Posts Tagged ‘Caribbean’
In a world that is moving at a fast pace people treasure their vacations. And world wide vacation options and popularity are growing with cruising being among the top 5.
In a world that is moving at a fast pace people treasure their vacations. And world wide vacation options and popularity are growing with cruising being among the top 5. A cruise makes a vacation exotic yet affordable, exciting not hum drum and represents a great mixture of adventure, sun and sea, socializing and more.
A cruise offers a sumptuous range of choices you can wear yourself thin in a tizzy of activities or just lie back and soak in the sun. According to the ASTA, American Society of Travel Agents the gurus of travel the way to have fun on a cruise is to:
1. Book a cruise that fulfills your dreams. Choose locations that make your heart skip a beat. Decide what can I do that will make my cruising vacation the best? Think what is best two nights, one hundred days, or a fortnight?
2. Study different cruise lines and where they go. Find out which cruise path will suit you best as far as taste and affordability go. It is island paradises you would like or exotic far-eastern ports? Cruise lines have so many choices and options. Alaska, the Caribbean, the Mediterranean, or Bali?
3. To make the cruise affordable book early. If you firm up plans around 120 days before sail date you will get a nice discount on the brochure price. Consider traveling off season cruises are cheaper off season and more enjoyable. You cane escape the crowds. Often a four day cruise in the middle of the week is more affordable than a three-day weekend cruise and some companies even throw in an extra day free.
4. To get the best deal and advice consult a cruise specialist. They are experts and will even offer group rates, shipboard credits, upgrades, and great prices. Experts in the cruise-holiday business they will take care of passports, visas, dietary requirements, and any other special needs. They will even get you the benefits of any price drops that occur after you book your holiday.
5. Make all arrangements carefully very often choosing an ari -sea package is worthwhile as it takes care of transport from airport to port and back and the cruise line will take care of luggage transfers and all other nitty-gritties.
6. Create a file of essential travel and health documents as well as copies of travel insurance and medical prescriptions.
7. Find out how to pack for a cruise. Many agents offer detailed lists of what you will need on vacation including formal clothes, camera, swim wear and more.
8. Ask about on board programs and activities so that you can prepare well. You may want to take a crash course in dancing or theater to win prizes during the cruise. Many cruises have costume parties and other activities, so knowing what to prepare for will help you enjoy the cruise.
9. Update your information on all the places the cruise ship will dock at. Create on shore plans for the family so that you don’t miss any important events or sights.
10 Update your self on cruising etiquette. Learn shipping terminology, dress well, socialize with other families, make friends, ensure that your kids are not troublesome to others, and follow the rules formulated by the cruise director.
If you make up your mind to enjoy yourself to the fullest the cruise will be a wonderful experience that you will want to repeat time and again.
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Jan 25, 2011
I want to start this discussion by defining three words and they are frugal, austere and cheap.
As used in this Hub, frugal refers to being careful and smart in order to get the most from one’s hard earned money. People who are frugal are not adverse to living well and enjoying the material things in life. They also view money as a tool or means to other ends and not as something to simply accumulate for its own sake.
Austere, on the other hand, refers to rejecting or at least placing little value on material things. Austerity can be both a choice that some people choose in which they limit material goods and comforts to whatever they define is minimally needed and necessary. Austerity can also be imposed by oneself or creditors as a means of digging out from under a load of debt.
Finally, cheap is simply a reluctance to part with money other than when absolutely necessary.
In this Hub, I will discuss cruise using the definition above for frugal. The focus will be on ways to get the most bang for one’s vacation cruise buck rather than limiting travel and travel comfort to what is absolutely necessary or seeking to spend as little as possible when vacationing.
Cruising is a luxury way to travel. However, I discovered it doesn’t have to be expensive. The key, I learned is to understand their business model and know what you want.
The first thing to know is that the fare is pretty much all inclusive. The fare generally includes your cabin, meals and most of the recreational facilities – swimming pools, hot tubs, exercise rooms, rock climbing walls, etc. on board – as well as on board entertainment which includes movie theaters, auditorium with live shows nightly and access to cocktail lounges with live music.
When comparing cruise fare prices to other types of away from home travel you have to divide the total fare by the number of days you will be cruising and then compare that daily rate to what you would normally pay for hotel or motel accommodations per day, the cost of eating out in restaurants each day, car rental or other local transportation costs and the cost of admission fees to activities you expect to engage in each day. Looked at it this way the cost of a cruise can be lower than other types of vacation travel.
