Shore Excursions: Everything You Need to Know

by Erica Silverstein, Cruise Critic

Snorkeling through coral reefs, exploring ancient Roman ruins, hiking
on glaciers, shopping at local outdoor markets—all of these shoreside
activities are as much a part of the cruise experience as enjoying the
onboard amenities of your ship. Indeed, half the fun of taking a
cruise is exploring exciting new places—tropical islands, bustling
metropolises, and exotic countries.

So to enhance each port visit (as well as to increase their profits),
cruise lines offer organized shore excursions on all ships for
additional fees. These land-based trips run the gamut from sightseeing
city tours to cultural events and active pursuits. You can take a
sunset pleasure cruise in St. Lucia, visit penguin colonies in the
Falkland Islands, go wine tasting in Provence, or rollerblade through
Copenhagen. The tours can be booked onboard at your ship's excursions
desk or online before you depart on your trip.

The benefits of booking ship-sponsored tours are many. You can skip
the hassle of arranging your own onshore activities, you'll know the
tour provider is licensed and reputable, and the ship won't depart
until all of its tour buses have returned—even the tardy ones. You may
also meet other shipmates whose company you'll enjoy back on the ship.

But ship tours are not always the way to go. The pleasurability and
efficiency of tour operators varies from ship to ship, and some tour
offerings are simply duds. All too often, shore excursions translate
into time-consuming bus rides with drop-offs at shopping centers
proffering souvenirs you can live without. For example, following a
long, hot (but worthwhile) tour of the Acropolis outside of Athens,
passengers who thought they were being driven back to their ship were
squirreled into a tacky little shop, belonging to the tour guide's
brother-in-law. Finally, you will often pay more for the privilege of
letting the cruise line arrange your day than you would if you booked
directly with a provider.

To give you the skills to make the best decisions about your days in
port, here is our best advice on what to expect from a shore excursion
and how to make the most of your time ashore.

What to Expect: Shore Excursions

Cruise lines offer a mind-boggling array of tours—everything from
basic snorkeling trips to more involved, overnight tours to see the
Great Pyramids in Egypt. Here's a primer on what you can expect to see
on offer.

Active vs. Sightseeing Tours Shore excursions cover all levels of
activity and interest and vary greatly, depending on what's available
in each destination. Active tours could be anything from water sports
to zip-lining, hiking, biking, and dog-sledding. Activity-based trips
might feature a day at the spa or beach, a pleasure cruise on a
sailboat, wine or food tasting, a cultural performance, or a visit to
a museum. Sightseeing excursions are typically bus tours that take
passengers to the highlights and shopping areas of the port city or
nearby destinations. Remember that excursions look different in
different parts of the word. In the Caribbean, you'll find options
like snorkeling with stingrays or transportation to private beaches;
European tours focus more on sightseeing—for example, full-day tours
from the port of Livorno to the museums and cathedrals of Florence, or
multi-hour lunches, featuring local produce, meats, and wine at a
farmhouse in Tuscany.

Full vs. Half-Day Tours Shore excursions vary in length. Some take up
all your time in port, while others are just a few hours of an all-day
visit. Choose a full-day tour to see the most you can in one trip or
for journeys to destinations outside the port city. A half-day tour
might only focus on one specific itinerary—a three-hour kayak trip or
a highlights tour of a city—but gives you free time to explore the
port on your own before or after.

Guided vs. Free Time Not all shore excursions involve busloads of
tourists, dutifully following flag- or umbrella-waving guides. You
will find these types of sightseeing tours, as well as athletic
endeavors overseen by dive masters or hike leaders. However, some
tours simply bring you to a destination where you're free to explore
until it's time to meet the bus to go home, while others feature
guided components, followed by an hour or two of free time.

Highlights vs. In-Depth: Some shore excursions—such as daylong trips
from Tunis to the marketplace, museum, and ancient Carthage—pack many
activities into one trip. Others focus on one destination or activity,
like a trip to the Mayan ruins from Cozumel. It's up to you whether
you'd prefer to see many things for short amounts of time or focus on
one place, in-depth.

Concierge or Boutique Some of the newest trends in shore excursions
include intimate tours that are limited to 25 or so guests. Many lines
offer these "boutique" excursions, which could be cooking classes at a
renowned French cooking school or a behind-the-scenes tour of the
Hermitage in St. Petersburg. Many lines also offer car-and-driver
packages (so you can customize your own tour), or have concierges to
arrange shoreside activities exclusively for your travel party. You
can skip the caravan of four large tour buses and trade up for a more
exclusive experience.

