40 fun facts for Disney World's 40th anniversary

By Carlos Frías PALM BEACH POST
Published: 11:52 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 17, 2011
It's been 40 years since Disney World opened and turned Orlando into one of the world's most visited destinations. Sure, the long lines are a punch line. And all Disney magic comes with a price tag. But all 17.2 million people who pass annually through the Magic Kingdom can't be wrong.
So we tip our mouse ears to Disney with one fact for each year of its existence.
1. Walt Disney bought the 43 square miles of Central Florida swampland for Disney World for $5 million, or about $185 an acre.
2. Walt Disney died of complications of lung cancer on Dec. 15, 1966, before the first shovel of dirt was moved on construction of Disney World.
3. 10,000. That was the number of people in attendance for Disney World's soft opening on Oct. 1, 1971. But the grand opening later that month — which included performances by Julie Andrews, Bob Hope and Glen Campbell — was televised nationally. Today, the Magic Kingdom alone averages about 47,000 visitors a day.
4. Disney World has closed three times, all in anticipation of hurricanes: Sept. 15, 1999, for Floyd; Sept. 4-5, 2004, for Frances; and Sept. 26 of that same year for Jeanne.
5. It took less than 30 minutes to evacuate thousands of guests from the theme parks on Sept. 11, 2001.
6. After the Sept. 11 attacks, the Federal Aviation Administration put a flight restriction over the Disney World resort. It extends out in a three-mile radius from Cinderella's Castle and up to 3,000 feet.
7. An estimated 1.65 million pairs of eyeglasses have made their way to Disney World's lost-and-found bins since 1971. Every year, the park finds an average of 6,000 cellphones, 3,500 digital cameras and 18,000 hats.
8. Wondering about the weirdest things ever found? How about a glass eye, a prosthetic leg and a potty trainer — all of which were claimed.
9. A married couple from Boynton Beach, Fla., Alex and Donna Voutsinas, realized years later that they were coincidentally photographed together at Disney as children.
10. The Walt Disney World resort is about the size of San Francisco, and only about 35 percent of its more than 27,000 acres has been developed.
11. Mickey has more than 290 outfits, from a scuba suit to a lighted tuxedo. Minnie? She has more than 200, from cheerleading attire to evening gowns.
12. Stretched end-to-end, the hats with Mickey ears sold at Disney World would span about 175 miles.
13. Cinderella's Castle is made out of fiberglass, and it stands 189 feet tall.
14. Disney World's biggest theme park, Animal Kingdom, encompasses 403 acres.
15. The latest creatures at the Animal Kingdom are the blue people of "Avatar." A new section, with interactive 3-D rides, is planned to open between 2015 and 2016 at a cost of about $400 million.
16. The Animal Kingdom features more than 3,000 species in its 4 million trees and plants.
17. Inside the upper levels of Cinderella's Castle is an apartment that Walt Disney intended to use when he and his family were in Florida. It was left unfinished when he died, until Disney announced in 2006 that it would be turned into a deluxe suite, which is awarded randomly to a family every day. It comes complete with 24-karat gold tile floors and a "magic mirror" that turns into a television.
18. The Land ride at Epcot isn't just for entertainment. More than 30 tons of fruit and vegetables are grown there every year for Disney restaurants.
19. If you were to stay in a different room every night at the Disney World resorts, to sleep in them all would take you 68 years.
20. More than 500 of the young trees around Disney World properties started out as acorns from the "Liberty Oak," the focal point in Liberty Square in the Magic Kingdom.
21. Disney World employs more than 62,000 as part of its "cast," making Walt Disney World the largest single-site employer in the United States.
22. What does Epcot mean? Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow.
23. How did Epcot work out? As envisioned, it would be a working community of about 20,000 people, who would live with futuristic "push-button" technology in their daily lives. But after Walt Disney's death in 1966, brother Roy O. Disney scaled back the social experiment into a world's fair with a vision into "tomorrow."
24. The original idea for Epcot did come to fruition, in a way. Disney built the town of Celebration, which at the 2010 census housed about 7,500 people. The town, which was constructed beginning in 1996, used to be operated by Disney but is now mostly autonomous.
25. It's the late voice actor Jack Wagner you hear telling you to stand clear of the doors on the Disney World monorail. You can also hear his recording aboard the tram at the Orlando International Airport.
26. Disney's infrastructure has more than 270 buses, making it the third-largest bus system in the state, behind Jacksonville and Miami.
27. The newest roller coaster at any of the Disney World parks, Expedition Everest at the Animal Kingdom (aka the Yeti ride) is the tallest of any of the parks' at just a shade under 200 feet. Space Mountain at 180 feet is puny by comparison.
28. Ever notice the water tower wearing the giant Mickey ears at Disney's Hollywood Studios? If you made actual Mickey ears for it, the "Earffel Tower" would wear a size 342¾.
29. There's only one harpist at the Disney World Parks. You can hear him nightly, over dinner at Victoria & Albert's, the restaurant at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa.
30. If you look closely at the mosaic mural on the fourth-floor lobby of Disney's Contemporary Resort, you can see a five-legged goat facing the monorail track.
31. Disney World decorates more than 1,500 Christmas trees at holiday time.
32. There are more than 81 holes of golf on five courses on the property.
33. If you dress up folks in all the shirts sold at Disney World in one year, you'd have enough for every resident of the state of Montana (pop. 974,989.)
34. When Disney World opened, adult admission to the Magic Kingdom cost $3.50. Today it costs $85.
35. In 1976, 50 replicas of the Liberty Bell were made out of the original's cast, and one was donated to each state. Since Philadelphia had the original, it agreed to give its replica to Disney, making Florida the only state with two replica bells. (The other Florida replica is in Melbourne.)
36. Before it became strictly a theme park, Disney's Hollywood Studios (originally called Disney-MGM studios before a legal falling out) was designed to be a working studio.
37. The first film made at Disney's Hollywood Studios was "Ernest Saves Christmas."
38. Television shows were filmed at Disney's Hollywood Studios, too. "The Mickey Mouse Club" featured soon-to-be stars Britney Spears, Justin Timberlake, Ryan Gosling and Christina Aguilera. No shows are filmed there today.
39. Jane Eisner, wife of former Disney CEO Michael Eisner, came up with the "I'm going to Disney World!" campaign, Michael Eisner wrote in his 1998 memoir.
40. Disney World flew its flags at half-staff on the day Apple co-founder Steve Jobs died. Jobs was Disney's largest single shareholder (7 percent), and he was on the board of directors.

