Vacation challenge - $3500 or less!!

[dimimi]

Having never cruised before, I can only tell you what I think I'm not going to like:

I'm afraid of getting sick (or having any member of my family get sick);

I've investigated the cost and although many people say it's a cheap vacation, I'm not seeing it. Maybe I'm just looking too far out, since we won't be traveling until July. Perhaps the cost has something to do with the time of the year.

Since there are 4 of us (including 2 teenage sons and a DH that are all 6 feet tall), I don't see how we are going to be comfortable in one cabin. They're all so small. Yes, we could book a bigger cabin, but that substantially drives the cost up.

I'm not completely opposed to it, but just can't seem to make it affordable enough to alleviate my fears.

Help!

I have 2 ideas. 1. The cruise: a wonderful vacation. I would suggst 2 separate cabins. It really isn't that much more money. But...I don't see how you can do it during the summer for under $3500, including airfare.

2. Try an all inclusive. We are going to Playa Del Carmen for 6 nights, all inclusive, including tips/alcohol/drinks for about 2000. We do have free airline tickets from frequent flyer miles. But you might be able to get an all inclusive for under $3500 with air fare.

 

[Ka' eo]

I am going to suggest Canada. Canada can be a bargain based on the exchange rate. But even if it is an even exchange, Quebec and Montreal are to die for. There are fabulous mountain resorts outside of both these cities that offer everything from spas to tons of outdoor recreation.

That being said, I would second Bermuda. Take up golf for the week if you don't play. It is a charming island and I just looked at some vacation packages with air/hotel for around $3500. Of course you'd need to add food. I am sure if you worked on airfare and hotel separately you could do it for less.

If you plan on two rooms, it might be tough to spend for a quality beachfront resort with airfare anywhere for $3,500, but you never know, you might find a kids room for 50% off or something which I think a resort in Jamaica does.

We have gone numerous times to the Yucatan. Traveling to the ruins, hitting the beaches and the wonderful town of Merida can definitely be done for $3,500 if you go at the right time and get a good flight into Cancun. But you won't be staying in deluxe hotels and eating at the finest restaurants.

We are going to Disney in April. We are going for $3,000 for 8 days. This includes Seaworld, staying at the Poly for 5 nights and a rent a car in addition to our airfare. I am using some ff miles for a few nights offsite, and 2 of the airline tickets. We also volunteered to get our 1 day passes which will be upgraded. We have earned $800 on our Disney Visa for food and souvenirs. I am pretty happy with all the savings for this trip. I made a few compromises, not staying at the Poly the whole time being the main one.

My point is you can pick a destination, and tailor that place to your budget. You might have to make some compromises like reducing the quality of the hotel, or driving instead of flying, doing a split stay, or limiting the number of nights you stay in luxury.

Last point. Travel last minute and take a package. You can get unbelievable deals with Club Med with airfare, but you have to be willing to go where they send you.

Let us know what you decide.

 

[Rosiekins]

We went to PEI last year and it was really lovely. So much to see and do! The beaches were really nice too (warm water) and the temperture was warm enough to really enjoy swiming but not so hot we didn't have fun. We got a B&B for 80 a night Candian so it was really cheaper. There are lots of houses to rent for a week and Cottages.
We split our stay with Nova Scotia (I would not recomend spliting a week though, I would pick one or the other) which was another really great place so much to do! Your DH and DS's would love Fort Louisburg (So Cool) and the Citdel! I even loved both.
We also live in MA and drove there with no trouble so that is alot cheaper then Airfare. Prices are Canadian so if the exchange rate is good that saves some!

 

[Rosiekins]

Another thought would be Colonial Williamsburg. A really fun place with a lot going on. It is also Near Bush Gardens which is supposed to be really fun. They are close enough to MA to make the drive in a day ( I have done it twice) They have great food, Visit one of the Taverns at night for Music and Fun (Family Friendly) We shared an App Plate and could barely finish it. (They also let you charge to your room which I love) They have a refillable mug like Disney that is Amazing deal. You take it in to the Town and Refill it at different stations so you can have cold drinks as you tour, Apple Cider, Coffee, Tea, Soda and even soft serve Ice Cream! (best deal). They have several Ghost Tours that are really neat. They are discounted to Hotel Guests (I think they are around 15 dollars 12 with the discount)
Really I think between Colonial Williamsburg and Busch Gardens/Water Country you will find so much to do and have a really great time!