Shore Excursions vs. Independent Exploration

One of the biggest questions cruisers have is whether or not to take a
ship-sponsored shore excursion. The answer banks on your budget, as
well as your inclinations. Port tours vary in price, depending on the
cruise line, and can run you anywhere from $40 per person for a simple
beach break, to hundreds of dollars each for such higher-priced
options as helicopter rides, golf, and long-day or overnight tours.
Taking a tour in every port can quickly inflate your onboard bill.

Shore excursions are worth it if you want to venture to attractions
that are located far from the pier, learn more about an area through a
guide, or participate in physical activities where gear is required
(biking, diving, golf). However, if all you want to do is walk around
town, shop, or visit the beach, it could be much cheaper and less
time-consuming to get a map and go it on your own. For instance, in
St. Thomas, the shops are a stone's throw from the ship, but beaches
are a cab ride away. (Although it still might be less expensive to
hail a taxi to the beach than to participate in a tour.) And, in tiny
Monte Carlo, the castle, cathedral, and casino are all within walking
distance of your ship. Don't forget about arranging your own
transportation, too. In Hawaii, many ports offer on-site car rentals
or rental agency pickups. In Barcelona, you can easily use a
combination of local buses, the subway, and hop-on, hop-off tourist
buses to get around.

However, in big cities like Athens, Rome, and Florence—which are far
from the port—it may make more sense to spring for a tour. It is also
wiser to take a shore excursion in any third world country or in
foreign ports, where language and customs might prove to be barriers.
For example, in Brunei, you would definitely want to take the guided
tour to sites like the biggest mosque in Asia—Omar Ali Saifuddin
Mosque. You'd probably never find it on your own. And, without
guidance, you may not realize the necessity to respect local customs
by covering your body from head to toe in long pants, long skirts, and
long sleeves. (Don't laugh—this happened on a recent visit. Luckily,
the locals are used to this and have a few robes on-hand to loan
visitors.) In Tunis, you might not wish to participate in the
aggressive haggling, conducted by the taxi drivers at the pier. Opt,
instead, for a ship-arranged tour to the souk or ancient Carthage.

The third option is the hybrid: Book your own tour in advance through
a local provider. You can often save money by eliminating the
cruise-line middleman, or customize the trip to your interests.
However, remember that, while the cruise ship will wait for any
late-returning, ship-sponsored tours, you run the risk of getting
stranded in port if your independent tour gets stuck in traffic and is
late returning to the pier.

Advance Planning and Resources

The secret to a wonderful day ashore is to plan ahead. Learn about the
attractions in each port, so you can decide whether to book a tour or
go it alone. For example, you'll want to know that Livorno is actually
the port for Florence and Pisa, but both destinations are quite far
from the port. It's also helpful to note that in the Greek Isles,
Santorini does not have great beaches, while Mykonos is
internationally renowned for its sandy spots. Planning ahead will let
you balance relaxing beach days with days spent shopping, sightseeing,
or in active pursuits.

Cruisers have multiple resources for researching in-port activities.

* Look up your cruise line's list of shore excursions with tour
descriptions and prices. Many cruise lines have this information
available online—you will also be sent a booklet of all the tours with
your cruise documents. Some lines allow you to reserve tours in
advance through their websites (see our sister site, Cruise Critic for
its Online Reservations feature) or through a travel agent.

* Once you know your itinerary, visit Cruise Critic's Ports of
Call area for tips on spending your day ashore. You'll find
information on the best excursions, as well as suggestions for
restaurants, beaches, and must-see attractions.

* Browse guidebooks on the destinations you're planning to visit.
If you find that it's pricey to buy multiple guidebooks for all the
regions your ship will visit, consider borrowing them from your local
library and photocopying pertinent pages to take on your vacation. Or,
buy a guide aimed at cruisers, such as Frommer's Cruises & Ports of
Call or Fodor's The Complete Guide to Caribbean (or European) Ports of
Call.

* Contact the tourism bureau for your destination. Tourism
websites typically offer a wealth of information, and the bureaus will
often send you maps or print materials that detail activities,
restaurants and tour companies. You may want to find out if there's a
tourism office at or near the port, so you can pick up a map and get
information.

Don't forget to come up with a Plan B, in case your desired tour gets
canceled or is sold out.

