Travelers Can Avoid a ‘Walley World’ Vacation Experience

Part of a traveler’s vacation memories are complete with stories of things “they did” while traveling, not just focused on the destination or the resort. A traveler’s tale might express how they went swimming with dolphins, or participated in an adventurous zip line tour, retraced Carrie and gang’s steps in a Sex and the City tour, or even how they became James Bond for a day. Vacation activities can be cost-effective or can be uber luxury in terms of custom experiences, depending on a tour operator used.

Regardless of the type of activity selected, nothing would be worse than showing up to Walley World and finding it’s closed as experienced in Chevy Chase’s National Lampoon Vacation movie. Some simple research and pre-planning can ensure a vacation moment is not missed and can even result in saved money.

Online activities, events and tour specialist Viator.com advises travelers to plan ahead to save money and time, and avoid costly last-minute vacation mishaps. Rod Cuthbert, founder and CEO of Viator.com, says “Unless you’re a gambler, we’re advising travelers take the time to secure activities before they leave home. A little time upfront can help save time on vacation for excitement and exploration versus waiting in long lines or being disappointed by sell-outs.”

A recent Viator.com survey features the following findings:

• One-third of vacation travelers say they are now more likely to purchase activities in advance than they were three years ago with 76 percent reporting they already do so
• Nearly 40 percent of vacation travelers (39 percent) have been forced to change plans because their activity was sold out
• Nearly 3 out of 4 tour operators around the globe report increase in advance bookings has limited availability for walk-up sales

“The good news is people are learning from these hard lessons,” according to Viator.com. “Of those travelers who previously missed out, 42 percent are now more likely to book their trip activities in advance of travel than they were three years ago, more so than those who haven’t experienced the same disappointment (25 percent).”

Reasons travelers spend time researching available excursions and pre-book their activities include time-savings and cost-savings, according to the Viator.com survey. Other reasons, as revealed by the survey, include:

• “so I can budget accordingly” (52 percent)
• “so I don’t miss out on interesting activities that I otherwise may not find out about at the destination” (48 percent)
• “so I know my itinerary before I go” (46 percent)
• “to avoid waiting in long lines for tickets or admission at the destination” (45 percent)

“Perhaps even more important in light of rising travel and fuel costs, planning ahead online can save travelers money by allowing them to quickly compare options,” Cuthbert adds.

Photos Supplied by Viator.com

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One reason people select cruises as a vacation option is for the numerous opportunities and activities on board. Yes, most Caribbean cruises still present the traditional belly flop contest, line dances and Bingo games; but onboard activities have come a long way and have grown in sophistication to meet the varying needs as the varying traveler.

The scope of onboard activities on cruise lines certainly has broadened in recent years, according to Terry L. Dale, president and CEO of Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA). “This is in part due to the number of new, large cruise ships entering the market - since 2000 over 100 new ships have been added to the CLIA fleet which now totals more than 160 - which can accommodate facilities that were never possible before,” Dale explains. “These include such things as surfing wave pools, ice skating rinks, bowling alleys and full-scale, Broadway-caliber theaters for lavish revues and other types of entertainment.”

Admittedly, when I started cruising most of my onboard time was spent on the pool deck; but, when I became smarter about protecting my skin from sun damage and when I cruised when I was pregnant and then afterwards with an infant/toddler, my cruising habits had to change. I have attended fascinating lectures about The Bounty, pirate tales, dolphins and ocean life while cruising in Tahiti. I have enjoyed attending fitness and wellness seminars, have taken ballroom dance lessons, attended art auctions, sampled wine during tasting seminars and taken advantage of unique spa treatments.  

“On many ships the focus is on shipboard enrichment programs, often tied to the destinations visited during the cruise. These can include classes in everything from cooking and foreign languages to nature photography and personal financial investing,” Dale adds. “In most cases, the programs are highlighted by onboard experts - in some cases world-renowned experts - who give lectures and hold seminars.”

