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☆ Jail Cells? Morgues? Your Cruise Ship Has Some Surprises for You.
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-19 | by ( Ceylan Yeğinsu | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Cruise ships have hidden features that many passengers, particularly first-timers, don’t know about. Here are five things that cruisers may not know about cruise ships:There’s a morgue …Cruise ships carry millions of passengers each year, and it is not uncommon for deaths to occur on board. Most vessels are required to have a morgue and additional body bags in the event of an emergency. The morgue, usually a small stainless steel refrigerated room on the ship’s lowest deck, accommodates between two to 10 bodies, depending on the size of the vessel. …and a jailThere are no police officers on cruise ships, but most vessels have small jails known as the brig, and unruly passengers could find themselves locked up if the ship’s security team determines that they have violated the cruise line’s code of conduct.

☆ On the World’s Largest Cruise Ship, Thrills and Space to Chill
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-09 | by ( Ceylan Yeginsu | Scott Mcintyre | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

One man got down on his knees and kissed the rug emblazoned with the ship’s logo. Another lifted his wife and swung her around, ecstatic to be among the roughly 5,000 passengers to embark on the inaugural sailing of the world’s largest cruise ship, the Icon of the Seas. For months, the 250,800-ton ship, which can carry nearly 8,000 people, has been making headlines — including some that have criticized its size and potential to damage the environment. But the passengers who plunked down $1,800 to $100,000 and boarded the ship at Port Miami in Florida on Jan. 27, said nothing could have prepared them for the vessel’s sheer scale.

Organizations: Port Miami Locations: Port, Florida

☆ Can the World’s Largest Cruise Ship Really Be Climate-Friendly?
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-23 | by ( Ceylan Yeginsu | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

On Tuesday, in a ceremony that, of course, involved a soccer ball, the Argentine soccer superstar Lionel Messi pressed a button and a bottle of champagne smashed against the bow of Icon of the Seas, christening the world’s largest cruise ship at its home port of Miami. Like an A-list celebrity stepping onto the red carpet, the arrival of Royal Caribbean’s 250,800-ton ship has captured the world’s attention, with some marveling over its cutting-edge features, like the largest water park at sea, while others criticize the gigantic ship’s potential to damage the environment. With the capacity to carry nearly 8,000 people, the 20-deck, 1,198-foot-long vessel — whose inaugural cruise with paying passengers departs Jan. 27 — is the size of a small city. There are eight “neighborhoods” packed with amenities that include a 55-foot waterfall, six water slides and more than 40 restaurants, bars and entertainment venues.

Persons: Lionel Messi Locations: Argentine, Miami

☆ Where Are People Going This Year?
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-18 | by ( Ceylan Yeginsu | More About Ceylan Yeginsu | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

London, Rome, Tokyo, Cancún and Las Vegas, some of the most visited destinations in 2023, are still among the top places travelers are searching to go to this year, according to the travel sites Kayak and Hopper. Beach destinations like the Cayman Islands and French Polynesia are also trending destinations for 2024. “Americans are looking for fun in the sun,” said Laura Lindsay, a global travel trends expert at the travel search engine Skyscanner. “Our data shows that they are seeking out destinations with equal opportunities for relaxation and outdoor adventures.”After the extreme weather events of 2023 and overcrowding at popular destinations, travelers are also looking for cooler, less crowded spots.

Persons: ”, Laura Lindsay Locations: London, Rome, Tokyo, Cancún, Las Vegas, Cayman Islands, Polynesia

☆ 3-Year Cruise Passengers Seek Fraud Charges Over Cancellation
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-17 | by ( Ceylan Yeginsu | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

By now, they were supposed to be well into the first leg of the three-year Life at Sea cruise, sailing from Ushuaia, Argentina, to Punta Arenas in Chilean Patagonia. On Tuesday, 78 would-be Life at Sea passengers sent a letter to Markenzy Lapointe, the U.S. attorney for the Southern District of Florida, asking him to investigate whether Miray, a Turkish cruise company, defrauded them out of millions of dollars. They claim that the company collected an estimated $16 million and used it toward a deposit to acquire a new ship that it did not end up purchasing. Dozens of passengers quit their jobs, sold their homes and withdrew their life savings to pay for what promised to be the adventure of a lifetime: a cruise with 382 ports of call over 1,095 days. But in late November, just days before the cruise was scheduled to depart, the voyage was canceled because Miray had failed to acquire a suitable ship.

