Travelore Update: Britain Lockdown Restrictions Easing Next Week

LONDON — Britain is saying goodbye to months of tough lockdown restrictions, thanks to an effective vaccine rollout program.

Starting Monday, all restaurants, bars and museums can largely reopen, and people can socialize indoors. It’s the biggest step yet to reopen the country following a sharp drop in new infections and deaths.

Many credit Britain’s universal public health system for getting hundreds of thousands vaccinated every day. Experts say that infrastructure was key, helped by the government’s early start in securing vaccine doses and its decision to delay the second dose.

Almost 38 million people, approximately 68% of the adult population, have received their first dose. Almost 19 million have had both doses. Experts say the National Health Service can target the population and easily identify those most at risk because almost everyone is registered with a local general practitioner.

Deaths in Britain have come down to single digits in recent days. In January, there were up to 1,477 deaths a day amid a second wave driven by a more infectious variant first found in Kent, in southeastern England.

New cases have plummeted to an average of 2,000 a day, compared with nearly 70,000 a day during the winter.

However, Prime Minister Boris Johnson expressed concerned this week about a resurgence because of variants of the virus, including one from India. Britain has totaled nearly 128,000 confirmed deaths, the highest toll in Europe.

Oceania Cruises Unveils New OceaniaNEXT Enhancements To The Guest Experience

Oceania Cruises, the world's leading culinary- and destination-focused cruise line, has announced the first in a series of inspired new product enhancements rolling out across its luxury fleet as part of its OceaniaNEXT program. With elevated dining experiences and service levels for guests, the Oceania Cruises experience will be better than ever from the first sailing on board Marina when the line resumes operations in August. OceaniaNEXT enhancements will debut aboard Regatta, Insignia, Nautica, Riviera, and Sirena as each vessel returns to sailing.

Chef Franck Garanger with Toscana Dishes

During the pause in sailing, the Oceania Cruises team has continued to invest in creative ways to evolve the onboard experience and to inspire its guests with a sweeping array of dramatic enhancements to the brand's already renowned Finest Cuisine at Sea® and acclaimed service. Whether guests are in the mood for an elaborate dinner at Toscana, or prefer to indulge in the line's exclusive Dom Pérignon Experience, or crave the casual comfort of tacos or fresh poke bowls, every meal on board is given the same thought, care and creativity to ensure it is as mouth-watering as it is memorable. This is just the first of many inspirational new OceaniaNEXT enhancements to be revealed over the coming months.

"These OceaniaNEXT enhancements not only elevate the guest experience, they showcase the creativity and passion our team has for crafting unique and memorable experiences for our guests," stated Bob Binder, President and CEO of Oceania Cruises. "We've undertaken this ambitious brand initiative to elevate every facet of the Oceania Cruises guest experience to new levels. From thoughtfully reimagined menus to enhanced service levels to the dramatic re-inspiration of our six ships, guests will find that the Oceania Cruises experience is better than ever," added Binder.

The Grand Dining Room Boasts New Appetizers, Main Courses & Diverse Sunday Brunch In The Grand Dining Room, more than two dozen inventive new dishes have made their way onto the dinner menu. New appetizers include caramelized duck foie gras accompanied by apricot infused with Loire Valley wine, and mozzarella fior di latte panna cotta with aubergines stiletto and fried focaccia. Meanwhile, main courses range from the deliciously tantalizing French monkfish with saffron-tomato-cognac-cream sauce and wild rice, to the hearty veal piccata with sweet and sour lemon sauce, glazed pearl onions and Parisian potatoes.

Other highlights from the updated menu include:

Porcini mushroom risotto Crispy Mediterranean vegetable tart with balsamic onion compote Braised black cod, seafood emulsion, stuffed calamari and green pea purée Grilled prime rib with bone marrow and rustic vegetable casserole Carnaroli truffled risotto with smoked ricotta Florida lobster tail with Rémy Martin cognac sauce and rice pilaf

Sunday Brunch is an elegant yet relaxed affair in The Grand Dining Room, and the new menu has been thoughtfully crafted to include a more diverse selection of international dishes as well as a wider range of healthy options. Highlights include a new Asian Noodle Bar, a gourmet Taco Corner, a prepared-to-order Pasta Station, a healthy Smoothie Bar and a Salad Bar with an extensive selection of starches, proteins, greens and raw and cooked vegetables for guests to create their own custom salad combination.

