Cruise & Travel News
New Security Measures Include Pat-Down
Updated: Monday, 28 Dec 2009, 1:06 PM CST
Published : Monday, 28 Dec 2009, 10:08 AM CST
By FRANK CARNEVALE
(MYFOX NATIONAL) - Following the failed terrorist attack on Christmas Day, authorities have added more security measures for air travel, including limiting carry-on bags, restricting movement during the last hour of flight and implementing pat-downs before boarding planes.
Travel Web site Elliott.org has posted a memo reportedly from the Transportation Security Administration sent to US Airways employees regarding stepped-up security measures. The memo follows this article.
The memo states that airline personnel should perform a "thorough pat-down of all passengers at boarding gate prior to boarding, concentrating on upper legs and torso."
Another measure addressed in the memo states that during flight "passengers may not conceal their hands under blankets, pillows, or personal belongings held on their lap beginning one hour prior to arrival at destination."
After a two-day clampdown, some in-flight security rules have been eased. The Associated Press reported that at the captain's discretion, passengers can have blankets and other items on their laps or move about the cabin during the tail end of flight, two industry officials briefed on the situation said Monday.
The New York Times reported that passengers on international flights coming to the United States had to remain in their seats for the last hour of flight without any personal items on their laps.
On Saturday Jennifer Allen was on a Northwest Airlines flight on the same route as the plane that was disrupted by the attempted bomber. She said she was well-searched before boarding the flight.
"They patted you down really well," said Allen, 41, to The Canadian Press . "It wasn't just a quick rub, it was a slow pat. They went through everything in your bags, went through the pockets in your pants, the pockets of your coat."
The Canadian Press also reported that young children were pat-down before boarding a flight.
The Department of Homeland Security released a statement stating that "passengers flying from international locations to U.S. destinations may notice additional security measures in place. These measures are designed to be unpredictable, so passengers should not expect to see the same thing everywhere."
The Associated Press reported that a woman returning from an international flight in Philadelphia said that security screeners in Santo Domingo asked her to lift her long hair so they could look at her back.
The tougher security measures were imposed after Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, flying from Nigeria to Amsterdam then to the U.S. on a Northwest Airlines flight, tried to ignite an explosive as the plane prepared to land in Detroit.
Excerpt from ELLIOT
The TSA, meanwhile, has said nothing about its new security measures — either on its site, blog or Twitter feed — in the last 24 hours. However, an administration official confirmed earlier today that the president had ordered a review of airline screening procedures.
Here’s the full text of the memo, which was sent to crewmembers this morning:
Due to the recent event on Delta’s flight 253 AMS-DTW, airlines are being asked to use a best faith effort to implement, as soon as possible, the following security items on international flights arriving into the United States. We expect additional information/changes from the TSA to be disseminated within the next 24 hours.
I. BOARDING GATE
A. The aircraft operator or authorized air carrier representative must ensure all passengers are screened at the boarding gate during the boarding process using the following procedures. These procedures are in addition to the screening of all passengers at the screening checkpoint.
* 1. Perform thorough pat-down of all passengers at boarding gate prior to boarding, concentrating on upper legs and torso.
* 2. Physically inspect 100 percent of all passenger accessible property at the boarding gate prior to boarding, with focus on syringes beingtransported along with powders and/or liquids.
* 3. Current restrictions regarding liquids, aerosols, and gels will be strictly adhered to.
* 4. Crewmembers working the flight and those deadheading in uniform are exempt from the above screening measures.
II. IN FLIGHT
A. During flight, the aircraft operator must ensure that the following procedures are followed:
* 1. Passengers must remain in seats beginning 1 hour prior to arrival at destination.
* 2. Passenger access to carry-on baggage is prohibited beginning 1 hour prior to arrival at destination.
* 3. Disable passenger cabin SATCOM capability. Any need for air to ground communication will be coordinated through the flight deck. GPS generated moving maps in the cabin will also be disabled. Attempts to access the moving map display will lock up the screen requiring a Flight Attendant reset to access other components of the IFE program.
* 4. While over U.S. airspace, flight crew may not make any announcement to passengers concerning flight path or position over cities or landmarks.
