The "big three" U.S. airlines -- United Airlines, American Airlines and Delta -- have all made additional capacity cuts due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting travel restrictions.

United Airlines

United Airlines says it is cutting its schedule by 60 percent for the month of April, including a 42 percent reduction across the United States and Canada and an 85 percent decrease in international flights. 

Across the Atlantic, Pacific and Latin America, United will operate approximately 45 daily flights in April:

In terms of domestic travel, United says it does not plan to suspend service to any single U.S. city now, with the exception of Mammoth Lakes, CA. This could change, however, based on state and local curfews and government restrictions, so the airline will adjust its schedule accordingly throughout the month. 

American Airlines

American Airlines is implementing a phased suspension of international flights that is scheduled to last through May 6. The move will reduce its international capacity by 75 percent. The changes are as follows:

• American will suspend all remaining flights to Asia, except for three flights per week from Dallas - Fort Worth to Tokyo Narita. 
• Suspending service from Los Angeles to Sydney.
• American will continue to operate one flight daily from Dallas - Fort Worth to London Heathrow and Miami to London Heathrow
• Suspending flights from New York - JFK, Boston, Chicago O'Hare and Los Angeles to London Heathrow gradually to reaccommodate passengers and crew
• London Heathrow, Dublin and Manchester flights from Charlotte, Philadelphia and Phoenix were suspended faster, as these airports are not approved gateways by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Final eastbound flights from Charlotte, Philadelphia and Phoenix were on March 15; final westbound flights returning from London Heathrow, Dublin and Manchester departed March 16
• Continued suspensions in other parts of Europe, as previously announced, including the delayed start of some seasonal routes as well as flights to and from Amsterdam, Barcelona, Frankfurt, Madrid and Munich, Paris and Zurich through early May, or later, based on guidance from the U.S. government and customer demand.
• Suspending service from JFK and Miami to Rio de Janeiro and Georgetown, Guyana
• Suspending service from Dallas - Fort Worth, JFK, Los Angeles and Miami to São Paulo
• Suspending service from Dallas - Fort Worth and Miami to:
  • Chile: Santiago
  • Colombia: Bogota
  • Ecuador: Guayaquil and Quito
  • Peru: Lima
• Suspending service from Miami to:
  • Brazil: Brasilia and Manaus
  • Colombia: Barranquilla, Cartagena, Cali, Medellin and Pereira

Delta

In Latin America, Delta is suspending and adjusting service to the following countries:

Delta will support partner Aeromexico by flying one daily roundtrip between New York-JFK and Mexico City, and two daily roundtrips between Los Angeles and Mexico City between May 2 and August 16.

Delta is also significantly reducing its U.S. flying to Europe, the UK and Ireland. The airline's revised transatlantic schedule is as follows:

Delta's transpacific schedule is as follows:

In line with precautionary measures to ensure the health and safety of visitors, the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) has decided to close select cultural sites in the emirate temporary starting from Tuesday, March 31, 2020.

Closed cultural sites include; Louvre Abu Dhabi, Manarat Al Saadiyat, Qasr Al Hosn, Culture Foundation, Al Ain Palace Museum, Al Ain Oasis, Al Jahili Fort and Qasr Al Muwaiji.

“The safety and well-being of our visitors and staff is of paramount importance to us,” DCT Abu Dhabi said in a statement. “We will update you once the cultural sites resume normal operations.”

Other cultural centers, including; Bait Al Oud, Berklee Abu Dhabi, and Al Qatara Art Center will continue working as usual offering art classes, with restrictions according to health and safety measures.

Effective March 17, the United Arab Emirates has suspended issuing visas, Etihad Airways reports. This does not apply to those holding visas issued prior to 17 March, or to those eligible for visa on arrival or holders of diplomatic passports.

Additionally, Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH) closed one of its three terminals on Monday. In a tweet, the airport wrote, “As part of our continuous efforts to provide exceptional service to our airline partners and passengers, we are announcing the closure of Terminal 2 and migrating all existing flights to Terminal 1 at AUH.” The airport serves and as the home to Etihad Airways, which operates from Terminal 3.

by Matt Turner

Adam Leposa

Hilton is bringing three of its hotel brands to Resorts World Las Vegas, which is set to open in summer 2021. Marking the largest multi-brand deal in Hilton’s history, the partnership will bring the company’s Hilton Hotels & Resorts, LXR and Conrad brands to the 3,500-room resort on the Las Vegas Strip, as well as make the property part of the Hilton Honors loyalty program. 

Guests at the three Hilton-branded hotels will have access to the resort’s facilities, including a 5,000-capacity theater which can host celebrity residencies and corporate events; 350,000 square feet of meeting and convention space; a 220,000-square-foot pool complex with seven pool experiences (including an 1,800-square-foot infinity pool with views of the Strip); a 27,000-square-foot spa; a fitness center; and a collection of casual and fine-dining food and beverage concepts. 

Genting Berhad is developing the $4.3 billion resort project, which is currently one of the largest hotel construction sites in the United States. Other amenities will include a 110,000-square-foot casino with slots, table games, high-limit gaming areas, private gaming salons, dedicated poker room and a 14,000-square-foot Entertainment Zone, which includes a race and sports book and featured live entertainment.  

The overall design of the resort will aim to combine traditional and modern architecture, with a large LED screen on each of the resort’s two towers. Other touches will include an interior color palette of warm gold and cream hues. 

Additional details about the project will be announced in the coming months. 

Cheryl Rosen​

Dear Valued Travelers: (by Norwegian Cruise Line)

The safety, security and well-being of our guests and crew is our number one priority. We have proactively implemented several preventative measures outlined below due to growing concerns regarding COVID-19 infections in China. We will continue to consult with The World Health Organization (WHO) and the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and take appropriate additional action as needed. 
 
Policies currently in place include the below. Please note that changes related to guests who hold a Chinese, Hong Kong or Macau passport are marked as bold. 
 

• Given the more stringent immigration, customs and health screening protocols and regulations now in place by countries around the world, the company has announced the relaxation of its previous policy prohibiting guests that hold a Chinese, Hong Kong or Macau passport to board its ships, effective February 20, 2020.

• Guests who have traveled from, visited or transited via airports in China, including Hong Kong and Macau, within 30 days of their voyage embarkation, regardless of nationality, will not be allowed to board any of our vessels. The standard incubation period recognized by the WHO and US CDC for this virus is 14 days.
  • Guests who are denied boarding will be issued a refund when they provide proof of travel.

• Any crew members who have traveled from, visited or transited via airports in China, including Hong Kong and Macau within 30 days will not be allowed to board our ships.

• The recent Hong Kong port closure will result in itinerary modifications and we will share the revised itinerary as well as further details as they become available.

• Prior to the port closure in Hong Kong, we implemented non-touch temperature screenings for all passengers embarking from this destination and any guest who registered a body temperature of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or 38 degrees Celsius or higher, were not allowed to board. Guests on these voyages were also subject to temperature screenings when returning from shore excursions at ports of call.
  • Guests who were unable to sail due to a high temperature were advised to open a travel insurance claim with their insurance provider.

• For all guests, we will continue standard pre-boarding health reporting and evaluation. Any guests who appear symptomatic are subject to pre-boarding medical evaluations including but not limited to temperature checks as deemed necessary.

• Any guest who exhibits symptoms of any respiratory illness while on board will be subject to additional screening at our onboard Medical Center and may be subject to potential quarantine and disembarkation.

• We have implemented additional cleaning and disinfection protocols on board all voyages. These protocols will be enforced in addition to our already rigorous sanitization standards in place.

• Singapore and the Philippines are not currently allowing Chinese nationals to disembark at their ports. Guests with a Chinese passport who are traveling on voyages that disembark in one of these regions will not be allowed on board our ships. If additional port restrictions are put into place we may have to modify this policy as needed.
  • Guests who are denied boarding due to this will be issued a refund.

 
The above measures will remain in effect until further notice and are subject to change at any time as we evaluate the situation and continue to consult with local health authorities as well as the WHO and U.S. CDC. 
 
At this time, we have made a number of itinerary changes and none of our vessels are currently calling to ports in mainland China.  We also have the flexibility to alter our itineraries as needed to avoid areas of concern. All itineraries that call in mainland China for the next six months are currently under review and we will communicate any itinerary revisions as soon as possible. As always, we will closely monitor the situation and take appropriate action as necessary.
 
We apologize for the inconvenience to any guests affected by these measures put in place to ensure the safety and well-being of all our guests and crew. 
 
For frequently asked questions and information regarding the Coronavirus, please visit the following websites:

• World Health Organization (WHO)WHO Travel Advice
• United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S. CDC)
• European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC)
• CLIA Coronavirus FAQs
• CLIA Public Health and Medical Policy

Sincerely,
Norwegian Cruise Line

Margaritaville Holdings and Karisma Hotels & Resorts said reservations are open for stays at Margaritaville Island Reserve by Karisma Riviera Cancun, Margaritaville’s first inclusive resort experience, which represents a complete conversion of the former Azul Beach Resort Riviera Maya by Karisma. 

Located on a beachfront along the Riviera Maya coastline in Mexico, Margaritaville Island Reserve by Karisma Riviera Cancún offers a laid-back beach vibe for guests who value high quality without pretense.  Reflecting a savings of up to 60 percent off, exclusive introductory rates start at $200 per person plus a $150 resort credit when stays are booked by Dec. 10, 2019.

“The picture-perfect shore of the Riviera Maya is the perfect destination to launch our inclusive resort experience with Karisma Hotels & Resorts,” said Tamara Baldanza-Dekker, chief marketing officer for Margaritaville. “With an unparalleled level of personalized service, unique amenities and a mix of fun and relaxation around every palm tree, we can’t wait to give our guests a new way to vacation in Margaritaville.” 

Margaritaville Island Reserve by Karisma Riviera Cancún will deliver world-class amenities, service, and top-quality food and beverage. In combination with Margaritaville’s sense of fun and escapism, the resort promises to be a new favorite tropical vacation destination. Guests will be presented flip-flops and welcome drinks upon arrival, setting the tone for an Island Reserve Inclusive experience. With just 148 guestrooms and suites, the beachfront property allows for a highly personalized vacation, with plenty of space to seek refuge at any of the resort’s four pools, four restaurants, six specialty bars, and 8,000-square-foot St. Somewhere Spa by Karisma.

“We are thrilled to be opening the first Margaritaville Island Reserve by Karisma in Riviera Cancún, Mexico, an ideal destination for an unforgettably luxurious yet laid-back tropical vacation,” said Kelly Poling, chief executive officer of Premier Worldwide Marketing, the exclusive representative of Karisma. “Karisma Hotels & Resorts has a deep history in the Riviera Maya and we look forward to welcoming guests to experience its stunning natural beauty, rich culture, and warm people along with the world-class service, amenities, and carefree fun that define the Island Reserve Inclusive experience.”

Accommodations: The resort will offer nine styles of guestrooms and suites reflecting an upscale coastal design, including oceanfront and swim-up options with direct access to the main swimming pools.  All accommodations open to a balcony complete with Adirondack chairs or daybeds, overlooking either the pools, gardens or Caribbean Sea. Influenced by the colors of the sea, sand and sky, accommodations have a “no worries” tropical vibe with custom maritime-inspired furnishings and authentic Mexican touches, while still providing all the expected modern conveniences, such as smart TVs and Wi-Fi.

A first-of-its-kind offering exclusive to Margaritaville Island Reserve, every room will have a complimentary customizable in-room bar experience. Guests can treat themselves to their favorite drinks, complete with all the glassware and tools needed for true personalization. Guests can enjoy a morning coffee, mimosa, mid-day beer or a frozen Margarita on the balcony at sunset.

Dining & Drinking: Representing Margaritaville’s first Island Reserve Inclusive resort, the food and beverages at the property reflect unique, authentic experiences across four restaurants and six specialty bars along with surprise and delight moments at the beach and pools. Highlights of the food and beverage options include: Homemade Italian cuisine served with wine from an extensive Wine Spectator awarded wine list at Frank & Lola’s and Rita’s Taco House, serving traditional Mexican fare with phenomenal ocean views.

Located on the Sand Bar Swim-Up Bar complete with hanging beds is Blended, where guests can whip up their favorite fresh fruit on a bike blender. Plus, the resort will feature Margaritaville’s signature concepts, License to Chill Bar and Five o’Clock Somewhere Bar. Joe Merchant’s Coffee & Provisions is the place for freshly brewed Mexican coffee, and extensive beverage and snack offerings from early in the morning to late at night Guests also can enjoy a daily “foodie hour” featuring surprise dishes with a gourmet spin. Drinks with a tropical twist also will be delivered to the beach and pool areas in fun and creative ways.

Island Ambassadors: Exclusive to Margaritaville Island Reserve, the guest experience at the new Riviera Cancún property will be kept casual yet customized thanks to a team of Island Ambassadors who are passionate about Margaritaville, the destination, and ensuring every guest’s vacation is entertaining and memorable. A concierge, vacation-planner and a catalyst for fun rolled into one, these Ambassadors are on-call to answer questions, take requests and make guests smile throughout their stay.

Spa & Pool: Guests are invited to escape to the 8,000-square-foot St. Somewhere Spa by Karisma, including an exclusive Couples Suite and Bridal Suite, an expansive hydrotherapy area, and a full-service beauty salon. Facilities include an herbal steam room, dry sauna and chromotherapy shower. Dedicated to overall wellbeing, St. Somewhere Spa presents offerings designed to awaken the senses, strengthen circulation, soothe nerves, improve digestion and balance metabolism, in addition to fun margarita-inspired treatments.

Weddings & Private Events: Margaritaville Island Reserve by Karisma Riviera Cancún will offer a gteat backdrop for weddings and private events. Whether it is a group gathering, a yearly family reunion, a corporate retreat, a friends’ getaway or a social club get-together, the resort combines Margaritaville’s sense of fun and escapism with an expert team of event planners dedicated to creating unforgettable events in paradise for up to 140 people. Premium facilities include a beachfront gazebo and signature Sky Wedding location with 360-degree views from the private rooftop terrace, as well as restaurants, specialty bars, and dynamic conference spaces.

Features & Activities: The resort will feature live daily entertainment. Guests will find a variety of activities to keep them engaged, with everything from Latin dance and beach soccer to weekly events such as a mariachi fiesta or blackjack tournaments. For younger guests, the resort will have a Parakeets Kid’s Club with supervised daily activities for children 4-12 years old, including cooking classes, mad lab experiments, piñata making, pajama parties and movie nights.

Rates: Reflecting a savings of up to 60 percent off, introductory rates at Margaritaville Island Reserve by Karisma Riviera Cancún start at $200 per person per night double for stays April 18-June 30, 2020 when booked by Dec. 10, 2019. There’s also a $150 resort credit. Rates are Island Reserve Inclusive and feature accommodations, top quality food, premium alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, 24-hour room service, Joe Merchant’s In-Room Bar Experience, and Island Ambassador service.

To reserve your client’s stay at Margaritaville, call Gino's Travel Agency.  To learn more about Margaritaville Island Reserve by Karisma Riviera Cancún, visit www.margaritavilleislandreserveresorts.com. 

By  James Shillinglaw

As the year comes to a close, German tourism officials say they are carefully optimistic that their country will see record results for 2019. As stated by the World Travel Monitor, for the months of January to August incoming visits from the U.S. were up 3.4 percent compared with the previous year. Climate-friendly means of transport also are gaining a stronger relevance for travelers within Germany.

Germany's popularity among Europe’s top tourist destinations continues to grow at an above-average rate despite challenging general conditions. This is confirmed by an interim evaluation of the World Travel Monitor data for the months January to August by the market research company IPK International on behalf of the German National Tourist Board (GNTB).

According to the study, travel to Germany from Europe increased by 4 percent, even though the number of foreign trips by Europeans increased by only 2.5 percent in the same period of the previous year. Europe is by far the most important source region for German incoming tourism. The impetus for such growth from overseas markets was provided by North America, which was up more than 2 percent. In a direct comparison with its competitors, Germany achieved higher growth rates in both European and global incoming tourism than France, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom.

"We were able to further expand Germany's strong position as a travel destination in an extraordinarily competitive environment,” said Petra Hedorfer, CEO of the German National Tourist Board. “We continue to grow as a holiday destination and confirm our leading position as a business destination."

Vacation trips are the most dynamic market segment, up more than 6 percent, with long holiday trips (up more than 7 percent) growing even faster than short trips (up more than 5 percent). Germany remains by far the most important business destination for Europeans. Business travel growth rates are up 2 percent, more than twice as high as those of the overall European market. While the traditional business travel segment continues to decline (down more than 2 percent), Germany recorded significant gains of 4 percent in promotable business travel.

For the first time in years, the World Travel Monitor figures show a significant change in the modal split of transport modes from Europe to Germany. Passenger cars, which traditionally account for about half of all travel, are rising by 5 percent, while air travel is growing by just 1 percent. The biggest transport winners are rail (up more than 10 percent) and bus (up more than 8 percent).

"Germany as a travel destination is very well positioned in the increasingly fierce competition between destinations," Hedorfer said. "The latest trend statements by IPK must not, however, conceal the fact that we are facing major challenges due to weaker economic growth in the Eurozone, the climate debate, trade conflicts and the Brexit issue. Economic and political risks in important source regions of world tourism can lead to a slowdown in the growth dynamics of global travel flows.” For more information, visit www.germany.travel. Ready to book, contact Gino's Travel Agency at 214-274-1369.

