Theme Park News
Walt Disney World
The holidays are a favorite time of year, and we’re so happy to be celebrating Halfway to the Holidays today! Because it’s official – the merry season will begin November 12 at Walt Disney World Resort during “The World’s Most Magical Celebration” marking the resort’s 50th anniversary.
Festive entertainment, whimsical décor, seasonal food and drinks, and holiday-themed merchandise will all be a part of this very special season at their theme parks, Disney Resort hotels and Disney Springs.
Holidays are sure to be enchanting at Magic Kingdom Park, where quintessential decorations will return to Main Street, U.S.A. When the sun sets, special holiday projections will appear most nights on Cinderella Castle, alternating periodically with the castle’s transformation into a Beacon of Magic. What a great way to celebrate the holidays and the 50th anniversary of Walt Disney World Resort!
Now, talk about an early holiday gift… “Disney Very Merriest After Hours,” a new special-ticketed event, will debut November 8 before all the rest of the festive fun. It will be available on select nights through December 21. The four hours of festivities will delight guests with “Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks,” Disney characters throughout the park, holiday music and décor, treats included and so much more! As with other Disney After Hours events, a limited number of tickets will be sold for this event. It’s held after regular park operating hours, with lower wait times and access to more than 20 select attractions.
Tickets will go on sale next month, with an early purchase window available to guests of select Walt Disney World Resort hotels.
Sunset Seasons Greetings returns to Disney’s Hollywood Studios, as the Hollywood Holiday Tower Hotel on Sunset Boulevard will twinkle once again with projection effects, magically transforming into a snowy corner of Arendelle, a Muppets gingerbread masterpiece, a Toy Story toy hotel, and a Dickensian village inspired by “Mickey’s Christmas Carol.” This holiday show will also alternate with the tower’s nightly transformation into a Beacon of Magic.
Santa Claus will bring some North Pole cheer to a motorcade down Hollywood Boulevard. Guests will also be able to enjoy “For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration,” with its festive finale featuring everyone’s favorite snowman, Olaf. Minnie Mouse is also returning to host her festive meal at Hollywood & Vine at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Minnie and her friends will be donning their holiday best – even Santa Goofy will be there! And throughout the season, vintage-themed holiday décor will shine bright across the park.
It will be a wild holiday time at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park with the return of seasonal décor and festive Disney character flotillas sailing down Discovery River to the sounds of joyful songs of the season. The park’s centerpiece – The Tree of Life – becomes another Beacon of Magic most nights during the 50th anniversary celebration. During the holiday season there’s even more magic inspired by nature as the holiday edition of Tree of Life Awakenings also take place most nights.
Where can Guests enjoy traditions from around the world, with inspiring music, tasty treats and family-friendly experiences? If you guessed EPCOT … you are correct! The EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays will return this year, from November 26 – December 30, with Holiday Kitchens around the park, performances by Voices of Liberty, the Guest favorite Cookie Stroll and more!
Beacons of Magic will be available nightly at select theme parks.
You can happily discover whatever you’re after this holiday season at Disney Springs. The shopping, dining and entertainment destination will transform into a winter wonderland, full of sparkling lights, enchanting décor and holiday surprises. This year sees the return of the Disney Springs Christmas Tree Stroll, with elaborately decorated, Disney-themed trees – some new and some inspired by “The World’s Most Magical Celebration.”
A magical snowfall will add a touch of wonder for holiday shoppers in Town Center.
Here, Guests can find the perfect gift for everyone on your list, including yourself. Discover holiday ornaments, matching family pajamas, festive Spirit Jerseys, and more – Guests should be sure to check their list twice so they don’t forget any holiday must-haves! There will even be themed food and beverages; one of my favorite spots, Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar, will once again transform into Jock Lindsey’s Holiday Bar, with delightful décor and a delicious limited-time menu filled with festive favorites.
