By Eileen Ogintz
Tribune Content Agency
Beach getaway or snowy adventure? City lights or a remote adventure? Perhaps a cruise…
What’s your pick for a 2022 vacation? With kids 5 to 11 eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine and a growing number of adults able to get booster shots, there’s no better time to plan, especially with Black Friday-Cyber Week travel deals.
A few caveats: Be ready to book when you see the deal you want as many offers have limited capacity. It’s never been more important to read the fine print. If you must cancel (or change the dates), can you get a refund or only a credit? Will a credit work for you?
Are you willing to go through extra hoops that might be required, like testing before getting on a cruise ship (even if you are vaccinated) or returning to the U.S. from abroad?
Start to follow your favorite hotel, resort, cruise line and adventure company on social media. That’s likely where you will see the deals first — and there may be some offered just to their followers.
Here are 10 deals to get you thinking:
FOR FUN IN THE SNOW
YMCA of the Rockies in the Colorado Rockies is an affordable option with everything from an indoor pool and crafts to dog-sledding, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and more. Get 25 percent off a minimum three nights in a lodge room or cabin at either Estes Park Center in Estes Park, Colorado, or Snow Mountain Ranch in Winter Park with a few blackout dates (Dec. 20 through Jan 1. Stay must be completed by March 31, 2022.) Online reservations only.
The Gant Aspen, a condo resort less than three blocks from Aspen’s Silver Queen Gondola and downtown, is offering a 25 percent discount on stays booked November 26 through 29, 2021. Valid for winter 2021/2022 season stays with certain blackout dates. Here’s what I wrote about a stay.
During Vail Resorts Cyber Sale, weekday stays are discounted up to 40 percent off as compared to weekend pricing. The discount is available at hotel rooms, condos, and chalets across the Vail Resorts North American portfolio of resorts. Public access to the sale will be live from 11/23 to 11/30 at midnight. Epic Pass holders (including those with an Epic Local Pass, Epic Day Pass, and other season pass products) will receive exclusive early access to the Cyber Sale beginning 11/19 and receive an additional 20 percent off. Valid 11/19/21 to 4/30/22. Blackout dates and minimum length-0f-stay may apply.
For NATIONAL PARKS
Book Your Bucket List One-Week Sale (Tuesday, Nov. 23 through Tuesday, Nov. 30) at Xanterra.com/BucketListSale, including The Oasis at Death Valley (30 percent off hotel stays at the Inn at Death Valley and the newly revitalized, family-friendly Ranch at Death Valley for select overnight stays between Dec. 2021 and Feb. 2022. Save 25 percent off hotel stays at Lake Yellowstone Hotel, located inside the park on select dates during May 2022. Historic Grand Canyon Railway & Hotel (50 percent off round-trip train tickets on a journey to the Grand Canyon’s South Rim when booking a two-night Getaway Package over select dates between Dec. 1, 2021 and March 10, 2022, (20 percent off in-park lodging at Kachina Lodge, Bright Angel Lodge, Maswik Lodge, and, El Tovar, during select dates Dec. 1, 2021 to March 3, 2022).
FOR A TROPICAL GETAWAY
Atlantis Paradise Island is offering a Cyber Week 20 percent-off sale (for bookings that are five days or more) plus daily resort credit for stays between November 28, 2021 and November 30, 2022. (Early access will be available from November 22 to November 24 for travelers who sign up here to receive the invite.) Two complimentary rapid antigen tests for travel back to the U.S. are included.
Karisma Hotels & Resorts is dropping its “Biggest Deal of the Year” this Black Friday and Cyber Monday with up to 60 percent off across its properties located in Mexico and the Caribbean, including the El Dorado Spa Resorts, Azul Beach Resorts, Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts, and Margaritaville Island Reserve brands. Book Nov. 17 to Dec. 6 for travel from Nov. 17, 2021 to Dec. 23, 2022. Additionally, select properties are offering up to $1,000 resort credit. The deal will become available here starting Nov. 17.
Seven Stars Resort & Spa on Grace Bay in Turks & Caicos promises 40 percent off for trips between April 18 and Dec. 22, 2022, including breakfast, non-motorized watersports, tennis, bikes and other perks. Book on the website under specials between Friday Nov. 26 and Tuesday, Nov. 30, 2021.
