Travelers to or through Germany will have a tougher time than usual this week as workers walk off the job in wage disputes.

Cologne/Bonn and Düsseldorf report widespread cancellations and delays today as members of the Ver.di union working in administration, check-in, aircraft handling, passenger and crew transport, and baggage handling went on a 24-hour strike today (Monday). But the big one is yet to come, as a two-day strike is planned at Munich Airport, from midnight Wednesday and until midnight Friday.

In the second strike this month at Düsseldorf Airport, at least 30% of the 334 scheduled flights are being canceled. Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN), meanwhile, a strike has canceled more than 100 flights.

In Munich, the second-largest airport behind Frankfurt, “significant impacts on traffic operations are to be expected,” the airport website cautions.

All three airports urged passengers to check the status of their flights with their airline or tour operator before traveling to the airport.

AmaWaterways is expanding its Soulful sailings program celebrating Black heritage and culture to include Kwanza, Juneteenth and New Years sailings in Europe for 2026.

New sailings are Best of Holland & Belgium, round-trip from Amsterdam on December 27, 2025; Riches of the Mekong on October 11, 2026; and the Swiss Alps & Rhine Castles Christmas on Dec. 15, 2026.

The seven-night Best of Holland & Belgium, on AmaStella, will feature daily themes honoring Kwanzaa’s seven principles, nightly Kinara candle-lighting ceremonies, and cultural programming including an Amsterdam cultural tour. Fares start at USA $3,039 and CAD $4,117 per person, double, with Ama’s current Holiday Triple Savings offer (available through March 31, 2025). An optional two-night pre-cruise in Amsterdam is available.

Riches of the Mekong, from October 11 to 25, 2026, will focus on Vietnam and Cambodia’s connections to Black history, on board the AmaDara. It includes a four-night Central Vietnam Land Extension, a pre-cruise night in Siem Reap and two post-cruise nights in Ho Chi Minh. Fares start at USA $5,032 and CAD $6,744.

Swiss Alps & Rhine Castles Christmas, departing December 15, will combine Christmas markets and Kwanzaa celebrations on a seven-night Basel to Amsterdam cruise, with two nights post cruise in Amsterdam. Prices begin at USA $4,299 and CAD $6,071 during the Triple Holiday Savings event (through March 31).

Also returning in 2026 is Enticing Douro, June 13 to June 23, which will celebrate Juneteenth (June 19) with themed events and programming. The trip begins with three nights in Lisbon, the site of Europe’s first African neighborhood, and then sails the Douro River for seven nights on the AmaDouro. Two shoreside dinners will feature Brazilian and African food tastings and authentic Portuguese food and wines at local wine estates. Fares start at USA $4,949 and CAD $6,522.

Every Soulful Experience sailing includes select excursions and experiences that highlight the Black experience. A dedicated Soulful webinar for travel advisors, hosted by AmaWaterways senior director Jazzmine Douse, is available on the AmaWaterways Travel Advisor Portal.

Royal Caribbean this week offered up details about its newest Icon-class ship—including its name, Legend of the Seas—and itineraries, which will include Europe and the Western Caribbean for the first time when it launches in 2026.

Legend will make a splashy debut with 7-night Western Mediterranean itineraries from Barcelona, with interporting from Rome, to France, Italy and Spain for the summer of 2026. Then it will shift to year-round 6-night Western Caribbean and 8-night Southern Caribbean sailings out of Fort Lauderdale, including Oranjestad, Aruba;  Falmouth, Jamaica; and Willemstad, Curacao, beginning in November 2026. Every sailing will stop at “Perfect Day at CocoCay in The Bahamas,” the newly elongated name that distinguishes it from its new counterpart in Mexico.

Crown & Anchor Society loyalty members have special access to book today, ahead of the official opening on Thursday, Feb. 20.

Onboard Legend will be the Crown’s Edge, “part skywalk, part ropes course and part thrill ride,” and Category 6, the largest waterpark at sea. There will be seven pools, including the largest pool at sea, Royal Bay and a “one-of-a-kind adults-only infinity pool suspended above the ocean.” Also onboard will be family favorites including the Surfside neighborhood and the Ultimate Family Townhouse.

Further details will be forthcoming soon, Royal Caribbean promised. But its sister ship Icon of the Sea is the largest cruise ship in the world, 1,198 feet long and weighing 250,80 tons, with 2,805 staterooms and a maximum capacity of 7,600 passengers and a crew of 2,350 on 20 decks.

Legend vacations start at $895 per person for a three-night getaway cruise and $1,346 per person for a five-night Western Caribbean & Perfect Day cruise, according to the website.

Legend’s debut will follow its Icon sister, Star of the Seas in Port Canaveral (Orlando), Florida, in August 2025.

New York City — Since the pandemic, says Hilton Hotels SVP of architecture and design Larry Traxler, “luxury and lifestyle are off the charts. It’s all about giving people a sense of place so when they wake up they know where they are.”