Toscana Dinner Menu Features 21 New Dishes Refined and romantic with a uniquely modern Italian flair, Toscana specializes in the rich and rustic regional flavors for which Italy is famous. Presented on elegant, custom-designed Versace china, masterfully prepared dishes exemplify the essence of Tuscany and celebrate Italy's culinary passion. As part of OceaniaNEXT, the line has reimagined Toscana's menu with 21 delectable new dishes including:

Sformatino di Peperoni – roasted bell pepper flan, creamy Parmesan sauce

Zuppa Fagioli – white bean soup with sausage and pasta Tagliolini Carbonara – tagliolini, pancetta, egg yolk-Parmesan sauce Agnello Arrosto – stuffed roasted lamb loin with spicy soppressata sausage Il Tiramisú ai Frutti di Bosco – red berry tiramisú with mascarpone cream Tortino di Cioccolata – molten chocolate fondant with Sicilian blood orange sauce

Greater Choice and Diversity in The Terrace Café and Waves Grill The ever-popular Terrace Café has also expanded its lunch offering to include locally sourced fish, sausages and marinated meats, including regional specialties from the ports and destinations visited.

For more laidback fare, Waves Grill has added a fresh, prepared-to-order poke bowl station inspired by flavors from around the world including Japan, India, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, the Mediterranean, North Africa, France, the United States, and Mexico.

New Evening Canapé Choices and Elevated Service Levels Canapés served in the lounges and bars after a day of exploring are a much-loved tradition on board Oceania Cruises. The experience now features a wider variety of selections, echoing the gourmet inspiration of the new dishes offered in The Grand Dining Room. The selections will also be presented individually to each table as part of the line's enhanced health and safety measures. Guests in Penthouse, Oceania, Vista, and Owner's Suites may choose from a canapé selection now including the addition of plant-based California rolls, a Mezze Platter and a Taco Trilogy.

Service levels have also been significantly enhanced through a combination of increased staffing and implementation of a new electronic ordering system which ensures that the taking of orders, food and beverage service and table re-setting is seamlessly streamlined. This will allow restaurant staff to focus on providing the exemplary service that guests have come to know and love.

For additional information on Oceania Cruises' small-ship luxury product, exquisitely crafted cuisine, and expertly curated travel experiences, visit OceaniaCruises.com, call 855-OCEANIA, or speak with a professional travel advisor.

Oceania Cruises is the world's leading culinary- and destination-focused cruise line. The line's six small, luxurious ships carry only 684 or 1,250 guests and feature the finest cuisine at sea and destination-rich itineraries that span the globe. Expertly curated travel experiences aboard the designer-inspired, small ships call on more than 450 marquee and boutique ports across Europe, Alaska, Asia, Africa, Australia, New Zealand, New England-Canada, Bermuda, the Caribbean, the Panama Canal, Tahiti and the South Pacific in addition to the epic 180-day Around the World Voyages. The brand has two 1,200-guest Allura Class ships on order. With headquarters in Miami, Oceania Cruises is owned by Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd., a diversified cruise operator of leading global cruise brands which include Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises.

Some Hot Selections For Summer Fashion And Fitness

The Sunseeker bodysuit from Indigo Wild is perfect for swim, yoga, dance, and everyday wear. You can ask for adjustable sides when ordering, just put in notes section. The Sunseeker features a unique side lacing that is eye-catching, with a cheeky cut. The simple shape of the Sun Seeker is fully reversible.

Indigo Wild is BioDegradable. This unique, very soft, textile fabric will Bio degrade in any land fill within 3-5 years. This makes their product revolutionary within the fashion industry. Most textiles such as Spandex, polyester, and nylon are currently found in 90% of clothing worn today. They take 40-200 years to properly decompose while also leaving behind harmful toxins and chemicals used to create the synthetic textiles.

