Destinations US Citizens Can Visit Without A Passport On Major Cruise Lines

Closed-loop sailings allow travelers to visit international destinations without a passport.

Cruise companies like Carnival, Royal Caribbean, and Celebrity allow these sailings.

Travelers can visit anywhere from the Caribbean to Canada with an ID and proof of citizenship.

However, a lack of a passport doesn't mean you can't leave the mainland US. Travelers can visit US territories like the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands without a passport.

Or they can embark on a closed-loop cruise, which is a cruise that starts and finishes at the same US port.

An international agreement called the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative allows US citizens to travel to destinations in the Western Hemisphere on cruises without a passport. In order to embark on a closed-loop cruise without a passport, the traveler must have a government-issued ID as well as proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate.

Many cruise lines offer closed-loop sailings, but not all. And if you're embarking on a closed-loop cruise, some companies, such as Celebrity Cruises, caution travelers that if a cruise doesn't go to plan and they need to return to the US by air, they'll need a passport to fly home. The same thing goes if a passenger misses their ship in one of the ports.

Take a look at the cruise companies that offer closed-loop sailings and where you can go without a passport.

On a Celebrity ship, cruisers can head to the Bahamas.

Or visit popular Mexico destinations like Puerto Costa Maya, Puerto Vallarta, and Cabo San Lucas.

Celebrity ships also sail to St. Thomas.

As well as St. Kitts.

Carnival Cruises is another popular cruise line that offers closed-loop sailings.

On Carnival, cruisers can visit the Bahamas without a passport.

Or Carnival passengers can go on adventures in Cozumel and Baja, Mexico.

Another closed-loop cruise option is Royal Caribbean.

On a Royal Caribbean cruise, travelers could head to Jamaica.

Or explore Canadian destinations like New Brunswick and Nova Scotia.

This just scratches the surface of where travelers can adventure to without a passport. According to The Points Guy, Norwegian, Princess, Holland America, and American Cruise Lines also offer closed-loop cruises out of the US.

Source: https://www.insider.com/author/monica-humphries

Travelore News: US Airlines See No Letup In Travel Demand Despite Broader Economic Concerns

A rush among travelers to make up for lost time during the pandemic is producing bumper airline earnings. And executives at U.S. carriers don't see a letup in demand even as rising living costs stretch household budgets and add to worries about the industry's pricing power.

American Airlines on Thursday raised its earnings forecast for 2023 after profit in the second quarter topped Wall Street estimates.

The Texas-based carrier is the latest to offer an upbeat outlook. United Airlines and Delta Air Lines have also raised their earnings estimates as consumers cut spending on goods in favor of experiences.

It's indicative of our belief that the economy is strong, demand is strong," American CEO Robert Isom said on an earnings call.

number of passengers moving through airport checkpoints has been averaging above pre-pandemic levels since mid-May and hit a four-year high last month, U.S. Transportation Security Administration data showed.

International bookings are especially strong after the lifting of pandemic-related restrictions. Data from travel website Kayak, for example, shows searches by U.S.-based customers for summer travel to Europe are up 55% from last year.

Airlines say travel has become the topmost priority for consumers, but capacity constraints at airlines will not let them catch up with demand for anytime soon, helping sustain the post-pandemic travel boom.

These "very constraints and challenges are going to set the table for improved financial results for the airline industry," said United CEO Scott Kirby.

But with the U.S. central bank aggressively trying to tamp down inflation, airlines continue to face questions about travel spending.

Those concerns have not allowed airline shares to bounce back to pre-pandemic levels despite a rebound in the industry's revenue.

PRICING POWER WEAKENING?

Strong demand has bolstered airfares, allowing carriers to offset higher costs.

But inflation data shows airline ticket prices have peaked. American's earnings report reinforced that view as its total revenue per available seat mile, a proxy for pricing power, in the September quarter is forecast to be down about 4.5% to 6.5% from last year.

Shares of American and Delta were down 6% and 1.5%, respectively. United's shares were up 1%.

