✈ What It’s Really Like on the World’s Biggest Cruise Ship, Flight Deals to Europe & More News From TPG ✈

Also: Boeing 737 MAX 9 jets could resume flying in coming days

January 25, 2024 View in browser         TOGETHER WITH     TOGETHER WITH

Peek inside the new icon of cruising by Gene Sloan, Cruise Team Lead If you're a big-ship cruising fan, you're surely over the moon with excitement. If you're a Never Cruiser, you're no doubt horrified. Either way, you've got to admit what is happening this week in the world of cruising is a phenomenon like we've never seen before. Royal Caribbean is unveiling a cruise vessel so big that it has room for seven separate pools, a surfing simulator, a basketball court, a miniature golf course, a zip line and — get this — an entire water park with a record (for a cruise ship) six waterslides. And that's just on its top decks. The insides of the 20-deck-high vessel — Icon of the Seas — house more restaurants, bars, lounges and entertainment venues than you could imagine for something that floats on water (we're talking 40 different venues, but who's counting?). This is a ship that can hold up to 7,600 passengers. And, no, that's not a typo. Add in 2,300 crew members, and there could be nearly 10,000 people on board Icon of the Seas at any given time. A TPG team that includes cruise team senior editor Erica Silverstein and social media star Colby Kirkpatrick has been getting early access to Icon of the Seas this week in advance of its first sailing with paying passengers Saturday. Check out their early dispatches from the vessel — and stay tuned for more to come! If you want to get more cruise news delivered right to your inbox, subscribe to the biweekly TPG cruise newsletter. What it's really like on Royal Caribbean's giant new Icon of the Seas Why the world's largest cruise ship won't be as crowded as you think First photos of Icon of the Seas — and, yeah, it's so huge you'll spit your coffee Posts in this newsletter contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. We may receive compensation when you click on links to those products. For an explanation of our Advertising Policy, visit this page. Photo Credit: ERICA SILVERSTEIN/THE POINTS GUY.

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Today's top stories Multiple airlines offering deals on winter, spring and fall flights to Europe Get away to Europe with flights from multiple U.S. cities, including Atlanta, Boston, Minneapolis and New York City. Read more Boeing 737 MAX 9 jets could resume flying in coming days Alaska Airlines and United Airlines are planning to return their Boeing 737 MAX 9 aircraft to the skies in the coming days. The airlines received inspection instructions from the FAA. Read more Flight canceled or delayed? Here's what to do next Airline delays and cancellations are happening frequently. Here's how to avoid getting stuck if it happens to you. Read more How I got $2,900 of expenses covered after the 737 MAX 9 grounding stranded me in Hawaii When her family was stranded in Hawaii because of the Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 9 grounding, this travel writer turned to her trip insurance. Read more Chasing American Airlines elite status? Here are 15 ways to earn Loyalty Points Here's a rundown of all the ways you can earn AAdvantage elite status, including some options which don't require flying. Read more

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