Agents Review The Magic

Insider Intelligence: Agents Review the Carnival Magic by Dori Saltzman December 15, 2011 More dining variety, a “hopping” bar, fun water elements and a conveniently located port for mid-America clients all won enthusiastic comments from travel agents who recently sailed on the new Carnival Magic. Travel Market Report caught up with cruise sellers to learn more about the ship and hear their views on positioning and selling the Magic to clients. All had sailed on the Magic, either in Europe, on the transatlantic crossing, or on the U.S. inaugural. What is the target market for the Carnival Magic? "The Carnival Magic covers many target markets: multigenerational family groups, any family with kids, and everyone who has ever sailed from Galveston or New Orleans and wants to see the newest/biggest ship in town." – Debby Stevens, owner, 3D Cruise and Travel, Round Rock, Texas, Nexion Patsie Vaughan "I would say families. There is so much for a family to do and The Magic has great staterooms that have two bathrooms and will hold five people." – Patsie Vaughan, CTC, ACC, Senior Travel Counselor, Travel Leaders of McKinney, McKinney, Texas "Almost a majority of the ship was past Carnival guests." – Becky Piper, CruiseOne, Strongsville, Ohio What were highlights of the onboard experience? "I really loved the hammocks on the aft of the ship and special Jacuzzis interspersed throughout the ship." – Jo Anita Smith, Manager, Marchi Travel Service, Galveston, Texas, Vacation.com Becky Piper "It’s like coming home to Carnival. Cabins look the same and major public areas look the same. I don’t mean that in a bad way, because Carnival people know what they’re going to get and they like what they’re getting. And the miniature golf course on the sports deck turned out really nice." – Becky Piper "The dining venues were great. My favorite by far was La Cucina, the new Italian restaurant option.  I thought the food was as good as I have eaten in Italy in the past." – Tammie Speers, president, Timeless Travel, Inc., Bixby, Oklahoma Any “wow” spaces? "The Red Frog Pub was a huge hit. The idea behind the pub was to create a Key West feel and Carnival nailed it! I must say I am a little biased as I spent lots of time there. Also, the Camp Carnival area is superb and I was truly jealous of the arcade area."  – Connie Kirby, vice president, Vacation Tour and Travel, Conway, Ark. Debby Stevens "The Water Park and Sports Square were big wows. The two-story spa is the largest I’ve ever seen at sea." – Debby Stevens "The waterslides are fast enough to give a thrill to adults and the ropes course is challenging, especially if you try it with no hands." – Patsie Vaughan What are key selling points for the Carnival Magic? "To have a brand new build out of Galveston is major, because lately what’s been going out of Galveston are lots of older builds." – Becky Piper "Economical, a great value for a family." – Jo Anita Smith Connie Kirby "The food, the food, the food – I was amazed at the options for lunch alone: The Lido Deck grill, the Lido buffet, The Tandoor (Indian cuisine), The Wok, the deli, the main dining room, the pizzeria, the new Italian restaurant (free at lunch), the Ocean plaza featuring a cook-out daily, Red Frog Pub….the options seem to be endless." – Connie Kirby "Lots of entertainment and activities to do day and night." – Patsie Vaughan "The ocean view cabins with two sinks, one tub and one shower. Awesome for people sharing a cabin when getting ready." – Tammie Speers What’s the repeat sales potential for the Carnival Magic? "The different itineraries make repeat sailings on the Magic a must. With both an Eastern Caribbean and Western Caribbean sailing offered you will definitely want to sail more than once.  I simply did not have the time to experience all there is to offer on one sailing." – Connie Kirby "I feel it’s very high. Once a person experiences Carnival Magic, they will want to come back with others to try out the alternate itinerary it offers." – Debby Stevens Tammie Speers "I think it will be better than any ship they have had down in Galveston to date." – Tammie Speers What should agents keep in mind when selling the Carnival Magic? "This is a ship that will require more advance bookings due to its newness. Relay to clients that waiting for last minute deals is not a good idea, as the Magic will sell out most sailings for quite some time." – Debby Stevens "The Magic is big, and agents should be careful putting people on it who are looking for a quiet, peaceful cruise." – Patsie Vaughan “The size of the ship can be daunting. Sell only mid-ship cabins for those clients that do not want long walks from elevator to aft or stern.” – Jo Anita Smith What are possible obstacles or objections? “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and some people are going to find the décor a little bit on the wild and funky side, but it’s all about managing expectations.” – Becky Piper “The Comedy Club is a highlight, but this was the only venue where I experienced a seating issue. When they say standing room only, they meant it. The place was packed.” – Connie Kirby "I know that there was an issue up front in the cove balconies, where the water spray coming in during rough weather made them too wet to use on parts of the voyage." – Tammie Speers

Travel Etiquette 101: Scandinavia & United Arab Emirates

When traversing the globe, we should never forget that we are guests in the countries we visit. Acting respectfully of the local customs is not just preferred but expected, so you should be prepared and know which actions are acceptable. With that in mind, here are general etiquette introductions to Scandinavia and the United Arab Emirates.

Scandinavia

Never Call Someone a "Scandinavian" -- While the three countries that comprise Scandinavia--Norway, Sweden and Denmark--share many cultural similarities, they still maintain strong independent national identities. Refer to each country's people individually (ie. Norwegians, Swedes, Danes) rather than collectively. Also, inhabitants of Finland and Iceland, while sometimes included with their Scandinavian neighbors, are more accurately classified as Nordic.

All Men & Women Are Created Equal -- Equality of the sexes plays a strong role in Scandinavian society, in both professional and familial roles, so always treat both sexes the same. That being said, chivalry still has a place, so men should never shy away from opening a door for lady.

No Time for Chit Chat -- Scandinavians typically avoid idle conversation. So as much as you're tempted to ask, "How are you doing?" it's best to be direct with your conversation while looking them directly in the eyes.

Don't be Late for Dinner Parties -- Scandinavians tend to be extremely punctual, so if you are invited to someone's home for a meal, show up on time. Also, a small gift is expected, such as sweets for the host's children or a bottle of wine for the host.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE)

Respect Goes Both Ways -- Consisting of seven principalities or sheikdoms, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is a rising star in the travel world. Although 80% of the population is Muslim, the country is, in general, very tolerant of all visitors in order to appease the business travelers who frequent Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Travelers, however, should never take this tolerance for granted. Both men and women should show respect for the country's religious beliefs by dressing moderately and not showing a lot of skin.

