Vacation Advice

[Donas64]

Calling all Mazda Forums Travel Agents / Travel Gurus!!!

I have a question. The wife and I are thinking about having little ones soon, but before we do that, we would like to take a little 5-7 day vacation/cruise/trip whatever.

We are a couple of meager means so we are trying to stretch a dollar. We are hoping to save up about 1k to take a decent trip.

Any ideas on the best trip inside or out of the USA for about $500 a person?

We're not looking for scam deals or anything, just what would be some good sites to check out or cheap fun vacations that won't break the bank?

Thanks.

 

[Smooth1]

Head to Las Vegas. Great deals going on there now. The wife and I go every year and love it. Went for the first time about 7 years ago and got hooked. You don't need to play the tables,unless ya feel lucky,we just play the slots. I've won anywhere from $200 to $500 each time.
Vegas is hurting right now due to the gas bs so they are giving great deals to get you to come. I researched our trip about 4 months ago and it was $1400 with hotel and nonstop flight. MGM Grand hotel sent us an offer for discount rates and got the same trip for $941. We head out in about 2 weeks and with the money I saved I got a limo to pick us up from the airport and to take us back when we leave. I'm getting emails from all the major hotels on the strip and some will even pay some of your airfare.
For the flight I always go thru Southwest Airlines nonstop flight. From here it takes 2 hours and 45 min. Go thru Expedia and others you will have layovers that can take the same flight up to 4 to 8 hours! The price difference is very small.

Sorry for the long drawn out response Donas.

 

[kipper88]

little ones are you nuts!!!
Actually i have three little ones but we never got to take our final trip before the first one came along thanks to the big surprise.

anyway....Riveria Maya mexico is great. Don't know if you can swing it for 500/person but if you can go there it is a great time. If you do go, it is worth going all inclusive. Food or drinks whenever you want.

 

[Donas64]

Thanks for the Advice. Yeah Vegas sounds like fun and something to do at least once. The wife and I aren't gamblers but just seeing the strip and catching a show or two and seeing the sights could be fun.

Thanks for all the advice. We're doing the research now so please keep the suggestions coming.

 

[Smooth1]

If your researching try booking your rooms from the hotels website. Don't go thru a travel agency. I'm not sure if the travel agency will have the same deals.

 

[daonly1around]

some of the best bang for the buck are cruises. I've been on two and depending on the length they usually run about 100 per person per night, and that includes everything except booze. Take one in late winter early spring for the Caribbean islands and the weather is usually really nice.

 

[Donas64]

Thanks for all the tips. We really wanted to do a cruise but didn't know if we could swing one for a grand. We're really looking into it though. Sounds like a lot of fun.

 

[daonly1around]

Thanks for all the tips. We really wanted to do a cruise but didn't know if we could swing one for a grand. We're really looking into it though. Sounds like a lot of fun.

check with carnaval, and get an interior room(no window or patio) and are usually a lot cheaper. our first one was a 5 day cruise and was 500 person and the second was a seven day cruise and was 700. but remember that the cruise includes food.

 

[Donas64]

check with carnaval, and get an interior room(no window or patio) and are usually a lot cheaper. our first one was a 5 day cruise and was 500 person and the second was a seven day cruise and was 700. but remember that the cruise includes food.

that sounds like just the deal we are looking for. Though I know my wife would want a room with a view but hey for a first cruise, we might be able to live with just being out on the open sea.

All this info will really help us make an informed choice. Websites are good and all but there is nothing like firsthand experience. Thanks everyone.

 

[daonly1around]

that sounds like just the deal we are looking for. Though I know my wife would want a room with a view but hey for a first cruise, we might be able to live with just being out on the open sea.

All this info will really help us make an informed choice. Websites are good and all but there is nothing like firsthand experience. Thanks everyone.

the only time i ever spent in a room is sleeping and changing clothes... TOO much other stuff to do then to sit in the room

 

[jred321]

get a disney visa. best deal you can get for the money. $315/person for 4 days/5 nights, theme park passes (probably want to upgrade to park hopper), and food. add in airfare and you're probably still less than $1000

 

[ScratchNSniff]

I would recomend Puerto Rico only because I lived there for four years...there is a lot to do including the Rainforest in the middle of the island, lots of very cool cities, and one end of the Island has great surfing while the other side is very mellow...I highly recomend it, and am planning on going back agian one day cause I kind of miss it...lol...may be something to look into...