Easy Luxury Vacations

posted by Joyce on Jun 20

The Hawaiian island of Maui is a wonderful place for a family vacation. If you are considering a vacation this summer, be sure to take a look at what the Westin Maui Resort has to offer.

These are just a few features of this luxurious hotel.

Supervised programs for children. Your children will have plenty to keep them from being bored at this place. At this hotel they offer supervised programs for children; so you’ll never have to wonder where your children are spending their time. They have a large aquatic playground which includes five pools, grottos, waterfalls, spa tubs, and a water slide.

Your choice of amenities. Sitting atop a beach with white sand, the resort includes a full health spa, tropical gardens, a sauna, no smoking rooms with air-conditioning, arcade and gaming room, coffee shop, hair salon, fitness equipment, and much more.

Well-equipped rooms. The rooms include a refrigerator, coffee maker, robes, irons and ironing boards, cribs, trundle beds, with child care as an added bonus, along with a beautiful island theme.

A myriad of activities for the whole family. Miniature golf, golfing, snorkeling, whale watching, horseback riding, hiking, bicycle rentals, helicopter sightseeing, and a nearby playground provide plenty of activities for you and your family.

A variety of restaurants that will appeal to everyone. One of them commands a magnificent view of Kaanapali Beach and is an outdoor dining atmosphere which boasts fresh island seafood as well as grilled entrees.

Excellent fish, salads, breakfast buffets, and tapas can all be found at the poolside bar and grill. Enjoy a table that overlooks the beautiful ponds & waterfalls while dining on our lighter fare. Regardless of the time of day, the view & food are something to behold.

Near the beach and pool area, you will find a food stand, where snacks and cold drinks are readily available.

There’s something for everyone at the Westin Maui. Children under the age of 12 eat free at most restaurants.

A Kids Club is available at the Westin too, where kids ages 5 to 12 can participate in cultural activities.

But the Westin Maui isn’t the only family resort on the beautiful island of Maui. You will find other hotels are now offering family vacation resorts that offers countless activities and clubs for everyone in your family to enjoy.

Book today and receive $50 for free gas!

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.

posted by Joyce on May 27

Every day I read various blogs and travel sites. I often find news that can really benefit travelers and those planning vacations, and sometimes I post summaries and links to those stories as I come across them. This is one of those times.

This year with the cost of travel sky-rocketing, many families will be looking for a simple, refreshing vacation close to home. A beach vacation fits the bill.

But are you tired of the same beach and surroundings you go to every year? Check out Dr. Stephen Leatherman’s (aka Dr. Beach’s) Best Beaches in America list to get tips on the best beach vacation spots.

And if you find one that you really like, please come back here and tell us about it.

posted by Joyce on May 23

Traveling is often seen as a luxury that can be afforded only by some and necessitates saving over several months in order to get the holiday you want. This doesn’t have to be the case. With a bit of careful thought and a lot of planning, it really is possible to travel on a budget.

Of course, traveling on a budget means different things to different people. Some would consider a budget holiday to involve backpacking and camping. This type of holiday can be done on a budget relatively easily; the real skill arises when you are trying to get a luxury holiday for a budget price.

The Travel Industry Association of America estimated that the average family spends over $2,200 a year on an extended vacation. This is an enormous amount. If you save just 10% of that amount, think how it will add up over the years.

Interestingly, paying more does not necessarily guarantee you a better holiday. Whenever you are on vacation, you will probably be surrounded by other families, some of which have paid more than you for the vacation and others which have paid significantly less.

One of the most affordable vacations for families is packages where kids stay free. The good news is that there is a mountain of online sites which offer such package deals for families. Let’s take a look at a few luxury vacation spots that are all-inclusive.

• Holiday Inn in Aruba

• Kaanapali Shores in Maui, Hawaii

• Barcelo Beach Resort in Ixtapa, Mexico

• Melia Cabo Real Beach & Golf Resort in Los Cabos, Mexico

• Sunset Beach Resort in Montego Bay, Jamaica

• Paradise Island Resort in Nassau, Bahamas

• Crown Paradise in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

• Riu Bambu in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

Kids fly and stay free in most of the Orlando packages as well. In Europe, the Novotel chain is offering free accomodations for kids ages 16 and under.

With some effort, you can find travel destinations that accommodate kids for free and offer inclusive air and hotel packages as well.

Check with the airlines. Delta has offered kids stay free packages to destinations including: Hawaii, Las Vegas, Orlando, Florida, Cancun, Cozumel, Dominican Republic, and Costa Rica.

Other online sites offer kids stay and eat free in Mexico, including: Acapulco, Cancun, Cozumel, Hualtulco, Ixtapa, Manzanillo, Mazatlan, and Puerto Vallarta.

If you prefer a cruise, many of the top cruise lines such as Carnival Cruise Line offer kids stay free packages to many Caribbean destinations.

Take the time to research the many sites available online and you will be sure to find destinations that offer ‘kids stay free’ deals. Whether you are traveling during the summer months or off season, there is a package out there for your family.