Please Drink Responsibly -- While most of the Muslim population stays clear of alcohol, it is still available in select restaurants and nightclubs. If you partake, drink responsibly in order to refrain from any "boorish" activities, which might attract the attention of local authorities.

Meet and Greet -- Greet everyone in the room with a gentle handshake, direct eye contact, a smile and a polite "Salaam aleikum," or "Peace be upon you" (the reply to which is "Aleikum assalaam," or "and on you peace"). As with many Middle Eastern countries, always shake with your right hand, since the left is occasionally used for less sanitary purposes.

Sit Up, Soles Down -- When sitting in a group, slouching is considered rude, so sit straight. Also, the soles of your shoes should remain on the ground and never be pointed in someone's direction.

How to Pack for a Cruise Vacation

By Kara Murphy
The average standard cabin on a cruise ship is less than 200 square feet, so pay careful attention to the square footage when booking and packing for your cruise. Learn how to maximize the smaller space with these expert packing tips.

Pick the right suitcase.

The good news is that "cruise companies are increasingly designing cabins with room underneath beds to accommodate larger bags," says Carolyn Spencer Brown, editor in chief of Cruise Critic (www.cruisecritic.com).

If there isn't space to store a larger suitcase, pack your things in soft-sided bags -- such as rolling duffels, backpacks, and totes -- that can be flattened after you unpack them.

Keep in mind that there are closets in most cabins, but it is unlikely that they will be stocked with enough hangers to accommodate all of your clothing. You may want to consider bringing several extra hangers with you if you plan to completely unpack your bags (not a bad idea if cruising for longer than two or three days). Pack extra hangers at the bottom of your suitcase, and plan to leave them behind on the ship.

In addition to your suitcase, bring a day bag for ports of call and to carry essentials to different activities around the ship. When boarding, treat your day bag as your carry-on bag. "The first day you check your luggage at the check-in desk, and you're most likely going to be without your bags for about six to eight hours," says Brown. "So pack anything you're going to need for the day, like your bathing suit, sunscreen, and any medications you need to take."

Board wearing a resort-casual outfit.

Since it can take some time for your luggage to arrive in your stateroom, pay attention to what you wear when embarking. "Aim for resort casual because whatever you're wearing when you board may even need to take you into the evening, especially if there are delays delivering your baggage to your cabin," says Cruise Critic's Carolyn Spencer Brown. "But the first night of dinner is always casual. People are still getting their luggage and most will not have unpacked."

When in doubt, just stick to classic styles in neutral colors or bright colors and patterns that transition easily from day to night. Consider wearing a dress or a pair of khaki or black pants with a blouse or a polo shirt. Save your extra casual clothes for later, but if you think you'll want them on the first day (for instance, if you plan to hit the pool immediately after you board), just pack them in your tote or personal bag.

Check the dress code.

"It used to be that you had to pack for all different occasions -- formal, semi-formal, evening -- but the dress code has been simplified," says Cruise Critic's Carolyn Spencer Brown. "Now most cruise lines stick to a casual dress code most of the time. Even if they do have formal nights, if you don't want to participate, you can just eat at a different restaurant that night. You won't see many people wearing jeans or shorts in the dining room at night, but during the day, anything goes." In general, a jersey dress, easy skirt, or casual slacks will work for dinner, along with a pair of strappy sandals or loafers.

There are, however, several cruise lines that take formal nights seriously. "Cunard and Crystal Cruises are both lines where people dress more formally. Princess and Carnival are two others where people get excited about getting all dolled up on formal nights," says Brown. "Even on some Disney cruises, there are dress-up nights where parents will dress their little boys in tuxedos, and little girls in princess dresses -- it's a really fun and special ambiance."

Most cruise lines have detailed descriptions of dress codes on their websites. Keep in mind that nearly all cruise ships offer some sort of casual dining service and room service, so you can certainly avoid formal dinners if you want to.

It's always best to leave valuables at home, but if you do want to bring jewelry (perhaps to wear on formal nights), most ships have safes in each cabin. Stash your valuables there along with your passport.

Make a list of activities, and pack accordingly.

Remember to pack clothes according to the types of activities you plan to participate in (both on the ship and at ports of call).

Do you want to spend lots of time at the pool? If so, bring a couple of bathing suits and cover-ups, flip flops and plenty of sunscreen. Do you want to exercise? Be sure to bring comfortable athletic shoes and workout clothes. Do you plan to sign up for shore excursions? Make a list of any additional gear, so that you don't end up having to miss out because you forgot to pack the right shoes.

"As far as clothing, I typically bring three of everything and use the ship's laundry service if needed," says Brown. "It's usually reasonably priced, and some ships even have self-service laundry you can use in a pinch."

Be prepared for small bathrooms.

Small cabins mean cramped bathrooms, so pack your toiletries in a hanging toiletry bag. If you're sharing the bathroom with other people, you might want to even bring along a fabric hanging shoe caddy that folds up flat when not in use. "Put it over the back of your door and let each person keep their stuff in their own compartment," says Carolyn Spencer Brown of Cruise Critic. "It's a smart way to stay organized."

Most cruise lines offer basic toiletries, including lotion, shampoo and conditioner, but that's about it. It's always good to bring your own, especially if you're particular about which products and brands you use.

"Every ship has some sort of small shop for toiletries, so if you forget stuff you can always buy things there. They typically even have items like underwear and socks," says Brown. "If you use a blow-dryer regularly, consider bringing your own -- the blow-dryers provided on ships are always weak!"

Also, because of their size, most cabins are equipped with just one power outlet. "So if you have several devices you're going to want to use and charge at once, bring your own power strip," says Brown. "Cruise lines don't advocate this, but it's a good item to bring along so you're covered in case you need it." An outlet multiplier will also do the trick.

article from Frommers.com

Best of Cruise Line Entertainment

By Paul Motter

Published November 28, 2011

| FoxNews.com

• 
  Royal Caribbean
  Performers in the AquaThreatre on Royal Caribbean.

There are really two different kinds of cruises:  those you to take to see exciting destinations and those where the ship is the destination. 

The “ship as the destination” has, in the last 10 years, gotten decidedly better. And entertainment, especially on the newest cruise ships, has reached a level where some ships are now alternatives to Las Vegas and New York. With attractions like the latest 3-D movies, lavish spectacles in specially built ice skating rinks and aqua theatres, along with hit Broadway shows like "Hairspray," it's easy to see how these are major attractions.

