When many people picture a budget vacation, they picture an intrepid traveler in a roach infested hotel room eating stale sandwiches and riding around on the city bus.

However, one of the best ways to save money on a vacation is also one of the most luxurious and most exciting the cruise ship.

Cruise ship vacations are actually one of the most affordable ways to travel almost anywhere in the world, from the glaciers of Alaska to the tropical rainforests of Central and South America. Or you can spend your Barbados holidays on board of a cruise ship.

One of the things that make cruise ships so attractive to budget travelers is the fact that the price of the cruise typically includes everything that happens onboard the ship.

This includes, of course, the room, which is often less costly than a typical hotel room in many locations. In many instances, it would be impossible to book a good hotel room for less than the daily cost of the cruise.

In addition to a cheap place to stay, a cruise also offers unlimited food, including many amazing buffets that are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. In addition, the food on cruise ships is often superior to those in all but the best land locked restaurants, and once again, the food is included in the price.

After eating all that food, you will probably feel the need to work out, and the cost of the cruise also typically includes unlimited use of the gym, the weight room and the sports locations.

While many hotels tack on a surcharge for the use of the hotel gym, with a cruise it is generally included.

The cost of a cruise also includes all shipboard entertainment and classes. The entertainment options on a cruise are often one of the best parts of the experience, and many cruises offer such things as movie nights, theatres, spas, night clubs, discos, and even casinos.

There are also some great classes offered by cruise lines, in everything from origami to bridge to ballroom dancing. And again, these classes and entertainment options are included in the price you pay for the cruise.

Among the only things that are not included in the typical cruise are alcoholic beverages and shore excursions.Many of the higher priced cruises even include these extras.

If the shore excursions and drinks are not included, be sure to get a price list for shore excursions and drinks.

It is often possible to save money on shore excursions while on a cruise by booking the tours locally at portside instead of going with the cruise line.

Just be sure, however that the book it yourself excursion will get you back to the ship on time.

For all these reasons, cruises can be among the best, and most economical, of all vacation opportunities. The ability to enjoy a week or two week vacation at one low price is one more reason to love cruising.



By: Paul Hata

About the Author:

Many budget minded travelers like the safety, security and convenience that comes with booking a packaged or escorted tours.

These tours can be particularly useful for those traveling to an unfamiliar or exotic location, as well as for those who want to cover a lot of ground in a short period of time.

There are tour packages to every conceivable destination, and for every possible budget.

There are package tours that specialize in budget accommodations, and there are those that use only the finest hotels and the best restaurants. When looking for a suitable tour, it is important to take your own tastes and budgets into account.

There are several types of package tours available, and it is important to understand the difference, and to choose the type that best suits your interests, travel style and of course your budget as well.

Fully escorted tours

Fully escorted tours are generally the most all inclusive. In most cases, everything is included, from airfare and lodging to sightseeing and meals. In most fully escorted tours, the entire tour is tightly structured, and a full, highly detailed, itinerary is provided.

Many people like the structured and all inclusive nature of this kind of package tour, but they are not for everyone. Many independent minded travelers do not care for the rigid structure, or the fact that there is often not time to explore a particular destination more in depth. Many of these more independent minded travelers prefer the next category, the partially escorted tour.

Partially escorted tours

As the name implies, partially escorted tours are not as all inclusive as fully escorted ones.

These tours generally take care of transportation from one destination to another and lodging once you get there. Unlike fully escorted tours, however, these partially escorted tours generally provide more free time to explore on your own.

With most partially escorted tours, meals, other than maybe a few, are not included.

The tour often stops at a particular restaurant or eatery, but the meals are generally at the expense of the traveler.

Many travelers prefer the greater freedom this affords, while others prefer the all inclusive nature of the fully escorted tour. It is a choice each traveler must make for him or herself.

Many partially escorted tours also include optional excursions, and these excursions are also at the traveler’s expense.

It is important for anyone considering such a tour to get a list of optional excursions, including the price, and to review the itinerary for less costly alternatives that may be available.

Lodging and airfare tours

A package tour that includes only lodging and airfare is the least inclusive, least structured, and generally the least expensive, type of package tour available.

This type of package deal generally includes the airfare to your destination, transfer to the hotel, lodging for the length of the stay, and transfer back to the airport upon departure. In some cases a rental car may be included as well.

While these types of packages can be an excellent deal for the adventurous traveler, it is important to take into account the cost of meals, sightseeing tours, etc., and to compare that cost with the cost of a more inclusive package.

