American Airlines, British Airways, Lberia Airlines, Finnair and Royal Jordanian have received final approval for anitrust immunity from U.S. Department of Transportation and regulatgory approval from the European Union. These regulatory approval allow American Airlines, British Airways and Iberia to operate between North America and Europe as a joint business-significantly strengthening the customer benefits of the oneworld Alliance.

The three airlines will forge a closer relationship and engage in greater collaboration that is expected to provide customers with a more integrated worldwide network, expanded codesharing, greater choice of routings and schedules, enhanced opportunities to earn and redeem frequent flyer miles/points, and an overall travel experience that will be easier and more convenient. Fare and itinerary combinability (e.g. fly out on British Airways or Iberia and return on American Airlines)
is expected to create even more customer choice and routing flexibility. Importantly, it puts the oneworld Alliance on a level playing field with other alliances, which enhances the ability to offer customers our products and services.
 

To book travel call Tyus Tours & Travel at 866-547-5362.

High tech advancements abound on Norwegian Epic, Norwegian Cruise Line's largest and most innovative Freestyle Cruising ship to date. The features include in-room interactive television capabilities, which will allow guests to book entertainment shows and shore excursions; select on demand movies; and even play slots and video poker through a DigiCasino" capability; to a cutting edge facial recognition system that links all guests' onboard photographs. 
 

Digi HD" Interactive TelevisionDigi HD" Interactive Television

Norwegian Epic's Digi HD" Interactive Television, or ITV, was created by Allin Interactive. Using the in-room television, guests scroll through a wheel of options to make reservations for entertainment performances, book shore excursions, check their shipboard account, and select from a large library of first-run on-demand movies. A highlight of Norwegian Epic's ITV is the DigiCasino", which extends the casino into guest staterooms, allowing them to play popular games such as slots and video poker. An interactive cashier enables guests to purchase and redeem gaming credits that can be used for interactive play. All purchases made through ITV are applied to the guest's shipboard account.
 

Youfinder® Facial Recognition System

another hi-tech innovation on board Norwegian Epic is the Youfinder® facial recognition software, created by Image. When guests board Norwegian Epic, their picture is taken and linked to their cruise card. This provides Image's proprietary indexing system, YouFinder®, with the ability to match guests' faces and identification details anytime a photo is taken afterwards. Using both facial recognition and patented indexing techniques, Youfinder® provides the most accurate linking of guests to their photos. When guests want to view and purchase their photos, they go to an on-board kiosk, swipe their cruise card and they can immediately view their cruise memories. From this, they can order select images and have them printed out by the ship's photo team or they can order a CD with all images and take it home.
 

For more information about Norwegian Epic, call Norwegian at 866-234-7350, visit http://epic.ncl.com, or contact Tyus 
Tours & Travel at 866-547-5362 a travel professional.

About Allin Corporation

 

Allin Corporation is a leading provider of solutions-oriented application development technology consulting and systems integration services. Allin specializes in interactive media and Microsoft-based technologies. Allin interactive television has been installed on over 70 cruise ships, in over 80,000 cabins. Allin delivers services through the trade names Allin Interactive, Allin Consulting and the CodeLab Technology Group. The Company maintains offices in Pittsburgh, PA; Ft. Lauderdale, FL; and Wakefield, MA. For additional information about Allin, visit www.allin.com.

 

About Image

 

Image is the largest and most successful photo concessionaire in the cruise industry, serving over 40 ships carrying more than 80,000 guests per week on worldwide itineraries. In addition to taking over 20 million photos of guests per year, the company also provides dvd production, guest film processing, custom digital photo kiosks and onboard retail sales of cameras and other photography-related products. Image sets the industry's highest standards of customer service, product quality and revenue generation for its cruise line partners. For more information about Image, visit www.image.com.

 

About Norwegian Cruise Line

 

Norwegian Cruise Line is the innovator in cruise travel with a 44-year history of breaking the boundaries of traditional cruising, most notably with the introduction of Freestyle Cruising which has revolutionized the industry by allowing guests more freedom and flexibility.

 

Today, Norwegian has 10 purpose-built Freestyle Cruising ships, providing guests the opportunity to enjoy a relaxed cruise vacation on some of the newest and most contemporary ships at sea.

Norwegian's largest and most innovative Freestyle Cruising ship, Norwegian Epic, debuts in June 2010. Norwegian Cruise Line is the official cruise line of Blue Man Group, debuting for the first time at sea on Norwegian Epic, as well as the official cruise line of Legends in Concert and Nickelodeon, the number-one entertainment brand for kids.

 

High resolution, downloadable images are available at www.ncl.com/pressroom. For further information on Norwegian Cruise Line, visit www.ncl.com, follow us on Facebook and Twitter or contact us in the U.S. and Canada at 888- NCL-CRUISE (625-2784).

 

###
 

High tech advancements abound on Norwegian Epic, Norwegian Cruise Line's largest and most innovative Freestyle Cruising ship to date. The features include in-room interactive television capabilities, which will allow guests to book entertainment shows and shore excursions; select on demand movies; and even play slots and video poker through a DigiCasino" capability; to a cutting edge facial recognition system that links all guests' onboard photographs.   Digi HD" Interactive Television   Norwegian Epic's Digi HD" Interactive Television, or ITV, was created by Allin Interactive. Using the in-room television, guests scroll through a wheel of options to make reservations for entertainment performances, book shore excursions, check their shipboard account, and select from a large library of first-run on-demand movies. A highlight of Norwegian Epic's ITV is the DigiCasino", which extends the casino into guest staterooms, allowing them to play popular games such as slots and video poker. An interactive cashier enables guests to purchase and redeem gaming credits that can be used for interactive play. All purchases made through ITV are applied to the guest's shipboard account.   Youfinder® Facial Recognition System   Another hi-tech innovation on board Norwegian Epic is the Youfinder® facial recognition software, created by Image. When guests board Norwegian Epic, their picture is taken and linked to their cruise card. This provides Image's proprietary indexing system, YouFinder®, with the ability to match guests' faces and identification details anytime a photo is taken afterwards. Using both facial recognition and patented indexing techniques, Youfinder® provides the most accurate linking of guests to their photos. When guests want to view and purchase their photos, they go to an on-board kiosk, swipe their cruise card and they can immediately view their cruise memories. From this, they can order select images and have them printed out by the ship's photo team or they can order a CD with all images and take it home.   For more information about Norwegian Epic, call Norwegian at 866-234-7350, visit http://epic.ncl.com, or contact a travel professional.   About Allin Corporation   Allin Corporation is a leading provider of solutions-oriented application development technology consulting and systems integration services. Allin specializes in interactive media and Microsoft-based technologies. Allin interactive television has been installed on over 70 cruise ships, in over 80,000 cabins. Allin delivers services through the trade names Allin Interactive, Allin Consulting and the CodeLab Technology Group. The Company maintains offices in Pittsburgh, PA; Ft. Lauderdale, FL; and Wakefield, MA. For additional information about Allin, visit www.allin.com.   About Image   Image is the largest and most successful photo concessionaire in the cruise industry, serving over 40 ships carrying more than 80,000 guests per week on worldwide itineraries. In addition to taking over 20 million photos of guests per year, the company also provides dvd production, guest film processing, custom digital photo kiosks and onboard retail sales of cameras and other photography-related products. Image sets the industry's highest standards of customer service, product quality and revenue generation for its cruise line partners. For more information about Image, visit www.image.com.   About Norwegian Cruise Line   Norwegian Cruise Line is the innovator in cruise travel with a 44-year history of breaking the boundaries of traditional cruising, most notably with the introduction of Freestyle Cruising which has revolutionized the industry by allowing guests more freedom and flexibility.   Today, Norwegian has 10 purpose-built Freestyle Cruising ships, providing guests the opportunity to enjoy a relaxed cruise vacation on some of the newest and most contemporary ships at sea. Norwegian's largest and most innovative Freestyle Cruising ship, Norwegian Epic, debuts in June 2010. Norwegian Cruise Line is the official cruise line of Blue Man Group, debuting for the first time at sea on Norwegian Epic, as well as the official cruise line of Legends in Concert and Nickelodeon, the number-one entertainment brand for kids.   High resolution, downloadable images are available at www.ncl.com/pressroom. For further information on Norwegian Cruise Line, visit www.ncl.com, follow us on Facebook and Twitter or contact us in the U.S. and Canada at 888- NCL-CRUISE (625-2784).   ###

High tech advancements abound on Norwegian Epic, Norwegian Cruise Line's largest and most innovative Freestyle Cruising ship to date. The features include in-room interactive television capabilities, which will allow guests to book entertainment shows and shore excursions; select on demand movies; and even play slots and video poker through a DigiCasino" capability; to a cutting edge facial recognition system that links all guests' onboard photographs. 
 

Digi HD" Interactive TelevisionDigi HD" Interactive Television

Norwegian Epic's Digi HD" Interactive Television, or ITV, was created by Allin Interactive. Using the in-room television, guests scroll through a wheel of options to make reservations for entertainment performances, book shore excursions, check their shipboard account, and select from a large library of first-run on-demand movies. A highlight of Norwegian Epic's ITV is the DigiCasino", which extends the casino into guest staterooms, allowing them to play popular games such as slots and video poker. An interactive cashier enables guests to purchase and redeem gaming credits that can be used for interactive play. All purchases made through ITV are applied to the guest's shipboard account.
 

Youfinder® Facial Recognition System

Another hi-tech innovation on board Norwegian Epic is the Youfinder® facial recognition software, created by Image. When guests board Norwegian Epic, their picture is taken and linked to their cruise card. This provides Image's proprietary indexing system, YouFinder®, with the ability to match guests' faces and identification details anytime a photo is taken afterwards. Using both facial recognition and patented indexing techniques, Youfinder® provides the most accurate linking of guests to their photos. When guests want to view and purchase their photos, they go to an on-board kiosk, swipe their cruise card and they can immediately view their cruise memories. From this, they can order select images and have them printed out by the ship's photo team or they can order a CD with all images and take it home.   For more information about Norwegian Epic, call Norwegian at 866-234-7350, visit http://epic.ncl.com, or contact a travel professional.   About Allin Corporation   Allin Corporation is a leading provider of solutions-oriented application development technology consulting and systems integration services. Allin specializes in interactive media and Microsoft-based technologies. Allin interactive television has been installed on over 70 cruise ships, in over 80,000 cabins. Allin delivers services through the trade names Allin Interactive, Allin Consulting and the CodeLab Technology Group. The Company maintains offices in Pittsburgh, PA; Ft. Lauderdale, FL; and Wakefield, MA. For additional information about Allin, visit www.allin.com.   About Image   Image is the largest and most successful photo concessionaire in the cruise industry, serving over 40 ships carrying more than 80,000 guests per week on worldwide itineraries. In addition to taking over 20 million photos of guests per year, the company also provides dvd production, guest film processing, custom digital photo kiosks and onboard retail sales of cameras and other photography-related products. Image sets the industry's highest standards of customer service, product quality and revenue generation for its cruise line partners. For more information about Image, visit www.image.com.   About Norwegian Cruise Line   Norwegian Cruise Line is the innovator in cruise travel with a 44-year history of breaking the boundaries of traditional cruising, most notably with the introduction of Freestyle Cruising which has revolutionized the industry by allowing guests more freedom and flexibility.   Today, Norwegian has 10 purpose-built Freestyle Cruising ships, providing guests the opportunity to enjoy a relaxed cruise vacation on some of the newest and most contemporary ships at sea. Norwegian's largest and most innovative Freestyle Cruising ship, Norwegian Epic, debuts in June 2010. Norwegian Cruise Line is the official cruise line of Blue Man Group, debuting for the first time at sea on Norwegian Epic, as well as the official cruise line of Legends in Concert and Nickelodeon, the number-one entertainment brand for kids.   High resolution, downloadable images are available at www.ncl.com/pressroom. For further information on Norwegian Cruise Line, visit www.ncl.com, follow us on Facebook and Twitter or contact us in the U.S. and Canada at 888- NCL-CRUISE (625-2784).   ###

Another hi-tech innovation on board Norwegian Epic is the Youfinder® facial recognition software, created by Image. When guests board Norwegian Epic, their picture is taken and linked to their cruise card. This provides Image's proprietary indexing system, YouFinder®, with the ability to match guests' faces and identification details anytime a photo is taken afterwards. Using both facial recognition and patented indexing techniques, Youfinder® provides the most accurate linking of guests to their photos. When guests want to view and purchase their photos, they go to an on-board kiosk, swipe their cruise card and they can immediately view their cruise memories. From this, they can order select images and have them printed out by the ship's photo team or they can order a CD with all images and take it home.
 

