In travel news for May 9th, 2023 we talk about Oceania Cruises newest ship, Walt Disney World is making things easier for their guests, and Hawaii could be facing issues this summer.
Oceania Cruises' Vista: A New Era of Luxury Travel Awaits
Oceania Cruises has introduced its newest Allura Class ship, Vista, featuring numerous firsts in dining, accommodations, and passenger experience. The 67,000-ton, 791-foot-long ship offers the most spacious standard staterooms at sea, three new dining concepts, and a remarkable service ratio of two crew members for every three guests. Vista's culinary venues include Ember, Aquamar Kitchen, and The Bakery at Baristas. The ship will also showcase Broadway-caliber productions and an elevated mixology program. Vista will be christened by her godmother, Giada De Laurentiis, on May 8, 2023, in Valletta, Malta. After her summer season in the Mediterranean, the ship will sail to Canada, New England, the Caribbean, Mexico, and Central America.
Disney World Ushers in Guest-Friendly Changes: Simplified Planning and Revived Dining Plans
Walt Disney World Resort has announced several guest-friendly changes for 2024 bookings, such as eliminating park reservations for date-based tickets, reintroducing the Disney Dining Plan, and incorporating planning options using Disney Genie Plus. Annual passholders will still require reservations, but "good-to-go-days" will be introduced in 2024. Disney Dining Plans will return for guests staying at Disney hotels, with pricing details to be announced on May 31. Early and late access to theme parks for hotel guests will continue through 2024. Disney Genie Plus will offer the ability to plan experiences in the coming year. These changes come under CEO Bob Iger's leadership, who aims to make the parks more accessible and affordable.
Hawaii Faces Overtourism Challenges Amid Potential Tourism Office Funding Crisis
Hawaii's tourism infrastructure faces potential Overtourism challenges this summer due to a lack of funding for the state's tourism office in the proposed budget bill for fiscal year 2023-2024. The Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA) faced the possibility of being disbanded and replaced with a destination management-focused agency. While the Proposal has been deferred, the absence of the HTA from the tourism budget raises concerns about managing tourism on the islands. The funding uncertainty threatens cultural activities, festivals, and community-led volunteer opportunities that contribute to Hawaii's appeal. This comes after Hawaii's tourism board launched an effort to incorporate authentic Native Hawaiian culture into the visitor industry to protect communities and fragile environments.