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| Vol 7 , Issue 6 |
June 2013
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Greetings!
WOW...I can't believe it's the middle of June already!
It has been brought to my attention that I've been a little lax in sending the newsletter out monthly so I promise to get back to it.
Thanks to everyone who mentioned it. It's really nice to know that you read and enjoy the newsletters!
In this newsletter, we look at the top travel apps, Royal Caribbean Cruises, Cuba returning coasts back to nature, 10 travel tips to ignore... and, as always, a few tidbits.
Grab a beverage, put your feet up and enjoy...
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Top Travel Apps
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By Doug Cantor, Departures Magazine
Next to a suitcase, the most indispensable travel accessory these days is a smartphone.
In some instances, though, there are almost too many choices available. Dozens of apps exist for getting around, and many others are at the ready to help make a packing list.
Finding the right apps shouldn't add stress to travel, so we identified ten that are intended to aid every stage of a trip.
Before departing, Dcovery enables you to put together a personalized travel guide based on what interests you the most at your destination.
ExpertFlyer.com's Seat Alerts ensures that you get the seat you want on the way there.
 Once you arrive, LocalEats can point out the best dining options. And Travel App Box provides information on everything from public transportation to appropriate tipping.
These apps cover practically any travel situation, making your journey safer, smoother and more fun. Just remember not to leave your phone at home!
Below is my favourite and I'm definitely going to try it on my next trip ~ Janna
Postagram
Remember postcards? Postagram brings back the old snail-mail staple, but with a high-tech twist. Take a photo with your smartphone camera (or choose one from your Instagram or Facebook account), type in a short message and enter the recipients' address. A personalized postcard will appear in their (actual) mailbox within a few days. For iOS and Android; app is free, postcards $0.99 each for U.S. delivery, $1.99 for international addresses.
To read about all of the recommended apps, please click here.
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Supplier Highlight - Royal Caribbean Cruises
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"Get Out There"...
I recently had the pleasure of attending a Seminar@Sea with Royal Caribbean Cruises.
In addition to hearing about all the recent renovations and upgrades to the fleet, we got a sneak peak into the designs for two new ships coming in the Fall of 2014 and Spring of 2015.
Fall 2014 brings the Quantum of the Seas and Spring 2015 will bring her sister ship, Anthem of the Seas.
Royal Caribbean continues it's innovations with the Quantum of the Seas incorporating new activities including bumper cars, a skydiving simulator and even a circus school.
Not to mention North Star and virtual balcony staterooms!  North Star will elevate you 300 feet above sea level in a jewel-shaped capsule and take in breathtaking views of the ship, the ocean and the exciting ports that you visit.  The virtual balcony staterooms feature a high-definition screen that spans nearly floor to ceiling providing real-time views of the ocean and destinations allowing you to enjoy the value of an interior cabin with the feeling of a balcony cabin!Quantum of the Seas will home port in the New York area and sail to the Bahamas and the Caribbean. To view the Quantum of the Seas dedicated website, click here.
For more information or to book the Quantum of the Seas, please email me anytime.
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Cuba begins to return coasts "back to nature"
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By Andrea Rodriguez, Associated Press
After Cuban scientists studied the effects of climate change on this island's 3,500 miles (5,630 kilometers) of coastline, their discoveries were so alarming that officials didn't share the results with the public to avoid causing panic.
The scientists projected that rising sea levels would seriously damage 122 Cuban towns or even wipe them off the map. Beaches would be submerged, they found, while freshwater sources would be tainted and croplands rendered infertile. In all, seawater would penetrate up to 1.2 miles (2 kilometers) inland in low-lying areas, as oceans rose nearly three feet (85 centimeters) by 2100.
Cuba's government has changed course on decades of haphazard coastal development, which threatens sand dunes and mangrove swamps that provide the best natural protection against rising seas.
In recent months, inspectors and demolition crews have begun fanning out across the island with plans to raze thousands of houses, restaurants, hotels and improvised docks in a race to restore much of the coast to something approaching its natural state.
"The sea has been creeping ever closer," said Rodriguez, a 63-year-old retiree, pointing to the water line steps from his apartment building. "Thirty years ago it was 30 meters (33 yards) farther out."
Since 2000, Cuba has had a coastal protection law on the books that prohibits construction on top of sand and mandates a 130-foot-wide (40-meter) buffer zone from dunes. Structures that predate the measure have been granted a stay of execution, but are not to be maintained and ultimately will be torn down once they're uninhabitable.
They say nothing is off-limits...
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10 Travel Tips you may want to Ignore!
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"We give travel advice all the time-and we hope you follow some of it. But there are plenty of recommendations that we hear all the time but often choose to ignore."
Here are 10 tips we disregard when we're on the road.
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 Wear a Fanny Pack - Don't Overschedule
- Roll, Don't Fold
- Don't Talk to Strangers
- Skip the Touristy Sites
- Confirm Reservations
- Bring a Blanket for the Plane
- Save Money by Staying Outside the City
- Don't Eat Street Food
- Don't Book in Advance
To see why Caroline and her colleagues ignore this advice, please click here.
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Tidbits
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Neat stories that just don't need a full article!
100 kids kicked of AirTran flight... click here
24 tasty hours in Melbourne... click here
Tornado tourism thrives... click here
Staying fresh on the road... click here
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Janna Guay CTC ACC
Travel Professionals International
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