If you've done your research and have decided to book ship tours,
think carefully about whether to book in advance or wait until you get
onboard. It's best to book in advance for limited-availability
excursions (like flightseeing in Alaska or Hawaii) and must-do tours.
(For example, if you'd be heart-broken if you didn't go snorkeling in
Cozumel or to the Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg, book in
advance.) If you're uncertain or are happy with several options,
waiting might be a good idea. Some cruise lines charge penalty fees
for canceling shore excursions onboard or within 24 to 48 hours of the
port call, so you might want to wait to see how the weather is or how
you like the line's tours before booking all of your excursions.

How to Get the Most from Your Shore Excursion

Here are a few final tips to keep in mind in order to get the best
experience out of your shore excursion.

* Read shore excursion descriptions very carefully to understand
exactly how your time will be spent on the tour. Add up how much time
is spent on the bus, driving between attractions, and compare that to
how much time is spent at each destination. If you are unsure, ask the
shore excursion manager to describe the tour in detail. You may have
to decide between spending short amounts of time in a variety of
places and getting an in-depth tour of one area, while missing out on
several others.

* Some tours involve strenuous treks in hot, humid climes or long
days with lots of walking. Cruise lines are typically good at pointing
out which excursions are strenuous and even which are best for
travelers with limited mobility. Be sure to pick tours that you can
handle physically.

* Staff members who work aboard ships are great sources of
information on the best local beaches, restaurants and shopping (since
they often visit the same ports every week). Ask where they go -- the
purser's office is an especially good resource.

* Your final bill can add up if you buy a shore excursion in every
port. However, in some ports—especially in Alaska, Europe, or exotic
destinations—shore excursions are the only way to go. Budget
accordingly.

* If you are a scuba diver, check out local dive clubs in the
islands you intend to visit. They are listed in information obtained
from tourist offices.

* Hiring a private taxi is often less expensive than the ship's
excursion, depending on the number of people you have in your group.
When hiring a taxi, be sure to negotiate a flat rate—based on your
destination and the approximate amount of time you'll need—before you
depart. If you want narration in addition to transportation, choose a
driver with a good command of English.

* When renting a car in port, it's always best to reserve it
before departure; rates are lower, and you know the agency won't be
sold out. Check with your rental company to find out whether you'll
need an International Driving Permit (available through AAA and other
automobile associations) or if your driver's license will suffice.

What are your tips for having successful shore excursions? Share your
thoughts, experiences, and advice by submitting a comment below!

Posted via email from Supreme Clientele Travel

Will Babies on Laps No Longer Fly for Free?

Is air travel for young families about to get more expensive? In a
press release, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has
recommended an end to the practice of allowing children under two
years old to fly for free on the lap of a parent or guardian.

The argument is twofold. According to the NTSB, there's an increased
"likelihood that parents and caregivers may not be able to maintain a
secure hold on a lap-held child during turbulence and survivable
accidents. Additionally, unrestrained children have become separated
from their parents during survivable crashes and parents were unable
to locate them during the evacuation."

If the case for safety is that simple and compelling, why isn't it
already law? Christine Negroni at the New York Times notes that,
although the NTSB has proposed this before, "the F.A.A. has rejected
the recommendation several times, saying that parents unable to afford
tickets for their young children would opt to drive rather than fly,
resulting in more highway fatalities."

 Have you flown with an infant? Did you purchase a seat or opt for the
lap alternative? What do you think about the possibility of children
under two needing their own seats? Will this discourage you from
flying? Share your thoughts below!

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TSA Experimenting With 'Enhanced Patdowns'

by Carl Unger

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is testing a new "enhanced patdown" technique at Boston's Logan Airport and Las Vegas' McCarran Airport. According to The Boston Herald, the new technique involves screeners sliding their hands over nearly every inch of a passenger's body and, unlike existing techniques that require screeners to use the backs of their hands on sensitive areas, screeners use their palms for the entire search. The new procedure, in general, is described as being more aggressive and invasive than the current one.

The TSA claims the new patdowns are necessary to maintain its "layers of security" approach. Spokeswoman Ann Davis told the Herald, "Patdowns are designed to address potentially dangerous items, like improvised explosive devices and their components, concealed on the body." The patdowns are conducted by screeners who are the same gender as the individual passenger, and passengers may request that the patdown be done in private. Patdowns would be used mainly when a passenger refuses a full-body scan or sets off a metal detec

Still, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) calls the new procedures part of a "seemingly constant erosion of privacy."