Persons: Markenzy Lapointe, Mr, Lapointe, Miray Organizations: Punta Arenas, Southern, Southern District of Locations: Ushuaia, Argentina, Punta, Chilean Patagonia, Istanbul, Ecuador, U.S, Southern District, Southern District of Florida, Turkish

☆ First Cruise: Preparations for a Smooth Sailing
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-29 | by ( Ceylan Yeginsu | More About Ceylan Yeginsu | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

You’ve picked a ship, booked an itinerary and chosen your cabin, but even with the hardest part done, figuring out the ship’s layout and how to get a spot on a popular outing can be daunting. Here’s how to prepare for a smooth first sailing. Familiarize yourself with the ship, even before you boardOcean cruise liners are big, and each ship is unique, so get familiar with deck layouts and features before you board. Most cruise companies have detailed plans and videos on their websites and there are virtual ship tours by cruise enthusiasts on YouTube and social media. “Be sure to pack a carry-on with all of the essentials you might need during that window of time,” said Colleen McDaniel, editor in chief of the cruise news site Cruise Critic, who suggested including “medication, sunscreen, a bathing suit, a phone charger and other essentials that you’ll need as soon as you board.”

Persons: You’ve, you’ve, ”, Mandy Holden, “, it’s, Colleen McDaniel Organizations: YouTube, Cruise Locations: Florida

☆ After the Earthquake in Morocco, Tourists Grapple With the Ethics of Travel
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-12 | by ( Ceylan Yeginsu | More About Ceylan Yeginsu | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

The series of catastrophic events has left many tourists in a conundrum over how to respond. Those already in a country in the wake of a disaster debate whether they should stay or leave. Can they and the revenue they bring in be of any real help, or will they be a burden? How appropriate is it to let tourism go on while a nation is in a state of collective mourning and rescue efforts are underway? In Morocco, however, where a powerful 6.8-magnitude earthquake struck the Atlas Mountains southwest of Marrakesh on Friday, killing thousands, the outlook is more unified.

Persons: don’t Locations: Turkey, Greece, Hawaii, Morocco, Maui, Lahaina, Marrakesh

☆ Bring Fans and Skip the Sites: Vacationing in Scorching Hot Europe
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-14 | by ( Ceylan Yeginsu | More About Ceylan Yeginsu | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

As our hot, stuffy plane approached Bodrum, the seaside resort city on Turkey’s southwest coast, I closed my eyes and imagined a cool plunge into the crystalline turquoise waters of the Aegean. It was late July, and I was going home for vacation, despite warnings about the record heat. Southern Turkey is always hot in the summer, but the thought of sea breezes and swimming made it seem a desirable destination — especially after spending the last month in a heat wave in Geneva where air-conditioning is all but banned. My 1-year-old immediately started crying and other passengers gasped as they rushed to the bus that would take us to the terminal. “There was nowhere to escape, we were under attack and had no choice but to go back to the A.C. in our villas,” he said.

Persons: Bodrum, ”, Cem Tosunoglu, “ Organizations: Bodrum Locations: Turkey’s, Southern Turkey, Geneva, Istanbul

Large wildfires burning across the islands of Maui and Hawaii, fueled by intense winds, turned scenic beach destinations into smoky, catastrophic scenes on Wednesday. The fires are most intense along the western coast of Maui, according to local news reports, with the historic town center of Lahaina severely damaged. Here’s what travelers need to know. According to the local news outlet Hawaii News Now, at least three wildfires are burning on Maui, including one in Lahaina, a major tourist destination on Maui, and the upcountry section of the island. There are at least three blazes on the Big Island, in North Kohala and South Kohala, which includes the Mauna Kea beach area, according to Big Island Now.

