9 surprisingly affordable luxury vacations you can take this spring

Some of the most popular tourist destinations in the world are surprisingly affordable to visit this spring. We found deals on luxe hotels and scouted flight deals to find nine upscale getaways that won’t break the bank. The most affordable luxury destinations this spring include Paris, Amsterdam, and Shanghai. While it might seem like travel …

Southwest Airlines is selling one-way tickets to Hawaii for a little as $49 (LUV)

Southwest Airlines will start flying to Hawaii on March 17. The airline is holding a two-day sale to commemorate the new flights with one-way tickets between the US mainland and Hawaii available for just $49. Tickets for flights within the Hawaiian Islands are on sale for just $29. All sales tickets must be purchased by …

The CEO of Carnival reveals why he doesn’t care about competing with Royal Caribbean to build the world’s biggest cruise ship (CCL, RCL)

In 2018, Royal Caribbean Cruises debuted the world’s largest cruise ship, the 228,081-ton Symphony of the Seas. Carnival Corporation CEO Arnold Donald told Business Insider that he does not care about competing with Royal Caribbean to build the world’s largest cruise ship. Instead, he is concerned with making sure each of Carnival‘s nine brands appeals …

American, United, JetBlue, and Southwest cancel hundreds of flights as a major snowstorm slams the Northeastern US (AAL, LUV, DAL, UAL, JBLU)

Winter Storm Scott has resulted in thousands of delayed or canceled flights in New York, Boston, and others on Monday. Airlines including American, JetBlue, Delta, United, and Southwest have waived rebooking fees at affected airports. Boston was forecast to receive up to 14 inches of snow, with public schools shuttered Monday. More than 700 flights …

My new must-have travel gadget saved me a ton on cell phone data on my last international trip

The Insider Picks team writes about stuff we think you’ll like. Business Insider has affiliate partnerships, so we get a share of the revenue from your purchase. One of the most frustrating things about traveling abroad is figuring out a cost-effective way to use your smartphone while avoiding roaming charges. While there are a few …

Dramatic video shows a British Airways Airbus jet trying to land as strong winds push it from side to side

Dramatic video captured a British Airways jet struggling to land in Gibraltar amid windy conditions on Monday. Amateur video shot from the ground and inside the Airbus A320, show the aircraft swaying from side-to-side. British Airways Flight 492 diverted to Malaga, Spain where it landed safely at 12:40 pm. The Gibraltar Port Authority issued an …

The CEO of Carnival reveals the cruise industry’s biggest challenge right now (CCL)

The biggest challenge the cruise industry faces is convincing more people to take cruises, Carnival Corporation CEO Arnold Donald said in an interview with Business Insider. The total number of cabins on all of the world’s cruise ships amount to less than 2% of the world’s hotel rooms, Donald said. Carnival relies on a variety …

12 travel essentials to reduce stress before, during, and after trips

The Insider Picks team writes about stuff we think you’ll like. Business Insider has affiliate partnerships, so we get a share of the revenue from your purchase. Below, you’ll find 12 products and services — all relatively affordable — that can make a big difference in eliminating common travel stressors, from planning the trip itself …

Take a look inside the best hotel in Europe, a boutique hotel in the heart of Paris with personal butlers, a hidden smoking room, and views of the Eiffel Tower

U.S. News & World Report recently published their annual lists of top hotels around the world. La Réserve Paris was ranked as the No. 1 hotel in Europe, followed by Hotel Sanders in Copenhagen and Hotel Eden in Rome. The 40-room hotel opened in 2015, but has already received accolades due to its luxury suites, …

The CEO of the world’s largest cruise company reveals the advice he would give to his 25-year-old self (CCL)

Carnival Corporation CEO Arnold Donald told Business Insider he made listening to his employees and customers a priority at the beginning of his tenure. If he could give his 25-year-old self advice, it would be to listen. “I would just tell my 25-year-old self to do, hopefully, what I try to do a lot of …

Cruise line workers reveal the grueling schedules they must keep while on the job

Cruise ship employees work demanding schedules. Rather than working traditional five-day weeks, cruise ship employees instead often work for seven days per week for the duration of their contracts, which can run from around two to 11 months. The hours can also be intense, ranging from around eight to nearly 20 hours per day. But …

People are finding hidden cameras on some American Airlines and Singapore Airlines planes. Here’s what that’s about

In-flight entertainment or IFE systems are a ubiquitous part of air travel these days. Recently, passengers spotted cameras built into the IFE systems on American Airlines and Singapore Airlines flights. According to both airlines, the cameras are disabled and will not be activated. Airlines purchase their IFE systems from third-party manufacturers and the cameras were …

Virgin Voyages CEO explains what makes Richard Branson’s new adults-only cruise line stand out from the crowd

Virgin Voyages officially opened for business last week. Sir Richard Branson proudly announced that Virgin Group’s adults-only cruise line will set sail in April 2020. Tom McAlpin is the cruise line’s president and CEO. According to McAlpin Virgin Voyages will stand out for its unique take on luxury, gratuity free policy as well as its …

I used my stockpile of credit card points to fly across the world in business class for under $100 — here’s how I did it

Personal Finance Insider writes about products, strategies, and tips to help you make smart decisions with your money. Business Insider may receive a commission from The Points Guy Affiliate Network. Keeping a balance of miles and points gives you flexibility when you want to book a major trip. Being open with dates and flight times …

I got more than $2,000 worth of value from the American Express Platinum credit card in my first year — despite its $550 annual fee

The Insider Picks team writes about stuff we think you’ll like. Business Insider may receive a commission from The Points Guy Affiliate Network. The Platinum Card® from American Express comes with a much higher annual fee ($550) than most credit or charge cards, which can scare off some people. However, the card comes with enough …

I visited the tallest and longest glass bridge in the world — which spans China’s ‘Grand Canyon’ — and it was a colossal waste of time

The Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon Glass Bridge in China is the longest and highest glass bridge in the world. It gained widespread popularity after opening in 2016 and has been featured in numerous viral videos showing tourists having thrilling and terrifying experiences looking through the glass floor. While the scenery was beautiful, the site was overrun …

Richard Branson reveals what it was like to ride out one of history’s most destructive hurricanes in his wine cellar

Hurricane Irma, which struck the Caribbean and the Southeastern US in September 2017, was one of the largest and most powerful storms in history. Virgin Group founder Sir Richard Branson rode out the storm at his compound on Necker Island in the British Virgin Islands. Branson described the experience as “14 hours of a screaming …

How you can use the Google Translate app to translate languages offline

Use the Google Translate app to translate languages offline with a few simple steps. Download available languages onto the Google Translate app when you have an internet connection and translate words and phrases later without cell service or WiFi. The Google Translate app makes it easier to get by in a country where you don’t …

I pay $1,000 in annual fees for the Chase Sapphire Reserve and the Amex Platinum — and as far as I’m concerned, the math checks out

The Insider Picks team writes about stuff we think you’ll like. Business Insider may receive a commission from The Points Guy Affiliate Network. The Chase Sapphire Reserve and the Platinum Card® from American Express are two of the most popular and rewarding premium credit cards. Although they both have high annual fees, they each come …

Australia is letting people use emojis as an official part of their car license plates

Drivers in Australia can now incorporate an emoji icon as part of their vehicle’s license plates. A choice of five emojis can be added to plates registered in the state of Queensland from March 1, 2019. People can only choose the emojis “laughing out loud,” “winking face,” “cool sunglasses,” “heart eyes,” and “smiley face.” The …

I travel all the time — here are the 10 things I never get on a plane without

The Insider Picks team writes about stuff we think you’ll like. Business Insider has affiliate partnerships, so we get a share of the revenue from your purchase. I travel frequently by plane, train, and bus. Thankfully, since my job often includes testing and reviewing new products, I’ve found more than a few gadgets and accessories …

This futuristic Airbus smart seat prototype may make the future of economy flying a bit less miserable

The Move seat concept was created by London-based design firm Layer for Airbus. The seats are made from lightweight polyester wood smart textile wrapped around an aluminum frame. Electrical currents running through the smart textile allow passengers to control the firmness and the temperature of the seat. Move seats can be adjusted using an app. …

Richard Branson reveals how his new adults-only cruise line Virgin Voyages is going to turn the cruise industry upside down

Sir Richard Branson’s new adults-only cruise line Virgin Voyages is officially open for business with tickets for its maiden voyage in April 2020 available for purchase. Virgin Voyages is a joint venture between Branson’s Virgin Group and Bain Capital. According to Branson, Virgin Voyages will do away with buffets, tips, and all single-use plastics. The …

Steve Jobs and Laurene Powell’s 1991 wedding took place in the same hotel that inspired the set of ‘The Shining’ — here’s a look inside the remote resort

The Ahwahnee Hotel was constructed in 1927, and has retained much of its original decor. The hotel, now called the Majestic Yosemite, is nearly 100 years old and is a National Historic landmark. The hotel has had notable guests ranging from famous actors like Judy Garland to an array of US presidents. Steve Jobs and …

A JetBlue passenger was kicked off a flight and arrested after hitting a crew member because she didn’t want to sit next to a child (JBLU)

A 32-year-old JetBlue passenger was kicked off her flight and arrested in Florida on February 14, according to a local police report. The passenger, Valerie Gonzalez, was upset about her seating assignment, which placed her next to a child. Gonzalez hit a fellow passenger and a gate agent. She was arrested and charged with battery. …

Delta is the first US airline to fly the new Airbus A220 jetliner. Here are its coolest features. (DAL)

Delta Air Lines is the first carrier in the Americas to operate the new Airbus A220 airliner. The Airbus A220, which began life as the Bombardier C-Series, is a state-of-the-art, 100-to-150-seat, single-aisle airliner. Business Insider had the chance to experience the Delta A220’s economy and first-class cabins. We were thoroughly impressed by its style, comfort, …

I flew economy class on Kenya Airways’ flagship 787 Dreamliner to see if ‘the Pride of Africa’ stacks up to the world’s top airlines

Nicknamed “the Pride of Africa,” Kenya Airways is the flag carrier of Kenya and a member of SkyTeam Alliance, operating in 53 cities around the world. It recently launched a direct flight from New York to Nairobi, with plans to up to 20 new destinations in Africa, Europe, and Asia in the coming years. While …