Daily Archives: October 5, 2023

Microsoft and Amazon the focus of cloud computing probe – Proactive Investors USA

Posted: October 5, 2023 at 5:21 pm

About Ian Lyall

Ian Lyall, a seasoned journalist and editor, brings over three decades of experience to his role as Managing Editor at Proactive. Overseeing Proactive's editorial and broadcast operations across six offices on three continents, Ian is responsible for quality control, editorial policy, and content production. He directs the creation of 50,000 pieces of real-time news, feature articles, and filmed interviews annually. Prior to Proactive, Ian helped lead the business output at the Daily... Read more

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Microsoft and Amazon the focus of cloud computing probe - Proactive Investors USA

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Cloud cover benefits of being on the cloud – The Actuary

Posted: at 5:20 pm

Host with the most the cloud hosts the IT you want; it also offers a host of knock-on benefits. Aristides Zenonos describes the key choices, and the latest developments.

The concept of digital transformation has gained significant attention recently. It involves integrating digital technologies across an organisations operations, reshaping how they deliver value to customers, optimise internal processes and maintain competitiveness.

One essential aspect of it is the migration of data from traditional storage systems to a centralised data lake that is hosted on the cloud, while leveraging the powerful processing capabilities offered by cloud platforms. This opens up opportunities for data-driven solutions and the optimisation of business processes, enabling organisations to modernise their systems and adopt new software applications.

In the actuarial sector, motor and health insurance stand out for their handling of substantial data volumes. Today, as insurers seek enhanced precision, flexibility and efficiency from their digital tools and ecosystems, cloud computing is redefining the actuarial profession and enabling a wealth of new possibilities.

What are the definitions?

Cloud environments encompass the flexible provision of computing power, databases, storage, applications and other IT resources through the internet; delivery of these services is referred to as cloud computing. An on-premises environment involves the deployment of resources within an organisations internal IT infrastructure.

In simpler terms, on-premises refers to the physical servers and infrastructure on an organisations literal site, while the cloud refers to remote resources that are managed by a cloud provider somewhere else.

The three major players in cloud computing are Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud Platform (GCP), which currently have market shares of around 32%, 23% and 10% respectively.

Cloud computing is redefining the actuarial profession and enabling new possibilities

Control

On-premises environments give organisations complete control, ensuring the infrastructure is self-contained and eliminating the need for third-party involvement. This offers a sense of security and mitigates issues around internet connectivity or remote servers. They can also be advantageous in situations where organisations rely on legacy systems that are particularly difficult to migrate to the cloud.

Cloud environments obviously offer less control, as they rely on third-party providers. One significant advantage, though, is the flexibility. There are three main categories of cloud services: Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS) and Software as a Service (SaaS).

IaaS essentially forms the foundation, providing the building blocks for network access, computing power and data storage. It offers maximum flexibility and control over IT resources, which can be tailored to an organisations needs.

PaaS is in the next level up. It removes the burden of overseeing the underlying infrastructure, enabling users to develop and manage applications without worrying about operating-system updates or hardware maintenance. Fully managed services such as data warehousing and machine learning modelling options fall under PaaS, such as AWS Redshift or GCP BigQuery and AWS SageMaker and GCP Vertex AI.

At the top is SaaS, which offers complete, ready-to-use applications that eliminate the need for installation, configuration or maintenance on users own systems. With SaaS, users can directly access fully functional cloud-based products, such as Gmail and Google Drive, without concerns about the underlying infrastructure.

By leveraging different cloud service models, particularly SaaS, end users can direct their attention to their primary tasks and actuaries can change the way they deliver value to clients. They can exploit machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI) to achieve higher accuracy in reserving, ratemaking, pricing and capital modelling. By analysing new data points, actuaries could address changing dynamics in life and pensions and understand emerging risks such as ESG (environmental, social and governance) and even AI itself.

Deployment

Rapid deployment is essential for meeting user expectations in todays competitive market, making it critical when comparing environments. A benefit of cloud computing is its speed and agility. With cloud resources instantly available, they can be accessible to practitioners in just minutes.

On-premises environments, on the other hand, must be configured and maintained by the organisation so that they are accessible for practitioners. These set-ups often need more time, due to having to configure their own systems.

Cloud solutions excel at speed; data-driven solutions can be effortlessly deployed in multiple regions worldwide with just a few clicks, allowing organisations to deliver solutions with low latency and back-up options. However, its important to note that on-premises environments can offer lower latency and faster response times in some cases, especially when cloud providers do not host resources in locations close to end-users.

Cost

Cost is where the two environments show significant differences. Cloud computing offers a pay as you go model, which provides flexibility and cost optimisation. On-premises infrastructure, meanwhile, often involves a significant upfront cost but provides long-term cost predictability. Organisations can plan their expenses more accurately over time without worrying about things like potential price increases.

