiya/Shutterstock.com
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  Tip 8: Mix and match.

  If you can make your clothes do double duty, you won't be hit with excess bag fees or find yourself fighting with your spouse about who gets the last hanger in the cabin's small closet. Stick with one color theme so you can re-wear bottoms with different tops, or bring shirts that can be dressed up for dinner on one night and worn sightseeing the next. Opt for the layered look to handle differing temperatures in the various cruise ports. Change up the look of one formal outfit with different accessories (jewelry, ties, scarves), rather than bring two suits or cocktail dresses. Your shipmates won't know (or care) if you wear the same outfit twice.

  Photo: Bikeriderlondon/Shutterstock.com
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  Tip 9: Remember the basics.

  Most cruise ship cabins don't come with alarm clocks, so bring your own. If you're using your cell phone for this job, put it in airplane mode so you don't incur roaming charges in foreign waters. Other items you might want to pack because they're not provided or super-expensive to buy onboard include: over-the-counter meds, batteries, camera memory cards, sunscreen, ear plugs, plastic bags for transporting liquids or wet things (or keeping water out of your gear on water-based tours) and power strips to charge all your electronics.

  Photo: Sebra/Shutterstock.com
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  Tip 10: Keep all important documents with you.

  Always make sure you bring your necessary IDs and cruise documents -- and never pack them in your checked luggage. You'll want your photo ID and cruise ship boarding pass on hand, so even if your suitcase misses the boat, you can get onboard. Make sure you have the correct type of identification for your cruise destination, whether it's a passport or birth certificate and photo ID. Wannabe cruisers have been turned away from the pier for having just a copy of their birth certificate (and not the required original) or a passport with a name that doesn't match the one on the ship's manifest (often in the case of a honeymoon cruise). If you need visas or immunizations for your cruising region, carry those documents with you, as well.
• Thank You To Cruise Critic For This Article