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Neil Young and Willie Nelson are joining forces for two rare concerts ahead of this year’s Farm Aid.

The Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, 80, and country music legend, 93, have announced two co-headlining shows with their respective bands in September, giving fans a chance to see the longtime friends and Farm Aid co-founders together before the annual benefit concert.

Young and The Chrome Hearts will perform with Willie Nelson & Family on Sept. 22 at the Hartford HealthCare Amphitheater in Bridgeport, Connecticut, followed by a Sept. 24 show at the TD Pavilion at the Mann in Philadelphia.

Rising country artist Ty Myers will open both concerts.

The concerts are particularly notable because they will be Young’s first full-scale shows of 2026. The rocker had planned to tour Europe and the U.K. earlier this year but canceled those dates in February, saying he had decided to take a break from touring.

The new dates come just days before Young and Nelson are scheduled to reunite with fellow Farm Aid board members for Farm Aid 2026 on Sept. 26 in Virginia Beach, Virginia.

Neil Young and Willie Nelson Are Reuniting Before Farm Aid

The two musicians have been closely connected through Farm Aid, which they co-founded with John Mellencamp in 1985.

This year’s Farm Aid lineup will feature Nelson and Young alongside Mellencamp, 74, Dave Matthews & Tim Reynolds, Margo Price and Nathaniel Rateliff, as well as Lukas Nelson, Mike Campbell & The Dirty Knobs, the Turnpike Troubadours, Sierra Ferrell and others.

Nelson is already on the road as part of the 2026 Outlaw Music Festival. His current schedule includes dates through the end of August before the Farm Aid performance in September.

The upcoming shows with Young, however, are a different kind of event.

Rather than being festival appearances, the Bridgeport and Philadelphia concerts will feature Young & The Chrome Hearts and Willie Nelson & Family as co-headliners, giving both artists the opportunity to perform longer sets before they meet again at Farm Aid.

For Young, the shows also mark his return to the stage after his touring break.

Neil Young Is Returning to the Stage With The Chrome Hearts

Young formed The Chrome Hearts in 2024, with the group including musicians who had previously performed with him and his son, Micah Nelson.

The band has become Young’s primary touring group as he continues to perform outside of his long-running work with Crazy Horse.

The 2026 concerts will give Young a chance to return to full-scale touring alongside a group of musicians that has become an important part of his recent career.

And the timing makes the shows especially significant for longtime fans: Young will perform in Connecticut and Philadelphia just before appearing at one of the most important events of his career.

Neil Young and Willie Nelson’s 2026 Concert Dates

• Sept. 22: Bridgeport, Connecticut—Hartford HealthCare Amphitheater
• Sept. 24: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania—TD Pavilion at the Mann
• Sept. 26: Virginia Beach, Virginia—Farm Aid 2026

Tickets for the two new concerts went on presale Wednesday, Aug. 19, with general sales beginning Friday, Aug. 21.

RELATED: Jim Reeves, Who Had 6 No. 1 Hits After His Death, Would Be 103

Long before Sean Duffy was navigating Washington as President Donald Trump’s transportation secretary, he was navigating the drama of MTV reality TV. Now, nearly 30 years after appearing on The Real World and Road Rules, Duffy is back on camera — only this time, he has his family along for the ride.

Duffy’s six-episode family road-trip series, which was initially expected to debut in June, is now streaming on YouTube. The series follows Duffy, his wife, Fox News personality and Real World alum Rachel Campos-Duffy, and their children as they travel across the country, visiting destinations including Yellowstone National Park, Harvard University and Charleston, South Carolina.

The reality-TV veteran’s latest turn in front of the cameras is a decidedly different version of the Duffy viewers first met on MTV, swapping the competition and interpersonal drama of The Real World and Road Rules for a patriotic celebration of America. But Duffy hasn’t completely left his reality-TV roots behind: He worked with Bunim/Murray Productions, the company behind The Real World, on the new series.

Duffy’s first reality-TV experience was a far cry from a family road trip. At 25, the aspiring lawyer from Hayward, Wisconsin, joined The Real World: Boston as a self-described conservative Republican and lumberjack competitor. He frequently clashed with liberal roommate Kameelah Phillips, making their opposing political views part of the season’s interpersonal drama.

After his MTV run, Duffy’s life took a decidedly different direction. He went into politics, eventually serving in Congress before joining Trump’s administration as transportation secretary. Now, nearly three decades after viewers watched him navigate life with a house full of strangers, he’s using the same medium to showcase life with a family of his own.

The result is a very different kind of reality show: Instead of dealing with clashing roommates and competing personalities, Duffy is navigating family vacations, college visits and a cross-country celebration of America. And while the new series may be more polished than his MTV days, it has generated some very familiar reality-TV drama of its own.

One of the more personal stops comes at Harvard University, where Duffy’s daughter, Paloma, visits the Massachusetts campus as she considers where she wants to attend college. Duffy, however, expresses skepticism about sending her there, warning that Harvard could “professionalize figuring out how they can take good, young girls like you” and “corrupt their minds.” While Duffy tells his daughter she doesn’t have to share his political views, he says he wants her to have “a fair representation” of different perspectives, arguing that he doesn’t think “the Harvards of the world” provide a sufficiently well-rounded picture.

All six episodes of the Great American Road Trip are currently streaming on the Department of Transportation’s YouTube.

Several stars from My So-Called Life reunited more than 30 years after the series ended its original 19-episode run.

The reunion took place in August 2026 at Televerse, the annual three-day television festival hosted by the Television Academy, in Los Angeles.

In photos from the event, My So-Called Life stars Wilson Cruz (Rickie Vasquez), Devon Gummersall (Brian Krakow), and Devon Odessa (Sharon Cherski) posed alongside executive producer and director Scott Winant decades after they all worked together. A.J. Langer, who played troubled teen Rayanne Graff on the series, was also scheduled to attend.

Katie Flores / Getty Images

My So-Called Life followed 15-year-old Angela Chase (Claire Danes) and her family and friend group. The series was canceled after 19 episodes in May 1995 but became a cult classic thanks to heavy rotation reruns on MTV.

While series stars Danes and Jared Leto were notably missing from the August 2026 reunion, the meetup was exciting for longtime fans of the groundbreaking series.

Cruz, whose character Rickie was the first openly gay teen on primetime TV, told Woman’s World that he still thinks about My So-Called Life’s impact every day.

“And I have that show and that character and that experience to thank for my entire career,” he shared. “It’s nice to be back here to see some familiar faces, people that I love.”

‘My So-Called Life’ cast members.

Mark Seliger / Getty Images

Fans have long been hoping for a My So-Called Life reboot or revival.

Cruz previously told Today that he still talks to show creator Winnie Holzman “all the time,”  and said he’d been interested in doing a reboot but only “if everyone did it.”

He noted that the show’s theme remains timeless.

“What’s great about the show to me is that if you replace the clothes and you stick some phones in their hands, the way they talk and the way they interact with each other is very much in line with the way that teenagers are today,” Cruz said. “You take away those phones, and you put them in poodle skirts and you can place them in 1950 and it’ll still work. Because growing up hasn’t changed, and those issues haven’t changed, and the fact is, Rickie Vasquezes have been in high school as long as high school has existed. It’s just that in My So-Called Life, we finally got to see him.”

While celebrating the 30th anniversary of My So-Called Life’s debut, Holzman revealed she was happy with the way the series panned out, even though it was cut short.

“It didn’t need to have more than 19 episodes to affect people,” she told People magazine in 2024. “It just was what it was. And in its own small way, it did make this positive effect. That’s plenty for me.”

Related: Claire Danes Recreates Iconic ‘My So-Called Life’ Scene 30 Years Later—But There’s a Catch

“Eve of Destruction” was a 1965 song released by Barry McGuire. It was originally written by P. F. Sloan as a protest song. Because of its lyrics, which were anti-government, it was banned by many radio stations. However, this only made listeners more interested and ended up sending the song all the way to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.

The vocals McGuire recorded for this song were done late at night. They were originally meant to be a rough take. However, producer Jay Lasker loved the way his voice sounded and kept it for the final version.

On Sloan’s website, he explained the origin of the song. “The song ‘Eve of Destruction’ was written in the early morning hours between midnight and dawn in mid-1964,” he said. “I have felt it was a love song and written as a prayer because, to cure an ill, you need to know what is sick. In my youthful zeal, I hadn’t realized that this would be taken as an attack on The System! Examples: The media headlined the song as everything that is wrong with the youth culture. First, show the song is just a hack song to make money and therefore no reason to deal with its questions. Prove the 19-year-old writer is a communist dupe. Attack the singer as a parrot for the writer’s word.”

He continued, “The media claimed that the song would frighten little children. I had hoped through this song to open a dialogue with Congress and the people. The media banned me from all national television shows. Oddly enough, they didn’t ban Barry. The United States felt under threat. So any positive press on me or Barry was considered unpatriotic. A great deal of madness, as I remember it! I told the press it was a love song. A love song to and for humanity, that’s all. It ruined Barry’s career as an artist and, in a year, I would be driven out of the music business too.”

