Alternative if the dollar isn't better by fall???

[Honeystar120608]

Hi, I Ned a plan B if the dollar doesn't improve by fall. We want to book for christmas but not if our dollar to the USD stays this bad.

What might be a good, warm alternative that we can pay in Cad? Trying to stick to $5000 $6000 all in.

 

[starvenger]

Look for cruises and resorts last minute?

Road trip down south?

It's all I got. Sorry!

 

[minnie mum]

Go someplace other than the US. The problem with most cruises is that they originate in the States and rates are based on the USD.

How about one of the less expensive islands like Cuba or Dominican Republic? Or Mexico - the Cancun/Tulum area? All have all inclusive resorts at various price points. Any travel agency can provide you with info. Most airlines will have travel packages combining air/transfer/resorts, and they usually have early booking bonuses or sales during the year.

We have a TA that we've used for years. I call him up, tell him the type of vacation we want and our budget, and he comes up with a short list of options for us. Worth his weight in winter parkas, he is.

 

[mshanson3121]

Hi, I Ned a plan B if the dollar doesn't improve by fall. We want to book for christmas but not if our dollar to the USD stays this bad.

What might be a good, warm alternative that we can pay in Cad? Trying to stick to $5000 $6000 all in.

Well, unfortunately, you'd better plan on the alternative. The dollar will not be improving this year at all, possibly not even much into next. I would say your best bet is to go to a travel agency or use expedia.ca. Most everything else is going to be priced in USD. I agree with Cuba or Dominican. My husband's aunt goes every year and they love it. And it's really not expensive.

 

[pigletto]

I like that when I price out cruises on Royal Caribbean it will show me prices in Canadian funds.
My neighbours are going to Cuba for the third time in 12 months. I think she said her all inclusive with a kids free promo was 2100 for the week. That included flights. I am not much a of a lay on the beach gal myself, as I get bored. But I am considering it or a cruise for 2017.

 

[Disneylover99]

Plan B for me is to lie on my couch and watch the Disney planning DVD.

 

[ottawamom]

I'm with you on that one Disneylover99. My hope of a December trip with a girlfriend are dwindling with each passing week. I spent all my US money before Christmas on a shopping spree Black Friday. I am kicking myself for not having put more money into my US account a year ago when I first thought about it.

I guess we'll be holidaying in the summer in Canada. East coast here we come.

 

[Honeystar120608]

Plan B for me is to lie on my couch and watch the Disney planning DVD.

LOL Certainly the cheaper option!

 

[Honeystar120608]

I like that when I price out cruises on Royal Caribbean it will show me prices in Canadian funds.
My neighbours are going to Cuba for the third time in 12 months. I think she said her all inclusive with a kids free promo was 2100 for the week. That included flights. I am not much a of a lay on the beach gal myself, as I get bored. But I am considering it or a cruise for 2017.

Neither are we. It has been discussed, but we question a couple things... one security-We will have an 8 month old, 10 yr old and 11 yr old. two-things to do. We like to relax, but we also need things to do...with a baby. And this will be the first time we are gone DURING Christmas. So it's hard to envision anywhere but Disney.

I really want to go to the UK. lol Not seeing that in my budget

 

[greenclan67]

We are in the same boat for summer and Xmas vacays. We have drove from northern Ontario the last few summers, we have done Virginia beach, Chicago area, Wisconsin dells, Michigan adventure, and Williamsburg Va. This year I am thinking we will do East Coast.
We have done Florida area last 3 years for Xmas and am thinking I will have to go to Vancouver too see my sister next Xmas instead.

 

[seashell724]

*sob* I just priced out how much everything will be in Canadian as compared to US. It isn't pretty. I'm pretty gutted but we are going to bite the bullet this once.

 

[greenclan67]

We were just in Florida for 8 days in Dec. The $$$ sucked. I had a condo with a full kitchen and I ended up cooking more on vacay then wanted.....but I had to. We return in March for 2 weeks. I am thinking I will take my crock pot as a carry on. So I can throw something in before leaving for the day.

 

[pigletto]

You might even want to consider buying one down there and leaving it behind. I think a cheap one can be had for around $20. I'm considering it. We are definitely only doing one meal a day out of the condo. I don't mind though... we still end up eating "vacation food". I get pre-made and easy things that I don't buy at home. It still feels like a treat to go out once a day. But I hear you, our vacation habits are really changing with the dollar.