In theory, it would be possible to enjoy all of this for the price of your fare and not pay anything else other than optional tips for your cabin steward, restaurant waiters and servers. At the end of the trip you will receive a notice with envelopes and suggested tip amounts for these people. Because of their friendly and excellent service, I always include these tips in my cost planning and pay them.
Fares on a ship vary widely depending upon the type and location of your cabin.
Size varies as it does in motels. However, like motels all cabins generally have a single or double bed, TV, bath closet, bath, desk, a small couch and a couple of chairs. Larger rooms have more room and additional furnishing. Many upper deck larger rooms also come with an outside private balcony. Finally, there are luxury suites.
Location varies from lower to upper decks and interior to exterior rooms. Interior rooms have no windows while exterior rooms along outside walls have windows. Rooms on lower decks tend to feel the the motion of the ship more than other rooms so I usually seek a room on the fifth deck or higher.
If you want to just get away from it all and relax, a larger room with a balcony makes sense and is worth the extra money as you will probably be spending much of your time in your cabin. With thousands of passenger and crew the common areas on deck can become crowded and noisy.
However, if you plan to use your cabin mainly for sleeping and storing your clothes, then it makes sense to pay for a less expensive interior cabin as you will be spending most of your waking hours outside your cabin either somewhere on the ship or on shore excursions while in port.
The above items are one component of a given cruise fare. However, be sure to look at the bottom line fare which is the fare plus taxes and port fees. Depending upon where the cruise takes place and what ports it visits these taxes and fees can sometimes result in the doubling or tripling of the original fare when they are added to the fare. If this is the case search for another cruise that visits different places.
Finally, unless you live in the city from which your cruise is departing, check the airfare from your city to the cruise departure city. Cruises to the Caribbean, the Mediterranean, Alaska, Mexico, etc. leave from different cities and, depending upon competition and other factors affecting airfares, you might save a considerable amount in airfare by departing from a different city.
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I saw the lovely arch
Of rainbow span the sky,
The gold sun burning
As the rain swept by.” ~ Elizabeth Coatsworth, November
The first sight of snow and leaves scattered all over the beds of grass are symbolic of the month of November. The nude beauty of November is clad by the glistening sun rays and an arched rainbow peeping from the clouds. It’s the best season to plan a trip to the most beautiful places on the Earth. Planning short trips with family is a great form of entertainment. For couples, it’s the month to cozy up oneself in each other’s company. So what are your plans in November? Read the upcoming paragraphs and have a look at the best places to travel in November.
Best Places for Vacation in November
A vacation would be amiss if your preparations are not well planned. You can decide a location from the list of vacation spots mentioned below. Decide the duration of the tour and opt for the cheaper packages offered by the travel agencies. They will guide you to the rest things. Pack you things and wait for set for the fun filled journey.
New York
New York attracts millions of tourists in the month of November. Tourist attractions in New York include Rockefeller Center, Empire State Building, Grand Central Terminal, Ellis Island Immigration Museum, Metropolitan Museum of Art, Central Park and Statue of Liberty. Central Park is a wonderful picnic spot for tourists.
Paris
You will enjoy the vintage people with the cosmopolitan culture of Paris City. It’s a wonderful vacation spot for couples. The beauty of this city lies on the streets, pastures and night life. You must visit the Eiffel tower, the Louvre museum, The Muse d’Orsay’s Gallery, Notre Dame Cathedral, Arch de Triomphe and the Champ Elysees.
Caribbean
Life on Caribbean Islands is truly luxurious in the month of November. Vacation spots in the Caribbean serve as romantic gateways for many. The beauty of the islands is enchanting. Necker Islands, The Bahamas and Peter Island are the best beaches in Caribbean. If expense is not your bother, then book any one of these resorts, lighthouse reef resort, jumby bay resort or young island resort.
Hawaii
Hawaii tops the list of cheapest places to travel in November. Book your tickets beforehand to avail everything at a cost effective price. Vacation spots in Hawaii include the 8 major islands. Apart from these, don’t miss out, The National Park Service Sanctuaries, Mauna Kea Mountain, Big Island Kayak and Sea Life Park.
