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 received (latest appear first)

We would enjoy hearing from you. Really. Please feel free to send us your comments at:

Q - I have one, hopefully, simple question. How are people supposed to keep up with events in a country abroad they are going to be visiting in the near future? Sure there is lots of info on the internet but it all seems uneducated or anecdotal. Travel agents don;t seem very good at describing current conditions and, according to CNN and FOX, every country on earth is in turmoil. We depart for Ankara and Istanbul in two weeks. How should we prep?

A - Fair enough. First, consider using one of the better security sites.The one we like is ASIgroup.com These folks are in the business of analyzing security threats for prominent individuals and corporations. They will send you a summary report that will cover Turkey and it will be up-to-date. But the best thing you can do is scan the local papers in English before you travel abroad. Just go to ipresscenter.com for a list of worldwide newspapers in English. They will link you tot he site and you're off. You will know more about the current situation in Turkey then some of the licensed guides.

Q - We just saved about $400 by paying no attention to what a US Air agent told us on the phone and doing our own online research. It turns out that we were able to save considerably by departing Philly for the West coast on the early morning flight and leaving LA around dinner time. Just wondering if this was a fluke and why we weren't told this by airline reservations. Our departure and return flights were pretty close to the ones they quoted so why didn't they tell us about the lower fares if we just changed our times?

A - Thanks for a great question because you have put your finger on a pricing anomaly that makes the airlines millions upon millions of additional dollars per year. If you give them your desired flight times, they will, most often, not go the extra step to inform you that you could have saved $200 each by coming home later or departing LA earlier. The fact is that the first flight out, the 6:00 am or so departure, is usually the lowest priced flight of the day because it means that business people would have to awaken at three or four in the morning to make it to the airport on time. No one wants to do business in that condition. Coming back from LA, to use your example, you lose hours so a flight that leaves around 5:00 pm. will not get you into Philly much before Midnight. No business person wants to arrive home that late. So that's the trick. Choose the flights you would never select if you were flying on business and had to put in a full day at work soon after your arrival. Work around those times demanded by business travelers. That is the best way to secure the lowest fares on domestic flights.

Q - Really interesting web site. Much appreciate the specifics. So, we're off, for the first time to St. Bart's, a rather silly place for two Brits to go - but that's another story. We want to find a beach or two to call our own. Where do/would you go?

A - The insider's choice is the "slight effort to get to" Grand Saline. But if you want to be around the seen and be seen crowd Baie de St. Jean is tres chic and steps away from otherworldly dining.

Q - Thanks to Japan Airlines mileage desk, and a business trip, my wife and I are headed to Tokyo for two weeks on the company. But, unfortunately, that does not extend to the six days we are on our own for a short vacation. We live in Denver where there is some good Japanese food but we are anxious, really anxious to try the real thing. Where should we splurge and how can we learn the most while dining well for the few days we have in the city?

A - We never minimize the challenges of Tokyo. But the rewards are beyond measure as the starting point for everything is so different. Two approaches we recommend. Find someone at your company based in Tokyo who is willing to take you to one or two food markets. Have them explain what is being sold and how it is used in traditional Japanese dishes. Along with this experience, try to hit some of the better restaurants for lunch instead of dinner. You will have fewer courses and prices will be half of what you pay in the evening. Finally, for a splurge, we would recommend the chef of the moment, Yoshihiro Narisawa who is making culinary history at Les Creations de Narisawa. Figure dinner at between $225-$250 per person with wine.

Q - OK, we're in our forties, about three decades younger then your average blogger on this site. My goodness, if they are so afraid of getting robbed, hurt, or sick, why don't they just stay and go to Starbucks for entertainment? But we trust your advice so put on your party hats and advise, if you only had one night on Ibiza, where would you party?

A - Actually, we don;t go to Starbucks because it is filled with 40 something's starring vapidly at their computer screens. Our generations prefer places where people actually converse. You are not a very good prognosticator of demographics - but that said, The Blue Marlin is where you want to head. It sits right ont he beach, has great music, and they spritz you with water instead of air conditioning. Pardon us if we don't join you.

Q - Living in Atlanta, I get to fly Delta quite a bit on business and for pleasure. I've always wondered about something. About a month ago, I returned from overseas and got a bad case of something that seemed food-related. I kept reviewing what I ate and then it hit me that I had been drinking a ton of water on the return flight and it did not appear to be out of any bottle. Could this be the cause of my stomach upset?

A - Well we blame the airlines for everything else - why not a bout of food poisoning. Actually, it wouldn;t surprise me if it was the water. Commercial jets have water storage tanks that are not, as far as we can determine, under any federal inspection controls. Once in a while, those water tanks are supposed to be "cleansed" with some soft detergents. I have read accusations that this "tank" water is often tainted and, at the very least, stale and crawling with contaminants. You'll notice that the crew won; touch it - so avoid it in the future. Evian is a mystical word at 33,000 feet.

Q - It looks like the British High Court just saved our American butts. My wife and I are headed for a River Cruise starting in Budapest in two weeks. We are scheduled on BA and the river boat company wouldn't change us over to another airline. Or at least that's what our agent claims. What do you do in that situation. I am more worried about being stranded over there then getting there. How come no reviews of Vegas hotels?

A - First of all, your agent was likely telling you the truth. The river boat company has a contract with British Airways and BA would have to relinquish their tickets to other carriers, something they are very reluctant to do until it appears impossible to operate a specific flight. What you want to do to protect yourself is buy the least expensive, fully refundable, tickets you can find on another carrier. That way, if the strike is on, you get a refund for the unused BA flights and you still travel. If BA doesn't strike, you can cancel the tickets since they are refundable. As to Las Vegas, we can only reply that we hate the smell of stale cigarettes and no culture.

Q - We don;t want to appear like snobs but, I suppose, we are. We're considering our first cruise and understand that there are some incredible discounts currently available. Our question, which we can't seem to find an answer to, has to do with which lines have the most upscale and sophisticated crowd aboard. Meeting other like-minded people and making lifelong friends is something we are quite open to. We are also wondering If the discounts are attracting a different crowd to some of these upscale lines.

