Cheap Cruising

CruiseOnly has a sale on Carnival Elation’s roundtrip from Los Angeles for super cheap later this month. For $239 you can snag an interior cabin on on this fun ship. An Oceanview cabin starts at $289 and includes a 1 category upgrade and a $25 room credit.  This offer is only good for the October, 27 sailing.

Ship tip:  I’ve not been on this particular ship before but have traveled on sister ships from Gavleston and Houston.  Expect a diverse crowd, lots of family and single activities and a glitzy Las Vegas decor.  Carnival Cruises used to be known as raucous party ships with so-so food. That has changed a great deal over the last few years. The atmosphere supports both subdued travelers and party folks and cuisine is one of the best on the high seas.

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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Destination weddings are usually cheaper than traditional stay-at-home affairs.  They are also a lot less hassle.  Here are some options that could save you money and a headache.

You could get a wedding for free.
Some resorts give you a wedding if you agree to stay for a certain number of days in a certain class of room.  Sandals gives a free wedding to couples who stay 6 nights or longer in the Concierge category. The wedding includes a personal wedding consultant, marriage license, a wedding cake, boutonniere and bouquet, dinner for a couple and sparkling wine and hors d’oeuvres for four.

I checked out rates for a March stay at the Sandals Royal Bahamian in a Honeymoon Ocenview Concierge Room goes for $3,722.64. Not bad when you consider the average US wedding budget is $14,250 and the average spent is $28,800.

Viva Las Vegas
Vegas is such a historic destination for people that want a quickie wedding that’s it become a bit of a joke. Don’t sleep on all that this city can provide. There are a couple of thing in you favor when you consider Vegas. First, most major cities usually have pretty good deal on flights to the gaming capitol.

Second, you can any kind of wedding you want in Vegas at a great price. The town has every kind of wedding from the tacky to traditional.

Viva Las Vegas Wedding Chapel’s To Remember package is $199. This includes a rose presentation, 12 poses & proofs, candlelit chapel, souvenir wedding scroll, music, wedding coordinator, chapel fee, and courtesy limousine service to and from the Viva Las Vegas wedding chapel. The guest limit is 25 and people you’ll need to tip the officiant and limo driver.

You’ll also need make any cake and dinner arrangements separately.  A Vegas marriage license costs $50

Marry before the Cruise
Cruises are some of the most economical vacations available. Cruise ship weddings are not. In addition to your cruise, on board or destination weddings usually cost more than over $1,000 for a basic wedding. Pre-cruise marriages are the frugal route. This will allow friends and family to participate without breaking their banks. Chapels like Celebrations of Fort Lauderdale Wedding Chapel offer a number of pre-cruise wedding options They have couples only packages starting at $195. The Memories package starts at $350. It includes a wedding for up to 12 guests, a one tier cake, use a silk bouquet, a keepsake certificate and a champagne toast.

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Weddings Vacation Budget Las Vegas

NCL’s offering a 14-day Caribbean repositioning cruise that starts at $699 per person. The Norwegian Majestic leaves Charlotte on November, 1 2008 and includes stops in Nassau, Bahamas; Oranjestad, Aruba; Willemstad, Curacao; St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands; Samana, Dominican Republic; and Great Stirrup Cay.

Of course $699, isn’t the total price. A decent oceanview, cabin your total will run a little over $1,100:

Guest Totals $1,123.90
Cruise $799.00
Travel Protection $89.00
Fuel Supplement $154.00
Government Taxes and Fees $81.90

Travel definition: A repositioning cruise is one that moves a ship from one port to another and usually doesn’t include very many ports. It’s a great deal for those who want a long cruise with more sea days. Ships usually change ports  when the seasons change. Think November, March and April.

cheap travel travel cruises

Welcome to our last installment of Top 10 sites list. You’ve not got a complete list of my favorite travel sites.

#7
Late Rooms
According to Late Rooms , it”enables a large number of independent and branded hotels, apartments, B&Bs and guesthouses to publish their best available rates online.” That about says it. You get the rates in local currency and you know the name of the hotel before you buy. There’s onsite currency convertero help you out.

#8
Cruise Compete
Cruise Compete lets you specify the dates, ports and ship names. Dozens of travel agents offer you their best price. All you have to do is sit back and wait for the offers to come in. This works best for someone who has at least a general idea of when they want to cruise.

#9
Last Minute
I came to love Last Minute when it was still Site 59. The name has changed but bargain basement prices are still in effect. Lastminute lets you book vacations up to 14 days in advance for bargain basement prices.

#10
Airport Discount Parking
Try never to park at an airport. It’s generally a rip off. Why park at a lot when your car can be stowed at home? If you just have to park at the actual airport head over to Airport Discount Parking which takes you to cheapo lots around the US.

Installment #1 of the list is HERE.
Installment #2 of the list is HERE.

Travel, Budget Travel, Cheap Travel

Welcome to our second set of great site for cheap travel. Lets jump right on.

#4
Europe Through the Back Door
I love Rick Steve. I mean I really love him. This European travel guru has created a series of books and videos that provide you with every possible tip, trick and hint for your European itinerary. His website is awesome place to chat with other travelers and glean many of the book’s suggestions. I’ve used this site for my European trips and it has never steered me wrong. As a result of it’s advice, I’ve stayed at some of the most comfortable and budget friendly hotels, B &B’s and hostels in Europe.

#5
Last Minute Travel
Every cheap travel addict knows that last minute deals are often the best deals around. Last Minute Travel is one of the leaders at providing great travel at great prices. To take advantage of some offers you’ll need need a lot of flexibility but there are lots of deals that give you months to make plans. Even if you can’t fly off on a whim it’s still nice to lust after all the places you could travel to.

#6
Travel Zoo
On the surface, Travel Zoo looks like your average reliable travel website. It is but drill down to the Travel Zoo 20 and you’ll find a bevy of steals and deals. Every week the Travel Zoo team evaluates the best deals on the internet so you don’t have to. Right now I’m lusting after the Omni $89-per-night special that includes FREE breakfast. It lasts until December which means it’ll still be effective for Blog Her.

Check out yesterday’s post for budget friendly sites 1-3. Tomorrow we round out the list.

Travel, Budget Travel, Cheap Travel

As I was working on this week’s post, it occurred to me that we I probably needed to start start with 10 basic sites I use for securing budget travel. This the first of my tried and true basics for planning a budget vacation.

#1
Frommer’s Budget Travel
Run don’t walk over to Budgettravel.com. They’ve got tons of tips, tricks and deals that are constantly being updated. The is a great place for people who want to save money without sacrificing a higher end vacation. The site is also big on travelers experiencing local culture.

#2
Priceline
To be honest, Priceline isn’t the deal that it used to be. There was time you could get plane tickets and hotel rooms at rock bottom prices. With the slowing economy and the various fees that PL charges it’s not what it used to be but it still offers some pretty good deals. These days not only can you bid on anonymous rooms and flights you can pick specific hotel rooms and vacations.

#3
Your Local Travel Agent
(Site varies)
Sounds outdated doesn’t it? TA’s still have some magic mojo that even the internet can fight. What we see on the internet isn’t real time. The travel still have the super secret system that gives the most up to date deals. In addition, they often have long standing relationships with cruise lines and resorts that makes them privy to unsold blocks of rooms and last minute cruises. Don’t sleep on your local TA. They are far more valuable than you think.

Tomorrow we’ll talk about three more sites for budget travelers.