By   James Shillinglaw,

In Britain these days, the political preoccupation seems to be all about Brexit—whether to stay or to leave the European Union and how. But that political fixation doesn’t seem to be having any effect on tourism—at least from the U.S. New figures released by VisitBritain show strong growth in visitor arrivals from the United States to the United Kingdom during the first six months of 2019.

There were two million visits from the U.S. to the U.K. during the period between January and June this year, up 11 percent on the same period in 2018. U.S. travelers also spent a record £1.8 billion (roughly $2.3 billion) during this period across the U.K., up 13 percent.

“As Britain’s most valuable inbound market for spend and arrivals, we are thrilled to see the continued growth in numbers from the U.S. in the first half of this year,” said Gavin Landry, VisitBritain’s executive vice president-The Americas (pictured above). “We are building on this growth, highlighting the iconic and unexpected experiences that can be found in Britain’s cities, countryside and coastal villages.”

“The fall and winter are ideal times to visit Britain with a warm holiday spirit and visitors able to experience the charm of the festive season and beyond,” Landry added. “Britain’s shops, accommodation and visitor attractions are also continuing to offer good value for U.S. visitors and we are promoting a message of value across our activity in the U.S. to drive bookings. Also, with more direct airline routes and more daily flights from the U.S. on offer, it really is a great time to book a trip right now.”

VisitBritain continues to drive awareness through its global campaign “I Travel For…” aligning the passions that motivate people to travel with experiences that can only be had in Britain. The campaign highlights unexpected experiences and less-explored destinations in Britain, together with its renowned landmarks and attractions to entice international visitors to book a trip right now.

British film releases in the U.S. in 2019, including the recent “Downton Abbey,” have continued to keep Britain top of mind for U.S. travelers. In November, “Last Christmas” will arrive in movie theaters providing a “love letter to London” during the holidays. In spring 2020, the latest James Bond film “No Time To Die” is set for release.

The latest data from ForwardKeys shows that forward flight bookings from the U.S. to the U.K. from October 2019 to March 2020 are tracking up 5 percent compared with the same period last year. Since May this year, U.S. citizens can use Britain’s ePassport gates, which provide easier and faster entry into the U.K., boosting the country’s competitive tourism offer and its message of welcome.

In 2018 overall there were 3.9 million visits from the U.S. to the U.K. Visitors from the U.S. spent £3.4 billion ($4.39 billion) across the U.K. last year. Tourism is worth £127 billion ($164 billion) annually to the U.K. economy, creating jobs and boosting economic growth across the nations and region. For more information, visit www.visitbritain.com. Ready to book call Gino's Travel Agency 214-274-1369.

By   Alan Fine

Avanti Destinations has added more than 50 new activities and experiences, 60 hotels, 20 suggested itineraries, and two new destinations to its selection of European products that travel advisors can combine and custom-tailor for their independent travel clients and custom groups in 2020 and 2021. Avanti sells exclusively through travel advisors.

Avanti's new 152-page, four-color brochure, Essence of Europe 2020-2021, can be ordered or downloaded at the travel advisor portal, book.avantidestinations.com. The new brochure is designed for travel advisors to pass along to their clients, with useful maps, tables of rail and driving travel times between destinations, explanations of the advantages of train travel and self-drive vacations, and short feature articles by Avanti employees about favorite experiences and destinations.

“Not only are bookings to Europe up over last year, but the average ‘spend’ or dollar value of Europe bookings is up nearly 10 percent,” said Paul Barry, Avanti’s chief executive officer. “Best-selling countries in Europe remain Italy, France, Ireland, Spain and the U.K., but bookings are growing much faster in Greece, Croatia, Switzerland and Portugal. Independent travelers are going beyond the most famous places and asking advisors to find them less-touristed destinations that retain their authenticity and character.” In keeping with Avanti’s long-standing focus on encouraging clients to taste local and regional flavors, many of the new itineraries and activities are food-, drink- and cooking-themed.

Barry said smaller, off-the-beaten-path destinations need to be booked early since there are fewer accommodations available than in the major cities. Private guides—another big trend for the tour operator—also need to be booked far in advance in more popular destinations, because there is a limited number of high-quality guides.

For 2020-2021, Avanti has added Morocco and St. Petersburg, Russia, which can easily be added to other European itineraries. Among the many new tours and experiences are a private half-day tour of lavender fields and Luberon villages (from Arles, France); Paris street art walking tour; private London “supercalifragilistic” tour visiting Mary Poppins sites; private tour of the ancient city of Anagni (outside of Rome), the crypt under its cathedral filled with Byzantine frescoes, and wineries; private winery tours by e-bike and horseback in several Italian wine regions; private tour of Costa Brava with a picnic, winery visits and tour of Dali’s house and museum in Figueres (Spain); “Day in the Life of a Fez Family” (Morocco); small group tours in Crete, including a food lover’s morning walking tour of Chania; private “truffle hunter for a day” tour in Istria (Croatia); evening food tour by bicycle in Berlin; midnight sun hike and Sami culture tour (Tromso, Norway); private “cook and cruise” tour on Lake Lugano (Switzerland).

New itineraries that advisors can customize and combine with other destinations, activities and transfers include:

Ultimate Scandinavia: This tour, lasting 13 days/12 nights, visits Copenhagen, Oslo, Bergen, Stockholm, Helsinki and Rovaniemi. It includes private bike tours of Copenhagen and Helsinki, Oslo beer walking tour, Stockholm food walking tour, Norway in a Nutshell rail pass, Bergen fjord cruise to Mostraumen, overnight ferries between Copenhagen and Oslo and between Stockholm and Helsinki, Santa Claus safari or Aurora Borealis tour in Rovaniemi, and choice of accommodations.

Italy’s Vineyards and Sunsets: This tour, lasting 7 days/6 nights, stays in small towns of the Langhe wine region (northern Italy) and Lake Como. It includes a private cheese and hazelnut tasting, private full-day wine-tasting tour, truffle hunting, cooking class with lunch, private Como walking tour, private sunset and Prosecco boat tour on the lake, choice of accommodations and daily breakfast.

Champagne Discovery: This tour is 3 days/2 nights in Eparnay, France and includes one 3-course Champagne tasting lunch, Moet & Chandon Champagne house tour with tastings, Champagne vineyards tour with tasting, daily breakfast and choice of accommodations. Easy to combine with stays in Paris plus Burgundy or Alsace wine country.

Salzburg and the Glacier: This tour, lasting 4 days/3 nights, focuses on Salzburg, Austria, Mozart’s birthplace and the setting for “The Sound of Music.” It includes a choice of “Sound of Music” sites tour or a private city walking tour; three-course dinner in the heart of the Old Town; private full-day tour of the Kitzsteinhorn Glacier, 10,500 feet high and accessible by cable car; 48-hour Salzburg Card providing free travel on city transit and free entrance to attractions; private transfers; choice of accommodations and daily breakfast.

Swiss Panorama: This tour, lasting 10 days/9 nights, visits Zurich, Lucerne, Grindelwald, Montreux and Geneva using the efficient, easy-to-use Swiss transportation system and includes a private Zurich walking tour; optional self-guided tour to Mount Titlis; self-guided excursion to the Jungfraujoch; optional tour to Chamonix/Mt. Blanc; Swiss Travel Pass for unlimited rail, bus and boat, as well as city transit systems and free admission to over 500 museums; choice of accommodations and daily breakfast.

Bremen & Bremerhaven: This tour, lasting four days/three nights, visits the sister cities of Bremen, with its medieval town center, and Bremerhaven, site of the German Emigration Center, telling the story of the 7.2 million people who departed from there for the Americas over the course of 300 years. It includes private walking tours of both towns, entrance to the German Emigration Center, accommodations and daily breakfast.

For more information call 214-274-1369

So here’s another river cruise company that wants to get in on the Black Friday craze. Emerald Waterways is offering a Black Friday deal on all 2020 European sailings. ?Guests who book any 2020 European river cruise between Nov. 25 and Dec. 2, 2019 will receive free round-trip airfare plus a complimentary Premium Drink Package worth $378 per couple per week.

In addition, guests booking a cabin on the Horizon deck—the top deck on Emerald Waterways Star-Ships—save an additional $500 per couple. For guests who wish to book their own air, Emerald Waterways will take $2,000 off the price of the sailing.

Emerald Waterways’ river cruises offer contemporary, deluxe ships, great service and an inclusive pricing plan. Cruise fares include all transfers; all port charges; all onboard (and some on-shore) meals; unlimited specialty tea and coffee, wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner; bottled water in the cabins replenished daily; continental breakfast, pre-dinner canapés and after-dinner sweet treats served in the top suites; complimentary Wi-Fi onboard the ship; most shore excursions as well as all onboard and excursion gratuities. On touring days, hotel accommodations, internal flights, and transfers also are included.

Part of Scenic Group, Emerald Waterways' eight branded Star-Ships offer river sailings in Europe and on the Mekong, as well as the MS Rossia along the Volga River in Russia; the MS Swallow and MS Lastavica yachts in Croatia; and the MS Hamees on the Nile. For more information, call Gino's Travel Agency 214-274-1369, or 844-428-8389 or visit www.emeraldwaterways.com.

By   James Shillinglaw

Just days ago things seemed to be a little more hopeful. The U.S. Travel Association praised a U.S. Department of Homeland Security effort to make it easier for travelers to get their new REAL IDs online. These IDs, which will be mandatory for those seeking to fly on domestic or international airlines effective Oct. 1, 2020. Now U.S. Travel is urging media to once again remind travelers about that REAL ID deadline in this year's round of Thanksgiving travel stories (okay, we’ve done our part right here!).

By next Thanksgiving, the mandate to possess a REAL ID-compliant identity document for air travel will be in full effect—and roughly 57 percent of Americans are completely unaware of that deadline, according to data released by U.S. Travel in September. U.S. Travel research also found that about 99 million Americans were likely without any form of REAL ID—a compliant driver's license, a passport, or a military ID—at the time of the survey. Anyone who shows up at the airport next Oct. 1 without the correct ID risks being turned away from getting on a plane.

U.S. Travel leaders fear that individuals who only travel occasionally, such as those who visit family over the holidays, are most likely to be affected—making this year's coverage of holiday travel a crucial opportunity to spread the word about REAL ID.

"Significant lack of awareness is one of the challenges we face as the REAL ID enforcement deadline approaches next year," said Roger Dow, U.S. Travel Association’s president and CEO. "We are concerned not only about the post-deadline effects for major travel times like Thanksgiving, but also about the significant crunch at state DMVs throughout next year as people scramble to obtain their REAL ID."

The message that must be repeated to get people #RealIDready, Dow said, is at a minimum, check for the star that appears in the top right-hand corner of most REAL IDs, but ideally contact your DMV directly to find out if you're compliant.

"The holidays are a time when less-frequent flyers might be thinking about air travel, and there is always ample news coverage of holiday travel projections and conditions at U.S. airports," Dow said. "The next two months are going to be critical for closing the REAL ID awareness gap. We need broad activation across the public and private sectors to get the job done."

U.S. Travel has been reaching out to a wide coalition of partners—government agencies, local and state tourism boards, and large and small travel companies, to name a few—to encourage REAL ID education efforts. The association's REAL ID toolkit is aimed at helping stakeholders get the word out with turnkey resources and consistent messaging.

The association is also recommending policy measures to avoid major challenges at U.S. airports next October. One thing’s for sure: If more U.S. travelers don’t get their REAL IDs in the next 11 months, airline travel could grind to a virtual halt. For more information about REAL ID, additional findings from the study, policy recommendations, and other resources, click on REAL ID.

By   James Shillinglaw

With awareness of the plastics crisis at an all-time high, small group adventure travel operator G Adventures is calling on its travel industry partners to join forces in the movement to reduce the use of single-use plastics in tourism. Starting with the simple step of asking all suppliers for their support to provide alternative solutions, G Adventures hopes to provide clean drinking water for as many travelers on tour as possible so they can replace disposable plastic water bottles with reusable vessels.  https://youtu.be/FJmgBKGRy8g

Named the “Plastics Partnerships Project,” the initiative comes after G Adventures recognized that to have a greater impact it needed to engage more partners to help. After an approach to its complete hotel supply chain, 80 percent of hotel suppliers have committed to providing clean drinking water for travelers by January 2020, which equates to up to 3.5 million bottles being saved annually by G Adventures’ 200,000 customers.

Jamie Sweeting, vice president of responsible travel and social enterprise at G Adventures, says the company has been making a conscious effort over the past few years to reduce plastics across the business, but realized that to shift the dial further it needed to engage not only its staff, but also its suppliers, agency partners and ultimately its travelers.

"We're starting in a manageable way, with a focus on reducing the use of single-use plastic water bottles,” Sweeting says. “We already take steps globally to reduce plastic in our offices and on our water-based tours, and we actively participate in beach cleanups where we can. We know we can do more however, but we can’t do it alone. The Plastics Partnership Project is an invitation to work together to make small changes that can collectively make a big difference to our planet and its people. More than 350 million tonnes of plastic are produced each year and eight million of those end up in our oceans. Working collaboratively enables us to drive even more change in behavior.”

Some of the plastics-reduction initiatives G Adventures already has in place include:

Ocean Health Fund: Started by G Adventures’ non-profit partner Planeterra, a  key focus of this fund is plastics reduction and G Adventures’ global marine team fundraises year-round to support ocean cleanup projects.

No Plastic Container Bathroom Amenities: Those amenities onboard the G Expedition ship are provided in refillable containers to limit the use of small, single-use plastic containers, and no plastic straws are used.

No Plastic Bottled Water: There is filtered water available onboard the G Expedition and on the Sri Lanka Sailing catamaran, with no bottled water supplied onboard.

Plastics Pickup: The G Expedition picks up drifting plastic and fishing lines whenever possible.

Plastic Beach Cleanups: Guests and staff have been organized in Svalbard for the last four years, as well as in Thailand, Cuba and Sri Lanka.

In addition to the launch of the Plastics Partnership Project, G Adventures has partnered with industry travel experts Travel Without Plastic to develop tools and resources to help reduce single-use plastic throughout its operations. The small group tour operator also is a member of the Plastic Pollution Coalition, which connects like-minded business looking to work together to reduce single-use plastics. For more information, click on G Adventures Plastics Partnership. For more information, visit www.gadventures.com.

By   James Shillinglaw

For the second time, MSC Cruises has been forced to delay the opening of its eagerly anticipated private island in the Bahamas. Right after Hurricane Dorian hit two months ago, MSC announced it would not open the island and canceled a planned preview press trip. Now, with more construction delays, the cruise line is delaying the opening yet again, at least until Dec. 5, and cancelled another press visit, which was scheduled late next week.

MSC Cruises said the development of Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve has been a multiyear project in which it has worked with multiple contractors and partners to transform what was once an industrial sand excavation site into a tropical destination, including designating the surrounding waters as a flourishing marine reserve.

MSC said the construction of the private island has been an extremely complex project because it has been fully committed to developing the destination in the most eco-friendly and sustainable way. At the same time, MSC said it originally anticipated that the island would be ready to receive guests in mid-November. However, as it reached the final stages of readying the island for its opening, some adverse weather conditions and unexpected last-minute operational challenges slowed down the completion of the project.

Despite Hurricane Dorian and the demobilization of 600 workers, MSC took measures to remain on track and deliver the project on time. But in the weeks that followed, further adverse weather conditions with strong winds and heavy swell caused several days of interruptions and created additional delays. This included heavy weather in early November, which required part of one of the beaches to be further reinforced.

In addition, last-minute issues with the leveling of the sand in certain areas of the island, the completion of the second breakwater and the landscaping aspects to be fully in line with MSC’s exceeding environmental criteria have created further last-minute operational issues that could impact the guest experience.

The work on the island is an on-going process and MSC said its commitment to protect, restore and conserve the island is part of a multi-phased effort. In the coming months, MSC also will introduce a Conservation Center a coral nursery on the island, which will serve as an active base for coral education and research.

MSC said providing guests with an outstanding experience in all destinations is a top priority and Ocean Cay is no exception. When guests start arriving at Ocean Cay, they will be greeted by endless sweeping vistas of crystal blue waters and some of the most pristine white sand beaches in the Bahamas. From early morning until late evening, they will have plenty of time to soak up the spirit of the Bahamas and enjoy the day as they wish, with no disruptions to shore excursions or beach and ocean discovery activities. They also will be able enjoy bars and complimentary dining options available on the island.

MSC Cruises ships, including the new MSC Meraviglia, which were scheduled to call the island before Dec. 5 will be rerouted to alternative Caribbean destinations or will add a day at sea to their schedule. Guests will be compensated for the missed call at Ocean Cay. For more information, visit www.msccruises.com. 

By   James Shillinglaw,

On average, you’ll spend more on your hotel room in…

When you travel around the United States, how much can you expect to pay for a hotel? As it turns out, it depends heavily on the city—and not the cities you might think. While metropolises like New York and Los Angeles might be your first guess at the most expensive cities for hotels, you’d be wrong. A new survey by Cheaphotels.org has found that the priciest hotels aren’t where you’d think.

The US Cities With the Most Expensive Hotels

• Nashville $223
• Boston $221
• San Jose $214
• San Francisco $209
• Albuquerque $198

Surprised? Nashville, Tennessee is the city that boasts the highest hotel rates among the 50 cities surveyed by Cheaphotels.org for the period spanning 1 October through 31 October 2019. The prices above reflect the average rate for the city’s cheapest-available double rooms at hotels with at least three stars. 

