NCL Shares New Details About Norwegian Aqua, Norwegian Luna

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By Suzanne Edgewater

Foreign Bureau

A new report shows that while business travel is still down from pre-pandemic totals, transient and group business travel have shown growth in 2023.

According to STR, lodging data confirms the accelerated recovery of business and group travel, with the hotel industry finishing September strong with room demand the second-highest ever for the month.

Weekday occupancy has also increased, particularly in the top 25 largest hotel markets in the United States, especially San Francisco, which posted the highest weekday occupancy in the last week of September at nearly 90 percent. 

“Group bookings are booming at this point,” Hyatt CEO Mark Hoplamazian said. “That’s happening in so many companies. The power of human connection cannot be underestimated. Human-to-human connections makes creativity work, it elevates the human spirit. That will sustain travel.”

While 2022 totals were still 29 percent below 2019 levels, group occupancy data is now approaching pre-pandemic demand levels and there are expectations that it will reach 2019 levels this fall.

The STR research found several major trends, including a slow but steady recovery, small- and medium-sized companies are leading the way, a boost in business travel from employees returning to the office and the continued growth of bleisure travel.

Last week, American Airlines announced the introduction of a new business loyalty program, dubbed AAdvantage Business. As part of the program, eligible companies and their travelers will earn miles and additional Loyalty Points for booking business travel on the carrier’s official website or app.

By Michael Sinclair

Foreign Bureau

As much as we use the cliché about not having a rudder or being rudderless to describe an issue, it’s a very real problem for the Boeing Company.

The National Transportation Safety Board issued urgent safety recommendations regarding a rudder malfunction on Boeing’s best-selling plane, the 737.

The problem is somewhat contained as it appears only to effect those planes bought by United Airlines. There is a manufacturing defect in the rudder control system. The Federal Aviation Administration is aware of the situation.

“We have been monitoring this situation closely. … We will convene a corrective action review board based upon the NTSB’s interim recommendations and determine next steps,” the agency said in a statement.

Boeing said, “We are working with our supplier to develop additional guidance.”

Nonetheless, the NTSB recommended that Boeing tell all carriers that there is a possibility that the rudder control system can jam. The NTSB also urged Boeing to come up with better instructions for pilots as to how to handle rudder jams.

Boeing said it will “ensure flight crews have the appropriate operating procedures.”

The enforcement recommendations stem from an incident earlier this year in which a United pilot found that the pedals that operate the rudder were stuck.

A NTSB spokesperson said the problem is with the manufacturing of the product itself and not necessarily with Boeing. However, the perception is that it still casts aspersions on the company which has suffered greatly from safety protocol issues this year.

In addition to other problems, Boeing is currently facing an internal strike that has caused the company almost half a billion dollars so far in one week.

By Jane Pearson

East Coast Bureau

Virgin Voyages is set to bring back its popular month-long cruise pass for Summer 2025, offering travelers the opportunity to spend up to 40 nights at sea across the company's fleet. Starting at $14,999 for two people, the pass allows passengers to enjoy a long-haul vacation with premium perks, including access to a Central Sea Terrace stateroom, Wi-Fi, laundry services, and early shore excursion and dining reservations.

This pass, which builds upon the success of the seasonal offering launched in 2023, enables guests to embark on unforgettable journeys on one of Virgin’s three vessels: the Scarlet Lady in Europe, the Valiant Lady in the Caribbean and the Resilient Lady in the Mediterranean. Each ship offers unique itineraries designed to provide a relaxing, yet adventurous, experience at sea. 

“Swap that zoom gloom for seaside views from your room. Whether you joined us this year or were just daydreaming about it—you can now reserve your spot to call one of our lady ships home (and work!) for a full month next summer,” Virgin Voyages wrote in a post. “With the fastest at-sea internet on the high seas in the biz, it’ll be a breeze hopping on your morning video meeting as you feel, well, the literal ocean breeze.”