Disney Resort hotels will be decked for the holidays, with iconic trees and other seasonal touches. And a Guest favorite will return this year, as select gingerbread displays will once again be part of the holiday season! Also at select resorts, Guests will find restaurants offering holiday menus and specialty food and drink.
photo credit: Disney Destinations
Walt Disney Travel Company will begin bookings on July 15 for packages including stays at the Walt Disney World Swan Reserve, located near the magic of Walt Disney World Resort, for arrivals beginning October 1, 2021. Bookings will be available online through the Disney Reservation Center or contact your travel advisor.
Walt Disney World Swan Reserve offers rooftop special event space. It also offers a three-meal-per-day Mediterranean restaurant, a grab-n-go style quick service market and an upscale craft cocktail lobby bar for Guests’ dining needs. Plus, Guests at Walt Disney World Swan Reserve can take advantage of an elevated pool deck with 13,835 sq. ft. of outdoor space, a health club and a business center.
Featuring 349 total Guest rooms, including 151 Vacation Suites, Walt Disney World Swan Reserve offers complimentary transportation to the Walt Disney World theme parks, and access to all the amenities of the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotel including an additional 18 restaurants and lounges, 5 pools, the Balinese-inspired Mandara Spa, and more! Plus, the hotel is located within walking distance to both EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
Disneyland Resort
This Dining Guide Update comes with exciting news – Guests will soon be able to begin their Disneyland day with Character Dining! Two locations – Minnie and Friends Breakfast at Plaza Inn at Disneyland Resort and Mickey’s Tales of Adventure breakfast at Storytellers Café at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa – will be hosted by our favorite Disney Pals.
And for those who have been asking when Carthay Circle Restaurant will reopen, the answer is July 22 – with bookings available July 20.
Disneyland Park
Plaza Inn – Minnie & Friends Breakfast (opening August 12; bookings available soon)
The Golden Horseshoe (opening July 29; food and beverage only)
Disney California Adventure Park
Carthay Circle Restaurant (upstairs opening July 22; bookings available July 20)
Disney’s Grand California Hotel & Spa
Storytellers Café – Mickey’s Tales of Adventure Breakfast (Daily breakfast; Friday, Sat., and Sun. Brunch from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.; opening July 22; bookings available July 20)
Storytellers Café
Universal Orlando Resort & Universal Studios Hollywood
Two more houses have been announced for Halloween Horror Nights. In the Texas Chainsaw Massacre house, step into the dilapidated Texas home of the depraved, sadistic Sawyer family who welcome you with razor-sharp blades and a roaring chainsaw.
The Universal Monsters: The Bride of Frankenstein Lives will revisit the infamous tale. “We belong dead.” The last words of Frankenstein’s monster when his Bride rejected him. Now she’ll stop at nothing to bring him back.
Busch Gardens Tampa
The Halloween season is quickly approaching and so is Busch Gardens Howl-O-Scream, which begins on September 10th. Their first of five houses has been announced. "The Forgotten" will bring guests into the realm of vampires. Victims will be drawn into a hidden world beyond the rubble and rocks of an unsuspecting quarry, where dark secrets lurk in the shadows. Just beyond a hidden gutter entrance, the legend of the human uprising is revealed as a swarm of starving vampires plot their imminent revenge. Will those who enter return to the world of the living or are they destined to become the newest minion of the Forgotten army?
SeaWorld Orlando
SeaWorld Orlando is getting ready for their first Howl-O-Scream event beginning on September 10th. They have announced their first house, Dead Vines. "Something is stirring among the trees. A shiver runs down your spine as you creep forward, one timid step at a time. Is this jungle alive…or undead? There’s an ominous force at work here, a merciless mistress of ivy and evil. She’s poisoned these woods with an all-consuming appetite for visitors like you. Keep moving and find a way out before it’s too late. You don’t want to end up dead on the vine."
