Travels With Jane

Caribbean and Mexico on sale!

American Airlines has just announced sale fares for destinations in Mexico and the Caribbean. The fares are good Sept. 2 - Dec. 8 but you must book by Sept. 12.  Think $398 roundtrip from Miami to Barbados and $219 from Miami to Montego Bay ... sans the dreaded surcharges and taxes (often up to $100).

Of course, that's smack in the middle of (talk about dreaded) Hurricane Season. Look for a resort that offers a hurricane guarantee and/or buy travel insurance plans (but read the fine print carefully.) You can find highly rated policies from Insure My Trip, Quote Wright and Squaremouth.

If you're supposed to be heading into the path of Gustav for this weekend, check with your airline and hotel. Some have already issued statements saying guests can rebook without penalty.

Ever had an airline lose your relative?

One of the alarming stories making the rounds in the blogosphere these days is the tale of a family that put its child on a United flight as an unaccompanied minor...and the child got lost.

According to the story, United failed to follow its own procedures, and rather than the 10-year-old being delivered to her mother at the gate, the girl followed other passengers and was turned in to an airline desk by a helpful fellow traveler.

Nearly all airlines follow similar policies for unaccompanied minors younger than teen age (and most won't take children alone who are younger than 5.) The children must be escorted to and from the plane by a parent or authorized person, and in most cases, they can only fly on direct flights. Airline personnel can release them only to the person named on their authorization papers. Airlines charge for this service; in the case of United, the fee is $99.

We haven't yet talked to United ourselves to check the details of its policy; we've just left a message. But some details are posted online.

The good news: You don't hear about these kinds of mishaps often. But I experience a similar situation a few years ago with American. The problem wasn't with a child though, it was with my elderly Mom.

Mom can't navigate on her own well, so I left her at the airport in the care of a Skycap. (Because of the current security regulations, going with her to the gate would have been difficult, and Mom had all her marbles -- just not all her leg power.)

About 30 minutes after the plane left, my phone rang. Mom had been sitting in a wheelchair at the gate, and American, well, they forgot to put her on the plane.

The nice gate agent who called said Mom was upset, and I dashed out to the airport to be sure she made it on the next plane. The agent allowed that this wasn't the first such incident in her experience (though it wasn't her fault, as she was the agent for the second flight...not the original one.)

I can't even begin to explain how upset I was about my Mom, and I can only imagine how the frantic parent felt at losing her child.

At least all ended well. Still, the experience was unsettling.

What more can an airline do? In the case  of minors, it does have specified procedures, and I can just about bet that the employee who failed that little girl's family is in some seriously deep water. As for my elderly parent, I'm not sure what the answer is.

If you've got one, please click to comment below.

RCCL Oasis: Latest renderings

Just released:

Live: The latest on RCCL's Oasis

Now I'm back at the live presentation at the Oasis "reveal.'' In my home study, the streaming trade show is competing with the TV coverage of the political convention. I'll do my best not to confuse the two.

The current conversation: An abundance of dining options, 37 different categories of staterooms, four different kinds of pools including a beach pool. The pool / sports zone and the fitness / spa zone are the new "neighborhoods'' revealed today. About 6,000 people are signed on, says an RCCL spokesman.

The Pools and Sports Zone, reads the press release,  stretches the length of the ship and offers private cabanas, two FlowRider surf simulators (I wiped out when I tried one of them last year) and a variety of  pools -- a beach pool with, yes, a sandy beach; the adults-only solarium;  a water play zone for kids  and a sports pool (think water polo and water badminton.)

The idea of a virtual show is pretty snazzy...but on my Bellsouth connection, it isn't always working. The sound just bombed out, for instance. It's back now, but the visuals are stuck. Oh well.

More news: Oasis will introduce "my-time dining'' -- a concept that has worked well for competitor NCL. But regular set-time dining will still be offered as well, says RCCL prez Adam Goldstein. Judging from early bookings from veteran RCCL cruisers, says Goldstein, demand appears to be strong. General booking opens Sept. 3.

Will the 5,400-passenger ship feel crowded? "I'm looking at the deck plan, and I don't think it's possible,'' he says.

New ship: RCCL's Oasis

I'm currently watching a virtual trade show on Royal Caribbean's new Oasis, which will be cruising's largest ship when it launches in late 2009. Think 5,400 guests, 220,000 tons, and 16 "neighborhoods'' -- the Second Life of the vacation world.

