trips

ROYAL Caribbean has reportedly canceled a number of scheduled cruises out of Miami this summer.

The cruise ship operator is said to have told guests with already booked trips they are eligible for full refunds if offered alternatives do not work.

In an email seen by Royal Caribbean Blog, the company tells customers: “As part of our ongoing itinerary planning process – which sometimes requires flexibility due to scheduling, port agreements, or operational needs, Freedom of the Seas will be redeployed for our Summer 2027 season.

“We know how much effort goes into planning your vacation and apologize for the inconvenience.”

It is understood the liners will be redeployed to Southampton in the United Kingdom.

A spokesperson for Royal Caribbean told The New York Post: “Freedom of the Seas will sail from Southampton for the 2027 summer season, reflecting the continued strength of the UK & Ireland market.

“The move represents an upsizing of capacity and brings a Freedom Class ship — long regarded as a favorite among British and Irish guests — back to the region.”

Upwards of 20 voyages on Freedom of the Seas between May and September are thought to have been moved.

The trips were scheduled to depart from Miami to the Bahamas, Aruba and Curaçao.

The decision comes just weeks after Carnival Cruise Line pulled the plug on 11 routes.

The scrapped trips were aboard Carnival Firenze, the line’s Italian-themed ship that sails from Long Beach, California in short runs. 

Carnival said the affected departures were scheduled between October 12, and November 16. 

The change in Caribbean’s schedule means customers have been invited to rebook on alternative sailings or claim full refunds.

The email to customers adds: “Regardless of the sailing length of the cruise you move to, if your booking was already paid in full and your cruise fare decreases, we’ll provide you with a refund for the difference.”

One upon a time blokes couldn’t wait to cut the apron strings and jet off with their mates, but now mums are right up there as favourites among holiday companions

Travel trends have been dominated by lads’ holiday and girls’ trips for years.

But Brits are increasingly swapping group getaways for time away with the person who took them on their first ever holiday: their mum. New research from Heathrow Express reveals that 30% of adults have been away with their mum, parent or carer in the last three years.

Meanwhile 16% are planning a holiday with their mum in the next year, fuelling the rise of bonding trips based on connection. The research shows a growing desire for spending quality time with the people you love – nearly 60% worry they’re not making enough time for their mum, parent or carer as they get older.

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Those who do travel with parents believe there are real benefits, with 38% saying it’s a more relaxing experience than going away with friends. There are also long term advantages including creating lasting memories (37%) strengthening relationships (29%) and helping with reconnection (28%).

Aoife Considine, business lead at Heathrow Express, said: “Travel has a wonderful way of pressing pause on everyday life. When you’re away together, there’s space for conversations you don’t normally have and moments you don’t always make time for at home.

“For many adults, a trip with their mum or parent figure isn’t just another holiday – it’s a chance to reconnect, laugh about old stories and create new ones. Those are the kinds of memories people carry with them long after they’ve returned home.”

As families celebrate Mother’s Day, Heathrow Express is giving travellers 20% off from March 14 to 21 by using the discount code HEXMARCH.

Those jetting off over the Mother’s Day weekend itself can also get a complimentary dessert with any main course bought at Gordon Ramsay’s Plane Food Market at Heathrow Terminal 5.

Parents believe everyone in the family can get something out of a holiday when their children reach eight years old.

Family holidays can be stressful but new research has shown that they are considered to be most fun when children reach eight years old. A poll of 2,000 parents found eight is the age when everyone in the family gets the most out of holidays. At this stage, more than half (55%) of parents believe their children start to form lasting holiday memories, while 64% believe their children can start to get genuinely excited about new places.

What’s more, at eight years old 22% of parents say their children can contribute to the planning. This means parents are better able to relax themselves and can enjoy more shared hobbies and activities together with their kids.

Commissioned by Jet2holidays ahead of Mother’s Day, the research found 76% of mums who go on one or more getaways a year consider family holidays to be their highlight.

A spokesperson for the tour operator said: “Family holidays are special at all ages. However, there appears to be something especially great once kids reach eight years old – with the findings suggesting many kids are more curious, more engaged and better able to take in new experiences at this age.”

The study also identified what parents look for in a family getaway – with value for money (29%), a place which suits the whole family (28%) and good weather (28%) coming top.

Activities everyone can enjoy together are also considered key (17%), along with a destination which is easy to get around (15%) and genuinely family friendly accommodation (14%).

To ensure the kids in particular are happy, 30% ‘often’ or ‘always’ get them involved in the planning of a family break. They do so because it makes their little ones feel included and valued (46%), creates shared excitement (37%) and ensures activities suit their interests (34%).

The holiday milestones considered to be the most significant were going abroad as a family for the first time (35%), flying together for the first time (24%), as well visiting a theme park or major attraction for the first time (15%). Staying away from home overnight for the first time as a unit (14%) was also significant.

A spokesperson for Jet2holidays added: “It’s clear involving children in the planning process plays a big part in making a holiday memorable.

“And this is just one of a host of memorable holiday milestones they’ll be part of – whether that’s flying together for the first time or going abroad as a family stay with parents for years.

“This is why considerations like the right destination and accommodation are so important.

“We’re proud to help families make those memories by offering great value, family friendly holidays which cater to everyone, whatever stage of family life they’re in.”