Exhibit C: Wondery is Launching a True Crime Cruise for 2026

If you’ve ever explored the varied world of cruise liners and themed packages, you probably already know that there’s a niche for just about everyone.

Want to cruise in the nude? You’ve got options. What about adults-only adventures across the sea? They set sail from dozens of ports. And what about hardcore fans of cats? Like I said, there’s a cruise for just about every interest.

Over the last four years, those themed cruises have taken an unexpected turn with the launch of true crime-themed programs.

Crime Cruise has been on my radar for a few years. Starting in 2021, Crime Cruise led the charge in crafting true crime-led cruise programs. Organizers brought on big names like Chris Hansen and Nate Eaton, put together meet-and-greets, and specialized true crime experiences.

But my ears perked up a few months ago. As a true crime fan, I tune in weekly to four shows—and some of my favorite true crime podcasters have been shouting out a new cruise program: Wondery’s Exhibit C True Crime Cruise.

With the power of Amazon lifting its sails, this novel new true crime cruise project is set to disembark from Miami in January 2026. Here’s what you need to know.

[For fans of Crime Cruise—I don’t see an announcement for a 2025 cruise but stay tuned. The 2024 Crime Cruise wrapped in November, so announcements may be pending for this year’s plans.]

A quick intro to true crime

If you’re new to the true crime zeitgeist, let me lay out the basics.

True crime ‘entertainment’ focuses on researching and exploring a range of true crime cases. Some listeners are interested in the legal process; some like to explore the psychology of crime; some focus on historical cases only; some stick to criminal forensics.

The gamut of interests is huge—and just like dark tourism, interest in true crime does not mean someone is a criminal. It also doesn’t mean they have a stomach for gnarly details.

So, if you’ve ever found yourself mildly interested in the trajectory of a popular criminal case that you’re seeing in the news, you get the hype.

Let me reiterate: for the vast majority of true crime fans, the intrigue lies in putting together the clues to make a legally sound case, not delving into the scary details of crime.

Inside the Exhibit C Cruise

The most popular media for true crime is podcasting and documentary films. What makes me interested in True Crime Cruise is its ties to Wondery.

Wondery is a legacy podcasting company that was bought out by Amazon and is behind some of the most popular true crime podcasts in the industry.

For fans of cruises and true crime, that means you can expect a well-oiled experience with some of the top names in the genre. That includes both entertainers (podcasters) and experts (investigators, detectives, genealogists, etc.).

As far as I know, Amazon hasn’t dipped a toe into the realm of cruise itineraries before, either, which makes me think the production quality of the events will be solid.

Here’s a quick rundown of what we know about the cruise:

Scheduled for January 26-30
Route runs from Miami to Nassau, Bahamas
It takes place on the Norwegian Joy
True crime fanfare includes photo ops, discussions, panels, Q&As, interactive workshops, presentations, and plenty more

True crime on the Exhibit C Cruise

Along with the opportunity to see true crime entertainers and experts explore well-known cases and topics live, the goal of Wondery Exhibit C: True Crime Cruise is to give fans a place to interact.

Even if discussing real-life cases doesn’t appeal to you, there are other activities geared toward fans.

I’m talking about self-defense classes, silent discos, immersive jury games, trivia, murder mysteries, and even a bar crawl. That being said, I’d be lining up to meet some of the biggest names in true crime.

Here’s a look at the talent on Wondery Exhibit C: True Crime Cruise:

John Walsh and Callahan Walsh, Hosts of America’s Most Wanted
Suruthi Bala and Hannah Maguire, Redhanded Podcast
Scaachi Koul and Sarah Hagi, Scamfluencers Podcast
Aaron Habel and Justin Evans, Generation Why Podcast
Carl Miller, Kill List Podcast
Tracy Pattin, Hollywood & Crime Podcast

What if you’re only casually interested in true crime—should you consider booking a ticket?

Though the focus is on true crime, you can expect all the same relaxing amenities of a standard Caribbean cruise, from sun-drenched pool decks to full-service spas.

Additionally, you can join the fun at your own pace thanks to Exhibit C’s tiered packages and experiences. Even if you’re only a casual fan, I think Wondery’s first cruise project is a solid pick.

The 5 Must-Dos in Thailand from The White Lotus Season 3

No, you can’t stay at The White Lotus Resort from HBO’s The White Lotus series; it’s fictional.

