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How Does an Airport Change a Town?

Marilyn Green — 2010-09-22T17:29:00+00:00

Panama City Beach Convention & Visitors Bureau

The first international airport built in the U.S. since 9/11 opened this May in Panama City Beach, Florida. But this new airport isn't just an airport; it's the heart of a plan to create an economic center attracting businesses, residential property and tourism to the Florida Panhandle.

The $318 million Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport replaced the 61-year-old Panama City-Bay County International Airport, positioned in a location vulnerable to hurricane storm surge.

The new airport was built in spite of opposition by those who feared growth would bring a negative change in the quality of life, those who had environmental concerns and those who doubted the need for a new airport. Already it is showing indications of success beyond its projections, despite the recession and the publicity surrounding the Gulf oil spill.

It all started in 1998, when the St. Joe Company, the state's second largest private landowner, agreed to work with the Airport Authority to identify a suitable site for relocation and offered to donate 40,000 acres of land on the north shore of St. Andrews Bay, which flows into the Gulf. The company saw an opportunity to attract businesses and build homes, and commercial property, shops, hotels and recreation facilities.

Proponents of change said the old 6,500-foot runway was too short to handle fully loaded 747s and, hemmed in on three sides by residential property with environmental issues blocking expansion into the water, the airport was stalemated.

Panama City Beach Convention & Visitors Bureau

Environmental concerns were raised repeatedly in the early stages of planning, and detailed plans for wildlife and wastewater management were approved. An Environment Mitigation Plan was built into the proposal, setting aside 41,000 acres for preservation, designates 41,000 acres including 33 miles of shoreline around the West Bay, where permitting only light recreational use is permitted.

In fact, the Audubon Society had approached St. Joe to make plans for a center in the area, but the recession caused these to be halted, at least temporarily. Green concerns also impacted the construction the 120,000 square foot terminal, which meets LEED silver criteria and uses sustainable materials exclusively.

Some residents, including Don Hodges, a retired Delta Air Lines executive, went on record as being doubtful that a new airport was needed, and in 2004, Bay County voters opposed the airport relocation proposal by 54 percent, although the ballot indicated that taxpayers would not have to pay for the new facility.

Ultimately, the $330 million for the first stage construction in Panama City came from federal grants, state funds, approximately $35 million in low interest loans from the state infrastructure bank and between $51 and $56 million from the sale of the old airport (the final number depends on the cost of environmental clean-up). The remainder of the local share will come from airport cash reserves, according to Randall S. Curtis, executive director, of the Panama City-Bay County International Airport.

Janet Watermeier, executive director of the Bay County Economic Development, said the airport has reconfigured the economic landscape. "If you put a pin in the center of the runway and drew a 60-mile radius, the Bay County area has about 170,000 people, but the new labor shed has a population of over 570,000 people, binding together the rural communities that look to Panama City as a center," she said. "However, the old airport was only about six miles from Panama City; the new one is a 25-30 minute drive."

"We were spoiled," said Panama City Mayor Scott Clemens, "having the airport so close. And you have to understand Panama City and Panama City Beaches are two separate municipalities and Panama City feels comparatively little direct impact of tourism; however, over time we will see the benefits, as well."

Watermeier, who moved to the area from Ft. Myers, said she had seen the same opposition there when the new airport opened there in 1983. "People were afraid their lives would change for the worse," she said. "But I'm sure few would want to go back now. You can grow and develop in good ways."

A key element in the airport's success was the entrance of Southwest Airlines, which added eight daily nonstop flights to Orlando, Nashville, Baltimore and Houston to those already served by Delta to Memphis and Atlanta. Clemens noted that the flights to Baltimore Washington International Airport are particularly important to expand the presence of defense contractors working with local military installations at Tyndall Air Force Base and the Naval Surface Warfare Center, since they must go back and forth to the capital constantly.

Watermeier commented, "Panama City had an emerging port, two military bases and military research and defense work, defense contractors coming in, beautiful beaches, a branch campus of Florida State University. The piece missing was the ability to fly in and out at a reasonable rate."

Panama City Beach Convention & Visitors Bureau

To bring in Southwest, St. Joe guaranteed that the airline would not lose money for the first three years. The beginning has been encouraging, far beyond the most optimistic projections, despite the recession and the publicity surrounding the Gulf oil spill, which prompted Panama City to set up video billboards to show its clean white beaches.

