Pearl Harbor: New Visitors Center & Video Tribute
The new $56 million dollar Pearl Harbor Visitor Center was dedicated on December 7, 2010, at a gathering of thousands who came to commemorate the 69th anniversary of the attack. The new Center rests atop hundreds of pilings driven up to 200 feet into the ground and boasts an area of 24,000 square feet, twice the size of the old center which dated from 1980. The new Center includes interactive exhibits, a remastered version of the 26 minute film visitors view before going to the USS Arizona Memorial, a new bookstore, and a central ticketing agency for visits to the Arizona Memorial, the "Mighty Mo" (USS Missouri battleship), and the USS Bowfin submarine tour. Visitors enjoying the new Center give it highest praise. Special praise goes to the exquisite, dignified film presentation that prepares visitors for the Arizona Memorial exhibit. Our nine minute tribute film to the American heroes who died during the Pearl Harbor attack is entitled "Pearl Harbor Remembered."
Here, There, & Everywhere
Norwegian Cruise Lines
Studio Stateroom for Solo Cruisers - How Cool is this? For those who travel alone, NCL has designed a studio stateroom, first introduced on the Norwegian Epic in 2010. Grandest of all, the studio staterooms are priced without the onerous burden of a single supplement surcharge. No wonder the studio staterooms are selling out faster than most other stateroom categories (suites and villas remain the top sellers). Without a doubt, all the cruise lines are keeping a sharp eye on this welcomed innovation for single travelers. Or for those who are traveling with friends or family but simply prefer a private accommodation. Kudos to you, NCL!
Norwegian Cruise Line's "Breakaway" NCL's new 4,000 passenger ship, which debuts in May of next year, will offer cruises from New York to the Bahamas and Florida for its winter itinerary. The 144,000 ton ship will be the largest based year round in New York. It is currently under construction in a German shipyard.
A Modern Reality: Travel Agency Service Fees Since the airlinies ceased paying commissions to travel agencies, times have been difficult indeed for all travel agencies. Many have subsequently gone out of business. A recent survey indicated that 88% of agencies now charge service fees.
Conde Naste Traveler's Readers Select Best 2 U.S. Islands No big surprise here: Maui and Kauai. Interestingly, next winners in island popularity were the Big Island of Hawaii, Oahu, and Lanai. Over 28,000 readers of the magazine participated in the survey.
Delta Moves to Own the New York Air Market Delta has gained federal approval to swap take-off and landing slots with US Airways, thereby expanding its grip on LaGuardia airport. By relinquishing 42 pairs in the Washington, DC, Reagan International Airport, Delta gains 132 more LaGuardia slot pairs in New York. Strengthening its domestic hub at LaGuardia obviously aggrandizes its international presence at John F. Kennedy airport.
EU Emissions Trading Fee
The European Union has decided unilaterally to impose fees on all airline flights into the 27 nations which comprise the European Union plus three other adjacent countries as a means of making the airlines pay for their CO2 emissions. Delta has already announced the imposition of a $3.00 surcharge each way on flights between the United States and Europe. Delta has not stated whether this surcharge is specifically to reduce the burden of the EU fees. No one is certain what the impact on these fees could be, but some have estimated that they could eventually increase fares from $50 to $90. The United States, along with China and India, have claimed that such fees, unilaterally imposed, are violations of their sovereignty.