Everyone could use a little advice now and then. And let’s be honest- when was the last time you knew everything about a particular subject? There’s so much information out there to sift through, but hidden out there on the web are some really good tips available that people need and are looking for.

For instance, when I got back from my first cruise I wrote a blog post about cruising for the first time- packed with information I wish I had known before I left. To make it easier for those who are looking for information, I created this roundup of all my favorite travel tips and advice. Look through it- there may be something that interests you.

How to do Disneyland in a day

Three reasons you shouldn’t travel

Staying in a hostel 101

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So I came across this article on CNN travel and I must admit I found it a little disturbing. Don’t get me wrong, I think the message is spot on, it’s more like the fact that the article had to be written in the first place is the reason it disturbs me. It’s called “6 tips for getting your way when you travel.” At first I thought it was going to be about yelling and flailing arms at gate agents to get upgrades (never works) or repeating the same gestures at hotels for discounts (always works), but I was actually surprised in a good way to read it was about being polite!

In an industry where so much is out of so many people’s control, and where one series of events can cause a domino effect that can ripple across the country and disturb thousands of travel plans, it can be very stressful. I feel for people who work in the airline industry’s frontlines and get the brunt of the frustration and anger. And you know what? Nine times out of ten it’s not even their fault. But it’s not even limited to the airlines. I worked in the hospitality industry for a year as a front desk clerk at a hotel and let me tell you, people really think acting bafoonish helps them get their way, but as this article points out, I was a hundred times more likely to help the patient and understanding people then the ones who belittled me.

But I digress… I can’t be too judgmental because I too have let myself get angry and out of control in certain instances… never really at airlines or hotels but more so at rental car agencies. Oh they just make me so mad! I just think this is a sector of the travel industry that has caused the most strife in my travel escapades. If the franchises would just have some consistency and if making a reservation meant actually having a car for you when you arrived, it would be way less traumatic! I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard: “Yes, I see that you reserved a compact car, but we are going to upgrade you to a minivan!” Yes… an “upgrade” because a minivan is an ideal vehicle to be driving around San Francisco and parallel parking into tight spaces. MMhmmm…

Maybe a little human decency is all the travel world needs. After all if your day is going bad imagine the employee’s day that is having to deal with you and a hundred other upset and disgruntled customers. Can’t be too much fun. So give an airline,hotel, or other travel employee a break this Holiday season by saying something kind and nice!

You all know by now that I’m a little cheap. I’m always looking for ways to scrimp and save and find a smoking deal. That being said I’m also a huge fan of luxury and quality. I also know that sometimes when you go cheap you have to skip on the comfort and luxury. I often find myself weighing and balancing my cheapness with my love for comfort.

Flying can be one of the most stressful parts of traveling- we are all aware of this fact. It can be so uncomfortable- depending on how full your plane is, most of the time you are starving because lets face it those peanuts just aren’t cutting it anymore, stressed about being forced to check your luggage because there is no room in the overhead compartments, being stuck in the back of the plane when you are making a tight connection, long lines for the lavatory and the list just goes on and on!

 There is one ailment for this illness and that would be the glorious first class seat. More legroom, peace and quiet, easier access to a lavatory, first on the plane and first off so you aren’t worrying about your carry on luggage, all the snacks you can eat and depending on the length of the flight you even get a meal, and many many more perks! Totally worth it right? Well for most of us our only option is the coach seat based on our budgets… or is it? If you are like me and love to travel first class but can’t afford the pricey seat read this article from USA Today which talks about five ways to get a first class seat without paying for it.

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Rosas View San Ignacio

Last year I traveled through the small country of Belize. The country is so small, that it is in fact a smaller than my home state of Utah!  Honestly, not until I returned from my trip to Belize did I fully understand where I had been and the beautiful sceneries I was able to see, the dangerous situations I had put myself in, and the adventures I would be able to tell my kids about (hypothetical children).

It all started last March when a couple that my boyfriend and I knew invited us to go on vacation with them to the country of Belize and stay for FREE in their boss’s hut right next to the beach in Placencia (the southern tip of the Belizean peninsula).

Carelessly we agreed, started a bit of light planning, and booked the flight (as a way to cut costs we decided to fly into Cancun, Mexico and take public buses into Belize – you can opt to fly into Belize City, but make sure to fly in during the day, the city can be rough at night). We were all excited about the trip and were especially grateful to be backpacking in a country that’s official language was and is English (Belize was established by British colonies).

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1) Worked out: I seriously gained eight pounds from my cruise, and it was only a three day cruise! But in all fairness I think some of those pounds were holiday pounds so it would have been nice to have lost those before I went so I would have looked my best

2) Gone tanning: I was whiter than snow on my cruise so instead of tanning, I was focused on not burning and getting my foundation tan. It would have been nice to have the base tan out of the way and been able to come back to show off a sweet dark complexion in January in Utah

3) Bought a cute sundress to wear on the ports: I forgot to do that and so I was stuck wearing capri pants and shirts while other women looked so comfortable in their flowing dresses

4) Bought sunscreen: I bought it on the cruise ship and it cost three times as much had I bought it at a grocery store

5) Remembered my sunglasses: It hurt to squint the whole time and I never found any cute enough to buy