* 5. Passengers may not conceal their hands under blankets, pillows, or personal belongings held on their lap beginning 1 hour prior to arrival at destination. Pillows and blankets may be stowed under the seat in front or in overhead bins. Customers may retain any reading material issued by the Company and/or a personal book. They may also retain a jacket or sweater as long as their hands are not concealed by the garment.
Please contact your dispatcher or Chief Pilot Office if you have any questions concerning the above items.
Lyle Hogg
Vice President Flight Operations
U.S. ISSUES TRAVEL ALERT FOR PHILIPPINE ISLANDS (November 25, 2009)
The State Department is warning U.S. citizens of possible risk when traveling to the southern Philippine islands of Mindanao and the Sulu Archipelago. The alert is on the heels of the recent acts of violence in the Mindanao province of Maguindanao.
This state of emergency for the Philippines includes road checkpoints conducted by the Philippine military and law enforcement. U.S. citizens should know that there are heightened tensions as well as an increased military presence in these regions. Travelers are encouraged to research the restrictions and avoid congregating in public areas.
This travel alert expires January 6, 2010.
Visit travel.state.gov.
POSTED WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 11, 2009
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Travel
World's Top Hotels
Forbes Staff 11.09.09, 8:00 PM ET
There's visiting New York, and then there's visiting the heart of Manhattan.
At New York's St. Regis hotel, guests stay in a 1904 Beaux Arts landmark building that underwent a $100 million renovation in 2006 involving everything from the Louis XV furniture to hidden high-tech amenities. Just beyond the hotel's doors is some of the world's best shopping, including Emilio Pucci and Japanese department store Takashimaya. Star sightings are common on these streets.
After a day of lugging shopping bags, guests can settle in at one of the country's most unique hotel bars, the King Cole Bar, which houses a famous 1906 Art Nouveau oil mural and claims to be the birthplace of the Bloody Mary (here called a Red Snapper, $18). Even walking through the lobby to the bar is an ethereal swagger by Italian marble, gilded moldings and a gleaming chandelier.
Just a 15-minute walk away--with countless other luxury accommodation options along the way--is the Trump International Hotel and Tower, sitting right on Columbus Circle and a stone's throw from Central Park. Some of the rooms in this 52-story, modern high-rise designed by Philip Johnson and Costas Kondylis offer views of the park through floor-to-ceiling glass windows. Guests able to tear themselves from the windows might head to Jean Georges, a Michelin three-star French-fusion restaurant on the main floor.
In Depth: World's Top Hotels
Other four- and five-star spots include the Four Seasons Hualalai and the Four Seasons Hong Kong. The former, the chain's resort on the Kona-Kohala Coast of West Hawaii, offers an inimitable beach on which guests enjoy bungalows carved into black lava and private tiki huts. The Hong Kong location features an infinity pool with views of Victoria Harbor and underwater classical music.
While each offers singular services, all are part of a select group of luxury hotels offering a wide-range of amenities mean to lure travelers seeking high-level luxury.
What's Behind The List
Inspectors with Forbes Travel Guide, formerly Mobil Travel Guide, examine every hotel on its current four- and five-star lists, as well as perform assessments of new properties launched the previous year. Each hotel receives an announced visit, wherein an inspector tours the property and looks for more than 200 different attributes (cleanliness of the property, rooms, room products, the beds, linens, bathrooms, etc.). In addition, an anonymous inspector visits the property for a two-night stay, during which he or she tests multiple elements of the experience and service (breakfast, room service, fitness center, concierge, etc.), as well as the facilities. Each five-star hotel receives two unannounced two-night inspections.
No general guest surveys are conducted or considered, and inspectors pay for the rooms and all services they use. This year's series of inspections began in January and were completed in October. A property is not inspected until it has been open for at least six months.
While some hotels earn their ranking on convenience (pets are allowed at the family friendly Ritz-Carlton Palm Beach, for example), history (the Peninsula Hong Kong, built in 1923, offers white-glove service, a famous afternoon tea and Gaddi's, the only dining room with dinner and dancing), or privacy (at Raffles in Beverly Hills, only guests may use the pool and spa), others offer more novel features to lure guests.
