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☆ Royal Caribbean's cruises have never been this popular. Good luck booking one of it's giant ships.
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-01 | by ( Brittany Chang | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Royal Caribbean Group has half the number of available cabins right now than the same time in 2023. AdvertisementGood luck booking your dream Royal Caribbean vacation this year — the cruise line's giant ships are running low on cabins amid a spike in demand. Trade group Cruise Lines International Association estimates 36 million travelers will cruise in 2024 — a 14% increase from 2023. Cruise ships like the Icon of the Seas will spend the majority of their trip at sea. Royal Caribbean isn't the only cruise giant starting 2024 with exceptionally busy ships.

Persons: —, Brittany Chang, you've, Jason Liberty, Pieter De Boer, Josh Weinstein Organizations: Royal Caribbean Group, Service, Trade, Cruise Lines International, Cruise, Cruise Line Holdings, Carnival Locations: Caribbean, Brittany, Royal Caribbean

☆ Houthi attacks in the Red Sea are now wrecking world cruisers' vacation plans
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-31 | by ( Erin Snodgrass | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

The cruise industry is being hit by ongoing Houthi attacks in the Red Sea. Among the cancellations are some 20-day world cruise voyages. AdvertisementEscalating tensions in the Red Sea amid ongoing Houthi attacks have already hobbled global trade and prompted a US military response. Carnival Cruise Lines is the most recent player to confirm schedule changes because of the risks. MSC Cruises cancelled three sailings in April to avoid traversing the Red Sea, a spokesperson for the company told Business Insider.

Persons: —, Princess Cruise Organizations: Service, Cruise, Business, Princess, Carnival, Costa Cruises, United, CNN, Royal, Mediterranean Shipping Company, MSC Cruises, MSC Locations: Red, Iran, Los Angeles, East, Asia, Australia, South Africa, West Coast of Africa, Sydney, Costa, United Arab Emirates, Italy, Royal Caribbean, Europe, Africa

☆ I worked on cruise ships for 6 years. Here are the 5 best and 5 worst rooms to book for your trip.
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-30 | by ( Sharon Waugh | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Here are what I consider to be the best and worst staterooms to book on a cruise. BEST ROOMS TO BOOK ON A CRUISEOcean-view rooms are only worth it if the windows aren't obstructed. Obstructed ocean-view roomsPartially obstructed ocean-view staterooms have a window that's usually at least a little blocked by a lifeboat. Although many people book these rooms because they're slightly cheaper than ocean-view rooms, the view ends up being more obstructed than expected most of the time. Adjoining rooms with other partiesSome cruise ships have adjoining staterooms with an internal door separating the two neighboring cabins.

Persons: Sharon Waugh, Drake, staterooms, I've, It's, Debbie Ann Powell, Shutterstock Staterooms, Extroverts Organizations: Norwegian Cruise Line, Royal, Cruises, NCL, Port, Disabilities Locations: Norwegian, Royal Caribbean, staterooms

☆ Carnival reroutes cruises as Red Sea tensions rise
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-30 | by ( Ryan Anastasio | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Carnival announced Tuesday it would reroute cruise itineraries for a dozen ships scheduled to transit the Red Sea as tensions rise in the Middle East. Carnival expects the rerouting to impact its adjusted earnings per share by 7 cents to 8 cents in 2024. The company forecast adjusted full-year earnings per share of 93 cents, according to its fiscal fourth-quarter earnings released last month. The cruise liner is expected to release its fiscal first-quarter 2024 earnings in March. Carnival is the latest company to announce disruptions due to the conflicts in the Red Sea.

Persons: reroute itineraries, Joe Biden Organizations: Carnival, Houthi Rebels, Royal, MSC Cruises Locations: Avalon , California, Iranian, U.S, Yemen, Jordan, Red, Royal Caribbean, Swiss, Italian

☆ Dream of the Desert: Saudi Arabia is launching its own luxury train
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-29 | by ( Tamara Hardingham-Gill | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

State-owned railway company Saudi Arabia Railways (SAR) recently struck a 200 million Saudi riyals ($53.33 million) deal with Italian hospitality company Arsenale Group to launch the first luxury train in the Middle Eastern kingdom. The destination has made a number of high-profile tourism investments in recent years – a $500 billion model city in the desert of northwest Saudi Arabia among them. Now Saudi Arabia is getting on board with the slow travel movement in a big way by moving into the luxury train market. Arsenale S.P.A./Saudi Arabia RailwaysSaudi Arabia’s decision to enter the luxury train market comes as demand for high-speed trains and luxury “rail cruises” continues to increase around the world. Infrastructure investmentA rendering of Dream of the Desert, which will be the first luxury train in the Middle Eastern kingdom.

