Ship Inspection 'Navigator of the Seas'

Last week I was in for a treat! I was invited to tour the "Navigator of the Seas', one of Regent Seven Seas 3 cruise ships. The Navigator was 'in port' in San Diego and I used the opportunity to see the ship first hand. I was certainly impressed by the friendly staff & service, the overall timeless elegance and stateroom decor.



Emerging from a refurbishment in December 2009 and occupying the uppermost niche in cruising, she offers her (only) 490 guests an unusual level of luxury and some of the highest space and service ratios at sea. From her all-suite, all-oceanview accommodations with their luxurious marble baths to her signature cuisine to her superbly attentive staff, she has few equals.

The Navigator of the Seas offers:

• All-inclusive fares
• All-suite, all-oceanview accommodations, 90% with private balcony
• Suites range in size from 301 to 1,173 sq. ft., including balcony
• 490 guests attended to by 345 European and International crew
• Open-seating dining - dine when and with whom you choose in Compass Rose and La Veranda
• Three dining venues to choose from including Prime 7, a contemporary interpretation of a classic American steakhouse
• Spa and fitness by Canyon Ranch SpaClub®

Please click here to see the current promotions including FREE air, FREE shore excursions, 2-for 1 fares, one-way business class upgrades and much more.

Feel free to contact any of us at Nonstop Travel with any questions you might have.

The Resort at Pelican Hill Site Inspection

Last week I visited Newport Coast. Just one hour  from Los Angeles, you will find this extra ordinary resort nestled in the hills, overlooking the Pacific Ocean.



The architectural style of the resort is inspired by the works of Andrea Palladio, an Italian architect from the 16th century. The beauty and harmony you feel is the result of thousands of small details- from the Italian plaster finish that enhances with age to the hand-made terra cotta finials sculpted by a master ceramicist.

The overall vision was to create a Northern Italian environment. Groves of olive trees, rows of lavender, cypress, fig and pine trees plus 45 foot Canary palms grace the Resort evoking a timeless, authentic landscape. A natural setting that relaxes and invites strolling throughout the grounds.


Pelican Hill offers the amenities of an ultra luxury hotel with the relaxed comforts of a home away from home.

You have the choice of Bungalows and Villas:

Bungalow Guest Rooms & Suites
Guest rooms that are clustered in one-story bungalows with private terraces, fireplaces and adjacent parking. Most rooms offer ocean views.

The Villa Club
A private enclave within the resort featuring the North & South Villas with 2, 3 & 4 bedrooms that are served by their own staff. They also offer a private clubhouse with gracious great room, dining room, fitness center, infinity pool with luxurious cabanas, whirlpool spa and children's wading pool. Most villas offer expansive ocean views.

A wealth of ammeneties from a 36 holes golf course, The Spa at Pelican Hill, 136 diameter Coliseum Pool, Kid's Program, several lunch and dining options and butler service will make this get away a very unique one.

When booking through Nonstop Travel you will enjoy the following exclusive ammeneties:


For Bungalow Bookings:

• Full Breakfast for two Daily at Coliseum Grill (Maximum Value $60. Excludes Taxes and Gratuities)
• Welcome Amenity

For Villa Bookings:

• Full Breakfast for two Daily at the Coliseum Grill OR Villa Clubhouse (Maximum Value $120. Excludes Taxes and Gratuities)
• Complimentary Club Pelican for up to two Children OR $100 Spa or Golf Credit, Once During Stay

The following amenities are subject to availability at the time of check-in/departure:

• Early Check-In
• Late Check-Out

Please click here for more information and make sure to check out the slide show above.

Paper Arrival/Departure Forms for Visa Waiver Program Travelers to be Eliminated

Paper Arrival/Departure Forms for Visa Waiver Program Travelers to be Eliminated - The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has announced that following a successful seven-month pilot program conducted with the support of the Government of New Zealand on Air New Zealand flights from Auckland to Los Angeles International Airport, the use of paper I-94W forms will be eliminated for travelers from countries participating in the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) with an approved Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) arriving in the United States at all airports by the end of this summer. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will activate automated processing for U.S. airports on a rolling basis over the next several months.

The elimination of the paper I-94W form enables travelers to provide basic biographical, travel and eligibility information automatically through ESTA prior to departure for the United States. The CBP recommends that travelers submit ESTA applications as soon as an applicant begins making travel plans. ESTA applications may be submitted at any time prior to travel, and once approved, will be valid for two years or until the applicant's passport expires. For more information about ESTA, please visit cbp.gov.

Air Berlin introduces nonstop service to Berlin from Miami

Air Berlin, Germany's second-largest airline, will introduce nonstop service to Berlin, Germany’s vibrant capital city, from Miami with twice weekly service starting November 1, 2010 until April 28, 2011.

As one of Europe’s leading carriers, this will strengthen Air Berlin’s presence in the US market by introducing the first nonstop service to Berlin from Miami, providing convenient reach to one of Europe’s most exciting and diverse cities. Air Berlin will continue to offer nonstop service to Düsseldorf from Miami three times weekly during its winter operation from November 1, 2010 through April, 2011.

