Latest news with #excursions
New York Post
16-06-2025
- Business
- New York Post
Southwest adds cockpit safety alerts across nearly entire fleet of 800 planes
Southwest Airlines on Monday said it has added cockpit safety alerts to nearly its entire fleet of 800 aircraft. The safety alert system, designed by Honeywell, sets off verbal and text warnings if a pilot is about to use the wrong runway or approaches too fast for landing. It's like the alert systems used in many modern cars, dinging when a driver edges too close to another car, person or curb. Advertisement 3 A Southwest Airlines plane takes off from Las Vegas International Airport in February. REUTERS 'Honeywell's SmartRunway and SmartLanding software will provide our pilots with enhanced situational awareness to ensure the highest level of safety while operating on runways throughout the network,' Andrew Watterson, Southwest's chief operating officer, said in a statement. The technology is an attempt to avoid incidents like one that occurred on March 20, when a Southwest plane started taking off from a taxiway at Orlando International Airport instead of the runway running alongside it, according to a Wall Street Journal report. Advertisement Thankfully, an air-traffic controller intervened before take-off – helping to avoid a potential crash on a short taxiway or collision with another plane. But it's possible the Honeywell alert could have chimed in sooner, warning: 'On taxiway! On taxiway!' In 2017, an Air Canada jet nearly landed on a taxiway at San Francisco's airport – where four planes waited with 1,000 passengers on-board. The following year, the National Transportation Safety Board found that Honeywell's alerts might have been able to alert the Air Canada pilots of the mistake well before the near-miss. Advertisement Honeywell's alert system can also warn pilots when they are approaching a runway too fast, too high or if they're overshooting the runway for a 'long landing.' 3 The Honeywell alerts can alert pilots when they are approaching a taxiway instead of a runway, or flying too high or fast for a landing. AFP via Getty Images 'Honeywell systems and software onboard aircraft today help enhance situational awareness for pilots and flight crews — especially in low visibility flying conditions — to avoid wrong surface operations and runway excursions,' Thea Feyereisen, pilot and fellow at Honeywell Aerospace Technologies, said in a note. 'We can't rely on just one system, as it could fail, and we need multiple ways to notify the pilots of a safety alert – sight, sound and sometimes tactile displays.' Advertisement Southwest decided to add the Honeywell alerts across its Boeing 737 fleet early last year to manage safety risks, according to Watterson. Last August, an advisory panel recommended the Federal Aviation Administration require new aircraft to come equipped with certain cockpit alerts. It did not extend this recommendation to older, existing planes. 3 An interior view of the cockpit of a Boeing 737 Max. Getty Images The FAA is reviewing this recommendation. In December, Southwest also instructed flight attendants to start cleaning up the cabin earlier in the landing process – around 18,000 feet instead of 10,000 feet – in an effort to reduce injuries among the crew. Other carriers like Alaska Airlines have added the Honeywell alerts to their planes, while manufacturers like Airbus and Boeing are working on their own runway alerts. Meanwhile, carriers are trying to ease fears of flying following several highly-reported crashes and near-misses. Some 64% of Americans said they believe air travel is very or somewhat safe – a drop from 71% the year before, according to a poll conducted by AP-NORC in February.
Travel Weekly
07-05-2025
- Business
- Travel Weekly
Carnival to launch paperless solution for shore excursions
Entry to Carnival Cruise Line excursions will soon be paperless. The line announced Wednesday that Carnival's Hub app will offer digital confirmation prior to excursion check-in and that guests' Sail & Sign cards will then be all they need to show upon arrival. The rollout of the new system will begin with Bahamian private destination Celebration Key when it opens July 19 and will be expanded to other destinations. That includes Alaska and Europe by summer 2026, Carnival said. In addition to check-in confirmation, the app will include information about excursion logistics such as meeting times and locations. Guests will be able to make last-minute bookings if space is available. The new system launched in Australia earlier this year and is currently being piloted in the Bahamas and Caribbean.
