Saturday, March 14, 2009

Cheap Family Vacations

Alaska Cruise, 7 Nights from $499

The Real Deal Seven nights on a cruise ship, all meals on board, 24-hour room service, onboard entertainment and activities, fuel surcharges and port charges, and a $75 credit per reservation, from $499 per person—plus $124 in taxes and fees.

When Sept. 4, 2009.

The Fine Print Does not include $124 in taxes and fees per person. Gratuities are additional and will be about $11 per person per day (you can prepay them when you book). Based on double occupancy; single supplement starts at $210. The $75 credit per reservation can be used for spa services, alcoholic drinks, shore excursions, or tips and gratuities, but not in the ship's casino.

Book By Mar. 22, 2009.


Contact AlaskaCruises.com, 800/201-6937, alaskacruises.com.

Why It's a Deal The $499 price on this cruise is for an inside stateroom and represents a savings of almost 40 percent off regular prices. In addition, you'll get a $75 credit per reservation to use as cash on the boat. Note that this cruise is part of a larger sale at AlaskaCruises. Cruises on sale may include onboard credits, discounted cabin upgrades, and airfare add-ons.

Lodging Your ship will be the Celebrity Millennium, which holds more than 2,000 guests. Inside staterooms are 170 square feet with two beds, a sitting area, and a bathroom. The ship has a library, a conservatory with a flourishing garden, a Fun Factory for kids, a jogging track, and a huge pool.

Itinerary You'll set out from Vancouver, B.C., and end in Seward, Alaska, with stops in Ketchikan, Juneau, and Skagway, and a good look at the Inside Passage (between Alaska and coastal British Columbia) and the famous Hubbard Glacier.

More Add $99 per person for an Oceanview room, $310 per person for a Balcony room, and $1,300 per person for a Suite. Note that in the Balcony category and higher, you can tack on airfare at a reduced cost, from $399 per person out of L.A. (plus taxes and fees).

Before You Go Get some ideas for what to do off the boat on Alaska's official tourism site.


D.C. Hotel Packages, from $165

Hotel Madera, from $165 per room per night
The Cherry Blossom 2009 Package includes accommodations, two all-day Metro passes, and two Cherry Bomb cocktails at Firefly. The Madera is in a renovated historic 1960s building in Dupont Circle and offers a complimentary wine reception each evening—plus free valet parking for hybrid vehicles. Rates start at $165 per room per night. When Mar. 19–Apr. 12, 2009. DetailsContact 800/430-1202, hotelmadera.com. Does not include taxes of 15 percent. Based on single or double occupancy. Use promo code PCBP.

The Fairmont Washington, D.C., from $189 per room per night
The Cherry Blossom Package includes accommodations, complimentary valet parking (a $30 value), and a box of note cards with photos of famous Washington spots with cherry blossoms in full bloom. The 415-room hotel is in the trendy West End neighborhood, which abuts Georgetown. Rates start at $189 per room per night, which represents a savings of 17 percent. When Mar. 28–Apr. 12, 2009. Details Does not include taxes of 15 percent. Based on single or double occupancy. Contact 866/540 4505, fairmont.com/washington.

The St. Gregory Hotel, from $195 per room per night
The Cherry Blossom Weekend Celebration Package includes accommodations, breakfast daily, free parking, and a Blossom Cocktail served in the hotel's 21 M Lounge. Sunday's breakfast is a three-course champagne brunch featuring a live jazz performance. The downtown hotel has been a favorite of performers over the years (there's even a statue of Marilyn Monroe in the lobby). Rates start at $195 per room per night, or $390 for the required two-night stay. When Mar. 28–Apr. 12, 2009. Details Does not include taxes of 15 percent. Based on double occupancy; no single bookings. Only available Friday through Sunday nights. Requires a two-night stay. Contact 800/829-5034, capitalhotels.com

Hotel Palomar, from $204 per room per night
The Cherry Blossom Festival package includes a stay in one of the Palomar's stylish contemporary rooms (with animal-print bathrobes); a $40 voucher to Urbana restaurant, which will offer a special cherry dessert; two all-day Metro passes; and a welcome packet and gift. The Palomar is in Dupont Circle and offers complimentary wine in the evenings. Rates start at $204 per room per night. When Mar. 19–Apr. 12, 2009. Details Does not include taxes of 15 percent. Based on single or double occupancy. Contact 877/866-3070, hotelpalomar-dc.com.

Loews Madison Hotel, from $205 per room per night
The Cherry Blossom Blooms package includes Deluxe accommodations, one pound of Very Cherry jelly beans, and a donation to the National Capital Region Cherry Tree Replacement Fund. The fund helps the National Park Service maintain the historic trees and replace them when the time comes. Rooms have 300-thread-count bed linens, "Ultimate Doeskin" robes by Chadsworth & Haig, and 24-hour room service. Rates start at $205 per room per night. WhenDetails Does not include taxes of 15 percent. Based on single or double occupancy. Contact 202/862-1600, loewshotels.com. Mar. 28-Apr. 12, 2009.

The Liaison Capitol Hill, from $233 per room per night
The Cherry Blossom Getaway includes accommodations, a picnic lunch from Art and SoulWhen Mar. 28–Apr. 30, 2009. DetailsContact 866/246-2203, affinia.com. restaurant, 10 handmade cherry blossom notecards, and a fresh cherry blossom branch to take home. Opened just a year ago, the hotel offers a welcome drink to all guests and a six-choice pillow menu. Rates start at $233 per room per night. Does not include taxes of 15 percent. Based on single or double occupancy. Use promo code CHERRY.

