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Sunday, May 26, 2019

The 20 Cleanest Cruise Ships In The World

Disney Cruise Lines' Disney Dream.

Disney Cruise Lines

Most cruise ships are pretty clean, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which inspects ships to make sure they maintain proper sanitation.

Of the more than 200 active cruise ships the CDC has inspected, most received a passing grade: at least an 86 on a 100-point sanitation score. A handful received a 100 on their most recent inspection, indicating a level of cleanliness that would be difficult to top.

These are the 20 cruise ships that currently operate in the US market and received a perfect score during their most recent CDC inspection.

Brilliance of the Seas

Cruise line: Royal Caribbean International

Date of most recent inspection: April 6, 2019

Celebrity Summit

Cruise line: Celebrity Cruises

Date of most recent inspection: February 11, 2019

Rhapsody of the Seas

Cruise line: Royal Caribbean International

Date of most recent inspection: February 9, 2019

Norwegian Gem

Cruise line: Norwegian Cruise Lines

Date of most recent inspection: December 10, 2018

Disney Wonder

Cruise line: Disney Cruise Lines

Date of most recent inspection: December 7, 2018

Seabourn Quest

Cruise line: Seabourn Cruise Line

Date of most recent inspection: November 4, 2018

Viking Star

Cruise line: Viking Ocean Cruises

Date of most recent inspection: October 15, 2018

Aurora

Cruise line: P&O Cruises

Date of most recent inspection: September 24, 2018

Noordam

Cruise line: Holland America Line

Date of most recent inspection: August 29, 2018

Sea Princess

Cruise line: Princess Cruises

Date of most recent inspection: August 19, 2018

Disney Dream

Cruise line: Disney Cruise Lines

Date of most recent inspection: August 17, 2018

Aidavita

Cruise line: Aida Cruises

Date of most recent inspection: June 25, 2018

Celebrity Eclipse

Cruise line: Celebrity Cruises

Date of most recent inspection: November 26, 2017

Costa Luminosa

Cruise line: Costa Crociere SpA

Date of most recent inspection: October 14, 2015

MSC Lirica

Cruise line: MSC Cruise Management (UK) Limited

Date of most recent inspection: January 6, 2009

Navigator of the Seas

Cruise line: Royal Caribbean International

Date of most recent inspection: December 3, 2017

Norwegian Spirit

Cruise line: Norwegian Cruise Lines

Date of most recent inspection: March 29, 2016

Star Princess

Cruise line: Princess Cruises

Date of most recent inspection: February 8, 2018

Regal Princess

Cruise line: Princess Cruises

Date of most recent inspection: March 25, 2018

Seabourn Odyssey

Cruise line: Seabourn Cruise Line

Date of most recent inspection: December 5, 2017

Source: https://www.businessinsider.com/cleanest-cruise-ships-in-world-2019-5

Saturday, May 25, 2019

The Most Over-The-Top First-Class Airline Suites

by GILBERT OTT

From in-flight showers to video chats with flight attendants when you don't feel like getting up, here's what you could be enjoying in the skies.

If the 1960s were the Golden Age of travel, the twenty-teens are the diamond age. Gone are the cigarettes, La-Z-Boy-style seats, and pungent smells of jet fuel; in their place are massive suites, showers in the clouds, and caviar collections fit for a Russian czar. Don't forget the bespoke bedding and bone china collaborations for in-flight afternoon tea, either.

While many airlines have folded their first class into business in the midst of strict corporate travel policies, a few have pushed their suites to soaring new heights. If you're looking for the best in the sky, these first-class cabins are everything—and more.

Courtesy Singapore Airlines

Singapore Airlines A380 Suites

Readers' Choice Award-winning Singapore Airlines has doubled down in recent years to create what's widely regarded as the single finest commercial flying experience. That's not just hyperbole—at 50 square feet, it wins by measurement as well.
The fact that it starts with a trip to a lounge formally known as "The Private Room" never hurts, either. Here, Dom Perignon flows like water and the lounge feels downright serene. If anyone has ever levied a complaint against the lounge, it's based on the fact that it's too quiet, too polished, and too nice.
On board, you're in a true suite, with a reclining swivel chair capable of facing out toward the windows for reflection or in toward the cabin for dining, a desktop for work, and separate bed. A tablet controls everything for you, from dimming lights to changing the lights' colors. You can carry it with you throughout the suite, too, and use it whether you're in your chair or lounging on the bed. And then there's the 32" television, which wouldn't look out of place in most living rooms. Singapore also went one step further for traveling duos: certain suites can be combined to form a 100-square-foot palace in the sky.