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Yahoo
Essential cruise port and travel warning safety advice
Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Generate Key Takeaways Safety matters when you take a cruise. Even when visiting relatively safe countries, it's still important to remember that you are no longer in the United States (not that the U.S. is universally safe). Tourists face dangers wherever they go and it's important to be vigilant. in reality, many cruise ports have a closed area that is as safe as safe can be. You may have to deal with pushy vendors but those areas have security and the only locals are vendors. Once you venture outside those areas, it's important to make smart choices. Even safe ports have dangers and it's vital for you to be aware. Related: Royal Caribbean cruisers demand key ban extend to all cruise lines In most cases, you can stay safe by using common sense. Stick to busy areas and try to avoid being alone. Book excursions from the cruise line or from vetted, credible operators. it's not hard to stay safe, but it's important to remain aware. Come Cruise With Me Executive Editor Dan Kline and PostCard Travel Planning's Dennis Post share some safety tips from downtown In Aruba. Be the first to see the best deals on cruises, special sailings, and more. Sign up for the Come Cruise With Me newsletter. How to stay safe in cruise ports Transcript: Dan Kline: Hello there,cruisers. I am Dan Kline, Executive Editor of Come Cruise With Me. He is Dennis Post, co-owner of our travel agent partner, Postcard Travel Planning. Dennis, you've heard a lot about parts of the Bahamas being dangerous. Now Aruba, where we are now, is famously pretty safe, but you walked up earlier today and got us a cab. How do you know when you're in Nassau, when you're in Cozumel, when you're in Aruba, how do you know what a safe cab is? You know, you're ex-military, you could take anybody. I'm not. I could easily be taken prisoner and raffled off in pieces back to my family. How do you make a good choice about what a safe cab is and what isn't? Sign up for the Come Cruise With Me newsletter to save money on your next (or your first) cruise. Dennis Post: So most of the ports, all the ports that we go to normally, they're going to have a cab system there that's controlled by the government. That's what's the first thing you want to do. You don't want to go off on a beaten path down a side road and get a cab. So that's the first thing. The second thing is they all usually have licenses and stickers and we were, we had somebody fall prey to somebody that didn't have a license cab and a cabbie and I think that was in, I forget what port that was. Kline: It can happen anywhere. Yeah. And I'm going to say the other issue is don't be alone. Now unless you're someone who's way too tough to trifle with, don't be alone and ask the price. Say, hey, I want to go to this beach. Roughly what's the price? I'm in Cozumel. I want to go to Mr. Sancho's. I want to go to Paradise Island and they'll come back and they'll say it's X per person or it's X per distance. Correct. It can vary by market, but don't get in a cab. It's like going to a restaurant. They just have the question marks on the prices or it says market price. The market price on the lobster is more. If you don't ask before, know where you're going and use common sense. Aruba is not dangerous and it's a safe place. That doesn't mean you should flash money. That doesn't mean you should talk about the diamonds you just bought. Don't wear your gold tiara. Whatever it is, be smart, be careful. I am Dan Kline. He is Dennis Post. Come cruise with us soon. (The Arena Group will earn a commission if you book a cruise.) Make a free appointment with Come Cruise With Me's Travel Agent Partner, Postcard Travel, or email Amy Post at amypost@ or call or text her at 386-383-2472.
Vancouver Sun
01-05-2025
- Vancouver Sun
This Caribbean island is an ideal getaway for food lovers and families
Article content Article content Wildlife lovers can feed and swim with green sea turtles at the Cayman Turtle Centre, marvel at endangered blue iguanas at the Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park or search for sea stars at Starfish Point. Families will love the sandbar at Stingray City — widely considered one of the top tourist attractions on the island — where you can wade into waist-deep aquamarine water as wild stingrays circle below and feed from your hand. Article content There are other aquatic exploits too, from a nocturnal bioluminescent tour to paddleboarding, kayaking, windsurfing and sailing around the island. And with daytime temperatures hovering around 25 C in winter and 30 C in summer, a refreshing dip in the Caribbean is always a welcome treat. Article content Article content Stretching only 35 km long and roughly 13 km wide, the island is easy to explore, allowing you to fit several excursions in one day. The roads appear straightforward, but we chose to use the transportation service Majestic Tours to avoid the confusion of driving on the opposite side of the road. Article content Article content Hotel Indigo, which opened its doors in May 2024, was our sanctuary for the week. Perfectly positioned right in the centre of the strip, the upscale resort has everything you need from a sprawling infinity pool and incredible restaurants to family-sized suites with bunk beds, a living room and kitchenette overlooking the ocean. Developed by IHG Hotels & Resorts and Dart, it has 282 rooms, a chic coastal design and access to the Bonny Moon Beach Club. Its sister hotel, the award-winning Kimpton Seafire Resort and Spa, is just a short golf-cart ride away. Article content Article content Article content The white sand beach at Rum Point, which got its name from the barrels of rum that would wash ashore from shipwrecks, was another highlight of our trip. While there are plenty of water sports and activities to enjoy (personal watercraft rentals, beach volleyball and scuba diving), a laid-back, slower pace of island life prevails here. Article content After finding our own little area underneath some palm trees on the water's edge, we went for a dip in the warm Caribbean Sea. As I looked out over the calm, turquoise water, with a refreshing Mudslide in hand (the beach club's restaurant is known for them), I understood why so many locals had recommended it to us.
