What's the Deal?

Bad weather, good luck

Fri, 05 Sep 2008 11:29:36 -0500

As luck would have it, tropical storm Hanna is cruising up the Atlantic coast with plans to swing right by us. Not so good. I was all set to wave off Baltimore cruisegoers this weekend, but after checking the schedule I see there are no cruises set to depart Locust Point this weekend. Talk about lucky.

It's the gap in schedule as Norwegian Cruise Line's Majesty moves out and Royal Caribbean's Grandeur of the Seas moves in for fall. Either way, the cruise season is almost over. Only 8 cruises from Baltimore remain, with destinations to Bermuda, New England and the Caribbean.

Turks and Caicos resort closes

Thu, 04 Sep 2008 14:05:02 -0500

The storms are taking their toll on Caribbean destinations. Beaches Turks and Caicos, the all-inclusive resort, is closing for the rest of the month because of damage from Hurricane Hanna. Guests who have reservations can go to other Beaches resorts in Jamaica or reschedule their trip anytime between Sept. 26- Dec. 2 or even next fall, according to Travel Weekly.

(Photo: Los Angeles Times)

Cruise Norway this fall and your companion travels free

Thu, 04 Sep 2008 12:59:00 -0500

Hurtigruten, formerly Norwegian Coastal Voyage, has a 2-for-1 special aboard select cruises to Norway this fall. Book a 12, 7 or 6-day voyage by Sept. 30 and your companion travels free. Airfare is not included. The 6-day cruises start at about $1,299 per person for an inside cabin. To make reservations, you need to call 866-257-6071.

Late flights a chronic problem for some airports

Thu, 04 Sep 2008 12:38:03 -0500

Late again? Then you must be on Delta Comair Flight 5610 from BWI to JFK. According to the Department of Transportation's July report, this flight is late more than 96% of the time. How late? Nearly two hours on average. It's not BWI's fault (they didn't have any other flights listed on the Top 25 chronically late list) - it's JFK. New York airports were among the most tardy. Among the Top 10 latest flights, all of them were Delta affiliates. I vote for Delta to go stand in the corner.

Save 50% on select Broadway shows

Tue, 02 Sep 2008 15:02:42 -0500

Something to sing about: Travelzoo points to several Broadway musicals that have reduced ticket prices for fall shows, including:

$45: "Monty Python's Spamalot" through Nov. 2 (40% OFF)

$46.50: "Phantom of the Opera" through Nov. 8 (49% OFF)

$55: "Legally Blonde" through Oct. 19 (55% OFF)

$55: "Boeing-Boeing" through Nov. 9 (50% OFF)

$65: "Mamma Mia!" through Oct. 31 (45% OFF)

Also, Off-Broadway's 20 for 20 launches today, offering $20 tickets, 20 minutes before showtime. Details here.

Southwest makes change with no change policy

Tue, 02 Sep 2008 14:49:33 -0500

Southwest wants passengers to keep the cash. Instead, they'll just take your credit card. The airline is doing away with those cash transactions for drinks and beer inflight. Beginning Sept. 9, flight attendants will only take credit cards or drink coupons. But don't worry, soda, coffee and tea are still free. And if you use your Rapid Rewards credit card onboard, you get double the dollars.

Tropical storms shuffle cruise itineraries

Sun, 31 Aug 2008 15:05:05 -0500

As if dealing with one storm is not enough. But cruise lines are having to play roulette with several ships at sea or just heading out. Cruises from Mobile, Ala. and Galveston, Texas, scheduled to head back tomorrow, are staying out to sea longer because of Gustav. This, of course, means that passengers on the next scheduled cruise will also be affected, as detailed at CruiseCritic.com.

Out in the Alantic, tropical storm Hanna is moseying along, disrupting cruises departing Florida for the Bahamas or the Caribbean. Carnival and Royal Caribbean have canceled some port calls in the Bahamas and Grand Cayman and re-ordered itineraries elsewhere. You can't fight Mother Nature, but you can work around her.

It's not too late to get out of New Orleans

Sun, 31 Aug 2008 14:57:45 -0500

Last flight leaves at 6:35 pm via American Airlines. Need to reschedule your vacation? Most airlines are offering rescheduling without penalty through Sept. 8. The Los Angeles Times has airline updates and a list of today's remaining flights.

Follow your iPhone from New York to London

Fri, 29 Aug 2008 10:03:58 -0500

Let your iPhone plan your trip. I mean it does everything else, so why not download your travel guide directly into your iPhone? Frommer's travel guides will soon be available from Apple.com and iTunes for $9.99. The digital versions include New York, San Francisco, London and Paris travel information, including interactive maps and links. Check out this demo from Frommers.

