Travel News
DOT Briefing Room
|
 |
||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||
THE LATEST PRODUCTS AND SERVICES
WHEN TRAVELING WITH PETS FROM ALPHA DOG PR
Traveling with pets is on the rise in America and the industry is supplying everything an owner needs to make their beloved four-legged family members feel welcome
Los Angeles, CA – Americans love their pets. That’s a fact which is evidenced by the $41 billion spent last year in pet goods and services, according to a recent story in Businessweek. Besides the growing number of pet spas, doggie day care centers and animal cafes, more and more people are taking their four-legged family members along on vacation. In fact, 14 percent of all U.S. adults have traveled with a pet on a trip of 50 miles or more in the past three years, according to the latest Travel Poll by the Travel Industry Association of America (TIA). This translates to 29.1 million Americans traveling with their beloved pets spreading across all socio-economic and educational levels. According to Travel Network of Kendall, which specializes in pet travel, a recent survey of its clients showed that 70% don’t want to leave their pets behind when they vacation.
So where do you take Fido and Fluffy on vacation? More and more hotels and resorts are catering to this segment of the traveling population and there are many goods and services designed with the traveling dog in mind. Here are a few:
 | Travel Network of Kendall offers an exciting and much needed full line of customized travel concepts incorporating traveling with your dog. The company develops top-quality destination packages that cater to the canine enthusiast. For more information, visit the company website at www.amazingvacations.net or contact Elsa Cristiobal at 1-800 228-6422 or 305-251-7700 |
| On a mission to make a major difference in the lives of abused and homeless animals, DogChewzNYC introduces “I’m Dottie,” a line of blankets for dogs and cats. A metaphor for the company’s commitment to animals, the “I’m Dottie” envelops and embraces our beloved pets in a handmade fabric, trimmed in an elegant satin. Part of the Royal Tiny-ness® line of beds and blankets, “I’m Dottie” comes in a delightful array of colors. DogChewzNYC also offers other tempting treats to eat and elegant accessories to spoil the love of your life! Visit the company website at www.dogchewznyc.com or call Sari Remer at 212-752-5855. |
| PetRelocation.com specializes in the transportation of live animals to ease the burdens of families who are moving or traveling with their pets. PetRelocation.com is the leading one-stop-shop for local, national and international transportation of live animals, safely, door-to-door, to/from any location in the world. Forty million+ Americans move each year and more than 60% of these are families owning pets, so there is a huge demand for this unique pet travel service. PetRelocation.com has recently launched HydrationGel.com - the #1 solution to pet dehydration when traveling. HydrationGel.com is the best option available in preventing pet dehydration during long transportations or on trips with limited water sources. www.petrelocation.com, |
877-PET-MOVE
| PetFlys offers trendy, edgy airline approved carriers for everyone’s beloved four legged family member. All PetFlys Pet Carriers feature the exclusive PetFlys Brag Window to proudly display your baby's photo for all to see and admire! Mascot "Monkey Boy" is it’s new plush pet toy with love to spare (comes with spare squeaker hearts to replace the one in his pouch once your dog has worn it out) PetFlys carriers have appeared on shows such as Ugly Betty, Runs House, The Girls Next Door, Life with the Kardashian's, and Extreme Makeover: Home Addition and others. |
| Don’t leave home without Happy Hips All Natural Duck Breast treats from DOGSWELL. For the dog on the go, these tasty delights help maintain healthy joints with glucosamine and chondroitin. They are rich in protein, digestible and low in fat. Available in Beef Liver, Lamb and Chicken. For pets who might get a little nervous on trips, try the MellowMut chicken breast treats with chamomile and lavender. They are human-grade, made with no fillers, no by-product, no hormones, no antibiotics, no salt, and no preservatives. These jerky treats are made from real chicken breasts with added nutrients to help maintain a peaceful lifestyle. www.dogswell.com. Find DOGSWELL treats at select grocery stores and specialty boutiques such as www.barknbitches.com |
| If you can’t bring your beloved four-legged friend along, at least you can be reminded of their unconditional love by wearing one of Urban Bone’s beautifully hand-crafted necklaces (which come blank so customers can engrave their pet’s name). Urban Bone offers its signature necklace called the Urban Lu Lu Circle with pavé diamond bone charm. All necklaces are offered in 16,” 18,” and 20” sizes. The 14k gold disk comes in yellow and white. www.urbanbone.com |
