Travel News

Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources Restores Waikiki Beach's Sand

Even the most timeless of natural treasures needs tending from time to time. Such is the case with Waikiki Beach, whose golden sands get washed away over time by waves, currents and trade winds. To combat this problem, the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources restores the sand when needed. Its latest replenishment, currently underway, aims to replace approximately 1,730 feet of shoreline in front of the Moana Outrigger Waikiki on the Beach and Royal Hawaiian hotels. The three-month project is expected to wrap up on March 31. The project's objective is to return the beach to its 1985 condition using a state-of-the-art sand-blowing technology to transport sand along the beach. Financial support is coming from DLNR's beach fund, the Hawaii Tourism Authority and Kyo-ya Hotels and Resorts.

US News & World Report Lists Best Hotels in the US

Top hotel listed for luxury may surprise you! See http://travel.usnews.com/features/Best_Hotels_in_the_USA_2012_Winners/

San Francisco Breaks Ground for Pier 27 Cruise Terminal

The new facility will serve as the America's Cup Village from mid-2013 then become the city's primary cruise terminal starting in 2014. Meanwhile, the port has completed upgrades to Pier 35 to handle larger ships during the periods Pier 27 is used for America's Cup activities.

1,000 Passenger Photos to be Showcased on New Royal Princess

Princess Cruises is looking for 1,000 passenger-submitted cruise vacation photos to permanently showcase aboard its new Royal Princess when the ship debuts in spring 2013. The line has launched a "1,000 Memories at Sea" contest inviting passengers to submit their best cruise vacation shots, which will be displayed on the walls of hallways between staterooms and in other locations around the ship. In addition, one lucky photographer will win a cruise for two, including airfare, on Royal Princess.

Whether they captured the perfect Caribbean sunset, caught Alaska wildlife in action, found a breathtaking rainbow over Hawaii, or snapped a meaningful moment onboard, passengers can submit their favorite cruise photos on Facebook, at princess.com/royalprincesscontest or by mail. The "1,000 Memories at Sea" contest will be judged by a panel which is looking for creativity, originality, style, and images that capture the spirit of what it means to "escape completely." Contest judges include Rai Caluori, Princess' executive vice president of fleet operations; Teresa Anderson, the line's vice president of interior design, and Ian Johnson, director of photography and video for Princess.

News is courtesy of ARTA Online.

Survey Shows Wi-Fi is Most Important Hotel Amenity for US Traveler

Surveys of more than 1,000 US travelers and more than 600 US hotel representatives show that Wi-Fi Internet access and breakfast included with booking are primary, while a turndown service offers very little value. Top five most important amenities to US Travelers are Wi-Fi access, included breakfast, guest loyalty points, having a restaurant, and shuttle service to local attractions/airport. The five least important are turndown service, pets allowed, spa, tour/activities desk, room service.

Iconic London Cinema to Become Radisson Edwardian Hotel

London's most famous cinema and host of international film premiers, the Leicester Square Odeon, is to be turned into a hotel after being bought by Radisson Edwardian. There is already planning permission to develop the site into a 245-room hotel with five restaurants and 33 apartments. A two-screen cinema could be retained. Radisson described the purchase as "another jewel in the crown" of its growing empire of 12 properties in London and two outside the capital.

Tel Aviv Voted World's Best Gay Travel Destination

Tel Aviv has just been voted the world's single best gay travel destination. In a global survey taken by GayCities.com and American Airlines, 43 percent of respondents voted for Tel Aviv. Second-place was New York, with only 14 percent. The beach city has long been something of a party town-street life doesn't really begin to shut down until 2am or 3am. Jerusalem is and will remain by far Israel's most-visited destination. Israel has somehow managed to create two cities-Jerusalem and Tel Aviv-that are the top travel destinations respectively for religion travel and gay travel.

Airline News

Possible Improvements at LaGuardia and Newark Liberty

The agency that owns the New York City area's major airports says it is considering improvements to terminals at LaGuardia and Newark Liberty. Tuesday was the deadline for contractors to send proposals to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey to replace La Guardia's Central Terminal. About $350 million is earmarked for overhauling Terminal B at Newark. Later this year, the Port Authority will also ask contractors for proposals to build a new Terminal A at Newark.

US Airways Adds Boarding Line for Frequent Fliers

US Airways on Wednesday will begin offering a separate boarding line for its most frequent fliers, a perk already offered by several of its major competitors. The new Preferred Access line, which will debut in Phoenix and be quickly expanded to the airline's Philadelphia and Charlotte, N.C., hubs, followed by dozens of other cities, will be open to first-class travelers and passengers with status in the airline's frequent-flier program.

Drive-Thru Check-in by Virgin Atlantic

Starting in November, Virgin Atlantic is offering business class travelers a drive-through check-in at Heathrow Airport. The car that's bringing you to the airport drives up a special ramp to the first floor area near Departures in Terminal 3. A host meets you, tags your luggage and checks you in then and there, with no queuing or dealing with what they call "the Heathrow hassle." Then you walk through a dedicated fast-track security check. According to Virgin Atlantic staff, the processing time for passengers arriving at the drive-through check-in will be a maximum of 10 minutes. 

Holland America Boots Passenger for Skipping Muster Drill

Cruise Critic reports that a passenger on Holland America's Westerdam was made to debark Sunday in Port Everglades for "non-compliance" during the mandatory drill. The drill took place on Sunday afternoon just before Westerdam departed on a weeklong jazz-themed charter cruise. Holland America confirmed the debarkation. "The drill included alarm blasts and announcements throughout the ship, including instructions that failure to participate would result in disembarkation," said the line in a statement sent to Cruise Critic. The statement did not mention if there were other circumstances surrounding the debarkation, and HAL has declined to comment further on what "non-compliance" means.

News is courtesy of ARTA Online. 

Carbon-Monoxide Suspected in Hotel Death

One guest was found dead four others were sick from suspected carbon-monoxide at a Holiday Inn in South Charleston, West Virginia. The hotel was evacuated when high levels of the colorless and odorless gas were detected on several floors of the hotel. It has been determined that the gas came from a pool heater. The man was attending a meeting at the hotel.

