Top 6 Tips to Plan Your Next Trip

Whether you’re looking to fly across the globe, sail to exotic destinations or take a road trip close to home, local travel professionals can help you plan the perfect vacation. “Why spend four weeks planning your one-week vacation?” says Tina Higgins, owner of Cruise Planners in Lake Charles. “A travel advisor saves you time and helps you plan the perfect vacation.” Read on for pro tips to save you time and money.

Use a travel professional. Travel advisors have access to the best deals, value-added amenities and incentive programs to make your vacation even more enjoyable. Best of all, you don’t have to pay travel agents for their services.

Book early. Don’t wait for last-minute deals. Cruise lines, hotels and resorts often reward those who book ahead with discounted rates and add-ons. When cruising, planning in advance means you’ll have more options to choose from when selecting layout and location or looking for connecting rooms. If rates go down after you’ve booked, your travel advisor can often adjust your price. Booking early means getting the vacation you want at a great price.

Book a bundle. You don’t need to search a million sites to find the best price for everything. Your travel advisor can save you money by booking airfare, accommodations, transportation and tours as a package.

Travel during the off season. Save money by traveling to a destination during the off season or “shoulder” season—right before or after peak season. With fewer travelers visiting a destination during the off season, you’ll have faster access to typically busy tourist attractions and accommodation rates are usually lower, giving you more bang for your buck. Check with your travel advisor to see if changing your dates by a few weeks can help you save money.

Travel local. Look for travel opportunities in your own backyard. Consider a road trip or “staycation” or sail on a cruise from a homeport near you. In addition to the popular cruise ports in Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, New York City and Seattle, cruises leave from ports all over the country. Lake Charles has a distinct advantage of being right in the middle of two great cruise ports; Galveston and New Orleans.

Go as a group. Whether you’re planning a family reunion, friends’ getaway, a special interest group or a wedding, you may be eligible for a free cabin when traveling in a group of eight or more staterooms. Plus, groups can often get perks such as free meeting rooms, cocktail parties, special amenities and shipboard credit.

Ready to plan your next vacation? Contact Tina Higgins at Cruise Planners at 337-405-7650 or [email protected].
Also, check out www.DestinationsByTina.com.