But the Tourism Authority of Thailand wants you to feel more than welcome in the Land of Smiles.

More than that, they want to empower you to incorporate elements of The White Lotus Season 3 into your Thai vacation itineraries.

The tourism authority has made that as easy as humanly possible by condensing some of the most exciting elements of Thai culture and traditions that you’ll see in the HBO show. (I recommend you dive into their immersive microsite—it’s very cool.)

These types of suggestions and resources are a big deal for any Americans heading to Thailand for one reason: they’ll help you get hands-on with local culture.

I had the pleasure of studying in Chiang Mai during my university years (I got my degree in Global Studies—yes, it’s a thing) before returning a few years later. My studies gave me an academically-driven crash course on life in Thailand from a range of perspectives, from foreign investment to sak yant tattooing to temporary monastic life, and more.

Still, I remember feeling overwhelmed when I first landed in Bangkok and I understand first-hand how a trip to Southeast Asia might be overwhelming for travelers who haven’t crossed the Mekong yet.

If you’ve been intrigued by Thailand but don’t have extensive travel experience, let the combined forces of The White Lotus and the Tourism Authority of Thailand show you the way.

I can’t imagine a better introduction to help you explore this Southeast Asian hotspot.

The 5 must-dos in Thailand by city

The must-dos in Thailand are categorized into three areas that you’ll recognize from the show: Koh Samui (a tropical island), Phuket (another famously gorgeous island), and the capital city of Bangkok.

The must-dos include must-have meals, cultural experiences, products, performances, and Muay Thai matches. All recommendations come from the Tourism Authority of Thailand; again, these are based on the adventures in The White Lotus.

Must-dos in Koh Samui

Views of many mountains on Koh Samui (Getty)

Here’s what to do in Koh Samui:

Visit Mu Ko Ang Thong National Park and Wat Phu Khao Thong Buddhist Monastery
Explore Dusit Dhewa Cultural Center and Garden and Fisherman’s Village Night market
Soak up the sun at Choeng Mon Beach, Silver Beach, and Maenam Beach
Get wild at the Koh Phangan Full Moon Party
Take to the seas on an iconic Red Baron boat
Hang out at the Koh Samui Beach Club

Here’s where to stay:

Stay at the Anantara Bophut Koh Samui, Four Seasons Samui (or one of their Residence Villas), and Cape Fahn Hotel (located on a private island)

Must-dos in Phuket

Here’s what to do in Phuket:

Explore Koh Naka Yai and Koh Lawa Yai, islands just off Phuket’s coast, and Yanui Beach nearby
Watch a Muay Thai boxing match at Bangla Boxing Stadium
Eat at Ta Khai Restaurant (in the Rosewood Phuket resort)
Hang out at Café del Mar Beach Club
Cruise on the super-lux Spacecat Yacht

Here’s where to stay:

Stay at Villa Amaravida Phuket (part of the Cape Yamu estate), Camp Panwa Hotel, and Anantara Mai Khao Phuket Villas

Must-dos in Bangkok

Here’s what to do in Bangkok:

Eat at Royal Osha, Sühring, and Bo.lan
Drink at Bamboo Bar at the Mandarin Oriental, Champagne Bar at the Waldorf Astoria, and Vesper Cocktail Bar
Explore Bangkok’s vibrant Chinatown
Visit Wat Pho, home of the Reclining Buddha statue, and Wat Suwannaram Ratchaworawihan Vist, a hidden and serene gem

Here’s where to stay:

Stay at Siri Sala Bangkok, Bangkok Tree House, and The Siam

Top 8 Spots to Eat Buffalo Wings in Buffalo, NY

I don’t know who needs to know this mind-blowing fact, but chicken wings were once considered poor cuts in the US.

Though evidence exists that chicken wings have been eaten throughout history, from Imperial Chinese dishes from the Tang Dynasty to recipes from New England hotels in the 1850s, most families used wings to make chicken stock. Some even tossed them out after butchering.

That changed in the 1960s when the city of Buffalo, New York introduced the nation to a brand-new culinary take on the cut: Buffalo wings.