Believe it or not, while sailing on the Queen Mary 2, the infamous Dr. Ruth was onboard giving lectures. One of my favorite onboard activities I’ve attended in all of my cruises is the Queen Mary’s planetarium…very unique and quite the experience. I am just disappointed that I did not find the time to squeeze in an acting class with The Royal Academy of Dramatic Art.

CLIA’s Dale believes “the cruise industry was the first to respond to, and in many ways, shape current consumer attitudes and expectations about vacationing. Today’s traveler is interesting is doing things, learning new skills and discovering new ideas, places and people.”

A cruise ship in it self is a vacation without any ports of call. I encourage you during your next cruise to carve some time out to attend an enrichment seminar or try something that is not perceived as a traditional cruise vacation activity. But, watching the pool games are still a lot of fun!

Nestled far away from heavy traffic and pollution yet only a couple of hours from LA, a national treasure can be found. The town that surrounds it is filled with an eclectic group of nature enthusiasts, artists, poets and, since a military base is nearby, plenty of marines.

Joshua Tree National Park was proclaimed a National Monument August 10, 1936 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt and redesignated a National Park on October 31, 1994. A scenic drive through the park makes it easy to understand why. Fields of desertscape with different cacti and palm trees sprinkle the range. You won’t be able to view all 825,000 acres of the Park, but the vistas seem never-ending because of the vastness of land.

Birding in Joshua Tree is a fun way to spend the day, rambling up the fascinating rocks with a pair of binoculars. Spring is the best time for birding because of the wide spectrum of bird species traveling through. Stop by the visitor center for a checklist.

Camping is primitive. There is no water, so you need to be sure to pack in plenty of it. Since there is no water, that means no showers and no laundry to name only a couple of things affected by this. That is why a combo plan for the less than primitive campers works well. Harmony Motel located on 29 Palms Highway is a great place to clean up, but do spend the extra $10 to also set up a campsite. You don’t want to miss the evening sky in the middle of the desert with no lights for miles. It is an awesome site. Camping under the stars takes on a whole new meaning.

Use your room for a base camp, but also enjoy the history of the Harmony Motel, 71161 29 Palms Hwy, Twentynine Palms, CA (760) 367-3351 http://www.harmonymotel.com/. Many artists have left a piece of their work behind for visitors to see. The rock band U2 stayed here while working on their album Joshua Tree. The prices are reasonable and the location is nearby the Park and another local favorite spot, Pioneertown.

Joshua Tree National Park is located 74485 National Park Drive, Twentynine Palms, CA, off Interstate 10 and Hwy 62 (Twentynine Palms Highway). The closest airport is Palm Springs International. There are three entrances to the park. The west entrance is located south of the junction of Highway 62 and Park Boulevard at Joshua Tree Village, The north entrance is in Twentynine Palms, south of the junction of Highway 62 and Utah Trail, and the south entrance is at Cottonwood Spring, 25 miles east of Indio, via Interstate 10.

This Park is rich in history and beauty. From the Indians that traveled through it and pioneers that tried to settle it to the unique geology and brilliant night skies that cover it, this is one remote spot filled with sites to see and trails to hike.

Atlantis is not a hidden city anymore…it is a treasured gem in the Bahamas. Atlantis Resort offers tropical escapes for all ages with turquoise waters, sandy beaches, on-site dolphin encounters, fabulous pools, a water park complete with tubes, water slides through an aquarium and its sea life, fantastic cuisine, casino gaming, amazing views, tropical beverages, sharks, stingrays and more.

Aquaventure is the water-themed attraction on-site at Atlantis and offers something for everyone including the laid back beach-goer to the thrill seeker. Beware…there is nothing “lazy” about this lazy river! Get ready for the rapids and the surging waves…this was a highlight of the vacation. To have an on-site dolphin experience is a unique aspect…there is little to be desired when vacationing at Atlantis…everything is there!

The Baltimore Aquarium is a personal favorite, but there is something about experiencing a stingray and predator lagoon in the Bahamas! Atlantis’ marine life is first rate and is very impressive in the species on hand, but also in the lay out…every where you turn you feel as though you are in the midst of an island surrounded by sharks, stingrays and more! Atlantis’ Ruins Lagoon, which is a 2.7 million gallon exhibit brings the ocean to its guests up close with more than 20,000 species. There is nothing like it!

