You can cruise on a shoestring during Carnival sale

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 23: The big news this week was the impending strike by Air Canada flight attendants, which got called off at the last minute on Wednesday after a deal was brokered.

The good news is people’s travel plans won’t be interrupted.

Reportedly new hires by the airline will start off making 20 per cent less than current employees.

Air Canada has been examining the idea of starting a low cost carrier in order to be more competitive.

Silversea promo 

Those of you who like luxurious cruise travel and prefer a suite, will be happy to know that Silversea started a new promotion on Thursday. C Travel sent out the release and has the details on it.

Carnival - 72 hour sale

Those who are more budget conscious in these tough economic times, might prefer a Carnival cruise. The company’s 72-hour sale ends today promising “great rates” and “free upgrades”.

It has five-day cruises from Port Canaveral from $269 or four-day cruises from Miami for as low as $229.

The best deal, if you can swing the date is the January 8, 2012 Bahamas cruise from Port Canaveral for $189 on the Carnival Sensation. That works out to $45 a day for your hotel, food and entertainment.

I’ve been on that ship, way back in 1999, so it’s a bit older and the décor was on the garish side, but you certainly are getting a deal at that price.

The $189 price is for an interior room with ocean views going for $209, balconies at $419 and suites at $469.

You’ll spend one day at Freeport, two days at Nassau and one day at sea.

Air Canada part 2

You can grab 500 Aeroplan miles by joining the Fairmont President’s Club online and by saying what your passion is.

If you are already a member of the Fairmont President’s Club you can still get the 500 miles and by selecting Aeroplan as your earning preference in your profile. Go to www.fairmont.com/promotions/passions to sign up. The offer expires on September 30.

Grand Slam

Last week I started on giving hints on how to maximize your miles through US Airways Grand Slam promotion.

It’s possible to earn up to 110,000 miles in collections of ‘ four hits’.

I’ve reached the first level of four hits for 3,000 miles (you’ll need 40 hits for the 110,000) plus I’ve earned an additional 4,300 miles by the regular bonuses attached to doing the hits (I previously downloaded the tool bar and signed up for emiles.com).

To pick up your third hit, sign up for Netflix (https://usairways.netflix.com/?src=nflxusonline). The cost is $7.99 a month and it will allow you to watch movies and TV shows on your computer or, if you use a cable, watch it on your TV connected to a computer.

You’ll also get 1,500 miles when you sign up.

It doesn’t have any new releases, but I’m using it to catch up on some TV shows so I’ve already gotten my monies worth out of it.

You’ll have to stay signed up through May or you forfeit all your grand slam miles.

The first month is free.

I picked up my fourth hit by sending my sister flowers and chocolates from Teleflora (http://www.teleflora.com/usairways).

As an added bonus, you’ll get 15 miles for every dollar spent.