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Darcy Flarity's Blog

March 25, 2009

Aisle take that seat!

I have usually taken an aisle seat for most of my air journeys as I prefer the ease of sliding out to a washroom when the need is upon me.   Recent evidence sheds a different light on this preference.  The Lancet, a British medical journal,  suggests that deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or clots that obstruct blood flow and can lead to immobilization, occur mostly in people sitting in non-aisle seats on flights more than 8 hours long.  Even more interesting is that business class seats had little effect in reducing this risk, unless it was an aisle seat.  Some of the theory is that you are more inclined to get up and walk around when you are in an aisle seat on those longer flights.  And, if you were ever worried about your health risk from people hacking and coughing around you, the risk of you getting infected is confined to those within 2 rows of you.   Nice to know but you can't always choose your seat companions, even if you are in an aisle seat, although escaping the sneezing might be easier!

The 4 1/2 year Passport

Canadian passports are valid for 5 years, or so one would think.  In actual fact they are really only valid for 4 and one half years.  This was reinforced to me personally  when I was planning a trip for this May.  I casually checked my passport and saw that it was due to expire in Oct of 2009 which was only 5 months forward.   It is a requirement for most countries in the world that your passport be valid for 6 months beyond your intended date of return.   Ostensibly, this is to ensure that your status remains valid for travel should you be hospitalized, or worse, incarcerated at your destination.  So, I am marching off to get new photos taken and fill in a new passport application.  Thankfully there is a new easy renewal form for existing passport holders that eliminates the need for a guarantor or proof of citizenship.  The new passport can generally be issued to you within 10 days if you appear at the local passport office (St Catharines - 43 Church St., Landmark Bldg, 6th floor) in person.  So, a word to the wise, is to check your current passport if you are travelling later this year.  Also, as of June of this year you will require a passport to enter the USA by land travel - no ifs, ands, or buts!

Oceania Cruises - Historic Price Reductions

Oceania is a premium plus cruise line which specializes in  small ship ambiance with only around 700 guests per departure.  It is a cruise line positioned above the likes of Holland America, Celebrity, and Princess, with an emphasis on fine dining and understated elegance in a cosy, almost country club atmosphere.  If you ever wanted to try a true upscale cruising experience without the cost, now is the time.
From now until March 31st Oceania is having a Fifth Anniversary sale and if ever there was a so called "Stimulus Package", this is it.   Winter sailings for 2010 to traditional Caribbean hot spots and a host of exotic spots llike Asia, South America, and the South Pacific have incredible bargains.  For example, there are up to $1500.00 per person price reductions, 2 for 1 cruise fares with free airfare, and prepaid gratuities with a $500.00 per cabin shipboard credit!  These prices are only in effect until March 31st and the inventory is capacity controlled, so call me now for a quote on a truly luxurious holiday!

Alaska Cruise Deals

With the snow blowing and the wind howling outside it is pretty tough to think about an Alaska Cruise.  But, if you have thoughts of doing it this year or ever,  this is the time of year to make your plans, especially for travel in 2009.  There are discounts virtually for the whole season which runs from May to September.  Shipboard credits and other amenities are often added in as well with cruise fares the best for early and late season sailings.
Princess just announced a specially priced cruise/tour which is NOT in their 2009 Alaska brochure.  The departure is May 26th and leaves from Seattle.  The package includes an overnight hotel in Seattle; the flight from Seattle to Anchorage; 2 nights at McKinley Lodge; 1 night at Denali Lodge with sightseeing; the cruise one way from Whittier to Vancouver and the bus back to Seattle.  The price for a Cat BA balcony cabin is $2138.00 CAD and includes the taxes!  Unbelievable!  I haven't seen a deal like this to Alaska, well, actually, never!

Aeroplan Redemptions still attract fuel surcharge for flights in North America

 Ah Aeroplan!   Everybody's favourite travel rewards program!   Not really.   Along with the ongoing frustration of never being able to use your Aeroplan points for travel, or so it seems,  Aeroplan still continues to assess a fuel surcharge on your "free" flights for travel within North America.  It was $84.00 until yesterday, but has now been reduced to $54.00.  Air Canada and other airlines eliminated fuel surcharges  for travel in  Canada about 4 months ago, so it seems strange that Aeroplan continues to collect the fee.    The Aeroplan rationale is that the Classic Rewards program (the lowest number of miles required for a redemption) has not increased the number of points required for travel since 2004, whereas fuel prices have increased by 66%.  This is likely true, but a free trip is a free trip and instead of having a whole host of hidden fees they should just up the number of miles/points required to travel.   This seems to be just another in a long line of infuriating surcharges or levies that are added on to your flights.   The charge for pillows and blankets was bad enough but the 25 cents required to get in the bathroom will be the breaking point!  Will that be next?

Airport hotel eases winter driving stress

I awoke the other morning (3:00 AM!) to the sound of ice pellets cracking against my bedroom window.  I was a little distressed as I planned to drive to a meeting in Toronto later that day.  Wisely, the meeting was cancelled, but I couldn't help but think about other people, possibly some of you, on the road at that moment to the airport to catch an early morning flight.  Winter driving can be a challenge at the best of times, but its not the best way to start a holiday.  So, why not get an airport hotel the night prior and save yourself the stress.  Vision 2000 has a preferred stopover rate at the Crowne Plaza Toronto Airport, and for $139.00 you can get a great room, free parking for your car, and transfers to and from the airport.   Enjoy a meal, take a dip in the pool and a great night's sleep before starting your well earned winter break!

Travel Deals! Why not on air flights?

A number of travel deals abound these days on packages, especially to the favourite Canadian hot spots of Mexico, Dominican Republic and Cuba.   An excess of room inventory and air seats have spurred the major tour operators to drastically reduce prices and the better deals appear to be those that are booked well in advance.  Deals abound for February and March from nervous operators trying to avoid the usual last minute rush from winter weary Canadians.  However, this does not appear to be the case if you are trying to book an air flight across the Atlantic or Pacific this winter.  Most airlines have hedged their fuel prices to oil at $90.00 per barrel.  Even though we have near historic lows for our gas prices at the pump, most airlines are locked into higher fuel prices, at least for the short term.  A recent example was a flight to Munich from Toronto with Air Canada.  The fare of approx $850.00 had a fuel surcharge component of $224.00!  This too, in time, will change, but not if you are travelling in the next few months.  So now you know!