Longest, Tallest and One-of-a-Kind: Royal Caribbean’s Newest ‘Perfect Day’ Plus New Beach Resorts
“Bigger and bolder than anything” Royal Caribbean has done yet. That’s how the cruise line is describing Perfect Day Mexico, with never-seen-before attractions. Plus, Royal Caribbean has revealed more destination experiences on the way as it doubles down on Perfect Day and Royal Beach Club private island and beach resort cruise destinations. They’ll let cruise vacationers experience the best of Royal Caribbean's newest ships alongside shoreside adventures in Mexico, the Bahamas and the South Pacific. Perfect Day Mexico The mega-ship family cruise line debuts the latest in its ‘Perfect Day’ lineup. Perfect Day Mexico occupies 200 acres on the country’s Caribbean coast – the feature of upcoming Western Caribbean and Mexican cruise itineraries sailing from Galveston, New Orleans and all Florida homeports beginning... more
The Best Destinations to See the “Clowns of the Sea”
Puffins are a lot like penguins: among the most beloved, iconic and recognizable seabirds – yet occupying the opposite ends of the planet in some of the most remote regions of the Earth. So seeing either of them in the wild is a magical travel experience. Unlike tuxedoed penguins with their mostly monochrome coloring, puffins are often called the “clowns of the sea” for their vivid, almost carnival mask-like countenance that livens up their pudgy, black-and-white bodies, not to mention their endearing facial expressions. That’s not all that makes these seabirds unique.Puffin ParticularsThree Species of Puffins: We think of puffins as being residents of the North Atlantic, and the Atlantic puffin is the standard-bearer of the species. It can be found as... more
Caviar and Other Ways this U.S. Airline is Flying High
Competition between airlines is heating up, and a U.S.-based airline is the latest to up the ante to attract guests, especially to its premium cabins. We’ve heard lots about lavish life in the skies on some Asian and Middle Eastern airlines – now, United Airlines is giving the famously luxe airlines a taste of their own medicine. Well, a taste of caviar, actually. United Airlines is raising the bar for international premium travel among U.S. carriers. Its new 787 Dreamliners include two new styles of business class suites, Ossetra caviar, Starlink connectivity and the largest seatback screens among U.S. airlines.The new concepts for the Star Alliance group airline are part of the “United Elevated” initiative: a nose-to-tail transformation of United’s latest 787-9s... more
Tips to Make Off-Season and Off-the-Beaten Track Travel Work for You
It’s time to go ‘off’ travel. Yes, you read that right. Two of the smartest trends in travel are about visiting bucket list destinations when everyone else isn’t, and finding new destinations other people have yet to discover. Here’s why. OFF SEASONYour choice of travel season can make a big difference to your experience and travel budget. And the good news is that there’s more flexibility and options than ever. ‘High’ season is the historically most popular time to visit a particular destination. Or just the most popular time to travel, due to ‘non-negotiable’ travel events like school breaks and holidays. Whether or not you want to fight the crowds, risk delays caused by disruptive snowstorms, and pay through the nose, you’ll be... more
Celebrate Jane Austen's 250th Birthday in Britain
If the famous line, "It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife,” makes you smile affectionately and fantasize about the green pastures, elegant architecture, style and social intrigues of Regency Britain, you are not alone. For two centuries, Jane Austen’s witty, observant and kind novels have delighted readers and inspired travelers to discover the world of the author and her cast of beloved characters. This ground-breaking female author’s books still among the most-read English-language classics. And they are also among the most-adapted into film and television, engaging fans who may not even realize they are immersed in the world of Jane Austen. The 1995 BBC adaptation of Pride... more
VIDEO: Incredible Tulip Time Scenes from an Emerald River Cruise in the Netherlands
Windmills and tulips and river cruising, oh my! Springtime serves up the most iconic sights and moments of Dutch culture – and a river cruise may be the best way to experience them all. Our Emerald river cruise sailed round trip from Amsterdam, navigating the Netherlands’ vast network of inland waterways, canals and rivers through countryside, picturesque villages and dynamic cities. We dipped into Belgium, then swung up again to complete our circuitous route back in Amsterdam. It was a celebration of spring and a hit parade of the most charming elements of Dutch culture. Windmills tie with tulips as the symbol of the country, and one of our shore excursions was to Zaanse Schans, a living museum along the river, where several... more
Amsterdam at 750: Still the City of the Future
In 1275, no one could ever have imagined that a simple dam on the Amstel River would become a city that pioneered so many elements of modern life in the 21st century. As Amsterdam marks ¾ of a millennium, travel lovers with 20/20 hindsight can celebrate the European capital’s contributions to shaping our world today, as well as what continues to make it a beacon for visitors. The Dutch capital marks its official start by that 13th-century document granting it city rights and allowing local residents to build a dam to manage the flow of the Amstel river without paying tolls. This pivotal moment was the foundation of transforming a tiny fishing village into a thriving urban center. And it didn’t take... more
When is the Jamaican Rum You're Drinking Not Jamaican?
