It's a small world blog

If you are planning to go on a cruise for the first time, it is probably unwise to view it as just another holiday. Cruises are different. And, like it or not, there are certain rules and etiquettes that one must follow in order to keep the maritime peace!

One of the most basic rules that you should stick to is to tip the staff for their service. You don’t have to be flash or spend a week’s wages but neither do you have to be as tight as Scrooge McDuck. The staff are considered as part of your floating community. Remember, they cook your food and do your washing up. The least you can do is to show them some gratitude.

Cutting in line is considered bad form. Whether you are waiting for the buffet, an attraction or one of the shows, it is extremely rude to cut in front of someone or impolitely force yourself in halfway down the line. My advice? Pretend to be British! Like their prowess at losing at every sport they invented, their stoic determination to inexorably follow a queue to its end is known and admired around the globe. If you do need to get pass somebody, use your manners and try not to spoil the peaceful atmosphere.

Generally, cruise ships have three evening dress codes; formal, informal and casual. This may seem odd to a cruise virgin, but it’s part of the tradition. This is usually not a problem for women, who prefer to get dressed to the 9s on cruise ships. However, for men this can cause quite a big dilemma. “Should I buy a tuxedo? How many suit jackets should I pack? Can I get away with just one?” Depending on the type of cruise you’re on, it is prudent to pack one tuxedo and a couple of suits. Don’t forget, if you’re feeling self-conscious then there’s always room service or you can purchase a new one next time you dock. Many larger cruise liners like Royal Caribbean cruises, which cater more for first time cruisers, also have a hire service available onboard.

Finally, know your limits. By all means have fun but don’t go too far. Nobody likes an obnoxious drunk, particularly one that you’re stuck on a boat with. Just take everything in moderation and you’ll guarantee that your cruise is exactly what it should be; the holiday of a lifetime.

Related articles

• Small ship cruises: Why big does not have to be best for a cruise holiday (dailymail.co.uk)
• Cruising for First Timers (foxnews.com)
• Cruise food: Passengers put on stone after two weeks, says survey (dailymail.co.uk)

Woburn Safari Park

With the heart of the county only an hour from Central London by train, Bedfordshire is an ideal day-escape from the city,with a wealth of romantic venues to centre your precious time around.

If you are in serious need of winding down, a day at Champney’s Henlow Grange, being pampered with a few of their signature treatments is a lovely way to spend time together. Alternatively, you could take a romantic walk over Dunstable Downs, where the beautiful views are ideal for a summer picnic. Animal lovers will enjoy a day at the bird of prey centre at Biggleswade, Woburn Safari Park, or even at Whipsnade Zoo.

Possibly the most romantic destination of all is the Swiss Garden at Old Warden Park – peaceful, and with peacocks roaming freely around you, the wooden bridges over the tranquil ponds may provide the perfect spot for you to propose to your partner.

So, with proposal made and hopefully accepted, what wedding venues in Bedfordshire might you wish to consider?

If you’re looking for a traditional, country house wedding, Tofte Manor, a private house with stunning ground ideal for photos, is worth looking at. It has the advantage of being an exclusive venue, so only your guests will be then when your wedding is taking place. Suitable for intimate ceremonies, or a larger wedding – up to 250 people – there is even limited accommodation at the venue, including luxury yurts with hot outdoor showers!

For less conventional wedding venues in Bedfordshire, you might wish to consider the Conservatory at Luton Hoo – a marquee in the walled garden of an eighteenth century estate, you have complete freedom to tailor the space to your own tastes, however traditional or contemporary they may be.

With a wealth of country houses, golf clubs, and more contemporary spaces, Bedfordshire can offer a wedding venue for all tastes and budgets.

