Sunquest celebrates 40th anniversary with new deals, WestJet says yes to pets

Sunquest is celebrating its Ruby Anniversary (40 years if you're a rube like me and didn't know) with a host of new winter trips, including destinations such as Colombia and Ft. Lauderdale.

Included in the sizeable destination list for 2011-2012 is Cartagena, Colombia, a UNESCO heritage site with fabulous colonial architecture (see photo), great food and a terrific climate. Sunquest will feature one flight per week from Toronto and offers several resorts, including the Hotel Caribe and the Occidental Grand Cartagena, which is on the beach and 15 minutes from the city centre. Packages at the Occidental start at $999 per person.

Starting Dec. 17, Sunquest will have direct flights from Toronto to Ft. Lauderdale on Thomas Cook Canada, which it will operate in partnership with sister company Encore Cruises. Car rentals will be offered with every package in addition to flights and accomodation. Air-only rates start at $199 per person, plus tax.

They're also adding Thomas Cook Canada flights out of Calgary and Vancouver to Punta Cana and Jamaica. From Calgary only, they'll add direct flights to Cozumel.

Cozumel packages start at $1,289 per person, plus tax, and the program runs from Dec. 14 of this year to April 4, 2012, with eight and 15-night packages available at a variety of hotels.

Also new are WestJet flights out of Thunder Bay to Jamaica (see photo at right of Half Moon, a Rock Resort, near Montego Bay) from Nov. 5, 2011 to April 21, 2012,with all-inclusive pricing starting at $869 per person.

There's plenty more, including new onboard service options. For more information, visit sunquestvacations.ca or www.thomascook.ca.

WESTJET SAYS YES TO PETS ON PLANES

The Canadian Medical Association made waves the other day when it said pets should travel in airplane cargo holds because of folks who suffer from pet allergies.

WestJet Airlines was quick to pounce on the idea, stating Wednesday that it wasn't interested in making the move.

The Calgary-based airline, according to Canadian Press, says it keeps passengers with pets and folks with allergies away from each other on a plane. That's provided, of course, that people tell them in advance about allergies, and that seems reasonable enough.

(If I tell them I'm allergic to people who trim their toenails on board or play video games too loudly will they put me in a different row? Or even business class? I wouldnt' mind, actually).

WestJet says another option is to put allergy sufferers on an entirely different flight, although who wants to be delayed two hours just because someone brings a dog or cat on board a plane?

Anyway, the airline says there have been only a handful of allergy-related incidents on board its planes in the past 18 months.

I haven't seen any immediate word on Air Canada about Fluffygate. Air Canada had a policy between 2006 and 2009 that banned pets on planes but then reversed it.

 

 

Comments

[Car Hire]

It is really a good news for pet lovers. I also wanted to carry my pet with me during flights. As pets are familiar, trained and not harmful for others, they should be permitted atleast for small journeys.

[Appartamenti Chianti]

Really nice deals on the anniversary. I am glad to hear that West JET gave permission to take pets in the plane. Now I can carry my pets in the plane. Thanks for such a great deal to enjoy the anniversary.

[Limo Hire Melbourne]

It is really good news for pet lovers. I also want to carry my pet with me during flights. As pets are familiar, trained and not harmful for others, you do such a great job!  Keep it up.

[Ferienhaus Chianti]

I think they have made their 40th anniversary wonderful by allowing pets in the plane. Thanks for posting such a great deals.