One of cloud computings key advantages is its economy of scale. Cloud providers aggregate the usage of hundreds of thousands of customers, enabling them to offer lower prices. On-premises environments typically serve a single organisation, limiting the potential for cost optimisation through shared resources.

By adopting cloud computing, organisations can shift their focus away from managing and maintaining costly data centres and towards core business projects. This allows them to allocate resources to customer-centric initiatives and strategic endeavours, reducing overheads associated with physical infrastructure management.

Security

Many organisations place their trust in on-premises environments because the data remains on local machines, providing a sense of control and ownership. This is particularly crucial for industries with strict regulatory requirements or sensitive data that cannot be stored or processed in a public cloud environment. Industries such as healthcare and finance often have strict compliance and security requirements that necessitate maintaining data this way.

However, cloud providers extensive network of data centres ensures high availability, redundancy and disaster-recovery capabilities, which can be beneficial in ensuring business continuity. In addition, cloud providers nowadays follow strict protocols such as encryption, user and group permissions, and firewall components to ensure the safety of their data against malicious attacks.

Its true that an on-premises environment without direct internet connectivity provides more data security than the cloud. However, such isolated on-premises systems may lack a cloud-based solutions flexibility, scalability and collaborative features. Using the power of the cloud and tools such as version control and shared platforms promotes collaboration among staff.

In recent years, new approaches such as federated learning have emerged to foster collaboration while addressing data privacy concerns. Federated learning is a distributed method for training machine learning models; it operates in a decentralised manner, eliminating the need to transfer data from client devices to central servers. Cloud solutions also provide easily configurable functionalities and user permissions to meet diverse actuarial workflow needs, ensuring compliance with global insurance industry regulations such as Solvency II and IFRS 17.

Hybrid solutions

All this said, there is another option: the hybrid cloud. This offers businesses the ability to host resources both locally and remotely. Simply put, it combines different computing environments to support application deployment and data management. It allows organisations to leverage the benefits of both on-premises infrastructure and cloud computing.

This approach is widely adopted because it provides flexibility and enables businesses to continue using their existing on-premises services while taking advantage of the possibilities offered by cloud computing. It offers a balance between control, security and scalability, allowing organisations to optimise their own IT infrastructure.

Positioning for success

Cloud computing has emerged as a leading force that is driving innovation. To stay competitive, an increasing number of companies are embracing digital transformation, and actuarial professionals are recognising the role of data readiness in leveraging the potential of data-driven solutions and AI. They understand that access to high-quality and abundant data is essential for optimising business processes.

Deciding between on-premise or cloud environments requires a thorough understanding of your organisations circumstances. By considering factors such as data sensitivity, budget and resource requirements, businesses can make an informed choice. The goal is to create an infrastructure that supports operations, maximises efficiency, and positions the business for success in the technological era.

Aristides Zenonos is a senior data scientist

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AI, Cloud Computing among 36 FREE Online Courses Now … – Philippine Information Agency

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(Photo courtesy: dict.coursebank.ph)

A remarkable collaboration among the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), ICT Literacy and Competency Development Bureau (DICT-ILCDB), and Digitaljobsph, Coursebank has opened doors to democratize knowledge about information technology.

The result? A treasure trove of 36 FREE online courses accessible to the general public, ushering in an era of seemingly limitless learning opportunities.

A Vision of Upskilling Excellence

Initially conceived as a means to elevate the skills of the Philippine Government's Information Technology (IT) professionals, the program's objectives have grown to encompass a broader horizon. It now aspires to empower IT professionals across government agencies, LGUs (Local Government Units), and SUCs (State Universities and Colleges), among others, while nurturing the next generation of tech-savvy professionals.

The driving force behind this initiative is a shared vision of a digital future where every individual is equipped with the knowledge and expertise to thrive in a rapidly evolving technological landscape.

The courses offered cover a spectrum of cutting-edge technological tools and emerging fields, including AI (Artificial Intelligence), Big Data, IoT (Internet of Things), and Cloud computing.

The Future of Learning: Asynchronous Online Training

One of the hallmarks of this program is its adaptability to the modern learner's needs.

Recognizing the diversity of schedules and learning paces, the training program adopts an asynchronous online training approach. Drawing inspiration from global leaders in massive open online courses, this method ensures that knowledge is accessible to all, irrespective of their daily commitments.

Embark on Your Learning Journey

If the prospect of enhancing your skills, exploring the frontiers of technology, and contributing to a digitalized future excites you, then Coursebank's array of free online courses is the gateway you've been waiting for.

To discover more about these groundbreaking programs brought to you in collaboration with Coursebank, visit dict.coursebank.ph. Your journey toward a digitally empowered future begins with a single click.