| Pet owners should be sure to pack their copy of Dog First Aid, a new book by the American Red Cross dedicated solely to the health and well-being of dogs. This unique health and emergency preparedness guide is packaged with a full-length instructional DVD, with nearly 70 health and wellness topics covering everything from routine cuts and scrapes to rescue steps you should take if your dog is choking or has a cardiac emergency. www.redcross.org/store |
| "The Doggie Bag,” is a full body suit/cover used primarily to protect a car's interior from dog hair, dander, mud, etc. during transport. As a medical application, it is a great alternative to E-Collars, helping to prevent licking/scratching of hot spots or sutures after surgery. The Doggie Bag can also be used as a simple rain or snow coat! It takes very little time to put on; the handles are there to assist a dog into a truck or SUV, as well as aide with hip ailments. Keeping the hair on the dog...NOT in your car! |
| The award-winning “Animal Wow: Volume One” is the perfect movie to bring on a road trip for kids to watch as the miles fly by. Included is an award winning DVD, a music CD, book, crayons, games featuring over three hours of activity-packed family entertainment. On pit stops, children can try out the training tips with their four legged best friend. www.animalwow.com |
| Does your dog know proper etiquette when visiting friend’s homes or hotels and resorts? If not, be sure to check out the chapter on travel in Doc Halligan’s What Every Pet Owner Should Know: Prescriptions for Happy, Healthy Cats and Dogs, a lifelong companion for easily accessible and necessary pet care advice from a renowned veterinarian and animal welfare advocate. She has appeared on The Today Show, LIVE with Regis & Kelly and many other national television shows. www.dochalligan.com |
| Bring along a daily dose of goodness for your best friend with Vita Paw bottled vitamin water. Health conscious consumer’s want the best for themselves and their pets. VitaPaw is vitamin enhanced water designed to hydrate dogs while providing essential nutrients they need to maintain an active and healthy lifestyle. Created to refresh, dehydrate and reward, VitaPaw is made with only the finest ingredients. Even the most discriminating pet will enjoy this fresh alternative to water. www.vitapaw.com, 512.864.2288 |
Featuring a Streamlined Purchase Process and Guaranteed Low Prices, the Program Is Designed to Ease RV Buyers' Minds
As part of the No-Haggle program, Cruise Canada has lowered the price on its entire inventory of refurbished Class C RVs for sale at all of its Canadian RV sales locations, including Calgary, Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver and Whitehorse. In addition, the new system offers standardized pricing amongst identical RVs with comparable mileage, making it easy to see at a glance how much a motorhome of a particular year, make and model will cost.
"Our customers told us they wanted to avoid the traditional high-pressure sales experience, and we listened," said Mike Smalley, vice president of operations for Cruise Canada. "With our new No-Haggle pricing, customers won't have to run all over town, comparing prices from lot to lot and bartering with salespeople. Instead, they'll be guaranteed the best deal on their RV from day one."
In addition to promising buyers the lowest sales price, the No-Haggle system also makes it easy for customers to shop online from anywhere in Canada, Smalley continued.
"All No-Haggle prices are listed on our Web site, so buyers can shop with confidence right from their homes," he said. "Plus, with our 'Fly 'n Buy' program, customers can purchase their RV from any of our sales centres, no matter where they live. All they need to do is fly in and pick up their RV, and we'll deduct up to $600 in travel expenses from the purchase price."
Current inventory, as well as location information for all of Cruise Canada's RV sales centres, is available online. To participate in the Fly 'n Buy program, customers should contact an RV sales pro.
Cruise Canada's cabover motorhomes are available in compact, standard and large sizes, sleeping from four to seven people and offering a kitchen, bathroom and living area. For vacationers who'd rather rent an RV, Cruise Canada also offers RV rentals in Calgary and five other locations.
Founded in Florida in 1972 and now based in Mesa, Ariz., Cruise Canada is the Canadian arm of Cruise America, the world's largest RV rental and sales company, which employs around 300 full-time employees across North America during peak seasons. Family-owned and operated, Cruise America was founded by Robert Smalley, Sr., and is now led by his sons, CEO Randall Smalley and President Robert Smalley, Jr. Visit www.cruisecanada.com for more information on Canada motorhome vacations or to see current inventory.
Featuring a Streamlined Purchase Process and Guaranteed Low Prices, the Program Is Designed to Ease RV Buyers' Minds at the Company's 13 Nationwide Sales Centers
As part of the No-Haggle program, Cruise America has lowered the price on its entire inventory of refurbished Class C RVs for sale. In addition, the new system offers standardized pricing amongst identical RVs with comparable mileage, making it easy to see at a glance how much a motorhome of a particular year, make and model will cost.
