Airline Mergers

Will US Airways and bankrupt American Airlines merge? That has been subject of much speculation for the past year and was heightened last November when US Airways made a formal merger proposal that would put its management in charge of the combined carrier.

While this might make corporate sense I am not keen about reducing the competition by another player. With consolidation we will most likely see a reduction in flights between some cities. This reduced lift will drive up prices. A double whammy for the traveler!

What are your thoughts on airline mergers and consolidations?  Let the Travel Professor know!

CELEBRITY CRUISES' MODERN LUXURY STARS IN "TOP CHEF" EPISODE

Celebrity Cruises, the modern luxury vacation brand known for award-winning, fresh-from-scratch cuisine and innovative on board culinary experiences, has provided the unique setting for an episode of Bravo Media’s Emmy® Award-winning Top Chef culinary competition series, now in its 10th season. Tonight's (January 30) episode, airing at 10 pm Eastern/9 pm Central, was filmed on board the 2,158-guest Celebrity Millennium while sailing in Alaska.

During the episode, chef’testants were challenged to navigate the intricacies of Celebrity’s trendsetting, top-quality culinary operation – with multiple galleys and diverse dining options – and prepare dishes served to guests on board. Three Top Chef judges also were on board to join in the action and assess the chef’testants’ results.

Enjoy! 

Where in the Caribbean...

 can you experience two European flavors for just one price?

ABC's smash hit “Dancing with the Stars” sizzles on board Holland America Line

Whether you like to Tango, Quickstep, Paso Doble, or sit back and enjoy watching the sizzling performances, this program offers guests an entirely unique experience on the seas.

Six theme cruises in 2013 and early 2014 will feature Dancing with the Stars: At Sea events including dance lessons; a chance to meet the dancers, ask questions and take photos; and a dazzling production starring celebrities and the famed dance pros, complete with glamorous costumes and routines from the TV show. Currently scheduled to appear on select sailings are two-time champion pro dancers Mark Ballas and Kym Johnson; pros Tristan MacManus and Lacey Schwimmer; and some of your favorite celebrity competitors.* More dance pros and celebrities to be announced.

In addition to the theme cruises, every sailing on all 15 ships in the Holland America Line fleet will feature an exclusive Dancing with the Stars: At Sea program including dance lessons and an opportunity for some lucky guests to dance center stage in an exciting dance-off performance. These activities will feature the ships’ professional dancers and will be developed in collaboration with the show’s dancers and choreographers.

Contact your professional cruise consultant for reservations and/or more information!

Happy MLK Day!

“I have a dream!”…Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. dreamed of a world with equality for all. Today, his dream lives on at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial in Washington, DC. Open to the public, the newest memorial on the National Mall is the first to honor a non-president and the first to honor a man of color. The memorial was designed as a lasting tribute to Dr. King’s legacy and will forever serve as a monument to the freedom, opportunity and justice for which he stood.

This is another must see on any DC itinerary!

Columbus OH Travel Show

Speaking of travel opportunities the Travel Prof still has some free tickets to the fifth-annual Great Vacations Travel EXPO, presented by AAA, will once again boast a long list of EXPO-only deals and discounts, offering guests special pricing on everything from exotic international vacations to close-to-home escapes. 

The Great Vacations Travel EXPO opens Friday, January 18 and runs through Sunday, January 20, at Franklin County Veterans Memorial in Downtown Columbus.   EXPO hours are Friday 12 p.m. - 8 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. - 8 p.m., and Sunday 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. For additional event details or to purchase tickets in advance, visit www.AAAGreatVacations.com.

To obtain your free tickets contact me at 740.550.9540 or thetravelprofessor@gmail.com.