The dish was created by Anchor Bar co-owner Teressa Bellissimo back in 1964. Details on the story diverge, but the gist is this: with mouths to feed and limited supplies, Bellissimo (whose last name means very beautiful in Italian, by the way) worked with what she had. That included chicken wings, a deep-fryer, cayenne-forward hot sauce, celery, and blue cheese.

By the mid-1980s, Buffalo wings were quickly spreading to menus across the country—and even spawned new chains like Buffalo Wild Wings and Hooters. Today, you can find them in sports bars around the world.

But let’s stick to the hometown of Buffalo Wings. If you want to take a bite out of this classic American eat’s origin story, you need to go to Buffalo, New York—and these are the six restaurants you should be lining up at.

(While we’re on the topic of buffalo-related foods, you might be interested to know that buffalo mozzarella is not named after this New York City. It’s called buffalo mozzarella because it’s made from water buffalo milk.)

8 top spots to eat buffalo wings in Buffalo, NY

Anchor Bar

Anchor Bar isn’t known for having the best wings in Buffalo these days—but if you’re going on a buffalo tour of the city, it’s a required stop. You’ll get a plate of great wings, along with the chance to sample the bar’s famous hot sauce—which is sold to almost 3,000 supermarkets and restaurants around the world.

Gabriel’s Gate

With 50 years of buffalo wing-slinging under its belt, Gabriel’s Gate is a hard operation to beat. Despite the fact that it’s been around for so long, the restaurant hasn’t lost its grip on delicious buffalo wings. It’s also older than Anchor Bar (in case anyone is keeping track), with decades-old wooden features in a brick row home that was first built in 1864.

The secret ingredient at Gabriel’s Gate? History.

Kelly’s Korner

If you like dive bars (who doesn’t?), you’ll love Kelly’s Korner. Just like Mammoser’s Tavern & Restaurant (below), this small operation differentiated itself by releasing its own addictive sauce. Though the bar has been open since 1967, its buffalo wing scene didn’t take off until its new sauce was introduced in the mid-2010s.

Adolf’s Old First Ward Tavern

Like many others on this list, Adolf’s Old First Ward Tavern is a well-known quantity for locals. Though this spot changed ownership in 2014, it hasn’t affected the dive bar’s atmosphere—or its buffalo wing quality. With hearty stamps of approval from residents and official food publications, this spot is likely hit its centennial in 1934.

Wingnutz Bar & Grill

The name comes from the owners Ed and Alicia Wrazen, who opened this eatery with the sole purpose of joining the upper echelons of top buffalo wing purveyors—and they’ve succeeded. Wingnutz’s wings are crispy, their sauces range from classic to inventive, and two restaurants to choose from.

Elmo’s Restaurant & Bar

Anyone who wants to catch an NHL game while they’re in town will feel at home at Elmo’s Restaurant & Bar. It’s a top pick for Buffalo Sabres fans. Similar to Kelly’s Korner, this is a mom-and-pop establishment with a cozy, locals-first feel—and they love packing in for Elmo’s buffalo wings. Though simple, they’re insanely good.

Mammoser’s Tavern & Restaurant

In 1976, restauranteur Phyllis Mammoser decided to add her twist to the buffalo wing: she avoided the standard Frank’s Red Hot sauce, crafting her own sauce made of ten distinct ingredients. Since then, Mammoser’s Tavern & Restaurant been a staple that locals gravitate toward again and again. In fact, you can buy the iconic Mammoser sauce in grocery stores around the city.

Macy’s Place Pizzeria

It’s a pizzeria that’s taken home a handful of buffalo wing awards—so don’t be worried about the quality of wings you’ll find here. Macy’s Place Pizzeria differentiates itself from other spots thanks to its massive list of sauces, which offer over 50 variations on the beloved dish. There’s also pizza, in case you get hungry for a slice of pepperoni.

Looking for even more wing action in Buffalo? Visit Buffalo has a 14-restaurant list that locals love.

5 Popular Cocktails From New Orleans & Where to Drink Them Today

The first time I went to New Orleans, I was on a wayward road trip with a friend.

We headed straight to Bourbon Street to get lost in the madness. A few minutes in, a woman offered me a cocktail… or, more appropriately, a neon-colored shot in a test-tube-like apparatus.

She asked if I wanted one; I paused long enough to give her an opening.

