With spring break approaching, students are choosing a variety of places for their spring break destinations. But with the expenses of going out of state as well as the age limit for going on a cruise, some students are choosing to remain in Florida. Paul Andrews, the vice president of sales for Travelwizard.com, said this year students are flocking to Fort Lauderdale, Cancun and Cabo San Lucas. These are locations where MTV is filming 2008 Spring Fling.
Andrews said students who want a true spring break experience can take a trip to Cabo San Lucas and Cancun. Airfare for both locations is expensive, totaling $800 and an average of $70 per night for a hotel. These accommodations exclude food and activities.
Many FAMU students said they tend to stay in Florida, which is also considered one of the hottest spring break destinations according to Andrews.
Brandon Wilson, 22, a senior criminal justice student from Eustic, said most students are probably going to South Beach, Orlando or Panama City.
“I was planning on going somewhere else for spring break, but my plans changed so I’ll probably go to a theme park in Orlando and South Beach,” Willis said.
Panama City, which is approximately two hours away, is one of the closest spring break locations.
Andrews said overall the city ranks in the top 20 hottest spots for a spring break trip.
Trishay Bryant, 18, a freshman psychology student, plans on taking advantage of the spring break atmosphere in Panama City.
“I’ve been there twice but never during spring break,” said Bryant, a Tallahassee native. “The atmosphere can be laid back on some parts of town and wild on the other. I plan on going to the beach and experiencing the life of a spring break college student.”
Students interested in a cruise might become shocked at the requirements.
Sandy Slater, a representative from Cruise and Tours, a company that represents most cruise lines, said cruise lines do not usually market to college students.
“Cruise ships are family oriented and college students can become too disruptive and get out of hand,” Slater said. Most cruise lines in the United States require that people aboard are 21 years or older. If an individual is under 21, they must have someone over 25 booked in a cabin with them. The only cruise line that makes provisions for people under the age of 21 is Disney Cruise Line.
Andre Shaw II plans to stay in Tallahassee for spring break. Shaw, 23, a senior psychology student from Orlando, said he plans to take advantage of the break from school in order to be productive.
“I have to make sacrifices,” Shaw said. “The fact that I am a graduating senior, I have to be certain that all of my priorities are in order.”
For students who need help finding a place to go for spring break, visit http://www.studentcity.com. The Web site provides great tools for spring break planning.