TravelTruth - The Insider's Guide to Cruises, Escorted Tours, and Major Destinations

Each year, our award-winning travel specialists answer thousands of travel-related questions from travel consumers. We do not accept questions from travel suppliers

or employees of travel firms. Please note that we list all questions in the order

Q - We love this site but we have one major criticism. You really don't talk enough about travel insurance, something every traveler probably needs. We cruise Holland America, NCL, and Carnival. We're in our fifties and we are starting to do some travel overseas. How do we decide whether to take the cruis elines insurance form our favorite lines?

A - Most, not all, supplier-affiliated insurance polciies make us uncomfortable. Selling insurance is extremely profitable and some insurance companies have a rather incestuous rel;ationship with the cruis elines and tour operators that recommend them. In the case of a claim, you have to wonder if the insurance company has your intersts, or that of the supplier who refers them so much business, as a priority. We think you should go with one of the better independent, age-based comprehensive policies. Some of the better ones are CSA, Access America, and Travelex.One of the things you will notice is that you will not be paying a premium based on coverage of those who may be twenty or thirty years older then you are. With the non age-based policies issued by cruise lines, you are.

Q - You probably won;t post this but I would never take your advice on anything. Your site isn;t bad but you must be daft - not taking on any advertising. You can still tell the truth while making lots of money.

A - To being a bit "daft" we will pleasd guilty. Clearly most of our site visitors don;t even notice that we accept no advertising. But we sleep well at night, we have a waiting list, and we're not starving. In truth, we can afford to tell the truth. We just don;t think the truth and advertising for products based on "imagery" are compatible notions.

Q - If you could go to one great Parisian bakery to show your kids what bread is really supposed to taste like - which one would you choose?

A - That is a noble cause - one they will never forget. Do Gosselin on fashionable St. Honore fo bagette that even the President of France craves.For an out-of-body bread esperience you also need to take the kids to Boulangerie Pollane over in the sixth. They do the wonderful, heavy, stone-ground "Miche" that is unspeakably good.

Q - We are thinking about bringing our teens on a trip aboard Amtrak's Coast Starlight train. But my travel agent seemed to want to direct me to Amtrak to book it directly. Should I be looking for a new agent?

A - No, we wouldn't throw in the towel just yet. The time spent booking an Amtrak reservation just isn't;t worth the commission involved. Your agent was just giving you good advice. The Coast Starlight is one of the jewels in Amtrak's well-worn crown. It connects Los Angeles with Seattle following the California coastline, then passing through the Cascade Mountains and the beautiful Puget Sound.

There are lots of extra charges, one of them will be for the new Arcade Car, that Amtrak has added to this route. This is one of those travel times when it really is best to go direct.

Q - We have not cruised before and just signed up for a Celebrity Cruise out of Rome this summer. We are going with the cruise line's air and we will receive an e-ticket. Should we try to change this for a paper ticket? If not, will we have to reconfirm the day before we depart? Our agent is rather new, and we don;t have a high confidence level. She feels that we don;t need to leave Denver a day early since our cruise departs in mid-September and the weather should not be an issue. She openly admits that she hasn't;'t been to Europe and we are wondering if we might be loosing out on some potentially helpful information. How, for instance, can we know where to dine ashore? That is one of the things we are really looking forward to. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

A - Change agents immediately. If you have only made deposit, you can designate a more experienced agent in your area to handle these arrangements. We are con concerned about a number of things. Europe cruises can be complicated as you will likely need private tour arrangements. Does she have the contacts to pull that off well? You need to sit down with someone to discuss all of your options. You definitely need to consider arriving a day early. Flights into Italy can be delayed or cancelled for any number of reasons. You should always plan on arriving a day early just to cover any contingency, for peace of mind, and for the ultimate goal of adding an entire real day to your vacation. In terms of booking onboard services, there are increasingly good reasons to be among the first to board. We don't like the advice you are getting. The e-ticket is fine. Everyone uses them now.

Q - We have stayed at Cap Juluca on Anguilla and absolutely loved it. Now, we hear it has been sold. Do you think we should return and will we recognize the place. I hear that Sue and Gish are gone?

A - The new owners are a syndicate which is led by Adam Aron, an industry veteran and senior partner in the Apollo Group, which owns Oceania and Regent Seven seas Cruises. cap Juluca will, we are told, exceed its former glory as the new owners have begun an $80 million rennovation. of the 80 rooms and 12 Villas. The resort remains open.Each of the five restaurants will get a serous makeover.

Q - We will be renting a car in Stockholm later this summer. Is it true that we should not take out the collision waiver because we are already covered?

A - No - that is not our recommendation. In fact, this is a major fallacy. Your personal insurance, perhaps Homeowners, may insure you when you drive overseas. But most policies have specific rules that apply to every country or island destination. We want you to call your insurance agent to find out exactly where you are and aren't covered. You may be surprised by the answer. Sometimes the collision waiver insurance sold by the auto rental company is the best option you are going to get.