Indeed, these patdowns are just the latest in a series of incursions into passenger privacy made by the TSA in the name of safety. The most egregious, perhaps until now, is the growing use of full-body scanners, or "millimeter wave" scanners, which produce fairly detailed images of passengers' naked bodies. Controversy over those machines was reignited earlier this month when the U.S. Marshals revealed they had stored some 30,000 images on a single machine in use at a Florida courthouse. The TSA, which operates separately from the Marshals, had always maintained the devices could not store images. However, the machines can store images and must be able to, per TSA policy. The capability is simply turned off when in use at airports.

For me, the whole issue of patdowns and full-body scanners comes down to a simple question: Why? And, more usefully, why now?

There's an easy throwaway answer to the first: Security, obviously. But why must the TSA constantly push the boundary between privacy and intrusion? The TSA's newest ideas—full-body scanners and these invasive patdowns—provide nothing more than a fool's choice between one form of privacy invasion and another. One passenger who received an enhanced patdown told the Herald, "If anybody ever groped me like that in real life, I would have punched them in their nose." Why does our country's security braintrust seem to funnel all its energy into processes that strip away the rights to privacy few Americans would willingly forfeit?

Further, why is the TSA rolling out this new program now? It's not as if enhanced patdowns were borne of some new technology, as is the case with full-body scanners, that required years of innovation and testing. Switching to enhanced patdowns simply requires a decision and an order, so why now? If airport security over the past nine years has been adequate without these more invasive body searches, why on earth are they suddenly necessary?

A conspiracist may offer that it's all security theater to begin with, and new policies are implemented simply to remind people—innocent civilians and potential criminals alike—that the TSA has its eye on things. Problem is, since the TSA rarely offers meaningful explanations for its policies, we're all left to guess. Why do we still take our shoes off? Why do I still have to throw out that cup of coffee before security? Why do I have to get groped by a screener like I'm some shady character? The TSA answers in platitudes—"layers of security" being one of them—and expects us all to take it.

Look, there's no such thing as an entirely secure air travel system. For every advancement in security there's a criminal mind somewhere thinking of new ways to take down planes. This is an uncomfortable truth, but it's important to remember when considering what is worth sacrificing in the pursuit of something that does not exist, which is the idea that flying can ever be 100 percent safe from crime. Unfortunately, we as consumers have increasingly little say in the matter, and can merely choose not to travel if we mean to defend our rights to privacy and decency. 

Readers, what do you think about the new patdowns?

Posted via email from Supreme Clientele Travel

Tokyo on a budget

by Randy Colt

Personally, I’ve always had a fascination for Japan and its capital, Tokyo. I find it simply amazing how one place can manage to combine the old and the new, the modern and also the ancient. I find it hard to think of another place where something hi-tech is comfortably settled in next to something that has a history that dates back hundreds of years.

For example, if you get on the metro that takes you to central Tokyo specifically Chiyoda Ward, you’ll end up smack in the middle of a very modern-looking part of the city. One moment, you’re surrounded by skyscrapers all made of clear glass and shiny steel and the next, you find yourself in front of the Imperial Palace. The massive stone walls seem to whisper the place’s history through the cracks; around you, the glass is neatly trimmed as if to add a gentle touch to the place and entice guests to come in. You won’t find a surly-looking guard barricading the entrance; instead, the gardens are open to the public and guests are free to come and go as they please.

Tokyo is a fairly big place for travelers to move around in. Sometimes, immersing yourself in this modern city may even make you feel like a member of the Jetsons. But aside from being home to a number of attractions that will make for a memorable vacation, what’s great about this place is that it’s also friendly to budget travelers. Tokyo may not seem like a cheap city at first glance, but the trick is to know which sites to visit and find the best places to feast on delicious but affordable sushi.

If you want to visit Tokyo on a budget, here are a couple of things we’d like to share with you.

FINDING A PLACE TO LIVE

First things first: if you don’t speak, read or write the local language, there’s a very small chance that you’ll be able to book yourself into a budget hotel just by taking a chance and stepping inside any hotel you find off the street. Generally, small, budget priced hotels are manned by locals who are only fluent in Japanese. English is usually spoken in expensive, five star business hotels or other luxurious accommodations that are sure to burn a hole in your pocket.

If this is your first trip to Japan, a good way to start hunting for an affordable place to live is through Agoda.com. This website specializes in helping travelers going to Asia find a nice but cheap place to stay in; and best of all, it’s in English. If you go to the website and try searching for hotels located in Tokyo, the result will turn up about a few hundred hits. If you look hard enough, you may even spot a couple of hotels that offer accommodations for about US 70 dollars per night; mind you, that’s cheap by the local standards. Don’t bother looking for US 20 dollar accommodations here; if you want to spend the night in Tokyo, you’ve got to have a bit of cash in your pocket.