Persons: Paolo Barletta, ” Barletta, S.P.A, Joe Biden, Dolce, ”, Luigi Corradi, King, Khalid al, Falih, Arsenale S.P.A, Bashar bin Khaled Al Malik, Al Malik, CNN’s Lilit Marcus, Ben Jones Organizations: CNN, State, Saudi Arabia Railways, Saudi, Arsenale Group, SAR, Saudi Arabia Railways Saudi, Reuters, “ Orient, Accor, Ferrovie dello Stato, Speed Railway, King Abdulaziz International, Saudi Arabia’s Investment, Projects, Saudi Railway Company, Orient Express, Orient Locations: Saudi Arabia, Saudi, Arabia’s, Riyadh, Qurayyat, Jordan, Hail, Italy, France, Italy’s, Mecca, Medina, Jeddah, Venice, London, Kyushu

☆ Royal Caribbean's 9-month Ultimate World Cruise was a 'pain in the ass' to plan, CEO says
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-29 | by ( Brittany Chang | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

The itinerary, known as the Ultimate World Cruise, became an overnight social media sensation and was quickly dubbed "TikTok's favorite new reality show" by The New York Times. And that it did: At 274 nights long, Royal Caribbean's Ultimate World Cruise is more than double the length of most other around-the-world itineraries. AdvertisementRoyal Caribbean says its Ultimate World Cruise will visit Antarctica and 11 "wonders of the world." As it turns out, Royal Caribbean "had no clue what a pain in the ass a world cruise is," Bayley said. Royal Caribbean's nine-month itinerary is one of the longest global sailings on the market.

Persons: —, Michael Bayley, Bayley, Royal, Jeff Whyte Organizations: Service, Business, The New York Times, Caribbean, Silversea Locations: Miami, Antarctica, Caribbean

☆ 10 of our stocks report earnings next week. Here's what we want to see from each
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-27 | by ( Zev Fima | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +16 min

All three major averages posted gains for the third consecutive week, lifted by solid quarterly earnings and positive economic data. Earnings season ramps up next week, with five of the Super Six mega-cap stocks delivering results. Employment numbers are the most important economic data, with Friday's January nonfarm payrolls report carrying the most weight. The January ISM Manufacturing report on Thursday and December's factory orders report Friday are expected to show the sector still in contraction mode. But earnings and commentary this week from peer Sartorious made us encouraged about a return to growth in 2024.

Persons: nonfarm, December's, Sartorious, We've, Stanley Black, Decker, We're, We'd, Royal Philips, Crane, Woodward, ServisFirst, Cadence Bancorporation, CADE, Johnson, Phillips, Avery Dennison, Columbus McKinnon, Robinson, SIRI, Cardinal Health, Parker, DOV, Pitney Bowes, Ferrari N.V, CSW, COLM, W.W, Grainger, Dwight Co, Jim Cramer's, Jim Cramer, Jim, Tim Cook, Justin Sullivan Organizations: Gross, Procter, Gamble, Gillette, Super, Consumer, JPM Healthcare, Amazon, Microsoft, Honeywell, Aerospace, Solutions, Apple Watch, Masimo, Vision Pro, Franklin Resources, Resource Partners, Bank of Marin Bancorp, Bank7 Corp, Pacific Premier Bancorp Inc, Provident Financial Holdings, Dynex, Cliffs Inc, Nucor Corp, Whirlpool Corp, F5 Networks, Capital Southwest Corp, Harbors Investment Corp, Crane Co, Payne, Equity, Heartland Financial, Cadence, FinWise Bancorp, Five Star Bancorp, PotlatchDeltic Corporation, Sanmina Corporation, Pfizer, General Motors Corp, United Parcel Service, JetBlue Airways Corporation, Smith Corp, Marathon Petroleum Corp, HCA Healthcare, Oshkosh Corporation, SYSCO Corp, Danaher Corp, Johnson Controls, M.D.C . Holdings, Commvault Systems Inc, Hope Bancorp, Hubbell Incorporated, Malibu Boats, Polaris Industries, Inc, Camden National Corp, Cambridge Bancorp, Microsoft Corp, Starbucks Corp, Devices, Electronic Arts Inc, Juniper Networks, Stryker Corp, Lending, Canadian, Canadian Pacific Kansas City Limited, Mondelez, Chubb Corporation, Modine Manufacturing, Partners, Management, Hawaiian Holdings, Manhattan Associates, Unum Group, UNM, Axos, Enova, Boston Properties, Boeing Co, Novo Nordisk, Mastercard Inc, Roper Technologies, Boston Scientific Corporation, MarketAxess Holdings, Fisher, Aptiv PLC, Hess Corp, Nasdaq, United Microelectronics Corp, Rockwell Automation, Teva Pharmaceutical Industries, Ltd, Avery, Avery Dennison Corp, Extreme Networks, Otis Worldwide Corporation, OTIS, Columbus, Columbus McKinnon Corp, Central Pacific Financial Corp, Brinker International, Fortive Corporation, Qualcomm, Technology, Metlife, Hanover Insurance, Barn Holdings, CONMED Corporation, DLH Holdings Corp, Meritage Homes Corporation, Honeywell International, Eaton Corp, Altria, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd, Merck, Co, Enterprise Products Partners, Dorian LPG, SiriusXM Holdings, Cardinal, Hannifin Corporation, Allegheny Technologies Incorporated, Tractor Supply Company, Trane Technologies, Dover Corp, Huntington Ingalls Industries, Brunswick Corporation, Dickinson, Canada Goose Holdings, Kirby Corp, WEC Energy Group, WestRock Company, Allegro MicroSystems, Ball Corporation, Broadridge Financial, BrightSphere Investment Group, CMS Energy Corp, Lancaster Colony Corp, Rogers Communications Inc, Sanofi, Apple, Atlassian Corporation, United States Steel Corp, Corp, Adtalem Global, Homes, DXC Technology Company, Eastman Chemical Company, Gen, Post Holdings, America, Columbia Sportswear Company, Exxon Mobil Corp, Chevron Corporation, Myers Squibb Co, CIGNA Corp, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Charter Communications, AON, Cboe, Dwight, Banco Santander, Jim Cramer's Charitable, CNBC, Apple Vision, Getty Locations: China, East, United States, Europe, Cleveland, Alexandria, California, Corning, Canadian Pacific, Teradyne, TER, Novo, Hanover, PBI, Skechers U.S.A, Bristol, Chile