Amsterdam
Amsterdam is one of the best places to travel in November owing to it’s picturesque beauty in autumn season and wonderful climate. Plan your trip days before to enjoy this good vacation spot in November. Tourists attractions of Amsterdam include the City of Diamonds, Royal Palace on Dam Square, Westerpark, Van Gogh Museum, Anne Frank, Oostelijk Havengebied, etc.
Kuala Lumpur
Malaysia is one of the warm places to travel in November. The weather is neither too hot not too cold. Kuala Lumpur City Centre, Golden and Triangle Petronas Twin Towers are the major tourists destinations in this city. Best family vacations are spent on Malaysia in November. The islands look luxurious for staying with family at exotic restaurants.
Other Places for Vacation in November
Sydney
Louisiana
Cambodia
Burma
Colorado
Canada
Valletta
Pennsylvania
California
Virginia
Rome
Italy
Kerala
Mauritius
Los Angeles
Nevada
Georgia
Greece
Venezuela
Beijing
New Zealand
Cairo Read more on:
Best Places to Vacation in November
Vacation Ideas for November I’m sure you are bouncing with joy after checking out the list of best places to travel in November. What’s your preference? Enjoying the winter or experiencing the tropical climate of certain places? No matter what it is, just enjoy and have fun with your close ones.
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The Dominican Republic is one of the popularly visited islands in the Caribbean coast. Its capital city is called Santo Domingo and it is a center for governmental, financial, educational and other functions of the economy. The main language spoken by the natives is Spanish. As you search for Dominican Republic vacation packages, you need to educate yourself. The seven most important travel tips you need to consider include the following.
a) The currency – The biggest challenge a tourist could have while touring a foreign nation is the money. The DR money is called Peso and it is symbolized by RD$. A sure way to prepare in advance is using an online currency converter or calculator. Compare the peso against your country’s currency to find out the precise value. Look for articles that describe the monetary units for this country as well.
b) How to access money through credit cards – The MasterCard and Visa cards are widely accepted in the country. Even so, you should find out the major ATMs that accept foreign cards in the city you intend to visit.
c) How to shop with your credit cards – Shopping is always an inevitable activity during a trip to a foreign land. You need to know the shopping places that accept payments via cards and how much they charge.
d) Communication – As mentioned above, Dominican Republic’s national language is Spanish. Before travelling, you may consider learning the language. If you want to get there as soon as possible, a translator is a good option.
e) Visas – As soon as many guests enter the country, a visa is processed for them in exchange for ten dollars. These cards are available for tourists that come from almost all continents. You should consult your travel agent before travelling.
f) Travel insurance – Tourists who travel to this destination need travel insurance. There are risks of items being stolen from a hotel room. Besides, there are other dangers that could arise in the course of the trip. If you want to travel to this side of the Caribbean you should buy a travel insurance policy or make sure that yours is in order.
g) Entering the country – Sea cruise ships provide a method of entering the country but this is not an option for all worldwide guests. Visitors who want to enter the country by bus have to come from Haiti and pass through one of the three borders. They have to produce passports and travel cards. The easiest and quickest way to enter this country is by plane. Even so, you need to find out more information about flights to Dominican Republic in your country.
Most planes land at the Aeropuerto Internacional Las Americas, the largest and busiest airport in the country. There are also airports that are designed to receive guests from certain regions only. The Aeropuerto Internacional Cibao receives all international flights and it is good to buy tickets from the airlines that use it. Air transportation is the major one because it serves the entire world.
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Have A Travel Plan
Planning is the key to success when it comes to getting a budget holiday. There are many things that you can influence such as when you book, how you travel, whether you go package or build your own agenda. All of these things can have a significant impact on the price you pay. Above all, each of these things are within your control.
Knowing When To Book Can Get You A Cheap Deal
Most people know exactly when they are intending to take a vacation. This can be used to your advantage when it comes to planning.
Deciding on when to book is a bit of a gamble. While many tour operators will offer cheaper prices and early booking discounts, you may find that last minute deals are also available which will prove better financially.
There are many factors that you should take into account when deciding on when to book for maximum financial gain:
Are you flexible in terms of dates that you are prepared to travel?
Are you flexible in terms of destinations that you are prepared to travel to?
Will you be buying a package deal or will you be building your own package?
Are you considering a popular destination where many tour operators or flight companies travel?