Walk through the scare zone, Witchcraft Bayou, if you dare. "The cult is growing, and the lure is powerful. It’s hazardous to pass through this backwater bayou, but there’s no way around. Voodoo and witchcraft aren’t real, right? Tell that to the zealous worshippers trying to shackle you with their spells. They won’t rest until your soul belongs to her too. Stay alert, or the dark magic will drag you down."
photo credit: SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment
Cruise News
Italy has made the decision to ban large cruise ships from entering the Grand Canal in Venice. They have declared the lagoon a national monument. As of August 1, 2021, the ban will be in effect for vessels heavier than 25,000 tons and longer than 180 meters.
Canada has announced that it will lift the ban on cruise ships on November 1, 2021, instead of the previous decision of February 1, 2022. This will be after the Alaskan cruise season, but it still gives hope for cruising in 2022.
Canada tourism has been impacted by the lack of foreign ships being able to stop in its ports. Due to the ban, the US Congress passed a temporary law to exempt vessels from having to stop in a foreign port between US ports. It is unknown if this exemption will be continued longer than expected.
MSC Cruises
The Cruise Division of MSC Group and Fincantieri announced the signing of a contract for the construction by Fincantieri Infrastructure Florida of a new mega cruise terminal at PortMiami, the cruise industry’s hub in North America and the Caribbean.
The new terminal reflects an investment of approximately EUR 350 million and will be made up of a multi-level central body to serve as many as three latest generation ships at the same time, with up to 36,000 travelers transiting every day. Designed by the award-winning global architecture firm Arquitectonica, it is due to be completed by December 2023.
The new terminal will be able to accommodate the Company’s largest and most environmentally high-performing cruise ships. These include MSC Cruises’ newest flagship MSC Seashore, which is currently nearing completion at the Fincantieri shipyard in Monfalcone and due to be deployed out of Miami when she enters service later this year, as well as the line’s future LNG-powered World Class ships.
In line with PortMiami’s plans to enable shore power connectivity, the Company’s ships deployed there will be ready to plug in to the local power grid at berth.
New terminal will be capable of hosting as many as three latest-generation ships at the same time, handling up to 36,000 passenger movements per day.
New terminal will allow the Company to deploy some of its most environmentally high-performing vessels out of PortMiami.
Project is due to be completed by December 2023.
photo credit: MSC Cruises
Disney Cruise Line
Disney Cruise Line is upping the “ant-e” on immersive family dining with the debut of “Avengers: Quantum Encounter” at Worlds of Marvel restaurant aboard the Disney Wish. Premiering in summer 2022, this all-new cinematic dining adventure will assemble some of Earth’s Mightiest — and tiniest — Super Heroes in a larger-than-life showcase of revolutionary quantum technology and world-class cuisine.
‘Avengers: Quantum Encounter’ at Worlds of Marvel
Worlds of Marvel is the first-ever Marvel cinematic dining adventure, where Guests will play an interactive role in an action-packed Avengers mission that unfolds around them, complete with a worldly menu inspired by the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Cinematic Dining
“Avengers: Quantum Encounter” will follow Ant-Man and The Wasp as they embark on their first public speaking engagement on behalf of the Avengers. Anxious to impress, they are hosting a special presentation of the most powerful Super Hero technologies, such as Captain America’s shield, Iron Man’s arc reactor and Ant-Man’s Pym Particles, giving Guests an up-close look at holographic models, field reports and iconic scenes from Marvel movies displayed on the screens surrounding the room.
The highlight of this special event is a hands-on demonstration of the latest and greatest Pym Tech, the Quantum Core, which uses cutting-edge — and highly unstable — technology to shrink and grow targets at the push of a button. A few “misfires” result in hilarious Ant-Man-style hijinks, but the real trouble begins when an unexpected villain shows up with a fearsome army in tow, eager to get their hands on this powerful quantum technology. Ant-Man and The Wasp will need all the help they can get to save the day, calling on Captain America, Captain Marvel and the brave diners of the Disney Wish for back-up.
