Top Cruising Myths To Watch For

When it comes to saving money for a cruise, there are lots of misinformation out there. You need to know the following myths to avoid overspending in the end.

Myth #1: The lowest prices are online.
Better values can actually be through travel agents who specialize in cruises because they often receive advance notice of unadvertised deals you won't find online. Agents can help you get extras, such as onboard credit for purchases and free shore excursions and drinks.

Myth # 2: Booking last minute for bigger discounts.
It's a wrong approach. If you book early, you'll get the best airfare, choice of cabin and discounts.

Myth # 3: You won't spend much time in your cabin, so get the cheapest one.
The price difference between a tiny, inside cabin and a larger one with an ocean view maybe minimal, but the choice can have significant impact on your trip.
Beware of outside cabins that have an "obstructed" view; you might find your window blocked by a lifeboat.

Myth #4: Cruises are all-inclusive.
On most ships (except luxury lines), your out-of-pocket cost for bottled water, wine and dinner, drinks at the bar and shore excursions can add up, but airfare is rarely included. Ship restaurants do usually charge an extra fee. Housekeeping tips can go around $10 per person daily.

Myth # 5: A low-price cruise is a better deal than a luxury cruise.
Luxury cruise like Regent Seven Seas Cruises maybe charging more than most lines from $450-$650 per person a day, - but for realistic comparison, factor in the price of a suite on a mid-range line plus out-of-pocket on board costs, fees, airfare and surcharges.
Also, Regent includes most liquor and wines, shipboard gratuities, unlimited shore excursions, round-trip airfare, and two-for-one deals.

Unlimited Checks Online

When you order checks online, be sure it is a check printing company that are credible and not ending in the wrong hands of some unscrupulous online retailers.
On the other hand, getting your checks online can be much more affordable than getting them from your bank, and all you get is just a plain boring design. Besides, banks usually has very limited choice of designs. As I have said, as long as you order it online from a credible check printing company, you are safe! Try visiting Pure Checks and you can have hundreds of designs in there.

Most common needs are the usual personal checks by many customers. With just $5.99 per box of checks, you are still still having a quality value checks and get choices of colorful designs that you really want. If you prefer simple plain color designs, they still have them for you.

If you need other types of checks aside from personal checks, they also have business checks, computer checks and deskset checks.
Where else can you get the choice of at least 1,000+ designs?

Don't worry about your security because at Pure Checks, they have the necessary standards and requirements that are set by banks and the federal government which includes the Check21 and the ABA. In short, there is always a guaranteed security upon ordering your checks. No check frauds or whatsoever...

BroadData Conferencing

In every business, they have different types of communication and scheduling needs. And when it comes to communication, it is considered to be the "lifeline" of the business in order to grow and become more profitable.

So, for business owners, they should be aware in choosing a company that provides complete conferencing services that perfectly fits into their business.

BroadData is worth checking. Being backed up by a state-of-the-art conferencing technology, it delivers 99.99% uptime. It has free 24/7 technical support and free security features with a 100% satisfaction guarantee.

As part of its conference services, operator assisted conference call is included that offers scalable and assisted conferencing solutions that supports small conferences with special needs.

Both domestic and international audio conferencing are also covered with BroadData's conferencing services, one of the most effective ways of accessing a simple, yet powerful way of conducting meetings, seminars and events.
This is one of the best improvement that has been discovered in the field of teleconferencing technology so that you don't have to spend your time and money for long trips in case of urgent meetings or important events that you can't miss!

Be sure to check the rates and services for both domestic and international conferencing services, and take note that they always offer low rates, no set up fees and no contracts or minimums. Just only pay for the usage and that's it!

It's time to upgrade your business communication today! Keep moving up!

Swimmer!

Thanks to Wm Rowe

Swimming has always been a passion of mine so I knew when we decided to build our dream house that I wanted it to have a pool. We designed it long enough that I could swim laps but it still has a great shape so it doesn’t look too professional in the backyard and I use it every morning to get ready for the day! My husband decided if I got all this great space in the backyard that he wanted something, too, so I agreed to help him design a built-in barbeque area to use when we had friends over. It’s really great and there’s even a plasma TV with ExpertSatellite.com satellite so he and his buddies can watch all the big games! It was an easy compromise for me since I get my exercise in and he gets to hang out with his buddies – building our dream house has given me more pleasure than I ever thought it would and I’m so glad we spent so much effort and time on the outdoor areas of the home!

Keeping Your Airfare In Check

If you get stuck paying a lot for your tickets, keep checking fares and watch for price drops. Sign up at yapta.com which keeps track of prices and airline policies.
Also, try buying tickets at least 21 days earlier to get the best price. Try checking bing.com's airfare predictor which helps you whether you should snap up a ticket or wait.

