Cheap All Inclusive Vacations: True or False?

Most Americans don't experience much that's all inclusive. We're nickeled and dimed for everything, from pizza delivery to Blu-ray movie rentals. There are next to no vacation destinations in the United States that offer an all-inclusive experience, but thankfully, Mexico and the Caribbean have different ideas.

If you've never taken an all inclusive vacation, it works like this: you pay one price, show up and everything is included. By everything I mean your accommodations, meals and alcoholic beverages. That's right - you can drink yourself into oblivion on the white sand beaches of Cancun without having a bar tab to pick up afterward.

I know, it's all very exciting. These vacations don't normally include extras like spa visits or excursions (dolphin swims, jetski rides, etc.), and the resorts themselves are usually spectacular and throw in live entertainment and nightlife to keep you from needing to stray.

If you're looking for a great bargain on an all inclusive vacation, look no further than Mexico. Safe areas like Cancun have been falling out of favor due to Mexico's overall problem with drug violence, but resort areas like Cancun remain unaffected. Combined with a weak currency, values can be snagged. I recommend booking directly with your resort as more offers may be available, but using Orbitz or Expedia to do some research first is a good idea.

Cruises are examples of all inclusive vacations as well, though only the most expensive luxury lines include alcohol in the cost of your cruise fare. Most lines like Royal Caribbean or Carnival will charge you for liquor, but not for food.

The Caribbean doesn't always offer discounts as good as Mexico's, but it's worth a look nonetheless and the islands are fabulous in and of themselves.

Always read reviews (I like tripadvisor.com) in advance and do your due diligence - no point in flying that far just to be disappointed. Ensure that you've actually booked an all inclusive resort so that there are no surprises after your arrival.

Travel Insurance Compare

When traveling abroad it is important to know two things.  One, your domestic insurance does not cover you.  Two, where is the best and cheapest place to get travel insurance.  By comparing travel insurance products you can get the coverage that is right for you at an affordable price.

Vacations and business trips are great, but what if something goes wrong?  For less than 10% of the total cost of your trip you can get travel medical insurance, trip cancellation insurance, specific riders, and much more.  Why risk thousands of dollars of liability when you can be insured for less than $100?

In many countries if you owe an outstanding debt, like say an emergency room bill, that country will not let you leave until it is paid.  Just imagine being stuck in a foreign country owing a $5,000 emergency room bill for a broken ankle and being told that you cannot leave until you come up with the money.

There are a wide range pf products available - compare your options on our Travel Insurance Compare page.

Getting the Cheapest Airline Ticket, or Snipe Hunting

There's a dirty little secret about finding the lowest airfare for your trip.

It's not possible. Just like hunting a snipe, you'll never find what you're looking for.

A plane lands at the beachfront airport on St. Maarten

I know, probably not what you were wanting to hear. People often ask me if it makes a difference what day of the week is used for booking, or if one airline is consistently cheaper than the others. Sadly, at this point it's incredibly difficult to pin down. Southwest, once known as the discount airline, often outprices Delta and more traditional airlines. Sure, you don't have to pay them for your checked bags, but if the fare is $80 higher then what's the point?

Just recently a new regulation requires all airlines to post their prices tax-inclusive, meaning what you see is what you will actually pay. It used to be that the website, such as Delta.com, would display a fare like this:

$268
+ $38.90 taxes/fees

So while the pre-tax fare was $268, you really were paying $306.90. The airlines have complained, because as you may be able to guess, $268 looks a lot better than $306.90, even with the small print. The psychological effect of the smaller large number can fool you into believing you're getting a better value. Kinda like the gas stations - the prices are listed as $X.XX9 per gallon - that extra nine tenths of a cent means you might as well be paying the next cent up, but $2.999 looks better than $3.00.

Despite all the moaning that goes on about the economy and sagging numbers, airlines are continually at or near capacity. There's no reason at this time for dramatic fare discounts like we saw post-9/11; travel numbers are good, even if there are less planes in the sky than there used to be.

When you want to book a flight, your best bet is to come up with a comfort zone. Say for example you're flying from LAX (Los Angeles) to MCO (Orlando) - everyone is quoting you about the same amount ($450). It's not ideal - let's say you'd be thrilled with $300, but satisfied with $375. Monitor the prices and if they're beginning to climb, don't hesitate - book it. Orbitz offers a Price Assurance guarantee - if the price drops after you book it, they'll refund you the difference automatically (as little as $5, and as much as $250) with a check after your trip. Better that than holding out too long and staring down the face of a $625 ticket because you gambled with your travel budget. You also don't want to hold out for something ludicrous, like $150 for a cross country roundtrip itinerary. It's not going to happen, so adjust your expectations accordingly.