For more information about Norwegian Epic, call Norwegian at 866-234-7350, visit http://epic.ncl.com, or contact Tyus 
Tours & Travel at 8/66-547-5362 a travel professional.
 

The University of Toledo‏ has two scholarship programs that have been developed at UT to make college more accessible and affordable for the many students who may feel college is just a dream and not a reality for them.
 

The Blue and Gold Scholar Award
This scholarship is open to all high school seniors in the state of Ohio and Monroe County, Michigan.  It is a four-year renewable award that covers the cost of tuition and general fees at The University of Toledo.  In order to qualify the student must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 their senior year and also show some level of Pell Grant eligibility.  In order to renew the scholarship a student must maintain a 3.0 GPA at UT and carry minimum of 30 credit hours per academic year.  A FAFSA must also be filed each year, however, if after the first year the student is not Pell eligible we will still honor the award.

The Scholarly Savings Account
This scholarship was created within the last year and allows a student to earn $2000 in UT scholarship dollars that are deposited in a special account each year beginning in the eighth grade (this year’s eighth grade graduates will be the first eligible class for the program) and continuing through their senior year in high school so that at the time of graduation from high school the student can accumulate up to $10,000 in scholarship money that can be used at UT.  Deposits are based on successful completion of each grade and promotion to the next.  This program is open to all school districts in the country.  To participate the district superintendent must enroll the district and all schools within it.  Upon graduation from high school the student must have a 3.0 GPA and enroll at UT to qualify for the monies they have accumulated.  The scholarship is dispersed annually in increments of $2500 for four years if the student maintains a 3.0 GPA and carries 30 credit hours per academic year.  More information and a listing of participating districts can be viewed at http://scholarlysavings.utoledo.edu .  
 

For more information please contact Ricky Tyus at 866-547-5362

Twice-weekly service between Detroit and Sao Paulo will begin Oct. 21

(May 4, 2010) Delta Air Lines today announced it has received approval from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to operate twice-weekly service between its Detroit Metropolitan Airport hub and Sao Paulo, Brazil. To celebrate the new service, Delta is offering special introductory fares. To view the complete article and for information on the introductory fares please click here: Delta Receives Approval for First Flights between Detroit Hub and South America.

Twice-weekly service between Detroit and Sao Paulo will begin Oct. 21

(May 4, 2010) Delta Air Lines today announced it has received approval from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to operate twice-weekly service between its Detroit Metropolitan Airport hub and Sao Paulo, Brazil. To celebrate the new service, Delta is offering special introductory fares. To view the complete article and for information on the introductory fares please click here: Delta Receives Approval for First Flights between Detroit Hub and South America.

The ash cloud, drifting between 20,000 to 30,000 feet (6,000 to 9,000 meters) high and invisible from the ground, initially blocked the main air flight path between the U.S. east coast and Europe. On Friday, the cloud's trajectory was taking it over northern France and Austria and into eastern and central Russia at about 25 mph (40 kph).

The air traffic agency Eurocontrol said almost two-thirds of Europe's flights were canceled Friday, as air space remained largely closed in Britain and across large chunks of north and central Europe.

"The skies are totally empty over northern Europe," said Brian Flynn, deputy head of Eurocontrol, adding        "there will be some significant disruption of European air traffic tomorrow."

Thick drifts of volcanic ash blanketed parts of rural Iceland as a vast, invisible plume of grit drifted over Europe, emptying the skies of planes and sending hundreds of thousands in search of hotel rooms, train tickets or rental cars.

If the Million of Passengers stranded purchase travel insurance it would have ease their discomfort. Travel delay covers $150 per day, $750 maximum. Trip Interruption is 150% of trip cost, Non-Medical Emergency Evacuation up to $25, 000. For more information on travel insurance visit www.tyustours.com

As you may have heard, Questex Media Group, the parent company of Travel Agent Magazine, Luxury Trm and Luxury Travel Expo, has reported that it has reached an agreement with its senior lenders that allows it to reduce the company's debt and strengthen its capital structure. The company's lenders and a private equity firm continue to support the business, and in fact, have contributed more capital during this amicable financial restructuring.

This does not affect our staff, suppliers or clients. We will continue to deliver the same excellent client services we have been known for the past 80 years. We continue to end the year on an upswing in both print and digital media.

Our 2010 growth initiatives include increased focus on lead generation digital platforms, launches of more educational programs, the introduction of more print editions, and the establishment of more special events and conferences. Our Luxury Travel Expo is on track to again be the largest gathering of travel agents in the world. Our commitment doesn't change, educating travel agents on selling travel. Below are summaries of our exciting growth initiatives. 
John McMahon
Vice President/Group Publisher

Why Choose TravelSafe?

TravelSafe Insurance is one of the nation's largest and most respected providers of travel insurance. Here are some of the reasons that thousands of travellers choose our travel insurance:

• First to offer Cancel Your Trip For Any Reason
• Outstanding Coverage, from terrorism, hurricanes and more
• Safe and Secure 24/7 Travel Assistance Services
• Time-Saving Concierge Services, from food, fun, to luggage

Since 1971, we have been working hard to protect the traveler, offering the most comprehensive travel insurance in the industry.

Why Buy Travel Insurance?

Tyus Tours & Travel will be offering TravelSafe Insurance as an option with all Travel Package booked with Tyus Tours & Travel.

Over 70% of U.S. travelers now purchase travel insurance when booking their trip through a travel agent. Quite simply, they do it because it's a smart decision. Approximately one in 6 travelers have had to file a claim.

Still not convinced that travel insurance is for you? Ask yourself, "Can I afford to lose my vacation investment?" Sickness, injury or worse can occur when you are least expecting it. And not only to you, but to your non-traveling family members.

There are so many reasons to celebrate. Birthdays. Anniversaries. Reunions. Or any of life's most special moments. But this year, Disney Parks is celebrating something new and that’s the good things people do for their communities.

New in 2010! Give a Day. Get a Disney Day.

We want to inspire one million people to volunteer a day of service to a participating organization in their communities. So we’re celebrating their good works by giving each of them one-day admission to a Theme Park at the Disneyland® Resort or the Walt Disney World® Resort, free.* There’s no better time to make a dream come true for others and let us make a few come true for them.

For more information visit www.tyustours.com

The Cleveland Cavaliers selected guard/forward Christian Eyenga with the 30th overall pick and guard/forward Danny Green with the 46th overall pick of the 2009 NBA Draft.

"Christian is very athletic and shoots the ball very well. He has the potential to be a good NBA player. We are excited to work with him, to see his development and help him grow as a player and a person," Ferry said. "Danny Green is a good basketball player and competitor. He knows how to win."

Eyenga, 20, played in 25 games this season with CB Prat Juventud of Spain, averaging 13.3 points on .488 shooting, 5.1 rebounds and 1.6 blocks in 30.3 minutes per game. The 6-foot-5, 210-pounder from the Republic of Congo scored in double figures in 18 of their 25 games and topped the 20-point mark on two occasions. Eyenga also appeared in four Euroleague games with DKV Joventut Badalona, scoring three points in 16 minutes.

Green played all four seasons at North Carolina, playing in more games (145) and winning more games (123) than any Tar Heel in history. As a senior, the 6-foot-6, 210-pound guard/forward averaged 13.1 points on .471 shooting, including shooting .418 (77-184) from three-point range, 4.7 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.8 steals and 1.3 blocks in 38 games (all starts) as North Carolina won the 2009 NCAA Championship. He was named to the ACC All-Defensive Team, the All-ACC Third Team and the NCAA South Regional Tournament Team. The 22-year-old finished his college career as the only player in ACC history to tally at least 1,000 points, 500 rebounds, 250 assists, 150 three-pointers, 150 blocks and 150 steals and is the only player in North Carolina history to record 100 or more blocked shots and three-point field goals.

The African American Legacy Project of Northwest Ohio 2321 Upton Ave * Toledo, Ohio 43606

Phone: 419-720-4369 Email: rsmith@africanamericanlegacy.org

Stanley Cowell Returns Home for Tatum Tribute On October11th at Owens Community College, Stanley Cowell noted international jazz artist and Rutgers University professor of music will return home to perform an Art Tatum tribute concert. This exciting performance will be held during the African American Legacy Project’s [The AALP’s] annual Legend’s Weekend celebration. Mr. Cowell continues to build his legacy as an artist and composer as he honors the efforts of the legendary Mr. Art Tatum, a preeminent jazz pianist from Toledo. Mr. Tatum’s accomplishment is legendary throughout the international music community and this October 13, 2009 would have been his 100 The African American Legacy Project serves to document and preserve the African American experience. "We are thrilled to have someone of Mr. Cowell’s stature returning to his hometown to share his talent, celebrity, and musical genius to help us celebrate Mr. Tatum’s 100 Mr. Cowell’s bio is attached or you may view it on line at: http://musicweb.rutgers.edu/info/fac-bio/cowell/. For more information and to schedule a one-on-one interview with Mr. Cowell, please call 419-720-4369. th birthday (see enotes bio on Tatum at: http://www.enotes.com/contemporary-musicians/tatum-art-biography . th birthday. We are humbled just thinking about having this opportunity to take part in this historical moment and surely that moment will be magical – because of Mr. Cowell’s extraordinary talent," according to Robert Smith, president of the African American Legacy Project. A press conference with Mr. Cowell - announcing his impending October engagement - is scheduled for 1:00 p.m., Friday, June 19, 2009. Mr. Cowell will be available for individual interviews and photograph opportunities immediately following the press conference. He will discuss a range of musical topics including his upcoming Toledo performance, his career, future projects, and related topics. The press conference and interviews will take place at The African American Legacy Project 2321 Upton Ave. During his June visit, Mr. Cowell will tour Owens Community College’s Center of Fine and Performing Arts. Owens Community College will be a lead sponsor for Mr. Cowell’s October 11th appearance. Plans are also in the works for Professor Cowell to conduct a piano workshop at Owens during his Fall visit. Mr. Cowell is Chair of the Jazz Program at Rutgers, Mason Gross School of the Arts.

Effective May 1, 2009, MLT Vacations has enhanced its Influenza Advisory Policy for the NWA WorldVacations and Continental Airlines Vacations® brands, to provide more flexibility for customers traveling to Mexico through May 31, 2009. The Worry-Free Vacations policy remains the same through June 15, 2009.

In addition, the rebooking option for all three brands has been adjusted to allow customers to rebook without penalty to another destination for departure within 21 days before or after the original departure date.

