Cruise and Vacation Packing Tips & Tricks
The flights are booked, documents in hand, car rented, hotel reserved, cruise ship waiting and you leave tomorrow - time to pack! Here are some helpful suggestions you may way want to use or pass along to fellow travelers.

Seniors Traveling Tips
Over the past decade the numbers of seniors in society have increased sharply due to the "baby boomers" reaching middle and retirement age. A large percentage of these new age seniors are vacationers, with a majority taking cruises for seniors, vacations to exotic resorts or just traveling to see family or attend reunions. Caregivers, be they family or friends, are discovering a whole new area of concern - that of traveling with an elderly friend or relative. But with a little planning and a bit of research you should have no fear scheduling that cruise or setting up that plane trip for you and your friend or family member.

Seniors Travel OK's The first stop before you even start making reservations should be with the senior's doctor or medical professional. Many people skip this step and end up devastated at the airport or at the wharf when they discover that they're unable to travel due to medical restrictions. For example, if you or your friends are on oxygen, you won't be able to fly. Almost all airlines restrict the use of oxygen tanks being in the passenger cabin or even being transported unless there are special conditions and prior discussion. This is due to the obvious concern of an accident in the cabin leading to a potentially explosive situation with pure oxygen leaking out into the pressurized area. Or if you have angina your doctor may recommend you not undergo the stress of flying due to the strain placed on your heart. Even if you think it's a minor condition you should discuss all potential trips with your doctor before going to the travel agent.

Seniors Medications Now that you've obtained the right information regarding what you can and can't do as far as transportation goes, let's talk about drugs. Prescription drugs, that is. Many seniors have a variety of pills that they usually dispense via a pill case, dumping out their daily dosage of pills into a pile and organizing them into a day by day series of boxes to make sure they have the right ones. But when traveling there is always a concern of drug smuggling, sorry to say - and while you may know that the little blue pill is only corzide for high blood pressure and the smaller oval one is for high cholesterol, the security official may not be so knowledgeable. Be sure to keep all original pill bottles with you while traveling in case there's any question regarding what these pills are and the authenticity of the prescription. As well, keep these medical supplies with you at all times, much as you do your passport or personal identification. Having your only source of nitroglycerine go soaring off on a lost piece of baggage isn't just annoying; it can possibly be life threatening. Keep all prescription drugs with you at all times as well as a list of all your medications and the phone number of your physician in case of medical emergency or need of replacement.

Seniors Mobility No matter if you're traveling by plane, train, automobile or cruise ship there's likely to be a special service offered for seniors to transport them on and off safely, usually via wheelchair. Call ahead and make sure that this service is available and make a reservation if needed to ensure that your friend or relative can easily be moved from the car to his/her cabin or from the ticket counter onto the plane. Many companies make it a priority to allow seniors and families with children to board first, giving them plenty of time to settle in before letting in the rest of the public. Take advantage of these services to make sure that your traveling is as problem-free as possible.

Traveling 'as or with an elderly person doesn't have to be a major crisis if you plan ahead and make sure to know as much as possible about your options. With more and more of the population aging gracefully many cruise lines and travel companies are developing more policies to make everyone's life easier. Why not check out your options and think about taking that trip around the world that your grandmother always wanted to? Learn more at Special Needs Cruises

Getting Started
Packing is not a matter of simply throwing necessities into a bag. Just as important as what you pack is how you pack. With that in mind, here are some general packing tips:

• To avoid last-minute anxiety, make a thorough packing list before traveling.
• Avoid over-packing. Do not bring things just because they might come in handy.
• Pack mix-and-match clothes to help minimize baggage and yet enjoy variety.
• Take things that dry quickly, like synthetic fabrics and lightweight cotton.
• Iron before packing and then roll - don't fold - clothes.
  For bulky items like sweaters, stuff the rolled garment toward the foot of a pair of pantyhose - it makes a tight container that takes up less space.
  Leave dry-cleaned items in their plastic bags to help avoid wrinkles.
  