The guest rooms at the Montage, which opened in 2008, offer a grown-up refuge in the heart of Beverly Hills. With flat-screen TVs, mosaic-tiled marble bathrooms and gentleman's valets near the door to dump pocket change or keys, the Spanish Colonial-style hotel is a thoughtful newcomer. Most impressively, when guests lay their heads down at night, it's on customized pillows embroidered with their initials.
At the Skylofts at MGM Grand in Las Vegas, those looking to relax can indulge in bathrooms boasting infinity tubs with light therapy and “champagne” bubbles, flat-screen TVs and stream showers. Conveniently, a butler available 24 hours a day can bring up chef-prepared room service or any other request to the room, or bathroom.
These perks may set a property apart from competitors, but during a global downturn, might not be enough to spark the interest of weary travelers. A survey by global market-research firm Euromonitor, published this summer, forecast the global hotel industry to shrink 3.6% in 2009. The forecast for 2010 includes overall travel and tourism growth, in 2008 a $944 billion industry, according to the World Tourism Organization, but at lower-than-normal levels.
Still, even when vacation budgets are trimmed, there are some things travelers won't give up: unique experiences they can't get anywhere else. Little else compares to the Stein Eriksen Lodge at Deer Valley Resort in Park City, Utah, which is noted for its mountain-top perch. Over 7,000 feet above sea level, the property is also noted for its service: A ski valet whisks guests to and from the slopes; lavish amenities include house-made chocolates at Chocolate Atelier, as well as heated sidewalks and walkways.
If that's lacking in old-fashioned country appeal, just two hours away from New York City is the Mayflower Inn and Spa in Washington, Conn., sits on 28 acres. It has rooms with 18th and 19th-century art, four-poster canopy beds and views of rolling hills, meandering streams and flourishing gardens. The dining room is also a destination for foodies seeking a seasonal, local and organic menu.
Of course, such luxury doesn't come cheap. The lavish rooms and suites at many of the hotels on our list can run into the thousands per night.
Lonely Planet Names Top 10 Destinations for 2010 November 4, 2009
Lonely Planet has picked the brains of its authors, staff and travelers and come up with the top 10 countries to visit in 2010. (Reprinted from newspaper article.)
#1 - EL SALVADOR
Travelers tend to skip El Salvador, wooed by marquee destinations such as Guatemala and Costa Rica, and unnerved by stories of civil war and gang violence. But the war ended almost 20 years ago, and crime, while serious, is almost exclusively played out between rival gangs and tourists are virtually never involved. And though El Salvador has fewer protected areas than its neighbors, you get them practically to yourself. The only place you might find a crowd is on Punta Roca, El Salvador's most famous surfing spot. And when it comes to cities, none in Central America is smarter or cooler than San Salvador, with first-rate universities, museums and galleries.
#2 - GERMANY
Some countries are simply allowed to be, but Germany has had to reinvent itself more times than Madonna. And it has done so again since 1990, when reunification brought an end to nearly three decades of division. In year 20 after its latest rebirth, Germany is still a country where you can witness history in the making. Head to Hamburg, where an entire new quarter is being wrested from the detritus of a 19th-century harbor. Or to Dresden where the domed Frauenkirche church is once again the diamond in the city's famous skyline. And to Berlin whose climate of openness spawns more creative experimentation than a Petri dish on Viagra.
#3 - GREECE
Seldom does a travel destination satisfy the blurbs that shout 'has something for everyone' but Greece truly does. Whether you're there to poke around ancient ruins, soak in the sun on idyllic beaches, or party till you drop, Greece will leave you clambering for more. It's guilt-free travel – a slice of history served alongside a healthy slice of hedonism – and everyone seems happy. You get to marvel at the dazzling clarity of the light and the waters, the floral aromas that permeate the air, the pervading sense of spirit – and then sit down to contemplate it all while consuming that great Greek combination of ouzo and octopus!
