Insider Traveler

Travel in Uncertain Times

We’ve got pirates threatening the oceans, drug lords the land and a virus spreading to every continent.  The price of a vacation has now risen-despite the dropping cost.  Are we safe to travel this summer or should we just take the family on a quick and close adventure to that Holiday Inn near Six Flags, 5 miles away?  Here are a few facts from travel industry insiders to help you relax about your annual family vacation, romantic get away or high sea adventure.

The travel industry is doing the hard, proactive work  needed to discourage the same stay-at-home reaction people had after 9/11.  We are being encouraged to go out and see the world. The bottom line is that people are going to travel.  The rules of the road are just a little different now.

Bold decisive measures are being taken to protect us against risks to our health and safety.  Cruise ships are bypassing ports in Mexico to avoid the H1N1 virus. Mumbai and Somalia routes are being changed to avoid pirate activity. The ravaged Mexican tourist industry is literally escorting visitors across their border with armed security until travelers reach their gated spas and resorts.  

  The Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA)  announced May 1^st that its member lines have adopted and begun employing enhanced screening procedures, on a global basis, to help prevent the introduction and/or spread H1N1 on board cruise ships. Under the new CLIA health screening protocols, all passengers will be required to complete and sign a written questionnaire prior to boarding a CLIA member cruise ship anywhere in the world.  There is a protocol in place for passengers who exhibit flu symptoms  while onboard.

Continental and Delta have reduced their flights into Mexico. They are instituting thermal scanning of passengers, allowing you to switch your flight without penalty and even offering protective face masks onboard – free of charge for now.  Wash your hands often, sanitize with germ killing gel and turn away from sneezes.

Sales are everywhere. Do  some research or call a travel agent and take advantage of  these  prices. How about  a visit to San Francisco, Seattle and Victoria, B.C.?  A week-long cruise to the three cities from Los Angeles can be yours for just $199  That's how low Carnival has had to slash fares  on Carnival Splendor -- its newest, most state-of-the-art ship -- as the line struggles to keep the vessel full in the wake of the swine flu.

Travel Insurance is a must these days.  Do not put your vacation dollars at risk.  Insurance companies have introduced new riders for trip cancellation and delay.  They have also redefined terrorist activities and natural disaster.  Read the different policies carefully.  And do not purchase insurance from the company you are travelling with.  There are still economic challenges for all businesses.  You want to be protected against the travel company filing for bankruptcy.

This is a time to use common sense and a bit of caution. Rely on advice  from WHO, CDC,  the US Government and a well informed travel agent. For current US governmental travel warnings and alerts.

 We need the rejuvenating, restorative powers of worldwide travel to help us cope with stress levels that are just as unhealthy as any virus or potential physical threat.   And don’t forget how powerful a few days away from home is to building and strengthening friend and family relationships.

Happy and Healthy Trails to each of You.

Jo

   

 

 

 alerts

Keeping the Cruise Industry Afloat

     In 2009, 14 brand new cruise ships, ranging in size from 82 to 5,400 passengers, will set sail.  Many of the amenities and on board environments have never been seen on a cruise ship.

     Royal Caribbean will launch Oasis of the Seas, the vessel they hope will redefine the meaning of cruise ship.  Oasis will carry a record breaking 5,400 passengers and 2,000 crew, and will soar 16 stories above the ocean. But its impressive measurements aren't the big story. Oasis represents a radical reimagining of the standard cruise ship configuration.  It has created neighborhoods – giving you a choice of where you want to live while onboard.

      Central Park is one of the neighborhoods.  An all natural area on Oasis, Central Park is a central canyon open to the sky on top.  It offers six decks of balcony staterooms (which in the past are the lowest, windowless inside cabin category) along its walls, with views of the sky above and the park below. 

     There are  pathways, seasonal flower gardens, and a canopy of trees. Restaurants open along the park range from an elegant-specialty to an al fresco cafe, Italian, a steakhouse, and a wine bar. Among the several bars around  the park is one that moves up and down three decks while you drink. 

      With these new ships, come an impressive array of environment friendly technology.  Air emission reduction, solar power, LED lighting, environment friendly hull coating, low sulfur  fuels, impeccable food and water processing to name just a few.  Alliances are being formed on national and international levels to protect the world’s oceans and marine life.  With so many ships sailing our seas, the industry must stay on top of the fin print each ship leaves.

