It’s already into December and you suddenly realize you really don’t want to sit at home that week after Christmas. A quick look online or a call to your travel agent will tell you, a few days in Hawaii or the Caribbean or Mexico really isn’t much of an option, unless you’re prepared to spend thousands in airfare before even beginning to look at prices for the few hotels available.
However, there are still options. Admittedly, most of them won’t be offered at those ridiculously cheap prices you see advertised for the off-season; but they exist. Partly due to the recession and partly due to the fact that some places that are pleasant enough in December aren’t big-name holiday destinations.
Here are five suggestions:
1. For those who live relatively near a port, consider a cruise. At time of writing, Royal Caribbean had some space for a seven-day cruise from Los Angeles to Mexico on December 27, and Princess Cruises had some space to the Caribbean from Fort Lauderdale. Carnival Cruise has ships departing from Galveston, several Florida ports and even a Baltimore sailing that week.
All of these use “holiday” (read “expensive”) pricing. But, without the expensive airfare, the overall price may be within your budget.
2. Consider going to a “warm” rather than “hot” weather destination. Yes, anything tropical is going to be expensive and/or sold out. But, there are many parts of the United States where the weather will be pleasant if not quite balmy. Arizona and Southern California come to mind. And both areas are much more reasonably priced than the “hot” spots.
3. Consider a big city vacation. Okay, so the weather might be lousy. But a city like Chicago for example has wonderful museums and shopping combined with cheap hotel prices between Christmas and New Years. Even New York is reasonable if you avoid New Year’s Eve. And if you don’t want to be that cold, places like San Francisco and New Orleans may have rain but you will avoid snow.
4. If a beach destination is a must, consider stretching your vacation into the first week of January. While this may not be possible because of school or work considerations, availability increases dramatically for flights leaving say, Dec 28, 29 or 30, and returning January 5 or 6. Most hotel rates also drop after the first weekend of the year.
5. Finally, if none of these appeal, visit a travel agent or go online and start researching for 2010. Cruise and tour space is already bookable for next year, and flights will be available 331 days in advance. While the prices offered are never super bargains around the holidays, the best choice of space is available. Plus, in the case of cruises, tours and packages, only a deposit required and should the fare by some chance drop early-bookers can usually get the new pricing.
photo of mauna kea beach by s. carpenter/flickr.com/creative commons.
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A ski vacation might also be an option. It’s not high season for snow yet at most resorts, so December pricing is usually better than February/March. It only really works if you can go a little before Christmas, though; there’s usually a holiday premium for the time between Christmas and New Years.
As a Southern California native, let me offer a caveat to visitors looking for a “warm weather” Christmas vacation. The weather here at the end of December has about an equal probability of being delightfully warm and dry (in the mid-70s to 80s) or miserably cold and soggy. If you’re lucky, you can enjoy a summer-like day at world-class beaches and outdoor recreation. (But do consider getting there on some of our under-appreciated Metro buses instead of battling clotted freeways, scarce parking and, and shark-toothed meter maids). If you roll the dice and get a snake-eyes winter storm, you’re in a Big City with plenty of indoor attractions (but the rain will make getting to them on the freeway either a harrowing white-knuckle terror or a thrill-ride adventure, depending on how you approach life in general).
Southern California is indeed a great place to spend the end of the year. I’ve been looking forward to my Christmas break staycations since well before that abominable word was invented. Just be aware that it’s a gamble as far as weather is concerned.
Hey, almost everyone on my flight to Anchorage yesterday had his/her own row on a 737. I don’t ski, but I have loads of stuff lined up to do. Great price on the 21st floor of the Hilton. (Senior rate, but cancellable till the day before my stay. In fact, a week before, I did cancel and got a $20/day cheaper rate than original reservation.) Good restaurants and views! My second December trip. Now, I must try Alaska in warmer weather!
Calif for the holidays? uhhh, no.
come to the center of the universe: http://www.iloveny.com/home.aspx
Rockefeller Center, the tree is amazing. Ice Stake if you like.
Shop, shop, shop. The best in the world. The windows on 5th Ave are dressed to impress. Canal street, can you say, bargains. FAO Schwartz for toys. Macy’s on 34th Street. Restaurants galore. ALL within walking distance or by using the MTA.
COME TO NEW YORK CITY.