• Hang clothes immediately after check-in to prevent wrinkling. If clothes do wrinkle, hang them in the bathroom while taking a hot shower to steam them smooth.
• Consider bringing "disposable" clothing, such as older socks, underwear, T-shirts, and even old shoes. Before departing, donate them or throw them out to make room for souvenirs.
• Layering is a great way to make a wardrobe more versatile and accommodate changing weather.
• Place anything that could ruin clothes, such as liquid make-up, shampoo, and toothpaste, into a sealed plastic bag.
• Camera (small carrying case), film, digital storage card, cell phone charger
• Pack a small lint brush and an extra comb or hair brush
• Take along your eyeglass prescription in case you lose or break your glasses. Don't forget a spare pair of reading or sunglasses. Consider buying glasses that darken in the sun to eliminate the need for sunglasses.
• If you plan to take along items such as an electric razor or hair drier to a foreign country, check with your hotel or cruise line to see if you'll need an adapter.
• Even the lightest traveler should bring a day bag. A small backpack can hold your umbrella, camera, book, souvenirs, and whatever else you want to carry while you go exploring.
• A security pouch is essential. Worn concealed under clothing, it is the safest place to keep money, travelers' checks, passport, and other valuables.
• Don't forget a small "first aid kit" of bare necessities: aspirin, antibiotic cream, cotton swabs, anti-diarrheal, and cold medications.
• A small, inflatable pillow is indispensable for avoiding a sore neck on a long overnight flight or train ride.

Packing for a Cruise Vacation
Cruise vacations are casual by day, however, evening attire can vary by ship. Guests on luxury lines may dress more formally for dinner, while other vessels might have a more relaxed atmosphere. Attire should be appropriate for the destination climate, as well.

• Swimwear (at least two swimsuits)
• Sunglasses
• Sunscreen
• Jackets and ties; elegant slacks and blouse or a summer gown if dining is formal
• Shorts
• T-shirts
• Short sleeve shirts
• Sweater or shawl for the evening
• Comfortable walking shoes and a day bag or light backpack, for exploring ports of call

Packing for an Alaska or Antarctica Cruise Vacation
Though most cruise destinations actually have temperate climates, while you are cruising in Alaskan or Antarctica waters it will get cold sometimes, so be sure to pack plenty of warm clothing for protection.

• Warm sweaters
• Fleece jacket
• Gloves or mittens
• Long sleeve shirts
• Knitted wool cap or other warmth-retaining headwear
• Hair-band to keep your ears warm
• Waterproof or quick-drying nylon pants
• Scarf or shawl

Packing for an Adventure Vacation
Just because you'll be covering some rough terrain doesn't mean you should bear all the bruises to prove it. Pack clothing to suit the adventure. For instance, if you are going on a tour through areas of varying elevation, pack clothing layers so you can adjust what you wear according to the temperature and terrain.

• Comfortable, sturdy hiking boots
• Thick cotton socks
• Durable nylon trousers, quick to dry and allow your skin to breathe as you perspire.
• Loose fitting, comfortable T-shirts and/or sleeved shirts.
• Sport sunglasses and wide brimed hat
• Sunscreen or bug screen if applicable
• Backpack to carry supplies

Packing for a Beach Vacation
Cool, comfortable and casual is generally the rule on most beach vacations. Slightly more formal wear is a good idea for dining and.

• Shorts
• T-shirts
• Short sleeve shirts
• Lightweight slacks or a summer gown for town
• Jacket and tie
• Sweater for the evening
• Swimsuit (at least two)
• Extra large beach towel
• Sunscreen and sunglasses
• A small, portable radio or CD player
• Sandals or flip-flops
• A good pair of walking shoes

Packing for a City Tour Vacation
Any city tour will almost certainly have one constant: lots and lots of walking! You will want to keep your feet warm, dry, and blister-free, so proper footwear is crucial. Beyond shoes, the proper accessories can also help make or break your experience.

• Sturdy, comfortable sneakers or walking shoes
• Waterproof boots
• Comfortable trousers, a light casual dress, or other loose-fitting clothing
• Shorts (with pockets)
• Front zipping light jacket that can be easily removed and tied around waist
• A small collapsible umbrella and/or a plastic poncho
• A small day bag or backpack
• A phrase book for the local language