     The value and bang for your buck of  a cruise vacation surpasses many tours, land packages and  independently created itineraries.  You can go on a 5 day cruise of the Caribbean-in bare bones style-for $250 a day OR taste the refined life at $1000 a day.  Smart marketing has created a style of cruising and a price point for every traveler. According to CLIA, the cruise industry standard bearer, “34 million Americans intend to take a cruise in the next three years”.  Also impressive is that more than half of the current sales are from repeat cruisers.

     To hedge their bets that the economy doesn’t erode yearly passenger increases – the perks and amenities now being offered by cruise lines have never been seen.  How about  a $1000  ship board credit added to your account when you arrive on Crystal.. That makes a $250 spa treatment a must have.  Free shore excursions are offered by Regent and Oceania (now owned by the same holding group). Shore excursions are usually a large profit center for ships.

                                           

     Theme and Affinity Group cruising is exploding.  Like to play tennis? Try a 3 day cruise with fellow players and pros  to tennis courts at a Bahamas resort.  Or a 7 day cruise down the Columbia River with 100 fellow wine lovers that stops at wineries in the Pacific Northwest.  Whatever your interest – you can be surrounded by like minded friends.

        I have been cruising since the 1980s and can not remember ever being offered these kinds of options and inducements.  Creativity and thinking outside the box will take every business and industry to new heights as we push out of this economic meltdown.  Take advantage of how much more you can get for your vacation dollar.  Once the news media agree that we are out of the economic choppy waters,……..these perks will quickly disappear.

by Jo Giraudo 2009

I just returned from the annual Travel Convention in Las Vegas where the CEOs from all markets of the industry addressed the current economical conditions.  This column reflects some of what we discussed.  Jo

“May you live in interesting times” – an old Chinese proverb

     The present economy has affected travel across the nation and around the world.  There is a shift from splurge-you are worth it to bling is bad.  Travelers in all price ranges are asking for more value for their travel dollar. 

     Smart hotels and cruise lines are finding ways to reduce out of pocket travel  expenses without cutting the actual price for their products.  Fuel surcharges are being rebated, trip deposits are lower and  cancellation penalties are relaxed.  Most reasonable requests are given consideration.

     The shift is to more meaningful experiences, more travel with family and friends.    We are not cutting out our vacations, but shifting to shorter and closer trips.  Travel is tonic for the soul, the great stress reliever, a relationship builder.  We want personal enrichment, unique adventures and exploration of the unusual.  We will always travel.  But today the rules are changing.

     Vacations must be experience driven. Not only from the trip’s focus but from the ease with which travelers can trade up in hotel suites and cabin categories.  Travelers are not trading down once they have experienced a certain comfort level.  They want to maintain that experience level and are asking  for  and getting upgrades. 

Obama Victory a Win for Travel

     America is still capable of surprising the world.  How fun.  We surprised so many people, on every continent, by electing Sen. Obama our president.  This one  event could also jump start America’s tourist industry. Which in turn will pump vitality back into our economy.

    Obama stresses the need to improve our image and fix the economy. Travel and tourism can easily be a part of the solution.  It is a proven part of economic and job development, stretching across most of our states.

     The world seems interested, once again, in exploring America.  Foreigners invariably have a more favorable impression of the U.S. after they have visited.  Obama’s election has already had a positive effect on our country’s image.  Now we need to polish off our tourist attractions, shake off the welcome mat and proudly show the world our diverse cities and countryside.

     Pres. Obama must hold a balance between environmentally green policies and encouraging the transportation industry to grow and expand. Priority should be given to building a high speed rail system between major cities.  Trains can be a pleasant alternative way to travel that can relieve the pressure from over burdened airports.

                                    As president, Obama can restore free trade with Cuba and blow open the  tourist industry.  Cruise ships will pour thousands of people a week into harbor towns, creating a building boom and new Caribbean Mecca.  Trump is just one of the many investors patiently creating blue prints for Cuban tourism development.  Raul Castro has agreed to meet with Pres. Obama, but on neutral ground and  suggested Guantanamo Bay.  What point is he making with that gloomy summit destination.

