Even as union issues roil the airports in Europe, United Airlines has reached an agreement in principle with its pilots to up their pay by as much as 40% over the next four years.

The agreement, which still needs to be ratified by the 16,000 pilots in the union, is worth an estimated $10 billion, the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) said. In addition to pay raises, it includes provisions related to improved quality of work-life, job security, work rules, retirement and benefits.

And indeed, it’s a good job market for pilots. As of September 2022, the industry was reportedly short about 8,000 pilots—a number expected to swell short about 8,000 pilots, and the number could swell to 30,000 by 2025. United also has plans to hire more than 7,000 aircraft mechanics.

With United coming on board, the major US carriers, with the notable exception of Southwest Airlines (LUV), have reached tentative agreements. American Airlines (AAL) pilots will vote on their preliminary agreement later this month; the airline has said it will match its peers if their offers are higher. Delta Air Lines, earlier this year, agreed to increase wages by 34% over three years.

But the Southwest Airlines Pilots Association, last month, asked to be released from federal mediation, and 99% of its pilots in May voted to authorize a strike.

Even as travelers debate whether or not it’s okay to lean your seat back, United Airlines is rolling out a new generation of first-class seats designed to recline—and also charge your phone with a Qi wireless charger in the armrest, and provide more privacy from your neighbor thanks to a large privacy screen.

The new vegan leather seats come with 13-inch seatback screens and 18-inch tray tables, plus AC and USB-C outlets in each seat, so passengers can charge three devices at once. The new 11×19-inch privacy screens are not retractable, however, making it hard for fearful fliers to grab their spouse’s arm.

United is in the midst of a fleet renewal, adding more than 90 new planes this year and 140 by the end of next. The new seats will debut on about 200 Boeing 737s and the new Airbus A321neo, beginning later this month and through 2025.

“This new United First seat is designed around the modern traveler—more charging options, bigger spaces for devices, food, drinks and personal items and extra privacy,” United’s Managing Director of Identity, Product and Loyalty Mark Muren said in a statement. “As we evolve the onboard experience, we’re upending old industry norms and anticipating future needs to accommodate the new ways people live and travel.”

Delta and JetBlue also are refreshing their planes’ interiors.

The first Crystal ship to sail since the company’s relaunch has successfully completed its sea trials and is on schedule for its inaugural cruise from Marseille, scheduled for July 31.

Crystal Serenity is in the final stages of a refurbishment undertaken after the company was acquired by A&K Travel Group, parent of Abercrombie & Kent, last year.

Crystal promises updated and larger suites “with artisanal finishes, refreshed specialty dining venues and cutting-edge onboard wellness, including the completely renovated and renamed Aurōra Spa,” a collaboration with Tillberg Design of Sweden.

There also is a new pickleball court and “re-energized entertainment and events—but what hasn’t changed is the exceptional service and one of the industry’s best staff-to-guest ratios,” the company said.

Also onboard is UMI UMA, the only dining experience by Michelin-Star Chef Master Chef Nobuyuki (Nobu) at sea.

After the July 31st cruise, Crystal Serenity will spend the rest of the summer in the Mediterranean. Then it will reposition to North America in September, where it will sail Canadian and Caribbean itineraries for the remainder of 2023 before hosting the 2024 World Cruise.

For those still smarting from the costs of Crystal’s bankruptcy in 2022, the company last week extended its plan to compensate guests and travel advisors. Originally offering credit only to guests booked on its two ocean ships, it now has been extended to Crystal’s expedition ship and its five river ships. To be eligible, guests must apply directly for the credit by August 1; applications filed by travel advisors will result in a delay of the verification process. They must hold a verified claim in the Assignment for the Benefit of Creditors process in the Crystal Cruises LLC case.
Travel advisors may be eligible to claim lost commissions if they are named in the customer’s claim and registered with the new Crystal brand.

