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Is Cancun A Safe Destination To Visit For 2022?
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Last Updated 7 hours ago

Cancun is unarguably the go-to sunny getaway for millions of Americans. A city like no other, it offers visitors both the vibrant atmosphere of other equally-busy global hubs, and more secluded beaches (if you know where to look for them).

On the other hand, Cancun’s prestige as an ideal summer destination has come under threat lately due to reports of increased violence, even in traditionally-safe tourist areas, travel scams, and even the landfall of an unprecedented amount of seaweed.

If you’re thinking of flying to Cancun soon, and have been following closely these highly-publicized developments, you might be questioning whether this massively popular beach hotspot is indeed an ideal pick. After all, is Cancun still a safe destination to visit for 2022?

There is a lot to unpack here, but in short, yes.

You might be wondering how exactly we are able to still deem it a safe city even after taking into account recent reports, which we have covered extensively ourselves, and the doubts raised by many other travel news websites about security in Cancun. Here is why:

On Travel Scams

By being an already sought-after destination that is now experiencing overwhelmingly high demand, it hardly comes as a surprise that ghost travel agencies, a few ill-intentioned cab drivers, and other scammers have intensified their operations in Cancun and the wider Riviera Maya in recent months.

Even though we cannot overlook the fact that 250 scams occur around Mexico per hour, and a large number of those are in Cancun, tourists also risk being victims of fraudulent taxis and/or tour operators virtually anywhere in the world. Although Cancun is no exception, this is far from being a Cancun-exclusive issue.

Foreigners have historically faced scamming when traveling throughout the Caribbean, with Belize and Jamaica being two notorious examples. Even the most popular cities in Europe are not exempt from their fair share of travel scams. In other words, international travel is never risk-free, especially when you can’t speak the language of the country you’re visiting and could, therefore, be taken advantage of.

Still, there are some precautions tourists can take to be better prepared when flying abroad and in fear of being scammed, such as:
- Booking travel packages only through licensed operators in Mexico
- Pre-book an airport transfer before landing in Cancun
- Once in Mexico, only use authorized taxis, either by calling or requesting a driver through an official app
- Never get into a cab with no visible taximeter or before agreeing on a price for the route
On Violence:

We have all heard of Cancun’s recent run-ins with the law. Gang shootings, robberies, and murders linked to organized crime in the city have taken the news by storm. For that reason, we do not blame more cautious tourists for having reconsidered Cancun as their summer destination.

Having said that, we would like to pose a question: which big city does not battle, one way or another, higher crime levels compared to less-dense areas? Cancun is not a single beach or a resort town: it is one of the largest cities in the Caribbean.

While violent incidents have undeniably increased, leading the United States to revise its Travel Advisories, Cancun is bound to record more incidents than other smaller cities in Quintana Roo due to its position as an international hub.

Still, when assessing travel risks and choosing their next destination, tourists should always research the violence levels in their dream vacation destination, but should also compare them to the place they currently live.

It is worth noting the city of New York, which offers of the leading city breaks in North America, is also facing a violence surge this year, with a marked increase in both shootings and homicide. The same goes for Los Angeles, where violent crimes were up by 60% in 2021 according to LAPD data.

Even though several cities across North America, both in the U.S. and Mexico, struggle with crime, it’s Cancun that has been particularly pinpointed as violence-ridden lately.

However, as the U.S. State Department itself affirms, shootings are not directed at tourists, and are instead a result of quarrels between criminal groups, even though bystanders can still be injured.

Despite these risks, that is the exception rather than the rule.

Mexico Takes Tourist Safety Very, Very Seriously

Lately, Mexico has been investing heavily in security, deploying none less than the National Guard to keep tourists safe in Cancun, and vowing to clamp down on corrupt entities extorting tourists in the wider Quintana Roo. This is a country seeking to establish itself as a safe haven in the post-pandemic world, as it has been known to take security concerns very seriously.

As Dario Flota Ocampo, Director of the Quintana Roo tourism Board stated, ‘Quintana Roo remains a safe destination to visit (…) it continues to operate normally and remains one of the world’s leading destinations’.

On top of that, the U.S. does not advise tourists against travel to Cancun (or the Quintana Roo state) citing violent crime, though they should ‘maintain a high level of situation awareness’ and avoid risky areas. Like anywhere else, visitors are urged to remain in tourist zones and be cautious when walking after dark.

While we do encourage all our readers to follow this guidance while on vacation, we can assure you Cancun isn’t any more dangerous than several other destinations in Mexico, including Mexico City, Baja California Sur, Oaxaca, and Chiapas.