New Art Show at the Metropolitan Museum Showcases Contemporary Artists

The new show focuses on contemporary artists working in photography, film and video and has taken as their subject the art museum and how we view specific works from the canon of art history. Spies in the House of Art: Photography, Film, and Video is on view at The Metropolitan Museum of Art from February 7 through August 26, 2012. It draws largely from the museum's collection to focus on artists from the last three decades who explore the secret lives of museums. This installation in the Joyce and Robert Menschel Hall for Modern Photography features 17 works, half of which have never been shown before at the Metropolitan. Installation tours, gallery talks linking the themes of the installation to other modern and contemporary works in the collections, and teen programs will be offered in conjunction with this installation. The installation will be featured on the museum's website at www.metmuseum.org.

United Adds New Flights

Effective June 7 United will add nonstop service between Washington Dulles and Honolulu. The carrier will fly the route with Boeing 767-400 jets. The same day United will add service from Denver to Fairbanks using Boeing 737-800 aircraft. This is seasonal service and ends August 27. June 7 will also see the start of service between Rapid City and Houston by United Express. This service ends August 27. June 8 sees the start of seasonal service between Jackson Hole and Houston with two weekly flights on Boeing 757s. San Francisco to Jackson Hole starts July 1 with daily flights on United Express partner SkyWest. Both routes end on August 27.

Air Jamaica Drops Miami Again

Air Jamaica cancelled their Miami-Kingston route less than two months after the carrier resumed service between the cities. All service is discontinued effected today. The airline gave no reason for the cancellation. Reservation agents were notified yesterday. Air Jamaica had reinstated flights from Miami to Kingston on Dec. 9 that it had been dropped back in February of 2009 to cut costs. At that time the airline also dropped service to Atlanta and Los Angeles. Air Jamaica now serves Orlando, Fort Lauderdale, New York and Philadelphia. 

News is courtesy of ARTA Online.

IRS Clarifies Its Interpretation of Airline Miles

Consumers will have to pay taxes on miles they receive for opening a bank account, but miles earned for purchases using credit cards or taking a trip are tax-free. The issue came up when Citibank sent tax forms to those who received thousands of miles for opening a new account.  The IRS said "When frequent-flier miles are provided as a premium for opening a financial account, it can be a taxable situation subject to reporting under current law."

Unions against Changes in FAA Bill Compromise

Union leaders are unhappy over a deal reached in Congress that was part of an effort to pass a long term funding bill for the FAA. The bill was supported by both sides of the House. More than a dozen unions, including the Teamsters, Communications Workers, Machinists and Flight Attendants, issued a statement calling on the Senate to reject the compromise. At issue is a 2010 ruling by the National Mediation Board that allowed airline workers to form a union by a simple majority of those voting. Previously, workers who didn't vote were treated as "no" votes. The House said it unfairly reversed 75 years of precedent although the Senate opposed the provision. Under the new voting rule unions would have to obtain signatures from 50% of workers to hold an election, up from 35%. The bill would also allow a run-off election between the top two vote-getters, even if one of those two is the option of "no union."

What Will Be the Future of the Maid of the Mist?

Discussions are going on in Canada over the future of the Maid of the Mist and other sightseeing boats at Niagara Falls. Tours have run continuously since 1846. There are double-decker boats on both sides of the Niagara River ferry people from both sides of the border to the base of the Horseshoe Falls. They are under separate agreements with New York State and Ontario and attract millions of visitors to the area. The Niagara Parks Commission, an arm of the Ontario government that controls the land and buildings around the Canadian falls, approved a 25-year contract with the Maid of the Mist Steamship Co. in 2008.The lack of competition for the deal drew criticism, so the commission called for bids from competing boat tour operators for the first time and are now under review. The multimillion-dollar bids are under review and the commission is expected to make its recommendation to Ontario's tourism minister in February. No one knows the effect that a change in operators would have on the boat tour business.  Among concerns is whether a new company would allow the Maid of the Mist to continue to store its boats on the Canadian shore in the offseason as space is limited on the U.S. side and it would be impossible to built docks on the US side. The Maid of the Mist Corp. has a 40-year contract through 2042 with New York State. Whoever wins the contract will pay a base annual rent of $5.5 million but other terms are not known. The previous 21-year lease required a rent of 15% of gross revenue.    

TSA deploys AIT to More Airports

THE US Transportation Security Administration announced 25 airports which are set to receive recently purchased millimeter wave Advanced Imaging Technology units. The machines will be deployed with new automated target recognition software designed to enhance privacy by eliminating passenger-specific images while improving throughput capabilities and streamlining the checkpoint screening process. The TSA plans to deploy units to the following airports in the coming weeks: Atlantic City International Airport, Augusta Regional Airport, Logan International Airport, Blue Grass Airport, Central Illinois Regional Airport, Central Wisconsin Airport, Charleston International Airport, Colorado Springs Airport, Columbia Metropolitan Airports, Columbus Airport, Cyril E. King International Airport  Fargo Hector International Airport, Gary / Chicago International Airport, Grand Forks International, Greenbrier Valley Airport, Hayden/Yampa Valley Airport, Henry E. Rohlsen Airport, Montgomery Regional Airport, Newport News Williamsburg International Airport, Outagamie Country Regional Airport, Quad City International Airport, Santa Barbara Municipal Airport, San Luis Obispo County Regional Airport, Santa Maria Public Airport, South Bend Airport. TSA will make additional airport announcements as plans are finalized.  

Singapore Airlines Find More Cracks in A380 Wings

Singapore Airlines said yesterday it had found examples of recently identified wing cracks in all six of the Airbus A380s on which it carried out mandatory inspections.

The discovery of more instances of cracked wing components was expected after Airbus said last week it had found the problem and predicted that until it had time to conduct repairs; a consistent pattern would emerge in further tests. Airbus says the world's largest airliner is safe to fly. The European Aviation Safety Agency ordered carriers to inspect almost a third of the global fleet of A380s, starting with six jets operated by Singapore Airlines, to check for one of two types of cracks that emerged in the space of weeks. Singapore has made repairs on four of the planes in question.  Airbus is supplying repair kits as well as providing technical and logistical support.

