What it's like to live and work on a cruise ship

For my Boston Globe article on spending 10 days at sea, click here.


By Richard P. Carpenter
HONOLULU -- Although it seems hard to believe, cruise directors insist that passengers often ask them this question: “Does the crew sleep onboard?”
The answer, of course, is yes. They snooze onboard, work onboard, and live onboard in a society all their own. A rare insight into just how unique that society is was given by the cruise director and assistant cruise director of the Golden Princess as the 2,600-passenger ship visited the Hawaiian islands during a recent sailing.
Sharing that information was cruise director David Cole, 46, of Pennsylvania, and deputy director Anna Fell of England, who is younger than that. Both spoke frankly about life on the lower decks, discussing everything but salaries because, as Cole noted, that information should be between employee and employer.
It has been established that the crew sleeps aboard, but where? Most of the 1,100 crew members have rooms for two that are “really small,” Cole said, and have bunk beds. Differentiating between the hotel staff -- most of the people that passengers interact with -- and the marine staff, he said that the higher up one goes in the ship hierarchy, the bigger the room they get, “and the less time they have to spend in it.”
A ship’s staff is indeed kept busy. They are required to get 10 hours rest every 24 hours, but that still leaves the possibility of 14-hour days and depending upon circumstances, they have been know to work all of those 14 hours.
A crew has to eat, and the workers get the same good food as passengers, although there are separate “messes” for the entertainment staff, crew, and officers. Fell noted that there is a buffet table, nicknamed The Trough, which is used often by staff members on the run. And there’s a funny thing about good food: You can get tired of it. “When I go ashore, I stock up on Subway sandwiches for my refrigerator,” Cole said. There are, of course, many other services for the staff, from laundry to tailoring, and one deck containing such services is nicknamed the M1, after the British highway.
How does one get hired? Cole, who has spent 21 years at sea, has a background in musical theater and never even saw a cruise ship until he decided to apply and was quickly hired. Fell, who has worked on ships for six years, also has a background in performing arts that includes entertainment at a theme park in Spain. Both have homes to go to (Fell just recently bought hers) during the six to eight weeks between cruises. Other workers, such as waiters and cabin stewards, are often recruited, and while there are some 50 nationalities aboard, about a third of the crew comes from the Philippines.
Then there are the extremely temporary “employees,” such as the people who give lectures on the ports cruisegoers will visit, or the history of the cruise industry, or any number of topics to help passengers pass the time. There are agencies such as Sixth Star Entertainment & Marketing in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., that specialize in getting such people aboard ship. The lecturers’ remuneration is a free cruise, although they are usually responsible for their flight and port taxes.
As for the permanent staff, most are young and healthy, and many are single. Nature does take its course, and during the discussion of ship life, the name “Peyton Place” understandably came up.

Provincetown set for first Restaurant Week

Twenty Provincetown, Mass.,  restaurants will set their tables for the town’s first  Restaurant Week, Nov. 6-12. The  participating restaurants will offer three-course (appetizer, entrée, and dessert) prix fixe dinners at either $25 or $35, excluding gratuity, alcohol and tax. A  Gallery Stroll will be held on Saturday, Nov. 7 from 5-8 p.m., when galleries along Commercial Street will host festive open houses.

For details, click here.

Speaking of food, check out Epcot

At Walt Disney World, the 14^th annual Epcot International Food & Wine Festival is now on through Nov. 8, with a chance to sample food, beer and wine from around the world, to the accompaniment of live music.  Some 250 chefs including Disney chefs and guest chefs from across the country will participate.  Some events are free at others cost varying prices.

For details and a complete program, click here.

Fascinating fact 

Americans eat about 350 slices of pizza per second.

Bermuda, for girlfriends and golfers

Bermuda's Elbow Beach resort has launched two new packages for the fall. The Girls Just Want to Have Fun  package provides welcome sweets, beach and pool time, a two-hour session at the spa, and a wine- and cheese-tasting event. Rates at $430 per person, with breakfast and dinner included.  The  package includes a fourth night free for a minimum four-night stay and includes taxes and gratuities. The golf and spa package, meanwhile, offers a variety of holistic treatments to choose from at The Spa at Elbow Beach, and a tee time at the newly renovated Port Royal Golf Course. Rates start at $420 per person with breakfast, dinner, two hours at the spa, and a round of golf. This package is for a minimum three-night stay and includes taxes and gratuities. Both packages are valid until Dec. 31.

For details, click here or call 441-236-3535.

Worth quoting

“Stop worrying about the potholes in the road and celebrate the journey.”

                                                                            - – Fitzhugh Mullan

Where the deals are this autumn

The Orbitz Insider Index has reviewed average hotel costs in 10 popular shoulder-season destinations, with an eye toward the ones that give travelers the most value this fall.  International hot spots Dublin and Bermuda top the list, offering  the highest  percentage of savings, 44% and 38% respectively.  But, savvy spenders should also set their sights on a fall trip on to Las Vegas, San Juan, and once again, Dublin, all of which offer average hotel rates under $100 per night.

For hotel rooms beginning at $29 a night, visit www.orbitz.com/sales.

Be prompt, and save big at Squaw Valley

Starting tomorrow, Sept. 29, the first 100 people to book a winter stay in the Village at Squaw Valley USA will get 40 percent off the price of reservations.   Book by calling 866-818-6963 or visiting www.thevillageatsquaw.com beginning Sept. 29 at midnight.     Blackout dates and restrictions apply at the California resort; and at least two nights must be booked to receive the rate.  High-season prices start around $209 a night

For women: 101 tips to add to the joy of travel

Wear a wedding ring, even if you're not married. Follow the custom and use your right hand when dining in India. And whatever you do, don't put your purse on the floor in Brazil. You'll find this advice, and a lot more, in a free booklet, "101 Tips for Women Travelers," edited by Harriet Lewis, co-chair of Overseas Adventure Travel and Grand Circle Travel.

