Travel information you missed final week

Wepa, vacationers! Every week, our Travel Team will get flooded with story suggestions and bulletins that we will’t at all times chase down, however we don’t need you to overlook out on any of the most important developments in journey. That’s why we’re rounding them up proper right here — fast, straightforward and filled with wanderlust-worthy updates.

As somebody who loves each city winter magic and free issues, my favourite information this week is that the Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park is formally open to the general public! It’s dwelling to NYC’s solely free-admission ice skating rink (and one of many largest), virtually too many vacation outlets, and comfy bites and drinks at The Lodge. The rink and lodge keep open by way of March 1, 2026, whereas the outlets wrap up on January 4. Also, mark your calendar for the Tree Lighting on December 2 at 5:30 p.m. ET.

Here’s what else we heard about this week:

• National Geographic Expeditions and G Adventures are teaming as much as launch “National Geographic Signature,” a high-end journey type debuting in 2027 that blends luxurious, training, and community-focused tourism.
• Celebrity Cruises has taken supply of its latest ship, Celebrity Xcel, debuting in November 2025 with recent areas impressed by traveler suggestions — plus introduced development on Celebrity Xcite, launching in 2028.
• Carnival Cruise Line is increasing its footprint within the Gulf Coast, with Carnival Valor homeporting year-round from Mobile, Alabama, beginning in 2027, marking a significant win for regional cruise followers.
• Alaska Airlines introduced 13 new routes for 2026, together with new locations like Tulsa and Arcata-Eureka, expanded service to Hawai‘i, and major growth in San Diego and Portland.
• Disney Parks unveiled plans for “Disney Celebrating America,” a coast-to-coast initiative marking the U.S.’s 250th anniversary with particular occasions, patriotic experiences, and the Soarin’ Across America attraction opening in summer season 2026.
• Air France will quickly launch its first nonstop service between Las Vegas’ Harry Reid International Airport and Paris-Charles de Gaulle – the primary new vacation spot for the French provider’s summer season 2026 schedule. The route will start on April 15, 2026, flying 3 times every week.
• LEGOLAND’s California and Florida will rework into festive winter wonderlands ranging from November 22 till January 4. Visitors can get pleasure from a LEGO Santa, a 30-foot-tall Christmas tree, and take “elfies” with their favourite vacation LEGO characters.

Spotlight on nationwide park communities

Parks Reporter Eve Chen teamed up with Ignacio Calderón earlier this week to report on how the federal government shutdown is inflicting nationwide parks to function with lowered employees, impacting close by companies. Gateway communities close to nationwide parks danger shedding as much as $80 million in customer spending every day. Read their story by clicking/tapping right here.

See you on the street,

— Josh Rivera, Senior Travel Editor