Story Archive

BLOG: No Surprise: Crystal v 2.0 Delivers Culinary Excellence - With a Few New Twists

Seatrade Cruise News- October 16, 2024

When Crystal restarted operations in 2023 after being acquired by the well-regarded (and well-capitalized) Abercrombie & Kent Travel Group, the luxury line’s intensely loyal clientele had high hopes that the brand experience would return to its previous lofty standards upon the relaunch of Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity.

Las Vegas’ Lip Smacking Foodie Tours a Gourmet Value Proposition

Travelmarket Report- October 16, 2024

During their average three-night stay in Las Vegas, clients typically aim to prioritize their time—and vacation budget—by choosing wisely when booking restaurants, shows, spa services, and attractions.

These Are the Top 8 Chinese Restaurants in Las Vegas

Travelmarket Report- September 16, 2024

As the Las Vegas fine-dining scene has broadened and matured over the years, gourmet Chinese restaurants have become a key draw for the city’s casino-resorts, which compete for the increasingly-sophisticated palates of high-rollers, business travelers, and leisure guests.

Massive, New Atomic Golf Leads Explosive Growth of Las Vegas’ Golf Entertainment Sector

Travelmarket Report- August 16, 2024

Once again demonstrating that Las Vegas not only rides the crest of a wave, but dominates by super-sizing it, the city is suddenly awash in golf entertainment venues, led by the massive, new Atomic Golf complex adjoining The Strat Hotel, Casino & Tower.

BLOG: Explora Journeys' Culinary Equation: Quality + Quantity = Epicurean Delight

Seatrade Cruise News- July 22, 2024

If there was any doubt that the MSC Group would commit the money and talent necessary to ensure that the culinary program aboard their new Explora Journeys luxury brand would achieve parity with – or even exceed – that of the competition in the industry’s top sector, that doubt was swiftly erased after my experience on a recent voyage aboard Explora I.

Upgrades, Enhancements, Location Make Vegas’ Plaza Hotel & Casino a Good Bet Downtown

Travelmarket Report- July 15, 2024

Until a few years ago, downtown Las Vegas was primarily defined by the Fremont Street Experience – the blocks-long, casino-and-entertainment district covered by the impressive Viva Vision canopy.

Bigger, brighter, tastier: Review of Princess Cruises’ new Sun Princess

Travelweek- June 21, 2024

ONBOARD SUN PRINCESS — I’ll admit that I had my doubts about whether the size of Princess Cruises’ new Sun Princess – the first vessel in the line’s new Sphere Class – would compromise the quality of the onboard product.

More of Las Vegas’ Top Dayclubs and Pool Parties for 2024

Travelmarket Report- June 20, 2024

Although pool season in Las Vegas begins in March, the dayclub/pool party scene is really just heating up now – along with the weather – as the city’s top venues compete to attract partygoers willing to pop in for bottle service, food, daybeds, and cabanas while enjoying tunes from top DJs and live artists.

The Top Las Vegas Dayclubs and Pool Parties for 2024 (Part I)

Travelmarket Report- June 18, 2024

Cirque du Soleil’s Iconic “O” Still a Draw in Vegas – 25 Years In

Travelmarket Report- May 9, 2024

Attaining longevity in the Las Vegas hospitality and entertainment realm is neither a given nor easy. After all, if a product doesn’t work here, it gets yanked out, replaced, or, in the most extreme cases, imploded.

Horseshoe’s Jubilee Tower Becomes the Versailles Tower at Paris Las Vegas

Travelmarket Report- April 15, 2024

In what may be the first instance of a Las Vegas casino-resort tower being transferred between two properties, Horseshoe Las Vegas’ Jubilee Tower has now become the Versailles Tower at Paris Las Vegas – without actually moving an inch…

MSC World Europa Offers Sneak Peek at MSC World America

Travelmarket Report- April 4, 2024

MSC Cruises boldly calls MSC World Europa “the future of cruising,” and after spending a week aboard the vessel in early March, we can attest that the boast isn’t just marketing hype.