From the international space station, where they are partnering to design the perfect small space, to the backwoods, where they are rolling out glamping experiences, Hilton wants to be there for your luxury guests, combining comfort and service with unforgettable experiences.

For 2025, the focus clearly is in experiences in the luxury market, said Dan Reynolds, SVP of global content, media and partnerships. Hilton’s new partnerships with Small Luxury Hotels of the World has brought more than 400 boutique properties, bringing guests close to communities around the world. Teaming with McLaren gives Formula One fans private access to race weekends; its expanding roster of “Stay Like” pop-up overnights, such as “Stay Like” Wicked, lets them imagine themselves on the Broadway stage. “We’re thinking about how to bring that fandom and make it bookable,” SVP Content, Media and Partnerships Dan Reynolds told me.

And at the end of a busy day, a new partnership with Calm offers tranquility and restfulness.

Among the new properties rolling out this year, arguably the most exciting for this Manhattan crowd is the reopening of the Waldorf Astoria New York, “a flagship for our entire company, the crown of our portfolio,” said Dino Michael, Hilton’s global head of luxury.  A city block long, it will boast “all the areas you know and love, restored beyond their former glory.” Also in the lineup are new Conrads in Hamburg and Athens; Waldorf Astorias in Costa Rica, Osaka, Shanghai and Rabat; and a new Signia by Hilton in Amman, the brand’s first venture outside the United States.

But also in the lineup are great new properties including Conrads in Hamburg and Athens; Waldorf Astorias in Costa Rica, Osaka, Shanghai and Rabat; Conrads in Athens and Hamburg; and a new Signia by Hilton in Amman, the brand’s first venture outside the United States. In the Dominican Republic, the Zemi Miches All-Inclusive Resort, Curio Collection by Hilton, will offer a new-build high-end totally immersive experience, from the design to the architecture. (30% of new Curios will be resorts, SVP Jenna Hackett, Hilton’s Global Brand Leader, Lifestyle, told me.) For skiers, there’s the new ski-in, ski-out Hotel Ascent Park City, Tapestry Collection by Hilton in Utah, an all-condo property, and the Hotel Alpenrock Breckenridge, Curio Collection by Hilton in Colorado.

“I’m excited about the growth in the lifestyle space, and our goals are very ambitious. We are building teams to build out multiple experiences focused on food and beverage, design and experiences. And we’re looking to grow resort destinations with an F&B focus in the all-inclusive space,” Hackett said.

A new partnership with Autocamp, meanwhile, offers 300-foot luxury Airstream campers in eight domestic locations—perfect for families or outdoor enthusiasts who might want to add a couple of nights in a national park or hiking in the Bay Area with a stay at a more traditional Hilton luxury hotel.

For Traxler, though, “luxury” begins with a comfortable room—and that starts with smart zoning. In Amman or in the woods, across all 24 Hilton brands, it’s about an efficient triangle comprising the vanity, shower and wardrobe. “Whether it’s 1,000 square feet or 200, it’s about giving people as much space as possible to do what they want to do.”

Since the pandemic, Traxler says, guests are demanding—and property owners are willing to pay for—touches that add that unique sense of place, from indigenous plants and art or meeting rooms filled with natural light. “Everyone wants a ballroom that opens and a rooftop bar,” he said.

In short, said Hilton chief marketing officer Mark Weinstein, “it matters where you stay. And your stay will be different if it’s at a Hilton.”

Expanding the increasingly popular Dry January theme into the new year, Princess Cruises is rolling out the Amore Princess Zero Alcohol Drinks collection, a “curated menu of premium non-alcoholic elixirs and spirits alternatives.” The curated alcohol-free drinks will be included in Princess Plus and Princess Premier Packages.

The first standalone non-alcoholic menu at a major cruise brand, it will feature 10–20 craft cocktails, developed in collaboration with the team behind Sips, Barcelona, as well as an exclusive selection of craft non-alcoholic beers and white, red, rosé, and sparkling wines. Offerings will include drinks like Blake’s Breeze, a blend of Betty Buzz Sparkling Grapefruit, a splash of soda, and a twist of citrus; Kylie Minogue’s Non-Alcoholic Sparkling Rosé; mocktails featuring Lyre’s No-Jito Royale, mojito made with Lyre’s White Cane Spirit, fresh mint, and lime; and the 24K Margarita, featuring Almave tequila by Lewis Hamilton.

The Amore Princess Zero Alcohol Collection will debut fleetwide by the end of March.

Travel advisors with whom TRO spoke were overwhelmingly positive about the new product.

”I think it’s awesome!!” said Gretchen Machnik Soares, owner of Gulls Way Travel in Old Lyme, CT.

“Yes I think it would make many guests happy as many people in Los Angeles don’t drink and you see this on many bar menus now,” said Melissa Curtin McDavitt at Fora Travel.