• 

Disney Cruise Line 

Disney Cruise Line was the first to offer entertainment as the primary reason to take a cruise. Of course the line had a leg up on the competition; the exclusive rights to Disney movies, stage shows, characters and songs. Disney ships feature state-of-the-art theaters for live shows and 3-D movies. You can spend your entire cruise ensconced in the best of Disney. You will find Micky, Minnie, Donald and Goofy interacting with guests through shipboard “character experiences” throughout the cruise, but there’s far more. 

Stage productions also feature the popular Disney characters - such as original show “Villains Tonight” which debuted on the brand new Disney Dream last year. The all-original script includes many famous Disney villains like Captain Hook, Cruella De Vil, Ursula from the "Little Mermaid" and Scar from the "Lion King." The success of the Disney Cruise Line formula showed the other cruise lines something new. While cruise ships always had entertainment, entertainment had never been considered a money maker because they don’t charge for shows. But Disney was able to command much higher cruise fares than other cruise lines, proving that great onboard entertainment can make a difference. Of course, Disney had something other cruise lines did not have – the rights to popular characters and shows. 

Royal Caribbean Entertainment 

Last year Royal Caribbean aligned with DreamWorks, a major rival of Disney for animated movies. The line now also has 3-D movie theaters and “character experiences” with popular DreamWorks characters, such as Shrek, Kung Fu Panda and Puss ‘n Boots. The line also created new stage shows featuring these characters. 

But Royal Caribbean didn’t stop with DreamWorks characters. It was the first cruise line to acquire the rights to the book versions of certain hit Broadway shows like "Hairspray," "Chicago" and "Saturday Night Fever." But this is just the latest entertainment innovation for Royal Caribbean. The line started building ice skating rinks on its ships back in 1999, which most people just considered a new activity for cruisers. But the real payoff was the new “Ice Capades” style shows they created. Today these shows are excellent shipboard entertainment with Olympic-class skaters from around the world. 

The newest (largest ship in the world) Oasis-class ships added another proven entertainment genre. “AquaTheater” shows featuring water and aerial-based productions already proven popular in Las Vegas. The Oasis shows require the custom-built AquaTheater venue with 60-foot high dives, trampolines, underwater cameras and trapeze mechanisms. These shows resemble proven Vegas hits like “O” by Cirque D’ Soliel (a play on the French word “eau” for water) and “Le Reve,” a $100-million production at the new Wynn Hotel. The Oasis-class also has a new acrobatic stage show “Come Fly With Me,” using some of the performers from the AquaTheater shows. It features the flying stage-craft now in vogue in Vegas and on Broadway. These shows were created with a producer new to cruise ships, Suzanne Childers, who came with many of the people who worked on “Le Reve” in Las Vegas. Childers is now also working with Silversea Cruises. 

Norwegian Cruise Lines 

Norwegian aligned itself with Second City Comedy and the Nickelodeon Television a few years ago. When it brought out Norwegian Epic in 2010 it also added a proven New York and Vegas hit show “Blue Man Group.” This was the first cruise ship with a custom built theater for a specific show. The investment in entertainment paid off by making Norwegian Epic a very popular ship. Norwegian Epic also aligned with another successful Las Vegas production company “Legends in Concert” to create “Legends at Sea,” a series of “tribute shows” to popular artists. The ship changes the show every six months but so far the tributes include Cher, Michael Jackson, Rod Stewart, Tina Turner, Britney Spears, Madonna and of course, Elvis. 

Norwegian didn’t just hire the tribute artists; the productions include the bands, singers and dancers. You don’t just get an “impersonator,” you get a nearly perfect recreation of each artist’s concert stage show with authentic choreography and music. The ship also features a show from Cirque Productions, a Florida-based company similar to Cirque D’ Soliel featuring acrobats, high wire, comedy and other modern circus themes. The key difference is that cruise lines are now finding proven entertainment from outside the cruise industry and bringing it onboard intact. It has become passé for a cruise line to hire writers, arrangers and choreographers and cast its own shows. “Cruise ship entertainment” has been replaced by real entertainment on cruise ships. 

Other Cruise Lines 

Cunard Line's three ships offer a very high caliber of more sophisticated entertainment featuring players from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts (RADA) in London. The line presents original shows based on popular West End (London) musicals with casts as large as 30 players. The ships’ beautiful theaters include impeccable sight lines and box seats with champagne and sweets available. 

Carnival Cruise Line now features a comedy club on each ship with two different comedians doing two shows every night, plus a late-night adults only show. Carnival just hired comedian and talk show host George Lopez to serve as its “Director of Comedy.” Lopez will find the talent and lead the comedic direction for the comedy clubs throughout the fleet. 

Luxury cruise line refinement doesn’t always translate to the most impressive entertainment, but as noted, Silversea Cruises just hired Suzanne Childers (who did Royal Caribbean’s acrobatic shows) to remake its onboard revues. Crystal Cruises also has a reputation for surprisingly innovative stage shows for a luxury cruise line. Finally, the Great American Steamboat Company, slated to begin Mississippi River cruises next April, 2012, has already announced an impressive lineup of all-American artists to perform the first season; the Glenn Miller Orchestra, the Harry James Orchestra, The Lovin’ Spoonful, The Platters, Bill Haley’s Comets and The New Orleans Jazz All-stars, among others. 

Paul Motter is the co-founder and editor of CruiseMates.com cruise travel guide.

The Brand New Carnival Magic!

We were there for the welcome party, and what a party it was! Maroon 5 put on a concert on the pier, and we were treated to 24 hours on board so we could sample the amenities, food, and fun! here are some pictures from the brand new vessel..

adults only area, wraps around whole front of ship

heated chair in the spa

lots of semi private jacuzzis along the side

More happy clients just returning from Ireland

We returned from a tour of Ireland on the 19th of this month ( The Folk & Pub Tour ).  The tour was wonderful and Ireland is absolutely beautiful.  The Irish people we met could not have been more helpful, courteous, and happy to see us, they are like Texans with an accent and CIE Tours did everything outlined in the tour catalog, and more.  Everything was perfect.
Which brings me to our tour guide, Patrick Pendergrast.  CIE is very fortunate to have a tour director like Patrick.  Extremely professional, great, dry sense of humor, on top of everything, and he must have a Master's in Irish history.  So knowledgeable in relating the history of Ireland and her people, but not in the sense you felt you were in a history class.
If all your tour directors are of the same ilk at Patrick, CIE has got to be one of the top touring companies in the business.  As Patrick was playing the CD of Mr. Stack asking for referrals, I was thinking that anyone I met who is thinking of going on a tour, I would steer in your direction, and to ask what tours Patrick is a assigned to.
While CIE had nothing to do with creating the beauty, and magic, that is Ireland and the Irish, we feel fortunate that we had someone like Patrick to present that gift of beauty and magic that is Ireland to us.
Trust the tone of this email conveys how delighted we are with CIE Tours.
                                                                        Regards,

                                                                 Joe & Barbara Crowley
                                                                     Blanco, Texas

Great article on family cruising

How to Pick the Right Cruise For Your Family

By Paul Motter

Published November 14, 2011

• 
  AP
  Hard-to-please tweens and teens can find action-packed activities on family oriented cruise lines.

