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If you’ve ever tried cramming multiple generations into a standard cruise cabin—or even a high-end hotel room—you know the bedtime struggle all too well.

The kids go down at 8 p.m., which means the adults are instantly trapped whispering in the dark, tiptoeing around suitcases, and scrolling their phones under the covers. Even on beloved family lines like Disney, where heavy privacy curtains separate the bunk area from the main bed, everyone is fundamentally still sharing one open room.

On Royal Caribbean’s newest mega-ship, Legend of the Seas, that old travel frustration has finally met its match.

Having just sailed aboard the ship, what struck me most about this massive vessel—which holds up to 7,600 passengers across eight distinct neighborhoods—was how intentionally the designers worked to engineer moments of spaciousness. They eliminated traditional bottlenecks everywhere: smart elevator banks that cut wait times, wide escalators flowing into the Royal Promenade, and direct stairwells right into the Surfside family neighborhood.

While teens buzz across the pool deck and water park, the adults can sneak off to Central Park for a peaceful glass of bubbly at Bubbles or listen to live jazz at Lou‘s under the open sky. That exact thoughtful design philosophy translates straight into the ship’s new family staterooms.

Related: A First Look at Legend of the Seas, the New Icon-Class Contender for Vacation of a Lifetime

The Bunk Bed Alcove: Giving Parents Their Evenings Back

Meghann Foye

The real stars of the lineup for everyday family travel are the Family Infinite Ocean View Balcony (102 rooms on board) and the brand-new Family Ocean View Balcony (24 rooms on board), which features a classic step-out veranda.

Instead of cramming pull-out sofa beds right next to the king mattress, these staterooms feature a dedicated, recessed bunk bed alcove for the kids tucked away from the primary sleeping quarters.

It’s a simple tweak that completely redefines the cabin dynamic. Parents can tuck the kids into their own cozy bunk nook, draw the partition, and enjoy a full, well-lit living room and balcony space to themselves without waking anyone up.

Megahnn Foye

Even better for extended families traveling with grandparents, aunts, or cousins, these family rooms offer adjoining stateroom configurations. You can book an attached second cabin next door, giving grandparents their own quiet oasis while keeping everyone connected through interior doors.

Meghann Foye

“Cruising is such a popular travel option for multi-generational families because of its convenience and flexibility. So much is taken care of for you, and there are a wide range of options for a variety of budgets and interests,” explains Jorge Oliver, editor at Cruise Critic. “So for families looking to book a cruise, cabin types that are built specifically with families in mind are incredibly popular. They deliver a thoughtful experience for all guests—from the kids, to the adults. Aside from the special features of the cabins themselves, the locations of the cabins are also ideal for families—they’re in the ship’s family neighborhood, close to family-friendly restaurants and attractions like the water park and carousel.”

Oliver notes that cruiser feedback has been overwhelmingly enthusiastic: “We hear positive feedback from cruisers who have stayed in these cabins with families. Beyond the specifics of the cabins, families have shared high praise for the convenient location of the cabins when traveling with children. It’s that intentional design that Royal Caribbean has built that families really value—from top to bottom, it’s truly something that is designed to make traveling with families easier and extra-special.”

Related: Royal Caribbean Unveils the Stunning Art Spaces Debuting Onboard Its Newest Megaship

The 3-Story Ultimate Family Townhouse: The Pinnacle of Suite Life

Royal Caribbean

For travelers dreaming of the absolute ultimate family splurge, Legend also features the jaw-dropping, three-story Ultimate Family Townhouse—a one-of-a-kind suite that feels more like a private theme-park villa than a cruise cabin.

Spanning Decks 7, 8, and 9, the townhouse pulls out all the stops:

• Level 1 (Deck 7): A private outdoor “backyard” with a dining table for six, private hot tub, full bathroom, and gated, direct access straight into the Surfside neighborhood with sweeping aft ocean views.
• Level 2 (Deck 8): An expansive indoor living space with sofa beds, dining table, kitchenette, and dedicated in-suite cinema/game room.
• Level 3 (Deck 9): A primary master suite, private kids’ bedroom, and an in-suite slide that lets kids zip directly from the top-floor bedroom down into the living area below.

While starting rates for this Star Class mega-suite easily cross into fantasy territory—commanding upwards of $69,000 for a week—demand remains insatiable. It also sets the stage for the brand’s next headline feature, the upcoming Family Treehouse suite debuting on Hero of the Seas.

“The townhouse suites are certainly more expensive than your more traditional cabin options, but there are ways to help make the cost a bit more affordable—from traveling during shoulder season, to traveling with multiple families,” says Oliver. “That said, we hear reservations for the year on Legend of the Seas are fully booked and they book out quickly, due to their high demand.”

Related: Royal Caribbean Just Revealed the Newest World’s Largest Cruise Ship—and It Has a Three-Story Treehouse

Why Cruise Cabins Are Even Beating All-Inclusive Resorts

For families weighing the cost of a traditional all-inclusive beach resort against a cruise, the value equation is shifting fast.

On a seven-night Western Mediterranean cruise departing Barcelona aboard Legend of the Seas, standard Balcony staterooms start around $1,986 per person, while dedicated Surfside Family Suites with separate kids’ rooms and split bathrooms start around $3,085 per person ($6,170 total per room). When paired with Royal Caribbean’s frequent promotions—like 60% off a second guest and kids sailing free—the per-night rate often beats comparable multi-room luxury resort bookings on land.

When you factor in everything included on board—access to 40+ dining venues, bars and lounges, multiple pool decks, a dedicated water park, and Broadway-caliber entertainment that would cost hundreds per seat on land—the value equation becomes undeniable. When the all-inclusive perks make daily logistics effortless and the room layouts make sleeping arrangements ultra-easy, the math practically does itself.

According to Oliver, the cruise industry’s relentless focus on creative family layouts is here to stay.

“As the popularity of cruising continues to grow—and more and more families travel by sea—cruise lines will continue to expand and evolve their offerings to help make the experience as seamless as possible for families looking to enjoy their vacations at sea,” Oliver says. “Families continue to share how important these considerations are when booking cruises, and the demand for these cabins show that families will continue to pay extra for the strong value the cabins deliver.”

Related: Every Incredible New Surprise Aboard Royal Caribbean’s Latest Megaship, Legend of the Seas

For years, wellness has been about doing more: tracking sleep, counting steps, perfecting morning routines, trying the latest supplements and squeezing yet another “healthy” habit into an already packed day.

But what if the next big wellness trend is doing less?

As a full-time shopping editor who moonlights as a trending news reporter, I love being busy. Slowing down isn’t something that comes naturally to me, but the new comedy Spa Weekend starring Leslie Mann, Isla Fisher, Michelle Buteau and Anna Faris inspired me.

And the spa franchise Hand & Stone.

Spa Weekend follows four longtime friends who escape to a luxury spa retreat after realizing they’ve become so consumed by careers, relationships and everyday responsibilities that they’ve forgotten how to take care of themselves. So, the spa franchise is leaning into the idea that relaxation doesn’t need to become another item on your to-do list.

The suggestion is pretty simple: just relax.

Are We Turning Wellness Into Another Job?

Sherrill Kaplan, Chief Revenue Officer at Hand & Stone, says the wellness world has reached a point where even taking care of ourselves can feel like something we’re expected to be “good” at.

“We’ve turned rest into a project,” Kaplan tells Parade. “If you’re not measuring it, it doesn’t count. That stops being wellness. It’s just another job.”

That idea feels particularly relevant in an era of wellness “optimization,” when everything from sleep to exercise to meditation can come with an app, a tracker, a streak or a recommended routine.

Kaplan believes there should be another option: wellness that asks nothing of you.

“At Hand & Stone, there’s no protocol, no tracking, no streak to maintain,” she says. “Just an hour with a licensed massage therapist or esthetician whose only job is to help you relax.”

The brand’s refreshed identity centers on that philosophy, with “Just Relax” as its new rallying cry. Hand & Stone also partnered with Spa Weekend as the film’s Official Relaxation Partner, tying the brand’s message to a movie that’s essentially about a group of friends desperately needing a break.

Maybe We Don’t Need Another Wellness Routine

The most appealing part of the “just relax” philosophy may be how uncomplicated it is.

Kaplan says people should stop overthinking relaxation and worrying that they’re doing it incorrectly.

“Sometimes the answer is doing less, not more,” she says.

That’s also what makes the Spa Weekend experience feel like such an easy fit for the campaign. The movie takes the fantasy of escaping everyday responsibilities and turns it into a comedy, with the kind of chaos that can happen when a long-awaited girls’ getaway doesn’t go quite according to plan.

