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Chris Zagorski Posts Tagged ‘travel’
Norwegian Cruise Line débuts Epic ship for solo (and group) travel
It’s time to hit the open seas, solo. Norwegian Cruise Line’s Epic—with space dedicated specifically for solo travelers—had its first successful sea trail on February 14, 2010 (a day, ironically, dedicated to those in loving pairs…)
Norwegian Epic is considered the company’s largest and most innovative ship to date, and it continues to create excitement within the world of cruising. The new ship houses 128 “ultra modern studios” that will be targeted towards solo travelers and will include a special common area for those traveling by themselves. The rooms are expected to be priced at $799 for a 7-day cruise, a price point lower than what a single traveler would have to pay while staying in a double occupancy room.
Considering millions of adults travel by themselves each year (some estimates say 35 million), it is surprising the cruise industry hasn’t reacted sooner to this potential revenue source.
Do you think this will prove successful for the company? If Norwegian succeeds in attracting more single travelers, how quickly can the competition react in creating accommodations for those individuals interested in sailing the open seas without a travel companion?
Cruising to Haiti: responsible decision or tasteless act?
I’ve got a PR and image conundrum for you: Royal Caribbean decided to continue visiting a private port on the northern coast of Haiti immediately following the devastating earthquake on January 12, 2010. Clearly a bold decision that the company likely debated both sides of before taking action, the cruise line is now in the position to defend this decision.
Critics and cruise-goers, alike, question if traveling to Haiti for some R&R is the most sensitive and responsible thing to do considering the loss and devastation that is gripping the poor nation. Is it exploitation? Is it insensitivity? Is it ignorance?
It may be surreal to consider jet skiing, kayaking or soaking up sun so close to an area still searching for missing individuals, coping with death and struggling to survive. However, Royal Caribbean has argued that its absence would only create more difficulties for Haitians and the country’s government. In addition to providing the government with a tourism fee per each passenger who visits the private island, the company also employs locals from the country and provides opportunities for vendors to sell products to visitors. In light of the recent events, the company also plans to donate at least $1 million to relief efforts.
Being a visitor of Royal Caribbean’s Labadee port multiple times, I agree with the company’s decision to continue sailing there. Many lives depend on the port for survival, and in a time like now, it’s imperative to keep money flowing into the distraught nation. I think that the benefits far outweigh the potential negatives, and Royal Caribbean’s continued investment in Haiti will only pay off for the small island country in the end.
Do you agree?
Travel trends: Southwest & JetBlue still boast “no baggage fees”
Checked luggage fees are starting to feel like ATM fees. First there were none (we were happy), then there were some (we were outraged), then there were more (we began to accept them) and now, nearly all airlines charge for checked luggage (and we’ve resigned).
This month, a number of airlines have announced increases in checked luggage fees. The most recent company to do so is United Airlines, which will now be charging $25 for the first checked bag and $35 for the second checked bag. (Discounts are available for bags checked in online, which gives thrifty consumers at least one option to save money.) United Airlines’ new rates are a $5 increase from its previous rates. The company followed suit after Delta and Continental raised rates earlier this month.
However, two companies are standing by their business plans and have not yet charged for checked bags. And both seem adamant that they won’t charge for checked baggage anytime in the future…
Southwest Airlines continues to “go against the grain” with its long-standing practice of allowing a traveler’s first two bags to fly free. In addition to using commercials and its website to promote this “bags fly free” philosophy, the company has used marketing emails to remind travelers that flying with Southwest Airlines could save them money.
JetBlue is another company that has not mimicked the competition with checked bag fees. JetBlue does not charge passengers for the first checked bag, nor does the company seem to have any intention of doing so in the future.
Have baggage fees deterred you from booking a flight or encouraged you to look at another airline for a better option? I believe that these fees could definitely impact flier’s decisions as to which airlines to take. I’m curious if a bag fee is a “big enough piece of the pie” to have an impact.