Feb 3 12 - Cruise Notes from Mary

Cruise Notes from Mary
Mary Engram, CTA/MCC Travel Consultant
February 3, 2012

Happy Friday Everyone

Cruise lines continue to tighten cancellation policies
Carnival Cruise Lines has just implemented tighter cancellation policies on sailings of six nights or longer, increasing the penalty period by 10 days.

Regent Seven Seas Cruises Introduces New Dinging Experience
Regent Seven Seas Cruises will introduce a new Italian dining experience on its ships -- Sette Mari at La Veranda -- starting in June. Each evening, the daytime buffet venue La Veranda will transform into Sette Mari, which will feature a menu of authentic antipasti and Italian specialty items paired with fine wines, all cooked a la minute and served by a dedicated wait staff.

Mary Engram Co-Branded Regent Seven Seas Website
Check out my Regent Seven Seas co-branded website and let me know what you think. Ctrl + Click on this link or just cut and paste the following link into your browser -
http://maryengramcruisesandtours.regent.wvgcruise.com/


Oceania Offers Business Class Upgrades from $999
Oceania Cruises is offering business class air upgrades from $999 per person, one-way, on select 2012 summer sailings when booked by March 31. The line also offers two-for-one deposits on all sail dates. The business-class air upgrade is available for guests booked in Category A to Owner’s Suite categories

Feb 4 is the last date to secure space on the Oct 15 2012 med cruise
Don’t miss out. $900 per cabin will secure your spot.

Disney Wonder Going to Miami
In 2013, Disney Cruise Line will offer Caribbean sailings from the Port of Miami for the first time,.
The Disney Wonder will operate its first cruise from Miami on Dec. 23, 2012. One six- and one seven-night Caribbean sailing will set the stage for 4- and 5-night cruises to the Bahamas and Western Caribbean between Jan. 5, 2013, and May 2, 2013. The 4- and 5-night cruises have a variety of itineraries, with ports of call including Cozumel, Grand Cayman, Key West, Nassau and Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay.

Costa Cruises Clarifies Refund Policy for Concordia Passengers
Costa Cruise will refund the full cost of the cruise and travel expenses for all guests who were on the Costa Concordia when it ran aground Jan 13. The company said it 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 onboard expenses also will be refunded, any credit card charges will be credited to the account and any cash deposits will be refunded. Costa also will reimburse any medical expenses incurred as a result of the accident.

Costa issued the statement on Jan. 23 after some media outlets reported that the line was only offering 30 percent off future cruise coupons to those on the ship. In fact, the 30 percent future cruise discount, in addition to a full refund, was for people scheduled to sail on Costa Concordia from Jan. 14 onward.

Don’t Forget Carnival Spirit is Still In San Diego From Until April 2012
Carnival Spirit is doing 5 and 9 day Mexican Riviera voyages. The 5-day cruises will visit Cabo San Lucas for two full days, while 9-day cruises feature a two-day call in Cabo San Lucas plus Manzanillo, Puerto Vallarta and Ensenada. The 9-day cruises depart Friday and return Sunday and the 5-day cruises depart Sunday and return Friday. Also, don’t forget the 15-day Hawaii cruise from San Diego on April 13th 2012. Space is flying off the shelves..

JetBlue and Hawaiian Airlines Form Alliance
JetBlue Airways and Hawaiian Airlines formed an alliance on Jan. 23 that will enable passengers to fly on both carriers' flights using a single ticket.

10 Things You Should Never Pack in Your Checked Bag

Jewelry and Valuables
If you bring these items, be sure to store them safely in your carry-on bag.

Identification, Passports, Boarding Passes, and Essential Documents
Important documents packed in your checked luggage should be photocopies, not originals. And documents that include sensitive or private information should be kept on your person.

Cash and Credit Cards
All checked bags are screened electronically, but select checked bags are opened by TSA agents and screened by hand. As a precaution, cash, checkbook, and credit cards should be kept with you in your carry-on bag.

Laptop and Electronics
Electronics should be packed in carry-on luggage because they are typically fragile, expensive, and more prone to breaking if transported in checked baggage. No matter how many beach towels you wrap around your laptop, it's still at the mercy of baggage handlers and bumpy flights while in transit.

Lighters, Matches, and Flammable Items
Most flammable items are obvious (i.e. gun powder, hand grenades, tear gas, vehicle airbags, etc), but not so obvious items of note include lighters, matches, and flammable objects, which anyone going on a camping trip (or travelers who smoke) might need to pack.

Lighters without fuel may be packed in checked luggage. However, lighters with fuel may only be packed in checked luggage if they're in a Department of Transportation-approved case. Matches are prohibited in checked baggage, and flammable items, such as paint or liquid fuel, should be avoided as well.

All of Your Clothes
If your luggage disappears you will thank you lucky stars if you put a clean pair of underwear, socks, toothbrush, comb, key toiletries, and other essentials in your carry-on bag. It would be even better if you pack an entire outfit for a day or two at your destination in case your airline loses your checked luggage.

Medications
All prescription drugs should be kept on your person. Passengers are permitted to bring liquid medications onto planes, even if they exceed the 3.4-ounce limit. Howevere, you will need to declare oversized liquid medications when going through the checkpoint. Tell a security officer at the checkpoint that you are carrying liquid medications, and hand them over for inspection. It helps to have a doctor's note or a medical ID card, but it's not required.

Breakable Items
Fragile items should always be packed in your carry-on bag.

Film
Do not store undeveloped rolls in your checked bag because the X-ray machines used to screen checked bags can damage film. Instead, put your film in your carry-on bag and ask the TSA agent to inspect your film by hand. The TSA suggests that travelers pack film in clear canisters or clear plastic bags to expedite the inspection process.

Food and Drink
Passengers aren't prohibited from storing food and drink in checked bags. Bottled drinks may explode or crack in transit or if the flight is delayed, food may spoil.

If you're traveling internationally, you may be prohibited from bringing food to your destination. Each country has its own rules about what kinds of foods can be brought across borders so check the embassy website of the country you're visiting for more information.

Thought for the Month
Wishing you a happy Super Bowl weekend and I hope your team wins. I will be doing a ship inspection on Friday onboard Carnival Inspiration and making preparations for clients who will be sailing on the Super Bowl Cruise.

Wishing you a great weekend
Mary Engram, Your Personal Travel Consultant