For accommodations, you can save money by selecting the Beach or Coral towers versus staying in the Royal Tower or the newly opened and very modern Cove suites. Harborside Resort traditionally offers a lesser-price option as it is “across the street”. If the goal is to have a vacation at Atlantis, then you can possibly consider forgoing the more expensive room in the Royal Tower without sacrificing any of the amenities; however, the Cove suites is a destination in itself and should be reserved as part of the actual experience. The Cove suites even have a private guest area complete with pool.

To further save money, Atlantis offers two different dining plans for tower guests and one for Cove guests to make this vacation option more affordable. In fact, the resort has two dining plans starting at $59 per adult, per day, both covering breakfast and dinner options, to choose from. The difference is that with the deluxe plan, you have more restaurants to choose from. Even if you stay at the new Cove suites, you can elect for its dining plan option. Something new is Atlantis is offering the dining plans for children under seven free…further making this vacation choice even more affordable for families. (Note: this price point and kid package is valid through December 18, 2008.) A further recommendation if you are traveling with kids, not all of the restaurants are kid-friendly…Nobu and Mesa Grill do allow kids as an example, but they must be a minimum age of six to dine.

Regardless of dining plans, a few restaurants I recommend include Murray’s Delicatessen for traditional, more home-inspired food. This restaurant is a la carte and is very reasonable for pricing. Another one of our favorites during our stay was Bimini Road, which is down in the marketplace area with lots of nightlife and shopping options. The food at Bimini Road offers Caribbean flare and great Mojitos! I am not a fan of buffets, at all, but I did enjoy the dining experience at Mosaic due to the unique cuisine offerings and the quiet atmosphere. Now, while I loved most of the food offerings, I dined at the Lagoon Bar & Grill for lunch and yes, the view is outstanding, the food was not as pleasurable nor where there a lot of choices (note: I was told the menu was going through a revamp).

I have traveled extensively throughout the Caribbean islands, the Bahamas, the South Pacific and Europe and there are not many repeat resorts on my list, partly because I get bored easily, which is why I love cruising; but, Atlantis Resort is on my list for multiple vacations due to all of its amenities, cuisine, entertainment and most importantly, overall quality.

My lucky daughter is traveling to Europe with her French teacher and a large group of students and chaperones. But before she heads off, there are a few important preparations we’ll need to handle. If you have a trip planned soon, you may want to consider some of the advice we have been given.

Plan on arriving at the airport at least 3 hours early, it is required for international travel. Give yourself a good cushion in case of traffic delays along the way. It is better to spend an hour in the airport coffee shop than to miss your flight.

Keep the luggage weight requirements in mind when packing. If you plan on bringing items back but are at your weight limit, you will need to arrange for shipping when you make your purchases. You can bring one piece of carry on luggage and, ladies; your purse doesn’t count as a carry on.

Pack comfortable shoes and mix and match items that can be used in hot and cool weather if you are going during the summer. Layer your clothes to get the most use of luggage space and to keep comfortable.

Be sure you have your passport before you leave the house, in fact, make two copies of it, put one in your luggage bag and keep the other at home in an accessible place in case you need someone to locate it for you. Bring a copy of your health insurance card and make copies of your credit cards to leave at home in case you lose them or have any stolen. It will make calling them in much easier.

Speaking of calling, be sure to notify your mobile phone service of your trip so they can unlock your phone for international calling card use. You can also rent a phone prior to leaving that you will return when you get home. Phone cards are another alternative. You should purchase these when you get to Europe, because some do not work in certain areas. Hotel phone calls are extremely expensive, so plan ahead to avoid the extra cost.

If you are going on a tour while you are there, remember to tip the Tour Director, tour guides and the bus driver. Remember that Europe is generally more expensive than the United States, and the dollar is down right now. Make a trip to your bank and order at least some Euros to get you started, the exchange rate is better there, so make the bulk of your exchange in Europe. When you visit your bank, have them flag your account for the dates you will be in Europe to avoid a hold on your account. Also, make sure your PIN is four digits, most of the machines in Europe will only accept four digit PIN’s. Check with your bank to make sure there is no processing fee or service charges if you use your card in Europe.

