Latest news with #Norovirus
New York Post
4 hours ago
- Business
- New York Post
Inside the ‘arms race' to win the new luxury cruise ship market
Once viewed by wealthier vacationers as mass market, déclassé venues for watery cocktails, garish waterslides, buffet stampedes and Norovirus outbreaks, cruises are now chic. Everyone from Martha Stewart and Tom Brady to Kendall Jenner and Dakota Johnson was onboard the Ritz's recent launch of Luminara, the hotel brand's new ship, which has been floating around the Mediterranean. Savvy investors and luxury brands are recognizing cruises as the next frontier for high-end travel. Advertisement 5 'There is an arms race between high-end hotels to get into the luxury cruise space,' Jim Murren, CEO of The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection told me. The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection/INSTARimages The billionaire Francois Pinault, whose family has owned French cruise line Ponant for a decade, bought a majority stake in the luxe cruise line Aqua Expeditions earlier this year. Bernard Arnault and LVMH have invested in an Orient Express ship that is currently under construction and set to be delivered next year. Advertisement Following in the Ritz's wake, in 2026, the Waldorf Astoria will wet its feet in the cruise space with a Nile River trip launching, while the Four Seasons will set sail in the Caribbean and Mediterranean. The Aman will hit the high seas with a 50-suite ship in 2027. 'There is an arms race between high-end hotels to get into the luxury cruise space,' Jim Murren, CEO of The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection told me. 5 Martha Stewart was one of the celebrity guests on the recent Ritz-Carlton cruise. Martha Stewart/Instagram For the hospitality companies, it's an easy way to enter a new and growing market — luxe cruises are expected to expand from $10.5 billion this year to $19.8 billion by 2033 according to Business Research Insights — while relying on the safety of their existing brand. Advertisement 'If you're a new entrant who has decided to get into a new product, it is far easier with a known branch attached like a luxury hotel — people will pay 15% more if there is a name like Ritz Carlton attached,' Richard Clarke, a senior analyst for global hotels, cruise lines & online travel at Bernstein told me. 'It is a well trodden path to expand beyond your core product and see what else you can do.' Various luxury hotel companies have recently launched high-end clothing lines, bedding collections, and bags, while branded residences have been popular for years. 5 The Aman will hit the high seas with a 50-suite ship in 2027. Aman 'The fact it's all coming at once is proof the concept works … and the high-end consumer has never been more attractive,' Clarke said. Advertisement Unlike mega-cruise ships, which can't reach more intimate ports and can hold more than 4,000 passengers, most of these high-end vessels are nimble enough to reach harder-to-get-to destinations like St. Barth's in the Caribbean or Capri in the Mediterranean. Ritz's new boat, Luminara, accommodates just 452 guests while another of its ships, Evrima, has room for only 298 guests. The Ritz ships include restaurants designed by Michelin-starred chefs, sprawling suites, extensive spas, infinity pools, marinas with water sports galore and art collections that feature works from Andy Warhol, Henri Matisse and Alexander Calder. 5 Billionaire Francois Pinault owns French cruise line Ponant. Ponant Ponant's ships — which have room for fewer than 40 guests — even offer an underwater lounge with ocean views. Ponant is known primarily for exploring far-flung destinations like Antarctica and the North Pole, while Aqua Expeditions goes to remote rivers like the Amazon and Mekong. The upcoming cruises from the Aman, Four Seasons, the Orient Express and Waldorf Astoria will feature sprawling suites and amenities such as a Japanese Zen garden and a jazz club. This story is part of NYNext, an indispensable insider insight into the innovations, moonshots and political chess moves that matter most to NYC's power players (and those who aspire to be). Most of these trips start around $20,000 per week and go up in price from there