Gilbert OttCathay Pacific

Cathay Pacific Suites

Cathay Pacific's first-class suite lacks many of the bolted-down features you'd expect on a list of the world's top cabins. No, it doesn't have a door, nor does it have a separate seat and bed. But if you ever wished a lie-flat seat could be your actual bed, it would be this one.
Booking into Cathay Pacific first class means you're never let down at any point in your journey. Cathay's lounge outposts in Hong Kong rival many of the finest five-star hotels in decor—and arguably in spa amenities, too. On board, it's impossible not to revel in the handwritten welcome notes given to each guest, before the question of "Would you like a glass of Krug Grand Cuvee 2004?" is proposed. Cathay's first-class beds are wide enough to comfortably sleep two, which makes them more than suitable for one. And when it comes time to hit the hay, the crew arranges each pillow, duvet, and mattress topper like a concerto from a grand master.

Courtesy Air France

Air France La Premiere Class

There are first-class cabins with larger footprints and plenty more bling, but Air France's first class is the epitome of sophistication. There's high thread count bedding, crew who could pass most sommelier exams, and teams on the ground tasked with ensuring that every step of the journey is flawless. One example? Each passenger enjoys a private sedan from the lounge directly to their plane, bypassing the woes of the terminal entirely.

For those who've experienced the other end of the plane, the first thing to marvel at on board is the fact that you've got four windows all to yourself. Your seat, if you insist on degrading it by calling it as such, is the ultimate relaxation chamber. Because doors are boring, Air France introduced floor-to-ceiling curtains, which only intensify the feeling that you're in a chic Parisienne bedroom, rather than a plane. This is an experience where 24-hour fasting beforehand should almost be mandatory, too, as the exquisite on-board tasting menu was designed by a rotating group of the world's finest chefs.

Courtesy Etihad

Etihad A380 First Class

Located in the first rows of the Etihad Airbus A380 Upper Deck, the First-Class Apartments give "leg room" a new definition. The suite is more than just a seat that turns into a bed: it's a seat and a separate bed, with enough room to do push-ups and work off all the fine dining you're consuming. If you're traveling with a companion, there are even suites where the privacy wall can be taken down to create a spacious cabin for two.
But why stop there? Etihad turned its airline menus into ingredient lists where guests can create bespoke dishes directly with on-board chefs. When you need a change of pace, there's an on-board bar to mingle with other guests. Want a shower to wake you up before landing? Etihad's first class has shower suites. Don't ever underestimate the glory of a private shower after 10 hours in the sky at 39,000 feet.

Duncan Chard/Courtesy Emirates

Emirates 777 First Class

With virtual reality, zero gravity seats, and fabrics inspired by Mercedes-Benz interiors, Emirates' new first-class suites are completely over-the-top. Perhaps what makes this experience so unique is the sheer notion that the middle seat is actually the best seat. For the new Boeing 777, Emirates offers two rows with three suites across, rather than the traditional four. To make sure that the middle seat passengers weren't missing out, Emirates created virtual reality "windows," which show the scenes going on outside in HD clarity. After a few glasses from the airline's $500-million wine cellar, including favorites like Mouton Rothschild, no one would hold it against you for believing you're in an actual window seat.

Friday, May 24, 2019

Oahu’s Kailua Beach Is Named Best In The US By ‘Dr. Beach’

Image result for Oahu Kailua beach is named best in the US by â€˜Dr. Beachâ€™

By CALEB JONES

KAILUA, Hawaii (AP) — In Kailua, the sand is soft and white, the water is clear and calm, and the view is exactly what you would expect from a beach in the Hawaiian Islands.

Those are among the reasons Oahu’s Kailua Beach Park has been selected as the best stretch of sand for an annual list of top U.S. beaches.

Stephen Leatherman, a coastal scientist and professor at Florida International University, has been drafting the list under the alias “Dr. Beach” since 1991.

Leatherman uses 50 criteria to evaluate beaches, with the most important categories being water cleanliness, safety and management of the beach environment and its facilities. Leatherman uses data from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to grade the beaches on water quality and has been to all the beaches on his list.

Beaches in Hawaii are consistently ranked high, sometimes at the top of his list.

“I love Waikiki Beach. No question about that — a world-famous beach — but Kailua is a lot smaller and quieter,” Leatherman said. “It’s so much more peaceful. ... You don’t have big high-rises and all that. Kailua is on the other side of the mountains. It’s like a different world.”

In recent years, Leatherman has awarded extra credit to beaches that prohibit smoking , which all Oahu beaches do. He thinks other beaches around the state and country should follow suit.

