Norwegian Cruise Lines Launches The Epic

During the first few days of July, I was in New York City as a passenger aboard the maiden voyage of Norwegian Cruise Line's massive new cruise ship, called the Epic. It's truly an incredible ship that's an ideal way for singles, couples and families alike to enjoy a memorable high seas adventure.

Throughout the next year or so, the Epic will be sailing throughout the Caribbean and departing from Miami. Not only is this one of the largest cruise ships in existence, it also offers one of the largest selections of activities for people of all ages. Starting with the offerings for kids, Epic features supervised, camp-like activities, plus a variety of shows, dining options and activities featuring popular Nickelodeon characters.

Oh, and the ship features several massive water slides as part of a water park aboard the ship, which includes multiple swimming pools. For teens, Epic has a unique and nicely equipped teen club, in addition to family-friendly cabins and dining options.

For adults, Epic is the ultimate playground on the ocean. Just some of the activities include a casino, bowling allies, an incredibly large workout/gym facility, a world-class spa (the largest on any ship), an ice skating rink, 33-foot-tall rock climbing wall, multiple shops, more than 20 restaurants, plus 20 bars and nightclubs. On the ship you'll also find Ice Bar, which is actually made of solid ice and kept at a chilly 17-degrees Fahrenheit.

Aboard the 4,100-passenger vessel, you'll also plenty of nightly entertainment, including live music, comedy featuring the Second City comedy troupe, plus performances by Blue Man Group and Cirque Dreams. Having seen Blue Man Group in New York City, Orlando, Boston and Las Vegas already, I was a bit disappointed that the Blue Man Group performance offered aboard the ship is identical to what’s offered in these other cities. It would have been nice to see the cast alter the show just a bit when presenting it aboard it’s newest home on the Epic.

The accommodations aboard the ship are ultra-contemporary, very comfortable, spacious and nicely equipped. There are many different categories of cabins, including several designed specifically for families with kids and teens. The ship is also the first to offer specially priced cabins for single travelers, as well as an entire section of suites for those seeking the ultimate in high seas luxury. Of the 2,114 cabins, staterooms and massive suites, 1,427 of them feature private balconies.

Overall, Epic is an extremely impressive ship that is staffed by an extremely attentive and experienced 1,700+ person crew. Like most cruise ships, however, Epic offers passengers many up-sells and extras once aboard. Plan on spending at least several hundred dollars per person extra during a seven day cruise if you want to experience any of the more than 10 premium dining experiences, some of the onboard entertainment, treatments at the spa, or gamble at the casino, for example. Alcoholic beverages and some other drinks are also extra, as are the land excursions available at the various ports-of-call. You'll also be charged extra to access the Internet, to shop aboard the ship, and to purchase professional photos taken of all passengers during each cruise.

If you budget for these extras, however, the cruise experience that awaits you aboard the Epic is superior to anything else that NCL and many of the other cruise lines currently have to offer. As soon as you book your cruise, take advantage of NCL's website to pre-book your premium dining, entertainment, spa treatments and shore excursions well in advance to insure you're not shut out of the activities you're interested in experiencing during your cruise.

Having experienced the ship myself firsthand, I was very impressed. One thing families in particular should be aware of, however, is that within the majority of the cabins, the toilet and shower are separated from the main living space using smoked glass partitions and a curtain, which does not allow for total privacy.

As soon as your cruise begins, spend your first few hours after boarding exploring the 1,080 foot long, 19 deck, 153,000 ton ship, so you can see firsthand all that's offered, and so you don't miss out on anything.

To learn more about the Epic and its upcoming 7-day cruise itineraries, which includes the Eastern Caribbean (Miami, Nassau, St. Maarten and St. Thomas) and Western Caribbean (Miami, Cozumel, Costa Maya, and Roatan), visit www.NCL.com or call (888) 625-2784. Any travel agent that specializes in cruises can also help you plan your vacation aboard the Epic.

Article About Condo-Style Hotels Suitable for Families

Check out my article which appeared in today's New York Daily News newspaper about condo-style hotels and how they're a great way for families to save money when vacationing. Click here to read the article.

Milestone Hotel & Suites (London) - Review

Please check out the article I wrote for Lowfares.com about the gorgeous Milestone Hotel & Suites in London. If you're planning a trip to the UK, consider a stay at this fine hotel. Check here to read the article.

Reno Offers A Unique and Unexpected Vacation Experience

Let's face it, when most people think about Reno, Nevada, what comes to mind is a smaller Las Vegas that hasn't managed to keep up with the times. For some people, this is actually a plus, and a welcome change from the many tourist destinations out to gouge tourists with overpriced food, accommodations and entertainment.

