🎊 Happy New Year's from the Caribbean!

If you receive my daily travel tip newsletter, then you know that my family and I have been island hopping in the Eastern Caribbean aboard the beautiful Enchanted Princess. Over the past 10 days, we have visited St. Thomas, Dominica, St. Lucia (photo above), Martinique and Antigua! It's been like a dream but, like all good things, has come to an end.
Cruise Deals
FYI: Speaking of cruises, it's currently Wave Season, which is when cruise lines typically offer their best deals of the year. So you should be able to find some amazing prices including, a 7-night Europe cruise on the fabulous Sky Princess for as low as $698.
Japan Airlines and Alaska Airlines
There's been a lot of travel news this week and leading the way was the tragic Japan Airlines crash and the Alaska Airlines 737 MAX 9, after a plug door blew out. I just wrote a tip for tomorrow about what you need to know if you're booked on a 737 MAX 9 but I'm sharing it now since I think it's important and timely information.
Severe Weather
We actually just landed in Los Angeles, which is why I'm so late sending this newsletter. I'm happy we didn't spend an extra day in Fort Lauderdale because I've received multiple emails from United Airlines about severe weather. Usually it's just one region but for tomorrow it's three. See below:
Midwest Severe Weather
Travel dates: January 8 - 9, 2024. This travel waiver allows for voluntary changes for travel to, from or through the airports listed.
• Appleton, WI (ATW)
• Cedar Rapids, IA (CID)
• Chicago-O'Hare, IL (ORD)
• Des Moines, IA (DSM)
• Dodge City, KS (DDC)
• Fort Dodge, IA (FOD)
• Green Bay, WI (GRB)
• Hays, KS (HYS)
• Kansas City, MO (MCI)
• Liberal, KS (LBL)
• Lincoln, NE (LNK)
• Madison, WI (MSN)
• Mason City, IA (MCW)
• Milwaukee, WI (MKE)
• Moline, IL (MLI)
• North Platte, NE (LBF)
• Omaha, NE (OMA)
• Peoria, IL (PIA)
• Salina, KS (SLN)
• Sioux City, IA (SUX)
• Sioux Falls, SD (FSD)
Gulf Coast Severe Weather
Travel dates: January 8, 2024. This travel waiver allows for voluntary changes for travel to, from or through the airports listed.
• Baton Rouge, LA (BTR)
• Birmingham, AL (BHM)
• Gulfport, MS (GPT)
• Houston, TX (IAH)
• Jackson, MS (JAN)
• Lafayette, LA (LFT)
• Lake Charles, LA (LCH)
• Mobile, AL (MOB)
• New Orleans, LA (MSY)
• Panama City, FL (ECP)
• Pensacola, FL (PNS)
• Shreveport, LA (SHV)
Rocky Mountain Winter Weather
Travel dates: January 8, 2024. This travel waiver allows for voluntary changes for travel to, from or through the airports listed.
• Aspen, CO (ASE)
• Cheyenne, WY (CYS)
• Colorado Springs, CO (COS)
• Denver, CO (DEN)
• Durango, CO (DRO)
• Ft. Collins, CO (FNL)
• Grand Junction, CO (GJT)
• Gunnison, CO (GUC)
• Hayden, CO (HDN)
• Laramie, WY (LAR)
• Moab, UT (CNY)
• Montrose/Telluride, CO (MTJ)
• Vail/Eagle, CO (EGE)

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In this issue:

✈️ Today's Travel Outlook

As of 7:20pm ET, there have been 828 canceled flights to, from or within the United States and 6,720 delayed. Here's a link to the up-to-date stats and a live look at the FAA's National Airspace System Status. Here's what to do during weather delays and flight cancellations.

🧳 Tuesday

Thief Caught on Camera Trying on Clothes from Unclaimed Luggage at Miami International Airport
This alleged thief can be seen rummaging through passengers’ checked luggage at a baggage carousel in Miami International Airport (MIA) and trying on pants and shoes. When my wife first saw the video, she found it so outrageous, she thought it was fake. Here's the video and some tips.

📅 Wednesday

The Essential Thing Travelers Need to Do This January
If you plan on traveling this summer, there's one essential thing you need to do now. Here's what it is.

🛂 Thursday

12 Passport Tips For 2024 That Will Save You Time, Money and Headaches
Yesterday, I provided one of the most basic but most important passport tips there is. Today, I'm back with 11 more passport tips that can help you avoid big headaches. It's worth the three-minute read.

🏞️ Friday

You Can Visit U.S. National Parks for Free on These 6 Days in 2024
Planning on visiting any of the U.S. National Parks in 2024? Or simply looking for a good, cheap adventure? Then take note of the six days in 2024 on which all National Park Service sites that charge an entrance fee will offer free admission to everyone. These dates are also good to know if you want to avoid the crowds.

📺 Travel Videos of the Week

Great White Shark Breaks Safety Cage
This man miraculously survives after a great white shark breaches the safety cage. When I visited South Africa, I was offered to do this and I politely declined. It was mainly because I didn't want to go out on the rough 50-mile boat ride but after seeing this, I have no regrets. Here's the video.

🎁 Travel Product of the Week

Buffway Slim Minimalist Front Pocket RFID Blocking Leather Wallet
Last week, I wrote about how I'd had a number of credit cards hacked. Well, my wife just gave me an early Christmas present - an RFID-blocking wallet, which gives my credit cards and personal information an extra layer of protection. It's currently 25% off and makes a great gift, as well. Check it out here.

🌎 12 Things to Know in Travel This Week

1 Alaska Airlines grounds Boeing 737 Max 9 fleet after section blows out midair
2 TSA director arrested by US Customs and Border Protection in Florida
3 This country was just named the safest place to travel in 2024
4 At least 1 dead, nearly two dozen injured after tour bus rolls over on highway
5 Airport staff throughout Italy plan to strike
6 Boeing still hasn't fixed this problem on Max jets, so it's asking for an exemption to safety rules
7 Wave season cruise deals 2024: Book early, and save big
8 The most exciting new trains coming in 2024
9 Why reclining seats are vanishing from airplanes
10 Broadway takes massive hit as NYC suburbanites steer clear over ‘safety concerns’
11 4 tips on buying a home in Italy from an American who's done it
12 Cocaine scam: We were jailed on drug charges after airport ‘staff’ put our name on cocaine-filled bags, camera proved we were innocent

✅ Currency Exchange ✅ Calendar Countdown

✈️ Miles and Points