Hawaii's Kailua Beach Park has been selected as the best stretch of sand for an annual list of top U.S. public beaches compiled by Florida International University Prof. Stephen Leatherman, also known as "Dr. Beach." (May 23)

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Leatherman also looks for powdery soft white sand, something Kailua Beach Park has in abundance.

Vari Singh and her family were visiting Oahu from Los Angeles and spent a day in Kailua.

“The color of the sea is something like we’ve never seen before. The sand is super soft and fun to play with, it makes good sandcastles,” she said as her daughter wiped sand from her face. “And the scenery is beautiful, you just come over the hill and it’s just this majestic scene of green ocean.”

Kailua Beach Park in Kailua, Hawaii. (AP Photo/Caleb Jones)

Leatherman acknowledged that not everyone appreciates the publicity his lists give to top beaches.

“I get a lot of people who are very happy about it. They like to know where to go,” Leatherman said. But “I always get some pushback. Oh yes, people say, ‘Oh no, we already have too many people coming here. What are you doing?’ It’s almost like they think it’s a secret beach or something. (Kailua) is not quite a secret beach. It is a real gem though.”

Braden Marquez, 18, who grew up in Kailua, says he is worried about overcrowding but also hopeful about the future of his hometown.

“This beach is pretty special to me just because my family has been coming here for years and years,” he said, noting the area has changed a lot since his childhood.

″(My) biggest concern would be losing the locals because of the influx of people,” he said during a recent visit to the beach. “But other than that I’m pretty excited about all the new things to come.”

For the first 25 years of ranking, any beach that won the top spot on Leatherman’s list was ineligible for inclusion in subsequent years. But in 2015, Dr. Beach cleared the slate to allow any beach in the nation to once again be eligible, resetting the clock — and perhaps the relevance— involving his annual contest.

Kailua was named the best beach in 1998, making it a two-time winner.

Leatherman is again retiring new winners and posting them on his website .

International beach expert Stephen Leatherman, aka "Dr. Beach," at Fort De Soto's north beach in Tierra Verde, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara, File)

The other beaches on this year’s list are Ocracoke Lifeguarded Beach on North Carolina’s Outer Banks in second place, followed by Grayton Beach State Park in the Florida panhandle; Coopers Beach, Southampton, New York; Duke Kahanamoku Beach on Oahu; Coast Guard Beach, Cape Cod, Massachusetts; Caladesi Island State Park, Dunedin-Clearwater, Florida; Hapuna State Beach Park on Hawaii’s Big Island; Coronado Beach, San Diego, California; and Kiawah Beachwalker Park, Kiawah Island, South Carolina.

Leatherman’s goal in producing the list each year, he says, is to reward high-quality, safe beaches that balance nature with accessibility and amenities. He hopes beaches that haven’t made his list will make changes for a better experience and a healthier coastal ecosystem.

___

Online: www.drbeach.org

Wednesday, May 22, 2019

Shangri-La Will Open Second Hotel In Suzhou In June 2019

Suzhou, China Shangri-La Group today announced Shangri-La Hotel, Suzhou Yuanqu will open June 1, 2019, enhancing the city’s luxury accommodations and service offerings. A draw for both leisure and business travelers, Suzhou is famous for its classical Chinese gardens and silk production and is easily accessible by high speed train from Shanghai.

Shangri-La Hotel, Suzhou Yuanqu will have 303 guestrooms and suites and 16 serviced apartments. Starting from 48 square meters, the guest rooms are some of the largest in the city and will offer expansive views of Jinji Lake and the city skyline through floor-to-ceiling windows. Designed in a soothing palette of silver, beige and blue, the guest rooms reflect the many lakes and canals found within the city. An innovative sliding wall separates the bathroom from the living and sleeping area enabling a guest to create an open floor plan or segment the space for privacy. Guestrooms are adorned with art inspired by Suzhou’s famous gardens created with a modern approach to traditional Chinese landscape paintings, while brocade fabrics pay homage to the important role that silk production has played in the city’s history. The hotel’s concierge level Horizon Club Lounge on level 31 will offer exclusive amenities and services.

Currently accepting reservations, Shangri-La Hotel, Suzhou Yuanqu is offering a special breakfast buffet price of CNY1 (about USD0.15) for stays booked under the flexible rate from June 1 to October 31, 2019. Golden Circle members can earn double GC Award Points for each room booking.

Travelers will be able to choose between two distinctive restaurants at the hotel. Shang Gardenwill serve regional Chinese cuisine, while the all-day dining restaurant Café Hong will feature live theater kitchens serving global fare. For those seeking an elegant escape to relax and socialize from day to evening, the Sip Lounge will offer an extensive selection of tea, wine, cocktails and live entertainment.