A - The answer to your last question is a qualified "yes". With fares on some sailings on the five-star fleet down under $3,000 a week, the quality lines are attracting those who have not sailed them in the past. But don't expect party boat cruisers to show up on Seabourn. It is just a matter of degree and nothing we think that ought to be a concern. Because you have asked a broader question that is of concern to others, we will offer the following CRUISE LINE SOPHISTICATION INDEX. But please understand that this is a highly subjective ranking and each sailing on each ship can vary in terms of the interests and backgrounds of the onboard guests. For purposes of this index, we are taking into consideration the percentage of CEO guests and those with advanced degrees, as well as general guest affluence data. None of this guarantees that you wouldn't meet more interesting folks on Norwegian Cruise Line, but we hope this index is helpful:

Q - Great site but wish you would talk more about restaurants across the globe. Am traveling with wife to Spain but concerned about smoking in restaurants and bars. Is this a problem? Most of our information is anecdotal.

A - We might argue that all information is anecdotal. But that's for another time and place.The Spanish are gearing up for a likely total ban on smoking in the nation's bars and restaurants. This will likely become law this June or July. In the meantime, only bars and restaurants with less then 1,000 square feet of space can allow smoking in a closed off space. This most often takes the form of a glass wall so you can watch folks killing themselves while sipping a decent sherry.

Q - My wife and I are bringing our daughter on her fantasy trip to South Africa prior to her beginning college in the fall. Strictly in terms of game viewing, is there one best month to go?

A - Well, there are actually several months that the trip could work well. Their winter, particularly August through the first half of September is a great time to visit because the grass is shorter and the animals tend to gather around the watering holes. From a pure weather standpoint, October is considered the best month. From November through February, showers in the afternoon become the norm.

Q - We are going to be buying some tickets for several planned trips tot he East Coast to visit the kids in college. Is there one day of the week to get the best fares? Should I be shopping online on the weekend? By the way, I can;t tell you how helpful this site is and I don;t know why you don't get more compliments from users.

A - Thank you. We edit out most of the compliments. Boring reading. Tough to generalize about when to book air but the consensus among experts is that the sale fares come out on Monday and then are "matched" by competing airlines on Tuesday and then pulled before the long weekend. Always try to book your air on a Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday. If you book on the weekend it is likely you overpaid.

Q - I am just starting to Tweet. Is Twitter now the best place to score air deals?

A - It could be, but you are going to find that you need to be an adept Tweeter and most airlines are still experimenting with how to best use social media. We have found that Jet Blue and United Airlines have been posting the best "Twitter Only" offers. You would do better subscribing to one of the frequent flyer daily feeds for updated information about air deals out of your nearest major gateway. We do think it is true that you are, increasingly, going to be seated next to Tweeters who paid less for their air then you did. But they never factor in the dollar value of the time they devote to social media.

Q - We have this dream to lie on a beach on the island of Mauritius just off the coast of Madagascar. I know that once we get there from our home in Dallas, we'll find some great resorts. But that's the question, how much of a challenge os it to get there?

A - Your journey recently got easier. You should be able to one stop by flying into London and connecting to the new non-stop Virgin Atlantic flight. Consider staying at Anitita Mauritius run by Four Seasons.

Q - Sometimes I hear about all the hotel deals out there, in the US and Europe, that I'm almost tempted to make a few extra trips just to acquiare some miles. But I wonder if some of this is a scam. There have always been hotel discounts. Do you have a sense of how low they've sunk?

A - Actually, that's a good question. There certainly has been some hype as well as confusion regqrding current pricing levels. We are seeing pricing discounts in Chicago, LA, New York, and, especially,Las Vegas reach levels that approiximate about a third lower then years past. But in Europe the new discounts are only averaging 10-15% of prior years. Europe, however, is poised to see some new and dramatic discounts as the rise of the dollar against the eruo is factored into the newest promotions.These new prmotions will reach the hotel's own web sites first before filtering out to the mega-sites and travel agencies,

Q - I wonder if you will answer this but I'll try. We're ready to tale advantage of some of the deals currently available on cruises to Europe. We would like to try one of the better lines. They all have their deals but we wonder if one line jumps out at you as offering the very best value given their pricing in prior years?

Q - You folks are getting discovered. I've referred dozens to this site. But don't know why you don;t have an interactive blog? This is a like a travel town hall but the members don;t get involved. Just wondering what your philosophy is on this. Love the site otherwise and I'll stay loyal, although you need to do more Q and A, it's our favorite part of the site.

A - We're definitely a travel niche and we have no interest in imitating other reader/content sites. There has to be one place in cyberspace where the travel consumer can get straightforward advice. If we allowed reader generated content and reviews, we would, in effect, be turning this place over to amateurs and lord knows who using pseudonyms while communicating what they like and don;t like. The travel suppliers, using buzz marketing techniques, would try to control content as they do on so many of the more popular sites. We won;t accept advertising and we are dedicated to helping those who visit traveltruth navigate the tricky, often dishonest, travel debris floating around in cyberspace. What is travel - well in terms of internet usage, after pornography and gambling, I guess we're it. But we think the first two categories of users are better served then travelers.

Q - Our travel agent has booked us into the Saxon Hotel in Johannesburg for two nifghts before we fly out after an eleven-night safari program. I thought I had read that Johannesburg is not safe, No sure how much my agent, she's from a small town in Minnessota, knows about Africa. We would like to do some shopping before we leave but were wondering what you think about staying in town? Do I need to bring a rifle or a detachment of Rangers?