If you need to renew or apply for a new passport, you may face longer than average wait times. The State Department is reporting significant backlogs for both renewal and new passport applications due to pandemic-related disruptions and delays.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the State Department had to temporarily shut down passport agencies and centers for health and safety. Operations have now resumed, but they are still not back to normal pre-pandemic processing times. The State Department estimates that it will take between 10 to 12 weeks for routine service.

The backlog is not just due to shutdowns, however. Many Americans put off applying for or renewing their passports during the height of the pandemic, due to travel restrictions and health concerns. Now that more people are beginning to plan travel again, the State Department has seen a surge in new applications, contributing to longer wait times. They are advising people who need a new passport to apply now for the holidays and avoid paying expensive fees for expedited service unless truly necessary.

The delays and increased demand underscore the importance of applying for or renewing your passport with plenty of lead time. While the State Department aims to eventually return to normal processing times, the backlog of applications may continue to impact turnaround times for some months. If planning international travel, ensure your passport is up to date and allow a minimum of 4 to 6 weeks to receive your new passport. With planning, most people should be able to get their passports in time for their trips, but flexibility and patience will be important in the short term.

The trend toward upgrading private islands has come to MSC Cruises, which last week advised guests and travel advisors that its Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve in the Bahamas will be closed from April 7 to May 22, 2024 “in order to make necessary guest experience enhancements and support the island’s future growth plans.”

The closing will result in program shifts for MSC Seashore, MSC Seascape, MSC Divina, and MSC Meraviglia, including everything from the addition of new ports of call to cancellation of some itineraries. Some itineraries will stop in Nassau, Freeport in The Bahamas, or Isla Roatan in Honduras instead of Ocean Cay.

Guests on the impacted cruises have until July 31 to decide whether to stay with their existing reservation, move to another sailing without penalty, or cancel for a full refund.

Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve opened in December 2019, but closed during the Covid shutdown from mid-March until summer 2021. One of the most beautiful of the private islands, its focus is not on thrills but rather on luxury and calm, including eight beaches, a spa, private cabanas, and an onsite kids program at the family-friendly Seakers Family Cove.

Fans of Footloose be forewarned: Norwegian Cruise Lines will be canceling seven shows across nine ships, including your favorite, in a shakeup of its entertainment lineup.

The shows to be canceled are:

• Swing on Norwegian Gem, closing July 7, 2023
• World Beat on Norwegian Spirit, closing August 16, 2023, and on Norwegian Sun, closing October 11.
• Velvet on Norwegian Jewel, closing September 25.
• What the World Needs Now on Norwegian Star, closing October 11.
• Footloose, on Norwegian Jo, closing October 28.
• Showdown, on Norwegian Dawn, closing November 4.
• Six, on Norwegian Breakaway, closing January 26, 2024, and on Norwegian Bliss, closing February 24, 2024.

Still running are the popular Choir of Man, performed on Norwegian Encore and Norwegian Escape, and the new Summer: The Donna Summer Musical on Norwegian Prima.

In an email sent to crew members and obtained by Cruise Industry News, the company said the goal is “elevating the offerings.”

“We understand that change can be difficult, but we are confident that these adjustments will allow us to create an even more memorable experience for our guests. This is a truly exciting time of growth and transformation for our company and industry, and we are honored to be at the forefront of this evolution,” the email said.

NCL did not respond to a request for an interview by TRO.

US travelers to the United Kingdom will have one more hoop to jump through beginning next year, as the new Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) becomes mandatory.

The UK announced yesterday that all visitors to England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland who are not British or Irish citizens, will need an ETA. The cost will be €10 (about $12.50) and stay valid for two years or until the traveler’s passport expires, whichever comes first.

UK officials say they will process the form within 72 hours.

Travelers will need to apply on the UK ETA app, or online on GOV.UK. Travel advisors can apply on behalf of clients, according to the website. But every traveler, including children and babies, must have his or her own ETA (and pay the fee). Approval will be received in less than 72 hours, the authorities said.

