TiaMaria

I am trying to put together a family vacation.
I'm finding the flight costs and layover times to be pretty crazy.

Right now I'm considering Aruba. Most flights on our way home depart Aruba 6:00am. That means we have to be at the airport 3:00am? or 4:00am? What a way to end a vacation.

What am I doing wrong in my search. I don't remember ever having such a hard time.

I've searched Kayak.com,Expedia,American,Continental.
I've tried every which way with dates and in every case where the flight is a decent price we are traveling an entire day due to layovers.
Any suggestions would be helpful.

Am I too early for good fares in March or too late?
Thanks
TM

virginia

hi tia, we'll need to know your home airport to help you much with this. and perhaps travel dates.
but aruba is as far south in the caribbean as you can go so it does take time.
however american has flights to miami at 8am, 8:55am,or 5:10pm. you might need to change airlines there but ...
aa also has a flight to san juan at 2:15 - and change airlines to get home.
hope this helps.

TiaMaria

Nice of you to respond.
Now we've gone and changed to Grand Cayman. The Westin can accommodate us.
5 passengers:
Departure from Newark,EWR:3/14,3/15,or 3/16
Thats a Friday,Sat,or Sun.
Back home 3/21, or 3/22 or 3/24.(Sat,Sun, or Mon) Thought coming home after Easter Sunday was a smart idea.
Confusing ugh? Just trying to get 7 full days relaxing and the other two days are travel days.

I found a good scenario on Sunday but it's gone now. It worked pretty well I just didn't know if I would get hotel
accommodations. This is a big pain!
I think the Caribbean is going to have to do without us.
TM

KVR

We found this to be an issue also. We can only fly Continental or American to the Caribbean unless we are willing to spend the night in Houston or Miami. Get a travel agent. My travel agent can find schedules that just aren't posted on travel web-sites. When we went to Aruba, she was able to get us a direct flight from Houston on Continental and our return was in the afternoon. Never found that on an on-line site. I've also found if you wait closer to the date of departure, schedules sometimes change. We're going to Curacao in April, but are waiting. My TA indicated that some of the booking companies she goes through doesn't even have listings out yet for April. It's still way too early.

TiaMaria

KVR: Hope you have a great trip.

I'll try a travel agent. Will they get annoyed if you don't book hotel also?

Thanks
TM

KVR

I've always found it cheaper to book a package (air & hotel). Unless your using FF miles or the hotel you want is running some type of special.

I just read your other post. I personally would avoid Cancun between Christmas and the end of April unless you like the college age party scene. Look into Playa del Carmen instead. About an hour outside of Cancun.

We really liked Grand Cayman, but found it quite expensive compared to other destinations. We loved Aruba and I think your older kids as well as yourself would enjoy it. Look at hotels on Palm Beach. Lots of resturants, bars, shopping and water sports. Something for everyone.

KeyGal

Did you check USAirways for Aruba flights?

caribtraveler

Are you tied to leaving from Newark That's where we usually leave from to the Caribbean. As I'm sure you've figured out that Continental is really your main option if you want a non-stop flight from that particular airport.

I don't think it's too early to look but Continental does tend to have high prices for Easter week trips .. with not much fluctuation. At least from my experience. One issue: You don't want to wait too long to book because it's a popular time for travel. I'm currently looking for flights to several Continental destinations to the Caribbean for Easter week and the prices aren't pretty!

Good luck to you.