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☆ Princess Cruises is taking a page out of the ultra-luxury cruise industry with new all-inclusive, $3,000 cabins
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-01 | by ( Brittany Chang | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Princess Cruises says its new Sun Princess and upcoming Star Princess will have all-inclusive cabins. It's a stark contrast to the high-end cruise industry, where all-inclusivity is often considered the standard. In 2024, Sun Princess' Sanctuary cabins start at more than $3,000 per person for a weeklong Caribbean cruise in mid-December. Princess CruisesThe cruise line says its next ship, Star Princess, which will debut in late September 2025, will also carry the Sanctuary Collection. Following in the footsteps of high-end, all-inclusive cruise lines could be a wise decision for Princess.

Persons: who've, —, Princess, Cruises Organizations: Cruises, Service, Princess Cruises, Carnival Corp, Regent Seven Seas, Princess Premier, cabanas, MSC Cruises, HX, Hyatt, Marriott Locations: Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, Caribbean

☆ An ultra-luxury cruise line wants to attract wealthy Americans with its all-inclusive 'yachts' — see what the new 128-guest ship will be like
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-30 | by ( Brittany Chang | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Ultra-luxury cruise line Emerald Cruises says its third ocean ship will debut in 2026. Emerald, known for river cruises, has been investing more in its ocean-based business. But in the ultra-luxury cruise market, it's been the opposite. So much so that Emerald Cruises' next ocean-based ship, launching in 2026, plans to accommodate no more than 128 travelers. This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers.

Persons: —, it's Organizations: Cruises, Service, Business

☆ I stayed in a balcony cabin on Royal Caribbean's 2 newest and largest cruise ships. One was clearly better — and $900 cheaper.
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-27 | by ( Brittany Chang | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Icon of the Seas and Wonder of the Seas are Royal Caribbean's newest and largest cruise ships. NEW LOOK Sign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . Or, in the case of Royal Caribbean's two largest and newest cruise ships, the cash could mean the difference between a cheap but functional balcony cabin and, ironically, a more expensive but less comfortable one. This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers.

Persons: —, Royal Organizations: Service, Business Locations: Royal Caribbean's

☆ The hottest hotel rooms right now are luxury tents and RVs. They can cost more than $2,700 a night.
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-24 | by ( Brittany Chang | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Both are adding glamping resorts to their booking channels, where their members can earn and redeem points. Interest in high-end camping has remained strong since its boom during the COVID-19 pandemic. No word yet on whether it will include the high-end hotel brand's 12 other luxury camping resorts. But the addition of these glamping resorts to its booking channels isn't Hyatt's first venture into glamping. Alongside the Caribbean property's existing traditional hotel, Hyatt plans to deploy modular tiny-home-sized hotel room units directly on the beach.

Persons: —, Getaway's, AutoCamp, Airstream, Brittany Chang, Hilton, Jason Brannan, It's, Hilton hasn't, they'll, Smith's, Hyatt, Smith, Dunton , Colorado —, KOA Organizations: Hilton, Hyatt, Service, Business Locations: America, Sri Lanka's Yala, Dunton , Colorado, Sri Lanka, glamping, California, Punta Mita, Mexico

☆ I went on 2 of Royal Caribbean's largest and newest cruise ships. I enjoyed them, but they're not for everyone.
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-23 | by ( Brittany Chang | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

And if you're looking for high-end sailing to unique destinations, I'd suggest avoiding Royal Caribbean's mega-ships. Brittany Chang/Business InsiderAccording to its current expansion plan, by 2028, about a third of Royal Caribbean's fleet will consist of mega-ships. Wonder of the Seas (left) and Icon of the Seas (right) both have Sorrento's, a complimentary grab-and-go pizza shop. If you plan on cruising with your children — and if they, like me, love activities like rock climbing and mini-golfing — Royal Caribbean's mega-ships could be your best option. After all, like most of Royal Caribbean's largest vessels, both Icon and Wonder are exclusively sailing in the Caribbeans.

