The Lollipop Road

Archive for February, 2010

As we begin the winter recess, some families have plans of escaping to a warmer climate, while yet others will take advantage of the abundant snow this year by visiting a winter resort.  Whatever you may be planning, be safe, enjoy your time together and make your travels fun and educational.

Happy President’s Day!

Disclosure

• #CruiseDeals Royal Caribbean Independence of the Seas 6 Nt from Fort Lauderdale on 2/28 from $399pp inside – Book 2/16 only. #
• Article: Interesting data – Travel Trends for 2010 http://bit.ly/aBYpwW #
• YOSEMITE Destination of the Week DEALS: Great prices – book now. http://bit.ly/byksmI #hoteldeals #traveldeals #
• Alert: Many flights to/from the Mid-Atlantic are cancelled or delayed today due to yesterday's snowfall. Normal ops should resume tomorrow. #
• Article: Good News For Glacier National Park Preservation http://nyti.ms/ck6LD4 #parks #
• #HotelDeals : PGA National Resort #Valentine special – $139/night for any room, including 2 room cottage reg. $459! http://bit.ly/dpgO4X #
• Celebrate the Chinese New Year by giving the traditional gift of Hong Bao to your kids! http://bit.ly/bQ8LdN #
• Joshua Tree National Park in 5… – Travel – FOXNews.com http://shar.es/aLOPP via @sharethis #
• Weather Delays: Continental shutting down flights at Newark and PHL tomorrow. Flts 49, 83 and 91 only arrivals into EWR on Wed. #
• #Weather Delays: Airline winter waivers extended to CT, RI, MA, DC, MD, MI, NY, NJ, PA, VA, WV, OH – NC, ME, NH, VT on some airlines #
• Tip: #Alaska airfares unpredictable – I always use frequent flyer miles http://bit.ly/cAm0Ao #
• Airline News: #AmericanAirlines to charge $8 for blanket/pillow beg. 5/1! Contact AA to express your concerns! http://bit.ly/d41yTH #
• #HotelDeals 50% off at Ramada through 3/31 – Book 2/8-2/12 must use special link http://bit.ly/c9qgfP #traveldeals #
• Weather Delays: Airlines once again issuing travel waivers for Feb 9/10 storm hitting Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, and Wisconsin #
• Article: Great article on #RoyalCaribbean Oasis of the Seas – largest ship afloat – lots for kids to do incl a nursery http://bit.ly/9TgLfx #
• Activity: Tips on Viewing a Space Shuttle Launch in Cape Canaveral http://bit.ly/b5gqwk #
• Update: Still no final word on a delay in sailing for Carnival Pride http://bit.ly/cCGEqu #

So, it’s 4AM and I’m hold up in the bathroom of our hotel room, trying to survive the hotel night from hell!  Let’s start at the beginning; it’s always a very good place to start.

As you know, traveling always brings out the best in everyone, especially kids.  Having managed to squeeze out only four hours of sleep last night, I wasn’t firing on all cylinders either.  So, we set off for New Hampshire again this morning after digging out from the 16 inches of snow that Mother Nature saw fit to dump on us Wednesday.  Luckily, we were able to lay enough guilt on the guy who plows our driveway (the road into the abyss) that he took pity on us and plowed us out in the wee hours of the morning.

Of course, that left me with only about a foot of residual snow to dig through where the plow can’t reach…oh joy.  The day seemed to be going so smoothly; it was 9AM and we were ready to go, one full hour ahead of schedule.  We had endured the usual fight with the kids, trying to get them to eat breakfast, which of course they didn’t.  I issued the obligatory warning – you know, “don’t be telling me you’re hungry in an hour“.  Predictably, one hour later – “I’m hungry“…grrr!  Note to self – force feed kids before the next trip.

After serving a buffet for our oldest son while driving and then stopping for a quick lunch for the rest of us, we made it to our destination in record time.  A few hours later we were on our way to the hotel, ready for a restful evening.  No one was looking forward to it more than me; this was my chance to catch up on some much needed sleep.  Within ten minutes, the room was destroyed – you know what I mean.  Note to self – request a pre-destroyed hotel room – it will save ten minutes.