In fact, the U.S. considers it much safer than particular Mexican states, such as Sinaloa or Colima.

Bottomline

Throughout the pandemic, Cancun has maintained its status as one of the freer, and perhaps most tourist-friendly places on Earth, earning a king-of-tourism, type nickname. Even during the woeful months of December and January, when Omicron was rampant and restrictions were the norm, it remained open and recorded a record number of visitors.

This means that, while numerous competitors across the Caribbean imposed strict entry requirements, Cancun went the opposite way completely and permitted all to enter restriction-free, irrespective of vaccination status. On top of that, Cancun Airport has not seen a single relatively quieter month since Mexico decided to keep its borders open.

Due to this ambitious move, it has been at the forefront of the minds of many travelers – and on the radar of the mainstream media – for months on end. To put it simply, Cancun is being closely watched by all, which means any local incidents will be quickly picked up on, and subsequently scrutinized.

Yes, shootings and robberies occur, and yes, they have become more common in tourist zones as gang activity worsens, but the risk of being caught in a crossfire, or experiencing any abuse at all, is still within acceptable levels both by Mexican, U.S., and other international standards.

Unlike in other parts of Mexico, where the U.S. government issued travel restrictions for U.S. government employees and has been adamant Americans should refrain from visiting, Quintana Roo and Cancun have not been specifically targeted.

This corroborates our findings that Cancun remains a safe destination with no particularly exacerbated safety or health risks when compared to others.

At the same time, we would like to remind travelers this does not mean Cancun is crime-free. When visiting, you should bear in mind all the information we have given you on here and beware of your surroundings, especially in crowded areas where robberies and pickpocketing could occur, similarly to any large city.

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Disclaimer: Current travel rules and restrictions can change without notice. The decision to travel is ultimately your responsibility. Contact your consulate and/or local authorities to confirm your nationality’s entry and/or any changes to travel requirements before traveling. Travel Off Path does not endorse traveling against government advisories
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April 26, 2022
Zero Tolerance Policy For Bad Behavior On Flights Will Continue With Fines Up To $80,000

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Last Updated 23 hours ago

The FAA announced on Wednesday that the zero-tolerance policy for unruly passengers will become permanent.

Bad behavior on planes has been a massive problem for airlines in the U.S. since the beginning of the pandemic. Over 1,200 passenger incidents have been reported so far in 2022 and we aren’t even halfway through the year.

Under the now permanent policy, unruly passengers will be fined $37,000 per violation. With the possibility of committing multiple violations in an incident, fines can reach up to $80,000

The rise of unruly behavior began during the beginning of the pandemic. A lot of cases stemmed from the enforcement of the mask mandate, with 800 of the 1,200 already being reported this year being linked to mask enforcement. But it’s more than just the masks, airline passengers have just been behaving worse in general.

Increase In Weapons Found

It’s more than just behavior on planes that is the problem. The TSA is also reporting an increase in weapons and prohibited items during the pandemic. In 2020, the TSA found 3,257 guns and 83% of them were loaded.

That was less than the record set in 2019 of 4,432 firearms, but air traffic was significantly lower in 2020 because of the pandemic, so it’s a higher percentage of travelers attempting to bring these weapons on board. Furthermore, the TSA also found more than 3,200 items prohibited from aircraft cabins, like knives, and for some reason, throwing stars.

Have The Airlines Reacted?

Major U.S. airlines American Airlines, United, Delta, and Southwest responded to the increase in incidents by banning alcohol sales on all flights.

The Alcohol ban was enacted in 2020 and lasted a full two years. Airlines cited these passenger incidents that would involve either verbal abuse or even violence against flight attendants and airline employees. American Airlines actually just became the last airline to unban alcohol as most things travel-related are beginning to go back to normal.

It’s not clear if banning alcohol sales on board made a huge difference. Many of the problem-causing passengers who have been intoxicated on flights had already consumed alcohol in the airport. Some even brought to-go cups from the restaurants in the departures lounges, prompting some airports to ban the cups.

What else is being done?

The TSA has partnered with the FAA to ban unruly passengers from being eligible for PreCheck. Under this partnership, the FAA will share the information of passengers facing fines for unruly behavior with the TSA. The TSA then has the discretion to remove the passengers from TSA PreCheck screening eligibility.

“TSA has zero tolerance for the unruly behaviors, especially those involving physical assault occurring aboard aircraft. We have tremendous respect for airport staff, gate agents, and flight crews that get people safely to their destinations, This partnership with FAA will help ensure the safety and security of all passengers and hold those who violate federal regulations accountable for their actions,” said TSA Administrator David Pekoske.