Caribbean Peak Season Deals

     It there is a silver lining in the  cloud of economic gloom, it has to be the incredible deals being offered for the peak Caribbean travel season.  Resorts are eliminating minimum stays and blackout dates for sale rates and all-inclusive pricing has never been lower. Free nights are even being offered and up grades can be had for the asking.

     If you are considering a trip to the beach between January and March, reserve now.  They may be offering good deals but hotels, resorts and cruise lines want to know ASAP that you are coming.  If you are still uncertain, pick dates that may work, and  put a hold on a room or cabin. 

     Don’t give up your vacation out of fear.  Spend your money wisely on  travel. Down time with your family, spouse, or partner is more important now than ever.  Set your budget and ask for terms that you can live with. Then ask me or your travel agent to negotiate your vacation.  Hotel managers love to hear about people who want to visit and they will work hard to make you happy.

    The travel game is changing because yes – we are living in interesting times.

Home for the Holidays??

 

As the holidays near,  it is time to plan the  family gatherings. 

If you are the Host,  a lot of thought,  money, and stress goes  into feeding and entertaining your multi generational families.   How  to keep the kids and the grandparents occupied, day after day.  The kids usually win out and everyone ends up at the zoo and latest G rated movie.

but there are options you ought to consider -

     Don’t count out holiday travel as being too costly, complicated or difficult for the grandparents.  Hotels, resorts, national parks, cruise lines and trains are all rolling out the red carpet for financially challenged vacationers in this tough holiday season.   If you have already made vacation plans and paid full price – consider asking your travel agent to negotiate some amenities.

If you haven’t considered traveling – give it a second thought.

     One of the – hands down- easiest, fun, surefire ways to make all generations happy and content  is to take everyone on a cruise.  The value  is substantial when you look at what is included – your cabin, all meals and snacks and room service, transportation between cities, entertainment, the gym, pools and many age specific activities.  The four year old has nonstop, supervised activities all day, teen agers can be entertained all day and night and seniors have the spa, whirlpool, dance classes and  yoga. 

     Now isn’t this a much more relaxed way to host a family gathering? No matter what direction everyone goes  during the day, the family dinner will become a lively time of sharing what everyone did all day.

     There are cruise ports all along our coastlines so drive  to your departure city.  If you leave out of New Orleans – take Amtrak for additional  multi gen friendly adventure.  Both coasts of Florida and Mobile have ports.  Also Charleston, Baltimore, and  NYC. Get to your departure city a day early and do some exploring.

     Cruise Ships are all wheelchair, cane, site impaired friendly.  Their theatres and casinos handle chairs and scooters.  Ask for one of the special cabins, according to your needs.  Don’t expect special, preferred treatment because you will be able to easily get around  with everyone else.

     Do ask for a wheelchair  (you have a sprain) at the airport.  That will get you and your party  to the front of the lines and boarded early.  If you can fly on the holiday itself, you will get better fares.  If not,  fly on Nov. 22, 25, 29  and Dec. 20,23, 31.

     If you end up staying  home for the holidays – turn on the Travel Channel and get the kids to talk about the world.  Ask the Grandparents what places are still on their bucket list and think about laying on the beach while someone else  cooks your whole family dinner.

Are current economic conditions affecting the Travel Industry?

It Depends on who is answering that question.

Hard-er times have not been with us for very long.  Relatively speaking.  Most people have financial reserves to carry them for the short term.  Travel is not  an extravagance for people who do most of the leisure traveling.  It is more of a necessity.  Raising a plane fare by $100, a hotel suite by $50, or restaurant tab by $75 does not phase people who really want to go to Banff.

      American travelers are staying on our continent and European travelers are flocking to our popular cities – New York, Vancouver, Cancun.  Local economies are  stimulated  by American and Foreign travelers. People are going on StayVacations (thank you Travel Channel).  Travel is by car or train and close to home.  Going to that downtown hotel suite on the club level for two nights is possible when you don’t have to fly there.  You can easily forget what city you are in when enjoying the  spa Jacuzzi at The Ritz.

     Independent Contractors in businesses affected by the economy are taking the slow time to travel before the recovery begins.  I have not taken a week’s vacation since last October, my travel business has been that demanding.  But I will be cruising  Alaska’s Inside Passage in a couple of weeks.  Holiday travel and spring vacations are just beginning to be  planned.   Also - the self employed  are better prepared for  lean times.

