An artists rendering of Generations Riviera Maya

If you’ve ever stayed at an Azul or El Dorado resort while vacationing in Riviera Maya you already know they’re at the forefront of luxury.

Well Karisma Hotels, the company behind the brands, is carrying over that luxury to a new brand of resort: Generations.

The first Generations Resort, Generations Maroma, is scheduled to open in June while Generations Riviera Maya is slated for a November opening.

Both resorts will feature all-suite accommodation as well as unlimited nanny and butler service.

And like Karisma’s other properties these resorts will be Gourmet Inclusive a service which includes all the little extras to make a vacation truly special like beach butlers and 24 hour room service.

Generations Maroma is now taking bookings for June so call TravelTST today to book your spot.

The airline must get government approval for the extension and also needs a ban on jets using the airport overturned.

If Porter gets what it’s asking for it would allow the company to operate longer distance flights out Billy Bishop.

If approved Porter has plans to add more than a dozen new destinations including Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, LA and Miami.

(Porter/Toronto Star)

If you’re gullible like me today can be a bit of a handful but it’s all in good fun.

Some airlines wanted in on the fun too and decided to make some wacky announcements, guess which one I fell for.

WESTJET

WestJet today announced the easing of restrictions on pets in the cabin. All WestJet flights will now allow for any type of animal to travel in the cabin provided it fits safely on board the aircraft.

“We recognize that a growing number of families want to travel with their ‘extended’ family and we are proud to be the first airline to offer this type of service,” said Richard Bartrem, WestJet’s Vice-President, Communications and Community Relations.

VIRGIN

Meanwhile Richard Branson and company tried to sell us on glass-bottomed planes.

Now imagine a glass-bottomed plane with a bunch of dogs running around.

Oh and it was WestJet’s, I fell for WestJet’s announcement.

Phone Scam Alert:

Telephone scammers are impersonating WestJet in an attempt to steal your personal information. WestJet does not use telemarketers or share guests’ personal information. If you receive a call indicating that you’ve won “WestJet points/miles” or are a “preferred customer” please hang up. Visit http://www.antifraudcentre.ca/ for more info on this and other types of scams.

In October of last year reports about this scam started making appearances in the media and since there is no date on WestJet’s warning it’s impossible to tell whether this alert was issued back then and just remained up on the website or in recent weeks the scam has picked up again but whatever the case it’s good information.

The United States Transportation Security Administration has amended its Prohibited Items List.

As of April 25 the following items will be allowed in carry-on luggage:

• Small Pocket Knives – Small knives with non-locking blades smaller than 2.36 inches and less than 1/2 inch in width will be permitted (see above for guide)
• Small Novelty Bats and Toy Bats
• Ski Poles
• Hockey Sticks
• Lacrosse Sticks
• Billiard Cues
• Golf Clubs (Limit Two)

Why you need to bring sports equipment into the cabin is beyond me.

(TSA Blog)

The carry-on item (eg. a suitcase, backpack or bag) must be no larger than 21 inches by 9 inches by 15 inches and it must fit in the WestJet sizing devices located at airports the airline flies from. If it does not fit, it must be checked at the boarding gate and picked up upon arrival at the baggage carousel.

In addition to one carry-on bag each passenger will also be allowed one personal item. Personal items include small purses, laptop bags or mobility or child restraint devices. For parents travelling with infants, a diaper bag is permitted over and above the carry-on allowance.

“Updating our baggage allowance has many benefits,” said Bob Cummings, WestJet Executive Vice-President, Sales, Marketing and Guest Experience. “Fewer carry-on items will mean more room for everyone’s baggage, and faster and more efficient boarding. This, in turn, helps us stay on time. It will also create a more consistent experience for guests travelling between WestJet and WestJet Encore beginning later this spring, as well as for guests connecting to and from flights offered by our codeshare and interline partners, most of whom have already adopted this standard.”

(WestJet)

An artists rendering of Resorts World Las Vegas.

Las Vegas will soon welcome another resort to its world famous strip.

Malaysia based Genting Group announced this week that they’re planning to build a new mega casino on the strip that will have more than 3500 hotel rooms, a conference centre and a 4000 seat theatre.

Resorts World Las Vegas will also boast some attractions unique to the strip including panda habitats, tea gardens and red pagodas.

Construction is slated to begin next year with the resort expected to open in 2016.

(Associated Press)

An artist's rendering of the Titanic II.

Titanic II is on its way.

And no I’m not talking about the direct-to-DVD disaster film (I’m not joking about that check this out) rather an exact replica of the doomed ship that is scheduled to make its maiden voyage in 2016.

Australian billionaire Clive Palmer is the man behind the project and released the blue prints for the ship at a press conference in New York City this week. At the press conference the ship’s designer Markku Kanerva said the Titanic II would be the safest cruise ship in the world.

Palmer refused to say however that the ship would be unsinkable.

The original Titanic was thought to be unsinkable when it was completed but tragically struck an iceberg and sank during its maiden voyage in 1912 killing over 1500 people.

The Titanic II’s maiden voyage will be from Southampton, England to New York City – the same route the Titanic was to take on its maiden voyage.

(CNN/The Guardian)

Japan Airlines was rated the best major international airline for on-time performance by FlightStats.

We’re right in the middle of award season and not just in entertainment.

This week FlightStats announced the winners of its 2012 On-time Performance Awards which recognize airlines around the world which “deliver the highest percentage of flights to their arrival gates within 15 minutes of their scheduled arrival time”.

Finishing in the spot in the major international airlines category was Japan Airlines whose flights arrived on-time 90.45 per cent of the time.

In the North American major airlines category Alaska Airlines took top spot with their flights arriving on time 87.26 per cent of the time.

For a full breakdown of the results with all the winners and finalists check out the FlightStats website.

Earlier this month the airline revealed the first routes that will be served by its new WestJet Encore regional service.

Fort St. John and Nanaimo B.C. are the two newest cities that WestJet will serve with daily non-stop flights from Calgary to Nanaimo and Calgary to Fort St. John starting June 24 and non-stop flights from Vancouver to Fort St. John beginning June 25.

As part of the service daily non-stop flights from Vancouver to Victoria have been added and will also start June 24.

These new routes will be flown by Bombardier Q400 NextGen aircraft.

A WestJet spokesperson said that more cities will be added in the future.