Trip Planning
MagicMiles now lets users add transportation and lodging
I wrote last year about MagicMiles, a new app that helps users create entire travel itineraries using AI. With its latest update, MagicMiles is getting a much-requested feature: the ability to add transportation and lodging to the travel itinerary.
What’s new in MagicMiles
The new feature turns MagicMiles into a full travel planning app, as it not only suggests itineraries, but also lets you organize transport such as flights and trains, as well as add your accommodation with details such as address and booking number. In addition, users can even add car rentals and other activities.
When it comes to adding flights to the itinerary, MagicMiles also provides real-time updates with important information. According to the developers, real-time train data will be available later this year.
Another change is the addition of photos to itinerary activities, so users can now get a better idea of the activities suggested by the app. There is also the option to set specific times for each activity. Moreover, booking confirmations can now be forwarded directly to MagicMiles, which automatically detects and adds them to the itinerary.
I used the app to plan my last trip to Europe and it provided some really good suggestions.
For a three-day trip to Rome, the app suggested I visit iconic places like the Colosseum, Roman Forum and Trevi Fountain on the first day. Then, for the other days, it chose galleries, museums and other tourist sights. For a single day trip to Madrid, the app suggested starting with the Royal Palace, then visiting other places such as the Museo del Prado, Retiro Park, and Gran Via.
You can try MagicMiles for free for three days. The app requires a monthly or annual subscription. The best part is that the app is available on the App Store for iPhone, iPad and Mac, as well as on Google Play for Android.
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Trip Planning
MSC Cruises to Offer More Miami Departure Ports and Itinerary Options for Winter 2026-2027
Published on
August 7, 2025 |
By: TTW News Desk
For Winter 2026-2027, MSC Cruises will provide guests with an increased choice in new itineraries and more departure ports than ever before. Seven ships will sail from multiple homeports on the Caribbean this winter, with a record four of them departing Miami to meet guest demand for warm getaways in a year-round favorite destination. MSC Cruises MSC Cruises focuses on luxury and adventure as well as exotic locations in the Caribbean and more.
Highlights of the 2026-2027 Winter Season
The Winter 2026-2027 season will showcase a diverse range of itineraries, departing from multiple embarkation ports, offering a variety of cruising experiences. Miami, the company’s primary embarkation hub, will see significant expansions, particularly with the deployment of MSC World America, the flagship ship, which will offer seven-night Caribbean sailings. Additionally, MSC Meraviglia will join the fleet, offering 6- and 8-night Caribbean cruises, introducing an expanded list of exciting destinations.
MSC Cruises is also enhancing its offerings with sailings from Port Canaveral, Galveston, and Seattle, further increasing accessibility to tropical paradises in the Caribbean, The Bahamas, and beyond. A major highlight includes exclusive Panama Canal cruises aboard MSC Poesia, which will be available between Seattle and Miami following the ship’s inaugural Alaska season.
Another exciting feature of this season is the opportunity to visit Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, the private Bahamian island owned by MSC Cruises. Ocean Cay offers pristine white sand beaches, crystal-clear turquoise waters, and a wide array of activities for guests of all ages.
Full Deployment of Ships and Itineraries
MSC World America will be one of the major players in the Winter 2026-2027 season, offering two distinct 7-night Caribbean itineraries. The Western Caribbean cruise will include stops in Isla de Roatan, Honduras; Costa Maya, Mexico; Cozumel, Mexico; and the luxurious Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve in The Bahamas. Meanwhile, the Eastern Caribbean itinerary will feature ports of call in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic; San Juan, Puerto Rico; and Ocean Cay.
MSC Poesia, renowned for its exceptional service and stunning onboard experiences, will offer a 19-night Eastbound Panama Canal MSC Grand Voyage, embarking on September 28, 2026, from Seattle to Miami. The cruise will visit several captivating destinations, including Los Angeles, Cabo San Lucas, Puntarenas in Costa Rica, and Cartagena, Colombia, before making its way through the historic Panama Canal. The MSC Grand Voyage continues with additional 10- and 11-night Caribbean sailings, covering a variety of fascinating ports in the Caribbean and Latin America, from Jamaica and Aruba to the Cayman Islands and Belize.