Of course, if you find the snipe, let us know in the comments. Some people have a lot of success bidding on Priceline, but with lots of full seats that strategy is no longer a sure thing. What works for you? 

Which Cruise Line Is Best? Cruise Line Comparison

Champagne with an ocean view - who could ask for anything more?

Ever thought of taking a cruise but can't decide which line to pick? Sometimes it can be hard to tell which cruise line is best. Visiting their official websites is of little help - the same beautiful pictures of stunning beaches and fancy food juxtaposed with impossibly gorgeous people in swimsuits are enticing, but not informative. Here's a quick rundown of the major cruise lines serving Americans at home and abroad:

Carnival
Known for its party atmosphere, Carnival caters to a young adult and young family demographic with water slides, just above average food (not so gourmet), lots of glitzy clubs and casinos. The emphasis is more on fun than luxury, and the design leans heavily in the garish old Vegas style. With 25 ships, Carnival is one of the biggest cruise lines on the planet, with sailings to the Caribbean, Bermuda, Alaska, Mexico, South America, Asia, Hawaii, Tahiti and the Mediterranean.

Norwegian
Known as "Freestyle Cruising", Norwegian Cruise Line offers a more relaxed approach to cruising with no assigned dining times or formal wear required. Families and partying adults make up the bulk of their clientele. The newest ship, Epic, features groundbreaking installations like an ice bar and the Blue Man Group show. With 11 ships and 2 on the way, Norwegian's liners sail to Caribbean, Bermuda, New England, Alaska, Mexico, Hawaii and the Mediterranean.

Disney
Aimed squarely at families with children, Disney's 4 ships (2 of which are brand new) are of the mid-size variety and offer Disney characters and shows in what appears to be a luxurious setting. Prices reflect that, with rates often exceeding their competitors (the above listed lines).  The food is faux fancy but unless you pay to dine in the adults-only eateries (Palo and the newest, Remy), it's not much of a selling point. Kids get the run of the place and adults have less to do (Disney is the only line to be totally casino-free). A small fleet means that itineraries rotate with the only constant being the Caribbean; the 2 older ships have sailed to Alaska, Mexico, the Mediterranean and Panama Canal.

Royal Caribbean
Home to the world's largest cruise ships by a long shot (its 2 Oasis-class ships and 4 Freedom-class ships are far and away the biggest at sea), Royal Caribbean offers plenty to entice cruisers of all ages. The newest and biggest ships, Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas, offer Broadway shows, zip lining and an outdoor water amphitheatre in addition to the usual activities like ice skating, live entertainment, rock climbing and FlowRider surf machines. In a competing effort against Disney, Royal Caribbean now offers DreamWorks characters and shows on several of its ships (you know, Shrek, Kung Fu Panda and company). Most ships offer even more upscale restaurants in addition to the traditional (and still kinda fancy) dining rooms. Royal Caribbean's ships cover the globe, with sailings in the Caribbean, Alaska, Mexico, South America, Asia, Australia, Dubai and the Mediterranean.

Princess
Carnival's classier sister line, Princess caters to an older crowd of mostly couples that like a more muted experience than what Carnival provides. Made famous by The Love Boat TV show, Princess has since grown into a worldwide presence built on a brand all about romance. Princess is for lovers, and they'll go overboard to prove it (no pun intended). Many ships feature elaborate "piazzas" instead of lobby atriums, the food is decidedly gourmet and Movies Under the Stars are just one of the entertainment options at night. Princess uses 16 mid- to large-size ships that sail around the world (literally as well - they periodically offer a World Cruise), with 2 more under construction.

Celebrity
Owned by Royal Caribbean, Celebrity operates the largest premium ships afloat and aim them at sophisticated couples - not much for children to do here. Elaborate art installations, spa staterooms and upscale gourmet food in several venues are the hallmarks of the line's current image bolstered by the glamorous Solstice-class of ships. The line boasts 10 ships (with 1 on the way), including Xpedition, which does adventure sailings to the Galapagos Islands. The rest of the fleet treads more familiar territory in the Caribbean, Europe, Asia, Australia and Alaska.

