Viking IPO: Key Facts Behind the Luxury Cruise Operator's Debut

In Part 1 of this wellness and travel report, I look at the new holistic and scientific spaces that have opened up in London.

The Iron Curtain was a figurative and ideological wall — and eventually a physical one — that separated the Soviet Union from western Europe after World War II.

Skift reported recently that Saudi’s Vision 2030 is too expensive for tourists: If it eventually wants 70 million international visitors, it’s going to need more supply of hotels that don’t cost thousands of dollars a day. 

In September 2022, I booked a 17-day Arabian Sea cruise through Vantage Travel Services to celebrate my 80th birthday with my wife. The cruise was to set sail in October 2023. I used my credit card to leave a $2,000 deposit and paid the remaining $17,905 shortly afterward by bank transfer. I also bought the Worldwide Trip Protector plan from Travel Insured International (for $1,954), in part because it covered financial default and bankruptcy of cruise lines. Vantage then canceled the cruise and offered me an alternative date I could not make; I also declined their offer of credit and asked for a refund, which they agreed to. But no refund ever came, and they stopped answering the phone. My credit card returned the $2,000, and I filed an insurance claim for $17,905. It was denied, as was my first appeal. Then Vantage filed for bankruptcy, and my second appeal was denied too. The reasons given by the insurer were outrageous. They cited a vague parenthetical phrase in the policy’s bankruptcy clause, claiming I wasn’t covered because I purchased the cruise directly from the cruise line (rather than, say, through a travel adviser). Then they said my policy lapsed when I canceled the trip. But I did not cancel; Vantage did. I also filed a complaint with the New York State Department of Financial Services, which was rejected. Can you help?

An around-the-world cruise is often thought of as the pinnacle of a sailing vacation. Some cruisers treat these multi-month journeys as once-in-a-lifetime trips; others are frequent guests, a world cruise but one piece of their annual travel plans. There are also the enduring tales of older travelers who elect for extended world voyages as an unconventional retirement plan. (Though as onboard WiFi becomes more reliable, it's now possible to work remote from many cruise ships, as well.)

If you're a traveler with limited mobility, a cruise can be a great way to see the world without having to worry as much about logistics. Because all major cruise lines must comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act, they must ensure ships are equipped with accessible accommodations.

Cunard has operated 249 ships throughout its 184 years in operation, including the famous Queen Mary and Queen Mary 2. But it's been 14 years since the cruise line has launched a new vessel — until now.

‘She’ll come to your hotel, looking incredibly elegant, charm everyone and then at 4am you’ll get an email full of highly insightful suggestions because she’s also a farmer’s daughter and she works around the clock.’

Princess Cruise's new around-the-world voyage will hit two vacation trends in one itinerary.

Here are some things that Finca La Donaira does not have: televisions, a reception desk, a restaurant, a bar, a concierge, a paved road in front of it, room keys, any sort of dress code, luxury-brand lotions and shampoos, designer linens, tasting menus, symmetry, and shiny objects.

After months of short-term funding to keep the Federal Aviation Administration afloat, Congress just unveiled a new reauthorization bill that covers everything from pilot training to family seating. 

If you want to go on an all-inclusive vacation at sea, you no longer need to book an ultra-luxury, ultra-expensive cruise line.