logo
ENFRع
#

Latest news with #destination

Carnival Cruise Line welcomes the first passengers to Celebration Key
Carnival Cruise Line welcomes the first passengers to Celebration Key

Travel Weekly

time3 days ago

  • Business
  • Travel Weekly

Carnival Cruise Line welcomes the first passengers to Celebration Key

CELEBRATION KEY, Bahamas -- Under a sweltering Bahamian sun on Saturday, Carnival Cruise Line hosted the first cruise passengers at its new exclusive destination, Celebration Key. Carnival president Christine Duffy called it a day more than 25 years in the making, and it began with pomp and circumstance to match. A Bahamian band paraded the pier from the Carnival Vista to the shore, and Carnival brand ambassador/chief fun officer Shaquille O'Neal made an appearance. "This truly is just the beginning," Duffy said during opening remarks. "We will have visits from 20 Carnival cruise ships from 10 different U.S. homeports calling here." On the Record: Carnival president Christine Duffy Following Duffy's welcome, a burst of fireworks and color exploded from the island's towering sandcastle structure, which then provided confirmation of functioning fire alarms. That was followed by the official ribbon-cutting. O'Neal visited the destination's basketball court, shooting some of its first hoops and placing his hands in a mold, which will be cemented. When they visit, guests will be able to see how large their hands are compared to Shaq's. Carnival anticipates 2 million guests in Celebration Key's first year and up to 4 million annually by 2028. The 68-acre accessible portion of the property is segmented into five portals and includes a 350 million gallon freshwater pool, the 10-story sandcastle structure with two waterslides, beach access and a pay-to-access beach club section with a pool. The project was a $600 million investment, and as Duffy brought up Carnival Corp. CEO Josh Weinstein during her remarks, she smirked, saying, "Josh, thank you for $600 million." Weinstein immediately quipped, "And it's going to make us $6 billion." A Bahamian band paraded the pier at Celebration Key's grand opening. Photo Credit: Teri West Celebration Key can currently support two ships at a time. Cruise guests may opt for a complementary lunch from a food truck or for 25% off an entrée at one of the island's restaurants. Cabanas and villas of varying sizes are available to rent throughout. Matilda Patterson and her family opted for a cabana set back from the water in the kid-friendly Starfish Lagoon section, which she said they rented for $399. They were pleased with the fruit, chips and salsa and beverages included as well as the hospitality on the island. "Everyone's been so friendly," Patterson said. "They seem so happy we're here."

I'm a travel agent - the world's most overrated tourist destination is like visiting a motorway petrol station
I'm a travel agent - the world's most overrated tourist destination is like visiting a motorway petrol station

Daily Mail​

time15-07-2025

  • Daily Mail​

I'm a travel agent - the world's most overrated tourist destination is like visiting a motorway petrol station

It can often be tricky when trying to find a new destination to discover. But a travel agent – who has been jet-setting around the world for the last 30 years - has revealed the places he wouldn't recommend anyone going to visit. Carlos Lavilla, who works for Turama, took to the Spanish holiday company's TikTok to warn the account's 29.7k followers of the 'five tourist destinations that, as a professional travel agent, [he] considers to be the most overrated', and that he 'doesn't usually recommend to [his] customers'. The country in fifth place, for Carlos, is Cape Verde – an archipelago, made up of 10 volcanic islands, in West Africa. Last year, Cape Verde welcomed a record 1.2 million tourists – but Carlos insists it's no replacement for Spain 's Canary Islands. Speaking in Spanish, he says: 'In my opinion, travelling to Cape Verde as an alternative to the Canary Islands is like buying a Fiat Panda thinking you're getting a Ferrari F40. 'No matter how you try to dress it up, there's simply no comparison.' In fourth place was Johannesburg - one of the largest cities in South Africa, and home to plenty of wildlife safaris, as well as the Apartheid Museum. Taking about Johannesburg, South Africa, Carlos says: 'You'll be able to say you were robbed in one of the ugliest cities on Earth' Although many tourists love it there, according to Statista, between 2022 and 2023, Johannesburg experienced more contact crime incidents than any other city – mainly consisting of common assaults. And it's the high crime rate that leaves a sour taste for Carlos, who sneers: 'You'll be able to say you were robbed in one of the ugliest cities on Earth.' Many will be surprised to hear that it's Hawaii in third place on Carlos' list. The reason? There are far 'more interesting' yet similar destinations, says Carlos. He continues: 'With a couple of honourable exceptions (which do exist), Hawaii is the ideal destination for an American retiree, over 70, who has a collection of shirts at home that he doesn't dare to wear anywhere else. 'If that's not your case, I assure you there are much more interesting and far less predictable alternatives.' Next up is South Korea, a country which is predicted to welcome more than 20 million tourists in 2025 – a record-breaking number. But Carlos says you shouldn't bother. He explains: 'South Korea is excessively expensive for what it offers. The treatment of foreign tourists leaves much to be desired. 'I find it bland, insipid, and rather sad. You may return home shrouded in a great depression.' The most overrated destination in the world, for Carlos, is Doha, Qatar – which welcomed a record-breaking 1.5 million international tourists in the first three months of 2025. Despite this, Carlos says visiting Doha is like visiting a 'petrol station in the middle of a motorway'. He adds: 'It's a place where you stop briefly to relieve yourself, grab a quick bite, rest for a few minutes, and then carry on. There's nothing more to it.'

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store