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Travel Questions
July 24, 2010 - Google makes pre-emptive travel strike
July 17, 2010 - What's the rush? Those in aisle seats should get on plane last
July 10, 2010 - Survey rates best places for sunny getaway
July 3, 2010 - Let airline know if you have peanut allergy
June 26, 2010 - Casual attire won't cut it for Vatican visit
June 18, 2010 - If you're nervous about Thailand, try Bali
June 12, 2010 - Domestic tourism offers perceived safety
June 6, 2010 - Interest in Europe firm despite disruptions
July 24, 2010 - Google makes pre-emptive travel strike
Regis and Kelly, the Florida oil spill and Google. They have nothing in common except travel, and formed the basis for questions people had on their minds this week.
Is it true that travel bookings will soon be able to be made on Google through the company itself?
While it is true that Google has just made a massive purchase related to travel, it is not certain yet that they will go into the business of selling online.
In fact, some analysts suggest that, because about 10 per cent of all their worldwide revenue comes from the big three online travel agencies -- Orbitz, Expedia and Priceline -- they would not try to do anything that would compete directly against them.
With rapid changes in the industry landscape one should never say never on this one.
What Google has purchased, for a not-so-bargain price of $700 million, is a software program that allows users to compare prices and other offerings on travel sites.
The company, ITA Software, is only 14 years old, but in that time has been able to lock up the business of running the reservations systems of several airlines.
Why does Google want this software? The report I read suggested that the Bill Gates' Microsoft giant was looking like it could leapfrog over Google with a major travel service like this through its Bing search engine.
Bing is gaining some ardent followers and Google cannot afford to be seen as slipping a notch in any sector of its business, especially in an industry sector that provides it so much of its income.
I have been a longtime fan of the gulf coast of Florida and have spent vacations in places from north to south. What is the outlook for oil still being on the beaches by the winter season?
I wish that it were different but for the northern parts of Florida around the panhandle, I am doubtful the tourists can expect a major cleanup to be completed.
There is a chance the oil could still be spilling out until late fall at the rate and success of the current experiments.
At the same time, the state of Florida and the federal government recognize the importance of the tourist industry to the region.
The state government will be willing to commit substantial resources to a cleanup if the oil gushing can be curtailed. And to the degree BP follows through with its promises, the combined effort of all three can sometimes work miracles.
We have seen it happen in Mexico in the beach areas that were washed away as a result of hurricane activity. Once the financial commitments were made, it really did not take long for the work to be done that returned most of the beaches to their former glory.
I would expect the same to happen in the gulf coast. This, however, appears to be a much bigger problem.
It is a black tar gift that seems to keep on giving, and will do so until the capping of the wells allows efforts of the workers to be rewarded with pristine sandy beaches again.
There are many areas to visit in Florida, and while beaches are a major draw, the state is a tourist magnet for many reasons on both coasts as well as central destinations like the attractions around Orlando.
I watched a number of the episodes of Regis and Kelly in Prince Edward Island. It's really hard to conclude its effectiveness but it was enjoyable to watch a sister province get the kind of coverage it deserved. Do you think a province like Manitoba, without the draw of an ocean surrounding it, could benefit from this kind of exposure?
Early analysis seems to conclude it was a brilliant decision to invest what amounts to fairly big dollars for the province.
This really was the ultimate million-dollar commercial, and the two hosts could not have been more effusive in their appreciation for the surroundings from which they did their broadcasts.
I thought they succeeded in capturing a positive personality of P.E.I. as they went back and forth about their experience there, and as they talked about major attractions like the Anne of Green Gables options.
For provinces like Manitoba that would amount to a significant percentage of their advertising budget and would essentially curtail many of the programs they are involved in annually.
Marketing people often talk about prime and secondary target markets and then focus their dollars accordingly on these markets.
Some would argue that the reach of the Regis and Kelly show goes well beyond the normal target markets for Manitoba product.
While I think it is unlikely to happen, I believe the investment would be an excellent one for a province like Manitoba.
With all our best efforts over the decades, our awareness with the Canadian picture is either low, or not seen as strong enough to overcome negative or neutral perceptions of us.
