I don't know about you but I really only use plastic and sometimes apps to pay for things.  I rarely use paper money which also means I rarely have that handy.   When it comes time to travel I realize shoot I need tip money!   I think this is a very important step to add to your packing list since if you are like me you might need to go to a bank or something to get some small bills.  I try to stash a few in my travel bags so even those times when it gets a little hectic before traveling and I forget to plan for tips I at least have something.  On my recent trip to Jamaica it wasn't until we were at the hotel that I realized my stash was out of small bills.  Luckily I did have a larger bill and was able to pop down to the front desk and they were able to change it out for some smaller bills still in American dollars.  Planning for tips in other countries can be even trickier since you might need to make sure when you exchange money that you get smaller denominations.   Of course traveling to other countries brings up a whole other set of questions when it comes to tipping too so below are some of my tips for tipping.

#1 - Pre plan for as many tips as you can think of and have those small bills already set aside and have some extra for the times you might not have thought of.  

#2 Exchange at least a little money before traveling.   If you are going somewhere that uses other currency it is best to exchange some at home so you have at least a small amount handy for the first few people you might need to tip when you arrive.  

#3 If traveling to another country it is best to look up what the policy tends to be on tipping,   In some countries tipping is looked at as an insult.
 
#4 Check all of your bills.  While on vacation there might be times when an automatic tip has been added to your bill so be sure to double check your before leaving a tip. 

Here is a quick list of people you should be thinking about tipping while traveling.  Of course this isn't all of them and in some cases some of these people may not be allowed to accept tips.  

1. Transportation related people. 
 - Taxi/Uber/Lyft/ or car service drivers - suggested amount is 15 - 20% 
- Shuttle driver that might either take you from an off airport parking lot to the airport or from the airport to your hotel - suggested a couple dollars maybe more if you have a lot of heavy bags they lifted for you.
- Skycaps - if you use them it is suggested that you give a couple dollars per bag.

2. Hotel 
- Bellhops - suggested a few dollars per bag
- Housekeeping - suggested a few dollars per day and you really should do tip each day in case different people work each day.
- Hotel Concierge - this one can be tricky and really depends on what they do for you. If they set up some simple dining reservations that would be a smaller tip than if they scored you tickets for a really hot event.
- Dining - as usual you would tip your server like any other restaurant you would eat at while home.  If you order room service a few dollars tips should be given to the person that delivers your food.

3. Cruises
Tipping on a cruise can vary based on the cruise line.  Most will now add a pre-paid gratuity that gets added to your bill automatically at the start of the cruise.  This will cover the main people taking care of you during the cruise such as your room attendant and servers at meals. 
- Bartenders - many times your bar bill will have an added gratuity already on there or if you have a drink package a pre-paid gratuity was added to that package price so it is up to you if you want to add more.   If you have a really great bartender you might want to reward that.  Some people like to start out the cruise with an extra tip to the bartender in hopes that will get them better service throughout the cruise.  
- Spa treatments - most times a gratuity will be auto added to your bill so check first but if you had a really wonderful experience you can always add more.
- Porters - at the end of the cruise you will have to collect your luggage and go through the terminal.  There will be porters available if you would prefer to have someone else transport you bags out of the terminal for you and just like bellhops should be tipped accordingly.
- Room service - most cruises offer 24 hour room service and while the food is usually included in your cruise price you should tip the delivery person a couple dollars.

4. Tours/Excursions
- Guide - if you take an tour or excursion with a guide you should tip them and you can base how much you give on how good of a guide they were and how long they were with you.
- Driver - if your excursion or tour involves a bus or some type of vehicle that got you safely to your tour and back you should leave a little tip.

Tipping should be looked at as a way of saying thank you to someone for doing something that made your travel a little better so don't worry too much over who and how much and just do what feels right to you at that time.