“I drink minimally, so I mostly stick to fruity drinks that mask the taste, or non-alcoholic drinks that actually taste good,” said Mollie Knowles Ward at Troubadour Travel in Austin. “I personally am HERE for this new menu option, as will be friends and family in recovery! Previously I got Princess Plus mostly for the WiFi and so my family could enjoy the benefits. This one is all for me!”

Most of my clients are non-drinkers, so I definitely think that this would be something that would interest them. I hope it catches on and eventually goes industry wide,” agreed Mary Barrett, an Outside Travel Agent at Cruise Brothers.

Travel With Shelly Eden owner Michelle Feit Eden noted that “people going alcohol free seems to be a new trend—not because of an alcohol problem but more because they don’t like how they feel and for their health. Many local bars/breweries/restaurants are expanding their offerings to this. I think it’s a great idea.”

At The Bee’s Knees Travel by Heather Bannon, Bannon sees the new option as a selling point for Princess. “Many clients are focusing on health and wellness. And the Millennial and Generation Z clients tend to drink a lot less than the previous generations,” she said. “This is a great offering from Princess and I can think of many clients that would be swayed with this option.”

“Clients often say, ‘my partner doesn’t drink, so we won’t need the Plus package.’ They still struggle with justifying the upgrade even after I explain all the benefits of the package to them,” says Julie Vowell-Ramirez, owner of Dream Vacations franchise Sunny Days Vacations. “This is a great idea!”

“I, personally, love my booze but I am glad to see this trend,” says Phillip Archer, Chief Experience Designer at Roaming Richly Travel. “So many of the younger generations prefer mocktails and this is a great way for Princess to reach a younger audience, which makes great sense for the future of the line.

And Kay Sanderford owner of A+ Cruises and Tours in Kerrville and Waco, TX, just plain likes it for herself. “This is fabulous!” she said. “Due to recent health concerns, I’ve had to mostly shelve the alcohol myself. I really miss an occasional martini especially, even though I’ve never been a heavy drinker. If some of these non-alcoholic drink options are also low or no-sugar, many of my clients and I will be super excited about this new direction. And hope many other cruise lines will follow this trend!”

Focusing on the highly successful travel advisor channel, Celebrity Cruises in February will launch a new—and gamified—version of its training program and add a position dedicated to serving the trade.

In an exclusive interview onboard Celebrity Ascent, Katina Athanasiou, Celebrity’s senior vice president of sales & services for The Americas, told TRO that the Celebrity Learning program is currently in drydock—but when it emerges in 2025 it “will offer amazing opportunities to learn much more about our ships and brand.” The site’s “facelift” will add content and functionality, gamification elements, and elevated awards when travel advisors finish the courses.

“We’re going to leverage it more to be a site for resources and webinars, where you can see all the previous trainings we’ve done, as well as learn about our systems and our new initiatives,” Athanasiou said. “I’m very excited – it’s a huge investment, but it will ultimately deliver better content and ability for our agents to engage more often with the brand.”

Over the past months, she noted, Celebrity has been “watching the growth in the home-based and IC communities, and we’re working to be very intentional in building a strategy and then a structure” to work with them. “Nearly two-thirds of advisors are either home-based or ICs, and many are new to the industry. How we partner with those advisors, how we engage, and how we train is a little different from pre-pandemic.”

Also on the agenda is more collaboration among the three Royal Caribbean sister brands—Royal Caribbean, Celebrity and Silversea—and “a big media push on national TV,” including new markets like professional and college sports.

File under “One more thing for travel advisors to remind their clients about.”

Beginning January 8, travelers to the United Kingdom from non-European nations, including the United States and Canada, will need to take an extra step, as the new Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system rolls out.

Whether just passing through a UK airport or planning a stay of six months or less—for tourism, family visits, business meetings, conferences, or study abroad—visitors will have to fill out an online form (available here: How to apply – Apply for an ETA to come to the UK – GOV.UK) and pay a £10 fee (about $12.75). Then as you prepare to board a plane, gate agents will verify your ETA status via digital link to your passport.

The Home Office says the system, like all biometrics in the travel industry, is designed to speed up the process and increase security.

While applications might be approved in a few hours, the site suggests allowing at least three days for them to come through. But why wait? Applications already are being accepted.

Once issued, an ETA is valid for two years or until the traveler’s passport expires, whichever comes first.

On April 2, the requirement to have an ETA will roll out to EU nationals as well. Only citizens of the UK and Ireland, and those with valid UK visas, will be exempt.

Joyeux Noël from Tauck. With Christmas Market river cruises largely sold out for this year and much of next, interest has been growing in a new destination for holiday sailing and shopping: The River Seine. Jumping on the trend, Tauck this week announced its first-ever Christmas markets river cruise in France for 2025.

The five eight-day “The Seine: Holiday Magic” itineraries begin in Paris, on Tauck’s ms Sapphire riverboat, for three nights and two full days. On tap is hot mulled wine, along with roasted chestnuts, sausages, cheese and chocolate at the Tuileries Garden and other local Christmas markets.

