For the vacationer who likes to travel while on vacation what better way to vacation than by tour?

Tours offer an abundance of entertainment and variety. The reason? Tours allow you to see more than one location during one trip.

Unless you are someone who travels frequently, you may not know exactly what you're getting into when you make a travel purchase. And when your expectation does not meet up with what you receive in your vacation package, you'll probably be disappointed. It's only natural.

The answer is simple. When booking a tour ask plenty of questions and make sure you know what is being offered.

Explaining your options and delivering the kind of vacation you expect is a travel agent's primary job. A good travel agent should be able to address all concerns you may have and should also be able to answer any questions you may have on each tour.

For instance, what is the difference between a budget-priced tour and a first-class tour? They both visit the same cities, you see the same sights, and one costs $70 a day while the other costs significantly more. Is the first-class tour worth the extra money? The answer depends on your specific needs.

A budget tour will often feature older hotels that are sometimes outside the main part of a city. A first-class tour places you in a more upscale accommodation generally in the center of the city as well as in the middle of the major sites and attractions. Which would you rather do Ñ save money or enjoy the convenience and service of a centrally located, upscale hotel? It's your choice.

Here is a quick look at four common types of tours and what you can generally expect. Deciding which one is right for you will depend on your budget, travel experience and your tastes and preferences. In selecting a tour, ask to see at least two price ranges for your destination. Look at the features of each tour and then you can make a decision and be certain about what you can expect.

An independent tour is for adventurous, seasoned travelers. An independent tour is usually custom-designed for the people taking it. Generally, you'll be on your own for meals, and you'll have to create your own sightseeing plan and itinerary.

There is no tour guide, but your travel agent can provide you with maps, recommend helpful books and, most of the time, and pre-arrange your accommodations, land transportation and airfare.

You can travel independently throughout the world, but you may find one of the following packaged tours more suitable if there is a language barrier or you're not used to traveling on your own.

This is generally the least expensive way to leave home. If you look at the per-day cost for accommodations, transportation and sightseeing, you'll probably find a budget-priced tour cannot be beat, especially if you have ever spent valuable timme trying to put each component together yourself. Doing so not only cost you time, but it usually costs significantly more . However, as you will see, the lowest price does not always translate to the best value.

Budget priced tours generally include a tour escort or host service, most sightseeing, motorcoach transportation, accommodations in rooms with a private bath and a daily breakfast.

Accommodations, while clean and adequate, are often not centrally located, nor are they what you might be used to at home. In Europe, budget-priced tours will often use family-owned inns. The beds may look small to you and the furnishings may be old and mismatched. But rest assured that the tour company probably would not use the property if it is not reliable and good. As long as you are not expect the Ritz-Carlton you will be okay.

A first-class tour features an upscale property similar to those found in the USA. On a first-class tour, you'll find accommodations in Hyatts, Marriotts and Meridiens. Hotels are centrally located, usually within walking distance of the city center.

First-class tours also generally have an escort - an employee of the tour company who travels with you throughout your tour, making sure you're in the right place at the right time. A first-class tour will include some lunches or dinners, but not all of them. You will need to find out your expected dining budget to calculate how this tour and the budget-priced tour stack up on value.

This tour promises to deliver the best available service. This is the tour that takes you to the Ritz. In some parts of the world, there are no five-star hotels, so the tour will not necessarily feature posh accommodations. But it will be the very best available.

Deluxe tours are always fully escorted by at least one professional. There are fewer people on the deluxe tour, so your transportation typically has more legroom and you'll get a better view of the scenery. Deluxe tours include all but a few meals, and there are generally several choices at meal time. Food is usually prepared by gourmet chefs who are trained in the specialties of the region.

While deluxe tours are generally more expensive, they sometimes provide the best value because they are so inclusive.

Independent tours, budget tours, first-class tours and deluxe tours each have advantages. Budget-priced tours are inexpensive and they provide lots of free time to explore on one's own.

A first-class tour, however, is what most travel agents might recommend to a friend who is going to Italy for the first time. If you don't know the ins and outs of getting a taxi to take you where you want in Rome, you may be disappointed. Don't risk it.

If you sit down and figure everything that goes into a tour, you'll find a deluxe tour is an excellent value at many destinations. If getting the best service is important to you, then a deluxe tour is definitely worth the extra money.

An independent tour is perfect for retracing your steps. If you take a package tour to a place and you like it well enough to return, you'll probably have an even better time on your own. Just keep in mind what you are buying, and you won't be disappointed.

