Travel Briefs

January 2011 issue

Carnival repairing Splendor

One day into a week-long Mexican Riviera cruise, an engine room fire on Nov. 8 left Carnival Cruise Lines’ Splendor dead in the water. 3,299 passengers and 1,167 crew were left without electricity and, hence, no air-conditioning, hot water or hot food. Toilets backed up. While food was airlifted in, tugboats towed the ship 200 miles to San Diego within three days.

Passengers were offered a full refund and a free future cruise. Anyone booked on any of the nine additional Splendor cruises that were canceled will be refunded and get a 25% discount on a cruise.

Carnival plans to...

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July 2007 issue

Protecting Ngoro­ngoro

The government of Tanzania has banned further construction of hotels and lodges in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area (NCAA). They now will be built outside the area and visitors will be driven into the parks. Also, after this season’s harvest, farmers will not be allowed to grow crops in the NCAA.

August 2012 issue

BER opening delayed

ITN reported that the new Willy Brandt Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) would open on June 3 (June ’12, pg. 68). Because German authorities are concerned about fire-safety systems, the opening has been delayed until March 2013.

March 2004 issue

UK restricts free health care for visitors

Britain’s Department of Health is closing loopholes that allow foreign tourists to take advantage of free medical care in public hospitals. Some were abusing the system, including pregnant women who timed their visits to give birth in British hospitals, where they would not be charged.

As of April 2004, under the new regulations travelers who become ill or are injured during their visit to the U.K. will have to pay for treatment, even in National Health Service facilities. Overseas students studying full time in the U.K. will be exempt from charges for treatment.

August 2004 issue

Radisson Plaza Resort Tahiti

To celebrate the opening of the Radisson Plaza Resort Tahiti on June 1, 2004, the 5-star resort is offering a special package with rates from CFP27,350 (approx. $273.50) per person, double occupancy, until Dec. 31, 2004. The “Exotic East Package” includes two nights’ accommodation, a boat excursion and a half-day morning excursion (including visits to Taharaa, Venus Point and the Blow Hole).

Situated on four acres in the town of Arue, the 165-room resort is the only hotel with direct access to the black-sand Lafayette Beach. All guest rooms and suites overlook the ocean with...

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November 2010 issue

Helsinki-St. Petersburg train

New, high-speed Allegro trains will begin service between Helsinki, Finland, and St. Petersburg, Russia, on Dec. 12. With a top speed of 140 mph, and combined with faster border procedures, the trains will make the one-way trip in 3½ hours (down from 5½).

A one-way ticket costs €84 (near $114) second class or €134 ($184) first class. Available at travel agencies and train stations in Finland, it cannot be bought online or aboard the train. Visit www.vr.fi/eng.

July 2012 issue

Holyroodhouse tours

Through Sept. 30, 2012, visitors to the Palace of Holyroodhouse (Canongate, Edinburgh, Scotland; phone [0131] 556 5100), at the east end of the Royal Mile in Edinburgh, can combine their tour of the residence with a half-hour “Garden History Tour,” including ruins of a 12th-century abbey and the site where the Queen’s Garden Party takes place.

The guided walk runs hourly, with the last tour starting at 5 p.m. Combined residence/garden tour tickets cost £12.80 (near $20) adult, £11.65 senior or £7.85 child (6-16); under 5 is free.

May 2012 issue

France breathalyzer law

In France, a new law which will begin to be enforced on Nov. 1, 2012, will require all cars, including rentals, to carry a breath-alcohol-testing instrument. If a driver does not have the device, he will be fined €17 (near $22).

Single-use devices each cost less than $2.50. Hertz will provide the devices for free, but Avis and Budget have not yet announced.

Alcohol limits are far more stringent in France (50mg per 100ml of blood) than in America (varying from 80mg to 100mg). The minimum penalty for driving in France with a blood alcohol level over the legal limit is a fine...

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