"The truth is that women travel differently than men do," says Lewis, who notes that more than 70 percent of her companies' customers are now women, who travel solo or leave their spouses at home to journey with female friends. Let us look at a few more tips:

* Pack a few fabric softener sheets. They help keep your clothes smelling fresh and Bounce sheets in particular are believed to help repel mosquitoes. If you're driving a rental car, put a sheet under the front seat to help the car smell fresh.

* Take only new dollar bills -- or iron them before you go. Banks in many countries such as China or Burma will only take U.S. dollars if they appear new and pristine. Even a slight tear or smudge could be cause for rejection. Carry those bills in a zip-lock bag to keep them from getting sweaty or dirty.

* Best seat in the house? The bar. For solo travelers, a good way to overcome the awkwardness of eating alone is to sit at the bar and order your meal there. The bartender will usually try to make you feel at home, strike up a conversation and often engage others at the counter to join in.

* Bring dual-language menus from ethnic eateries in your neighborhood. If you do, you can point to the dish you want and be assured the staff will understand what you want. In fact, bring extra copies -- the owner may want one when future English-speaking customers stop in.

* Reduce camera glare with sunglasses. You can do this simply by placing polarized sunglasses over the camera lens. Hold them as close to the lens as possible and check your viewfinder to be sure the sunglass rims aren't in your shot.

The 101 tips were compiled with input from the companies' own women travelers, staff members and guides. The 128-page booklet is designed to fit easily into a woman's bag. For a copy, call 1-800-873-5628 or visit www.oattravel.com/tips.

Five-star Aer Lingus Ireland package starts at $499

An Ireland Five-Star Resort Package from Aer Lingius, the country's national airline, includes six nights in a deluxe two-bedroom villa at The Heritage 5 Star Golf & Spa Resort, round-trip airfare to Dublin, weekly manual full-size car rental, entrance to the Belleek China Visitor Center and a Shannon Region Discount Booklet worth $500 in savings (if you use all coupons, of course).

The package begins at $499 per person, based on quad occupancy, for travel Dec. 1-Feb. 11 (blackout dates of Dec. 18-31 apply) for travel from New York or Boston. Other departure cities and dates cost slightly more. Taxes ranging from $98 - $165 per person are additional. For more information, call 1800-495-1632 or click here.

Fascinating fact

Taiwan inventor Chen Liang-erh spent 10 years and $1.4 million developing dinnerware made out of weat, so that you can eat your plate as well as the meal. Manufacturing is underway.

For shoppers: a hotel deal near Mall of America

The website CheapOair has a package at the four-star HiltonMinneapolis Bloomington, near the gigantic Mall of America,  as well as Nickelodeon Universe and the Minnesota Zoo. Rates start at $71 a night.

Click here or call 1-866-592-9685.

Worth quoting

“There is no moment of delight in any pilgrimage like the beginning of it.”                                                                                                                             --   Charles Dudley Warner      

                           

Chills, thrills, spookiness at 3 N.H. inns

Three country inns in the Sunapee region of central New Hampshire are offering  Halloween events the weekend of October 23-25.  Organized by GraniteStateVacations.com, the events  go beyond the usual pumpkin carving and trick or treating, and include spooky stories in a haunted barn, shaman healing and past life regression sessions, as well as communications with spirits. Brrr. Special packages are available at the three inns, which are the Highland Lake Inn (starting at $249 per person) , Rosewood Country Inn (third night at half off) and the Inn at Pleasant Lake (third night at half off).  

For more information on the Spirit of October weekend, click here.

Trivial answer

I have been unable to blog lately but owe you an answer to the most recent trivia question, and here it is: From Africa eastward, the dozen countries that lie on the equator are Sao Tome and Principe, Gabon, Republic of The Congo, Democratic Republic of The Congo, Uganda, Kenya, Somalia, Indonesia, Kiribati (the equator may or may not touch dry land), Ecuador, Colombia and Brazil. (Source: About.com.)

Mother and child reunion

These pretty porkers were spotted in Sedona, Ariz., which is kind of pretty itself. The sculpture is of Sedona's famous pig-like creatures, the javelinas.

(Photo by Richard P. Carpenter)

The joys of spending a night in a hotel

Hotel rooms aren't always cheap but they can be a welcome break from daily drudgery. In a survey of U.S. adults recently commissioned by hotels.com, respondents were asked what they looked forward to when spending a night in a hotel. The results:

* 66 percent -- simply peace and quiet.

* 66 percent ( a tie!) -- having no responsibilities.

* 58 percent -- not having to make the bed or clean up.

* 43 percent -- room service.

* 41 percent -- a full night's sleep.

* 18 percent -- control of the TV and remote.

Participants in the survey were also asked what they gladly leave behind when heading for a hotel. The answers:

* 75 percent -- chores and housework.

* 47 percent -- their jobs.

* 11 percent -- their children.

* 8 percent -- their spouses or significant others.

The study was conducted as part of a promotion for the website's welcomerewards program, in which guests automatically earn a free night in a location of their choice after booking and staying 10 nights with hotels.com.

Fascinating fact

Israel (8, 019 square miles) is less than one-fourth the size of the state of Maine (34,554 square miles).

Free 3rd, 4th or 5th night in Florida's Gulf Islands

Florida’s Gulf Islands of Anna Maria Island, Longboat Key, and the mainland areas of Bradenton and Lakewood Ranch are offering free nights at 16 properties through Oct. 31. Included are properties hotels,  mini resorts,  condominiums and luxury vacation rentals at varying prices. Depending upon the property, you get a free third, fourth or fifth night, which sounds so much better than saying you get a discount of 33, 25 or 20 percent.

