Almost simultaneously, as news spread that all of the 376 passengers and crew aboard Japan Airlines (JAL) flight 516 had survived — with only a dozen or so minor injuries reported, things like sprains and bumps — it became clear that something akin to a miracle had taken place.
Five Japanese service members aboard the other aircraft involved in the runway crash, a Japanese Coast Guard DHC Dash 8 en route to deliver aid to earthquake victims on Japan’s northwest coast, were killed, while a sixth crew member was reportedly in critical condition.
Nevertheless, the lack of fatalities or serious injuries among those on the larger commercial aircraft, an Airbus A350-900 that went up in flames following the crash, was reflective of decades of advancements in safety design and procedures.
It also highlighted the primary role of flight attendants: ensuring passengers’ safety during emergencies.
“Flight attendants around the world are super proud of the JAL crew,” Sara Nelson, head of the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA union, told TPG on Wednesday. “Flight attendants are walking a little taller today.”
Although a typical part of the inflight safety briefing reminds passengers that flight attendants are primarily on board for safety, cabin crew members often find themselves working against the perception that their main job is to provide inflight service, Nelson said, which is actually the secondary role.
“Traditionally, the role has been defined as something else,” Nelson said. “But this is literally why flight attendants are on the plane.”
“If you want to talk about the value of a flight attendant, just look at this incident,” she added.
The Federal Aviation Administration adopts stringent flight attendant staffing requirements to make sure that there are enough cabin crew members to assist passengers during an emergency, which are mirrored by most certifying aviation regulators. At least one flight attendant is required on flights with between 19 and 50 passenger seats, with an additional flight attendant required for every 50 seats.
A placard indicating the minimum number of flight attendants required on a United Airlines A321neo. DAVID SLOTNICK/THE POINTS GUY
“Flight attendant minimum staffing is based on evacuation standards only,” Nelson said. “That’s the only regulated reason that we’re on board, though we, of course, have other duties.”
As the JAL flight careened to a stop on the runway, fire was spreading across the outside of the plane, and smoke was starting to fill the cabin, according to various reports from passengers, along with videos and photos taken inside the plane during the initial moments of the crash and posted online.
Airframes and cabins are designed so that a plane can be fully evacuated within 90 seconds under controlled test conditions, even with some doors blocked.
The evacuation of Flight 516 took longer, video shows, highlighting past criticism that the tests do not reflect real-world conditions. For instance, legislation first introduced in late 2022 in the U.S. by Sens. Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Tammy Baldwin (D-IL) would require the FAA to test evacuation times using a more realistic setting (Nelson described the legislation as “still desperately needed.”)
Five of the eight emergency exit doors were inaccessible due to damage and fire, according to the Wall Street Journal. The aircraft was pitched downward after the nosegear collapsed, making it harder for passengers to move and for flight attendants to get the doors open. Due to the poor visibility from smoke, fire and the fact that it was dark out, flight attendants could not open the doors until communicating with pilots to confirm which doors were safe and that the plane had stopped, the airline told WSJ.
Throughout the process of opening the doors and through the evacuation, flight attendants were clear and communicative, some passengers said, helping ensure the cabin stayed calm and orderly.
“The cabin crew were very professional, but one could see even in their eyes that they were scared,” Anton Deibe, a passenger from Sweden, told the New York Times.
“Even though I heard screams, mostly people were calm and didn’t stand up from their seats but kept sitting and waiting,” passenger Aruto Iwama told The Guardian in an interview. “That’s why I think we were able to escape smoothly.”
STR/JIJI PRESS/AFP/GETTY IMAGES
Meanwhile, various safety designs kept the fire contained to the outside of the aircraft for a few minutes, buying the time needed for everyone on board to escape.
As the cabin public address system failed, flight attendants used megaphones to communicate and move the evacuation along, making sure that passengers didn’t use up valuable time to take carry-on bags — something that has plagued airlines during past emergencies.
Minutes after the evacuation, the fire spread throughout the entire airplane, leaving nothing but a charred husk remaining. It was the first Airbus A350 to be lost in an accident since the plane type entered service in 2015.
The cause of the crash is under investigation. Early evidence suggests that the Coast Guard airplane had not been cleared to enter the runway and that the JAL flight had been given permission to land.
Norse Atlantic Airways announced on Wednesday its latest service between the U.S. and Europe, with bookings open right away and a limited-time promo deal available.
Beginning this summer, the European low-cost carrier will fly between New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and Athens International Airport (ATH) in Greece.
Norse will operate the route up to five times weekly between May 30 and Oct. 26, flying with its Boeing 787 Dreamliner — the only aircraft in its fleet.
The new route to Greece will be the sixth European destination Norse will serve nonstop from JFK. Other Norse routes from JFK include flights to London Gatwick Airport (LGW), Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER), Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG), Rome Fiumicino Leonardo da Vinci Airport (FCO) and Oslo Airport (OSL) in Norway.
BEN SMITHSON/THE POINTS GUY
A growing route map
In announcing the new Athens flights, Norse executives cited growing interest among U.S. travelers in visiting Greece.
“We believe this route will not only cater to the demand for travel to Greece but will also create opportunities for cultural exchange and business collaborations between these two vibrant destinations,” Bjorn Tore Larsen, Norse founder and CEO, said in a statement.
The new route complements the airline’s growing U.S. route map. By July 2024, the carrier will serve a variety of city pairs, including flights to six European airports from six U.S. airports, according to scheduling data from Cirium.
CIRIUM
Between June and July, the number of seats Norse will offer between the U.S. and Europe will be up 57% from those same months in 2023, Cirium data shows.
