United Airlines launches baggage delivery service

FRIDAY, JAN. 18: Last Friday United Airlines launched a new baggage delivery service.

United, which flies to Bermuda out of Newark, will allow customers to have their checked bags delivered directly to their final destination, as long as it is within 100 miles of their arrival airport.

It will allow air travellers from having to stand and wait at baggage claim.

The service is currently available only in Boston, Chicago, Honolulu, Houston, Los Angeles and Orlando, but plans on expanding it to more than 190 airports in the US in the coming months.

The big issue for most people is cost. To have one bag delivered within 40 miles is $29.95, two bags $39.95 and three to eight bags $49.95. Prices for more than 40 miles are available are available at $1 per mile.

United promises your bags will arrive within four hours for destinations less than 40 miles and up to six hours for those more than 40 miles.

You have to complete your order online at www.maketraveleasier.com/United/default or call 1-877-847-0045 up to one hour prior to scheduled departure.

New restaurant

Holland America has completed the addition of the Italian restaurant Canaletto to the MS Prinsendam.

The addition means the Canaletto is now available on all 15 Holland America ships.

It has also transformed the Lido Terrace into an enclosed Wintergarden.

While it was in dry dock in the Bahamas it also added new balcony decking and balcony dividers.

The 835-passenger Prisendam is the smallest ship in the HAL fleet and is one of the few that can fit into St George’s.

It’s current itinerary includes a 32-night South America cruise in February (starting price $5,499), African cruises in March and April (the cheapest being a 14 night at $1,999), Transatlantic in May, Scandinavia and Northern Europe in July and August (lowest price $2,799 for a 14-day) and Western Mediterranean in September and October ($1,999 for 14 days).

Breakaway

The Norwegian Breakaway, which will be making its inaugural cruise to Bermuda in May from New York City, announced on Tuesday that it will be adding a Carlo’s Bake Shop to the ship. It is an extension of baker Buddy Valastro, who is famous as the star of the TLC televisions series Cake Boss and the Next Great Baker.

It will feature all the tasty temptations and treats that the original bakery is known for, Carlo’s Bake Shop, on the Norwegian Breakaway.

It will also give guests the opportunity to pre-order custom specialty cakes for celebrations such as birthdays and anniversaries.  Carlo’s will offer cupcake decorating classes, where guests can learn some of Valastro’s tricks of the trade.

Hotel promotions

From January 1 through February 28, United Airlines is offering quadruple points for its MilegaePlus frequent fliers programme members by staying at any La Quinta Inns & Suites. Basically you’ll be earning 1,000 air miles instead of 250.

You can earn the bonus as many times as you stay at La Quinta during this period.

Starwood’s promotion runs through April 15 and Preferred Guest members may earn up to 18,000 Starpoints for stays at any St Regis, Westin, Sheraton, Four Points, Luxury Collection, W, and Le Meridian hotels and resorts.

Members will earn up 2,000 bonus points for every four nights, up to 8,000 bonus points for 16 days.

There will be an additional 10,000 bonus points for reaching 20 nights.