The closest I ever got to a cruise in my childhood was the “Jungle Ride” at Disneyland. The guide had a shtick so clever it’s now Americana. The old exit joke was: “Like Dad said, the ride’s over so grab your stuff and get out.” 

Back then Disney had a theme park containing a cruise, now it has four cruise ships containing theme parks. Disney is not a cruise line just for kids-- it is a cruise line with a well-deserved reputation for family-oriented cruises. But other cruise ships can work just as well, depending on the ages and interests of your family members. As long as there is something for everyone, each can go his or her own way, but never go so far that you can’t regroup for dinner.

Onboard Children’s Programs 

I personally recommend the following newer and bigger ships for family cruises: All four Disney ships: Royal Caribbean’s Oasis and Allure of the Seas; Carnival Dream, Miracle or Breeze; NCL’s Norwegian Epic. 

All of these ships have kids’ programs separated by these age groups: 

Toddlers (6 to 36 months) 

Kids (4 to 10 years) 

Tweens (11 to 13 years) 

Teens (14 to 17 years)

These children’s programs are common on most cruise ships, but these newest and biggest ships have most comprehensive facilities for kids. Professional youth coordinators will entertain them from 8:00 am to midnight with video games, water slides, swimming pools, foosball, board games, puppet shows, karaoke, movies, nap time and more – all at no charge. They will have late-night slumber parties for the school-age kids, or you can even hire a private babysitter to stay with younger kids until well past midnight. 

The Best Ships for Your Family 

Although each cruise line I mention has activities for all ages, certain ship personalities will fit some age groups better than others. The youngest kids up to 12 will love any Disney ship - although every age group should enjoy Disney a lot. You will find more kids of all ages on Disney than any other cruise line. I recommend the new Disney Dream and Fantasy for the most appeal to all ages. Young kids will also love the 3-D movies plus ice skating and AquaTheater shows starring DreamWorks characters like Shrek and Puss ‘n Boots on the biggest Royal Caribbean ships, Oasis and Allure. But these ships also appeal to athletic teens -- with tennis, mini-golf, rock climbing, Flo-rider surfing and zip lining.  

Carnival’s Dream-class offers tweens and teens free onboard “social networking” computers and their own disco spaces with DJs for dancing. Carnival is the only line with no fuzzy TV or movie “character experiences” for the younger kids, however Carnival does carry a lot of kids of all ages and its activities are extensive.  

NCL’s Norwegian Epic is also an entertainment-centric ship that teens should enjoy with great comedy and rock music shows like Legends in Concert, Blue Man Group and Howl at the Moon. Teen musicians can even rent a Gibson guitar to play during the cruise (through headphones). Some NCL ships have fuzzy Nickelodeon characters for the younger kids, but they are not as ubiquitous as on Disney or Royal Caribbean. 

Accommodations 

Just so you know; all staterooms are sold to sleep a specific number of people. You can’t bring a child onboard to sleep in the tub. There are a few different family configurations. Family suites that sleep up to six (or even more) people are most expensive. Many people book two cabins; a nice verandah for the parents and a separate, inside cabin for the kids. Adjoining cabins are available – but they book up early. Most cabins can accommodate a third person on a sofa-bed or a pull-down bed with a ladder. You can have the parents in one cabin with a toddler and put an older teen or grandma in another cabin with the younger kids. If you really want to save money, you can even find tiny inside cabins that fit up to four people. Many cruise lines run special offers where the 3rd and 4th people sail free. 

Common Courtesy for Cruising with Kids 

Some kids programs allow older kids to check themselves out. Make sure you know where your kids are at all times, especially after dark. Although they are far more relaxed these days, when cruise ships have dress codes kids are not exempt. No jeans or t-shirts in the dining rooms after dark. But you do not need to buy suit jackets or ties. Carnival allows each adult to bring a bottle of wine, and each guest can bring a 12-pack of soda. But that is the limit. You can buy unlimited “soda cards” for your kids on almost any cruise ship. Never allow toddlers in any pool or hot tub, especially in diapers. Never let any kids invade adult only areas. Unruly kids will not be disciplined by the ship, which means it is your responsibility to keep them in line. 

Money Saving and Practical Tips 

The cruises with the most kids sail during school vacations; summertime, spring break and the holidays. These are also the times when cruise prices tend to go higher. You can save by taking them out of school, but they may be the only kids on the cruise. Most programs will allow kids to join a sibling in another age group. If you have toddlers you may need a bathtub to wash them. Many staterooms only come with showers. Avoid activities where you pay a “per person” charge: Drive to the ship to avoid individual airfare. Rent a car in ports, hire a taxi or pre-arrange a group tour. 

Finally, the Caveats 

I recommend the larger, newer cruise ships for a reason. Smaller cruise lines like Holland America have kids programs, but on longer cruises there may be no kids onboard. It is also possible your kids won’t like the other kids onboard, but bigger ships have more diversity in activities and kids to meet. Single parents should bring permission slips from ex-spouses saying the child can leave the country. 

Older teens are somewhat odd ducks in the cruise world. There are no special programs for people 18 -20 years old. They can dance in the adult disco, but are not allowed to drink if leaving from the U.S. (International cruises have an 18-year age limit for drinking). If your 19-year old is a loner, a cruise may not be the best fit.

Paul Motter is the co-founder and editor of CruiseMates.com cruise travel guide.

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/travel/2011/11/14/how-to-pick-right-family-cruise-for/#ixzz1do3DydUA

Holiday gifts for travelers, from bags to gadgets

Great Article for travelers looking for some great Holiday gifts...

By BETH J. HARPAZ

NEW YORK — Many travelers have a favorite item or gadget they can't leave home without — the equivalent of a teddy bear for grown-ups. Maybe it's the GPS, or the inflatable neck pillow, or the Kindle, or the wheeled bag. At holiday time, as we struggle to come up with the perfect present for everyone on our list, it's worth considering which of our treasured travel bring-alongs might make a good gift for someone else.

