Spring Break Travel: Tips Kids, Parents

    As a single parent of a college student, you probably want your teen to experience a wonderful Spring Break vacation, but you’re also concerned (rightfully so) about everything you’ve heard related to the potential problems college students run into when visiting the popular Spring Break destinations. Improper planning and poor judgment can lead to serious problems. Thanks in part to MTV and those raunchy Girls Gone Wild videos, millions of college students look forward to enjoying their Spring Break vacation in a warm and tropical climate. Most students planning their Spring Break getaway are on a tight budget and are naive when it comes to booking airline tickets and hotel accommodations. The following are a few suggestions for making Spring Break travel plans:  

1. If you purchase an “all-inclusive” package deal from a tour operator or charter company, be extra careful.
Determine exactly what’s included in the price, and beware of deals that are too good to be true. Often, spring breakers are shocked to discover that many expenses are not actually covered, even though their trip was supposed to be “all-inclusive.” Talk to fellow students who have traveled with the tour operator in previous years, and seek out reliable referrals before making your non-changeable and non-refundable reservations. Be sure to get everything in writing, including confirmation numbers for the airline and hotel, and then reconfirm your reservations before leaving.

2. Research the accommodations (the hotel or resort) carefully.
Obtain independent reviews. Don’t rely on brochures or promotional literature to determine if the accommodations are clean, comfortable, safe and truly offer the promised amenities and services.

3. To save money, college students often plan to share a single guestroom with four to eight (or more) of their friends.
Some hotels and resorts, however, have strict policies against this. Know what’s allows and what you can get away with before leaving home, or you could wind up in a foreign country with no place to stay.

4. Use reliable online travel sites.
 Hotwire.com, Travelocity.com, Kayak.com and Travelzoo.com can help you find discounted airfares and hotels. You’ll often find better Spring Break deals booking at least one to three months in advance, especially to popular destinations. If you opt to use a travel agent, find someone local and reliable, with knowledge about your intended destination. 

5. Figure out, in advance, your ground transportation requirements.
For example, upon reaching your destination, you’ll need to get from the airport to your hotel or resort. Once at the hotel, you’ll probably want to visit the nearby town (to shop, sightsee or visit the clubs and bars). Figure out how much to budget for taxis or other public transportation.

6. At most resorts, activities that require any type of equipment (such as scuba diving) all cost extra, so plan your budget accordingly.
However much you’re quoted for your trip, plan on spending about one-third extra for incidentals, plus unexpected charges.

7. To travel outside of the U.S., including to all Caribbean destinations, you’ll need a valid U.S. Passport.
Allow between four and eight weeks to apply for and receive a new passport or to renew your existing passport (if necessary). Rush service is available, but it’ll cost you up to $300. to get a passport within a few days if you wait until the last-minute. Also, depending on your overseas destination, you may be responsible to pay a departure tax (in cash), which could be between $25. and $100. Again, plan your budget accordingly.