#4 - MALAYSIA
Diversity is what Malaysia is all about. From chaotic and modern Kuala Lumpur to the near mystical wilds of Borneo, there are mountains to tackle, beaches to bake on, coral reefs to dive and malls to shop. And wait till you meet the people. Malays live in rhythm to the mosque's call to prayer, while just around the corner garlands of marigolds are sold in front of towering Hindu temples and the sweet smells of incense emanate from ornate Chinese Buddhist clan houses. Top off a multicultural day with an Indian curry, Chinese noodles, Malay rice dishes with spicy sambal or the region's most famous fusion dish, coconut-curry noodle laksa.
#5 - MOROCCO
Life-changing experiences: Feel the pure joy of freestyle Gnawa rhythms and backflips expressing the exhilaration of freedom from slavery in the Djemaa el-Fna. Enjoy hot mint tea in a remote village in the Ait Bou Gomez 'Happy Valley', where the warm welcome makes the trip on foot or donkey worthwhile. Bask in the glow of ancient auspicious Berber symbols given new life at gallery openings and streetside art stalls in Assilah and Essaouira. Get lost and find new friends – and carpets – in the souk mazes of Fez and Marrakesh.
#6 - NEPAL
2008 was a watershed year for Nepal – the rebels became the government, the kingdom became a republic and the king became a civilian. With the end of the Maoist uprising, trekkers are once again pitting might and muscle against some of the most challenging trails on the planet. Trekking in Nepal is one of those travel benchmarks, like seeing the Taj Mahal, or diving the Great Barrier Reef, or the first time you eat fried locusts. By the end of your trek, you may vow never to climb anything higher than the stairs around your home town, but the experience of the Himalaya will stay with you for a lifetime.
#7 - NEW ZEALAND
New Zealand's checklist of essential experiences remains as strong as ever. Spectacular landscapes abound, from sea-level rainforests to plunging glaciers, geothermal springs and barren volcanic plains. Add a hearty pinch of lens-friendly wildlife, proud Maori culture, and fine food and drink, and it's easy to see why the natives are so chilled. NZ is spearheading the ecotravel revolution, winning international accolades for its ethos towards responsible travel, from minimizing visitor impact to involving locals in sustainable tourism practices. When you're gawping at the spine-tingling vistas it's good to know they'll still be there for future generations.
#8 - PORTUGAL
Skirting along the southwestern edge of the Iberian Peninsula, the once-great seafaring nation of Portugal today straddles two very different worlds. For purists, this is a land of great tradition, of saints-day festivals where ox-drawn carts still lumber through flower-strewn streets, and ancient vineyards bring sleepy medieval villages to life during the annual harvest. Meanwhile, in other parts of the country, something decidedly more modern is transpiring. Old city centers are slowly being revitalized. A new wave of boutiques, art galleries and cafes are finding new homes in once crumbling old buildings, and locals are beginning to rediscover the allure of vibrant downtown areas.
#9 - SURINAME
South America's smallest country, both in area and population, is easily one of its most diverse; and is known for its peacefully coexisting cultures. Suriname's natural riches range from Africa-like savannahs to beaches raided by endangered sea turtles, to some of the world's largest protected stands of tropical rainforest. Quickly emerging as a prime ecotourism and sport-fishing destination, Suriname has everything you could hope for in a wildlife adventure, including the biggest fish in the world, more than 700 bird species and such fascinating mammals as puma, manatee, tapir and primates.
#10 - USA
Suddenly the US is cool again! Be it from Barack Obama, Abraham Lincoln's 200th birthday, or just tightened budgets during the recession, but more Americans are looking backwards – and foreigners too – and taking in traditional American historical sites, beginning with Washington, DC's freebie zone of museums and heroic monuments. Trains are a great way to see the country. Unlike the highways, trains don't pass constant billboards and fast-food chains, and – while a point-to-point ticket is often cheaper on a plane – good-value passes let travelers make looping trips to five or more stops and curb their carbon imprint at the same time.
