Cheap travel: The biggest new deals for hotels, cruises, and more

If a new year has you thinking about new travel opportunities, you’re in luck. As 2024 gets underway, many of the world’s top hotels, all-inclusive resorts, tour companies, cruise lines, and theme parks are offering discounts, deals, and plenty of free perks to help families save cash while planning their next vacation.

Whether you want to plan a multigenerational trip to Walt Disney World Resort, an unforgettable European river cruise, or an escape to a tropical beachfront hotel, there’s a deal out there just waiting for you. Plus, if you’re a fan of the latest and greatest, I’ve got the scoop on some new and refreshed hotels and attractions you may want to add to your must-visit list.

I’ve gone deep finding the best deals on family travel this year. Read on for my top deals and news for traveling families in the first quarter of 2024.

1. Deals on hotels and resorts

Topnotch Resort indoor pool — (Photo: Topnotch Resort)

Beaches and Sandals on sale

If a trip to an all-inclusive tropical resort sounds pretty good at this time of year, check out the Winter Blues sale offering discounts on stays at Beaches Resorts (for families) and Sandal Resorts (for couples). Book by March 3, 2024, for an up to $1,500 air credit and a $150 resort credit for stays of seven nights or more between now and January 31, 2025, at select resorts, which include family-favorites Beaches Turks & Caicos, Beaches Negril, and Beaches Ochos Rios.

More about Beaches and Sandals Resorts:

Expedia and Priceline deals

If you’re a OneKey member, Expedia is offering 25% off or more on select hotels for bookings made by January 31, 2024. Travel can take place up until August 31, 2024.

Priceline wants to help you extend that vacation feeling. Use code STAYLONGER8 for stays of two nights to save 8% on hotel Express Deals or use code STAYLONGER12 for stays of three nights or more to save 12% on hotel Express Deals. The travel company also recently announced that it will automatically extend VIP members 2023 VIP status all the way through 2024.

More about travel booking sites:

Snow season deals in Vermont

Vermont’s Topnotch Resort helps families take advantage of ski season in Stowe with its Stowe Days package. Available through April 22, the deal includes complimentary fitness classes at the resort’s recently renovated fitness center, daily breakfast per person, a nightly $25 resort credit, and late checkout based on availability for departures Sunday to Thursday, with rates starting at $330 a night (plus taxes and fees).

More winter fun:

Coastal Georgia winter specials

The Jekyll Island Club Resort recently completed a major renovation of its historic Jekyll Island Club property. To show off its fresh new look that still honors its past, the coastal Georgia resort is offering special rates starting from $188 (commemorating the opening of the club in January 1888) for stays through February 29.

Aqua-Aston and OUTRIGGER Hawaii sales

Take advantage of the winter sale from Aqua-Aston Hospitality to get up to 20% off at one of Aqua-Aston Hospitality’s participating Hawaii properties, which include the condo-style Aston Waikiki Beach Tower and oceanfront Aston Islander on the Beach in Kauai. Book by February 2, 2024, using promo code “Escape” for travel by June 30, 2024.

OUTRIGGER Resorts & Hotels is currently offering savings of up to 35% off rooms at Hawaii properties like OUTRIGGER Waikiki Beach Resort and OUTRIGGER Kāʻanapali Beach Resort.

More about Hawaii Hotels:

Florida winter deals

Guests who check in to The Vinoy Resort & Golf Club, Autograph Collection will enjoy newly renovated guest rooms that take inspiration from the Florida coast as well as a new spa and wellness area and other refreshed spaces throughout the St. Petersburg property. The Vinoy is also serving as the official hotel partner for the exhibition “Dalí & The Impressionists” at The Dalí Museum, which runs through April 28, 2024. Two exclusive room packages offer admission to the museum and other perks, and the hotel’s dining venues will be offering special menu items inspired by the exhibition.

Is a trip to the Orlando theme parks on your travel itinerary for 2024? Then check out this deal from Villatel, which offers private villa rentals with “luxury hotel standards” in Central Florida that can accommodate groups as large as 24. Use coupon code 1FREENIGHT at checkout to book seven nights and get one night free for travel through December 15, 2024. The offer is valid at all Villatel resorts, including the newly opened Villatel Orlando Resort, but there are some date exclusions.

More Florida vacation ideas:

Marriott Cancun reopens as an all-inclusive

Marriott Cancun, An All-Inclusive Resort will re-open in spring 2024 as the first Marriott-branded all-inclusive resort in the world. The former Marriott Cancun has been a popular Yucatan Peninsula property for decades and will now feature redesigned rooms and suites, new restaurants, and the new CAMP Club offering guided arts and crafts workshops, games, and other activities for kids that incorporate sensory, visual, and experiential play.

More Mexico vacation ideas:

National park packages

Xanterra Travel Collection—which operates national park lodges, hotels, and concessions at several U.S. national parks like Yellowstone, Zion, and the Grand Canyon South Rim—still has rooms, cabins, and campgrounds available for spring, summer, and fall 2024 travel. Head to Xanterra’s website for info on packages, value-added programs, and availability.

Marriott Bonvoy offers

Marriott Bonvoy members can enjoy a 10,000-point reduction when booking select dates at Maui hotels for travel until March 2024.

