Just When You Thought Airline Travel Couldn't Get Any Worse

Warning: the SkyRider may be coming.

According to industry sources this new seat is set at an angle with no more than 23 inches between a passenger’s seat and the one in front.

The new airplane seat would give passengers an experience akin to riding horseback and is being touted as “A design that could appeal to low-cost airlines that have floated the idea of offering passengers standing-room tickets on short flights,” said USA Today.

Thankfully (long sigh) the SkyRider isn't headed for an airplane cabin immediately.  But be warned,  its designer, Aviointeriors, an aircraft seat design firm based in Italy, says several airlines - even a few in the US -  have expressed interest.

"We feel extremely confident that this concept will ... have great appeal to airlines for economic purposes," Dominique Menoud, director general of Aviointeriors Group, told the newspaper.  "For flights anywhere from one to possibly even up to three hours ... this would be comfortable seating," he said.  "The seat ... is like a saddle. Cowboys ride eight hours on their horses during the day and still feel comfortable in the saddle."

I am sooooo looking forward to high speed rail transportation in the US! 

Hurricanes

Lots of clients ask me about cruising during hurricane season.  Isn't it dangerous? 

Contrary to popular thought, hurricane season is a GOOD time to go cruising in the Caribbean.  Think of it this way: if you're in a Caribbean resort - say St. Thomas for example - and a hurricane comes bearing down on Charlotte Amalie you've got two options: evacuate or dig in.  If you evacuate, it's "vacation over" you're going home.  If you dig in, you'll very likely wind up in a nice resort with no electricity (thus no a/c, movies or frosty blender drinks) and possibly no plumbing.  No fancy meals, no using the pool, no soaking in the Jacuzzi. Having fun yet?

Now lets look at a cruise sailing to St. Thomas when a hurricane starts driving its way toward the island.  Only one thing happens - the ship changes course.  If you're sailing in the Eastern Caribbean your ship may head toward the Western Caribbean or vice versa.  Maybe you'll lose a port call and spend another day at sea - worst case scenario.  I know I would rather spend another day at sea enjoying a massage in the Spa, watching a movie under the stars, testing out the casino or seeing a show than a day (or days) hanging out in a torn up resort. Or frantically trying to get the next flight out, standing in long lines at the airport, fighting the crowds and using your suitcase for a pillow. And partly because of the misconception that cruising during hurricane season is dangerous, prices tend to be at some of the lowest points of the year! 'Nuff said.

For those who want to keep track of the latest storm(s) here's one of my favorite storm tracking sites.

Stay dry!

River Cruises Are Hot

And the word is catching on as more travelers realize that this is one of the most enjoyable ways to explore Europe! For those who have cruised the Mediterranean, river cruising brings you to countries that you can't reach on ocean-going vessels - like Austria, Bulgaria, Switzerland and Hungary. They allow you to explore the heart of countries whose shores you've visited, such as France, Germany, Belgium or The Netherlands.  There's so much more to see!

Those who are far more learned in geography than I can tell you that most European capitals are not on the coast, but located on the banks of the great European rivers which, for centuries, provided the main source of transportation throughout the region. When the ship docks you're right in the midst of the city, and tours are included in the cruise fares! You can also enjoy time in well known regions outside the great cities; like Provence, the Balkan and Carpathian Mountains, or the Mosel River Valley.  Many river cruise lines also offer land extensions a little further inland to Munich, Prague or even Transylvania.  I wanna go, I wanna go!

I'm determined to do my first river cruise within the next year.  It's a goal.  I'd love to cruise the entire Danube from Luxembourg all the way to Bucharest; but I don't think my boss will give me 21 days out of the office. (She doesn't even give me Saturdays and Sundays off at the moment.) So my next best choice would be a Christmas Markets cruise that visits the magical cities of Vienna, Linz, Nuremberg and Budapest when they're all lit up with holiday decorations, maybe dusted with snow (yes, even though I'm a Florida girl) and the streets are filled with carolers.  Anybody want to join me?

Two days ago I received a flyer with some wonderful rates on AMA Waterways for sailings that still have space for 2010. A 12 day land & river tour of the Danube with pricing starting from $1499 on Nov. 11 or 20th.  A 7-night sailing from Amsterdam to Basel with 2 nights in Lucerne and 2 nights in Zurich from $1599.  There are several more, but I'm not trying to made this an advertisement. 

Wish I could do them all, but then I wouldn't be in the office to answer calls (guess I could get a satellite phone, couldn't I?).  Well, like I said, I doubt my boss would let me.

Roger and out.


www.topsailjourneys.com

It's All Going to the Dogs!

As a dog lover, and Foster Mother to three dogs here on Key Biscayne, I like this idea:

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (AP) - Pluto never had it so good: The next major attraction to open at Walt Disney World won't be for the kids - it will be for the dogs.

Best Friends Pet Resort, scheduled to open Aug. 27, will offer not just boarding, but also bedtime stories and a water park for dogs.

The luxury facility will accommodate way more than 101 Dalmatians. With more than 50,000 square feet of space, half of it outdoors, it has room for 270 dogs, 30 cats and assorted other animals, including birds, potbellied pigs and small mammals like hamsters and guinea pigs. (Sorry, no turtles, snakes or lizards.)

Standard indoor boarding for dogs runs $37 nightly. For additional fees, you can get services like doggy play group or bedtime stories for pooches accustomed to snuggling up with children while a parent reads aloud. (On the Best Friends reading list: "The Poky Little Puppy.")