Singapore Airlines' chief pilot for the A380 flew to Germany on Sunday in one of the six aircraft that had to be fixed as a result of the mandatory inspections and sought to reassure future passengers over the aircraft's safety.

Ripples the Cat Causes Flight Delay

Ripples, a pretty 10 year old tabby, managed to escape from his carrying case under the seat and ended up in the cockpit of an Air Canada flight from Halifax to Toronto. Passengers were still boarding the flight when the escape took place. The flight was to take off at 5:30 am. It is thought the latch on the carrier was not closed properly after going through security. The cat ran into first class and passengers tried to catch it but it got into the cockpit and into a small compartment under the pilots feet.  Passengers had to leave the plane while maintenance workers came on scene to remove panels, and dissemble part of the cockpit before they could reach the cat. The crew had to check all the wiring to make sure there was no damage and was connected properly. The plane finally took off around 10 am. Air Canada permits small animals to be taken as hand luggage on all flights expect for those bound for Hawaii. They must be housed in a carrier, which must fit under the passenger's seat. Ripples suffered no harm but I'm sure his owner was embarrassed.  

News is Courtesy of ARTA Online.  

Earthquake Hits Central Peru

The U.S. Geological Survey reports an earthquake with a magnitude of 6.3 has hit just off the coastline of central Peru. The earthquake hit just after midnight last night about 9 miles from Ica. Ica has suffered damage from two recent earthquakes, an 8.0 quake in August of 2007 and one last October. This quake was at a depth of 24.4 miles and the USGS maps showed the epicenter exactly on the Pacific Ocean coastline. The quake shook buildings in Lima and disrupted power in Pisco. The latest reports indicated that 96 people were injured, and several residences sustained damage; there have been no reports of fatalities. No tsunami warning was issued.

Medex Issues Security Warning for Dominican Republic Airports

If you are travelling to the Dominican Republic be advised that their airports have been having a number of criminal incidents. Gangs have followed vehicles from Las Americas International Airport and Cibao International in recent months to rob travelers. Medex says there were "multiple incidents" of theft at Las Americas last year. The thefts included perimeter fencing, items sold by airlines to passengers and items in passengers' checked bags. Las Americas airport provides flight service for Santo Domingo, the country's capital and largest city. Cibao airport is in the country's second-largest city, Santiago de los Caballeros. Last year two airlines complained about a lack of security and increased theft in and around Las Americas. Pick-pocketing and mugging are the most common crimes against tourists, though "reports of violence against foreigners and locals are growing, according to the US State Department The department says there are "continuing reports" of thefts targeting tourists in taxis and other vehicles en route from the airport to their hotel. The US State Department advises travelers headed there to consider leaving valuable property at home, make photocopies of credit cards, licenses, passports and birth certificates, and leave with someone at home "emergency funds" that can be "sent on short notice". Medex says travelers shouldn't avoid travelling to the Dominican Republic but should take precautions. Travelers should hire a reputable driver and "avoid exposure to the public at large."

Rwanda Increases Cost of Permits to Track Gorillas

The Rwandan government said Friday it would increase the cost of a permit to track the endangered mountain gorillas, the country's main tourist attraction, to US$750 from US$500 starting June 1. The Rwanda Development Board said "This increase comes at a time when there is significant growth of the gorilla population as well as an increasing demand for gorilla tourism." The permit allows visitors to spend around an hour observing the primates, estimated to total just 790 worldwide.

Spanair Shuts Down

Spanair ceased operations late Friday after a regional government in Spain announced it could no longer fund the airline. The regional government of northeastern Catalonia, which had been investing in the country's No. 4 airline since its 2008 purchase from SAS Scandinavian Airlines System International, said in a statement that it could no longer bankroll Spanair. The Catalan government said the "current economic climate" and "European legislation concerning competition" made it impossible for it to continue financing the small carrier, whose hub was Barcelona airport. Spanair has a fleet of 36 mainly aging aircraft and flew to 19 domestic and 24 international destinations. The airline, which also ran a commuter service between Madrid and Barcelona, was in trouble financially before Spanair Flight JK5022 crashed on takeoff on August 20, 2008 as it tried to leave Madrid bound for the Canary Islands. 220 flights were shut down and about 22,000 forward-booked passengers must find other flights. Airlines with overlapping routes are offering discounted fares to bring stranded travelers home

Frontier Airlines to Return Headquarters to Denver

Last Thursday Republic announced the airline will move back to Denver from Milwaukee. Republic bought Frontier back in 2009 when it was coming out of bankruptcy. Hundreds of jobs shifted from Denver to Milwaukee and Republic's home base of Indianapolis. Maintenance and many of Frontier's administrative jobs will remain with Republic. The airline is getting a new CEO, David Siegel, and a new senior management team.

American Airlines expands Brazil Flights

American will expand the airline's presence in Brazil, beginning in December.  American's route between Dallas/Fort Worth and Sao Paulo will operate with the new state-of-the-art Boeing 777-300ER. American is the first U.S. airline to order and take delivery of the 777-300ER. The new aircraft is designed to enhance the customer experience and includes fully lie-flat First and Business Class seats, plus seating plans that will allow American to offer premium economy seating in the Main Cabin and Wi-Fi capability to keep customers connected while traveling internationally. American will also increase the total number of weekly flights between DFW and Sao Paulo from seven times per week to 12 times per week beginning June 14. Also on June 14, flights from Miami to Brasilia (BSB) and to Belo Horizonte (CNF) will increase from five and three times per week, respectively, to daily. In addition to the increased service between DFW and Sao Paulo, American will launch new service that connects its Miami hub to Manaus, Brazil beginning in June. Manaus will be the seventh destination served by American in Brazil. The flight will be operated on Boeing 737-800 aircraft with 160 seats, including 16 Business Class seats and 144 seats in the Main Cabin. The route is currently scheduled four times per week.