Related: 1978 Signature Ballad, Inspired by Patti Labelle Snooping in Her Husband’s Journal, Never Hit No. 1

Sloan wrote and produced many different hits over his career for artists like Johnny Rivers, the Turtles, and the Mamas and the Papas. However, after “Eve of Destruction” was released, he spent about 35 years away from the industry. He didn’t return until 2006.

Sloan died due to pancreatic cancer in 2015 at the age of 70.

The royal family is bracing for a massive shift as Prince Harry prepares for a high-profile return to the U.K. with his wife, Meghan Markle, and their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.

While the Duke’s decision to move back home opens up a long-awaited chapter for the monarchy, one royal expert points out that it could force a reconciliation with his brother, Prince William, who can no longer avoid facing his estranged sibling head-on. With both brothers back on British soil, the stage is officially set for a long-awaited royal showdown.

According to former BBC royal correspondent Peter Hunt, Harry’s physical presence back in Britain effectively strips William of any lingering excuses to avoid a sit-down. He shared his thoughts with Express about how the royal split could finally come to an end.

“In the long term, the return of the Sussexes to the UK opens up the prospect of two rival courts, William’s and Harry’s,” Hunt explained. “In the short term, Harry will be able to deepen his rapprochement with his father [King Charles].”

Prince Harry and King Charles/Loic Venance/AFP via Getty Images

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Hunt continued, “And his presence back home will make it harder for his brother to duck a reconciliation. The surprise return of Harry and Meghan is likely to have left William apoplectic.”

Royal photographer Arthur Edwards said that Harry’s return had to have been sanctioned by King Charles, according to a story published by The Sun.

Edwards said, “I imagine Harry and Meghan’s decision to return to the UK with their children, Archie and Lilibet, will have His Majesty’s blessing because nothing like this can happen without his agreement.” He continued, “Everybody deserves a second chance, but their new life in Britain could be much harder than Harry and Meghan realize.”

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While it appears Charles has agreed to mend fences with his second son, the brothers have reportedly remained estranged since Harry and Meghan left Britain for the United States in 2020. Public revelations by Harry in his book Spare and interviews with Anderson Cooper and Oprah Winfrey have kept the former close-knit siblings fundamentally divided.

Still, Harry believes there is a path toward reconciliation with William. The BBC reported in 2025 that Harry has hopes for moving forward with his family.

“There have been so many disagreements between myself and some of my family,” Harry stated. “I would love reconciliation with my family. There’s no point continuing to fight any more, life is precious.”

However, in that same interview, the Duke of Sussex stated, “I can’t see a world in which I would bring my wife and children back to the UK at this point.” His remarks came after losing an appeal over the levels of security he and his family are entitled to while in the country.

Despite the duke’s comments, it was announced on August 19 that Harry and his family would return to the U.K. to live. The Sun reported the couple’s relocation would include a home outside of London and a new school for their two children.

Representatives for King Charles, Prince William, Kate Middleton, and the Sussexes have yet to break their silence with an official public statement.

Related: King Charles Weighs in on Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s U.K. Return: Report

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From Y2K fashion to weathered decor pieces, the vintage aesthetic is incredibly appealing. One vintage-inspired style that the internet is completely obsessed with right now is chinoiserie. Characterized by nature-inspired designs and the iconic blue-and-white colorway, it captures the essence of whimsical elegance, often giving the appearance of a family heirloom. You can find chinoiserie in all forms, ranging from ceramics to furniture to wallpaper. 

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While it may be fun to hunt down vintage chinoiserie pieces at antique stores, you can also find some at Amazon, saving you time and money. One of our favorite finds is this Xiaan Jiaju Chinoiserie Ceramic Planter, and it’s a fantastic choice for new and seasoned plant parents. Right now, you can score it on sale for less than $20. Normally retailing for $24, it’s currently marked down to just $18, which is the lowest price it’s been available at in the past 30 days. 

Xiaan Jiaju Chinoiserie Ceramic Planter, From $18 (was $24) at Amazon

Courtesy of Amazon

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Featuring a floral design with swirling petals and wispy leaves, this planter nails the Chinoiserie style. The flowers boast rich blue hues and are set against a light cream background. The contrast makes the botanical pattern stand out and adds a stunning pop of color to your space. 

This planter is made of ceramic, giving it a hefty, authentic feel. Rustic in appearance, this planter has a shiny glaze with a crackled finish and a weathered rim and base. It could pass as a rare antique find or a family heirloom that’s been passed down for generations. 

This planter is also available in 15 other styles, including a ton of other floral patterns, an olive print, a lemon design, and more. These styles also have a vintage-inspired feel, and a select few also have a chinoiserie look. Select styles are on sale between $18 and $23, while others remain at full price, ranging from $24 to $28. You can also score a larger version of this planter in six styles. Four of them are on sale for $33, while the other two remain at full price, retailing for $37, and they all come with a saucer. 

Xiaan Jiaju Chinoiserie Ceramic Planter, From $18 (was $24) at Amazon

Courtesy of Amazon

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Effortlessly blending style and practicality, this piece will accent your space while providing a proper home for your plants. Measuring 5.1 inches tall with a 6.3-inch diameter, this planter is ideal for small to medium-sized plants. You can pot nearly any plant in this vessel, whether it’s flowers, herbs, succulents, ferns, and more! 

The bottom of the planter is equipped with a drainage hole, allowing excess water to flow through to protect your plants from waterlogged soil and root rot. It’s also fitted with three foot pads, designed to keep the planter stable while protecting your surface from scratches. 

This planter has earned a near-perfect five-star rating, with shoppers raving about its appearance and quality. Customers described this piece as “very cute” and “absolutely beautiful.” One reviewer said that “it looks high-end and more expensive than it is.” They also added that “it instantly elevates a space.” A second customer commented that it has “vintage charm.” 

Shop More Deals 

• Porcer Chinoiserie Vase, From $10 (was $20) at Amazon
• Suclain Chinoiserie Utensil Holder, From $17 (was $23) at Amazon
• Wdsfhyjk Chinoiserie Throw Pillow Cover, From $10 (was $12) at Amazon

Related: Shoppers Say This $27 Lemon Vase Looks Like ‘Italian Pottery,’ Capturing the Mediterranean Farmhouse Aesthetic

Whether you’re a plant parent or can’t get enough of chinoiserie-style pieces, the Xiaan Jiaju Chinoiserie Ceramic Planter at Amazon is definitely worth adding to your living space. Don’t hesitate to grab it while it’s still on sale for just $18 — it’s an unbeatable deal considering that similar styles go for way more at antique stores! 

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After more than over 30 cruises under my belt, I have learned that the fastest way to turn an affordable cruise into an expensive vacation is to start adding packages before you ever step on board the gangway. I’ve had my share of clicking those “oh, I’d like to do that” on the website way before heading to the Muster Station or checking out my cabin.

There is the Wi-Fi package, the specialty dining package, the spa package and, for many the most tempting of them all, the unlimited drink package.

Sviatlana Barchan / Getty Images

It sounds wonderful. You pay one price and order what you want without thinking about the bill. You can have a mimosa with breakfast, a frozen drink by the pool, wine with dinner and a cocktail at the evening show. Depending on the package, you can also add bottled water, specialty coffee, soda, juice and mocktails. In my head I think…all of those espresso drinks, my diet soda in the afternoon, that glass of wine on the balcony. But after years of that “deal of a cruise” becoming “OMG how much did I spend?” when adding everything up, I started really thinking about what it was costing me.

Related: How I Pack for a 7-Day Cruise With a Single Carry-On

The Reality of Unlimited Cruise Drink Packages

I’ll start by saying that for some cruisers, that convenience is absolutely worth the price. But after tracking what I actually drank instead of what I imagined I might drink, I stopped automatically purchasing the package.

The math wasn’t mathing as they say these days.

I enjoy a piña colada by the pool every now and then. I like a nice glass of wine with dinner and love a cortado in the morning. But I do not want to spend every day of my vacation trying to “get my money’s worth” by drinking five, six or seven alcoholic beverages. Honestly, that isn’t who I am at home, or when I travel.

And that words, “every day” are the key.

A drink package is generally priced per person, per day, and it normally must be purchased for the entire cruise. It also must be purchased by everyone of legal age staying in the cabin (so, let’s just start by doubling the price right off the bat). That includes embarkation day, port days, days when you are tired, days when the ship is rocking and days when you just don’t feel like drinking.

Once I stopped thinking about the package as convenient and started thinking about cost averaging it, it became a whole different story. I sat down with a pen and paper and did a little math to see how it all worked out and it became apparent very quickly that I was about to have an attitude change.

How Much Do Cruise Drink Packages Actually Cost?

Drink package prices vary considerably. They vary by line, ship, itinerary, sailing date, demand and whatever promotion is running when you check your cruise planner.

That means there is not always one universal price. Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises both use variable pricing, while Carnival currently publishes a more straightforward daily price for its CHEERS! package.

You also need to look beyond the advertised price. An automatic service charge of 18% or 20% will be added when you purchase the package.