Don't miss this unparalleled opportunity to unlock your potential, enrich your knowledge, and become a part of a brighter, digitally adept Philippines. Embrace the future of learning today! (PIA-NCR)

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AI, Cloud Computing among 36 FREE Online Courses Now ... - Philippine Information Agency

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Iconic Piece of New Disney Ship Arrives at Shipyard – Cruise Hive

Posted: at 5:18 pm

New photos and video have been released about a key moment in the construction of the upcoming Disney Treasure as the ships forward funnel has arrived at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Germany where the vessel is being built.

The funnels arrival adds one more piece to the ship and makes it even more recognizable as a Disney Cruise Line vessel.

The forward funnel for Disney Treasure has been successfully delivered to the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany, where the new cruise ship is currently under construction. Photos and video show the funnel en route from where it was built in Poland and its delivery to the shipyard, where it will soon be mounted in place on the ship.

The first funnel Disney cruise ships have two was delivered in early February, and now the second funnel has arrived.

While the details of the funnel are not yet finished and it still needs to be painted in the bright red color so immediately noticeable for Disney vessels, it is clearly a Disney cruise ship funnel by the size, shape, and the Disney Cruise Line detailing visible on the side.

The funnel also shows a circular cutout near the aft section on the starboard side, likely for a section of the beloved 760-foot AquaMouse water coaster or for the Slide-a-Saurus Rex waterslide.

The funnel will also be home to the EPCOT-themed Tomorrow Tower Suite an elite stateroom that will accommodate eight guests and has its own private elevator access. Dynamic artwork and futuristic accents will give the suite a chic vibe, with nearly 2,000 square feet of living space and separate eating, sleeping, and play areas for passengers to enjoy.

On the outside of the funnel, the ships Funnel Vision screen and sound system will be mounted for at-sea movies and big screen projections during deck parties such as the Pirates Rockin Parlay Party.

Mounting a funnel is always a momentous part of a cruise ships construction, as this is when the hull really begins to resemble the finished ship and can be distinctively identified.

Construction on Disney Treasure began in January 2023, and only recently has the cruise line released more details about the ships overall theme, color schemes, and special venues.

The Grand Reveal for the ship was initially postponed for several days due to Hurricane Idalia, but eventually announced that the ship would feature venues and entertainment from several Disney favorite films, including Aladdin, Coco, The Lion King, The Incredibles, Zootopia, Moana, and Mulan.

The overall theme of the ship is adventure with dcor and venues showcasing worldwide iconic Disney locations and even theme park connections.

As we chart a course for adventure, were so excited for families to discover the excitement and exploration that awaits onboard the sixth ship in the Disney Cruise Line fleet, said Sharon Siskie, senior vice president and general manager, Disney Cruise Line.

The 144,000-gross-ton Wish-class ship, sister to the amazingly popular Disney Wish, will be able to welcome 4,000 guests per sailing and is slated to debut on December 21, 2024. Also on board will be 1,555 international crew members to ensure every guest enjoys Disney Cruise Lines magical service and unparalleled experiences.

Disney Treasure will be homeported from Port Canaveral, offering Eastern Caribbean and Western Caribbean itineraries, all of which will call at one of Disney Cruise Lines private destinations in the Bahamas.

Read Also: Latest Update Shows Disney Treasure Construction Progress

The Treasures itineraries from Port Canaveral will include stops at one of Disneys two private islands in the Bahamas, Castaway Cay, or the newly added Eleuthera at Lighthouse Point, starting from June 2024, said Thomas Mazloum, President of the New Experiences Portfolio and Disney Signature Experiences.

As the ships construction continues and more details are announced, even more excitement is sure to build for the upcoming ship that will provide a treasure trove of magical memories to every guest.

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The worlds tiniest island is for sale – The Spaces

Posted: at 5:18 pm

This Quebec island is being marketed as the worlds tiniest island on sale for CAD 549,000.

Located on the Saint Laurence River, le Fraser clocks in at just 0.5 acres but offers truly secluded living, featuring a huge house built in 1898 that is largely original, with tongue and groove pine interiors. The building spans around 2,000 sq ft, with a wrap-around veranda on the lower level and seven bedrooms on the upper floor, accommodating up to 14 people.

The period property does need updating but offers an expansive renovation challenge for the right buyer. It doesnt have pumping or electricity; instead, using a propane tankless water heater and a solar-powered 12-volt pump for hot water in the bathroom housed in a converted ice shack with a clawfoot tub and shower, compost toilet and a farmers trough sink.

A boathouse and a shed are also included on the grassyisland, for sale via Private Islands Inc. which is dotted with a dozen or so mature trees. The isle is an hour from Montral and about a 45-minute drive from the Ontario border. The US border is 10 minutes to the south.

le Fraser is only accessible by boat, which is its main draw: its remote, but not too remote. Theres a marina access, restaurants and parks nearby. This stretch of the river is popular with outdoor enthusiasts, offering peace and nature as well as fishing, canoeing, kayaking, snowmobiling, hunting and swimming, offering an idyllic weekend spot.