After watching the film, there’s something satisfying about taking the opposite approach: Instead of immediately adding another wellness goal to your calendar, perhaps give yourself permission to simply stop for a while.

Just an hour to put your phone down, close your eyes and let somebody else take care of you for a change. A 1-hour massage and facial package at Hand & Stone fits the mood perfectly: a little time carved out to relax, reset and let someone else handle the self-care for once. Both my massage therapist and esthetician were friendly, knowledgable and took extra care to ensure all of my preferences were met!

It felt good to step away from the chaos of the day. No tracker. No streak. No perfect routine. Just a moment to relax.

RELATED: 2026 Strummingbird Festival Adds Country Music Heavy Hitters After Post Malone Exit

On Aug. 29, 1994, a band from Manchester released Definitely Maybe, and music history hasn’t been the same since. With melodic arrangements that could rival The Beatles but with the raw power of punk, Oasis‘ epic debut made rock and roll dangerous again. From the opening track, “Rock ‘n’ Roll Star,” with lead singer Liam Gallagher’s Lennon-meets-Lydon sneer, the band announced their arrival with pure swagger.

And Oasis wasn’t interested in gradually easing listeners into the experience. “Shakermaker” followed with its psychedelic vibe, while “Live Forever” revealed a more pensive side of the band and quickly became one of its defining songs. “Cigarettes & Alcohol” brought the attitude right back, transforming a glam rock-and-roll riff into an unapologetically Oasis attitude.

The album’s creation wasn’t nearly as effortless as its finished product made it sound. The band went through multiple recording sessions before audio engineer Mark Coyle helped shape the raw sound that would become one of Oasis’ trademarks. The result was an album that captured the group’s live energy while giving Noel Gallagher’s songs room to become stadium anthems.

When Definitely Maybe arrived, the response was immediate. It debuted at No. 1 in the U.K., went gold within its first four days, and became the fastest-selling British debut album in chart history at the time. It also famously beat The Three Tenors’ Carreras Domingo Pavarotti in Concert to the top spot, an especially notable victory for a young rock band that had only recently begun to create a buzz.

Definitely Maybe remains the album that introduced the world to Oasis at its most hungry and brash: before the fame, the stadiums, and the legendary Gallagher brothers’ brawls that would make the band one of Britain’s most legendary rock acts.

More than three decades later, the album’s legacy shows no signs of fading. Its influence has only grown following Oasis’s recent, long-awaited reunion, which reignited interest in the band’s entire catalog and sent longtime fans, and plenty of new ones, back to where it all started.

Dan Truman turns 70 this week, marking a milestone birthday for the keyboardist behind one of country music’s most historic chart records.

Truman joined what would become Diamond Rio back in 1983, years before the band settled on its final name and lineup. That patience paid off in a big way: when the group’s debut single, “Meet in the Middle,” dropped in February 1991, it climbed all the way to No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot Country Singles chart, making Diamond Rio the first country group in history to send a debut single to the top spot.

The song, and the self-titled debut album it came from, turned out to be no fluke. The album went on to produce five charting singles and earned a platinum certification from the RIAA, while “Meet in the Middle” itself picked up a Grammy nomination for Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group With Vocal.

Diamond Rio kept that momentum going for decades. The band went on to notch four more No. 1 hits, including 2001’s “One More Day,” which became an unofficial anthem of healing in the aftermath of the Sept. 11 attacks. Along the way, the group won the Country Music Association’s Vocal Group of the Year award twice, in 1992 and 1997, and eventually claimed its only Grammy win in 2011 for Best Southern, Country or Bluegrass Gospel Album.

Beyond his work with Diamond Rio, Truman also co-founded the Nashville Tribute Band, a side project rooted in his Christian faith that has released albums exploring stories from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ history.

More than three decades after “Meet in the Middle” first made history, Truman is still playing keys for the band that started it all, having helped build one of the most consistent iterating hit-making runs in modern country music.

“Hit the Road Jack” became a defining early-’60s hit, full of attitude, rhythm and blues, and unforgettable storytelling.

Released in 1961, the Ray Charles tune had humble beginnings. What started as a demo, written by singer-songwriter Percy Mayfield, was transformed into a major hit by Charles, blending early rock & roll-style pop influences.

The result is a song that still holds up 65 years later and makes it impossible not to get up and dance.

With its now-iconic call-and-response format—featuring Charles trading lines with the Raelettes’ vocalist Margie Hendrix—the song turned a simple breakup story into a lively, almost theatrical performance.

The premise is powerful, as a woman tells a man to leave and never come back, leading to one of the most recognizable hooks in music history: “Hit the road Jack, and don’t you come back… no more, no more, no more, no more.”

The breakup anthem drew in audiences with a blend of attitude, sass, humor, and emotion, along with the conversational structure, as the uptempo tune found its way onto the charts, climbing to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, where it stayed for two weeks.

Its success extended to the R&B charts, holding the No. 1 spot for five weeks. 

And it didn’t just top the charts; it went on to become a cultural staple. At the end of 1961, it was ranked among the biggest songs of the year on the Billboard Year-End Hot 100. 

Charles’ soulful delivery only elevated the high-energy tune, which also boasts the extremely recognizable opening piano riff, cementing it as one of his signature and most enduring songs. 

It even spawned a response song from The Chantels titled “Well, I Told You.”

The legacy has only grown in the decades since its release. “Hit the Road Jack” earned a Grammy Award for Best Rhythm & Blues Recording, was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame, and made its way onto Rolling Stone’s “Greatest Songs of All Time” list. 

In 2026, CBS News gave it a prestigious callout, ranking it among the 250 essential American songs of the past 250 years

Six decades later, a new generation is moving and grooving to it (including my kindergartener), as it finds new life across TV and movies, featured during spooky and playful scenes in Netflix’s Halloween film, The Curse of Bridge Hollow, and in Ryan Reynolds’ Deadpool.

Neil Young has been called the “Godfather of Grunge.” He made Harvest. He made Rust Never Sleeps. He spent decades fighting his record label over creative control and once made a protest album, Landing on Water, about how landing a crashing jet in water guarantees everybody dies. He’s not a man associated with sweet-sounding orchestral pop. And yet for more than sixty years one song has lived permanently in his soul: “Be My Baby” by The Ronettes. Phil Spector‘s Wall of Sound. Ronnie Spector‘s voice. 42 takes. “It is in my soul,” Young says. “Phil Spector is a genius.”

The contradiction is the whole story. Young built his entire career on refusing to make the music anyone asked him to make. His record label spent several years begging him to sound more like a more commercially successful version of himself. Landing on Water was his iconic response: an album whose title referred to instructions for surviving an unsurvivable situation. “You’re landing on water where there’s no clear floor underneath you,” he explained. “Everybody dies.” That’s the man who loves “Be My Baby.” He heard no contradiction in that. Neither should we.

@oldiesvidz

Be My Baby – The Ronettes #60s #theronettes #oldies #singing #voice

♬ original sound – Oldiesvids

Now here’s what made him love it. “Be My Baby” was released in 1963 and peaked at No. 2 on Billboard. It’s Phil Spector’s Wall of Sound at its most complete: layers of instrumentation, orchestration, and echo stacked so densely that the song feels less like a recording and more like a place you can walk into.

The opening drum beat — bum-ba-bum-BOOM — was played by session drummer Hal Blaine. Here’s what makes it even more awesome: Blaine dropped his stick on the first take and missed the snare on beat two. He left that mistake in. That missing beat two is what makes the pattern so distinctive. “Soon everyone wanted that beat,” he said. You hear it, and you’re already inside the song before Ronnie opens her mouth.

Young mentions “the groove” specifically. That’s the exact groove he means: an accident that became more perfect than anything rehearsed. What most people don’t know is that only Ronnie Spector’s voice is on the track. The other Ronettes aren’t singing at all. Spector rehearsed Ronnie for weeks and had her record 42 takes before he finally got what he wanted. Jack Nitzsche arranged it. Young heard all of that. He didn’t just love the song. He peeled back the layers and understood how it was built from top to bottom. “The groove,” he said. “The beautifully resonant background vocals. The track. It is all one thing. Phil Spector is a genius. Jack Nitzsche is a genius.” Two declarations. No qualifications.

Related: Jim Morrison Claimed His Parents Were Dead — But His Father May Have Helped Launch the Vietnam War 62 Years Ago This Week

Spector died in prison in 2021, having been convicted of murder in 2009. Young’s declaration of genius refers specifically to what Spector built in the studio in 1963 — a distinction worth making and one Young has never walked back.

