family travel

The 7 Times You Shouldn’t Tip On A Cruise

Many cruise travelers are confused about when, whom and how much to tip.

Most mainstream lines automatically charge passengers a daily gratuity, yet still expect them to fork over cash for luggage porters, room service deliverers and tour guides.

Here are 7 times for when you should not tip on a cruise.

Do not tip when…

  1. You buy a drink (a 15 to 18 percent gratuity is usually already included in the bill).
  2. You’re sailing in luxury (upscale small-ship lines like Oceania, Seabourn & Silversea, tips are usually neither required or accepted).
  3. You’re dining at a Specialty Restaurant (gratuities are usually always included in the bill).
  4. You’re at the ships’ Spa Facility (an 18 percent gratuity is usually included in the final bill).
  5. The Counselors at the Kids Club (the club fees are usually included, however you can give an additional tip if you are feeling especially grateful to those staff members who went above and beyond your expectations).
  6. The Plumber comes to your cabin to fix your toilet or shower (although it is tempting, onboard ship engineers do not work for tips).
  7. The Ship’s Captain or Cruise Director (they are not required to receive any tips or gratuities).

Follow these simple money-saving tips when on your next cruise.

Speaking of your next cruise, please contact Bargain Travel at 1-800-820-4567 (toll-free) or complete our online request form to book your next unforgettable and much-needed cruise vacation!!

10 Reasons Travelers Still Need a Travel Agent

In the age of technology, booking trips online is an easy choice for travelers. and yet the business of travel agents in the United States soared last year (ASTA reported) that more of half of all agents saw an increase in clients, transactions, and revenue in 2014 over 2013, and their profits are expected to grow 12% in 2015.

Here are 10 reasons that help explain why that is, from a customer’s perspective.

1) Accountability – A travel agent’s job is on the line with every trip. They are a real person clients can speak with to work things out.

2) Knowledge – Travel agents have been doing the job for years and know all the ins and outs.

3) More For Your Money – When booking an expensive trip, a travel agent can ensure that your dollars go a long way.

4) Setting An Itinerary – A travel agent can give a clear-cut schedule & keep records of what will be happening on a day-to-day basis.

5) Budgeting – A travel agent can help map out exactly how much a trip will cost, so there are no surprises.

6) Insurance – Things happen. A travel agent can offer insurance in a number of ways, from guaranteeing that your hotel is safe and the company and the company running the tour excursion won’t rob you, to actually advising on which insurance policies you need, from trip cancellation to medical emergencies. They also insure that you have the correct travel documents, so you don’t end up missing your plane or cruise. And when things do go wrong, travel agents have the resources and the contacts to get you to the head of the line.

7) Resources – At the touch of a travel agents’ fingertips, they have resources a traveler simply does not. Yes, we have the internet, but there is so much still left unknown, especially in places that are undiscovered.

8) Exclusivity – A travel agent knows the new destinations and the new places in them – and often they can get you in. Through their partners, they also often get freebies for their customers ranging from a free drink to an exclusive admission to a hot event.

9) Time Savings – A travel agent will spend time getting to know you and what you’re looking for, and then put together an entire vacation customized for you.

10) Leverage – Travel agents spend years developing long-term relationships and travel companies understand how important their repeat business is. Travel agents have leverage with most hotel companies, resorts and cruise lines, and they are more likely to get what they want than a single consumer.

In short, if you have never visited a travel agent, you are missing out on a chance to save time, hassles and aggravation – and often, money as well.

Please contact Bargain Travel at 1-800-820-4567 and allow our 40+ years of experience guide you to your next hassle-free and relaxing vacation!! You can also submit a land vacation request or a cruise vacation request and we will respond immediately with information on your next getaway!!