☆ I've been on nearly 30 cruises. Here are 12 things I wish I'd known sooner.
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-27 | by ( Jordana Comiter | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

I've been going on cruises since I was a baby, and now I've vacationed on nearly 30 ships. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . AdvertisementGrowing up a short drive from a port, my family's favorite vacation has always been cruises. Since my first one as a baby, I've set sail nearly 30 times. Here are 12 things I wish I'd known sooner.

Persons: I've, — Organizations: Service

☆ Yacht-see! Wayne LaPierre takes witness stand as NRA corruption-trial jury views photos of luxury ships he enjoyed on vendor's dime.
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-26 | by ( Laura Italiano | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

Wayne LaPierre took the stand Friday in the NRA corruption trial in New York. A photo of the deck of the yacht "Illusions," shown at the NRA civil corruption trial in New York. NRA leader Wayne LaPierre arrives at his civil corruption trial in New York. A photo of the yacht "Illusions," shown to jurors in the NRA civil corruption trial in New York. A photo of the "Grand Illusion" shown to jurors in the NRA corruption trial in New York.

Persons: Wayne LaPierre, corruptly, LaPierre, —, Jonathan Conley, Susan, Conley, Brendan McDermid, David McKenzie, McKenzie, Laura, Sandy Hook, he'd, Sandy Hook's, Mr, YachtCharterFleet.com LaPierre, Lyme, He's, Wayne LaPierre's, Nick Suplina, Letitia James, Kris Brown, Brady, Brown, Wayne, Joel Cohen Organizations: Service, NRA, Partners, Associated Television, Gun Safety, New York Locations: New York, Manhattan, Bahamas, staterooms, York, Caribbean, McKenzie, Dallas, Orlando

☆ Icon of the Seas: Why Americans Are Obsessed With Big Cruise Ships
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-25 | by ( Henry Wismayer | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +17 min

Love them or loathe them, giant cruise ships are among the most remarkable success stories of the mass tourism age. Rechristened the Mardi Gras, the first Carnival cruise ship sailed out of Miami that March. Cruise ships like the Icon of the Seas will spend the majority of their trip at sea. Eight years later, cruise ships such as the Diamond Princess became early incubators for COVID-19. Cruise Market Watch forecasts there will be 360 cruise ships in service at the end of this year, comprising less than 1% of the global commercial fleet.

