Canyon Spirit Expands U.S. Rail Route, Launches Travel Advisor Incentives
Canyon Spirit announced a new three‑day rail itinerary linking Denver, Glenwood Springs, Moab and Salt Lake City, launching this month. The route travels through river canyons and desert landscapes, using glass‑dome cars that showcase panoramic views. The company also introduced a travel‑advisor incentive program, offering reduced FAM rates of $419 for two‑day trips and $749 for three‑day trips, plus a 20% discount on U.S. and Canadian routes for accredited advisors.
Tauck Expands Fleet with New Riverboats
Tauck has launched two new riverboats, ms Lumiere and ms Serene, in Lyon to expand its French river cruise portfolio. The 443‑foot Lumiere holds up to 130 guests on the Rhône, while the 410‑foot Serene accommodates 124 guests on the...
Connecting Rivers And Oceans With Windstar Cruises
Windstar Cruises is launching a river‑to‑ocean cruising concept with its new all‑suite yacht Star Explorer, debuting in December 2026. The 224‑guest vessel can travel narrow rivers and then continue onto open‑water itineraries, eliminating the need for ship changes. A dedicated group...
Bahia Principe Refreshes Look and Streamlines Experience
Bahia Principe Hotels & Resorts unveiled a refreshed brand architecture that splits its portfolio into two audience‑centric segments—adults‑only Escape and family‑focused Explore—accompanied by a modernized sun logo and the "Fully & Freely" positioning. The overhaul aligns the brand with Hyatt’s...
Collette Debuts ‘University 201’ Training for Advisors
Collette has launched Collette University 201, an expanded self‑paced training platform for travel advisors. The curriculum is split into two tracks—one for advisors with five or more years of experience and another for newcomers. New modules covering brand storytelling, product...
AAT Kings Is Rewarding Top-Performing Trade Partners With Exclusive Tour
AAT Kings is relaunching its A‑LISTERS ON LOCATION incentive, rewarding top‑performing travel agents who book guided holidays and short breaks between Jan. 1 and July 31, 2026 for travel departing by March 31, 2027. Two agents per region will be selected based on highest passenger...
Shining Bright: Norwegian Luna Celebrates Its Official Christening
Norwegian Cruise Line christened its newest Prima Plus vessel, Norwegian Luna, at Port Miami, positioning it as a flagship for the line’s Freestyle cruising model. The 3,565-passenger ship boasts family‑focused amenities such as the Aqua Slidecoaster, Moon Climber, and Luna...
Trafalgar Adds New Tools And Savings For Family Travel
Trafalgar is targeting the booming family‑travel market for Summer 2026 with discounts of up to $1,500 per child on select tours departing June through August. The price cut translates to $100 per day per youngster and can be combined with...
Four Ways To See Barbados With O2 Beach Club & Spa
O2 Beach Club & Spa, part of Ocean Hotels Group Barbados, now offers four curated island tours that go beyond its beachfront amenities. The itineraries—Graeme Hall Nature Sanctuary, Island Discovery, Nature’s Hearts, and Heritage Escape—combine wildlife spotting, historic sites, and...
Atlas Ocean Voyages Transitions to an All-Suite Fleet
Atlas Ocean Voyages announced an industry‑first all‑suite fleet that will launch on April 2, 2026. The new model introduces a three‑tier suite hierarchy—Signature, the newly created Concierge, and premium Reserve—across all ships. Concierge suites debut on World Navigator, followed by World Voyager...
Royal Caribbean Unveils Hero of the Seas, Expanding Icon Class Fleet
Royal Caribbean announced Hero of the Seas, the fourth Icon‑class cruise ship, slated to debut from Miami in August 2027. The vessel will host nine distinct pool experiences, including the family‑friendly Coconut Cove and adults‑only Hideaway, and will feature the...
Exclusive Bonus for Ponant Smithsonian Voyages
Ponant Explorations has extended its exclusive partnership with Smithsonian Journeys through May 31 2026, adding a $1,000 shipboard credit and a $500 booking gift card to all 2026 sailings. The collaboration pairs Ponant’s small‑ship expertise with Smithsonian’s research and cultural authority, featuring...
