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☆ 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

☆ 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

☆ 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

☆ 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

☆ Ultra-luxury RV maker Bowlus is marketing its cheapest and smallest trailer to younger travelers — see inside the $165,000 Rivet
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-14 | by ( Brittany Chang | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Ultra-luxury RV maker Bowlus's new Rivet is its smallest and cheapest travel trailer. 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 . But if you fall into this camp, Bowlus has a counteroffer: the new Rivet, its smallest and cheapest travel trailer. In early March, the California-based RV maker unveiled the new "rugged" model with all-terrain tires, remote-control capabilities, and a more manageable starting price of $165,000.

Persons: —, Bowlus Organizations: Service Locations: California

☆ It's hard to use printers to build houses. This startup says it's found a solution — by creating a 3D printed home starter kit.
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-12 | by ( Brittany Chang | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Roadblocks stand between startups and their promise of cheaper and quickly built 3D printed homes. 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 . But amid this quest to alleviate the US housing crisis, the nascent 3D printing construction industry has continued to face major roadblocks. This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers.

Persons: — Organizations: Service, Business Locations: Austin

☆ Virgin Voyages is pitching a monthlong cruise to remote workers starting at $10K for two people
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-11 | by ( Brittany Chang | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Richard Branson's Virgin Voyages says it's launching a monthlong summertime cruise pass. Passholders would get to sail on four consecutive weeklong Mediterranean itineraries. AdvertisementRichard Brandon's Virgin Voyages wants you to "WFH" this summer. The adult-only cruise line says it's launching monthlong summertime passes, aptly known as the "Scarlet Summer Season Pass," starting at $9,990 for two people in one cabin. With this pass, travelers would sail on four consecutive weeklong Mediterranean cruises.

Persons: Richard Branson's, Passholders, —, Richard Brandon's Virgin Organizations: Service Locations: Ibiza, Spain, Cannes, France, Rome, Italy

☆ Oceania wants travelers to live on its new luxury cruise ship for 6 months while it sails to 43 countries. A trip starts at $60K — see what it'll be like.
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-10 | by ( Brittany Chang | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Oceania announced a 180-day 2026 world cruise from Miami to 101 ports, starting at $59,700 a person. The premium cruise brand tapped its new luxury ship, Vista, for the 43-country itinerary. Oceania's 2024 world cruise set sail in January after it sold out in 30 minutes. AdvertisementOceania Cruises wants you to spend at least $59,700 — and 180 days — living on its newest cruise ship while it sails 360 degrees around the globe. In January, its most recent world cruise on the fully booked Insignia departed from Los Angeles on a similar 180-day, 96-port journey.

Persons: — Organizations: Oceania, Service, Oceania Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Locations: Miami, Los Angeles, Oceania, Norwegian

☆ A revived luxury cruise line wants you to spend 4 ½ months at sea sailing to 27 countries for $84,000
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-07 | by ( Brittany Chang | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: 1 min

On January 11, 2026, the cruise line says its Crystal Serenity will head west from California to Pacific Islands like Bora Bora. Crystal says its 2026 world cruise will stop at Dubai. Lu ShaoJi/Getty ImagesThen, it's off to New Zealand and Australia before hitting destinations like Hong Kong, Mumbai, and Bali, Indonesia.

Persons: Lu ShaoJi Locations: California, Pacific, Bora, Dubai, New Zealand, Australia, Hong Kong, Mumbai, Bali, Indonesia

☆ This 3D printed home in Detroit can be yours for $224,500 — see what it's like inside the 2-bedroom house
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-06 | by ( Brittany Chang | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Nonprofit Citizen Robotics says it has built Detroit's first 3D printed home. The price of the two-bedroom house is capped at $224,500. See inside the 988-square-foot unit, complete with printed walls and planters. NEW LOOK Sign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers.