Quantum Core Technology
Every table at Worlds of Marvel will feature an interactive Quantum Core, “a brand-new device that can cause objects to shrink and grow remotely.” Guests will assist Ant-Man and The Wasp as they attempt some small-scale trials, perhaps shrinking oversized luggage for easy stateroom storage.
When enough of the Quantum Cores are activated at the same time, the entire venue will become supercharged as energy pulses through the power channels in the walls and ceiling. Outfitted with state-of-the-art Pym Tech and decked out in signature Stark-itecture style, the design of Worlds of Marvel will offer surprises in all shapes and sizes, from a distinctly Marvel hexagonal motif to the various “Easter eggs” and unknown details embedded in the show.
Globally Inspired Menus
True to its name, Worlds of Marvel will take families on a flavorful tour of the real and fictional settings of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, with dishes inspired by legendary locales like African Wakanda, Eastern European Sokovia and the Avengers’ home base of New York City. Though menus are still in development, Guests can expect to find a diverse array of globally influenced items and playful nods to the worlds and characters they know and love from Marvel Studios films.
Guests aboard the Disney Wish will also enjoy Marceline Market and Mickey and Friends Festival of Foods, two new quick-and-casual dining options for relaxed meals throughout the day.
New Quick-and-Casual Family Dining
While the Disney Wish will offer upscale table-service experiences throughout the day, families will also be able to enjoy quick, convenient meals and snacks with more casual walk-up dining options than ever before.
Marceline Market
Named for Walt Disney’s early childhood hometown in Missouri, Marceline Market is a stylish food hall inspired by popular marketplaces around the world. Here, Guests will find an ever-changing menu of specialized offerings in a vibrant, free flow setting with both indoor and outdoor seating and breathtaking ocean views all around.
Featuring 10 food stalls and a café-style beverage bar in the center, Marceline Market will be styled as an old industrial loft converted into a bustling marketplace, but with a distinctly Disney design twist: At this food hall, the local proprietors are Disney characters themselves, as each station is themed to beloved animated films such as “Tangled,” “Ratatouille,” “Alice in Wonderland,” “Zootopia” and more.
These storied shopkeepers will curate a wide-ranging variety of freshly prepared cuisines for the whole family to enjoy, including American classics, international specialties, comfort foods, seafood, soups and salads, vegetarian and plant-based fare, baked goods, and desserts.
Marceline Market will offer a casual, walk-around dining experience for breakfast and lunch, followed by table-service dining at dinnertime with entrees cooked to order.
Mickey and Friends Festival of Foods
Located right in the middle of the fun on the upper decks, Mickey and Friends Festival of Foods will be the perfect place for families to grab a quick bite for lunch, dinner or anytime in between. Avid Disney cruisers will be particularly pleased by the mix of fan-favorite treats, like Disney Cruise Line’s signature soft-serve ice cream, with two brand-new selections: The Disney Wish will feature the fleet’s first dedicated quick-service venues for barbeque and Mexican-inspired fare.
Also offering delectable American classics and other snackable delights, this open-air eatery comprises five uniquely themed food stalls: Mickey’s Smokestack Barbecue, Donald’s Cantina, Daisy’s Pizza Pies, Goofy’s Grill and Sweet Minnie’s Ice Cream.
The whimsical design is inspired by the seaside boardwalk setting featured in popular “Mickey Mouse” animated shorts, a fitting addition to the Mickey and Friends-themed family district on the upper decks. A sizable, shaded seating area will provide convenient and comfortable accommodations for families to relax and enjoy their meals.
photo credit: Disney Destinations
From early November through December, the Disney Cruise Line fleet is decked from bow-to-stern with holiday cheer and entertainment during Very Merrytime Cruises. Holiday magic is unwrapped for the whole family with festive holiday decor, favorite characters in their finest holiday attire and a special visit from none other than Santa Claus.
Here are some of Guests’ favorite things about these special holiday sailings on board:
Holly Jolly Decor
When Guests enter the atrium for the first time on their Very Merrytime Cruise, their eyes will likely be immediately drawn to the three-deck-tall Christmas tree. That’s right – from garlands, poinsettias and shimmering lights, décor will fill the nooks and crannies of Disney Cruise Line ships during these holiday sailings, filling Guests’ vacations with holiday merriment from the moment they step on board!
