Who doesn’t love warm weather and sunny days spent in the Caribbean? (I love it so much that I lived there for two years!)I love spending time online researching hotels, finding the best airline routes, and browsing TripAdvisor for the best stuff to do on a trip. But what if you’re not into that sort of thing?What if you’re the kind of person who just wants someone to tell you where to visit, what to do, when to show up, and bundle it all into one package? I’ve got you covered.Say hello to [Vacation Express](https://www.vacationexpress.com/), one of the outstanding companies providing all-inclusive vacations from CVG Airport.For one price, booked in one place, you can build a trip and bundle airfare, hotel, airport transfers, meals, drinks, activities, and excursions.I’ve had about a dozen friends utilize Vacation Express and everyone raves about how amazing their trips were. So, to figure out what makes them so great, I went straight to the source and spoke to Rene Jongmans, CEO/President of Vacation Express.“We sell a wonderful product! You go to a wonderful destination, you go to a great resort, all-inclusive. That makes people happy. A vacation is a happy product.”JAY: When it comes to an all-inclusive, it’s all about convenience, right?RENE: “We’re one of the only ones who have all the non-stop flights from Cincinnati. And I think that’s why Cincinnati is one of our biggest markets. We have a fantastic client base, travel agents, and fantastic support. We make it easy for people to get to our destinations, it’s non-stop, you’re at the destination quickly at a beautiful beach and a great hotel, so of course you’re happy!”What sets Vacation Express apart?“The flights that we operate from Cincinnati are with great airlines. And I think that’s important. The on-time performance is great. Our flights have not been canceled. They go to the destination in the morning and come back late-afternoon, so you have a great amount of ‘beach time’ as we call it.”“And I think overall, just ensuring that we negotiate great deals with hotels. Most of our packages are with five-star hotels and sometimes when you look at the pricing and you’re like ‘Oh my gosh, I can fly, stay all-inclusive at a wonderful five-star hotel, and it’s maybe less than $1,500 a person. The value is really fantastic. Sometimes my friends say ‘hey, you know, I’m going to a weekend to New York or Miami’ and I’m like you’re probably going to spend more for that weekend than you do going for a week all-inclusive to a beautiful destination.”And for people like me who usually like to plan out every detail of a trip, Jongmans has a simple answer:“We always tell someone who wants to travel: don’t waste your own time on review sites because at the end of the day you can spend so much time and you still don’t really know that a resort is best for you. In 15 minutes’ time, we can probably tell you the right resort for you and that adds a lot of value to the service we provide.”What are the hot destinations for 2022?“Cancun is what we sell the most. It’s, for so many years, been the number one destination because we have the non-stop flights, the value is great. People say ‘oh, I want to go somewhere more exotic’ but they may forget there are a lot of great exotic resorts and new resorts that are built in beautiful settings (in Cancun). Punta Cana and Jamaica are a good #2 and #3. People tend to think more of other destinations like St. Lucia, Antigua, Turks and Caicos or Grenada as more “exotic” destinations… but your budget just needs to come up a bit more.”With more people traveling, should we book vacations further in advance?“I definitely think that this year you need to start looking further out. More people are going to travel and we’re seeing more destinations are easing up their entry requirements a bit. Some may still require a PCR or antigen test to get into the destination or they may have required a vaccination, but we are seeing destinations ease up on those requirements as well. As that happens, and hopefully at one point, the US will allow people to come back without testing as we’re already seeing it in other countries, then even more people will be comfortable traveling. I definitely still feel there is a pent-up demand.”Often times, people think of all-inclusive resorts as a honeymoon destination or girls’ trips, but they can be terrific for families as well, right?“A lot of families go on vacation with their kids and there are so many different experiences such as Nickelodeon Resorts that are very unique. We also have so many other hotels in different price ranges that offer free stays for kids. The kids don’t pay for their meals and drinks which is a fantastic added value.Is there an amenity that you personally really enjoy when you stay at a resort?