Travel on a Budget

With all the worry about finances and jobs these days, we find many people are cutting back on luxuries and non-necessary items. Many times, this includes the family vacation, and this isn't necessarily a good thing. Vacations offer a respite from everyday life, and are good for the heart and soul. To take this essential 'down time' away from yourself may not be healthy, and can in fact be detrimental.



With this in mind, following are a few tips on taking affordable trips, so you can ensure you get enough balance and time away to handle your work stresses well.

• Make a list of what's important to you in a vacation and why. You may find that you can achieve the essence of your ideal holiday with a lot less travel and expense - maybe just for this year. For instance, if you're dreaming of Caribbean beaches and lounging in the sun, perhaps you can grab a cheap flight (or even choose to drive) to Miami and down into the Florida Keys, staying at a B&B and enjoying the many very private and beautiful beaches along the way. The Keys tourism industry, in fact, has been hit hard by these economic times, and on our last trip just under a year ago we found the local merchants and hoteliers practically begging for business. They'll be super-happy to see you, and you can enjoy turquoise waters and palm trees that just might fulfill your craving - for now.
• Use websites such as Priceline and Hotwire to find affordable options. These consolidators (click here for more information on how these work) offer deep discounts on everything from hotels to car rentals to airfare, and in conjunction with some great reviews to help you avoid places you may not enjoy, you should be able to put together the perfect vacation for much less than retail.
• Share rooms and/or look for hotel alternatives. In many instances, you can get fabulous deals at villas and rental suites instead of standard hotels. Many people own villas and suites in popular destinations, and in these times such owners are even more willing to be flexible on rental fees than usual. Try sites such as VRBO (vacation rentals by owner) and the 'vacation rentals' section of craigslist.com for local listings in many cities and holiday destinations.

Jewelry and Souvenir Shopping While Cruising

While there are myriad reasons cruisers love their cruises, the shopping is often at the top of the list. From straw markets in the Caribbean to fabulous fashion and jewels in Europe, the Middle East and elsewhere, shopping while cruising is always a unique experience.

Not only do you have the choice of purchasing wares from a number of different ports and thus more variety, you also have a built-in bluff that isn't a bluff - you really are leaving today and not coming back, and the vendors know it. They will do their utmost to sell you something, and you can use this to your advantage in most instances.

Even if you're a veteran cruiser, the following tips can help you make the most of your cruise shopping.

As mentioned, unless the port is an eco-friendly little beach, it will usually offer shopping opportunities (and sometimes even little beaches have vendors). From a straw market selling locally made crafts on a Caribbean island, to an upscale promenade featuring the latest designer fashions and jewels, shopping while cruising can be tempting, and many cruisers swear by it. You can get some fabulous deals on gold, silver, and gemstones in the Caribbean and in the Middle East, and in many places you can pick up unique crafts and jewelry not found anywhere else.

BE AWARE: Because vendors and shopkeepers on the cruise port routes are accustomed to seeing new potential customers every day, they can get quite aggressive as they know they have only one shot at convincing you to purchase. While you can use this to your advantage as mentioned above, it can be nerve-wracking if you're not prepared. Some tips for dealing with this include:

• Know what your budget is and stick with it.


• Try and pay cash rather than leave your credit card info..


• Know your exchange rates so you don't get ripped off.


• Deal with a reputable jeweler for expensive items, and preferably one that is registered with and approved by your cruise line. Some vendors use the fact that you won't be back as a chance to sell you fakes and poor quality items, so be prepared. Your ship's itinerary will list approved dealers, and by sticking with sellers on this list you will have some recourse should something go wrong. You need to be careful that you know enough about what you'd like to purchase that you can tell true value from overpriced garbage. What can we say? Cruise ships are filled with suckers in the eyes of some unscrupulous vendors, and you need to protect yourself.


• Always try and bargain, as prices are invariably higher than they should be and most vendors expect to bargain.


• Go with a sense of humor and do not let the pressure get to you. If you see something you love and the price reflects fair value, then negotiate and purchase if it feels right. It's your money and it should not leave your wallet lightly!


• Stay away from little trinkets that are just junk and can be found anywhere. For instance, you'll find the same pieces of driftwood, little stained-glass bottles and painted turtle souvenirs on every Caribbean island, each painted with the island's name as if it is unique and was made locally.

This should get you started on being aware and prepared for your next cruise shopping extravaganza.

Enjoy, and one last tip: don't forget to check out the stores on the ship. You'll find that prices tend to get a little cheaper as your cruise nears its end, and keep your eye open for sale days if you're interested in particular items. Most cruises feature special sales on different days - watches one day, art the next, t-shirts and souvenirs another day, etc.. Your ship's itinerary and/or guest services can help you plan your shopping around scheduled sale dates.

Happy cruising!