Gun violence in Mexico forced the temporary closure of two airports, stranding more Canadians.
CP24 says Canadian tourists were trapped inside a Mexican hotel Thursday as buses that were supposed to take them to an airport and safely home burned outside.
“It’s just chaos,” said Tina Dahl of Edmonton, whose six family members stranded in the popular tourist city of Mazatlan were supposed to fly out Thursday night.
The government of Canada travel advice Twitter feed states that “there is widespread violence in Sinaloa State since the arrest of a (drug) cartel leader. The Culiacán and Mazatlán airports are closed. If you are there, limit your movements and shelter in place if possible.”
There were reports that passengers on an Aeromexico flight in Culiacan were caught in the crossfire as cartel members and authorities fired guns at each other.
Reuters reports that “violence broke out on Thursday throughout Culiacan after the arrest of Ovidio Guzman, the son of the notorious drug lord known as El Chapo, and a senior member of the Sinaloa cartel.”
Open Jaw Network says both WestJet and Sunwing have travel advisories posted on their websites.
DELTA AIRLINES ANNOUNCES FREE WI-FI
Delta Air Lines has become first major U.S. carrier to introduce free Wi-Fi for all passengers.
The service, in conjunction with T-Mobile, will appear on more than 700 Viasat-equipped aircraft by the end of 2023, with full availability on international and regional aircraft by the end of 2024, PAX News reports.
Porter Airlines says it will offer free Wi-Fi on its new jet routes, which are slated to begin later this month. Air Canada has said it will soon offer live television on some flights.
Guess we can finally say goodbye to those tiny overhead box TV sets?
The Queen Mary 2 in New York Harbor. CUNARD PHOTO
CUNARD LAUNCHES WAVE SEASON DISCOUNTS ON GREAT CRUISE TRIPS
Luxury cruise line Cunard launches the “Treat Yourself, On Us” wave season offer, kicking off the new year with savings. Available on 2023 and 2024 voyages across Cunard’s fleet – flagship Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria, Queen Elizabeth and the line’s newest ship Queen Anne.
From January 3 through March 28, 2023, the promotional offer includes onboard credit up to $2,000 per stateroom and discounts of up to 30% for all fares. Onboard credit may be used for shopping, shore excursions, spa, restaurants and other services. The drinks package and hotel & dining service charge are included when booking any Princess or Queens Grills Suite.
The “Treat Yourself, On Us” offer is available on select voyages seven nights or longer between May 16, 2023 and January 3, 2025. Itineraries include:
* 2023 Alaska, Asia, Australia, Canada, Caribbean, Europe, Mediterranean, Panama Canal, and Transatlantic Crossing
* 2024 Asia, Australia, Europe, Mediterranean, Panama Canal, Transatlantic Crossing, and World.
Guests can enjoy some of Cunard’s signature sailings including:
* The line’s newest vessel Queen Anne will sail the Western Mediterranean on a variety of eight to 16-night voyages featuring a mix of days at sea and time in port, offering guests the chance to discover the fascinating histories of Lisbon, Cadiz and Rome.
* Summer in Alaska on Queen Elizabeth: In 2023 Cunard will offer seven to 12-night voyages roundtrip out of Vancouver. Itineraries include scenic cruising through the Inside Passage, Glacier Bay National Park, Hubbard Glacier, Tracy Arm Fjord, as well as full days in several ports including Juneau, Ketchikan, Skagway, Sitka and Icy Strait Point. New in 2023 is a partnership with the Royal Canadian Geographical Society featuring experts from the Society on select voyages.
* East and Westbound Transatlantic Crossings on flagship Queen Mary 2. This iconic voyage sails New York to Southampton, England with seven nights at sea to luxuriate across the North Atlantic providing time away to disconnect and revitalize. Queen Mary 2 will also make Crossings between New York and Hamburg, Germany in 2023 and 2024.
* The Norwegian Fjords on Queen Victoria: roundtrip out of Southampton, June 25 – July 2, 2023, will feature mesmerizing blue fjords and unbelievable waterfalls, with calls at Kristiansand, Bergen, Geiranger, and Haugesund.
