Canceled port calls and cash appeals: Inside the final months of the Villa Vie Odyssey's doomed round-the-world cruise
10 min read
My version of a marathon is a 32-mile walk around Manhattan. It's a great way to see NYC.
I've never run a marathon, but I've walked the perimeter of Manhattan, about 32 miles, three times. I'm looking forward to doing it again.
4 min read
I retired early at 31 and left the US for Ecuador. Life is cheaper, and I get more time with my baby.
Johnston Osagie, a former Amazon finance manager, retired early at 31. He moved to Ecuador with his family for a more fulfilling, affordable life.
5 min read
I took a round-trip ferry to a stunning island off the coast of California for $122. It was the perfect day trip.
I took a ferry to a beautiful island off the coast of California. I enjoyed the perks of an upgraded ticket and spent the day exploring the island.
4 min read
Vintage photos show what London looked like 100 years ago
A century ago, London was a bustling city, filled with culture and beautiful architecture. Take a look at what life was like in London in the 1920s.
6 min read
I dined at one of London's most famous Indian restaurants. It was a splurge, but every dish was a hit.
Gymkhana was the first Indian restaurant in London to receive two Michelin stars. It has gained rave reviews and famous fans since opening in 2013.
9 min read
My family of 4 booked the cheapest cruise we could find. It ended up being one of the best vacations we've ever taken.
Booking the cheapest cruise we could find for our family of four paid off. Here's what the food, room, and costs were like on the Carnival Panorama.
6 min read
I booked a staycation at an all-inclusive castle resort and felt like I'd traveled to Europe without getting on a plane
I booked a two-day staycation at Mohonk Mountain House, an all-inclusive resort 90 miles from my home in NYC. It looked like it belonged in Europe.
10 min read
The 15 best cities in the US to celebrate Halloween, ranked
New York City leads WalletHub's Halloween rankings, scoring high in fun and friendliness, which is ideal for festive celebrations.
4 min read
This tiny Oregon town is famous for "Twilight" and "Halloweentown" filming spots. Here are 5 you can visit.
St. Helens is a town of less than 20,000 people, but Hollywood loves it.
3 min read
Exclusive
'I still don't want this to be the end': Read the now-deleted apology Villa Vie's CEO sent to Odyssey residents
Villa Vie Residences CEO Kathy Villalba said in her now-deleted message to residents that she was sorry for the pain guests are facing.
4 min read
I explored the ruins of an abandoned zoo on the coast of Florida. It was overrun by nature, but eerie cages remained.
Crandon Park Zoo was abandoned after hurricanes ravaged the area. Today, wildlife such as alligators and peacocks live freely in the park.
2 min read
I planned to spend decades on Villa Vie's 'never-ending' cruise. I moved in just 26 days before it ground to a halt.
Joel Greiff, 57, moved onto Villa Vie's Odyssey expecting to stay for decades. Less than a month later, residents were told to disembark in Cambodia.
5 min read
My husband and I live on a sailboat. It isn't cheap, but the perks keep winning us over.
My husband and I bought a sailboat to live on full-time. Repairs and maintenance have made it more expensive than we expected, but it's been worth it.
5 min read
I tried the original 1893 brownie recipe at the Chicago hotel that invented it. It was nothing like a boxed mix.
The brownie, a dessert inspired by the Gilded Age socialite Bertha Palmer, was created for the 1893 World's Fair in Chicago. I gave it a taste test.
5 min read
I've checked into more than 20 Four Seasons properties around the world. One of them stood above the rest.
Now that I've checked into more than 20 Four Seasons properties around the world, I know why this hotel knocks the rest out of the park.
5 min read
The most haunted house or building in every US state
From the infamous Amityville Horror House in New Jersey to the Villisca House in Iowa, the US is home to some horrifying places with dark histories.
23 min read
They made a cruise ship their home, then got kicked off in Cambodia. Now their dream life is on hold.
Some Villa Vie Odyssey passengers are now back home. Others are continuing their travels or hoping to sail aboard it again.
6 min read
I'm raising two sets of twins in Vietnam. The chaos suits our family.
Marissa Goldstein finds predictability scary and thrives in chaos. She's happily raising four kids in Vietnam.
5 min read
Exclusive
Read the memo Villa Vie Residences CEO sent to residents as the ship's finances reached a 'critical point'
"The financial need is real, immediate, and necessary to keep Odyssey moving," Villa Vie CEO Kathy Villalba said in an August message to residents.
4 min read
5 business problems that sent the 'never-ending' cruise into a financial spiral
The founder behind the Villa Vie Odyssey told Business Insider that problems piled up this year, starting with the Iran war.
3 min read
Take a look inside the 'never-ending' Villa Vie Residences Odyssey cruise ship stranded in Cambodia
Villa Vie Residences' Odyssey was designed with the idea of residents being able to spend the rest of their days aboard a luxurious cruise ship.
3 min read
I went on my first international trip with a baby and toddler. It would've been a disaster without my in-laws.
After our family's multigenerational international trip to Mexico, I'm only traveling with my young kid and baby if my in-laws are coming with me.
5 min read
I spent 53 hours in a 50-square-foot Amtrak bedroom with a full bathroom. I'd gladly pay $2,200 for it again.
I traveled comfortably on Amtrak's California Zephyr in a private bedroom for $2,200. It was worth the splurge for the longest train ride in the US.
