High-speed rail company Brightline will add a brand-new stop along Florida’s Treasure Coast in the company’s latest expansion.
20.02.2024 - 18:58 / travelpulse.com / Sunshine State / North America / Laurie Baratti
Florida’s high-speed rail company, Brightline, is running a promotional sale for President’s Day weekend only, with an enticing deal for group travelers aiming to explore the Sunshine State.
Available for groups of at least three passengers, it provides a remarkable 50 percent discount on its “Smart” tickets traveling to or from the theme park capital of the world, Orlando, with prices starting as low as $39 one-way.
To take advantage of the special, limited-time offer, travelers will need to book by President’s Day (February 19), but the deal is good for trips taken between February 20 and March 31, 2024.
On the promotion’s webpage, Brightline writes, “Grab two travel buddies and explore Florida,” adding, “Whether you’re traveling to Orlando as a family or planning a getaway to South Florida for your friends, the train is the most comfortable and convenient way to get there.”
Late last year, Brightline launched its new Travel Professional Program, which provides travel advisors with a means of making a commission on their client’s intercity rail bookings in the Sunshine State. So, advisors also stand to benefit from increased bookings over the holiday weekend.
Brightline West train between Las Vegas and Southern California (Photo Credit: Brightline)
Brightline first commenced operations in 2018, initially connecting West Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale and Miami. Subsequent expansions have included routes to Aventura and Boca Raton, with the latest addition being the Miami-Orlando route introduced late last year. The journey between these two major cities takes approximately three-and-a-half hours, according to Travel + Leisure.
Brightline passengers can opt for either "Smart" or "Premium" fares, with the latter providing such additional amenities as access to a dedicated lounge at the departure station, priority boarding, checked luggage, and complimentary drinks and snacks. All Brightline trains are equipped with complimentary onboard Wi-Fi, ensuring passengers can stay connected throughout their journey.
The regional rail operator also offers various multi-use passes in addition to individual tickets. These include the All-Station Shared Pass, which grants access to all Brightline stations, including Orlando, and the SoFlo Solo Pass, designed specifically for travel within Southern Florida.
Setting its sights outside the Sunshine State, Brightline is embarking on a significant venture in Southern California, working to establish a rail corridor connecting the region with Las Vegas. Dubbed Brightline West, this ambitious project has no estimated completion date as yet, but will eventually span 218 miles and reach speeds of up to 200 mph.
For the latest travel news, updates and deals, subscribe to the daily
High-speed rail company Brightline will add a brand-new stop along Florida’s Treasure Coast in the company’s latest expansion.
WHY IT RATES: Sea Cloud Cruises is offering a new round-trip Miami itinerary for 2025, allowing travelers to enjoy a fun private yacht-style cruise onboard a brand-new, three-masted ship unlike any other. — Lacey Pfalz, Associate Writer, TravelPulse
Holland America Line is setting sail for adventure with the opening of bookings for its 2025-2026 Panama Canal and Hawaii cruises. With a focus on longer voyages and destination immersion, the premium cruise line is set to offer sailings out of five North American homeports on five separate ships for the 2025-2026 season.
Disney Cruise Line’s newest ship Disney Treasure now has a signature song: “Live the Adventure,” performed by Jordin Sparks.
Delta Air Lines is making some notable changes to its route network.
19 executives promoted, including 8 UAE nationals, demonstrating the bench strength of UAE talent and internally developed talent at the Emirates Group
Walt Disney World is making it even more appealing to book a vacation at the Orlando park in 2025.The entertainment giant just announced that Disney Resort hotel guests visiting next year can enjoy free admission to one of its popular water parks – Typhoon Lagoon or Blizzard Beach – on check-in day as part of a stay.The free day at the water parks, which feature lazy rivers, wave pools, and interactive play areas, will only be made available to guests staying at properties within the Disney Resorts Collection.“With this water park benefit, it’s easy to unwind on the day you arrive. Get ready to zip down thrilling water slides, relax on sandy beaches, float along a lazy river... and let your cares drift away,” states the Disney website announcement.Additional details about the new water park benefit will be made available by Disney later this year. Details will also be provided to guests who have booked a stay at a Disney Collection property in advance of arrival at the park.But Disney has confirmed that the water park benefit is exclusive to registered guests staying at a Disney Resort hotel with check-in dates between January 1, 2025 and December 31, 2025. Additionally, all guests must be on the room reservation.And to be clear, the water park benefit is only available on the day of check-in at a resort property.Walt Disney World resort stays and theme park tickets for 2025 are available for purchase starting tomorrow (February 27, 2024).
Southwest Airlines and Omni Hotels & Resorts are teaming up to offer a special "Solarbration" sweepstakes ahead of the total solar eclipse on April 8, 2024.The sweepstakes—which can be entered now through March 11—will reward two lucky winners with a prize package that includes air travel on a flight predicted to be in the direct path of the eclipse.The flight options include Southwest Flight 1252, which departs Dallas (Love Field) at 12:40 p.m. CT for Pittsburgh, and Southwest Flight 1721, which departs Austin at 12:55 p.m. CT for Indianapolis.Omni will do its part by putting the winners up in custom-designed guest rooms inspired by the celestial event. The special accommodations will be located at Omni Hotels in the departure cities of Dallas and Austin and the arrival cities of Pittsburgh and Indianapolis.In addition to roundtrip flights and accommodations for two nights, winners will receive exclusive solar eclipse viewing glasses and fun inflight experiences aboard their eclipse flights.
Holland America Line is charting a course for adventure with its 2026 Grand World Voyage—one of its most ambitious ever, promising an unparalleled travel experience for adventurers eager to explore the entire globe. The company’s president, Gus Antorcha, announced the details of this epic voyage to guests sailing the current 2024 Grand World Voyage aboard Zuiderdam, which is presently positioned between Okinawa and Tokyo.
Expedia Group announced late Monday that it began notifying 1,500 employees that they would be laid off “in light of the Company’s organizational and technological transformation.”
Unlike many in the hospitality and tourism space, who spend their career working solely in one particular facet of the business, I have been fortunate and have been able to change verticals several times. At ICON Park, it was attractions and restaurants; at Universal Parks, it was resort hotels and theme parks; as a board member at the Grand Canyon Resort, I helped promote an area of extreme natural wonder.
Disneyland After Dark: Star Wars Nite. (Photo Credit: Disneyland Media)