From there Sapphire will sail to Rouen, Les Andelys and Vernon. Highlights include excursions to Gothic Sainte-Chapelle, home to Louis IX’s personal collection of holy relics; a cocktail party at the beautifully decorated Château de Bizy; a private lunch at Château Vaux-le-Vicomte; and a guided tour of Normandy’s D-Day beaches (all included in the price).

Prices range from $4,490 per person plus airfare, including all shore excursions, gratuities, all onboard beverages, meals, taxes and fees and airport transfers.

Onboard Sapphire, most cabins have French balconies, and all have flat-screen televisions, Molton Brown toiletries, cushy bathrobes and free Wi-Fi.

“The Seine: Holiday Magic” is Tauck’s fifth Christmas-market river cruise. It also offers two holiday cruises on the Danube (including a family-friendly Tauck Bridges journey, plus one on the Rhine and one on the waterways of Belgium and Holland.

Facing strong pushback from the travel industry in general, and the cruise lines in particular, Mexico has postponed a new $42 tourist tax on cruise passengers by six months, from January to July 1.

Mexico has long taxed hotel guests but exempted cruise passengers, who sleep on their ship. But a new bill that passed the Mexican Congress in December calls for a $42 tax on every cruise ship passenger entering Mexican waters, whether they disembark or not.

According to a statement issued by The Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association, which represents 23 cruise lines including Royal Caribbean, Carnival and Norwegian, Mexican officials have agreed to delay the new Federal Law of Rights tax on cruise passengers from January 1 until July 1, 2025. Among other things, the cruise lines had argued that just a 15% drop in calls to Mexico would result in a financial impact that would offset any gains from the tax.

In a statement, FCCA CEO Michele Paige emphasized that the temporary delay is helpful, but does not go far enough. “We thank the Mexican government for listening to our concerns and proposing a delay in the implementation of the tax that will fall mainly on American citizens. However, the removal of the in-transit tax exemption – which was provided to our industry over a decade ago for valid reasons that still apply today – was done without our prior input and after the legislation was passed. It is ironic that until this law was abruptly announced the industry was looking to grow business in Mexico, and now the opposite will occur.”

Designed to address Mexico’s enormous debt—and, some argue, to support its military rather than its tourism infrastructure—the tax will affect the more than 10 million passengers on 3,300 ships arriving in the ports of Cozumel—one of the world’s busiest ports, with 4 million visitors—as well as Costa Maya and Cabo San Lucas.

The cruise industry had strongly lobbied against it. The FCCA said in December that it was “completely caught off guard with last week’s unilateral decision to eliminate the long-standing in-transit exemption and efforts to fast-track this policy change without any dialogue with the industry.”

The group noted that the tax was a “staggering more than 213% increase over the average cost of a Caribbean port” that “could also jeopardize the cruise industry’s investments in the country, including billions in planned developments and other projects”—a serious threat given such planned projects as Royal Caribbean’s new private beach club in Cozumel and Perfect Day Mexico, for example.

Every cruise ship passenger entering Mexican waters soon may be charged a $42 tax, whether they disembark or not.

Mexico has long taxed hotel guests but exempted cruise passengers, who sleep on their ship. But a bill working its way through the Mexican Congress now would target cruise ships beginning in 2026.

Designed to address Mexico’s enormous debt, the tax would affect more than 10 million passengers on 3,300 ships arriving in the ports of Cozumel—one of the world’s busiest ports, with 4 million visitors—as well as Costa Maya and Cabo San Lucas.

The cruise industry, of course, is opposed to the new tax. Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association president Michelle Paige said in a statement that they “were completely caught off guard with last week’s unilateral decision to eliminate the long-standing in-transit exemption and efforts to fast-track this policy change without any dialogue with the industry. This gives us and our partners virtually no time to prepare and creates confusion and uncertainty for our guests because the majority of our cruises have already been sold for 2025.”

A public letter from the Florida and Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA), which represents 23 major cruise lines, said it would make Mexico more than double the price of the average Caribbean port and “could also jeopardize the cruise industry’s investments in the country, including billions in planned developments and other projects.” The Mexican Association of Shipping Agents said in a statement that “if this measure is implemented, it would make Mexican ports of call among the most expensive in the world, severely affecting their competitiveness with other Caribbean destinations”—a serious threat given Royal Caribbean’s plan to open a private beach club in Cozumel in 2026 and Perfect Day Mexico in 2027.

It started with an article in Queens Jewish Link with the incendiary title Cruise Company To Kosher Travelers: Stay Off (queensjewishlink.com) and quickly spread across the tight-knit religious Jewish community.

Here are the facts as we know them.

The article asserted that a group of 140 Jewish cruisers on the Costa Toscana had been canceled just days before departure because “the ship’s crew refused to cooperate with the provision of kosher food” and refused to allow the use of kosher china, pots, frying pans, etc.”