Curtis said figures for July showed a daily average of 1,837 seats scheduled on departing flights. In comparison, Tallahassee, the state capital, had 1,336 seats. "We were at the bottom of the list last year with only 508 average daily seats available, Curtis added. The first month of operation, June, brought 83,000 total passengers, nearly triple the number for June 2009. Clemens said results "far exceeded our original expectations, despite the oil spill and the economy."

The airport's current Stage I includes 1,400 acres of the total 4,000 donated by St. Joe and encompasses the terminal and a 10,000-foot runway capable of expansion to 12,000 feet, another bone of contention for opponents, who didn't accept the need for such a long runway.

Curtis said the plan was to have a facility that could handle any aircraft in the foreseeable future, in virtually any weather. "Denver has a 16,000 foot runway," he added. "We want to have air service without restrictions." The second phase could include another, parallel 8,400-foot runway.

The new airport is built for today and the future. It has now has seven gates, one large enough for 747s and potentially for A380s; the check-in was designed to accommodate 14 gates and the seven-gate concourse can be doubled. Likewise, the security checkpoint has two lanes, with room for two more.

A spring marketing blitz leading up to the airport opening was funded partly by a 5 percent bed tax on hotels and rentals. Dan Rowe, president and CEO of the Panama City Beach Convention and Visitors Bureau, visited cities from New York, Baltimore, Washington, D.C., and Houston to Nashville and Orlando, finding that a large part of the area's market was unaware of the beautiful beaches that earned the region a place in Frommer's 2010 top 12 travel destinations worldwide.

"This is a springboard year for us," Rowe stated. "The First Lady summed it up when she said these beaches are a national treasure."

Meanwhile, future development is at the heart of The St. Joe Company's plan. In 2011, the company is relocating its corporate headquarters to VentureCrossings, the first 1,000 acres adjacent to the airport offered for development.

After 75 years in Jacksonville, St. Joe will move into a 50,000 square foot multi-tenant office building there next year, consolidating offices from Jacksonville, Tallahassee, Port St. Joe and South Walton County into the new location.

VentureCrossings is designed with approximately 100 acres for office, retail and hotel use, 300 acres for light industrial companies, and 600 acres for manufacturing and other use. There are a number of companies attracted by the 'through the fence' location to the 10,000-foot runway," Watermeier observed. She added, "The 71,000 acres that St. Joe owns within the West Bay Sector Plan probably represents the largest mixed use master plan today. Although there are as yet no firm commitments from other companies, a number are considering participation."

Kevin Johnson, vice president of economic development for The St. Joe Company, said the company is taking a "patient, but aggressive" stance in building a diverse economy. "We're off to a good start, cautiously optimistic," he said.

Looking at the current success despite the expected challenges with local opposition and environmental issues, as well as the unexpected ones -- the recession and the negative publicity generated by the oil spill -- Rowe agreed, adding, "Our best days are still in front of us."

Florida Governor Charlie Crist likened the project to Tampa International Airport, which opened in 1971. "It's so much the right thing to do," he said. "It sells itself. The timing couldn't be better. Thank God it got going when it did." His comments at the opening praised the new airport as "a national model of economic transformation and environmental preservation."

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How to Get the Biggest Bang for Your Cruise Buck

Marilyn Green — 2010-08-12T15:29:00+00:00

Filed under: Cruise, Tips & Tricks, Budget

Holland America Line Stateroom

Knowledge is definitely power, especially when you're shopping for a cruise vacation. While others are paying list price for a cruise, you can either save hundreds of dollars or get valuable extras if you know where the opportunities lie. And if you're in the know, you can bring your children along without paying, get Concierge Club privileges free, fly without paying airfare, get stateroom upgrades worth hundreds and enjoy free perks from wine to ice cream.

Some of the specials are specific to a particular cruise line; others are available across the industry. Read on to see where the bargains are.

Plan according to party size
Among the first are accommodations like Norwegian Cruise Line's studio staterooms for single travelers on the new Norwegian Epic. They run hundreds of dollars cheaper than a standard stateroom, which is a revolution, considering single cruisers normally pay fares on most ships that can run to 200% of the per person rate for two. Epic's studios are perfectly comfortable, with standard beds, flat screen TVs, closets, bathrooms, etc., at 100 square feet; solo guests also have exclusive access to an attractive adjoining private lounge with coffee, snacks and a bar, where they can relax or mingle. Both seagoing and river cruise lines also periodically suspend the single supplement, sometimes offering additional perks like reduced airfare.

