Travel Tattoo

Below is a Southwest ad, my first instinct was to chuckle but I am really wondering if this day will come. Hopefully the airline industry will never hit this low but the way things are looking, anything is possible.

I enter the sliding doors and rush up to the self-check counter, swipe my credit card, select a destination, play around for a minute trying to determine if I want a window or aisle seat, let the computer know that I will be checking one bag and to my surprise 15 dollars pops up on the screen. I'm irriatated because I thought I had gotten a way from the $2 plus tip charge that curb side charges you, but come to find out I still have some type of fee to pay.

So now I'm trying to determine if I am going to pay with my debit or credit card, because this was totally not in my trip budget. I couldn't believe that I had to automatically pay to check my bag, when I was use to only having to pay if my bag was overweight.



I pay the money, check my bags, and run through the security point, not remembering to take out my face wash. So I watch my Clean and Clear drop to the bottom of the trash can and realize that I would now have to buy a whole new tube of face wash. Another expense added on to my trip that I didn't plan for.







I head towards my gate and on my way pick up a sandwich that of course is overpriced, but they know that I am going to buy it, because the planes use to serve free food on your trip, keyword "use to". If they didn't serve a meal, they at least served peanuts. Now they give you a menu of items that you can purchase to add to your already expensive trip.






I board the plane and immediately I ask for a blanket, because I always get cold on the plane. The flight attendant informs me that there might be a few scattered around the plane, but other than that they cost. He then attempts to make a joke by saying, "Everything cost, soon you will have to pay for drinks." He further goes on to tell us he isn't joking. Joking or not it wasn't funny.



He made me realize that as you log on to cheap tickets and think that you are finding a good deal, somehow the airlines are going to find a way to make up for that discount you think you are getting. Whats next paying to use the bathroom with a quarter? I can't take this economy anymore!






- Signed a Travelista out of money

**This is a travel sound off submitted by Kenya A.**

Ok so for Memorial Day weekend my friends and I stayed at The Carlton South Beach Hotel which is located at 14th & Collins, 1433 Collins Avenue to be exact. Prior to booking our room, a minimal amount of research was conducted due to time constraints. Despite a thorough inspection of the hotel, based on the website and a few decent reviews we felt confident that we selected a hotel that would provide a comfortable, clean and inviting atmosphere. We were sadly mistaken.

I acknowledged the fact that no business or establishment is always going to have 100% satisfied customers, taking that into consideration we weren’t completely turned off when we read some unfavorable reviews on a few websites. We probably should have listened when we read the staff was rude and uninviting.

On the website the lobby looks amazing; in person it looks like a warehouse. Indeed the aromatherapy was in full effect but the couches in the lobby were flea market/good will status. The elevator looked as though it should have been in a psych ward and the bar was just lame. We take the elevator up to the 2nd floor…. The hallway feels like a sauna, the ceilings are unbelievably low and the cleaning ladies in the hallway staring at us conveniently “No ‘speaka any english”…. . Holding our breathe; I open the door….. inhale… exhale…. Mildew!!! The smell of mildew welcomes us to our humble abode, WTF I thought each room was filled with the amazing scent of aromatherapy??… Yeah Ok!! Check the bathroom…. Clearly built for midgets, so small, hot and very skeevy (gross). I was desperate for a can of Lysol. Check the closet…. 4 hangers….No fridge…..No drawers (4 hangers)…. Nice flat screen with NO cable.

Call front desk to request towels… we have no clean towels. They provide 3 towels… and there are four of us. Front desk hoe says she’s going to have someone bring us towels right away. 2-3 hours later… still no towels.

Next day, head to the beach….. return to room… Room has not been cleaned. Luckily roommate and good friend knows some Spanish and was able to tell the cleaning lady that our room had not been cleaned in two days. She enters our room and says “Ay dios mio” (however you spell “Oh my God in Spanish”. She got to cleaning ASAP!! We weren’t pleased with our hotel but we definitely made the best of our stay. Would I recommend this hotel to someone…. I’d recommended a homeless shelter first!!!

Pros
1. Bed was pretty comfy
2. Location is amazing
3. Nice flat screen
4. Air Conditioner was poppin


Cons
1. Room smelled like mildew
2. No Drawers to put your clothes
3. Shower curtain smelled like men’s locker room/dirty gym socks
4. Suspicious stains on sheets
5. Carpet stains
6. Scarcity of towels and soap
7. Clean towels did NOT smell fresh
8. No toothpaste
9. No continental breakfast… Shit no food period
10. Wouldn’t dare trust the pool
11. View sucks

CheapCaribbean.com has just reduced a 7-night Barbados vacation with prices starting at $299 per person...airfare included!!!!