“I love the turn-down service. I love when you spend your day at the pool or the beach and you come back to the hotel in the evening and they’ve put fresh towels for you, made your bed nicely and add some extra amenities sometimes. I won’t say no to a nice spa either.”What’s the one thing you always pack on a trip?“Suntan lotion. It’s always in my bag”Thanks Rene! And my dermatologist agrees… solid advice.Another person who agrees that all-inclusive resorts are an excellent value is Debbie Boyd, a Travel Consultant and owner of [Travel Happy](http://travelhappyagency.com/) in Cincinnati.JAY: Which destinations are hot with your clients right now?DEBBIE: “Punta Cana, Jamaica, Mexico, St. Lucia, Costa Rica. And all of these areas have really loosened up their COVID protocols. What’s awesome is that everything is opening up. Each week we’re getting more and more good news and it makes my job a lot easier.What has been very popular is Mexico, and every part of Mexico. I just returned from Central Mexico which was kind of off my radar because I’m more of a beach destination kind of girl. But I just got back from San Miguel de Allende which is awesome and that has opened up a lot of opportunities for people who want more cultural, cool, European-feeling experience without traveling those European miles.”You mentioned COVID protocols. How do you keep tabs on what travelers need to do?“As travel agents we partner with tour operators and suppliers who make our job easier and one of my preferred suppliers is Vacation Express and they have a whole section on their website that is quick and easy and constantly updated. All you have to do is type in your destination, even specifically by resort, because some resorts are more restrictive than others. And a lot of resorts have on-site COVID testing, right?“Almost every resort has on-site COVID testing and most of them were offering it complimentary. Now some of them are backing off the comp, but it’s only around $30-$35.”That’s just about the only fee you’d expect to see outside of the whole booking then, right? “It’s hard to beat an all-inclusive. I was just helping a corporate group book a trip and they want to reward their staff. As I was giving them the price, and they’re like ‘what other hidden fees are there going to be? What other taxes?’ And I said, ‘that really is it!” If you do a spa treatment or an excursion, that’s going to be extra but all of your food, alcohol, taxes, fees and your gratuities are even included. (But I always tell folks to take some extra money to tip those hard-working folks.)”I’m a DIY traveler, but when I was booking a trip a few years back I was pointed to a travel agent who had a promo code that I didn’t have access to. Is that often the case? Are there special deals or packages that you have access to?“We sure do. That may be like a free upgrade from a shared airport transfer to a private transfer. It may be a certain percent off during a certain booking time. We have access to things, not all the time, but a lot of times. And also, just little extra perks that maybe folks don’t know about. One of my favorite things to talk about is Club Mobay in Jamaica. It’s a VIP service for arrival and departure and it helps you get through all of the customs and immigration lines. You have a representative that meets you as soon as you get off the plane and they whisk you away and you walk by the long lines.”What’s the one item you bring with you on every trip?“Dryer sheets. I put dryer sheets in my bag so my clothes smell good. And I also put them in the vents in the room.”That’s brilliant. I’d never thought of that!Thanks to Rene and Debbie for the tips and if you have a good all-inclusive travel tip you’d like to share, I’d love to hear it. You can find me on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter at @jaykruzofficial. Be sure to visit www.vacationexpress.com to plan your next all-inclusive trip.And don’t forget, CVG is celebrating 75 years of commercial flight in 2022. Enter their year-long sweepstakes with monthly travel prizes – check it out here!I’ll see you on a beach in Cancun,-Jay

Plus, how you can get to the Sunshine State for less than you think!If you follow my Jay’s Deals page, you know that over the last year, some of the most consistently low-priced airfare from CVG has been to one of America’s hottest destinations: Florida. CVG Airport offers 13 nonstop airport destinations throughout airport, more than any other airport in the region. More than 140 weekly nonstop flights to the sunshine state on five different carriers helps travelers from Cincinnati, as well as throughout Kentucky, Indiana and beyond. With dozens of daily non-stop flights from CVG to sunny destinations, flying to Florida instead of driving has never made more sense. We’ve highlighted Florida in the past on Jet with Jay, so to give you a little extra motivation, I’ve picked out four more things in Florida you’ve gotta see!CVG Airport is celebrating 75 years of commercial flight in 2022! We are celebrating all our airlines with a Travel Dream Sweepstakes. Keep reading, but check this out and enter to win!Welcome to Key West! The aerial view of Key West resort town beach in Fort Zachary Taylor Park.