For example, while those truly cheap, all-you-can-eat buffets Las Vegas was once famous for have long since been replaced by expensive, five-star restaurants that showcase the names of famous chefs, in Reno, the casinos still offer true dining bargains, not to mention shows, gaming tables and a vast array of slot machines. Here, penny slots are as prevalent as $1 slots, allowing people on a budget to enjoy a casino experience for hours at a time, without risking more than a few dollars.

I recently returned from a short, but very enlightening trip to Reno, and was very pleasantly surprised by all that's offered here, not to mention the incredible hospitality and friendliness of everyone I encountered.

The people living in Reno and volunteering at the special events held here, for example, are truly passionate about where they live, and anxious to share what Reno has to offer with visitors. In many ways, a lot has changed in Reno since my last visit a decade ago. Yet, in some ways, however, Reno has remained timeless.

Reno can't compete with the ultra-modern, trendy and costly accommodations, mega-casinos, shopping and world-class entertainment Las Vegas is known for...and as a city, it's not trying to. What Reno does offer on the surface, however, is a much more affordable experience for someone who enjoys gambling. But, that's just on the surface.

What's offered in and around Reno has grown over the past decade. For example, about a year ago, phase one of Legends (www.ExperienceLegends.com) opened. This is a massive outlet mall which offers bargain shopping for designer and name brand merchandise in a lovely setting that features restaurants, more than 50 shops, plus one of the largest sporting goods mega-stores in the country. Phase two of this development will include an IMAX theater, a multiplex movie theater, additional shopping, and a modern casino.

For vacationers, what truly makes Reno worth visiting, however, are the incredible special events held here throughout the year. Many of these events are offered nowhere else in America, and each attract more than 100,000 participants and spectators each year. It's not just the uniqueness of the events themselves, but how they're produced that make them special. Most incorporate a wide range of family-friendly activities and entertainment around the main events, designed to make each memorable and fun for everyone.

For example, there's the National Air Races Championships (www.airrace.org), which is one of the most spectacular air shows in the world, and the only one which offers in-air pylon racing, featuring a handful of different vintage aircraft categories, including many from WWII. This event is designed for everyone, not just aviation enthusiasts, and is a visually amazing spectacle offered in a truly festive atmosphere. It’s been held annually since 1964, and continues to grow each year. The event entertains and amazes people of all ages. Each year, some of the most accomplished civilian, commercial and military pilots in America gather for this unique and thrilling event.

In Reno, a massive event is held almost every weekend. There's also the annual Great Reno Balloon Race (www.RenoBalloon.com) held in September, which showcases more than 100 hot air balloons. The Hot August Nights (www.hotaugustnights.net) event is one of the only classic car shows in America where spectators can see over 6,000 vintage automobiles up-close, while experiencing live entertainment, food vendors and a county fair-like atmosphere.

For motorcycle enthusiasts, the annual Street Vibrations event should not be missed.

Reno is also home to the PGA Reno/Tahoe Open (www.RenoTahoeOpen.com), which is attended by some of the PGA's most respected golfers, and is home to the prestigious Montreux Golf Course (www.Montreusgolf.com), one of several in the region that attracts amateur and professional golfers alike, because of it's breathtaking setting and unique terrain.

The annual Reno Rodeo (www.RenoRodeo.com) is also a fun-filled family activity which attracts some of the most highly skilled and competitive cowboys in the country. Yet, attendees needn't know anything about rodeos to enjoy the festivities held here annually in conjunction with this event.

Whether your passion is bowling, golf, classic cars, aviation, shopping, gambling, barbecuing, or countless other activities, the Reno of today offers a refreshingly affordable destination with extremely fun and unique events and activities almost every week of the year. The city also features theatre and other cultural entertainment experiences outside of the casinos, plus headline musical and comedy entertainment nightly.

Reno is within a one hour drive from Lake Tahoe, which offers an incredible vacation experience onto itself - with spectacular skiing in the winter, and boating and other indoor and outdoor activities during the warmer months.

The Reno-Tahoe International Airport (http://renoairport.com) is serviced by a handful of major airlines, including Southwest and US Airways, which offer low-cost direct and connecting flights from most major U.S. cities.

For accommodations, there are the large casinos (which are very affordable compared to Las Vegas, with rooms starting at well under $100 per night). You'll also find even more affordable motels and even RV parks that offer comfortable accommodations, with special packages offered in conjunction with the ongoing events being held in the city.

