by Ted Sherman

Created on: November 10, 2009

Choosing a best vacation packages for winter depends on your destination preferences. Do you want to ski or swim? Do you intend to try for ski and swim fun? Do you want to just stretch out with a tall drink and loll on a sunfilled sandy beach, or in front of a snow lodge's roaring fireplace?

Do you prefer a winter cruise to warm places, such as Hawaii or the Mexican Riviera? Would your winter vacation activities include deep-sea fishing, underwater snorkel exploration or climbing mountains? You can find hundreds of choices for winter vacation packages by logging on to online travel agencies or by visiting your friendly hometown agency.

Many vacation packages are all-inclusive, where one price covers lodging, meals and activities, and in some resorts, all the drinks. Some vacation package prices also include airfare. When shopping online for your winter vacation or with your favorite hometown travel agent, be sure you understand all your choices, as well as the prices and what they include or not include.

Here's a sample list of just a few of the best winter vacation packages:

Ski/snow: Five-star-rated Canadian ski resorts are the Fairmont Banff Springs, Mount Tremblant and The Fairmont Chateau Whistler. Packages offered include round-trip airfare, resort accommodations, rental car, lift tickets, ski and snowboard rentals, as well as other amenities. For more information, go to www.unitedvacations.com

Cruises: Compared to land resorts, winter cruises can be great bargains. Cruise prices are always all-inclusive, and when compared to the $300 a day and up per person charged by beach and ski resorts, the $100 a day cost of a typical cruise can be very attractive. On all other vacations, when you look out of your hotel room window, you see the same sight, day and night. On cruises, you see never-ending passing parades of ocean scenes, ships and a variety of port city harbors.

A typical winter cruise vacation package is listed by CruiseDealship.com. It's seven nights on the Crown Princess departing December 12, as well as other later dates, out of Fort Lauderdale FL, with Caribbean port visits to Grand Cayman, Roatan, Cozumel, Princess Cay and return. All-inclusive prices, except for airfare, start at less than $100 per person per day.

Beach resorts: Of course, there are the singles, couples-only and clothing-optional beaches that appeal to the venturesome adults. Other beach resorts that cater to families can offer somewhat more subdued fun for everyone. Hard-working

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