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Vacation Ideas???

Vacation Ideas???

Fishin Guy
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 6897

Fishin Guy
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 6897

Vacation Ideas???
10/7/2019 at 10:07 AM

Been to Cuba, Jamaica, Cancun, Arizona, for warm destinations. Looking to take my wife on a birthday vacation for her. Warm, beach, likes to explore. Budget of $5000. Where would you go? And no kids to bring along. Around February.
Daisyflower
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 281

Daisyflower
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 281

how about......
10/7/2019 at 10:31 AM

Hawaii or somewhere over seas like Italy or France
Irie Mon
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 368

Irie Mon
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 368

Jamaica Again- Mon!
10/7/2019 at 11:07 AM

Jamaica again for sure. If you went to Ochie or MoBay then try Negril. The best part (other than the +30'C, sun, sand, and laid back attitude) is the 6AM flight from Brandon to Calgary and then a direct flight to MoBay same day.
Grace1956
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 661

Grace1956
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 661

trip
10/7/2019 at 11:14 AM

Would a cruise be any interest?
Glamping
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 193

Glamping
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 193

a cruise?
10/7/2019 at 12:41 PM

Have you ever done a cruise? Could easily do for 2 people with that budget. We go 2-3 times a year and seen some amazing places.
T-Girl
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 17

T-Girl
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 17

cruiseline
10/7/2019 at 12:45 PM

What cruise line do you use Glamping?

Edited by T-Girl, 2019-10-07 12:46:37
Glamping
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 193

Glamping
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 193

lots
10/7/2019 at 1:36 PM

We aren’t faithful to just one. We’ve used carnival, Disney, Princess, Norwegian and celebrity. We tend to book the cruises when they have deals that i:nclude the free drink packages.
Fishin Guy
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 6897

Fishin Guy
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 6897

....
10/7/2019 at 2:23 PM

We are tossing around the cruise idea. I just want to know first the excursions offered before booking. Hawaii is expensive. That is a bucket list item for sure. Might have to be a 25 year anniversary lol. Would love to hit Europe. Pricing flights to Portugal almost ate our whole budget.
Grace1956
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 661

Grace1956
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 661

trip
10/7/2019 at 2:39 PM

We done a few with Holland America. Also with Celebrity. Still like Holland America the best. Smaller cruise line. Last cruise was with Celebrity to Alaska. They had a package that i:ncluded your liquor. What adds up is your pictures etc. You don’t have to purchase them but the pictures are professional grade. Even the dress code has relaxed a lot. You can’t beat the food and the evening performances. You can do as much as you want or nothing and relax.
Glamping
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 193

Glamping
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 193

cruise
10/7/2019 at 3:37 PM

Pick a cruise line and itinerary to look at. Then you can view the excursions before you book anything. Or just go to cruise line pages and look at all the ports of calls and the excursions are all there
happycamper
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 635

happycamper
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 635

vacation ideas
10/7/2019 at 4:44 PM

hi glamping....where do you find your deals on cruises? can you provide a website or two? thanks
Tigerlady1
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 13

Tigerlady1
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 13

Cruise Critic
10/7/2019 at 9:04 PM

Those looking for cruise information, cruisecritic.com has volumes of information. Plus people who have cruised provide information on their experiences. I have learned a ton from this site to aid my travel planning
Adam

Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 15663

Adam
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 15663

Trip
10/7/2019 at 9:42 PM

For Europe, price flight into London and see what EasyJet has for a lower cost way of getting you to one of the other countries you’re looking at. No frills but when we used them they got the job done.

For Hawaii, if you pick your spot with sales you can do pretty well on flight especially if Honolulu (sub-$500). It’s the accommodation that can add up in a hurry.... Consider well-reviewed Airbnb’s rather than expensive Waikiki hotels. Bonus of likely getting a kitchenette to keep cost a little more reasonable.

No matter where you’re looking, one option is the Air Canada GCs at Sobeys/Safeway right now. Double-check the fine print, but they’re selling them at 10% off... seems like a great way to knock 10% off your flight!
curlysister
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 2980

curlysister
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 2980

irie
10/7/2019 at 10:44 PM

Irie Mon, when are there flights from Brandon to Calgary to Montego Bay? I am searching and not finding!
Grandmama
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 889

Grandmama
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 889

To Montego Bay
10/8/2019 at 9:26 AM

curlysister said "Irie Mon, when are there flights from Brandon to Calgary to Montego Bay? I am searching and not finding! "
I believe the 6 a.m. WestJet flights out of Brandon to Calgary are seasonal (through the winter months, if they bring them back on their schedule for the coming winter vacation season) so you may not find them yet when searching flights to connect in Calgary to Montego Bay. Perhaps contacting WestJet directly to see if they can confirm if the 6 a.m. flights are going to be an option again this winter would be the way to find out.
Glamping
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 193

Glamping
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 193

happy camper
10/8/2019 at 9:58 AM

I book my cruises myself right on the cruise lines own web pages
kissmeImIrish
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 54

kissmeImIrish
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 54

You can do Hawaii for $5000
10/8/2019 at 10:05 AM

My parents are going to Maui in November for 2 weeks, Airbnb with an Ocean view for $5500, you could do it cheaper. February is whale watching season there too. Loved, loved my trip there, we went February we sat on the balcony and watched whales with their babies right from there.
Irie Mon
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 368

Irie Mon
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 368

YBR-YYC-MBJ Saturdays and Sundays
10/8/2019 at 11:54 AM

curlysister said "Irie Mon, when are there flights from Brandon to Calgary to Montego Bay? I am searching and not finding! "
6:15am flight out of Brandon to Calgary and then a 9:30am flight from Calgary to MoBay arriving at 4:40PM same day. First flight is Saturday November 2nd and I'm on it.
Grandmama
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 889