For families, several cruise lines will allow children to sail free in the stateroom with two adults from time to time as special offers; MSC Cruises, with a fleet of 11, invites children under 12 to sail free on all itineraries in Europe, the Caribbean and Canada/New England, all the time.

Upgrade to save
Carnival Corporation's Italian line, Costa Cruises, which first created the spa stateroom, still has a unique setup, even with the other cruise lines following with their own versions. Spa staterooms on Costa come in various categories, including inside staterooms and suites, for 20 percent above the normal fare.

For this, guests not only get spa amenities in the staterooms and proximity to the 23,000 square foot spa with access to the giant Thalassotherapy Pool, treatments, classes and a tea ceremony, but they can eat any of their meals in the private gourmet spa dining room, which is anything but ascetic. The elegant cuisine attracts passengers outside the spa staterooms, too, but they pay an average of 25 euros (or $32.11 at an exchange of $1.28 per euro) a meal. Eating even half of the 21 meals available there on a seven-day cruise would cost 250 euros ($321.12) and could more than cover the additional cost of the stateroom. These staterooms offer the "ship within the ship" experience, much like staying on the concierge floor of a fine hotel.

Let them entertain you
Extras in entertainment can also be counted against the cruise fare; NCL's new Epic has a variety of free name entertainment that would normally rise to over $100 a person, like Blue Man Group and Legends, and all seats are free; you just sign up for the performances you want to attend. Royal Caribbean International's Oasis of the Seas has exclusive licensing for the eight-time Tony Award-winning "Hairspray" as well as a new partnership with Dreamworks. NCL has built an extensive partnership with Nickelodeon that incorporates free shows and character encounters.

Not only do children on Disney cruises see the company's most recent releases -- the smaller numbers when compared to theme parks make for a very personal experience with the characters, who often address young passengers by name.

Theme cruises, too, offer great value, from free movie screenings with the stars on board to demonstrations and conversations with celebrity chefs. One extra which is so little known that cruisers run to e-mail home from the ship, is the baseball greats series on MSC, with the likes of Bob Feller, Clarence Jones and Stan Bahnsen on MSC Poesia in the Caribbean for five cruises this winter. Passengers interact freely with the baseball greats in Q&A sessions, pitching, hitting and base-running clinics and casual chat after the sessions, all without charge. One excited fan on a recent cruise could hardly get his fingers to work on his Blackberry as he texted home, "I just was talking to Earl Weaver! Earl Weaver!"

Lessons at sea
A number of experiences are surprisingly cheaper at sea, from teeth whitening to instruction in building websites. And budding musical stars can create a professionally mastered and edited vocal CD on Costa's ship of music, Costa Pacifica, in a very sophisticated studio for only 35 euros ($44.93), a fraction of the cost of a similar land-based session.

Be in the know
And then there are staterooms that have extra features. Carnival's Category 9 wraparound balconies are so prized that passengers have registered anger on the Internet when they were upgraded to suites. The view from the back of the ships is spectacular.

On Royal Caribbean's Freedom-class ships, stateroom 6305 is also known as the Moo Room or, more formally, the Ben & Jerry Sweet. These are promenade-view staterooms where the view is partially obstructed by the rear ends of the Ben & Jerry's cows above the ice cream parlor. They come with all the free Ben & Jerry's you can eat and, on Freedom of the Seas, Concierge Club privileges.

In some cases, Holland America Line's Lanai Staterooms are priced very close to an outside rate, and they have sliding doors out to the Verandah Deck. They are available on the Veendam and Rotterdam, and will be added to Maasdam early next year; the Statendam and Ryndam will get them in about a year.

Across the cruise lines, early booking rates are huge for extra value; very often you can go up a level from what you'd pay later, from inside to outside stateroom or outside to balcony. Can't plan that far ahead? When a particular sailing or set of sailings looks underbooked, the cruise lines offer substantial discounts for new bookings. This is one of the areas where good travel agents can really help, since they are informed daily about such offers and their deadlines, and can get in touch with a client when there's a match.

Be sure to sign up for the loyalty program on any cruise line whenever you sail and to make sure all subsequent cruises are recorded. It's free, and perks vary from special cocktail parties to stateroom upgrades.

Ready to book? Check out our cruise deals.

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So What is a Deluxe Room Anyway?

Marilyn Green — 2010-07-26T16:50:00+00:00

Filed under: Hotel

Miami South Beach Marriott King City View; Marriott

What do you get when you pay for an upgrade?

