Valentines Day is almost here. America's most romantic hotels

Article from Travel and Leisure.
http://www.travelandleisure.com/articles/americas-most-romantic-hotels

Travel Weekly reports, this weeks most Viewed Cruise Ships

Travel Weekly reports, this weeks most Viewed Cruise Ships

• Allure of the Seas, Royal Caribbean International
• Oasis of the Seas, Royal Caribbean International
• Carnival Magic, Carnival Cruise Lines
• Celebrity Reflection, Celebrity Cruises
• Carnival Breeze, Carnival Cruise Lines
• Norwegian Jewel, Norwegian Cruise Line


I personally have folks on 4 out of the 6 ships names above, so  certainly makes sense !
Go here, view itineraries:  www.BestCruiseSavings.com

 

Carnival puts 15-drink daily cap on alcohol package

Article from Travel Weekly.
http://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/Carnival-puts-15-drink-daily-cap-on-alcohol-package/?a=cruise&cid=eltrcruise
 

Top 5 International Destinations for 2013 - Central and South America on A list

Reported by TravelMole

The survey says unexplored areas of Central and South America like Nicaragua and Columbia will be on traveler's "A" list this year. The site has seen significant surges in Latin America bookings compared to last year, citing Santiago (500 percent), Rio de Janeiro (156 percent), San Jose (145 percent), Buenos Aires (78 percent) and Lima (20 percent) as the most sought-after destinations.


Currently, OneTravel.com's overall top five international destinations for 2013 are Cancun, Manila, San Jose (Costa Rica), Lima, and Trinidad and Tobago.

Package bundling may mean lower seat availability on future flights

Package bundling may be the trend in 2013.  Reported by Travel Mole, buying 2013 flights early may be truly needed by consumers in 2013 !
http://www.travelmole.com/news_feature.php?c=setreg&region=3&m_id=Y!Y!Y!T_dT_d&w_id=8634&news_id=2004801 

Southwest says cut in line for cash

Reported by Travel Mole.  Interesting concept.
http://www.travelmole.com/news_feature.php?c=setreg&region=3&m_id=Y!Y!Y!T_dT_d&w_id=8634&news_id=2004798

 

Cruise Rates for 2013 are most definately climbing and dates selling out

Since before the first of the year, cruise rates are most definately climbing.  Just last week alone, two groups finally put down there deposit, after talking about their cruise, for over 30 days, and rates had gone up by $ 50 per person.

The industry tries to get folks to start booking their next year vacation, as early as September, the year prior, and even available, usually between March and May. Many folks will look at their cruise (why, if you're not going to buy right then), yet, do not plan to confirm plans till first of year.

Estimated, 50%, of many sailings are filled by first of the year.  The more cabins sold on any date, is what drives rates up !  Folks have no idea, unless they looked, many months back, what they could have saved !  So waiting till the first of the year, is actually not the wisest !

The rule of thumb is, those who book early and those who book last minute, most often, get the same rates.  The best value in booking early, is getting the better cabin. 

It's so amazing, to hear folks call, last minute, and some of their first words are, "I want mid-ship".  Understand, if you are a last minute buyer, this can not be part of your criteria.  Your only chance at getting mid-ship, when buying last minute, is if someone bought early, and then cancelled, and then that cabin is there for you.  Matter of fact, when folks call last minute, and I find a mid-ship cabin, my comment is always to them, "looks like someone has cancelled, so there is available, a mid-ship cabin".  Who know if they hear the value in what was there ?

Folks often ask me, what is early and what is last minute.  Early is 9 months to 15 months in advance.  So if folks have booked as early as 15 months behind, those 9 monthers, are already 6 past these other folks (who are getting better cabins).  And what is now last minute ?  If you are booking 6 months or less.  Cruise lines are running their last minute sales now at 6 months prior.  So when you call 3 months prior or even one month prior, you don't realize, but you are banking that folks have cancelled so their is space !

My point is, it's already 2013.  And if you've yet to begin looking, or looking and have yet to confirm, I wouldn't continue to wait.  This is Wave Season.  More cabins are selling right now, for your date, and driving your rate up !

The race is on, with Wave Season !  Will you get in !  Have you picked up the phone and started dialing yet ?