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Oceania Cruises 5 Year Anniversary Sale

Darcy — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 11:00:06 +0000

2009 is going to be the year of the cruise deals as cruise lines get creative in an effort to capture your business. Here is a phenominal deal with Oceania Cruises – a premium cruise line that offers a country club casual vibe, exceptional service and unique itineraries. If you’re a frequent cruiser but haven’t tried Oceania yet, or perhaps you’re a first time cruiser trying to decide which cruise line is right for you – well now is the time to book and save BIG! Plus, when you book with Sun Valley Travel you’ll receive even more great savings and benefits. Keep reading to learn more…

In celebration of Oceania Cruises 5 year anniversary they are offering guests up to 72% off brochure fares. This means you can enjoy an Oceania Cruise Experience from only $1,249 per person on select sailings!!

2009 European Collection — Download the flyer
Select any one of 18 different 2009 European Collection voyages and you will receive FREE Airfare, 2-for-1 Cruise Fares and an additional Price Reduction of $2,000 per stateroom (Catgeory G through A1)

2009-2010 Winter Collection – Download the flyer
Book a 2009-2010 Winter Collection sailing to South America, Asia and the South Pacific and receive Price Reductions and Complimentary Amenities in addition to Free Airfare and 2-for-1 Cruise Fares (category G through PH1):

10 Day Voyages: $500 per stateroom price reduction, plus $500 Stateroom Shipboard Credits plus FREE prepaid gratuities
12-24 Day Voyages: $1,000 per stateroom price reduction, plus $500 Stateroom Shipboard Credits plus FREE prepaid gratuities
25-40 Day Voyages: $,1500 per stateroom price reduction, plus $500 Stateroom Shipboard Credits plus FREE prepaid gratuities

BONUS OFFER: Book with Sun Valley Travel and receive a complimentary pre or post hotel stay and up $300 in extra shipboard credits!!

Contact us for rates & availability! Toll Free: 866-384-0132 ; Email darcy@dailytraveldeal.com

*Offer expires March 31, 2009 and excludes Regatta, January 30, 2010. Promotions only apply to sailings and stateroom categories listed on linked PDFs. Discounts are per stateroom based on new double occupancy bookings only. Fares listed are cruise only in U.S. dollars, per person, based on double occupancy and include Non-Commissionable Fares. Government Fees and Taxes are additional. Cruise Ship Fuel Surcharge may apply. All fares and offers are subject to availability, may not be combinable with other offers, are capacity controlled and may be withdrawn at any time without prior notice. 2 for 1 fares are based on published Full Brochure Fares; all fares are cruise only, and do not include Prepaid Charges, Optional Facilities and Services Fees, and personal charges, as defined in the Terms and Conditions of the Guest Ticket Contract which may be viewed at www.OceaniaCruises.com. Other restrictions may apply.

RiverBarge Ceases Operations for 2009

Darcy — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 11:00:36 +0000

And another cruise line today annouced they were shutting their doors. It’s really too bad as this was the last barge company left running ships along the Mississippi. Just doesn’t seem to be much interest in cruising Americas heartland anymore.

RiverBarge, based in New Orleans, posted the following statement on its Web site at www.riverbarge.com: “RiverBarge Excursion Lines, Inc. has been forced to curtail all operations for 2009 due to economic conditions. Rising costs and very soft bookings have forced this decision.”

Eddie Conrad, CEO of RiverBarge Excursions, said, “We want to assure our guests that RiverBarge Excursion Lines, Inc. deposits all payments for excursions in a special escrow account at the Whitney National Bank. This escrow account is overseen and regulated by the Federal Maritime Commission. As soon as these funds are made available to us, guest refunds will be processed.”

For further information call (888) GO-BARGE, (1-888-462-2743). RiverBarge operated the River Explorer on cruises of America’s heartland rivers.

New high-speed train connects Milan and Rome

Darcy — Sun, 28 Dec 2008 01:17:26 +0000

Trenitalia last week launched a new high-speed train link between Milan and Rome. The new line shaves an hour off the route; time of travel is down to 3 hours and 30 minutes.

Trenitalia’s Red Arrow Train which will service the new route and will be available for reservations starting in January 2009. The Red Arrow reaches a maximum velocity of 186 mph.

See, smell and eat your way through Italy with one of our tantalizing itineraries that can be customized to fit your travel style and budget!

Contact us to get started! Toll Free: 866-384-0132; Email darcy@dailytraveldeal.com

End of the River for Majestic America Lines

Darcy — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 11:00:46 +0000

Seems like only yesterday this cruise line was created as a joint effort to bring together several other defunct river cruise lines in the US. But sadly, they didn’t make it either and it’s now up for sale.

