family cruise vacation ideas

Cruise Deals: Little Known Ways to Save Big on Your Vacation

You might not think you could actually save money by cruising on your next vacation, but with some careful planning, you can do just that! Special packages can take you on a three-night cruise to some sunny locales for under $200 a person. (Of course airfare is separate and prices are based on adult double occupancy.)

Check out some of these specials:

A three-night cruise out of Miami, Fla., with stops at Cococay and Nassau, both in the Bahamas, for just $169 a person.
A four-night cruise out of Miami, stopping first in Key West, Fla., and then on to Cozumel, Mexico, for $179 per person.
Go a different direction with a seven-night cruise to the Southern Caribbean for $675 a person. It leaves from San Juan, Puerto Rico, and stops in Bridgetown, Castries, St. John’s, Philipsburg and St. Croix.
For still another direction, how about a seven-night cruise to the Mexican Riviera, starting at $499 a person? It leaves out of San Diego, Calif., and stops in the Mexican ports of Mazatlan, Puerto Vallarta and Cabo San Lucas.

These are just a few of the discounted cruise deals that can help you save money on your next vacation. Almost all of the major cruise lines offer some kind of discount package. And once you’re onboard, relax and enjoy all the amenities – from activities for the children to world-renowned dining to nightly entertainment. And don’t forget, once you drop anchor, get off the ship and explore the ports of call.

One word of advice – space on these discounted trips is often limited. You need to plan in advance and see what is available. And once you’re booked, try not to change the date as most cruise lines will charge a change fee.

Special packages are not the only way to cruise for less. There are other tricks for traveling in style and for less.

Book it now. If you’re on a cruise and you’ve had a great time, you can realize significant savings by booking your next cruise right there on the spot – or right there onboard. You won’t necessarily need to commit to the location, but the cruise line will be looking for a deposit to hold your place on your next cruise. If you’re not sure where on board to conduct this business, ask if there’s a cruise consultant or booking agent who can help you plan your next trip.
Repeat business. Some cruise lines reward their repeat customers with incentives or room upgrades. If not those perks, they may reduce the amount of your deposit or offer you onboard credits.
Transfer the booking. Even after you’ve booked a cruise, don’t think you’re locked into it. Often, you can transfer your booking to an online discount agent. These sites are able to help you monitor your booking, make changes and sometimes even find additional offers or savings. It’s nice to have someone on your side.
Cabin guarantee. When booking a cruise, you can sometimes get a cheaper price or a discount if you go with a cabin guarantee. This means you will be guaranteed to get a cabin in a certain category – inside, outside, with a verandah – for a cheaper price. In exchange, the company gets to select which particular cabin you’ll get – whether it’s midship, low deck, high deck, etc.
Get a consultant. If you’re new to cruising or you’re not sure what kind of cruise you want to take, where you want to go or what’s the best price available, contact a travel consultant. These are experienced travelers with an expertise in cruises. Let one of them help you arrange a floating family reunion, a quiet getaway for you and your spouse, or maybe a special group trip. Consultants can also help you make plans to fly into the port city and find you a hotel to stay in after you dock, if that’s what you want.

If you’ve not taken a cruise before, be good to yourself and make this the year you step out and step onboard!

Hal McDougal is a freelance writer who writes about several topics including cruise deals.

Carnival Cruising Deals

A Carnival cruise ship is literally a floating resort with plush accommodations, first class restaurants, spas, and shopping experiences. Carnival cruise ‘Fun ships’ sail from many ports to over 60 destinations, including Hawaii, Alaska, Mexico, the Panama Canal, the Caribbean, the Bahamas, Bermuda, Canada and New England, even to Europe. For those wanting to see Alaska, Carnival cruise lines sail to Glacier Bay and both Northbound and Southbound Alaska. For those wishing to hobnob with old tales of pirates and treasure in the blue Caribbean, ports in the Eastern, Southern and Western Caribbean are ripe for the plucking. Carnival cruise trips to Mexico sail to Baja and the Mexican Riviera and the Bermuda leg offers a Cruise to Nowhere, if you’re daring enough.

Carnival cruise lines offer both standard and luxury appointments, providing a first class sailing experience for budget travelers or those with bottomless pockets. The finest in dining, entertainment and travel ports of call are the best that a cruise line has to offer, and Carnival cruise vacations have one of the highest user ratings of major cruise lines. Carnival cruise lines don’t just offer great destinations however, but moderately priced cabins for singles or families. Don’t even think about having to sleep on an uncomfortable bunk or berth either, because Carnival cruise lines have installed ‘Carnival Comfort Bed’ sleep systems in all the ships in their globe-trotting fleet. The younger crowd is kept entertained with the new Carnival cruise ‘Club 02′, designed specifically for travelers between the ages of 15 and 17. It’s the new ‘hot spot’ on the ship for those who don’t want to hang out with the parents but want to make friends, dance to the latest music and play video games. The club is staffed with fun and energetic employees who know what your kids want and how to offer it to them.

Want to bring your golf clubs along? Carnival cruise lines offer a V1 Digital Coaching System that will help cure any ailment to your golf swing from the convenience of the ship deck so that you’ll be ready to play once you hit the ports. No matter what you like to do, Carnival cruise personnel will try to provide it for you. Day and night time entertainment keeps passengers enthralled and happy between ports of call, with dancing, singing, and other venues geared for all age groups and tastes.

A Carnival cruise adventure offers events and event planning help if you have special needs or larger groups of people in your traveling party. Online, Carnival cruise lines offer tips, suggestions, and messages posted from other Carnival cruise adventures. The Carnival cruise line’s official website is easy to navigate and offers answers to just abut any question that could possibly be asked about the Carnival cruise vacation experience.