What to expect with prices
For much of the summer, you can expect to pay anywhere from $900 to $1,000 round trip for an economy flight from New York to Athens.
GOOGLE FLIGHTS
This is certainly steeper than what you’ll typically pay to fly from the U.S. to, say, London aboard the carrier … albeit for a longer flight to Greece.
In announcing the new route, Norse advertised fares starting as low as $249. However, we only found prices that low after the busiest summer period, in September and October (and generally only in one direction).
Searching late-September flights between New York and Athens, there are a handful of outbound flights that start at $249 one-way for an economy ticket.
NORSE ATLANTIC AIRWAYS
Combined with the return trip, the base fare comes to around $496 round trip.
Keep in mind that with Norse being a low-cost carrier, the lowest fare doesn’t include bags or seat selection. By selecting a fare that includes a full-size carry-on (and checked bag), our round-trip total comes to $656.
Additionally, you’ll pay at least $25 one-way for seat selection.
Norse also offers a premium cabin generally reminiscent of a premium economy experience on other airlines.
BEN SMITHSON/THE POINTS GUY
For our September round-trip flight, a Premium Light fare starts at just over $1,400.
Bottom line
Norse Atlantic continues to expand its service to the U.S., with flights from New York to a half-dozen cities in Europe planned by mid-2024.
Though the carrier isn’t part of a major global airline alliance, this new route to Athens should allow New York travelers direct access to the popular Greek city.
Once there, it would be easy enough to book a flight to Santorini or another destination aboard another European low-cost carrier.
This year will be a big one for new cruise ships, with three major vessels on the way that promise to break new ground in cruising.
The most notable of the three, Icon of the Seas, is the first of a new series of megaships from Royal Caribbean that will be larger than any cruise vessels ever built. It’ll be loaded with all sorts of gee-whiz attractions, restaurants, bars and entertainment.
Icon of the Seas is just one of two major new Royal Caribbean cruise ships arriving in 2024. Also on the way is Utopia of the Seas, the sixth and final vessel in the line’s hugely successful Oasis Class of ships.
The year will also bring the first new ship in more than a decade from storied cruise line Cunard (Queen Anne) and the first of a new class of ship from cruise giant Princess Cruises (Sun Princess).
For more cruise guides, news and tips, sign up for TPG’s cruise newsletter.
The new ships from Cunard and Princess Cruises will both feature notable updated designs for the brands, with an expanded lineup of restaurants, bars and entertainment areas.
All three vessels — Icon of the Seas, Queen Anne and Sun Princess — are the three new cruise ships for 2024 that have us the most excited here at TPG. But they’re far from being the only major new cruise vessels arriving during the next 12 months.
To whet your appetite for cruising in the year ahead, take a look at our list of nine new cruise ships arriving in 2024.
Carnival Jubilee
Maiden voyage: Dec. 23, 2023
Carnival Jubilee. CARNIVAL CRUISE LINE
This newest ship for cruise giant Carnival technically arrived at the end of 2023, but its maiden voyage on Dec. 23 was so close to the start of 2024 that we’re calling it a new vessel for 2024.
Like Carnival Celebration, Carnival Jubilee measures 183,521 tons, putting it in a tie with the former ship for the position of biggest vessel ever to sail for Carnival (at 181,808 tons, sister ship Mardi Gras is slightly smaller). Carnival Celebration and Mardi Gras, notably, are a whopping 35% bigger than the next-biggest Carnival ships currently afloat, and they are bigger than all but a dozen other cruise vessels in the world.
Like Mardi Gras and Carnival Celebration, Carnival Jubilee has a roller coaster on its top deck. Dubbed Bolt: Ultimate Sea Coaster, it’s similar to the roller coasters on its sister vessels, with an 800-foot-long track and vehicles that reach speeds of 40 mph — give or take.
Also, like its sisters, Carnival Jubilee was designed to hold up to 6,630 passengers. That’s just a tad below the 7,600 passengers that will be able to fit aboard Royal Caribbean’s soon-to-debut Icon of the Seas — the new world’s largest cruise ship (more on that vessel below).
In addition to a roller coaster, Carnival Jubilee has a giant water park on its top deck. Like its sister, its interiors are filled with a far broader array of suites than you’d find on earlier Carnival ships. But the vessel isn’t a carbon copy of the previous vessels. New features include two ocean-themed zones with new bar and dining options — including an underwater-themed bar adorned with octopus arms that will serve drinks.
The development of ships on the scale of Carnival Jubilee and its sisters has been a big deal for Carnival. Until recently, the line had resisted the trend among major brands to build even bigger vessels that offer a supersized megaresort-at-sea experience.
Carnival’s last new vessel before the arrival of Mardi Gras in 2021, Carnival Panorama, didn’t even crack the top 40 list of biggest ships when it debuted in 2019.
Carnival Jubilee is sailing seven-night voyages to the Western Caribbean out of Galveston. Fares start at $669 per person, not including taxes and fees.
Icon of the Seas
Maiden voyage: Jan. 27
Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas during sea trials in 2023. ROYAL CARIBBEAN
Call it the new grande dame of the megaship world. At 250,800 tons, Icon of the Seas will be the biggest cruise ship ever built, and it’ll be chock-full of more amusements, restaurants, bars and entertainment venues than any cruise vessel ever.
In other words, if you’re a megaship fan, this is your new go-to ship — assuming you don’t mind vacationing with a lot of other people.
In size, Icon of the Seas will be about 6% bigger than the biggest of the Oasis Class ships, the one-year-old Wonder of the Seas. But it’ll be able to hold about 7% more people — 7,600 passengers as compared to Wonder of the Seas’ total capacity of 7,084 passengers. That’s a new all-time record for a passenger ship.
