Travel Briefs
Cuba scraps CUC
The president of Cuba announced on Dec. 10 that, as of Jan. 1, 2021, the country would no longer be using the convertible peso, or CUC. The CUC was created in 1994 and existed alongside the Cuban peso.
Swiss express aerial gondola
On Dec. 5, 2020, in Switzerland, the Eiger Express aerial gondola began service, taking passengers from the Grindelwald terminal, at the foot of the Jungfrau, 1,800 meters away to the Eiger Glacier Station, in 15 minutes.
New Tokyo cruise port
The Tokyo International Cruise Terminal, on the Daiba waterfront, welcomed its first cruise ship on Sept. 10.
MDs required on cruises
The US Congress passed a law in December 2020 requiring all cruise ships to have a registered medical doctor on board at all times.
World’s largest fountain, in Dubai
The Palm Fountain, on the coast of Dubai, United Arab Emirates, was named the world’s largest fountain by Guinness World Records when it began operating on Oct. 23.
Viking Cruises’ testing lab
A full polymerase chain reaction (PCR) lab was installed on Viking Cruises’ Viking Star, permitting the ship to conduct daily COVID-19 tests of all of its passengers and crew. It is the first full-scale PCR testing facility to be built on board a cruise ship.
Australia underwater experience
From within viewing rooms 26 feet under the Indian Ocean, visitors can observe more than 300 aquatic species during a tour of the Underwater Observatory at Busselton Jetty (Busselton Beachfront; phone +61 08 9754 0900, www.busseltonjetty.com.au), on the southwestern coast of Western Australia.
Airlines’ no-mask blacklists
US airlines have blacklisted hundreds of flyers for not following mask rules on board flights.
New Addis Ababa terminal
At Bole International Airport (ADD), serving Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, a terminal expansion completed by Ethiopian Airlines (www.ethiopianairlines.com) in September has made Bole the second-largest airport in Africa, after O.R. Tambo International in South Africa.
Boeing 737 Max returns
With an American Airlines (AA) flight from Miami International Airport to New York’s LaGuardia on Dec. 29, 2020, the Boeing 737 Max passenger jet returned to service in the US after nearly two years of being grounded. The first 737 Max flight since March 2019 occurred in Brazil on Dec. 9.
Tasmania self-drive website
For anyone interested in driving around the Australian island of Tasmania, the website Lap of Tasmania (www.lapoftasmania.com.au) can help in planning an itinerary and booking lodging and a rental car.
New Thailand visa
A new Thailand tourist visa was introduced on Nov. 23 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. To apply, a traveler needs to fill out a visa application form and a health declaration form, both available from Thai consulates (visit thaiembdc.org for a link to the consulate nearest you).
‘Million Stars’ Swiss hotels
Visitors to Switzerland can book a room in any of 50-plus “Million Stars” hotels. In varying environments around the country, each of the “hotels” (each actually one double-bed accommodation) must meet certain star-gazing criteria to be considered a Million Stars hotel.
UAE-Israel flight
The first-ever commercial passenger flight between Israel and the United Arab Emirates, which was also the first flight to Israel from any of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf (GCC) countries, occurred on Oct. 19 with an Emirates flight from Tel Aviv to Abu Dhabi.
COVID-19 ‘Green Zones’ in Israel
Israel is creating “Green Zones” — areas that require a negative COVID-19 test result to enter — in tourist spots around the country.
‘Dogs only’ on US flights
The US Department of Transportation made a ruling on Dec. 2 that the only service animals to be allowed on planes are dogs.
Dibs with Exodus Travels
“Dateless Departures” were introduced by Exodus Travels (Toronto, ON, Canada; 844/227-9087, www.exodustravels.com) on Dec. 3. Travelers who reserve a tour to a country are guaranteed a spot in the first Exodus tour group to go there once that country reopens its borders.
easyJet bin change
Low-cost European airline easyJet (www.easyjet.com) will begin limiting access to their overhead luggage bins on Feb. 10. Starting on that date, only passengers paying for a more expensive ticket will be allowed bin space for their carry-on luggage.
Observatory in Ireland
Budding astronomers visiting Ireland will have a chance to view the stars through a 14-inch telescope at the OM Dark Sky Park & Observatory (155 Davagh Rd., Omagh, Ireland; phone +353 28 8676 0681, omdarksky.com). Opened in October 2020, the telescope has automatic guide and lock-on features, s
Delta COVID travel map
Delta Air Lines has added an interactive world map to its Fly Delta smartphone app, free on Apple and Android. The map gives up-to-date information on entry requirements in regard to COVID-19 for each country in the world.