For details and offers, click here. 

Trivial question

Twelve countries lie on the Equator. How many can you name? (Answer with next posting.)

Two autumnal offers from a Cape Cod resort

The Cape Codder Resort & Spa in Hyannis, Mass., has a couple of packages for fall and beyond. The one-night Cranberry Harvest Package, with rates starting at $239 through November,  includes a welcome gift, dinner for two at Grand Cru Wine Bar and Grill or Hearth 'n Kettle Restaurant ($40 in meal allowance) and a $40 Gift Voucher to use in the resort's Beach Plum Spa or Sea Breeze Gift Shop. Meanwhile, the one-night Fire and Ice Romance Package starts at $169,  Columbus Day through Memorial Day. The offer features champagne, chocolates, a 
$10  allowance off  lunch or dinner at the Hearth 'n Kettle Restaurant or Grand Cru Wine Bar and Grill and 10 percent off all Beach Plum Spa services.

Call 888-297-2200 or 508-771-3000. For resort details, visit www.capecodderresort.com.

Worth quoting

“To travel is to discover that everyone is wrong about other countries.”

                                                                                                     -- Aldous Huxley

Get set for the Buffalo Wing Festival!

Few things attract a crowd like buffalo wings. In fact, more than 75,000 people are expected to attend the 8^th annual National Buffalo Wing Festival, to be held Labor Day Weekend in where else but Buffalo, N.Y. A highlight   will be the second annual Celebrity Chef Challenge sponsored by Frank’s RedHot, the secret ingredient in the original Buffalo wing recipe. The chef challenge will feature festival founder, Drew Cerza, aka The Wing King,  and Kevin Roberts, executive chef, cookbook author and radio personality. Attendees will learn savory sauce secrets and  the history of Buffalo wings. Afterward, you can cool off by visiting nearby Niagara Falls and Ontario wineries.

Visit www.buffalowing.com.

All those museums, all that chocolate and all that beer!

Brussels: a capital like no other.

Belgium may be a small country -- it encompasses 11,787 square miles and has a population of 10.7 million -- but big treats are in store for visitors. Here are some of the things they will find: 

* 2,000 chocolate shops.

* 500 types of beer, from 125 breweries.

* 200 museums.

* 35 UNESCO World Heritage sites.

* 3,000 castles, farm-castles, citadels, manors or palaces, giving the country more castles per square mile than anywhere else in the world.

* More than 500 buildings that are fully or partially Art Nouveau, in Brussels alone.

If you need more to whet your interest, consider this: The Belgian Tourist Office says that Brussels -- the capital of the nation and the headquarters of the European Union and NATO -- is less expensive to visit than London, Paris, Amsterdam, and most western European capitals. And wherever you go, you'll be sure to hear lively music. After all, the saxophone was invented in Dinant Belgium in 1846.
For more information, go to www.visitbelgium.com.

Worth quoting

"Laughter is an instant vacation." 

                                               -- Milton Berle.

The wide world of the Web

FlightCaster.com says it can predict flight delays up to six hours before official airline alert notifications, which should help travelers determine if they should change itineraries, notify colleagues, or alter their plans. The data is available free on the Web and through paid apps for the iPhone and BlackBerry.

Forget the heat and think about autumn foliage

The Appalachian Mountain Club is offering an all-inclusive "kid 2-for-1" deal at AMC's five lodges in New Hampshire and Maine throughout New England's glorious peak foliage season, plus a Moosehead Lake package at its Maine wilderness lodges with a cruise of Moosehead Lake. Prices vary but are reasonable.

Click here.

Fascinating fact

In addition to being nicknames the Sunflower State, Kansas has also officially or unofficially been called the Squatter State, the Grasshopper State, Salt of the Earth, the Battleground of Freedom, the Garden of the West, the Cyclone State, the Dust Bowl State, the Wheat State and the Jayhawker State.

Free hotel nights throughout Italy

TourCrafters is offering free nights at many hotels in Italy. In Florence, for example, the new 4-star Palazzo Ognissanti is offering a pay-for-two-nights-stay-for-three deal in August, November and December, cutting a third off the usual nightly price of $224. Rome's centrally-located Hotel Brasile, popular with budget travelers, has a pay-two-stay-three offer in August, November and December. In Venice, the Hotel Malibran ($174 a night)also has a pay-two-stay-three deal in August, November and December. Even on the Italian Riviera, the 4-star Hotel Continental ($284 a night) is offering pay-three-stay-four from September through December. Several villa hotels in Tuscany and other regions are offering similar deals from August through December. Hotels in Bologna, Perugia, Parma and Spoleto are also offering free nights.

For a list of all hotels offering free nights, visit www.tourcrafters.com. For more information and reservations, call 800-ITALY-95.

Disney World Halloween starts Sept. 4

On 24 evenings between Sept. 4 and Nov. 1, Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom will be filled with friendly ghosts and goblins during Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party.Guests of all ages can dress up in their own Halloween costumes if they want, but in any case they get to trick-or-treat around the theme park, collecting candy. Special lighting and music transform areas of the park into haunted (but happy) hollows. The parties will be held Sept. 4, 11, 15, 18, 22, 25, 29; Oct. 1, 2, 6, 8, 9, 12, 13, 15, 18, 20, 22, 23, 25, 27, 29, 31 and Nov. 1, beginning at 7 p.m. and continuing till midnight. The event, which takes place following Magic Kingdom closing and requires a separate admission ($46-$59), also features two entertainment extravaganzas: Mickey’s “Boo-to-You” Halloween parade and a “Happy HalloWishes” fireworks spectacular.

Visit www.disneyworld.com/halloween or call 407-W-DISNEY.

