Tag: Travel Planner

Dock Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas and Utopia of the Seas side-by-side, and you’re likely to notice a couple things. The first is that as the largest and second-largest cruise ships in the world, respectively, they’re both massive. The second is that, despite their similar size, they look a bit different.

If you’re unfamiliar with the details of the vessels, it can be overwhelming to figure out which of these two behemoths is the better fit for your next sailing.

From onboard vibe and cabin options to entertainment, here are some of the key similarities and differences in a showdown of Utopia vs. Icon of the Seas.

Size

Even though Icon of the Seas and Utopia of the Seas are currently the world’s two biggest cruise ships, there’s still a size difference between the two.

At 250,800 gross registered tons, 20-deck Icon of the Seas carries 5,610 people on a double-occupancy basis (when there are two people booked in each cabin) and about 7,600 passengers when every berth is filled. That’s in addition to 2,350 crew members.

While still incredibly large, the slightly smaller 18-deck, 236,473-ton Utopia of the Seas can accommodate 5,668 travelers at double occupancy and roughly 6,988 guests when it’s full. Nearly 2,300 crew members work on board.

Although Icon of the Seas has two more decks than Utopia, it carries fewer people than Utopia does at double occupancy but more when it’s full. That’s because Royal Caribbean specifically designed Icon of the Seas for families, assuming that parents would share cabins with their children.

In the line’s 2024 second-quarter earnings call, Royal Caribbean executives said the ship has been operating with a 132% load factor, meaning it routinely sails with more than two people — sometimes three, four or even five — per cabin.

Layout

To understand the layout of Utopia of the Seas vs. Icon, you’ll first need to know about Royal Caribbean’s neighborhood concept. Each distinct area of the ship groups popular themed offerings together in a layout that helps to control passenger flow.

The original vessels in the Oasis Class, to which Utopia of the Seas belongs, had seven neighborhoods, which have carried through to Utopia.

The seven neighborhoods are:

• Central Park: An outdoor promenade with shops, bars and restaurants that’s also home to more than 10,000 live plants — with a resident gardener — and inward-facing balcony cabins that overlook the space
• The Boardwalk: A boardwalk-style open-air space with a hot dog stand, a candy and ice cream shop, arcade games, a carousel, inward-facing balcony cabins and the innovative wake-facing AquaTheater, which features high-diving shows
• The Royal Promenade: An indoor social hub with a mall-like vibe where passengers will find a pub, a karaoke lounge, two cafes (including a Starbucks), retail outlets and guest services. Inward-facing cabins with windows overlook this neighborhood, and occasional parades and parties take place here.
• Pool and Sports Zone: The place for active outdoor pursuits and watery fun, incorporating surf simulators, rock climbing walls, miniature golf, a sports court, a zip line, bars, the entrance to the Ultimate Abyss dry slide (which drops 10 decks to The Boardwalk), teen clubs, an arcade, grab-and-go casual dining, four pools and several hot tubs, as well as kids water play areas and waterslides
• Vitality at Sea Spa and Fitness Center: The place for all things related to health, wellness, fitness and pampering, featuring free-to-use exercise equipment, for-fee fitness classes and personal training, a sizable jogging track, Ping-Pong tables, and spa and salon services like massages, manicures, pedicures and hairstyling
• Entertainment Place: A tucked-away cluster of indoor entertainment venues like casinos, a comedy club, a nightclub, the ship’s main theater, an art gallery, and Studio B — a multipurpose space that houses ice skating, laser tag and theme parties
• Youth Zone: The location for Adventure Ocean, Royal Caribbean’s kids club, which encompasses activity and learning rooms and separate spaces for babies and toddlers, kids and tweens; also where passengers will find the escape room (on ships that have one)

As Royal Caribbean has evolved its ships over time, new neighborhoods have been added. In addition to the ones above, Utopia of the Seas has an eighth zone — the Suite Neighborhood. It affords access to a private sun deck with hot tubs, a dedicated lounge, a sit-down restaurant and 24-hour concierge service for passengers booked in the vessel’s most expensive accommodations.

With the debut of Royal Caribbean’s Icon Class, of which Icon of the Seas is a part, a few of the key areas have been removed, relocated and reimagined, making Icon feel a bit more segmented than Utopia of the Seas.

Like Utopia of the Seas, Icon of the Seas has eight neighborhoods, but only three of them — Central Park, the Royal Promenade and the Suite Neighborhood — are the same as the ones you’ll find on Utopia.

Note: Although Icon of the Seas doesn’t have the Youth Zone, Vitality at Sea Spa and Fitness Center and Entertainment Place neighborhoods, the ship still offers the Adventure Ocean kids club, onboard spa and fitness facilities and a cluster of similar entertainment venues.

Brand-new neighborhoods on Icon include:

• Surfside: A dedicated space for families with young children, offering family-friendly eateries and a bar with mocktails, a candy shop, an arcade, a carousel, a playground, kids splash areas and a wake-facing infinity pool; replaces The Boardwalk
• AquaDome: A giant dome-like glass and steel structure with 220-degree ocean views that houses a now-indoor AquaTheater for high-diving and acrobatic shows and the AquaDome Market, Royal Caribbean’s first food hall, as well as bars and a Royal Caribbean gift shop
• Chill Island: Replaces the “pool” portion of the Pool and Sports Zone found on Oasis Class vessels; offers four pools — including one with a swim-up bar — sun loungers, hot tubs and cabanas for rent
• Thrill Island: Replaces the “sports” portion of the Pool and Sports Zone; features staples like the rock climbing wall, FlowRider surf simulator, mini golf course and sports court. It also has a ropes course-style attraction and the largest water park at sea, which incorporates multiple waterslides.
• The Hideaway: An adults-only area just below Thrill Island; provides a suspended infinity pool, loungers, hot tubs, a Champagne bar and a party atmosphere

The Royal Promenade has also had a bit of a facelift on Icon of the Seas. Deck 6, which used to overlook the space, now wraps completely around instead of only partially, and a giant three-deck light-up sphere called The Pearl has been added as part art installation and part structural support. It also provides a way for passengers to move between the two decks of the Royal Promenade. Walls of windows on either side bring lots of light into the space.

The Royal Promenade’s lower deck no longer has the hydraulic “levitating” Rising Tide Bar, which has been removed, along with Cafe Promenade. Instead, the usual standalone Starbucks kiosk has moved into a more permanent venue, and the Pearl Cafe has been added one deck above.

You can find more information about changes to Central Park and the Suite Neighborhood in the “Dining” and “Cabins” sections below, respectively.

Theming

Although both ships do a great job of catering to all types of passengers, Icon of the Seas was designed specifically to appeal more heavily to families with the addition of the Surfside neighborhood, as well as a slew of cabins designed to sleep more than two people.

Meanwhile, because Utopia of the Seas is the first brand-new ship to exclusively sail short three- and four-night voyages, Royal Caribbean bills the vessel as the “World’s Biggest Weekend.” It’s perfect for quick getaways, a fact that the line’s executives say lends the ship a more party-hearty — but not uncouth — atmosphere.

If you’re traveling with your children on Utopia, you’ll still find plenty for them to do at the ship’s water play areas and Adventure Ocean kids club, but you’ll also find more live music than ever before. There’s a heavy emphasis on parties, too, including one with a frat party theme and another — a pool party — with music, giveaways and guns that shoot Champagne.

Cabins

Both Icon of the Seas and Utopia of the Seas have standard inside cabins, ocean-view options with windows, rooms with balconies and a variety of suites, including huge ones for families with amenities that are every kid’s dream.

Icon debuted with 14 new cabin and suite types to choose from out of 28 total accommodation types. Many are family-friendly rooms that sleep four passengers; some can accommodate six or eight. In total, 313 cabins and suites are listed specifically as family-focused accommodations, but most standard rooms can sleep more than two people.

Of particular note on Icon of the Seas are new Panoramic Suites, which exist in part of the AquaDome. They offer natural light through part of the structure, which serves as a floor-to-ceiling window in each cabin.

Representing a change to the Suite Neighborhood, new Icon Loft Suites are two-deck-high accommodations, each with two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a large balcony with a private dining area and floor-to-ceiling windows.

And, finally, the Ultimate Family Townhouse is the pinnacle of accommodations onboard. The three-deck-high suite is an evolution of the Ultimate Family Suite that wowed guests on Oasis Class ships. In addition to kid and adult sleeping areas, this 1,772-square-foot top-level suite features an in-suite slide, a movie-viewing room, a karaoke machine and spacious indoor and outdoor living spaces.

The only major cabin addition on Utopia of the Seas is a group of Solarium Suites. These bright, airy and spacious digs were added above The Solarium, the ship’s tranquil adults-only space.

Dining experiences

All of your favorite Royal Caribbean dining staples — including Chops Grille steakhouse, Izumi sushi, Giovanni’s Italian, Sorrento’s pizza, Playmakers sports bar, Park Cafe, El Loco Fresh Mexican and the Windjammer buffet — have reprised their roles on both Utopia of the Seas and Icon of the Seas.

