Cruise Lines International Association has issued the following statement in response to the CDC’s “Framework for Conditional Sailing Order.”
Guided by the recommendations of leading experts in health and science, including the Healthy Sail Panel (HSP), our members are 100% committed to helping to protect the health of our guests, our crew and the communities we serve, and are prepared to implement multiple layers of protocols informed by the latest scientific and medical knowledge. We will continue to evolve our approach as circumstances evolve. The economic consequences of the ongoing suspension of service are felt in communities across the United States and with hundreds of thousands of jobs at stake, we are committed to resume sailing in a responsible manner that keeps public health in the forefront. We look forward to reviewing the Order in greater detail and working with the CDC to advance a return to cruising from U.S. ports.
CLIA members have been in a voluntary suspension of operations from U.S. ports for over seven months. In that time, CLIA member cruise lines have worked with leading outside experts in health and science to develop science-based measures to further strengthen public health protocols and mitigate the risk of COVID-19 for passengers, crews and destinations. With enhanced measures in place—including 100% testing for passengers and crew prior to boarding, mask-wearing, physical distancing requirements, highly controlled shore excursions and many more—CLIA members have gradually resumed sailing in Europe and other parts of the world with success.  
CLIA president and CEO Kelly Craighead said:
“While we look forward to reviewing the new Order in detail, we expect much of the Healthy Sail Panel’s recommendations, which were adopted by CLIA’s Global of Directors earlier this month, have been considered and will serve as an important foundation. The cruise industry and the CDC have a long track record of working together in the interest of public health, and we look forward to continuing to build upon this legacy to support the resumption of cruising from U.S. ports. With enhanced measures in place, and with the continued guidance of leading experts in health and science as well as the CDC, we are confident that a resumption of cruising in the U.S. is possible to support the economic recovery while maintaining a focus on effective and science-based measures to protect public health.”
We continue to support our preferred provider of Adult Sailing only, Virgin Voyages. For more information please email [email protected] on these incredible sailings from Richard Branson. 

The old Detroit Hotel in Saint Petersburg Florida has been undergoing renovations recently with the intent of turning it into a Steam-Punk Club & Pizzeria. I personally can't wait for it's opening and opportunity to visit. The Detroit Hotel was St. Petersburg's first building and has undergone a number of alterations since 1888.

While undergoing renovations the developers took down sheetrock to find an elevator from 1912, hand carved posts, a telephone switchboard, antique wallpaper and much more. This type of discovery excites me personally because of the changes that have occurred in Florida over the years where we have lost much of its history. 

It's been a long time coming, and the day is finally here. Adventures Across America has provided the most educational and enjoyable experience in travel that I've ever known, and I'm grateful for all those I've met along the way and especially those of you that followed, commented and shared my posts. Grazie!  It's most certainly going to help in 2021 and beyond.

Back in April before hitting the road, I purchased 3 tickets to foreign countries at rock bottom prices. It was a gamble, knowing that any one of the airlines could go out of business, but I felt it was worth the risk. The countries are: Peru, Chile, Costa Rica and Ecuador. Costa Rica and Ecuador have opened their doors, but I'm not comfortable yet with Ecuador so I plan on waiting a bit. 

I leave for Costa Rica on October 19th out of Miami, and will return on October 27th. The trip is exploratory, educational and I'll be treating it just as I did with Adventures Across America by documenting every step of the way. Posts and videos of the Adventure can be found on My XO Adventures Facebook Page. 

Before I leave, I'd like to provide some valuable Information on the status, and advisories of countries you can visit as of this moment. This list changes daily, but the links take you right to the Embassy, and if there are any changes the website should reflect it there.

​News from Cuba is that Havana is opening at the end of November, and we will be traveling in March on Havana Heartbeat. A second date has been opened up as the March 11th departure is full. If you'd like more information click here for Havana Heartbeat or here for Costa Rica Exotica