Bad weather around the holidays and a recent clash between pilots and management at one airline lead to a lot of frustration on the part of passengers.

Most airline trips are uneventful. However, you can take steps to reduce even further your chances of encountering problems. Here is some advice for "defensive flying."

When selecting a flight, remember that a departure early in the day is less likely to be delayed than a later flight, due to "ripple" effects throughout the day. If you book the last flight of the day, you could get stuck overnight.

If you have a choice between two connections and the fares and service are equivalent, choose the one with the less-congested connecting airport. This reduces the risk of missing your connecting flight. Also consider potential adverse weather when choosing a connecting city.

• Consider paying by credit card, which provides certain protections under Federal credit regulations. For example, in virtually every airline bankruptcy, passengers who charged their fare and were not provided service have been able to have their credit card company credit their account for the amount of the fare.
• Bring a photo ID when you fly. Many airlines are requesting such identification at check-in due to improved security as well as to reduce the re-selling of discount tickets. Airlines don't permit tickets to be sold or given to other persons. Make sure your name on the ticket is exactly the same as it appears on the ID.
• As soon as you receive your ticket, check to make sure all of the information on it is correct, including your name. Have any necessary corrections made immediately.
• Check in early. Airlines rescind specific advance seat assignments 30 minutes before scheduled departure, even if you already have your boarding pass. You can lose your entire reservation if you haven't checked in 10 minutes before scheduled departure time on a domestic flight (longer on international flights).
• Allow time for traffic and parking problems. If a flight is oversold, the last passengers to check in are the first to be involuntarily bumped, even if they have met the 10-minute deadline.
• Check your ticket immediately after checking in for each flight on your trip. Airline agents may accidentally lift two coupons instead of one on occasion.
• If you are involuntarily "bumped" because your flight is overbooked, read the Overbooking Notice in your ticket, then ask for a copy of the rules mentioned in that notice. This information applies to the overselling of flights, where your flight operates and leaves you behind; it does not apply to canceled or delayed flights.
• Before agreeing to accept a travel voucher as compensation for being bumped voluntarily, ask about restrictions. For example, with some vouchers you cannot make a reservation until a few days before you want to fly.
• Put a tag on the outside of your baggage with your name, home address, and phone numbers. The airlines provide free stick-on tags. Most carriers also have "privacy tags" that conceal this information from passersby.
• Put the same information inside each bag, and add an address and telephone number where you can be reached at your destination city.
• Verify that the agent checking your bags attaches a destination tag to each one. Check to see that these tags show the three-letter code for your destination airport. Remove tags from previous trips to avoid confusion.
• If your bag arrives open or unlocked, check immediately to see if any of the contents are missing or damaged.
• Report any baggage problems to your airline before leaving the airport. Insist that the airline fill out a form and give you a copy, even if they say the bag will be in on the next flight. Before leaving the airport, ask the airline if they will deliver the bag without charge when it is found.
• Open your suitcase immediately when you get to your destination. Report any damage to contents or pilferage by telephone right away. Make a note of the date and time of the call, and the name and telephone number of the person you spoke with.
• Airlines are regulated by the Department of Transportation. If you have a complaint that cannot be resolved, you can contact the DOT at the Office of Aviation Consumer Affairs, U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street SW, Washington, DC 20590

The Princess Cruises fleet has been inducted into the prestigious Chaine des Rotisseurs, an exclusive gastronomic society whose symbol is recognized worldwide as a mark of culinary excellence.

This honor, which is usually presented to individuals, is unique because it recognizes the culinary achievements of an entire fleet of ships. With this designation, the company's 10 ships join an exclusive list of fine hotels and restaurants around the globe whose chefs have been granted society membership.

Princess ships will be able to display the Chaine des Rotisseurs plaque, and executive chefs will wear the society's famous ribbons.

The Chaine des Rotisseurs is an international gastronomic society founded in Paris in 1950, based on the traditions of the old French royal guild of meat and poultry roasters which dates back to 1248. Society members include some of the most influential individuals in the food service and production industry. The Chaine ribbons and plaques awarded to chefs and their establishments are recognized around the world as symbols of culinary excellence and membership is offered only to the finest restaurants and hoteliers.

Princess Cruises maintains a long tradition of fine cuisine with as many as 150 galley staff working day and night on each ship, preparing approximately 15,000 meals and snacks each day using the finest quality ingredients.

For more information about Princess Cruises, contact your travel specialist.