This is what Young does that most musicians don’t. He doesn’t just hear music. He hears what the music is doing and why. The Ronettes sound nothing like anything on Harvest or Tonight’s the Night. But the commitment to a specific sound — the absolute refusal to settle for anything less than exactly the right thing — is identical. Spector made Ronnie record 42 takes because take 41 wasn’t what he wanted. Blaine dropped a stick and made the most famous drum intro in pop history on accident.

Listen to the drum intro of “Like a Hurricane.” The way it builds before Young’s guitar arrives. That’s a man who learned from Hal Blaine’s opening beat what a properly placed moment of anticipation can do. He’s said similar things about The Beach Boys. Pet Sounds. Brian Wilson building something architecturally complex out of studio technology and sheer obsessive will. The same qualities. The same refusal to settle for almost right.

‘Be My Baby’ Is in My Soul

Young’s full declaration: “‘Be My Baby’ by the Ronettes has a sound I always will love. It is in my soul. Ronnie sings it so great. The groove, the beautifully resonant background vocals on the track: It is all one thing. Phil Spector is a genius. Jack Nitzsche is a genius.” That’s not a casual compliment. That’s a man who fights everyone for his creative vision, telling you that two other people got it exactly right. He’s still fighting.

Young headlined Glastonbury in 2025 and released Talkin’ to the Trees in June 2026. The muse is still presenting itself. Sometimes it’s feedback and distortion. Sometimes it’s Ronnie Spector recording the same two minutes and forty-three seconds forty-two times until Phil Spector heard what he’d been looking for. And sometimes it’s Hal Blaine dropping a stick and accidentally inventing the most imitated drum beat in pop history.

Neil Young spent decades refusing to make the music anyone asked him to make. He made protest albums about crashing jets. He fought every record label that tried to own his sound. And through all of it, one song stayed permanently in his soul: a 1963 girl group record that took 42 takes, two geniuses, and one dropped drumstick to make.

He never could shake it. He never tried.

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It can be quite a struggle to stay organized. Despite your best efforts, you might end up with a cabinet full of miscellaneous ingredients and drawers packed with items you don’t even remember buying. Crowded shelves can make it incredibly difficult to find what you want.

Your solution doesn’t have to be hefty or even especially big to make a difference. The Lamu Lazy Susan Organizer Set consists of three turntables that are designed to bring some ease to your life while helping you maintain a sense of order at home. It’s a solid deal, marked down to just $20 in clear, gray, and amber colorways during Amazon’s Prime Day event, which runs June 23 through June 26.

Lamu Lazy Susan Organizer Set, From $20 (was $26) at Amazon

Courtesy of Amazon

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Each set includes turntables measuring 9.25 inches, 10.6 inches, and 12 inches respectively, so you’ll have coverage no matter where you decide to use them. The most obvious use is in the kitchen, where you can quickly gather all of your spices and condiments in one place. Many shoppers also love using them in their fridge to keep similar items together and within easy reach. A quick spin and you can easily grab that piece of fruit or can of soda without rooting through the entire fridge!

Beyond the kitchen, lazy Susans are also especially useful in the bathroom. If you have an abundance of skincare and makeup, or you just want to keep your minimalist routine in one spot, a turntable like this can really help streamline your setup. Craft and hobby spaces are also a good fit for these rotating trays. You can use them to keep smaller items in one place and easy to find at all times. Even a desktop could be a sensible spot if you want to keep your office supplies in one central location.

The trays are thoughtfully designed with raised edges to prevent anything from slipping off as you spin. It rotates a full 360 degrees, with a smooth motion that makes it easy to find exactly what you want with a quick swivel. One shopper said that it’s “just right for maximizing space,” adding that it’s “great quality and really functional.” Another person dubbed it an “organizing dream come true.”

Related: Amazon’s ‘Stunning’ $87 Acacia Wood Table Is the ‘Perfect Size for a Small Patio’ 

There are so many ways to organize your home. However, if you’re looking for something that conserves space while making the most of the room that you have, a Lamu Lazy Susan Organizer Set makes a practical choice that won’t break the bank. With three pieces, you’ll have something to get every space under control. Grab it while it’s still on sale for just $20 at Amazon ahead of Labor Day!

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Bruce Springsteen surprised the crowd at Bleachers’ show in Asbury Park on Friday night, joining frontman Jack Antonoff onstage for a pair of nostalgic, Jersey-centric songs.

The moment came during Bleachers’ set at the Shadow of the City Festival at Stone Pony Summer Stage. Before launching into the performance, Antonoff spoke about what it meant to play so close to home. “There’s nothin’ like playing at home… There’s nothing like playing in the place you wrote the songs from,” he told the crowd, adding that being back among family and longtime supporters “means the world.”

As Antonoff began playing “Jersey Girl,” the crowd erupted when Springsteen walked out to join him. The song is often mistaken for one of Springsteen’s own compositions, given how closely it’s associated with him, but it was actually written by Tom Waits, appearing on his 1980 album, “Heartattack and Vine,” and inspired by his wife, Kathleen Brennan. Springsteen has performed it live for decades, dating back to a 1981 duet with Waits himself in Los Angeles, and it’s since become one of his signature covers.

The pair also performed “Chinatown,” marking the duo’s first time playing that particular song together since 2020.

Springsteen’s surprise cameo fits a career defined by these kinds of unannounced hometown appearances, particularly in New Jersey venues tied to his own musical roots. For longtime fans, seeing him reunite with Antonoff, a fellow New Jersey native who has cited Springsteen as a formative influence, added another chapter to a friendship that’s played out on local stages before.

Video of the performance quickly circulated online, with fans calling it one of the highlights of this year’s festival lineup. For a rock singer routinely ranked among the greatest vocalists in music history, moments like this reinforce why Springsteen’s live shows continue to be such a draw more than five decades into his career.

Fall baking season has officially arrived, and Sam’s Club shoppers are already buzzing over a new bakery favorite that brings three cozy flavors into one box. 

The Member’s Mark Variety Muffin Tray has been spotted in stores featuring a sweater-weather-perfect lineup. 

The trio of flavors consists of Butter Pecan, Red Velvet and Pumpkin Spice, which social media influencer SamsClubFavorites called “every cozy flavor you’re craving right now.”

It seems that this year, Pumpkin Spice replaced last year’s Cranberry Orange flavor.  

Sam’s Club is known for its seasonal muffins, with the fall offering replacing summer’s blueberry, banana nut and double chocolate pack.

Each pack consists of oversized muffins that are soft, moist and packed with seasonal flavor, making them the ideal option when you’re craving a sweet breakfast, a quick dessert, or just a taste of fall while on the go. 

“They’re made without artificial colors or flavors, and each one is packed full and bakery fresh,” the TikTok caption noted, adding, “Grab a coffee and one of these and your morning is basically set.”

@samsclubfavorites

🧁 Sam’s Club has a NEW variety muffin tray! This Member’s Mark muffin 6 pack comes in butter pecan, red velvet, and pumpkin spice, so basically every cozy flavor you’re craving right now. 🍂 They’re made without artificial colors or flavors, and each one is packed full and bakery fresh. Grab a coffee and one of these and your morning is basically set! ☕ ($6.74) #samsclub #samsclubfinds

♬ original sound – Sam’s Club Favorites

The pack retails for $6.74, with the price varying by location, complete with 6 muffins for sharing and sampling throughout the week. 

The standout flavor is Butter Pecan, as it provides a rich and nutty profile, boasting a warm, toasted flavor that’s pure fall comfort. 

Red velvet is a classic, leaning more indulgent, with a soft cocoa base that’s perfect for anyone with a sweet tooth.

However, the seasonal must-have is always pumpkin spice. No fall lineup is complete without the pumpkin-forward flavor that’s become a tradition around bakeries and coffee shops the minute the first leaf hits the ground. 

With three fall flavors in one pack, the new Sam’s Club muffins guarantee that you don’t have to compromise and pick just one favorite—enjoy them all!

Related: Sam’s Club’s Limited-Edition Hard Cider Variety Pack Is the Must-Have Drink of the Fall

In February 1971, Carole King stepped out from behind the piano and straight into pop music history.

Her masterpiece LP Tapestry didn’t just capture the hearts of a generation. It landed on the charts and refused to leave.

With a staggering 15 consecutive weeks at No. 1 and over six straight years on the Billboard 200, King established a standard for female solo artists that felt virtually untouchable until decades later, when 22-year-old vocal powerhouse Adele shattered her record.

