Anyone got any travel planned?

[brett]

I just booked a return ticket to Bangkok for our Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam winter trip.

I checked Kayak pricing. Then I tried ITA Matrix. The latter came up with a considerably lower price and a much better flight. One connection instead of two, 19 hours instead of 25. You cannot book on ITA Matrix...it only searches the airline databases for the lowest fares.

Even better...we were able to type in a departure date, the number of days we wanted to travel and Matrix came back with every fare combination(with the 55 day elapsed time that we input) that departed on each of the next 30 days. We chose our best price/schedule option.

When I called the airline, Air Canada, they said the flight was available but it was considerably more expensive. They did not show availability in the fare code that I provided.

Then I tried several other of the usual sites-it did not appear on expedia, vayama, or another site. Our selection/price did however come up on Orbitz with the expected fare codes(L,K). We booked.

I later found out that the various travel booking sites use either Amedeus, Wordspan, or Sabre software. When I researched this I found that these three sites can yield different results..which was what I experienced.

The IT Matrix site is also ideal for open jaw ticket pricing/routing.

And the odd thing? Looked at my credit card billing and our flights, although booked on Orbitz, were billed from Air Canada. Not sure if this is usual for Orbitz as I have never used the site before.

 

[explanade]

Google Flights will find the same flights and give you a link to the airline site.

However, I was unable to book a routing to Norway as displayed on ITA Matrix and Google Flights.

It would bring up the routing on United.com and when I entered my name and then the payment info, it would then return one of your flights not found.

In this case, it was some of the Scandinavian Air flights within Norway (I wanted to fly into Oslo and return from Bergen or Alesund) which couldn't be confirmed or booked at the low price by United.

 

[brett]

I essentially had the same thing happen. But dialed in the airline site, no joy. Then called a live agent at the airline. No joy. Well, I had joy on the routing but the price was 40 percent higher. In my case it was a straight Star Alliance booking-Air Canada/ANA both directions.

Then went through vayama, expedia, cheapo. Finally hit the routing, the price, and the fare code that IT Matix had provided on Orbitz.


The routing was just as important as the price to us. We were fortunate enough to get both.

 

[explanade]

Well in my case, I'm trying to get status with United so I would have to purchase the ticket from them.

 

[Bamaman]

We managed to snag a camping site in Everglades National Park for ten days in February. Has anyone done this? Any clues or suggestions?

We understand we'll need a break in the weather to get out of northern Illinois pulling our camper. (No leaving in a blizzard!) And we'll have to de-winterize the camper once we get into the sunny south. I think we understand those logistics. But what about things to do in Everglades National Park? And what about other nearby attractions in southern Florida?

We've never done the "winter in Florida" thing before.

South Florida is a very difficult place to get RV sites in the winter, so you're probably fortunate. The Glades is a much understated place. There are a number of large truck patch farms growing vegetables, and I've been in traffic jams in the middle of nowhere. Parts are very busy places in Winter.

You could take a tour on an airboat of The Glades--a pretty bold activity. You could go fishing on Lake Okeechobee. And you're not far from either the Atlantic or the Gulf Coast--with incredibly fine restaurants and beautiful residential areas.

 

[Meadbh]

You could take a tour on an airboat of The Glades--a pretty bold activity.

I highly recommend this if you have any interest in nature. I understand there are many different airboat operators and the quality varies.

 

[NW-Bound]

We will be catching a flight to Florida to board a cruise ship in a couple of days. My last cruise was 20 years ago. My wife arranged all the details for this trip. I hope I will not get bored on the ship.

 

[Nemo2]

I hope I will not get bored on the ship.

It might depend on where you're going.

 

[Souschef]

New Mexico and/or Great Lakes cruise

We are planning a trip to Santa Fe, Taos, and Carlsbad next year. We are also looking at a Great Lakes cruise, but it is $$$. We have cut back on our travel,so it might be in our budget

 

[Ronstar]

If gas stays at the current low prices, I'm firing up the truck and driving to Arizona, and wherever the road takes me on the return trip.


Sent from my iPad using Early Retirement Forum

 

[NW-Bound]

It might depend on where you're going.

It's a 7-night Western Caribbean itinerary. I just looked it up again. Sail from Ft. Lauderdale to Cozumel (Mexico), then George Town (Grand Cayman), Falmouth (Jamaica), and Labadee (Haiti).

Maybe I can find something to do there, and will not be stuck on the boat. I still bring a book, just in case. Else, we've got a veranda room, and also free drink package to while away doing nothing. I do worry about eating too much and gain weight.

 

[Nemo2]

^
I did one (and only one) Caribbean cruise, circa 1970, (I was younger then)...never had any desire to repeat the experience, (although our upcoming (Easter) transatlantic does leave from St. Maarten)......from what I've (rightly or wrongly) heard, they are pretty much 'party' voyages nowadays.

There are usually libraries/gyms...but the overeating factor is indeed a danger.

Good luck...hope you enjoy!

 

[Meadbh]

I did a 10 day Caribbean cruise on Celebrity Equinox a few years ago. Ports included St. Thomas, St. Kitts & Nevis, Barbados, Dominica and Sint Maarten. It was most enjoyable. Not a party ship at all, but plenty to keep one occupied on board. My favourite shipboard activity was the glassmaking demonstrations: they had a full glassblowing setup.

NW-Bound, I predict you will enjoy yourself despite your predictions of doom and gloom!

 

[Bamaman]

We're taking the grandkids over Christmas holidays to The Wilderness of The Smokies. It's a huge condo/timeshare/hotel complex with an indoor swimming pool complex inside the size of a football field.