Trying to get the best deal for your money in a hotel has become as complicated as a chess game, with as many as five variations on the same room category. So how do you know when it is worthwhile to pay extra for an upgrade?

Is it worth $20 or $30 extra to have a breakfast buffet for two adults thrown in with your room? Probably, unless you are having breakfast meetings, it's included in a conference, or you just drink coffee in the morning.

Is it worth an extra $6-$15 to get free Internet in your room? Again, probably, if you are going to be online much -- and definitely if the upgrade to Internet service also brings other perks you want. If your plans are written in stone, advance purchase can give you a substantial discount - as much as $60 -- but you must make full payment in advance, and there are no refunds.

And, although concierge floors are very appealing with their private lounges, snacks, breakfasts and drinks, if you book a room on the weekend, the lounge with its amenities is often closed, and all you may be getting for your extra money is a room on a high floor.

There are plenty of choices: for example, travelers can book a King Bed room at the Hilton Minneapolis on an August weekday from $209, $167.20 advance purchase; if you take the room on the B&B plan, you get the breakfast buffet for two adults plus a child of five years or younger for $219 -- a no-brainer unless you prefer breakfast elsewhere. Likewise, a Business Connection rate adds high speed Internet at $215. Other features remain the same, including wi-fi, a work desk with a Herman Miller chair, two-line phones with voicemail, LavAzza Coffee, iron and board, down comforters and pillows and Crabtree & Evelyn bath amenities.

Sometimes you're paying for size and location. The Hilton Times Square in Manhattan offers a King Bed rate of $299, $239.20 advance purchase, for a 330-square-foot room with 37" flat panel TV, MP3 player, work desk, Crabtree & Evelyn bath products, 300 thread count bedding, bathrobe, laptop-size safe, dual phone lines, wireless Internet service, iron and board, mini-bar and shower and tub. A Deluxe King Bed room at 360 square feet on a high floor is $349 with the same amenities.

On a September weekday at the Hilton Seattle, King Bed rooms at $209 run 300 square feet with a laptop safe, iron and board, coffee maker, mini-bar and TV. Executive Level King rooms at $244 add continental breakfast for two at the Top of the Hilton and access to the Executive Lounge with its complimentary wireless Internet access, hors d'oeuvres and beverages for a nominal fee at cocktail hour.

A view is another amenity with a price tag. At the Miami South Beach Marriott in August a 250-square-foot King City View room is $229 (advance payment $209); with a balcony it's $249. The Oceanfront Balcony room at the same size, is $289. Both categories have safes, decks, coffee maker/tea service, mini-refrigerators and two phones. If you choose the concierge level at $319, you add a complimentary breakfast, midday snack, hors d'oeuvres, dessert and non-alcoholic beverages plus an honor bar.

The Renaissance Austin Hotel (Marriott) in the Austin Arboretum has 324-384-square-foot rooms at $199. Club Level rooms at 432 square feet are a bargain at $219 with the living area separated from the bed by a privacy wall; lounge access during the week includes complimentary continental breakfast, hors d'oeuvres, dessert, non-alcoholic beverages and honor bar.

At the Renaissance Los Angeles Airport Hotel (Marriott), a 324-360 square foot King room costing $209 gives you features including a pillow-top mattress, featherbed, and duvet, three phones, refrigerator and iPod dock; the Club level King at $229 adds Club lounge access Sunday-Thursday, with complimentary continental breakfast, midday snack and hors d'oeuvres, non-alcoholic beverages, business services and pressing for one garment per stay.

Guests reserving a King Bed room at the Hyatt Regency Louisville pay $204 for a room with a separate work area, cordless phones, iron and board, coffee maker and iPod docking station. The Deluxe King at $229 has robes by request and larger rooms, but the Business Plan King is more tempting. Available to anyone, it costs $214 and provides a complimentary full breakfast, free local and toll-free calls, and one shirt or blouse pressed per day plus a daily bottle of water.

The Four Diamond Grand Hyatt Denver has a similar offering with a corner King room costing $279 with a large work station and walk-in closet, and a Business Plan King at $294 adding the same features as in Louisville. The Grand Club at $309 includes complimentary continental breakfast, evening hors d'oeuvres and desserts, snacks and non-alcoholic beverages throughout the day, and cocktails for a nominal charge.

The Hyatt Regency Philadelphia has a King rate of $209 that includes robes, iron and board, Internet access, a daily paper, iPod docking, a coffee makes and safe. The Deluxe King at $259 adds a pillow-top bed with goose down duvet, and they also offer the Business Plan amenities (previously listed) at $229.