Concordia Update

The Dutch company charged with removing fuel from the ship said bad weather may delay the operation until mid-week. Divers are hoping to install external tanks to pump more than 2,300 tons of diesel out of the 290m-long vessel. Recovery of the Concordia could take up to 10 months, according to the head of Italy's civil protection agency. Franco Gabrielli said it would take up to two months for salvage companies to respond to a call for tenders from the ship's owner Costa Corciere. "Taking into account the constraints that weather and sea conditions may impose, it will take seven to 10 months to remove the wreck," he told the Ansa news agency, meaning it will be visible throughout the summer season. "We already knew that this was a very long, drawn out case but I think it's important that everyone is very aware that it will have a very significant timeframe." Experts monitoring the ship's stability on the rocks said it had shifted 3.5 centimeters (about an inch and a half) overnight on Sunday because of high winds and waves. Local residents of Giglio are concerned about the impact of the wreck and salvage mission on the summer tourism season as currently private boats are not allowed to access the port.

Bus Accident in St. Thomas Injures 13 Cruise Passengers.

A tourist bus collided with a parked vehicle and went down an embankment on Friday, injuring 13 cruise ship passengers. One was hospitalized and the other 12 were treated for minor injuries. The tourists all from the Serenade of the Seas and had been participating in the "Best of St. Thomas and Shopping" excursion.  The group were aboard an open-air "safari bus" when the accident occurred on a steep road near the island's scenic Beacon Point. 

News is courtesy of ARTA Online.

Miniatur Wunderland

The world's largest model railway, located in Hamburg, has added the world's largest model airport. It took six years to complete the model airport. The 1,600-square-foot addition is just the latest to Hamburg, Germany's Miniatur Wunderland, which has plans to continue expanding until 2020. You can view a video of the models here. It is absolutely amazing. http://devour.com/video/miniatur-wunderland/

Travel Regulations go into Effect for the Galapagos Next Week.

February 1 sees the start of new travel regulations for the Galapagos Islands. The regulations were designed to protect the fragile environment of the islands and to give travelers a better experience when visiting. The rules are affecting travel itineraries. No vessel operating in and around the archipelago will be permitted to visit the same site more than once within a 14 day period. This should help disperse the ship traffic throughout the region, keeping overcrowding to a minimum. Tour operators have had to be creative in designing itineraries because of this rule, to operate within 14 days, so we now have plenty of 7, 10, and 12 day itineraries available as well as longer trips.

China's Hainan Airlines to Build 5-Star Hotel in Brussels

China's Hainan Airlines will build a five-star hotel in Brussels, with an investment of $65.8 million. The ceremonial groundbreaking was held on Monday, and completion is targeted for mid-2013. The airline said it took two years of negotiation with the Belgian government to obtain the investment and construction permit. The airline already owns one three-star and two four-star hotels in Brussels with a total of 265 guest rooms. The new one is designed to have 181 rooms. It is likely it will be the first five-star hotel among its peers that is exclusively owned by Chinese investors in foreign countries. The airline is seeking more expansion opportunities in Europe, and it has already opened direct flights linking Chinese cities such as Beijing and Shanghai with Budapest, Brussels, Berlin, Zurich and Moscow. The hotel will be constructed by a German company. The airline was founded in 1933 and flew internationally for the first time in 2001.

Strikes in Belgium

A 24-hour strike in Belgium planned for Monday January 30 is expected to hit train and planes services to and within the country. Eurostar has already made contingency plans for a bus replacement service between Lille and Brussels. Thalys, the high speed train serving Brussles, Paris, Cologne and Amsterdam, has already cancelled services on Monday. Airlines including BA, easyJet and Ryanair are standing by to see if the strike will go ahead and contingency plans need to be implemented.

Delta Increases Second Bag Fee for International Flights

Effective January 24, 2012 Delta has increased the fee to $100 from $75 to check a second bag at the airport for travel from the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Caribbean, Central America, South America (excluding Brazil) to Europe and North Africa. 

Concordia Update

A crew member of the Concordia has sued Carnival over the Concordia disaster. This is the first of what could be multiple US lawsuits seeking class-action. Lawyers for Gary Lobaton, who was a crew member on board the Costa Concordia, said in a court filing that he was not aware of the "dangerous conditions" of the cruise ship until it was too late to abandon the ship. The lawsuit looks to determine whether the Concordia deviated from international safety standards when operating the ship. Lobaton's lawyers said in the filing "Costa Concordia's Captain, Francesco Schettino, delayed the order to abandon ship and deploy the lifeboats." Lobaton, who sued Carnival individually and on behalf of all others similarly affected by the cruise disaster, had sought damages from the company, according to the court filing. The suit was filed in U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois, Eastern Division. 

Crystal Introduces Evening Bistro

One of Crystal's most popular daytime gathering spot, The Bistro, is expanding to evening hours. The new nightly café debuts in April on Crystal Symphony and June on Crystal Serenity, shortly after the ships go all-inclusive. The Bistro has been a popular spot due to its central location and quick access to continental breakfast, afternoon snacks and large selection of tea and coffee drinks from morning to late afternoon.   

News is courtesy of ARTA Online. 

Today the New DOT Rules Go Into Effect

One of the new rules require airlines to disclose the full price of a ticket in one amount. Under the new federal passenger-protection rules, every airline and online booking site must include all taxes and fees in their advertised fares. The fare you see is the end price. Another rule prohibits airlines to raise ticket prices after tickets have been purchased for items like fuel cost increases. Also, customers now can hold a reservation for 24 hours without payment, and cancel that reservation without a fee or penalty if the ticket is booked a week or more in advance. Airlines must advertise the full fare with no additions. Any product that that must be purchased including air, such as cruises and tours, cannot be sold plus taxes and fees. The price you advertise must include every fee and tax. You cannot advertise a one way fare that must be purchased as a roundtrip ticket. When selling tours, you cannot include any opt-out items such as travel insurance. If they are optional they must be offered separately as opt-in items so consumers don't pay for something they don't want. These rules apply to telephone quotes as well so agents need to be careful about how they quote fares from now on.