Today's trade show is something that RCCL has taken to calling a "reveal'' ... it's a marketing strategy where they trickle out details to keep you interested. The trade show itself is pretty much like any trade show you've been to, with opportunities for buying tours and cruises and chatting up with people who'd like to sell you tours and cruises.

The hot news  from tonight comes well after I'll be home, but I'll post the latest dish either late tonight or tomorrow.

What we learned earlier this summer: The "neighborhoods'' include dining, a town center and staterooms, sort of like a series of floating New Urbanism planned communities. For instance,  "Central Park,'' has seven entertainment venues (yes, with steak joint, Italian eatery, wine bar and bar beneath a crystal canopy,) plus the levitating Rising Tide bar that floats over three decks. (This is real, I didn't make that up.)

Other new features at sea include two-level loft suites (see the drawing), a zipline at sea, carnival games, a caroussel and synchronized swimming shows.

We'll pass the new stuff along when we know it. Should be around 9:30!

Orlando deals: Snag 'em quick!

If you're heading to O-town, the following specials may help you cut costs.

• Buy tickets by Aug. 29 to get the best rates on Rock the Universe, a weekend of Christian rock that includes performances by Reliant K, Switchfoot and Jeremy Camp at Universal Orlando. The performances are Sept. 5-6, from 5 p.m. on, at Universal Studios. The $73.99 ticket includes three days of access to both Universal parks plus both nights of concerts. Buy after Aug. 29 and the price is $95.99. www.rocktheuniverse.com; 866-RTU-INFO. 



• From Sept. 3 - Dec. 20, Florida residents get a discount of more than 25 percent at Discovery Cove, the intimate park from SeaWorld that offers beaches, water features, an aviary and swimming with dolphins and various fish. Rates are $219 per person plus tax for an all-inclusive day including a dolphin swim (yes, that means lunch) and $119 without the dolphin swim. www.discoverycove.com; 877-4-DISCOVERY

Flying: Keep kids separate?

Online Surveys & Market Research

Yes! That was the response from 85 percent of those surveyed on Airfarewatchdog (a site we partner with for deals.)

It's a topic we've addressed before. The Husband -- who raised three sons of his own -- is the first to champion the idea of a kids' zone. My best friend Kate -- who once nearly killed the boy behind him with her glare after the parent refused to address the child's non-stop seat kicking -- is right up there with him.

Where do you stand? Should airplanes have family areas for those with small children, leaving the rest of us in peace? Take our poll.

Using points, miles for free travel

How can you best use your frequent flier miles and hotel points? A cafeteria conversation the other day nudged me back to that subject.

Many trend watchers believe that using miles is going to become increasingly difficult, and you should try to use them asap. There's truth in that: The number of flights is becoming increasingly limited, and getting free seats has never been simple. And many airlines are increasing the number of points required for free travel.

But as someone who has been 'round the world on miles on multiple occasions, I take a cheerier view. Getting free seats on some routes with a limited number of flights and seats is going to be nigh impossible, especially at prime time. But capacity is still strong on many routes -- especially international ones from Miami, and especially in the off-season.

If your plans call for Asia, Europe or Africa in the off-season, if you're willing to plan ahead, if you're willing to be flexible and creative (and persistent) -- I think you'll still be able to use miles on airlines that have strong alliances. You probably won't get the direct flights and easiest routing, but when I'm saving $1,500 per person -- as I did on a recent Europe trip -- hey, I can deal with a little hassle. Here are some tips that I've posted before.

GETTING BEST VALUE

But back to getting the best bang for your points.

The cafeteria conversation was with a woman going to Asia for the first -- and possibly the only time -- in her life. She and her husband had already snagged First Class air seats. Now they were thinking to use points at the upscale Starwood Hotels for their lodging.

I suggested she rethink. The places they're visiting in Southeast Asia offer killer hotel deals. In Bangkok, you often can get a four-plus-star hotel for around $200 per night (the vaunted Mandarin Oriental's basic room costs $289 this fall), and $80 will buy you some place convenient, attractive and stylish on Asiarooms.com. That same level of hotel costs $250 in Europe these days, and if you're aiming for luxury, Europe is going to cost you $600 or more. Economically speaking, she's better off saving her Starwood points for a pricier destination and paying outright for her lodging.