This offer is for travel between Sept. 1-30. However, you must book this early-bird sale by June 18th.
This offer includes:

-Roundtrip airfare from:

• Atlanta, GA $399.00
• Baltimore, MD $379.00
• Boston, MA $349.00
• Charlotte, NC $299.00
• Chicago, IL $489.00
• New York, NY $409.00
• Washington,DC $379.00

-7 Nights at Time Out at the Gap
- Free daily breakfast for two -$25 dinner voucher, car rental discount, activity and shopping discounts

For full details or to book directly click here. Or call them at 800-915-2322

Last year around this time I was preparing myself to move to London, for what I thought would be a year. But here I am, not even a complete year later, back in New York City! Most days, entirely content but every now and then I find myself  secretely yearning to wake up to that London fog, grab some fish and chips at a nearby pub or simply be greeted with an amiable "Cheers". 

The carrier: Delta Airlines
The Chef: Todd English. For those of you who don’t know Mr. English, he has developed a unique style and approach to the cuisine of his MANY restaurants, both on land and at sea (Cunard’s, QM2, and Queen Victoria). Among them is his highly acclaimed Olives restaurant, featuring interpretive rustic Mediterranean dishes, now in six cities nationwide. This award-winning chef, author and television personality offers a modern twist on familiar favorites for his signature entrees on Deltas new in-flight menu.
Yes, I was surprised also! As a patron of the Olives Restaurant in DC, I was familiar with Todd’s work and excited to sink my teeth in anything prepared by him. So I did! The menu, of course wasn’t as large as a full restaurant menu but just as vast. From gourmet chicken bistro salad to hummus with veggies; my choice was the chicken Parmesan sandwich. Mouth watering Parmesan breaded chicken breast, marinated mozzarella slices, basil pesto with parsley, and tomato sauce on a rosemary ciabatta roll. Yea, I said mouth watering. I don’t know if it was because I was 37,000 feet in the air or because I was only 30 minutes in to a 3 hour and 10 minute flight from Vegas to Cincinnati, but I have to say, that was a pretty darn good sandwich. It was tasty, had all the right ingredients and went well with my “Copenhagen Colada.” Well don’t Todd English; you never cease to surprise me.
Price: Reasonable. $8 was extremely reasonable for a sandwich that usually costs about $10 in a gourmet restaurant.
All in all, it is a much needed improvement and wonderful way to enjoy great food in the air. The new Menu also features Vitamin water power-c and xxx flavor, and an assortment of beers, wines, spirits, and all day goodies including: Pringles, M&M peanuts, and dove dark chocolate bars. And for those of you unwilling to step over to the bad side, they still serve complimentary snacks as well.

Do you have an absolute favorite restaurant that never ceases to amaze you? How about a hotel that has absolutely amazing service? Aside from all the raves I'm sure you had a few experiences that had you in a rage... Horrible service at a restaurant? Even worst food? Was your flight ever delayed twice and then canceled? Stayed at the worst hotel EVER? Luggage always gets lost?

If you answered yes to any of the above questions, Travel Tattoo wants to hear from you!!!!

Give tell-all reviews/experiences on restaurants, hotels, airlines and cities... We are waiting to hear all your rants and raves!!!

E-mail: TravelSoundOff@gmail.com

Jet Blue has a fabulous deal for all you jet setters... non-stop fares from New York (JFK) to St. Maarten for $99 each way.

*Fares are only available on if you book on jetblue.com
**Travel must be booked by June 18, 2008
***Travel must take place between June 4th and August 28, 2008
****Travel must take place on Tuesday, Wednesday and/or Thursday

If you can meet all those requirements then you'll be on your way... by the way after taxes, etc. the total cost would be $292.15

I think it's a steal... HAPPY JETTING!!! (beware..they may make you sit in the bathroom.lol.)

If you haven't had the opportunity to check out 'Cat On A Hot Tin Roof' on Broadway, now is the time. In it's final weeks (thru June 22nd Only)Broadwayoffers.com in conjunction with the NY Post is offering Orch/Mezz seats for just $69.50.

To get tickets go to www.broadwayoffers.com or call 212.947.8844
Use Code: CTNYP56

For more info on the actual play visit Cat2008onBroadway.com

The cover of today's NY Post read SKYWAY ROBBERY , I thought it was the perfect headline to describe the $15 bag fee American Airlines has just announced. Starting next month (June 14th) American Airlines passengers will have to pay $15 each way to check a basic piece of luggage--but that's just for the first piece!!! $25 for the 2nd piece and even higher for oversized bags and other special services.

Just when I thought no snacks was the worst thing ever in comes this bright idea. Thanks

Oh there's exceptions, so maybe you're a lucky one.
This fee is not going to apply...
to those flying overseas, elite members of the airline's frequent-flier program
or get this.... business class travelers as the rich gets richer... the poor little coach vacation travelers will be stuck with the fee.. go figure