 

[greenclan67]

You might even want to consider buying one down there and leaving it behind. I think a cheap one can be had for around $20. I'm considering it. We are definitely only doing one meal a day out of the condo. I don't mind though... we still end up eating "vacation food". I get pre-made and easy things that I don't buy at home. It still feels like a treat to go out once a day. But I hear you, our vacation habits are really changing with the dollar.

I agree. I was just going to bring my old one with me and leave it there. With southwest I get the 2 bags. I usually only bring two suitcase for the 4 of us. I am.highly considering packing a 3rd with dry goods, rice, pasta, cereal, and so on. Just to not pay the exchange.

 

[Frank4202]

With the dollar being so crappy this year, I plan to either visit Canadas Wonderland in the Toronto area or Cedar Point (tons of roller coasters) in Sandusky Ohio.

 

[MICKEYFIL]

The thing is that even if you try to avoid the US because of the dollar you still have to watch that you don't go somewhere that is also linked to the US dollar. For example, Mexico continues to get more expensive because of the dollar and I would imagine some of the Caribbean countries are similar. I have a hot vacation in mind for our terrible spring time and found great deals in the south pacific. They are more linked to the australians and japanese. It is a long flight, but the costs to stay and eat there are very reasonable.

 

[sherilaine]

Have you crunched the numbers as to where the $ would have to be before you'd go? I think the days of it being at or near par were dream days that no one should expect to see return. Our dollar should not be, even in an idealistic world, on par with the USD. That is why my comparison is at an 80 cent dollar - I have done up a spreadsheet with what our next trip will cost, with the dollar at it's current state and I compare that to what it would cost if the dollar were at 80 cents, that difference is what we look at and ask "is it too much?" because honestly, you are going to have to put Disney on a pretty high shelf if you won't return until the dollar is at 80 cents. When you look at it on that comparison, it's not that bad - it still sucks but it at least adds some perspective.

There is also the cost of a bad vacation to consider. I think we have all done that - pick the 'smart' vacation that makes sense financially but doesn't have your heart in it - we have done that before and then found it was sort of a waste of money because we did not get the value out of it. I get if it's just not economically feasible for you to go. But if it's a matter of a $1000 and that $1000 is already sitting in the bank - then it's a matter of wrapping ones mind around the fact that our dollar is going to be like this for awhile so what is the plan for years to come.

 

[bcwife76]

The thing is that even if you try to avoid the US because of the dollar you still have to watch that you don't go somewhere that is also linked to the US dollar. For example, Mexico continues to get more expensive because of the dollar and I would imagine some of the Caribbean countries are similar. I have a hot vacation in mind for our terrible spring time and found great deals in the south pacific. They are more linked to the australians and japanese. It is a long flight, but the costs to stay and eat there are very reasonable.

We love Mexico and were planning on returning this coming May. But yes, because the tour operators buy their packages in US funds, eventhough we are purchasing them in CDN$ they have all jumped up significantly! So ironically we are going to Maui for a week instead because it will end up being far cheaper for us (even with the lousy $) because (a) we got a great deal on airfare during black Friday sales (in CDN$) and the condo we are renting is from a friend who is giving it to us at a steal (also in CDN$ as she normally charges in US). Even adding in food, activities (most are free anyway) and car rental, we are still far below what we would be paying to go to our fave resort in Puerto Vallarta or Puerto Morelos.

 

[bankr63]

Kind of surprised that Mexico doesn't remain a deal. Their peso has fared even worse than our dollar against the greenback. Actually, looking at some trend sites on the internet, we appear to keep pace with many world currencies. Perhaps we should stop saying that our dollar is dropping and just blame the greenback for skyrocketing...

 

[mab2012]

Wow, there are a couple of crystal ball readers on this thread who must be making a fortune in the ForEx market.

Plan for the worst, hope for the best.

As for alternatives, you might try a cruise line that books in CAD (eg. Royal Caribbean). Depending on your numbers and booking preferences, you *might* get into the 5-6K range, particularly if driving to the port is an option. Consider departures from New York or Baltimore, both of which are reasonably drivable from most locations in the East. On the other hand, Christmas fares are likely to be inflated - but you won't know what's available until you look.