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☆ I've taken overnight train rides ranging from $40 to $9,000 a ticket. Here's how I'd rank them from worst to best.
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-13 | by ( Joey Hadden | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Nightjet seating carriage - $40The author's seat on an overnight train in Europe. Joey Hadden/Business InsiderMy worst experience on an overnight train was in Europe. In October 2022, I took a 12-hour ride from Berlin to Vienna with the Austrian Federal Railway's OBB Nightjet line. Since I was traveling on a budget, I booked the cheapest accommodation on the train. The accommodation didn't include sheets or a pillow, as it's not recommended for overnight travel, a representative of the train line previously told Business Insider.

Persons: Joey Hadden Organizations: Austrian Federal, OBB, OBB Nightjet Locations: Europe, Berlin, Vienna

☆ A solo traveler who has been to more than 80 countries always wears one piece of jewelry to stay safe
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-07 | by ( Joey Hadden | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

The solo traveler and show host Pamela Holt uses a medical bracelet for safety during her travels. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . AdvertisementFrom Iceland and Italy to Thailand and Vietnam, 54-year-old Pamela Holt has explored more than 80 countries. When it comes to safety, Holt told Business Insider she always wears a bracelet with a hidden message for medical professionals. This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers.

Persons: Pamela Holt, —, Holt, she's Organizations: Service, Amazon Prime, Business Locations: Iceland, Italy, Thailand, Vietnam

☆ I spent 11 hours with 3 strangers in a shared cabin on a sleeper train in Europe for $84. 6 surprises made me regret my choice.
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-06 | by ( Joey Hadden | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

I knew my cabin would be small, but once on board, I was still shocked when I saw it for the first time. Inside the author's shared Nightjet cabin. Joey Hadden/InsiderAccording to OBB Nightjet, my cabin was built to fit six people inside a 74-square-foot space. I was surprised by how little personal space I had even when it was still just one other passenger and me. I couldn't imagine six people squeezing in there, and I was grateful that we weren't booked to the max.

Persons: Joey Hadden Organizations: OBB Nightjet

☆ I booked a $5,910 balcony cabin for a 7-day Virgin Voyages cruise. The 225-square-foot room was big on luxury.
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-05 | by ( Joey Hadden | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

On a recent Virgin Voyages cruise, I booked a 225-square-foot sea terrace room. AdvertisementI took my first luxury cruise last summer, sailing on a seven-day Mediterranean adventure with Virgin Voyages, an award-winning, adults-only cruise line that's been operating since 2021, according to the company's website. Aboard Virgin Voyages' Valiant Lady ship, I slept in a cabin with a sea terrace. It had a starting rate of $5,910 for a weeklong stay for two people, a representative for Virgin Voyages told Business Insider. This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers.

Persons: — Organizations: Service, Voyages, Virgin Voyages, Business

☆ 8 things seasoned cruisers say you should know before setting foot on your first cruise
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-01 | by ( Joey Hadden | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

While packing for a cruise, try to keep it light, but make sure you have all the essentials covered. Seasoned cruisers say to pack only what you need. Joey Hadden/InsiderSharon Taylor, who has been on five cruises, told Business Insider that first-timers should be careful not to overpack. For a seven-night cruise, Taylor said she brought two bathing suits, four pairs of shorts, two pairs of shoes, one formal outfit, eight pairs of underwear, and six tops. Check the cruise line's website for these requirements and pack accordingly.

Persons: Joey Hadden, Sharon Taylor, Taylor, Paul Gallifrey, Gallifrey

☆ Every Sky Miles member on a Delta flight got a free Virgin Voyages cruise, courtesy of Richard Branson himself
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-01 | by ( Joey Hadden | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Delta passengers received a free Virgin Voyages cruise from San Juan on a recent flight. The free Caribbean voyage was offered to all adult Sky Miles members aboard the flight. Branson and Virgin staff members surprise passengers at the gate. A Virgin Voyages cruise is worth the priceGetting a free Virgin Voyages sailing is truly like winning a golden ticket. A snapshot from the author's Virgin Voyages cruise.

