I want to win an Apple Vacation!

Posted on September 3, 2011 by Eileen Herncane (Editor at Large)

Another fun part of my job, at Apple Vacations, is giving away thousands of Apple Vacations each year! We enter into promotions with radio stations, websites, newspapers, professional sports teams, at special events and even on our website and Facebook page. It makes me happy to send someone on vacation, who otherwise may have not been able to go. And I really love sending people away who have ever been on an airplane. I often get postcards and reviews of the places where prize-winners have traveled.

Apple Vacations is working on many exciting promotions for the fall and we’ll tweet them and feature them on our Facebook page. We strive to provide a winner with the same complete vacation experience and the best customer service we provide to all Apple Vacationers. Just because a prize is won, does not mean they are substandard service or accommodations – in fact, prizewinners generally stay at 5 and 6 Apple resorts.

Typically, we give away all-inclusive vacations, so ALL your meals, drinks and tips are included. The air portion and the hotel portion are considered the prize. There are, however, components of the trip that will require you to reach into your wallet.

When you travel to a foreign country and return home, there are U.S. and foreign departure taxes and airport fees. Apple Vacations pre-collects these fees; upon booking your prize-winning trip, you will be invoiced for them.

Most travel suppliers that we work with also have a clause requiring prize winners to have travel protection, and we invoice the vacationer for the travel protection as well.

In the Dominican Republic, there is a $10.00 tourist card fee upon entry in to the country that must be paid upon arrival at the airport.

Also, don’t forget Uncle Sam! You will receive a 1099 on the value of the vacation you have won from the place you won it (radio station, TV station).

Winning an Apple Vacation is meant to be a joyous event and a seamless process. That’s our goal — good luck!

What’s the deal with a “Square Deal?”

Posted on July 11, 2011 by Eileen Herncane (Editor at Large)

We have had several questions lately on “Square Deals”. As they grow even more popular, I thought I’d explain them again. Apple Vacations offers what we call “Square Deals”. They are amazing offers where YOU pick the departure date, destination and 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? 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 window where a group canceled, or there happens to be some open inventory. When this opportunity arises, we work together to come up with some GREAT offers that would never be available, if you booked the hotel as an advertised name brand.

“Square Deals” offer great value to Apple Vacationers looking for an unbeatable value. When you book, you must understand the potential hotels. If you would be happy with any of the possibilities, then a “Square Deal” is good for you. For example, if you book a “5 Apple Square Deal” you will be placed in a “5 Apple Square Deal” rated resort OR ABOVE. So you could get a 5 Golden Apple or even a 6 Apple resort.

I had someone ask where they would wind up if they booked a 6 Apple Square Deal to Cancun. I can’t tell you exactly, but I can say that Dreams Cancun, Le Blanc, Palace Resorts and Gran Melia are 6 Apple luxury hotels in Cancun. I’d be happy with any of them. If you would, then book it!

We had a recent Facebook fan who booked the “4+ Square Deal” to Cancun, and he received just that. He wrote to me last week, that it was a GREAT trip. His pictures are featured on this blog (Thanks Will!).

You should not book Square Deals if you need a specific resort, need the hotel information ahead of time or have special dietary or rooming restrictions. Also, do not book a “Riviera Maya Square Deal” if you want to stay in Cancun. Understanding the potential hotels, is very, very important. Do not book if there is a hotel or hotels on the list that you will not stay at. A few weeks back, we had a vacationer that booked a “5 Apple Square Deal”. When she was placed at a 6 Golden Apple resort she was not happy. And keep in mind, since these rates are extremely negotiated, if you want to move the rates may be a huge difference in price.

Here are some FAQ’s on “Square Deals”.

Q – When do I find out my hotel?
A – At the airport upon check in.

Q – What if I get there and do not like the hotel?
A – Most people are more than happy with the hotel for the price they paid. If you are unhappy, the Apple Representative in resort can provide options for moving. Keep in mind, since the “Square Deal” was sold at such a negotiated discounted rate, to move to a hotel with an equal Apple rating may be substantially more expensive.

Q – Can I request a specific hotel?
A – No, hotel requests and specific room requests cannot be made for “Square Deals”.

Q – Are “Square Deals” ever to a specific Hotel Chain versus an Apple rating?
A – Yes, at times a chain, such as Dreams Resorts & Spas or Iberostar Hotels & Resorts, will offer a “Square Deal”. They can offer this for any hotel in their chain in a specific vacation destination or by any hotel in their chain at a specific Apple rating.

So if you are just a little bit flexible and want a great deal on your next Apple Vacation, book a “Square Deal!”

A simple & fun family vacation travel tip

Posted on July 7, 2011 by Eileen Herncane (Editor at Large)

Family vacation season is upon us. I know getting ready for family vacation can be hectic, but when you have children, put a little thought, ahead of time, into a memory you can create while you are on vacation.