BLOG: Beverage Programs Hyper-Focused on Bar Takeovers, Sustainability, Vineyard-Specific Pairings and Exotic Teas

Seatrade Cruise News- April 3, 2024

David Yeskel, who has covered the cruise industry for over 25 years – often writing with a focus on F&B topics – shares his experiences from several recent sailings in a series of stories for Seatrade Cruise.

Las Vegas’ Upscale Food Halls: the Class of 2024

Travelmarket Report- March 11, 2024

As further proof that Las Vegas’ upscale food-hall trend is barreling along on a sharply upward trajectory, these four new eateries are testament to the fact that new and existing properties are eschewing the iconic Vegas buffet in favor of multi-ethnic food halls that promise something for everyone – cooked to order.

BLOG: New Onboard Dining Concepts Making a Splash

Seatrade Cruise News- March 6, 2024

Unexpected Luxury at New Off-Strip Durango Casino & Resort

Travelmarket Report- February 13, 2024

Locals-focused casino resorts fill a niche in Las Vegas that many visitors may not be aware of – or appreciate, but these off-strip properties play a significant role in the Las Vegas metro area’s gaming and hospitality sector.

BLOG: Specialty Restaurants Mature, Evolve With Sophistication

Seatrade Cruise News- January 24, 2024

What to Expect From Holland America’s New Morimoto By Sea Dining Experience

TravelAge West - January 24, 2024

Celebrity-chef branded restaurants at sea have typically served a dual purpose: to draw attention to cruise lines’ culinary programs by creating demand from new-to-cruise guests, and simultaneously satisfying brand-loyal passengers with tantalizing new options.

The Wait Was Worth it for Fontainebleau Las Vegas

Travelmarket Report - January 19, 2024

The opening of the 67-story, 3,644-room Fontainebleau Las Vegas in December was the culmination of an incredibly long and winding financial road, stretching back to February 2007, when construction began – just in time for the Great Recession to put a halt to the unfinished project two years later.

More of 2023’s Best Bets in Las Vegas Hotels, Dining, Shows & More

Travelmarket Report - December 14, 2023

The Las Vegas hospitality sector didn’t just survive the pandemic, it came roaring back in 2023 with new and upgraded products designed to lure ever more visitors to the city’s accommodations, food-and-beverage outlets, casinos, shows, and attractions. And because there were so many outstanding products spawned by the continuous innovation that defined the Las Vegas tourism sector this past year, this story will run in two parts.

2023’s Best Bets in Las Vegas Hotels, Dining, Shows & More

Travelmarket Report - December 12, 2023

Stretched for success: Windstar’s enhanced Star Plus class ships now cruising’s best-kept secret

Travelweek - December 11, 2023

ONBOARD STAR BREEZE — Windstar Cruises’ US$250-million Star Plus Initiative – a pandemic-era investment that stretched the line’s three power yachts to add 50 suites, two additional restaurants, new and enlarged public areas and completely redesigned cabin bathrooms – was certainly impressive in its scope and breadth.

Resorts World Las Vegas More Than the Sum of its Parts

Travelmarket Report - November 20, 2023

The opening of Genting Group’s $4.3 billion Resorts World Las Vegas project in mid-2021 marked the culmination of a long and often arduous development process, while simultaneously kick-starting a revitalization of the then-moribund North Strip area. Now that the minimally Asian-themed resort has two-plus years of experience, it’s a good time to take stock of the property’s current offerings and assess its place within the Las Vegas hospitality landscape.

An Inside Look at Enchanted Princess' Upgraded Onboard Cuisine

TravelAge West - November 4, 2023

What a difference a year makes. When I sailed on the inaugural voyage of Discovery Princess in spring 2022, nearly everything about the sixth (and final) ship in Princess Cruises’ Royal Class was impressive — except for the cuisine. With a few exceptions, I felt the culinary experience was not up to the line’s previous lofty standards.

Three Small Las Vegas Shows Worth a Look

Travelmarket Report - October 12, 2023

In the Las Vegas show ecosphere, the grand spectaculars on the Strip justifiably draw lots of attention. After all, Strip entertainment juggernaut Cirque du Soleil’s six beautiful shows and celebrity music residencies at Caesars Entertainment and MGM Resorts’ showrooms draw massive crowds to the city – especially on weekends. But some of Vegas’ more intimate shows, featuring incredible talents that have honed their craft over decades, deserve notice.

The Top Gourmet Buffets Return to the Las Vegas Strip

Travelmarket Report - September 13, 2023

During the dark, early days of the COVID-19 pandemic’s complete shutdown of the Las Vegas hospitality sector, the city’s casino-resort managers were relatively sure of one thing: self-service buffets were unlikely to return. After all, the mere specter of hundreds of guests crowded together, hovering over food displays while sharing serving utensils was enough to dampen thoughts of a buffet resurgence.

What to Expect at Las Vegas' New Sphere Entertainment Venue

TravelAge West - September 10, 2023

The Las Vegas hospitality and entertainment business can be a cruel mistress. Just when a casino-resort or attraction operator believes they have the biggest, baddest, coolest (fill in the blank) on the Strip, something new comes along that’s bigger, badder and, yes, cooler. That something is now Sphere, and it may be a while before it’s dethroned as “the next big thing.”

What's New at Wynn Las Vegas: Luxury in Focus

Travelmarket Report - August 15, 2023

Catering to the demanding needs of today’s luxury travelers isn’t easy, which explains why management at Wynn Las Vegas continuously strives to refresh, improve and update the property’s hospitality products to ensure they maintain a level of quality equal to – or better than – their peers in Vegas’ competitive, top-end niche. The following is a roundup of notable enhancements that surfaced at the property in the last year and a half.

What's New at MGM Resorts' Las Vegas Properties

Travelmarket Report - July 13, 2023

The only dependable constant in Las Vegas is change, and it seemingly occurs almost daily here. Even the COVID-19 pandemic couldn’t stop – or slow down – MGM Resorts’ relentless stream of hospitality product launches, updates and enhancements. The last couple of years have been full speed ahead for MGM’s Vegas portfolio, as the following highlight reel aptly illustrates.

The SAHARA Las Vegas Returns to Relevance

Travelmarket Report - June 12, 2023

Once legendary in Las Vegas – home base to The Beatles, Liberace, Elvis, and other mid-century luminaries – the SAHARA slowly faded into irrelevance during the ‘80s and ‘90s, finally closing in 2011.

One Year In, Mad Apple Parties on at New York-New York

Travelmarket Report - May 19, 2023

The travel industry’s early pandemic shutdown in 2020 was a particularly brutal hit for Las Vegas. After all, the mega-resorts and mega-conventions that define the city represented the exact antithesis of the quarantine ethos.

Review: MSC Meraviglia

TravelAge West - April 30, 2023

While the steady pace of new ship deliveries in the cruise industry over the past 10 years has been impressive, the comparatively meteoric growth of MSC Cruises during the same period is unprecedented.

Horseshoe Las Vegas Rebrand Focuses on Gaming, Food, and Value

Travelmarket Report - April 17, 2023

Playing the hotel name-game in Las Vegas requires a bit of history – and, of course, context – especially when it comes to the recent rebranding of Bally’s Las Vegas into Horseshoe Las Vegas.

NEW SHIP REVIEW: The 4,540-passenger MSC Seascape “is a stunner”

Travelweek - March 13, 2023

ONBOARD MSC SEASCAPE — When I sailed on MSC Divina during her 2015 stint in Miami, MSC Cruises’ seasonal deployment of one mid-sized vessel hardly caused a ripple in the massive Caribbean cruise market.

Innovation, Infusion & Cutting-Edge Tools Propelling Onboard Beverage Evolution

Seatrade Cruise News - March 9, 2023

David Yeskel, shares the exciting new beverage trends he’s experienced on board several recent sailings.