More than 10 Curacao resorts are offering up to 40 percent off plus other perks. Curacao is famous for its dive and snorkel sites, diverse culture and more than 30 beaches: Book between Nov. 26 and Dec. 2. The Curacao-deals.com website has each resort’s offer with dates.
FOR ORLANDO
Wyndham Grand Orlando Resort Bonnet Creek, which is just five miles from Walt Disney World, is offering 30 percent off for stays through May 31, 2022 (with some blackout dates). Book between Nov. 22 and Nov. 30. The resort boasts five pools, two lazy rivers, eight hot tubs, an 18-hole putt-putt, jogging trails, fitness center, spa and more.
Just outside Orlando, Reunion Resort & Golf Club features oversized accommodations, including three- to 14-bedroom vacation homes, golf, mini golf, tennis, pools and a five-acre water park. From Thursday, Nov. 18 to Tuesday, Nov. 30, all villas are 30 percent off for three or more night stays. Select vacation homes are 20 percent off with the standard deposit policy. Special offers are for stays Nov. 28, 2021 through March 10, 2022 (blackout dates may apply).
FOR CITY LIGHTS
Luxe Fairmont Hotels is offering 40 percent off at destinations throughout North and Central America, including the iconic Fairmont San Francisco. Members of the Accor Live Limitless loyalty program get an extra 10 percent off. Book between Nov. 26 and Nov. 29 for stays until March 31, 2022.
The Kimpton Cyber Sale promises up to 25 percent off the Best Flexible Rate plus the company donates $5 per night to No Kid Hungry. Book Nov. 23 through Dec. 6 for stays from Nov. 26, 2021 to April 30. 2022.
Black Friday with Westgate Resorts means up to 50 percent off your stay at one of the 27 locations, including Las Vegas, and NYC. Use the code FRIDAY at checkout.
FOR CRUISERS
Celestyal Cruises, the award-winning choice for cruise travelers to the Greek Islands and the Eastern Mediterranean, has launched its “Black Friday” sale early with deals on select 2022 all-inclusive cruises starting at $379 per person. Kids sail free and there is no single supplement. Book by Nov. 30, 2021.
Windstar Cruises – Save on 2022 yacht-style cruises with fewer than 350 guests. Enjoy a $100 on board credit per guest to use on shore excursions, spa treatments, alcoholic beverages and more. Fares start from $1,399 per guest. Yacht Club Members receive a double Alumni discount on all voyages departing on or before March 31, 2022. book during the Book Your Bucket List One-Week Sale (Tuesday, Nov. 23 through Tuesday, Nov. 30)
FOR HAWAII: on Kaua‘i’s North Shore. Hanalei Colony Resort is the ideal sanctuary to relax as it’s situated between Hanalei and the famous Na Pali Coast State Wilderness Park. and experience the wonder of the Garden Isle. Take advantage of the best deal of the year that is good for most of 2022 with the Black Friday and Cyber Monday travel special that offers 25 per cent off most best available rates and a room upgrade on availability at check-in. Book Nov. 24 to Nov 30; use the resort’s booking engine with promo code FRIDAY 25 between Nov. 17-Dec. 5, 2021.
FOR A BUCKET LIST ADVENTURE
Hurtigruten Expeditions, the world leader in exploration travel, is offering up to 50 percent off Antarctica, Alaska, Galapagos, Iceland and more — some of the lowest fares the company offers. Book from Nov. 22 to Nov. 30 with a required deposit of only 10 percent.
Abercrombie & Kent’s Private Escapes sale offers 30 percent to 50 percent off private guided journeys from African safaris to Egypt and other destinations. Book from Monday, November 29, 2021 through December 3, 2021. Departure dates and space are limited! Complete details on A&K’s Book with Confidence policy can be found here.
Austin Adventures, especially known for their no-stress active family trips to national parks, as well as Europe, Latin America and Asia, is offering their biggest Black Friday deal – $500 off per person for any qualifying trip over $3,500. Book from Friday, November 26 through Monday, Nov 29, 2021 on www.activeadventures.com or www.austinadventures.com (promo code NYT500).
57Hours provides outdoor adventures with certified guides for sports, including surfing, rock climbing, back-country skiing, mountain biking and more. Sign up for the 57hours newsletter between Friday, November 2, 2021 and Monday, December 3, 2021 and get the promo code ADD57 to receive an extra $57 on all gift cards or $57 off a specific adventure.
Can you think of a better holiday gift than a 2022 trip?
©2021 Eileen Ogintz. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