New hotel openings

New family-friendly hotels opening in the beginning of 2024 include the expansive Loews Arlington Hotel, luxe Four Seasons Resort and Residences Cabo San Lucas at Cabo Del Sol, and the Embassy Suites by Hilton Gatlinburg Resort that will make a great home base for a family trip to the Great Smoky Mountains.

2. Vacation rentals news and deals

Vrbo releases booking recommendations

Vrbo recently released its “book-by dates” for major travel periods in 2024. In order to have the widest selection of properties from which to choose, the vacation rental site recommends booking spring break rentals by February 9, Memorial Day weekend rentals by April 15, and summer rentals by April 26. And if you’re interested in some of the site’s most popular homes on Instagram, like Shipyard 2.0 in North Carolina and The Elf’s Aerie in the Lost Pines Shire in Texas, you might want to book even earlier.

3. Deals on tours and cruises

Holland America ship in Alaska with icebergs in background — (Photo: Holland America Line)

Kids sail free (plus savings) from Holland America Line

Holland America Line wants you to have the “Time of Your Life” with an incentive offering balcony upgrades, savings up to 40% on select sailings, and free fares for kids. The offer is available through February 29, 2024, for select 2024 and 2025 departures.

More about Cruises:

NCL new ship offers

Norwegian Cruise Line has recently opened its newest ship, Norwegian Aqua, for sale. Debuting in 2025, the Norwegian Aqua will be the first ship in the cruise line’s next-generation Prima Plus Class and will offer features like the world’s first hybrid rollercoaster waterslide. You’ll also want to check the company’s offers page for its latest flash sales and deals, which include last-minute cruise deals and other savings.

Adventures by Disney new itineraries (and a sale!)

Adventures by Disney is offering two new itineraries to Holland and Belgium beginning in 2025. The eight-day, seven-night river cruise includes a “Discovering Holland and Belgium Tour” itinerary and a spring tulip sailing option that highlights the area’s famous flower. The family-favorite tour company is also offering savings of $500 or more per person on select 2025 departures (including the traditional Holland and Belgium river cruise) for bookings made by April 15, 2024.

Uniworld cruise + air bundles

Save some money on a Uniworld Boutique River Cruises trip with the company’s Cruise + Air offer. Travelers can get savings of up to $3,000 when purchasing a cruise and flights together on select 2024 itineraries, which include the 16-day Peruvian Amazon & Machu Picchu Exploration itinerary and eight-day Castles Along the Rhine trip. New bookings must be made by January 31, 2024, for travel through 2024.

Tour company deals

Book by January 31, 2024, to get $500 off custom land and/or cruise tours exceeding $5,000 from Unforgettable Travel. Known for its personalized service and local expertise, the luxury travel company offers excursions to more than 30 popular destinations in Europe, Asia, and Africa.

Global guided vacation company Trafalgar is offering 15 to 20% off select itineraries through February 15, 2024. Options include the 10-day Best of Morocco itinerary that visits Casablanca, Fes, and Marrakesh; and the new two-week Western Discoverer itinerary across California, Nevada, and Arizona that features visits to the Grand Canyon and Yosemite National Park.

Women-owned and -operated tour company AdventureWomen recently announced its first multi-generational trip to Costa Rica. Taking place June 23 to July 1, 2024, Costa Rica: A Multi-Generational Adventure will include experiences like kayaking through Tortuguero National Park, ziplining, and a chocolate tasting and Costa Rican cooking class for multigenerational female travelers ages 13 and older.

More about Guided Tours:

4. Theme parks deals and news

Kids racing down waterslide at Surfers Cove at Legoland — (Photo: LEGOLAND)

Walt Disney World deals

There’s a lot going on at Walt Disney World Resort as 2024 gets into gear. Prices for annual passes and parking have gone up, but restrictions on park hopping ended on January 9. Disney Dining Plans have also returned for guests of Disney Resort hotels.

There are currently a number of special offers and discounts to help reduce the cost of a Walt Disney World Resort vacation, including 50% off theme park tickets and dining plans for kids ages three to nine (valid for arrivals most nights March 3 to 24, 2024 and April 7, 2024 through June 30, 2024) and deals for Florida residents and U.S. military members. You can read more about the deals here and here.

Disneyland news

There are new restaurants to enjoy at Walt Disney World and Disneyland, and we’ve got a whole roundup of 2024 festivals and special events at Disneyland here. And Disneyland Resort’s Pixar Place Hotel (a transformation of the Paradise Pier Hotel) opens at the end of January.

Universal Orlando specials

Universal Orlando Resort is also offering a range of special offers and deals, including savings of 25% on a three-park, five-night vacation package and a “four days for the price of two” ticket offer.

LEGOLAND 25th

LEGOLAND California Resort is celebrating its 25th birthday in a big way in 2024. The new Dino Valley Land opens in the spring with three themed rides and a reimagined Dino Dig area, and North America’s first-ever LEGO World Parade launches during the summer at the park, which is also a Certified Autism Center.

SeaWorld Orlando (and Aquatica)

If you’re a Florida resident, you can get a free 2024 Preschool Card for SeaWorld Orlando and Aquatica Orlando. Available for children ages five and under, the card offers free unlimited admission at both sites for little ones through December 31, 2024. Online registration is required by February 4, 2024. Busch Gardens Tampa Bay also has a similar offer.