Persons: Ted Arison, Arison, Pieter De Boer, Costa, Diamond, Aaron Saunders, We've, Sue Bryant, Z, sass, Emma Le Teace, YouTuber, David Foster Wallace, Harper's, Sarah Knorr, Bryan Comer, Karla Hart, Hart, Saunders, it's, Henry Wismayer Organizations: Port, Passengers, Mardi Gras, Mardi, Gras, Cruise, Royal Caribbean, Costa Concordia, Cruise Lines International Association, Broadway, CivicScience, Royal, Virgin, Business, Transport & Environment, Getty, International Council, Global Cruise, Global Cruise Activist Network, Cruise Market, Royal Caribbean International, New York Times, National Geographic, Financial Times Locations: Port of Miami, Caribbean, Miami, The Port, Tuscany, Italy, Royal Caribbean, TikTok, Panama, Bahamas, Brussels, Netherlands, Douarnenez, Venice, Dubrovnik, Croatia, Amsterdam, Juneau , Alaska, Skagway , Alaska, CocoCay, London

☆ I always book the interior cabins on cruises — and it's not because I'm cheap
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-23 | by ( Lauren Mack | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

I'm a frequent cruiser who's been on more than 25 voyages, and I always book interior cabins. Interior cabins on cruises are for anyone who wants to travel smarter. Plus, interior cabins have fun features you don't get in exterior onesLauren MackTechnology has helped make interior cabins feel comfortable instead of claustrophobic. I've enjoyed the one-way window into the ship's corridor in Norweigan Cruise Line's interior cabins. AdvertisementDisney Cruise Lines' interior rooms feature "magic" portholes, where footage featuring surprise character visits is displayed on a porthole-shaped monitor.

Persons: who's, —, I've, Lauren Mack, you've Organizations: Service, Holland America Line's, Lauren Mack Technology, Disney Cruise Lines Locations: New York, Holland, Holland America Line's Rotterdam, Norweigan, Caribbean

☆ I paid $55,000 to go on a 3-year cruise around the world after my wife died. The cruise was abruptly canceled, and I still haven't been refunded.
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-23 | by ( Lauren Steussy | Erin Snodgrass | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Purcell was among the dozens of passengers who signed up for a three-year cruise with Life at Sea — an around-the-world journey that was canceled two weeks before its departure. A representative for Miray Cruises denied the passengers' fraud accusations and said they would refund the passengers by February 15. I thought, "God, this cruise is really something I could do." I've been putting off processing my grief, and I'm going to join a grief group in the next couple of weeks. I'm not on that ship, but I'm taking charge of my life.

Persons: —, David Purcell, Purcell, Beth, We'd, they've, I'm Organizations: Service, Miray Cruises, Business, Navy, Miami Airport, US Department of Justice, FBI, US Locations: Southern Florida, Kansas, Norway, Antarctica, New Zealand, Australia, South America, Asia, Roatán, Honduras, Kirkwood , Missouri

☆ How to become a billionaire
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-23 | by ( Henry Blodget | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

But, according to one friendly billionaire, Mark Cuban, there's no downside to being one. But by far the most common way to become a billionaire in the US is to make tons of money. If that were Brady's only income, and he saved all of it, it would still take him 50 years to become a billionaire. Others are shares of partnerships (hedge funds or private-equity funds, for example) or licensing agreements (like billionaire Michael Jordan's deal with Nike). Mark Cuban also recently said that becoming a billionaire is all about luck.

Persons: —, Mark Cuban, year's, Forbes, Tom Brady, Michael Jordan's, Warren Buffett, Berkshire Hathaway, Luck, it's Organizations: Service, Business, year's Forbes, Forbes, NFL, Nike, Berkshire, Microsoft, Oracle, Google, Facebook, Bloomberg, Berkshire Hathaway, Amazon, Walmart Locations: Berkshire, America, Norway, Dell

☆ A passenger on the 9-month cruise lists things about cruises he finds bizarre, including a rubber duck scavenger hunt
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-23 | by ( Maria Noyen | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Read previewOne of the most popular characters aboard Royal Caribbean's nine-month-long Ultimate World Cruise is about to disembark — but before doing so, he shared a list of things about cruise culture he finds bizarre. In the case of the Ultimate World Cruise, Sebastian said that title has been given to none other than Whoopi Goldberg. According to Cruising Ducks, the rubber duck scavenger hunt started in 2018 when a 10-year-old passenger on the Carnival Breeze cruise hid 50 ducks aboard the ship. The fad became so popular that there are now entire Facebook groups dedicated to sharing photos of rubber ducks discovered on cruises and their hiding places. "Let me tell you, they are not shy about sucking the whole pool down right into the ocean and then sucking up some new water," Sebastian added.