Flexibility Is A Plus
Firstly, if you are flexible in terms of location and dates then you will almost certainly benefit from waiting until the last minute to book your holiday. Last minute deals are, of course, something that you cannot rely upon and if you are set on going to a certain destination at a certain date then last minute is far too risky. If you are planning on creating your own package then you need to be aware that you are taking multiple gambles. For example, you need to consider your airfare, hotels and transport. Whilst you may get an excellent last minute flight, you may not be so lucky when it comes to the hotel or car hire. In fact, you may find that paying a premium for other parts of your holiday will end up out-weighing any last minute savings you have made.
Europe In Springtime
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
Seasonal Travel Plans
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.
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.
Safari holidays are a good option between June and September. High season ends in May, but the weather is still relatively dry.
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.
Hotel Savers
HOTELS AT LAST MINUTE
For the brave, it is always worth calling the hotel that you want to stay at on the day that you intend to arrive, or possibly the day before. Hotels will often be prepared to offer substantial discounts on the day, as from their point of view an empty room is a complete waste of money. If you are feeling particularly bold it is even worth telling the hotel what you are prepared to pay and asking them if they have any rooms available.
This is a particularly effective way of going about getting a really good deal if you are traveling to a city that has several hotels, it is out of peak season and you are flexible in terms of facilities.
If you are not feeling quite so bold in terms of leaving it until the last minute, you can phone the hotel a few days in advance. Whilst you may not get the total bargains, you are still in a good position to negotiate, particularly if you are traveling out of season. If you are targeting a specific hotel, check out their cancellation policy. For example, if a specific hotel requires at least 3 days notice to not charge for a cancellation, then this is the point where they are most likely to receive the most cancellations. Hotels will then be eager to fill these spaces.
Hotel Accommodations
Hotel Award Programs
Hotel chains are keen to ensure that they have loyal customers and as such the larger chains will almost always offer some incentive for repeat bookings. Always ask what incentives are available, particularly if you can’t choose between two different hotels. If one offers a good ongoing program, this may sway your decision. Some of the more popular offerings include a free upgrade if you stay for 10 days over the course of a year, free nights, free wine in your room. Holiday Inn was the first hotel chain to begin to offer incentives and in the early days it was an impressive offer! After 75 days stay a traveller would get 2 airline tickets to Europe! Needless to say, this program was popular but soon had to be discontinued due to the amount it was costing the company. They do now have a very good awards program, just not quite as generous!
Cheap Booking Deals
Money Saving Booking Tips
When you are booking with children it is really important to get to know what deals are available. Some companies offer children’s prices right up to 16 years old, others start to charge full price at age 3. Depending on the age of your children, one company may prove substantially cheaper for the same holiday.
Consider your sleeping arrangements carefully. Some hotels will offer adjoining rooms, others will have family rooms that sleep children as well as adults. Most hotels will not allow young children in their own room, so bear this in mind when booking.
If you have more than two children you may find that an apartment offers better value for money and more usable space. A two or three bedroom cottage will often be a lot cheaper than two or three rooms in a hotel.
Use the children as a means of negotiation. For example, ask for a discount on their air fare or accommodation or ask for free entrance to an activity while you are booking
Senior Discounts
As well as the usual ways to get a bargain flight or holiday, it is also important to consider other money saving tips for when you are actually traveling. Money saving tips whilst you are away should not be overlooked, as they can save you a substantial amount of money in the long run.
Another issue that you should consider before booking is what potential specialist discounts you may be entitled to; for example, many agents offer discounts to students, seniors or individuals that are members of certain organizations may also be able to get better deals.
When it comes to student travel you may find that the discounts are available for anyone aged 26 or under, regardless of whether they are actually students. If you are a student or under 26 then contact the specialist student agents such as Student Universe, STA and Council Travel to find out what deals they have available.
Similarly there are specialist deals for seniors find out which of the airlines you are considering offer discounts for AARP members. If you are getting a senior rate you may find that your companion can also benefit from the same rate. Be sure to ask about these rates and any coupons or vouchers that are offered to senior travelers.
Have The Mindset of A Local Not A Tourist
SAVING MONEY WHEN YOU ARE AT YOUR DESTINATION
When traveling independently you will almost always do better in terms of price and quality if you veer away from the traditional places to eat and shops that the guide books mention. Going off the beaten track can mean you pick up a real bargain.