But it’s the new additions that truly stand out on both of these ships.

On Utopia of the Seas, cruisers can enjoy grab-and-go items from the Spare Tire food truck or immerse themselves in for-fee train-themed dinner theater at Royal Railway: Utopia Station. Additional extra-cost options run the gamut from affordable shaved ice to ultrahigh-end Japanese food at Omakase, an eight-course experience that’s limited to just six people at a cost of $130 per person.

If you’re searching for an exclusive dining option on Icon of the Seas, check out the Empire Supper Club, which mixes an eight-course dinner with music for a cost of $200 per person. A major new addition to the Central Park neighborhood, the restaurant seats only 38 people, and it has an art deco theme that’s also a nod to New York.

Or, if you’re celebrating a milestone, you can rent your very own space at Celebration Table. It costs a flat fee of $999 for up to 14 people, and it’s the same price regardless of how many of the seats you fill. It’s located in the ship’s Hooked Seafood restaurant, but you can choose the cuisine you’d like the chef to prepare. The list includes American, Italian, Asian and seafood.

New family-friendly options abound, including Pier 7, a specialty restaurant with a California theme. It’s free for kids and a la carte for adults, and the menu serves items like Baja fish tacos, Korean fried chicken and warm toffee chocolate cake.

The new AquaDome Market is Royal Caribbean’s first food hall experience and offers a variety of cuisines like Mediterranean, Asian, mac ‘n’ cheese, salads, sandwiches and desserts free of charge. Or check out the Pearl Cafe for complimentary small bites and coffee drinks.

Entertainment

Both Icon of the Seas and Utopia of the Seas present a variety of theater shows, comedy, high-diving acts, Royal Promenade parades and themed parties, as well as a ton of live music and daily activities to keep passengers busy.

As for what’s different, the AquaTheater on Icon of the Seas has moved from The Boardwalk neighborhood — Deck 6, aft, on Oasis Class ships like Utopia — to the new AquaDome, which is indoors instead of open-air. Performances on both ships involve synchronized swimming, dancing, high-diving, acrobatics and more. Utopia’s show, dubbed “Aqua80,” incorporates songs from the ‘80s but with a modern twist, and “Aqua Action!,” performed on Icon, has a movie theme.

Similarly, both vessels have their own ice rinks with specially developed ice-skating performances. On Icon of the Seas, the Absolute Zero ice rink, found on Deck 5 in the Royal Promenade, replaces Studio B, which is on Deck 4 on Utopia of the Seas. The new and improved version on Icon is round instead of rectangular, and the shows also differ in theme.

On Icon, “Starburst” is themed around the elements (carbon, helium, etc.). Group, solo and pairs skating numbers are combined with next-level juggling by a character dubbed “The Starman.” On Utopia, “Youtopia” presents a blend of contemporary and retro music, gorgeous costumes (some that look like candy) and nearly flawless execution.

In the main theater, passengers can expect to find “All In” on Utopia. The show celebrates some of history’s most iconic parties and music festivals like Studio 54 and Burning Man. However, if Broadway-style shows are what you seek, Icon of the Seas might be more your speed; the ship features performances of “The Wizard of Oz” on board.

As mentioned, Utopia of the Seas is focused more on parties than any other Royal Caribbean ship. Onboard soirees include Senses, a pool deck party where cruisers will find house music and sunset scenes on the giant outdoor movie screen; ReZolution, where passengers wear white and become living art through a series of high-tech projections; and Plunge, a daytime pool party

And, finally, what would any Royal Caribbean cruise be without a Royal Promenade parade? On Utopia, you can join in “The Effectors Homecoming Parade.” It’s a departure from the full show “The Effectors” performed in the Royal Theater on Icon of the Seas. The homecoming parade on Utopia picks up the storyline at the end of the theater production when (spoiler alert) the band of superheroes — Captain Viz, Lume, Pixel and Reverb — defeat their archnemesis, Crash, and his sidekick, Burn.

Itineraries and pricing

One of the biggest areas in which the ships differ is itinerary. While Utopia of the Seas focuses strictly on three- and four-night Bahamas and Western Caribbean cruises from Port Canaveral near Orlando, Icon of the Seas runs weeklong voyages to the Eastern and Western Caribbean from Miami.

Both ships include calls on Perfect Day at CocoCay, the line’s private island, on most of their routes. Utopia visits mainly Nassau in the Bahamas, Perfect Day and Cozumel in Mexico with little deviation.

Due to its longer schedules, Icon offers a wider variety of port calls, including stops at St. Kitts and St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands; St. Maarten, the Dutch side of St. Martin; San Juan, Puerto Rico; Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic; Roatan, Honduras; Costa Maya and Cozumel in Mexico; plus Labadee, Haiti, another of Royal Caribbean’s private destinations, depending on the itinerary.

In terms of pricing, because Icon of the Seas offers seven-night cruises while Utopia’s are only three and four nights, the former will cost more overall to book.

When I compared per-night pricing just before publication, the least expensive Icon of the Seas sailing I could find was $1,186 per person for a seven-night Eastern Caribbean sailing in January 2025. That works out to $169 per person, per night, for an inside cabin — not a bad price, considering Icon of the Seas is the industry’s largest (and also one of its newest) vessels.

Comparatively, the least expensive Utopia of the Seas voyage I located for the same time period was $593 per person for a four-night Bahamas and Perfect Day sailing. That’s $148 per person, per night — slightly less than Icon of the Seas’ cheapest nightly rate.

Rates will vary by sailing date, destination and cabin type, but due to demand, both ships are on the higher end of Royal Caribbean’s pricing. You should expect to pay a premium for cabins on both Icon and Utopia.

Bottom line

When it comes to Utopia of the Seas vs. Icon of the Seas, they’re both large ships that have plenty on board for passengers of all ages to do, see, eat and drink. Both have excellent kids clubs, phenomenal entertainment, a plethora of bars and restaurants and a wide selection of cabin types.

If you’re looking for a short cruise, a weekend getaway or a sailing that will cost you less overall, or if you want more of a party atmosphere, Utopia of the Seas should be your pick. Of the two, it’s also the best ship if you’re a fan of the original Oasis Class neighborhoods.

However, prospective Royal Caribbean cruisers will likely feel more at home on Icon of the Seas if they’re cruising with young children and want a dedicated family space, have a larger budget or want a weeklong voyage, or prefer to sail on the absolute largest cruise ship afloat.

Find out more about Royal Caribbean:

• The ultimate guide to Royal Caribbean cruises
• Royal Caribbean cruise ship classes explained
• Royal Caribbean cruise ships by size
• Royal Caribbean cruise ships by age
• All you need to know about Royal Caribbean cabins and suites
• Royal Caribbean food
• Royal Caribbean drink packages
• Where you can cruise with Royal Caribbean
• How to find the best Royal Caribbean ship for you
• Royal Caribbean’s Crown & Anchor Society loyalty program
• How to pack for a Royal Caribbean cruise

Taiwan-based airline EVA Air is back with a “sweet and joyful” tradition — and one of the more interesting inflight experiences you’ll ever see.

The carrier this week debuted its latest aircraft adorned in Hello Kitty livery. The decked-out Boeing 777-300ER touched down Wednesday night at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport (ORD), and it will be making three weekly appearances at the hub going forward.

This freshly painted 777 is EVA’s fourth Hello Kitty-themed aircraft, and this one is nicknamed the “Besties Jet.” Like prior generations of the cartoon-centric plane, this wide-body features several famous Sanrio characters, from Hello Kitty herself to My Melody and Kuromi.

Unlike some of the other eccentric liveries you’ll see on the exteriors of commercial planes, the Hello Kitty theme runs much deeper than a paint job. It shows up in almost every aspect of the inflight service.

Hello Kitty jet’s O’Hare arrival

Fittingly, the jet arrived to significant fanfare in Chicago on Wednesday night. It started with a water salute as the aircraft pulled up to the gate, and there were excited gasps from travelers and fans as they got their first glimpse of the jet.

But that was only the beginning of the party.

Inside O’Hare’s Terminal 5, shades of pink, bright lights, music and food made the occasion unmistakable.

This was not your average inaugural flight gateside party.

EVA Air, known for its high-end inflight meal service, offered passengers a taste of its culinary team’s skills with a mouthwatering array of hors d’oeuvres.

EVA’s catering team offered dishes like savory scallops with celeriac mousseline, purple cauliflower with romesco sauce, bresaola and asparagus with creme fraiche, and savory lobster with leek mousseline. Not to mention, there was a scrumptious array of elaborate desserts.

What to expect on EVA Air’s Hello Kitty flight

Then there was the Hello Kitty stuff … lots of it.

The carrier showed off the complimentary and duty-free items available on these themed flights, including Hello Kitty headrest covers and slippers for passengers in each cabin. (The black ones are for business class.)

Custom-designed place settings are used for the meal service, and special Hello Kitty boxes are even available for the children’s meals. During gateside remarks, EVA President Clay Sun — who traveled to Chicago for the event — said those are a particular favorite.

“I think over the years, passengers enjoy riding on EVA’s Hello Kitty jet very much. They have been captivated by the design and onboard amenities — especially the charming children’s meals,” Sun said.

He let the audience in on an “internal secret.”

“Some of the adults, when they make a booking, they say, ‘Oh, I want the child’s meal,’” Sun said. “They say, ‘Well, because it’s very, very cute.’”

3 weekly flights from Chicago

EVA’s first Besties Jet flight from Chicago took off from O’Hare at just after midnight Thursday.

The 777 will fly the Chicago-to-Taipei route on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays for the duration of the airline’s summer schedule. It will shift to Monday, Wednesday and Friday operations during the winter months.

The airline said that on days when EVA flies a more traditional-looking jet to Chicago, passengers from O’Hare will still get the full complement of onboard amenities.

Can you use points to book the EVA Air Hello Kitty plane?

If you’re hoping to book a seat on the EVA Air Hello Kitty jet, using points is a great way to save money.

To do this, one option is to transfer flexible credit card rewards to the EVA Air Infinity MileageLands program. You can transfer Citi ThankYou Rewards points to the program at a 1:1 ratio. You can also transfer Capital One miles to EVA, but at a reduced 4:3 ratio.

Find Star Alliance award space

There’s another option if you’re not a Capital One or Citi ThankYou member: Find award space on one of EVA’s partners in the global Star Alliance. It includes a host of carriers, from United Airlines and Air Canada in North America to other popular airline programs like Avianca LifeMiles and Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer.

With just a quick search, I found economy-class redemptions on the EVA Hello Kitty flight through Air Canada Aeroplan starting as low as 50,000 points, one-way.

I also found one-way economy redemptions starting at just 47,000 miles through Avianca LifeMiles.

From American Express Membership Rewards to Chase Ultimate Rewards and Bilt Rewards, there are tons of options for tranferring credit card rewards to major Star Alliance carriers.

Plus, right now, there are some lucrative credit card welcome offers that could help give you a leg up with your redemption, including Chase’s Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card. Between now and Sept. 5, new cardholders can earn up to 120,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points after spending $8,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.

Read more: Ink Business Preferred Credit Card review: A great all-around business card

EVA Air’s Hello Kitty flights

EVA Air’s 777 is laid out in a three-cabin configuration featuring lie-flat business-class pods, premium economy recliners and well over 200 seats in the main cabin.

Existing variations of the Hello Kitty-themed aircraft include the “Bad Badtz-Maru Travel Fun” aircraft flying on EVA’s route from Taipei to Clark in the Philippines. Its “Celebration Flight” and “Joyful Dream” aircraft alternate service on the Bali and Cebu, Philippines, routes.

Want to double-check that you’re actually booking a flight on the Hello Kitty plane? The airline offers more details on that on this page.

Wherever the Hello Kitty aircraft flies, it draws global interest from fans and travelers, Andrew Su, executive vice president of EVA Air and head of the carrier’s North America operations, said.

“It is very successful to draw attention from the public,” Su told TPG. “There’s a lot of people, especially parents with their children, they try to find the Kitty jet, traveling especially in summer, in the winter, and are so excited to get on the aircraft.”

Related reading:

• When is the best time to book flights for the cheapest airfare?
• The best airline credit cards
• What exactly are airline miles, anyway?
• 6 real-life strategies you can use when your flight is canceled or delayed
• Maximize your airfare: The best credit cards for booking flights
• The best credit cards to reach elite status
• What are points and miles worth? TPG’s monthly valuations

Can cool and conglomerate coexist — let alone thrive — when it comes to edgy lifestyle brands and multibillion-dollar hotel parent companies?

Hyatt and Standard International will be the latest test over whether lifestyle hotels can flourish post-acquisition, following Hyatt’s earlier takeovers of Dream Hotel Group and Two Roads Hospitality (which delivered the company brands like Thompson Hotels and Alila).

Competitors like Hilton acquired lifestyle hotel brands Graduate and NoMad in the last year, Accor took a majority stake in lifestyle hotel group Ennismore (owner of The Hoxton) in 2021, while IHG Hotels & Resorts made a splash in 2015 when it acquired Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants — seen as the originator of the boutique-turned-lifestyle hotel concept.

Lifestyle brands are a lot like celebrities: Their star power can grow brighter just as fast as they fade out. But whereas brands like W and Kimpton may have hit a few stumbles here and there in terms of maintaining their star wattage, Standard continues to high kick and grab headlines 25 years after first opening in West Hollywood.

Hyatt’s upcoming Standard acquisition includes The Standard, The StandardX, Bunkhouse Hotels, The Peri Hotel and The Manner brands, which have a global presence (some more than others). While you’ll be waiting a bit for these brands to integrate into the World of Hyatt network, here’s what you need to know about each of the upcoming brands entering the Hyatt ecosystem.

The Standard

It’s probably insulting to consider Standard International’s cooler-than-cool namesake brand the “grand dame” of the whole enterprise. Everyone from Madonna to Billie Eilish continues to show up to perform or just hang out in the brand’s The Standard, High Line, location in Manhattan — so this isn’t exactly like any of its soon-to-be-siblings in the Hyatt orbit elsewhere in New York City. The Standard is the pinnacle of the lifestyle hotel orbit, as its bars like Le Bain and restaurants like The Standard Grill are buzzed about just as much, if not more so, than the guest rooms upstairs.

But this is a lifestyle hotel concept that extends beyond its High Line and East Village branches in New York City. While the original West Hollywood location is no longer, there are currently eight options to check in at a Standard around the world. The brand’s colorful aesthetic wins over global jet setters, from London and Miami to Bangkok. Additional Standard hotels are in the works for cities like Singapore, Lisbon and Dublin.

Each Standard property comes with a hefty bar and restaurant line-up that each seems to have a simple requirement: Be the hottest ticket in town. Rooms and suites are unpretentious, albeit on the more luxurious end of the lifestyle hotel spectrum. Standard staff are also part of the draw — acting like your new best friend in an exotic locale. If you ask me, Hyatt’s finally hitting the mark in its wave of lifestyle hotel brand acquisitions with The Standard brand alone, as these hotels are significantly better maintained than some of the older Dream Hotels I’ve frequented.

The StandardX

One of Standard’s newest offerings is The StandardX, a “rebellious younger sibling” that acts to The Standard what Tommie is to Thompson Hotels. This more affordable brand debuted in Melbourne, Australia, this year and has global growth ambitions for distinct, cultural neighborhoods around the world.

“[The StandardX hotels] will be in neighborhoods that we think fit this new brand,” Standard International CEO Amber Asher said in an interview with TPG earlier this year. “We’re not creating the brand just to grow it. We’re creating the brand for the opportunity to be in a neighborhood and to explore things in a different way.”

While StandardX has a similar vibe as its older sibling, guests should expect a more streamlined experience at a more affordable nightly rate. Therefore, expect cozier rooms — albeit roomier than what you’d find at competitors like Marriott’s Moxy or Ennismore’s The Hoxton — and bars and restaurants that blend in with the surrounding neighborhood. Introductory rates at The StandardX in Melbourne started at $168 per night.

Ahead of the StandardX brand launch, Asher specifically pointed to areas like Brooklyn, East Austin in Texas, Shoreditch in London as strong fits for The StandardX. The official next property — The StandardX, Bangkok Phra Arthit — is slated for Bangkok’s old town neighborhood. Cities that might not be able to handle The Standard’s nightly rates could also be good contenders for The StandardX.

The Peri Hotel

Standard International fans in Asia have an “approachable and family-friendly style” brand just for them with The Peri Hotel, which currently operates in two locations in Thailand. The brand is leisure-oriented for the time being with its locations in the beach destination of Hua Hin and near Khao Yai National Park. But the first urban Peri is slated to open soon in Bangkok, per the Standard International website.

Guests can expect simple, clean, colorful designs in guest rooms. Amenities include specialty bars and restaurants that reflect the local surroundings (surf lodge vibes in Hua Hin compared to a mountain lodge aesthetic in Khao Yai).

To price shop: Entry-level nightly rates at the Peri Hotel in Hua Hin averaged around $64 next month, while those at the Standard, Hua Hin (one of the most affordable in The Standard network), started at $94.

Bunkhouse Hotels

One of the more surprising growth drivers at Standard International is from a brand you might not be familiar with. Bunkhouse Hotels is the company’s platform of smaller hotels in states like Texas, California and Kentucky as well as Mexico. These smaller lifestyle hotels range from motel conversions to trendy boutique hotels in markets that maybe can’t quite handle a full-scale Standard — but still like to party.

“There are these amazing cultural elements to a lot of little cities that perhaps are not those gateway markets,” Asher told me in an interview last summer. “A lot of the creative classes moved into those cities where life can be a little bit less high stress, so it’s a huge opportunity.”

The typical Bunkhouse property ranges from 14 to 120 rooms and maintains a unique, individual brand identity. In Austin alone, there are five Bunkhouse hotels: the Austin Motel, Carpenter Hotel, Hotel Magdalena, Hotel Saint Cecilia and Hotel San Jose.

“I think one of the biggest white spaces is and continues to be operating smaller hotels because there are so many independently owned hotels, whether it’s family-owned hotels in Asia or anywhere in the U.S.,” Asher said.

The Manner

Not yet open but still generating plenty of buzz is The Manner, an upcoming luxury concept Standard is opening in New York City’s SoHo neighborhood. Details are light at the moment, but the company development website notes the brand ethos “embodies the generosity, discretion and effortlessness of staying with friends in New York’s most stylish neighborhood” — that is, staying with a friend with a knack for chic design.

A Women’s Wear Daily feature on the soon-to-open hotel notes The Manner is meant to be the grown-up sibling to The Standard, so expect a more refined vibe with greater attention to detail and service. The property will feature guests-only spaces for cocktails and rooftop coffee but also feature restaurants open to the public.

How this all plays into Hyatt and beyond

There is an industry sentiment these days that smaller, buzzworthy hotel brands like Standard International all feel a sense of inevitability in terms of getting swallowed up by bigger conglomerates like Hyatt, Hilton and Marriott. But what happens after the dust settles is still a tad murky.

Industry cynics will say these big conglomerates are where cool goes to die. However, newly acquired lifestyle brands are increasingly being given autonomy, as some of these hotel parent companies appear to recognize they need a different creative approach to maintain brand appeal.

Standard has more brands to absorb than some of the other lifestyle players, so it will be interesting to see if Hyatt maintains all of these or if some get swallowed up by soft brands like JdV by Hyatt and the Unbound Collection.

In the meantime, it will be intriguing to see what happens over the next few years outside the walls of the major hotel groups.

Is everyone just waiting to get gobbled up and tap into major loyalty networks? Or, perhaps a next generation of Ian Schrager and Bill Kimpton-esque hoteliers emerge to seize an opportunity to fill in the void.

Related reading:

• Everything you need to know about World of Hyatt
• The best credit cards to reach elite status
• What is World of Hyatt elite status worth?
• Which credit cards offer the most lucrative rewards for hotel stays?
• The best hotel rewards programs in the world
• Best hotel credit cards

Always wanted to see Antarctica? Holland America Line this week unveiled an unusual new option for getting there.

The Seattle-based line announced an epic sailing to the White Continent that begins in Fort Lauderdale, Florida — a port thousands of miles away from the typical jumping-off points for Antarctica cruises in Argentina and Chile.

Kicking off Jan. 25, 2025, the 47-night voyage will take place on the line’s 1,432-passenger Volendam and is a segment of a longer pole-to-pole world cruise that Holland America has been selling since April 2023.

Like that longer voyage, the shortened segment is unusual in that it will allow Americans to get from the United States to Antarctica without taking a long international flight.

For people in and near Florida who can drive to Fort Lauderdale, it’ll be accessible without stepping on a plane of any sort.

That said, there is one big caveat for flight-avoiders: You’ll still need an international flight to return to the U.S. at the voyage’s conclusion. The cruise ends March 13, 2025, in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

From Florida to Antarctica

The newly announced cruise — one of several shorter segments of the previously announced pole-to-pole cruise that Holland America has opened for bookings — will begin with stops at Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic; Santa Marta, Colombia; and Puerto Limon, Costa Rica, as Volendam heads southward toward the Panama Canal.

After passing westward through the canal, the ship will head southward along the coasts of Central and South America for more than three weeks, with multiple stops in Panama, Ecuador, Peru and Chile.

This portion of the trip will include an extensive exploration of the Patagonia region and Chilean Fjords on the west coast of Chile.

From there, Voledam will sail across the Strait of Magellan at the southern tip of South America to reach Punta Arenas, Chile, and then Ushuaia, Argentina — the two main jumping-off points for voyages to Antarctica.

Related: Is this the ultimate Antarctica cruise ship?

Two more days crossing the famously rough Drake Passage will finally bring Volendam to Antarctica, where it will spend four days sailing along the ice- and mountain-lined coast.

Unlike on an expedition cruise to Antarctica on a small expedition vessel, passengers will not land on the continent. But passengers will be able to view the scenic coastline from the outer decks of the ship.

From Antarctica, Volendam will head up the east coast of Argentina to Buenos Aires. The final stops before reaching Buenos Aires will include the Falkland Islands off the coast of Argentina and Puerto Madryn, Argentina.

Montevideo, Uruguay, is also on the schedule as the ship heads northward.

Fares for the segment start at $9,684 per person, including all taxes and fees — or about $206 per person, per day.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

• The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
• A beginners guide to picking a cruise line
• The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship
• The ultimate guide to what to pack for a cruise
• A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
• 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
• Top ways cruisers waste money
• The ultimate guide to choosing a cruise ship cabin

The network shakeup continues at Frontier Airlines. The Denver-based ultra-low-cost carrier unveiled nearly a dozen new routes Tuesday, each of which will launch this fall.

Among the new routes are the carrier’s fourth and fifth nonstop destinations from New York City’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK). Prior to this summer, the carrier had never served this airport.

Frontier is also returning to Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR) for the first time since last year and to Dulles International Airport (IAD) outside Washington, D.C., for the first time since 2021.

Related: 15 best airline credit cards of August 2024

In all, the carrier’s latest network adjustment affects 15 cities across the country.

It’s the latest in a monthslong overhaul during which Frontier has embarked on an effort to boost profitability.

After adding well over 100 new routes so far earlier this year and eliminating dozens more, the carrier is shifting its fall schedule to primarily focus on the busiest days of the week for leisure travel — including deep cuts to its Tuesday and Wednesday flying.

Even with reductions in overall midweek flying, many of the new routes announced this week do include either daily service or several weekly round trips, including on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

The carrier did not make any cuts in conjunction with Tuesday’s announcement, a Frontier spokesperson told TPG.

Frontier’s 11 new routes

Here’s the full rundown of Frontier’s 11 new routes:

Route	Launches	Frequency
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) to Austin Bergstrom International Airport (AUS)	Oct. 11	Three weekly round trips (last flew in 2019)
ATL to Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)	Nov. 4	Daily (last flew in 2020)
ATL to IAD	Nov. 14	Daily
BUR to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX)	Nov. 21	Four weekly round trips (last flew in 2022)
BUR to San Francisco International Airport (SFO)	Nov. 21	Daily
BUR to Denver International Airport (DEN)	Nov. 22	Daily (last flew in 2022)
Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG) to Sarasota Bradenton International Airport (SRQ)	Oct. 12	Weekly (last flew in 2021)
IAD to Orlando International Airport (MCO)	Nov. 14	Four weekly round trips (last flew in 2021)
JFK to MCO	Oct. 27	Daily
JFK to Tampa International Airport (TPA)	Oct. 27	Daily
Seattle Tacoma International Airport (SEA) to Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC)	Oct. 11	Three weekly round trips

What to know about these new routes

Though Frontier doesn’t fly any of these 11 routes currently, the carrier has flown a number of them in the past, as noted above. In several cases, Frontier last operated the nonstop service in 2022 or earlier.

With the exception of Cincinnati-to-Sarasota, each of these new routes touches a major hub of the “Big Three” U.S. network carriers. This aligns with a strategy Frontier deployed this year that focuses less on stalwart leisure travel destinations and more on travelers flying between big cities to visit friends and relatives.

With respect to the Washington, D.C., region, Frontier has been absent from Dulles in recent years; the carrier already serves Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) and Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI).

Meanwhile, this latest route announcement continues the carrier’s fast growth in 2024 at ATL — the world’s busiest airport — and in CVG, where it recently established a crew base.

If you’re flying with Frontier, be sure to sign up for its Frontier Miles loyalty program to start earning miles and perks. The carrier’s revamped program, with new benefits and elite status tiers, rolled out earlier this year.

Related reading:

• When is the best time to book flights for the cheapest airfare?
• The best airline credit cards
• What exactly are airline miles, anyway?
• 6 real-life strategies you can use when your flight is canceled or delayed
• Maximize your airfare: The best credit cards for booking flights
• The best credit cards to reach elite status
• What are points and miles worth? TPG’s monthly valuations

Yet another giant new Royal Caribbean ship is on the way. Maybe three.

The world’s largest cruise line on Tuesday ordered a fourth vessel for its new Icon Class series — the world’s largest cruise ships.

As part of the order, with the Finnish shipbuilder Meyer Turku, Royal Caribbean also got options for two more vessels in the series that could be built at a later date.

The agreement with Meyer Turku calls for the fourth Icon Class ship to be completed and ready to sail in 2027.

Meyer Turku built the original ship in the Icon Class series — the much-ballyhooed, seven-month-old Icon of the Seas. It’s also building the second ship in the series, Star of the Seas. That vessel is due to begin sailing in 2025.

A third as-yet-unnamed Icon Class ship also is on order from the Meyer Turku shipyard for delivery to Royal Caribbean in 2026.

“Building on the incredible momentum and market response to the launch of Icon of the Seas and the excitement for its sister ship, Star of the Seas, coming in 2025, we’re thrilled to join with Meyer Turku once again to expand our roster of Icon Class ships and continue our future growth plans,” Royal Caribbean Group president and CEO Jason Liberty said in a statement accompanying the announcement.

Related: The ultimate guide to Royal Caribbean

Royal Caribbean Group is the parent company of Royal Caribbean as well as Celebrity Cruises and Silversea Cruises.

“Since its debut, Icon has changed the game in vacation experiences and exceeded our expectations in both guest satisfaction and financial performance,” Liberty added.

The world’s largest cruise ship?

Royal Caribbean didn’t say just how big the new Icon Class ship would be. But the line has a history of building ever-bigger vessels as it rolls out new series of ships.

Every vessel in the line’s seven-ship Oasis Class series, which is still rolling out, has been at least a little bigger than its predecessor. The Oasis Class ships were the world’s biggest vessels until the debut of Icon of the Seas.

At 248,663 gross tons, Icon of the Seas is the current size leader in the cruise world. It was nearly 6% bigger than the biggest ship at sea when it debuted in January. That ship, Royal Caribbean’s Wonder of the Seas, measures 235,600 gross tons.

Related: Every Royal Caribbean ship ranked from biggest to smallest

Icon of the Seas, notably, can carry up to 7,600 passengers — a new record for a passenger ship. That’s about 7% higher than the maximum capacity of the biggest ships that came before.

Add in 2,350 crew, and it can sail at times with nearly 10,000 people on board — a new all-time record for a ship.

The bigger passenger capacity is partly due to the ship’s greater focus on family travelers. Icon of the Seas was built with a lot more cabins that have plenty of extra bunks to accommodate families with many children. It also has more amenities geared toward families. This includes a new-for-the-line outdoor “neighborhood” called Surfside dedicated to families with young children.

Royal Caribbean on Tuesday didn’t reveal what features the newly ordered Icon Class vessel would have, but it’ll likely be similar to Icon of the Seas with a few new twists. That’s typical for ships built in the same series.

In a recent conference call with Wall Street analysts, Royal Caribbean executives said Icon of the Seas had been sailing at record-setting levels of occupancy since it first debuted.

Related: Icon of the Seas stunner: You won’t believe how full the world’s largest ship is sailing

Royal Caribbean is just the latest cruise line to order giant new ships in recent months as the cruise industry booms. Cruise giant Carnival ordered three massive new vessels just last month. The parent company of Norwegian Cruise Line ordered four big ships for that brand in April as well as four ships for sister brands Regent Seven Seas Cruises and Oceania Cruises.

Disney Cruise Line also has been on an ordering spree, with an announcement for four news ships just this month on top of several other new vessels it already had on order.

With Tuesday’s order, Royal Caribbean now has four vessels on order — three Icon Class ships and one Oasis Class ship.

The line currently operates 28 ships in all split among seven different classes.

Related: The 7 types of Royal Caribbean ships, explained

Royal Caribbean executives also have hinted that the brand could order another new series of smaller ships in the near future.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

• The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
• A beginners guide to picking a cruise line
• The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship
• The ultimate guide to what to pack for a cruise
• A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
• 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
• Top ways cruisers waste money
• The ultimate guide to choosing a cruise ship cabin

Editor’s note: This post has been updated with new information.

Chase has been operating an exclusive lounge at the U.S. Open in Queens, New York, at Flushing Meadows venue for 13 years now. In fact, its presence at the U.S. Open was its first real lounge product before its now-famous Chase airport lounges.

For the third open in a row, this year Chase has brought back its outdoor terrace where you can watch tennis with a bird’s-eye view of the courts and sip a cocktail in style.

There’s also a cool Chase ATM dispensing swag, a photo-op for tennis fans of all shapes and sizes, and stations where you can borrow phone chargers. Even if you can’t get into the main lounge, there are plenty of activities to enjoy

Chase invited TPG back to the U.S. Open again for 2024 to check out all the venues.

Here’s what it’s like to visit the various Chase experiences.

Chase Lounge at the US Open

One of the hottest tickets at the Open is the Chase Lounge. It’s open from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. for day sessions and 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. for evening sessions. It will remain open during the US Open through Sept 8 and can be found on the second floor of the Chase Center.

Among the amenities (if you can get a coveted spot) are air conditioning and lots of space to take a load off and cool off.

Inside, there are lots of places to chill between matches, plus food and drinks and other fun things to do and see. Upon entering, you’ll find yourself in a large space with several connected rooms.

You’ll find various seating areas and interesting views from the floor-to-ceiling windows.

 

The restrooms are nice, and they didn’t have lines when I was there, which is always a bonus.

I loved the broadcast center that will feature live ESPN moments during the U.S. Open.

Friendly workers are on hand to help serve drinks or just welcome you in and I found everyone eager to help.

There was fresh fruit and coffee (both cold and hot by Lavazza) the morning I was there. There was also free lemonade, iced tea and ice water. You won’t be able to get a full meal here, but it will give you a little fuel on the go.

There are also complimentary light bites like fruit cups and pastries in the morning, soft drinks and a good selection of alcoholic beverages — though those are not free. Domestic beer is $15 and Heineken is $15.50. Napa Cellars Chardonnay, Daou Rosé and Franciscan Estate Sauvignon Blanc are all $19. Cocktails from Grey Goose or Dobe Ace start at $21.

 

Be sure to grab a free Chase-branded baseball cap, a pair of socks or a tote bag, and head to the back of the lounge to get your name embroidered on it when you arrive.

It’s a fun swag moment, though be prepared for a line. You can pick up the item later on a rack out front.

The lounge wasn’t totally packed when I was there this time, but as you can see from the photos from 2023, it can get crowded.

How to get in to the Chase Lounge at the U.S. Open

It’s not easy to get access, however. As in years past, all Chase cardholders are eligible, including those with the Chase Sapphire Reserve®, Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, Chase Freedom Unlimited®, Ink Business Cash® Credit Card and IHG One Rewards Premier Business Credit Card.

To access U.S. Open benefits as a Chase cardholder, you need reservations or to join the waitlist at ChaseGetsYouCloser.com.

Unfortunately, reservations were not easy to get even if you tried to sign up for the first day they were available. Most folks get added to a waitlist instead. Chase representatives said they have been able to open the lounge to some on the waitlist, but you shouldn’t count on it. Hopefully, you’ll get lucky and get a spot.

Once you check in and enter the lounge, you’ll receive a wristband that allows you to enter, leave and reenter the lounge. However, it’s capacity-controlled, so you may need to wait for reentry if the lounge is at capacity.

The lounge is right inside the East Gate entrance of the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. It’s not far from the entrance you would use if taking the subway or the Long Island Rail Road.

Fortunately, it’s not the only opportunity for Chase cardholders to have that VIP feeling at the tournament.

Chase Terrace at the US Open

I actually preferred the Chase Terrace to the Chase Lounge since it was out in the open air and had incredible views of several tennis courts. Of course, it wasn’t too hot when I was there, so your experience may differ.

Access is on a first-come, first-served basis exclusively for Chase cardholders.

You’ll check in on the ground floor, get a bracelet and walk upstairs. The Chase Terrace will be on your left.

The terrace sits on an outdoor hospitality area with sweeping views of three tennis courts and a few cash bars. The bleachers allow folks to sit and watch the matches. Complimentary lemonade, iced tea and water is available here as well.

There’s a full bar here, with mixed drinks for purchase. Among the offerings is a Grey Goose Honey Deuce for $23, or you can get a 20% discount on the signature drink from Chase partner Dobel Ace — the Dobel Spicy Margarita for $17.60.

There’s also a refreshment stand with grab-and-go snacks like Skinny Pop popcorn.

 

One other very popular feature was the IHG cobranded amenities bar.

Guests can pick one treat from the bar, including a fan, hand sanitizer, Evian face mist or even fancy La Roche-Posay sunblock.

There are also several shaded areas set up with soft-cushioned lounge chairs. Last year, I heard one woman say she really felt like a VIP in the space. Indeed, I would have been happy to spend a few hours here.

You do not need to make a reservation to enter the terrace, and it does not close between day and evening sessions. It’s open 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Again, it’s a great spot to watch a match or two.

Flash your Chase card for free swag

On the way to the Chase Terrace entrance are a few more Chase-branded areas, including the “Magic ATM” which dispenses swag instead of money. Among the prizes are fanny packs, sunglasses, fans, seat upgrades and more.’

There was also a great feature that lets you pretend you just won the U.S. Open. We had TPG’s Caroline Tanner try it out, and there were smiles all around.

Chase charging centers

Another cool feature from Chase is the charging centers, where you can text a code to Chase and get a fully charged power bank to keep your mobile phone going all day. A charger pops out once you’ve texted the number on the screen. Once you are done, you are asked to drop it off at one of the multiple big blue mailbox-looking stations all over the grounds. You’ll find these charging centers all over the U.S. Open campus and at the main lounge.

Chase Sapphire at Seaport

If you can’t make it to Queens but want a little taste of the experience, Chase created another lounge on the rooftop of Pier 17 in Manhattan’s Seaport neighborhood. The lounge offers seasonal cocktails, exclusive menu items, a dedicated seating area, games and charging stations. You’ll need to show your Reserve card to enter.

The Chase Sapphire Reserve Lounge at The Seaport is located at 19 Fulton Street in New York City.

Chase also offers concerts and other events during the summer at Pier 17 in Manhattan, including a live recording session with Tennis Hall of Fame member Andy Roddick on Aug. 28, 2024. Go to Chase’s events website for tickets

Related: Amex cardholders get these 6 perks at the US Open Tennis Championships

Bottom line

There’s a lot to do at the U.S. Open, even if you don’t have tickets to any actual matches. There are sponsored venues galore, and you can access some cool free extra perks if you’re a Chase customer.

Reservations are sold out for the Chase Lounge, but you can put yourself on the waitlist. In my opinion, though, the Chase Terrace is the real gem. It allows you to get close to the tennis action even if you can’t score tickets to a match or get into the Chase Lounge.

Related reading:

• • The best credit cards for airport lounge access
  • Complete guide to Chase Sapphire airport lounges — and how to get access
  • The 7 do’s and don’ts in an airport lounge
  • 7 domestic lounges that are worth going out of your way for
  • The best Chase credit cards

Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information.

World of Hyatt is one of the few hotel loyalty programs that still has award charts. Although World of Hyatt uses dynamic pricing for Mr & Mrs Smith properties, it still publishes and uses fixed award charts for its others. The program also maintains different award charts for all-inclusive resorts and Miraval resorts.

Hyatt implemented peak and off-peak pricing in October 2021. So award nights can vary in cost slightly for a specific property depending on whether your stay is peak, standard or off-peak. Let’s take a closer look at each of the Hyatt award charts.

Standard rooms at Hyatt hotels and resorts

Here’s the current Hyatt award chart for booking standard rooms at Hyatt hotels and resorts (excluding all-inclusive resorts, Miraval resorts and Mr & Mrs Smith properties):

Hotel category	Off-peak points per night	Standard points per night	Peak points per night
1	3,500	5,000	6,500
2	6,500	8,000	9,500
3	9,000	12,000	15,000
4	12,000	15,000	18,000
5	17,000	20,000	23,000
6	21,000	25,000	29,000
7	25,000	30,000	35,000
8	35,000	40,000	45,000

You can also book a Points + Cash option at some properties. With Points + Cash, you pay 50% of the points required based on the chart above and get 50% to 70% off the standard rate for the room type you’re booking.

You can book standard awards, including Points + Cash awards, online. When these rates are available, you’ll see them when you check the “Use Points” box before searching.

Related: 22 best Hyatt hotels in the world

Club rooms at Hyatt hotels and resorts

You can book club rooms at some Hyatt hotels and resorts for slightly more points than standard rooms. Club rooms provide access to the hotel’s club lounge, which typically offers complimentary breakfast, snacks, drinks and appetizers.

Here’s the Hyatt award chart for club rooms at Hyatt hotels and resorts (again, excluding all-inclusive resorts, Miraval resorts and Mr & Mrs Smith properties):

Hotel category	Off-peak points per night	Standard points per night	Peak points per night
1	5,500	7,000	8,500
2	10,500	12,000	13,500
3	14,000	17,000	20,000
4	18,000	21,000	24,000
5	24,000	27,000	30,000
6	29,000	33,000	37,000
7	34,000	39,000	44,000
8	45,000	50,000	55,000

When available, you can book club rooms online using points. Check the “Use Points” box and look past the standard room awards listed under the “Rooms” tab on the results page.

Related: New Hyatt hotels where you can get 500 extra points per night

Suites at Hyatt hotels and resorts

You can also book suites using Hyatt points. Here’s the award chart for booking standard suites and premium suites at Hyatt hotels and resorts (again, excluding all-inclusive resorts, Miraval resorts and Mr. & Mrs. Smith properties) that offer these room types:

Hotel category	Off-peak points per night	Standard points per night	Peak points per night
1	6,500 (standard suite) 7,000 (premium suite)	8,000 (standard suite) 10,000 (premium suite)	9,500 (standard suite) 13,000 (premium suite)
2	11,500 (standard suite) 13,000 (premium suite)	13,000 (standard suite) 16,000 (premium suite)	14,500 (standard suite) 19,000 (premium suite)
3	17,000 (standard suite) 18,000 (premium suite)	20,000 (standard suite) 24,000 (premium suite)	23,000 (standard suite) 30,000 (premium suite)
4	21,000 (standard suite) 24,000 (premium suite)	24,000 (standard suite) 30,000 (premium suite)	27,000 (standard suite) 36,000 (premium suite)
5	29,000 (standard suite) 34,000 (premium suite)	32,000 (standard suite) 40,000 (premium suite)	35,000 (standard suite) 46,000 (premium suite)
6	36,000 (standard suite) 42,000 (premium suite)	40,000 (standard suite) 50,000 (premium suite)	44,000 (standard suite) 58,000 (premium suite)
7	43,000 (standard suite) 50,000 (premium suite)	48,000 (standard suite) 60,000 (premium suite)	53,000 (standard suite) 70,000 (premium suite)
8	56,000 (standard suite) 70,000 (premium suite)	61,000 (standard suite) 80,000 (premium suite)	66,000 (standard suite) 90,000 (premium suite)

You can also use the Points + Cash feature when booking suites. As with standard rooms, the Points + Cash rate allows you to pay 50% of the points required for a free night and get 50% to 70% off the standard rate for the suite type you’re booking.

You can book suites online using Hyatt points, but you must contact Hyatt to book one using Points + Cash.

Related: The best Hyatt beach hotels in the US

Room upgrades on paid stays

You can redeem Hyatt points for room upgrades on paid stays at some hotels and resorts. Here’s how many Hyatt points you’ll need to redeem for each upgrade type:

• Club upgrade: 3,000 points per night
• Standard suite upgrade: 6,000 points per night
• Premium suite upgrade: 9,000 points per night

You can book new stays online but must contact Hyatt to upgrade an existing paid stay using points. You may need to meet minimum room type and rate requirements to upgrade your reservation. You’ll usually need to pay the standard rate for at least a deluxe room at Hyatt resorts and a standard room at a hotel that is not a resort.

Related: Best Park Hyatt hotels, according to Globalists

All-inclusive resorts

In April 2022, Hyatt introduced a new award chart for stays at its all-inclusive resorts. The following award chart now applies to stays at Hyatt’s Inclusive Collection brands:

All-inclusive category	Off-peak points per night	Standard points per night	Peak points per night
A	12,000 (standard room) 18,000 (club room) 21,000 (standard suite) 24,000 (premium suite)	15,000 (standard room) 21,000 (club room) 24,000 (standard suite) 30,000 (premium suite)	18,000 (standard room) 24,000 (club room) 27,000 (standard suite) 36,000 (premium suite)
B	17,000 (standard room) 24,000 (club room) 29,000 (standard suite) 34,000 (premium suite)	20,000 (standard room) 27,000 (club room) 32,000 (standard suite) 40,000 (premium suite)	23,000 (standard room) 30,000 (club room) 35,000 (standard suite) 46,000 (premium suite)
C	21,000 (standard room) 29,000 (club room) 36,000 (standard suite) 42,000 (premium suite)	25,000 (standard room) 33,000 (club room) 40,000 (standard suite) 50,000 (premium suite)	29,000 (standard room) 37,000 (club room) 44,000 (standard suite) 58,000 (premium suite)
D	25,000 (standard room) 34,000 (club room) 43,000 (standard suite) 50,000 (premium suite)	30,000 (standard room) 39,000 (club room) 48,000 (standard suite) 60,000 (premium suite)	35,000 (standard room) 44,000 (club room) 53,000 (standard suite) 70,000 (premium suite)
E	35,000 (standard room) 45,000 (club room) 56,000 (standard suite) 70,000 (premium suite)	40,000 (standard room) 50,000 (club room) 61,000 (standard suite) 80,000 (premium suite)	45,000 (standard room) 55,000 (club room) 66,000 (standard suite) 90,000 (premium suite)
F	42,000 (standard room) 55,000 (club room) 70,000 (standard suite) 85,000 (premium suite)	50,000 (standard room) 64,000 (club room) 80,000 (standard suite) 100,000 (premium suite)	58,000 (standard room) 74,000 (club room) 90,000 (standard suite) 115,000 (premium suite)

Hyatt’s award night rate only includes two people at all-inclusive resorts. So, as you can see in the following chart, you’ll need to use more points if you plan to bring a third or fourth person to your Hyatt all-inclusive award stay.

All-inclusive category	Off-peak points per person for the third or fourth guest	Standard points per person for the third or fourth guest	Peak points per person for the third or fourth guest
A	6,500	7,500	8,500
B	8,500	10,000	11,500
C	10,500	12,500	14,500
D	13,000	15,000	17,000
E	17,000	20,000	23,000
F	22,000	25,000	29,000

Based on the points cost for additional guests, a family of four might prefer redeeming Hyatt points for two rooms with two guests each instead of one room with four guests.

Related: The 16 best Hyatt all-inclusive resorts in the world

Miraval resorts

Three Miraval resorts are open and bookable with Hyatt points: Miraval Arizona Resort & Spa, Miraval Austin Resort & Spa and Miraval Berkshires Resort & Spa. The award chart is the same, regardless of which Miraval property you book:

Award type	Off-peak points per night	Standard points per night	Peak points per night
Standard room	40,000 (single occupancy) 57,500 (double occupancy)	45,000 (single occupancy) 65,000 (double occupancy)	50,000 (single occupancy) 72,000 (double occupancy)
Standard suite	65,000 (single occupancy) 82,500 (double occupancy)	75,000 (single occupancy) 95,000 (double occupancy)	85,000 (single occupancy) 107,000 (double occupancy)
Premium suite	95,000 (single occupancy) 112,500 (double occupancy)	105,000 (single occupancy) 125,000 (double occupancy)	115,000 (single occupancy) 137,000 (double occupancy)

Every award night at Miraval includes meals, snacks, a $175 resort credit per person, fitness classes and wellness activities. You can book the Berkshires location online, but you’ll need to contact Hyatt to book stays at the other locations with points. Points + Cash rates are available at Miraval properties as well.

If you frequently stay with Hyatt, remember you can select a Miraval extra night award through the Hyatt Milestone Rewards program at the 100-, 110-, 120-, 130-, 140- and 150-night milestones.

Related: 17 best all-inclusive resorts in the US

Frequently asked questions

How many Hyatt points do you need for a free night?

You need 3,500 Hyatt points to book an off-peak award night in a standard room at a Category 1 Hyatt property. However, an off-peak Category 1 night could cost just 1,750 Hyatt points plus a cash copay if you book a Points + Cash rate.

What is a Hyatt point worth?

Based on TPG’s August 2024 valuations, a Hyatt point is worth 1.7 cents.

How can you earn Hyatt points?

There are many ways to earn Hyatt points, including paid stays, the World of Hyatt Credit Card and the World of Hyatt Business Credit Card.

However, a quick way to boost your balance is to transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards points to Hyatt, transfer Bilt Rewards Points to Hyatt or buy Hyatt points. Another World of Hyatt member could also transfer Hyatt points to your account.

Related: These are the best Hyatt Category 4 hotels, according to Globalists

Bottom line

The World of Hyatt award chart can be overwhelming since you can book multiple room types with points, each costing a different amount. Plus, you’ll need to redeem different point amounts for peak, standard and off-peak nights. However, this can be good once you get a handle on the award charts. You can still find great value even if you prefer to stick to the low end of the Hyatt award chart.

Related reading:

• 5 easy ways to maximize Hyatt award redemptions
• Which credit card should you use for Hyatt stays?
• World of Hyatt elite status: What it is and how to earn it
• Your ultimate guide to Hyatt’s hotel brands
• Best hotel credit cards

What do you do with a drunken sailor? If you’re Disney, you call him Jack Sparrow and send him rappelling down a ship funnel, of course.

Pirate Night, Disney Cruise Line’s ode to all things pirate, is a wonderful way to enjoy some outdoor fun during your next DCL sailing. In true Disney fashion, this event features costumes, themed games and parties, character appearances that can vary by ship, and a few other surprises along the way.

If this sounds like fun, that’s because it is. Whether you’re planning for all-in participation or you’re just curious about what Disney Pirate Night entails, here’s the rundown.

What is Disney Cruise Line Pirate Night?

Pirate Night on Disney cruises is just that — a night dedicated to marauder mischief, capitalizing on the fact that you’re on a ship at sea. What better place to celebrate all things pirate-related?

Events kick off in the afternoon when kid-friendly game shows start up in the onboard lounges. Shenanigans carry through to the evening when passengers might choose to don pirate garb at dinner in one of their ship’s three main dining rooms. After that, they can head out to the pool deck for fun under the stars.

Festivities are offered on most voyages, once per sailing; check your ship’s Personal Navigator daily schedule for details.

Disney cruise Pirate Night activities and events

So, what can Pirate Night participants expect?

After a round of family-friendly fun and games, the bash continues with themed menu items at the onboard restaurants during dinner. Cruisers can choose from dishes like Jolly Rogers Barbecue Rib Salad, Pirates Gold-en Pot Stickers or even Chilled-to-the-Bone Honeydew Melon and Watermelon Soup from menus fashioned to resemble treasure maps.

When passengers make their way out onto the pool deck, they’ll find a host of family-friendly games led by Disney cast members dressed in themed gear. They aim to hype up the audience, which is usually shoulder-to-shoulder, before characters appear as part of a giant pool deck party.

The general premise is that some sort of villain emerges to wreak havoc and ruin the good time everyone is having on board, only to be thwarted by the hero of the show. The latter is either Pirate Mickey, who zip lines between the top deck and the funnel in his buccaneer best to stop Captain Hook, or Jack Sparrow, who rappels down the funnel to take on a gang of sinister plundering picaroons.

A fireworks show often immediately follows most performances, weather permitting. (Disney Cruise Line is the only one that offers fireworks on nearly every voyage. Note that some sailings — including Alaska and Northern Europe itineraries — do not have fireworks.)

Oh, and remember: Costumes are encouraged. Whether you choose simply to wear the free bandana the line doles out to each passenger or you bring your very own custom-made ensemble that makes you look like a dead ringer for Blackbeard himself, you certainly won’t feel out of place.

If you feel like splurging on the smallest pirates in your group, make an appointment at the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, found on all Disney Cruise Line ships. For a handsome fee — one you thankfully won’t have to pay in gold doubloons — stylists will dote on your kiddo, offering up costumes, swords, scars, eye patches, earrings and other accessories for a look that’s fit for a plunderer.

Which Disney Cruise Line ships have Pirate Night?

Pirate Night occurs once on nearly every cruise on Disney ships. Here are more specifics about what to expect from each vessel’s event.

Disney Wish Pirate Night

On Pirate Night, Disney Wish offers family-friendly games, a pirate-themed dinner and a nighttime pool deck show called the Pirate’s Rockin’ Parlay Party. There, passengers can gather in their pirate costumes to watch as Captain Redd — billed by the line as “a descendant of the famous red-headed rogue from the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction” — and several of her pirate friends put on one heck of a performance set to well-known rock ‘n’ roll hits.

Keep an eye out for Jack Sparrow, who might just make an appearance. Additionally, the show is followed by fireworks.

Disney Fantasy Pirate Night

During Pirate Night, Disney Fantasy offers a packed schedule of activities, ranging from a pirate-themed dinner and family-friendly games to costumed pool-deck fun. Expect visits from some of your favorite Disney characters, including Captain Jack Sparrow, who rappels down the ship’s funnel before the ship lights up the sky with fireworks.

Disney Dream Pirate Night

Disney Dream‘s Pirate Night is similar to the show on Disney Fantasy. Captain Jack Sparrow appears to save the ship from a band of rogue pirates, leading up to a brilliant fireworks display.

Preceding these outdoor festivities are afternoon game show activities, a pirate-themed dinner and games for the whole family.

Disney Magic Pirate Night

Brace yourself for some nostalgia because, on Disney Magic, Pirate Night consists of appearances by cast members dressed as pirates who dance alongside the infamous Captain Hook. As he tries to make the night all about him, Mickey Mouse swoops in on a zip line to save the party and kick off the fireworks show.

Earlier in the day, cruisers can enjoy family-friendly games and a pirate-themed dinner.

Disney Wonder Pirate Night

Pirate Night, Disney Wonder’s pirate-themed bash, consists of afternoon family games and activities that carry through the night after the ship’s pirate-themed dinner.

Out on the pool deck after dark, pirate lovers can expect the same show they’d see on Disney Magic — one where Captain Hook is bested by Pirate Mickey. Just before Mickey introduces the fireworks, he glides across the top decks on a zip line.

Disney cruise Pirate Night FAQ

Does Disney Cruise Line still have Pirate Night?