In addition Air Berlin passengers can take advantage of convenient connections via the hub in Berlin to some of Europe’s premier cities such as; Zurich, Vienna, Stockholm, Oslo, not to mention seven inter-Germany cities including Düsseldorf, Frankfurt, Cologne, Karlsruhe/Baden-Baden, Nuremberg, Stuttgart and Munich. 

Please call us at (800) 949-6362 to make reservations!

  

Lufthansa returns to normal flight operations eff. April 22

Lufthansa returns to normal flight operations eff. April 22
(last update: April 21, 1200 ET)
Lufthansa will operate all long-haul flights and expand the flight plan for domestic and inner-European destinations throughout April 21. Eff. April 22, Lufthansa will resume normal flight operations.
Please note, there may however be further cancellations or re-openings of intra-european flights during the day, so kindly check the latest updates on the flight status on a regular basis on www.luftansa.com
under “Current Travel Information – Arrival and Departure” until your scheduled time of departure.
The planned flight operation depends on the current conditions. Lufthansa asks its passengers for their understanding that due to the current extraordinary circumstances short-term changes might be inevitable.

Additional information for passengers traveling from the Americas:
Confirmed reservation on Lufthansa for an intercontinental destination beyond Europe:
- passengers will be transported to their respective final destination
- baggage will be checked through to final intercontinental destination
Confirmed reservation on Lufthansa for flights operating to continental European destinations:
- passengers will be transported to their respective final destination
- baggage will be checked through to final European destination
Confirmed reservation on Lufthansa for flights not yet operating to continental European destinations:
- passengers and baggage will be transported to the Lufthansa hubs Frankfurt, Munich or Dusseldorf only
- relevant Visa requirements for Germany will apply and passengers not holding a current Visa or Schengen Visa cannot be transported to Germany
Due to the current limited flight schedule to/from Frankfurt and Munich your original scheduled flight within Germany or Europe may not be operating. In the event that your connecting flight is not available, we strongly urge you to make alternative travel arrangements to ensure that you arrive at your final destination within Germany & Europe.

Lufthansa has resumed flight operations

Last update: April 19, (17:30 ET)

Lufthansa has resumed operation of a majority of its long-haul flights.

This evening (April 19) all long-haul flights with only a few exceptions as well as some intra-european and domestic flights are operating. On Tuesday (April, 20th) all long distance flights are expected to be operated on schedule. In addition, on Tuesday morning, single domestic flights will take place. At present all other domestic and intra-european flights are cancelled until 18:00 UTC.

On Tuesday, Lufthansa plans to expand its flight plan gradually.

Confirmed passengers:
Only those passengers holding a confirmed booking on a Lufthansa operated flight departing today are asked to go to the airport. In addition, due to the current uncertain status of connecting flights, passengers will only be transported to Germany. Relevant visa requirements will therefore apply and passengers not holding a current Visa or Schengen Visa cannot be transported to Germany.

Please be aware that not all of these flights are reflected yet as "cancelled" in the online "Arrival and departure" information; this is due to technical problems. Please refer to this web page for ongoing updates.

All passengers who do not hold a confirmed booking for today’s Lufthansa operated flights areurged not to travel to the airport.

For further information, rebookings, reissuance of tickets or refunds, please contact the Lufthansa Service Center at 1-800-645-3880. (Due to the high call volume, please expect longer waiting times than usual.)

The planned flight operation depends on the current conditions.

For code share flights operated by a partner airline, please check with your operating carrier. These flights have the following flight numbers: LH1400 - LH1729, LH1910 - LH2629 or LH5050 - LH9999. If you are not sure if your flight is operated by a partner airline, please refer to your booking confirmation.

Lufthansa begins limited North American flight operation

Lufthansa begins limited North American flight operation 

East Meadow, NY, April 19, 2010 -- Lufthansa will today operate 50 long-haul flights with aircraft currently located abroad, to Germany. Those aircraft will take off from their respective locations in Asia, North and South America as well as Africa in the next hours. Of the 50 flights, 27 are planned today from North America to Frankfurt, Munich and Dusseldorf, with arrivals in Germany tomorrow. In addition, Lufthansa will operate some flights from Germany to select long haul destinations, as well as some flights between Frankfurt, Munich and select German destinations. Details can be found at www.lufthansa.com. Only those passengers holding a confirmed booking for flights departing today are asked to go to the airport.  In addition, due to the current uncertain status of connecting flights, passengers will only be transported to Germany. Relevant visa requirements will therefore apply.

Lufthansa is doing its utmost to reaccommodate passengers whose flights have been cancelled, and get them to their final destination quickly and safely. Due to the exceptional situation and limited alternative transport options, passenger care can unfortunately not be rendered to the full extent at some airports.

Customers can rebook their flights free of charge for departures before May 31, 2010 by calling Lufthansa reservations at 1-800-645-3880 in the U.S. or 1-800-563-5954 in Canada. Passengers whose flights have been cancelled can also receive a refund, free of charge. Due to the extraordinary circumstances, longer than usual wait times should be expected.

It is impossible to further predict the development of the situation in the European airspace. We are frequently monitoring the current situation and are in close contact with the respective authorities, departments and airports.