Persons: —, Royal, TikToker Marc Sebastian, Sebastian, Simon & Schuster, Whoopi Goldberg's, TikToker, gasped, Nadine Bower, Audrey Hepburn, Martha Stewart, Whoopi Goldberg, Whoopi, Goldberg, he's, David Bond, Marc Sebastian Organizations: Service, Business, TikTok, Simon &, Titanic, Cruise, Royal, Cruising Ducks, Royal Caribbean Group

MARIETTA, Ga. (AP) — A judge on Monday ordered court records to be made public in the divorce involving a special prosecutor hired in the election case against Donald Trump and others and accused of having an affair with Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis. The judge said records must be unsealed in the divorce case involving Nathan Wade, whom a defense attorney has alleged is in inappropriate relationship with Willis. The judge put off a final decision on whether Willis will have to sit for questioning in the divorce case, but delayed her deposition that had been scheduled for Tuesday. Willis has defended her hiring of Wade, who has little prosecutorial experience, and has not directly denied a romantic relationship. Willis has accused Wade's estranged wife of trying to obstruct her criminal election interference case against Trump and others by seeking to question her in the couple’s divorce proceedings.

Persons: —, Donald Trump, Fani Willis, Nathan Wade, Willis, Wade, Ashleigh Merchant, Michael Roman, Wade's, Joycelyn Wade, Willis “, Nathan Wade —, Joycelyn, “, ” Trump Organizations: Trump, White Locations: MARIETTA, Ga, Fulton County, San Francisco, Napa Valley , Florida, Belize, Panama, Australia, Miami, Georgia

☆ I sailed on two Norwegian cruises — one that's $685 a night and one that's $130. Here's how I think they compare.
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-21 | by ( Brittany Chang | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

The cruise giant oversees three brands: mass-market Norwegian Cruise Line, premium Oceania Cruises , and ultra-luxury Regent Seven Seas Cruises. Norwegian Cruise Line's Prima — the traditional option with splashy, family-friendly amenitiesThe Norwegian Prima was the first of six Prima class vessels. Brittany Chang/Business InsiderIn October 2022, Norwegian Cruise Line invited me on the Norwegian Prima's non-revenue inaugural sailing. Regent Seven Seas Cruises' Grandeur — the ultra-luxury option with ultra-expensive faresThe Seven Seas Grandeur joined Regent's fleet in 2023. Norwegian Cruise Line and Regent Seven Seas Cruises couldn't be more the oppositeThere are no go-karts in sight on Regent Seven Seas' ships.

Persons: —, Prima, Brittany Chang, Viva's, Chartreuse, filet mignon, who've, Pablo Picasso, would've, What's Organizations: Service, Cruise Line Holdings, Business, Cruise, Oceania Cruises, Regent Seven Seas, Norwegian Cruise, Cruise Line, Norwegian, Starbucks, Norwegian Prima, Regent Seven Locations: Norwegian, Brittany, New York City

☆ 9 new around-the-world cruises have joined Royal Caribbean's Ultimate World Cruise at sea. See what they're like — from a sold-out 6-month luxury cruise to a cheaper $21,100 option.
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-21 | by ( Brittany Chang | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

Regent Seven Seas Seas Cruises — NCLH's $73,500 ultra-luxury 4 ½-month cruiseThe Seven Seas Mariner in Kotor, Montenegro. AzamaraAzamara's sold-out 2024 world cruise departed on January 5 from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Silversea's fares started at $66,000 per person for the least expensive vista suite, cheaper than Regent Seven Seas' cruise of the same length. AdvertisementPrincess Cruises — Carnival Corp's almost four-month $21,100 vacationPrincess Cruises says its 2024 world cruise guests will have an overnight in Dubai and the opportunity to see 25 UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Holland America Line — the four-month roundtrip Florida cruiseThe Zuiderdam's world cruise itinerary includes overnights in places like Tokyo and Aqaba, Jordan.

Persons: —, TikTok, Royal, it's, Fares, Azamara, Taj, Azamara Azamara's, Leo Caldas, Cunard, Queen Mary 2, Queen Mary, Queen Victoria, Mary 2, Southhampton, Jennifer Gauthier, would've Organizations: Service, Royal, Business, Oceania Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, Regent Seven Seas, Seas, Regent Seven, Seven Seas Mariner, Cruises —, Getty, San, Cruises, UNESCO, Heritage, Princess, Carnival Corp, Seabourn, Fares, Corp's, Cunard, Holland America Line, Reuters, Holland, Holland America Locations: New York City, Sydney, Australia, Los Angeles, Norwegian, Hawaii, Islands, New Zealand, Asia, East, Europe, Canada, Yangon, Myanmar, Reykjavik, Iceland, Kotor, Montenegro, Miami, Central America, Islands , New Zealand, Bermuda, Oceania, Giza, Fort Lauderdale , Florida, Central, South America, Barcelona, Caribbean, AFP, San Francisco, Southeast, East Asia, Alaska, Dubai, Africa, Piraeus, Greece, Athens, China, Japan, Sri Lanka, Egypt, Jordan, Cairns, Honolulu, Queen, York City, Aruba, North America, Holland, Florida, Tokyo, Aqaba, Holland America

☆ How the three-year cruise fell apart
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-20 | by ( Julia Buckley | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +22 min

CNN —In April 2023, George Fox was gearing up for the adventure of a lifetime: a three-year cruise taking him around the world. The high hopes and eventual failure of the Life at Sea cruise reads a bit like a Greek tragedy. When Miray objected, he resigned, along with much of his team, and told passengers the cruise was off. When the cruise was canceled in November, Bayramoğlu told passengers that only 111 cabins were booked. On October 24, Miray’s PR spokesperson told CNN that the departure date had been moved to November 30.