Yes, Disney Cruise Line ships offer Pirate Night once on nearly every voyage, weather and itinerary permitting.

How do I know if my Disney cruise has Pirate Night?

Since almost all Disney Cruise Line voyages have Pirate Night, your ship will likely host one on your sailing.

Do adults dress up for Pirate Night on Disney cruises?

Yes, adults are just as into dressing up as their children are. And if you’re a Disney adult who doesn’t have kids, you’re encouraged to dress up, too.

Does Disney Cruise Line give you bandanas for Pirate Night?

Yes, all passengers on Disney Cruise Line ships will receive a free bandana as a souvenir. So, even if you forget to pack your pirate costume, you can still join in the fun.

Planning a Disney cruise? We’ve got you covered with these “ARRR”-ticles:

• The ultimate guide to Disney Cruise Line
• The best Disney Cruise Line sailings for every traveler
• Disney Cruise Line’s Castaway Club loyalty program
• Types of Disney Cruise Line ships explained
• Disney Cruise Line’s Oceaneer kids club
• Ways to save money on a Disney cruise
• The best destinations to visit on a Disney cruise
• Disney Cruise Line tips and tricks
• Disney Cruise Line ships, newest to oldest
• Disney Cruise Line ships, biggest to smallest
• Disney Cruise Line drink packages

Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information

In 2022, Choice Hotels began its Sweet Spot Rewards promotion. This promotion lets Choice Privileges members enjoy discounted award nights at featured hotels during certain stay periods.

The previous version of this promotion ended almost two months ago, but Choice Privileges recently released a new set of properties in some appealing locations for stays through Nov. 30. Here’s what you need to know to maximize Choice Hotels’ Sweet Spot Rewards.

Choice Sweet Spot Rewards properties

Choice Privileges doesn’t have a typical award chart, nor does it use standard dynamic pricing. Instead, Choice sets award rates for each property based on the date range and the day of the week you stay. But because of the Sweet Spot Rewards promotion, Choice Privileges members can book discounted award nights at select hotels for stays through Nov. 30.

The current promotion separates properties by vacation type, so I’ll do the same. The following sections explain the featured hotels and their discounted redemption rates through Choice Hotels’ Sweet Spot Rewards.

6 beach properties

• Myrtle Beach, South Carolina: Country Inn & Suites By Radisson, Myrtle Beach, SC for 16,000 points per night on Sunday through Thursday nights and 25,000 points per night on Friday and Saturday nights
• Fernandina Beach, Florida: Surf and Sand Fernandina Beach at Amelia Island, Ascend Hotel Collection for 20,000 points per night on Sunday through Thursday nights and 25,000 points per night on Friday and Saturday nights
• Half Moon Bay, California: Quality Inn Half Moon Bay/Miramar Beach for 25,000 points per night
• Rehoboth Beach, Delaware: Comfort Inn Rehoboth Beach for 25,000 points per night
• Piney Point, Maryland: Island Inn & Suites, Ascend Hotel Collection for 25,000 points per night
• Miami Beach, Florida: Radisson Resort Miami Beach for 35,000 points per night

You can book several room types with Choice points at most properties. For example, you can book an oceanfront room at the Radisson Resort Miami Beach for the same number of points as a standard room.

7 hotels near parks

• Caldwell, Ohio: Comfort Inn & Suites for 10,000 points per night on Sunday through Thursday nights and 12,000 points per night on Friday and Saturday nights
• Russellville, Arkansas: Comfort Inn & Suites Russellville I-40 for 12,000 points per night
• Cotulla, Texas: Comfort Suites Cotulla Near I-35 for 12,000 points per night
• Loves Park, Illinois: Quality Inn & Suites Loves Park Near Rockford for 12,000 points per night on Sunday through Thursday nights and 16,000 points per night on Friday and Saturday nights
• Stoughton, Wisconsin: Quality Inn & Suites Stoughton — Madison South for 12,000 points per night on Sunday through Thursday nights and 20,000 points per night on Friday and Saturday nights
• Elkins, West Virginia: Tygart Hotel, Ascend Hotel Collection for 16,000 points per night
• Orono, Maine: Black Bear Inn, Ascend Hotel Collection for 20,000 points per night on Sunday through Thursday nights and 25,000 points per night on Friday and Saturday nights

5 hotels for family fun

• Orlando: Clarion Inn & Suites Across From Universal Orlando Resort for 10,000 points per night on Sunday through Thursday nights and 12,000 points per night on Friday and Saturday nights
• Kalamazoo, Michigan: Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Kalamazoo, MI for 12,000 points per night on Sunday through Thursday nights and 16,000 points per night on Friday and Saturday nights
• Los Angeles: Tilt Hotel Universal/Hollywood, Ascend Hotel Collection for 25,000 points per night
• Cape Canaveral, Florida: Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Port Canaveral, FL for 25,000 points per night
• Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin: Atlantis Family Waterpark Hotel, Ascend Hotel Collection for 25,000 points per night

At the Atlantis Family Waterpark Hotel, Ascend Hotel Collection, you can even book a room with two queen beds and two single bunk beds that can sleep up to six adults when redeeming Choice points.

And at the Clarion Inn & Suites Across From Universal Orlando Resort, you can book a suite with two queen beds that sleeps up to six adults for just 10,000 points per night on weeknights.

3 casino hotels

• East Chicago, Indiana: Ameristar Casino Hotel East Chicago for 12,000 points per night on Sunday through Thursday nights and 30,000 points per night on Friday and Saturday nights
• Baton Rouge, Louisiana: L’Auberge Casino Hotel Baton Rouge for 20,000 points per night on Sunday through Thursday nights and 35,000 points per night on Friday and Saturday nights
• Detroit: Hollywood Casino at Greektown for 20,000 points per night on Sunday through Thursday nights and 35,000 points per night on Friday and Saturday nights

You can book multiple room types when redeeming Choice points at these three casino hotels. For example, you can reserve some executive and river-view room types with points at L’Auberge Casino Hotel Baton Rouge.

3 city-center hotels

• Philadelphia: Cambria Hotel Philadelphia Downtown Center City for 25,000 points per night
• Somerville, Massachusetts: Cambria Hotel Boston Somerville for 30,000 points per night
• Chicago: Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel, Chicago for 30,000 points per night on Sunday through Thursday nights and 35,000 points per night on Friday and Saturday nights

4 hotels in international locations

• Stratford Upon Avon, United Kingdom: Clarion Hotel Charlecote Pheasant for 10,000 points per night on Sunday through Thursday nights and 12,000 points per night on Friday and Saturday nights
• Levis, Quebec: Quality Inn & Suites for 20,000 points per night on Sunday through Thursday nights and 25,000 points per night on Friday and Saturday nights
• Kelowna, British Columbia: Comfort Suites for 25,000 points per night
• Roissy en France, France: Clarion Paris CDG Airport for 35,000 points per night

Most guests don’t rate the Clarion Paris CDG Airport highly, as just 14% of previous guests recommend the hotel. But it offers various room types you can book with points, including a two-bedroom apartment with a balcony.

Related: How and why to register for Choice Hotels Personalized Weeknight Benefits

How to earn Choice points

If you want to earn Choice points quickly, you can transfer American Express Membership Rewards points and Capital One miles to Choice at a 1:1 ratio. Cardholders of select Citi credit cards can transfer Citi ThankYou Rewards points to Choice at a more appealing 1:2 ratio, and you can also transfer Wells Fargo Rewards points to Citi at a 1:2 ratio.

If you don’t need Choice points immediately, you may want to open the Choice Privileges® Select Mastercard® ($95 annual fee; see rates and fees) or the Choice Privileges® Mastercard® (no annual fee; see rates and fees) — or a card that earns the transferable rewards mentioned above — and meet the minimum spending requirements to earn the welcome bonus.

You can also earn Choice points through other methods, including the Choice Privileges Eat & Earn dining program. If you have an upcoming paid stay with Choice, check whether any current hotel promotions can boost your earnings.

Related: Quick Points: Unique ways to redeem Choice Privileges points

Bottom line

It’s worth looking at the Sweet Spot Rewards list each time Choice announces a new set of featured hotels.

This round, you’ll find some appealing options on the list of properties you can book at discounted award rates for stays through Nov. 30, including some award-winning properties highly rated by previous guests. For example, the Cambria Hotel Boston Somerville, Comfort Inn & Suites Russellville I-40 and Quality Inn & Suites Stoughton — Madison South all won the Gold Award, which is an honor given to top hotels based primarily on “Likelihood to Recommend” scores given by previous guests. Meanwhile, the Quality Inn & Suites in Canada won the Platinum Award reserved for hotels with even higher “Likelihood to Recommend” scores.

TPG’s August 2024 valuations peg the value of Choice points at 0.6 cents per point, so 10,000 points are worth around $60 and 25,000 points are worth around $150. Even the hotels that cost 35,000 points per night would only require you to redeem about $210 worth of points per night — which can be a great steal for some destinations and room types.