The return of fuel surcharges

Nobody wants to talk about it, but lets face it with summer just around the corner and the price of oil per barrell on the rise, fuel supplements are bound to make a return. While we may not be near the $145 a barrell or $4/gallon price that we were paying this time last year, I think most of us are thinking that it's only a matter of time. So, although most cruise lines dropped the fuel surcharges for cruises in 2009, the rise of crude oil may just force them to reinstate those charges.

Last week the price of crude oil was $62 a barrell. NCL and Royal Caribbean said they reserved the right to reinstate the fuel supplement should the price of oil increase to $65 a barrell. Carinval Corp. reserved the right to reinstate should oil rise to $70 a barrel.

I really hope it doesn't come to this again because if most of you are like me you've saved for this vacation, have a set budget in mind and will try as much as possible (keyword try) to stick to it. Now imagine opening up your email and seeing that you have an unexpected bill for fuel surcharges and you can't leave on your much anticipated vacation until you pay for it. I don't know about you guys but that would really, really piss me off.

But I'll hold off on getting "Bonquiqui" crazy until the fuel supplement is confirmed.

Virgin America

Well someone was bound to do it and honestly it's no surprise that Virgin America is the first. Virgin America announced today that it is the first airline to offer in-flight internet service on every flight. Passengers can now recline in one of Virgin America's comfy black or white leather chairs, enjoy the cool mood lighting, and surf the web at more than 30,000 feet.

This means we will now all be able to IM, tweet, and update our Facebook pages while bored out of our minds on a never ending flight from NYC to SFO. Thank you Virgin America!

Mexico

Now that the CDC has officially removed the travel health warning to Mexico many hotels and resorts are looking to make up for lost time. (Personally the health warning to Mexico never scared me away. If I hadn't just gotten back from my vacation to Nicaragua, I would be making a run for the border to take advantage of the amazing travel deals...but that's just me.)

Since we're talking about travel deals to Mexico, here is one that came across my email today. Riu Hotels & Resorts (an all-inclusive property) has announced June vacation specials. The prices vary by property but start at $88 per person per night. Included in the price is 24 hour food and beverages, in room liquor dispenser, a mini bar with refreshments, access to the gym, children's club, tennis courts, disco, and more. Man, that's a great price, especially since I stayed at the Riu in Cancun a few years back and absolutely loved it!

This means that at the Riu Palace Riviera Maya a Junior Suite that would normally run you $402 per night is now $228 including taxes and fees, based on double occupancy.