Tag: Lines

These 3 Cruise Lines Don’t Charge Extra For Solo Travelers
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Solo travel and cruises are two travel trends that have been increasing in popularity lately, and yet at first glance, they may not seem like they mix well.

More travelers than ever are venturing out solo for their vacations rather than traveling with friends, family, or significant others.

Cruising is also exploding in popularity right now after the industry was dealt a heavy blow due to travel restrictions for several years.

However, most cruise ship fares are based on double occupancy, with the option to add a third or even fourth passenger to the cabin for a lower price.

On most cruise lines, there’s no discount for solo travelers, so even if you’ll be the only one in your cabin, you’ll still have to pay the two-person rate. Some cruise lines offer a reduced single supplement (for example, 75% instead of 100%) but you’ll still end up paying quite a bit.

The following four cruise lines don’t charge single supplements.

Instead, solo travelers have the option to book single cabins on these cruise lines at a rate that is much more reasonable and less than a standard double-occupancy cabin.

1. Norwegian Cruise Lines

Norwegian is one of the best cruise lines for solo travelers. Six of Norwegian’s ships offer “studio cabins” priced for just one person:
- Norwegian Epic
- Norwegian Breakaway
- Norwegian Getaway
- Norwegian Bliss
- Norwegian Joy
- Norwegian Encore
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These studio cabins are only around 100 square feet but come with all the same amenities as a double occupancy cabin.

As a bonus, solo travelers staying in studio cabins will have access to a shared common area called the Studio Complex and Lounge which functions as a social gathering place with events to meet other solo travelers.

2. Royal Caribbean

Royal Caribbean was just named America’s favorite cruise line, and offering cabins for solo travelers is just one more reason to love this popular cruise line.

The seven Royal Caribbean ships that offer studio cabins are:
- Quantum of the Seas
- Spectrum of the Seas
- Ovation of the Seas
- Anthem of the Seas
- Odyssey of the Seas
- Harmony of the Seas
- Symphony of the Seas
These cabins are priced specifically for single travelers. Unlike Norwegian, which only offers interior studio cabins, Royal Caribbean has a mix of interior, exterior, and balcony cabins for solo travelers.

Cabins range in size from 96 to 119 square feet.

3. Holland America Line

Finally, Holland America Line is another popular cruise line that doesn’t charge extra for passengers who are traveling solo.

Right now, only three Holland America ships offer solo cabins, and there are fewer of these onboard (only 12 per ship) compared to Norwegian and Royal Caribbean.

The Holland America ships with studio cabins are:
- Koningsdam
- Nieuw Statendam
- Rotterdam
Studio cabins are priced for just one person and are on the more spacious end, with cabins ranging in size from 127 to 172 square feet.

What About Other Cruise Lines?

Norwegian, Royal Caribbean, and Holland America are the only major cruise lines to offer solo cabins priced for one person. Smaller cruise lines like Oceania Cruises also offer single cabins.

And other popular cruise lines occasionally offer deals for solo travelers.

Although rare, sometimes the single supplement may be waived or greatly reduced for specific voyages.

If you want to keep up with these offers and score a great deal, Cruise Specialists has a regularly updated list of cruises with waived or heavily reduced single supplements.

Other cruise lines may not offer solo traveler-friendly pricing, but many do host meet-ups and events for solo travelers onboard to meet other cruisers.

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July 20, 2023
These 7 U.S. Airports Allow You To Skip Long Security Lines With Advanced Reservations

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One thing most people hate about traveling is waiting through long security lines.

Sometimes they can take hours; if you’re going on vacation, spending hours in a security line is a terrible way to start off. Who doesn’t love speeding through security so you can get to your destination quickly?

New ways of getting through airport security lines are being introduced and are getting easier and quicker.

Several airports are adding reservation systems that allow you to book a time to go through security, therefore letting you skip the line. This is groundbreaking, considering the summer season is slated to become one of the busiest times of year for traveling.

Destinations like Orlando, Florida, are adding this system to their airports, and it’s completely free. All you have to do is reserve a time and date and be there for your appointment.

Say goodbye to the days of waiting through hours-long security lines. Even better, you don’t need to have Clear or TSA PreCheck.

