Latest News from Travel Weekly
Travel Weekly
3 hours ago
- Business
- Travel Weekly
All paws on deck! Meet Royal Caribbean's 'chief dog officers'
Royal Caribbean International's next ship, Star of the Seas, is getting ever closer to its debut. And one of its most important crew members has sounded her first "woof." Sailor, a 3-month-old golden retriever, will be the ship's resident puppy and the cruise line's second "chief dog officer." The concept debuted with chief dog officer Rover on the Icon of the Seas, the first ship in the Icon class, as a way to bring a different element of joy and fun onboard for guests and crew members, said Kara Wallace, Royal Caribbean International's chief marketing officer. Rover has since become a cruise highlight for many young guests, and the two canines are social media celebrities, thanks in part to an Instagram page that has garnered more than 50,000 followers. Kara Wallace "We build big, iconic, bold ships with features that people can't really even dream up, but we don't let the small things go to waste," Wallace said. "There's always an opportunity to bring depth and richness to the experiences, and this is another way that we did it." Rover, and soon Sailor, don't have meet-and-greets or special schedules to interact with guests, making those interactions spontaneous and organic, Wallace said. She said the dogs are not mascots but crew members that might serve as a pet at sea for the human crew and similarly help young guests who might be missing their companions while on vacation. "That was the primary driver of it," Wallace said, "creating this home away from home." It's cruising cats and dogs Having animals on cruise ships isn't entirely novel but is certainly rare. Bug Naked, a hairless cat, could for years be found onboard Celebrity ships, Royal's sister line, thanks to Capt. Kate McCue, who brought Bug on as a companion in 2017. Like Rover, Bug became a ship celebrity and darling of the crew. Cunard Line's Queen Mary 2 allows transatlantic guests to bring pets on as passengers via 24 kennels that are in high demand. But Royal's decision to bring animals onboard for guest and crew enjoyment is likely a first. It's a small offering compared to other projects Royal is investing in simultaneously, like building the tallest waterslides in North America and new private destinations across the world. But that attention to offering small details is a point of pride for Royal, Wallace said. Though Wallace said she thinks it's unlikely that guests will book cruises with Royal just because of Rover or Sailor, they are a differentiator. "I have colleagues here who have young kids, and they came back and all they could talk about was, 'We met Rover,'" she said. "It was an amazing ship that went to all these places, but it was one of the highlights of their cruise. … I think that that's a testament to the power of bringing this warm, family-oriented addition to round out that whole experience." Royal Caribbean International CEO Michael Bayley was the one to posit the idea of having a dog onboard, Wallace said. From there, the team explored the possibility with the American Humane Society, which has been its partner in the program ever since. There was plenty of planning involved, from choosing a breed to designing the dogs' accommodations and selecting a designated onboard caretaker. What started as one more way to enhance the guest and crew experience expanded into an opportunity to keep the Icon experience in guests' social media feeds every week, as they watch Sailor grow and Rover travel the world. On their Instagram page (@chiefdogofficers), you'll find a video of Sailor being lovingly cuddled and cooed at during her first visit to Royal Caribbean's corporate office as well as videos comically captioned in typical TikTok and Instagram form (in a recent post, a video of Sailor dozing off is accompanied by the text "How I sleep knowing I have a full-time job secured"). "We were just going to see what happens and see how people responded," Wallace said of the social media account. "I don't know that there was really an expectation in terms of, 'Oh, we're going to grow this to be a million followers.' That's not why we did this, but it's more kind of, 'How can we share Sailor and Rover with the world and let people see what we see?'"