Park Hyatt Washington, from $329 per room per night
The Spring Blossom Package includes an upgrade to a Park Deluxe room, a pot of cherry blossom tea from the hotel's rare and vintage tea collection, a choice of valet parking or breakfast for two daily, and a children's backpack. The Park Hyatt touts its 618-square-foot deluxe rooms as the biggest in the city; you can enjoy your tea in the room or in the hotel's tea cellar. Rates start at $329 per room per night, about 25 percent off regular rates. When Mar. 6–Apr. 26, 2009. Details Does not include taxes of 15 percent. Based on single, double, or triple occupancy. Contact 202/789-1234, parkwashington.hyatt.com.

There are even more hotel packages available on D.C.'s official tourism site.


Florida Hotels, from $85

Orlando, from $85 per night
Consider a vacation rental instead of a hotel to reduce costs. Rentalo.com has several properties in Florida, including Samantha's Castle, about six miles away from Disney World. Samantha's has a full kitchen, three bedrooms, two bathrooms, and a pool. Rates start at $85 per night, or $255 for the required three-night stay. When Through Aug. 26, 2009. Details Includes all taxes. The rental sleeps up to eight people and requires a three-night stay. Contact rentalo.com.

Daytona Beach, from $114 per room per night
This city's biennial International Festival has been hosting the London Symphony Orchestra for more than 40 years. You can see the orchestra with the Courtyard Daytona Beach's Celebration of Speed package: accommodations, two tickets to the LSO Pops! Celebration of Speed Concert (a $62 value), two tickets to the Daytona 500 Experience, and a souvenir book. There are upgrades available for better orchestra tickets for $123 per room per night and $128 per room per night. Rates start at $114 per room per night, or $228 for the required two-night stay. When April 24–26, 2009. Details Includes taxes of 13 percent. Based on double occupancy; single occupancy rates start at $108 per night. Requires a two-night stay. Use promo code P42. Contact 386/255-3388, daytonabeachcourtyard.com.

Orlando, from $119 per room per night
The Orlando Convention & Visitors Bureau has a Bundles of Free Smiles promotion for hotel stays as well as shopping, dining, attractions, and golf. One of the hotel deals available is at the Buena Vista Suites: Stay three nights in a newly renovated suite and receive the fourth night free, along with breakfast daily, free parking, and free shuttles to the Walt Disney theme parks and Downtown Disney. Rates start at $119 per room per night, or $357 for the required four-night stay (with the fourth night free). When Through June 30, 2009. Details Does not include taxes of 13 percent. Based on double occupancy by two adults; kids 17 and under stay for free. Contact 407/239-8588, buenavistasuites.com.

Steinhatchee, from $172 per room per night
The Steinhatchee Landing Resort is offering stays of two or more nights at 50 percent off typical rates. The resort has 50 one-to-four-bedroom Victorian cottages, each with a fully equipped kitchen and a washer and dryer. The rate also includes a continental breakfast available in the Welcome Center. Steinhatchee is three miles off the Gulf of Mexico in northwestern Florida. You can canoe and kayak in the Steinhatchee River, and resort activities include volleyball, badminton, swimming, and a petting zoo. Rates start at $172 per room per night, or $344 for the required two-night stay. When Through June 30, 2009. Details Does not include taxes of 10 percent. Based on single or double occupancy. Requires a two-night stay. Contact 800/584-1709, steinhatcheelanding.com.


Tampa, from $172 per room per night
The spring training deal at the InterContinental Tampa provides accommodations at 25 percent off the best available rate and a Fan Tool Kit, which includes popcorn, a baseball for signing, and a chocolate bar with your favorite team's name on it. The hotel is near the practice sites for Grapefruit League teams like the Yankees and the Cardinals. Rates start at $172 per room per night. When Through Apr. 4, 2009. Details Does not include taxes of 12 percent. Based on single or double occupancy. Use promo code ILQGA. Contact 866/402-0758, intercontampa.com.

Safety Harbor, from $184 per room per night
The Winter Spa Getaway Package at the Safety Harbor Resort and Spa includes accommodations in a bay-view room with a patio or balcony; a $50 resort credit for the restaurant, spa, or shops; and one spa service per person (choose from an herbal wrap or a 25-minute massage or facial, each valued at $65).You'll have access to the resort's pools, saunas, steam rooms, and the fitness center, which offers daily classes. Rates start at $184 per room per night, or $368 for the required two-night stay. When Through Apr. 30, 2009. Details Does not include taxes of 11 percent or a $16 per night resort fee. Based on single or double occupancy. Based on a Sunday through Thursday stay; weekend rates start at $214 per room per night. Requires a two-night stay (if you stay three nights, the resort credit goes up to $75). Contactsafetyharborresort.com. 888/237-8772.


Las Vegas deals: Flight + 2 nights hotel from only $174.99

No luck needed to get a great deal! For your convenience, here are some pre-packaged flights and Las Vegas hotel deals available from select departure cities nationwide. That way, you’re sure to find the absolute best value for your Las Vegas vacation.

These Las Vegas deals are updated weekly, so check back often. Availability is limited—Book today before these deals are gone!

Select a departure city to view deals:



Don't see your departure city or looking for more Las Vegas hotel options? View all Las Vegas hotels to check rates and availability.



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