Online travel agencies like Expedia promise unbeatable convenience.Cheap flights, pleasant UX, and all your travel needs can be booked and managed in one place.But if you asked a frequent traveller whether booking through one of these platforms is a good idea, they’d almost certainly say no.Why?Because they’ve learned (probably the hard way) that what starts as a blessing can quickly turn into a … [Read more...]

Cape Town has been named Time Out’s Best City in the World for 2025, rising to the top spot from its second-place ranking last year, highlighting its appeal as a world-class destination for both tourists and cruise travelers. The accolade is based on a global survey of more than 18,500 participants in 50 cities around the world, and is judged according to 44 key criteria, including … [Read more...]

As we enter 2025, the travel rewards landscape has shifted significantly. Banks have tightened their lending practices, loyalty programs have undergone further devaluations, and premium award availability has become increasingly scarce.While these changes affect each traveler differently, here’s my strategy for navigating the evolving miles and points scene for my family in the year ahead.Credit … [Read more...]

South Africans are increasingly turning to cruising as a favoured holiday choice, especially families and couples, according to Sue Garrett, General Manager of Supply, Pricing, and Marketing at Flight Centre Travel Group South Africa. With new cruise ships, experiences, and itineraries on the horizon this year, Garrett told IOL that 2025 promises even greater appeal with its … [Read more...]

Bolette of Fred Olsen Cruise Line departed January 4th, 2025 from Liverpool on its first ever World Cruise for the cruise line, with a three day port call in Cape Town included in the itinerary, as well as a 21 night grand voyage from the city. Sailing roundtrip from Liverpool, Bollette’s 110-night World Cruise circumnavigates the globe, visiting 34 destinations in 22 countries, but a … [Read more...]

After a few years of dreaming about earning and redeeming Hyatt points on the Las Vegas Strip again, it’s finally happening. The Venetian Resort in Las Vegas, which includes the iconic Venetian and Palazzo towers, has officially joined World of Hyatt.While the integration offers certain benefits, it also raises questions about value for elite members and the overall appeal of the partnership.Let’s … [Read more...]

AIDA Cruises has opened bookings for repositioning cruises to and from Dubai around Africa at the beginning and end of the 2025/26 cruise season on the back of ongoing security concerns in the Red Sea. AIDAstella and AIDAprima will both cruise around Africa via Cape Town. While AIDAstella will reposition from Europe to Asia in late 2025, AIDAprima will be repositioning to the Middle East, … [Read more...]

Disney Cruise Line has ordered a new class of cruise ships for delivery from 2029 onwards, which will be smaller than the current flagship Disney Wish, but larger than its two oldest vessels, Disney Magic and Disney Wonder. The new class of ships, with three planned initially, will be delivered in 2029, 2030, and 2031, with a gross tonnage of 100,000 and a passenger capacity of around … [Read more...]

One of the contractors involved in the refit work aboard Norwegian Encore has detailed some of the work that took place at the Damen shipyard in Brest, France. Gerolamo Scorza S.p.A., a member of Genova Industrie Navali S.p.A., completed four refit projects aboard Norwegian Encore within a two-week deadline, including the conversion of a tender lobby into a retail boutique. Gerolamo … [Read more...]

This article may contain paid links where we make a small commission for purchases you make from links that you click from this article. By purchasing through our links, you support us at no additional cost. Thank you for your support ❤️. For more details, read the disclosure page.Trying to decide what Greek Island to visit is a beautiful problem to have! I’ve enjoyed some of the most magical … [Read more...]

Amid a boom in the cruise sector and wider tourism industry, Cape Town is looking to continue growing its visitor numbers in 2025 by expanding flight access alongside other initiatives. The cruise sector during the 2023/24 season was the busiest on record for Cape Town, with more than 145,000 cruise tourist arrivals and more than 80 cruise ship calls, injecting in excess of R100 … [Read more...]

Dubai in the United Arab Emirates is the safest destination for a cruise ship stopover, according to a new study by travel insurance company InsureMyTrip. The premier cruise destination in the Middle East came in first place thanks to its low crime index, highly rated hospitals, and its comparatively low number of cruise-related accidents or incidents. Just two safety-related … [Read more...]

If you’re planning to visit some of the world’s most popular destinations, you can run into some hurdles if award availability is scarce and cash prices are high.Sure, points can help offset the cost, but that means it will cost you a lot of points. What if I told you there’s a way to save those points and snag an awesome deal on your accommodation? Well, there is – welcome to the world of … [Read more...]

Ambassador Cruise Line and Compagnie Française de Croisières (CFC) have signed an agreement that will see the two companies merge to become the Ambassador Group, specialising in premium, affordable, no-fly European cruises for older travelers. The merger is expected to be completed by the end of January 2025, but the two distinct cruise brands, Ambassador and CFC, will continue to operate … [Read more...]

The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) has launched the Cruise Crew Pass, an exclusive discount programme designed for crew members working aboard cruise liners calling in the Arabian Gulf. The pass, developed in collaboration with online platform Alike and costing US$1 to sign-up, offers discounts at retail, dining, and attraction venues throughout Abu Dhabi, … [Read more...]

