Holiday crush expected

Holiday trips may be more challenging than usual this year, with new security rules in place and bigger crowds predicted.

For the first time, according to AAA, more Americans are expected to travel this Thanksgiving, traditionally the year’s heaviest travel period, than in 2000, before the Sept. 11 attacks. AAA’s estimate is based on a national telephone survey of 1,300 adults.

And with Christmas and New Year’s on weekends, travel will be concentrated in a shorter period. “Hoteliers are seeing just incredible numbers” that week, said Amy Ziff, editor at large for Travelocity, an Internet travel seller.

Some tips to ease trips:

* Take off coats and jackets before going through metal detectors at the airport, a new policy of the Transportation Security Administration.

* Allow extra time. Under another new TSA policy, you may be pulled aside for a pat-down even if you don’t set off a metal detector.

* Don’t put wrapped presents in carry-ons. They are allowed in checked baggage. For complete rules, visit www.tsa.gov.

* If taking the train, be prepared to reserve a seat. Some Amtrak routes, including the Pacific Surfliner between San Diego and Santa Barbara, require reservations over Thanksgiving.

* Call the airline or visit its website to make sure your flight is on time. Train riders, call (800) 872-7245 or visit www.amtrak.com.

Ohio joins

AAA’s upper

echelon

Ohio establishments for the first time appeared in AAA’s list of top-tier hotels and restaurants.

The 2005 five-diamond list, released Nov. 12, included that state’s Walden Country Inn & Stables in Aurora and the Classics restaurant in the InterContinental Hotel & Conference Center in Cleveland.

With 19 hotels and four restaurants, California continues to claim the most five diamonds of any state.

Pride of Aloha boosts service

Operators of Pride of Aloha have added crew, opened a training center in Maryland and upgraded food service on the ship in Hawaii, said Andy Stuart, a marketing executive for NCL Corp. and NCL America.

Evaluation forms from passengers reflect improvements, he said, with satisfaction at 90%, up from 64% for the Aug. 22 cruise of the Pride of Aloha.

The Hukilau Cafe buffet menu has been upgraded. A seated, full-service breakfast is available in the Palace dining room; all its dining sections are operating, and waits for dinner tables are 10 minutes or less, he said.

No date had been set to reinstate a daily $10-per-adult service charge. The fee, originally mandatory, was suspended in August.

-- Mary Lu Abbott

-- Compiled by

Jane Engle