P&O Crusies will be introducing a new tipping policy from April 2012. This will means that each customer will have £3.10 added to their bill every day to cover service charges. No longer will customers be able to choose when and how much they would like to tip their waiters or  cabin stewards.

Carol Marlow, P&O Crusies’ managing director says that their new tipping policy will remove the uncertainty or confusion over cash tips for the crew on board. This policy has been in place for some time in the Freedom Dining restaurants on Ocean, Ventura and Azura. However, britsh agents are not happy and have accused P&O Cruises of “imposing the american way of doing things”.

At Vale Travel we never impose gratuity payments. We believe that our customers like to know when and where their money is going especially when looking for last minute holidays.

Crusader Holidays, a coach operator based in Essex has ceased trading after 40 years providing short break holidays in the UK and Europe.

Customers are being contacted by administrators Ernst & Young who are working with BCH the Bonded Coach Holidays scheme of which Crusader Holidays were members.

As members of BCH, Crusader Holidays customers will be financially protected for the cost of their coach travel plus one nights accommodation. However, this still means that the customers of Crusader Holidays will be left having to rearrange their travel arrangements.

As an ABTA bonded travel agent and members of Worldchoice we are able to offer independent advice to travellers about alternative options for their european short breaks.

Thomas Cook has had to ask the banks for a second loan in one month raising concern with investors that the company is in financial trouble.

This time of year is always difficult for travel companies big or small. This news highlights the importance of booking with an ABTA bonded travel agent to ensure your money is safe.

If you need any help or advise about your travel arrangements contact us at Vale Travel.

Tripadvisor have announced a deal which will allow Interhome to feature it’s properties on the world’s largest travel website.

Monarch Airlines has announced it will be adding two Airbus A320s to its fleet for next summer. Some of the new routes for summer 2012 are…

• Manchester to Dubrovnik, Milan, Venice and Verona
• Birmingham to Rome, Dubrovnik, Heraklion, Milan and Venice
• Gatwick to Dubrovnik, Heraklion, Milan and Venice
• Luton to Rome