Let American Airlines die, please!

It's been a good news, bad news kind of day for me.

Good news: American Airlines filed for bankruptcy.

Bad news: American Airlines will continue to fly.

AA is the last of the big American carriers to file for bankruptcy protection - a cute ploy by which they pay off creditors about 25 cents on every dollar they owe and get yet another excuse to raise fares and charge for extra baggage, etc., when they resurface as a "restructured" airline.

Just as people are occupying Wall St., airline passengers should be occupying airports demanding this bankruptcy tactic be stopped. Not only are we being gouged as passengers but also as taxpayers because governments lose money when airlines take this bankruptcy route.

If just one of these big carriers was allowed to fall from the sky, the bankruptcy practice would soon stop.

There's not an American carrier that deserves to be flying - AA, Southwest, Continental, et al are the worst airlines in the world and they've been bankrupt of good ideas on how to improve service for years.

Tough times at Thomas Cook

It appears Thomas Cook is in trouble again.

Fears that the beleaguered British tour operator/airline could fall from the corporate sky any time now was heightened this morning when Associated Press reported that the company’s already devalued stock lost another 75 per cent of its value on news that Thomas Cook is again seeking “new agreements” with its main creditors.

If even one of those creditors refuses to renegotiate, Thomas Cook could very well collapse.

That could have serious consequences for Thomas Cook’s Canadian subsidiaries, which include Sunquest Holidays and Bel-Air Travel.

Thomas Cook, which took 22 million people on vacation trips last year, has been in free fall for several years now thanks mainly to the depressed travel market in Europe - especially Great Britain - as well as after making some ill-timed corporate purchases.

The announcement comes just one month after Thomas Cook announced it had negotiated new funding arrangements with creditors to carry it through the slow winter months.

Sooner or later, the creditors will start saying “no” and then all bets are off on Thomas Cooks’ future.

In the meantime, Thomas Cook is insisting that all its flights will leave as schedule and new bookings are still being taken.

Stay tuned.

Airfare to London just $235!

The great air deals from my "spies in the sky" keep crossing my desk - today I've just been handed a return airfare price from Toronto to London that's simply crazy good.

The Deal:

London return airfare

$235!

From Toronto

Airline: Lufthansa

Travel Period: Nov. 22 - Dec. 15, 2011

Ticketing Until: Dec. 7, 2011

Air Taxes: $614.48

Singapore airport is a 'paradise'



Changi makes most botanical gardens blush with envy.



I've heard airports described in many - usually unflattering - terms but never a "traveller's paradise."

But the folks who run Singapore's Changi Airport - my favourite airport in the world - have come up with a menu of activities - most free - for people who are caught there on a layover which makes the giant facility feel like a paradise.

Hats off to the people running Changi  for trying to help consumers - don't we wish airlines were this thoughtful.

Anyway, Changi is now not a bad place to be left stranded, because:

If you have a two to three hour layover at Changi, you can:

- Surf the Internet or send out some emails with FREE Internet services (15 mins);

- Enjoy a relaxing stroll in the world's first Butterfly Garden in an airport at Terminal 3 (20 mins);

- Whiz down the Slide @ Terminal 3, the tallest airport slide in the world and try to beat the best times too (10 seconds or less - sliders determine the time);

- Get a FREE foot massage at the Foot and Calf Massage Stations (15 minutes);

- Pick up fantastic gifts from a wide selection of souvenirs, toys, fashion and books (30 mins);

- Grab a quick bite at Changi Airport Shopping City's wide selection of food kiosks serving anything from mouth-watering local desserts to sushi (on conveyor belts!) (30 mins).

If you have a three to four hour layover:

- Try out a fish micro-massage therapy at the Fish Spa & Reflexology (30 mins);

- Refresh with a quick shower (20 mins) at the Rainforest Lounge on Terminal 1 or at the Ambassador Transit Lounge at Terminals 2 and 3;

- Gamers, test your skills at the FREE Xbox 360 and PlayStation® 3 games at the Entertainment Deck (30 mins);

- Shop at the wide selection of fashion labels, gift choices and lifestyle brands (1 hour)

- Enjoy delicious gourmet dining at our wide range of restaurants (45 mins) including Mediterranean cuisine at Fish & Co., Cantonese fare at Crystal Jade Shangai Restaurant, freshly made dim sum delights, noodles, and more at Peach Garden Noodle House - there is something for every palette

If you have four to five hours:

- Soak up the sun and take a refreshing dip in the rooftop swimming pool (30 mins);

- Get a new hairdo or manicure (45 mins);

- Catch a blockbuster movie for FREE at the Movie Theatre (2 hours);

- Rediscover the beauty of nature at one of Changi's themed gardens (15 mins);

- Tuck into a hearty meal and chill out at Harry's Bar or Hard Rock Cafe (45 mins);

If you have more than five hours:

- Join a FREE Singapore Tour and take in the sights and sounds of Singapore, as well as get a glimpse into Singapore’s ethnic heritage and tourist attractions (I've done this and it's great fun) (2 hours);

- Try out various cuisine options from local, Asian and international dining outlets in the airport (45 mins);

- Don't miss out on some great buys from our wide range of duty-free products (1 hour);

- Catch a nap at one of our quiet Rest Areas or check into a napping facility (1 hour).

