By Judy Newell
Mexico News
Netherlands Returns pre-Hispanic Artifacts
On December 1, the Ministry of Culture announced that 223 archeological pieces were returned home to Mexico from the Netherlands thanks to an agreement with the European country.
An initial inspection of the pieces, carried out by INAH’s experts, confirmed that they are pre-Hispanic artifacts from cultures in western Mexico, the central highlands—also known as the Mexican Altiplano, the Gulf of Mexico, and the southeast region of the country.
They date from the Mesoamerican Preclassic Period (1200 BC—400 BC) to the Postclassic Period (AD 800—AD 1521).
Mexico’s current administration has prioritized the recovery of national cultural heritage from abroad. Some 9,000 national pieces have been recovered since López Obrador took office in December 2018.
As part of the recovery strategy, Mexico has filed lawsuits in different countries against the auction of Mexican pieces. Countries like Guatemala, Honduras, Peru, and Colombia have joined the campaign as they also try to recover heritage that is illegally sold in foreign countries.
In November two different manuscripts signed by Spanish conquistador Hernán Cortés were also returned to Mexico.
International News
Real ID Deadline is Extended Again
Recently we were told that the Real ID deadline was fast approaching. Well, U.S. officials must have felt that the May 3, 2023, deadline was still too close and pushed it back another two years. Now, flyers won’t need Real ID-compliant licenses to board domestic flights until 2025.
The Real ID Act will not be enforced until May 2025 according to The Department of Homeland Security.
The DHS pointed to «the lingering impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic» as the reason for the delay noting that the pandemic made it difficult for people to obtain licenses or identification cards that are Real ID-compliant. The delay is meant to give states enough time to work through backlogs.
Real ID enforcement has been repeatedly delayed since the original deadline in 2008. And while no one likes going to the DMV, 17 years seems like more than enough time for everyone to upgrade their standard license by 2025.
Cruise News
Big Savings on Your Next Cruise
Explore mountains in Alaska or canals in the Netherlands. Wherever your next cruise takes you, you’ll save big. Enjoy 50% off all cruises! For a limited time second guest cruises free.
Plus, get free airfare, free unlimited open bar, free specialty dining, free shore excursions, and more with Norwegian’s all-inclusive Free at Sea.
Royal Caribbean Ship Sails on Renewable Fuels
Royal Caribbean Group says it is the first major cruise operator to sail from the U.S. using renewable diesel fuel. Navigator of the Seas is sailing from the Port of Los Angeles to Mexico.
It comes less than a year after the unveiling of the Destination Net Zero scheme. The renewable fuel contains less carbon than traditional marine fuels. It plans to continue using lower carbon fuel to meet part of the Los Angeles-based ship’s fuel needs as it evaluates the feasibility for long-term use. It has ambitions to expand to other ships across the fleet.
It follows a similar trial by the Group’s joint venture partner, Hapag-Lloyd Cruises, which is exploring a different process for developing sustainable biofuels.
In addition, Royal Caribbean Group is set to debut the first hybrid-powered ship in summer 2023 as part of Silversea Cruises newest class of ships, Nova class.
It is also working to reduce emissions while at port by investing in shore power on its ships.
Aviation News
U.S. Travelers Just Got US$600 Million in Airline Refunds
In a historic enforcement action, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) announced on November 21 that it has fined six airlines a collective US$7.5 million for canceling or significantly delaying flights and not refunding travelers’ money in a timely manner during the air travel upheaval caused by the pandemic.
In addition to the government fines, the six airlines were forced to refund US$600 million to hundreds of thousands of U.S. passengers who had their flights significantly changed or canceled since the onset of the pandemic.
The flight disruptions in question spanned from March 2020 to earlier this year when many airlines were selling tickets for spring and summer flights they couldn’t operate due to staffing issues and other operational snares leading to cancellations and delays en masse.
As part of the enforcement action, Aeromexico paid passengers US$13.6 million in required refunds and a US$900,000 penalty.
Deal of the Week
All-inclusive voyages from US$2,399 plus free international airfare! Offer ends December 31, 2022, for March—August 2023 river cruises.
Danube Waltz
Eight Days | Six Guided Tours | Four Countries
Passau to Budapest from US$2,599.
Marvel at Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna, the home of the Hapsburg Dynasty, and explore the storybook Neuschwanstein Castle in Bavaria.
Romantic Danube
Eight Days | Five Guided Tours | Three Countries
Regensburg to Budapest from US$2,899.
Visit the hilltop Fisherman’s Bastion in Budapest, and delve into Jewish history and culture in Regensburg.
Judy Newell, an international travel consultant for over 50 years, heads Perfect Journeys and specializes in unique travel experiences to destinations around the world. She custom designs journeys that are tailored to suit client’s interests, physical abilities, and budgets. Please contact Judy for further information on Travel News topics, Mexico, and international travel. Cell phone 415 111 8765; Vonage 949 300 3682; email at judynewell@perfectjourneys.net. Her office is in Rancho Los Labradores on the highway to Dolores Hidalgo.
Sources: Mexico News Daily, The Navigator, Norwegian Cruise Line, Travel Mole, Condé Nast Traveler, and Viking.