Las Vegas Food Hall Trend Fills a Niche

Travelmarket Report - March 9, 2023

The Las Vegas hospitality sector’s propensity for invention – and more importantly, reinvention – certainly helps to drive about 40 million annual visitors to the city. And the cutthroat competition on the Strip not only ensures a nonstop parade of new and upgraded accommodations, shows, and attractions; but it has also turned Sin City into a world-class culinary destination.

F&B Sustainability at Sea a Work in Progress

Seatrade Cruise News - February 16, 2023

Trends, Talent and Increased Food Spend Driving Onboard Culinary Options

Seatrade Cruise News - January 25, 2023

David Yeskel, with over 25 years of experience in the cruise industry, shares his F&B dining experiences on board several recent sailings.

Caesars Entertainment Delivers on LV Strip Enhancements, Upgrades

Travel-Intel - January 18, 2023

Caesars Entertainment, with nine casino-resorts in Las Vegas, must continually upgrade and enhance its hospitality offerings in order to stay relevant on the hyper-competitive Strip. And despite the pandemic, Caesars Entertainment powered on to deliver enhancements, upgrades and new dining outlets at its properties. Here’s the latest on what the country’s largest gaming operator has recently introduced, and what’s on tap for the near future.

Celebrity Solstice: Asia’s Loss is LA’s Gain

Travel-Intel - December 12th, 2022

Celebrity Solstice is cruising into action as cruise lines bring their fleets back into service. Some vessels’ scheduled for home ports abroad are being relocated where original schedules and itineraries may not be practical – or necessarily desirable – right now.

Recent Sailing on Carnival Panorama is Proof: Carnival is Back, Along with All the Fun – Travel Week, Oct. 11, 2022

Most U.S-based cruise lines have now returned their entire fleets to service. But for some the onboard experience has lagged behind due to a variety of reasons – COVID protocols, staffing shortages and port restrictions, among others.

Cruise Cuisine: Top 10 Don’t-Miss Dishes on HAL’s Newest Ships – Travel-Intel, Sep. 9, 2022

Offering what is arguably the finest cuisine in the cruise industry’s premium segment, Holland America Line’s (HAL) ships are a literal feast for the senses, largely thanks to the vision and creativity of Rudi Sodamin, HAL’s longtime Master Chef, who oversees the line’s culinary program.

Wynn Las Vegas Award Tour: Review – Travel-Intel, Aug. 22, 2022

Wynn Las Vegas continues to makes its mark on the Las Vegas hospitality landscape that is already rich with high-end, luxury hotels, pampering spas and gourmet restaurants. But apparently Wynn’s stand-outs are strong enough to gain the continued attention of the prestigious Forbes Travel Guide.

The Best Dayclubs and Pool Parties in Las Vegas for Summer 2022 – TravelAge West, Jul. 10, 2022

Las Vegas may have seen two relatively quiet summers over the past couple of pandemic years, but for 2022, the pool party/dayclub scene is heating up fast. The city’s top venues are once again competing to attract partygoers willing to shell out for bottle service, food, daybeds, cabanas and bungalows while enjoying tunes from top DJs and live artists.

MedallionClassTtech Powers Discovery Princess Inaugural – Travel Week, Apr. 18, 2022

If my experience sailing on the inaugural voyage of Princess Cruises’ Discovery Princess last month was a harbinger for the cruise industry’s embrace of cutting-edge technology, I can’t wait to see what’s next as the line’s MedallionClass tech platform matures.

What’s New in Las Vegas for 2022 – TravelAge West, Apr. 11, 2022

While many of the world’s top resort destinations effectively remained in suspended animation during the COVID-19 pandemic, Las Vegas’ famed hospitality sector continued to evolve, innovate and improve over the last two years. Following are a few of the most notable recent product introductions and enhancements by The Strip’s two largest casino-resort operators: MGM Resorts International and Caesars Entertainment.

