AAA lists top summer vacation destinations

June 21, 2015 at 12:00a.m.

This summer is an ideal time to travel to Europe as the U.S. dollar is nearly equal in value to the euro, helping travelers stretch their vacation budgets further. In addition to warm-weather destinations across the U.S. and Caribbean, European cities are among AAA’s top vacation destinations this summer.

AAA’s top international summer destinations are: Cancun, Mexico; Punta Cana, Dominican Republic; London, England; Rome, Italy; Montego Bay, Jamaica; Dublin, Ireland; Paris, France; Vancouver, British Columbia; Nassau, Bahamas; and Edinburgh, Scotland.

Domestic travelers are seeking sun destinations this summer, and many are planning vacations to Orlando and beaches throughout the U.S.

AAA’s top domestic summer travel destinations, based on AAA.com hotel bookings, are: Orlando, Fla.; Miami, Fla.; Myrtle Beach, S.C.; Honolulu, Hawaii; Tampa, Fla.; Fort Lauderdale, Fla.; Los Angeles, Calif.; South Padre Island, Tex.; San Diego, Calif.; and Branson, Mo.

Cruise line to ban carry-on beverages

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla.

For some cruisers, this could be a buzz kill.

Carnival Cruise Line will prohibit passengers from lugging bottled water, soda or other nonalcoholic drinks on board.

The carry-on ban, which takes effect July 9, is aimed at thwarting the smuggling of alcohol onto ships.

Passengers with bottled beverages are slowing down the boarding process because the items have to go through additional security checks to make sure they do not contain secret stashes of alcohol, Carnival said.

Cruise passengers will still be allowed to bring up to 12 unopened cans or cartons of non-alcoholic beverages aboard when boarding their cruise, Carnival said.

They also have the option to buy a 12-pack of bottled water for $2.99 plus tax online at Carnival.com/funshops before their cruises or for $4.99 plus gratuities once on board.

Geography quiz

Q. Which state is nicknamed the Pelican State?

A. Louisiana. The name is a tribute to the brown pelican, the official state bird.

Combined dispatches