Here are some favorites from folks who spend a lot of time away from home, as well as a look at a few new and interesting items from retailers that just might become tomorrow's must-haves.
Caroline Costello of IndependentTraveler.com recommends the Sittin' Bag, which she describes as "a wonderful gift for an older traveler or someone with an injury or disability." It's a carry-on-size rolling suitcase with a fold-out seat attached to the side. Costello says it "provides a convenient place to rest in long airport security lines or busy train stations," available at http://www.magellans.com/ for $155.
"I love my XShot, an extender rod to take self-photos/video, which I do often on my portable video camera," says Robert Reid, U.S. Travel Editor for Lonely Planet. "Everytime I use it, I get comments. 'Hey what is THAT?' So it's an ice-breaker too." XShot — http://xshot.com/, $30 — is a telescopic rod that attaches to digital cameras or handheld video cameras, allowing the shooter to be in the frame without stretching an arm out or asking a stranger to take the picture.

Pauline Frommer, travel guidebook writer and founding editor of Frommers.com, says one of the "best travel gifts" she ever got was a Tumi plug adaptor that came from fellow travel writer and editor Adrien Glover. "It comes in a little black case and it has prongs that can be pushed in and out, so it works everywhere!" she said. "Really great when you're traveling to two parts of the world in one trip, as I did recently. I used one setting for Ireland and another one for Poland." The electric adaptor is $50 from http://www.tumi.com and offers four different plug configurations in one unit, good for 150 countries for powering devices like MP3 players, digital cameras and mobile phones.
Carolyn Spencer Brown, editor of CruiseCritic.com, who spends about as much time on ships and planes as she does at home, is an unabashed fan of J. Peterman's Counterfeit Mailbag — http://www.jpeterman.com/Counterfeit-Mailbag, $349, leather. "There's plenty of room for my laptop, iPad and other assorted key items" and it can "easily fit everything I need for a long-haul flight," she said in an email from her latest destination, New Zealand.
George Hobica of AirfareWatchdog.com identifies the popular Bose Quiet Comfort Noise-Cancelling headphones, $300, http://www.bose.com, as "the only gadget I can't live without ... drowns out screaming babies and screaming cell phone users."
Bags and gadgets are also among the items retailers are recommending this season. The "Pan Am" TV show has gotten a mixed reception, but whether or not you like the show, it's hard not to love the retro style of a blue and white Pan Am airline bag, $74, from http://www.wayfair.com.
Wayfair.com also sells Smart Tubes, $19 for a set of two two-ounce containers in pretty pastel colors. They're the perfect solution for travelers who want to decant a small amount of a favorite liquid or gel product for hair or skin from a large bottle at home into a small portable container that meets Transportation Security Administration regulations for air travel. The light bulb-shaped containers are extremely well-designed, with a tight closing cap that prevents spills and offers a wide mouth for filling up as well as a small squeeze hole for dispensing.
Practical and stylish, Safe Skies Locks is selling TSA-approved luggage locks that turn any generic black bag on a luggage carousel into an instantly recognizable fashion statement. The locks come in a variety of patterns and colors, including zebra stripes, leopard spots, and colorful floral prints, $13-$15, http://www.safeskieslocks.com/store/.
Here's a clever gift idea from the B&B industry: The Getaway Gift Card from BedandBreakfast.com, available for $25 to $1,000 and good at more than 4,000 B&Bs in the U.S. and Canada. The website promises that the card won't expire or reduce in value and has no blackout dates or hidden fees. It's free to customize the card with your own photo and is ideal as a last-minute gift that can be delivered instantly online via email or printed out at home for presentation in person. You can also have it shipped to the recipient for free. Now through Nov. 22, when you buy a gift card of $250 or more, you get an additional free $50 gift card with the promo code GCBELLS50 at checkout.
Flight 001, the fun and trendy travel retailer with stores in California, Chicago and New York as well as online at http://www.flight001.com, offers a colorful variety of luggage, gadgets and many other travel goodies for the holidays in wide range of prices and styles, but one of its best offerings this season makes a great gift for travelers who vacation in wine country and like to bring home a bottle. The VinniBag, $30, is a reusable bag with inflatable air chambers designed to protect and insulate fragile items. Wine bottles are a perfect fit but the bag can accommodate many other shapes and sizes, and it's covered with transparent material for visual inspection without opening.
Anne Banas at SmarterTravelMedia.com says she's hoping Santa brings her a Solio Bolt charger. "I tried it out a couple of weeks ago," she said. "It's cute, seems to be well made, is compact and it works as described," and is eco-friendly, versatile and packable. The charger has an on-board battery and rotating solar panels, and it can juice up from the sun, a USB port or the wall to power your phone, MP3 player, e-reader, GPS or camera, $70 from http://www.store.solio.com.
They're not solar-powered, but Duracell also has a variety of portable chargers — the Instant Charger, Powerhouse Charger and Pocket Charger — to provide hours of extra power when the battery runs out on an iPhone, BlackBerry or iPod. They connect via USB cords to the devices, and recharge via USB cord from a computer. They're compact, lightweight and starting at $20, may be cheaper than extra batteries for gadgets. They're also getting rave consumer reviews online from folks who are on the go all day or are facing long trips and dreading the prospect of an iPod or cell phone that's run out of juice.

More Happy Clients!

"Dear Debby,
      Thanks so much for making our cruise Top Notch! We dined in the dining room of the best restaurant on the ship "Chops", had the best steak ever. Great! The spa treatment you gave me was also tops - fantastic!!
       We had a wonderful time - Jerry did the Boogie Board, ziplined, and I even ziplined also - Great Ship. We were on the 47th voyage - saw all the shows and had a great time - Airlines flights were good, and thanks for wheelchair assistance too! Great Time - Wonderful Thanks
Nancy & Jerry Bratz"

Another Happy Client!

Hello Debby,
We had a great time, despite some rain. We took a walk down the beach, in between rain clouds, and found some sea shells to bring back with us :).
We definitely took advantage of all the drinks and food as well as the other amenities the resort offered. The specialty restaurants were very good and book fast.
We went on 3 excursions-2 that you set up and one other. The first being the Arenal Volcano with the hot springs and rain forest; AWESOME!! The second one we did was Coco beach which is where we bought all of gifts J And the last one was the Liberia City tour, this one was nice has it gave us a closer look at a city in Costa Rica and the everyday lives of the locals.
I would have to say “all in all” despite the weather conditions we had a great time. Costa Rica is truly a beautiful country with very nice people.
I highly recommend using CAT tours with all future clients. Our guide was great, Carlos was very educated with the history of his home and passed it onto us :).
Once again, thank you so much for all your help and we look forward to future business with you and definitely will be sending you friends and family.