     Hotels of every star rating  and even the  luxury cruise line Crystal are promoting streamlined prices, more perks and special enticements  to travelers.  At the same time fuel charges are being added to cruises ranging from $8-15 per day.

     Travel Suppliers are once again realizing how their financial slice of bread is buttered – Travel Agents.  When my clients are thrilled by the 2 category upgrade into the presidential suite – I bring the resort more business.  I never make decisions for my clients on where to stay but will tell them that this hotel is offering complimentary monogrammed stationary  and half priced spa services.  It is hard not to be enticed.

      I will not even discuss the constant changes in the crumbling airline industry.   Please just raise the price of my ticket by $50 instead of nickel and diming me for every extra!  This is big time buyer beware.  Check on your airlines if it is a smaller one.  Air Tran is down sizing in Atlanta and Delta reducing routes.

      Travel insurance looks really good now.  In fact – policies are also changing with the times.  You can get a very basic medical plan for NOTHING.  Yes $0.

      The Travel Industry is once again leading businesses in adapting  to change.  Neither the Internet nor a downward economy can keep people from wanting a travel agent to take care of things so they can just  go away,  relax and forget about it all.

Jo Giraudo jo@insidertraveler.com

Your Next Vacation – Consider One Made in America

by Jo Giraudo, Travel Consultant

     There is no need for you to forego a family summer vacation,  romantic get away or self discovery adventure just because the experts say we are in a recession.  Gas prices are soaring, food just might follow. Your home is worth less, your stocks are down and there is little any of us can do to fix the big picture.  So we might as well just continue moving forward as best we can and by all means take a Vacation .  To get more bang for your  deflated  dollar, consider a trip in the U.S.

So what does an American vacation  look like?  There are far more options than the usual trips to Disney, Time Square and the monuments of D.C. And they range from five star luxury to roughing it in eco outposts.

First- how to get around – the new buzz word in travel is Amtrak.  Go to www.Amtrak.com and you will be amazed at how they are realizing their star potential. There is now a department called Amtrak Vacations.  They have regional tours, cross country treks, cars that will carry your car to your destination, overnight entertainment, and weekly specials.

     For luxury travel visit www.AmericanRail.com. They specialize in nostalgic North American private rail tours.  And www.GrandluxRail.com is the American Orient Express .   Luxury cars are attached to the back of Amtrak’s regular trains.  They are separate experiences with five course dining, 500 thread count sheets and piano bars.

     If you want to be on the water, every major lake and river in the US has barges and mini cruise ships ready to show you an American experience.  There are riverboat ports all over inland America from Little Rock AR to St Paul, MN.  Check out www.RiverCruiseTours.com  to get ideas.

America is overflowing with destinations to satisfy any travel desire.  Need some ideas?  Here are a few:

Santa Fe, NM: Start with the natural beauty -- landscapes that inspired Georgia O'Keeffe. Enjoy unique settings and sweeping vistas as you hike in the high desert. Add a history and multicultural aspect -- from ancient Anasazi ruins, to living history at Taos Pueblo, to isolated Spanish towns founded centuries ago. Throw in some cool adventures!  Want to climb ladders to an ancient cliffside cave dwelling?  Go whitewater rafting on the Rio Grande?  Ride horseback across the desert?  Sounds like you could be in Mexico or Spain.

Napa Valley & San Francisco, CA: Sipping fine wines while chatting with experts, musty cellars stacked high with oak barrels, outdoor dining under the warm California sun, and acres of trellised vineyards stretching out before you... Feeling the wind in your hair as you sail across the bay, with the San Francisco skyline sparkling, and the sun setting behind the world-famous Golden Gate Bridge... No you are not in Italy.

Alaska & Yukon : From Glacier Bay's icy spectacles and migrating whales to Dawson City,  destination of many a Klondike gold seeker - Alaska and its Canadian neighbor, the Yukon, are still largely untamed wilderness.  Explore their natural beauty, and meet the people who call this wild, challenging place home. No it’s not the Arctic Circle.

