Seven Uniworld Boutique River Cruise ships have been placed on Conde` Naste Traveler reader’s poll list of Top 50 Small ships.  The River Duchess ranked at number three.

Traveling to Europe with someone special, Uniworld Boutique River Cruises’ is  offeringFree Companion Air offer on eight of their Europe River Cruises. Uniworld will offer each travel companion a free air ticket for international economy travel to Europe from New York when the first traveler pays Uniworld’s 2010 published brochure rates.

Good News for Jamaica visitors.

Jamaica Air will begin a shuttle service between Tinson Pan an Montego Bay, fly time in the 14 seat Beech 99 is only 23 min.

Sliver Dollar City will be celebrating their 50^th year all year long in 2010. They will have many special features and a new ride to open in April Tom & Hucks WaterBast- The Biggest Water Battle in America.

Smokers rejoice! Ryanair is making long flight air travel possible for you. They have launched a new range of Smokeless Cigarettes ensuring smokers get their required nicotine inhalation of a non-lit cigarette-thereby not breaking the law by lighting up. The smokeless cigarettes will be sold on board for 6 Euros.

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MSC Cruises is offering affordable theme sailings, Polka, Rumba, Comedy or Rock Around the Clock, Baseball and many others.  

Royal Suites, St James Club on Antigua has added 50 new suites and is now promoting a grand opening special.

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The Big Apple.

New York is suddenly affordable. Summer in New York City is steaming up with last-minute vacation bargains and deals. First-time visitors to the U.S. should make a beeline for New York CityPass, a pocket-size booklet of must-see, bold-face attraction tickets, priced 44% less than regular admissions. Hotel rates have been slashed up to 30% and airfares are at all-time lows. The city is pulling out all the stops to make Summer 2009 a budget bonanza.

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Las Vegas hotels are offering excellent deals in order to attract customers in this economic slow down and the summer heat. If you are thinking of going to Las Vegas now is the time. Check your favorite hotel on line or try something new.

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Oahu is offering family fun as well as family vacations. Many Oahu hotels are offering to plan you family fun schedule for you and it will include making family together memories.

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With all the publicity and news of the ongoing drug wars, Mexico wants tourist to know that the violence is not throughout the entire Country and the tourist destination are police patrolled. Cancun for instance has bilingual police in the hotel zone.

Travel bargains to take advantage of: Rocky Mountaineer is giving clients up to $2,400.00 per couple if booked by March 31. Package includes free attractions admission and sightseeing tours.

Sad news, The new Orleans based River Barge Excursions is halting sailings for 2009. The company is refunding all 2009 deposits. It has NOT declared bankruptcy and has the option to resume operations 2010. That was such a lovely ship with great excursions. I do hope they will be able to continue in 2010.

Merry Christmas to all. Happy Hanukkah, Safe travels in the new year – from – Leisure travel reports.

The Mumbal Taj Hotel reopens after attack, with 268 rooms including 9 suites. New exclusive services have been introduced. The TAJ has set up a Public Service Welfare Trust to provide immediate relief to individuals and families affected by the recent terror attacks.Individuals or companies wishing donate can contact The TAj Public Service Welfare Trust, Mandik House, 3nd floor, Mandlik Rd, Colaba, Mumbai 400 –001 email:tpswtrust@tajhotels.com

GOOD NEWS; Carnival Cruise Line is suspending it fuel surcharges on all brands for sailing departing December 2008 and after.

RSVP Vacations has announced it will be offering 5 all-gay cruises in 2009, with departure points of Seattle, Los Angeles and Ft. Lauderdale.

Orange Bowl 4-night New Years Packages available, game, tailgate party, New years dinner and room for 2 with one 60 minute massage . Package starts at $1,895.00 800-345-2678 or www.atlanticstars.com

11/22/08

New Travel rules from TSA for 2009 says all air travelers MUST supply gender and date of birth. Without this information the airlines cannot let you fly.

