What is Hot in  Travel, and Travel Updates

Award Plans Earn Cash for Airlines
What began 27 years ago as a way to win the loyalty of travelers has turned into a lucrative business for the airlines... New York Times

 USA Today Carnival-owned brands to refund fuel surcharges The latest mea culpa on retroactive fuel surcharges comes from industry titan Carnival, which has struck a deal with the Florida Attorney General to return $40 million to customers.

 USA  Today PHOENIX (AP) — If you're taking your laptop on an airplane, there are some steps you should take to keep your computer safe. Here are 10 tips from Luke M. Ford, founder of My Computer Works, a provider of help desk and computer support services for businesses and consumers

Foreign visitors discover Japan's offbeat attractions
While Japan has always drawn tourists to Kyoto, Mount Fuji and its hot springs, a record number of foreign visitors are discovering new ways to experience the Asian country. Ninja classes, for example, have become hot along with animation museums. Last year, Japan lured more than 8.3 million foreign visitors, a 14% increase from 2006. MSNBC/Associated Press

Hotels enforce stiff fines for smoking policy violators
Hotels increasingly are cracking down on guests who violate nonsmoking policies by enforcing fines and charging guests' credit cards as much as $250 or more. Hoteliers say nonsmoking guests are getting more sensitive about smelling any hint of smoke, and the fine is necessary to cover the cost of cleaning the room. The Wall Street Journal

Jamaica hot summer destination Jamaica was the only English-speaking Caribbean country to be in the top 10 "International Hot Spots-Cities" for next summer, as ranked by the American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA).

Perks: Upping the Ante Onboard
Here are some of the newest offerings by major cruise lines... New York Times

UPDATED GOVERNMENT INFO ABOUT PASSPORT REQUIREMENTS

The requirement to possess a valid Passport or PASScard* for all U.S. citizens who travel by air, sea or land to and from the Caribbean, Bermuda, Central and South America, Canada and Mexico has been extended to June 1, 2009. However, the government can accelerate this date based on meeting certain standards.

We would like to share some of the following reassuring information that the International Council of Cruise Lines (ICCL) has released regarding cruise ship safety.
During the past two decades, ICCL member cruise lines have maintained the best safety record in the travel industry while transporting more than 90 million people throughout the world.
In terms of fire safety and prevention, anyone who has been on board a ship knows that all crew are trained in basic firefighting procedures, and constantly practice and update their skills. When the ship is in port, there is often an announcement that the subsequent alarm is for crewmembers only; at times, an officer will also announce the crew’s response time. Crewmembers specifically assigned to the ship’s firefighting teams receive additional specialized training.
The average response time for an emergency is within a matter of minutes. Fire teams and trained emergency and medical crews are only a few hundred feet away from possible fires.
ICCL notes that member cruise ships have sufficient lifeboats and life rafts for everyone on board, plus additional capacity in reserve. At the beginning of each voyage, all cruise passengers go through a mandatory safety drill for familiarization in the event of an emergency. In 2001, ICCL cruise members adopted mandatory safety standards for their cruise ships that exceed existing U.S. and international standards, which are integrated into its internationally mandated Safety Management System (SMS) to ensure compliance through internal audits and third party audits.
Cruise ships also must comply with the IMO’s Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) Convention which is adopted by countries worldwide, including the U.S. SOLAS governs the design, construction and operation of all ships. To ensure compliance with exhaustive SOLAS and other safety requirements, the Coast Guard conducts quarterly inspections on all vessels embarking passengers at U.S. ports. The examinations focus on fire safety systems and life saving equipment and their safety and environmental protection items.
The Coast Guard also witnesses fire and abandon ship drills to ensure crew proficiency and verifies the adequacy of crew training through observation of drills, examination of documentation and interviews with officers and crew.
The average ICCL member cruise ship (86,000 gross registered tons) has five fire teams on board and more than 170 trained personnel on their firefighting teams (the average town’s fire department usually has an average of six firefighters per station).
Approximately 20 crewmembers with advanced firefighting training are present on average and more than six miles of firefighting hose. The average ship is equipped with more than 16 miles of sprinkler piping and in excess of 5,000 sprinkler heads. More than 500 fire extinguishers, 4,000-plus smoke detectors and more than 400 fire stations or hydrants are also on the average ICCL ship. There are additionally local sounding alarms in all cabins.
With regard to shore excursions, ICCL cautions that, when traveling, passengers must remember that they are on an international voyage and are visiting foreign ports-of-call. Approximately 98% of cruise passengers disembark a cruise ship to visit a port-of-call. Of those who leave the ship, 45%-50% participate in organized shore excursions offered by the cruise line in conjunction with local operators.
The organization notes that cruise lines rigorously evaluate local shore excursion operators and look at factors such as licensing, proper equipment, insurance and safety records. The lines encourage their passengers to use their shore excursion providers, but cannot prevent them from booking with independent tour operators.
ICCL adds that cruise lines do alert their guests on the risks of using companies that have not been vetted by the cruise line or are not properly licensed and insured.
ICCL points out that tragedies on shore excursions are rare. When incidents happen, the cruise line fully cooperates with local officials in their investigation and assists those affected and their families. When choosing a cruise, ICCL encourages passengers to buy travel insurance and to select shore excursions recommended by the cruise line from reputable and established operators who have undergone a stringent evaluation. They add that individuals should ensure that any independent shore excursion providers they choose are properly licensed and insured.

Continental Airlines opens a kennel at Houston's Bush Airport for customers using the airlines PetSafe service. The kennel offers around the clock care for animals that have stopovers or overnights in Houston.

Sandals and Beaches go smoke free in all enclosed areas.

What's new in Cruising

Panama Canal to widen- The Panama Canal will double it's size to accommodate the big mega ships. 

River Cruising  one of the hottest travel experiences going.

Loreto the new "Cabo"

For 300 years, Loreto remained one of Mexico's treasured secrets. Sitting peacefully on the shores of the Sea of Cortés, hidden beneath the Sierra de la Giganta mountains, only a few visitors were lucky enough to discover this little jewel of Baja. But once you visit a place like Loreto you can't keep it to yourself, and now the secret is out.