Semi-afforable yachting
A vacation on a yacht isn't just for the super-rich and famous anymore. Yachtico has 5,000 yachts in hundreds of destinations worldwide, including the South of France and Cuba's southern coast, that cost $5,000 or less to charter for a week. A six-bedroom, 46-foot-long catamaran to sail along the Dalmatian Coast in Croatia, for example, starts at $4,900; a captain costs an additional $193 a day. GetMyBoat offers some 26,000 boats in more than 154 countries that cost $5,000 to $8,000 for seven days. Its three-bedroom, 50-foot yacht docked in Ibiza, Spain, is available to sail around the Balearic Islands for $3,290, with a captain. Dream Yacht Charter has a 700 boats in 42 destinations globally that cost less than $10,000 for a week; 30 boats in the Seychelles can be had from under $5,000. "The feeling of sailing along beautiful coasts and being surrounded by nature is very elating," said Steffen Bruenn, Yachtico's chief executive, "and since many of the boats are meant for more than a couple, you can bring down the cost of a charter by splitting it with friends," he said.
New York Times
Airlines fight over Cuba
Airlines are competing for a handful of routes to Cuba that the U.S. government will award this summer, and the language in their applications has taken an ugly tone. New York-based JetBlue Airways took shots at Delta Air Lines, saying "JetBlue, not Delta, is the leading domestic airline at JFK." Delta denied JetBlue's claim in its own application, and included photos of stranded JetBlue passengers sleeping in chairs at a JFK terminal. Southwest Airlines said it can offer fares lower than American, Spirit and JetBlue. American Airlines called Southwest's request for six daily flights from Fort Lauderdale to Havana "absurd."
Los Angeles Times
Uber useful
UberFareFinder.com allows budget-minded travelers to get Uber fare estimates while planning trips. The site gives you the information you need — no muss, no fuss. Plug in your address or even just a landmark, and you'll get your fare and car options all on one page. It also gives you the trip's mileage and how long it will take. Most important, it gives you a heads-up on surge pricing with messages such as, "No surge pricing in effect" or "Includes 1.6x surge pricing." Regular Uber passengers might not find this site necessary, though, because the Uber app provides you with a fare estimate before you agree to the ride. The company, also known for TaxiFareFinder.com, has two more related websites launching at the same time, LyftFareFinder.com and CurbFareFinder.com.
Los Angeles Times
Save hundreds on Maui
Honua Kai Resort & Spa, on Maui's Kaanapali North Beach, has a package worth $320 in savings. The Suite Summer Escape package starts at $410 a night and includes a one-bedroom suite; daily breakfast at Duke's Beach House; a full-size rental car; a $20 activity voucher, which includes such activities as snorkeling and zip-lining; and a family photo session. Add about 13 percent in taxes. Book by June 1; travel June 27 through Aug. 14 (1-855-674-1522, honuakai.com).
Washington Post
