By Judy Newell
Mexico News
Cruise Ships to Return to Ensenada
Cruise ships will start making port calls again soon in Ensenada, Baja California. The mayor of Ensenada said Carnival Cruise Lines will return after skipping the port city due to recent unrest.
The city suffered unrest, orchestrated by a cartel demanding some of its members to be released from prison. It threatened widespread violence across Northern Baja California leading to deployment of National Guard troops. Many businesses also closed.
The State Department had advised Americans to avoid the region.
Royal Caribbean also canceled stops in Ensenada, but it hasn’t yet stated when it will resume.
International News
Experience the Allure of Havana
Dive into Cuban culture on this 3-night getaway to Havana. Perfect for weekend escapes, this tour allows you to experience the art, music, and history of Cuba through interacting with locals and visiting some of the capital city’s amazing sites.
Stay in a bed and breakfast where you will learn firsthand what family life is like in Cuba.
Flights are not included but we can gladly assist you in finding the best fares from Cancun.
Depart throughout 2022 and 2023
Private tour
Duration 4 days/3 nights
From US$999 per person
Step back in time on this privately guided tour to Havana with your preferred departure dates with the following inclusions:
• Privately guided tour with your own guide and driver
• 4 days/3 nights in Havana
• Support for the Cuban People activities daily, including entrance fees
• Visits to an art studio, the Hemingway Museum, a community project for kids, and the Cuban Fine Arts Museum
• Pre-trip detailed informational session by a Cuba Travel Specialists
Cruise News
First California River Cruise
Sail beyond the coast of sunny California with American Cruise Lines’ 8-day “San Francisco Bay” itinerary, its first California cruise.
Operating round trip from San Francisco, the 190-passenger American Jazz ‒ launched in 2020 ‒ will carry guests along the Napa, Sacramento, and San Joaquin Rivers for a truly unique week spent sailing the Golden State.
Guest experiences onboard and ashore will focus on the region, including a scenic sail of the San Francisco Bay, which passes by the Golden Gate Bridge as well as Alcatraz.
Available excursions include a NASCAR-style driving experience at the Stockton 99 Speedway; a guided tour of Old Sacramento’s underground city, a visit to the California Railroad Museum; and a Napa Valley winery experience.
Onboard, enrichment will include presentations on how to identify, sip, and savor local wines, as well cooking demonstrations on Northern Californian cuisine, which will include a cookbook for guests to take home. Daily sunrise yoga will be offered.
The 2023 departure dates for American Cruise Lines’ “San Francisco Bay” voyages are February 17 and 24, and March 3 and 10. Flat-rate airfare is offered by the cruise line for all its US-based cruises.
American Cruise Lines currently operates 15 small ships in 34 states ‒ all within the US.
Windstar Cruises Offers up to US$1,000 Onboard Credit
Windstar Cruises announced that it is offering up to US$1,000 onboard credit per stateroom on all bookings made before October 15, 2022, valid on all departures through 2024.
Depending on the category of stateroom or suite booked, sailings of up to 13 days will qualify for an onboard credit of between US$200 and $400 per stateroom while sailings of 14 days or longer qualify for an onboard credit of between US$400 and $1,000 per stateroom.
The per stateroom onboard credit is based on two people sharing. Solo travelers will receive 50 percent of the onboard credit.
Windstar Cruises specializes in small ship cruising to waterways and ports where the mega ships can’t sail. Its three all-suite, ‘Star Plus Class’ yachts and three classic ‘Wind Class’ sailing yachts host between 148 and 342 guests in an unpretentious atmosphere, while delivering a luxury experience.
The line is known for its caring crew and fine dining and is the official cruise line of the James Beard Foundation.’
Deal of the Week
Fall Colors of New England
10-day New England tour to Boston, Portsmouth and Cape Cod, from US$1,903
If the idea of New England brings images of picture-perfect villages, sleepy fishing towns, vast swathes of golden beaches, and presidential summer homes into your mind’s eye, this trip will not disappoint. Starting in historic Boston you’ll visit lovely Cape Cod, bubbly Burlington, and sea swept Maine, with each new place transformed under a blanket of vibrant fall foliage.
9 nights accommodation
6 breakfasts
On-trip transport as shown
Included Sightseeing:
• Boston: Set out along the Freedom Trail to see the historic sites
• Cape Cod: Visit the seashore with its massive sand dunes and long sandy beaches
• Montpelier: Stop at Morse Farm Maple Sugarworks for a sugar house visit and tasting of «sugar on snow,» maple sugar served on ice with a pickle
• North Conway: Discover this quintessential New England town full of historic buildings, quaint antique shops, bookstores, and bakeries
• Portsmouth: See the city sitting near the mouth of the Piscataqua River—a short, wide river that divides New Hampshire and Maine
Judy Newell, an international travel consultant for over 50 years, heads Perfect Journeys and specializes in unique travel experiences to destinations around th eworld. She custom designs journeys that are tailored to suit client’s interests, physical abilities, and budgets. Please contact Judy for further information on Ttrave News topics, Mexico, and international tfravel. Cell phone 415 111 8765; Vonage 949 300 3682; email at judynewell@perfectjourneys.net. Her office is in Rancho Los Labradores on the highway to Dolores Hidalgo.
Sources: Travel Mole, Daiquiri Tours, American Cruise Lines, Windstar Cruises, and Costsaver.