I ducked out to pick-up some pizza while Mommy reigned over the unruly mob (and by mob, I mean our two darling children).  The real fun started on my return – thank you for waiting!  Apparently, there was a coloring activity while I was gone; the result was a white comforter covered in crayon marks.  “Oh, what the hell, let’s just put the pizza right on the table” (and by table, I mean the bed).  “Yeah, that’s a good idea, daddy.”  GRRRR!  Note to self – next time bring a plastic table covering for the table, I mean bed.

No worries, I’ll get some ice…that will give me a one minute break.  Hmmm…that 16 month old running down the hallway looks an awful lot like our son…wait, it is our son!  Note to self – our 16 month old knows how to escape a hotel room without being detected – bring chains next time.

Oh well, nothing that barricading the door with 100 pounds of luggage can’t fix.  Oops, I didn’t realize that my wife had birthed Hercules!  What’s that wet spot on the floor…I hope it isn’t, um, whew, it’s just my cup of water that Hercules dumped on the floor.  Note to self – bring a wet vac next time.

Ahh, it’s bedtime – YES!  An hour later, we’ve all fallen asleep.  Fast forward four hours – everyone is awake.  NOOOOOO!  Fast forward one hour – I’ve escaped to the bathroom to do some reading…knock-knock…LEAVE ME ALONE!  Fast forward one hour, Mommy takes a bath and I have high hopes of falling back asleep.  Fast forward one hour, I’m writing this.  Note to self – next time bring Ambien – kids can take that, can’t they?

Ugh, I’ve just been urinated on – “watch what you’re doing”!  “Mama, you better get in here.”  Everyone is awake again.  “When does the sun come up?”  Not soon enough, not soon enough!

Note to self – book a massage when we get back home!

Disclosure

This week, we’re grabbing the best of the best deals and putting them together all in one place.  As always, these super deals disappear fast, so don’t dawdle - book now!

• Let’s start with a deal that we tweeted earlier this week – if you’re not on our Twitter feed yet, sign-up, because you won’t want to miss out on some of the awesome deals we tweet your way.  Ramada is again offering 50% off best available rates at properties in the U.S., Canada, Caribbean and Latin America.  Reserve your room by 11:50PM EST on February 12, 2010 for travel through March 31, 2010.  We found rates as low as $19.50/night -WOW!  You must use the special link above to take advantage of these special rates.  These rates do not qualify for commission or Wyndham Reward points.
• Thinking about sneaking away for Valentine’s Day without the kids?  Try the PGA National Resort in Palm Beach Gardens, FL.  With rates for Valentine’s weekend (Feb 12-15 only) fixed at $139/night for any available room type, this is the perfect romantic getaway!  Or, if you don’t mind bringing the kids, their Premium Two Bedroom Cottages (sleeps 6) are still available at just $139/night!  That’s right – the regular rate on this cottage is $459/night, so this is an absolute steal!  Use the link above, click on “Corporate/Promotions” and enter code VDAY10 to book these rates.
• Southwest Airlines started the most recent fare-war with its Travel Near With Your Dear $39 one-way short-haul specials.  Now, most major airlines have jumped on the bandwagon, opening up lots more possibilities for travel from March 15 – May 25.  Discount fares are valid for travel Mon-Thurs and Saturday.  You must reserve by Thursday, February 11, 2010.
• Let’s wrap this up with a few new and exciting cruise deals that we’ve found.  On April11, 2010, Royal Caribbean’s Independence of the Seas sets sail on a 14 night trans-atlantic voyage from Fort Lauderdale to Southampton.  Family Oceanview cabins are now available for just over $3,100 for a family of four.  These 338SF cabins will actually accommodate up to six guests with a pullout sofa in the sitting area and a separate bunk area.  This is a unique itinerary on an activity packed ship in a spacious family cabin for a great price.
• If it’s cheap you want, it’s cheap they got.  Carnival is offering up a 7 night sailing from San Juan on March 7th onboard the Carnival Victory for only $359 per person in an inside cabin.  The same rate applies to all passengers sharing a cabin, so you could split up the family into two adjoining cabins and double your space!  Rates on the Destiny’s 5 night sailing from Miami on March 22nd have also come down a bit.  For $259 per person ($20 less for 3rd/4th) you can sail in an inside cabin on a unique itinerary.
• Finally, not to be left out, NCL has rolled out some savings on its March 21st, 7 night sailing from Miami onboard the Norwegian Jewel.  With inside cabins from $419 per person ($179 for 3rd/4th), a family of four can get away for under $1,600.  Also on tap is the Norwegian Pearl’s April 24th repositioning cruise from Los Angeles to Vancouver.  Mini-suites start at $749 per person with 3rd/4th passengers sailing for only $129!  Of course, you can also sail inside from just $379.

