Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers.
Hotel cobranded credit cards serve a very specific audience — after all, if you aren’t a regular visitor to the hotel chain in question, there probably isn’t much reason to get its credit card. But on the flip side, some cobranded hotel cards are better than others, especially when it comes to extra benefits that come in handy during stays at the chain’s properties.
The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card, with an annual fee of $150 (see rates and fees), is an excellent example of a cobranded hotel credit card that truly offers value to a regular Hilton guest. It comes with solid earning potential, and provides a level of status that can greatly enhance your stays at Hilton properties.
These are the top five reasons to consider getting the Hilton Honors Amex Surpass card.
Valuable welcome offer
The current offer is 130,000 Hilton Honors bonus points plus a free night reward after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership. This offer ends July 31.
Based on TPG’s June 2024 valuations, those bonus points are worth $780.
If you stay at Hilton hotels regularly — or even on a semi-regular basis — there are very few cards with a return as good as the Hilton Honors Surpass. You’ll earn 12 points per dollar spent on all eligible Hilton purchases, and as of June 2024, TPG values Hilton Honors points at 0.6 cents each; you’re effectively getting a 7.2% return on Hilton stays when using this card.
HILTON
There are three other cards that have the potential to beat the Hilton Surpass when it comes to rewards on Hilton stays:
The information for the Hilton Honors Aspire Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
With the first two cards, you’ll have to book prepaid stays via American Express Travel to get 5 Membership Rewards points per dollar spent on hotels. The Hilton Aspire card carries a hefty annual fee of $550 (see rates and fees), and your earning rate is just a bit higher (14 points per dollar instead of 12).
Using the Hilton Surpass card, you can book refundable reservations directly with Hilton and get 12 points per dollar without a large annual fee. This gives you a lot more flexibility to move or cancel your stay if your plans change.
On top of getting 12 points per dollar at Hilton (which includes all charges made to your room during your stay), you’ll also get 6 points per dollar at U.S. restaurants, U.S. supermarkets and U.S. gas stations, 4 points per dollar at U.S. online retail purchases and 3 points per dollar on all other eligible purchases with the Hilton Surpass card.
Many hotel chains offer only so-so mid-tier elite status benefits, but Hilton is an exception. Hilton Honors Gold elite status is very valuable and comes with an 80% bonus on points earned for Hilton stays, room upgrades at most brands (excluding suites), a daily food-and-beverage credit (at U.S. hotels only) or continental breakfast (at non-U.S. hotels) and a welcome amenity.
The card also comes with the ability to upgrade to Hilton Honors Diamond if you spend $40,000 on it in a calendar year — though if you’re really in the market for Diamond status, you may be better off with the Hilton Aspire.
Additionally, cardmembers get complimentary National Car Rental Emerald Club Executive status. Enrollment is required in the Emerald Club Program. This gets you increased access to cars at the same price as a midsize vehicle, guaranteed upgrades and no second-driver fees.
When redeeming Hilton Honors points, you can make the ones you’ve earned go a lot further if you have the Hilton Honors Surpass. Since the card gives you complimentary Hilton Gold elite status, you can take advantage of one of the key benefits of status: a fifth night free on award redemptions. That means you’ll effectively save 20% of your points on all award stays of five nights.
HILTON
Hilton uses a dynamic pricing system, so the value of your fifth night free is calculated by taking the average award rate you pay across your five eligible nights. Hilton also includes clear language in its terms and conditions stating that this benefit only applies to standard rooms. Nevertheless, this can be a great option to save some points on longer stays.
The Hilton Surpass comes with a quarterly statement credit of up to $50 (up to $200 annually) when using your card for Hilton purchases.
MIKE BUTLER/HILTON
Eligible purchases include those made directly with a Hilton property, including room rates and incidental charges such as room or spa service, so this can be a great way to indulge in a nice dinner or get a spa service or massage.
If you would normally pay out of pocket for extras, this can be a good way to offset the annual fee (see rates and fees) on the Surpass card.
The Hilton Surpass card is great for both frequent and occasional Hilton travelers. With healthy earning rates and automatic Hilton Gold elite status, this could be an excellent addition to your wallet. To learn more about this card, read our full review of the Hilton Honors Surpass.
For rates and fees of the Amex Platinum, click here. For rates and fees of the Amex Business Platinum, click here. For rates and fees of the Hilton Honors Aspire card, click here. For rates and fees of the Hilton Honors Surpass card, click here.
Terminal 8 is considered the Oneworld alliance hub at JFK. The anchor tenant is American Airlines (a founding member of the Oneworld airline alliance), and most of the other Oneworld airlines flying to JFK have relocated their operations there following a recent modernization and expansion project completed by American and airport authorities in 2022. (Cathay moved from Terminal 7 to Terminal 8 in January 2017.)
Cathay’s move to Terminal 6 is largely prompted by the fact that the airline will be able to open its own proprietary lounge at JFK to serve its three daily flights to the airport. The airline didn’t share details about the space other than saying it will be nearly 10,000 square feet. The lounge at JFK will become Cathay’s second U.S. airport lounge after the one at San Francisco International Airport (SFO).
Many top-tier international airlines like to control the entire end-to-end premium passenger experience, and opening a lounge at an outstation is a great way for the carrier to accomplish that. Plus, Cathay currently needs to compensate American for the flyers that it sends to the Soho, Greenwich and Admirals Club lounges in Terminal 8, which probably gets pretty expensive given all the lounge-eligible travelers flying on Cathay from New York.
“It has long been our ambition to provide our customers a signature Cathay Pacific airport experience at JFK. We are delighted about our partnership with JFK Millennium Partners, which will make this dream a reality,” said Chris van den Hooven, Cathay Pacific’s senior vice president of the Americas, in a statement about the move.
PORT AUTHORITY
In addition to Cathay Pacific, the Lufthansa Group, Aer Lingus and JetBlue have all shared their intent to operate flights from Terminal 6.
The new Terminal 6 is part of the $19 billion JFK transformation project spearheaded by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, the government agency responsible for managing the airport. The transformation includes two brand-new terminals opening in 2026.
Terminal 6 is the smaller of the two projects. Once complete, this $4.2 billion project will span 1.2 million square feet and offer 10 new gates — nine of which can handle wide-body jets. The new terminal will be connected airside to the adjacent Terminal 5, which is home to JetBlue Airways’ JFK hub.
The other project is the construction of the $9.5 billion new Terminal One, which will become one of JFK’s flagship international terminals.
PORT AUTHORITY
The new Terminal One at JFK will incorporate the current and former sites of terminals 1, 2 and 3 into a massive 2.4 million-square-foot international terminal that will anchor the south side of the airport.
The first big milestone, which includes the new arrivals and departures hall and the first set of 14 new gates, is expected to open in 2026. When fully complete in 2030, the new Terminal One will feature 23 gates, a redesigned check-in hall and overhauled arrival spaces.
“New York JFK is among the top locations in our global lounge strategy. We are truly excited by this opportunity to bring the signature Cathay Pacific lounge experience to our premium customers at this important port in our network. This new lounge will feature a number of exciting developments that will put it at the forefront of our lounge proposition, and we look forward to sharing more details with our customers at the appropriate time,” said Vivian Lo, Cathay Pacific’s general manager of the customer experience, in a statement.
At some point in the next year, Fiji Airways will make American Airlines’ AAdvantage its loyalty program, the two airlines announced this week.
Passengers who fly on both American and Fiji will be able to enjoy reciprocal loyalty benefits like priority check-in as well as AAdvantage elite status member perks such as priority boarding, free checked bags and complimentary access to Preferred and Main Cabin Extra seats.
The announcement came just weeks after Fiji received approval to become the newest member of the Oneworld Alliance by 2025.
“We are excited about the positive impact this collaboration will have on both our airlines and our guests who will benefit from the exclusive perks,” Fiji managing director and CEO Andrew Viljoen said in a statement.
A deepening partnership
American Airlines aircraft at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX). SEAN CUDAHY/THE POINTS GUY
The two airlines actually already have a partnership, albeit a more limited one. Previously, American Airlines loyalists could earn and redeem AAdvantage miles on certain Fiji flights. However, Fiji Airways flights did not count toward AAdvantage elite status.
And though their relationship would have already been strengthened upon Fiji’s 2025 Oneworld entrance, Fiji Airways’ decision to adopt the AAdvantage frequent flyer program is a much more significant link-up between the two carriers.
“We are taking our partnership with Fiji Airways one step further by offering our mutual customers the opportunity to unlock more destinations and travel experiences through the AAdvantage program,” American vice president of partnerships Anmol Bhargava said in a statement.
Sharing loyalty programs
It’s not completely unheard of for one airline to adopt another’s loyalty program.
For instance, numerous airlines in Europe and around the world use the award currency Avios, including British Airways, Iberia and Aer Lingus (which are all owned by the same parent company, International Airlines Group), as well as Finnair and Qatar Airways.
In fact, American Airlines made a similar move not too long ago. In March, TPG reported that South American carrier JetSmart would adopt AAdvantage as its loyalty program as well.
Flying on Fiji Airways
Fiji currently flies to 26 destinations in 15 countries and territories around the world.
Fiji Airways A350 economy. KYLE OLSEN/THE POINTS GUY
In addition to service to Hawaii, the carrier operates nonstop contiguous U.S. flights to West Coast gateways Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and San Francisco International Airport (SFO) — both with an Airbus A350-900.
There’s not a confirmed date as to when the two airlines will officially cinch up — the move will happen “in the coming year,” the companies said.
Maximize your purchase
Hoping to accrue AAdvantage miles for a future flight to Fiji? For a limited time, new cardholders who add the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® (see rates and fees) to their wallet can earn 100,000 bonus miles after spending $10,000 within the first three months of account opening.
The card, which comes with a $595 annual fee, also includes complimentary access to American’s network of Admirals Clubs.
Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information.
JetBlue Plus Card overview
The JetBlue Plus Card offers a terrific return on airfare spending and comes with a 5,000-point anniversary bonus that covers nearly two-thirds of the card’s $99 annual fee. Benefits such as a free checked baggage allowance, 10% rebate on award redemptions and annual JetBlue Vacations statement credit make this card worthwhile, even for occasional travelers. Card Rating*: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
*Card Rating is based on the opinion of TPG’s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
JetBlue’s loyalty program, TrueBlue, tends to fly under the radar, as redemptions are largely restricted to flights operated by JetBlue and Hawaiian Airlines. However, that isn’t necessarily bad if JetBlue is your airline of choice, long known for its customer-friendly experience, superior (and TPG Award-winning) Mint business class and an extensive East Coast and Caribbean route network.
If you are a JetBlue flyer and want to boost your TrueBlue balance or elevate your flying experience with the airline, it makes sense for you to pick up the JetBlue Plus Card. Given its low spending requirement, the card offers several valuable perks that help justify its $99 annual fee.
First, note that you’ll want to have a “good” credit score (670 or above) for the best chances of approval. Now, let’s dig into the card specifics.
The information for the JetBlue Plus Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
JetBlue Plus pros and cons
Pros
Cons
Low spend requirement for the welcome bonus
High earnings on Jetblue flights
Anniversary points bonus
Free checked bag
Has annual fee
Redemptions are revenue-based, which can limit the value of the points
JetBlue Plus Card welcome offer
The JetBlue Plus Card currently offers a welcome bonus of 50,000 points after spending $1,000 on purchases and paying the annual fee in full within the first 90 days. Based on our June 2024 valuation of 1.35 cents per point, that’s a value of $670. This isn’t the best offer we’ve seen on this card, but it’s not bad either.
ISABELLE RAPHAEL/THE POINTS GUY
In reality, the welcome bonus is worth slightly more since the card offers a rebate on all award bookings, stretching your points further.
In addition to a high return on JetBlue spending, there’s a ton of value in the benefits offered by the JetBlue Plus Card. Although the perks mostly revolve around JetBlue, even occasional flyers should be able to take full advantage of them:
Free first checked bag: Get a first checked bag free for you and up to three companions on the same reservation when you purchase a ticket with your card.
5,000-point anniversary bonus: These points are worth about $68 according to our June 2024 valuations, so without setting foot on a JetBlue plane, you’re covering over two-thirds of the card’s $99 annual fee.
50% inflight savings: Get 50% back on eligible inflight purchases on JetBlue-operated flights, including alcoholic drinks and Eat Up snack boxes. This discount is applied automatically, generally on the day the charge is posted to your card account.
Fast-track Mosaic status: Get automatic Mosaic status after spending $50,000 on the card in a calendar year.
10% rebate on award flights: When you redeem TrueBlue points for a JetBlue flight, you’ll earn 10% of those points back after you take the flight — which can be used toward your next redemption.
Points Payback: Allows you to redeem your points for a statement credit of up to $1,000 annually.
Annual JetBlue Vacations statement credit: Get a $100 statement credit every year with your purchase of a JetBlue Vacations package of $100 or more with your card.
Trip delay protection: Get up to $300 per trip if your flight is delayed more than six hours (maximum of twice in a 12-month period)
Trip cancellation and interruption coverage: Get up to $5,000 back in nonrefundable expenses per trip ($10,000 maximum per 12-month period) if you need to cancel or interrupt a trip for a covered reason.
On the earning side, this card outdoes most cobranded cards from other airlines and even some cards that earn transferable points. With this card, you’ll earn 6 points per dollar on JetBlue purchases, 2 points per dollar at restaurants and grocery stores and 1 point per dollar on all other purchases. As a point of comparison, the no-annual-fee version of this card offers half as many points on JetBlue purchases.
ZACH HONIG/THE POINTS GUY
It’s also worth noting that as a TrueBlue member, you’ll earn at least 2 base points per dollar on JetBlue flights booked directly on top of the 6 points per dollar you’ll earn through the card.
The TrueBlue loyalty program is revenue-based, so redemptions are very straightforward. You can redeem points for any seat, including JetBlue Mint seats, on any JetBlue flight across its entire route network and get a fairly consistent value from your points. The more a flight costs in cash, the more it costs in points and vice versa.
FIORDALISO/GETTY IMAGES
For instance, TPG credit card writer Ryan Wilcox takes advantage of JetBlue’s somewhat frequent flash sales. Often, flights start at $20 one-way and can be booked for a measly 400 points. The positive is that you won’t have to worry about scouring for saver award availability. However, it also means there aren’t any major sweet spots for long-haul international first class.
Although JetBlue — as an airline — partners with a handful of other carriers, Hawaiian Airlines is the only one you can book through the TrueBlue loyalty program. Instead of using the revenue-based base redemption model that ties the award rates to the price of an individual itinerary, however, TrueBlue has a more standard, region-based award chart for these tickets.
JETBLUE
To give you a general idea, one-way flights to Hawaii cost 22,000 points from the West Coast and 30,000 points from the East Coast in coach or 45,000 points and 70,000 points, respectively, in first class.
If you prefer Chase: For a $95 annual fee on the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card, you’ll earn 5 points per dollar on travel booked through the Chase Travel portal, 3 points per dollar on dining, and 2 points per dollar on all travel not booked through the Chase Travel portal. For more information, read our full review of the Sapphire Preferred.
No other mid-tier cards come close to the JetBlue Plus Card when it comes to return on JetBlue spending or benefits. However, those who aren’t able to fly JetBlue regularly may not get enough value from this card to justify the annual fee.
Even if you only fly JetBlue occasionally, you’ll make up for two-thirds of the JetBlue Plus Card’s annual fee by taking advantage of the 5,000-point anniversary bonus alone. With the additional JetBlue perks like the free checked bag, points rebate and inflight purchase savings, JetBlue flyers will almost certainly benefit from this card.
However, if you don’t think you would benefit from the higher earning rate or p, perks such as the free checked baggage allowance, you might want to stick to the no-annual-fee JetBlue Card.
Avianca LifeMiles members, listen up: The airline is currently offering two limited-time deals on award flights to South and Central America and Europe — but you must book this deal by July 4.
Two-for-one awards flights to South and Central America
Bogota, Colombia. CLINT HENDERSON/THE POINTS GUY
From now through July 4, you can get a buy-one-get-one-free rebate deal on award flights to select South and Central American destinations. That means for every two tickets you book, LifeMiles will refund the miles for one of them.
Here are all the details:
Applies only to LifeMiles members who reside in the U.S.
You must book by 11:59 p.m. GMT on July 4.
Flights must take place between Sept. 1 and Oct. 31.
Flights may include connections and may be either one-way or round-trip, but no stopovers are allowed.
Flights must be booked directly through the Avianca website. (You can also book through the call center or a sales office, but you’ll be charged a fee of $25 to $80.)
The sale includes routes from select major cities in the U.S. and Canada: Miami, Orlando, New York City, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, San Francisco, Dallas and Ontario. Destinations include several cities in Bolivia, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador and Guatemala. You can see the full list of applicable routes on Avianca’s website.
Award flights on these routes start at 5,550 miles one-way, so you could technically pay as little as 2,775 miles per person to reach your destination with this rebate mileage deal. You’ll still have to pay taxes and fees, so be sure to use a credit card that earns bonus rewards on airline purchases.
The Osa Peninsula of Costa Rica. LAYNE KENNEDY/GETTY IMAGES
Keep in mind that this deal comes in the form of a rebate rather than a discount. That means you must have enough LifeMiles in your account to book all your tickets (you can purchase miles if you need more), and the airline will return the miles you paid for every second ticket after you fly.
So if you book two tickets, you’ll get the miles back for one of them; if you book four, you’ll get the miles back for two. If you book three tickets, you’ll only get the miles back for one. The tickets must be on the same reservation in order to get the rebate.
LifeMiles is also offering a 20% rebate on award flights from Miami and Los Angeles to Paris, London, Madrid and Barcelona. Again, you’ll have to pay the full price of your ticket, and 20% of the miles paid will be refunded after you fly.
Here’s the fine print:
Applies to all LifeMiles members (not just those residing in the U.S.).
You must book by 11:59 p.m. GMT on July 4.
Flights must take place between Sept. 16 and Nov. 10.
Flights may include connections and may be either one-way or round-trip, but no stopovers are allowed.
Flights must be booked directly through the Avianca website. (You can also book through the call center or a sales office, but you’ll be charged a fee of $25 to $80.)
This deal isn’t quite as attractive as the BOGO one mentioned above, but it’s worth looking into if you’re considering a fall trip to Europe. Award flights on the sale routes start at 44,000 LifeMiles one-way, so you’d save at least 8,800 miles per ticket.
However, if you hold an Amex card — such as The Platinum Card® from American Express or the American Express® Gold Card, which earn transferable Membership Rewards points — from now until June 30, you can get a 15% bonus when you transfer your Amex points to Avianca LifeMiles. Therefore, 1,000 Membership Rewards points are worth 1,150 LifeMiles, meaning you can transfer 39,000 Amex points to snag 44,850 LifeMiles. Then, if you book a flight from Miami to London for 44,000 miles, you’ll receive a mileage rebate of 8,800 miles for the one-way ticket.
Note that this transfer bonus is through Avianca, so it won’t be reflected in your American Express account. You should see the bonus reflected in your LifeMiles account within 24 hours of transferring points. Again, this transfer bonus ends on June 30.
Overall, if you want to take advantage of either of these LifeMiles deals, act fast — they disappear on July 4.
Editor’s note: TPG’s Ashley Kosciolek accepted a free trip to sail on Margaritaville at Sea Islander for the ship’s preview voyage. The views expressed below are entirely hers and were not subject to review by the cruise line.
It wasn’t exactly cheeseburgers in paradise, but there were cheeseburgers — and they were amazing. So were the cabins, pizza, coffee and entertainment. Those are just a few of the draws on Margaritaville at Sea’s new ship, Islander, which I recently sailed for three days during a preview voyage.
But, despite all that it does right, the ship had some sizable glitches. I understand that Islander is a 24-year-old vessel purchased from Costa Cruises and refurbished, but I’m still surprised the issues weren’t mitigated before the first sailings began.
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From keycards that reveal too much personal information and empty hand sanitizer dispensers to larger issues like leaky ceilings and clogged toilets that give new meaning to the phrase “Bubbles Up,” what I experienced made me grimace as much as I grinned during my sailing.
With the addition of the vessel to its fleet, the Jimmy Buffett-affiliated oceangoing offshoot of the popular Margaritaville Resort brand has more than doubled in size. Should a sailing on this ship be your next Caribbean getaway? Here’s what made it a “Lovely Cruise” and what needs work before the ship is ready for prime time.
What I loved
The cabins
A Signature Grand Suite on Margaritaville at Sea Islander. ASHLEY KOSCIOLEK/THE POINTS GUY
For two nights, “I Have Found Me a Home” in one of Islander’s Signature Grand Suites — the largest the ship offers. Although it’s small when compared with suites on newer vessels, it has plenty of space.
All cabins received gorgeous revamps, complete with plenty of nods to Jimmy Buffett and his love of the good life. They include touches like surfboard shelving in some cabins and phrases like “License to chill, and I believe I will” on the walls and mirrors in others. Suites are outfitted with “Livin’ on Islander Time” pillows, copies of Buffett’s books “A Salty Piece of Land” and “A Pirate Looks at Fifty,” and make-your-own margarita fixings.
Passengers in Signature Grand Suites will find a make-your-own-margarita setup in their cabins on Islander. ASHLEY KOSCIOLEK/THE POINTS GUY
Everything is done up in a white, blue and teal color scheme, which makes most rooms feel light and airy — like you’re staying in a beachside Airbnb, rather than on a ship.
With their refreshed look, the cabins are some of the most impressive examples of refurbishment on the entire vessel.
Phenomenal burgers and pizza
A cheeseburger from Cheeseburger in Paradise on Margaritaville at Sea Islander. ASHLEY KOSCIOLEK/THE POINTS GUY
Flanking the ship’s Six String Stage near the 5 O’Clock Somewhere Pool are the aptly named Cheeseburger in Paradise and Mexican Cutie Cantina. It’s clear that they drew inspiration from Carnival Cruise Line’s pool deck eatery setup, which features Guy’s Burger Joint and the BlueIguana Cantina. I rolled my eyes at first, but I was completely stunned to discover that Margaritaville’s burgers are far superior.
Although the options are simpler than what you’ll find at Guy’s — there are no weird acronyms, nor are there tons of toppings — the burger quality is next-level. You know how everybody’s got that one grill-obsessed uncle who spends all day flipping burgers that are absolute masterpieces at family gatherings? Imagine that sort of flavor — but on a ship.
All patties are cooked well done (but still with tons of flavor), and you can choose simple accouterments like cheese, lettuce and tomatoes.
A crew member prepares to slice pizza at Frank & Lola’s Pizzeria on Islander. ASHLEY KOSCIOLEK/THE POINTS GUY
If you’d rather grab something indoors where it’s cooler, the Port of Indecision Buffet houses Frank & Lola’s Pizzeria. Besides the Margaritaville Coffee Shop and Sandwich Bar, the pizzeria is the only buffet venue that provides standout sustenance. Otherwise, the food is squarely mediocre.
Be sure to try the plain or pepperoni. After trying pizza from all of the major cruise lines, I’m declaring Margaritaville at Sea’s pies the best pizza afloat.
Creative entertainment
Members of the Islander entertainment staff finish a number during “Caribbean Heat Remix.” ASHLEY KOSCIOLEK/THE POINTS GUY
Theater shows on Islander aren’t over-the-top groundbreaking, but I enjoyed them immensely.
The first night’s show, “Caribbean Heat Remix,” included singing and dancing to snippets of popular songs from Pitbull, Gloria Estefan, Bob Marley, Justin Bieber and others. On the second night, I grudgingly attended “Conky Tonkin’” — an ode to country music, of which I am decidedly not a fan. I was pleasantly surprised that I knew most of the songs and couldn’t stop tapping my feet. The phenomenal acrobatic performances didn’t hurt, either.
An acrobat performs on Islander during “Conky Tonkin’.” ASHLEY KOSCIOLEK/THE POINTS GUY
Unique props and a giant LED screen were also incorporated as elements that added to the intrigue, rather than distracting from the performers. Somehow, Margaritaville at Sea has found a way to do theater entertainment that’s engaging and enjoyable, even for people who don’t necessarily like certain musical genres.
Rounding out the entertainment were pop-up nightclub performances by some of the cast’s aerialists and live music — including steel drum performances — throughout the bars and lounges.
Noteworthy drinks
A bartender makes two Bubbles Up Margaritas at the Bubbles Up Bar on Islander. ASHLEY KOSCIOLEK/THE POINTS GUY
I’ll be blunt: If you think you know what it means to drink on a cruise ship, think again. With a name like Margaritaville at Sea, the line attracts folks who like to have a great time with an alcoholic beverage in hand.
That doesn’t necessarily mean your fellow cruisers will be sloppy, though. I didn’t see anyone who would have been embarrassed by their antics the next day, but what I did find were excellent bar menus throughout the ship.
Every bar has a margarita on its menu; for a photo-worthy concoction, try the Bubbles Up Margarita at the Bubbles Up Bar. Each bar also has a secret drink you can request; just know that it varies by the bartender.
You can roll the dice to choose your drink at the casino on Margaritaville at Sea Islander. ASHLEY KOSCIOLEK/THE POINTS GUY
If you’re feeling lucky (or can’t decide what to order), head to the Margaritaville Casino Bar. The menu has separate lists of shots and cocktails, each numbered one through six. Ask the bartender for dice, and roll to see which one you’ll get. I ended up with the Moneyline Margarita (Margaritaville-branded tequila, pineapple and lime juices, and honey-infused simple syrup), which was delicious.
Amplified activities
Islander has a top-deck cornhole course with obstacles. ASHLEY KOSCIOLEK/THE POINTS GUY
Like most cruise ships, Islander has a daily schedule of activities. What I discovered, though, is that they aren’t things you’ll necessarily find on other cruises. What showed up on the “Checklist to Chill” were origami classes and family circus workshops. The top deck even has a dedicated pickleball court and a cornhole course with obstacles — something I’ve never seen on a ship before.
Additionally, the miniature golf course, which includes some impressive and elaborate obstacles, was almost always crowded when I was on the top deck.
Overall, Islander receives a nod for coming up with creative ideas and cranking existing ones up a notch.
The throwbacks
The Joe Farcus-designed entrance to the Coral Reef Lounge on Islander. ASHLEY KOSCIOLEK/THE POINTS GUY
Margaritaville at Sea purchased Islander from Carnival Corp. brand Costa Cruises and did a wonderful job of melding new, modern touches with the whimsy of the bygone Joe Farcus era.
Farcus, an architect and interior designer, handled the decor on Carnival Cruise Line vessels and some of Costa’s for more than 30 years. What remains on Islander of his over-the-top decor are intricate mosaic designs, quirky staircases, a larger-than-life atrium space with glass elevators and a two-story nightclub with a hell theme.
The Joe Farcus-designed Hot, Hot, Hot Nightclub on Islander, which has a hell theme. ASHLEY KOSCIOLEK/THE POINTS GUY
The ship’s layout is also intriguing. It’s a maze of semihidden hallways and staircases that lead to surprising places, making me feel like I was always discovering something new.
What needs work
Plumbing problems
Leaks sprung up in several places on Islander when it rained heavily. ASHLEY KOSCIOLEK/THE POINTS GUY
Despite its $150 million refurbishment, the ship leaks. Unfortunately, there’s no “Trying to Reason With Hurricane Season,” and we hit some torrential rain on the first day. Shortly after, water trickled into the atrium at a steady clip, and significant numbers of buckets and caution signs popped up in both public areas and cabin hallways.
One of Islander’s public restrooms was leaking from under the floor. ASHLEY KOSCIOLEK/THE POINTS GUY
The plumbing had issues, as well. My cabin’s toilet clogged three times with light to normal use and no flushing of nonflushable items. A couple of people in my travel group experienced the same thing on the final night of our cruise, and every time I used a public restroom on board, I found several of the toilets were clogged. In one of the bathrooms, water bubbled up from under the floor tiles, which made squishing noises when I stepped on them.
The Magrodome — the retractable roof that covers the 5 O’Clock Somewhere Pool — also leaked. It’s not such a big deal if you’re planning to swim or lounge in the hot tubs because you’ll get wet anyway. If you want to stand near the stage and listen to music or pass through on your way somewhere else, you don’t want to get soaked by a cascade of water. I also didn’t see any crew members with squeegees clearing the walkways to make them safer for passengers.
Margaritaville at Sea representatives initially told me these problems were fixed, but reports in a Margaritaville at Sea Islander group on Facebook indicate otherwise. When I inquired again, the line told me the leaks are being addressed and that the clogs are the result of passengers flushing items — wipes, feminine products, etc. — that they shouldn’t.
“The plumbing system was tested, upgraded, and performed fine before the June 11 cruise,” a Margaritaville at Sea representative told me via e-mail. “The issue with the plumbing points to passengers disposing of items that shouldn’t be flushed on a cruise ship, which caused back-ups. We are working to make sure proper toilet usage is communicated to all passengers, so this doesn’t continue to happen.
“During our sailing from Belfast to the U.S., we didn’t encounter any significant rain to test for abnormal leaks beyond what we identified and repaired in dry dock,” the statement said. “As you know, we hit some severe weather leaving Mexico on the inaugural voyage, which alerted us to some additional areas that had leaks when under intensive wind and rainfall. We are in the process of mitigating this and have corrected the spots on the ship already.”
Crew attentiveness
The line at guest services on Islander. ASHLEY KOSCIOLEK/THE POINTS GUY
Crew members were friendly and pleasant, but many seemed underprepared. Public restrooms were a mess every time I went in, including the aforementioned clogged toilets and empty soap dispensers. On two occasions, I also experienced empty hand sanitizer dispensers when I entered the buffet. The second time, I told a nearby attendant, and she seemed unconcerned.
Also in the buffet, the crew members were quick to clear up the tables, but they often failed to wipe them clean. I put my plate down on top of stickiness and crumbs more than once. Empty drink glasses accumulated on tables and railings in other public spaces, as well.
The line says it has assigned additional crew members to address these problems.
Beyond cleanliness, several times when I asked crew members if they could point me to the places I was looking for, they weren’t able to do so. I had to ask three people where the teen clubs were before I found one who even knew teen clubs existed on board.
Because the cabin phones weren’t yet programmed with numbers for the front desk, housekeeping and room service — something the line says it’s working on — I was unable to phone the guest services desk to report my clogged toilet. I went down to the reception desk twice to alert someone and ask for assistance. When I reached the front of the line, the two crew members behind the desk just stood there, not acknowledging me. Finally, I stepped up to the counter to get their attention.
Glitchy or nonexistent technology
The line for dinner outside the Islander Dining Room on Margaritaville at Sea Islander. ASHLEY KOSCIOLEK/THE POINTS GUY
You’ll find a lot of paper on Islander. Because the cruise line has no mobile app, passengers must print boarding passes for embarkation and rely on physical copies of the daily schedule to plan their days on board.
Wi-Fi problems on my sailing made both the basic and premium packages nearly useless. The connectivity issues have been fixed, but passengers are still reporting cabin TVs aren’t receiving a signal (a problem I also experienced). That means cruisers can’t view their onboard accounts unless they have them printed at guest services.
Reservations for the JWB Prime Steakhouse are taken down on paper instead of a computer system — which the line says it is in the process of adding and improving — and receipts at several for-fee venues are handwritten. The analog approach also makes it nearly impossible for hosts in the main dining rooms to look up passengers’ dinner reservations and slows down the check-in and seating process.
I waited in line for 25 minutes to reach the check-in stand, and when I asked where my group was sitting, the host was unable to locate the reservation by my cabin number. Because the Wi-Fi wasn’t working, I couldn’t text anyone from my group to ask, so I ate alone.
The line tells me it’s currently working on getting those systems up and running.
Keycards with too much information
My keycard from the Islander sailing, displaying my name and room number, 7200. ASHLEY KOSCIOLEK/THE POINTS GUY
When you cruise, your keycard serves as an onboard charge card and also allows you to enter your room. Normally, these cards have passenger names, folio numbers, dining assignments and muster stations on them but don’t include cabin numbers for security reasons.
The cards on Islander list passenger cabin numbers, which is unsafe; if a card is lost or stolen, whoever finds it can locate the room and use the card to enter. There’s a “Pencil Thin Mustache” line between helpful and dangerous, and it’s something I hope the line considers changing.
Bottom line
A view from above the LandShark Pool area on Islander. ASHLEY KOSCIOLEK/THE POINTS GUY
Any ship, regardless of whether it’s new or has just found a new home, will have bugs to eradicate when it first sets sail. Once the cruise line works out some of the considerable kinks, passengers will be able to better appreciate the cozy cabins, excellent entertainment and some standout food and drink on a value-driven getaway that’s just plain fun.
I’m crossing my fingers the cruise line will have Islander’s issues fixed before the ship’s next “Trip Around the Sun.” In the meantime, set your expectations if you book a sailing (or wait a few months before setting sail), and prepare to “Breathe In, Breath Out, Move On” if you encounter an issue. If you’re looking for a luxury sailing, this isn’t the ship for you.
Lyft has long been in the business of getting travelers where they need to be when they need to be there.
After launching as a holiday travel promotion, Lyft’s On-Time Pickup Promise is now a permanent feature for riders as of this summer, meaning you get paid if you don’t get picked up on time.
On-Time Pickup Promise
LYFT
As of Wednesday, prescheduled airport rides will be covered by Lyft’s On-Time Pickup Promise, ensuring your ride arrives on time or you’ll be compensated.
Users can schedule Lyft rides up to 30 days in advance so they can lock in their pickup date, time and price to avoid having one more thing to worry about. Scheduled rides are also given priority when it comes time to be matched with a driver, and drivers can accept rides anytime after they are scheduled. Prescheduled rides can be canceled or modified up to an hour before pickup time.
If you aren’t picked up on time for your scheduled airport Lyft ride, you’ll automatically receive Lyft Cash credit in your account as follows:
$15 Lyft Cash if your driver is more than 10 minutes late (down from $20 during the initial rollout)
$50 Lyft Cash if you’re not matched with a driver 10 minutes after your scheduled pickup time
Up to $50 more Lyft Cash if you aren’t matched with a driver and your ride with another company is more than $50
The first two will be paid out automatically, but you must contact Lyft through the help section of its app to submit the receipt from your alternate transportation to be compensated for the additional $50.
Lyft’s On-Time Pickup Promise is currently available in more than 50 North American markets, specifically:
Atlanta
Austin
Baltimore
Boston
Charlotte
Chicago
Cincinnati
Cleveland
Columbus, Georgia
Columbus, Ohio
The Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area in Texas
Denver
Detroit
Honolulu
Houston
Indianapolis
The Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario metropolitan area in California
Jacksonville, Florida
Kansas City, Missouri
Las Vegas
Los Angeles
Louisville, Kentucky
Miami
Milwaukee
The Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area in Minnesota
Nashville
Nassau County, New York
New Jersey
New Orleans
Northern Georgia
Orange County, California
Orlando
Philadelphia
Phoenix
Pittsburgh
Portland, Oregon
The Raleigh-Durham metropolitan area in North Carolina
Richmond, Virginia
Sacramento
Salt Lake City
San Antonio
San Diego
The San Francisco Bay Area
Seattle
Tampa
Toronto
Tucson
Vancouver, British Columbia
Virginia Beach Hampton Roads, Virginia
Washington, D.C.
Westchester County, New York
Extra Comfort mode
LYFT
Lyft’s Extra Comfort feature is also available for travelers to get into rest and relaxation mode from the moment they step into their car. Rides designated as “Extra Comfort” offer roomier cars, top-rated drivers and preset preferences for temperature, a quiet ride or luggage assistance.
These features follow the successful launch of Lyft’s Women+ Connect, which matches women and nonbinary riders and drivers in select cities.
As a reminder, a variety of credit cards offer additional points, miles or cash back for Uber and Lyft rides when you use them to book rides, including:
Chase Sapphire Reserve®: 10 points per dollar spent on Lyft rides through March 31, 2025, and complimentary Lyft Pink All Access membership
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express: 3% cash back on transit, including ride-hailing services (cash back is received as reward dollars that can be redeemed for statement credits)
The information for the Amex Green credit card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
One of the most appealing things about taking a cruise is getting to visit several new islands or cities during a single vacation. Cruise often enough, however, and you’ll likely double back on ports you’ve already seen. But is that always a bad thing?
Not if the port is a place with lots of sights and activities that can’t all be enjoyed during a single visit. That means certain places are definitely worth going back to on another cruise. Here’s a helpful guide to the nine best cruise ports for repeat visits — and yes, I’ve been to all of them multiple times.
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Barcelona
Arc de Triomf with Promenade Passeig de Lluís Companys in Barcelona. PAWEL.GAUL/GETTY IMAGES
If you’ve cruised the Mediterranean, chances are good you’ve already been to Barcelona since many ships use it as a home port for the season. I’ve visited six times — including several precruise overnight stays — and I’ve yet to experience everything in this sprawling city filled with architectural landmarks, lush parks, world-class museums, inviting tapas bars and even a beachfront boardwalk.
Perhaps the biggest attraction in Barcelona is architect Antoni Gaudí’s soaring La Sagrada Familia, still a work in progress almost 100 years after his death. (It’s scheduled for completion in 2026.) I’ve visited this landmark each time I’ve been in Barcelona, first in 2005 and most recently in 2022, and I always find something new to appreciate in its towering, whimsical interior.
If you like Gaudí’s style, take advantage of a repeat visit to Barcelona to explore his other creations. You can admire the art nouveau flourishes and alien-looking rooftop chimneys of La Pedrera (aka Casa Mila), an apartment building on the Passeig de Gracia, and the colorful mosaics and sculptures of the whimsical Park Guell.
Many folks walk up and down Las Ramblas on their first visit, but take time on a return trip to further explore The Gothic Quarter, home to Barcelona’s 15th-century cathedral (La Seu), edgy art galleries and bustling tapas bars. Also within walking distance of the port are the Barcelona Aquarium and Barceloneta Beach.
If you’ve seen the city and prefer green spaces, check out Montjuic. This mountaintop park with sweeping city views is home to the Joan Maragall Gardens and the Barcelona Botanical Garden, plus a half-dozen museums, including the Fundacio Joan Miró and the National Art Museum of Catalonia.
Boston
Boston skyline with Back Bay. NOELIA HN/GETTY IMAGES
I’ve visited Boston just once on a cruise, in September 2023 during a Canada and New England sailing, but it was my sixth or seventh time in the city. I approached the day without any been-there, done-that frustration because Boston — a city that buzzes with both historic charm and modern-day energy — always has something new to discover.
Boston’s top sights — including Fenway Park, the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, the 18th-century USS Constitution, the kid-approved Museum of Science and the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum — are scattered around the city, so you might not get to all of them in one port stop. If you’ve managed to see them all, a DIY walking tour is a great way to spend a return visit if the weather is nice.
Most cruise lines offer free shuttles from the Flynn Cruiseport to a central location, typically near Faneuil Hall and Quincy Market. That’s perfect if you’re looking to explore a few neighborhoods or take a walk back in time along the 2.5-mile Freedom Trail.
I suggest you start at the Boston Common, America’s oldest park, created in 1634. Look for its newest artistic landmark, The Embrace, a massive 65,000-pound abstract bronze sculpture modeled after a 1964 photo of Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and his wife, Coretta Scott King.
At the nearby Granary Burying Ground, you can pay your respects to Paul Revere and several signers of the Declaration of Independence, including John Hancock and Samuel Adams. Across the footbridge, you can wander through the neighboring Public Garden and ride the whimsical pedal-powered Swan Boats that have been in operation since 1877.
Don’t miss the charming Beacon Hill and Back Bay neighborhoods, especially the lavish late-19th-century townhouses along Commonwealth Avenue. Trudge to the Old North Church for a refresher on Paul Revere’s 1775 midnight ride.
Reward yourself for getting your steps in with a bowl of creamy New England clam chowder at the Union Oyster House, established in 1826. Across the street in Union Street Park, you’ll discover the New England Holocaust Memorial. This free outdoor installation features six glass towers etched with numbers representing the tattoos of millions of Holocaust victims, as well as quotes from survivors.
Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
The Darwin Arch in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. GRANDRIVER/GETTY IMAGES
Quite a few sun-and-fun cruise ports offer the same-old options — the beach, a snorkel tour or duty-free shopping — but Cabo San Lucas on Mexico’s Baja Peninsula features so many activities it’s possible to visit multiple times and not do the same thing twice. Since Cabo is a premier port on both Mexican Riviera cruises and Panama Canal transits, it’s a safe bet frequent cruisers might find themselves here more than once.
What can you do in Cabo? On my first visit, I enjoyed a catamaran sail to see the destination’s best-known landmark: the photogenic El Arco natural stone arch and adjacent Lovers Beach. Both are located where the Pacific Ocean meets the Sea of Cortez — a spot where barking sea lions also love to gather. If you visit from December to March, you also might see the humpback and gray whales that winter here; alternately, you can book a whale watching tour to get a closer look.
Other popular water-based activities include glass-bottom boat tours and sport fishing. While the Pacific isn’t as snorkel-friendly as the Caribbean, it is possible to snorkel in the calm waters of Chileno Bay.