Last week a federal judge in Florida overturned the US government’s ongoing nationwide mask mandate for public transportation including travel on airplanes, trains, and buses. It will be interesting to see if the number of passenger incidents drops significantly without the need for airlines to enforce the mask mandate. Conversely, maybe the reopening of travel and new relaxed rules will de-stress passengers and bring us back to the pre-pandemic calm we were used to at the airport.

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Disclaimer: Current travel rules and restrictions can change without notice. The decision to travel is ultimately your responsibility. Contact your consulate and/or local authorities to confirm your nationality’s entry and/or any changes to travel requirements before traveling. Travel Off Path does not endorse traveling against government advisories

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April 25, 2022
Summer Travel 2022: 5 Epic Road Trips In The U.S. To Take This Year

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Last Updated 6 hours ago

Still worried about confusing international travel rules? There’s always a solution. Why not head out on the open road and take a drive through the U.S. this summer?

From underrated national parks to the most scenic drives in California, here are some adventurous summer road trip ideas for 2022 in the U.S. that won’t break the bank.

Indianapolis To Milwaukee

You can start this summer road trip in the Hoosier State and drive north to Milwaukee or do it the other way around. Either way, this 4-hour road trip will give you the quintessential Midwest experience (and lots of amazing views) along the way.

With the warm weather approaching, there’s no better time than to explore Indiana’s capital city. For a perfect day in Indy, head to downtown Indianapolis where you can walk along the picturesque canal in the White River State Park before sitting down for a sunset dinner at one of the many patios.

While not as popular as neighboring Chicago, Milwaukee has so much to offer travelers. The city also makes for a great road trip destination, especially during the summer months. Catch a baseball game and sample some fresh brews at one of the many breweries in the downtown area.

There are also a bunch of interesting pit stops worth taking on this road trip. Take a break in the little town of Justice, Illinois and visit the world’s largest stained glass window (it’s in the Guinness Book of World Records!) and the world’s first-ever Mcdonald’s.

Las Vegas To Great Basin National Park

This summer road trip mixes outdoor adventures with the glitz and glamor of the big city. To start this road trip, fly into Las Vegas for a few days of fun before heading to one of the most underrated national parks in the western US.

Nevada’s Great Basin National Park is a 4.5-hour drive northeast of Vegas just by the border with Utah. The park gets amazing reviews and offers camping, great trails, peaks, and even cave tours. Plan a few nights camping here and you’ll get some of the best stargazing experiences of your life.

New Hampshire White Mountains

Looking for more cheap travel inspiration? Head towards the east coast to New Hampshire and discover the beauty of the White Mountains. The weather is perfect this time of year, making New Hampshire one of the best states for an epic summer road trip.

Take a drive along Highway 112, where you can take your time to explore the beautiful northeast region of the “Live Free or Die” State before entering the White Mountain National Forest. You and your road trip buddies can spend at least 4-5 days here chasing waterfalls, swimming in lakes, camping, and so much more. If you don’t feel like roughing it, there are plenty of country cabin stays and hotels in and around the forest.

Central California Road Trip – Morro Bay To Big Sur

Nestled between Los Angeles County and a few hours drive south of bustling San Francisco is the sunny region of Central California. For many explorers, this region is the heartland of the Golden State. Why not plan a west coast road trip here this summer and discover why.

Start your road trip in beautiful Morro Bay and eventually make your way up to Big Sur by driving along the iconic Highway 1. If you have a few extra days on your road trip itinerary and want to explore a bit inland, head to Paso Robles, one of the most underrated wine regions in California.

Some of the most picturesque parts of the epic California coastline can be found here on this road trip (seriously, though), so take your time and enjoy the ride.

Kansas City To Omaha

Get more acquainted with the Heartland on this quick and fun summer road trip from Kansas City to Omaha. The trip is less than 3 hours in total, which will give you plenty of time to make stops at the little towns along the way.

Spend at least a few days in Kansas City, exploring its many museums and markets before heading over to Omaha. On a sunny summer day, the Overland Park is a great spot to explore for some outdoor fun in the heart of the city.

Read More:

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Disclaimer: Current travel rules and restrictions can change without notice. The decision to travel is ultimately your responsibility. Contact your consulate and/or local authorities to confirm your nationality’s entry and/or any changes to travel requirements before traveling. Travel Off Path does not endorse traveling against government advisories

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April 25, 2022
These 2 European Countries Are Among The Last To Finally End Mask Mandate
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Two European countries that were among the last to cling on to an indoor mask mandate have now officially dropped their mask wearing requirements.