While those prices are eyebrow-raising, they didn’t come completely out of the blue. The Thompson Nashville made our list of The 100 Most Incredible Hotels in the World this year for being our favorite unapologetically trendy hotel in the United States with rooms so cool and comfortable that you’ll want to live in them (or at least add the deep cuts on the vinyl record collection curated by Jack White’s record label to your Spotify list). And, at around $500 per night, you get what you pay for. This hotel is more than worth the price, it’s one of the best hotel stays in the world.

The US Cities With the Least Expensive Hotels

There is a time to drop several hundred dollars on a stay in one of the world’s greatest hotel rooms, and there is a time to look for more reasonably priced hotel experiences. If you’re looking for a vacation at a price point slightly less than the absolute most, these are the cities with the least expensive hotels in the nation:

• Tucson $99
• Baltimore $97
• Fresno $85
• San Antonio $84
• Las Vegas $69

Surprised again? Who would’ve thought that the neon, gambling fever dream metropolis Las Vegas would have the cheapest hotel rooms in America? Well, we’ve been around, and all our most intrepid travelers attest to this truth: if you book last-minute, even swanky hotel rooms can be had at a deep discount. The more likely you are to nab a cheap stay during a hot streak, the more likely you are to spend more money at the casino downstairs.

So, there you have it: the five most expensive and the five least expensive hotels in the United States’ biggest cities. For the full list, check here: you’ll find 40 other cities ranked by the average price of their hotels. But, while price is a great first step for choosing a hotel, we wouldn’t recommend going in blind. Always check out hotel reviews that you can trust before booking a property.

Not to toot our own horn, but we’ve been in the travel industry for 80 years, and we know a thing or two about hotels. We only accept hotel reviews from our list of trusted travelers who know what to look for when making a recommendation.

And we’re not afraid to tell you if a property isn’t great or what beaches you should avoid. But don’t just take our word for it. Check out our Hotel Reviews for yourself or talk with your knowledgable Travel Advisor.

  Meg Butler, Staff Writer for Fodor's Travel. Meg is a travel writer   with a passion for great stories, great food and even better drinks.

Here’s What You Need to Know About the Upcoming REAL ID Deadline

British Airways airline terminal at JFK airport. (photo via Heather Shimmin / iStock Editorial / Getty Images Plus) 

Update: September 10, 2019 at 9:50 a.m. ET

British Airways has announced the cancellation of almost 100 percent of Tuesday’s scheduled flights as the strike orchestrated by its pilots’ union stretched into a second day.

According to a statement from the British Airline Pilots Association (BALPA), the airline was forced to cancel nearly 850 flights Tuesday, which impacted more than 100,000 passengers.

The strike will end late Tuesday night and another day of strikes are planned for September 27.

“Pilots are standing firm and have shown just how resolute they are today,” a BALPA statement read. “British Airways needs to start listening to its pilots and actually come up with ways of resolving this dispute.” 

Pilots working for British Airways began a strike Monday that grounded nearly all of the airline’s flights and impacted thousands of passengers around the world. 

According to Reuters.com, British Airways canceled 1,700 flights to and from London’s Heathrow and Gatwick airports Monday and Tuesday as a result of the British Airline Pilots Association (BALPA) members taking action due to a dispute over pay.

Officials from British Airways said it had offered its pilots an 11.5 percent pay raise over three years, but the BALPA is fighting to include profit-sharing in the next contract. BALPA General Secretary Brian Strutton said the union was willing to compromise, but the carrier would not budge.

“I am really sorry that the cynical actions of the pilots’ union have put us in his position,” British Airways CEO Alex Cruz told BBC. “It is by all accounts an own goal; it’s going to punish customers, it’s going to punish our brand, it’s going to punish the rest of the colleagues.”

The BALPA made a last-second offer to British Airways before Monday’s strike began, but the airline said it was an “eleventh hour inflated proposal.” Union representatives said they would have called off the strike if the carrier “had engaged with the offer.”

BALPA officials said another day of industrial action is scheduled for September 27 unless a deal can be worked out.

The United Kingdom Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) is reminding impacted passengers they are eligible for reimbursement for canceled flights, alternate travel arrangements under comparable conditions or a new flight at a later date.

A new report claims airlines could be considering the idea of weighing passengers before they board flights to better estimate how much fuel is needed for each specific journey.

According to The Sun, European airlines are considering the cost-cutting measure to help save money and lower carbon emissions, as the current method of estimating fuel usage is based on the gender-weight ratio of passengers onboard. 

The current process is an inexact science that bases weight estimates on gender, with males counted as 189 pounds, females as 154 pounds and children as 77 pounds. Research shows this method results in more wasted fuel.

The company proposing the weighing system, Fuel Matrix, said airlines burn between 0.3 and 0.5 percent more fuel due to the extra weight of carrying the unnecessary fuel. By reducing the cost, carriers could save as much as $1.35 billion worldwide.

Fuel Matrix officials said the company is in negotiations with “several long-haul airlines” in the United Kingdom about the possible implementation of the weighing system. The measurements would be taken via discreet pressure pads and would remain confidential.

“Our patented technologies are relevant to both airports and airlines in reducing fuel burn, CO2 emissions and carbon footprints,” Fuel Matrix COO Nick Brasier told The Sun. “Our discussions in the sector continue to progress well, and we’ll be pleased to provide a more detailed update in the coming months.”

Sep 10, 2019 09:01 AM ET

Bobby Brown (former husband of the late Whitney Houston) was kicked off of a JetBlue flight from Los Angeles to Boston Monday morning.

A spokesperson for the airline told TMZ that the celebrity was "removed from the aircraft prior to departure after crewmembers observed indications of intoxication." 

The incident led the airline to order everyone off of the plane and police met Brown at the gate.

Witnesses said Brown admitted to drinking prior to boarding but was not being disruptive or interfering with the flight crew. He was later heard telling officers that he had to get to a funeral.

"The decision to remove a customer from a flight is not taken lightly. In this instance, the customer was offered a seat on a later flight. The customer declined and was issued a refund," JetBlue added.

The flight eventually departed without Brown about an hour behind schedule.

Delta Air Lines continues to lend a helping hand to those impacted by Hurricane Dorian by announcing two additional supply flights to the Bahamas.

The carrier will operate two relief flights Monday at 11:30 a.m. and 3:20 p.m. local time from Atlanta to Nassau and Fort Lauderdale to Marsh Harbour. The planes will be loaded with critical supplies such as cots, feminine products and water. 

Delta launched its first scheduled relief flight Sunday morning from Fort Lauderdale to Marsh Harbour Airport loaded with 4,700 pounds of critical supplies, including food, water, diapers, formula, underwear and socks.

The MD-88 plane then traveled to Nassau with 72 evacuees.

Delta was one of the first carriers to send reconnaissance flights to the region, which surveyed conditions at the Marsh Harbour Airport, which remains closed due to infrastructure damage. The airline worked with local authorities to organize relief flights to and from the island.

For travelers who want to lend a helping hand, they can donate directly to Red Cross disaster relief through the Delta microsite or by donating miles through Skywish.

PHOTO: Six-year-old Jermaine Bell of Jacksonville. (photo via Walt Disney World Resort) 

One little hero is getting a big surprise thanks to Walt Disney World Resort.

After spending more than a year saving money for his birthday trip to Florida’s Disney World, six-year-old Jermaine Bell of Jacksonville was ready for his dream vacation until Hurricane Dorian hit The Bahamas and the United States.

As Dorian made its way to the coast of South Carolina, Bell used the money he had saved to purchase hundreds of hot dogs, bags of chips and bottled water to serve free of charge to hurricane evacuees near his grandmother’s home. 

Thousands of people shared Bell's story of selflessness and kindness in the subsequent days. One of the companies to learn about the young boy’s graciousness was Disney, which decided to reward Bell for his actions.

During Bell’s seventh birthday party on September 8, Mickey Mouse and a group of Disney World cast members made a surprise visit and informed the family they would be going to Walt Disney World after all.

Disney announced the family would be treated to a VIP getaway at the vacation kingdom in late September.

PHOTO: Spirit Airlines Airbus A319. (photo courtesy of Spirit Airlines) 

Spirit Airlines has just announced the latest facet of its “Invest in the Guest” brand commitment by unveiling plans for new, more comfortable jet cabin seating that will maximize useable legroom.

The announcement was made onstage at the Airline Passenger Experience Association (APEX) EXPO. Spirit Airlines officials indicated that the carrier will share its plans for overall cabin redesign in November, which is to incorporate both updating branding and modernize the look and feel of the space.

To inform its new designs, Spirit Airlines partnered with the Charted Institute of Ergonomics and Human Factors (CIHEF) to conduct an in-depth analysis of all factors affecting passenger comfort, as well as an investigation into optimal ergonomics in aircraft seating. Factoring in guest feedback, Spirit also conducted a research study, which suggested that people’s perceptions of in-flight comfort derive largely from the amount of useable legroom available.

While “seat pitch”—defined as the space between one point on a seat and the same point on the seat in front of it—has long been the preferred measurement of comfort in cabin seating, CIHEF has pioneered a new metric, which incorporates the several elements that actually contribute to overall seat comfort.

“Pitch is an outdated industry term for measuring seat comfort, as it does not consider a range of important key factors like seatback curvature, seat width, cushion thickness, and usable space,” said Steve Barraclough, Chief Executive of the Chartered Institute of Ergonomics & Human Factors. “The ‘Usable Legroom’ metric is the distance from the center of the back of the seat cushion to the outer edges of the seat in front. We believe this metric provides a potential basis that all airlines could calculate and could offer the passenger new, evidence-based information about the potential comfort of the seat.” 

Spirit’s new seats, created by U.K.-based Acro Aircraft Seating and manufactured by HAECO Cabin Solutions—will incorporate several innovative enhancements, including softer, thicker padding, additional pre-recline and ergonomically-designed lumbar support—which ergonomic experts say will allow for a wider range of healthy postures and movements while seated.

The state-of-the-art design also provides passengers with an additional two inches of usable legroom, as compared to flatback seats of the same pitch that are currently the industry standard.

Upgraded, softer seats are designed in stylish matte-black with border-stitching in Spirit’s signature yellow, and include a full-size tray table and elevated literature pocket.

In a three-seat configuration, middle seats will gain an extra inch of width, and every seat will gain nearly an inch of pre-recline as compared to Spirit’s current seating, with exit rows gaining even more.

New seats will be made of a composite skeleton and padded with ultra-lightweight memory foam, enhancing comfort without increasing weight, and preserving the high fuel-efficiency of Spirit’s Fit Fleet.

Spirit’s improved Big Front Seats will also feature additional memory foam to provide a softer seat cushion and thigh support; and plush, ergonomic memory-foam headrest, also crafted in a sleek, Spirit-branded aesthetic.

Installation of the new seating is slated to begin in November 2019 and continue through 2020 on all new Spirit aircraft deliveries.

For more information visit Spirit.com

The Transportation Security Administration is testing a screening method that may eventually result in passengers, even those who do not have TSA PreCheck, keeping laptops in their bags. The TSA is trying out the new screening in Las Vegas and may one day expand it nationwide.

© Provided by Bankrate, LLC

On Tuesday the TSA announced that it had opened a new facility on the lower level of Terminal 3 at Las Vegas’ McCarran International Airport, part of what the agency has dubbed the Advancing the Checkpoint Environment program or ACE.

“This is a space that will allow us to assess new technology and processes,” said Jose Bonilla, the director of TSA’s Innovation Task Force, on a conference call. “It will allow us to demonstrate a unique network of capabilities without impacting their current operation.”

The regular Terminal 3 TSA checkpoints are on the building’s upper level, but the ACE facility is located downstairs. For now, only domestic passengers flying United Airlines will be able to use ACE lanes, though an airport representative said that could expand to other domestic and international airlines in the future. The checkpoint is also only open for approximately four hours a day Sunday through Thursday.

For passengers, going through ACE can mean they get to leave their laptops in their bags even if they don’t have Precheck, and also may mean a faster security screening overall, since fewer passengers will be processed through the experimental lanes than the traditional ones. Passengers who get sent to the ACE lanes — at the TSA’s discretion — will bypass the traditional checkpoints in Terminal 3.

For now, the main trials at LAS involve advanced imaging machines that use CT technology to look into your carry-on bags. The resulting images are more detailed than traditional X-ray scans, and that is why passengers may leave items in their bags. Similar machines are being tested at other airports, too, including at JFK’s Terminal 8. As ACE gets up to speed, other new technologies and procedures will likely be introduced. One of the primary purposes of the ACE facility is to allow multiple different kinds of technology and procedures to be tested in conjunction with each other.

Even in the ACE lanes, though, Bonilla said passengers currently still have to remove their liquids and take off their shoes. But, he added, that may not be the case forever: “The procedures will change as the technology evolves.”

Bonilla said that feedback from passengers who pass through the ACE lanes and the agents who manage them will be important in evaluating the new technologies being tested there, and can help the TSA decide if and how to roll new machines and procedures out more broadly.

So far, according to Bonilla, passengers seem to like the innovations that have been introduced. The ACE lanes had a “soft launch” on June 19.

“When we kicked it off, the very first two passengers that came by were a couple,” he said. “Their first question was ‘Oh my God, are you going to do this everywhere?’” Although the tests at ACE are not necessarily a precursor to new screening procedures nationwide, Bonilla said they may eventually appear at other airports.

By Zach Wichter

Unlike these 13 things airlines won't tell you (but every flier should know), your flight attendants will let you know loud and clear when you can and can't use your phone. Every airline's rules are different and constantly changing, but it's likely that at some point, someone on your flight will ask you to put your phone on airplane mode.

What is airplane mode?

Airplane mode (sometimes called "flight mode") temporarily suspends signals and WiFi, even as the rest of the device remains fully functional. So you won't be able to send or receive text messages or calls, but you can view messages that are already downloaded and access other stored information, such as your contacts, notes, games, music, and your downloaded list on your Netflix app. 

An added bonus? Switching to airplane mode will save battery power on your device. One of the biggest drains on your cell phone is the process of receiving and sending wireless signals. So switching to your phone's airplane mode the next time you're getting ready for takeoff is a very wise move. After all, if you're on a long flight, having a few extra minutes to spend reading or playing games on your phone could be a welcome advantage. 

Why is it important to turn it on before takeoff?

One of the most commonly cited reasons by airlines for the strict rule is to keep plane communications uninhibited. Our cell phones are constantly sending and receiving signals in the form of radio waves. Even when you aren't actively connecting to the Internet, or placing a phone call, your cell is looking for the nearest towers and trying to find the strongest WiFi connection. All that radio activity can minorly affect the plane's navigational and communication systems. While your phones aren't going to make the plane spontaneously stop working, or cause a crash landing, it can make the pilots' jobs a lot harder. Particularly during takeoff and landing—exactly when your pilots need to concentrate most—congestion of communication across radio waves can make it hard or even impossible for your pilots to communicate with the towers on the ground—and that's pretty important for a safe flight!

Despite airlines still citing this reason for their electronics policies, the Federal Aviation Administration made a press release stating that they would approve airlines allowing full use of cell phones during any and all phases of flight. So if it isn't for safety reasons, why do some airlines still have the policy?

David Young, Aviation Customer Service Consultant at Ideagen, has an idea of why flight attendants are really asking you to power down during takeoff. "Mobile phones are distracting," Young says. "They draw people away from paying attention to safety procedures during briefings, and the perception that you are using your phone can cause unnecessary alarm or create tensions between fellow travelers—I've witnessed it."

This reason seems particularly likely given that more and more airlines are moving toward allowing the use of mobile phones during flights. Most airlines already accept limited use of mobile phones during ground phases, and others have WiFi access during the entirety of the flight. Regardless of why the airline is asking you to make the switch to airplane mode, the smart thing to do is to follow each airline's guidelines in regards to using airplane mode or leaving your phone on as usual. And, while you're at it, avoid these other things you really shouldn't be doing on a plane. 

By Steph Simpson

No, it doesn’t mean naptime.

If you thought pilots dimmed the cabin lights before takeoff to give you some shuteye, think again. Believe it or not, the dim lighting could actually help save your life in case of a plane emergency.

The dimmed lights before taking off the runway and landing are a flight precaution used to help passengers’ eyes adjust quicker during an emergency evacuation. “Going from a brightly lit cabin environment to one that’s pitch black would require some time for our eyes to focus and see the evacuation slide,” Alice Theriault, service director for Air Canada wrote in a press statement. “Since we need to have all the seconds on our side in the event of an emergency, dimming the lights is one of many steps we take to ensure the safety of our customers.” 

Those weird speckles your eyes see as your sight adjusts to a dark place after being in a light place is called dark adaptation. If you see drifting gray spots in a lighted room, that’s something different called floaters, and here’s what you can do about them. Dark adaptation usually takes our eyes about 20 to 30 minutes to see optimally in a dark room. The brighter the lights, the longer it takes for our eyes to adjust, which is why dimming the plane lights could shorten your “dark adaptation” time since you haven’t been sitting under fluorescent bulbs all flight.