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All-Inclusive Cruises? Not Really

Marilyn Green — 2010-07-09T14:00:00+00:00

Filed under: Cruise, Tips & Tricks, Budget

Getty Images

John and Mary were thrilled with the bargain price of their first cruise. They would sail from Florida and visit three Caribbean ports -- all for the average cost of a hotel room in their area and a few meals at a nice restaurant. They would have dining, entertainment and travel, along with their cabin on the ship. The couple had a great time. But when they were ready to disembark, they were stunned. When they went to the purser to settle their account, John and Mary found that they had run up a bill that nearly doubled their bargain fare. Does this really happen? Yes. Is it necessary? No. Read on to see where John and Mary went wrong.

Except on the most upscale lines, cruises are not all-inclusive, and they never were. First-timers may be confused because many elements of the cruise are included in the fare - which makes it difficult to keep track of those that aren't. Promotional cruise fares are designed to get passengers on board; the cruise companies assume that passengers will spend once aboard the ship.

John and Mary fulfilled the cruise company's expectations. They couldn't resist those cool tropical drinks and ordered a couple whenever they were lounging poolside. In the evening after the show, or in between dances at the club, they shared a few more drinks with new shipboard friends.

They ordered wine at dinner every night and went to the Internet café to send digital images of themselves enjoying their vacation to friends and family at home. They opted for one, sometimes two, shore excursions in each port of call and picked up logo T-shirts and duty-free alcohol in the shops for themselves and friends. Some nights, they went to the casino and played the slots.

They tried different restaurants most nights, had a couples massage in the spa, and bought copies of some good pictures the ship's photographer had taken of them during formal night. And then they saw the bill.

John and Mary learned a lesson the hard way. To a first-timer, a cruise vacation may seem all-inclusive, but it is not. Make a budget before you hand over your credit card and you can beat the spend.

Here's how:

o. Have a latte after dinner in the dining room or all the coffee or tea you want in your stateroom (free) rather than at a specialty coffee shop (generally not free).

o. Enjoy one of the Jacuzzis on the pool deck (free) instead of the thermal suite in the spa (not free).

o. Order all the room service you want (free).

o. Skip the Internet café on the ship and use one in port at a quarter of the cost or less.

o. Have your wine on the captain's night (free) and watch your tab the rest of the time, as you would on land. Soft drinks are expensive, so if you want to indulge freely, buy a soda package.

o. Find a cruise line you like and stick with it -- loyalty programs give repeat passengers parties with open bars, wine in their staterooms, reduced Internet costs, free laundry, upgraded staterooms, spa credits and more.

o. Get a few friends together and create a group, which entitles you to one free stateroom, wine or fruit in the cabins and other privileges.

o. If you play the slot machines in the casino, don't use your credit card. Set yourself a cash limit and stick to it.

o. Enjoy the complimentary soft serve ice cream, instead of the specialty shop frozen dessert.

What's free and what isn't:

Today, cruise ships offer specialty restaurants from sushi bars and teppanyaki rooms to steak houses, Italian bistros and New York delis, all in addition to the main dining rooms and buffets. The majority of the dining choices are free. Those that aren't free usually carry fees of $5 to $30 per person.

Spas and salons are not included in the cruise fare; they are concessions run by companies like Canyon Ranch, and their services are à la carte.

Shore excursions are operated by local companies, and they are not free either. In many cases, though, the cruise lines offer free shuttle service from the port into the nearby city.

Fitness facilities are free, from exercise bikes to resistance equipment and free weights. Some classes are free. Rock climbing walls, bungee trampolines, wave pools, steam rooms and saunas are nearly always free. So are ice-skating, in-line skating, tennis, basketball and volleyball. Classes in Pilates, yoga, spinning, etc., carry a fee, usually $10-$12.

Entertainment is nearly all free, and the cruise lines offer real Broadway-style productions and acts from the Blue Man Group to classical ensembles. Karaoke, dance classes, stand-up comedy, rock and roll acts, folk artists, magic shows and cooking demonstrations by celebrity chefs are all free; hands-on gourmet cooking classes with limited enrollments typically carry a fee.

