Cheap Vacation Packages & Deals Offered This December

Dreaming of your next vacation is the easy part. Imagining yourself on a sandy beach, exploring bustling European cities, or cruising down a majestic river is pure bliss. The reality of planning that trip, however, can quickly turn into a logistical puzzle of endless browser tabs and budget-balancing stress. Juggling flights, hotels, and transportation can feel like a full-time job, and it’s easy to wonder if you’re truly getting the best price.

That's where vacation packages come in as a stress-free, budget-friendly alternative. But not all packages are created equal, and navigating the world of bundled travel can be tricky. In this guide, we'll demystify the entire process. We'll explore the incredible variety of trips available, from all-inclusive resort stays to multi-country tours. We'll also tackle the nitty-gritty details, like how cancellations work, what's typically included in the price, and how these curated deals often provide more value than booking separately, even with a great Expedia promo code.

Consider this your go-to resource for becoming a smarter traveler. Here at DealNews, our team works around the clock to find and verify the best vacation deals out there, ensuring your next adventure is as affordable as it is unforgettable.

What Kinds of Cheap Vacation Deals Can I Find in 2025?

The beauty of vacation packages is that they are not a one-size-fits-all product. In 2025, the variety of curated travel deals is bigger and better than ever, catering to every possible travel style, budget, and dream destination. Whether you're looking to backpack through Southeast Asia on a shoestring, indulge in a luxurious all-inclusive retreat, or take the whole family on a theme park adventure, there's a package deal designed for you.

Think of these categories as starting points for your next adventure. You'll find that many deals blend elements from each, but most packages fall into one of these popular travel types:

• Multi-City and Country Tours: These are the classic whirlwind adventures, perfect for travelers who want to see and do as much as possible. Popular itineraries often include European highlights like a trip through Italy's Rome, Florence, and Venice, or an exploration of Ireland and Scotland. These packages typically handle all the complicated logistics and ride sharing, including flights between cities, train tickets, and centrally located hotels, so all you have to do is show up and enjoy the sights.
• All-Inclusive Resorts: If your idea of a perfect vacation involves a lounge chair, a good book, and a drink with a tiny umbrella, this is the deal for you. All-inclusive packages help you save on vacation flights, resort stay, meals, drinks, and often on-site activities and entertainment by bundling them into one upfront price. These are most common in sun-drenched destinations like Cancun, Punta Cana, and Jamaica, and they are the ultimate choice for a stress-free, relaxing getaway.
• Cruises: Cruise vacation packages offer a fantastic way to see multiple destinations without having to constantly pack and unpack your bags. The deals we find often go beyond just the cruise itself, bundling in roundtrip airfare to the port city and even a pre- or post-cruise hotel stay. You'll find everything from massive ocean liners sailing the Caribbean to intimate river cruises navigating the waterways of Europe or Asia.
• Themed and Culinary Vacations: For those who travel with a passion, themed vacations offer a deeper dive into a specific interest. You might find a culinary tour of the Amalfi Coast complete with cooking classes, a wellness retreat in Costa Rica focused on yoga and nature, or a historical tour that follows the footsteps of ancient civilizations. These packages connect you with like-minded travelers and offer unique, expert-led experiences.
• Family-Friendly Getaways: Planning a trip with kids has its own set of challenges, and these deals are designed to make it easy and fun for the whole crew. We often see packages for resorts known for their kid-friendly amenities, like the Great Wolf Lodge with its massive indoor water parks, or all-inclusive properties in the Dominican Republic that feature kids' clubs and family-oriented entertainment.

The key to finding the right package is knowing what kind of traveler you are. Do you crave structure and sightseeing, or do you prefer the freedom to relax and do nothing at all? You can find all these trip styles from a variety of sources, from dedicated travel companies to the flight and hotel discounts featured on Groupon. By starting with the type of trip you want, you can narrow down the options and find a deal that perfectly matches your vacation vision.

What Do Discounts Look Like?