Persons: Richard Branson, Sky Miles, —, they'd, Cruise, Willy Wonka, Branson, CHRIS, San Juan —, Joey Hadden Organizations: Sky, Service, Virgin, Delta, Jackson Atlanta International Airport, DELTA AIRLINES, Sky Miles, Virgin Staff, Virgin Voyages, BI Locations: San Juan, Atlanta, Caribbean, Hartsfield

☆ I booked private rooms on overnight trains in Europe and the US. The more expensive ride was a better deal.
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-29 | by ( Joey Hadden | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

I booked a 30-hour overnight train ride in an Amtrak roomette in 2021. Two years later, I booked a private cabin on a European sleeper train for an 11-hour ride. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . AdvertisementI've taken six overnight trains in the US and Europe, sometimes cheaply with shared accommodations and, in other cases, more expensive, private cabins. I've found that the most comparable rides in each country were the Amtrak roomette and a private cabin on OBB Austrian Federal Railway's Nightjet train.

Persons: —, I've Organizations: Amtrak roomette, Service, Amtrak, OBB Austrian Locations: Europe

☆ I went on a luxury cruise for the first time. It was worth the $6,000 price tag for 5 reasons.
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-29 | by ( Joey Hadden | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Last summer, I embarked on my first luxury cruise with the adults-only cruise line Virgin Voyages. I booked a seven-day Mediterranean sailing in a cabin with a balcony for $5,900. The ship's unique design, VIP-worthy cabins, and surprising activities made it worth the price. I took the seven-day cruise from Barcelona on the Valiant Lady ship , which has a maximum of 2,700 guests. AdvertisementSix months after my cruise, I'm still thinking about the luxury details that made it worth the price.

Persons: —, I've, Valiant Organizations: Service, Orient Express, Virgin Voyages Locations: it's, Barcelona, Italy, France, Spain

☆ I went to Chase's new airport lounge and couldn't believe I could get in for free without the travel credit card
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-24 | by ( Joey Hadden | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

I visited the Chase Sapphire Lounge at LaGuardia Airport, which offers meals, drinks, and a spa. The lounge is free for $550-per-year Chase Sapphire Reserve cardholders. But travelers without the card can enter for free once a year with a Priority Pass membership. AdvertisementI recently went to LaGuardia Airport's Terminal B and stepped into a 21,850-square-foot space that felt like a luxury hotel lobby. It was the new Chase Sapphire Lounge , which opened in NYC's LGA and John F. Kennedy International Airports in January.

Persons: —, Chase, John F Organizations: LaGuardia Airport, Chase, Service, LaGuardia Airport's, John, Kennedy International Airports, Business Locations: LaGuardia, NYC's LGA, Boston, Hong Kong

☆ I compared every aspect of a Royal Caribbean and a Virgin Voyages cruise ship. One was worth the higher price.
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-22 | by ( Joey Hadden | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

I've sailed on both a Royal Caribbean and a Virgin Voyages cruise ship. The Virgin Voyages cruise cost $4,000 more, as it was a luxury, adults-only ship in a higher-tier cabin. The Virgin Voyages cruise was more worth the price, but the Royal Caribbean ship was great for families. Royal Caribbean and Virgin Voyages offer completely different experiences. The seven-night Caribbean cruise took me to Roatán, Honduras; Cozumel and Costa Maya, Mexico; and Royal Caribbean's private island in the Bahamas.

Persons: I've, it's Organizations: Royal, Virgin, Royal Caribbean, Virgin Voyages, Cruise, Cruise Critic, Voyages, Marina Locations: Royal Caribbean, Roatán, Honduras, Cozumel, Costa Maya, Mexico, Bahamas, Ibiza, Barcelona, Italy, France, Toulon, Ajaccio

☆ I visited an airport lounge for the first time and 6 things surprised me, from free facials to private suites
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-20 | by ( Joey Hadden | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

I visited an airport lounge for the first time and was surprised by its luxury offerings. The Chase Sapphire Lounge at LaGuardia Airport opened last month, and I got an exclusive tour. Once inside the two-story lounge, I didn't even feel like I was in an airport anymore. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . But going to the airport doesn't have to be this way, as I learned last month when I visited an airport lounge for the first time — the Chase Sapphire Lounge at NYC's LaGuardia Airport (LGA).

