What does "last verified" mean?
Every data-driven page on Vientapps displays a "last verified" date. This is the date the record was last checked against the primary source and confirmed consistent with current published policy. If a source changes and we catch it, we update the data and bump the verification date. If we check and nothing changed, we still bump the date so you know the data was recently reviewed.
How is airline data sourced?
Airline carry-on dimensions, personal item sizes, checked bag fees, weight limits, and basic economy restrictions are sourced directly from each airline's official baggage policy page. We maintain a structured dataset of 75+ carriers in airlines.json, and every record includes a sourceUrl pointing to the official page we verified against.
Every published value links back to the official source. When the official page is unclear or unreachable, we cross-reference against industry aggregators (NerdWallet, The Points Guy, Simple Flying, Upgraded Points, or similar) and verify the result before updating the data. High-priority and recently changed records are spot-checked by hand. When an airline changes its baggage policy (fee increases, dimension changes, new fare class restrictions), we aim to update within one week of the public announcement and bump the lastVerified date.
On-time performance and cancellation statistics cited in comparison pages come from the U.S. Department of Transportation's Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS), accessed through TranStats, and from third-party analyses by outlets like the Wall Street Journal, Cirium, and NerdWallet. We cite the specific time period when referencing any statistic.
How is cruise data sourced?
Cruise line data covers 7 major lines (Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Disney Cruise Line, Norwegian, MSC, Celebrity, and Princess) with fleet details, ship classes, homeports, dress code policies, and cabin specifications for 56 ships.
Cabin square footage is sourced from CruiseDeckPlans.com and cross-referenced with the official cruise line stateroom pages where available. When official and third-party sources disagree, we use the official source and note the discrepancy. When cabin size data is unavailable or unverifiable, we display "Not published" rather than estimating.
Dress code policies are verified against each cruise line's official website. We link to the source page on every dress code detail page.
Ship specifications (gross tonnage, length, passenger capacity, year launched) come from the cruise line's official fleet pages and are cross-referenced with maritime databases.
How is airport and cruise port data sourced?
Airport data covers 70+ airports with terminal counts, airline presence, minimum connection times, and ground transport options. Primary sources are each airport's official website, supplemented by TSA wait time data and airline hub announcements.
Cruise port data covers 15+ ports with terminal locations, parking rates, nearby airports, and cruise line assignments. Parking rates and transport costs are verified against port authority websites and updated seasonally, since rates change more frequently than other data points.
How are packing lists built?
Packing lists combine destination-specific research (climate zones, cultural dress norms, plug types, visa requirements) with general travel gear recommendations. Climate data is sourced from national weather services and historical averages. Cultural and visa information is cross-referenced with embassy and consulate websites.
Product recommendations in gear guides are based on hands-on testing, published specifications, and warranty terms. We do not accept payment or free products in exchange for placement. Affiliate links are used on some product pages, but they never influence which products are recommended or how they are ranked.
Destinations, travel apps, eSIM providers, and reference data
Destination guides pull visa, currency, and tipping data from the U.S. State Department's country information and from official tourism boards. Travel app pricing and features come from each app's own pricing page and App Store or Play Store listing. eSIM provider plans are verified against the provider's own pricing pages. Plug-type and voltage reference data is sourced from IEC standards and is updated only when the underlying standards change.
What do we do when data is uncertain?
We do not guess. When a value cannot be independently verified, we display "Not published" or flag the uncertainty explicitly. This applies to airline fees that vary by route, cabin sizes on recently launched ships without deck plan data, and any statistic we cannot trace to a named source.
When a number genuinely varies (a checked-bag fee that differs online versus at the counter, a pet fee that depends on cabin class, a baggage allowance that splits by region), we leave the numeric field empty and describe the variation in plain prose rather than collapsing it into a single misleading number.
Every comparison page includes per-subcategory winner declarations (e.g., "Winner for carry-on size: Southwest"). When two options are genuinely equivalent, we call it a tie rather than forcing a verdict.
How often is data updated?
Every record on the site is re-checked against its source within 30 days. The most stale items are reviewed first, and any change is reviewed before it goes live.
- Airline baggage fees and dimensions: Re-checked within 30 days. Major policy changes (fee hikes, new fare restrictions) are updated within one week of announcement.
- Cruise ship specs and cabin sizes: Re-checked within 30 days. New ship launches and announced refurbishments are picked up as they happen.
- Cruise dress codes: Re-checked within 30 days and immediately after any announced policy change.
- Airport data (terminals, MCTs, TSA wait times, parking): Re-checked within 30 days. Terminal changes and new airline assignments are updated as announced.
- Destination guides and country essentials: Re-checked within 30 days against State Department and tourism board guidance.
- Travel apps and eSIM provider pricing: Re-checked within 30 days against each provider's pricing page.
- Comparison pages: Re-checked within 30 days or whenever the underlying data changes.
Who writes this content?
All content on Vientapps is written and verified by Caden Sorenson, a senior staff engineer with 15+ years of experience building software. Caden is a frequent traveler who has flown most of the airlines covered on this site and sailed on multiple cruise lines in the database. The site is not staffed by a content team, does not accept guest posts, and does not publish press releases as editorial content.
How to report an error
If you find a number that is wrong, a policy that has changed, or a source link that is broken, email cadendeveloper@gmail.com with the page URL and what you think is incorrect. Corrections are typically applied within 48 hours.
Verify before you travel
We aim to keep every value on this site accurate within 30 days, but airline, cruise, visa, and fee policies can change without notice, sometimes the day of travel. Vientapps is not a substitute for the official source. Before booking or traveling, confirm baggage fees, carry-on dimensions, visa requirements, and any other policy that affects your trip directly with the airline, cruise line, embassy, or other authoritative source for your route and dates. We are not liable for losses resulting from outdated or incorrect information on this site.