Well, that’s the best of the best for this week.  We’ll keep our eyes open for more great deals and tweet them along.  Happy travels!

Disclosure

Updated as of August 28, 2010

Fees for checked baggage have been around for awhile in the form of  charges for overweight bags or oversized items, but the recent rash of fees really began ramping up in 2008 when fuel prices soared and airlines were in desperate need of additional revenue.  It started with small fees for a second checked bag, then snowballed to where we are today, which is basically a fee for every checked item. These fees are increasing yet again!

Families have been hit hard by these fees as traveling with younger children requires more supplies and accessories and parent’s tend to check luggage rather than carry it on the airplane.  Purchasing the cheapest fare is no longer simple.  Some airlines charge heftier baggage fees than others, some have subtle nuances in their fee exemptions for certain items and still others allow exemptions for frequent flyers or travel in certain fare classes.  Figuring out what all of this means in terms of total cost is confusing to say the least, so we’ve put together a chart for the major domestic airlines that will help you in making your travel decisions. 

The following domestic baggage fees reflect the latest round of increases and assume that each bag is under 50 pounds and is not classified as oversized, except as noted.  All information is accurate as of August 28, 2010 and applies to tickets purchased on or after that date.  See the individual airline baggage policies for fee details with respect to reservations made prior to that date.  We applaud Southwest Airlines and JetBlue Airways for being the only two carriers that still offer at least one free checked bag.

CONSUMER ALERT – Spirit Airlines announced that as of August 1, 2010 (for reservations made on or after April 6, 2010) it will be increasing its fees for checked baggage as well as implementing a fee for carry-on baggage.  This, coupled with their unpopular seat assignment fees has left us no choice but to recommend that families not fly Spirit Airlines.

Note that lap infants generally are not provided with a baggage allowance, which can cause fees to add up quickly.  Strollers can always be checked at the gate and car seats may be carried onboard in most cases, so don’t feel pressured to check them at the counter.  Unfortunately, fees are one-way, so remember to double these if you’re flying round-trip.  Be aware that if you reserve a codeshare (ie the flight is actually operated by a different airline), the operating airline’s baggage fees will apply. 

Discounts for paying checked baggage fees in advance have become popular too, but be aware that if you change your mind or later get upgraded to a class of service that does not require a baggage fee, your pre-paid baggage fee is non-refundable.  Keep your bags under 50 pounds to avoid overweight penalties.  Remember that you can spread checked luggage amongst your traveling party, so if you have five bags for a family of four, you should pay 4-1st bag fees and 1-2nd bag fee.

Unfortunately, baggage fees are not the only fees impacting families.  With advance seat reservation fees becoming popular, additional charges for soft drinks on some airlines and now, fees for a blanket and pillow being imposed by American Airlines, choosing the cheapest airline is becoming more and more difficult.  In subsequent articles, we’ll review the host of other fees imposed by airlines that are impacting families.  In the meantime, be sure to consider checked baggage fees when looking for the cheapest flights – ignoring them could cost you dearly.

Disclosure