Looking for suggestions....

[AaronK]

Hi All.

My fiancee and I are looking to take a long weekend getaway at Christmas time (leave Dec 25, return home on Dec 28, back to work on Dec 29). Our only requirements are somewhere warm, and preferably not very costly. I'd say total budget would be around $1500. Anyone have any thoughts? We were looking at doing a cruise (Carnival has one that leaves on the 25th and gets back the 28th), but while the cruise fare wasn't bad, the airfare to Orlando was a bit excessive. I was half thinking Disney (its been years since either of us have been), but the costs, the airfare, plus its school vacation week make it not such a good idea.

Anyone got any suggestions?

[deangreenhoe]

Hi All.

My fiancee and I are looking to take a long weekend getaway at Christmas time (leave Dec 25, return home on Dec 28, back to work on Dec 29). Our only requirements are somewhere warm, and preferably not very costly. I'd say total budget would be around $1500. Anyone have any thoughts? We were looking at doing a cruise (Carnival has one that leaves on the 25th and gets back the 28th), but while the cruise fare wasn't bad, the airfare to Orlando was a bit excessive. I was half thinking Disney (its been years since either of us have been), but the costs, the airfare, plus its school vacation week make it not such a good idea.

Anyone got any suggestions?

$1500 for a total budget is tight since that time of year airfare is going to eat up most of that.

I did a quick check of potential warm spots. Aruba has the best airfare available I could see, on USAir, early out, late return, for $396.30 per person.

The problem is that most resorts that will take you for that short of a stay (most require a longer booking for that week since it's absolutely peaked out) are in the price range of $500 and up.

Using the air as a base, maybe your TA can tap into a wholesaler that has a room block that's a bit more reasonable.

Here's the least expensive fares, per person, tax and fuel inclusive, I could see using Boston as a Gateway. Everything else shot your entire budget with just airfare.

$396.30 Aruba
$477.30 St. Thomas
$496.50 Nassau
$498.98 Jamaica
$599.17 Cancun
$666.40 Punta Cana (Dominican Republic)
$692.80 San Juan

Most are in your budget if you pitch a tent on the beach. :D

For domestic, I'm showing:

$337.00 Miami
$335.00 Orlando
$445.00 Phoenix
$489.00 Las Vegas
$505.00 Tucson
$670.50 Palm Springs (yikes!)
$335.00 New Orleans (if you take an early return $360.00 if late)

Tampa, Ft. Myers and Ft. Lauderdale area all in the mid $400 range.

Of course, those quotes are in the minute, will fluctuate based on seat inventory that's left available at the time of booking.

[AaronK]

Thanks Dean.

Was just looking for suggestions, and I know that the timing is not good if I want a deal.

Vegas was an option, I keep getting emails that I can get dirt cheap rooms during that period.

[deangreenhoe]

Thanks Dean.

Was just looking for suggestions, and I know that the timing is not good if I want a deal.

Vegas was an option, I keep getting emails that I can get dirt cheap rooms during that period.

I threw out estimated pricing since a suggestion is of no use if it's over budget. ;)

Yes, if you can get to LAS, that time of year is always dirt cheap for accommodations, until New Years eve kicks in. Just don't count on the weather being overly warm. I've traveled to LAS in December many times and they can have some real cold snaps. I've been there more than once when it's snowed nearly down to valley floor in early December.

[AaronK]

Thanks again Dean.

I had considered Vegas for New Years, but decided it was probably not a good idea.

I'm sure I'll come up with something. The cruise sounded like fun, I just can't justify the airfare (nor do I really want to cruise Carnival, but that was the only one I could find that matched the dates I wanted).

I'll keep hunting.

[bodega]

Domestically it is hit or miss with the weather. Not many places are really warm in the US around that time. Even San Diego can get cold. I would pick a Residence Inn or similar place to stay at with a fireplace just in case!