Q - Is it true that American and Continental are the only major airlines making money these days. I fly a lot and the flights all seem full. Somebody is making money.

A - American lost $328 million and Continental lost $80 million in just the first quarter of this year.

Q - Is there any way to convince you to feature more airline stuff. I like what you he but the airline dediccaad sites sem to have more. As a folllw-up, is there any way to tell when is the best time to purchase an airline ticket? No one ses to be able to predict when faresswwll be at their oest.

A - We will answer the first question first. No. We have no interest in becoming another airline feedback site. We try to tell you what we think you may really want to know but for blog on blog about airline services or lack thereof, you will need to look elsewhere. We just have too much on our plate to specialize.

As to your second question - hmmmmmm couldn;t find it on the really big airline blog sites we guess, try www.farecast.com These folks use computer models of fare histories on selected routes at selected times of the year to predict and update you as to the best time to purchase.

Q - We are looking at doing a biking tour in Spain and we want to use one of the better companies. Any thoughts on backroad versus Butterfield's (I might have name wrong).

A - The company is Butterfield and Robinson and they are based in Toronto. Both are among the best adventure companies on the planet but B&R is more deluxe in terms of meals and accommodations. Backroads is still very First Class. You won;t go wrong with either but we think B&R is the benchmark hiking, walking, and biking company.

Q - I just can't believe the air prices we are seeing to get to Zurich this summer. Would it make any sense to try to find a deal flying to London out of New York and then using one of the budge carriers to connect to Zurich? It isn;t the money - it's just the principle.

Yes, it can b done and you may possibly save a few huindred dollars. I would look at trrying to grab a nonstop flight into Gatwick where most of the London economy airlines are based. Don;t try to use this strategy using Heathrow.

Q - We just received an offer for a new United Airlines Visa card and they are offering a sign-up bonus of 21,000 miles. This sounds very generous. Wondering what you thought?

Q - This is a question I know a lot of your readers will want to know. We're off to Spain and Portugal. Part of the trip we've done ourselves, but we have hired several guides throughout our journey sight unseen. My question is this, how much do you tip these folks for a half or full day tour? In New York we tip using a smell-o-meter, the taxi tip goes up as the odor goes down.

A - Appreciate your sharing that. We're not sure that we want any part of your trip. Hiring guides strictly off the net is a recipe for disaster. Most of the better guides don;t have to advertise, they are constantly in demand.

But that said, in Spain I would be thinking about $200 for a full day tour and half of that for a half day.

Q - Will my cell phone work in South Africa? I must be in touch with the office - that is I have to be reachable. Any advice would be appreciated.

A - Your cell phone should work where there are cell phone towers. But if it is essential that people be able to reach you, you want to rent a satellite phone. They are bigger and bulkier but as long as you are facing the southern sky, they work. When you rent the phone you will also be given a phone number to give out to friends, business associates, ex-wives etc.

Q - Is July a good time to take the kids to Argentina. We hear prices are really low and we have this idea of combining a stay in Buenos Aires with four or five nights in a beach area? What do you think of Bariloche?

A - Bariloche is in the foothills of the Andes mountains in the north. It is surrounded by lovely lakes, extremely scenic, but hardly the kind of beach destination that most kids favor. July is the heart of the winter season - consider this trip in January or February.

Q – Are the so-called Five-Star ships really worth the extra money compared to the larger cruise lines that are so well-known?

A – Generally yes. There are deep discounts and all of the top-rated lines, with the exception of Crystal are “inclusive.” In cruising terms, this means that they include all gratuities and all drinks, even champagne. Cabins tend to be larger and, given their small size, itineraries tend to include more interesting and charming ports. But do expect to pay more money for a cruise that is only seven nights compared to the longer itineraries offered by the mass market ships.

A - We think that fraud risks aside, there are times when do-it-yourselfers can find genuine deals on the internet. Rental cars, domestic hotels, and airline tickets are the three best ways to use the internet. In the case of domestic hotels and airlines, you will often find rates on their corporate sites that are simply unavailable elsewhere. For the better international hotels, you will find that C&T’s Virtuoso rates and amenities are, almost always, the very best offer made by a property. For instance, complimentary breakfast is now a required amenity of any hotel participating in our worldwide hotel program. We do not, as a rule, advise using the larger, well-known travel sites because there have been numerous consumer complaints about their methods and procedures. In many cases, their tickets are not recognized by other airlines if changes are required. It is best to go directly to the airline site. Among the airlines with the best online offers are Southwest, American, Qantas, and Singapore Airlines. It is silly to book cruises or escorted tours directly with the cruise line or tour operator because the travel agency fee is already included in the price. You are paying the fee and receiving none of the service or booking enhancements when you book directly. In effect, you are paying more and receiving less. But hotels and airlines will often feature true last-minute offers that are available exclusively online.

