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Showing posts from 2005
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Cruise Ships Change Plans to Avoid Wilma It's predicted that Hurricane Wilma will hit southwestern Florida this weekend, yet no cruise lines have announced changes in next week's cruise schedule so far. However, the weather could affect some turnarounds as the storm hits the hapless state once again. Royal Caribbean recommends that passengers booked on four ships -- "Explorer of the Seas," "Majesty of the Seas," "Mariner of the Seas," and "Sovereign of the Seas" -- should monitor its Web site's "Tropical Weather Update" page for the latest news: http://www.royalcaribbean.com Carnival's tropical weather update page Holland America's page
Jet Blue expansion means big savings for Boston and New York flights! In the face of general airline chaos and cutbacks, JetBlue is paddling against the current again. They are introducing more flights to more cities from JFK and BOS, including direct flights from Boston to Austin and Richmond. Offering sale fares from JFK to BOS for as little as $25. See their airline site for more information.
Travelers, beware! Delta , playing Bankruptcy Roulette, has started to cancel random flights to offset losses from jet fuel costs. According to a Delta spokesmouth, most of the cancelled flights will be very early or late midweek departures. Be advised that your upcoming Delta flight may be cancelled with only a day's notice, due to high fuel costs. Other airlines, such as American, are eliminating certain flights to some destinations, particularly in smaller markets, but aren't cancelling randomly at such short notice. How to protect yourself? Rethink your carrier if you haven't yet booked your upcoming air travel. Use a credit card when booking. And spend a few extra bucks to obtain travel insurance if it's an important vacation trip.
Hurricane Katrina Advisories In addition to the devastation and anguish for local Southerners, the hurricane madness has ruined many a traveler's plans. Government, airlines, cruise lines, and others all have issued advisories re: changes in schedules and plans. FastNet Travel has a Hurricane Advisory page that outlines some of these issues.
Five Ways Hotels Pick your Pocket Wow! I got such a deal on Priceline! Think you've got bragging rights? Not so fast! Hotels are keeping competitive by offering low or stable room rates, then tacking on fees for everything from water to maid service. Five could-be-costly tricks: Phone fees: the old standby of hotel 'creative revenue enhancers'. Sadly for hotels, people are wise to these exorbitant charges, and are now using cell phones and other mobile technologies to bypass this formerly lucrative scam. Still, beware. Make sure you're clear on what you'll be charged if a hotel advertises 'free' local calling. Internet connectivity charge: Replacement for the phone access fee: the hotel may advertise 'free' Internet access, but then you'll be charged per-minute for actual time spent online. Find out where free local WIFI points are before you travel. Resort fee: It's hard to understand how two people can use $28 worth of pool towels
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Cornwall's Newquay is the new Surf City Believe it or else, Cornwall, southwest England's formerly staid seaside paradise where time stood still, has morphed into a super-cool surfing destination for the Hipsters of Europe. There goes the nice old 'backwater' reputation that made me love to visit. Sorry, my age is showing, but I love the old-timey tea places, sitting on a cliffside veranda sipping a G&T, listening to the pensioners talk about last night's bingo game. But now we have to share the landscape with Prince William and his ilk, endure the trendification of the old seamen's pubs, and steer around human wreckage from the infamous British hen and stag parties that litter resort towns 'at' weekends. My own tastes run to seeing what's on at the Tate St. Ives, the ultra-way-cool satellite of London's Tate Gallery, and its neighbor, the Barbara Hepworth museum . Her former home, its stunning sculpture garden is food for the soul. Ah,