Gangs in Haiti burn beloved Gothic gingerbread hotel that rose to international fame
Hundreds of Haitians and foreigners mourned the news as it spread across social media, with the hotel manager on Monday confirming the fire in a brief comment on X. Even though gang violence had forced the hotel in Haiti's capital, Port-au-Prince, to close in recent years, many had hoped it would reopen.
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Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Montreal Canadiens captain Nick Suzuki and wife Caitlin share intimate wedding photos: 'Just the two of us, forever'
The couple tied the knot earlier in June during a ceremony in Turks and Caicos. The wife of Montreal Canadiens captain Nick Suzuki is reflecting on one of the most romantic days of her life. On Sunday, the 25-year-old shared several photos and videos from her intimate beachside wedding in Turks and Caicos last month. "Just the two of us, forever," she captioned an initial post. She paired her words with a dove emoji and her wedding date, which was on Monday, June 9, 2025. That post first featured a photo of herself and Nick, 25, holding hands and walking away from the camera, as she looked back over her shoulder with her veil draping down to the ground. The other pictures in the carousel showed off parts of the beach, one-on-one moments with her NHLer husband as well as his-and-hers vow booklets with their rings. Caitlin continued to shared a couple other posts from her stunning destination wedding, including a glam-shot video from a hair and makeup appointment for her cocktail bridal party. In the clip, hair artist Vanessa Wehbe showed off Caitlin's glamorous makeup look and immaculately-curled hair. A third post showed off the couple's "night before" in Turks and Caicos, where they spent the evening on a chartered catamaran. They took an intimate photoshoot on board, where they embraced in various poses and outfits on the boat. A couple shots featured Caitlin wearing a strapless white dress with her blonde locks tied in a ponytail, and Nick opting for a seafoam blue polo shirt and white pants. Another snapshot showed Caitlin wearing a white long-sleeve mini dress, with Nick changing into a white shirt and light khaki shorts. In all of the posts, fans raved over the beauty of the event and how stunning the couple looked during their beachside festivities. Others shared their congratulations to the newlyweds and expressed how they're still celebrating the duo. "Forever obsessed," wrote fellow Montreal Canadiens WAG Emma Fortin, who's married to Brendan Gallagher. "Gorgeous. Congratulations!" added Alexa Dobson, who recently married Montreal Canadiens defenceman Noah Dobson. "She hit us with so much in one day," joked Paola Anderson, who's married to Montreal Canadiens player Josh Anderson. "I'm so obsessed, no words at all," someone chimed in. "Actually never getting over these!!! Wow," someone else penned. Caitlin also took to her Instagram Stories to re-share numerous photos and videos — some of which had black-and-white filters — that wedding guests had posted on their accounts from the reception. That included clips from their first dance and other photos the couple had taken. Nick and Caitlin first connected through social media around 2016 or 2017. They had previously known of each other through mutual friends in London, Ont., and eventually Nick proposed in 2024 during a trip to the Dominican Republic. This past January, Caitlin took to social media to share footage from her bachelorette bash in Aspen, Colo. "The girlies take on Aspen part 1," she captioned a post on Jan. 5. The following month, she made an appearance on the "Never Offside" podcast hosted by Julie Petry, wife of Detroit Red Wings defenceman Jeff Petry, and Cat Toffoli, wife of San Jose Sharks alternate captain Tyler Toffoli. In an episode posted on Feb. 4, Caitlin opened up more about her relationship with Nick, her role as an NHL wife and her then-upcoming wedding "I've never dreamed of a wedding. I've dreamed of the person I'm going to marry, but I'm not a wedding person," she explained at the time. But thinking of having all of her loved ones in one room had pushed her to excitement over the big day: "To have everyone in one space together is my dream come true. ... I know it's going to be so much fun, so I'm really looking forward to that."
