Easy Luxury Vacations

posted by Joyce on Jun 24

Cruise Direct’s featured deal this week is a 7-Night NCL Bermuda Cruise from $649, round trip from Philadelphia calling on St. George’s.

They are also offering Free Onboard Credit when you book today!

And just imagine if you could save even more money by saving on onboard incidentals and shore excursions.

Before you go on your cruise, you’ll need to decide how much money you need, or can, bring along.

You’ll probably find this easier on a cruise than for other vacations because of the all-inclusive cruise programs. The cabin, onboard entertainment and food are generally always included. A short list of some things not included would be:

• Beverages
• Specialty Ice Cream & Coffee
• Gratuities
• Medical Treatment
• Shopping
• Shore Excursions
• Spa

Other necessities of a personal nature can add up as well.

For more specific information on extra on-board costs and how you can cut those costs, get a copy of Luxury Cruising:How to Save Money Without Sacrificing Fun!

You can also save a bundle on your next cruise with hidden, insider techniques to save up to 50% on quality shore excursions.

Save with:

• Great Cruise Fare Discounts

• Money-saving tips in Your Guide to an Affordable All-in-One Vacation Getaway.

• Strategies for saving up-to 50% on high quality shore excursions worldwide.

posted by Joyce on Jun 23

A luxury cruise is the vacation you can only dream of. Right? Wrong!! With a little careful planning and saving, your dream cruise can become the vacation of your dreams.

While dramatic drops in cost have made cruising an affordable vacation alternative for almost everyone, “all-inclusive cruises” don’t necessarily mean “ALL inclusive.” Extra charges for on-board items or activities or shore trips can put what sounded affordable out of reach. Does that mean your dream cruise is only a dream again?

What if you could just cut down on all the extra on-board and on-shore costs, above and beyond the actual cruise fare? You could not only take that cruise, you could take a cruise more often. Sounds great! So what’s the catch?

No catch. It’s the KEY– knowing where to save money WITHOUT sacrificing fun or rest and relaxation.

So where do you find this key? There are hundreds of money-saving tips out there from family, friends, the internet, or your local travel agent. But what are the best tips? And how do you remember them all?

You don’t have to. Luxury Cruising: How to Save Money without Sacrificing Fun has taken the best tips and put them all right here in one convenient place! Armed with these tips, almost anyone can take a cruise vacation that’s everything you’ve dreamed. Enjoy The Bahamas, Hawaii, Mexico, and even Alaska aboard luxury cruise ships with all the amenities of a resort on land.

You deserve to enjoy your dream cruise and all that comes with it, and you CAN do it within your budget, without breaking the bank! What could be better than that?

With this book, you are already on your way to planning your cruise and making that dream cruise the cruise of your dreams!

posted by Joyce on Jun 21

If you want to get away from the hectic city life, or just need a vacation, you should head to a beach resort that lavishes you with fine dining, shopping, and much needed relaxation for you and your whole family. When looking for a great place to stay, try East Hampton, New York!

East Hampton has some of the best pools, beaches and accommodations, and is located only 90 miles from Manhattan. The minute you exit the city, you’re headed to Long Island’s aesthetically stunning South Fork, East Hampton House Resort. Well known for it’s glorious beaches, you may partake in numerous outdoor activities including sailing, surfing, fishing, kayaking, horseback riding, strolling paths, vineyards, and children’s activities, or just kicking back and taking in the soothing sounds of the sea.

At the East Hampton House you will find luxurious accommodations. Each unit boasts a private sun deck or patio from which there is a magnificent view of lovingly manicured trees and gardens. Each is completely air-conditioned and offers color cable television and housekeeping services every day. A workout room, a warm swimming pool, and two tennis courts are also available.

When making a reservation for one of the luxury suites, you can request a room with a full kitchen and dining room, or just a kitchenette. Other features include a barbecue site, and a place for kids to play. Additionally, the pool features an area for children.

The resort is within minutes of Main Street, and also a “stone’s throw” from many eateries – including a Chinese restaurant, a barbeque restaurant, three delis, and an ice cream store.

Main Street provides the history and attractiveness of an old English village with unique stores, dining facilities, boutiques and antique shops. If you are looking for fun family friendly activities, then East Hampton is the place for you. Enjoy unique outdoor village fairs. live music and theatre in this idyllic setting.

East Hampton, even more so, is a great place to relax, enjoy nature, or even take advantage of all this small community has to offer you as a visitor. After driving along Montauk Point, visiting the Amagansett Shopping Mall or gazing at the Hook Mill Windmill; you can sit on tree-lined benches and sip cappuccino on Main Street or the family can indulge in their favorite flavor of ice cream, eaten out of the largest cone ever made.

The best thing about this village is that all of the amenities are very close to the East Hampton House.

posted by Joyce on Jun 17

Depending on which poll you read, 50% or 60% of Americans are planning to skip vacation this year.

Before you decide to do the same, consider this:

Lack of recreation affects both your health and your job efficiency.

Just like lack of sleep, lack of play or recreation

• has a negative impact on your ability to think clearly and act decisively,

• affects your general resilience and ability to ward off infection, and

• makes you cranky and critical of others.

A relaxing vacation has the ability to rejuvenate you and make you much more productive when you return to work. It is not a luxury. It’s a necessity.

If the reason for skipping your vacation this year is the cost of travel, keep it simple and close to home. There are fun and exciting destinations near you.