Please be advised that we have been receiving higher than normal call volume, and you may experience a longer wait time on the phone lines.

Carnival Cruise Lines has decided to cancel all calls at Mexican ports for all current sailings and all voyages departing on Thursday, April 30th through Monday, May 4th.  In many cases, we will be able to substitute the cancelled call with an alternative port.  Additionally, we are working on alternatives for those itineraries impacted by this decision. Full details will be available by 5pm Wednesday, April 29th. Once final details are confirmed for these itinerary changes, we will send you an automated message listing your impacted bookings for each affected voyage.

In the unlikely event that our new itinerary options are not to your  liking, we will give them the opportunity to reschedule their cruise at a later date.  Those details will also be made available April 29, 2009.

Our primary concern is your client’s safety.  We will continue to monitor the situation and will keep you updated if and when changes are made.  The best place to get up to the minute information about these and any further changes is at our web sites, www.BookCCL.com and www.carnival.com.

We thank you very much for your understanding.  We look forward to welcoming your guests aboard their Fun Ship cruise.

Echoing successful runs by Celine Dion and Elton John, Santana is the first rock act to try a Las Vegas residency on for size. Beginning May 27, he'll perform 36 shows at The Joint, the expanded 4,200-seat venue that's part of the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino's $750 million renovation.

Tickets for Supernatural Santana: A Trip Through the Hits ($79-$299) are on sale today at Ticketmaster and Hard Rock. Santana performs at 9 p.m. PT on Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday nights, three weeks on and three weeks off. Additional dates will be set for 2010.

"This represents a twist in my thinking," says Santana, 61, pointing out that he long considered such gigs the musical equivalent of a hamster wheel. "I'm going through a transformation."

That's music to the ears of John Meglen, co-CEO of AEG Live/Concerts West. "No one's really making money from recordings these days, but demand for concert tickets is high," he says, adding that Santana was at the top of a very short list of contenders. "The musician can play without the rigors of moving around. And fans can see their favorite artist in an intimate environment."

Meglen says The Joint exudes a '60s club vibe and its shows won't attempt to replicate arena-sized extravaganzas. He hopes to sign two more acts by 2011. Possibilities range from Linkin Park to his "dream" Vegas act, David Bowie.

Besides attracting the usual boomers, classic acts such as Santana can bank on finding new fans among the younger set who consider Vegas their playground, says Phil Shalala, Hard Rock's director of marketing. "It's a chance to connect with a young, hip and cool image," he says.

But the 10-time Grammy winner doesn't seem too concerned with impressing people. "This is really a divine opportunity to help young people develop strong perceptions of themselves," he says. "There's no higher satisfaction than that."

At the Detroit Science Center: The Guardian of Forever, which was a time portal, appeared in a Star Trek episode.

Headed to the Motor City for the Final Four? No matter what your favorite team in the NCAAs, Detroit has something to offer. VisitDetroit.com's Renee Monforton dishes on the city's must-visit spots to USA TODAY's Rebecca Heslin.

Detroit Science Center
"After checking out a little ancient history, speed into the future to Star Trek: The Exhibition," Monforton says. "Visitors can walk around a replica of the original Enterprise's bridge and the transporter room." The science center also has tons of hands-on exhibits for kids, including the Rocket Laboratory and Lumenarium. 313-577-8400; detroitsciencecenter.org.

Detroit Institute of Arts
"At the recently renovated and expanded art institute, don't miss the must-see American Chronicles: The Art of Norman Rockwell exhibit that features every Saturday Evening Post cover and a large number of Rockwell's exquisitely detailed paintings," Monforton says. "Another popular work of art is the famous Detroit Industry fresco cycle by Diego Rivera, which depicts the importance of industry to the city while surrounding visitors with vibrant color and bold forms." 313-833-7900; dia.org.

Motown Historical Museum
There will be dancing in the street at this popular museum celebrating all things Motown (motor + town). "You'll stand in the spot where Motown greats like The Temptations, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson and the Miracles, Diana Ross and the Supremes, among others, stood and recorded their hits," Monforton says. And she means that literally. The museum is housed in what used to be Hitsville USA, the birthplace of Motown Records. For those doing the math, this year marks Motown's 50th anniversary. 313-875-2264; motownmuseum.com.

Carnival announce the recategorization of all category 5A staterooms on six Fantasy-class ships. These obstructed ocean view staterooms will now be recategorized to interior categories 4A through 4D.

Effective today, Friday, April 3, 2009, the recategorization of these staterooms will be in effect on the Carnival Elation, Carnival Fantasy, Carnival Fascination, Carnival Imagination, Carnival Inspiration and Carnival Paradise. This same change will take place on twelve other ships by the end of April 2009.

ATLANTA, Mar 6, 2009)—Delta Air Lines (NYSE:DAL) today announced it is transferring the operations and management of Delta Vacations in the U.S. and Canada to MLT Vacations, effective July 6, 2009.  

MLT Vacations became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Delta Air Lines following the airline’s merger with Northwest Airlines in October 2008. MLT Vacations is one of the largest providers of leisure vacation packages in the United States, and currently manages multiple package vacation brands, including NWA WorldVacations. 

As the airline’s official tour operator, Delta Vacations will offer leisure trips to more than 200 exciting destinations worldwide.

 “As Delta moves to quickly deliver the benefits of our merger with Northwest to our customers, transferring the management of Delta Vacations to our in-house tour operator is a natural step in the process of consolidating both airlines,” said Jim Cron, Delta’s senior vice president of Global Sales and Distribution.    

Delta Vacations will continue to be managed by Travel Impressions, a wholly-owned subsidiary of American Express, until the transition date of July 6, 2009.  Customers who have previously booked a Delta vacation package through Travel Impressions will not be affected by this change.

“As part of the broad enterprise relationship between Delta and American Express, we look forward to a continued long-term relationship with Travel Impressions as a preferred partner for Delta within the packaged vacation segment, and we thank Travel Impressions for its efforts on the brand,” added Cron.

Providing one of the travel industry’s most extensive choices of packaged vacations, Delta Vacations coordinates packages which include roundtrip air transportation via Delta, the Delta Connection® carriers or Delta Worldwide partners; hotel accommodations; optional destination ground transportation; and travel insurance through the Vacation Protection Program.  Customers can visit www.deltavacations.com or call 1-800-654-6559 for more information or to start planning their next trip.

About MLT Vacations

MLT Vacations, one of the largest providers of vacation packages in the United States, manages multiple package vacation brands, including NWA WorldVacations and Worry-Free Vacations, among others.  NWA WorldVacations offers vacation packages via scheduled air service on Northwest Airlines, Delta Air Lines and other airline partners, with convenient connections from many U.S. and Canadian cities, to destinations in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, Europe and Asia, including luxury vacation packages and destination weddings and honeymoons.  Worry-Free Vacations offers charter vacation packages from several U.S. cities to destinations in Mexico and the Caribbean.  For more information, visit www.worldagentdirect.com.

About Delta Air Lines

Delta Air Lines is the world’s largest airline.  From its hubs in Atlanta, Cincinnati, Detroit, Memphis, Minneapolis-St. Paul, New York-JFK, Salt Lake City and Tokyo-Narita, Delta, its Northwest subsidiary and Delta Connection carriers offer service to 379 destinations in 66 countries and serve more than 170 million passengers each year.  Delta’s marketing alliances allow customers to earn and redeem either SkyMiles or WorldPerks on more than 16,000 daily flights offered by SkyTeam and other partners. Delta‘s more than 70,000 employees worldwide are reshaping the aviation industry as the only U.S. airline to offer a full global network.  Customers can check in for flights, print boarding passes, check bags and flight status at delta.com.

Air France, MidWest Air and Alitalia airlines are the latest additions to vacation package options

(Edina, Minn., Mar 24, 2009)—NWA WorldVacations today announced the addition of Air France, MidWest Air and Alitalia Airlines airfares as part of our NWA WorldVacations product offerings. The three new airlines will be added to its product offerings on March 24th. 

March 30, 2009

MLT Vacations has been following the recent news surrounding the Mexico Travel Alert re-issued by the US State Department. As of today, there have been no updates, and both the US and Mexican governments are working hard to ensure travelers feel safe, secure and have peace-of-mind when visiting Mexico.

In the meantime, the Mexico Tourist Board has been collaborating with various business partners and news outlets to communicate that tourist destinations are a good distance from the major areas of violence and, most importantly, are safe. In addition to other outreach, the Mexico Tourism Board created a website for travel agents, and other travel industry and media professionals, to assist in answering questions regarding the safety of traveling in Mexico. The website can be accessed by visiting http://www.mexico-update.com. This site includes travel tips, updates, videos, and even a great, interactive map. With this information, you can provide accurate information to your customers when planning a trip south of the border.

We at MLT Vacations want to ensure that your clients have a positive experience in Mexico and that they had an enjoyable stay.

Thank you for your ongoing support and we will continue to keep you updated on this issue.

World No. 1 Rafael Nadal To Open Play on March 28 

 

World No. 1 Rafael Nadal will begin his quest for his first Sony Ericsson Open title on Saturday, March 28 at 8:00 p.m. Nadal's potential opponents won't be determined until the tournament draw is announced on March 23. Nadal enters the Sony Ericsson Open hot off his sixth-career Grand Slam title at the Australian Open and became the first Spaniard to win down under. He joins the company of Jimmy Connors and Pete Sampras as the third player at age 22-under to win three of the four Grand Slam titles. 
 

Nadal enters the Sony Ericsson Open hot off his sixth-career Grand Slam title at the Australian Open and became the first Spaniard to win down under. He joins the company of Jimmy Connors and Pete Sampras as the third player at age 22-under to win three of the four Grand Slam titles.

Before the start of Nadal’s match, fans will be treated to a special on-court performance by Clarita Filgueiras and Flamenco Puro, presented by Andalucia, Spain’s premier tourist destination. Keeping with the Spanish theme, Clarita Filguerias and Flamenco Puro will perform the fiery art of flamenco dance, one of the finest components of Spanish dance.

The remaining men’s draw including 13-time Grand Slam Champion Roger Federer, 2007 Sony Ericsson Open Champion Novak Djokovic, British star Andy Murray, American superstar Andy Roddick and defending Sony Ericsson Open Champion Nikolay Davydenko will be announced during the men’s tournament draw ceremony on Monday, March 23 at 2:30 p.m.

Prior to the men’s draw announcement, the women’s draw will be unveiled at 2:00 p.m. The women’s field is highlighted by two-time defending champion Serena Williams, seven-time Grand Slam Champion and three-time Sony Ericsson Open winner, Venus Williams, three-time Grand Slam Champion Maria Sharapova, 2008 ITF World Singles Champion Jelena Jankovic, 2008 French Open Champion Ana Ivanovic, and 2008 Olympic Gold Medalist Elena Dementieva.

Don’t let a pink slip stop you from traveling—or learning a new skill. Snorkel for science in the Bahamas, learn to cook in Italy, or join a luxury yacht crew and sail the Caribbean for free.

From March 2009

By Claire Berlinski

But who goes on vacation when they’ve just been fired? Isn’t that self-indulgent? Or worse, stupid?

Not necessarily. Travel needn’t be about luxury spas and hotels. Travel, as the cliché goes, is broadening, an opportunity to expand horizons. So, go—travel to transform your curiosities, passions, and unexplored talents into marketable new skills. Explore simpler and more satisfying ways of living. Or just regain your equipoise, perspective, and energy—you’ll need them, after all.

