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Stories from Sarah Kuta

Holland America Line is hosting two solar eclipse cruises, including on aboard the MS Koningsdam.

You Can Watch the 2024 Total Solar Eclipse From Aboard These Cruise Ships

Several cruise lines are offering special sailings for the rare celestial spectacle on April 8, 2024

Nonprofits and policymakers are trying to balance tourism and outdoor recreation with conservation efforts at Lake Tahoe.

Lake Tahoe’s Clear Water Is Brimming With Tiny Plastics

The pristine lake has a higher concentration of microplastics than the water near some floating garbage patches in the oceans, according to a new study

The memorial wall inside the new Africatown Heritage House

New Exhibition Tells the Story of the ‘Clotilda,’ the Last Known American Slave Ship

A display spotlighting the schooner’s survivors is now open inside the new Africatown Heritage House in Mobile, Alabama

The train will now travel along two seasonal routes between Singapore and Penang.

This Luxury Passenger Train Will Return to Southeast Asia

The revamped Eastern and Oriental Express will begin running again in February 2024

The so-called puss caterpillars have sharp spines that can inject powerful venom into humans.

Scientists Reveal Why Asp Caterpillar Stings Are So Excruciatingly Painful

A toxin in the insect’s venom, which can punch a hole in cell walls, could inspire new drug-delivery methods in humans

The historic railway is the highest in America.

You Can Now Take a Sunrise Train Ride to the Top of Pikes Peak

See the panoramic vistas from atop the 14,000-foot mountain that inspired Katharine Lee Bates to write “America the Beautiful”

Experts aren't sure why the otter is approaching surfers, as sea otters have a natural fear of humans.

A Surfboard-Snatching Sea Otter Is Vexing Wildlife Officials in California

While the animal’s antics may look cute, the dangerous behavior could bring harm to humans or force authorities to euthanize the endangered mammal

Avalon Waterways' eight-day commemorative cruise includes an onboard D-Day ceremony on June 6, 2024.

River Cruises Will Commemorate the 80th Anniversary of D-Day

Travelers can immerse themselves in the history of the Normandy landings that changed the tide of World War II

Alda wore the boots and dog tags for all 11 seasons of the popular show.

Alan Alda Is Selling His Boots and Dog Tags From ‘M*A*S*H’

They were worn by real soldiers before serving as props in one of America’s most popular TV shows

Sightseers spotted the rarely seen creatures on a Monterey Bay Whale Watch boat tour off the coast of California.

Tourists Spot ‘Incredibly Rare’ Whales Off California Coast

Cuvier’s beaked whales can hold their breath for hours and don’t spend much time at the surface, making them mysterious—and a treat to see

An artist's interpretation of what Wilson's little penguins would have looked like

New Extinct Species of ‘Ridiculously Cute,’ Tiny Penguins Discovered in New Zealand

Scientists identified the diminutive birds after finding two of their fossilized skulls

Icon of the Seas successfully passed an initial round of sea trials.

The World’s Largest Cruise Ship Is Nearly 1,200 Feet Long

Scheduled to debut in January, the vessel can accommodate 5,600 guests and 2,350 crew members

Rapid snowmelt may affect Utah's ski industry, which contributes billions of dollars to the local economy each year.

Dust From the Drying Great Salt Lake Is Wreaking Havoc on Utah’s Snow

Last year, the snow melted 17 days earlier because of dust, which warms more quickly than pure white powder, a new study finds

Crews carefully lowered the bottles to a depth of 111 feet below the surface.

1,700 Bottles of Sparkling Wine Spent Six Months Beneath the Waters of the Norwegian Sea

The stash was submerged some 111 feet deep in temperatures as cold as 41 degrees Fahrenheit

Like humans, animals are trying to stay cool amid heat waves.

Why Are Squirrels ‘Splooting’ on Hot Days?

This adorable behavior helps the rodents cool down, especially as extreme heat sweeps the planet

This first-edition copy of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone was once in circulation at a library in England.

Bought for 38 Cents, Rare Harry Potter Book Could Sell for Thousands

This first-edition copy of “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone” is one of only 500 hardback copies printed

Twenty Blues trains are now running—and plans are in the works to bring more than 100 into operation.

Europe’s First Battery-Powered Trains Are Here

The tribrid trains now running in Italy can switch between battery power, electricity and diesel

Australian spotted jellyfish typically reach up to 18 to 20 inches in diameter.

Invasive Australian Spotted Jellyfish Washes Up on Texas Beach

The prolific jellies can form huge swarms and clear zooplankton from wide areas of water, sending ripple effects up the food chain

Researchers standing next to the tree at Yarlung Zangbo Grand Canyon National Nature Reserve look small by comparison.

See the New Tallest Tree in Asia, a 335-Foot Cypress

Easily taller than the Statue of Liberty, the behemoth is likely the second-tallest known tree in the world

Travelers visiting Mykonos can take in the sights from the water with small groups of family or friends.

You Can Now Book an Uber Boat in Mykonos

The service will carry groups of up to eight passengers between 25 sites on the island this summer

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