Mexico News
New Margaritaville Resort
Craving an idyllic island escape where you can disconnect from reality and reconnect with your sense of wonder? The first Margaritaville® St. Somewhere™ Resort by Karisma Punta Coco is opening this winter and is now accepting reservations.
Located on Mexico’s Holbox Island, a secluded paradise teeming with wild, natural beauty, stunning shorelines, and laid-back island vibes, it’s the ultimate hideaway for sun-seekers and beach lovers. Featuring just 39 suites, the boutique resort combines warm hospitality with personalized luxury, creating an experience that feels as exclusive as it is unforgettable.
Reserve your room now and get ready for an island getaway, unlike anything you’ve ever experienced before. Exclusive pre-opening rates start at US$495 per night and can be booked now through December 31, 2021, for reservations through June 30, 2022—that’s up to 40 percent savings!
Cruise News
The first new luxury cruise line in more than a decade
It’s official: There’s a new player in the world of luxury cruising.
Atlas Ocean Voyages, a new “luxe adventure” line based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, that has been under development for several years, is the first new luxury cruise brand to debut in more than a decade. It was created by Mystic Invest Holding (a Portugal-based company with major interests in river cruise ships, tours, and attractions).
For now, it’s launching with just a single luxury expedition ship, the 196-passenger World Navigator. But it has plans to grow quickly with four more sister ships by 2023. World Navigator was specially designed to offer intimate, upscale, and adventurous trips to some of the world’s most off-the-beaten-path destinations.
Built to be tough and versatile, it has a polar-class rating that will allow it to travel deep into the Arctic and to Antarctica as well as warmer-water locales. It carries Zodiac boats for landings in remote places and will sail with expedition guides to lead explorations.
But it’s also been built for elegance and luxury.
Onboard amenities include a L’Occitane spa, four upscale restaurants serving regionally influenced gourmet fare, and a deck-top pool area.
Atlas also is hanging its hat on being incredibly all-inclusive. The line’s base fares include round-trip airfare from select U.S. and Canadian gateways; drinks, including spirits and fine wines; shipboard Wi-Fi; prepaid gratuities; and (perhaps most notably) shore excursions in every port.
In addition, Atlas will offer one very unusual inclusion as part of what it’s calling “All-Inclusive All the Way” pricing: emergency medical evacuation insurance for every passenger.
Eight categories of accommodations on the vessel range in size from 183 square feet to 465 square feet. The biggest of these, called Navigator Suites, come with separate living and sleeping areas, plus butler service.
Two of the ship’s lounges will feature live entertainment. There also will be movie showings, port presentations, and lectures in the ship’s auditorium.
Among its high-tech features, the ship can hover in place using a GPS positioning system in lieu of dropping an anchor so it won’t disrupt fragile marine ecosystems. It also boasts a hybrid electric-hydro propulsion system that can propel it silently at up to 5 knots in areas where wildlife is present.
Fares start at US$4,999 per person, not including taxes and fees.
Aviation News
Major airlines now banning cloth mask
As a number of COVID restrictions have come and gone and come back again, one has remained consistent: You must wear a mask on airplanes. This requirement was instituted by many airlines early in the pandemic to keep air travel safe, and government agencies around the world have doubled down on this with their own mandates.
Now, some companies are taking their mandates even further by banning cloth masks on planes.
According to Travel+Leisure, many major international airlines now ban masks made from cloth fabric, including Finnair, Air France, Lufthansa, Swissair, Croatia Airlines, and LATAM Airlines. These airlines are only allowing other, more effective masks, such as N95 masks, KN95 masks, surgical masks, and respirators without exhaust valves.
A recent study found that surgical masks had a filtration efficiency of 95 percent, while cloth coverings were only 37 percent effective.
U.S. airlines could implement a ban on cloth masks sometime this year, as the federal mask mandate for airlines has been extended once again, this time through January 18 of next year.
Deal of the Week
Flavors of Bordeaux
11 days, Bordeaux > Bordeaux. A patchwork of the finest vineyards in the world.
Journey through this beguiling part of France and indulge in the outstanding gastronomy of Bordeaux.
Your cruise on the three waterways of this region will introduce you to extraordinary landscapes, delicious fare, and refined winemaking.
Visit the Rémy Martin estate to taste Cognac and sample some of the finest wines in the world. Enjoy the freshest seafood from the crystal-clear waters of Arcachon Bay. You’ll even have the opportunity to learn how to cook your own French delicacy on board with Scenic Culinaire.
- May 25-Jun 4, 2022, from US$6,111 per person. Save $2,768 Earlybird fare per couple.
- Aug 7-17, 2022, from US$5,871 per person. Save $2,648 Earlybird fare per couple.
- Sep 30 – Oct 10, 2022, from US$6,471 per person. Save $2,948 Earlybird fare per couple.
All prices are per person based on double occupancy and reflect current offers.
Judy Newell, an international travel consultant for 50 years, heads Perfect Journeys and specializes in unique travel experiences to destinations around the world. She custom designs journeys that are tailored to suit clients’ interests, physical abilities and budget. Please contact her for further information on Travel News topics and around-the-world travel. Cell phone 415 111 8765, Vonage 949 300 3682; email judynewell@perfectjourneys.net.
Sources: Margaritaville, The Points Guy, BestLife, Scenic Luxury Cruises and Tours