LeeAC63

HI everyone. I am planning a trip for Sept 2007. My research, so far, has led me to decide on Waikiki. I will be traveling from NY with my husband and 4 Adult kids, Ages 20-22. I'm thinking of doing an all inclusive package. I've seen 6- night packages including airfare hotel breakfast dinner and daily excursions and activities for about $1800.pp. Is this a crazy amount or are these all-inclusive packages a good deal? I have no idea what the flight alone would be, so I can't tell if the whole package is worth it. My main dilemma is that it is my son's wish to take a vacation within his first few days back from Baghdad and at this point I want to plan the trip, but I don't know his arrival date. So I can't even get an idea of a plane fare. I just know it will be sometime in early to mid Sept. And I figured with these packages I could buy the vacation insurance if we have to change our date. I wouldn't be able to do that with a regular plane ticket, would I?
Also, if anyone out there knows of any all inclusive packages or companies I should look into, please send me their names.
Thanks, Lisa

simpsonc510

Your best bet might be a package that includes air, hotel, maybe a couple of tours, and daily breakfast. I would want the flexibility of trying out some of the restaurants on Waikiki, rather than always having to eat at the hotel or with the "tour" package.

You might find that there are some days when you just want to relax and enjoy the beach and scenery and not have to jump on a tour bus.

If you pay for all-inclusive, will you feel guilty if you don't do everything you paid for? Something to think about... in my opinion.

Enjoy Hawaii!!

Rusty

Whether or not it is a good deal depends on what hotel is included in the deal. If the hotel is four or five star it is a good deal. If the hotel is a dump it is not a good deal.

It is not hard to find out what the cost of the flight alone would be. Check any airline or travel agent.

lcuy

YOu can get a rough idea of the airfare at www.sidestep.com. Just plug in a date and see. I've flown on Continental HNL - EWR for anywhere between $700 and $1100.

Depends on the airline (ATA? lots of layovers?)and hotel as to whether it's a "good deal".

You might also check with your airlines; some offer good deals on hotels when you buy your air ticket. This would get you the hotel and air all paid up, but give you the flexibility to choose your own meals and tours.

Another option might be www.RobertsHawaii.com

You can get travel insurance even if it isn't a package tour. Travel Guard will insure you based on the dollar amount of the trip. If you make your own arrangements, likely the only thing that would be non-refundable would be the air portion, as room reservations can be cancelled quite late without much of a penalty. Make sure you have the hotel cancellation policy in writing however...If there is a penalty, you might want to insure this amount as well.


Sept is a nice time in the islands. Good luck!

fdecarlo

All-inclusives are popular in places where not much infrastructure exists, and most guests won't be venturing off-property except for a limited number of excursions.

This is NOT applicable to Hawaii. There's so much to see and do there, at least some and probably most excursions included with the package won't match your own interests. And the package's choice of accomodations and meals may not (in fact probably won't) match your own tastes and preferences.

At least in Hawaii, with some research you can do much better both in terms of cost and enjoyment by booking your own reservations.

Linleedo1

If you have any Liberty Travel agents in your area, I would highly recommend booking through them. They can customize your plans. We had a fabulous 15 day Hawaiian vacation. They know how to get all the extras. We had no complaints. Best wishes.

LeeAC63

WOW! This forum is great!! You all have so much information to offer..I will definetly consider each piece of advice from each of you..I think I'm starting early enough to check into each angle and see what I come up with. I've been told that Hawaii is expensive and that was making me a little nervous, but at least you are all helping to steer me in the right direction..Any more Advice??? I'm open!

BarbAnn

Lisa, is your son in the military? If so, you may (through him) qualify for staying at Hale Koa. It is an Armed Forces Recreation Center. The hotel is ocean front, food is inexpensive, offers tours at special prices and has a small PX/BX in the hotel. If your son qualifies, it is a GREAT deal. Check out the website at www.halekoa.com.

JoanRAZ

I booked my Hawaii trip through Hawaiian Airlines. I tried booking the airfare, hotel, and car rental independently, but the deal through Hawaiian Airlines was the best. I also checked other "packages" and it was almost half as much as any other package. I booked in January for early Sept.