That means that a package advertised at $70 per day will actually cost about $83-84 per person, per day. A package advertised at $100 can be $118-120 per day after the service charge. And because you have to purchase it for everyone who’s of age in the cabin in most cases, well…that could easily double the cost of your cruise.

Related: I Take Over 10 Cruises a Year—Here Are My Secrets to Getting Free Drinks on Board

I Did a Little Digging Across the Lines

View Pictures / Getty Images

1. What Carnival Charges for Its Drink Package

Carnival’s CHEERS! package currently costs $69.95 per person, per day when purchased before the cruise. A 20% service charge brings the actual cost to $83.94 per person per day. If you wait until you board, that increases to $74.95 per person, per day. After the 20% service charge, it comes to $89.94 per person, per day. For two people on a seven-night cruise, buying CHEERS! in advance costs approximately $1,175.16.

Currently, Carnival’s specialty cocktails start at approximately $10.50 before the service charge; wine by the glass starts at about $9.50 and mixed drinks vary by brand and cocktail. If you bought specialty cocktails starting at $10.50 apiece, each would cost you $12.60 after the 20% service charge.

The Math: You would need to order almost seven of those cocktails every day to equal the $83.94 daily cost of the package. If you chose $14 cocktails, each would cost $16.80 after the service charge. You would need about five per day to break even.

You’ll reach the break-even point with fewer alcoholic drinks if you also order coffee, soda, bottled water, energy drinks and mocktails throughout the day. However, you need to be honest with yourself about how much you really drink. Do you normally have regular coffee in the dining room or buffet (free)? Are you more of a water, iced tea, juice or lemonade drinker during the day (also free at the buffet).

A specialty coffee, two bottles of water (free if you book certain cabin classes), two frozen cocktails, a glass of wine and an evening drink might get you close to the package price. But that is still a fairly beverage-heavy day. And remember, you have to repeat it each day of your cruise to make it pay.

Carnival’s CHEERS! program also has a limit of 15 alcoholic drinks per 24-hour period. I cannot imagine coming close to that limit (but I’m a lightweight and don’t drink a lot), but passengers should know that “unlimited” does not always mean without a ceiling.

2. What Royal Caribbean Charges for Its Drink Package

Royal Caribbean’s Deluxe Beverage Package doesn’t have a fixed price. The cruise line (as well as Celebrity) uses dynamic pricing, so the cost can change based on the ship, sailing and demand.

I looked over the recent prices and they generally range from $56 to $115 per person, per day before the automatic 18% gratuity. That brings the actual cost to approximately $66.08 to $135.70 per person, per day. Prices vary based on whether you want a basic package or you’re looking for top tier liquor. But either way, that is an enormous range, which is why Royal Caribbean passengers should keep checking the Cruise Planner after booking for any sales and promotions. The price you see today may not be the best price that will be offered before you sail.

Royal Caribbean’s Deluxe Beverage Package covers individual drinks valued at up to $14. It also includes beer, wine by the glass, spirits, mocktails, premium coffee and tea, bottled water, fresh juice and other nonalcoholic beverages.

If the package is offered at $56 per day, the price becomes $66.08 after gratuity. A $14 cocktail purchased individually would cost approximately $16.52 after an 18% gratuity. At that low package price, four $14 drinks would put you at the break-even point, which could be a good deal for someone who also drinks bottled water, specialty coffee and soda. Then again, if the package is priced at $115 per day, it becomes $135.70 after gratuity. You would need to drink more than eight $14 drinks every day to break even on alcoholic beverages alone, and Royal Caribbean requires all passengers in the same cabin who are of drinking age to purchase the package if one does.

Eight drinks may not sound impossible over the course of a long sea day, but could you, or would you want to, do that every day of a seven-night cruise? Would the other people sailing in your cabin do the same?

Think about what happens on a port day when you leave the ship after breakfast and do not return until dinner? What happens if you have a glass of wine at lunch in port? That drink isn’t covered by the ship’s package.

Royal Caribbean does allow its Deluxe Package to be used at bars and restaurants on Perfect Day at CocoCay and Labadee, which can make it more valuable on itineraries that visit those destinations. Room service, minibar purchases and drinks at licensed Starbucks locations are not included.

3. What Celebrity Cruises Charges for Its Drink Packages

Celebrity is the line that I cruise the most and they offer both a Classic Drink Package and a Premium Drink Package. Just like Royal Caribbean, prices vary by ship, itinerary and sailing length.

Once you book, you’ll be inundated with emails offering discounts and sales. The Classic Package is commonly quoted at approximately $89 to $109 per person, per day before the 20% gratuity. That brings the actual cost to about $106.80 to $130.80 per day. The Premium Package can range from $109 to $149 per person, per day before gratuity. After the 20% charge, that becomes $130.80 to $178.80 per person, per day. Always check the price in your Celebrity app or cruise planner for your specific sailing.

The Classic Package includes qualifying beer, spirits, cocktails, frozen drinks and wine by the glass priced at up to $12 per serving. The Premium Package raises the per-drink limit to $19 and includes premium spirits, wine, craft beer, specialty coffee, premium water and other beverages.

Let’s do the math on this. Say you are paying $89 per day for the Classic Package; the total is $106.80 after gratuity. A $12 drink purchased individually would cost $14.40 after the same 20% gratuity. You would need the equivalent of more than seven $12 drinks every day to reach the package cost. At the higher $109 Classic Package price, you would need the equivalent of nine $12 drinks per day. What makes the Premium Package math a little better is if you regularly order drinks close to the $19 limit. A $19 drink would cost $22.80 after the service charge. If the Premium Package costs $109 before gratuity, you would need the equivalent of almost six $19 drinks per day to break even. At a $149 base price, you would need almost eight $19 drinks per day.

Of course, not every drink you order will cost the maximum allowed amount. A beer, soda, bottle of water or specialty coffee will cost much less than a $19 glass of wine or premium cocktail (Coffee drinks can cost about $5). The package ceiling tells you what is covered. Your job is to figure out what it is that you’ll actually use it on.

What Celebrity does offer is an All Included fare on eligible bookings that bundles the Classic Drink Package and Basic Wi-Fi together into the cruise price. That may be a more interesting calculation. Instead of comparing the full retail price of the drink package with individual drinks, compare the cruise-only fare with the All Included fare. Then decide whether the price difference makes sense for both the drinks and Wi-Fi you would actually use.

But remember, all guests in the same stateroom must choose the same All Included rate. Celebrity says the option is available on select inside, ocean-view, veranda, Concierge Class and AquaClass bookings (Retreat bookings include a drink package automatically). Remember that Wi-Fi is included as well in the rate, so if you plan to be working like I do, or want to be able to call home every day to check on the kids this might be a better option. But I still compare the actual fare difference before booking.

Related: The Golden Rules of Stress-Free Cruising, According to a Lifelong Traveler

Holger Leue / Getty Images

How Many Drinks Do You Really Need to Make it Worthwhile?

There is no one answer because package prices and drink prices vary. But based on the current costs on Carnival, Royal Caribbean and Celebrity, the alcoholic drink break-even point usually falls somewhere between four and nine drinks per person, per day.

Four drinks might be enough when you find a deeply discounted Royal Caribbean package and order cocktails close to the $14 limit. Seven specialty cocktails may be needed to justify Carnival’s CHEERS! package at its current advance-purchase price. While Celebrity’s Classic Package could mean the equivalent of seven to nine drinks priced near the $12 limit (depending on the price offered for your cruise).

Only count things you would have purchased anyway. I drink less alcohol (which is cheaper) like soda and coffee, and have a glass of wine in the evening. I carry a refillable water bottle, making it FREE. I have a free coffee with breakfast and visit the specialty coffee shop maybe three times per sailing for a capuccino. The cruise line is calculating the package based on what they think you might consume at the most. Your job is to calculate it based on what you really drink.

Related: Is a Balcony Cabin Worth the Upgrade? This Cruise Expert Says It Depends on One Thing

A Look at What I Actually Drink on a Cruise

My typical day is much simpler than the fantasy version I have in my head before a cruise. I start with coffee. Regular coffee, tea, water, milk and certain juices are generally available at no charge during breakfast. I might buy a specialty coffee, but I don’t have one every morning.

During the day, I drink water. I bring a refillable bottle and use the ship’s complimentary water instead of buying multiple bottles. FYI, I have also ordered a CASE of water for a little over $20 in advance delivered to my cabin and most lines allow you to bring a carton of soda or water on with your luggage (as long as you can carry it). I see people with 12-packs of Coke or Ginger Ale walking on all the time. Some allow guests of legal drinking age to bring a limited amount of wine or champagne aboard on embarkation day. The allowance varies by cruise line, and corkage fees may apply if you drink your bottle in a restaurant or public area. Always check the current policy before arriving at the terminal because rules can change.

Me? I may have a frozen cocktail by the pool, but not daily. At dinner, I might want a glass of wine. I rarely have a drink at the show. But if I do, I might gamble a bit and take my free casino drink with me to the show then go back to the casino afterwards.

If you order three alcoholic drinks, you might spend approximately $40 to $55 after service charges which is still substantially less than paying $84, $107, $130 or more for a package.