What do you really love to do? If it’s yoga, train to be a yoga instructor on a tropical Thai island. Have you always wanted to write a novel? See if you’ve got the chops at a writers’ retreat in a medieval French village. Learn carpentry in a mountain village in Venezuela. Lend a hand on an organic farm in New Zealand. The global economy may be unsteady, but we promise you it’s still a big, bright, beautiful world positively exploding with things to do and see and learn and enjoy.

Best of all, many of these vacations require little or no money—with a bit of initiative, you can volunteer or barter your way around the world. Some cost a bit more, but your savings or severance pay will go a lot further in some parts of the world than it will at home, and using your reserves to invest in a new life makes more sense than watching your bank balance dwindle while you gloomily thumb through your battered copy of What Color Is Your Parachute?

Grab your second chance with both hands, and never look back.

Quciken Loans Arena, Feb 8, 2009.. Kobe down with the flu, but still mange 19 points. defeated Cleveland Cavs 101 to 91. Lamar Odom had his best game of the season . He proved to be too quick for Ben Wallace or Anderson Varejao, too big for Wally Szczerbiak and too much for rookie J.J. Hickson.

He ( Lamar Odom) finished with 28 points and 17 rebounds, including seven offensive rebounds Add Gasol's 18 points and they together destroyed the Cleveland Cavs. Cleveland gave up 62 points in the paint was outrebounded and outplayed by the Lakers who finished  their road trip 6-o.

A warning to vacationers planning a cruise to Grenada: Be careful how you dress for the visit or you just might be kicked off the island.

That's the word today from the Jamaica Gleaner, which reports police in Grenada recently ordered a group of cruisers back to their ship because of the way they were dressed.

The news outlet doesn't say from which ship the vacationers were visiting or what, specifically, they were wearing, but it says the move was part of a larger campaign targeting youth who show their underwear in public by wearing their pants below their waistlines.

The Gleaner quotes Grenada's new police commissioner, James Clarkson, griping about people who "forgot at this point where their waist in their body is. They think their waist is by their knees . . . it's not just a question of legality, it's a question of morality."

The New York police force veteran has vowed to crack down on sloppy dressing on the island, among other things, the Gleaner says.

The Gleaner quotes Grenada's new police commissioner, James Clarkson, griping about people who "forgot at this point where their waist in their body is. They think their waist is by their knees . . . it's not just a question of legality, it's a question of morality."

The New York police force veteran has vowed to crack down on sloppy dressing on the island, among other things, the Gleaner says.

Twas the week before Christmas and all through the concourse, The traffic was slow, but about to get worse. There’d be lines at security and no room to roam, Assuming, that is, we don’t all just stay home ...

Across the country, the folks at Newark Liberty International Airport have taken a somewhat different approach to holiday cheer: Last month, the airport unveiled Heineken Lounge, the beer-giant’s first branded airport bar in the U.S. Located in Terminal C, the pub will offer beverages from Heineken and other brands, along with light meals, private cabanas and televised entertainment.

Finally, if you’re the sort that believes music calms the savage breast (or beast, as some would have it), Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport has just the ticket. This year, the airport has set up a karaoke machine filled with holiday music and is inviting travelers to get in touch with their inner Perry Como or Andy Williams.

So, if you’re in the terminal, feel free to step up and spread some holiday spirit. “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas,” perhaps, or “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year.” On the other hand, if your favorite Christmas carol is “Let it snow! Let it snow! Let it snow!”, do the rest of us a favor and keep it to yourself.

Across the country, the folks at Newark Liberty International Airport have taken a somewhat different approach to holiday cheer: Last month, the airport unveiled Heineken Lounge, the beer-giant’s first branded airport bar in the U.S. Located in Terminal C, the pub will offer beverages from Heineken and other brands, along with light meals, private cabanas and televised entertainment.

Finally, if you’re the sort that believes music calms the savage breast (or beast, as some would have it), Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport has just the ticket. This year, the airport has set up a karaoke machine filled with holiday music and is inviting travelers to get in touch with their inner Perry Como or Andy Williams.

So, if you’re in the terminal, feel free to step up and spread some holiday spirit. “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas,” perhaps, or “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year.” On the other hand, if your favorite Christmas carol is “Let it snow! Let it snow! Let it snow!”, do the rest of us a favor and keep it to yourself.

Well, not all of us, maybe, but apparently, quite a few are doing just that. According to the Air Transport Association, the airline-industry trade group, U.S. airlines are expected to carry 43 million passengers between December 18 to January 7, a drop of nine percent from last year.

AAA on Wednesday predicted a 2.1 percent dip in Christmas holiday travel — the first drop since 2002.

Which is not to suggest that planes will be flying around half-empty. The Christmas holiday is still one of the busiest travel periods of the year, and the airlines’ continuing capacity cuts will keep most flights as full as ever. Likewise, any drop in airport volumes will likely go unnoticed as legions of infrequent fliers deal with new fees, new rules and snafus at security.

Of course, if the weather goes bad, it’ll all get worse in a hurry. That’s what happened over Thanksgiving, as rain and snow wreaked havoc on flight schedules and travelers’ plans. According to FlightStats.com, the airlines’ on-time performance, which had topped 90 percent on Thursday and Friday, plunged to less than 50 percent on Sunday.

In other words, even a shrinking air-traffic system remains a big, fat target for bad weather, and those who are still flying this holiday season should be prepared for the worst. That means taking the usual precautions — checking in online, reserving parking in advance, getting to the airport early, etc. — but also being aware of the latest twists in air travel.

Airlines expand pay-to-play options
Both AirTran Airways and Delta Air Lines are now charging $15 to check a first bag (and $25 for a second), so pack light or prepare to pay up. On AirTran, travelers who purchased their tickets on or after November 12 are subject to the fee. Business class passengers, elite-level frequent fliers and coach passengers who bought their tickets before November 12 are exempt.

On Delta, passengers who purchased their tickets on or after November 6 will also be charged $15, although there are exceptions for passengers buying full-fare coach tickets, flying First or Business Class or traveling internationally. The airline has also reduced its fee for a second bag from $50 to $25, matching merger partner Northwest Airlines. Click here for full details.

Meanwhile, United Airlines is offering another twist on à la carte pricing: Premier Line Service, which now lets customers pay $25 per flight for access to the priority lanes — at check-in, security and  boarding — that were previously reserved for elite-level frequent fliers. (Whether that’s a good deal or not no doubt depends on your tolerance for lines — not to mention your existing status with the airline.) The service, which can be purchased in advance on United.com, is available at the airlines’ five major hubs and nine other airports.

At the airport: From peace and quiet to karaoke
No one wants to spend time at the airport, but as Thanksgiving proved yet again, bad weather and holiday travel go together like overeating and indigestion. If nothing else, the following airports may offer a bit of relief while you’re waiting for the blockage to clear:

Earlier this month, LAX opened reLAX, which it bills as the nation’s first pay-to-use airport lounge. Located before security in the Tom Bradley Terminal, the lounge offers an escape from the hurly-burly of the terminal to anyone willing to pay the $25 admission fee (good for three hours). That compares to $30–$50 for a day pass to most airline-operated lounges and gets you complimentary snacks and beverages, free Wi-Fi and basic business services and, presumably, a little respite from the pandemonium outside.

Peter Yesawich, president and CEO of Ypartnership, expects more consumers to turn to travel agents when planning their trips in 2009. Meanwhile, research conducted by Ypartnership states that the travel intentions of Americans remain strong as 71 percent of active travel households are planning at least one overnight trip during the next six months— the same amount as one year ago.

"Our most recent tracking surveys reveal there is still plenty of demand for travel services in the marketplace for those who are aggressive and clever enough to capture it," says Yesawich.

Three out of 10 American travelers use the services of a travel agent on a regular basis, and, according to Yesawich, the percentage is growing as many travelers place a higher value on the time it takes to find the best options than the fee they  pay an agent to do the work for them. Consumers also see agents as "in the know" and a potential source of otherwise unadvertised deals.
 

Yesawich also expects consumers to demand more in exchange for what they pay by shopping aggressively to ensure they don't overpay for a good deal.  They are also more likely to purchase inclusively-priced travel services.

Mobile marketing is a 2009 trend of which agents should take note, as Ypartnership's research finds that the percentage of Americans with mobile devices with Internet access will rise quickly in the year ahead given the growing popularity of the iPhone, Blackberry Storm and similar devices. With this growth, agents can expect more travelers to plan and purchase travel services with these devices. According to the 2008 NEXTGEN Traveler survey, fully one out of four "next generation" travelers plan to use their mobile phone or PDA to make or change travel plans (other than through voice communications) in the next two years.

"The year ahead is also one that holds great opportunity for those who amend their marketing practices to reflect the manner in which consumers live, work and travel today," said Yesawich.

Supporters of Barack Obama will be heading to his inauguration by car, bus, airplane and, yes, cruise ship.

With airline seats into the city for the January festivities already scarce and hotels charging sky high rates for an inaugural stay, NBC Washington reports that an enterprising group of Obama fans in Florida have chartered the Regal Empress for a "Yes We Can" cruise to Washington for the festivities.

The voyage will cost around $1,000 per person -- less than the cost of airline tickets and a hotel for the week during the event.

NBC Washington says the eight-night voyage will depart Fort Lauderdale on Jan. 16 and arrive in Baltimore on Jan. 19, the day before the inauguration. Passengers will travel to Washington by bus and train on Jan. 20 to view the inauguration before returning to the ship. The vessel will depart for Florida on Jan. 21 and make a brief stop in The Bahamas before returning to Ft. Lauderdale on Jan. 24.

The 1,475-passenger Regal Empress, a vintage ocean liner that dates back to the 1950s (fans will remember it as the Greek Line's Olympia), has been spending the last few years sailing two- and three-night cruises to The Bahamas out of Fort Lauderdale under the Imperial Majesty flag. The ship is scheduled to retire in February.

NEW YORK – The value of the U.S. dollar is surging, gas prices are at their lowest levels in four years, and hotel rates are softening. If you can afford a vacation, 2009 will be "the year of travel deals," predicts Genevieve Shaw Brown, senior editor of Travelocity. "As long as the economic slowdown continues, deals will abound for people who do have discretionary income to travel."

Pauline Frommer, the guidebook writer, agreed. "Because of the sharp drop off in bookings, we're seeing some pretty deep discounts to just about everywhere," she said, citing as an example Walt Disney World's offer of seven nights for the price of four. "It's definitely going to be a buyers' market next year."

But even though travel is becoming more affordable, more people are expected to stay home due to the recession. The Travel Industry Association predicts a 1.3 percent drop in 2009 leisure travel.

(Dec. 16, 2008) – Delta Air Lines’ customers can now book convenient nonstop flights between Detroit Metro Airport and Rome’s Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport for service beginning on June 4, 2009. The flight will make travel to the Eternal City more accessible through Detroit’s 115 easy connections and will complement Delta’s existing nonstop daily service between Rome and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport and twice daily nonstop from New York’s John F. Kennedy-JFK International Airport.

New flights to Rome are available for sale at nwa.com, delta.com, through travel agencies or by calling Northwest Reservations at 1-800-225-2525 or Delta Reservations at 1-800-221-1212. To celebrate the new flight between Detroit and Rome, Delta is offering a one-way special fare of $699 from Detroit to Rome (based on a round-trip purchase) for travel through July 3, 2009. Special-fare tickets must be purchased by Dec. 24, 2008. Additional taxes, fees, baggage charges and restrictions apply.

“As the leading U.S. carrier to Italy, Delta is pleased to add nonstop connections for customers in Detroit and across the United States to Rome – Italy’s leading destination,” said Bob Cortelyou, Delta’s senior vice president-Network Planning. “We have strategically scheduled flight times between our Detroit hub and Rome to ensure optimal connections.”