No recourse was possible, the article quoted Costa as saying. “We simply will not do this,” tour operator Yossi Zablocki was told, even though he already had purchased $22,000 worth of kosher food, bought tickets to Europe for his staff, and had a history of running more than 40 high-end kosher cruises in the past, many of them with Costa Cruises, which is owned by Carnival Cruise Line.

“I thought the days of ‘No Jews and dogs allowed’ were over,” the article quoted Zablocki as saying. “I don’t think they realize what they have walked into. I will keep fighting until the world understands what they have done. The Jewish People have faced enough discrimination.”

Costa responded that it is “very familiar with Kosher meal requirements, and we have successfully supported Kosher meal requests onboard Costa ships multiple times per year for decades and will continue to do so in the future. Unfortunately, last July, Destination 631 Tours failed to reach the minimum cabin booking thresholds (50 cabins) necessary for us to provide Kosher meal service. Costa was fully transparent with the tour operator, communicating with them well in advance of departure that if the tour did not meet the required minimum cabin reservations, it would be impossible for us to provide Kosher meals.”

But Zablocki insisted the group had 140 attendees and anti-Semitism was the real issue.

Costa Replies to TRO

Approached by a travel advisor after the original story broke, TRO reached out to Costa Cruises for a comment. They replied,

“We regret that the facts of this situation have been misrepresented by Mr. Yosef Zablocki, who we have ceased doing business with as a result of his breach of our business terms and unprofessional business behavior. Each year Costa welcomes hundreds of thousands of guests from all different religions, backgrounds, beliefs, and cultures, and with proper notice and coordination, we happily accommodate a variety of special requests, including dietary requirements. We are very familiar with Kosher meal requirements and successfully support Kosher service requests onboard Costa ships multiple times per year.

“Unfortunately, for two July sailings, Destination 613 Tours and Mr. Zablocki failed to reach the minimum cabin booking thresholds required for us to provide Kosher meal service at the strict levels specified for this tour. These requirements ensure we have the adequate operational set-up to fulfill the special meal requests, as we will do this summer for two other Kosher groups organized by other long-standing reputable tour operators, who met the necessary terms without issue.

”Costa was fully transparent with the tour operator, communicating with them well in advance of departure that if the tours did not meet the required minimum cabin reservations, the full Kosher service could not be provided.

“The business decision to terminate our business relationship with Mr. Zablocki and Destination 613 says nothing of the company’s dedication to and proud service of our many Jewish guests across all our cruise lines, and to our many Jewish travel partners and employees.”

Correction: The original version of this story mistakenly stated that it was retracted by the author, Jeffrey Helmreich. This was incorrect; we inadvertently mistook him for someone else in the story. We sincerely apologize for any embarrassment this has caused Mr. Helmreich and/or The Jewish Link.

Joining a growing number of countries fighting back against overtourism, The Maldives will usher in the new year with a sizeable increase in tourism taxes (The President ratifies new amendments to three taxation acts – MIRA – Maldives Inland Revenue Authority).

Effective December 1, the departure tax for foreign passengers will increase to $50 from $30 for foreign travelers in economy class, and to $120 from $60 in business class. The tax will remain unchanged for first class ($90) and private jet ($120).

Then on January 1, the Green Tax will double, from $6 to $12 per night per person (not counting children under two).

And on July 1, the tourism tax will increase to $17 from $16.

Most resorts plan to collect the $6 Green Tax at check-in, reports Koveli Travel.

The changes come as many destinations take a second look at how the surge of new tourists is impacting their quality of life. Last month Bali began charging international visitors an entry tax of 150,000 rupiah (£7.50); Venice recently imposed a fee of up to €5 for day visitors; and Hawaii is considering a bill suggesting a $25 “climate tax.”

There’s an interesting new luxury option in the UK next summer, as Belmond rolls out its newest sleeper train, The Britannic Explorer.

Debuting in July 2025, the train offers fine British gastronomy, an onboard wellness suite and exclusive access to unique sites as they ride the rails on a leisurely journey through the British countryside. Its 18 cabins include three Grand Suites and 15 Suites.

The train’s “elegant interiors with unmistakable British charm” are being designed by London-based Albion Nord, while its menu is being created by Chef Simon Rogan, whose restaurants (including L’Enclume) hold eight Michelin stars and two Michelin Green stars. The afternoon tea, lunch and dinner menus will highlight seasonal, sustainable ingredients, sourced locally to showcase Britain’s diverse regions.

The Britannic Explorer will depart London, offering three different three-night journeys through Cornwall, The Lake District and Wales. Optional guided excursions in each destination include a private tour and dinner at Hauser & Wirth Somerset and on-site restaurant Da Costa, guided hikes through Wales, wild swimming in the Lake district and a visit to Tremenheere Sculpture Gardens in Cornwall. In the evening, passengers can mingle in the train’s botanically-inspired Bar.

