| Orlando FlexTicket™ |
Enjoy unlimited access to 5 great Florida theme parks with one great ticket. The Orlando FlexTicket has everything you need to get the most out of your Florida holiday.  With the Orlando FlexTicket, enjoy 14 days of unlimited admission to: Universal's Islands of Adventure® Universal Studios® SeaWorld® Orlando Wet 'n Wild® Orlando Aquatica® (Florida’s newest water park) Your adventure doesn’t have to end once the parks have closed. You’ll also get complimentary entrance to Universal CityWalk®, Orlando’s hottest entertainment and dining venue*. FREE parking. Only pay for parking once if you visit more than one park on the same day. Flexibility, variety and great value for money. The Orlando FlexTickets have it all. For more information and tickets call Supreme Clientele Travel (407)413-9578 * Your CityWalk pass is valid for the same period of time as your Orlando FlexTicket. These days start from the first day you enter an Orlando FlexTicket park or CityWalk. Some special events at CityWalk are separately ticketed and may incur an additional charge. Some CityWalk venues have an age limit of 21 years or older. Tickets valid from first day of admission for 14 days |
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Enjoy unlimited access to 5/6 great Florida theme parks with one great ticket.
Friday, July 30, 2010
Princess Cruises 2011 Europe and Alaska brochures are now available!
We're pleased to announce that our 2011 Europe and Alaska brochures are now available. Inside, you'll find everything you need to know about the upcoming sailing season. Europe: New features include expanded details on our most popular shore excursions, highlights of the UNESCO World Heritage sites we visit and testimonials where crew members share their expertise on the exciting cities we visit. Alaska: We have four new land & sea vacation options, including an all-new On Your Own package that offers more free time at Denali and starts from just $299 more than a 7-day Alaska cruise. In addition to detailed itinerary information, we've also added highlights for the most popular cruises and cruisetours. For more information and brochures call Supreme Clientele Travel (407)413-9578
10 great places to swim with sharks
If you're game for swimming alongside whale sharks, then you probably already have Discovery Channel's Shark Week (starting Sunday) on your calendar. Andy DeHart of the National Aquarium in Washington, D.C., and adviser for Discovery shares with Sarah Sekula for USA TODAY some adrenaline-generating encounters that will have you telling more than a fish tale.
Cocos Island
Costa Rica
"Hundreds of scalloped hammerheads school above the scenic sea mounts of Cocos Island," DeHart says. Here, you'll probably spot massive manta rays, bright-orange frogfish and "whitetip reef sharks hunting like packs of wolves for small fish hidden in the reef." The island, often described as "a jungle rising out of the ocean," is one of Costa Rica's many national parks and home to waterfalls and wildlife galore. Note: Getting to this remote spot is tricky; it's more than 300 miles off the west coast of Costa Rica and requires a 36-hour boat ride. visitcostarica.com
Isla Mujeres
Mexico
It's not unheard of to spot 50 whale sharks congregating here in summer, DeHart says. Better yet, you can get close enough to the gentle giants to clearly see the perfectly patterned pale yellow dots and stripes on their skin. "Leave your (scuba) tanks at home, though, as snorkeling is the method for encounters with these huge plankton-feeding sharks," DeHart says. visitmexico.com
PHOTO GALLERY: Swimming with whale sharks
Great Barrier Reef
Queensland, Australia
Take a trip to the treasured waters of the Great Barrier Reef, or "GBR" as the locals call it, for a peek at such tropical sharks as blacktip reef sharks and wobbegongs, a carpet shark named for its bold, tapestry-like markings. Plus, with barrier reefs spanning more than 1,400 miles, you'll be drifting through a haven of 360 species of hard coral and 1,500 species of fish. That means seahorses, leopard moray eels and bright-yellow angelfish are bound to make a cameo. destinationqueensland.com
KwaZulu-Natal coast
South Africa
"Best known for its great-white-shark diving, South Africa also has tiger sharks and bull sharks, locally known as Zambezi sharks," DeHart says. "If you are up for a true adventure, plan your trip for the annual sardine run, when copper sharks show up by the hundreds." The phenomenon involves millions of sardines migrating northward along the KwaZulu-Natal coastline from June to August with great whites, copper sharks, dolphins and cape gannets in pursuit. If you're lucky, you'll spot humpback whales, too. southafrica.net
Galapagos Islands
Ecuador
