Travel Technology

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has given Royal Caribbean the go-ahead to begin testing one of its ships in U.S. waters. 

Starting in June, Royal Caribbean's “Freedom of the Seas” ship will be allowed to sail with volunteer passengers in preparation for regular sailings. It’s the first cruise ship to receive CDC approval to begin sailing on a provisional basis following more than a year of being out of service due to the pandemic. 

“After 15 months and so much work by so many during very challenging times, to all our colleagues, loyal guests and supporters all over the world, I am proud and pleased to share some bright and wonderful news,” CEO and President Michael Bayley wrote on Facebook. “We look forward to welcoming our crew, loyal guests and supporters from around the world this summer.”

Conditional sailing order

The ship will sail out of Port Miami starting June 20. All volunteer passengers must be 18 years of age or older and commit to following a number of pandemic precautions while sailing. 

Under the CDC’s Framework for Conditional Sailing Order, vaccine requirements are not mandatory for test sailings. Volunteers who aren’t vaccinated against COVID-19 must have written documentation from a health care provider that they aren’t at high risk of contracting a severe illness if they are exposed to the virus. 

Additional safety precautions that will be in effect include social distancing, mask requirements, and testing for COVID-19 before and after the trip. The test cruises are only for a limited number of unpaid volunteers invited by the cruise line.

The CDC said it discussed the safety of allowing simulation cruises at length prior to approving it. Health officials ultimately decided that it will be a safe step closer to pre-pandemic normalcy for the cruise industry. 

“Over the past month, senior leadership from CDC have met multiple times a week with cruise line senior executives to discuss the Framework for Conditional Sailing Order (CSO),” CDC spokesman Benjamin Haynes said in a statement. “During these meetings, participants asked questions and discussed the fastest path back to sailing without compromising safety. CDC and the cruise industry agree that the industry has what it needs to move forward and no additional roadblocks exist for resuming sailing by mid-summer.”

Travelers who are stuck overseas and holding a recently expired U.S. passport are being rescued by the State Department. The agency announced on Tuesday that it is working with the Department of Homeland Security to facilitate their return home. The agency says the move will help reduce travel difficulties and unprecedented appointment backlogs created by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Any U.S. citizen currently stranded overseas with a passport that expired on or after January 1, 2020, can use that passport anytime through December 31, 2021. There are certain criteria that apply, but the agencies ask that those travelers get in touch ahead of their trip home so that their eligibility for traveling can be confirmed and the paperwork can be processed before finalizing travel arrangements.

The agencies want travelers with expired passports to know that those documents cannot be used to travel from the U.S. to an international destination for any length of stay longer than an airport connection en route to the U.S. or to a U.S. territory (e.g. American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands).

For those wishing to renew their passport upon their return to the U.S., current processing times can be found on the U.S. Passports website.

Reconsider travel abroad

Even though international travel is starting to trend upward as the pandemic trends downward domestically, the State Department continues to strongly recommend that Americans think twice about traveling abroad — especially to places where COVID-19 levels remain high.

“We also remind U.S. citizens who wish to return to the United States that proof of a negative COVID-19 test result, taken within 72 hours of their flight’s departure, is required for air travel to the United States,” the agency said. 

The agency also reminds travelers that processing times for passports are currently running at about 10-12 weeks — a timeline that could push international travel back to mid-to-late August. 

Lyft has introduced a new feature that allows patients to schedule their own non-emergency medical rides via the Lyft app. 

The "Lyft Pass for Healthcare" service is designed to make it easier for patients to book their own medical transportation while still having it covered by a payer or provider. Lyft says patients currently have to go through their payers or providers to arrange a non-emergency transportation (NEMT) -- a process that can take several days. 

The ride-hailing company is hoping its app can help streamline the process by enabling health care providers to share a ride pass with eligible patients, which can be redeemed in the Lyft app. The patient can then enter the location and time for their ride

One limitation of the service is that health care organizations or social services agencies are in charge of setting a budget and approving pickup and drop-off locations. Still, eligible patients can enjoy not having to wait for the health system to schedule a medical ride. 

Gives patients more control

Lyft is hoping its new feature will be used to book rides to and from recurring appointments, public transportation, vaccinations, checkups, prescription pickups, and more. 

"We're inserting a world-class technology many are already familiar with into patients' care journey," Megan Callahan, VP of Lyft Healthcare, said in a statement. "By leveraging our superpower in consumer tech, we've automated an important piece of health access that allows patients to be self-sufficient and in control, while allowing our partners to focus on the services they provide, rather than on administrative processes."

In 2018, Uber launched a similar medical transportation program that also lets health care providers arrange rides for patients.

Consumers are apparently becoming more comfortable with ride-sharing. Uber Technologies, an industry leader in that service niche, says it doesn’t have enough drivers to make up for the surge in ride requests it’s receiving. Only a year ago, the pandemic had a sizable negative impact on sharing economy services because of social distancing measures that made people less inclined to share a ride with someone else.