Holland America
Subdued is the operative word with this premium line (also owned by Carnival). The demographic definitely skews older and the ships mostly smaller, with an emphasis on relaxation and pampering over activity. The only line to offer full size bathtubs in all staterooms (most lines are shower-only unless you've bumped up to a suite), Holland America is full of classy touches (only fresh squeezed OJ at breakfast, for example). The fleet stands at 15 ships that rotate on various itineraries around the world, in addition to the standard Caribbean and Mediterranean routes.

Packing for International Travel: Not Enough or Too Much?

It can be a tough decision to decide what to bring when traveling overseas. What's too much? After all, you don't want to lugging three or four huge bags across Europe.

Could you fit all your luggage in that?

There are definitely a couple schools of thought on this one. Tim Ferriss, author of The Four Hour Workweek and other best-sellers, outlines a plan to take as little as possible with you. Ferriss also advocates trips that span at least a month and rely on you purchasing needs while traveling, rather than carrying them with you. You can read his article on the subject here.

For most folks Ferriss' approach is a no go - you'll probably want a balance between taking everything and taking less than 10 lbs. Our TripResource.com International Travel Packing List is exhaustive, even telling you what NOT to bring with you, and providing a laundry list of tips and suggestions for surviving abroad.

What the Government Isn't Telling You About Your Passport

Did you know that all United States passports issued since August 2007 contain RFID chips? RFID chips are small microchips that operate on radio frequencies so that they can be scanned without physical contact - if you have to wave your ID card to access the back room at your office, that's an example of RFID chips at work. US Passports are outfitted with these chips now and they carry all of your personal information. Why is this so important to you?

Be careful of pickpockets in crowded urban areas

Identity theft is a very serious and growing threat, and RFID chip scanners are readily available and in use by thieves all over the world. It's very important that you do not leave your passport in someone else's hands for this reason, just to be on the safe side. Some travelers even go so far as to purchase scanner-blocking wallets or cases for their passports than ensure they can't be read unless they are removed from the case. Naturally, the government outfits the chips with layers of protection, but such measures are no guarantee and provide no particularly enhance identity theft protection. Hackers become more sophisticated all the time, so it is better to be safe than sorry.

While traveling, be careful to make sure your passport is not seen or opened by anyone other than legal officials. Never leave your passport as collateral, unless it is required in a medical emergency. Make sure your travel insurance protects you in the event of identity theft, and be alert for anything or anyone that seems suspicious.

Travel Horror Story - A Trip To The Hospital Abroad

I would like to introduce you to a man named Jim. Jim and his wife were vacationing in France. It was great up until Jim fell and broke his wrist. Pretty painful but not necessarily a horror story right? Wrong! Jim went to the hospital in agonizing pain. All he wanted was for the doctor to make the pain stop. The doctor did.

Jim was feeling much better, but he was about to feel much worse. Upon leaving the hospital he was presented with a bill, $8,000. Jim said "Just send it to my insurance company". Not so fast. This is where the story gets interesting.

What Jim did not know is that his domestic insurance does not cover him while he is out of his home country. He says to himself, "I could have bought my wife a new car with that money". He thinks he is going to have to start making payments on this bill when he gets home which will take him a while to pay off, but Jim is wrong again.

The interesting thing about France is that they will not let you out of the country if you have outstanding debt within their country.

What would you do in this situation? Jim maxed out his credit cards. So now not only will he have to pay off that $8,000 but he also has to pay the 20% compounding interest to his credit card company. In total Jim ended up owning $14,000.

This is a cautionary tale to international travelers. For less than a hundred dollars Jim could have bought travel insurance. This would have covered him and his wrist. Don't get stuck owing thousands of dollars in a foreign country. You may not make it back.

US Passport Application: Card, Book, New, Renew?

Today's post is aimed at United States citizens with an eye to travel abroad. Not everyone is aware of the restrictions and rules that come with leaving the Land of the Free, so here are a few basics to get you started.

Americans can't scale the Great Wall without a passport

It's all about the passport. You can't get into Canada without a passport. In fact, U.S. citizens can't leave the United States at all without a valid passport. That means anyone taking a Bahamas or Caribbean cruise needs a passport, as does anyone heading to Mexico for spring break. Those rules are new; citizens flying abroad have always needed a passport to do so.

If you've never had to get a passport before, the process can seem daunting. Do you want a card or a book? (Answer: the card is for land and sea access only to neighbors like Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean; the book passport is needed for any international air travel) Where do you get your picture taken? (Your local post office or warehouse store can do the trick) First time applicants must submit their passport request in person; the closest "Acceptance Facility" is usually a post office. You can do a search at the Department of State's website.