Trivia answer

The statue pictured below is of Paul Bunyan and this particular one is located in Bangor, Maine. The question was not that easy because, among other places, you can also find Bunyan statues in Bemidji and Brainerd, Minn.; Westwood and Del Norte County, California; St. Ignace and Ossineke, Mich.; Enchanted Forest Water Safari, New York, and  Eau Claire, Wis. Bunyan, alas, exists only in folklore. Among the wondrous tales told about him is that he and Babe the Blue Ox, his companion, dug the Grand Canyon when he dragged his axe behind him.

Where are you, and who is he?

Today's two-part trivia question asks where you can find this statue, and who is this big guy? Hint: He never really existed, but perhaps he should have. (Answer given with next posting.)

(Photo by Richard P. Carpenter)

Going abroad? These tips may enhance your experience

The Taj Mahal: Never on Friday

Part of the joy of overseas travel is observing the differences in cultures and lifestyles. But those differences can also lead to questions. For instance: When should you avoid shopping in southern Europe or visiting the Taj Mahal?  When is the best time to visit Kyoto, Japan, or the best time of day to see wildlife in Africa?   
 
The U. S. Tour Operators Association, whose member companies send 11 million people annually on vacation,  asked its members for insider tips on trips to various parts of the world.  Below are some of the tips, along with their sources.
 
Southern Europe.  In some parts of southern Europe, shops and restaurants close for siesta  in the afternoon, reopening in the evening and staying open late.  Travelers should plan accordingly so they are not disappointed.  (Avanti Destinations)
 
Italy. The nation's climate in Italy can vary from 15-20 degrees in all seasons.  So  bring a sweater, clothes that can be layered, and an all-weather jacket, plus comfortable walking shoes.  Also, some religious sites may require modest dress to enter, meaning no shorts, short skirts or sleeveless tops. (Gate 1 Travel)
 
Where can you dine at a 350-year-old restaurant in Rome?  La Cisterna, one of Rome’s oldest restaurants, is in the city’s Trastevere section.  The restaurant’s origins date to 1630. (Tauck World Discovery)
 
Ireland and Scotland. To see Ireland on your own terms, choose an open voucher program that provides the first night’s stay at a pre-booked hotel, and remaining nights wherever you want, such as at bed-and-breakfasts. In between,  explore on your own. (Celtic Tours World Vacations)
 
To mark the 250th anniversary of poet Robert Burns' birth, with the celebration going on now through Nov. 30, Scotland is hosting numerous events, including the first annual Homecoming, which focuses on visitors with Scottish heritage. (Go Ahead Tours)
 
Australia.  One U.S. dollar buys $1.25 in Australian currency.  Not only will travelers save money while visiting due to the favorable exchange rate, but the trip itself will cost less.  (Goway)
  
U.S. citizens need a visa for entry into Australia.  But that visa is inexpensive and easy to obtain. (Explorica)
 
Botswana and South Africa. Animals are most active in the early morning and late afternoon, because they avoid the midday sun. (African Travel, Inc.)
  
No immunizations are required for travel to South Africa, unlike other parts of the continent.   And while the official languages of South Africa are Afrikaans and English, there are 11 officially recognized languages.  Guides and bush trackers all speak English well. (International Expeditions)
 
India. Avoid visiting Agra and the Taj Mahal on Friday.  The Taj Mahal is closed every Friday.  (SITA World Tours)
 
Japan and Vietnam. The best times to see Kyoto, Japan,  are during its festive summer season; or visit in autumn to see the foliage.  (Signet Tours)
 
If you’re going to Vietnam, enhance the experience by adding on a tour to Angkor Wat in Cambodia. (Brendan Vacations)
 

General advice. Carry all prescriptions and over the counter medicines in their original containers.  (Abercrombie & Kent)   Schedule transfers with your travel agent prior to your arrival in a foreign destination to avoid long lines and language issues. (Travel Bound) On cruises, purchase optional shore excursions before boarding the ship.  Doing so will help you avoid long lines and allow you to disembark earlier than those buying excursions at the  last minute. (Homeric Tours)
 
More Information. For more information on the U. S. Tour Operators Association, and for a list of member companies serving destinations around the world, visit:  www.ustoa.com, www.ustoa.travel, or see a travel agent. 

Worth quoting

"The Americans are a noisy nation. ... They do not seem able to enjoy themselves unless there is a tremendous noise going on about them all the time." 

                                                             -- Canadian author L.M. Montgomery, after a visit to Boston

The fine print in JetBlue's unlimited-flight offer

At first glance, JetBlue's new offer of unlimited flights sounds great, and for many travelers it will be. But here are some things to keep in mind: Flights must take place Sept. 8-Oct. 8; do you have a lot of destinations you want to go to in that time span or will you just be flying to take advantage of the deal? JetBlue flies to 57 destinations, which obviously isn't everywhere you might want to go. If you change your mind after booking, there is a $100 penalty for no-shows. Taxes and fees of up to $127.60 each way are not included for trips to Puerto Rico or international destinations. 

Visit www.jetblue.com or call 800-538-2583.

Fascinating fact

A Boeing 747 can carry 57,285 gallons of fuel.

Facebook fans, how good is your geography?

Geo Challenge, a popular game on Facebook, lets you challenge your friends to see who knows the most countries, flags and cities of the world. 

Click here. 

An Iceland air-hotel package for $499

Icelandair has  announced a $469 per person package in November that includes airfare from New York or Boston, two nights' lodging in three star hotels in the historic center of the capital city of Reykjavik, and big Scandinavian-style breakfasts for two mornings. The same package in October is  $90 more, and although September travel is slightly higher, travel costs are still generally 20 to 30 percent lower than peak season rates. (Of course, there are taxes and other restrictions.)

