Fellow Travelers!

I am delighted to announce the official Leisure Larry Newsletter is here!  The mission of this newsletter is to give you a taste of all of the great travel offerings by showcasing some of our current and exclusive cruise and vacation packages.  To receive this newsletter, sign up here.  

I recently taught a course titled Consumer Guide to Discount Travel, and to my delight, I found myself learning as much from my students as I was imparting to them.  I welcome you to contact me directly at Larry@LeisureLarry.com and share your interests and concerns.  I promise to personally answer all e-mails and give you my honest opinion and assistance where it is needed. 

 After 35 years in the travel industry, I have seen vast changes which have transformed the whole scope of the vacation experience.  Nevertheless, the concept of offering the traveling public attractive cruise and vacation packages at unbeatable prices has always been a great source of pleasure to me! 

 Here are some of my top picks this week:

Grand Bahama Island 4 Day/3 Night Oceanfront One Bedroom Condo Including Air From $279 Per Person

Whitehall Hotel- Chicago, Illinois- December Prices from $134 Per Night

Free Hotel Night with Any 7 Night or Longer 2009 Florida Cruise Departure-Expires 12/31/08- Mention Code OV1

 Friends, I know it has been some time since I have checked in.  The truth is we have been busier than ever as more and more discounts have been made available by the major cruise lines.  Rough economic waters for the cruise industry means incredible deals for consumers.  I am seeing deals on vacation packages this season that I have not seen in some times.  My respected colleague, Arthur Frommer recently made this post on his blog about just one of many of fantastic deals.  I wanted to share it with you.  More coming!

A welcome departure from those standard winter cruises of the Caribbean is Larry Fishkin’s 17-night sailing to Rio and Buenos Aires for only $1,249, including airfare back home

At a cost that works out to an amazing $74 a day, a cruise along the coast of Brazil to Rio de Janeiro and then on to Buenos Aires is one of the great bargains of the upcoming winter season. It departs Fort Lauderdale on January 31 (on a brand-new ship; see below), heads through a cluster of Caribbean islands (stopping in Dominica and Barbados), crosses the Equator, and then stops in fabulous cities of Brazil – Fortaleza, Recife, Salvador and Rio de Janeiro, before heading for a final visit to Buenos Aires. And from Buenos Aires, you are flown back to Miami, included in the overall price of $1,249 per person, based on double occupancy in an inside cabin.  The ship is the new 113,000-ton Carnival Splendor, less than a year old.

 Government taxes and fuel surcharge amount to $446 per person, and your return date from Buenos Aires is February 17, 2009. You’ve had an exotic cruise of ports at the very peak of the winter season (which is torrid summer in Brazil), and you’ve had no airfare expense other than to Fort Lauderdale or from Miami.

Stewart Chiron, Tom Parsons and I announce incredible low cruise deals on On The Go Travel with John Hamilton on KGO AM 810.  Click here to listen.   

  Seven day Caribbean cruises for $399! Caribbean vacations discounted by 50% with free airfare! Hotel rates for popular Florida and California resort destinations priced 50% less!  These are only a few examples of a seemingly endless stream of deeply discounted vacations available this fall.

This defies the traditional economics that would lead one to believe the higher energy costs and rising commodity rates would negatively impact consumer prices.  Instead, value seeking vacation buyers will find a wide choice of flights, cruises, and land-based vacations at rates equal to or lower than previous years.

This apparent anomaly can be explained through another classical economic model, the supply and demand equation.  Softer demand can be attributed to a combination of a hotly contested election, a slowing economy, and a well publicized Wall Street economic crisis, while supply of cruise cabins and hotel inventories continue to expand.  Even in the airline sector where supply has diminished due to significant flight reductions, competition has prevented the airline industry from passing on the full brunt of fuel costs.