We were so happy with the American made quality and fabric with the sample provided to us, we ordered more garments. To order, please visit: https://indigowildclothing.com/

Finally—stylish high-performance compression socks for women and men from Lily Trotters that keep you ready for whatever the day throws your way. Marathon-strong and designer inspired, you get fit, comfort and style, whether you’re wearing your best denim, high-tech running shorts or street chic boots with a skirt. Thin enough to rock your favorite shoes, Lily Trotters are easy to get on and off and comfortable enough to wear for hours.

So get ready to look beautiful, and feel unstoppable as you attack your busy day. Whether you’re running a marathon or a mile, standing all day or sitting through a long flight, there’s a compression sock for your every need at Lily Trotters. Made (with love) and built for the long run in the USA. For more details and how to purchase, please visit: https://www.lilytrotters.com/

FAA Seeks Fines Against More Misbehaving Airline Passengers

Federal officials said Monday they are pursuing civil penalties against two more passengers for interfering with airline crews, the latest in a surge of such cases in recent months.

The Federal Aviation Administration said it is continuing to take a zero-tolerance stance against unruly passengers.

The most recent cases involve a passenger who refused to wear a face mask, which is required by federal regulation, and another who cursed flight attendants and the captain after boarding a plane.

The Federal Aviation Administration says it has received 1,300 complaints from airlines about disruptive passengers this year and has announced proposed civil penalties — some topping $30,000 — against more than a dozen passengers in recent weeks. The passengers can protest the penalties.

The agency said Monday it will seek a $10,500 fine against a passenger on a JetBlue Airways flight from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to Los Angeles in December. The FAA said the man repeatedly ignored orders to wear a mask, then coughed and blew his nose into a blanket.

The FAA proposed a $9,000 fine against a passenger who boarded a JetBlue flight from Los Angeles to Newark, New Jersey, in March. The man slammed overhead bins and shouted profanities at flight attendants and the captain before law enforcement escorted him out of the terminal, the FAA said.

The new cases came just three days after the FAA announced potential fines against four other passengers. None of the individuals have been identified.

Under its zero-tolerance policy announced in January, the FAA says it no longer warns or counsels unruly passengers, it jumps straight to enforcement action. The FAA has power to levy civil penalties but is letting law enforcement decide whether to seek criminal charges against passengers.

The FAA crackdown began around the time supporters of former President Donald Trump created disturbances on several flights to and from Washington. It was to remain in effect until late March, but the agency extended it when the Transportation Security Administration extended its requirement that passengers wear face masks through Sept. 13.

The FAA says it started enforcement action against more than 1,300 passengers during the past 10 years.

U.S. airlines, which imposed their own face-mask requirements before the government did, have temporarily banned at least 3,000 people for refusing to cover their faces.

A Trip to St. Croix Means Skip The Passport, Don’t Skimp On The Fun

Christiansted, St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands (May 10, 2021) – For travelers who’ve set their sights on going somewhere truly special this summer -- on a vacation that will be the antithesis of the drama they’ve endured during the past year -- we’d like to make the case for the stunning island of St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands, “America’s Paradise.” The ideal place to establish headquarters is The Buccaneer, a legendary beach resort that’s been welcoming guests to this historic island since 1947.

Since St. Croix is part of a U.S. territory, no passports are ever required for U.S. residents who’d like to visit. Guests must provide proof of a positive antibodies test (an option for those who have been fully vaccinated) or a negative COVID test prior to arrival on St. Croix, but there’s no mandatory quarantining upon entry. Perhaps the best news is that visitors here won’t have to deal with a lot of the limitations they’ve experienced elsewhere in the past year. The Buccaneer features 130 rooms and suites spread out over 350 acres, plus dining venues, pools, beaches and recreational facilities ... all with plenty of room for everyone and plenty of sunshine and fresh air all around.

You can do absolutely nothing, if you so choose, because The Buccaneer provides the perfect environment for guests to master the fine art of relaxation. But these days, an even more appealing option might be getting out and actually DOING something. St. Croix boasts pleasant temperatures, soothing waters and gentle breezes all year round, which makes it an ideal venue for any number of outdoor adventures. From golf or tennis -- both available right at the resort -- to hiking or deep-sea fishing, this island was presenting countless ways to safely enjoy time with family and friends long before the term “social distancing” was even part of our standard lexicon.

