InsureMyTrip Reports Increase In Trip Cancellation Requests Due To Travel Alert

 InsureMyTrip, the leading online travel insurance comparison site, reported Tuesday an increase in the number of travelers seeking to postpone or cancel trips abroad in light of the worldwide travel alert. Earlier this week, the Department of State issued a terror alert, citing a continued potential for terrorist attacks, particularly in North Africa and in the Middle East and possibly the Arabian Peninsula.  As an additional security precaution, dozens of U.S. embassies and consulates remain closed till Saturday and travelers are cautioned to be vigilant.

"Travel safety is always our top priority and the InsureMyTrip customer care center is closely monitoring this situation and working to best assist travelers. Americans are clearly heeding the warnings issued and reevaluating travel plans in response to this latest terror alert," says CEO Jim Grace of InsureMyTrip. "Many Americans – even those planning to travel abroad after the travel alert expires -- are taking extra precautions and requesting travel insurance policies that can offer more protection."

InsureMyTrip recommends that travelers seek clarification on insurance policies prior to leaving the U.S. Travel insurance may not always apply as people expect it will in cases of political and civil unrest that cause instability in different regions around the world. Most basic policies do not cover trip cancellations in response to travel alerts or warnings.

Travelers seeking insurance protection may be eligible for a Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) option to enable cancellations until 48 hours prior to your scheduled departure. You can take greater personal responsibility for your safety with CFAR, because you will have more flexibility to change your mind about your travel plans for any reason. On average, most CFAR plans reimburse up to 75% of the insured trip cost.  Some offer more, and some offer less depending on the plan.  

For travelers interested in the CFAR plan, It is important to purchase the policy soon after you make a deposit for your trip to get the most benefits from the plan.  Customers need to purchase the CFAR plan usually within 10 to 21 days of their initial deposit and meet all eligibility requirements, to be eligible for the coverage.  

InsureMyTrip recommends all U.S. citizens traveling abroad to enroll in the Department of State's Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) for latest security updates. This program also makes it easier for the U.S. embassy or nearest U.S. consulate to contact you in an emergency. 

In addition, customer care representatives can also review a customer's policy, even if it was purchased elsewhere. 

About InsureMyTrip:

InsureMyTrip is the leading online travel insurance comparison site featuring top products from the most trusted providers in the industry. A trusted resource that serves millions of customers worldwide, our licensed insurance agents help travelers find the right insurance plan. InsureMyTrip offers one of the industry's largest customer ratings and reviews forum and a unique customer advocacy program that provides one-on-one assistance to travelers before, during, and after their trip. Established in 2000, InsureMyTrip is a division of IMT Services Corporation and headquartered in Warwick, R.I., with additional offices and data centers in Connecticut and Oregon. 

In addition to providing one-on-one support in our customer call center, travelers can visit the InsureMyTrip website to compare plans from 27 travel insurance providers.

TRAVELORE DESTINATION REPORT: Harrisburg Pennsylvania Is A Must Stop Destination For Anyone Interested In The American Civil War

With the recent focus on the Gettysburg commemoration of the 150th Anniversary of the Civil War, nearby Harrisburg with its most impressive collection of museums and sights has been mostly overlooked.

Your first stop should be The National Civil War Museum; an outstanding modern museum that is the only one providing equal, bias free attention to both Union and Confederate history.  Featured are 24,000 artifacts, exhibits, documents, and photographs valued at over $17 million; most striking are those giving
a graphic picture of slavery and how black Americans served in important positions including as officers.
For more details please visit www.nationalcivilwarmuseum.org

The State Museum of Pennsylvania is currently exhibiting The Objects of Valor: Commemorating the Civil War in Pennsylvania.  Featured are the expansive narrative painting "Battle of Gettysburg" by Peter Rothermel, General Meade's Gettysburg chair, John Burns' musket, and other impressive artifacts donated by veterans and their families over the past 100 years. The museum overall features over 4 million unique
exhibits demonstrating Pennsylvania's story in American history along with a modern planetarium and a play space for small children. For more information please visit www.statemuseumpa.org

When it is time to take a break for lunch recommended is the Broad Street Market, founded in 1860, with the distinction of being the oldest continually operated market house in the United States. During the Civil War the market helped to feed the 300,000 Union soldiers at nearby Camp Curtin. Today the market has
nearly 40 vendors including Amish farmers offering local produce, meats,  baked good, and prepared meals.
For more information please visit www.broadstreetmarket.org