Qatari nationals will be required to have the form beginning October 25, 2023. Citizens of Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia will need one beginning February 1, 2024. Other travelers will need one by the end of 2024.

“The scheme will give the UK more control of our borders, allowing us to block threats from entering the UK, whilst also providing individuals, and carriers, with more assurance at an earlier point in time about their ability to travel to the UK,” the government said earlier this year.

Travelers to the European Schengen Zone also will be required to obtain authorization through the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) starting in 2024.

Both programs will allow travel for 90 days in any 180-day period.

Europe is not alone in requiring travelers to pre-register their passports. Canada has an Electronic Travel Authorization, which costs $7, but US travelers are exempt from obtaining one. The Dominican Republic also requires an e-ticket, and Bermuda requires a Bermuda Arrival Card (though it has stopped charging the $40 fee instituted during Covid.)

Are you ready for a Shark Tank-like opportunity to present your business plan to top financial experts, get free professional feedback, and potentially win thousands of dollars in prizes?

The cruise line’s eight-part Your Winning Plan program will bring in experts in small business and entrepreneurship from the Small Business Administration, CLIA and ASTA, plus Carnival’s own business development team, to help you build a winning business plan you can then enter into a nationwide competition. If you make it to the finals, Shark Tank’s own Daymond John may just present you with the grand prize.

The event will take place live in seven cities (San Jose on June 23, Detroit and Las Vegas on July 7, Nashville on July 14, Denver on July 19, and Richmond, VA, on July 28) as well as virtually on August 5. The grand finale event will be held in Houston on Sept. 27.

One semi-finalist will be chosen at each event and receive a $2,500 prize to use toward implementing the winning business plans, plus a trip to the final event in Houston. The grand prize winner there will receive $5,000.

Any travel advisor in the United States, Canada or Puerto Rico can register, at GoCCL.com.

On dates ranging from March 17^th to October 11^th of 2024, Collette will be offering a special version of their ‘Memorials of World War II’ tour. The tour will focus on the 80^th anniversary of D-Day, June 6^th, 1944, during World War II.

The special tour will take the traveler through cities like London, where the traveler will learn about what is like during The Blitz and travel across the English Channel.

Also on the itinerary is France, specifically the first French town liberated from the Nazis, Saint-Mère-Église. While the tour ends in Paris, the city of light, with a dinner cruise along the Seine River.

And of course, a chance to experience the beaches of Normandy and honor the almost 9,000 Allied troop deaths when storming the shore.

“Throughout 2024, our travelers will have the opportunity to take this journey honoring the 80th anniversary of D-Day, traveling along the same paths as the nearly 160,000 Allied troops who battled for European freedom on June 6, 1944. The visit to Normandy is always an emotional one. It is such a moving experience to set foot on the same sand as so many heroes did that day.”, said Jaclyn Liebl-Cote Chief Customer Experience Officer at Collette.

Tour prices start at $3,499, and Collette says there are plenty of spots for travelers available.

Wouldn’t it be nice to just wear your ID on your wrist as you go through the airport? Apple’s been working on it, and it’s live now in four states.

Apple users in Arizona have been carrying their driver’s licenses and state IDs in their Apple Wallets for a year now, passing through TSA checkpoints at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport with just a flick of their wrists. Since then, Maryland, Colorado and Georgia have come aboard—and the tech giant is working to add the other 46 to the list.

Each state has its own verification process, but the goal is to have a digital ID stored on your iPhone. Users just click on the ‘+’ sign in the Apple Wallet’s top right corner and follow the instructions. The system works on an iPhone 8 or newer.

TSA also is testing Delta Air Lines Biometric Facial Identification and GET Mobile Drivers Licenses, its website says (https://www.tsa.gov/digital-id). The technology is available at 25 airports including Baltimore, Dallas, Denver, Atlanta, Los Angeles, Miami, Washington, DC, and San Francisco.

While users do not have to produce their physical driver’s licenses, the TSA still requires that travelers carry them.