08/19/08

Air Canada To drop second bag fee.

Air Canada said that in response to decreasing fuel prices the airline is eliminating all second checked bag charges implemented this spring and incorporating fuel surcharges into its advertised base fares on North American flights. “Although the cost of fuel remains highly volatile and far above historic norms, the recent retreat in oil prices is enabling us to reinstate our previous baggage policy,” said Ben Smith, Air Canada’s executive vice president and chief commercial officer. “We are eliminating the second checked bag charge on North American Tango and Tango Plus fares, reflecting our customers’ expressed preferences. Further, Air Canada is making its pricing more transparent by removing add-on fuel surcharges for flights within North America and instead adjusting its base fares to cover the total cost of fuel.”
Starting Sept. 23, Air Canada will eliminate the $25 fee for second checked bags that was introduced May 15 for Tango and Tango Plus fares within North America. Air Canada becomes the first major North American carrier to remove second checked bag fees introduced this year to help offset record high oil prices. It will incorporate into its advertised prices the one-way, add-on fuel surcharge that currently ranges between $20 and $60 on domestic and U.S. transborder flights. Starting Sept. 18, 2008, Air Canada will adjust its published fares to include the total cost of fuel in its advertised base fares. As of Oct. 14, it will simplify its excess baggage fees by introducing a single $75 fee for travel within North America ($100 international) for overweight and/or oversize pieces. This new policy replaces the standard industry practice of imposing individual fees for each situation. For bags exceeding the free allowance, the excess piece fee will now include any applicable overweight or oversize fees. A10 percent discount on excess piece fees is offered when fees are paid while checking-in online at aircanada.com or at an airport self-service kiosk. For more information, visit www.aircanada.com.

9/17/08

MIAMI, FL (September 16, 2008) – As a result of the closure of the Port of Galveston due to damage from Hurricane Ike, Carnival Cruise Lines’ two Galveston-based ships, Carnival Conquest and Carnival Ecstasy, are scheduled to operate their regular cruise programs from the Port of Houston’s Bayport Cruise Terminal effective with this weekend’s departures.

9/16/08

LAS VEGAS – The Golden Nugget will welcome thousands of motorcycle enthusiasts Oct. 2 through 5 for Las Vegas BikeFest™ 2008.

The hotel and casino, home of the official BikeFest registration, will also give away a new 2009 Harley-Davidson motorcycle and $1,850 in Free Slot Play or Promotional Chips Oct. 4.

The drawing, to be held at 9:00 p.m. Saturday night in The Grand event center, will give one lucky winner the choice between three Harley styles – a 2009 Softail® Deluxe, Fat Boy® or a Road King®, all of which will be on display at the Golden Nugget during the rally. Four runners-up will receive their share of $1,850 in Free Slot Play or Promotional Chips.

“We’re very excited to host BikeFest again for 2008,” said Justin McVay, Public Relations Manager for the Golden Nugget. “Last year, our Harley-Davidson giveaway was a huge success, and we’re confident that this year’s giveaway and events will be even more spectacular and well received than before.”

All Las Vegas BikeFest™ registrants will check-in in The Grand event center and will be given one free entry into this grand prize drawing with their registration packet. Additional entries may be obtained, starting Oct. 2, at 12:01 a.m., by becoming a new 24 Karat Club member, playing slots and earning 24 Karat Club points, hitting a blackjack with a $10 minimum bet, wagering at the Race and Sports Book, and more. See official rules posted on the Golden Nugget casino floor for more details, including all the ways to qualify.

Las Vegas BikeFest™ is an annual motorcycle rally and expo that brings motorcycle enthusiasts from across the globe together for a celebration and appreciation for all things biker.

For more information on the Golden Nugget and BikeFest™ events, visit their website at www.goldennugget.com. For more information on BikeFest™, visit www.lasvegasbikefest.com.