Not only do dimmer lights add valuable time to the evacuation process, it eases the strain on your eyes if you need to look outside, locate signs, or see the emergency lighting along the aisle. “It helps you remain oriented,” Patrick Smith, an airline pilot and author of Cockpit Confidential told The Telegraph. “It also makes it easier for flight attendants to assess any exterior hazards, such as fire or debris, that might interfere with an evacuation.” So next time a pilot dims the lights, just know it’s for your safety, even though it creates a soothing ambience for your takeoff into the sky.

By Ashley Lewis

© White Packert/Getty Images

You’re just about to leave for that trip you’ve been planning for ages. Everything is ready. The hotels are booked, the flights are confirmed and your itinerary is planned. But there’s this nagging feeling that you’ve forgotten something. How’s your passport doing?

For those to whom the horror of horrors occurs (“What? It expired last month!?”), FedEx now offers a service that will get you a new passport in just 24 hours.

In partnership with the service RushMyPassport, FedEx is now offering the speediest solution to the most anxiety-provoking of international travel situations.

Those who need a new passport, like yesterday, can stop into one of 2,000 FedEx locations across the country or visit FedEx’s website to register for a new document. The service includes updated passport photos, rushed new passports or renewals, children's’ passports and replacing lost, stolen or damaged passports.

“Routine passport processing can take weeks, which can mean the difference between enjoying that dream vacation you’ve spent months planning or canceling it,” Mosie Miller, CEO of RushMyPassport, said in a statement. “You also have to factor in the possibility of issues with documents you finally receive in the mail, causing further delays and even more headaches. The combined service offering of RushMyPassport and FedEx Office helps travelers overcome these issues, giving a smooth and secure way to handle passport needs.”

The service includes the ability to track the passport throughout the process, government-compliant photos and 24/7 help from passport specialists.

Although, be warned: the service does not come cheap. To process a new passport application within 24 hours, FedEx charges $449. Rushed shipping could cost $90 for inbound and outbound, according to the FedEx website. And that does not include the $170 fee from the federal government. So to get your new passport within 24 hours, you’ll likely pay about $700 for it.

Last month, the U.S. State Department increased its standard passport processing time from four to six weeks to six to eight weeks.

From Gino's Travel Agency: Check your passport now whether you are planning a trip in the next few weeks or months to see if it is still valid. Don't wait until the last minute and pay more and have a longer wait time.  

© Getty

2019 Thanksgiving Parade Vacations
Now is the time to book your clients on our fantastic vacations to view the Thanksgiving Parade in New York City! The City is decked out for the holidays and everyone, locals and visitors alike, is in a festive mood.
Our famous Thanksgiving Parade viewing parties are the BEST way to see the world's most famous parade! Choose indoor events with wide, expansive window views, or outdoor sidewalk view - either way, I want to fulfill your "bucket list" dreams as you watch the floats, balloons, bands and celebrities pass right in front of you!

Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting Party
My clients can be special guests inside Rockefeller Center at an exclusive cocktail party as the famed Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree is lit! Brasserie Ruhlmann is the location for this unique NYCVP event, just steps from the tree. You can mingle along with locals and visitors from around the world as hors d'oeuvres are passed throughout the elegant Brasserie located in the center of Rockefeller Plaza. Step outside to the private patio reserved just for this event - for a view of the Christmas Tree in all its holiday splendor.

New Year's Eve Times Square Ball Drop Vacation
Sure to be the party of a lifetime! As New Year's Eve Times Square revelers stand in the cold, shoulder to shoulder from 42nd Street all the way up to Central Park, but my clients will be overlooking them at an exclusive party right in the middle of it all–high above with a view of the city lights, the celebration and of course, the Times Square Ball Drop!
Towering 23 stories above the million or so partiers on 7th Avenue and Broadway below, you'll enjoy an open bar, hors d'oeuvres, buffet stations and desserts, DJ dance music and the view to end all views At midnight, the ball drop, fireworks and confetti will create the perfect backdrop scenery for welcoming in the New Year in Times Square. 

Are you ready for a New York kind of holiday?  It's not too late to make your reservations today. Contact Gino's Travel Agency via email: ginotravelagecy@att.net or phone: 214-274-1369.

"Lif is short, and the world is wide" 

Summer travelers beware: Washington Dulles International Airport is the most expensive airport to fly from.

According to a new study from FinanceBuzz, which involved analyzing U.S. Department of Transportation data from the 45 busiest airports, the average ticket from Dulles, otherwise known as IAD, is $427.37. 

Rounding out the top five most expensive airports in the country are Charlotte/Douglas International Airport (CLT) $425.77; Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) $413.66; Newark Liberty International Airport (IAH) 413.66 and John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) $390.20.

Pricy airports like Dulles and the others identified by the report are hubs for traditional airlines like United and American, FinanceBuzz’s Tracy Odell, vice president of content and author of the study, told TravelPulse.

“An airport like Dulles is operating a lot of higher airfare flights, but travelers will also get a bit more for their money, things like free carry-ons and seat selection," said Odell.

Together, the 45 airports studied by FinanceBuzz serve as the departure point for more than 500 million passengers annually.

The study found that McCarran Airport in Las Vegas topped the list for cheapest fares, followed by two Florida airports, Fort Lauderdale Hollywood Airport, and Orlando Airport. The average airfare from these three airports comes in under $250.

The nation's two busiest airports, meanwhile, Los Angeles (LAX) and Chicago O'Hare, fall in the middle of the pack. LAX comes in at number 29 with an average fare of $352.79 and O'Hare is number 19 on the list with a ticket price of $338.55.

The report also compares the airfare in several metro areas where travelers have a choice of three or more airports within a 70-mile radius. The results showed that costs vary widely.

Flyers who live in areas where there are multiple options and who are willing to shop around and travel a bit further to an airport from home could see substantial savings.

Even in Boston, where the report found the least discrepancy between metro airports, average fares varied by 17 percent. In Los Angeles, where there was the largest discrepancy in prices, there's a massive 73% variance between the four regional airports.

"We see that especially in metro areas where you have multiple airports to choose from, it's well worth your time to look into flights from all airports. We see a huge variance between fares even when comparing airports within an hour drive of one another,” Odell told TravelPulse.

Odell also noted that the airfares identified by the study are actually the average airfares for the airports in question all year long, not just during the summer.

In other words, when it comes to booking your flight, you'll want to do your due diligence to get the best price, Odell said. 

Finally, if you're thinking that overall none of these airfares look too bad, you're right. Average domestic air fares in 2018 were the lowest (with inflation adjustments) since the Bureau of Transportation Statistics began collecting these records in 1995.

By Mia Taylor

A few days before 45-year-old South Carolinian, Kimberly Terre, her best friend and her two elderly parents were set to take off to the Majestic Mirage Punta Cana hotel in the Dominican Republic, news outlets across the country were reporting mysterious deaths in the destination.

When Terre’s 82-year-old mother and father wanted to cancel, she called her travel agent, Vicki Briggs, owner and adviser of Briggs World Travel in Virginia, to see how she should handle the dilemma.

“She just said that she knows everything is good, but her parents are getting concerned and what do I think, and what I should say to them,” said Briggs. “I told her I just left the resort they are staying at and it's safe. It’s been safe in the past and it was safe two weeks ago when I was there.”

And that was all it took.

Once Terre relayed the message and convinced her parents the destination and the resort were safe, they continued on with their planned vacation to Punta Cana.

But not everyone is convinced the destination is safe, as a new report said ticket sales have dropped to the Dominican Republic while refunds have increased.

And that’s the difference between people who are getting their information from sensationalized news outlets and those who are getting their information from travel professionals, especially the ones who just returned from the destination like Briggs and Terre.

“We never felt unsafe at the resort,” said Terre. “We ate at all of the restaurants and never got sick. My parents even have some food issues and they were fine.”

And Terre said she is happy she trusted her travel Juanita Terre (left) and her daughter, Kimberly Terre, enjoy their recent vacation at the Majestic Mirage Punta Cana. (Photo courtesy of Kimberly Terre)

And Terre said she is happy she trusted her travel advisor over the news her and her friend were hearing in the days leading up to their trip.

“We would read the news and it just seemed sensationalized,” said Terre. “It just seemed like they were talking about a couple of different, unrelated issues and turning it into one, really big thing. And then it just seemed like people were coming out of the woodwork and saying they were there a year ago and got sick.”

But Briggs told TravelPulse she completely understood Terre’s parents’ concerns and also noted that all travelers should be concerned when they hear alarming news about a destination they are heading to, but they should get the facts from a travel consultant before panicking and canceling.

“I completely understood though,” said Briggs. “When you are 80 years old, you don’t want to put yourself in danger. But I explained that I wasn’t just at the resort before, I was there only a couple of weeks before their vacation. Saying it’s safe is one thing, but if you were just there, that’s another.”

And that’s why travel advisor Susan Collins-Peavy, owner of Susan Peavey Travel in Massachusetts, shouldn’t have a problem selling the destination since she was just there two weeks ago.

Collins-Peavy, who stayed at Casa de Campo, said it was important for her to visit the destination in order to get ahead of the panic.

“I talked to guests at the hotel and everyone was having an amazing time,” she told TravelPulse. “I ate and drank from the mini-bar and had no issues. The people in the D.R. were so welcoming. I really hope the media stops. They are really hurting the economy of this beautiful country.”

But the news is only damaging if there isn’t an agent there to separate truth from exaggeration.

Tom Varghese, owner of Travel Tom, told TravelPulse he recently had a destination wedding of 100 people at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Punta Cana. He said it was booked over a year ago, but negative Dominican Republic press started to surface just before the June 1 trip. Although no one in the party ever expressed concerns, he said other clients recently have.

And when someone expresses concern, he said he shows them statistics that show the millions of visitors who travel to the Dominican Republic every year compared to the low number of incidences.

"It is not my job to tell someone where to go, it is my job to show them the facts," Varghese said. "I'm not going to put my neck and reputation on the line by sending someone to somewhere unsafe."

Joshua Rodriguez, 37, of New York City, also did a little celebration travel in Punta Cana, recently celebrating his 37th birthday at the Grand Bahia Principe Punta Cana with his girlfriend. He said he was never concerned before, during or after his trip.

And it’s not a coincidence he too used a travel advisor.

“Our experience was great. It’s a beautiful island,” he told TravelPulse. “Just err on the side of caution. Just don’t do anything you don’t want to do, anything that doesn’t feel safe. Always have a cautious mind. I would certainly go back to Punta Cana and I would stay at the same resort again.”

And since pesticide poisoning is one theory being thrown out there by the media for the cause of death of a couple staying at the Bahia Principe resort around late May, we asked Rodriguez if he saw any unusual spraying at the hotel. After all, although Rodriguez wasn’t staying at the same exact hotel, he was staying at the same brand, Bahia Principe.

“I didn’t see tons of spraying or anything,” he said. “We definitely saw the grounds crew maintaining everything, and spraying bushes and flowers, but not on an everyday basis. I’ve been telling people I’m sure things do happen and I’m not sure what the reason is, but we recently went there and neither of us got sick.”

And travelers like Rodriguez and Terre, who continue to spread the word of Punta Cana’s safety, are the ones that will eventually help defuse a lot of the unwarranted panic, said Briggs.

“It makes my job easier having clients like [Terre]. Clients like that value an agent’s opinion," she said. "At first, maybe some clients are scared off, but then they talk to a travel agent and realize a lot of it is hysteria."

Travel advisors contacted this week by TravelPulse confirmed a segment of their clients are opting for other Caribbean vacation destinations in lieu of visiting the Dominican Republic. The reports follow news that bookings for Bahamas, Jamaica and Aruba increased significantly between June 1 and 19, as coverage of recent visitor deaths spiked.

During the June period, Dominican Republic flight cancellations were up 45 percent year-over-year while Dominican Republic bookings declined by 74.3 percent, according to travel research firm Forward Keys.

“I do have a client who was initially looking at anything in the Caribbean and opted to go to Jamaica instead of the Dominican Republic,” said Silver Spring, MD-based travel agent Katherine Brooks. “Some say [Dominican Republic travel] doesn't bother them, [while] others say they're avoiding that country like a plague,” she added.

“I have clients that are scared by all of the hype,” said Bella Vista, AR-based travel agent Steve Rosenthal. “One, in particular, decided to change to Costa Rica.” "[Clients are concerned, said Diane McClelland, a Hamilotn, Canada-based agent. "I had ne family of five wanting to cancel thier all-inclusive [resort stay] for end of July but could not afford the supplier cancellation penalty at this point. They decided to go but said they "hope we come back safe."  

“I have a group of 10 going in November and they just requested to change their destination,” said Agusta, Ga.-based agent Edkesha Anderson. “Nothing I've told has made them feel comfortable about continuing their trip even though their resort has no connection to any of the events.”

Online travel retailers have also reported shifts from the Dominican Republic to other destinations. “For our travelers that have decided to change their vacation plans, we are seeing an uptick into Jamaica, Aruba, Turks and Caicos, and other smaller Caribbean islands,” said Bud Finlaw, CEO of BookIt.com, in a CNBC report. 

Still, Rosenthal said vacationers his firm recently booked on Dominican vacations have reported no problems. “I saw a post by one of our other owners that her clients returned from the DR last week. They had a great time and loved it!”

Other recent Dominican Republic travelers reported similar experiences. Theresa Hardin of Edison, N.J., who returned last week from the CHIC Punta Cana resort, said “I felt more safe at that resort than I've been feeling lately at home. There were absolutely zero instances or circumstances that I felt were dangerous or threatening.”

However, Hardin said the media reports’ impact on some guests were clear. “I never feared drinking the alcohol or water [but] you can tell some people were nervous,” she said. “Several of the people in our group purchased their own alcohol and refused to drink any liquor from the resort. No one drank liquor from mini-bar in [the] room. I didn’t but not because I didn’t feel safe. I (just) didn’t like what they offered.” 

“This was the first time my husband and I have been to the Dominican Republic,” said Donna Balkovic of Manasquan, N.J., who stayed at the Sanctuary in Cap Cana resort from June 8 to June 15. “Despite the bad press of recent events, we had a fabulous time.”

Ironically as Rosenthal points out, “It seems that every year there is a scare about a different destination in the area. Last year it was Mexico is dangerous, before that, it was Jamaica.”

Yet with results from an FBI-assisted Dominican government investigation of the deaths not yet available, the country may continue to experience the impact of negative consumer perceptions beyond the summer travel season.

“We have high certainty [the deaths] will negatively impact visitation to the DR,” said Patrick Scholes, managing director, lodging and leisure equity research at financial firm SunTrust Robinson Humphrey.

By Brian Major

Note from Gino's Travel Agency - We have booked the DR  in recent months and do not recommend anyone cancel their vacation trip there. This is your vacation and if you don't feel comfortable traveling to the DR at this time, remember, there is a whole lotta world out there. Terry L. Branch, Travel Advisor

PHOTO: Aerial view of the beach in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. (photo via aero-pictures.de/iStock/Getty Images Plus)

After watching bookings to the island drop by more than 80 percent, the Dominican Republic is finally starting to see a modest bounce-back.

The Caribbean nation has been plagued for more than a month by the mysterious deaths of numerous tourists, many of them Americans who comprise the bulk of travelers to the island.

A report by ForwardKeys, a Valencia, Spain-based company which analyzes more than 17 million flight bookings a day, shows that cancellations to the D.R. are slowing.

From April 1 of this year to May 31, just before the crisis hit, bookings to the Dominican Republic were up 2.8 percent compared to the same time period last year. By June 16, which ForwardKeys determined was the start of extensive media coverage of the unexplained deaths, bookings were down 56.8 percent. By June 25, the date of the last reported death, bookings were down 143 percent compared to last year.

“The deaths of US citizens which occurred around the end of May and early June triggered an avalanche of media interest and speculation,” Olivier Ponti, VP Insights, ForwardKeys, said in a statement. “That kind of attention was bound to put some holidaymakers off and indeed that is what we saw.”

While trips to the D.R were down, bookings to other Caribbean island nations were up. There was an increase in trips to Jamaica by 54.3 percent between June 17 and June 25, 45.3 percent to the Bahamas and 49.9 percent to Aruba.

But from June 26 to July 2, bookings were still down to the Dominican Republic but dropped dramatically from that 143 percent figure to 72.5 percent, suggesting that bookings are slowly starting to come back.

“I am greatly relieved for the Dominican Republic that the crisis in confidence appears to be abating and I am hopeful that it will be relatively short-lived,” Ponti said, “particularly if there are no more deaths and if the current FBI investigation establishes a clear cause of death in each case and none of the causes was sinister.”

By Rich Thomasilli

Travelers are beginning to grow concerned about the quality of their beach vacations. More and more frequently, reports of seaweed-covered beaches are worrying vacationers headed to Caribbean and Central American countries.

Ana Mari Irabien, public relations director for AHRM, explained that the problem is regional and ongoing and one of the reasons for its continuation is climate change but that resorts are taking many measures to combat the buildup of seaweed.

Resorts take extreme measures to control the onslaught of sargassum that can overwhelm beaches in the region and the problem continues to grow. However, sargassum isn't something that happens on a daily basis. It is key for visitors to understand that it is not every day or every beach, which has prompted the hashtag #NiTodosLosDiasNiEnTodasLasPlayas to trend.

“Sargasso is a regional problem that affects not only Mexico but the entire area of the Caribbean and the coast of Central America, as well the South Florida coast,” said Irabien.

The hotel industry doesn’t expect the situation to subside anytime soon and so they have developed both short- and long-term strategies to address the issue so that guests have the best possible experience at resorts throughout the region.