San Juan Islands: As your boat heads out toward the islands, you can feel the worries slip away...  Between the Washington mainland and Vancouver Island, lie the unspoiled San Juan Islands.  A visit is like stepping back in time, with no high-rises, freeways or fast-food chains. It's a nature-lover’s paradise, with hundreds of islands, 200 species of birds, and the most bald eagles outside Alaska.  The waters are famous for killer whales (orcas), and abundant with porpoises and seals.  Like the U.K.?

The Berkshires:  When Daniel Chester French, who carved Abraham Lincoln’s figure for the Lincoln Memorial, was asked about his home in the Berkshires, he replied: “I live here six months of the year—in heaven. The other six months I live—well, in New York.”The Berkshire Hills, on the New York/Massachusetts border, stretch for about fifty miles north to south, encompassing several little villages from Williamstown in the north to Sheffield in the south.  Shop at antiques shops, crafts stores, and farmers markets. Indulge in amazing food. See the houses of great artists and writers, and settle into welcoming inns and resorts. No it’s not the French countryside.

     Don’t give up on your vacation this year.  Discover America’s charm, beauty, raw nature and vast variety.  Spend your money here where it can help our economy and our people recover and prosper.  Viva Americana !

Jo@InsiderTraveler.com

Malaria Risks in Punta Cana

Travelers to Dominican Republic are not being warned of malaria risk.

Anti-malarial medication and the use of personal protective measures against mosquito bites are recommended to prevent getting malaria while visiting certain areas in the Dominican Republic.

There is a risk of acquiring the potentially fatal illness in resort areas within the province of La Altagracia -- where the popular destinations of Punta Cana and Bavaro are located. Also when exploring the wilderness close to the Haiti boarder.

US and Canadian health authorities recommend that travelers use protective measures against mosquito bites and use appropriate anti-malarial medication, such as chloroquine, mefloquine or doxycycline. They also recommend sleeping under a mosquito net and staying within completely enclosed, air-conditioned areas.

Malaria is absolutely preventable with precautions and with safe and effective medications. But in order to take malaria medications, you have to know you have to take it and you need to be informed in advance. Travelers should consult their doctor or a travel clinic at least six weeks prior to international travel -- regardless of destination -- to determine their individual health risks and their need for vaccination and/or preventative medication.

Symptoms of malaria include: fever headache nausea and vomiting, muscle pain and malaise. severe shakes or muscle spasms and chills often occur. Acute infection can cause enlargement of the spleen and make the liver tender. Cerebral malaria, which affects the brain, causes symptoms such as personality change, confusion, lethargy and seizures.

Despite the advisory, many travelers say they are not being warned by their travel agents of the risks.

Consider this your Insider Warning. Check for health risks whenever you travel outside the US. Do not rely on your travel agent or friends for health warnings. Preventative medicines are available and they should be used. Go to www.cdc.gov for medical travel alerts.

7 NEW Wonders of the World

The campaign to pick the seven new wonders was begun in 1999 by Swiss adventurer Bernard Weber. His Switzerland-based foundation, called New7Wonders, received almost 200 nominations from around the world. The list of candidates was narrowed down to 21 by early last year. Voting took place over the past six years.

The sites were selected according to a tally of around 100 million votes cast by people around the world over the Internet and by cell phone text messages.

The new architectural marvels were presented during a show which included appearances by American actress Hilary Swank, Indian actress Bipasha Basu, and British actor Ben Kingsley, as well as performances by Jennifer Lopez and Jose Carreras.

Click Here to View Wonders 

COLOSSEUM, ITALY The giant amphitheater in Rome was inaugurated in A.D. 80 by the Emperor Titus in a ceremony of games lasting 100 days. The 50,000-seat Colosseum, which has influenced the design of modern sports stadiums, was an arena where thousands of gladiators dueled to the death and Christians were fed to the lions.

GREAT WALL OF CHINA The 4,160-mile barricade running from east to west in northern China is the longest man-made structure in the world. The fortification, which largely dates from the 7th through the 4th century B.C., was built to protect the dynasties from invasion by the Huns, Mongols, Turks and other nomadic tribes.

