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ELLIOTT'S E-MAIL
http://www.elliott.org

March 17, 2003

>> Inside <<

* That Sinking Feeling
* When Did You Turn it Off?
* 'Savvy' Segment Needs You
* Cruise Lines Need an Overhaul
* Let Competition Keep Working
* A Worst Western Vacation

>> First Off <<

** That Sinking Feeling
Of all the travel industry segments, the cruise business is perhaps the most thin-skinned. It's accustomed to controlling the media with a persuasive carrot-and-stick approach: The promise of a free cruise, the threat of losing a lucrative advertising account. So you can imagine the reaction when this week's commentary, "Cruise Lines Need an Overhaul" appeared in USA Today's commentary pages. The Cruise Lines International Association blasted the story as "ludicrous" while the International Council of Cruise Lines denounced the op-ed as "uninformed." Shucks, I guess won't be taking a floating vacation any time soon.

>> Underwritten By <<

** BnBFinder.com
Bed & Breakfasts are travel's best-kept secret. BnBFinder.com offers thousands of inns for vacation, honeymoons or business travel. Gift certificates are available that let your special person choose where and when to go! Sign up for their free monthly newsletter for the latest B&B specials and discounts.

>> By The Way <<

** When Did You Turn it Off?
Ever turn off the TV, shut down the computer or power down your cell phone on a trip? Are you one of the travelers who discovered that you can actually live without these gadgets on the road? This week, we want to know what you turned off - and how it has affected you (and your productivity) while you were away. Send us an e-mail and please include your full name, city, and what you do for a living.

** 'Savvy' Segment Needs You
Many of you have written to ask what happened to the Fix My Trip segment on public radio's "The Savvy Traveler." The good news is, it's back. But it needs your help. I recently spoke with the show's executive producer, and we agreed that Fix My Trip should become a weekly feature. You can help make it a regular part of the lineup by listening to the segment and telling me what you think. Got any feedback? Any suggestions on how to make it better? Plus, if you have a travel problem you'd like fixed, please e-mail it to me.

>> Elliott's Commentary <<

** Cruise Lines Need an Overhaul
Holland America's Caribbean cruises are billed as voyages to paradise filled with "sun, serenity, good times and romance." But for hundreds of passengers who sailed on the company's Amsterdam last fall, their vacations didn't live up to that promise. Instead, they were infected by the Norwalk virus, an increasingly common gastrointestinal ailment that confined many of them to their cabins with diarrhea, vomiting spells and a fever. > In Opinion.

> Protect Yourself From Cruise Repricing
> Sailing Past Cruise Surcharges
> Click Here For Unvarnished Cruise Reviews

>> Ticked.com Talk <<

** Let Competition Keep Working
Airline fares are coming down for one simple reason: Southwest Airlines. Fares are not falling because of terrorists, nor because of bankruptcies or any government action to protect consumers. The airlines, simply, no longer can play their government-approved monopolistic games of "competitive" price matching. Finally (after too many years) Southwest and its clones are competing nose-to-nose with the major airlines on most of their routes. Prices are falling. Real competition has finally worked. > In Charles Leocha's column.

> Kirby: Agents vs. Airlines
> Leocha: The 'Southwest Effect'
> Fly With Your Eyes Open

>> Triprights.com Ticker <<

** A Worst Western Vacation
First it puts her on a noisy floor, where crowds of New Year's revelers are partying until the early hours of the morning. Then it raises the price of her room and denies her frequent-stayer points. Now Best Western won't return her phone calls. What gives? > In Fix My Trip.

> Stop! Underwear Thief!
> No Balcony at My Hotel
> No Status for Hotel Stay

>> Also Underwritten By <<

** SkiSnowboard.net
Want to take a ski vacation? Click on SkiSnowboard.net, the authoritative online guide to skiing in North America. These sites have unbiased, hard-hitting information on everything you need to plan your winter vacation. Sign up for their SkiSnowboard Newsletter.

** DreamofItaly.com
Discriminating travelers with a passion for Italy finally have a timely resource for planning their next visit to the land of la dolce vita. Dream of Italy is a new, bi-monthly subscription travel newsletter available by mail or on the Internet. Each issue is packed with the latest news and insiders' advice on Italian travel and culture. For a free sample copy or to subscribe, visit its Web site at or call 877-OF-ITALY (toll-free).

** Greatcruises.com
Disappointed with your last cruise? Planning your first cruise? Don't want to fly to and from your next cruise? Now, you too can be a well-informed cruiser. Subscribe to "All Cruise E-News," our free monthly e-mail cruise newsletter. You'll get breaking news on all the new ships being inaugurated this year, what cruises will be sailing from U.S. ports near you, recent price trends in cruising, cruise ship health and safety inspection results, family-friendly cruise lines, and much more to ensure that your next cruise will be "just right for you." Also, cruise tip of the month, important travel industry news, more.

>> Who's Reading Elliott's E-Mail? <<

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