Oceania Cruises Puts the Focus on Fine Food – TravelAge West, Feb. 05, 2022

In what could be called a doubly delicious comeback, Oceania Cruises’ recent return to service leans heavily into the line’s epicurean ethos with updated restaurant menus; new 24-hour, in-room dining options; gourmet ice cream; intimate wine-pairing dinners; copious amounts of Maine lobster; and a new “Souffle of the Day” — further raising the bar for the competition in the industry’s upper-premium segment.

Princess Cruises Stages Royal Comback on West Coast – Travel-Intel, Dec. 15, 2021

As cruise ships start sailing again with the industry laser-focused on safety, cruise lines must carefully balance that overarching goal with the need to satisfy their guests with an experience at least equivalent to — or greater than — the pre-pandemic standard. It’s certainly not easy, but Princess Cruises seems to have found that sweet spot, based on my recent 7-day voyage on Majestic Princess from L.A. to Mexico.

An Inside Look at Seabourn’s Successful ‘Bubble’ Restart in the Caribbean – TravelAge West, Nov. 04, 2021

After stressing over the meticulously prescribed health declarations and medical protocols necessary to board Seabourn Cruise Line’s Seabourn Odyssey in Barbados for its 2021 restart, the sheer normality of the actual onboard experience was a surprising relief.

Cruise Now? “Cruise Guru” Says Yes! – Business Traveler USA, Oct. 16, 2021

As guests stepped aboard Seabourn Odyssey in Barbados for her first, return-to-service cruise late this summer, their arrival signaled the kickoff of a successful restart for the ultra-luxury cruise line in the Caribbean. But that wasn’t all.

Hotel Check: Virgin Hotels Las Vegas part of Curio Collection by Hilton – Business Traveler USA, June 23, 2021

All Chambers (Virgin’s term for its hotel rooms) and suites feature the company’s patented, ergonomically-designed “Virgin Hotels Signature Bed,” conceived as a way to work comfortably by using a padded headboard (conveniently set at a 120-degree angle) to facilitate sitting up with a laptop.

Virgin Hotels in Las Vegas: Insider’s Glance – Business Traveler USA, June 22, 2021

Business Traveler USA reporter David Yeskel interviewed Richard “Boz” Bosworth, President and CEO of JC Hospitality, owner of Virgin Hotels Las Vegas as well as Joe Hasson, Casino General Manager for Mohegan Sun Casino Las Vegas at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas at its May opening…

Seas of Tranquility – Private yacht charters refine the art of social distancing – Business Traveler USA, Sept. 30, 2020

In recent years, upmarket travelers have gravitated to small-ship ocean and river cruising, both of which offer the sought-after combination of relative intimacy, personalized service, gourmet, prepared-to-order cuisine and soft adventure excursions.

Top Deck: Luxury Cruising is Launching New Designs and Extraordinary Experiences – at Sea, on the Rivers and Ashore – Business Traveler USA, Feb. 28, 2020

In a seemingly never-ending game of one-upmanship, luxury cruise lines are raising the bar on their offerings – from cuisine and accommodations to onboard service and active adventures ashore – in an attempt to woo new-to-cruise guests while holding onto repeat customers. And fortunately for travelers, this high-stakes maritime battleground shows no sign of abating.

Cruise Review: Oceania Cruises Insignia – TravelAge West, Feb. 9, 2020

I knew that Oceania Cruises was unofficially dubbed the “foodie cruise line,” but what I didn’t realize — until I was onboard the reimagined Insignia — was how deeply the company’s culinary ethos permeates the entire experience. It’s certainly not an exaggeration to say that dining is the primary focal point on Oceania’s ships, and the guests on my sailing stayed true to that theme by buzzing about what they’d eaten the previous night — and what was on tap for tonight.

