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Cruise Passengers Are Meeting Before They Sail: The Rise of Pre-Cruise Social Networking

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Cruise-focused social network CruiseHuddle has noticed travelers starting their cruises while still on land.

MIAMI, June 25, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — As cruise travel continues to grow, a new trend is quietly reshaping how passengers experience their vacations: travelers are increasingly connecting with fellow cruisers before they ever step onboard.

For decades, the social side of cruising began at sail-away parties, pool decks, dining rooms, and shore excursions. Today, many passengers are arriving at the terminal already connected with fellow travelers through online cruise communities.

Rather than relying solely on chance encounters once onboard, cruisers are using specialized communities to identify passengers on the same sailing, organize meetups, share travel advice, coordinate excursions, and establish friendships before embarkation day.

One platform benefiting from this shift is CruiseHuddle, a cruise-focused social network that has attracted more than 119,000 registrations since launch.

“One of the biggest surprises has been how many people simply want to meet others before their cruise,” said Jay Kuberski, co-founder of CruiseHuddle. “Many members are looking for friends, dining companions, excursion partners, or people to explore ports with. The social aspect of cruising is becoming just as important as the destinations themselves.”

While sailing-specific Facebook groups have existed for years, dedicated cruise communities are expanding the concept by allowing travelers to search for their exact sailing, connect directly with fellow passengers, participate in voyage discussions, and build relationships before departure.

Unlike traditional social networks or dating apps, cruise communities are organized around a common real-world experience. Members already know they share a ship, itinerary, departure date, and vacation plans, creating a natural foundation for conversation.

For many passengers, the benefits extend beyond socializing. Travelers frequently use cruise communities to exchange tips, coordinate shore excursions, organize meetups, discuss dining plans, and navigate the cruise experience together.

The result is a vacation that begins long before embarkation day.

“When we started CruiseHuddle, we thought we were solving a problem for ourselves,” Kuberski said. “We wanted an easier way to find people on our own cruises. What we’ve discovered is that thousands of travelers feel exactly the same way. People don’t necessarily want another dating app or another social network. They want to know who they’re sailing with before they board.”

As cruise travel continues to evolve, pre-cruise social networking is emerging as a meaningful part of the modern cruise experience. What was once limited to onboard encounters is increasingly beginning online, transforming how travelers meet, connect, and build relationships at sea.

“The future of cruising isn’t just about where you go,” Kuberski added. “It’s about who you meet before you get there.”

For a growing number of travelers, the journey no longer begins at the port.

It begins with the people they meet before they sail.

About CruiseHuddle

CruiseHuddle is a social networking platform designed specifically for cruise travelers. Members can locate their sailing, connect with fellow passengers, participate in voyage discussions, coordinate activities, and build relationships before embarkation day. Since launch, CruiseHuddle has attracted more than 119,000 registrations from travelers worldwide.

Media Contact:
Jessica Kuberski
+1(303) 406-6200
417548@email4pr.com

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SOURCE CruiseHuddle

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LEAP Group Relaunches HumanView, a Growth Intelligence System Built to Explain Why Customers Behave the Way They Do

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Reimagined from the ground up, HumanView pairs statistical modeling with expert analysts to turn millions of real-world customer signals into business decisions

LOUISVILLE, Ky., Oct. 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — LEAP Group today announced the relaunch of HumanView, its growth intelligence service. The new version has been rebuilt from the ground up and now has a dedicated home at leapgroupnetwork.com/humanview.

HumanView analyzes what customers say and do across social platforms, e-commerce sites, review platforms, search behavior and user-generated content, including signals from Reddit, TikTok, YouTube, Meta, Amazon and Walmart+ that general AI tools cannot always access. Because the data reflects unprompted, real-world behavior, it avoids the response bias built into surveys and focus groups.

The service works in three layers. HumanView captures signals at scale, decodes millions of records through validated statistical models such as regression, correlation and clustering, and then relies on experienced analysts to interpret the patterns. Clients receive clear, human-validated insights instead of another dashboard.

“Machines find the patterns. Humans find the point,” said Alan Gilleo, CEO at LEAP Group. “The first version of HumanView showed us how much customers reveal when nobody is asking them questions. This version is built to explain why they act the way they do, and to put those answers in front of everyone making decisions, from product to service to marketing.”

HumanView focuses on three areas:

Growth Intelligence: customer motivations and how people perceive a brand and its competitors

Market and Category Intelligence: product pain points, service friction, unmet needs and competitive gaps

Audience Intelligence: new segments, positioning opportunities and gaps in the market

Every model is designed and validated by data scientists and benchmarked before it informs a recommendation.