At the Dormy Inn, one small bedroom will cost you about US 72 dollars per night if you book the room for three nights. Don’t be discouraged by the rates because chances are you won’t be able to find anything cheaper that’s as clean and comfortable. The room may be small, but it’s still a safe and comfortable place to come home to and the end of a long day. US 72 dollars is pretty much a bargain considering the hotel’s standard rate of US 100 dollars per night.

If you really want to stretch your budget and consider yourself as the adventurous type, you have two other options for your accommodation aside from hotels. The first one is to book yourself in any of Japan’s traditional ryokan (which is basically a small bed and breakfast); and the other one is to tuck yourself inside the small (and we do mean small) confines of a capsule hotel. To get a picture of what a capsule hotel looks like, think of the mailboxes at your local apartment, only make each mailbox big enough to fit a grown person; it’s basically a bed with a door attached at the end. As expected in such tight quarters, there’s a lot of chatter, most of which will be in Japanese.

GETTING AROUND TOWN

Fortunately for travelers to the city with no access to a car or friends living in the city who can drive them around, the underground train system in Tokyo is one of the best in the world. The fare is cheap, and you can bet that it’s going to be a safe and speedy ride anywhere you want to go.

The only problem that first time tourists will most likely encounter upon descending into Tokyo’s underground city is that the vast network of criss-crossing train lines and stations can be a bit daunting and not to mention confusing. Fortunately, each station has signs posted in Japanese and also English. Each station also has free maps of the underground system so be sure to grab one and try to study and understand it as best as you can.

If you have a full itinerary and are planning to visit a number of attractions in a single day, a good tip would be to get a metro line pass that can serve as your ticket for the entire day. To buy a metro line pass, just look for a bilingual ticket terminal that can be found in any of the train stations. A pass will cost you around 710 yen which is about US 8.31 dollars. If you’re willing to shell out a bit more cash, you can also avail of passes that grant passengers access to Toei lines, or routes that go around the city, but this isn’t really necessary.

If you’re more comfortable paying for your fare as you go along, you’ll have to guess the amount that you’ll have to pay at each station. While this isn’t a strictly impossible feat, it may very well be an exercise in futility for others. Not only will you be wasting time, you’re likely to get a headache, as well. But if you’re dead set, be reminded that passengers can enter each station just by paying the minimum fare of 160 yen, which is about US 1.87 dollars; you can just pay the difference when you arrive at your destination.

There are taxis all over the city, but you can bet that they’re expensive. Fares can add up pretty quickly too, and result in a depletion of funds.

THE OLD SIDE OF THE CITY

If you’re a budget traveler visiting Tokyo for the first time, it’s always a good idea to check out the extensive fish market of Tsukiji. It’s easy to forget about the time as you lose yourself in the market’s numerous corridors, surrounded by ice troughs that are all full of fish as big as your arm, and every now and then, biting into what very well may be the freshest sushi that you will find on the entire planet. A trip to the market is best made in the early hours of the morning. At this time, the vendors still have a lot of fish in stock for those of you who are planning to buy some fresh grub.

Travelers who are interested in getting acquainted with Tokyo’s history and heritage should definitely set aside some time in their schedule to visit the famous Meiji Jingu shrine. This particular shrine is actually a Shinto shrine built around 90 years back, during the reign of the Meiji Emperor. It was the Meiji Emperor who paved the way to open Japan’s doors to the world. Visiting the shrine is like escaping into another world where the word “stress” seems unknown. Inside the shrine, there are beautiful gardens and also lovely lily ponds; it is a quiet place where you can walk around in silence and admire your surroundings. You don’t need to pay an entrance fee when you visit the shrine; but if you want to visit the iris garden (something that we recommend), you do have to pay 500 yen (about US 5.85 dollars).

For those of you who are into shopping, visit the Asakusa temple and mingle with the pedestrians who are doing a bit of shopping on their own. Aside from being an interesting way to get a taste of the local culture, this is also your chance to splurge on a number of inexpensive goods that you don’t have back home.

If you have lots of time on your hands, go ahead and spend one whole day roaming around the grounds. Here, you will come across a number of groups quietly worshipping in private, uttering their solemn prayers; while just a stone’s throw away is a souvenir shop selling all kinds of wares and trinkets to passersby.

Are you curious about what the fates have in store for you? If so, go ahead and drop a couple of coins in a donation jar to get a detailed description of what the future has in store for you in the days to come.

