erica james Archives - Page 11 of 12

15Mar 2020 by EJtheTravelDiva

Reasons to Choose a Balcony Stateroom on a Cruise

Blog, Cruising, EJtheTravelDiva Blog, Ocean Cruises

My goal, as a travel agent is not only to inspire people to travel, but to also help people to travel well and be smart travelers, and to book their vacations based on what they want to experience and not cost. When it comes to cruising, my goal is to encourage people to select a balcony stateroom, or higher, on a cruise rather than any other room. It is my pet peeve when travelers recite the cliché statement, "I am not going to be in the room that much anyway. I don't need to pay for that type of room." If you had that type of room, you would enjoy it while you were in it. I don't think anyone would be disappointed with booking a balcony stateroom or higher…

14Mar 2020 by EJtheTravelDiva

CHIC Punta Cana

All Inclusive Resorts, Blog, EJtheTravelDiva Blog, Resort Reviews

This post contains some links affiliate links. I may receive compensation when you click on the links. Keep in mind that I link these companies and their products because of their quality and I believe the reference may be helpful to you. I am an independent blogger and the reviews are done based on my own opinions. One of my favorite resorts in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic is CHIC Punta Cana. It is an adult only, all-inclusive resort that lives up to the name of CHIC. Located on Uvero Alto beach, it is just a short ride from Punta Cana International Airport – approximately 15-minutes. CHIC is not a huge resort nor is it small. I find it to be the perfect size where everything is a short walking distance…

14Mar 2020 by EJtheTravelDiva

How to Choose the Right Hotel for a Staycation

Blog, EJtheTravelDiva Blog, Travel Tips

Have you ever felt like you just need to get away, for vacation, or just need a break from your everyday life, but flying somewhere is just not in the plan? Because I travel so much, sometimes I feel like I am having withdrawals when I start feeling this way. Sometimes, I feel like I just hit a brick wall and need a mini getaway. That's when I think, Staycation! I normally do a staycation, every year, during Labor Day Weekend and I always select my favorite spot, Drury Inn in Franklin, TN. I recently decided to do another staycation, but decided to mix it up and see how other hotels compare to my favorite spot. This staycation, I decided to select Hotel Indigo located in Downtown Nashville. The two…

19Oct 2019 by EJtheTravelDiva

How to survive long-haul flights

Blog, EJtheTravelDiva Blog, Travel Tips

My very first long-haul flight was to Germany, and I was completely unprepared. I looked at this flight as being no different from a domestic flight from Nashville to California--of which I have done so many times. However this time, I didn't sleep well, watched everything on the provided entertainment more than once, and was completely uncomfortable. I couldn't wait to get off that plane! After my flight to Germany, I vowed that I would never make the same mistakes again. After all, I am a Virgo, and we are usually prepared--if not, we will at least never make the same mistake twice. So, on my next long-haul flight to Paris, I was more than prepared and felt that I hit preparation meter out of the park. Even more recently,…

19Oct 2019 by EJtheTravelDiva

5 Things You Should Never Put in Your Checked Bag

Blog, EJtheTravelDiva Blog, Travel Tips

Being a travel agent, I have learned, through speaking with numerous clients, about their travels, that I take for granted that many people know. For examples travel terms and rules. I thought everyone knew the difference between carry-on and checked luggage. However, I have come to realize that there are people, that don't travel often and are not familiar with those terms---knowledge some of us take for granted. Now there are rules to what you can put in your carry-on bag versus your checked bag. The most common rule is the rule of 3, when it comes to liquids. If you have 3 oz or less, it can go in your carry-on bag but if it is over 3 oz, it needs to go in your checked bag. However, there…

18Aug 2019 by EJtheTravelDiva

8 Ways to Be a Good Travel Companion

Blog, EJtheTravelDiva Blog, Travel Tips

Over the past couple of decades, my friends and I have done a lot of traveling together. I have traveled with friends who like to ball out of control and those who have absolutely no money and don’t tell you until you arrive at the destination. I’ve traveled with neat and tidy friends and friends that are extremely messy. I’ve shared a room with self-aware friends and friends that have no clue they are annoying to share a room with. After traveling with so many different types of friends, I have put together a few suggestions on how you can be a good travel companion: Be your best self inside the room You are sharing a small space with someone for several days. Everything you do in the privacy of…

27Dec 2017 by EJtheTravelDiva

Solo Cruising Day 4: Thrills and Chills

Blog, EJtheTravelDiva Blog, Solo Travel

My morning started at around 1:30 a.m. when I awakened realizing that I had dozed off last night with the TV on. Yes, I went to bed early, I had eaten too much the night before, remember? Anyway, I ended up watching two good movies that I would have normally avoided because I am not a fan of Nicole Kidman. I find her to be boring and she seems to select the worse movies. But I am getting away from the point. So....I watch M. Night Shyamalan called "Split" and another movie called "Lion". By this time, it was 5 a.m. I turned the TV off so there would be no change of getting caught up in another movie. Then I found myself waking up again to the sounds of…

19Nov 2017 by EJtheTravelDiva

Day 1: Life Begins At The End Of Your Comfort Zone

Blog, EJtheTravelDiva Blog, Solo Travel

The alarm goes off at 3am and I get up to get my travel day going. I woke up this morning feeling excited and nervous at the same time. Excited that I am embarking on an adventure and nervous that I am doing it alone. Now, I have traveled alone plenty of times, but once I arrive to my destination, there is usually someone or something waiting for me. This time, I didn't know what was waiting for me---a good time, sadness, feelings of loneliness. I wasn't sure, but I was willing to find out. Fist stop, the airport. I was starving to I grab a table at O'Charley's in the Nashville airport. My server takes my order and ask where I'm headed. I reply, "On a cruise." He responds,…

19Mar 2017 by EJtheTravelDiva

Having Access to a Travel Agent is a Good Thing

Blog, EJtheTravelDiva Blog, Travel Tips

Twice, in one week, I received a call, from a client, in a panic because "someone told them" that they could not cruise, with their passport because it did not have at least six months validity on it. One client stated that she could not get off the cruise ship and see the ports of calls because her passport needed to be renewed. These are the calls that I receive when my clients listen to other travelers. Thankfully, my clients picked up the phone to verify the information they received with their travel agent - me. I explained to both clients that, they actually did not need a passport to cruise on closed-loop cruises that start and end in the United States. U.S. citizens embarking on a cruise that both begins and…

17Jun 2013 by EJtheTravelDiva

My Sister’s Travel Regret

Blog, EJtheTravelDiva Blog, Travel Learning Lessons

One of my wishes, as a travel agent, is that all travelers select their vacation accommodations based on what they wish to experience rather than what they want to pay. Often times, when people call me about traveling, they select their resort and room accommodations based on price, no quality. Sure you can vacation in a less expensive room, but the question is--is what you are giving up worth it? Regardless of recommendations (which is one of the reasons you select a good travel agent), some travelers just want to book based on price and not quality. My sister is one of those people. I recently went to Las Vegas with my sister. Upon check in, they asked if we would like to upgrade our room, for a…

Tag: erica james