Persons: —, Brittany Chang, I've, Sharon Yattaw Organizations: Service, Oceania Cruises, Business, Royal, Regent Seven Locations: Royal Caribbean, CocoCay, Polynesia, Caribbean, Oceania

☆ You can soon book luxury Airstream campgrounds through Hilton. I've stayed at 2 of the 'glamping' resorts and loved them more than traditional hotels.
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-22 | by ( Brittany Chang | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Travelers can soon use Hilton Honors points at AutoCamp's popular "glamping" resorts. The rapidly expanding luxury camping chain has seven locations, many near national parks. As someone who's stayed at two of AutoCamp resorts, I think the mutually beneficial partnership is a great idea. AdvertisementLike other "glamping" and campgrounds, AutoCamp experienced a windfall in bookings during the COVID-19 pandemicTravelers will soon be able to book AutoCamp's resorts through Hilton's website. The glamping company's properties are the perfect compromise between the invigorating seclusion of camping and the indulgences of a traditional Hilton hotel.

Persons: Hilton, —, It's, who's, Brittany Chang, AutoCamp, Airstream, they'll, Joshua Tree, I've, it's Organizations: Service, AutoCamp, Hilton Locations: Zion , Utah, New York, Cape Cod, Massachusetts, Texas, Sequoia, America, glamping, Brittany

☆ I've stayed at the chain of luxury campgrounds converting Airstream trailers into hotel rooms. It's a no-brainer for Hilton to bet on them.
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-22 | by ( Brittany Chang | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Travelers can soon use Hilton Honors points at AutoCamp's popular "glamping" resorts. The chain is best known for its high-end Airstream-trailer hotel rooms. The rapidly expanding luxury camping chain has seven locations, many near national parks. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . The hotel giant says its members will soon be able to earn and use Hilton Honors points to book AutoCamp's chain of luxury campgrounds, best known for their stationary Airstream trailer hotel rooms.

Persons: Hilton, —, It's Organizations: Service, Business

☆ I sailed on Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas. These were my 8 favorite amenities on the world's largest cruise ship.
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-20 | by ( Brittany Chang | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Royal Caribbean invited me to spend three complimentary nights on its new Icon of the Seas in January. My eight favorite amenities included the waterpark and jazz bar. NEW LOOK Sign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. If you're a frequent cruiser — especially with Royal Caribbean — amenities like the mini-golf course and water playground may not seem exciting. But of all the activities the new world's largest cruise ship has to offer, my eight favorites are, for the most part, ones I've yet to see on another vessel.

Persons: — Organizations: Royal, Service Locations: Royal Caribbean

☆ Royal Caribbean's newest ship is also its priciest. Here's what it's like spending as little as possible, with no lobster or other upgrades.
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-18 | by ( Brittany Chang | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas could be an expensive vacation compared to other cruise ships. Sailing on the mega-ship without paying for any of its upcharged amenities is possible. NEW LOOK Sign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . AdvertisementA budget vacation on Royal Caribbean's new wildly popular Icon of the Seas is possible.

Persons: — Organizations: Service, Business

☆ A company is turning former cruise ships into floating hotels — see inside its largest 'floatel'
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-17 | by ( Brittany Chang | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Bridgemans ServicesGroup operates a fleet of former cruise ships turned into hotels. Its "floatels" are designed to house workers during long-term projects. AdvertisementSome old and unwanted cruise ships meet their demise at ship-breaking yards, where they are disassembled and sold for scrap. Canada-based Bridgemans Services Group buys and charters former cruise ships to turn into "floatels," outfitted with standard cruise amenities like daily housekeeping, buffets, and relaxing lounges. But the ships aren't designed to transport tourists from one destination to another anymore.

