Airline pricing on the Rise

Passengers are complaining about luggage fees and other ancillary costs, while airlines are striving to turn their customers' attention to other charges, namely government taxes and fees. Revenue generated through the taxes and fees generally go toward airport projects, although some have nothing to do with the flight. This is particularly true for those leaving from JFK airport as they have closed the main strip for maintenance (4 months)--ugh!

Hawaii Reports No Damage Due to Earthquake Generated Tsunami

No one can be more excited than this writer from Contrino Travel to advise that there was no reported damage to infrastructure within the state from any tsunami due to the 8.8 earthquake off the coast of Chile and travelers heading to the destination can do so without any concern and need not cancel any vacation plans. At approximately 1:40 p.m. Hawaiian time on Sunday, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center canceled the tsunami warning in Hawaii. Hotels and other visitor-related facilities are open and operating normally. Most flights to and from Hawaii were reported on schedule, but there may be some delays and travelers should check with their airline before going to the airport.

Vancouver - An Off Peak Destination to Visit

Spring is typically the low and shoulder season for Vancouver, but this year is an especially sweet time to head to British Columbia because of the Winter Olympics, which end on February 28. Host cities typically suffer from post-Olympic syndrome, when would-be visitors avoid the area because they believe it is too expensive or too crowded. But savvy travelers can find plenty of deals for Vancouver (and even for nearby Whistler, which is in high season through March.

Happenings in Vancouver this spring include the Vancouver International Biennale, a free, open-air art event that lasts through June 30, 2011. International Dance Day will be celebrated on April 29 in Vancouver, and free events such as a flamenco dance class and hula-hooping lessons make the event an entertainment bargain.

There's so much to see and do in Vancouver and Contrino Travel can help you decide, making it a great destination to visit.

Euro to US$Ratio Improves Greatly

Planning a trip to Europe? Now's the time to start planning with Contrino Travel. For every Euro, the current exchange rate to U.S. dollars is 1.36. It has been reduced dramatically.

Royal Caribbean Lauches Online Dining Reservations

Contrino Travel reports that Royal Caribbean International is launching Daily Reservations, an online reservation system for guests enrolled in the My Time Dining program. Through Daily Reservations, My Time Dining guests can make nightly reservations in the main dining room for themselves and guests at their table. Guests can access, request and review their Daily Reservations in advance of their sailing through the Pre-Cruise Planner or Cruise Enhancements section of www.RoyalCaribbean.com. Daily Reservations is currently available for Oasis of the Seas sailings and will be deployed fleetwide throughout the spring.


Dinner reservations can be requested for a table for two to 10. Guests can request reservations for the same time with the same people nightly or a different time every evening with different companions. If a particular time is unavailable, Daily Reservations will suggest an alternative time that is closest to the request. Guests can then review their daily dinner reservation details in a calendar view, as well as request changes.

DR -- A Golfer's Paradise!

Dominican Republic is well known for its great beaches, but one shouldn't discount all it has to offer to golfers. Cap Cana, catering to high end clients and the luxury sector, has it's fair share of golf course offerings too! Contrino Travel has been sending their clients to DR, well before and even after the occurrence of the tragic earthquake in Haiti.

Princess Cruises Brings Back an Old Tradition -- Bon Voyage!

Contrino Travel learned today that Princess Cruises is reviving a signature tradition from the early days of cruising, the opportunity for passengers to have non-sailing friends and family come aboard on embarkation day to wish them a "bon voyage."

The only catch: It'll come with a charge.

The "Bon Voyage Experience," as Princess is calling it, will cost $39 per person.

As Princess notes in an announcement of the program today, friends and family of cruisers once routinely came aboard vessels to see them off, but the practice disappeared more than two decades ago as security procedures tightened.