Travel Specials Week of November 23

Hi Everyone,
As I write this it is 75 degrees here in Orlando. Weather is beautiful and the crowds are not very heavy-a great combination.

Our Girlfriend Getaway to Chicago, scheduled for January 10-11, is beginning to fill up. We still have a few spots. Join us for a great time.

Here are a few specials I've found this week:
Universal Studios in Orlando is launching a new ride: Rip, Ride, RockIt Roller Coaster. It's a multi media coaster. You pick the music and they videotape your entire experience. Universal has rolled out several specials. If you book a vacation package at Universal, it comes with early park admission so that you can get some of those really popular attractions out of the way before the rest of the world arrives.

Want to go to Disney but can't afford Disney resorts? The Radisson Orlando has a "Staycation" for $79 a night with a $30 food and beverage credit.

Dreams, one of the luxury all-inclusives, has just opened 5 new resorts in the Caribbean. Stay at any of these resorts through January for $139 per person per night, 3 night minimum.

Vegas is rolling out several hotel specials for January that are too numerous to mention in this blog. If you're interested in Vegas, give me a call.

Princess Cruises still has their balcony bonanza special. Purchase an oceanview cabin on select cruises including some to Alaska, the Mediterranean, and the Caribbean and receive an upgrade to a balcony stateroom.

Tips for Holiday Travel:

1. Avoid December 23, 26 and Jan. 2.
2. If at all possible, fly on the holiday.
3. Check out alternate airports.
4. Vacation packages are sometimes cost efficient during holiday periods
5. Last minute fares won't happen this year. Book now.

Have a great week!

Lynn

Travel Specials, Week of November 16

Keep in mind:
Fuller Travel Service Tours: January 10-11: Girlfriend Getaway to Chicago, register now!
April 23, 2009: Best of Ireland, 10 day tour, deposit now to lock in 2008 pricing.
October 25, 2009: Danube Discover: Vienna to Nuremberg River Cruise, only a few cabins remain.

Disney's Buy 4, Get 3 Promotion is one of the best they have had in a long time. Purchase a four night Disney package and they will give you three additional nights including tickets! Travel before the March 29 and get a $200 Disney gift card as well.
By the way, although this won't save you any money, it is interesting: Disney is teaming with Verizon to enhance the guest experience. You will be able to get up to the minute special activity info on your cell phone. You'll be able to locate shows, restaurants, get real-time attraction availability, locations of Disney characters, etc.
Disney is also adding 3D theatres to their cruise ships begining next month.

If you have ever thought of an escorted tour and plan to take your children, check out Adventures by Disney. They provided a number of different itineraries, foreign and domestic, and plan activities for all ages. Disney understands how to travel with children. This is an awesome program.

If you are thinking of flying over spring break, start looking at your airfares. I saw a big increase in those Michigan to Florida fares for that time period just this week.

Royal Caribbean: If you are active or retired military and book through November, you will receive up to $200 off the price of your cruise and this offer can be extended to friends up to 2 additional staterooms.

First time cruisers on Royal Caribbean: Book between November 24-30 and receive up to $100 off your stateroom.

Celebrity is offering special pricing on last minute sailings. For instance, if you are available on 12/7/08, oceanview cabins are available for a 7 night Eastern Caribbean cruise for $649. If your are familiar with Celebrity, you'll know what a great bargain this is.

Carnival Cruise Lines: Past passenger sale this week! 3 & 4 day sailings as low as $179. 7 day sailings as low as $429

Thinking about attending the Presidential Inauguration? So are about 2 million other people. Hotels are full or filling, charging premium prices or mandating a certain length of stay. If you just can't stay away, consider staying outside DC and using public transportation.

Travel Specials, Week of November 9

Travel Specials

Spartan Fans: Dare we hope? I've been looking at airfare, hotels, and cars in the event we do get to go South for New Year's. Depending on when you want to go, airfare may be a bit pricey as are the rental cars at this time of the year. The good news is that hotel rooms are plentiful in Orlando. If MSU goes to the Capital One Bowl and you go to that site for tickets, check out the little note in the corner of the ticket page that tells you that the west side of the stadium is Big Ten Country.

