Short Takes

SPEAKING OF BRANDING

Back in 1930, cartoonist Max Fleischer created an icon still known today as “Betty Boop.” Cashing in on the nostalgia craze, Carnival Cruise Lines has announced the first-ever “Betty Boop Fan Cruise” coming this October. The trip departs from San Diego to Mexico’s Cabo San Lucas for what they’re calling “the first authentic, fully licensed specialty cruise that celebrates the legendary ‘Queen of Cartoons,’ Betty Boop.” Full details for those interested are at Betty Boop Fan Cruise.com. WHY anyone would wanna be on a ship for four days where most folks think a “Boop-Oop-A-Doop” greeting is clever is beyond us.

MINE, MINE, MINE

Airport luggage carousels are fraught with tension, as passengers grab bags that look like theirs only to hear, “That’s MINE!” hissed in their direction. That may be what prompted the folks at Your Bag Tag.com to market a bright, colorful nametag to more quickly identify what’s yours. The site offers a number of options to stake your claim, but at $12 apiece, it seems like a pricey solution to a common problem. We usually just tie a piece of colored ribbon around our luggage handle. Cost: Zero.

WHAT PRICE CONVENIENCE?

Traveling by air these days can be a major pain, what with getting there hours early, the strip-searches by the TSA, and all those restrictions on what you can or can’t carry onboard. So a company called MenScience is trying to alleviate some of the aggravation by marketing a pre-packed travel kit for men containing all the “necessities” they’d need. These include “Advanced Shave Formula, Daily Face Wash, Advanced Face Lotion, Post-Shave Repair, Daily Shampoo, Advanced Deodorant, Advanced Lip Protection” and more. (“Post-Shave Repair”? What’re you shaving with, a rock?) The idea, they say, is to help men so they won’t have to “spend money on new items when they reach their destinations” Fair enough, except their special kit goes for a turbulence-inducing $78! But in their defense, they also include a “Night Sleep Mask, Advanced Ear Plugs (Not those “basic” kind; ADVANCED!) and a Personal Travel Bag.” Oh, well, in that case…. Details are at MenScience.com

CALLING ALL COKEHEADS

July must be a tough time to lure visitors to Atlanta, what with the heat and humidity and chance of thunderstorms every day for the next week (according to Wunderground.com). That may well be why the Atlanta Marquis Marriott has joined forces with the New World of Coca Cola to market a weekend getaway package featuring Hot ‘Lanta, cold cokes and a tour of “Atlanta's new, must see destination.” (Their words, not ours.) For $185, you get: “Deluxe city-view Atlanta accommodations for one weekend night; Breakfast for two; Complimentary hotel valet parking; and Two VIP open-ended tickets to the New World of Coca Cola.” (We’re all atwitter.) Or you could zip down to the Piggly Wiggly, pick up a six-pack of Coke and go log on to Coke.com. Not exactly the same thing, but it’s certainly cheaper.

WHAT'RE YOU LOOKIN' AT?

Hey, guess where the No. 1 “Naturist Resort” in the world is? In Palm Springs, Calif., that’s where. A pitch we got today from the Terra Cotta Inn tells us that not only were they voted the leader in “In the Buff” vacations, but they have “one of the highest repeat guest rates in the travel industry at just over 75%.” (Personal note to Brandweek Travel Editor Mike Beirne: Why aren’t we covering this? I’ll go.) They also point out that they’re a good choice because “"First timers are always very nervous about booking at a clothing-optional resorts. Your first nude experience is very important.” (Oh, ya think?) They made a nice case for themselves until we hit this line: “All ages stay there too, from age 21 to the 80's.” Umm, ew. Not that we’re judgmental (OK, we are), but that’s probably a deal-killer for us. But you can decide for yourself by visiting their site at Sunny Fun.com. Yes, there’s some nekkid folks pictured there, but you have to really zoom in to see them. What? It was RESEARCH!

ANOTHER REASON TO UPGRADE

Phoenix company AmSafe, makers of the AmSafe Aviation Inflatable Restraint system (known to regular folks as “airbags”), announced today that its product “will be installed on every Business and First-class seat on 19 new Singapore Airlines Boeing 777-300ER aircraft.” That’s wonderful news for those of you who can afford the freight for one of the better seats. It’s not so good for the rest of us who have to squeeze into coach with the hoi polloi. Still, having experienced more than a few “hard landings” in our time, we harbor some personal doubts as to whether the airbag will make much difference anyway. It sounds a lot like hoping to use your seat cushion as a flotation device “…in the event of a water-borne landing.” Known in plain English as “a crash.”

WE NEED THIS MORE THAN A SEGWAY

Another miserable day of commuting reminded us of just how far we haven’t come in this modern age, but there is hope on the horizon. We have to find our way to New York’s Niagara Falls this weekend for the First International Rocketbelt Convention. Sponsored by Jet Pack International, makers of you-know-what, the show “will bring together old and new as homemade rocketbelts from all over the country are displayed alongside the original Bell Aerosystems Rocketbelt, built in the 1960's. Current and former rocketmen, rocketbelt builders, engineers and high-tech inventors will meet together for a two-day symposium, "Where the Past Meets the Present." (Geek alert! Geek alert!) But here’s the highlight of the weekend: “The Go Fast Jet Pack, created by Jet PI, LLC, is scheduled to be flown at approximately 3:00 p.m. Saturday and Sunday by Rocketman Eric Scott.” (And we just decided this: before we die, we want the title “Rocketman” in front of our name. Speaking of geeks…) Get all the details (and see if that “geek” crack wasn’t warranted) at www.RocketBelt.NL