MSC Cruises is highlighting the return of its exclusive MSC Yacht Club to the Arabian Gulf for the 2025/26 season, positioning it as a key feature of its regional offering.  The cruise line’s premium ‘ship within a ship’ concept offers guests a private sanctuary of comfort and personal service while retaining access to the amenities and entertainment of a large cruise … [Read more...]

Celebrity Cruises has taken delivery of Celebrity Xcel at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, France, while also marking the start of construction on its next Edge Series vessel, Celebrity Xcite.  The twin milestones signal continued expansion of the Edge class series for the Royal Caribbean Group-owned brand as it evolves its premium cruise … [Read more...]

Royal Caribbean International has marked a key milestone in its ongoing fleet expansion, cutting the first piece of steel for what will become the seventh ship in its groundbreaking Oasis Class. Scheduled for delivery in 2028, the yet-unnamed vessel will continue the evolution of the class that transformed modern cruising when Oasis of the Seas entered service in 2009. The … [Read more...]

Air Canada has unveiled its most significant expansion at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport in 35 years, introducing new daily transborder flights to four major US cities and enhanced domestic service to key Canadian destinations. Starting in spring 2026, Air Canada will launch non-stop service to New York (LGA) four-times daily, Boston (BOS) three-times daily, Chicago (ORD) … [Read more...]

Traveling to Ethiopia’s Omo Valley is an unforgettable adventure, but the most important decision you’ll make for your trip is choosing the right guide. This Omo Valley travel guide explains why a knowledgeable and trusted guide is essential for navigating remote villages, tribal communities, and the region’s unpredictable logistics. This article may contain affiliate links where we make a small … [Read more...]

In August, Air Canada announced that it will move to a revenue-based model for earning Aeroplan points on flights and for Elite status qualification in 2026. After the announcement, some frequent flyers and Elites raised concerns about how the changes would affect their pursuit of Million Mile recognition (and the benefits they’d enjoy), amongst other issues. Recently, Air Canada has sent … [Read more...]

Porter has quietly rolled out a VIPorter award sale with pricing 25% lower than usual on many routes. To take advantage of this promotion, simply book by November 6, 2025 and travel by April 30, 2026. The discount appears to apply on the points portion only. You still pay taxes and fees in cash. No public promo T&C has surfaced, but test searches across multiple routes and dates … [Read more...]

Scene+ is making travel a little more rewarding this month. For a limited time, you can earn 5,000 bonus Scene+ points when you book a minimum two-night hotel stay through Scene+ Travel, powered by Expedia. Simply book between now and October 31, 2025, and complete travel by March 31, 2026 to be eligible for the 5,000 bonus Scene+ points, on top of the 3 Scene+ points per dollar spent by … [Read more...]

Holland America Line is expanding its culinary and beverage offerings for the 2025/26 Caribbean cruise season, introducing new regional dishes, cocktails, and culinary experiences across its fleet.  Running from October 2025 to April 2026, the programme will feature on six ships sailing in the region, each incorporating menus and activities inspired by the Caribbean’s distinctive … [Read more...]

Further details have been reported about the ongoing refit of Disney Fantasy, currently in drydock at the Damen Shiprepair yard in Brest, France. The 2012-built vessel entered the yard on October 1st 2025 following its summer season in Europe, with the technical and interior upgrade scheduled for completion on October 28th. According to reports in the French newspaper Le Télégramme, one … [Read more...]

Celestyal Cruises has confirmed that both its vessels, Celestyal Journey and Celestyal Discovery, will sail through the Red Sea without passengers ahead of the start of their 2025/26 winter deployment in the Arabian Gulf. The cruise line’s announcement follows its earlier confirmation that the Middle East season will proceed as scheduled, despite adjustments to the ships’ repositioning … [Read more...]

How modern cruise ships, complete with theatres, neighbourhoods, and pools, manage to float effortlessly across the ocean. Royal Caribbean operates the largest passenger ships ever built, but Carnival, Costa, MSC, AIDA, P&O, Princess and others also have in their fleets huge vessels that function like small cities at sea. They carry thousands of passengers and crew and feature … [Read more...]

Scene+ is launching its first-ever Scene+ Days event this November, giving members a simple way to earn extra points at popular retailers and partners including grocery stores, Cineplex, Home Hardware, and Scene+ Travel. If you hold an eligible Scotiabank Scene+ credit or debit card, you can boost your earning power for three days straight just by shopping as you normally would. What … [Read more...]

Holland America Line has announced a partnership with Pan Am to launch a month-long Caribbean voyage retracing the routes of the airline’s iconic Clipper flying boats.  The 28-day Pan Am 100th Anniversary Legendary Voyage, departing October 30th, 2027, aboard Zuiderdam, will celebrate a century of Pan Am’s pioneering spirit while reflecting Holland America Line’s own 150-year … [Read more...]

Cruise lines are reshaping the role of casinos at sea, transforming them from tucked-away gaming rooms into design-led entertainment hubs that sit at the heart of the onboard experience. Casino Royale, Harmony of the Seas The latest refits and newbuilds across several major brands reveal an industry moving decisively to reposition casinos as high-profile social spaces aligned with … [Read more...]