In its latest filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Uber announced that total company bookings reached the highest monthly level ever in March 2021. The new high water mark could mean as much as $30 billion in annual bookings. 

The company’s Delivery business -- represented by UberEats and Uber Connect -- crossed another all-time threshold and is headed toward an estimated annual gross of $52 billion in March, growing more than 150 percent from March 2020 to March 2021.  

“As vaccination rates increase in the United States, we are observing that consumer demand for Mobility is recovering faster than driver availability, and consumer demand for Delivery continues to exceed courier availability,” Uber said in the filing.

More drivers are needed

On April 7, Uber announced that it is increasing investments in driver incentives to improve driver availability in the short-term. Its $250 million driver stimulus plan is designed to not only enhance earnings for its current fleet of drivers, but bring back drivers who pulled back on their availability during the COVID-19 pandemic. The company also hopes to attract new drivers to meet increased demand. 

“We want drivers to take advantage of higher earnings now because this is likely a temporary situation. As the recovery continues, we expect more drivers will be hitting the road, which means that over time earnings will come back to pre-Covid levels,” the company said last week.

The money’s pretty good, too. Uber reports that drivers in Philadelphia are earning $31.03 an hour, on average. In Chicago, the hourly earnings per driver are at $28.73. In Austin, Miami, and Phoenix, Uber drivers are taking in around $26 an hour. 

The company noted that those figures represent median hourly earnings, after Uber’s service fee, for all time on the Uber app (not just engaged time) for drivers spending 20 hours online per week. 

New fund gives rides to vaccination sites

The post-pandemic world got even rosier on Monday when it was announced that Uber, PayPal, and Walgreens are launching an $11 million Vaccine Access Fund -- thanks in great part to a notion recently floated by the White House.

When the Biden administration called on corporations to join in the effort to fight the pandemic and promote the use of vaccines, Uber, PayPal, and Walgreens were listening and came together to create the fund. The Vaccine Access Fund got an $11 million infusion to kickstart the fund for rides to vaccination sites. Consumers can also support the program by donating on PayPal, through the Uber app, or on the UberEats app. 

What happens to the donations when rides to vaccine sites aren’t needed anymore? “Any remaining funds will be used to advance health equity in underserved communities including helping to provide rides to medical appointments,” Uber said in a statement.

While travel plans have looked a lot different recently because of COVID-19, a new study conducted by researchers from Washington State University could have many consumers getting their suitcases ready. 

According to the findings, consumers are likely to be happier the more often they travel. The researchers found that talking about and researching trips, and then ultimately going on those trips, contributed to better overall well-being. 

“While things like work, family life, and friends play a bigger role in overall reports of well-being, the accumulation of travel experiences does appear to have a small yet noticeable effect on self-reported life satisfaction,” said researcher Chun-Chu (Bamboo) Chen. “It really illustrates the importance of being able to get out of your routine and experience new things.”  

Several benefits to more travel

To better understand how travel can impact consumers’ happiness and well-being, the researchers surveyed 500 people on their typical travel habits, including how often they travel in a year, why they travel, and their overall life satisfaction. 

The researchers learned that more than 50 percent of the respondents traveled for leisure at least four times a year -- and the more trips they took, the happier they were. The study also revealed that rather than just daydreaming about a vacation, participants were most likely to follow through with travel plans when they discussed their intentions with other people or actively spent time researching their desired destination. These participants were also more likely to make travel a regular part of their yearly plans. 

Ultimately, participants who traveled the most often were nearly 10 percent happier than those who put traveling on the back burner. 

Getting ready for travel

As consumers anxiously anticipate travel restrictions to be loosened in the coming months, it could be a good idea to start doing the research for an upcoming trip as soon as possible. Even if the trip is months away, getting in the travel mindset could help boost consumers’ moods. 

“This research shows the more people talk about and plan vacations the more likely they are to take them,” Chen said. “If you are like me and chomping at the bit to get out of dodge and see someplace new, this research will hopefully be some additional good motivation to start planning your next vacation.” 

Two hurricanes approaching the Gulf Coast could impact oil refineries and cause a short-term increase in gasoline prices. On the other hand, changes in Americans’ commuting patterns since late March may mitigate the effect.

With millions of Americans now working from home, gasoline demand has dropped, keeping fuel prices stable. New research published by Cars.com shows 66 percent of workers are no longer commuting to the office, and it’s not clear if and when they’ll return.

"As much of the American office workforce continues to work remotely, there is a major shift in commuting behavior, which is likely to have a lasting impact long after we return to the office," said Matt Schmitz, assistant managing editor for Cars.com. "Workers are saving up to an hour or more a day by not commuting, and finding significant value in this newfound gift of time.”

But the fuel savings may not last forever. The study found that because of the pandemic, mass transit may be less of a factor when workplaces reopen.