#1) History on a Beautiful Beach in Key WestI love going to the beach, but I’m not the kind of person who can just sit around all day. I get restless. If you’ve got someone like that in your family – I’ve got just the place! Welcome to Fort Zachary Taylor, a 54-acre place that’s beautiful and educational. Built in the 1840’s, the Fort now has educational displays and the largest collection of Civil War military equipment in the world.If you’re into catching a nap after brushing up on your history, snuggle into one of the beach hut rentals and enjoy world-class snorkeling in a place dubbed “Key West’s Best Beach.”Check out non-stop service to Key West from Cincinnati, Kentucky and Indiana via CVG on Allegiant. Talk about great deals and cheap flights to Florida!#2) Ride a horse on the beachI’ve been on a horse in the mountains of Colorado, backwoods of Indiana, and farms in Michigan but nothing compares to riding a horse… on a beach!Make this dream a reality at C Ponies in Bradenton in Florida’s Gulf Coast, south of Tampa Bay and north of Sarasota. Adults and children ages 10 and up can saddle up and ride along trails and beaches. Along the way, you might see stingrays, manatees, or dolphins swim on by. (Amazing, right?) And as if this trip couldn’t get any better, your horse will even go for a swim! For an extra special experience, try one of their sunset rides.https://www.southwest.com/While you’re in the area, be sure to check out a breathtaking sunrise near the pier on Anna Maria Island near Sarasota.Book a non-stop flight from CVG to Tampa (TPA) on Frontier, Southwest, or Delta. Or fly non-stop into Sarasota (SRQ) on Allegiant or seasonally on Southwest, and be on the beach in just two and a half hours! And there are even more Allegiant options from St. Pete-Clearwater Airport (PIE).#3) Stay in Orlando for less… with a view!Heading to Orlando means [Disney World](https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/), [Universal](https://www.universalorlando.com/web/en/us), [Sea World,](https://seaworld.com/) and maybe even a short drive to [Legoland](https://www.legoland.com/florida/).And it can also come with a steep price tag, especially if you’re trying to stay on property at a Disney resort.So how do you experience theme park magic for less? Find a nearby hotel with a view you and your kids will never forget.One of my favorites is the [Holiday Inn Express & Suites Orlando at Sea World](https://www.ihg.com/holidayinnexpress/hotels/us/en/orlando/mcosw/hoteldetail). Not only does it have a 4.5 rating on [Trip Advisor](https://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g34515-d12164687-Reviews-Holiday_Inn_Express_Suites_Orlando_At_Seaworld-Orlando_Florida.html), it boasts rooms with million dollar views of Sea World. I found myself visiting Orlando on a trip in 2019 and the hotel everyone else was staying at was $300 a night. I booked this place for around $150, and it included a rather nice breakfast.Another option is to visit in the low season (aka: summer). Trips in July can be hot, but can also offer a great deal as long as you’re OK dodging an afternoon rain shower. On-property hotels like [Universal’s Endless Summer Resort](https://www.universalorlando.com/web/en/us/places-to-stay/universals-endless-summer-resort-surfside-inn-and-suites) can offer some great deals.#4) Glow-in-the-Dark KayakingYou read that right.Welcome to bioluminescent kayaking in Bioluminescent Bay on the Indian River Lagoon in Titusville, FL!Hook up with a company like BK Adventure or A Day Away Kayak Tours for a guided experience in a clear kayak. You’ll get the chance to see little plankton or comb jellies that glow a bright blue-turquoise.How awesome is that?While you’re in the area, be sure to check out the Kennedy Space Center and see an actual rocket!So go on… book that trip!You’ve heard me preach “let the low fares lead you” to your next vacation and there’s a good reason. You can save hundreds or even thousands of dollars on your family’s vacation by booking airfare that’s on sale. Check out my guide on how to locate cheap airfare, as well as the nonstop destination list from Cincinnati – Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG). Start planning your trip to The Sunshine State and don’t worry if you forget your sunscreen like I did last time I visited… it gives you an excuse to visit a Publix and buy a cheesy postcard too!And, just want to sign off with a nice thank you from CVG to everyone! Happy Anniversary to CVG – January 10, 2022, marked 75 years of commercial flight service at the airport. Pretty cool . . . and they are celebrating with a year-long sweepstakes – you ought to check it out! -Jay