AIG Travel Guard Reassures That Clients Are Covered

John Noel, chairman and CEO of AIG Travel Guard, said that despite the fact that the growing subprime mortgage crisis has sent the government scrambling to prop up American Insurance Group (AIG), travelers are still covered by AIG Travel Guard insurance. “AIG is different than other financial institutions that have been severely impacted by recent developments in the financial service markets,” Noel said in a statement issued Monday. “We have strong, well-positioned businesses in diverse markets around the world. We have a deep asset base, with stakeholders’ equity of $79.9 billion and assets of over $1 trillion. And as you know, Travel Guard has been a strong, dependable partner that has always been there for our travel partners and their clients. It may be of some comfort to know that independent sources outside of AIG also have confirmed our financial stability. For example, the New York State Department of Insurance, which regulates AIG, says we ‘continue to meet New York’s solvency standards and are able to honor our policyholder obligations.’ An article in today’s Wall Street Journal quoted Standard & Poor’s as saying that ‘AIG has enough money to pay claims and post collateral, if needed.’”

Earlier Monday, New York Gov. David Patterson announced that he had cleared AIG to borrow up to $20 billion from its operating subsidiaries to cover day-to-day needs. In making the announcement, he stated that AIG still remains financially sound. “It will be business as usual at AIG Travel Guard in the days, months and years to come,” Noel said. “Rest assured, Travel Guard will be there when you and your clients need us most. We value our relationship with you, and thank you for choosing to do business with us.” For more information, visit www.travelguard.com.
9/13/08

Hostelworld.com, the online leader for hostel reservations, is holding a contest for the most creative, unique and original homemade travel video. The winner will receive a $3,000 travel voucher from Airtreks.com that can be used to travel anywhere in the world.

“As travel enthusiasts we’re excited to offer Hostelworld.com users an opportunity to see and explore the world,” said Niamh Ni Mhir, Hostelworld.com’s Chief Marketing Officer. “This is a terrific way for ‘flashpackers,’ tech-savvy individuals who carry many electronics such as a video camera, an opportunity to showcase their adventures and hopefully encourage others to partake in similar travel experiences.”

The idea for the contest came from the success of a video made by www.Hosteworld.com’s Editor Colm Hanratty titled “Around the World in 156 Seconds.” Hanratty also recently released “10 things you need to know about Dublin,” the first in a series of “10 Things You Need To Know About…” videos.

Anyone can enter a homemade video which must be about their own personal travels and be original content. The contest is open for participation from August 11, 2008 to October 31, 2008. The winner will be announced on November 1, 2008. People interested can go to http://www.hostelworld.com/videocomp/ for more information.

8/25/08

Princess Cruises Debuts its new on-board fitness programs with options for kids and adults. In-room fitness and yoga classes designed to help vacations interested in maintaining their exercise programs while on the cruise with in the privacy of their own staterooms.

8/06/08

Beginning this fall Delta Airlines customers will have an option of a broadband Wi-Fi connection on all domestic flights. For $9.95 for flights less than three hours and $12.95 for flight three or more hours. How wonderful, if only coach class seating had room to place a computer on your lap.

8/05/08

Tropical Storm Edouard will affect Texas Fights. Continental Airlines will allow customers ticketed for travel through Aug 6 a one time flight or time change, with out a penalty. Rescheduled travel must originate by Aug 13, 2009

7/29/08

Sandals Resorts is offering to cover up to $550.00 per person for airfare on 3-night or longer bookings made by Aug 31,2008. check this out.

Norwegian Cruise Lines plan to change the face of cruising with their new F3 ships. The new experience will be aimed at the Gen X and Gen Yers and will feature edgy nightlife for adults only Including an ICE bar where the temperature will be kept at 17 degrees. F3’s début is set for 2010, ask your travel agent for more info.

7/28/08
Lets see if this update works

2/16/08
Windstar Cruises announces a Grand Prix itinerary., featuring a two night stay in Monaco for the Formula One Grand Prix race. The special 14 day cruise will depart Nice on May 21. Want to be there? Call your agent quick.