2009.05.20
Deals on dream vacations
Two for one deals. Free hotel nights and spa treatments. Shorter lines.
Need a vacation? Even while the nation's recession continues, it apparently is a great time to visit your dream vacation spot, according to AAA Mid-Atlantic.
Travel deals abound this year as businesses try to fill up cruise ships and hotel rooms, enticing people to travel and spend.
AAA Mid-Atlantic, based in Richmond, claims that people are waiting later this year to book vacations because of fears of job losses and general economic concerns. As people wait, the bargains are getting better.
Still, you may want to act now if you want a super vacation deal. Travel rates likely will creep higher this summer, AAA Mid-Atlantic says. The deadlines for landing the lower rates, such as cruise specials and dining packages, are creeping up.
So, are you getting a super deal on a vacation this year?
Here are a few examples of the latest low-rate travel packages, according to AAA Mid-Atlantic:
1) Cruises: Some cruise rates are less than $100 per day per person. For example, Panama Canal Cruises (Celebrity Cruises) are $69 per person per day for bookings made in May for fall sailing dates.
2) Disney: Walt Disney World Resort vacation packages are offering free Disney dining plans. You have to book by June 21 for travel starting in August.
3) Las Vegas: Nightly rates are $86 at the Paris Las Vegas Casino Resort if you book a trip by May 30 for travel this year. Also, if you stay four nights at this rate, you'll get the fifth night free.
We're getting a great deal on our vacation. We're getting a 2 bedroom cabin in the woods for a week, for $40. All we have to do is bring our food and leave the place as clean or cleaner when we leave as when we arrived. There is no TV, no phones, no internet. Just a cabin in the woods, about a half hour from Charlottesville. Thankfully this year, they have air conditioning, unlike last year. It's our annual escape from modern life, and I've yet to have any vacation that can equal it.
Comment by Other John — May 20, 2009 @ 4:58 pm
As a former travel agent I encourage people to take advantage of travel opportunites now. When the economy starts to improve so will travel demand. That means higher prices along with talk of inflation. Now is the time to take that cruise you have always thought about. When the costs are broken down they usually run around $100 pp/day. Disney is expensive but now is the best time to book. Go to your travel agent this month(May) and plan your trip for 2009. Timing is everything if you want to save money on travel and a travel agent can sort through the specials.
Comment by Joe — May 21, 2009 @ 8:11 am
Now that's my idea of a real vacation!!
Comment by Rebecca — May 21, 2009 @ 9:02 am
I just traveled to the Big Island of Hawaii. Great airfare deals and it was way cheaper than many places in the mainland. I also looked at Fresno, CA for the Yosemite National Park, and Hawaii was cheaper. Another one I looked at was Acadia National Park in Maine and Hawaii was still cheaper.
Also, take a look at vrbo.com for great deals on condos and houses for rent.
Comment by Melissa — May 27, 2009 @ 12:44 pm