Explora Journeys has unveiled upcoming cruises aboard Explora I and Explora II through April 2026, with Explora I now spending an entire season homeporting in the Arabian Gulf for 2025/26.  Explora Journeys full program of cruises through 2026 includes a range of seven-, 14- and 21-night voyages across the world, with Explora II joining the fleet in August 2024, giving the new cruise … [Read more...]

In this edition of Head-to-Head, we’ll take a look at two of the primary mass-consumer credit cards for Air Canada and WestJet: the TD Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card and WestJet RBC® World Elite Mastercard. Despite the card similarities between the flagship co-branded credit cards of Canada’s two largest airlines, we’ll also look at the important differences to determine which card ultimately comes … [Read more...]

Hilton Honors often runs interesting promotions for its members to earn more points and qualifying nights on stays. We’ve just learned the details of the Winter 2024 “Points Plus” promotion, through which you can earn up to 2,500 points per stay from January 1–May 1, 2024. As a reminder, the Fall 2023 “Multiply Your Points” promotion is ongoing, and members can earn up to 3x points on eligible … [Read more...]

During a trip to Mauritius, my wife Ashley and I stayed at three Marriott Bonvoy properties on the island nation. To wrap up our Marriott tour, we spent a night at The Westin Turtle Bay Resort & Spa, Mauritius. Located in the Balaclava region on the northwest coast of Mauritius, The Westin Turtle Bay Resort & Spa is in a location that’s particularly known for its breathtaking … [Read more...]

There are many scenarios in which using cash for a hotel stay makes more sense than redeeming points. In fact, there are many properties around the world at which using points isn’t even an option. These include independent properties, boutique hotels, or hotel chains without a loyalty program that offers its members points. In these situations, it’s important to know that you can still save money … [Read more...]

For the second time this year, Virgin Atlantic Flying Club has increased the cost of redeeming Virgin Points on one of its partner airlines without warning. As of December 7, 2023, the cost of many Delta award flights booked with Virgin Points has increased. This represents the loss of a few sweet spots, especially for economy flights within North America, and a sizeable shift in the overall … [Read more...]

Silversea has named Moss Hills as Cruise Director for its 132-day Far East-West World Cruise 2024 aboard Silver Shadow. Hills is a veteran Cruise Director who first joined Silversea in 2014 and has since sailed to all seven continents with the cruise line, but is best known in the industry for his leadership of the rescue operation aboard the cruise ship Oceanos in 1991.  Hills … [Read more...]

As we approach the end of the year, Air Canada is sending out targeted offers to purchase Aeroplan Elite Status for 2024. This type of paid status upgrade has been offered in years prior, and seems to have been sent out to passengers who have made some progress towards qualifying, but who may not reach the required thresholds by the end of the year. Air Canada Offers Targeted Paid Status … [Read more...]

After a three-year hiatus, AIR MILES is relaunching one of its signature promotions, Shop the Block. Shop the Block allows collectors to earn Bonus Miles when shopping with a number of different partners. On this year’s edition, you stand to earn up to 1,000 bonus AIR MILES, worth up to $105 (CAD), by making purchases with just four partners. AIR MILES Relaunches Shop the Block Promotion AIR MILES … [Read more...]

Welcome to the 2023 Prince of Travel Awards, our fourth edition of annual community awards to recognize excellence in travel, rewards, and loyalty programs. This year, our awards have been tailored to include 30 distinct categories: 15 focused on the Canadian credit card landscape and another 15 on travel, hospitality, and loyalty programs. We’re excited to hear your opinions, and invite you to … [Read more...]

Aeroplan has announced that Flydubai has become its latest partner. As of December 6, 2023, it’s now possible to redeem Aeroplan points on the Dubai-based airline. The addition of Flydubai complements Air Canada’s routes to Dubai (DXB) from Vancouver and Toronto, and adds to Aeroplan’s existing airline partner network in the Middle East. Aeroplan Adds Partnership with Flydubai Aeroplan has … [Read more...]

Royal Caribbean International has released the inaugural cruise itineraries for its upcoming Icon-class vessel Star of the Seas. The LNG-powered vessel is the second in the class after Icon of the Seas, and is scheduled to enter service in August ,2025. During her first cruise season, she will be sailing a series of 7-night cruises departing from Port Canaveral, Florida, joining the new … [Read more...]

Air Canada has launched air-to-rail booking options for passengers connecting at European airports in select countries.  With this integration, passengers can book Air Canada flights and rail services with four major European passenger rail systems on a single itinerary, which facilitates easy connections between different modes of travel. Air Canada Launches Air-to-Rail Connections in … [Read more...]

Windstar Cruises has announced a multi-million-dollar redesign and update refurbishment project for its trio of classic sailing yachts, Wind Star, Wind Spirit and Wind Surf. The multi-year project is already underway, with Wind Star due to soon complete phase one of her renovations. The project encompasses a full redesign of all public spaces with new layouts, furniture, wall and floor … [Read more...]

As most of you who follow my content already know, I love to travel with my family. Sadly, travelling with a family of five isn’t cheap (nor is raising one, for that matter). Everything from grocery bills to dining out, transportation costs, utilities, and beyond is more expensive than it was before I had kids. Also, let’s not forget all the additional costs that come with raising children, like … [Read more...]