A show like that can cut through all the awareness barriers, and the mix of our products and people suddenly can become reasons to take a second look.
It is also a fact that our polar bear and fly-in fishing product has major appeal to Americans throughout the country.
I would love to see Regis and Kelly say hello to Manitoba.
July 17, 2010 - What's the rush? Those in aisle seats should get on plane last
The new era of having to arrive at the airport early for flight departures can be frustrating. Finding seats is often difficult and, despite the airports's best efforts, the seating is not all that comfortable. The boarding process itself creates a herding mentality. Readers often offer their suggestions on how the flow could be improved.
When seating passengers, why don't airlines start with the window row and work their way out to the aisle? This would stop people from having to clamber over those anxious types who need to get on first, even though they have an aisle seat.
That is a really good suggestion. As you may know, many airlines in the United States board by section. Each boarding pass has a section number on it and the call to board includes a call to those specific sections to try to gain some order out of the boarding process. Strangely it is not always back to front, although that does seem to be the most logical.
Here in Canada, the section call is usually by row number and from the back of the aircraft to the front as might be expected, except of course for the business class passengers who pay more for the privilege of breathing recycled aircraft air sooner than the rest of us.
Why do people rush to be first on the plane when there is assigned seating and the flight will not take off until all listed passengers are on board? You would think they were giving free champagne to the first ones on board!
People who fly on business, first class or not, frequently prefer to travel only with carry-on luggage, and will often take as much on the plane as they think they can get away with. The movie Up In the Air really highlighted this as the star, George Clooney, mathematically demonstrated the time cost of waiting for checked-in luggage to arrive at the carousel.
This practice, however, is not just confined to the business traveller. Just watch people coming aboard after a sun holiday, with carvings, huge hats and other large pieces that would likely be better shipped than carried.
There is only so much room in the overhead bins in a full flight, and there is a rush to grab every piece of available real estate up there.
In the U.S., where even the first piece of checked in luggage has a $25 to $45 cost attached to it, passengers will do almost anything to find a way to take extra baggage with them to their assigned seats.
While I love the new entertainment system on Air Canada, and understand they have to be underwritten by the commercials, why do they have to play the commercials at top volume? And why, if you switch movies, do you then have to sit through the blaring ads again?
In the world of advertising, the word frequency is an important one in helping to create better sales results.
This constant repetition upon changing movie channels has been an irritant to me. I am willing to accept ads for the privilege of watching a recent movie free of charge, but I think Air Canada needs to survey its passengers on this issue.
I suspect the results, once shown to their advertisers who don't want people turned off to their products, would gladly agree to a modified frequency.
Is there truth to the rumour there might be direct flights from Winnipeg to Manila in the near future?
There may very well be that rumour out there, and there are many who are trying to promote a Winnipeg to Manila route. The idea is that with so many Filipinos here such a flight could be successful. However, it is unlikely to happen in the foreseeable future.
There are a number of issues that would have to be resolved before such a flight could materialize.
There are current bilateral agreements in place between Canada and the Philippines, and my understanding is that a flight to Winnipeg would require the elimination of an existing one because of the approved number of flights in place under the agreement.
At the present time, Philippine carriers are using their allotted spaces in Canada to fly into Vancouver seven days a week, our primary gateway from the Philippines. They are not likely to give up these slots to fly to Winnipeg.
The Canadian Transport Agency would have to grant permission for extra flights, which could be opposed by another airline.
The business of opening up new markets for airlines is not an easy one. An airline must feel secure the new route has a reasonable chance of achieving profitability as soon as possible.
The additional challenge that exists is that major carriers only have limited number of aircraft capable of long-distance flights, which would be required for a Manila to Winnipeg flight.
July 10, 2010 - Survey rates best places for sunny getaway
We're in the heat of the summer, but it's also the beginning of early planning for our winter getaways, and travellers like to do some of the basic research early.
There are so many brand-name resorts in Mexico and the Caribbean that sometimes it's hard to choose from amongst them all. Can you provide an idea of which are the best?
On the Internet today you can find a consumer review of almost every property that is available.
Some sites will offer an average rating of all the people that submit reviews; others let you make up your own mind based on the comments.