In 2017, Tapestry logged 302 consecutive weeks on the Billboard 200 Album Charts and 317 non-consecutive weeks, according to Variety. Additionally, the LP spent 15 weeks at No. 1 in 1971.

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With the success of the LP 21, Adele broke King’s record, spending 24 nonconsecutive weeks in the top spot and logging a staggering 319 weeks on the Billboard 200 overall. That chart feat dethroned Tapestry after its legendary 46-year chart success.

After years as a songwriter, crafting tunes for the likes of The Monkees, The Shirelles, Aretha Franklin, Little Eva, The Chiffons, Bobby Vee, The Drifters, and Herman’s Hermits, King stepped into the spotlight. Her stripped-down approach to recording Tapestry struck a chord with listeners of the emerging singer-songwriter movement who heard her honesty, raw emotion, and unfiltered storytelling.

Tapestry was King’s second LP. Her debut solo album, Writer, was released in May 1970, less than a year before Tapestry in February 1971.

In 2021, King reflected on the LP’s success. She said, “Tapestry changed my life. In an immediate way, it gave me financial independence, which was really wonderful.”

“I kind of pushed it away. It was really important to me to keep a grip on life. My life, at the time, included a marriage and the two children I had from Gerry Goffin. I was married to my bass player, Charlie Larkey, and expecting my third–Charlie’s first–child,” she explained. “So, I busied myself with that and kept the fame and all of the things around success at bay. I think I did that successfully.”

According to the website On A&M Records, “The Recording Industry Association of America began issuing platinum certifications because of the high sales of Carole King’s Tapestry album.”

Additionally, King was the first woman to receive the top four Grammy Awards for Song of the Year (“You’ve Got a Friend”), Record of the Year (“It’s Too Late”), Album of the Year, and Best Pop Vocal Performance Female.

These days, per her official website, Carole King leads a quiet life in Idaho, where she’s just as passionate about nature as she is about music. Between writing new songs, the two-time Rock Hall of Famer devotes much of her time to environmental causes and protecting wildlands.

Related: 1963 Carole King AM Radio Gold Favorite That Donny Osmond Turned Into a ’70s Teen Romance Hit

Before Robert Palmer turned “Bad Case of Loving You (Doctor, Doctor)” into one of his best-known early hits, the song belonged to an Oklahoma-born musician with a growing reputation as a songwriter.

Moon Martin first released “Bad Case of Loving You (Doctor, Doctor)” in 1978, introducing the punchy rock song that Palmer would take up the charts the following year. Although Martin never achieved the same level of mainstream fame as the singer who covered it, the song became an enduring piece of his songwriting legacy.

Martin had already spent years working in music by then.

Born John David Martin, he played with the band Southwind, which released several albums in the early 1970s, and later developed a career writing songs that other performers would turn into hits. His nickname “Moon” reportedly came from his habit of incorporating the word into his lyrics.

“Bad Case of Loving You” appeared on Martin’s 1978 debut solo album, Shots From a Cold Nightmare. Built around an infectious guitar riff and the memorable “Doctor, doctor” refrain, his original captured the lean, energetic sound that ran through much of his work.

It soon caught Robert Palmer’s attention.

“How Robert came about recording the song was that Robert told me he was going to do a show, and he was being driven to the show by a program guy, and the program guy asked him if he had heard this new Moon Martin record and played him Bad Case Of Loving You and Robert, later, put it in his set,” Martin shared in a 2013 interview. “That was back when people took chances. These days, the shows are so organized and rehearsed, that they have a set list and don’t deviate from the list.”

Palmer recorded his own version for 1979’s Secrets, sharpening the song into a sleek rock track while retaining the driving hook at its center. His commanding vocal gave Martin’s composition a new identity, and the cover quickly eclipsed the original commercially.

The song became a major American hit.

Palmer’s “Bad Case of Loving You (Doctor, Doctor)” climbed to No. 14 on the Billboard Hot 100, giving him his first Top 20 single in the United States. It also earned him a Grammy nomination for Best Male Rock Vocal Performance, several years before his mid-’80s run of blockbuster hits.

Martin’s songwriting success extended beyond Palmer. He also wrote “Cadillac Walk,” recorded by Mink DeVille, and “Rolene,” which became Martin’s own best-performing single on the Hot 100.

Palmer, meanwhile, would reach even greater heights with songs including “Addicted to Love” and “Simply Irresistible.”

” If I want to be humorous, I do calypso,” Palmer during his final interview in 2003. “If I want to scream implications at the sky I pull out the heavy metal guitar. If I want to whisper in my girlfriend’s ear, I bring in the string. I love music across the board—barring Broadway show tunes and opera, which are over and under my head—[and] I like to use it as a means of expression.”

“Bad Case of Loving You” remains an essential part of his catalog 48 years after Martin first recorded it, a reminder that one of Palmer’s signature rockers began with a songwriter whose greatest impact often came through other voices.

Related: 1966 Iconic Ballad, Covered by Elvis Presley, Is Still a Beloved Hit 60 Years Later

He didn’t set out to become the drummer of Blue Öyster Cult. But when the band needed someone behind the kit, he was ready.

Rick Downey, the drummer who spent several years behind the kit for Blue Öyster Cult, turns 73 on Aug. 29, 2026.

Born Aug. 29, 1953, Downey had already been working closely with Blue Öyster Cult before he became an official member. He initially joined the band’s road crew as a drum technician and eventually took on other responsibilities, including tour manager and crew chief.

His opportunity to play with the band came in 1981, when original drummer Albert Bouchard was no longer available. Downey, who was already part of the road crew and could play drums, stepped in.

According to the Blue Öyster Cult History Project, Downey was initially brought in as a replacement during a series of shows before eventually becoming the band’s permanent drummer.

The change came at an important point in Blue Öyster Cult’s career. The band had released Fire of Unknown Origin in 1981, which included the hit “Burnin’ for You,” and was continuing to tour heavily.

Downey became the band’s drummer during the group’s next era, appearing on the 1982 live album Extraterrestrial Live. The record reached No. 29 on the Billboard 200 and captured the band’s hard-driving live sound, including Downey’s work behind the kit.

He remained with Blue Öyster Cult through the band’s 1983 studio album The Revölution by Night. Downey left the group in the mid-1980s and was eventually replaced by Jimmy Wilcox.

Downey’s time with Blue Öyster Cult may have lasted only a few years, but his unusual path into the band makes his story particularly memorable. He wasn’t originally hired to be the star behind the drum kit; he was already working behind the scenes when the opportunity suddenly arrived.

RELATED: The Man Who Threw a Pie at Bill Gates and Made It His Life’s Work Dies at 80

If you have a European river cruise on your travel calendar for late summer or early fall, chances are your news feed has been serving up some pretty alarming headlines.

Sustained summer heatwaves and widespread drought across Europe have drained major waterways to historic lows. Stretches of the Danube in Central and Eastern Europe—from Bavaria down to Romania—have plunged to depths not seen in decades. Meanwhile, critical bottlenecks on the Rhine and Main rivers (like the narrow gorge near Kaub, Germany) have dropped so low that cruise ships and cargo vessels struggle to pass through without running aground.

The result? Hundreds of river cruise itineraries are being scrambled in real time, leaving travelers dealing with unexpected motorcoach detours, last-minute port cancellations, and “ship swaps.”

To get the real story on what this actually looks like on the ground, I caught up with Chris Gray Faust, Executive Editor of Cruise Critic, who has sailed on more than 40 river cruises and just navigated a low-water Danube trip firsthand.

Here is what you need to know about what is happening on the rivers, how it affects your day-to-day vacation, and what to do if you have a trip on the books.

Related: 12 Best European River Cruises for Unforgettable Family Vacations, According to Experts

View this post on Instagram When Your Floating Boutique Hotel Becomes a Bus Tour

The biggest draw of a river cruise is the seamless romance of it all: you unpack once, sleep like a baby, and wake up docked in the historic cobblestone center of a fairytale town. When water levels drop too low for a ship to sail, however, the daily rhythm changes fast.

“The biggest day-to-day change during low water is that your river cruise can start feeling a lot more like a bus tour,” Gray Faust explains. “The cruise line will usually do everything it can to preserve the places and experiences you were promised, but if the ship can’t reach a port, you may be getting there by motor coach instead.”

On her recent Danube sailing, low water prevented the ship from moving past a bottleneck in Germany. “On my Danube cruise this summer, low water meant our ship couldn’t sail beyond Vilshofen, Germany,” says Gray Faust. “We lost several ports where we were supposed to dock, and the line substituted other ports and bused us to some of the original destinations. One day we traveled about 90 minutes each way to Salzburg; another day we took a similar trip to Regensburg, where normally we would have stepped off the ship just a few blocks from the historic center. By the third day, I was definitely feeling it.”

