Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings is one of the largest cruise operators in the entire world. Together, the conglomerate owns Norwegian, Oceania, and Regent Seven Seas. Now, the company is threatening to move all of its Florida-based ships in response to the state’s new anti-vaccination laws. De Santis, Florida’s governor, recently made it illegal for any company to require proof of vaccination from customers. This is catastrophic to the cruise industry for two reasons. First, the CDC announced that cruise lines can skip a series of hurdles if they can ensure that over 95% of passengers and crew are vaccinated. However,…
Author: Keith Langston
Space, the final frontier. Those lines changed the world forever when they were used in the opening of the popular show Star Trek, which premiered three years before man ever stepped foot on the moon. Science fiction has long had a way of influencing science, and vice versa, but it seems that both science and science fiction have come together to make one thing very possible: Space tourism. By Keith David Langston Technically speaking, space tourism is already a thing. In 2001, Dennis Tito, engineer and founder of the investment firm Wilshire Associates, became the first non-astronaut to visit the…
Governor Andrew Cuomo says that New York City will be setting up COVID-19 testing stations inside the airport terminals for visitors entering the city. At a press conference on Monday, August 24th he stated that the stations will be created at JFK International and LaGuardia. However, even though Newark is one of NYC’s largest airports, because it sits in New Jersey, Cuomo has no jurisdiction over it. New Jersey has yet to announce any testing plans for the state’s largest international hub. According to the New York Daily News, the testing won’t be mandatory, but it will be free to…
Walking through the untamed wilderness is an invigorating and exciting adventure. However, the same can be said for a well maintained garden. Plants can be selected, arranged, and pruned into pure artwork. A botanical garden is both sophisticated and inspiring, while also giving you fresh air and a wonderful opportunity to enjoy a day outside. Here are some of the best in the world! By Keith David Langston SINGAPORE BOTANIC GARDENS Singapore may be known around the globe for its “Supertrees” and biodomes, but the city-state also has a beautiful collection of botanic gardens that are protected as a…
Today, Virgin Voyages announced that its first ship, the Scarlet Lady, has passed its sea trials. This means that the ship has now traveled in the open ocean and has been tested in a variety of weather and sea conditions, and has been certified safe and sound. Richard Branson was there to share in the excitement as the Scarlet Lady returned to port after testing. To further add to the excitement, Virgin Voyages has just released a new video, giving the public their first glimpse of the new cruise ship. In the video, Branson discusses what he believed cruise ships were…
As vaccination efforts ramp up around the world, more and more Americans are feeling eager to travel. Fortunately, many nations have started opening up their borders to travelers who are fully vaccinated or who are willing to take tests and quarantine. Here are some of the countries welcoming travelers from the USA now. For the full list, click on the links at the end of this post. BELIZE According to CNN, Belize is now allowing travel from America. Non-vaccinated people will need to be tested, but there is no quarantine in place. Vaccinated visitors are exempt from the testing…
A new study released by Harvard states that flying is actually safer during the pandemic than things like grocery shopping and eating out. The study, which was conducted by Harvard’s T.H. Chan School of Public Health, analyzed 13 peer-reviewed studies that have been done on air travel since the pandemic began. From their findings, air travel has actually been remarkably safe. The study says that the airline industry’s multilayered approach to safety is most likely the key. The air industry hasn’t relied on just one method of protection from the coronavirus, instead, it has layered multiple efforts such as routine…
Everyone knows that the travel industry has been dealt a massive blow in 2020 because of the coronavirus pandemic, and many travelers are now wondering what 2021 will bring. What will travel look like in the year to come? Well, here is what five industry insiders have to say about travel, and what’s to come… Travelers want bigger rooms at hotels… Guests are looking for bigger rooms because they’re looking to spend more time in them. For example, rather than eating in a restaurant, more travelers are looking to eat takeout or room service in their hotel rooms. Nadim…
The summer of 2021 is seeing an unexpected trend, the rise of “Summer Christmas.” Christmas in July has long been a tongue-in-cheek celebration, and the town of Bethlehem is known for going all-out during the holidays (and with its name, how could it not?). Visitors can expect a full-blown holiday extravaganza running from July 1-25. During that period, all the shops in the historic downtown area will be decked out with exciting window displays. Some will decorate in a traditional style, and others are expected to incorporate the event’s unique timing, creating some wonderfully creative scenes! Visitors are encouraged to…
As travelers, we love nature, the two go hand-in-hand. If you have the kind of adventurous spirit that drives you to roam the world, you probably also love the thrill of untamed wilderness. Sadly, over-tourism, reckless tourism, and wasteful tourism is destroying once-beautiful places. If you’re like me, this makes you angry. I’m always on the look out for ways to give back and help. Below are some amazing environmental nonprofits where you can get involved, have and adventure, and make a difference for the better! By Keith David Langston THE NATURE CONSERVANCY The Nature Conservancy is an American-based global…
