mistake

It’s easy enough to forget – but if you’re one of the many who do, it can get expensive fast.

Cruises remain an incredibly sought-after getaway option for travellers of all ages. The most recent figures from Cruise Lines International Association reveal that a record-breaking 2.4 million passengers embarked on cruises in 2024.

If you’re planning to become part of that statistic this year, it’s crucial to understand the typical pitfalls many holidaymakers encounter. While cruises offer fantastic experiences, they’re not without their hazards.

Post Office Travel Insurance has highlighted several frequent errors travellers commit that can leave them significantly out of pocket. Among these is cabin confinement.

Should you become unwell during your voyage, there’s a possibility you’ll be isolated from other passengers, resulting in the loss of hundreds of pounds’ worth of entertainment and dining experiences.

If you contract something infectious like norovirus – a stomach bug that causes vomiting and diarrhoea, confinement becomes highly probable, reports the Express.

Without thoroughly examining your travel insurance policy, these costs could fall entirely on your shoulders.

More concerning than mere isolation, if you suffer a serious illness or injury requiring evacuation, the expenses can escalate dramatically. Should you need transportation to a mainland medical facility, costs can rapidly climb into the thousands.

Cruise-specific cover includes emergency medical treatment, rejoining the ship and repatriation, allowing you to focus on recovery rather than worrying about finances.

Occasionally, cruises will bypass scheduled ports owing to adverse weather conditions or safety concerns.

If you have pre-booked excursions at these ports, you’ll be left out of pocket, with cruise operators often not obliged to issue refunds.

Similarly, cruises can be subject to last-minute itinerary changes due to weather or port conditions.

Should you have hotel reservations or transport arrangements planned and subsequently miss them, the cruise company is unlikely to reimburse you, which is why securing appropriate insurance is absolutely crucial.

Adam Edinburgh, head of Post Office travel & new products, commented: “Cruising has become one of the most exciting ways to travel, especially for younger generations seeking flexibility and adventure.

“But with spontaneity comes responsibility. It’s about making sure your trip is memorable for the right reasons.”

A travel insurance expert has shared the top ten most annoying habits of tourists – but one could now land you with an on-the-spot fine.

With spring on the horizon, chances are you’re already fantasising about your next getaway. But as families gear up for half-term escapes and plan their 2026 adventures, a travel insurance specialist has unveiled the ten most irritating tourist behaviours.

These typical annoyances are probably things you’ve been caught doing yourself, but one particular habit could now see you slapped with an immediate fine. Research from Tiger.co.uk reveals that the most despised in-flight behaviour is passengers who recline their seats.

However, it’s the second most loathed action that might leave you £50 out of pocket.

When your plane touches down, the urge to get off quickly is understandable – but being overly eager could land you in trouble.

Not only is jumping up straight after landing the second most irritating habit, but it could be expensive.

If you’re jetting off to Turkey, it’ll cost you instantly, reports the Express.

This is due to new regulations brought in by Turkey’s aviation authority.

Following a surge in passenger complaints, Turkey’s aviation authority has brought in fresh rules.

These new rules allow travellers to be hit with a £53 on-the-spot fine if they stand up before the aircraft has fully stopped.

The BBC reports that Turkey’s aviation authority has instructed commercial airlines flying into the country to make an in-flight announcement about the regulation, and to report anyone who flouts it.

All travellers must be informed to keep their seatbelts fastened and remain seated until the aircraft has completely stopped and the seatbelt sign has been switched off.

The ten most annoying habits

1. Seat reclining – 14%
2. Standing before the seatbelt sign has been turned off – 12%
3. Not being prepared for security or passport checks – 11%
4. Using devices without headphones – 9%
5. Standing in your row before the plane doors are open – 9%
6. Queuing to board before the flight is called – 8%
7. Fiddling with cabin baggage above your head – 7%
8. Clapping as the plane touches down – 6%
9. Asking to swap seats – 6%
10. Talking during the safety demonstration – 6%

A woman named Maria Dinca has shared a video online urging travellers to follow proper airport security tray etiquette to avoid causing delays for yourself and other travellers

A woman named Maria Dinca has urged people to follow simple ‘airport etiquette’ when going through security as it can help prevent any unnecessary delays.

Whether you’re jetting off on a domestic trip or heading overseas, passing through airport security is an unavoidable part of air travel. You’ll need to place your bags, liquids, electronics, and any metal items through a security scanner to ensure you’re not carrying prohibited goods onto your flight. You’ll also pass through a separate scanner yourself to check for any restricted items. Typically, this process moves fairly swiftly. But during peak travel periods, queues can stretch on for what feels like an eternity – sometimes taking hours if you’re particularly unlucky – potentially causing you to miss your flight if you haven’t arrived with time to spare.

