U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers can go through your phone, including any deleted items on the device.
- USA TODAY's top travel stories explored themes of identity, overtourism, fandom, and environmental limits.
- Travel journalism highlighted how journeys reflect issues of power, belonging, and humanity.
- Stories covered topics from passport challenges for trans performers to the environmental impact of cruises in Alaska.
From battles over identity and mobility to questions about overtourism, fandom, faith and environmental limits, this year's most compelling USA TODAY Travel stories went far beyond bucket lists.
Our team reported on how travel reflects who we are - and who gets to move freely - while also exploring the joy, community, and connection that journeys can spark. These 10 standout reads spotlighted travelers, performers, locals, and fans navigating a rapidly changing world, proving that travel journalism isn't just about where we go, but what it reveals about power, belonging and humanity.
US citizens getting pulled aside: Travelers fear scrutiny at the border is rising
From Kathleen Wong, Travel Reporter: This year marked a change in international travel following a January executive order from the Trump administration to enhance national security, which bolstered vetting at U.S. borders. The effects rippled quickly, from international students being warned not to leave the country to even U.S. citizens being afraid that they wouldn't be let back in. Suddenly, it felt like our phones and social media could get us in trouble with border agents. I followed the news closely and spoke to an array of travelers to learn the impact these policies had on real people.
How sacred sites are helping travelers reconnect - with themselves and each other
From Zach Wichter, Air Travel Reporter: Travelers who take a meaningful trip sometimes describe the experience as spiritual, and some travelers take trips intentionally to connect with their faiths. My (former) colleague Bailey Shulz and I (we miss you Bailey!) had a chance to speak to travelers of different faith backgrounds about how their own journeys reflect on their spiritual needs and practices. The common thread through all the stories was that both travel and religion are ultimately meant to bring people together.
'I am exactly who God made': Why travel is a battleground for drag and trans performers
From Josh Rivera, Travel Editor: This year, trans and nonbinary travelers faced delays and outright denials from the U.S. State Department when trying to update gender markers on their passports, even when their other legal documents were in order. I spoke with the trans cast members of RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars 10 to better understand how these policies affect a profession that relies heavily on travel.
'What is our limit?': How cruise ships are impacting Alaska's environment
From Nathan Diller, Cruises Reporter: Alaska is a bucket-list destination for many travelers because of its glaciers, wildlife and seaside communities - and is especially popular to visit by cruise ship. However, some locals say the cruise industry's growing presence there has strained the very environment tourists come to see. I spoke with residents - including those who work in and benefit from tourism - and environmental experts about the challenges Alaska is facing amid a cruise visitation boom.
Inside the WWE house that made fans cry at Halloween Horror Nights
From Eve Chen, Parks Reporter: Beloved WWE wrestler Bray Wyatt (Windham Rotunda) unexpectedly passed away in 2023. This year, Universal Halloween Horror Nights gave his fans one more chance to connect with him through the haunted house WWE Presents: The Horrors of the Wyatt Sicks. Hearing from Wyatt's brother, members of the Wyatt Sicks wrestling stable, and the house's creators, who are longtime fans themselves, it was obvious how much the experience meant to them all.
On his 133rd cruise, he's still keeping a promise of love
From Kathleen Wong, Travel Reporter: It's not every day I get to write about someone's love story. On an Oceania cruise in July, I met a man on his 133 sailing - an impressive fact in itself - but soon learned the motivation behind his prolific traveling. It was in honor of his late wife, with whom he shared a passion for travel. Returning to cruising wasn't easy while navigating his grief, but the Oceania Cruises staff stepped in to support him, not because it was their job but because they cared about him. His story was not only touching but also a reminder of the powerful human connection that comes from travel.
Investigations don't undo air crashes, but they prevent tragic repeats | Cruising Altitude
From Zach Wichter, Air Travel Reporter: I know it's counterintuitive to be proud of a column I wrote in the wake of one of the biggest tragedies in aviation in years, but I think it's important to remind readers whenever I can that flying remains safe and that accidents ultimately lead the industry to get even safer. After a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter collided with an American Airlines regional jet over the Potomac River in January, it was more important than ever to help travelers feel comfortable getting on their next flights and to understand what to expect out of the accident investigation.
Everyone's vacationing in Puerto Rico. Can the island handle it?
From Josh Rivera, Travel Editor: My homeland was on the map for millions of travelers this year thanks to Bad Bunny's concert residency. But is the island poised to handle that influx? Many places around the world are grappling with the effects of overtourism. Some European countries have added tourist fees to popular spots, cruise lines are opting for smaller ports of call, and even Hawaiians have called for limits on visitors. Where does Puerto Rico go from the boon in notoriety?
Inside the 'Star Trek' cruise: How fans boldly sail where no convention has gone before
From Nathan Diller, Cruises Reporter: Theme cruises bring fandoms together on the high seas, helping to foster a community built on shared interests. I spent a week seeing that up close on Star Trek: The Cruise in February. The sailing - entering its ninth year in 2026 - celebrates the beloved franchise with activities ranging from actor panels to Klingon karaoke and science seminars. There are costumes galore, too. Turns out that going where no one has gone before can be as easy as boarding a cruise ship.
If you like theme parks, thank Disneyland
From Eve Chen, Parks Reporter: Disneyland is celebrating its 70 anniversary, but for theme park lovers, it’s not just a celebration of this one destination. Disneyland was the start of many themed experiences we now take for granted, and it’s still shaping the immersive experiences we haven’t yet imagined for tomorrow. I spoke with two key Imagineers and other park experts about how.