🌍 Weekly Travel News Update : March 12, 2025
- Darian Abraham
- Mar 12
- 3 min read
Updated: Mar 16
From U.S. policy changes to airline expansions and trending global destinations, here’s what’s happening in travel this week.
🚢 Air Travel News
🇺🇸 🧳 Southwest Airlines Ends Free Checked Bags Policy
After over 50 years of allowing free checked bags, Southwest Airlines has announced that it will begin charging for checked luggage starting with bookings made on or after May 28, 2025. Under the new policy:
Two Free Checked Bags: Available for top loyalty customers and those purchasing premium tickets.
One Free Checked Bag: Available for the next tier of loyalty members or Southwest credit cardholders.
No Free Checked Bags: All other travelers will be required to pay a fee, the amount of which has yet to be disclosed.
This shift aligns Southwest with other major U.S. carriers that have long charged for checked baggage and basic economy fares. The decision aims to boost revenue and adapt to industry norms but may alienate loyal customers who prioritized the airline's previous free checked baggage policy.
Sources:
The Wall Street Journal: "Bags Will No Longer Fly Free on Southwest Airlines"
CT Insider: "Southwest Airlines says goodbye to 'bags fly free' policy, as it introduces new fare structure"
AS ⚡ Airlines Ban In-Flight Power Bank Use
Starting March 15, 2025, airlines including Thai Airways, AirAsia, Eva Air, China Airlines, and Starlux have banned charging or using power banks during flights due to fire safety concerns. Passengers can carry power banks in hand luggage but cannot use them mid-flight. Asia’s Airlines Crack Down on Lithium Batteries as Fire Risks
🚢 Cruise Industry News
EU Controversy Over New Cruise Port in Fiumicino, Italy
Plans to develop the Fiumicino Waterfront into a port accommodating giant cruise ships have sparked controversy in the town of Isola Sacra, Fiumicino, Italy. The project, proposed by Royal Caribbean and Icon Infrastructure, aims to boost tourism and create approximately 7,000 jobs. However, local grassroots groups and residents express concerns over potential environmental impacts, including coastal erosion and loss of marine ecosystems, fearing the transformation of the coastline into a concrete landscape. While the Italian government has included the project in its jubilee year works, construction has yet to begin, leaving its future uncertain. theguardian.com
🇺🇸 Norovirus Outbreak on Princess Cruises' Ship
The Coral Princess cruise ship experienced a norovirus outbreak, with 82 individuals falling ill during a nearly three-week journey from California to Florida. Among the 1,906 passengers, 69 reported symptoms, along with 13 of the 895 crew members. This marks the second such outbreak on this ship within the same year, prompting the cruise line to implement enhanced sanitization protocols and isolate affected individuals. The ship completed its voyage on March 9, with stops in Mexico, Costa Rica, Aruba, and the Panama Canal before reaching Fort Lauderdale. nypost.com
🌍 Trending Destinations
🏆 Croatia Named Europe's Top Travel Destination for 2025
Forbes honored Croatia as the Europe's No. 1 travel destination for 2025, surpassing traditional favorites like Spain, Italy, and Greece. This accolade was awarded at the ITB Berlin travel fair, based on over one million votes from travelers worldwide. Croatia's appeal lies in its stunning coastline, historic towns, rich culture, Mediterranean cuisine, and adventure tourism. The top 10 included:
Croatia
Spain
Austria
Italy
Greece
Portugal
France
Turkey
Germany
Ireland
Sources:
📌 Disclaimer & Sources
The information provided in this article is based on publicly available news and reports as of March 14, 2025. Travel policies, airline regulations, cruise industry developments, and destination rankings may change over time. Readers are advised to verify details with official airline websites, government agencies, and travel providers before making any travel plans. This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or travel advice.
For the latest updates and more information, refer to these verified sources:
🛫 Air Travel News Sources:
Southwest Airlines Ends Free Checked Bags Policy:
Airlines Ban In-Flight Power Bank Use:
🚢 Cruise Industry News Sources:
Fiumicino Cruise Port Controversy:
Norovirus Outbreak on Coral Princess:
🌍 Trending Destinations Sources:
Croatia Named Europe’s Top Destination & Top 10 List:
For real-time travel alerts and updates, visit:
U.S. State Department – Travel Advisories
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) – Travel Health
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