Travel Weekly
4 hours ago
- General
- Travel Weekly
Three unforgettable stays in South Africa
Nadia "Sparkle" Henry At my agency, I specialize in crafting tailor-made itineraries that reflect each client's personality, lifestyle and vacation dreams. I don't just book trips, I create journeys that are immersive and memorable, often built around unique accommodations rich in culture and history. I always make it a point to travel to and immerse myself in these destinations and accommodations before recommending them; after all, nothing compares to firsthand experience. It enables me to share stories and insights directly with clients, enriching their journey before it even begins. In March, I traveled to South Africa to explore three accommodations that go far beyond just offering a place to sleep. My first stop was Rovos Rail, a family-owned luxury train company that is based in South Africa but operates routes through several countries, including Zimbabwe, Namibia, Zambia and Tanzania. I embarked on the three-night, four-day journey from Victoria Falls to Pretoria -- a trip that started at the iconic Victoria Falls Hotel right outside the train station. The author in front of a Rovos Rail Luxury Train car in Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe. Photo Credit: Nadia "Sparkle" Henry Onboard, the cabins are comfortable and well appointed, with your choice of a king or two twin beds, a work desk and a private bathroom with a shower. The fare included accommodations, all meals and drinks, room service, laundry, excursions with guides, entrance fees and taxes. Basically, it's an all-inclusive experience, minus entertainment. That's the one area I felt could be enhanced, perhaps with local performances at some of the stops. One highlight was an early morning game drive in Hwange National Park, where we spotted lions, giraffes, zebras, impalas, baboons and wildebeests. Day three was a more relaxed pace as we took in breathtaking scenery from small villages to majestic mountains and crossed the Tropic of Capricorn, a moment that felt straight out of a movie. If you're looking to check a luxury train off your bucket list, or a client's list, Rovos Rail is a must. Related story: A personal quest to rediscover South Africa Next was the Shalati Resort, familiarly known as the "Train on the Bridge," which is suspended over the Sabi River in South Africa's Kruger National Park. The author's accommodations at Kruger Shalati Resort on the Selati Bridge over the Sabi River in Kruger National Park. Photo Credit: Nadia "Sparkle" Henry I've experienced few properties like this one. The resort offers two types of accommodations: 24 Carriage Suites onboard the train and seven Bridge House Suites located nearby in a lush garden setting. I stayed in both to get the full experience. The Carriage Suite was the standout. With large windows overlooking the river, I could watch animals roam from the comfort of my bed or enjoy the view while soaking in a deep bathtub. The train also features a bar and a pool perched on the bridge. Sipping a drink while swimming above the Sabi River was truly magical. Staying at Shalati includes all meals, house drinks and two daily game drives, one in the early morning and the other in the evening. They offered a different lens on wildlife behavior and were equally memorable. My final stop was Sanctuary Mandela, a boutique hotel in Johannesburg's Houghton suburb. Formerly the residence of Nelson Mandela after he was released from Robben Island prison, this intimate hotel has only nine rooms, each designed to reflect a part of Mandela's life story. I stayed in Room 2, named Rolihlahla after his birth name. The energy and legacy of Mandela are felt in every corner of the hotel, which doubles as a living museum, with memorabilia and stories throughout. The on-site restaurant serves Mandela's favorite meals, prepared by his longtime personal chef, Xoliswa Ndoyiya, who still cooks at the hotel part-time. If you're seeking accommodations that leave a lasting impression, I highly recommend these three for their stories, authenticity and immersive experiences. You, and your clients, will not be disappointed.
Travel Weekly
7 hours ago
- Business
- Travel Weekly
Are residential cruises an opportunity for travel advisors?
