Discounts zap weak dollar
Discounts counter weak dollar — The reeling dollar, battered by the strong euro, yen and pound, is making travel in the developed world more costly for Americans this year. This is especially true in such popular capital cities as London, Tokyo and Berlin, which are using their Web sites and energetic marketing campaigns to advertise deals for American leisure and business travelers.
Another outbreak on Caribbean cruise — Almost 100 passengers on a five-day cruise aboard the Celebration out of Jacksonville last week reported stomach illness. According to a statement by Carnival Cruise Lines, “an elevated number of incidences of gastrointestinal illness were reported to the ship’s infirmary. While unconfirmed pending the outcome of test results, the instances of GI distress being reported are believed to be the result of a norovirus.”
Attorneys allege Holland America cover-up — Holland America went to “significant lengths” to keep secret damaging documents discovered by the families of Washington state residents who were killed in 2001 on a flight arranged by the cruise company, the families’ lead attorney, Bradley Keller, said yesterday. The documents, which were recently unsealed by a King County judge, show that, years before the 2001 tragedy, Holland America knew about safety problems with the Mexican airline that regularly carried Holland’s cruise passengers to Mayan ruins.
Newark screener arrested for brass knuckles — An off-duty security screener at Newark International Airport was arrested Sunday night when he tried to pass a set of brass knuckles through an airport X-ray machine, authorities said yesterday. Darren Castro, 22, of Jersey City, was arrested by Port Authority police after he attempted to take the prohibited item through the checkpoint at Terminal C, said Lou Martinez, a spokesman for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which operates the airport.
Canadian airline offers $7.5 million compensation — More than half the passengers on an Air Transat flight between Toronto and Portugal that glided to safety after it ran out of fuel will share $7.65 million, lawyers say. A court is expected next month to approve the settlement announced yesterday.
How Germany can drive you crazy — Not long after I began driving lessons, my instructor had a revelation. “You can already drive,” he said, exhaling the smoke of yet another cigarette as we puttered along in a Volkswagen Golf equipped with an extra brake on the passenger side. No kidding, I thought. I’ve had a U.S. driver’s license for more than 30 years.