Purchase a security belt before you leave to hold your money while traveling and never pull money from it in plain sight. Go into a bathroom stall to replenish your pocket money, if necessary. Avoid pick pockets by not carrying a purse or backpack and travel in groups when possible.

These are just some of the precautions to take before you leave on your trip. Take your time and think things through to get the most out of your trip.

Weekend getaways are often times just what the doctor ordered to re-energize one’s mind, body and soul or to just have a little fun. Cruising on a three-night itinerary can fit the bill without breaking the bank. These cruises offer great cuisine, accommodations and entertainment as well as the opportunity to experience the Bahamian culture. Two cruise lines offering these options are Carnival and Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines.

Carnival offers sailings departing from Port Canaveral and Miami with Nassau, Bahamas as the port of call. Ships depart port on Friday afternoon and arrive in the Bahamas early Saturday morning. This allows for a full day to take in the sights, sounds and culture of the Bahamas.  Ships depart early Sunday morning and spend the day leisurely sailing back to their departure ports arriving early Monday morning. 

A variety of amenities are available on Carnival ships for all types of passengers. Camp Carnival provides activities for children ranging from board games to talent shows all under the watchful eyes of certified counselors. Spa and fitness facilities rival many land based resorts with rejuvenating treatments and the latest in workout equipment.  Entertainment choices abound in the form of comedians, live music and dance and seminars in the onboard lounges and meeting rooms. Fun for all ages is the theme on Carnival’s “Fun” ships.

For Royal Caribbean’s short escapes, the vessel also ports in Nassau with an added bonus port of CocoCay, the cruise line’s private island located in the Berry islands chain.  Passengers have exclusive use of the island and all of its offerings. Powdery white sand with swaying palms and turquoise water set the stage for this stop. A variety of water sports from jet skiing to parasailing are offered for the thrill seeker, along with kayaks and snorkeling for those looking to be more in touch with nature.

Fairly new is a racetrack with battery powered ATV’s for small children. Food and drinks are plentiful at the beachside BBQ lunch and the many tiki hut bars served by ships personnel. And, do not think that just because you are on a private island that shopping is not an option…there are a few stores on the island as well as a straw market type atmosphere, albeit on a much smaller scale. Bring cash when going on the island for any shopping souvenirs, but the ship card is required for any bar or water sport purchases.

There are numerous beach spots in CocoCay, including one offering cabanas and another that has many water sport activities, including a giant inflatable water slide (height requirement, so no young kids). Yet, despite having 2,000 people tender from the ship to the island, you can feel alone in the island by walking the paths and venturing into the water if the tide cooperates and walking along the sand bars. You truly feel as though you are in a tropical island paradise. The private island port of call that many cruise lines offer is a true vacation highlight.

These weekend sailings provide passengers with an opportunity to experience island adventure aboard a floating resort. Costs are often much less than all-inclusive, upscale beach resorts and can be enhanced with discounts offered for geographic location, age, occupation and group rates. Cabin preference and cruising season are factors that may require passengers to book months in advance to ensure availability of cabins and dates. Budget-minded passengers will often take a cabin guarantee instead of cabin assignment. This option allows for greater savings that can benefit the passenger with flexibility.

So in tight economic times, do not give up the dream of a cruise vacation. Consider a shorter itinerary that still provides all of the amenities, but for a lesser cost. The three-night cruise is a great sampler to cruising too to ensure travelers will enjoy this type of vacation without having to invest heavily.

With the nearby cities of Solvang to the northeast and Santa Barbara to the southeast, Refugio State Beach is the perfect camping getaway.

Whether you are tent or RV camping Refugio State Beach is a great spot to park yourself. This beach has great waves that can turn pretty intense on a dime. Maybe that is why the surfers love it too. You will see them hugging the far edge of the beach and riding one wave after the other.

