1 of 4

Write now Article Tools

Finding the best Christmas vacation deals depends on many factors. First, where do you want to go to celebrate the season? Do you prefer a snowy Christmas card setting in Switzerland (Froehliche Weihnachten), a romantic holiday scene in Paris (Joyeux Nol), a Dickens postcard scene in London (Merry Christmas), or a surf and sand paradise in Hawaii (Mele Kalikimaka). Perhaps you'd rather spend the holiday shopping and dining in beautiful downtown Hong Kong (Sa'nt Dan Fai Lok).

Finding the best Christmas vacation deals often begins with making very early reservations. Many resorts, cruise ships and major big-city hotels begin booking their Christmas holiday reservations as early as January and February. There may be price incentive for early bookers, because travel industry organizations like to plan ahead for guaranteed full occupancy as early as possible. As reservations come in, and as the year goes by, the prices for Christmas bookings usually go higher and higher.

For example, suppose you'd like to book a holiday experience at Arizona's Grand Canyon in a lodge set right on the picturesque North Rim. Of course, the highlight will be the famous mule ride a mile straight down the Canyon's sides to the Colorado River. If that's your wish, be aware that you must book your Christmas vacation there at least 12 months in advance. Prices don't fluctuate, because only a very limited number of reservations are accepted. This may also be the situation in other very popular destinations you'd like to consider for your Christmas vacation.

Making early reservations can also be a gamble for some destinations, where there may be reduced price incentive offered for early booking. Conversely, when reservations are made just a week or so before the holiday season, the price can be extremely high. Christmas vacation prices also depend on the economy.

Prices can fluctuate as holiday season approaches if reservations are sparse. This makes management of resorts, cruise ships and hotels very nervous. They don't want empty rooms for what should be their most profitable time of the year, and they'll offer bargain last-minute deals. Cruise ships are particularly vulnerable, because they must sail on schedule, whether they have a full complement of passengers or not.

To get one of these potentially best Christmas vacation deals, you need to decide where you'd like to go, how many days you want to stay and how much you're prepared to spend. You also need lots of gambler's luck with prices, and must constantly click in to the internet travel agencies. Additionally, you should make frequent calls to your chosen cruise line, resort or hotel where you intend to spend your Christmas holiday. When you believe you have the advantage and receive a price quote, it's the right moment to say those magic words: Can you do better than that?

Learn more about this author, Ted Sherman.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

Add your voice

Know something about The best Christmas vacation deals?
We want to hear your view. Write now!