Airline executives say the drop in ticket prices is primarily a reflection of cooling fuel prices and higher capacity and not a result of waning demand. They point to frequent upgrades to airline earnings forecasts as an evidence of strong travel spending.

Reporting by Rajesh Kumar Singh Editing by Nick Zieminski, Reuters

Club Med Announces New Japan Ski Resort, Major Resort Renovations And Enhanced Teens Programming To North American Properties

Club Med, the pioneer of the all-inclusive concept, announced today a variety of new developments launching over the next year, including a new ski resort in Japan, completion of renovations in the brand's North American family flagship resort, Club Med Punta Cana, refresh of the brand's unique Martinique resort, Club Med Buccaneer's Creek, and enhancements to the teens programming.

As Club Med continues to move forward with its ambitious development plans worldwide, the brand plans to expand its portfolio with three to five openings or renovations per year, including a U.S. mountain resort targeted to open in 2-3 years, as well as a new resort in the Caribbean in the near future.

New Ski Resort: Club Med Kiroro Grand

Club Med will debut its newest Japan ski resort, Club Med Kiroro Grand, this December further establishing the brand as the leading all-inclusive pioneer with 20 mountain resorts throughout the Alps, Canada and Asia. Located in Hokkaido, the internationally renowned ski destination of Japan, this untouched mountain features white powder snow and unique ski trails that guests travel from all over the world to experience. The resort will attract families, active couples and avid skiiers to discover an elevated mountain vacation featuring spring skiing until May (with 160 days of winter) along with night and off-piste skiing with new trails. In addition to the skiing and other winter sports, guests can learn more about the culture and traditions of the region through day trips to Otaru, a costal town of Sapporo known for its glasswork and Sake and beer distilleries. Learn about the native Ainu heritage of Hokkaido by visiting their local shops that house beautiful handcrafted wood carvings and embroidered clothing. Club Med Kiroro Grand is a destination for travelers to ski impeccable trails and immerse themselves in the rich cultures and activities of the Kiroro region.

Inspired by the dreamlike scenery of Kiroro's natural landscape, Club Med Kiroro Grand is designed with a distinctive enchanted forest theme, encapsulated from the reception to the 266 guest rooms depicting natural finishes and rich, traditional Japanese influences throughout. Upon arrival, guests will be drawn into the signature mountain charm bringing the great outdoors inside. The resort is situated in an unspoiled ski domain with 23 courses for all levels and off-piste ski slopes across the Asari and Nagamine mountains. Included in the stay, travelers will enjoy unlimited ski-in and ski-out access to a pristine domain, lift passes, group ski and snowboard lessons tailored to all ages and skill levels. Guests seeking active experiences outside of traditional skiing and snowboarding can choose from a plethora of activities at the resort like yoga, cardio training, digital darts and more. The resort also caters to families and children with dedicated Children's Clubs for kids ages 2-17.

spending the day on the mountain, enjoy apres-ski activities like the brand's first traditional Japanese onsen featuring a dedicated wellness lounge with a sauna and a hot stone room or indulge in the resort's Japanese-inspired restaurants, the Club Med Spa, indoor swimming pool and all-day entertainment. Additionally, Club Med Kiroro Grand is a 3-minute gondola ride from its sister resort Club Med Kiroro Peak and will be the brand's sole mountain destination in Asia.

Newly Renovated Flagship Resort: Club Med Punta Cana

Aligned with Club Med's mission of consistent growth, the pioneering brand has unveiled all-new renovations and extensions at flagship resort, Club Med Punta Cana:

Refreshed Restaurant & Dining Experience: The resort's main restaurant, Hispaniola, has transformed into an award-winning design that resembles a Caribbean beach bistro drawing inspiration from Punta Cana's vibrant art, music, and culture. Upon arrival, guests are welcomed into a tropical, open-air dining area with Dominican-inspired décor, bright colored elements and trendy and modern light fixtures complemented by the backdrop of the ocean. The avant-garde dining concept boasts an expansive range of global fare featuring fresh local produce, international cuisine and Club Med's famed French savoir-faire that will take guests on a true gastronomic journey. Enjoy the restaurant's grill station featuring savory and smoky grilled fish and vegetables, tender roasted meats from the churrascaria, and fresh seafood from the raw bar. The restaurant also features a wide selection of cheeses, freshly baked breads and pastries. For the kids, the restaurant offers a variety of well-balanced options for all palates. To round out the meal, guests are invited to indulge in the extensive wine and beverage selections from the wine cellar and bar. The all-day restaurant offers interactive show cooking and an evolving atmosphere filled with live music and festive entertainment.