Q – What destinations does the Churchill and Turen staff like best based on your experiences?

A - We have this problem – we enjoy virtually every destination we visit. But among our all-time favorites:

Q – Are there any credit cards that do not charge the extra 3% for overseas purchases?

A – Last we checked, Capital One banks did not have the surcharge. It is not a Visa, Amex, or MasterCard decision. It is up to the issuing bank. It is one of the most outrageous rip-offs we’ve encountered.

A – The question in Africa is really “Can we get in” as most of the better lodges book up a year in advance. Downtown Johannesburg is not safe at night in certain areas of the city. But the better tour companies put guests in the safe suburban areas before leaving for the camps and the countryside on safari. Africa has the highest “wow” factor of any land-based vacation and everyone should do it at least once. Yes, it is safe.

Q – How early do you normally have to book airfare to Europe to get the best pricing?

A – By acknowledging that they no longer exist. Most cruise lines have policies in place that would require them to go back and re-invoice all previously booked guests at a new, lower, last-minute rate. They obviously don’t want to do this since it could be extremely costly and cruise lines hate to give money back that they have collected. As a general rule, the first 20% of guests to book a cruise get the largest discount percentage. Several of the cruise lines have actually brought in former airline programmers to set automatic price increases when capacity hits a certain number

A – Well we love the last half of September and the first two weeks of October. But the Europeans often travel in September. The smartest travelers are now trying to do late April and early May itineraries. The Greek islands, however, can get a bit dicey beginning around the 10th of October in terms of rain.

A – We don’t think that is necessarily true. The larger, mass market ships tend to call at the less desirable ports, ports often crowded with thousands of passengers from other cruise ships. Choose instead, a smaller ship that stops at islands off the beaten path, places where mass tourism has not exploded.

Q – Do you really save a lot by traveling during the off season, or slightly off season?

Yes, when it comes to resorts, hotels, and airlines. No to most cruise itineraries. This has to do, primarily, with the fixed operating costs in the cruise industry. The best cruise pricing is found on so-called “repositioning” voyages, when a ship is being moved at the beginning or end of the season from one trade to another.

Q – Your web site lists and rates the world’s top ten cruise lines. But what of the cruise lines that are more affordable, perhaps better for families? How do Royal Caribbean, Princess, and Carnival, along with the other lines in their price category, compare? Which is the best for the money?

A – This is an extremely difficult question to address in a short space – but we will try. It obviously depends on factors such as the itinerary, ship, Captain and crew, etc. But here is a quick summary to help you get started:

Carnival – Not recommended because there are better alternatives in the same general price range. Still the best cruise experience for twenty-somethings.

Norwegian Cruise Line – Not currently recommended. Long-standing service issues.

Costa – Not recommended because it is, primarily, a European version of Carnival.

Royal Caribbean – Very blue collar, very well organized, strong family-fun ships. If you love Vegas this is the right line for you. The most “American” feel of any mainstream cruise line.

Princess – Some beautiful new tonnage, lots of innovation, dining options galore. But, currently, we are receiving an unacceptably high level of complaints about service and attitude. Line no longer provides hard copy documentation. Docs must be downloaded.

Holland America – Elegant and improving with old world ship feel even on newest ships in fleet. Tends to do a number of longer cruises. Good per diems. Geared primarily toward the mature cruiser.

Celebrity – Currently, the best of breed. This upscale division of Royal Caribbean generally offers the most cruise for your money. They spend more on food and onboard service is more attentive then competitors. The one to beat when it comes to elegant yet affordable mainstream cruising.

Disney Cruise Line – Simply unequaled at what they do. The absolute best family programs at sea with creative and challenging options for virtually all ages. The “move with your waiter” different dining venues concept has worked extremely well. As you might expect, Disney is in a class by itself when it comes to the execution of a well-managed children-oriented vacation at sea.

Unless there is a major change of direction regarding the dollar versus Euro, many industry analysts feel that a hotel room in a centrally-located, 5-star hotel in a major European city will average $1,000 USD in 2010. This summer we are seeing average rates of between $750-$850 per night. The best way to save on quality rates is to allow us to book the hotel and transfers through one of the better wholesalers. They hold discounted, contracted rates at most of the better hotels. Because they quote a “package” price without having to reveal their contracted rates, the consumer generally benefits.

Q – We tend to be able to travel over Christmas and New Years. It just seems we are being taken advantage of – what do we need to know in terms of a future strategy?

