There are a lot more discounts available to mature travelers these days than just golf packages, including reduced prices for Hawaiian hotels, rafting trips on Idaho’s Salmon and Snake Rivers, cruises to Alaska or wedding anniversary cruises on the Rhine River.
Varied bargains are also available for destinations in Europe or Asia, as well for a safari in Africa.
– Hawaiian hotels. The Royal Kona on Hawaii’s Big Island offers discounts of up to 50 percent off room rates for travelers 55 and older.
A partial-ocean-view room, the most economical, can be rented by mature travelers for $80, an oceanfront for $90 and beachfront for $125.
The Royal Laihaina on Maui offers up to 30 percent discounts, as does the Coconut Beach on Kauai–all depending on availability. Ask for the “Royal Senior” rate when you call, 800-222-5642.
– Anniversary discounts. Through October, couples celebrating their silver (25 years), ruby (40 years), gold (50 years) or diamond (60 years) anniversaries can claim 25 percent discounts on cruises by KD River Cruises of Europe on most sailings on the Rhine and its tributaries, the Main-Danube Canal and Danube, and the Elbe.
The anniversary does not need to take place during the cruise, just during 1998.
For example, the eight-day cruises on the Danube that operate between Budapest and either Nuremberg or Regensburg, Germany, cost $820 to $1,275 for couples compared to the usual prices of $1,090 to $1,695.
For more information, call 800-346-6525 or 800-858-8587.
– Great outdoors. The Fieldstone Inn in Hiawassee, Ga., offers two special senior packages during 1998.
The Tee for Two golf package, available through December, costs $222 (slightly higher to October) for two nights’ double occupancy and includes a standard guest room, 18 holes of golf with cart, breakfast for two one morning and dinner for two one night.
Another special package, Excursion Elite, offers two nights in a standard room, your choice of a tour of the J.C. Campbell Folk School, a guided hike to High Shoals or guided pontoon boat cruise, as well as one dinner and one breakfast, both for two.
The excursion package is $379 double occupancy and is available Sunday to Thursday until Nov. 15. For more information, call 800-545-3408.
– AARP & World Explorer. Members of the American Association of Retired Persons can now get discounts of 20 percent off brochure rates on selected cabin categories and dates from World Explorer Cruises. Third and fourth passengers in cabins also sail free.
Seven 14-day Alaska cruises departing from Vancouver are offered by World Explorer. Before AARP discounts are applied, rates range from $1,895 to $3,095. Call World Explorer Cruises at 800-854-3835 or AARP at 800-424-3410.
– Swingers only. Golfers ages 62 and older get 10 percent discounts on golf instruction packages at John Jacobs’ golf schools from July to December.
What can make this deal even sweeter for the swinger is to apply the 10 percent discount to his “Summer Sizzler” packages–three days of instruction, three nights’ accommodations, most meals, daily golf–starting at $345 per person at four Jacobs schools: San Ignacio in Green Valley, Painted Mountain in Mesa, Hillcrest in Sun City West (all in Arizona) and Stallion Mountain Country Club in Las Vegas. For more information, call 888-554-3737.
– High fliers. Mature travelers ages 60 and older get $2 off the $18.95 admission to Fantasy of Flight in Polk City, Fla.
Featured is an array of vintage aircraft, the sensation of piloting an aircraft in flight simulators and now a 115-foot-tall gas balloon that flies guests nearly 500 feet into the air.
For more information, call 941-984-3500.
– Informal history rafting. Salmon River Experience in Moscow, Idaho, offers a special historical trip for travelers ages 55 and older on the Lower Gorge of the Salmon and Snake Rivers as a way to experience nearly the same terrain as Lewis and Clark when they made their journey.
This trip, from Aug. 17 to 19, also features informal campfire discussions of Chinese mining in the region and the Nez Perce War.
The price is $539 and includes everything except sleeping bags. Departure is from either Moscow or Lewiston, Idaho.
For more information, call 800-892-9223 or visit www.salmonriverexperience. com on the Web.
– Strong dollar deals. A strong U.S. dollar is paying off for American travelers, whether they’re heading to Europe or Asia.
Tauck Tours credits the stronger dollar combined with reduced European prices for lower rates on more than half their European “Yellow Roads” itineraries in 1998.
These trips take their name from the colored roads on European maps which denote the less traveled and more scenic back roads.
Tauck says its greatest savings are in the 14-day Romantic Germany program, reduced by 11 percent over last year; the 12-day Alps of Switzerland, Austria and Italy, reduced by more than 10 percent; and a 14-day Holland to Switzerland program, which is nearly 10 percent less.
For example, the Germany trip is priced at $3,590 for 1998 compared to $3,990 in 1997. Prices do not include airfare. Contact your travel agent.
In 1998, trips to Asia offered by Overseas Adventure Travel (OAT) also reflect savings, in some cases as much as $800 for a couple.
A 15-day Discover Thailand program that cost $3,190 last year is priced at $2,790 this year with Nov. 18 and Dec. 5 departures slated.
A Nov. 4 departure is priced at $2,590 this year compared to $2,990 last year.
OAT trips, which are designed for older travelers, include round-trip international airfare.
For a catalog, call 800-873-5628.
– Safari singles savings. The single supplement will be waived on a special Kenya safari offered by African Travel Inc.
The land price of the tour is $2,395 for a December departure, saving $650 on the single supplement. Air is $1,795 per person from New York.
The Kenya Explorer includes visits to the Jane Goodall Chimpanzee Sanctuary, Karen Blixen Museum and a nature walk in the Aberdares. Reservations should be made through your travel agent.
For brochures, contact African Travel Inc., The Safari Building, 1100 E. Broadway, Glendale, Calif. 91205; 800-421-8907.
