Story Archive
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
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.
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
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.
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
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. Part II coming soon.
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
What to Expect at Las Vegas' New Sphere Entertainment Venue
TravelAge West - September 10, 2023
What's New at Wynn Las Vegas: Luxury in Focus
Travelmarket Report - August 15, 2023
What's New at MGM Resorts' Las Vegas Properties
Travelmarket Report - July 13, 2023
The SAHARA Las Vegas Returns to Relevance
Travelmarket Report - June 12, 2023
One Year In, Mad Apple Parties on at New York-New York
Travelmarket Report - May 19, 2023
Review: MSC Meraviglia
TravelAge West - April 30, 2023
Horseshoe Las Vegas Rebrand Focuses on Gaming, Food, and Value
Travelmarket Report - April 17, 2023
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
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.
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.