Even with soaring airfares and gas prices, ’tis the season for great weather, great fall foliage and great off season travel deals. The Travel Mom, Emily Kaufman, has the inside scoop on what everyone needs to know about great fall vacation ideas from getaways to cruise deals and more.
Emily Kaufman – Ft. Lauderdale in the Background.
The fall is a great time to travel since it’s shoulder season and you can get great deals and the summer crowds are gone.
Cruises are one of the best vacation choices today. Cruises offer terrific value, let you see many exciting destinations in one trip without packing and unpacking and most everything – including meals and entertainment – is included in one, very affordable price! The fall is a great time to take or buy a cruise – especially during Cruise Lines International Association’s “World’s Largest Cruise Sale,” taking place October 6-13. This is when all the top cruise lines, – including Carnival, Royal Caribbean International and Norwegian Cruise Line – and thousands of travel agents across the U.S. team up to offer spectacular savings on more than 200 cruise ships.
There’s a cruise for everyone and every budget available during CLIA Cruise Week – from Caribbean cruises, to river voyages in Europe, romantic cruises in the Mediterranean and even adventure cruises in Antarctica. Some of the very special cruise offers that you can get during CLIA Cruise Week include:
- Carnival Cruise Line – Great rates, plus 50% reduced deposits, plus upgrades and $50 onboard credit
- Royal Caribbean – Buy one guest; get the second guest at 50% off; plus 5% off the line’s ChoiceAir air fare bookings
- Norwegian Cruise Line – 10% off cruise fares with onboard credits for specialty dining, shore excursions or spa treatments
- Avalon River Cruises – a savings of $1,300 per couple for river cruises in Europe
Just go to cruising.org/vacations for a full list of CLIA Cruise Week special offers and to find a CLIA trained and certified cruise specialist travel agent near you who will make booking your special cruise a breeze!
Look for areas that are popular during the peak seasons to get the best deals in shoulder season. Greater Fort Lauderdale in South Florida not only has beautiful beaches, but it’s also known as the “Yachting Capital of the World” so you’ll want to check out the 55th Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show that is the world’s largest in-water boat show and features nearly $4 billion dollars’ worth of boats and sea vessels of all sizes.
Greater Fort Lauderdale kicks off its 100th Centennial this October with a year-long calendar of special events and happenings throughout Broward County. For the next 12 months, Greater Fort Lauderdale’s Centennial celebrations will include music and dance performances, concerts and festivals, art exhibitions, museum tours, and many events for children and families.
And, if you want to take a cruise on a really big boat, check out the cruise ships sailing from Fort Lauderdale’s Port Everglades and the destination’s “Cruise & Play” program with special offers on pre and post cruise hotel packages and discounts at attractions and restaurants. Visit www.sunny.org for more information.
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