Last but certainly not the least, visit the Imperial Palace to complete your journey into Tokyo’s past. Because the gardens that surround the Imperial Palace are open to visitors, you can enjoy a nice, refreshing walk around the area and imagine what it would have been like to live during Japan’s feudal era.

TOKYO’S MODERN FACE

After studying Japan’s rich history, it’s also important to get to know the modern side of the country. Besides, what other city can you think of that’s more hi-tech than Japan? To start, make your way to the Tokyo Tower and ride the elevator all the way up to the top to get a fantastic view of this incredible city. For about 980 yen (US 11.47 dollars), you can get a ticket for the main observatory, which is a staggering 492 feet in the air. On a day when the weather is clear and the skies are blue, you can even see the snow-capped Mount Fuji off in the distance. Cough up an additional 600 yen (US 7.02 dollars), and you can go inside the special observatory which is 820 feet up in the air.

If you want to get lost in Tokyo’s lights and sound, go straight to Shibuya neighborhood. This part of the city is where you will find numerous stores selling electronic products, neon lights occupying almost every square feet of the area, and an army of pedestrians making their way in different directions all over the district. Make sure you stop for a bit at the Shibuya Crossing, where you’ll find the atmosphere to be quite similar to Times Square.

Now, we anticipated that you would also be interested in the modern Japan’s shopping quarters, and fear not because we have just the answer for you shopaholics out there—the Ginza district. Even if you don’t have enough cash to spend on the glamorous items that you’ll find inside these high class department stores, the Ginza district is a good place to come and people watch. See and observe first-hand how the fashionistas in Tokyo dress themselves from head to toe; and indulge in a bit of good food that’s not as expensive.

FILLING THE TUMMY

Amid the old temples, modern buildings, and Tokyo’s gadgets and gizmos, one other thing this city has in abundance is food. To be clear, Tokyo has an abundance of cheap and delicious food that will sustain you as you explore the city. The usual grub that budget travelers can avail of is sticky rice; hot, steaming noodles; fresh fish; and the never to be forgotten miso soup. These are the usual foods that you can expect to encounter even at the breakfast table.

Fortunately for the hungry traveler, most of the food that you will find is pretty affordable. For around 500 up to 1000 yen (US 5.85 – 11.70 dollars), you can get a bowl of noodles set in warm, refreshing soup that will guarantee to rejuvenate even the weariest of travelers. Expect the servings to be generous, too; one bowl is enough to fill your tummy, and keep you going for the rest of the day. Don’t be too quick to dismiss this simple bowl of ramen; the taste will come nowhere near the stuff you used to eat during your college days.

If you’re looking forward to some fresh sushi, don’t be surprised to find out that the really good stuff commands a high price here, similar to the United States. Although this is a very popular local dish, sushi is still considered to be a delicacy in Japan. As a matter of fact, most fish served in Japan is served cooked, not raw.

That being said, don’t let the high prices discourage you so much. There are select places in Tokyo where you can satisfy your craving for fresh sushi without blowing your whole budget on a single meal. As we mentioned earlier, it’s a good idea to visit the Tsukiji market for some fresh fish. Here, you can order one bowl of raw tuna along with some sticky rice and one side of steaming, hot miso soup for 1,100 yen (US 12.87 dollars) in any of the restaurants located in the area. Wash your meal down with some authentic Japanese tea and you’re good to go. If you have a bit of an iron stomach, you can save a bit of money and eat one bowl of fish eggs for half the price.

Supreme Clientele Travel

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Upgrades and Downgrades: Airtran, wifi, bling!

by Mark Ashley

Downgraded: Airtran
Airtran has been slapped with a $500,000 fine for failing to assist disabled passengers and further failing to respond adequately to complaints between 2007 and 2009.

Upgraded: Ubiquity of inflight wifi
Aircell, which markets inflight wifi under the Gogo brand name, has installed hotspots in its 1000th plane. Delta is closest to the finish line, with 527 out of 549 planes installed.

Upgraded: Bling
For those who’ve wondered what it’s like in the absolute highest-end (widebody) luxury jets, consider this slideshow of photographs by Nick Gleis, “who photographs the pimped up private jets that belong African dictators and other heads of state.” Enjoy the ultra-tacky comfort!

Supreme Clientele Travel

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There's nothing else like it on water.

