We don’t have any gay cowboys, alright? Okay, maybe a few gay cowboys…”, no state is left unparodied (read the video transcript here). Lest you think video creator Paul Jury is making snap judgements, you may want to read his new book States of Confusion, chronicling his post-college 48-state road trip.
Have a good sense of humor about how others see your state or country? You might also enjoy this map of US state stereotypes as well as maps from other countries. Follow Gadling and AOL Travel’s Road Trip Across America this summer and see how the states live up to their reputation.
We’re looking all over the place for the best cruise values; sailings that normally sell for more at a lower price. Disney Cruise Line has a whole lot to celebrate with the launch of new Disney Dream this week. That ship is selling fast as many guests book to get a look at the latest, greatest ship from Disney in over a decade. Let’s not forget Disney’s other ships though in this latest cruise value watch.
Kids sail free
Disney Cruise Line has a deal for families on Alaska sailings: Kids sail Free. US and Canadian residents can take advantage of special savings on the Disney Wonder sailing now from the West coast.
Here’s the deal: Book a Veranda or Oceanview stateroom and kids ages 17 and under, traveling with 2 full-fare Guests in the same stateroom, sail free on select 7-night Alaskan cruises departing between May 3 to June 7, 2011. Ask for booking code KFO.
Great Rates on European Cruise
Again, a family-oriented deal where a family of four can sail for as little as $875 per person on he August 27, 2011 7-night sailing of the Disney Magic
Here’s the deal: This special rate is valid for categories 10C and 11A on the August 27, 2011 7-Night Mediterranean cruise sailing. The total voyage fare is $3500. Please note the number of staterooms allocated for this offer is limited. Rates are in U.S. dollars. Gratuities, government taxes and fees are not included. Other restrictions may apply.
Disney also offers special values for Florida Residents and US Military members too. Check with your travel expert, call Disney Cruise Line at 800-951-3532 or look to AOLTravel for your best cruise pricing options.
A year ago Royal Caribbean International came under close scrutiny as the line planned to visit their private destination of Labadee, Haiti shortly after a devastating earthquake rocked the island. I was on board Freedom of the Seas last January when critics said it was in bad taste for the line to have cruise passengers go ashore for fun and sun while so many were suffering on different parts of the island nation. A year later, not a lot is better in Haiti and Royal Caribbean continues to call.
“Please go back to the ship and tell everyone to come ashore, we need them” I was told by local resident and Royal Caribbean island crew member “Franclin” at the time.
His plea was in response to a lower than normal number of passengers getting off ships calling at the island, a move that was hurting them financially as natives tried to sell hand-crafted items.
At the time, Royal Caribbean was scorned by some for visiting the island even though they were delivering much-needed relief supplies including much-needed basics like water at a time when ports elsewhere were damaged and unusable.
The effort continues today, a year later, as the cruise line continues to call at Labadee.
Humanitarian Relief to Haiti is an ongoing effort at Royal Caribbean. Highlighted by opening one fo the first schools to be built after the earthquake in October 2010 and company blogs that helped keep the world informed, relief efforts started just three days after the earthquake. The efforts continue too as company lets those with Royal Caribbean Visa cards help by donating their points to help in aide programs. Guests aboard sister-lines Celebrity Cruises and Azamara Club Cruises can donate to Food for the Poor’s Haiti Relief Fund via their onboard charge accounts while sailing.
Our friends over at AOL Travel would really like you to start following them on Twitter – their feed is a great read, so it’s certainly worth doing. But if you need a little more incentive, how about a chance at winning $500 in Travelocity travel credits? All you need to do is follow them to be eligible!
Royal Caribbean is currently offering a huge variety of very nicely priced cruise packages, starting at just $229.
That low price actually gets you a 3 night/4 day cruise from Miami to the Bahamas (and back).
To make the deal even better, they’ll also throw in a $25 on-board credit on select dates, making the final price just a couple of bucks over $200.
That $200 includes all your meals, entertainment, pool access, rock climbing, 9 bars, a casino, movie theater and a fitness center/spa. That means you get an all inclusive vacation for just $68 a night!
If you have a little more time (or money), you’ll find a nice lineup of other cruises including 10 nights in Alaska for $1049 (with a $200 on-board credit) or even a 12 night transatlantic cruise from London, via France, Ireland, Iceland and Canada to Boston for $1099.
Of course, these prices are all based on an inside room, but in my experience, if you plan your ship time well, you’ll only be using the room for sleeping. Upgrades to an oceanview room start at just $50. As with most travel deals, availability will be limited, and not all dates will be available for the lowest price.