While passengers still reach their destinations, the experience feels markedly different on the ground.

“That’s the real tradeoff,” Gray Faust notes. “You can still see many of the places you came to Europe to see, but you lose some of the magic and ease of river cruising—waking up in a new town, walking off the ship and immediately starting your day. The itinerary can also change almost overnight, so flexibility is really important. My advice is not to feel like you have to take every replacement excursion. Sometimes the better choice is to stay near the ship, explore the town where you actually are and enjoy the fact that you’re still in Europe.”

Related: Trafalgar Just Took Its 70 Years of Travel Expertise and Put It on a Boutique River Ship

Why ‘Low Water’ Doesn’t Mean the Whole River Is Closed

One of the most confusing parts for travelers reading the news from home is assuming an entire 1,700-mile river system has run dry. In reality, river conditions vary wildly depending on where you are.

“Low water isn’t necessarily a problem along the entire Danube at the same time,” Gray Faust points out. “There are certain stretches that are much more susceptible, and that’s why you can have ships sailing normally in one part of the river while cruises are being disrupted somewhere else.”

The main culprits are free-flowing stretches that lack the modern lock systems found elsewhere.

“One of the biggest trouble spots is the stretch of the Danube in Bavaria between Straubing and Vilshofen,” says Gray Faust. “It’s a free-flowing section of the river, meaning there aren’t locks and dams regulating the water level the way there are on many other parts of the Upper Danube. When there hasn’t been enough rain or snowmelt feeding the river, that stretch can simply become too shallow for some river cruise ships to get through.”

“There are other vulnerable free-flowing stretches, including parts of Austria such as the Wachau and east of Vienna,” she adds. “And that’s an important thing for travelers to understand: when you hear that the Danube has low water, it doesn’t automatically mean that every Danube cruise is affected. A ship’s itinerary, where the low-water bottleneck is and even the draft of the individual ship can determine whether your cruise operates normally, has a few changes or ends up with significant disruptions.”

Related: We Asked 3 Travel Experts for the Ultimate River Cruise Destination

Refunds, Ship Swaps, and Insurance

If your itinerary gets turned upside down, you might assume you are entitled to a full refund. But as Gray Faust warns, standard passenger ticket contracts give cruise lines massive leeway to adapt to weather.

“Passengers shouldn’t assume a disrupted river cruise automatically qualifies for a refund,” Gray Faust cautions. “Cruise contracts typically allow lines to change ports, substitute excursions, use buses or swap ships when water conditions affect the itinerary.”

Many lines use “ship swaps”—moving guests by coach past a dry bottleneck to an identical sister vessel waiting on the other side—to keep the trip moving.

“If the cruise operates with alternative transportation, excursions or accommodations, compensation may be limited or unavailable, though some lines may offer a partial refund, future cruise credit or goodwill gesture,” says Gray Faust. “If the line cancels outright, passengers can generally expect a refund or rebooking option, but a cruise with changed ports, buses or a ship swap may still be considered operational.”

Protecting yourself requires looking closely at the fine print before you book. “Read the cruise contract and travel insurance policy carefully. Low water often isn’t covered under standard policies, so travelers seeking flexibility when an itinerary changes substantially should consider cancel-for-any-reason coverage.”

Related: Celebrity’s Viral River Cruises Are Expanding for 2028

What You Should Do If You Have a Cruise Booked This Fall

If you have a sailing scheduled for the coming weeks, the most important advice is simple: take a deep breath and do not pull the plug out of panic.

“Don’t panic or cancel a river cruise simply because you’re seeing headlines about low water,” Gray Faust advises. “Rivers are incredibly dynamic. It could rain at any moment. A few good storms in the right part of the watershed can make a meaningful difference, so conditions when you leave home may be quite different from what they were even a week or two earlier.”

Instead, focus on packing smart and managing your expectations.

“I would keep an eye on communications from the cruise line, but also prepare for some flexibility,” she suggests. “Pack comfortable shoes and clothes that you won’t mind wearing on a longer bus ride, and don’t make too many independent plans that depend on the ship arriving at a particular port at a particular time.”

If having a rigid, unchanged itinerary is make-or-break for your peace of mind, insurance timing matters. “If you’re concerned enough that you might not want to take the trip if the itinerary changes significantly, this is also where cancel-for-any-reason travel insurance can be valuable. The catch is that this coverage generally needs to be purchased within a specific window after you make your initial trip deposit, so by the time low-water problems make the news, it may be too late to add it.”

“Most importantly, go into the trip understanding that the itinerary is not a guarantee,” Gray Faust adds. “I always say that on a river cruise, the river gets a vote. You may end up seeing a different town than you expected or getting to a destination by bus instead of by ship. That can be disappointing, but it doesn’t necessarily mean the vacation will be ruined. Some of my favorite moments on my low-water Danube cruise came from places I hadn’t expected to visit at all.”

Related: A Small Update Is Making Disney’s River Cruises Even Better

Is a River Cruise Still Worth the Money?

Given the premium price tag that comes with river cruising, is it still worth going when Mother Nature refuses to cooperate?

“I definitely think river cruises are still worth the money,” Gray Faust says. “There’s really nothing like waking up in the center of a European city, walking off the ship and being right where you want to be. I’ve taken more than 40 river cruises, and I wouldn’t stop taking them because of the possibility of high or low water. I also wouldn’t cancel an upcoming cruise simply because the river is low today. River conditions can change very quickly, and what’s happening several weeks before your trip may have very little bearing on what happens when you actually sail.”

Still, she draws a clear line at how much disruption makes sense for a bucket-list investment.

“Where I would reconsider is if the cruise line contacts me before departure and says that a significant portion of my particular cruise is going to be replaced by long bus rides or hotel stays. At that point, if I were given the option to rebook or receive a refund, I’d look carefully at what I was losing. A ship swap wouldn’t bother me much, and neither would missing or changing a port or two. But if a river cruise is turning predominantly into a bus tour, I would probably rebook.”

“That’s because you’re paying a premium for the river-cruise experience, not simply transportation between European cities,” Gray Faust emphasizes. “On my Danube cruise this summer, we had significant low-water disruptions and I still had a wonderful trip. But after several days involving long bus rides, I also understood why some passengers were frustrated. So I wouldn’t tell people, ‘Don’t book a river cruise.’ I’d tell them to book one understanding that Mother Nature is part of the deal. Buy cancel-for-any-reason insurance when you book if you want maximum flexibility, pay attention to what your cruise line is telling you and decide what level of change you personally consider acceptable.”

Related: The 5 Best River Cruises to Take in Your 40s

There is something so invigorating about the beginning of fall, isn’t there? While it does sadly also mean the end of summer, autumn marks a fresh start, a chance to enter the next season of your life with a bit more poise and determination than before. And if you are on an organizational journey in this new season of life, finding the right storage furniture is a total must for helping you be successful on that mission. Luckily, you can find affordable and high-quality pieces if you know where to look. Take, for example, this 3-drawer storage tower available at Aldi right now.

Aldi’s Sohl 3-Drawer Storage Towers come in three designs including a chic ivory (pictured below), a sleek light gray and a charming blue brow print. This gives you plenty of options to pick one for the look you want to achieve in your space. If you want to go a little coquettecore, for example, you should opt for that blue bow print. Or if you prefer something a little more subdued, the ivory and light gray styles are your best bet.

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Sohl 3-Drawer Storage Tower, Ivory, $24.99 at Aldi

Aldi

Each of these storage towers are constructed out of a lightweight vertical frame that houses three fabric storage drawers with handles that help making pull out each one a total breeze. Each of the drawers are removable as well for added convenience and flexibility with how you utilize the organizer. What’s more, the top of the storage tower can be used for even more storage opportunities.

Related: Aldi’s Moody New Area Rug Brings Dark Academia Vibes to Any Room

These Sohl 3-Drawer Storage Towers are super versatile and can be used for so many different organizational purposes. From your entryway and your home office to your bedroom, craft area or bathroom, this organizer makes storing everything you need simple, making everything easily accessible.

These Sohl 3-Drawer Storage Towers are available for purchase now at select Aldi stores for $24.99. These organizers will be part of the German grocer’s latest rotation of Aldi Finds, products that are limited edition and only available while supplies last. You can shop these special items in the center aisle.

