Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL), a leader in global cruise travel, has announced extensive revitalizations for Norwegian Epic and Pride of America, both scheduled to debut their new enhancements in time for the 2025 summer season. These upgrades aim to give travelers even more freedom, flexibility, and fun with improved accommodations and entertainment for all age groups.

“We are excited to provide guests with MORE to do on board starting this summer,” said David J. Herrera, President of Norwegian Cruise Line. “Delivering the best vacation experience, where guests have the freedom to do more of what they love, is and will always continue to be our goal.”

The Norwegian Epic will complete its three-week dry dock on May 8, 2025, and return with notable additions to its top deck, including a new hot tub on deck 18 and a refreshed Kids’ Aqua Park, which replaces the Splashgolf area. The Vibe Beach Club, an adults-only retreat, will be expanded with more lounge chairs, private cabanas, and an additional hot tub. Also, eight new staterooms—a mix of balconies and oceanviews—will be added.

Following these enhancements, Norwegian Epic will begin a season of bucket-list cruises in Europe. Guests can enjoy nine to eleven-day sailings from Rome to stunning Mediterranean and Greek Isles destinations such as Santorini, Mykonos, Valletta, Naples, Catania, and Florence/Pisa. Later in the year, the ship will return to San Juan, Puerto Rico, for seven-day Southern Caribbean cruises visiting Tortola, St. Lucia, Barbados, and more.

Meanwhile, the Pride of America will undergo upgrades from May 3 to 31, 2025, including a new Starbucks location in The Capitol Atrium and the introduction of pickleball within the existing sports court.

To offer guests more choices, 12 new Club Balcony Suites and three Inside Staterooms will be added to deck 12. The ship’s youth facilities—Splash Academy and Entourage teen club—will be relocated to deck 6, while new Library and Card Room spaces will be added, replacing older venues.

After its dry dock, Pride of America will resume its signature seven-day inter-island Hawaii cruises, the only ones of their kind in the world. Departing from Honolulu 52 weeks a year, this itinerary offers nearly 100 hours of port time with immersive overnight stays in Maui and Kauai, allowing guests to explore four Hawaiian islands in one unforgettable journey.

These upgrades further reinforce Norwegian Cruise Line’s commitment to offering guests enriching and flexible travel experiences tailored to their preferences.

Dusit Hotels and Resorts, the hotel arm of Thailand’s leading hospitality brand Dusit International, is expanding its footprint in Vietnam with the opening of Dusit Le Palais Tu Hoa Hanoi on 9 May 2025. Situated along the peaceful banks of Hanoi’s iconic West Lake, the property promises a refined blend of Thai-inspired hospitality and Vietnamese cultural elegance.

This marks Dusit’s debut in the capital city and its second property in Vietnam, following the success of Dusit Princess Moonrise Beach Resort in Phu Quoc. The new hotel is nestled in the historic Tay Ho district, an area known for its cultural richness and artisanal heritage, and draws inspiration from Princess Từ Hoa, a royal figure celebrated for her contribution to the local silk industry.

A daughter of Emperor Lý Thần Tông, Princess Từ Hoa left the royal palace to teach silk weaving to locals in Nghi Tàm, the very area the hotel now occupies. Her story is woven into the hotel’s design and philosophy, creating a unique retreat that pays tribute to craftsmanship, community, and cultural pride.

The hotel houses 207 elegantly designed rooms and suites offering views of either the West Lake or the Hanoi skyline. Each room blends contemporary luxury with Vietnamese aesthetics, supported by Dusit’s hallmark warm and intuitive service, catering to both business and leisure travellers.

Culinary offerings include Soi Restaurant serving authentic Thai cuisine, Vinci Italian Restaurant and Rooftop Bar with panoramic city views, Phở Lụa for a Vietnamese street-food experience focused on the country’s signature noodle soup, and Dusit Gourmet for pastries, coffee, and afternoon tea. The hotel also features four private dining rooms for exclusive events.

Dusit Le Palais Tu Hoa Hanoi goes beyond accommodation, offering a fully equipped gym, wellness activity spaces, three ballrooms, and a rooftop event venue ideal for weddings, conferences, and social gatherings.

"We are honoured to expand our presence in Vietnam and bring Dusit's distinctive Thai-inspired gracious hospitality to Hanoi for the very first time," said Gilles Cretallaz, Chief Operating Officer, Dusit International. "Inspired by the remarkable legacy of Princess Từ Hoa, Dusit Le Palais Tu Hoa Hanoi is much more than a new hotel—it is a celebration of cultural heritage, artistic spirit, and heartfelt service."

Located on Au Co Street, just 20 minutes from Noi Bai International Airport, the hotel offers easy access to Hanoi’s key cultural attractions, making it a convenient luxury option for global and domestic travellers alike.

To commemorate the opening, Dusit is offering a special Princess' Welcome package exclusively for Dusit Gold members. The offer includes daily breakfast for two, early check-in, late check-out, a welcome drink, complimentary room upgrades (subject to availability), and up to 25% off dining. Dusit Gold membership is free and can be registered online at dusit.com/enrollment.

Dusit Le Palais Tu Hoa Hanoi is poised to become a cultural landmark that honours the past while embracing the future, offering a serene and immersive experience in the heart of Vietnam’s capital.

Abu Dhabi has set a bold target of attracting 39.3 million annual visitors by 2030 as it builds on a strong performance in the first quarter of 2025. Between January and March this year, the emirate recorded 1.4 million hotel guests, contributing to an 18% year-on-year surge in hotel revenue, which reached AED 2.3 billion.

The hospitality sector also saw a 25% jump in revenue per available room (RevPAR), which hit AED 484, while overall hotel occupancy remained steady at 79%, including during the Ramadan period. Top source markets included India, China, Russia, the UK, and the US, demonstrating Abu Dhabi’s wide global appeal.

These figures reflect the effectiveness of the Abu Dhabi Tourism Strategy 2030, which aims to contribute AED 62 billion to the emirate’s economy in 2025 and support 255,000 tourism-related jobs. It also includes plans to expand hotel capacity to 50,000 rooms by the end of the decade.

Speaking ahead of the 32nd edition of Arabian Travel Market (ATM) in Dubai, Saood Abdulaziz Al Hosani, Undersecretary of the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), said, “Our strategic approach to elevating Abu Dhabi as a cultural and tourism destination is delivering tangible results. As we showcase the offerings of our emirate at Arabian Travel Market, we are focused on strengthening partnerships and accelerating progress towards our long-term tourism goals—all while ensuring that Abu Dhabi’s unique cultural identity remains at the heart of everything we offer.”

In 2024, Abu Dhabi saw 3.2 million international overnight visitors and generated AED 7.6 billion in total hotel revenue. The emirate has also significantly ramped up its global presence. From operating in 11 international markets in 2023, DCT Abu Dhabi expanded its reach to 25 markets in 2024, targeting high-potential regions including APAC, Eastern Europe, and the CIS.

One of the key highlights at ATM 2025 is the Experience Abu Dhabi stand, offering immersive showcases of the emirate’s cultural identity. Visitors can explore highlights from the Saadiyat Cultural District, which recently welcomed the opening of teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi. Upcoming institutions in the district include the Zayed National Museum, the Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi, and the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi. Regional destinations like Al Ain and Al Dhafra are also being prominently featured.

With a solid foundation of performance, an ambitious roadmap, and expanding international reach, Abu Dhabi is well on track to becoming a leading global tourism hub.