Earlier this week, the Today Show featured a panel of experts dishing out the “Do’s and Don’ts for Summer Travel.” Naturally, we found ourselves nodding along with some of their advice while rolling our eyes at other parts. We get it—travel tips can be super personal. Everyone has their own style, habits, and preferences. It all boils down to how you like to travel, where you're headed, and how much stuff you’re willing to drag along.
Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or someone who just takes the occasional trip, you might find our take on their advice a mixed bag. Some of it might resonate, while other bits might make you want to throw your suitcase at the TV. But hey, we’re here to give you the lowdown on what the media says and how we see it when it comes to navigating the skies and the seas. So, sit back, grab a coffee (or a mimosa if you're already in vacation mode), and let’s dive into some travel wisdom—or nonsense, depending on your perspective!
AIRLINE TRAVEL
✈️Never Depart After 10am
The expert’s advice: “You are 2x more likely to be delayed or canceled if you pick a flight that departs after 10am”
Our advice: I think this is mostly applicable to domestic destinations that aren’t non-stop. We have rarely encountered delayed or canceled flights and fly all times of the day. Plus, if you are going to Europe, likely your flight won’t be until after 7pm anyway. So the “when” of when you fly can be dependent on the routes to your destination.
Pick a flight that fits your budget and your timeline but certainly give yourself a buffer on the receiving end. Last minute mechanical issues and inclement weather happens. You don’t want to have a tight connection to an event, cruise, etc.
✈️Never Spend Hours Searching for the Lowest Airfare
The expert’s advice: “Always use a price monitoring tool for the flights/dates you are looking to travel. Let big data and machine learning do the work for you.”
Our advice: Absolutely, keeping an eye on prices can be a game-changer if you have to fly to a specific place on a certain date. But if you can be a bit flexible with your plans, it's definitely worth spending some time exploring different options.
For instance, you might find a direct flight to your destination for $700. But with a bit of searching, you could fly direct to a nearby city and rent a car, all for under $600. That’s a hundred bucks saved, which you could use for a fancy dinner or a fun activity during your trip. Sure, it might take you a couple of extra hours to reach your final destination, but think of it as part of the adventure. You could use that time to explore a new area, grab a bite at a local restaurant, or simply enjoy the scenic drive.
✈️Never Pick the Destination Over the Deal
The expert’s advice: “Don’t get fixated on a place you want to visit. Sometimes those are the most expensive.”
Our advice: True. First off, it’s easy on the wallet. Travel can get expensive, and snagging a good deal can save you a lot of money that you can use for other fun activities on your trip. Dining out, excursions, or extra days of traveling.
Second, it can take you to places you might not have considered. Sometimes the best experiences come from unexpected destinations. You might find yourself exploring a charming small town, discovering hidden gems, or immersing yourself in a new culture that wasn't on your radar. These unplanned adventures often make for the most memorable trips.
Third, it’s a great way to be spontaneous and adventurous. When you’re not tied to a specific destination, you can jump on opportunities as they arise. Spot a last-minute deal to a sunny beach? Pack your sunscreen and go! See a discount on a European city? Grab your passport and start planning. This flexibility can make travel feel less stressful and more exciting.
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✈️Never Skip the Fine Print
The expert’s advice: “Know what’s included in the fair (seat selection, included baggage).”
Our advice: Also true. Airlines are not cookie-cutter and offer all different kinds of levels when it comes to what’s included and what’s not. Especially when flying internationally, carefully read and understand what you are getting with your fare. Some include carry-ons, meals and seat selection for a premium.
If it’s a short, direct flight and you are ok not sitting next to your travel partner, then skip paying extra for the seat selection. It’s highly likely (but certainly not guaranteed) that you will end up sitting together if you booked your tickets on the same transaction. And costs for carry-on baggage can go WAY up if you don’t pay for them until you get to the airport. Typically it’s cheapest to purchase this online when you buy the ticket.
ROAD TRIP
🚙Never Hit the Road After 4pm
The expert’s advice: “You’re going to hit rush hour and be stuck in traffic.”