"Made famous by Charles Darwin, the Galapagos Islands are one of the few places on Earth where scalloped hammerheads are listed as one of the 20 most common fish sighted by divers," DeHart says. "This natural wonder has had increased pressure due to tourism; so when visiting, take only pictures and leave only bubbles." govisitgalapagos.com
Palau Shark Sanctuary
Palau
"In response to increased fishing for sharks and, in particular, the practice of 'finning' — removing the sharks' fins and discarding the body — the island nation of Palau established the world's first shark sanctuary," DeHart says. The sanctuary prohibits commercial fishing of any shark species within its 230,000-square-mile area, roughly the size of France. "Palau, along with many other nations, is realizing that sharks are worth more in tourism dollars than as a commercial fishery," DeHart says. sharksanctuary.com
Guadalupe Island
Mexico
Thanks to the area's crystal-clear blue waters, this is "hands-down the best place to photograph and film enormous great white sharks," DeHart says. "The boat ride there is certainly a long one, but the reward is well worth it." Guadalupe Island, 150 miles offshore of Mexico's Pacific coast, is between temperate and subtropical ecozones, which results in an interesting mix of fish, including yellowfin tuna, strange-looking zooplankton and butterflyfish. visitmexico.com
Outer Banks
North Carolina
"This area is known as the Graveyard of the Atlantic due to its high number of shipwrecks," DeHart says. "These shipwrecks attract numerous fish, which in turn attract the sand tiger sharks. Dozens of these sharks hover like zeppelins around these wrecks. This is one of the few places on earth where shark encounters are almost a guarantee with no chum or bait of any kind." 800-847-4862; visitnc.com
The Bahamas
"With hundreds of islands surrounded by gin-clear water, this is shark central," DeHart says. "The Bahamas offer shark encounters for all adventure levels, from first-timers diving with 30 Caribbean reef sharks at a time in New Providence to face-to-face encounters with the feared tiger shark at the world famous Tiger Beach off Grand Bahama." bahamas.com
Channel Islands
California
"A number of shark species live in and around the dense kelp forests that are as impressive as the state's redwood forests on land," DeHart says. This is a great place to see blue sharks, horn sharks and the Pacific angel shark that uses stealth to ambush its prey." The Channel Islands are known for rich biological diversity, historic shipwrecks and sea caves. 805-658-5730; nps.gov/chis
Make an escape from your everyday routine w/ a whirlwind getaway to The Palazzo!
For more info call Supreme Clientele Travel (407)413-9578
FREE nights & breakfast for 2 daily @Marriott in the Caribbean & Mexico!
For more info call Supreme Clientele Travel (407)413-9578 Thursday, July 29, 2010
The new Disney Dream starts sailing on January 26, 2011—reserve your place today!
Disney Dream
The new Disney Dream starts sailing on January 26, 2011—reserve your place today!
The Disney Dream™ is the majestic third ship in the Disney Cruise Line fleet. Boasting 14 towering decks, a ship length of 1,115 feet and a maximum width of 125 feet, the 128,000-ton vessel includes 1,250 staterooms and has the capacity to comfortably accommodate 4,000 passengers—along with the over 1,458 Crew Members who tend to the needs of every cruise Guest each and every day.
Building on the classic style of the previous 2 ships, the Disney Magic and the Disney Wonder, the Disney Dream is a valiant vessel distinguished for its classic early 20th-century design—which harkens back to the golden age of cruising—and state-of-the-art technology. As can be expected from Disney, the cruise liner was specially designed with families in mind, combining sleek style and convenient facilities with splashes of magic and cruise-industry firsts—like the splashtacular AquaDuck, the very first water coaster at sea.
For reservations Call Supreme Clientele Travel (407)413-9578
Make an Appointment HERENew Appointment Widget for Supreme Clientele Travel Blog!
Don't miss your chance to meet with us. Our appointments fill up fast and on a first come basis. You can now set your appointment 24 hours a day using our new Appointment Widget. Its fast, it's convenient and it locks in your time. Don't delay, book today.www.doyoutravel.info <<<<<<<<<Check it out!
2011 Disney Dream Itineraries. Experience the Bahamian Adventure!
Call Supreme Clientele Travel for more information and brochures
(407)413-9578 (866)782-9838
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Continental tests 'self-boarding' at Houston airport
By Roger Yu, USA TODAY
Boarding a plane without an agent to inspect or take your pass has arrived in the USA.
Continental Airlines has confirmed it's testing the procedure at a gate at its hub in Houston Intercontinental. It's the first experiment at what's called "self-boarding" in the U.S.