Thank you,
Shawn & Monika

(They stayed at the Occidental Grande Papagayo)

FYI - a great time to schedule for 2012 Holiday Travel is EARLY in the New Year......

Tour Operators: Dominican Republic, Jamaica Hot for the Holidays

October 20, 2011 By: Joe Pike

---

Travel Agent recently discussed hot holiday destinations with some of the leading Caribbean tour operators and learned that the Dominican Republic is leading the pack, but Jamaica isn't too far behind.
During our recent coverage of the American Express Travel U.S. Representative Network Conference, we interviewed several tour operators and learned that the all-inclusives in the Dominican Republic is the main reason families are booking for the holiday season.
"Punta Cana remains so hot," says Greg Bernd, co-president of Classic Vacations, "because there are just so many excellent all-inclusives there."
Bernd also added that Turks & Caicos has also picked up steam recently, mostly with affluent families.
"There is such an impressive luxury presence in Turks & Caicos," Bern says, "and people are really taking advantage of it. We've been getting a lot of calls for Turks."
Darya Camacci, vice president of sales for Funjet Vacations, however, says Jamaica remains her company's best sell.
"It's really nothing new," she says. "Every year, Jamaica does very well for the holidays and this season seems to be going along the same way."
Meanwhile, MLT Vacations says the Dominican Republic is not only hot for the holidays, but has been hot all year long.
"The Dominican Republic is our hottest Caribbean destination right now," Ken Pomerantz, president and chief marketing officer of MLT Vacations, told us earlier this month. "Everyone wants to go to Punta Cana."
-from travelagentcentral.com

Another Happy Client!

Hi Debby!
           
Isla was amazing, we had a GREAT time!  The Palace was wonderful, absolutely no complaints.  Of the 62 rooms, only 11 were occupied when we checked in so it was almost like we had the resort to ourselves.  Our room was fabulous, great view of both the beach and the pool.  The transfers to and from the hotel went flawlessly. We rented golf carts on the island for a few days which we loved, gave us a chance to explore and really familiarize ourselves with the island.  Would definitely recommend that - they even had parking for them at the hotel!  We also found a great little bar called the Soggy Peso that we loved.  Went there a few times and had a blast.  It's actually owned by a couple from Texas, super low key but lots of fun.

I made DJ promise we would go back there one day
Thanks again for all your help Debby!!!!

re: Isla Mujeres Honeymoon at the Isla Mujeres Palace Resort.

A Trip Review from a client..

Hey Debby!

We had a wonderful time in Jamaica—the time of our lives! Thanks so much for all your help in getting the arrangements made. We didn’t have to worry about a thing, which was perfect.

I  wanted to give a big recommendation for the Couples Sans Souci property—what a place! It really is possibly the most romantic place in the Caribbean. There are so many places to just be alone—lots of hammocks, grottos, pools, and hot tubs. Best of all, it’s quiet. They don’t pump in a bunch of loud music to keep the energy high, they actually let you enjoy the sounds of the ocean and the natural tropical life. The speed of life there just slows to a crawl and you can’t help but get in the “no worries” Jamaican state of mind. I think it was on our first day there that we both agreed we would return to Couples Sans Souci.

The room was great—E block (Oceanview suites) had a little bit of noise in the evening due to its close proximity to the main bar where they brought in nightly entertainment, but it started at 9:30 and was usually over by 11pm. Also, the rooms could use some updating, but that’s really a small concern, once you sink into the “no problem” state of mind, you hardly care about the small stuff. The staff was very helpful, friendly, and attentive, and best of all they made us feel like we owned the place. We actually only left the property once for a brief excursion, but the property is so big and beautiful we never really felt the need to leave.

Again, I would highly recommend Couples Sans Souci to any of your clients looking for the perfect romantic Caribbean getaway.

Enjoy the pics and thanks again for all your help—we will definitely use 3D Cruise and Travel for our future vacationing.

Sincerely,
Logan Gratehouse

CLIA’s World’s Largest Cruise Sale Set for Oct. 17 to 23

By Theresa Norton Masek
October 10, 2011 2:19 PM

The Cruise Lines International Association’s World’s Largest Cruise Sale is ready to launch, Oct. 17 to 23. The 25 cruise line members of CLIA and more than 5,000 travel agencies will team up for National Cruise Vacation Week, offering potential savings of $100 to $5,000 or more in some cases, shipboard credits of $50 to over $300, upgrades to suites, and other incentives such as complimentary shore excursions, deposit waivers and more.
Among the offers are three- to five-day Caribbean cruises starting at $249, six- to eight-day sailings starting at $429, $2,000 savings per couple on a river cruise through Burgundy and Provence, and two-for-one fares with free airfare plus up to $5,000 in bonus savings on sailings in Europe or the Pacific.
The special offers will be available at events hosted by CLIA-member travel agencies in partnership with cruise lines and, in some cases, other local business partners. Participating CLIA-member cruise lines include AmaWaterways, American Cruise Lines, Avalon Waterways, Azamara Club Cruises, Carnival Cruise Lines, Celebrity Cruises, Costa Cruises, Crystal Cruises, Cunard Line, Disney Cruise Line, Holland America Line, Hurtigruten, Louis Cruises, MSC Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises, Paul Gauguin Cruises, Princess Cruises, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Royal Caribbean International, SeaDream Yacht Club, Silversea Cruises, Seabourn Cruise Line, Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection and Windstar Cruises.
In addition, thousands of agents will participate with online NCVW events. Consumers can visit the agents’ customized microsites, watch cruise line videos, collect information about special values and book their cruises. The virtual NCVW events will run throughout October.

If you have been thinking about cruising, now is the time to contact us for amazing deals!

Choosing the Perfect African Safari

The words "African safari" conjure up different images in people's minds. Some imagine slicing through the jungle with machetes in search of big game, while others envision tranquil drives in air–conditioned 4x4s. Safaris do, in fact, come in all shapes and sizes. Here is a rundown so that you–with the assistance of your safari–savvy travel agent–can find the perfect fit.

Luxury Lodge Safari – Safaris that combine the best qualities of a 5-star hotel with a relaxing drive into the wilderness to capture wild animals with your telephoto lens.

Bush Camp Safari – Similar to luxury lodges except your hotel is a semi-permanent tent set up in nature for a more up-close and personal experience, creating some unique and unforgettable moments, such as an elephant roar waking you up.

