In a World First for Any Vessel, Ponant Cruise Ship Reaches “North Pole of Inaccessibility”
There’s the North Pole… and there’s the “North Pole of Inaccessibility.” Ponant’s Le Commandant Charcot has done something no ship of any kind has ever done before. In the 21st century, it’s hard to imagine there’s a place on earth humans have never been, but close to the end of the 2024 Arctic cruise/ sailing season, the polar expedition cruise ship pulled off a ‘Star Trek’ of an accomplishment, going “where no man had ever gone before.” That place was the...
The Galapagos Islands’ ‘Big 15’ Wildlife Species
On safari in Africa, it’s the ‘Big 5’ signature species. But on the other side of the world, in another extraordinary landscape, the can’t miss, iconic wildlife is summed up on the ‘Big 15’ list. Many are found nowhere else on earth other than in the Galapagos islands. Their unparalleled biodiversity famously inspired Darwin’s theory of evolution. No wonder these remote Ecuadorian islands are a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a protected marine preserve, and the ultimate travel aspiration for nature lovers. Here’s...
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 will offer guests signature Viking-style immersive, destination-focused experiences, insightful lectures, and regionally inspired cuisine.The new voyages will operate from September...
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 Islands to St. Kitts and St. John’s, Antigua. And even if you’ve cruised the Caribbean many times before, this is an...
New Digital Border Forms and Airport Hall Transform Travel to St. Maarten
New digital border processing and hall at SXM airport mean arriving for your next trip to the Caribbean’s famous twin-nation island will be faster, easier, and better than ever before. But you do have to get online and fill out the new forms before you check in to your flight to St. Maarten.Mandatory Digital Forms for Travel to St. MaartenSt. Maarten has implemented a new Digital Embarkation/ Disembarkation (ED) Form. As of October 8, 2024, all visitors arriving at Princess Juliana...
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 highlights from Spain, Korea, France, Argentina, and North America in The Dome observation lounge. Prepared for only ten guests in an...
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 restaurant chefs, a sweeping pool deck offering spectacular views at sea, new itineraries, bespoke amenities, among the highest guest-to-staff ratio,...
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 sea and the growing cruise line’s curated destinations. The traditional maritime ceremony featured the symbolic cutting of a ribbon to break...
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 EuropeAmaWaterways made waves when it became the first river cruise line to introduce a full-sized pickleball court (pictured, below). That’s courtesy of the extraordinary (for river cruise ships) size of the AmaMagna, the...
Get In On This Summer's Hottest Cocktail Trend With These Next-Gen Sips from MSC
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...