When traveling the world, customs change with every border crossing. Yet the one thing that remains constant is tipping. Bellmen, taxi drivers, tour guides...the characters of your holiday race on and off the stage at a dizzying pace; knowing how much to tip each one can be confusing.

So keep this tipping guide (alphabetically listed for your convenience) handy at all times so you'll know exactly how much to reward all those who help you achieve the vacation of your dreams.

A Traveler's Tipping Guide
Bellman/Baggage Porter	$1-2 per bag, more if extremely heavy
Bartender	$1 per drink or 15% of final bill
Concierge	$5-10 each time you receive personal assistance
Cruise (busboy)	$2 per person/per day*
Cruise (cabin steward)	$4 per person/per day*
Cruise (waiter)	$4 per person/per day*
Doorman/Hailer of Taxis	$1
Housekeeping/Maid	$2 per day
Room Service	15%
Shuttle/Bus Driver	$2 per person
Taxi Driver	10-15%
Tour Guide (short tour)	$2 per person for a half-day tour, $3 for full-day tour
Tour Guide (long tour)	$3-8 per person per day
Valet Parking Attendant	$1-2
Waiter	15-20%**

* Some cruise lines include gratuity in their fares. Be sure to inquire with your booking agent.
** In Europe and Asia, some restaurants automatically add a 15 percent "service charge" and do not expect tips. Don't be afraid to ask your waiter if service is included.

• Learn the Lingo
  When you visit a foreign country, you learn a few basic phrases as a sign of respect and to get around more easily. The same holds true for cruise ships. You will find your time onboard—and your discussions with the crew—more enlightening when you speak the language. So before you heave ho, learn correct nautical terms for the ship (which is never called a boat, and is always referred to as "her"). Learn and use the phrases starboard (right), port (left), bow (front of the ship) and aft (rear of the ship).
  

• Don't Be a Sore on Shore
  During shore excursions, remember that you are a guest in that country. Be familiar with (and try not to break!) local laws and customs. Ask your ship's shore excursion representative what is considered proper attire for your destination, especially if you plan to visit a church, mosque or synagogue.

• What Not to Wear
  Look on the daily newsletter you'll receive in your cabin and pay attention to the dress code for the day's activities. If dinner requires a tuxedo or suit, do not show up in sandals and dripping-wet swim trunks. Formal nights create a unique atmosphere that many passengers relish. If you don't feel like wearing the monkey suit, avoid the main dining hall and eat at one of the ship's casual restaurants. If you're allergic to dress codes in general, be sure to tell us when booking your cruise. Different cruise lines require different attire, so there's one to fit all comfort levels.

• Seats are Reserved for Everyone
  Don't "reserve" poolside lounges with a towel or seats at an entertainment venue with a sweater draped over the back. While it's fine to save a seat for your partner or kids, don't save an entire row of seats for all your new friends. And don't race to the pool first thing in the morning to leave a book on the deck chair you want to use hours later.

• Keep the Kids in Check
  Kids will be kids...just keep an eye on them to make sure they're not being kids too close to someone trying to be an adult, such as in casinos and other adult-centered areas.

• Dinner is Served
  If you have an assigned dinner time and table, do not show up late. A late arrival disrupts the meal for the entire table, for waiters may not serve your tablemates until all have arrived. And if you don't care for your dinner companions, do not make a big scene. Simply ask the Restaurant Manager to be reassigned...they are used to such requests.

If you have any further queries about what to expect on your cruise, just ask us. We've been on so many cruises, we know the rules frontward and backward...or bow to aft, in this case! Drop us an e-mail or call anytime.

Women are beginning to realize that men are unnecessary, especially when it comes to traveling. That's why more and more women are choosing to explore the world alone without being bogged down by a male companion who would rather sit in a sports bar than see the Sistine Chapel.

Before embarking on your solo adventure, you should be conscious of the unique cultural situations and safety concerns inherent within each destination. No matter how smart and fit you are, one poor decision could mar a perfectly good holiday. So keep in mind these simple tips and precautions to ensure a safe and enriching journey.