  I spent last weekend in Jamaica checking out some all inclusive resorts.  This trip was a reward for my sales in 2018 so it was sort of a working reward.  I am not someone that would typically choose an all inclusive resort for my vacation but I know a lot of people really enjoy them.  I toured a few different properties so I was able to really see that there is something for everyone but it is a matter of choosing the right resort for the guest.   
  In some cases one company might run several different resort types and they are all connected to each other so while staying at one you also have access to the others.   For example, I was staying in Secrets St James and on either side of my resort were other resorts run by the same company.   Anyone at Secrets St James has access to everything at Secrets Wild Orchid and vice versa.  You actually might not even realize they were 2 different resorts though because they seemed very connected and similar.   On the other side of my resort was Breathless, which is also run by AmResorts, but if you wanted to be able to enjoy that resort you had to be staying in a preferred club room at Secrets.  However, everyone staying at Breathless could use everything at Secrets St James and Secrets Wild Orchid.  There was a walking bridge that connected the resorts so you would have to show your room key to walk over to the Breathless side. There was a noticeable difference between Breathless and Secrets.    The guests at Secrets were mainly couples and I would say most were mid 30s and up.   It was a laid back vibe at the resort with plenty of dining options and a bit of nightlife but it was mostly about hanging by the pool and on the beach.   Over at Breathless the crowd was a good bit younger and less couples.  It was much more of a party resort.  
  I also toured some resorts that were not connected to me mine so I was able to see the difference when there are not multiple resorts connected together.   One of these was Zoetry, which is a smaller more boutique type all inclusive.   This resort had a max capacity of about 100 guests compared to the almost 1,000 at the 2 Secrets resorts I was at.  Zoetry is a resort for those looking to really getaway and de-stress.  It is small and quiet but still right on the water and includes pretty much all the same things as the bigger resorts.  Personally this is my idea of vacation, however if you were someone looking to party you would not enjoy this resort.  Since there is not another resort connected that you could just hop over to you would want to be sure you pick the resort that is offering what you are really looking for in a vacation.  
  Generally, an all inclusive resort is going to include your food and beverages as part your hotel package so they offer one upfront price.  Most will have a beach and pool and include some water sports.  If you want to explore something outside the resort many times they will have excursion options they can recommend with a supplier they trust.   There is something for almost any budget and any age group so I can see why all inclusives are a popular vacation option.  

I personally prefer cruising to almost any other type of vacation but as a travel agent I do always want to research all options for my clients.  All Inclusive resorts are a popular option so I have made it a point to get to check out some of them.   Just like cruising there are many different types of All Inclusive resorts and something for all budgets.    There are some that are adult only and others that are family friendly.  

I am on my way to Jamaica for a stay at an All Inclusive resort so I thought this might be a good time to compare going to an All Inclusive vs a Cruise.  Both vacation options offer some similar things.  They both offer accommodations and most meals in your upfront cost.  The pros and cons really vary based on what you are looking for in a vacation.  

You might want to pick a cruise if...
#1 If you want to see more than one destination during your vacation
#2 If you are not a big drinker and don't want to be paying for alcohol to be included.
#3 If you like the idea that if the weather is bad your vacation can change where it is going to avoid the weather.
#4 If you want to avoid flying since many cruise starting points could be within driving distance.  Even if you cannot drive to the starting port you might find cheaper flights for a cruise than flying to an island destination for an All Inclusive.
#5 If you do not have a passport.   While it isn't recommend it is possible to take a cruise out of the United States and not have a passport.

You might want to pick an All Inclusive if... 
#1 If you really want a vacation where you really don't do much at all   Most All Inclusives will not have much scheduled for each day so you can just lay around the pool or on the beach.  
#2 If you want to spend more time in one place and be able to go to the beach at any time (most of the All Inclusive resorts will have some kind of beach even if you can't always swim there).
#3 If you are a big drinker and like a vacation that includes all you can drink in your upfront cost.
#4 If you want to have the option for some water sports that won't cost you extra (most resorts will have some type of water sports like kayaking included)
#5 If you get motion sickness and prefer a vacation that stays on solid ground. 

If you are unsure what might work best for you a good travel (shameless plug) will be happy to help you figure that out.

