Journeyetc

Flights cancelled by Virgin Blue make travellers angry
US ATA reduces its travel fears now
Agents from the US welcomes warmly by the Jamaicans
Travelers in financial lurch as Cruise West terminates cruises abruptly
Base2stay Hotel Opens in Liverpool
Eiffel Tower on the hit list of Osama Bin Laden
The prestigious World Travel Awards won by DFDS Seaways
Belfast Traffic arrangement to be announced soon
Last week – 10% off 2 Nights 10/10/10 offer

Flights cancelled by Virgin Blue make travellers angry

Posted: 06 Oct 2010 11:03 AM PDT

Virgin Blue cancelled various flights and even stopped all online bookings for almost three days. The company tries to bring their computer system online again after a meltdown that stranded a large number of passengers.
The airlines report that the technical glitch that took place has now been repaired and the entire system will be operation from later today i.e. 6th of October 2010. The backup system which was expected to work within three hours however did not offer any relief till 21 hours from the problem.

Melissa Thompson, a spokeswoman from Virgin Blue stressed that the flight cancellations were all the part of this switch. It is now hoped that the all the bookings and flights will start working soon in order to offer relief to the travellers. Thompson further confirmed that sixteen flights had been cancelled but the passengers were adjusted on other flights.
Virgin Blue's telephone booking and online booking services will be not available till 5:00 a.m. Thursday i.e. 7th of October.

Also, the kiosk check in, web check in as well as check mate services will also remain out of work till that time. This means that the travellers will have to check in themselves at particular terminal desks in order to board the flights.

In fact, the booking system of the airlines crashed on 26th September resulting in over 100 delays and cancellations. Even after the cancellations and delays, Virgin Blue still remains to be confident that the flights will run like before very soon.

US ATA reduces its travel fears now

Posted: 06 Oct 2010 11:02 AM PDT

Officials at Air Transport Association, US have now shifted to reduce their fears and worries over traveling to Europe after the issue of a serious travel alert. ATA, the body that highlights the interests of big US airlines reported that it is business for the carriers that operate transatlantic services even after the issue of such an alert by the US State Department.

An official from the ATA department stressed that it the alert is not telling the Americans to prevent traveling all over the Atlantic. Reports suggest that there might be an al-Qaida affiliated attack on big European city in the days to come. US airlines further stated that there was no instant surge in the ticket cancellations after the statement was released by the State Department.

Speaking to the reporters, Patrick Kennedy, the under secretary of state for management stressed that the alert was actually based on 'cumulative effect' in the recent times. The US citizens looking forward to travel in Europe have been asked to register with consulates and embassies of the US so that if there is any kind of assistance required, they may be able to help.

Americans were even asked to take precautionary measures as far as their personal safety is concerned. Also, the foreign ministry of Japan issues a warning that cautioned the Japanese citizens to be alert while making use of public transport in Europe.

Even the UK government has cautioned people traveling to Germany or France about the raised threat prevailing there.

Agents from the US welcomes warmly by the Jamaicans

Posted: 06 Oct 2010 11:00 AM PDT

About 500 American agents are paying a visit to the Jamaican island as a part of "Wish You Were Here" program that was specially organized by JTB along with other private sector organizations. JTB is popularly known as the Jamaica Tourist Board. Travel agents from the US have descended on the Jamaican grounds as the island bolsters its great universal profile.

Edmund Bartlett, the tourism minister welcomed this familiarizing program and reported that this venture will help people to understand that Jamaica is truly a great destination like it was in the past and will continue to be so. He further added that they established the venture not just in America, Europe and Canada but even wishes to bring other partners to this destination in order to let them be on the beach, in hotels, moving around and interacting with the people of Jamaica.

The actual test for the Jamaicans is the airlifts that they get, the amount of seats that are available for winter season, the level of advance bookings that they get through traditional sources and through social media along with other reservation systems.

What is more interesting to find is that the tourism board has specially designed fourteen itineraries which crisscrossed half of north coast, south coast's Whitehouse and the west coast till the Negril.