Grandmama
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 889

Irie Mon
10/8/2019 at 1:00 PM

Irie Mon said "6:15am flight out of Brandon to Calgary and then a 9:30am flight from Calgary to MoBay arriving at 4:40PM same day. First flight is Saturday November 2nd and I'm on it. "
Thanks Irie Mon - good to know those early morning flights will be back for connections from Calgary to warmer destinations. Enjoy Jamaica!
Fishin Guy
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 6897

Fishin Guy
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 6897

But.....
10/8/2019 at 3:53 PM

kissmeImIrish said "My parents are going to Maui in November for 2 weeks, Airbnb with an Ocean view for $5500, you could do it cheaper. February is whale watching season there too. Loved, loved my trip there, we went February we sat on the balcony and watched whales with their babies right from there. "
It doesn't leave much left in the budget for excursions. Talking with family that has gone getting there and staying is alright in cost, it is the going downtown shopping and doing things is what was very expensive for them.
TheradreamWeightedBlankets
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 2

TheradreamWeightedBlankets
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 2

Peru!
10/8/2019 at 6:56 PM

I would definitely suggest Maccu Piccu in Peru!! It is absolutely a wonderful adventure. I highly recommend!
CherylLynnSimpson
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 11

CherylLynnSimpson
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 11

Brandon to Jamaica
10/9/2019 at 1:36 PM

Grandmama said "I believe the 6 a.m. WestJet flights out of Brandon to Calgary are seasonal (through the winter months, if they bring them back on their schedule for the coming winter vacation season) so you may not find them yet when searching flights to connect in Calgary to Montego Bay. Perhaps contacting WestJet directly to see if they can confirm if the 6 a.m. flights are going to be an option again this winter would be the way to find out. "
My husband and I have been to Jamaica 7 time in the past 5 years...there didnt use to be a flight out of Brandon to Calgary to Mo Bay It had been eliminated due to lack of passengers. You had to fly out of Winnipeg at 7am and land in Mo Bay at 1:43 local time. Nice to see the added back on.

Edited by CherylLynnSimpson, 2019-10-09 13:42:53
Fishin Guy
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 6897

Fishin Guy
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 6897

hmmmm......
10/9/2019 at 2:04 PM

Looking like a cruise is in the works. First time cruisers lol.
Grace1956
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 661

Grace1956
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 661

:)
10/9/2019 at 2:29 PM

Don’t book the most expensive room. You’re not in your room long. We had a window but we didn’t go balcony. Usually two different sitting times for supper. Breakfast and lunch are usually Buffet.
Usually great evening shows.
Hope you and your wife enjoyed it with many more.
Grandmama
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 889

Grandmama
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 889

Cruise ship room with balcony
10/9/2019 at 4:52 PM

To each their own, but we had a room with a balcony and thoroughly enjoyed it! Had breakfast delivered to our room in the mornings and ate it on the balcony and at night would enjoy a glass of wine on the balcony before going to bed. It was beautiful sitting out in the warm night air listening to the ocean. Also enjoyed standing on the balcony while the ship docked and departed at the ports. Enjoy your cruise wherever you choose to go!
Fishin Guy
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 6897

Fishin Guy
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 6897

Room Upgrage
10/9/2019 at 4:56 PM

Grace1956 said "Don’t book the most expensive room. You’re not in your room long. We had a window but we didn’t go balcony. Usually two different sitting times for supper. Breakfast and lunch are usually Buffet.
Usually great evening shows.
Hope you and your wife enjoyed it with many more. "
An upgrade from basic will be in the works. I seen pics of the basic rooms and I swear a jail cell is larger. I would get too claustrophobic as I would need a balcony for sure. May not be long in the room but I want to enjoy it while in it.
Sam5
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 230

Sam5
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 230

Nicaragua...
10/10/2019 at 1:20 PM

Wife and I went last year for a beach vacation on the Pacific coast, renting a condo. Relatively inexpensive, very low crime, awesome beaches, dormant volcanoes, some golf. Off the beaten path.
Sam5
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 230

Sam5
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 230

Barbados
10/10/2019 at 1:49 PM

We also love Barbados. It is the playground of the British rich and famous, low crime, very good healthcare that you hopefully don’t need. Resorts quite expensive, condos more reasonable. West side of island excellent beaches and east side rugged scenery. Food similar prices as here.
twilso4
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 26

twilso4
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 26

so many choices
10/11/2019 at 8:47 AM

If you’re fine with a layover and/or sleepover in Toronto then look into St Lucia, Costa Rica, Barbados, Antigua, Curaçao. If you want the best bang for your buck a cruise is definitely another great option as you get to experience many beautiful Caribbean islands. All depends what you’re looking for in a vacation: do you want simply relaxing, active, cultural, etc... My advice talk with a travel agent, there is no fee to use/book with them and you have the added security of having someone to help you if something is to go array. If you’d like to work with one my friend is one and she’s fabulous!
eph2-8
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 175

eph2-8
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 175

Maccu Piccu in Peru
10/12/2019 at 12:07 PM

TheradreamWeightedBlankets said "I would definitely suggest Maccu Piccu in Peru!! It is absolutely a wonderful adventure. I highly recommend! "
before you take people's advise check weather. this is high rainy season, expect rain every day in feb and if you don't have it then that is a bonus.
I love going to Europe but in May, June or Sept, early Oct.
in Feb, if you have not done a cruise it should be in your budget.