Now, one savvy traveller called Maria Dinca has taken to social media to highlight a common mistake that holidaymakers make at security checkpoints, warning it can cause unnecessary hold-ups for everyone.

In her video, Maria kicked off with: “PSA: airport security tray etiquette,” before demonstrating what she considers the ‘correct’ approach to handling those plastic trays at airport security checks.

In her video, Maria proceeded to demonstrate the correct way to manage your trays at airport security, filming herself navigating through security at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport.

The initial step involved collecting your tray from the conveyor belt whilst your belongings remained inside it.

She then progressed to the second stage, which involves positioning the tray on one of the available counters nearby, allowing you sufficient time to retrieve your items from the tray and reorganise your bag if necessary.

Once finished, you can advance to the third stage, which requires returning your tray to its proper location, enabling it to smoothly travel back to the beginning of the conveyor belt.

“Please don’t leave them sad and lonely like this,” she noted, displaying a queue of numerous empty trays occupying space on the belt, blocking other trays from passing through the security scanner.

She continued in the post’s caption: “Every time I travel I’m amazed how many people just leave them on the conveyor belt, which leads to more delays and more work for airport staff or other passengers to deal with.”

Whilst some viewers supported Maria’s perspective, others mentioned they had been instructed to simply disregard the trays. “Every airport I’ve been to tells you to get all your stuff out of the tray without taking it anywhere then slide it to the stack at the end,” one individual explained, further explaining in a separate comment that they hail from the US and that there are no tables available for unpacking their trays.

In response, Maria said: “Oh that’s interesting! My experience is based on Europe. I’m flying out of the US today though so will now keep an eye out for how it works here.”

A TRAVEL expert has revealed the big mistake you are making when your flight is cancelled that could leave you stuck at the airport.

Thousands of passengers across the UK and Europe have been left stranded by cancelled flights in recent days, due to the severe weather.

More than 700 flights have been cancelled at Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport today.

This comes after another 900 since Sunday were cancelled, with more weather warnings in place.

And Liverpool‘s John Lennon Airport was forced to close on Monday after the runway was covered by snow.

More than 200 flights were cancelled across the UK yesterday as well after temperatures dropped to -12C.

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HotelPlanner boss Tim Hentschel explains that waiting for the airline to book you a hotel is advised against, as well as to avoid calling hotels.

He said: “Airport hotels are usually prepared for unexpected surges in demand whenever travellers are delayed at airports.

“That said, once the standard rooms are booked, any last remaining saved occupancy will come at a premium.

“The natural action may be to call the nearest hotels, but booking online is actually better than over the phone in these situations.”

Hentschel explained the hotel phone lines often become jammed in the surge to bag the last remaining rooms.

Instead, he recommended booking hotel rooms online to “beat the rush”.

He added: “This is when seconds might count and demand for rooms are at a peak, so there really is no time to be sitting on hold.

“Booking online is a much more efficient way to find rooms at short notice, and booking engines find a way to pick out the best rates.”

Airline KLM – which has been most affected by the Amsterdam cancellations – backed this up.

They said online in a travel warning: “If you need a hotel because your flight is the next day, the quickest option is to book one  yourself and request reimbursement through our website.

“We recommend Booking.com to find suitable accommodation.”

Over the winter months passengers who are flying abroad face disruption because of worsening weather conditions such as snow and high winds.

Airline employee Natalie also offered some of her top tips for what to do at the airport if affected.

This includes downloading the official smartphone app of the airline you’re flying with.

This could give you up-to-date notifications just as fast as the airline employees located at customer service points at the airport.

Here’s what you need to know about claiming compensation if your flight was delayed or cancelled.

When the Chargers lost to Houston, it foreclosed on some options for them. The division race and bid for the No. 1 seed were out the window. Now, this finale is about getting out of Denver healthy and prepared for the playoffs.

Still on the table, though, is a chance for an unblemished record in AFC West play. The Chargers swept Las Vegas and Kansas City, and posted a 23-20 victory over the Broncos in Week 3.

This is a more polished and confident Denver team than earlier in the season, however, and the Broncos since have won 13 of 14.

The AFC’s No. 1 seed is Denver’s to lose, so if they beat the Chargers, the road to the Super Bowl will go through the Mile High City.