These 7 U.S. Airports Allow You To Skip Long Security Lines With Advanced Reservations:

Los Angeles International Airport, California

Los Angeles International Airport, otherwise known as LAX, is one of the busiest airports in the United States, and it’s a central hub for tourism.

Los Angeles is on a lot of people’s bucket lists domestically and globally.

With this new reservation system, you can reserve a time using the Clear system website and breeze through security.

Minneapolis−Saint Paul International Airport, Minnesota

The second destination on this list is less popular than other tourist spots, but it’s a great place to depart from.

The same system brought to you by Clear allows passengers and future jet setters to reserve a time. All you need is the date you are departing, your airline, and your flight number.

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John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York

New York City is a mega tourist destination, and if you’re flying out there, you know how bad the security lines can be.

One of our staffers once had to wait more than four hours for a flight at JFK and almost missed their flight. This is a lifesaver for one of the biggest and busiest airports in the country.

Newark Liberty International Airport, New Jersey

Alongside JFK, Newark Liberty International Airport is another busy airport because of its proximity to New York City.

Depending on where you’re located in New York or New Jersey, this can be the most convenient airport, and saving time through security is a bonus.

Orlando International Airport, Florida

Orlando is the world’s theme park capital, and millions fly out of its busy airport every year.

Orlando International Airport was one of the first airports to offer this reservation service, and it hasn’t looked back.

The program all started in 2021 and has become so popular that even countries like Germany and Canada are adopting it.

Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, Arizona

Arizona is a beautiful state with many natural wonders that are great for travelers who want to explore the outdoors, and Phoenix is the perfect home base to travel out of.

Once you are done exploring, this reservation service will make the airport experience a breeze, and you’ll fly out in no time.

Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, Washington

Washington is a nature lover’s paradise. The state has everything from fantastic nature parks to outdoor activities like kayaking and hiking.

If you’re into wellness, this destination is the perfect getaway.

I once did a solo camping trip in the Pacific Northwest, which changed my life. Seeing giant pine trees with turquoise lakes blew my socks off.

With this new service, getting through the airport will be a breeze, and you should take advantage of it.

Look into the service the next time you’re in one of these cities. It’s completely free, and you don’t have to do much, and it’s a great way to make sure your summer plans go off without a hitch.

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June 6, 2023
The Best Cruise Lines For Every Type Of Traveler In 2023

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Cruise travel is on the rise in 2023. Despite being forced to halt operations in 2020 because of government restrictions, cruise travel is back to normal now, and it’s poised to continue growing in 2023.

Many cruise lines have dropped all travel restrictions, including vaccine, testing, and mask requirements, and returned to normal operations.

Cruises offer a relaxing, hassle-free vacation, and they are often surprisingly affordable. Although some people may associate cruising with older retirees who want to play shuffleboard and take line dancing classes all day, that could not be further from the truth.

There are cruises out there for everyone. Here are the best cruise lines for every type of traveler in 2023:

Best For Families

Disney Cruise Line is one of the best choices for families looking to splurge on a vacation that is guaranteed to be a hit with the kids.

Royal Caribbean and Carnival are two other good cruise lines for families, especially on shorter sailings to Mexico, the Bahamas, and the Caribbean.

All of these cruise lines offer robust programming for kids and teens, including youth clubs with activities that will keep them occupied all day.

Many of the ships on these lines, especially the larger ones, have additional kid-friendly attractions like water slides, rock climbing, and other activities.

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Best For Adults

For couples without children, groups of friends, and other adult travelers, Virgin Voyages is one of the best options for adults-only cruising.

These ships are only for travelers 18 and older, and instead of a traditional dining room and Broadway-style shows like you’ll find on many other cruise lines, Virgin Voyages offers a selection of hip restaurants and nightly entertainment featuring world-famous DJs.

Best For Solo Travelers

Since most cruises are priced for double occupancy, solo travelers can find themselves paying double the price for a cabin.

However, Norwegian, Royal Caribbean, and Holland America all offer a select number of “studio” cabins that are specifically designed for single travelers and will not incur an additional fee.

Best For Older Travelers

For travelers in their sixties and older, there are many great options. Viking is known for catering to older travelers on their luxury river cruises around Europe and other international destinations.