7 nights at one of their Premium Hotels Williamsburg Lodge 2 queen beds is 1233 (they do have cheaper hotels but I think the premium ones are much nicer)

You can get length of stay tickets for 17.00 for adults and 8.50 for anyone under 17. You must stay in their hotels to get this price (it is much more convenient to stay in their hotel anyway, and they have a slew of Benefits)

7 day (must be used with in 7 days) Busch Garden and Water Country Tickets 69.95 Each

So that is
1233 Hotel
053 Hotel Stay Tickets to Williamsburg
280 Bush Garden, Water Country Tickets
_____
$1566

That Leaves about $1944 for Food, Gas and Fun money.

 

[tekoa]

Drive to Portland, Maine and take the ferry to Nova Scotia, Canada. Since you are arriving by sea you would only need the passport card which is a lot cheaper than the regular passport. I am sure you could do this for less than $3,500. Hotel, meals, gas, ferry transportation.

 

[Beckypooh1972]

We are in the same boat as OP. We want to take a nice summer vacation on a budget. We'll save Disney for December 2010 (keeping our fingers crossed). We are renting a house in Panama City Beach for a week in May. We focused on finding a place with a nice pool for us and the kids and having a balcony overlooking the beach. I probably can't list where we rented from on here but trust me there are tons of condo rentals in the Fort Walton Beach, Destin, and Panama City Beach - Gulf of Mexico area. We plan to cook a lot of our own meals and picnic as we like. We know it will be less busy and potentially less fun than Disney. We are expecting to relax a bit and just enjoy the ocean views. We will take dolphin cruises, stroll around the newly opened Pier Park, hang out on the beach and eat breakfast on the balcony. I feel like we can find enough to have a good time there without breaking the bank. Hope OP finds the perfect alternative to Disney. One thing to keep in mind is the time of year you travel. We are going the last week of the low spring season; our condo price would almost double if we vacationed in July. You might consider a Florida beach in the off season - it would still be plenty hot enough to swim and sun in Sept. or Oct. for instance. Good luck!

 

[THE HAT]

Drive to Portland, Maine and take the ferry to Nova Scotia, Canada. Since you are arriving by sea you would only need the passport card which is a lot cheaper than the regular passport. I am sure you could do this for less than $3,500. Hotel, meals, gas, ferry transportation.

Was just reading through, but had to let you know that the CAT which was the Ferry to NS is no more. It has gone out of business in the past few months.

 

[Ka' eo]

OP, you did not tell us what time of year you are thinking. That will make a difference.

I added this.



Holiday Inn Sunspree Resort and Casino Aruba Beach

Downtown Aruba and Tierra del Sol Championship Golf are 5 km (3 mi) from this hotel, which sits on a quarter-mile of beach. More lodging info

Hotel promotion - Stay 2 Nights and Save 60% on Your Stay!

Booked separately: $3000
tipTrip Savings:
- $74
tipTotal Price: $2926
$732 per person
includes: Flight + Hotel, Taxes & Fees**

 

[Rosiekins]

Was just reading through, but had to let you know that the CAT which was the Ferry to NS is no more. It has gone out of business in the past few months.

Really? I can't find anything mentioning the closing. I know it does not run in the winter. (Stops September and picks up again in May) There site just says to check back soon for 2010 season information.

