How to Keep the Spend Down on Your One Day Cozumel Cruise Ship

Photo credit: Meetoncruise.com

The island of Cozumel is located in the Caribbean Sea just off the coast of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, and is one of ten municipalities within the state of Quintana Roo. The island has always been a popular tourist destination, and it receives thousands of visitors every year from neighbouring islands as well as cruise ships. From snorkelling to scuba diving, the balnearious beaches provide a wealth of entertainment.

A number of industry-leading cruise line companies, such as Carnival cruise lines, Crystal cruises and Disney cruises, make regular visits at Cozumel, not least due to the amazing weather and friendly locals. The largest remaining historical ruins on the island are located at San Gervasio, however many have suffered severe weather damage from numerous hurricanes over the years.

Charter fishing is one of the biggest industries on Cozumel, and most cruise ships that dock at the island’s harbour insist on day tours for their passengers. Although cruises can be expensive, day tours allow you to experience the culture of an island, and there are a number of excursions to take advantage of on the island of Cozumel. You can often find cheap cruises at cruise.co.uk,  especially if you book at the last minute which will help you keep the cost of your holiday down.

Chankannabe Park
This spectacular park is over five and a half miles long, and a great tourist destination if you’re looking to experience some Mexican culture. From bars and clubs to restaurants and swimming pools, Chankannabe Park backs onto the shore line offering a tranquil beach for those wanting to chill out by the sea. There are also lots of historical features in Chankannabe Park, including various monuments and replicas of Mayan homes. For only $10 a day ($8 for children), the park is an inexpensive and secluded paradise that’s well worth a visit.

Carlos and Charlie’s
This restaurant is a must see if you’re feeling a little peckish on your island excursion, especially if you’re looking for something quick, easy and cheap! Carlos and Charlie’s may look a little touristy, but it comes equipped with a well-stocked cocktail bar and their margaritas are world famous. Carlos and Charlie’s offers burlesque shows in the evening as well as a host of other entertainment, so if you’re not impressed by the food, stick around for the dancing!

San Gervasio Ruins
San Gervasio Ruins is dedicated to the Mayan goddess Ixchel, who had the powers of fertility, weaving and midwifery, and is located in the northern third of Cozumel. Not only is the San Gervasio Ruins an archaeological site of the pre-Columbian Maya civilization, but there are over seven structures that are thousands of years old. If you are a tourist and you like your ancient buildings, then the San Gervasio Ruins is a must see. At $5, the entry price is pretty cheap, and if you want a guide to take you around the structures it will only cost you $20. Some of the structures even date back to 1000 AD, so don’t miss this amazing opportunity to see some incredible archaeological history!

Explore Galapagos in a Galapagos Explorer II Cruise

I have not been to any big cruise ship yet. It is an irony because I used to sell cruise packages to my clients as a travel agent before. Cruises were just taking a good break from the cruise industry dominated by only the famous big-liners like the Royal Caribbean, Cunard and Carnival Cruises. Nowadays, more and more shipping companies are opening lines for cruise travel and this time, it is not only meant for the retirees but also young people who want to enjoy the all-inclusive package a cruise liner has to offer.

There are plenty of routes to choose in today's myriad of cruise travels. One enticing and certainly a captivating route will be the Galapagos. The islands of Galapagos are situated in the Pacific Ocean along the equator and close to Ecuador. If you want to explore the place, you can join the excursion  of the cruise  Galapagos Cruise Ship named Galapagos Explorer II.

The Galapagos Explorer II is a luxury liner that offers only suites which makes the cruise experience more memorable. It boasts of five levels of suites with other amenities such as boutiques, restaurants, hospital, recreation area such as bowling, sun deck and bars for entertainment. The suites have most of the common amenities offered in luxury hotels such as the mini-bar, flat TV, ensuite bathroom with shower and biodegradable toiletries, safety deposit box, spacious closets, satellite communication from your suite, wi-fi, electric outlets for 110/220 voltage, hair dryer, vanity dresser and extra sofa bed for triple accommodation rooms.

Aside from having luxurious accommodation onboard, the Galapagos Explorer II also supports the preservation of the Galapagos Islands; hence, strict rules are outlined when joining the excursion. The cruise includes exploring Galapagos Islands and seeing the inhabitants up-close while maintaining a safe distance so as not to disturb the animals and their habitat.

The rates vary from US$1,550 to 4,500 per person depending on the number of nights and season. However, the rates include the accommodation, excursion to the islands, daily meals (breakfast, buffet, dinner and snacks), and welcome and farewell cocktail. Add ons can be added if you want to include the entrance fee to the Galapagos islands, gratuities and drinks.

Given all the remarkable features of this luxury cruise liner and the adventurous excursion in the most preserved place on earth, this is one cruise that I may consider joining in the future.