The bigger passenger capacity is in part due to the ship’s greater focus on family travelers. Icon of the Seas is being built with more cabins offering extra bunks to accommodate families with children. It’ll also have more amenities geared to families, including a new-for-the-line outdoor “neighborhood” called Surfside dedicated to families with young children.
Surfside notably will feature splash areas for babies and kids, pools and lounge spaces for parents, family-friendly eateries and shops, and a bar with “mommy and me” matching mocktails for kids and cocktails for grownups.
Icon of the Seas will also feature the largest water park ever built on a cruise ship, with a record six waterslides. No other vessel comes close when it comes to water attractions on a cruise ship.
Other notable new attractions will include the AquaDome — a massive, glass dome-covered area at the front of the ship. A true engineering marvel (the 363-ton glass dome had to be built separately next to the ship and winched into place), the AquaDome will be home to the AquaTheater — a venue found in a different location on Royal Caribbean’s Oasis Class ships that hosts acrobatic and diving shows in a high-tech stage/pool.
The AquaTheater will be the marquee attraction within the AquaDome, which will also offer dining and drinking venues, as well as cozy seating areas for daytime and evening hangouts. One such spot, the Overlook, is an elevated lounge featuring special nooks (Overlook Pods) and wraparound windows providing fantastic ocean views and easy viewing of the aqua shows.
In addition, Icon of the Seas will have a record-for-a-ship seven pools, four of which will be at a main pool area called Chill Island. The latter area will be home to the line’s first swim-up bar on a ship, Swim and Tonic.
Ten new food outlets on the ship will include Surfside Eatery, a family-friendly buffet in the Surfside neighborhood, and Empire Supper Club, an upscale venue designed to evoke the atmosphere of New York City in the 1930s. The latter will serve an extravagant eight-course meal (think: caviar and wagyu), with each dish paired with a cocktail created by celebrity mixologist Tony Abou-Ganim.
Among lodging options, Icon of the Seas will boast 14 new cabin and suite types plus 14 categories of rooms that already exist on earlier Royal Caribbean ships. That’s a whopping 28 types of accommodation in all.
Many of these cabin categories are family-friendly rooms that sleep four guests; some can accommodate six or eight guests. In total, 313 cabins and suites are listed specifically as family-focused accommodations, though many regular room types can sleep more than two people.
Note that Icon of the Seas is just the first of three sister ships Royal Caribbean has on order for delivery by 2026, all of similar dimensions. Together, they will make up what is known as the Icon Class.
Icon of the Seas will operate seven-night voyages to the Caribbean out of Miami. Fares start at $1,577 per person, not including taxes and fees.
Sun Princess
Sun Princess. PRINCESS CRUISES
Like Royal Caribbean, Princess Cruises is going bigger with its next new ship — a lot bigger.
Under development for more than six years and the first of an all-new series of vessels for the line, the 4,000-passenger Sun Princess is about 21% bigger than the biggest ships currently in the Princess fleet. And yet, while it’s 21% bigger, it’s designed to hold just 17% more passengers.
In other words, its space-to-passenger ratio will be greater, making the ship feel roomier — if only modestly.
Sun Princess will also be the first Princess ship with suites that come with exclusive access to a private restaurant, lounge and sun deck — a sign Princess is finally getting serious about pampering its best customers.
In addition, Sun Princess will boast an innovative new type of “cabana cabin” along the ship’s extra-wide 10th deck, which will come with access to a private deck area (sort of a riff on the Havana-class cabins found on a handful of Carnival Cruise Line ships). Plus, the top deck of the ship is getting some unusual-for-Princess sizzle with the addition of a glass-dome-topped pool area that will transform into a nightspot after the sun goes down.
Other notable differences between Sun Princess and earlier Princess ships include the lack of a buffet restaurant on its main pool deck. Don’t worry, buffet lovers: There will still be a buffet-like venue on the ship. It will be eight decks below the pool deck, closer to the ship’s central piazza and just off the ship’s outside promenade.
The ship’s main theater, to be called the Princess Arena, will also have a new look. Its new-for-Princess in-the-round shape can be converted into a more traditional proscenium-type theater or a keyhole-type theater to allow for different types of productions.
The ship’s three-deck-high piazza, called the Sun Princess Piazza, is getting an upgrade, too, with a new circular shape, a stage that pops up from the center of the floor for performances and a giant, three-deck-high moveable LED screen that will play a role in evening productions in the space.
Among other standout venues, Sun Princess will feature a secret hideaway for magical performances designed in partnership with the Magic Castle performance venue in Los Angeles. Kids should love the new-for-Princess fun zone called Park19, featuring a ropes course and what’s being billed as the first roll glider at sea, an electric ride that goes up to 11 mph.
Sun Princess initially will sail in Europe through the fall before repositioning to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, for voyages to the Caribbean. Fares start at $467 per person, not including taxes and fees, for a five-night Caribbean sailing.
Queen Anne
Maiden voyage: May 10
An artist’s rendering of Queen Anne. CUNARD LINE
It’s been a long time coming, but storied cruise line Cunard is finally launching a new ship. Built to an all-new design for the 183-year-old brand, the 3,000-passenger Queen Anne will be Cunard’s first new vessel in 14 years — an unusually long period for any line to go without a new ship.
Queen Anne, notably, will embrace the latest trends of travel and cruising in a way that Cunard ships haven’t done before, including a new focus on choice in dining and entertainment, wellness and onboard celebrations.
The ship will offer 15 different places to grab a bite, more than double the number on the line’s other ships. The options will include Aji Wa, a new restaurant concept for Cunard that will serve Japanese cuisine influenced by the seasons of the year. Also new for Cunard will be Aranya, an Indian eatery; Sir Samuel’s, a high-end steakhouse; and Tramonto, which will serve Mediterranean dishes.