A Suitcase that converts To a Scooter

A US retailer has come up with the perfect solution for the jet-setter with a deadline a suitcase that converts into a scooter. Hammacher Schlemmer has unveiled The Scootercase, which combines the normal space offered by a hand luggage-sized suitcase with 4-inch in-line skate wheels built into the bottom. The case also features a footboard that can be folded out allowing riders to propel themselves through airports while holding on to the telescoping handle. The Only Scootercase is perfect for computers with a laptop compartment and storage slots for documents, shoes and even your lunch. Users propel themselves along by pushing with one foot and steering by shifting their weight.  'The Only Scootercase has the same storage capacity as a traditional carry-on suitcase with the added benefit of providing a fun, faster way to reach a destination.' This suitcase sells for $299.95 and is TSA approved. It can be used as a carry-on or as checked baggage. You can see the case and read more about it at Hammacher Schlemmer.com and click on luggage.

British Museum Opens Mysteries of the Hajj Exhibition

This is a major exhibition devoted to the annual pilgrimage to Mecca and the museum hopes to lift the veil on the mysterious ritual. Curators hope Hajj: journey at the heart of Islam' will draw in both Muslims as well as non-Muslims. 'People who don't believe in the religion of Islam aren't allowed on the hajj. The exhibition examines the significance of the hajj as one of the Five Pillars of Islam, exploring its importance for Muslims and looking at how the journey has evolved throughout history. It hosts objects from a number of different collections from major public and private collections from UK and around the world, documenting the long journeys associated with the pilgrimage. The hajj is one of the largest spiritual pilgrimages in the world and was embraced by nearly two million people last year alone. Many make the journey to Mecca as it is laid down in the Qu'ran that the journey is a duty that must be carried out at least once by every able bodied Muslim, provided they can afford it. It takes place during the last month of the Islamic year, known as Dhu'l Hijja and once there pilgrims are required to walk seven times around Mecca's most sacred site, the Kaaba, a cuboid shaped building in the centre of the holy city. Pilgrimages to Mecca are thought to date as far back as 2.000BC. It is believed that the first hajj, in which the prophet Muhammad led his followers from Medina to Mecca, was performed by Muslims alone in the 7th century.

Fiji Declares State Of Disaster in Viti Levu

Fiji has declared a state of disaster over flooding and landslides that have killed at least six people and displaced thousands. According to officials at least 3,500 people are now in temporary shelters. The state of disaster has been declared in the western regions of Fiji's largest island of Viti Levu, where the flooding impact is worst. Despite severe flooding Fiji is open for business. "All flights are operating as normal," a spokeswoman for the airport said while Denarau, home to hotels including Westin, Radisson and Sofitel, had placed temporary high-tide restrictions on the causeway joining Denarau to the mainland, but that 4WDs are able to cross.   

Alaska Airlines Removes Prayer Cards from Meal Trays

Alaska Airlines is ending decades of giving passengers prayer cards with their meals,  saying the decision was made out of respect for all passengers. The airline said they heard from passengers who preferred not to mix religion with transportation and decided to remove the cards. The cards began as a marketing ploy to differentiate the regional airline from its competitors. The cards offer a rotating message of different psalms from the Old Testament. Since 2006, when the airline stopped offering meals to customers in the main cabin, the cards have only appeared on meal trays in first class. They will be gone by February 1.

Norwegian Air Shuttle Places Huge Plane Order

Nordic budget carrier Norwegian Air Shuttle ordered 222 narrow-body aircraft worth a total of USD$21.5 billion at list prices on Wednesday. Norwegian Air split its order between Boeing and Airbus, taking 100 of Boeing's new 737 MAX8, 100 Airbus A320neos and 22 Boeing 787-800s. It also signed options for another 100 of the new Boeings and 50 A320neos as it seeks to replace its entire fleet of 62 aircraft with deliveries starting in 2016. The airline competes against SAS who has been struggling against low fare carriers and an aged fleet. It has not made a profit since 2007 but is expected to report one for 2011. Norwegian has been very successful lifting passenger numbers by 3 million in 2011 to 16 million. Norwegian was established in 1993 and serves 261 routes in Europe, North Africa and the Middle East from bases in Stockholm, Oslo and Copenhagen, among others.

Oceania's Latest Ship Delayed by Strikes

Oceania Cruises have been advised by the Italian shipyard that construction delays caused by strikes at the shipyard have caused delays of the Riviera. The ship was to start its first cruise on April 14, but that has been delayed to May 16. All guests affected by the delay will be contacted by their travel agents or by Oceania Cruises directly to discuss alternative cruise dates. The Riviera will sail a 10-day "Pearls of the

Aegean" itinerary on its maiden voyage, featuring an overnight aboard ship in Venice before visiting Dubrovnik, Kotor, Corfu, Monemvasia, Crete, Santorini, Kusadasi (gateway to Ephesus), Delos, Mykonos and Athens.  Guests booked on affected sailings will have the option of re-booking another cruise and receive a future cruise credit, which ranges from $250 to $1,000 per guest, depending on category of accommodation. In the event guests do not wish to rebook, they will receive a full refund. Travel agent commissions will be protected.

Explorer of the Seas Has a Schedule Change

Royal Caribbean Cruises has advised that Explorer of the Seas arrival at Cape Liberty has been unexpectedly delayed due to a medical emergency and will now arrive in Bayonne, New Jersey, on Saturday, January 28, one day later than originally scheduled. The line has asked guests who are scheduled to sail on Explorer of the Seas on Friday, January 27 not to arrive at the port until 2 pm on Saturday, January 28. Regrettably, the delayed arrival is expected to have an effect the scheduled itinerary. Additional information on the revised itinerary will be provided on Saturday at embarkation.

News is courtesy of ARTA Online.