Spain and Portugal, two heavyweights of European tourism and popular vacation destinations for travelers from all over the world, made the changes to their mask policies just this week, a move that is bound to put the two Iberian countries back on the map for millions of tourists this summer.

With these changes being made, travel to Europe has never been closer to normal than at any stage during the pandemic so far. Here’s a closer look at what exactly is set to change in Spain and Portugal – including in which situations masks are still expected to be worn by travelers – plus a recap of which European countries have ditched the masks already and which are yet to do so.

Spain Drops Mask Requirement – Information For Travelers

Spain’s decision to drop the indoor mask mandate became official on April 20th. The change means that travelers visiting the country will now no longer have to wear a mask in establishments such as bars, cafés, restaurants, nightclubs, cinemas, theatres, sports stadiums, concert halls, shopping centers, supermarkets, gyms, and schools – making the experience of visiting Spain for many travelers just like it was in pre-pandemic times.

Travelers will however be expected to wear masks in the following situations:
- Hospitals and other health-related businesses such as dental clinics and pharmacies
- Care homes
- On public transport, which includes airplanes, buses, trains, metros, taxis and ferries
It is also recommended that people who are over 60, immunosuppressed or pregnant should carry on wearing masks when appropriate indoors. Masks are also recommended in crowded spaces when social distancing isn’t possible.

Portugal Eases Mask Mandate – What Travelers Should Know

Spain’s neighbor Portugal has also removed their indoor mask mandate this week, with the change going live from April 21st. The change to the policy means that travelers will now no longer be required to wear a mask when visiting several different types of indoor establishments, such as restaurants, cafes, shopping centres and museums. The removal of the indoor mask mandate was made possible due to low infection and high vaccination rates in the country.

As is the case with Spain, there are still some exceptions to the rule which means that masks will still be required in some situations. This includes when using all types of public transport. Masks will also need to be worn by travelers when visiting healthcare institutions and places that are frequented by vulnerable people in order to minimize the potential spread of the virus in such places.

In removing their indoor mask mandate, Portugal and Spain have joined several other European nations that have also waved goodbye to face masks in recent weeks.

These include popular destinations such as the UK, Ireland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Switzerland, Iceland, Netherlands, Croatia, Poland, Latvia, France, Czechia, Germany, and Romania.

Whilst Italy still has a mask mandate in place, it is expected to repeal it next month.

In order to enter Spain, travelers must either be fully vaccinated or have recovered from Covid-19 in the past six months, with no testing requirements in place. Travelers to Portugal must either be vaccinated against Covid-19, have a PCR test within 72 hours of arrival or an antigen test within 24 hours of arrival. The need to fill in a passenger locator form prior to entering Portugal has also been removed.

Read More:

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Disclaimer: Current travel rules and restrictions can change without notice. The decision to travel is ultimately your responsibility. Contact your consulate and/or local authorities to confirm your nationality’s entry and/or any changes to travel requirements before traveling. Travel Off Path does not endorse traveling against government advisories
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April 24, 2022
Mask Mandate Confusion Spreads Across the U.S.

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As if traveling isn’t confusing enough already, it may just have gotten a bit more puzzling for Americans traveling throughout the country. This is in large due to the removal of the federal mask mandate, which was struck down by a federal judge on April 18.

The removal of the federal mask mandate should in theory make traveling a lot simpler by allowing passengers the choice of whether or not they want to wear a mask on any type of public transportation or not.

That includes:

However, things have been the far opposite of simple. Extreme confusion over the use of masks all over transportation hubs in the U.S. is causing devastating chaos and arguments between frustrated passengers and staff members alike.

Varying and contradicting rules are making it almost impossible for passengers to understand which rules are still in place, and what exceptions exist.

An example of the massive confusion is apparent in New York City airport terminals. Passengers at LGA and JFK are still required to wear masks in the airport terminal, before being allowed to remove them once on the plane, but passengers in nearby EWR airport can remain mask-free in the terminal and in-flight.

Many discouraged travelers are finding such rules, such as needing to wear a mask in a large terminal, then being only allowed to remove it once on a cramped plane, baffling.

Another example of how mask rules are varying coast to coast is flying from EWR to LAX. At EWR airport, no mask is needed while in the terminal, nor on the plane, but once the flight has landed at LAX, all passengers will need to put a mask on as they enter the terminal, the only point in their journey that requires this step.

While masks are no longer needed on trains, they are needed in certain train station terminals, like Penn Station for example, while other terminals have removed the requirement. “We’re all confused,” an Amtrak clerk told the New York Daily News as he helped passengers board trains.

