Balitang America Travels: Cruising's Hidden Costs

When it comes to cruises, the phrase "all-inclusive" is used often. But what exactly does "all-inclusive" really mean. Don't be fooled by that phrase because while all the basics - your room, transportation (often including flight to the ship port), food and entertainment - are typically covered, the extras are not part of the package.



Extra-cost Items on Large Cruise Ships (600+ passengers):

* Shore excursions & meals (not included on any cruise ship, large or small)
* Cancellation insurance
* Gratuities
* Specialty restaurants
* Ice cream
* Alcohol
* Espresso beverages
* Soda
* Bottled water
* Laundry
* Spa services/massages
* Gambling
* Certain classes: yoga, kickboxing and others

If you want to know the price ranges of these things, Cruise Critic can give you a good idea. In any case, cruising still offers great value if you're on a budget. According to Douglas Ward, a well-respected cruise critic and author of Cruising: All Questions Answered, a seven-day trip on a mid to large-sized ship with accommodation in an outside cabin costs approximately $1,200. Factor in $100 in port charges, if not already included in the fare, and about $50 in gratuities which brings the cost to $1,350 per person. So, that's about $200 per person per day, Ward explained in his book. That amount, he pointed out, won't even get you a nice hotel room in places like New York or London.

Don't forget the economic slump has opened the door for some unbelievable deals. If you're not big on putting together a budget, Independent Traveler has a budget calculator with a list of typical cruise expenses. Type in your costs and add them up to at least arrive at a starting figure for your trip.

USA Today's Cruise Log also has some helpful information on cruising, deals and a forum where cruisers can exchange tips or experiences. Here's just a sampling of some of the discounts out there.

Deals mentioned in my Travels segment:

Holland America 7-Day Alaskan Cruise
Starting at $499/person

MSC Cruises 7-Night Trip to the Caribbean
* For seniors & those 50+, starting at $499/person
* Kids 17 and under sail free on all MSC Cruises.

Norwegian Cruise Line
Kids and any third guest or more rate, starting at $99/person
*Persons must be sharing cabin to get that rate.

Travels is a weekly TV segment written and produced by Christi Morales. It airs every Monday during Balitang America's (News in America) 5:30pm PST newcast on ABS-CBN Global's The Filipino Channel (TFC). Balitang America can also be seen on KTSF Channel 26 at 6:45pm PST in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Balitang America Travels: Online Booking & Travel Resources

If you’re looking for travel information online, chances are you already know which sites to visit. But in case you don’t, this post will at least tell you where to start. I shared this information in my February 16th "Travels" segment, but will also include some additional websites travelers might find helpful.

1) The usual suspects: travel search engines for looking and booking

Travelocity, Expedia and Orbitz – These sites allow you to search for deals and book discounted accommodations, airfare, car rentals, cruises and even vacation packages. But remember since these act like virtual travel agents, there can be fees when you book with them.

Priceline – Bid for discounted luxury accommodations or airfare and see if the price you named is right. But you won’t know the hotel name or specific location until you’ve paid, and the site won’t refund your money if you decide to cancel. For flight deals, you can adjust the date but not the return and departure times, so you need to be flexible.

Hotwire – Get your hands on discounted hotel stays and airfare, but you also have to be flexible as the site uses blind-booking as well, meaning you pay first and then you get the specific details. But deals are consistently low.

2) Just shopping around: looking but not booking.
These sites are aggregators that show you where the deals are, then you can book those deals directly with the site or provider where they came from.

Kayak – Searches through more then 140 sites (including the usual suspects listed above) all at once for the lowest airfare, hotels, cruises and car rentals

Mobissimo – Similar to Kayak because it just shows you the source of the deals on airfare, hotels, cruises and car rentals. While it does list deals originating from U.S. travel providers, it often times leans towards international suppliers or agencies.

Vayama – Also an aggregator showing the prices and deals for strictly international flights, hotels and car rentals.