A – Unless you have booked eleven months in advance to secure decent airfare and pricing, avoid the Caribbean. Hawaii actually has stormy weather patterns just when the high season rates kick in. All seven-night Christmas sailings tend to be overpriced and you will find most of the ships carrying a much higher then usual complement of kiddies. The secret is to travel in December but return home by the 14th. Most airlines raise their fares on the 15th of December. Hotels generally use the 15th or the 18th as their “prime season” pricing date. Think of Canada, perhaps wonderful Montreal, or Mexico. You will normally save 20-30%, apples to apples, by going to Mexico versus the Caribbean. And remember, Mexico has changed more then any other North American destination in the last five years. A large number of absolutely 5-star properties have opened. Consider doing an escorted tour program over Christmas or a winter Europe River cruise. Europe is a bargain during Christmas, and the Louvre has the same paintings in December that it has in the heat of August. This coming winter, we believe airfares will be 50% lower then what we are seeing this summer.

Q – We are going to be flying to Europe and we are somewhat nervous fliers concerned about being stuck in middle seats. Which aircraft type is best to fly?

A – For comfort, you want two on the side on a 777. But your chances of avoiding a middle seat are best on the 767 which has a 2-3-2 configuration. Many frequent fliers also enjoy seats on the side on the larger Airbus 340. Unlike aircraft belonging to long-distance carriers like Air New Zealand, Qantas, Singapore, and Thai, domestic carriers flying European routes normally do not have extra seat pitch. Sear pitch is, generally, the single statistic that will most affect your comfort in flight.

Q - We are going to be flying to Los Angeles from Chicago to connect to the Quantas flight to Sydney. We're flying American out of Chicago. We are arriving two mornings later to begin a two-week tour. How do we handle our luggage check-in at O'hare and which of the two airlines is ultimately responsible for my bags? I just worry about things like this and it's only a two-hour connection. Are my concerns justified and is there anything I can do to protect my bags from getting lost?

A - We think your concerns are well founded. American and United have been having baggage transfer problems at LAX. Here are some specific recommendations:

03 - Understand that American will not take responsibility if the tickets were written on Quantas ticket stock. Carry the numbers of the lost luggage depoartments of both airlines with you.

Q - Forgive me, but my husband and I will no it fly an airline that has declared bankruptcy. I know some of them have come out of it, but are there any major US air liens that have not declared bankruptcy in the past ten years. Those are the ones we want to fly.

A - We will answer your question but your premise is ridiculous. There is little connection between safety and an airline's decision to pursue the bankruptcy route. For the record, the two major US airlines that have not declared bankruptcy are Continental and American. You probably ought to add Southwest to the mix - they are certainly a "major" airline.

Q - We live in Manhattan and read the Times and Zagat regularly to get reviews on places and restaurants around-the-world. I am wondering if these are respected sources in the industry? Are there better sources?

A - You have asked a difficult question with many ramifications. Let us give you the short response. In a word, yes. I read them both.We think the Times Q&A section plays it a tad safe and we think that Zagat often misses a beat on the four-star hotels of merit. But all in all, these are among the very best consumer sources. By and large, we have found that the reporters and editors at the major consumer monthlies do the best job, perhaps because they have time to work sources and develop their stories. There are a great many areas of travel that the industry press covers but the consumer press ignores. Most consumers, for example, do not understand how travel agents are specifically compensated.

Q - Our travel agent is a member of something called Signature. They claim to have special hotel deals in both London and Paris where we are headed in May. Should we shop around or does this sound legit. I don;t know this agency well and have only used them once previously.

A - Signature is one of the most respected travel organizations in the United States. They negotiate, on behalf of their travel agency members, to offer special amenities and rates at hotels in their "portfolio". Other agency groups such as Ensemble, Virtuoso, and Vacation.com do much the same thing. What they are telling you sounds completely legitimate but make certain that they are offering you the hotels you really want. Insist on receiving a copy of the actual hotel inspection report for each property under consideration.

Q - My wife and I are really anxious to do a rather high-end trip to Morocco. We've not had any good luck with our local agent. Any ideas about who we should use to do a two week trip this coming November. We would want to get out into the desert for a stay at one of the new resorts. Do you recommend this and is it safe. We're fairly adventurous and we don;t scare easily - but I am also not a fool.

A - I consider travel to Morocco to be generally safe and highly recommend the destination. It is packed with tourists from places like France and Italy but the lunkheads from the States have a hard time fathoming that a Muslin country can feel safe with five-star tourist facilities. I would look closely at Cox & Kings. They have good on-the-ground support in Morocco.

Q - We are going to be visiting Australia and we are thinking about spending four nights or so on Lizard Island along the Great Barrier reef.. This would be a splurge for us and we were wondering if you recommend the place and, approximately, what it would cost for four nights, not including the airfare?

A - Absolutely - this is a wonderful experience. The footprints in the sand will be your own - it is that private and idyllic. The anchor bay rooms are not bad - about $2400 per person for the four nights. Note that the rate is inclusive of all meals and beverages, along with many island activities. If you have any interest in diving or snorkeling, this place is paradise. I heartily endorse it and its value. Do, however, make certain that you book it through an agent who is using a package wholesaler to get th ebest rates

Q - Our son, Mark, is a fourteen year-old Nintendo Wii devotee. This, to the exclusion of virtually all other aspects of life except, thankfully, school. We want to get him to go with us on a cruise, probably the Caribbean. Do you know if any of these ships have the Nintendo Wii system available to kids? Wish I could ask you something more interesting to other web browers. Next time.