A - Well Johannesburg is dangerous in terms of walking around downtown on your own but we think you can leave the heavy armour at home.. The Saxon is a new, small hotel out in the Sandhurst suburb. Great Spa, nice place, but probably not what you want. If it isn't too late, I would ask your agent to change your stay to one night at the Michelangela Hotel on Nelson Mandala Square. This hotel is conected to a lovely upscle mall. I would add the night saved to the safari portion of your trip. Make certain that your airport transfers are carefully planned and confirmed. Don;t worry - you are visiting one of the world's great destinations - it's just that Johannesburg is a complete letdown.

Q - The cruise information we keep getting in the mail is really confusing. we've never cruised but we want to start with one of the top lines. They all sound good, they all claim to have great food, they all do similar ports. So what is really the difference, if any, between these brands? We've read your reviews/ratings and found them extremely helpful. But they all sound great. I guess we're looking for a one sentence summary of the differences. I'm sure there are others who share our frustration.

A - Understood. It is tough to thread this needle of relative quality. Even the ships in each fleet have some significant differences. But in the spirit of your question, we'll attempt an answer.

Both Crystal and Regent Seven Seas employ well-trained Phillipino deck staff. They are outgoing and gracious. They try to know your name and to engage you in conversation. You will have crew favorites. Seabourn and Silverseas have somewhat more formal European staff, increasingly from Eastern Europe. It is a less casual, more refined atmosphere. Seabourn and Silverseas are more Four Seasons-like, and service is more discreet, some would say cold. Crystal and Regent are a bit more comfortable. We feel the crews on these two lines are warmer but we know there are those who are looking for discreet - not warmth. These are gross generalizations with many exceptions, but we hope this helps a little.

Q - Wish we would have found this site six months ago. We leave, along with another couple, for Athens in three weeks. Last night, I found a guide service online and gave them my credit card for a four hour tour of the Acropolis and the Museum, whatever that is, at $200 per person. That seems like a lot. Should we negotiate him down when we get there?

A - What kind of guide do you think needs to advertise on the internet and is still available three weeks out for an assignment? There are all sorts of red flags here - but price is not one of them. A four hour tour of the Acropolis with a stop at the new Acropolis Museum, should cost about Euro 500. Your travel agent would normally mark this up around $100 so a total price for four for a half day tour does come out to be about $200. Some questions to ask about internet guide bookings:

Q - We are flying into Nice and thinking of staying a few days in the village of Eze. We've heard it is beautiful. True? And is it worth two nights? We'd like to know if you could recommend a hotelt here or should we do a day trip and stay in Monte Carlo?

A - Monte Carlo is expensive, can get crowded, and, after the magnificent yacht harbor, it has an almost bankish commercial feel to it. Eze is, perhaps, the most charming of the hilltop villages just north of the waterfront towns along the Riviera. WE would suggest you do Monte Carlo as a day trip and spend the two nights in Eze. There will be plenty of day tourists but after sundown they will turn to dust. We recommend that you stay at Chevrre d'Or or Chateau Eza. Both are expensive but you will never forget this village or the meals you enjoy within its walls.

Q - Can you list some recommendations for hotels in Paris? We are looking for something centrally located, very upscale, with a Parisian flavor. Some friends and relatives said we must stay on the Right Bank, while others say the Left Bank has more character and charm. This is our first trip to Europe, so we are willing to spend up to $500 nightly. We know this is not enough to get us into the Four Seasons or The Ritz, or the other Five-Star hotels that are quoting well over $1,000 per night but we want to stay in that price range.

A - Your term "very upscale" is the challenge. For your limit of about Euro 335 you just don;t get upscale in Paris unless, of course, you are talking about the price of dinner for two. Let's start with he Right Bank-Left Bank question, the travel decision for which we have no simple response. Generally, if you want to be near the major tourist areas, near shopping, near the bedroom of the French President, you stay on the Right Bank. It will be only a stone's throw to Channel. If you are into Sartre, Gertrude Stein, and the students who line the sidewalk cafes in the St. Germaine des Pres area, then you should definitely do the Left Bank. We much prefer to stay on the left side of the Seine because it is poorer and more authentically French. Most of the famous cafe's are located there. So we vote with the leftists. There are no really perfect hotels offering everything you want in your price range. But here is a short list. You will find these places have charm and one or two you may actually love. But in your price range, expect a small room:.

Relais St. Germaine - A really good location with one of Paris' best restaurants, Le Comptoir

Relais Christine - Portions of this small hotel are backed by 13eth century walls. Located in the heart of the student quarter, this is a personal favorite for its atmospheric neighborhood.

L' Hotel - Just 16 rooms but oh so lovely and filled with memories. Richard and Liz trysted here and Oscar Wilde died here. The satin quotient is high. One of the more romantic small left bank hotels in a city filled with romantic options.

Q - Thank you for this site. We love the fact that there are no ads interfering with the information. We've got a bit of a challenge for you. We are interested in traveling within our hemisphere to someplace warm, charming, quaint, different, with great local, authentic food. We really get off on local market visits, artist's studios, and sitting in a town square as life passes us by. I can't count the blank stare we've gotten from agents. One suggested we go to San Francisco - not exactly the quaint we had in mind. One good recommendation would be appreciated and keep doing what you're doing.

A - We are going to suggest that you look into the Teotitlan Valley and Oaxaca, Mexico. This is a wonderful, rarely explored part of Mexico with just about everything you are seeking. The Benito Juarez Market in town is wonderful. Among other things, you will find a cup of sinful hot chocolate. If you are going with another couple rent a house. If you are on your own, just stay at Casa Oaxaca. Your under $200 room will include breakfast - so splurge. And we like your travel "style".

Q - With rates approaching $1,000 for the top hotels in Rome, we would appreciate any information you can give us about a great but affordable hotel in Rome. It isn't the money, it's more the principle. Something in the 300-400 euro range would be fine, perhaps four stars instead of five. Neighborhood is very important as we love to walk around and try small, local restaurants. we're active Californians, second marriage for both, and active in each and every way possible.

A - More information then we need to recommend a hotel. Try Donna Camilla Savelli Rome. This lovely hotel is in the oldest part of Rome, Trastevere. It is highly recommended for four-star comfort and location.The efficient and helpful staff is just icing on the cannoli.