The oldest family-run resort in the entire Caribbean, The Buccaneer is an especially kid-friendly property that makes an ideal getaway for children, parents and grandparents, too. Knowing that many of its guests travel as extended family units, through December 19 The Buccaneer is offering a Two-Bedroom Special so that families booking two rooms can enjoy a 50% discount on the second one when the party includes a maximum of two adults and children 18 and younger between the two accommodations. The resort also features an exclusive Beach House, a six-bedroom private enclave that features a villa-style master suite, a private pool and the complex’s very own beach. It’s ideal for families and other small groups that want to get away from it all -- and everyone -- but in a much more luxurious and relaxing environment than they’re used to.

On the other end of the spectrum -- for that romantic party of two just beginning a new life together -- The Buccaneer is a popular spot for destination weddings and honeymoons. It’s the perfect locale for couples seeking a destination that’s truly exotic without being officially “international.” To help with the planning, The Buccaneer offers a Honeymoons Are Forever Package that provides an enhanced resort experience, including perks such as private airport transportation, a beach cabana rental, and resort credit that can be used for meals or even a beachfront massage.

From fun families to carefree couples and from active adventurers to lazy loungers, no matter what type of traveler is attracted to St. Croix, it’s now even easier to get to the island thanks to increased airlift from four gateways on the mainland: Charlotte and Miami (on American Airlines, with the MIA flight lasting less than three hours), Atlanta (on Delta Air Lines) and Fort Lauderdale (on Spirit Airlines).

Since it does require a flight to get to St. Croix, The Buccaneer recommends that guests embrace the whole “road trip” concept this year by reserving a rental car so they can truly experience an amazing island adventure. (That adventure begins with the fact that Crucians drive on the opposite side of the road!) A car enables visitors to travel to sites like the St. George Village Botanical Garden, which conserves and protects native plant species from St. Croix and other Caribbean islands; Point Udall, the easternmost point in the United States and therefore home to the nation’s first sunrise each day; and the town of Christiansted, which boasts a rich history and phenomenal restaurants.

To reach St. Croix’s top attraction, the famed Buck Island Reef National Monument, visitors don’t need a car ... but they do need a boat. The Buccaneer boasts its own dock, where captains pick up guests right from the hotel property and escort them on snorkeling adventures at the reef.

For more information about The Buccaneer, please visit www.thebuccaneer.com. For more details about the island of St. Croix and the rest of the U.S. Virgin Islands, please check www.usviupdate.com. There’s also a special website to answer questions about travel to and from the territory.

The Buccaneer reminds all potential visitors to do their research and make informed and responsible travel decisions before embarking on a vacation, now or in the future. Please be sure to consult individual local and state requirements when planning travel.

New York City To Offer Virus Vaccinations To Tourists

NEW YORK (AP) — See the sights — and get a shot.

New York City hopes to begin offering coronavirus inoculations to tourists by stationing vaccination vans at Times Square and other attractions, Mayor Bill de Blasio said Thursday.

The city needs state approval to vaccinate visitors and hopes to get an OK as soon as May 8th

The state Health Department said it hadn’t yet received a formal plan to review.

“Meanwhile, we remain focused on vaccine equity and ensuring vaccine access for vulnerable New Yorkers and continue to assess the most effective use of doses as demand stabilizes,” spokesperson Jonah Bruno said.

De Blasio called the city’s idea “a positive message to tourists: ‘Come here. It’s safe, it’s a great place to be and we’re going to take care of you.’”

“It’s a show of goodwill. It’s a welcome,” but not a requirement, the Democratic mayor said. He said the city has no plans to track tourists’ vaccination status.

Besides Times Square, the vans would appear in such places as Central Park, Brooklyn Bridge Park and the High Line elevated park, de Blasio said. Visitors would get the one-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine, so they wouldn’t have to follow up with a second shot.

Although many visitors might leave New York before the vaccine’s full protection kicks in, de Blasio argued that “the more people get vaccinated, the better” for the city and world.

Under another plan announced Thursday, tourists and New Yorkers alike could see some new artwork and performances in public spaces.

De Blasio said the city would spend $25 million to hire over 1,500 artists and performers for an “Artists Corps” that would create murals, pop-up shows and other works.

