Latest news with #FlowRider
Business Insider
27-07-2025
- Business Insider
I always thought cruises were fun for adults. Taking my kids on one made me change my mind.
Sixteen years ago, for our honeymoon, my husband and I went on our first cruise through the southern Caribbean. From elegant meals and relaxation by the pool to visiting multiple destinations without having to pack and re-settle repeatedly, we were sold from that first sailing. After becoming parents, we embarked on three more cruises to Alaska, Bermuda, and the Bahamas over the next decade. Each time, escaping without the kids, we found the respite we needed to return to parenting and the monotony of everyday life. We took a cruising hiatus But then COVID hit, and the idea of cruising fell to the back burner. As someone who is immunosuppressed, our getaways morphed into mountain adventures with the security of social distancing. But a piece of me yearned for the gentle rocking of the sea, for the socialization of meeting others who love traveling via the ocean, for the attentive staff that simply want you to have the best getaway of your life. Cruising called to me from afar. This past January, when my husband secured our boys' spring break week off from work, I turned to Google to discover what last-minute bookings were still available. I compared all-inclusive resorts to cruises that stopped at various ports, and by far, cruising was more affordable for our family of four. Pictures of Coco Cay, the Royal Caribbean island just north of Nassau, were displayed across my screen. Matching our dates perfectly, a cruise to the Bahamas was leaving from Bayonne, New Jersey — within an hour and a half's drive from our home. It felt meant to be — so we booked, and our love of cruising reignited. Cruising is more than a parent-only getaway With our boys — ages 10 and 13 — on board with us for the first time, I realized cruising is not only ideal for a parent-only getaway. It also happens to be the perfect vacation for families with tweens/teens because it offers more for less. The endless activities kept my boys busy for the entirety of our trip. Visiting a tropical beach like Coco Cay was blissful, and my boys experienced the white sand and clear water that our Jersey shore getaways lack. On board, when they weren't swimming or lounging in the hot tub, they were playing soccer or basketball in a state-of-the-art sports arena or partaking in one of the unique adventures our ship had to offer — like iFLY, FlowRider (surf simulator), and Bumper Cars. Live music and entertainment energize the evenings, and activities like rock climbing and cooking, and exercise classes are around every corner. My sushi-loving teen and I took a sushi-making class, and it did not disappoint. The ongoing schedule of activities is organized in the cruise line app, so you'll never miss a thing. Aboard the ship, it was as if my boys had traveled back to the 1990s. Our world has become unsafe for children to wander without adult supervision, but on cruises, teens can explore independently in a safe, family-friendly environment — possibly the best aspect of cruising with older kids! The ship's boundaries become a haven for teens in search of independence, and even tweens can roam safely in smaller areas like the pool deck. Cruising also solves the travel dilemmas that families typically face. While you're dining in elegance, the ship is sailing toward a new port. How else can you expose your children to multiple destinations and cultures in one trip without packing and repacking, wasting time in the car or on a plane, and without spending the exorbitant cost for airline tickets? You can't. Forget the backseat arguments and boredom that comes with road travel because the fun doesn't stop while you're sailing. They made friends on the boat From poolside friendships to designated teen hangout spaces, kids are also bound to meet others around the same age — and unlike meeting a friend at a resort on land, these new buddies are there for the entirety of your vacation. On the first day, my 10-year-old made a new friend and now they stay in touch via iMessenger. My husband and I used to cruise for a break from parenting. But now that my kids are older, I'm convinced cruising is the perfect family getaway, and we don't intend to sail without our boys again.