For a good Four-star option, try Dei Mellini - We absolutely love its location in Trastevere, across the Tiber River and wirthin walking distance of some of the city's most important sites. Walking the narrow streets that surround this hotel, you will feelt that you have discovered the real Rome. Several price-friendly restaurants to choose from and a few over-priced tourist haunts like Sabatini. This is a "trip-making" address in Rome.

Q - There seems to be a great deal of conflicting information regarding just how safe it is to walk around Rio. Since we will be traveling with an eleven year-old on a planned vacation in March, we really need to know if we will feel safe walking the streets, I take some confidence in the fact that the Olympic Committee would not have given them the Olympics if street crime was out-of-control.

A - Rio is a city with serious poverty and there is crime often committed by the residents of the favelos.In the past, much of the serious crime was limited to slum areas in the hills that overlook the central city. It is now accurate to say that crime has moved down from the hills and the casual tourist needs to be aware. You will enjoy walking around Rio but bump and run and actual physical assaults against tourists lead the State Department to warn that Rio suffers from "a high incidence of crime." If our diplomatic agency says that, you can count on some serious potential. You definitely want to go through a safety briefing with your travel consultant. One of the things that tourists are never told is that city neighborhoods along beaches generally have a higher crime rate than other portions of the city. If you are not using private guides, avoid public transportation, particularly in the evening. Some Rio experts advise tourists to carry an extra wallet with enough cash to satisfy a would-be robber. Using ATM's in public is a very bad idea. Travel truth will not minimize the crime rate in Rio and large parts of it are directed toward tourists. But the same could be said for Los Angeles, New York, or Chicago. And the fact is that tens of thousands of Americans visit this extraordinary city each year without incident.

Q - Don't know if you want to attempt this but we're in our mid-sixties, not particular well-traveled, and I've just come into some money and time. We have never gone to sea but we've got a few weeks where we'd like to get away in the winter of 2010. We figure as long as we're going to travel, we might as well see some of the real world and I don;t mean the capitals of Europe or the beaches of South America. So I guess what I am asking is could you recommend a particular itinerary that would provide the most diverse cultural experience in a sailing lasting about a month. We are not interested in a World Cruise, we're not fancy people, and even though it might be a long cruise or two or three tied in together, the less we have to dress up the better.

A - Our current favorite itinerary is Oceania Cruises "Safaris, Sands, and Splendors", a 35-day voyage offered several times next year from Cape Town, South Africa to Singapore. This cruise takes in the coast of southern Africa, Madagascar, Zanzibar, the Seychelles, the beautiful Maldives, several days in Myanmar, Thailand, and Malaysia. This is one of the most interesting and beautiful itineraries we've ever seen aboard a 640 guest ship with no formal nights at all.

Q - We are headed for Rome and wonder if you could provide some recommendations for memorable dining experiences. We would be willing to take taxis to explore out-of-the way neighborhoods if necessary. Any basic rules to remember or cautions?

A - Rome has some extraordinary dining. There is a growing trend toward restaurants that feature Italian food from a particular Province like Tuscany or Umbria. Do not dine in large public squares that attract tourists. Italian kitchens can create awful salads and mediocre soups. Best to start with a small dish of antipasti, followed by pasta, the main course, and fresh fruit. Or better still, skip desserts offered in restaurants and stroll to the nearest Gelateria. Here are just a few of our current recommendations:

Alberto Ciarla - A wonderful seafood restaurant with high prices and even higher levels of execution. The real plus is that it is located in the atmospheric Travestere District, our favorite part of Rome.

Dal Bolognese - Located in the popular Piazza del Popolo, this place is great for those who enjoy good, traditional food while overlooking an ever-changing street scene. Try to sit outdoors.

Antico Arco - You will have to take a taxi to get to this Gianicolo restaurant - but do it! This is where many of Rome's true foodies gather for dishes like suckling pig or leg of lamb in a fois gras sauce. This may be your best meal in Rome.

Il San Lorenzo - A good choice for seafood with a wonderful location in Campo del Fiore, a great gathering place for Rome's casually fashionable young. If nothing else, have champagne and oysters at the bar.

Antica Pesa - This is where you are most likely to run into an American movie star. It's been in this Trastevere neighborhood since the early twenties serving the highest caliber of contemporary Roman cooking using traditional ingredients. This one can also be called romantic.

Da Tullio - A good, comfortable Tuscan restaurant near the Piazza Barberini. This is the place to experience bistecca alla fiorentina, the famed Tuscan T-bone marinated in Rosemary, Sage, and Olive Oil.

Walkinsiderome.com - Not a restaurant - this web site is your gateway to escorted walking tours of Rome for foodies - with tastes along the way.

Q - We would appreciate it if our name was not used should this appear on the internet. Our family of four is planning a Panama Canal Cruise next February that is scheduled to call at Caracas, Venezuela. Our seventeen year-old will be joining us and he is insisting that we let him run loose in these ports. The one that really worried me is Venezuela given the hatred of the United States there. Complication this a bit is the fact that my son has some history of drug use. Any advice would be appreciated.

A - Caracas is definitely not the place to be running around loose with your son's history. Cancel the trip if he has to join you. The issue isn't so much that the Venezuelan government is anti-American. The real issue here is that taxi drivers, street people, etc. will try to offer drugs to American tourists in exchange for a reward for then turning them in. More then one cruise ship employee has been set up in this manner. Your instincts are correct. Unless he joins you on tours, you should avoid Caracas.

Q - We are planning a two or three week trip to Greece next year with another couple. We have a little Europe experience, have done two cruises, and we are well traveled in the States. We are all in our sixties and have an interest in ancient history, seeing some beautiful island, and getting to know the local culture well. Our question has to do with travel agents. Do we really need one or should we try to get around on our own with rental cars etc? It isn't so much the money as it is why insert a middleman. Enjoy the site but would like more on airline deals. That's something else we need to find.