New Transcend Ships Strengthen River Cruise Expansion
Transcend Cruises has inked a new‑build agreement with Den Breejen Shipyard for two additional river vessels, expanding its fleet to four ships by 2028. The company’s inaugural ship, Connect, is slated for a July 2026 launch as the first river...
Rental Escapes REwards Turns Bookings Into Villa Stays
Rental Escapes’ REwards program, launched in 2023, lets travel advisors earn points for every villa booking and redeem them for complimentary stays worldwide. Over three years the initiative has amassed more than 80 million points and facilitated over 90 free villa...
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[UPDATE] Senate Approves Funding for TSA
After six weeks of a partial DHS shutdown, the Senate approved a funding package that restores pay for TSA agents and funds most DHS components, including FEMA and the Coast Guard. The bill deliberately omits funding for Immigration and Customs...
Breathless Cancun Soul Adds Incentive for Midweek Gatherings
Breathless Cancun Soul Resort & Spa has launched an Advisor Preferred Midweek Program, offering a higher 12% commission on group bookings of ten or more rooms for stays of at least two nights between Sunday and Thursday from May through...
The Best of Chile
Sunny Land Tours is offering a $980 per‑person familiarization (FAM) trip to Chile that covers Santiago, Valparaíso, and Viña del Mar, including airport transfers, three nights’ accommodation, guided tours and four meals. The core itinerary showcases the capital’s historic sites...
Bali & Beyond
FT Tours has launched a nine‑day Bali Deluxe FAM designed for travel advisors seeking deep destination expertise. The itinerary blends leisure with curated experiences, covering iconic sites such as Uluwatu, Ubud’s rice terraces, and Tanah Lot, before ending in the trendy Canggu...
Strong Growth Drives Swan Hellenic Antarctic Seasons
Swan Hellenic reported a 53% jump in guest numbers and a 66% increase in net revenue for its 2025‑2026 Antarctic season, underscoring rapid growth in luxury expedition cruising. Bookings for the 2026‑2027 season are already at 65% of capacity, 20%...
New Mediterranean Focus For Explora Journeys This Winter
Explora Journeys announced that its ultra‑luxury vessel EXPLORA II will operate exclusively in the Western Mediterranean from November 2026 through March 2027, replacing a planned Middle East deployment. The winter itinerary features ports such as Funchal, Casablanca, Ibiza’s Old Town, Barcelona...
Celestyal Adjusts Mediterranean Start As Conflict Persists
Celestyal announced the cancellation of three Mediterranean cruises scheduled for early April, citing ongoing regional instability linked to Middle East conflicts. The affected sailings include a 7‑night Greece‑Italy‑Croatia itinerary, a 14‑night Mediterranean Icons cruise, and a 4‑night Greek Islands voyage....
Rome, Tuscany & Venice FAM
Travel advisors are invited to an eight‑day Italy familiarization (FAM) tour that showcases Rome, Assisi, Siena, Florence, Bologna, Tuscany and Venice. The program mixes guided tours—such as skip‑the‑line Vatican access and Florence’s Duomo—with independent exploration and regional culinary experiences. Rates...
Peru Beyond the Route
PROMPERU is launching a July 9‑16, 2026 familiarization (FAM) trip called “Peru Beyond the Route” to showcase adventure‑focused destinations in Ancash and Arequipa. The initiative is part of the Peru Beyond the Route Marketplace, a platform that pairs international travel advisors with...
Kenya Safari FAM
FAMTrips, together with Liberty Africa Safaris and KAI Collection, is offering travel advisors an eight‑day escorted familiarisation safari across Kenya’s premier wildlife reserves. The program runs two times in 2026—May 26 to June 2 at an agent rate of $2,450 per person and November 5 to 12...
Posadas Exclusive: BOLO for New Luxury Isla Mujeres Resort
Grupo Posadas is accelerating its luxury push in Mexico, beginning with the takeover of Izla Beachfront Hotel on Isla Mujeres on April 1. The property will operate under the Fiesta Americana Travelty brand for a year before reflagging as Devossion by...