New + Renovated Family Rooms: Influenced by the modern Caribbean and playful design throughout the resort, Club Med Punta Cana now boasts 90 newly renovated family rooms as well as 48 brand-new Family Superior rooms and 36 Family Deluxe rooms. Designed with families in mind, each room features two bedrooms – one for adults, one for children – and is centrally located near the heart of the resort and its family-friendly amenities. Modern design is combined with décor that reflects the region's natural elements, which guests can view from fully furnished balconies or the open-concept bathrooms with large rain showers, drawing inspiration from the brand's Zen Oasis concept that focuses on wellbeing and relaxation. The new rooms encapsulate the vivacious Caribbean paradise drawing from the island's vivid greenery, bright pink hues of flamingos and the shades of the shimmering turquoise waters.

A New Destination Wedding Venue: As demand for destination weddings continues to flourish, the resort has a new on-site wedding venue in partnership with the renowned Grupo Bisutti, Brazil-based wedding planner professionals that specialize in destination weddings. Grupo Bisutti Club Med Punta Cana hosts up to 250 guests and features a 3,982 sq-ft covered outdoor terrace ideal for tropical cocktail hours, receptions, and ceremonies.

Beauty Salon: To enhance the current wellness spa experiences, Club Med Punta Cana now offers guests a fully renovated beauty salon located at the entrance of the Club Med Spa by L'OCCITANE. The salon will feature a full beauty treatment menu to complement any wellness or weddings needs onsite.

Club Med Buccaneer's Creek: Renovations + New Design Concepts

Club Med Buccaneer's Creek, situated in the heart of the vibrant French Caribbean, will be undergoing extensive renovations to refresh its rooms, reception area, main restaurant, and bar slated to debut the first phase by the end of 2023 and will consist of:

Refreshed Accommodations: 139 existing rooms will undergo a complete refresh with all new modern furniture and decorative elements including new fabrics, curtains, and decorative lighting as well as a full refurbishment of the bathrooms with new hardware, finishings, and light fixtures. New Welcome Area & Reception: The reception area, which is the welcome center for all guests, will be undergoing a complete transformation into a spacious lounge area with green, teal and yellow tropical décor, wood furnishings and furniture that will transport guests to a tropical oasis upon arrival.

Enhanced Dining Concepts: The main restaurant, Pays Mélés, will be redesigned into a new open-air layout with refreshed furniture, lighting, decorative pieces, and two private dining rooms overlooking the ocean. In addition to the main restaurant, the resort's main bar, The Madou, will include a new outdoor terrace area as well as furnishings throughout the space to create a full seaside ambiance.

Endless Adventure: In addition to the renovations, guests can still expect the same outdoor adventures making it the ideal destination for watersport enthusiasts with included activities like paddleboarding, waterskiing, kayaking, and windsurfing. Also, enjoy destination experiences like a tropical getaway in an off-road vehicle to explore Martinique's rainforests and the banana and sugarcane plantations.