Persons: CNN —, George Fox, “, ”, ‘, Miray, who’d, Meredith Shay, Shay, she’d, Jenny Phenix, I’d, Mikael Petterson, Petterson, “ I’ve, Ethem, Miray’s, “ Vedat, ’ ”, Vedat, Cruises, hadn’t, Kendra Holmes –, –, Petterson –, they’d, Bayramoğlu, Sharon Lane, she’s, ” Shay, ” Holmes, Marit Hommedal, NTB Scanpix, Noel Hansen, Kendra Holmes, Hansen, ’ ” Hansen, ’ Rebecca Varner, Lorna Bolduc, Rebecca Varner, Holmes, Bonnie Kelter, Kelter, Varner, Ugurlu, Phenix, “ I’m, couldn’t, ’ George Fox, he'd, Bolduc, Miray’s Bayramoğlu, ” Miray, who’s, ” Hansen Organizations: CNN, Fox, Miray Cruises, Cruises, Passengers, Gemini, Carnival, Facebook, Life, Getty, US Foreign Service, ‘, Miray’s, ”, Miray Locations: Istanbul, ’, Turkey, Florida, Germany, Bayramoğlu, Petterson, AFP, Clermont , Florida, Costa Rica, New Jersey, Maine, that’s, Miami, Europe, Ecuador, Southern Florida

☆ Life at Sea passengers call for criminal investigation into cruise company as they try to claw back $16 million in refunds
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-19 | by ( Lloyd Lee | Brittany Chang | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Miray Cruises ultimately did not purchase a vessel that could accommodate more than a thousand passengers for three years. A spokesperson for Lapointe's office and Miray Cruises did not immediately return a request for comment. For many, Life at Sea Cruises initially proposed an alluring offer: Travel around the world for three years for as low as around $38,500 a year. "Miray is not such a big company to afford to pay 40-50 million for a ship," Miray Cruises CEO Vedat Ugurlu said in a memo. AdvertisementManagement issues also plagued the company months before the voyage, culminating with Life at Sea and Miray Cruises severing ties in May.

Persons: —, they're, Markenzy Lapointe, Miray, Lapointe, Keri Whitman, Vedat Ugurlu, Weeks, Ugurlu, Kimberly Arizzi, David Purcell, Adam Pers, Adam Organizations: Service, Sea Cruises, Business, Southern, Southern District of, Miray Cruises, The New York Times, Times, The Times, Miray, Management Locations: Southern District, Southern District of Florida, The, Cincinnati, Bristol

☆ Fani Willis Affair Claims Are Nothing More Than Bad Optics: Experts
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-19 | by ( Associated Press | Natalie Musumeci | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +11 min

Allegations have surfaced of an affair between Fulton County DA Fani Willis and an attorney she hired. AdvertisementFulton County District Attorney Fani Willis hired attorney Nathan Wade to lead the Georgia prosecution of Donald Trump and 18 others over efforts to overturn the 2020 election. The lawyer is seeking to get the indictment tossed and to remove Willis and Wade from the case. Outside of any effect on this case, Willis, an elected Democrat, is up for reelection this year, and this could become a campaign issue depending on how she ultimately responds. Records show Wade billed for what he described as "travel to Athens; conf with White House Counsel" in May 2022.

Persons: Fani Willis, Nathan Wade, Willis, Donald Trump, —, Wade, Wade —, Trump, vies, it's, Rahmani, Anthony Michael Kreis, Ashleigh Merchant, Michael Roman, Merchant, unseal, Joycelyn Wade, Joycelyn, Jeff DiSantis, John Floyd, Anna Cross, Wade's, Thurbert Baker, Baker, It's, Neil Warren, foreperson, Georgia —, There's, Peter Strzok, Robert James, that's, I've, James Organizations: Service, Trump, West, Trial, Georgia State University, Associated Press, White, Caribbean, AP, Defense, White House, Records, DC Locations: Fulton County, Georgia, Napa Valley , Florida, Caribbean, Wade's, San Francisco, Belize, Panama, Australia, Miami, Cobb County, Athens, Russia, DeKalb County , Georgia

