The world's farthest frontiers continue to be reimagined with this month's round-up of luxury travel news, showcasing Aman's ultra-elegant yacht and The Ritz-Carlton's treetop sanctuaries in the Masai Mara. From cruise terminals reaching incredible new scales to PONANT's polar circumnavigation of Antarctica, we take a look at what's new in the world of luxury travel.
Etihad Airways is poised to revolutionize short and medium-haul flights with its brand-new Airbus A321LR. This game-changer echoes their long-haul luxury with the unprecedented introduction of private First Suites alongside flat-bed Business Class and enhanced Economy. As Etihad charts its ambitious "Journey 2030," this ten-strong fleet expansion, connecting Abu Dhabi to sixteen new destinations from Algiers to Zurich, signals a commitment to elevating every passenger's journey.
Spring 2025 campaign for Hapag-Lloyd Cruises is focusing on individual travel experiences of the highest standards, with a focus on destinations such as the USA & Caribbean, the Indian Ocean, Antarctica, the South Seas & South America, and Scandinavia in winter. The campaign will centre on moving motifs, emotional imagery, and the ships that were once again named the world's best cruise fleet by Insight Guides 2025 with a five-star rating.
A new chapter in old-money elegance is unfolding as One&Only stakes its claim in the hills of the Hudson Valley, a landscape once gilded by the Rockefellers, Vanderbilts and Astors. Perched amid postcard views and patrician pasts, the brand's latest enclave – just 35 ultra-exclusive residences – will see the revival of the valley's role as a sanctuary of sophistication, where city fatigue gives way to luxury.
Nanuku Resort Fiji has emerged from a $12 million renovation just in time for its 10th anniversary. The resort combines barefoot luxury with Fijian soul – think carved wood, ocean hues and raffia-lit lounges. This reimagining encompasses everything from toes-in-the-sand dining at Nuku Bar to the serene exclusivity of the new adults-only Dancing Vonu.
France reaffirms its gastronomic supremacy in the 2025 MICHELIN Guide, with chefs Hugo Roellinger and Christopher Coutanceau earning three stars in the latest edition. Other new stars highlight a growing appreciation for regional produce, fresh talent and thoughtful innovation, while Paris quietly reasserts its influence with a wave of new, creative openings.
Korean Air is rolling out a number of enhancements – from plush Prestige lounges to a refined Premium Economy that replaces the relics of First Class on its 777s. As the airline prepares to absorb Asiana and claim the skies as Korea's singular flagship, it's swapping outdated conventions for new, upgraded elegance.
The Ritz-Carlton is set to swap skyscrapers for savannah with the launch of its first-ever safari camp, nestled along the Sand River in Kenya's iconic Masai Mara. The camp features 20 tented treetop suites – each with private decks, plunge pools and open-air lounges – designed to immerse guests in the rhythms of the bush.
MSC Group has opened the world's largest cruise terminal in Miami, spanning over 492,000 square feet and capable of welcoming 36,000 passengers a day. This sleek, high-tech hub signals MSC's deepening commitment to the US and Caribbean, and sets a bold benchmark for the cruise industry.
A new digital arrival and departure system has been rolled out for travellers at VC Bird International Airport in Antigua. The new portal at arriveantigua.com enables travellers to pre-submit their details and spend less time queuing at the airport. Passengers can use the website on their phone or tablet to take a photograph of their passport, which lets the form pre-fill essential details.
Aman's first luxury yacht, Amangati – Sanskrit for "peaceful motion" – will have just 47 suites, a jazz club, Aman Spa, and beach club. This floating retreat promises refined intimacy and understated opulence. Powered by green technologies and designed by SINOT, Amangati will glide through the Mediterranean, offering curated voyages and private charters that echo Aman's signature stillness.
Jumeirah has revealed plans to open a new hotel and two new sets of residences in Dubai. The hotel, Jumeirah Asora Bay, will be on the La Mer South peninsula and feature 103 rooms and suites, as well as 20 villas. Elsewhere, in Dubai's business district, Jumeirah Residences Emirates Towers will feature 754 units that range in size from one to four bedrooms.
Seabourn has unveiled its "2027 World Cruise: Australia & South Pacific Panorama," a 145-day roundtrip voyage from Miami that will chart an extraordinary journey through some of the world's most captivating regions in the South Pacific, Australia, New Zealand and South America. Sailing between Jan. 5 and May 30, 2027, the award-winning Seabourn Quest will travel nearly 34,000 nautical miles and visit 67 destinations in 19 countries.
Emerald Cruises has unveiled a major multi-ship expansion for 2027, building on the momentum of Emerald Kaia and Emerald Astra. The brand is introducing two new superyachts and one new European river ship – including its first-ever vessel on the iconic Seine River – as part of an ambitious growth strategy.
Impression Isla Mujeres by Secrets, a Hyatt Inclusive Collection resort, has been named The Most Instagrammable Hotel in the World for 2025 by luxury trade publication, Luxury Travel Advisor. Following the resort's first victory in this contest in 2024, Impression Isla Mujeres by Secrets is now one of only two resorts to secure two consecutive wins in the history of the competition.
SLS Hotels has landed in Europe with flair, unveiling its Barcelona outpost on the sun-drenched Port Forum waterfront – just steps from the sea and minutes from the city's heart. With 471 rooms boasting marina views, sculptural bathrooms and breezy balconies, the hotel masterfully combines its Mediterranean ease with the brand's signature edge.
PONANT is set to embark on a historic first for expedition cruising with the launch of its first-ever Antarctica circumnavigation cruise in early 2028. Charted by seasoned captains and shaped by a spirit of discovery, the journey will commence from Ushuaia westward and return via the eastern shores after a stop in Hobart.
