In travel news for August 29, 2023 we talk about Hurricane Idalia’s effect on travel, Seabourn’s 2025 itineraries for Alaska, Canada, and New England, and China’s relaxing of pandemic era entry restrictions.
Hurricane Idalia: Travel Impact Across Southern U.S.
Tropical Storm Idalia is on track to evolve into a major Hurricane, making landfall on Florida's west coast before moving north over Georgia and the Carolinas. Expected to disrupt travel significantly, various travel sectors such as airlines, airports, Cruise lines, and theme parks are already announcing changes to their operations. Tampa International Airport, for instance, will close to all commercial traffic, targeting to reopen Thursday after assessing storm damage. Several airlines are also offering travel waivers for affected regions. Central Florida's theme parks are on high alert; Busch Gardens and Adventure Island will close early, while SeaWorld Orlando and other parks have 'weather-or-not' policies in place. With maximum sustained winds currently at 65 mph, Idalia could be classified as a hurricane soon, affecting travel and safety across multiple states.
Seabourn Cruise Line Unveils 2025 Season in Alaska, Canada, and New England
Seabourn, a luxury and Expedition Cruise line, has announced its 2025 itineraries for Alaska, Canada, and New England. Travelers can now book among 24 different itineraries across the Seabourn Quest and Seabourn Sojourn ships. The Seabourn Quest will make 18 sailings in Alaska between May and September 2025, with seven-day expeditions going northbound or southbound between Juneau, Alaska, and Vancouver. A longer 14-day option that combines both voyages is also available. The Seabourn Sojourn will operate a series of 12-day voyages between Montreal and New York City, also including a transatlantic "Route of the Vikings" cruise. The voyages feature exceptional experiences in ports of call that range from UNESCO heritage sites to historic shipbuilding cities.
China Eases Entry Requirements, Drops Mandatory COVID-19 Testing for International Travelers
China is easing its entry requirements for international travelers, eliminating the need for a negative COVID-19 test starting on August 30. This significant change was announced by a spokesperson for the Foreign Ministry and marks a major milestone in China's reopening to the world. The announcement follows China's decision earlier this year to end quarantine requirements for returning Chinese citizens. The country has also recently expanded its list of acceptable countries for travel and increased the frequency of international flights. Delta Air Lines has reacted positively, adding 10 weekly flights from Seattle and Detroit to Shanghai. This relaxation in policies comes after China's rigid domestic "zero COVID" strategy, which included city-wide lockdowns and led to a series of Protests and economic challenges.