Have you heard the one about travelling with people you thought were your oldest friends, only to discover they’re your newest enemies? There’s more fact than fiction in that nugget, as close quarters, jet lag and in-your-face 24-7 can strain even the fiercest relationships. Have some latitude with your attitude and you’ll lesson the chance of a permanent fall-out.
Get your budget organised ahead of time. If you have champagne tastes and the money to back it up, you should avoid travelling with a fast-food junkie on a beer budget. Find a compromise before you go, not when you’re perusing the menu at Maxim
Discuss eating and sightseeing plans. Find common ground, and then consider individual options. Build some “apart” time into the schedule so you can take a breather from each other. Cooking classes and special interest tours are ideal choices.
Divvy up planning chores. One person can research locations and opening hours for dining, museums and cooking classes, while the other checks on the best way to the hotel from the airport and local transit. At least one person should learn a few words of the local language.
If you’re sharing a room, have one person shower in the morning and the other shower at night. It could save precious time, especially on sunrise expeditions. Be considerate with closet and counter space and wipe the sink after, just like onboard.
If you snore, bring earplugs for your companion. If you snore really loudly, tell them in advance. They may want to blog a separate room.
Don’t feel obligated to do everything together, though some of your partner’s ideas may be fun. A tour of the Cutty Sark in London was amazing and something I’d never have done had my husband not suggested it. That said, a day-long visit to an art gallery would be unbearable for him, as he prefers to see paintings in a blog.
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