In the cruise industry where onboard revenue represents a significant portion of the overall profit picture, cruise lines are willing to seasonally reduce fare yields to insure full occupancy. For example, a thirteen day transatlantic cruise from Barcelona to New York on the Norwegian Gem is being offered at the quoted retail rate of $345 per person.  The rate is roughly $26 per day plus fuel surcharges and taxes!

Will this trend continue or should the value oriented traveler wait for the next round of price reductions?  No one can predict the future with certainty but the chances are better than 50/50 that with the election over, and the weather turning cooler, prices will likely rise into 2009.  My recommendation is to take advantage of this lull and book your 2009 vacation early this year.

With the current state of the economy and recent tropical storms that have hit the U.S.; Arthur Frommer asked me to return to his show and answer some tough questions regarding Florida travel and the current state of the cruise industry.  Listen to the interview here.  

Advance planning does not in and of itself guarantee a stress free vacation.  It’s just that the alternatives increase the probabilities that things will go wrong, and under the worst case scenario, place the entire vacation in jeopardy.

Cruise travelers flying to take a cruise vacation and arriving the same day as the cruise departure date may be rolling the dice unnecessarily.  Flight delays and outright cancellations have became commonplace as the airlines reduce their flight schedules in an attempt to maximize passenger loads.  Weather is another factor which may alter travel plans.  The vast majority of cruise passengers purchase their air travel separately from the cruise lines, not realizing that the lines are not responsible for late arrivals.  When you “miss the boat”, the only solution is to overnight and purchase a ticket to the next port of call (when permitted).  For a family of four, this delay can result in $1500 or more in unplanned expenses, plus one or more days being deducted from their vacation.  Even in the instance where the cruise line is responsible because an air/sea package was purchased directly from the line, the passengers are inconvenienced and lose vacation time.  The plan ahead solution is to arrive the day prior to departure and awake the next morning knowing that you have a relaxing day ahead of you.  It may cost a bit more but per my example, is well worth the additional expense.

For land based vacationers using air travel, the time of airport arrival prior to flight departure is critical.  Late arrival in the current airport environment is a sure formula for spoiling the start of your vacation.  The inconvenience of security procedures multiplies dramatically when time is a critical factor in making the gate prior to its closing.  You also stand the real risk of having your baggage routed to a later flight which may adversely affect your travel plans in a multitude of ways.  Arriving at least 90 minutes prior for domestic and 120 minutes prior for international is a minimum guideline which should be observed by all travelers.

For air or cruise passengers driving significant distances to reach their destination, caution is an appropriate response.  The list of causes for arrival delays is long and should elicit concern.  Mechanical breakdowns, traffic tie-ups, and weather related closures are a small part of the overall realm of snafus which are an everyday experience for millions of drivers.  Arriving the day prior resolves the issue.  Some hotels close to airports and cruise ports offer reduced rate parking expenses compared to municipal parking which is an added benefit.  The savings over a one week vacation may well equal or be more than the cost of the hotel overnight.

As we have seen, precaution and anticipation of what might go wrong is a key to smoothing out the unpredictability of travel in our era.  Lower costs related to same day arrival at cruise ports and airports may in fact result in much higher costs in the long run, as well as considerable disruption in vacation plans.

For additional blog entries on travel-related subjects, visit http://www.LeisureLarry.com.

Whoever came up with the original adage, “there’s no escaping death and taxes” might have had the modern day travel consumer in mind.  As a result of consumerism which forced suppliers to define and quantify each additional tax, fee, or surcharge passed on, we are all painfully aware of all the additions which are a common feature of purchasing almost all travel related products.

If we examine these charges as a function of overall expenses, we’d find that while basic travel costs have remained stable or risen modestly consistent with inflation; added costs as a separate item have exploded especially since September 11, 2001.  Parts of these sums are a clear recognition that tightened security measures, which are an absolute necessity, are partially funded by the traveling public.  Everyone demands a safe environment and there is little complaint about this.