It used to be that you could earn some VIP perks on cruises by booking a suite or by being very loyal to a particular cruise line.  Now, some cruise lines have come up with a new purchase option for guests that might want a little more of a VIP feeling when cruising but are not in a suite or have many past cruises.

Here is the list of cruise lines currently offering an option to pay for some type of extra perks.  I have put them in alphabetical order but it is good to point out that this list includes all 3 of the Mass Market Cruise lines and just 1 Premium Cruise line.  The Mass Market ships are going always be the biggest ships sailing with sometimes almost 6,000 guests so on those paying to avoid lines sort of makes sense.   Holland American is a Premium so their ships are smaller and offer a bit more upscale cruise so you will see the perks they offer in their program are a bit different.  

Carnival - Faster to the Fun
What it includes - 
1. Priority Security, Check in, and Boarding.  You get to board the ship after Diamond and Platinum guests and those traveling in Deluxe Suites.  You do not get access to the Captains Lounge which is only for the Diamond, Platinum and Deluxe Suite guests.
2. First Access to your Stateroom.   Your room is ready to enjoy as soon as  you board.
3. Priority Luggage.   Your bags will be one of the first that get delivered.
4. Priority Guest Service. Your own line or phone extension to talk guest services onboard.  
5. Priority Dining Reservations.   You get priority assignment for the Main Dining room and specialty restaurant reservations.  Platinum and Diamond get cleared first and does not apply to Your Time Dining.
6. Tender Priority.  When at a port with a tender to get onshore you will get priority times which can get you ashore faster.
7. Debarkation Choice.  At the end of the cruise you can choose either early or late debarkation.

What Does It Cost*
1. The price is per room and not per person so just one guest in the room has to purchase and everyone gets it.
2. It must be purchased prior to the cruise. It is limited to a certain number of guests so best to buy as soon as possible.  
3. Prices vary based on cruise length and sometimes the ship.   Starting at $39.95 on a 2 day cruise up to $119.95 on an 8 day or longer cruise.  
4. Not available on Carnival Journeys, Europe Cruises, or cruises out of certain ports.


Holland America - Club Orange
What it includes
1. Complimentary Stateroom Upgrade.  Upgraded to the best available stateroom within your category at time of purchase.   That means if you have an inside room your upgrade will still be an inside room but a better room.
2. Exclusive Dining Options and Premium in-room Breakfast.  Priority access to specialty restaurant reservations and a premium menu for in room breakfast.  The 2 newest ships have a private dining venue other ships get priority seating with expanded menu.
3. Priority Access.  Priority check in and debarkation.   Also have a priority line for guests services and shore excursions desk.
4. Tender Priority.  When in port with tenders you get priority access times that will get you ashore first.
5. Dedicated Concierge Hotline
6. Upgraded Amenities.   Get a welcome glass of sparkling wine at dinner the first night, premium bathrobes, exclusive Club Orange tote bag and Club Orange key card.
7. Special Event -Invitation to a special onboard event chosen by the ship's captain. These exclusive experiences may include a behind-the-scenes tour of the ship; a private spa and beauty consultation; or a coffee chat with onboard musicians, performers or cooking show hosts.

What Does It Cost*
1. Club Orange cost applies to 1st and 2nd guests in a room but if there are 3rd or 4th guests they receive it at no extra cost.  The price listed is per person for the 1st and 2nd guests and both must purchase.
2. It is available for a limited number of non-suite guests on each sailing.  Guests in Neptune or Pinnacle Suites get all the benefits (except the room upgrade) of Club Orange at not extra cost.
3. Must be purchased prior to the cruise start.
4. Price is $35 per person, per day on the 2 newest ships Nieuw Statendam and Koningsdam.   All other ships are $25 per person, per day.