"Our customers told us they wanted to avoid the traditional high-pressure sales experience, and we listened," said Mike Smalley, vice president of operations for Cruise America. "With our new No-Haggle pricing, customers won't have to run all over town, comparing prices from lot to lot and bartering with salespeople. Instead, they'll be guaranteed the best deal on their RV from day one."
In addition to promising buyers the lowest sales price, the No-Haggle system also makes it easy for customers to shop online from anywhere in the country, Smalley continued.
"All No-Haggle prices are listed on our Web site, so buyers can shop with confidence right from their homes," he said. "Plus, with our 'Fly 'n Buy' program, customers can purchase their RV from any of our sales centers, no matter where they live. All they need to do is fly in and pick up their RV, and we'll deduct up to $600 in travel expenses from the purchase price."
Current recreational vehicle sales inventory, as well as directions and location information for all of Cruise America's RV sales centers, is available online. To participate in the Fly 'n Buy program, customers should contact an RV sales pro.
Cruise America's cabover motorhomes are available in compact, standard and large sizes, sleeping from four to seven people and offering a kitchen, bathroom and living area. For vacationers who'd rather rent an RV, Cruise America also offers recreational vehicle rentals, as well as compact travel trailers, at locations across the U.S. and Canada.
Founded in Florida in 1972 and now based in Mesa, Ariz., Cruise America is the largest RV rental and sales company in the U.S., employing around 300 full-time employees in the U.S. and Canada during peak seasons. Family-owned and operated, Cruise America was founded by Robert Smalley, Sr., and is now led by his sons, CEO Randall Smalley and President Robert Smalley, Jr. Visit Cruise America online for more information or to see the current inventory of used RVs.
Cruise West Offers Signature 2008 Alaska Cruises
More Departures, Upgraded Spirit of Yorktown, and Spirit of Glacier Bay Debut Highlight 2008
-- Cruise West, the leading small-ship cruise line, will offer more
departures, an upgraded ship, early booking savings, and the debut of the Spirit
of Glacier Bay for its signature Alaska cruises in 2008.
A total of 160 Alaska departures will be offered by Cruise West in 2008, up
from 146 in 2007. The Spirit of Yorktown will be upgraded this fall with a new
cabin category that offers private balconies, a new Alaskan art collection, and
a refurbished lounge. The Spirit of Glacier Bay, formerly known as the Spirit of
Nantucket, will make its Alaska debut in 2008 sailing Glacier Bay Highlights
cruises, and increasing the number of Cruise West ships sailing in Alaska to
eight.
Land tours of the Denali National Park and Preserve, home of towering Mt.
McKinley, North America's tallest peak, can be added to any Cruise West Alaska
itinerary, allowing guests to experience Alaska's pristine interior.
Traverse the Inside Passage
Cruise West offers three distinct itineraries that allow guests to get up-
close and personal with the wonders of Southeast Alaska - abundant wildlife,
charming ports, jagged peaks, and immense glaciers. Guests who book before
December 7, 2007, can save from $200 to $700 on Inside Passage itineraries, and
those who book before February 29, 2008, can save from $100 to $350.
Alaska's Inside Passage sails from Ketchikan to Juneau, or reverse, from May
thru August. The nine-day cruise takes guests through Misty Fiords National
Monument, Frederick Sound, and Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve. Visits to
Metlakatla, Alaska's only Tsimshian community, and the fishing village of
Petersburg, where the Leikarring Dancers will perform in the Sons of Norway
Hall, are also included. Alaska's Inside Passage will be offered on the Spirit
of '98, the Spirit of Endeavour, and the enhanced Spirit of Yorktown, and starts
at $4,449 per person, double occupancy.
Alaska's Whales & Wilderness is round trip from Juneau, and gives guests the
opportunity to see the splendor of Alaska's wildlife, including humpback whales,
sea lions, orcas, harbor seals and porpoise. Guests will visit Sitka, explore
the tiny Inian Islands by inflatable craft and visit one of a handful of small
Alaskan villages to see what life is like in a wilderness community. The
itinerary is nine days, offered May - August on the Spirit of Alaska and the
Spirit of Discovery. Rates start at $3,599 per person, double occupancy.