YOUR FAMILY VACATION STARTS RIGHT HERE.       Yes. Norwegian Epic will carry you away to the tropical islands of the Caribbean or the historic shores of the Mediterranean, but it’s the getting there that will truly amaze you.       Book your cruise today and you’ll discover there’s no better way to completely entertain your family than aboard Norwegian Epic. Experience all the freedom of Freestyle Cruising® and choose to play, eat, laugh, workout and relax on your own terms.       What will your family do first?     • Take a ride down all three thrilling water slides in the Aqua Park including the Epic Plunge – the first bowl slide at sea     • Enjoy live entertainment all over the ship, perfect for the whole family     • Take part in Norwegian’s exclusive Nickelodeon™ at Sea events     • Relax while the kids are supervised at Recess and teens hang out at Entourage     • Spread out in the flexible family accommodations: 2-Bedroom Family Villas, Balcony Staterooms, connecting staterooms and lots more     • Check out over 20 dining options, six bowling lanes, the outdoor sports complex, climbing and rappelling walls, skating rink and more     CALL TODAY AND PLAN THE BEST FAMILY VACATION EVER.                (407)413-9578   Cruise the Eastern and Western Caribbean through April 2011.   Cruise the Mediterranean starting May 2011.

Supreme Clientele Travel

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Come aboard the most innovative ship at sea.

TRAVEL FAR BEYOND YOUR WILDEST IMAGINATION WITHOUT EVER LEAVING THE SHIP.   Welcome to the most innovative ship on water. Norwegian Epic has re-imagined cruising with world-class entertainment, unrivaled accommodations and a delicious array of dining options. It's like nothing you've seen at sea before. That's Epic.   Here’s just a glimpse of what you can look forward to:   LIVE ENTERTAINMENT For the first time ever, Blue Man Group is coming to the sea – only aboard Norwegian Epic. And that's just the beginning of the live entertainment you'll find aboard this ship. You’ll also have Nickelodeon™ at Sea, improv comedy with The Second City®, Legends® in Concert, Cirque Dreams™ and Dinner show and Howl at the Moon, just to name a few.   UNIQUE ACCOMMODATIONS Privacy. Comfort. Style. And all out luxury. Whether it’s the exclusive Villas at top of the ship; traveling solo in The Studios; or one of the other amazing suites, penthouses or balcony staterooms – get ready for the best accommodations at sea.   DELICIOUS DINING Norwegian Epic has over 20 dining options, including an upscale steakhouse, teppanyaki grills, authentic Italian, sushi, tempting Chinese and fresh buffets with made-to-order dishes. Hungry yet?   SOPHISTICATED NIGHTLIFE Every night it can be something new. Like our authentic 17° F SVEDKA Ice Bar, jazz and blues club, comedy club, outdoor pool bar and dance club with bottle service, a fun sports bar or lively casino with hot action. And the night is still young.   CALL TODAY.       (407) 413-9578

Supreme Clientele Travel

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Nickelodeon All Access Cruise only 2 Dates in 2011!

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TAIL WAGGER! Best Friends Opens Luxury Pet Resort at Walt Disney World Resort

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (Sept. 1, 2010) – Tails were wagging at Walt Disney World Resort today when Best Friends Pet Care opened the doors to its new, luxury pet resort. Dennis Dolan, CEO of Best Friends Pet Care, and Phil Bernard, vice president of Walt Disney World Operating Participants, were joined by Mickey Mouse’s favorite dog Pluto to welcome the first guests.  

The one-of-a-kind pet resort offers 17,000 square feet of air-conditioned indoor space, 10,000 square feet of covered outdoor runs and play areas, and a 25,000-square-foot dog park exclusively for the use of Best Friends clients and their pets.

           
“Best Friends is thrilled to open the doors of this special, luxury pet facility,” said Dolan.  “We’ve been looking forward to this day for a long time and we are very excited to finally be ready to open the doors and show off this special facility. It incorporates the very best concepts from our other Best Friends facilities with some imaginative ideas that we think will delight and surprise our Walt Disney World guests.

           
The facility, which already has many pet guests booked for the Labor Day weekend, is able to accommodate as many as 300 pets for both daytime and overnight boarding. Dog owners can choose from a variety of accommodations, ranging from a standard 32-square-foot all-indoor suite, to an expansive 226-square-foot VIP (Very Important Pet) suite with television, raised bedding and private outdoor yard. Feline guests will spend their visit in the separate “Kitty City” pavilion – away from the dogs – in two- and four-room condos. There also is a special area for the boarding of pocket pets, small mammals and birds.

