Travel Blog

Gin is in! Cocktail culture is back, and one of the original ingredients of cocktails is having a renaissance, too. MSC Cruises has ‘tapped’ into the of-the-moment trend that’s seen a boom in types of gin and new gin cocktails. The cruise line is introducing new drinks fleet-wide to join in its lineup of cool summer sips. For many, fun and sophisticated cocktails and new dining experiences are the cornerstone of a cruise vacation, and MSC partners with world-class, award-winning wine, spirits...

You don’t have to travel half way around the world to the South Pacific to experience the romance and luxury of overwater suites. Antigua is the latest Caribbean island to bring overwater luxe close to home. The newly opened Royalton CHIC Antigua, is an all-inclusive, adults-only resort and part of An Autograph Collection, with its signature sophistication and a ‘Party Your Way’ concept. And… a dozen overwater suites. The overwater suites come in three categories: Chairman, Presidential and Junior Suites, each with...

There will soon be two new places in the U.S. to visit China’s iconic and endearing national animal. The giant panda, with its unmistakeable black and white markings and adorable fuzzy features, is a keystone species and symbol of global conservations efforts – and it’s one of the ‘bucket list’ animals many people want to experience in person.  A pair of pandas from China make their eagerly awaited public debut at the San Diego Zoo on August 8, 2024. Xin Bao...

It’s some of the most incredible scenery along the middle Danube River! One of the absolute highlights of our river cruise on the Danube through Austria aboard the Riverside Mozart was the daytime scenic sailing through the wondrous ‘Danube Snare.’  The Danube is Europe’s longest river and the middle Danube is one of the most popular river cruise destinations in Europe - not just for magnificent cities like Budapest, Vienna, Linz and Passau. That middle section of the Danube between...

On the other side of the earth from the epicenter of the Paris Summer Games, one competition is returning to its roots – while still flying the French flag. For the second Summer Games in a row, surfing is part of the Olympic Games. And while many of the Summer Games competitions are spread around the French capital and even as far away as its Mediterranean coast, mainland France can’t boast the kind of competitive surfing conditions at this time...

Plenty of cruise lines swear they serve the best pizza. But only one cruise line can now claim to hold the Guinness World Record for World’s Largest Pizza Party. Over 60,000 slices of pie were served fresh from the oven over multiple ships across the Princess Cruises fleet simultaneously in July, 2024 to set the record. World’s Largest Pizza Party By the Numbers:·     Total Weight of Dough Used: 6,512 pounds·     Total Weight of Flour Used: 3,417 pounds·     Total Weight of Pepperoni Slices Used:1,393 pounds·     Total...

Norway is so famous for its fjords, the Norwegian word has become part of the international travel dialect. In languages around the world, ‘fjord’ means a deep, natural sea channel reaching far inland, surrounded by dramatic cliffs carved millennia ago by glaciers on their way to the sea. According to Visit Norway, the word ‘fjord’ has Viking roots, relating to the phrase for a ‘crossing point.’  The vast system of fjords along Norway’s coast certainly helps explain ancient Norse seafaring culture; skillful...

Copenhagen is putting its money where its mouth is when it comes to sustainable travel. The tourism board of the capital of Denmark is rewarding you to make green choices when you visit this summer as part of a pilot program that could lead the world in helping both locations and visitors to benefit more from travel.  More popular destinations are struggling with growing numbers of visitors and their impact on the environment and local lifestyle. Instead of restricting visitors or...

Nayarit’s stunning Pacific coastline, rich culture and lifestyle, seafood and traditional Mexican cuisine and charming towns have made it a magnet for beach vacation lovers. But which is the best beach for a holiday of lounging, swimming, snorkeling, diving and wildlife watching? One of the most popular areas is the Riviera Nayarit, a 200-mile stretch of coastline that includes the luxurious resort town of Punta Mita, the surf-friendly Sayulita, and the tranquil beaches of San Blas. Luxury hotels and resorts in the...

Building family fun on a cruise vacation couldn’t be easier. When the new MSC World America launches in April, 2025, it will have an over 10,0000 square foot kids’ area, complete with an enhanced partnership with LEGO that will offer first-at-sea experiences. Plus the only over-water swing ride – the ‘Cliffhanger’ - towering over 160 feet above the ocean - and other ‘can’t miss’ experiences for families. One of seven districts on the upcoming ship, Family Aventura is the destination for...