Guests also can combine routes, pairing The Cornwall or Lake District routes, which run from Friday to Monday, with a Wales trip from Monday to Thursday. And Belmond’s boutique hotel, The Cadogan, just 20 minutes from London’s Victoria station, can offer a seamless pre- or post-rail stay. For those traveling through the Cotswolds on the Lake District route, the Britannic Explorer offers an exclusive stop at the Michelin two-star manor house hotel and restaurant, Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons, A Belmond Hotel, Oxfordshire.

Gary Franklin, Belmond’s Vice President of Trains and Cruises, said the train will “further enhance Belmond’s global portfolio of market-leading luxury rail experiences. The Britannic Explorer offers something truly unique; an opportunity to discover the rugged Cornish coastline to Snowdonia’s untamed National Park and the vast expanses of the Lake District like never before.”

Belmond’s fleet of luxury trains also includes the British Pullman in England and the Royal Scotsman in Scotland.

A three-night itinerary, including excursions, meals, wine and alcoholic beverages on board the Britannic Explorer starts at £11,000 based on a double cabin. For more information or to book, visit the web page here.

Viking this week placed a bet on the Middle East, officially naming two new river ships, the Viking Hathor and the Viking Sobek, in Luxor, Egypt.

Following its cost-conscious tradition, Viking repurposed the design of the existing Viking Aton and Viking Osiris, following the pattern exactly in these two new ships. All four vessels will carry a maximum of  82 guests in 41 staterooms, on a 12-day Pharaohs & Pyramids itinerary.

Despite troubles in the Middle East, the neutral Egypt expects about 15.3 million tourists in 2024, up 5% over 2023, according to Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Sherif Fathy. And it’s a fascinating destination for tourists. Just this week, an Egyptian-American mission unearthed a 4,000-year-old tomb near the Temple of Hatshepsut on the West Bank of the Nile in Luxor.

Viking’s itinerary begins with three nights in Cairo and a flight to Luxor before the eight-day roundtrip cruise on the Nile, including visits to the tomb of Nefertari in the Valley of the Queens and the tomb of Tutankhamen in the Valley of the Kings, plus excursions to the Temple of Khnum in Esna, the Dendera Temple complex in Qena, the temples at Abu Simbel and the High Dam in Aswan, and a village elementary school.

Guests can add Pre and Post Extensions, such as a five-day British Collections of Ancient Egypt extension that begins in London, where guests will visit the British Museum’s Egyptian Collection before it opens to the general public, and then the collection of Egyptian antiquities in the home and personal museum of Sir John Soane.

Viking plans to add four more ships—growing its Nile fleet to 10 altogether—over the next two years. Viking Amun and Viking Thoth will debut in 2025, and Viking Sekhmet and Viking Ptah in 2026.

With no profit to show since Covid, Spirit Airlines is discussing a possible restructuring in preparation for declaring bankruptcy, according to a report in The Wall Street Journal.

Citing “people who are familiar with the matter,” The Journal said Spirit has been talking bankruptcy since its failed merger with JetBlue Airways. The airline is struggling to compete with the big carriers, and was hard-hit when a recall of turbofan engines grounded many of its planes, including many that were supposed to fly to the new airport in Tulum, Mexico. Last month it furloughed 186 pilots.

As part of its efforts to enhance the bottom line, Spirit has been cutting flights and making changes to the services it offers. This summer it rolled out a premium “Go Big” fare class that offers a larger seat and early boarding, lifted its checked baggage limit from 40 to 50 pounds, and did away with change and cancelation fees.  Just this week it suspended nonstop service between Cleveland and Orlando, effective Nov. 5.

And still, it reported its 11th consecutive quarterly loss in August.

Luxury is having a day, and Hilton is celebrating the travel advisors who sell that niche with a new, and better, preferred partner program.

Hilton on Tuesday launched Hilton for Luxury, an invitation-only program for travel advisors who sell the 100 properties in its luxury brands: Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts, Conrad Hotels & Resorts, LXR Hotels & Resorts, Signia by Hilton, and Hilton’s newest luxury brand NoMad Hotels.

Members of the program will have their own dedicated concierge desk, improved connectivity through a private website, value-added benefits from the hotels and direct contact with on-property hotel team members. And each hotel will have a team of Hilton for Luxury ambassadors whose job is to ensure that program features and benefits are fulfilled.

Clients of participating travel advisors will receive a variety of benefits, including the best available rates, double Hilton Honors Points, complimentary breakfast for up to two guests, next-category upgrades and, wherever possible, early check-in or late check-out.

In addition, the program soon will offer rewards to participating travel advisors; details will be announced soon.

Good to know: Hilton Luxury Brands comprises 100 hotels and resorts around the world. Most recently, Hilton welcomed the NoMad Hotels brand into its portfolio.

For more information, visit www.hilton.com/hilton-for-luxury.

All aboard, Mickey fans. Disney Cruise Lines’ fleet will be almost tripling over the next seven years, from the current 5 to 13.