Delta’s subsidiary Northwest will operate the service in cooperation with Northwest’s joint venture partner, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, using Airbus 330 aircraft with 298 seats -- 34 in business class and 264 in economy. The airline’s A330s are equipped with World Business Class lie-flat seats featuring a privacy canopy, 60 inches of space between seats, and personal laptop computer power. Customers traveling in both the A330’s business and economy cabins enjoy on-demand in-flight entertainment with a wide selection of movies, games and on-board shopping.

Delta’s new service between Detroit and Rome will operate as follows:

Flight	Departs	Arrives	Effective	Frequency
NW50	Detroit at 7:45 p.m.	Rome at 11 a.m. (next day)	June 4, 2009	Daily
NW49	Rome at 1 p.m.	Detroit at 5:50 p.m.	June 5, 2009	Daily

Delta offers more service between the United States and Italy than any other airline. During the peak summer 2009 season, Delta plans to offer 59 weekly nonstop flights to and from Italy – 14 between Milan and New York-JFK and Atlanta; 28 between Rome and Atlanta, Detroit and New York-JFK; 11 between Venice and Atlanta and New York-JFK; and six between Pisa/Florence and New York-JFK.

Northwest Airlines & KLM Royal Dutch Airlines | Department A6543 2700 Lone Oak Parkway | Eagan, MN 55121 WorldAgent Direct | privacy policy | unsubscribe Northwest Airlines is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Delta Air Lines

New choices in Europe and Alaska, extension of Pride of America’s

Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) today announced its 2010-2011 summer deployment and itineraries with new choices in Europe and Alaska, along with a long-term commitment to its profitable Hawai`i deployment on Pride of America. These cruises go on sale to NCL’s Latitudes members (past guests) today, December 9, 2008, and to the general public on December 11, 2008.

NCL’s Summer 2010-2011 Deployment/2 Norwegian Sun’s new itinerary also features two new ports -- Icy Strait Point and Sitka, Alaska. In addition, several land packages from Whittier will be offered as part of a pre- or post-cruise package.

Europe

NCL continues sailing to Bermuda with Norwegian Dawn sailing seven-day cruises with three full days in Bermuda and the newly renovated Norwegian Spirit exclusively sailing seven-day cruises from Boston.

Pride of America’s successful deployment in Hawai`i, sailing seven-day Hawai’i inter-island cruises round-trip from Honolulu, Oahu, has been extended through January 2012.

In 2010-2011, NCL will sail the following itineraries:

"For the summer of 2010, we have some of the most diverse and interesting itineraries in the key summer destinations. With exciting new offerings from Venice and Vancouver, we have added to the already diverse range of choices in these popular destinations," said Kevin Sheehan, NCL’s president and CEO. "These itineraries aboard the youngest fleet in the industry, combined with the freedom and flexibility that Freestyle Cruising offers, ensure that our guests will experience the vacation of a lifetime when sailing with NCL."

In Europe, NCL will continue its largest ever deployment with three of its newest Freestyle Cruising ships positioned there. For the first time ever, NCL will homeport a ship, Norwegian Gem, in Venice, Italy sailing two different seven-day Adriatic, Greek Isles and Turkey cruises. Norwegian Jade will homeport in Barcelona and Norwegian Jewel will sail a 12-day Baltic Capitals cruise round-trip from London (Dover), England.

In Alaska, NCL is positioning three Freestyle Cruising ships, including Norwegian Pearl and Norwegian Star sailing seven-day Sawyer Glacier and Glacier Bay cruises from Seattle, and Norwegian Sun sailing a seven-day itinerary between Vancouver, British Columbia and Whittier, Alaska featuring Hubbard Glacier and College Fjord.

-- more

• Do not gift-wrap carryon items. Security officers are required to remove the wrapping paper. Wrapped gifts should be packed in your checked bags, according to TSA spokesman Christopher White.

• Do not bring remote-controlled toys as carry-on luggage. "Unfortunately in this world we live in, terrorists have an interest in using remote-controlled detonators," White said. You can put them in checked bags.

• Pies (and other food, such as gingerbread, cookies and the like) are permitted as carry-on items. "It doesn't matter the consistency, though we may perform some additional scrutiny on the passenger or the plate," White said.

• Jams and jellies are considered gels and are therefore subject to the 3-1-1 rules if brought as carry-on items: They must be in containers no bigger than 3 ounces, and they must all fit in one one-quart clear zip-top plastic bag. (Otherwise, wrap them carefully to prevent breakage, and put them with your checked bags.)

Every airport in the country with more than one security lane now has a designated "family lane," but you don't need to be traveling with children to use it, according to TSA spokesman Christopher White. These lanes are open to any travelers who don't want to be rushed, whether due to special needs, or just wanting a few more minutes to remove shoes and coats, open up laptops and deal with other items. Travelers carrying medically necessary liquids over 3 ounces (such as diabetics) should also use the family lanes, White said.

Good news for the future: Checkpoint X-ray machines are being upgraded with advanced technology that can distinguish between liquid explosives and beverages, so "we are considering making changes some time in 2009" on the ban on liquids over 3 ounces, White said.

More information at tsa.gov.

The only silver lining from the nationwide economic crisis is that fuel prices have decreased dramatically. For cruisers, the drastic fall in fuel will save them a few more dollars on their cruise vacation. All three of the big cruise operators—Carnival Corp., Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. and Norwegian Cruise Line—have ended their fuel supplements, which they began instituting earlier this year as response to the then dramatic increase in fuel costs. 

Here's the breakdown:

Carnival Corp. has ended its fuel supplement on its North American brands for all cruises that depart after December 17. This applies to: Carnival Cruise Lines, Costa Cruises, Cunard Line, Holland America, Princess Cruises and Seabourn. In light of the change, a refund of the fuel supplement will be made in the form of a shipboard credit for all bookings within the final payment period for departures on or after December 17. Bookings outside of the final payment period for departures on or after December 17 will be adjusted to remove the fuel supplement and guests will be provided with a revised final payment amount.

Carnival says it "reserves the right to re-instate the fuel supplement for all guests at up to $9 per person per day (except Seabourn, which would be up to $15 per person per day) should the price of light sweet crude oil according to the NYMEX (New York Mercantile Exchange Index) increase above $70 per barrel."

The fuel supplement for five of the six brands is currently $9 per person per day for the first and second guest (not to exceed $126 per person per voyage) and $4 per person per day for third, fourth and fifth guests (not to exceed $56 per person per voyage). Luxury line Seabourn's fuel supplement is $15 per person per day for the first and second guest (not to exceed $210 per person per voyage) and $4 per person per day for third and fourth guests (not to exceed $56 per person per voyage). 

Meanwhile, Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) had announced that its fuel supplement will not apply to bookings made on or after November 10 for sailings that depart on or after January 1, 2010. Now, the cruise line has announced that it is suspending its fuel supplement effective immediately for all voyages departing in 2009. Refunds will be provided through an on-board credit for all 2009 bookings within the final payment period and all 2009 bookings outside of the final payment period will be readjusted with the fuel supplement removed and final payment revised.

NCL will continue to monitor global fuel prices to determine whether the fuel supplement will be reimplemented in the future. It reserves the right to reinstate the fuel supplement if the price of light sweet crude oil according to the NYMEX (New York Mercantile Exchange Index) increases above $65 per barrel.

Royal Caribbean Cruises was the last of the Big Three to end its fuel supplement; it will suspend its fuel supplement for Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises and Azamara Cruises on voyages, which depart on or after January 1, 2009. Similar to the other lines, Royal Caribbean said its decision was based on "the recently sustained lower price of fuel."

Effective December 8, guests making new bookings for sailings that depart on or after January 1, 2009, will not be charged the fuel supplement.

Guests who have already booked a voyage that departs on or after January 1, 2009, will receive a refund of any fuel supplement paid, as follows: Guests with existing bookings for sailings that depart on or after January 1, 2009, and who are now paid in full, will have the supplement automatically refunded to them in the form of an onboard credit during their sailing; guests with existing bookings for sailings that depart on or after January 1, 2009, and who are not yet paid in full, will have the supplement automatically removed from their outstanding balance.

Royal Caribbean says it retains the right to reinstate fuel supplement charges if the price of West Texas Intermediate fuel exceeds $65 per barrel, on the quarterly milestone dates mentioned by the company in October.

The company announced on October 24, 2008, that no fuel supplement would be charged for new bookings made on or after November 10, 2008, for sailings that depart on or after January 1, 2010, unless there is an upturn in fuel prices.

Without question, US Airways has plenty of reasons to brag this year." That's from The Charlotte Observer, which reports that US Airways' oft-maligned service has actually dramatically improved during the past year. The paper notes that "through September, (US Airways) just missed being the best major carrier for on-time arrivals, and it continues to climb the list for fewest mishandled bags." The Observer adds US Airways "is running a much smoother operation than last year, when it was the worst airline for on-time flights."

However, the Observer says the "improvements haven't translated into more favorable opinions" about US Airways, which the paper says "still gets the most gripes per passenger among major carriers." US Airways officials say they're aware of that disconnect and that they plan to take action. In 2009, airline executives say they’ll try to tackle customers' top complaints, which are customer service, reservations, ticketing and boarding, according to the Observer.

"We were properly prioritized in fixing our reliability first" this year, Kerry Hester, US Airways' vice president of reservations and customer service planning, tells the paper. "What we're focusing on in 2009 is being easier to do business with." Already, complaints are down at US Airways. Still, while the improvement in complaints lags the carrier's bettered operations numbers, complaints are down 40% at this year when compared to the same period a year ago. "We're closing the gap," Hester tells the Observer.

Industry observers point to several factors that could be helping to keep complaints high at US Airways, even as service improves. One reason may be that US Airways has been at the forefront of new fees and frequent-flier changes that have proven unpopular with customers -– something that may make fliers more likely to gripe when things go wrong. Seth Kaplan, of trade magazine Airline Weekly, tells the Observer "they might have pushed too far" with some of the changes.

MLT Vacations Assumes Management of Continental Airlines Vacations November 1

"We are honored to have been selected by Continental Airlines to manage their packaged vacation business and thrilled to be working with the travel agent community to offer vacation packages to their customers", said Ken Pomerantz, President and Chief Marketing Officer for MLT Vacations. "Continental Airlines Vacations will combine the best of one of the world’s leading airlines, outstanding global destinations, and the great service that MLT has delivered over the last 36 years."

The news of the transition was met with excitement and enthusiasm from travel agents when it was announced earlier this month at the company's annual travel agent conference, MLT University. "We are excited to sell Continental Airlines Vacations to our customers," said Bob Reichert of Sunshine Vacations in Oklahoma City.  "People love Continental Airlines and we know that with MLT servicing the packages, our customers will be very satisfied with their experience."

MLT Vacations is offering travel agents 15% commission on the entire land portion of all Continental Airlines Vacations packages. In addition, the tour operator is offering a special commission of 10% on the air portion of any vacation package to Europe.

Continental Airlines Vacations packages are available exclusively through MLT Vacations and can be booked via WorldAgent Direct, the company’s travel agent-only website that offers an easy, convenient one-stop vacation planning and booking experience, or by calling 1-800-727-1111.  WorldAgent Direct gives travel agents access to in-depth destination and product information, exclusive marketing tools, travel agent specials, and more.

Current WorldAgent Direct users can log on with their current user ID and password to start selling Continental Airlines Vacations packages immediately. New WorldAgent Direct users should go to www.worldagentdirect.com and click on "Register your agency now". Travel agents with questions can contact Sales Support at 1-800-283-7268.

