Cheap Cruising

Stumble It!

Graceland
Year after year, millions of visitors visit the famous home of Elvis.  That much we know.  What you may not know is that many of those people claim to have see the ghost of the The King eating a peanut butter and banana sandwich in almost every room of the mansion.  It’s true that Elvis died in Memphis mansion on August 16, 1977. You’ll have to visit yourself to see if his ghosts is still about. You can buy the basic Graceland Mansion Tour for $27.00. That’ll get you self guided audio tour that lasts approximately 1-1.5 hours. The Graceland Platinum Tour tickets are $32.00. This tour gives you self-guided access the mansion, the jumpsuits collection, the Elvis Automobile Museum and the some more private areas. It’s not as cheap as I’d like but it is The King.

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Stumble It!

Alcatraz Island
Our next Spooky Travel Destination is both cheap a bit pricey.  Alcatraz Island is not only the home of the famous federal prison, it’s also the a federal park thus there’s no fee to visit the island.  What will set you back a few bucks is the ferry to the island. You can buy ferry tickets from the official Alcatraz ferry at Alcatraz Cruises. They guarantee the lowest prices. The cheapest ticket is the Day Tour which gives you a look at the island as “a civil war fort, a military prison and one of the most notorious federal penitentiaries in US history.”

This tour includes a 45 minute audio presentation “Doing Time: The Alcatraz Cellhouse Tour,” an orientation video by Discovery Channel; ranger and docent tours; historic gardens and abundant wildlife. (Who knew there this was this much to Alacatraz?)

I’ll admit this is little pricey for the cheap traveler but it’s Alcatraz so it’s worth it.

Hint: There is no food service available on the island . Only water is available on the island itself. Eating, drinking and smoking is only allowed at the dock level.

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Check Spooky Destination #1 and Spooky Destination #2.

Stumble It!

Jack the Ripper Tours
Every tour of London throws in a little Jack the Ripper trivia and history but what you really need is a tour that’s completely centered around one of the word’s most famous serial killers.  I suggest a walking tour.  They’re more intimate, give you a bit of exercise and they’ll usually much cheaper than bus tours.  One that particularly caught my eye was Jack the Ripper Walk. Guide Richard Jones has gotten rave reviews for authenticity and detail. They promise small groups, give you an intensive look at all the the murders, lets you use sign up online and costs only $12.50 for a 1 3/4 tour.

Check out Spooky Destination #1 HERE.

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Halloween is nearing and now would be a good time for the cheap traveler to try out spooky scary travel destinations.  This week we’ll cover five spook destinations.  Firs up is….

The Lizzie Borden Bed and Breakfast
This Lizzie Borden was tried and acquitted of killing her entire father and stepmother in this Fall River, Massachutes Home. For first time in it’s history, the public is allowed to stay overnight. Stays are very pricey. They’ll run you between $175-225 a night for an overnight in one of the eight rooms. No worries cheap travelers, tours are $12.50 for adults, $10.00 for seniors and college students with ID and $5.00 for all children ages 15 and under.

For this price, you’ll you get a guided tour and be allowed to take pictures.  Just watch your back.

There’s not much you can do about gas but you can certainly can pinch your lodging pennies.  Hyatt’s “Faster Free Nights” can help you do that. Just register for the Gold Passport program by December, 30 and you’ll get one free night for every two qualifying nights. If you use your Mastercard you’ll also earn 2,000 bonus points.

Of course there are catches so please read the fine print. The one that jumps out is that you must use your freebie stay September 15, 2008, and February 28, 2009.  Also, from  what I cant tell the reward comes a couple of weeks after the qualifying stay.  I’ll admit that the Hyatt is often a little bit pricey for this cheap traveler but it’s certainly a good deal for those looking for a solid chain with a proven track record.

This a great deal for people who’ve got a little extra money and can travel at the last minute.

Cruise Brothers has several last minute Norwegian Cruise Line sailings at bargain basement prices. You can grab an Interior cabin on the NCL Dream’s September, 14 for $299. Bump it up to a Oceanview cabin for only $349. The ports of call are Boston, Massachusetts, Saint John, New Brunswick, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Sydney, Nova Scotia and Bar Harbor, Maine. Prices for the September, 21 sailing are $399(Interior) and $449(Oceanview).

The NCL’s Dawn has slightly higher prices, departs from New York and has almost identical ports. I checked the prices on flights to these ports. With air, these cruises are slightly cheaper than my 4-night cruise to Cozumel later this month. I’ll know next time.

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Stumble It!

I’m taking a 4-day cruise to Cozumel this fall.  It won’t be my first visit the tourist friendly island but it will be the first time the  BFF and I are on such a tight budget.    This time I’ll truly be a cheap traveler.  Here are some fun and interesting things one can do in Cozumel, Mexico on a budget.

#1
Chankannab Park

Chankannabe Park is one of my favorite Cozumel spots. Located about 5 1/2 miles the park features snorkeling, some decent eateries and bars and a terrific beach. In addition to all that, there’s a whole historical section that features replicas of Mayan homes and monuments. It’s easy to see why people make this an all day deal. Entrance is $10 for adults and $8 for for 16 and under. There are are some better deals for families the require snorkeling gear. You can print out a $2 coupon HERE.

#2

Carlos and Charlies
I know. I know. Carlos an Charlie’s is a little cheesy, a little touristy but that doesn’t but it’s also a must stop for the cheap traveler. There usually some non family friendly frivolity going on that requires no admission. True the food isn’t authentic but it’s decent. The world famous margaritas will knock you off your feet and maybe you’ll join in on the frivolity. Besides everyone is going to ask if you went.