On a port day, I may order one drink onboard or none at all. If I am in port from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m., the package has almost no value during those hours. Remember that the cruise line does not refund the portion of the package you don’t use while exploring Santorini, shopping in Nassau or having lunch in Cozumel.

UCG / Getty Images

Free Drinks in the Casino Changes Everything

There is another major reason I stopped buying the drink package. I enjoy gambling and quite a few cruise casinos offer eligible guests free drinks while they are actively gambling. I have received free drinks while playing in cruise casinos, including on Virgin Voyages, Celebrity Cruises and Margaritaville at Sea.

Depending on the cruise line, ship and your casino status, drinks may be complimentary while you are playing, or you may need to earn a certain number of points first. On some of the other lines, frequent casino guests can also receive drink benefits as part of future cruise offers. Those drinks are only available inside the casino. You need to be actively playing, and you may have to order through a casino server rather than walking up to the bar (a mistake that I’ve made and learned from).

I would never recommend gambling just to receive a complimentary cocktail. A $15 drink is certainly not free if you lose $100 at a slot machine while waiting for it. But I travel on gambling comps and spend time playing, and as long as the ship is out at sea (not on port days), the casino is usually open when you are at least 3 miles offshore (each casino will post its hours). If I am already planning to play in the casino and drinks are part of my casino benefits, paying hundreds of dollars for a separate package means I am paying twice for drinks I already receive.

I also keep a stack of $1 bills and tip the casino server, even when the drink itself is complimentary.

There are also shows and events that offer complimentary wine, champagne, whiskey and bourbon tastings on board!

Don’t Forget Your Onboard Credit

Onboard credit should also be included in your calculation. If I have $100 or $200 in onboard credit, I may choose to use some of it for individual drinks. That gives me the freedom to enjoy what I want without committing to a full package.

Casino offers, travel advisors, cruise promotions and shareholder benefits may include onboard credit. Before buying a beverage package, look at everything already attached to your reservation. You might find that your drinks are partly or completely covered without adding a package.

Related: I Cruise Every Month—Here Are My Secrets to Scoring Luxury Cabins for Cheap

The Cabin Rule That Can Destroy the Value

One of the biggest problems with alcoholic beverage packages is the cabin requirement. Most cruise lines now require all adults of legal drinking age in the same cabin to purchase the package if one person buys it. The rule prevents passengers from sharing drinks, but it can create terrible value when one person drinks and the other doesn’t.

Imagine that one person would consume enough to justify an $84-per-day package but the other would only have one glass of wine with dinner. The second guest’s package could add nearly $600 to a seven-night cruise without providing anything close to $600 in value.

Note that there are some lines that allow the second guest to purchase a nonalcoholic package for medical, religious or personal reasons. Call the cruise line and ask before purchasing because each line has its own policies.

When the Drink Package Is Worth It

I do not think drink packages are always a bad purchase. They can actually save money for the right person.

A package may make sense if you regularly drink five or more alcoholic beverages every day and also purchase bottled water, soda, juice and specialty coffee. It can work well if your itinerary has a lot of sea days, you find a deeply discounted package (I’ve seen 50% off sales), or you want the security of knowing that most of your beverage spending has already been handled. It may also make sense if the package is bundled with Wi-Fi at a price that’s lower than purchasing them separately.

Most importantly, a package can be worth buying if it makes your vacation more relaxing. There is value in ordering a drink without checking the price and knowing that your final bill will not be filled with bar charges. As long as you remember that convenience and savings are not the same thing.

StockPlanets / Getty Images

The One Question To Ask Yourself

I don’t ask, “Can I drink enough to make the package worthwhile?”

I ask, “Is this how I want to spend every day of my vacation?”

That’s the important difference. If you normally have one glass of wine with dinner, you probably won’t want seven drinks every day just because you are on a ship. If you have a lot of long days in port, you probably won’t use the package to make it worthwhile. If you get loyalty drinks, casino drinks, onboard credit or complimentary event beverages, your break-even point becomes even harder to reach.

Before automatically buying that package, think about what you would realistically drink on embarkation day, a sea day and a port day. Include alcohol, soda, bottled water and premium coffee, but only count those drinks that you would pay for and BE HONEST WITH YOURSELF.

Then do the math. Multiply that spending across the entire cruise and compare it with the full package price, including gratuities.

Me? I Always Pay As I Go

At this point in my cruising life, I would rather order exactly what I want, when I want it. If I want a piña colada by the pool, I order one. If I want champagne before dinner, I enjoy it. If I want nothing more than water and coffee the next day, I don’t feel as though I have to drink just because I’ve paid for it.

Paying as I go means I can use the money I save on something I value more like a special dinner, a spa treatment, an excursion or even better, money toward my next cruise.

After more than 25 cruises, I know that I don’t drink enough to justify a package. I use my casino and loyalty benefits, look for complimentary events, bring wine aboard when the rules permit it and pay for the drinks I truly want.

I still enjoy my cocktails. I simply stopped spending my vacation chasing a break-even point.

For me, that is something worth raising a glass to.

Related: I’m a 72-Year-Old Cruise Expert—Here’s the ‘Toddler Method’ I Use to Pack a Carry-On

Andy Cohen called Tracy Tutor’s Real Housewives of Beverly Hills Season 16 casting “a long time coming,” but there’s one more person fans hope to see by her side next season: Josh Flagg.

Tutor’s Million Dollar Listing Los Angeles costar was her yin to her yang, with the longtime friends frequently trading barbs, cracking jokes and occasionally clashing on the luxury real estate series. Together, they brought plenty of humor and drama to the show, and now fans can’t seem to imagine Tutor’s reality TV future without at least a small taste of Flagg.

Tutor announced her RHOBH casting on Instagram. “Well… the secret’s officially out,” she wrote. “I’m joining the cast of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills and I could not be more excited for this next chapter. Beverly Hills is home. I’ve raised my girls here, built my career here, and now apparently I’ve decided to let you all even further into my life. Excited? Very. Nervous? A little. Likely to get into some trouble? Absolutely. So what’s left to say but, Let’s f—ing go.”

Fans immediately celebrated Tutor’s arrival, with several saying they hoped she would breathe new life into the series. “Buckle the f—k up Bravo,” one person wrote.

Million Dollar Listing costars Tyler Whitman and Frederik Eklund, along with Eklund’s husband, Derek Kaplan, also vowed to watch the series now that Tutor was joining the cast. Housewives from across the franchise similarly flooded the comments with messages of support.

Notably missing from the comments section, however, was Flagg. That didn’t stop fans from wondering whether he might make an appearance alongside his longtime friend. “Does this mean we get Flagg too?! Flagg and [Jennifer] Tilly would be a dream combo!” one person remarked. The comment received 897 likes, making it the most-liked reaction to Tutor’s announcement.

While Flagg has yet to comment publicly on Tutor’s casting, he’s been busy with his own real estate deals. The Million Dollar Listing Los Angeles star recently announced the sale of the late Diane Keaton’s Brentwood home for $22.9 million.

Flagg also hard-launched a new relationship on Instagram with Million Dollar Listing costar and frenamie Josh Altman, joking in the comments, “That’s messed up. Cheating on me like that.”

The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills Season 16 is expected to premiere in late 2026 or early 2027.

Rikki Rockett delayed writing his memoir because he didn’t want to embarrass his parents when they were alive. The legendary Poison co-founder and drummer, born Richard Alan Ream and nicknamed ‘The Rocket,” opened up about his upcoming book, Ghost Notes, in a new interview and explained why he waited to publish his life story.

“I think this is the funny answer, but it’s kind of the truth,” Rockett, 65, told the This Day in Metal podcast. “I didn’t want to embarrass my parents when they were alive by telling some of these stories.”

“And then I was, like, ‘Oh, now I’ve got kids…’” he continued. “But I’m always going to have kids, and in a normal life they’re going to outlive me. So at some point, I got to do this. And they’re old enough now that I can say, ‘Well, let me explain this…’ So I feel like that’s okay now.”

Even with his parents gone, Rockett noted that there were some stories he kept out of the book because he didn’t “feel good” about sharing certain things.

“I don’t feel like I ever threw anybody under the bus,” he added. “If somebody feels that way, it’ll be interesting to find out why they feel that way.”

RELATED: ‘80s Glam Rocker Was Told He’d Never Sing Again

A  synopsis for Ghost Notes reads, “From the suburbs of Mechanicsburg [Pennsylvania] to the neon glare of Los Angeles — the raw, relentless story of one of glam metal’s defining drummers, and everything he saw between the beats.”

Rockett told Talkin’ Rock With Meltdown that the book will include all of his “footnotes of different things, throughout Poison’s career” and some of the more “poignant moments” from his life.

‘It’s not like a tell- all book,” he explained. “I’m not out trying to bash anybody or do any of that kind of stuff, but I think people will find it interesting because there’s a lot of personal triumphs, a lot of personal struggles, and filling in the blanks with some of those questionable Poison moments.”

Rockett noted that he and Poison bandmates Bret Michaels, Bobby Dall, and C.C. DeVille had been approached to do a group tell-all, ala Motley Crue’s The Dirt.