Any visit to Harrisburg would not be complete without a visit to the Pennsylvania State Capital, considered to be one of the most ornate capital buildings in America. The Capital's centerpiece is a spectacular 272-foot, 52 million pound dome inspired by Michelangelo's design for St. Peter's Bascilica in Rome. Free tours
are offered. For more details please visit www.pacapital.com

Where to dine...During our stay we sampled a a very nice small selection of restaurants including Char's at Tracy Mansion, Mangia Qui, and Bricco. Char's is an American Bistro located in a circa 1913 mansion overlooking the Susquehanna River, updated with geothermal and wind energy. Expect artfully prepared
flavorful food, although sauces can be a little heavy handed. The Escargot with Baby Wilted Spinach and the Seared Sea Scallops are recommended. For more details please visit www.charsrestaurant.com . For brunch we visited Mangia Qui, a warm and cheerful Mediterranean style restaurant prepared by Culinary Institute of America trained chef Qui Qui Musarra. Their Smoked Salmon Benny was well prepared and
and satisfying, an excellent value at $12. For more details please visit www.mangiaqui.com . Bricco is a partnership with the Olewine School of Culinary Arts and the Harrisburg Hotel Corporation, managed by the Hilton Hotel. The specialty here is Mediterranean and Italian flavors primarily using local produce. Bricco has also rightfully earned Harrisburg's only DiRoNA, Wine Spectator, and Sante magazine award winning restaurant. recommended here is their grilled calamari, selection of pristine oysters, and Kennett Square mushroom pizza with truffle oil. For more details visit www.briccopa.com .

Where to stay...On this visit we stayed at the centrally located Crown Plaza Hotel featuring free internet, roof top fitness center, and very nice indoor pool suitable for laps. For more details please visit www.crowneplaza.com/Harrisburg .

Getting there...

We arrived via the Amtrak Keystone Service via Philadelphia, arriving in the centrally located historic
station. For more information please visit www.amtrak.com

Harrisburg International Airport is served by Air Canada, AirTran, American Eagle, Continental Airlines,
Delta Airlines, United and US Airways. For more information please visit www.flyhia.com

Ample parking meters and garages are available throughout the downtown area, free after 5pm on week days and weekends.

Top 10 Adventures In San Francisco Bays' Pacifica Beach Front Destination

            Pacifica is a beach-front community, just 10 minutes south of San Francisco.  The charming town and recreational playground is a dream destination for outdoor enthusiasts.

            Featuring everything from world-class surfing, mountain biking and hiking to fishing, scuba diving and hang gliding, Pacifica is an ideal getaway for anyone interested in spending their leisure time on a fresh outdoor vacation.

Interested in getting away?  Here’s a Top Ten List of the most popular Pacifica attractions ~

1.    Surfing: -Pacifica is home to some of Northern California’ best surfing beaches, including Linda Mar State Beach, Rockaway Beach and Sharp Park Beach.  Upcoming surfing events include the 22nd Annual Pedro Point Surf Club’s Big Chill Out on September (??) 2013 andUncle Dick’s Surf Fest – November 2013 

  

2.    Biking:- Pacifica is known in the bike community for its network of trails that overlook the Pacific Ocean.  Whether pedaling a road bike or mountain biking , Pacifica features everything from leisurely rides along the paved coastal trail or ascending the flanks of Montara Mountain, towering 2000 feet above Pacifica.

3.    Hiking: -There are over (how many?) trails spanning (how many?) miles of ocean view treks for beginners to the most advanced. From the leisurely Mori Point coastal walk to the more advanced terrain of Sweeney Ridge, there is a hike for every level of fitness.

4.    Fishing: - Some of the best fishing in the United States can be found in the inshore waters off Pacifica.  In addition to salmon, striped bass often frequent the surf along with kingfish, sharks and perch. Although rare, sturgeon, barracuda and bonito frequent the coastal waters of Pacifica.

5.    Crabbing:  Pacifica Pier is the only place in the Bay Area where the public can crab for free. During the winter, Dungeness crab, which are not available elsewhere in the Bay Area, are abundant off the pier; in the spring, catch perch at Linda Mar Bay; in the fall, go rock fishing off Pedro Point.

6.    Scuba Diving: Linda Mar Beach is an intermediate-to-advanced beach entry scuba-dive site with a diverse aquatic life, such as seals, fish and rays. In May and June, halibut come into Linda Mar Bay, which attracts many divers spearfishing for this prize fish.  At Pedro Point, two wrecks lie on the ocean’s bottom in approximately 30 to 40 feet of water.