The Author is an expert writer for various travel writing such as kingfisher airlines, kingfisher Booking and Kingfisher red

An Inexpensive Mexican Vacation

Filed under: cruise — Tags: inexpensive, mexican, vacation — libertees @ 6:28 am January 3, 2010

If are planning a trip to Mexico, but you have a budget in mind, then you will be glad to know that visiting Mexico while on a budget is possible.  There are many ways to save money through package deals, low-cost airfare, discount accommodations, dining out, and traveling within the country.

Mexico is known for its beautiful beaches, rich culture, and fabulous cruises.  Even while on a budget, these activities can all be enjoyed during your visit.  So no matter what your financial situation is, you will be pleased to discover that planning a vacation to Mexico is affordable for just about anyone.

Saving on airfare is the first way to begin planning a vacation to Mexico while on a budget.  There are many different packages available.  With the help of the internet, finding a great deal is often simple and easy.  Depending on your location, you may also be surprised to discover that your own local travel agent may have vacation packages that include airfare, as well as your accommodations.  

Accommodations are a necessity when visiting Mexico.  If you are staying with friends or family then you will automatically save money.  However, if you need to make arrangements for your housing, then you may find that a package deal is most beneficial to those on a budget.  There are other means of inexpensive housing, such as camping, but if you are looking for a hotel environment, then look for one with a package deal. A travel package can save you a considerable amount of money, so shop around and find the best deals that fit your needs.

Restaurants and eating out can be expensive, especially in trendy nightclubs and other famous resorts.  However, if you are traveling to Mexico on a budget, you can spend wisely and eat delicious foods while remaining on your budget.  You can take advantage of the many outdoor street markets and save.  The food is great, delicious, and a true taste of Mexican culture; not to mention, it is also easy on your pocketbook.  

Shopping in grocery stores is another way to save money while visiting Mexico.   By eating the local produce, you will save money and have more to enjoy for your other vacation expenses.  It is important to note that you should treat any fruit and produce that you buy as food that requires care.  Make sure to peel and wash all fruits and vegetables before eating them and practice safe handling instructions for all food.  

Transportation is another area where you can save money and remain within your targeted financial plan.  Mexico buses are a very cheap way to travel.  If you need information regarding bus schedules, times, and whether or not you will need a ticket, check with locals during your stay.  However, as a safety precaution, you are encouraged not to ride in any taxis that haven’t been prearranged through either the airport or your resort.

When it comes to transportation, you can also save money by taking a bus, rather than an airplane, into Mexico.  Some major bus lines, such as Greyhound, will take you straight into Mexico.  This is an affordable way to save money and plan your vacation as well.  

Planning a Mexico vacation on a budget may seem difficult to do, but you may soon realize that there is a lot of assistance available.  With careful planning, and sticking to your budget, you can enjoy a wonderful vacation in Mexico.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/an-inexpensive-mexican-vacation-1657716.html

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Mexican Insurance 101 – Holiday Travel to Mexico

Filed under: travel — Tags: holiday, insurance, mexican, mexico, travel — libertees @ 5:12 pm December 28, 2009

With the holidays just around the corner, many folks will be making travel plans and purchasing auto insurance for travel to Mexico…some for the first time. In order to make this hectic time flow a little more smoothly, here’s a list of the absolute basics you’ll need to know before purchasing your Mexico auto insurance policy.

1. No Mexican Plated Vehicles. Since you are purchasing a “Tourist Insurance Policy”, ONLY vehicles with a U.S. or Canadian registration are eligible. Mexican rentals are excluded for this reason.

2. Anyone is Covered to Drive your Vehicle Under this Policy, as long as they: a.) have a valid U.S. or Canadian Driver’s License, b.) are 21 years of age or older, and c.) have the permission of the owner to be driving the vehicle.

Additional drivers do not have to be listed on the policy, although up to three names can be added if you like. DO NOT let anyone drive your vehicle that has a Mexican Driver’s License, as this will void coverage.

3. Be sure to include any towed items on the policy. Anything that you are towing to Mexico with your vehicle that is not listed on the policy will void coverage. Be sure to list them in the “Towed Unit” section of your Mexican insurance application, or tell your agent, if you are purchasing over the phone.

4. If you need to file a claim for any reason, be sure to file the claim in Mexico! In the unfortunate event of a Theft or Collision, it is important to call the number on your policy, so an adjuster can come to the scene and make a report. Returning to the U.S. without the adjuster’s report will void coverage.

5. Always print two copies of your policy. It’s a good idea to print two copies of your Mexican auto insurance policy…keeping one in the glove box, and one at your hotel, or the place you staying. In the event your vehicle is stolen, you will still have your proof of insurance and the phone numbers needed to make a claim.

6. Check the A.M. BEST rating. You can always find a cheaper Mexican auto insurance policy…kiosks and roadside vendors will be happy to sell you an auto policy for a fraction of what you might be paying online.

If you purchase a policy at a border or roadside kiosk, chances are, your insurance information will not be available to the authorities in Mexico, like when you purchase from a reputable online company. You may have to jump through hoops to get an adjuster to look at your vehicle. And, who knows what could be involved with trying to make a claim.

A.M. Best rates insurance companies based on many factors including financial stability. Before you purchase a Mexican auto insurance policy, be sure to check the company’s stability through A.M. BEST at www.ambest.com.

Rachael Galiano is a cross-trained licensed agent, selling all the Specialty Insurance lines of International Insurance Group, Inc. provides. This includes International, Domestic and Cross-Border. Though Rachael is busy selling policies, as one of our top sales people, she also takes the time to address client questions and concerns through blog posts and articles.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/mexican-insurance-101-holiday-travel-to-mexico-1635471.html

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