“We’ve always been afraid to do a book together, I think, because we…I don’t know,” he shared. “You know, Poison has been… well, we did have a really good offer, but they wanted just dirt. And I just remember saying, my parents at the time, I remember saying, ‘My parents are still alive. I don’t want to embarrass my parents.'”

Ghost Notes is out on September 15.

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Finding storage that actually looks good can be surprisingly difficult, especially when you want something flexible enough to put away when you don’t need it. Many collapsible options are either flimsy or have a utilitarian look, making them less appealing for spaces where you want your organization to blend in with your decor.

The Yhipl 4-Tier Stackable Plastic Storage Cabinet offers a more polished take on flexible storage. Right now, it’s 42% off at Walmart, bringing the price down from $129 to just $75. The  four-cabinet, 55-quart option has the steepest discount, making it a particularly good value.

Yhipl 4-Tier Stackable Plastic Storage Cabinet, $75 (was $129) at Walmart 

Courtesy of Walmart

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The four-cabinet version measures 23.6 inches long, 12.9 inches wide, and 48.8 inches tall. You can also choose from configurations with two, three, four, or five bins, as well as 55-quart or 86-quart capacities, depending on how much storage you need.

The design is both practical and easy to live with. Clear front doors let you see what’s inside without having to open every compartment, while sturdy handles make the doors easy to open and close. Lockable wheels also let you move the cabinet around when needed and help keep it securely in place once you’ve found the right spot.

Made from durable polypropylene, the cabinet is designed to withstand everyday use. Its foldable construction allows it to collapse flat when empty, making it easier to store when not in use, while reinforced corners help keep stacked units stable. Magnetic front doors provide quick access to everyday items, and the larger top lid can hold bulkier belongings like blankets, seasonal clothing, or oversized toys.

Related: Walmart’s Tall 5-Drawer Dresser Adds ‘Cute, Functional Storage’ to Bedrooms and Closets

Its flexible design makes it useful throughout the house. Use it in the bedroom for clothing and linens, in the bathroom for toiletries, in a playroom for toys, or in a study or craft area for art supplies. It can also work in entryways, pantries, living rooms, and garages when you need extra organization without committing to bulky permanent storage.

Shoppers appreciated that it doesn’t sacrifice appearance for functionality. One reviewer said it “doesn’t look cheap,” writing, “My daughter has so many random things that go to so many different toys, and this was the perfect way to organize all of the little pieces in a nice-looking display.” Another described it as a “very nice unit” that “fits well in any setting,” adding, “It’s very attractive as well as sturdy.”

Shop More Deals

• Kitsure 8-Drawer Closet Organizer, $45 (was $70) at Walmart
• Catgood Under-Bed Storage With Wheels, $30 (was $45) at Walmart
• Norcho Foldable Fabric Storage Cubes, $17 (was $28) at Walmart

For storage that’s flexible, practical, and easy to work into your home, the Yhipl 4-Tier Stackable Plastic Storage Cabinet is a great option. And with Walmart’s current 42% discount, you can save more than $50 on the four-cabinet option while giving clutter a much more organized home.

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.

Tinned fish has come a long way from the dusty cans of tuna hiding in the back of the pantry. Over the past few years, new options have emerged that helped transform the humble staple into something actually exciting, thanks to bold flavors, colorful packaging and an emphasis on high quality.

Fishwife has been one of the brands leading the charge. The woman-founded tinned seafood company has built a devoted following with its eye-catching packaging and premium, responsibly sourced seafood.

The only catch? That upgraded tuna comes with an upgraded price tag.

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That’s why Aldi’s latest find is worth making some room on your shelves. Starting Aug. 26, the discount grocer is stocking two Fishwife albacore tuna varieties for just $6.99 each—giving curious shoppers a considerably less expensive way to see what all the fuss is about.

And with two flavors to choose from, you might want to make some extra room in the pantry.

Two Fishwife Favorites Are Coming to Aldi

Aldi

Beginning Aug. 26, Aldi shoppers can look for 3.2-ounce tins of Fishwife Albacore Tuna with Spanish Lemon and Fishwife Wild-Caught Albacore Tuna in Spicy Olive Oil. Both varieties are priced at $6.99 per tin.

The Spanish Lemon variety is packed with Spanish olive oil, cold-pressed lemon juice and salt, giving the rich tuna a bright, citrusy kick. It’s the kind of pantry staple that can quickly upgrade a salad or pasta, but Fishwife also suggests keeping things simple and serving it with potato chips and hot sauce or over rice with Kewpie mayo.

Aldi

For shoppers who prefer a little heat, there’s the Albacore Tuna in Spicy Olive Oil. That version pairs wild-caught albacore with extra virgin olive oil, chili pepper and sea salt for a spicy alternative to your everyday can of tuna.

Either one gives you plenty of options beyond the standard tuna sandwich. Pile it onto crusty bread, add it to a grain bowl, toss it with pasta or turn it into a seriously upgraded tuna melt. And there’s nothing wrong with grabbing a fork and eating it straight from the tin—we don’t judge.

The Aldi price also makes experimenting considerably easier. Fishwife’s tuna typically lands firmly in premium-grocery territory, so finding tins for $6.99 makes this a much lower-stakes investment for the tinned fish curious—as well as a good excuse for existing fans to stock up.

Related: These Are the Oldest Restaurants in the World—and You Can Still Eat at Every One Today

Why Everyone Is Talking About Tinned Fish View this post on Instagram

If spending this much time talking about canned tuna seems strange, you may have missed the tinned-fish renaissance.

As Emmy from Instagram’s @sophisticatedspreads explains in a recent post, the category’s resurgence has been building for several years, fueled by a combination of convenience, interest in sustainable seafood and renewed appreciation for conservation traditions long embraced in countries such as Spain and Portugal. Tinned seafood is shelf-stable, packed with protein and requires virtually no preparation, which makes it particularly well suited to the way many of us eat today.

Fishwife has managed to tap into that trend while making the category feel decidedly more approachable. Its bold flavors and design-forward packaging make the tins feel just as appropriate on a snack board with good bread, pickles and crackers as they do tucked away in the pantry.

That’s also part of what makes the Aldi arrival interesting. Shoppers who have watched the tinned-fish trend from afar now have a relatively inexpensive opportunity to try one of the brands most closely associated with it—and they get two flavors to choose from.

Of course, at $6.99 each, choosing may be beside the point. Aug. 26 sounds like a perfect day to grab one of each.

Related: We Asked 3 Chefs the Best Thing To Make With Frozen Broccoli, and They All Said the Same Thing

Coastal getaways are a popular choice for many travelers and for good reason. From their proximity to beautiful beaches to fresh, local seafood, these scenic small towns are teeming with things to do, eat, and see. 

Whether you want a sunny, west coast escape or a nautical east coast break, the options are seemingly endless. 

When we asked travel advisors their top choice for a coastal getaway, they all said the same thing: Kennebunkport, Maine. As someone who’s spent time in the charming, picturesque town, I can understand the appeal. 

Located along Maine’s southern coastline where the Kennebunk River meets the Atlantic Ocean, the seaside town is about 30 miles north of Portland, Maine and around 1.5 and 2 hours from Boston Logan International Airport, making it a popular pick for those seeking a scenic New England trip. 

With a population of less than 4,000 people, it’s considered a hidden gem that’s worthy of exploration. 

“Kennebunkport delivers that quintessential New England coastal experience, but without feeling overly manufactured,” says Eric Hrubant, Founder & President, CIRE Travel, an affiliate of Global Travel Collection. “It’s polished, but still authentic. You have working harbors, historic homes, and a level of service that quietly rivals much larger luxury destinations.”

Audley Travel specialist Connor Chess agrees, “The best part about Kennebunkport is that it’s off the beaten path compared to a lot of other coastal New England destinations. Cape Cod and Bar Harbor are where the masses flock, but Kennebunkport, while well visited in the summer and fall, doesn’t feel overrun.” 

Related: The Fall Getaway That’s Perfect for Your Personality Type

Best Time to Visit

While visiting during any of the four seasons is always a good idea, I visited Kennebunkport at the end of summer, and the weather was picture-perfect. Bright blue skies were complemented by comfortable temps maxing out around 80 degrees. 

“It’s a multi-season destination with opportunities to experience the best of Maine—the food, the lobstering culture, the coastal walks and scenery,” says Chess. “My favorite month in Maine is September. Along the coast the summer crowds and the mosquitos have filtered out by Labor Day, and you’re left with empty beaches, warm sunny days and cool evenings. If you’re pairing the visit to Kennebunkport with leaf peeping further north, late September early October is the sweet spot.”

Fora Advisor Danielle Fisher shares the same sentiment that early fall is an ideal time to visit. 

“The best time to visit Kennebunkport may be September,” she says. “The water’s still warm, the crowds have thinned, restaurant tables are easier to get, and rates come down a bit. You get all the charm without fighting for a reservation or parking spot.”

Related: Best Things to Do in Freeport, Maine, This Fall

Where to Stay

When I visited a few years ago, I stayed at Nonamtum Resort with my two children. I’d highly recommend it for families traveling with kids. There are a ton of onsite kid-friendly activities, and the rooms are spacious and boast a nautical touch.   

