Want in on a little secret?

I have discovered a remarkable tool to add to my travel toolbelt, and had to share…
Seatguru.com is an interactive website that relies on its users for the real truth about airplane seating, including features such as width, pitch and comfort. Through the “Submit Comments” button on each aircraft page, thousands of reviews have been added to the SeatGuru database by flyers who know a great seat when they sit in one. The SeatGuru staff utilizes these comments to maintain the accuracy of airplane seat information and updates the site with both user-submitted reviews and independent research.

SeatGuru has become an incredibly successful website and has expanded to include more than 400 airplane seatmaps from more than 55 different airlines.
Part of the TripAdvisor.com family, SeatGuru finds the truth from real travelers to bring you the most up-to-date information about airplane travel.

This is an invaluable travel resource – be sure to check it out! www.seatguru.com

Staying Active on Your Next Vacation

Princess Cruises has started new ways for passengers to stay active on their cruise vacation – including an in-room fitness program, yoga classes for kids and teens, and new Lotus Spa classes that focus on core, balance and strength exercises.

The in-room Fitness@Sea program is hosted by celebrity trainer Gillian Clark, who leads nine classes shown exclusively on the line’s Wellness Channel. The classes range from core strengthening to cardio training. On ships with ‘Movies Under the Stars,’ Princess airs the morning sessions on its poolside screens so passengers can work out in a group setting in the open air.

In addition, yoga for kids and teens will be presented in free, fun, half- to full-hour courses in the youth and teen centers.

The Lotus Spa’s new Core.Balance.Strength program focuses on these three fitness components, and will be available for a fee. An element of the strength aspect of the program is Tour de Spin, which will benefit LIVESTRONG, the Lance Armstrong Foundation.

Disney Cruise Line Sailing to Alaska?

There is conversation going around that in 2010 Disney Cruise Line might begin Alaska sailings. A first for Disney, who only twice have sailed on the West Coast.

This year and in 2005 to the Mexican Riviera.

The Alaska season is from May - September. Maybe it's time to view a calendar for 2010 and keep an eye on my blog for more details..

American Airlines offers Internet Service

For $12.95, passengers on AA flights using its Boeing 767-200 will be able to surf the Net, check e-mail, instant message and access corporate VPN accounts using the system by Aircell LLC.

The ground-based system – called GoGo – won't enable any voice-based functions.
American says it will test GoGo on its fleet of 15 767-200s, which are used primarily on transcontinental flights, for three to six months.

Assuming everything goes well, the carrier may expand to the rest of its fleet.

ORIENT LINES RE-BORN; MARCO POLO II

The new owners of Orient Lines have acquired Maxim Gorkiy, which will be renamed Marco Polo II and embark on its maiden voyage from Barcelona April 15.

Wayne Heller, who bought the rights to Orient Lines earlier this year, said his company will do everything to recreate the original concept, including longer, destination-intensive itineraries, a comprehensive enrichment program and value for money.

The tradition continues with the hiring of a Filipino crew and reinstating the crew show that always ranked as ships top-rated entertainment.

Marco Polo II will carry 650 passengers and offer multiple, open-seating dining venues. The ship is ice-classed and able to operate in polar waters.

Polo Club members will keep their standing with the new Orient Lines.

"new" passports cards

Beginning June 2009, travellers will be required to present documents showing both citizenship and identity when entering the USA via a land or sea border. For Americans who drive to Canada or Mexico or or who cruise regularly to the Caribbean, but who do not expect to fly abroad, the passport card is a cheaper, smaller, more portable alternative to the passport book.

For details on how to obtain the "new" passport card, visit www.travel.state.gov