Ritz-Carlton Key Biscayne Celebrates Renovation With Beachside Event
Miami’s iconic Ritz‑Carlton Key Biscayne has reopened after a $100 million, 25‑year‑overdue renovation. The beachside celebration, hosted by developer Gencom, showcased a redesigned resort featuring open‑air architecture, expanded dining venues, a 30,000‑sq‑ft spa, and new family‑focused amenities such as a Ritz...
Azamara Announces Bourbon Partnership at Sea
Azamara Cruises has teamed with Milam & Greene Whiskey to launch Bourbon Quest, placing one bourbon barrel aboard the Azamara Quest for the entire 188‑night, 2027 World Cruise that visits 37 countries. The barrel, originally filled in Kentucky in 2019,...
Sea Cloud Cruises Unveils 2027–2028 Sailings with Savings and European Itineraries
Sea Cloud Cruises announced its 2027‑2028 sailing season, featuring luxury small‑ship voyages on the tall vessels Sea Cloud Spirit and Sea Cloud II. The lineup emphasizes European itineraries, including Irish, Scottish, French Atlantic, and Mediterranean routes. Guests who book by...
Top Headlines: This Week’s Biggest Travel Stories
Travel industry faces short‑term headwinds as Middle East tensions push fuel prices higher, inflating airline ticket costs. Despite this, analysts forecast air travel demand to double by 2050, indicating strong long‑term growth. The sector also saw positive momentum at the...
Royal Caribbean Expands Australia Season with New Royal Beach Club Lelepa Debut
Royal Caribbean is adding its first Southern Hemisphere private destination, Royal Beach Club Lelepa, to its 2027‑2028 Australia season. The all‑inclusive beach club, located in Vanuatu, will be featured on all South Pacific itineraries departing from Sydney and Brisbane starting...
ASTA Sets Vienna Expo Dates, Legislative Day Forecast
The American Society of Travel Advisors announced its 2027 River Cruise Expo will take place in Vienna from March 10‑14, featuring a record‑size ship inspection with at least 13 cruise brands and 17 vessels. Registration opened after a sold‑out Amsterdam...
ALGV Opens 2027 Beach Flight Bookings Early With Frontier
ALG Vacations (ALGV) has opened early bookings for its 2027 Exclusive Nonstop Vacation Flights (ENVF) with Frontier Airlines, linking three Midwest hubs to two Caribbean destinations. Chicago O’Hare will fly nonstop to Cancun, while Cleveland and St. Louis will serve...
Princess Cruises Expands ‘North to Alaska’ Program with New Experiences
Princess Cruises is expanding its North to Alaska program with four new signature experiences for the 2026 season, available on all eight Alaska‑focused ships. The additions include the Glacier Experience with ranger‑led narration and exclusive bow viewing, a Welcome to...
Elite Island Resorts Launches Antigua Campaign With Agent Tools
Elite Island Resorts has unveiled “A Love Letter To Antigua,” a multi‑component campaign designed to equip travel advisors with ready‑made itineraries, an interactive 360° map, and a summer promotion offering a free fifth night at The Verandah Antigua. The initiative...
Royal Caribbean Announces Quantum of the Seas’ Singapore Journeys
Royal Caribbean announced that its Quantum of the Seas will resume operations from Singapore for the 2027‑28 season, running from October 2027 through March 2028. The ship will offer a mix of 3‑ to 10‑night itineraries visiting Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam,...
Explore Worldwide Announces First Morocco Familiarization Trip
Explore Worldwide has opened applications for its inaugural North American familiarization (FAM) trip to Morocco, a seven‑day, small‑group tour scheduled for June 7‑13, 2026. The program will host up to ten travel‑industry professionals, offering hands‑on exposure to the operator’s responsible‑travel...
Spring in Europe: Tivoli Hotels & Resorts Offer Seasonal Experiences for Travelers
Tivoli Hotels & Resorts is rolling out spring‑focused experiences across its European portfolio, from Easter celebrations in Porto to tulip‑season stays in Amsterdam. The offerings combine cultural activities, culinary workshops, and wellness programs, targeting both city‑savvy travelers and families seeking...
