Cuba was a lesser known island to most Americans due to its severely limited access, and the ongoing tension between the two nations. With the change of regulations in 2015, there has been some amount of reduction in the restrictions on visits between the countries. Now, more and more people are taking a Cuba cruise to rejoice in the beaches, culture, and music of the beautiful island nation. Check out some of the tips that you should follow in case you are interested in booking yourself a Cuba cruise.
Carefully compare ships
All three ships that sail to Cuba are likely to be smaller, and older vessels starkly differing in the facilities they provide. Therefore, if you are a newbie at cruising, make sure you thoroughly go through the services that these ships may provide.
Look up itineraries
Most of the cruises that go to Havana offer very limited on island time. The time may range from a one day stop over to only an overnight halt. If you are keen to explore the history, and culture of the island, it is necessary you choose an itinerary that allows you enough time on the island.
Engage in immersive exchanges with the natives
If your purpose of traveling to Cuba is educational or informative, ensure you familiarize yourself with some form of person to person contact with the local Cuban citizens.
Your credit and debit cards won’t work
Despite some leniency in the financial practice between U.S. and Cuba, our banks do not allow any kind of transaction in Cuba. Therefore, it is important you take enough cash with you and get it exchanged.
Forget about cell phones and the internet
American cells do not really work in Cuba until you get them unlocked and purchase a new SIM card. As far as the internet is concerned, you may have internet and Wi fi access up and until you are onboard on a Cuba cruise, once you enter the island, you will not have the liberty to browse when you like.
Keep all your documents travel ready
When planning to book a Cuba cruise, ensure you check your passport’s expiration date. You will also be required to complete a travel affidavit that would attest that you will be engaging in cultural exchange. Once you complete the form, you will require to file it with the cruise line you have booked with. You should also obtain your tourist visa through agencies, or directly through the cruise line.
Months before its release, the latest iteration of the Note Series was plagued by numerous leaks and rumors. However, the Galaxy Note9 was still one of the most awaited smartphones of 2018. It was finally unveiled in the early weeks of August and made available for sale on the 24th of the same month. Apart from the pre-sale drama, there’s a lot more to the brand new Note9. Read further to know more!
The Samsung Galaxy Note9 hasn’t changed much on the outside. However, the makers have brought some impressive features and improvements to its software and hardware. If you already own a Galaxy S9+, then the Note9 won’t be such an exciting upgrade. Although, it still makes a good purchase for those people who own a Note8 because of its faster performance, long-lasting battery, and the all-new S Pen with enhanced productivity. At the moment, you can purchase the Samsung Galaxy Note9 for around $999.
This medical device helps people who need greater concentrations of oxygen than that in the normal air level, to meet the oxygen requirement in their blood. It is the portable oxygen concentrators (POCs) that make the whole process of receiving the adequate amount of supplementary oxygen an easy process while on the go. Details about the best five portable concentrators are provided below.
Respironics SimplyGo Mini
Philips’ Respironics Mini is known for its extra-long battery life of up to nine hours. Be it the ease of portability or the modern and stylish look; this POC seamlessly blends with one’s personality. Weighing only around five pounds, it is one of the best concentrators suitable for everyday routine.
Inogen One G4
Equipped with some options to easily meet one’s concentrated oxygen needs, Inogen One G4 offers amazing battery backup of five hours and on-the-go charging facility. Considered as the smallest portable oxygen concentrator available, it is not only easy to use but also extremely lightweight.
LifeChoice Activox Pro 4L
Weighing less than five pounds, the LifeChoice Activox Pro 4L features a unique technology called Pulse Wave oxygen delivery and an effective Auto Mode. Presenting the lightest and latest design in the form of this portable concentrator, Inova Labs has created a convenient oxygen concentrator model that takes up very less space and is easy to carry.
AirSep Focus
Requiring minimum maintenance, this 2-pound portable oxygen concentrator is ideal for active lifestyle. One can carry this less-than-11-inch device in a backpack or wear it over the shoulders with ease. Offering seven hours of battery backup, it uses the unique, sensitive pulse delivery technology.
AirSep Freestyle
Just as the name suggests, this lightweight and small size POC lets one carry it freely. It has a battery run time of 3.5 hours and supports external batteries too, apart from charging. The oxygen flow setting that it offers is 1-3 LPM.
Every year, the portable oxygen concentrators come in a more improved and modified look than before. So keep an eye on the upcoming models as well.
It can be an extremely boring task in the kitchen if you have to do the dishes, especially when the meal was hearty and now all you need is your bed to plonk into. This is where a dishwasher can be of utmost use. Thanks to the dishwashers, the mammoth task of doing the dishes (spotlessly clean may we add) and drying them gets taken care of effortlessly.
While the American market offers you a plethora of features in the dishwashers, many of them are a bit steeply priced. Therefore, we have poured over all the market offerings and put together a list of five of the best dishwashers that are priced below USD 500 to make the task of dishwashing a much affordable one for you.
Maytag MDB4949SDM
For just USD 450, this dishwasher from the well-known line of Maytag appliances, apart from doing a great job at cleaning dishes, also comes with a stainless interior, a soil sensor, and a self-cleaning filter. Each of its wash cycles lasts for about 170 minutes. It is known to be one of the most reliable and long lasting dishwashers in its price range, thus living up to the reputation of Maytag appliances.
Kenmore 13223
With a stainless interior, the Kenmore 13223 is a steal for USD 450. Unlike most budgeted dishwashers, this one has an inbuilt soil sensor. This sensor adjusts the cleaning cycle time and the amount of water used to match the soil level of the dishes, thus ensuring a more efficient and cleaner wash. Each wash cycle lasts for about 160 minutes. And although the dishwasher’s filter needs to be manually cleaned, this barely takes any time. For what it’s priced at, the lack of a self-automated filter can certainly be overlooked.
Whirlpool WDT720PADM
For about USD 400, this dishwasher makes the least noise as compared to most other dishwashers. It also comes endowed with a soil sensor, a display on the door front that tells you the amount of time left for the cycle to get over, and hidden controls, that add to the aesthetic appeal of this washer. It comes with a plastic interior and a filter that you would need to clean by yourself and has a wash time of about 155 minutes.
Ikea Renlig IUD7555DS [288921]
Priced at about USD 400, this dishwasher from the Ikea line of appliances comes with a soil sensor that makes for squeaky clean dishes. The wash time lasts for barely about 115 minutes – the shortest wash time duration among most budget dishwashers.
Kenmore 13473
With a soil sensor, aesthetically hidden controls, and time remaining display, the Kenmore 13473 dishwasher comes at a price of USD 400. This dishwasher comes with a filter that needs to be manually cleaned, and each of its wash cycles lasts for about 160 minutes.
Maytag Jetclean Plus MDB8959AWW
This dishwasher from the line of Maytag appliances costs about USD 450. It comes with features like a high-heat sanitizer, duraguard nylon racks, a silverware blast spray jet, etc. However, the highlight of this Maytag washer is its JetClean Plus wash system that ensures your dishes come out as sparkling as ever.
Although they may not come with all the frills and fancies of a high-end premium dishwasher, a budget dishwasher can give you not just well-cleaned but also well-dried dishes. All you need to do is leave your dishes for about 2-3 hours in the washer, and they come out spotlessly clean. Most of these dishwashers use about 4-5 gallons of water and are pretty energy efficient. With so much and more in just about USD 500, what more could one ask for?