Caribbean Cruise Boost: Explora Journeys is rolling out a 2026-27 Caribbean season across two ships—Explora I from Miami (Nov 17, 2026) and Explora II from Québec City (Oct 15, 2026)—with stops including Guadeloupe, Saint Barthélemy, Saint Lucia, and more, plus highlights like Virgin Gorda’s The Baths, whale watching in Samana, Dominica waterfalls, and snorkeling at the Underwater Sculpture Park. EU Policy for Travel Regions: The European Commission adopted a new strategy for the EU’s outermost regions—explicitly including Guadeloupe—aiming to adapt rules to local constraints and strengthen support, resilience, and opportunities. Sargassum Reality Check: A record-breaking sargassum surge is again hitting Caribbean coasts, smothering reefs and sea grasses and disrupting tourism and fishing, with health impacts reported for people clearing beaches. Route du Rhum Build-Up: Ahead of the Route du Rhum—Destination Guadeloupe, IMOCA MACIF Santé Prévoyance skipper Sam Goodchild is gearing up for the Défi Azimut in Lorient (Sept 15-20) after an overhaul and parade tribute in Concarneau. Southern Caribbean Easier to Reach: Cruise lines are expanding itineraries in the Southern Caribbean for 2026-27, making bucket-list ports like Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao more accessible without long repositioning cruises. Mediterranean Tsunami Warning: UNESCO says there’s close to a 100% chance of a tsunami wave exceeding 1 meter in the Mediterranean over the next 30 years, prompting faster coastal evacuation planning in places like the French Riviera.