Underscoring its reach into the US market, MSC Group this week offered up details about the naming ceremony of MSC Euribia in Copenhagen, as well as the Owners Suite on Explora I, the first ship in its new Explora Journeys luxury division.

Sporting “the most energy-efficient cruise ship design ever,” MSC Euribia, is powered by LNG and features state-of-the-art environmental technologies including advanced onboard wastewater treatment systems, waste management handling, energy efficiency measures, and innovative underwater radiated noise management systems to reduce the potential impact on the marine environment.

As always at MSC namings, Sophia Loren will serve as godmother. Euribia then will sail 7-night itineraries in Northern Europe, from Kiel, Germany, and Copenhagen, Denmark to the Norwegian Fjords.

New elements on the ship include the new Le Grill “French bistro meets steakhouse” restaurant; a reinvented Carousel Lounge designed to offer more panoramic ocean views; and a brand-new kids area and program of activities dedicated to educating children and teenagers on environmental subjects in the MSC Foundation Lab.

For guests looking for a more luxurious experience, MSC Group’s new Explora Journeys brand unveiled details of the 3,000-square-foot Owner’s Residence on its first ship, Explora I.

Guests there can lounge on a private outdoor terrace that extends over the full width of the ship, sip champagne in their own infinity whirlpool, or dine in private at a table for eight. They will also have unlimited priority reservations for all culinary venues and a complimentary treatment at Ocean Wellness – The Spa.

The suite includes private butler service, a Technogym Bench and Case Kit, a private bar replenished according to their preferences, unlimited priority reservations for all culinary venues, a double vanity bathroom made of Calacatta marble and other “incredible details that create an elegant, yet effortlessly relaxed European sense of luxury,” said Explora Journeys Head of Product Jason Gelineau.

The Residence is available for parties of three adults or two adults and one child under 18 years old.

The United States will finally lift the COVID-19 vaccine requirement for inbound international air travelers on Friday, May 12th, that has been in place since October 2021.

“Considering the progress that we have made, and based on the latest guidance from our public health experts, I have determined that we no longer need the international air travel restrictions,” President Joe Biden said in a proclamation announcing the change. “As we continue to monitor the evolving state of COVID-19 and the emergence of virus variants, we have the tools to detect and respond to the potential emergence of a variant of high consequence.”

Biden also announced an end to vaccine requirements for federal employees and contractors, and for foreign nationals at land borders. The Department of Homeland Security, meanwhile, said it will no longer require vaccinations for non-U.S. travelers entering at ferry terminals.

Industry groups including the U.S. Travel Association applauded the change. “Today’s action to lift the vaccine requirement eases a significant entry barrier for many global travelers, moving our industry and country forward,” said president and CEO Geoff Freeman.

The CDC does still recommend that U.S. travelers be up to date on their COVID vaccinations before leaving the country, however.

After 15 years of cruising in Japan, MSC Cruises on May 1 opened sales for its first-ever winter season in the Land of the Rising Sun, beginning this year.

The new program will start in November 2023, sailing on MSC Bellissima, and include 6-, 9-, and 11-night sailings from Yokohama. Then from January to March 2024, MSC Bellissima will add 4- and 5- night itineraries within Japan and to Keelung, Taiwan (China), visiting Okinawa, Ishigaki, and Miyako island, sailing out of a homeport in Naha/Okinawa.

MSC Bellissima is the second ship in the MSC Meraviglia class and one of the largest in the MSC fleet, holding 4,500 guests. It features 12 dining venues and more than 20 bars and lounges, including a steak house, the French specialty restaurant L’Atelier Bistrot and Chocolate & Café, home of unique and elegant chocolate desserts.

Carnival Cruise Line has begun testing a new charge for some guests eating at its popular ChiBang specialty restaurant on Mardi Gras.

All guests still can eat at the venue for free at lunchtime or once for dinner. Though they now will incur an $8 per person surcharge if they return to eat dinner in the restaurant a second time.