About Continental Airlines
Continental Airlines is the world's fifth largest airline. Continental, together with Continental Express and Continental Connection, has more than 2,500 daily departures throughout the Americas, Europe and Asia, serving 134 domestic and 131 international destinations. More than 675 additional points are served via alliance partners.  With more than 43,000 employees, Continental has hubs serving New York, Houston, Cleveland and Guam, and together with Continental Express, carries approximately 69 million passengers per year.
Continental consistently earns awards and critical acclaim for both its operation and its corporate culture.  For the fifth consecutive year, FORTUNE magazine named Continental the No. 1 World’s Most Admired Airline on its 2008 list of World’s Most Admired Companies. For more company information, go to continental.com.

About MLT Vacations
MLT Vacations is one of the largest providers of vacation packages in the United States. The company manages multiple packaged vacation brands, including: NWA WorldVacations, Worry-Free Vacations, and Continental Airlines Vacations. NWA WorldVacations offers vacation packages via scheduled air service on Northwest Airlines and airline partners, with convenient connections from many US cities, to destinations in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, Europe and Asia, including luxury vacation packages and destination weddings and honeymoons.  Worry-Free Vacations offers charter vacation packages from several U.S. cities to destinations in Mexico and the Caribbean. Continental Airlines Vacations offers vacation packages via scheduled air service on Continental Airlines with convenient connections from many US cities, to destinations in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, Europe, and Asia. For more information, visit www.worldagentdirect.com.

The Travel Industry Assn. says a survey finds that despite the faltering economy, Americans will maintain their traditional holiday travel plans.

By Catherine Ho,
10:59 AM PST, November 11, 2008

Comparing airlines' Airbus A380s

Despite the economic downturn, a survey shows most Americans will keep their holiday travel plans so they can maintain tradition with family and friends, the Travel Industry Assn. said today.

"Even though there are many apparent reasons to stay home this year, Americans really value travel and will stick to it as much as they can," said Suzanne Cook, senior vice president of research at the association, a Washington, D.C.- based trade organization that represents the $740-billion U.S. travel industry.

"Most people traveling during the holidays feel the time and money they spend is a small price to pay to be with the people they love," Cook said.

The industry association based its conclusions on an online survey of 2,256 people last week by Harris Interactive, Rochester, N.Y.-based market research firm.

Holiday travel costs are up 25% to 30% from last year, said Drew Patterson, vice president of marketing for Kayak.com, , a leading travel search engine.

Still, 73% of people surveyed said they will continue with travel plans this holiday season, according to an October survey by Kayak.com.

But travelers are looking for other ways to save, including booking flights with longer layovers, planning shorter trips, and staying with relatives or friends instead of a hotel.

Falling gas prices may also stimulate more driving this holiday season.

"Now that gas prices are down, that certainly gives people a lot more options," said Marie Montgomery, spokeswoman for AAA. "Maybe they can go a little farther, maybe they can spend another day ... they have that many more options when gas prices are lower."

Gas prices in Los Angeles fell nearly 30 cents last week to their lowest levels of the year, according to AAA’s gas watch. The average price of gasoline in the Los Angeles-Long Beach area was $2.73 a gallon on Friday -- 29 cents less than the previous week and 81 cents less than last month.

Ho is a Times staff writer.

catherine.ho@latimes.com

More Photos »
 

November 14, 2008

As you are aware, Carnival Cruise Lines has undertaken an extensive stateroom recategorization effort with [22] ships reclassified under the new system since August.  

Effective Friday, November 14, 2008, staterooms on the remaining 2,052-passenger Fantasy Class Ships - Carnival Ecstasy, Carnival Elation and Carnival Fantasy - will be recategorized.

In addition to the Fantasy Class recategorization, the obstructed, ocean view staterooms (category 5A) on the Spirit Class Ships – Carnival Spirit, Carnival Pride, Carnival Legend and Carnival Miracle – will be recategorized to interior staterooms. 

The stateroom recategorization for the balance of the fleet is scheduled for completion by the end of 2008.

For additional information on this project, we invite you to view a webinar currently available at Carnival’s travel agent portal, www.BookCCL.com. You can also contact Carnival’s reservations department at 1-800-327-9501 (individual) or 1-800-327-5782 (groups).

Service made possible through successful Delta-Air France joint venture. Pittsburgh, Raleigh-Durham customers to enjoy connecting opportunities to more than 90 cities in Europe via Paris hub

(November 7, 2008) - Delta Air Lines announced yesterday the start of two additional nonstop flights between France and the United States with the airline’s first-ever nonstop service between Paris-Charles deGaulle International Airport and Raleigh-Durham, N.C. and Pittsburgh. The new routes, enabled by Delta’s successful joint venture with Air France, will offer customers in both cities convenient connections to more than 90 cities in Europe via Air France’s Paris hub.

Delta will make history in Pittsburgh and Raleigh-Durham with its new flights. The new trans-Atlantic route from Pittsburgh will be the only nonstop transatlantic service offered by any airline from the city. The new route from Raleigh-Durham will be Delta’s first-ever nonstop trans-Atlantic flight offered from North Carolina and will be operated from Raleigh’s terminal two, the airport’s newest terminal, which opened Oct. 26.

The new nonstop service from both markets will be launched in June 2009. The routes will be operated by Boeing 757-200 aircraft, with seating for up to 174 passengers, including 16 seats in Delta’s BusinessElite and 158 in economy class. Delta flights between France and both Raleigh-Durham and Pittsburgh are available for booking now online at delta.com. Flight schedules are as follows:

Delta’s new service between Raleigh-Durham and Paris

Flight	Departs	Arrives	Effective	Frequency
204	Raleigh-Durcham at 6:20 p.m.	Paris at 8:35 a.m. (next day)	June 2, 2009	Daily (except Monday and Thursday)
205	Paris at 10:30 a.m.	Raleigh-Durham at 2:15 p.m.	June 4, 2009	Daily (except Wednesday and Saturday)

Delta’s new service between Pittsburgh and Paris

Flight	Departs	Arrives	Effective	Frequency
188	Pittsburgh at 6:15 p.m.	Paris at 8:20 a.m. (next day)	June 3, 2009	Daily (expect Tuesday and Friday)
189	Paris at 10:40 a.m.	Pittsburgh at 1:55 p.m.	June 3, 2009	Daily (expect Tuesday and Friday)

To celebrate the new service Delta is offering a one-way special fare of $599* from Raleigh-Durham to Paris and from Pittsburgh to Paris (based on a round-trip purchase) for travel through June 30, 2009. However, customers should act fast as availability is limited and tickets at these fares must be purchased by Nov. 21, 2008.

*Additional taxes/fees/restrictions/baggage charges may

Please Note: We are in the process of adding detailed information about our "cancel for any reason" Comprehensive Insurance Plan. We anticipate the plan to be available on or before November 7, 2008. Thank you for your patience.

In keeping with recent trends in the industry, Vacation Express has decided to add a new option to its current insurance plans, which will go into effect by November 7, 2008.

The new plan will be called "Comprehensive Insurance" and will allow clients to cancel for any reason and receive a full cash refund for the total package price minus the cost of the insurance. Non-refundable scheduled air tickets will also be included in the refund. The cost for this new insurance plan will be $119 for adults and $55 for children. And best of all, unlike other "cancel for any reason" plans, Vacation Express provides an option for the agent to protect his/her commission at no additional charge!

Under this new insurance plan, agents will be able to retain their commission provided the client cancels for a valid reason. Details of what constitutes a "valid reason" will be outlined prior to November 7, but includes the most common circumstances, such as sickness, accidents, etc. In the event the client has no "valid" reason, the agent's commission will still be protected up to $100.

"Even though many agents like the "cancel for any reason" plan for their clients, there are still benefits in selling the traditional PPP plan", stated Mr. Jongmans. "Under the current PPP plan, clients receive a voucher to use within one year from the original travel date, which ensures that the client returns to the original travel agent to book their future trip. At a time when many agents are concerned about losing their clients to the online companies, there is a definite benefit in knowing that your client will have to come back to you."

Effective by November 7, Vacation Express will continue to offer its existing Penalty Protection Plan, which is $49 for 'Land Only' bookings and $69 for 'Air Inclusive' bookings. The $99 PPP+ plan will be discontinued. For any bookings made prior to the new plans activation, which include the PPP or PPP+ plan, agents will have the option to switch to the new Comprehensive Insurance Plan, provided that this change is made no later than five days after activation. Note that bookings paid in full prior to the new plans activation that do NOT include either the PPP or PPP+ cannot be upgraded to the new Comprehensive Insurance Plan.

Details on complete coverage and other components will be made available by November 7, and will be communicated via email and will also be available on the vacationexpress.net site.

Says Rene Jongmans, President of Vacation Express, "In listening to agents talk about the pros and cons of the various "cancel for any reason" plans offered by others, the main disadvantage has always been that the agent's commission is not protected. Therefore, it was very important to me to provide a plan that is not only consumer friendly, but also takes into consideration the efforts put forth by agents. I am convinced that agents will soon realize that this new plan exceeds anything that is currently offered in the market, and I anticipate a strong increase in bookings because of this added option offered by Vacation Express."

Airline passenger traffic typically jumps during the holiday season but higher air fares may curb demand.

Yet, this fall, especially during the holiday crunch, Americans face a greater chance of paying $1,000 just to fly to Ithaca, N.Y., Santa Barbara, Calif., or Raleigh, N.C. In coach. Excluding the cost of checking a single bag.

To counter jet-fuel prices that hit new records for most of this year until recently, airlines have been slashing domestic capacity by reducing frequencies, pulling out of airports and dropping unprofitable routes. With fewer seats to sell and, until recently, steady demand, the airlines have been bolder with pricing.

According to Sabre Airline Solutions' study of hundreds of thousands of tickets bought through September for Thanksgiving-period travel, 3.8% of round-trip tickets that consumers bought cost $1,000 or more — nearly double last year's percentage. Another 5.2% of tickets purchased cost at least $900 round trip — also nearly double last year's share, the study shows.

At a time of mounting economic insecurity, $1,000 could be the point where consumers revolt — and some already have.

"It's going to be the tipping point that's going to change travel," says Susan Tanzman, president of Martin's Travel & Tours in Los Angeles, who's already seen customers drop travel plans because of $1,000 airfares.

Bonnie McKenna of Houston, a retiree and avid deep-sea diver, says she wouldn't pay it to fly within the USA. "Heck, I can go to Indonesia for that much money," she says.

Americans may have to get used to domestic fares approaching $1,000, whether they want to enjoy a tropical holiday in Hawaii or a modest Thanksgiving with relatives in Connecticut.

And growth of big-ticket fares is forcing many families to make choices this year, says Michael McCall, a marketing professor at Ithaca College.

"If you think, $1,000 for four days, that's $250 a day," he says. "Is the family worth $250 a day?"

McCall's familiar with those difficult decisions. This Thanksgiving will be his family's first without their eldest son, a junior at Arizona State. A ticket from Phoenix to Ithaca, N.Y., would cost around $1,200, McCall says, and his son preferred they spend the money on something else, such as tuition for him and his younger brother, who attends Michigan State.

Almost all of 50 travelers who replied to a USA TODAY inquiry about whether they'd pay $1,000 to fly within the USA said no. Most said they'd either change their plans to get a cheaper fare or cancel their trip.

"There's some threshold that you just don't want to cross," says Pat McGuckin of Sherman, Ill. McGuckin and his wife, Carol, regularly fly to Ireland and Scotland, and when they see $1,000 fares, they wait until fares drop. He says he wouldn't pay it for a domestic flight.

