Ever wondered who decides between five star hotel ratings, and four star hotel ratings. Those little stars beside a hotel are supposed to denote prices, amenities, service etc. However, there is not a standardized star rating system in many countries. From country to country, the amount of stars, ranking system, etc.. will all vary. Furthermore, even within a particular country, the star rating system is inconsistent.

In the United States, several organizations, web sites, travel agencies, and independent’s rate hotel’s. All of these entities use different criteria in their rating system. A 5 star hotel in one travel guide, may be a 3 star hotel in another guide.

Typically, a 5 star hotel has the most amenities, services, and luxury setting. However, a small spa, with private butlers, limo service, chef, etc.., could be deemed a four star (under some rating systems,) simply for lack of an elevator. A five star hotel rating is generally reserved exclusively for the high end chain and boutique hotels. On the other hand, hotels can be deemed five star, by many rating bodies, based on thing’s the consumer really does not care about- like taxes paid.

Over the last ten years, there has been an ever increasing move toward online hotel reservation services. From one booking company to another, a hotel may vary up to two stars. So, look for a site that offers an explanation on what data they base a five star hotel rating on. Nearly all online hotel reservation sites will provide a tab for “services”- restaurants, pool, gym, internet, spa, room service, limo service, bedding, maid service, décor, concierge, etc. The consumer is the real judge of what a 5 star hotel is!

It may have taken awhile to get off the ground (pun intended), but the dream of in-flight Wi-Fi is fast becoming a reality. Most of the major U.S. airlines—including American, Continental, Delta, JetBlue, and Virgin America—are now online in the skies to some degree. The only problem is: Airplanes are public places, and the Internet is chock-full of smut. But rest assured, the airlines are handling the situation in a balanced way.

Whatever prurient websites you may enjoy in the privacy of your own home is your business. But when you’re innocently looking up soup recipes on your laptop in 18A and your neighbor in 18B is salivating on his keyboard, someone has to step in. With American and Delta both offering the GoGo service from Aircell, it’s not surprising these two airlines have decided to ask Aircell to include porn-blocking software in GoGo. (Presumably the airlines are installing Wi-Fi on their planes to bring in extra revenue, so it would be interesting to see if any of the carriers is tempted to offer an “upgraded” service whereby the porn-blocking software is turned off. Only in first class, of course.) I’m assuming the other carriers will follow suit.

There’s no word yet on what actions airlines will take to stop passengers from viewing illicit photos or videos stored on their hard drives, but my guess is flight attendants who see computers displaying such imagery will confiscate the offending machines faster than you can say “first amendment.”

One issue lost in this debate is the privacy of those who aren’t looking at dirty pictures. While some of the people surfing on the plane may want to share the contents of their computers with you, you may not want your fellow travelers watching you conduct online banking transactions or writing that break-up email to the person you just left behind at the airport.

In response to guest demand, Disney Cruise Line will reposition one of its ships, Disney Magic, to Europe for an unprecedented five-month season of Northern European and Mediterranean cruises in 2010.

With a wide variety of European itineraries in 2010, families have the ability to explore exotic and unexpected destinations with the safety and comfort of traveling with Disney Cruise Line, the leader in family cruising.

For the first time, Disney Cruise Line will offer a 12-night Northern European Capitals cruise, where guests can experience breathtaking fjords, historic city centers and Viking lore at enchanting Scandinavian ports such as Oslo, Copenhagen and Stockholm. The ship will also sail to Warnemunde, Germany, gateway to Berlin, and to St. Petersburg, Russia. The Disney Magic will overnight in St. Petersburg, allowing Disney Cruise Line guests time to experience the city known as the “Cultural Capital of Russia” or use the second day to book a shore excursion to Moscow.

“The Northern European Capitals itinerary provides our guests with an amazing collection of destinations to explore,” said Disney Cruise Line President Tom McAlpin. “We’re excited to bring the rich history, culture and folklore these ports offer to life for our guests in a family-friendly way only Disney Cruise Line can deliver.”

Departing out of Dover, England, the Disney Magic will sail a total of four 12-night cruises to the Northern European capitals in June and July 2010. Rates for the 12-night Northern European Capitals itinerary start at $3,649 per person for a category 11 stateroom.

Book-ending the summer season in Northern Europe, the Disney Magic will once again return to the Mediterranean with 10- and 11-night cruises, but with three new ports of call not offered when Disney Cruise Line last sailed the Mediterranean. In addition to popular ports in Italy, France and Spain, the Disney Magic will visit Tunis, in Northern Africa, the island nation of Malta, and Corsica, an island oasis off the southern coast of France known as the birthplace of Napoleon.

“The response from guests who sailed on our Mediterranean voyages in 2007 was overwhelmingly positive,” said McAlpin. “We’re thrilled to bring the ship back and look to make the 2010 season in the Mediterranean even better, with new destinations and more one-of-a-kind Disney experiences for our guests.”

Departing out of Barcelona, Spain, the Disney Magic will sail four 10-night and four 11-night cruises in the Mediterranean in April, May, August and September. Rates for the 10- and 11-night Mediterranean cruises start at $2,529 per person for a category 11 stateroom.

Disney Cruise Line will also offer four repositioning cruises including two 14-night transatlantic voyages, a seven-night cruise from Barcelona to Dover, England, and an eight-night cruise from Dover back to Barcelona.