A small but intriguing part of the cruise business may be set to grow after another residential cruise company has appeared, promising consumers they can buy a cabin and live year-round at sea. Founders of residential lines said they are optimistic about the success of this sector. They point to cruise lines sailing longer world cruises as a trend in their favor. Improvements in high-speed WiFi and consumers' flexibility in working from home are trends supporting this niche product. But some travel advisors said they are hesitant to sell space on residential cruise lines, noting a lack of trade inclusion in the lines' sales strategies and high-profile but troubled product launches. Several residential cruise lines have carved out a space in the industry. Perhaps the best known is The World, a luxury condominium ship that has been in operation for more than 20 years. The newest brand in the market is Crescent Seas, which was founded by former Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings chairman and real estate developer Russell Galbut. He plans for the line to begin sailing in December 2026 on the Seven Seas Navigator, which will be chartered from Regent Seven Seas Cruises and renamed the Crescent Seas Navigator. Crescent plans to expand the fleet a year later by chartering the Oceania Insignia from Oceania Cruises. Both ships will undergo $50 million refurbishments, and three more vessels could be announced over the next five years, Galbut said. Sales for residences on the Navigator, priced from $750,000 to $8 million opened in April. Condos on the Insignia are priced from $650,000 to $10 million, with sales opening this summer. Another line, Villa Vie, uses a former Fred. Olsen ship and offers the opportunity to buy or rent a cabin or buy a seasonal ownership membership. Other brands are in the works, including Storylines, which is building its own ships. Some launches have been messy and failed. In 2023, Life at Sea Cruises canceled its voyage two weeks before embarkation, saying the purchase of a cruise ship fell through shortly before its sail date, according to media reports. Owned cabins were even part of a model for a planned Crystal Cruises ship, but that version of the line ceased operations before the vessel could be built. Carlos Edery, CEO and co-founder of Luxury Cruise Connections based in Miami Beach, said he has noticed a growing interest from affluent clients in living at sea year-round. Nonetheless, he remains wary. "The recent struggles and delays seen with ventures ... have made us cautious about recommending such investments until we see consistent, successful operational execution," he said. In the case of Crescent Seas, travel advisors are built into the sales structure. They can earn a commission when selling a residence or when booking their clients on shorter-term voyages when residents taking a break from the ship opt to make their cabins available to rent. "There's a lot of logic why a travel agent would want to be involved with us," Galbut said, although he declined to share what the commission rate was. Real estate agents, yacht brokers and private bankers could also sell commissionable space on these ships, he said. Alex Sharpe, CEO of Signature Travel Network, said there is a lot to like about the Crescent Seas project, but he stopped short of saying he envisions selling it. "There are certainly earning opportunities, but at the same time, it is not what a typical travel advisor does, so it would likely be more specialized and, for us, will require more research and deliberation," he said. Dennis Nienkerk, a luxury advisor at Dallas-based Strong Travel Services who worked in commercial real estate for more than 25 years, said he knows people who owned condos on the World, and he would welcome the opportunity to sell units on the Navigator. Villa Vie founder and chairman Mikael Petterson said he was looking to better incorporate advisors in his product to sell world cruise segments on the ship. The Villa Vie Odyssey is 74% booked, which leaves room to sell segments to traditional cruisers, he said. Petterson, who was managing director of Life at Sea Cruises, isn't surprised that another residential cruise line has entered the market. If anything, he's surprised there are not more. "World cruises are getting longer and longer," he said. "The option of living onboard with high-speed WiFi, the flexibility of people working from home -- all these factors come together and make residential cruising that much more feasible." That doesn't mean it is easy. Petterson launched the Odyssey from Belfast, Ireland, in September following a four-month delay due to inspection issues associated with the ship, which sat in dry dock before returning to service. Now Petterson is looking for a second ship, and he said he hopes it will come with a smoother launch. Earlier this year, he said he was "knee-deep" in negotiations for a ship currently in operation that contains no more than 600 cabins.
Travel Weekly
8 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Travel Weekly
Sponsored Video: Xcaret Mexico's Luis Miguel Ojeda Arsuga Announces Exciting Developments
Sponsored Video: Xcaret Mexico's Luis Miguel Ojeda Arsuga Announces Exciting Developments | In this interview between Luis Miguel Ojeda Arsuga, Director of Hotel for Xcaret Mexico, and Ken Shapiro, Group VP and Editorial Director for Northstar Travel Group, Luis Miguel Ojeda provides an update on the exciting developments at Xcaret resort. He covers new options for teens; the property's range of exciting world-class chefs and dining concepts; wellness treatments for adults and kids at the spa and much more.