Wellness-focused areas will include a new-for-the-line, glass-enclosed Wellness Studio at the top of the ship that will offer classes in yoga, pilates, Zumba and line dancing during the day and ballroom dancing classes at sunset.
A new juice bar and a cafe near the main pool will serve healthy dishes, and the ship’s spa is being built as a temple to wellness. It’ll offer a sprawling thermal pool complex that includes eight heated loungers, four experiential showers, a reflexology footpath with textured stones flowing with hot water, a cold room (a first for Cunard), a large steam room, a Himalayan salt sauna and a traditional sauna. A relaxation room and wellness suite will round out the offerings.
On the celebrations front, Queen Anne will have a lounge specifically designed for weddings that spills into an indoor reception room and, just beyond, a new-for-the-line private rooftop terrace space for wedding and vow renewal receptions.
Other notable features of the ship will include an expanded Commodore Club observation lounge and a main pool area (The Pavilion) topped with a retractable glass roof designed to be as much a showpiece as a functional structure.
Not everything about Queen Anne will be different from previous Cunard ships. A lot will be familiar. As is always the case for Cunard vessels, Queen Anne will have a soaring Grand Lobby with a cascading staircase where you can take selfies in your formal night splendor. That staple of all Cunard ships, the ballroom known as the Queens Room, is also making a comeback.
Queen Anne initially will sail in Europe before setting off on an around-the-world cruise in January 2025. Fares start at $449 per person, not including taxes and fees, for a quick two-night cruise from Hamburg, Germany, to Southampton, England. Seven-night sailings in Europe start at $849 per person, not including taxes and fees.
Silver Ray
Maiden voyage: June 27
Silver Ray will be a sister ship to Silver Nova, which debuted in 2023. SILVERSEA CRUISES
The newest ship for the luxury line Silversea Cruises is a sister to the brand’s recently unveiled Silver Nova — a groundbreaking vessel that has been turning heads since it debuted in August.
Like Silver Nova, Silver Ray will be bigger than Silversea’s previous ships and feature an unusual, asymmetrical design for its public decks that reorients its key features toward the sides of the ship instead of the center. Whether you’re floating in the ship’s main pool or dining at its open-air Marquee restaurant, you’ll be looking out at the sea (or whatever destination the ship is visiting) like you’ve never been able to before.
Silver Ray’s pool area, in particular, will be striking, as is the pool area on Silver Nova. The long and narrow pool won’t be in the middle of the deck but offset to its starboard side, and it’ll be oriented to face outward to the sea. Nearly all the lounge chairs around the pool will face in the same direction toward the sea, too.
As we wrote about in our recent first look at Silver Nova, part of what makes this new outward-facing orientation for these ships so magical is that they don’t have any structures rising from the starboard sides of their pool decks. Passengers floating in the pools on these ships or lounging on nearby lounge chairs get an unobstructed view of the sea off the starboard side.
Silver Ray’s asymmetrical design will also be evident at two food and beverage venues at the top of the vessel — both new-for-Silversea concepts that first debuted in August on Silver Nova.
The first, Marquee, will be an alfresco dining venue that is also off-center, with an orientation that offers commanding views of the sea from the ship’s port side. It’ll be home to The Grill, Silversea’s signature outdoor “hot rocks” dining venue, and also double as the ship’s Spaccanapoli pizza outlet. The second venue, The Dusk Bar, will be an open-air sky bar at the back of the vessel that, like Marquee, is positioned on the port side of the ship.
The pool deck on Silver Ray will be oriented to the sea in the same way as it is on the line’s new Silver Nova. GENE SLOAN/THE POINTS GUY
Additional dining venues on board will include versions of Silversea’s main signature restaurant La Terrazza, French eatery La Dame, seafood eatery Atlantide and sushi outlet Kaiseki.
In addition to asymmetry in many areas, one thing that will be particularly noticeable about Silver Ray is its spaciousness — something it will share with Silver Nova. At 54,700 tons, the two ships are about 34% bigger than Silversea’s last three new vessels — Silver Muse, Silver Moon and Silver Dawn — but they are designed to hold only about 22% more passengers. That gives them significantly more space per passenger.
With every berth filled, Silver Ray will sail with 728 passengers — the same as Silver Nova and just 132 more than the three earlier Silversea vessels.
The extra space on the two vessels has allowed Silversea to expand its lineup of cabin categories, with more large suites. As is always the case with Silversea ships, every cabin on the ship will be a suite. But Silver Ray and Silver Nova offer new premium aft suites, including a massive 1,324-square-foot complex called the Otium Suite.
Even the smallest cabins on Silver Ray will measure at least 357 square feet, which is unusually large for a cruise ship cabin.
Silver Ray will initially sail in Europe before repositioning to North America in December 2024 for winter sailings to South America and the Caribbean. Fares start at $4,600 per person, including transfers, for a nine-night South America sailing out of Panama City.
Utopia of the Seas
Maiden voyage: July 22
An artist’s drawing of Utopia of the Seas. ROYAL CARIBBEAN
Royal Caribbean’s second new ship of the year will be a giant, too, though not quite as big as Icon of the Seas. The sixth and final vessel in the line’s groundbreaking Oasis Class of ships, Utopia of the Seas is expected to carry up to around 6,700 passengers and measure around 237,000 tons, which would place it just behind Icon of the Seas as the world’s second-biggest cruise ship.
