Continuing its tradition of breaking the mold, Royal Caribbean International is teaming up with USA TODAY to launch the "Reporter at Sea" contest in search of a talented citizen journalist to help cover the unveiling of Oasis of the Seas. Starting today through October 9, 2009, aspiring journalists are invited to enter to win the coveted job of special field correspondent onboard Oasis of the Seas' preview sailing alongside USA TODAY'S own cruise editor, Gene Sloan. Once onboard the ship, the lucky winner will receive behind-the-scenes access to file reports that will appear at USA TODAY's Cruise Log. In addition to the United States, the "Reporter at Sea" contest is searching for journalists in Canada, Germany, Mexico, and the United Kingdom with one winner from each country. Eager reporters-to-be can audition for the assignment of a lifetime by submitting a creative video no longer than 45 seconds at reporteratsea.usatoday.com. The video should showcase his/her best reporting skills and tout why Royal Caribbean should select him/her to serve as a citizen journalist onboard Oasis of the Seas. Videos will be judged based on creativity and quality, as well as the entrant's ability to entertain, effectively bring to life and clearly explain travel or cruising concepts, and articulate why he/she should be chosen to represent their country.

Dine LA Restaurant Week starts October 04. 2009

Culinary, geographical and ethnic diversity will take center stage when dineLA Restaurant Week returns for the first-ever fall run October 4-9, 2009 and October 11-16, 2009. Following the immense success of last winter’s event, foodies of every sort have spoken with their forks and dineLA Restaurant Week is ready to showcase the great chefs and restaurants throughout Los Angeles for a two-week run this fall. Presented by LA INC. The Los Angeles Convention and Visitors Bureau in partnership with American Express, dineLA Restaurant Week presents the diverse and extraordinary talent that exists in Los Angeles. From local neighborhood family-owned eateries to upscale celebrity chef restaurants, dineLA Restaurant Week unites cafes, restaurants and bistros from all corners of the county. This unique gastronomic celebration provides local Angelenos and visitors alike the opportunity to treat themselves to a selection of specially priced three-course menus from a variety of LA’s best establishments.

American Airlines $88 fare sale

American's latest sale offers many popular destinations, including Las Vegas, Miami, New York City, and Orlando. Fares start at $88 round-trip, and travel is valid through late January. Other carriers such as AirTran, Continental, and Spirit, are competing with or actually beating some of American's prices on key routes, so shop around.

Lufthansa buys remaining BMI stock

Lufthansa has agreed to buy the 20 percent of bmi it does not yet own from Scandinavia's SAS, boosting its holding in the British carrier to 100 percent. Germany's flagship carrier had previously said it was in talks to buy the stake and had said it aimed to come to an agreement with SAS by the end of this year. Lufthansa said on Thursday it agreed to pay about GBP19 million pounds (USD$30.6 million) for the stake, plus another GBP19 million to cancel a 1999 shareholder agreement relating to bmi. If Lufthansa decides to sell bmi, as a whole or in parts, it will pay a further unspecified sum to SAS within the next two years, Lufthansa said. It has said it is considering all options for bmi, ranging from keeping the company to a complete sale. Media reports have said that bmi has attracted the interest of 12 potential buyers. British Airways' CEO Willie Walsh confirmed in a newspaper interview this month that he would be interested in bmi if Lufthansa decided to sell the carrier.

Roy Lowey on WTMY Sunday 5PM August 30

Tune in today to WTMY 1280 Sarasota at 5pm. My guests will be Carol Margolis smartwomentravelers.com. Vijay Singh, GM Sanctuary at Kiawah Island Golf Resort, Flight Caster co-founder Evan Konwiser. And Lisa Codianne Fowler, who appears in the photo will chat with us about her trip to the British Virgin Islands (BVI). The show also streams live on the web from WTMY

Will Ryan Air end up with Irish Airlines

Irish airline Aer Lingus toned down its opposition to a deal with rival Ryanair, saying today that tripling of losses, rapid cash burn and difficulties in raising funds threatened its independence. The former state airline has twice rejected bids from Europe's biggest low-cost carrier, but Sean Coyle, Aer Lingus' chief financial officer, a former Ryanair executive, said he had "no idea" if Aer Lingus would resist a third approach. "Ryanair will always come back with a bid, Ryanair from the point of view of having a (near) 30 percent shareholding will continue to pursue the company," Coyle told reporters. A Ryanair spokesman had no immediate comment. A new chief executive, Christoph Mueller, takes over at Aer Lingus next week after the previous incumbent resigned in April saying the airline needed fresh ideas.

My guests this week on WTMY 1280 Sarasota. Elie Seidman CEO of Oyster Hotel Group, Lisa Simmons Director, Mass. CVB, April Merenda Pres. Gutsy Women.net, Nadir Syed, CheapOstay.com....So, get your insider info while I'm Talking Travel 5-6pm ET every Sunday

Fall can be the best time to visit Europe

Now that the bulk of summer is behind us, think Europe. Fall can be one of the best times to visit Europe. Fewer tourists mean less waiting times in the most popular restaurants, attractions and cheaper. Weather is great this time of year. Another big plus is hotel rooms and air fares are at an all time low. So, why not think Europe this fall.

For easy access to cheap fares check out EuropebyAir Red Tag sales and their Flight Pass to hop scotch around Europe.

Europe by Air Offers Free Rome Reservations Change Fees

In addition to their low fares, EuropebyAir Travelers can now make a FREE reservation change for New York - Rome flights with EuropebyAir Partner Airline Eurofly. Additionally, EBA also offers FREE reservation change within Europe through their EuropebyAir Partner Airlines.

For more information you can reach a live person by calling 1 888 321 4737 or go to the EuropebyAir website

Frontier Airlines to be bought by Republic Airways

Republic. based in Indianapolis, has been one of three companies financing Frontier’s emergence from bankruptcy. A subsidiary, Republic Airlines, also is one of Frontier’s major unsecured creditors, having filed a $260 million damage claim for Frontier’s breaking an agreement with Republic to operate regional jet service after Frontier filed for bankruptcy protection in April 2008. Under terms of the deal, Frontier will become a wholly owned subsidiary of Republic Airways Holdings after the company serves as the equity sponsor for Frontier’s reorganization plan and buys 100 percent of the equity in the reorganized company. The cost to Republic will be $108.75 million. Frontier filed its proposed reorganization plan with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court of the Southern District of New York Monday. Frontier will seek court approval of the investment agreement at a July 13 hearing and then conduct a roughly month-long auction process where other companies will have the chance to outbid Republic, Frontier spokeswoman Lindsey Purves said.