What's On
25-07-2025
- Entertainment
- What's On
Unwind in style at Al Wathba Desert Resort with new all-inclusive summer escapes
This summer, escape the city and head into the dunes for an indulgent stay at Al Wathba, a Luxury Collection Desert Resort & Spa. Tucked away in the tranquil landscape just outside Abu Dhabi, this stunning desert retreat is rolling out two all-inclusive packages from May 1 to September 30, 2025, designed to help you disconnect, recharge, and embrace the slower pace of summer. The first, The Ultimate All-Inclusive Escape, is everything the name promises and more. From sunrise to sunset, you'll enjoy unlimited house beverages, handcrafted cocktails at Al Mesayan, drinks poolside at Panache Swim-Up Bar, and delicious snacks throughout the day. Your minibar? Fully stocked. Your activities? Covered. Think relaxing at the Saray Spa, testing your skills on the FlowRider, or simply soaking up the desert sun. If flexibility is your style, the All-Inclusive Desert Retreat offers full-board dining at the resort's collection of restaurants, house beverages during mealtimes, and soft drinks from noon to 7pm. You'll still enjoy all the resort's luxe touches, but with a lighter, more relaxed approach. Foodies, take note: Terra Secca, the resort's Tuscan-inspired restaurant, is a highlight. Expect bold flavours, warm hospitality, and a setting that's as peaceful as it is picturesque. No detail has been spared. Both packages include access to the resort's serene Saray Spa and state-of-the-art fitness centre. Even better? Children under 12 stay and dine for free, making this a perfect family-friendly escape for the school holidays. Whether it's a romantic weekend, a family staycation, or a solo retreat, Al Wathba offers a timeless kind of luxury you'll want to return to again and again. To book your stay, contact: Call: +971 2 204 4444 Or visit: Images: Supplied > Sign up for FREE to get exclusive updates that you are interested in
Time Out
14-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time Out
The 45 best indoor activities in Hong Kong
Groundswell is Hong Kong's first in-mall surfing destination that is both an indoor surfing facility, and a restaurant that specialises in Southeast Asian cuisine. Located at Airside in Kai Tak, the venue offers a state-of-the-art simulated surfing encounter on the FlowRider that welcomes surfers of all ages and skill levels. Just opt for the session of your choice and they'll provide you with all the gear you need. After hitting the waves, settle down at Groundswell's surf-themed restaurant and bar – led by Heri Raharjo, former head chef of Potato Head Hong Kong – and dig into plates of Southeast Asian flavours inspired by Indonesian and Thai cuisine. Signature dishes include prawn papaya salad, gado gado, chicken satay, tom yum goong, and more. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Time Out Hong Kong (@timeouthk)
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Record-Breaking Cruise Ship Reaches Big Milestone
Star of the Seas has cleared a major milestone on its way to becoming the world's largest cruise ship. The Royal Caribbean megaship completed a critical series of sea trials off the coast of Turku, Finland, a rigorous step that signals the vessel is nearly ready for passenger service. The 11-day evaluation put the 250,800-gross-ton ship through a demanding battery of tests, measuring propulsion, navigation systems, engineering performance, and onboard safety. Over 2,000 specialists in marine design and operations were onboard to monitor how the vessel performed under real-world conditions. Stretching 1,198 feet in length and spanning 20 decks, Star of the Seas is more than just a floating city, it's an all in one adventure platform. Designed to carry up to 7,600 guests and 2,350 crew, the ship features the largest waterpark at sea. Featuring six record-breaking slides, seven distinct pools, and more than 40 bars, restaurants, and entertainment venues. Among its headline attractions: the high-flying Crown's Edge aerial adventure course, the FlowRider surf simulator, and the Grove Suite Sun Deck, an exclusive retreat for VIP travelers. The vessel is also designed with an eye toward versatility, offering everything from family-friendly thrills to high-end luxury escapes. Now, en route to the Meyer Turku shipyard for a final outfitting, Star of the Seas is on track to debut with a 7-night maiden voyage from Port Canaveral, Florida, on August 31, 2025. Before that, Royal Caribbean will run three preview sailings on August 20, 23, and 27. Once in service, the Star will rotate between Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries, each including a stop at the cruise line's private Bahamian destination, Perfect Day at Coco Cay. Record-Breaking Cruise Ship Reaches Big Milestone first appeared on Men's Journal on May 28, 2025
