Travel Maven blog

Bidding for travel bargains at SATW

If you like to travel and bid for bargains, the annual auction by the Society of American Travel Writers (SATW) is a fun two-fer.

This year's auction is up, online, with bidding until 10 p.m. MDT on Friday, November 20.

Top items range from cruises on the Royal Clipper from Barbados and on Maine Windjammer's Stephen Taber, to a Germany getaway with roundtrip tickets on Air Berlin and four nights for two persons at hotels in Berlin and Dresden.

At SatwAuction, you will find deals on goods, hotels, resort and vacation packages in the U.S., Canada and abroad. Values of donated items range from $50 to $3,962.

Honors for Texas, Maine, Oregon, Virginia, Florida

Efforts to restore and conserve five important natural and historic sites in Virginia, Florida, Texas, Oregon and Maine are honored this year with Phoenix Awards from the Society of American Travel Writers (SATW).

The annual awards, given since 1969, are to recognize individuals or organizations actively involved in conservation, preservation, beautification and anti-pollution campaigns that further the growth and appeal of North American travel destinations.

Here's a list of the five Phoenix Award winners and why they won. Thanks to Rich Grant of VisitDenver for providing the list of award winners.

Culinary excellence on Celebrity Equinox

One of this year’s sleekest new cruise ships stakes its reputation on style and food.

Celebrity Equinox, second of five new ships planned by Celebrity Cruises, poses the question: Can a big ship provide service and dining that is equal to a vacation on land?

So far, the answer is yes. Reviews have been solidly positive for the Celebrity Solstice, which debuted last year, and its twin sister, Celebrity Equinox, which began cruising in Europe late July and will be in the Caribbean out of South Florida this winter.

Both ships sport a sophisticated contemporary design, fine art collections, and a group of specialty restaurants that have drawn raves from critics and passengers. 

See: Cruising on the Celebrity Equinox at TheTravelMavens.com

Above, mother and daughter from Surrey, England, snuggle in a tented nook on the Celebrity Equinox. 

Royal Caribbean raises rates on new Oasis of the Seas

Prices have fallen this year on most cruises to the Caribbean, but one ship -- the new Oasis of the Seas --  is raising rates, says Mike Driscoll, editor of Cruiseweek, a cruise industry newsletter.

Oasis of the Seas, the largest cruise ship in the world -- with 16 decks to carry at least 5,400 passengers in 2,700 cabins -- arrives in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., in November 2009. Cruises to the Caribbean begin in December. 

As the delivery date draws near, Oasis' pricing continues to rise, reports Driscoll. Now Oasis is an anomaly: a high-priced big ship in the Caribbean.

From research through travel agents by Driscoll:

When Royal Caribbean began accepting bookings in August 2008 for a 7-night cruise February 20, 2010, Oasis  inside cabins were priced at $999 per person for two people, outsides at $1,209, balconies $1,329, Junior Suites $2,179, and Crown Lofts $4,229.

This month, says Driscoll, inside cabins on that cruise have climbed by $250 to $1,249, outsides by $100 to $1,309, balconies by $70 to $1,399. Junior Suites are up $1,000 to $3,179, Crown Lofts up $900 to $5,129. 

Looking ahead a few months, prices in August 2009 for a June 12, 2010, departure on a 7-night cruise were $1,299 for inside, $1,529 for outside, $1,679 for balcony, $2,899 for Junior Suite, and $5,679 for Crown Loft. 

Information on Oasis

Information on CruiseWeek

For the latest on cruises, destinations and insights for travelers, go to TheTRAVEL MAVENS

President Obama preps for Disney World

Wonder if President Barack Obama cares about his image, soon to grace the Hall of Presidents exhibit at Disney World's Magic Kingdom near Orlando? 

Yes he does. Check out this report from the New York Times.

The Hall of Presidents is set to reopen July 4. Disney folks call the Animatronic figure of the current president "Robobama."

The wax version

The likeness business is busy with President Obama. On a recent visit to Washington D.C., I got close to the Madam Tussauds image of the president. And he listened to me.

Michelle Obama also is on display at Madam Tussauds in Washington.  

New at Disney, President Obama and treehouse villas

News from Disney World, near Orlando

The Hall of Presidents, my favorite attraction at Disney's Magic Kingdom, reopens July 4, with Disney's Audio-Animatronic version of President Barack Obama. His likeness -- and words -- will join 43 previous presidents of the United States as part of a celebration of American history.

The Treehouse Villas at Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort will re-open this summer -- 60 new self-standing lodgings that replace the worn octagonal treehouses built in 1975. The villas, part of the Disney Vacation Club, will also be available to other resort guests.

Because Disney plopped the new buildings from a crane into old clearings, the treehouses look as if they have been there for years, surrounded by mature trees. Inside, though, the units, which sleep up to nine people, offer such modern luxuries as granite countertops in the kitchens and flat-screen TVs.

Best treehouse? I like Number 7026 for its views of the river passing by, with boats that can be rented at Downtown Disney. A nice way to paddle home. Disney web site. 

For the latest on cruises, destinations and insights for travelers, go to THE TRAVEL MAVENS.COM