Persons: Bridgemans ServicesGroup, —, Bridgeman Organizations: Service, Bridgemans Services Group Locations: Canada, Europe

☆ Hyatt is set to use modular tiny homes as hotel rooms at a new all-inclusive Caribbean resort — see inside
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-15 | by ( Brittany Chang | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

The expanded property is set to use modular, tiny home-sized units as hotel rooms. The 52 units are scheduled to open in June at Hyatt's Dreams Curaçao resort in the Caribbean. Soon, they'll be dropped onto the sunny and sandy beaches of tourist-beloved Curaçao in the Caribbean — not as housing, but as hotel rooms. Hyatt is expanding its all-inclusive Dreams resort on the Caribbean island. But instead of building another typical highrise hotel, the hospitality giant is taking a page out of the glamping resort playbook with plans to deploy 52 tiny home-sized modular units as hotel rooms, set to open in June.

Persons: —, they'll, Curaçao Organizations: Hyatt, Service Locations: Caribbean, backyards, California, Florida

☆ See Four Seasons' upcoming ultra-luxury cruise with a $350,000-a-week suite bigger than most homes
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-14 | by ( Brittany Chang | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Four Seasons says it will begin sailing an ultra-luxury yacht cruise in January 2026. The 222-guest vessel would have 95 spacious suites and 11 dining options — but food wouldn't be free. The largest suite would have four floors and bedrooms, a spa, and a price of $350,000 per sailing. AdvertisementFour Seasons plans to expand its high-end hotels and resorts portfolio with a luxury 222-guest cruise ship. If all goes as planned, the 679-foot-long Four Seasons I could become one of the most expensive and opulent options in the cruise industry.

Persons: — Organizations: Service

☆ Royal Caribbean's family-friendly private island is about to get more crowded with Gen Xers
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-11 | by ( Brittany Chang | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Read previewRoyal Caribbean's family-friendly private island is about to get a bit more crowded — with Gen Xers. Royal Caribbean's private island is a tropical dream for cruising families dotted with sprawling beaches, clubs, a zipline, and a waterpark. Royal Caribbean goes after multi-generational families, while Celebrity's target demographic is Gen Xers, Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, the then-CEO of Celebrity Cruises, told Business Insider in 2021. Celebrity sails to 300 ports on all seven continents — why this sudden push for the private Caribbean island? Brittany Chang/Business InsiderBut for the two brands' parent company, there are more benefits to private island cruising besides guest satisfaction.

Persons: —, Gen Xers, Gen X, Brittany Chang, Xers, Lisa Lutoff, Michael Bayley, CocoCay, Patrick Scholes, Bayley Organizations: Service, Cruises, Royal, Business, Royal Caribbean Group, Apex, Celebrity Cruises, Royal Caribbean International, Truist Securities, Coco Locations: CocoCay, Fort Lauderdale , Florida, Royal Caribbean, that's, Royal, Caribbean, Brittany, cabanas

☆ BarkBox is launching an ultra-luxury private jet air carrier for people and their pets — see what it's like on a $6,000 Bark Air flight with 'dog Champagne' and a private chef
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-10 | by ( Brittany Chang | Taylor Rains | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Bark, the company behind BarkBox, is launching a pet-friendly air carrier, Bark Air. Fares start at $6,000 per person for a one-way flight between New York and Los Angeles. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . The company behind the wildly popular pet subscription service BarkBox might have the solution to your problems — so long as you're willing to pay $6,000 for a one-way flight. This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers.

Persons: — Organizations: Service, Business Locations: New York, Los Angeles

☆ Ultrawealthy cruising: See inside Royal Caribbean's most extravagant upgrades and a $100,000-a-week cabin on its Icon of the Seas
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-09 | by ( Brittany Chang | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas has high-end upcharge options like a $200-per-person dinner. See what a vacation on the world's largest cruise ship is like for affluent travelers. AdvertisementAre you looking to ball out on your weeklong vacation aboard the world's largest cruise ship? And there's likely no better example of this than Royal Caribbean's new world's largest cruise ship. On the 9,950-person Icon of the Seas, affluent travelers could have a vacation that rivals even the most luxurious small-ship cruise.