The beach varies from clean and sunny to large seaweed piles and foggy, so be sure to have some other activities planned to fill in the down times. Tide pools on the north and south ends of the beach are fun to check out and stones and shells wash up every low tide.

Palm trees line Refugio creek, which runs north of the entrance. There are plenty of picnic tables, volleyball courts, and grass great for tossing the Frisbee. A small market carries everything from firewood to sand shovels.

Camping facilities are snug. There is such a demand for spots that they have decreased the size of the spaces and areas between campsites to accommodate more campers. So, if you find yourself next to a group of revelers, you might not get much shuteye. Eventually, the ocean pounding the surf 100 feet away should lull you into a sound sleep.

There are hiking trails all around, even a paved path to take you from this campsite to El Capitan State Beach a mile or two south. The lookouts along this path are beautiful and the kids can make the trip safely on their bikes.

Solvang is about 15 miles away, the perfect place to grab lunch and peruse shops. Wine tasting is a favorite event for this town, and don’t forget to try out the Danish pastries. Santa Barbara to the south provides tours of the historical mission, a zoo and other interesting spots.

Fishing from the shore is a favorite activity, the fisherman tend to stay clear of swimming areas and usually can be found in the early morning and late afternoon along the beach.

To get there head north on the 101 from Santa Barbara or south from Paso Robles. (805) 968-1033. Refugio SB 10 Refugio Beach Road Goleta CA 93117. Be sure to reserve your spot early as this campground fills up quickly.

In the height of continued rising fuel prices, increasing food costs and unpredictable air ticket prices, airlines are further imposing additional fees and eliminating or reducing services. All of this contributes to a more frustrating flying experience.

This week, US Airways joined the list of other airlines including Spirit and United for charging for the first bag checked. US Airways fee is $15 for the first bag and $25 for the second. However, there are some exemptions. According to the airlines baggage policy, all Dividend Preferred Miles enrollees are exempt for first and second piece of checked luggage that have met either the Silver, Gold, Platinum and Chairman’s Preferred levels. Those passengers traveling to and from Europe and Asia are also exempt; as well as Star Alliance Silver and Gold status members. While airlines typically charge a fee for an unaccompanied minor, US Airways is not imposing the checked baggage fee for this age group. Oh, and another perk for the “elite” traveler is those who are confirmed First-Class or Envoy class passengers at the time of check-in as they will not have to pay this new fee. They are not charging active duty service members on travel orders up to a certain weight limit as well.

Carry on luggage appears to be the only way to avoid this fee, but just wait as I’m sure this is in the works. The airline industry is becoming a carnival where you pay an entrance fee, then are nickled and dimed throughout the entire “experience”.

These fees are not the only less than desired customer service decisions being made by the airlines. US Airways has also announced the ending of curb-side check-in at many of the airports it serves. What’s next? Passengers will have to stand in line and actually place its luggage in the cargo hold of the aircraft?

For frequent travelers who have earned “free” travel, forget this idea as now airlines are imposing a fuel supplement for this ticket. Delta Air Lines announced a $25 fee for domestic flights and $50 for international routes. Yet, jet fuel has increased by 102% over past 12 months. Airlines are taking efforts to reduce weight to help conserve fuel. An example of this is US Airways additional announcement this week that it is eliminating its in-flight entertainment system for domestic flights.

These cuts are not just affecting flyers, but its’ employees. According to an NBC Nightly News Report, there are 26,000 announced lay offs in 2008.

The culprit to most of these changes is speculators who are unnecessarily driving up the price of oil. Twelve airlines including Jet Blue, United, Southwest, Delta and more are reaching out to its frequent fliers to contact Congress to step in and take control of this problem that is threatening the continued airlines’ existence.

Even with living in a year-round tropical paradise, I grew up in the Mid West where summer trips to the beach were a highlight. Memories of summers on the Jersey Shore still to this day conjure up childhood experiences and stir up the senses. There is something about a beach escape that immediately puts me in “vacation mode”.