Seven Sisters Country Park

The county of Sussex is located in the Southeastern part of the United Kingdom, and is a popular travel destination within England. Citizens of the country as well as international visitors head to the area for the beautiful scenery, rich history and exciting attractions. There is no end to the potential of things to do in Sussex. Here are just a few of the most popular activities within the county:

Hiking: Perhaps one of the most notable things to enjoy in Sussex is the many hiking and walking trails available. Some paths, like the High Weald Landscape Trail and the Sussex Border Path, run for longer than 100 kilometers and prove to be exciting for even the most experienced hikers. Shorter, easier paths are available for an afternoon stroll in places like the Abbots Amble and the Seven Sisters Country Park.

Spas: Much of Sussex is known as “Spa Valley,” so it should come as no surprise that one of the most popular ways to pass the time is to visit one of the many world class spas in the region. Day spas offer treatments to visitors passing through, and several hotels in Sussex have spas which offer inclusive pampering and room rates for their guests. It is not only a great way to relax, but visiting a spa in Sussex is a traditional and historic characteristic of the area of Sussex.

Visit Historical Sites: In the county of Sussex there are countless fascinating historical attractions. Start with a trip to see Battle Abbey, built on the battleground of the famed 1066 Battle of Hastings. Or, make a trip to nearby Newhaven Fort, complete with tunnels dug underground that offer a memorable war to learn more about wartime in Britain.

With so much to do and see in Sussex, you’ll have plenty to explore and enjoy on your upcoming holiday to the area.

Post written by Andy for The Grand Hotel Eastbourne. Image credit goes to foshie

In 1989, the Berlin Wall came crashing down. This wall, an almost impenetrable border, effectively separated East Berlin from West Berlin for almost 30 years. The two halves re-formed into one magnificent city; a city resonating with history and culture.

There are many things to do in Berlin, and the city’s various attractions please a variety of sightseeing tastes.

East Side Gallery

Though much of the Berlin Wall is gone, some portions still stand. The East Side Gallery is an existing portion of the wall that spans 1.3 km, approximately .8 miles, and displays paintings on its entirety. Artists around the world covered this wall with original works. It now stands as a tribute to liberation.

Museumsinsel

A small island stands in the Spree River, and this singular island is home to five museums: Altes Museum, Neues Museum, Alte Nationalgalerie, Bode Museum and Pergamon Museum. The museums house artifacts from prehistoric times and ancient Egypt as well as German items throughout the ages.

Berliner Dom

The Berliner Dom is a monument to architecture and history. Construction, demolition and re-construction over 440 years resulted in the present church. Apart from the building, attractions include 90 tombs and sarcophagi, a 7000 pipe organ and remarkable view.

KaDeWe

The Kaufhaus des Westens (KaDeWe), the largest department store in continental Europe, is paradise for shoppers. A plane crash demolished the original building constructed in 1907. After reconstruction, the store once again opened its doors in 1950. Currently the size of nine football fields, the KaDeWe is famed for both its shopping and culinary experience.

Zoologischer Garten

One of the more relaxing things to do in Berlin is spend a day at the zoo. Established in 1844, the Zoologischer Garten is the oldest zoo in Germany. As home to 1400 species of animal, it is also the most diverse zoo in the world. Berliners and tourists alike consider this a favourite attraction for family entertainment.

Rich in culture, steeped in history and host to active nightlife, there is no shortage of things to do in Berlin. There is something to fascinate every taste in this splendid city.

This was a guest post by Amy for Easyjet who offer flights to Berlin from major European airports.

Image credit: seier+seier

Going to Disneyland does not cost as much as you would expect. Discounts on tickets to Disneyland are available. There are ways to cut down on the cost of hotel rooms and food during your trip. Some tips for saving money on tickets, hotels and food on a trip to Disneyland are listed below.

Save Money On Tickets
It is cheaper to buy some types of Disneyland tickets online at http://disneyland.disney.go.com than to buy them at the ticket booths at the park. Park Hopper tickets will give you access to Disneyland and California Adventure. Park Hopper tickets that can be used for three days, four days or five days are cheaper to purchase online.

Some special discounts are available to Southern California residents. These discounts may include a reduced price on a ticket that can be used for two days in one of the parks. Another discount may be a discount on a two day Park Hopper pass. Southern California residents can purchase tickets for everyone in their group with one of these special discounts.

