Update on Baggage Fees

US Airways said on Friday (Jan. 15) it will charge $23 to check the first bag online, and $32 to check the second. The fees to check bags at the airport are unchanged at $25 for the first and $35 for the second. The increase takes effect for tickets purchased Monday for travel beginning Feb. 1.

United is now charging $25 to check the first bag and $35 for the second. That's $5 more than it charged previously. It takes effect on tickets bought beginning Thursday for travel after Jan. 21.

The new fees are the same at Continental and Delta. Airlines discount the fees by a few dollars for travelers who pay online in advance instead of at the airport.

Delta's fee began for tickets purchased starting Jan. 5. Continental's higher fee takes effect for tickets purchased Jan. 9 for travel beginning on Saturday.

American Airlines is still charging $20 each way for a first bag, and $30 for the second.

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 New CRUISE Ships for 2010

• Costa Deliziosa, Costa Cruises
  Tonnage: 92,700
  Capacity: 2,260
  Debut: Dubai
  A sister to the Costa Luminosa, the Deliziosa will be the first cruise ship to be named in Dubai.
• AidaBlu, Aida Cruises
  Tonnage: 68,500
  Capacity: 2,050
  Debut: Western Europe
  The AidaBlu is the German cruise line's fourth ship in the six-vessel Project Sphinx series.

• MSC Magnifica MSC Cruises
  Tonnage: 93,300
  Capacity: 2,550
  Debut: Mediterranean, Canada/New England
  The fourth Musica-class ship will be MSC's first new ship to be based in the U.S.

• Azura, P&O Cruises
  Tonnage: 116,000
  Capacity: 3,100
  Debut: Mediterranean
  A sister to the Ventura, the Azura will have P&O's first block of single-occupancy staterooms, 18 in all.
• Celebrity Eclipse, Celebrity Cruises
  Tonnage: 122,000
  Capacity: 2,850
  Debut: Northern Europe
  The third of Celebrity's five-ship Solstice class, the Eclipse will spend its inaugural season in Europe.

• Seabourn Sojourn, Seabourn Cruises
  Tonnage: 32,000
  Capacity: 450
  Debut: Northern Europe
  The second Odyssey-class ship will be named in London and will spend the season in Northern Europe.
• Norwegian Epic, Norwegian Cruise Line
  Tonnage: 153,000
  Capacity: 4,200
  Debut: Caribbean
  The Epic will have no main dining room or theater; it will have a bar made of ice and performances by Blue Man Group.
• Independence, American Cruise Lines
  Tonnage: 3,000
  Capacity: 101
  Debut: Atlantic coast
  The Independence will operate its maiden cruise in the Chesapeake Bay and head north to Maine.

• Nieuw Amsterdam, Holland America Line
  Tonnage: 86,000
  Capacity: 2,104
  Debut: Eastern Mediterranean
  A sister to the Eurodam, the Nieuw Amsterdam will be one of six ships HAL will operate in Europe.

• Queen Elizabeth, Cunard Line
  Tonnage: 90,400
  Capacity: 2,092
  Debut: Western Europe, Mediterranean
  The second-largest ship Cunard has built, the newest Queen will embark on a 103-day world cruise from Southampton in January 2011.

• Allure of the Seas, Royal Caribbean International
  Tonnage: 220,000
  Capacity: 5,400
  Debut: Caribbean
  The Allure will share with the Oasis of the Seas the title of world's largest cruise ship.

PRESS RELEASE - May 12, 2009

Plano, TX – Charlie Brown of Charlie Brown’s Travel has been designated as a Cruise Lines International Association (C.L.I.A.) Cruise Counselor after recently completing the organization’s certification requirements. Charlie Brown is now recognized within the cruise industry as an Accredited Cruise Counselor.

Charlie has achieved the Cruise Counselor Certification through completion of a comprehensive program of cruise sales training and product instruction, delivered through a combination of extensive classroom training and personal cruise experience. C.L.I.A.’S Certification program graduates are widely recognized as the foremost cruise vacation experts among American travel Agents.

Charlie is one of more than 16,000 North American travel Agency members of C.L.I.A. According to C.L.I.A. statistics, the overwhelming majority of travelers – about 90% - book their cruise through a travel agency and for good reason – Travel Agents understand the products they recommend and excel in finding the perfect cruise to match their clients’ needs, lifestyle and budget.

C.L.I.A.’s Certified Cruise Counselors are the cruise industry’s premier travel agents and can arrange all of your vacation needs while providing the greatest service and value for your vacation dollar.