So, if you haven't been to Reno in years, or if you've avoided this very special city due to misconceptions about it being an outdated and much smaller than Las Vegas, rethink your vacation options, learn more about some of the events being hosted here, and seriously consider a weekend or week-long visit.

Unfortunately, the main strip of casinos in Reno in the "downtown" area is in major need of refurbishment. The "mom and pop" owned businesses are mostly comprised of liqueur stores, walk-in wedding chapels, tattoo parlors, pawn shops, cheap souvenir stores and fast food dining establishments. However, a major attempt is underway to give this region a much-needed make-over.

Many of the casinos, however, are modern, clean, comfortable and very safe for tourists, so don't let the impact the bad economy has had on Reno deter you from visiting. I am confident you too will be pleasantly surprised by what's offered throughout the city and surrounding areas.

To learn more about the vacation opportunities, special events, casinos and attractions in and around Reno, visit Reno-Sparks Convention and Visitors Authority at www.visitrenotahoe.com, or call (800) FOR-RENO. After all, if you believe the hype, what happens in Las Vegas, stays in Las Vegas. But, what you experience in Reno, you'll most likely be telling your friends, co-workers and relatives about for months to come.

Below is a selection of photos from my trip to Reno which offers a sampling of what you can expect from the various special events held here throughout the year.

All photos (c)2010 Jason R. Rich. All rights reserved.

Guide To Surviving Family Vacations

Planning a trip this summer with your family? Check out the article I wrote for LowFares.com that offers tips on how to survive and really enjoy the experience...Click Here to read the article. Oh, and you might even save some money too!

Re-Enter The U.S. Quickly: Join The Global Entry Program

So, if you're a frequent traveler and find yourself going overseas often, the most dreaded part of your trips is probably your return to the U.S., when you need to wait in long lines in order to get through U.S. Customs and Immigration.

Well, the folks at U.S. Customs and Border Protection have recently introduced the Global Entry Program (www.globalentry.gov).

Joining the program required its members to complete an extensive online questionnaire (which takes about 30 minutes), and then participate in an in-person interview and background check, at which time, approved applicants are fingerprinted and have their photo taken.

Once fully approved, members can skip the long lines at U.S. Customs and Immigration whenever they re-enter the U.S. through one of 20 currently participating airports. Instead, members swipe their U.S. Passport through an ATM-like machine to have their identity confirmed, and about 45 seconds later, they're on their way out of the airport. This can save up to two hours per return trip.

Okay, there is a catch. To join the Global Entry Program, the cost is $100.00 for five (5) years. Beyond that, everything about the program has been designed to make a frequent traveler's experience returning to the U.S. as quick and hassle-free as possible.

For more information, or to sign up for the program, visit www.GlobalEntry.gov. The whole application and approval process takes between one and three weeks. The program is open to all U.S. citizens with a valid U.S. Passport.

Carry-On Baggage Fees: UPDATE

According to the Associated Press, five of the major U.S. airlines, including American Airlines, Delta, United, US Airways and JetBlue have agreed NOT to start charging for carry-on bags anytime in the near future. Spirit Airlines, however, does plan to charge passengers for carru-on bags, in addition to checked luggage. Check out the article by clicking here.

Spirit Airlines Introduces Even More Extra Fees: Major Airlines Could Be Next

The airlines are constantly looking for new ways to hit their passengers with extra fees. As of April 5th, Spirit Airlines began charging for carry-on bags that are placed in the overhead bin.

That's right, while you can still place one personal item under the seat in front of you for free, if you opt to use the overhead compartment, it'll cost you between $20.00 and $45.00 per item each way. Read the company's press release by clicking here.

Of course, the airline also charges between $15.00 and $45.00 each for your checked bags for both domestic and international flights. While Spirit Airlines is considered a smaller airline, chances are it won't be long before the other major airlines adopt this new carry-on bag fee. After all, airlines like United Airlines are notorious for hitting passengers with as many extra fees as possible, above and beyond the base ticket price.

If you're a Spirit Fare Club member, you'll be charged less to use the overhead compartment in the cabin, as well as for your checked luggage. Plus, the airline claims to also have lowered their already discounted fares slightly.

So, it looks like if the airlines get their way, if your personal items don't fit under the seat in front of you, you'll need to shell out some more cash as a passenger. The good news is that breathing aboard the aircraft, and using the restroom are still free (at least for now).

