Fincantieri launches Star Princess
The Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri has just announced the launch of its second LNG-powered ship for Princess Cruises. Star Princess, sister ship to Sun Princess, is the second-largest cruise vessel ever built in ItaIy. Its gross tonnage (measuring the internal volume) is a staggering 178,000, and a
Marquesas Celebration Cruise
UNESCO has officially designated the Marquesas Islands as a World Heritage site. To commemorate the honor, Windstar Cruises invited three mayors of the French Polynesian paradise on a 14-day celebratory voyage. In early 2024, Windstar began sailing to the remote island chain, which only welcomes a f
Petiscos, Pasteis, and the Prato do Dia
Traditional Portuguese food is made up of a profusion of seductively mouthwatering options so deciding what to have takes time. Don’t worry though, you won’t go hungry while you work through the menu. Tables come set with a selection of olives, pats of butter, pate and bread, with diners only pa
Ship Review: Silver Ray
It’s not easy to put the sun-drenched Greek Islands in the shade, but Silversea’s latest offering — Silver Ray — shines a new light on luxury cruising. Silversea took their ship design in a new direction with the introduction of the innovative Silver Nova in 2023, and Silver Ray’s launch t
Rosalba Giugni chosen as Explora II Godmother
Luxury lifestyle cruise line Explora Journeys, part of the MSC Group, has once again demonstrated its commitment to sustainability by selecting noted environmentalist Rosalba Giugni as godmother of its new ship, Explora II. Giugni is president of the Marevivo Foundation, a conservation organization
Style Islands
Drew Dean This homegrown soul singer has become a West Indies sensation, a “Diamond in the Ruff” whose latest, reggae-and-R&B-infused album, Vibrations, has drifted up the charts worldwide. Nevis Island Living Fabric artist Deborah Tyrell founded this gallery “in the house with
Brightline Supports The Everglades
Brightline rail service is working hand in hand with the Everglades Foundation to save the Florida wetlands. The ecology-minded fast-train company is offering educational materials in all their stations, letting passengers know about the importance of preserving the Everglades — a vital source of
Rottnest Island, Western Australia
“Help!” I called. I was seated on the edge of a raised patio, eating a sandwich, when suddenly a furry creature the size of a large house cat climbed onto my lap. The animal sat on his hind legs, his delicate finger-like digits on my chest. He was trying to reach my sandwich, which I [&hel
Step Inside Sanctuary
Cairo is an electrifying place. Loud, chaotic and very crowded, this Middle Eastern megalopolis is fascinating, yet it also can be overwhelming in large doses. It has another side too, though. A quiet and peaceful side. Step inside one of Cairo’s churches, and you will find yourself immersed in hu
Savana, Queen of the Desert
It is that beguiling hour betwixt day and night, when the sky is fast transforming from tangerine to mauve and buriti trees are stark in silhouette, as we set out in search of a female maned wolf named Savana — not actually a wolf at all but the largest member of the South American Canidae [&helli
Sauntering through the vineyards
The sky was still mostly blue when a few cheeky raindrops hit the leaves of the grapevine arbor high in the hills above the Rhine River in southwest Germany. The arbor covered two wooden benches where my friends and I were sampling a 2023 Spätburgunder rosé, also known as pinot noir. The grapevine
Sober Seas
When Darci Murray entered her cabin on an Explora Journeys cruise in the Caribbean, nonalcoholic champagne awaited her. “We felt like everybody else,” said Murray, a travel advisor and owner of Hooked, an alcohol-free group travel company. Many folks have an iconic cruising image of sittin
Windstar’s Winter Riviera
Chase away the January blues aboard Windstar’s Star Legend, sailing in winter from the Catalan capital to the Eternal City. Even if you’re not feeling blue, this journey will lift your spirits. You might think of the Med as a gleaming region of sun-soaked beauty, but in the chillier months, it r
Go Green Thailand
The Land of Smiles is dealing with the challenges of pollution, climate change, and the millions of annual tourists. Creative adaptations abound, and travelers can make a difference by seeking out greener, more ethical options that are not sacrifices, but actually improve the travel experience. 
Sustainability is the New Luxury
As more people notice the threat wasteful consumerism poses to our planet, the definition of luxury is changing — especially in the tourism industry. The old mindset (expense equals “class”) is dying. Sustainability is replacing lavish spending as hotel guests value clean air and water and a p
Cat Travels
Love culture? Love cats? You can satisfy both those passions by planning a cat trip, visiting historic sites worldwide that house lovable felines. For instance: The Hemingway House and Museum in Key West, Florida. See where the iconic author lived and wrote, and meet the 60-plus cats who also call t
Christmas 2024: The List
Affection Nothing brings joy like a new member of the family — and ASPCA research shows that adopting a shelter pet for the holidays (once you’re ready to share the love) actually works out best for the animals and their new humans. Competition If you’ve wondered what all the pickl
The Winter Trains
Winter can put the fun of travel on ice … for some. Frozen roads make going by car inconvenient and downright dangerous. Flights can be overcrowded. And hiking — even in delightfully scenic places — can lose its joy fast when your teeth are chattering. One perfect remedy: The rails! What
Sustainability is the New Luxury
As more people notice the threat wasteful consumerism poses to our planet, the definition of luxury is changing — especially in the tourism industry. The old mindset (expense equals “class”) is dying. Sustainability is replacing lavish spending as hotel guests value clean air and water a
Water Sport Island
For the traveler seeking out aquatic interests to experience, the dual Dutch and French island of Sint Maarten/Saint-Martin stands out in this part of the Caribbean for its diverse range of watersports. That wide spectrum of activities on and below the water here is in part due to the island’s