Like the five earlier Oasis Class ships (the newest of which, Wonder of the Seas, is the current size leader in the cruise world), Utopia of the Seas will be loaded with lots of family-focused attractions, including multiple main pool areas, a kiddie splash zone, surfing simulators, a miniature golf course, a basketball court and even a zip line. And that’s just on its top deck.
Inside the vessel, you’ll find more lounges, bars, restaurants and shops than you can imagine, plus a huge casino, spas and theaters with Broadway-style shows.
As with earlier Royal Caribbean ships, it’ll even have an indoor ice-skating rink.
In design and features, Utopia of the Seas will be nearly identical to Royal Caribbean’s last new Oasis Class ship, Wonder of the Seas, which debuted in 2022. Like that vessel, it’ll have a dedicated suite area with a private lounge, restaurant and sun deck — something not found on the four earlier Oasis Class ships.
Utopia of the Seas will be based in Port Canaveral, Florida, for short three- and four-night sailings to the Bahamas. Fares start at $431 per person, not including taxes and fees, for a three-night sailing.
Explora 2 will be a sister ship to Explora 1. EXPLORA JOURNEY
The world’s newest cruise line, three-month-old Explora Journeys, is doubling in size in 2024 with the addition of Explora 2.
Designed for 922 passengers, the high-end vessel will be an almost identical sister to Explora 1, the line’s first ship, which debuted in August. It will similarly target the luxury market.
Like Explora 1, the new ship will offer oceanfront suites, penthouses and residences designed to be “homes at sea,” and it’ll be packed with upscale amenities. They will include 10 distinct culinary experiences, 10 indoor and outdoor bars and lounges, four swimming pools, outdoor deck areas with private cabanas, wellness facilities and entertainment.
A creation of the deep-pocketed MSC Group, which already owns MSC Cruises, Explora Journeys plans to launch at least six of the superluxurious vessels by 2028, with the first four being roughly the same size and the last two being even bigger.
In just a few years, that’ll give Explora Journeys a bigger capacity than such well-known luxury cruise operators as Seabourn and the recently relaunched Crystal.
Explora Journeys is competing in the same upscale cruise space as Seabourn and Crystal, as well as luxury lines like Viking, Silversea and The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection. It’s run completely separately from its sister brand, MSC Cruises, which caters to a mass-market audience.
Explora 2 will initially sail in the Mediterranean before repositioning to North America for the winter. Fares start at $4,275 per person, not including taxes and fees, for a seven-night Caribbean sailing.
Viking Vela
Maiden voyage: Dec. 19
Viking Vela will be a sister vessel to the 6-year-old Viking Sky and several other recent Viking ships. VIKING
Fast-growing Viking will continue its expansion into ocean cruising in 2024 with its 11th new seagoing vessel since 2015.
Like Viking’s first 10 ocean ships (one of which has been transferred to a joint venture with a Chinese company), Vela will be a relatively small, elegant vessel designed to appeal to an older crowd looking to explore the world in style and comfort.
Slightly bigger than its sister ships, Viking Vela will hold 998 passengers at double occupancy — 68 more than its siblings. But it’ll still be less than a third the size of the giant ships operated by such well-known cruise brands as Royal Caribbean, MSC Cruises and Norwegian Cruise Line.
Like Viking’s other ocean ships, it’ll sail itineraries that feature more time in ports than is common at many other lines. Like the earlier Viking ships, it’ll also be adults-only, with no passengers under the age of 18 allowed.
While slightly bigger than earlier Viking ocean ships, Viking Vela’s interior will have an almost identical look. Like Viking’s 10 earlier ocean vessels, Vela will boast modern, Scandinavian-influenced decor that’s soothing and upscale. Onboard activities will revolve around enrichment programs and classy entertainment, and there will be elegant meals in multiple restaurants. Cabins will be relatively spacious, with the smallest of five cabin categories having 270 square feet of space. Every cabin will have a balcony.
As is typical for Viking, the fare will include a shore excursion at every port that Vela visits. Also included will be Wi-Fi, and wine and beer with lunch and dinner — all part of Viking’s “no-nickel-and-diming” philosophy.
Disney Treasure
Maiden voyage: Dec. 21
An artist’s drawing of Disney Treasure. DISNEY CRUISE LINE
Disney Cruise Line is shifting into growth mode again with the unveiling of Disney Treasure, its second new ship in two years (after a 10-year period where Disney didn’t unveil a single vessel). Due at the end of 2024, it’s coming out in relatively quick succession to Disney Wish, a similarly designed ship that arrived in 2022.
Like Disney Wish, Disney Treasure is part of Disney’s new Triton Class of vessels, and it’ll share many of the same features and layout as its older sister. But it will be far from an exact copy. Disney has announced quite a few major changes for Disney Treasure, including the addition of an all-new Mexican restaurant called Plaza de Coco that is themed around the events of the “Coco” movie. It replaces the “Frozen-” themed eatery on Disney Wish.
Other new venues include Jumbeaux’s Sweets, an ice cream parlor and candy shop inspired by Jumbeaux’s Cafe in the movie “Zootopia,” and Skipper Society, a new bar inspired by Disney’s Jungle Cruise ride and its wisecracking skippers. At the latter, which will be where The Bayou is on Disney Wish, passengers will find a menu of themed cocktails and light snacks, such as waffles.
Yet another new drinks venue is Periscope Pub, inspired by Jules Verne’s “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea” (and Disney’s 1954 movie version of the book and theme park attraction). It will replace Wish’s Keg & Compass as Disney Treasure’s sports bar. The bar is designed to look like the Nautilus submarine from the story, complete with a giant periscope, porthole windows and a ceiling designed to look like you’re underwater.