☆ Falling Domestic Fares and an A.I. Arms Race: What Travelers Can Expect in 2024
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-18 | by ( Christine Chung | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +21 min

Arms Race: What Travelers Can Expect in 2024 At the start of what promises to be a very busy year, we look ahead at what you’re likely to encounter. With 2023 in the rearview mirror, we look ahead at what travelers will face in 2024. At United Airlines, for example, smarter software can offer rebooking options and issue food and lodging vouchers when a flight is canceled, rather than just rebooking a flight. United Airlines has suspended its flights indefinitely, said Josh Freed, a United spokesman. This year, travelers are expected to choose faraway places and board small ships, according to Virtuoso, the consortium of luxury travel agencies.

Persons: Chanelle, Hayley Berg, ” Ms, Berg, “, Robert W, Mann Jr, ”, Chad Burt, Oren Etzioni, Gilbert Ott, Hopper, Greg Forbes, Delta’s, Neville Pattinson, Mr, Pattinson, biometrics, Laura Lindsay, Joshua Smith, Smith, Laurel Brunvoll, Michael Zeiler, Airbnb, We’ve, Jamie Lane, ‘, ’ ”, Jan Freitag, “ We’ve, David Whiteside, Brian Kelly, Guy, Leigh Rowan, “ There’s, Kelly, Rowan, ” Mr, James Thornton, Sharm el Sheikh, Khaled Ibrahim, Harry Rubenstein, Rubenstein, Eyal Carlin, Josh Freed, Jack Ezon, Tom Marchant, Beth McGroarty Organizations: World Tourism Organization, International Air Transport Association, Analysts, Express Global, ”, airfare, University of Washington, United Airlines, Transportation, Administration, Salt Lake, International Airport, Denver International Airport, Delta Air Lines, U.S . Customs, Border Protection, La Guardia Airport, Los Angeles International Airport, biometrics, Thales, Air, American Airlines, Global, “, —, MidX Studios, LivSmart Studios, Hilton, Hyatt Studios, Accor Hotels, Boston University, Visa, Mastercard, Walmart, Target, Savanti, Chase, Intrepid Travel, Amisol Travel, East Travel Alliance, United, Consumers, Ki’ama, Wellness, Global Wellness Institute Locations: United States, Point.me, Salt, North America, London, Rome, Tokyo, Cancún, Las Vegas, Cayman Islands, Polynesia, Europe, Norway, Denmark, Air Canada, Bergen, Flam, Scandinavia, Italy, France, Malta, Slovenia, Maryland, Spain, Portugal, Britain, Egypt, India, Mexico ; Cape Girardeau, Mo, Niagara Falls, N.Y . Texas, Burnet, Sulphur Springs, New York, Vienna, Marriott, Israel, Jordan, Oman, Oman —, Tunisia, Northern Africa, Sharm, Cairo, Amisol Travel Egypt, Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Ramle, Kimberley, Western Australia, Mitre, Patagonia, Ki’ama Bahamas, Bahamas, South Africa, Hudson, Tuxedo Park, N.Y, Malibu , Calif, Mexico

☆ ‘Anything can happen.’ Inside the ‘real-life reality show’ of the nine-month cruise
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-17 | by ( Francesca Street | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +24 min

Welcome aboard Royal Caribbean’s Ultimate World Cruise, which set sail a month ago and has unexpectedly captured the internet’s imagination. It all started when Fletcher, a 39-year-old photographer from the UK, happened upon a TikTok video from a world cruise passenger. Anthony AntoineIt’s possible to join the Ultimate World Cruise at several points along the journey – there’s no requirement to sign up for the whole nine months. He understands.”So far, while his world cruise dispatches have racked up millions of views, Sebastian has yet to uncover the “hot goss” he promised. Passenger Angie Linderman, 38, also had an emotional path to boarding the world cruise.