There's also lots of things to keep kids entertain at Changi.

All this tells me why international magazines continually rate Changi as one of the top 3 airports in the world - I say it's No. 1 because no other airport I know of offers so much for free.

With all that's happening in the "traveller's paradise", I just hope people don;t miss their flights.

We 'Splash' down on White Beach

The captain and crew of Seadream I enjoy a day at the beach with passengers.

JOST VAN DYKE, BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS – The final day of my Caribbean voyage aboard the luxury yacht Seadream 1 was the best.

The sleek yacht anchored in pretty White Bay – one of the tiniest of British Virgin Islands where only a few hundred people live – and all passengers were delivered by zodiac to the island’s snow white beach for a barbeque and a “Cavier and Champagne Splash.”

The “Splash” has become a tradition on Seadream’s Caribbean voyages and judging by all the smiles, it’s a hit.

Copious amounts of champagne and Russian caviar are consumed under a cloudless sky before passengers return to the ship and are treated a few hours later to a farewell dinner featuring eight courses.

While on Jost van Dyke – no relation to Dick – we explored some of the many bars that line the beach and came across one called Foxy’s, whose owner, Foxy Collwell, has become a local legend because people can’t stump him when it comes to knowing the song lyrics.

“Name the song, any song – Foxy knows the words,” Seadream I’s activity director Jeff tells us and sure enough, Foxy belts out the words to every song we toss his way.

Seadream sure knows how to save the best for last.

Tomorrow, we’ll be back in San Juan and our adventure will be over.

What I liked about this voyage:

- The all-inclusive luxury – didn’t pay for anything onboard;

- The food – every meal, including breakfast was first rate;

- The service – well done and no tipping allowed;

- The onboard spa – these therapists are among the best I’ve ever experienced;

- The sports marina at the back of the yacht each day which featured seadoos and snorkeling;

- The 24-hour in room dining

- The accommodation – all cabins were excellent.

Overall, I give the Seadream experience an “A+” rating.

Job well done – especially the last day!

Yacht club welcomes castaways

Bitter End Yacht Club features a great sailing school.

VIRGIN GORDA, BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS – Our day on this British Virgin Island did not start out as planned.

Inclement weather prevented the captain of our Seadream I yacht from anchoring on Virgin Gorda’s South Sound, where we were supposed to visit the Baths – giant boulders spit out of a volcano billions of years ago that have been shaped into dramatic forms by the sea and surf along the shoreline.

Instead, we anchored off the island’s splendid North Sound and spent the day frolicking in the gentle surf off the Bitter End Yacht Club.

The yacht club welcomes millionaire sailors from around the world who willing fork over $1,000 a night to stay in chic villas perched on hillsides overlooking a North Sound filled with expansive sailing boats and lots of history.

It was in the North Sound where real life pirates of the Caribbean like Blackbeard, Bluebeard and Sir Francis Drake hid out in secluded coves and launched attacks against ships headed back to Europe with New World riches.

Christopher Columbus first sighted the string this chain of islands on his second voyage to the New World in 1493. He called them Virgin Islands in honour of the 11,000 virgin followers of St. Ursula who was martyred in the 4th century.

Although we started the day out on a sour note, the Bitter End was a sweet surprise.

Island offers visitors a cold shoulder

Snooty St. Barts is more Paris than Caribbean.

ST. BARTS, FRENCH WEST INDIES – Sailed into snooty Gustavia, the capital of St Barts, today and couldn’t wait to get back on board the Seadream I.

From the deck of my sleek Seadream I yacht, the Caribbean capital held much promise - I was impressed with the cotton candy coloured homes that cling to the side of the steep volcanic hills Gustavia is built around.

However, once ashore, I was less impressed.

Tourists appear to be an irritant to the residents of this South of France wannabe, whose U-shaped harbour is filled with million-dollar yachts owned by top French politicians, actors and sports stars.