Cultural Affairs Commissioner Gonzalo Casals said details would be announced later.

UK To Ease Holiday Travel Ban Yet Keeps Most Quarantines

LONDON (AP) — Britain announced a “first tentative step” Friday toward resuming international travel, saying U.K. citizens will be able to travel to countries including Portugal, Iceland and Israel later this month without having to quarantine upon their return.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said the country’s current blanket ban on overseas vacations will be replaced on May 17 by a traffic-light system classifying countries as low, medium or high risk.

The “green list” of 12 low-risk territories also includes Gibraltar, the Faroe Islands and the Falkland Islands — but not major vacation destinations for Britons such as France, Italy, Spain and Greece, which are on the “amber” list. Britons traveling to those countries, and many others including the United States and Canada, will have to self-isolate for 10 days when they return.

Britons hoping for an overseas vacation this summer without a quarantine do not have a lot to choose from. Several countries on the green list are still closed to British visitors, including Australia, New Zealand and Singapore. Others are little-visited, such as the remote islands of Saint Helena, Ascension Island and Tristan da Cunha.

“This is not a list generated and created to think about where people want to lie on beaches and then twist the science to fit it,” Shapps said at a news conference.

He said the list would be reviewed regularly and would likely be expanded.

“We in this country have managed to construct a fortress against COVID. But the disease is still prevalent in other parts of the world, most notably at the moment in India,” he said.

“That’s why today’s announcement, removing the ‘stay in the U.K.’ restrictions from May 17, is necessarily cautious,” he said.

All but essential travel from Britain remains barred to “red list” countries with severe outbreaks, including India and South Africa, and people returning from them face 10 days of mandatory quarantine in a supervised hotel. On Friday the British government added Nepal, the Maldives and Turkey to that list.

Turkey’s addition, which takes effect Wednesday, throws into doubt the ability of players and fans to travel to the Champions League soccer final between two English teams — Manchester City and Chelsea — which is due to be played in Istanbul on May 29.

Shapps said the government was “very open” to holding the game in Britain, but that it was a decision for soccer’s European governing body, UEFA.

May 17 is the next date on the British government’s roadmap out of lockdown. Pubs and restaurants in England can reopen indoor areas that day, and venues including theaters and cinemas can welcome limited audiences.

Britain has recorded more than 127,500 coronavirus deaths, the highest toll in Europe. But recent infections and deaths have plummeted thanks to extensive lockdowns and a rapid vaccination program. Two-thirds of U.K. adults have received at least one vaccine jab and almost a third have had both doses.

The campaign has relied heavily on the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine, whose use has been restricted in some European countries because of a potential link to extremely rare blood clots.

In a change of advice, British authorities said Friday that people under 40 will not be given the AstraZeneca vaccine if another shot was available.

The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunization said people aged 30 to 39 without underlying health conditions should receive an alternative vaccine, “where available and only if this does not cause substantial delays in being vaccinated.” Last month it gave the same advice for people under 30.

”Any vaccine offered early is preferable to a vaccine offered too late,” said Wei Shen Lim, who chairs the JCVI, an expert body that advises the government.

England’s deputy chief medical officer, Jonathan Van-Tam, said the government expects to follow the new advice and still meet its target of giving everyone 18 and over a vaccine jab by July 31.

“We have to maintain the pace and scale of the U.K. vaccination program,” Van-Tam said, adding that the AstraZeneca vaccine is safe and effective and “thousands are alive today” because they received it.

Britain is also using vaccines made by Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna.

British health officials say the risk from COVID-19 far exceeds any risk from the AstraZeneca vaccine for the vast majority of people, but the calculation is “more finely balanced” for younger groups, who tend not to suffer serious illness from coronavirus infections.

Up to April 28, Britain’s medicines regulator had received 242 reports of blood clots accompanied by low platelet count in people who had received the AstraZeneca vaccine, out of 28.5 million doses given. There were 49 deaths.
The AstraZeneca vaccine, which is cheaper and easier to store than Pfizer or Moderna, is critical to global immunization campaigns. It is a pillar of the U.N.-backed program known as COVAX that aims to get vaccines to some of the world’s poorest countries.