           
“At Walt Disney World Resort, we are focused on providing the highest quality entertainment experiences for all guests. Working with Best Friends Pet Care, we are pleased to be able to extend that commitment to pets traveling with their owners,” said Bernard. “Our mutual appreciation for even the slightest detail is reflected in this one-of-a-kind facility and its unique services and amenities.”

The facility offers a private dog park exclusively for the use of Best Friends guests. It comprises a walking trail overlooking natural wetlands and several large areas of varying terrain for running and playing, including a 1,300-square-foot “canines only” splash-and-play water feature. There also are sitting areas where owners can relax and watch their dogs play. The entire park is secure from outsiders and is available for use after dark.

Other features of the resort include: a grooming salon, which will provide go-home-fresh baths and haircuts for pets, and two 1,100-square-foot camp rooms for play group and doggy day-camp, each opening onto an outdoor play-yard.

Pet parents can choose from a wide range of a la carte activities for pet guests from one-on-one playtimes and social playgroup with other doggy guests, to cuddle time and bedtime stories with staff. Additional amenities and upgrades include ice cream treats, bottled water and premium orthopedic bedding.  Feline guests can also enjoy private playtimes, activity toys in their suites, and treats such as ”Cookies and Milk” or “Tuna on a Ritz.”

Best Friends Pet Care resort is located across from Disney’s Port Orleans Resort-Riverside at 2510 Bonnet Creek Parkway in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., 32830. Pricing and other details are available at wdw.bestfriendspetcare.com or by calling 877/4-WDW-PETS.

Best Friends Pet Care resort at Walt Disney World Resort was designed by Mateu Architecture of Palmetto Bay, Fla. General contractor for the project was Synergy Group of Bloomfield, Mich., and Orlando, Fla.

 

About Best Friends Pet Care

Best Friends Pet Care Inc. (www.bestfriendspetcare.com) is privately held by Brynwood Partners of Greenwich, CT. Founded in 1991, Best Friends is a long-time leader in the U.S. pet hospitality industry, providing high-quality boarding for dogs and cats as well as day care, grooming, training and related services. The Company redefined pet boarding in 1996 with the opening of its first full-service pet resort in Norwalk, Conn. Since that time, Best Friends has expanded to more than 40 pet care centers in 18 states, always innovating and providing new offerings based upon the needs of pets and feedback from clients. 

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Hurricane Earl set to graze Northeast Coastline on Friday

After passing dangerously close to North Carolina's Outer Banks on Thursday night, Hurricane Earl will graze the Northeast coastline on Friday into early Saturday. Southeastern Massachusetts will bear the brunt of the storm's fury.

Hurricane Earl is currently a major hurricane churning to the northwest across the southwestern Atlantic. On this bearing, Earl appears to be headed straight for the Carolinas.

A cold front should prove to be the saving grace for the entire East Coast. The front will likely spare the Eastern Seaboard from a direct hit by forcing Earl to curve to the north, then northeast.

After narrowly bypassing the Outer Banks on Thursday night, Earl will still pass close enough to the Northeast coastline to unleash some of its fury on Friday into early Saturday. Earl will remain a hurricane during this time.

Gusty winds and Earl's outer rain bands will spread northward along the mid-Atlantic coast, including over Atlantic City, late on Thursday night into midday Friday. Winds would be on the order of minimal tropical storm force.

High winds will also pound the coastline, making swimming and boating extremely treacherous.

Conditions will worsen over the southern New England coast on Friday afternoon into Friday night as Earl makes one of its closest approaches to the Eastern Seaboard. On Friday night, Earl may pass within 50 miles east of Massachusetts' Nantucket Island.

Nantucket Island, other neighboring islands and Cape Cod will likely endure strong tropical storm-force winds due to Earl's close proximity. As will be the case farther south, the winds will be accompanied by beach-pounding surf.

Drenching rain may become more of an issue across eastern New England than elsewhere along the Atlantic Seaboard.

The composure of Earl will likely change by Friday, allowing rain to be drawn northward across all of eastern Massachusetts and Maine late on Friday into early Saturday. Boston is one place where Earl's rain should pour down.

The quick pace of Earl should prevent widespread flooding over eastern New England, but localized problems could still ensue.

The AccuWeather.com Hurricane Center cautions that while Earl is currently expected to remain offshore, a slight westward shift in its track would bring the storm closer to the coastline with more severe impacts.

Gusty winds will likely still be blowing across New England well after Earl departs and slams into Nova Scotia on Saturday. The winds will be whipping in the wake of the cold front that is also set to bring the entire Northeast welcome heat relief.

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