5 min read
Founder of the doomed 'never-ending' cruise speaks out: 'I'm the villain in the story, but I'm doing everything I can'
A "never-ending" cruise was halted because of soaring fuel prices. Its founder, Mikael Petterson, is considering bankruptcy.
7 min read
I recently tried the famous $3.50 dessert on Amtrak. I instantly understood why it has a cult following.
I've traveled nearly 10,000 miles on Amtrak and eaten my way across its routes. The onboard buttercake is the one thing I'd order again.
3 min read
Every US state's fastest-growing small town you probably have never heard of
Across the US, small towns are becoming increasingly popular. Some are rural mountain towns, close to big cities, or desert communities.
10 min read
Oheka Castle, the 127-room Long Island estate that helped inspire 'The Great Gatsby,' has been sold. See inside.
Oheka Castle, which helped inspire "The Great Gatsby," is the second-largest private home in the US.
7 min read
I moved to South Korea with no long-term plan. After 4 years of teaching, I've built an unconventional life on an island.
Kylie Genter moved to South Korea after college to teach English. Now married, she balances several jobs while carrying on a generations-old tradition on Jeju Island.
5 min read
Passengers living on a round-the-world cruise were given 8 hours to pack up their lives and leave the ship in Cambodia
After the Villa Vie Odyssey halted operations, residents say they were left scrambling to find hotels and retrieve their belongings in Cambodia.
6 min read
I've stopped at more than 100 ports on cruises. These 5 have disappointed me the most.
After many trips, there are cruise stops and ports I skip and stay on the ship for, like Costa Maya, Mexico, and parts of the Bahamas, like Nassau.
5 min read
Route 66 turns 100 this year. I visited the ghost towns that once thrived along America's most iconic highway.
Route 66 turns 100 this year. I took a road trip and visited its abandoned motels, forgotten gas stations, and ghost towns in Texas and New Mexico.
I visited an abandoned castle on a New York island that's only accessible by boat. It was hauntingly beautiful.
Bannerman Castle was an arsenal fortress in the early 20th century. Today, the abandoned castle is partially restored and open for tours.
5 min read
I rode Amtrak's new Cascades Airo train. For all its high-tech upgrades, I'm surprised it lacked one rider must-have.
Amtrak's new Airo train is a modern upgrade from its other passenger trains. But it lacked one key traveling element I expected to see.
4 min read
I'm a helicopter pilot in Antarctica. I land on helipads made of ice and navigate high peaks and unpredictable weather.
Quark Expeditions pilot Jonathan Mutch is working his fifth season in Antarctica, flying tourists to see penguins and icy cliffs.
5 min read
The coolest building in every US state, from historic estates to futuristic designs
History, art, and local aesthetics are all reflected in some of America's most unique buildings. Some are prehistoric, and others are futuristic.
13 min read
I quit my job and moved to Florida at 44 to become a Walt Disney World bus driver. It's not prestigious, but I'm finally happy.
Driven by a love for Disney World, I decided to move to Florida at 44 to drive a bus. The health benefits and pension make it all worth it.
5 min read
A 'never-ending' cruise halted operations and told residents to disembark in Cambodia after fuel costs rose over 300%
Villa Vie's promise of a live-in, continuous voyage around the world has hit choppy waters after surging fuel prices squeezed its finances.
4 min read
I paid $900 to upgrade to Delta One to Europe. The suite was like a mini-hotel room, but the food was disappointing.
I loved almost every minute, but the food left me wanting more. Here's why it was still worth the splurge.
7 min read
I moved abroad to pursue my dream job. My mom's health scare brought me home.
Viaano Spruyt first became a caregiver for his father as a teenager. Years later, he gave up the life he'd built abroad to care for his mom.
4 min read
The best cinnamon roll in every state, according to diners
Yelp analyzed reviews to find the best places to try delicious cinnamon rolls — whether they're warm and goey or unique with fall flavors.
17 min read
I've lived in Las Vegas for almost 20 years. Tourists should stop wasting money on these 5 things.
As a local living in Las Vegas, Nevada, I know the city gets expensive. Here are ways to save money, plus things I think visitors waste money on.
4 min read
I've lived in Alaska for over 35 years. Here are 6 mistakes I always see tourists make when visiting the state.
Having lived in Alaska for over 35 years, I've seen tourists make lots of mistakes, like trying to do too much in one trip.
3 min read
The most famous musician of all time from every US state
From Dolly Parton of Tennessee to Prince of Minnesota, every state has its own famous musician.
25 min read
I’ve competed in 21 Hyrox races around the world. These are my 3 favorite host cities.
Lau Wen Loong has been competing in Hyrox races for two years and feels super fit. "I never imagined I could be faster than my younger self."
5 min read
My husband and I moved abroad in our 50s after deciding there was no perfect time to relocate
Leslie Hodgin and her husband decided to stop waiting to move abroad, selling most of their belongings and relocating to the Netherlands.
6 min read
The rise and fall of Route 66
Route 66 was one of America's most popular highways, driving business to small towns. But today, the road and its people have been largely forgotten.
Is it rude to keep the airplane window shades open?
In this Sunday edition of Business Insider Today, we're breaking down the flight etiquette debate that's dividing the internet.
2 min read
My dad is 75. He told me our annual family trips make him feel like he still has a future.
After 12 years of family vacations, I'm confronting the reality that my aging parents won't always be able to travel with us.
5 min read