Sunshine & Sea: Spring Break Travelers Cruising and Heading South
While Northeasterners eagerly await the arrival of sunny skies and warm temps here at home, AAA Northeast’s travel booking data shows the Sunshine State tops the list of spring break destinations this year.
Orlando is the top destination for those traveling in March and April, followed by:
- Aruba
- The Bahamas
- Punta Cana
- The Caribbean
- Bermuda
- European River cruise
- Jamaica
Among college-aged travelers, Punta Cana, The Bahamas, and Jamaica made up the most popular trips.
To visit The Bahamas, the Caribbean, and Bermuda, travelers are opting for cruises. National AAA Travel data for March and April shows a 28% increase in cruise bookings and a 20% increase in international flight bookings over last year, pointing to a busy spring travel season.
For all travelers, but especially those who may be travelling internationally for the first time or to locations with safety advisories, AAA offers the following guidance:
- Book travel with reputable suppliers, including when considering excursions.
- Research your destination and remain both vigilant and proactive when exploring new areas. Heavily populated areas are most likely to have security.
- Visit www.travel.state.gov to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP), which lets the State Department know you are traveling outside the U.S. and ensures you receive communication if there are any issues in the region you are visiting during your stay.
- Choosing the first flight of the day to their destination to avoid delays that can creep up later in the day.
- Signing up for TSA PreCheck to expedite the security process.
- Reserving airport parking well in advance and leaving extra travel time to get to the airport.