Yahoo
01-04-2025
- Yahoo
Shompole Wilderness Camp: immerse yourself in nature at this secluded retreat
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Think of safaris in Kenya and a few iconic locations are likely to come to mind: the vast expanse of the Maasai Mara, or the grandeur of Lake Nakuru. But the rugged, desert beauty of Shompole deserves a spot on this list, offering visitors the opportunity to go a little off the beaten path and into an unspoiled landscape far from the usual safari crowd. Located between Amboseli National Park and the Maasai Mara National Reserve, this exclusive camp provides access to more than 350,000 acres of pristine savannah. With extraordinary wildlife sightings, comfortable accommodation, and a deep connection to local conservation efforts, a stay at Shompole Wilderness Camp promises an immersive stay in one of Kenya's most beautiful yet lesser known landscapes. Away from the overcrowded tourist circuit, guests will quickly find themselves taken by the semi-arid beauty of the Shompole Conservancy, just a short hop across the river from camp. The conservancy is located on an important elephant corridor, giving visitors breathtaking sightings of the animals on their natural migration routes, as well as other exceptional wildlife encounters, such as lions, giraffes, African wild cats, bat-eared foxes, hyenas, jackals, kudu, hartebeest and oryx (to name just a few). Guests can also experience truly memorable overnight excursions to the camp's photography hide, just a short jeep ride away from the main camp. Shompole Wilderness Camp is also closely connected to local community and conservation initiatives, and it works with the South Rift Association of Landowners (SORALO), a community-driven organisation dedicated to protecting the Shompole Conservancy. A key community initiative supported by the camp is the Shompole Ranger Programme, which trains and employs local community members as rangers. These rangers conduct vital anti-poaching patrols, protect livestock from predators, and engage in community outreach to foster a culture of conservation. The programme currently employs 147 rangers, with Shompole Wilderness Camp directly funding two of these positions. The camp's hosts, Sam and Johann du Toit, are staunch advocates of these conservation efforts. Sam, in particular, played a pivotal role in establishing SORALO and remains a key figure in driving its mission forward. Both Sam and Johann are involved in community-led conservation, and have a wealth of knowledge about the region's ecology, wildlife, and the importance of local conservation practices. The camp sits along the peaceful banks of the Ewaso Ng'iro River, offering stunning views of the Nguruman Escarpment and Loita Hills. The camp is booked on an exclusive-use basis, with guests able to choose from six spacious, stylish tented rooms, each set on a large wooden deck with a generous veranda overlooking the river, plains, or forest. Local materials have been used in the construction of the camp, which is comfortably furnished with tables, chairs and sofas made from local fig tree deadwood. Here, mornings are spent sipping coffee on the veranda while watching small vervet monkeys play among the fig trees, or an intrepid troop of baboons cross the nearby river. Keep in mind that you are truly in a wilderness setting, and these curious creatures will show an interest in any snacks left unattended in your room or on the veranda! Yet for those who truly savour the sights and sounds of the bush, it is rare to feel so immersed in nature – and, even more happily, in such comfort and style. Game drives at Shompole Wilderness Camp take place a short hop across the river into the conservancy and offer an exclusive and immersive wildlife experience across thousands of acres of untouched wilderness. Away from the busy tourist trail, game drives here are a rare opportunity to enjoy Kenya's spectacular wildlife without other vehicles and tourists interrupting idyllic natural scenes. For some truly up-close wildlife encounters, an overnight stay at Shompole Wilderness Camp's hide is unmissable. Here you'll get close enough to nature to be able to hear lions lapping water as you watch the animals at eye level and experience stunning sightings of bull elephants, warthogs, zebras, buffalo, impalas, jackals, nightjars, goshawks and superb starlings. Designed for photographers of all levels, you're all but guaranteed to capture some stunning shots whether you're a professional or a seasoned Instagram snapper. For a more intimate experience of the African bush, guided walks are not only a chance to stretch your legs by exploring the conservancy on foot, but an opportunity to more closely examine Shompole's flora and fauna. Led by expert local guides like Nixon, who has been with Shompole Wilderness since 2008, these walks reveal the hidden details of this unique ecosystem that are harder to spot from a jeep. You'll learn to identify the animal tracks of impalas, wildebeests, civets and hyenas, while discovering the traditional uses of native plants, like the Salvadora persica, which is used as a natural toothbrush. Guides also share their impressive bushcraft skills, including how to light a fire using nothing more than zebra dung and kindling. This truly special camp will charm all who visit; more than just a safari destination off the beaten track, it is an opportunity to truly immerse yourself in Kenya's desert wilderness. Whether you're a seasoned safari-goer or a first-time visitor to the area, you'll leave here with a wealth of knowledge about Shompole's spectacular landscape, and a wealth of memories to savour too. Sorcha Bradley stayed at Shompole Wilderness Camp as a guest of Explorations Company.
