Cruise Line Throw Cougars Overboard!

Hi Everyone!

Recently I was at a friends home, playing Bid Whist and the topic of "Cougars" came up. Not the furry, four - legged kind, the human, female, walk on two legs kind. For those of you who are not aware, a "Cougar" is an older woman who dates much younger men.

Sitting in the room were several generations of women. The youngsters were at a table playing "Spades". Their age range was from 26 - 39. They quickly spoke up that there is no way they would date a man that was younger then they. The "Grown Folks" as we call ourselves, were at the Bid Whist table and ranged from 45 - 65 years of age. We quickly let them know that a little young blood can put a spark in a mature engine. The room went up in serious and sometimes heated discussion.

The topic came up when I mentioned to the group a story Ja'Vonne and I talked about on our radio program, The Traveling Eye on www.wvon.com.

According to TIME's Tim Padgett, Carnival Cruise lines has decided not to book anymore cougar themed group cruises. In December of 2009, a "Cougar Group" set sail on the Carnival Elation for a 3 day cruise from San Diego to Ensenada, Mexico and back.

Carnival Elation

The older women (Cougars) booked the cruise to meet and hang out with younger men (Cubs). When I heard that Carnival wasn't going to book any more cougar themed groups, I immediately thought that the event must have turned out to be a "Cougars Gone Wild" type of cruise. Young, gorgeous, washboard stomach guys chasing 40, 50 and 60 year old women around the deck and dousing them in tanning oil.



Carnival Cruise Lines said that the group of 300 plus wasn't wild at all. The wildest event was the typical cruise ship hot tub party. The guests weren't overly loud or disturbed other passengers. So what was the problem?

Tim reported that Carnival wouldn't discuss the ban on the Cougar groups but sent an email statement stating that the cruise line had, "made the decision not to allow any future groups to be booked and marketed on our ships under this them. It was a business decision."

There are travel experts who feel that Carnival is planning to market itself as a cruise line that promotes family fun and wholesomeness. The cougar groups may give the image of the cruise line being a floating girls gone wild party ship. ( Hey, it popped in my mind).

As we discussed the article during our card game, the question came up, "What would happen if the group wanted to buy out entire ship. Would Carnival turn them down?" I am sure Carnival or any other cruise line wouldn't turn down the money. It is, however, a different set of circumstances when you book the entire ship versus when you are just a small group among many passengers. While people are more accustomed to seeing a 60 year old man with a 20 or 30 something young woman on his arm, some folks may be offended (I don't have a clue why) or feel uncomfortable watching a 20 or 30 year old young man rub suntan lotion on a 50 or 60 year old woman. Sound like a double standard to you?

As I won my five, no-trump, downtown (yes, I am good), I informed the group that even though Carnival Cruise lines has thrown Cougar groups overboard, Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise lines brought in the life boats. Cougars and Cubs will be setting sail in May and in December of 2010.

If you happen to be on board and see a group of beautiful, highly motivated, intelligent Black women engrossed in a bid whist game, pull up a chair and sit down. GROWL!

Until next time, keep your EYE to the sky!

Bonnie DeShong
Co-host The Traveling Eye - www.wvon
www.thetravelingeye.com
www.chicagonow.com

Air Rage

Hi Everyone!

As I was reading through some crazy travel stories I came across one that sounded odd at first but I must say it could have been written about any one of us who fly on a regular basis. The story was about the overhead compartment on a plane

How many times have you gotten on a plane and went to put your carry on in the overhead compartment over your seat and found that the space has been taken by someone else's luggage. One would assume that the overhead compartment over each seat is designated for the two or three passengers that are sitting under it. However, in this case, someone has taken your space and there isn't any room in your compartment nor is there any room near you. Now your bag must go in a compartment away from where you are sitting or the flight attendant takes it from you and whisks it off to some unknown area. How many of you have wanted to stand in middle of the aisle and yell for the person who has taken your space to come and get their bag or worse yet, grab the bag out of the compartment and throw it down and place your bag in its rightful place, over your seat?

A passenger aboard a flight from Singapore to Australia took matters in his own hands, after he balled them into fists, and placed them in the face of another passenger. News.com reported that a passenger got on the flight and there was no room over his seat for his bag so he took the space above someone else's seat. The second passenger got on and found that his space had been taken, found the passenger of the luggage and "commenced" to hitting said passenger in the face. When I read this I immediately heard Popeye's voice, "That's all I can stand and I can't stands no more".

Passenger number one was moved to another seat, I assume his carry on luggage was moved with him, and the plane continued on to Australia where the authorities had a special compartment for Passenger number two and his luggage.

On another note, there is the traveler who is just plain rude. They get on the plane and they are sitting in row 19 but they place their luggage in the compartment over row 8 (they would never try this in first class compartments). This person has totally inconvenienced everyone on the flight because of the trickle down effect. Row number 8 can't place his luggage so he puts it in row number 9 who must now place theirs in row number 10 and so on and so on. Totally rude and inconsiderate.