The countries available for US citizens to Travel are:
1.) Albania - Level 3 - Click here for the U.S. Embassy Information on Travel to Albania 
2.) Anguilla - Level 3 - Click here for more information about Anguilla Travel
3.) Antigua and Barbuda - Level 3 - Click here for the US Department of State info on Travel to Antigua and Barbuda
4.) Armenia - Level 3 - U.S. Embassy in Armenia 
5.) Aruba - Level 3 - Aruba visitation Requirements 
6.) Bahamas - Level 4 - Protocols For Entry To the Bahamas
7.) Belarus (umm no) - Level 3 - U.S. Embassy in Belarus (Please, not a good time to travel for a variety of reasons)
8.) Belize - Level 4 - U.S. Embassy in Belize
9.) Bermuda - Level 3 - Bermuda Tourism Authority
10.) Cambodia - Level 2 - U.S. Department of State Advisories for Cambodia
11.) Costa Rica - Level 3 - Embassy of Costa Rica Travel Restrictions
12.) Croatia - Level 3 - U.S. Embassy in Croatia
13.) Dominica - Level 3 - U.S. Embassy Advisories for Dominica
14.) Dominican Republic - Level 4 - U.S. Embassy in the Dominican Republic Travel Advisories
15.) Ecuador - Level 3 - U.S. Embassy in Ecuador Travel Advisories
16.) Egypt - Level 3  - U.S. Embassy in Egypt Travel Advisories
17.) Ethiopia - Level 3 - U.S. Embassy in Ethiopia Travel Advisories 
18.) French Polynesia - Level 2 - U.S. Embassy in French Polynesia Travel Advisories 
19.) Ghana - Level 3 - U.S. Embassy in Ghana Travel Advisories 
20.) Grenada - Level 2 - U.S. Embassy in Grenada Travel Advisories 
21.) Haiti - Level 4 - U.S. Embassy in Haiti Travel Advisories 
22.) Honduras - Level 4 - U.S. Embassy in Honduras Travel Advisories 
23.) Ireland - Level 3 - U.S. Embassy in Ireland Travel Advisories 
24.) Jamaica - Level 3 - U.S. Embassy in Jamaica Travel Advisories and Entry Requirements
25) Kenya - Level 3- U.S. Embassy in Kenya Travel Advisories and Entry Requirements
26.) Maldives - Level 3 - U.S. Mission to Maldives Travel Advisories and Entry Requirements 
27.) Mexico - Level 4 - U.S. Embassy & Consulates in Mexico Travel Advisories and Entry Requirements
28.) Montenegro - Level 3 - U.S. Embassy in Montenegro Travel Advisories and Entry Requirements
29.) Namibia - Level 4 - U.S. Embassy in Namibia Travel Advisories and Entry Requirements 
30.) Rwanda - Level 3 - U.S. Embassy in Rwanda Travel Advisories and Entry Requirements 
31.) St. Bart's - Level 3 - U.S. Embassy in Barbados, Eastern Caribbean, and the OECS 
32.) St. Lucia - Level 3 -  U.S. Embassy in Barbados, Eastern Caribbean, and the OECS 
33.) St. Maarten/St. Martin - Level 3 - U.S. Embassy in Barbados, Eastern Caribbean, and the OECS 
34.) Serbia - Level 3 - U.S. Embassy in Serbia Travel Advisories and Entry Requirements 
35.) South Korea - Level 3 - U.S. Embassy & Consulate in the Republic of Korea Travel and Entry Requirements
36.) Tanzania - Level 3 - U.S. Embassy in Tanzania Travel Advisory and Entry Requirements 
37.) Turks and Caicos - Level 3 - U.S. Consular Agency Travel Advisory and Entry Requirements 
38.) United Arab Emirates - Level 3 - U.S. Embassy in United Arab Emirates Travel Advisor and Entry Requirements
39.) United Kingdom - Level 3 - U.S. Embassy in the United Kingdom Travel Advisory and Entry Requirements 
40.) Zambia - Level 3 - U.S. Embassy in Zambia Travel Advisory and Entry Requirements

Whew! So the above mentioned countries can change levels and requirements day to day. The Key for the levels are:
Level 1 - COVID 19 Exercise Normal Precautions
Level 2 - COVID 19 Exercise Increased Caution 
Level 3 - COVID 19 Reconsider Travel
Level 4 - COVID 19 Do Not Travel

Here is a link that will take you The State Department Map showing Worldwide Consulates and Embassies as well as a legend of Travel Advisories - State Department Map

I hope you find this information useful and follow along my journey to Costa Rica which starts this coming Monday!

XOXO
Daniel Milks 

I never realized how much I miss the Fall colors. Fortunate would be an understatement of how I feel about having circle Colorado on the second part of Adventures Across America. Simple things have meant a lot. Aspen trees run through the pine forests like rivers of gold, their spade shaped leaves fluttering in the wind as if greeting you along the path. It's truly astounding. 

As I write this, I'm preparing for my departure from Pagosa Springs, Colorado and entering New Mexico. My goal is to further research the itinerary put together for the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta in October of 2020. Before arriving, I'll have to get a PCR test later today, and comply with stricter rules than in South Dakota! It's definitely trivial when compared to the places I plan to go like Chama, Abiquiu, Santa Fe, Albuquerque and many more National Monuments. 

I mentioned that as a part of the adventure I'll be using the Couchsurfing App along the way, and so far, it's been great. in Gunnison and Crested Butte my host was Lee, and he proved to be warm, welcoming, and a great guide to the area. Crested Butte left me wanting more, and I intend to come back for wildflower season, of which they claim to be the wildflower capital of the world!

On another subject, Costa Rica just announced they are opening their borders for tourism. I had a flight moved several times due to COVID, and the last move was for October 19th, which means I'll be picking up the pace on this journey. I'd like to visit Costa Rica before My XO Adventures scheduled trip COSTA RICA EXOTICA on February 6th, and this is my window of opportunity. I hope you stay with me along the way through New Mexico and Costa Rica! In the meantime, stay safe, be kind and enjoy the great outdoors!