As in previous columns, it has always been a concern of properties that phoney reviews are placed by competitors. Also, no chance is given to address complaints that may be justified from a property that does, for the greater part, do a tremendous job in satisfying their clients.
Travel agents, who can't possibly visit every property in every sun destination, use feedback from existing clients in coming to conclusions about their own recommendations.
A few weeks ago, a report was issued that measured the responses of 20,000 Canadians who booked via Canadian online travel agencies that use the services of travel technology provider SoftVoyage.
The vast majority of Canadian travel agencies who offer online bookings utilize the SoftVoyage platform.
Because the survey was confined only to people who had actually taken trips from Canada, it is felt that the chance of manipulating the results is minimal.
The results are indeed interesting. The survey was taken in a number of categories so travellers can relate the properties and destinations to their lifestyle.
What is fascinating is what we see occur on a regular basis. A brand property, for the most part, will maintain its standards from one destination to another. In this survey, that reality stood out strongly.
The top two for best food were Dreams Puerto Vallarta and the Valentin Imperial on Mexico's Mayan Riviera.
Even though Dreams resorts are not inexpensive, the Dreams Riviera Cancun was one of the top two choices for value, along with Iberostar Peraiso Grande, also on the Mayan Riviera.
For beaches, top billing went to Mayan Riviera, Punta Cana and Cuba's Santa Clara region, specifically in relation to the Catalonia Maroma, Iberostar and Royal Hideaway, respectively.
Other categories were family and couples-only vacations.
You can view a complete list of the reviewed properties on www.monarc.ca.
Although these top reviews may measure the average ratings as gathered by the survey, I can assure you the beaches of Negril in Jamaica or Varadero in Cuba take a back seat to none. Nor does the food quality and service of resort chains like Karisma, Sandals or RIU.
I read and hear a lot of criticism about airlines and their silly charges, but when I fly, I have found most airlines, Canadian ones in particular, provide very good service. Do you have a sense that airlines are performing better?
To be honest, on most of my flights around the world, I have found the personal service very good.
This may be a part of a worldwide phenomenon. A couple of months ago, an annual survey measuring airline quality ratings in the United States suggested airlines were doing a better job in a number of categories. With fewer passengers flying, lost-luggage complaints have come down dramatically. Likewise, on-time performance has improved, with fewer complaints reported to the U.S. Department of Transportation. Though Northwest no longer exists as a brand since Delta took it over, it was rated in the top five along with Southwest, JetBlue, AirTran and Hawaiian Airlines.
I really am quite frustrated. Air Canada says they don't charge for checked-in luggage. Yet when I got on a recent flight that I booked with Air Canada, because it was a code-share with United Airlines, I was forced to pay $25 to check in my single bag. Why is that?
I think Air Canada would look forward to the day when they could charge for checked bags on all their flights, but their prime Canadian competitor, Westjet Airlines, is not ready to irritate their clients by doing so. As a result, Air Canada continues with its long-standing policy of allowing not one, but two free check-in bags.
However, and it is outlined clearly on its website, that policy does not extend to its code-share partners who do charge for baggage in their flights.
In a way, though I may not like it, I can understand how the passengers behind me would respond if I checked through my bag gratis while they were asked to fork over $25.
This occurred to me on a recent flight to Chicago, and even though I was not happy to be paying for what I thought should be free, the staff were patient and polite in outlining the policy to me as it appears on the Air Canada website.
July 3, 2010 - Let airline know if you have peanut allergy
Golf during the day, with lobster at night, makes a perfect New Brunswick vacation.
Once again "that travel guy", as I reference myself in my travel blog, is on the road. This time it's to the beautiful maritime province of New Brunswick.
As my wife spends her days visiting a very large family, I will be golfing at the St. Ignace Golf Club during the day, while looking forward to dining on fresh lobster in the evening.
Golfing in New Brunswick may represent some of the best values in Canada. The St. Ignace course, with a weekday rate of only $35, is one of the province's most beautiful courses, set in a hilly scenic environment about an hour north of Moncton and very close to Kouchibouguac National Park.
I don't travel a lot, partially because I have a very severe peanut allergy that can be easily triggered when a person close to me is eating them. I will be travelling in the near future and wonder what I can do to prevent exposure?
