Looking for a last-minute all-inclusive holiday over spring break that won't break the bank?
While you may think that the best way to go is staying at a resort in Cuba, Mexico, or the Dominican Republic, it might surprise you to find out how much money you can save by spending your holiday at sea.
Travellers looking to sail during spring break can pair low-cost flights from Vancouver International Airport (YVR) with cruises in ports across the United States, including hot spots such as Los Angeles.
Vancouver students will attend their last day in class on March 15 and they are due back on April 2; the official break is considered from March 18 to 28, according to the Vancouver School Board.
Right now, the cheapest all-inclusive packages to Mexico cost upwards of $1,500 to $2,000 per person. But it is possible to snag a cruise package from YVR that costs just over $1,100 -- and it is also all-inclusive.
Los Angeles to Mexico
Carnival Cruise Line, known for its laid-back, joyful onboard experience, has several short cruises that sail out of Los Angeles over the winter and visit cities along the California coast and Mexico.
A cruise departing from Los Angeles on Friday, March 22 spends a day at sea before stopping in Ensenada, Mexico on Sunday, March 24. It disembarks in Los Angeles on Monday, March 25.
The ship is the Carnival Radiance.
| Date | Port | Arrive | Depart |
| Friday, March 22 | Los Angeles (Long Beach), CA | 5:00 p.m. | |
| Saturday, March 23 | At Sea | ||
| Sunday, March 24 | Ensenada, Mexico | 8:00 a.m. | 5:00 p.m. |
| Monday, March 25 | Los Angeles (Long Beach), CA | 7:00 a.m. |
The three-day Baja Mexico cruise from Long Beach costs US$875.30 for an interior stateroom for two people, which is approximately C$1,188.17 based on the current conversion. This price works out to C$594.09 per person, which is under $200 per diem (see slide two).
Not only does that cost include your transportation on a beautiful ship, but it also includes meals, entertainment, snacks, and lodging. The only thing it doesn’t factor in is alcohol, but you may opt to purchase a drink package that can reduce the cost of your spending.
Prices for ocean view and balcony staterooms don't cost much more and may provide a more comfortable or pleasurable experience.
Booking flights from Vancouver to Los Angeles
The cruise departs at 5 p.m. and won't wait for stragglers. However, there is a direct Flair Airlines flight from YVR that departs early in the morning. It leaves Vancouver at 7:30 a.m. on the day of the cruise and gets into Los Angeles at 10:30 a.m. To get a good price, you might want to spend a night in L.A. post-cruise and catch a flight the following day, March 26.
There is a one-stop itinerary with United Airlines that, when paired with the Flair flight, works out to $421 including taxes. Book the flights separately to nab the deal (see slide three).
You may also wish to forgo the hotel stay but flight costs may start to climb up. Another option is to spend a few days in L.A. post-cruise, which opens up your itinerary choices significantly.
If you chose the aforementioned flights and the lead-in room category for the cruise based on double occupancy, your total price works out to $1015.09. The price of hotels in the Los Angeles area varies, ranging from just over $100 to the thousands.