(Updated: April 8, 2010) Whoops...I spoke too soon. According to an article in today's New York Daily News (click here), UK-based RyanAir is now charging passengers to pee. This is getting a bit outrageous!

Credit Card Users Beware: Travel Perks Are Disappearing Fast

New laws were recently created to help protect consumers against the abuse and excessive fees they often receive from the credit card companies. Well, if you're one of those people who think your credit card still protects you when you travel by offering perks like insurance when renting a car, baggage delay insurance, travel accident insurance, and/or roadside assistance, for example, think again.

Many of the major credit card companies that once offered these perks to travelers have discontinued them. Often the credit card companies disclose changes to their card holder agreements through direct mail pieces disguised as junk mail (which credit card users typically throw out). In other words, the perks you think your credit card offers may no longer be available, and you might not realize it.

Before your next trip, if you're planning to utilize travel protection perks offered by your credit card, call the credit card issuer directly and make sure these perks are still offered. While you're at it, make sure you understand what these insurances and travel-related perks cover, as many of the offers are a bit misleading in terms of coverages.

If you want a wide range of protections when you travel for business or pleasure, consider investing in travel insurance from a company like TravelGuard. Whenever I travel overseas, I always purchase this insurance, and for me, it's come in very handy on several trips in the past.

To help you better understand the new credit card laws, visit a website like CreditCards.com. You can also read an article published on Federal Reserve's website by clicking here.

St. Kitts Is An Excellent Caribbean Vacation Destination

I just returned from a wonderful visit to St. Kitts, and was pleasantly surprised at just how much this relatively small Caribbean island has to offer for vacationers.

Direct flights to St. Kitts are available from Miami and San Juan via several major U.S. airlines, including American Airlines, plus it's a popular port-of-call with the major cruise lines.

If you're planning to fly to and stay on St. Kitts for several days, and want to experience a top-notch, full-service resort that offers a wide range of activities, superior accommodations, multiple restaurants, several swimming pools, a nicely equipped day spa, an 18-hole golf course, a casino, plus an incredible view of the ocean, you'll want to book your reservations at the St. Kitts Marriott Resort (869-466-1200, www.stkittsmarriott.com).

This is the largest, most modern and most well-rounded resort on the island. It's perfect for families, honeymooners, couples and even single travelers looking for a tropical getaway.

Throughout St. Kitts, however, you'll also find a handful of boutique hotels and inns, but unlike the majority of other Caribbean islands, St. Kitts is not overbuilt with countless hotels and resorts, which really adds to the charm of this beautiful and tropical vacation destination.

Once you arrive at St. Kitts, you'll have no trouble finding plenty to do. The island has both white and black sandy beaches, plenty of duty-free shopping, many historical sites to explore, plus countless land and water based activities - from scuba diving and snorkeling, to boating, hiking, zip-lining, biking, casinos, day spas, tennis, and truly gorgeous oceanfront golf courses.

If you shop around, you can find great airfare deals, plus deeply discounted accommodation deals when planning your St. Kitts vacation. However, once you arrive, unless you purchase an all-inclusive package, you'll probably find the cost of meals, activities and most items to be a bit on the high side. (This was the only negative thing I discovered on the island.)

Families will enjoy staying at the St. Kitts Marriott Resort because of the on-property activities, including a supervised Kids Club and multiple swimming pools, plus a beach that young people will love. Meanwhile, adults will appreciate the gourmet cuisine served here, as well as the spa, golf course, tennis courts and casino, not to mention the multiple bars (several of which feature nightly live entertainment).

Outside of the resort, there are several public beaches on St. Kitts, including the popular Reggae Beach, which offers swimming, sunbathing, snorkeling, boating, a great outdoor cafe/bar, plus a resident monkey, goat and giant pig (named Wilbur) that kids can interact with and feed.

If you enjoy hiking (and you're in top physical shape), consider experiencing the 2.5 mile trek up Mount Liamuiga. You'll hike through a lush rain forest be be rewarded with a breathtaking view of the island and coastline when you reach the top. (Keep in mind, you also have to hike back down on sometimes rugged terrain.) It's a challenging hike, so make sure you wear comfortable shoes, you're dressed appropriately, and bring along plenty of bottled water.

Also, don't even think about hiking up Mt. Liamuiga without a tour guide! Some of the best tour guides on the island are employed by Greg's Safaris (869-465-4121, www.gregsafaris.com). Not only will they help you plan an exciting, full-day hike up one of the island's tallest mountains, but Greg's Safaris offers a wide range of other tours and guided activities on the island that are suitable for people of all ages.