NCL - Priority Access
What It Includes
1. Priority Security, Check in, and Boarding
2. Tender Priority Access.
3. Priority Debarkation
4. Daily Complimentary Standard Room Service Breakfast
5. $50 Spa Discount (per person on port days only)
6. Complimentary Canapes (second day of cruise)

What Does it Cost*
1. The cost is per room
2. Guests staying in the Haven and Owners Suites along with Latitude Guests that are Platinum, Platinum Plus, or Ambassador levels cannot purchase but that is because they already get all of these benefits.
3. Only a limited number of Priority Access is available so best to book as early as possible
4. Prices vary by length of cruise

• 3 to 5 Days - $99 per cabin
• 6 to 9 Days - $179 per cabin
• 10 to 15 Days - $249 per cabin
• 16+ Days - $299 per cabin

Royal Caribbean - The Key
What it Includes
1. Priority Check in and Boarding
2. Exclusive Welcome Lunch in Main Dining room with menu from Chops Grille
3. Carry on Bag Drop off in Main Dining Room.  This means you can bring your carry on when you board and drop it off in the welcome lunch and it will be delivered to your stateroom for you instead of having to carry it around until rooms are  open to guests.
4.Private Hours at Onboard Activities like Rock Climbing and Flow Rider and more
5. Priority Departure at Port from ship to shore
6. Seats in the Exclusive VIP seating section for shows in the Main Theater, Aqua Theater, Studio B, and Two70
7. VOOM Surf and Steam 1 Device High Speed Internet - 1 package per paying guest
8. Exclusive Debarkation Day Ala Carte Breakfast and choice of departure time

What Does it Cost*
1. Must be Purchased Prior to your cruise
2. Price is per person and everyone over age 6 in the room must get it even if just one person wants it.
3. The number sold is limited.
4. Cost is $25 per person per night and must be purchased for all nights of the cruise

*prices and inclusions always subject to change at anytime

I have mixed feelings about these pay for perks options.  As a travel agent I want my client to have the best experience and if avoiding lines or getting some other perks that they are willing to pay for does that for them then I am glad to be able to offer that option.   However as a guest on certain cruise lines that I might have earned some of the perks the hard way I am not so sure I am happy about people being able to jump right to them just by paying more.  If I paid the big bucks for a suite on a cruise which entitles me to a lot of perks I would not like it that someone else can buy their way into those perks.  It doesn't have quite the exclusive benefit feel when you open up to others to purchase.   I am also worried that this will start a new trend of cruise lines adding more to their nickle and dime list that I really do not like.  Personally I always liked the feeling of a cruise being mostly all inclusive but over the years it has changed a lot and now there are a many extras you might have to budget for on top of your cruise fare.  There are still some cruise lines that do offer a more inclusive up front fare however that makes them look a lot more expensive at first glance so my advice on this is to really look at what you are getting for that low up front price.  For example, instead of paying to avoid lines you could just choose a smaller cruise ship where there won't be any lines for anyone.  

What are your feelings on these pay for perks options?

 Ok so I admit when our ship is about to leave port I would head up to the upper deck and see if I can catch any last minute runners that are close to missing the boat.   I would also laugh when I hear the announcement over the speaker looking for certain guests that are not showing as back onboard as the time to depart approaches.  However I don't think I will do that anymore since I was almost one of those people.  

 It was on our Alaska cruise in the Juneau.  If you have been there before you have probably ridden or at least seen the Mt Roberts tram to the top of the mountain.   Depending on where your ship docked you could have been almost parked right in front of it.  On this visit our ship was right there so we thought why not take a ride since we hadn't done it on our previous Alaska cruise.   We rode to the top and got out to walk around a little and then it started raining, which wasn't a big surprise since it is part of a rainforest, but then we heard thunder and saw some lightning which seemed very odd.   We headed back inside to catch a ride back down only to find that the tram wasn't running due to the storm.   At that point the line was already pretty long and no idea when it would start running again.   We asked about walking down and were told it was about 2 and half miles so we thought that isn't too bad and might be faster than waiting.   We stated walking and were enjoying the trek despite a little rain but then it just seemed like we were walking forever and never getting any closer to the end.  We passed a few people walking up and ask how much further and each time they said about a mile even though we passed them about 15 minutes apart.  It is pretty wooded so you couldn't get an idea of where you were until we finally got to a spot where we could see out to the water and realized we were still very high up and only had about an hour to make it back to the boat.   We picked up the pace and finally came out of the trail but realized that it came out a bit out of town and no where near the ships.  Panic started to set in as we realized we had about 30 minutes to get back to the boat.  Luckily a car was driving by and we flagged them down and they thankfully didn't mind giving us a lift back to the ship.   Even with the ride we still were cutting it close.  We were so grateful to have made it back on the ship that we didn't even realize that things were a little off and then we heard the announcement that the power was out.   We found out that the same lightning strike that stopped the tram also knocked out port to the port.  That caused the ship to leave port a bit later so we might have made it if we hadn't found a ride back to the boat but I won't take that chance again.  

