Labor Day getaways

PHOENIX (3TV/CBS 5) –

Two popular phrases right now: “What are your plans for Labor Day?” followed closely by, “So, where are you doing for the long weekend?”

Traditionally the last vacation break of the summer — and one of the most popular travel weekends of the year — Labor Day is fast approaching. If you put off looking for a great getaway over the holiday weekend, don’t despair – we beat the proverbial bushes for great travel rates, so you don’t have to.

As with most travel over and around holiday weekends, a little flexibility will go a long way in finding the best rates. For example, the most expensive days to travel this year will be Friday, Aug. 31, and Monday, Sept. 3. Add a day on either end and your rates will drop significantly, even with a longer stay!

If you can build the long weekend into the beginning or end of a weeklong vacation, there are some fantastic cruise values!

Here are some examples.

7-day Western Caribbean Cruise (Departing from Galveston, TX)

Travel Aug. 26 – Sept. 2, using the Monday holiday to recover from your vacation, you can sail to Roatan, Belize, and Cozumel from $489 per person, double occupancy, and you’ll get $50 onboard credit to spend on your trip! Ocean View Staterooms and Balconies are also still available and at terrific rates. Fly into Houston’s Hobby or InterContinental airports for under $300 per person and you have a holiday including air, accommodations and meals for just over $100 a day.

You can travel Sept. 2-9, incorporating the day off into your weeklong getaway, and a cruise out of Galveston on a more traditional Western Caribbean itinerary of Cozumel, Grand Cayman, and Jamaica. That will run from $519 per person, plus the air from Phoenix. You’ll get the $50 shipboard credit on this sailing, too.

3-day Ensenada Cruise (Departing from Los Angeles)

If you need to keep it short and sweet, you can depart out of LA on Aug. 30, returning Sept. 2, on a cruise with a day at sea and a day in Ensenada. The rate on this sailing runs from $444 per person, plus your preferred method of travel to the port. A four-day sailing leaving on Labor Day itself, Sept. 3, returning on Friday, Sept. 7, starts at only $389 per person.

Los Cabos — Aug. 31 – Sept. 4

4-night all-inclusive vacation, including roundtrip air from Phoenix, your hotel, all meals and beverages, including alcohol

Royal Solaris Los Cabos — $988.59 per person, double occupancy

Reflect Krystal Grand Los Cabos — $1000.09 per person, double occupancy

Dreams Los Cabos Resort Spa — $1233.59 per person, double occupancy

There are lots of other properties offering nice rates over the holiday weekend, but I think these offer the most value for your travel dollar. The flights included are connecting, but have good departure times, and will let you make the most of your long weekend.

Puerto Vallarta — Aug. 31 – Sept. 4

4-night all-inclusive vacation, including round trip air from Phoenix, your hotel, all meals and beverages, including alcohol

RIU Jalisco – $1179.59 per person, double occupancy

Not as many screaming deals in this lovely destination, but the RIU is a really pretty hotel and on a great beach.

Staycations are great, too

And finally, if you’d like a little “staycation” action, take yourself on a “Carefree holiday” and head to the pretty Civana Resort. They have a wonderful “getaway” rate over the holiday weekend (checking in Friday, Aug. 31, out on Sunday, Sept. 2), coming in at $178 per person, based on two people sharing the room. Along with that terrific rate, you’ll get $50. resort credit, to use as you choose, and with your resort fee comes up to nine daily wellness classes, including Zumba, Barre Basics, and Aerial Yoga.

For more information on these vacation values and more coming in daily, call the crack team at Preferred Travel Services, 602-603-9300, or contact me directly at Rosanne@preferredtravelservices.com. You can also see these specials and many others if you follow me on Facebook @RoSaysGo.

I look forward to hearing from you!

Click/tap here to download the free azfamily mobile app.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply