EXCLUSIVE I witnessed an in-flight emergency. Here's what really happens... it's nothing like the movies
We were just under an hour into a five-hour flight from Los Angeles to New York City, and it was far too early to be anywhere except my bed, so I closed my eyes hoping to be back at LaGuardia soon.
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Daily Mail
28 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Major cruise line issues warning for key Greek destinations - in a huge blow to holidaymakers
MSC Cruises has issued a warning to guests travelling to Greece on any of its cruise ships this year. Passengers have been advised that Greece will soon be introducing a tourist tax as part of its sustainable tourism aims. MSC told affected customers: 'Starting July 21 2025, the Greek Government will introduce a new cruise passenger fee for all guests visiting Greek ports, as part of their Sustainable Tourism program. 'This fee, similar those already in place for hotels and other types of accommodation, is designed to support local infrastructure, promote sustainable tourism and enhance visitors' experience. 'Please note that this mandatory fee applies to all guests, regardless of age, who transit through a Greek port - including ports of call as well as the port of disembarkation.' The new fee will be added to passengers' onboard accounts as the cruise line will pay it directly to the port authorities. MSC added: 'If you choose to stay onboard and not go ashore, the expense will be automatically removed from your account within 24 hours.' Cruise holidaymakers will pay the highest fee to visit Mykonos and Santorini, two of Greece's most popular island destinations. Visiting either of these islands in peak summer season - between July and September - will incur a fee of €20/£17.22 per person. In other, less popular ports, cruise guests will be charged €5/£4.30 per person during peak season. The tax is lower in shoulder season - April, May and October - where cruise passengers will be charged €12/£10.28 to visit Santorini and Mykonos and €3/£2.57 at all other ports. It's cheapest in winter when guests will need to pay just €4/£3.43 on the two most popular islands and €1/86p elsewhere. Funds raised from the new tax will be spent on infrastructure and tourism projects in Greece. And Greece isn't the only destination where cruise passengers are getting stung with a new fee. Mexico, a stop on many Caribbean itineraries, will now charge cruise tourists a $5/£3.67 fee per passenger. That fee is set to soar to $21/£15.42 per passenger over the next three years and it has been introduced following criticism of cruise lines from Mexican officials. The new fee will be added to passengers' onboard accounts as the cruise line will pay it directly to the port authorities They've accused the cruise lines of failing to contribute enough to local communities in the ports they visit. Royal Caribbean and other major cruise lines have reportedly fought against the introduction of the tax, arguing that passengers already spend money in each destination. The tax will be paid in addition to the port fees that cruise lines already pay in Mexico. Officials argue that many airlines already charge a tourist tax within the price of a plane ticket to Mexico and they want cruise passengers to pay to.
Daily Mail
42 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Couple has 'genius' cocktail-making hack to make economy flight feel 'like business class' - but not everyone is a fan
A flight attendant has shared a 'genius' trick for economy passengers to feel like they've been upgraded - and all it involves is bringing onboard a common item found in many kitchens. Natalia Corso, 28, from the U.S., is based in Dubai whilst working as cabin crew for Emirates, and regularly shares travel tips and lighthearted content about her role on Instagram. In a recent video uploaded to her page, @nataliacorso, she revealed a simple way to elevate the economy class experience, attaching an accompanying caption that reads: 'Romanticising economy. Manifesting that business class life.' Recording herself and her partner sitting in their seats with their table trays pulled down, the flight attendant produced a plastic cocktail mixing glass from her bag and a cup of ice that had she had previously requested from cabin crew. Pouring the ice into the mixer, she poured in one miniature (50ml) bottle each of Smirnoff Vodka, Tia Maria Coffee Liqueur, and Bailey's Irish Cream, before topping up with a measure of in-flight black coffee that she had allowed to cool down. Natalia poured out two servings in plastic martini glasses that she had brought on board, before brandishing a third glass and offering it to her neighbour in the aisle seat, who delightfully accepted the gesture. The video has since gone viral online, amassing over 1.7M views and over 5000 comments. Many viewers praised the handy hack and applauded the flight attendant's generosity, as one person wrote: 'Manifesting getting sat next to you guys on my next flight.' Natalia Corso, 28, from the U.S., shared a 'genius' trick for economy passengers to feel like they've been upgraded - and all it involves is bringing onboard a common item found in many kitchens Recording herself and her partner sitting in their seats with their table trays pulled down, the flight attendant produced a plastic cocktail mixing glass from her bag and a