Newly Enhanced Teens Programming
In 1967, Club Med founded their first Children's Club – the Mini Club Med for children ages 4-10. To continue its pioneering spirit to cater to families and foster kids' growth and empowerment of all ages, Club Med has enhanced its current teens programming with: Club Med Teens (11-13 year olds) and Club Med Chill Pass (14-17 year olds) to offer more engaging, age appropriate activities. Teens can participate in new-and-improved group games, workshops and themed nights that combine creativity with fun, with activities including:

Teens Show: A modern approach to a talent show, the Teens show will feature trendy dances, glow makeup with LED lighting and screens. Big Splash: A giant inflatable water course will challenge teens to have fun in the water through a timed race to the finish line. Sports Under the Stars: A variety of sports including glow volleyball will be held in the evening featuring light nets, music and snacks – a whole new exciting way to exercise. Chill Pass Fest: An exclusive teens pool party to meet new friends, enjoy time under the sun and chill with music. The teens programming has launched at select resorts worldwide and is available currently at N. America resorts including Club Med Punta Cana, Club Med Michès Playa Esmeralda, Club Med Cancún and Club Med Ixtapa Pacific and will be deployed at all Club Med resorts by 2024.

Pioneering Sustainable Tourism

Club Med continues its efforts dedicated to responsible tourism and corporate social responsibility initiatives. To expand on the brands "Happy to Care" program, Club Med's N. American resorts have developed weekly programming to involve both clients and guests on continuing their efforts. Weekly initiatives are organized including:

Seasonal Beach Cleanups: Club Med Columbus & Club Med Turkoise participate in seasonal beach cleanups to help keep the resort and environment clean and debris free. Turtle Protection Program: Dedicated turtle release programs at Club Med Ixtapa Pacific has been developed to ensure proper monitoring and protection of baby turtles. At Club Med Michès Playa Esmeralda, the resort supports the local government with the launch of the first Turtle Protection and Monitoring Program with plans to develop turtle releases within the resort for the guests. Beehive Harvest and Local Sourcing: Club Med Québec partnered with Hydromel to create a beehive growth initiative to grow and harvest honey for use in local dishes and drinks in the resort. Mini Sea Camp: Club Med Columbus teamed up with Only Blue Diving to organize a mini snorkeling camp for teens of San Salvador to raise awareness of coral reef preservation and education of marine ecosystems.

For more information, visit www.clubmed.us, call 1-800-Club-Med (1-800-258-2633), or contact a preferred travel professional.

After Complaints About Airplane Seat Size Reached Congress, A New Bill Aims To Address Cramped Conditions

It's no secret that most people who travel via plane hate their tiny, cramped seats. But airplane seating isn't just uncomfortable — it might be unsafe for some. A new bill moving through Congress aims to address airplane safety for people with disabilities or other restrictions that might make evacuating difficult. As travel rates steadily return to pre-pandemic levels, airlines have been scrambling to pick up lost profit and fit more people into planes, even looking to models that suggest "double-decker" airplane seating — much to the chagrin of anyone who travels coach.

According to a new report from The Wall Street Journal, in 2022, the Federal Aviation Administration solicited public opinion on whether or not seat size on airplanes created safety issues — and for more than 26,000 public commenters, they do.

"It is my belief that much of the acting out by airline passengers is at least in part attributable to the severe overcrowding on airplanes. When people are so crowded that they cannot comfortably move without bumping or annoying someone else, they get tense and angry," wrote one commenter to the FAA. "I am elderly and can no longer fly unless I pay extra for extra seat room. No one except airline shareholders likes this situation."

Other submissions called attention to the potential of hip or knee injuries caused by a lack of space between seats. Many also mentioned height and weight as factors that made flying uncomfortable.

"I am a 6'5" 320lb. man ... After most flights I take, my knees are in a considerable amount of pain," reads another submission. "Being a large person makes moving around the cabin difficult. In the event of an emergency it would very difficult for me to maneuver out of my seat and move out of the way for my fellow passengers for them to get to safety."
Now, Congress is trying to address the potential safety hazards with the Emergency Vacating of Aircraft Cabin, or EVAC, Act.

In May, US Senators Tammy Baldwin and Tammy Duckworth reintroduced the bill, initially introduced in December 2022. It urges the FAA to "do a better job of taking real-life conditions into account to ensure all types of passengers can safely evacuate in an emergency," asking the agency to update evacuation standards to take into consideration passengers with disabilities, of different heights and weights, and airplane seat size and configuration, among other things.