Even if we leave the subject of public transportation, there are still perplexing issues around when and where to don a mask. On April 11, Philadelphia became the first major U.S. city to reinstate its indoor mask mandate, telling people that masks would once again be required in all indoor situations like offices, restaurants, and shops.

However, a few days later Philidelphia backtracked and once again removed the indoor mandate on April 22nd.

Confusion is too small of a word to describe what Americans all over the country are feeling.

What we know so far:

The mask mandate has been overruled and is currently no longer in effect, however, the DOJ has officially appealed this ruling. Now, what does that mean for future travelers?

Nothing really at this point. Travelers are not affected by this appeal until a decision by the 11th US Circuit Court of Appeals has been rendered.

Until then travelers won’t have to wear a mask on public transportation unless told otherwise by local and municipal authorities.

All major U.S. airlines, as well as the Amtrak rail system, had declared that they were no longer requiring masks for passengers or employees.

Do I need to wear a mask on a domestic flight?

No. Wearing a mask on a plane is currently optional on all major U.S. carriers for both passengers and crew.

What about in airports?

While most U.S. airports no longer require masks for travelers or staff, some exceptions include New York’s John F. Kennedy International and La Guardia airports and Philadelphia International Airport.

Los Angeles county just reimposed a mask mandate on all their public transportation, including Los Angeles Airport.

Each airport makes its own rules, so it’s possible these requirements could change, and passengers are highly advised to check with every airport they are traveling through.

What if I’m flying internationally?

Face coverings may still be required to or from some international destinations, depending on either that country or the airline’s rules. Currently, all inbound flights to Australia for example require passengers and crew members to wear a face mask, per the request of the Australian Government.

British Airways and Virgin Atlantic, updated their policies on Tuesday to make masks optional on flights to U.S. destinations.

Mask rules onboard vary from country to country. Many nations, including Canada, France, and Germany, for example, still require all travelers to wear masks on planes departing from or arriving in the country. But in other European countries, like Croatia Sweden, Norway, and Iceland, masks will not be required.

Do I need to wear a mask on other mass transit?

It depends. Since the federal transportation mandate no longer holds, public transit systems may set their own rules in accordance with city, county, or state health authorities and passengers must comply with local ordinances.

Ride Shares

Uber and Lyft both announced this week that masks were no longer mandatory in the USA and Canada, but some cities, notably NYC and Los Angeles have kept the rule in place.

The bottom line:

The confusion around mask-wearing throughout the U.S. isn’t likely to subside in the very near future, and individual policies might create more division and uncertainty before a more streamlined process takes place.

All passengers should bring a mask with them, as they might be asked by officials to put it on at any part of their journey, especially when traveling between different cities and states.

READ MORE:

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Disclaimer: Current travel rules and restrictions can change without notice. The decision to travel is ultimately your responsibility. Contact your consulate and/or local authorities to confirm your nationality’s entry and/or any changes to travel requirements before traveling. Travel Off Path does not endorse traveling against government advisories

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April 24, 2022
Thailand Removes All Testing Requirements For Vaccinated Tourists

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Thailand Significantly Eases Entry Requirements and Ends ‘Test and Go’ Program Thailand has taken a monumental step back to normality as the nation eases entry COVID-19 entry requirements. Despite reopening for tourism in 2020—albeit with the controversial Sandbox Schemes—Thailand’s entry requirements have remained strict, especially compared with Western nations. Thailand hopes easing entry requirements will attract …

The post Thailand Removes All Testing Requirements For Vaccinated Tourists appeared first on Travel Off Path .

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April 23, 2022
Celebrity Cruises Announces New Services To Mexico And The Pacific Coast

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Two vessels, the Celebrity Solstice and the Celebrity Millenium, will serve coastal routes starting in September

The giant cruise line Celebrity Cruises —based in Miami— recently announced new vessel deployments. Two of their ships, the Celebrity Solstice and the Celebrity Millenium will start serving fresh routes, starting in September 2022.

The Celebrity Solstice is coming to the United States from Asia after its previous program for winter 2022 was canceled. According to the information shared at Cruise Radio, it was scheduled to sail to Tokyo, Singapore, and Hong Kong, but the company decided to suspend the route due to “uncertainty” in the region.

Instead, now the Celebrity Solstice—a large vessel with the capacity to host up to 2,850 passengers— will take over the route of the Celebrity Millenium and will now sail the Mexican Riviera, including stops at top destinations like Puerto Vallarta and Mazatlan, a few itineraries will even include Cabo San Lucas.

According to the information shared in Seatrade Cruise News, now the Celebrity Millenium will sail through the Caribbean. Celebrity Cruise will offer a Riviera Maya program after an 8-year gap.