Travel savings come in many different shapes and sizes, and they go far beyond a simple coupon. The most common type of deal is the bundled discount, which is the inherent value of a vacation package. By booking your flight, hotel, and sometimes even a rental car together, travel providers can offer a lower price than if you purchased each component separately. You'll also frequently see promo codes from American Airlines and other major airlines and hotel chains that offer a direct dollar or percentage discount, such as "$150 off any 4-night package" or "20% off all-inclusive resorts." These are often tied to seasonal events or promotions like Black Friday or a Labor Day sale.

Beyond direct discounts, keep an eye out for value-added perks and loyalty programs. Many travel providers run flash sales or limited-time offers that provide deep discounts for a very short booking window, creating a sense of urgency. Other deals might include "insider" perks like a free room upgrade, complimentary daily breakfast, or a resort credit you can use for spa treatments or special dinners. Furthermore, booking through major platforms like Expedia or Priceline unlocks special discounts and exclusive promo codes, which can unlock even lower rates just for creating a free account. These varied discounts are why it pays to look at the whole picture, as the best value isn't always just the lowest price.

Where to Save the Most on Vacation Packages This Year

September is the golden month for savvy travelers. With the summer crowds heading home and the kids back in school, it marks the beginning of the "shoulder season" for many popular destinations. This is the sweet spot when the weather is still beautiful, but the demand for flights and hotels drops, forcing travel providers to get competitive with their pricing. For deal seekers, this translates into some of the best travel bargains of the entire year, making it the perfect time to book that dream trip without the peak-season price tag.

Expedia Vacation Packages

Think of Expedia as your digital travel superstore. It's one of the largest and most comprehensive platforms for booking travel, and its main strength lies in bundling. The deals we feature from Expedia most often involve combining a flight and hotel, or a flight and car rental deals, which typically results in a lower overall price than booking each item on its own. We keep a close eye on their major seasonal sales, like their Labor Day and Black Friday events, which often come with promo codes for extra savings. Plus, signing up for their free One Key loyalty program can unlock special member pricing on thousands of hotels.

Priceline Vacation Deals

Priceline has built its reputation on offering deep discounts, and it's a fantastic place to look for a bargain if you have a bit of flexibility. While they offer standard flight and hotel packages, the deals we love to highlight are their "Express Deals." With these, you'll see the star rating, general location, and amenities of a hotel, but the exact name is hidden until after you book. This little bit of mystery is rewarded with a significantly lower price. Priceline is an excellent resource for last-minute getaways or for travelers who are more focused on the cheapest hotels for vacations instead of the specific hotel brand.

American Airlines Vacations

Booking a vacation package directly through an airline is a smart move that many travelers overlook. With American Airlines Vacations, you not only get access to bundled deals on flights, hotels, and cars, but you can also earn AAdvantage miles on the flight portion of your trip. We frequently find promo codes exclusive to their vacation packages that can save you hundreds of dollars on trips to destinations across their massive global network. It's a great way to double-dip, saving money upfront while building your loyalty balance for a future free flight.

Groupon Getaways

Groupon offers a different approach to travel deals. Instead of a massive search engine, their "Getaways" section is a curated marketplace of specific, time-sensitive offers. The deals we find on Groupon are incredibly diverse, ranging from a weekend at a charming local bed-and-breakfast to a fully-guided, 10-day tour of Egypt, complete with airfare. Because these are often exclusive packages bought in bulk, the prices can be exceptionally low, making it a perfect place to find inspiration for your next trip or to snag a fantastic deal on a destination you've always wanted to visit.

Travelzoo Vacation Packages

Travelzoo stands out because of its commitment to quality and verification. Their team of deal experts personally researches and vets every offer before it's published, which gives you incredible confidence in your booking. We often feature deals from their famous "Top 20" list, which highlights the best travel bargains of the week. Travelzoo deals are known for including high-value perks, such as room upgrades, resort credits, or complimentary bottles of wine, ensuring you get more for your money than just a discounted room.

Orbitz Vacation Packages

As a sister site to Expedia, Orbitz offers a similarly vast inventory of flights, hotels, and rental car deals that you can bundle for savings. The key difference, and the reason we often feature their deals, is the Orbitz Rewards program. When you book a package, you earn "Orbucks" on your purchase, which can be instantly redeemed like cash toward your next hotel booking. This is a powerful and straightforward loyalty program that can lead to significant savings for frequent travelers.