There were a few things running through my head as I thought we might miss the boat and I realized I really was not prepared.   Since that was a close call I was sure to look up what what happens if you miss the boat. I learned that the ship will make a couple attempts to be sure you are not already onboard including check in your room.  If  you are not onboard they will try to collect a few of your things to leave with the port agent for you.  It is then up to you to either get to the next port or home. 

Here are my tips for being prepared when you get off the ship:

#1 - Be sure to take a copy of your passport with you when you get off the ship.  You don't want to take your actual passports as you really do not want to lose those.

#2 - Know where your passports are in the room   If you are pretty sure you are going to miss the boat you can call the ship and have guest services go into your room and get your passport to leave with the port agent.  They can also grab other important things like medication.  If you are not able to call the ship to let them know you are not going to make it someone from guests services will go to your room and attempt to find your passports anyway.  If they can easily find them they will get them to the port agent.  
  

#3 - Book with a travel agent (yes I know it sounds like a shameless plug but your agent really is your best advocate).   You might not have the ship phone number handy on your excursion but my guess is your travel agent phone number should be in your phone somewhere so call and then your agent can take care of helping you make your plan for what comes next.  

Here are a couple tips for how to best avoid missing the ship -

#1 - Book a shore excursion through the cruise line or a 3rd party that offers a back to ship guarantee as that is your best protection since it is more likely the ship will wait for a ship sponsored  excursion.  If for some reason the ship leaves without you the cruise line or tour provider will take care of the arrangements to get you to the next port.  If you do choose a 3rd party be sure you research and know what their policy is for a late return to port.

#2 - If you do go off on your own in port be very mindful of the time you need to be back on the ship and account for the time needed to get back to the port and go through any possible security. Some of the bigger busier ports could have multiple ships in at the same time and they might leave around the same time so there could be lines.   Also remember that the time ships leaves and all aboard is not the same thing.   The all aboard time is earlier than the actual depart time.  Another thing to be sure of is that your watch is set to the correct time since sometimes on your cruise you might cross time zones.  

#3 - Make sure you really know where your ship is docked.  If there are multiple ships in port with you there could be multiple docks being used so just saying to your taxi take me back to the port might not work out as easy as it sounds.  

My biggest tip is for those of you that choose to cruise without a passport - WHATEVER YOU DO YOU CANNOT MISS THE BOAT!   Without a passport you really could be in trouble if you miss the boat. 
​

A passport really is the best form of ID to have when you travel but if you do not currently have one you shouldn't feel like you do not have options for your next vacation.
Did you know that there are a lot of cruises you could take without a passport?  If you are looking at a closed loop cruise out of a US port you can cruise without a passport.  Any cruise that starts from a US port and returns to that same port is considered a closed loop cruise.  
That means you can cruise Alaska without a passport as long as your ship leaves and returns to WA or CA and not Vancouver.  
You can also cruise Hawaii either by choosing a cruise that leaves from CA or there is one cruise line that does just Hawaii.  
You can leaf peep and cruise around Canada/New England as long as your cruise is a round trip and not a one way.
It is very easy to visit Mexico, Bermuda, the Bahamas, and just about all the Caribbean islands since there are so many US ports offering round trip cruises to these destinations.  

There are reasons people might be looking for travel options that do not require a passport.   
- Maybe your passport just expired or you just don't have a passport yet and you found a great last minute deal on a cruise.
- Maybe you do not want the extra expense especially for kids since those passports are only good for 5 years.  
- Maybe you tend to lose things or forget things so knowing that you could still cruise even if you misplaced or forgot your passport makes you feel better.  

It is important to also be aware of the downside to not having a passport.
- If you do choose to cruise without a passport be sure you know that there might be some ports that won't allow you off the ship without a passport, such as Martinique.   
- If something were to happen and you had to cut your cruise short due to an emergency you would not be able to fly home from another country.   
- If for some reason the ship had to change itinerary and return to a different port at the end of the cruise you could have issues.  

You can check out - https://www.cbp.gov/travel/us-citizens/western-hemisphere-travel-initiative -- for all the latest info on traveling without a passport and what you will need in its place.  

  Souvenir shopping is a part of traveling but you might not always know what to to buy.  Part of what you buy while on vacation may depend on different things.   If you are traveling without your kids you might be on the look out for something the kids will like.   If you travel frequently you might not really want to bring much back at all but are looking to find that one special item that will remind you of just this trip.   You might have a collection and there is that one particular thing you like to buy from everywhere you go.  

#1 Collections - if you collect something in particular from each place you visit that can make your shopping a little easier since you already know what you are looking for.   If you haven't started a collection yet but you want some ideas my suggestion would be to choose something small.   Magnets from each city can be a good one since they are not too expensive and do not take up much space. Other things people tend to collect are mugs, pins, shot glasses, decals, snowglobes, ornaments, and key chains.   These tend to be cheap souvenirs which can help if you don't want to spend much but on the other hand cheap also could be bad since usually it also means it most likely wasn't made in the place you visited. 

#2 Authentic souvenirs - if you want to buy something that has more meaning to it you will want to find something that is made in the place you are visiting and maybe is something that area is really known for.   If you do a quick google search you can find out what authentic souvenir to shop for wherever you visit.  For example, when we visit the Netherlands we always bring back some cheese that is fresh off the farm.   Wooden shoes might also be a fun authentic souvenir from Holland but if you are really looking for authentic it is best to find a shop where you can watch them being made, or at least just double check them to make sure they don't have a made in china sticker.   Visiting a fair or outdoor market in the town square is usually a good place to find local items.  
Alaska has set up the Made in Alaska program which makes it easy for you to know you are buying an item that is authentic and made right in Alaska.  
https://www.lastfrontier.org/made-in-alaska  


#3 Clothing - My husband loves to buy a tee-shirt and hat for almost everywhere we visit.   These can be a nice reminder of places you have been and is also more useful than some of the other things you might find in the tourist shops.   You might also want to shop for clothing specific to that area, for example a wool sweater from Norway or kilt in Scotland.  Clothing might also end up being a souvenir out of necessity like when you forget to pack something or when the weather isn't what you were expecting and you need something like a jacket.

#4 - Food and Drink items - this one kind of goes along with the authentic souvenirs since if you are buying food items they are most likely food that is associated with where you are visiting.   I like to try chocolate just about anywhere we go even if that city or country might not be known for chocolate.   Food can be a fun souvenir to share with friends and family when you return but just remember it is not exactly the longest lasting souvenir.   Also it is important to make sure that any food or drink item you might be choosing to bring back it allowed back into your country as some things might be banned.

#5 - Photos/Postcards - photos are a great reminder of where you went and what you saw.  If you are not the best photographer or you are visiting somewhere that is hard to really capture then postcards are great alternative to taking the photos yourself.   Since I travel a lot I don't usually bring anything back for anyone but I do always try to send at least one postcard back to family.   My dad collects stamps so the postcard is like 2 souvenirs in one for him.  

No matter what type souvenir you choose it will be a nice reminder from your trip.   

​
I have been specializing in Disney vacations now for 18 years.   There is a lot that goes into planning a Disney vacation and I really like to help in any way since I know it is a big expense for most families.  The cost is one of the biggest factors and over the years I have learned a few ways to help with that.   I know you have all probably seen many articles about how to save money while you are in Disney like eating breakfast in the room or bringing your own snacks into the parks.   I have 3 easy tips to save money before you leave home and they don't require you to cut back on anything you want to do in order to save.

The #1 tip I have is to use a travel agent that specializes in Disney.    I know I am very bias on this one but I am not just saying you should use me (even though I do think you should) but using any travel agent that knows Disney can help you save money up-front because we know all the offers and stay on top of that for you and will apply any savings possible for you.   If you call Disney and book with them they will happily take your money but they are not going to call you a few months later and say hey guess what we are now offering a discount and we applied it for you.   A good Disney travel agent will do that!  A good Disney travel agent will also be honest and help you figure what you really do need and what you would be wasting money on.  

#2 - Choose a credit card with nice perks.   You might need to start this tip well before planning your vacation to give you enough time to rack up some rewards but they can be well worth it.   If you choose a good reward credit card you can rack some rewards that can help you take money off your vacation cost.  A good airline one might make it so you can fly free.  Disney also has a card that gives you rewards and you can use those rewards to pay towards your vacation or save them to use while on vacation.   A Disney Visa also gives you no interest on Disney vacation package reservations for 6 months so that could also save you some money and give you more time to pay.

#3 - Disney Gift cards.   This is sort of linked with #2 in that you can save money buying Disney gift cards if you have certain credit cards, such as a Target Visa.   You can save 5% when you use your Target Visa to buy Disney gift cards at Target so that can add up.  Warehouse stores like BJs and Sam's also offer discounts on Disney gift cards.   I have had many clients send me multiple gift cards to make payments on their vacations.  I even had one once that paid her whole Disney Cruise using gift cards (that 5% on over $5000 does add up).   Going back to #1 a good Disney agent will be happy to take as many gift cards as you need to use for making payments.

I know there are many other ways you can do things to save on Disney vacations but I think these 3 are the easiest to get what you really want and save a little too.

  You might be asking - what does Shoulder Season mean?  Most travel destinations will have a Peak Season and an Off Season but there will also be a bit of in between time which is the Shoulder Season.  Most popular travel destinations will have some sort of shoulder season.  In some places where year round travel is pretty popular, like here in Central Florida for example,  we don't have much of an off season or shoulder season. 
Cruising in Alaska has such a short Season in total that it offer a great example of Shoulder Season.   Cruise ships can only sail Alaska in May - September (maybe very late April and into very early October but not much).   The Peak Season is Mid-June through Mid-August so that leaves May and September as the Shoulder Season.   The rest of the year is totally Off Season since the ships cannot even go there if they wanted to.  There is some good and bad to choosing shoulder season anywhere.

There are 2 good reasons to cruise Alaska during Shoulder Season - 

#1 - Lower Prices - since it isn't the most popular time the rates are lower to try and entice more visitors.

#2 - Smaller Crowds - Most people either only want to or can only travel during the dates of the Peak Season so there are more crowds at that time leaving smaller crowds in the Shoulder Season.

There are also 2 not so good reason to choose Shoulder Season - 

#1 - Not everything will be open or available.   For example Denali National Park won't open until Mid June so if you want to go there you need to pretty much stick to Peak Season.  Another thing to consider is snow melting over summer will cause some excursions to not be offered in September.

#2 - There won't be as much wildlife.   If you are really going to Alaska for the wildlife the best times for that is going to be Peak Season when the Salmon are running and the Bears are out of hibernation.

You might think that weather would be a reason to choose peak season but in Alaska the weather can be all over the map at anytime of the cruise season.   You should be prepared for rain anytime you cruise Alaska.   It is possible that May and September will be colder than June - August but it might not be.   There is a slight chance you could catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights during shoulder season but you shouldn't plan your trip around that since it isn't very likely. 
 I have cruised Alaska twice - once in May and just this year the end of August so my dates have been shoulder season.   The photo I posted above shows one of the big differences in May and August since you see a lot less snow in the August photo.   As pretty as the snow was in May we almost didn't get close to the glacier because there were still a lot of big ice chunks and frozen water in that area.   I enjoyed both times of year and I think the smaller crowds of shoulder season were nice too but I would still like to try peak season too.