Santa Claus!
What’s a holiday cruise without Santa and Mrs. Claus? Disney Cruise Line may not be at the North Pole, but Guests can still be on the lookout for sightings of ‘Old Saint Nick’ while they’re on board, and they won’t want to miss one of our favorite Disney Cruise Line traditions – Storytime with Mrs. Claus.
Characters in holiday attire
Whether it’s Mickey in his winter sweater, Pluto with antlers or Goofy in a full-fledged Santa suit, Guests’ favorite characters will be dressed in their finest holiday garb during Very Merrytime Cruises.
Castaway Cay
Many Guests’ favorite thing to do for the holidays is trade in white snow for the white sand beaches on Castaway Cay, Disney Cruise Line’s private island. But even though Guests may be in the Bahamas, this slice of paradise is decked for the holidays as well – with a tropical flair, of course! A massive Christmas tree, holiday island music and even “snow” flurries await families, guaranteeing that the only “blue” they’ll be feeling this holiday season is the color of the crystal-clear waters!
AmaWaterways
Luxury river cruise innovator AmaWaterways announced a new partnership with the global leader in family history and consumer genomics, Ancestry®. The groundbreaking collaboration provides a unique opportunity for guests to discover details pertaining to their specific family history while enjoying the incomparable river cruise experience that AmaWaterways is known for. With an uptick in consumers embracing heritage travel, the special Ancestry® Experience package allows travelers to further personalize and enrich their river cruise experience through pre-cruise private consultation and family history research, onboard presentations and curated excursions accompanied by an expert genealogist throughout the cruise.
The first cruise in the series, Heritage on the River: Your Personalized Ancestry® Experience, will depart July 30, 2022, on board the 156-guest AmaStella. Guests will embark in Amsterdam on an unforgettable seven-night river cruise along the Rhine River, visiting Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, France and Switzerland while tracing their roots and following along in their ancestors’ footsteps.
Royal Caribbean Cruise Line
Royal Caribbean released updated vaccination requirements. For cruises departing from all U.S. ports (except Florida ports), Royal Caribbean requires all guests 16 years of age and older to be fully vaccinated, and from August 1, all guests 12 years of age and older must be fully vaccinated. Younger travelers not yet eligible for the vaccine will be able to sail with a negative test result and must follow certain protocols.
On cruises departing from Florida ports, all guests are strongly recommended to be fully vaccinated. Guests eligible but not fully vaccinated or able to show proof of vaccination will be subject to testing and additional health protocols at their own expense. Children not eligible for vaccines will be subject to complimentary testing and health protocols.
Carnival Cruise Line
Carnival Breeze returned to service when it departed on a four-day cruise from Galveston, part of its popular schedule of short cruises from that port, on July 15th . The ship is the line’s third to resume service, following the sailings of Carnival Vista from Galveston and Carnival Horizon from Miami in early July.
“We’re delighted that Carnival Breeze is our first ship to return operating short cruise itineraries and our second ship to resume from the Port of Galveston,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line. “Short cruises are very popular with our guests – roughly half our fleet operates cruises of five days or less – so we are excited to broaden our itinerary offerings to include these convenient and affordable getaways.”
Today’s sailing will visit Cozumel while five-day cruises departing on Mondays and Saturdays call at Cozumel and Costa Maya or Progreso, Mexico.
Later this month, Carnival Miracle begins sailing Alaska cruises and the line’s newest and most innovative ship, Mardi Gras, sets sail for the first time from Port Canaveral.
photo credit: Carnival Cruise Line
In the World News
Virgin Galactic
Virgin Galactic's VSS Unity successfully reached space, completing the Company’s fourth rocket-powered spaceflight.