Visit www.icelandair.com. 

 

What those brochures say -- and what they actually mean

We've all seen those brochures that describe a lodging place or packaged tour as just one step short of heaven.  Here, with thanks to Resources for Attorneys, is a translation of the brochures' glowing terms:

Old world charm = No bath
Tropical = Rainy
Majestic setting = A long way from town
Options galore = Nothing is included in the itinerary
Secluded hideaway = Impossible to find or get to
Pre-registered rooms = Already occupied
Explore on your own = Pay for it yourself
Knowledgeable trip hosts = They've flown in an airplane before
No extra fees = No extras
Nominal fee = Outrageous charge
Standard = Sub-standard
Deluxe = Standard
Superior = One free shower cap
All the amenities = Two free shower caps
Plush =  Top and bottom sheets
Gentle breezes =  Occasional gale-force winds
Light and airy = No air conditioning
Picturesque = Theme park nearby
Open bar = Free ice cubes

$99 NYC hotel rate, with breakfast included

Until Labor Day, rates at the recently opened Ace New York hotel begin at $99, and that includes breakfast.  Ace New York, in the city's NoMad (north of Madison Square Park) neighborhood, features local art throughout the lobby and guest rooms, turntables and records for a retro touch,  Other fun touches include in-room turntables with record selection curated by Other Music, fully stocked mini-bars, with lounges and restaurants to open in fall.

Visit www.acehotel.com/newyork or call 212-679-2222.

Trivial question

In which country will you find the Nullabor Plain? (Answer somewhere below.)

Pioneer Village is back in historic Salem

Pioneer Village in Salem, Mass., which calls itself America's first living history museum, has been around since 1930 but often has fallen on hard times, partly because it is a distance away from most of the city's other attractions. But now it is open again, under the management of Gordon College, and the college's theater group History Alive! stages performances there. What's more, a trolley offers a shuttle service from the city's Old Town Hall during July and August. Show tickets, which include trolley transportation, are available for under $10 and tours, with no shuttle service, are $5.

Visit www.pioneervillagesalem.com.

Worth quoting

"Visits always give pleasure -- if not the arrival, the departure."

                                                                                               -- Portuguese proverb

$59-$120 in complimentary extras on some deals

Hotwire travel-ticker has posted a variety of discounted offers with some complimentary extras, worth $59-$120,  thrown in. Depending where you stay, those extras may take various forms, airport transfers,   a  credit on laundry services and phone calls, spa credits, and free stays for children. In Ludlow, Vt., for example a stay at  Castle Hill Resort & Spa starts at $99, Sunday-Thursday, or $50 more on weekends. Plus, guests get $120 in extras.

Visit www.travel-ticker.com. And don't forget the hyphen.

Fascinating fact

Twenty-seven U.S. states have land north of Canada's southernmost point,  Middle Island, Ontario. Those states are Alaska, California, Connecticut, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New York, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming. (With thanks to About.com.)

$18.72 gets you a complete meal at Maine resort

The Cliff House Resort & Spa in Ogunquit, Maine, is celebrating the fact that it has been owned and operated by the same family since 1872. Even day visitors can have lunch on the Ocean Terrace with the celebration menu's  entrée, dessert and glass of house wine or flight of Maine microbrew costing $18.72. At  dinner in the historic oceanfront dining room specials with choices like cornmeal dusted scallops and Fried Maine Lobster Rangoon, with glass of house wine,  also come in at $18.72.

Visit www.cliffhousemaine.com.

Trivial answer

Nullarbor Plain is in Australia. Nullarbor, which means "no tree, " lays claim to being the world's largest single piece of limestone and occupies an area of 77,200 square miles.

The (rowf!) 10 dog-friendliest beaches in the (woof!) USA

Photo from Petside.com

Montrose Dog Beach in Chicago

So you've taken your dog on your travels and now he's ready for a romp on the beach. As dog owners well know, every beach doesn't welcome their furry friends. But Petside.com has just released its list of the nation's Top 10 Dog-Friendly Beaches, calling them fun for dogs and their owners alike. The list:

1. Cape San Blas (Port St. Joe, Fla.) has year-round, leash-free policies and plethora of dog-friendly activities. A sailing program welcomes dogs aboard and many pet-friendly restaurants are nearby. 

2. Quiet Waters Park  (Annapolis, Md.) reserves a fenced-off area as a beach just for pooches. Moreover, the beach sponsors the annual “Howl-O-Ween Barkin Bash” costume parade for dogs and owners. 

3. Block Island (Rhode Island)  is a small dog-friendly island open year-round.  The beach has a relaxed leash policy, and bans all motor vehicles.

4. Cannon Beach (Cannon Beach, Ore.) is a four-mile stretch of beach along the Pacific, near a town filled with dog-friendly hotels, restaurants and shops. Dogs must stay on-leash, but Petside says the view is worth it. 

5. Fort De Soto Park (St. Petersburg, Fla.) has a unique Paw Playground, consisting of fenced-in areas for  big  and small dogs. The park provides dog showers, a dog beach and fresh drinking water.

6. Carmel City Beach (Carmel, Calif.)  is breathtakingly beautiful beach is perfect for the couple looking to stroll along in the sand with their pet. And after a peaceful walk on the beach, you and your dog can meander up to the charming town of Carmel, where many restaurants and shops are completely dog friendly. Carmel City Beach is ideal for a romantic day that can include your pooch.

7. Jekyll Island (Georgia) is an  eco-friendly getaway with 10 miles of unspoiled white sand beaches.

8. Coronado (San Diego) is a fun beach for pets and owners alike. The sunny beaches around Coronado are also famous for hosting some of the most unique dog competitions in the area. Our favorite is the Loews Coronado Bay Resort surf dog competition in Imperial Beach - the nation's largest surfing competition for pups.  

