Florida backs off on drivers license issue (we think) ... Sunwing Canada sale



Well, that's a little better. I think.

A day after we here at the Star ran our exclusive story on how Florida was now demanding all non-U.S. citizens have an International Driving Permit, the state seems to have backed off. The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles said it was suspending the rule pending further study.

"International visitors who plan to drive in Florida now need only a valid driver's license issued from their ow country," the department said in a press release. It went on to say the Florida Highway Patrol will defer enforcing the law until they can study the issue of whether the requirement violates the Geneva Convention on Road Traffic (and raise your hand if you knew there was a Geneva Convention on Road Traffic).

It's good news. But the announcement appears to cover the Florida Highway Patrol and not necessarily county or local police, such as Miami or Orlando or Tampa or Dade County, etc...

The Canadian Automobile Association, which is the agency in Canada that issues the International Driving Permits for $25 a pop, is suggesting folks heading to Florida in the next little while act on the safe side and get their permit. I don't blame them for exercising caution. But I find it hard to believe a cop in Jacksonville or St. Petersburg would issue a ticket to a Canadian for not having an international permit if they were pulled over for a traffic violation.

Either way, it' amazes me that a state so dependent on tourism would let something like this slip by. And I still think it would be smart if the governor would stand up and promise that any city or local police officer who issues a ticket to someone for not having the international permit will get a personal invitation for his back end to meet the pointed end of the governor's boot.

I mean, wouldn't that be a great video on YouTube or TV on the weekend? "Hi, I'm Governor Rick Scott and I'm here to tell all you wonderful Canadians that if any officer down here in Florida gives you a hard time about your driver's license I will PERSONALLY KICK HIS ASS."

Just a thought....

CARNIVAL CRUISE MADNESS

Boy, those don't look like happy people coming off the Carnival Triumph. I've read great comments this morning about how hard the ship's workers toiled to do what they could for passengers, and good for them, but it still sounds like awful conditions on board after four days almost entirely without power.

Ugh, I can only imagine.

Carnival, of course, faces a tremendous uphill battle to restore its image. And don't forget Carnival owns Costa, which had the incident in Italy a year ago with the ship running aground on an island.

Folks had pretty much got back into the cruise habit a few months after the Costa incident, so I suspect things will rebound pretty quickly in this case. Although mostly for the likes of Royal Caribbean or Holland America or Norwegian; companies not named Carnival.

And I'd be remiss in my duties if I didn't point out that the Carnival incident is bound to lead to a slew of sales for Carnival's other ships. One doesn't like to capitalize on someone else's misfortunes, but if you've been eager to try a cruise somewhere I bet you'll get a great bargain on Carnival in the next week or two, if not beyond.

SUNWING CANADA SALE

Sunwing has announced its summer flying schedule across Canada.

"With early bird pricing featuring savings of $200 per person on round-trip fares, if booked by March 15, 2013, families can begin planning their reunions in advance," officials said.

 

Sunwing will offer flights from Toronto to Vancouver on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays from June 20 to Sept. 9, 2013. Vancouver to Toronto departures start June 19 and run until Sept. 24, 2013, with departures on Sundays, Mondays, and Wednesdays.

 

Flights between Toronto and Newfoundland will commence on June 19 and operate until

Sept. 6, 2013. Flights between Toronto and St. John’s are on Tuesdays. flights to Stephenville will operate on Wednesdays and flights to Gander will go on Fridays.

 

All Sunwing flights include "Sunwing Airlines' High Frills Service", which features hot towel service, a hot meal or hot snack depending on flight time, wine with hot meals, soft drinks, and complimentary in-flight entertainment, including first run movies. For just $40 more per flight segment, travellers can upgrade to Sunwing's Elite Plus service, which features advance seat selection, separate check-in at a majority of airports, advance boarding, 30 kg baggage allowance, and extra legroom seats.

 

I spotted a flight to Vancouver in June today for $545, including all taxes. Not cheap, but probably cheaper than some of the big boys. A July one-week trip from Toronto to St. John's, Newfoundland, was listed at $457.

 

JAUNT.CA DEAL OF THE DAY

Jaunt.ca, a division of Torstar, has a deal on offer for a bus tour of New York City for $389, including two nights' at a hotel outside the city. Here are the details:

• 3-Night, 4-Day Tour of New York City via deluxe motorcoach
• 2 nights' accommodation at the Holiday Inn Newark Airport, and 1 overnight on the bus
• Meals include 2 breakfast and 1 dinner
• Includes guided tour of New York City with stops at Central Park, Rockefeller Center, St. Patrick's Cathedral and more

Why We Love It:

• See all the iconic sights of New York City in one trip
• Free time lets you explore the parts of the city you most want to visit
• Try spending March Break or Easter differently this year; right in the middle of the Big Apple

Offer Details

• Valid for travel on the following departure dates:
  March 11, 2013 (March Break), March 29, 2013 (Easter)
  ** Other dates available. Please call: 1-855-GO-JAUNT
• Pricing (includes taxes):
  
  Single: $589 per person
  Double: $389 per person
  Triple: $369 per person
  Quad: $319 per person
  Child (2-11 yrs sharing with 2 adults): $319 per person
• Depart from any of the following pick-up locations:
  
  5:00 am: Scarborough Town Centre (near YMCA)
  230 Town Centre Court
  Scarborough, ON
  M1P 4Y7
  
  6:00 am: Vaughan Mills Shopping Centre
  55-3175 Rutherford Road
  Vaughan, ON
  L4K 5Y6
  
  6:45 am: Square One Shopping Centre
  100 City Centre Drive
  Mississauga, ON
  L5B 2C9
  
  7:45 am: Real Canadian Superstore (parking not available at this location)
  361 South Service Road,
  Grimsby, ON
  L3M 4E8

• Please arrive 30 minutes prior to pick-up time. All departure times are dependant on traffic
• Includes complimentary parking at Sarracini Travel, located at Vaughan Mills departure location
• Valid passport is required. If you are born outside of Canada, you must have a valid passport along with a visitor's visa. We do not take responsibility for anyone who is denied entry into the United States
• This offer is refundable until 5PM EST on February 20, 2013 After that time, this offer is 100% non-refundable