The cruise lines continue to publish some outrageous sales. Remember these prices were good when I wrote this. They can be discontinued at any time. Here are a few:

Carnival has some specials on their Christmas sailings which are usually quite pricey. I'm seeing packages for as little as $269 plus taxes and fees. Last minute cruises for Thanksgiving are as low as $149 plus taxes and fees.

Princess continues their balcony promotion. Buy an oceanview cabin and receive an upgrade to a balcony. Subject to availability.

Royal Caribbean has a sale on November 11 (Veteran's Day): Example: 5 night Western Caribbean leaving yet this month: Inside: $219 plus fees.

Celebrity Century sails on the 24th of December for a 5 night cruise and inside cabins are as low as $599.

Holland America has a 7 day Western Caribbean cruise starting at $499 on specific dates.

The Royal Hideaway Playacar is giving up to $500 per couple air credit when booking through January 26, 2009.

Even Disney is having a sale. Buy a 4 night/4 day package, get a 7 night/7 day package. If you travel between January 4 and March 29 you will also get a $200 Disney gift card.
This package must be booked by December 20, 2008.

Don't miss these Fuller Travel trips:

Girlfriend Getaway: Chicago, January 10-11. Trip includes bus, hotel, dinner, breakfast. $200 per person based on double occupancy. Maximum 45 participants.

Ireland: April 23, 2009. We still have seats for this 10 day trip. Call for pricing and availability.

Danube River Cruise: October 25, 2009. Unpack once and see Vienna, Krems, Melk, Passau, Regensburg, and Nuremburg. Only a few cabins left.

If you don't see anything that interests you, give me a call. I have access to a great deal of pricing.

Lynn

Travel Specials:

Carnival Cruise Lines is celebrating their Past Guest Appreciation Week. Select sailings begin at $219 plus a stateroom upgrade. Must book by 12/31/08.
Carnival also has some senior specials this week beginning at $149.
By the way, Carnival is going to be stepping up their departures from the Port of Baltimore. Baltimore is an easy one hour flight from Detroit.
Princess Cruise Line has several weekly specials. This is a prime time to book for 2009.
Note: Those of you who have spring break a week early this year will find very competitive fares.

Have you discovered the Riviera Nayarit? It is located about 10 miles north of the Puerto Vallarta Airport and at the heart of Banderas Bay. Great golf, great beaches, great pricing.

Atlantis, Paradise Island, Bahamas has a winter special that allows you to save up to 30%. It is a 4 day/3nt package from $449. If you book an air-inclusive package, you may get up to $500 in rebates. Conditions apply. This is a world class resort.

Disney tickets to Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party are on sale now.

Disney has a great special for its Disney cruisers. Anyone sailing on a Disney 4 or 7 day cruise this winter will have the opportunity to book a second 3 day cruise for only $99 per person. Call me for details.

Clients who visit one of Disney's theme parks on their birthday in 2009 can get in free. Already have a multi-day pass? Disney will give you an alternative treat. Must register in advance.


Note: All of these special were accurate when this blog posted. They are all subject to change or termination.

Baltimore Travel

I just returned from the Home Based Travel Agent Show in Baltimore where I learned about some great travel deals. Call me if you think you might be cruising this spring.

Some tips regarding Baltimore:

Supershuttle from the airport: Good option. It's about a 20 minute ride from the airport to the Inner Harbor.

The Inner Harbor is a great tourist area with an abundance of restaurants and stores. Camden Yards, Home of the Baltimore Orioles, is within walking distance as is the football stadium for the Baltimore Ravens.

The Baltimore Convention Center is also very close.

In the past month I've stayed in two different hotels near the Inner Harbor: The Marriott Courtyard Inner Harbor and the Marriott Residence Inn. Both hotels are convenient to the Inner Harbor area and both are very nice. My preference would be the Residence Inn. Breakfast is included each morning and during the week an evening manager's social is included. This easily replaced dinner!