Egypt’s resurgence as a cruise destination is gathering pace, with Alexandria Port recording multiple high-profile visits this autumn, signalling renewed confidence in the country’s Mediterranean and Red Sea potential after a decade of gradual recovery. The Port of Alexandria welcomed three calls from Norwegian Viva between September and October 2025, bringing nearly 14,000 passengers to … [Read more...]

AIDA Cruises has launched its 2027/28 winter programme, featuring more than 300 cruises across a range of destinations including South Africa, the Indian Ocean, Canary Islands, Caribbean, South America, and Northern Europe. The German line confirmed that it will return to South Africa for the first time in several years, while cruises in the Middle East remain suspended. According to … [Read more...]

The Musandam Governorate in northern Oman is gearing up for the winter tourism season with a series of new initiatives, infrastructure projects, and heritage site restorations aimed at enhancing its appeal to both cruise passengers and independent travellers. According to the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, preparations are underway across the governorate to ensure that all tourism … [Read more...]

Carnival Cruise Line’s Mardi Gras has returned to service after completing an extensive dry dock in Marseille, France, that introduced new interconnecting staterooms, redesigned public areas, and a range of upgrades improving accessibility and guest experience. The 6,400-passenger Excel-class ship has departed Barcelona on a 15-day transatlantic sailing to Port Canaveral, Florida, … [Read more...]

Silversea has unveiled its largest-ever global deployment, releasing 414 new voyages for the 2027/28 cruise season.  The new collection, titled Memories That Move You, spans all seven continents and includes 271 classic itineraries and 143 expeditions across more than 600 destinations in over 100 countries, including 30 maiden calls.  Departures run from February 2027 to … [Read more...]

Celebrity Cruises has unveiled a new slate of entertainment experiences aboard Celebrity Xcel, promising the most comprehensive lineup in the brand’s history when the ship enters service in November.  Featuring more than 75 resident performers, Celebrity Xcel will offer three new mainstage productions, two immersive club shows, multiple live music experiences, and a … [Read more...]

If you’re planning your first or repeat trip to the country, how do you decide where to go? What are the regions of Japan? Thankfully, we’ve got some experience in this department and want to help break it down for you as simply as possible.This article may contain affiliate links where we make a small commission for purchases you make from links that you click from this article. By purchasing … [Read more...]

MSC Cruises has confirmed that MSC World Asia, the third ship in its World Class series, will feature the most extensive MSC Yacht Club offering in the company’s history when it enters service in December 2026. The ship will debut a new Royal Duplex Suite among seven suite categories and will begin sailing seven-night Mediterranean itineraries from December 4th, 2026. The MSC Yacht … [Read more...]

Explora Journeys will celebrate the festive season in the Caribbean under the theme Currents of Connection, bringing together guests aboard Explora I and Explora II for voyages that emphasise reflection, discovery, and reconnection. The seasonal programme will run across Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Eve, combining the tranquillity of the ocean with curated experiences designed to … [Read more...]

American Express Canada has quietly updated the Terms and Conditions for The Platinum Card® and Business Platinum Card®, outlining a major shake-up to their airport lounge benefits. Starting January 1, 2027, cardholders will no longer enjoy automatic unlimited access to Plaza Premium and Priority Pass lounges. Instead, lounge visits will be capped each year, unless you spend enough to … [Read more...]

Disney Cruise Line has taken delivery of its newest ship, Disney Destiny, during a ceremony in Eemshaven, the Netherlands, marking the completion of construction and the formal handover from German shipbuilder Meyer Werft. Joe Schott, President of Disney Signature Experiences, accepted the ship on behalf of Disney Cruise Line, joined by Sharon Siskie, Senior Vice President and General … [Read more...]

The MSC Foundation, part of MSC Cruises, has shared insights from its marine restoration initiatives in The Bahamas at the IUCN World Conservation Congress in Abu Dhabi, in the UAE.  The organisation joined leaders from government, science, and philanthropy to discuss collaboration on biodiversity protection and sustainable development during the global forum. Representatives from … [Read more...]

Silversea has unveiled an expanded portfolio of global experiences for the coming years, offering travellers an array of cultural, natural, and sporting events across the world. The luxury cruise line, recognised for its immersive approach to travel, continues to position itself at the forefront of experiential cruising, combining exclusive access with in-depth cultural … [Read more...]

Viking has taken delivery of two new river ships, Viking Honir and Viking Thoth, further strengthening its leadership in the river cruise sector in Europe and Egypt.  The delivery ceremonies took place in Basel, Switzerland, for Viking Honir and at the Massara shipyard in Cairo, Egypt, for Viking Thoth. The Viking Honir will operate on Europe’s Rhine, … [Read more...]

For March Break, we usually seek out destinations that offer warm weather, memorable experiences, and the opportunity to use our points and miles to help reduce the overall cost. Next year, we’ve booked something a little different, a family adventure that blends the desert luxury and amusement park fun of Abu Dhabi with the cultural charm of Italy. At first glance, it might seem like an … [Read more...]