Sometimes, you can get lowest fares on an airline's website, and sometimes at Kayak or Expedia which locate fares from a combination of carriers.

Check flights that depart on a Tuesday, Wednesday or Saturday when fares are generally at their lowest. Take note as well that on many routes, travelers pay a premium for round trips that don't include a Saturday.

If your trip don't allow a Saturday stay over, consider one-way tickets and try buying 2 one-way tickets from low-cost carriers like Southwest or Jet Blue which don't require round-trip purchases to access the lowest prices.
Check for alternate airports where in some areas, a discount airline may not have any routes to the major airport, so try checking for a smaller one in the area.

Sign-up for emails from your preferred airlines and get access for special deals.
Check farecompare.com which scans airline data and sends alerts for your favorite cities, while airfarewatchdog.com has experts hunting for good deals.

All Weather Protection Covers

I would always recommend having patio furniture covers if you have furniture outdoors. In my case, I used to have a coffee table set in my back porch, but since I don't even use it now, I just decided to remove it. The set was still good because it had covers every winter and if summer comes where heat becomes unbearable, I always put covers on them. It has been quite a while since I gave them away for donations. I just thought there are still others who need it more than me, so it feels good to give some help as well.

Do you have RV at home? For those who have RV's, I also recommend getting Rv covers for protection. An RV owner will for sure get one knowing that we have various types of seasons to go through every year, particularly winter season.
Rv covers are great help for us when it comes to protecting our own vehicle. Nowadays, RV damages and repairs are very expensive to shell out especially when we are tight with our budget, don't you think?

Get one today before it is too late! You don't have to drive to your store. Just check Cover Bonanza online and take it from there. You might be able to see some more featured products that you need for other purposes. Who know? ;).

Louisiana's Outdoors, Sports & Gaming

You can get to see the awesome beauty of Louisiana driving the scenic routes to or from New Orleans. Here are some spots to push your sense of adventure to newer heights with world-class golf, fishing, nature tours and gaming in every corner of the state.

• Audubon Golf Trail
• State Farm Bayou Classic
• Gulf of Mexico Fishing Charters
• Atchafdaya National Heritage Area
• Black Bayou Lake National Wildlife Refuge
• Lake Bistineau
• Toledo Bend Reservoir
• RiverView Park
• Blue Bayou Water Park
• Casinos in Lake Charles, New Orleans, Shreveport-Bossier & Baton Rouge
  

Fencing Solutions

Today, when it comes to horse fencing, it should be well designed metal fencing solutions that can last for a while. It means it should be made with top quality, high durability, has sustainable strength and eco-friendly as well.

Obviously enough, one who needs a horse fence would always prefer one that are made of metals such as Buckley's steel board and Alumashield fences from Buckley Fence, because they look beautiful and makes a great first impression.
Besides, steel horse fencing is much better and stronger than wood without worrying about protruding nails or screws which can pose a high risk of danger for horses.
Buckley's horse fences are made of smooth, rounded surfaces with rails that gives protection for the horse for any hard impacts and can act as a spring for cushioning. They are as well unbreakable and won't either sag or warp.

The Steel Board fence can still be looking like the traditional horse fence made of wood, only that it was designed much and way better for today's modern fencing solution.

You also have to consider horse fences that are made of environmentally friendly materials and are 100% recyclable, the reason why they are the best possibly quality combining all those mentioned features.

Indeed, Buckley Fence has the new standard of designing a true unique horse fence!

Money-Saving Tips For Cruisers

Get to plan your own shore excursions and you can save big. Ask your agent or search destinations online.
Caveat: If you're late in returning, the ship is unlikely to wait for you.

Rates are lower when you book spa treatments during port visits. You can also grab discounts if you wait to book last-minute, once on board, though availability may be limited.

You can save money buying trip insurance (usually about 4-10% of the total trip cost) should you become unable to travel. Be sure the trip-cancellation provision includes non medical reasons.

What's Your Fashion Jewelry?

For many women and men alike, signature fashion jewelry is always good to have! But being practical nowadays is the best thing to do if we want to be a wise spender.

Having a fashion jewelry doesn't always have to be expensive, and we don't have to sacrifice our hard-earned money to spend for those where in fact we have some quality choices to buy them without the "designer price".

Where can you ever find an online jewelry outlet that sell wholesale costume jewelry that are designer-inspired and trendy and yet prices are affordable? Keep checking Finder's Keepers! That's the most ideal place to go to if you are into jewelry business or just want to get them for your personal use.