Mindy Kershner/ CVG Airport / original publish December 2, 2020 / Updated January 19, 2021/ Updated January 20, 2022Travel sites like Kayak, Travelocity, Expedia and Airfare Watchdog can be helpful when searching for that low airfare that meets your travel schedule. Jay Kruz’s blog, Jet with Jay, is also updated with travel deals and ideas. In addition to travel sites, there are some well-known pro tips on how and when to book a cheaper flight—like buying your ticket on a Tuesday around seven to nine weeks out from your departure date (during non-COVID times). And, traveling early in the morning on cheaper days like Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays helps, too.But, understanding why and how airfares fluctuate is a bit more complicated. If you’ve lived in or visited the Cincinnati region in the last 10-15 years, you’ve probably asked yourself this question. You likely recall airfares being high at CVG Airport. CVG was ranked having the most expensive airfares for several years, which is not a first-place title you want your hometown airport to hold. The further down in the ranking, according to the [U.S. Department of Transportation’s average airfare report](https://www.bts.gov/statistical-releases?shs_term_node_tid_depth=326), the better.So, when CVG started touting #69, #78 and #83 airfare rankings, we received the question: “how is this good news?”. The U.S. Department of Transportation takes the top 100 airports in the country (based on passenger counts) and compares their average airfares over a period of three months or one quarter. They then rank those airports from most expensive (#1) to least expensive (#100).A ranking of #78 ([CVG’s ranking as of the third quarter of 2021](https://www.cvgairport.com/about/news/2022/01/19/cvg-holds-the-lowest-airfares-in-the-region-four-years-in-a-row)) is good news because it demonstrates that airfares, when averaged together, are lower than 78 other top U.S. airports. And for four years, CVG’s airfare ranking has been the lowest of all airports in the region.But, how do airfares drop in price? To be clear, airlines set their own airfares. Airports work with carriers to identify and communicate opportunities for establishing operations and/or growing current operations. During the time when CVG had higher airfares, it was one of two airports in the country without service from low-cost carriers so not much competition. Now, the focus on recruiting low-cost carriers (i.e. Southwest in some respects, Frontier, Allegiant) to complement a diverse, strong mix of legacy carriers (i.e. Delta, United, American) has paid off. This work has enabled competition, which has driven down fares.When you have a good business strategy and each of these elements work together, you typically see lower fares (unless you are in the middle of a pandemic and then much of this logic is out the window). However, the CVG team is committed to keeping airport costs low for years to come so our airline partners can continue doing business here with the most competitive airfares around.

Scott Gibbons / CVG Airport / August 30, 2021Airports can’t say it enough: “Safety is our number one priority.” It has been and always will be part of our strategic plan and success defining measures.As we look toward 20 years since the tragic 9/11 attacks, we reflect on the changes in policy and programs that have developed as a result. The creation of the Transportation Security Administration, formalizing airport security screening under federal agency responsibility, was one very visible change. As much as travelers don’t like to wait in lines, we must remind ourselves of the purpose - to keep the flying public safe.Another addition was the implementation of the Support Anti-Terrorism by Fostering Effective Technologies [(SAFETY) Act program instituted by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security](https://www.safetyact.gov/) in 2002. This program encourages the development and deployment of effective anti-terrorism products and services by offering incentives for entities that demonstrate exceptionalism in providing anti-terrorism technologies.CVG has demonstrated our commitment to the safety of our passengers and employees by receiving designation and certification under the SAFETY Act. In 2011, we were proud to be the first and only airport in the United States to apply for and receive these acclamations. We are equally proud to have reaffirmed our commitment through renewed protections in 2015 and now again in 2021.What this means is that CVG’s security program, or technology (our “Airport Security Management Plan”), has been shown to be effective, earning the highest mark under the Act—certification. It has been thoughtfully measured by independent experts and evaluated as meriting this recognition. Because of our innovative work and attention to detail, travelers, employees, and the overall community benefit by our airport’s ability to respond in the event an incident occurs at our airport.