On your own, if you enjoy seeing historical sites, Brimstone Hill is an ancient fort that is extremely interesting to explore, plus you'll be rewarded with incredible views of the coastline from several directions. The fort is located on the top of an 800-foot-tall mountain (which you can drive up to). This is a UNESCO World Heritage Site which people of all ages will enjoy visiting and exploring on foot.

Another really fun activity offered on St. Kitts is zip-lining through the Kittitian rainforest. It's offered by Sky Safari Tours (869-466-4259, www.skysafaristkitts.com). People of all ages can enjoy zip-lining, which is very safe, and far less scary than riding a roller coaster. The views are amazing, yet the ride along the zip line is smooth.

While I'm personally not a fan of duty-free shopping in the Caribbean, mainly because you can often find better deals for jewelry and designer watches, for example, online, you will find plenty of duty-free shopping on St. Kitts. Good deals can be found on alcohol and tobacco products.

Overall, I really enjoyed my visit to St. Kitts. The food and water quality at the resorts and many of the restaurants was top-notch, plus the resort offered cable television (with virtually all U.S. programming), plus reliable high-speed Internet access. These are amenities you won't find at many Caribbean destinations.

In a nutshell, St. Kitts has become one of my all-time favorite destinations in the Caribbean, and it's certainly a destination you should consider when planning your next tropical getaway. This is also a great place to host a destination wedding or to visit for a honeymoon, anniversary or special occasion. Regardless of why you're visiting, you can't go wrong staying at the St. Kitts Marriott Resort.

All photos (c)2010 Jason R. Rich. All rights reserved.

Ski Vacation Deals: Spring Skiing Is Here!

Spring skiing is here! Looking for great ski vacation deals in places like Colorado, Utah or Lake Tahoe? Check out the article I wrote for last Monday's New York Daily News newspaper. Click here to read it.

Traveling with Your Dog? Read This Article

If you're a dog lover, check out this article that I wrote for Monday's edition of the New York Daily News about traveling with your pooch. Check here to read it.

Skiing In Utah Is Amazing!

I just returned from an amazing ski trip to Utah, and I have to say that it was the most spectacular skiing experience I've ever had. This was my first time visiting Utah, and I was very pleasantly surprised.

Not only are there a bunch of vastly different ski resorts to choose from, but each offers a totally different, yet equally incredible skiing (or snowboarding) experience, absolutely breathtaking scenery, and a nice choice of nearby nightly accommodations, available at all price points. In fact, many hotels and resorts are located right at the ski slopes, so you can literally ski from your hotel room to the slopes in minutes.

Right now, Utah is offering some really great deals for Spring skiing. The best source to find these deals is SkiUtah.com. From this site, you can also learn about the various ski resorts, like The Canyons, Park City Mountain Resort, and Brighton Resort.

Skiing is still in expensive sport, since you need to purchase daily lift tickets, warm clothing, ski equipment, and potentially lessons. However, if you're going to invest in a ski vacation, you might as well have the very best possible skiing experience possible, which is why I highly recommend Utah - no matter what your skill level when it comes to skiing or snowboarding.

Beyond offering skiing that's superior to what's available in New England, and equal (if not better) than what's offered in Colorado or Lake Tahoe, for example, what sets the ski resorts in Utah apart is the lack of lift lines.

Even on the most crowded days, the wait time to get up a mountain is less than three to five minutes, so when you plan a full day of skiing, you really spend the day on the mountain, not waiting in long lines.

In addition to the skiing itself, Utah offers plenty of fine-dining restaurants (like Log Haven or Talisker On Main), day spas, museums, theatre, and other activities to keep the entire family entertained. Even the ski resorts themselves offer activities beyond just skiing. For example, there's the Alpine Coaster at the Park City Mountain Resort, which is fun for kids, teens and adults alike.

Oh, and so save a bit of money, I recommend renting your ski equipment at Ski 'N See (as opposed to at the ski resorts themselves). You'll find nine Ski 'N See locations, all located near some of the most popular Utah ski resorts.

Also, when you arrive to Utah, the Salt Lake City airport is within 30 to 60 minutes from the majority of the ski resorts, so you ski on the day (or evening) your arrive. If you're planning to do this, keep your airline boarding pass, because if you present it at a participating ski resort, you'll get a free lift ticket for the day you arrive. (Some restrictions apply, but you can read the rules for this offer at SkiUtah.com).