Phelps parade today at Disney World

Fri, 29 Aug 2008 06:40:38 -0500

Earlier this week, it was Tiger Woods. Today, it's Mickey. Oh, the magical world of Michael Phelps.

The golden swimmer is to receive a "Heroes Welcome" during a parade this morning at Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando.

It's expected, really, since Phelps seems to be quite the mouseketeer. He's been part of "Disney Swim With The Stars," shimmied into merman fishtails for a Disney "Fantasea" photo shoot and posed with Minnie Mouse after he won gold at the 2004 Olympics in Athens. Nothing wrong with it. Goes with his wholesome image.

Plus, he and Mickey obviously have a lot in common. Just look at their cute ears.

(Photo: Walt Disney World photo from 2004 via Associated Press)

Gustav and New Orleans travel plans

Thu, 28 Aug 2008 16:06:09 -0500

Earlier this month, Orbitz.com listed New Orleans as one of the top Labor Day destinations. What a comeback the city is making, slowly but surely. All that only adds to my sadness that a state of emergency has already been declared in Louisiana, as the state braces for the possibility that Gustav could strike as a category 3 hurricane.

Airlines are prepared as well, according to USAToday, offering to waive fees for those who had planned to head to the Big Easy this weekend. But there's nothing that will be easy about watching a hurricane zoom up the Gulf, taking a path that only reminds us of tragedy. All I can think is oh no, not again.

Air Jamaica cancels flights

Thu, 28 Aug 2008 14:48:08 -0500

Air Jamaica has cancelled all flights to and from Kingston today as tropical storm Gustav churns nearby. Several flights are scheduled to leave from Montego Bay this afternoon, including Flight 041 to Baltimore. But that's all, folks. Gustav is expected to reach the island tonight, possibly as a hurricane. More than 20 inches of rain is forecast, triggering fears of landslides. For details, call Air Jamaica at 800-523-5585 or go to their Web site.

Air Jamaica offers guaranteed travel in wake of Gustav

Thu, 28 Aug 2008 13:17:00 -0500

Looks like Gustav is aiming for Jamaica, a favorite destination for Maryland travelers. The tropical storm left behind killer floods in Haiti, so watchful is the word. Late yesterday, the State Department issued a warning to U.S. travelers in the Caribbean, urging them to return while commercial flights were still available. Too late now as the storm is bearing down on Jamaica and then heading for the Cayman Islands.

Air Jamaica, which operates from BWI, is allowing passengers holding tickets for travel between now and Monday to change their reservations without paying fees. If you decide to totally skip your trip, a credit will be issued. Details here.

(Photo: NOAA)

More fall savings

Wed, 27 Aug 2008 13:02:13 -0500

A few sales popped up in my inbox today:

British Airways has a Labor Day sale with flights to London from BWI starting at $269 each way for travel between Oct.23 and Dec. 17. Passengers also receive a free two-day London Pass, which offers free admission to various attractions. Make your reservations here by Sept. 3. (British Airways)

Morgans Hotel, a New York City boutique hotel located in Midtown, is re-opening after a major renovation with special holiday rates of $229 per night, including breakfast. Never stayed here, but that's a great price, especially at Thanksgiving. Think Macy's Parade. (Hotwire)

Orbitz has an International Sale offering 40% discount on hotels. Book your trip between Sept.3 and Oct. 5 and travel by Dec. 15. Destinations include Dominican Republic, Spain and New Zealand. (Orbitz.com)

Save up to 40% on your stay at Atlantis Paradise Island, Bahamas. Includes breakfast and dinner, plus if you use your American Express card, you can save an additional $200. Of course, fall is hurricane time in the tropics, so it's a deal with a risk. Make sure you ask about cancellation policies. (bookingbuddy.com)

Fly South African Airways roundtrip from Dulles to Cape Town starting at $1,160 or to Johannesburg starting at $1,345. Limited dates. Book by Sept. 30.

Southwest reducing winter flights from BWI

Wed, 27 Aug 2008 07:33:14 -0500

Everybody's doing it. Cutting flights. Even Southwest. Beginning in January, the airline will have 12 14 fewer flights departing from BWI. Destinations that will lose some flights include Chicago, Detroit, Hartford, Louisville, Manchester, Nashville, Phoenix, Tampa and West Palm Beach. They are adding another flight from Baltimore to Orlando. A dozen flights is probably not that bigga deal, considering Southwest flies about 150 daily from BWI. So it's a less than 10 percent reduction and the airline says it may add some flights back in the spring.

Other airports will also feel the sting. A total of 190 flights are being culled nationwide from Southwest's schedule, according to the Dallas Morning News.