If 2022 was the year of so-called “revenge travel” and airline meltdowns then 2023 was the year of reparations and a much-needed train renaissance. Over the last 12 months, we’ve reported on the much-needed changes the government is doing to improve travel for all Americans, including compensation for canceled flights.
We’ve also dedicated many hours to writing about what you, our readers, seem to love the most: trains. From sharing our once-in-a-lifetime experience aboard the Rocky Mountaineer and riding the rails from NYC to Orlando to previewing track improvements and highly-anticipated new routes, the humble train dominated our headlines.
Cruises—another slow, leisurely way to see the world—was back in a big way in 2023. We announced new ship launches and gave you an insider’s look into adults-only sailings. Plus, we tapped the experts for cruising etiquette and info you might not know as a first-time cruiser.
It was a busy year for travel in the U.S. and the stories you’ll find below are only a snapshot, reflecting the headlines that most piqued your interest. There’s more where these came from, and more to come as we gear up for 2024 with previews of anticipated hotel openings, new restaurants to look out for and more to look forward to in the U.S.
This cruise line is implementing a curfew and cracking down on rowdy passengers
Carnival Cruise Line announced that it was working to make passengers behave better.
Amtrak routes between New York and Montreal to resume
The Adirondack train running between New York City and Montreal returned for the first time since the route was suspended in early 2020.
The 10 worst tourist traps in America, according to disappointed travelers
The people of Reddit had opinions about tourist traps, specifically the ones you should absolutely avoid the next time you find yourself sightseeing in America.
The cleanest—and dirtiest—cruise ships have been announced
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) released the results of its twice-yearly Vessel Sanitation Program inspections, and these were the ships with the lowest and highest sanitation scores.
Amtrak will let you buy your own train car and attach it to any route you want
Folks found out they could purchase their own railroad train car, outfit it as lavishly as they’d like, and then pop it onto the back of an Amtrak train to be towed anywhere the line goes.
Traveling in the U.S. may soon start looking more like Europe
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) announced that $16.4 billion from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will be awarded to 25 passenger rail projects along the Northeast Corridor (NEC).