Current FAA standards say passengers need to be able to evacuate an airplane within 90 seconds in the case of an emergency, but the bill's authors say test subjects for this guideline were all adults under the age of 60. The bill also says the tests were conducted in small groups instead of considering that some planes can carry over 200 passengers.

The FAA has not yet investigated potential complications caused by people trying to evacuate with carry-on baggage, despite the National Transportation Safety Board's suggestion to do so, according to the bill.
In response to Insider's request for comment, the FAA said it does not comment on proposed legislation.

"The FAA is reviewing the thousands of comments it received on whether current seat size and spacing affect passenger evacuation," read the statement given to Insider.

The agency also added that a 2020 report from the Emergency Evacuation Standards Aviation Rulemaking Committee examined almost 300 airline evacuation events over the past ten years did include a "diverse set of passenger demographics," and found overall levels of safety "very high" during emergency evacuations.

In addition to addressing such issues, airlines have also been under pressure as costs of retaining pilots rise, according to reporting from Reuters.

Airplane seat size has long been a contentious issue, with "travel hacks" online claiming to help passengers get more space to themselves on planes, like booking aisle and window seats in a row in the hopes that a single passenger will not take the middle seat, lifting aisle seat armrests, and researching airline seat sizes before booking.
In March, one TikTok user caused controversy when he suggested a "poor man's first-class" trick: that passengers book an entire row of refundable seats and then cancel the tickets close to boarding time to have a row to themselves.

Source: https://www.businessinsider.com/author/sebastian-cahill

Hundreds Of Thousands Face Disruption At London’s Gatwick Airport This Summer After Strike Vote

Hundreds of thousands of British vacationers face potential disruption to their travel plans at the start of the school summer holidays, after almost 1,000 workers at London’s Gatwick Airport voted to strike in a dispute over pay.

The Unite union said Friday that members, including baggage handlers and check-in staff, who are employed by four private contractors will walk out for four days from July 28 and again for a subsequent four-day stretch from Aug. 4.

The union said the action will “inevitably” cause disruption to flights at the height of the summer holiday season after the school year has ended. The airlines affected are British Airways, easyJet, Ryanair, TUI, WestJet and Wizz Air.

Gatwick, which is just south of the U.K. capital, is London’s second-busiest airport behind Heathrow, with a particular focus during the summer to Europe’s beach resorts in the Mediterranean.

A total of 4,410 flights are scheduled to depart Gatwick across all the strike days, equating to more than 840,000 seats, according to aviation data company Cirium.

Those involved in the dispute are employed by ASC, Menzies Aviation, GGS and DHL Services, which conduct outsourced operations for airlines including ground handling, baggage handling and check-in. Unite said it has been in negotiations with the four companies since January.

“As part of Unite’s unyielding focus on the jobs, pay and condition of its members, the union has drawn a line in the sand and is committed to eradicating the scourge of low pay at the airport,” said Sharon Graham, the union’s general-secretary.

Phil Lloyd, a senior vice president at Menzies Aviation, one of the companies involved, said Unite rejected its offer for an 11% pay rise for its ground services employees at Gatwick, which he added is on top of last year’s 10% increase.

“We are in continued discussions with our airline partners and remain committed to seeking a resolution,” he said.

Britain has witnessed an array of strikes over the past few months as workers across various sectors try to get wage raises that at least keep pace with inflation. Though inflation has fallen from its peak, it remains high at 8.7%. Unite said the majority of workers who are set to strike are paid an average of under 12 pounds ($15.50) an hour.

Gatwick, like other airports in Europe, is already suffering major disruption because of air traffic control restrictions as a result of strike action, staff shortages and airspace closures related to Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

“We are aware of the recent ballot result and will support our airlines with their contingency plans to ensure that flights operate as scheduled,” a spokesperson for the airport said.

Source: AP

Travelore News: American Airlines And JetBlue Will End Their Partnership Next Week After Losing Antitrust Case

American Airlines and JetBlue Airways will end their partnership in the Northeast next week, after a judge ruled that the deal violates antitrust law.

JetBlue said Friday that it will end codesharing – the practice of selling seats on each other’s flights – and reciprocal frequent-flyer benefits on July 21.

