Easy Luxury Vacations

posted by Joyce on Jul 7

The two key factors that can have a huge impact on the cost of your vacation are the destination and the time of year. In fact, the single biggest saver is likely to be when you travel, not how successfully you manage to haggle for that last minute hotel bargain!

Don’t overlook the importance of considering these two factors together. Some destinations will be extremely cheap at one time of year yet finding a bargain four months later may be impossible. Traveling to a popular destination at a peak time will never be cheap. For example staying at a luxury hotel in a party city on New Year’s Eve is not likely to be a budget holiday; however, traveling to a traditional summer resort over New Year’s may be a very different story.

One thing that is very important to realize is that low seasons are low for a reason. A classic example of this is hurricane season in the Caribbean and Florida. Other low seasons to be wary of are the extremely hot areas such as Egypt during the summer months, when the heat can be so oppressive that it makes the holiday less enjoyable. Summer resorts are often so quiet during low season that there is quite literally nowhere open. This can be great for a retreat, but when it comes to a raging nightlife you may be sadly disappointed!

Shoulder Season

Shoulder season is the perfect time to be trying to travel for those who want to find a happy medium between low and peak seasons. Identifying locations that are in shoulder season when you want to travel or when your favorite destination is in shoulder season can save you literally hundreds of dollars.

Take a look at the guide books. Whilst they will not tell you when the shoulder season is, they will tell you when peak and low seasons are. The time in between, is, by definition, the shoulder season.

With almost every resort there is a period where the prices become low, not because the location is now poor but because all of the hotels and flights are still servicing the area but the demand is simply not there. Examples of shoulder seasons are Europe in the fall and the Caribbean during late spring.

Winter

Winter is an interesting time of year to travel. Before Christmas, most individuals are trying to make last minute shopping trips. After Christmas, people are dealing with their credit card bills. As such, holidays on far off beaches are often incredibly cheap during the winter period.

A wonderful destination for the winter months is Asia. Flights are losing popularity, however, availability is still good, meaning that there are plenty of discounts on offer. Weather is variable in Asia during the winter which could mean that you are surrounded by snow one minute and then basking in glorious sunshine. This lack of dependability is something that puts a lot of visitors off and can mean that there are some excellent bargains for those prepared to take the risk!

Spring

If you are looking to travel to Europe, this is the time to do it! Flights are a lot cheaper during the spring months when temperatures are still relatively low.

Mexican beaches and the Caribbean islands start to see their prices drop from mid April as the weather becomes hotter. However, during the spring months, the water and air temperatures are still pleasant and the resorts less crowded.

During later spring, for example May, the traditionally hot and dry countries are not in their peak seasons but have not yet become intolerably hot. So if you want to visit Morocco, Jordan or Egypt, plan a spring vacation.

You should also check out delightful destinations close to home that offer lots of fun and excitement.

Summer

Finding a bargain in summer is tricky. Americans, Japanese and Europeans are all on the move and this is also the time of year that most weddings take place, so honeymoon destinations are in a great deal of demand.

During the early part of summer, through June and July, Caribbean destinations are still good to get a deal, provided you try to book before the Europeans start to flood in during their school holidays at the end of July.

Flights and hotels are still quite reasonable in Southeast Asia during the summer months, but temperatures can be quite hot, so if you can’t stand the heat, avoid this destination during the summer months.

Fall

This is the time to head to Europe. Flights to most major European destinations will be cheaper from October onwards, mainly because the schools are no longer on holiday and families are not traveling as much. Temperatures are normally perfectly pleasant until mid November, so grab yourself a fall bargain in Europe.

posted by Joyce on Jul 4

Just want to wish my American friends and family a very happy, relaxing 4th of July weekend! Be safe and be blessed.

posted by Joyce on Jun 14

The last few days I’ve read several blog posts about whether or not to take a vacation in hurricane-prone areas during hurricane season.

It’s certainly very wise to consider the season when planning your vacation destination, but today I’d just like us to consider what’s happening at home. You don’t have to be in the Caribbean to experience severe, destructive weather.

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I want to offer my sincere sympathy to the families of the boy scouts who were injured or lost their lives because of the tornado Wednesday night.

And to the thousands of others who have been injured or who have lost property as a result of the recent severe storms and flooding throughout the United States.

My prayers are with you.

posted by Joyce on Jun 9

For most of my life I believed that a cruise vacation was something I couldn’t even dream of.

Then, I heard about some friends who were taking cruises every summer. One summer I even heard about 4 different groups (family & friends) who had gone or were going on a cruise that summer.

I was totally surprised. What did they know that I didn’t?

Talk about being green! I was like Angela Brown in her blog post, Diary of a First-time Cruiser, when she wrote that there was so much she didn’t know, she didn’t know what to ask.

It was time to start finding out how these friends and family members were able to do it, and what they did on the cruises.