Disney Experiences chairman Josh D’Amaro closed the “D23 Ultimate Fan Event” in Anaheim, CA, with a promise of four more new cruise ships, in addition to the four that already are under construction (Disney Cruise Line Announces Fleet Expansion to Continue Period of Unprecedented Growth – The Walt Disney Company).

Disney already had announced four new ships: Disney Treasure, launching in December; Disney Adventure and Disney Destiny, coming next year; and a new Disney Wish sister ship being built in partnership with Tokyo Disney Resort owner Oriental Land Company. But the D23 announcement promises four more, to launch between 2027 and 2031.

The Disney Treasure, the newest ship in the Disney Cruise Line fleet, will set sail in December 2024.© Rendering courtesy of Disney Cruise Line

Disney recently revealed that Disney Destiny will feature a “The Lion King”-themed restaurant with windows that transition from sunrise to sunset, live musicians and storytellers, and songs like the “Circle of Life” and “Hakuna Matata.” Disney Treasure, meanwhile, will have a new onboard stage production all about “Moana,” featuring a 15-foot-tall puppet version of the fiery Te Kā.

The parks, too, will get a sprinkling of fairy dust. Magic Kingdom will add a new Villains land (Villains Cast a Spell Over Magic Kingdom with New Land – Disney Parks Blog) with two major attractions, shopping and dining areas; Hollywood Studios will add the first Montsters Inc. land in any Disney park; a section of Frontierland will add a Cars Land with two attractions; a new nighttime parade called Disney Starlight will debut next summer.

D’Amaro said occupancy across the five ships currently sailing reached 97% in the second quarter of this year.

“At Disney Experiences, Imagineers dream, create, design and build these stories into real places… Everything we’re going to share with you is in active development,” D’Amaro said in a statement. “Plans are drawn. Dirt is moving.”

In addition to the newly announced ships, Disney currently operates five ships and is planning on adding four more in the near future, including the Disney Destiny, which the company plans to launch in 2025. That ship will feature a heroes and villains theme along with recently-announced new restaurants like a “The Lion King”-themed spot complete with windows that transition from sunrise to sunset as you eat, tiered risers made to look like African drums, live musicians and storytellers, and favorite songs like the “Circle of Life” and “Hakuna Matata.” At D23, D’Amaro also detailed a new “Moana” show for Disney Treasure.

At its earnings call last week, Disney reported that revenue is up 4% overall and 3% at US parks and experiences. It announced four core objectives: reinvigorating the film studios, making streaming profitable, growing the ESPN business, and “turbocharging” its experiences business. CFO Hugh Johnston said, “we wouldn’t be making capital investments in an accelerated way if we didn’t expect to accelerate growth out of those businesses. And that’s true of the cruise ships as well.”

Travel advisors now can book shore excursions and lounge facilities for clients booked on the 600 Carnival cruises that will stop at the Pearl Cove Beach Club.

When it opens in July 2025, the new adults-only area on Carnival Cruise Line’s (CCL) first private island will feature an 11,000-square-foot infinity pool lined with shaded daybeds and loungers, a swim-up bar and a spacious sun shelf, as well as a beach and a full-service restaurant.

Passengers and travel advisors now can book:

Daybeds and Water Daybeds (in Starfish Lagoon and Calypso Lagoon): Daybeds and water daybeds for two have canopies, pillows, and privacy curtains.

Cabanas (at the freshwater lagoons): Cabanas hold up to four guests and include armchairs, a sofa, two sun loungers, a cooler with chilled water, privacy curtains, a lockable cabinet, snacks, and fresh fruit.

Over-the-Lagoon Cabanas (near the Starfish and Calypso Lagoons): Cabanas that also have a ceiling fan and sunshelf.

Large Cabanas (near the Starfish and Calypso Lagoons): Large cabanas hold up to six, and include four sun loungers, stocked mini refrigerators, a lockable cabinet, a sofa, a dining table, a ceiling fan, privacy curtains, snacks, fruits and lunch.

AquaBanas (at the Starfish Lagoon): AquaBanas, which allow guests to keep their feet in the water, seat eight people under a shaded canopy.

Over-the-Lagoon Supervillas (at the Starfish Lagoon) and Beach Supervillas (at the beaches): Supervillas hold up to 10 guests with plenty of shaded seating options and extra amenities, including hammocks, lunch delivery, and stocked mini-refrigerators.

Also now bookable are kayaking, snorkeling, glass bottom boat tours, and land tours.

Unlike other private islands, admission to Pearl Cove is not included in the cost of a Carnival cruise. Prices for the least expensive package, at $99.99 per person, include club access and a welcome drink. Adding an open bar that offers up to 10 drinks—draft domestic beer, house red or white wine, well drinks, or rum punch—increases the price to $139.99 per person, and adding food from the Pearl Cove restaurant costs $179.99 per person.

With tensions in the volatile Middle East rising once again, Delta and United Airlines have canceled all flights to Tel Aviv effective today, and some European carriers are halting flights to the region as well. But despite earlier reports to the contrary, British Airways has said it will continue to fly, as will Israel’s flag carrier, El Al.