You'll need to prove your citizenship (an original or certified copy of your birth certificate is best), along with photo ID (such as your driver's license). Full requirements and fee schedules are found at the government's travel.state.gov website.

Make sure you take care of getting your passport well in advance of your travels. What if you can't locate a certified birth certificate? It can take weeks to get a new one. Getting your passport is one thing you can't procrastinate with when it comes to trip planning.

Luxury in Paris…for $40 a Night?

If I told you that you could go 25,000 miles and visit 11 countries in 150 days on a budget of $0, you’d probably laugh. Michael Wigge did just that, and laughed his way around the world for free.

Dream of visiting Hong Kong? Make sure you do your homework first!

His book, documentary and upcoming television series, all titled How I Traveled the World for Free, chronicle the journey in incredible detail and Wigge offers countless strategies and tips for anyone who wants to put life on hold and wander.  Adventurous ideas like sleeping on beaches, eating edible flowers, dumpster diving and story bartering (telling a funny story in exchange for food). Not exactly my idea of a four star vacation, but good for him - with a TV series in the works, hopefully he can now afford to crash at a Holiday Inn every once in a while.

Realistically, very few people have the will (or the stomach) to pull this kind of stunt. If you’re like most people, you won’t be interested in couch surfing your way through Europe, so how about some practical cost saving measures you can take without making a go of it hobo-style?

Sure there are obvious things like Priceline bidding, but fewer folks even consider something other than a hotel for their vacation lodging. For example, there are hundreds of charming apartments in Paris that are fully furnished. You can rent them for as little as a week and as long as several months, with most falling in the $1200 - $1600 per month range (roughly $40 - $55 per night). In contrast, a Parisian 3 star hotel can set you back $250 or more per night. Having laundry and a kitchen on hand can drastically reduce expenses if you’re willing to do some of your own cooking, but the hotel savings are truly gasp-inducing. A simple Google search for apartments in the city you’re visiting will help you price check in advance. Paris is one of the more expensive sites; most South American and Eastern European cities are even cheaper.

The added upside? You get to experience your destination of choice like a native instead of a hotel-bound tourist, all while more money stays in your pocket.

Cruising During Hurricane Season: The Top Five Questions You Have to Ask

I get asked often if it’s worth taking the chance on a Caribbean cruise during hurricane season. It’s not a simple yes or no answer, as you have to take a few factors into consideration.

Cruise ships anchored at St. Maarten

Do you know when hurricane season is? Generally speaking, hurricane season runs from June through November, but there are exceptions to the rule (nature doesn’t put much stock in calendars). You’ll notice voyages during the thick of this period are cheaper than other times of the year – the risk of a storm is higher and some great fares can be had as a result.

Do you know how hurricanes impact cruises? Every year there are hurricanes and every year thousands of people safely cruise the Caribbean…around them. Cruise lines and their captains have contingency routes for every storm scenario, and that contingency is to stay as far away from the storm as humanly possible. The result for you can be anything from shuffled schedules (this island today, instead of that island) to completely altered itineraries (you booked eastern Caribbean but see the western half instead). In the worst case scenario, the cruise could be cancelled altogether.

Do you get seasick easily? In the event your ship runs anywhere near a tropical storm or worse, it could be subjected to some massive waves. Our trip on the Disney Cruise Line in December 2007 was impacted by tropical storm Olga for the first two days of the voyage. Thirty foot swells kept everyone walking like they were in a funhouse and the dining rooms virtually empty. I’ve got a stomach of steel and didn’t get queasy once – but I was one of the few.

Does the ship have enough to do if going outside isn’t an option? When choosing a ship for hurricane season, this factor is especially important for families traveling with kids. If the cruise line you’ve selected is light on activities and features, an indoors restriction due to a storm can leave you with few options. Royal Caribbean’s biggest ships have everything from casinos to ice skating arenas, and Disney offers all-day kid’s activities with the Disney characters. No one wants to spend their cruise watching TV, so choose wisely in the event the pool is temporarily unavailable.

Do you have insurance? Travel insurance is a necessity, especially with the uncertainty of hurricane season. The iTravel Insured line of policies are affordable and comprehensive. If your trip is impacted by a hurricane, you could be at the mercy of the cruise line’s generosity (not to be depended upon, just ask the folks who escaped the Costa Concordia). Better safe than sorry at such a small price to pay - check here for some trip cancellation insurance quotes.

There you have it – the things you must consider if you want to cruise during hurricane season. Regardless of when you set sail, nature can still act up. The above factors should be considered for all cruise vacations.