Last week's flight was the 22nd test flight of VSS Unity and the first test flight with a full crew in the cabin, including the Company’s founder, Sir Richard Branson. The crew fulfilled a number of test objectives related to the cabin and customer experience, including evaluating the commercial customer cabin, the views of Earth from space, the conditions for conducting research and the effectiveness of the five-day pre-flight training program at Spaceport America.
Michael Colglazier, Chief Executive Officer of Virgin Galactic, said: “Today is a landmark achievement for the Company and a historic moment for the new commercial space industry. With each successful mission we are paving the way for the next generation of astronauts. I want to thank our talented team, including our pilots and crew, whose dedication and commitment made today possible. They are helping open the door for greater access to space – so it can be for the many and not just for the few.”
VSS Unity achieved a speed of Mach 3 after being released from the mothership, VMS Eve. The vehicle reached space, at an altitude of 53.5 miles, before gliding smoothly to a runway landing at Spaceport America.
This seminal moment for Virgin Galactic and Sir Richard Branson was witnessed by audiences around the world. It gave a glimpse of the journey Virgin Galactic’s Future Astronauts can expect when the Company launches commercial service following the completion of its test flight program.
VSS Unity, photo credit: Virgin Galactic
Mexico
Leading global hospitality company, Hilton, announced today the signing of three managed resorts in Mexico, furthering the company’s all-inclusive and luxury expansion plans: Hilton Vallarta Riviera All-Inclusive Resort, Hilton Tulum All-Inclusive Resort and the luxurious Conrad Tulum. The newest additions to the company’s portfolio showcase Hilton’s deep-rooted commitment to growing its unrivaled offerings in Mexico, where Hilton has more than 70 hotels open and more than 30 in the development pipeline.
A development by Parks Hospitality and owned by Fibra UNO, Hilton Vallarta Riviera All-Inclusive Resort is expected to convert in Q4 2021. Situated between the beaches of the Bay of Banderas and the majestic Sierra Madres Mountain, the 444-room AAA Four Diamond award-winning resort features a picturesque private beach, two glistening pools, full-service spa, fitness center, six craft cocktail bars, and seven specialty restaurants offering a variety of cuisine including Asian, Italian and Mexican flavors, as well as seafood and tapas options. Catering to the evolving needs of today’s business traveler, the resort offers nearly 26,000 square feet divided with 13,000 square feet of outdoor event space and 13,000 square feet of flexible indoor meeting space.
Owned and developed by Parks Hospitality, Conrad Tulum and Hilton Tulum All-Inclusive Resort are anticipated to join the Hilton portfolio in Q4 2021 and Q1 2022 respectively. The distinctly unique hotels will each provide guests with a brand-exclusive experience featuring world-class dining and extensive recreation options, while offering visitors access to shared amenities including a meetings and events complex and a state-of-art spa.
Nestled among verdant tropical vegetation, overlooking the Caribbean Sea's turquoise waters, and situated on an expansive stretch of beach, the new-build 349-room luxurious Conrad Tulum will be Conrad Hotels & Resorts’ first hotel in Quintana Roo on the eastern coast of the Yucatan Peninsula. Located near one of the best-preserved Mayan sites in Mexico, the property will provide a secluded haven for travelers featuring a bold design aesthetic inspired by Tulum’s lush landscape, picturesque beaches, and surrounding nature reserves. In addition to elegantly appointed rooms, the new hotel’s selection of accommodations will feature contemporary and sophisticated master suites, governor suites and presidential suites. Guests can choose from seven world-class restaurants and bars featuring an array of cuisine options from Mediterranean and Asian to a special Chef Table’s dining experience and relax and unwind in five pools. Like other properties in the Conrad Hotels & Resorts portfolio, Conrad Tulum will draw on the destination’s local influence and offer a distinct experience for travelers. Travelers will enjoy an enriching escape with effortless and passionately delivered service as they explore and immerse themselves in Tulum’s culture and community.
