Oh, those pesky customers...Round the world cruise...Jim's deals of the day

I don't get it.

 

I saw report out of the UK today that said nearly half of travel agents living there said they feel they waste 25 per cent of their day looking for low prices for customers.

 

Ummm....sorry to say this folks, but isn't that why we hire you in the first place? Isn't this like a taxi driver saying they love their job, but just don't like having people in their cars?

 

What on earth do they think we hire travel agents for except to find us good deals? Sure, we want their expertise and for them to do some of the paperwork. But to suggest that spending a couple hours a day looking for low prices for customers is a waste of time is remarkable, don't you think?

 

ROUND THE WORLD SILVERSEA CRUISE

Speaking of the high and mighty with plenty of coins in their pockets, Silversea has announced that the new Silver Spirit will embark on a full world cruise "that transverses both hemispheres." And I say : it's about time. I'm so tired of the drudgery of those around the world cruises that stay south of the equator. Yawn. How dull. How trite. How 2008.

Seriously, though, this sounds pretty good. The voyage, called Spirit of Discovery, departs Los Angeles Jan. 19, 2011 and will take no more than 540 guests on a 119-day odyssey, exploring 60 destinations in 25 countries with 11 overnight port visits before finishing up in Bermuda.

Anywho, the ship will go to French Polynesia, Australia, Asia, Egypt, Italy, Spain, Monaco and Portugal. Fares start at, wait for it, $61,924 U.S. per person. There are special deals available, so go to www.silversea.com for info.

Think it's a good story for the Star? Write a letter to my boss and urge him that I should go, will ya? I won't tell it was my idea.

BARBADOS BUMP-UP?

The Guardian is reporting that the prime minister of Barbados, David Thompson, is stepping in to re-start a stalled project that's supposed to include a Four Seasons hotel with butlers, housekeepers, gardeners, chefs, security guards and waiters; and wouldn't that be a nice treat?

Apparently Thompson met with investors during a recent visit to London and is trying, in the words of a spokesperson, "to chart a way forward."

Among those allegedly attracted to the project are Simon Cowell and Andrew Lloyd Webber. Some villas are said to carry price tags of more than $30 million U.S.

I'LL TAKE THE FREE BREAKFAST

According to USA Today, the number of meals eaten inside a hotel restaurant, which accounts for roughly a third of the meals tracked, sank 14% for the year ending September 2009 vs. the prior 12-month period, according to a new study from food service industry tracker NPD Group.

Experts say it's possible more folks are moving away from hotels that charge for breakfasts and checking into places that offer free morning meals. Which makes sense. I HATE having to pay $8 for a bagel and coffee or a bowl of cereal at a full-service Marriott when I can get a pretty good breakfast with all sorts of variety for free at a Courtyard. Not to mention Courtyard's, for example, usually offer free Internet. The rooms are usually quite nice. Not as sumptuous as a regular Marriott or a Westin or some such, but usually just fine for me on a business trip.

JIM'S DEALS OF THE DAY

$335 - Cancun vacation in early January ($612 w/tax)
http://www.travelalerts.ca/ccount12/click.php?id=1821

 

From $26/night - Las Vegas hotels on sale!
http://www.travelalerts.ca/ccount12/click.php?id=1822