Cruise News You Can’t Miss: Dining, Destinations & Beach Upgrades
Royal Caribbean is upgrading public beach access at its Royal Beach Club in Cozumel, adding a new pathway to improve safety, signage and lighting under its SEA the Future sustainability program. Hapag‑Lloyd Cruises will launch ten Indian Ocean expedition voyages...
Audley Travel Rolls Out New Training for Advisors
Audley Travel has launched the Audley Academy, an online training academy for travel advisors that awards participants the Audley Ambassador accreditation. Graduates receive a comprehensive sales‑and‑marketing toolkit, a $100 bonus gift card, and ongoing newsletters with product updates. Advisors who...
Intrepid Travel to Resume Egypt Small-Group Tours
Intrepid Travel will restart its small‑group tours to Egypt on April 1 after pausing operations due to regional airspace disruptions caused by the conflict. While tours to Egypt resume, trips to Jordan and Oman stay suspended until at least April 15. The...
Inkaterra Opens Luxury Retreat in Peru
Inkaterra has launched Inkaterra Cabo Blanco, a luxury eco‑resort on Peru’s northern Pacific coast featuring 13 ocean‑view suites with private terraces and plunge pools. The 1,000‑sq‑ft suites open onto a curved main pool and beachfront dining venues, offering high‑end amenities...
Top Headlines: This Week in Travel News
Travel this week was marked by a series of disruptions and recoveries. Cruise ships have returned to Puerto Vallarta after a week of cancellations tied to cartel violence in western Mexico. Safety concerns stemming from the Iran‑Israel conflict are prompting...
Celebrity River Cruises Unveils Destination Discovery Program for 2027–2028 Sailings
Celebrity River Cruises announced a Destination Discovery Program for its 2027‑2028 sailings, adding four themed experience series to its European itineraries. The Storyteller Series pairs guests with local artists and cultural experts, while the Skillmaster Series offers hands‑on craft and...
Victory Cruise Lines Invests $5M in Fleet Upgrades
Victory Cruise Lines announced a $5 million investment to upgrade its two flagship vessels, Victory I and Victory II, during the 2026 layup period. The program covers major engine overhauls, crane recertifications, drydock work, exterior repainting, and extensive interior refurbishments,...
Virgin Voyages Expands to 1,500 AI Agents to Improve Guest Experience
Virgin Voyages has expanded its internal AI agent fleet from 50 to over 1,500 in under four months, leveraging Google Cloud’s Gemini Enterprise platform. The agents support functions such as marketing, sales, crew training, and guest services, including tools like...
AREA15 Opens New Las Vegas Nightlife Concept Oddyssey
AREA15 has launched Oddyssey, an immersive nightlife concept in Las Vegas that replaces the traditional mega‑club model with a sequential, room‑to‑room experience. The offering includes a 90‑minute cocktail theater called Oddyssey Manor and a late‑night dance segment, Oddyssey Noir, featuring...
Star Clippers Offers Free Athens Hotel Stay on Select 2026 Sailings
Star Clippers is giving North, Central and South American travelers a complimentary hotel night in Athens, including breakfast and shuttle service, for select 2026 Greece sailings. The promotion, limited to bookings made by April 30, applies to itineraries aboard the...
Regent Seven Seas Cruises Debuts Air Concierge
Regent Seven Seas Cruises is launching an Air Concierge service on April 1, 2026 for U.S. and Canadian travelers. The program replaces the Ultimate All‑Inclusive Fare, offering real‑time market airfare, personalized routing, cabin‑class selection, and flexible dates. Guests pay a...
Stays Beyond the 2026 U.S. Grand Prix Circuits
Formula 1’s 2026 calendar features three U.S. Grands Prix—Miami (May 1‑3), Austin (Oct 16‑18) and Las Vegas (Nov 19‑21). The article highlights how travelers can extend race weekends with curated stays in nearby destinations such as Savannah’s Ann Savannah, Key West’s Eden House, and the...
Banyan Tree Expands Wellness Offering
Banyan Tree is scaling its wellness portfolio by rolling out Connections Retreats and extending its signature Connections program to eight additional resorts. The new immersive, small‑group retreats debut in Montenegro’s Mamula Island and Bali’s Buahan in 2026, featuring Manduka‑aligned yoga...