Carnival Cruise Line has taken delivery of Carnival Jubilee, the third ship in its award-winning Excel-class, during a ceremony with the Meyer Werft shipyard in Bremerhaven, Germany.  Carnival Jubilee has now embarked on a repositioning voyage to Galveston, Texas where she will represent a major expansion of Carnival Cruise Line’s capacity, bringing an exciting mix of new … [Read more...]

Porter Airlines has announced three new routes connecting Montreal to Western Canada, which will expand their service offerings and further connect Eastern Canada with major hubs out west. The new routes are set to begin in Spring 2024, and will provide daily direct service from Montreal to Calgary, Edmonton, and Vancouver. Porter’s New Routes from Montreal to Western Canada Porter is introducing … [Read more...]

Azamara has released solo fares for cruises to and from South Africa, as well as destinations in Australia,the Caribbean and Antarctica. The festive season solo fares offer rates at a 25 to 50 percent discount, but are only available on select cruises during the Christmas and New Year period. For Azamara’s South African cruises, the solo specials are available on only one departure from … [Read more...]

In early December 2023, Alaska Airlines announced that it has reached an agreement to combine with Hawaiian Airlines, in a deal worth roughly $1.9 billion (USD).  The approval process is expected to take 12–18 months, and in the interim, the airlines will continue to operate as per usual. If the deal is approved, the two will operate under separate brands in the same airline, united by a … [Read more...]

Four Seasons and luxury yachting company Marc-Henry Cruise Holdings have celebrated the first steel cutting for the first vessel in the Four Seasons Yachts fleet. Four Seasons Yachts, a joint venture between the two companies, represents the latest addition to a growing line-up of luxury hotel operators that are entering the luxury cruise sector, joining Ritz Carlton, Aman, and Orient … [Read more...]

Aroya Cruises has revealed it will be launching the world’s first Saudi Arabia restaurant at sea aboard its first cruise ship. The Irth Culinary Boutique & Café restaurant is the result of a partnership between Cruise Saudi (the parent company of Aroya Cruises) and the Culinary Arts Commission, a government body established in 2020 to promote Saudi cuisine. Irth Culinary Boutique … [Read more...]

I’m looking forward to seeing you at the second edition of The Travel Summit in Toronto on April 26–28, 2024. Today, I’m very pleased to share with you a number of exciting updates about the event, including details about our Presenting Sponsor, our next grand prize draw, and the venue for our Saturday Night Social. Welcome to The Travel Summit, Marriott Bonvoy! We’re thrilled to welcome Marriott … [Read more...]

Mein Schiff 7 has been floated out at the Meyer Turku shipyard ahead of final outfitting before its 2024 delivery. The ship is the final vessel in the cruise line’s Mein Schiff class of ships, at 111,500 gross tons and 300 meters in length with 15 decks, she is a sister ship to six other ships in the TUI fleet.  The ship’s 1,461 cabins can accommodate a total of 2,894 passengers and … [Read more...]

Aeroplan has launched the Advent Calendar Promotion for the upcoming holiday season, which offers a deal on earning or redeeming Aeroplan points each day from December 1–23, 2023. The offers are released at 12:01am Eastern Time daily, and are valid through 11:59pm that same day. Be sure to check back often, as there’s a new offer every day in the lead-up to the holidays. Aeroplan Advent Calendar: … [Read more...]

Air Canada has just launched a new feature on its mobile app, which allows passengers to track the status of their baggage and mobility aids. This new feature is available on domestic flights only at the outset; however, it’s expected to be expanded to transborder flights next year, and to select international flights in the future. The tracking feature will proactively keep passengers informed of … [Read more...]

The Saudi Tourism Authority (STA) has concluded an integrated travel campaign in China to boost inbound tourism to the Kingdom.  The initiative reached more than 500 million people in China and achieved a 277% increase in bookings to Saudi Arabia, according to a press release.  The campaign, featuring a week-long exhibition and films … [Read more...]

The new Nelson Mandela Cruise Terminal in Durban will boost the domestic cruise market in South Africa, while also enhancing the country’s appeal as a fly-cruise destination, according to the Tourism Grading Council of South Africa (TGCSA). TGCSA expressed excitement at the potential the Nelson Mandela Cruise Terminal presents South Africa’s cruise tourism … [Read more...]

On a recent trip, my wife Ashley and I embarked on a delightful journey to Le Méridien Ile Maurice, nestled in the peaceful Pointe Aux Piments region of Mauritius. This visit followed a memorable experience at the JW Marriott Mauritius Resort, located on the same side of the island, and sparked our curiosity to see how these two establishments compared. The resort has sprawling grounds, surrounded … [Read more...]

If you fly with WestJet, the WestJet RBC® World Elite Mastercard is the best credit card in Canada to earn extra benefits with the Calgary-based airline. With this card, ‌you’ll earn WestJet Dollars on everyday spending,† which can be redeemed for flights. You’ll also enjoy a suite of ongoing perks that can save you money or even help you reach elite status. These days, the WestJet RBC® World … [Read more...]

In 2021, Porter Airlines placed an order for up to 80 Embraer E195-E2 jets. Late last year, the airline started taking delivery of the new jets, and since then, it has launched a number of new routes featuring the aircraft, largely from Toronto Pearson (YYZ).  Today, Porter Airlines announced that it’s placing a firm order for 25 more E195-E2 jets, adding to the 50 existing firm orders, of … [Read more...]