Star Princess, the newest vessel in Princess Cruises' sphere-class fleet, arrived in Seattle on May 3 to begin its inaugural Alaska season. The 177,800-ton ship will operate 20 weekly roundtrip voyages from Pier 91 through September 13, sailing the Inside Passage to Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway, and Sitka, with glacier viewing at Endicott Arm and Dawes Glacier. The ship … [Read more...] about Star Princess Arrives in Seattle for 2026 Alaska Season
Travel Insights
World Cities Summit 2026, June 14–16, Singapore
The 10th edition of the World Cities Summit takes place in Singapore from 14 to 16 June 2026, organised by the Centre for Liveable Cities and the Urban Redevelopment Authority. The biennial summit convenes government leaders, urban planners, industry executives, and researchers around the theme "Liveable and Sustainable Cities: ACT Now!" — a framework built around three … [Read more...] about World Cities Summit 2026, June 14–16, Singapore
Hantavirus on the MV Hondius: What the Cruise Industry Is Watching
A suspected hantavirus outbreak aboard the MV Hondius, a Dutch-operated polar expedition vessel, has killed three passengers and left one in intensive care in Johannesburg, with the ship currently anchored off Praia, Cape Verde, awaiting authorization to disembark symptomatic travelers. The World Health Organization confirmed one case by laboratory testing on May 3 and flagged … [Read more...] about Hantavirus on the MV Hondius: What the Cruise Industry Is Watching
MSC World Asia Is Building a Theme Park at Sea
The cruise industry's arms race has a new front: open-air amusement parks suspended over the ocean. MSC Cruises just detailed the family entertainment lineup aboard *MSC World Asia*, its third World Class flagship, debuting December 2026. The headline attraction is Cliffhanger — Europe's first over-water swing ride, cantilevered above the deck with unobstructed sea views … [Read more...] about MSC World Asia Is Building a Theme Park at Sea
Coffee with Pastel de Nata in Lisbon
There is a version of a perfect afternoon that costs less than two euros and requires no reservation. In Lisbon, it arrives on a black tray: one pastel de nata, one coffee, no further negotiation required. The pastel de nata is a Portuguese custard tart with a specific argument to make. The shell is laminated pastry, lacquered and blistered at the edges from a very hot oven. … [Read more...] about Coffee with Pastel de Nata in Lisbon
JetBlue Steps Into the Void Left by Spirit’s Shutdown
Spirit Airlines is gone, and JetBlue is moving fast to absorb the disruption. The carrier announced a package of measures targeting stranded Spirit customers, displaced crew members, and the route gaps left behind — with Fort Lauderdale at the center of the response. For travelers with active Spirit bookings, JetBlue is offering $99 one-way rescue fares on matching routes … [Read more...] about JetBlue Steps Into the Void Left by Spirit’s Shutdown
EgyptAir Takes Delivery of First Boeing 737 MAX
Egypt's national carrier has entered the 737 MAX era. EgyptAir took delivery of its first Boeing 737-8 this week, becoming the first airline to operate the type in Egypt and marking a tangible step in a fleet modernization program that has been years in the making. The aircraft is the first of 18 737 MAX jets leased from SMBC Aviation Capital. EgyptAir plans to deploy the … [Read more...] about EgyptAir Takes Delivery of First Boeing 737 MAX
America’s Tourism Decline Is a Policy Problem, Not a Perception Problem
Crowds of winter-dressed tourists pack around the Charging Bull sculpture in Lower Manhattan's Financial District — one of New York City's most visited landmarks, steps from Wall Street. The scene captures exactly what international tourism to the United States has long looked like at its peak: dense, multinational, cold-weather crowds queuing for a quintessentially American … [Read more...] about America’s Tourism Decline Is a Policy Problem, Not a Perception Problem
Why Spirit Airlines Shut Down
The Collapse Was Structural, Not Sudden Spirit Airlines filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in November 2024 and ceased operations shortly after, ending two decades of ultra-low-cost flying in the United States. For travelers who had built budget itineraries around Spirit's bare-bones fares, the shutdown was abrupt. For anyone watching the airline's finances, it was the terminal … [Read more...] about Why Spirit Airlines Shut Down
Texas Travel and Tourism Week 2026, May 3–9, Texas, USA
This year’s National Travel and Tourism Week feels a bit bigger than usual, maybe because it sits right on the edge of several global moments that will pull the world’s attention toward the state. With the 2026 FIFA World Cup on the horizon, alongside milestones like America 250 and the Route 66 Centennial, Texas isn’t just participating in a celebration—it’s preparing to be a … [Read more...] about Texas Travel and Tourism Week 2026, May 3–9, Texas, USA