However, some costs are an attempt by local, state, and national governments to create revenue opportunities on travelers and visitors that might otherwise require increased taxation through other channels.  Hotel occupancy taxes (local and state), car rental taxes (local and state), and increased passport fees are but a few examples of revenue enhancers which travelers are forced to pay.  Some foreign governments collect significant departure fees from outbound tourists which are rarely mentioned in promotional materials.

When will this trend towards increased fees moderate?  I believe that suppliers and governments are beginning to reach a point where future increases will be evaluated based on their effect on overall tourism.  Due to new requirements, a family of four traveling abroad will invest over $400 fulfilling passport requirements alone.  A weekend cruise with a base rate of $250 will add over $100 in Taxes and Non-Commissionable Fees.  With the current economic slowdown and increased consumer awareness, governments may become more cautious in their approach to the traveling public.

In the meantime, I advise all travelers to verify that all fees paid are required by law.  Car rental companies commonly offer insurance coverage at exorbitant rates which may duplicate exisiting coverage for many renters and can be declined.  Rental agents push the coverage because they are bonused based on insurance sales.  Some low cost air carriers are adding trip cancellation insurance and other optional fees to the online purchase of air transportation requiring the online buyer to delete the options before arriving at the final invoice.  Where choice is possible, I recommend using caution and only purchasing those items that are necessary.

For most new and experienced cruise passengers, arranging shore excursions is an easy task.  Either you can reserve your tours in advance online prior to your departure, or visit the shore excursion desk onboard during your cruise.  To simplify matters even further, port lectures are available prior to arrival in each port offering guidance and suggestions.

As part of the desire to satisfy consumer preferences, cruise lines have significantly expanded the scope of choices to accommodate individual interests.  Long time cruisers and first timers have to be impressed with the variety of shore excursion options offered by virtually all cruise lines. Sports themes such as hiking, rafting, and cycling are just examples of special interest tours commonly available.  Passenger literature defines the level of physical activity required for each trip so that passengers are not expected to perform tasks which they are unable to do.

In spite of the expanded inventory of excursions available, there is still a minority of passengers who choose not to reserve their shore experiences through the cruise line channel.  There are three common reasons for this:

1.     Budget – Cruise line sponsored shore excursions tend to be pricy and this is especially true for families.

2.     Special interests not covered – Despite the expansion of offerings, there are many interests which are not adequately covered.  For example, art history buffs visiting Florence might want to spend time at one particular site.

3.     Prefer to set your own pace and agenda – By definition, a set itinerary does not allow for individual variations.

Here are some suggestions to accommodate cruise passengers who are arranging their onshore experiences independently:

• 1.     Budget minded passengers can either hire a private driver/guide, utilize public transport, or in some cities walk to the major sites.  Families of four will find that their cost of hiring a private driver/guide may entail 50% or more in savings compared to taking the equivalent tour arranged onboard.  There is also the convenience of setting your own pace and basing the itinerary on your interests.
• 2.     Another option designed to reduce costs is to utilize public transport in major cities.  For example, passengers arriving in the port of Piraeus, Greece may opt to arrive in Athens via a new subway line connecting directly to the Plaka and other major points of interest.  Local English speaking guides are available at the major sites of interest and will provide the same commentary as the ship arranged tours at a significantly reduced rate.  Arranging public transport  does require more effort than the alternative but gives the added benefit of traveling with the local inhabitants, and an alternative to the insulated motorcoach.
• 3.     In some ports, organized shore excursions similar to those offered onboard are available upon arrival at port.  The savings is commonly 20% to 40% for a comparable experience.  Please check the credentials of the tour company providing the service.  Government license and insurance is an important factor in your choice of an alternative tour.  Don’t be embarrassed to ask for their documentation.

As we have seen, shore excursions are an important factor in the enjoyment of the overall cruise experience.  Ship sponsored tour choices are available prior to departure.  The guidance and advice of a qualified cruise consultant should be used to assist in making decisions.  More adventurous passengers may choose the independent route but should do their homework to determine what their plan of action will be at each port.