A - If you are renting cars and staying at smaller hotels, you may want to do the trip on your own. You will be paying the travel agent commission built into nearly every travel transaction, and getting none of the benefits but that's ok if you think four voices giving directions will be fun. The value of the agent comes in if you want to, say, visit out-of-the-way islands or beaches, take cooking lessons, or participate in a village celebration or market. You also need to figure out if, in addition to an advisor, you need an advocate and a contact if something goes wrong. You as an individual have virtually no clout when making travel arrangements. You may want to do one week self-planned followed by a week planned by a consultant with knowledge and contacts in Greece.

Q - We are headed back to Amsterdam for our second visit but this time we want to stay at a smaller hotel that is in scale with the landscape and reasonably priced. We're tired of the chain hotels, the Marriott's and the Hiltons, that we've had our agent set up in the past. We always thought the larger hotels were safer. What do you think?

A - We think you might like the Hotel Patou. It is in a nice part of town with twelve rooms and you should be able to stay there for well under $300 per night. The safety issue is interesting. In theory, large US-type hotels are safer because they have security. Well, one of the reasons they have security is that they need it. No one ever goes looking for Americans in small hotels. It is easier to just bomb the Marriott. Of course, the major safety threat doesn't come from terrorists, it comes from obnoxious or drunk fellow guests. You may be more inclined to run into these folks in a small hotel. But with that said, you are mostly likely to be sharing a small hotel with locals and Brit's on a budget. The most dangerous decision might be to stay home, statistically speaking.

Q - I admit it. I'm confused as hell. I see 60% off, 55% off, free airfare from Denver, my home, onboard credits, included booze and tips etc. So how do I know when I am actually getting a real, honest-to-goodness deal? These cruise people are trying to confuse us and they are succeeding.

A - They are trying to create marketing buzz. But we do think that you are correct - the consumer is getting confused by all of these offers, some of which are simply bigger discounts off prices that were raised from the previous year. In other words, a cruise line can include the entire deal, or parts of it, by raising the brochure price on which the percentage off is based. To get to the bottom of each deal we recommend that you use the RCP (Real Cruise Price) formula discussed on our blog.

Q - We will be in Venice this November. We know it will be rainy and cold, but we are anxious to attend the opera and we want to stay away from the tourist crowds. Where should we stay and eat. Is it better to book through an agent or contact the hotels and restaurants directly? We are not five-star deluxe people but we also don't want to get bitten by fleas and have to go down the hallway to use the bathroom.

A - Try the Hotel do Pozzi near San Marco Square. It is a nice, 35-room quiet hotel, although be prepared for smallish rooms. You might also like the Hotel Kette near the opera house, La Fenice. It is nicely furnished and quite comfortable. Since you are going, partly, off season to enjoy the opera, you may want to have dinner at Ristorante al Theatro. Don;t be surprised to see many of the stars of the opera come here after a performance. An informal place that we like is Osteria Assassini. They are famous for their sea bass. Unless you are booking a package, it might be easiest to book directly with the hotel. Then ask the hotel concierge to make your dinner reservations. If you want the best offers at the best hotels, plus additional sightseeing services, you should go through a consultant.

Q - Awesome site and the Q and A is our favorite part. Now we actually get to use your advice. We are going to be in Nice to begin a med cruise on Seabourn. We love the line and are really looking forward to it. But we've been to Monaco and Nice twice before and we really want to see if we can arrive three or four days early and spend some time in Provence. We are fully aware that we may have a three or four hour ride from the Nice airport. Our question is simply where should we stay? We are interested in great food and we prefer charming to high-rise. We'd like to keep it under 800 Euros per night,if possible. In terms of feedback, we would just point out that there are a million web sites designed for those to whom price is everything. There are a great many of us who consider price and good value important, but lifetime experiences are even more important. So don't go overboard trying to save us money.

A - Actually our first recommendation is near the Parc Naturel Regional du Verdon, not much more then a two-hour drive from Nice. You definitely need to stay at Bastide de Moustiers, the lovely French village Inn run by famed French chef, Alain Ducasse. You should be able to stay here several hundred euros per night under your limit. This is a great area to use as a kicking off point to explore the outer reaches of Provence while coming home to the warmest kind of welcome and food that is actually inspiring. But Book early.

Q - We have been planning to spend a week or two this coming winter at the Four Seasons on the island of Nevis. First, we wonder if you would recommend the property. Secondly, why is it impossible to make a reservation. Has this place closed down? We are into golf, beaches, and fine food.

A - First things first. The Four Seasons Nevis has been sold but we have every reason to believe that it will continue to rank as one of the very top resort options in the entire Caribbean. Pinney's beach and the area in front of the resort suffered serious hurricane damage from Omar in October. Originally, the resort was set to re-open in November but these plans have been delayed. You should be able to book the resort within the next 30 days and, we suspect, you will have no trouble securing space in January or February.

Q - We were wondering of you've heard of this one before. We booked a cruise on the Regent Mariner for next July in Europe. Got a great deal from our AAA agency but we were charged an extra 3% on our credit card by Visa. Our agent knows nothing about this and the credit card customer service person says it is a Regent charge. I'd love to know what's going on here.

A - Well for starters, your credit card issuer is lying to you. Without asking anyone's permission, Regent processed your credit card through a branch of Deutsche Bank in Dublin, Ireland. Your Visa bank saw this as a foreign transaction and charged you the 3% foreign transaction penalty. Both Regent and Visa assume some responsibility. Visa, not Regent, levied the charge. But Regent knows the likely outcome when it processes cards through its bank in Dublin. There is a solution. Have you agent get Regent to give you back the 3% in the form of an onboard credit. They should be willing to do this. and you should not have to put up with this hassle.

Q - We love really great Spa services. We take four or five spa-oriented vacations a year but we just discovered this site and your truthful responses. Can you recommend a Spa that is a really nice destination and rather intimate as well as your favorite city-based spa? Both would have to provide access to wonderful, creative food. Thanks very much and please accept our congratulations.