Persons: Chase, —, John F, Banks, cardholders Organizations: LaGuardia Airport, Service, LaGuardia, John, Kennedy International Airport Locations: Boston , Hong Kong, NYC

☆ I took my first luxury train ride, and 6 things surprised me
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-13 | by ( Joey Hadden | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

I had a surprising experience on the Venice Simplon-Orient Express, a luxury sleeper train. The train exceeded my expectations with a red carpet, fine dining, and a dress code. But none of those rides surprised me like the Venice Simplon-Orient Express, a luxury Belmond train made of vintage Orient Express carriages that are nearly 100 years old. I recently booked a one-night ride from Paris to Venice, Italy, in the cheapest available accommodation, a private cabin that cost $9,000. This was my first-ever luxury train ride, and while I expected high-end details, some surprises made my trip feel more lavish than I'd anticipated.

Persons: —, I've Organizations: Orient Express, Service, Amtrak Locations: Venice, Europe, Coast, Germany, Austria, Italy, Paris

☆ I went to Chase's brand-new airport lounge and saw firsthand how pampered I could feel before a flight
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-10 | by ( Joey Hadden | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

I recently visited the new Chase Sapphire Lounge at LaGuardia Airport in NYC. The lounge is complimentary for some Chase Sapphire Reserve cardholders. That's the reality at the Chase Sapphire Lounge, an exclusive airport club in Boston, Hong Kong, and, most recently, New York City. AdvertisementThe Chase Sapphire Lounge is free and unlimited for $550-per-year Chase Sapphire Reserve credit cardholders, who can bring up to two more travelers for free, according to the company's website. The cardholder must also activate their Priority Pass airport lounge membership — complimentary through Chase Sapphire Reserve — to access the space.

Persons: Chase, —, John F, cardholders, Ioannis Tzielekis Organizations: LaGuardia, Chase, Service, Kennedy International Airport, Chase Sapphire, LaGuardia Airport's Locations: NYC, Boston , Hong Kong, New York City, JFK, LaGuardia

☆ When I became a 'DINK,' my apartment in NYC got a major upgrade. I'm paying $150 less a month on rent and now have a backyard.
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-07 | by ( Joey Hadden | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

I recently became a DINK when I moved in with my partner in New York City. I'm paying $150 less in rent for a more spacious apartment with a backyard and a basement. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . I'm a DINK, which means I live with my partner and we have double income, no kids. Before I lived with my partner, I was typically spending nearly half my income on rent, and I couldn't afford to save for big purchases.

Persons: DINK, —, I'm Organizations: Service Locations: New York City, New York

☆ I spent $9,000 for just one night on Europe's leading luxury train. Here are 5 reasons it's worth the splurge — and one why it isn't.
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-29 | by ( Joey Hadden | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Read previewThe Venice Simplon-Orient-Express is the epitome of luxury, overnight train travel. Back then, it was renowned for luxury and sophistication, drawing wealthy and celebrity clientele, according to Smithsonian Magazine . This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers. Overnight cabins range from $9,000 to $26,000 per night, depending on the tier of accommodation, according to the company's website . Here's a breakdown of why the overnight trip was — and wasn't —worth $9,000.

Persons: —, I'd Organizations: Service, Orient, Orient Express, Smithsonian Magazine, Business Locations: Amsterdam, Istanbul, Europe, Paris, Venice, Italy

☆ Passenger Spots Missing Bolts on Virgin Atlantic Flight, Canceled
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-23 | by ( Joey Hadden | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

The flight was canceled "to provide time for precautionary additional engineering maintenance checks," a Virgin Atlantic representative told Business Insider in a statement. AdvertisementThe missing bolts were not a safety concern, experts sayA Virgin Atlantic Airbus A330 flies over London in December 2022. "We'd like to apologize to our customers for the delay to their journeys," Virgin Atlantic told BI in a statement, and confirmed the plane is now back in service following an inspection. While not a safety issue, the recent Virgin Atlantic flight cancellation is not the first problem the airline has faced this year. On January 7, a Virgin Atlantic Airbus A330 traveling from Manchester to Barbados made an emergency landing after the smell of smoke filled the cockpit, The Independent reported.

