* Make sure your passport is current and does not expire within 6 months of travel date.

* Check for visa requirements

* Check for immunization requirements

* Install the CBP MPC app on your phone

* Register for Global Entry

* Keep a few days of clothes in your carryon

* Keep  medicine in your carryon 

* Keep all batteries in your carryon

* Bring a international travel plug adapter

* Check with phone carrier on overseas rate

*  Keep you phone in airplane mode

* Install a translate app on your phone

* Check with credit card  and health care provider for travel insurance

* Select local currency when using your credit card to get the best exchange rate

*  Always be prompt when on a tour

*  Tours can sometimes run an hour or more longer than expected so make sure that you have plenty of time before taking it

*   Keep watch/phone on dual time

* Make sure that there is enough time between flights for you to make your connection

* Consider arriving the day before when taking a cruise 

*  Sign up for with airlines, hotels, and cruise lines for their membership programs to get extra perks.

We have used Vacations to Go to book many of our trips.  They offer a wide range of options and we often use their 90 day ticker to locate last minute travel deals.

Caravan Tours has a limited number of places to which they travel. But they provide a great experience at a low price.  Their Costa Rica tour was great.

Exoticca is a second travel company that we recently used  for our trip to Peru. Their prices are very reasonable and also include airfare to and from your home to the destination.

"Hop on Hop Off' sightseeing buses enable you to view a city at your own pace. Your ticket enables you to get on and off at the places you want to see without traveling in a group.

We have used Vacations to Go to find deals for all inclusive resorts. We usually check Tripadvisor to see what excursions are available nearby.

Hotels, vacation rentals and RV's are other popular options.

We have traveled on 9 different cruise lines over the years.  We typically choose the cruise line based upon destinations.

When we take a cruise, we don't always book the excursions directly through the cruise line.  We usually check Viator, Tripadvisor and Vacations to Go to see if there better tours or less expensive options available.

When we travel, we check with multiple airlines to try to find the best deal.  Don't only look at the ticket price. Also check for additional fees that the airline may add to the total such as baggage charges, seat selection charges, food and beverage charges.

On several of our trips we have seen instances where people have been medically evacuated from the ship by helicopter.  This typically is not covered by your health care provider.  Because we ravel frequently, we purchase an annual policy to ensure that we are protected.