Airline Compensation

This is a really interesting article regarding Canadian Air travel. Beginning September 18th new regulations come into effect.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/story/2013/08/29/ns-bumped-flight-compensation.html?ref=fh,www.mymanitoba.com

Unadvertised Disney Bargain

Not likely to see this ever repeated....

$549 per adult for an oceanview stateroom. A 7 night Disney Caribbean cruise.

This one is November 2-9th, sailing out of Texas. It sails to the Caymans, Jamaica and Mexico.

The OGT just means you will be placed in an oceanview suite of their choosing. You can't move, can't refund it after it's paid.   But, there's really no bad room on these ships. Disney magic is everywhere.  And this.... is half price.

Don't be scared about the 200sq ft room. It's a cruise ship. Like a train, and not like the Fairmont, all rooms are this small. As they say, "you're hardly in your room anyway."

Go to the disneycruise.com site to choose this one, or another trip being sold off at a bargain this week.

Amazing time if you have pre-schoolers.  A family of 4 could do this cruise in style for $2300.

Caribbean Bargains Now & November

I just happen to love the Caribbean. I do, I do! I'd go now if I could! And if I ever win the lotto, you know where to find me.

However, in the meantime, here's a bargain a few destinations I'd love to visit.

See the November dates popping up in "last minute" sales already? These are the rebated, early payment Westjetvacations.com offers.

This one was spied at my favourite travel bargain site, www.redtag.ca

Can you see what I see?

Who can spy a bargain here?  $269 is at the Quad. (Right on the centre strip.) $289 is Hard Rock. $329 is the Monte Carlo.  Heck, I'd book the Quad just for the flight price and stay across the street at the Bellagio.

Low taxes.

And it's Westjet.  Win - Win. Win!

Go now. www.redtag.ca

Brandon to Maui $1200

Westjet is flying daily out of Brandon MB, (airport code YBR) starting on September 3rd.

Now you can grab a jet away, getaway right from home.  What about Maui?  Flights out on September 10th, returning on the 17th with 6 nights included on a beach side condo?

The westjetvacations.com site is now searchable using YBR. Your dates are restricted to September and October.

But just imagine our winter getaway options if we retain this service past the trial period!

Where will you go?

They're planning a party!

Westjet To Land at YBR September 3rd

Beginning September 3rd, 2013 Westjet will offer daily, non-stop flights to Calgary, Alberta (YYC) from the Brandon Municipal Airport (YBR). This opens up a whole new world of travel and adventure to the people of Western Manitoba. Don't just think of this as a trip to Calgary.... think of this as your connection to the WORLD!

Whether you love the beach, a golf course or a desert adventure, Westjet can take you there. Westjetvacations.com has packages available on-line now! That, in itself is a reason to celebrate... We're on the map! We're on the map!

Celebrate with your community at the Municipal Airport, just north of the Trans-Canada, and Highway 10, starting at 11:30am.  The first Westjet Encore flight is scheduled to touchdown approximately 1PM.

Let the adventures begin!

Will you travel to Mexico? Hawaii? The Caribbean?

Will you golf in Palm Springs? Phoenix? Myrtle Beach? 

Will you go hiking in Arizona? California? Nevada?

Your vacation destination awaits. 

Alaska Anyone?

Grab a pen and get ready to scratch this destination off your Bucket List! Alaska is half price!!!

This little bargain is good on countless dates between this weekend and June 2014!  Their tourist season is May through September, but as a Manitoban, you'd be comfortable in a sweater any time of year!

Grab the flight alone for $428 round trip on United or Delta. Each is tax included from YWG (Winnipeg) to ANC (Anchorage). The United flights are shorter and mostly 1 connection flights. You either touchdown in Chicago or Denver.

The Delta flights are each 2 connections, and are further as they back track to their Minneapolis hub before (typically) stopping in SLC on the way to ANC.

Stay 4 nights or a dozen... it's up to you. The flight combos are pretty endless here. And right now (August 12th) they are about half the price of normal.  Bring a friend for free!

Partner it up with a hotel and it can be as little as a $606  (4nights included) vacation. Choose from lodge style hotels, B&B cottages or a Sheraton. Anchorage has everything. If you are hoping to spy a view of former Governor Sarah Palin, you may wish to stay in nearby Wasilla Alaska!

To search for flights use your favourite APP or visit the airlines own website www.united.com. You can book packages similar to those shown below at www.Expedia.ca. Or as always, call your favourite local travel agent.

Is Cruise Just a Song Title Now?

Have cruises fallen out of favour? Has the Carnival Cruise line done enough damage to the industry in 2013 that travellers are steering clear?

With prices sinking like the Costa Concordia, is there any hope for an industry plagued by bad press?

Look at these vacation prices and tell me.... would you go?  Would you consider cruising a gamble now?  Or is it a risk you are willing to take?

Prices current as of August 4, 2013 sourced at the itravel2000.com website.

The Suite Life

5 Tips for landing a sweet deal on a hotel suite.

1. Book directly with the hotel, whether on line or by 1-800. Your chances of being upgraded (at no cost) from a basic room, to a suite are far greater.  Book through a discount or generic travel site like Expedia.ca and the hotel is sharing a commission with them. This means you paid less, than someone booking directly with the hotel, which means you will likely receive less even though you paid exactly the "same" amount out of pocket. Nearly all chains have a "best price guarantee" offered at their own site.