First, I did some reading up on cruising so I could appear a little intelligent, then asked a friend about the cruise she and her husband took. Here’s the short version of that interview.

Joyce: What cruise line did you use?
Connie: We went with Princess Cruise Line.

Joyce: What documentation did you need? (ID, passport. . .?)
Connie: We needed a valid passport.

Joyce: Were you required to have any vaccinations?
Connie: You should phone your local health district concerning vaccinations.

Joyce: Did you book an air/cruise package?
Connie: I booked our own air but you can buy the air ticket with the cruise line.

Joyce: Why did you chose to get your own flight?
Connie: I got our flights because we wanted to go in early and go to Sea world.

Joyce: Did the cruise line provide transportation to the ship and back again?
Connie: The cruise line does provide transfers to and from the airport at a cost.

Joyce: What was the check-in process like?
Connie: The security to get on the ship is much the same as airport security. They do not go through your bags but your bags do go through an x-ray machine to see what is inside them. You have to show your boarding pass and they put it under a scanner and you show id to make sure that you are the right person and on the right ship. Once you receive your key, you can go to your room.

Joyce: How many restaurants on board?
Connie: There were 7 restaurants on board.

Joyce: Were the meals at set times?
Connie: You can book set times for eating or you can go to the buffet, the grill or do anytime dining. There is one restaurant that is set time for dining and the rest is as you come.

Joyce: Were you required to dress formally for dinner?
Connie: They do have formal nights while you are on the cruise. They also have casual nights. You can dress formal if you like or you can go to the buffet or one of the other restaurants.

Joyce: What kind of clothes did you need?
Connie: We took dresses and capris for me and suit and tie and then casual clothes for Terry.

Joyce: Was your cabin like a closet or did it have some space? Were you inside or outside, and would you book the same next time?
Connie: Our cabin was an inside cabin. It had a queen bed, a 9-drawer dresser and a large closet. It also had a bathroom with a shower and vanity. We preferred the inside because it was nice and dark and there was no clock so we did not know what time it was and we could sleep in if we wanted to.

Joyce: Were you expected to tip or was the service charge included in the cost?
Connie: Tipping was added onto your bill at the end of your cruise. We were charged 10.50 per day per person in the cabin for everyone. The only one that we tipped extra was our cabin steward because he did whatever we asked.

Joyce: Did you sign up for any of the scheduled activities at ports of call?
Connie: We did not sign up for any excursions.

Joyce: How easy is it to do your own thing rather than pay for the scheduled excursions?
Connie: There are lots of things to do without doing excursions. We went walking and exploring on our own. There are a lot of cabs and buses waiting for people to get off the ship.

Joyce: Were the port charges included in your fare?
Connie: You receive one price from the cruise line and it includes taxes, port charges and the cruise.

Joyce: What did soda cost on board?
Connie: A can of soda was $2.03 taxes included.

Joyce: What extra amenities were available?
Connie: There was an exercise room, salon, spa, tuxedo & dress rentals, Broadway type shows, comedians, specialty coffee shop, library, Art Auction.

Joyce: What was the security like on board?
Connie: The security was very noticeable because we went during spring break.

Joyce: Anything else you want to ad?
Connie: Cruising is very good because you unpack once and never have to move. But, you also get to explore different locations and see if you like them and maybe go back for longer stays.

That interview was just the tip of the iceberg. My interest was piqued and I was on a mission to learn how to get a luxury cruise vacation at an affordable price.

I found out how! And today I’m sharing my findings with you!

My ebook, Luxury Cruising: How to Save Money Without Sacrificing Fun, will show you how to plan YOUR cruise, and how to save thousands while doing it.

It is your complete cruise vacation learning package. 22 chapters covering every aspect of your luxury cruise. It explains things you’ve never thought to ask.

Don’t just dream about taking a cruise vacation. Take action. Find out how it’s possible for you, and start planning.

posted by Joyce on Apr 18

In yesterday’s post, I explained the benefits of staying at a Disney resort. Another really good option is camping since Disney has the facilities on their grounds.

• Camping at Disney

If you like to “rough it” you might want to consider the camping facilities on the park grounds.

Fort Wilderness offers guests the opportunity to stay in air-conditioned cabins or secluded campsites for tents and RVs.

There is a concierge desk and laundry facilities.

They also have miles of hiking trails, horseback riding, and nature trails ready for exploration.

• Extra Costs

1. Flights

Of course, the prices listed in yesterdays’ post for the resort packages don’t include getting to Orlando. You’ll have to book your own flight or make arrangements to drive or take a train to get there. Because of the airport shuttle service, I highly recommend the airline option instead of driving.

2. Beverages

The first thing to do after checking in at a Disney resort is to purchase a souvenir travel mug. This mug allows unlimited drink refills during your stay at any theme park and at your resort and will save you a ton of money on coffee and soda. Unfortunately, the refills don’t include the tropical drinks, but it’s well worth it anyway!