It is also important to pay close attention to the location of the hotel, and its proximity to the sights you plan to see. Many tour companies keep the costs of their packages low by using out of the way or unpopular hotels, so it is important to consult a map of your destination and find your hotel before booking the trip.

If you end up in a hotel that is far from the city center, you may end up spending lots of money on taxi far or rental cars. It is often better to upgrade to a hotel that is closer to town, even if that causes the cost of the package to rise.



By: Paul Hata

About the Author:

There are many things to keep in mind when traveling, whether you are a budget traveler or not. You obviously want to keep what money you have for your trip rather than lose it or have it stolen. You also want to keep yourself and traveling companions safe from harm. Here are some tips to follow to ensure your trip is safe and enjoyable in a foreign country.

 

1. Have a valid passport and all visas required for your trip. Make two copies of your passport. Keep one in a separate part of your travel luggage and the other leave with someone at home.

2. Be aware of any travel warnings for the country you are visiting. Find out about security and safety conditions in your destination.

3. Secure travel insurance!

4. Ensure you have been vaccinated against any infectious diseases prominent in the area you will be traveling to.

5. To make sure you can be contacted in case of an emergency, make a copy of your itinerary and leave it with someone at home.

6. Travel light and don’t pack valuables that you wouldn’t want to lose. Leave your jewelry at home but take an extra pair of glasses if you can’t live without them.

7. Remember you are a foreigner when you travel. You are a guest in their country and therefore should abide by their laws, and to a certain extent, their customs. For example, if you are a female traveling in an Islamic state, be considerate of your dress. 

8. Try not to bring too much attention to yourself when traveling. Don’t go out looking like a tourist with a flashy camera and expensive clothes. Try to blend into the scenery.

9. Travel in a group where possible and in well known areas. There will be times you want to get off the tourist track, so make sure you always have a traveling companion with you.

10. Only carry small amounts of cash on you. Your credit card and travelers checks will pay for most things.

11. Watch out for pickpockets! Wear a money belt and keep your purse/wallet in the front of your body. Report any loss or theft immediately to the local authorities.

12. Don’t leave your luggage unattended. Apart from having it stolen or items from it taken, you could also become an unsuspecting drug courier.

13. If traveling with a partner, pack half your clothes in their luggage and vice versa. This way if one of you loses your luggage, you will still have some clothes. 

14. Lock your luggage and label everything.

15. Lock your hotel room. Keep money and valuables with you, not left unattended in your room.

16. When using public transport be aware of possible theft. If you are traveling overnight, secure your luggage and sleep on top of it if possible. It is not uncommon for tourists to be drugged while on trains and buses so don’t accept gifts of food or drink from strangers on public transport. 

 

If at any time you feel unsafe, whether it is on the streets or in your accommodation, get out. Follow your instincts. Stay safe when you travel by being aware of the dangers and obeying the laws of the country you are visiting.

 

This article is brought to you by: Stuart S. Travel – Your Online Travel Guru

www.stuartstravel.com



By: Stuart S. Travel

About the Author:

To find the best cheap car rental Aruba has to offer you should go online. There aren’t many car rental services out there. Don’t make the mistake of getting from car rental in Aruba, sight unseen.

 

Here are some of the things that I look for when I am visiting Aruba each year:

 



Tourist Maps



These are more important than most people realize. Pictures primarily demonstrate the international signage, and knowing what these pictures mean isn’t the easiest thing in the world. In addition, several streets in the major city of Oranjestad have no signs. To get your bearings, locate Lloyd G. Smith Blvd. and Main Street downtown.

 



Know the Driving Rules



The rules differ slightly from America. It’s illegal to make a turn without using the signal, but the tourists are often distinguished from the natives by the use of turn signals. (Sounds kind of like New York, right?).

 



Insurance



Third Party Insurance provided with the car rental won’t cover any accidents that are your fault. To find out if your credit card offers additional insurance, check with them on their policy for Aruba before you get there. Look into Collision Damage Waiver. The deductibles range from $250-$1000, but it’s well worth it if you’re in an accident that is your fault, or if the other driver is uninsured.

 



Age Requirements



All drivers must be 21. If you are under 23, an extra fee may apply.

 



Mileage



Don’t make the mistake of going with a car rental company that charges mileage. Even though the island is only 70 square miles, you’ll want unlimited mileage because it’s fun to get lost in the back roads of Aruba. Make sure you return the car with the same amount of gas with which you began.