The 10 Most Anticipated New Theme Park Rides In 2014

With the 2014 Summer season just around the corner, theme parks will be standing tall this season. and not just in the metaphorical sense of proudly displaying their shiny, brand-spanking new rides. We’re talking about literally standing tall with coasters and other crazy contraptions that will reach absurd heights and make even the most steely-nerved daredevils quiver with fear. The most anticipated ride of 2014, however, will take Potterphiles deep underground for a face-to-(noseless) face encounter with “he who must not be named.”

10. New England SkyScreamer at Six Flags New England (Agawam, MA): What makes this ride unique, is that at 400 feet above the ground, it will be the world’s tallest swing ride.

9. Falcon’s Fury at Busch Gardens (Tampa, FL): Rising 335 feet into the air and freefalling back down at 60mph is intense enough, but the seats on the first-of-its-kind ride will tilt 90 degrees at the top of the tower so that passengers will be facing straight down before they plummet. Yikes!!

8. Zumanjaro: Drop Of Doom at Six Flags Great Adventure (Jackson, NJ): This NJ park already has the world’s tallest roller coaster, Kingda Ka. By piggybacking onto the coaster’s top hat tower, it will also boast the world’s tallest drop ride. Could you handle a 400-foot drop at 90 mph? Double Yikes!!

7. ThunderBolt At Luna Park, Coney Island (Brooklyn, NY): Its name may conjure memories of the classic wooden coaster that once graced Coney Island, but with its novel elevator lift tower and other decidedly modern touches, the new ThunderBolt will make its own waves at the seaside amusement area.

6. FireChaser Express at Dollywood (Pigeon Forge, TN): It only chugs along at 35 mph, which makes it accessible to all but the wimpiest of visitors. But the coaster, which features two launches — one forwards and one backwards — nonetheless packs a fiery punch and includes a cute theme.

5. Banshee at King’s Island (Mason, OH): With a ride time of 2:40 and the track length of 4124 feet, Banshee is the world’s longest inverted coaster and is getting rave reviews from ride fans.

4. Despicable Me Minion Mayhem at Universal Studios Hollywood (Los Angeles, CA): The supremely silly characters from the popular movie bring their supercharged antics to an engaging 4-D ride film. It’s loaded with laughs, and like the movies, includes some surprisingly touching moments as well.

3. Goliath at Six Flags Great America (Gurnee, IL): The anticipation is high for Goliath, which will boast a 180 foot, 85 degree drop and a top speed of 72 mph, which will make it the world’s tallest, fastest and steepest wooden coaster ride.

2. Seven Dwarfs Mine Train at Magic Kingdom, Walt Disney World (Lake Buena Vista, FL): It’s both a mildly thrilling coaster with a unique cradle design that allows the cars to swing back and forth and a compelling “dark ride” that takes guests into the colorful mine to see the Seven Dwarfs at work. The animated characters are particularly stunning in the attraction, which is the capstone of the park’s New Fantasyland expansion.

1. Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts and the Hogwarts Express at Universal Studios Florida (Orlando, FL): Universal is promising a mind-blowing, next-generation ride experience in its second Potter-themed land. The coaster will use immersive 3-D imagery to take visitors to the subterranean netherworld under the Gringotts bank where they will face off against fire-breathing dragons and the villain to end all villains, Lord Voldemort. Getting to the new Dragon Alley land will be nearly as much fun, as the Hogwarts Express will shuttle muggles from the original Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade on a tricked-out, effects-packed, vintage steam train.

Don’t let this 2014 Summer season slip away without trying at least one of these new theme park rides! Let us make it happen for you! Please call Bargain Travel at 1-800-820-4567 or send us a land package request quote form and allow us to book your next fun-filled theme park vacation!!

The 10 Best Cruise Lines for Family Reunions

A key to a happy family reunion is a combination of fun activities, togetherness and down time. Cruise ships provide a perfect venue for multigenerational groups because everyone is free to do their own thing — play or lounge by day, dine together at night.