Salt Lake City is easy to reach from most major U.S. cities, and affordable flights are available. Thus, even if you're coming from the East Coast or West Coast, you can plan an affordable, yet memorable long weekend or week of skiing in Utah, without spending too much time flying or breaking the bank.

Boston's Amazing Nightlife...Experience It Firsthand

Check out my article about Boston's nightlife on Virgin Atlantic's vTravelled.com website - Click here. Learn about all there is to see and do in Boston once the sun sets.

Disney Theme Parks Reward People Who Volunteer

Vacationing at the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando is always a fun, exciting and extremely memorable experience. In fact, there's so much to see and do there, a family can spend several weeks exploring The Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney's Hollywood Studios, Disney's Animal Kingdom, and all of the other activities within the WDW Resort, and never have a chance to experience everything.

The WDW Resort is always growing and evolving. So, each time someone returns, they're sure to find something new. Yet one thing always remains consistent - many of the rides, shows and attractions within the Disney theme parks are designed to tap into our imaginations and inspire us.

I just returned from a visit to the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando (which is one of my favorite vacation destinations), and participated in the launch of the "Give a Day, Get a Disney Day" program. This program was designed to inspire one million people to do at least one day's worth of volunteering this year. In exchange, Disney will award each volunteer with a free, one-day ticket to a Disney Word or Disneyland theme park.

If you're interested in registering for this program, visit www.disneyparks.com. You can choose to volunteer at any of more than 10,000 organizations nationwide. So far, more than 600,000 people have registered to participate in the "Give a Day, Get a Disney Day" program.

During my Disney visit, I learned about some exciting new attractions and events happening at The Walt Disney World Resort over the next few years. For example, they're expanding Fantasyland within The Magic Kingdom, creating a one-of-a-kind resort for dogs (so people can travel with their pets to Disney World), and they're launching new cruise ships as part of Disney Cruise Lines -- but that's only the beginning!

This coming summer, the classic Main Street Electrical Parade will be relaunched within The Magic Kingdom, followed by an all-new fireworks display. And, they're relaunching the entire ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex this month. Oh, and in 2011, they're redesigning the popular Star Tours attractions (located within Disney's Hollywood Studios). And if you're a fan of Tower of Terror, you'll soon notice some all-new special effects being added to that thrill ride.

Thanks to a wide range of discounts and promotions offered by Disney, there's never been a better time to experience a WDW vacation! For example, you can save 25 to 40 percent off of standard rates for WDW Resort hotels between April 11th and June 3, 2010. Check out the DisneyWorld.com website for details, or call (407) W-DISNEY.

Save Money On Last-Minute Travel

Check out my article which ran in yesterday's New York Daily News newspaper for tips on how to save money booking last-minute travel - CLICK HERE!

St. Lucia - A Wonderful Vacation Destination in the Caribbean

While I've had the opportunity to travel to most of the Caribbean in recent years, only a few destinations have stuck out in my mind as being favorites, and one of those destinations in St. Lucia. The island was absolutely beautiful, the locals are incredibly friendly, plus there were so many exciting and memorable things to do.

Direct flights to St. Lucia are affordable, and available from several East Coast cities, including New York City and Miami. Plus, you can choose from a wide range of resort (and all-inclusive resort accommodations) at various price points. The thing to remember, however, is that you should always be on the lookout for money-saving packages or special promotions when visiting any Caribbean destination, such as St. Lucia. Simply by searching the web, you can easily find incredible deals at places like the all-inclusive Coconut Bay Beach Resort & Spa (866-978-6226, www.cbayresort.com).

With its 254 guest rooms and suites, Coconut Bay Beach Resort & Spa is truly an all-inclusive resort destination. Yes, everything - including activities, all dining, drinks, access to the private beach and pools, entertainment, etc.) is really included (with very few up-charges or additional fees). The resort offers an amazing kids program, multiple swimming pools, a gorgeous private beach, tennis, an entire building dedicated exclusively to adult accommodations (plus a separate building with family-friendly accommodations), a lovely spa, several on-property fine-dining restaurants, plus plenty of on-property and nearby activities. All of the resort's buildings are also wired with Wi-Fi, and the guest rooms have cable TV.

Another great thing about this resort is its proximity to the airport. While many of the resorts on St. Lucia are located up to a one hour drive from the airport, Coconut Bay Beach Resort & Spa is located about five minutes from the airport. So, you can literally get off the airplane, collect your luggage, and be on the beach or sunbathing at the pool in well under an hour.