Kids' and teens' programs are spectacular on many ships, and they are free for young cruisers. If you want babysitting in your stateroom, though, there will be a fee. On most cruise ships, the usual tips for staff run $8-$10 per passenger per day.
The more upscale cruise lines are more inclusive, so check the offers and calculate the value of included shore excursions, tips, fees, beverages and special dining. Always do the math to compare cheap cruises that have fewer inclusions with pricier ones that provide more perks.

At any price point, a cruise can be one of the best vacation deals around -- but to enjoy a real bargain, you have to be smart about beating the spend.

Going to a beach soon? Check out the top beach drinks from around the globe at National Geographic.

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Forbidden Items -- On a Cruise Ship?

Marilyn Green — 2010-07-02T08:00:00+00:00

Filed under: Cruise, Tips & Tricks

Leave the Flame Thrower at Home - and Maybe the Baby

An online uproar recently followed the announcement that Carnival Cruise Lines would not allow passengers to bring on board personal grooming appliances (hair dryers, crimpers and the like) that exceed 700 watts. Carnival spokesperson Jennifer de la Cruz characterized the new restriction as a mistake and said it was in place less than a day, but the vociferous response touched off a spate of discussions about what is and is not confiscated on cruise ships. So what are the forbidden items ? Read on to find out.

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) guidelines specify that in addition to guns, illegal drugs, fireworks and ammunition, all lighters with fuel are forbidden unless they are in a DOT-approved case. You can't have realistic replicas of explosive devices, either. No matches are allowed except one packet of safety matches in carry-on luggage. Most cruise lines don't allow irons because of the danger of fire, but generally they are provided for passenger use in the laundries, where they have automatic cut-offs.

From there, the rules change line by line. Royal Caribbean International, for instance, allows walkie-talkies up to five watts and covering up to 10 miles, as do Disney and others. But Disney doesn't permit VCR/DVD players, Nintendo or other video game consoles because of compatibility issues with stateroom TVs. You can't bring metal detectors on their ships or onto their private island, Castaway Cay, because anything found would have to be returned to the owner or donated to charity. Most cruise lines don't allow knives longer than three or four inches on their ships, and they don't want baseball bats, hockey sticks, spears, cricket bats, or bows and arrows.

Royal Caribbean forbids HAM radios, bleach or surfboards, except the ones the line offers for its FlowRider. Crystal and Carnival want passengers to skip the Segways, too. Carnival passengers have to leave their throwing stars at home and Princess guests will have hookahs confiscated. And, sorry, forget the pepper spray, handcuffs, etc. Slingshots, blowguns and medical marijuana also are on the confiscation list for many lines.

Alcohol policies vary drastically, and lines like Royal do not return any alcohol confiscated on embarkation day - contrary to the wisdom of the Web, where passengers urge one another to try smuggling in the booze, since the cruise line will just hold it until the end of the sailing if they catch you. Disney allows guests to bring alcohol on board to drink in staterooms; Holland America Line allows only wine and champagne at embarkation, with a limit of two bottles of wine per stateroom, while other lines allow guests to drink what they buy in port, but not to bring alcohol on board at embarkation.

Norwegian Cruise Line doesn't allow alcohol brought on board and is popularly thought to be the strictest line in enforcing the policy. Cruise lines that include drinks in the ticket price, like Regent, Windstar, Silversea and Seabourn, will allow guests to bring their own alcohol on board and drink it in their staterooms; generally, if passengers want to bring their own bottles to the dining room, there is a corkage charge.

If you don't read the rules carefully, one item that may be prohibited on board is your child. Although a handful of lines allow children of all ages, many prohibit infants under six months or a year, and some only allow children two years old and up. If you come to the ship with an underage child, you and the child are likely to be told you cannot board -- and no compensation will be offered.

Because of the threat of fire, cruise ships are concerned about overloaded extension cords and multi-plug adapters, which many insurance companies frown on even on shore. This is a gray area, and most of the lines allow their security people license to judge whether something is dangerous. Portable fans are another bone of contention. Why do passengers bring them? Some prefer the fan to air conditioning, and others want them for the soothing white noise they generate. Some cruse lines require guests to clear their fans with a staff electrician. The cruise lines can confiscate anything they consider a threat to the safety of the ship at any time, from the initial screening before boarding, until the time passengers get off the ship. It isn't unusual for someone who has left a hair curler plugged in, while away from a stateroom, to find that it has been removed. Most confiscated items are restored at the end of the cruise - apart, of course, from explosives, etc. And the vast majority of passengers never even run into an issue. But be sure to read the cruise line policy before booking; it can save you time, money, embarrassment...and bad hair days.

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