Travel Weekly
9 hours ago
- Business
- Travel Weekly
'Elevated Cruising' on the Avalon Artistry II in Bordeaux
When I first noticed Avalon Waterways' tagline, "Cruising Elevated," I didn't really give it a second thought. But after spending four days on the just-revamped Avalon Artistry II for the line's first cruise in France's Bordeaux region, it was clear this was more than just a marketing slogan. "It isn't just about being at a higher standard," said Avalon president Pam Hoffee. "It's about being different. And there are lots of different ways that Avalon is different." From a fleetwide refresh of its Panorama Suite ships to its impeccable service, it was easy for me to see on this Bordeaux sailing how the Avalon experience is, indeed, elevated. Opening the sliding windows in the Panorama Suites essentially turn the whole cabin into a balcony. Photo Credit: Courtesy of Avalon Waterways The ships Avalon has been working to set itself apart in the highly competitive world of river cruising for years. The first big distinction came more than a decade ago with the introduction of its Suite Ships, the only ones in the industry with floor-to-ceiling windows that slide to open a full 7 feet -- essentially turning the whole cabin into a balcony. That means extra space, regardless of the weather. It also enables the beds to face the view. The Artistry II is one of the original Panorama Suite ships, launched in 2013. But after the refresh, which upgraded its contemporary furniture and decor in all public spaces, including the Sky Deck, it could have passed as a new ship. The ships have also gotten new bikes, including four e-bikes, in a better variety of sizes. The Sky Deck aboard the Artistry II received new furniture as part of the ship's refresh, including comfortable couches. Photo Credit: Courtesy of Avalon Waterways Things to do Just before the pandemic, Avalon unveiled one of its most aggressive initiatives, the Active & Discovery excursions. They are just what the name implies, a wider selection of included activities that go beyond the must-see monuments or churches. Think hiking, biking, canoeing and cooking lessons. Itineraries that are designated Active & Discovery have a guaranteed choice of three included activities a day (active, discovery or traditional). But the varied activities also extend across most itineraries. In Bordeaux, for instance, one morning we did a 4-mile walk through the vineyards of Margaux, where our guide -- who also works in the fields -- told firsthand stories about life in the wine country. Another day, while some passengers took a traditional walking tour of Bordeaux and others visited the city's interactive wine museum, I took a day tour to the Atlantic coast, where we sampled the goods at an oyster farm before spending the afternoon at the beach town of Port Arcachon. We also spent two full nights in Bordeaux, allowing ample time for evening exploration -- another focus of Avalon. Other European itineraries include overnights in Vienna; Budapest; Amsterdam; Avignon, France; and Rudesheim, Germany. The Panorama Lounge has floor-to-ceiling windows for expansive views. Photo Credit: Courtesy of Avalon Waterways What's on the menu? When I first started covering river cruises, I remember an industry veteran telling me that Avalon had a great product but that its food and wine was not quite up to par with its luxury competitors. What a difference a few years make. Avalon has not just embraced, but I would argue, has perfected, farm-to-table dining, with local wines and food that match where you are. "Our chefs actually go out and get the bread that is served at breakfast and lunch," Hoffee said. "So, yes, they're baking some of the bread onboard. But people want to taste local products." And in Europe, Avalon only pours European wines -- and ones that go with the destination. In Bordeaux, for instance, we sampled different wines from the region every day. There were also fresh, homemade soups each day. Dinners included options such as beef bourguignon, mussels, smoked pork with cabbage, even ham on a French baguette. And next year, Avalon will open a Sky Grill on the top deck for dinners under the stars. While Hoffee said Avalon is a latecomer to Bordeaux, it's working again to set itself apart by partnering with My Bordeaux Tours for its excursions. "We chose them because we liked that they were a small, women-owned business, and they just had great ideas and they had ideas that we thought would be things that our guests love," she said. "And so we're going to chateaus that not everybody goes to. ... We're going to little, small, family-owned wineries and really having an immersive experience."