Disney is also launching a new Broadway-style musical on Disney Treasure, “Disney The Tale of Moana.” The show will feature popular songs and characters from the animated movie and marks the first time Disney has brought the story of Moana to the stage.
The ship’s two other main shows, “Beauty and the Beast” and “Disney Seas the Adventure,” are repeats from earlier Disney ships.
Like Disney Wish, Disney Treasure’s big top-deck attraction will be AquaMouse, a water ride that swirls around the top of the vessel.
The ship will hold 2,500 passengers at double occupancy (two passengers per cabin) and up to 4,000 passengers with every berth filled.
Disney Treasure will sail seven-night voyages to the Caribbean and the Bahamas out of Port Canaveral. Fares start at $1,862 per person, not including taxes and fees.
Among the most notable of these smaller vessels is the 60-passenger AmaMagdalena, which is being billed as the first major river ship designed to sail on the Magdalena River in Colombia. Avalon’s new entry for 2024, the 102-passenger Avalon Alegria, will be that line’s first vessel on the Douro River in Portugal.
Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information.
In 2018, Capital One added transfer partners to its travel rewards cards, and since then, it has blossomed into a quality points program — more than 15 airline and hotel partners. Capital One miles have gained value in our valuations in recent months due to the addition of more transfer partners, improved transfer ratios and reduced transfer times for your miles to arrive at the destination program.
The value of these popular travel rewards cards has only increased with Capital One’s recent program improvements.
In this guide, we will share how to get the highest value out of the miles you’ve earned by redeeming your miles for flights or hotel stays.
20,000 miles after you spend $3,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening
1.5 miles per dollar on all purchases, free employee cards
The information for the Capital One Spark Miles Select for Business has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Should you transfer capital one miles to airline and hotel partners?
Transferring can get you a better value (especially for luxury rewards). This is especially true when you transfer to a partner that has retained fixed award charts, and you can fairly easily redeem 50,000 miles for something worth far more than $500, giving you a higher redemption value than the fixed-value options discussed below.
Regardless of your redemption option, the ability to mix and match redemptions to suit your travel needs gives Capital One a unique edge here.
Capital One provides a few options for getting a fixed-value return when you redeem your miles. However, not all of these are created equal:
Redeem for recent travel: You can use your miles as credit toward travel purchases made in the last 90 days on your Venture or Spark card at a fixed rate of 1 cent each. There’s no minimum redemption amount.
Book new travel: You can book new travel directly through Capital One Travel and redeem your miles at the same value of 1 cent apiece, but this would prevent you from double dipping with any rewards program offered by an online travel agency. In addition, booking hotels through a third-party site — including Capital One Travel — would likely prevent you from earning points and enjoying applicable elite status perks. As a result, you’re likely better off booking travel directly and then redeeming your miles toward the charge on your statement. However, you will still earn miles on flights booked this way and can still enjoy loyalty perks with Hertz* — but not with other rental car programs.
Redeem for gift cards: You can use your Capital One miles for gift cards at the same rate of 1 cent per mile. But since gift cards can often be purchased on sale, redeeming miles to cover travel purchases is a better option.
Redeem for entertainment: You can redeem your miles through Capital One Entertainment’s ticketing platform for a value of 0.8 cents per mile, with access to more than 500,000 events across sports, music and dining.
Redeem for cash back: You should do everything possible to avoid this option, as it will only provide a redemption value of 0.5 cents per mile.
Redeem on Amazon and PayPal: You can shop with points on Amazon and PayPal. You’ll fetch only 0.8 cents per point in value here, so this is a bad proposition unless you have an offer to get steep discounts when using just 1 point at checkout.
If you aren’t in the mood to search for award availability, you’ve found a deal for cash airfare or you can’t use airline miles for your travel expenses, redeem your Capital One miles at a fixed value. The process is relatively easy and doesn’t require jumping through any hoops.
*Upon enrollment, accessible through the Capital One website or mobile app, eligible cardholders will remain at upgraded status level through Dec. 31. Please note that enrolling through the normal Hertz Gold Plus Rewards enrollment process (e.g., at hertz.com) will not automatically detect a cardholder as being eligible for the program and cardholders will not be automatically upgraded to the applicable status tier. Additional terms apply.
Transferring Capital One miles to airline and hotel partners
BEN SMITHSON/THE POINTS GUY
You can get more value from your Capital One miles if you utilize the issuer’s transfer partners. Thankfully, the process of doing so is simple.
The Capital One Rewards travel portal can be accessed directly from the main page of your account by clicking the “View Rewards” button.
CAPITALONE.COM
From there, find the “Convert Rewards” section.
CAPITALONE.COM
Capital One currently has more than 15 airline and hotel partners. The programs are:
The link to “Transfer Miles” is toward the right of the page.
CAPITALONE.COM
Find the option for the program you want to transfer your miles to. Once you click “Transfer Miles,” you will be prompted to enter your loyalty number for that program and agree to terms before completing the transfer.
Things to know before you transfer Capital One Miles
BEN SMITHSON/THE POINTS GUY
Transfers are irreversible as soon as they’re complete, so be careful to enter the exact number of miles you want to transfer.
Note that the minimum number of miles you can transfer is 1,000; from there, you can increase the amount in increments of 100. This is a nice feature that differs from other transferable currencies. For example, transfers from Chase Ultimate Rewards must be in increments of 1,000 points. Capital One can thus be especially useful if you need to top off your account, though be sure to pay attention to the transfer ratios.
Capital One miles transfer at three different ratios depending on the partner (1:1, 2:1.5 or 2:1), so 10,000 Capital One miles will not get you 10,000 points or miles for every program. Fortunately, you’ll see this information during the transfer process, telling you explicitly how many points or miles you’ll receive in exchange for the designated number of Capital One miles. Transfer ratios are also found in the table below — though note that you may occasionally see transfer bonuses.
