Cheap Family Getaway

Ltoffee on 12/07/2014 - 12:58
Last edited 12/07/2014 - 12:58

All,

I'm looking at some kind of package holiday ex Melbourne for myself, wife, and 3 young kids (all under 8 - not including the wife). We're pretty flexible on dates (thinking between Sept and Nov this year) - don't mind taking the kids out of school and I can get leave at short notice. Thinking sunny so Fiji, Bali, somewhere similar. Been a rough year on all of us so a relaxing break with pool, sea and sand would be just the ticket.

Obviously when you start searching some big numbers come up - $6-$7k seems to be a typical benchmark regardless of where I choose. There must be a way of making some big savings?

So is the best bet to go to a travel agent and look at packages? Or should I be getting in as early as possible and booking flights and accommodation seperately? Hold off and book last minute? Or is it simply better value to head north within Aus and spend the flights savings on spends?

Would really welcome your tips and tricks for a relaxing week or two away. I'm Velocity platinum with about 80k points if that helps too (only worth about $600 on points plus pay Virgin package holidays but it's a start!)

Cheers,
toffee

Travel

Comments

  • mskeggs on 12/07/2014 - 17:00
    +2

    Boracay in the Philiphinnes if you can get the cheap Cebu airfares posted here a couple of days ago?

    • toffee on 13/07/2014 - 09:42

      Thanks for the tip. I'll look into it a bit further but looks like Sep-Nov is the wettest of the wet season?

  • Pumpkin_rrr on 12/07/2014 - 18:44
    +2

    The options are endless, probably that's why you havent got many responses.
    Speaking from experience, my son is 19 now, the best thing in life is free. I used to spend money on theme parks and the like, and guess what he liked most? Some kids fountain shooting water in a shopping centre! Here in Brisbane we have Southbank Beach.
    One idea is Malaysia. I know they have Legoland, the Sunway Lagoon which my son loved, and presently Malaysian Airlines have lots of promotions going on. Not sure how big your kids are, hope they still qualify for child fare. Language wise, all Malaysians speak English so that is a bonus. Only a short flight, 7-8 hours….
    Good luck and any question just ask.

    • toffee on 13/07/2014 - 09:48

      The best things in life being free is my experience too. My kids get far more out of sun sea and sand than spending a fortune on theme parks.

      Thanks for your post and I will check out Malaysia.

  • juventino on 12/07/2014 - 20:09
    +2

    you haven't really given us much other than the destination being sunny.

    Do you mind flying low cost carrier or only fully fledged airlines?

    What about hotels ? In Bali, even two or three stars hotel have pools and are quite close to the beach

    I will probably be scouring internet for flights ( check flight aggregator and individual airlines websites).

    And for accommodation I will be looking at Agoda

    Assuming you are going to Bali :

    In Sept with Virgin will cost you $3600 ish all up. If you go in Oct or Nov with Garuda, this drop down to $2600 ish. Savings of $1000 easily.

    • toffee on 13/07/2014 - 09:56

      Yeah similar to my findings. I did a Web jet search on the cheapest days to fly. No issue at all with low cost Airlines (kids will just watch tablets). Similar with accommodation, I don't need a flashy apartment, but would be great to have a kids club.

      I guess my request is so broad as I don't really know the surrounds and their reputation. Every tourism site will claim they're family friendly, but I don't really fancy pitching up in Kuta. If I were still in the UK I'd have a much better idea of avoiding the more drunken places.

  • River20 on 12/07/2014 - 23:09
    +1

    Jetstar have direct flights to Phuket at the moment for $500 rtn - think the sale ends soon. Fiji is a much shorter flight though and travelling with 3 your kids a short flight might be a better option - altho Fiji is more expensive for accommodation and food. If you have time on your hands you can spend a LOT of it researching and comparing flights, accommodation etc. and save some money. Use trip advisor to help choose your accommodation once you have chosen your destination. I spend many hours doing this for our holidays - it is addictive! Altho, having someone else do it all for you would be great! What about a cruise? So much of the organising is already done for you and great entertainment for the kids. No flights, all inclusive. OZ cruising have last minute cruises.
    Have a great holiday

    • toffee on 13/07/2014 - 09:58

      A cruise hasn't entered my thoughts but I'll check it out. Always loved my UK holidays as a kid at holiday parks - the kids would just make friends.