• Knowledge is Power
  Study your destination before you go to get an accurate idea on their cultural and religious identity. If traveling to the Middle East or North Africa, realize that religion plays a major role in their lives. While you are not expected to dress in their traditional garb, you are expected to respect their religious sites. Learn the proper rules of etiquette and dress accordingly.

• Hotel Safety 101
  Request a room on a high floor near the elevator, where there is typically increased traffic. Ask for a new room if the desk clerk loudly announces your room number within earshot of strangers. Take the hotel's business card and keep it on you at all times to show taxi drivers.

• Copy Your Docs
  Make copies of your travel documents—including your passport, itinerary and reservation numbers—and leave a set with a trusted friend or family member back home. Periodically call or e-mail your friend to let them know if your plans change.

• Make Friends
  While the point of independent travel is to remain independent, it's wise for women to make friends while out late at night. By staying with a group in a well-lit area of the bar or restaurant, you will avoid the attention of impolite men.

• Pack Light
  Don't be weighed down by a heavy suitcase. Not only does it make your journey through foreign streets slower and more cumbersome, but it also announces that you are a tourist.

• Fashion Do's and Don'ts
  Dress a tad more conservatively than usual and never wear your best jewelry or fanciest clothes. Pickpockets look for people whose wardrobe screams "rich tourist," so do your best to stylistically fit in.

• Kung-Fu You
  Take a self-defense course before your trip. It never hurts to know a few basic moves to get out of a sticky situation, should such a rarity occur.

• Map it Out
  Study a map until you know the area of your hotel and where you're going frontward and backward. It's easy to get lost in a foreign city; and lost on a dark street is one place a lone woman never wants to find herself.

The best way to avoid unpleasant situations abroad is to use your common sense. If a situation feels bad, it probably is. Please follow the advice above and always keep our office phone number handy to help you in a pinch. That's what we're here for...to make sure you have the best vacation possible.

• Shift to a Snacking Gear
  Ignore those blue signs on the side of the interstate that list the tempting fast-food options at the next exit. Instead, bring a snack-attack pack of fruits, nuts, yogurt, granola bars and carrot sticks, along with a big bottle of water. Not only is it a healthier option, but you'll also get to your destination sooner by not stopping so often.

• Snacks on a Plane
  While the rules for items you can take on airplanes have grown stricter recently, you can still take solid snacks like apples, trail mix, bananas and energy bars. All of those are better options than the salty snacks provided in-flight.

• Fly Veggie Airlines
  On your next long flight, request vegetarian meals, which tend to be lighter and healthier than their meaty counterparts. Some airlines provide choices for vegetarians—including vegan, Indian and Asian—giving you plenty of options to suit your palate.

• Be Keen on Kitchenettes
  Let us find you a hotel with a kitchenette. On one of the first days of your vacation, hit the local supermarket and stock up on healthy basics you can cook right in your room. The fewer times you have to eat at restaurants, the better. Plus, the supermarket is a great place to learn about local foods if you're in a foreign country.

• Start the Day Right
  A hotel's continental breakfast or morning buffet gives you a wide choice of options, some healthy, most not. Stay clear of the Danishes and doughnuts, and stick to the fruits, cereals and yogurt. With a big day ahead of you, you'll want to get off to the right—and healthier—start.

• Stay in Shipshape Shape
  Keep a healthy focus when faced with cruise ships' massive buffet bars. Split one of those large plates with your mate, and only hit the buffet once per meal. After your food has settled, tackle some of the ship's onboard activities—such as the fitness center or ice skating rink—instead of plopping down next to the pool.

We all want to return from a vacation looking invigorated and well-rested. That's hard to do when you spend the entire time gorging yourself on local delicacies or opting for the motorcoach over the volcano hike. So keep these tips in mind the next time you travel so that when you return, everyone will shriek with jealousy when they see how great you look.