Locations: Maui, Hawaii, Lahaina, West Maui, North Kohala, South Kohala, Kea

☆ Are Cruises ‘Corny’? Some First-Time Passengers Looking for a Deal Say Maybe Not.
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-18 | by ( Ceylan Yeginsu | More About Ceylan Yeginsu | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

It wasn’t just the horror stories about passengers stuck on cruise ships during the pandemic (though that was part of it). “I always thought of cruises as corny vacations for the elderly,” said Mr. Brown, 32, a member of the logistics team at the New York streetwear company Supreme. “You get to see all these different places and can take day trips without having to lug your baggage around,” Mr. Brown said. Out of the 4,500 respondents who took their first cruise, 88 percent of millennials and 86 percent of Gen X said they would do it again, according to CLIA. The association projects cruise tourism to reach 106 percent of 2019 passenger volume in 2023.

Persons: Holden Brown, “, ”, Brown, Genevieve, ” Mr, Gen X Organizations: Norwegian Prima, Cruise Lines International Association Locations: York, Norwegian, Barcelona, Rome, Florence, Italy, Valencia, Ibiza, Spain, Cannes, France, millennials

Sicily isn’t the only European destination bustling with tourists ahead of the peak summer season in July and August. After three years of pandemic restrictions, travelers are flocking to Europe in record numbers, despite high airfares, limited accommodations, sweltering heat and crowded sites. Among American travelers, Europe is the most popular destination this year, according to Hopper’s “Summer Travel to Europe” report. “I had to sell my car to pull this off, but if I’m traveling this far, I’m going to see everywhere,” she said. But there was nothing, so, unfortunately, I had to turn down business,” said Abby Lagman, the founder of the Blissful Travel Company, a U.S.-based travel agency.

Persons: Hopper’s, ”, Elizabeth Hughes, “, Abby Lagman Organizations: Hopper Locations: Sicily, Europe, London, Paris, Rome, Lisbon, Athens, Sicilian, Palermo, Chicago, France, Italy, Greece, U.S

☆ In Milan, Putting an A.I. Travel Adviser to the Test
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-13 | by ( Ceylan Yeginsu | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

“Why didn’t you tell me today was a public holiday in Milan?” I texted my adviser. “I’m sorry, I didn’t realize that you were planning to visit Milan on May 1,” the adviser responded. “As a virtual travel assistant, I try to provide as much information as possible, but sometimes I miss something. I decided to put Expedia’s service to the test by comparing its itinerary with one prepared by a human adviser. “I have one day to visit Milan.

Persons: “ I’m, ”, “ Organizations: Piazza del Duomo, Milan, ChatGPT Locations: Milan’s, Piazza del, Milan

☆ F.B.I. Says Video Voyeur Hid Camera in Cruise Ship Bathroom
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-10 | by ( Ceylan Yeginsu | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

The Harmony of the Seas cruise ship, one of the biggest in the world, with its multiple-deck water slides, zip line and surf simulators, is a favorite among families. But the discovery of a hidden camera in a public bathroom during a recent sailing has many passengers questioning their enthusiasm after the F.B.I. said that minors who appear to be as young as 4 or 5 years old had fallen victim to video voyeurism onboard. The bathroom was located close to one of the ship’s surf simulators and many passengers used it to change into their swimsuits. arrested Mr. Froias and charged him with video voyeurism and attempted possession of child exploitation material.

☆ Cash for Delayed or Canceled Flights? What to Know About Biden’s Plan.
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-09 | by ( Ainara Tiefenthäler | Ceylan Yeginsu | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

According to data from the U.S. Department of Transportation, around 20 percent of flights were delayed last year. President Biden and the transportation secretary, Pete Buttigieg, announced a proposed new rule on Monday to compensate passengers affected by carrier-caused slowdowns. Under the proposal, airlines would be required to cover certain expenses for passengers as well as pay them for the inconvenience of flight delays and cancellations. “I know how frustrated many of you are with the service you get from your U.S. airlines,” Mr. Biden said during the announcement at the White House. Additionally, inconvenienced fliers would be entitled to a payment in the form of cash, miles or travel vouchers.

For the Guclu family, several of whom lived in the building, the collapse created a fatal rift. Who can be held accountable in a system in which blueprints cannot be trusted and nobody agrees on whether the building passed inspection? As the building shook in February, Mr. Yayla called out to his mother to stay in her room and get on the floor next to her bed. ‘Money From Our Friends’Family members say the land, covered in fig trees, had been theirs for three generations. By 2015, buildings were popping up all around, a testament to a Turkish economy that had been growing about 7 percent a year.

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