THIS JUST IN

Cruise refunds for layoffs

Are you too worried about the possibility of losing your job to book a vacation? Cruise companies are hoping to offer travelers a little extra assurance with refund plans that can be used in the event of a layoff. Norwegian Cruise Line's new BookSafe Travel Protection Plan refunds cancellation fees for cruises departing after May 1. To qualify, passengers must be involuntarily terminated from a job they've held for at least one year. CruiseOne and Cruises Inc., the nation's largest cruise retailer, also announced a CruiseAssurance plan for passengers who purchase entry-level travel insurance. The plan covers any cruise on any line booked between March 1 and May 2. Passengers need to present termination letters to qualify.

ELIZABETH LARSEN

OPENING

Aztec culture hits Chicago

If you are headed to Chicago, check out "The Aztec World," the Field Museum's comprehensive survey of Aztec culture, which for more than two centuries held sway over some 10 million people in what is now Mexico. The exhibition, which includes more than 300 objects, highlights Aztec achievements in art, agriculture, trade and cosmology. Open through April 19 (1-312-922-9410; www.fieldmuseum.org).

BOSTON GLOBE

BOOK BRIEF

Beat plane boredom

If you're the kind of person who likes to distract yourself during flights, "747 Things to Do on a Plane" (Adams Media; $10.95) will come in handy. As the title promises, author Justin Cord Hayes lists 747 things you can do to keep yourself occupied. They range from writing a screenplay (really, how hard can it be?) to playing a game of solitaire to listing every book you've ever read to listing every song you've ever heard to memorizing one of Shakespeare's soliloquies to reading "The Canterbury Tales" in Middle English. Now there's a real and fun challenge.

CHICAGO TRIBUNE

TRENDSPOTTING

Airstream goes camping

Three campgrounds across the United States have gotten new tenants, but campers need not be jealous of their shiny silver neighbors; the Airstream rigs are for rent. Kampgrounds of America Inc. and Airstream Inc. have placed 25 of the company's most popular model trailers at KOA campgrounds in Las Vegas; Bar Harbor, Maine, and Key West, Fla., letting travelers rent the trailers like hotel rooms. The rentals come stocked with linens and kitchenware. For more information, visit www.airstream.com.

ASSOCIATED PRESS

SKI UPDATE

Save on spring skiing

Winter's coming to a close, but spring skiing can keep powderhounds going for another month or so. In Vermont, temperatures are higher, and there's more daylight and fewer crowds on the slopes. Lift ticket prices are lower too. More than 10 ski areas offer tickets for $39 or less and many also offer ski-and-stay packages (get the details at SkiVermont.com). In Colorado, the Bud Light Spring Jam at Aspen/Snowmass takes place the last two weekends of March. A package is available through March 29 at Ski.com (package code 9049) that includes four nights' lodging in a ski-in, ski-out two-bedroom condo with the fourth night free, and a three-day lift ticket. The package starts at $714 per person based on quadruple occupancy. See ski.com for packages at other resorts.

ASSOCIATED PRESS

SIDEROADS

Madison canoe fest

The latest gear, products and hot spots for your next kayak or canoe trip will be highlighted Friday through next Sunday at Canoecopia, held at Alliant Energy Center in Madison, Wis. Dozens of paddle-sports exhibits and outfitters will be featured, and daily programs with speakers, seminars and outdoor adventure films will be offered. Hours are 4 to 9 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $10 a day or $15 for a weekend pass for adults, and free for ages 17 and under (1-800-472-3353; www.rutabaga.com/canoecopia).

COLLEEN A. COLES