7.    Golf: Sharp Park Golf Course is located just off the Pacific Coast Highway at the intersection of Sharp Park Road and Francisco Boulevard. The famous golf architect Alister Mackenzie designed the 18-hole course.

8.    Archery: San Francisco Archers is a non-profit organization that promotes archery at all levels of ability and age. The club is open to the public every day.

9.    Segway Tours: The many well-maintained and level trails along Pacifica’s beautiful beaches lend themselves to Segway rides. Begin your ride at Rockaway Beach and the trail wends through a rock quarry to climb up 12 scenic switchbacks over Pacifica’s Strawberry Hill to Linda Mar Beach and beyond.

10. Beaches: Pacifica features seven miles of spectacular Pacific Ocean beaches that are perfect for a whole range of recreation, including Linda Mar Beach,

Rockaway Beach, Sharp Park Beach and Mussel Rock Beach

At the end of action-filled days in Northern California’s coastal playground, visitors will want to enjoy one of Pacifica’s many popular restaurants before laying down for a quiet night’s sleep. Recommendations for dining and accommodations are listed below:

Suggested Restaurants:

A Grape in the Fog: (650) 735-5854/www.agitf.com

Lovey’s Tea Shoppe: (650) 359-1245/www.loveysteashoppe.com

Moonraker: (650) 557-7025/www.moonrakerpacifica.com

Nick’s Seashore Restaurant: (650) 359-3903/www.nicksrestaurant.net

Puerto 27: (650) 733-7343/www.puerto27.com

Surf Spot: (650) 355-7873/www.surfspoteats.com

Accommodations:

America’s Best Value Inn Pacifica: (877) 784-6835/www.pacifica-bestvalueinn.com

Best Western Plus Lighthouse Hotel: (650) 355-6300/www.bestwesternlighthouse.com

Holiday Inn Express & Suites: (650) 355-5000/www.hiexpresspacifica.com

Pacifica Beach Resort: (650) 355-9999/www.pacificabeachhotel.com

Pacifica Motor Inn: (800) 522-3772/www.pacificamotorinn.com

Sea Breeze Motel at Rockaway Beach: (650) 359-3903

Background: Pacifica. California

The natural beauty and unparalleled serenity of Pacifica, California has attracted travelers to this coastal gem for more than 100 years. Located just 15 minutes south of San Francisco, Pacifica feels worlds away but is convenient to some of the most vibrant, international communities on the West Coast.  Easily accessible from Highway 1, Pacifica’ rich cultural heritage and bohemian personality make it a unique destination worth discovering.

Pacifica’s ethereal beauty is enhanced by its Mediterranean style weather. Refreshing temperatures range from 15-20 degrees cooler than the central coast, drawing visitors to Pacifica’s shoreline to ‘cool’ off during the hot summer months with its natural air-conditioning and attractive oceanfront accommodations.  Likewise, Pacifica’s equally-appealing winter travel season provides a dramatic setting for those interested in off-season values and romantic departures.

Of the many diversions, Pacifica boasts some of the most breathtaking panoramic vistas atop a wide range of hiking trails and walking adventures along the expansive beaches dotting the destination’s shoreline.  Additionally, the destination features a range of recreational options, including surfing, boating, scuba, fishing and paragliding, birding, cycling, golf, tennis, archery and horseback riding.

According to the National Marine Sanctuaries of the West Coast, Pacifica is known to be the fourth richest area in the world for marine mammal life.

For more information about the destination of Pacifica, California, please visit http://visitpacifica.com.

Travelore Tips: The Secret How To Get Broadway Theater Tickets For Free And At Very Low Cost

Photo Courtesy Susan/Flickr. Article by Kaeli Conforti of Budget Travel.

It's been a few years since we've written anything about Broadway. We've already sung the praises of saving money on Broadway shows with TKTS and talked about how to take advantage of standing room only, general rush and student rush tickets. Since our last story on Broadway ticket savings, there have been a number of great websites created to help you save even more money on Broadway tickets. Whether you're a student, senior or just an admirer of all things theater, here are some websites you need to know about.