A - For small, intimate, and in an area with great dining options, we would look at the Post Ranch Inn Spa in beautiful Big Sur, California. A close second would be the Amangani Health Center in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Our favorite city spa is The Four Seasons Boston, but that might have something to do with our warm feelings for Boston's current dining scene.If Boston doesn;t work for you, consider The Four Seasons in Chicago. You will find a world class spa and access to, what many food critics believe, is the best restaurant city in the nation. AS a fall back, there is always the Mandarin oriental in New York.

Q - My daughter, this earth's most adorable creature, will be marrying her Prince of Wall Street and they want to go to the Seychelles on their honeymoon. He can, quite frankly, afford to do it up right so we were wondering of this is a good idea and where they should stay. They are both very active and they love nature and are into conservation in a big way.

A - With 115 islands in the middle of the Indian Ocean, many of them deserted, the Seychelles may be the right choice. Frigate Island is THE place to stay bit prices start at over $3,000 per night on an all-inclusive basis. We are all in favor of this destination but if Frigate Island is not available we would look elsewhere. It is that special.

Q - We see that Silverseas is now offering up t0 60% off on some of its sailings in 2010 plus free airfare. This seems like THE "Real Deal". Is it? We were also wondering of the same offer applies to the Destination Ship that Silverseas operates? Antarctica is still a dream of ours.

A - It is absolutely the real deal. In fact, right now, it applies to all 2010 sailings and almost all also include free economy airfare from major gateway cities. This is one offer that will be withdrawn fairly quickly so you should contact your agent in the near term. The lovely expedition ship, the Prince Albert ll will have its own pricing model. Right now, 50% off, is the best deal.

Q - Our family of eleven is planning a cruise to Europe next June. We are looking seriously at an Oceania 10-night cruise between Athens and Barcelona. We got a mailing that said "Free Air" and when we spoke to the reservations person online we were told the air was free. But another member of our group contacted a cruise agency and was told that they could get a better price then the cruise line was quoting plus a credit of $800? Who is telling the truth here and is the air free or not?

A - You are not getting the travel truth stated clearly. The vast majority of cruise line advertised "Free Air" is not free at all. A portion of the true cost of the air is included in the cruise fare. When you do not take the cruise line's air, you will get the credit plus a lower cruise price based on "cruise only" rates. Typically, the free air would actually cost about $1800. You would receive both the $800 air credit and a lower cruise price of up to $1,000 off. Here is the rule: If the price of your cabin is the same, with or without the air thrown in, you have received a genuine "free" air offer. But that almost never happens. It seems rather amazing, to some, that in this day and age, major corporations can get away with advertising something as "free" when it clearly isn't. But they can and they do. The Oceania "Free Air" offer is other then it seems.

Q - We understand there is a new resort on St. Lucia that is really romantic and really unique. But I can't remember where I heard about it or what it's called?

A - You are referring to the new Jade Mountain which is not far from Soufriere. Think of stone paths that lead you to 24 loft accommodations. Each one is open on one side providing some WOW views of the cute little Piton Mountains, which would be called a hill in Switzerland. Jade was built by the folks who own Anne Chastanet - and although I have not heard of Oprah sightings Kathy Griffin could be pictured staying there. The thing about Jade though is that each loft comes with a small sun deck and infinity pool. The restaurant is terrific - it better be, you're a tad isolated. And remember - romantic translates in hotel lingo to no phones in the room or televisions.

Q - We're headed for the island of Lanai for a little R&R and the start of that novel that's been inside me for the past twenty-five or so years. Where should my honey and I be dining?

A - We have no problem with your choice. Hope you are staying at The Four Seasons Lodge at Koele.The Ocean Grill there is a personal favorite. Great food but you won;t notice given the views. Off property try the excellent Lanai City Grill in the old Lanai Hotel. Tough to get into on Friday or Saturday nights. Order anything designated "upcountry" or "country" and you'll be eating the best of true Hawaiian island cuisine. Oh, and don;t miss the Blue Ginger Cafe for breakfast and a walk around town. Sit outside and order the French Toast. Lanai is, by far, the most authentic and interesting of the islands in Hawaii. It is small, packed with locals, and home to only the two Four Seasons managed resorts.

Q - We found this site by accident and were wondering if you could advise if we should take our cell phone on a cruise that begins and ends in South America? We use Verizon if that's any help?

A - Welcome. It's good to have you here. Your best bet in Alaska is to leave the phone at home, get Verizon to give you a vacation credit, and let them rent you a phone designed to work in Brazil and Argentina. This will save you money on several levels and the phone may actually work.

Q - This is our first time on this site and we are very appreciative for the opportunity to get advice that comes without commercial interruption. It is truly like having the world's best travel agent sitting in front of us. Our question has to do with our concerns about flying Turkish Airlines. We are flying from New York to Istanbul for a cruise on Princess and we just received the schedule showing Turkish into Istanbul. The return is fine but we just don't know what to do at this point;. We leave in three weeks and our agent says it is too late to change. What should we do?

A - Well, first, I want you to stay calm. There is no problem. The Princess air department has actually done a good job in assigning you a non-stop flight. Rejoice. Turkish is a vastly-improved airline and they really hold their own when we are talking about their flights out of the States. Your agent is giving you good advice. There will be late fees and any fare you get at this point will be higher then what you paid Princess by 20-40%. If Turkish is flying a 777-300 rather then the Airbus 340 on the day you fly you may have a rather nice experience. If it's an Airbus 340, bring a portable video player and DVD's.

You are going to survive this experience. Just think about the fact that your luggage is traveling with you on your non-stop flight. A few words of Turkish spoken tot he flight crew will help immensely.