Guests can relax and rejuvenate in the Health Club on Level 7 with a 24-hour gym, 25-meter indoor temperature-controlled swimming pool, Jacuzzi, sauna, and steam bath. The Spa at Shangri-La will offer a selection of wellness therapies based upon the healing traditions of Asia.

The addition of Shangri-La Hotel, Suzhou Yuanqu will boost the city’s total event space with two pillar-less ballrooms at 1,000 square meters (about 10,763 square feet) and 384 square meters (and 4,133 square feet). Seven multi-function spaces and a boardroom will complement the ballrooms and all venues will be equipped with advanced lighting, audio and video systems.

Located in the new central business district of the vibrant Suzhou Industrial Park (SIP), Shangri-La Hotel, Suzhou Yuanqu is part of GCL Plaza, an integrated commercial complex that comprises an international office tower, a high-end residence and a four-story retail space. The hotel is within walking distance of the Jinji Lake, the largest city lake park in China, as well as Suzhou International Expo Centre and Suzhou Culture and Arts Centre. The hotel is also within walking distance from the subway, making it an easy connection hub to major local attractions.

The hotel is a 10 minute drive from the SIP railway station and the Beijing-Shanghai/Nanjing-Shanghai expressway, the major thoroughfare which leads to Shanghai Pudong International Airport, Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport and Sunan Shuofang International Airport. Travelers can also reach Suzhou from Shanghai via bullet train within 30 to 40 minutes on almost 200 trains daily.

Shangri-La Hotel, Suzhou Yuanqu is the second hotel in Suzhou, China for the luxury Asian hospitality group. The first Suzhou hotel, Shangri-La Hotel, Suzhou, was opened in 2007 and is also located in the city’s core business district.

For reservations and enquiries, email reservations.sljs@shangri-la.com or call (86 512) 6263 9999.

Famed for its classical Chinese gardens, traditional canal water towns, and silk production, Suzhou has welcomed visitors from throughout China and abroad over the course of its 2,500 year history. While the city’s gardens were built from the 10^th to 19^th century, the art of the Chinese garden reached its zenith in Suzhou in the Ming and Qing dynasties, when the country’s elite created elegant homes and gardens as retreats and the city became a cultural center. Four of Suzhou’s numerous traditional Chinese gardens are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The city’s historical heritage can also be found in the canals and half-moon bridges of the Tong Li and Zhujiajiao water villages. Since the Song Dynasty, Suzhou has also been an important center for China's silk industry, and its silk weavers and embroiderers are considered amongst the best in China and once supplied silk to the country’s imperial family and important dignitaries.

About Shangri-La Group

Shangri-La Group is one of the world’s premier developers, owners and operators of hotel and investment properties which comprises office buildings, commercial real estate and serviced apartments/residences. The Group’s other principal activities include hotel management services as well as property development for sale. It currently owns and/or manages over 100 hotels globally in more than 75 destinations under the Shangri-La, Kerry, Hotel Jen and Traders brands. Prominently positioned in Asia, the Group has a substantial pipeline of upcoming hotel and mixed-use development projects in Australia, Bahrain, Mainland China, Cambodia, Indonesia and Saudi Arabia.

Tuesday, May 21, 2019

American Airlines Cutting Bag Fees For Some Sports And Music Gear

FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) — American Airlines says it’s cutting the cost of checking oversized sporting gear and musical instruments on flights.

American said Tuesday that it eliminated the extra oversize charge for those items and instead will charge regular bag fees, which are lower.

Before Tuesday, a passenger who checked a big item like a surfboard or snowboard on a domestic flight would pay $150.

The airline says that will now cost $30, the fee for checking one bag.

Travelers will still be charged $150 for some items including antlers and scuba tanks, and extra fees also apply to gear weighing more than 50 pounds.

American says it’s tweaking fees after hearing from customers and employees.

Saturday, May 18, 2019

Your Guide to Philadelphia's Wawa Welcome America 2019: The Schedule Highlights Featuring Meghan Trainor And Jennifer Hudson For July 4th Concert

Image result for Wawa Welcome America 2019

By NBC10 Staff

There's no better place to celebrate the United States of America's birthday than in the place where our nation was founded -- Philadelphia.

Philly throws the best Fourth of July party with the annual Wawa Welcome America celebration, which this year features six days of culture, food, music and world-class performances from Meghan Trainor and Jennifer Hudson. The best part? It's all free!

This year, you and your family can enjoy more than 50 events ranging from movies to live music performances to fireworks. You can check out the full rundown of events here and check out some of the highlights below:

SATURDAY, JUNE 29

United State Army Band "Pershing's Own" Concert

The U.S. Army Band kicks off the week of concerts at Penn's Landing with a patriotic performance that concludes with a firework display over the Delaware River Waterfront.

