In this issue...

• Michael MacNair Enjoys Inauguration of Celebrity Solstice Cruise Ship
• Important Travel News
• Here Come the Deals!
• Michael MacNair Makes Waves
• Leveraging the Value of Your American Express Card
• Holiday Hours
• Spotlight On... Continental and Southwest Top Survey for Best Airlines
  

Michael MacNair Enjoys Inauguration of Celebrity Solstice Cruise Ship

I admit it, I love cruising. I was recently invited on the inaugural cruise of the Celebrity Solstice. It was during this excursion that I reconnected with the excitement of cruising. Celebrity’s Solstice is spectacular: the ship is like a W Hotel or a nice Cabo resort at sea. The gym and spa were amazing, the specialty restaurants were fabulous, and the wicker furniture and stylish design around the pool area made me feel relaxed. The ship’s unique features include real grass bocce ball courts and a glass blowing exposition. The ship is also well laid out, with a spaciousness that never makes it feel crowded. The design is very inviting and relaxing. In sum, the cruise ship is a real class act.

As I sailed and heard about the discounts and the opportunities Celebrity and other cruise lines will provide this year, I was reminded of the value of cruising: so much of the miscellaneous costs are included, the service is amazing, and stress relief is maximized with sailing on the sea and breathing in fresh ocean air. But above all, there is just no getting around the fact that cruises are just so much more fun than most resorts.

If you love cruising, don’t forget our expertise and values via our partnership with American Express. If you would like to try it, this year will be a great time since we have so many amazing deals to offer. We’ll hold your hand through the process. Don’t wait any longer, come sail away with us!

Important Travel News

Lufthansa Launches “Lufthansa Italia” Brand
Lufthansa has launched its new “Lufthansa Italia,” which it is billing as a blend of Lufthansa’s reliability and quality with Italian flair. It will begin flying a fleet of six aircraft in February between northern Italy and major European destinations. It ultimately plans to operate its own Italian airline. It will first operate to Paris and Barcelona, and then will add Brussels, Budapest, Bucharest, Madrid, London, and Lisbon. (Source: Lufthansa press release).

TSA Allows Some Larger Bottles of Liquid
Passengers are now allowed to bring bottles of liquid that are medically necessary that exceed the 3-ounce limit. However, the TSA requires those passengers to use the specially marked family lanes, which are equipped with scanners that can detect liquid explosives. "It can delay your screening process if you have those liquids. But, on the other hand, it keeps you from having to put those items into checked baggage, as you had to before," said Dwayne Baird, spokesman for TSA's Salt Lake City office. (Source: The Salt Lake Tribune)

Delta Realigns Fees for Customers on Delta and Northwest Flights
Delta Air Lines, which recently acquired Northwest Airlines, is aligning the fee structures of the two carriers. It has dropped award-ticket fuel charges instituted to cope with soaring fuel costs and reduced the cost of telephone reservations from $25 to $20. It has eliminated curbside check-in administrative fees and aligned the two carriers’ baggage fees. In addition, Delta now offers passengers Coach Choice seats for an additional fee when they check in online 24 hours before departure. These are certain aisle, window or exit row seats. (Source: Delta press release).

Here Come the Deals!

Since inventory is so closely managed by resorts and hotels and because travelers these days book closer to their departure date, the biggest deals for 2009 did not begin hitting our desks until a few weeks ago. With negativity in the marketplace, future bookings for most resorts have plummeted. As a result, the details on special offers and availability for rooms at the world’s best resorts are now available at MacNair Travel.

The best values we have seen are for all-inclusives and cruises with discounts, complimentary upgrades and inclusions, and even double membership reward points--all now available to entice you to travel this year. Life is short and there is no time like the present to make the most of every moment.