The cruise company also announced recently the launch of a new vessel to its fleet, the Celebrity Beyond, with the capacity to host nearly 3,000 passengers. Now travelers will have more options to cruise the Pacific Coast, from Los Angeles to Mexico, and even explore more exotic international destinations.

All About The Itineraries

The Celebrity Solstice will no longer serve Asia this year and instead will have two main itineraries through the Riviera Maya and across the Pacific Coast.

From September 2022 until April 2023, the Celebrity Solstice will be offering travelers five, seven, and eight nights itineraries from Los Angeles, California, to the Mexican Riviera. The routes include Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan, and Ensenada. Selected itineraries will also include Cabo San Lucas.

This vessel will also serve Pacific Coastal itineraries and cruise from Ensenada (Mexico) to Vancouver (Canada), including stops in attractive destinations like Monterrey, San Francisco, and Catalina Island.

From October to December 2022, the Celebrity Millenium—a vessel with the capacity to host up to 2,038 passengers at 100%— will be cruising the Caribbean with longer routes.

The Celebrity Millenium will sail week-long routes, making stops at fascinating destinations like Nassau, St, Thomas, and Barbados, starting in October 2022 until the end of the year.

Celebrity Cruises will also offer a special 15-night itinerary onboard the Celebrity Millenium, departing from San Diego, California, to offer clients the opportunity to cruise through the Panama Canal and make stops at Puerto Vallarta, Puntarenas, Oranjestad, and reach the final destination, San Juan, in Puerto Rico.

What You Must Know About Celebrity’s Covid Protocols

Travelers must stay informed and review all requirements and current measures before purchasing or boarding for the next cruise adventure. According to recent information shared by the online site Cruise Fever, Celebrity Cruises extended its health protocols—for cruises departing from the United States— until May 31 this year.

Passengers boarding vessels currently operating such as the Celebrity Silhouette, the Celebrity Apex, or the Celebrity Edge, must present a negative COVID-19 test result; it can be an antigen or a PCR test, but must be performed within two days prior to departure.

Unvaccinated children from the ages of two to eleven must also provide a negative result within three days before boarding. Vaccinated travelers must show proof of full vaccination, and unvaccinated travelers can also provide a valid certificate of recovery. The certificate must meet certain requirements such as proof of the positive case of at least 11 days and no more than 90 days, the provider’s information, and confirmation of recovery.

Depending on the destination, entry requirements may vary according to local laws. Travelers must also bear in mind that if they don’t comply with the measures of each homeport country, they might not be allowed to disembark.

Read More:

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Disclaimer: Current travel rules and restrictions can change without notice. The decision to travel is ultimately your responsibility. Contact your consulate and/or local authorities to confirm your nationality’s entry and/or any changes to travel requirements before traveling. Travel Off Path does not endorse traveling against government advisories

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April 23, 2022
Travel Subscriptions Are Growing, Here’s What You Need To Know

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Travel subscriptions are becoming popular with airline and hotel brands, but what exactly is a travel subscription? While that can be a complex question to answer, we’re going to dive into the topic and how they can benefit travelers.

On the macro level, a travel subscription involves paying a monthly fee in exchange for a premium service provided by a travel company, but each travel subscription offers something a little different to its customers. With the U.S. dropping its travel mask mandate and travel booming again, let’s look at some of the travel subscriptions that are available to you now!

The Alaska Airlines Flight Pass

Alaska Airlines recently started offering a subscription flight service called flight pass. The Pass costs a fixed monthly rate of $49 to $550 (depending on the package you choose) and a yearlong commitment, Flight pass subscribers can take up to 24 round trips, depending on the plan, among 16 airports in California, Nevada, and Arizona.

With the $49 plan, subscribers can book one round-trip main cabin flight every two months for one penny plus about $15 in fees. At the moment, the flights need to be two and from the 16 listed airports, but could expand in the future.

What could be the benefit of a flight pass like this? Well, if you’re someone who travels often, then you know that the price of airline tickets fluctuates on a daily basis, sometimes skyrocketing out of nowhere and leaving you stuck. The flight pass price is locked in for your 1-year commitment. For example, if your roundtrip ticket from Sacramento to San Diego shot up to $300 overnight, you’d still be paying the $49 per month subscription.

Be Right Back Travel

Be Right Back kind of works like a travel agent for European destinations. You pay a monthly fee that is calculated after you answer a few questions about trip duration, preferred hotel rating, flight origins, etc. Then the service will ask you a few questions about your travel preferences, places you want to visit, and places you definitely don’t want to visit. An agent from their service then get’s to work on booking you a trip. You actually don’t know where you are going or your trip itinerary until two weeks before your travel date.

