The travel rebound is definitely coming. More than nine in ten travellers around the world plan to take a leisure trip in the next six months, and one in five Canadians intend to take a cruise in the next year, according to a new study from Expedia Group. Today, Expedia Group released its Traveler Value Index: 2022 Outlook based on proprietary data and results from a new survey of 5,500 adults across eight countries. The findings suggest people are changing their expectations and the way they travel this year in some unexpected ways. Top takeaways include: 91% of Read more
cruising
Cruise lines will no longer have to follow Centers for Disease Control and Prevention health rules to guard against COVID-19. The CDC’s Framework for Conditional Sailing Order, which was extended and modified in October, will expire Saturday, at which point the health agency’s COVID guidance for cruise ships will become voluntary, the CDC confirmed to USA TODAY on Wednesday. “This means cruise lines can choose whether to follow the health agency’s guidance or not,” USA Today said. CDC spokesperson David Daigle said the Atlanta-based health agency “is transitioning to a voluntary COVID-19 risk mitigation program.” The CDC in 2020 brought Read more
Today’s travel news roundup includes Scenic Cruises, Air Tahiti Nui, a new flying option in Southern Ontario, and a new Norwegian Cruise ship. FLY GTA RETURNS TO KINGSTON ONTARIO The Gananoque Reporter says Toronto based Fly GTA airline will resume service to Kingston, Ontario at the end of this month. The first flight between Kingston and Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport is scheduled for Jan. 31. “We are thrilled to be landing at Kingston Airport once again and look forward to expanding our service in the coming months,” FlyGTA Group chief executive officer Chris Nowrouzi said in a news release Read more
In a major blow to the cruise industry, the U.S.-based Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says Americans should avoid all cruise travel, even if they’re fully vaccinated. The CDC on Thursday upgraded its travel warning advisory for cruising from level three to level four. Level three indicates what the CDC calls a “high” level of COVID-19 and advises travellers to make sure they’re fully vaccinated before taking a trip. Level four is for “very high” levels of the virus and suggests that people “avoid travel” entirely. The world cruise industry was just getting its sea legs back in the Read more
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is investigating some 86 cruise ships for COVID-19, according to multiple reports. The Washington Post said in today’s edition that 86 ships in U.S. waters are being looked at. BNN Bloomberg pegged the number of ships under investigation by the CDC at 89. Several cruise ships were turned away from ports in the Caribbean and Mexico over the past week due to concerns about COVID-19 and the Omicron variant. The website Axios said affected cruise lines include Disney, Carnival, Royal Caribbean and Norwegian. The CDC today lists cruise travel at level three in Read more
