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Weekly UpdatesMay 3, 2009
This summer the S/Y Arabella, a three-masted schooner, will set a course along the Eastern Seaboard and playing a role in the Sail Boston 2009 Tall Ships Parade, the Opera House Cup Regatta in Nantucket, and the Great Chesapeake Bay Schooner Race. The ArabellaOs summer season itinerary features a five-night voyage along the coast of Maine; five five-night voyages along the New England coast; two three-night voyages over holiday weekends July 2 to 5 and Sept. 4 to 7; voyages coinciding with Sail Boston July 8 to 13 and the Opera House Cup Aug. 13 to 18; and more. www.atlanticstars.com. May 1, 2009
Alberta
This summer Alberta, CanadaOs Blackfoot Crossing Historical Park (an hour south of Calgary) will host the second annual World Chicken Dance Championship, June 20 to 21, a rare showcase of unique indigenous performances. The World Chicken Dance Championship, hosted by the Siksika Nation, one of the largest indigenous communities in all of Canada, brings together aboriginal communities from around the globe to celebrate their native and ritual dance with spiritual performances, all carried out to the beat of a drum. In addition to experiencing first-hand the owl dance, team dance, round dance, old-style chicken dance, rabbit dance, snake dance and crowhop dance, travelers will be able to visit the Blackfoot Crossing Interpretive Center and can even spend the night in a tipi at the Blackfoot Crossing tipi village (packages begin at USD245 per night and include authentic buffalo robes, fire wood, sleeping bags and more). www.travelalberta.com or www.blackfootcrossing.ca. Apr 30, 2009
Best Western International
Best Western International has opened the Best Western Legacy Inn and Suites in Gilbert Ariz. The non-smoking hotel offers 110 guestrooms, including 28 suites. Hotel amenities include an outdoor swimming pool, a hot tub, a fitness center, a guest laundry, a gift shop, an on-site bar and lounge, and complimentary continental breakfast. Each guestroom features a microwave oven and a refrigerator. The hotel offers wired and wireless high-speed Internet access, a business center, and two meeting facilities to accommodate up to 35 people. Nightly room rates start at USD109.99. www.bestwestern.com. May 1, 2009
Boeing
A federal appeals court will allow the American Civil Liberties Union to proceed with a lawsuit claiming a Boeing unit assisted the Central Intelligence Agency in secretly taking suspect foreigners to overseas prisons for torture, the ACLU said on Tuesday. The ruling by the US District Court California Northern District reverses a lower court decision throwing out the case against Jeppesen DataPlan, which provides flight and logistics support to plane operators. The ACLU originally filed the lawsuit brought on behalf of five men whom the ACLU says were "kidnapped, forcibly disappeared and secretly transferred to US-run prisons or foreign intelligence agencies overseas where they were interrogated under torture." A Jeppesen spokesman said the company was reviewing the decision but that it was not prepared to comment. Washington has acknowledged the secret transfer of suspects to third countries but denies torturing them or handing them over to countries that did. Apr 28, 2009
Cablevision
The New York/New Jersey/Connecticut cable systems operator is now promising up to 3 Mbps (instead of 1.5 Mbps) over its Wi-Fi network, which is exclusively available to its broadband customer. The company also wants bragging rights, with a 101 Mbps/15 Mbps top-tier DOCSIS 3.0 broadband service for USD 100 per month. Verizon, Comcast, and others top out at 50 Mbps downstream (at the moment) for USD 30 to USD 60 more; many providers aren't offering rates above 20 or 30 Mbps. Apr 27, 2009
Catalina Island
Catalina Island has announced its 2nd Annual Flying Fish Festival, to be held May 28 to 31. The festival will include the Taste Around of Avalon, featuring some of the townOs finest eateries; the 80th anniversary celebration of the iconic Casino Building with an evening concert in the Casino Ballroom with a Beach Boys tribute by the Good Vibrations; evening flying fish boat tours aboard the Blanche W; a street fair and beer garden; a professional sand sculpture creation; free musical and theatrical entertainment; family kayak relay races; live marine touch tanks; garden tours; beach bingo; various ocean craft activities for kids; the Flying Fish Parade; and an appearance by Gil, the Flying Fish. www.catalinachamber.com. Apr 30, 2009
Cruise West
Cruise West is offering 25 percent off select departures of OAlaskaOs Whales & WildernessO itinerary that includes two days in Glacier Bay National Park. The savings is good the on the May 18, July 24, July 29, Aug. 5, Aug. 26 and Sept. 2 departures this year. The cruise operates on either the 102-guest Spirit on Endeavour or the 84-guest Spirit of Discovery. The eight-night cruise is roundtrip from Juneau. The itinerary centers on sea and wildlife viewing including Icy Strait and Glacier Bay National Park. Port calls are made at Sitka and a remote wilderness community. As always, Cruise West offers a whale guarantee on this itinerary or guests receive a USD250 refund. A fully escorted four-night Denali land tour may be added on to see AlaskaOs national parks. Optional excursions in Denali include heli-hiking and fly-fishing for Arctic Grayling. Prices for the six departure dates start at USD3,265 per person, double occupancy. Call 800-296-8307 or www.cruisewest.com. Apr 30, 2009