Upgrades for dogs include vacation villas with outdoor patios and flat-screen TVs for watching videos like "Homeward Bound" ($59), or 226-square-foot luxury suites ($76) with private outdoor play yards and personal pet concierges.

Cats can choose between two- and four-story condos.

In addition to the water park, Best Friends offers play groups, outdoor runs, walking trails and areas for playing ball or Frisbee.

Pets can be left for the day without overnight boarding, and owners can drop by to visit or play on their way from hotels to the park.

"We know that people who bring their pets with them to Disney want to see their pets," said Deb Bennetts, spokeswoman for Best Friends, which operates more than 40 pet-boarding facilities around the U.S. "If they were simply going to board their pet, they would board their pet at home. They want to see and interact with their pet while at the resort, so we've made it easy for them to do that with all of this wonderful outdoor space."

The Best Friends resort will replace five existing kennels at Disney World and will be located on Bonnet Creek Parkway within the Disney complex directly across from the Port Orleans resort.

Cabin for One?

A giant is finally awakening in the cruise business.  The single passenger market, which I have firmly believed is a sleeping giant,  is beginning to be recognized!  According to some statistics, over 50% of US households are headed by single women - a market that has been discriminated against by forcing single passengers to pay a 100% surcharge to cruise.  For years I've been telling passengers that it all began with Noah and his ark, where the animals came on two by two by two.  (You have to wonder at the wisdom of Noah in inviting two termites aboard a wooden ship, but I digress).

I've mentioned in previous blogs that Norwegian Cruise Lines is setting the trend with single occupancy cabins ... now Silversea, a trés luxury line, has announced it is reducing its single supplement -- to just 10 percent of the base fare for a range of cabins on four upcoming voyages, and to 25% on nine additional voyages.  Earlier this year I saw a similar effort by Avalon Waterways.

Over 50% of US households ... I'll take that kind of market share any day.  Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Celebrity, Holland America & Princess -- are you listening?  Build it and they will come!

Get Ready Texas!

Texans, spread the word!  Carnivals NEWEST ship, the Carnival Magic is coming to Galveston!  The Carnival Magic will debut in Europe in May 2011, offering seven-, nine- and 12-day Mediterranean voyages from Barcelona May 1 to October 16, 2011; followed by a 16-day trans-Atlantic crossing from Barcelona to Galveston departing October 28, 2011.

After October, guests can choose from two different week-long itineraries from Galveston, including seven-day western Caribbean voyages to Montego Bay, Grand Cayman and Cozumel, and week-long eastern Caribbean cruises to Nassau, Freeport, and Key West.Starting Nov. 14th 2011,

The Carnival Magic will debut in Europe in May 2011, offering seven-, nine- and 12-day Mediterranean voyages from Barcelona May 1 to October 16, 2011; followed by a 16-day trans-Atlantic crossing from Barcelona to Galveston departing October 28, 2011.  How many of my Texas clients have been looking for a transatlantic sailing that terminates in Galveston?  A whole stampede of them!

So my dear Texans, trade in your Stetsons for a swimsuit and come on aboard!  Fun for all and all for fun!

Horrors! Miami Losing Cruise Capital of the World Title

Travel Weekly claims that Miami may be losing its "Cruise Capital of the World" title - as soon as 2012.  Well, isn't 2012 when the world is supposed to end anyway? 

Regardless, this has to be the last straw.  I'm moving.  Anybody want to buy a condo in Key Biscayne?

NCL Recategorizing Ships

Recategorization:  Is this a word?  It seems to be the trend amongst the cruise lines with breaking news that Norwegian Cruise Lines is joining the movement.

Carnival completed it a year ago, you used to know where a Cat 4C cabin was without looking, now not so much.  As of April 1, 2011 (or is this a joke?) NCL will implement standardized categories across its ships, introducing such rare and exotic new birds as Categories MA-MC (mini-suites), T1 (studio), etc.

Confused?  Ships are getting bigger and more complex, the Royal Caribbean Oasis Class ships have over 36 different cabin categories, the Norwegian Epic looks like it will have over 45 categories.  Recommendation: stick with an agent unless you want to wind up under the disco or next to the kid's playroom!

Royal Caribbean & Celebrity the Brothels of the Industry?

In recent months Royal Caribbean and Celebrity have instituted the practice of requiring passengers to pay gratuities at time of booking in order to obtain "open" dining.  I've tried to think of other industries where you tip the provider before you get service ... manicures? no, .... haircuts?, no ....massage? no ....restaurants? no ..... hotels? no.  In fact there is only one industry I know of where you put your money on the bedside table before you get serviced.  So I guess Royal Caribbean and Celebrity have determined their niche within the cruise industry. 

Kind of makes me think of Spirit Airlines with their carry on luggage fee and Ryan Air with their pay toilets.  Hey, maybe Royal and Celebrity could consider pay toilets too.  Why not add a service fee if you speak to a Purser at any time during your cruise?  Why not coin operated exercise machines in the fitness center?  There are so many more nickel and dime opportunities to drive away passengers!

This is the Final Straw

Spirit Airlines has just announced that it is going to charge $45 for CARRY ON luggage ($30 if paid in advance)!!  For me this is the final straw in the insanity.  Where they come up with these ideas is beyond me. 

What's next?  Charging according to height?  Additional charges to board the plane first?  It's time for high speed rail in the US.  It can't happen soon enough.  The airlines have passed ridiculous on the meter and have arrived at absolutely, completely insufferable.  Are airline executives stuck on stupid?