To learn more about HumanView, visit leapgroupnetwork.com/humanview.

About LEAP Group
LEAP Group is a boutique marketing agency holding company with offices in Louisville, Indianapolis, Cincinnati and Chicago. Guided by the belief that brands should “Market Less. Matter More.,” LEAP gives clients access to specialized experts across its entire network. Learn more at leapgroupnetwork.com.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/leap-group-relaunches-humanview-a-growth-intelligence-system-built-to-explain-why-customers-behave-the-way-they-do-302918557.html

SOURCE LEAP Group

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STEPHEN A. SMITH ADDRESSES WHITE HOUSE DINNER ATTENDANCE, REAFFIRMS COMMITMENT TO HBCUs AND PROTECTING CORPORATE INVESTMENT IN BLACK EDUCATION

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NEW YORK, Oct. 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Stephen A. Smith, media mogul, New York Times bestselling author, and proud 1991 graduate of Winston-Salem State University, is addressing the public discussion surrounding his decision to attend a White House dinner with President Donald Trump, emphasizing his commitment to the long-term financial stability of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).

For Smith, the decision was rooted in a commitment to institutions that have educated generations of Black leaders, professionals, entrepreneurs, and public servants.

“I will always advocate for HBCUs and the students whose futures depend on them,” Smith said. “My reason for attending the White House dinner was to discuss the challenges these institutions face in securing long-term funding and to make the case that corporate America must continue to invest in them.”

Smith acknowledged federal support through the FUTURE Act while expressing concern that political tensions surrounding diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) could discourage private companies from supporting HBCUs. He maintains that these institutions deserve sustained corporate partnerships, philanthropic contributions, and public investment.

“If we truly believe in free-market capitalism, businesses should be able to support educational institutions and charitable causes without fear of criticism or repercussions,” Smith said. “HBCUs have made extraordinary contributions to this country. They deserve sustained public and private investment.”

Ashley Christopher, Esq., Founder and CEO of the HBCU Week Foundation, recognized Smith’s advocacy and decision to engage with the administration.

“Stephen A. Smith has been a powerful advocate for HBCUs, using his platform and influence to shine a national spotlight on our institutions,” expressed Christopher, “His continued support of HBCU Week helps advance our mission of connecting students with life-changing educational opportunities, and we are proud to have him as our ambassador.”

Since Smith became an HBCU Week Ambassador in 2019, the initiative has facilitated more than 15,000 on-the-spot college acceptances and raised and awarded more than $150 million in scholarships, according to the HBCU Week Foundation.

As public discussion continues, Smith is emphasizing the importance of ensuring HBCUs have the resources and partnerships needed to educate future generations and expand opportunities for students.

CLICK HERE to watch Smith’s full response to his White House visit.

MEDIA CONTACT:

media@mrsasinc.com

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/stephen-a-smith-addresses-white-house-dinner-attendance-reaffirms-commitment-to-hbcus-and-protecting-corporate-investment-in-black-education-302918547.html

SOURCE Straight Shooter Media

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Advantex Announces Completion of Financing and Extension of Maturity Date of Previously Issued Debentures

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TORONTO, Oct. 23, 2026 /CNW/ — Advantex Marketing International Inc. (CSE: ADX) (“Advantex”), a leader in the merchant cash advance and loyalty marketing products for merchants, today announced the completion of a $250,000 secured debt financing. Advantex issued a $250,000 non-convertible debenture which bears an interest rate at 12% per annum and matures December 15, 2027. The proceeds raised from this issuance of the Debenture will be used for working capital purposes.

Advantex has also extended the maturity of its existing $700,000 in 12% secured debentures from October 10, 2026 to December 15, 2027.

About Advantex Marketing International Inc.

Advantex provides working capital to merchants. Advantex also provides specialized marketing programs that enable members of Aeroplan to earn Aeroplan points at participating merchants.

Advantex shares trade on the Canadian Securities Exchange under the symbol ADX. For more information go to Advantex’s profile on www.sedar.com

Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of applicable securities laws relating to the future business and operations of Advantex. Actual results and developments may differ materially from those contemplated by these statements. The business and operations of Advantex described herein is dependent on a number of factors and is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. Factors that could cause actual results to differ material include, but are not limited to, changes in Advantex’s economic and competitive conditions including but not limited to the industry sectors in which Advantex operates.

The statements in this news release are made of the date of this release. Forward-looking statements are made based on management’s beliefs, estimates and opinions on the date the statements are made and Advantex undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements if these beliefs, estimates and opinions or other circumstances should change, except as required by applicable law.

SOURCE Advantex Marketing International Inc.

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