By Judy Newell
Mexico News
Maya Train
The Maya Train, a flagship project of the federal government, is scheduled to open in December of this year according to President López Obrador.
Despite numerous amparos (a legal resource used to protect against rights violations) that have repeatedly paused construction and a ballooning budget, the project continues to progress and officials say testing will start in July.
In December, the Washington Post described the Maya Train as “one of the largest and most controversial infrastructure projects in the country’s history.” The 1,500 km train track will traverse five states, with stops at 21 stations, and is designed to be used by residents and tourists alike in the Yucatán peninsula.
Some of the archaeological discoveries made along the train’s route will be exhibited at various museums in Yucatán, including the recently restored historic athenaeum in Mérida, which will become a museum and cultural center.
According to the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) the archaeological investigation carried out on the Maya Train route is the most extensive that has ever been carried out in the region. Early in January, the INAH reported that to date, 31,306 sites have been discovered.
International News
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Cruise News
Rocky Mountaineer Train Tours Added for Cunard Alaska Cruises
Cunard is offering Alaska cruise guests a Rocky Mountaineer train experience. Guests can extend their Alaska voyage with a three-night post-cruise Rocky Mountaineer package or a four-night tour before embarking in Vancouver.
Renowned for its GoldLeaf Service, Rocky Mountaineer offers an on-board dining room and a full complimentary bar service.
Queen Elizabeth’s summer in Alaska offers an Insights Program featuring Bear Grylls and other explorers. Other highlights include the Alaska Afternoon Tea, the Ice White Ball and a new dining concept called Frontier, which serves Alaska cuisine.
Cruise Line Expanding Casinos on Five Ships
Holland America Line will be expanding the casino space on its Pinnacle and Signature class ships to include over 140 of the newest and most popular slot and video poker machines in the gaming industry.
The increased casino space on Rotterdam, Nieuw Statendam, Koningsdam, Eurodam, and Nieuw Amsterdam adds more traditional slots, progressive jackpots, and video poker. With the expansion, Holland America’s casinos are also featuring new on-demand slot tournaments, increasing game play for gambling fans.
Holland America’s casinos fleet wide feature slot machines, video poker, and roulette, craps, and poker tables.
The new system also allows guests to participate in slot tournaments, prize drawings, and floor-wide bonus events. Passengers receive additional rewards based on casino play, including future cruise offers and discounts and beverages while playing.
Silversea Announces New Itineraries for Former Crystal Cruises Expedition Ship
Silversea Cruises has announced a new collection of 25 voyages for its expedition vessel Silver Endeavour, formerly Crystal Endeavor with Crystal Cruises.
From May 2023 through March 2024, guests will journey to 116 of the world’s most beautiful and remote cold-weather destinations across northern Europe, the Arctic, and Antarctica, including 24 maiden calls for Silversea.
The vessel will spend summer 2023 exploring the British Isles, Iceland, and the Arctic — including Greenland, Svalbard, and the Canadian Arctic. She will then head south, returning to Antarctica in winter 2023/2023 to visit the Antarctic Peninsula, South Georgia, and the Falkland Islands.
Aviation News
Air Canada to Fly Daily to Brisbane
Air Canada is expanding Vancouver to Brisbane services to daily flights from 2023.
It comes only three months after the airline relaunched the route. Brisbane flights returned last July with four services per week, which increases to daily from June 2023.
Air Canada will use Boeing 787-9s on the route.
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Judy Newell, an international travel consultant for 50+ years, heads Perfect Journeys and specializes in unique travel experiences to destinations around the world. She custom designs journeys that are tailored to suit client’s interests, physical abilities and budgets. Please contact Judy for further information on Travel News topics, Mexico and international travel. Cell phone 415-111-8765, Vonage 949-300-3682; email judynewell@perfectjourneys.net. Her office is in Rancho Los Labradores on the highway to Dolores Hidalgo.
Sources: Mexico News Daily, Globus, Travel Mole, TRO, Cruise Radio, Celebrity Cruises