Passholders will be treated to a Central Sea Terrace stateroom, which includes a private balcony and a premium Wi-Fi connection. Additional perks include complimentary laundry services, two specialty coffees per cabin per day, and early access to shore excursions and dining reservations. The service also features pre-sailing and onboard access to a Dedicated Sailor Services Support team, ensuring guests are welcomed from the moment they step on board.

According to Travel + Leisure, the adults-only cruise line has also just launched its first credit card for U.S. travelers, offering 3x the loyalty points across Sir Richard Branson's travel brands. This includes earning points for trips on Virgin Voyages, allowing passengers to accrue travel rewards as they enjoy their month-long escape to any of these idyllic destinations.

If you’re interested in sailing with Virgin next summer for anywhere from 24 to 40 nights, you should act quickly, as there are a very limited number of passes available. For more information, you can visit Virgin Voyages' official website, and fill out an online form to choose their preferred ship and sailing dates.

By Suze Miller

Foreign Bureau

Icelandic budget carrier Play is observing Memorial Day with a special flash sale, which offers travelers the chance to book one-way flights to Europe for as low as $99. This promotion, which ends at 12:00 a.m. ET on May 27, covers travel dates from August through December 2024. It also extends to some of the Continent’s most sought-after destinations, including such as France, England, Iceland, Ireland, Germany, Greece and others.

“Summer is finally here and Play challenges travelers to get ahead on their shoulder season trips to take advantage of low prices and a calmer time of the year to visit top tourist destinations,” Einar Örn Ólafsson, Play’s CEO, told Travel + Leisure. “Getaways during the fall and winter are a perfect time to unwind after a hectic summer, and Play wants to make these trips more affordable with this Memorial Day Discount to kick off summer and travel planning.”

The sale includes $99 one-way flights to Reykjavik and $129 one-way flights to other popular European cities, such as Amsterdam, Berlin, Copenhagen, Dublin, Dusseldorf, Hamburg, London and Paris. These discounted flights are available from all of Play’s U.S. gateway airports, which include Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI), Boston Logan International Airport (BOS), New York Stewart International Airport (SWF) and Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD).

Play, which began operating in Europe in 2021 and launched its first U.S. flight the following year, uses a hub-and-spoke model wherein all flights connect through Iceland’s capital of Reykjavik before proceeding to various destinations across Europe. The airline currently serves more than two dozen European cities, offering a range of options for travelers looking to explore the Continent.

As a low-cost carrier, Play’s pricing is per flight leg, and it charges extra for such additional services as checked baggage, food and drinks, allowing travelers to customize their flying experience according to their budget and preferences.

And, while this limited-time deal will enable you to get to Europe without breaking the bank, it does come with some restrictions. Importantly, to qualify for the sale prices, travelers must book roundtrip flights, even though the pricing as listed is for one-way travel.

Would-be travelers should also note that the exact travel dates available and applicable blackout periods vary depending upon the destination. For instance, flights to Iceland, Amsterdam, Copenhagen, London and Paris are available on Mondays from August 19 to November 25, and from December 2 to December 16. 

By Alex Johnson

East Coast Bureau

There have been plenty of crazy travel stories that prove why it's always wise to book with a travel advisor.

The latest involves a recent viral TikTok post from user @girlgoingtravel in which she racked up more than one million views chronicling a passport emergency after she accidentally sent the document through the washer and dryer.

"The anxiety of having a damaged passport five days before my trip to Thailand was eating me alive," the voice says in a clip. "I was so anxious I got there the night before and stayed in a hotel so that I could be there nice and early for my 9:30 a.m. appointment. I think it's really important to be there early because the line was really long."

Fortunately for the woman in this instance, everything worked out. "I will say the whole experience was so much more pleasant than I had expected it to be. I handed everything over. They told me to come back at 1 p.m. so I did," the voice says.

Nonetheless, surging travel demand has led to longer wait times for passports in some cases and many travelers aren't always lucky enough to secure a same-day or last-minute appointment. That's where it helps to have an experienced travel advisor in your corner.

That decision was vital for one traveler who lost her passport just days before her son's destination wedding in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.

