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www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver Weekend, Saturday May 3, 2008 - 27 Travel tips for tourists Dear Sam: I've been going for crazy ladies' weekends with six of my bridge friends for 25 years. We've done all kinds of great getaways, but this year we're stuck for ideas. Have you any suggestions? One of the Crazies Dear One: It seems as though every hotel in the world has discovered that women like to go away together, which strikes me as somewhat odd, because in our grandmothers' time, they did it too. How about this one? It seems appropriate when Québec is celebrating its 400th anniversary this year. Sunwing Airlines has a special happening, $19 return to Montreal, if you fly on any Friday between May 23, and June 20, and return on a Monday between May 26 and June 23. If you must return on Sunday add $30. Taxes are extra plus Sunwing has sweetened the pot even more by adding three-day car rentals from only $79 plus taxes. Space is limited, and flights and/or car rentals must be booked by May 5. For more information, visit www.flysunwing.com; for reservations, see your travel agent. Dear Sam: I've never taken a driving trip and I'd like to try one. My problem is that I get lost easily, and I'm very much afraid that will take the fun out of the trip. A solution is to take someone who can help with directions, but I can't find anyone I care to spend a holiday with. Is it a bad idea to try to do this? Lost-a-lot Dear Lost-a-lot: You would hate travelling with me, I have the same problem. I do though meet the nicest people while trying to find my way. I can't read a map, and my pal gets lost in the pool. We were in Florida recently and got lost every time we left the hotel. When we spent two hours looking for a huge mall that was a mere six blocks away, we decided to do something about it. Off we went to buy a GPS. A decent one for tourist use shouldn't cost more than $300 and be easy to use. Now Bonnie's voice guides us. I know tries there are many exciting new options. With the wide array of choices, Scenic Tours -- which offers 14day cruises from Amsterdam to Budapest -- has come up with several important questions to ask your agent when you are researching a river cruise holiday. First, how spacious are the cabins? With newer ships coming on stream each season, cabins are becoming larger to reflect passengers' changing tastes. Ask if there are in-suite amenities you'd appreciate, such as on-demand movies and CD players. Does that cabin have a balcony? Since river cruises travel at such a languid pace, and never out of sight of land, many passengers appreciate a balcony large enough to sit on -- perhaps with an aperitif or cup of coffee. Be clear if that's what you want: some ships have tiny Juliet-style balconies or even just a railing, which runs along the side of the ship. What exactly is included? Port charges and other taxes can add up; and gratuities alone can total several hundred dollars per couple over the course of the holiday. (Gratuities are included on Scenic Cruises.) Are there any shore excursions included? Any alcohol, such as wine with dinner? Perhaps you'd like the availability of special services such as a butler to serve insuite pre-dinner drinks and to press your clothes. How many languages can you expect to hear on board? As pleasant as it is to meet other world travelers, it can be tiresome to hear announcements in a half-dozen languages all day long. Lastly, inquire about optional extensions, as many passengers like to add a city stay or tour at the beginning or end of the cruise. Does the company seamlessly combine the two styles of vacation? Does the accommodation ashore reflect the standard on board the ship? Visit www.scenictours.com. Have fun. Sam Ion can be reached at sion10@cogeco.ca. CELEBRITY EXPANDS CARIBBEAN FOR 2009-10 Celebrity Cruises is giving Caribbean cruise enthusiasts something to celebrate in late 2009 and early 2010. For the first time in five years, it will offer a range of Caribbean itineraries lasting a week or longer on five of its ships -- Celebrity Constellation, Celebrity Equinox, Celebrity Mercury, Celebrity Solstice and Celebrity Summit. Together, the ships will call at 26 different ports during sailings ranging from 7-nights to 14-nights. Celebrity's 2009-10 Caribbean season will feature calls on new ports and the reintroduction of a 14-night itinerary length. New ports include Pointe-à-Pitre, Guadeloupe; St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands; and Scarborough, Tobago. Celebrity Solstice, launching in December, will sail 7-night Eastern Caribbean cruises out of Fort Lauderdale, while Celebrity Equinox will sail 10- and 11-night "Ultimate Caribbean" cruises out of Fort Lauderdale. Celebrity Constellation will sail several 14-night "Exotic Southern Caribbean" sailings out of Miami. Celebrity Mercury will sail a series of 10- and 11-night Southern Caribbean cruises out of San Juan, as well as one 15-night holiday cruise during this series and one 9-night cruise in early 2010. From mid-December 2009 through mid-April 2010, Celebrity Summit will sail 7-night roundtrip voyages out of San Juan. Visit www.celebritycruises.com for more details and call us for availability and special rates. AC TO CHARGE $25 FOR SECOND CHECKED BAG Air Canada will implement changes to its checked baggage policy on flights within Canada and between Canada and the US, including Hawaii, effective on tickets purchased on or after15MAY08 for travel on or after15JUL08. Under the new policy, customers who purchase Tango and Tango Plus tickets may check one bag at no charge and a second bag for a $25 service fee. There is no change in the checked bag policy for customers purchasing Latitude and Executive Class tickets. As well, Air Canada Elite, Super Elite and Prestige members, in addition to Star Alliance Gold and Silver members, maintain their current baggage allowance when purchasing Tango and Tango Plus fares. Baggage allowance for travel to and from countries other than Canada and the United States will remain unchanged. she's going to save us hours and hours of frustration. I should have bought a GPS years ago. Dear Sam: I am going to Punta Cana and would like to know the proper tipping procedures for an all-inclusive resort. They recommend tipping the maid, porter and waiters. How much is recommended and when do you tip the maid, everyday or the end of the week? Karen Hello Karen: When all-inclusives started, tipping was included, now in most resorts, it is not. I've talked to people who tip ahead of service because they think they'll get better service. I tip for service, and tip the maid at the end of the week. If the service is not particularly personable, I don't tip at all. Many people tip the daycare employees and the entertainers that they have become close to, and of course their favourite bartenders. How much you tip depends on your budget. Dear Sam: To celebrate our 30th anniversary, we're planning a river cruise. I haven't been to Europe and know nothing about cruising. What should we know before we book? Excited Dear Excited: My friend suggests looking at Scenic Tours, and gave you some hints as to what to look for in a river cruise. River cruises are the next great trend in cruising, and from the Amazon to Europe's wine coun- Visit McTavish At: www.mctavishtravel.com Gina Cheng Oceania Cruises' mid-size ships offer unrivaled experience of country-club casual elegance, acclaimed cuisine and extraordinary amenities. The experience aboard their three ships remains wonderfully personal and impeccable service has become their signature. With only 684 guests, the staff of more than 400 provides exceptional service and lavish pampering. This is no ordinary experience - this is Oceania Cruises. Free Airfare and US $100 Shipboard Credit Per Stateroom. When you book select Oceania Cruises sailings with our agency before June 30, 2008. Available on select sailings - please contact Total Travel for a complete listing of applicable dates and complete terms and conditions. Free air is available from Toronto and Vancouver; airfare from many other Canadian gateways is available for US $199. Oakville Town Centre I 300 North Service Road, W. Oakville 905.849.0333 www.totaltravel-oakville.com Ont Reg No 2766538 Voted Best Travel Agency Best Cruise Company Best Travel Agent Thanks Oakville! Hopedale Shopping Centre 1515 Rebecca Street, Oakville Relax... you're with us 221 Lakeshore Road E. (905) 827-1100 fax: (905) 827-4982 e-mail: travel@mctavish.com 905-337-2228 www.hookedoncruising.com Oakville Town Centre I 300 North Service Road, W. Oakville 905.849.0333 www.totaltravel-oakville.com Ont Reg No 2766538