Royal Caribbean Orders Third Quantam Class Ship.

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. has ordered a third 4,180-passenger Quantum-class cruise ship for delivery in mid-2016 for its Royal Caribbean International brand. The 167,800-ton vessel will be built at Meyer Werft in Germany. The first two ships in the class, Quantum of the Seas and Anthem of the Seas, will make their debuts in 2014 and 2015.

Among the eye-popping features of the new Quantum class are bumper cars and roller skating in a sports and entertainment complex, a sky-diving simulator, and North Star, a 14-passenger, glass-enclosed cabin that extends above the ship and the sea on a cherry-picker at heights up to 300 feet. Interior staterooms will have Virtual Balconies that show a video on the wall of the view outside.

Hawaii Hotel Tax to Remain The Same at 9.25%.

This is most certainly good news for would be travelers to Hawaii.  The hotel tax has increased by 1% each of the last two years and the current tax was to expire in 2015.  There were proposals on the table to raise the tax up to 11.25% however it was voted to remain the same at 9.25%.

While most travelers do not worry about the rate of the tax as much as their overall cost for their vacation, it is money saved by the traveler now that the rate is standing firm.  Your Hawaii vacation won't increase due to the hotel taxes so now is as good of time as any to travel to Hawaii!


Norwegian Orders Two Breakaway Plus Vessels
by Andrew Sheivachman
October 22, 2012

 New Class of Ships Will Carry 4,200 Passengers

Norwegian Cruise Line has reached a deal with a German shipbuilder for the delivery of its largest ship ever – the Norwegian Breakaway Plus. The new ship is slated for delivery in October 2015;  a second ship is due in spring 2017. The new vessels will weigh in at 163,000 gross tons and 4,200 passenger berths.

MEYER WERFT, which is currently building the Norwegian Breakaway and Norwegian Getaway, has been tapped to build the Breakaway Plus.

"Norwegian Breakaway and Norwegian Getaway have garnered significant attention in the marketplace with their innovative design, rich stateroom mix and world-class amenities,” said Kevin Sheehan, Norwegian’s CEO.

 “Building on that momentum, along with MEYER WERFT's expertise and efficiency in the design and construction process, we are extending the excitement and anticipation with a new, larger edition Breakaway Plus class ship to further distinguish the Norwegian brand."

United Airlines takes delivery of first Boeing 787 Dreamliner.

Boeing and United Airlines have announced the delivery of the airline’s first 787 Dreamliner.  United is the first airline in North America to take delivery of the 787.  Jeff Smisek, president and chief executive of United, said: “As the North American launch customer, we are delighted to be getting our first 787 Dreamliner.

“As we continue to build the world’s leading airline, we are excited for our customers and co-workers to experience this game-changing aircraft.”  United has announced it will initially use the 787 on international routes to Africa, Asia and Europe.  The airline will conduct temporary domestic flights before transitioning its 787 fleet to international service in late 2012.

“This 787 delivery represents the continuation in the more than 80-year partnership between our two companies,” said Ray Conner, president of Boeing Commercial Airplanes.  “United now begins a new chapter with the 787 Dreamliner, the most technologically advanced commercial jetliner ever built.  “It reinforces United’s commitment to be the world’s leading airline by providing unmatched fuel efficiency and passenger comfort.” 

This delivery marks the first of 50 Dreamliners that United has on order.

Southwest to open counter at CAK Airport

Largest Expansion of LaGuardia Airport in 40 Years.

NEW YORK, March 25, 2012 – Delta Air Lines (NYSE: DAL) began flights to 11 new cities from LaGuardia as it embarks on the largest expansion of the New York City airport in more than 40 years.

The new flights are part of a major expansion by Delta in New York to create a domestic hub in the busiest aviation market in the world. The airline will increase service at LaGuardia by 60 percent, with 100 new flights and 26 new destinations in spring and summer 2012. When its full schedule is implemented, Delta will operate more than 260 daily flights between LaGuardia and more than 60 cities, exceeding any other carrier.

Delta also will invest $160 million to modernize two terminals at LaGuardia and build a connector between them, a project that will provide construction jobs for city residents along with the roughly 700 permanent jobs Delta will add at the airport.

Information for this article obtained from http://news.delta.com/index.php?s=43&item=1578. Please visit the website for more detailed information.