I recently had the pleasure of being a guest on The  Travel Show with Arthur Frommer on WOR News Talk Radio 710.  I was asked to discuss the launch of my new venture- Travel Themes and Dreams  and the cruise packages we offer for a significant discount by bundling travel services. Listen to the interview here.  

For many first time cruisers, the decision of which category of cabin to choose is a bewildering and complex decision.  A good first step might be defining terms in the hopes of clarifying the options.

Most cruise cabin layouts can be summarized into four different cabin types:

Inside cabin                                              

Interior or inside cabins do not have a window or ocean view or any natural sunlight.  Many inside cabin decorations feature a window treatment to give passengers the illusion that a view is available. The inside cabin is the least expensive option but still affords the budget traveler all of the same out of cabin amenities enjoyed by other passengers.

 Outside cabin                                                             

The standard outside or ocean view cabin has either a porthole or full picture window from which the passenger can look out.  Views can vary from open water to more interesting sights such as glaciers in Alaska or city views when arriving or departing different ports.  Contrary to popular myth, all outside cabins are above the water line regardless of the deck location.

Balcony or Verandah Cabin                                            

A step up from the outside cabin and a cabin category in increasing demand is the balcony or verandah cabin.  Most balcony cabins have a large ocean view window punctuated by a door opening out to a balcony or verandah.  Balcony size varies according to ship and cabin category.  Most standard cabin balconies are large enough for a couple to sit out and read or converse.  There is often a small table in between the chairs where a drink or other items may be placed.

 Suites

Suites vary in size from Junior Suites which may be slightly larger than a balcony cabin to one bedroom suites which have a bedroom apart from the main area and can be double or even triple the size of other cabins.  Many suite balconies are larger than their standard verandah cabin counterparts.  Bathrooms also tend to be more spacious than the standard cabins and may have additional amenities such as whirlpool tubs.Full information on cabin types is readily available online, in print, or from a qualified travel agent.Choosing the Right Cabin

Now that we’ve defined terms, we can progress to the heart of the issue.  Which cabin is right for you?   Without conducting a full interview of your background, I would not feel comfortable in making such a recommendation.  However, I can suggest some of the considerations which will assist you in the direction of making the right decision.  These priorities include:

Price

Since almost all modern cruise ships are one class, possible budgetary limitations should not preclude choosing a cabin which fits the finances available. In a one class environment, all facilities, entertainment, and dining are equally available regardless of cabin choice

Number of people traveling

A cabin which might be perfectly adequate for a family of two could take on an entirely different perspective by adding up to three additional persons.  Choosing one cabin or dividing into two or more is of course, also a budgetary issue.  In recognition of the increased number of families taking cruises, some lines have added family cabins which are designed to comfortably accommodate additional persons.  Some cabins which are side by side may have interconnecting doors to become adjoining as opposed to simply adjacent. Some ships even offer interconnecting balcony doors in the event that there is not a connecting door between cabins.

Cabin location

Cabins located on higher decks are generally priced higher than cabins located on lower decks.  In most cases, most passenger facilities are located on mid to higher decks making the distance from lower decks to pool areas, spas, buffet areas, and other public areas further away.  The location issue is minimized by high speed elevators that contract the difference in deck location to a matter of seconds in either direction. On modern cruise ships which are constructed in a modular format, cabins on lower decks are identical in appearance and size to higher deck cabins in the same category. ConclusionMaking the right cabin choice may become easier by recognizing that cruise passengers enjoy the highest level of overall vacation customer satisfaction.  Most surveys indicate satisfaction levels in the 95% plus levels.  These statistics imply that while cabin choice can enhance the enjoyment of the cruise, it does not in and of itself determine the quality of the overall experience.  My recommendation is to review the options available with a qualified cruise counselor who can clarify the options available.