This week brought an awards night at the Tower of London, hotel brands pushing deeper into cruising, a landmark rail journey, and a fare change that affects anyone flying premium. Here's what matters — and what to do about it.
Regent Seven Seas Cruises takes Best Luxury Cruise Line at the 2026 ULTRAs
Voted by Ultratravel readers and 38 million GHA DISCOVERY members, unveiled October 1 at the Tower of London. The timing couldn't be better: Seven Seas Prestige, Regent's first new ship class in a decade, starts her inaugural season in December — 13 Caribbean and Europe voyages from $6,499 per guest.
Browse Regent sailings: https://www.rssc.com/?insider=03wj0-derek-schemonitz
Hotel brands on the seas
Hotel-branded cruises now make up 5% of Global Travel Collection's future cruise bookings, averaging about $40,000 a booking — roughly four times a traditional luxury cruise. Four Seasons prices its yacht like a resort, meals and drinks à la carte. PortMiami's new schedule adds dates: the Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection's Ilma and the Orient Express Corinthian arrive in November, Four Seasons I in December.
Browse cruise options: https://www.virtuoso.com/advisor/derekschemonitz/travel/luxury-cruises
Le Guanahani changes hands
Rosewood exited on October 1; the St. Barths icon reopens November 1 as Airelles le Guanahani. If you hold stays from November onward, reconfirm reservations, rates, and inclusions with Airelles now — Rosewood-era perks won't carry over. My Virtuoso property page already reflects the new name.
Browse luxury hotels: https://www.virtuoso.com/advisor/derekschemonitz/travel/luxury-hotels
Orient Express unveils a five-day Istanbul–Rome rail journey
Istanbul to Rome via Plovdiv, Sofia, Timișoara, Vienna, and Venice — with three-Michelin-starred Heinz Beck leading onboard dining. Rail is having a luxury moment; this is the one to watch.
Browse luxury tours: https://www.virtuoso.com/advisor/derekschemonitz/travel/luxury-tours
United extends Basic-style fares to first and business class
The cheapest premium tickets no longer include free seat selection — the unbundling I flagged in my latest Short is now coming for the front of the plane. Book premium cabins through an advisor so you know exactly what your fare includes before you pay.
Emirates sends the A350 to Orlando
From November 1, Emirates flies the A350 daily between Dubai and Orlando — its first scheduled A350 service to any US gateway, and the first time its premium-economy cabin appears in the Orlando market. (Emirates also took Best Airline in the World at the ULTRAs.)
Two Hotel openings worth knowing
The Shepherd opens October 5 in Mayfair — 82 rooms from £500 a night, with restaurant Fayre and late-night cocktail bar Teddy's. In Morocco, the restored 19th-century Palais Jamaï Fès reopens this month in the Preferred Legend Collection, with a culinary program from Groupe Alain Ducasse.
Browse luxury hotels: https://www.virtuoso.com/advisor/derekschemonitz/travel/luxury-hotels
Japan's Shinkansen gets private cabins
Central Japan Railway's new Supreme Class adds fully private, lockable cabins to select Tokaido and Sanyo services — ¥42,390 per person between Tokyo and Shin-Osaka. If Japan is on your list (it was just voted favourite holiday country at the ULTRAs), this is the way to ride it.
Browse destinations: https://www.virtuoso.com/advisor/derekschemonitz/travel/destinations
Eclipse chasers: the Nile in 2027
Viking's 11-night Total Eclipse on the Nile departs July 25, 2027 aboard Viking Aton, timed for the August 2 total solar eclipse over Luxor — 6 minutes 23 seconds of totality, the longest on land until 2114. Hotels along the path have been selling out for a year; don't wait.
Browse Viking River Cruises: https://www.vikingrivercruises.com/myagent/schemonitz
Planning any of these? That's what I'm here for — I compare across brands, secure the right room or suite, and stack the perks you'd never get booking direct.
