Anyone could see for months now that cruise lines around the world were in trouble. Now we know just how much. A report from the CBC suggests Norwegian Cruise Line is in deep financial trouble and is selling emergency stocks and bonds to raise desperately needed capital. Carnival on Monday said it will operate eight ships out of Florida and Texas beginning Aug. 1, but NCL appears to be going in the other direction. “The world’s third-largest cruise ship operator cast doubt on its ability to stay afloat as a company for much longer, even as one of its biggest Read more
vacations
We’re number two. But our Prime Minister is number one. A new study by U.S. News and World Report found that Canada was ranked number two in the world in terms of best countries. The study looked at 80 countries in the world, examining their economic influence, quality of life and other issues. Switzerland came out on top of the overall country rankings, followed by Canada, Germany (up from fourth last year), the UK (down from third), Japan, Sweden, Australia, the United States (down one spot from last year), France and The Netherlands. Although we barely number one overall, Canada’s Read more
Security lineups. Weather delays. Crammed seating in the back of the plane (close to the front, too). Flying isn’t always fun these days. But it’s arguably never been cheaper. According to the latest ARC-Expedia study, economy class average ticket prices are dropping across the world and have reached their lowest level in three years. A report at Travel Pulse says flights have become especially more affordable to and from South America, which is gaining more and more popularity with adventurous travelers. (I was in Chile, mostly Puerto Varas and Easter Island) a year ago for an Adventure Travel Summit conference Read more
This has simply got to stop. U.S. airlines last year are said to have raked in $3.5 billion (that’s BILLION, folks) in bag fees. They’re bleeding us dry to the tune of $25 a bag, and they’re getting rich doing it. Things aren’t much better here in Canada, where Air Canada and WestJet and Porter bring in hundreds of millions of dollars in bag fees and other ancillary revenues. As if flying wasn’t painful enough, now comes a report at hotelnewsnow that says HOTEL fees in the U.S. could reach almost $2.5 billion this year. Here’s what their report said Read more
LAKE LOUISE, ALBERTA – Swiss efficiency. Alberta hospitality. That’s a tough combination to beat when it comes to a hotel. But the Post Hotel and Spa also offers a location in one of the most stunning places on the planet, the oh-so-lovely Lake Louise. Which probably accounts for all those ooh-la-la reviews on Trip Advisor and similar websites. The hotel is cozy and bright and looks very much like a Swiss chalet in a forested glade of quiet, majestic trees, with wonderful views of the amazing Rockies. The staff welcomes you the second you exit your car, and when you Read more