Also, about eight hotels in Jamaica donated various blocks of accommodation, handling the bookings and fares along with JTB picking the tab. This move will surely be a hit in Jamaica thereby attracting more foreign tourists to their land.

Travelers in financial lurch as Cruise West terminates cruises abruptly

Posted: 06 Oct 2010 10:59 AM PDT

When the popular Cruise West shut its gates on September 18, it left the travelers as well as travel agents in complete problem. Travelers do not know how to get their money back for the cancelled cruises.

Travelers with good travel insurance can immediately contact their insurers in order to get their money refunded. Even those who made the payments using credit cards can ask the operators to cancel such transactions. But those who paid the amount by check or cash can claim report at 877-371-9700 against Cruise West. Also, people who are not featured with any travel insurance and were to leave from some foreign port can contact www.ustoa.com.

Cruise West abruptly stopped the cruises in September after decades of sailing from Seattle to Alaska along with other destinations like Snake rivers from Portland and even Columbia. The company even has cruises that move to Central America, Mexico and other parts including the months long travel. But these cruises were abruptly terminated in eastern Canada thereby leaving the travelers and others in financial lurch.

The Commission required surety bonds of Cruise West are underwritten by Travelers Casualty and Surety Company, America, Fidelity and Deposit Company, Maryland and Westchester Fire Insurance Company. These bonds are applicable to the passenger deposits and fares for the company's vessels which were scheduled to take passengers from the different US ports. However these binds do not offer reimbursement for the amount of air travel, hotel expenses and other costs which do not include water transportation and other related services.

Base2stay Hotel Opens in Liverpool

Posted: 06 Oct 2010 10:58 AM PDT

Liverpool ranks as the United Kingdom's fourth largest city. The legendary fame of The Beatles adds to the city's lure as a prime destination for tourist and as the pride of its locals. Given such status, you'd expect Liverpool to be teaming with rows of hotels and inns for its tourists, however, it seems that even the high-class Hard Day's Night hotel, which is said to be Liverpool's leading hotel, has lost some of its flair. Nevertheless, the opening of another Liverpool hotel might just stir things up a bit.

The new Base2stay Liverpool hotel, the sister hotel of Base2stay Kensington, opened in the "RopeWalks" just near the UNESCO World Heritage area. The brand new Base2stay Liverpool hotel offers 106 rooms. Its location is strategic as it is a short walk away from Liverpool's main train station, the Albert Docks, the Liverpool One—a shopping haven in Merseyside, and rows after rows of the city's famous clubs, shops, bars, and restos.

The structure is a former historic building that dates back to the 1850's. The hotel's guests can choose from single rooms to the famed deluxe rooms that cover two levels. The room accommodations at the new Base2stay Liverpool hotel kick off £65 and £75 for single and double rooms respectively. Unfortunately, these rates are exclusive of breakfast. But the rooms are lovely clad in a black and grey color combination, brick walls, and shades of green. The rooms also have complimentary Wi-Fi, kitchenettes, wide bathrooms, and a round-the-clock Concierge Service for the guests' every bidding.

Eiffel Tower on the hit list of Osama Bin Laden

Posted: 06 Oct 2010 10:57 AM PDT

Hotels, tourist spots and airports all across the Europe are on the hit list of Osama bin Laden as per some reliable intelligence sources. It is expected that the extremists of Al-Qaida are plotting a massacre at a plethora of European sites like Notre Dame Cathedral and Eiffel Tower in Paris along with Hotel Adlon, the Alexanderplatz television tower, Berlin, as reported by Fox News.

The counter terrorism professionals fear that Laden might order some terrorizing attacks including operatives in the land of Pakistan and victims in France and Germany. The alert said that the US people are reminded of the terrorist attack that can take place in tourist sites and in transportation systems.

Even the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Australia reviewed as well as reissued warnings for both Germany and France but the warning remained on the exercise caution only. Despite the alert and warnings, the Eiffel Tower continues to grab the attention of worldwide visitors and travellers.

Renee Lavine, Fort Worth in Texas reported that one can just be a terrorist when people become terrorized. The British authorities have warned the citizens of Germany and France that the terror alert was high rather than being just general. The French officials evacuated the site twice.

