The Juice - The Official Blog of Apple Vacations

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New TSA Requirements

Have you booked a trip lately and noticed that you now need to provide more information at the time of booking? If not, get ready for it! The TSA will soon require that EVERY passenger provides their full name (including middle name), full birth date and gender at the time of booking. The information entered MUST match what is on the passport. This is for both domestic and international travel. When you book an Apple Vacation, entering this information is still optional. At the end of next month, this information will be mandatory. Incomplete or incorrect information could very well result in denied boarding. Travel agents know that now is the time to get in the habit of asking for the information. Consumers need to know that it is very important to provide the correct information to their travel agent or booking agent, so there are no delays or missed flights at the airport.

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A family vacation that has it all, including exceptional value

I wrote a blog the other day about going to Mexico & The Caribbean versus going to the shore. I showed the value. But as I look around on other blogs, travel sites and where even some friends recommend going this summer, my interest is peaked. AGAIN, you can save so much money and still have an AMAZING vacation filled with fun, history & culture by picking an all–inclusive vacation in Mexico & The Caribbean! So I decided to do research on some of them and do some new comparisons.

Firstly, Miami. It never really occurred to me as a family–friendly vacation, but after some research I see it is. Besides the beaches, there are great children’s museums and hotels with fun programs. The Fountainebleau is rated as one of the most family friendly resorts with a kids program. It is an amazing location, with a historical very cool building. Staying at this hotel is an adventure in itself. But the choice may be here or college. On the website, they advertise rates from $369 per night! I played around and got it down to $331 a night plus tax. For a week in July, it was $2,715.64. This is only for the room! Add: flights, transfers to and from the airport, cabana rentals (yes, you pay for these in most hotels in Miami and in Vegas), the children’s program, one day trip to a local museum, meals, snacks & drinks.  You’ll easily hit $5,000.00 by day 3. …Read More>>

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The Shore Without The Chores

swotcPinching pennies, but still want a GREAT family vacation this summer? Well it is that time of the year to start thinking about what we like to call “The Shore Without The Chores”.  Do the math and you will see that a week in Mexico or The Caribbean can cost less, much less, than a week at the shore!  And, there is no cooking, no cleaning, no laundry, no beds to make, no food shopping - just relax and have some fun!

A week at “the shore,” “the beach,” “The Hamptons,” or “down the ocean”  (whatever you call it in your area) …. is a rite of passage each summer, especially for East Coasters.  However, in this economy Apple Vacations encourages you to consider this alternative. Spending your summer vacation in Mexico or the Caribbean will not only save you money - it will also save you time.  Time you can then spend with the family. …Read More>>

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What is a “Square Deal” and why should I book it?

square-deal-redI posted a blog on Square Deals before. Since new Square Deals are always announced, and they have grown ever more popular, I thought I’d mention it again. Apple Vacations offers what we call “Square Deals”.  They are amazing offers where YOU pick the departure date, destination, the hotel Apple rating and WE pick the hotel.

Since we do not advertise a hotel name, we can offer some amazing rates without associating the name of a high - end hotel with such a low rate. Why would Apple or a hotel do this? They need to fill rooms. An empty hotel room is lost revenue to the hotel, just as an empty seat on an airplane is to us. There may be a small window where a group canceled or there happens to be some open inventory. We work together to come up with some GREAT offers that you would never get if you booked the hotel as a name brand.  …Read More>>

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Travel Tips for Winter Vacations!

Traveling to Mexico & The Caribbean is awesome in the winter! Nothing beats leaving the cold and snow behind and stepping off the plan into the warm sunshine. It is a great feeling to call home on a warm balmy night, when your toes are in the sand and a drink is in hand, and hearing chattering teeth on the other end! I wanted to provide a few important tips for traveling in the winter.

1 - When making the booking ALWAYS provide Apple Vacations and your travel agent a correct phone number. This is in case we need to reach you the day of, or day before your flight. A cell # is best. For example if you are leaving on a Sunday, don’t leave your work number, if you are not going to be there after Friday. Apple Vacations does not ask for your number for any type of solicitations, only official use.

2 - Always call the number on your tickets or E-Docs before you leave for the airport to ensure there are no weather delays.   …Read More>>

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