David Swanson

Feb 11, 2025 | themeetingmagazines.com | David Swanson

When it comes to selecting the ideal meeting location for a major client conference, Las Vegas is a no-brainer for its wide variety of dining, entertainment and activities. The city’s world-class resorts encompass more than 156,000 rooms. The Harry Reid International Airport is located just two miles from the Strip and features 1,100 daily flights to more than 150 cities. Las Vegas also holds three of the 10 largest convention venues in the country.

Jan 5, 2025 | travelandleisure.com | David Swanson

Unfriendly clouds loomed as the Star Breeze eased out of the lagoon. The wind and the swells picked up, and the seas turned a milky blue. I was chatting about the impending weather with some other passengers when Captain Simon Terry’s voice came over the P.A. “The tropical storm has developed into a cyclone,” he announced, adding that it would soon lash the Society Islands — exactly where we were headed. “It’s going to be very windy, very wet, and not very pleasant,” he intoned.

Dec 14, 2024 | travelandleisure.com | David Swanson

Holland America Line, one of the most storied names in cruising, has come a long way since 1873, when it was founded in Rotterdam. The line’s first vessel, a steam and sail ship that often crossed the North Atlantic, was named after the city. As the company grew, it would carry more than 850,000 immigrants to the U.S. between 1880 and 1920. And during World War II, Holland America ships transported nearly 400,000 Allied troops.

Oct 18, 2024 | ace.aaa.com | David Swanson

For the cruise industry to achieve genuine sustainability, it’s going to take much more than swapping out colorful plastic straws from cocktails on the lido deck. Cruise Lines International Association, the trade group that represents most of the industry, has ambitiously pledged to become carbon-neutral by 2050. But how will that look and feel on board?

Jun 25, 2024 | travelagewest.com | David Swanson

Jordan Bernstein joined Virgin Voyages in February 2018, coming onboard the team at the conceptual stage for Scarlet Lady, the first ship from the brand, which launched in 2020. Now, the line’s fourth ship, Brilliant Lady is scheduled to arrive in 2025. I sat down with Jordan Bernstein, the director of food and beverage operations for Virgin, to learn more about how the line’s culinary program was developed, and how it has since emerged as one of the brand’s hallmark assets.