“Five years ago, as this problem was beginning, the tourist industry (mainly hoteliers) hired additional staff to carry out the harvesting of the Sargasso on the beach,” said Irabien. “As the problem has been increasing, some companies have resorted to buying specialized machinery to collect seaweed on the beaches as it is manually a very heavy job".

The solution of harvesting has been effective, but the seaweed removal has caused other problems such as erosion to occur and therefore capturing the sargassum before it reaches the shore is a method many resorts are turning to.

PHOTO: Workers remove Sargassum seaweed from beach in Riviera Maya, Mexico. (photo via Shaun Taylor / iStock Editorial / Getty Images Plus)

By Janeen Christoff

© Royal Caribbean International Independence of the seas, cruise ship, ship, seas

Some travel-related businesses are quick to admit a mistake when it comes to purchases, but few are so funny and self-deprecating as Royal Caribbean was this week in not only owning up to a glitch but not punishing its passengers in the process.

For nine-and-a-half hours on Monday, July 1, Royal Caribbean guests were able to sign up for an all-you-can-drink package for just $18 a day on their respective cruises.

That’s almost $40 cheaper than it normally is.

Royal Caribbean quickly moved to say it was their fault in a tongue-in-cheek note to guests.

“Dear Guest,

Well, this round’s on us.

On Monday, July 1st, 2019, from 4:00 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. EST, we posted incorrect pricing of $18 USD per person, per day, for Deluxe Beverage Packages. Given that we typically price these packages at about $55 USD per person, it was the (messed up) deal of the century.

This was a BIG mistake! It might have been bad code, a random computer glitch — or maybe we just need to reinstate our intern typing test.

Any which way, it was our error, and we’ll own it. Enjoy your deep, deep discount — while we go drown our sorrows.

Happy 4th of July!"

Royal Caribbean honored the drink package for however long the guest purchased it.

According to a survey of more than 500 travel advisors within TRAVELSAVERS, an international travel marketing organization with a retail chain of more than 2,500 independently owned travel agencies, the summer travel season will see an increase of jetsetters using travel advisors for the first time.

“Travel advisors are hot this summer with more than 50 percent of respondents seeing an uptick in clients utilizing an advisor for the first time,” says Nicole Mazza, chief marketing officer for TRAVELSAVERS. “And this should be no surprise as travelers continue to seek meaningful, curated itineraries that often go beyond the traditional travel elements and delve into personalized moments that require the expertise only an advisor can offer.”

The latest trends for summer travel according to TRAVELSAVERS include:

More Spending This Season: In addition to a bump in first-time clients, nearly 75 percent say that budgets are as good or better than 2018. “2019 began with some, fortunately, unwarranted trepidation as customers watched and waited before booking,” says Mazza. “But nearly halfway through the year, we see the summer travel season is here and as strong as ever.”

Heading to Europe: While destinations in the U.S., particularly Alaska, Florida and California, are popular this summer, there is no denying that Europe is king with nearly 70 percent of advisors planning trips to the continent. “There’s no doubt that Europe is surging right now with more than 60 percent of respondents developing itineraries focused on cultural pursuits for their clients,” says Mazza. “Tried and true favorites Ireland, Italy and France dominate the top three destinations this season.”

Going Beyond the Traditional: In addition to the more “traditional” portions of the itinerary such as the hotel, tours and flights, travel advisors are being called upon to handle elements that not only enhance the trip, but also make their clients’ lives easier at home. Nearly 10 percent of advisors say that they’ve been asked to arrange pet sitting services, with another 10 percent citing grocery shopping on their list of requests from clients this summer. This is in addition to the nearly 65 percent who have been called upon to get coveted restaurant reservations and the nearly 20 percent being asked to book wellness and beauty appointments for their clients.

Personalized Journeys: Guided vacations and cruising, two of the top five trends for 2019, according to TRAVELSAVERS, continue to be strong for summer, according to 20 percent and 24 percent of respondents, respectively. But the front-runner this season is FIT, with nearly 50 percent of the results. “Personalized journeys make sense for summer when travelers tend to have more time to linger and explore and often are doing so as a larger family group,” says Mazza. “Let’s face it—there’s no right or wrong way to travel this season. But whether someone has three days or three weeks, a travel advisor’s role is to craft an experience that makes the most of each moment.”

Sharing Gratitude with Travel Advisors: Ending on a positive note, quite literally, the survey found that 93 percent of travel advisors cite repeat business this summer from former clients and a majority (67 percent) even receive thank you cards from their clients upon return from their trip. “It is clear why advisors are seeing a spike in repeat business and new clients,” says Mazza. “Travelers are simply delighted by the results.”

By James Shillinglaw

The Passport Services agency of the United States Department of State has increased the processing time for international travelers to as long as eight weeks.

 

 

According to The Washington Post, the agency said it would now take between six and eight weeks to successfully process a passport application, a 50 percent increase from the four-to-six wait time experienced before May 31.

State Department officials said it offers an expedited processing service for an additional $60, which speeds up the arrival time of passports to between two and three weeks. While officials declined to comment on the long wait times when asked by The Post, the State Department did indicate short-staffing was to blame.

U.S. President Donald Trump and his administration “requested a 2.5 percent increase in airport checkpoint screeners for fiscal 2020,” according to The Post. The increase in employees would help with the forecasted rise in travelers.

Despite the record number of passports and passport cards delivered each of the last two years, the number of passport specialists employed by the government has dropped by 14 percent.

By Donald Wood

Now, union leaders are complaining about mandatory overtime hours as a result.

“To address high passport workload levels this summer, the Department is leveraging all available resources to ensure processing times do not rise further and that they return to lower levels by September,” a State Department official who declined to be named told The Post.

To apply or re-apply visit https://www.usa.gov/passport

by Janeen Christoff

Let the good times roll on Norwegian Getaway, the newest ship to sail from the Crescent City. Get jazzed over her 25 dining options, amazing Broadway shows including Million Dollar Quartet and open-air restaurants, bars & lounges and breathtaking views along The Waterfront. What’s more, she features a stop at Harvest Caye, The Caribbean’s premier resort-style destination.

Let Gino's Travel Agency book you on a 5-, 7- or 9-day Western Caribbean cruise — and help you take it easy from the Big Easy.

Itineraries available November 2019 - April 2020

The final season of “Game of Thrones” is in full swing and whether the fans’ favorite character wins the throne or not, the end of the series is sure to deal an emotional blow to those who have followed the series for years. For the diehard “Game of Thrones” fan on your client list, ease the pain of withdrawal with a trip to some of the show’s film locations, which span from Iceland and Ireland to Malta, Croatia, and beyond.

Where It All Started
While all seasons of “Game of Thrones” were filmed in multiple countries to account for the various climates and landscapes of the show’s Seven Kingdoms, some of the most recognizable locations from the season that started it all can be found in Malta. Travelers in Malta can keep an eye out for the gardens of Kings Landing, the Red Waste, the Tower of the Hand, the Stables, Maegor’s Holdfast, the Red Keep, Cobblers Square, The Street of Steel, Baelish Brothels, Coppersmith’s Wynd, King’s Gate, King’s Square, and the village of Lhazar.

Fans who would like a more guided visit to these filming locations can opt for one of several GoT-themed tours offered throughout the country. Malta Film Tours, for example, offers a tour that visits several of the locations mentioned above, while also giving fans exclusive access to film sites that would be otherwise inaccessible. On the tour, guests will be guided by local actors who took part in season one of HBO’s hit series as they entertain the group with behind-the-scenes secrets and stories.

Pricing for this group tour starts at about $65 pp with options for private tours also available. For more information, contact Gino's Travel Agency.

The Seven Kingdoms by Sea
Thanks to Variety Cruises, the Ironborn aren’t the only ones who can explore the Seven Kingdoms by sea. The boutique small ship cruise line offers GoT devotees a way to explore Croatia, Iceland, and Spain on three different itineraries that sail to some of the most iconic filming locations in these countries.

Sailing on the Adriatic Sea, Variety Cruises offers the Dalmatian Coast: Croatia and Montenegro itinerary with  sailings departing June 7, 2019 through Aug. 21, 2020 and the Tales of Croatia, Montenegro, Albania & Greece with departures scheduled May 31, 2019 through Sept. 11, 2020. Both itineraries include two days to explore Dubrovnik, which served as the main filming location in Croatia for King’s Landing. The cruise also includes a day in Split, a town on Croatia’s Dalmatian Coast, known for its beaches and the fortress like complex at its center, another GoT film location in Croatia. The medieval fortress Klis was featured in season four when Daenerys Targaryen and her army marched towards Meereen to free the slaves. The streets of Meereen were shot both on Klis Fortress and in Diocletian’s Palace in Split.

Travelers can head “North of the Wall” to Iceland for Variety Cruises’ The Iceland Saga itinerary, which includes many recognizable GoT locations featured throughout all eight seasons. Visit Grundafjordur, a quintessential Icelandic town with an optional excursion of the Snaefellsnes Peninsula. This small fishing village lies next to Mt. Kirkjufell, or “Church Mountain,” known in the Game of Thrones world as the mountain shaped like an arrowhead. The mountain is pictured in season seven when Jon Snow and his gang head north of the wall to find the army of the dead, while the Skogafoss waterfall was used in the first episode of season eight. This Iceland itinerary sails June 8- Sept. 14, 2019.

In addition, guests on The Glories of Spain & Portugal will head to Seville, Spain, where they’ll find the fictional world of Dorne as the city’s Real Alcazar was the filming location for Water Gardens and Royal Palace of Dorne featured in seasons five and six. This itinerary is available June 8, 2019 through Sept. 11, 2020.

Overland Explorations
With no dragons or ships in sight, your client’s next option is to explore Westeros by land, and CIE Tours International is offering several itineraries that will allow GoT fans to do exactly that. These land tours traverse Ireland and Iceland, which were both heavily featured throughout all eight seasons of the show. With the Northern Welcome itinerary, travelers start at the Glens of Antrim—known as the Dothraki Sea on the show—where fans can look out at the Causeway Coast and imagine it filled with the nomadic Dothraki people and their fierce warriors. Fans will also recognize the site for the fatal scene where Ned Stark beheads the traitor from the Nights Watch. Other tour highlights include a trip to The Giant’s Causeway and Belfast, with its Victorian architecture and Titanic Belfast; plus a stop in Dublin, which includes a visit to the Glasnevin Cemetery Museum, Ireland’s national necropolis.

On the 14-day Jewels of Ireland itinerary, travelers can learn to “pay the iron price” at Ballintoy, site of the fictional Iron Islands, which is home to House Greyjoy. More photogenic destinations follow, including The Dingle Peninsula’s Slea Head Drive, the Cliffs of Moher, rising 700 ft. from the Atlantic, and Slieve League, Europe’s highest sea cliffs. Meanwhile, guests can head further north for the Taste of Iceland itinerary, where travelers can venture through Thingvellir National Park—known in GoT world as the Eyrie where Arya Stark traveled with The Hound. Next, life Beyond the Wall begins in Skaftafell National Park. The area’s wintery landscape will immediately be recognized as home to the Night’s Watch, Wildlings and the white walkers.

For more information, contact Gino's Travel Agency or visit cietours.com.

In honor of the series’ final season, Zicasso has also launched a new itinerary—The Ultimate Game of Thrones Series Finale Tour—which takes travelers on a 15-day journey to filming locations in Croatia, Spain, and Morocco; get the details contact Gino's Travel Agency.

PHOTO: Cruise passengers at the pool onboard Norwegian Sky (photo by Lauren Bowman)

Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) released the latest global cruise passenger statistics and results show that cruise travel continues to grow.

Cruising plays a significant role in the global travel market, increasing 7 percent from 2017 to 2018 with 28.5 million passengers. Importantly, the North American market also continues to grow with a passenger increase of 9 percent (14.2 million passengers) in 2018.

The cruise sector represents 2 percent of the overall global travel industry and is on pace with international tourism worldwide. In fact, according to the UNWTO World Tourism Barometer, international tourism arrivals were up 6 percent in 2018 while cruise travel grew 7 percent.

“It is not surprising that cruise travel is on par with overall international tourism growth. Cruising makes international travel accessible for travelers worldwide and it is apparent in the 2018 CLIA global passenger findings,” said Kelly Craighead, president and CEO, CLIA. “From a renewed interest in cruises to the Mediterranean to a significant increase in adventure cruising, travelers are embracing cruise travel more than ever before.”

—The Mediterranean is growing in popularity, survey results show. There was an 8 percent increase from 2017 to 2018, totaling more than 4 million cruise passengers in the region.

—Passengers are also looking for shorter cruises. Seven-day cruise itineraries are up 9 percent while three-day and under cruises are also up 10 percent in 2018, according to the survey.

—The Caribbean has already bounced back. The latest insights reveal travel to the islands is still in full swing. An impressive 11.3 million cruise passengers traveled to the Caribbean in 2018 an annual increase of 6 percent, according to CLIA’s research.

—Interest in Alaska has grown by double digits, with a year-over-year 17 percent increase in passengers in 2017 and another 13 percent increase in 2018. More than 1 million cruisers traveled to the state.

—Asia’s growth was more moderate after several years of intense interest. Last year saw growth of 5 percent with 4.2 million cruise passengers.

North America Cruise Passenger Insights

—North America passenger growth outpaced global cruise passenger growth, showing an increase of 9 percent from 2017 with 14.2 million in 2018.

—U.S. passengers are also increasingly interested in traveling to the Mediterranean. More than 700,000 passengers came from North America up 29 percent from the previous year, according to CLIA.

—There was continued growth in cruising to the Caribbean, Bahamas and Bermuda from North American travelers. Passenger numbers were up 7 percent to 9.8 million passengers in 2018.

—Interest in Alaska by North American cruise passengers is in line with global growth. 906,019 cruise passengers traveled to Alaska in 2018, increasing 14 percent from 2017.

—Growing North America destinations include 906,019 cruise passengers increasing to 14 percent from 2017, according to the CLIA study.

PHOTO: Bourbon Street, New Orleans (photo courtesy Kruck20/iStock/Getty Images Plus) 

New Orleans celebrated its 300th Anniversary last year, but the festivities are still ongoing in 2019, which will be full of exciting new developments and uniquely New Orleans events.

“New Orleans is known for its rich history and traditions, but new developments are constantly propelling the city forward,” said Olivia Celata, advertising manager for New Orleans and Company. “In 2019, we are welcoming a new airport, culinary institute, cocktail museum and more. Come visit to see what’s new in New Orleans.”

One of the most exciting new developments for visitors is sure to be the new culinary institute.

“The New Orleans Culinary & Hospitality Institute (NOCHI) officially launched its inaugural culinary class in January 2019,” said Celata. “A range of enthusiast classes will be offered to locals and visitors alike for those passionate about food, wine and cocktails and those looking to improve their skills.”

Visitors should definitely bring their appetites when traveling to New Orleans. The city is home to some of the world’s top chefs and cuisine.

“Founded by the French, the city of New Orleans boasts some of the finest French restaurants in the world,” noted Celata. “Steps from the French Quarter, French Brasserie Couvant recently opened in the Eliza Jane Hotel, serving simple brasserie fare with relevant renditions of iconic French dishes. The restaurant also features a six-seat raw bar.”

The Big Easy is also welcoming a new airport terminal, adding convenience to arriving and departing the city. The Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport is on track to open the new 972,000-square-foot facility on May 15, 2019.

“This new, world-class terminal complex will completely replace the current facility,” said Celata.

The $1 billion project includes in-line baggage screening, a consolidated security checkpoint to three concourses and 35 gates, and a 2,200-car parking garage. Food and beverage concessions and retail stores will feature a mix of local brands representative of Louisiana and New Orleans as well as national brands that appeal to both the local and visiting passengers, including Shake Shack, Cafe du Monde and Emeril’s Table, Celata said.

In addition to a new, high-tech airport terminal, unique new properties, as well as restored historic hotels, will welcome guests this year, including Hotel Peter & Paul, a boutique hotel and event space that occupies a schoolhouse, church, convent and rectory.

“The architecture and design are deeply connected to its past. Whether you're a guest of the hotel or not, stop by The Elysian Bar within Hotel Peter & Paul for savory small plates influenced by Southern staples and craft cocktails,” said Celata.

Travelers can also stay at the new Higgins Hotel & Conference Center in fall of 2019, which will open by The National World War II Museum.

“This luxury hotel, located on the museum’s campus in the Arts/Warehouse District, will feature 230 guestrooms, conference and event space, restaurants and a rooftop bar,” Celata explained.

New activities will also be available to visitors, starting with the relocated Louisiana Children’s Museum, which is moving to New Orleans City Park in the late summer. The building is Silver LEED certified and has indoor and outdoor environmental elements, including sensory and edible gardens, a floating classroom and a restored interpretive wetlands area.

“The Louisiana Children’s Museum has also partnered with a local restaurant group, Dickie Brennan & Co., for an onsite full-service cafe, Acorn,” said Celata.

Children will surely be enthralled by the updated museum, but adults have not been forgotten. Opening in the fall is Sazerac House, which explores the spirited culture of the Big Easy. The building stands proudly at the corner of Canal and Magazine and is just a short stroll from the original 1850s era Sazerac Coffeehouse.

“Discover the methods used in distilling Sazerac Rye Whiskey, take part in handcrafting world famous Peychaud’s Bitters, learn about the enchanting tale of rum, and master the art of making America’s original cocktail-the Sazerac,” said Celata.

