Travel Tips Make your dive travel adventure as relaxing as possible by reading through our travel tips before you go! To get the most out of your adventure, here are a few tips: Your destination Think ahead about your destination and what you will need in terms of clothing and wetsuit warmth. Ask about temperatures of the air and water. Accomodations Think ahead about the type of place you are staying. If it is a resort, is it fancy or casual? Is there a dress code at dinner? If you are diving off a live aboard, you'll need less formal clothing and more bathing suits and shorts! Luggage Think about your luggage. If it is older, it may weigh a lot. Shop around for luggage that is lighter and the correct size for checked and carry-on. Your local dive shop will have the newest, lightest luggage, that still protects your valuable dive gear. Airline luggage restrictions Check your airline's website for checked and carry-on luggage regulations and weights. If you have further questions, contact DATA. Luggage regulations change from time to time. Some airlines offer free international checked luggage for 2 pieces under 50 lbs. each. Some charge for the second piece, only. Check to see the weight/size restriction for your carry on luggage. Identify your luggage Identify your luggage with a luggage tag on the outside AND the inside. If the luggage tag is missing on the outside, and your bag is delayed, it is easier to identify if there is identification on the inside, too. Mark your luggage with a ribbon or something to identify it when claiming it. Carry-on luggage Pack your medication, cameras, change of clothes, bathing suit, prescription glasses (if you year contacts), mask, and anything you cannot do without upon arrival, IF your luggage is delayed or you are stranded in an airport. Sunscreen Pack and use sunscreen, even in the morning and late afternoon. No fun to be burned! First aid Pack a first aid kit. Your dive gear Think about your dive gear. Does it need to be serviced? If so, do so 3 months in advance of your trip, to be sure it is ready. Better to have it serviced, then to have a problem at 50 ft. Also, check it out in the pool or lake before going on your trip after serviced to be sure it is good to go. Dive skills Practice your dive skills in a pool or lake before you go, especially if it has been a while since diving. Your local dive shop may have “pool time” or you can ask a pool person if you can practice. If it has been a really long time since diving, ask a dive shop about a refresher course. They are usually not very expensive, and well worth getting comfortable with your skills again. Renting gear To rent locally or at your destination? Typically, your local dive shop will have gear that is better serviced and less used than your destination. Ask about their rental pricing and compare to your dive destination. DATA can help you with this information. If you are practicing in the pool, you can request to use the same type of gear that you'll be renting. Your health Get your body checked out (teeth, too), if needed, before your trip. Vaccinations Check the Center for Disease Control Website for recommended suggested vaccinations before you travel. Is your tetanus shot up to date? It is suggested that travelers have vaccinations for Hepatitis B and C, as well. Budget Plan your budget for the trip. If you are staying at an all-inclusive resort, you'll need less money than if you only have breakfast included. Are you a shopper? Plan ahead for your purchases. Also….read about credit cards, next! Credit cards If you plan to use your credit cards, contact the company(s) of each card you are using BEFORE you go. Let them know your travel dates and destination. If you do not, they most likely will block your card, as it appears stolen. Identity theft is on the rise, and they want to protect you. Also, ask your company if they charge a fee for exchanging your foreign charges into U.S. currency. Contact information Leave your itinerary and emergency contact numbers with your family or friends while gone, just in case. Cash Keep some of your cash in a separate location in your purse or backpack, incase your wallet is lost or stolen. Use your safe in your room for your valuable. Your passport Keep a copy of your passport picture page separate from your passport, in case it is lost or stolen. It will be easier to get a replacement at the country's U.S. Embassy with that information. Relax. This is your vacation! Once you are beyond the borders of the U.S., cultures are different. Many countries move much more slowly than we do. Time is about relationships, not about the clock. Be patient. If something is bothering you, ask yourself if your expectation is realistic OR if it is something to let go. If it is a problem, ask your group leader, tour leader, dive shop, or hotel representative if they can help you. Patience and kindness are the key. Be a reasonable American. Enjoy! If you have other tips, let us know! Next »