Trending Now! RIVER CRUISES

If you're looking for something different, without the hassle of international travel, river cruises are a hot trend for 2017.  River cruises include most shore excursions and many include beer and wine at lunch and dinner. It is much more intimate than an ocean cruise with typically only 150-200 passengers, so making new friends is very easy. The atmosphere is very relaxed and casual.  River cruises offer more individualized attention, nice accommodations, great food and excellent service at an affordable price. 

For example, American Queen Steamboat Company offers a 2017 "AMERICAN MUSIC CRUISE." Discover the sights and sounds of America's rivers and the roots from which sprung a variety of musical genres. Enjoy special onboard entertainment and focused lectures highlighting the music of the regions through which you are traveling. 

Whether it's the sounds of New Orleans Jazz, the strains of the uniquely American musical art form the Delta Blues, the Rock and Soul of Memphis, or the homegrown Country Music melodies from Nashville, it all harmonizes with the rhythms of the river. 

 Your Cruise Fare Includes complimentary Hop-On Hop-Off shore excursions in each port of call. Complimentary deluxe hotel stay the night before your voyage includes breakfast, taxes, porterage and transfers to the American Queen; All onboard meals, including both fine dining and casual cuisine 24-Hour Room Service; Complimentary wine and beer with dinner; Complimentary cappuccino, espresso, specialty coffees, tea, bottled water and soft drinks throughout your voyage; Gracious service from a friendly, all-American staff ; Daily lectures by the Riverlorian, our onboard historian Professional; showboat-style entertainment and dancing nightly; and a dedicated fleet of deluxe motorcoaches.

Destinations Visited: 1. Hotel Stay - Nashville, TN 2. Clarksville, TN 3. Clarksville, TN 4. Dover, TN 5. Scenic River Cruising 6. Savannah, TN 7. Paducah, KY 8. New Madrid, MO 9. Memphis, TN

Add a couple of extra nights before your voyage to take in the sights and sounds of Nashvile, country music's home. From Music Row to the famous Wildhorse Saloon downtown, country's influence is everywhere. That's not all Music City USA has to offer, it’s also home to the Grand Ole Opry and Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. Nashville is more than just music; it also offers several different museums, sporting events and history. 

A short walk will take you to the Farmers Market, where you can grab a bite to eat or buy some fresh produce. Whether touring the country music sites or enjoying the laid-back charm of the delightful state capital, visitors to Nashville are in for a "down-home good ole time".

Will Trump reverse DOT's Approval to Begin Trans-Atlantic Service from the US to Europe?

1/2/2017

President-elect Donald Trump will be faced with serious decision-making affecting the aviation industry -- starting with what to do with Norwegian Air.  The international carrier was approved earlier this month by the U.S. Department of Transportation to begin trans-Atlantic service next year from the U.S. to Europe.  Norwegian Air has been heavily criticized for using Ireland as a home base (where labor laws are less stringent) to set up its subsidiary Norwegian Air International (NAI).   This has not set well with U.S. carriers and aviation labor unions. U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen (D-Wash.) is leading a bipartisan group of more than 100 members of Congress to call on Trump to reverse the Norwegian Air decision by the DOT. Larsen penned a letter to Trump stating that NAI is allowed to hire pilots and flights attendants on an individual contract basis, which keeps costs lower and, critics say, violates the Open Skies agreement with Norway and the European Union and gives it an unfair competitive advantage in the transatlantic market.

“On December 2, 2016, the Department of Transportation (DOT) made a grievously wrong decision to grant Norwegian Air International a foreign air carrier permit for U.S.-Europe air services,” the letter to Trump states. “Given your commitment to protecting American jobs and our national security, we strongly urge you, on Day One of your presidency, to revoke or suspend the permit until Norwegian changes its business model to a model that does not rely on a flag of convenience and threaten America’s international aviation industry and our national security.”

Norwegian officials have denied the charges, saying they will not hire foreign pilots at below-market rates. In addition, with flights to Europe originating from five American airports, the airline contends it will be creating and supporting thousands of jobs in the U.S. “Yet, these opponents continue to ignore the facts and maintain creating a fear-mongering and wildly inaccurate scenario,” Anders Lindstrom, Norwegian Air spokesman, told USA Today. “Fortunately, the DOT has analyzed all the facts provided to them, which clearly states that no other foreign airline invests in the American economy like Norwegian.”

By the end of 2017, Norwegian will have more than 300 long-haul crew members based in New York and 200 in Fort Lauderdale, according to USA Today. "No other foreign airline has more US-based cabin crew and continues to create more American jobs than Norwegian, and next year, we will be the only foreign airline to recruit American pilots as we will open up several new pilot and cabin crew bases in the United States," Lindstrom said. "All US-based pilots and crew are hired under local laws and regulations with competitive packages."