Less reliance on mass transit

“When they do finally return to the office, it won't be via mass transit,” Schmitz predicts. “Personal vehicles will dominate the work commute as distrust in public transport and ride-sharing continues."

That’s been borne out of new and used car sales data over the last three months. Consumers who might not have considered buying a vehicle before are buying cars now, some for the first time. Not only is mass transit ridership down, but consumers have also greatly reduced their reliance on ride-sharing.

How all of this affects gasoline prices in the months ahead remains to be seen. An increase in people driving personal vehicles could easily send gasoline demand back to pre-pandemic highs.

Lasting changes

On the other hand, the Cars.com research suggests some of the changes in consumer behavior may be lasting. Even after workplaces reopen, 35 percent of employees say they believe they’ll have the option of working remotely and will probably commute to the office less often.

Last week, a survey by KPMG found that there is almost no clamor among workers to return to the office, with 79 percent telling pollsters they believe they are more productive working from home. Fifty-five percent said they would like to have the flexibility to work remotely from now on.

The Cars.com study found two-thirds of employees say they have gained between 30 minutes and an hour a day because they aren’t commuting to the office. Forty-three percent say they’re using the time to watch TV, 38 percent are exercising, and 33 percent are spending it with family and friends.

The United States State Department has updated its travel advisory for the country of Mexico. The agency’s warning to American citizens going to Mexico is to exercise increased caution due to crime.

“Violent crime, such as homicide, kidnapping, carjacking, and robbery, is widespread,” wrote the agency in its advisory.

“The U.S. government has limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in many areas of Mexico as U.S. government employees are prohibited from travel to these areas,” essentially saying if you go, traveler beware.

High on the department’s list of areas that come with safety and security risks are the Mexican states of: Colima, Guerrero, Michoacán, Sinaloa, and Tamaulipas -- all due to crime.

“Even though most of those homicides appeared to be targeted, criminal organization assassinations, turf battles between criminal groups have resulted in violent crime in areas frequented by U.S. citizens. Bystanders have been injured or killed in shooting incidents,” the agency warns.

What Mexico has to say about this

Despite the State Department’s ever-present travel advisories, Mexico's tourism department has to like the numbers it sees.

In 2017, more than 35 million Americans travelled to Mexico, up from 20 million five years ago. Many -- if not most -- got there by air, and Mexico’s secretary of tourism Enrique de la Madrid appreciates how that bread’s getting buttered.

“Today, our close partners at American Airlines, confirmed to me how important Mexico is for their business,” Madrid wrote in a tweet. “After years of hard work, we have strengthened our air connectivity with the help of the biggest airline in the USA. Thank you, @AmericanAir.”

Can I go anywhere in Mexico?

The good news from the State Department is that there are still plenty of areas that it considers safe for tourists.

There are 22 tourist spots in Mexico that have been given the all-clear. Those include: Baja California (Ensenada, Rosarito, Tijuana); Cabo San Lucas, San Jose del Cabo, La Paz, Palenque, San Cristobal de las Casas, Tuxtla Gutierrez, Guadalajara, Puerto Vallarta, Chapala, Ajijic, Cancun, Cozumel, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, the Riviera Maya, Chichen Itza, Merida, Uxmal, and Valladolid.

Many of those approved destinations have all-inclusive resorts where tourists can enjoy South of the border life without danger.

Two of those popular resort communities -- the Cabos and Cancun -- appear to have turned things around from the warning the State Department issued for those destinations a year ago. However, Acapulco, once an American favorite, continues to be blacklisted by the State Department.

If you’re going to Mexico, use precaution

If traveling to Mexico is a must, the State Department has a checklist tourists should follow:

• Use toll roads when possible and avoid driving at night.

• Exercise increased caution when visiting local bars, nightclubs, and casinos.

• Do not display signs of wealth, such as wearing expensive watches or jewelry.

• Be extra vigilant when visiting banks or ATMs.

• Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.

• Follow the Department of State on Facebook and Twitter.

• Review the Crime and Safety Reports for Mexico.

• U.S. citizens who travel abroad should always have a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the Traveler’s Checklist.

• Visit the U.S. Embassy in Mexico’s website for both security and weather alerts.

In its early, unregulated days as a ride-hailing company, Uber introduced itself by simply showing up in major American cities. The company soon became known for angering an entrenched taxi cab lobby and local officials by claiming it shouldn't have to obtain permits because it is a ride “sharing” application and not a taxi service.

The dockless bike industry, now the center of municipal controversies for suddenly loading thousands of bikes on city sidewalks and tapping a new unregulated market, would seem only a natural fit.

Uber announced Monday that it is acquiring Jump, a New York start-up with an all-electric fleet of dockless bikes.

“Today, we help tens of millions of people get a ride at the tap of a button. But our ultimate goal is one we share with cities around the world: making it easier to live without owning a personal car,” Uber’s CEO Dara Khosrowshahi said in a statement.