You can check that beautiful rhinestone jewelry as well! Rhinestones are one of those jewelries that are one of my favorites. They are perfect for matching my style and color accents whenever I wear them ;).

Another cool thing to check are the costume jewelry necklaces that you can't afford to miss. You can actually find tons of items here as well as there are also sets to choose from. You will never know which ones would you get...so take note, you might be ending up buying all of them, lol!

Everything you want from fashion jewelry, watches, rings and earrings, pendants, and more, you'll gonna love them!

Tough Sinks & Faucets

One way of taking good care for your kitchen is choosing the right top mount sink. In today's modern kitchen, stainless steel is the top most choice for many kitchen or home owners because of its durable features and clean look.
Thank goodness for "MR Direct" where you can run to for top mount sinks made from high quality features and guaranteed to have the toughest design that can withstand long periods of time. Plus, it is here where prices are the best especially for those who are tight with the budget.
Check it yourself!

Louisiana's African-American Heritage Trail

African-Americans in Louisiana for centuries have changed the world with their art, ideas and accomplishments, from street corners and marketplaces to cafe's churches, universities and more...you can visit these places that inspired generations of Louisianians to add their unique flavor to the world.

1. African American Museum (New Orleans)
2. St. Augustine Church (New Orleans)
3. St. Louis Cemeteries No. 1 & No. 2 (New Orleans)
4. The French Market (New Orleans)
5. Congo Square, Armstrong Park (New Orleans)
6. Amistad Research Center (New Orlean)
7. Mahalia Jackson's Grave, Providence Park Cemetery (Metauie)
8. Laura Plantation (Vacherie)
9. Evergreen Plantation (Wallace)
10. River Road African American Heritage Museum (Donaldsonville)
11. Tangipahoa African American Heritage Museum (Hammond)
12. Louisiana State Capitol (Baton Rouge)
13. Southern University (Baton Rouge)
14. Port Hudson Battlefield (Jackson)
15. The African American Museum (St. Martinville)
16. Black Heritage Art Gallery; Central School Arts and Humanities Center (Lake Charles)
17. Creole Heritage Folk Life Center (Opelousas)
18. Arna Bontemps African American Heritage Museum (Alexandria)
19. St. Augustine Church (Natchez)
20. Cane River Creole National Historical Park, Bermuda (Derry)
21. Melrose Plantation (Melrose)
22. Multicultural Center of the South (Shreveport)
23. Southern University Museum of Art (Shreveport)
24. Grambling State university (Grambling)
25. Northeast Louisiana Delta African American Heritage Museum (Monroe)
26. Hermione Museum (Tallulah)
    

Luxury Bedding

And where else can you find a one stop shop online that offers luxury bedding with the most complete selection of fine linens in the whole world? With the link given, just click on that and you will be taken to Versai site online.

Versai is a company that is always fully committed to luxury bedding and linen collections from classic to contemporary designs. They also have expert design staffs who are willing to help just in case you cannot find what you are looking for from their online collections and they are willing to help you custom order your luxury bedding linens with no extra charge. Now, that's what we call genuine customer service ;).

Luxury linens are categorized by style or by collection so, it is much easier and more convenient to find what you like whether you are fond of solid or stripe designs, or either classic or modern designs.

Versai products are made of superior quality, so that when you purchase those that can truly compliment your home, you can say that you were able to buy your money's worth.

Keep looking at the wide variety of collections with at least 500 designs and 100 kinds of colors, from bedroom to bath, dining and furnishings, they have what you need for your home.

Concrete Polishing Tools

Serious tough machinery is all what it takes to get your business going when you are in the business of commercial, residential or industrial buildings. That is the real purpose why Innovatech is born, to produce product lines that are made of high quality standards for floor grinder, floor removal or floor polishing products.

Take for example their product line of concrete polisher that is equipped with the highest performance along with their variety of related products. You can check I-Shine, the most advanced polishing system in the world...only from Innovatech! Its revolutionized concrete polishing feature is equipped with easy use, speed and economy.

Be sure to check on their Terminator line of products for flooring removal such as for carpet removal or floor removal. Floor removal is a tough job, that needs tough machinery. With four main models to choose from depending on your needs, you can be assured that The Terminator line is the ultimate in floor removal technology.

Innovatech has been renowned worldwide for its high quality product of concrete floor grinder as well. They have several models for you to choose from and all products are made to tackle the toughest jobs with finesse. These products are also equipped with unmatched production capabilities and yet easy to use with wide range of tooling options.