 



Shuttle from Airport



Save yourself time and frustration when you go with a cheap car rental Aruba. Make sure your rental company offers a shuttle to and from the airport.

For more details:http://www.smart-rent-a-car.com/

 

 



By: Chris Goodwin

About the Author:

e decided you willbe more comfortable on yourholidaywithhotelreservationsin handbut also needbudgettravel, thenyou'regoingto havesomedecisionsto make.How are you goingto get those reservations? Let’s lookat the options.

You could use a travelagent.If you'replanninga tripto an exoticlocation, thismight be yourbestbet.Travelagentsknowthe hotels;and lodging in the areas of theirexpertise,and theycan give you goodguidance and advice for budgettravel.

You could use one of the big Internet bookingagencies. Thosecan help you get pretty gooddeals. It’s worthwhileto checktwo or three of themto see how theyrate different hotels;, so you'llget what you want.Wheneveryou'relooking;at hotels;and bed-and-breakfasts on the Internet,remember, any place can lookgoodwithsomecreative photography. Werecommend avoiding;the companies thatdon’t tellyou the name of the hoteluntilafter you makeyourreservation.Also rememberthatwhen hotels;are tied to bookingagencies, theylose a cut to thatagency. You might be just as welloff bookingdirectly withthe hotel.

It pays to finda goodbudgettravelguide. If you liketheirphilosophy, you willprobablylikethe hotels;theyrecommend. You can callthe hoteldirectly.Chances are you willbe able to talkto someone;who speaks English.You can contact almost all of themoverthe Internet thesedays, eitherby e-mailor by contactingthemthrough theirown web site. Althoughbudgettraveltips are on top of the agenda,you needto take so many other pointsinto considerationto avoida disappointing vacation, so makea note of the following guidelines…

If you e-mailthe hoteldirectly, tellthemthe numberof rooms you want and how many peopleper room. Theywillneedto knowthe dateof yourarrivaland the dateof yourdeparture… so the numberof nights you willbe staying.

Remember thatin most places in the world, dates;are writtenwiththe day/month/year, not withthe month/day/year as it is in the U.S. To avoidconfusionon any continent, we writethe month out rather thanusingnumbers;.

Once you hearback from them, if theyhavea room at the priceyou want,accept the reservation.You may haveto sendyourcreditcardnumber. We'rereluctantto sendour creditcardnumberin e-mail. You can calland give themyourcreditcardnumber.

If you haveused the hotel’s own site to contact them, makesureit is a secure site before you sendyourcreditcardnumberto themthatway. Besureto readthe hotelcancellation policiescarefully before you makea reservation.

If you makehotelreservationswithone of the big travelbookingsites or withthe hotelitself,bewareof non-refundablereservations.

When you makeyourhotelreservations, you willreceive a confirmation by e-mail. Print it, and take it withyou. Don’t deletethe originale-mailuntilyou havecompletedyourtrip,and you knowyou havebeen billed correctly.

If yourtraveldates;are firm,you'llfindthatto get into the most popularand bestvalue hotels;, it'sworthwhileto makethose hotelreservationsahead.

By: Brad Alexzander

About the Author:

The key to enjoying an affordable vacation is to finding inexpensive hotels to stay in. This is because accommodation costs are a significant chunk of the total vacation expenditure and by staying in a cheap hotel vacationers can afford to experience more of what a holiday destination has to offer.

Families planning a vacation need to keep their eyes open for the best hotel deals on offer. The Internet is a great resource for finding cheap hotels that offer good food and lodging. One can compare services offered across hotels for a given rate; this knowledge helps while negotiating for accommodation. Hotels can also be compared for nearness from the airports, railway stations, and tourist attractions. It is important to look up hotels on more than one site that list comparisons. This is because not all hotels in an area may be listed on a site. Hotels also list discount deals and vacation deals on their own websites, subscribing to hotel newsletters is another option that helps to keep abreast of rate changes.

Staying in a cheap hotel is a great idea not only for budget vacationers but also for those who may not have budget constraints. Cheap accommodation does not necessarily mean having to rough it out.

A little research will enable one to come up with hotels that provide good accommodation at surprisingly cheap rates. However, there are several things that need to be considered while searching for cheap hotels. Most hotels have the cheaper rooms taken up fairly quickly, so it’s important to book in advance. Also, hotel rates during the off-season are low; so families can plan their vacations accordingly. If the cheaper rooms have been taken up when one first enquires, there is no harm in checking again after some time. Also, if the hotel tariffs have fallen after one has made a reservation, some hotels will in fact offer accommodation at the revised rates.

