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Beyond Tech

Your Weekend Upgrade

WHAT’S INSIDE:

  • Model Y | Galaxy S25 | Gemini 2.0 Flash | DeepSeek | G1 | Ramp Treasury

  • The Cruise Industry Is Shifting On-shore with a move to private Island resorts

  • "Monsieur" | Haggis | Red Spot Whiskey | grapevine disease

  • Narnia | "FireAid" | "Shifting Gears" | David Lynch | 2024 Photographer of yr

  • Ultra-Strong Armor | Mind » drone | Earth as Reactor | Fusion Record

  • Wellbeing: Anticancer | mini-organs | Lab Meat | Smart fabric wearables

TOP CONSUMER TECH

Tesla Model Y SUV — The redesigned SUV starts from ~$60K. It features a 320-mile range and the most advanced “Full Self-Driving (Supervised)” driving assistance model, a rear-passenger touchscreen and more interior updates.

Samsung — The new Galaxy S25 series has Gemini AI integrations and contextual awareness features. The Ultra is even bigger than its predecessor.

Gemini 2.0 Flash Thinking — This free advanced level math/science model performs at expert level, with 1M token window + a built-in coding bot.

DeepSeek — The Chinese open-source R1 ‘reinforcement learning’ model matches OpenAI o1 reasoning model at 95% less cost.

Even Realities — The $599 G1 smart glasses have no camera or speaker, but they lead the market in their microphone, display tech, translation, teleprompter and more.

Ramp Treasury — An AI-powered business cash mgmt tool with automated balance alerts, liquidity forecasting, and self-driven finance for passive investing.

CocoCay Bahamas owned by Royal Caribbean

FEATURE ARTICLE

The Cruise Industry Is Shifting On-shore

For decades, cruise vacations were synonymous with vast ocean liners gliding between exotic ports. Today, however, the industry is undergoing a transformation, moving toward land-based resorts and private destinations. This shift isn’t just a trend but a calculated strategy reshaping travel and the business of cruising.

The Rise of Private Islands

Private destinations are not new; cruise lines began investing in them as early as the 1990s. In recent years, however, this trend has accelerated, with major operators acquiring and developing exclusive beachfront properties in the Caribbean, Central America, and beyond. These secluded spots offer convenience, safety, and exclusivity, catering to the modern traveler.

Why the Move Ashore?

Several factors are driving the pivot from sea to shore:

  1. Rising Fuel Costs: Fuel represents a significant expense for cruise lines. By focusing on destinations closer to homeports, such as the Caribbean islands near Florida, companies can reduce fuel consumption.

  2. Maximizing Profits: Private destinations allow cruise lines to retain more revenue in-house by bypassing third-party tour operators.

  3. Overtourism and Port Restrictions: Popular ports are capping cruise ship arrivals due to concerns about over-tourism and pollution. By creating private destinations, cruise lines sidestep these limitations.

  4. Meeting Guest Expectations: Private islands deliver curated, safe, and hassle-free experiences. Royal Caribbean’s CocoCay has become a favorite among travelers, generating high returns on its $350 million investment.

Recent Developments

The trend toward private resorts is evident in several high-profile projects:

  • Royal Caribbean: Perfect Day at CocoCay in the Bahamas has set the standard for private island experiences. The company recently added Hideaway Beach and plans to open an all-inclusive beach club in Nassau this summer. Perfect Day Mexico is slated for 2027.

  • Carnival Cruise Line: The $600M Celebration Key in the Bahamas, opening in 2025, will feature resort-style amenities like infinity pools and cabanas.

  • Disney Cruise Line: Disney will debut Lighthouse Point on Eleuthera in the Bahamas this summer, joining its existing Castaway Cay.

  • MSC Cruises: MSC is enhancing its offerings with Explora Journeys and family-friendly ship attractions like water slides and bumper cars.

Benefits and Drawbacks for Travelers

Private resorts offer both advantages and limitations. Pros include curated activities and high-quality amenities, controlled environments, easy access and seamless ship-to-shore transitions. While the cons include extra costs due to lack of competition, limited exposure to local culture and overcrowding in peak seasons.

Business and Investment Opportunities

The shift to land-based destinations presents numerous opportunities:

  • Real Estate Development: Investment in acquiring and developing resort properties in the caribbean will be a growth market due to this new trend.

  • Hospitality Services: Demand for food, entertainment, and recreational services on private islands will be experiencing strong growth.

  • Tech Solutions: Innovations in booking, payments, and guest management.

Sustainability and the Future

While private destinations dominate the spotlight, sustainability remains a pressing issue for the cruise industry. Rising fuel costs and environmental concerns are pushing operators toward eco-friendly practices. Companies are exploring biofuels, hydrogen, and electrification to reduce emissions. Many are also adopting initiatives like waste reduction, water conservation, and responsible tourism to minimize ecological and social impact on destination ports.

FOOD AND DRINK

"Monsieur" — Director Baz Luhrmann and restaurateur Jon Neidich are opening a medieval-punk themed secret bar in NYC's East Village with a movie-like backstory.

Haggis Coming to USMacsween of Edinburgh is developing US-compliant haggis without sheep lung, launching January 2026; the company currently loses $2.4M annually due to US ban.

Red Spot Irish Whiskey — Pair the haggis with a 15-year triple-distilled single pot still whiskey aged in three cask types, featuring fruit and pepper notes with oaky finish.

Pierce's Disease — Scientists are studying bacterial evolution from 120-year-old grapevine samples. The disease causes $100M annual losses in California vineyards.

LA Restaurant Fire Relief — Local restaurants and chefs have united to provide free meals and convert dining rooms into donation centers as wildfires ravage the region.

ARTS & CULTURE

NarniaGreta Gerwig's Chronicles of Narnia adaptation will premiere in IMAX on November 26, 2026, before hitting Netflix on Christmas Day.

"FireAid" — The benefit concert on January 30th has expanded its lineup, adding Olivia Rodrigo alongside Billie Eilish, Lady Gaga, and Stevie Wonder for LA wildfire relief. Multiple benefit concerts are planned nationwide.

"Shifting Gears" — ABC's new sitcom achieved record viewership with 17 million viewers across ABC, Disney+ and Hulu, Up 173% In 7 Days Of Viewing.

David Lynch — The legendary filmmaker has passed away. Vanity Fair reviews his strange and insightful legacy. (TwinPeaks, Blue Velvet, Wild at Heart, Mulholland Drive, The Elephant Man and more.)

2024 Photographer of the Year — The 1839 Awards has announced the eye-catching winners of Its 2024 Photographer of the Year contest.

FUTURISM

Ultra-Strong Armor — US develops record-breaking armor with 100T bonds/cm².

Brain-Computer Interface — Paralyzed man controls virtual drone using thought.

Earth as Reactor — MIT startup Addis plans sustainable chemical production.

Fusion Record — China's ‘artificial sun’ reactor runs 1,006 secs at 180M°F.

WELLBEING TECH

Anticancer Breakthrough — New targeted cancer treatment 20 yrs in research.

Personalized Mini-Organs — Enable rapid testing and drug development for rare diseases; specimens are grown from patients' blood cells into functional tissue.

Lab-Grown Meat — Lab creates indistinguishable artificial premium meat cuts.

Smart Fabrics — New fibers with smell/taste capabilities advance wearables.

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