      Thanks.

  • anna10 on 13/07/2014 - 11:35
    +1

    Yes agree, on a cruise I took a couple of years ago on the cheapish P&O, the families were those having the MOST fun holiday and rest.

    They were all being nice to each other because it gives great unrestricted food; a complete holiday for the home/child wrangler; snorkelling off beaches (Sth Pacific), warm weather; floor shows and the kids activities for the < 8s were a big hit. Only unpack the bag once. Get a balcony room if you can afford it, provides a lovely restful sound of the waves whooshing over the bough. Don't forget you'd need travel insurance wherever you go, inlc on a ship.

    Not sure on your numbers and the cabin. Have a look at P&O to start. You can also look via VA as you're a Plat member, some may give VA points, go in via the 'offers' button I think it's called on the VA site.

    http://www.cruisepilot.com.au/virginaustralia/specials.php?u…

    • toffee on 13/07/2014 - 13:38

      Thanks, I'll check out the VA link. Cruise idea gathering a bit of momentum at home. Though lots of things to explore such as the cost of eating/drinking on the ship.

      • River20 on 13/07/2014 - 14:16
        +1

        Toffee, Food is included in the price. Thats a big drawcard! And kids club! even more important if you are look for some stress free quite time.

  • anna10 on 13/07/2014 - 16:07
    +1

    Yep, even on the cheap ships ALL is included food/entertainment/ etc etc. You'd pay extra for grog and say if you wanted a cappuccino rather than a free filtered coffee.

    And, there are a variety of places to eat free eg the smorgasbord brekky (everything from muesli, fruit to eggs and bacon, beans you name it etc. Then, there's the smorgasbord or restaurant lunch and depending on whether you want yet more food, there's afternoon tea. And then dinner in a restaurant (free), or anther smorgasbord! That's the main drawback - not knowing when to stop eating.

    As you are flexible and can leave quickly, you'd get a good 'last minute' deal.

  • toffee on 13/07/2014 - 18:16

    That is a big draw card! With my family's appetite I'd be a chance of making my money back.

    I assumed from all of the offers of, say $100 ship credit when you book, that you'd be paying for everything.

    Thanks so much for all the comments. I'll be sure to provide an update when we sort something.

  • Onnzo on 13/07/2014 - 19:51
    +1

    Royal Brunei also have cheap deals to bali at the moment but you have to stop over in Brunei.

    • toffee on 13/07/2014 - 23:35

      Thanks. Looks like about $580 pp return including taxes. Their site doesn't seem to like me but I'm sure I'd get there with a bit of persistence.

  • nerd1 on 14/07/2014 - 00:29

    since I discovered airasia, I keep an eye out for their sales that gets posted here. One time i found return air fare for january 2015 for a family of 4 to Kuala Lumpur for < $1100. This is for no food and no luggage. Once you have that flight locked in, you can look further out to other areas. I've made 2 return bookings so far with Air Asia, both for about $1500 for a family of 4. I've already come back from my first trip and the flight was good bought some meals, didn't need any meals for the flight out as it was at night and the kids were asleep. coming back, we needed to buy 2 meals for the kids I wasn't that hungry the mrs and I had fruit and breads we brought onto the flight.

    Once you are out of Australia, your options to go most other places nearby becomes a lot cheaper.

    • mskeggs on 14/07/2014 - 08:44

      I second AirAsia for cheap family flights. The only thing to watch is they soeetimes have loooong transit times for what is booked as a packaged flight.
      I took my family of six to KL and Penang and we had a great time.

  • anna10 on 16/07/2014 - 14:59

    This is a good search site for cruises too. VacationsToGo.com

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