“I typically recommend the Boathouse Waterfront Hotel,” says Chess. “It’s perfectly located right on the water and next to Dock Square, where all the action happens.”

According to Fora Advisor Erica Christie, accommodation choices should align with each traveler’s unique vacation style. “For a family looking for summer camp vibes, I adore the cottages and bungalows at Hidden Pond, which manages to be both luxurious and relaxed at the same time,” she says. “For a girls trip or couple trip, White Barn Inn, Auberge Collection offers a more romantic and elegant option closer to town.” 

Related: Ogunquit, Maine: The Best Affordable Beach Town in America

Where to Eat and Drink

Kennebunkport has a variety of eateries serving everything from buttery lobster rolls to succulent steaks.  

Chess adds, “There are great restaurants and shops, and all that you could seek in a small-town environment, but with a touch of class and comfort.”

“Nunan’s Lobster Hut is classic, no-frills, and worth it every time,” says Hrubant. Want a more elevated meal? Hrubant suggests the White Barn Inn restaurant, which serves seasonal fare like crab salad and classic dishes like seared salmon. “It is one of the most refined dining experiences in New England,” he says. 

Christie recommends saving room for dessert. “Do not miss the creative ice cream flavors at Rococo Ice Cream, like Maine whoopie pie and goat cheese & blackberry Chambord swirl.”

Related: These Charming Harbor Towns Between Boston and Portland, Maine Promise Visitors Tasty Lobster, Art, and Coastal Views

Things to Do

When I stayed at Nonamtum Resort, they organized a lobster boat outing with Rugosa Lobster Tours for me and my family. It’s great for kids to get an up-close-and-personal look at the clawed crustaceans while learning about their anatomy and more. Cruising along the coast also offers adults an enlightening and delightful way to spend an afternoon.

Hrubant agrees that getting on the water is a must. 

“A sunset sail out of the harbor is an unmissable experience,” he says. “It’s one of those deceptively simple moments that ends up being the highlight. Passing by Walker’s Point, taking in the coastline from the water, and seeing the town from a completely different perspective.”

Interested in some retail therapy? Christie recommends stopping into stores around Dock Square, where visitors can find everything from high-end artwork to cheeky souvenirs. 

Related: The Maine Beach Town That’s Perfect for Labor Day Weekend—and Fall Too

Sources:

• Eric Hrubant — New York City-based Founder & President of CIRE Travel, an affiliate of Global Travel Collection, luxury travel planner and renowned industry expert with more than 20 years experience.
• Connor Chess — New England-based Audley Travel specialist who plans tailor-made experiences for travel to Oceania and North America.
• Danielle Fisher: Fora Advisor specializing in boutique luxury, family, and group travel across Europe, Mexico, and the Caribbean.
• Erica Christie: Fora Advisor specializing in luxury, family, travel across Europe, New Zealand, and the Caribbean.

If you look up the term “rock star” in the dictionary, you’ll find a photo of Robert Plant. (Or that’s what should happen, anyway.) The former Led Zeppelin frontman, rock’s very own “Golden God,” turns 78 on Aug. 20, 2026, over half a century after he set the definitive template for hard rock singers everywhere…and he still sounds as amazing as ever.

Born in the West Midlands area of England, Plant developed an interest in music early on (Elvis Presley was a major influence) and by the time he was 16, he’d already left home to pursue his dream. It wasn’t too long before he caught the attention of Jimmy Page, as Plant explained during an appearance on BBC Radio 2’s Tracks of My Years with Vernon Kay. Plant was singing with a band named Hobbstweedle when Page first saw him perform, and though late singer Terry Reid — nicknamed “Superlungs” — was the guitarist’s original choice for Led Zeppelin frontman, Reid sealed Plant’s fate when he turned the gig down.

“Terry Reid and I, we’re in separate groups, and we traveled through the same circuits and we became really good friends,” Plant said. “He was just the most sensational singer. He was invited to join Jimmy Page and John Paul Jones in this perception of a group, the potential of which could have been phenomenal. And he had got his own career going with Mickie Most at the time. And ironically, it was funny really, because I was sitting in his kitchen, with him and his mum and dad when this stuff was going on, and he said ‘No, I’ve got this other thing.’ And so he recommended this guy from the Black Country, who was me.”

Everybody knows what happened next: Led Zeppelin changed music forever, with Plant’s stupendous wail and trademark swagger helping to cement the group’s legacy as one of the greatest and most important rock bands of all time.

Related: Robert Plant’s Reaction to Being Tackled by an Audience Member in Resurfaced Footage Stuns Fans

When asked to reflect on his heyday as a rock god years later, Plant displayed his famous sense of humor.

“Well, I can’t remember what it must have been like,” he joked during an appearance on BBC Radio 4’s Front Row, adding, “I’ve seen some photographs. I had some lovely jewelry.”

“I look back at it as part of the development of a guy who just avoided maintaining and actually getting my articles as a chartered accountant,” he continued, referring to the career path he abandoned when he left school. “So I look back, and I admire that kid.”

“There was no conception of there being a future to look back at things,” Plant said. “You know, I couldn’t have imagined my existence beyond that very week that I was in…and never mind being 25, you know. So I think that whoever that kid was, he was definitely doing something special. And he was having a very good time.”

Plant’s time in the spotlight didn’t end when Led Zeppelin broke up following John Bonham‘s death in 1980. His extensive solo career (which included a reunion with Page as Page and Plant) produced such hits as “Tall Cool One,” “In the Mood” and “Big Log.” It was Grammy-winning country singer Alison Krauss‘ cover of “Big Log” that sparked a collaboration between the vocalists resulting in two hit albums.

“I used to play [the cover version] over and over again, saying, ‘Look, people know me out there,’” Plant told Variety. “The fact that a luminary like Alison would be singing a song about my torrid love affairs.”

Plant’s albums with Krauss (and later, Suzi Dian) showcase the remarkable evolution of his voice over the years, a process he discussed with NPR’s Tiny Desk host, Robin Hilton.

“I knew that I got to get out of a mold,” Plant said, adding, “I knew I had to turn some of the expression down because I had to make my own way.”

“Bottom line is, when I got exposed to this other way of singing, if you think about Charlie Rich or somebody like that, he could turn it on and turn it off,” he continued. “And Presley just could sing so magnificently, but at the same time, he could kick ass. And I think because I found these songs through my friendships with those guys down in Nashville and Austin, it was just like, what are you gonna do with a Betty Wright song? You can’t kill it. Somebody can sing it beautifully, and you’ve got to retranslate from an original idea, and sort of put your own mark on it. I can kick ass, but I can rely on myself at the moment.”

At 78, Plant shows no signs of slowing down. His album with Dian and Saving Grace, also called Saving Grace, was released to great acclaim in 2025, and he’s heading out on the road again this fall.

In a recent interview with Louder last year, Plant hinted at more new music to come.

“It’s not finished. There’s loads more. If I open the trunk of my car, all these songs fall out. Songs recorded, songs not recorded. It’s a trove,” he said.

“When you sing, you sing,” he added. “You don’t say: ‘F—k it, I’ll stop now.’ You carry on singing. If you’re not on the gravy train, you just open the door when you feel like it and out you go.”

Related: How Robert Plant’s Beloved Blue-Eyed Dog Inspired an Iconic Led Zeppelin Song

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If your September calendar is already filling up with fall hikes and foliage-filled trails, a new pair of hiking boots might be worth adding to the plan. Fortunately, the Keen Durand EVO Mid Waterproof Hiking Boots are on sale for just $101 at REI right now, down from $210. They come in a versatile steel grey and cloud blue color combination, with sizes ranging from 6 to 11.

These mid-height hiking boots are designed to rise above the ankle and feature breathable mesh uppers with Keen’s waterproof technology to help keep your feet dry. The flexible forefoot section bends as you walk, while the removable foam insoles add cushioning and arch support. They also have all-terrain rubber outsoles with multidirectional lugs for better grip on uneven ground, and they weigh just over 3 pounds.

Keen Durand EVO Mid Waterproof Hiking Boots, $101 (were $210) at REI

Courtesy of REI

Shop at REI

Fall trails can be dry and covered in crunchy leaves one weekend, then muddy and slick after a rainy day, which is why waterproofing and good traction can make a big difference. The good news? These boots are built with both. They also have a quick-dry lining, which can come in handy on longer hikes when trail conditions are less predictable.

Shoppers have tested these on all kinds of terrain. One person who wore them hiking through snow said, “At the end of a five-mile hike, my feet were warm and dry.” They also praised the grip and cushioning before adding, “I just found my new go-to hiking shoes.” Another shopper called them “ridiculously comfortable and very sturdy” after wearing them on trails and long hikes, while a third said they’re “flexible yet supportive” and “waterproof yet breathable.”

Related: Skechers’ Strappy Sandals Are ‘Extremely Comfortable and Supportive’ for Wide Feet, and They’re 56% Off

Waterproof hiking boots can easily be priced closer to $200 or more, which makes REI’s $101 price especially noteworthy. REI also notes that this particular style is discontinued, so there’s no guarantee every size will stick around. If fall hikes are already on the calendar, it is worth grabbing a pair before your size is gone.

Shop More Deals

• Keen Targhee IV Waterproof Hiking Shoes, $126 (were $180) at REI
• Merrell Wrapt Shoes, $90 (were $120) at REI
• Merrell Tempo Sol Mid Waterproof Hiking Boots, $80 (were $100) at REI

The Keen Durand EVO Mid Waterproof Hiking Boots are on sale at 52% off the original price, and with waterproofing, trail-ready grip, and cushioning, they’re well equipped for everything from easy foliage walks to rockier hikes. If you still have a few scenic trails or overlooks on your bucket list, grab your size while they’re still marked down and start planning where to hike first.

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Songwriting duo Carole King and Gerry Goffin were churning out tracks in the 1960s when “The Loco-Motion” became a chart-topping hit thanks to their young babysitter Eva Narcissus Boyd.

The dance/pop song would cement itself as one of the biggest hits of the era that unexpectedly launched 17-year-old Boyd’s career as a singer, which was never actually the goal. In the early ’60s, Carole was around 19 years old, with her husband Goffin being 22 at the time, and they had just started their career as songwriters. They were both working for legendary Don Kirshner as salaried songwriters at Aldon Music and creating tracks in the hopes of landing a hit.

According to This Day in History, the duo found their surprise inspiration in their very home. Boyd had just arrived in New York City when the couple needed help taking care of their daughter Louise and ended up becoming their babysitter/nanny. SongFacts reports that Boyd was being paid $35 a week for the job, but it would lead to so much more.

King was reportedly home when she came up with the melody for “The Loco-Motion,” and Goffin had spotted Boyd and his daughter dancing to the tune. He soon came up with the rest of the song, with Boyd having developed the hit dance. The duo originally thought the song should be recorded by R&B singer Dee Dee Sharp, who had hits like “Mashed Potato Time,” but the singer ended up rejecting it.

Some reports claim that King and Goffin wanted to reward her for her hard work and let her pick up a few bucks by recording and singing the demo for “The Loco-Motion.” Despite Sharp having rejected the track, Aldon boss Don Kirshner heard Boyd’s vocals on the demo and thought it would be an immediate hit. So much so that he made it the first official release on his new label, Dimension.

“The Loco-Motion” launched Boyd’s career and landed at No.1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and Cash Box. It also became an international No. 1 hit across Sweden, Norway, South Africa, and even Canada. The song landed in the Top 5 in multiple countries in Europe.

Soon, Boyd had a stage name under Little Eva, and King told NPR that she and Goffin “knew she could sing and had a really great voice.” It was only a matter of time until they would ask her to record their songs. When it came to the impression Boyd’s voice had on King, she explains, “Real honesty. There was nothing phony or insincere about Eva and her voice.”

Boyd would go on to release other known hits like “Keep Your Hands Off My Baby”, “Let’s Turkey Trot”, and a remake of the Bing Crosby standard “Swinging on a Star.”

Related: 1968 Folk Song, Produced by Paul McCartney, Launched an 18-Year-Old Singer’s Career 

Bangkok is about to get a new luxury hotel, but this one comes with a serious sense of history. Set to open on December 20, 2026, The Langham Custom House Bangkok will transform one of the Thai capital’s most recognizable historic buildings into a 75-room luxury retreat.

The hotel will take over Bangkok’s former Custom House, an ornate Neo-Palladian landmark that was completed in 1888. Once a center of international trade and commerce along the Chao Phraya River, the building is being given a new chapter as part of The Langham’s growing portfolio of distinctive hotels around the world.

Rather than replacing the building’s historic character, the project is designed around it. The original architecture provides a dramatic backdrop for the hotel, offering travelers the opportunity to stay somewhere that feels considerably more storied than a typical new-build luxury property.

“Every column, archway, and carefully kept detail tells part of its story,” Langham Bangkok writes in an Instagram post showcasing the house’s history. “For 138 years, this house has witnessed Bangkok evolve, from a [center] of trade connecting Thailand to the world, to the vibrant, international city it is today.”

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The former Custom House dates back to a period when Bangkok was rapidly developing its role as an international trading hub. Its location along the river was particularly significant, as the Chao Phraya served as one of the city’s most important commercial arteries. Today, that same riverside setting puts the hotel in an area that blends historic Bangkok with the city’s modern luxury, dining, and cultural scenes.

With just 75 rooms, The Langham Custom House Bangkok is also expected to have a more intimate feel than some of the city’s larger luxury hotels. The relatively small room count could make the property particularly appealing to travelers looking for a quieter, more exclusive base in one of Southeast Asia’s most crawling capitals.

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The Langham brand is known for combining classic design with modern luxury, making the former Custom House an especially fitting addition to the brand’s international collection. The brand traces its roots to The Langham, London, which opened in 1865 as one of Europe’s first grand hotels. Today, its portfolio spans four continents, with properties in destinations including New York, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, Sydney, Melbourne, Hong Kong, Shanghai, and Jakarta.

With its December 20, 2026 opening date, The Langham Custom House Bangkok is arriving just in time for the year-end travel season. Thailand’s tourism industry has been on a strong rebound, with the country welcoming more than 35 million international visitors in 2024, up substantially from the pandemic-era lows, according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT).

Bangkok, in particular, remains at the center of that recovery: 30.3 million international arrivals visited the Thai capital in 2025, making Bangkok the world’s most visited city for international travelers, according to Euromonitor data cited by the TAT. The city also ranked among the world’s top trending destinations in recent Mastercard Economics Institute’s travel data and currently ranks No. 8 in Time Out’s “World’s Best Cities” list, underscoring continued demand for Bangkok as Thailand attracts visitors with its food, culture, shopping, and increasingly diverse luxury-hotel scene.

Demand for luxury stays is showing little sign of slowing, even as travelers become more selective about where they spend. JLL found that global wealth grew at a 9.6% compound annual rate from 2015 to 2025. Meanwhile, Deloitte’s 2025 holiday travel survey found that one in four travelers qualified as luxury travelers, based on their recent stays and spending on hotels.

As travelers increasingly seek not just five-star amenities but distinctive, destination-specific experiences, Bangkok — and The Langham Custom House — is well-poised to welcome them.

Jim Reeves‘ career was cut tragically short, but his music continued making history long after his death.

The country music legend was born 103 years ago on Aug. 20, 1923, in Galloway, Texas. Known as “Gentleman Jim,” Reeves became one of the biggest stars of the Nashville Sound before his life was cut short at just 40.

Reeves died in a plane crash on July 31, 1964, while flying through a thunderstorm near Nashville. But his death did not mark the end of his chart success.

In fact, some of Reeves’ biggest achievements came after he was gone.

Reeves had already established himself as a major country star during his lifetime, scoring more than 10 No. 1 hits on the country chart. His smooth, understated vocal style helped define the polished Nashville Sound of the 1950s and early 1960s.

After his death, his recordings continued to find an audience. Reeves scored six posthumous No. 1 country singles in the three years following his death, an extraordinary run for an artist who was no longer alive to promote his music.

Among his best-known songs are “He’ll Have to Go,” “Welcome to My World,” “Four Walls” and “I Guess I’m Crazy.”

“He’ll Have to Go” became one of his signature recordings, reaching No. 1 on the country chart in 1960 and crossing over to the pop chart.

Reeves’ influence also extended beyond his chart success. He became closely associated with the Nashville Sound, a style characterized by smooth vocals and polished production that helped country music reach a broader audience.

He was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1967, just three years after his death, and was later inducted into the Texas Country Music Hall of Fame.

Now, on what would have been Reeves’ 103rd birthday, his remarkable career offers a reminder of just how enduring a great recording can be.

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In 1952, singer-songwriter John Hiatt was born in Indianapolis, Indiana, beginning a journey that would eventually make him one of music’s most respected songwriters.

Hiatt turns 74 on Aug. 20, more than five decades after launching his career and writing songs that would be recorded by an extraordinary roster of artists, including Bonnie Raitt, Willie Nelson, Eric Clapton, B.B. King, Emmylou Harris, Linda Ronstadt and Bob Dylan.

Related: ’60s Legend, Who Wrote What Bob Dylan Called ‘The Greatest Song Ever Written,’ Turns 80

And Dylan didn’t just cover one Hiatt song. He tackled two.

Hiatt moved to Nashville when he was just 18 and landed a job writing songs for Tree Publishing for $25 a week. Unable to read or write musical notation, he recorded demos of the hundreds of songs he wrote for the company.

His first major success as a songwriter came early. Three Dog Night recorded his “Sure As I’m Sittin’ Here,” taking it to No. 16 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1974.

Related: 1963 Bob Dylan Song, Ranked Among ‘Greatest Songs of All Time,’ Went to No. 1 For Beloved Folk Trio

But Hiatt’s own commercial breakthrough proved much harder won.

After years of critically acclaimed albums that struggled to sell, he released Bring the Family in 1987, backed by Ry Cooder, Nick Lowe and Jim Keltner. The album included “Have a Little Faith in Me” and “Thing Called Love,” the latter of which Raitt would record for her blockbuster 1989 album Nick of Time.