While major celebrations for the 300th anniversary of the city have passed, that doesn’t mean the festive spirit has left the city. Far from it.

“There are more than 130 festivals to enjoy in New Orleans,” said Celata. “On average, that's a festival every 3 days. Celebrate everything from oysters to literary legends to art galleries to blues music. Mardi Gras is our most talked about celebration, but every spring, French Quarter Fest and New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival bring hundreds of thousands of visitors and locals to the festival grounds. There is never a bad time to visit New Orleans.”

This year is a special milestone for one of the city’s most popular festivals. The 50th annual New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival will take place April 25-28, and the following weekend, May 2-5, 2019. Headliners of the 2019 festival include Dave Matthews Band, Katy Perry, Santana, Pitbull, Van Morrison, Al Green, Jimmy Buffet and many more.

The British Virgin Islands are back—and packed with reasons to visit this year, from dreamy new digs to the expansion of an already legendary sailing scene (first-timers: this is an ideal place to get your feet wet). And with increased air service between San Juan and Tortola, traveling here has gotten easier than ever.

So whether you’re all about the #saltlife, or an avowed landlubber—or you fall somewhere between the two on the Caribbean fun spectrum—the surf and turf adventures in these 60 islands, cays and islets are calling. Loud. Read on to see what we mean, then start planning your trip.

Land whoa! There's been a serious hotel renaissance.

Even if you’ve been to the BVI before, there are new reasons to give the islands’ iconic resorts a fresh look. On Anegada, for example—the only inhabited coral island in the BVI—the Anegada Beach Club recently debuted brand-new glamping accommodations called palapas: breezy, thatched-roof bungalows that rise from the dunes on stilts. Request one with incredible sea vistas... most therapeutically viewed from the hammock on your patio. Though the onsite restaurant always offers lobster, among other local delicacies, the hotel can just as easily arrange a complimentary shuttle to Anegada’s iconic Lobster Trap restaurant, where the toes-in-the-sand dining is an Anegada rite of passage.

Private island more your speed? Head to Scrub Island Resort, Spa & Marina, where you'll find ten lavish new guest villas with—among other amenities—walk-in rain showers, soaking tubs, plunge or infinity pools, gourmet kitchens (think Wolf ranges, Sub-Zero fridges and if you'd like, a private chef). The hotel’s existing guest rooms and suites also got a refresh, as did the house restaurant, Donovan’s Reef Marina Bar & Grill—now one of the best places to taste the island (try the coconut shrimp or yellowfin tuna with jerk butter sauce). 

Another legendary BVI address with suite new upgrades: Oil Nut Bay on Virgin Gorda’s eastern tip, where the new Bay Suites—complete with luxe soaking tubs, outdoor showers and Caribbean views for days—are tucked into a hillside next to a freshwater pond.  

If you lean green, head to Guana Island. Surrounded by seven white sand beaches on its own island, the 850-acre eco-resort is famed for its organic orchard, among other things. The greenhouses are newly expanded and make for a great tour—you'll love seeing where the tropical bounty you've been feasting on comes from.

Of course, you can’t dish about the BVI without mentioning Sir Richard Branson and his swank Necker Island. The property’s Bali Hai complex has been rebuilt with an extended pool and outdoor lounge—and private plunge pools have been added to each of the island's individual houses. The Great House—Necker Island’s social nexus, with its wraparound terrace and hammocks—has two brand-new rooms. And though the resort is usually available for buy-outs only (that is, you and your crew have the run of the place), several “Celebration Weeks” throughout the year open individual rooms to booking for seven-night stays. And even if you don’t have the island to yourself, you will have 74 lush acres at your doorstep, where there are plenty of quiet sunbathing spots to seek out when you're not gawking at the lemurs and flamingos at the onsite Wildlife Preserve or hiking the extensive nature trails.

Though any resort you choose will have plenty to keep you busy, don't leave without exploring the off-campus offerings, too: Zipline over Road Town Harbor and take in views of St. Croix on the Original Virgin Canopy Tour, horseback ride along the remote beaches of Anegada with Francis Family Farms—or check out Tortola's locally-grown island goodness (think passion fruit or rare red bananas) at Good Moon Farm. 

Just add water

All BVI itineraries eventually lead to The Baths National Park—a stunning collection of immense granite boulders at the water's edge on Virgin Gorda. It’s pure tropical island fantasy to follow the series of boardwalks and ropes through the rocks, where you'll duck into narrow pools for a swim and, of course, the perfect Insta moment. Your best bet for the latter: the Cathedral—a shallow pool between the boulders where daylight streams down in magical rays.

Or try an alternative experience: Sealingo Watersports' glass-bottom kayak tours, which take you along two miles of gorgeous coastline until you arrive at The Baths. Getting the full picture of the place at once—that is, looking at the marine life through the kayak floor and the granite stones at eye level—is otherworldly. 

If you have your scuba diving certification, you’ll want to strap on the tanks to dive one of the most famous wrecks in the Caribbean: the RMS Rhone, a former royal mail ship, which sank in a hurricane in 1867 and rests in about 90 feet of water off Salt Island. The wreckage is covered in thick corals and fish life and is part of  the first and only Marine National Park in the BVI. Off Norman Island, Santa Monica Rock is a huge underwater pinnacle known for its reliably clear waters and frequent appearances by sea turtles, reef sharks and perhaps even eagle rays. And for a dive site that combines art, ocean conservation and history, don’t miss the new BVI Art Reef off Virgin Gorda, where a large-scale sculpture of Kraken is attached to the Kodiak Queen, a World War II ship-turned-artificial reef that was purpose-sunk here.

If snorkeling is more your speed, head to the Indians off Norman Island, where pinnacles that rise from the ocean floor attract clouds of damsel fish, wrasse and bar jacks. The Caves is another easy access site where you can swim through shoreline caves so thick with iridescent minnows, you’ll swear you’re inside a glitter bomb.

Set sail

With a rep as one of the best sailing destinations thanks to the islands’ lily pad-proximity to each other, the BVI also offers easy line-of-sight sailing (read: you can see your next port of call without needing to use navigation maps) so you don’t have to be a super-experienced sailor to have a proper adventure in these parts. But if you don't want to go bareboat (meaning, you're the crew), you have plenty of reasonable options, too. 

Dream Yacht Charters, with new and improved offerings on Scrub Island, has some of the most affordable options: Seven-night charters (with someone else captaining for you) start at around $1,300 per person. The Moorings' expanded fleet ranges from sailboats and power catamarans to all-inclusive crewed yachts. And if a day trip sounds more your wind speed, Aristocat Charters can give you a taste of the sailing life on shared and private cruises from several locations. You'll stop for snorkeling and paddle-boarding—and considering the free-flowing Dark and Stormy cocktails and rum punch—rest assured your captain will be the one to steer you safely back to port.

By Camille Lamb Guzman                                                           In partnership with: 

Southwest Airlines, which has faced widespread customer wrath for its handling of flight cancellations since the grounding of the Boeing 737 Max last month, said late Thursday that it is removing Max 8 flights from its schedule into early August. 

The move means the airline will cancel 160 daily Max-related flights into the peak summer travel season. The airline, which has more Max 8s in its fleet than any other U.S. carrier, had previously taken the plane out of its schedule through June 7.

Southwest President Tom Nealon announced the extension in a letter to customers posted on the airline's website.

"While the timing for the return to service of the MAX remains unclear, what is very clear is our commitment to operate a reliable schedule and provide the famous customer service you expect from us,'' Nealon said in the letter. "Our revised summer schedule allows us to accomplish those objectives.''

Nealon said the changes are designed to increase the reliability of Southwest's flight schedule and reduce the number of last-minute flight changes during the busy summer travel season. Travelers have blasted the airline's last-minute cancellations and limited rebooking options during the busy spring break travel season.

Nealon apologized in his letter to customers, the first time a Southwest executive has publicly acknowledged issues caused by the usually beloved airline's handling of the Max 8 cancellations.

"While the vast majority of our customers’ itineraries have remained unaffected, flight schedule changes have inconvenienced some of our valued customers, and for that, I offer my sincerest apologies,'' he said.

Nealon said the "limited number'' of travelers who have already booked their summer travel on Southwest will be notified so they can rebook their flights well in advance, giving them more options. Southwest has now taken the Max 8 out of its schedule longer than any U.S. airline operating the plane that was involved in two fatal crashes in five months. That led to FAA grounding of the planes on March 13. Southwest and American operate the Max 8, United the Max 9 model. United has 14 Max 9s.

Royal Caribbean customers are learning Oasis of the Seas will not be sailing out of Port Canaveral on three dates in April after damage caused by a crane in the Bahamas.

Sail dates for April 7, 14, and 21 have been canceled, Royal Caribbean told customers via Twitter.

Royal Caribbean officials have been assessing possible damage to the Oasis of the Seas, one of the world's largest cruise ships, after a crane apparently slammed into the vessel as it sat in dry dock in Freeport Monday.

Shipyard management reported eight people were injured when the massive crane struck the ship earlier this week, Royal Caribbean reported. None of the injuries were life-threatening, the cruise line said in a statement. 

The ship, which had been based at Port Canaveral,  was undergoing routine maintenance on Grand Bahama Island, Royal Caribbean officials reported.  

The cruise line told customers anyone scheduled to go on the canceled trips will get a full refund, along with a 100 percent future cruise certificate to apply toward a different sail date.

Corrections & Clarifications: This story has been updated to reflect the dry dock location of the cruise ship and the name of the ship yard.

Royal Caribbean officials are assessing possible damage to the Oasis-of-the-Seas, one of the world's largest cruise ships, after a crane apparently slammed into the vessel as it sat in dry dock in Freeport, Grand Bahama.

Shipyard management reported that eight people were injured when the massive crane struck the ship, Royal Caribbean reported. None of the injuries were life-threatening, the cruise line said in a statement. 

The ship — which had been based at Port Canaveral — was undergoing routine maintenance on Grand Bahama Island, Royal Caribbean officials reported.  

It was not immediately known if there were any injuries or how much damage was done to the ship by the heavy shipyard crane. 

The 6,300-passenger ship was in dry dock when the accident happened about 1:45 p.m. at the Grand Bahamas Shipyard. It was not immediately known if the accident will impact the ship's upcoming schedule. 

Editor’s note: This story has been updated since its original publication to reflect that Casey Holladay’s lawsuit against Royal Caribbean seeks $10 million in compensatory and punitive damages.

Royal Caribbean is temporarily closing down its "Sky Pad" feature on two of its cruise ships in the wake of a recent lawsuit.

The Sky Pad is a bungee-attached trampoline activity that can be paired with virtual reality headsets.

"As part of our commitment to safety, we are temporarily taking Sky Pad out of service on Mariner of Seas and Independence of the Seas," the cruise line said in response to a question from USA TODAY on Twitter.

USA TODAY has reached out to Royal Caribbean for further details.

The move comes after the cruise line was sued by Casey Holladay, 26. Holladay's attorney, Brett Rivkind, told USA TODAY Holladay is seeking $10 million in damages.

According to the suit, Holladay says he was on a weekend cruise to the Bahamas on the Mariner of the Seas in February when he plunged to the ship's deck after the harness he was fastened to disconnected while he was 20 feet in the air. The lawsuit was filed in U.S. District Court in Miami on March 12.

The suit states the activity was located on the 13th deck of the cruise ship, which has a hard surface with no padding or safety nets surrounding it.

Contributing: Fran Golden; Sara Moniuszko, USA TODAY

By   James Shillinglaw

By   James Shillinglaw,  Apr 01, 2019

Norwegian Cruise Line last week celebrated the end of Norwegian Bliss’ Caribbean season as well as her return to the West Coast for a summer of Mexican Riviera and Alaska cruising beginning April 14, 2019. The ship departed on Saturday, March 30 for the West Coast and will cross through the Panama Canal, returning to Los Angeles for Mexican Riviera sailings throughout April before joining sister ship Norwegian Joy in Seattle for a summer of Alaska cruising. Both ships are the largest to homeport on the West Coast and will continue to expand Norwegian’s presence in the region.

“Norwegian Bliss continues to exceed our expectations as our guests and travel partners continue to truly enjoy her stunning design and innovative offerings,” said Andy Stuart, Norwegian’s president and CEO. “We are thrilled that Norwegian Bliss homeported in our home of Miami and we are looking forward to seeing her once again return to the West Coast to meet her sister, Norwegian Joy, for the first time.”

Norwegian Bliss holds several world records on the West Coast, including being the largest ship to be christened in Seattle, homeport in Los Angeles, call to Vancouver and San Francisco, and traverse the new locks of the Panama Canal from both the Pacific and Atlantic oceans. The ship will return to the East Coast in November 2019 for a winter season of Caribbean cruising from New York City through early 2020. For more information,click on NCL.com.

50 Years of Celebration

Asked whether the airline had gone bust, the person in charge of Wow Air’s Twitter account said “the current situation is that WOW Air is still working”. “Current” is the operative word for an airline which, after struggling for months, appears closer than ever to failure.

The future of the Icelandic carrier was in the balance on Monday as it looked to restructure and shed its debts after talks with Icelandair over a possible takeover collapsed.

The cancellation of an early morning service from Gatwick to Reykjavik sparked concerns that more flights might follow (several to other destinations were also grounded), but the airline said operational reasons (“delay of an incoming flight”) had forced it to combine its two London departures.

Of the two due to depart Gatwick later on Monday, one remains “scheduled” on the airport's departure board, but of the other, passengers are told to “enquire [with the] airline”. WOW planes are still departing Reykjavik, though inbound services to the UK are delayed until later this evening. 

What is WOW?

The young, trendy airline, conspicuous in its bold, pink colour scheme, started life in 2012, and before long was selling headline-grabbing fares between the UK and North America - think £99 from London to New York, one way.

It quickly grew, launching new routes every few months and positioning itself at the centre of the low-cost, long-haul revolution taking place between Europe and the Americas.

“The conventional wisdom is that low-cost, long-haul doesn’t work,” the airline’s founder and CEO, Skuli Mogensen, told Telegraph Travel in 2015. “We think it has never been applied properly. And we think the timing is now perfect.”

WOW used its Icelandic base to run transatlantic services, meaning two legs for most European travellers. Flying via the increasingly popular tourist destination of Reykjavik, WOW could use the city’s Keflavik airport as both a hub and end point, helping ensure its comparatively small single-aisle Airbus A321 planes were always full. It also tried to place a focus on customer service, with Mogensen keen to found a budget brand with a smile.

But despite hefty additional charges for baggage and other add-ons, the airline wasn’t making money. 

What went wrong with WOW?

At its peak, WOW was looking to rival Norwegian in terms of expansion. Then came the cuts. Last year, the carrier dropped routes to Pittsburgh, St Louis, Cleveland and Cincinnati, and put Los Angeles on hold. Since then Chicago, Dallas and San Francisco have fallen by the wayside too, as has New York JFK (WOW still flies to Newark, however).

The airline’s route to Delhi, the first budget foray into India, was over before it began after WOW returned its Airbus A330s to the lessor, leaving the carrier without an aircraft to run the service. At its time of launching, WOW described the route as “the first step in the carrier’s next phase of cross-continental expansion”.

Airline failures per year since 2005

Before halting its Los Angeles service, the lack of long-haul planes meant passengers were forced to stop for refuelling in Edmonton, Canada, after already pausing in Reykjavik. All in all, things were not going great.

WOW is still selling tickets six North American destinations - Boston, Detroit, Montreal, New York, Toronto (due to launch in June) and Washington. According to Air Fleets, WOW’s 11-strong fleet today consists of 10 A321 and one A320, with all three of its long-haul aircraft in storage.

From the end of March, the airline is due to move its base from Gatwick to Stansted, consolidating its twice daily flights from London to Iceland into one.

The latest statement from airline reads: “A majority of WOW Air bond holders and other creditors of WOW Air are in advance discussions with the aim of reaching an agreement on a voluntary restructuring including an agreement of converting current debt into equity and fund the company towards long term sustainability.”

WOW air | Dropped North American routes 

Why did WOW struggle?

“It simply costs more than $99 to fly between continents,” said Kristjan Sigurjonsson, editor of Icelandic news site Turisti, of WOW’s transatlantic struggles.

History has shown how difficult it is to make a success of low-cost, long-haul. While Norwegian grew too fast and is now heavily laden with debt, it offered a slightly more attractive product than WOW, flying direct and in its new 787 Dreamliner planes. Like Nowegian, which sought to raise $350 million this year, WOW was after a buyer.

Takeover talks with Icelandair failed first in November and again last week, with the Icelandic flag carrier now saying its “possible involvement in WOW air’s operations will not materialise”. This month, an investment proposal with private equity firm Indigo Partners also fell through.

The airline's financial troubles appear to have had an impact on its ability to pay delay compensation as governed by EU laws. One passenger, who was bumped from a flight from Gatwick to Reykjavik in August last year was still waiting for €442 (£379) compensation. Documents seen by Telegraph Travel show a claims agent from WOW air explaining that "disruptions within the company in the last couple of months... have been slowing things down".

Should I book a flight with WOW?

Given the route closures and takeover talks, as well as the failure of low-cost, long-haul upstart Primera last year and the financial difficulties faced by Norwegian, travellers could be forgiven for thinking twice about booking with WOW.

