Cruises To Mexico Ports Stopped By Big Cruise Lines
World’s largest cruise lines suspended all routes to Mexico ports on Tuesday as recommended by the U S Centers for Disease Control and prevention Cruise lines now send their ships to other ports such as Santa Catalina Island or San Diego, or stay afloat for a longer time to avoid docking in the country where the swine flu outbreak originated This would mean more cruise ship business for the ports in Southern California . .A spokeswoman for the San Diego Convention and Visitor Bureau welcomes the cruise ships and the passengers and tells them “It’s a great place for cruisers to visit ” . . .Donna Harris, marketing director for the visitors bureau on Catalina, where cruise ships ferry passengers to shore in small boats says “We hate to benefit from some else’s misery, but it’s great if we get cruise ships every day for seven days straight” . .A refund is unlikely to those passengers who are already on on board cruise ships because of the changes on the cruise activities or plans but travelers who are scheduled for a cruise to Mexico ports are offered a few options like switching to a ship with different route . ."We understand there will be some disappointment," expresses Karen Candy, a spokeswoman for Princess Cruises and adds "We hope people will understand that this is beyond our control " . .Here is the list of all the cruise lines who stopped all travel to Mexico Ports .Carnival Corporation .Royal Caribbean Cruises .Princess Cruises (owned by Carnival Corporation) .Holland America Line .and Norwegian Cruise Line . .Cruise Lines International Association says that Mexico is one of the world’s top 10 destination for a cruise, having an almost 6 5 million passengers in 2008 And with the decision to stop cruises to Mexico, this would be a hit to Mexico’s economy as it will decrease business for local hotels, bars, tourist destinations and establishments that provides services to cruise ships and their passengers . .So far, there are no cases of swine flu that have been reported on any cruise ships that have docked in Mexico .
Source: www.rsstnx.com

Plan On The Run: Last Minute Vacations
Many things happen in life which cannot be predicted. Depending on certain employment situations, or unforeseen events in scheduling, vacation time can be granted with short notice. In the grand scheme of things, it does not matter why, but is important to be able to take advantage of the time allotted. A bittersweet spot to find yourself in, planning a vacation at the last minute is not an impossible task. Your initial reaction is a sense of dread that you will be stuck with a higher priced vacation because of the short notice. Also, you may be kicking yourself for not planning ahead. Although planning a vacation at the last minute is not ideal, there may be good news. Last minute vacations can bring bargains not found in other situations. It Is All Part of the Package Trying to get a flight at the last minute can be intimidating. Stress becomes more prevalent when people are rushed, and trying to book a flight and hotel reservation at the last minute can definitely produce some stress. When you are short on time, you may feel that you are at the mercy of whatever you find. Even though your choices may be limited, there are still ways to save money on your vacation. By purchasing a deal that combines your flight with lodging, some savings can be made. Open seats on airplanes can be tied into other parts of a vacation package, and, when bought as a single unit, are sold at a discounted price. Not only will you end up with a booked flight that is cheaper than it would be were you to buy it on its own, but you will already have your lodging and possibly a rental car booked for your vacation. Finding a great package deal at the last minute is very possible and a great way to use the brief time available when planning a vacation at the last minute. Booking a Hotel Room at the Last Minute Booking a hotel room can be complicated process even if you have plenty of time to work with. Any complications or complexities are, of course, heightened if time is a factor. Your best bet is to shop around online. In many cases, if you cannot find a package deal and are forced to book a hotel room separate from your flight arrangements, your choices may be increased but so will the price. This may seem like a dire situation but all is not lost. In fact, seeking the best price on a room at a great hotel can actually be easier at the last second. Contact the hotel shortly before you would like to stay there and ask if they have any openings. Hotels often offer rooms at a discounted price close to your chosen stay when they are still available. As you scramble to make vacation plans at the last minute, it is crucial to have a backup plan in place. Find an inexpensive hotel close to your vacation destination and book a room there. Make sure that this particular hotel allows for late cancellations. By booking a room at a cheaper hotel, you can make sure that you will have someplace to stay. This way your bases are covered, and you stand a very good chance of getting a great deal on the hotel in which you would to prefer to stay. The Joy of “Cruising” For Deals Booking a vacation at the last minute is never a lost cause, even if the vacation desired is a cruise vacation. People tend to book cruises ahead of time. Oftentimes, they are booked far in advance. This would make it seem as though there is little hope for the last minute cruise enthusiast, but this is not true. Although cruises tend to be booked early, sometimes reservations are cancelled shortly before the actual cruise. Cruise companies have a need to fill their ships with as many vacationers as possible. The more vacationers they can occupy their cruise ships with the better. In order to get these open spots filled, cruise companies may offer reduced rates. Your position as a last minute vacationer can give you access to these last second sales and send you on a dream cruise without breaking the bank. Always Ask Questions It is important to point out that just because you are in a special situation, these potential deals may not be instantly offered to you. Asking the right questions is the best way to find out what is available. You may wind up being pleasantly surprised at the deals available, but only if you ask questions and are persistent. Stick to your guns, and remember that sometimes airlines, hotels and cruise companies find themselves in last minute jams similar to your situation. Planning a last minute vacation can be stressful, but it does not have to be. Now that you know that there are many possibilities available, and even some advantages, to planning a vacation at the last minute, this process should go a bit more smoothly. It is possible to find great deals in any circumstance. Make sure to stay positive, ask questions and try not to get stressed out. And, most importantly, enjoy your vacation!Lisa Parker is a freelance writer who writes about topics and tips involving the travel industry and vacation deals, often discussing specific subjects such as hotels and cheap flights at http://www.flightcentre.ca/flights/.