Majestic America Line will conclude its final river cruise on Monday, Nov. 16. The company, which was pieced together by Ambassadors International Inc. in 2006, is on the market but hasn’t been sold. No itineraries are scheduled for 2009. On Nov. 15, the American Queen will finish its season and will dock in New Orleans for the winter. The following day, Queen of the West ends its final cruise and will winter in Portland, Ore. Two other vessels — Delta Queen and Mississippi Queen — are also in New Orleans, while Columbia Queen will remain in Portland for the winter. Empress of the North completed her last cruise on Aug. 9 and was transferred to the U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD) due to unpaid debt.

Majestic America Line will still have a dedicated team available for any guest, travel partner or vendor inquiries that arise after the 2008 cruise season is completed. For more information, visit www.majesticamericaline.com.

End to fuel surcharges?

Darcy — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 11:00:28 +0000

This year we’ve seen gas prices sky rocket and everyone from airlines, cruise lines even bed & breakfasts starting tacking on “fuel surcharges” or “energy surcharges” to help cover their overhead or simply to jump on the band wagon and make a few extra bucks. Now that gas prices have remained steady for several months and are starting to decline, some cruise lines are removing these fees from their vacation costs.

Caribbean Cruises Ltd. will no longer apply fuel supplements to new bookings on Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises and Azamara Cruises made on or after Nov. 10 for sailings that depart on or after Jan. 1, 2010. The company said the decision takes into consideration the recent reductions in global fuel prices. The company also has established specific guidelines that will determine whether fuel supplement refunds will be provided for sailings that begin in 2009 and later, which were booked prior to Nov. 10, if fuel prices remain below a specific price threshold. For 2009 sailings and 2010 sailings booked before Nov. 10, the company will determine on a quarterly basis whether fuel supplements will be refunded. Refunds, in the form of an onboard credit, will be provided if the closing price of West Texas Intermediate fuel is $65 or less, at the closing time of the New York Mercantile Exchange, two weeks prior to the beginning of the upcoming calendar quarter. When those conditions are met, an onboard credit will be provided to all guests on sailings that begin during the upcoming calendar quarter. The company will continue to closely monitor global fuel prices and said it could reinstate a fuel supplement if there is an upturn in those cost of fuel.

Basically what this means is that if you currently are booked on a Royal Caribbean, Celebrity or Azamara cruise vacation, keep in touch with your travel agent to see if the fuel surcharges (as high as $20 per person, per day) have been removed or turn into on-board credits. This does not apply to all cruises across the board but it doesn’t hurt to check. I think several other cruise lines will also start to reduce or do away with their fuel surcharges in the coming weeks.

Thinking of booking a cruise for next year? We’re seeing record low cruises prices for early booking!

Contact us for rates & availability! Toll Free: 866-384-0132 ; Email darcy@dailytraveldeal.com

Disneyland Announces Fall Holiday Schedule

Darcy — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 11:12:25 +0000

The giant Mickey Mouse Jack-o’-Lantern and the Town Square Christmas Tree will be the symbols of celebration for their respective holidays at Disneyland this fall. The fall season kicked off with a private party in Disneyland for teen sensation Miley Cyrus. “Miley’s Sweet 16 — Share The Celebration” took place Oct. 5, inside Disneyland. Beginning later in October, guests can enjoy an array of new attractions at Disneyland Resort, adding to the fun of the Halloween and holiday seasons.

On Oct. 24, “High School Musical 3: Right Here! Right Now!” premieres at Disney’s California Adventure. The new street show celebrates the upcoming theatrical motion picture “High School Musical 3: Senior Year.”

Pixie Hollow appears in Disneyland on Oct. 28. Entering along a pathway with an enchanted pool, between the entrances of Fantasyland and Tomorrowland, guests are gradually immersed into the community of fairies. Guests will get the feeling that they are shrinking to fairy size as they encounter statues of Tinker Bell and her friends, and spot other evidence of the pixies’ presence. When guests arrive at Tinker Bell’s home, they will meet some of the pixies in person.

A preview of the Blue Sky Cellar opens Oct. 20 at the Golden Vine Winery in Disney’s California Adventure. The Walt Disney Imagineering Blue Sky Cellar — named for the Imagineers’ “blue sky” creative process — displays never-before-seen models and art outlining the concepts and design for the park’s coming attractions, along with a video presentation. The showcase will be updated regularly so that fans can stay abreast of developments. Sleeping Beauty Castle will open a “reawakened” version of its classic walk through time for the December holiday season. Halloween highlights at Disneyland include the 16-foot-tall Mickey Mouse Jack-o’-Lantern on Main Street, U.S.A.; Woody’s Halloween Roundup at Big Thunder Ranch; and Haunted Mansion Holiday, inspired by Tim Burton’s “Nightmare Before Christmas,” which continues into the Christmas season.