Seabourn and Silversea are two other lines that attract older travelers. These two cruise lines offer ocean cruises to destinations around the world.

Best For Culture

If you prefer to get immersed in the destinations you’re visiting, and you don’t just want to lie on a beach in every port of call, there are a number of cruise lines that offer more cultural immersion.

Oceania runs longer cruises (most around two weeks or more) to destinations around the world, with a focus on immersion. Guests can choose from culinary and wellness tours to enhance their understanding of the destinations, along with plenty of onboard programming.

AmaWaterways is another cruise line that offers great cultural immersion. On their small-ship river cruises, many of the excursions in destinations visited focus on history, art, and architecture.

Other Tips For Choosing A Cruise

Not everything comes down to the cruise line you choose. Some other factors to consider are the destination, duration, size of the ship, and time of year of your cruise.

For example, a Carnival 5-day cruise to Mexico or the Caribbean during the spring is likely to have a big party vibe and a lot of college kids on spring break.

But a Carnival 14-day transatlantic cruise during the winter is going to have a very different crowd and likely be much quieter. These are all factors to keep in mind when booking the cruise that will be right for you.

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December 3, 2022
CDC Ends Covid Program For Cruises, Now Cruise Lines Decide Their Own Rules

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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) of the United States updated its website on Cruise Ship Guidance and announced the removal of the monitoring of the COVID-19 protocols for cruises in the country.

The agency stated: “As of July 18, 2022, CDC’s COVID-19 Program for Cruise Ships is no longer in effect and this page will no longer be updated. New guidance for cruise ships to mitigate and manage COVID-19 transmission will be available in the coming days. For more information, please see the cruise travel.”

In March, the CDC had already removed travel advisories for cruises —meaning that vaccinated travelers were no longer advised to avoid cruises—, but the agency still monitored cruises and suggested a Covid-19 program.

Under the CDC covid-19 guidelines for cruises, cruise companies were advised to follow recommendations, and the agency supervised cruises and assigned vessels different colors depending on risks and covid cases detected onboard. Ships could also apply for the agency’s three voluntary programs: Not Highly Vaccinated, Highly Vaccinated, and Vaccination Standard of Excellence.

Now, the CDC will only provide guidance and suggestions, and cruises have the right to choose their own COVID-19 protocols.

What does it mean for travelers?

Cruise companies are no longer required to comply with the CDC’s programs, and have now the freedom to decide what the protocols on board will be. Travelers will now have to follow each cruise line’s rules and requirements and not the CDC’s advice.

Since the CDC’s update was recently shared —and surprised many in the industry—, cruise lines have not yet pronounced statements or changes related to this new announcement. Cruise companies will have to define what will be the best protocols for their own vessels, considering the routes, passengers, and even their own infrastructure and current sanitary measures.

The cruise industry is heading back to a “normal” experience, and probably travelers —vaccinated and non-vaccinated— will have fewer restrictions and fewer covid-testing requirements very soon.

Cruise Protocols Are Changing

Large cruise companies that made constant efforts to comply with the CDC’s programs might soon make changes and will probably be more flexible with travel requirements.

For example, the CDC’s requirements for cruises operating in US waters to be considered “Vaccination Standard of Excellence” or “Highly Vaccinated Ship” were exigent and precise, like “at least 95% of crew and 90% of passengers fully vaccinated or up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines”.

Meeting the suggested standards used to give cruise companies green categories and higher approval, but this is already changing.

Princess Cruises, the Carnival Corporation Brand, has already recently updated its protocol to expand options for unvaccinated travelers and ease restrictions despite the CDC’s program in the United States.

The company stated: “At Princess, we want to make your vacation as easy, hassle-free, and safe as possible. We respect that every guest has choices, and regardless of your vaccination status, we have amazing vacations for you to enjoy.”

Also, a few days ago, major cruise lines like Norweigan Cruises, Holland America, and P&O Cruises announced the removal of the pre-departure testing requirement.

Destinations Still Affect Restrictions

Travelers must remember that now COVID-19 restrictions will change in the United States and cruise companies will decide their own rules, but other countries still have strict demands and local measures that have to be respected.