U.S. State Department Issues Travel Alert for Honduras
Published on: October 26, 2009
The U.S. Department of State issued an alert about the current unstable political and security situation in Honduras, and recommends that American citizens defer all non-essential travel to Honduras until further notice. On Sunday, June 28, the Honduran military ousted President Manuel Zelaya in a coup d’etat and sent him out of the country. There are police checkpoints throughout Tegucigalpa, and there have been reports of frequent demonstrations. The Department of State recommends that American citizens residing in and visiting Honduras exercise extreme caution when traveling within the country. While the de facto government of Honduras is no longer imposing daily curfews, the Embassy strongly recommends that American citizens monitor local TV and radio each evening for current curfew information and abide by these restrictions, should they be imposed. The U.S. Embassy has imposed limitations on the travel of its staff within Honduras and these restrictions are reviewed and or revised on a day-to-day basis.
There have been regular demonstrations at various locations around Tegucigalpa including the Presidential palace, Toncontin International Airport, the National Congress, the Organization of American States the United Nations and the Clarion hotel, the site of negotiations. There have also been regular demonstrations in San Pedro Sula and two small demonstrations in Roatan on the Bay Islands. Demonstrators have also blocked roads intermittently throughout the country. Demonstrations both against and in favor of the new regime are expected to continue in the coming days throughout the country. Demonstrations to date have been generally non-violent with few reports of injuries. However, Americans are reminded that peaceful demonstrations can turn violent with little or no warning. Demonstrations are expected to increase in frequency as the Nov. 29 elections approach.
Honduras' borders remain open, and the airports remain open for regularly scheduled flights. Continental Airlines, American Airlines, and Delta Airlines continue to operate flights as usual, though this is subject to change. Those with flights scheduled with American Airlines may wish to call 504-216-4800 (Honduras) or 800-433-7300 (United States). Those traveling with Delta Airlines may wish to call 800-241-4141 (United States and Central America) or 504-550-1616 (San Pedro Sula). Those with flights scheduled with Continental Airlines may wish to call 504-220-0999 (Tegucigalpa), 504-557-4141 (San Pedro Sula), or 800-231-0856 (United States).
The U.S. Embassy in Tegucigalpa strongly recommends that U.S. citizens avoid large gatherings and not try to pass roadblocks if they encounter them. U.S. citizens should monitor the situation via media sources, including TV and radio when possible, and via the Internet. As of Aug. 26, non-emergency, non-immigrant visa services were suspended pending a full review of visa policies in Honduras. Barring changes in the security situation, the Consular Section will be open for normal business for immigrant visa services and American Citizens Services both at the Consular Section at the U.S. Embassy in Tegucigalpa and the American Citizen Services unit at the Consular Agency in San Pedro Sula. The U.S. Embassy is located on Avenida La Paz in Tegucigalpa; telephone, 011 504 238 5114; after hours telephone, 011 504 236 8497; Consular Section fax, 011 504 238 4357; and email, usahonduras@state.gov For more information, visit www.honduras.usembassy.gov.
Ruby Princess Swimming Pool Becomes Latest Canvas for Famed Marine Life Artist Wyland
Princess Cruises Passengers Watch as Wyland Paints Dolphins
on Bottom of Neptune Pool
SANTA CLARITA, Calif. (August 19, 2009) – As Ruby Princess approached Venice this afternoon, passengers aboard the Princess Cruises ship were treated to a special live art event as famed marine life artist Wyland painted an unusual canvas – the bottom of the ship’s Neptune Pool.
Known worldwide for his unique works featuring sea animals, Wyland is aboard the ship for special art events and meet and greets with passengers. However, painting the ship’s pool was not on his original agenda. Ruby Princess Captain Tony Draper suggested the idea to the artist after being inspired by watching ship crew members painting the Princess “seawitch” logo on the bottom of the ship’s other main pool.
A first for the cruise line, Wyland agreed to paint the mother dolphin and her baby as a way to increase awareness of his conservation message. Passengers were invited to follow along with a live top-deck event hosted by the ship’s cruise director, including live video of the painting in progress broadcast on the ship’s Movies Under the Stars screen.
