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U.S. Airways: Peasant Passengers Can Dine Like Kings

In an attempt to give coach passengers a taste of what it’s like to sit in those expensive roomy seats up front, U.S. Air offers a new dining gimmick. It’s called a premium meal option, which means for $19.99 more you can get airline food that’s actually edible.

With the fancy name of DineFresh, it means the cabin crew will unfreeze a meal that may actually seem to be made by a flying chef laboring with unfrozen ingredients. Sorta brings back the good old days when airline meals were simply included in your fare.

Turbulence Tips: How to Deal With Bumpy Flights

Comments by your elder travel4seniors.com editor: "Fasten your seat belts. It's going to be a bumpy night!" The famed line is from "All About Eve," spoken in her gritty style by the great Bette Davis. Of course, she wasn't talking about airplane flights, but commenting on a flighty Hollywood love affair.

Remembering her line when your airplane is bouncing all over the sky may give you a bit of comfort. Or not. Start by just following the first simple rule. Keep your seat belt fastened tightly when you hear the announcement about bumpy air ahead.

I've been on many up and down flights, both as an airline passenger and, in younger days hitching rides on all kinds of Navy aircraft. I was only air sick once, and for a good reason. The old PBY flying boat was bouncing all over the winter sky like a moth caught in a wind storm.

E-Cigarettes Now Banned On All U.S. Flights

Those little electronic puffers that allegedly confine the smoke and nicotine exposure to the willing lungs of smokers are no longer allowed in American airports nor aboard flights. The use, called vaping, must now be done in approved areas or outside.

The ban is also in effect in many other countries around the world. If you’re a traveling vaper who puffs the nicotine vapor, before you go, check out where you’re permitted to indulge in lung-filling vaping.

STEP: Smart Traveler Enrollment Program

Savvy seniors who roam the world are signed on to this free U.S. State Department program. It’s for Americans who want to keep up with the most current conditions in areas where they plan to travel.

Unfortunately, terror attacks too often interrupt travel plans. They create confusion, cancellations and delays where they happen and throughout the world. Traveling seniors should constantly utilize STEP information to be as safe as possible during their journeys.

STEP makes available all phone numbers, locations and services of U.S. Embassies and Consulates. Wherever they wander, STEP enrollees are in daily communication with the nearest U.S. facility. For more info, go to step.state.go

San Francisco CA: Jag At The Mark On Nob Hill

Your travel4seniors.com editor recently road-tested the fantastic Jaguar F-Type luxury car on California streets and highways. We paused the coupe for a portrait in front of the classic InterContinental Mark Hopkins Hotel.

Marking its 90th birthday this year, one of the most memorable histories of the hotel is its iconic Top Of The Mark penthouse dining and drinking facilities. They’ve starred in several movies, including “The Caine Mutiny”.

Ex-Navy Logs In: How I Became Cruise Enthused

Senior Travel Guru AJS, Phoenix AZ: I morphed into a senior cruiser despite my original very negative thoughts about it. I retired at age 65.5, and instead just settling down right away, my spouse and I decided to travel. I wanted to experience the Grand Canyon, Yosemite, Monument Valley and other dry-land destinations.

A local travel agent suggested we take a cruise from Los Angeles along the Pacific coast of Mexico. My reaction: A cruise! Who the hell wants to go on a cruise? When I cruised the Pacific with the Navy during the Vietnam War, a lot of angry guys tried to kill me! I absolutely insisted I'd never, never, never again go on a cruise!

A week later we were at the pier to board our cruise ship. Griping and moaning, I went up the gangway and to our cabin. I had to admit it was a bit more comfy than Navy crew compartments, and found that the cruise ship had better chow halls. I enjoyed onboard activities, entertainment and visits to Baja ports. Since then, we've sailed on many cruises throughout the world.