Your question is a timely one. In the United States, the Department of Transport is considering a ban on the serving of all peanuts by U.S. airlines.
This is a long time in coming considering the number of people this allergy affects. Most schools ban students from bringing peanut-based products for lunch and warnings are becoming more prevalent where meals are being served.
It has been quite a while since I was last offered peanuts on a Canadian airline. Usually it is a trail mix or some kind of cookie now.
For the people I know who have the same allergy, the fear is also that the environment in which the product is made may include peanuts, which find their way into other packaged goods.
The first thing you need to do is let the airline know so they can help plan your seating arrangements, either ahead or at the airport.
Some airlines, like Southwest Airlines, that still serve peanut snacks say they will curtail serving them at the request of a passenger with this condition.
I know Canadian carriers take this passenger information very seriously, and will do all they can to help protect you from having products nearby.
But, as always, you need to go with your usual preparedness since what another passenger inadvertently takes from his or her pocket as a snack could contain peanut products.
We are looking at booking our wedding in Cuba this winter. While I would like to complete all the arrangements now, I am afraid prices may come down later in sales that are much lower than I will have paid if I book now. Should I wait?
This is such an ongoing frustration for groups of all kinds. I have responded to similar questions in the past and, even though the price could come down, you really need to book sooner rather than later.
Depending upon the size of your group, you are going to get better than off-the-rack rates now, which will help cushion the financial pain should there be later price reductions.
If your group is small, 12 or less, you may be able to wait. But even at that, usually the big sales don't start coming until tour operators panic and that doesn't happen until well into the traditional fall booking season.
By waiting, you could risk not being able to get all your guests on the same flight.
If you expect more guests, you really do need to gain control of all the seats you need as early as possible.
My grandson is going to go on an extended six-month Australian backpacking trip starting this fall. I recently spotted what was labelled as a backpack on wheels. I had not seen anything like that before so assume they are a new product. I would like your opinion on their quality and if you think that would be a good gift for his kind of trip.
While I might endorse your idea of giving him a backpack, given the six-month period he will be carrying one, I definitely do not suggest you get one on wheels.
Those products are not all that new, and they are excellent for people planning a two- to four-week vacation, where actual backpacking is only a small part of the way they will get around.
The backpacks on wheels, or convertible backpacks as they are often referred to, are excellent to be carried over rough cobblestones for a block or two, or up and down stairways in metro undergrounds, but they are not made for prolonged packing.
Firstly, the wheels and frame they are attached to are an unnecessary extra weight on someone's back over a few hours of hiking.
Secondly, good hiking backpacks will conform to the curvature of the spine of the person carrying it. A pair of bendable rods will often be found in the back portion of the backpack, which will be shaped ahead of time to fit that curvature.
Waist and chest straps, not always found on the rolling convertible backpacks, help keep body alignment and spread the pressure of the full backpack over a larger area of the body.
To not select the right backpack at the outset could result in longer-term back pain that could have been prevented by investing in the right style of backpack from the beginning.
June 26, 2010 - Casual attire won't cut it for Vatican visit
WHETHER it is Christian, Muslim, Hindu or any other religion, visiting their shines and sites is a privilege granted to us with the expectation we will treat their holy places with respect.
As tourists, we often choose to travel in the most casual attire we own. However, these places may hold entirely different views of what is appropriate dress. And many, like the Vatican, enforce their dress policies to the same standards as their own followers.
We are going to be in Rome in August and want to visit the Vatican. I heard there is a dress code that states shorts cannot be worn. Is that correct?
Not only is there a dress code, but it is enforced pretty rigidly as well.
It not only prohibits shorts above the knees, but it restricts the kind of shoes and tops you can wear. The Vatican, even though it welcomes hundreds of thousands of visitors annually, is seen as a religious as opposed to a tourist site.
Mini-skirts, tank tops, and sleeveless blouses are not allowed. Neither are sandals. Traditional closed-in shoes must be worn instead.
Because the summers are so hot in Rome, many forget these rules exist and are denied entry. Most motorcoach tour guides will warn people as they are boarding about the restrictions, but those who find their way there on their own need to plan ahead.
Carry a change of clothes in a small backpack if you are going to be wandering about before or after.