9. Stewart Beach (Galveston, Tex.) is  well regarded as one of the better family-oriented beaches in Texas. So bring your dog and your youngsters.

10. Montrose Dog Beach (Chicago)   is home to a wonderful dog park where residents  bring their dogs to run in the sun (off-leash) on a stretch of beach.   

Honorable mentions went to St. George Island (Fla.), Hunting Island State Park (Saint Helena (Island, South Carolina), Mission Bay (San Francisco), Jennings Dog Beach (Fairfield, Conn.) and Prospect Park Dog Beach (Brooklyn, N.Y.).

For photos and more details, click here.

Trivial question

Which two states border the most other states? (Answer somewhere below.)

Free pot brownies -- but don't get too excited

To commemorate the 40th Anniversary of Woodstock, Hard Rock Hotel in San Diego will serve free Pot Brownies to  guests checking in Aug. 14-16.  But relax: The brownies, which will be served a la mode, may not exactly be what you are thinking of. They are named for the ceramic pots in which they are baked and not for any "secret" ingredients.

For hotel information, visit www.hardrockhotelsd.com.

Worth quoting

"A journey of a thousand miles begins with a cash advance."

                                                                                           --- Bongo Bob

Mozart, Merlot and river rafting in Oregon

On Sept. 16-20 James Henry’s annual Mozart and Merlot and Gourmet California Cuisine Trip is offered on a rafting/kayaking/camping trip along Oregon's Rogue River. Participants can listen to the  melodies of guest violinist Cindy Albers whiledining  on wild salmon, chicken fajitas, pasta primavera, and Lamb Tagine. River sojourners will also sip  the Zinfandels, Chardonnays, and Cabernet Sauvignons of Sonoma County’s Ravenswood Winery. This is also an opportunity to hike or run the  Rogue River trail.  Cost is $975 for adults and youths. The price  includes all on-river meals and wine, services of professional guides, musicians, winemakers, oar, paddle rafts, inflatable kayaks, and transportation from Galice, Ore. and return.

Visit www.riverjourneys.com or call 800-786-1830.

Vancouver, New York hotel prices drop most
According to the the July Hotwire Hotel Rate Report, which charts the top 10 cities in North America where hotel rates have dropped the most, Vancouver and New York City lead the list, meaning there are great bargains out there. Vancouver had a 33% price reduction compared with last year, and New York had a 25% cut. The others on the list and the percent of the drop: Tampa, 24%; Oahau, Hawaii, 24 %; Portland, Ore., 21%; Las Vegas, 20%; San Antonio, 19%; Toronto, 18%; Nashville, 18%; and Miami, 18%.

Fascinating fact

Bhutan is known to its inhabitants as Druk Yul  -- Land of the Thunder Dragon.

Trivial answer

Tennessee and Missouri each border eight states. Tennesee is bordered by  Kentucky, Missouri, Arkansas, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina and Virginia. Missouri is bordered by Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Tennesee, Kentucky and Illinois.

Philadelphia region gets set for a busy, bracing autumn

Photo by Peddler's Village

Summer travel is well underway, so let's think about the fall. The Philadelphia area, for example, will welcome autumn with special exhibitions, Halloween haunts and annual events for all ages. Princess Diana, Jim Henson, Henri Matisse and George Washington Carver lead the lineup, which also includes Body Worlds 2 at The Franklin Institute Science Museum, tattoos aplenty at the Independence Seaport Museum, "Terror Behind the Walls" at the Eastern State Penitentiary, and a variety of festivals.

As part of the new With Love, Philadelphia XOXO campaign, visitors who book one of the nearly 100 featured packages on www.gophila.com/withlove will receive a Philadelphia Privileges coupon book, a five-pack of With Love postcards, a With Love pin and Philly Fill-Ins word games, along with brochures, coupons and maps.Visitors can book packages online or by calling the hotels directly. Here are some of the events coming up in the Philadelphia region:

History and Science

Diana: A Celebration, a 10,000-square-foot National Constitution Center exhibition, showcases the life and work of the princess of Wales. Diana’s childhood, her engagement to Prince Charles, her lavish royal wedding, her children and her works as a global humanitarian are all part of the exhibit. Oct. 2-Dec. 31. 525 Arch St., 215-409-6700, www.constitutioncenter.org.

Visitors to The Franklin Institute can uncover the intricacies of human anatomy during Gunther von Hagens’ Body Worlds 2 & The Three Pound Gem. More than 200 specimens, including 20 whole bodies, healthy and unhealthy organs and body sections, provide an unprecedented view inside the human body. And The Three Pound Gem delves into the mysterious world of the brain. October 2009-spring 2010, with exact dates to be announced. 222 N. 20th Street, 215-448-1200, www.fi.edu

Born into slavery, George Washington Carver devoted his life to science, education and humanitarian efforts. Videos, hands-on activities and more than 150 artifacts at The Academy of Natural Sciences guide visitors through Carver's life and work. Nov. 12-Feb. 28. 1900 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, 215-299-1000, www.ansp.org

The Arts, from Matisse To Kermit

Including about 35 paintings and sculptures, Matisse and Modern Art on the French Riviera at the Philadelphia Museum of Art’s Perelman Building celebrates the French Riviera’s mythic allure for modern artists. Through Oct. 25. Fairmount & Pennsylvania Avenues, 215- 763-8100, www.philamuseum.org

The Independence Seaport Museum presents Skin & Bones – Tattoos in the Life of the American Sailor, a new and original exhibition using historical and contemporary images, objects and tattoos to illustrate sailors’ stories and recount the meaning of their tattoos and the belief in their power to protect sailors at sea. Through Jan. 3. Columbus Boulevard at Walnut Street, 215- 413-8655, www.phillyseaport.org