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Travel + Leisure
7 hours ago
- Travel + Leisure
A Stunning New Megaship With an Eataly Restaurant, a Ropes Course, and an 11-story Slide Recently Debuted in Miami—and I Was One of the First Aboard
MSC World America Very affordable entry-level fares—some as low as $800 per person per week. The World Promenade, an open-air area filled with flashing LED palm trees, a towering atrium, and the tail end of The JawDrop @ The Spiral, the ship's 11-story dry slide. The Harbour, an all-ages area that's home to the Cliffhanger over-water swing, a vertigo-inducing ropes course with zip lines, and a waterpark. Il Mercato Buffet is one of the most pleasant places on the ship for a quick meal or late-night snack with a sea view. Being a travel writer with a family comes with its fair share of guilt—never more so than when I'm in a beautiful place and my husband and daughter are at home. And so it was recently, when I reached them by video call while I was laying on a sandy Caribbean beach, piña colada in hand. Later, I called them from my balcony on the MSC World America, with turquoise waters below me. When I sent my 13 year old a video of the dessert buffet, she replied, 'Stop it—I don't want to see anymore!' Sharing, it seems, is not always caring. But how could I not be enthused? I'd hopped aboard the ship for a three-day inaugural sailing that included a gala naming ceremony attended by Orlando Bloom and Drew Barrymore. As the ship's godmother, Barrymore got the honor of cutting a ribbon to release a magnum of Champagne, which smashed against the bow and officially christened the vessel. I was eager to see World America up close because my family and I had sailed on a similar vessel, MSC World Europa, in the Mediterranean last fall. There's an indisputably European vibe on that ship, influencing the service style, the cuisine, and the entertainment, all of which are tailored to guests from the Continent. So I was curious how World America, which will sail in and out of Miami year-round, would be different. The World Promenade. Ivan Sarfatti/MSC Cruises 'I think the expectation for Americans is not the size of the ship or the shape of the different spaces, but it's more about service,' said Bernard Stacher, MSC's senior vice president of shipboard hospitality operations, when I spoke with him aboard the ship. 'It's more about food and entertainment choices, about knowing the name of your server at dinner,' he explained. For example, World America has a comedy club instead of the tea room found on World Europa, and it has an Eataly restaurant rather than a Nordic-influenced Chef's Garden. The new ship also has a sports bar, a (bigger) candy store, tons of theme park–style attractions, and a 'Dirty Dancing' musical revue. Really, is there anything more American than that? 'In Europe, our American guests get a little bit of a European experience,' said Stacher. 'Well, over here, the Europeans are getting a little bit of a toned down version of the American experience.' All the tweaks are in service of MSC's continued efforts to crack the U.S. market. The company has been operating in North America since 1998, but World America, with its capacity for more than 6,700 passengers, is by far the brand's biggest play yet. It's also an unabashed shot across the bow of Royal Caribbean International, which operates Icon of the Seas, currently the largest cruise ship at sea. As a resident of Italy, I felt particularly well positioned to weigh in on MSC's attempt to blend its European roots with American-style service. And I found the staff to be so ebullient on World America that they're likely to give any European visitors a bit of welcome-to-America culture shock: folks, we are exceedingly chatty people. At the same time, I was impressed by the speed and efficiency with which MSC was able to handle all those thousands of passengers. The company's new state-of-the-art cruise terminal in Miami allows for super-fast self-check-in, even when World America is at full capacity and there are other MSC vessels in port. And while my husband and daughter weren't able to join me, I did get to explore the ship with my sister as my cabin mate. Between the two of us, we put the ship to the test. Here's a closer look at the amenities, restaurants, staterooms, and services that make up the World America experience. The Staterooms My sister and I had a Deluxe Balcony Stateroom, which measured about 180 square feet. Once we unpacked and slid our suitcases under the beds we had plenty of room, with a small couch, two twin beds (which can be made up as a double), plus a table and two chairs on the balcony. As I noted in my review of the Yacht Club experience on World Europa, MSC furnishes its staterooms with Italian-made Dorelan mattresses and pillows, which really are quite comfortable. If I had any quibbles, it was the lack of small extras like bottled water and bathroom amenities beyond shampoo and body wash. Otherwise, our room did what it was supposed to do, which was to provide a comfortable, unfussy place to sleep and relax. In total, there are 2,614 cabins on World America, and about 1,700 of them have balconies—though some have obstructed views or overlook the World Promenade rather than the ocean. Upgrading to the Aurea or Yacht Club categories afford more space and perks. The former includes daily access to the Aurea Spa thermal area and a dedicated restaurant, while Yacht Club, MSC's ship-within-a-ship concept, offers an upscale experience with dedicated restaurants and a premium drinks package; guests in these suites also get guaranteed reservations at specialty restaurants and theatre shows, plus other VIP perks. There are also less expensive cabins with fixed windows or portholes, as well as some very affordably priced interior cabins, including some designated for solo travelers. Bars and Restaurants Top Sail Lounge inside the Yacht Club. Ivan Sarfatti/MSC Cruises There are seven complimentary options, including two buffets, four sit-down restaurants, and a pizza and burger spot. As is the case on many big ships, passengers can choose early or late dining when they book, and they will be assigned to one of the four restaurants with table service, where they'll have the same table and, likely, the same server for the duration of the cruise. Specialty restaurants, which come with an extra charge, are where MSC really leans on its Mediterranean roots. I sadly wasn't able to get into Eataly, the brand's only