Travel News You Can Use
By Judy Newell, April 5, 2007

Tour travel

It’s not too early to start thinking about next year’s Summer Olympic Games in Beijing, being held August 6 through August 26. The company Roadtrips has tickets to all of the events, including the spectacular Opening and Closing Ceremonies. Complete travel packages start at US$7,450 per person. Go to roadtrips.com for more information. 

Inuit-owned Cruise North Expeditions has introduced two new northern itineraries for the coming summer. A 7-night Newfoundland & Labrador expedition from St. John’s to Goose Bay visits remote outpost fishing villages, historical sites and protected parklands. An 8-night exploration of Labrador’s northern coast leaves Goose Bay and sails up to Kuujjuaq, the southern tip of the Arctic. Prices start at US$2,995 per person for the Newfoundland and Labrador trip and US$3,995 for the Labrador North trip and include all meals, group transfers and shore excursions. The trip to Kuujjuaq includes one-way air to Montreal. For more information, go to www.cruisenorthexpeditions.com.  

With gentle waters, whales, abundant wildlife and 300 days of sunshine, Loreto is a prime location for kayaking Baja Mexico’s Sea of Cortés. Paddling south is one of Loreto’s best outfitters and offers a kayak/mountain-bike tour where participants camp on secluded beaches and feast on local seafood. Six-day tours are priced from US$595; contact tourbaja.com.

Mexican hotels

Presidente InterContinental Hotels & Resorts is inviting guests to “Swim with the Fishes” with a series of dolphin and water expedition packages available at hotels in Cozumel, Cancún, Los Cabos and Puerto Vallarta. The Cozumel property’s offer includes a 3-night stay in an ocean suite, an hour-long dolphin swim experience at Chankanaab Park, transportation and admission to Chankanaab Park and daily buffet breakfast. Rates start at US$1,377 per room, based on double occupancy. 

The Cancún hotel’s package also features a 3-night stay in an ocean-view room, dolphin swim for two, use of a waverunner jet ski for 30 minutes, a Limoncello Italian liqueur drink and 15 percent off at the hotel’s Italian restaurant. Rates start at US$1,017 per room, based on double occupancy. 

Similar packages are available at the Presidente InterContinental Puerto Vallarta and the Presidente InterContinental Los Cabos All-Inclusive Resort. For more information, visit www.intercontinental.com.  

Cruise lines

Royal Caribbean’s new “Liberty of the Seas” is coming next month. The Liberty shares the title of the world’s largest cruise ship with her sister-ship “Freedom of the Seas.” The Liberty features a FlowRider surf simulator, full-size boxing ring, H2O waterpark and a rock-climbing wall. 

For Health and Wellness passengers there is a new Vitality program featuring balanced food, fitness, spa and shore excursions, Tai Chi, acupuncture, wellness seminars and even a signature scent. There is an Adventure Theater program run by Camp Broadway, New York City’s famed children’s theater program that introduces younger guests to the world of theatre arts. 

Airlines

Aeromexico announced that effective March 15, it will allow two bags up to 70 pounds each at no additional fees for coach passengers and three bags of that weight for its business class passengers. 

“While there is news of at least one airline charging customers to check any bags, Aeromexico is doing the opposite and increasing our baggage allowance from 50 to 70 pounds each,” said Carlos De Uriarte, Aeromexico vice president of sales, US and Canada. Aeromexico’s allowance exceeds the 50-pound limits for coach passengers that US carriers allow. Visit www.aeromexico.com.  

Spirit Airlines has created a US$9 Fare Club where customers pay a fee for exclusive access to very low fare sales. The airline has had recent sales of seats as low as US$8, US$5 and even US$1. The new club gives exclusive fare access to club members and promises to have fares specials at least once every six weeks. Customers can purchase a 3-month trial membership for US$9 but after that the cost rises to US$29.95 for a full year. Customers who apply for the Spirit Mastercard and use it at least once a month get a free membership. 

Zoom Airlines has announced two new routes across the Atlantic, from Halifax to Paris and Belfast. Both routes will operate through October. Service to Belfast begins on June 8 and to Paris on June 12 with fares starting at US$198 one way. The flights are nonstop and full service. 

Delta SkyMiles members worldwide may now shop for Award Travel by viewing a monthly calendar of Award seat availability on worldwide flights. This feature enables members to search for round-trip or one-way Award Travel and view all of Delta’s Award seats for the entire month. The calendar allows members to switch between first class/BusinessElite or coach class seats. Go to www.delta.com. 

Sources ARTA, Modern Agent, Newsweek.