Coconut Bay Beach Resort & Spa is a beautiful, three-star resort. It's not over-the-top luxurious, but it is extremely clean, comfortable and very nicely equipped, plus the service is top-notch. Up until about five years ago, the Coconut Bay Beach Resort & Spa was a Club Med property, however, it's now under new ownership. Over the past few years, the resort has undergone massive renovations, and new additions are constantly being added.

This is a great family-friendly destination, or a perfect destination wedding or honeymoon resort. Thanks to the function space, it can also be used for business meetings or retreats.

One of the really special things about Coconut Bay Beach Resort & Spa is that it's home to 2 Elements - a kite-surfing and windsurfing school that's one of the very best in the world. In fact, the exact location where this resort is located is considered one of the world's top kite surfing hot spots, because of the perfect combination of wind, water and beaches.

If you want to learn how to kite surf, expert private instruction is available. Plan on investing about 10 hours during a five day period into lessons (at an additional cost of $400.00), after which you will be able to kite surf! This is one of the few resorts in the world that has its own kite surfing school right on the premises. If you're not sure this sport is for you, you can sign up for a free kite surfing introductory lesson, or watch expert kite surfers do their thing right from the resort's private beach.

When you're ready to explore St. Lucia, Coconut Bay Beach Resort & Spa has teamed up with a handful of top-notch local tour operators, for sightseeing, scuba diving, fishing, snorkeling, kayaking, off-roading on an ATV, windsurfing, bicycling, boating, and zip lining - all of which are available on St. Lucia (within a 5 to 30 minute drive from the resort). And, if you sign up for a tour through the resort, all transportation is arranged on your behalf.

In terms of sightseeing, St. Lucia offers some incredible places to visit, from historic fishing villages, to a tropical rainforest. There are also mineral baths and sulphur springs, a volcano, incredible water falls, a wildlife preserve, the Piton mountains, and botanical gardens, all of which are well worth visiting.

As you plan a trip to St. Lucia, you'll definitely want to spend at least five to seven days here, so choosing an all-inclusive resort, like Coconut Bay Beach Resort & Spa, makes perfect financial sense when it comes to planning the budget for your trip, since you know the majority of your food, drinks and on-property activities will be included. If you're traveling with kids, they'll absolutely love the Kids Klub, which offers supervised camp-like activities, an on-property water park, plus a playground (all included in the resort's all-inclusive price.)

To find the best deals for the Coconut Bay Beach Resort & Spa, check their website, or visit one of the popular online travel services, like Hotwire.com or Travelocity.com. Discounts on accommodations, guest room upgrades, and free resort credits, are among the special deals you'll find online.

Compared to all of the other potential Caribbean destinations you can visit, St. Lucia is definitely one of the very best and most affordable. Yet, the accommodations, food, service, and selection of activities are all excellent. It really is the perfect, tropical destination for a family vacation, a romantic getaway, a honeymoon or even a destination wedding. So, if you're thinking about taking a trip to the Caribbean, seriously consider St. Lucia as your destination. You won't be disappointed!

Photos (c)2010 Jason R. Rich. All rights reserved.

Florida Getting Just What It Needs...Another Theme Park!

On January 21, 2010, Merlin Entertainment announced big plans for the Winter Garden, Florida region - a new theme park! Joining the ranks of Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando and SeaWorld will soon be Legoland Florida.

Merlin Entertainment has purchased Cypress Gardens, and plans to open Legoland Florida on the site by the end of 2011. This will be a 145-acre theme park that will be fully renovated and redesigned, and then expanded over the next several years - probably to include resort hotel accommodations.

Legoland Florida is targeted to kids, between the ages of two and 12, and like its sister park in San Diego, California, will provide at least one full day's worth of entertainment once it opens. Currently, there are four other Legoland Parks in the world, all of which have become very successful catering to kids and their families.

The new Florida park will be located about 30 minutes from Orlando, and will initially feature more than 50 rides, shows and attractions, plus the life-size Lego models that these theme parks are famous for. (The theme parks are based around the Lego building blocks which are so popular amongst kids.)

There's already so much for kids to do in the Orlando area, and later this year, Universal Orlando's Islands of Adventure will be opening The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, which is probably the most anticipated theme park attraction ever created. The Legoland Florida park will cater to a slightly younger audience, and will no doubt, quickly become a popular day trip for families visiting the Orlando area.

Currently, within the Walt Disney World Resort, there's a Lego Store open within the Downtown Disney area. It features a handful of life-size Lego models, a Lego activity center, plus a chance to purchase the most popular Lego toy products.