Top Sights to See in New Orleans

There is always fun happening around every corner of New Orleans. Here are some that are worthy of exploring:

• French Quarter
• Streetcars & Riverboats
• Audubon Institute Attractions, - try the Audubon zoo, insectarium, aquarium of the Americas & Entergy IMAX Theater.
• New Orleans Art District - Contemporary Art Center, Ogden Museum of Southern Art, National World War II Museum & more.
• New Orleans Museum of Art
• Louisiana State Museum
• Show Center for the Arts
• Vermillionville
• The Shops Along Front Street in Historic Natchitoches
• Poverty Point State Historic Site

You can always "google" these sites for complete addresses and websites online.

Online Degree University

Nowadays, it is no longer difficult nor impossible to upgrade your career. We should feel grateful that online degree programs are almost offered by many schools of today. Whether you are seeking to advance your career or a first timer getting your college degree, there's always an excellent career future. Check them out online at Waldenu.edu, and find out what can the higher education community online can offer you.

Walden University is composed of faculty and students, friends and alumni, visiting scholars and other lists of corporate, academic and government partners who share a common goal of commitment to transform your world through higher education and impacting your future.
Get to learn more about how this university has been helping a lot of students and alumni change their career future for the better.

Getting Great Travel Deals

Don't stop asking for breaks. Before you leave for your trip, search online for current car and hotel rates. If they're lower than what you have, call and ask for that rate.
When you're at the hotel/car place, tell the clerk if you're in a trip for a special occasion like anniversary or birthday, then ask if there's a chance for an upgrade.

If the hotel won't dole out upgrades, they would always be willing to offer up amenities like breakfast or valet parking. So, keep asking ;).

Be nice and kind and you'll never know what kindness can get you. Who knows, you can even get an upgrade for that.

Complain nicely, and at times you can get either an upgrade, a discount and a special rate! :).

Pet Supplies 4U

I think I can say thank goodness for pet supplies plus online shops. They are always "angels" when we are doing the "rat race" and can't hardly go to the actual pet store to shop for our pets due to tough daily routines. {sigh}
Pets deserve the best pampering, just like being part of our family. Pet supplies are not difficult to find, the fact that there are many pet stores available around in many places these days. But so far, pet stores online can still offer more convenience than driving to your actual pet store.
So, if you are caught tangled with your daily activities so that you can't make it to the pet store, Premium Pet Supplies 4U is the best place to visit online, - whether you are needing pet clothes, toys for cats, dog, birds, etc...or supplies for fish, turtles, hamsters, birds and more.

Premium Pet Supplies 4U are pet smart products with high quality standard and budget-friendly prices. Even searching the web doesn't need to be difficult anymore when looking for your pet products. Just bookmark the site under your favorites, so the next time you need a good treat for your furry companion, you don't need to go surfing online any further :).
By the way, don't forget to check their monthly specials. All prices are discounted and you can save even more. Now, that's what you call good deals!

Hanging Out At The Gas Lamp Quarter

3-19-10

It was still cold when we were in San Diego, CA the entire week but didn't hinder us to go to the Gaslamp Quarter to hang out.
The place is quite cool as a hang out. You won't get bored if you love to shop, or looking for entertainment. I mean party club goers can definitely enjoy the place as there are many clubs that open during the night. I was there at broad daylight, so they were closed! ;)

I can say I would pretty much prefer going during day time since I am not fond of clubbing, but I like shopping! LOL!
It is also a place where you can eat. Lots of them around the place, so you won't be having any problems when you get hungry.

We tried the Old Spaghetti Factory at the 5th Avenue, and they have the best spaghetti ever in San Diego, I must say ;).

Ordering a meal here comes in complete package; - salad, bread, spaghetti entree' beverage and dessert, with a good price!
Watch out! Wear loose clothing when you eat here...you'll have the tendency to pop up, lol.

Oh, and of course a quick shopping in the area was never forgotten. I got some stuff I wanted once again ;).

Custom & Specialty Flags

For some special occasions where custom flags are needed such as corporate events for advertising, fundraising or just any ordinary event, Discount Custom & Specialty Flags is an ideal place to get them. It's an online one-stop shop for your flag needs which offers you the best quality material made in the USA and has the best prices that are affordable for the budget.

You can also rely on them if you need feather flags for your business or any other important event for that purpose. You can order custom printed designs of your own. The best thing about the quality is that each standard flag are made of 200 denier nylon and is UV resistant that lasts 50-75% longer than any other imported non-UV resistant ink. As many would say, if it's "Made in the USA". it must be good! :)

Here also comes many colorful designs of message flags where you could choose your - "Mix N'Match" colors. You either have to choose your own custom message flags or if you're running out of time, you can choose from a lot of designs on their stocks.
These are all great deals that you don't want to miss, with cheaper prices and yet the products are made of top quality materials. That's the real deal!