 

[Torri]

I'd highly recommend going to Las Vegas, you and your family would probably really enjoy it, especially your sons. I priced out a trip for you at the South Point Hotel, Casino, and Spa. Two rooms and airfare were $1907.30. That was for July 11-16. I added in a few things to that, like Cirque Du Soleil Mystere tickets, indoor skydiving for your sons, and a Crime Scene Investigation interactive exhibit thing that looked very neat and I came to a total of $2493.30. There are several free things to do there as well such as the lions at MGM or M&M's World. That leaves about 1000 dollars for souvenirs and food, so you might go over a bit, but probably not by a ton. Gatlinburg is a great option as well, but lodging can be quite expensive if you go for a cabin, the hotels there are fairly cheap though so that's a definite option too. It's a tiny little town so you wouldn't feel too overwhelmed, it's probably my family's favorite vacation spot, so look into it. Good luck !

 

[Tiana]

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[Ka' eo]

Okay. I have found the deal for you! I am sure you could extend the number of nights. This sounds like an AWESOME budget vacation.

$369 -- Bahamas 4-Night Oceanfront Getaway w/Credit & Air* new

Nassau, Bahamas

Top 20 deal - sells out quickly!

Travel dates: April 11 - June 23; +$80 now through March 18

Photo

By Darlene Carenza
Travelzoo Staff

Fly to the Bahamas and stay four nights for less than the cost of airfare alone. This package from Wyndham Nassau Resort and CheapCaribbean.com costs $369 per person from New York City or Miami.

The already impressive deal gets even better with an upgrade to an Oceanview room and a $100 food and beverage credit (per booking).

Travel is valid April 11 - June 23. Stay now through March 18 for $449 per person.

Located near downtown Nassau and overlooking Cable Beach, the newly renovated Wyndham Nassau offers some of the best views in Nassau. There are 10 restaurants and bars, an 18-hole golf course, a fitness center, a private swimming lagoon and a Las Vegas-style casino on-site.

Note: More than 50 other departure markets are available for an additional fee. Check the booking page for additional options.

Book by Feb. 19: Click here for more information and to book online through CheapCaribbean.com. Or call 800-915-2322 and mention you saw this offer on Travelzoo.

When booking online or by phone, be sure to use promo code BAH300SPR for travel from New York or BAH200SPR for travel from Miami. The pricing above already reflects this discount (based on double occupancy). Taxes and fees will be additional.

 

[talulabelle]

Club Med Sandpiper, in Port St. Lucie FLorida. We wnet a couple years ago and loved it. All inclusive, meals, tips and alcohol, and most activities. Your teens could water ski, sail, go to circus school with trapese lessons, golf lessons, tennis lessons, dance lessons...and more for free. This summer they have a kids stay free promo and if your teens are under 15 they are free for the week and the total cost of vacation comes to $2,876.00. That is with no airfare or transfers. Domestic airfare can be cheap, we found $49 one way flights when we went, it is cheaper to book your own travel than to pay club med a premium for it. Don't need passports. Even if your kids are over 15, they have great specials and last minute deals where you could probably get it down that cheap if you are willing to wait to book.

ETA, the accomadations are MORE than spacious with maid service...they would give you 2 connecting rooms for that cost.

 

[apietrak]

We're trying to cut back this year on our family vacation (two adults, two kids, ages 4 and 6 and a newborn) and have done a bit of research on cruise versus a Disney trip.

Cruises are definitely cheaper, especially if you book well in advance and can leave from a local harbor (we're close to Philly), but planning on leaving from Baltimore. We estimated roughly $3000 for all of us to travel (they do charge for the kids), including tips, a few spending dollars, excursions for a week.

However, we think we can still do Disney at $3500-$4000 for the family but just being smart with planning, etc. Again, booking early for flights helps, going off-season (probably November for us) and being smart about accomodations (we'll probably rent from a Vacation Club member again).

Hope this helps, bottom line I think is to travel off-season and plan as head as much as you can for lower airfare and rates in general.

Anthony

 

[nexttrip4us]

Another vote for Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg area. Went there last summer and had a great time. We drove--was about 12 hours for us, but we did it in one day and it worked out great even with our 4 kids who ranged from 4-10 at the time. Lots of different hotel/condo/cabin options (we stayed at Riverstone Resort and LOVED it!)and plenty to do.

San Diego is another of our favorite trips...besides Disney of course .

Good luck!