Source: www.ArticlePros.com

Msc Cruises Announces Partnership With Olympus
(Ft Lauderdale, Fla )– MSC Cruises recently announced a partnership with the Olympus Corporation of Japan, world leader in the manufacture of optical systems and innovative Non-Destructive Testing devices used in industry This agreement is designed to guarantee the safety of machinery and equipment aboard the MSC Cruises fleet using the latest technological innovation to be employed in the shipbuilding industry, the portable video-scope IPLEX-FX . .The IPLEX-FX features a 6 5" anti-glare, transreflective LCD monitor, a highly portable control unit housed in a magnesium chassis which is water/dust/shock proof and a flexible probe that can be used to inspect engines, hull bulkheads and auxiliary equipment and installations By using Remote Visual Inspection, MSC Cruises technicians will quickly be able to check the remote, hard-to-access areas without having to perform expensive disassembly It is particularly useful for identifying occlusion of tubes and filters, cracks, and corrosion due to rust . . .The probe is resistant to harsh environments, can be immersed in fluids and features an articulating tip controlled by joystick, which can be rotated through 360 degrees The head of the instrument features interchangeable optical tip adaptors, incorporating a high-intensity LED illumination system and a CCD sensor to capture high-resolution images and movies that can be viewed on the monitor and stored in the control unit . .According to Emilio La Scala, General Manager MSC Cruisetech, MSC’s target is to maintain high standards of efficiency, reliability and security for the entire fleet . ."Thanks to the video-scope we can guarantee smooth routine and ad hoc maintenance of our ships, achieving substantial financial benefits by avoiding unnecessary delays and intervening in a targeted, planned and timely way," said La Scala . .Innovation and quality are fundamental, unwavering principles for the Olympus Group, according to Gianpietro Rebughini, Managing Director of Olympus Italia . ."The vast experience and continuous evolution of medical endoscopy has contributed to the development of a technology for high performance industrial applications, now perfected in the new IPLEX FX range," said Rebughini . .About MSC Cruises . .MSC Cruises currently has the most modern fleet in the world with nine ships: MSC Fantasia (the largest ship ever built for a European ship owner), MSC Poesia, MSC Orchestra, MSC Musica, MSC Sinfonia, MSC Armonia MSC Opera, MSC Lirica, MSC Melody, cruising in the Mediterranean year round and seasonally in Northern Europe, the Atlantic Ocean, the Caribbean, North and South America, the Indian Ocean and South Africa MSC Splendida and MSC Magnifica will be launched, respectively, in 2009 and 2010 MSC Cruises is the only company to receive the “6 Golden Pearls” award from the Bureau Veritas in recognition of its high level of quality management and environmental protection . .About Olympus . .Olympus is a well-known global manufacturer of high quality optical products Olympus provides innovative monitoring instruments used in industrial applications and research, ranging from the aerospace, energy production, petrochemical, automotive, civil infrastructure and naval to consumer products Olympus instruments contribute to product quality and enhance the security of infrastructure and facilities Our cutting-edge technologies include systems for remote visual inspection, high-speed video cameras, ultrasound, ultrasound phased array, eddy current and microscopes .
Source: www.rsstnx.com