Three top beach vacations on the East Coast of the United States I recommend for families, singles, and couples include the following:

Ocean City, New Jersey: Ocean City is a “dry” town still today and provides a very family-friendly atmosphere. Its beach is wide and has some surf for boogie boarding. The Boardwalk is a “must do” for kids and adults of all ages during the day and night. There are rides for all ages and of course, the typical beach snack food including its famous fudge and salt water taffy. My favorite way to experience Ocean City is staying at a bed and breakfast, and yes, some do allow children. Just across the bridge into Somers Point is one of my favorite Jersey restaurants, the Crab Trap.

Nags Head, North Carolina: I discovered the Outer Banks as an adult and this is another beach destination that I look forward to sharing with my children. There is no entertainment venue here such as the Jersey Boardwalk scene, but the amazing beaches, wildlife, history, and excursions put the Outer Banks on the map. Again, this is not my choice for a hotel beach stay, rather it is set up for house rentals. These accommodations allow for large groups. The ability to cook together is one of my favorite aspects of an Outer Banks beach escape, not to say there are not some good local seafood joints too. I recommend a tour of the plentiful lighthouses and for those with an adventurous spirit, try hang gliding!

Miami Beach, Florida: This Florida hot spot definitely caters to those wanting a little more flare and excitement. The one thing that surprised me about Miami Beach is the size of the beach itself in terms of depth…regardless of how many people are there, I have never felt crowded. The water clarity and color is much more of the tropical feel compared to other beach locales North of this great beach spot. This is one beach town that has amazing hotels to choose from…one of my favorites is the Lowes Hotel. For those wanting a more South Beach feel, try an art deco hotel such as The Leslie. You can not beat the night life on South Beach with many salsa type clubs along Ocean Avenue and Miami’s Cuban cuisine is something I crave after leaving. Larios on the Beach, owned by Gloria Estefan’s is one establishment that I have frequented on multiple occasions. For shopping, I recommend driving over to Lincoln Road, which is another unique location.

Of course there are other great beach escapes up and down the Eastern coast that all have its own attributes including the Hamptons, Myrtle Beach, Hilton Head, Amelia Island and others. Whatever your favorite U.S. beach destination, just go away, step back into your childhood, and soak up the rays (don’t forget the sunscreen)!

Surrounded by massive multicolored boulders in a spectacularly beautiful landscape, Slide Rock State Park in Oak Creek Canyon provides you with one of the most scenic and relaxing recreation areas in Arizona.

This natural water slide is lined along one side with a naturally formed sandstone shelf sitting area and the other side has a rock that is a safe height to jump off of into the pool below. The rocks and boulders throughout the natural chute have been worn smooth by flowing water through Oak Creek Canyon. There are basically two slides, one a little above the other. If you get a good ride, you can shoot down both of them in one long ride. The water is brisk and it drops you into an even colder pool below.

Be sure to wear water shoes or old sneakers with some tread. Don’t forget, the rocks are slippery smooth. Take a short hike up the canyon for more stunning scenery. The park includes picnic benches, barbeque grills, volleyball courts, restrooms and a small market. There is a large grassy field and apple trees in the distance.

The park was originally the Pendley Homestead. Frank Pendley, the homesteader, established the irrigation system still used by the park today. After he established his orchards and a reliable road was built to the location, Mr. Pendley added vacation cabins along his land.

If you want to leave zipping through a water chute to the kids, there is bird watching, hiking trails and fishing along the creek. The trails are rated easy to moderate, and if you decide to do some fishing be sure you have the proper licenses. Brown trout is the most common fish in this area.

Slide Rock is nearby to several Coconino National Forest Campgrounds and the scenic city of Sedona, Arizona is just 8 miles south. If you are coming from Phoenix, take the I-17 west through Sedona to Hwy 89A north. If you are coming from Flagstaff, take Hwy 89A, 20 miles south. This drive has been rated by Rand McNally as one of America’s Most Scenic Drives.

This is the perfect spot to spend a fun-filled day either on your way to Sedona or even the Grand Canyon. Though you won’t have time for both in one day, definitely make it a leg of your trip if you are nearby. It is a memorable spot.