Dallas’ bike drama

Automated bike rentals that require only a credit card to unlock have taken off in recent years. The services started off as city-backed, public-private partnerships that involved months of planning before they rolled out on streets. In successful models, such as the Citi Bikes that unveiled in New York City and Miami, docks were placed in key destinations across town, allowing residents and tourists to take the rentals from point A to point B.

But the red tape that came with building bike stations hampered efforts in other cities. In 2014, Dallas officials unveiled what came to be known as the world’s saddest bike sharing program, with exactly two bike-parking stations installed in the same deserted location.

Three years later, a new breed of private bike sharing services suddenly dropped their inventory off in the notoriously bike-unfriendly city. The dockless company LimeBike placed 10,000 bikes in Dallas for its debut. With LimeBike and its competitors, the lock connects the rear wheel to the bike itself, allowing riders to leave their bike wherever they choose when they are done.

“LimeBike eliminates docking stations by providing a flexible system of bikes that can go anywhere,” the company explains on its website.

The business model has been enormously successful; both LimeBike and Ofo, a Beijing-based competitor, have raised millions of dollars from investors. But the model is also ripe for vandalism.

In Dallas, pranksters have placed piles of LimeBikes in homeowners’ front yards; in one remarkable work of art, a LimeBike was sawed in half and attached to a telephone pole. Earlier this year, Ofo and LimeBike debuted in San Diego, where their inventory has already been thrown off cliffs.

Residents and local officials also complain about stray dockless bikes blocking their driveway or the right-of-way in the middle of the sidewalk.

In France, the Hong Kong-based dockless bike company Gobee.bike recently ended its service, saying in a statement that “the mass destruction of our fleet has become the new entertainment of underaged individuals.”

But most companies have raised too much funding to give up that easily. LimeBike initially responded to criticism in Dallas by blaming residents for the pile-ups.

"Are the bikes making it look like a dump?”  the company wrote in one especially accusatory Tweet. “Or are your fellow citizens, who are turning over the bikes, and abusing the property we provide for our thousands of riders in Dallas a week...making it look like a dump??”

The company back-tracked not long after, deleting the post and promising to increase its staff in Dallas to better manage the inventory.

Electric-assist bicycles with different locks

Jump may be able avoid such headaches with a built-in lock that attaches to a fixed object rather than the bike itself. In other words, riders won’t be able to stop the trip (and their credit card from being charged) by leaving the bike in the middle of a sidewalk. They’ll have to find a street sign or an actual bike rack.

What cities will like look when electric bikes flood the streets remains to be seen, as the industry is still in its “testing” phase. In Washington D.C., Jump rolled out its services with just 20 bikes to start.

In San Francisco, the company recently won an exclusive permit from city officials that allows for 250 bikes at the behest of its non-electric competitors -- though LimeBike and others also plan on rolling out their own electric fleets in other cities as well.

The bikes can travel up to 20 miles an hour and at times act more like a motorcycle than a bicycle, requiring riders to take the streets rather than car-free bike paths.

There is no guarantee that the battery will be fully charged when riders hop on; according to the company, the batteries last approximately 40 miles. Once they lose charge, users will have to be in decent enough shape to handle a 210 pound bike manually.

“Please do not travel outside of the system area unless you are comfortable pedaling without the electric assist should the battery run out,” Jump says on its Support page, adding that the onus is on riders to let the company know when a a battery has lost charge. “If you are riding a bike and the pedal assist runs out, please put it in repair on the bikes controller when ending your rental.”

The service may also raise privacy concerns. According to Jump’s rental agreement, riders will be photographed and recorded while they are on the bike. “We reserve the right to photograph and record You using the Bicycle(s),” it says.

The company has not yet returned inquiries about its batteries and waiver.

Now that the holiday shopping season is officially underway, don't forget that gifts can include experiences as well as things.

Giving family members a gift of travel might be a refreshing and rewarding change from gadgets and gift cards. A 2016 study by Cornell University psychologist Thomas Gilovich concludes happiness is derived from experiences, not things.

"We remember experiences long afterward, while we soon become used to our possessions," Gilovich writes. "At the same time, we also enjoy the anticipation of having an experience more than the anticipation of owning a possession."

Travel companies are offering deep discounts and travel bargains to gain a share of the holiday shopping budget. It's providing some attractive offers that aren't normally found for winter-time destinations.

Wyndham Extra Holidays put a number of destinations on sale during Black Friday week and is still offering some attractive travel packages in the U.S. and Canada.

Among them is the the Wyndham Grand Desert in Las Vegas, one of the growing number of family oriented resorts in the gaming capital of the U.S. The facility consists of three towers providing views of the city's skyline, as well as mountains in the distance.

A free shuttle moves guests around the city, including to stops along the Strip. The one- and two-bedroom suites sleep four to eight guests and range from 612 to 1,325 square feet. They come with a mini or full kitchen and a washer/dryer, which adds comfort and economy for an extended visit.

