Dh and I want to take some kind of trip next year for our 10 year anniversary. We usually go away for a couple of days in Oct but this year we are taking our family vacation then. I have no idea where to start. I was thinking a cruise or a trip to Italy or Paris. What is the best way to go about it? I have never used a travel agent before I am assuming that there is a fee involved. Can you do it cheaper yourself,and if so where do you look? I thought if nothing else he and I could go back to Disney! LOL! AFter two trips the last two years I am becoming an expert at planning that trip. There is so much we have not seen. Plus I know how to do it cheaply. Branching out is a good idea to though. Any suggestions?

By Jackie on Tuesday, August 2, 2005 - 10:33 am:

You could easily do it yourself. There is so many travel sites on the net, travelzoo, orbitz etc.. I do not think travel agents charge a fee. We are using one for our cruise in Aug 2006 and we were not charged a fee. There is so much travel info out there, do the research and have fun LOL.. I love researching travel options, it could keep me busy for weeks

By Yjja123 on Tuesday, August 2, 2005 - 10:41 am:

I highly recommend cruising!

By Reds9298 on Tuesday, August 2, 2005 - 10:47 am:

We've traveled overseas with a company called Go Ahead Vacations and they are wonderful! You are on a tour though, so if that's not your thing you might not be interested. Keep in mind though that the "tour" aspect doesn't mean you do things as a group. We traveled long distances together, had a few meals together but dh and I did everything on our own. We just didn't have to make reservations, travel arrangements, and there was always someone there that we could ask questions to or get recommendations from. We have not done their 'city stays', but they have those, too. We've done a massive Europe trip with them (3 weeks) and a 2 week Italy trip. They are fantastic and we didn't have to do anything but enjoy ourselves. Excellent prices, too. They will send you a catalog of their tours (they are all over the world and in the U.S.) and you can view them, too on their website:
www.goaheadvacations.com

I don't think travel agents charge a fee. We've always used one for domestic travel. Never been on a cruise.

By Feona on Tuesday, August 2, 2005 - 12:27 pm:

If you never did a cruise I wouldn't take more than a 7 day cruise. You might not like it. Though I think I heard southern Europe cruises the water is calm. Not like off New York City.

I think I would do a 7 day cruise and pick a place for another week. Paris or Italy.

By Bea on Tuesday, August 2, 2005 - 04:59 pm:

I've found Cruise Value Center to have great prices. They are on-line http://www.mycruisevalue.com/v3/index.asp

and you can easily book that way. I prefer to do it by phone, 1-800-231-7447
in case I have any questions. I'm going to the Bahamas with a girlfriend in October, and to the Southern Caribbean in December. I love cruises.

By Yjja123 on Tuesday, August 2, 2005 - 06:20 pm:

For our past few cruises, I have used buycruises.com and each time they have found a lower price and I ended up with a credit. Our panama canal cruise is $500 less per person than Royal Caribbean's prices. Though they are .com they are just around the corner from me. They are great!
Good luck planning your vacation. Planning is so much fun!

By Beth on Tuesday, August 2, 2005 - 08:18 pm:

Okay so where are the best places to cruise? Just doing prelimnary looking. Cruising is more in our price range.

By Yjja123 on Tuesday, August 2, 2005 - 08:45 pm:

Depends on what you enjoy. We have done both eastern and western caribbean. We are looking forward to the panama canal and possibly alaska in our future. Go online to any cruiseline and look up the ports of call to see what interests you.

By Yjja123 on Tuesday, August 2, 2005 - 08:46 pm:

We took a cruise on our 10th anniversary. It was awesome!

By Bea on Wednesday, August 3, 2005 - 12:15 am:

Bermuda is fun, and usually a one or two port cruise. It's in the Atlantic however, which can get rough. I'd recommend an Eastern Caribbean cruise for your first time. Leave from Miami ...the airport is fairly close to the cruise terminal. They go to Puerto Rico, Saint Thomas, San Maarten, Bahamas. It's on the Caribbean, and the water is usually smooth as glass.

By Bea on Wednesday, August 3, 2005 - 12:16 am:

Alaska is awesome, but October is too late in the year for an Alaskan cruise.