Those who had bought a flight on one of WOW’s cancelled routes were offered refunds, of course. But travellers who book a flight that isn’t part of a package holiday are not covered in the event of their airline going bust. For added peace of mind, some travel insurance policies offer cover for the failure of an airline. This is often referred to as Scheduled Airline Failure Insurance (SAFI). The level of this protection varies, but Travel Plus (travelplusinsurance.co.uk) – offers cover up to £2,500, not only for loss on air tickets and the extra cost of replacing flights, but also for items such as a villa deposit, which you may lose if you can’t travel because of the airline’s failure. Check with your provider if it offers SAFI cover — it may be an optional extra. Alternatively, buy a policy from a specialist insurer like protectmyholiday.com that covers the flight alone.

This article was written by Hugh Morris from The Telegraph and was legally licensed through the NewsCred publisher network. Please direct all licensing questions to legal@newscred.com.

Global music icon, multiple GRAMMY® Award-winner and multi-Platinum selling artist, the incomparable Janet Jackson, is taking over the Las Vegas Strip with her headlining residency Metamorphosis beginning Friday, May 17 at Park Theater at Park MGM resort.

Five Must-See Cities on a South America Cruise by Joanna Booth

Forget a tick-list of sights – when visiting South America’s cities, it’s all about experiencing the Latin lifestyle. Hear the strains of samba in Rio, taste the tang of ceviche in Lima, and learn to tango – or watch the experts show off – in Buenos Aires. With many of the region’s most iconic metropolises – and some lesser-known gems – on the coast, a cruise is a great way to explore South America’s urban delights.

Buenos Aires

It’s been said that a porteño – as residents of the Argentine capital call themselves – is an Italian who speaks Spanish, lives like the French and wants to be English. But Buenos Aires brings Latin passion to its European heritage, with grand baroque architecture and colourful barrios, top notch pizza and superlative steak, café culture and street tango, nightlife that starts at 10pm and is still going at breakfast time, and one of the world’s most famously rowdy football clubs.

Visit working class La Boca for primary-coloured houses and artistic graffiti, and La Bombonera, the Boca Juniors stadium. In affluent, Beaux-Arts Recoleta you can pay your respects to Eva Peron at the labyrinthine cemetery. On any corner, you’ll find a parilla, with pretty much every part of a cow laid out on the vast open grill. Malbec will pair well with anything on the menu.

Rio de Janeiro

For a city of more than six million people, Rio’s natural beauty is still what smacks you in the face when you first arrive. Emerald forests snake up its urban mountains, sapphire waters edge its vanilla beaches, and distant peaks peek over its high-rise skyscrapers. Sure, it can be gritty, but this city lives life to the fullest, from the samba clubs of Lapa to the sands of Ipanema, packed with cariocas surfing, strolling and flirting.

Take in a show at the opulent Teatro Municipal, get tickets for a game at the Maracanã stadium, and book a tour of a favela – though it’s worth researching the last, and booking one using local guides who respect their communities. You’ll want to get some height too – ascend Corcovado to stand at the feet of Christ the Redeemer, and summit Sugarloaf Mountain. You can be brave and hike to the latter, or get the cable car – the views will take your breath away, even if you’ve gone for the lazy option.

Lima

Photo by DC_Colombia/iStock/Getty Images Plus/Getty Images

It’s easy to see Lima as a late bloomer. The city has certainly ballooned – today there’s 30 times the number of residents there were in 1930. The capital has had a real resurgence in the last decade, its position at the spearhead of the Peruvian food scene tempting travellers to stay and explore rather than rush off to more aesthetically appealing spots. But between the skyscrapers and shantytowns you’ll spot palaces and mansions – evidence of Lima’s grand and storied past as the richest city in South America until the early 19th century.

Nowadays, streets are sprawling, traffic is chaotic and from June to September the city is often shrouded in heavy fog, but there’s plenty to love, from the cosmopolitan district of Miraflores, perched on top of crumbling cliffs, to colonial, Bohemian Barranco. Sightsee, by all means, but save time for eating – this is the place to try specialities from ceviche to cuy, as the Peruvians call guinea pig.

Which is the perfect South American country for you? 

Santiago

This Cinderella of South American cities spent years in the shadow of Buenos Aires and Rio, but that means she’s the best kind of beauty – approachable, with no shred of arrogance. Reclining at the foot of the Andes, Santiago’s magnificent mountain backdrop brings drama to an architectural mash-up, modern tower blocks rubbing shoulders with colonial buildings.

The centre is compact and easy to visit, with an excellent Pre-Colombian art museum, and the idiosyncratic Cerro Santa Lucia. This urban outcrop was turned into a rather theatrical public park in 1872, when 150 prisoners were enlisted to build terraces, turrets and pathways, and now it offers one of the best views of the city. You’ll find street art and pavement cafes in the laidback barrios Lastarria and Bellavista, and the latter is also home to the house of poet Pablo Neruda, beautifully preserved as a museum.

Montevideo

Like Uruguay itself, Montevideo is laidback, liberal and low-key, providing a lovely counterpoint to the other cities on South American itineraries, which tend to the giant and frenetic end of the scale. The pint-sized old town is safe to wander around, browsing the shops and galleries on the many pedestrianized, tree-lined boulevards, enjoying the brightly-tinted facades and eclectic street art, and picking up souvenirs from the flea market on Plaza Matriz.

Its 14-mile ocean road, the Rambla, has the longest continuous pavement in the world, with sea views to one side and high-rise hotels on the other. Take a walk, or simply watch the world go by with a glass of Tannat, the spicy, smoky red wine signature to the country.

What to book

Want to leave winter behind? Balmoral leaves Southampton in January for a mammoth 70-night South American Exploration, circling Cape Horn before cruising back through the Panama Canal, with ports of call including Rio, Buenos Aires, Montevideo, Valparaiso (for Santiago) and Callao (for Lima). From £6,999pp, departs January 6, 2020 (fredolsencruises.com).

Don’t have long? Flit to the balmy east coast for a 10-day itinerary on Silver Shadow from Buenos Aires to Rio, calling at, among other ports, Montevideo. From £4,500pp, departs February 26, 2020 (silversea.com).

This article was written by Joanna Booth from The Telegraph and was legally licensed through the NewsCred publisher network. Please direct all licensing questions to legal@newscred.com.

JW Marriott Cancun Resort & Spa Reimagines Its Guestrooms by Benedict Carrizzo | Mar 19, 2019

JW Marriott, part of Marriott International, Inc., completed JW Marriott Cancun Resort & Spa’s renovation. It included an extensive transformation of all 447 ocean-facing guestrooms and suites.

Martha Gaos and Claudia Gonzalez of G+G Interiorismo reimagined the interiors of JW Marriott Cancun incorporating modern techniques and traditional elements. Warm sand tones are punctuated with pops of bright turquoise reflecting the Mexican Caribbean waters.

The hotel is influenced by the culture of the destination—furnished with pieces from traditional Mayan designs, including Mexican textiles and reclaimed wood accents adorned with carved drawings. This is a tribute to the cross-stitched embroidery usually found in garments worn by the ancient Yucatan people. A closer look reveals intricate designs embellished with native symbols, including hummingbirds (sacred in Mayan mythology), quetzals (local birds), four-petal flowers, snail fossils, amate bark paintings derived from Mexican folk art, and other emblems common in knitting patterns of local huipiles (indigenous garments).

Local artisans made the herringbone-patterned floors with traditional materials, while the hotel’s redesigned bedrooms and bathrooms feature marbled, aerial-view images indicative of the Mexican cenotes(natural sinkholes) as a focal point. The 74 redesigned suites incorporate ‘wood screw’, a type of indigenous wood commonly used in the Yucatan Peninsula, along with architectural light fixtures, sand-colored curtains, and textured rugs in muted tones, reminiscent of the coral reefs. Other facets of the renovation include modern bathrooms with freestanding soaking tubs, rainfall showers, dual sinks and granite vanity tops featuring chrome detailing.

JW Marriott Cancun’s 4,000 square-foot Presidential Suite is saturated with light and features floor-to-ceiling windows, a full kitchen and airy dining room, and is complete with oak detailing and ceramic tiles curated by Spanish designer Patricia Urquiola.

The renovated hotel was recently part of a new app. Portal To Paradise allows users to “walk” through Marriott resorts across the Caribbean and Mexico, showcasing 360-degree views of the properties.

For more information, visit www.marriott.com/jw-marriott/travel.mi

Mexico for Families: All-Inclusives 

by Adam Leposa | Mar 19, 2019 

From new favorites to old standbys, there are plenty of options for families looking to book a vacation at an all-inclusive resort in Mexico. We polled our latest class of 30Under30 travel agents and, while many agreed that the perfect fit depends on the family involved, there are a few standouts with great food, fun activities and plenty of opportunities for adults and kids to do their own thing.

AAA Travel Michigan’s Jordan Lapetz notes that there is no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to recommending a property for families. Some clients might want a very high-energy resort with lots of activities and on-site inclusions, since they may not be comfortable heading off-property with their children.

“The ages of the children are a huge factor in determining what type of resort or amenities on site the children will want and actually use,” Lapetz says. “I have had many families come to me and explain in the past, the kids just hung around mom and dad because the resort was not as family friendly; my response is to find a resort that everyone can enjoy together, as well as within their own spaces.”

Amber Koll of The Travel Advantage in Sioux Center, IA, agrees that whether or not a resort is a good fit for a given family depends heavily on the ages of the children involved. That said, she considers the Moon Palace Cancun a great pick.

“They have tons of activities for kids of all ages, plus they usually offer resort credit that can be used towards tours to help offset that extra cost,” Koll says.

Allison Kobasky, who is with Miami-based Over the Moon Vacations, loves sending clients to Hard Rock’s resorts, and she says that families shouldn’t be put off by the brand’s reputation for being a “party place.”

“It’s actually quite the opposite,” Kobasky says. “The resorts are stocked with a ton of amenities like mini-golf, arcades and ‘music labs’ where you can literally be part of a band for a bit, as well as a casino, spa, access to golf courses and more. All of these things are also available via the hotel's ‘limitless resort credit’ concept, which allows you to redeem a certain amount of credit towards different activities, completely free with your stay as long as you pay a small service charge for the amount you use.”

Ryan Barks of Travel Haus of St. Louis also favors Hard Rock-branded properties, as well as the Moon Palace Cancun. 

“Hard Rock and Moon Palace both have an immense amount of activities for all ages from two to 102 and can receive a great amount of resort credit as well to use on things on and off the properties,” he says. “This is perfect for multi-generational trips, as well as families with more than one age of children.”

Barks is also looking forward to Karisma’s new, flagship Nickelodeon hotel, which is scheduled to open next year in the Riviera Maya. “Nickelodeon is a fantastic property for kids of all ages,” he says of the brand’s initial Punta Cana location, “but does not have a child-like feeling throughout the property, so adults can also enjoy themselves.”

Samantha Collum of West University Travel in Houston says that her favorite recommendation for families is the Grand Velas Riviera Maya.

“The Grand Velas does a fantastic job of pampering everyone, from newborns to grandparents: they offer a baby concierge so you can leave the stroller at home, their kids club is included and offers plenty of activities, and adults can indulge in the spa or sip a cocktail by the beach,” Collum says. She also notes that it is one of the few family-friendly properties to win the AAA Five Diamond Award, making it a good fit for families looking for luxury.

New York City-based SmartFlyer’s Allison Law also loves the Grand Velas all-inclusives, particularly the ones in Los Cabos and the Riviera Maya. The all-inclusive aspect affords older children and teens a measure of independence, she says, since they can hang out around the resort and eat on their own without worrying about busting the budget.

Grand Velas Los Cabos

“The unbelievable food options and quality will definitely be up to even the harshest food critic’s standards,” Law says. “The sprawling resort grounds offer endless activities for all ages to participate, and the properties also offer great connecting room options to accommodate families.”

Jordan Glanda of Touraid Travel Inc. in Plattsburgh, NY, often recommends Azul- and Dreams-branded properties, based on feedback from her clients and her own travels.

“Of course, it does depend on the experience that the family is looking for on their vacation,” Glanda says. “Some properties are vast and some much smaller. Also, some allow for a lot of off-property activities, while others really try to make the resort in itself a destination. I trust the above properties to really cater to my clients and see to their needs through.”

For Christabela Pierre of Atlas Cruises & Tours in Palm Beach Gardens, FL, the Hyatt Ziva, Panama Jack and Iberostar properties in Cancun are all great picks.

“These properties do a wonderful job of blending adult fun with kid fun,” says Pierre. “Some have small water playgrounds, or family-friendly restaurants with kids’ menus, while still offering parents the ability to be adults and enjoy romance on their vacation.”

Kristen Munch of Frosch Travel in Chicago loves the Rosewood Mayakoba for its many multi-bedroom units and villas, as well as the wide variety of activities that are available at the property.

“The Mayakoba community is excellent for bike riding through the grounds or taking a boat ride through the mangroves while learning about the flora and fauna native to the area,” says Munch. She also recommends the resort’s cooking classes, which give guests the opportunity to dive in to the region’s native delicacies.

“I would recommend any Riu property,” says Trevarus Martin of Book and Bag Travel, LLC, in Katy, TX. “Simply, put they're affordable and fun.” He also notes that, because Riu has a wide variety of locations in Mexico, the brand gives clients plenty of options.

Kaitlyn Kubitskey of My World Travel LLC in Louisville, KY, had a great experience when she sent her clients to The Grand Mayan Riviera Maya in Playa del Carmen.

“I had a family of six love their time here and they felt worry-free the entire time,” Kubitskey says. “The hotel has tons of activities catered toward kids and a great connection with the local tour industry that took them to Mayan ruins, cenotes, to a national park to zip-line, and into the town to explore. The adults and kids loved it!”

Kubitskey also says that the Club Med Ixtapa has been on her radar – while she hasn’t sent anyone there yet, she is looking to send a family of clients there at some point in the future.

Port Canaveral, Orlando’s Closest Port, is a cruise traveler’s dream come true

Sponsored by Port Canaveral | Mar 18, 2019 12:08 pm

Port Canaveral is a Cruise Traveler’s Dream 

5 things to know about the world’s largest cruise ship By Grace E. Cutler   The world’s largest cruise ship Thursday set off on its first sea trial from Saint-Nazaire, western France, with just two months to go to delivery. Royal Caribbean's much-awaited Harmony of the Seas, a 227,000-ton giant, will have a mind-blowing total capacity of over 6,000 people, not including crew. Now considered to be the world’s largest cruise ship, it eclipses Royal Caribbean's sister ships, the Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas, the current record holders among cruise ships. Harmony of the Sea is expected to be based out of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., and will offer alternating, seven-night Eastern and Western Caribbean voyages after its maiden voyage scheduled for May 22. But beyond its size, the ship has many bold features to capture the imagination of travelers. Here are five reasons why Harmony is one of the most-anticipated new vessels in years.   The biggest ship The newest Royal Caribbean ship snags its title by being 13 inches longer than Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas, and slightly wider. Prepared to carry 2,185 crew and up to 6,000 guests comfortably, it is certified to carry a maximum of 8,880 people in total. (Royal Caribbean) Cabins will be bigger Harmony will have larger cabins in some categories than its sister ships --a decision executives say is a key reason why Harmony has a larger footprint. Also, like others in the line, the windowless interior cabins will feature the brand's Virtual Balconies, which offer a real-time view of the outdoors using projection screens. (Royal Caribbean) The largest water slide at sea Passengers can take the plunge in the Ultimate Abyss – the longest tunnel slide at sea, which drops a 10 stories from the ship’s sundeck to the Deck 6 Boardwalk entertainment zone at a rate of 9 miles per hour. The Ultimate Abyss is more than 150 feet above sea level is made up of two separate side-by-side cylinders, each with a diameter of approximately 2.6 feet, and audio effects within each tunnel will create a multi-sensory thrill. (Royal Caribbean)  More dining options Harmony also has a whopping 40 restaurants and many bars on board. The Bionic Bar will feature twin robot cocktail mixologists --similar to Anthem of the Seas, but unlike its sister ships, Jamie’s Italian Kitchen will debut on Harmony --and replaces Giovanni’s Table on Oasis and Allure. The Alice in Wonderland-inspired Wonderland restaurant, with a double-deck space overlooking the aft of the ship, will also be a key speciality restaurant onboard and showcases molecular gastronomy.  (Royal Caribbean) Technology firsts Harmony boasts of the fastest Internet connection at sea, according to the company. Using Voom, Royal Caribbean's new satellite Internet service, guests can post to social media, including on Facebook and Instagram, and YouTube, as well as stream movies, games and apps via  personal accounts with Hulu, Netflix, and Amazon.The line will also use the technology pioneered on its Quantum-class ships to project 3D images, optical illusions and extra dimensions onto the Aqua Theater performers at its high diving, acrobatic performance space. (Royal Caribbean) Mexico Officials Claim Zika Does Not Pose a Risk to Tourists By Newswire| February 5, 2016   Mexico’s Ministry of Health and other officials met with tour operators from the U.S and Canada this week to discuss the Zika virus. Here's the latest. Mexico' s Ministry of Health and other officials met with tour operators from the U.S and Canada this week to discuss the Zika virus, and the threat it poses to tourists headed to Mexico. One of those officials, Dr. Alberto Diaz Quiñonez, deputy general director of the Mexican Institute for Diagnosticand Epidemiology, said in a release that the country has seen 34 confirmed cases of the Zika virus.  All of the 34 cases in Mexico are from Mexican nationals. These individuals are living in rural Mexico, which is far away from popular tourist destinations. However, the release did not give specifics on those rural locations where Zika was confirmed. “While the Zika virus is inevitable in Mexico given its vast size, climate and trade in the region, the number of cases remains very low. Strong prevention efforts have already been in practice for years to prevent similar diseases.” Dr. Quiñonez said. “Given these facts, there is no threat to tourists visiting Mexico,” he continued. Mexico has procedures already in place to control the mosquito population and minimize mosquito-born illness in places like restaurants, hotels and airports, the release said.                                                                                                ### Royal Caribbean Cancels Navigator of the Seas' Port Call in Haiti By Newswire | January 21, 2016 The move follows a previous cancellation of Freedom of the Seas' call in Labadee, Haiti, on Tuesday. Here's the latest. Royal Caribbean International has announced that it has cancelled the port call of Navigator of the Seas in Labadee, Haiti, which was originally scheduled for Thursday, July 21. The move follows a previous cancellation of Freedom of the Seas' call in Labadee on Tuesday. "On Tuesday, January 19, when Freedom of the Seas arrived to Labadee, Haiti, the ship encountered a number of locals in small boats staging a protest," Royal Caribbean said in a statement. "Although this protest was peaceful in nature, Royal Caribbean cancelled Freedom of the Seas’ port call to Labadee and withdrew all employees from the site." Royal Caribbean said that it has not received any guarantees or assurances that there will not be any protests in the future, and that, if a protest takes place while a ship is in port, there could be a significant impact on guests' ability to enjoy the destination, or the line might have to cancel the visit completely.  Royal Caribbean said that it will continue to closely monitor the situation and that the line is in close communication with local and government officials in Haiti. The line said it has not made any decisions regarding upcoming calls in Labadee, the next of which is scheduled for Sunday, January 24, by Vision of the Seas.                                                                                   ###​# REAL ID   In 2005, the REAL ID Act was enacted to modify federal law on standards for state driver's licenses and identification cards. As the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) enters its final enforcement phase, four states and one territory have yet to implement the REAL ID standards: Louisiana, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New York, and American Samoa. If these states and U.S. territory do not adapt the minimum standards set by DHS, eventually federal agencies, including the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and Customs & Border Protection (CBP), will not accept their driver's licenses or identity cards as proof of identity.   Last week, DHS announced that it will not reject non-compliant ID's until January 2018, giving states that do not yet have driver's licenses that meet federal standards until then to ensure compliance.   Gino's Travel Agents continue to educate themselves on the rules to ensure that you, the traveler, are aware of the additional identification required in these states, and ensure that travelers are aware of the additional identification they will be required to present when flying or sailing.