Caribbean destinations

Just in time for the holiday shopping season, the Jamaican resort Half Moon is rolling out five new packages at what the company describes as "attractive rates."

"We are delighted to debut a diverse array of new travel packages as there is truly something for every traveler to enjoy at Half Moon, from an authentic taste of Jamaican cuisine and culture to spa to golf and so much more," said Sandro Fabris, general manager at Half Moon.

Among the five packages is "Bed & Breakfast," which provides guests complimentary breakfast during the length of their stay, transportation to and from the airport, and 10 percent off the best available rate for ocean view rooms and suites. Rates start at $258 per night with a two-night minimum.

Discount travel sites are rolling out their winter bargains as well. For example, CheapCaribbean.com is currently promoting an all inclusive stay at Jamaica's Riu Montego Bay -- five nights with air transportation from $859.

The resort has 681 rooms spread across the property. Rooms include a balcony or terrace, satellite TV, mini bar, and electronic safe.

The site is also promoting four nights, all inclusive with air transportation, to Barcelo Maya Beach & Caribe. The package is marked down from $1,589 to $669.

Cruise packages

Royal Caribbean is offering a variety of packages on some of its on some most popular cruises over the holidays. During "Cyber Week," it marked down its four-night Western Caribbean Cruise to a starting price of $195 per person, leaving from Galveston aboard Vision of the Seas.

A three night Bahamas cruise leaving from Port Canaveral aboard Enchantment of the Seas starts at $213 per person.

If your priority when traveling is to interact with interesting people and stimulate your mind, a trip to one of the earth's Blue Zones should be on your itinerary.

The term was popularized by National Geographic writer Dan Buettner, who wrote a 2005 cover story "The Secrets of a Long Life."

Buettner identified five global locations where statistics and personal observations showed the population to be healthier, happier, and more likely to live longer than the global population as a whole. The five Blue Zones are:

Sardinia, Italy
Okinawa, Japan
Nicoya, Costa Rica
Ikaria, Greece
Loma Linda, California

While none of these locations are especially trendy tourism destinations, people who travel there say they can be spiritually uplifting.

Sardinia

At first glance, this Mediterranean island looks like a typical European vacation spot. Sardinia’s white sandy beaches, museums, and archaeological sites draw visitors from around the world.

But the inland mountain communities are largely unchanged over the centuries. Here, researchers found an above-average number of inhabitants over the age of 100. The village of Seulo had 20 residents over 100 during a period from 1996 to 2016.

Travelers seeking the secrets to longevity will find a people who have remained culturally isolated, yet closely connected to family and friends. Anthropologists say they have also maintained a traditional, healthy lifestyle.

Getting there is fairly easy since the island has three international airports, served by European and international carriers. Ferries also connect the island to mainland Italy.

Okinawa

Okinawa, a Japanese island in the Pacific, also has a record of longevity, especially among its women. Its citizens also display a strong social network, called a "moai."

Visitors to Okinawa enjoy its beaches and coral reefs, which provide excellent diving and snorkeling opportunities. There are also plenty of opportunities to mix with the locals at shops, bars, and restaurants.

Travelers can get to Okinawa through NaHa Airport with connections from Japan, China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan.

Nicoya

Latin America's Blue Zone is found in Nicoya, Costa Rica–a small peninsula on the Pacific coast of this central American country. The people of Nicoya are known for their "plan de vida," or "reason to live." Older citizens in particular maintain a positive outlook and active lifestyle.

Barra Honda National Park is known for its dramatic cave tours, including the Cacerna Terciopelo. Nature lovers can book accommodations in the Cura National Wildlife Refuge and take a private eco-adventure tour.

Nicoya is served by Liberia Airport, which is 31 miles away and serves 14 domestic and international airlines.

Ikaria

A tiny Greek island in the Aegean Sea, Ikaria is called "the island where people forget to die." Its long history has given it a rich culture emphasizing tradition and strong family values.

Not only do island residents tend to live longer, there is almost no dementia as people reach their 90s and beyond.

For the traveler, Ikaria offers a picturesque landscape with beautiful beaches and small seaside villages. Visitors enjoy the slow pace and hospitality displayed by the locals. Attractions also include ancient caves and thermal spas.

The airport on Ikaria opened in 1995 and has daily domestic flights from Athens.

Loma Linda, California

The fifth Blue Zone is in the U.S., easier and less expensive for Americans to visit. Loma Linda, in Southern California east of Los Angeles, has a large community of Seventh Day Adventists, who live as much as a decade longer than the average U.S. population.

Visitors who get to know the residents of Loma Linda may discover some common traits. The residents get regular, moderate exercise; they find time for quiet meditation; they maintain a healthy body mass index (BMI); and they eat a healthy diet that includes a lot of nuts.

