Mexicana Airlines’ new nonstop flight between San Francisco and Puerto Vallarta, the carrier’s re-entry on the route after an absence of 17 years, is part of the airline’s strategy to get back to basics and make North American leisure travelers its top market segment.

Bonaire International Airport recently announced it is upgrading its departure facilities by deploying the new Airport Connect CUTE system (CUTE stands for Common Use Terminal Equipment). This is a common use system whereby all airlines may use each of the 12 available check-in counters at Bonaire’s airport. This is expected to lead to a higher level of service for departing passengers.

Casino Del Mar officially opened its doors a few weeks ago at La Concha Resort on Ashford Avenue in the Condado section of San Juan, Puerto Rico. The casino, which will be open 24/7, offers 19 table games and 410 slot machines, as well as a VIP high-limit slot parlor with a private cage window and an honor bar stocked with wine, champagne and hors d’oeuvres.

The Nov. 30 pirate attack on Oceania Cruises’ Nautica in the Gulf of Aden near Somalia is spurring concerned phone calls from clients. “Clients are calling asking about the pirate incident and what cruise lines are doing to prevent these kinds of things,” said Bill Knight, president of All Cruise Travel in San Jose, Calif. “They’re even calling if they’re booked to sail in Europe and other parts of the world.”

As fuel prices continue to decline, Carnival Corp. said it will suspend fuel supplements for its six North American brands effective for all voyages departing on or after Dec. 17, 2008. The fuel supplement suspension applies to Carnival Cruise Lines, Costa Cruises, Cunard Line, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises and The Yachts of Seabourn.

Dominica’s Fort Young Hotel named Ruud van Baal its new general manager. Van Baal operated three well-known properties on the island of Bonaire as the managing director. Prior to his hotel experience, Mr. van Baal was employed by Holland America Cruise Line.