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☆ Carnival is taking on Royal Caribbean with its own $600 million private resort — see Celebration Key's planned features
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-30 | by ( Brittany Chang | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Carnival Cruise Line is set to launch its new private destination, Celebration Key, in 2025. The $600 million project has amenities similar to Royal Caribbean's private island. Carnival is "clearly following Royal Caribbean's footsteps," one analyst told Business Insider. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . Royal Caribbean's private island could soon face some serious competition.

Persons: —, CocoCay Organizations: Service Locations: Miami, CocoCay, Caribbean

☆ A sold-out tiny home community in Florida is expanding into rentals. Be ready to pay $1,350 a month for 320 square feet.
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-26 | by ( Brittany Chang | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Tiny-home builder Escape Homes runs a popular neighborhood of its units near Tampa, Florida. Escape is expanding its tiny home community with six fully furnished rentals, each for $1,350 a month. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . AdvertisementIf you can't imagine living in a tiny home, Escape Homes could point you to about two dozen other people who would disagree. Along with manufacturing tiny houses, Escape operates a community of its own teeny dwellings near Tampa Bay, Florida.

Persons: —, they've Organizations: Escape Homes, Service Locations: Tampa , Florida, Tampa Bay , Florida

☆ One of the US's busiest cruise ports can't keep up with America's love for vacations at sea — but an urgent new terminal will help meet the demand for giant cruise ships
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-23 | by ( Brittany Chang | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Port Canaveral announced new plans to build a seventh cruise terminal by 2026. But Port Canaveral is running out of space as demand for these vacation voyages continues to skyrocket. When complete, it could accommodate the world's largest cruise ships, including Royal Caribbean's new 1,198-foot-long, 9,950-person-capacity Icon of the Seas. The project would've taken three to four years to complete — too long a timeline for Port Canaveral. "We can't shut down operations at Port Canaveral because the state can't get the road infrastructure in a timely manner," he added.

Persons: —, John Murray, Murray, Royal Caribbean's, Brittany Chang, Ross Klein, UCG, Jamie Glasner, Glasner Organizations: Canaveral, Infrastructure, Service, Disney, Sunshine State, Port Canaveral, Canaveral Port, Royal, Business, MSC Group, Disney Cruise, Memorial University of Newfoundland, Glasner, US Customs, Border Protection, Florida Department Locations: Florida, Miami, Canaveral, Port Canaveral, Port, Caribbean

☆ Margaritaville at Sea failed a surprise health inspection due to too many people in hot tubs and concerns about food safety
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-16 | by ( Monica Humphries | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Read previewOn May 1, CDC officials boarded Margaritaville at Sea, a Jimmy-Buffet-themed ship that welcomes 1,680 passengers, for an unexpected health inspection. In the inspection detail report, officials noted food and drink concerns as well as crowded whirlpools. Beyond food and drink, the officials noted that whirlpools often had six guests, although they're designed for a maximum of four people. Previously, the MSC Seaside failed with a score of 67, Business Insider reported last spring. In the past two years, multiple Business Insider reporters have boarded the Margaritaville at Sea Paradise ship, and their reviews have been mixed.

Persons: —, whirlpools, they're, Patrick Connolly, Norwegian Joy, Margaritaville, Brittany Chang, Lauren Mack, staterooms, Mack Organizations: Service, CDC, Sanitation, Business, Margaritaville, USPH, MSC, Orlando Sentinel, Tribune, Getty, Vessel Sanitation, Disney, Summit, MSC Seascape, Silver, Norwegian Pearl, Paradise Locations: Oceania, Rotterdam, Norwegian

☆ Royal Caribbean and Norwegian have serious sustainable-food-supply-chain goals — here's how they compare
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-16 | by ( Brittany Chang | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Royal Caribbean Group and Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings aim to source their foods more sustainably. In 2023, the cruise giants Royal Caribbean Group and Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings accommodated more than 10.3 million travelers. Both companies have been increasingly shopping localBoth Norwegian and Royal Caribbean want to be net zero emissions by 2050. Royal Caribbean did not respond to an inquiry about its beef initiatives or plans to expand its plant-based offerings. That's not to mention all the heat that cruise companies already take for operating ships that are bad for the environment.

Persons: —, Brittany Chang, Linken D'Souza, Royal Caribbean's, Bambi Semroc, it's, Ravi Anupindi, Anupindi, Royal, Semroc Organizations: Royal Caribbean Group, Cruise Line Holdings, Chain Management, Service, Norwegian, Royal, Business, Royal Caribbean's, Conservation, University of Michigan's Ross School of Business, Marine Stewardship Council, Aquaculture, Council, Global Animal Partnership, Regent Seven Locations: buffets, Royal Caribbean, Europe, Seattle, Vancouver, Florida, California, New York City, Norwegian, Oceania

☆ Cunard added a 4th luxury cruise ship to its famous fleet — see what it'll be like on the new Queen Anne
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-08 | by ( Brittany Chang | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Cunard welcomed its fourth ship and newest in 14 years, the 2,996-guest Queen Anne. Queen Anne's 2024 itineraries, primarily in Europe, start at $300 per person for a two-night cruise. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . AdvertisementCunard has operated 249 ships throughout its 184 years in operation, including the famous Queen Mary and Queen Mary 2. It's Cunard's latest 2,996-guest ship, replete with 4,300 art pieces, archery, and the company's signature high-end flair.

Persons: Cunard, Queen Anne, —, Queen Mary and Queen Mary, it's, It's Organizations: Service, Cunard, BBC Locations: Europe

☆ See what it's like living in Portugal's first 3D printed, 2-bedroom concrete home
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-07 | by ( Brittany Chang | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Startup Havelar built Portugal's first 3D printed home using COBOD's popular printing system. The Portugal-based startup says it can build faster and cheaper than conventional construction. AdvertisementIf companies like Portugal-based Havelar have their way, the future of affordable housing will look like perfectly stacked strands of spaghetti (as in, they'd be 3D printed). Printing-construction startup Havelar says it can build a new home in less than two months while pricing it significantly below market, all with the help of a robotic construction printer. It may sound like an impossible claim, but its latest project — and Portugal's first 3D printed home — has made its case.

Persons: — Organizations: Service Locations: Portugal

☆ Princess Cruises All-Inclusive 2026 World Cruise for 4 Months
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-04 | by ( Brittany Chang | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Princess Cruises announced a 114-day world cruise to 52 destinations in 2026, starting at $20,000 per person. Guests who book early would get a free, all-inclusive package, a first for Princess' global itineraries. Extended and all-inclusive cruises have emerged as big trends in the vacation industry. AdvertisementPrincess Cruise's new around-the-world voyage will hit two vacation trends in one itinerary. The sailing, which starts at $20,000 per person, also marks the first time Princess is offering a complimentary all-inclusive package as a way to entice early bookings.

Persons: —, it's Organizations: Cruises, Princess, Service, Carnival Corp

☆ 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

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