Impact of American Airlines bankruptcy

A reader emailed asking “what’s the impact of the American Airlines bankruptcy?”  

From what I’ve gathered American (AA) is operating flight schedules and taking reservations as usual during the bankruptcy process meaning it should be "business as usual" over the coming months. 

My concern over the long haul is that as American slims down to become more profitable their flight schedule will be reduced. I see a possible impact on cruise travel as AA operates more than two-thirds of flights into Miami and also a significant number of flights to other major cruise hubs such as Fort Lauderdale, Fla and San Juan PR. The Caribbean is another area that may be impacted by fewer flights.

The real bad news is that with fewer flights we’ll see higher fares. 

Email your travel questions and concerns to the Travel Professor!

Cruise Lines Black Friday-Cyber Monday Sale offer Super-Low Rates & Limited-Time Extras

The holiday shopping season has officially commenced. In search of the perfect present? This year, don't waste your precious time dashing through the malls or surfing from one website to another - take advantage of our convenient, budget-friendly "Black Friday - Cyber Monday" bargains and treat your loved ones to a cruise vacation instead!

It's the best-kept secret in gift giving - a present they'll remember forever and an unbeatable value, too. One low price covers state-of-the-art accommodations, most meals/beverages, and a wide variety of entertainment options. There are some deeply discounted fares (rates on select sailings have been reduced by as much as 80%) are just the beginning. There are a wave of bonus offers including up to $500 in free on board spending, reduced deposits, free balcony upgrades, free air credits, and kids-sail-free deals.

Contact your travel agent today!    

Americans Choose Travel as the Ultimate Life Goal

According to a survey commissioned by Princess Cruises travel-related New Year's Resolutions top the list for 2012.

If Americans could only accomplish one goal in their lifetime, nearly three-quarters would choose a travel-related goal. 

And of those Americans with a "bucket list," a surprising majority (61%) still expects to cross something off their list by the end of the year despite the madness of the holiday season

The recent survey polled 1,000 Americans and examined how travel plays a part in bucket list goals, including New Year's resolutions for 2012.

Last minute sales

Can you pack up go at the last minute? 

If so Royal Caribbean Cruises has the Majesty of the Seas departing Miami next Monday Nov 28^th for a 4 day Bahamas sailing.  

Would you believe the cruise fare is only $7.50 per person per day? Add in the other miscellaneous fees, surcharges and taxes your total cruise is still only $221.01 per person, 2 people in the cabin. 

The catch is your have to book & buy today plus get yourself to FLA! 

That’s still a bargain when you consider what’s all included in a vacation at sea!    

Do you want to have your name added to my last minute specials list? Just email me!   

Bon Voyage!

Tuning out TV football announcers

Sorry this rant is way off the way off travel radar screen but I’m turning the sound off on all future football TV broadcasts

Too many of the announcers are clueless and babble nonsense.

Here’s some proof. Go to your local football stadium and have a person stand at the goal line then you head out to mid field-50 yards away.  Have them move their head from side to side. Can you really read their eyes? No way! Add in trying to read their eyes while you’re on the run and covering a speedier receiver and that’s a bigger NO WAY!

Also what’s difference between the “new” Wildcat formation & a Shotgun?  Nothing other than in the Wildcat you replace the quarterback with a running back. Duh! Plays run first then pass 2^nd! Yet these announcers drool on about the uniqueness of this set. But it still continues to baffle plenty of defensive coordinators too! Maybe they (the DCs) should retreat to the announcers both.

Turn the sound down guys and read your keys!

Maybe I should update my coaching resume!  I think I can still find my whistle. 

More on Cleveland's Fabulous Food Show

Other features at the Fabulous Food Show included the Grand Tasting Pavilion featured more than 250 wines as well as spirits and beers from around the world. The pavilion included a beverage shop where visitors could purchase wine and beer. The International Wine Bar offered a $10 passport that entitled visitors to a crystal souvenir tasting glass, six one-ounce tastings, and a tasting booklet for notes. This was a great chance to sample wines from around the world!   

The show floor was referred to as the culinary marketplace and featured more than 200 vendors and exhibitors. It was an eclectic mix of mom and pop shops peddling “chicken paprikash” to Vitamix blenders. 

An unexpected discovery was Amherst Ohio’s Kiedrowski Bakery and their “Snoogle”-an airy cheese filled dough stick. These were very tasty treats but more importantly the Travel Prof played softball with bakery owner Tim K, dad Bubba and the rest of the guys many years ago!  There are plenty of stories here but you’ll have to join us on next year’s road trip to the FFS to hear them.

What’s a food show without food? There were plenty of free samples available in the culinary marketplace so arrive hungry and be ready to chow down.

Everything at the FFS was first class and I am looking forward to the 7^th show. The plans are already in place to craft a Travel Professor’s Food Tour to next year’s show. More information on this is sure to follow. If you’d like to be added to my tour information list call me at 740.550.9540 or email thetravelprofessor@gmail.com.

Cleveland's Fabulous Food Show

Celebrating its 6th year, the Fabulous Food Show continues to entertain Cleveland and beyond with live celebrity chef demonstrations, great food and beverages.

The 2011 Celebrity chef line-up for the show includes the Food Network's Bobby Flay and Guy Fieri, as well as Cleveland's own Iron Chef Michael Symon. Audience members watched these chefs perform live in the 1500-seat Main Kitchen Theater.

I was fortunate enough to catch Guy Fieri along with Kitchen Impossible star chef Robert Irvine. Their presentations were a mixture of cooking, comedy, teaching along with plenty of audience interaction.

Guy Fieri crashed Robert Irvine’s presentation holding a cardboard cutout mask of Robert’s face while speaking with a fake English accent. He had the crowd roaring in laughter as he parodied Chef Irvine.

Fieri also commented “The Cleveland show is number one on my tour list…I tell my manager that I have to be there…it’s like coming home to me…great people…great food!” 

I'm looking forward to the 7th show being held Nov 9-11th 2012 and may plan a Travel Professor foodie road trip to the show! 

Kristkindl Mart (Christmas Mart) in Cincinnati this weekend

Cincinnati’s Germania Society is holding their annual Kristkindl Mart (Christmas Mart) this weekend at Germania Park. It’s in an enclosed & heated pavilion. There’s free parking, admission is only $3.00 and folks 14 and under are free.

A German Kristkindl Mart is a time of good food, music, cheer and shopping! There will be great German dishes, beer, Gluhwein (hot mulled wines), plenty of music & fun.  

The holiday season is much of Europe is still very much old world and well worth the trip. If you can’t travel over the “big pond” hopefully you can make it over to the Queen City for a festive day!