Articles

Jason Cochran

Article / Passportable

Royal Caribbean Adds Ship in Bermuda to Serve U.S. Vacationers This Summer

Update, May 20, 2021: Citing the prospect of large cruise ships returning to the United States soon, Royal Caribbean canceled plans to cruise from Bermuda on Vision of the Seas. The…

Article / Arthur Frommer Online

Two Cruise Lines Returning to Caribbean for the Vaccinated, but Will Skip U.S.

If you're a fan of cruising and you're itching to get on board again as soon as possible, we can definitively say you're going to need two things: a Covid-19 vaccine and a…

Article / Arthur Frommer Online

Airlines Still Cashless Even Though Many Passengers Don’t Own Credit Cards

Delta Air Lines has announced that as of March 16, flight attendants will be equipped to accept contactless payments for in-flight purchases such as earbuds and food. Customers will be…

Article / Arthur Frommer Online

All-Inclusive Cruise Line Announces July Return with All-Bahamas Vacations

While the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention mulls whether to permit large cruise ships to restart voyages, another cruise line is moving ahead by bypassing America. The…

Article / Arthur Frommer Online

MGM Resorts in Legal Hot Water Over Resort Fee "Lies"

If you have traveled or shopped for travel in the past few months, you've probably noticed a vexing trend: Many hotels in the United States have drastically curtailed amenities because…

Article / Arthur Frommer Online

Disneyland Finally Sets Reopening Target—But Don't Buy Plane Tickets Just Yet

After a closure that has lasted since March 14, 2020, California's Disneyland has finally set its sights on reopening. Disney CEO Bob Chapek announced to shareholders that he hopes…

Article / Arthur Frommer Online

Some Ports Realize They May Not Want Cruises Back Once Covid Is Over

As Covid-19 recedes, vacationers may see major shifts in cruise itineraries. Citizens in major ports of call have tasted life without the presence of big cruise ships—and some…

Article / Passportable

It's Looking Like Japan Won't Let Tourists Into the Country for the Olympics

When you watch the Olympic Games this summer, you're bound to feel many emotions: national pride, awe at the athletic feats, and even gratitude that the Covid-19 situation has improved…

Article / Arthur Frommer Online

Royal Caribbean's New Ship Set to Debut, but Only for Vaccinated Travelers

When Royal Caribbean launches its newest megaship, Odyssey of the Seas, only vaccinated passengers will be aboard. The cruise line has announced that tickets for the ship's upcoming…

Article / Local Experiences

WATCH: Ride the World's Great Public Transport Lines—Everything But the Fare!

It's surprisingly relaxing: Ride entire transit lines from end to end in some of the world's great cities. Getting nowhere never felt so transporting.

Article / Arthur Frommer Online

The New Official National Parks Trip-Planning App Gets a Rave from Us

The U.S. National Park Service (NPS) has released a new official app—and it's exciting. After years of forcing users to track down current information at each individual unit's website…

Article / Passportable

Historic Queen Mary Is In Dire Straits As Operator Collapses

January 2021 kept people occupied with a few other news headlines, so you're forgiven if you missed this one: The company that operates the famous and irreplaceable Queen Mary filed…

Article / Air Travel

Your Guide to the Airlines' In-Flight Covid Safety Policies

From asking passengers to bring their own masks to blocking seat assignments, here's what the major airlines say they're doing to convince passengers it's safe to fly.

Article / Passportable

Going Maskless on Planes, Buses, or Trains Could Now Cost $1,500 or More

For most of 2020, airlines and other travel suppliers urgently told customers to wear masks. But if passengers were unwilling to comply, there wasn't much that could be done. The major…

Article / Arthur Frommer Online

Watched "The Dig" on Netflix? Here's Where to See What They Found

Alert: This post contains one minor spoiler about where the artifacts featured in The Dig were eventually put on display.The Dig, the latest breakout hit movie on Netflix, retells the…

Article / Passportable

This Year, You Finally, Really, Truly Need Real ID to Fly

Update, April 27, 2021: Guess what? The government delayed Real ID yet again. Click here to read about the new deadline.We really mean it this time: Real ID becomes mandatory at U.S.…

Article / Passportable

TSA Rolling Out Self-Scan I.D. Checkpoints That Don't Need Boarding Passes

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has converted 100% of its security checkpoints at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to accept self-scanned identification…

Article / Arts and Culture

Before Jumbo Jets, TravelTalks Movies Took Audiences Around the World

Generations of audiences loved MGM's TravelTalks, a series of 222 globetrotting short films. They made a star of James A. FitzPatrick—but today, they're mostly forgotten.

Article / Arthur Frommer Online

Hey, Lazybones! Now You Can Learn a New Language by Binge-Watching TV

Ask any immigrant: The best way to learn a language isn't in a class. It's through daily life. And a brand-new language-learning product is built on that principle. The recently…

Article / Passportable

Appalachian Trail: Please "Postpone Hikes Until 2022"

The Appalachian Trail Conservancy, the group that maintains one of the greatest long-distance footpaths in the United States, is imploring hikers to postpone visits for another…

Article / Passportable

No, Princess Cruises Did Not Just Sell the Real Love Boat

Social media feeds have recently been filled with nostalgic goodbyes to an iconic cruise ship. Princess Cruises selling off its ‘Love Boat’, went a typical headline. To a generation…

Article / Passportable

Island Paradise Opens for Anyone Who Takes the Covid Vaccine

Last summer, the archipelago of Fernando de Noronha, off the coast of Brazil, tried to save its tourism industry by expressly inviting people who had contracted Covid-19 and…

Article / Arthur Frommer Online

Americans Flying Abroad Must Obtain Covid Tests Before Returning

Starting Tuesday, January 26, anyone flying into the United States will be required to produce proof of a negative Covid-19 test. That requirement, announced by the Centers for…

Article / Passportable

As We Reassess Our Travel Lives, Eagle Creek Relaunches Pack-It System

It's a heck of a time to launch a new packing product, but maybe Eagle Creek is counting on our pent-up wanderlust. Or perhaps the baggage giant is hoping that we're all using the…

Article / Passportable

Norwegian Gives Up: Low-Cost Airline Will No Longer Serve American Cities

More than 40 airlines have claimed insolvency in the age of Covid-19, but for American budget travelers, this carrier may prove to be the most missed. Norwegian Air, which was already…