Bigger is better: Britons get their Independence
Will the world’s largest cruise ship that spans four football fields, rises 15 stories high, and carries 4,328 people play in the UK? Royal Caribbean is betting big that the brand new Independence of the Seas will woo Britons with a jolly good cruise.
To merge or not to merge
The airline world is roiling with merger talk. Delta and Northwest have announced their engagement and the betting is whether they will make it to the altar. The other airlines are assessing how their world will change.
Room with a wrong view
Bob Ledford is promised a room with a two-sided ocean view when he books through Expedia. But when he arrives, the view isn’t what he expected, the hotel doesn’t seem to care, and Expedia won’t post the negative review of the resort. What’s wrong with this picture?
Green — or greenwashed? How to tell if your hotel loves the environment
Every April, my email “in” box is clogged with press releases from hotels touting their new and fabulous eco-friendly policies. This April was no exception. But unlike other columnists who press the “delete” key, I read every one. I can’t help myself. I’m both a cynic and a bit of an eco-nut.
Surviving airline turbulence: 10 tips from a crewmember
The airline industry is a bit chaotic these days with oil selling for well over $100 a barrel, big mergers in the works, and airlines like ATA and Skybus folding. Who’s next — and how do you protect yourself? James Wysong has the answers.
Carnival’s ‘Man’ attraction
John Heald, Carnival Cruise Lines’ senior cruise director, has become the most famous cruise director since Julie McCoy of “Love Boat” TV fame. Except John’s not on TV, he’s taking the Internet by storm with his blog that boasts thousands of readers. Even more than that it has changed the way cruise lines interact with their customers by building online communities.
Where’s the travel leadership?
Headlines scream about airport problems, flight cancellations, air traffic jams, aircraft maintenance glitches, lost luggage, a passengers’ bill of rights, pilot shortages, cramped seating - the list goes on and on. We all know the problems. But where is the leadership in the travel industry or in the government offering solutions? Charlie Leocha lets off some steam.
That’s some cleaning charge
Bart Everson’s bill at an Alabama resort includes a big surprise: a $166 “cleaning fee.” No, Everson didn’t trash the room; in fact, the charge hits his credit card before he even checks in. The fine print in his reservation does mention a cleaning fee, but doesn’t say how much he’ll be charged. Does he still have to pay?
How not to complain, with 4 tips for success
Google “airlines” and “complaints” and you’ll hit the jackpot – but who needs a secondhand story? Almost every traveler has been furious with an airline at some time or other, perhaps in the very last week. But how many of them have figured out how to lodge a successful complaint? Customer relations specialist David Burns has some advice.
Stop the plane, I’m having a baby
While having a baby in flight is not exactly an everyday occurrence, it happens more often than you might think. How does the crew handle it? And what are the citizenship ramifications? James Wysong explores the laborious issues of “Baby on Board.”