For those embarking from Galveston, MSC Seascape will offer a week-long Western Caribbean cruise, visiting Costa Maya, Mexico; Roatan, Honduras; and Cozumel, Mexico. Meanwhile, MSC Seaside will depart from Port Canaveral, providing convenient 3- and 4-night Bahamas cruises to Nassau and Ocean Cay.
MSC Meraviglia will also be offering exciting new sailings. Passengers can choose between a 6-night Caribbean and Bahamas itinerary, including stops at Grand Turk in the Turks and Caicos Islands, Puerto Plata in the Dominican Republic, and Ocean Cay, or opt for an extended 8-night cruise visiting destinations such as Philipsburg in St. Maarten, St. Kitts, the US Virgin Islands, and multiple ports in Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic.
From Port Canaveral, MSC Grandiosa will operate 7-night sailings, including both Western and Eastern Caribbean routes. The Western Caribbean itinerary will visit Nassau and Ocean Cay, followed by stops in Cozumel and Costa Maya, while the Eastern Caribbean cruise will feature Nassau, Ocean Cay, and Puerto Plata.
Unique Transatlantic Options
MSC Cruises is also offering a unique transatlantic option in the form of a 14-night Grand Voyage from Barcelona to Port Canaveral aboard MSC Grandiosa, set to depart on October 31, 2026. This special voyage will make stops in Funchal, Portugal, San Juan, Puerto Rico, and Miami before reaching its final destination in Florida, giving passengers the opportunity to experience a broad spectrum of cultures and landscapes across the Atlantic.
A Focus on Sustainability and Exclusive Experiences
As part of its commitment to environmental sustainability, MSC Cruises continues to highlight its dedication to responsible cruising with a focus on sustainable practices and eco-friendly initiatives across its fleet. Passengers will also enjoy access to exclusive destinations such as Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, which offers a pristine natural environment and a range of activities that highlight the beauty of the Bahamas.
MSC Cruises remains at the forefront of providing exceptional travel experiences with an emphasis on luxury, exploration, and creating memories that last a lifetime. Whether passengers are seeking a short getaway to The Bahamas or an extended journey through the Caribbean and beyond, the Winter 2026-2027 itineraries offer a wide range of options suited to all tastes and preferences.
A New Era for MSC Cruises
From new itineraries to record sailings from Miami, and less-visited destinations for its expanding fleet, MSC Cruises is gearing up an unforgettable Winter 2026-2027 season. With destinations and experiences recognized as the best in the world, a dedication to sustainability and inclusive access to unique private islands, travelers can explore with confidence knowing they will experience a premium cruise on all voyages. Moving from the beautiful Caribbean on to the historical Panama Canal, MSC Cruises are changing what luxury cruising represents for a new era of adventurers.
WHY IT RATES: The Canadian tour operator is offering more personalized support for its travel advisor partners. — Lacey Pfalz, Associate Editor, TravelPulse
Fresh Tracks Canada is thrilled to announce the launch of its new Travel Advisor Resource Portal. This comprehensive portal is designed to support travel professionals in helping their client experience expertly curated Canadian vacations and tours. With this new platform, travel advisors can now explore a wide range of sample trip itineraries, submit inquiries, and access customizable marketing tools — everything they need to serve their clients with confidence and ease.
“The Travel Advisor Resource Portal is a game-changer for our partners. It consolidates all the resources advisors need in one place, making it easier for them to share inspiring destination information and trip guides,” said Tamara Mallin, Director of Strategic Partnerships at Fresh Tracks Canada. “My biggest priority at Fresh Tracks Canada is to advance our travel advisor business and this portal is one of many pivotal initiatives. Whether it’s helping advisors plan their clients’ dream vacations or providing customizable marketing materials, we’re committed to supporting our travel advisor partners in every way possible.”
Each Travel Advisor who registers for access to the portal by August 31 , 2025, will automatically be entered to win one spot on an exclusive FAM trip to Churchill, Manitoba from November 10-17, 2025. The winner will travel to the heart of polar bear country and stay in specially designed accommodations at the Tundra Buggy Lodge. This one-of-a-kind lodge gives guests the amazing opportunity to wake up and see bears right outside their window, interact with onboard researchers, and marvel at the night sky, away from the lights of town. (Only one valid registration per travel advisor.)
Through the portal, advisors can instantly access detailed itineraries — including the iconic experiences available through Fresh Tracks Canada’s three distinct travel styles, Canadian Train Vacations, Northern Lights Canada, and Canada Polar Bears — and quickly submit any inquiries to Fresh Tracks Canada’s team of local travel experts. Each sample itinerary can be personalized with service levels, choice of accommodation, extra nights, exclusive tours, and activity level. The portal is also fully equipped with marketing tools, including flyers, maps and travel guides, ensuring advisors can easily promote Fresh Tracks Canada’s unique offerings to their clients, driving engagement and bookings.
To register for the Travel Advisor Resource Portal and learn more about the Tundra Buggy Lodge Give-Away, visit Fresh Tracks Canada Partner Portal.
SOURCE: Fresh Tracks Canada press release.
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Topics From This Article to Explore
August 6, 2025
HANOI – Artificial intelligence (AI), chatbots, and virtual assistants flood into the tourism industry, offering business owners unprecedented opportunities to personalise guest experiences while reducing operational costs.
However, this digital transformation presents both opportunities for the sector and travellers, as well as significant challenges for the industry’s workforce.
Cutting operating costs, increasing revenue
Deputy General Director of Vietravel Huỳnh Phan Phương Hoàng revealed that the company has deployed AI across the three core areas of advertising, customer data analysis, and tour booking consultation.
Chatbot and virtual assistants support itinerary consultation and tour bookings, and provide around-the-clock response across multiple platforms while AI advertising applications have been used to optimise budgets and target the right customers. AI has been also employed to analyse customer data, enabling the delivery of personalised tour recommendations.
Hoàng stressed that the advanced technologies have shown efficiency, with lower operating costs and better customer experience.
According to Marketing Director at Vias Hotel Vũng Tàu Nguyễn Thị Thanh Hà, as the accommodation facilities’ ability to attract and retain guests hinges on the first impression, Vias has digitalised its presentation using 360-degree imagery, helping customers have a better insight into its services and rooms.
AI tools have not only eased the burden on the hotel’s staff but have also helped boost direct bookings by 10 per cent, she said, adding, virtual assistants could communicate in multiple languages, a big challenge for human staff when handling international guests.
N.T.Mai, a hotel and restaurant owner in Đà Nẵng City, said that she used to spend some VNĐ30-40 million (US$1,145-1,527) per marketing campaign on video production to promote her business during peak tourist seasons. However, with AI, high-quality and catchy videos and images are generated within a minute at the cost of just VNĐ300,000 – 500,000 from tech-savvy staff.
With AI helping streamline operations, from real-time pricing adjustments to booking forecasts, Mai said her hotel has reduced its workforce by 30 per cent since late 2024.
Various agencies and businesses in HCM City, Quảng Ninh, Huế, and Đà Nẵng, have adopted smart tourism systems with integrated AI that can suggest itineraries, hotels, and restaurants based on a traveller’s browsing behaviour.
Increasing presence on digital platforms required
The Vietnam Tourism Association said that the defining trend of the sector this year is the rise of hybrid accommodation models that combine new service standard and advanced technologies. Therefore, travel firms must pen measures for digital transformation to thrive.
Hoàng suggested firms focus on three pillars of comprehensive digital transformation, personalisation of experience, and technological integration.
Rather than selling popular products, businesses should use AI and data tools to design packages for different customer segments, while partnering with digital platforms, tourism startups as well as applying AR/VR, digital map, and virtual guides to create distinct experiences.
Echoing this, Hà urged businesses to enhance their digital presence and multichannel engagement and collaborate with reputable brands to protect consumers from increasing online scams.
In the meantime, Nguyễn Thùy Dương, an advisory board member in at the British University Việt Nam’s School of Hospitality and Tourism, laid stress on the need to employ AI to study guests’ behaviours, thus designing market-ready products.
While the marketing team needed 10 persons for visuals and copy in the previous days, today a single well-trained individual with AI tools can do even better, Dương said, highlighting that each enterprise must find its own creative approach.
A study by McKinsey showed generative AI will unlock annual value ranging from $2-4 trillion across various industries. In tourism alone, the global AI market could soar from $92.46 billion in 2023 to more than $379 billion by 2028, with an annual growth rate of 33.9 per cent.
According to a recent Booking.com survey, 50 per cent of Vietnamese travellers said they trust AI for destination recommendations, and 67 per cent will use AI for itinerary planning.
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