Crystal Cruises
Crystal Cruises is expanded its OAll Inclusive-As You WishO onboard credit offer to include most of its cruises in 2009 and most of 2010. With the program, guests receive a shipboard credit of up to USD2,000 per couple for most 12-day voyages and up to USD1,000 per couple for most shorter cruises. OThe positive response to the OAll Inclusive[ETH]As You WishO spending credits has been astounding,O said Bill Smith, senior vice president-sales and marketing. OGuests are delighted that weOre not just including a few pre-determined amenities with our cruise fares, and that they can spend the bonus dollars on experiences that are meaningful to them.O www.crystalcruises.com Apr 30, 2009
Disney
Adventures by Disney, which offers high-end family travel experiences, won the Best Travel Website awarded by the Internet Advertising Competition (IAC) Awards. The IAC Awards, produced by the Web Marketing Association, recognize excellence in online advertising and those responsible for the best in Internet marketing. The Best Travel Website award is given to travel industry sites that exemplify creativity, innovation, design, memorability and impact. The new website was created by a dedicated Adventures by Disney web team at WDPRO (Walt Disney Parks & Resorts Online). www.adventuresbydisney.com. Apr 30, 2009
Disneyland Resort
Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, Calif., has announced Summer Nightastic!, a lineup of evening entertainment that includes the new OMagicalO fireworks show. During the show, Dumbo will make his airborne debut, and TinkerbellOs touch will awaken an array of Disney characters, including Pinocchio, Mary Poppins, CinderellaOs Fairy Godmother and the Three Good Fairies from OSleeping Beauty.O In addition, Disneyland ParkOs OFantasmic!O show on the Rivers of America will include a huge new dragon and other special effects; the new TLT Dance Club will debut at Tomorrowland; and new surprises will enhance DisneyOs Electrical Parade and Pixie Hollow, including iridescent light shows in a nearby pond, as well as playful fountains and strobes throughout Pixie Hollow. www.disneyland.com/summer. May 1, 2009
Hilton Garden Inn
Hilton Garden Inn has opened the 15-story, 224-room Hilton Garden Inn Toronto Airport, in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada. The opening represents another addition to the brandOs growing portfolio of more than 400 Hilton Garden Inn locations across North America, Europe and Central America. The Hilton Garden Inn Toronto Airport is operated by Manga Hotels (Airport) Inc., under a license agreement with a subsidiary of Hilton Hotels Corporation. Manga Hotels (Airport) Inc. is a company that owns and operates four other Hilton Family branded hotels. www.torontoairport.hgi.com. May 1, 2009
Mexico
Countries are advising their citizens to avoid travelling to Mexico, the epicentre of the swine flu outbreak, but so far nations have generally refrained from taking similar action against Canada and the USA. Britain has issued a travel advisory telling its citizens to avoid all but essential travel to Mexico as has Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United States. The European Union health commissioner Androulla Vassiliou has advised that EU citizens postpone all nonessential travel to Mexico and parts of the USA. Canada and parts of the USA have confirmed cases of swine flu. Apr 27, 2009
MGM Mirage
MGM Mirage has entered into an amendment to its senior credit facility, including a waiver through June 30, 2009, of the requirement that the company comply with the senior credit facilityOs financial covenants. Under the terms of the amendment and waiver, the company will be able to fulfill its remaining equity contributions to CityCenter through the issuance of an irrevocable letter of credit in the amount of USD224 million. The company is also permitted to enter into revised completion guarantees related to CityCenter. www.mgmmirage.com. May 1, 2009
Midnight Sun Alaska Yacht Charters
Midnight Sun Alaska Yacht Charters is offering a special early and late season discount for charters in AlaskaOs Inside Passage. By mentioning OAlaskaOs Hottest Deals,O guests can receive 20 percent off the regular rate between May 15 and June 15 and during the entire month of September. Based in Juneau, Midnight Sun offers Inside Passage tours for one to six guests between Juneau, Petersburg, Sitka and Ketchikan and additional communities may be visited by request. www.alaskachartercruises.com. May 1, 2009
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