If you’re one of those who thinks there’s too much to get done to take time off, please reconsider. Workaholics usually think they are doing themselves and everyone else a favor by working themselves to the brink of exhaustion or adrenal fatigue. The reality is they are costing everyone – co-workers, family, and themselves.

Work addiction is an addiction. Don’t wait to bottom out before you take action to overcome it.

Plan a time to take your vacation and guard it jealously. Don’t let all the distractions that are bound to arise hinder you from following through.

Some ideas to help you start planning…

Today’s Top Travel Deals

Sunshine Guaranteed!

posted by Joyce on Jun 16

Everyone knows the Caribbean is one of the most popular vacation destinations in the world. And, during hurricane season the prices are usually very low to attract visitors.

The problem is there is always the risk that your vacation will be disturbed by severe weather.

So what is the safest option and one that will pretty much guarantee you won’t have your vacation interrupted or cut short because of a hurricane?

A Cruise!

With today’s sophisticated technology, cruise ships can monitor tropical storms and hurricanes and change course to other ports of call so that you completely avoid the bad weather.

Now, I can almost hear you saying… “It’s too late to plan a cruise for this summer! What are you thinking, Joyce?!?”

And others are thinking, “A cruise! That’s way too expensive.”

The reality is that there are some super last-minute cruise deals available right now. Cruise lines don’t want to sail with empty cabins, so they are offering discounts at the last minute to fill up space.

Not only can you get a last-minute cruise, you can get it at a price you can afford.

The problem is not usually the cruise fare, but the extra money spent on all the incidentals on board. Cruises are generally considered all-inclusive because accommodation, food, entertainment, and port charges are included in the fare.

However. . .

All-inclusive doesn’t necessarily mean “ALL-inclusive”. There are extra charges for incidentals on board as well as activities and shore trips that can add up very quickly if you’re not careful.

The good news is… you can be prepared.

Luxury Cruising: How to Save Money Without Sacrificing Fun is your complete guide to planning your cruise vacation and saving big.

Just think about it… You can take a luxury vacation without the luxury costs and without sacrificing fun.

Maybe it’s too late for this year, but it’s not too late to start planning and budgeting for next year. For many people, vacation is during the summer when the kids are out of school. That’s also hurricane season.

Are you beginning to see how you can take a vacation to one of the most popular destinations in the world in spite of the season? A cruise is a safe, affordable vacation alternative.

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.

————————-

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 Jun 5

The Travel Industry Association (TIA) has released the results of a survey on air travel that shows travelers are fed up with the air travel system. (Full Press Release)

An estimated 41 million people avoided traveling by air in the last 12 months. The loss, more than $26 Billion, rippled down causing revenue loss to hotels, restaurants, and federal, state, and local governments. And many travelers don’t expect the system to change anytime soon.

My personal opinion is that it’s getting worse, not better.

What’s your take on it? Go to www.travelwithkids.about.com and participate in a quick poll.

posted by Joyce on Jun 4

With many cruise lines catering to the interests of teens these days, there is no reason to ignore cruising as a possible family vacation alternative.

Your teens can make new friends, participate in activities geared for them, and eat when and what they want. You will not hear them whining that they’re bored and just want to go home.

Here is a brief summary of the options for teens on board various cruise ships.

• Sports Activities

Cruise lines that offer ice skating, swimming, surfing, rock wall climbing are some classes of Royal Caribbean International (RCI) and Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL).

• Teens Only Space

This includes both teen rooms and designated outside areas found on Holland America Line and Disney Cruise Lines.

• Late-Night Snacks

Their options are late-night Pizzerias, Bistros, and snack stations as well as possible 24-hour restaurants. Various combinations of these are available on Princess Cruises, Carnival Cruise Lines, Norwegian Cruise Line, and Disney Cruise Lines.

• Favorite Teen Destinations

The Caribbean is a favorite because of the onshore adventures available and Mexico is popular for water sports.

posted by Joyce on May 28

Don’t let the rising fuel and travel costs deter you from having an enjoyable and memorable vacation this summer. There are destinations close to home that are suitable for family vacations and offer lots of fun and excitement.

Have you considered that traveling to bed and breakfasts within your state may be a surprising and delightfully unexpected experience?

There are a myriad of bed and breakfasts around the US which offer accommodations for kids. In fact, you can find B&B’s from New York to California online which offer you the opportunity to explore new areas within your state, and have a wide variety of activities specifically designed for families.

One such place is Santa’s Village in Chicago.

This 55-acre theme park has been around for 40 years.

It offers over 20 rides for kids and adults, and has recently added Coney Island, Santa’s World, and Old MacDonald’s Farm.

There is a petting zoo, pony rides, and a host of other activities which your family can enjoy at an affordable price.

In addition, next to Santa’s Village is the Racing Rapids Water Park which offers a wide variety of water rides for the entire family.

Indiana is another place which offers B&B’s and is home to the famous Indy 500.

With its well-known Indianapolis Zoo, you can participate in the Dolphin Adventure and visit over 300 animals in their habitat,

or walk through the indoor garden where you will come upon thousands of butterflies and tropical plants.

There are museums, the IMAX movie theatre, and an incredible array of foods that will soothe your taste buds and delight your kids as well.

If any member of your family is a sports fan, a visit to Victory Field will leave them in awe.

There are many roads that lead to surprising and unexpected results. Whether you decide to go camping, go to the beach, stay at B&B’s, or spend time in a city that has theme parks and an abundance of activities suited for the entire family, relax and enjoy your vacation.