Our advice: Yes, but we often choose to leave after 5pm because we are getting in a full work day prior to leaving. Vacation days are precious, people! We have everything (except the food) packed and ready to go before work that morning, put in a full day and then take advantage of getting a couple hours in that evening instead of waiting until the next morning. Yes, traffic may be a little slower but we are that much further ahead when we start out the next morning.
🚙Never Rent a Car from the Airport
The expert’s advice: “Data from NerdWallet shows you can save $130 by renting from a downtown location instead of the airport. Airport charges rental car company a fee which they pass on to the consumer. Also, other experts say better inventory and shorter lines.”
Our advice: Maybe... Keep in mind depending on your destination, downtown may be just as busy and popular as the airport so the pricing won’t be any better and you have to actually get yourself to wherever downtown is. So it’s possible there will be a wait and an additional cost for a taxi/Uber, etc.
The easier thing is to just sign up for one of the free rewards programs offered out there by the major rental companies. In the last year, we signed up to become Hertz Gold Plus Rewards® members. It was free to sign up and allows us to pre-book a car so as soon as we get off our flight, we can bypass the rental car counters, go straight down to the Hertz desk in the car lot, grab our key and go. Very often we end up with a car that is above the rental level we paid for.
CRUISING
🛳Never Fly Into the Departure Port on the Day of Sailing
The expert’s advice: “Fly in a day or two before. Give yourself time to explore the city and not be rushed.”
Our advice: I wouldn’t say, “never” but it is nice to give yourself time in your port city if you’ve never been there before. If your schedule requires you to fly in on the day of your embarkation, just make sure you have plenty of extra time to get there and get through all the steps that need to be done prior to boarding. Most cruise lines typically have their onboard time set for around 4pm.
It’s not a simple as showing up and walking on the ship. There is a process for tagging and checking your bags, verifying all your documentation and passports (if your destinations are international) and setting up your onboard accounts. Even without a long line, this can take 30 or more minutes to get through.
🛳Never Board Without a Cruise Carry-On
The expert’s advice: “Your larger bags are taken by the porter and you may not see it for a few hours, so have a bag with sunscreen, change of clothes, swimsuit….”
Our advice: Yes or even better, ONLY pack bags you are ok carrying on yourself. You don’t have to use the porter services if you don’t need or want to. This way, all your stuff is with you from the start. Most cruise lines do not have strict size restrictions for luggage, but your bags should fit through security scanners and be manageable. Additionally, you can disembark more quickly at the end of your cruise if you carry off your own bag.
🛳Never Wait to Book Onboard Reservations
The expert’s advice: “If you have your heart set on a particular shore excursion or dining experience, book it before you get on board since it may sell out.”
Our advice: Let me cut to the chase: book with local companies directly and skip the cruise line excursions. Cruise lines often warn you with things like, "We can't guarantee that you'll be back on time unless you book through us," and "if you book through an independent tour operator, we don’t wait for you." While it’s true they won’t wait, it’s NOT true that you can’t trust independent tour operators to get you back on time.
Independent tour operators typically offer lower prices because they don’t pay the cruise line a commission, which can be as high as 50%. By booking locally, you’re not only saving money but also ensuring more of your ticket price goes directly to the tour operator.
Local operators are highly motivated to get you back on time because if their guests have a bad experience, they write bad reviews. Bad reviews hurt their business. They rely heavily on positive feedback to draw in new and repeat customers.
Independent tours often also mean smaller group sizes and more personalized experiences compared to the larger, more generic groups organized by cruise lines.
When you book directly with local tour operators, you're supporting small businesses that genuinely appreciate your patronage.
So do your research, check reviews and choose highly-rated local tour operators. You'll likely have a fantastic experience, help local businesses, and still make it back to the ship with plenty of time to spare.
Can you tell I’m passionate about this? :) #SupportLocal
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In Case You Missed It…
Want to see some pretty pictures? Check out all of Mark’s professional travel photography and award-winning photos at Wanderlust Photography and follow Wanderlust Photography on Instagram
On the topic of rental cars, if you’re a traveler with webspace (and a decent size audience) you can strike up a partnership with a rental company. I got free vehicles from Budget in Jamaica for 8 years in exchange for shout outs in my travel stories.