Disney Cruises to position a ship out of LA in 2011!
Disney Cruise Line?has announced plans to reposition the Disney Wonder?Cruise Ship from its base in Port Canaveral, Fla., to the West Coast in 2011.
A two-year agreement, with a three-year extension option, will be considered by the Port of Los Angeles Board of Harbor Commissioners on April 2, 2009.
With the port’’s proximity to the Disneyland?Resort, you”ll be able to offer Clients even more magical Disney vacation choices – both on land and sea!
The addition of a new homeport for Disney Cruise Line is part of the overall expansion plan for The Walt Disney Company. Two new ships, Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy, will arrive in Port Canaveral, Fla., in 2011 and 2012, respectively.
At this time interline rates have not been released for any of these sailings. Be sure and sign up for the interline email updates from www.InterlineTravel.comso you can be notified as soon as rates are released for these and all Disney Cruises.
Sun Country Announces New Service to Branson from DFW
Sun Country Airlines announced Tuesday, Mar. 17,that it will begin nonstop flights to Branson Airport on May 11, when the airport opens for service. Branson Airport is the nation’s first privately developed and operated commercial airport.
D/FW is the fourth destination to be announced for the new airport. AirTran Airways recently said it would fly to Atlanta and Milwaukee, and Sun Country plans to fly to Minneapolis/St. Paul.
Introductory fares will begin at $79 each way, according to Sun Country. The service will begin with one daily flight that departs D/FW at 9:35 a.m. A return flight arrives at 1 p.m.
“We are thrilled about Sun Country? service to (D/FW) and the grand opening of the Branson Airport on May 11,?said Jeff Bourk, Branson Airport’s executive director, in a prepared statement. ?e look forward to welcoming Dallas travelers to Branson where they can enjoy all we have to offer.?/span>
Because the airport is privately operated, it can make exclusive deals with airlines for service, officials said. Airlines have served Branson from the Springfield, Mo., airport. American Eagle, for example, has a nonstop D/FW-Springfield route.
New Family Junior Suites in Mexico!
Gran Caribe Real and Gran Porto Real now have Family Junior Suites.
Gran Porto Real Playa del Carmen
*NEW* FAMILY JUNIOR SUITE OCEAN FRONT Maximum occupancy 5 people (2 adults and 3 kids or teenagers) Oki Kid”’’s Club & NEW! T-Zone club & videogames for teenagers. NEW! bunk bed w/trundle bed, King size bed, Sitting area, Private balcony or terrace, Mini-bar stocked with soft drinks, beer and water, Flat screen 27?satellite TV, Direct dial telephone & voice mail, Air-conditioning with individual control, Safety-deposit box, Marble bathroom with shower, hairdryer and vanity mirror, Coffeemaker.
Gran Caribe Real Cancun
*NEW FAMILY JUNIOR SUITE* Maximum occupancy 5 people (2 adults and 3 kids or teenagers) New direct access to the Oki Splash and Kid”’’s Club from your suite terrace. NEW! bunk bed w/trundle bed, King size bed, Sitting area, Private balcony or terrace, Mini-bar stocked with soft drinks, beer and water, Flat screen 27?satellite TV, Direct dial telephone & voice mail, Air-conditioning with individual control, Safety-deposit box, Marble bathroom with shower, hairdryer and vanity mirror and Coffeemaker.
To make reservations at either of these properties for the Family Junior Suites or other room types, contact InterlineTravel.com at 800 766-2911 or in the DFW Area call metro 817 481-8631 or go online to www.interlinetravel.com!
Travel Alert Issued for Mexico
The U.S. State Department has issued a travel alert cautioning against travel to Mexico due to infighting among the drug cartels. In response the Mexico Tourist Board issued the following response:
Mexico ranks tenth as an international travel destination in the world and is the number one international tourism destination for North Americans traveling abroad. Many tourists to the country are repeat visitors, which demonstrate that the vast majority of tourists are satisfied and leave with overwhelmingly positive impressions.
Nevertheless, visitors to any destination in the world should exercise caution and common sense, and the same holds true when traveling to Mexico.
Q. With the travel alert issued by the US State Department cautioning that even travel within the country beyond the border is dangerous. Should I just avoid traveling to Mexico completely?
No, common sense and proper precautions must be taken when traveling anywhere in the world, and Mexico is no exception. Whether traveling on the border or if you find yourself in another area of the country, stick to high-traffic businesses and tourist areas; be aware of your surroundings, chart your course before-hand, and your stay should be a memorable and safe experience. Mexico? frontier, like many other frontiers in other countries, at times experiences certain conflicts. Those visiting or crossing border cities should do so while taking the proper precautions.
Q: But then what do you make of the U.S. State Department cautioning against travel to the border due to infighting among drug cartels?
The recent isolated incidents involving drug traffickers have prompted U.S. and Canadian authorities to suggest travelers exercise extra caution when visiting certain border towns. It is important to note, however, that this temporary announcement does not advise travelers against visiting our many safe tourist destinations.
In fact, Leslie Bassett, Deputy Chief of Mission of the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City, declared that the intention of the alert is to inform of the punctual violent acts that are taking place in specific states of Mexico as well as in other nations. She clarified that in no way does this alert seek to negatively portray the tourist destinations
Q. Shouldn? everyone just avoid going to Mexico, with everything that is going on with the crime and drug dealers?
More than 22.6 million international tourists visited Mexico in 2008 representing a 5.9 percent increase compared to 2007 out of that the number of tourists who suffered accidents were minimal.
Mexico is the tenth most visited tourist destination in the world and is a very large country with many safe destinations to visit and enjoy. As the country? promotion agency, the Mexico Tourism Board recommends visitors to contact our many offices for more information on the destination they are planning to visit.
Q. Is the drug situation out of control in Mexico, and should international visitors be concerned?
Drug dealing and possession are a social problem that every nation faces, and Mexico is no exception. Fortunately, in Mexico and elsewhere, the violence associated with drug trafficking is isolated in cities that are far away from tourism destinations.
The possession and consumption of drugs are illegal in Mexico, and the country has strict laws governing these offenses. Perpetrators are punished with harsh fines and prison sentences in Mexico. Visitors can be confidant that local authorities are working hard to apprehend all those who violate the law to bring them to justice.
Q. We are worried because what if something does happen? Will emergency services be able to help?
Federal and local governments are constantly working on improving emergency services, not only for tourists but for locals. Visitors should take precautions if they have any pre-existing medical needs and speak to their doctors before they travel abroad. We are also working on raising the bar in our standards to that our guests are kept safe, such as de-legalizing open bars in areas known as spring break destinations.
Q. Reports of drug violence in Mexico have been widely circulated. Have these stories affected tourism to the country?
These incidents have mostly taken place in some border cities and have not affected the decision of tourists to travel to Mexico, which received thousands of tourists in the past months. More than 22.6 million international tourists visited Mexico in 2008 representing a 5.9 percent increase compared to 2007.
In addition, and according to the central Bank of Mexico, border tourism increased 11 percent, compared to 2007.
Mexico is the number one most popular international tourism destination for Americans, with more than 18.34 million US visitors in 2008. Tourism revenues increased 4.6 percent in 2008 compared to 2007 to almost 13.2 billion dollars.