3) Monitoring airfare and travel deals.
These sites allow you to sign up for email alerts that inform you when prices change.

Farecast.com – Shows deals on airfare and hotels from various websites, but also gives you its analysis on whether prices are projected to change – drop, rise, hold steady - within the next 7 days, so you can decide if you want to wait or buy now.

Farechase.com – Just like Farecast.com, only it also shows how flight prices on or near a selected date of travel vary according to departure and return times, the airport you fly from, along with the airline you choose and whether it’s a non-stop flight. So, by adjusting any of these options, you can try to get cheaper airfare. NOW DEFUNCT

Farecompare.com – Finds deals on airfare and has a calendar illustrating the price differences according to the day of travel, even spelling out the best time or month to buy airfare for your particular destination.

Yapta.com – Finds the best airline deals, but also tracks airfare prices for your specific flight. If you’ve already purchased a ticket for that flight and the price drops before the trip, Yapta will work to get you a refund or travel credits from the airline.

There are so many other websites that function in very similar ways to the ones I’ve listed. These are just some of the more known sites out there. But like anything else on the vast worldwide web, you need to zero in on what exactly it is you are looking for or hoping to achieve. Hopefully, these sites will at least get you started and on your way to that next great trip.

To see the actual Travels segment that aired on Balitang America, check it out here.

Travels is a weekly TV segment written and produced by Christi Morales. It airs every Monday during Balitang America's (News in America) 5:30pm PST newcast on ABS-CBN Global's The Filipino Channel (TFC). Balitang America can also be seen on KTSF Channel 26 at 6:45pm PST in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Memorable People in Rwanda (Part 2)

Pictured above are more awesome people whom we met in Rwanda and will always remember. Starting from the top left, clockwise, is our guide Oliver whom we trekked with through the Virunga Mountains in search of mountain gorillas. The next is a woman named Winnie, who taught me how to make two Rwandese dishes, followed by our Amahoro Tours guide Abi and his sidekick Omar. In the last photo, is an American named Julie, a passionate conservationist. Each of them left lasting impressions on me and my view of life.

Oliver was such a knowledgeable guide. His eyes lit up whenever he talked about the mountain gorillas. Since my trip to Rwanda in 2006, we managed to exchange emails here and there. I fondly remember one of our last emails in which he shared his excitement about the birth of some baby gorillas; it's a time to rejoice when a baby gorilla is born, because they are the future - little by little their species is inching away from the clutches of extinction. There are about only 700 mountain gorillas left in the entire world.



Oliver was featured in an Animal Planet documentary as part of a group of rangers and guides, who took Sigourney Weaver to see the gorillas she came to know during the filming of Gorillas in the Mist. The feature also revisited the work of late naturalist Dian Fossey and how she paved the way for stronger conservation efforts.

Winnie worked for our tour operator Greg Bakunzi. Giggly and friendly, she would laugh at how I mispronounced the names of the Rwandese dishes we prepared in Greg's native outdoor kitchen. It was in meeting Winnie that I realized how hard some African women have to work. She told me many women work in the fields all day and then come home to cook, clean and tend to their children. There are those who've risen to political positions and hold careers; still many toil in the fields, tilling the soil and harvesting the crops. I have so much admiration for hardworking African women like Winnie.

Julie, the American conservationist, was a smiley person with kind eyes and a jovial spirit full of hope. She'd been in Rwanda for some time teaching artisans and locals to become self-sufficient: helping Rwandans utilize their artistic talents to make a living and all the while instilling in them the importance of wildlife conservation. Her dedication serves as an example of what can be achieved when people open their hearts and share their knowledge with others.



Our guide Abi was a soft-spoken Rwandan who liked listening to our stories about life in America. One day he told us his story: he was the only one in his family to survive the 1994 genocide. At first, I was surprised and humbled by his willingness to share such painful memories and misfortune. But in the end, I came to understand that this was his way, as it is for many Rwandans, to continue the healing. Not to ignore what happened but to tell the story of their horrific past to others, so such a tragedy will never happen again.