Gold Rush Inside Passage traces the path of the original stampeders from the
1898 Klondike Gold Rush. From Seattle to Juneau, or reverse, guests will see the
beautiful San Juan Islands, Strait of Georgia, and the coast of British
Columbia. Ketchikan, the "Salmon Capital of Alaska," and Haines, renowned for
its local artists, are among the ports of call. Gold Rush Inside Passage is 11
days, offered in May, August and September starting at $3,599 per person, double
occupancy.
Alaska Getaways
Guests can see the best of Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve or Prince
William Sound on four- or five-day getaways in 2008. Savings of up to $300 are
available if guests book an Alaska Getaway before December 7, 2007, and savings
of up to $150 are available for bookings before February 29, 2008.
Glacier Bay Highlights are four or five day cruises that give guests the
chance to see this World Heritage Site and Biosphere Preserve. Optional
activities in Juneau include flightseeing the Juneau Icefield, zipline adventure
or hiking. Glacier Bay Highlights run round trip from Juneau, May - September,
on the Spirit of Glacier Bay. Rates begin at $1,799 each person, double
occupancy.
Glaciers of Prince William Sound, round trip voyages from Whittier/Anchorage,
are also four or five days. Guests will see the fjords, islands, passages, and
glaciers of Prince William Sound and the Kenai Peninsula. The five-day includes
a stop at the tiny fishing village of Cordova, famous for its Copper River
salmon. Glaciers of Prince William Sound is available May - August on the Spirit
of Columbia starting at $1,049 per person, double occupancy.
Grand Voyages
Extended journeys from Vancouver to Nome and points in between provide guests
with an unparalleled experience of culture and nature. Guests will enjoy Cruise
West's flagship Spirit of Oceanus, with picture windows or nautical portholes in
every suite. Guests who book a Grand Voyage prior to December 7, 2007 will
receive $400 - $1,100 off the price of their cabin, and those who book before
February 29, 2008 can save $200 - $550.
Coastal Odyssey gives guests 13 days of cruising from Vancouver, B.C. to
Anchorage, or reverse. Ports of call include Metlakatla, Skagway and Sitka. The
Spirit of Oceanus will troll the waters of the Strait of Georgia, British
Columbia and Alaska Inside Passage, the Gulf of Alaska and Prince William Sound.
The itinerary is available May - September starting at $7,599 per person, double
occupancy.
Voyage to the Bering Sea is 14 days, and takes guests from Anchorage, around
the Alaska Peninsula, and north to the Russian Chukotka Peninsula. The cruise
continues to the edge of the Arctic Circle before culminating in Nome, where
guests pan for gold on the beach before returning to Anchorage by plane. The
itinerary is available July 7 and 19, 2008, starting at $9,749 per person,
double occupancy.
In Harriman's Wake provides an extraordinary, 25-day journey from Vancouver
to Anchorage along the path of railroad magnate Edward Harriman's 1899
scientific expedition. The In Harriman's Wake itinerary combines the Coastal
Odyssey and Voyage to the Bering Sea itineraries for a cruise that is beyond
comparison. It sails on June 27 or July 19, 2008, starting at $17,149 per
person, double occupancy.
For additional information or to book a Cruise West cruise, call 1-800-
296-8307 or visit www.cruisewest.com.
Source: Cruise West
Web site:
http://www.cruisewest.com/
Anaheim Resort Transit (ART) will begin service from the Anaheim Amtrak station to The Disneyland® Resort and Anaheim Resort™ hotels beginning Oct. 1, 2007. The shuttle service will be provided hourly meeting all southbound and northbound Amtrak Pacific Surfliner trains. A schedule will be posted on the ART website www.rideart.org starting early September.
The service is being initiated based upon the requested needs of the Anaheim Resort Hotels as well as past inquiries made by visitors to The Anaheim Resort according to Diana Kotler, Executive Director for ART. “We feel this is a logical expansion of our service within The Anaheim Resort District as guests can go directly from the train to The Disneyland® Resort Esplanade and, then, either visit the Resort’s Parks or transfer buses to one of our many participating hotels for check-in.”
The cost to visitors for the service is minimal - $3 for adults and children 10 and under are free. Beginning January 8, 2008, children 10 years and under will be charged $1. A ticket vending kiosk will be available at the station to purchase ART passes.
“We are delighted to have this association with Amtrak,” continued Kotler. “This adds a much needed dimension to our service of providing guests with comfortable and easily accessible transportation to and within The Anaheim Resort™ District.
“The Anaheim Amtrak Station is one of the busiest in the nation,” said Brian Hart, Amtrak’s Director of Field Marketing-West. “Amtrak is delighted to have such a convenient service for our passengers at the station’s front door.” The station is adjacent to Angel Stadium parking lot, located at 2150 East Katella Avenue.