The British Museum stands just a few lanes away from where the bus exploded in suicide bombings which killed over 50 people in Paris in the year 2005.

It is high time that we should not terrorize or fear but face the problems like this with patience and brotherhood.

The prestigious World Travel Awards won by DFDS Seaways

Posted: 06 Oct 2010 10:53 AM PDT

The popular DFDS Seaways, the cruise ferry operator is now sailing on crest of waves when it won the Oscar award for being the top operator in the entire travel industry. The operator won the award for fourth successive year this time.

The WTA or World Travel Awards honored DFDS Seaways with Europe's Leading Long Sea Ferry Operator at the awards function in Europe. WTA is world known to be the highest accolade in the travel industry along with being voted by over 185,000 professionals from the travel sector.

Since the last few years, DFDS Seaways has gained great heights and won some fiercely sought after rewards in cut throat competition including this recent award. The company is popular worldwide for putting its wins and present high passenger numbers reduced to its standard onboard providing with live entertainment, customer service, bars, restaurants and Kids' club.

John Crummie, the Managing Director of DFDS Seaways quote that the WTA are taken to be just like Oscars in the travel industry. It serves to be a testament for the hard work and dedication done by DFDS Seaways that they have been titled the leading operator of travel industry in the whole Europe. The company has clearly highlighted that they are leading way within the travel industry and will continue to do so with their quality and reliable ferry operations.

The WTA follows the operator's acquisition of the famous Norfolkline that makes it one among the largest ferry companies in Europe that operates both freight and passenger routes from Ireland, Scotland, Northern Island, England, Belgium, Denmark, France, Holland, Norway, Lithuania, Sweden and Germany.

Awards honored DFDS Seaways with Europe's Leading Long Sea Ferry Operator at the awards function in Europe. WTA is world known to be the highest accolade in the travel industry along with being voted by over 185,000 professionals from the travel sector. Since the last few years, DFDS Seaways has gained great heights and won some fiercely sought after rewards in cut throat competition including this recent award. The company is popular worldwide for putting its wins and present high passenger numbers reduced to its standard onboard providing with live entertainment, customer service, bars, restaurants and Kids' club. John

Crummie, the Managing Director of DFDS Seaways quote that the WTA are taken to be just like Oscars in the travel industry. It serves to be a testament for the hard work and dedication done by DFDS Seaways that they have been titled the leading operator of travel industry in the whole Europe. The company has clearly highlighted that they are leading way within the travel industry and will continue to do so with their quality and reliable ferry operations. The WTA follows the operator's acquisition of the famous

Norfolkline that makes it one among the largest ferry companies in Europe that operates both freight and passenger routes from Ireland, Scotland, Northern Island, England, Belgium, Denmark, France, Holland, Norway, Lithuania, Sweden and Germany.

Belfast Traffic arrangement to be announced soon

Posted: 06 Oct 2010 10:49 AM PDT

The Regional Development Department will soon reveal a "traffic scheme" for the city of Belfast. To start soon, the plan is aimed to resolve the really bad traffic conditions at the city center.

There is a strong clamor to follow the example of British cities and to pedestrianise the shopping district.

In 2009, Jim Rodgers, councilor of Ulster Unionist and past Lord Mayor pushed for Belfast city's pedestrianisation as an urgent matter.

Rodgers insists that safety and health issues should come ahead of the financial considerations.

Talking about the increasing accidents linking vehicles hitting pedestrians into the city, he told that there is different analysis regarding the pedestrianisation problem, and it is obvious that pointless deaths have to be prevented and avoided at every cost.

Last week – 10% off 2 Nights 10/10/10 offer

Posted: 06 Oct 2010 12:18 AM PDT

Everyone deserves to be pampered once in awhile while saving a little money! Right now you can save on 3 and 4 Star Hotels with rooms starting at $99 dollars or less!

It is also the last week of our 10/10/10 sale where you can save 10% on any two nights by using the coupon code OCTOBER10 – the perfect deal for that weekend getaway!