“This is certainly one of the most unusual ways we’ve ever painted a pool,” said Jan Swartz, Princess executive vice president. “But it’s a wonderful way to work with Wyland to address our shared concern with the importance of marine conservation, and to give our passengers a unique experience as they witnessed a one-of-a-kind artwork taking shape.” Passengers were able to enjoy watching the artist at work just prior to the ship’s arrival into the Venice canal system.
Marine life artist Wyland is an accomplished painter, sculptor, photographer, writer and SCUBA diver. His non-profit Wyland Foundation has supported numerous conservation programs since 1993, including the monumental Whaling Wall mural project – and epic series of more than 100 life-size marine life murals that spans 14 countries on four continents and is viewed by an estimated 1 billion people every year.
Photos of Wyland at work are available at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/princesscruises/sets/72157621962996169/
POSTED FRIDAY, AUGUST 14, 2009
Wed August 12, 2009
By Stephanie Chen CNN
(CNN) -- If you've booked travel online, you may have been there.
Nancy Cutter, a travel agent in Charlotte, North Carolina, discusses vacation options with a client. Online travel sites flooded with overwhelming options, all claiming the best deals. Extra fees nestled into the fine print amid blaring advertisements. Pounding 16 digits into the telephone after you've booked the wrong flight before finally getting a human voice.
A few weeks ago, Darin Kaplan, a tech-savvy 27-year-old California restaurant manager, clicked his mouse hundreds of times, surfing the vast choices offered by online travel booking Web sites like Expedia.com and Orbitz.com to plan his 28th birthday cruise to Mexico before he gave up in frustration.
"It's a cut-and-paste experience when you're booking online. None of these sites are going to tell me what I can do with different options," said Kaplan, who uses the Internet for many purchases, including his basketball shorts and music tickets. "Travel agents know what they are talking about. It's more comforting to hand my money to someone who has the knowledge and experience."
Some travelers like Kaplan are finding themselves defecting from travel booking sites like Travelocity.com or airline sites like Delta.com. They are going back the travel agent, an industry that many industry experts once thought to be passé with the advent of online booking.
Fewer travelers are enjoying using the Web to plan and buy trips, according to a study last week by Forrester Research, a market research company. About 46 percent of U.S. leisure travelers enjoyed using the Internet to book travel this year, down from 53 percent in 2007. Difficult site navigation and presentation on travel company sites and hotel and airline sites are causing a growing number of travelers to shift away from the Web and consider using alternative methods of booking travel.
"People are saying 'I don't understand my options, and I would like to talk to someone who can do all the searching and tell me what's available,' " said Henry Hartevelt, the analyst who wrote the Forrester study. "Major travel agencies have absolutely failed in their responsibility to innovate and think of creative new ways to help their customers shop."
In the brick-and-mortar travel agent model, a trained agent meets with the traveler in person or establishes a relationship over the phone. For a fee, they discuss the travel options they have researched. These travel agencies began losing their monopoly on the industry during the late 1990s, when airlines began to sell tickets online and travel giants like Expedia.com exploded onto the scene, quickly gobbling market share by introducing the quick, do-it- yourself model.
In 1995, there were 37,000 brick-and-mortar travel agencies, according to the American Society of Travel Agents. Now, only 18,000 exist after many merged or folded. "What the Internet has done is given us a nation that knows the price of everything and the value of nothing," said Bill Maloney, CEO of the American Society of Travel Agents. "How do you know if a hotel is actually a good value or if it's overpriced? You have these online generalists and these individual specialists."
Travel agent Nancy Cutter of Court Travel Ltd. in Charlotte, North Carolina, and a half-dozen other agencies across the country say they have experienced a surge in returning clients, who said travel Web sites were confusing and unhelpful. In several instances, brick-and-mortar agents say they were able to offer deals at the same price as, and even undercut, the travel agent models, dispelling the belief that the cheapest rate is online.
Travel agents have deals with suppliers that can sometimes enable them to offer lower prices than on the Web. They also have time to cancel tickets for free, compared with some non-refundable tickets sold on the Web. Expedia.com said it recently waived the fee for travelers changing certain flights. "Just because you can go out and buy Turbo Tax doesn't mean it's the best answer for everyone," Cutter said. "Some people will still go to an accountant. Booking travel can get complicated, and it's just not as easy as it looks."
