American Airlines Charges for Second Bag

American is following a host of other airlines in charging clients $25 for a second checked bag.

This is another way to raise money in areas beyond fare increases.

American Airlines expects only 4% of passengers who check a second bag to pay the fee. Those exempted include frequent fliers who have reached certain status levels and buyers of full-fare tickets. International flights also are excluded from charging the fee.

Those who purchase a domestic economy tickets would be subject to the fee - will have to pay if their ticket-purchase date is on or after May 12.

I am SOOOOO excited!

Most of the time I get this way – no sleep because my mind is always racing about some very good travel offer that I want to share. Well not this time. However, there is some news that I wanted to share with you. Our website, www.ambassadortours.com, has a brand new feature - the VACATION MESSAGE BOARD. This is an exclusive way to share new travel ideas with fellow travelers of Ambassador Tours, gain new insight into places of interest, new restaurants or exciting places to visit.

So much of the communication today is based on shared knowledge - more now than ever. My goal is to have an interactive exchange of ideas, all the while learning more about the needs of you, the traveler!

Sign-up today – Your new path of travel is waiting….

Guess Where I am now?

With today's life style and our instant access to information, what better way to share with you some news. Right now I am in Ixtapa, Mexico at Club Med. They have just re-opened Club Med Ixtapa Pacific. What a fantastic resort. What ever one might think about Club Med, forget about it. They have taken themselves to a new level. As I sit in my room, looking at the blue sky and clam ocean, you might ask - why is he in the room and not outside enjoying all this? Good question and I might just have to end now and come back..

No, do not worry there is plenty to go around. I needed to share with everyone how nice of a place this all-inclusive resort is. If you like to participate in various activities your in heaven. If like me, just want to kick back and take it all in, welcome home...

I have only been here two days and could stay for a long time. The quality of food and selection is almost second to none. You can not go hungry or say, "there is nothing for me to eat". Kids and adults have all they want anytime..

Each room I have seen is spacious and offers many amenities to make your stay at Club med perfect.

Once I return, I will share my photos to prove my point... Well now it's off to the beach and soak in some sun so my wife will think I was not at the computer all day....

Celebrity Revamps Smoking Policy

Cruisers may praise the virtues of "sea air," but what matters more is clean air. Celebrity is taking action. Starting October 1, 2008, guests will enjoy fresher air as a result of a new policy that disallows smoking in Celebrity's staterooms or on stateroom verandas. The policy also will reduce the number of public areas in which guests can smoke onboard.

"We are proud to be the first premium cruise line to set a new standard toward creating an environment of cleaner air on our ships," said Celebrity Cruises President & CEO Dan Hanrahan. "We pay careful attention to what our guests have to say, and approximately 90 percent of them have told us they are non-smokers. By increasing the number of smoke-free areas onboard while still designating areas for those who smoke, our aim is to make the onboard experience as pleasant as possible for all of our guests."

Violations to Celebrity's smoking policy may result in a $250 cleaning fee charged to the guest's onboard account.

Another First for Princess

Princess scores live opera transmission - Princess Cruises'16 ships will become the first to broadcast a live performance from the Metropolitan Opera in New York.

The presentation of Puccini’s ‘La Boheme’ is scheduled for Saturday as part of the Met’s series of eight opera performances transmitted live via satellite to movie theaters around the world.

Princess ships equipped with Movies Under the Stars, clients can watch the production on giant poolside LED screens. Other ships will show the broadcast in the Princess Theater.