The 735-room oceanfront Hilton Tulum All-Inclusive Resort will introduce travelers to an upscale and elevated all-inclusive experience in this sought-after destination. Set to boast unrestricted views of the picturesque waters of the Caribbean Sea, the resort will offer seven dining experiences featuring international cuisine, an expansive multiple pool complex with a waterpark, and a secluded beach.
In addition to the variety of dining and recreation options at the luxurious Conrad Tulum or Hilton Tulum All-Inclusive Resort, all guests at either hotel will have access to a 21,500-plus square foot spa, with 16 treatment rooms and a pool, in a private and quiet area surrounded by tropical resort grounds. Guests visiting for meetings or events will have access to a 55,000 square foot convention center and an auditorium that seats up to 400 people.
Valentin Imperial Riviera Maya
Valentin Imperial Riviera Maya sent out a notice to guests about updated Covid protocols. Mexican authorities have informed them that stricter measures will be put in place in all the Cancun and Riviera Maya hotels, and are being implemented and closely monitored as of July 15th, 2021.
Masks are required in public areas except at the pools and beach.
Bars and restaurants will remain open until 11:00 pm, same as the evening entertainment.
Guests' temperature will be taken at the entrance of each restaurant. Masks can be taken off once seated. Masks must be worn when guests leave their tables.
Room service will remain available 24 hours a day.
British Virgin Islands
As of July 12, 2021, all fully vaccinated persons traveling to the British Virgin Islands will be subject to an antigen test upon arrival and quarantine until they receive a negative test result. They will need to present proof of vaccination as well.
Any travelers partially vaccinated or unvaccinated must quarantine for 7 days.
A BVI Gateway Traveler Authorization Certificate needs to be completed 24 hours of travel at a cost of $50. Travelers must begin their application no later than 48 hours before travel. Applications on the BVI Gateway portal BVIGATEWAY.BVIAA.COM must be completed 24 hours before travel date and time. All applicants in pending status, who have not completed their necessary requirements 24 hours prior to travelling, will be denied.
There is a curfew in the territory from 7pm to 5am daily.
Anguilla
Anguilla has updated their Covid protocols. All travelers to visit Anguilla must be fully vaccinated, and they must now take a free PCR Covid-19 test upon arrival. They must quarantine in their hotel until they receive a negative test result.
Approved vaccines include Pfizer, AstraZeneca, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson.
Visitors must also apply through the visitor portal and submit a negative PCR test taken 3 to 5 days prior to travel as well as provide proof of medical insurance.
Costa Rica
Beginning on August 1, 2021, vaccinated travelers and minors under the age of 18 will no longer be required to purchase travel insurance to enter the country. Accepted vaccines include Moderna, Pfizer-BioNTech, AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson. US travelers will be required to present their COVID-19 Vaccinated Record Card or vaccination certificate. Cards should include the person's name, date of each dose, and the site where the vaccine was received.
All tourists will still be required to fill out a Health Pass at least 72 hours prior to arrival. Proof of vaccination should be attached to the form.
AMResorts
AMResorts® shared an important update to COVID-19 testing procedures at Secrets® Papagayo Costa Rica and Dreams® Las Mareas Costa Rica.
Following the new government restrictions of 75% maximum occupancy in Costa Rica, AMResorts® branded properties have amended their antigen testing requirements for guests. Beginning July 15, all new bookings to both Secrets Papagayo Costa Rica and Dreams Las Mareas Costa Rica will be offered the COVID-19 antigen tests at an added cost, with the exception of guests staying 7 nights or more, who will continue to have the COVID-19 antigen test offered at no cost.
COVID-19 antigen tests can be scheduled with the concierge at each resort upon arrival. Test results will be received the same day in a format consistent with government requirements.
Any booking prior to July 15 will honor the free COVID-19 antigen tests for guests staying a minimum of three nights. Additionally, following the announcement from the Costa Rica government on July 9, fully vaccinated travelers will not need to pay the mandatory insurance previously requested as of August 1, 2021.
Secrets Papagayo Costa Rica, photo credit: AMResorts