Walking Safari – While following a trained guide, you hike through the countryside where the 4x4s can't go, tracking the animals you want to find while avoiding the ones that want to find you.

Self-Drive Safari – A few places in Africa, namely Namibia and South Africa, have areas set up for you to drive and explore without a guide, trusting your instincts to find wild game.

Specific Game Viewing – Some outfits feature safaris designed to find specific animals, such as gorillas, elephants or even exotic birds.

Elephant Back Safaris – Elephants provide both a unique and protected way to traverse the wilds.

By Air – You can either fly to a remote area to increase your chances of spotting the best beasts, or you can take a hot air balloon ride over the savannah to increase your chances of getting vertigo.

Whichever you choose, choose to consult your travel agent first. Agents like us know which countries are the safest to travel in, which guides have the best reputation, and which end of a warthog is best to photograph (they're better looking from the backside).

Tips for Traveling Abroad

For detailed information about steps you can take to ensure a safe trip, see How to Have a Safe Trip. Meanwhile, here are some quick tips to make your travel easier and safer:

• Sign up for the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program so the State Department can better assist you in an emergency: Let us know your travel plans through the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program, a free online service at https://travelregistration.state.gov. This will help us contact you if there is a family emergency in the U.S., or if there is a crisis where you are traveling. In accordance with the Privacy Act, information on your welfare and whereabouts will not be released to others without your express authorization.
  
• Sign passport, and fill in the emergency information: Make sure you have a signed, valid passport, and a visa, if required, and fill in the emergency information page of your passport.
  
• Leave copies of itinerary and passport data page: Leave copies of your itinerary, passport data page and visas with family or friends, so you can be contacted in case of an emergency.
  
• Check your overseas medical insurance coverage: Ask your medical insurance company if your policy applies overseas, and if it covers emergency expenses such as medical evacuation. If it does not, consider supplemental insurance.
  
• Familiarize yourself with local conditions and laws: While in a foreign country, you are subject to its laws. The State Department web site at http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1765.html has useful safety and other information about the countries you will visit.
  
• Take precautions to avoid being a target of crime: To avoid being a target of crime, do not wear conspicuous clothing or jewelry and do not carry excessive amounts of money. Also, do not leave unattended luggage in public areas and do not accept packages from strangers.
  
• Contact us in an emergency: Consular personnel at U.S. Embassies and Consulates abroad and in the U.S. are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to provide emergency assistance to U.S. citizens. Contact information for U.S. Embassies and Consulates appears on the Bureau of Consular Affairs website at http://travel.state.gov. Also note that the Office of Overseas Citizen Services in the State Department’s Bureau of Consular Affairs may be reached for assistance with emergencies at 1-888-407-4747, if calling from the U.S. or Canada, or 202-501-4444, if calling from overseas.

Photography Tips for Fall Foliage

Every October the National Park Foundation announces the peak parks for viewing autumn's colorful transformation to winter. While the 2011 list is not out yet, you can bet that perennial favorites such as Virginia's Blue Ridge Parkway, Maine's Acadia National Park and California's Yosemite National Park will be included.

If you are fortunate enough to view the fall foliage at one of these top spots, or if you are simply standing in your backyard, staring with awe at your favorite oak tree, you'll want to snap a few pictures. Here are some tips to get the best snaps of your leafy models:

• Shoot on an overcast day, or when the sun sneaks behind a passing cloud, which will make the color of the leaves pop out. If shooting during an overcast day, minimize the amount of sky in your shots—focus only on the trees.
• On clear days, aim to shoot in the morning or evening to take advantage of the “golden hours.” Plus, the air is cleaner in the mornings, so your shots will turn out less hazy.
• Change the angle of your shot. Lie on your back and shoot up or aim down for a reflection in a clear rain puddle.
• Don't forget about the evergreens. A well-placed evergreen tree in your shot will contrast wonderfully with the turning trees.
• While the trees are breathtaking as a whole, also focus on individual leaves, preferably shot with a soft, out-of-focus background.
• Backlighting the tree, with the sun directly behind it, can create a dramatic shot.
• Bring a lens cloth. Your lens will be besieged with dust and moisture while shooting outside for a long period of time.
• Your camera's "vivid" mode was created for this time of the year. Use it.

Travel Etiquette 101: China & South Africa

When traversing the globe, we should never forget that we are guests in the countries we visit. Acting respectfully of the local customs is not just preferred but expected, so you should be prepared and know which actions are acceptable. With that in mind, here are general etiquette introductions to China and South Africa.

China

Bow Now? While bowing slightly from the shoulders is a popular way to respectfully greet someone, shaking the person's hand is also acceptable if that person initiates the hand-to-hand contact. Their handshake may be gentle, so respond in a gentle manner. Also, when meeting a group of people, you should address the most senior person first.

Last is First – Respect and formality are important in China, so address someone with their title and surname, which is their first name when they were introduced to you. For example, international basketball star Yao Ming would be addressed as Mr. Yao, since Yao is his surname.

Saving Face – Public displays of emotion are frowned upon in China, since self-control and self-respect—two concepts behind “mianzi,' or the public face one puts forth—are held in high regard. If someone appears shy or aloof when speaking with you, it is a sign of respect, not unfriendliness.

Hold Your Hand – Hands do not play a part in Chinese conversation, so do not gesticulate wildly when conversing. Yet hands do come into play when two same-sex friends are in public, for you'll often find them holding hands. Do not mistake this as a public display of affection, which is not tolerated. Additional hand-related no-nos: don't put your hand in your mouth, bite your nails or point with your index finger—all considered rude.

Table Manners – Forget what your mother told you, for burping, slurping and talking with your mouth full are all acceptable and, in some cases, signs of gratitude.

South Africa

Respect the Community – Since South Africa is a very multi-cultural nation, citizens form tight bonds within their families, tribes and communities, so never show disrespect to the greater group.

Dress for the Greens – While most occasions call for informal dress in South Africa, one place where jeans are not allowed is at the golf course. Another thing that is looked down upon during a round of golf is skipping the halfway house, which is a small restaurant golfers visit after the ninth hole for a drink and a snack. Even if you're not hungry, other golfers find it rude to skip this pivotal break.

Voice Volume – When speaking with a resident, raising your voice will make you appear overly aggressive and challenging, while lowering your voice to a whisper will make it seem that you are spreading gossip. Speak at a normal tone if you want keep the conversation civil, and keep your hands out of your pockets while speaking, since this is considered rude.