April 2005

True Blue Featured Trips

April is both Panda Month and Zoo and Aquarium Month. What better way to celebrate than to plan a trip to visit the famous Panda Zoo in Chongqing, China? That's exactly what you'll do on the Alumni Association's "Historical China and the Yangtze" trip. You'll have 18 days to explore the history and tradition of this remarkable culture—from bustling Beijing to the countryside along the Yangtze River. For details, including dates and prices, on this trip and the rest of our itineraries, visit True Blue Travel online.

Travel Industry News

Even though recent air travelers often complain about long waits for luggage and uncomfortable airplane accommodations, a new USA Today/CNN/Gallup poll reveals that the majority of air travelers are satisfied with the service they receive from major airlines. The poll findings suggest that travelers have adjusted their expectations for an air travel era that offers fewer amenities but lower fares. However, 31 percent of recent air travelers still believe the travel experience could be improved without increasing prices.

Hints and Tips

Wouldn't you just love to snag your own row of empty airplane seats? It seems like most flights are packed these days, and finding an extra empty seat to stretch your legs can be difficult. Tripso.com offers 10 tips on "The Art of Switching Airline Seats." Unexpected hints include being one of the last to board (you're less likely to get kicked out of a seat toward the end of boarding) but checking in early (the best seats are held until the day of departure). View the complete list online.

Products and Gadgets

Pet travel is a booming business, and plenty of companies are cashing in. You can find a host of pet accessories such as spill-free water gadgets, car booster seats and freeze-dried meat that make pet mobility more manageable. Another pet-lover's favorite is Pet-a-Potty, a company that sells portable turf patches with drainage space underneath. Dubbed "a pet's place of business," these makeshift pet toilets look like patches of grass so that every canine can feel at home even while on the move.

Travel Trivia

Opening day has come and gone, but that doesn't mean you can't still celebrate America's most beloved sport. Check out "10 Great Places to Touch Base with the Best," a comprehensive guide to the best historic baseball sites and special spots around the country:

• Babe Ruth Birthplace and Museum, Baltimore, Maryland
• Field of Dreams, Dyersville, Iowa
• Louisville Slugger Museum, Louisville, Kentucky

See the other hot spots online.

True Blue Traveler Comments

"We enjoyed the attention to details and the variety of involvement opportunities. The ‘Blue' flavor was delicious." --Max E. Pettibone, '68, a True Blue traveler on the Queen Mary 2.

The Alumni Association is pleased to offer another opportunity to sail on the wildly popular Queen Mary 2. The world's grandest ocean liner as we sail round-trip from Southampton, England, to the Mediterranean. Amazing amenities including spacious cabins, 14 decks of sports facilities, spa, pools, shops, lounges, casino, planetarium, bookstore and University of Oxford's college-at-sea program can be found onboard the QM2. For details, including dates and prices, on this trip and others, visit our Web site.