StudentRush.org offers free tickets -- yes, you read that right -- to Broadway and Off-Broadway shows on a regular basis. All you have to do to get access to the list is sign up for their "Will Call Club" emails. The only thing you have to pay is usually a $5 handling charge, depending on the show, that is paid via Paypal. You then receive an email confirmation and instructions as to where to meet the StudentRush.org representative. While the company is named StudentRush.org, the website states, "Anyone may join this site, although some of the discounts are restricted to current students with ID. All free ticketed events and non-ticketed events are available to anyone." You're able to purchase up to four tickets at a time; just pick them up from the representative before heading to the theater. Apparently it's a seat-filler type of thing -- show producers provide them with a certain amount of tickets for each available show. Remember to check back a few times a week for the most updated list of opportunities.

It should be noted that those under 35 are about to hit the budget ticket jackpot: The Roundabout Theatre Company understands that students and young professionals love going to shows but high ticket prices make that quite a struggle. Seeing our plight, they've come up with HipTix, a program that allows anyone between the ages of 18 and 35 to purchase $20 tickets to shows at their theaters. Just call their box office, sign up for HipTix and even order tickets (two per person only) to a show -- be sure you call to order tickets at least one month in advance as their shows tend to sell out quicky, so plan accordingly.

This next program lets theatergoers accumulate "Show Points" to exchange for discounted Broadway show tickets. Audience Rewards has you sign up for free using your email address, and you are given the option to earn points by playing trivia games about different shows, purchasing items from partner sites, or you can simply earn points by buying tickets to shows and listing your membership number during the ordering process. This is definitely one of those websites I wish I had found earlier.

New App Provides Photos For Consumer Counterfeit Product Detection

Consumers get visual help in identifying counterfeit products.

 Purchasing a poor-quality product sounds foolish -- nobody wants shoes that don’t last, fuzzy DVD's or batteries that leak, but the problem is much bigger than that. Sophisticated counterfeiters provide products that are almost visually identical to the genuine item and the consumer is getting burned, often with significant personal safety risks.

Could you identify this as a counterfeit Chanel product? (it is..)

The website; The Counterfeit Report®  (www.theCounterfeitReport.com) provides consumers a free and informative visual guide to detecting counterfeit products, while providing manufacturers brand protection and consumer education. Consumers can also report seeing or purchasing counterfeit products directly to the manufacturer right on the website.  “The Counterfeit Report is actually showing consumers the sophistication of counterfeiters and their ability to create almost visually identical counterfeit products and packaging. If it's manufactured, it's probably counterfeited and it will likely fool you” says founder Craig Crosby. 

Internet sites Amazon Marketplace and eBay are flooded with counterfeit products often deceptively advertised as "genuine" or "authentic" by seasoned sellers. Hidden behind the manufacturer's stock (advertising) photos in the listing is a counterfeit product that will be sold to an unsuspecting buyer. Many of these products are of poor quality or a safety risk, and the seller will disappear after the sale.  Great feedback is not an indication of a trustworthy seller because many people leave feedback before they become aware their purchase is a counterfeit, actually using the item or giving it as a gift.

In addition to the hazards of buying counterfeit medicines, imagine grabbing the counterfeit Coast Guard Approved Fire Extinguisher featured on The Counterfeit Report website for your boat fire, only to find it is contains ineffective chemicals and doesn't work. Other risks include counterfeit batteries that end up in emergency responder's rescue equipment, home smoke detectors and baby monitors. The unsuspecting counterfeit perfume user may find ingredients like urine, bacteria and antifreeze in the product going on their skin..

While the counterfeit product industry is an exploding $700 billion global criminal industry, there was little information or protection available is available to consumers until now. The Counterfeit Report is the first and only website that provides manufacturers an immediate resource to list and update their counterfeit product information in a central venue. This helps consumers instantly identify counterfeit or fake products before they buy, and expands consumer awareness of counterfeit products they would never suspect like the Gillette Razor Blades, Coast Guard Approved Fire Extinguishers and Tide Detergent featured on the website. The anti-counterfeiting effort is more than protecting a trademark or brand; it is also protecting consumers and pets from unsafe and potentially deadly products and medications.

Counterfeit products are usually identified when they fail and are returned to the manufacturer for warranty repairs, leaving the consumer out their investment and without the product. It's the consumer who ultimately gets hurt, while counterfeit goods, mainly from China, have become as profitable for Asia's criminal gangs as illegal drug trafficking says a United Nations report. Without consumer education, counterfeiters will continue to pump counterfeit auto parts, fashion accessories, heath care items, medications, pet supplies and sporting goods into a market already saturated with fake Rolex watches and designer handbags.

