With spring break only a week away, last-minute plans for some much-needed vacations could be on the top of students’ to-do lists.

After a few phone calls to travel agencies and deals with cruise lines, the possiblity is good for even the most procrastinating student to find her/himself in one of a number of hot vacation spots.

Tanya Austin, director of marketing and sales at Sail Aweigh Travel, 406 Main St., said the travel agency has been extremely busy with more than 200 phone calls a day regarding vacations.

The combination of spring break approaching and people being less wary about flying makes it seem a little busier, said Jeannie Strait, manager of AAA Travel, 226 S. 3rd St.

She said since everyone in the area is on break at the same time, the agency has been busy.

The months between January and April are typically busy times for travel agencies, Austin said, and even after the events on Sept. 11 they have been overwhelmingly full.

Strait said many students have been interested in South Padre, Florida, Jamaica and Cancun for spring break.

“Mexico has been big,” Austin said. “Cruising has been huge. A lot of the cruise ships are giving really good incentives now. A lot of domestic spots have been popular – Florida is big.”

A lot of people ask about cruises, Strait said. Popular locations include Texas, Mexico and the Caribbean, while some opt for Arizona and California.

“There’s been a lot of domestic inquiry instead of out of the country,” Austin said. “People are feeling safer on cruise ships because they only have to fly as far as Florida, Texas or California.”

Austin said increased safety precautions for air travel does not seem to deter people from flying.

“Most of the people we deal with at this point are OK with some of the ropes they have to jump through because of the increased security,” Austin said. “I see hopefully some more efficient procedures coming up.”

Strait said people “had a tendency to feel safer at home” and were more likely to stay in a “comfort area” from which they could return home quickly if necessary after the Sept. 11 attacks, but are now traveling more.

“People are less cautious now,” she said. “They’re more apt to travel again.”

While vacation location is important to students for spring break, price is also a factor when making vacation decisions, Austin said.

“Students typically look for packages,” Austin said. “Then it boils down to price.”

Vacation packages can include a rental car, two-for-ones at the Hard Rock Caf‚ or Se¤or Frog’s, or discount meals. Show tickets can also be part of the package for locations such as Las Vegas, Austin said.

Sail Aweigh Travel works with vendors that provide vacation packages. The agency doesn’t hold a specific number of seats for students to specific locations, but they work through vendors that offer packages and have bulk space, Austin said.

The prices for vacations are regulated by the tour companies, Strait said, and most are based on availability. People who booked vacations in January or December would have had better luck, she said, and there probably aren’t many options left now.

Austin said students may still be able to plan a vacation, even with decreased flights.

“There might be a few [options available],” Austin said. “Probably some of the better prices we’ve been seeing this winter won’t be available because people are feeling more comfortable flying.”

Strait said the price would have been cheaper because of the decrease in people flying if students had booked their vacation early.

“With the new security fees, the prices seem to be about the same as they were before [Sept. 11],” Strait said.

Strait said flexibility is the key for students who are waiting until the last minute to plan a trip.

“If they’re flexible . [and] able to spend a little bit and depart out of different cities and shorten their trip a little bit, they still have options,” she said.

Austin said she recommends cruises, where “everything’s paid for with the exception of drinks and shopping.”

“The Caribbean or Mexico are good destinations,” she said. “The cruise line Carnival is a good line for students. It’s noted as `the fun ship.'”

Austin said most cruise lines have age restrictions. Students should inquire about age requirements before making final decisions for vacation plans.