An easy way to do this is to plan a photo that you will take in resort.

For example, if you frequent the same place on vacation year after year, take a photo of your child in the same spot. You will be able to mark their growth. I take a picture of my son on the beach every year. He is 6, so now I have 6 photo’s framed in my living room of his 6 years on the beach.

Or, plan to take a family photo while on vacation. Pack something similar for everyone to wear such as white shirts, or blue shirts or jeans. Most resorts even offer this as a service and you can schedule time with the resort photographer when you arrive.

Another idea is to pack a Santa hat or novelty outfit and create your holiday card. Last week on the beach, I saw a group of 10 kids (all cousins) from an infant up to 12 years old. The family had packed Penn State shirts and jerseys for all of them and they were taking their Christmas card in the lifeguard chair. It was adorable. You can also just write the date, or a message in the sand as well.

A little extra thought not only gives you memories when you are there, but something to share with your family and friends, and a keepsake for a lifetime.

Step Up Your Stay with Apple Vacations

Posted on June 21, 2011 by Eileen Herncane (Editor at Large)

With so many people looking for a “price-driven” vacation in this economy, they might lose sight of the incredible in-resort upgrades available. Some people may have a price point that they have to stick to, but it is always nice to look into an upgrade if your budget allows. And, if you do a little research ahead of time, and keep your eye on sales, you can get an upgraded room, view or amenities for just little more, and it will really enhance your vacation.

Most hotels do have an upgraded section or upgraded rooms. On my last stay at Now Jade Riviera Cancun, I upgraded to the Preferred Club. At Now Jade this is what it included: upon arrival we were escorted through the main lobby and into the Preferred Club lounge. We had a private check-in, with snacks and drinks, at a comfy desk and chair versus the main lobby. From that point on, our key provided us access to this Preferred Club lounge. In the lounge, there were always plenty of drinks, sandwiches and snacks available all day and all night long. There were board games for rainy or lazy days. There were 2 computers with free internet access, and there was also a Preferred Club concierge there for any assistance we needed. Preferred Club rooms were much larger. Our room was a full suite with a sitting area and separate living area, 2 televisions, a huge bathroom and a jacuzzi on the balcony! There was plenty of space for a family. There were also extra amenities in the room, such as chips, candy, sodas and liquor. The best part about the Preferred Club at Now Jade is the Preferred Club adults-only pool. It’s an amazing infinity pool with a great swim up bar and amazing views of crystal blue ocean. It was so relaxing sitting by (or in) the pool with these majestic views. On our latest trip, when our son went to the Explorer’s kids club each afternoon, my husband and I would head over to this pool to relax. Bali beds and upgraded lounge chairs surround the pool and were heavenly.

Almost every hotel offers some type of upgraded “clubs”, views, rooms and amenities. So when you make your decision, don’t forget to then look into an ocean view room, junior suite, a swim-up suite, and even a Jacuzzi room. Any one of these options is a great way to have an even more amazing experience, and it will also make all your friends and family super – jealous when they see the pictures of your Apple Vacation

To see some current hotels with upgrade offers click here.

Are we there yet?

Posted on June 15, 2011 by Eileen Herncane (Editor at Large)

This chair is waiting for you at Dreams Puerto Aventuras!

Yes we are! It is FAMILY VACATION season. There is still plenty of time to book that memorable summer vacation that your family will be talking about for years to come. And in this economy EVERY vacation destination is fighting for your dollar. You may have once thought that a vacation to Mexico or The Caribbean was out of reach. That is NO LONGER the case!

The rates in Mexico and The Caribbean are VERY affordable and with many hotels offering kids stay, play, and eat free for the summer, not to mention the FREE kids camps, it is an ideal choice for your summer of ’11 family vacation. With great rates, luxury spas and exciting kids camps, there is truly an Apple Vacation for everyone.

An Apple Vacation to Dreams Puerto Aventuras in Cancun’s Riviera Maya is a perfect choice for families that has all of the above. For Apple Vacations 72 hour sale 7 nights start from just $899.99 per adult for late June departures. Add $100 per adult for many July and August departures. That includes round trip airfare, unlimited luxury hotel accommodations and all meals, drinks, tips and more! Dreams Puerto Aventuras also offers kids stay, play and eat FREE as well; so children only have to pay airfare and taxes.

Explorer’s Club at Dreams Puerto Aventuras!

In addition to the great rates, Dreams Puerto Aventuras has an amazing Explorer’s club which is supervised. If you follow this blog you know my son LOVES, LOVES, LOVES the Explorer’s club. With the convenience of the Explorer’s club, mom and dad can enjoy some time at the spa, have a nice dinner or even just spend some extra time at the pool.

Stay tuned to this blog for the next few weeks, and we will point out some more great family vacation options to consider this summer. After all, there is no time better spent that on an Apple Vacation with your loved ones.