And last but definitely not the least, there was our driver Omar. He couldn't speak or understand much English. However, he spoke perfect French - a language I manage to butcher when I try to speak it. Every morning I'd greet him with "bonjour" and "como ca va?" (how are you in English). During our excursions, I'd turn to him and say "como ca va" every once and a while. We would laugh at our inability to communicate anything else other than that. But what we lacked in words, we made up for this in smiles.

Balitang America Travels: Last Minute Valentine's Day Deals

Uh-oh! Haven't made Valentine's Day plans yet? Well, have no fear because as I mentioned in my Balitang America Travels segment yesterday, there are still some reasonably priced hotel packages out there for under $300. Notice I didn't use the word "cheap" hotel packages. Number one, cheap is relative because what one may consider cheap might not be for others. But mostly, "cheap" in the context of making Valentine's Day plans, isn't going to earn you brownie points with the ladies.

Remember V-Day falls on a Saturday this year and Monday is President's Day, so what do you get - a long, romantic weekend. Unless of course your company is lame and they don't give you Monday off. ;-)

I know you don't need to go away for the weekend to have a great Valentine's Day, but with hotel occupany rates the lowest they've been in 30 years, properties are slashing prices left and right. Believe it or not, even five-star hotels have been brought to their knees, offering deals unheard of during good economic times. If you can, take advantage!

Here are just some of the romantic getaways mentioned on Balitang America and others you can still get your hands on from all over.

Hotel Packages Under $300 (per night per couple)

Apple Core Hotels (New York)

Art & Love Package $199:

* Accommodations in the heart of New York City

* Two priority-entrance guest passes to The Metropolitan Museum of Art

* Complimentary bottle of champagne

* Free breakfast and in-room coffee

Affinia Hotels
New York $289
Chicago $209
Washington, D.C. $189

Naughty and Nice Package:
* Accomodations and room customizable by you through My Afffina
* Rose petal turn-down service
* Champagne
* Box of Jacques Torres hand-made chocolates
* Agent Provocateur Strip Poker Set
* Romantic in-room movie
* 4pm late check-out

Intercontinental Hotel (Chicago)
Rates start at $249 (one-day advance booking required)

* Accommodations
* Welcome amenity of premium Champagne and strawberries upon arrival
* 30-minute in-room Swedish massage for two
* Decadent wine, cheese and chocolate tasting for two
($50 credit will be provided by ENO loung on lobby level)

JW Marriott Las Vegas Resort & Spa
Rates start at $279

Romance Package includes:

* Deluxe Guestroom
* Champagne and Strawberries delivered upon arrival
* Buffet Breakfast for two at Ceres
* One, 50-minute European Facial or Swedish Massage for that special someone

Personality Hotels San Francisco
Rates start at $139

XOXO Package:
* Deluxe accommodations
* "The Best Places to Kiss in Northern California" book
* $25 gift certificate to the Farallon Restaraunt
* Late checkout upon availability

The Campton Hotel (San Francisco)
Rates start at $275

Leave Your Heart in SF Package:
* Deluxe room accommodations
* Champagne and strawberries upon your arrival
* Daily special breakfast in bed for two
* Special bath amenities
* Wine tasting and a special dinner prepared by the chef
at the Campton Place Restaurant once during your stay

Tampa Bay Online
Links to article with hotel packages and romantic getaways in Florida


Links to Nationwide Deals & Packages

Hotels.com
Valentine's Day Promotions

Budget Travel Magazine
U. S. Valentine's Getaways, From $140

Away.com: Where Next?
Article about Valentine's deals around the web

Travels is a weekly TV segment written and produced by Christi Morales. It airs every Monday during Balitang America's (News in America) 5:30pm PST newcast on ABS-CBN Global's The Filipino Channel (TFC). Balitang America can also be seen on KTSF Channel 26 at 6:45pm PST in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Memorable People in Rwanda (Part 1)

Over the next couple of weeks, I'll be revisiting past international travels like I did in the entry entitled "A Picture Paints a Thousand Words." As I mentioned in that post, the trip to Rwanda was only 3 1/2 days and 4 nights, but the memories I collected there will live on forever. The places we visited and friendly people made the whole trip unforgettable.