2. Call a few days ahead and ask the hotel if there are any options or discounts to upgrade your room before you arrive. (Most hotels will give you at least 50% off the charge of an upgrade this way.)

3. Be important to them. Have their Players Club card (Vegas) or loyalty passport (Hyatt) or President's Club (Fairmont) etc. The more you stay, eat, spend, gamble, the more valuable you become. Even if it's your first (or potentially only) time with them, the clubs are free.

4. Dress nicely and use your best manners checking in. Look and act like you deserve the best.

5. Ask. It never hurts to ask at check-in, if there is a room available with a view, or near the pool, or with whichever amenities you favour.

Vegas Cathie

There was a California Cathie edition. Obviously there should be a Vegas edition too!

The Vegas version of me:

1.  Is in her element.

2. Rocks a 5 inch heel every night.

3. Is at home at a Blackjack table.

4. Is outgoing, cheerful and a big tipper.

5. Stays out late. Gets up early and enjoys every moment.

The Vegas version of me also:

6. Wears a skirt.

7. Is happy to hang out by the pool.

8. Would rather tattoo my own arm than see a Cirque event or Celine Dion.

9.  Loves fine dining.

10. Wants to go back right away. Does it show?

Vegas Before School Resumes

Vegas is awesome.

Vegas is hot. (Unlike this lousy Manitoba August weather.)

Vegas rocks it 7 days a week.

You should see for yourself. And Westjet Vacations has some pretty intense bargains right now. If these hotels or dates aren't to your liking, just search their site, or one like redtag.ca for the hotel and dates that DO work for you.

Now, the Hard Rock hotel is just off the strip, so if you plan to stay here, also budget for taxis to take you to the heart of the action. But if concerts are your thing (they have Motley Crue in residence for a couple weeks starting September 18th.) then this might be to your liking. They also have karaoke nights in case your Bucket List includes rocking the stage at the Hard Rock in Vegas.

Vegas DOs and DON'Ts

DO tip everyone! Everywhere! Your bell man, the maid, the blackjack dealer, the front desk clerk, your  restaurant hostess.  This is VEGAS, not Piedmont North Dakota. Money talks. (I can write a column on this one topic alone if you like. Yes??? )

DO bring the rockstar shoes! But also bring ballet flats or flip flops in your purse. Don't kid yourself, there is a TON of walking in Vegas. Your feet will hurt. ALOT!

DO make dining reservations. Especially with any restaurant named for a celebrity chef. Walk-in tables are rare. Use the iPhone app "Open Table" for last minute reservations in your area, and/or advance reservations without using the hotel concierge.

DO find a slot machine with an old fashioned pull arm. It's classic Vegas IMHO.  This is especially MUST DO if it is a crazy-oversized, cheesy, lobby machine. Just do it!

DO try things outside your comfort zone. Push boundaries even just a little. Bet $25 on one blackjack hand.... stay up to 2AM instead of rushing to bed at your normal time.  Push the steam button in the shower. Splurge on a piece of cheesecake for dessert. Book a seat at the Jay Leno show - see him live even though you've seen him on the Tonight Show for years. Try something new.

DO research your hotel before you book it. Don't expect to book your bachelor party at Paris, or bring your friends to a wine tasting at the Quad. LOL!  Just do the research and find the hotel suited to your tastes and desired activities and budget.

DON'T drag your toddlers around the Vegas strip at Midnight. What the hell is a matter with people who do this? Grrrrrrr..... Vegas is not for children, especially little children.  Little children need sleep, and routine and consistency. They do NOT need to see people screaming and drinking and stumbling about, half naked and unruly in the middle of the night.

DO NOT rock your child's stroller back and forth on the casino hall carpet with your outstretched foot as you pour money into a machine just inside the "over 21 only area." This is NOT keeping your child out of the casino games. This is a horrible act of borderline rule bending, bad parenting & insanity.

DON'T expect everyone at the pool to look like a movie star... even if they are. But that's ok. Perfectly, ok even. It's Vegas.

DON'T gamble more than you can afford to lose. If it's not fun, it's not appropriate.

DON'T expect to see everything in one visit. I could go back twice a year and never have enough time to see, do and dine everywhere on my list.

Restaurant in Planet Hollywood (PH HOTEL) and lined up out the door,  all day and night

5 Reasons I LOVE Vegas

1. It is NEVER the same vacation twice.

2. Vegas is as much fun at 35 as it is 22, or 27 or 90. Whatever age you are, is perfect.

3. Vegas can be as much of a bargain as you want it to be, or as expensive as you can afford. It's your choice.

4. Dining.  Celebrity chefs, 5 star restaurants, worldly tastes.... or $3 tacos, or 2AM warm corned beef sandwiches (MGM, next to the sports book) it's all sooooooo good.

5. Whatever your entertainment preferences... concerts, clubs, art, exhibitions, variety, burlesque, comedy, magic, glitz, there is something you'll enjoy. And chances are.... there's a kiosk on the corner offering discount tickets.

Ok.... 6 reasons.... but I could probably give you a hundred.

6. Wear anything. Dress up. Be trendy. Wear a costume, a wig or feathers in your hair. You're perfect. You fit just the way you are. It's VEGAS!