Related: Kohl’s Vibrant Stoneware Serving Bowl Looks Straight Out of the Tuscan Countryside

Robert De Niro is opening up about the ups and downs of parenting.

De Niro, 83, known for iconic films ranging from Taxi Driver and Raging Bull to Meet the Parents and Analyze This, is the dad of 7 children. The youngest member of his brood, Gia, is just 3 years old. When asked about the key to fatherhood, the star said balancing it all is the hardest part.

“I don’t know if there is a secret,” he told PEOPLE. “It’s just managing it all. And there’s no way around not feeling a little guilty about not being there at times you should or you think you should.”

The legendary actor added that when it comes to parenting, you mostly learn by experience.

“It’s a new experience. It’s not like you’ve taken courses on it and stuff,” he added. “You can, of course, but you don’t. You just jump in and you have the child and you got to… That’s it.”

De Niro and Tiffany Chen Have a Daughter Together

De Niro separated from his former wife, Grace Hightower, back in 2018. However, the Oscar winner has found love again, walking the red carpet at the Tribeca Film Festival with girlfriend Tiffany Chen, 46. Wearing an asymmetric black gown and silver hoop earrings, Chen, a martial arts instructor who met De Niro on the set of The Intern, looked absolutely stunning alongside the actor. Holding hands, the duo worked it for the cameras.

Kristina Bumphrey / Getty Images

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De Niro and Chen have a daughter named Gia together. In May 2023, De Niro revealed that he had welcomed a seventh child in an interview with ET Canada.

 “I know you have six kids,” a reporter said to the star, who quickly corrected them.

“Seven, actually. I just had a baby,” De Niro added.

Related: All About Robert De Niro’s 7 Kids

What Else Has De Niro Said About Parenting?

Last year, De Niro opened up about supporting his kids through everything.

“The main thing is to support your kids,” De Niro told ET. “As long as they’re not hurting themselves, doing anything destructive or anything like that, you have to support them—period… Even if you don’t go with it or think that they…you have to support them,” he continued. “And they have to know that you support them. Always.”

As for Gia, he called her a “pure joy.”

“She’s 2 now, so as they get older and older then…” he said. “But it’s always wonderful. Pure joy, what can I say?”⁠

Check out a sweet photo of De Niro and his daughter below.

View this post on Instagram

Related: Robert Duvall’s One Regret About ‘The Godfather’ Will Absolutely Make You Smile

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As a maximalist, I know how difficult it is to keep a house tidy. My home may not be dirty, but when I run out of places to store and organize my ever-growing trinket collection, plant babies, and kitschy decor pieces, it turns into a messy eyesore. I’m always looking for new storage solutions, and found that the best options are those that are as chic as they are practical. While plastic bins and drawers are usually affordable and functional, they’re not exactly the most charming options. If you’re looking to give your living space some organization without sacrificing style, this Catrimown Farmhouse Sideboard Cabinet at Walmart is a fabulous choice. 

Combining form and function, this farmhouse sideboard is ideal for any room, whether it’s your kitchen, living room, dining room, bathroom, or foyer. And it doesn’t require you to splurge because it’s currently on sale for less than $80! Normally retailing for $87, the brown version of this sideboard is now marked down to just $78. This sideboard is also on sale in two other colors, washed gray and white, which normally retail between $97 and $153, but are now marked down to $81 and $83, respectively. 

Catrimown Farmhouse Sideboard Cabinet, From $78 (was $87) at Walmart

Courtesy of Walmart

Shop at Walmart

A seamless blend of style and practicality, this sideboard nails the farmhouse aesthetic. Featuring an exposed woodgrain finish, it has a rustic appearance that looks raw and natural. It boasts two barn-style doors, accented with X-shaped panels and metal hardware. Just like the doors you would find in a traditional farmhouse or barn, these are fixed on a track and slide open.

Placed in any room, this beautiful sideboard will instantly elevate the style of your living space with its rustic charm and provide additional storage to help streamline your home. “It goes great in our farmhouse,” one reviewer raved, saying it’s “a must-have if farmhouse is your style.”

This sideboard is split into three sections, giving you a variety of storage options to keep your items neatly sorted. The middle section is open while the side compartments are concealed behind the sliding doors, designed to reduce visual clutter. Each compartment is equipped with an adjustable shelf so you can store items of various heights and minimize unused space. 

Catrimown Farmhouse Sideboard Cabinet, From $78 (was $87) at Walmart

Courtesy of Walmart

Shop at Walmart

Boasting a 42-inch-wide countertop, this sideboard can serve a wide range of purposes. You could use it to display decor pieces, lamps, and plants in your living room or turn it into a serving station with food and drinks when you’re hosting guests. Alternatively, you can use the countertop as extra storage for anything from bulky appliances in your kitchen to on-the-go essentials in your foyer. 

If you want some inspiration, shoppers commented that it has the “perfect look for a coffee bar.” You can use it to hold your coffee maker, espresso machine, syrups, drinkware, and anything else you need for your morning pick-me-up. 

For size reference, this piece measures around 42 inches wide, 32 inches tall, and 16 inches deep. It’s made of particleboard and stainless steel hardware, and shoppers noted that the sideboard is durable. They also mentioned that it was easy to assemble, so you should have it ready to go in no time! 

Shop More Deals 

• Dreamcurship Coffee Bar Cabinet With Hutch, $106 (was $130) at Walmart
• Aufeile Slatted Sideboard, From $100 (was $170) at Walmart
• Fnova 8-Tier Arched Bookcase, From $209 (was $360) at Walmart

Related: Walmart’s Chic Farmhouse Cabinet Is a Space-Saving Storage Solution for Empty Corners, Now $60 Off

Whether you want to create the coffee bar you saved on your Pinterest board or need to find a home for all your scattered trinkets, the Catrimown Farmhouse Sideboard Cabinet is the stylish storage solution your living space needs. Head to Walmart and grab it while it’s still on sale for as low as $78! 

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If you spend any time in cruise message boards or Facebook groups before packing your bags, you know how quickly rumors can snowball into full-blown panic. From questions about whether formal wear is officially a thing of the past to whispers about dining room changes, seasoned cruisers always keep a watchful eye on their favorite shipboard traditions.

To set the record straight, longtime Carnival Cruise Line Brand Ambassador John Heald took to his social media page to address recent adjustments across the fleet, shedding light on everything from evening dress codes to late-night poolside bites.

Related: Carnival Cruise Line Opens Booking for 2026-2027 West Coast Sailings

A Fresh Look for Short Weekend Sailings

One of the biggest questions swirling among travelers involves the fate of the line’s signature Elegant Night. While rumors suggested the dress-up evening was disappearing entirely, Heald clarified that the tradition remains firmly in place for longer voyages.

The only shift is happening on select three- and four-night itineraries, where Carnival has started replacing Elegant Night with a vibrant “White Night” celebration. Instead of packing suits or formal dresses for a quick weekend getaway, guests on these short sailings are encouraged to dress in all-white attire for an evening centered around the high-energy White Hot Deck Party.

Travelers booked on itineraries featuring the White Night theme will receive an email before departure so they can plan their suitcase accordingly, while week-long and extended voyages will continue hosting the classic Elegant Night as usual.

Related: Carnival Cruise Line Unveils Major Changes to Main Dining Room Menus

Late-Night Burgers Could Be Coming to More Ships

For cruise lovers who count Guy Fieri’s poolside burgers among their favorite sea-day rituals, Carnival is testing a welcome perk. Onboard Carnival Conquest, which operates quick three- and four-night Bahamas runs from Miami, the cruise line quietly extended the operating hours at Guy’s Burger Joint later into the evening.

The decision stems directly from guest demand on short-break sailings, where vacationers often prefer quick, laid-back dining after long afternoons ashore. As Heald shared, the guest response to the extended hours has been “fantastic.”

Thanks to that enthusiastic feedback, Carnival is actively evaluating whether to roll out longer evening burger hours to other ships specializing in short-run itineraries. Heald also reassured traditional diners that the extended pool-deck hours serve as a convenient bonus option and are not meant to replace the sit-down Main Dining Room experience.

Related: What to Wear on a Cruise: The Ultimate Cruise Packing Guide

Where to Find Complimentary Lobster

Heald also provided clarity for seafood fans wondering where lobster night fits into their upcoming cruise plans.

Carnival continues to serve complimentary lobster in the Main Dining Room on all voyages scheduled for six nights or longer. However, the cruise line noted that due to regional sourcing limitations, lobster night is currently excluded on sailings throughout Alaska, Australia, and Europe.