Boom Supersonic, a Denver-based aeronautics company founded in 2014, is currently developing the aircraft Overture, set to be the world’s fastest commercial jet ever. The jet will surpass the Concorde in speed, flying over 1,000mph and cutting hours off transoceanic flights. The Overture is also going to be flying higher than any other jet around. The average cruising altitude is around 35,000-40,000 ft, but the Overture will by flying at a whopping 60,000 ft above sea-level. One of the most interesting aspects of the airplane is that the company is hoping it will only be used on routes over the…
We all know that cruising has been one of the hardest-hit industries during the COVID pandemic. With close quarters, no room to social distance, and tons of shared spaces, cruise ships have repeatedly become outbreak hotspots during the pandemic (there have been at least 42 instances on cruise ships). Because of this, the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), which represents about 95% of all oceanic cruising vessels around the world, has announced that all their members will suspend cruising until at least 2021. ABC News reports that the cruise industry will instead “use the remainder of the year to prepare…
Luxembourg has become the first country to offer free public transport to all. Since March 1st, 2020, the small nation has been fare-free. According to CNN, by making mass transit free the country hopes to lower the number of cars on the road. And as an added benefit, Luxembourg will also be getting cleaner air, and travelers will be getting a cheap and easy way to get around the country. Trains, trams, and busses throughout the nation have been running free of charge, and Luxembourg City’s official website even offers you tips, maps, and advice on getting around town when visiting.…
According to an article by USA Today, the US will no longer be performing widespread COVID screenings for international passengers. Instead, airports will be turning to a “symptom-based” screening regimen. The new screening protocol will include things like pre-departure and post-arrival health education (what this means has yet to be announced), voluntary electronic contact information collection, and post-arrival recommendations for self-monitoring, including self-isolating; in short, the new screening protocol involves no real screening whatsoever. What all this means is less testing and less effective ways of preventing COVID transmission from incoming visitors. The biggest problem is that many people may be…
Earlier this month, Canada reopened to tourists from the United States. This marked the first time the Canadian border had been open to Americans since March of 2020. This means travelers can once again dine on poutine in Montreal, hike Banff, and go to the top of Toronto’s CN Tower. However, not all visitors will be welcomed. Here’s a list of the things you’ll need in order to cross over Canada’s newly-opened borders. 1.) All US Citizens and residents must be fully vaccinated. Your vaccination card must be physically present while in Canada. 2.) Fully vaccinated Americans must also present…
These days, it’s normal to meet someone with special dietary needs: gluten-free for health reasons, Kosher for religious reasons, or vegetarian for environmental reasons. Everyone with a special diet, however, still loves to dine out, and they especially love dining out at restaurants that cater to their culinary requirements while still creating stunning, delicious meals. Luxury travel operator, Scenic, has put together a list of the best cities for those dining out with special dietary needs. Can you guess which city took the #1 spot? 9.) Amsterdam Vegetarian options: 1823 ~ Gluten-free options: 667 ~ Kosher options: 4 While…
JetBlue is joining other airlines like Hawaiian and United by offering pre-flight COVID testing. According to the airline, this will help customers know they’re flying safely and will help anyone visiting destinations that require a negative test result to avoid quarantining. The test can be administered at home and the results will come in 72 hours or less. The airline is partnering with medtech company Vault Health to supply the test. ABC Boston reports that the Vault Health website references its price as $150, however, we reached out to JetBlue directly and confirmed that JetBlue passengers will be getting the test…
One of the most contentious topics in travel right now is the fact that the USA still requires COVID testing for (almost) everyone entering America via airplanes. The odd caveat to this rule is that if you’ve tested positive for COVID within the last 90 days, you’re exempt from having to get tested. Earlier this week, the airlines and travel organizations banded together to send a letter to the Biden administration, asking to have the CDC consider fully vaccinated travelers as exempt from the testing requirement. According to Travel Weekly, ASTA (the American Society of Travel Advisors) sent a group-signed…
According to CNN, “The acting secretary of Homeland Security announced on Wednesday that New York state residents can no longer participate in certain Trusted Traveler Programs, including Global Entry, due to provisions in the state’s new “Green Light Law” supporting undocumented immigrants.” The four programs that New Yorkers are now banned from are: ~ Global Entry – which allows faster entry into the US through airports. ~ NEXUS – Which allows faster travel across the US/Canada border. ~ SENTRI – Another (although hardly used) program for faster entry into the US. ~ FAST – Allows faster transport of commercial goods…
Wednesday, November 25th became the busiest travel day since before the COVID-19 lockdowns in March. According to NBCNews, on Wednesday, 1.1 million travelers made their way through airports, the highest number since mid-March. March 16, 2020, saw 1.25 million passengers pass through airports before lockdown restrictions were placed around the country. In total, the week before Thanksgiving saw 6.7 million airport visitors, despite calls from health officials to not travel home for the holidays. The record is bittersweet. On one hand, it represents America’s undying need to travel, to see family, and to connect with loved ones. On the other, many…