A - The only cruise line I know that is poursuing this is Norwegian Cruise Line, which is currently on our "Don;t Buy" list. NCL signed a deal with Nintendo and your son should find it on all the ships in their fleet by the time you read this.

Q - Really interesting site, but I wonder why you don't include more reviews by site visitors? My question is this. I want to surprise my beautiful wife with a week at the best damn resort in North America. Do you have any opinions on this?

A - We have opinions on everything but we try to deal with facts since the travel industry is choking on amateur opnions. The top-rated resort in North America, currently, is One and Only Palmilla in Cabo San Lucas. As to your first question - we refuse to publish material by so-called travelers who are not known to us. When we have no idea of the travel background of an individual or their current empoyer, personal biases etc., we are unwilling to foist them on you. Not our style.

Q - We use a rather high-powered travel agent in New York, We have done some nice travel with her, over the years, and always paid a fee for her services. Some of these trips have involved hiking and driving in the Austrian Alps, a cruise of the Chilean fjords, and a recent trip retracing scenes from the DaVinci Code. I guess what we want to know is how much should we be paying and are we being ripped off?

A - We don;t know any really good travel consultants who do not charge a fee for custom-designed trips. But you should not be charged for any cruise or tour program that appears in a brochure. Whenever you book a cruise, an escorted tour, or a brochure package, the agent's commission is already built into the price. You always pay it whether or not you utilize an agent's services. Fees come into the picture when you are asking the agent to do something on a custom basis. Fee charges range from $150-$500 per trip. Some agents bill by the hour. Since you are very pleased with the services you have been receiving you might think more about gifting your agent then terminating her.

Q - We love to collect travel information for trips we'll be taking in the future. We live in New Hampshire and the brochures make great winter reading in a chair by the fireplace.

How do we keep the mailbox full without paying a fortune in magazine subscriptions etc?

A - Go online to www.towd.com This will link you to most of the major tourist bureaus worldwide. This should enable you to receive lots if interesting material at no charge

Q - I am really angry that Visa is charging a 3% penalty every time I use my credit card for overseas charges. Is there any card that doesn't charge this fee. I'm ready to drop them in a New York minute.

A - This is a problem we review in detail in our Travel Report. But for the record, most Visa and Mastercard banks are now charging this outrageous penalty. You might want to look into a Capital One Visa card. They did not charge the 3% penalty as of this writing. American express charges 2%.

Do be careful about cancelling cards. That could affect your credit score adversely. Keep the card but don;t use it.

We recommend that you consider setting up a no-fee credit card that you will use exclusively for travel. This will help prevent a number of scam or theft issues and will asssit you in keeping close tabs on your overseas spending.

Q - All things being equal, we are connecting in Chicago and flying on to Tokyo's Narita Airport. We will be in Business Class and we have a choice of United or Japan Airlines. Which is the better choice - it's a long haul and we want to be comfortable.

A - We wish all of the questions we receive were this easy. Japan Airlines in a heartbeat. United's aging fleet of 747's just keep getting older and service levels are among the worst across the Pacific.

Q - Having just returned from Egypt, we now have our sights set on a trip to Jordan next fall. Is Petra worth seeing and is Jordan easily combined with another country other than Israel? We're in our mid-fifties, well traveled, and we have, I suppose, a strong interest in other cultures.

A - You must see Jerash, probably the best-preserved city in the Middle east, It was founded by Alexander the Great's soldiers during the 4th century BC and lies just 30 miles south of Amman. Petra is one of the wonders of the ancient world. You need to do the mile long walk along a passageway known as Sig Gore to arrive at the Treasury, a classical Greek-style temple built into the face of a 130 foot cliff. This is said to date back to 56 BC which means that Joan Rivers wasn;t yet performing.

As to combining with another destination: Think about Syria. Stay at the Baron Hotel and see the covered souks of Aleppo. Lawrence of Arabia skipped out on his bill, nicely displayed in the lobby. Foir starters, have your travel agent contact Wilderness Travel.

Q - We are going on a trip with Big Five Safaris to East Africa in March. They have provided good documentation and seem to have a good reputation. Correct?

We noticed that our packet did not include any information on Consular offices in Kenya or Tanzania. Shouldn;t we have gotten that and is there any way to get it now?

A - You may well have the trip of a lifetime. Big Five is a well respected tour operator in Africa.

