Category Archives: Blog

Travelers looking for spotless hotel rooms should consider Minneapolis, which has been ranked the cleanest hotel market in the United States, according to a new study from residential cleaning service maidsailors.com. Researchers analyzed more than 9,400 hotels across 123 U.S. cities with populations over 200,000. Minneapolis came out on top with an average cleanliness rating […]

Italy is consistently ranked among the top destinations visited by American travelers, and it is by far the most popular country among travel advisors booking independent clients with custom tour operator and FIT* specialist Avanti Destinations. The company just issued a new 100-page advisor print reference guide on Italy, which can be ordered at https://www.avantidestinations.com/orderbrochures. […]

Riviera Travel has announced its expansion to Asia with the launch of a brand-new ship, Riviera Alba, setting sail on the Mekong River in 2027. This news follows Riviera’s recent unveiling of the world’s first dedicated solo cruise ship. Bookings are now open for 2027 itineraries with limited-time savings of up to 50 percent off […]

Celestyal has confirmed its commitment to the Arabian Gulf with both the 1,260-guest Celestyal Journey and 1,360-guest Celestyal Discovery deployed to the region beginning in December of this year. This follows its inaugural 2024/25 program in the region, and represents a 211 percent year-on-year capacity increase. As part of its updated deployment plans, Celestyal has […]

Secret Atlas has launched “Expedition Micro Cruises” to Antarctica and South Georgia with departures starting from October 2026. With a maximum of just 42 guests, these voyages are redefining what it means to experience this remote part of the world. Unlike conventional expedition cruises carrying hundreds of passengers, micro cruises prioritize authentic, small-group exploration. Guests […]

Sabre Corporation has announced its first set of agentic solutions for the travel industry, introducing new APIs designed to make AI-powered shopping, booking, and servicing a practical reality at scale. The solutions are powered by a proprietary Model Context Protocol (MCP) server, described as a “universal translator” that simplifies the complex language of travel technology […]

It’s easy to drop superlatives when talking about the new, 5,610-passenger Star of the Seas, now sailing from Port Canaveral, Florida. Brash and bold, Royal Caribbean’s newest Icon-class mega ship is, after all, one of the world’s two largest vessels at 248,663 gross tons. The other is sister Icon of the Seas, launched in 2024. Travel […]

Aruba released its “Responsible Tourism Impact Report,” a new global study revealing that 96 percent of travelers believe Responsible Tourism is important, and 80 percent say tourism is about more than minimizing impact—it should actively improve the lives of locals. Yet while 73 percent of travelers say they want to learn how to make a positive […]

Hotel owners and operators across the U.S. are scaling back or shelving investment plans amid rising costs and uneven demand, according to a new survey from the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA). Conducted in late August with input from 387 property owners and operators nationwide, the survey found that 32 percent of respondents have […]

Hapag-Lloyd Cruises has introduced its new brand campaign, “World. Wide. Wonderful. Book your 2026 dream cruise now.” Running until October 31, 2025, the campaign highlights the fleet’s signature onboard atmosphere through specially produced imagery and video while showcasing more than 26 upcoming cruises. Starting January 2026, all five luxury and expedition ships in the line’s […]