July 2005

True Blue Featured Trips

Thinking about where to spend Christmas this year? Consider the Alumni Association's "Christmas in the Caribbean" trip. Spend your holidays in a beautiful tropical paradise as you cruise the turquoise waters of the Caribbean, leaving your worries and winter storms at home. You’ll embark the Yorktown Clipper in St. Thomas and sail lazily to a series of breathtaking islands, each featuring unspoiled white-sand beaches, lovely island communities and colorful undersea life. The atmosphere aboard the ship is casual and different from crowded cruise ships, perfect for relaxing, snorkeling, swimming, and escaping the hectic pace of everyday life. For details, including dates and prices, on this trip and the rest of our itineraries, visit True Blue Travel online.

Travel Industry News

Airplanes are more full than ever this year, according to a recent report from The New York Times. A travel industry consulting firm reveals that major airlines’ domestic flights were on average 78.7 percent full in May, a record high for the month. Summer travelers have likely noticed even more packed planes due to strong demand for cheap fares and reductions in domestic service. The result is less flexibility and wiggle room for passengers in the event of delays or cancellations. To avoid problems, know your airline’s rebooking policies. Though federal law requires that all passengers on canceled flights must be rebooked, airlines set varying priority standards to handle the bookings.

Hints and Tips

Confused about how much to tip the hotel concierge, waiter or valet on your trip? Tripso.com offers the following tips on how to tip well:

• Know that tipping is an investment or reward for good service.
• Don’t tip before you’ve seen the service.
• It’s OK not to leave a tip if the service isn’t up to par—but it’s even better to politely inform a manager why you’re not doing so.
• Carry small bills so you can easily and quickly hand over tips.
• When in foreign countries, it’s acceptable to tip in US dollars.

Products and Gadgets

Security is tight at airports this summer, and there’s a good chance you’ll be asked to remove your shoes at a security checkpoint. But don’t expose your feet to dirt and germs in the process. Check out the PlaneWrap Feet Wraps—these disposable booties are perfect for slipping on right before you place your shoes in a security tub. You can use them in the plane or around your hotel, as well.

Travel Trivia

Sydney, Australia, tops the list of the world’s best destination cities, according to Travel + Leisure magazine’s 2005 World’s Best Awards. Other hot spots that made the top 10 include Bangkok, Thailand; Rome, Italy; Oaxaca, Mexico; San Francisco, California; and Florence, Italy. The True Blue Travel program offers exciting trips to most of these spectacular locations—check our trip selection.

True Blue Traveler Comments

“Fabulous! Most enjoyable! Hosts were great!”
—Bill and Anne Woodell, ’58, commenting on the Alumni Association’s programs

Traveling with alums and friends from the University of Michigan means you’ll connect with your fellow explorers right from the start! A Michigan group will facilitate friendly discussion, offer opportunities to reminisce about your days at U-M and provide special attention when you need it. As part of our group, you’ll also benefit from the unique educational itinerary, special access to popular areas, and personal encounters with the local people and culture. For details, including dates and prices, for all of our trips, visit our Web site.