Your travel agent is the best source of the information you are requesting. Tour operators often neglect to include that information. Ask your agent for a complete contact list. You need to be familiar with the OCS or Overseas Citizens Services. This is the part of the overseas US Counsular Service that deals with travelers in distress etc. Here is what you need to know:

After Hour Emergencies, Sundays, and Holidays call 202-647-4000. Ask for the OCS Duty Officer

To get a list of the names of key foreign service officers in your travel destination go to www.foia.state.gov/MMS/KOH/keyofcity/asp

Q - Tipping questions are personal, we realize, but we are doing a self-driving trip to Prague and we need to know what to tip the guides we have hired on the internet. We've been dealing directly with Prague and the web site makes it clear that tips aren't included. How much for a half day or full day with a private guide? Thanks, we don;t know where else to turn. We're in our early seventies and we are trying to do all of this ourselves to save a bit of money. Any suggestions would be appreciated. We're traveling in months.

A - This one has us completely worried. So the first thing we are going to suggest is get yourself to a qualified Europe specialist, pay them $500, and have them review all of your arrangements. By our calculations you have scheduled a driving trip in and around Prague in mid-November. You may want to rethink this entire trip. Hiring guides over the internet can be a costly mistake. At the very least, we hope you have been provided a list of US references and that you have contacted them.

If you are foolish enough to go ahead with this adventure, tip the guide $50 USD for a half-day tour and $100 for a full-day program. If the guide is really exceptional, highly unlikely, tip and extra $20-$40 USD.

A - The best strategy is to ask the check-in staff to try to put you in a row with an empty seat because "I have a lot of work to get done on the flight." Generally speaking, airline computers will assign middle of the aircraft center seats last. If you sit toward the ceter of the aircraft you lessen your chances of being in a full row.

Q - Friends want us to join them at The Hotel Bora Bora over Christmas. Wondering what your thoughts might be. We are releatively upscale travelers.

A - One of the great ironies is that the more expensive Christnmas/New Year Holiday season is more expensive despite the fact that winter rains and accompanying storms are a real possibility. Hotels in the Society Islands do not handle storms well - there is precious little to do when it is raining. Inter-island flights are cancelled when the winds are strong.

That said, the Hotel Bora Bora, after being reborn several times, is now in the Aman Resorts family. And that ius as good as old when it comes to a resort's pedigree. So we would say go if they are really good friends but go elsewhere oif they are mere acquaintances.

Q - We are flying to Madrid this Spring. It will be our first trip to Europe and we are somewhat nervous about the flight. So our question is really quite simple. American or Iberia?

A - For professionalism, American. See our Airline ratings for additional information.

Q - We will be booking several hotels in California for a nine-day driving vacation. We want to stay at some of the better places and were wondering of it is best to call the reservation 800 number or the hotel directly?

A - Always call the hotel directly in the States. Special deals and manager's offers are often not placed in the reservation center database. In addiiton, the outsourced booking centers for the chains are instructed to begin pricing at the second or third level up from the bottom. Rock bottom prices are rarely offered.

Q - Saw this site and got the feeling you might be able to help us. We are going on a cruise out of Barcelona and we live in Los Angeles. We will be connecting somewhere in Europe but the question is where? Are rthere any airports you would recommend that are just plain better at "connections" then others?

A - Yes. Connect in Munich, Brussels, Amsterdam, or Zurich, in that order. Munich has the highest percentage of successful connections of any airport in Europe.

Q - Is A&K really worth the extra money? Do you recommend any of their "Highlights of Europe" Tours?

A - Abercrombie and Kent is one of the world's best tour operatoirs. But they are expensive and you may want to save them for travels to more exotic locales where safety us an issue. The "Highlights" programs are interesting. This is really a code word for "more economical" as A&K wants to offer a few programs that are somewhat affordable. The Highlights Tours generally use less deluxe hotels and include fewer extras then the normal A&K program.

Q - What is the current waiting time for a Passport? We're leaving in three months for a cruise out of Rio and I haven't even started the process yet.

A - You should be fine. Things are almost back to normal after the horror show of a summer at the Passport Office. They just didn;t realize that Americans might be traveling this summer. You have time and you won;t need to expedite but do start the process oon. And do note that you need a Visa for Brazil. They actually won;t let you in if you arrive withjout one. They're funny that way.

Q - I know this is going to sound trite to you folks - but I'm taking my life partner to see the Taj Mahal and I need to know when to go. Is sunset the best time? It just sounds romantic. A double snap on the site.

A - Thank you - we think. The Taj Mahal is best seen in the early morning when the sun is just rising. It is a sight you will never forget. There will be precious few tourists. Sunset is a different story - thousands gather and the feeling of intimacy is totally lost. Enjoy.

Q - Having just returned from Egypt, we now have our sights on a trip to Jordan next fall. Is Petra worth seeing and is Jordan easily combined with another country, other than Israel? we’re in our mid-fifties with strong interests in other cultures.

