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| 12/31/80-7/6/02 OUR BELOVED |
| The Millennium: There's something about the upcoming millennium I just don't get. It's not that I don't understand the desire to celebrate. I do. What I don't understand is why the travel industry is trying to make the observance of this occasion absurdly subject to hype. After all, there's no one alive today who can tell us how they spent the last millennium a thousand years ago. What was its true significance? I'm sorry, but I can't help but find the "marketing" of the millennium offensive. Offensive because prices have skyrocketed to the point where they don't make sense. Why should the opportunity to commemorate the arrival of the year 2000 cost as much as three to four times as normally inflated holiday rates? How long will it be important for you to remember where you were on this auspicious date? Will our kids know the difference between staying home or being somewhere exotic? Who really cares if you'll be on the first cruise ship, airline, or even car of the new millennium to be somewhere, anywhere! Perhaps, like many FTT subscribers to whom I've spoken, you'd prefer to save your travel dollars where they will provide more bang for your buck. Every day travel opportunities for the beginning of the 21st Century cross my desk. Many of them have even already indicated that they are sold out. (Why, I ask, are they advertising them?) The prices are mind-boggling: 10 days in Paris and Istanbul from $10,500 per person exclusive of air fare. Even The New York Times travel section recently dedicated itself to "A Party Too Grand To Miss." The cruise industry plans to position as many ships as possible under the starry skies along the international date line, thereby ensuring two New Year's Eve celebrations. And, as you might expect, you'll pay lots more for these cruises on New Years 1999 than at any other time. I'm quite overwhelmed that some cruise lines claim to have waiting lists of upwards of 30,000 passengers! Somehow, this millennium mania has passed me by. More than ever, the idea of staying close to home has greater appeal. It's hard to conceive that the experience will rise to the level of one's expectations. And, if you think that service is often at its worst during normal holiday periods, just think about how staffers will be overwhelmed trying to please the arriving hordes while simultaneously trying to cope with the yet unknown technological hazards. Will your airplane take off or will your entire trip fall victim to the Y2K problem? To add insult to injury, book now or stay home, is the latest scare tactic being promoted-despite the fact that most airlines haven't even begun to accept bookings for next December! Curiously, there's debate as to when the millennium actually begins, 2000 or 2001. Does that mean we'll have to go through this marketing deluge once again after 1/1/2000? One thing for certain, you won't find us touting millennium trips in the pages of FTT. That is not to say that I won't offer suggestions during call-in hours nor write about a destination which is offering a deal that doesn't presume to take advantage of this marketing opportunity. It's not that I'm against your traveling during this period. Far from it. However, I believe that you'll be better served by sitting down and talking to your kids about the significance of 12/31/99. Try to determine their actual understanding of the millennium. Then, if your kids are old enough, ask how they'd like to celebrate. Do they want to be far away from home? What do they think they'll remember when they're adults talking to their own kids about entering the 21st century? And, don't be surprised if they say that they'd like to return to a vacation destination they've particularly enjoyed. There's real comfort in returning to a known quantity — especially for kids. When facing vast unknowns, knowing what to expect and what's expected is almost always what youngsters will opt for. In our house, New Year's Eve has always taken on a special meaning, as it is Russell's birthday. He'll turn 19 on the eve of the millennium and has absolutely no idea of what he wants to do, though he thinks he'd like to be away. However, when prodded, he feels that it's more important to be with the people he most cares about-family and friends-than being someplace in particular. David and I have discussed possible plans — from the slopes of Switzerland to the beaches of the Caribbean. While the choices are appealing, there's a good chance we'll be right here in New York, where our kids can both spend time with us and with their friends. It won't necessarily be different than many past New Year's when we've all invited friends over to celebrate with us. Or perhaps we'll sign on for the Millennium Service Project, a program of Global Volunteers (800-487-1074) who will ring in the New Year while helping improve the lives of "at-risk" kids through a variety of activities, from painting houses to helping to build recreational spaces. Memorable moments probably don't get any better than when you're out there making the world a better place. Wherever you decide to spend the millennium, remember our consistent words of advice: It's not how much you do, but how much fun you have doing it. If you have questions or comments about this Web page or site, e-mail: info@familytraveltimes.com. © 1999 - 2001 Dorothy Jordon & Associates Inc. |