You Can't Get a Dream Vacation From Last-Minute Vacation Deals

By Gerry and Margaret Waller

Stop the madness! Stop waiting until the last-minute to book your vacation.

Waiting and hoping to find a great deal is not the best strategy for planning your dream vacation.

Perhaps you have heard stories of people who booked a low-cost vacation just a few days before the day of departure. Maybe a friend told you he showed up at a cruise dock and was able to get a great deal on a sailing going out that day.

Let’s set the record straight. The so-called last-minute deals that some people talk about are not the ones that most couples and families want to take. Unless you are willing to vacation somewhere that was not your first or even second choice, stay at a 1- or 2-star hotel with minimal amenities and service, or have your family sitting in scattered single seats on a red-eye flight then you will be very disappointed with the options you find online or through vacation call centers. And the idea of showing up at a cruise line on the day of departure and getting onboard will simply not happen because cruise lines are required by law to have passenger manifests fully completed within 24 to 48 hours of departure.

Do last-minute deals exist? The answer is “yes.” You can likely find deals during the off-season at some locations and for some cruise itineraries. But you need to be prepared to put in the time to search out the deals. You also cannot expect to get your preferred dates, destination, or desired vacation requirements fulfilled. You will need to be prepared to settle for far less if you really want to take advantage of a vacation deal. You also need to be prepared to book the deal as soon as you find it otherwise it will very likely be gone. Most importantly, don’t be fooled by those very low prices posted at online travel sites. You will waste a lot of time on those sites only to find out that the prices are lead-in and do not include additional costs such as taxes and port or resort fees.

Another interesting fact to consider is that the term “last-minute deal” is really not accurate because the best timing for “last-minute” rates, especially with cruises, is 60 to 90 days prior to your desired departure date. The reason is because that is the time when cruise lines and in some cases all-inclusive resorts allow the travelers to cancel their reservations without incurring a penalty. That is the time when the cruise line or resort will offer reduced rates on available space that they want to fill and fill quickly. It's also useful to consider that the rate you would have paid by booking your vacation components a full year in advance could very likely be close to the last-minute rates being advertised.

It’s important to consider that dream vacations are not accomplished by waiting to book several days or even several weeks before your desired travel dates. Waiting until the last minute will not get you that dream vacation, but it will get you a cheap vacation. The best strategy is to call your travel advisor as soon as you have an idea for the vacation you want to take, or even if you’re just thinking of one. After all, you deserve a vacation that fulfills all of your requirements not one that limits your choices because you might be saving a few dollars.

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If you need help planning and booking a dream vacation of any type we would like to hear from you. Please give us a call at 847.825.7761 or contact us through our website at http://www.funfilledtravelers.com/pages/contact

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Gerry and Margaret Waller combine their years of travel experience and passion for dream vacations to help clients get the most out of theirs. They provide thoughtfulness, patience, and careful attention to details in planning and accomplishing every client’s needs and desires for new and exciting vacation opportunities. Whether it is a luxurious cruise, relaxing resort and spa, or an adventurous escape from day-to-day lives, Gerry and Margaret go above and beyond to help turn your vacation dreams into dream vacations.