So, this is kinda wild. Cruisehive.com reports that Miray Cruises will open for bookings for a three-year world cruise on March 1, 2023. The cruise will sail onboard the 1992-built MV Gemini and visit 135 countries on seven continents from November 2023 through the end of 2026.
The ship will travel 130,000 miles, visit 375 ports of call in 135 different countries, and sail to all seven continents, Cruisehive stated.
The cost could be as little as $2,500 USD per stateroom per month, which means $30,000 for the year. That’s damn cheap for room and board while you cruise the world.
Air Canada salutes Black History Month. Air Canada Photo
AIR CANADA SALUTES BLACK EMPLOYEES
|
HONG KONG DROPS MASK RULES
|
MISSISSIPPI RIVER COUNTRY CALLING CANADIANS
Figuring there is strength in number, ten U.S. states that border on the Misssissippi River a few years ago formed an alliance called Mississippi River Country and launched a tourism campaign to boost visitation to the region.
Representatives from six of the 10 states (Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Mississippi and Louisiana) came to Toronto on Monday, Feb. 27 for a chance to meet with local travel writers. They also took part in a weekend adventure travel show near Toronto Pearson Airport.
Most Canadians can probably picture the Mississippi River in the southern U.S., but it actually starts in northern Minnesota; not far from the Canadian border. Minnesota offers remarkable kayaking and canoeing, as well as hiking and city life in Minneapolis/St. Paul.
Illinois is where the Great River Road, which follows the mighty Mississippi, meets fabled Route 66. Again, there are great nature opportunities all around, including a couple dozen waterfalls at Starved Rock State Park. Route 66 begins (or ends, depending on how you look at it) in Chicago and passes through Springfield, the home of U.S. President Abraham Lincoln.
Downtown Memphis at night. Heidi Kaden-Unsplash Photo
Further south the Mississippi takes you past Memphis, Tennessee, famous for its music and food scene. The city also is getting a lot of attention as the long-time home of Elvis Presley, especially now with the Elvis biopic up for Academy Awards next month. I’d love to try their Memphis bbq (a dry rub) and check out Sun Records, where Presley, Carl Perkins and Johnny Cash used to lay down tracks. The city also has the National Civil Rights Museum and a new riverfront.
Arkansas borders the west side of the river, and you’ll find amazing hiking and cycling trails, as well as country music and great southern food and the world’s only public diamond mine, where visitors can try their luck for free – and take home any diamond they find. The tourism rep from Arkansas said visitors also can take a “Bill-grimage” to see sites associated with former President Bill Clinton.
Mississippi is home to the city of Vicksburg, a famous Civil War battle site and the city where Coca-Cola was first bottled. Elvis Presley was born in Tupelo, Mississippi, and the state has tremendous blues and country music. Also born in Mississippi were author William Faulkner and singer/songwriter/hotel magnate Jimmy Buffett. The state is home to the Mississippi Freedom Trail.
Louisiana is fairly familiar to many Canadian travellers, although it seems many of us don’t stray far from New Orleans. It’s a great city, with amazing food and cocktails and a raucous music scene. It’s also home to Mardi Gras parades, of course. There’s a new, 38-story observatory with great views of the Mississippi River and the French Quarter, as well as a fine World War II museum. Outside of New Orleans you’ll find beautiful plantation homes (admittedly with a very troubled history), beautiful bayous that offer tremendous watersports and fishing, colourful small towns and even a Gas Station food trail that takes you fun casual dining spots that double as fuelling stops. The state also boasts a Bonnie & Clyde Museum and a Britney Spears Museum.
A very cool slice of American life, I’d say.
JERRY SEINFELD IN HALIFAX THIS SUMMER
The Great Outdoors Comedy Festival will touch down in Halifax this summer, and none other than Jerry Seinfeld will be performing. Seinfeld will take the stage at the Garrison Grounds in Halifax on Friday, Aug. 11, 2023.
Working on vacation. Corinne Kutz/Unsplash Photo
CANADIAN BIZCATIONS TAKING OFF
In a recent Allianz Global Assistance study conducted by Ipsos, one in four Canadians said that their employer allows them the benefit of taking a bizcation – blending remote work while on vacation. The leading travel insurance company’s study also revealed that bizcations are a popular work perk as 72% of those
who have the option plan on taking a bizcation this year.
Bizcations are an emerging trend in the workplace, where employees can work and travel
simultaneously without taking time off. It could also include tacking on a few days before or after
a business trip.
Flexible work arrangements, like bizcations, are some of the most notable work-related
outcomes of the pandemic – and something that many employees prioritize. The mobile
workplace has become the norm and innovative working arrangements have become a key
factor in attracting talent.
“Bizcations are becoming increasingly popular, as we see the value younger generations place
on travel,” stated Dan Keon, Vice President, Marketing & Insights at Allianz. “Our survey found
that 82 per cent of those aged 18-34 will exercise their option to take a bizcation, while only 50
per cent of those over the age of 55 plan to do the same. As the workplace continues to evolve,
the office can be anywhere and the travel industry must prioritize keeping people connected
while vacationing.”
The travel industry has been adapting to this growing need. When it comes to accommodations,
we have seen the bizcation trend take shape with more access to Wi-Fi, workspaces, coworking spaces, charging ports, mobile connections and computers.
In the Allianz study, business travellers shared their top bizcation destinations:
32 per cent said they plan to travel within Canada, outside of their home province
24 per cent said they plan to travel to Mexico or the Caribbean
15 per cent said they plan to travel in the US
29 per cent said they plan to travel to some other international destination.
A study I spotted from GoCity.com found that 50% of Gen Zers and nearly 30% of Americans plan to take a bizcation this year.
- More than 3 in 4 say remote work allows them to be more flexible with their PTO
- 80% believe travel is easier as a remote worker
- America’s ideal places to work remotely: California, Florida and Hawaii.
Try a cycling ride along the beach at the Hilton Aruba Caribbean Resort & Casino. Photo courtesy Hilton Aruba Caribbean Resort & Casino.
ARUBA WEATHER PERSON CONTEST: THE WORLD’S EASIEST JOB
|
 World Cruise; Air Canada Salutes Black Employees; Mississippi River Country Calls to Canadians "Pin It")