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Yahoo
Best hotel water parks and pools in metro Phoenix: 8 places to slide and splash
Staycationers and travelers who come to metro Phoenix during the summer almost always crave a hotel water park or swimming pool as part of their survival strategies. Hotels and resorts throughout the greater Phoenix area are famous for their pools and water parks, offering a refreshing escape from triple-digit temperatures. Some are designed for family fun and include theme park-style thrills like wave pools or an eight-story water slide. Others are adults-only oases where people can relax and enjoy a drink. Whether travelers are seeking thrills or tranquility, they can enjoy Arizona's hotel pools or water parks by staying at the hotels or purchasing a day pass through ResortPass. Here are the best hotel water parks and pools in Phoenix and Scottsdale. The Arizona Grand Resort and Spa's Oasis Water Park has 7 acres of family fun. It boasts eight-story-tall water slides, a wave pool, lazy river, hot tub and Wild Cat Springs, an area specifically for smaller 8000 Arizona Grand Parkway, Phoenix. 877-800-4888, Great Wolf Lodge Arizona offers an indoor water park where the temperature is climate-controlled to 84 degrees year-round. The 85,000‐square‐foot attraction includes a lazy river, wave pool, water slides, raft slides and an activity area for smaller visitors. Details: 7333 N. Pima Road, on the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community near Scottsdale. 888-962-9653, The JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort & Spa offers a collection of five pools, all heated to 82 degrees year-round. The resort opened the AquaRidge Waterpark in 2023, featuring three water slides, an enhanced lazy river and an adults-only lounge area. Details: 5350 E. Marriott Drive, Phoenix. 480-293-5000, This former Hyatt Regency hotel, which was elevated to a Grand Hyatt in November 2024, has a 2.5-acre water playground with nine pools, fountains and a three-story, high-speed water slide. Before the hotel became Grand Hyatt, the pool area was renovated with upgrades including new lounge chairs, cabanas, a kiosk where bathers can get towels and rent pool floats, and changes to the poolside restaurants that included new menus curated by celebrity chef Richard Blais. Details: 7500 E. Doubletree Ranch Road, Scottsdale. 480-444-1234, The Adventure Water Park at the Westin Kierland Resort & Spa in Phoenix has a lazy river and 110-foot water slide as well as a FlowRider surf simulator. Those looking to make their stay a little more special can reserve the Tommy Bahama Relaxation Reef for their own private island in the lazy river. Details: 6902 E. Greenway Parkway, Phoenix. 480-624-1000, The Hilton Phoenix Resort at the Peak in north Phoenix is an all-suite resort offering the River Ranch water park, a lush pool area complete with lazy river and water slide as well as a baby pool. Details: 7677 N. 16th St., Phoenix. 602-997-2626, Looking for the best things to do in Arizona? Sign up for our newsletter. The Fairmont Scottsdale Princess offers six pool areas for guests to enjoy. The Sonoran Splash pool caters to families with two 200-foot twisting water slides, one for riders 42 inches and taller and one for littler kids. If you have very small kiddos, Sonoran Splash offers a zero-entry pool deck, sandbox play area and beach toys. Sunset Beach, the newest and largest pool at the Princess, has white sand beaches and a splash pad. The Privado Villas, the Princess's exclusive hotel within a hotel, has its own relaxation pool with views of the TPC Scottsdale stadium golf course and the McDowell Mountains. Details: 7575 E. Princess Drive, Scottsdale. 480-585-4848, Arizona Biltmore, the historic resort distinguished by its Frank Lloyd Wright-style architecture, has seven pools. Its variety appeals to different sets of travelers, including the Saguaro Pool for adults-only relaxation and the Paradise Pool for family fun. The Paradise Pool is where guests can ride the Twist triple waterslide. The variety of pools was a significant factor in USA TODAY readers naming Arizona Biltmore as one of the resorts with the best hotel pools in the U.S. Details: 2400 E. Missouri Ave., Phoenix. 602-955-6600, Mountain Modern, Remi and VAI: Biggest new hotels and renos in Arizona in 2025 Michael Salerno is an award-winning journalist who's covered travel and tourism since 2014. His work as The Arizona Republic's consumer travel reporter aims to help readers navigate the stresses of traveling and get the best value for their money on their vacations. He can be reached at Subscribe to today. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Best hotel water parks and pools in Phoenix for summer 2025