The counterfeit statistics are staggering. Over 40% of online prescriptions are counterfeit, Amazon Marketplace was recently identified as a leader in the proliferation of counterfeit products, and the US Military reports a huge influx of counterfeit parts that are putting our troops at risk. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) estimates that over 500,000 counterfeit aircraft parts are installed in aircraft each year, with potentially catastrophic results. 33 million doses of fake Malaria drugs were seized in Angola.

The economic impact of counterfeiting is also substantial; the purchase of counterfeit products is supporting criminals who avoid paying taxes, cost US businesses over $250 Billion annually and destroy an estimated 750,000 US jobs. However, the average consumer only thinks of counterfeit goods as phony Rolex watches, fake high-fashion handbags, or cheap knock-offs of designer T-shirts.

While we all recognize the tough economic times, there is no reason for a consumer to get stung by poor quality, substandard and unsafe counterfeit products and medications. "It's the consumer who ultimately gets hurt. We're here simply because counterfeiting is wrong” concluded Crosby.

Website: www.theCounterfeitReport.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Counterfeit-Report/131568053660579

What To Do In Philadelphia In August And A Good Value Alternative To Corporate Hotels To Consider...

Join Us This Summer for these Great Events                 Call now to book a room, then pack your bags and head to Philadelphia this month to enjoy any of these special events......    Smooth Jazz Summer Nights with Fireworks at Penn's Landing Every Friday Night, August 2, 9, 16, 23, and 30 at 7:30 PM    2nd Street Festival August 4 at Noon    Pennsylvania Dutch Festival at Reading Terminal Market August 8-10, all day    Made in America Festival on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway August 31-September 1, all day                                 Festival Spotlight                   Pennsylvania Dutch Festival at Reading Terminal Market August 8-10    You won't have to travel to Lancaster County to enjoy the Amish experience! The Reading Terminal Market invites you to the 24th Annual Pennsylvania Dutch Festival. Buggy Rides. A Petting Zoo. Live Bluegrass Music. And, of course, Great Food. Be sure to make some room for those homemade apple doughnuts.    Visit Reading Terminal Market for more info.                          Family Fun Spotlight                 THE OVAL Through August 18    Experience the new shape of fun when you visit Philadelphia's newest park on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, the OVAL! Through August 18, visitors and locals alike can enjoy interactive games, movie nights, free concerts, live entertainment, gourmet food trucks, and even sit on a beach spread over eight acres of land in the heart of the Benjamin Franklin Parkway.    Click here for the Oval's complete calendar of events.

Save Money While you're here, take advantage of special savings through ourFUNSAVERS program, weekly half-price ticket offers to local events . Ask our desk agents for a copy of that week's half price offers on theatre tickets, festival entrance fees, and gallery admissions.   FUNSAVERS, a service of Philly Fun Guides There's always special savings by staying at the Alexander Inn!   Alexander Inn 301 South 12th Street at Spruce Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19107

Stay Connected And Save Money While Cruising

Contributed by Stewart Chiron

Cruising is one of the greatest and best value vacation options available in the world today. You can go almost anywhere at a fraction of what it used to cost. Big ships are bringing millions of people closer together.

I remember being in New York for a TV news interview and I was going to be talking about Royal Caribbean's upcoming Freedom of the Seas, which at the time, was going to be become the world's largest cruise ship. Just before leaving my hotel for the TV studio, Royal Caribbean one-upped themselves when they announced Project Genesis which evolved into Oasis Class. Ship size when from 154,000 tons to 225,000 tons.

My initial thoughts were they should have called it Project Exodus instead of Genesis. Moving almost 10,000 people at a time was more reminiscent of an exodus. Many people enjoy cruising because of the concept of "getting away from it all." Royal Caribbean came up with a way to take everyone with you. Staying connected has become more important than ever before.

Besides shore excursions, shipboard purchases and gambling losses, communication expenses can really put a dent in any budget. In the old days, the telegraph and Pony Express were the most cost effective ways to communicate. Today, passengers can bring their cell phones, but the costs can easily mount up. Telling your kids to go play on the internet can easily cost you $45 per hour.

Keep in-mind, cruise ships are using satellite technology not extra log extension cords nor super high powered microwave towers.

When a cruise ship is about 12 miles off-shore, the ship's cell tower kicks in and the fun begins. Check your phone's display as it should read "Cellular at Sea." The good news, your cell phone will cost much less than the ship's in-cabin satellite phone which can cost up to $20 per minute. If you have AT&T, Verizon or Sprint, you'll pay $2.49 per minute while the extremely special customers with T-Mobile are gouged at $6 per minute.