In addition, Disneyland Resort will offer special attractions and events for Halloween and for the Christmas holiday season, which gets underway Nov. 21, when the traditional “A Christmas Fantasy” daily parade and “Believe … in Holiday Magic” fireworks make their seasonal debuts. The towering Christmas tree appears on Main Street, U.S.A., and the decor and nighttime show surrounding “Sleeping Beauty’s Winter Castle” will be will updated. Additional holiday highlights include the return on Nov. 21 of the “It’s a Small World Holiday” attraction, celebrating holiday traditions around the world. Guests will visit Santa Claus throughout the season at Santa’s Reindeer Round-up in Big Thunder Ranch, and those looking for a unique experience will reserve time with a guide for Disney’s Holiday tours.

Thinking of planning a visit to see Mickey this fall?
Contact us for rates & availability! Toll Free: 866-384-0132 ; Email darcy@dailytraveldeal.com

United Ups Second Bag Fee to $50

Darcy — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 13:15:41 +0000

United announced that it is increasing the service fee to check a second bag on a domestic flight from $25 to $50 one-way. These changes apply to customers who purchase a ticket on or after Sept. 16, for travel within the US and to/from Canada, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands on or after Nov. 10. United estimates that the $50 service fee will apply to one out of seven customers.The service fee does not apply to customers who are flying in United First or United Business, have Premier status with United or Star Alliance, or active duty military personnel traveling on orders. Customers can continue to carry on one bag and one personal item to fit under the seat or in an overhead bin. For itineraries that include international flights (except Canada), checking a first and second bag will continue to be at no extra charge. View their baggage chart here.

DTD Editors Note: It’s only a matter of time before the other main airlines jump on this as well.

Eurostar Operates Reduced Service After Chunnel Fire

Darcy — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 17:50:48 +0000

Eurostar said it is operating a restricted timetable between London and Paris, and between London and Brussels, with very little service and intervals of several hours between trains following a Sept. 11 fire in the Channel Tunnel. It recommended that travel be avoided unless the journey is absolutely essential. Travelers should check-in as normal for the train times given on their tickets and Eurostar will try to put them on one of the next available trains. This could mean waiting a long time before boarding. Journey times will also be significantly longer. All travelers with non-essential journeys up to Sept. 21 can get a refund or exchange their tickets for travel at a later date. Eurotunnel, the operator of the Channel Tunnel, is working hard to enable additional Eurostar services to be restored following the fire.

The Channel Tunnel is open again after it was closed by fire on a freight train carrying trucks on Friday, but service will be limited for some time. The fire occurred on a Folkestone-to-Calais train about seven miles from the French end. On Friday, a reported 30,000 travelers had been booked to travel on a total of 50 Eurostar trains, all of which were cancelled. Eurotunnel, the company that operates the tunnel, said it will take weeks to repair the affected section. For more information on Eurostar schedules, visit www.eurostar.com.

DTD Editors note: For alternative transportation across the channel, consider the ferry service from Dover or a short flight from one of the London city airports on www.ryanair.com or www.easyjet.com.

Announcing New Non-Stop Service from San Francisco to Puerto Vallarta

Darcy — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 20:21:26 +0000

Mexicana is launching their new non-stop service from SFO to Puerto Vallarta on December 3rd, 2008, running Saturday, Sunday, Wednesday and Friday. Book your next Mexico getaway before September 15th you’ll receive up to a $200 Air Credit with our partners at Pleasant Holidays.

Hurricane Ike Hits Grand Turk, Targets Cuba Today

Darcy — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 14:04:34 +0000

Hurricane Ike last night was located on the north coast of eastern Cuba. A Hurricane warning is in effect for the Cuban provinces of Guantanamo, Santiago de Cuba, Las Tunas and Granma, Camaguey, Ciego de Avila, Villa Clara, Sancti Spiritus, Cienfuergos and Matanzas. A hurricane warning remained in effect last night for the Turks & Caicos Islands and the southeastern Bahamas, including the Acklins, Crooked Island, the Inaguas, Mayaguana and the Ragged Islands. The storm has already damaged 80 percent of the homes on Grand Turk island. A hurricane warning remains in effect for the Central Bahamas, including Cat Island, the Exumas, Long Island, Rum Cay and San Salvador. A tropical storm warning and hurricane watch is in effect for Andros Island in the Bahamas. A hurricane watch is in effect for the Florida Keys from Ocean Reef southward, including the Dry Tortugas. A tropical storm watch remains in effect for Jamaica and the Cayman Islands.

The National Hurricane Center recommended the remainder of the Bahamas and South Florida should closely monitor the progress of Ike. As of 11 p.m. last night the hurricane was located 76 miles west of the north coast of eastern Cuba near Cabo Lucretia, about 135 miles east of Camaguey Cuba. Ike was moving toward the west at roughly 13 mph and a west to west-northwest motion was expected over the next day or two. On this track the center of the storm will move over Eastern Cuba on Monday, near or over central Cuba later on Monday, and near western Cuba on Tuesday. Maximum sustained winds are near 120 mph with higher gusts. Ike is a Category 3 hurricane. For an updated forecast, visit www.nhc.noaa.gov