Gospel on Independence Concert

This event will send a message of love through song with performances by more than 100 singers from Philly, the Philadelphia Men's Fellowship Choir and Sisterly Love.

SUNDAY, JUNE 30

Philadelphia's Historic District Block Party

Philly loves a block party and this year's edition highlights the City of Brotherly Love's signature music, art, entertainment, history, culture and food. A Kids' Stage and Kids' Zone for family-friendly entertainment, dozens of food trucks, pop-up performers and other activities make this an all-ages favorite.

Philly @ the Movies: "Rocky"

There's no movie more Philly than "Rocky," and now you can watch the titular character duke it out with Apollo Creed right on the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art. We can't promise that the nearby Rocky statue won't inspire a few people to run up the steps and jump up and down with their arms in the air.

MONDAY, JULY 1

PECO Go 4th and Learn at Penn Park

Experience fun and free interactive activities including pop-up classes and performances promoting "healthy living, fitness, culture and the arts."

Philly @the Movies: "Invincible"

Ever wanted to play for the Eagles? Of course you have. And so did Vince Papale. Enjoy this movie based on Papale's life and his unlikely path toward playing for the Birds, at Franklin Field, where they shot parts of the film.

The United States Army Field Band Concert

The Great Plaza at Penn's Landing will play host to the U.S. Army Field Band, who will perform a rendition of "Let Freedom Ring." But before the band takes the stage, you won't want to miss the Army's official parachute team, the Golden Knights, as they make one of their signature daring jumps.

TUESDAY, JULY 2

Wawa Hoagie Day

Enjoy an 8-ton hoagie salute, FREE Wawa hoagies, a performance by the USO Show Troupe and hoagie building competition between police and firefighters. Hoagie Day will be celebrated at Independence Mall and the National Constitution Center lawn.

Free Museum Day at the National Constitution Center

Learn about the U.S. Constitution and how the Founding Fathers emblazoned our freedoms in law with a free visit to the only museum dedicated to the most important document in our nation. Take in the new Civil War exhibit that examines the constitutional debates after the war and includes more than 100 artifacts and even original copies of the 13th, 14th and 15th amendments.

Kimmel Center's Great American Party on the Plaza

Festival-style activities will abound at this party on the Kimmel Center Plaza. There will also be live performances from casts direct from Broadway and the U.S. Navy Band Cruisers, all under the Kimmel Center's signature glass ceiling. Fans of the hit play "Hamilton" will also be able to belt out their favorite songs as part of the Hamilton's Hamiltunes Sing-a-long.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 3

POPS on Independence Concert

With Independence Hall as the dramatic backdrop, conductor Todd Ellison will lead the 65-piece Philly POPS orchestra in a patriotic, entertaining performance with Tony-nominated actress and singer Susan Egan. The Philadelphia tradition draws thousands of locals and visitors each year. Presented by Comcast NBCUniversal, this performance is part of the POPS Salute Series, an expanding portfolio of programs performed on American holidays, celebrating those who serve our country, its cities, and communities.

Girls.Like.nicethings Pop-Up Exhibit

This is new art exhibit will feature works from some of Philly's best female visual artists. The 21-and-over exhibit will also feature an artist chat and jam session.

THURSDAY, JULY 4

Party on the Parkway

This 5-block party on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway will feature fun for both the younger and older crowds. Families can enjoy an interactive Kids' Zone featuring a zip-line, acrobatic dunkers, bungee jumping, games and food from Tastykake and Popsicle. Those 21 and over, meanwhile, can take advantage of the multiple beer gardens.

Celebration of Freedom at Independence Hall

The City of Philadelphia's Office of the City Representative and Independence National Historical Park will present the Celebration of Freedom Ceremony at Independence Hall. Mayor Kenney will present the Magis Award. And The Wawa Foundation will present the Wawa Foundation Hero Award, totaling $80,000 to four non-profit organizations committed to serving the Greater Philadelphia area.

Salute to America Independence Day Parade

Immediately after the Celebration of Freedom ceremony, around 4,000 marchers, floats and military personnel will make their way through Independence Mall.

Wawa Welcome America July 4th Concert featuring Meghan Trainor and Jennifer Hudson

Billboard Hot 100 chart topping-Meghan Trainor will be joined by Academy Award-winning Jennifer Hudson on the main stage as co-headliners of the biggest annual party on Philadelphia's calendar. Trainor will be up first, and after her set, Hudson will Philly play a special set with the Philly POPS Big Band.