The Zorb

The Zorb began in the tourism hub of Rotorua, New Zealand, with the opening of Zorb Rotorua in 1995. Zorb Rotorua is the company's flagship site and hosts more than 50,000 riders a year. It is described as a cross between a roller-coaster and a water slide and designed to give you lots of thrills. The company is now expanding to other areas and has chosen Guam and the Guam Leo Palace Resort. Zorb Guam has two unique tracks called the "Double Dippers" and offers both Zydro and Zorbit rides. Riders are placed inside a giant 12-foot inflatable globe and rolled down a 700-foot hill on one of two specially-designed tracks. Thrill seekers may choose to add water and experience the Zydro Ride, slipping, sliding and spinning to the bottom of the hill. Up to three people, who really like each other, may ride together. The dry jaunt, Zorbit, is known as the "astronaut-in-training" ride. Strapped securely into a safety harness, single riders are sent tumbling head-over-heels down the hill. Prices at Zorb Guam start at $24-72, depending on the number of rides and riders. Riders must be 8 years or older. No reservations are required.

Yesterday Earth Got Hit by a Coronal Mass Ejection

NOAA's Space Prediction Center announced yesterday that earth was hit by a geomagnetic storm. We were hit by a coronal mass ejection on Sunday when the sun unleashed another earth-directed flare. Geomagnetic storms can be responsible for communications blackouts and power grid surges on the ground. It is the largest storm since 2005 and is impacting the northern side of the world. NOAA says the biggest issue from the storm is radiation and mostly a concern for satellite disruptions and to astronauts in space. Radiation from Sunday's flare arrived at Earth an hour later and will likely continue through Wednesday. Levels are considered strong but other storms have been more severe.

London Underground to Have Wi-Fi for Olympics

Transport for London has announced that commuters will be able to access the Internet in advance of the London 2012 Olympic Games. Following a successful trial at Charing Cross station, Transport for London has confirmed that Wi-Fi access will be provided at 120 stations throughout the Tube network, enabling travelers to go online hen waiting at platforms. Wi-Fi services will, however, be unavailable in the carriages when passengers are travelling from station to station. Transport for London has yet to announce which company will take responsibility for the service and details of possible charges to consumers have yet to be confirmed. During trials at Charing Cross station commuters could access travel information free, but access to other sites was free only for BT customers. The announcement follows a partnership between O2, Westminster council and Kensington and Chelsea council to turn part of the capital into Europe's largest free wireless hub. When introduced, that deal will allow residents and visitors to the boroughs to access internet services for free but it has been suggested that advertisements will be embedded within the service. 

Airlines Divert Flights Because of Solar Storm

Delta announced it was rerouting some transpolar flights between Asia and the US to avoid the impact of this large solar storm. Flights from Hong Kong, Shanghai and Seoul to Detroit took a more southerly route.  It is believed the disruption will only impact a handful of flights, adding 15 minutes to journey times. Delta said its planes flew faster to keep on schedule. United Airlines also reported that one flight had to be diverted due to an earlier storm, but there are no diversions in place for the current storm. American Airlines said none of their routes have been affected, but they were monitoring space weather conditions. Airlines occasionally reroute transpolar flights as a precautionary measure during big solar storms, with radiation levels heightened near the poles because of the relatively thin ozone layer. The region is also more prone to the disturbance of navigation and communication systems because of the convergence of magnetic field lines at the poles. Transpolar routes provide the shortest flights between the U.S. and some parts of north-east Asia. The current storm is classed as an S3 by NOAA and they issued an advisory stating that "passengers and crew in high-flying aircraft at high latitudes may be exposed to radiation risk." There could be long-term health implications for air crews frequently flying at high altitudes during solar storms. This cycle of solar activity will continue into 2013 so we could see other flights diverted this year.

More Cracks in A380 Wings are Found

Inspections ordered by European authorities have revealed the existence of more cracks on a wing component. Airbus says the jet is safe to fly but finding more cracks doesn't lessen concern. Last week two types of cracks were found within weeks of each other on the same type of part, an L-shaped bracket inside the wing. Since then, similar cracks have been found inside the 9,100-square-foot wing of at least one of the super jumbos examined under the ordered inspections. It has also come to light that cracks on a bracket in another part of the wing were discovered two years ago. The problem was documented at the time but went unnoticed outside the industry. Airbus said it was a different issue that had been resolved. There are 2,000 brackets in each wing, which is constructed around a rib cage and attached to the wing's skeleton with brackets known as rib feet and it is this type of bracket that has been found with the cracks. They are found in the part of the wing that was designed to help the plane climb more steeply at take-off and to help with noise restrictions at airports. The inspections affect some 20 aircraft operated by Singapore Airlines, Dubai's Emirates and Air France making up just under a third of the current A380 fleet.

American Adds Miami-Barcelona to its Route Network

American announced yesterday it was adding a flight from Miami to Barcelona starting April 3. The flight will operate five times a week until June 14 when it will operate daily. American will use a Boeing 767-300 aircraft with 225 seats. The carrier currently flies to Barcelona from its New York-JFK hub. It has a joint business agreement with British Airways and Iberia on trans-Atlantic flights, with all of the carrier’s part of the Oneworld alliance.  It should be a well used flight as it connects two major cruise hubs.

Concordia Update

Costa has decided to fight back against the media and all the "disgraceful and unfounded assertions" in media reports over alleged compensation offers made to victims of the Costa Concordia disaster. Costa said the media's suggestions about discounts and promotional offers made to survivors were never verified by them. Micky Arison, CEO of Carnival plc twittered about "inaccurate media reports". Costa said in a statement: "With reference to news reports on discounts and promotional offers, Costa Cruises feels bound to point out that the company has never offered any discount on future cruises to guests who were on board the Costa Concordia for the cruise of January 13th and involved in the tragic accident.  "The information published by a newspaper and reported in various news outlets is totally unfounded, as is confirmed by the English passenger who was quoted by the newspaper. Working with rescue teams, the company worked to provide evacuated passengers and crew members with 'all the necessary assistance to ensure they were able to return home'. Subsequently it contacted guests by telephone, after they had returned home, to check on their physical and emotional wellbeing, and to confirm that they will receive a refund for the cruise and all material expenses relating to it.