Explora Journeys has unveiled a program that allows guests to customize their life on board, interact with others, access moments, and delight in pop up entertainment that will transform their voyages and take their shipboard life to new heights.  The acclaimed new, small-ship luxury sister cruise line of European brand MSC has debuted a series of activities and entertainment programs aboard its first ship, EXPLORA I. Ranging from interactive activities and exclusive events to performances that don’t repeat even if a...

Princess Cruises’ newest ship isn’t just an engineering marvel. Sun Princess launched in February, 2024, another member of the “Love Boat” fleet – with a slew of celebrity partnerships enhancing guests’ onboard dining and drinking experiences, in addition to her advanced design, technology and craftsmanship. Eye-Catching AdvancesThe 4,300-guest Sun Princess debuts new experience venues including The Dome, a ground-breaking geodesic, glass-enclosed structure at the top of the ship the cruise line says is inspired by the terraces of Santorini. At night,...

Discover – or renew – your love of train travel, and take advantage of one of the most sustainable forms of travel to explore in depth a destination renowned for its eco-sensibilities and spectacular scenery. Great Journeys of New Zealand, part of the country’s KiwiRail, has designed new rail tours allowing visitors to step off the beaten ‘track’ and explore both of the country’s two islands through activities, excursions, culinary immersion and scenic vistas you can only see by train.   You...

Interest in global "Blue Zones" is stronger than ever. The regions in the world where people live much longer and healthier lives compared to the global average are not just inspiring people to take a hard look at the overall wellness of their lifestyle – they are even inspiring people’s travel plans!  “Blue Zones” is a term first coined by researchers who identified mysterious pockets of populations around the globe that were outliers in health and longevity, with a well-above ‘normal’...

St. Martin is re-staking its claim as the culinary capital of the Caribbean with a splashy new eatery and the return for the 4th year of what’s become a signature gastronomic event in the region.  The French half of the dual-nation island of St. Martin and Dutch Saint Maarten is home to Grand Case, a seaside town with a long, idyllic beach and long sunsets. It boasts a perfect setting for romantic beach restaurants, which, given its French connection, deliver cuisine...

There’s a whole world of river cruising beyond beloved European rivers. Have you dipped your toe in the waters of exotic river cruising yet? Well, new ships on two of the world’s most fabled waterways give you more options to see sail into the heart of the ancient treasures of Egypt and unparalleled natural richness of the Amazon on your intimate, floating, boutique hotel.  AmaWaterways Introduces the AmaLilia on the NileThe latest addition to the AmaWaterways’ fleet is the river cruise...

Thinking pink for your next tropical vacation? Barbie has landed in the Bahamas! Fans of the world’s most famous doll with her own entertainment franchise can immerse themselves in her vivid universe in one of the most famous resorts in the islands.  Through a new, exclusive partnership, Barbie Bahamas Beach Vacation has become a technicolor reality in Atlantis. It’s the first collaboration of its kind in the Caribbean. Friends of Barbie will discover Barbie-themed guest rooms, pool cabanas, activities, and café; a...

Health is its own reward, but a hotel company has teamed up with one of the biggest brands in fitness to give members points for staying fit while on the road – and make it easier than ever. Hyatt and Peloton’s new partnership is breaking new ground for those who take their wellness goals seriously – even while they travel. Travelers benefit a number of ways: Peloton is outfitting over 800 Hyatt properties with the company’s equipment, andproviding access to a curated set...

All eyes were once again on the coast of Normandy as the 80th anniversary of D-Day was marked on June 6, 2024 by the UK, US, Canada, and France. The surprise landing of over 150,000 Allied soldiers on the shores of France in 1944 was described by Winston Churchill as “the most complicated and difficult” military operation in world history. Despite the incredible complexity, odds, weather, miscalculations, intense Nazi fortifications and thousands dead, D-Day was ultimately the beginning of the end...

The legendary Eastern & Oriental Express, a Belmond train, captures the essence of ultra-luxury train travel’s history and modern opulence like never before, with revamped interiors, a new culinary curator with two Michelin stars, and eye-opening, one-of-a-kind journeys through Malaysia. NEW DESIGN AND ELEVATED ONBOARD EXPERIENCESThe revamped Eastern & Oriental Express reflects both the heyday of luxury train travel and the different landscapes the train travels through in Malaysia. It boasts eight sleeping carriages, two restaurants, a Piano Bar, and the...