Q - My wife and I are booked, with another couple that is, shall we say, on the conservative side in terms of money. They're cheap is what they are. They keep telling us they refuse to pay for the ships transfers on our cruse from Piraeus to Civitavecchia (Athens to Rome). We keep reminding them they will be traveling with luggage but they feel they won;t have more then they can handle. The ship will overnight inn Athens and they want to go see the Acropolis on their own, without buying an expensive ship[s tour.They also want to see Pompeii from the port of Naples without buying an expensive ship excursion. Sorry to bother you with this - we love the site and thought other cruisers with cheap traveling companions might also find the answers helpful. We're sailing in September on Holland America. This will be our second cruise and our friend's first.

A - You've asked about three situations. We'll address that - your friends are your problem:

PIRAEUS - Here is the Athens secret. The port of Piraeus is about 40 minutes away from the Acropolis and the center of Athens. But there is a subway that stops at the port and it lets you off right at the bottom of the Acropolis. Figure 2 Euro for the subway plus admission to the Acropolis. You can do this tour on your own for less then 15 Euros per person. And the trains run often.

NAPLES - American cruisers are so worried about setting foot ashore in Naples that no one tells them that there is a train station less then 30 minutes from the pier area. The trains go directly to the front gate at Pompeii. You need to get to the Circumvesuviana Station (private train company) located near Neapolitan Central on Corso Garibaldi. You want the first train that goes to "Pompeii Scavi Villa Misteri." The trains run about every 30 minutes and the trip takes's 23 minutes. The entrance to Pompeii's archeological site opens at 8:30 am. and admission is 12 Euros. After returning to Naples, try some Neapolitan pizza or perhaps visit the National Archeological Museum before going back to the ship.

VENICE - You can sightsee Venice well simply by purchasing an all-day transportation pass for 11 Euros that allows you to get on and off the great network of water boats that crisscross the central city.The wonderful thing about exploring Venice on your own is that getting lost is easy and desirable. When you get tired of being away from the tourist herds, just ask a local to point you back in the direction of San Marco Square.

Q - We have family roots in Germany and we were wondering if you know of any company that specializes in tours for German Americans?

A - There actually is renewed interest in this subject since someone at the German National Tourist office figured out that there are more then 40 million Americans who can trace ancestors back to Germany. The first step for you would be to check out the web site, www.germanoriginality.com This site will give you the historical overview and the names of organizations involved in seeking out ones roots. We've spent time on this site and we think that any German-American will find useful information

Q - With all the deals out there, it seems that the cruise lines are really hurting. My husband and I were wondering if this means there won't be any new ships for us to look forward to in the coming years?

A - This year, 14 new ships will join the cruise fleet serving the North American market. This represents a $4.8 billion investment and increases capacity by about 5%. Next year, we are expecting a record 21 new ships, an estimated $14 billion investment. You should have lots of new ship options in the years to come. Whether they can operate at a profit - that's another story.

Q - We are looking forward to a trip to explore the five major towns of Cinque Terre next summer. Fortunately, for many reasons, we're able to travel pretty much at will, so I wanted to find out when you folks think is the best time to visit this part of Italy. we would be hiking, for the most part.

A - The month of May would be our first choice, followed by the last two weeks in September. Avoid October as there could be some heavy rain which tends to ruin the delicate footpaths between villages. August is unbearable - both hot and crowded with Italian tourists.

Q - I just got two quotes from my TA on a cruise on Silverseas that had a "Free Air" offer. The cruise-only quote with no air was almost $1,000 less per person then the so-called "Free Air" deal. What gives? If these figures are accurate, the free air is not so free.

A - You are correct sir. Only in the travel industry can you get away with advertising something is free and then turn around and charge for it. Don't blame Silverseas. This is standard industry practice. Technically, the "free" part is built into the quote with air cruise fare. But if you don;t use the air, you get a credit. The idea here is that the cruise consumer is supposed to be dumb enough to buy, what is essentially a scam. If your agent hadn't quoted it both ways, you may never have known. Free cruise air is almost never5 really free. Can anyone say "bait and switch".

Q - This September, we are taking an Oceania cruise from Barcelona to Venice. This cruise line's hotel prices before and after the cruise are outrageous. Can you suggest some low or moderately-priced hotels in each of these cities? And how do these cruise lines get away with charging so much?

A - Pre and Post hotel programs are offered to cruise guests as a convenience. No one would suggest they are a bargain. But they get a bad rap because no one ever explains that the rates are not hotel costs. The price charged by the cruise line includes a package of taxes, transfers, perhaps breakfast, return transfers between the ship/hotel and the services of in-lobby staff to look after guests and to set up sightseeing. Now that I've said that - yes, they are often a rip-off. You're not wrong. Do remember that if you are using the cruise line's air program, they will be charging you an air deviation to change the dates of your flights if you are not utilizing their hotel packages. So that adds an easy $200 to the cost of your "private" arrangements. and it could be more then that if a certain, cheap, "class of service" is not available on the day you wish to travel. This is a question that needs to be sorted out with your travel consultant since the cruise line will never be helpful on this subject.They do not recommend hotels outside their "packages". I am not going to list any "cheap" hotels because I avoid them like the plague for health and safety reasons. But here are some 3/4 star safe bets at a reasonable cost:

Ca' Pisani - Our 23-room gem near the Grand Canal has been discovered but it's still wonderful.

Oltre il Giardino - The six rooms in this lovely villa filled with antiques, are reached through a garden

Claris - A well-located former palace with modern interiors and terrific rooftop pool

The Cassanova - Near the artists quarter, this 124 newly-opened hotel; offers top-grade services.

Omm Hotel - Ultra-cool design at this 79-room stunner near the Psseig de Gracia shops.

Q - Can you stop talking about Europe for a moment and direct us to a restaurant, or two, in San Francisco where we might actually see some non-tourists dining? Love the site but think you're "giving it away."

A - There are times we think that as well. Try A16, a wonderful sun-drenched place on Chestnut in the Marina or Chapeau for great French food in a tight, comfy atmosphere in the Richmond district.

Q - We are going to be in Victoria, British Columbia this summer. It will be our second visit. We've already done the Butchart Gardens, and we were wondering of there is anything else you might suggest downtown?

