This week, we’re talking travel!

I recently went on what was supposed to be an inexpensive trip. Being a first time cruiser, I wasn’t fully aware of the costs associated with sea travel. As a communicator, I should have recognized the fact that the deal sounded too good to be true; however, my desire to travel overpowered my common sense. Here are some examples of the “too good to be true” sales pitches that had me packing my bags and blowing my budget.

What they said: “All meals are included.”
What they meant: There will be food available while you are on the boat.
When you get off the boat (and believe me, you will want to get off the boat!), you are on your own. Lunch and snacks in tourist towns can be really costly. In one port, I paid $3 for a bottle of water. Also, be sure you know what is included in the all-inclusive meal plan—many ships charge for “extras” like alcoholic beverages, soda, and even ice cream.

What they said: “You can see a lot in a short period of time.”
What they meant: You can get to a lot of places in a short period of time.
To actually see a lot, you will pay a lot. On my trip, the average shore excursion was around $60 per person; more elaborate excursions cost well over $100 per person. We found out the hard way that venturing out on our own was harder and no cheaper.

What they said: “We are equipped with the latest in communication technology.”
What they meant: Good luck trying to get online.
I paid $60 for an hour of Internet service. During my 60 minutes, the connection dropped four times. During many portions of the trip, there was no service at all (I’m sure some people found that relaxing—I am not one of those people!) I was able to use my cell phone occasionally; however, I used it sparingly to avoid international roaming charges.

What they said: “Enjoy our first-class service.”
What they meant: You are expected to tip well for everything.
When I went to pay the final bill, I found that they had added automatically added $15 gratuity per day for me and another $12 gratuity per day for my children. The tip was split among people who worked in many areas of the ship where we never once set foot. I visited the office to have the amounts adjusted more appropriately. While the total amount of the tip did not decrease (and the $200+ really impacted our overall cost of the cruise), I was happy to be able to give our very patient evening waiter his fair share.

What they said: “We have some great last-minute deals.”
What they meant: The cost of the cruise may be affordable; however, getting to the ship is another story.
We booked the cruise before booking the plane tickets and that turned out to be a costly mistake. There are some great last minute deals on sea travel, but last minute air travel is expensive.

Don’t get me wrong, the trip was amazing (except for the missed flight—but I’ll save that story for another day!) My only advice is to take your time and consider the total cost of the trip so you don’t go overboard and sink into debt (sorry, I couldn’t resist!)

This is a guest post from Anna Nguyen, marketing specialist and new bride (Congratulations Anna!) Also check out Anna’s last post titled For richer or poorer?

At times when you need to save your money and cut back on costs, vacations seem to be the first “want” to go. For some, travel is a must and not something to sacrifice this year. Think you can’t afford to get away this summer? Check out these tips to help you plan a vacation within your means:

Prepare a budget. Before you begin making travel arrangements, make a spending plan and prepare your budget. Think about what you may spend and write it down. Then, take it with you and compare the amount spent with the amount you had budgeted. Try not to stray far from your list.

Do your homework. Online research is essential during your vacation planning. Information on the Internet is at your fingertips and always up-to-date. Trip Advisor is a great web site that features real advice and photos from real travelers. You can read about first hand experiences and tips regarding the location, lodging, food, and things to do. It’s all the help in the world when you have guidance on where to go, stay, eat, and have fun!

Look for deals. The Internet is also the home for all great deals and specials. Sign up for travel newsletters like TravelZoo’s or just check in frequently for their top deals and news flashes. For domestic flights and hotels, I like to use Bing Travel, formerly known as Farecast. It allows you to comparison shop, and helps you decide when and where to travel and when it’s the right time to buy tickets. LastMinute.com also offers great vacation package discounts for last minute travel.

Cut your costs. The two most flexible areas of expense are food and lodging. You can still experience the foods of the place you’re visiting (one of my favorite parts of traveling), but limit meals out each day. A cooler filled with food and drinks from a grocery store can help eliminate the high cost of quick stops at fast food restaurants and convenience stores. Check prices on menus before choosing a restaurant and remember that dining out for lunch is often less expensive than dinner. Also, consider getting away for an affordable weekend rather than longer, and avoid stressing about your expenses afterward. Book your accommodations early to get special discount rates. If you end up finding a cheaper rate after you’ve booked your lodging, a lot of places will be more than happy to match the price you found.

Whether you are traveling by land or air, it’s important to remember that a vacation is meant to be fun and relaxing! It’s a time for you to be stress-free and the planning process should be equally so. With a little planning, you won’t have to give up a vacation this year and might be surprised how it pays in the end!

Travel during the holiday season traditionally increases by as much as 50 percent—making it the busiest travel time of the year. This year’s economic uncertainty and resulting financial concerns have many travelers wondering whether they can afford to travel this season. In fact, 66 percent of respondents to a recent poll conducted by Travelocity.com said their concerns about the economy would affect their travel plans this season.

Meanwhile, travelers are not the only ones feeling apprehensive. Airlines are also preparing for a sluggish year. Air carriers across the board are cutting flight prices up to 25 percent, trying to fill the extra space on their flights. This kind of price-cutting right before Thanksgiving and Christmas is basically unheard of, but airlines, cruise ships, hotel chains and vacation resorts are slashing prices to help provide some incentive to boost travel sales during the holidays.

No matter how attractive the deal or how low the prices fall, it’s important to always travel close to your family’s budget. Here are some ideas to make your holiday travel more enjoyable and less draining on your family’s pocketbook.

Take the road less traveled. Gas prices have dropped by almost half since this summer, making driving more affordable. When making your travel arrangements, don’t forget to consider bus or train travel as an alternative. While it may take longer to arrive at your destination, driving can offer great opportunities for sightseeing.

Schedule your trip the smart way. Think twice about “early bird” specials and discount rates. Fares and hotel rates are expected to drop the closer we get to Thanksgiving Day. Keep in mind that a fee may be charged if you decide to cancel or change reservations.

Plan for related expenses. Be sure you’ve budgeted for all of the “little” expenses related to your travel. If you are planning to drive, be sure to budget for gas and snacks along the way, and also any car maintenance needed before and during travel. Remember to budget for your pets boarding costs if you are leaving them at home.

Use credit for convenience. You may want to take a credit card along for safety and convenience. However, it is important to remember that credit should not be used as an extension of your income. If you must use a credit card, be sure to have a plan to pay off any charges in a timely manner and to not spend more than you can afford. Also, keep in mind that gas cards typically carry a higher interest rate than a traditional credit card.

Finally, when determining your travel budget, be sure to consider other expenses that may be waiting for you when you return, such as bills, holiday expenses and next year’s taxes.