Remember though that there is a tremendous amount to see in St. Peter's and the Vatican museum and Sistine Chapel.
You could spend an entire day there and still leave feeling you had seen only a fraction of what there is to discover in the museum alone.
There is always someone monitoring the entrance so it should not be viewed as a challenge to see if you can slip by without being caught.
There is no explanation you can give that will convince them to bypass the rule.
At the same time, it is not as though you have to be dressed for a formal occasion. Jeans are allowed and dress is not monitored for quality, but for flesh coverage.
While not as many people do so, the Catacombs on the edge of Rome are another worthwhile visit that will provide you an additional sense of history in the growth of Christianity during the Roman period.
I know from time to time there has been crimes on cruise ships we seldom hear about unless they involve murder, and people who through revelry or otherwise fall overboard, which we never hear about. How prevalent is crime on cruise ships?
As a result of research I did for a previous column I found there was really no legislation that required cruise ships to report crimes which took place in international waters.
At the same time, the general consensus was that the percentage of acts of crime per thousand passengers was likely very minute compared to that of any major city.
Nevertheless, a Cruise Vessel Safety and Security Act has been passed in the United States, with the concurrence of CLIA, the largest cruise line association.
Among the new requirements, the act mandates that cruise lines will install peepholes and security latches on all cabin doors. There is also a new minimum height for railings to help prevent people from going overboard, one way or another. Some will not like this policy as it is likely to prevent some of the glorious views you can get while sailing.
It also demands that crimes on a cruise be reported on a specific website operated by the United States Coast Guard. And while it applies to U.S. citizens by legislation, FBI authorities must be contacted immediately for incidents relating to homicide, assault, or missing persons, even in international waters.
With all of the airline mergers I read about taking place around the world, won't the final result be increased airline prices once they are all completed?
Preciously few airlines are making money these days. If they were, most governments with legislation in place would likely prevent at least some of these mergers.
With the likely approval of the proposed merger of United and Continental airlines in the United States by their justice department, the Congress branch is looking at re-regulating the airline industry again.
They recognize that with fewer and fewer airlines, competition in real terms will not be what the country thrives on. However, legislative change is an extremely slow process in the U.S., and by the time it goes through both houses, it may well be too late to prevent future mergers.
Around the world governments have been happy to approve mergers just to prevent the disappearance of their national brand carrier.
And yes, we will all pay a higher price for tickets sooner or later.
June 18, 2010 - If you're nervous about Thailand, try Bali
A side tour takes cruise passengers on a sampan ride in the Mekong River Delta in Vietnam.
I remain convinced that the desire to explore the world beyond our borders will never wane. Even as the press clippings begin to fade relating to the protests in Bangkok and Athens, people have already put their planning into full gear for alternate destinations.
As much as I would like to go to Thailand once the government lifts all travel warnings, as I am sure they will, I don't feel I will be ready to book my holiday there for a while yet. What options would you recommend for an interesting and reasonably priced vacation?
Fear makes quick friends when morning-to-night news coverage invades a city or country in order to follow domestic upheaval, especially with the threat of violence.
I would try to go back to Thailand as soon as possible after a strong degree of stability has returned. There are undercurrents of unrest in Thailand that may make the tourist recovery a longer one. The protests may have stopped but the underlying discontent will take longer to address.
So where are people choosing to go instead?
Early reports from tour operators indicate three destinations in particular have been especially strong for new bookings seen as a direct result of travellers seeking alternatives to Thailand.
The first has been Vietnam. It has already seen a consistent growth pattern over the last several years, with returnees offering rave reviews.
Not that long ago, it was selected by other tourist boards and tour operators as the safest destination in the region.
There are a number of tour operators who offer the destination, and the tourist infrastructure has grown by leaps and bounds over the last decade.
The second popular choice is Bali.
For a number of reasons, travellers see it as a meditative place where people can discover a kind of inner peace.
Spa treatments and the like can be had at a most favourable price in many places. It truly is a beautiful place and also has experience in treating tourists very well.
The third, while not so inexpensive, is Japan.
It is not the economic powerhouse it was a few years ago. It too has gone through tough times that started before the recent world downturn.