Customers who already bought a ticket through the partnership will have until that date to add their frequent-flyer number to the booking to get points in their account, the airline said.

A federal judge in Boston ruled in May that the airlines must disband their agreement, called the Northeast Alliance. The Justice Department sued to kill the deal, which began in early 2021 and is focused on flights in New York and Boston, saying it would limit competition and hurt consumers by driving up prices.

American plans to appeal the ruling, but JetBlue announced last week that it would not appeal and would instead turn its focus to saving its proposed $3.8 billion purchase of Spirit Airlines. The Justice Department has also sued to block that deal, and a trial is scheduled for October.

Source: AP

Seabourn Expands Its Culinary Offerings In The Restaurant, Sushi In The Club

Seabourn, one the leaders in ultra-luxury voyages and expedition travel, continues to elevate its culinary program with a number of dining enhancements, including include new recipes in The Restaurant and expanded sushi offerings, aboard its ultra-luxury ships.

"Memorable dining is so important to a travel experience, and we are always looking to innovate their offerings to ensure they deliver luxurious and sophisticated culinary moments that exceed their guests' expectations," said Natalya Leahy, president of Seabourn. "We offer a wide range of dishes with fresh ingredients, sourced locally whenever possible, and our team of highly skilled chefs are very proud to showcase their passion and talents across their entire fleet of ultra-luxury ships."

In The Restaurant, the main, fine-dining venue on board all of the ships, Seabourn is rolling out two new recipes each week, which will total more than 100 new recipes per year. The new recipes will include lighter-fare dishes, using a number of ingredients such as fresh oysters, dover sole and more. By adding new dishes, Seabourn has increased the variety offered on The Restaurant's menu cycle. Examples of new appetizers include Gratinated Champagne Oysters with white leek & mushroom duxelles and Fresh Oysters on Ice with caviar, sour cream & vodka; and new entrees include Lobster en Belle Vue with lobster cream, quail egg, cherry tomatoes, cucumber; Roquefort Crusted Beef Tenderloin with wilted spinach, sunchoke emulsion; and Pomery Mustard – Tomato Crusted Baked Black Cod with melted leek, potato mash, chive butter.

The Restaurant serves breakfast and lunch on select days and dinner every evening, where guests can dine when and with whomever they wish. The talented culinary team prepares the wide variety of dishes a la minute, cooked to order.

In addition, Seabourn will begin offering "Sushi in the Club" on Seabourn Odyssey, Seabourn Sojourn and Seabourn Quest by November 2023. This follows the popularity of the dedicated restaurant, Sushi, on board Seabourn Encore and Seabourn Ovation, and Sushi in the Club on Seabourn Venture, which will also be available on Seabourn Pursuit. Available nightly between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m., "Sushi in the Club" will offer fresh sushi bites and unique sake offerings, and guests will enjoy a menu featuring the finest ingredients that blends authenticity with a twist of Seabourn's culinary expertise.

These new culinary enhancements were developed in partnership with Master Chef and Culinary Consultant Chef Anton Egger and Senior Corporate Chef Franck Salein. Together with the onboard, highly skilled culinary team, they curate Seabourn's world-class dining that rivals the finest restaurants anywhere.

Egger added that his culinary ideas and innovations are drawn from his global travels, and he is thrilled to share his creations with guests. "Food brings people together, and we continue to evolve our culinary offerings to celebrate many flavors of the world and to elevate the dining experience for our guests," Egger said. After getting his start in Austria, he staged and worked in France and Switzerland, and then continued to travel and work across the globe, taking inspiration from many culinary-rich regions he visited, including Asia, India, the Caribbean and South America, the U.S., South Africa and more.

Seabourn's new offerings are the latest updates to the onboard culinary experience, including the recently announced enhanced 24-hour in-suite dining menus featuring an extensive array of elegantly presented gourmet dishes.

For reservations or more details, please contact a professional travel advisor; call Seabourn at 1-800-929-9391 or visit www.seabourn.com.