Without another word, she picked up the test tube filled with neon liquid, set the closed bottom in her mouth, then put the open end in my mouth and popped onto her tippy toes. I realized what was happening too late—and there went $10 down the drain for an overly sweet shot of whatever-the-hell she put in that tube.

She took my money and then shooed me onward. Though I couldn’t afford to be loose with my money at the time, I was young enough to be more intrigued than affronted by the experience.

So began a very drunken escapade on Bourbon Street—the first of many in the years to come.

In honor of that first taste of New Orleans spirit (literally and metaphorically), I’m counting down the most popular cocktails that originated in the city, along with where to drink them today.

5 cocktails from New Orleans and where to drink them today

The Sazerac

Year invented: Around 1850
Ingredients: Cognac or rye whiskey, absinthe, Peychaud’s Bitters, and sugar
What’s it like? A very cognac or whiskey-forward that’s served straight up (sometimes chilled)
Where to drink it: The Sazerac Bar & The Sazerac House

Southern Comfort

Year invented: 1874
Ingredients: Whiskey infused with natural fruit flavors
What’s it like? Strong bourbon liqueur that includes a touch of vanilla, cherry, clove, cinnamon, lemon, and orange spices
Where to drink it: Because it’s sold in stores, you can drink Southern Comfort at your leisure. I suggest trying a Southern Comfort Old Fashioned at Revel Café & Bar.

The Gin Fizz

Year invented: Late 1800s
Ingredients: Gin, lemon or lime juice, and carbonated water
What’s it like? A tart and refreshing cocktail that sometimes includes egg white or yolk, sparkling wine, and crème de menthe
Where to drink it: The most famous NOLA gin fizz is the Ramos Gin Fizz, which you can sample at Henry’s Uptown Bar & Arnaud’s Restaurant

Hurricane

Year invented: At least 1938, possibly older
Ingredients: Rum, lemon juice, passion fruit syrup or fassionola (fruit syrup)
What’s it like? A refreshing drink poured over ice with many variations. If you like hyper-sweet rum drinks, you’ll love a Hurricane.
Where to drink it: Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar, The Voodoo Lounge, & Pat O’Brien’s

Hand Grenade

Year invented: 1984
Ingredients: Vodka, gin, rum, and melon liqueur
What’s it like? A recognizable staple on Bourbon Street that is usually served in a green yard glass. It’s known for being super-sweet and extra-boozy.
Where to drink it: Hand Grenades are sold exclusively at select bars in the French Quarter, including the Tropical Isle (home of the original Hand Grenade), Little Tropical Isle, Pat O’Briens, and The Spotted Cat.

10 International Cities with Low English Proficiency

I’ve heard many travelers talk about how lucky they are to have been raised in an English-speaking country.

After all, Americans who head abroad can get around relatively easily in their native tongue. There are 390 million native English speakers—which doesn’t account for those who learn the tongue as a second language.

Even locals who don’t speak English probably know enough words or phrases to help us out.

I see things differently.

I was born and raised in the Midwest. Even when I moved to New York City, I had trouble understanding people who spoke English with an accent because I hadn’t grown up hearing many non-native speakers.

As a world traveler, this lack of language exposure has held me back in many ways. It took me years to get accustomed to listening to heavy accents. Learning the basics of even romance language grammar has been mind-bending, nonetheless more complex structures like Slavic grammar.

To offset my lack of knowledge, I always look up a few words and phrases that are common in my destination. Not only is it respectful to have the basics down, but it might also be necessary.

After all, while English is the third-most spoken language on the planet, not everyone speaks the language. If you’re heading to these international cities, make sure you have a few words and phrases scribbled down on a piece of paper or saved on your phone.

You’ll need them.

How are countries being ranked?

The rankings in this article are taken from a 2024 data study from EF English Proficiency Index. The annual report is based on test results from over 2.1 million adults in 116 countries around the world.

The study ranks both countries and capital cities for their English language proficiency. (In case you’re interested, the Netherlands scored first in 2024.)

For the purposes of this article, I’m focusing only on countries that are more often frequented by American travelers. The list is divided into low English proficiency and moderate English proficiency. It’s ranked starting with the lowest level of proficiency.

4 international cities with low English proficiency

You can expect anyone working in hospitality to have a solid, basic level of English vocabulary—so don’t worry about feeling linguistically stranded at your destination. However, keep in mind that the average local you meet on the street probably speaks a very basic level of English. In other words, they can help you find a bathroom or call for help, but don’t expect a drawn-out conversation.