Persons: — Organizations: Royal, Service

☆ A new ultra-luxury river cruise line wants to entice affluent travelers with suites, walk-in closets, and butlers — for up to $59,520 per person
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-04 | by ( Brittany Chang | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: 1 min

Riverside is operated by Seaside Collection, a European hotelier. Seaside Collection owns 11 properties and five cruise ships. Its vessels' open-air Vista Deck has a "lounge feel" with couches, music, a bar, and high-end meals like grilled lobster. Riverside Luxury CruisesThe firm had its sights set on a river cruise venture since 2018, Jen Halboth, CEO of Riverside Luxury Cruises, told Business Insider. The other two are being leased to competitor Uniworld River Cruises.

Persons: Jen Halboth Organizations: Riverside, Seaside Collection, Seaside, Luxury Cruises, Riverside Luxury Cruises, Crystal Cruises, Cruises Locations: European, COVID

☆ I sailed on the world's 2 largest cruise ships. The older one was just as good — and $1,000 cheaper.
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-03 | by ( Brittany Chang | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Icon of the Seas launched in January, dethroning its predecessor, Wonder of the Seas, as the world's largest. Here's how the two mega-ships compare in size, neighborhoods, amenities, dining, cabins, and costs. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . AdvertisementIcon of the Seas, Royal Caribbean's new mega-cruise ship darling, was deemed a success before it was even built. Let's see how Icon and Wonder compare in six categories: size, neighborhoods, amenities, dining, cabins, and costs.

Persons: —, Michael Bayley, I've Organizations: Royal Caribbean, Seas, Service, Royal, Royal Caribbean International

☆ A startup's solar-powered backyard tiny home can help power the main house — see inside its first 100 prefab ADUs starting at $279,000
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-30 | by ( Brittany Chang | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: 1 min

Cosmic’s niche is more planet-friendly: Its founder says its backyard homes can generate enough energy to supply some to the primary house. But Cosmic says its units' battery and solar energy systems can generate more than it uses, cutting the homeowner's electricity bill. The studio unit has a five-panel, 2.2-kilowatt photovoltaic system and a five-kilowatt-hour battery. Its founder told BI that both could be upgraded to become a "power plant" for the primary home. Even the water systems have been optimized: The ADUs can be further upgraded with a recycling water filtration system, allowing water to be reused for non-drinking purposes like the toilet or washing machine.

Locations: San Francisco

☆ A wildly popular RV rental company is pivoting to luxury 'glamping' — see inside its new $350-a-night tents in the Texas Hill Country
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-29 | by ( Brittany Chang | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Its third outpost in the Texas Hill Country opened in late March, starting at $350 a night. NEW LOOK Sign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . The company now wants to become the go-to destination for $350-a-night luxury tent camping, or something close to it. This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers.

Persons: — Organizations: Service, Business Locations: Texas

☆ An ultra-luxury cruise line wants travelers to live on its cruise ship for 4.5 months while it sails to 40 countries — for up to $1.7 million a suite
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-27 | by ( Brittany Chang | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Regent Seven Seas Cruises' 140-night 2027 world cruise would sail to 71 destinations across 40 countries. The ultra-luxury cruise line's annual around-the-world voyages often sell out fast. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . If your answer is incredibly niche and something like "move onto a ship for four months while it sails to six continents," Regent Seven Seas Cruises has you covered. Like other luxury cruise lines, Regent Seven Seas operates annual monthslong world cruises, many of which have sold out.

Persons: —, you've Organizations: Seven Seas Cruises, Service, Seven Seas, Regent Seven Seas, Business

☆ A Carnival cruise that left Baltimore last week will return to a different port and bus passengers home
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-27 | by ( Brittany Chang | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed Tuesday morning after a container ship crashed into it. Carnival Cruise Line is temporarily relocating the Carnival Legend's homeport from Baltimore to Norfolk, Virginia. The company is providing guests on the ship, returning on Sunday, with a bus back to Baltimore. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . AdvertisementOn Sunday, travelers on Carnival Cruise Line's Legend ship will return home after a relaxing weeklong vacation in the Caribbean.