Airlines Implement New Carry-On Luggage Rules

Thanks to the Northwest Airlines terrorist attack attempt on Christmas Day, the major airlines and Transportation Security Administration (TSA) are reacting in a way that will once again impact all passengers - making flying even less convenient and comfortable.

This time, passenger carry-ons will be impacted in terms of what can be brought onto an airplane, and when items from a carry-on can be used during a flight. For example, one airline is insisting that all passengers remain seated for the final hour of a flight, and will no longer allow laptop computers to be used during that period.

As you go through security at any airport, plan on longer lines as TSA personnel will be looking closer at all carry-on bags and their contents. So, leave ample time in your schedule, and arrive to the airport at least 90 minutes early for a domestic flight.

Before packing your carry-on in preparation for an upcoming flight, check with your airline to determine if any new rules have been implemented. You'll discover that new guidelines and rules are being implemented daily. You can also check the TSA's website at www.tsa.gov.

UPDATE: January 12, 2010 - I recently took a trip which involved visits to several airports across the country, and didn't notice too much of a difference in security, in terms of how long it took to get through security check points. I understand from speaking with several people, that New York airports have experienced delays at security check points, but this doesn't seem to be a nationwide problem, despite the recent security threats.

The Fox World Travel website (http://www.gofox.com/tools/waittimes.php) offers an online airport wait time calculator which will help you determine how long it should take to get through airport security, based on the day and time you travel, and which airport you're flying out of. A realtime calculator is also typically available from the official TSA website (http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/waittime.shtm), but it's currently "under construction."

TIP - While the wait times may not be longer, the TSA security personnel are clearly paying more attention to carry-on luggage. So, if you load up your carry-on with lots of electronic items, such as a laptop computer (or netbook), camera, iPod, eBook reader, noise-cancelling headphones, portable DVD player, plus adapters for your cell phone, and other devices (such as strangely shaped USB thumb drives), your bag may wind up getting hand-searched, which could delay you by five or 10 minutes.

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Travel Tip - Avoid Travel Delays

The number of flight delays and cancellations among the major airlines is staggering and seems to be increasing with each passing month. While delays caused by bad weather can't always be avoided, some airlines are notorious for delaying or canceling flights for no apparent reason, and then blaming imaginary weather or air traffic control problems to avoid having to take financial responsibility for the problems they cause for their passengers.

Before leaving home, check with your airline to insure your flight is running on-time. When you do this, don't just ask about your initial flight, however. If you're making a connection in another city, make sure your connecting flight(s) are running on-time as well. You may discover that getting to your connecting city will be easy, but there are significant delays in that connecting city, which could dramatically delay your travels.

If you determine this to be the case, ask the airline to reroute you to your final destination before you leave your home city. This might change your travel itinerary, but it could save you many hours of sitting in an airport waiting for a connecting flight to depart.

There are several ways you can confirm a flight's status before your departure. You can call the airline directly (via its toll-free phone number). You can go to the airline's website and click on the "Flight Status" (or equivalent icon). Or, you can visit the FlightView.com website, which offers real-time flight information for all major airlines, plus real-time information about major airport problems across the country. (This website also works well on an iPhone and many other wireless phones and PDAs.) Services like Travelocity.com, Hotwire.com and Orbitz.com, for example, also allow web surfers to track flights.

If you need to change your travel arrangements, contact the airline directly. On the same-day you travel, if you need to be re-routed due to bad weather or flight delays, there is no charge to do this. You may, however, have to fly stand-by. If this is the case, make sure you won't get stuck in a connecting city if the flight you want to get on is full.

Every month, the Bureau of Transportation Statistics publishes a report that details the on-time performance of every major airline. You can also track the overall on-time performance of a specific flight to see how often it gets delayed or cancelled. This website can be found at http://www.transtats.bts.gov/OT_Delay/OT_DelayCause1.asp.

Dealing with flight delays can be extremely frustrating. If you determine what problems you might encounter before departing and can get the airline to reroute you to avoid those problems, you might luck out and reach your destination on-time, or at least with minimal frustration. Good luck! Depending on what airline you're flying with, you'll probably need it!

"An overwhelming 77 percent of consumers who said they had flown in the last three months experienced flight delays or cancellations, according to a recent poll conducted by AIG Travel Guard. Nearly 28 percent experienced moderate delays, another 27 percent were met by slight delays, 18 percent had been subjected to extensive delays and four percent stated their flight had been cancelled...Sixty-five percent of consumers polled had been delayed up to five hours, with another 10 percent having been delayed up to 24 hours or longer."