Mexico City: Mexico
Bangkok, Thailand
Panama City, Panama
Tokyo, Japan

6 international cities with moderate English proficiency

As with the low proficiency capitals listed above, you don’t need to worry about any hospitality professionals: they’ll likely have a solid level of English. To make things even easier, you might be able to hold basic conversations with those you meet outside your hotel/resort/rental.

As you can see by the list, knowing a bit of introductory Spanish will set you up for success in a handful of popular destinations, from Mexico City to Rome.

Bogota, Colombia
Beijing, China
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
Havana, Cuba
Hanoi, Vietnam
Rome, Italy

Overbooked Flights: Why Does it Happen & Should You Take an Offer?

We all know the experience: you arrive at your boarding gate at the airport and hear an agent announce that the flight has been overbooked—and they’re looking for volunteers to hop on a later flight in exchange for vouchers or another offer.

Every time, my gut clenches a little bit.

Even if I have no plans of giving up my seat, airlines are still allowed to ‘bump’ passengers. And while I’ve never been selected to wait for a later flight, it’s entirely legal for airlines to overbook their flights and play god with who boards the plane.

In 2025, it almost feels par for the course to hear this announcement at the gate, especially for shorter domestic flights.

The big question… how is this legal? And why does it happen?

Let’s take a closer look at why airlines overbook flights to begin with. Then, I’m counting down five signs that you might be the perfect candidate to accept the airline’s offer of a later flight, compensation, or both.

How do overbooked flights happen?

Airlines (obviously) want to sell out seats on each flight, but passengers might cancel their plans at the last minute or fail to show up at the gate.

To predict how many no-shows and/or cancellations are likely to happen for a given flight, airlines rely on data-driven algorithms. Using diverse data sets, these programs suggest that airlines overbook flights by a certain number of seats.

If the program suggests that ten passengers are likely to no-show, the airline will sell an additional ten seats. (Yes, this is fully legal. Or, as the DOT puts it, ‘is not illegal’.)

Most of the time, airlines correctly predict the number of no-shows. But when they fail to do so, passengers are bumped to later flights and are offered compensation for the rebooking.

(In some cases, airlines might be required to allow boarding for Federal Air Marshalls, which isn’t caused by overbooking.)

Bumping vs. voluntarily giving up your seat

When flights are overbooked and passengers are accounted for at the gate, agents will first ask ticket-holders to voluntarily give up their seats.

This is different than bumping; bumping is when you are denied boarding even though you really want to get on that flight.

Most often, airlines offer passengers who voluntarily give up their seats a reduced-rate ticket, a free ticket, or some type of voucher. This offer almost always includes free rebooking on a later flight or the option to wait on standby on the next flight.

But what happens when no passengers are willing to give up their seats voluntarily?

Every airline has a different approach in how it decides who gets the bump. Factors like check-in time, ticket fare/price, and frequent flyer statuses inform how gate agents make those final cuts.

But if you make it past the gate and actually board the plane, there are very few situations in which you would be removed from the aircraft.

Unfortunately, the fine print is dense when it comes to what airlines owe if you’ve been involuntarily denied boarding. The DOT requires airlines to hand you a statement about why you were bumped and what your rights are—but you’re probably not owed any financial compensation.

Should you take the offer of a later flight?

Let’s shift back toward voluntarily giving up your seat. In what cases is this a good idea?

It depends on the offer made by the gate agents. Common offers include vouchers, miles, and financial compensation. If the offer sounds good to you, then go for it.

But know this: you have the right to negotiate. And if few passengers look like they’re going to take the offer, you can and should barter your way to shinier deal.

Airline agents recommend pushing for cash compensation—and going as high as possible. Again, if you’re the only passenger willing to give up a seat, most airlines would rather pay you off than bump a passenger.

If you’ll be facing a long layover or a night at an airport hotel due to taking the offer, make sure to ask for room vouchers and meal vouchers. Most airlines have both available. Lastly, ask for additional perks like an upgrade to business class, lounge access, and changing your multi-leg journey to a direct flight.

Remember: you may have lost your seat, but the power now rests in your hands. (Well, sort of.)