Salvage crews expect to begin pumping thousands of tons of fuel from the wrecked Costa Concordia by Saturday. Dutch salvage company SMIT brought a barge carrying defueling equipment alongside the ship as divers worked on installing external tanks that will be used to hold more than 2,300 tons of diesel that must be pumped out of the Concordia. Rescue efforts are continuing simultaneously with the work of setting up equipment to pump the oil off the ship. Authorities have been increasingly concerned at the threat of an oil spill in the marine reserve where the accident occurred but work on removing diesel and lubricant oil has been delayed by the search for survivors and bodies. Preparations to begin pumping the oil are expected to take several days and the actual work of removing the fuel from the giant liner's 17 fuel tanks will take another 28 days.

Cruise Prices Are Rising

UBS Investment Research has found that the impact on cruise bookings may not be as negative as feared, and pricing in general is up, even for Costa. It was thought the Costa disaster would have kept pricing down but in fact, pricing us up about 1% since the beginning of the month across most cruise lines. Costa's slight increase is less than other brands, The UBS Cruise Data Tracker tracks the average of the lowest priced outside cabins for sailings for the six largest North America-sourcing cruise lines and two of the largest European-sourcing lines, a total of more than 7,000 sailings over the forward quarters. The company said that the average ticket price increased since the start of the year for almost every brand they survey. UBS's pricing survey shows strength in Alaska and Caribbean itineraries. Rates across the Caribbean have been up moderately in the last few weeks, with a slight increase in the wave period so far. Alaska pricing is moderately up since start of year, including an uptick in the last week. Mediterranean pricing has been stable since the downward pricing adjustment in early November.

News is courtesy of ARTA Online.

EU Approves Airport Liquid Scanner

European regulators have approved new UK-developed airport security technology, the INSIGHT100 device. This device takes 5 seconds to scan one bottle of liquid, using a technique named SORS (Spatially-Offset Raman Spectroscopy), which originated from work carried out at the Science & Technology Facilities Council's Rutherford Appleton Laboratory. The new technology allows liquids contained in opaque/tinted bottles to be scanned and their explosive contents revealed. The EU hoped that the restrictions on liquids could be lifted this year but new guidance issued by the EU would have the restrictions remaining until the end of 2013. If the new system proves practical to use at airports we might see those restrictions lifted sooner.

Big Ben is Leaning

Surveyors have found the British Parliament's Clock Tower, located in the Palace of Westminster and better known as Big Ben, is leaning. The 96-meter tall clock tower, which houses the bell originally nicknamed Big Ben, leans about 46 cm to the left of its peak. The House of Commons Commission is meeting today to discuss the matter and will conduct an investigation on how repairs could be made. Renovation work on the Palace of Westminster is not scheduled to begin until 2020. The commission said the Palace remained structurally sound. The clock tower was completed in 1859. In 1976 pendulum weights fell down a shaft and the clock mechanism exploded, putting it out of action for almost nine months. Although the tilt is nothing as pronounced as that of the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa in Italy, it can still be spotted by the naked eye. The Palace of Westminster is also suffering from cracking. The current building, which houses the upper and lower chambers as well as the offices of some lawmakers, was built after its medieval predecessor was largely destroyed by fire in 1834 and has required constant maintenance.

Kruger National Park Resumes Operations

The Kruger National Park has reopened its gates after severe flooding damaged roads, cutting off dozens of tourists.  According to park spokesman, clean-up operations are still under way and some roads have been temporarily fixed. No animals were affected by the flooding. The Crocodile Bridge, Lower Sabie, Skukuza, Letaba, Olifants, Shimuwini, Orpen, Maroela, Sirheni and Berg en Dal rest camps are all open and operational while the Tshokwane Picnic Site, Balule, Talamati, Biyamiti and Tamboti rest camps remain closed. All other camps in the north are fine. Most of the access roads inside the park are also fine except the Tshokwane to Lower Sabie is closed.

Flight Crew Injured by Turbulence on American Flight

Six crew members aboard an American Airlines flight en route from Brazil to Miami Sunday were sent to the hospital after the flight experienced severe turbulence, airline officials said. American flight 980 was headed to Miami from Recife and had 136 passengers and nine crew members onboard. Passengers said that they were about two hours out of Recife when the turbulence occurred. No announcements had been made so the crew was not prepared. Firefighters from the Miami-Dade Fire Department met the flight when it landed in Miami around 6:30 p.m. local time and took five of the injured crew members to area hospitals. The sixth injured crew was treated on the scene, and no passengers were injured. Luckily there was a doctor onboard who helped treat the injured.

JetBlue and Hawaiian Form Alliance

The two airlines have signed an agreement that will enable passengers to fly on both carriers with one ticket. Under the terms of the agreement Hawaiian will use JetBlue's Terminal 5 at Kennedy as its New York base of operations when it launches previously announced daily nonstop service between Honolulu and New York on June 5. Until then, connections between the carriers are available via Los Angeles Airport. The airlines said they will soon begin code sharing and have reached an agreement on reciprocal miles accrual and redemption in their frequent flyer programs.

Concordia Update

Two more bodies have been found bringing the death toll to 15. There are at least 17 people still missing, though that number could increase according to the national civil protection official in charge of the rescue effort. He has suggested that there may have been a number of unregistered passengers on the ship.

Costa has released a statement on compensation

For all guests on the Costa Concordia Jan. 13, Costa Cruises will refund the full cost of the cruise, either directly or through their travel agency. The company will reimburse all travel expenses incurred both reaching the port of embarkation and on the homeward journey, including any independent arrangements made for transfers. Any on-board expenses also will be refunded, and any credit card charges will be credited to the account and any cash deposits will be refunded. Costa Cruises also will reimburse any medical expenses incurred as a result of the accident. Every effort will be made to return the valuables left in the cabin safe. Information on the return of personal belongings and other forms of compensation will be communicated. The 30% future cruise discount, in addition to a full refund, is intended for guests scheduled to sail on Costa Concordia from Jan. 14 onward.