There is also a ChiBang restaurant on the second Excel-class ship, Carnival Celebration, and there will be one on Carnival Jubilee as well. For now, the fee is only being charged on Mardi Gras, however.

Carnival Cruise Line brand ambassador John Heald, on his Facebook page, called the move a pilot project designed “to give everyone an opportunity to dine in this unique venue” on a ship that holds about 6,000 passengers.

The popular ChiBang offers both a Chinese and a Mexican menu, neither of which are available elsewhere on the ship, as well as specialty desserts.

Don’t expect another Perfect Day at CocoCay or Labadee when Royal Caribbean opens its Bahamas beach club in early 2025. Those are destinations in their own right. (Indeed, CocoCay is the number one destination for Royal Caribbean guests).

Instead, the 17-acre Royal Beach Club at Paradise Island promises a new kind of experience—all-inclusive, fee-based, and upscale. Instead of ziplines and hot air balloons, the Club will focus on serenity, food and beverage, and great service.

In an interview at RoyalCaribbeanBlog.com today, senior vice president and chief product innovation officer Jay Schneider noted there will be a fee for access to the Club, whose focus points will be a beautiful beach and heated pools.

The price, as yet undetermined, will include a water taxi ride to the island; food, beverage and alcohol; beach chairs and umbrellas; and non-motorized activities, including swimming, snorkeling and kayaking.

When planning Royal Beach Club, the cruise company targeted Nassau as a port it often used, but it did not rate high satisfaction scores with guests. But “Nassau is a great place to go,” he said, and “we wanted to add a Royal level service to that destination.”

By 2027, the cruise line expects to bring 2.5 million visitors to Nassau. The plan is to build “multiple beach clubs around the world,” Schneider said.

Meanwhile, Vicki Freed, senior vice president of trade support and sales, told TRO that “the excitement to vacation with Royal Caribbean is at an all-time high and we’re thrilled to move forward with Royal Beach Club at Paradise Island. Royal Beach Club will be the ultimate beach day getaway that will forever change what is possible in a vacation destination.”

At the Seatrade Global conference in March, Russell Benford, Royal Caribbean Group’s VP of government relations, talked about the Bahamas project. “The port of Nassau is transcendent,” he said, with 40,000 visitors daily. The new project is a partnership that will be 49% owned by Bahamians, in keeping with the company’s goal of “bringing economic empowerment to the people who live in the communities we visit.”

For the second time this year, MSC has taken delivery of a new ship—this time its new flagship, MSC Seascape.

The second in the Seaside class, Seascape “aims to connect guests with the sea,” offering “a wealth of outdoor spaces allowing guests to enjoy the beautiful scenery of The Caribbean, where she will spend her inaugural season,” said MSC Cruises CEO Gianni Onorato. The ship features more than 42,000 feet of outdoor space and an expansive waterfront promenade.

The ceremony, held in Italy, will be followed by a gala in New York, to which many travel advisors have been invited, as Seascape kicks off its inaugural season on December 7.

Following the cruise industry trend toward more upscale accommodations, the ship has the largest Yacht Club in the MSC fleet. It also will have many cutting-edge environmental technologies, including an underwater noise management system to help protect marine mammals.

Seascape is the fourth ship in the Seaside class, and MSC’s 21st ship. Her newest feature is the ROBOTRON, a roller coaster at sea.

Guests also will experience six new shows and 98 hours of exclusive onboard entertainment and 7,500 square feet of dedicated kids’ space. There are 2,270 cabins, 11 dining venues and 6 swimming pools, including an aft infinity pool with ocean views.

MSC Seascape will sail two seven-night itineraries from Miami:

• Eastern Caribbean: Calling at Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve and Nassau in The Bahamas, San Juan in Puerto Rico, and Puerto Plata in the Dominican Republic
• Western Caribbean: Calling at Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, Cozumel in Mexico, George Town in the Cayman Islands and Ocho Rios in Jamaica.

To find out more about MSC Seascape visit here.