Looking for calm seas or clear skies? Windstar Cruises just opened bookings for its next all-suite yacht, Star Explorer, with immersive routes through Europe and a christening ceremony on the River Thames.
Meanwhile, Reno Tahoe is rolling out new flight routes and ski season updates to pair holiday cheer with high-altitude adventure. In Dubai, the Future Growth Nexus Summit is set to explore how AI, innovation and green tech will shape global trade. But not all travel headlines are smooth sailing: Vice President JD Vance warns the ongoing U.S. government shutdown could spell disaster for Thanksgiving travel, and U.S. troops have been deployed to Jamaica for urgent hurricane relief efforts following Hurricane Melissa.
As always, Smart Travel is here to bring you the latest updates shaping the way we move, meet and plan.
U.S. Troops Deploy to Jamaica for Hurricane Relief
Joint Task Force-Bravo has deployed from Soto Cano Air Base in Honduras to Kingston, Jamaica, to support disaster relief efforts following Hurricane Melissa, U.S. Southern Command announced.
Three CH-47 Chinooks from the 1st Battalion, 228th Aviation Regiment carried 40 service members and critical supplies to begin humanitarian operations. Additional personnel and equipment (three UH-60 and two HH-60 Black Hawks) are expected to follow, expanding the response as needed.
The U.S. Department of State is leading the mission, which comes at a critical time when emergency response resources are limited, and early intervention is vital for impacted communities.
JTF-Bravo, established in 1983, serves as U.S. Southern Command’s rapid response unit and has long provided logistical, medical and security assistance across Central America and the Caribbean.
Follow Smart Meetings’ coverage of Hurricane Melissa’s impact on the meetings and events community here.
Visit Reno Tahoe Announces New Flight Options
Looking for a fresh basecamp with a little altitude and a lot of energy? Reno Tahoe is closing out 2025 with new flight routes, hotel and airport upgrades, and a slate of seasonal events that blend mountain adventure with urban edge.
“As temperatures cool, Reno Tahoe heats up with a wide breadth of outdoor activities and holiday festivities,” said Mike Larragueta, president and CEO of Visit Reno Tahoe. “This season, the region promises world-class adventure, holiday cheer and dynamic cultural experiences.”
Read More: Reno/Tahoe: Where Adventure Meets Opportunity
Among the updates: Alaska Airlines has relaunched nonstop service from San Diego, Southwest Airlines resumes Austin-Reno flights Nov. 2 and Frontier launches Phoenix-Reno service Nov. 22. At Reno-Tahoe International Airport, construction is underway on a 440,000-square-foot Ground Transportation Center that will consolidate rental car and taxi operations for smoother arrivals.
Pair that with ongoing downtown revitalization and the return of ski season, and Reno Tahoe is shaping up to be a top contender for incentive groups that want nature, nightlife and nonstop access.
DAFZ and Forbes Middle East to Host Global Trade Summit in Dubai
The future of global commerce is making a stop in Dubai. Dubai Airport Freezone (DAFZ) is teaming up with Forbes Middle East to launch the Future Growth Nexus Summit, slated for March 2026. The event promises to gather government leaders, investors, entrepreneurs and futurists for a global conversation on the trends, technologies and policies shaping international trade.
The summit will spotlight everything from AI and green tech to digital trade and sustainable growth. It’s also designed to boost Dubai’s global clout as a smart commerce hub, one that blends innovation with real-world business wins.
“Through hosting the Future Growth Nexus Summit from the heart of Dubai, one of the world’s most dynamic economic centers, we aim to shape the future of global commerce and innovation,” said Amna Lootah, director general of DAFZ.
Forbes Middle East CEO and Editor-in-Chief Khuloud Al Omian called the event a “catalyst for launching strategic initiatives and building global partnerships,” all aligned with the UAE’s 2031 vision for a diverse, sustainable economy.
Vance Warns of Holiday Travel ‘Disaster’ as Shutdown Stretches On
If you’re counting on smooth skies this Thanksgiving, you might want a backup plan. On day 24 of the U.S. government shutdown, Vice President JD Vance warned that the holiday travel season could spiral into a “disaster” if funding isn’t restored soon, according to Reuters.
After a White House meeting with top aviation CEOs and union reps from companies and organizations including American, United and Delta, Vance said continued furloughs and unpaid shifts could trigger a spike in no-shows, longer security lines and widespread flight delays.
“It could be a disaster,” Vance said. “You’re talking about people [who] have missed three paychecks. How many of them are not going to show up for work?”
Airlines are pushing hard for a continuing resolution to end the shutdown. The FAA is already operating with about 3,500 fewer air traffic controllers than it needs, and the Transportation Department reports that absences are up sharply, causing as many as 44% of delays on Sunday and 24% on Monday.
Meanwhile, TSA officers and air traffic controllers are working without pay, many taking second jobs or relying on food donations to get by.
“It’s putting stress on the economy,” said United CEO Scott Kirby. “It is time to pass a clean CR.”
Delta echoed the warning, saying a system under stress must slow down, meaning more inefficiencies and headaches for the flying public. All signs point to a turbulent travel season unless Congress finds a way to land a funding deal, fast.
Windstar’s Star Explorer to Debut in Europe With All-Suite Small Ship Adventures
Windstar Cruises is setting a course for immersive, small-ship experiences in 2027 with the debut of Star Explorer, the second all-suite yacht to join its fleet. Now open for bookings, the 224-guest ship will sail Europe year-round starting in December 2026, offering port-intensive itineraries with longer stays and overnights in top destinations.
Set for a May 31, 2027, christening on London’s River Thames, the ship’s inaugural sailing will circle Ireland with stops in Cork, Galway, Belfast and beyond. “The small size of this ship opens even more interesting places—including rivers,” said Windstar President Christopher Prelog.
Read More: Small Group Cruise Excursions for Incentive Getaways
The new yacht will access ports that bigger ships can’t, such as Caen, Bordeaux, Rouen and even central London, and includes a mix of classic routes and new offerings like Seven Gems of the Baltic, an eight-night journey through seven countries, and Connoisseur’s Delight, a Northern Spain and Portugal culinary cruise.
On board, guests will enjoy 112 spacious suites, wraparound balconies, Windstar’s signature Yacht Club Café and onboard marina, plus a relaxed, upscale vibe. Early booking deals run through Nov. 15, 2025, with additional savings for pay-in-full reservations.