Start Saving For Your Summer Beach Trip

Spring and summer aren’t that far away and there is no time like the present to start saving up for that beach trip you’ve been dreaming about all summer. Here are some things you can do to make the trip more financially feasible.

1. Travel With Friends

The more friends you can get to go on this trip with you, the cheaper it will be for everyone. It’s much easier to afford a good room in one of those beautiful Laguna Beach hotels if there are four of you sharing it instead of trying to pay for it yourself. If you drive instead of fly you can also split the cost of gas, which—depending on how far you have to drive—could wind up being much cheaper than flying or taking a train. 

Bonus Tip: traveling with friends also keeps you safer. It just makes sense to follow the buddy system when you are in a new place!

2. Start Saving Now

Start putting a couple bucks in a jar every day. If you save two dollars every day between February 1 and June 15, you’ll have saved up $268.  If you put aside $20 a week, you’ll have $380 for vacation. That’s not a bad amount to have on hand for meals, etc.

If you want to save up even more, here is another thing you can do. In addition to putting $20 into that jar every week, dump in whatever change or cash you have on hand in your pockets at the end of the day. You’ll be amazed at how much you can save up if you take the spare stuff out of your pockets and wallet each day.

If you don’t trust that jar to stay safe, use the bank. Transfer $20 every Friday from your checking to your savings account. Then, at the end of every week take whatever cash and change you’ve collected in the jar and deposit that into the savings account as well. This way you don’t have to worry about a bunch of money walking off and leaving you broke.

3. Be Thrifty

You can start practicing thriftiness now. Buy generic groceries instead of name brand. Skip buying new clothes except for maybe a new bathing suit to take on your trip. Borrow books from the library instead of buying them. Basically, cut any spending that isn’t necessary for your survival. 

On your trip, stock up on groceries to keep in your hotel room.  Sure you’ll probably want to go out for most meals but buying stuff to snack on at a grocery store will save you a ton of money that would have otherwise been spent on overpriced stuff out of vending machines or in hotel gift shops.

These are just three ways that you can make sure that your vacation is a fantastic and affordable one. There are plenty of other things you can do to save up for your summer vacation—you just have to get creative!

Palawan's Hidden Hills Getaway Giveaway Live!

Welcome to Palawan's Hidden Hills Getaway Giveaway which is hosted by The Travel Bug and in cooperation with What’s Up  |  Henry’s Mom Blogs  |  My Own Travels  |  Sporadic Thoughts  |  It’s My Party  |  Home Is Where The Heart Is  |  Red Lips and Pinky Toes  |  The Bunny’s Review  |  Boracay Resorts Bookings

You can do this when you win in this amazing getaway sponsored by the generous owner of Hidden Hills Private Resort. The whole prize will total to $400 excluding transportation and yours free when you win the amazing getaway prize!

Hidden Hills is your exotic vacation home in the Philippines, situated in Puerto Princesa, Palawan. The exclusive villa is a lovely rustic chalet which sits on top of the hill with an additional loft built downhill to accommodate additional guests.

The whole villa is a masterpiece and truly a place to enjoy a quiet time, to de-stress and marvel at Mother Nature's best! To get more info about the property and view the gallery, please visit: http://www.flipkey.com/puerto-princesa-villa-rentals/p132853/

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1 winner will be chosen to avail the 2 nights/3 days free accommodation. The prize is for 2 persons in one accommodation.

Prize includes:

• Accommodations : Exclusive use of the entire property 
• Welcome Drinks 
• Welcome Pack / Fruit Basket 
• Daily Freshly Picked Flowers From the Garden FREE 
• Unlimited Coffee or Tea&nbsp
• Mineral Drinking Water 
• Eat-All-U-Can Fruits & Veggies in season whatever grows in the farm FREE!!! 
• FREE FRESHLY PICKED BUKO (YOUNG COCONUT JUICE) ON ARRIVAL. 
• Cutleries & beddings / towels/ flip-flops / rain boots / beach mats provided for use 
• ONE BOTTLE OF WINE (Seasonal Welcome Compliments) 
• Cleaning services (daily) 
• Cooking Assistance

NOT INCLUDED: Transport. The winner will shoulder his/her plane/boat/land fare and visa for a foreigner winner must be the sole responsibility of the winner.

Important notes:

• The dates chosen by the winner will have to be discussed with the owner of the Hidden Hills for the availability.

• The prize is NOT convertible to cash and is valid for a year upon winning

• The winner is responsible for his/her plane/boat fare, if applicable. Visa formalities, if required, will be the sole responsibility of the winner.

This will run from 15 January to 15 February 2013 (12:00 a.m. Dubai, UAE local time or +4 GMT and close at 11:59 p.m.), and a single winner will be chosen via rafflecopter.com after all the entries have been verified.

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a Rafflecopter giveaway 

Disclaimer: The Travel Bug blog did not receive any payment from the sponsor to host this event. The prize will be awarded by the owner of Hidden Hills as soon as the entries are verified.

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