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Wepa, travelers! Every week, our Travel Team gets flooded with story tips and announcements that we can’t always chase down, but we don’t want you to miss out on any of the biggest developments in travel. That’s why we’re rounding them up right here — quick, easy and packed with wanderlust-worthy updates.
As someone who loves both urban winter magic and free things, my favorite news this week is that the Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park is officially open to the public! It’s home to NYC’s only free-admission ice skating rink (and one of the largest), almost too many holiday shops, and cozy bites and drinks at The Lodge. The rink and lodge stay open through March 1, 2026, while the shops 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 up to launch “National Geographic Signature,” a high-end travel style debuting in 2027 that blends luxury, education, and community-focused tourism.
- Celebrity Cruises has taken delivery of its newest ship, Celebrity Xcel, debuting in November 2025 with fresh spaces inspired by traveler feedback — plus announced construction on Celebrity Xcite, launching in 2028.
- Carnival Cruise Line is expanding its footprint in the Gulf Coast, with Carnival Valor homeporting year-round from Mobile, Alabama, starting in 2027, marking a major win for regional cruise fans.
- Alaska Airlines announced 13 new routes for 2026, including new destinations 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 special events, patriotic experiences, and the Soarin’ Across America attraction opening in summer 2026.
- Air France will soon launch its first nonstop service between Las Vegas’ Harry Reid International Airport and Paris-Charles de Gaulle – the first new destination for the French carrier’s summer 2026 schedule. The route will begin on April 15, 2026, flying three times a week.
- LEGOLAND’s California and Florida will transform into festive winter wonderlands starting from November 22 until January 4. Visitors can enjoy a LEGO Santa, a 30-foot-tall Christmas tree, and take “elfies” with their favorite holiday LEGO characters.
Spotlight on national park communities
Parks Reporter Eve Chen teamed up with Ignacio Calderón earlier this week to report on how the government shutdown is causing national parks to operate with reduced staff, impacting nearby businesses. Gateway communities near national parks risk losing up to $80 million in visitor spending each day. Read their story by clicking/tapping here.
See you on the road,
— Josh Rivera, Senior Travel Editor