Persons: —, Phil Hardy, John F, Hardy, Robert Smith, Neil Firth, Mathieu Lewis, Rolland, Getty Organizations: Service, Kennedy, Virgin Atlantic, New York Post, Business, Airbus, Kennedy News Agency, The Independent, Virgin Atlantic Airbus, Getty, Boeing, Alaska Airlines, Alaska Airlines Boeing, Max, National Transportation Safety Board, An Alaska Airlines, Portland International Airport, US Federal Aviation Administration, FAA, Independent Locations: Manchester, England, New York City, NYC, London, Portland , Oregon, Ontario , California, Barbados

☆ How to find a hobby
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-20 | by ( Diamond Naga Siu | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

But if that's not for you — or if you're struggling to find something to do outside of work — experts shared how to find a hobby. The big storyA guide to finding a hobbyRobyn Phelps/InsiderHaving a hobby can help people tackle their work and personal life with more energy. Treat finding a hobby like a projectYou likely won't find the perfect fit immediately, Laura Vanderkam, the author of "168 Hours: You Have More Time Than You Think," told me. Or if they're also trying to find a hobby, ask what the people around them do for fun. Be patient but proactiveAdvertisementVanderkam told me that finding a hobby just takes a bit of time, experimentation, and being open to different things.

Persons: —, that's, Robyn Phelps, I've, Alexis Haselberger, Laura Vanderkam, It'll, Vanderkam, Haselberger, they're, she's, Joey Hadden, andresr, Kornmesser NASA's James Webb, Gen, Patrick Pleul Organizations: Service, Business, Orient, Express, Volkswagen, Ford, Tesla, LinkedIn, ESO, ESA, Hubble, Kornmesser NASA's James Webb Space Telescope, IKEA, Getty, Ikea Locations: Venice, Brandenburg, Schönefeld, Dahme

☆ You're never entitled to overhead bin space on a plane in economy, former flight attendant says
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-17 | by ( Joey Hadden | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Overhead bin space is a luxury on flights in economy class, but not a guarantee. But economy tickets only confirm a seat, not overhead bin storage, she added. But according to former flight attendant Shawn Kathleen, overhead bin space is a luxury, not a guarantee. Economy tickets don't guarantee passengers any overhead bin space, she said on the Jtrain podcast hosted by comedian Jared Freid. AdvertisementEconomy tickets don't come with guaranteed overhead bin storageOverhead bin space is a luxury that's not assured.

Persons: —, Shawn Kathleen, Jared Freid, Freid, Alexander Hassenstein, Kathleen, peeve, let's, Condé Organizations: Service, Business

☆ A concierge at the world's most luxurious hotel details guests' wildest wishes, from a hot air balloon proposal to a 2 a.m. shopping spree
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-16 | by ( Joey Hadden | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Burj Al Arab Jumeirah is one of the world's most iconic luxury hotels on a manmade island in Dubai. Roger Geadah is the hotel's chief concierge, who organizes custom experiences for guests. AdvertisementThe Burj Al Arab Jumeirah hotel in Dubai is "the most luxurious hotel in the world," Business Insider previously reported. Meet the chief concierge at the world's most luxurious hotel who caters to guests' every whimA view of Burj Al Arab Jumeirah in Dubai. In addition, he also plans exclusive experiences only available at Burj Al Arab Jumeirah, such as a high-end, exclusive star-gazing experience on the hotel's helipad.

Persons: Roger Geadah, Geadah, —, It's, Sylvain Sonnet, Burj Al Arab Jumeirah, Julia Schmitz, Laszlo Szirtesi Organizations: Service, Al Arab Jumeirah, BI, Michelin, Travel, Burj Al, Dubai Mall, Oneworld, Getty Locations: Al Arab, Dubai, Arabian, Burj Al Arab Jumeirah, Paris, Burj Al Arab, Dubai's, Deira, India

☆ Step onboard the world's most luxurious train — suits and gowns are mandatory and a $26,000 suite comes with unlimited champagne
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-16 | by ( Joey Hadden | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express is a luxury overnight train comprised of historic carriages. Take a tour to go inside one of the world's most luxurious trains. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . AdvertisementWelcome aboard the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, a luxurious, overnight Belmond train. The iconic Orient Express transported the rich and royal from 1883 to 1977, and was the first transcontinental express train in Europe, according to Britannica.