If you’ve crossed sightseeing from the water off your must-do list, you can dive into Mexico’s food and beverage culture on a repeat visit to Cabo. A tequila tasting is a must for anyone who craves authentic local flavors and can be enjoyed on its own or in combination with a cooking class or a salsa-making (and salsa dancing) class. Or, skip the tour and visit one of the many bars and eateries near the Cabo San Lucas Marina, where you can pair a salt-rimmed margarita with fresh Baja-style fish tacos.
For something more active, spike your adrenaline during an off-roading adventure, or go old-school with a horseback or camel ride along the beach. Have an artsy side? Options include excursions to San Jose del Cabo, known for its historic Mission (one of Baja’s oldest) and Arts District with eclectic galleries, or to Todo Santos, a quaint Baja village filled with shops and galleries.
Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas
BOBLIN/GETTY IMAGES
It’s hardly a secret that Eastern Caribbean cruises can get repetitive, especially the itineraries on the newest megaships, which due to their size can call on only a limited number of ports. One of them is Charlotte Amalie on St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands, which welcomes 1.5 million cruise passengers a year and can accommodate up to six cruise ships in port daily.
I’ve been to St. Thomas five times, most recently on a cruise in 2019, and have yet to try all the activities on offer. The island offers both thrills (including zip lining, snorkeling and helmet diving) and chills (such as beach time, daiquiri-sipping and duty-free shopping). Plus, you can tick another island off of your bucket list by visiting neighboring St. John for an island tour or snorkel excursion to stunning Trunk Bay.
If spotting sea creatures is your thing, you can snorkel off of Sapphire Beach or in Christmas Cove or sail on a catamaran to a reef teeming with fish and coral. You can also bump up the adventure with a Sea Trek helmet dive at Coral World Ocean Park (the full-head apparatus allows you to walk along the ocean floor on a guided tour) or book a scuba dive to offshore reefs.
Prefer to stay atop the water? St. Thomas offers sea kayaking tours or, for a bigger adrenaline kick, flyboarding (where you strap your feet onto a water-powered hoverboard and blast out of the water to seemingly fly above it).
Crescent-shaped Magens Bay Beach on the island’s north coast is St. Thomas’ premier sunbathing spot; the panoramic view from Drake’s Seat on the ride there is awesome, too. For a repeat visit, consider taking a 15-minute ferry ride from the Crown Bay cruise port to Water Island, where you can walk to Honeymoon Beach with its shaded palapas and beach bar or head to the island’s east side to enjoy a swim from white sand Sapphire Beach.
If you’re not afraid of heights, you can board a gondola for a ride to Paradise Point for panoramic harbor views from an elevation of 700 feet. Another thrilling option is a zoom above the treetops in a harness during a zip line adventure.
Copenhagen
ALEXANDER SPATARI/GETTY IMAGES
The major ports of Northern Europe are all ideal for fans of art, culture and architecture, but Copenhagen tops my list for a repeat visit because it also adds culinary creativity and contemporary design to the mix. I’ve visited the canal-laced capital of Denmark three times on cruises, spending a total of seven days — and I’ve yet to see everything.
Perhaps that’s because I’m always drawn to three places. The world’s longest pedestrian street, Stroget, is lined with shops and casual eateries and cuts through the city’s historic center. The much-photographed Nyhavn harbor, where buildings date to the 17th century, offers outdoor cafes that are a magnet for both locals and visitors. The delightful Tivoli Gardens, a nearly 200-year-old amusement park, entices with its extraordinary landscaping, twinkling lights and wonderful dining options (from traditional Danish specialties to international favorites).
I’ve also enjoyed a canal cruise on each visit because it’s both inexpensive (about $15) and offers a terrific overview of the city’s architecture. Sights include the colorful facades of Nyhavn, the unique spire of the Church of Our Savior, the strikingly modern Royal Danish Opera House and the tiny Little Mermaid statue honoring native son Hans Christian Andersen.
Copenhagen also has a regal side, since Denmark is home to one of the world’s oldest monarchies. Experience the pomp firsthand at Amalienborg Palace, the official residence of the royal family; visit at noon for the ceremonial changing of the guard. Rosenborg Castle, meanwhile, is home to 400 years of Danish treasures, including the crown jewels.
Museums are another way to absorb Denmark’s rich artistic and cultural heritage. Statens Museum for Kunst — National Gallery of Denmark houses a collection of Danish and international art, while Copenhagen Contemporary showcases installations from well-known artists and emerging talent. The Designmuseum Danmark features centuries of fascinating objects and special exhibits dedicated to Danish Modern furniture and home design.
Foodies, meanwhile, can follow their noses to an eclectic array of eateries, including street carts selling polser (the Danish version of the hot dog), cafes serving smorrebrod open-faced sandwiches and fresh herring, and 17 Michelin-starred restaurants.
Kahului, Maui
THOMAS BARWICK/GETTY IMAGES
Of all the Hawaiian Islands, Maui offers visitors the most versatility. Not only does its coastline change from golden sand to black lava, but its interior varies from lush valleys to volcanic craters. I’ve been to Maui five times — twice on a cruise — and have spent 16 days enjoying its beaches and top tourist sights. Maybe I’m beginning to sound like a broken record, but, again, I still haven’t done everything.
If you haven’t yet been to the top of Haleakala, the 10,023-foot dormant volcano that dominates Maui’s landscape, book a tour that offers panoramic views from its summit or lets you bike down its slopes. A whale watching excursion to spot humpbacks is an ideal choice from December through April; if the whales are off to their summer home, you can book a dolphin-watching tour instead. You can also enjoy a snorkel excursion to Molokini Crater or the nearby island of Lanai, where spinner dolphins and sea turtles are common sights.
Another Maui highlight is the Road to Hana, the infamously narrow and curved route that leads to the bucolic east Maui town of Hana with its dramatic black-lava beaches. If you’re prone to motion sickness, you’ll want to skip the road’s 59 one-lane bridges and 620 hairpin turns.
If you’re an independent type, you can rent a car near the port in Kahului and see a lot in one day. Visit scenic Iao Valley before heading to Upcountry on the lower volcanic slopes of Haleakala. There, you’ll find the historic cowboy town of Makawao, home to craft shops and the T Komodo Store and Bakery (get there early before the cream puffs sell out), as well as Ali’i Kula Lavender and Surfing Goat Dairy.
Back at sea level, especially if cruising with younger kids, a fun alternative is the Maui Ocean Center, The Aquarium of Hawaii. It features an array of native and endemic marine species. And did I mention Maui’s incredible beaches? You can visit them over and over again and never tire of their white sand beauty.
Naples, Italy
MARCO BOTTIGELLI/GETTY IMAGES
Discovering the complex beauty of Naples during a 2023 Mediterranean cruise was a revelation. I’d been “through” Naples three or four times before — on my way to Capri and the Amalfi Coast — but I’d never actually explored the city. What I learned is that Napoli, Italy’s third-largest city, is more than just the birthplace of pizza and the gateway to Pompeii. Its superb architecture, fascinating history and cache of archaeological treasures have all helped to inspire a recent tourism renaissance.
