JetBlue and New Lounges Take Flight at LAX

JetBlue has recently announced an expansion of its low-fare service from the greater Los Angeles area. The airline, which will commence flights from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) on May 21, will initially offer three daily flights to New York/JFK and once-daily flights to Boston. JetBlue has delivered on their commitment to building global partnerships by beginning services at LAX, which "will help strengthen the LAX international gateway as a key driver of Southern California's economy," said Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. JetBlue currently flies out of LA/Ontario International Airport and Long Beach Airport, and is also introducing service from Burbank's Bob Hope Airport in May. As JetBlue finalizes its move into LAX, the Tom Bradley International Terminal (TBIT) continues to move forward on its multi-billion dollar capital improvement program. In early 2008, TBIT announced the completion of all four of its state-of-the-art airline lounges. Designed to incorporate the airline alliance concept, the STAR Alliance, oneworld Alliance, SkyTeam Alliance and a fourth, a non-affiliated independent lounge, replaced the terminal's outdated 16 lounges and expanded lounge space at TBIT by 72 percent to 47,000 square feet. Participating airlines have invested more than $20 million to provide business and first-class passengers deluxe service. The new lounges offer Wi-Fi access, individual work stations, showers, food service with local and ethnic favorites, reading material and VIP areas.
www.jetblue.com
www.lawa.org/lax

Disney Cruises Start May 25

Back by popular demand, the Disney Magic cruise ship will return to Los Angeles for the summer of 2008, offering seven-night Mexican Riviera sailings. The itinerary was developed in response to overwhelmingly positive feedback from its original 2005 West Coast sailings and requests from guests who want to see the ship once again depart from the Port of Los Angeles. "When we launched our first Disney Cruise Line Mexican Riviera sailings in 2005, the guest reaction was tremendous. We look forward to taking the Disney Magic back to the Port of Los Angeles," said Disney Cruise Line president Tom McAlpin. From May 25 through Aug. 10, 2008, the ship is scheduled to sail 12 Sunday-to-Sunday cruises from the Port of Los Angeles to the Mexican ports of Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlan and Puerto Vallarta. Enhancements have been made to the 877-stateroom ship including poolside movies on a giant LED screen, an expanded adults-only spa and new activity spaces for kids ages 10-14.
www.disneycruise.com

QE2 Makes Final Voyages and Docks in LA

The grand dame of cruise ships - the Queen Elizabeth 2 - is making her final voyages throughout 2008, after 40 years of thrilling passengers with world-class service, elegant accommodations and global adventure. The QE2, as she's affectionately known, will be making her last and only 2008 stop in Los Angeles on March 30, 2008, as the last port of call on her farewell Pacific crossing. Cunard is currently planning events for the day of arrival in LA. From Los Angeles, the legendary ship will sail to the East Coast and cross the Atlantic in April. In November, the venerable ship will make her last and final voyage from Southampton, England to Dubai.
www.cunard.com

What's New at LA's Aquariums

The Aquarium of the Pacific, Southern California's largest aquarium, will open a new exhibit in November, Our Watersheds: Pathway to the Pacific. Designed to provide visitors with the knowledge to help make an environmental difference, the new exhibit will feature models of the Los Angeles and San Gabriel watersheds, interactive displays, a classroom and a native vegetation garden. Hands-on exhibits will demonstrate practical and environmentally friendly ways to live more sustainably with nature. The Aquarium of the Pacific recently certified its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions inventory with the California Climate Action Registry to become the first museum in the United States to earn the status of a Climate Action Leader^TM. Nearby the Aquarium of the Pacific in neighboring San Pedro, the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium's Meet the Grunion programs begin this month and run through July. The programs allow visitors of all ages to watch the silvery grunion come up on the beach to spawn and learn all about this curious fish. During scheduled dates, the aquarium will open at 8 p.m. and an auditorium program will begin at 9 p.m. The aquarium is normally open Tuesday through Friday (noon to 5 p.m.) and Saturday and Sunday (10 a.m. to 5 p.m). Check the aquarium's Web site for officially scheduled program dates.
www.aquariumofpacific.org
www.cabrilloaq.org

Summer in San Pedro

From tall ships and all-you-can-eat lobster to "Shakespeare by the Sea" and classic cars, San Pedro's ocean vistas and fresh ocean breezes make an enticing backdrop for the seaside city's summer programs. Here's a sampling:

Fourth of July Spectacular
July 4
Cabrillo Beach
Starting at 7 p.m., the Friday night event features music by the Golden State Pops Orchestra in tandem with fireworks off Cabrillo Beach. www.gspo.com; www.cabrillobeachbathhouse.org

"Shakespeare by the Sea"
June 12 - July 12
Point Fermin Park
Performances include A Midsummer Night's Dream and Antony and Cleopatra. Plus, a grand finale performance of both plays Aug. 8 and 9. www.shakespearebythesea.org

Hot Pedro Nites
July 18 - 19
Warner Grand Theatre and the Port Waterfront Promenade
Hot Time - Summer in the City is the theme of the second annual Hot Pedro Nites. The events include a Friday night classic car cruise and a Saturday night "Doo-Wop Concert and Party." www.hotpedronites.com

Windsurf Enduro
July 18 - 19
Cabrillo Beach
The second annual Windsurf Enduro is nicknamed "Hurricane Gulch" by windsurfers and is sponsored by the Cabrillo Beach Boosters. www.windjunkie.net/enduro

Taste in San Pedro
Aug. 2 - 3
Point Fermin Park
The 20th Annual Taste in San Pedro features food and fun for all ages, and special 20th anniversary events including a Saturday night headliner band and a fireworks finale. www.tasteinsanpedro.com

The Festival of Sail LA
Aug. 15 - 17
San Pedro Harbor
The Festival of Sail LA 2008 features more than a dozen tall ships, including the Eagle (the U.S. Coast Guard's world-renowned barque) sailing into San Pedro harbor. www.portoflosangeles.org

Lobster Festival 2008
Sept. 19-21
Ports O'Call Village
The world's largest lobster festival celebrates delicious lobster meals, dancing, street performances, and music and entertainment. www.lobsterfest.com