NCL F3 Is Out of the Box

A rendering of NCL's New Wave Balcony stateroom on the F3 ships.

NCL F3 Is Out of the Box ...Thu Apr 24 2008, by TravelTrade Staff

NCL revealed what it calls "the cruise industry's most innovative living space at sea - New Wave Staterooms by NCL." Designed for its next generation of Freestyle Cruising ships, F3, the New Wave standard, New Wave balcony and New Wave deluxe staterooms represent a giant leap forward in cruise ship accommodations with a completely fresh take on bathroom design, contemporary curved architecture and open living space.

"We have thrown away the rule book with the design of F3 and today are revealing the very first element with our New Wave staterooms. Gone are the regimented typical designs and in place are sleek staterooms that are totally outside the box, designed for the needs of tomorrow's guests," said Colin Veitch, NCL's president and CEO.
The New Wave staterooms most distinctive design element is its curved walls and lines creating a modern and chic experience.

NCL said it has maximized the living space with a bathroom that is completely unique with a separate shower stall, separate water closet and a modern vanity top sink. The staterooms feature a sophisticated earth-tone palette accented with a splash of color and rich, dark wood. Concealed contour LED lighting and back-lit domed ceilings set a relaxing vibe.

"Today's announcement is just the first chapter in a series of innovations we will be revealing about our new F3 ships leading up to their launch in 2010," Veitch said. "These ships will further deconstruct the traditional cruise ship experience with innovations in design, accommodations, luxury and entertainment to create a cutting-edge resort vacation experience unlike any other at sea."

Fee Increases

Royal Caribbean Brands Increase Fuel SurchargeRoyal Caribbean Cruises, Ltd. announced that effective for bookings made on or after May 1, 2008, it will increase its fuel surcharge to $8 per person, per day for the first two persons in a state room. The increased fuel surcharge applies to Royal Caribbean's three brands: Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity and Azamara Cruises. The new maximum fuel surcharge for the first two persons in a state room is $112 per person, per cruise. Additional passengers in a cabin will be charged $3 per person, per day and no more than $42 per person, per cruise. According to Royal Caribbean, bookings for which full deposits have been made prior to May 1 will pay the lower, previously announced surcharge of $5 per person, per day for the first two cabin passengers. Read more information on Royal Caribbean International's fuel supplement policy

United and Lufthansa Increase Change Fees - United Airlines has increased its domestic change fee from $100 to $150 (plus any applicable fare difference) on non-refundable tickets issued after April 18. In addition, the Saturday night stay requirement has been reinstated in markets where United competes with other legacy carriers. Change fees on non-refundable international tickets have also increased. Some international non-refundable tickets cannot be changed, while some can be changed for a fee ranging from $150 to $250. The typical change fee on tickets to Europe is now $250 for both United and Lufthansa.

Knowing Your Rights if Airline Flight Is Canceled

Stuck in the airport because the airline canceled your flight?

Here's what some airlines say they'll do for you in their contract:

American
says it will put you on its next flight with available seats. If it doesn't get you to your destination the same day, it will provide lodging "subject to availability."

Delta
says it will fly you on the next flight that has a same-class seat available; flights on other carriers are booked at its discretion. If you paid for business class but only a coach seat is available, you can get a partial refund. If the next seat available is in business class, and you paid for coach, Delta can put you in coach and upgrade a frequent flier.
If your flight is delayed for more than four hours, Delta will give you vouchers for meals. If you're stuck between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m., Delta will give you vouchers for a hotel —if there's room at ones they work with — and ground transportation.

Continental
says it will fly you in premium class, if that's all that's available on the next flight out and it gets you there earlier than the next flight with a coach seat. If you're delayed more than two hours, it will switch you to another airline — if you request it.
If you're stuck for more than four hours between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m., Continental will provide a hotel and a second meal. It will provide food if the delay "will extend beyond normal meal hours."

United
says it will fly you on the next flight in the same class of service. If it can't arrange transportation "that's acceptable to the passenger," it will fly you out on another airline in the same class of service.
If you paid for premium class and the only seat available is in coach, United will refund you the difference.
If you're stuck more than four hours between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m., United says, it will provide lodging.

Northwest
says it will fly you on the next flight in the same class of service or higher if that's all that's available; if it can't, it will put you on another airline in the same class. If you paid for a premium seat and there's room only in economy, you're entitled to a partial refund.
If you're stranded overnight, Northwest "will make every effort" to provide lodging and a voucher for meals.

US Airways
says it will fly you out on another of its flights; if it can't, it may fly you out on another airline.
If you're stranded overnight, US Airways says it will put you up in a hotel, provide ground transportation and give you breakfast. If you're delayed for four hours or more during meal times, you can get food vouchers.

source: USA Today

Windjammer Barefoot Appears to Finally Ceases Operations

Windjammer Barefoot Cruises, which hasn't operated a ship since last August, has apparently closed its Miami offices. The troubled company, which let lapse its Florida license to sell travel in November, was unsuccessful in its attempts to renew that registration, said Terence McElroy, spokesman for the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. "Because of their financial difficulties, we insisted they post a $50,000 bond, which they didn't have to do before," McElroy said. "They were unable or unwilling to post the bond, so we rejected their request to renew the license. At that point, they were no longer licensed to sell travel in Florida."