Double your fun?

Paying $1,000 per person for an airline ticket alone would mean that it costs as much to get there and back as it does to vacation for four days. According to the Travel Industry Association, Americans spend $1,067 on the average four-day vacation, excluding transportation costs.

Some people say they'd begrudgingly make exceptions, such as a family emergency or death. E.J. McNaughton, who lives near Indianapolis, says his tipping point is about $600, but he'd pay $1,000 for a family emergency.

"Rational thoughts and analysis go out the door when you're dealing with highly emotional events," says Deana Julka, a psychology professor at the University of Portland. "When they're making a planned trip, it's much more of a rational process, and there's weighing of pros and cons."

Larry Vales, of Raleigh, has decided that from now on, he'll fly home to California for either Thanksgiving or Christmas — not for both, as he did last year.

"If I wanted to stretch, I could go, but I was looking at the value of it," Vales says. "As much as I like my family, when you start getting into the $700, $800 and $900 range, I'm not going to fly out twice in two months."

What is it about $1,000 — besides sheer cost — that makes people view flying differently?

Like gasoline when it topped $4 a gallon this summer, people resent $1,000 domestic tickets because it's the same product at a higher price, McCall says.

"You're not getting a better seat, you're not getting food, you're not getting anything dramatically different than last year," he says.

Consumers who can afford to pay $1,000 per person could justify the sum by considering what they'd get in return, such as special time with family or a fun vacation, says Ravi Dhar, a marketing professor at Yale and director of its Center for Customer Insights. "But what people end up doing is comparing the airline price to the price they used to pay a few months ago," he says. "It makes it harder to spend, because it seems unfair."

Besides, "The price jumps have been pretty significant," says Dhar, who recently paid $850 for a round-trip, midweek business flight between New Haven, Conn., and Charlotte, a two-hour flight. "People notice jumps."

Consumers also "hate paying" for certain things in life — such as parking, dry cleaning and expensive gas, and this is no different, he says. "It's not just the $3 or $4 gas; it was really the principle of it," he says.

Among frequent business fliers who've been watching airlines cut service and add fees recently, there's also a lack of goodwill toward the industry, Dhar says.

"What makes it worse in this industry is that the customer already feels shafted in some sense," he says.

Scott Woehrle, of Denver, says that for $1,000, he'd have much higher expectations. When he flew back from a New York vacation, for instance, his flight arrived in Denver eight hours late due to the airline's problems.

"If they think they are going to get that price, they are going to have to provide a level of service worthy of (it)," Woehrle says.

More people this year than last year will probably explore alternatives, such as carving up a turkey the weekend before or after Thanksgiving or driving to a place that's within reach of all, says Henry Harteveldt, a Forrester Research analyst who covers the travel industry.

"Even a fare of $800 or $500 per person, plus the other associated expenses and fees, is too expensive for a family of four," he says. "This is certainly going to be a tougher holiday season to enjoy on many fronts."

To cope with big fares, particularly when economic news has been so dire, people are:

•Staying home. Some of Tanzman's well-heeled California clients have decided against flying to time-share units in Hawaii for Thanksgiving due to the airfares, she says. The clients typically paid about $400, but this year, fares are running $800 to $1,000, she says. "They think we're nuts," Tanzman says. Fall capacity between Los Angeles and Honolulu fell by 12% in November vs. last year.

•Driving. Ed and Debra Mucha of Hamden, Conn., got sticker shock in August when they shopped for Christmastime fares to visit their children and grandchildren. Instead of taking their annual flight to South Carolina loaded down with presents, the entire family agreed to drive and meet halfway, in the Washington, D.C., area. They'll spend time together, visiting historic sites and eating out. "It beats trying to fly," Ed Mucha says.

•Hunting deals. In August, when Matt Walsh, of Seattle, started shopping for Christmastime tickets to Washington, D.C., he found fares as high as $1,500 from Northwest, his favorite airline. Because it was far more than the $600 he and his wife wanted to spend, he kept surfing the Web. "I can afford it, but in principle, I couldn't do it," he says. Two weeks later, he found $425 seats on Alaska Air.

•Adjusting plans. Randall Lowry, of New York, usually flies with his wife to Santa Barbara to spend time with his relatives, then to Fort Lauderdale to visit his wife's family, before flying home. But this year, he says the tickets were costing more than $1,000 each, vs. $550 to $750 in past years, so he adjusted their tradition. This year, they're flying to Phoenix to see his mother before going to Florida. Tickets cost $750 each, he says.

Due to the unwieldy economy, Forrester's Harteveldt says that 28% of leisure round-trip tickets are in jeopardy. Airline officials are saying that bookings for the rest of this year are 10% to 15% lower than in 2007 because the most-price-sensitive fliers "have all but disappeared," he says.

Beginning to just say no

Airlines are already seeing a decline in passengers. In September, American Airlines' domestic traffic fell 11.7% vs. a year ago, exceeding its 9.4% cut in capacity.

Once jet fuel started to spike, airlines finally found the opportunity to do what they'd long needed to: raise fares, says research scientist Peter Belobaba, who manages MIT's Global Airline Industry Program.

"People got used to paying $69 or $89 each way to fly to Florida," he says. Belobaba suspects that many snowbirds will still fly even with $500 fares during the holiday season and the rest of this winter, but they'll probably skimp on hotel stays.

Now, as the tattered economy reduces demand and oil prices fall, the frequency of paying $1,000 for a domestic fare could fade, says Chris Spidle, Sabre Airline Solution's research director. "We may be on the cusp of a turning point, and consumers could see more deals in coming months," Spidle says.

For the holidays, however, airlines are pinning their hopes on people such as Reba and Glenn McClanan, senior citizens from Virginia Beach, with two children and three grandchildren in Portland, Ore.

Reba McClanan hasn't yet bought tickets for their Christmas trip to Portland because everyone's still coordinating their various work, school and vacation schedules. She's bracing for the worst. She's used to paying about $440 per person, including the senior's discount, on Southwest, but many of the specially priced tickets around Christmas week are sold out. She says she won't be surprised if she misses the senior rates entirely and is left with options approaching $1,000.

"There's probably no other reason in the world that I would pay an unreasonable fare but to see grandchildren at Christmastime," she says. "They have me. I will do whatever is necessary."

DELTA AND NORTHWEST TOGETHER
It's business as usual with a focus on smooth integration

We are excited to announce that Northwest Airlines is now a part of Delta!

For you, this means it's business as usual right now, as we combine to create a premier global airline with a leading presence in the world's major markets and a best-in-class loyalty program.

Rest assured that there is no change to your WorldPerks miles or your program status. And, you should continue to:

• Purchase tickets and modify existing reservations as you've always done via nwa.com or NWA Reservations at 1-800-225-2525
• Check in, check baggage and do business directly with the airline you are flying just as you did before the merger
• Earn WorldPerks miles as usual with Northwest and our Mileage Partners
• Redeem WorldPerks miles for award ticket travel, PerkChoice Cash and Miles award tickets, and items on WorldPerks Auctions
• Enjoy uninterrupted access to WorldClubs

And if you become a WorldPerks Elite member, you will enjoy complimentary upgrades when flying Delta. It's just one of the many WorldPerks advantages you'll enjoy as we work to combine our programs in a smooth and seamless manner, while providing the exceptional service you know and expect.

As always, our #1 priority is to get you to your destination safely, on time and with world-class customer service. Please visit nwa.com for more merger information.

Thank you for your continued loyalty and support.


Richard Anderson
Chief Executive Officer - Delta Air Lines
 

October 24, 2008

Dear Travel Agent Partners:

As you are aware, Carnival Cruise Lines has undertaken an extensive stateroom recategorization effort with [thirteen] ships reclassified under the new system since August.

Effective Friday, October 24, 2008, staterooms on the 2,052-passenger Carnival Sensation will be recategorized.

The Carnival Sensation's recategorization includes 98 new balcony staterooms that will be added to the vessel during its upcoming dry dock in January 2009. Reservations for these new balcony cabins are already being accepted for sailings on or after February 12, 2009.

The stateroom recategorization for the balance of the fleet is scheduled for completion by the end of 2008.

For additional information on this project, we invite you to view a webinar currently available at Carnival's travel agent portal, www.BookCCL.com. You can also contact Carnival's reservations department at 1-800-327-9501 (individual) or 1-800-327-5782 (groups).

We thank you for your continued support and welcome your feedback on this new initiative as it continues to move forward.

Sincerely,

Celebrity Cruises has launched a new shopping program, and as of today, it is open for business

® School; timetospa®;SM, which includes products by Riedel® Crystal, the world-renowned

and Celebrity Vineyards

manufacturer of wine glasses that offers comparative wine workshops on Celebrity’s ships.

“Based on feedback from our guests and travel agent partners as well as the growing popularity

of online shopping in today’s marketplace, we wanted to create a virtual experience reflective of

the bricks-and-mortar shopping experience that we offer on our ships,” said Lisa Lutoff-Perlo,

Celebrity’s vice president of hotel operations and onboard revenue. “The complete Shop Celebrity

program offers something for everyone, anytime, whether they want to surprise a friend or a client

with an onboard gift, or whether they want stylish keepsakes for themselves or others.”

Shop Celebrity includes a comprehensive new amenities program named “Gifts by Celebrity,”

which is comprised of three categories:

• “Shop Aboard,” where consumers or travel agents can purchase items for themselves or gifts

for others, that will be delivered onboard during a particular sailing. Travel agents are eligible for

a 10% discount when placing “Shop Aboard” orders by phone, and will soon have access to a

unique, agents-only website that will offer the same discount. The discount applies exclusively

to gifts that the travel agents are buying for their clients who are sailing with Celebrity.

• “Shop Ashore,” where consumers or travel agents can purchase items to be delivered to

Celebrity guests’ homes or offices either before or after a cruise. Items can be delivered

throughout the continental United States and to select cities around the globe.

• “Group Gifts by Celebrity,” which offers a wide variety of items that consumers, travel agents

and meeting planners can order, for delivery to affinity and incentive groups sailing with

Celebrity; these items can be delivered before, during or after a cruise. Groups also have the

opportunity to add their logo to certain items that include the Celebrity logo. A volume discount

is available online.

Cruise enthusiasts are encouraged to “Shop Celebrity” by visiting www.celebritycruises.com/gifts.

.

©2008 Celebrity Cruises, Inc. Ship’s registry: The Bahamas, Malta and Ecuador. 08013070 Page 1 of 1

For more information and to book online visit vacationexpress.net

ATLANTA, GA. OCTOBER 9, 2008. Recent and on-going changes to airfares and airline ticketing rules

require an update to the current Vacation Express airfare guarantee policy.

Previously, agents could hold an air itinerary with Vacation Express and be guaranteed that fare. Effective

October 10, 2008, airfares will be guaranteed when money is received, applied to the record and ticketing

accomplished. This applies to both published and contract/private fares.

Says Rene Jongmans, President of Vacation Express: “Recently, several travel agents commented on

changes they had noticed in ticketing requirements when booking directly in the GDS. These changes pertain

to more frequently seen “1-hour sale fares” and to differences in airfare at the time of ticketing. It is important

for agents to realize that we are under the same strict guidelines as retail agents and therefore we have to

adjust our current policies.”

“Differences between booked and ticketed fares are not frequent but we have seen an increase in

occurrences in the past few months and expect that it will continue to happen in the future. In order to secure

the quoted rate, we strongly recommend that agents obtain full payment for the air portion of the package at

time of booking even if a 24-hour or 2 day option is allowed on the record”, says Gantt Cookson, Vice-

President of Operations.