Persons: Michael Bayley, –, Beth Anne Fletcher, “ It’s, Fletcher, Fletcher isn’t, she’s, Brooklyn Schwetje, “, ’ ”, Madison’s TikToks, She’d, I’d, ”, I’ve, I’m, We’ve, She’s, Oosthuizen, she’d, TikTokers, Madison Schwetje, ” Fletcher, it’s, Renske Lammerding, ‘, Dad ’ Joe Martucci, Audrey, Joe, Audrey Martucci Joe Martucci, Martucci, Martucci’s, ’, ‘ Dad, Dad ”, “ Hey, ” –, Hunnicut, Jenny Hunnicutt, Anthony McWilliams, Angie Linderman, Jenny Hunnicut, Shannon Marie Lake, boomer, Lake, Julian Mendoza, @cooljul1, Daniele Salvatore Arbisi, @singing.sailor, Stig Nilsen, Salvatore Arbisi soundtracked, Nilsen, seafarer, they’d, Anthony Antoine It’s, influencer Marc Sebastian, Simon & Schuster, Jean, Francois Monier, McWilliams, Marc Sebastian, Sebastian, goss, Anthony Antoine The, “ We’re, “ I’ve, ” McWilliams, ‘ Lean, ” McWilliams ’, he’s, Linderman, ” Linderman, Taj Organizations: CNN, Royal Caribbean, Caribbean, Royal Caribbean International, CNN Travel, Royal, ’, Madison, Housewives, Seas, “ Pirates, Royal Caribbean Cruise, Simon &, Getty, British, Antarctica Locations: Brooklyn, Royal Caribbean, TikTok, Pretoria ”, @iambrandeelake, Lake, Norwegian, Caribbean, Shannon, AFP, Antarctica, “, Machu Picchu, China

☆ Photos show Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas and Wonder of the Seas side-by-side. See how the world's two largest cruise ships compare.
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-17 | by ( Brittany Chang | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Read previewThe bigger the better, the more the merrier: The world's two largest cruise ships have finally met. Sharon YattawUntil recently, the 235,600-gross-ton Wonder of the Seas was the world's largest cruise ship, spanning 1,188 feet long and 18 decks tall. The Icon of the Seas, left, and Wonder of the Seas, right, are the two world's largest cruise ships, each complete with a list of colorful family-friendly amenities. Royal Caribbean InternationalThe Icon of the Seas is set to begin its first year of revenue cruises on January 27. Meanwhile, its predecessor was docked at Perfect Day as part of that ship's ongoing seven-night Caribbean cruise.

Persons: —, Sharon Yattaw Organizations: Service, Business, Royal Caribbean, Royal Locations: CocoCay, Bahamas, Royal Caribbean, PortMiami, Cozumel, Mexico

☆ The top 9 'must-have' travel experiences of 2024, according to luxury advisors
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-16 | by ( Monica Pitrelli | Jonathan Delise | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +8 min

If that sounds like a tall order for a summer getaway, the luxury travel company Virtuoso asked 20,000 of its travel advisors to share their top experiences for 2024. Dark sky tourism focuses on rural locations without light pollution, such as Greece's Olympus Mountain National Park. Departing in August, Virtuoso recommends travelers first take in the Olympic Games before departing the city in style. Passion travelsHobbies may be associated with the home, but Virtuoso recommends taking your passions on the road. Virtuoso recommends exploring Peruvian cuisine at the Mistura Food Festival, or checking out the street food of Ljubljana, Slovenia.

Persons: Nicolas Economou, Manoj Shah, Belles, Bhutan's, Young, Peter Adams, Chiang Mai, Koh, Wiphop, Sakura, James Cole, Hillary, Cousteau, Shackleton, pricey, Yasin Akgul, bookworms, Wolfgang Kaehler, Brian Curtice, Levente Bodo, ERNESTO BENAVIDES Organizations: Nurphoto, DarkSky, Stone, InterContinental, UNESCO, Istock, Expedition, Getty, CNBC Travel, Orient, Afp, Departing, Olympic Games, Chelsea Flower, Lightrocket, Festival Locations: stargazing, Norway, Iceland, Canada, Northern Mexico, Blanco , Texas, Albanya, Spain, Africa, Bhutan, Thailand, Pana, Yai, Bangkok, Japan Japan, United States, North America, Japan, Hakodate, Hokkaido, Kyoto, Kanazawa, Fuji's, Antarctica, Paris, Istanbul, Turkey, Asia, Europe, Venice, Turkish, Strahov, Riau, Isla, Ljubljana, Slovenia

☆ A stomach flu outbreak aboard a Celebrity Cruises ship has left 100 people sick
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-15 | by ( Brittany Chang | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Almost 100 travelers reported being sick following a norovirus outbreak aboard a Celebrity Cruises sailing. Of the 13 norovirus cruise outbreaks in 2023, three were aboard Celebrity's cruises. AdvertisementNew year, same old outbreak: 100 people aboard Celebrity Cruises' recent Celebrity Constellation sailing reported norovirus symptoms, making it the first cruise ship outbreak of 2024, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Related storiesAmid the outbreak, the ship and its crew isolated the infected travelers, ramped up cleaning and disinfecting, and collected stool samples for testing, the agency reported. According to the CDC, three of the 13 norovirus outbreaks aboard cruise ships in 2023 were on Celebrity's vessels.

Persons: —, seasickness Organizations: Cruises, CDC, Service, Celebrity Cruises, Centers for Disease Control, Constellation, Celebrity, Business

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