By Happynerdmom on Wednesday, August 3, 2005 - 09:19 am:

I would do a carribean cruise for your first one. (I'm betting there will be more if you take one...they are so addicting!!) We loved the Western Carribean. BTW, I highly recommend Royal Carribean. Their Voyager class ships are AMAZING!! We have a travel agent that does only cruises, and we got a really good deal. How fun for you! For me, planning the trip is *almost* as fun as taking it! Almost...

By Eve on Wednesday, August 3, 2005 - 09:35 am:

I had a wonderful experience planning our cruise. I did a lot of reading about the different ships and different ports and different cruise lines at some great sites. My favorite was at Cruise Addicts. Then, I called the cruise line directly and they were VERY helpful. She even called me back a week later to say the rates dropped and she was saving me money. Plus, it was a real person to call if I had any questions. Which I did, and she was again most helpful and wonderful. I highly recommend cruising! I can't wait until the baby is born and old enough to go. We'll definately be going again. Happy Planning!

By Beth on Wednesday, August 3, 2005 - 10:26 am:

I had one more question. I am usually a go go person. I can't help it. On vacations I like to go an do a lot of things. Is there lots to do on cruise ships? I know that you will have the ports. Its just not easy for me to lay around. I like to swim but not lay out and such. Maybe it will be good to force myself to slow down. I just don't want to be going stir crazy.

By Happynerdmom on Wednesday, August 3, 2005 - 10:42 am:

There's lots to do! Usually the bigger the ship, the more there is to do. Voyager class ships even have rock climbing, miniature golf, and ice skating! Most all ships have casinos, workout facilities, and lots of organized activities from dancing lessons to bingo. Also, on a 7-day cruise, you usually only have two days at sea.(Three at the most.) Personally, I love nothing better than to sit by the pool and listen to the steel drum band, while enjoying the drink of the day. AAhhh... I need a cruise...

By Yjja123 on Wednesday, August 3, 2005 - 10:51 am:

Beth---that is us exactly! We choose the larger-newer-ships that have rock climbing, minature golf, skating, etc. We keep busy on the days at sea and plan action packed excursions for port days. There have actually been times we were happy to have a day at sea to rest up for our next excursion.

By Hlgmom on Wednesday, August 3, 2005 - 10:56 am:

I have never been on a cruise but we lived on a sailboat for 3 years so I guess I never felt the pull! I highly reccomend Paris! We got engaged there and it is such anamazing city! So much beauty and great food and wine! You can definetly do it yourself! I would just go on places like Expedia and such. If you opt for Paris send me an email and I can tell you some nice inexpensive places to stay!
hlg mom @hotmail . com Good luck- I am sure you will have fun no matter where you go!

By Bea on Wednesday, August 3, 2005 - 06:48 pm:

If on-the-go doesn't mean physical things, there's still tons to do all over the ship. Games poolside...card playing...trivia challenges..make-up, fashion, cooking and flower arranging demonstrations ...Bingo....horse racing.....Celebrity Cruises have guest lecturers, so you can learn something. I took a digital camera course on one cruise, and on another attended Mike Papas's lecture series

By Eve on Wednesday, August 3, 2005 - 07:35 pm:

I welcomed the days at seas. We only had two and it was the most relaxing time. The view was just beautiful and I loved listening to the live music by the pool as well. Don't forget about the spas! They will be offering lots of specials for the days at sea. Book early. A couple massage would be wonderful!

They give you a book each night when they turn down your bed. It will have all of the activities offered for the next day. So, you can look through and get an idea of what you want to do. I was actually really surprised at all of the activities they offered just like Bea said--the art auction and wine tasting classes, plus they offer yoga and personal trainers. You name it. Then, the days at your ports, you'll be able to choose whatever you feel like doing--snorkeling or shopping or a beach day or tours....

By Monicamomof3 on Wednesday, August 3, 2005 - 09:55 pm:

Between my dh and I, we've been to Scottland, England, Africa, Mexico, Israel, Hawaii,Maui,and many states in the U.S.

MAUI takes the cake...BY FAR!!!!

We relax a little and then go, go, go. We don't sit still long. It was gorgeous.