As a result, outside of Tokyo, reasonably priced accommodation can be found and the country continues to be absolutely fascinating.
Since the airlines always seem to fill seats easily only over the summers, and then do their best with ongoing deals for the rest of the year, how can they ever find their way back to profitability?
You should become an airline executive, because they are wondering the same thing.
For the longest time airlines had a golden goose that brought them consistent profits as the airline charged business class passenger higher and higher fares for the pampering they provided.
Airlines chased after this fountain of money with increasingly greater perks, more luxurious cabins, and services that made them feel as if they were operating from their own offices during their in-flight hours.
With each passing recession, the number of companies willing to pay extra for the comfort of their employees declined.
But because in the past the Premium Class market always returned after each downturn, most airlines concluded all would get back to normal sooner or later after the most recent recessions.
At a recent Aviation Conference in Ontario U.S.-based Forrester Research spokesman Henry Harteveldt spoke about the need for airlines to rethink their philosophy.
He pointed out some European airlines have already eliminated first class on many routes, and that demographics suggest the leisure traveller will hold the key to profits going forward.
There will always be a need for first class, and those who still use the service may demand even more, and be willing to pay for it.
But the numbers may never be the same.
I have become a huge fan of river cruising and was happy to accept the reality of smaller cabins, but now I understand that bigger cabins are now being offered. Is that right?
It soon will be. In its new river vessel, which they named the Panorama, Avalon Waterways will be introducing an all-suite concept.
The minimum suite size will be about one-third larger than the existing cabins, with larger options also available.
The launch of the Panorama is planned for next spring, and in its first year all its journeys will be the 14-night Amsterdam/Budapest itinerary they are marketing under the title "Magnificent Europe."
This introduction is really a testament to how far river cruising has come over the past few year. Over the next few years you can count on more and more innovations as market demand drives creativity and competition.
June 12, 2010 - Domestic tourism offers perceived safety
It seems to me that with so many troubles in other countries, that domestic tourism must really be much stronger this year. Is that assumption true?
Figures are yet to be released, but early indications are that people choosing to stay in their own country are on the rise.
It is important to note that many of the overseas trips were already booked long ago, before any of the events around the world were even contemplated.
The Icelandic volcano eruption was totally unexpected. Bookings to Europe have suffered since but where those people chose to travel instead is not yet fully known.
While the protests in Thailand and Greece go back somewhat, overseas trips are often planned and booked several months, and as much as a year, ahead.
But what is known is that in the U.S. there definitely has been an upsurge in summer bookings at hotel properties.
While not in full recovery mode, North American economies are stronger, with projections for continued improvement.
As a result, more people are planning and following through with summer vacation bookings. Indications from airlines are that summer capacity is much better than last year.
Canada is likely to follow that pattern as the weeks progress, and those who may have changed their ideas of a vacation destination seek not greener but safer perceived pastures closer to home than originally envisioned.
There are a number of websites that offer visitors an opportunity to review hotels they have stayed at with some form of star rating. Are these reviews verified and how much can the consumer rely on them?
There is a major debate going on in the hotel industry in particular around the subject of reviews on website open pages.
It is said that few people will pass on positive experiences whereas negative experiences are multiplied many times over as people pass on their anger to friends and associates.
It is also recognized that at some point or other, even the best property may not have satisfied the client expectation for the stay.
While management usually wants to hear about what happened to try to seek a satisfactory resolution, they don't want to see their name splattered over the Internet for all to see.
There is also some concern about the phony review which deliberately tears down a major competitor. It is not hard to find a computer from which to issue such a review, making it hard to trace back.
Some sites allow for a response by the company. This is fair as it allows the reader to draw their own conclusion on which version of the facts is closer to the truth.
Some professionals suggest that there is an over-reaction to negative reviews.
An independent research company recently completed a study of more than 4,000 reviews on the Amazon.com site and reported that more than 80 per cent who reviewed products gave positive, rather than negative, reviews.
I think that a site with only one or two reviews may not represent the larger customer base, but an overview of many presented over a long period can be relied upon for the most part.