My husband, Darren, and I met wonderful people like Greg Bakunzi, the owner of the eco-tourism company Amahoro Tours. The moment we met Greg, at the Gregoire Kayibanda Airport in Kigali, there was an instant connection. During the two-hour drive to the Mountain Gorillas Nest lodge in Kinigi, we chatted it up with Greg about everything from food and religion to politics and our personal lives. When we told Greg how excited we were to sample the local cuisine, he eventually invited us to dine with him in his home and gave me the honor of helping cook the Rwandese meal.

It was great getting to know Greg who felt comfortable enough to share intimate details of his life with us. Greg didn't grow up in Rwanda, but in a refugee camp in Uganda where his parents fled during the 1959 revolution. He moved to his native Rwanda with nothing - no money, no possessions - after the 1994 genocide, brimming with hope to start anew. Eventually, he built up his eco-tourism company which has been very successful.

Through Amahoro we visited villages and interacted with the locals. We also had an opportunity to visit an orphanage where we spent a good amount of time playing with the children. Greg and his guides gave us an understanding and appreciation of Rwanda's culture, heritage, history and people - an experience that went above and beyond what I expected. And, one that I will always cherish.

Balitang America Travels Segment on February 2nd: Finding a Good Travel Agent

Looking to visit a destination that’s normally off your radar or planning to plunge into new travel territory? Maybe it’s time to talk to a travel agent. Even my husband and I, who are pretty independent travelers, tapped an agent for our trip to Indonesia in 2004. But how do you find a good travel agent? This was the topic I explored in my Balitang America Travels segment yesterday, Monday.

Let’s put it this way: it’s not like finding a needle in a haystack, but it does require some research and initiative. What travelers want is an agent who will listen and give them exactly what they want. Not someone who pressures them into buying the vacation package or airline fare that’s going to earn he or she, the agent, a fat bonus or commission.

In addition, consumers should be aware of scammers perpetrating travel fraud. In my travel segment, I revisited the story of how a woman paid upfront with a check for airline reservations through a travel agent who promised to send her the tickets in the mail. What she didn’t know is that, today, U.S. travel agents no longer issue physical tickets. Instead agents give a receipt or invoice with an electronic ticket number that passengers show the day of travel. By the time she realized she’d been had, the scammer was long gone with her money.

Don’t be shy to probe a little. After all, this person is working for you, and you want to make sure he or she is looking out for your best interest. Here are some things to keep in mind in your search for a travel agent:

When starting out…

* Be careful about booking with a travel agency that only accepts cash.

* Research the company to make sure they don’t have a bad record with the Better Business Bureau.

* See if the company or travel agent has any certifications. Travel agents aren’t required to have any specific kind of certification, but if they are certified, it may provide insight as to their level of experience and professionalism. You can also check to see if they are affiliated with any respected travel organizations.

Once you’ve identified a company or travel agent…

* Interview them and ask how long they’ve been in the industry, as well as what they can do for you.

* Make sure they are upfront about fees and the cancellation policy.

* Check to see how available they are, because if something goes wrong you’re going to want them to step in to resolve the issue or dispute.

* Ask yourself: is this travel agent listening to my needs? Do they really know about the destination?

If this is too much effort for you, ask friends or family if they can recommend the company or travel agent they've used before. Also, below are some helpful websites that provide information about travel fraud and how to avoid it.

Federal Trade Commission
National Consumers League
Fraud Guides

Travels is a weekly TV segment written and produced by Christi Morales. It airs every Monday during Balitang America's (News in America) 5:30pm PST newcast on ABS-CBN Global's The Filipino Channel (TFC). Balitang America can also be seen on KTSF Channel 26 at 6:45pm PST in the San Francisco Bay Area.