You don't hear much about Air Rage. Usually people are pretty tolerant of babies crying, someone's knees in your back or a child kicking the back of your seat. There is also that one passenger that wants to talk the entire flight when all you want to do is listen to your IPOD or read a book. You may even tolerate that passenger that falls asleep and uses your shoulder for a pillow. However, someone putting their bag in the overhead compartment that is over YOUR seat? Intolerable!

Well, with fees going up on checked baggage and more people are carrying on their bags, there is only so much space in overhead bins so what is a traveler to do? Seriously, I'm asking, WHAT IS A TRAVELER TO DO?

Tune into The Traveling Eye every Friday from 11 AM to Noon, Central Time on 1690 WVON or on the web at www.wvon.com. Feel free to call in and voice your opinions on our topics at 773 591-1690

Until next time, keep your EYE to the sky!

Bonnie DeShong
Co-host of The Traveling Eye
www.thetravelingeye.com
www.thetravelingeye.blogspot.com

Man Overboard!

Hi Everyone!

How many of you enjoy going on cruises? During the cold winter months here in Chicago, people book cruises to get away from the ice, cold and snow. It is great to leave Chicago in December, head to a cruise Port of Call and after a few days or a week lying on deck in the hot sun, come back to the Windy City relaxed with a beautiful deep tan while everyone else is walking around dressed head to toe in layers.

I am not a cruise person but it is amazing the number of people who enjoy them as their only means of vacationing. However, over the past year or so, it appears that people are taking cruises for another reason.

During 2008-2009, there have been quite a few people that have gone overboard on cruise ships. The latest was New Years Eve when a 23 year old woman was reported missing from Royal Caribbean's Monarch of the Seas. The ship was headed from Nassau to CocoCay. Security camera footage showed the woman jumping overboard from the 11th deck. After two days and 3,725 miles of trying to find the young woman, the U.S. Coast Guard suspended its search.

After doing a little internet research, it appears that between 2008 and 2009, at least 28 people have started off on a cruise but didn't come back in the same condition they were in when the ship left port, if at all.

Every time one of these reports hits the news, Ja'Vonne and I have discussions on what responsibility, if any, does the cruise lines have to insure the safety of all their passengers.

Should they take away the balcony rooms on ships? It was reported that and elderly couple booked a cabin with a balcony. They allegedly locked the door from the inside and jumped from the balcony into the ocean. Perhaps they should put netting up on all decks so that people can't jump from the ship into the water? Should cruise ships post more security on all the decks so that if anyone goes near the railing they are stopped? What would this mean for the other passengers who are just on a cruise to relax and have a good time?

I'm interested in hearing from you. What do you think?

Don't forget to mark your calendars to tune into The Traveling Eye Travel Radio Program heard every Friday from 11 AM - Noon, Central Time on The Talk of Chicago 1690 WVON or on the web at www.wvon.com. Ja'Vonne and I cover all topics that involve travel.

Until next time, keep your EYE to the sky!

Bonnie DeShong
www.thetravelingeye.com
www.thetravelingeye@blogspot.com

Up In The Air - The Frequent Flyer

Hi Everyone!

Have you seen the film that is in theaters starring George Clooney called "Up In The Air"?

This is one movie that will give you some great tips on traveling. As cute and talented as George Clooney is, his character in the film, Ryan Bingham, gives some great travel tips we all should follow when traveling.

The premise of the film is Ryan Bingham is a Corporate Downsizing Expert. He works for a company that corporations hire to come in and fire people. Ryan is in more airports and hotels than he is in his own home. He has a personal goal to obtain 10 million frequent flyer miles on his airline of choice.

Ryan has several tips for the frequent flyer.

1. Pick an airline and sign up for their frequent flyer miles program. His airline of choice was American and their Advantage program. Then use credit cards, hotels, car rentals companies and restaurants that partner with the airline's program.

2. Learn to pack everything you need in a carry-on bag. He and my "partner in travel" and on the radio, Ja'Vonne, has this tip down to a science. I'm getting there.

3. Check in on line or at the Kiosk.

4. When going through TSA security, scope out the lines before you get in one. If there are families in a line and you are a single traveler, you might not want to get in that line. It will take time to get the strollers and things through. If there is a line with business travelers, that might be the line for you. They travel often and know what to do to get through security quickly.

5. Take time to know the airport you are traveling out of and in to. If your gate changes at the last minute you won't waste time trying to figure out which way to go.

6. Dress nice when you travel. You won't get that upgrade if you look like you are on your way to a football game.

6. Smile, be polite and look the airline personnel in the eye. You treat them nice...they will remember you the next time you come through.

Ryan's goal was to earn 10 million frequent flyer miles and he would get to fly anywhere he wanted on American, meet the premier pilot, and get his name on a plane. Did he make it? You will have to see the movie to find out.

Until next time, keep your EYE to the Sky!

Bonnie DeShong
Co-host of The Traveling Eye heard on WVON1690, www.wvon.com
Fridays - 11 AM - Noon, Central Time
www.thetravelingeye.com

Traveling Home for the Holidays!