Restaurants
Follow the locals; if you head for a tourist orientated restaurant or shop you will find that the prices are substantially higher and often the food is not of the same quality.
Another good tip is to visit the local market where the locals shop. Not only will you get fresh products at good prices but you will also enjoy the experience of mixing with the locals. Ask those around you where to go, after all, it is the locals that are best placed to tell you where to go for a good deal!
A good way of working out whether a restaurant is geared towards tourists or locals is to see when it is at its busiest. Tourists tend to eat a lot earlier than the locals in most foreign countries. Any restaurant that is empty until around 9pm and then fills up is probably frequented by locals.
Get The Best Deal
When it comes to rental cars the costs can vary widely and it really pays to shop around. Sometimes you will be offered good deals as part of your hotel stay or airfare, consider these as combination deals will also be a lot cheaper than you could get on your own. Booking car rental when you have reached your destination is normally cheaper than reserving in advance if you have not got a good combination deal. Make sure that you have suitable insurance, as any accident could make a huge dent in your holiday budget! There are good ways to save money, but insurance is not an area that you should scrimp on.
Always select the smallest car that is suitable for your needs, this will be cheaper and will cost less in gas. There is also a reasonable chance that you will be upgraded for free. If you are feeling bold, it is worth asking at the counter if there is any chance of a free upgrade, you never know your luck! If you are booking car hire from a distance, look at the costs of car hire from the airport as well as from the city that you are staying in.
Always fill up the gas before you get back to the car rental office. Car rental companies will charge well over the odds for any extra gas that they need to replace on your behalf so take the time to tank up before you get back if you do not want a large bill at the end.
When It Comes To Cheap Flights
Buying a last minute flight is actually quite tricky. Many charter airlines will deal primarily with packages and as such the flight-only option can actually end up costing more than a simple package.
All is not lost though! There are still plenty of ways to pick up a flight bargain. Bear in mind that if you are going for a do it yourself option on your holiday, it is wise to book the flight first, as this is likely to be the largest expenditure and there is generally less of a variety of carriers meaning less room for negotiation. Almost without exception finding a cheap hotel will be easier than finding a cheap flight.
Trawl the websites of those flight operators that cover the location which you wish to travel to. Join their mailing list. OK, so you may end up with endless junk mail, but you will also get to hear about all of the deals that they are currently offering.
As a general rule, the best deals are available for flights leaving Monday to Thursday and on domestic flights many bargains can be found on a Saturday. Travelers will almost invariably pay more for a Friday or Sunday flight. Most holiday operators will offer the best deals for those who purchase a set time in advance, normally at least 14 days. If it is possible to stay a Saturday night, this will also normally result in a lower fare.
When searching, if possible, entertain the possibility of a flight that involves a connection. Airlines often place a large premium on non-stop flights and if this is not vital for you, you are likely to be able to save many dollars.
A further premium is normally placed on -nice’ flight times, i.e. ones that will not involve a particularly early start or involve traveling over night. Again if you are prepared to compromise slightly on your flight times, you may find that you can make huge savings.
Try not to stick rigidly to your destination. It may be possible to fly into a nearby airport and drive the last hour or so; this may offer you a better price overall.
Whenever you are considering buying a flight, it is always worth going to a consolidator such as Orbitz or Expedia. This will give you some excellent background information, such as the operators that offer the destination you are after and the typical prices. By doing your homework you will be able to act quickly when you see a bargain in the future. Very good deals often only appear for a very short period of time so it is important that you learn to recognize a good deal so that you can pounce on one-off deals before they disappear. When you are doing your homework, try a search with -flexible dates’. This will allow you to get a good feel for the price differences that are in operation during your ideal travel period.
A few other hints that can help you to bag a flight bargain is to consider air courier travel. To be able to become a courier you will have to be very flexible, prepared to travel alone with very little luggage, but on the plus side you will get to travel to new places very cheaply.
Some countries offer air passes to tourists that allow discounts if you are planning on spending a lot of time traveling around a particular region such as Australia or Europe.
If you book an airline ticket and then find that the price has gone down, contact the airline and ask for a refund. Many of the large airlines offer to pay back the difference if the prices go down. Read the small print and ask for the refund if it applies. Even if your chosen airline does not offer this sort of refund policy it is still worth asking as with increased competition airlines are very keen to keep customers happy.
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