Viking Expands in Asia with New China, Tibet, Japan Itineraries
Following the recent inauguration of its pioneering coastal China cruises, Viking has announced six new itineraries in Asia that will expand exclusive access for its guests to Japan and China, with Tibet in 2025. The new voyages will explore iconic destinations in China, such as Shanghai, Beijing, Xi’an and Lhasa in Tibet (Xizang), as well as Osaka, Japan. Each voyage...
Why This Ultra-Luxury Cruise Line is Building a Hotel in the Southernmost City on Earth
Silversea is taking a groundbreaking approach to ultra-luxury Antarctic expedition cruising – literally! The cruise line has broken ground on a hotel in Puerto Williams, Chile, to create a seamlessly deluxe experience for its guests on their voyages to the White Continent.Silversea is the only cruise line that homeports from Puerto Williams during the Antarctic season. And the new, 150-room...
VIDEO: Emerald Captain Shares Why a Mega-Yacht is the Best Way to Cruise the Caribbean
If you thought sailing to small islands and boutique harbors in idyllic tropical places was just for billionaires in their private yachts, think again. Even you can feel like a billionaire on one of Emerald Cruises’ two new mega-yachts. We sailed aboard the Emerald Sakara on a ‘yachtsman’s itinerary’ from San Juan, Puerto Rico, weaving through the U.S. and British Virgin...
Planning a Trip to Mexico? Don’t Get Burned by Hefty Taxes on Digital Devices
Stop and think before you nonchalantly pack all your digital devices on your next trip to Mexico. A growing number of reports warn tourists that Mexican border officials are increasingly enforcing old laws about entering the country with electronic items – and it’s costing unsuspecting travelers hundreds of dollars in import duties. In our increasingly digital world, the number of devices...
Expedition Cruise Line Introduces "Only at the Poles" Dining Experience
Atlas Ocean Voyages, the small-ship cruise line that expanded the concept of expedition cruising from remote, polar exploration to include concepts like its ‘Epicurean Expeditions,’ has debuted “The Explorer’s Table.” It’s a new, specialty dining option only available to guests on its ships in Antarctica and the High Arctic. An exclusive Omakase-style dining experience, The Explorer’s Table will present global culinary...
Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection Launches 2nd Ultra-Luxury Superyacht
The first and only luxury hotel company to take to the sea has welcomed Ilma, its second newbuild, ultra-luxury ‘superyacht’. The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection’s latest small ship is host to fewer than 500 guests in its 224 ‘airy and intuitive’ suites, all with private terraces providing direct access to the sea. The Ilma also offers guests world-class dining curated by MICHELIN-starred...
New Small-Ship Ultra-Luxury Cruise Line Launches 2nd Ship; Explora III and IV On the Way
During a spectacular naming ceremony in Civitavecchia – the port for Rome, Italy – Explora Journeys launched Explora II. The September, 2024 event marked the debut of the second of six ships by the lifestyle ocean travel brand of the MSC Group. Explora Journeys promises guests the opportunity to experience an “Ocean State of Mind,” connecting you with both the...
Hotels Showing Puppy Love on International Dog Day
Being a dog lover is a 24/7/365 thing, but the annual International Dog Day on August 26 gives everyone – including hotel companies – an excuse to recognize the canine companions in our lives. More hotels than ever are pup-friendly, and for International Dog Day, a couple of hotel companies are creating tail-wagging fun and rolling out the red carpet...
This Overwater Pickleball Court is Causing a ‘Racket’
The pickleball craze continues! Not content to dominate community parks around North America, the sociable, ‘tennis light’ paddle sport is taking root in holiday destinations – not just on land resorts and hotels, but also at sea, and, in the latest twist, overwater! Pickleball on the Rivers of Europe AmaWaterways made waves when it became the first river cruise line to introduce...
New Experiences in Australia that Connect You to Indigenous Culture
A new selection of activities for visitors to Australia allow you to experience the country’s history and nature, with the added richness of Aboriginal culture. Australia’s Aboriginal people are the island continent's original inhabitants, with a history that dates back over 65,000 years. That makes them one of the world’s oldest continuous cultures. A revival of Australian indigenous cultural practices, oral...