How's Business These Days? he asked.

I was visiting with a couple of friends a few days ago and we were talking about the economy and how so many of our community's small businesses were closing down. In fact, knowing that I have chosen to work from home one guy suggested, "You might want to consider getting some space in one of the strip malls space out to be cheap right now since there is so much of it."  I replied, "No I can't imagine why would I want to get up early and drive 20  miles to a small store when I can wake up just down the hall from my office?"  He then asked, "By the way, "How's business these days?  Are people still traveling as much as they used to?"

There is no question that the economy has been through some tough times and that has meant tough times for small business owners.  I've seen some businesses that just a year or so ago were bustling and looking at expanding close their doors. I'm sure there will be more. So, in answering the question I replied, "Well, we have certainly seen a change in people's traveling patterns. They have not stopped traveling but they are taking shorter vacations. Two years ago I rarely sold a four or five night cruise. They were all seven days or longer. No we sell quiet a few short cruises."

Money is tight. . . . there is no getting around it. Flying has become one off the major expenses people are struggling with these days. I priced an Eastern Mediterranean for myself. The 15 day cruise was less than the airfare.  However, the solution is not to forget the vacation but rather to adjust it.

If you are used to flying somewhere on vacation, try going on a cruise out of a port that you can drive from. Not purchasing airfare can save you a lot of money and with the money you save, you can upgrade to a balcony from an interior stateroom and have money left over.

In our area, we have sailing out of Galveston alone 4 cruise lines and 5 ships. Royal Caribbean has the Mariner of the Seas, Carnival has both the Carnival Magic and the Carnival Triumph, The Disney Magic and the Crown Princess. Soon Norwegian will add their own ship to the mix in 2014 when it bases a ship out of the Bayport Terminal. Princess will start using the Bayport Termnal in 2013.

Further down the cost ships are sailing from Mobile, Alabama and New Orleans, LA, which are all within driving distance from the Mid-South area. So whether you live in Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi or Alabama there a lot of choices.  Many of our clients are using these ports and pocketing the cost they saved by driving instead of flying.

Another great way to save some money on a cruise vacation is to go as a group. Maybe your kid's ball team (Parents and children) could be a group. Everyone belongs to some kind of group that could put together with the help of a Travel Agent a cruise group. I have a group sailing out of Fort Lauderdale, Florida this coming January called The Dancing With The Stars Cruise that will actually feature some of the dancers from the show.

If you don't like cruising, we can, through some our supplier partners put you and your family in a great all-inclusive resort for a lot less than you might think.  So whether its Canada, Costa Rico, Mexico, Jamaica, the Dominican Republic or the Virgin Islands we can help you get there.

Don't want to leave the country. You can also have a great vacation in places like Nashville, St. Louis, Atlanta, Branson, Gatlinburg, Las Vegas and any number of other places.  I suggest a week on the San Antonio Riverwalk.

Is the economy down? You bet it is. Does that have to change your vacation plans? Maybe a little, but at Texas Cruise and Travel, we work to find ways for you and your family to have a great vacation while staying within a budget you set.

Give us a call at (713) 385-0080 or drop us an email at: info@texascruiseandtravel.com.  Check out all the possibilities by visiting our website at www.texascruiseandtravel.com.