By Judy Newell
Mexico News
Warm Up Your Winter with RIU Hotels
Warm up your winter and save up to 59% on a 24-hour all-inclusive vacation for the whole family in some of the most attractive sun and beach destinations in Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central America. Take advantage of this special offer and choose vacations with entertainment and activities for everyone. Plus:
• Kids stay free at select resorts
• Free antigen test on site
• Up to US$2,150 in resort credits
• Groups traveling together will receive every sixth passenger free
• Free weddings
Aviation News
Cape Air Buying 75 All-electric Aircraft
Massachusetts-based Cape Air plans to go electric with a big order for 75 all-electric Alice commuter aircraft. It signed a Letter of Intent for the purchase with electric commuter plane maker Eviation Aircraft.
Eviation’s all-electric Alice aircraft can hold nine passengers and two crew. It can fly 440 nautical miles on a single charge with a cruising speed of 250 knots.
Cape Air flies routes in the Northeast, Midwest, and Montana. It also has a significant presence in the Caribbean.
Cruise News
The CDC Has Lifted its Risk Advisory for Cruise Travel
For the first time in two years since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has lifted its risk advisory for cruises, indicating that while its suspension of the advisory does not mean there is no risk of COVID-19 infection onboard, cruise travel will no longer carry a CDC risk warning.
The major cruise lines instituted some of the travel industry’s most stringent precautions during the pandemic, requiring masks and vaccinations on most cruises. The CDC is still advising those cruising to be up to date on their COVID-19 vaccinations and to consult with their doctors about any precautions if immunocompromised or at high risk.
Last Chance to Book Uniworld’s 2022 Mystery Cruises
There’s limited space and time left for you to join Uniworld on one of their first ever Mystery Cruises on the rivers of Europe this year. This is your chance for a truly once-in-a-lifetime vacation that will leave you amazed at every turn.
In addition to the luxuriously all-inclusive amenities that come standard on every Uniworld cruise, the Mystery Cruises are also carefully curated with exclusive experiences onboard and onshore that you won’t find on any other Uniworld river cruise. Plus, your international airfare is included from U.S. gateways.
The best part? It’s all a surprise until you arrive! The three unique cruises are:
- June 12, 2022, 10 days, from U $6,999 per person including airfare
- September 23, 2022, 10 days, from U $7,299 per person including airfare
- October 2, 2022, 10 days, from US$7,299 per person including airfare
Don’t wait! Space is extremely limited, so secure your spots today!
Carnival Raises Prices on Drink Package and Gratuities
The cruise line’s guests will pay more for its popular beverage deal, along with its gratuity fees starting next month. Effective on May 1, 2022, an increase will be added both to its pre-cruise and onboard prices. Drink packages, which typically cover soda, specialty coffees, smoothies, juices, and alcoholic beverages, are popular programs.
The price will be US$59.95, per person, per day pre-cruise and US$64.95 per person, per day if purchased on board. An 18% gratuity charge is added to the purchase.
In addition, Carnival is also increasing the service gratuities to US$14.50 per person per day for most cabins and to US$16.50 per person, per day for suites.
Most analysts anticipated increases across cruise lines as travel recovers from a two-year hiatus that damaged the companies’ balance sheets. Other cruise lines, such as rival Norwegian Cruise Line, have already raised their gratuities, and Norwegian’s drink packages are higher than the new Carnival costs.
Deal of the Week
A Writers Journey in Ireland Including Workshops
Ireland is a mystical land filled with rich history. From its unique culture, to geography, to cuisine, one can find writing inspiration anywhere.
On this 10-day journey through Ireland, you will engage in multiple historical library visits to gain inspiration. Additionally, you will have multiple workshops to further your craft, such as a village studio writing experience in Howth.
This journey brings your favorite writers and their times to life with photographs and portraits, letters, first editions, and evocative personal possessions.
This program is immersive for anyone interested in writing as a hobby or a career. You will gain insight into historical writing through not only writing workshops, but also through historical library visits, museums visits, and more.
All four 2022 program dates have the same rate, US$3,800 per person, with US$350 single supplement: May 14, June 11, September 10, October 15.
You will leave this program feeling more inspiration than ever for your writing pieces!
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: Travel Mole, TRO, Uniworld Boutique River Cruises, Learning Journeys
