Monthly Archive for April, 2009

Additional Travel Update

Published on April 28, 2009 in Travel Information. 0 Comments

State Department issues Travel Advisory for Mexico

The U.S. State Department has issued a Travel Advisory regarding increasing violence in Mexico and more specifically for cities along the U.S./Mexico border. This Travel Alert updates security information for U.S. citizens traveling and living in Mexico. It expires on August 20, 2009.

While millions of U.S. citizens safely visit Mexico each year (including thousands who cross the land border every day for study, tourism or business), violence in the country has increased recently. The greatest increase in violence has occurred near the U.S. border. However, U.S. citizens traveling throughout Mexico should exercise caution in unfamiliar areas and be aware of their surroundings at all times.

U.S. citizens are urged to be alert to safety and security concerns when visiting the border region. For more information, read the Mexico alert. And for more detailed information on staying safe in Mexico, please see the Mexico Country Specific Information at: http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_970.html.

Travel Alert…..

Published on April 28, 2009 in Travel Information. 0 Comments

Potential Flu Outbreak in Mexico and the United States

Warnings about a potential swine flu outbreak in Mexico and the United States have been posted. Travel has not been restricted; however, some cautions are advised. Please refer to the following websites for the most current information:

  • The U.S. Department of State public announcement
  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) swine flu information
    • Air Canada
    • Airtran
    • American Airlines
    • Continental
    • Delta
    • Frontier
    • Jetblue
    • Mexicana
    • Northwest
    • United
    • US Airways

    • Many airlines have issued flexible travel policies. These policies vary from airline to airline, so be certain to check the airline you are traveling.

How to use stocks for a cruise discount (FYI)

Published on April 28, 2009 in Travel Information. 0 Comments

A Web site that sells cruises is promoting a little-known way to get a discount on your next trip at sea: Using the stock market.

If you own stock in a cruise company, you may qualify for an onboard credit. For example, says Bob Levinstein, CEO of CruiseCompete.com, if you own 100 shares of stock in Carnival (CCL) or Royal Caribbean (RCL) at the time of your cruise, you can qualify for an onboard credit of $50 to $250.

“Anyone traveling on a 14-night Royal, Celebrity, or Azamara sailing can get a $250 onboard credit just for buying $800 worth of stock,” Levinstein said in a press release. With RCL stock selling at about $8 a share at the end of March, “that’s better than a 30 percent return on investment, and there’s no requirement to hold the shares for any particular length of time.”

In other words, Levinstein is suggesting that you could buy the stock, get the credit and sell the stock. Unless the stock price went down, you’d be ahead of the game.

As with many companies, shares of Carnival and Royal Caribbean are down from a year ago. The $8 share price for Royal Caribbean (RCL) is down from a 52-week high of $36, and Carnival (CCL) was trading at about $21 at the end of March, down from $43.

Royal Caribbean, which owns Celebrity and Azamara, also offers shareholder credits on shorter cruises: $200 credit for 10-13 nights; $100 credit for six to nine nights; and $50 credit for sailings of five nights or less.

Carnival owns Princess, Holland America, Seabourn, Cunard, and Costa, and offers $250 credits on sailings of 14 days or longer, $100 on sailings of seven to 13 days, and $50 on sailings of six days or less.

Credits can be used for a variety of purchases and services onboard, including specialty restaurants and spas.

Applications to get the credits must be made prior to cruise departures, restrictions apply, and certain requirements must be met. For example, Royal Caribbean’s investor relations department must receive a copy of your shareholder proxy card or a current brokerage statement showing proof of ownership of at least 100 shares, along with your name, address, phone number, e-mail address, ship, sailing date and confirmation number. Royal Caribbean also advises that the shareholders’ benefit offer is not combinable with other offers.