Lynne Christen Expert Guru

Lynne Christen relishes diversity in life as a travel addict and freelance journalist. Her passion for travel was born when at age ten she stepped onboard her first airplane ride. From that day on she was single-minded in her quest to make travel her life. Spending 22 years as a flight attendant with Eastern Air Lines opened the doors to discovering the world and a degree in Journalism provided the avenue to share her expertise and enthusiasm for travel and food writing. Lynne has traveled to 47 countries, throughout the United States and has sailed on 23 cruises in recent years. Lynne's passion for travel led to writing her first book: Travel Wisdom-Tips, Tools, and Tactics for All Travelers (Runner-Up Best 2004 Travel Book-North American Travel Journalists Association National Competition). Other book credits include 101 Vacation Rental Tips and and newly released 101 Cruise Tips. Lynne also writes how-to/where-to travel articles and reviews for numerous publications and high-profile Web sites.

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FInding a Theme Cruise

In addition to diverse passenger demographics and destinations, cruise lines often feature special theme cruises; a great way to explore a special interest in style. Examples of theme cruises include:

• Culinary cruises with cooking lessons/culinary demonstrations with celebrity guest chefs.
• Literary Cruises with onboard authors, readings and writing workshops.
• Gaming cruises for card players who love all types of games and casino play.
• If you love a good mystery, look for a Murder Mystery at Sea cruise. It’s a fun and easy way to meet and interact with cruisers.
• If you are into speed, check out a NASCAR or Harley cruises.
• Groove to the Big Band, rock ‘n roll, jazz or classical sounds with top-names on music theme cruises.
• Hone or learn a new hobby like photography, oil painting, antiquing or golfing on hobby theme cruises.
• Get healthy on a theme cruise featuring special workshops and clinics on quitting smoking, losing weight and toning up.

Tap the power of the Internet. Enter the search words for your special interest followed by the word “cruise.”

Travel Insurance - Don't Leave Home Without It!

When was the last time you knew in advance that you, a traveling companion, or a family member would break a leg or get sick? When the last time you knew in advance a storm was going to close the airport and stop all travel or you would open the mailbox and find a summons for jury duty the day before your dream cruise? Travel is expensive and it pays to spend a few dollars more to protect your cruise investment.

• Research the insurance you already have. Many seniors are unaware that Medicare does not provide coverage outside the United States. If your personal health insurance does cover you, call customer service or visit their website for international claims procedures. Many companies have special international claims forms. Print them to take with you on all trips outside the U.S. Some homeowner’s policies offer protection for baggage loss or theft. Some credit card providers offer medical benefits or include an accidental death benefit if you charge your trip on their card. It’s critical to know what insurance protection you do and do not have.
• Medical travel insurance covers you in the event of illness or injury during your trip and, if necessary, for medical evacuation. In developing countries, medical care is limited and you may need medical evacuation to get adequate care. Medical evacuation costs $35,000 to $50,000 or more on average.
• Trip cancellation/interruption insurance offers protection in the event something unexpected forces you to cancel or interrupt your cruise. Most policies cover trip cancellation/interruption due to illness or death of you, immediate family, or your travel companion (even if not related). You are also protected if your travel agent, tour company or cruise line defaults. You are covered if weather or certain other external forces cause you to miss your trip. This coverage also includes baggage loss and delay protection. A comprehensive travel policy covers both medical and trip cancellation/interruption events.
• The majority of travel insurance policies exclude pre-existing medical conditions. If you or an immediate family member has a chronic medical condition, check a potential policy carefully to be sure you are covered. Most waivers of pre-existing conditions require purchase of the insurance within seven days of booking your trip. Plan ahead!
• The cost of travel insurance varies with the coverage provided. Least expensive is not the only criteria you should use to select a policy. Policies are priced by type of coverage, length of trip, cost of trip, and sometimes travelers' ages. Average cost of comprehensive travel insurance is approximately $65.00 per $1000 of the trip cost.
• Visit www.worldtravelcenter.com or www.insuremytrip.com to research and compare travel policies from a multitude of companies. Compare benefits, options and restrictions to select the policy that best meets your personal travel needs. One final caution: As with all travel documents and agreements, read policy information carefully before you purchase…especially the fine print.
• Don’t forget to take your travel insurance certificate and emergency numbers on your trip. Make an extra copy to leave at home with family.

Hopefully, travel insurance is protection you will never need, but in the event of a problem, it can be a lifesaver. Don’t leave home without it.

Check Cruise Ship Report Cards

The Vessel Sanitation Program for the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Routinely inspects all cruise ships for all aspects of sanitation from general cleanliness to food preparation, repairs, water quality and pest management. Scores for all cruise ships including corrective actions needed are published in an on-going Green Sheet report at the CDC Website (http://www.cdc.gov/travel/cruiships.htm) and follow the link to Cruise Ship Travel Health and Safety. Any score below 85 is considered unsatisfactory. Fortunately 99% of all cruise ships score 90% or above and as of early 2007, the Celebrity Millennium, Emerald Princess, Carnival Freedom and Disney Wonder all scored a perfect 100.

Save Money with a San Diego Go Card

Save Travel Dollars with Go San Diego Card
One of the best ways to save travel dollars in major cities is to purchase an all-inclusive attractions and tours card that offers multiple admissions for one low cost. I was not disappointed in San Diego. The Go San Diego Card provides unlimited sightseeing with admission to 45 attractions and over $500 in savings at San Diego shops and restaurants.
Here are just a few of the admission fees that came with my Go San Diego Card: the San Diego Zoo, Wild Animal Park, Legoland California, major museums in Balboa Park, the Firehouse Museum, the Hall of Champions Sports Museum and the Belmont Park. I also enjoyed a choice of three San Diego Harbor Cruises, a whale watching excursion and walking tours of Coronado, Petco Park and the Gaslamp Quarter. Day trips included Tijuana with Contactours and a choice of one of three day trips Behind the Scenes in Hollywood and around Los Angeles.

Go San Diego Cards may be purchased for one, two, three, five or seven days and prices range from $59. Online specials sometimes offer deep discounts. Cards purchased online may be picked up in San Diego at no charge or delivered via US ground transportation within 10 business days for $4. Highly recommended for making the most of your San Diego time and travel dollars. Visit www.gocardusa.com for additional information on Go Cards for other major cities.