3. Other Accommodations

You can also choose to stay off the property in a close-by town like Kissimmee or in Orlando proper. The advantage to this is you can book an air/hotel package that will probably be less than what you would pay utilizing Disney’s resort advantages.

By staying off the property, you can also take in the other sights Orlando has to offer such as Universal Studios and Sea World.

The disadvantage is that you will possibly have to arrange your own transportation to the parks, although some hotels have an agreement with Disney to use their shuttle buses from their hotels. Check with your hotel regarding shuttle service.

4. Theme Park Tickets

You may also have to purchase your theme park tickets separately. Disney, however, does have many different packages that make it affordable and you can pick and choose the parks you visit. If you’re not especially interested in seeing the Animal Kingdom, you don’t have to purchase that entrance ticket.

• General Money-Saving Tips

Most of the parks will allow you to bring in small coolers. Bring in your own bottled water or soft drinks or pack a light lunch to avoid the high prices at the restaurants. You can also bring a backpack with you which is a good way to bring in your own snacks to keep the little ones from screaming for French fries or cotton candy which come at a premium price.

I do, however, highly recommend having one meal at a sit-down restaurant inside the park. The prices might be a bit steep, but the portions are generous and you’ll get a much need rest while you enjoy good food. Eat at off-peak times to avoid long waits and enjoy great service.

If you have little ones who love the Disney characters, schedule a character meal to thrill them. Do this first, though, because space is limited and they fill up fast. Don’t balk at the price – the look on your little one’s face will be well worth the money spent.

You will, of course, want to have souvenirs to remember your time at Disney. In the park, these can be quite pricey. A great money-saving tip is to look for outlet stores in Orlando. They sell official Disney merchandise at huge discounts.

Above all, HAVE FUN! You’re on vacation in the happiest place on earth. Enjoy yourself and your family along with everything that Disney has to offer!

Get your copy of The Ultimate Disney World Savings Guide to find out how to save BIG on vacations at Disney World.

posted by Joyce on Apr 17

Disney World is unarguably the largest family vacation destination in the United States. But. . . can the everyday family afford to go to Disney World on a limited budget? YOU BET!

There are many options for you to consider on a Disney vacation.

Disney Resorts

The obvious first choice is to stay on the property for maximum convenience and fun.

When you stay at a Disney Resort you get,

• Complimentary Transportation and Luggage Service

• Extra Time in the Theme Parks

• Up to 30% Savings on Dining

At the time of this writing, the theme park is currently offering the following packages for a six night, seven day stay for a family of four:

• $1,600 for a stay at a value resort

• $2,000 for a stay at a moderate resort

• $2,700 for a stay at a deluxe resort

• $2750 for a stay at a deluxe villa resort

• Value resorts include All-Star Sports and All-Star Music hotels with the entire resort centering around those themes. They are fun for the kids and have themed pools and food courts. The rooms are standard, but comfortable and accommodate four people easily.

• Moderate resorts offer more amenities than the value priced ones. These resorts include the Caribbean Beach resort, Coronado Springs resort, and Port Orleans.

These resorts offer themed pools, full service dining areas, whirlpools, and watercraft rentals since most of these resorts are on the various lakes the property has.

The rooms are more luxurious and roomy than the value ones.

The food offered at this resort is more gourmet, and the pools are more elaborate than the All Star Music, but they’re still fun at both places.

• The deluxe resorts are the nicest that Disney has to offer. These hotels include Animal Kingdom Lodge, Beach Club Resort, Boardwalk Inn, and the Grand Floridian.

These resorts have elaborately themed pools, world class restaurants, room service, valet parking, whirlpools, concierge service, and a fitness center. They go out of their way to insure your comfort and satisfaction which can be very important for some people.

• There are other options you have on the park grounds as well that you can consider for your Disney vacation. Disney also offers vacation club resorts that are basically condos that include the general amenities that Disney offers to all their guests.

These units have multiple rooms, a kitchen or kitchenette, spacious rooms, and valet parking service. This would be a great option for larger families.

Extra Value

When you stay at one of the Disney resorts, you get added value as well. The complex has one of the most elaborate transportation systems around. You can hop aboard a luxury bus and arrive at whatever park you want to visit with no worries. The buses run at all hours and as a guest, you can ride them as many times as you want.

You will also get transportation from the airport to your hotel including baggage service. This is a great perk since you won’t have to worry about traversing the many roads that lead to the various resorts. They’ll take you directly from the airport to your hotel for easy check-in!

The parks open early and stay open later for resort guests. This is an especially great aspect of staying on the grounds because the lines are shorter after hours and you don’t have to wait as long to ride your favorite rides.

Get your copy of The Ultimate Disney World Savings Guide and save hundreds of dollars on a Disney vacation.