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The fleet of MSC Cruises in the United States will grow by one more ship. According to the cruise line, MSC World America will make its debut in the summer of 2025. The second ship in the line's World Class has started construction at France's Chantiers de l'Atlantique shipyard. The ship will be MSC's largest in America, measuring more than 150 feet wide and having 22 decks. The ship will be the line's first in North America to use cleaner-burning liquefied natural gas and will have over 2,600 staterooms. "MSC World America is a testament to our ambitious growth plans in the U.S. and the Caribbean and further solidifies MSC Cruises as a major player in the North American market with another of our largest, most glamorous ships coming to the region," MSC Cruises USA President Rubén R...

The first cruise ship to enter Thailand three years after the COVID-19 pandemic docked in Phuket on Monday, October 24, allowing 800 guests to disembark for a one-day sightseeing excursion. The head of the Phuket branch of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), Nanthasiri Ronnasiri, and Phuket Governor Narong Woonsiew boarded the ship, Spectrum of the Sea, to greet the travelers. Over 4,500 people, representing 55 different nationalities, are aboard the ship that left Singapore, but the majority are from Singapore, Malaysia, India, the Philippines, and Indonesia. After three years of COVID-19, this is the first cruise ship, according to Nanthasiri, who also added that the presence of cruise ships and yachts will help Phuket's tourism industry grow because the majority of the p...

A Korean Air Lines Co Ltd (003490.KS) flight carrying 173 people overshot the runway at Cebu International Airport in the Philippines, the company reported, adding that there were no injuries and everyone had safely boarded another aircraft. Inclement weather forced the Airbus SE A330 widebody travelling from Seoul to Cebu to undertake three landing attempts before it overran the runway at 23:07 (1507 GMT), according to a statement released by Korean Air on Monday. “Passengers have been escorted to three local hotels and an alternative flight is being arranged,” the airline said of flight KE361. “We are currently identifying the cause of the incident.” https://twitter.com/BBCWorld/status/1584537890406678529?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1584537890406678529...

The Capital One Travel portal has launched a new feature for its Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card premium cardholders, called the Premier Collection. The Premier Collection will offer cardholders an elevated experience and money-saving perks when staying at luxury hotels and resorts. Capital One says that its goal is ultimately to provide cardholders with a more authentic, local experience when traveling.The Premier Collection will provide premium Capital One cardholders a suite of exclusive, elite-like benefits when staying at hundreds of luxury hotels around the globe from brands like Small Luxury Hotels, The Leading Hotels of the World, Six Senses, 1 Hotels, Montage Hotels and Resorts and Proper Hotels. Some participating properties include The Ned NoMad in New York Cit...

Alaska Airlines pilots, who are represented by the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA), voted to ratify a new three-year contract. The new contract, which has been overwhelmingly supported by our pilots, includes significant improvements including: increased pay, greater flexibility, better benefits and stronger job security. More than 96% of Alaska's 3,300 pilots voted, and the agreement passed by 82%. "Our pilots are leaders in our operation," said Alaska Airlines' CEO Ben Minicucci. "While it took some time, I'm glad to have them working under a new contract that values their contributions to Alaska. I'm grateful to our colleagues at ALPA who bargained with determination and a fierce dedication to our pilots. This new contract reiterates what many of us have kn...

Southern Airways/Mokulele Airlines, the largest commuter airline in the country, and Hawaiian Airlines, Hawai'i's largest and longest serving airline, today announced a new bilateral interline agreement to facilitate travel bookings and connections for passengers. Hawaiian offers 130 flights within the islands and non-stop service connecting Hawai'i with 24 destinations in North America, Asia, Australia, New Zealand, Tahiti, and American Samoa. Southern/Mokulele operate over 150 daily departures throughout the Hawaiian Islands. This new agreement means that passengers can purchase connections from Mokulele-served airports like Moloka'i, Lāna'i, and Kapalua to any Hawaiian Airlines destination worldwide in a single transaction, and upon check-in at the...

Royal Caribbean Group's (NYSE: RCL) new Galveston terminal, which is opening Nov. 9, will be the first cruise terminal to generate 100% of its needed energy through on-site solar panels. This makes the terminal, which will be used by the company's Royal Caribbean International brand, the first LEED Zero Energy facility in the world. "We are focused on innovating across all aspects of our company, especially in our work to advance sustainability in the communities we visit," said Jason Liberty, president and CEO, Royal Caribbean Group. "We deeply value both the oceans we sail and the communities we visit and operate in, and the modern design and development features at our terminal in Galveston will work in service of both." The new cruise terminal at the Port of Galveston will be th...

World Cup organizers in Qatar have hired a third cruise ship on Monday to operate as a soccer fan hotel docked in Doha Port to add much-needed rooms for the tournament. With six weeks to go before the World Cup starts on November 20, Geneva-based MSC Cruises confirmed the partnership. the 1,075-cabin MSC Opera will be available from November 19 to December 19. Prices for the Opera were posted on the MSC website on Monday, with a two-night minimum stay and beginning at $470 per person per night during the group stage. Because Qatar does not have enough hotels to accommodate all of the teams, employees, volunteers, and World Cup visitors, the country has set up camping and cabin sites, hired cruise ships, and encouraged visitors to stay in other nations and fly in to games. ...

Boracay was once again hailed the top island in Asia in the 2022 Readers' Choice Awards of the travel magazine Condé Nast Traveler. The magazine's readers voted Palawan ninth among the best 10 islands in Asia. In addition, the Philippines was rated 30th out of the top 48 nations by Condé Nast Traveler readers. Boracay, renowned for its white sandy beaches and crystal-clear seas, received a rating of 95.13 on the website of the US-based luxury and leisure travel publication, taking the top place. The island outranked Bali, Indonesia, Koh Samui, Thailand, and Langkawi, Malaysia, which came in second, third, and fourth place. Sri Lanka was ranked seventh, followed by Phuket, Thailand in fifth, Ph Quc, Vietnam in sixth, Okinawa and the Ryukyu Islands, Japan in ninth, and the Ph...