AIRPORT & Cruise Happenings
Due to an influx of travelers, Florida's travel industry has stepped up and added a plethora of non-stop flights, International travel destinations, and cruises to its already strong itinerary of available methods of travel options.

If you've been "making due" by selecting larger cities, or out-of-the-way ports to accommodate your travel needs, it's time to take another look at what Florida is currently offering...

Daytona Beach International Airport (DAB)
Travelers wanting to escape to the city for a few days can now take advantage of Delta Air Lines nonstop jet service between Daytona Beach and New York's La Guardia Airport. The daily nonstop flight will depart New York's LaGuardia Airport at 9:30 a.m. and arrive in Daytona Beach at 12:24 p.m. The return flight to La Guardia will depart Daytona Beach at 1 p.m. arriving at LaGuardia at 3:29 p.m.
386-248-8030 | www.volusia.org/airport

Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW)
Deemed one of North America's best airports, RSW is constantly upgrading and adding to their already convenient list of nonstop flights. New service currently includes nonstop flights aboard AirTran to Akron/Canton, Boston, Chicago-Midway, and Flint. JetBlue announced new service, which began in January, to Buffalo and White Plains. LTU/Air Berlin added an additional 12 seats for a total of 30 to its comfort class cabin on their weekly nonstop flights to Dusseldorf. In December 2007, Sunwing inaugurated direct service to Toronto, on Mondays and Wednesdays.
www.flylcpa.com

Jacksonville (JAX)
The Jacksonville Aviation Authority announced in January that Southwest Airlines will begin offering daily nonstop flights from JAX to Las Vegas in May 2008. The daily flight will leave Jacksonville at 8 a.m. and arrive in Las Vegas at 9:40 a.m. Return flights from Las Vegas leave at 3:20 p.m., arriving in Jacksonville at 10:50 p.m.
"Providing this new service moves us forward in our mission to meet the growing demand of our leisure and business travelers," said Michael Steward, JAA's Director of External Affairs.
In addition to the above, JAX recently announced nonstop service to Boston via JetBlue. The low-fare carrier will begin the new service with special introductory fares starting as low as $69 each way. JetBlue will operate Boston-Jacksonville flights aboard its brand-new EMBRAER 190, a full-size 100-seat jet which features a spacious stand-up cabin.
904-741-4902 | www.jia.aero

Sarasota/Bradenton (SRQ)
Effective December 18th USA3000 Airlines began winter service from Chicago-O'Hare, Detroit, and Cleveland to Sarasota Bradenton effective through April 29th. Flights from O'Hare (ORD) will operate five times per week with Detroit (DTW) and Cleveland (CLE) operating three times per week. USA3000 Airlines will use modern A-320 aircraft in an all economy configuration offering 168 seats per flight.
In addition to its ever-increasing flight schedule, the completion of Phase 1 of the Retail, Food, and Beverage upgrades at SRQ are now complete with the opening of Starbucks Coffee and CNBC News shops on the concourse.
Phase II will begin in May 2008 with completion expected in December. Phase II includes full upgrades of the airport restaurant, and two retail shops on the second floor of the main terminal.
www.srq-airport.com

Palm Beach International Airport (PBI)
Minnesota-based carrier Sun Country Airlines announced it has begun offering new daily non-stop routes between Palm Beach International Airport (PBI) and New York's JFK Airport starting January 14. Sun Country started non-stop service between the Minneapolis/St. Paul region and Palm Beach County on December 17, 2007. Flights will be offered once daily, Monday through Friday, out of Minneapolis/St. Paul - and twice daily, Monday through Friday, out of JFK. Each flight on a Boeing 737-800 will offer 12 first class seats and 150 coach seats.
561-471-7420 | www.pbia.org

Orlando/Sanford International Airport (SFB)
Allegiant Air and Orlando Sanford International Airport announced in February a new nonstop, scheduled, low-fare service beginning April 4, 2008 to Wilmington International Aiport (ILM) in North Carolina. Allegiant Air is offering introductory fares as low as $39 each-way, when booked through the company's Website.
Orlando recently "sprouted" new non-stop flights to Brussels, Belgium. The service, which begins June 22, 2008, marks the first ever scheduled service between Orlando and Belgium. Service will operate weekly on Jetairfly.
www.orlandosanfordairport.com

Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport (FLL)
Visitors to the airport will soon be better informed, and entertained, with dynamic new advertising displays showcasing the region's unique attractions and offerings. Clear Channel Outdoor's Interspace Airports division has been selected to partner with Broward County to develop all-new high-tech display signage that will enable businesses to reach the highly valuable demographic of millions of visitors and residents who utilize the airport annually.
"Because of its vital role in tourism and economic development, FLL is an ideal forum for the technological developments that CCO Interspace plans to bring to Broward County," said the firm's representative, Brian Bloch.
On March 17, 2008 Gator Air, a small Fort Lauderdale-based airline, began flying nine-passenger Piper Cherokee Chieftans with comfortable business jet interiors into each Keys airport twice daily.
www.fortlauderdaleinternationalairport.com

St. Petersburg/Clearwater International Airport (PIE)
With the exciting growth of Allegiant Air, the stability in service from USA3000, and the addition of Sun Country, Transat Holidays, and Sunwing Airlines, St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport (PIE) is pleased to report that it served 747,369 passengers in 2007, which is a 92 percent increase over 2006. The airport tripled its number of non-stop, low-fare destinations and currently serves 29 destinations in the United States and Canada.
www.fly2pie.com

Disney Cruise Lines
In December 2007, Disney Cruise Line announced two new eastern Caribbean itineraries for 2009 - giving guests more choices than ever before to explore the beautiful islands of the Caribbean - and special offerings for 2008.
Beginning in 2009, St. Croix will be a featured stop on one new seven-night itinerary, and Tortola will be featured on another seven-night itinerary. Both islands are new to Disney Cruise Line, increasing the seven-night Caribbean choices on the Disney Magic to four itineraries (Disney's traditional eastern and western Caribbean itineraries will continue).
www.disneycruise.com

Royal Caribbean International Cruise (Port of Miami)
Nickelodeon, a unit of MTV Networks, a division of Viacom International, Inc., and Royal Caribbean International, a cruise line owned and operated by Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., announced a new agreement where the two will introduce the "Nickelodeon Family Cruise with Royal Caribbean." The first-ever Nickelodeon cruise will set sail on August 10-17, 2008, departing out of Miami, Fla., on an exclusive, seven-day Nickelodeon family summer vacation.
Taking place on Royal Caribbean's Freedom of the Seas, the largest ship in the cruise industry, the "Nickelodeon Family Cruise with Royal Caribbean" will match the family-friendly amenities of Freedom of the Seas with a packed schedule of Nickelodeon activities and entertainment. The cruise will visit four exotic Western Caribbean destinations including: Cozumel, Mexico; George Town, Grand Cayman; Ocho Rios, Jamaica; and a special stop at Royal Caribbean's private beach destination, Labadee which will be Nickelodeon-themed.
www.royalcaribbean.com

Up-To-Date Travel News!
* Northwest became the latest big U.S. carrier to add a $25 fee for fliers to check a second bag. Similar to policies already put in place by Delta, United and US Airways, Northwest's fee will apply only to coach-class customers and will not apply to elite-level frequent fliers. NWA says customers booked in "full fare classes (Y or B)" will also be exempt. The change applies to tickets purchased from March 29 for travel May 5 and after. "Other changes include an increase from $80 to $100 for three or more checked bags, and an increase from $25 to $50 for overweight bags greater than 50 pounds," the airline says in a press release announcing the change.

* Boston's not the only place where JetBlue is gaining ground against its rivals. The same thing appears to be happening in Orlando, which JetBlue officially christened last week as its seventh "focus city," according to the Orlando Business Journal. JetBlue plans "to add more gates at Orlando International Airport to accommodate a rapidly growing flight schedule," the Orlando Sentinel adds.

* Building upon its distinction as the family cruise leader, Carnival Cruise Lines has introduced a new on-board program called "Circle C" aimed specifically at the 12- to 14-year-old age group, with expansive new clubs, a full schedule of activities and trained staff. The "Circle C" program complements the line's other youth-oriented programming, including "Camp Carnival" for younger kids and "Club O2" for 15- to 17-year-olds, which combined are expected to host 600,000 kids this year - the most in cruising.