The Luxury Side Of Travel Subscriptions

On the other side of the price spectrum, the luxury travel platform Inspirato offers a subscription service for vacation rentals and high-end hotels starting at $2,500 per month. The pass offers travelers the freedom to book any destination included with their pass, and assists them with booking excursions, dinners, and other luxury amenities that a traveler could want.

For those wanting a premium luxury flight subscription, FlightXO starts at $595 per year and offers travelers access to private charter flights at a discount. Their memberships go up to a whopping $1000/m.

At The Airport

Another type of travel subscription focuses on your experience at the airport. TSA Pre-Check allows you to skip the line at the airport, leave your liquids in your carry-on, not take out your laptop, or take off your shoes. . TSA Pre-Check costs just $85 every FIVE years.

Credit Cards can also act as a subscription service. For example, the United Explorer card is $95 per year and comes with perks like airport lounge passes, miles for each purchase, payment for Pre-Check, and more.

New to many U.S. airports is the service CLEAR, which costs $15 per month and lets you fly through security, jumping the normal lines. Their expansion now has them in over 50+ airports and stadiums in the U.S., with more locations coming.

Are Travel Subscriptions worth it?

Well now that we have a basic understanding of the travel subscriptions available, are they worth it? Well, that really depends on the type of traveler you are. The Alaska Flight Pass could be useful to you if you travel across the west coast often. Be Right Back could be a fun idea for the free-spirited who are up for anything. Inspirato is an interesting concept for people who can afford it. It will be really interesting to see what other companies hop on the travel subscription trend.

Read More:

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Disclaimer: Current travel rules and restrictions can change without notice. The decision to travel is ultimately your responsibility. Contact your consulate and/or local authorities to confirm your nationality’s entry and/or any changes to travel requirements before traveling. Travel Off Path does not endorse traveling against government advisories

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April 22, 2022
Walt Disney World Scraps Mask Requirement Across Parks
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As Covid retreats and different countries move towards treating the virus as an endemic disease, several public and private entities have also started rolling back pandemic-era mandates. Now, it’s Walt Disney World’s turn to scrap mandatory mask usage across its parks.

The popular holiday destination, which attracts millions of visitors every year, has been tilting back and forth with restrictions over the last two years, as it struggled to keep up with both statewide curbs in Florida and mandates at a national level.

Although it initially removed the mask requirement only for vaccinated parkgoers, now the land of fairytales is dropping the rule altogether:

Visitors No Longer Required To Wear Face Coverings

Disney World has been moving away from its stricter Covid policies, which generally involved mask wearing and social distancing. Back in November 2021, park authorities even considered requiring all staff to get vaccinated against Covid, though those plans never came to fruition.

Following months of enforcing mask usage only among unvaccinated guests, after those who are fully immunized became exempt from wearing them as soon as February, Walt Disney World has since April 18 officially abolished masks for all, irrespective of vaccination status.

This means those who are planning to visit the parks in the upcoming weeks or over summer will no longer need to pack extra face masks, wear them indoors at restaurants or public transportation, when going on rides, or outdoor spaces.

Visiting Disney is again like it once was prior to March 2020.

Does This Apply Only To The Florida Parks?

Besides the lifting of the mask requirement, visitors will also be allowed to be closer to their childhood heroes, as meet-and-greets with iconic characters such as Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse and the princesses are due to return to all Disney parks and attractions in the US. They include:
- Disneyland
- Walt Disney World
- Disney Cruises
- Aulani Resort in Hawaii
Prior to April, in order to protect its staff, Disney clamped down on face-to-face meets. Hugs, signing, and all forms of close up interactions between staff working as Disney characters and guests have also either been forbidden or strongly discouraged.

This all changes as of April 2022.

Other Companies Are Also Dropping Their Mask Mandates

The news follows the overturning of the federal mask mandate by a Florida judge earlier this week, who deemed the CDC had ‘overstepped its authority’ on the matter. The judge’s decision has been noted to influence airlines to relax their own mask policies, including Delta and United Airlines.

The judge’s ruling might also have encouraged Disney to change its stance on masks, as the company had been juggling both state and federal requirements, and dissatisfied customers who strongly opposed mask mandates.

Similarly to Disney, others such as Uber and `Lyft have also recently lifted their mask rules for both drivers and riders, adding to the list of US-based companies that are now returning to a pre-pandemic state of normality, and allowing customers to assess their own Covid risks.