Some of the rooms are privately owned condos. Some are time shares. Some are owned by Windham. You never know now who owns hotels you're staying in in resort areas.

 

[Bestwifeever]

Leaving for an NCL cruise ourselves on Thursday, in the other direction, to Hawaii. Seven days but the ship overnights at three islands so it's really just our floating hotel (we aren't picky about the ship's amenities) as we will sleep on board but active activities on land and water--hike, bike, kayak, snorkel. Precruise are Pearl Harbor and a good and schlocky luau. Sort of Hawaii for Dummies.

I love a Caribbean cruise for great beaches, lots of salt air, gorgeous water, sunny skies. And the occasional umbrella drink. Have a great time, NWB!

 

[Bestwifeever]

We're taking the grandkids over Christmas holidays to The Wilderness of The Smokies. It's a huge condo/timeshare/hotel complex with an indoor swimming pool complex inside the size of a football field.

Some of the rooms are privately owned condos. Some are time shares. Some are owned by Windham. You never know now who owns hotels you're staying in in resort areas.

I would love a report on this trip--have been looking for a place to spend a week or so with the grandkids and their parents!

 

[NW-Bound]

We have gone on an Eastern Caribbean cruise many years ago. It went to St. Thomas, and San Juan, Haiti, and another port. I did enjoy it along with our kids.

Back then, I was working hard, so welcomed a chance just to do nothing. Now in retirement, I like to be a little more active in our trip, and having more control of where I want to go, what I want to do, where I want to stay. But my wife is getting weary of the 10,000-mile 2-month long RV trips, so it's my turn to indulge her.

I think I will be OK. Still need to watch out for food indulgence. It is a big Celebrity ship, but I forget its name.

 

[Nemo2]

Have just placed a deposit, (fully refundable within 75 days of sailing if our situation changes), on the Royal Caribbean Rhapsody of the Seas transatlantic departing Malaga on Nov 19, 2016...arriving Miami Dec 02.

Now we have to consider where to go in Europe prior to the sailing.

 

[sengsational]

Back then, I was working hard, so welcomed a chance just to do nothing. Now in retirement, I like to be a little more active in our trip, and having more control of where I want to go, what I want to do, where I want to stay. But my wife is getting weary of the 10,000-mile 2-month long RV trips, so it's my turn to indulge her.

I like active travel as you do, but find a way to enjoy cruises too. I like to just treat it as a time where there are no grocery store trips, no cooking, no cleaning, and if I bring enough clothes, no laundry. Its easy to over indulge on the food, but I've gotten better at experiencing the food in small quantities. And I don't eat anything I'm not really loving, since you can always just ask for something else. As to what to do, DW and I usually meet people and that interaction is fun for us, takes up the time (between reading books )

 

[Souschef]

Cruising

We found that cruising fits out lifestyle. Our last cruise was 32 days, with a couple of days in Buenos Aires. We had enough miles to fly Business Class from LA, which made it very comfortable, plus had the use of the lounges at LAX and Lima.
We had enough cruises to qualify for free laundry,internet and mini bar setups. We took our readers for sea days, and arranged our minisuite to fit our personal needs.
As much as we enjoyed the cruise and the land experiences, we felt the 32 days was too long for us.
We know others go on 100+ day world cruises, and more power to them.

 

[NW-Bound]

My aunt and her husband have gone on long cruises of 1 to 2 months. When asked if they got bored, they said they didn't, and it was because of the itineraries. They explained that they picked trips with destination ports in countries that were interesting, but not sufficiently that they would not make a trip solely to go see. With a cruise, the cost was not bad considering all the places that they got to visit. Of course that means they also spent a lot on excursions.

That sounded quite reasonable to me, and they said next time they take another trip they will let us know in case we want to come.

 

[kcowan]

Royal Caribbean Rhapsody of the Seas transatlantic departing Malaga on Nov 19, 2016...arriving Miami Dec 02.

Now we have to consider where to go in Europe prior to the sailing.

We spent 3 weeks travelling from Barcelona to Malaga, alternately inland on coast. A little earlier, Nov 3rd leaving Malaga, the weather was sunny and highs of 26 every day.

 

[Nemo2]

We spent 3 weeks travelling from Barcelona to Malaga, alternately inland on coast. A little earlier, Nov 3rd leaving Malaga, the weather was sunny and highs of 26 every day.

Our itinerary, after next April's arrival in Barcelona on the CDF Horizon, includes Leon, Orense, and then back to Canada from Porto (again)......haven't been up in the northern part of Spain for nigh on 45 years.

 

[brett]

That is our plan for next fall. Have an August wedding to attend in Ontario. Hope to catch a cheap one way to Porto on Transat and spend eight weeks in SE France, northern Spain, and Portugal. Unless of course a better travel offer comes along. We very much enjoyed Porto and the Duoro Valley. We will figure out the rest when we get there, including how to get home.

 

[Nemo2]

That is our plan for next fall. Have an August wedding to attend in Ontario. Hope to catch a cheap one way to Porto on Transat and spend eight weeks in SE France, northern Spain, and Portugal. Unless of course a better travel offer comes along. We very much enjoyed Porto and the Duoro Valley. We will figure out the rest when we get there, including how to get home.

We flew Air Transat back from Porto this Spring, next Spring we're already booked with SATA, (think the prices dropped since we booked...but if we hadn't booked then they'd likely have gone up), Porto-Toronto.

Yes, we enjoyed Porto too...this time we'll make sure the bookstore is open so we can visit it.