In self-boarding, passengers — much like customers of the New York City subway— swipe their boarding passes at a kiosk reader at the gate. That opens a turnstile or door to the jet-bridge. Although an agent isn't there to take the pass, one is typically present to handle problems and other customer service tasks.
PHOTO GALLERY: Behind the scenes at Houston Bush Intercontinental Airport
Continental declined to provide further details on its experiment. The Transportation Security Administration, which is in charge of air security, "determined it does not impact the security of the traveling public," says Greg Soule, a TSA spokesman, adding all passengers are screened at airport checkpoints prior to arriving at boarding gates.
Self-boarding is the latest in a series of new technology that airlines are using to automate getting on a flight. Among others: check-in kiosks that print out boarding passes and boarding pass barcodes e-mailed to smartphones.
The practice has been common at many foreign airports for several years. And if the rate of adoption abroad is any indication, self-boarding could soon proliferate here.
Last year, 14 airlines worldwide were using self-boarding gates, including Air France, Korean Air, Japan Airlines and Air New Zealand, according to the International Air Transport Association. The association, an airline trade group, has been pushing members to embrace the practice and develop standard technology. The German airline Lufthansa started using its "quick boarding gates" in 2003. All its gates at Frankfurt and Munich are now automated.
To do this, airlines need to use boarding passes with so-called "two-dimensional" barcodes, which contain more traveler information than magnetic strips or traditional barcodes, says IATA spokesman Steve Lott. Airlines have agreed to phase out magnetic strips by the end of the year.
Lufthansa spokesman Martin Riecken says while loading customers at self-boarding gates is "a little faster" than traditional gates, the airline's primary goal was to free agents from the mundane task of scanning boarding passes. It frees them to handle other customer issues that require individual attention, such as upgrading seats, he says. The number of agents assigned to automated gates isn't different from other gates: one or two agents for short-haul flights, three or four for longer ones, he says.
Lufthansa passengers who don't like self-boarding can still approach agents to have their pass scanned in "the manual line," he says.
"It's a great idea," says aviation analyst Michael Boyd. "Any reduction in human contact between employee and customer is good these days."
Despite technological advancements, agents have more to do now than 30 years ago to get the plane out of the gate, Boyd says. "It takes more manpower. They let technology drive manpower rather than the other way around."
"As long as you have someone to tell grandma where to stick the paper," he says, "you're fine."
Saturday, July 24, 2010
New York governor approves short-term apartment rental ban in NYC
By Laura Bly, USA TODAY
New York Gov. David Paterson has signed a bill that makes short-term, vacation apartment rentals illegal in New York City - a defeat for opponents who claim it will limit choices for Big Apple budget travelers, and an apparent about-face from comments Paterson made last week saying he would veto it.
The new law, which outlaws New York apartment rentals for less than 30 days, " fixes problems caused by illegal hotels and improves quality of life in traditional residential apartment buildings, while also meeting the needs of visitors. By removing a legal gray area and replacing it with a clear definition of permanent occupancy, the law will allow enforcement efforts that help New Yorkers who live in SRO units and other types of affordable housing preserve their homes," said Paterson in a prepared statement. "By making the effective date of this law May 1, 2011, property holders, business owners and not-for-profit corporations will be able to adjust the uses of their properties to the provisions of this law, or to dispose of the properties at issue so that they may find alternate sites for their current uses."
"When housing designated for permanent occupancy is illegally converted into a hotel, unsafe conditions are created, the residential character of City neighborhoods is harmed and the supply of much-needed units of housing is depleted," added New York Mayor Michael A. Bloomberg. "The bill provides a clear definition of what constitutes transient and permanent occupancy, which will allow City agencies to issue summonses and initiate other enforcement actions against illegal hotels."
Friday, July 23, 2010
10 great places to thrill to a roller coaster
Bizarro, Six Flags New England
Agawam, Mass.
Ruben calls this ride "the best coaster on the planet" with high speeds, fog-filled tunnels and darting turns. The ride is enhanced by a soundtrack played through headrest speakers. It provides riders so much airtime — periods of perceived weightlessness — that "the seats are superfluous." 413-786-9300; sixflags.com/newengland
Millennium Force, Cedar Point
Sandusky, Ohio
An elevator cable pulls riders to a 30-story peak before they plunge down a near-vertical track at speeds of up to 92 mph. "It has overbanked turns, tunnels and four moments off your seat that are unforgettable," Ruben says. At 6,600 feet, it's the longest steel coaster in the Western Hemisphere. 419-627-2350; cedarpoint.com
Thunderbolt, Kennywood
West Mifflin, Penn.
