What about spring break packages? How do spring break tour operators work?

And what are spring break tour operators?

Getting ready to book spring break travel? You may want to understand spring break packages, then, and spring break tour operators.

Companies specializing in spring break travel, or spring break tour operators, offer spring break packages at what is often a reduced rate over buying spring break hotels and airfare separately. Spring break tour operators, or travel companies offering spring break packages, are largely just capitalizing on airfare buys -- though the company may seem like an escorted tour service, it probably isn't; it's doubtful that you'll get any help at hotel check-in, for instance. Nothing wrong with a great deal! Do understand what you're getting, though.

You *will* get group hotel rates, a printed itinerary (like when and where to meet airport shuttles and where the party is), free drink chits and /or club entry (sometimes you'll get a wrist band giving you free access to all the open bars your package has paid for), and transportation to and from the airport, all of which are huge money and time savers.

These things alone can make it worth buying a spring break packages just so you needn't hassle with all of it yourself, even though none of it is really "free (you've paid for it within your package somehow-- which ain't a bad thing).

Homework Done - See 2009 Spring Break Package Comparisons

We've already done the homework on spring break package price comparisons -- check it out here:

• Compare deals from spring break tour operators

Learn what you will need from your spring break travel as part of making a decision regarding whether to buy a spring break package:

• What to look for in spring break travel - and What You Get in Spring Break Packages

And, with an idea of what you want from your spring break travel, check out some actual comparisons on spring break deals: the cost of airfare and hotels compared to the cost of spring break packages from spring break tour operators:

• Spring break Deals Compared for 2009

Lastly, how safe are spring break tours?

How Safe are Spring Break Tours?

After Natalee Holloway's disappearance on a spring break trip to Aruba in 2005, a serious backlash hit the student travel industry, and lots of questions asked about the safety of spring break group tours (which are usually just spring break packages, and which may or may not include "adult" chaperones for high school tours). Learn all about it -- what a spring break group tour is and see the safety of spring break group tours examined:

• All about spring break tour groups

And learn about the different kinds of tour groups and what you can expect from a group student tour:

• What to expect from a student tour group

And finally, enjoy spring break!