Persons: Baltimore's Francis Scott Key, —, Francis Scott Key Organizations: Service, Business Locations: Baltimore, Norfolk , Virginia

☆ I've been on 2 ultra-luxury cruise ships — endless caviar and free flights make the $685 per day worth it
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-26 | by ( Brittany Chang | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: 1 min

But guests luxuriate on high-end cruises, many of which are all-inclusive and don't have this problem. Access to the spa is complimentary on the Explora I and Seven Seas Grandeur. Brittany Chang/Business InsiderSure, luxury cruises have a higher base fare. "I'd rather have a few empty beds and get the right guests at the right price," Michael Ungerer, CEO of MSC Group's new luxury cruise line, Explora Journeys, told Business Insider in 2023. "Most of [the amenities] are already included, so we don't have to upsell."

Persons: luxuriate, Brittany Chang, you'll, Michael Ungerer Organizations: MSC

☆ Cruise lines' private islands are having a renaissance. These are the 3 reasons they need it now more than ever before.
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-23 | by ( Brittany Chang | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

To cruise lines, they're cash cows. Related storiesThese are the three reasons cruise-run private destinations have become so important. Amid rising fuel costs, it's easy to see why cruise lines would want to plan more itineraries around these nearby stops. Private destinations keep profits in-houseThe bar had two halves: one on land and the other at pool level. And because there's no need to rely on other excursion operators, they allow cruise lines to keep more profits in-house.

Persons: —, Patrick Scholes, Michael Bayley, Naftali Holtz, it's, Scholes, wouldn't, Linken D'Souza, Brittany Chang, Josh Weinstein, Jason Liberty, Simone Padovani, CHANDAN KHANNA, They're Organizations: Service, Royal, Business, Truist Securities, Disney Cruise Line, Disney Cruise, Holland America, MSC, Royal Caribbean International, Royal Caribbean Group, Beach, cabanas, Carnival Corp, Private, Hideaway, Disney, Key, Getty Locations: Miami, Bahamas, CocoCay, Caribbean, Honduras, Belize, Eleuthera, Cay, Holland, Royal Caribbean, Paradise, Nassau, Florida, cabanas, Royal, Orlando, Venice, Italy's Giudecca, Santorini, Greece, Key West , Florida, California, Alaska , Maine, Europe, Juneau , Alaska, French Polynesia, Italy

☆ Concert promoter Live Nation is getting into the ultra-luxury cruise business — see what it'll be like on weeklong superyacht sailings starting at $3,000 a person
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-18 | by ( Brittany Chang | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Armed with EDSea’s success, Vibee wants to dive deeper into the cruise segment — this time with a luxurious spin. A spokesperson for Vibee said it anticipates travelers would range from affluent guests to people with "less discretionary income" who would save money to attend. Vibee"We see the desire for cruise and yacht experiences continuing to rise," Harvey Cohen, president of Vibee, told Business Insider, echoing sentiments of the cruise industry's booming demand. And not just the mass-market players: Over the last year, luxury cruise lines have also seen a rise in interest. The latter had launched its latest $517.9 million luxury ship a few months prior, complete with caviar and a $6 million art collection.

Persons: Vibee, Harvey Cohen Organizations: Business, Cruise Line Holdings, Regent Seven Locations: Oceania

☆ These 6 3D printed homes could be built for less than $100,000 each — take a look
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-17 | by ( Brittany Chang | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Icon asked students and architecture pros to design 3D printed homes that could be built for $99,000 or less. The six winning concepts are now featured in Icon's digital catalog of 3D printed home designs. NEW LOOK Sign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. AdvertisementUsing a robot 3D printer to construct a home doesn't have to be as unattainable as it might sound. Quite the opposite: According to construction-tech startup Icon, the cost to build a 3D printed home could be less than the price of a luxury car.

Persons: — Organizations: Service Locations: Austin

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