AT&T's WMS subsidiary, which supplies most cruise ship cell towers, just launched new cruise ship calling packages with Royal Caribbean Cruises LTD and its three cruise lines,Royal Caribbean International, Azamara Club Cruises and most Celebrity Cruises' ships. Hopefully, more cruise lines will get with the program! Hint, hint...

The new packages just launched encourage passengers to stay connected while out-at-sea. Bring and use all of the latest gadgets like laptops, cellular connected tablets like Samsung's Note 10, Apple iPads and smartphones on-board your cruise ship to communicate. I recently upgraded to Samsung's Galaxy S4 and took it for a test drive on cruises in Europe and the Caribbean. Like Samsung's commercial says, "It's the next big thing." It's super wifi capabilities, quad band processor, amazing, upgraded camera captures many captivating pictures and videos.

It's fun to immediately share experiences with family and friends back home as the excitement unfolds but it can be expensive which is why this new AT&T packages are worth checking into. Go ahead and talk, text and use data knowing exactly how much it's going to cost in advance. I enjoy sharing my photos while traveling on Twitter @CruiseGuy.

New AT&T packages:

$30 package includes 50 minutes of talk time. ($.60 per minute, $1 after)
$60 package includes 50 minutes of talk, 100 text messages
$120 package includes 50 minutes of talk, 100 text messages & 100 MB data

Keep in-mind, this discount program is currently ONLY for AT&T customers sailing on Royal Caribbean, Azamara Club Cruises and most Celebrity Cruises' ships for now.

Some of the best deals on using your wifi enabled devices including cell phones when cruising or travelling internationally can be found ashore. AT&T and Verizon, for example, offer generous international data roaming plans. AT&T's lead-in program starts at $30 for 120 MB of data while Verizon offers $25 for 100 MB. Sprint, well, you may want to switch to AT&T, starts at $40 for a meager 40 MB. T-Mobile is $15 per MB. Comparing at 100 MB, T-Mobile will cost you $1500. It's clear that Sprint and T-Mobile's customers don't travel much internationally by their archaic, unrealistic, 20th Century, non-competitive pricing plans.

Accessing the internet from your cell phone while ashore can save you a lot of money when cruising or travelling internationally. (Not with Sprint or T-Mobile. Leave those phones at home, in your cabin's safe or switch to AT&T.) Let's say you took a fabulous photo at Rome's Colosseum, glaciers or whales in Alaska and wanted to share with family, friends, Twitter and FaceBook. You can upload the pictures right there as well as stay current on your emails and not miss a beat.

I know every article includes swapping out SIM cards that you can buy internationally. I'm going in a different direction as I like to use my phone, number, etc. My advice is to give Google Voice a try. Signing up and getting a Google Voice phone number in any US area code is FREE. Forward your cell, home and yes, even office, if you want, to your Google Voice number. If you don't want to pay for all those "unimportant" phone calls, set preferences to ring right to voice mail. In a few minutes you'll receive an email with the voicemail transcribed (not 100% accurate, but pretty good) along with a link to listen to the message if necessary.

Think of all the calls and voicemails you won't be dinged for while travelling internationally. How many times do you see people on their phones telling their friends who called to say hi that they're out of the country and just got hit for around $2 per minute? This is a smart way to control your phone and costs and eliminate receipt of unwanted or unnecessary phone calls.

If you plan on making a lot of local calls while travelling internationally, bring along one of your old non-data phones that you can stick an international SIM card into that you can purchase anywhere.

Many have tried to use Skype to make phone calls. It works, sometimes. But, yes, most cruise ships block Skype because of the large amount of bandwidth needed. MTN Satellite Communications, the internet provider on most cruise ships, created its own App, MTN Satellite Connect @Sea, that can be downloaded for free from Google Play Store or Apple's iTunes for Android and Apple phones, which is a viable low cost option to make phone calls using wifi enabled devices while cruising. It hasn't been officially launched yet, so The Cruise Guy gave you another inside tip!

One additional option, which I've also had great success with is magicJack. The new majicJack Plus doesn't need a computer to work as they too have an App that can be downloaded free from Google Play Store or Apple's iTunes to be used on Android and Apple devices. Every call to/ from majicJack to the United States is FREE! Your only cost is data.

With proper planning, you can make a big difference at reducing your international communications bill, so plan wisely. Consider the ship and land based plans offered by AT&T. They'll save you money!