Cruises from Philadephia

There will be none in 2010 according to the Philadelphia Port Authority. Cut Backs are Part of the Issue. Kyle Bruening www.theLuxuryShips.com

Visa/Passport Responsibilities

Cruise line executives, travel agents and other industry insiders say that cruise passengers are ultimately responsible for understanding the complicated visa and passport rules that apply to their situation. Kyle Bruening www.theLuxuryShips.com

Travel Alert!

The U.S. State Department has lifted its travel alert for Honduras. Kyle Bruening www.theLuxuryShips.com

Holiday Nightmare~

British Airways cabin crew have voted nine to one in favour of a strike that will disrupt the travel plans of an estimated one million passengers over the Christmas period. Kyle Bruening www.theLuxuryShips.com

Real ID Act was approved in 2005.

Drivers licenses too easy to obtain. Applicants would be required to submit birth certificates and states would have to verify them. States to comply by end of 2009. 3 dozen have yet to. Kyle Bruening

Azamara Club Cruises

Azamara Cruises changed its name to Azamara Club Cruises and will offer more inclusive amenities along with higher prices beginning in April. Kyle Bruening www.theLuxuryShips.com

Car Bombings

Several car bombings reported across Baghdad, Iraq, early Dec. 8; more than 100 people dead and 180 wounded. Avoid blast sites. Kyle Bruening

Carnival Cruise Lines

Carnival Cruise Lines inks deal for third Dream-class ship. Kyle Bruening www.theLuxuryShips.com

Alaska with Less Cruise Ships in 2010

Princess and Holland America already has announced plans to reduce capacity in Alaska significantly for 2010. Kyle Bruening www.theLuxuryShips.com

General Motors

General Motors Co is talking to BAIC, China's fifth largest car maker, about a partial sale of assets associated with its Saab brand. Kyle Bruening

Carnival Corp and Tipping!

On Thursday, industry giant Carnival Corp. announced its fast-growing subsidiary in Australia, P&O Cruises Australia, would stop adding tips automatically to customer bills. Kyle Bruening www.theLuxuryShips.com

Strikes in France

Strikes shut down Louvre, other French tourism hot spots. Kyle Bruening www.theLuxuryShips.com

Celebrity Cruise Line

elebrity offers cruise passengers all-you-can-drink packages. Kyle Bruening www.theLuxuryShips.com

Nassau crime wave hits cruises

Tours to the Caribbean city of Nassau have been suspended following violent attacks on cruise ship passengers. Kyle Bruening www.theLuxuryShips.com