In travel news for June 22, 2022 we talk about Italy, Crystal Cruises, and Yellowstone National Park.
The Return of Crystal Cruise
Crystal Cruises was considered a dependable and top rated Luxury Cruise line, that is until it’s sudden and unexpected collapse in January. The parent company of Crystal Cruises suspended operations in January and shutdown in February. Most of the fleet was seized in the Bahamas to cover unpaid fuel bills. Surprisingly the Crustal Cruises brand isn’t dead, having been recently purchased along with two luxury cruise vessels the Crystal Serenity and the Crystal Symphony. The new owner, Abercrombie & Kent Travel Group Ltd., plans for both ships to resume service in 2023 after undergoing an extensive renovation.
Yellowstone National Park Reopens
Weeks of record rainfall followed by intense flooding forced the Yellowstone National Park to close. The floods along with rock and mud slides took out bridges, roads, rail, power, and housing. While damage assessments and repairs will be an ongoing process for months to come, there is some good news. As of today, Yellowstone National Park’s south loop has reopened. To manage the number of visitors the park is implementing an alternative access plan. Access will be granted to vehicles based on the last number on their license plate. License plates ending in odd numbers will be allowed to enter on odd number days, and plates ending in even number will be allowed to enter on even number days. License plates that have no numbers will fall under the odd number category.
Italy Drops Mask Mandate
In good news for travelers to Italy, the country has recently dropped one of their last pandemic requirements. Masks are no longer required on public transportation. This applies to all public transportation from busses and trains to Air Travel. Masks could still be required on flights to or from Italy if required by the airline, departing country, or destination country. This follows Italy dropping all pandemic entry requirements in early June and comes as Italy starts their busy summer travel season.