7/04/21
Happy Fourth of July! There have been a lot of changes and updates this week in the world of travel as the world continues to open up and evolve with changes in the covid environment.
But before we get into some of this week’s updates, to celebrate July 4th, here are some firework facts, According to the WSJ…
1. Supply chain issues are back again to dull your holiday. Firework supply is expected to drop ~30% across the country with logistics all scrambled due to Covid.
2. Not helping: 90% of US fireworks are made in China, so logjams at ports over there mean a reduction or delay in getting supply over here.
3. Retailers warn that you might have to pay as much as 25% more than you’re used to for some fireworks.
4. Last year, firework sales jumped to $1.9 billion from $1 billion because there was simply nothing else to do except blow things up.
5. Massachusetts is the only state with a total ban on the sale of consumer fireworks. Thanks, Ben Affleck.
And speaking of fireworks, we’re so happy to announce the return of nighttime fireworks spectaculars at both Magic Kingdom Park and EPCOT as of July 1!
The Disneyland Hotel has now reopened to Guests, completing the phased reopening of the Disneyland Resort Hotels. Select dining offerings will be available to hotel and non-hotel guests with reservations, pending availability, or via mobile order.
As Disney and the world continues to move towards a new normal, we’re also very happy to report that Corn Dog Nuggets have also returned to the Magic Kingdom Park now that Casey’s Corner has reopened on Main Street U.S.A.
Gov. Ron DeSantis this week signed Senate Bill 1194 into law. Section 311.25 in the bill prohibits any ban on cruise ships with a capacity of 1,300 or more persons docking in South Florida, voiding last November’s referendum, passed by Key West voters, which aimed to keep them out of the Keys.
Despite residents voting to do so last November, Florida will not ban large cruise ships from docking in Key West.
Key West residents had passed the bill by a wide margin during a referendum last November, but the bill signed into law this week will not allow any referendum to “restrict maritime commerce” at any port that has received or is eligible to apply for state funding
Princess Cruises is canceling its sailings in and out of Australia through Dec. 19, 2021, because of a “continued uncertainty regarding the timing for the resumption of cruise holidays in the region,” the line announced Wednesday.
The news comes as Australia continues to extend its cruise ban, which right now is scheduled to end in September 2021.
This week Royal Caribbean Gets Green Light to Restart Cruises with Ticketed Passengers.
After successfully completing its test cruises, Royal Caribbean’s Freedom of the Seas has officially received approval from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to restart sailings with ticketed passengers.
With the news, Freedom will become the cruise line’s first ship to resume sailing from the U.S.
Royal Caribbean president Michael Bayley made the announcement in a message posted to social media on Tuesday morning, writing that “this is exciting progress, and we look forward to welcoming our guests onboard.”
Guests will now be able to sail on Freedom starting next month. The first revenue sailing will depart from Miami on July 2 and visit Nassau and Perfect Day at CocoCay, Royal Caribbean’s private island destination, in The Bahamas, before returning to Miami on July 5.
While the CDC’s approval allows ships to sail with less than 95% of guests vaccinated, Freedom will sail with all crew fully vaccinated and the “majority of guests fully vaccinated.”
That’s it for this week, check back her next week for more updates.