With dwindling enthusiasm generated by Y2K computer fears, staggering rates for ordinary vacations, and the usual holiday shortage of airline seats, Millennium cruise and resort packages are still plentiful according to a recent report in Travel Agent. Since an estimated 20% of all Americans are expected to travel somewhere over New Years, we asked some of FTF’s Travel Industry Associate members for their advice on family destinations.
Kari Thomas of Will Travel in Langhorne, PA says Alaska will be popular during 2000, because “It’s the kind of trip that kids will remember, and is particularly well-suited for grandparents and grandchildren. Decent specials (two for one rates, or half price for kids) are available from cruise lines such as Holland America and Princess, and early bookings are recommended.”
Ms. Thomas also recommends Glacier Bay Cruises, which runs smaller, more intimate trips into Glacier Bay and the fjords, providing closer proximity to animal life.
Dan Hallinan, president of California-based Traveling With Children, was not very positive on the Year 2000 subject and is appalled that fares and hotel costs have been so overblown. He suggests families “avoid both Rome and Jerusalem during the Jubilee Year — two of the craziest cities on earth.”
Debby Gioquindo of Personal Touch Travel, Poughkeepsie, NY sees family clients becoming more interested in either cultural travel, such as visiting areas their children have studied in school, or adventure vacations, like white water rafting. She believes Alaska and Europe will remain popular. Since cruising is still a favorite choice, she’s glad to report, “some cruise prices have come back down to reality from where they were a year or two ago.”
As for New Year’s, Ms. Gioquindo senses many clients are willing to wait a few months to avoid inflated prices for ‘the turn.’
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