depending on factors like the size of your room and how much caviar you order. Advertisement While it's not surprising companies would jump on this growing market, it has surprised me how quickly travelers have embraced it. Just why — apart from a barrage of influencers posting about their trips — are these vacations catching on? 5 Jeff Bezos' sailing boat Koru is one of the largest in the world at 417 feet. AbacaPress / Part of it is very careful branding of these cruises. In marketing materials, the vessels are referred to as yachts not cruise ships. Silver-haired retirees have been swapped out for glam influencers, models, and movie stars. Advertisement 'The fact that yachts are splashed across tabloids makes it seem like it is the kind of vacation you should take,' Clarke noted. For multi-millionaires who dream of being billionaires (or at least scoring an invite on one of their yachts), the new upscale cruise is a way to have a private yacht experience without buying one themselves — ala Jeff Bezos or David Geffen — or paying six figures to charter a vessel. They're perfect for the Instagram era where everyone wants to 'show some rail' — a reference to the myriad photos taken in front of the enclosure on the ship. Advertisement 'It's an entirely new category, designed for travelers who seek the privacy and exclusivity of a yacht charter, paired with the elevated service and amenities of a luxury resort-at-sea,' Murren said. 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CNN
6 days ago
- Health
- CNN
More than 130 passengers fall ill on Royal Caribbean cruise
(CNN) – More than 130 cruise ship passengers reported suffering from a gastrointestinal disease after setting sail from Los Angeles on July 4. The cause of the outbreak has not been determined. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says 134 passengers on Royal Caribbean's Navigator of the Seas — or 3.4 percent of the cruise's total passenger list of 3,900 people — reported feeling ill. Seven members of the crew were also affected, out of a total of 1,266 staff members. The outbreak was reported to the CDC's Vessel Sanitation Program (VSP) on July 11 when the weeklong Royal Caribbean cruise returned to Los Angeles to dock after the trip was over. According to records compiled by the VSP, there have been 18 outbreaks of gastrointestinal illness on cruise ships under the program's jurisdiction so far this year, mainly related to Norovirus. That's the same number of outbreaks reported all of last year, according to incidents logged by the CDC. While it's unclear what caused the outbreak on the Royal Caribbean ship, passengers experienced diarrhea, vomiting and abdominal cramps, the CDC said in a post this week about the Navigator of the Seas outbreak. In April, about 250 passengers on the Queen Mary 2 reported coming down with the highly contagious norovirus. That disease has a reputation as 'the cruise ship virus,' infectious disease expert Dr. William Schaffner, of Vanderbilt University Medical Center, told CNN Travel earlier this year. That's because it spreads easily, and anyone in close quarters — like cruise ships — is extra susceptible. Such outbreaks also frequently occur in schools and jails — wherever large groups of people gather in tight spaces. But the CDC hasn't determined yet if the culprit on the Navigator of the Seas was norovirus. 'The health and safety of our guests, crew, and the communities we visit are our top priority,' a Royal Caribbean Group spokesperson told CNN Travel. 'To maintain an environment that supports the highest levels of health and safety onboard our ships, we implement rigorous cleaning procedures, many of which far exceed public health guidelines.' The CDC says Royal Caribbean reported boosting its cleaning and disinfection procedures and also collected specimens from infected passengers, after isolating anyone who was ill. CNN wellness expert Dr. Leana Wen said that while infectious diseases can be 'very unpleasant,' they typically 'pass within 1 to 2 days.' While the cause remains unknown in this case, Dr. Wen reiterated that precautions such as thorough hand washing are critical. She also noted that norovirus is not killed by alcohol-based hand sanitizers that are commonly used.
CNN
6 days ago
- Health
- CNN
More than 130 passengers fall ill on Royal Caribbean cruise
(CNN) – More than 130 cruise ship passengers reported suffering from a gastrointestinal disease after setting sail from Los Angeles on July 4. The cause of the outbreak has not been determined. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says 134 passengers on Royal Caribbean's Navigator of the Seas — or 3.4 percent of the cruise's total passenger list of 3,900 people — reported feeling ill. Seven members of the crew were also affected, out of a total of 1,266 staff members. The outbreak was reported to the CDC's Vessel Sanitation Program (VSP) on July 11 when the weeklong Royal Caribbean cruise returned to Los Angeles to dock after the trip was over. According to records compiled by the VSP, there have been 18 outbreaks of gastrointestinal illness on cruise ships under the program's jurisdiction so far this year, mainly related to Norovirus. That's the same number of outbreaks reported all of last year, according to incidents logged by the CDC. While it's unclear what caused the outbreak on the Royal Caribbean ship, passengers experienced diarrhea, vomiting and abdominal cramps, the CDC said in a post this week about the Navigator of the Seas outbreak. In April, about 250 passengers on the Queen Mary 2 reported coming down with the highly contagious norovirus. That disease has a reputation as 'the cruise ship virus,' infectious disease expert Dr. William Schaffner, of Vanderbilt University Medical Center, told CNN Travel earlier this year. That's because it spreads easily, and anyone in close quarters — like cruise ships — is extra susceptible. Such outbreaks also frequently occur in schools and jails — wherever large groups of people gather in tight spaces. But the CDC hasn't determined yet if the culprit on the Navigator of the Seas was norovirus. 'The health and safety of our guests, crew, and the communities we visit are our top priority,' a Royal Caribbean Group spokesperson told CNN Travel. 'To maintain an environment that supports the highest levels of health and safety onboard our ships, we implement rigorous cleaning procedures, many of which far exceed public health guidelines.' The CDC says Royal Caribbean reported boosting its cleaning and disinfection procedures and also collected specimens from infected passengers, after isolating anyone who was ill. CNN wellness expert Dr. Leana Wen said that while infectious diseases can be 'very unpleasant,' they typically 'pass within 1 to 2 days.' While the cause remains unknown in this case, Dr. Wen reiterated that precautions such as thorough hand washing are critical. She also noted that norovirus is not killed by alcohol-based hand sanitizers that are commonly used.
NBC News
6 days ago
- Health
- NBC News
Over 140 people on Royal Caribbean cruise sickened by stomach bug outbreak
Over 140 passengers and crew members aboard a Royal Caribbean International cruise ship were sickened by a gastrointestinal illness that led to vomiting and diarrhea, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The outbreak happened on the Navigator of the Seas ship during its July 4 to 11 voyage, the CDC said. The ship sailed from Los Angeles to a few stops in Mexico, including Cabo San Lucas, and back again, according to Gangwaze, which tracks cruise routes. The outbreak was reported to the CDC's Vessel Sanitation Program (VSP) — which works to prevent and control the spread of gastrointestinal illnesses on cruise ships — on July 11. Cruise ships are required to report such outbreaks to the CDC. According to the CDC, 134 out of 3,914 passengers onboard reported being ill during the journey, while seven out of 1,266 crew members reported being ill. Their predominant symptoms were diarrhea, vomiting and abdominal cramps. Following the outbreak, the crew aboard the Navigator of the Seas increased cleaning and disinfection procedures aboard the ship, collected stool specimen from people who reported feeling ill and isolated those who reported feeling ill, the CDC said. The cause of the spread of the gastrointestinal illness is not known at this time, according to the CDC. "Norovirus is often a cause of gastrointestinal illness outbreaks on cruise ships, but we don't always know the cause of the outbreak when we begin an investigation," the CDC said in a report on the outbreak. "Finding the agent that caused an outbreak (causative agent) can take time." People with gastrointestinal illness are asked to give stool or vomit samples, which are then tested to determine the cause, the CDC said. Anyone can contract Norovirus, which is contagious and can cause vomiting, diarrhea, fever and body aches, according to the CDC. Ingesting contaminated food or liquids, having contact with someone who has the virus and touching contaminated objects can cause people to contact it. Most people with Norovirus get better in one to three days, but can still spread the virus two weeks or more afterwards, according to the CDC. People can avoid contracting Norovirus by washing their hands, and washing fruits, vegetables and cooking shellfish thoroughly before consumption, the CDC advises. Once sick with the virus, it is best to stay isolated for two days after symptoms stop. Samples collected from the Navigator of the Seas outbreak are still pending confirmatory testing, according to the CDC.