Delta in a statement said it is pausing flights between New York-JFK and Tel Aviv through Friday, Aug. 2, and suspending sales of flights for DL234 on Jul. 31 and Aug. 1, and DL235 on Aug. 1 and Aug. 2.

Delta.com notes that “our hearts are with all who are impacted as we work to find safe alternatives for customers trying to travel to/from Tel Aviv,” and offers a waiver to any customers currently booked through Sept. 6, 2024, who want to change flights.

United, which has been operating 14 flights a week to Tel Aviv, says that while its service to Tel Aviv is “currently suspended,” it still flies to Amman, Athens, and Dubai, where travelers can transfer to other carriers.

Cancellations are affecting European carriers heading to the Middle East as well. Lufthansa Group on Monday said three of its airlines — Lufthansa, Swiss, and Eurowings — have suspended flights to and from Beirut “up to and including” August 5, and Lufthansa on Wednesday night canceled a flight from Cyprus to Tel Aviv after Iran announced it was temporarily closing its airspace. Air France also suspended some of its flights, while other airlines changed their flight schedules.

Meanwhile, an ad in The Jerusalem Post notes that under EU regulations, travelers whose flights are canceled may be entitled to up to €600 compensation.

With flames licking the edges of Canada’s largest national park, officials ordered 25,000 residents, visitors and seasonal workers to evacuate the town of Jasper; Jasper National Park and the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge have closed; and the Rocky Mountaineer train has canceled several routes.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Thursday said the government is deploying military resources and evacuation support to Alberta, as well as coordinating firefighting and airlift assistance.

Rocky Mountaineer posted on its website that it is “unable to continue our rail journeys to or from Jasper for the foreseeable future” and is “moving as quickly as possible to work through the impact to guest itineraries,” in sequential order. It has canceled Journey through the Clouds departures on July 25: Jasper to Vancouver, July 26: Vancouver to Jasper and July 28: Jasper to Vancouver, and changed the itineraries for Rainforest to Gold Rush departures July 27: Vancouver to Jasper and July 30: Jasper to Vancouver.

“We will continue to work through other departures of Journey through the Clouds and Rainforest to Gold Rush and reach out to those guests as quickly as possible,” the company said.

The First Passage to the West route from Vancouver to Lake Louise and Banff, and The Rockies to the Red Rocks route from Denver to Moab, Utah, will proceed as scheduled.

Rocky Mountaineer also noted that a potential strike by the employees of Canadian Pacific Kansas City and Canadian National, which own and operate the rail lines on which Rocky Mountaineer travels, are facing potential strike action by unionized workers. “Rocky Mountaineer employees are not involved; however, if there is labor action, it could impact our train operations,” the company said. “Our team is working on a contingency plan should there be an impact to our rail journeys,” but negotiations are ongoing and the unions are required to provide 72 hours’ notice before striking.

Meanwhile, Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge—home to the largest golf course in Canada—said the fire has reached the property and everyone has been evacuated. But most of the lodge structures, including the main lodge, remain intact. For more information, call the Fairmont Banff Springs at 1-403-762-2211.

September will bring two new all-inclusive options to Jamaica, as the Princess Hotels & Resorts Group debuts the adults-only Princess Senses the Mangrove (Princess Senses The Mangrove | Only adults hotel Jamaica (princess-hotels.com) and the family-friendly Princess Grand Jamaica (Princess Grand Jamaica Hotel en Negril (princess-hotels.com).

Scheduled to open on Sept. 15, the two properties will be next to one another in Green Island, a town on the western tip of Jamaica in Hanover.

Princess Senses The Mangrove has 401 oceanview suites and 14 overwater villas with private infinity pools. Among them are Pleasure Suites, which promise a sensual ambiance, and more exclusive Platinum Club Suites offering private areas, upgraded amenities and butler service.

Also on site will be a spa, a fitness and wellness center, a water park, a convention center and a nightclub, along with 14 restaurants and 15 bars serving everything from steak to food truck fare.

The Princess Grand Jamaica, meanwhile, has 590 oceanview suites, including Platinum Suites as well as Family and Master Suite options. It also has nine restaurants and a food truck, eight bars, three pools, a water park, a kids club and teens center, and a spa.

To keep guests busy, both properties offer beach volleyball, yoga, water aerobics, dance classes, cocktail-making and cooking classes, motorized and nonmotorized watersports, soccer, tennis, basketball, pickleball and archery.

Starting rates are $579 for a deluxe junior Suite at Princess Senses The Mangrove or $505 for a Princess Junior Suite at Princess Grand Jamaica.

Based in Spain, Princess Hotels & Resorts has a total of 11,000 guest rooms in the Canary Islands (Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura, Tenerife, La Palma), Barcelona, Dominican Republic (Punta Cana), Jamaica (Negril) and Mexico’s Riviera Maya.