For travelers mapping out their next vacation, these latest tweaks highlight Carnival’s effort to keep shorter getaways relaxed and fun while preserving the marquee dining perks that make longer sailings so memorable.

Related: The 3-Day ‘Micro-Cruise’ Trend Isn’t Slowing Down—and Carnival Just Opened Up Tons of West Coast Dates

A Costco trip is always a small exercise in self-deception and self-control. You walk in, making a beeline for the necessities and perhaps a vague plan to “just see” what’s in the freezer aisle, then leave wondering where the five pounds of cheese and side of beef are going to go (do they sell second freezers? We think so…). Well, have we got news for you: September’s new Costco arrivals are not going to make that kind of restraint any easier! 

This month’s finds have a distinctly back-to-school, back-to-routine feel, as this time of year usually does, with plenty of protein-packed breakfast options, snacks and convenient freezer meals that we all love.

But September isn’t all about getting organized and going back to school, of course. The last little drops of summer are still hanging on, and the popular store has you covered there as well with poolside dips and a sweet produce find for late-summer snackin’.

As always, availability and pricing can vary by warehouse, especially for regional launches, so be sure to check availability before making these items a permanent must-have on your fall shopping lists. Here are 14 new Costco finds to look for this month.

Related: I Asked 3 Chefs What They Always Buy at Costco—Their Answers Completely Changed How I Shop

The 14 Must-Have Costco Finds for September 2026 1. Good Foods Chimichurri

Courtesy of Good Foods

Chimichurri is one of those condiments that does more work than it gets credit for and it’s incredibly versatile. Good Foods’ new version combines fresh parsley, cilantro, garlic and chili in a bright, herb-forward sauce with no artificial preservatives. The Costco-ready two-pack gives you two 11-ounce bottles, which is useful because you’ll want it for far more than one dinner. “chimichurri and steak is a must 😃,” says one Redditor.

You can, indeed, use it as a steak marinade, or spoon it over grilled chicken, shrimp or pork; serve it alongside crusty bread, roasted potatoes, eggs or grain bowls. It’s a pretty limitless condiment. It began arriving late last month in Southeast and Northeast Costco warehouses. Find it for $9.99 per two-pack of 11-ounce bottles in the refrigerated section.

Related: 7 Best Items To Buy From Costco’s Produce Section (and 5 To Skip)

2. Khloud White Cheddar Protein Popcorn

Courtesy of Khloud

Khloud’s White Cheddar Protein Popcorn is now available in a first-ever Costco value size. The 12-ounce bag is made with real cheddar cheese and delivers 7 grams of protein per serving, along with an impressive non-GMO, gluten-free and kosher nutrition panel. It also contains no seed oils. “It did not disappoint! 🧀🍿 So flavorful, light, and seriously delicious,” says one Instagrammer.

The larger bag first arrived at 50 California Costco warehouse locations and is an especially solid choice for anyone who would prefer their snack to be crunchy and protein-packed rather than vaguely chalky. Find it for $9.99 per 12-ounce bag at select California Costco warehouses.

3. Red’s September Breakfast Launches View this post on Instagram

Red’s is giving Costco’s freezer aisle a serious breakfast upgrade this month with four new regional launches.

• In the Los Angeles area, the brand is introducing Carne Asada Breakfast Burritos filled with marinated seared steak, eggs, roasted potatoes, poblano peppers and shredded cheese.
• Midwest shoppers can look for Sausage, Egg & Cheese Bagel Sandwiches made with Bagelista bagels, pork sausage, eggs, peppers, onions and cheese.
• Northeast Costco locations are getting two new 10-count burrito boxes: Chicken Sausage Scramble Breakfast Burritos with chicken sausage, eggs, potatoes, peppers, pinto beans and a three-cheese blend, plus Steak Cilantro Lime Burritos with steak, brown rice, black beans, cheddar, corn, red bell peppers, onions and tomatillo sauce.

All four products are available beginning this month. “My husband and i really enjoy these! They have a good amount of filling and cook well ( the tortillas dont get all dried out),” says one Reddit fan. Find the Carne Asada Breakfast Burritos for $17.99 per 10-count box; the Sausage, Egg & Cheese Bagel Sandwiches for $16.99 per eight-count box; the Chicken Sausage Scramble Breakfast Burritos for $15.99 per 10-count box; and the Steak Cilantro Lime Burritos for $17.99 per 10-count box.

Related: Costco’s New Mini Bakery Treat Is Like a Little Taste of Paris

4. FØRTE Protein-Packed Frozen Bars View this post on Instagram

FØRTE is a new frozen protein bar brand with the spirit of a fudgsicle (hello, nostalgia) and the nutrition profile of a post-workout snack (hello, 2026!). Its chocolatey frozen bars are creamy, fudgy and contain 10 grams of protein each, so they’re designed to feel like a treat without abandoning the protein entirely.

“These are so chocolatey and fudge-like!” says one Instagram fan. The brand first launched in Texas Costco warehouses, then expanded to all Midwest Costco locations in August.

It is also adding Vanilla and Birthday Cake flavors to its lineup, though Costco availability can vary by warehouse. Find them for $14.99 at select Texas and Midwest Costco locations now.

Related: The 13 Best Things To Buy at the Costco Deli, According to a Superfan

5. Crepini Vanilla Cottage Cheese Protein Pancakes

Courtesy of Crepini

Crepini’s refrigerated Vanilla Cottage Cheese Protein Pancakes are finally expanding into Costco’s Northwest, Northeast and Southeast regions. Made with cottage cheese, egg whites and oats, the ready-to-eat pancakes offer a high-protein breakfast or snack that does not require mixing batter, flipping anything or otherwise creating a pre-coffee mess which is good for those of us who are not morning people.

“The macros in these are excellent and the ingredients are decent. I’m hoping my warehouse gets them as they are nice to have around if you temper expectations and not look for them to be a substitute for traditional pancakes,” says one Redditor.

The vanilla pancakes come in a 20-count package, so they’re especially useful for busy mornings, snack plates or a quick breakfast with fruit and nut butter. If vanilla’s not your thing, their Chocolate Chip Protein Pancakes are also expanding into the same regions this month. Find them for $12.99 per 20-count package at select warehouses.

6. Joolies Date Sours

Courtesy of Joolies

Joolies is bringing a new snack called Date Sours to Costco’s Southeast region this month. The 16-ounce bag takes naturally sweet dates in a decidedly tangier direction, making this a more interesting alternative to the usual fruit snack (or Sour Patch Kid situation). “…officially obsessed. Like, actually had to Google ‘how many dates are too many dates?’ the other night because we could not stop eating them,” says one Instagrammer.

These are a brand-new-to-Costco product and are currently available in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, Mississippi, South Carolina, Tennessee and Puerto Rico to start. Find them for $14.89 per 16-ounce bag.

7. Oster QuietPro Blender

Courtesy of Oster

The loudest thing in most kitchens is traditionally the blender, especially when frozen fruit or ice gets involved. Oster’s new QuietPro Blender is designed to change that and make sure you can get your morning smoothie in without waking up the entire household. The Quiet Mark-certified appliance uses a patented quiet motor design, a noise shield and a noise-seal gasket to reduce sound by up to 50% while still relying on a 1,500-watt, 2-horsepower motor.

This one is also a brand-new Costco product and launched exclusively at Costco laste last month. “Oooooo RUNNING to Costco 👀,” says one Instagrammer. Find it for $249.99 now.

8. Del Monte MAG.nificent Melon

Courtesy of Del Monte

Del Monte’s MAG.nificent Melon is a sweeter, more succulent cantaloupe sold in a Costco-friendly two-melon sleeve. It’s the kind of simple grocery find that earns its place in the cart because it actually gives you options: snack on it cold, add it to a fruit salad, wrap it with prosciutto, blend it into the viral two-ingredient melon ice cream or pack it for school lunches.

It’s available through the end of this month, so this is your last call for a genuinely good end-of-summer fruit moment. Find it for $5.89 per sleeve of two melons at select California and Texas Costco warehouses.

Related: Costco’s New High-Protein Freezer Find Blends Pasta and Taco Night in the Best Way

9. Honey Smoked Fish Co. Salmon Stackers

Courtesy of Honey Smoked Fish Co.

Honey Smoked Fish Co.’s Salmon Stackers make a lunchable-style snack kit for people with more ambitious taste. Each ready-to-eat pack combines hot-smoked salmon, gluten-free rice crackers and an all-natural spread, so you can build tiny salmon sandwiches, dip crackers or make a slightly excessive afternoon snack. “I had these and they are good. I lay all the crackers out so I can evenly distribute the salmon and spread 🤣,” says one TikToker.