Visiting any of these five Blue Zones may not guarantee a longer life, but you're sure to gain some valuable lifestyle insights from locals you encounter.

Because of recent terrorist strikes in European cities, most recently in Barcelona, American travelers have had to exercise more caution when traveling to European countries.

The same is apparently true for two popular destinations closer to U.S. shores -- Cancun and Los Cabos, two resort cities on opposite shores of Mexico. The U.S. State Department recently warned Americans to exercise caution when traveling to the two vacation spots because of an increasing amount of violence.

According to the State Department, the violence is primarily between rival criminal organizations, but sometimes innocent people have become victims. It says criminal organizations have also targeted tourists for kidnappings, carjackings, and robbery.

Travelers as a source of revenue

The State Department says kidnappings are usually carried out for financial gain, and take three forms. A victim is taken prisoner and held until a ransom is paid, or picked up on the street and forced, at gunpoint, to make withdrawals from ATMs.

There have even been cases of "virtual" kidnappings, where hotel guests are contacted by phone and threatened with harm unless they provide contact information for family and friends in the U.S. The victims are then kept isolated while ransom demands are made.

While kidnappings carry the threat of violence, the State Department reports both regions have seen increases in actual violence that can threaten visitors, even if they are not the intended targets.

"Gun battles between rival criminal organizations or with Mexican authorities have taken place on streets and in public places during broad daylight," the State Department said in its travel advisory. "The Mexican government dedicates substantial resources to protect visitors to major tourist destinations and has engaged in an extensive effort to counter criminal organizations that engage in narcotics trafficking and other unlawful activities throughout Mexico."

Targets of opportunity

The State Department sees no evidence that criminal organizations have targeted U.S. citizens based on their nationality. Rather, they appear to be targets of opportunity.

The updated travel advisory specifically bars U.S. government personnel from patronizing adult clubs and gambling establishments in the states of Coahuila, Durango, Zacatecas, Aguascalientes, San Luis Potosi, Nuevo Leon, Tamaulipas, Jalisco, Colima, and Nayarit.

While warnings have been expanded to many areas of Mexico, many other areas are not included in the travel advisory. They include Mexico City, Campeche, Guanajuato, Hidalgo, Pueblo, Queretaro, Tabasco, and Tlaxcala.

Mexican violence is not exactly new. What is new, according to the Los Angeles Times, is its spread to popular tourist resorts that have, until now, been considered relatively safe.

The Times reports there have been gun battles in downtown Cancun. In Los Cabos, three people died when they were shot earlier this month at a popular beach.

Back in February, Waze announced that it would be expanding tests of its ride-sharing app to several U.S. cities. And now, after a series of successful tests in the San Francisco Bay area and its home country of Israel, the company says it will be rolling out its service to consumers throughout California.

The Los Angeles Times reports that Waze’s carpooling app will be available to California travelers on June 6. Passengers who are looking to carpool with drivers going in the same direction can download the app, called “Waze Carpool,” to request a ride.

Although it hasn’t released any test data in the last year, the company says that the app has been “thriving” in its test markets and is ready for the California rollout. Although Waze does not currently take a commission of rides scheduled on its app – a major departure from other ride-sharing apps that has driven down costs – Waze’s head of carpool Josh Fried says that might change over time.

“In the future when we think the service is operating at a quality that warrants a commission, we’ll add a commission,” he said.

Cheaper than other services

Despite the prospect of future commissions, one of the main drawing points for Waze Carpool is that it is much cheaper than other ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft. The company boasts that riders pay no more than the IRS’ mileage reimbursement rate of 54 cents per mile, and all of that money currently goes to the driver.

The service also takes a much looser stance when it comes to its drivers, saying that they are not employees or private contractors. Because users of the app are only looking for travelers going in the same direction, drivers currently don’t need a commercial car license to pick up passengers.

Drivers also don’t need to jump through too many hoops to start making money. There’s still a measure of safety for passengers since drivers can upload a photo of themselves to the app and can be rated, endorsed, and judged by past passengers, but Waze does not require a background check.

“In terms of vetting drivers, they’re not our employees or independent contractors. They’re regular, everyday drivers,” explained Fried.

Not an on-demand service

Waze Carpool also differs from other ride-sharing services in that it is not intended to offer a ride-on-demand service. Users looking for an instant ride could luck out if there is a driver available in their area going in the same direction, but reports suggest that it is better to request a ride hours, or even days, in advance to have a better shot of being picked up. Anyone who has the Waze app can sign up to be a driver.

Waze says that its app is committed to fighting traffic by reducing the number of cars on the road, and that it looks forward to providing its service to Californians.

“No longer will Californians be held captive by their horrific commute…Join us in working to together to fight daily traffic, improve our commute, help protect the environment and save a little money,” the company said in a blog post.