#3
San Gervasio Ruins

The authentic San Gervasio ruins small accessible ruins features “nine buildings that form an enclosed patio and from where three roads communicate with other squares.” The site was dedicated Mayan goddess Ixchel, goddess of midwifery, fertility,and weaving. There’s an entrance fee $5.50 and a $5 still and video camera permits cost. If you want a guide, it’ll run you $20 bucks for a group of 1-6. Why not grab you own tour book and explore on your own.

#4
Museo de la Isla de Cozumel
The local history museum exhibits that look at everything from the topography of the island to the history of the islands pre-hispanic life. It won’t take up your entire day but it’s certainly worth and hour or tow of your time. There’s also a rooftop cafe that serves breakfast an lunch. It doesn’t require admission to eat there. Admission is $3.

#5
Stroll the Streets
Everything doesn’t have to be programed. Cozumel is safe, tourist town. Just tuck your travel wallet in and see where life takes you.

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Knowledge of a foreign is a must for the cheap traveler.  Being able to speak somewhat fluently ingratiates you to the locals and in turn leads you an areas hidden treasures.  Mango is a webapp that offers free courses in Spanish, Russian, Greek, German, Mandarin Chinese, Japanese, Brazilian Portuguese, French, Italian and Polish.  There is even an mobile option.  The free version of Mango lets you:

1. Learn over 1,100 common high frequency words in your new language. This is available in every one of our 11 language courses. As new languages become available, you will have access to those as well.
2. Learn grammar the natural way and learn to put those words together to engage in real and meaningful conversation.
3. Color coded translations for phrases and sentences so that you can clearly see what words and phrases in your new language actually mean in your native language.
4. Understood translations so that you sound natural when speaking your new language.
5. Literal translations so that you understand the literal meaning of the words that you are speaking and build a stronger vocabulary.
6. Native male and female voices clearly pronouncing words and phrases so that you can learn to understand native pronunciation and so that you can learn to speak like a native.
7. The first 5 lessons of every course will have the Pro level features for free.

I checked out the first lesson of French and it provides a decent knowledge of the language. Mango also offers a paid subscription as well. One month will run you $65. In return you’ll get more vocabulary words, memory building exercises, cultural notes, zero ads and some other bells and whistles.  I’ll stick with the free version.

Sign up for the Cheap Travel Newsletter and win a copy of Rick Steve’s Europe Through the Back Door

We’ve got our first cheap travel contest underway. The rules are simple. Subscribe to the Cheap Travel newsletter(on the sidebar) and you’re automatically entered to win a copy of Rick Steve’s Europe Through the Back Door, the 2009 edition.I won’t spam you. I won’t sell your email addresses to anyone. You can expect a email newsletter about three times a month. The winner will be drawn at random and you must be 18 to enter. The contest runs from now until September, 30 2008.  

Bank of America customers can take advantage of a free museum visit throughout the United States.  All you need to do is flash your Bank of America credit or debit card during any of the designated free weekends from now until April. BA customers have access to 70 museums in 28 markets across the United States. You can also sign up for email or text to remind you the weekends. . Check out this list of fabu museums. Most of of them are already vacation must stops.

2008 Bank of America Museums On Us™
Participating Museums

ARIZONA
Arizona Science Center

CALIFORNIA
California Center for the Arts Escondido
The California Museum
Crocker Art Museum
de Young Museum
Discovery Science Center
Explorit Science Center
Laguna Beach Museum of Art
Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA)
Mingei International Museum
Museum of African Diaspora
Museum of Latin American Art
Palm Springs Art Museum
Riverside Art Museum
San Jose Museum of Art
Birch Aquarium at Scripps
Tech Museum of Innovation
Yerba Buena Center for the Arts

CONNECTICUT
Mashantucket Pequot Museum
Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art

DELAWARE
Delaware Art Museum
Delaware Museum of Natural History
Winterthur Museum & Country Estate

FLORIDA
Miami Art Museum
Miami Children’s Museum
Miami Science Museum
The Morikami Museum
Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA), North Miami
Museum of Art Fort Lauderdale
Museum of Discovery & Science
South Florida Science Museum

GEORGIA
Atlanta Botanical Garden
Atlanta History Center
Fernbank Museum of Natural History

ILLINOIS
The Art Institute of Chicago
Chicago History Museum
Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago

MAINE
The Farnsworth Art Museum

MASSACHUSETTS
Danforth Museum of Art
DeCordova Museum & Sculpture Park
Harvard Museum of Natural History
Museum of Fine Arts, Boston

MARYLAND
The American Visionary Art Museum
The Flag House and Star Spangled Banner Museum
Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History & Culture

MICHIGAN
Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History
The Detroit Zoo
Henry Ford Museum

NEW JERSEY
Liberty Science Center
Montclair Art Museum
The Newark Museum

NEW YORK
Bronx Zoo and New York Aquarium
International Center of Photography
The Jewish Museum
The Metropolitan Museum of Art(pictured above)
New York Hall of Science

NORTH CAROLINA
Levine Museum of the New South
Mint Museum of Art
Mint Museum of Craft and Design

PENNSYLVANIA
National Constitution Center
Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (PAFA)
Philadelphia Museum of Art

RHODE ISLAND
Museum of Work and Culture
Providence Children’s Museum
The RISD Museum

TEXAS
Dallas Museum of Art
Fort Worth Museum of Science & History
Houston Museum of Natural Science
Museum of Nature & Science, Dallas
San Jacinto Museum of History

WASHINGTON
Museum of History & Industry
Tacoma Art Museum
The Wing Luke Museum

Bank of America, Museums, Travel, Vacation, Budget, Frual