All Inclusive Outlet Deals

If your vacation dream is set in a tropical paradise, All Inclusive Outlet should be one of your first stops. As their name suggests, they are specialists who focus exclusively on all-inclusive resorts in Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central America. Because this is their niche, they have deep relationships with resorts and often have access to some of the best prices and exclusive promotions available. We look to them for last-minute deals and seasonal sales on top-rated, sun-and-sand getaways.

Dunhill Travel Deals

Think of Dunhill Travel as a master curator of deals from across the internet. They operate as a deal aggregator and newsletter, scouring the web to find the best vacation packages from a wide range of tour operators, cruise lines, and booking sites. We often feature deals that Dunhill uncovers because their team has a great eye for value. They save you the time and effort of searching multiple sites by bringing the best bargains directly to you.

Key Things to Know About Vacation Package Discounts

Finding a great vacation deal is a fantastic start, but to truly become a savvy traveler, it helps to understand the rules of the road. The world of travel discounts has its own quirks, from blackout dates to promo code glitches. Think of this as your go-to guide for navigating the fine print. We've compiled the most common questions to help you book with confidence and avoid any frustrating surprises along the way.

How Can I Be Sure a Vacation Package Is Actually a Good Deal?

This is the ultimate question for any deal seeker. While vacation packages are designed to be cheaper than booking separately, it's smart to be a skeptical shopper. The best way to confirm the value is to do a quick spot-check. Once you find a package you like, open a new tab and quickly price out the flight and hotel separately on their own. In the vast majority of cases, you'll find the package saves you money, sometimes hundreds of dollars. But taking a minute to do the math yourself provides the ultimate peace of mind that you're getting the great deal you were promised.

Are Resort Fees Included in the Package Price?

Usually, they are not. This is a very important "fine print" item to watch for. Many hotels and resorts, especially in destinations like Las Vegas, Orlando, and Hawaii, charge a mandatory daily resort fee. This fee covers amenities like WiFi, pool access, and fitness centers and is collected directly by the hotel upon check-in or check-out. The package price you pay upfront to the travel provider typically does not include this fee. Always check the hotel's official website for their resort fee policy so you can budget for this extra cost.

What Does "Based on Double Occupancy" Mean?

You will see this phrase on almost every multi-day tour or vacation package deal. It simply means that the advertised price is per person, assuming that two people are traveling together and sharing one hotel room. If you are traveling by yourself, you will almost always have to pay a "single supplement," which is an additional fee to cover the full cost of the hotel room. This supplement can be quite significant, so solo travelers should always confirm the final price before booking.

Is Travel Insurance a Good Idea for Vacation Packages?

We highly recommend it. As we've mentioned, the cancellation policies for discounted vacation packages are often very strict and non-refundable. Life is unpredictable, and things like a sudden illness, a family emergency, or even a flight-canceling blizzard could cause you to lose the entire cost of your trip. Travel insurance is designed to protect your investment in these situations, reimbursing you for non-refundable costs if you have to cancel for a covered reason. For the relatively small cost, it provides invaluable peace of mind.

Are Last-Minute Vacation Deals a Real Thing?

Yes, but they might not be what you expect. While you can certainly find deals for travel in the next week or two, the absolute best prices are often found by booking further in advance or by traveling during the shoulder season. Last-minute deals are fantastic for spontaneous travelers who are flexible about where they go and when. However, if you have your heart set on a specific destination during a popular time (like Spring Break), waiting until the last minute is a risky gamble that will likely result in higher prices and limited availability.

What if My Promo Code Doesn't Work?

There's nothing more deflating than getting to the checkout page with a great promo code, only to have it rejected. If this happens, don't panic! First, double-check that you've entered the code exactly as it appears, as they are often case-sensitive. Next, and most importantly, review the terms and conditions. Many codes are specific to certain destinations, have minimum stay requirements (like four nights), or exclude Basic Economy fares. Finally, make sure the code hasn't expired. If you've done all that and it's still not working, try clearing your browser's cache or opening an incognito window, as it might just be a technical glitch.

When is the Best Time to Find Deals?