A consumer named John A. Taylor, who is an enthusiastic drone hobbyist, didn't think it was right that he had to register his aircraft with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

After researching the 2015 registration rule, he filed a lawsuit against the agency, claiming Congress had already weighed in on the issue, specifically barring the FAA from regulating non-commercial drones.

The case made it all the way to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia, which sided with Taylor and nullified the FAA's rule.

“The FAA’s 2015 registration rule, which applies to model aircraft, directly violates that clear statutory prohibition,” the justices wrote. “We therefore grant Taylor’s petition and vacate the registration rule to the extent it applies to model aircraft.”

Ruling doesn't effect requirement for commercial drones

Drones used for commercial, or for-profit applications, including real estate photography, must still be registered with the FAA.

The recreational drone registration rule had not yet been finalized. But it required operators to fill out a form with name, address, and email address, and pay a $5 filing fee. It also required operators to display an FAA registration number on the aircraft at all time.

The FAA has expressed growing concern that the proliferation of these unmanned aerial vehicles can pose a threat to manned aircraft, in particular commercial aviation.

Security concerns

At the end of last month the agency conducted detection exercises at Dallas-Fort Worth Airport to evaluate any safety threat posed by unmanned drones, whether commercial or recreational.

"Drones that enter the airspace around airports can pose serious safety threats," the FAA said in a release.

For now, if you have a recreational drone, you don't have to register it with the FAA. However, that may not be the end of the story.

In response to the court ruling, the FAA issued a statement saying it is weighing its options. One option is to appeal the ruling to the U.S. Supreme Court. A more likely move, however, is to ask Congress to address the question with legislation.

In just about every aspect of life these days, there's a written agreement that contains a lot of fine print few of us ever bother to read.

We should. Not only could it keep us out of trouble, it might even save us a lot of money, especially when traveling.

Travel appears to entail a lot of fine print in agreements, from airlines tickets, to rental cars, to credit cards. The editors at CheapFlights.com, a travel site, recently pored over all the fine print they could find when it travel. It was enlightening reading, to say the least.

Credit cards

For example, the fine print in your credit card agreement may extend a lot of travel benefits you didn't know you had. Many, but not all, cards provide limited forms of travel insurance.

For example, some cards will reimburse you if you book a trip but have to cancel it for good reasons, like getting sick. Most cards offer at least secondary insurance coverage on rental cars. It's usually limited to damage only, but that can be a benefit because if you have a fender bender, the credit card company takes care of it and you don't have to file a claim with your auto insurance provider -- a claim that almost certainly will result in higher rates.

Airlines

When dealing with an airline, read the fine print about cancellation fees, which just about every airline now charges. CheapFlights.com says it found airlines typically allow you to cancel your reservation at no charge, if you do it within the first 24 hours.

Almost all airlines charge rebooking fees, but you usually don't have to pay them when the airline cancels a flight, especially because of bad weather. That information is in the fine print.

If you book your flight well in advance, keep track of the fares on your flight. Very often they go down. CheapFlights says some airlines will refund the difference if you ask them to. Again, you wouldn't know that unless you read the fine print.

What about when your luggage, or its contents, are damaged during the flight? The airline will usually pay, but how much will be spelled out in the fine print.

Airline overbooking has been a hot topic since that incident in Chicago last month when a passenger was forcibly ejected from a United Airlines flight. If you are bumped, or voluntarily give up your seat, the airline will compensate you, and the potential amount will be spelled out in the fine print.

Learn more in the ConsumerAffairs Travel Insurance Buyers Guide.

You don't have to be a veteran of the 1960s music scene to appreciate the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, on the city's Lake Erie waterfront. And the summer of 2017 might be a great time to visit.

First of all, if you still have framed ticket stubs from that Doors concert you attended way back when, the exhibits in the Hall are certain to get your juices flowing.

But young people, particularly young musicians, will find a visit to the beautiful, pyramid-shaped glass building stimulating as well.

There, they can not only breathe in the air of early rock, they can also feel the connective tissue of music history, linking a contemporary artist like Kendrick Lamar back to early hip hop, and from there back to the King of Soul, James Brown.

Artist exhibits

The exhibits tend to change, but always focus on artists and groups who have earned their way into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Recent exhibits have included Janice Joplin's Porsche and the instruments, equipment, and concert posters of groups like The Byrds and The Grateful Dead, who today are not only appreciated by rock historians, but still have legions of fans.

Some exhibits have focused on particular cities, and their influence on the music genre. The Memphis exhibit highlighted Sun Records and Sam Phillips, who worked with legends like Elvis Presley, Carl Perkins, and Johnny Cash.

Of course, a visit to the Hall means there's always a good chance you'll get to hear some music. This summer, the Hall has announced more than 50 live concerts and other events.

Prince Day

June 7 is Prince Day, honoring the music of the prolific and eclectic artist who died last year. The Hall will throw a U2 tailgate party on July 1, in advance of the band's Cleveland concert. A major rock show is scheduled for July 22, headlined by Drive-By Truckers.

