Vacation options that cost less than cruise
 

Here's the deal:
Last year, me and my wife went on a 4-night cruise to celebrate our 2-year anniversary. We went the week before Christmas, so the rates were pretty good, ~$900 for both of us. It left from Port Canaveral, so it was long, but doable drive from Atlanta, GA.

We loved the cruise. I liked not having to worry about food or the cost of "some" activities--just enjoy the time with my wife. The warmer weather was a plus too. We snorkeled for the first time and we loved the fish and clear water.

Now, a year has past, and I kind of set a high bar to follow. We're young, we don't have "alot" of dough, so I need something that beats the price point of the cruise. I've seen that nice, mid-range hotels (Doubletree, Hilton Garden Inn, etc) in the Orlando area run about $100 a night during my dates (Dec 19-23). That would give about $500 spending money (before gas) before the cruise beats it. Is this enough to have a good time, without working to conserve money every day? Seaworld, Universal would be neat, but every day can't be theme park because that would eat up all the money. Is this a good idea?

Check out admission prices to various Orlando attractions - it is likely to make you fall over, so plan to be sitting down in front of computer before you check.

We always end up spending far more than we planned while in various theme parks - just a soda or bottle of water is twice what it is in the real world. But if you could exercise restraint on the cruise for paying for extras, you should be able to resist at theme parks.

Also check weather.com - Orlando is not really warm in late December - don't know if that is a plus or minus for you. One other thought is wondering how much you like being around kids - there will be packs of them there - even the week before Christmas.

Check out Sunday travel section - usually back page - in local paper. I was amazed at low cost of some Carribean all-inclusives, including air - many seemed comparable to cost of cruise.

Rent a condo instead of a hotel room.

While it may be a little more expensive than a hotel room, the money you save overall by not having to dine out for every single meal will save you in the long run.

GoT, it's pretty difficult to find a condo or house to rent in Orlando for less than a week, esp. at Christmas time...that is always our first choice for a week stay though. He just wants Dec. 19 - 23.

I think I could do two days at parks (and if you go to Sea World you get a 2nd day free, so that might make it three days w/the free day) but that is it for $500. Pushing it to 3 days in separate parks would mean not eating at all. And two days tickets means you must eat frugally - big inexpensive breakfast, very little in the parks, and inexpensive dinner. It is not hard to eat cheaply and decently in Orlando outside of the parks though. On your other days there are alot of other things to do, like visit Winter Park, etc.

But you need to be warned - I was in Orlando last year at Christmas for a week and it was FRIGID and WINDY. Gloves, hats, layers and coats. BRRR.

To give you some perspective on the cost of doing Disney, we actually took a trip to Paris once (on a budget) and it cost less than our trip to Disney with our two young nieces! You should check out some packages to Europe. You're flying from Atlanta so it'll be a direct flight (lucky you!). Congrats on year #3!!

We were shocked by the affordability of our first trip to Paris -- it was less than a week at the beach (to which we could drive) on the Atlantic Coast! Check out travelzoo.com for package deals that might be available for you at that time. You might be able to do a trip to the Dominican Republic (usually an all inclusive) or Cancun or Europe! Have fun :)

i live in new england and we have 2 charter package companies available (TNT and GWV). they offer unreal deals - especially in their last minute e-mails specials. i would assume if you contact a local travel agent they could name some local ones for you.
all charter trips go to all inclusive resorts so its exactly like being on the ship except booze is included too and you're not moving.
for example i just took a quick look at tnt and they currently list 2 trips boston to barbados for 899 and 999 for 7 nights.
good luck

Gave kids trip to Paris instead of cruise for Xmas --check Air France site. We used Gate1. Of course they went in Feb and it SNOWED!!!

I just thought of something else if you go to Orlando during that time period. Go to see "ICE" at the Gaylord Palms Hotel. It is a spectacular walk through ice scuplture exhibit, crafted by ice sculptors from China. Life size and bigger then life size sculptures, an ice slide that you actually slide down- really fun and great pictures. I have been to several ice festivals (the best one IMO is outdoors in Montreal in late January each year on the Isle) but this is the only one I have been to indoors and it is, well, very cool...and you can get hot chocolate at the Gaylord afterwards. This hotel is very close to Disney MArketplace, just across the I4 Hwy from it.

Thanks to everyone for the suggestions so far! I'm looking into places ya'll been mentioning, but if you think of anything else, please let me know.

Sign up for e-mail dates from travel sites like applevacations.com, funjet, libertytravel.

You can easily do some of the all inclusives in jamaica or the dominican republic on a budget.

Just for fun I looked into a couple of all-inclusives for you. Your budget is pretty low but definitely doable. The only problem I see is your dates since they are so close to Christmas. It seems the prices are so much higher then and availability is limited. Any chance you can change those dates?? For some reason I find myself wanting you to find the perfect place for your third anniversary!

How about South Beach? You can fly there for under $200 each and stay at the Kent (haven't stayed at that property, but I've read positive reviews) for $85 a night.

Also, look into Puerto Plata in the Dominican Republic; cheaper than Punta Cana but plenty of all-inclusives, which cuts out the spending once you're there.

If you're set on Orlando, maybe look into an All-Star Disney hotel (usually around $75) and look on eBay for partial passes? People will sell their partially used passes cheap... :)

Wow, you guys are great! stjohnbound, you mentioned that our dates are problematic. My wife's a teacher, so she gets the normal two weeks off for Xmas...so our dates could be flexible from Dec17-Jan1. Not sure if that helps or not, because I guess that's probably a peak time.

farealert.net

Can't promise anything but they sometimes have great last minute deals.

To throw my 2 cents in, the beauty
of a cruise is that in inclement
weather a "shield" goes over the pool
& there are activities galore.

If you wish to persue this type of vacation, pop over to Fodors Cruise
board & post a query.

There are a myriad of discount cruise
companies which are mentioned
in posts there.

Admittedly, I'm biased but I think a
cruise is more cost-efficient when
you tot all expenses (w/o going to
the "alternative" restaurants and/or
running up a large bar or casino tab).

Best wishes on your 3rd!!

I think the tricky part is the dates. There's lots of bargain 4/5 day package deals say for Mexico, etc. that could fit your budget (check newspapers and travel magazine ads) but those special prices are usually are blacked-out over the holidays.

Hey, here's an idea. How about Vegas? I don't know what the weather will be like but you may be able to get a good deal on a hotel, flight, car package. I noticed "Vegas Deals" on Fodor's home page so you might check there. Honestly, I've never been to Vegas and it's not tops on my list but a lot of people sure do like it. I know it's not all-inclusive but food it something you can do pretty cheap anywhere. And with a car you could explore the surrounding area.

There is a place called Westgate Lakes Resort on Turkey Lake Rd. I believe and they rent time share like condos on a dialy basis if you are interested in Orlando. We have paid $145.00 for a 3 bedroom 3 bath with a huge jacuzzi tub. Every time my friends from England come they stay there before flying home. It is close to everything.

I have never been but have heard some good things about those all inclusive hotels "Sandals" in the caribbean and there are good package prices sometimes.