Despite having joined the overall reopening trend, which has seen a number of destinations in Europe and beyond removing all Covid rules, Disney World has stated they will be ‘making adjustments to these measures, which may continue to change at any time without notice’.

This could mean a state of fewer restrictions (e.g. no masks, no social distancing, no vaccine passes or testing) is conditioned upon the maintenance of a favorable epidemiological scenario.

On their website, park authorities also encourage people to get vaccinated prior to visiting.

Though Optional, Unvaccinated Guests Are Still Advised To Wear Face Masks

While all guests are welcome to stroll the parks maskless, Disney continues to recommend mask usage for those who are not fully vaccinated, mainly in indoor venues and ‘enclosed public transportation’ in the vicinities. It is worth remarking that, despite the recommendation, masks have become optional.

For more information on available packages, restrictions that may still be in place across the parks and resorts, and what visitors can expect when going on a Disney vacation, we advise our readers to access this page, where they can follow more updates and plan their trips accordingly.

Read More:

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April 22, 2022
Uber and Lyft Remove Mask Mandate In The United States and Canada

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Face coverings are now optional and drivers and passengers will decide whether or not they would like to ride without masks

The American ride-share companies Uber and Lyft announced the removal of the mask mandate for drivers and passengers this Tuesday. The decision has been taken after a federal judge ruled against the extension of the mandate enacted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Right after Biden’s administration recognized the federal judge’s decision, Uber and Lyft joined other US airlines that decided to drop the mask mandate.

According to the official information shared on Uber’s website, face coverings are now optional: “As of April 19, 2022, riders and drivers are not required to wear masks when using Uber.” However, the company also clarified: “The CDC still recommends wearing a mask if you have certain personal risk factors and/or high transmission levels in your area.”

Uber also encourages those who want to wear masks to do it, but also respects the decision of those who don’t. They also reminded drivers and travelers: “If you ever feel uncomfortable, you can always cancel the trip.”

Lyft shared a similar statement according to the information published on CNBC: “We know that everyone has different comfort levels, and anyone who wants to continue wearing a mask is encouraged to do so. As always, drivers or riders can decline to accept or cancel any ride they don’t wish to take.”

The automobile service company also explained on its website that not wearing face-covering will no longer be a reason to report a user or driver: “Wearing a mask during rides is now optional for everyone in the car. Health safety reasons, like not wearing a mask, will no longer appear as a cancellation option. And your riders won’t be able to report you for those reasons.” Uber, on the other hand, is still asking drivers to confirm if they are wearing face coverings.

The two tech companies had been requiring drivers and passengers to wear masks since the beginning of the pandemic. The news had a big impact across the United States, and people will have to go through an adjustment process while they adapt to the new measures.

Customer’s Reaction

Mixed reactions have emerged across social media channels and different websites. Some customers in favor of the mask mandate removal have expressed relief and happiness with emojis and expressions like “Let’s go!” and “Finally”. Other users aren’t happy.

Frederick Joseph, an author and worried Uber user, wrote a message to the company on Twitter: “Please add functionality to request drivers who are wearing masks. As a person who is immunocompromised, and constantly in a rush, it’s inefficient at best to continually cancel Ubers until a driver shows up willing to wear a mask.”

Many users are worried about their safety and the functionality of the app. A few drivers have said on social media that they will no longer work for Uber or Lyft because they find the new measure unsafe or irresponsible. Uber has recommended users who prefer to wear masks message the driver or passenger, prior to pick-up, to make sure they are willing to wear face coverings.

A few customers are already complaining on social media about the different opinions regarding the optional mask rule. Yellow Cabs in New York City will still require passengers and drivers to wear masks, despite Lyft and Uber’s recent change of policy; however, it seems that more companies are joining the optional mask decision.

Uber Canada Joins

Now, Uber Canada has also announced dropping the mask mandate, it will only remain mandatory in Quebec, starting on April 22. A spokesperson shared the information with the Canadian news outlet CTVNews and also explained: “As per Health Canada’s advice, we still strongly recommend wearing a mask depending on personal risk factors and infection rates in your area.”

Although Canada still has their mask mandate in place for airports, trains, and airplanes, Uber riders now have the option to mask or not.

Read More:

U.S. Mask Mandate For Airlines Overturned By Federal Judge

Travel Insurance That Covers Covid-19 For 2022

Masks Officially No Longer Required On Planes in the U.S.

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Disclaimer: Current travel rules and restrictions can change without notice. The decision to travel is ultimately your responsibility. Contact your consulate and/or local authorities to confirm your nationality’s entry and/or any changes to travel requirements before traveling. Travel Off Path does not endorse traveling against government advisories

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April 21, 2022