See Jerash, probably best-preserved city in the Middle east. Founded by Alexander Great’s soldiers during the 4th century BC. About 30 miles south of Amman. Petra is one of the Ancient wonders of the world. Walk a mile long passageway called the Siq Gore then you see the treasury –a classical greek style temple built into the face of a 130 foot cliff – they say it dates to 56 BC. Stay at the Hotel Taybet Zaman.

I would combine with Syria where you want to see the covered souks of Aleppo – stay at the Baron Hotel. Lawrence of Arabia’s unpaid bill is on display. Wilderness Travel does this trip.

Q – We have about 60,000 miles on our American Airlines Visa card and we would like to fly First Class to Europe in conjunction with a Globus Tour we have booked to Spain and Portugal. We booked the tour on our own but could use some help on the best way to cash in these miles. Any advice would be appreciated.

We are afraid that this is just not going to be enough to accomplish your task. You will need to speak to American's Mileage desk. Ask to purchase an upgradable coach ticket. You will then want to use your miles for an upgrade to Business Class.. Forget about First Class, You donl;t have the miles and most flights from the States are flown with a two-class configuration.

Q – We are planning several trips this year and are among the fortunate few to have a good agent handling things. But I wonder if you would talk a bit about the safety records of the airlines and which ones you would fly over the Atlantic if given a choice. I am not going to use foreign airlines if I have a choice so a review of current conditions at the various Us airlines that fly overseas would suffice. Which is considered the safest?

Airplane safety records are extremely impressive for all major US carriers flying overseas. It is quite difficult to differenciate between US carriers.

We do think that your prejudiuce toward foreign carriers is misplaced. Several foreign airlines place significantly higher in overall "satiisfaction scores" then their American counterparts. See our Airline Ratings section for examples.

Q - – We have one of those “non-specific” questions. We, have traveled to Europe twice and the Caribbean four times. We’re in our early sixties. Based on all of the favorable comments we hear from friends, we are leaning toward trying our first cruise. We were thinking of starting out with a seven-night cruise in the Caribbean to see if we like it. Any advice?

You may want to consider a ten or eleven-day cruise instead. This willprovide a mix of days at sea and ports in a less-hurried atmosphere. The prolem with seven-night cruises is that you start receiving disembarkation information on your fourth day out.

We think you should look to Celebrity or Holland America for mass market quality and vlue and Regent Seven Seas or Seabourn for higher-end small ships of five-star quality.

Q – There is a new hotel our travel agent is ga-ga about on the Amalfi Coast of Italy called Caruso. But its seems to be really expensive. They are quoting about $850 a night. I trust my agent – but not for $850 a night. How do I find out if this joint is worth it? I use Trip Advisor and this place has some raves but also some folks feel its too expensive. Is there any place on the internet that will let me check this out for myself?

There is no site on the internet that offers truly objective, professionally written, reviews of hotels worldwide. No one who works in the industry would rely on the information on TripAdvisor because it is written by "who knows who" with "who knows what" background.

The one source that is available to industry professionals is the Star Service. This is a regularly updated catalog of hotel reviews written by skilled hotel inspectors.

The rate you quote for the Hotel caruso is really quite low. Witht he current exchange rate and the VAT Tax at 18% in Italy, an $850 USD room rate is really a room being offered for about $575 per night.

Is the Hotel Caruso worth it? Given your attitiude, probably not. But for those of us who appreciate truly memorable hotels in magical settings, it is worth that and more.

06 – My husband and I don’t do a lot of traveling. You hear about people who take trips around the world. I’m wondering if you know anyone who has done that and just what is involved. How did they end up traveling – was it a tour or a cruise, and how long were they gone? Any details would be appreciated. We are just curious about how this is done.

There is a great deal to discuss. Any trip that tries to take in major portions of the world requires a good deal of advance discussion an dplanned with a trusted consultant. You should make your initial contact with your chosen travel oroifessional approximately 16 months prior to the time you would like to travel.

There are two primary forms of travel Around-The-World. You can do a tour by private jet. This allows you to see as much as possible in the shortest period of time. These private jets, usually reconfigured 757's, get special landing rights. There is very little jet lag. It is all very VIP.

The second option is an Around-The-World Cruise. Several oines offer this option. The best are those offered by Silverseas, Regent Seven Seas, and Crystal Cruises. ATW Cruises almost always depart just after the New Year. Itineraries do differ. You will do best on a larger vessel of at least 50,000 Gross tons for a voyage of this length (averege is 90 days)

Yes, we have sold many ATW Programs. Each and every guest returns feeling that they have experienced the "trip of a lifetime." But, given the expense, that is to be expected.

Q – We have no interest in doing anything on vacation other than being beach bums with some decent food in the evening. So for the remainder of the winter – please give us your favorite two or three Caribbean destinations for great beaches. We will probably take your advice and report back.

Plage Caravelle on the southeastern end of Guadeloupe is palm-fringed and links to dozens of other white sand beaches like a string of pearls.

Palm island – Grenadines – A well-kept secret with cozy accommodations and near total privacy. It has one small hotel and five perfect beaches.