A - Personal confession time. I love well-done miniatures, dioramas that mimic reality and show off the designers skills. Miniatureworld is one of the best exhibits I have ever seen - featuring several dozen dioramas, The most popular seems to be the Circus Exhibit. Amazing detail.

Q -Tell me it isn;t so - but is British Airways seriously thinking about charging those of us who fly in the back of the plane to use the loo? Rather then put up with that indignity, I will actually resort to travel by bus. What's the story here?

A - A lot of over reaction mostly. And you've got the wrong airline. The CEO of Ryanair, the Ireland-based budget carrier in Europe, floated the idea earlier this week. One Euro per use, a small coin slot, is the general idea. But based on reaction, and the potential for multiple lawsuits that could delay the implementation of this idea for years, it is unlikely to happen anytime soon. Yes, certain airlines would love to do it but it would seem to be potentially discriminatory and that;s where the problem lies.

Q - Don;t ask me why, but I find myself having an upcoming assignment to represent my company at a meeting in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. I need to have my company make the travel arrangements, have been following the site for several months now, and trust you will point me in the right direction. I understand the deal with women over there - no need to point it out. Thanks for the web site - it is the best I've seen so far but where are the Best Links? P. S. Thanks for keeping our phony identities secret. I could care less about the e-mail names attached to these questions.

A - I think you should try the new Corniche by Rosewood. It's a beautiful property. Request a room with a view of the Red Sea and ask for a room on the "woman's floor". Use your "butler" for any errands that need doing.

Q - What do you recommend in the way of a car rental in Costa Rica. We will be there for ten days but I can;t tell which company is really good from my online search?

A - No kidding. That's shocking since all online transactions are always truthful and ethical! Our advice on car rentals remains firm even though it could cost you more money: Always, whenever possible, rent from one of the major American firms. At the very least, that will give you access to the customer service departments in the US for resolutions of any problems. Overseas car rental problems are the stuff of legend when it comes to firms found on the internet.

Q - We are modern art lovers and we are wondering where in London we might find smaller galleries with up-and-coming street art? Also wondering if you would choose American, United, British Airways, or Virgin Atlantic for the flight over, all things being equal. Finally, is any of the fish and chips dangerous as in Salmonella etc?

A - In order - We think you should visit galleries around Chelsea and Soho first. But do go to the many galleries now featuring work by the elusive street artist known as "Banksy". He is one of the best-known Londoners at the moment,, and his street art is very much in demand. Flying over we would opt for Virgin followed by BA. Finally, like anywhere else, check out the cleanliness of the place you are eating. There are few health issues with fried fish and chips. The fish used is primarily cod or haddock. Just make certain to frequent places that seem popular with locals and you will really enjoy the experience.

Q - We were surprised that NCL is not on your list of the "Top Ten Cruise Lines".. We feel that they offer good value for the dollar and we like their innovative approach to dining. We were, therefore, shocked to learn that both the Pride of Aloha and the Pride of Hawaii are now gone. What's the real story on these Hawaii cruises? The lines who have tried it just don;t seem to be able to make it. I would think that Hawaii is made to order for island hopping on a ship.

A - Hawaii is just a tough go for the lines from an economy of scale perspective. You have to US flag your vessels so they can go from one American port to another. You can;t have a casino, a big revenue booster and, most significantly, you have to hire an American crew that receives U.S. benefits and wage scales. It is a cruise CFO's nightmare. Then there are the long flights, the availability of inexpensive land options, etc. etc.............

Q - I could not believe that I was recently charged for my baggage on a recent US Air flight to Pittsburgh. Are these people idiots? Do they really think the consuumer will pay for them to carry our liggage when we are already paying more then we should be for our seat,along with the lousy service and extra-cost food?

A - Yes. Get used to it. It is called "unbundling of fees" and it is the new mantra in the airline industry.

Q - We are planning a vacation in Santa Fe for our fifth anniversary. We've heard that the Anasasi Inn is a nice place to stay but it sounds real expensive What do you recommend? We like to watch our pennies.

A - Well, we recommend that youi get the name right first. It is called The Inn at Anasazi. With rooms starting at less than $400 a night, we feel it is not at all expensive. If you don't stay here, we would recommend you postpone your trip until your10th anniversary. This place is that special.

Q - A quick question that may be difficult, but we don;t know who else to ask? As former Renaissance and then Oceania guests, is the new Azamara as good? We'll understand if you don;t care to answer.

A - At present, we feel that Azamara aspires to offer what Oceania delivers on every sailing. On any given cruise, Azamara is as good. But Azamara still lacks the consistency that Oceania has achieved. I would wait one more year and then ask the question again. Royal Caribbean owns Azamara and they are not a company that stands still very long.

Q - The family and I are headed back to Alaska in June of next year for, believe it or not, our third Alaska Cruise. We're set on the cruise, two cabins on the Mariner, but we are looking for something a little "younger" then the Four Seasons Vancouver. Any recommendations for a small, upscale and somewhat "happening" hotel would be appreciated. The kids are in college, 21 and 23. And thanks for your review of Regent - we would have ended up on Holland America if we didn;t learn there was something far better.

A - Try to book the Opus Hotel in the Yaletown section of town. It is not perfect but it comes closest to meeting your needs. Insiders book the deluxe courtyard rooms.

Q - Your readers should know that when an airline tells you they are "protecting you" on another flight, they are probably lying. Our American flight to Madrid was cancelled and we were told that we were being protected by Lufthansa through Munich. When we trudged over to Lufthansa they refused to let us on the flight. We missed the first day of our va action in Prague. Any way to avoid this happening again? I couldn't believe the way we were treated.

A - There is one thing you should have done. Be certain to request the FTM from the airline bumping you. This needs to be turned in to the airline accepting their booking. You didn;t have an FTM, that is likely why you weren't allowed on the flight. Discuss this procedure wiuth your travel agent.

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 – 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 - – 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.