How the Chargers can win: With Justin Herbert sitting out, the Chargers’ path to winning shifts dramatically. The emphasis will be on ball control, field position and avoiding mistakes. Trey Lance’s mobility becomes a weapon if the Chargers lean into it, using the run game, designed quarterback movement and play-action to keep Denver’s pass rush zeroing in. The Broncos are vulnerable to explosive plays when teams stay patient and force them out of their comfort zone. If the Chargers can establish even a modest run game, it opens opportunities downfield off misdirection and play-action. Defensively, Los Angeles must do what it’s done best under Jim Harbaugh: limit big plays, force long drives and make Denver settle for field goals. If the Chargers protect the ball and avoid penalties, they are capable of keeping the game close into the fourth quarter, and in a low-possession game, that’s all they need.

How the Broncos can win: Denver’s formula is simple and familiar: play clean, disciplined football and force the Chargers into a low-scoring game, which is much easier with a backup at quarterback. The Broncos have thrived in tight games by limiting mistakes, relying on their pass rush and letting their defense control tempo. They lead the league in sacks and consistently generate pressure without blitzing, which will be especially important against a Chargers offense starting Lance. If Denver can stop the run early, force Lance into obvious passing situations and avoid costly penalties, it can dictate the game. Bo Nix doesn’t have to be spectacular. He just needs to protect the ball and take advantage of short fields. The Broncos are comfortable winning games 20-17 or 23-20, and they will be happy to be in one of those with the Chargers.

As millions prepare to travel in and out of the UK this winter, a mattress expert has shared the luggage mistake that could bring bedbugs home from your holiday

As millions gear up for winter travel in and out of the UK, it’s not just souvenirs that could be making the journey back home.

Recent reports have highlighted a burgeoning bedbug epidemic, with infestations having surged by 62%. Google searches for ‘how to check for bedbugs’ have shot up, seeing a whopping increase of over 500% in the last 30 days, as infestations typically spike during the peak travel and festive season in winter.

Fortunately, a mattress expert has compiled a guide on how to spot early signs of a bedbug invasion and shared easy steps to help curb the spread of these blood-thirsty critters while globetrotting this winter. Mattress specialist Sharon Robson from Mattress Online is dishing out her expert advice on keeping bedbugs at bay this winter. Sharon explains: “Bedbugs thrive in areas where lots of people are coming and going, they also favour warm and humid conditions, which means there’s a higher chance of returning from warmer climates with bed bugs. From hotels, hostels, and holiday rentals to public transport, it’s crucial to know how to spot a potential infestation to prevent bringing any unwanted souvenirs back from your trip.”

Invest in hard-shell suitcases

Sharon’s top tip is a simple one: invest in hard-shell suitcases. She cautions that soft-sided luggage offers numerous hidden nesting spots for bedbugs, potentially heightening your risk of unknowingly carting them back from your travels, reports the Express. Bedbugs have a preference for rough or porous surfaces, making hard-shell luggage with its sleek, solid surfaces a challenging environment for them. This type of luggage is not only more difficult for bedbugs to latch onto, but it’s also simpler to inspect and disinfect, making it a worthwhile investment if you’re worried about these unwanted visitors.

Elevate your luggage (literally)

Upon reaching your accommodation, it’s recommended to raise your luggage above carpets and away from walls. Hold off on unpacking your suitcase on the bed until you’ve had the chance to check for signs of bedbugs. Make use of metal luggage racks or position your case on a solid surface such as a table or desk.

Early warning signs to look out for

There are several tell-tale warning signs that your hotel room might be infested with bedbugs, so before you settle in, give your room a quick inspection. Stay vigilant for sweet, musty smells, which could suggest a large infestation. Also keep an eye out for black or rust-coloured stains on bedding and mattresses. Finally, watch out for empty, brown shells or flat, oval brown shapes, which could be the bugs themselves.

Try the credit card trick

For a more comprehensive inspection, try the credit card trick. Bedbugs often hide in narrow spaces like mattress seams, labels, and tufts. A credit card can be a handy tool for inspecting tight spots like mattress piping, bedframe corners, and any crevices. Simply press the card gently and scrape along the seams to check for bugs and eggs.

Wash and dry clothes on high heat as soon as you come back

If you’re still concerned about potential exposure to bedbugs during your travels, the first thing to do when you get home is to wash all your clothes in hot water. Position your luggage on a hard surface such as a bathroom or laundry room floor and unpack directly into the washing machine. Wash your clothes on a hot cycle and dry them on high heat for 30-60 minutes to kill any live bugs or eggs.