Q – My friends are all hot to go to a party in Spain after graduation from high school. It is supposed to be in the Canary Islands which Spain owns. Have you been there or ever sent anyone there?

No – but you must mean Carnival in Tenerife which lasts for a month and features concerts for thousands virtually every night in the town square.

The tapas stands are supposed to be wonderful, the fathered costumes cool, but your parents ought to be horsewhipped if they let you go. Just to get a flavor of the goings-on, the month-long party officially ends when procession of cross-dressing widows symbolically buries a giant, paper-mache sardine.

Q – We are trying to decide on one of two recommended cruise lines for the southern Med this fall. We’ve traveled on NCL and Orient Lines, had a good year in the stock market, and we’re looking for a seven-night cruise that begins or ends in Athens. Both Regent and Sea Dream look really nice and we’d love your thoughts. We are in our mid-sixties and not all that well traveled. I was in the Navy and feel comfortable around boats. We are fairly casual people and we would like the luxury – but we will miss the entertainment options we have had on our previous cruises.

Regent Seven Seas is the safer bet. There is onboard entertainment and the ships are considerably larger then the tiny, yacht-like Sea Dream vessels. Regent is an excellent choice for those who have worked their way up to one of the luxury lines after floundering in seas of mediocrity. Try to travel in the fall rather than the heat of July or August.

Q - – Please help - the internet is driving me crazy. – once and for all, it’s so confusing. We are headed for Bangkok next month. When buying things to ship home, what do I need to know.

Q – We will be flying to London on British Airways from O’hare in two months. I have heard that they are very strict on carry on. What is the actual limit in US pounds. That would be very helpful as it keeps changing.

You are right - it has been bloody confusing. I would call BA a few days prior to your departure but the limit is currently thirteen pounds.

Q - – Due to my husband’s business, we are going to be traveling to several rural areas of India. I expect we will see a lot of children begging. How much money is appropriate to give these children, in what currency, local or better to give them US? Or, is there a better way to give them something. I’ve even thought it might be best not to start a stampede and just ignore the outstretched hands.

I know I am being a bit paranoid about this but it is something I keep running through my mind and I feel like I need to have a strategy.

My husand will be picked up by a limo and he won’t have to deal with it. I’l be out seeing the local sites and I think I will have this challenge.

That is a fair enough question. Food and money are definite no-no's. Instead, we recommend that you give a child something that might help them like a pen, a pencil set, a baseball cap, a world map etc. Think valuable small gifts with some educational value. Never food or money.

Q – I read an internet blog the other night that suggests that every time you check in to a hotel you ask the desk clerk if “there are any front desk incentives” being offered on your room. This supposedly results in all sorts of discounts and upgrades. What do you think of the strategy? I travel a lot and I haven’t used it yet.

Good travel agents have access to complimentary upgrades at many of the world's best properties. But, short of that, the strategy you suggest is worthwhile. Do it politely and ask it with he presumption that there is some kind of incentive.

Remember that the person with the upgrade power in a hotel is the Rooms Reservation Manager.

Q - I am a non-male executive who just took on a new assignment that will involve showing up the men in my company and doing a lot of international travel. The jet lag thing worries me a bit. I’I've followed your advice for years. Any bits of advice specifically for women on handling those long flights?

Q – We have a simple request. We’re off to the Caribbean for our annual two weeks but this year we want to stay at a hotel with the best Spa. We’re not looking for anything budget and would appreciate one or two recommendations. We're looking at The Turks & Caicos.

Well look no further. Try Parrot Cay. As a back-up. consider The Ocean Club on Paradise Island in the Bahamas. But only as a back-up.

Q – We’ve reached the point in our life where we can start to do some serious traveling, starting off, first, with some rather exotic locales like Papua New Guinea and the Maldives. Two questions related to our plans:

How do we maximize our stays at the best hotels – getting the most for our money>

Which insurance carrier offers the kind of insurance where they come and get you if you’re in trouble?

You want to use a travel consultant who is a member of one of the major consortiums that has preferred rates at the better hotels. This would include members of American express, Signature, Ensemble, or Virtuoso.

The "come and get me" insurance carrier is Medjet. You definitely want to take out one of their family memberships given your upcoming travel schedule.

Q – I’ve heard that the best way to get a great cruise deal is to call five agents and let them know you will go with the one who quotes the lowest price. What would you quote if you got a call like that?

Not bad if you're buying a used car. Planning some of the important moments of your life, no way. What would we quote you? The telephone number of the first agent you called.

Many of the top travel consultants in the country are working with a full roster of clients. Try to become one and then try to be as loyal as you can. You will end up with better pricing then you would by jumping from agency to agency without developing any long-term business relationships. Any consultant who is any good will call in favors for a good client. For a price shopper who clearly has demonstrated that he will be booking somewhere else next time, those kind of efforts are seldom made.