Here are the 10 best cruise lines for family reunion cruises:

  1. Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines (RCCL)
  2. Disney Cruise Line
  3. Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL)
  4. Holland America Line
  5. Celebrity Cruises
  6. Carnival Cruise Lines
  7. Crystal Cruises
  8. Cunard Line
  9. Princess Cruises
  10. Oceania Cruises

Please call Bargain Travel at 1-800-820-4567 or send a cruise vacation request form and let us plan your next memorable family reunion cruise today!!!

Party Time: Best Caribbean Spring Break Islands

While the history of Spring Break dates back at least to the 1934 visit of the Colgate University swim team to Fort Lauderdale, it was the 1958 novel and 1960 film “Where The Boys Are” that enhanced it in American pop culture. For some college students, the tenuous coming-of-age angst of that movie has morphed into a week of no-holds-barred bacchanalia. These days, breakers know no boundaries, and popular Caribbean destinations including Nassau, Cancun, Puerto Rico and Jamaica compete for college students craving for a respite from snow and studies. A much milder experience awaits many families, who use the spring closure of K-12 schools to warm up and recharge in a tropical setting. Still other travelers seek only to relax in an isolated locale or to give back via volunteer activities. Here are options for all:

  • Jamaica (Montego Bay & Negril)
  • Cancun
  • Nassau & Paradise Island, Bahamas
  • Trinidad
  • Dominican Republic (Punta Cana)
  • Turks & Caicos
  • Puerto Rico
  • Saint Lucia

Spring Break season 2014 is around the corner. Please call Bargain Travel at 1-800-820-4567 or send us a land vacation request quote so we can begin planning your next well-deserved Spring Break getaway!!

10 Cruise Ships To Sure Please kids

Cruise lines cater to more than 1.5 million kid vacationers a year. It’s no wonder cruise ships are such a draw for families — there’s lots of stuff for the younger set to do. While the kids are occupied in organized activities programs, adults get to enjoy some downtime. When the whole family is ready for some togetherness, waterslides and other fun play areas provide places for creating memories. These 10 cruise ships have the most kid appeal.

  1. Oasis Of The Seas (Royal Caribbean Cruise Line)
  2. Allure Of The Seas (Royal Caribbean Cruise Line)
  3. Norwegian Breakaway (Norwegian Cruise Line)
  4. Norwegian Getaway (Norwegian Cruise Line)
  5. Disney Dream (Disney Cruise Line)
  6. Disney Fantasy (Disney Cruise Line)
  7. MSC Divina (MSC Cruises)
  8. Carnival Breeze (Carnival Cruise Line)
  9. Carnival Sunshine (Carnival Cruise Line)
  10. Royal Princess (Princess Cruises)

Let us make this cruise getaway a reality!! Please call Bargain Travel at 1-800-820-4567 or send us a cruise vacation quote request so we can begin planning your next memorable family cruise vacation!!

Tips For Stress-Free Holiday Travel

Along with seeing friends & family, the holidays mean crowded airports and packed roads. The American Automobile Association (AAA) predicts that 43.4 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more from their homes to celebrate this Thanksgiving. Millions more will be flying and driving over the Christmas break. Lessen the aggrevation by maintaining your sense of humor, allowing extra time for everything, and by following these stress-busting strategies.

Strategic Planning:

  • Travel On Less Busy Days
  • Consider A Smaller (Regional) Airport
  • Lighten Your Load (Luggage)
  • Bring The Correct Travel Documents (Especially When Traveling Abroad)
  • Pack Insurance Cards & Insurance Forms
  • Battle Germs (Bring Sanitized Wipes)
  • Make “What If” Plans When Meeting Up With Family/Friends (Just In Case Your Cell Phone Battery Dies or When Cell Service Is Not Available)
  • Keep The Essentials Handy (Extra Battery Packs for Phones & Video Games, Diapers & Bottles for Babies)

At The Destination:

  • Do a Safety Check (Escpecially When Traveling With Children)
  • Know The House Rules
  • Bring Or Buy Special Needs Foods (Especially If Some Family Members Are On A Specific Diet or Only Eat Certain Foods)