Detroit has many attractions, including the Henry Ford Museum, Motown Museum, Zoo, Detroit Institute of the Arts and several upscale casino-hotels. But, with the downturn of the economy, the city has not been high on the list of vacation destinations.

Now, someone in Detroit has come up with an idea to build something that could resemble a haunted Disney amusement park. Tentatively called Z World, it would be inhabited by spooky features and creatures from currently-popular films and TV programs featuring zombies. 

The most interesting and oddest part of the proposal is that the theme park’s setting will be based on stark reality. It would be built on what is now the most blighted, rundown area of the financially- and socially-troubled city. The zombie theme will fit right in with what has become a poverty-haunted war zone. The promoters believe Z World will bring jobs, repairs, new construction, visitor money and many other benefits into an area that badly needs as much help as it can get.

For more information, go to zworlddetroit.com

Q: We’re taking a cruise for the first time. We remember seeing photos from years ago when all passengers dressed formal on one of the dinner nights. Is that still required?

Marie S., Queens NY

A: No, it isn’t necessary these days. However, even on recent cruises, we’ve seen passengers show up in tux and gown for the first night at sea. Formal dress is voluntary, and usually for those show-offs who decide to lug the extra clothes aboard or rent them from an on-board clothing shop.

There are basic dress codes in effect on evening dining on some cruises. Shorts, swim suits, t-shirts and sandals may not be welcome. Before you pack, check with your travel agent or ship’s website to find out the rules.

According to a USAToday report, a virtual video projection called Carla .... not Glinda the Good Witch ... now greets and gives messages and information in Boston’s Logan International Airport. The three-dimensional image won’t wave a magic wand, but speaks in friendly tones in English, French and Spanish. However, although she may look like a real human of the right size and depth, she is just a recorded hologram and won’t answer questions.

There’s a similar virtual guide now at the Washington Dulles Airport, with the name of Paige. According to news reports, New York City's three major airports are expected to get their vitual guides sometime this summer. If the experiment works, passengers at other airports can soon expect to meet similar hologram advisers.

Among the messages the virtual guides offer are how to prepare for security inspection, location of flight gates, schedule changes, airport exits, taxi, bus and other services. She won’t tell passengers to click their heels and say, “There’s no place like home.”

So far, the virtual guides are not involved in security check-ins. However, with ever-improving technology, could it be possible passengers may soon experience virtual groping from grinning hologram agents?

Q: We’ve signed up for a cruise that'll keep us away for a month. We’re eagerly looking forward to it, but have one worry. Our elderly dog, Shep, now gets separation anxiety even when we’re gone for only one night. What’s the best way that won't upset him when we’re traveling for such a long time?

J.P., Cherry Hill NJ

A: As frequent travelers, we’ve similar problems with our pets. Young animals, like human kids, are adaptive to change. You can put them in a kennel or summer camp and they’ll be happy with new pals. Older ones are very attached to their surroundings and familiar human faces.

We find the best way is to keep them in your home and hire a sitter. We’re in a large apartment complex, and there are many young tenants who’ll visit, feed, clean and exercise our pets several times a day. We pay from $10 up a day for the service.

In big cities, there are many similar commercial pet walking services, with charges ranging upwards from $25 a day. We’ve use kennels only as a last resort, after researching to find the one with the best reputation for service and cleanliness.