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Cruise Ship Illnesses: As Awful As News Sources Say?


We’ve been on dozens of cruises in the past two decades and never once were sick. Of course, there were occasions when others aboard our ship had problems with seasickness, scarfing too much food, overdoing booze and other troubles.

Also, some had been infected by other passengers who brought flu aboard with them. Of course, during excursions when some went ashore and consumed unclean street cart food and local water, it wasn’t the cruise line’s fault. 

What set off this tirade is recent sensationalized news blared out by media about a cruise ship returning to its Florida port from the Caribbean with 2,500 passengers. The reports state that 66 of them showed symptoms of gastrointestinal illness. For anyone who can do basic math, that’s about 2.5 percent.

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Los Angeles CA: Busiest Airport’s Arrivals Are Now Busier PDF Print E-mail


When you dash out the door at LAX, you won’t get immediate taxi or ride share pick-ups curbside. You’ll have to take shuttles to designated holding lots. Shuttles are every five minutes, adding another 15 minutes to your journey.

You can walk yourself and bags to a lot in about 20 minutes. Before you plan a flight that ends at LAX, contact your travel agent or airline for the best way to get a ride to your final ground destination.

 
Saudia Arabia Is Now Encouraging Tourists PDF Print E-mail


There are restrictions. Visiting women must wear schmattas. No drugs, no bikinis and no booze. In restaurants, no borsht, matzo ball soup nor chopped liver on bagels.

Visas will be available online for around $70, with no restrictions for unaccompanied women, previously the law. Access to the Muslim holy cities of Mecca and Medina will be restricted. Sadly, you can’t find the Arabian theme any more in Las Vegas. The Aladdin and Algiers Hotels have been closed for years.

 
How To Report Effectively When You Have Travel Problems PDF Print E-mail


The recent sudden shut-down of the Thomas Cook company left many thousands of travelers stranded in airports, hotels, cruise ships and other destinations throughout the world.

It has happened before and will happen again, sometimes involving airline employee strikes, city street riots, stalled cruise ships, hotel fire or other reason. Of course, your immediate task is to get to your destination or home by the most effective way possible.

As soon as convenient, report the problem to your travel agent and the most active authorities. For example, your state consumer protection office, The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and/or the local Better Business Bureau. www.usa.gov/travel-complaint

 
Trusted Travelers Use Global Entry and TSA PreCheck PDF Print E-mail


Too many world wanderers endure long waits to get through security these days. If you want to speed things up, consider joining Global Entry for an annual fee of $100 and TSA PreCheck for $85. You’re then labeled a Trusted Traveler, allowing you to avoid those long airport security lines at the airport. Go aboard flights without removing your shoes nor seeing your bag unzipped and contents flipped.

 
Q: Tired Of Flying NYC To DC. How About Taking The Train? PDF Print E-mail


I regularly go between the two cities on business and to visit family. Getting fed up with the ever-rising air ticket prices, security lines and flight delays. Do you think train service is just as efficient, cost-effective or even better? PJL, Long Island NY

A: Before you make your next travel plans, check online sources for the latest in Amtrak service between those cities. For example, a recent inquiry about a round-trip ticket by train was $70, while a flight was $240. Of course, there are other costs. Getting from your Long Island home to Penn Station by taxi, bus or local train costs an additional $50, and about the same to JFK airport.

Actually, whatever your choice, it takes a total of about four hours each way from home to destination on either train or flight. And usually costs more than twice as much to fly.

 
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