People over 50 have worked long and hard their entire lives and know the value of a dollar. They also want to be able to travel and enjoy the fruits of a lifetime's labor with a wonderful vacation. There are several different tips and tricks for retiring baby boomers to find a good vacation without overspending.
Join AARP. Members of AARP (see Resources below) don't have to be retired to enjoy the benefits of discounted travel. AARP's Travel Center offers discounts booked through Expedia, an online trip discounter. Also, AARP offers discounts on cruises and other travel that can put a little money back in members' pockets.
Book a trip through 50Plus. As a partner of the Canadian Association of Retired Persons (CARP), 50Plus' website (see Resources below) offers discounts for persons over 45, including trips to Mexico, the Caribbean and Alaska. Some partners of 50Plus do have blackout dates, but the discounts are often worth it.
Contact a cruise company directly. Some cruise lines offer last-minute deals to fill berths on low-occupancy ships hitting many of the most desirable locations. Some discounts are available for families, returning passengers and seniors as well but vary depending on the company.
Visit an all-inclusive resort's website. Sandals and Beaches are two of the most popular all-inclusive resort companies, with destination all over the Caribbean, Mexico, and other warm locales. They both also offer discounts for people over 50, and their packages take much of the guesswork out of travel by including meals, drinks and activities in their prices.
Consider a mini-vacation. Domestic theme and amusement parks offer discounts to seniors, families and other groups regularly. Busch Gardens and Cedar Park are two amusement park companies that offer discounts for seniors, small children and others. The advantage of these kinds of vacations is that domestic travel is usually cheaper than international travel and travelers have more flexibility on accommodations, transportation and dates.