Princess Cruises, in its recent update, also reminded travelers that the new flexible program does not apply to cruises stopping in Canada: “Please note that cruises that begin, end or visit Canada will require sailing guests ages 12 and above who are not Canadian citizens be fully vaccinated, unless they are granted a medical exemption.”

Vessels visiting the Caribbean must comply with local restrictions. Popular destinations like Antigua and Barbuda still required travelers to be vaccinated to disembark and provide a negative covid test, while Aruba, the Bahamas, and Barbados welcome unvaccinated travelers.

Read More:

Greece And British Virgin Islands Ease More Covid Rules For Travelers

These 9-Day River Cruises in the U.S. Are Under $1000

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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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July 21, 2022
U.S. Airports Are Getting New High Tech Scanners That Will Speed Up Security Lines

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TSA will deploy new computer tomography systems to analyze carry-on items starting this summer

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced last Friday that the agency recently acquired new full-size Computed Tomography (CT) x-ray systems to analyze carry-on items. The new scanners will be installed at the TSA checkpoints across airports in the United States during summer 2022.

The American government agency awarded a $781.2 million contract to Analogic Corporation—an American company that specializes in health care and security technology— for the advanced equipment and the maintenance of the new high-tech scanners. The company will deliver and deploy the powerful equipment, designed with a futuristic aesthetic, within the next few months.

“These awards are another important step in enhancing aviation security,” said TSA Administrator David Pekoske, and added: “They provide our dedicated frontline officers with one of the best tools available to screen passenger carry-on items and also improves the passenger experience by allowing passengers to keep more items in their carry-on bags during the screening process.”

According to the information shared, the new powerful CT systems will help accelerate wait times. Great news for travelers in the US, considering that covid restrictions and the new security measures implemented during the pandemic have been slowing down TSA’s process.

About the New Powerful Scanners

During this year’s summer season, travelers in the United States will be able to see the new technology at the TSA checkpoints. The advanced computer tomography system can detect weapons, explosives, and other items banned for travel.

The new scanners include sophisticated algorithms that recreate 3D images of the items recognized inside the carry-on bags. They will allow TSA officers to view, rotate and analyze the images on three axes. That way authorities can identify dangerous items. This is why passengers won’t have to take out many items from their bags.

The technology recently hired is similar to the one used to scan checked bags, in an innovative size, easier to deploy at checkpoints, and with an optimized algorithm. Full-sized CT scanners include screening lanes with divestiture stations, automated bin return, and high threat containment. The agency expects to receive 469 base and 469 full-size systems soon.

In August 2021, TSA already invested $198 million in Analogic Corporation equipment and service for 300 mid-size Checkpoint Property Screening Systems (CPSS), with the same technology to improve security in a touch-free environment. These are already being installed at U.S. airports.

U.S. citizens traveling within the next few weeks might be able to see the new modern spaceship-like scanners at TSA checkpoints.

TSA’s Recent Measures On Travel Experience

On April 18, TSA will lift the mask mandate on airports and passengers will be able to travel without face coverings. The mandate has been extended, but many remain optimistic about the new date. American Airlines even considered the same date to sell alcohol during flights again, considering that the mask mandate was one of the reasons some passengers broke the rules.

The new scanners will accelerate TSA’s regular security check process at airports. However, US citizens and permanent residents can already speed up this procedure by registering and paying for TSA Precheck, a membership that provides benefits for American travelers.

With a TSA Precheck registration travelers do not have to remove shoes, belts, or light jackets, they will get an expedited screening process, and are also allowed to leave laptops and approved liquids inside carry-on bags. Passengers registered for TSA Precheck must bear in mind that TSA recently warned travelers that unruly passengers could lose this privilege.

TSA has also recently expanded to international destinations. The agency opened a location in the Bahamas at the Lynden Pindling International Airport in Nassau. US travelers coming from the Bahamas to the US can use their TSA PreCheck membership to avoid long lines and get home faster.

Read More:

TSA Extends Mask Mandate For Flights And Airports Until April 18

Travel Insurance That Covers Covid-19 For 2021

U.S. Issues New Travel Advisories For 14 Countries

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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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March 23, 2022