CAPITALONE.COM
Once the transfer is complete, you’ll see a “Success!” pop-up with a confirmation code you can save and/or print. That’s helpful, especially since three partner airlines did not offer instant transfer capability as of our latest test.
Per our latest tests, these are the typical transfer times for your miles to move from Capital One to the desired loyalty program and their transfer ratios.
The ability to transfer Capital One miles to many valuable partner programs paired with the always-available option to use your rewards directly makes for a solid lineup of Capital One credit cards. The currency’s current value is 1.85 cents in TPG’s most recent valuations.
By transferring to airline and hotel partners, you can start taking advantage of some incredible redemptions.
The fact that both the Venture and Venture X cards feature a generous welcome bonus right now can help you quickly amass these valuable Capital One miles for your next trip.
For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the above benefits are provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply.
Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers.
Welcome to February, the month where 29 days (yes, it’s a leap year) pack in more punch than you’d expect. It’s a time for love, adventure and a dash of winter magic, but where should you spend this extra-special month?
Imagine yourself basking on a sun-drenched beach where the winter chill is just a distant memory or frolicking in the last snowflakes in a winter wonderland. Culture vultures fear not — we’ve included cities where arts and festivals are as abundant as the February frost.
Each of our chosen spots has its unique charm and reasons to visit, from balmy climates for the winter-weary to cozy nooks for those who relish the chill. We’ve even thrown in some off-the-beaten-path locales for those who think they’ve seen it all.
So, mark your calendars and get ready for some serious wanderlust. These are the 10 best places to visit in February.
Dana Point, California
HEATHER PAUL/GETTY IMAGES
Halfway between Los Angeles and San Diego, Dana Point — the “dolphin and whale watching capital of the World” and the first Whale Heritage Site in the Americas — is a coastal escape perfect for February travel.
With endless opportunities for marine life sightings and seaside adventures year-round, Dana Point is known for its pristine beaches, cliffside eateries, renowned whale watching and world-class boating.
The cooler season brings prime opportunities to spot whales and dolphins from the shores and with local outfitters. Several marine species use Dana Point as a landmark during migrations; from December through April, gray whales, Pacific white-sided dolphins and orcas can be seen as they make their way 12,000 miles from the Arctic to Mexico.
While in town, travelers can look forward to oceanside accommodations ranging from budget-friendly to high-end options. There are myriad other activities on offer, such as kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, surfing, cliffside golfing and hiking, yoga in the park overlooking the harbor and sunset wine cruises.
Where to stay: Book a stay at Laguna Cliffs Marriott Resort & Spa for $244 per night or 45,000 Marriott Bonvoy points.
Placencia, Belize
LOESKIBOOM/GETTY IMAGES
Escape to the southeast coast of the tropical country of Belize, and more specifically to the town of Placencia, the traditional Kriol (Creole) fishing village known locally as “Barefoot Perfect.” The Placencia Sidewalk Art Festival in February turns this quaint village into a buzzing hub of culture and creativity, attracting artists and visitors from across the globe.
This festival is a testament to Belize’s rich cultural heritage and provides a unique opportunity to interact with local artisans and understand their crafts. Plus, February’s mild climate, with comfortable temperatures and less rainfall, enhances the experience of exploring the vibrant streets filled with art, music and local cuisine.
Bonus: Belize is the only English-speaking country in the region, and it has many nonstop flights from major U.S. cities. Not to mention, the U.S. dollar is at a favorable exchange of $1 to $2 Belize dollars. So, this country should be on the radar of any traveler looking for an extraordinary adventure to kick-start the new year.
Where to stay: Rates at The Placencia start at $207 a night.
Jackson County, North Carolina
Green Knob Lookout Tower near Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina in winter. EIFEL KREUTZ/GETTY IMAGES
During January and February, visitors can enjoy the quieter side of popular attractions like Whiteside Mountain and the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway. This period offers shorter wait times at local eateries and unique experiences such as hiking to frozen waterfalls and shopping in the quaint towns of Cashiers, Sylva and Dillsboro.
A highlight of this season is the Outhouse Races at Sapphire Valley Resort, held every President’s Day weekend. In this unusual event, teams race homemade outhouses on skis down a snowy 120-foot course, showcasing creativity and humor in their designs and names, like “The Royal Flush.” This quirky tradition is a testament to the region’s community spirit and unique culture.
Where to stay: Rooms at the Hampton Inn & Suites Cashiers-Sapphire Valley start at $123 or 35,000 Hilton Honors points.
Charleston, South Carolina
EDWIN REMSBERG/GETTY IMAGES
Charleston hosts two significant events in February 2024: the Lowcountry Oyster Festival on Feb. 4 and the Southeastern Wildlife Exposition from Feb. 16-18.
Also, since Valentine’s Day falls during this month, why not live out one of the greatest romances of all? The HarbourView Inn offers a unique “Allie & Noah’s Timeless Romance” package, coinciding with the 20th anniversary of “The Notebook,” providing a romantic backdrop for visitors.
Plus, there is no better way to commemorate Black History Month than to explore the recently opened International African American Museum. It’s the only museum in the world dedicated to telling a complete story of the international African diaspora, and it sits on the sacred soil where the majority of Africans entered the U.S.
Where to stay: Book the Hyatt House Charleston/Historic District for $176 per night or 12,000 World of Hyatt points.
Montgomery, Alabama
Montgomery Alabama Riverfront Park skyline. KRUCK20/GETTY IMAGES
Purposeful travelers can celebrate Black History Month each February by embarking on a transformative trip to Montgomery, Alabama, nationally acclaimed as the birthplace of the Civil Rights Movement.
