Originally published August 31, 2007 at 12:00 AM | Page modified August 31, 2007 at 2:03 AM
Travel briefs
Sea of troubles for Hawaii's new inter-islands ferry
The new ferry service between Hawaii's islands, which began last weekend, was suspended because of environmental protests and legal setbacks...
The new ferry service between Hawaii's islands, which began last weekend, was suspended because of environmental protests and legal setbacks.
Hawaii Superferry halted service between Honolulu and the island of Kauai indefinitely after the Coast Guard advised that it could not assure safe passage of the 350-foot ferry in and out of Nawiliwili Harbor on Kauai, where a flotilla of protesters blocked it from docking late Monday.
A court order sought by environmentalists had already temporarily halted service from Honolulu to Maui (the company hoped to sail again this weekend; get updates at www.hawaiisuperferry.com).
Gov. Linda Lingle, a longtime ferry supporter, requested that the Kauai service be suspended because of public-safety concerns. Opponents say the ferry endangers whales, threatens to spread invasive species and will worsen traffic and pollution. But Superferry officials say the ship's water jet-propulsion system means there are no exposed propellers to strike aquatic animals.
Hotels
Deal, no deal: Farecast adds hotels to its site
Seattle-based Farecast, a Web site that predicts when airfares will rise or fall and gives users advice on whether to buy airline tickets now or wait for a better price, is adding search tools to help travelers determine whether or not they're getting the best deals on hotels.
The newly launched beta (test) version of Farecast Hotels, at www.farecast.com, lets customers narrow their search to specific locations in various cities, call up a map pinpointing the locations of various hotels, find out the rates they charge and how those prices compare with rates available in the past several months and 90 days into the future. Based on Farecast's analysis, a color-coded map will indicate whether a hotel at that price is a "deal," "not a deal," or "average."
Farecast Hotels lets users shop for more than 80,000 hotels in cities worldwide, but the ratings data will be initially limited to about 5,000 hotels in 30 major U.S. cities, based on prices quoted by Orbitz.com, Cheaptickets.com and Reservetravel.com. In the future, Farecast plans to add quotes from more sites, including hotel Web sites where consumers often find the best rates, says president Hugh Crean.
Farecast, launched a year ago, uses historical data to offer airfare predictions for about 75 cities in the U.S. Farecast doesn't sell airline tickets or book hotel rooms directly but links users to sites that do.
Cruising
Delta Queen may stop river trips
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The Delta Queen, a historic wooden paddle-wheeler that cruises American rivers, will make her final overnight cruise next year unless the federal government extends her exemption from modern fire codes.
Under the terms of the 1960 Safety of Lives at Sea Act, ships with more than 50 staterooms must be constructed of inflammable materials.
The Delta Queen, owned by Seattle-based Majestic America Line, accommodates 176 passengers on cruises that include the Mississippi, Ohio and Arkansas rivers. The ship's owners have sought congressional exemption from the rules but this year failed to win one.
Britain
Finding discounted rooms in London and beyond
With a dollar worth only about 50 British pennies, travelers to Britain need every edge they can get. Laterooms, which offers discounted rooms at www.laterooms.com, can help you get more bang for your quid.
For London in late August, a room was available at a Thistle chain hotel for 79 pounds, about $160, a downright steal in the capital these days. The site offers listings in other parts of Europe and the world, including the U.S., but its forte is Britain.
Air travel
More crowded than ever for Labor Day
If you're traveling this Labor Day weekend, expect crowds at airports (and on highways). The Air Transport Association of America, which represents U.S. airlines, expects 15.7 million travelers on U.S. airlines during the Labor Day period (Aug. 29 through Wednesday), a 2.6 percent increase from last year.
Seattle Times staff and news services
Copyright © 2007 The Seattle Times Company
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New Beginnings Christian Fellowship
Coming in this Sunday's Pacific Northwest Magazine: Pastor Braxton's mission is to preach a message that appeals to everyone.
shopping
events for Tuesday, Nov. 24
- Asher Anson Black Friday and December Sales
- Holiday Sale at Pink Ginger
- Clementine's December Daily Sale
- Shenui.com Holiday Sale
editors' picks
- Local jewelry designers
- Maternity shopping
- Vintage, consignment and used clothing
- Independent bookstores
- Illegal workers quietly let go
- Sprouts, raw fish on attorney's 'do not eat' list
- Jerry Brewer | Jerry Brewer: Seahawks can't lean on the Hutch Crutch now
- Woman stabbed by stranger in North Seattle
- Tattoos at Mill Creek church pierce skin, soul
- UW, WSU once again meet to see who's worse
- Food-safety lawyer's wish: Put me out of business
- Husky Football Blog | Ranking the Pac
- Vikings easily beat the Seahawks
- Tugboat sinks at Seattle waterfront pier
- Illegal workers quietly let go
435 - Bellevue residents blast new bikini espresso stand
239 - Jose Lopez appears to be on his way out
179 - Big demand, grim outlook for state Basic Health Plan
179 - Next Seahawks GM should be Mike Holmgren
135 - Washington State coach Paul Wulff says he's excited about Cougars' future
133 - Some fans at Fort Bragg see themselves in Sarah Palin
75 - Hate crimes against gays, religious groups up, FBI says
68 - Monday practice report
53 - Civil-rights suit against officer, city settled for $87,500
50
- Sprouts, raw fish on attorney's 'do not eat' list
- Tattoos at Mill Creek church pierce skin, soul
- Food-safety lawyer's wish: Put me out of business
- Illegal workers quietly let go
- Architects, chefs find 'kid' within to build Gingerbread Village
- Nicole Brodeur | Homeless woman bent on giving
- Portland cafe's specialty: medical-marijuana tokes
- Hutch gets $10M from Bezos family for immunotherapy research
- Big demand, grim outlook for state Basic Health Plan
- Rediscovering Moab, 'the most beautiful place on Earth'