Meanwhile, a number of free music events are scheduled throughout the summer at the Outdoor Main Stage.

Walking through the Hall is sort of like walking through a modern airport or shopping mall -- it's open and has lots of glass. Tours are self-guided and visitors follow well-defined paths.

The induction ceremonies into the Hall are always big events, and are usually held outside Cleveland. For example, last month's induction took place in Brooklyn, though the Hall has announced the 2018 ceremonies will return to the Hall. Tickets can be in excess of $100, but true music fans call it a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

The cost of visiting the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is $23.50 for general admission, $21.25 for seniors, and $13.75 for children six to 12. Children under age 6 get in free. Of course, if you have a museum membership, admission is free.

You'll find group rates here.

Getting there

Cleveland International Airport has good connections from just about everywhere. It's served primarily by Air Canada, Delta, Frontier, JetBlue, American, United, Spirit, and Southwest.

Located on the city's southwest side, the airport is only about 20 minutes from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

The Hall also has accommodation package agreements with several nearby hotels, some of which offer shuttle service to and from the Hall. You can check them out here.

In the strange world of U.S. commercial air travel, the latest "innovation" is denying overhead bin space and assigned seating to customers looking for a cheap seat.

Economizing travelers are apparently supposed to wear all of their clothing and stuff other essentials into their pockets. Actually, this is not much different from the current policy under which passengers -- even those who have paid full fare -- are ordered not to even think of putting their coats in the overhead bins. 

As one who recently sweated through a six-hour flight from frosty New York to balmy California while wearing a fleece-lined coat despite having purchased a "premium" seat on JetBlue, this does not impress me as a consumer-friendly initiative.

Me-too marketing

Delta originally dreamed up this variation on the "No soup for you" school of customer service. United quickly said it would follow suit and now American has done the same.

Besides being denied bin space, those taking advantage of the ultra-low fares will have to board the plane last and take whatever seat they can find. This could actually be seen as a benefit, since the less time one can spend on a legacy carrier the better, but that's not how the airline marketers see it.

In fact, Delta says its no-bin-space program is so effective that many passengers reject it when they learn more about it. About half of those who start out shopping for the lowest-fare seats on Delta's site trade up a notch or two when they view all the restrictions that come with the cheapest seats, the airline said.

Only in commercial air travel would a program that customers reject be hyped as proof of its success, but sit back and relax. Something even more bizarre will no doubt be along soon.

It wasn’t until we boarded our train that my husband realized he was missing his travel bag with his iPad. Our techie daughter remotely locked the device and soon got a signal indicating that the iPad was still at the hotel. Our story has a happy ending: the bag was left in our room, turned in to the front desk, and was sent to us the next day.

I wish I could say that’s the only experience we’ve had with a lost item. We’ve wasted precious time looking for misplaced items, especially difficult while traveling and on a schedule. On our last trip my husband put a Bluetooth tracker in each of our suitcases, making it easy to track and locate them.

There is a never-ending supply of products embracing the latest technologies; many are useful for travelers, making life easier and more enjoyable. Here are five helpers:

1.    Tracking Devices

Trackers are small GPS-type devices that you affix to (or insert in) items you do not want to lose, such as your luggage, keys, or wallet. You then use an app on your smartphone or tablet to track and locate them. Some of these devices use Bluetooth technology.

2.    Portable Charger

Mobile devices use a lot of power and the last thing you want while traveling is a device that quits in the middle of a task. While they won’t charge as quickly as a wall charger in an AC outlet, portable chargers are a convenient way to keep charged while traveling.

Some questions to ask before buying a wireless charger: Does the charger support your device? Do you have the correct cords to connect your charger to your device? It’s important that the charger supports both an iPhone and tablet. Charge times vary depending on your device, so make sure that you have a charger that will sufficiently recharge your device as quickly as possible.

3.    SD Card

It’s a hassle to return from a trip and transfer photos from several different devices to your computer. SD cards make it easier by allowing you to transfer your photos from your camera directly to your cellular phone and iPad using an SD Card Camera Reader.  

4.    Mobile Hot Spot

Who hasn’t hunted for a Starbucks in the United States seeking free Wi-Fi? While most of us want to remain connected while traveling, it’s crucial that we connect in ways that are safe and reasonable. Relying on Wi-Fi can pose a security risk and many hotels charge fees for their Wi-Fi, which isn’t always reliable. Hotspots can fill the gap; they provide more security and usually have enough charge to last all day long and if not, can be charged with a portable charger or by plugging into an outlet (just remember to bring a USB cord and wall charger).

5.    Camera Monitoring or Video Surveillance Devices

It can be comforting to keep an eye on things at home while away. There are a variety of options at diverse price points to monitor different parts of your home with motion detection, audio, and also recording events.  

Many companies manufacture and sell these products. Be a savvy consumer and do your own due diligence to find products and companies that meet your unique needs.