The Florida Attorney General's office said it has received 172 complaints from consumers about Windjammer. "We currently do not have an investigation on Windjammer Cruises, but we continue to review complaints to see if anything falls under our jurisdiction through the Florida Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act," the attorney general's office reported. Windjammer's toll-free phone number is disconnected and the local lines also do not work. The company website -- http://www.windjammer.com/ -- is still operating, but the PayPal system has been removed along with itinerary listings. A call to Joey Burke, a grandson of founder Mike Burke who had tried to resurrect the company, was not returned by press time. "We can't say for a fact that they're out of business," McElroy said. "We've gone on their website and tried to call, but there doesn't seem to be anybody there. The office appears to be sort of an abandoned building." For more information, contact the state of Florida's Consumer Services Division at 800-HELPFLA within Florida or 850-922-2966 outside Florida or visit http://www.800helpfla.com/.

ModernAgent.com

Lots of Travel News and Updates

Frontier files for Chapter 11, will continue to fly
Frontier Airlines filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection today but said it will continue to operate. The airline said it filed for bankruptcy after a credit card processor attempted to withhold significant proceeds from the sale of tickets. "Fortunately, we believe that we currently have adequate cash on hand to meet our operating needs while we take steps to further strengthen our company," Chief Executive Sean Menke said. ClipSyndicate/Associated Press (4/11) , Los Angeles Times/Associated Press (free registration) (4/11)

Tibet open to groups but....
Chinese authorities have reversed their recent decision to open Tibet back up to foreign tourists. Tourism officials said last week that tour groups would be allowed in starting May 1, but tour operators said the authorities told them this week to stop organizing trips for foreigners, citing safety concerns. The Washington Post/Associated Press

Senator calls on Congress to OK passenger rights bill
Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., is seizing the opportunity to strike while consumers are hot as she calls on her fellow lawmakers to approve a federal air passengers' bill of rights. The legislation, which has been stalled since last year, would require carriers to provide drinking water, food, toilet facilities, ventilation and medical treatment to travelers stuck on planes for an extended period of time. "All of us know that delays happen," Boxer said. "What we are concerned about is how people are treated after the delays happen." Los Angeles Times (free registration) (4/11) , MSNBC/Associated Press (4/10)

Celebrity Cruises to expand smoking restrictions Oct. 1
Celebrity Cruises plans to prohibit smoking on balconies and in cabins as part of its more stringent rules regarding smoking. The cruise line also plans to offer fewer public smoking areas. Violating the smoking ban may result in a $250 fee charged to the passenger's onboard account. Travel Weekly (free registration) (4/10)

Gambling revenues in Las Vegas fall for second month
Las Vegas saw a decline in its gambling revenue for the second consecutive month in February, compared with the same month last year. Revenue dropped 3.1% to $556.6 million along the Las Vegas Strip in February, following a decrease of 1.3% in January. The Wall Street Journal (subscription required) (4/10)

Singles Sailing into Adventure

Singles travel around the world is the goal of Best Single Travel. With over half the population of the U.S. being single, there are few options for singles or solo traveler. As Best Single Travel finds these trips, tours or vacations they will be posted on their website.

One of the new discoveries is SeaScapes's Singles Adventure Sailing in Greece, Turkey and Thailand for singles and solo travelers in their 20s 30s 40s and 50s. Singles Adventure Sailing is not the typical singles cruises, no maid service, or stewards onboard. The small yachts sail with no more then 8 passengers and dock on islands that the big cruise liners can't.

The "mostly singles" trips tend to attract the active, get-out-there-and-do-it types. The group dynamics are usually very strong - when traveling solo, people tend to make more effort to get to know one another. With the team-spirit that boat life creates, the laid-back, hedonistic atmosphere of the islands, people get to know each other real fast - many folks go home with close friendships that have lasted years since.

The itineraries are mostly based on two week routes however; they are arranged such that it's easy to sail for one week only. Itineraries have been developed over several years to take best advantage of prevailing wind conditions, and alternating tranquil anchorages with lively ports, etc. However, one of the greatest advantages of a sailboat is the ability to be flexible - and if the whims of the wind gods or those on board dictate that the route be changed - it can be changed.

The Greece-AND-Turkey trips sail to SeaScape's favorite islands in the Dodecanese; from tiny fishing villages where the traditional Greek spontaneity and lively spirit lives on - to the bright lights and party nights of the more developed islands, where one can eat, drink and be merry in modern-day Greece! The other favorite spots tend to be the quieter, less "touristy" parts of Turkey, where the locals give us a real family welcome. Explore more ancient sites, luxuriate in Turkish baths - and even learn to belly-dance!

Mediterranean single sailings run from June through September. Four months in winter the yachts sail the Australia's Whitsunday islands and Thailand.

Singles Cruises - FINAL Passport Rule Issued

The Departments of Homeland Security and of State issued the final rulemaking concerning the requirements of passports for land and sea border crossings under the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative. After years of development following 9/11, this ruling is the end of the process and can be considered FINAL when helping your clients ensure they have the proper identification when traveling.

Effective June 1, 2009, the following rules take effect for cruise passengers:
U.S. citizens on cruise voyages that begin and end at the same U.S. port (closed-loop itineraries) must show proof of citizenship* and government-issued photo ID (such as a driver’s license). A passport will not be required for passengers that fall into this category.
*Documents include: Original or certified copy of birth certificate; Naturalization papers; Consular Report of Birth Abroad issued by Department of State.

All other passengers and/or itineraries (such as cruises which begin in one U.S. port and return to a different U.S. port or any cruise that begins or ends in a foreign port) will require a passport or other recognized document. The good news for a majority of cruise passengers – American citizens that leave and return on their cruise from the same U.S. port – is that the travel document requirements will remain largely unchanged from how the industry is operating today.

How to Obtain a Passport information if you need one.