Mindy Kershner/ CVG Airport / July 1, 2021RECENT AIRLINE AND SCHEDULE ADDITIONS AT CVG“Vacation countdown begins” has become quite the catchphrase over the last month with more and more travelers planning and/or taking those trips they’ve been wanting to for more than a year now.With built-up demand and more airline and route choices at CVG, summer travel is predicted to be at 75-80% of 2019 passenger volumes. We have been busy over the last month and a half celebrating returned routes, [new nonstop destinations](https://www.cvgairport.com/nonstop-destinations/) and new air carriers: Sun Country Airlines and Alaska Airlines.- Air Canada: Nonstop flights to Toronto are scheduled to restart September 7th. This is subject to change depending on demand and international travel restrictions.- Alaska Airlines: One of the two new carriers at CVG with daily service to Seattle started May 20th.- Allegiant Air: New biweekly nonstop flights to Key West began June 9th.- American Airlines: Service to Phoenix will restart August 18th, new, twice-daily service to Austin will begin September 9th and new nonstop service to Boston will begin November 2nd flying three times a day.- Delta Air Lines: Nonstop service to Paris, France is scheduled to resume October 31st. This is also subject to change depending on demand and international travel restrictions.- Frontier: International service to Cancun has resumed.- Southwest Airlines: New nonstop flights to Sarasota and Fort Myers began on June 12th operating on Saturdays.- Sun Country Airlines: The other new carrier at CVG with biweekly service to Minneapolis, which began May 14th.- United Airlines: Four new nonstop destinations began May 27th and 28th to Pensacola, Florida; Charleston, South Carolina; Hilton Head, South Carolina; and Portland, Maine.- Vacation Express: International vacation packages to Cancun, Los Cabos and Punta Cana have resumed.CVG ON SOCIAL MEDIAFor more on CVG’s nonstop flight options, you can visit the [nonstop destinations webpage](https://www.cvgairport.com/nonstop-destinations/), follow the airport on social media ([Twitter](https://twitter.com/CVGAirport), [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/CVGairport/), [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/cvgairport/) or [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/cvgairport)) or sign up for Flight Lines, CVG’s monthly newsletter that provides updates on air service, tips for parking and more.TRAVELING DURING PEAK SEASONCVG encourages you to give yourself plenty of time when flying out. Check out this blog reviewing what you need to know to return to travel this summer.SHOP CVGAnd in case you haven’t heard, CVG launched a new online store where you can show off your airport pride no matter where your travels take you. Check it out today! Shop.CVGairport.com.

Mindy Kershner / CVG Airport / May 24, 2021Increased travel, more airline choicesWith the increase in COVID-19 vaccinations, many leisure travelers are taking those trips they planned in 2020 or visiting friends and relatives they have not seen in some time.So far this year, CVG is serving about 55% of the passenger volumes we did in 2019. We expect the summer months to be at 70-80%. And with airfares at a 25-year low, and new routes and air carriers like Sun Country Airlines and Alaska Airlines beginning service, this number could increase.This is good news for CVG and the entire travel industry as more and more people feel confident to travel again.Travelers should do some research prior to their trips. [CNN travel](https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/us-state-travel-restrictions-covid-19/index.html) has a good state-by-state breakdown of regulations including quarantine recommendations, COVID testing and more.CVG celebrates the inauguration of two new airline carriers to CVG Airport, increasing both carrier and schedule options for travelers.Left or Top: Sun Country Airlines inaugural ribbon cutting with Sunny the Bear, May 14, 2021 / Right or Bottom: Alaska Airlines inaugural ribbon cutting, May 20, 2021Masks requiredWhen it comes to masks, they are still required in airports and on aircraft for now. The Centers for Disease Control Prevention (CDC) recently announced that people who are fully vaccinated no longer have to wear masks or socially distance. However, the CDC, Transportation Security Administration (TSA), and the U.S. Department of Transportation are requiring the traveling public to still wear a mask on planes, buses, trains, and other forms of public transportation.This means all employees and passengers at CVG, and airports across the U.S., must wear masks while traveling through the airport and when flying on an airplane. This mandate was first implemented in January and was extended on May 12th through at least September 13th.Travel TipsAnd if you’re curious what airlines are flying where from CVG, you can visit the [nonstop destinations webpage](https://www.cvgairport.com/nonstop-destinations/), follow the airport on social media ([Twitter](https://twitter.com/CVGAirport) or [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/CVGairport/)) or sign up for Flight Lines, CVG’s monthly newsletter that provides updates on air service, tips for parking and more.A few other insider tips as you make your way to the airport:- Ticketing and security lines may be longer than anticipated. And with local traffic issues such as work taking place on the Brent Spence Bridge, allow yourself plenty of time and arrive to the airport two hours before your scheduled departure. Your flight departure time is often when an aircraft pushes back from the gate, so pay attention to what time boarding begins and closes.- We currently have two parking options at the airport: the CVG Terminal Garage and the CVG Economy Lot. You can view details [here](https://www.cvgairport.com/parking-options/).It may have been a while since you traveled, but we’re here to help and there are plenty of other resources out there to plan ahead. So go ahead, call up your favorite travel companion and get back to the skies.