Known affectionately as the T-Bolt, this classic wooden coaster takes advantage of its setting along the Monongahela River. It starts with a drop halfway down the bank, then finishes with its steepest drop at the end. "It's as if the coaster is built backward," Ruben says. 412-461-0500; kennywood.com
X2, Six Flags Magic Mountain
Valencia, Calif.
This Southern California park is home to a unique coaster with separate rails for the seats, so riders find themselves twisting and turning as they fly through the air. "This bizarre coaster breaks the paradigm of how a coaster should work," Ruben says. 661-255-4100; sixflags.com/magicmountain
The Beast, Kings Island
Mason, Ohio
This wooden coaster is the world's longest in both time and length, thrilling riders for more than four minutes on a track that stretches 7,400 feet, Ruben says. It includes a 540-degree helix that twists through a partially covered tunnel. "You can hear the screams echoing through the forest." 513-754-5700; visitkingsisland.com
Ravine Flyer II, Waldameer Park
Erie, Pa.
Riders plunge down an embankment and across a four-lane highway on this unique 2-year-old coaster. "There are several moments when the train changes direction and it tries to pull the seat out from under you. That's nasty," Ruben says. "From start to finish this feels like controlled mayhem." 877-817-1009; waldameer.com
Viper, Six Flags Great America
Gurnee, Ill.
Inspired by the classic Cyclone at Coney Island, N.Y., this coaster is "10 feet taller, a little faster and a whole lot wilder," Ruben says. "Everything that's good about the Cyclone is even better on the Viper." It masterfully employs the picket-fence effect — rushing past stationary objects to add to the illusion of speed. 847-249-4636; sixflags.com/greatamerica
Intimidator, Carowinds
Charlotte
Pedestal-style seats have thrill-seekers leaning back with their feet off the floor. "It's like riding in an out-of-control easy chair," Ruben says of this brand-new steel coaster that reaches speeds of 80 mph. "Anything that makes the rider feel more vulnerable is good. It enhances the sense of imagined danger." 704-588-2600; carowinds.com
Intimidator 305, Kings Dominion
Doswell, Va.
NASCAR legend Dale Earnhardt inspired this steel coaster, which boasts an "incredibly high" average speed of 68 mph, nearly double the pace of most rides, and faster than traffic can legally travel on adjacent Interstate 95, Ruben says. It starts with a drop from a 305-foot hill. "I counted six moments of air and several way-too-fast turns," he adds. 804-876-5000; kingsdominion.com
Hades, Mt. Olympus
Wisconsin Dells, Wis.
You can learn mythology from this wooden coaster, which pays homage to the underworld with a 700-foot-long tunnel under the parking lot. It comes up, turns around and dives underground again. "The sense of immediate decapitation is often present," Ruben says. "It's pitch-black in there, and there's a turn inside you don't see coming." 800-800-4997; mtolympuspark.com
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Live performance by Sarah McLachlan@Jet Blue's Terminal 5@ JFK Airport.
JetBlue Airways has announced a live performance by Sarah McLachlan on Thursday, July 29, at its state-of-the-art Terminal 5 (T5) at New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK). Celebrating her new album release, "Laws of Illusion,” McLachlan's concert will kick off JetBlue's second annual Live from T5 concert series, a unique live entertainment experience for customers on the ground. The concert will take place post-security in the Marketplace at T5 and is not available for public purchase. Customers traveling on JetBlue through Terminal 5 at JFK can enjoy the show. New York's hometown airline will also award 15 lucky winners and their guests exclusive access to the post-security event at JFK for McLachlan's Live from T5 performance, as well as tickets to Lilith Tour 2010's New York concert on July 31, and will release details on how to win to its fans on Facebook. For more information, visit www.jetblue.com. Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Thursday, July 15, 2010
New York City Food & Wine Festival w/ Supreme Clientele Travel
For more info call Supreme Clientele Travel (866)782-9838 
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Escape to Bermuda's Endless Summer w/Supreme Clientele Travel
For more info Call Supreme Clientele Travel (407)413-9578 Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Backlash grows against full-body scanners in airports
Opposition to new full-body imaging machines to screen passengers and the government's deployment of them at most major airports is growing.Many frequent fliers complain they're time-consuming or invade their privacy. The world's airlines say they shouldn't be used for primary security screening. And questions are being raised about possible effects on passengers' health.
"The system takes three to five times as long as walking through a metal detector," says Phil Bush of Atlanta, one of many fliers on USA TODAY's Road Warriors panel who oppose the machines. "This looks to be yet another disaster waiting to happen."
The machines — dubbed by some fliers as virtual strip searches — were installed at many airports in March after a Christmas Day airline bombing attempt. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has spent more than $80 million for about 500 machines, including 133 now at airports. It plans to install about 1,000 by the end of next year.
The machines are running into complaints and questions here and overseas:
•The International Air Transport Association, which represents 250 of the world's airlines, including major U.S. carriers, says the TSA lacks "a strategy and a vision" of how the machines fit into a comprehensive checkpoint security plan. "The TSA is putting the cart before the horse," association spokesman Steve Lott says.
•Security officials in Dubai said this month they wouldn't use the machines because they violate "personal privacy," and information about their "side effects" on health isn't known.
•Last month, the European Commission said in a report that "a rigorous scientific assessment" of potential health risks is needed before machines are deployed there. It also said screening methods besides the new machines should be used on pregnant women, babies, children and people with disabilities.
The U.S. Government Accountability Office said in October that the TSA was deploying the machines without fully testing them and assessing whether they could detect "threat items" concealed on various parts of the body. And in March, the office said it "remains unclear" whether they would have detected the explosives that police allege Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab tried to detonate on a jet bound for Detroit on Christmas.
TSA spokeswoman Kristin Lee says the agency completed testing at the end of last year and is "highly confident" in the machines' detection capability. She also says their use hasn't slowed screening at airports and that the agency has taken steps to ensure privacy and safety.
The TSA is deploying two types of machines that can see underneath clothing. One uses a high-speed X-ray beam, and the other bounces electromagnetic waves off a passenger's body.
Passengers can refuse screening by the machines and receive a pat-down search by a security officer, screening by a metal detector, or both, the TSA says.
Sunday, July 11, 2010
How to Plan a Cruise for the Family
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Overview
Cruises make an enticing choice for a family vacation because they don't entail a lot of packing and unpacking. You essentially take your hotel room with you as the ship travels to various ports of call--a godsend to parents with children--allowing for a complete vacation without the constant sift in hotel rooms. Many cruise lines also have babysitting services and amenities specifically focused on children, which lets mom and dad to relax just as much as the children do.
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Step 1
Think about the best destination for your cruise. While you may be interested in exploring ancient Tuscan ruins or 17th century churches, your kids may be more interested in having fun at a local water park. Beach-based destinations such as the Caribbean work well for families with small children or teens: they can play in the sand or try out activities such as parasailing without feeling like they're being dragged around to places they'd rather not go. -
Step 2
Determine the best time and length of your cruise. Cruises are contingent upon available vacation time and/or your family members' various commitments to work and school. In addition to the length of the cruise itself, you need to plan travel time to and from your embarkation point. -
Step 3
Check different cruise lines and look at the specific details of their ships. Most cruise lines offer daycare facilities in the mornings and early afternoons, although you'll need to pay an extra fee for them. Many cruise lines require children to be potty-trained before they can participate in onboard activities (Carnival Cruises makes a notable exception). If you have grade-schoolers, look for programs that provide activities such as scavenger hunts and computer games. Teens need flexible programs that allow them to be autonomous while still providing activities and/or entertainment areas to keep them occupied. In addition to child-specific accommodations, check on more general amenities your family requires: pools, game rooms, restaurant menus, night clubs and lounges. -
Step 4
Examine your cabin options. If you have children, you want to book an assigned cabin in advance, which allows you to tailor the sleeping arrangements to fit your particular needs. Individual cabins may vary slightly, and if yours aren't assigned, you may find that they don't have what you need. If you're getting multiple cabins, make sure they are located next to each other or across the hall and see if you can get cabins with adjoining doors or larger staterooms. (Norwegian Cruise lines, in particular, offers suites and discounts for large families.) -
Step 5
Check the safety and health codes of the ship you intend to board to make sure it's safe. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention maintains a list of cruise ships and their health records, and you should consult its website (cdc.gov/nceh/vsp/) before making your purchase. -
Step 6
Pack for the trip carefully. Most cruises include at least one formal night, so you'll need to include a good suit or cocktail dress with your luggage. Pay close attention to the cruise's dress code: slacks, dresses and collared shirts are preferred when you're not in the pool. A second bathing suit for every family member lets you dry one out while wearing the other, and sunscreen and a floppy hat are essentials (the sun gets very hot on the ocean, even in warm climates). Pack a sweater or similar warm clothes for the evenings, and include hand sanitizer to help keep germs away in your cabin.
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