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So far, 2023 has proven to be a record-breaker for travel, and the same can be said for the upcoming holiday season, with family vacations selling briskly and space at a premium, according to veteran advisors.
“We are at the point where it is too late to find space over the December holidays and into New Year’s, and for months have strongly advised our clients to push their dates to Martin Luther King weekend as pricing and availability is better,” said Jennifer Doncsecz, president of Bethlehem, Pa.-based VIP Vacations. “Because of this, January is already proving to be a strong month for travelers.”
“This year’s bookings began in early 2023 for the holiday season,” said Sam Yaffe, chief executive officer of Miller Place, N.Y.-based Crafty Getaways. “The trend has certainly changed and customers are planning way ahead of time to properly budget for their holiday getaways.”
What's Booking
For the 2023 holiday season, Yaffe is booking larger family groups. “We have seen a pattern of parents taking their children and grandchildren away and paying for the entire trip,” he said. “Comparing the trips to last year, the 2023 trips are quite a bit larger with multiple rooms in various upgraded Club Level categories.”
Stephen Scott, a luxury advisor at Protravel in Chicago, noted that many of his family clients are booking trips closer to home. “What is heard often is that they went big last year, and this year want to keep the momentum going but not as big,” he said. “When it starts getting cold out, all of this may be out the window as people renew their interest to get out and go somewhere amazing and warm.”
Cruise Vacations
“Family holiday bookings are high – especially cruising,” said Shelby and Joel Frenette, owners of Boca Raton-based TravelFun.Biz in a joint statement. “This is the first time we’ve seen cruise ships not allow additional passengers in rooms after booking,” they said. “For example, if a family wanted to add another person to the cabin after final payment, even if they have a third birth available, they are so full to capacity, occasionally we’ve been told they aren’t taking more passengers.”
“We suggest cruises for multigenerational groups,” they added. “There are so many ships, especially [in the fleets of] Royal Caribbean International, Carnival Cruise Line, Norwegian Cruise Line and MSC Cruises, which have the most engaging activities for the kids, interactive poolside fun for the parents, amazing Broadway shows and stimulating games for the seniors.
“Families can do all the fun things they want and still come together for a meaningful meal at the same table every night to share their fun day with each other!”
Added Linda de Sosa, a Houston-based independent contractor affiliated with Travel Experts, “Cruising and all-inclusive resorts are great options for multigenerational families,” she said. “Everyone can do their own thing and then meet up.”
In addition to cruises, travel advisors said they are also booking family holiday trips to the Caribbean and Mexico, as well as vacations at Colorado ski resorts.
Family Holiday Selling Tips
“My advice for clients traveling in multigenerational groups is to not assume that their cruise ship has to have waterslides and kids clubs for teens traveling with you,” Scott said. “You should feel comfortable to book luxury or small ship cruises knowing that you are going to give them a better itinerary, more time in port, better food and better cultural experiences.”
For his part, Yaffe suggested that advisors enable clients ample time to pay for their family trips over time and provide group amenities such as complimentary rooms, welcome receptions and upgrades.
Setting Expectations
It is crucial that travel advisors set expectations for their clients during the holiday season, said Amy Daniel, owner of Montgomery, Ala.-based Custom Design Travel, an affiliate of Travel Experts. “The airports are more crowded, which means clients must arrive early,” she said. “Clients should know that prices are at a peak during the holiday season, as is demand. Therefore, my motto for the festive travel season is to book early!”
Booking Alternatives
Family travelers looking for deals during the holiday season will be hard-pressed to find them, said Jennifer Doncsecz, president of Bethlehem-based VIP Vacations. “If you are looking for a deal, you aren’t going to find one.
“If your client’s budget doesn’t match the current rates, book travel prior to Christmas. One option is return Christmas Day, or travel on Dec. 31 and stay past New Year’s, which should lower rates a little.”
Doncsecz also suggested booking vacations during the Easter break, which she said is already filling up.
Another option is to consider is a cruise the week of Dec. 23, as space is still available.
VIP Vacations is seeing increased requests for February and spring break vacations earlier than in previous years, she added
“However, airfare is still quite high and our clients’ expectations aren’t matching what the packages are costing,” Doncsecz said, noting that hotel rates are also more expensive this winter.
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