Mexico is on Sale!

Budget Beach Vacationing
By: Diane Hansen

The nation's swine flu panic is your dream vacation in waiting. Why? Because tourism is down in Mexico, cruise lines are drastically cutting their prices to get people on board.

Mexico is ON SALE! Everything from cruises, to flights to shore excursions are ridiciously cheap right now. So you can have a great vacation and spend up to 60% less than you normally would.

The... travel... deals... are... amazing.

Oh, sorry.... got hooked on the "language of the deal." But its hard not to these days when it comes to cruises, even more so when those cruises are to Mexico. Priceline has some great ones departing weekly and at prices that will make your friends jealous.

Just look at their Cruise Center and feast your eyes on Norwegian Cruise Lines latest deal, Oceanview cabin, 7 days to the Mexican Rivera. Destinations in this ditty of a deal include Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlan and Puerto Vallarto, plus three glorious sea days to enjoy the water slides, pool, clubs, restaurants, casinos and shopping on board. They are also offering ship board credits and Priceline is offering two days of hotel (up to $114 in value.

Gun shy about cruising to Mexico? Here are a few reasons why you shouldn't be.

1) H1N1 is less virulent than the standard "flu season" flu, meaning it comes on strong and you get over it fast. In addition, H1N1 has caused fewer deaths and has exhibited fewer serious cases than the standard "flu season" flu.

Just ask Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano.

2) Tourist areas of Mexico are not only sanitary, they are pristine and are very able to control their exposure to illness. Still, in daily life and whenever you are on vacation, you should always follow the basic rules of protecting yourself from illness. After all, head colds have a way of ruining a day of snorkeling.

3) Just take normal, every day precautions against getting sick and you will be fine.

According to the CDC, you should take these everyday steps to protect your health:

- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.*
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
- Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
- If you are sick with flu-like illness, CDC recommends that you stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except to get medical care or for other necessities. (Your fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine.) Keep away from others as much as possible to keep from making others sick.

So that's where Travel Accomplice will kick off, in Mexico.

Our cruise leaves in 4 days, 18 hours and 51 minutes.

All Aboard!