TAJ MAHAL, INDIA The white marble-domed mausoleum in Agra was built by Mogul Emperor Shah Jahan between 1632 and 1654 for his favorite wife, Mumtaz Mahal, who died in childbirth. The complex, an example of Mughal architecture combining Indian, Persian, and Islamic styles, houses the graves of the emperor and his wife, as well as those of lesser royalty.

PETRA, JORDAN The ancient city of Petra in southwestern Jordan, built on a terrace around the Wadi Musa or Valley of Moses, was the capital of the Arab kingdom of the Nabateans. It also flourished under Roman rule after the Nabateans were defeated in A.D. 106. The city is famous for its water tunnels and numerous stone structures carved in rock, the most impressive of which is probably Ad-Dayr, an uncompleted tomb facade that served as a church during Byzantine times.

CHRIST THE REDEEMER STATUE, BRAZIL The 125-foot-tall statue of Christ the Redeemer with outstretched arms overlooks Rio de Janeiro from atop Mt. Corcovado. The statue, which weighs more than 1,000 tons, was built by Polish-French sculptor Paul Landowski in pieces in France starting in 1926, then shipped to Brazil. The pieces were carried by cogwheel railway up the mountain for assembly. The statue was inaugurated in 1931.

MACHU PICCHU, PERU Built by the Incan Empire in the 15th century, the giant walls, palaces, temples and dwellings of the Machu Picchu sanctuary are perched in the clouds at 8,000 feet above sea level in the Andes mountains. It remains a mystery how the huge stones were moved into place for the construction of the remote city.

PYRAMID AT CHICHEN ITZA, MEXICO This step-pyramid surmounted by a temple survives from a sacred site that was part of one of the greatest Mayan centers of Mexico's Yucatan peninsula. Built according to the solar calendar, it is placed so that shadows cast at the fall and spring equinoxes are said to look like a snake crawling down the steps, similar to the carved serpent at the top.

Want to visit the Wonders? contact Jo@InsiderTraveler.com

Jo@InsiderTraveler.com

 

Fact: The dollar is in the dumps. Travel to Paris, London, Rome and other European hot spots is financially shocking. The conversion rate has flirted with record lows, offering  a 2-to-1 exchange rate with the hyper-muscular British pound. The dollar was recently at a 20-month low against the Euro.

Insider Tip: 
Asia, especially China, remains a relative bargain. This may be a good year to try new spots. If you must have Europe, save money by traveling in the off-season, moving down a class in hotels, shortening trips by a day or two, and eating cheaply at breakfast and lunch, saving money for dinner. Try calling for food delivery from outside your hotel instead of room service.

Check out Jo's travel column in eLife Magazine.

Fact:  Occupancy rates at U.S. hotels are expected to surpass 64 percent, the highest since 1996, according to the Price Waterhouse Coopers forecast. Fewer hotels were built in the years after Sept. 11, 2001, and now demand is outstripping supply. Room revenue is expected to jump 8.7 percent, the biggest increase since 1980. Translation: higher hotel rates.

INSIDER TIP:
Book early to ensure you have a room then shop around for a last minute deal.  You can usually cancel a reservation up to 24 hours before check-in. Ask about the cancellation policy when you book.

Cruise news: Nine new cruise ships are scheduled to enter service in 2007. Cruise lines lobbied Congress hard for a one-year delay in the requirement for passports to visit Mexico , the Caribbean and other destinations by ship. And they got it. Americans are the world's premier cruisers, with U.S. ports accounting for 75 percent of the 8.6 million annual embarkations. But only half of American cruise-ship passengers say they have passports. That could mean trouble in 2008. Also, Cruise lines are adding port stops in new hot spots such as Croatia's   Dalmatian Coast, Turkey and  southern Italy.

INSIDER TIP:
Prices will likely dip in 2008, when the new passport rules diminish choices for cruise ship passengers without passports.

What would you do if....

...the hotel room with ocean view, that you booked online, is right next  door to the new 15 story luxury condo complex - still under construction, and you can only see the ocean when you lean over the balcony and look around the palm tree...

Insider Tip:  
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO. There are three websites that give unbiased, honest and up to the minute information about all types of lodging.  You will not be surprised when you arrive.

....you spent $6,000 for your vacation and the day before, your Dad is sent to the hospital in critical condition....
Insider Tip:
If you have certain travel insurance, you can recover the trip cost.