Incredible Innovation at Sea: What’s New Aboard Seabourn Cruises, Holland America Line and Norwegian Cruise Line – Gluten-Free Living, Dec. 24, 2019

Possibly more than any other segment of the travel industry, the cruise sector adheres to the well-worn maxim that sharks live by: keep moving or die. That forward progress – in cruise ship design, operation, culinary prowess (including gluten-free options), and service delivery – implies innovation on a scale and at a pace unrivaled by land-based resorts.

Sailing with Celebrity Cruises on the Pacific Coast – TravelAge West, October 13, 2019

Once seemingly considered an afterthought by cruise lines — or merely a seasonal repositioning necessity — West Coast cruising has recently come into its own as a legitimate itinerary option.

Culinary Heaven at Sea: Thomas Keller Sails With Seabourn – Tours.com, August 1, 2019

In a never-ending battle for culinary supremacy on the high seas, Seabourn Cruises fired a shot across the bow of the competition in the luxury sector by partnering with Michelin-starred chef Thomas Keller in 2015.

What’s Hot in Las Vegas Right Now – Gluten-Free Living, July 15, 2019

If the ever-shifting sands just outside this desert resort were a metaphor for Las Vegas’ constantly-evolving hospitality landscape, the dizzying changes that have taken place this past year in the city’s casino-resorts would approximate a blinding sandstorm.

Hotel Review: NoMad Las Vegas – TravelAge West, June 6, 2019

I can’t say that I intentionally avoided Monte Carlo Resort and Casino during past trips to Las Vegas. There just wasn’t a compelling reason to visit the Strip property — except, that is, for the little-known Hotel 32, a hotel-within-a-hotel product that resonated with a faithful clientele.

Costa Caribbean Cruise: A Window to Italy – Tours.com, March 1, 2019

I’ll be honest. I knew that a 7-day Caribbean sailing on Costa Cruises’ Costa Deliziosa would be different from competing mass-market ships sailing out of South Florida. I just never imagined it would be that different. In fact, it’s more than a cruise experience; I’d actually describe it as a taste of Italy – just a lot closer to home.

HAL’s – Nieuw Statendam Raises the Bar on Premium Cruising – Tours.com, Feb. 1, 2019

If you were smitten – as I was – by the new, modern look and feel of Holland America Line’s (HAL) Koningsdam upon her debut in 2016, prepare for the love affair to continue with a just-delivered sister ship, Nieuw Statendam.

The 10 Best Gluten-Free Bites in Las Vegas – Gluten-Free Living, Jan. 11, 2019

Luckily for us, special diet accommodation has become de rigueur in Vegas, making the dining experience that much more delicious. Thus, here are my current picks for the 10 best gluten-free bites in Las Vegas.

Family-Friendly River Cruising Aboard AmaViola – TravelAge West, Oct. 14, 2018

As little as five years ago, the terms “river cruise” and “family travel” seemed mutually exclusive, as river cruise operators typically catered to mature guests beyond their child-rearing years. However, that’s now changing, and AmaWaterways is leading the way….

Windstar’s Power Yachts: A Best-Kept Secret – Tours.com, March 15, 2018

Small ship, boutique line Windstar Cruises has always been synonymous with its three sailing ships, gorgeous vessels that give passengers goosebumps when the massive, computer-controlled sails unfurl to the tune of Vangelis’ stirring “Conquest of Paradise”. But a game-changer for Windstar was actually the line’s 2015 acquisition of Seabourn’s original trio of 212-passenger ships, now dubbed the “All-Suite Power Yachts.”

Five Foodie-Fave Cruise Lines that Appeal to Gluten Free Travelers-Gluten Free Living, April 11, 2018

Cruise Guru David Yeskel rounds up 5 foodie-fave cruise lines that go out of their way to appeal to gluten-free travelers with delicious menu options.

A Look at Holland America Line’s New Cuba Sailing-Travel Age West, February 18, 2018

Unwrapping the package of rich history and culture that Cuba presents U.S. travelers is a fascinating, multisensory experience — and one that was demonstrated clearly during my seven-day Authentic Cuba sailing onboard HAL’s Veendam.

2017 Best Bets – Travel Weekly, December 20, 2017