Vegas Baby — hotel offers special rates

Delta has extended its seat sale to New York’s LaGuardia until March 18.

The round trip airfare, including taxes is just $280.20 — that’s nearly an unheard of price.

I checked out some flights for New York in May and was able to get a weekend flight at that price.

Tendering

“VIP baby! VIP!”

That was the exuberant cry of a honeymooner flashing two passes in front of his friends’ faces as they were waiting in line to tender off a cruise ship. He calmly walked to the front of the 200 plus others before getting on the tender.

I had given him my VIP passes as I wasn’t going to the private island the cruise line owned in Haiti. Since he and his wife were enjoying newly minted marital bliss, there really wasn’t anyone better who could use them.

Which brings me to the point, cruise passengers hate tendering.

I hated it enough that I couldn’t be bothered to get off the ship even with VIP passes. Whatever money I might have spent, was locked away in my room’s safe.

The honeymooner hated it enough that he had no problem leaving the rest of the wedding party at the end of a long line to get off the ship.

Those who have cruised, understand tendering adds a lot of wasted time which could be better used in enjoying your vacation spot.

Even if it’s a 10-minute tender from ship to shore and vice versa, there’s always a huge line-up you have to wait in just to get to the tender.

This is especially true when the ship drops anchors and there’s always a mad rush in trying to be the first one off the ship. The people in the back of the line usually have to wait for a second trip.

Then there’s getting off the tender to the shore.

On the way back it’s the same process except you also have to go through the metal detector to get back on the ship — and again, you’re on a boat full of people trying to get through one of two metal detectors.

The cruise experience isn’t nearly as enjoyable because of it.

You can understand why the people coming to Bermuda aren’t too happy about the wharf situation.

But the other consideration, many will decide to stay on board and won’t spend a dime because of it.

La Quinta

If you are already a member of the hotel chain’s reward programme, you can earn an easy 300 points by watching a video and answering some questions. The video is just over three minutes and concentrates on California and you’ll have to answer a few questions to get the points.

Here is a short link to the video http://bit.ly/14XoUA2.

Las Vegas

If you are thinking about going to Vegas, the Venetian is running a special with prices as low as $129 a night for a luxury suite. Be forewarned — You might be able to get one night for that price, but then the next one is $399.

However, if you are flexible with your travel dates you can find a run of $129 nights.

That price will also include $10 off of Madame Tussauds, which is right next to the resort, and 20 per cent off of Café Presse, Valentino and the Grill at Valentino as well as 15 per cent off of Aquaknox restuarants.

And the icing on the cupcake is a buy one, get one free at Sweet Surrender.

Go to www.venetian.com to find out more. The offer ends on March 21.