But here's the caveat: For many people, travel is as much about style as the place they're visiting. They'd rather have one fabulously luxurious vacation than several less-grand trips to interesting places.

Travel, after all, is the icing on a cake that sometimes tastes like cardboard. If you can get the vacation you want, why wouldn't you?

Me, I'd rather fly coach and stay in a cheaper place so I can go back, go elsewhere, just go...again and again. The proof: Yesterday I counted up. If you go by the list at Travelers Century Club -- and if my checklist is right -- I've been to 99 countries.

I've got dozens left to go. Coach is just fine by me, and even the 6-foot-4-inch Husband goes to Asia in the back of the bus. Just give him an Ambien, and God love him, the man will fly anywhere.

Where to travel on the cheap

   Though the dollar appears to be making a comeback, the world beyond our borders is still pretty pricey. So where can an American get a value?

   Hostelworld points out that backpackers -- invariably focused on traveling on the cheap -- usually catch on to emerging destinations before those with more cashflow. Their picks for îîthe next hot destinations,'' drawn from booking trends at their website:

• 1. Essouria, Morocco
• 2. Aswan, Egypt
• 3. Bratislava, Slovakia
• 4. Kyoto, Japan
• 5. Puerto Iguazu, Argentina
• 6. Livingstone, Zambia
• 7. Cascais, Portugal
• 8. Zagreb, Croatia
• 9. Xi'an, China
• 10. Amman, Jordan

   Still looking around? Cheapoair says these are the cheapest air options for international travel through the fall. (Of course, they may not be the cheapest from Miami!)

• 1. Nassau, Bahamas
• 2. Kingston, Jamaica
• 3. Mexico City, Mexico
• 4. Montego Bay, Jamaica
• 5. Guatemala City, Guatemala
• 6. Panama City, Panama
• 7. San Jose Cabo, Mexico
• 8. Quito, Ecuador
• 9. Caracas, Venezuela
• 10. San Jose, Costa Rica
• 11. London, England
• 12. Paris, France
• 13. Hong Kong, China
• 14. Manila, Philippines
• 15. Tel Aviv, Israel
• 16. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
• 17. Papeete, French Polynesia
• 18. Sydney, Australia
• 19. Tokyo, Japan
• 20. Johannesburg, South Africa
• 21. Dubai, United Arab Emirates

As for all that stuff about everyone taking "staycations'' at home, poppycock, say the latest trend surveys. While more Floridians did travel in-state this year than last, according to tourism officials, only about 9 percent of Americans are planning "staycations'' in the next six months, says the Travel Industry of America.

Apparently we've got cabin fever, says Expedia Travel Trendwatch. While some airfares skyrocketed, others dropped. And the number of travelers heading abroad is estimated to grow nearly 3% this summer, according to AAA.

Got a recommendation on a value destination? Share it; just hit Comment below.

Fay is all wet

Fay's legacy is mostly rain and flooding. (How it is that the weather experts can say we're getting 2-5 inches of rain when nearly everyone's pool has gained 10 is beyond me, but....) A few streets were flooded this a.m., but they're the low patches that back up in any story.

Otherwise, Miami seems mostly fine. Not even my avocadoes came off the tree. And the Keys report an all-OK as well.

Several cruise ships have rerouted to avoid rough seas, according to the Associated Press.

MIAMI (AP) - Two cruise ship operators have modified some sailing itineraries to avoid Tropical Storm Fay.

Royal Caribbean International and Carnival Corp. say that because of the wind and sea conditions created by Tropical Storm ay they will not be able to use the port of Key West on Tuesday.

Carnival said it would also not sail toward Mexico to avoid rossing the path of the storm.

Royal Caribbean said it would not visit Key West on Tuesday and hat one ship would reverse its ports of call to avoid the storm.

When this happens, some passenger always complains...and often, those complaints end up in my mailbox.

Last year, a passenger wrote to me and several other travel editors around the country complaining that his ship had missed the port that was most important to him. I wrote back one of those long and proper e-mails explaining that all cruise contracts of carriage include information that allows the cruise line to alter the itinerary as needed, and that avoiding an impending hurricane certainly seemed like a good reason to invoke that clause.

Another editor was more pointed. "Would you have preferred to die in the storm?''