You will find more information about discount tickets for Disneyland and vacation packages at http://disneyland.disney.go.com.

Save Money On Hotels
Staying in a hotel at Disneyland is very convenient. Staying in a hotel or motel two blocks away is slightly less convenient and can be up to $200 cheaper per night. You can see the rates for Disneyland hotel rooms at http://disneyland.disney.go.com.

Inexpensive places to stay that are within walking distance of Disneyland include the Howard Johnson Plaza Hotel, Days Inn, the Ramada and the Fairfield Inn Anaheim Disneyland Resort.

Save Money on Food
Food and drink inside Disneyland can be expensive. You can reduce your food costs by not eating all of your meals at Disneyland. Having a picnic outside the park is one way to do this.

You can eat at less expensive restaurants inside the park or eat at restaurants outside the park. Buying snacks instead of meals at the park can help you save money. You can eat some meals in your hotel room.

Have A Picnic
Disneyland has an official policy of not allowing outside food or beverages in the park. You can bring your own food in a cooler and store it in one of the lockers outside the park. There is a fee for the lockers and this fee varies depending on the size of the locker. Fees range from seven dollars to fifteen dollars.

You will have unlimited access to your locker. There is a picnic area just outside the main entrance to the park.

Eat At Inexpensive Restaurants
You can find a list of restaurants at Disneyland and Downtown Disney at http://disneyland.disney.go.com. There is no admission charge to enter the Downtown Disney area. The website has a search option to find restaurants that have meals for less than $14.99 per person.

There are some inexpensive chain restaurants within walking distance of Disneyland. These restaurants include the International House of Pancakes, Mimi’s Café, and McDonald’s. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served at these restaurants.

Have Snacks At The Park
There are numerous places to purchase snacks for only a few dollars at Disneyland and downtown Disney. Ice cream, fruit smoothies and pretzels are some of the choices available.

Eat In Your Hotel Room
You can use a refrigerator or cooler in your hotel room to store groceries or leftovers from restaurants. There are several small stores nearby where you can purchase groceries.

You will be able to get more for your money if you look for ways to save money when going to Disneyland.

Spanish is a language spoken throughout much of the world, but its precise usage varies from country to country. How significant are these differences? If you’ve been studying Spanish in school, will you be equally equipped for a trip to Spain and a visit to Mexico?

Similarities

The good news is that enough similarities exist between the two forms of the language that if you can easily understand one, you will probably be able to understand the other, just as you would comprehend both someone who lives in Dallas, Texas and someone who lives in London, England. Additionally, the differences that exist in the spoken form of the language are often less pronounced in writing. Nonetheless, you will have to make an adjustment if you visit Latin America as opposed to Spain.

Grammar Differences

There are many small differences in terms of grammar. One of the most prominent involves how one refers to someone in the second person. For instance, in Spain, sometimes the singular “vos” is preferred to the word “tú,” which is used in Latin America. Similarly, for the plural form, in Spain you are more likely to hear “vosotros,” while “ustedes” is more common in Latin America.

Vocabulary Differences

Colloquialisms vary by region, so try not to use too many slang terms in Latin America if your Spanish lessons were rooted in Spain. You should also be aware of suffixes, as that is where many of the differences come in. Hence, you will encounter words that sound similar at the beginning but have a different ending.

Pronunciation Differences

Sometimes you will discover that the words are the same but the pronunciations are slightly different. This is particularly true for words that contain the letters “z” and “c” before “i” or “e”, “ll” or “y” or “j,” as well as an “l” or “r” at the end of a word. Individual letter differences change the overall sound of the word, though the word will still most likely be understandable even if it is pronounced slightly differently.

Be aware of the subtle differences between speaking patterns in Spain and Latin America when you travel abroad. A phrase book or cultural guide can help you navigate your way through your unfamiliar surroundings while sounding confident as you talk to those you encounter.