Persons: — Organizations: Robotics, Service, Business Locations: Detroit

☆ An Airbnb cofounder's new startup wants to drop factory-made tiny homes into California backyards — see inside its $324,000, two-bedroom unit
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-02 | by ( Brittany Chang | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Samara, cofounded by Airbnb's Joe Gebbia, is selling modular accessory dwelling units. See inside its most expensive unit, a $324,000 two-bedroom tiny home. AdvertisementA new startup wants to drop tiny homes into your backyard. If the name doesn't ring a bell, you might recognize one of its cofounders, Joe Gebbia. Quite the opposite: It's manufacturing factory-built accessory dwelling units (ADUs), or tiny homes, that can be dropped into Californians' backyards.

Persons: Airbnb's Joe Gebbia, —, Oz, Ariana Grande, Ethan Slater, Joe Gebbia, Brian Chesky Organizations: Service, Airbnb Locations: Samara, Mexico, It's California

☆ Holland America wants travelers to live on a cruise ship for 4 ½ months while it sails to 39 countries on all 7 continents — see what it'll be like
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-28 | by ( Brittany Chang | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

The 132-day itinerary includes 47 ports in 39 countries on all seven continents. 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 . AdvertisementIn 2026, the only flight you'll have to take to visit 39 countries in less than half a year is the one from your home to Fort Lauderdale, Florida. This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers.

Persons: —, Royal Organizations: Holland America Line, Service, Business Locations: Holland, Fort Lauderdale , Florida

☆ See how the world's largest cruise ship feeds 10,000 people every day
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-24 | by ( Brittany Chang | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas ship accommodates 9,950 people: 7,600 guests and 2,350 crew. The cruise ship has over 40 restaurants, bars, and lounges. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . And for these hungry sailors, Royal Caribbean's new Icon of the Seas could be the closest thing to culinary heaven on earth (or at sea). On the new world's largest cruise ship, dining is more than just a traditional buffet and poolside grill with burgers and pizza.

Persons: — Organizations: Service, Royal, Business

☆ Royal Caribbean's CEO said its massive new ship was designed for Instagram. I saw 9 things on board that make it a social-media sensation.
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-22 | by ( Brittany Chang | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Royal Caribbean Group's CEO said its new Icon of the Seas was designed to have "Instagrammable moments." Guests' social media posts create "FOMO" that helps drive bookings, he said. I sailed on the new mega-ship in January and saw just how social media-friendly the mega-ship was. If you've been jealous of all the cruisers sailing on Royal Caribbean's new, wildly popular Icon of the Seas ship, you're not alone. In fact, Jason Liberty, Royal Caribbean Group's president and CEO, said the new mega-ship was built to do just that: Create a sense of FOMO — or the "fear of missing out."

Persons: you've, Jason Liberty, Liberty Organizations: Caribbean, Royal Locations: Royal Caribbean

☆ I got a peek at the new adults-only area at Royal Caribbean's Perfect Day at CocoCay. I'm sure it'll become a smash hit on the $350 million private island.
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-17 | by ( Brittany Chang | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

I spent an afternoon at Hideaway Beach, the new adults-only area of Royal Caribbean's private island. About two-thirds of Royal Caribbean's guests are expected to stop at the private Bahamas island this year. AdvertisementWhat do you get when you cross a Las Vegas pool club with a cruise ship and a private island? You get Royal Caribbean's new Hideaway Beach. In January, the popular cruise line unveiled the newest extension of its Perfect Day at CocoCay private island in the Bahamas.

Persons: — Organizations: Service, Royal Locations: Hideaway, Royal, Bahamas, Vegas, Atlantic City , New Jersey

☆ Only Carnival's cruise guests will be able to vacation at this $500 million private resort — take a sneak peek
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-15 | by ( Brittany Chang | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Carnival Cruise Line's new private destination, Celebration Key, is set to open in July 2025. The $500 million project is set to feature resort-like amenities and host 2 million guests a year. Cruise line-run private islands have been big moneymakers for operators like Carnival and Royal Caribbean. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . AdvertisementOne of Carnival Cruise Line’s upcoming $500 million projects has the potential to become a massive money tree for the popular operator.