Costa Smeralda on Saturday successfully completed her first LNG refuelling in Dubai Harbour, the primary hub for Carnival Corporation in the Middle East, in the UAE’s emirate of Dubai. The flagship of the Costa fleet and sistership to Costa Toscana is also the first cruise ship in the world to conduct Liquified Natural Gas bunkering operations at any Dubai port. The operation was made … [Read more...]

This article may contain paid links where we make a small commission for purchases you make from links that you click from this article. By purchasing through our links, you support us at no additional cost. Thank you for your support ❤️. For more details, read the disclosure page.Oh Canada, how lucky we are to have such a beautiful country filled with natural wonders. Ontarians are especially … [Read more...]

Cunard Line‘s newest cruise ship Queen Anne has departed Hamburg, Germany on her first World Cruise, with an 18-night Cape Town to Hamburg departure on offer as one of the legs. The 112-night World Cruise departed January 7th from Hamburg, visiting 32 ports across 20 countries and returning to Hamburg on April 29th. The voyage is also bookable as a Southampton roundtrip of 107 … [Read more...]

Princess Cruises’ Island Princess has set sail on her 2025 World Cruise, departing earlier this week from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, with an overnight stay and grand voyage departure from Cape Town also on offer. The full 116-night World Cruise will take guests to 43 destinations across the globe, including an overnight stay in Cape Town, South Africa, as part of a grand voyage up … [Read more...]

Costco offers another way to save on air travel as it now sells airlines gift cards at a discount, but there are a few things to consider before purchasing them. Appeared first on: princeoftravel.com … [Read more...]

The recent port call at Ilha de Mozambique (Mozambique Island) by Seabourn Sojourn underscores the untapped potential of many emergent cruise destinations on Africa’s Indian Ocean coastline. Seabourn Sojourn, of the luxury Seabourn line, anchored off Ilha de Mozambique on January 3rd as part of her 32-night grand voyage from Cape Town, South Africa, which departed December 27th. The ship … [Read more...]

With the start of 2025, Aeroplan’s Everyday Status Qualification has been reset, and for us miles and points nerds, it’s time to start grinding towards 100,000 qualifying points.Since this status can be earned without even setting foot on a plane, there’s no better time to begin. Plus, with new rules for basic fare bookings kicking in today (that’s right, no more free carry-ons on board), having … [Read more...]

Marriott and MGM Resorts are starting the New Year with a roll out of enhanced perks through their loyalty partnership.As of January 1, 2025, Marriott Bonvoy Elite members staying at MGM Resorts will enjoy boosted benefits, including reciprocal elite recognition, points earning, and redemption opportunities, as well as points transfers between programs.Marriott Bonvoy Boosts Benefits for MGM … [Read more...]

Aroya made her inaugural visit to Sharm El Sheikh in Egypt on December 31st, 2024 as part of her inaugural cruise season in the Red Sea out of Jeddah in Saudi Arabia. The ship’s maiden visit on New Year’s Eve was commemorated with a traditional plaque exchange ceremony attended by senior representatives from AROYA Cruises, including President Dr. Jorg Rudolph and Captain Roland … [Read more...]

Marriott Bonvoy members who achieve 50 or 75 elite qualifying nights during a calendar year are entitled to an Annual Choice Benefit, which allows them to choose one of several different benefits that may enhance their Marriott Bonvoy experience.As a reminder, the 2024 Annual Choice Benefits are available for selection until Feb 1, 2025. Therefore, you’ll want to think about which benefit you’d … [Read more...]

This article may contain paid links where we make a small commission for purchases you make from links that you click from this article. By purchasing through our links, you support us at no additional cost. Thank you for your support ❤️. For more details, read the disclosure page.I am so jealous. I wish I could visit Hawaii again for the first time! It’s truly one of the most beautiful places in … [Read more...]

Beginning January 1, 2025, there will be a new limit on the number of Aeroplan points that can be redeemed in the Travel Category through the Chase Aeroplan Card Pay Yourself Back Feature.Chase and Aeroplan have introduced a new annual cap of 200,000 Aeroplan points for redemptions in the Travel Category, which includes hotels, car rentals, ride-shares, flights, and more.When the Pay Yourself Back … [Read more...]

There are many scenarios in which using cash for a hotel stay just makes more sense than redeeming points.In fact, there are many properties around the world that don’t even have a loyalty program in the first place. These include independent properties, boutique hotels, cottages, and vacation homes.In these situations, it’s good to know that you don’t always have to pay full price. There are ways … [Read more...]

British Airways has announced big changes are coming to its loyalty program in 2025 starting with its name. As of April 1, 2025, the British Airways Executive Club will become simply “The British Airways Club”, and will offer new ways for members to earn Tier Points but make it more expensive to earn elite status.British Airways Announces New Loyalty Program for 2025Introducing The British Airways … [Read more...]

Celestyal Cruises has unveiled its ‘Live Your Vacation Dream’ campaign, offering up to 50% savings on Arabian Gulf cruises for 2025 through 2027, along exclusive perks for early bookings, as it seeks to consolidate its market position in the region. Coinciding with the launch of Celestyal Cruises maiden season in the region, with Celestyal Journey cruising roundtrip from Doha, Qatar and … [Read more...]