JetBlue Will End Its Free Baggage Check Policy

I don't usually geek out over things, but today is special. In honor of World Oceans Day, celebrated each year on June 8th, Google has released its latest version of Street View featuring underwater scenes from around the world at the click of a button.  According to an article by TechCrunch.com, the new Google Maps feature lets you search for more than 40 underwater spots across the globe and gives you a sneak peek of what it's like to dive with fish in Bali, follow alongside humpback whales near the Cook Islands, and swim among shipwrecks off the coast of Aruba among other ocean adventures. Take it for a spin here: Street View Oceans Curious about what else lies beneath the waves? Check out our 40 Unbelievable Underwater Snapshots slide show, brought to you by our well-traveled Budget Travel audience.

This article originally appeared on Fox News Travel. The Germanwings plane crash in the French Alps last Tuesday has already promoted changes to airline cockpit security. Following reports that co-pilot Andreas Lubitz locked out his fellow pilot from the cockpit on Flight 9525, several airlines announced they will begin to enforce the U.S. rules requiring two people at the cockpit at all times. Lufthansa, the parent of Germanwings, issued a statement Friday saying it was moving to the "rule of two" policy over the entire airline group, which includes Swiss International Air Lines, Brussels Airlines, Austrian Airlines, Eurowings, and smaller regional airlines, as a "precautionary measure." This follows a string of other airlines, including Air Canada, Westjet, Norwegian Air Shuttle, Air Berlin, Thomas Cook, and budget carrier Easyjet.   “The safety and security of its passengers and crew is the airline’s highest priority,” Easyjet said in a statement. Virgin Atlantic and Monarch say that while a two crew policy has always been common practice, they are in the process of making this formal policy. British Airways has so far refused to comment on the policy of its cockpit manning levels and says it does not discuss security issues, Sky News reports. Emirates Airline said it has “today implemented a new operating policy where there would always be two crew members in the cockpit.” The new guidance “is effective immediately,” a spokesman said. The new procedures will mean that two crew members must always be present on the flight deck. U.S. airlines have long required another crew member, such as a flight attendant, to enter the cockpit when one of two pilot exits. The crew member must lock the door and remain inside until the pilot returns, according to the Federal Aviation Authority. Investigators believe Lubitz intentionally crashed the plane into a mountainside during Tuesday’s flight from Barcelona to Duesseldorf, killing all 150 onboard. More From Fox News Travel: Who's flying our planes? The Germanwings crash raises questions about mental health of pilots Top wineries of Napa Valley and Sonoma Florida Holiday Inn wakes up sleepy spring breakers with ‘Lion King’ song

A reporter recently asked me for some rail travel tips. I told her quite honestly, "You know, I have to admit sometimes train travel is my favorite way to go." A great train ride can combine the best of road tripping (beautiful sights whizzing by your window, an ever-changing kaleidoscope of images) and flying (comfy seat, the ability to nod off at a moment's notice). Amtrak is reporting that advance ticket sales suggest ridership will be up significantly this July and August compared with last year. Translation? If you're considering taking the train this summer, don't wait too long to make up your mind. With that in mind, I thought I'd take a second to remind you of some of the options Amtrak is offering this summer. East Coast. Try a vacation package like "Washington D.C.: Rich with History, Politics, and Nightlife," or "American Heritage Escorted," a guided adventure. The East Coast is Amtrak's most-traveled region, and Northeast Regional service can get you from Virginia to Baltimore, Philadelphia, and even points north without ever having to change seats. Amtrak also links Virginia to Florida via the Auto Train (and for a higher fee, you can get your car fast-tracked to avoid a wait time when you arrive in the Sunshine State). The Keystone takes vacationers from Philadelphia to rural Lancaster County, and Amtrak has beefed up its Thruway bus service, linking commuter rail lines with its Palmetto line in North Carolina. Midwest. Amtrak's vacation package "Jazz, Blues, and Rock-n-Roll: The Heartland of American Music" is just the beginning of its heartland offerings. Eight daily Amtrak trains depart Chicago and locations in central and eastern Michigan and make stops at New Buffalo, Michigan, just steps from the beach. Passengers can continue south to explore the summer delights of St. Louis, Kansas City, and New Orleans as well. West. How about the "Grand Canyon Family Adventure"? Or "Glacier National Park: The Heart of Big Sky Country"? Or head for the coast, where the Coast Starlight can get you to Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and other summer hot spots where you'll find the music and food festivals, great weather, and mountain-beach one-two punch that makes the "left coast" the ultimate vacation destination. I'd suggest that you visit AmtrakVacations.com for a complete rundown of what the rail line is offering summer travelers. Its 12-page "Family Adventures" online brochure is highly addictive and already has me hatching plans for my own summer getaways. With comfortable seats, great views, and increasingly available Wi-Fi (currently available to about 75 percent of Amtrak passengers), it may be my favorite way to see America. TALK TO US! When was the last time you rode a train? Are you going to take Amtrak this summer?  

Sure, when you think Nevada, you think Las Vegas. After all, it's one of the most popular tourist destinations in the U.S. But of course you know there's more to Nevada than casinos, cocktails, and kick lines, right? The Nevada Commission on Tourism launched a new campaign (Nevada: A World Within. A State Apart.) to raise awareness of the state's natural beauty and culture. With a new website, travel app, and advertising campaign, the state is targeting two demographics you don't typically associate with glitz and glam: families with young children and people for whom the word vacation means outdoor activities and adventures. A television advertising campaign starting next week in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Phoenix is centered around Cole Porter's classic song "Don't Fence Me In" performed by the Las Vegas-based rock band The Killers. You can check out the video and by the end you'll possibly be singing along. ("Oh give me land, lots of land under starry skies above / Don't fence me in!") Nevada's new tourism website, travelnevada.com, sets a new standard for state tourism sites and will certainly enjoy the sincerest form of flattery in the coming months and years as other states learn to package their travel and hospitality assets in beautiful and engaging new ways. Here, visitors can assemble their own vacations, learn about destinations, and share their findings via social media. The site also puts an emphasis on accessing partner sites for additional information, travel deals, and even trip booking. A new free iPhone app will launch on April 15, allowing visitors to build custom itineraries, explore peer-to-peer info sharing, and even access important data when visiting some of Nevada's remote off-the-grid areas, where cellular access is not available. TALK TO US! What do you think of Nevada's new tourism site? Are you planning a trip to the state in 2013?