For the umpteenth time, it’s important to remind our readers that as of Jan. 8, 2007, they will need a U.S. passport to return by air or cruise ship from vacations in Mexico, Canada, the Caribbean, Bermuda, Central or South America. If you don’t have a passport, you should use the month of October to secure one, as the lines and crowds will be humongous when news of the requirement finally sinks in to the American consciousness in November and December.
Still worried about autumn hurricanes in the Caribbean? Then fly to Hawaii instead. Though the weather there is perfectly fine in October and November, the autumn season is nevertheless the slowest time of the year for tourist arrivals, and most Hawaiian hotels and airlines offer all sorts of autumn sales.
Airport security becomes sensible. You’ve probably heard (and if you haven’t, you should know) that liquids and gels again can go into your carry-on luggage – provided they are in containers no greater than 3 ounces in size and are carried in a transparent zipper-lock bag. According to the Department of Homeland Security, airport-security personnel will no longer confiscate those tiny tubes of toothpaste or shampoo that you bring for an overnight trip.
Some of the best current cruise bargains are from the fast-growing Italian line MSC Cruises, which is owned by the world’s largest ocean-going freighter line; it’s sinking billions of dollars into new passenger ships. This fall and winter, MSC is offering inside cabins on 11-night Caribbean cruises from Fort Lauderdale, Fla., for as little as $50 per person per day. Note, especially, the Caribbean departures of Nov. 15 and Dec. 7, and the Panama Canal cruises of Nov. 26, 2006, and Jan. 9, 2007. Call 800-666-9333 or visit msccruises.com for details.
Italia still a good deal
In previous years, five-night air-and-hotel packages from New York to the great Italian cities sold for as little as $499; they still do, except now they also include a large fuel surcharge and increased government security fees and taxes, and therefore cost $725 – still a great value. Contact the nation’s specialist in Italy, Central Holidays, at 800-539-4148 or centralholidays.com.
Now that daily adult admission to Walt Disney World in Orlando, Fla., is a whopping $67 per person (including tax), you might want to consider Universal Studios Orlando’s amazing counteroffer of only $85 (offered on online purchases only) for unlimited, seven-day admission to Universal Studios and Universal’s Islands of Adventure. This deal is an indication of how fierce Universal’s need is to fight back against the many Disney theme parks in Orlando. Though Universal has only two theme parks, they both are expansive and ingenious parks that can support four days of entertainment in Orlando. At $85 for the multi-day visit, Universal has quite a lot to offer.
If you’re looking for a family vacation this coming winter, you might consider the Club Med in Guadeloupe, which re-opens in mid-December after nine months of renovation. Amid all the other attractions of that lush French island in the Caribbean, the Club Med branch called La Caravelle will have a heavy family theme (“petit tennis,” “mini scientists”), including special mini clubs for youngsters 4 to 10 in one area, and for teenagers 17 and under in another (the teen club operates only during holiday weeks). Add the spectacular cuisine of this popular-with-the-French Club Med, and you have real reason to consult clubmed.com. Or call 1-888-WEB-CLUB (1-888-932-2582).
When all is said and done, British Airways is usually the source of the best-priced air-
and-land packages to London. Recently, when all the airfare discounters were charging as little as $483 round-trip (from the East Coast) for an October flight to London, including taxes and fuel surcharge, British Airways Holidays charged $479 from New York and $662 from Los Angeles for not only the airfare, but also for three hotel nights, including daily breakfast. Although that package will have expired by the time you read this, I’m willing to bet the British airline soon will be offering even cheaper air-and-land arrangements for November/December. Check by going to ba.com, or call 1-877-428-2228.
The glorious paddlewheeler American Queen – the newest and largest of the ships designed for cruising the Mississippi River – will resume its sailings March 9 and will thereafter make many four- day cruises from New Orleans. I loved my own pre-Katrina cruise on it and suggest you scan the offerings at majesticamericaline.com.
Arthur Frommer, who first published “Europe on $5 a Day” in 1956, is a budget travel authority.