Persons: —, Here's Organizations: Orient, Service, Orient Express, Smithsonian Magazine, Britannica ., Express, Business Locations: Venice, Europe, Britannica, London, Istanbul, Paris, Italy

☆ Flights over 6 hours aren't worth it to me unless my trip is at least two weeks long
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-15 | by ( Joey Hadden | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

I'm a travel reporter who has spent 150 hours on long-haul flights. I've found that trips under two weeks aren't worth enduring the long-haul flights they require. AdvertisementI've spent 150 hours on 22 long-haul flights, starting when I was a kid. It takes three long-haul flights and roughly 24 total hours of travel to get there from my home in NYC. AdvertisementAll that to say, in 2024, I'll make sure my long-haul trips are at least two weeks long so I know they're worth enduring before booking.

Persons: I've, —, Joey Hadden, I Organizations: Service, Business, Environmental Protection Agency Locations: Guam, Europe, Germany, Austria, France, Spain, Italy, Switzerland, Paris, Barcelona

☆ Could 'carbon passports' that limit how much we travel be in our future?
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-05 | by ( Joey Hadden | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

A recent report on the future of travel includes the concept of a "carbon passport." One tour company is proposing a solution: a "carbon passport" that would limit how much carbon travelers could emit each year. "Carbon passports have taken that idea one step further" because they would involve tracking and limiting travel carbon emissions, specifically, Hawkins added. In reality, a carbon passport would be challenging to implementHawkins and Matt Berna, the president of Intrepid in the Americas, said they didn't see a carbon passport as a quick fix, though. To track your flight's carbon emissions, Berna suggests booking through Google Flights, which has included emissions levels since 2021.

Persons: Paloma Zapata —, Zapata, Alex Hawkins, Hawkins, Matt Berna, Berna, it's, Anna Abelson, Jonathan M, Thierry Monasse, there's Organizations: Future Laboratory, Intrepid, Environmental Protection Agency, Sustainable Travel International, Business, The, Laboratory, Tisch Center of Hospitality, New York University, Airlines, International Air Transport Association, Wizz, Google, European Environment Locations: Americas, Greece, Italy, Albania

☆ I spent $9,000 for a night on an iconic luxury train. It was so luxurious, I felt like I was staying at a 5-star hotel.
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-03 | by ( Joey Hadden | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

I traveled on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, a train made up of historic Orient Express cars. I only stayed on the luxury sleeper train for a night, but I felt like a VIP the whole time. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . But none of those experiences could come close to my $9,000, one-night ride from Paris to Venice on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express — one of the most luxurious sleeper trains in the world. It was my first time experiencing the upscale Belmond train, made up of original Orient Express carriages from the 1920s and 1930s.

Persons: —, I've Organizations: Orient, Orient Express, Service Locations: Venice, Paris

☆ I've spent 120 hours on overnight trains. Booking a private cabin is always worth the extra cost — whether it's $200 or $1,000.
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-30 | by ( Joey Hadden | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

On overnight trains, splurging for a private space is worth the price. In private cabins, travelers get a bed, a sink, a vanity, and sometimes a full bathroom. AdvertisementIf you want to sleep on an overnight train, book a private cabin. But when I've booked private cabins on Amtrak and Nightjet, ranging from $200 to $1,000, I've slept better with no disruptions. So I recommend private cabins to all travelers with rolling luggage, a nighttime routine, or a desire to sleep well.

Persons: I've, —, Joey Hadden Organizations: Service, OBB Nightjet, OBB, Amtrak Locations: Berlin, Vienna, Austria, Venice, Italy, Miami

☆ I spent a night on one of the world's most luxurious trains for $9,000. Here's a look inside my cabin.
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-28 | by ( Joey Hadden | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

The Venice-Simplon Orient Express is one of the world's most luxurious overnight trains. For $9,000, I spent one night in the train's least expensive accommodation, a cabin with two beds. NEW LOOK Sign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. AdvertisementI've spent 120 hours on six sleeper trains, and my cabin on the Venice-Simplon Orient Express was unlike any overnight train accommodation I've ever booked. The Venice-Simplon Orient Express is a luxury train made up of cars from the historic Orient Express train fleet of the 1920s and 30s, according to a fact sheet shared with Business Insider.

Persons: —, I've Organizations: Orient, Service, Orient Express, Business Locations: Venice, Paris, France, Italy

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