Related: Folk-Rock Icon Linda Ronstadt, 79, Pens Emotional Letter to Fans

By then, Hiatt’s songwriting had also caught the attention of Dylan.

Dylan recorded Hiatt’s “The Usual,” originally released on Hiatt’s 1985 album Warming Up to the Ice Age, for the 1987 movie Hearts of Fire, in which Dylan played a reclusive rock star.

Dylan also performed “Across the Borderline,” which Hiatt co-wrote with Cooder and Jim Dickinson. The song was originally recorded by Freddy Fender for the 1982 Jack Nicholson movie The Border and would later be recorded by Nelson.

Dylan performed “Across the Borderline” at Farm Aid in 1986 and continued returning to the song. During a 1990 performance at the Montreux Jazz Festival, with Flaco Jiménez on accordion, Dylan introduced it with some particularly high praise.

Related: Fans Call Him the ‘Greatest Songwriter of All Time’ on the Anniversary of His Death

“We want to play a song you’ve already heard once tonight,” Dylan told the audience. “It’s so good, you’ll hear it again.”

Dylan was hardly alone.

Hiatt’s compositions have crossed genres and generations. Raitt recorded “Thing Called Love,” Rosanne Cash took “The Way We Make a Broken Heart” to No. 1 on the country chart, Suzy Bogguss scored a No. 2 country hit with “Drive South,” and the Jeff Healey Band took the Hiatt co-written “Angel Eyes” into the Top 5 of the Billboard Hot 100.

Clapton and King later recorded “Riding With the King” as the title track of their 2000 collaborative album, while Nelson recorded both “Across the Borderline” and Hiatt’s “The Most Unoriginal Sin.”

Related: Folk Legend Linda Ronstadt Announces Historic Release With ‘2 Rare Live Recordings’

Hiatt’s reputation was already firmly established by the late 1980s. A 1989 New York Times profile called him “one of rock’s foremost songwriters,” noting that it had taken 15 years, nine albums and four record labels for his success as a performer to catch up with his reputation as a writer.

That breakthrough began with Bring the Family and continued with 1988’s Slow Turning, which produced Hiatt’s only Top 10 hit on Billboard’s Mainstream Rock chart with its title track.

Decades later, he’s still adding to a career that began with that $25-a-week songwriting job in Nashville. Hiatt has earned 10 Grammy nominations, received the Americana Music Association’s Lifetime Achievement Award for Songwriting and, in 2019, was honored with the BMI Troubadour Award.

His most recent studio album Leftover Feelings, recorded with the Jerry Douglas Band, arrived in 2021 and earned a Grammy nomination for Best Americana Album.

Related: ’60s Legend, Who Wrote What Bob Dylan Called ‘The Greatest Song Ever Written,’ Turns 80

An iconic live album has just been named the “top jam band album” 55 years after its release.

In a new ranking list, Ultimate Classic Rock listed the Allman Brothers Band’s 1971 classic At Fillmore East as the greatest jam band record of all time, topping releases by The Grateful Dead, Santana, the Black Crowes, and even the Allmans’ 1972 epic, Eat a Peach.

The outlet credited the album—recorded by Duane Allman, Gregg Allman, Dickey Betts, Berry Oakley, Butch Trucks, and Jai Johanson over two nights at the legendary Fillmore East venue in New York—for putting the Allman Brothers’ career trajectory “in the fast lane” and establishing them as early ‘70s “rock royalty.”

“Takes on Blind Willie McTell’s ‘Statesboro Blues’  and the band’s original ‘Hot ‘Lanta’ are mere bait for audiences,” UCR noted of the March 1971 recording. “By the time the 23-minute Gregg Allman-penned ‘Whipping Post’ closes the set, a new standard was established.”

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The iconic album, which was the last record completed by guitarist Duane Allman before his death in October 1971, featured seven tracks. Two of them, “You  Don’t Love Me” and “Whipping Post,” took up full album sides, with the latter spawning into an epic jam that lasted nearly 23 minutes.

The other songs on the original album, before deluxe editions with additional tracks were released, included “Done Somebody Wrong,” “Stormy Monday,” and “In Memory of Elizabeth Reed.”

Gregg Allman once credited the band’s fans for helping to make At Fillmore East an iconic recording.

“We simply realized that we were a better live band than studio outfit because we were always ready to experiment,” Allman once told Guitar Player.  “And the audience was a big part of what we did up there, which is something that couldn’t be duplicated in a studio. A light bulb finally went off: We need to make a live album.”

While the album was an unfiltered look at the band’s legendary concert dates, a couple of the jam sessions did have to be cut down for the record.

In a 1981 interview, Allman Brothers legend Dickey Betts recalled, “There was no overdubs whatsoever on the Fillmore. No vocal overdubs, no repair work. There was some edits in some of the jams. You know, they had to edit it to try to get it on the record, but other than that, there was nothing done to that. It’s just a pure performance.”

More than 50 years after its release, At Fillmore East remains a timeless look back at the Allman Brothers’ most legendary performance of all time.

Related: 1972 Rock Classic, Lasting Over 33 Minutes, Turned a 1967 Hit Into a Jam-Rock Epic

If your idea of the ultimate cruise vacation involves trading crowded pool decks for deep-tissue relaxation and restorative thermal baths, Norwegian Cruise Line is officially raising the bar.

The brand’s pulled back the curtain on the standout wellness and culinary concepts debuting aboard the upcoming Norwegian Aura, its largest vessel to date and the latest evolution of its Prima Plus Class.

Spanning two full decks, the Rockwell Group-designed Mandara Spa will introduce the cruise industry’s most expansive Thermal Suite yet—headlined by 15 wellness amenities, including 11 brand-new offerings built around the science of contrast therapy.

Related: I Got a First Look at the New Norwegian Luna—Here’s What Impressed Me Most

A 360-Degree Indoor Thunderstorm at Sea

The crown jewel of the new spa is the Sensory Rain Pool, an immersive, first-of-its-kind feature afloat. The 360-degree water experience begins with gentle, calm waters before shifting into a soothing tropical downpour. From there, it builds into a full sensory thunderstorm, complete with simulated lightning effects and the deep rumble of rolling thunder surrounding guests as they float.

For travelers who swear by hot-and-cold contrast therapy to beat travel fatigue and reduce inflammation, the Thermal Suite offers a complete circuit of rejuvenating micro-climates:

• The Snow Cave: Chilled, rock-textured walls coated in real powder snow for rapid post-sauna cooling.
• The Blue Glow Suite: A gentle blue-light room tailored to encourage deep rest and ease jet lag.
• Waterfall & Foot Spas: Dedicated streams cascading over shoulders and targeted jets to revive tired feet after long days exploring port cities.
• Heat & Steam Lounges: A charcoal sauna, Finnish sauna, aromatic steam room, Himalayan salt room, and guided hot and cold plunge pools.

Beyond thermal circuits, the spa features 24 treatment rooms, a full-service salon, an acupuncture clinic, and an expanded medi-spa offering IV hydration therapy and NAD+ vitality injections.

Related: Norwegian Cruise Line Reveals Newest 2027 Ship—And It’s Built Around How Families Actually Cruise

New Global Flavors and High-Tech Dining

The ship’s culinary lineup is expanding in tandem, offering 22 food and beverage venues spanning more than 10 global cuisines.

Anchoring the specialty dining roster is Tamara, NCL’s first-ever restaurant dedicated to authentic Indian cuisine. Inspired by the architecture of North Indian courtyards and anchored by an open-concept tandoor kitchen, the venue serves up regional dishes like Short-Rib Dosa with tomato sambar, Lamb Biryani, and tableside Green Papaya Salad.

On the complimentary side, The Panorama Room transforms standard dinner seatings into a dynamic sensory experience using synchronized lighting, multi-channel sound, and floor-to-ceiling LED walls that shift through changing landscapes and digital art throughout your meal.

“Norwegian Aura is all about giving guests more of what they love, with spaces and experiences that make vacation feel even easier,” said Marc Kazlauskas, president of Norwegian Cruise Line. “From Tamara, our new Indian specialty restaurant, which expands the already guest-favorite eatery in Indulge to an elevated culinary offering; to The Panorama Room’s immersive dining experience and our most expansive Thermal Suite to date, every addition has been purposefully designed to give guests more freedom, choice and opportunities to relax, recharge and enjoy their vacation their way, without compromise.”

Related: More Than 50 New Cruise Ships Are Coming Over the Next Decade

Where and When to Sail

Norwegian Aura officially makes its maiden voyage on May 21, 2027, with a seven-day Mediterranean sailing from Trieste, Italy, to Barcelona, Spain, before crossing the Atlantic to Miami. From there, the ship will spend summer 2027 and summer 2028 sailing week-long Eastern Caribbean routes to Puerto Plata, St. Thomas, Tortola, and Great Stirrup Cay, followed by Western Caribbean itineraries visiting Roatán, Cozumel, and Belize.

Related: Norwegian Cruise Line Unveils First Look at Massive New Island Waterpark Launching This Fall