To avoid any confusion or misunderstanding with travelers, Vacation Express asks that travel agents clearly

communicate with their clients that airfares are subject to change until money is received, applied to the

record and the ticketing process has been completed. We appreciate your support in this matter.

Vacation Express has been in existence for over 19 years and has sold well over 2 million vacation packages.

Based in Atlanta, Georgia, Vacation Express offers over 25 destinations in the Caribbean, Mexico and Costa

Rica and recently launched the Concierge Collection, its luxury hotel brand. Vacation Express is a privately

held company with a focus on client and agent satisfaction. Vacation Express can be reached at 800-486-

9777 Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m.– 7:00 p.m.; Saturday 10:00 a.m.– 4:00 p.m. & Sunday 11:00 a.m.– 4:00

p.m. ET.

Azamara Cruises has enhanced its offerings for travel agents who use various electronic systems

Travel Agent got a sneak peek at the new 122,000-ton Celebrity Solstice in Papenburg, Germany, on Saturday. We were part of a small media group comprising the first guests to ever stay onboard.

Our impressions? We would describe the 2,850-passenger ship— not yet finished and not yet delivered to the line— as incredibly elegant and classy, much more so than other new ships we've seen of late. Simply put, the design "shines" and the public areas are extremely spacious. Among the highlights is a 23,000-square-foot, top-deck Lawn Club, consisting of a specialized type of live grass and several soaring white canvas coverings; the area will be used for golf putting, picnics in the park and bocce ball.

Multiple alternative restaurants range from Asian to a steakhouse with an Italian flair. We dined in the casual Oceanview Cafe & Bar, featuring food islands separated by plenty of space for good guest flow during peak periods.

An elegant stunner is the Grand Epernay Dining Room, a dramatic two-story space with a massive glass wine tower as well as dramatic and elegant ceiling art. We also particularly liked everything to do with the spa— with its cool and pleasing blue-and-white color scheme including glass touches.

The ship also features new AquaClass staterooms; guests in those specialty accommodations have their own dedicated, intimate dining venue aptly called Blu. Our standard balcony stateroom was larger than the typical Celebrity staterooms on the line's other ships; the bathroom really was a star— with a large shower (by cruise ship standards) and an attractive vanity with several  small drawers and glass-enclosed shelving.

Interview with Dan Hanrahan 

In talking one-on-one with Dan Hanrahan, Celebrity Cruises' president and CEO, we gleaned some intel regarding the ship's pending launch; the line's marketing and sales plans; and Hanrahan's view of what the ship will do for the brand.

Hanrahan said advance bookings "are very, very good" for the ship's launch through the third quarter of 2009. In addition, he said the new Solstice class may change the brand's guest dynamics a bit.

"The Celebrity guest has never been a first timer [new curiser]," noted Hanrahan, but he believes "this ship has the ability to bring more first timers into the brand." While touring Travel Agent and other media guests around the new ship, he indicated it's possible that the ship may be delivered a bit early and, if so, the line might add yet another short trade/VIP preview cruise prior to the November 12 preview cruise already planned.

Hanrahan's view of the ship's pluses? He cites an “incredibly elegant design,” larger, more efficiently designed staterooms, diverse dining choices and "entertainment that sets us apart from the crowd."

Looking ahead to 2009, media-wise, Hanrahan said the line's marketing program will feature less television and more direct mail and email components. The line will add the ability to book spa treatments online by next spring. In discussing Celebrity Solstice's extensive use of solar energy, Hanrahan also said the line is also looking at other potential energy technologies including wind power testing, which will conducted on Celebrity Century later this year.

And finally, Hanrahan said the recent decision to opt out of upcoming Australian-New Zealand voyages with Celebrity Millennium was a decision based on many factors including high fuel costs, high airfare costs and the line's own guests having visited the South Pacific region in recent years; Hanrahan said past cruises in the region were successful but "maybe we're better off going every other year."

Interview with Richard Fain
 

Richard Fain, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.'s chairman and CEO, addressed the nation's economic woes while talking to reporters onboard Celebrity Solstice.

"I hope they fix it," he said about the Congress' efforts to develop an economic response to the worsening economy.  "Obviously, everyone suffers [in an economic downturn]," he continued. "These are troubling times."

But while acknowledging the seriousness of the situation, Fain also said the real strength of cruising is that the product throughout its history always has had "exceptional value."

He says that when times are tough, "the more they [consumers] look at a cruise, the better we stand out," particularly when compared to the cost of a land-based vacation.

Historic event attracts tens of thousands of area residents

(September 25, 2008) – Northwest Airlines Stockholders at the Northwest Airlines Corporation 2008 Annual Meeting in New York City today overwhelmingly voted in favor of the proposed merger with Delta Air Lines.

As of July 31, 2008, the record date for the vote, there were 253,349,623 shares of Northwest common stock outstanding and entitled to vote at the annual meeting. More than 98 percent of the shares voted supported adopting the merger agreement.

“This is a resounding vote of confidence by shareholders for our merger with Delta Air Lines and a great day for our employees, who will receive equity in the combined company and more stable, long-term employment opportunities,” said Doug Steenland, Northwest Airlines President and CEO. “The $2 billion in annual synergies achievable through this merger are something neither carrier could have achieved as a stand-alone carrier. The combined carrier will have a stronger balance sheet and best-in-class liquidity, which will put the airline in a position of financial stability. For small communities, this stability protects the service they depend on while creating the possibility for new routes and access to more of the world.”

Steenland added, “We anticipate regulatory approval from the Department of Justice by year-end, but we are already well down the path of integration planning to create the world’s premier global airline – one that will offer our customers the benefit of an end-to-end network and membership in the world’s largest frequent flyer program. For our customers, employees and the communities we serve, the new Delta will be the airline of choice and create a formidable, more durable competitor in the marketplace.”

The stockholders also re-elected the twelve current directors on the Northwest Board, approved an amendment to the Northwest 2007 Stock Incentive Plan, and ratified the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as Northwest’s independent registered public accounting firm for 2008.

Canival Conquest

The Galveston Daily News has some bad news this morning for people who sailed out of Galveston last week on cruises to the Caribbean: Your cars are more than likely ruined.

The news outlet quotes a city spokeswoman who says vehicles left in port parking lots last week by cruise passengers "are most likely a total loss" due to damage from Hurricane Ike.

Two ships sailed out of Galveston before the storm hit on Saturday -- the 2,974-passenger Carnival Conquest and the 2,052-passenger Carnival Ecstasy. As of early this morning, both were still at sea. As we reported last week, Carnival decided to go ahead with the Ecstasy sailing even after it became clear the storm would make landfall near the city and officials had issued a mandatory evacuation order.

RELATED ITEM: Carnival goes ahead with Galveston cruise despite evacuation order
TODAY'S DEBATE: Would you have sailed out of Galveston Thursday?
CONTEST: Click HERE for a chance to win a free Princess cruise

The Daily News also says the Port of Galveston could be shut down for an extended period in the wake of Hurricane Ike, and cruises likely will not resume for some time. The cruise terminal was flooded with two to three feet of water, and the wall next to the water was torn down, the news outlet says.

As we reported late Sunday, Carnival already has canceled two cruises scheduled to begin today at the port. The line says passengers scheduled to sail on the cruises -- on the Conquest and Ecstasy -- will receive full refunds.

With the Port of Galveston closed, the two ships are now heading to New Orleans, where they will disembark passengers over the next two days.

Cruise Loggers, leave your comments and questions below.

Photo of Carnival Conquest courtesy Carnival Cruise Lines

Northwest Airlines and PayPal are making booking summer travel easier by giving passengers the ability to book flights now and pay for them later with PayPal’s promotional financing service, PayPal Pay Later. As part of the introductory financing option, customers can buy tickets on nwa.com and defer payments for 90 days, allowing them to complete their payments on a timeline that works best for their budgets.

“PayPal has already demonstrated its value to our customers, providing a safe and easy way to pay for tickets online,” said Al Lenza, Northwest Airlines vice president, distribution and e-commerce. "Adding PayPal Pay Later gives our customers even more flexibility when paying for their next trip on Northwest Airlines.”

Northwest customers can use PayPal Pay Later even if they don’t have PayPal accounts. The streamlined application can be completed in 30 seconds and provides qualified travelers with instant access to credit.

Northwest Airlines has been offering PayPal as an online payment option since June 2007.

“Northwest Airlines was the first airline to accept PayPal payments, and now it’s also the first to accept PayPal Pay Later,” said Mary Anne Gillespie, vice president of sales at PayPal. “We are excited to expand Northwest Airlines’ payment options and offer their customers the security and convenience of PayPal Pay Later.”

Alexandria, Va., Aug. 28, 2008- Following on the heels of legal actions taken by various states, including California, against a multi-level travel marketing firm (MLMs), ASTA is reiterating its stance regarding MLMs and card mills.

Said ASTA President and CEO Cheryl Hudak, CTC: "While it may be possible for an MLM to operate within the law, when the rewards for participating individuals are based primarily on recruiting additional participants and not on selling the underlying product, it is appropriate for governments at both the federal and state level to investigate and act where deception and abuse are occurring. 

"ASTA is aware of a recent trade article in which a former ASTA official (16 years ago) was quoted in support of a multi-level travel marketing firm that has been sued by the State of California, among others. He is entitled to his opinion, but let me be clear that while we do not question his right to a contrary view, ASTA absolutely does not share the quoted opinion about the probable future of the travel industry.   

"Card mills are a different type of operation, in which the idea is to sell what purport to be travel agent credentials to consumers who are not planning to seriously engage in the sale of travel as a business but who are trying to secure professional courtesy discounts that are not intended for them. ASTA has actively opposed card mills for decades. We filed suit in California and the case was settled by our collecting and destroying the cards that had been issued.  We also complained to the Federal Trade Commission, but our request for a trade regulation rule was denied in large part due to lack of support from the supplier community," Hudak added.

In 2005, as a way to educate the public about the harm that multi-level travel marking firms and card mills pose to the travel industry and consumers, ASTA released to Better Business Bureaus (BBBs) and consumer protection agencies across the country a white paper entitled What Consumers and Consumer Protection Agencies Should Know About Travel Industry Card Mills. At the same time, this white paper ASTA was made available to consumers on TravelSense.org. To read, go to www.travelsense.org/consumer/index.cfm.

The paper examines how holders of card mill IDs differ from legitimate travel agents and what credentials legitimate travel agents may have. It details the ways in which travel industry card mills harm consumers and the travel industry.

ABOUT ASTA
ASTA's (American Society of Travel Agents) mission is to facilitate the business of selling travel through effective representation, shared knowledge and the enhancement of professionalism. ASTA seeks a retail travel marketplace that is profitable, growing and a rewarding place to work, invest and do business.

Bogus e-mail contains virus

Northwest Airlines today warned e-mail users that an e-mail containing phony ticket confirmation and enrollment information is being sent using the Company’s name. The e-mails are suspected of containing a virus that infects the user’s computer when they open attachments.

The e-mails thank the recipient for using the new service “Buy flight ticket Online” on the airline’s website. It states an account has been set up and gives the e-mail user an account number and password. It also tells them how much their credit card has been charged. An attachment is supposed to be the invoice and ticket but instead contains a virus that infects the user’s computer once it is opened.

The e-mail also contains spelling and grammatical errors.

Northwest Airlines’ vice president of e-commerce, Al Lenza says, “Customers should be aware that these e-mails are not coming from the airline. NWA itineraries are specific and contain information that customer will recognize. If the format does not look familiar to you, and you have not recently purchased a ticket, do not open the attachment. Delete the email right away.”