Concordia has become a tourist attraction. Hundreds of tourists have flocked to the island of Giglio to see the capsized ship. Many who tried to get aboard the ferries were disappointed as the ferries were already booked.

Ruby Princess Rescues Three Adrift at Sea

Three French sailors were rescued at sea last night northeast of Cuba. Their three-hulled vessel lost navigational power, leaving her crew endangered, miles from any port. A rescue team on one of the ship's lifeboats intercepted the stranded sailboat, which was adrift halfway between Berrys / Clarencetown and Samana Cay in the Bahamas. Hundreds of passengers watched the rescue operation.

Ama Waterways Offers New African Cruise Safari Tour

Guests will have an opportunity to embark on the Zambezi Queen, a 28-passenger ship designed specifically for safari river cruising to maximize sightseeing opportunities. Ama Waterways' African cruises include the 16-day Stars of Africa, the 16-day African Sunsets and the 19-day Golden Trails of Africa. Ama Waterways' African safari river cruises will debut this summer, exploring Africa's most renowned locations, including South Africa, Botswana, Kenya and Tanzania. There will be morning and afternoon game drives, beach picnics and local wine tours. Guests will visit local museums such as the Huguenot Museum or Ngorongoro Archaeological Museum and experience the sights and sounds of tribal dancing and visits to local villages. Experimental excursions such as tiger fishing, tours of Victoria Falls and evening sky presentations are also available.  What a wonderful way to visit Africa by combining river cruising with land tours to see game and local villages and the wonder of Victoria Falls. 

 News is courtesy of ARTA Online.

Nashville to Get New Theme Park

Dolly Parton is planning a new snow and water theme park in Nashville. The project is a joint venture involving Pigeon Forge's Dollywood and Gaylord Entertainment Co., which owned the Opryland USA theme park, closed in 1997. The new, as yet unnamed park will be located across from the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center. No details were revealed except that the water and snow park are the first phase of the entertainment park. It will be an outdoor park like the one at Stone Mountain but will serve as a water park in the summer. It works by freezing the ground, up to two feed under to create an insulation layer and then man-made snow is added. It should work because Nashville has very mild winters. The technology has been used to create snow in Europe, Asia and the Middle East. Groundbreaking is set for early fall and is scheduled to be completed by 2014.

August 13 to be Heathrow's Busiest Day in History

August 13 is expected to be Heathrow Airport's busiest day in its history, so the airport is building a temporary terminal to check through more than 10,000 athletes on that one day, the day after the closing ceremonies of the London 2012 Olympic Games. With 80% of Olympic and Paralympic athletes, coaches, media and other visitors expected to use Heathrow during the games, the world's busiest international airport unveiled the design of a temporary terminal to be used just for departures. The airport currently operates close to its designed capacity. There are plans to limit car traffic while creating special Olympics-only traffic lanes. Officials have also asked companies to find ways to keep some employees out of central London and off the busy transport networks during July and August. To help get people out of London after the games, Heathrow will allow athletes to check their luggage at the Olympic Village east of the city. Heathrow expects a 35% increase in baggage on August 13.   The airport expects nearly 50% more passengers arriving on July 26, the day before the opening ceremony. That includes 390 athletes bringing in 780 firearms, says Heathrow. Construction of the terminal will begin in February in an area currently used for staff car parking on the south side of the airport. No flights will leave from there, with athletes bused to departure lounges. Heathrow says June 27 to October 1 will be its critical period, with 80% of Games visitors expected to pass through the airport. On its busiest expected days, 26 July and 13 August, it predicted passenger levels would increase from an estimated 95,000 on a usual day to 138,000. It is expected to divert up to 10,100 people and 37,900 bags from other terminals. Airport owner BAA said it was spending more than £20m on the Games. It will have 1,000 volunteers to meet visitors, is building lifts to handle Paralympians' wheelchairs and providing extra media facilities and would not use any public funds. 

US Airways Studying Merger with American

US Airways CEO is studying an analysis of how to combine the airlines but any bid is close to a year away because American holds the exclusive right to file a reorganization plan. Merging the two airlines would give it about a 20% domestic market share, putting it on equal footing with United Continental Holdings, Delta Air Lines and Southwest Airlines. Those airlines rank first, second and fourth in the U.S. by traffic. A merger with American would shrink the U.S. industry to three major full-service airlines, increasing their power to raise fares. The combined airline would surpass Delta as the second-biggest U.S. airline. The current US Airways was created in 2005 when America West Holdings, orchestrated a merger to bring the old US Airways out of bankruptcy. The airline also made a hostile bid for Delta when it was in Chapter 11.

Costa Offers Survivors "Insulting" Compensation

Costa has come under fire for offering survivors of the disaster a 30% per cent discount off future cruises as they battle to stave off law suits expected to cost hundreds of millions of pounds. One British survivor of the disaster, branded the offer as "insulting" yesterday. "The company is not only going to refund everybody but they will offer a 30% per cent discount on future cruises if they want to stay loyal to the company." It was also disclosed that in an attempt to help survivors, the ship's parent company, Carnival, has been telephoning passengers daily asking if they are suffering nightmares or sleepless nights. But that move also appeared to backfire when a psychologist said such questioning could trigger post traumatic stress rather than relieve it.

Costa Offers Bookings for Concordia Passengers on "New" Ship

The Independent newspaper is reporting that Costa has transferred passengers with forward bookings on the Costa Concordia to a replacement ship it describes as "brand new," but is actually 20-years old and in dry dock in Genoa for a refit, the  Costa neoRomantica. From 24 March, Costa Concordia's place will be taken by "a completely new ship, Costa neoRomantica". In fact, the vessel was launched 20 years ago as the Costa Romantica. It is currently undergoing what the firm calls "an innovative total restyling". Customers who do not wish to sail aboard a ship 14 years older than Costa Concordia are being offered a refund, but only if they cancel within two weeks. Anyone booked within the next two months is being offered a full refund, with a 30% discount on a future cruise.

News is courtesy of ARTA Online.