It’s only champagne if it’s from Champagne. Ham from Parma is equally exclusive. And now, some rum producers in Jamaica are causing quite a ‘stir’– working to tighten rules that identify varieties of the Caribbean’s most famous spirit by ‘appellation’ or geographic origin. Champagne, Parma ham, Parmigiano Reggiano cheese and many other foods, wine and spirits work to get these designations to protect the authenticity, heritage and production methods of a uniquely-produced regional food or drink. The appellation or GI (Geographical Indication) label verifies to buyers that the product has guaranteed qualities, characteristics and even reputation inherent to that specified region, even if made by different producers within the destination. For travelers, tasting and buying products with an appellation ensures you’ve got... more
Norwegian Aqua has Arrived!
Norwegian Cruise Line’s newest ship has arrived in North America ahead of its christening – and its Aqua Slidecoaster, the world’s first hybrid rollercoaster and waterslide, is already going viral. The latest attraction at sea features a high-speed powered launch that propels adventurous guests through one of two different courses across three decks. With dual slides, guests can have two unique experiences on this first-of-its-kind attraction. WATCH THE AQUA SLIDECOASTER VIDEO HERE! The new Norwegian Aqua is 10 percent bigger in size and capacity than her sister ships Norwegian Prima and Norwegian Viva. Norwegian Aqua offers activities bow-to-stern for everyone. For the guests who prefer to kick back and relax, the adults-only Vibe Beach Club provides even more space with outdoor loungers and cabanas... more
A Whole New River Cruise Destination as AmaWaterways Launches 1st Colombia Ship
AmaWaterways has debuted the AmaMagdalena, the first-ever major river cruise line ship to navigate Colombia’s Magdalena River. The launch opens a completely new cruise destination for fans of river cruising looking to add to their collection of exotic river cruises beyond Europe. With the launch, you can now cruise on AmaWaterways or other river cruise lines on the Amazon in South America, as well as Africa’s Nile and Chobe rivers, the Ganges in India, the Mekong in Vietnam, and more. About the AmaMagdalenaThe AmaMagdalena was custom-designed for river cruising on Colombia’s Magdalena River, including her intimate size, for just 60 guests. The cruise line collaborated with Colombian designers, craftspeople and woodwork specialists to bring the heart and soul of the region onboard. The... more
What's the Castle Capital of the World... Outside Europe?
Castles top the list of sights we want to discover when we travel. They let us walk in the very footsteps of history, where battles were won and lost and epoch-changing events took place. Castles were inhabited by history-makers and doers of deeds that became the basis for fairytales and legends that defined the romance of centuries past. As defensive fortifications, they were often extraordinary structures built in extreme landscapes, and we marvel at the ingenuity and craftsmanship that managed to perch massive castles on hilltops, the edges of cliffs, on remote islands and in other impossible places. As I describe castles, you are probably picturing Europe – those turreted, stone buildings that are central to fairytales and fantasy fiction.But Europe is... more
RIU Resort-Supported Eco Project Reports Triumph for Turtles
Over 150,000 hatchlings of endangered loggerhead sea turtles were released during the latest nesting season from hatcheries in the Atlantic archipelago of Cape Verde, including one in front of RIU’s hotels. What’s more, local eco organizations also reported successes in helping mitigate the negative effects of climate change on the critical turtle population. The country of Cape Verde (also called Cabo Verde) is made up of 10 volcanic islands in the central Atlantic Ocean, about 500 miles west of the coast of Africa. A maritime hub in seafaring days, the country is now a growing holiday destination. Culturally, it’s a melting pot of African, Brazilian and Portuguese cultural influences. The islands of Cape Verde enjoy year-round sunshine, consistently pleasantly warm weather,... more
World First! Viking Announces First Hydrogen-Powered Cruise Ship with Zero Emissions
Cruising just took a giant step towards becoming a lot cleaner and better for the environment and seas we love to sail. Viking and its shipbuilder, Fincantieri, have revealed they’re building the first-ever cruise ship powered by hydrogen, developed by a Fincantieri subsidiary specializing in advanced fuel cell technology. That will allow the ship to operate with zero – yes, zero – emissions. The ship has already been named the Viking Libra, and will be delivered, not years from now, but in 2026. Zero emissions capabilities by 2026. That’s music to the ears of people who love to cruise but who also want to protect the world we explore.Zero emissions will also allow the new ship to access even the most environmentally sensitive... more
Big Changes at the World's Most Popular Museum!
More people visit the Louvre in Paris than any other museum in the world. The French President has announced a sweeping renovation plan for the iconic institution, to the tune of about 800 million euros over the next decade. It’s hard to believe that the last time the Louvre had a makeover was over 30 years ago! That’s when I.M. Pei’s glass pyramid was added to the courtyard to serve as the museum’s main entrance. Remember when that contemporary glass pyramid in the courtyard of the 16th-century royal palace in the heart of historic Paris was controversial? Now, next to the Eiffel Tower, it’s the most iconic view of Paris. But when that pyramid entrance was opened in 1989, it was designed for... more
Cruise to the Total Solar Eclipse in 2026!
On August 12, 2026, we are in for a rare and remarkable celestial event – a total solar eclipse - and a cruise may be the best place for you to experience it. This will be the first total solar eclipse visible from Europe this millennium! When you combine an extraordinary natural spectacle that may be best viewed at sea, with the popularity of European holidays, in the warm summer months… that’s a recipe for a must-book vacation of a lifetime. Highlights of the August 12, 2026, Total Solar Eclipse This eclipse presents a rare opportunity for observers in Europe and beyond to experience the awe-inspiring phenomenon of totality. Path of Totality: The eclipse will begin at sunrise over the Arctic Ocean, crossing... more
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