Bonnie DeShong

Hi Everyone!

The holidays are here and like so many of you, Ja'Vonne and Gene Harley and I all went to our hometowns for the holidays. Ja'Vonne and Gene are from D.C. and flew out on different days headed east after the big snow storm. I am sure Ja'Vonne will blog about her trip east for the holidays. My hometown is Champaign, Illinois so I planned to pack up the car, hit I-57 and head home for Christmas.

My plan was to leave the evening of the Wednesday before Christmas Eve and be home in an hour and a half. Mother Nature had other plans and Chicago was hit with freezing rain (which I learned is different from sleet and snow) so it wasn't safe to head out.

What do you do when you plan to drive out of town for the holidays? Here are some tips that I take when I plan to drive anywhere in the winter months.

Winterize the car - I usually go the to good old neighborhood car shop to get my oil changed, fluids, and pressure in the tires checked. Speaking of tires, make sure the tires are in good condition. Don't forget to check the windshield wiper blades.

In the trunk of my car I have my winter pack together. I test things to make sure everything works. I have jumper cables, flares, a blanket, flashlight, a jug of water, kitty litter, windshield wiper solution, and a shovel. In my glove compartment I have a couple of granola bars.

When I get on the road I usually put premium gas in the car, however, whatever grade of gas you use, make sure you begin your trip with a full tank of gas. I find it helpful to fill up the tank along the way when the tank is half full.

With the icy rain in Chicago I postponed my trip until Christmas Eve but before I set out on the road I watched the weather reports, called my uncle in Champaign to ask what the weather conditions were there and I called the Illinois Department of Transportation (800 452-4368) to check the road conditions on I-57. IDOT's recording said that there wasn't any ice or snow on the I-57 from I-294 to Carbondale. GREAT! I felt safe to load up the car and head home for the holidays.

Remember, the best way to travel during the holidays is to do it safely.

What are some of your helpful travel tips?

Until next time, keep you EYE to the sky and Happy Holidays!

Bonnie DeShong
Co-host The Traveling Eye
www.thetravelingeye.com

Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow!

Hello World Travelers,

As we approach the Christmas holiday and holiday travel, the weather is already wreaking havoc. A northeast snow storm blanketed Washington, DC (my home town), Philadelphia, New York and up through to Boston. For a change Chicago's weather is better than DC's weather but I don't think that will be for long. The weather forecast is calling for snow on Christmas day in the Midwest! But by then I will be in DC.

The holiday travel season officially kicked off this weekend and Monday the 21st of December the is first day of winter and already somewhere in the US airports were closed and holiday travel was hindered.

I love the Christmas Holiday. I travel from Chicago to DC each year and the last thing I or anyone wants is to spend the holidays at the airport or stranded somewhere. While we may not be able to control this completely there are some things we can do to make things better. Here are some holiday and bad weather travel tips for you.

• Don't travel with wrapped gifts, airport security can ask you to unwrap them. Also, TSA has every right to inspect your checked luggage and unwrap your gifts
• Book morning flights, even with delayed flights you may be able to get out that day and usually flights will take off before or as bad develops
• Try to book non-stop flights when possible and avoid connections in cities where bad weather is likely
• If you are on a connecting flight watch the weather channel and get ahead of weather problems at your connecting city. You may be able to have your flight rerouted before the masses are affected
• Give yourself an extra hour
• Have emergency and important phone numbers stored in your cell phone. The hotel where you will stay, the airline, the car rental company, etc.
• Register your cell phone number with the airline for alerts!
• If you're traveling with children, make sure you bring things to keep them occupied in case of delays. And bring snacks so you won't spend a fortune at the airport
• Be proactive and check the board at the airport
• If at all possible bring only carry on luggage. This will give you more flexibility when it comes to getting on other flights
• If you're traveling by road make sure you have a road emergency kit in your car, it should include a blanket, flare, cables, a spare tire, water, snacks, jack, gas and roadside insurance
• Get a check up for your car to make sure it can make the long haul or the trip you're taking
  Lastly, just be prepared, this is not the time to hit the road without being prepared!

Good News, Now through January 4th most major US airlines have eliminated advance purchase rules for holiday travel. So if you have not purchased that airline ticket yet, there is still a chance to get an inexpensive ticket!

Happy Holidays and Happy New Year!

The Traveling Eye, on The Talk of Chicago 1690 WVON or http://www.wvon.com/

December 18th - On The Traveline Eye

Hello Fellow World Travelers,

Today on the show.

We're talking about Hot Topics in the travel industry.

• Obese passengers and if they should purchase an additional seat
• Airline fees, When is enough enough
• Passenger Rights

Here is the link for USA Todays Airpor Guide for the 25 busiest airports
http://www.usatoday.com/travel/flights/airportguides/index.htm

Travel & Leisures pick for worlds top hotels
http://www.travelandleisure.com/articles/worlds-top-50-hotels-2010/1

Aria Las Vegas Opens. The largest hotel in Begas with over 4000 rooms
http://www.arialasvegas.com/