Jim Henson’s Fantastic World at the James A. Michener Art Museum documents Henson's visual thinking through works of art, photographs, documents, puppets and film and video clips. Sept. 12-Nov. 29. 138 Pine St., Doylestown, 215-340-9800, www.michenermuseum.org

During the 10th annual Philadelphia Open Studio Tours, known as POST to locals, visitors can look into the workshops of local artists across all mediums in neighborhoods throughout the city. Oct. 3-4, 10-11. 215-546-7775, www.philaopenstudios.com

It’s all about me at the First Person Festival of Memoir and Documentary Art, called the only event in the nation dedicated to artistic creation based on real-life experiences. The multidisciplinary festival features performance art, experiential tours, visual art exhibitions, concerts and film screenings at The Painted Bride Art Center. Nov. 4-8. 230 Vine St., 267-402-2055, www.firstpersonarts.org

Halloween All Month

A free family favorite, the 31st annual Scarecrow Festival at Peddler’s Village features scarecrow displays, pumpkin-painting workshops and pie-eating contests. Sept. 12-13. Routes 202 & 263, Lahaska, 215-794-4000, www.peddlersvillage.com

Thrill-seekers celebrate the Halloween season at Eastern State Penitentiary with Terror Behind the Walls, a haunted house inside an abandoned prison that once held notorious criminals like Al Capone. Sept.18-Nov. 1. 22nd Street & Fairmount Avenue, 215-236-3300, www.easternstate.org

Miniature ghosts and goblins can wear costumes, trick-or-treat throughout the park, watch Elmo’s Halloween show and take a hayride during The Count’s Halloween Spooktacular at Sesame Place. Weekends, Sept. 26-Oct. 31. 100 Sesame Road, Langhorne, 866-GO-4-ELMO, www.sesameplace.com

The area’s crafters display their best scarecrows for Morris Arboretum’s Scarecrow Walk (Oct. 3-18). After picking their favorites, visitors can catch the Great American Lighthouses-themed Garden Railway display (through Oct. 13). 100 E. Northwestern Avenue, 215-247-5777, www.morrisarboretum.org

Laurel Hill Cemetery can be unsettling even when programming doesn’t include happenings like Dead Men Do Tell Tales, the South Jersey Ghost Research presentation of paranormal investigations at Laurel Hill (Oct. 10); Halloween flashlight tours (Oct. 23-24, 30); or Fall Family Day, celebrating costumes and all-things Halloween (Oct. 25). 3822 Ridge Avenue, 215-228-8200, www.thelaurelhillcemetery.org

The revitalized Franklin Square, one of Philadelphia’s original public parks, gets fun in a creepy way in October with Spooky Mini Golf every Saturday and Sunday night, scary storytelling and pumpkin decorating (Oct. 10, 17) and a trick-or-treat trail (Oct. 24, 31). 6th & Race Streets, 215-629-4026, www.historicphiladelphia.org

The Philadelphia Zoo calls all kids to Boo at the Zoo, a masquerade party and trick-or-treating extravaganza. There are also storytelling, face painting, games and music. Oct. 24-25. 3400 W. Girard Avenue, 215- 243-1100, www.philadelphiazoo.org

Annual Festivals

Longwood Gardens’ Autumn’s Colors festival, monster pumpkins, unusual gourds, a garden railway and live entertainment fill the floral sanctuary. Sept. 7-Nov. 22. 1001 Longwood Road, Kennett Square, 610-388-1000, www.longwoodgardens.org

The 27th annual Philadelphia Shell Show and Festival at The Academy of Natural Sciences features treasures of the seas on display and for sale. There will be free shells, naturalist presentations and crafts for youngsters. Oct. 10-11. 1900 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, 215-299-1000, www.ansp.org

The free and fruity 38th annual Apple Festival at Peddler’s Village honors the healthy treat with old-fashioned country apple butter, apple cider, apple dumplings, apple fritters and caramel-dipped apples. Nov. 7-8. Routes 202 & 263, Lahaska, 215-794-4000, www.peddlersvillage.com

For more information about travel to Philadelphia, visit www.gophila.com or www.uwishunu.com or call 800-537-7676.

Trivial question

Name the U.S. state capitals that have "City" in their names. (Answer somewhere below.)

The healing power of Hawaii

It was an emotional reason that brought Rebecca Lane of Port Orchard, Wash., to Hawaii. "My son, who had cystic fibrosis for thirty years, passed away recently and and it turned my world upside down," she e-mailed me. "I desperately needed to do something to turn it right side up again ... I wanted to take some of his ashes someplace special. I knew it was Hawaii and I didn't want something "touristy." I found this place on line called Wellness With Aloha [on the Big Island] and something just clicked when I talked to them." She spent several days with energy and massage healers and writes, "If there ever was such a thing as Hawaiian Healing, I think this is it. After I got back, people said how I looked like I had found peace. I think I found something authentic on a different level in Hawaii and it helped heal my heart."

Fascinating fact

The Tigris river, which runs through Baghdad,  is about 1,150 miles long. The name "Tigris" comes from Old Persian and translates as "the fast one."

By the sea, in Charleston

The Charleston Harbor Resort & Marina is offerings a Sullivan’s Island Beach Experience package starting at $129 per room, per night, including accommodations, transportation to and from Sullivan's Island, a boxed lunch and beverages for everyone registered in the room, and a cooler, too.

For more information, click here.

Trivial answer

The cities are Salt Lake City, Carson City, Oklahoma City and Jefferson City. Although there is a Kansas City in both Kansas and Missouri, neither is a capital.

I dunno, wasaaap with you?

Some sayings are universal, as shown by this "engraving" spotted in Tanzania.

