Athens, Greece, has been one of the fastest-growing tourist destinations in Europe. Last year, the city had a record 7 million tourists.
27.08.2024 - 17:46 / nytimes.com / Jason Liberty
The Icon of the Seas, the world’s largest cruise ship, drew as much criticism as excitement when Royal Caribbean launched it earlier this year, but the ship has been a hit among cruise goers. Now the cruise line is adding to its fleet of megaships.
The company already has two Icon Class ships on order — Star of the Seas, which will be launched in 2025, and a third ship that has not yet been named but will be delivered in 2026. It now has plans to order a fourth ship, set for a 2027 launch, with options for a fifth and sixth. The new ships build on the market response to Icon of the Seas, said Jason Liberty, president and chief executive of Royal Caribbean Group, announcing the agreement to build the new ships.
“Since its debut, Icon has exceeded our expectations in both guest satisfaction and financial performance,” Mr. Liberty said in a statement on Tuesday.
The 250,800-ton ship, which can carry nearly 8,000 people, has eight “neighborhoods” packed with amenities that include a 55-foot waterfall, six water slides and more than 40 restaurants, bars and entertainment venues.
Royal Caribbean’s announcement comes as the cruise industry reports record demand, attracting new customers with attractively priced packages that often include food, beverages and activities. In 2023, cruise travel exceeded 2019 levels by 107 percent, with 31.7 million passengers. This year, that number is expected to reach 34.7 million, according to Cruise Lines International Association, the industry’s trade group.
Responding to the demand, Royal Caribbean launched four new ships this year and has seven more on order. Other major cruise lines, like Carnival, Norwegian and MSC, are also launching next-generation vessels through 2027. The trend has drawn criticism from environmental groups, who warn that the number and scale of the ships undermine the industry’s commitment to a more sustainable future.
Athens, Greece, has been one of the fastest-growing tourist destinations in Europe. Last year, the city had a record 7 million tourists.
A residential cruise ship that was supposed to travel around the world has been stuck in Northern Ireland for the past three months.
Hotel contracts with hospitality union UNITE HERE are ending this month, and if hotel workers don’t receive the better benefits and higher wages they’re asking for, an estimated 10,000+ workers could go on strike across the country in what could be the biggest hotel strike in American history.
Arguably Greece’s most iconic island group, the Cyclades got their name because, if you squint, the 30-odd main islands form a circle, or , around the sacred island of Delos, birthplace of the twin gods Artemis and Apollo. In the southwestern curve of that circle sit Milos, Sifnos and Serifos, three Aegean islands that share a stark, wild beauty owing in part to the minerals that made them mining hubs well into the last century. (Mining continues on Milos, where it vies with tourism as one of the island’s main industries.)
Hostels are my preferred option when I'm traveling alone.
Thoughts of fall travel might conjure up images of cozy cabins and hiking through fiery red foliage. This autumn, however, a wave of new airline routes from the US is shaking up the usual pumpkin-spice-laced doldrums and offering easy new ways to access exciting destinations. Think city escapes in Northern Africa, beaches on tiny Caribbean islands, and lush nature in Oceania.
It once was one of the South's best-kept secrets, but now the word is out.
The night train boom is continuing with a new sleeper across Europe launching in 2025.
Aug 21, 2024 • 10 min read
With summer coming to an end, make the best of it by embarking on a holiday in Türkiye. Perfect for solo travels and family trips, Türkiye offers the most varied experiences in the Mediterranean. From the vibrant cultural tapestry of İstanbul to the sun-kissed shores of the Aegean and Mediterranean coasts, each Turkish destination offers a journey filled with many unforgettable experiences, complemented by world-famous Turkish hospitality and cuisine.
A small London airport is about to expand, making it easier to fly to destinations across Europe.
The U.S. State Department has been busy this August, recently reissuing updated travel advisories for a handful of popular destinations.