Even if a hotel’s rates appear slightly on the higher side, very often they are negotiable. In fact, vacationers should keep in mind that good bargaining skills can help them get some pretty amazing accommodation deals. In order to be able to bargain skillfully, one needs to first of all communicate with the right person in the hotel, for example the sales manager. Also, it pays to be informed about the facilities that can be had for the rate a hotel is charging and to know the times of the year when the hotel is in demand from business travelers and vacationers.

AAA cards can earn their members discounts of up to 10% on their hotel stay. Points earned on credit cards can also be redeemed by vacationers to contribute to lodging expenses, many hotels that offer cheap rates accept AAA cards and redeem credit card points. Thus, a little planning and careful research in selecting a hotel can enable families on vacation to enjoy the sights and sounds of their chosen destination to a far greater extent.



By: Scott Grueson

About the Author:

Budget Travel is Ireland’s number one provider of cheap holidays, last minute holidays and package holidays to a range of destinations. package holidays lastminute holidays Travel Insurance Kasbah.com has teamed up with some of the best providers of cheap travel insurance from around the world. Get a great last minute deal travel package at ebookers and set off on that dream holiday. Get a great last minute travel deal package at Kelkoo and set off on that dream holiday. Unfortunately, travel vouchers may not be used to purchase any portion of a Last-Minute Package. Hotels.com has the best hotel and hotel air package rates available for last minute travel to Las Vegas.

Let ebookers provide you with great last minute travel deal. Let Europe’s premier online travel agency show you the best llast minute travel deal options. A last minute airline deal is good for on-the-spot travel when you can wait for the next open flight. Use the following search option to find the best deal for your last minute travel needs.

Research organizations covering the online travel industry report that last-minute travel is a growing segment of the leisure travel market. site59.com Site59 is the industry leader in technology and creative content for last-minute online travel. Over 24 years of experience in last minute travel brings you the best airfare from airline travel industry. The research organization classified last-minute travelers as those who took unplanned, last-minute trips at least 100 miles from home in the last six months. In order to make a last minute travel bargain all one needs to do is lots of consulting and online research.

As a result, travelers got the idea that prices will always get lower at the last minute.” Sometimes that’s true, but often it’s not. That’s the idea behind one of the most active areas of the Web travel industry: last-minute travel. As a result, travelers got the idea that prices will always get lower at the last minute.” Sometimes that’s true, but often it’s not…. From hotel deals to airline tickets, to great cruise and vacation packages, LastMinuteTravel.com consistently beats all other websites and travel sellers on pricing. Hotels.com has the best hotel and hotel air package rates available for last minute travel to Las Vegas.

Airtkt.com, provide the cheap flights, discount car rental and hotel discount, guaranteeing you the Cheapest last minute travel.. Let Europe’s premier online travel agency show you the best last minute bargain travel options. Let Europe’s premier online travel agency show you the best llast minute travel deal options. Let Europe’s premier online travel agency show you the best last minute bargain holidays. There are many last minute travel vacation packages to fit anyone’s budget.

If you share HotStays.com’s passion for travel then a last minute vacation special is for you! Let ebookers provide you with great last minute travel deal. Let Kelkoo provide you with great last minute travel deals. Eight great Web sites for click-and-go travelers You can score excellent last-minute deals by calling a travel agency. American Airlines has an area of its Web site devoted to travelers looking for last-minute weekend getaway packages. But there are many instances where people have taken advantage of this situation to create a last minute travel bargain for themselves.

http://www.last-minute-travel-vacation.com/



By: Suwat Muenpan

About the Author:

Whether you are traveling for business or pleasure, purchasing travel insurance can help save you money. It is the same principle that applies when you buy something of value like a car or a classic piece of jewelery. Should anything happen, you do not want to lose your investment in one day. Most likely, you would want that car or ring replaced at full purchase value. If you have purchased air tickets, you would want to protect that investment as well. Who wants to lose money especially in these dire economic times?

Ways that Travel Insurance Can Help You Save Money

There are at least three situations where purchasing travel insurance can help you save money:

• Cancellation of flights – If you or the airline decides to cancel the flights you are booked in, your airfare will be partially covered by travel insurance. Say if you spent $4,500.00 worth of air tickets for you and your family, and suddenly the airline closes down for business or cancels a flight for any reason, you do not lose all of the $4,500.00 because travel insurance will reimburse that amount. Of course the airline will probably refund you the money if it is their fault, but having travel insurance will compensate you for the inconvenience and trouble. Also, if you cancel the flight yourself, travel insurance will get you back your money.

