Play Ball in Cooperstown NY!

The Cincinnati Reds pre season caravan just rolled through town and now there’s another Major League Baseball milestone to chat about.

On January 29, 1936, the U.S. Baseball Hall of Fame elects its first members in Cooperstown, New York

They were Ty Cobb, Babe Ruth, Honus Wagner, Christy Matthewson and Walter Johnson. The bar was sent fairly high but many more greats have followed. And so has controversy. 

Great names like Shoeless Joe Jackson and Pete Rose are not in the hall. We’re moving into baseball’s steroid era so there plenty of speculation about who gets in.   

This is the only major sports HOF that I’ve never visited but is on my radar for this summer.  I’m working on a road trip that takes in some New York–Penn minor leagues games. Then we might jump north of toe border and catch a few games in Toronto. 

I'm working on a circle tour and will post my itinerary thoughts as they develop.

This is the year for Reds fans to journey to Cooperstown as Barry Larkin gets inducted into the HOF.

New airfare ad rules

Have you heard about the new DOT price advertising regulations? 

The Department of Transportation has created a new federal regulation which goes into effect this week that all airline and travel package prices will include the total price including all airline and government related taxes and fuel surcharges.

Optional fees such as baggage fees, meals and entertainment are not included in the fare as they are at the discretion of the traveler.

Consumers should be aware that fares have not increased; they simply reflect a difference in how pricing is displayed.

The new full fare advertising is meant to better assist consumers with comparison shopping.

I agree. This removes all the adds on that many people miss. 

Columbus OH travel show

Columbus OH is home this weekend to the AAA Great Vacations EXPO. It’s a one‐stop shop for everything related to travel. Offering rich sources of travel information, guests will have exclusive access to EXPO‐only deals for the very best values on everything from cruises and European vacations, to affordable escapes that are close to home. Thus, visitors are encouraged to come armed with a calendar and favorite form of payment, ready to book travel at the show. Only EXPO guests will have access to this unheard‐of pricing and wide selection of travel offerings.

With more than 250 exhibits, attractions and events, there’s something for every traveler’s interest.

The AAA Great Vacations EXPO opened Friday, January 20 and runs through Sunday, January 22, at Franklin County Veterans Memorial in downtown Columbus. Show hours are Friday 12 p.m. ‐ 8 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. – 8 p.m., and Sunday 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. Tickets are available at the door or at any AAA Ohio Auto Club store, beginning December 1, for $9 or $6 for any AAA member. Children ages 16 and under are admitted at no charge. For additional event details or to purchase tickets in advance, visit www.AAAGreatVacations.com. 

Maybe I'll see you there on Saturday!

New USA Travel & Tourism policies

I’ve posted previously about how our country can benefit economically from increased inbound international tourism and our government listened. 

The President has just announced some new travel & tourism job & visa change initiatives but I question the location of his speech.  

 How much of Walt Disney World and/or Central Florida was shut down and impacted by this event? 

Great move on the issues but maybe wrong venue? 

How many tourists were displaced by his visit? 

But let's remember the rewards!   

  

Princess Spring Clearance Cruise Sail!

During Princess Cruise Lines Spring Clearance Sale you can on sail 5 warm weather itineraries available for as little as $75 per day* plus up to $100 on board credit per stateroom!*

These low fares apply on a fantastic selection of Caribbean, Hawaii, Panama Canal, and California Coastal sailings.

This 5 day only sail starts Jan 19 2012 & is valid through Jan 23 2012.

Contact your cruise travel specialist today!

*Fares are based on select date(s). Fares for other dates may vary. Government fees and taxes from $75–$85 are additional and subject to change. Additional terms and conditions apply.

Some Thoughts on Cruising

A veteran deep water and inland river cruiser I am not ready to abandon ship. I have a couple of group and personal cruises booked and I am staying the course with a steady hand on the wheel. Of course I will be paying very close attention as industry events unfold.  

As tragic as last weekend’s European cruise liner disaster was the passenger cruise industry as a whole has a remarkable safety record. 

According to statistics provided by the Cruise LinesMarketing Association (CLIA) since 2005 more than 100 million people have taken cruises worldwide. There have been just 16 deaths from accidents in that period.

Honestly I’ve felt safer at sea when compared to recently motoring down US 52 on a chilly winter morning. You’ve been there-limited visibility; roads are snow covered and icy then the speed demons blaze by with total disregard for the elements and surface conditions. 

As the facts unfold I believe that human error and poor judgment will most likely be the cause of this accident. Just like the poor judgment of the above mentioned parties flying down the highway at 70 plus miles per hours and not adjusting to the road conditions. 

I will choose to cruise but will take those lifeboat safety drills much more seriously in the future. I hope that you will too!