restaurant at sea, which was wildly popular. I did get to dine at Paxos Greek restaurant and had sushi at Kaito. The other specialty options are Butcher's Cut steakhouse and the casual Hola! Tacos & Cantina. There are plenty of other pay-as-you-go options, including a sports bar, an English-style pub, a sweets shop, a gelateria, and—for the virtuous—a juice bar. Fizz Champagne Bar. Ivan Sarfatti/MSC Cruises In terms of bars, it seemed like one was always in sight; had we been on a longer cruise, I imagine we would have settled into a favorite. One that's not so apparent is the ship's secret speakeasy: in order to gain entry, a staff member has to slip you a token and tip you off to the hidden location of the entrance. It's as fun as it sounds. Where World America Sails World America will be based in Miami, sailing from MSC's massive new terminal, which is, as of May 2025, the world's largest. It's worth noting that our check-in process was seamless, and my sister and I were on board within minutes of arriving at the terminal. From Miami, the ship will offer 7- and 14-day cruises to the Western and Eastern Caribbean. In the west, itineraries include stops along Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula and at Roatán, Honduras. In the east, stops include San Juan, Puerto Rico and Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic. Every itinerary includes at least one day at Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, the line's private island in the Bahamas—more on that below. Shore Excursions On my short preview cruise, the only time I got off the ship was for a few lovely, relaxing hours on Ocean Cay. This private island reserve has sandy beaches, a lagoon with snorkeling, plus a restaurant, food trucks, and plenty of bars. (Yacht Club guests have their own private beach, restaurant, and bar.) I donned a snorkel and fins and managed to find a few tropical fish in the lagoon. There are also excursions, at an extra cost, that include activities such as jet skiing, paddleboarding, kayaking, and climbing the island's lighthouse. My take is that you could easily skip the paid excursions, spend the day under a beach umbrella, and not feel like you missed out on much. That said, it's important to be one of the first guests off the ship when arriving at Ocean Cay, in order to stake out a prime spot on the far side of the lagoon, with its sheltered beach. Amenities and Entertainment If you can imagine it, World America probably has it—and in multiples. Outdoor amenities include seven pools (one with a retractable roof), four waterslides, 13 hot tubs, a ropes course, the one-of-its-kind Cliffhanger swing, and an 11-story dry slide. We dipped into the main Mar Azul pool, but had the cruise been full of little kids, we might have headed to the Zen Area, where there are two pools, hot tubs, and a bar reserved for adults. The Cliffhanger, which swings out over the sea, was less scary than I thought it would be; the ropes course was scarier than I expected. As for the JawDrop slide? Fun, but I was relieved when my ride was over. For more passive entertainment, the ship has a Vegas-style casino with slots and table games, and two theaters with Broadway-style shows. The 'Dirty Dancing' show, with its live band and solid dancing and singing, was a definite step up compared to the performances I saw on World Europa. Across the ship, especially in the World Promenade and Galleria areas, there are pop-up entertainers, roaming musicians, photographers, and other diversions. I also made time for a Balinese massage and a facial at the Aurea Spa, which also offers hair and nail services and a number of techy rejuvenation treatments. The Aurea Spa Thermal Suite is a fee-based area (unless you've booked in Aurea or Yacht Club class) that offers saunas, whirlpools, a salt cave, and relaxation areas. I didn't get to try it, but the facility looked inviting when I took a quick tour. Family-friendly Offerings The Harbour play and water area. MSC Cruises MSC has long billed itself as oriented toward families, and the company has upped its game with World America. In addition to the water park and Harbour diversions, the ship has five kids clubs for various age cohorts. There's also a multi-room LEGO construction zone, numerous video game stations, classic arcade consoles, three Formula 1 simulators, and a bumper cars area that doubles as a soccer pitch. Kids certainly aren't going to go hungry or thirsty, as there's plenty of kid-friendly fare at the buffets, including a twice-daily dessert spread. Paid treats include gelato, DIY ice cream bars, chocolate, hot chocolate, and 'freakshakes,' those made-for-social-media concoctions. Accessibility There are 65 ADA-compliant cabins on World America. Most public areas are accessible to wheelchairs and electric scooters, and fat-tire beach wheelchairs are available at Ocean Cay.
Condé Nast Traveler
9 hours ago
- Condé Nast Traveler
Bad Bunny's Best Guide to Puerto Rico Is His Latest Album
This summer, Puerto Rico is about to experience a superboom of visitors rarely, if ever, before seen by its residents—and it's all thanks to Bad Bunny. On July 11, the island's homegrown superstar kicked off a series of consecutive weekend shows at the José Miguel Agrelot Coliseum in San Juan, which he has dubbed his 'No Me Quiero Ir de Aquí' (meaning I Don't Wanna Leave Here) residency. Bad Bunny will grace the stage at El Choli, as the venue is known, weekly every Friday through Sunday over the course of three months, wrapping up his home run on September 14 before setting out on a world tour across Latin America, Europe, Asia, and Australia. While tickets for the first nine shows were sold to locals only—proof of Puerto Rican residency was required for all 125,000 tickets purchased—beginning on August 1 visitors will be welcome to the 21 remaining dates. Variety magazine reports that the forthcoming influx of visitors is estimated to generate nearly $200 million in revenue for the island. And yet the focal point of Bad Bunny's latest album, DeBí TiRAR MáS FOToS, (meaning I Should Have Taken More Photos) is Puerto Rico's fight to maintain its cultural identity and history amid its rapid gentrification by affluent outsiders and corporate interests. In the song 'Turista,' for example, Benito compares a frosty ex-lover to that of a tourist in a foreign land. 'En mi vida fuiste turista / Tú solo viste lo mejor de mí,' he sings, lamenting that she was never curious enough to fully capture his emotional complexity.
