Welcome back to The Check-In, your touchpoint for all things travel.
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Como Journeys Returns to the Arctic for 2026
Como Hotels & Resorts has announced the return of Como Journey: Into the Arctic for 2026, following a fully sold-out debut last year. Created with expedition specialist Natural World Safaris, the journeys will take place aboard the seven-suite M/S Polarfront, combining small-scale Arctic exploration with Como’s hallmarks, including Como Cuisine and Como Shambhala wellness.
Two sailings will run in May and September 2026, offering 10- and 11-night itineraries through the Svalbard archipelago. Each voyage will be shaped by conditions rather than a fixed route, with days guided by weather and wildlife. Guests can expect excursions, guided landings, and expert-led talks, including photography sessions and discussions on polar ecology and sustainability.
The May departure (May 13–23) will capture the Arctic at its most elemental, with sea ice still dominant and wildlife beginning to emerge. The September voyage (September 13–24) will offer retreating ice, richer tundra colors, increased whale sightings, and the possibility of the Northern Lights.
Prices start from approx. $29,450 for the May 2026 sailing on an all-inclusive basis. Both departures are also available for private charter.
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JNcQUOI House Opens in Lisbon
A new boutique hotel is coming to Lisbon. JNcQUOI House will open in June 2026, a 16-suite townhouse hotel just off Avenida da Liberdade. Designed by famed architect Vincent Van Duysen, the project is conceived as a residential-style retreat rather than a traditional hotel, with an emphasis on privacy and a sense of living locally.
The property will feature 16 Grand Suites, each with 24-hour butler service, alongside a gym, a speakeasy bar, and two restaurants – Fish, led by chefs António Boia and Filipe Carvalho, which will serve Portuguese seafood, and Table, an intimate 10-seat dining room under chef Filipe Carvalho, spotlighting Atlantic and Portuguese cuisine.
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Explora Journeys Unveils Patricia Urquiola–Designed Owner’s Residence
Explora Journeys has revealed a second Owner’s Residence, designed by architect and designer Patricia Urquiola, set to debut aboard Explora III in summer 2026 and Explora IV in 2027. The collaboration marks the first time the brand has introduced two Owner’s Residences on a single ship.
Located on Decks 7 and 8, the residences span over 3000-sq-ft, including a full-width terrace with a whirlpool and outdoor dining. Urquiola’s design draws on Mediterranean references, using earthy tones, bronze, and marble.
“I imagined the Owner’s Residence as a space to be inhabited with the body as much as with the eyes, where textures and materials create a sense of protection while remaining open to the movement of the sea. For me, it is about creating a sense of belonging on the water,” said Urquiola.
The interior includes a living and dining space, a bedroom with a dressing room, and a marble bathroom with a steam room. Each residence is supported by a dedicated Residence Manager and private butler team and can accommodate up to four guests when connected to an adjoining suite.
Explora III will launch in 2026, sailing the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, Iceland, and Greenland, as Explora Journeys continues to expand its fleet through 2028.
