If you search “river cruising + Black” results might return the Black Sea or the Black Forest — but very rarely are Black travelers represented in river cruising. AmaWaterways is taking a step toward inclusivity with its “Soulful Epicurean Experience,” a first-of-its-kind sailing that will focus its Rhone River voyage in the South of France through the lens of Black history.

The seven-night “Colors of Provence” itinerary aboard AmaKristina is followed by a three-night post-cruise land package in Paris, which offers guests a more immersive experience that will focus on the city’s Black history and culture. Day one of the cruise there is a full-day Black heritage tour of Marseilles on offer, while the land tour portion includes…

If someone had to take over the Crystal brand, travel industry insiders say, there’s no better candidate than A&K chairman Manfredi Lefebrvre d’Ovidio. But still, there’s a long road ahead before travel advisors and their customers are made whole.

The announcement last week that Heritage Group, owner of A&K Travel Group, will acquire Crystal Serenity, Crystal Symphony, and the rights to the Crystal brand—and last week's news that it also is interested in Crystal Endeavor—was music to the ears of those who still hope to receive some commissions and sell the line again to its loyal customers.

Serenity and Symphony, purchased from Genting Hong Kong for a reported combined $128 million, are expected to resume service under the Crystal Cruises name next year after undergoing extensive refurbishment.…

In a statement on Tuesday, Scandinavian airline SAS announced it was filing for voluntary Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the United States. SAS is the national airline of Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. The SAS pilot’s union called for a strike on Monday, apparently precipitating the bankruptcy filing.Chapter 11 allows for a legal process for financial restructuring under Federal Court supervision. The announcement contained a clause indicating SAS operations and flight schedules are unaffected by the chapter 11 filing, and SAS will…
  — Travel Research Online
Read the rest of this article »