(Photo by Richard P. Carpenter)

Are hotel loyalty programs worth the trouble?

For some of us, frequent-flier programs are no longer worth the bother. For others, the same can be said of hotel loyalty programs. According to a new survey from hotels.com, those who belong to loyalty programs are finding a number of shortcomings:

 * Ninety-three percent want improvements made to their memberships. 

 * Almost six in ten (59 percent) want fewer restrictions on how they can use their program benefits.

  * More than one-third (37 percent) don’t think the value added bonus is ever really as great as the program wants them to believe.

 * Nearly one-quarter (24 percent) don’t like the fine print that comes with benefits.

* Nearly half (49 percent) didn’t book anything in the last year using their reward travel benefits, such as a hotel stay, a flight or a car rental. 

Now, hotels.com isn't exactly neutral in this matter, since it is promoting its own program, welcomerewards, which it calls "a simple program that offers one free night after every 10 nights booked." But the most enjoyable part of the survey centers on what most people (93 percent) would give up to get a free hotel night:

* 71 percent would give up clothes shopping.

* 65 percent would abstain from chocolate. 

* 31 percent would drop their cell phone. 

* 29 percent would give up watching television.

Or so they say.

Worth quoting

“He who has seen one cathedral ten times has seen something; he who has seen ten cathedrals once has seen but little; and he who has spent half an hour in each of a hundred cathedrals has seen nothing at all.” 

                                                                                                                                      -- Sinclair Lewis

A Family Adventure Retreat in Vermont

In Ludlow, Vt., Okemo Mountain Resort's Family Adventure Retreat, Aug. 14-17,  is designed for families with children  7 and older. It includes three nights of lodging and two full days
of activities with options for children only, adults only, or for the entire family together.  Total cost for the long weekend, including activities, equipment, guides, lunch on Sunday, and lodging, starts at $369.60 per person, for a family of four with two children.

For details, click here.

Fascinating facts

Forty-six percent of the world's water -- about 6 sextillion gallons -- is in the Pacific Ocean. The Atlantic has 23.9 percent; the Indian, 20.3; the Arctic, 3.7 percent.

Telluride ski pass sale starts Aug. 3

The Telluride Ski Resort has announced 2009-2010 season pass pricing, keeping rates the same as last season. However, if four adults purchase season passes together during the annual Pass Sale Aug. 3-Oct. 30, the price drops to 2007 rates. An individual adult season pass will cost $1,198 when purchased during the sale, but the 4Pass will cost $998 per person.

Go to www.tellurideskiresort.com or call 970-728-7517

What's in a name?

Just beyond Hope, Idaho, there is a resort community named Beyond Hope.

Ya gotta love it!

This sign was spotted at a gift shop on Tangier Island, Virginia.

Photo by Richard P. Carpenter

Amazing questions -- and equally amazing answers

Not long ago, we looked at some, er,  dopey questions asked by visitors to Walt Disney World in Florida. Now let's cross the country and look not only at questions asked at Disneyland in California but also the clever (or is it sarcastic?)  answers that employees have been known to give. Information is from the book "Mouse Tales" by David Koenig.

Q. (During a downpour). Is that real rain?

A. It's not real.  Mr. Disney has arranged to have an artificial rainstorm in the park every day at 3.

Q.  Is that actual water in the Submarine Lagoon?

A. No, that's cellophane with blowers underneath.

Q. Are the ducks in the Rivers of America real?

A. No, the birds have to be wound up every morning.

Q. (While staring at a large trash can) What ride is this?

A. It's the Can Ride.

Q. How long is the submarine ride?

A. Two days. (So, the book reports, the couple went back to their hotel, packed their bags and returned with suitcases in hand.)

Discount book may cut the cost of NYC visit

New York CityPass contains tickets to the Empire State Building Observatory, the Museum of Modern Art, Statue of Liberty from Liberty Island or from a Circle Line Cruise, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, American Museum of Natural History and the Guggenheim Museum. New York CityPass is $79  for adults, a savings of $61 over Individual ticket prices, and $59 for ages 13-17, a $42 savings. Booklets are valid for nine days.

Visit www.citypass.com.

Friday's trivia answer: the Caspian Sea

We asked for the name of the world's largest sea, and it is the Caspian.  The sea,  which some term a lake, has a surface area of 143,244 square miles.

Write an essay and win a $780,000 home

Roscoe, a comical Jack Russell Terrier – and his owners – will be awarding their $780,000, fully furnished North Conway, N.H., resort home to the winner of a creative essay contest, to benefit the Conway Area Humane Society. The 3,100-square-foot, three-bedroom, two-bath home is in the planned community of Hale’s Location, and abuts the first fairway of the golf course. Hiking and cross-country ski trails can be accessed directly from the community, and Echo Lake Park is a five- minute walk from the house. The entry fee is $50.

For details, visit www.newenglandhomecontest.com.

The most popular attractions in New England

According to the AARP Bulletin, these are the top attractions in the six New England states, along with the annual number of visitors: Maine, L.L. Bean's flagship store, Freeport, 3.5 million; New Hampshire, White Mountain National Forest, 5 million; Vermont, Ben & Jerry's factory, Waterbury, 293,000; Massachusetts, Faneuil Hall Marketplace, Boston, 20 million; Connecticut, Hammonasset Beach State Park, 1.9 million; and Rhode Island, Roger Williams Zoo, Providence, 505,409.

Little things mean a lot

When I stayed at the Hampton Inn in Smithfield, R.I., over the weekend, I was delighted to find that the included breakfast buffet had a choice of regular coffee or dark, robust coffee. As I sipped my coffee (the dark, robust kind), I pondered how little things like that can add greatly to a hotel stay.

Fascinating fact

In Japan, tipping is largely viewed as an insult.