The four-packs recently launched at Costco in the Southeast region and will be available nationwide through next month, or while it lasts. With smoky salmon, crunchy crackers and no actual preparation required, they’re ideal for lunchboxes, desk lunches and easy snack boards. Find them for $14.29 per four-pack.

Related: Costco’s Entire Food Court Menu, Ranked From Worst to Best

10. Kirkland Signature Mini Pain au Chocolat View this post on Instagram

Costco is giving the classic French bakery pastry the bulk-buy treatment with its new Kirkland Signature Mini Pain au Chocolat. “Dangerous,” says one Instagrammer. The 20-count box is an easy grab for breakfasts, brunch spreads or those moments when a Parisian pastry sounds perfect but the plane ticket price does not.

At $9.99, they work out to about 50 cents apiece, which is a price that you’d never find at your local coffee shop (or even in Paris!). Find them at warehouses nationwide starting this month.

11. Once Upon a Farm Tractor Wheel Toddler Soft-Baked Bars Variety Pack

Courtesy of Once Upon a Farm

Back-to-school snack shopping gets a little easier with Once Upon a Farm’s Tractor Wheel Toddler Soft-Baked Bars, which are now on Costco shelves nationwide. The 20-count variety pack includes the brand’s Apple, Sweet Potato & Spinach and Strawberry, Pumpkin & Beet flavors, and the organic bars are non-GMO with no added sugar, artificial flavors or artificial colors. Find it at Costco warehouses nationwide this month.

12. Magic Spoon Protein Treats Variety Pack

Courtesy of Magic Spoon

Magic Spoon is bringing its popular high-protein spin on classic crispy treats to Costco with a variety pack of Marshmallow and Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Treats. Each serving has 12 grams of protein, 2 grams of net carbs and 1 gram of sugar, making these an easy option for a work bag, gym bag or the snack drawer you’d prefer not to raid before dinnertime.

“They are literally incredible. I cannot distinguish them from real cereal bars,” says one Reddit fan. Find them for $19.99 per 14-count variety pack at Midwest Costco stores through the end of this month.

Related: Costco’s New Seasonal Duo Is an Autumn Baker’s Dream Come True

13. Dr. Praeger’s Pizza Stars

Courtesy of Dr. Praeger's

Dr. Praeger’s Pizza Stars are a fun freezer-aisle option for the nights when pizza is the only answer, but a full pie feels like too much commitment. The crisp, cheesy bites are made with real mozzarella cheese and vegetables as the first ingredient, and they cook in the air fryer or oven in minutes.

“These are so good, I already ate like 5 boxes,” says one Redditor. Find them for $19.99 per 50-count at 38 Costco warehouses across Western Canada now.

14. Mighty Spark Original & Teriyaki Chicken Snack Stick Variety Pack

Courtesy of Mighty Spark

Mighty Spark’s Original & Teriyaki Chicken Snack Stick Variety Pack is newly available in additional Costco regions, giving shoppers a portable protein option for lunchboxes, travel days and busy afternoons. Each 12-count pack includes eight Original and four Teriyaki one-ounce chicken snack sticks, so there is enough variety to keep the usual snack-stash monotony at bay.

“Got these the other day – great macros & mid-day snack,” says one Instagram fan. Find them for $12.99 to $14.99 per 12-count variety pack this month.

Up Next:

Related: 50 Cult-Favorite Things To Always Buy at Costco

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Nothing transforms a bedroom faster than fresh bedding, especially when it’s soft, stylish, and easy to care for. With Wayfair’s Labor Day Sale already in full swing, now is the perfect time to upgrade your sleeping space with a new comforter set. The retailer has plenty of cozy, stylish collections on sale right now, including a fan-favorite option with hundreds of five-star reviews.

Right now, you can grab the Nestl Bed-in-a-Bag Queen-Size Pleated Comforter Set for as low as $51 at Wayfair (discounts vary slightly by color). That’s up to 57% off its regular price of $118. This pintuck-style set adds a touch of texture and elegance while keeping you cozy all year long, and it includes everything you need for a full bedding refresh.

Nestl Bed-in-a-Bag Queen-Size Pleated Comforter Set, From $51 (was $118) at Wayfair

Courtesy of Wayfair

Shop at Wayfair

With a pleated design, the 7-piece set includes a reversible queen-size comforter, a flat sheet, a fitted sheet, two pillow shams, and two pillowcases. For added softness, the comforter is filled with 300 GSM microfiber that feels soft and plush without being heavy.

The sheets are wrinkle-resistant and fade-resistant, and the fitted sheet has elastic all the way around to keep it secure on mattresses up to 14 inches deep. Everything is also machine washable, so keeping it clean is a breeze. The set is available in 18 colors right now, ranging from rich greens and blues to neutrals like white and gray, though some hues are sold out in certain sizes.

Shoppers described the comforter as extremely comfortable and lightweight yet toasty. “The comforter is so soft and warm. It’s like sleeping with a soft cloud covering you,” one reviewer raved.

Plenty of buyers also love the way it looks and feels, calling the set “absolutely gorgeous” and “beautiful.” “Looks just as pictured. So cute and very comfortable!” a customer shared.

Related: Joanna Gaines’ Vintage-Inspired $40 Rug Has a ‘Beautiful’ Pattern That Radiates Farmhouse Elegance 

Comfortable, eye-catching, and affordable, theNestl Bed-in-a-Bag Queen-Size Pleated Comforter Set is everything you’d want in a new bedding set. Snag it for as low as $51 at Wayfair before this limited-time Labor Day deal ends!

Don’t miss future deals! Sign up for Parade Picks to receive our commerce team’s curated selection of discounts and sales, twice a week.

When it comes to Liam Neeson, movies like Taken and The Grey will come up. However, in 1993, he starred in Schindler’s List, directed by Steven Spielberg, and still considered one of the greatest movies of all time.

In fact, it sits in the 10th spot on Rotten Tomatoes’ list of Best Movies of All Time, still holding a 98% score. It proved to be an immediate box office success, earning $322.2 million globally on just a $22 million budget.

Schindler’s List is a movie about the Schindlerjuden, which translates to Schindler Jews, and many proposed a story about Oskar Schindler as far back as 1963. One of the survivors, Poldek Pfefferberg, made it his life mission to ensure that the world knew about Schindler’s story, and that was originally told in prose form, as Thomas Keneally wrote Schindler’s Ark.

It was that book that led to the movie, as Sidney Sheinberg sent Spielberg a review of the novel, but he wasn’t initially sure that he wanted to direct. In the end, he knew he had to take it, and decided that the best way to film it was to approach it as if it was a documentary, filming it in black and white, although everyone will remember that one hint of color — the red coat.

While we now couldn’t imagine anyone else playing the titular role other than Neeson, he wasn’t guaranteed the part. He had to audition, and it was only when Spielberg saw him on Broadway in the production of Anna Christie that he landed the role. There were some bigger actors at the time who could have taken it, but Spielberg knew the best way to make this iconic was to cast someone relatively unknown.

The cast is now one of legend, with actors who have gone on to become iconic for one reason or another. Ben Kingsley and Ralph Fiennes took on the roles of Itzhak Stern and Amon Göth, while Caroline Goodall played Schindler’s wife, Emilie.

Schindler’s List became more than just a story of one man. It was a chance to highlight the true stories of the Jewish people at a time of horror and fear. There was a focus on bringing the real stories to the surface, but it had to be done in a respectful way. When talking about his character, Stern, Kingsley shared, “I talked to Poldek Pfefferberg, and I talked to other survivors, but I let them volunteer information. I’m always very loath to open up old wounds, so I had no questions to ask. I would just stand next to them and listen to them talk.”

At the time of creation, there were very few fictional stories of the Holocaust. However, Spielberg realized that had to change, as more Holocaust deniers came out and the movement gained traction. It paved the way for many more movies, including The Pianist, The Book Thief, and The Boy in the Striped Pajamas.

However, there were some tough moments during filming, especially when it came to antisemitic remarks. Many of the actors, including Fiennes and Kingsley, encountered people with antisemitic views, and there were various anti-Jewish symbols scrawled on the billboards. When it came to Passover, though, everyone on set came together as one, with Spielberg explaining, “[German actors would] put on yarmulkes and opened up Haggadas, [the Seder text] and the Israeli actors moved right next to them and began explaining it to them. And this family of actors sat around and race and culture were just left behind.”

Schindler’s List told the story of how one man helped to save the lives of more than 1,000 Jewish men, women, and children. It remains a story of courage, honor, and trust.