Persons: — Organizations: Royal, Service, Business Locations: Royal Caribbean, It’s, Bahama, Bahamas, cabanas

☆ My $540-a-night cabin on the world's largest cruise ship was shockingly small and disappointing
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-14 | by ( Brittany Chang | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

I recently sailed on the world's largest cruise ship, Royal Caribbean's new Icon of the Seas . My stateroom was disappointing, and the bathroom was tiny — I'm not sure it would be comfortable for a family. 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 . AdvertisementIf you're assuming the new world’s largest cruise ship, Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas, must have giant guest cabins, I'm here to give you a reality check.

Persons: — Organizations: Royal, Service, Business

☆ The world's largest cruise ship just launched, and Royal Caribbean's next giant vessel is only months away. See the upcoming Utopia of the Seas.
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-13 | by ( Brittany Chang | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Royal Caribbean is preparing for the July debut of its next mega-ship, Utopia of the Seas. Utopia will enter service six months after the debut of its wildly popular predecessor, Icon of the Seas. But behind the scenes, the cruise line is already prepping to debut its next giant vessel: 1,188-foot-long Utopia of the Seas. In July — only six months after Icon's debut — the upcoming mega-ship will join its fleet with a series of three- to four-night cruises from Florida's Port Canaveral, Royal Caribbean says. And it's sure to add more traffic to what's already one of the world's busiest cruising hubs: Royal Caribbean says Utopia will accommodate up to 7,958 people, including 5,668 guests.

Persons: — Organizations: Royal, Service Locations: Caribbean, Florida's Port Canaveral, Royal Caribbean

☆ I quit my job to go on the 3-year Life at Sea cruise that was canceled. I still haven't received a refund.
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-12 | by ( Erin Snodgrass | Brittany Chang | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

He wanted to be identified by first name only for privacy reasons; his full name is known by Business Insider. He and 77 other would-be passengers who have yet to receive refunds are asking the US Attorney in Southern Florida to investigate Life at Sea's parent company, Miray Cruise Lines, LLC, for fraud. When I first heard about Life at Sea Cruises, it sounded too good to be true. But we were very quickly told that while we could cancel and withdraw, our refund would be far reduced. [Bayramoğlu confirmed that Adam is a priority and "will be the first" to receive a refund when it begins the bank wires.]

Persons: —, Adam, Miray, Bayramoğlu, I've, Ethem Bayramoğlu, Vedat Organizations: Service, Business, Miray Cruise Lines, Sea Cruises, Miray Cruises, National Health Service, Miray Locations: British, Southern Florida, Alaska, Antarctica, Istanbul, Miray

☆ I was one of the first guests on Royal Caribbean's $1,800-per-person Icon of the Seas. Nothing prepared me for what it was like on the world's largest cruise ship.
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-03 | by ( Brittany Chang | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

I spent three nights on Royal Caribbean's new world's largest cruise ship, the 9,950-person Icon of the Seas. AdvertisementRoyal Caribbean's new Icon of the Seas isn't a regular cruise ship. It's a cool cruise ship — one that will overwhelm you so much, you'll end up retreating to your tiny cabin more than you expected. At 1,198 feet-long and 20 decks tall, the Icon of the Seas and its rainbow spaghetti-like water park stands out from its comrades at Miami's bustling cruise terminal . Get used to the sight: The new world's largest cruise ship will be homeported there for a year of seven-night cruises .

Persons: — Organizations: Service

☆ Most Expensive Cabin on Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas: Photo Tour
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-01 | by ( Brittany Chang | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Sailing on Royal Caribbean's new Icon of the Seas won't be cheap. Wealthy travelers are booking Icon's most expensive cabin for an average of $100,000 a week. Take a look around the world's largest cruise ship's 2,523-square-foot Ultimate Family Townhouse. AdvertisementTraveling on Royal Caribbean's new Icon of the Seas won't be cheap during its first year in service. The cruise giant isn't shy about its target demographic: families (unless you think Icon of the Seas' water park and carousel are just for adults).

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

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