The real estate in St. Barts ranks among the highest in the world and the corner store here is Louis Vuitton.

The euro is the currency in St. Barts and although most visitors arriving on cruise ships carry U.S. dollars, shopkeepers here refuse to accept the Greenback.

The narrow streets of this French West Indies outpost are always clogged with odd-looking cars and littered with dog poo – maybe that’s why the residents’ noses are always turned up.

St. Barts is the coldest place in the Caribbean – in terms of offering visitors a warm welcome and I cut my visit short.

Back on board the Seadream I, a loud cheer goes up when cruise director Jeff announces our next port of call will be the British Virgin Island town of Virgin Gorda – seems I’m not the only one happy to be leaving St. Barts.

Seadream drops anchor in St. John

St. Johon is dotted with quaint coves and pristine beaches like this.

ST. JOHN, U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS – After a night of fine wine, French-style cuisine, late-night dancing under the stars on the top deck aboard Seadream 1, we made landfall today on this tiny Caribbean treasure that was formed by a volcano billions of years ago.

The former slave island that was discovered by Christopher Columbus on his second voyage to the New World in 1493 is dominated by the Virgin Islands National Park, which occupies three-quarters of this lush island paradise.

I took a two-hour cab ride – cost $25 – around the island and the cabbie Earl was a fountain of information. He introduced me to the island’s delicate eco system, dominated by medicinal plants and rare species. Earl also took me to some of the island’s pristine beaches tucked away in the many coves that can be found in the national park.

The likeable Earl jokingly told me that Columbus called these the Virgin Islands because “the beautiful native women that were here to greet him refused to give him a date.”

Everyone on this island is just like Earl –friendly and warm to strangers.

St. John, the neighbour to the much better known St. Thomas, which is just a short ferry ride away, is a place where Hollywood types like Alan Alda, Harrison Ford and Mel Brooks like to hang out.

I’ll be writing much more about St. John at www.travelife.ca very soon so stay tuned.

Next stop on my Seadream 1 yachting adventure: St. Barths.

Cruise a "Seadream" come true

Seadream ships are in a class by themselves - first class all the way!

DATELINE: SOMEWHERE IN THE CARIBBEAN SEA – I don’t want you to be jealous, but for the next six days I’m going to be sailing on the warm waters of the Caribbean Sea in “my” yacht and visiting a bunch of “Virgins.”

I’ve told you before – mine is a dirty job but someone has to do it.

“My” yacht is the Seadream 1, one of two intimate sailing craft operated by the luxury cruise company of the same name that sails out of San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Seadream makes you feel you’re the only one aboard its sleek yacht with a service level few others in the industry can match. The pampering I’ve been getting from staff makes me feel this really is “my” private yacht and I’ve invited 102 friends to come along for the ride.

The “Virgins” I spoke about earlier are the U.S. and British Virgin Islands I’ll be visiting on this Caribbean cruise, which started out in San Juan.

Seadream 1 and her sister ship Seadream II just returned from their summer runs in Europe and the staff tells us they’re glad to be back in the warm waters.

The food aboard the Seadream 1 is Michelin star worthy and the spa on this ship, featuring Thai massage therapists, would not look out of place in a 5-star Asian resort.

I’ll be reporting back daily on what’s happening aboard “my” yacht – that is if the “Virgins” don’t take me hostage.

San Juan, P.R. a real tourist gem

The Hotel El Convento is a San Juan gem.

DATELINE: SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO – I arrived in this U.S. outpost yesterday and prior to boarding my Seadream yacht for a week-long cruise in the Caribbean Sea, I decided to tour the city’s Old Town.

Wow! This is Quebec City on steroids.

Being the second oldest city in the Americas, San Juan has plenty to offer history buffs like myself – lots of old forts and narrow streets crammed with colourful buildings; some dating back to the city’s very beginning in the late 1400s.

One of the most delightful places I discovered on my walking tour was the Hotel El Convento, a Small Luxury Hotels of the World property hidden away on Cristo Street across from the stately San Juan Cathedral. I wish I had known about this property before booking a room at one of the city’s newer, overpriced and undervalued hotels (no names please) near the airport.

The chic hotel started out as a convent back in 1651 and was saved from the wrecker’s ball in the 1960s, when it was turned into the delightful hotel property it is today. Go to www.elconvento.com to learn more about this treasure.

There’s many surprises awaiting you on the old streets of San Juan – San Francisco and Cristo were my favourite streets and very close to the city’s landmark old fort which offers visitors spectacular sea and city views.

San Juan is the Rodney Dangerfield of cities – it gets very little respect – but after spending a morning walking around this delight, I know I want to spend more time here.