We need new man-overboard systems. Since January 2020 undetected incidents have gone up to 37. That’s far too many. Earlier this month, 28-year-old Tyler Barnett was on the Carnival Glory. On a Sunday night, he was last seen at about 11:40 p.m. Man-overboard...
With a more active hurricane season than normal, many travelers want to know if cruising during the hurricane season in hurricane belts across the globe is safe. I’ve got the answers for you here. It is hurricane season. Hurricane Ophelia is bearing down on my...
The Jones Act in Alaska kept cruise ships at port. A waiver frees them. Almost a dozen years ago Senator John McCain introduced legislation to repeal the 1920 “Jones Act.” Now Congress deliberates again. An exception to the Jones Act in Alaska can be a...
Passengers with food allergies on a cruise can sail safely. However, they must inform their cruise line of their dietary restrictions. Several years ago, I went to the breakfast buffet on a Baltic cruise and saw golden pancakes. All the placards in front of them said,...
It’s time for the cruise industry to begin installing “man overboard” systems on all cruise ships immediately so they can detect incidents in real-time to better ensure rescues. According to news reports, at about 3 am on May 17, while traveling from...
The cruise industry hailed the CDC for dropping their COVID cruise travel alerts, saying it shows cruising is safe. Does it really mean that? Lately, the travel question I’m asked the most is, “Now that the CDC dropped cruise travel alerts, is it safe to take a...
These accomplishments have been achieved by working closely with our members, national media, the travel industry, the Department of Transportation (DOT), Congress and many other agencies.
– Removal of restaurant fees from DC area eateries — this is an ongoing project
– Creation of DOT Dashboard to outline consumer rights after cancellation of a flight
– Bi-partisan bill to eliminate hotel resort fees introduced into House of Representatives
– Creation of the Advisory Committee for Aviation Consumer Protections
– Advertised airfares now include airfare plus, mandatory taxes and fees
– Lost/damaged/delayed luggage compensation limit increased to $3,800
– Passengers have 24 hours to change or cancel their nonrefundable tickets without penalty
– Once an airfare is purchased, that airfare and ancillary fees cannot be increased
– Families flying together act passed by Congress that requires family members 13 years of age and younger to sit with other family members at no additional cost.