Known for its pivotal role in modern and historical American social justice movements, Montgomery’s core messages of unity and solidarity are echoed every day at sites throughout the city. Sites include the Civil Rights Memorial Center; the Rosa Parks Museum positioned on the very site where Rosa changed the world with her courageous act of defiance; Dexter Avenue King Baptist Memorial Church, where Dr. Martin Luther King first spoke his messages of brotherhood; the Equal Justice Initiative’s Legacy Museum; and the National Memorial for Peace and Justice.
Montgomery also boasts a delectable culinary scene highlighting Southern traditions, historical and modern cultural influences, sustainable practices and local Alabama flavors. Culinary heritage and the movement’s legacy combine at Black-owned classics like Martha’s Place and Brenda’s Bar-B-Que Pit.
Where to stay: The region’s multicultural history and creative spirit are also celebrated at the city’s first luxury boutique hotel, The Trilogy Autograph Collection. Rates average $156 a night or 20,000 Marriott Bonvoy points.
Las Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas in February this year is a must. Why? Well, you’ve got the Super Bowl on the 11th at Allegiant Stadium. This year, the opening ceremony on Feb. 5 marks a special occasion as it’s open to the general public for the first time. Mandalay Bay will also host the fan-centric Big Game Experience throughout the week, featuring autograph sessions, interactive exhibits and much more.
Beyond the Super Bowl, there’s lots of other entertainment this month. Imagine seeing Adele live at Caesars Palace! She’s just one of many big names, alongside Kelly Clarkson and the Black Crowes. Fancy some nostalgia? The Venetian Theater is hosting Styx and Chicago, and New Edition is kicking off its residency at Wynn’s Encore Theater on the 28.
And there’s a special treat at The Mob Museum on Feb 14 – free entry to mark its 12th anniversary and the historic St. Valentine’s Day Massacre.
TPG tip: The Cosmopolitan is actually part of the Autograph Collection. So, you can use your Marriott Bonvoy points here. It will set you back about 71,500 points or $305 per night.
Jamaica
The island of Ocho Rios, Jamaica in the Caribbean. RUTH PETERKIN/GETTY IMAGES
Jamaica celebrates Reggae Month and Bob Marley’s Feb. 6 birthday with vibrant events every February. The month-long celebration includes contests, concerts, and exhibitions, especially at the Bob Marley Museum, showcasing his global impact.
But this year is extra special as “Bob Marley: One Love,” a biopic exploring Marley’s legacy, is being released on Feb. 14. So, it’s a prime time for reggae fans to explore Marley’s Kingston home, Trench Town, Strawberry Hill, and more. Of course, there’s always the stunning beaches and warm weather to lure you as well.
After the short rains in previous months, Tanzania is awash in vibrant greens, and the temps are comfortable in February.
The scenery? Absolutely breathtaking. And talk about perfect photo ops — with the most sunshine hours of the year, every snapshot could be a postcard. Now, if you’re a wildlife buff, get ready for the wildebeest migration. It’s nature’s own blockbuster show, and you’ve got front-row seats.
As for the adventurers, Kilimanjaro awaits. February’s the golden ticket: warm days, clear sunny skies and those views from the top are worth the trek. Then there’s Zanzibar. You can lay on the stunning beaches and cool off in one of the gorgeous blue lagoons. Plus, you can wander through the historic alleys of Stone Town or get a whiff of history at the spice farms.
TPG tip: After going on safari, venture over to the Park Hyatt Zanzibar where you can stay along the beach for around 20,000 World of Hyatt points or $511 per night.
Napa Valley, California
J.E. KNUBIS. KNUBIS PHOTOIMAGE/GETTY IMAGES
Another California spot this month is Napa Valley’s picturesque Mustard Season. The valley transforms with vibrant yellow mustard flowers blanketing vineyard rows, reaching their peak mid-month.
Celebrations start on Feb. 4, 2024, with the Atlas Peak Mustard event; it features special tastings and food pairings at local wineries and art studios like William Hill Winery and Gordon Huether Studio. Iconic photo spots, including Newell Open Space Preserve and Laird Family Estate, offer stunning views of the blooms.
This season, also known as “Cabernet Season,” is a prime time for wine enthusiasts to savor new varietals. Additionally, visitors can enjoy lower hotel rates and easier access to renowned restaurants and Michelin-starred establishments, making February an ideal time to explore Napa Valley’s scenic beauty and culinary delights.
Where to stay: Napa Valley Marriott Hotel & Spa rates start at $464 per night or 100,000 Marriott Bonvoy points.
Scotland
CELTIC CONNECTIONS/FACEBOOK
In the heart of winter, Scotland transforms into a captivating wonderland of music and light. Glasgow’s Celtic Connections, running from Jan. 18 to Feb. 4, is a global musical extravaganza featuring more than 2,100 musicians from across the globe. This festival vibrates with folk, roots and world music rhythms, intertwined with lively ceilidhs (traditional Scottish gatherings), enriching workshops and mesmerizing art exhibitions.
Simultaneously, Aberdeen’s Spectra Festival of Light, from Feb 8 to 11, casts a magical glow over the city. The Granite City becomes a canvas for internationally acclaimed artists’ extraordinary light and sound installations. These festivals showcase Scotland’s rich cultural tapestry and create an immersive, enchanting experience, making February an unmissable time to discover Scotland’s unique charm and artistic flair.
Where to stay: Rates at the Waldorf Astoria Edinburgh — The Caledonian start at $220 or 59,000 Hilton Honors points per night.