• Loss of luggage – When you purchase travel insurance, make sure it covers lost luggage as well. Imagine landing in some foreign country with none of your luggage! While most airlines are efficient about recovering lost luggage and delivering them to your door, don’t rely on that efficiency. There have been instances where luggage was never recovered.

• Medical problems – You may be in perfect health when you leave for vacation but you increase the likelihood of getting exposed to viruses or bacteria either in the plane or in your country of destination. There’s also the chance that you could accidentally drink the local drinking water or eat contaminated food. Medical visits in some foreign countries can cost an arm and a leg so you wouldn’t want to spend all your vacation money on doctor’s visits! If you have travel insurance that covers expenses for brief hospitalizations, medicine and emergency situations, think about how much all these could add up if you didn’t have travel insurance.

Tips for Purchasing Travel Insurance

• Ask your insurance provider – If you have an insurance company that insures your car, house and other property, they may also offer travel insurance or they may work with a partner or affiliate who does. Because you are an established customer, they may offer you travel insurance at lower rates. It doesn’t hurt to ask. In fact, in some instances, you may be better off going with your existing insurer than purchase separate insurance from the travel agent who books your flight.

• Go for the whole nine yards – What this means is if you are traveling with the family, you might be better off buying family travel insurance instead of separate insurance policies. It also means that because traveling with children entails more risk than traveling alone, you may want to consider travel insurance that offers comprehensive coverage; that is, plane fares, luggage, and health and medical visits.

• Multi-trip travel insurance – If you make more than one trip every year, you might be better off purchasing an annual multi-trip travel insurance policy. This would save you the hassle of purchasing travel insurance several times during the year. Some travel insurance companies will usually sell you a 12-month package that is renewable yearly and this is a huge convenience if you travel a lot during any given 12-month period. The single biggest advantage of buying an annual policy is that you don’t need to worry about arranging for emergency medical coverage.

• Compare packages and prices – As for most major ticket items, it pays to shop around for insurance. If you know you will be travelling six months from now, don’t wait until the month before your travel date to do some bargain hunting. Start now so that you are not rushed about reading the fine print and you can make a more informed decision about the kind of travel insurance that is ideal for your situation.

Remember to do the cost analysis if you are ever tempted to skip travel insurance. Even if your ticket is discounted, say you paid $600.00 to go to the Caribbean. Travel insurance will cost about $85.00 to $100.00. If you are forced to cancel your trip, you lose $600.00 (restricted and discounted tickets are usually non-refundable or non-transferrable) versus the $100.00 you paid if you had purchased travel insurance. If you want to save money, put travel insurance on the top of your list.



By: Josh Webber

About the Author:

If your company has been in the modern ages as of late then companies are considered about one thing, reducing travel cost. It is a major concern for any company that is looking to cut their expenses. Fortunately many of the car rental companies are offering companies ways to rent cars at reduced prices. Companies these days are looking for the best car rental prices for their employees. Don’t believe me then read this article and afterwards tell me that I am wrong.

So where exactly does one go about looking for the best car rental prices? the first tool that you will need is actually the one that you are sitting at currently. The best place to start looking for cheap car rental prices is  to go to the various car rental places and check out their online specials that they are offering their members. It is actually in your benefit for you to join these companies as you can save a ton of money when renting a car.

Now you have managed to find your way to the computer and are busily typing in names of car companies, it’s time to try and find the best deals online. I assume you have followed the previous tip and have signed up with a rental company such as Hertz or Thrifty.  Now the fun begins this is where you start to search through the online deals that are offered.

Now if you are looking to rent a car for your personal reasons then you can use the same tricks listed above, the advantage though unlike a business account you can actually find several better offers when it comes to car rental prices. You will need to do as mentioned before is register with one or all of the companies and see which one gives you the best deals on your rental.

Make sure that you car rental contract includes any and all cost that will be associated, and that these prices are clearly stated in the contract beforehand.  Also make sure that you read the fine print as many times this is where people get caught up with the rental. Car rental prices also vary depending on the time that you rent you car. For example if you rent on a Monday through Thursday then the rental price will be cheaper than a weekend rental.

Also consider where you will be driving the rental. If it is going to be a local rental then you can save money by not having to pay for out of town fees and thus saving some cash in the end. No matter what you rental needs are you need to do your research and try to find the best car rental prices that are offered out there. Just look around and try to find the best prices on the internet.



By: David Patullo

About the Author: