say, but they add that today's travellers want value for money, particularly when it comes to family trips.

With the help of local travel agents, we've compiled a few value-for-money ideas for families. Rates are in $US and based on seven nights for two adults plus two children, unless stated. Prices are correct at press time but are subject to change.

Walt Disney World Vacation and Caribbean Cruise (from $4,840).

Fly from Bermuda to Orlando (via New York) and set sail on Premier's Big Red Boat for either Nassau and Salt Cay, or the Abacos Out Islands. The four-night cruise departs from and returns to Orlando, where passengers spend an additional three nights visiting Disney World.

Passengers can choose to stay either on site at Disney or in an Orlando-area hotel. The total cost, if accommodations are outside the Disney site, starts at $4,850 and includes the cruise, port tax, hotel accommodations in the Orlando area, a four-day Disney pass, airfare between Bermuda and Orlando (via New York), and Bermuda departure tax. If passengers opt for a hotel at Disney World, for example the Caribbean Beach Hotel, the price is $5,210, all inclusive. The hotel was designed as five charming island villages around a 45-acre lake.

Rates are based on travel during the last week of January, and have been packaged by Franklin Travel.

Caribbean cruise on Royal Caribbean Cruise Line's Sun Viking (from $6,538).

Cruises begin and end on Saturdays in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Passengers fly from Bermuda to San Juan (via New York). The cruise makes its first stop in Aruba on Monday, followed by Curacao on Tuesday, St. Maarten on Thursday, and St. John on Friday. Price includes cruise, airfare, departure taxes and port tax.

Price is based on travel in the last week of January although Franklin Travel, which packaged the deal, says the further in advance the cruise is booked, the greater the discount.

Disney Vacation (from $2,290).

Airfare between Bermuda and Orlando for two adults and two children will cost approximately $1,662 including Bermuda departure tax. Accommodations at the Hampton Inn or Floridian, right on International Drive and about 15 minutes from Disney, runs $60 per night per double room (which can sleep adults and two children). Two adjoining rooms are priced from $120 per night.

Slightly more expensive is the Hilton at Disney World, which runs about $179 per night. A shuttle service runs between the Lake Buena Vista area and Disney World.

Daily Disney passes cost $34.85 per adult, and $27.45 per child under nine-years-old, or $117 per adult for a four-day pass, and $90.90 per child for a four-day pass. Car rentals in the Orlando area start from $89 per week.

Prices, packaged by Meyer Agencies, are based on travel the last week of January and first week of February.

Rocking Horse Ranch Resort (from $3,038). Airfare between Bermuda and Newburgh, New York (via New York City) totals $1,548 and includes Bermuda departure tax. Rocking Horse is spread over 500-acres in Highland, 23 miles north of Newburgh. Accomodations, including breakfast and dinner, start from $525 per person for seven nights. The rate for children aged 4 to 15 years is $30 per night per child, while there is no charge for children under three years.

Winter activities include horseback riding, sleigh rides, indoor archery, scavenger hunts, nature hikes, skiing, tobogganing, ice skating, ice fishing, arts and craft classes, theme parties, nightly entertainment and supervised children's activities. Facilities includes heated indoor pool, whirlpool spa, tennis courts, fitness gym, and two saunas.

Travel Savers Club Caribbean Cruise (from $4,475).

With a one-time Travel Savers Club membership fee of $650 plus an annual renewal fee of $49.95,members can choose from a variety of packages at US prices. The seven-night cruise aboard the Costa Classica runs Saturday to Saturday out of Miami. There is a choice of two cruises ~~- to the eastern or western Caribbean. Eastern cruises stop at san Juan, St Thomas, St John, Serena Cay osa de Campo, and Nassau. The estern cruise takes in Grand Cayman, Ocho Rios in Jamaica, Playa del Carmen ancun and Cozumel, Mexico. Airfare, including Bermuda departure tax, is $1,497 and inside cabins aboard the Costa Cruise Lines ship start from $2,328.

Getaways Week-long getaways to North American gateway cities can also be good value with many of the airlines offering winter fares that must be purchased at least two weeks before travel.

Toronto: from $224 per adult and $150 per child with a minimum seven day stay (Air Canada).

New York: from $236 per adult, $177 per child for midweek travel, and from $276 per adult, $207 per child for weekend travel (American, USAir).

Boston: from $283 per adult, $212 per child for midweek travel, and from $323 per adult, $242 per child for travel on weekends (Delta).

Philadelphia: from $283 per adult, $212 per child for midweek travel, and from $323 per adult, $242 per child for weekend travel (USAir).

Atlanta: from $307 per adult and $230 per child for midweek travel, and from $349 per adult and $262 per child for weekend travel (Delta).

New Jersey: from $265 per adult, $199 per child for midweek travel, and from $305 per adult and $229 per child for weekend travel (Continental). Note: Fares are in Bermuda $ , valid through mid-March and do not include Bermuda departure tax. Check travel agents or airlines for details.

Compiled by Robin Zuill.

RG MAGAZINE FEBRUARY 1993