Hello and welcome to the Informed Traveler Podcast Newsletter, our monthly newsletter designed to compliment our weekly travel podcast, offer additional travel tidbits and tips. As always, your feedback is welcome.

Quotes from last month's podcast:

If you haven’t heard this month’s podcast episodes yet you can find the full interviews HERE. Some notable quotes include:

“when I started working on the ocean, it was all about all-inclusive products. They came on board, they eat as much as they can in a week, took on five to ten pounds and kind of be proud about it.”

“you come across the first bunker or you come across the first trench, and then you never stop coming across them. There's not a day that goes by that you don't pass something that is a reminder of the war.”

“we do have an open container carrying law and what that means is you can go and choose your favorite cocktails anywhere in our historic district and take them with you“

^{3 Things I Learnt this Month}

Many cruise lines are dropping Tracy Arm Fjord from their Alaska itineraries this summer. Virgin Voyages and Royal Caribbean were the latest brands to axe the popular destination from their cruises. Both cited the August 2025 landslide that triggered a tsunami and ongoing navigational safety concerns in the region. Both companies are replacing the fjord with scenic cruising through Endicott Arm Fjord and Dawes Glacier
Holland America Line and Carnival Cruise Line are also skipping Tracy Arm Fjord this year.

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In the center of Siem Reap, a 2.2-meter stone statue now stands in honor of an unlikely hero. His name was Magawa, an African giant pouched rat trained by APOPO who helped detect more than 100 landmines and unexploded ordnance during his working life in Cambodia. Over several years, he cleared more than 141,000 square meters of land, roughly the size of 20 soccer fields, making it safe for people to live, farm, and build again. He retired in 2021 after a highly successful career and died peacefully the following year, aged eight. Cambodia has a goal to be land mine free by 2030. An estimated 6 million land mines remain there.

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Think about this on your next cruise. According to a new in-depth research report called “Cruising for Impact,” the global cruise industry generated $98.5 billion to the global gross domestic product in 2024, supporting 1.8 million jobs. According to the report, one job is supported by every twenty cruise passengers worldwide. Beyond ship staff and crew, cruising supports over 1.4 million jobs onshore and indirectly supports tourism-related businesses, from small shops to tour operators. Cruising is also a first step towards longer land-based stays: over 60% of cruise passengers return to the destinations they visited first on a cruise, creating longer-term tourism benefits for port destinations. In 2024, over 34 million travelers took at least one cruise.

Looking at the Month Ahead 

Cannes Film Festival (May 12–23, Cannes, France)
One of the world’s premier film festivals, Cannes attracts celebrities, filmmakers, media, and luxury travelers to the French Riviera.

Eurovision Song Contest (May 2026, Europe)
Celebrating its 70th anniversary in 2026, Eurovision remains one of the biggest music and cultural spectacles globally, drawing millions of viewers and tourists.

RHS Chelsea Flower Show (May 19–23, London, England)
One of the world’s most famous flower and garden shows, drawing travelers, royals, designers, and horticulture lovers from around the globe.

HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY - Sunday May 10

Travel Tip of the Month

Worried about keep track of your luggage? Pop an AirTag into every checked suitcase, carry-on, or bag you travel with. Even though there's a slim chance your luggage won't arrive at your destination, knowing where it is at all times helps make a travel journey a little less stressful.