The Latest News In Travel

What’s up??!!. . . . a popular greeting nowadays.  I get it quite often from friends who ask “what’s up in the travel business lately?”  In this business, there is something new to talk about just about every day.

Just heard from Royal Caribbean Cruise Line that they are putting in the main showroom on one of their ships, the Quantum of the Seas, the Broadway show, “Mamma Mia”.  This is the fourth Broadway show that has been produced on RCCL ships.  We saw “Chicago” last June on the Allure of the Seas and “Hairspray” on the Oasis of the Seas last year.  “Saturday Night Fever” is also being produced on one of their ships.  These are quality performances by very professional actors and are all part of the fare of the cruise experience.

Norwegian Cruise Line, Celebrity Cruise Line, and Holland America were in the top 5 cruise lines that were recognized by the Better Business Bureau for customer satisfaction.  Not all lines were included in the summary, but it was good to know that these lines were performing admirably according to BBB standards.

We have reported before that until 1999, gambling brought in more than 50% of the money to casino resorts in Las Vegas, but by 2012, it had dropped to bringing in only 36%.  Dining and beverage sales are escalating each year over the past year as new properties and popular chefs open for business. 

One of the reason too is that Nevada is not the only option people have for gambling.  The Indian reservation gambling meccas as well as those in Louisiana, New Jersey, and Oklahoma have been sucking a lot of the gambling activity away from Las Vegas.

There is going to be some more river cruising opportunity in the Northwest next year.  The American Queen Steamboat Co. is renovating and refurbishing the American Empress for an April launch, cruising in the Pacific Northwest on the Columbia and Snake Rivers.  The American Queen plied the Mississippi for the first time in about 5-6 years in 2013, and they are looking for a good 2014 on the Big River.

The professional travel agents at The Travel Factory are anxious to help you with your travel Christmas presents, so give us a call today for some help with manufacturing your dream vacation.  We can give you face to face service at 4150 Southwest Drive, or call us at 698-1421 or toll-free 800-760-4040.  Visit our website for more information about our agency and service; www.thetravelfactoryabilene.com.