Powered by Mom Talks About whether or not to choose a summer vacation package
If you are your family are interested in taking a summer vacation, you will have to make a number of decisions. Two of the most important things to consider when scheduling a summer vacation is what your destination will be and how much the vacation will cost. When researching popular summer vacation destinations, it is likely that you will come across many choices for a summer vacation package.
What is a summer vacation package?
If you are wondering exactly what a summer vacation package is, you are not alone. A number of individuals are unsure exactly what they are. A summer vacation package is often viewed as a deal or discount. Instead of having to pay separately for your hotel and beach or park admission, you likely only have to pay one lump sum.
While hotel accommodations and nearby vacation facilities are often included in a summer vacation package, you are encouraged not to assume this when purchasing one. Summer vacation packages are offered by a wide variety of different companies. Each company is likely to offer their own package styles. This means that while one summer vacation package may include the cost of admission to a private beach, another may not.
The Mayan Riviera – Photo take on one of our vacations.
Hotel Prices
Hotel accommodations and nearby attractions are often found in a hotel package; however, they may not be the only thing found. You may be able to find travel accommodations included as well. These packages are often found with large resorts or cruise ship packages. The travel included in your summer vacation package is likely to be either by airplane, bus, or train.
Does it save you money?
With summer vacation destination packages, there is a misconception among the general public. This misconception involves the amount of money you will save by purchasing a summer vacation package. As previously mentioned, these packages are often viewed as a deal or discount; however, that is not always the case. Before agreeing to purchase a package, you are encouraged to compare the package cost to the cost of vacationing and paying as you go.
When comparing the cost of a paying as you go to purchasing a summer vacation destination package, you are encouraged to keep the cost of travel in mind. If your vacation package includes the cost of travel, you should determine whether or not the travel arrangements are even needed. If you select a summer vacation destination that is close to or within driving distance to your home, you may save a substantial amount of money driving there instead of flying.
Our daughter getting a kiss from Candy the Seal on our Cancun/Mayan Riviera vacation
To determine whether the hotel accommodations included in your vacation package are worth the cost, you will need to compare hotel costs. By contacting the hotel listed in a vacation package, you can easily determine the cost of stay. The same information can also be obtained by visiting the online website of the hotel you wish to request information from. You may be surprised to see a difference between the two. Depending on the vacation destination package in question, you may find the difference saves you money or ends up costing you more.
Package Deals
When searching for vacation destinations online, it is likely that you will be bombarded with package deals and discounts. If you are not presented with these offers you can easily find them. Most vacation packages are not offered directly by the owner of a specific hotel or restaurant. If vacation packages are available for direct purchase, they are often from a large resort.
Cancun, Mexico
Travel Websites
Online travel websites and professional travel agents are where most vacation packages are found. They are nice because they are often free to use, but you are encouraged to watch for hidden fees. These hidden fees, if they do exist, could cause a significant increase in the cost of your summer vacation package. If you intended to use the services of a professional travel agent, their services will cost money, but their fees are established upfront.
The only way that you can determine whether or not a summer vacation destination package will save you money is by closely examining the details of the package. Be sure to read all policies and exclusions. Closely examining vacation package details will ensure that you do not lose money, when you should be saving it.
We hope you found these tips helpful. Feel free to share any other tips you might have that have worked for you!
Make sure to check out some of our other travel articles and reviews HERE.
Like our Top 8 Things To Do at Universal Studios
or Going to Disney on a Budget
Alicia Hewitt says
We haven’t gone on vacation for quite awhile now due to the cost. I honestly never thought of getting a package deal. You have a lot of helpful information. Thank you.
ellen beck says
I would love to go somewhere. I mean anywhere at this point. I have always wanted to go on a cruise. I think it would be great fun!
Daniel Scott says
We are going to Jamaica in August and we choose an all-inclusive package. This will be great for when we want to eat and drink. All entertainment is included unless you leave the property.
Anita Duvall says
We had a sort of vacation deal at Disney in March. Room, Tickets, and a few extras were included.
Irene Menge says
Excellent information! In our case, four tickets on a plane is probably more expensive than putting the four of us in a car and simply paying for gas and tolls. And we do like to make detours if we find something interesting.
Renee Rousseau says
Great suggestions for family travels!
Becky says
You make some good points about comparing the price of a vacation package to that of paying for everything individually. This is important to know so you will get the most for your money!
Jenna Hudson says
All the pictures look breathtaking! Hopefully one day I will get to those gorgeous places!
Lynn mathieu says
thank you for the tips, I definitely would love to go on a trip soon with my family! sunny destination!
denise low says
Thank you for the idea. We want to take our grandkids on a trip this year. They would enjoy going to Disney.
Rosie says
Nice pictures! We might lean towards a package, as being inexperienced travelers it would help us to not make decisions we could regret and make it not as fun or safe. This is great information!
Darren Scrubb says
Information that I will use this Summer so I can have the best vacation in my life up to now.
DanV says
Hotel package might be good for our next theme park trip
Shakilah Daniel says
Great tips! This is especially helpful for our family of 6.
Gina H. says
Great tips, thank you. And I really want to go to Cancun now!
Mary says
You have beautiful pictures. I haven’t been on a vacation in 11 yrs. I just live vicariously through others like this. Thanks.
barbg says
You have included a lot of good tips to keep in mind when thinking about a summer vacation. My kids have been doing just that this year. They decided to get season passes for Kings Island in Ohio & have went ten times already this year! They got a good discount on a Hotel for a few of the trips too.
Armando Rincon says
Thanks for the advice, it’s been a long time since I don’t go on a vacation and I never thought in any of these, great article
Mia says
I have been on some all inclusive vacation packages and found that the convenience was well worth it. Sometimes though it is fun to plan a vacation on ones own and have more flexibility.
Dawn says
Thanks for the tips!! Our family wants to go to Universal Studios so bad so that we can see the Harry Potter area!!!
Margot C says
Hard to pick! I have never been to Universal Studios. I want to take Alysia there.
Linda Manns Linneman says
These are such great suggestions. I know money is tight for our family and we need to search to get the best deal. Thank you so much for sharing
ellen beck says
Alot of great ideas! Doing rescue and feeding ferals we dont get to go much of anywhere for any length of time. I would love to see the ocean or the gulf , it is so beautiful.
Veronica Lee says
I certainly found these tips helpful. Thank You!
Tracy Snyder says
I have never been to universal studios. I have really never been too many places. I weighed almost 400 pounds and it was hard to get around. Now I have lost to 260 pounds and I am gung ho to go.