cup of ice that had she had requested from cabin crew Another said, 'I was hoping you were going to offer the girl beside you some and I was so happy when you did,' while a third added, 'Imagine sitting in economy class and the person to your left casually offers you a cocktail.' Another person said, 'I love it!! I am gonna try this on my trip this month,' while a second wrote, 'THATS GENIUS!!! The only economy class I would pay extra to fly in.' But not everyone was on board with Natalia's idea, as one person wrote: 'Alcohol should be illegal in planes.' Another said: 'And I'll be laughing next time when the flight attendants confiscate your alcohol away since you're breaking a federal law.' A third commented, 'If you're going to something like this obviously common sense would be to SAY (the alcohol on board) to NOT make it look like you're breaking transport rules!' In a follow-up comment, Natalia clarified that she had used miniature bottles offered on the flight by the airline. It comes as a flight attendant has revealed the secret trick she uses to 'punish' passengers who refuse to swap seats. Mitra Amirzadeh, an Orlando-based flight attendant, revealed she has her own secret method of dealing with difficult passengers. Many viewers on Instagram praised the handy hack and applauded the flight attendant's generosity - but not everybody was on board with the idea The cabin crew member claimed she doesn't always get involved in seat swapping dilemmas, but if it involves a child needing to sit with a parent she will step in. Mitra revealed that asking the passenger who is refusing to move seats, to look after the child, is a very quick way to get them to move seats fast. She told the The Wall Street Journal: 'I have said before, "OK, so you're going to watch the toddler? '"You'll want their snacks and their colouring books then, because they're going to need that".'
Times
4 hours ago
- Times
Do I need an Esta to travel to the US? Everything you need to know
The Esta, which was introduced in August 2008, is a pre-authorisation for travel to the US. Citizens from 42 countries — including the UK — must apply for one before travel, unless a proper visa is required. It's important to note that the Esta is not a visa, rather a visa waiver; an authorised application does not necessarily permit entry when you arrive in the US. Google 'Esta application' and you'll find there are many copycat sites willing to apply for one on your behalf; make sure you always use the official site ( Here's what you need to know. Broadly, if you're a Brit travelling to the US for holiday, to see friends and family or for short-term work for fewer than 90 days, then yes. The 42 countries that must apply for an Esta include most of Europe, plus nations including Singapore, New Zealand and South Korea. All children must have an Esta, regardless of their age or whether they're accompanied by their parent or guardian. The exceptions are if you've travelled to a country on the US' so-called 'red list', which includes Yemen and Syria after 2011, or Cuba after 2021. In this case, you'll need to apply for a proper visa, which will involve a visit to the US embassy in London, or the consulates in Belfast and Edinburgh. Note that you will need an Esta even if your flight just transits through an American airport — all connecting passengers are required to go through immigration and recheck their bags. • Discover our full guide to the US Yes, even if you don't get off the ship. The cruise company will check all documents are correct before you board, so apply for an Esta in advance of your departure date — do not wait until the date your ship will eventually call at the US. • The best US cruise lines Typically applications are approved in a few hours, but the official guidance is to apply at least three days before you're due to depart. Airline staff in the country you're leaving will check for a valid Esta before you're due to board, so make sure it's in place before you fly (or cross the land border). Two years, or when you get a new passport — whichever is sooner — and you can make as many trips during that time as you like, as long as no one visit lasts for more than 90 days. You can check the expiry date by logging into the official Esta site and clicking 'check individual status'. • Best places to visit in the US An Esta is $21 (£15) through official channels. However, there are also plenty of unofficial websites that will happily charge an inflated price to apply for one on your behalf; an easy way to tell is to check the price you're quoted. One of the recommendations of President Trump's 'Big Beautiful Bill' is to raise the price of the Esta to $40 (£30), but it's not yet known when this might come into effect. The Esta form will ask you for a 'point of contact' in the US. This could either be a friend or family member you're visiting, or the name and number of the hotel/apartment you've booked. Myriad reasons — but a large number are turned down due to incorrect information being entered, so take extra care when filling in your passport number and personal information. Other reasons could include having a criminal record, previously overstaying a visa or lying on the application about your travel history. If your Esta is rejected, you will likely need to apply for a proper visa. • New York v Toronto: which is better?• Best time to visit the US: when to go and what to do
