In this Issue:
- Navigating Luxury Cruising
- 5 Upscale Getaways in Mexico
- What’s New in Vegas
- Converting an Affluent Client into a First-time Cruiser
- 7 Islands for Long and Lovely Weekends
- 4 Chic U.S. Stays
- Gorilla Trekking in Uganda
- Nieuw Statendam
- How Do You Pick the Right Consortia for You?
- Selling to the Luxury Market
- The Do’s and Don’ts of Managing Expectations
Vakkaru Maldives Adds Overwater Villa With Pool Category
Vakkaru Maldives has a new accommodation category: the Overwater Villa with Pool, available to book now for stays beginning Oct. 22, 2026.
Travel Leaders Network Takes ELEVATE Regionals to Six U.S. Cities
Travel Leaders Network is bringing its ELEVATE U.S. Regionals series to six cities this fall, offering members local education, technology updates, supplier access and networking opportunities.
Railbookers: Book Early for Japan Rail Trips
Railbookers is positioning its locally hosted rail vacations in Japan as a way to navigate the rush without sacrificing flexibility.
Cunard Expands Advisor Support With Three New Sales Hires
Cunard is expanding its North American sales organization with three new Business Development Manager appointments, strengthening regional support for travel advisors.
The Biggest Travel Headlines This Week
From potential changes to airfare rules and surging luxury travel demand to 2027 eclipse cruises and Tauck’s latest riverboat, here are the travel industry developments advisors need to know this week.
2026 Solar Eclipse: How Cruise Lines Chased Totality at Sea
Cruise lines gave travelers prime views of the Aug. 12 total solar eclipse, and several are already planning dedicated sailings around future celestial events.
Luxury Travel Keeps Its Momentum
The findings from Virtuoso’s latest data show that luxury travel continues to build on an already strong performance.
American Cruise Lines Names Two New Riverboats
American Cruise Lines is expanding its U.S. river fleet with two new ships, American Beauty and American Rhapsody, set to debut in 2028 and 2029.
Audley Travel Hosts First U.S. Advisor FAM in Morocco
Audley Travel hosted its first advisor FAM in Morocco, giving advisors firsthand destination experience and insight into selling tailor-made FIT travel.
ASTA Backs Controversial Federal Plan to Loosen Rules on Airfare Ads
ASTA supports a proposed DOT change to airfare advertising rules but is pushing back against a separate proposal that would eliminate the Full Fare Rule.
Riviera Travel Offers Advisors $100 Per Cabin Booked
Riviera Travel is offering travel advisors $100 for every qualifying cabin booked through Sept. 30, 2026, with rewards capped at 30 bookings per advisor.
Tauck Adds New Riverboat to Rhone Fleet for 2028
Tauck is expanding its Rhone river cruise offerings with the 2028 launch of the ms Harmonie, a new 130-guest sister ship to the ms Lumiere.
Seabourn Opens Bookings for 2028-29 Caribbean Season
The 7- to 12-day voyages are designed around Seabourn’s small-ship experience, with calls at Caribbean ports and yacht harbors that are less accessible to larger cruise ships.
Serenity at Coconut Bay Launches Double Bonus for Advisors
Serenity at Coconut Bay and Coconut Bay Beach Resort & Spa have launched enhanced booking incentives for U.S. travel advisors.
Epic Escapes Around the World
Clients looking for those epic escapes to far-flung destinations are looking for an iconic itinerary that will wow them from start to finish.
Cruise News: New 2028 Sailings Across Alaska, Europe & Beyond
National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions, Norwegian Cruise Line and Princess Cruises have announced new and expanded deployments for 2028.
New Culinary Experiences: Nobu, ION Harbour and Viceroy Los Cabos
From fine dining at sea to new hotel restaurants in Portugal and Los Cabos, these culinary experiences give travelers more ways to make food a part of the journey.
Regent Seven Seas Launches Pastry Training Program
Regent has launched a Floating Pastry Academy to provide its culinary teams with advanced training in baking and pastry techniques.
Celebrity Cruises Unveils 2028-29 Deployment With Expanded Europe Season
Celebrity Cruises has unveiled its 2028-29 deployment, highlighted by its most extensive Europe season yet.
Colombia Earthquake Disrupts Air Travel
Air travel across western Colombia has been significantly disrupted following a powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake Monday morning.
Sandals Resorts Debuts Free 2027 Wedding Package
Sandals Resorts is giving couples new options for a Jamaica destination wedding, including a complimentary 2027 wedding package and new private experiences from Island Routes.
Bay Gardens Resorts Expands F&B Offerings With New Dining Concepts
Bay Gardens Resorts added new dining concepts including Driftwood Pizzeria, Bay Bites and Knots Bar across its Saint Lucia properties.
Delta Adds New Route from Seattle to Tokyo
Delta will launch daily nonstop service between Seattle and Tokyo-Narita in March 2027, expanding connectivity to Japan and the broader Asia-Pacific region.
Rental Escapes Launches White-Label Website Program for Advisors
The new platform allows advisors to create a fully branded website featuring Rental Escapes’ portfolio of more than 5,000 luxury villas, without displaying any branding.
Fresh Bites From the Culinary Travel Scene
Here's a peek at some of the newest culinary experiences across hotels and destinations worth knowing about.
Secret Atlas Adds 36-Guest Yacht Aureum for Antarctica
Secret Atlas has added Aureum to its expedition fleet, the first purpose-designed 36-guest expedition ship built for Antarctica.
U.S. Makes Visa Bond Program Permanent for Travelers From 50 Countries
The U.S. State Department has made its visa bond program permanent, requiring travelers from 50 countries to post bonds of up to $20,000 when applying for business or tourist visas.
Aruba’s Riu Palace Gets Full Makeover on Palm Beach
The fully renovated Hotel Riu Palace Aruba now boasts the Elite Club, the chain's adults-only premium tier offered at Riu Palace properties.
This Week’s Must-Know Travel News
This week’s travel news roundup covers key updates for advisors, from destination advisories and airline news to cruise growth and industry moves.
Six Senses La Sagesse Adds New Holistic Wellness Journey
The Awaken Journey combines movement, mindfulness, nature and rest into a program built into the stay; it's available through the end of 2026.