You can even do a multi-destination through Hawaiian airlines. I booked mine as a Multi-destination so we can start on Oahu and fly to Kauai and it includes all airfare, hotel, and car rental. It was by far the best deal I could find!

Joan

suze

I would never take an all-inclusive in Waikiki. My reasoning is there is all kinds of great and inexpensive food, literally everywhere!

I would consider a package for air, hotel, and car rental if that saves.

Myself flying from Seattle I always simply book plane ticket direct with Hawaiian Airlines, then book an inexpensive hotel.

If you are eligible for Hale Koa, that is an EXcellent suggestion above.

You can find the price of a regular plane ticket in two seconds on expedia.com (not necessarily to buy from them but it will list all the airline options available).

As others have said we can't judge the value of that price, not knowing which hotel it's at. I know people who go AI in Mexico, never heard of anyone doing it in Hawaii tho.

suze

As far as the Hawaii is expensive thing, not to worry. I was in Waikiki as recent as this January for a week and we found many reasonable if not downright cheap things. For instance breakfast specials for $2.99. Or dinner at a wonderful "shrimp shack" catering truck for $10.95. Lunch was a sandwich and mini-wine from the ABC Store for about $5.

boge

I just got back from Hawaii yesterday. Did the 3 island thing. I have a favorite hotel that I have stayed at twice in Waikiki. Nothing fancy but clean and newly redecorated. Not luxury. I just checked a price through NWA for flights and room at this hotel for 6 people, in 3 rooms, for Sept. 10 to Sept 17. Flight and room and travel insurance is $6850. I think you could do a lot of eating and activities for the $4000 difference. Like others said, there are plenty of food bargains. We eat breakfast at Galaxy for just over $3.00. Denny"s next door. Shrimp truck 2 blocks down the street. MMMMM Watch out for the ripoff places, Cheeseburger in Paradise, being one of them.
You may not all want to do the same things. This way you would have the flexibility to do what you wished.

I'm sure you may be able to find better prices on flights and rooms.
This is just my opinion.

999reasonsDotCom

I think the options to get a package deal is a good starting point.. get the cheap airfair a few days accomodation... then extend your flights and do your own thing.

We stayed in Waikiki a few years ago. I have to admit getting out of there was good too... it's kinda like Vegas by the sea... it all depends on what you like.

I would stay there for 1 or 2 nights and then perhaps head up to some of the other spots on the island.

One thing I found was you could get really cheap flights between Islands. and they are quick flights - eg 30mins... so if you can go up to Kauai or Maui.

So if you can spend an extra few days I would do something like : 2 - 3 days in Oahu, 2 - 3 days on Maui and 3 days in Kauai. Obviously you could split it up 5/5 or something.

We put some of our picks online and a few things to do: http://www.999reasons.com/content/view/41/54/

and

http://www.999reasons.com/content/view/40/54/

Have fun!

kingkevinkingkevin

go on a contiki trip
www.contiki.com
its way cheaper and much more fun for your kids

dusty56438

Get a package deal with air & hotel & car.

You can get out & do things on your own much cheaper than getting an all inclusive.

September (after Labor Day) has one of the lowest number of tourists in the entire year.

So you won't be out any if you wait.

Lots of Oahu info:

http://fodors.com/forums/threadselec...1&tid=34812564

LeeAC63

I can't believe how helpful all your responses have been for me..
Yes, My son is in the military. And this will be the first place he heads after a year in Iraq, so I will definetly check out the
Hale Koa..I think he deserves whatever they've got to offer at this point!!
And after reading all your suggestions, I think I'm going to ditch the all inclusive idea and check out the package deals with flight car and hotel and see how that works out. I am really loving all these tips and I'm going to print this up so I could look into all the sites you all suggested . Thank you all so much!

suze

LeeA~ What fun to help plan a trip like this. Glad we could assist you in getting started.

suze

All great tips (except for the Conkiki plug, I'd ignore that bit of advertising, but mostly because it doesn't apply to your question!)