Yahoo
16-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Opinion: It's Time to Load Up on This Biotech Giant After Its 80% Crash
This stock used to be a highflyer but has struggled in recent years as demand waned for its flagship product. A new era of growth could be right around the corner, offering investors a big opportunity right now. 10 stocks we like better than Moderna › It's difficult to get motivated about buying a stock that's plummeted or a company that seems to be out of favor with the general investment community. But if that company has bright long-term prospects, it's a great idea to stop and take a closer look. Even if a rebound doesn't happen overnight, eventually, elements like demand for that company's products or services and rising earnings should support stock performance. Meanwhile, if you buy the shares while they're down, you will have gotten in on the stock for a bargain -- and can maximize your potential gains. Today, one struggling stock in particular offers you the chance to invest for a song and possibly win big over time. This biotech giant sells what used to be one of the world's most sought-out pharma products and today has a full late-stage pipeline, signaling many possible revenue drivers ahead. In my opinion, it's time to load up on this stock after its 80% crash. Let's find out why. The company I'm talking about is Moderna (NASDAQ: MRNA), maker of one of the world's top selling coronavirus vaccines -- at its peak back in 2022, the vaccine generated a mind-blowing $18 billion in annual revenue. A star of early pandemic days, Moderna not only won in the area of earnings but also in the area of stock performance. Moderna stock soared more than 2,000% from the start of 2020 to its peak in August of 2021. But the Moderna story dimmed in recent years as demand for coronavirus vaccines declined, and as a result, earnings sank. On top of this, investors grew to think of Moderna as a "coronavirus vaccine stock," and therefore considered that this growth story was over as of later pandemic days. Though Moderna has a broad pipeline of candidates across therapeutic areas, the company still is having trouble renewing its identity. This could represent opportunity for savvy long-term investors. Moderna has dropped 80% over the past three years as investors focused on declining coronavirus vaccine sales, but they've been ignoring the new growth opportunity ahead. Moderna aims to launch as many as 10 new products over the coming three years, a move that could be transformational for the company. That's because these potential products span various treatment areas, making Moderna less dependent on one specialty, and would offer the company several sources of revenue. These potential approvals include a personalized cancer vaccine, as well as vaccines for cytomegalovirus (CMV), Norovirus, and more. Through 2026, Moderna aims to build a portfolio of about five respiratory vaccines, and from 2026 through 2028 expand by delivering approvals in oncology, rare diseases, and latent viruses. And by 2028, Moderna expects its cost cutting and growth efforts will result in the company breaking even on an operating cash cost basis and delivering $6 billion in revenue. Now, I know that some investors, comparing this to Moderna's coronavirus vaccine revenue of a few years ago may be disappointed. But it's important to remember that revenue from a pandemic-related product shouldn't be compared to revenue of therapeutics in ordinary times. Pandemics are unusual moments, so they don't make a fair point of comparison. Instead, it's a good idea to look at Moderna's 2028 goals as a new starting point, and ask ourselves where the company will go from there. From that perspective, Moderna once again looks like a growth company, as Moderna's late-stage programs address areas with huge total addressable markets. For example, CMV and Norovirus vaccines would face limited-to-no competition in markets that each could be as big as $5 billion. And the oncology market, one Moderna aims to address with several candidates in development -- is a multibillion-dollar one. So, even if Moderna makes it half of the way to its product launch goal over three years, the growth picture could look very positive. That's why, in my opinion, now is a great time to load up on this biotech giant while it's down -- and then sit back and wait for the new era of growth to start powering the stock higher. Before you buy stock in Moderna, consider this: The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the for investors to buy now… and Moderna wasn't one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years. Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $671,477!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $1,010,880!* Now, it's worth noting Stock Advisor's total average return is 1,047% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 180% for the S&P 500. Don't miss out on the latest top 10 list, available when you join . See the 10 stocks » *Stock Advisor returns as of July 14, 2025 Adria Cimino has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends Moderna. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Opinion: It's Time to Load Up on This Biotech Giant After Its 80% Crash was originally published by The Motley Fool Connectez-vous pour accéder à votre portefeuille
