[CharlieGirl]

Next summer we want to go away for a few days. We've been joking Cancun, but really want anything nice and warm, .

Is it better to book ahead or last minute.

Should we fly, or are there cruises we can take?

This is going to be an all girls trip, no hubbies allowed

[bette]

I have no answers, but Can I go too?

[YouMe&3]

Always book ahead, even if the prices drop you will get the lower rate (if using a travel agent so they can watch for that to happen) ... at least you will have the space.

All-inclusive resorts are great. Cancun and Punta Cana are 2 of the 'cheapest' areas you can go. All your meals and drinks (alcoholic as well) are included. If you drink a lot, this is your best bet. Most of the resorts are right on the beach, you'll never need to leave your resort. You can book one that is adults only, that way you don't have to worry w/youguns'. Also, most of the non-motorized sports are included. Apple Vacations: #1 Tour Operator in the U.S. and America's Favorite Vacation Company! is a company that we use often here. They are pretty much the best prices around. But you have to book through a travel agent.

Cruises - I LOVE to cruise. I would chose that over an all-inclusive any day, but you do have to pay for 'extras' ... Once the cruise is paid for, your inclusions are:
~24 hours of eating! Including fine dining and room service. Drinks up by the pool area, iced tea and juice.
~Entertainment
~Taxes

The extras:
~Tips (about $11 per person per day)
~Drinks - Soda or Alcoholic
~Shore Tours
~Bingo/Casino
~Massages / Hair Salon / Spa / Boutiques


A side note: Let a travel agent do your work. Let them find the best prices for you. If you aren't happy w/them, go to another one. There are a lot out there. Let them know that if the price decreases you want that price. The agent should not charge you a fee for this, however, if they do, it's pretty minimum, maybe $30 per person booking fee.

IF you book online, you are stuck at that rate and if any problem occur, you have no one to go at 'bat' for you.

Don't forget travel insurance!

[CharlieGirl]

Originally Posted by bette

I have no answers, but Can I go too?

sure can!

[CharlieGirl]

thanks for the direction!

[YouMe&3]

Had another thought...I know you are from PA and you are actually close to a few cruise ports. You will save money if you drive to either:
NYC
Cape Liberty, NJ
or
Baltimore

all of which have cruises departing from them. If you want to go that way.

Good luck! Start planning now if you can!!

(Most times, if you cancel before final payment time (about 80 days prior to the trip) you will get your deposit money back)

[brownie16]

Sign up for travel newsletters. I get travelzoo (Travel Deals: Airfare, Vacations, Cruises, and More | Travelzoo. They can alert you to deals offered by several different companies. Last year DH and I went through cheapcarribean.com (via a travelzoo newsletter) and stayed south of the Riveria Maya. We were happy overall, and got a great deal.

[queenbear]

I highly recommend Beaches Turks and Caicos
All Inclusive Family Beach Vacation Packages - Beaches Resorts

[withhh]

We love all inclusive land deals (cruises are nice, but far from all inclusive). Suggest signing up for travelzoo top 20 that comes out every Wed --- we just got a great deal for Jamaica all inclusive with free upgrade to one bedroom suite for this November ---- thank you AFullCup, the savings I've learned to make from this site since finding it last winter actually paid for this trip!!!

[CharlieGirl]

Originally Posted by withhh

We love all inclusive land deals (cruises are nice, but far from all inclusive). Suggest signing up for travelzoo top 20 that comes out every Wed --- we just got a great deal for Jamaica all inclusive with free upgrade to one bedroom suite for this November ---- thank you AFullCup, the savings I've learned to make from this site since finding it last winter actually paid for this trip!!!

can I ask what you paid?

[joshmamabear]

thank you CharlieGirl for starting this thread. we found out DH will have the whole week of Thanksgiving OFF. I'm now searching for an exotic, sunny place to go to.

we're ruling out a cruise since it makes DH seasick

btw, does anyone know if they require passports for kids to Mexico now? I'll bring my nephews/neices with us and they may not have passports.

[withhh]

Originally Posted by CharlieGirl

can I ask what you paid?

pming you

[YouMe&3]

Yes, kids need passports for Mexico

[withhh]

Originally Posted by joshmamabear

thank you CharlieGirl for starting this thread. we found out DH will have the whole week of Thanksgiving OFF. I'm now searching for an exotic, sunny place to go to.

we're ruling out a cruise since it makes DH seasick

btw, does anyone know if they require passports for kids to Mexico now? I'll bring my nephews/neices with us and they may not have passports.

You do need passports for the kids too. Not sure you have time to get them back for Thanksgiving, but even without Florida is still great this time of year and Puerto Rico would still be an option.

[ahernandez]

Ok I just got an email from AAA and they have a 4 day cruise out of Miami to the bahamas for $99 I couldn't believe it. then it looked like there was some kind of goverment fee for $69 but still $168 for 4 days. Oh you are making me want to go on vacation (and I just got back from a weekend at the beach).

On a side note anyone know of any good cruise lines or all inclusive places with good daycare. Thinking about taking a trip next sring and bringing DS who will be 2 but I want to have some alone time too. Any ideas?

[joshmamabear]

you mean we don't need passports to Puerto Rico? is that for US citizens only? what about permanent residents?

thanks for the info, I'll check out PR for all inclusive deals.

if we're pressed for time, we'll just hie off to Ole Branson

[YouMe&3]

Originally Posted by ahernandez

Ok I just got an email from AAA and they have a 4 day cruise out of Miami to the bahamas for $99 I couldn't believe it. then it looked like there was some kind of goverment fee for $69 but still $168 for 4 days. Oh you are making me want to go on vacation (and I just got back from a weekend at the beach).

On a side note anyone know of any good cruise lines or all inclusive places with good daycare. Thinking about taking a trip next sring and bringing DS who will be 2 but I want to have some alone time too. Any ideas?

$99 for a cruise? Like you said, plus the government for of $69, yes, but there may be a fuel surcharge of about $40 and port taxes as well....If not, great deal!

All the cruise lines have 'baby' sitting services. They watch them in your cabin for a fee. Once the kids hit age 3 and are potty trained, they have a 'day camp' for them as well.

[justfluffyme]

If it just you and DH, I like Sandals.......actually I LOVE sandals resorts. Super All-Inclusive! no tipping.......just lay on the beach and sip some frozen cocktails! If you're taking kids, then I agree with earlier poster......Beaches is the way to go. These are not cheap, but worry free.

[sar1]

I always read reviews on tripadvisor.com, too. Lots of great details and you can ask questions on the forums.

If you have kids and are vacationing without them, I'd say No to Beaches. There are lots of kids everywhere having a great time and you don't want to feel bad leaving them behind when you see everyone else there w/kids. But if you are taking kids, it's a great resort. We were in Turks & Caicos in December w/our DD who was 11 months at the time. The couple we spoke to who used the daycare and camp loved it. I spent time w/DD at the kiddie pool at the daycare and the kids were having a fantastic time. It's basically a regular adults resort that happens to have amenities and food options for kids, too, so you don't feel like you're walking around a kids park the whole time. The staff in the restaurants are great w/kids, too. Can you tell we really liked our vacation? :-)