The Anaheim Resort Transit transports 3 million guests annually between 52 local hotels and the Disneyland® Resort entertainment complex. A total of 32 buses and trolleys make up the ART fleet. ART was begun in May 2002.
About California Department of Transportation
The California Department of Transportation partners with Amtrak to provide service on three intercity rail corridors in California. Through a $73 million-per-year annual state operating assistance program and the largest capital assistance program in the nation, the State's Division of Rail supports service between the Bay Area and Sacramento on the Capitol Corridor, between San Francisco/Oakland and Bakersfield on the San Joaquins and in Southern California, between San Diego and San Luis Obispo via Los Angeles and Santa Barbara on the Pacific Surfliner. The California Corridors, operated under the partnership banner, Amtrak California, are the busiest in the nation behind the Washington - Boston Northeast corridor and the Empire corridor serving Albany - New York City.
About Amtrak
Amtrak provides intercity passenger rail service to more than 500 destinations in 46 states on a 21,000-mile route system. For schedules, fares and information, passengers may call 800-USA-RAIL or visit Amtrak.com.
“We’re coming up to one of the most dangerous holidays for driving in the U.S., and we want to remind drivers to stay particularly focused and alert. It couldn’t be more simple: Don’t drive distracted. It will save lives.”
GEICO offers the following safe driving reminders to help drivers stay focused while traveling with family and friends this Labor Day weekend:
| Use your cell phone for emergency situations only. Even in an emergency situation, drivers should safely pull off the roadway to make a call. |
| If you are drowsy, pull off the road to rest. Drowsiness leads to being distracted and is a major cause of accidents. |
| Limit the activity going on inside the car while you are driving. |
| Avoid eating while driving. |
| Do your multi-tasking while outside the car. |
And don’t let your teenager tell you otherwise
Studies show that people are 1) limited in the amount of information they can process at any one time, and 2) that they can’t successfully shift their attention back and forth among multiple demands. Those are the scientific facts.
Teenagers are at an age where distractions are even more of a problem because they have so little driving experience to begin with and they don’t know how to handle unexpected driving situations. Teen drivers should be particularly mindful of avoiding distractions while they’re on the road during the busy holiday.
For more on safe driving, go to GEICO’s Auto Safety Library at www.geico.com/auto/safety.
GEICO (Government Employees Insurance Company) is the fourth-largest private passenger auto insurer in the United States. It provides auto insurance coverage for more than 7 million policyholders and insures more than 12 million vehicles. GEICO, a member of the Berkshire Hathaway group of companies, is rated A++ for financial stability by A.M. Best Company. GEICO keeps its rates low by dealing directly with the customer. GEICO provides consumers with outstanding sales, service and claims capabilities on its geico.com Web site 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Consumers may also contact the company at its toll free 1-800-841-3000 number. 15 minutes could save you 15% on car insurance. For more information, go to www.geico.com.
* National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
Discover the World … One Month at a Time
Residential Cruise Line Announces the New Fractional Ownership Variable Option
Residential Cruise Line Ltd., the parent company of The Magellan, the world’s largest private residential cruise ship, introduces a variable option for fractional ownership. “In response to the overwhelming call for a more flexible ownership option,” said Randall B. Jackson, chief executive officer of Residential Cruise Line, “we decided to offer the opportunity to vary your month of travel.”
Every two years, Magellan brings 150 countries and 300 exciting ports of call to each resident’s doorstep. Fractional Owners may visit a new corner of the world each year while enjoying the comforts of home.
In addition to its changing destinations, Magellan offers a variety of amenities and services found only at the world’s finest resorts. Residents may choose to spend their afternoon at the Retractable Marina or strolling through Magellan’s glass enclosed gardens. Evenings may find residents catching a Broadway quality show at the 430-seat Live Satellite Broadcast Magellan Theatre or exploring various star systems in the state-of-the-art Observatory. Every amenity imaginable is available onboard Magellan.
Residential Cruise Line offers three ways to purchase: Full Ownership, starting at $3.345 million, Fractional Ownership, starting at $265,000, and a two bedroom Club Membership starting at $165,000. Fractional owners may elect to travel the same month(s) each year, or, with the addition of the variable option, owners may now choose to vary their month(s) of travel based on their individual schedules and desired destinations.
For more information regarding ship specifics, Full or Fractional ownership, or Club Membership opportunities, call 480-497-8833 or visit the web site at www.residentialcruiseline.com.