"Leveraging my connections, I secured Mrs. Thompson an appointment for the next morning, ensuring she could be present for her son's special day. She received her passport that same day," says Cari Miles, Owner/ Travel Stylist Miles In Style Travel, a NEST affiliate.

Accidents happen but a trusted travel advisor can take the anxiety out of incidents like losing or damaging a passport ahead of an international trip by putting their experience and contacts to work.

By Eric Hanson

Foreign Bureau 

Walt Disney Company CEO Bob Iger only wants the best.

That includes his replacement.

In fact, he says he is obsessed by it. Maybe that’s because his first attempt at retiring didn’t go so well for his replacement.

“I think it would be safe to assume that I think about [CEO succession] all the time,” he told daytime television host Kelly Ripa. “I could say that ‘I’m obsessed with it’ would be probably an understatement, and actually, the board and I established when I returned that that would be among our biggest, if not our biggest, [priorities].”

Iger, who is in his 70s and said he will step down in 2026, is in his second stint running the entertainment giant. He first retired in 2020 and chose Bob Chapek to succeed him.

It did not work out.

Chapek resigned after two years following falling stock prices and a highly publicized feud with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.

Disney board member and former Morgan Stanley CEO James Gorman will chair the company’s succession planning committee to find Iger’s successor. The new CEO will likely have to face challenges including reduced theme park attendance and a reorganization of ESPN.

“It wouldn’t surprise me if he stays,” a Disney source said of Iger and told the New York Post. “He is ageless and there aren’t many internal successors who are ready.”

By Rick Jetters

West Coast Bureau

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is doing its due diligence.

The government agency would like to remind you of the rules regarding bringing a firearm on an airplane. A surprising number of people do not know the rules, and many believe that if you have a license to carry a concealed weapon in your state that you can automatically bring it on an airplane.

That’s not necessarily true since an airplane is considered under federal jurisdiction. And you can’t just shove it in your carry-on, either.

“Passengers should pack for a trip starting with an empty bag to be sure they are not carrying prohibited items before they enter our checkpoints,” said TSA Federal Security Director for the State of Mississippi Kim Jackson. “Make sure your firearm is not in your carry-on bag and also check that you do not have a pocketknife or other threats that are not permitted in the cabin of the aircraft.”

If you are going to travel with your firearm it must be in your checked bag, unloaded and in a locked hard-sided case. You must declare it to the airline at check-in. Travelers are responsible for being aware of what the firearm laws are on each side of their trip or they may be cited or heading to jail instead of to their vacation or business trip. Firearms may not be legal to transport even in checked baggage in some jurisdictions.

“We are reminding the public to place their firearms in their checked bags and declare them to the airline,” Jackson said. 

Passengers face a civil penalty imposed by the TSA that can reach nearly $15,000.

So save yourself some money, aggravation and embarrassment with these helpful hints.

• Tip 1: No firearms in carry-ons. Firearms must be in checked baggage. All firearms must be properly packed and declared to the airline at check-in, which means unloaded and in a locked, hard-sided case. Contact your airline for additional guidance. And it is your responsibility to know what the firearm laws are on both sides of your trip.
• Tip 2: Leave all prohibited items at home. To reduce the likelihood of a bag search at the checkpoint, search your own suitcase, backpack, computer bag or purse before leaving home. 
• Tip 3: Prepare for the security checkpoint. Have a valid ID card readily available. If you are traveling with a carry-on bag follow the liquids, gels and aerosols 3-1-1 rule -- 3.4 ounces or less for each item and the items should be placed in a one-quart-sized bag, one bag per passenger. To simplify your screening and even before entering the checkpoint it is best to put your phones and any other content of your pockets into your carry-on rather than into a bin in the checkpoint.
• Tip 4: Help is available. Get live assistance by tweeting your questions to @AskTSA in English or Spanish or via Facebook Messenger. You can also call the TSA Contact Center at 866-289-9673.
• Tip 5: Enroll now in TSA PreCheck. Travel with ease by enrolling in TSA PreCheck and avoid removing shoes, belts, liquids, laptops and light jackets. Most new enrollees receive a known traveler number within five days, and membership lasts for five years.