Naples has something for everyone. History buffs, shoppers and foodies will all enjoy a stroll along the narrow pedestrian street called Spaccanapoli in the city’s historical center. Walking here, you’ll feast your eyes on everything from intricate architectural details and bakery windows lined with cream-filled pastries to two landmark churches: the 15th-century Chiesa del Gesù Nuovo, with its fortresslike facade, and the Cappella Sansevero, a Baroque church known for its sculptures.
More monumental architecture from the 16th to 19th centuries awaits across town, including the ornate Teatro di San Carlo opera house and the elaborately domed Galleria Umberto I shopping arcade. The lavish Royal Palace of Naples was once home to the kings and queens who ruled the kingdom of Naples until the 19th century.
Naples has terrific museums and castles, too. Topping your list should be the National Archaeological Museum of Naples, which counts among its treasures the Roman artifacts from Pompeii. In the medieval Renaissance fortress of Castel Nuovo, you can find a collection of Italian frescos and paintings.
Beyond navigating Naples’ fascinating urban mosaic, you can hop a fast ferry from the cruise port to the isle of Capri. There, take the funicular to chic shop-lined Capri Town, where scenic walkways fan out to stellar viewpoints. You can also take ferries to Amalfi Coast towns, including Sorrento and Positano, or book a tour to see the ruins of Pompeii.
Just remember: Before leaving Naples, enjoy one of the city’s crispy thin-crust pizzas — or make that the reason for your return visit.
San Juan, Puerto Rico
GREGOBAGEL/GETTY IMAGES
My second Caribbean cruise in 1998 embarked in San Juan, and I’ve been back eight times since — with Old San Juan being my default setting for a day in port. Why? This colorful 500-year-old neighborhood is the perfect spot to explore on foot, has a lively vibe and offers something for history buffs, foodies and souvenir-hunters alike.
On the history front, there’s no missing El Morro (officially Castillo San Felipe del Morro), the hulking fortress set on a promontory overlooking Old San Juan. Other centuries-old sights include the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, constructed in 1540, and Casa Blanca, San Juan’s oldest residence. The latter was built in 1521 for then-governor Juan Ponce de León and is now a museum.
Whenever I’m in Old San Juan, I always stroll the shaded Paseo de la Princesa to the walkway between the sea and the city’s old stone walls that passes beneath the Tiffany-blue La Fortaleza. Completed in 1540, it was originally a fort and prison but was converted to a palace that serves as the governor’s official residence. I reenter through the Puerta de San Juan, a massive red gate, and make my way to vibrant Calle de la Fortaleza (famous for its overhead art installations) to snap a few photos.
If you’ve already seen Old San Juan, try a foodie walking tour to sample local specialties, such as garlicky mofongo (mashed plantains) and a creamy pina colada (which was invented here), or a bike tour from Old San Juan to Condado. This lively beachfront neighborhood is lined with resorts, bars and restaurants.
Beyond San Juan itself, a port call in Puerto Rico offers snorkeling at Escambron Marine Park, a surf lesson at Isla Verde beach and exhilarating all-terrain-vehicle or zip line adventures. Nature lovers can also book a tour of El Yunque National Forest, the only tropical rainforest in the U.S. forest system.
Vancouver, British Columbia
DAVID HANSON/GETTY IMAGES
Just because you’ve visited Vancouver before on an Inside Passage sailing to Alaska doesn’t mean you shouldn’t return on a Pacific coast cruise or even another Alaska itinerary. My three visits to this sophisticated city that’s surrounded by the beauty of British Columbia’s mountains-meet-sea wilderness have each been filled with remarkably different experiences — from totem poles and Chinese gardens to whale watching and sky-high gondola rides.
One option for a return visit is a stroll through Vancouver’s downtown neighborhoods. Gastown, the city’s historic core, offers heritage architecture, avant-garde galleries, fashion boutiques and trendy bars, restaurants and music venues. Don’t miss the Gastown Steam Clock, which looks like an antique and sounds and steams every 15 minutes. In Chinatown, you can visit the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden, which replicates Ming Dynasty-era traditions and is the first of its kind outside of China.
For a more nature-based wander, follow the shoreline all the way to Stanley Park on the Seawall Water Walk. (It’s a bit of a hike — bike rentals are an option.) Once in the 1,000-acre park, check out its First Nations totem poles, pretty gardens and city skyline views. Families especially might wish to visit the park’s Vancouver Aquarium to spy on sea creatures large and small or head to Second Beach to take a dip or splash in the fountains.
Take your sightseeing to greater heights with a seaplane tour — or stay grounded and simply watch the planes take off and land in the harbor. Flyover Canada (in Canada Place) only requires you to strap into a flight motion seat to virtually soar above the stunning landscapes of the Canadian Rockies.
Whether you’re hungry for a taste of Vancouver or a souvenir, head to the Granville Island Public Market, which features local food outlets, farmers market stalls and artisans selling handcrafted items. Vancouver is also known for its inventive food trucks, serving everything from hot dogs infused with Japanese flavors to tasty tacos.
And then there’s the great outdoors. On my last visit in April 2019, I finally got around to doing two Vancouver activities I hadn’t done before. I took the Skyride to the summit of 4,039-foot Grouse Mountain to enjoy lunch with a panoramic view (if you’re lucky, you’ll glimpse one of two resident grizzly bears), and I explored the trails and dizzying elevated walkways at Capilano Suspension Bridge Park. The fresh mountain air sealed the deal. I’ll definitely head back to Vancouver for more.
Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information.
When my family and I first landed the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card, it was mostly about snagging a solid sign-up bonus. However, what I didn’t know when we applied was that this card would quickly claim a prominent spot in my wallet and my husband’s long after the bonus miles were spent.
Here are all the reasons why we’re still using the Venture Rewards more than I expected.
solid earnings rates
My husband will never have lots of cards in his wallet and worry about keeping up with category bonuses for various transactions. He will, however, primarily use whichever card I indicate is best at the time. This card comes in clutch since there are no fees for adding an authorized user to your Venture Rewards account (see rates and fees).
JUSTIN PAGET/GETTY IMAGES
When he isn’t working on hitting a spending bonus, earning 2 miles per dollar everywhere by using the Venture Rewards Card isn’t bad and is actually better than most of the cards on the market for non-bonus spending. If you maximize the miles via transfer partners, then TPG’s June valuations say you can get 1.85 cents per mile. That might not be the absolute best return for everyday spending, but it’s pretty darn close.
With Capital One’s list of transfer partners, there’s even more reason to love this card. But here’s the truth. I haven’t (yet) transferred any of our Capital One miles to partners.
For example, my husband wanted to meet our family in Hawaii a few summers back and needed to fly on a certain date, at a certain time and on a particular route to maximize his time with us. In this particular situation, it was best to buy a cash ticket and then reimburse ourselves with Capital One miles. Since he had no flexibility, traditional airline miles provided no value, even though Hawaii can sometimes be a great deal with airline miles.
If you don’t yet have the Venture Rewards card, now is a great time to apply for one to protect yourself a bit from any devaluations and maybe even simplify your award travel strategy a bit in the process. It’s a card well worth applying for for all types of credit card users.