Travel agents don't discount the value of online travel agencies, which can be useful for booking simple, short trips, but they say complex itineraries require more expertise from a professional. Many online travel companies agree that an agent may be valuable in planning a detailed honeymoon that includes a tour of vineyards in France or a family excursion to top snorkeling and kangaroo-watching destinations in Australia.
"If you're the type of traveler who needs hand-holding up front, then sure, a travel agent would be great, but you can usually find that same information on the Web," said Brian Ek, a spokesman for Priceline.com, a travel company famous for letting bidders set their own price. He said the agents available by phone at his company can help facilitate a sale and customize cruises for travelers.
Online travel companies say they have made functionality improvements on their sites in recent years. For example, Expedia.com, the world's largest online travel agency, offers a tool that can let customers compare seats on an airplane, with ratings on how comfortable a seat is and how much leg room is available. They also have hotel reviews and even Web tours of rooms to help travelers decide. And, research shows that online travel model is poised to grow. Even in a recession, when companies and individuals are scaling back on travel, Expedia.com saw a 22 percent air transaction growth rate in the last quarter.
But Susan D. Tanzman of Martin's Travel and Tours in California, who has worked as an agent for 35 years, points out that agents follow up with travelers before and after the trip. If the traveler needs help, the agency can offer assistance. They often work 24 hours a day. JoAnne Kochneff, owner of midsize agency Travel by Gagnon in Michigan, said agents can give the personal attention a site cannot. Kochneff's office provides a homey feel, with agents offering freshly baked cookies for clients who stop by to chat about their trips.
"They have personal experience traveling in the area, so they can give you a personal recommendation," said Frances Mosser, 67, of Kentucky, on her reason why she switched to the travel agent model this summer. Mosser and her husband booked a trip to St. Melo in France with a travel agent. The agent helped them devise a way to reduce travel time by taking Ryan Air between countries. "I don't think we could have planned the trip without her," Mosser said.
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REPRINTED FROM TRAVEL WEEKLY MAGAZINE AUGUST 14, 2009
Orient Lines founder embarks on Mediterranean cruise venture
By: Johanna Jainchill August 12, 2009
The founder of Orient Lines and Discovery World Cruises will launch a new cruise line centered around Mediterranean history and culture, called Voyages to Antiquity.
Gerry Herrod, an industry veteran who founded Ocean Cruise Line in 1984 and launched Orient Lines in 1993, has purchased the former Aegean I cruise ship from Greek shipping interests and plans to launch the new operation in May.
After an extensive refurbishment, the ship's capacity will drop from 560 passengers to 380 passengers.
The 11,563-ton vessel was built in 1973 and has been sailing for Golden Sun Cruises. It previously was operated by Renaissance Cruises.
According to ship historian Peter Knego of www.maritimematters.blogspot.com, the vessel was laid up near Athens for several years due to legal issues concerning its ownership, before Herrod purchased it. Knego also said the ship was completely rebuilt in 1985 and is currently being refurbished at Keratsini, near Athens, for its new operations.
Herrod is launching the line with a team of Orient Lines alum. Mitchell Schlesinger, Voyages to Antiquity’s head of sales development in North America, was the head of sales and marketing for Orient. David Yellow, managing director of Orient Lines in London, will assume the same position for the new venture.
According to Schlesinger, Herrod’s inspiration for Voyages to Antiquity came from John Julius Norwich’s “The Middle Sea,” a history book that examines the rise and fall of civilizations in the Mediterranean region, from the age of ancient Greece to the First World War.
Voyages to Antiquity has planned 16, two-week itineraries, with port calls and shore excursions based on the history of those civilizations. The cruise experience will be focused on enrichment and will features guests lecturers, including Norwich, who helped craft the line’s itineraries.
Schlesinger said details of those cruises would be released in the next few weeks, along with a website. He expects sales to open in September.
Schlesinger said that the line, which will be headquartered in the U.K., expects to source half of its passengers from North America and the other half from Europe.