GINO'S TRAVEL AGENCY, WE TURN YOUR VACATION DREAMS INTO A REALITY. CALL AND BOOK WITH US TODAY!

A Boatload of Reasons Why You Should Feel Secure on a Cruise Ship

Mega-sized cruise ships have always been a rather large target for those who would choose to do travelers harm. It’s the unspoken fear that travel agents avoid talking about or even thinking of if possible.  Let one cruise ship get hit by a terrorist attack and that’s it: game over. 

Real ID Deadline Extended To January 2018

Josh Lew | January 11, 2016

By Rich Thomaselli/January 11, 2016

Surfing on the Anthem of the Seas, with the iFly in the background. (Simon Brook-Webb Photography/Royal Caribbean)

There’s nothing like a cruise for a family vacation. It’s easy. No packing and unpacking. Tons of entertainment for every age. And food options guaranteed to please the pickiest of eaters.

But even the best of intentions can go awry. Like when my daughter, Lucy, and I recently sailed on Royal Caribbean’s new Anthem of the Seas. It departs out of Cape Liberty, just minutes from Manhattan. An easy getaway — or so we thought.

The pool area on Anthem of the Seas. (Simon Brook-Webb Photography/Royal Caribbean)

The GPS said it would take just 30 minutes to drive there from Brooklyn. More than two hours later, we arrived at the port, worried that the ship would be setting sail without us. Luckily, we had time to spare.

But it goes to show that even the most experienced travelers can sometimes make mistakes. Lesson learned here: Never cut it close with a cruise ship, or you might find yourself flying to the next port or missing the trip altogether.

While we were onboard the ship, I chatted with a number of experts and got their insider tips for how to make the most of a family cruise.

Tip 1: Choose your ship wisely

I always let my kids do a lot of research. Kids are really savvy on computers, and they have their opinions about the things that excite them. With this cruise, we literally came because it has the iFly technology. My kids have been obsessed with it. I would book an entire cruise based on just that. — Kim-Marie Evans, founder of Luxury Travel Mom, mother of four

Cruise lines have their own personalities, just like families do. You want to pick a cruise line that fits your family’s personality. If your family is very adventurous and you like to do wild and crazy things, a line like Royal Caribbean is great because they have these first-at-sea amazing experiences like bumper cars and sky diving and surfing on the ship. You have other cruise lines that have characters onboard and are suited to much smaller kids. Don’t just look at the price and the itinerary, look at the personality of the cruise line. — Suzanne Kelleher, family vacations expert at About.com, mother of three

With five kids, I love to make sure our cruise has a ton of activities. Keep everybody busy, and everybody’s happy. — Audrey McClelland, founder of MomGenerations.com, mother of five

The critical question when you’re planning the vacation is, are my kids going to have a great time? And if they are, I’m going to have a great time. — Michael Bayley, president and CEO of Royal Caribbean International, father of two

Tip 2: Get the lay of the land

My favorite thing that we like to do when we’re getting ready for a cruise is we start planning ahead. But when we’re onboard we plan out our itinerary. We sit down at breakfast, we look at all of the things we’d like to see and do, where we’d like to eat, and then at the end of the day we get to talk about all of those things that we did. — Lissa Poirot, editor in chief of Family Vacation Critic, mother of two

Jamie Oliver’s kid-friendly restaurant, Jamie’s Italian, onboard the Anthem of the Seas. (Royal Caribbean)

Part of the way we design our ships is to make them easy to get around, so there are a few obvious locations everybody always knows. We like to have what is the equivalent of a town center. So I can say to my children, my gorgeous grandchildren, go have a good time, and come back and I’ll be here in such and such a place. — Richard Fain, chairman and CEO of Royal Caribbean Cruises, father of four, grandfather of five

Tip 3: Remember, food rules

I have the pickiest eaters on the planet, so I love a cruise with lots of dining options and a buffet, because you can find something for everybody. — Audrey McClelland, founder of MomGenerations.com, mother of five

Kids and food is a mystery to itself. My oldest son, who is 11, is a sushi connoisseur. My 6-year-old has periods where he will only eat a certain type of food all of the time. So food is important, because you want the kids to be eating and you want them to have their energy levels so you don’t have any meltdowns. It’s important to make sure that the experience can really cater to your children. — Michael Bayley, president and CEO of Royal Caribbean International, father of two

Tip 4: Let the kids take charge

My top tip when traveling with kids, especially on a cruise, is to let them find the activities that they’re going to fall in love with. You can’t look at an itinerary and anticipate what your children’s favorite activity is going to be. You need to let them explore the ship, and what they find will probably surprise you. It’s not usually the flashiest adventure that the cruise has to offer. It might be the simplest thing, like the Ping-Pong table that’s next to the soft-serve ice cream machine. — Kim-Marie Evans, founder of Luxury Travel Mom, mother of four

What I love about being on a cruise is that I can roam the ship and do my own thing and I don’t have to see my parents all the time, even though I’m on a family vacation with them. — Zoe McElroy, teen cruiser

Tip 5: Make sure the ship has Wi-Fi

I love social media and I also love staying in touch with my friends, so I think it’s important to choose a cruise that has Wi-Fi so that I can talk to them through Snapchat or Facetime or Facebook or anything like that while I’m in the middle of the ocean. — Zoe McElroy, teen cruiser

Tip 6: Bring reinforcements

I have five kids, so I love to bring Grandma and Grandpa on a cruise with us. There’s power in numbers, and an extra set of hands is always welcome. — Audrey McClelland

Tip 7: Pack wisely

One of the hardest things is to pack for a cruise, because you’ve got limited space. So I give the kids a drawer and say to them, “This is all the space you have — let’s fit what you might have in it.” I tell them that they don’t need all of the toys and all of the gadgets because there’s going to be so much to do on the trip. — Lissa Poirot

On the day of your cruise, it’s really important to know that when you arrive at the pier you’re going to give your luggage to the porter and you’re not going to see that bag until the afternoon or later. But the minute you get on the cruise, you can start having fun, so what you need is a carry-on bag that has your bathing suits, anything that you need to have fun those first few hours of the cruise. — Suzanne Kelleher

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Royal Caribbean's Empress of the Seas to Offer Short Cruises From Miami

Royal Caribbean International has announced that the newly-enhanced Empress of the Seas will rejoin its fleet in March 2016 following a stint with its sister brand, Pullmantur. The ship will offer short Caribbean cruises from Miami. 

Empress of the Seas will sail four- and five-night itineraries from Miami to Nassau, The Bahamas; Cozumel and Costa Maya, Mexico; Grand Cayman and Key West, Florida. The sailings will offer longer stays in every port, and on select five-night itineraries guest can experience overnight stays in Cozumel, Mexico.  

Onboard the ship will offer daily "Sunday" brunches served with a complimentary mimosa or Bloody Mary, "My Time Dining" with no formal nights, a new Las Vegas-style “Sequins & Feathers” show and a newly reimagined Boleros Latin Lounge. Empress of the Seas also will offer fast pier-to-ship boarding with earlier boarding times of 11:00 a.m.  We at Gino's Travel Agency are accepting reservations.

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TSA Could Stop Accepting Some Driver's Licenses Soon By Adam Leposa

Effective March 1, 2016, Delta will discontinue acceptance of pets as checked baggage, and will instead accept shipment of pets for travel as freight through Delta Cargo. Pets as carry-on will continue to be an option for Delta customers and there are no changes to Delta’s policy of welcoming service and emotional support animals in the aircraft cabin.

Delta recognizes that pets are important members of one’s family, and this change will ultimately ensure that the airline offers a consistent, high quality for customer service for customers who choose to ship their pet with Delta Cargo.

There are exceptions to the Delta policy to discontinue acceptance of pets as checked baggage, including:

• Active U.S. Military personnel who are traveling on official orders
• Service and emotional support animals that comply with federal regulations including proper documentation
• Customers traveling on or before Feb. 29, 2016

Any pets, which were previously transported as checked baggage, must travel as cargo under this new policy unless the pet meets one of the above noted exceptions.

Customers who are booked for travel after March 1, 2016 with reservations that include a pet as a checked bag will be proactively contacted by Delta to be advised of the new policy and to offer assistance with options.

Please visit Delta News for full details regarding this policy update.
 
Resources

For travel within the US 50, customers may visit deltacargo.com/Petshipment or call 1-800 DL CARGO.

For international travel, effective March 1, 2016, Delta Cargo will not permit international shipment of pets unless the shipment comes from a pet shipper that is a member of the International Pet and Animal Transportation Association. Visit ipata.org for more information.

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olland America Announces BBC Earth and AFAR Partnerships, Suite Update (VIDEO) 30, 2015

At a recent press conference in New York City Holland America Line announced a slate of new initiatives for the line. 

Holland America will beef up its destination content both onboard and on its website with new partnerships with BBC Earth, AFAR Media and Utrip. Additionally, the line is launching a $300 million update for all suites on its Signature-, Vista- and R-Class ships. The line also introduced a new logo that is similar to the old version, but simplified. 

BBC Earth

The BBC Earth program is set to roll out across Holland America Line’s fleet starting in April 2016 and will be on all ships by September 2016.

With BBC Earth Holland America will offer a live onboard concert specially adapted for the line based on the “Frozen Planet” program, which will take guests on a journey into the majestic wilderness of the polar regions. The production will feature “Frozen Planet” footage and be accompanied by live musicians.

For children, there will be an on-board explorer trail, fun workshops, and BBC Earth animal and dinosaur fact shows. Young guests will also have the opportunity to try their hand at being a journalist.  

Guests who want a deeper BBC Earth experience can join a featured theme cruise that will include access to the creators of BBC Earth shows who share their behind-the-scenes stories of how the programs are made and conduct master classes in their craft. Younger guests will also have the opportunity to have film workshops with the BBC Earth YouTube team. Featured cruise dates will be announced at a later time.

AFAR Media Partnership

Off the ship, Holland America has also teamed up with AFAR Media to create "Destination Guides" for all of Holland America's ports of call and scenic cruising areas, approximately 400 total. 

The Destination Guides will be available on Holland America Line’s website. AFAR will use its network of local experts to curate the content, providing travelers with recommendations for top attractions, restaurants and shopping experiences in each destination. Each guide will contain an overview of up to 20 top picks to see and do in the area; recommended restaurants, cafes and markets; and boutique shopping suggestions.

Through a collaboration with the software platform Utrip, guests will be able to personalize content in the new Destination Guides. Guests will be able to browse the information on their own or use the Utrip functionality to select desired ports of call, highlights and activities ashore. They will then receive customized recommendations on the line’s cruise itineraries, port highlights, as well as shore excursions tailored to their interests.

Guests can save specific ports of interest and also either use a pre-determined profile or a personalized one created with interactive sliders covering History, Art and Culture, Food and Drink, Nature and Outdoors, and Contemporary Life to gain these recommendations. 

For each destination, Utrip searches top-pick attractions, local dining and shopping options for the best match to personal preferences. Interactive maps allow users to see the location of each suggestion and click for additional information. The interface also will make recommendations for Holland America Line group shore excursions based on preferences.

Users can save the recommendations to their profile so they can easily find them when they are ready to book their cruise.

Suite Upgrades and Renovations

Holland America's new suite upgrade program will see enhancements to the furnishings, décor and amenities for all suites on the line's Signature-, Vista and R-Class ships. The first ships to undergo the suite transformation will be Eurodam and Oosterdam, followed by Nieuw Amsterdam, Westerdam, Zuiderdam and Noordam. Additionally, Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Volendam and Zaandam will receive the suite enhancements as they head into their scheduled dry docks over the next few years.

Eurodam's refit is scheduled for December 7-20, 2015 at Freeport, Bahamas. Oosterdam will be in dry dock April 3-18, 2016, at Fincantieri’s yard at Palermo, Sicily.

The main living area in each suite will get a new sofa, lounge chairs and deck chair. The suites will also get a new headboard, carpet and wall coverings, as well as new soft goods that include a privacy curtain, drapery, bed runner and bed skirt. The desk, dresser, nightstands and makeup vanity will get new quartz stone tops, and the line will add new vanity lighting. 

In terms of electronics, Holland America will add a new USB outlet to the bed's headboard, bedside LED lights, upgraded electrical outlets and a lighted closet rod aimed at making it easier to select outfits in the morning. Suites will also get a fully new interactive television system, with complimentary movies on demand and access to the daily program and shipboard information, including restaurant overviews, spa services and guest billing.

Suite bathrooms also will receive a makeover. A wall of designer glass tile serves as a backdrop to the new vanity area that includes new stone tops, modern faucets and under-mount sinks. Other enhancements include new contemporary mirrors with integrated side-by-side LED lighting, new floor tiles, and a nightlight.

Starting in January 2016, all suites across the fleet will receive new amenities. Currently, suite guests receive priority embarkation, disembarkation and tender service; exclusive use of the Neptune Lounge for Pinnacle and Neptune Suite guests; private breakfast service in the Pinnacle Grill; and complimentary laundry and dry cleaning services. New additions include a premium duvet, superior bathrobes and slippers, Bose docking station, binoculars for use during the voyage, complimentary mimosas with in-suite breakfast and an in-suite coffee and espresso machine. 

Update on Koningsdam

During the press conference Holland America Line also reviewed the latest information on its new ship, the Koningsdam, which is set to debut in April 2016. 

The new vessel will offer the BLEND winemaking program. Developed in collaboration with Washington State winery Chateau Ste. Michelle, the venue will enable guests to blend their own wine and enjoy it at dinner or in the privacy of their stateroom.

In terms of new entertainment offerings, the ship will sport the new World Stage main theater, which will have such production-enhancing equipment as 270-degree state-of-the-art panoramic LED screens. The flexible space can have multiple stage configurations, ranging from in-the-round, to the more conventional proscenium staging, and will initially host five new productions performed in repertory by a cast sourced from around the world. Guests will also be able to enjoy The Music Walk complex, which will include B.B. King's Blues Club and the Lincoln Center Stage. 

Visit hollandamerica.com

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Royal Caribbean Lays Keel for Fourth Oasis-Class Ship

Royal Caribbean International has laid the keel for its fourth Oasis-class ship at the STX shipyard in St. Nazaire, France, signifying the official start of construction. 

During the ceremony, a 1,000-ton block measuring 32 feet by 154 feet was lifted by crane into the building dock. Newly minted coins were placed under the keel and will stay in place there until the end of the ship’s construction. Once the ship is near to completion, the coins are retrieved and presented to the ship’s Captain and crew to be placed onboard the ship. According to maritime tradition, the coins are said to bring luck to the ship during its construction process and then to its Captain and crew when she is sailing out at sea.

Still to be named, the fourth Oasis-class ship will be delivered in spring 2017.

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The 5 Best Burgers at Sea| October 30, 2015

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American Airlines Introducing ‘No Frills’ Fares

 Michael Isenbek | October 25, 2015

Holiday Travel Roundup

October 9, 2015

October 9, 2015