Choose Your Timing Wisely
If at all possible, try to avoid arriving for the beginning of your luxury vacation in the middle of the night. Be aware that your ticket may say landing at 10 pm, but after you go through customs, get your baggage, find your transportation and arrive at your accommodations, it will likely be close to 1:00am. A late arrival also means you should already have reservations at a nearby hotel. Make sure that your hotel is aware of your arrival, no matter at what predicted time, so your room is ready. You will probably want to kick back and relax once you arrive. Make sure your transport from the airport to the hotel is well planned. The best recommendation is to book through a travel agency who can set up the transfers well ahead of time. If you book on your own, know how much a taxi, bus, or train would cost and how long it will take to arrive at your hotel.
Key Items to Have in Your Possession
There are several items that you should carry on the plane for a luxury travel vacation. You should carry about two days worth of local currency. A good rule of thumb that luxury world cruise directors tell their pre cruise travelers is four times your hotel cost for one night. Make sure you carry a mix of local currency denominations. It is also a good idea to have a good map. You should not count on the airport to supply you with one. Even if they do have one, it's probably in the local language. If the local language is different from one you speak fluently, a bilingual map is invaluable because it will help locals help you. You should also print out a copy of your reservation and keep it on hand. Make sure the name and address of the hotel in the local language is on the print out, in order for the reservations desk to be able to read it.
All in all, your arrival will be an exciting start to most luxury vacations. But it is important to plan ahead, manage your time wisely and be prepared. By following these simple steps, you can ensure clear sailing and the best experience.