Herrod founded Ocean Cruise Line in 1984 and launched Orient Lines in 1993. In 1998, he sold Orient Lines to Norwegian Cruise Line, which shut it down in 2008.
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POSTED MONDAY, AUGUST 3, 2009
Behind the scenes on a cruise ship!
Always wondered what it's like behind-the-scenes on a cruise ship? For $95, industry giant Carnival now will show you.
Carnival is following in the footsteps of Princess Cruises in offering elaborate behind-the-scenes ship tours across its fleet. The line says in an announcement today that it has been testing the concept in recent weeks on two ships and will roll it out on 10 more vessels by September.
Dubbed the Behind the Fun tour, the $95-per-person outing lasts three-and-a-half hours and includes a visit with key shipboard officers such as the Captain, Chief Engineer and Chef de Cuisine.
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MAJOR US TOUR OPERATOR CANCELS DUBAI PROGRAMS
One of America’s largest tour operators, New York-based IsramWorld has cancelled its tour programs to Dubai, it was announced today in the wake of the United Arab Emirates’ decision to deny a visa to Israeli tennis player, Shahar Peer, to participate in the Dubai Tennis Championships.
“The UAE’s action is an odious act of political bigotry, says A. Ady Gelber, president and CEO of IsramWorld, a leading U.S. tour operator for more than four decades and a leading member of USTOA (the United States Tour Operators’ Association), “and it reveals that despite its massive investment in tourism infrastructure, Dubai appears not ready to be a member of the world tourism family.”
IsramWorld offers tours and packages to 56 countries on five continents. In the wake of the Camp David Accords it was one of the first U.S. tour operators to offer a diverse program of tours to Egypt, and in 1994 it began offering tours to Jordan, “I am deeply disappointed in the UAE’s decision, one that seems to spell a return to the grim dark days of division and discrimination,” observed Gelber.
The Dubai Tennis Championships are sponsored by Barclays, Britain's fourth-biggest bank that in 2008 acquired the assets of failed US investment bank, Lehman Brothers.
According to a report in today’s New York Times, when U.S. tennis champion, Venus Williams, learned of Peer’s visa denial she said, “All the players support Shahar, we are all athletes, and we stand for tennis.” Peer and her family urged the Women’s Tennis Associ ation not to cancel the tournament because of the incident but, the New York Times took an unusually strong position in its article on the controversy, saying: “ There is always going to be international conflict, and athletes in the middle. But they can’t be abandoned there when there is a choice. Tennis should finish its business in the gulf this month, and say bye-bye, Dubai.”
We’re saying ‘bye-bye, Dubai,’ right now,” Gelber added.
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Sandals promotes weddings under Martha Stewart partnership
By: Gay Nagle MyersOctober 15, 2009
Six different wedding themes form the heart of the partnership between Sandals Resorts International and Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia under the Sandals Weddings by Martha Stewart name.
The destination wedding packages were officially launched Wednesday and can be booked now for travel after Jan. 1 at any of the 18 Sandals and Beaches resorts in the Caribbean.
The partnership replaces Sandals' existing weddings offerings, including the optional Preston Bailey wedding packages. The four-year contact with wedding planner Preston Bailey ends this year.
"Every resort in the Caribbean can do weddings, and we are certainly not experts in this field," said Sandals CEO Adam Stewart. "Martha Stewart is at the forefront of all trends in weddings. She and her team are so on the cutting edge of what brides want today, down to the smallest details. We knew we wanted the Martha Stewart brand on our wedding products."
The partnership deal came together fairly quickly, according to Adam Stewart. "Martha came to Beaches Turks and Caicos earlier this year, inspected the property from a wedding point of view, critiqued and commented and was right on target. It was a done deal."
In addition to the six wedding packages, which include wedding decor, complementary bouquets, invitations, cakes and favors, couples also can customize each package, choosing from a long list of style elements, such as a petal-strewn aisle lit by floating candles in hurricane lamps or parasols to shield guests from the sun.
The packages start at $1,500 each. However, the Beautiful Beginnings package is included at no additional cost if couples book a minimum six-night stay in a concierge category room or higher.
Details are at www.sandals.com/weddings.