June 6, 2010 - Interest in Europe firm despite disruptions
Summer travel bookings appear to have started somewhat later than usual this year. But, even with all the concerning events happening in some of our favourite tourist destinations, they have picked up dramatically as travellers grab onto substantial bargains in accomodations, tours and, in many cases, air fares as well.
Has the impact of the volcanic ash that spread over most of Europe had a devastating effect on travel to those affected countries?
The immediate result of the Iceland volcanic eruption obviously hurt virtually every economy in Europe and Great Britain.
Tour operators and accommodation properties would have already received final payment from clients around the world. Since insurance would cover those wise enough to have purchased sufficient coverage, it's the big insurance companies who will really get hit hard as the claims start coming in.
Likewise, when viewed as a whole, the small shops, restaurants and small tourist operators who count on new arrivals will have felt the bite even more.
Nevertheless, even though there have been a number of ash-related delays since the first eruption, demand for Europe product is very strong.
Suppliers are predicting an especially strong fall season given current booking patterns.
With the strength of our dollar against the euro and British pound, everyone seems to be reporting a significant renewed interest in travel to Europe.
Whether it's Mediterranean or River Cruises, Motor Coach, or individually planned itineraries; all are producing bargains, as each mode strives to increase its share of market during tougher times.
England and Ireland bookings have really held up considering how long Heathrow was closed. Italy from border to border continues to attract, especially to the Rome and the Tuscany regions.
Spain's Barcelona has become a hot destination to go to over the past couple of years, while accommodation pricing in Portugal's Algarve region is establishing solid bookings for the fall season, which usually stays very warm until near winter.
We are leaving for our Europe vacation in August. While I assume the volcanic-ash challenges will be a thing of the past, I assume my travel insurance will protect me if the volcano should erupt again?
That may not necessarily be the case, especially if you purchased your insurance after April 15.
The fine print in travel insurance policies clearly states that travel insurance provides protection for unforeseen events.
If the travel insurance was purchased after April 15, 2010, future volcanic eruptions in Iceland interrupting travel would be considered a known event and insurance policies are not likely to cover another eruption.
In a circular clarifying their position, RBC Travel Insurance underscored this limitation applies only to future eruptions of Icelandic volcanoes.
"Clients who booked their travel and purchased insurance on or before April 15, 2010, will be considered for coverage under our policy if they choose to cancel their trip as a result of this event, provided all other policy terms and conditions are met. To qualify for cancellation benefits, the delay must occur for a period of at least 30 per cent of the length of the trip. Interruption benefits for commercial accommodation and meals are covered up to the maximum amount outlined in the client's insurance policy."
For many, this lack of potential coverage could be a determining factor in deciding to travel or not, but forewarned is forearmed.
It is better to know the facts than to find out later you are standing alone in a cloud of volcanic ash.
I have heard the new cruise ship Norwegian Cruise Lines is launching this month will actually offer cabins at a reduced price specially created for single travellers. Is this really true?
That and a whole lot more. The Norwegian Epic will be the biggest ship in the NCL line, carrying over 4,000 passengers.
It seems to be trying to build a vessel with features that will appeal to all demographics.
So popular are the early single-traveller bookings it is expected others will modify or add similar cabin options in existing or new ships.
To attract more young cruisers, smaller inside cabins have been created to satisfy those for whom a bedroom is just a place to sleep, with more bars and nightclubs available for the late-night revellers.
That doesn't mean this new ship will be party central.
At 31,000 square feet, it will have a larger spa than any other existing ship, with offerings of ice-cream manicures for children travelling with their parents.
For the rich and famous, there are 60 large suites, with a private casino just for those well-heeled patrons.
Something else you seldom find in cruise ships is curved rooms to help enhance the design experience. This is a dominant feature in this ship that is attracting a lot of press.
And while some onboard entertainment in cruise ships can extend to the pedantic, NCL has sunk more than a billion dollars into creating space for a bevy of high-profile acts, including Legends in Concert, the Blue Man Group and Cirque Dreams.
The Epic welcomes the world for her maiden voyage in 19 days with a Trans-Atlantic crossing. With Europe a dominant destination during the summer season, NCL, instead of launching with Mediterranean itineraries as one might expect, has chosen to break in its service and crew with Eastern and Western Caribbean sailings for the rest of the summer.