While a great deal can appear at any time, there are definitely peak seasons for savings. The "shoulder seasons" — the periods between peak and off-peak seasons, like September through November and April through May — are prime time for finding lower prices and fewer crowds. Keep an eye out for major sales events like Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and Labor Day, which often feature some of the best travel discounts of the year. Historically, booking a flight on a Tuesday has also been a good strategy, as that's when airlines often release their weekly sales.

What Are the Usual Restrictions on Discounts?

Always take a moment to read the fine print. Most vacation package discounts come with a few key conditions you should be aware of. They are almost always valid for new bookings only and can't be applied retroactively to a trip you've already paid for. As mentioned, many codes also exclude the cheapest "Basic Economy" tickets, so you'll need to book a Main Cabin fare or higher. Also, be mindful of blackout dates around major holidays and check for any specific "book by" or "travel by" date requirements.

Are Travel Rewards Programs Worth It?

Absolutely. Joining the loyalty programs for major travel sites is one of the easiest ways to unlock extra savings, and they are almost always free. Programs like Expedia's One Key and Orbitz Rewards allow you to earn points or "Orbucks" on your bookings, which you can then redeem like cash for discounts on future hotel stays. Signing up often grants you immediate access to special member-only pricing, giving you a lower rate just for creating an account.

How Do Cancellations and Changes Work?

This is a critical point to understand. As a deal aggregator, DealNews does not set cancellation policies. The terms for any changes or cancellations are always dictated by the travel provider you book with, such as the airline, hotel, or tour operator. These policies, especially for discounted packages, can be very restrictive. It's essential to review the provider's cancellation policy before you purchase and to seriously consider buying travel insurance for peace of mind.

Can I Use More Than One Promo Code on a Single Booking?

Unfortunately, the travel industry standard is to allow only one promo code per booking. You won't be able to "stack" multiple discounts for extra savings. This makes it important to choose the best code for your particular trip. For an expensive multi-city tour, a 20% off code will likely save you more than a flat $100 off code, but the reverse might be true for a cheap weekend getaway. Do the quick math to see which coupon gives you the biggest benefit.

How Long Do Vacation Package Discounts Usually Last?

The duration of a promotion can vary widely. A major seasonal sale might last for a week or more, giving you some time to plan. However, many of the best deals are "flash sales" that may only be active for 24 to 48 hours. This is especially true for deals from sites like Groupon or Travelzoo. If you see a fantastic deal on a trip you know you want to take, it's often best to act quickly before it's gone.

What if There's a Problem with My Booking?

If you run into any issues with your vacation booking, your first point of contact should always be the customer service department of the company you booked with (for example, Priceline, Great Value Vacations, or the airline itself). Have your booking confirmation number or reference code ready to help them assist you quickly. The only time you should contact DealNews is if the deal you booked does not match the inclusions we advertised; in that case, our support team will step in to help make things right.

How We Find and Publish Vacation Deals

You might be wondering where all these incredible travel offers come from. It's no secret: it's a result of the hard work of our dedicated team. Our deal curators work around the clock, scouring every corner of the travel world to find the best and most current vacation packages for you, our readers.

This isn't just about copying and pasting a link. Every single offer we post is carefully verified to ensure it's active, legitimate, and provides real value. We read the fine print and check the terms and conditions so you know exactly what you're getting. Our goal is to do the heavy lifting for you, so you can spend less time searching for deals and more time dreaming about your destination.

What Else Should You Consider This Year?

While scoring a great promo code is a fantastic feeling, the savviest travelers know that the biggest savings often come from a strategic approach to planning. Think beyond the checkout page and consider the entire scope of your trip. The most powerful money-saving tool you have is flexibility. If you can travel on a Tuesday or Wednesday instead of a weekend, or visit a destination in the shoulder season instead of peak summer, you can often save hundreds of dollars on the base price of your package before you even apply a discount.

It's also crucial to think about the total cost of your trip, not just the sticker price. Annoying fees for things like checked bags and hotel resorts can quickly eat into your savings. You can often avoid these by packing light in a carry-on or by doing a quick search to see if your chosen resort has a mandatory daily fee. By combining smart planning with the great deals we find, you can ensure your travel budget goes further than you ever thought possible.