Hawaii Superferry is increasing the number of bags that walk-on passengers can check in free of charge from two to four for travel through Jan. 16.

The Superferry also will add extra crossings between Maui and O'ahu on Dec. 23 and on Dec. 30. The added cruise will leave Honolulu at 11:45 a.m., arriving at Kahului at 3:30 p.m. The return ferry will leave Kahului at 5 p.m., arriving at Honolulu at 8 p.m. Adult fares start at $49 each way and $65 each way for vehicles. Those 62 and older, children (ages 2-12) and military (and their dependents) receive a $10 discount.

Expect to see a festive Alakai decked out in holiday wreaths plowing the channel between the islands, and — in a nod to the season — Superferry gift certificates starting at $50 make a great stocking stuffer. 877-443-3779 or www.hawaiisuperferry.com.

ALASKA

TURNING 50 IN 2009? YOU CAN GET A FREE TRAIN RIDE

The Alaska Railroad invites anyone who turns 50 in 2009 to take a free ride. In honor of Alaska's 50th anniversary of statehood, anyone who turns 50 in 2009 can ride from Anchorage to Fairbanks on the Denali Star train, follow the curves of Cook Inlet on the Coastal Classic train or travel to Whittier and Grandview on the Glacier Discovery train. The traveler's 50th birthday must fall between Jan. 1, 2009, and Dec. 31, 2009, to qualify. This offer is valid for travel in Adventure Class Service on the Denali Star, Coastal Classic, Glacier Discovery, Hurricane and Aurora Winter trains, roundtrip or one way, all in one day. www.alaskarailroad.com.

VENICE

WORST FLOODING IN 22 YEARS HAPPENED IN MATTER OF MINUTES

Tall boots were in demand in Venice last week as Venetians and tourists waded and floated through the city's worst floods in 22 years. "It all happened so quickly — within 20 minutes we were up to our waists in water," one shopkeeper told the media.

The Italian island city saw waters as deep as 5 feet — the fourth-deepest since the city began keeping flood records in 1872. The record, however, still stands: A 1966 flood put Venice under 76 sloshing inches of the wet stuff.

Extreme water levels led officials to suspend ferry and water taxi services in the city; the high water levels had made it impossible for the boats to fit under some canal bridges.

The city is building a $5.5 billion system of offshore dams, expected to be completed in 2011, designed to protect the city from its ongoing floods. See photographs at http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news.