In travel news for August 30, 2023 we have updates on Hurricane Idalia’s effects on travel, Emerald Cruises expands their 2024 - 2025 Mekong River cruises, JetBlue will soon offer non-stop flights to Amsterdam.
Navigating Hurricane Idalia: Florida Travel Disruptions
Hurricane Idalia has led to severe disruptions in flights across Florida. Several airports, including those in Tampa, St. Pete-Clearwater, Sarasota, and Tallahassee, are closed for now but are expected to reopen depending on damage assessments. SouthWest Airlines faces the most schedule disruptions, with 200 cancellations, while United, Delta, and American Airlines have about 200 delays and nearly 300 cancellations combined. Airlines have issued advisories allowing passengers to change their travel plans for free for a limited time. Cruise companies such as Carnival and Celebrity Cruises have also adjusted their itineraries to dodge the storms. Travelers need to stay alert and flexible, keeping an eye on updates from both airlines and cruise lines.
Emerald Cruises Expands 2024-2025 Mekong Season
Emerald Cruises has introduced expanded sailing options for the 2024-2025 Mekong River Cruise season. The new itinerary includes a 10-day journey between Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, and Phnom Penh, Cambodia, exclusively during the less crowded "green season" of August, September, and October. This allows travelers to explore more of Cambodia and enjoy daytime sailing. For those who wish to combine cruising with land exploration, Emerald Cruises offers extended itineraries featuring cultural and historical Tours. The cruise line offers intimate, upscale experiences with its newly designed Star-Ship, Emerald Harmony, capable of sailing right into the heart of Ho Chi Minh City.
JetBlue Launches New York-Amsterdam Transatlantic Service
JetBlue has added Amsterdam to its transatlantic destinations, offering nonstop service from New York's JFK Airport and starting from Boston Logan International on September 20. This addition follows JetBlue’s successful launches to London in 2021 and Paris in 2023. The flights will operate on JetBlue’s Airbus A321 Long Range aircraft, designed for comfort and economic efficiency. Introductory fares are currently on sale, starting at $499 roundtrip for basic seats and $2,199 for premium Mint experience. This service aims to provide affordable options for travelers and increases JetBlue’s presence in one of Europe's busiest airports, Schiphol, thereby attracting a new customer base from the Netherlands and beyond.