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WHAT’S NEW IN THE BAHAMAS IN OCTOBER 2023 – PR Newswire

Posted: at 5:18 pm

NASSAU, Bahamas, Oct. 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- This October, as autumn settles in and seasons change elsewhere, The Bahamas' 16 islands continue to bask in tropical sunshine. Travellers can indulge in world-class culinary experiences, lively entertainment and exciting cultural events discovering firsthand how much this destination has to offer.

NEWS

The Historic British Colonial Hotel Set to Reopen Its Doors in Downtown Nassau Following a multi-million-dollar transformation, the historic British Colonial Hotelis set to reopen this winter, with a renewed sense of island-inspired sophistication. Guests will discover a redesigned lobby, seven food and beverage outlets and 288 completely renovated guest rooms and suites.

Royal Caribbean Announces Adults-only Beach Clubon Perfect Day at CocoCay Royal Caribbean's private island in The Bahamas, Perfect Day at CocoCay, will debut an adults-only beach club in January 2024. The exclusive experience, known as Hideaway Beach, will feature an acre of white sand beaches, seven bars and restaurants, poolside cabana rentals, live DJs and more.

Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival Returns with World-Class ExperiencesFollowing the success of the inaugural event in 2022, the Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festivalreturns to Baha Mar 26 to 29 October 2023. The series of events will include live entertainment and exclusive dinners and cocktail tastings, featuring world-renowned chefs like Marcus Samuelsson and Dario Cecchini.

Indulgences Series at Graycliff Hotel & Restaurant Known for its wine cellar housing more than 250,000 bottles, Graycliff Hotel & Restaurant's new "Indulgences Series" offers a new way to enjoy the impressive selection. Throughout October, visitors can book a 90-minute guided sommelier tasting experience every Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. Tickets are priced at $75 per person.

South Eleuthera Welcomes Visitors to Wemyss Bight Homecoming Festival Throughout The Bahamas, homecoming festivals are held to celebrate community and tradition. Locals and visitors alike are invited to South Eleuthera for the Wemyss Bight, Back Ta Ya Root, Homecoming Festivalon 4 October 2023 to enjoy native food and drinks, live band performances, and local crafts.

Long Island Sailing Club Hosts Annual Mini Regatta and Bazaar On 7 October, the Long Island Sailing Club welcomes spectators to the annual Mini Regatta and Bazaarto experience the excitement of competitive sloop sailing, the national sport of The Bahamas. Festivities begin in Clarence Town at 2 p.m., including musical entertainment, local cuisine and family friendly games.

Elevate Date Night at Caf Boulud Rosewood Baha Mar On 25 October 2023, Chef Daniel Boulud of Caf Boulud Rosewood Baha Mar and Executive Chef Antoine Baillargeon are offering a meticulously crafted, one-night-only truffle dinner experience. The five-course signature soirestarts at $495 per person and features exquisite wine pairings, savour passed canaps, and live terrace entertainment. Reservations are filled on a first-come, first-served basis.

The Bahamas Hosts Halloween Fly-In in The Abacos Avid pilots and aviation enthusiasts are invited to join The Bahamas in The Abacos for the annual Halloween-Fly Inheld 27 to 30 October 2023. Participants will be hosted at Bluff House Beach Resort & Marina on Green Turtle Cay.

JSXAnnounces Winter Service Direct to The Abacos Starting 14 December 2023, private jet charter JSXwill commence five-times weekly winter flights directly to Marsh Harbour on Great Abaco Island. Travellers can now book flights from major U.S. cities, including Miami-Opa Locka Executive Airport, Dallas Love Field Airport and New York's Westchester County Airport.

Nassau Paradise Island Wine & Food Festival Announces 2024 Dates International foodies can now mark their calendars for the second annual Nassau Paradise Island Wine & Food Festival, 13 to 17 March 2024. The five-day event will highlight world-renowned top chefs, expert sommeliers, mixologists and celebrated TV personalities. Tickets are on sale at http://www.npiwff.org.

PROMOTIONS AND OFFERS

For a complete list of deals and discounted packages in The Bahamas, visitwww.bahamas.com/deals-packages.

Sixth Night Free at Shannas Cove Resort Shannas Cove Resort on Cat Island is offering an extra night in paradise. Guests who book five consecutive nights will receive a complimentary sixth night. Travellers can call +1 (242) 359-9668 or complete the online reservation form. The booking window is now through 31 October 2023 for travel through October 2023.

Run Away to Caerula Mar Club Resort Caerula Mar Club, the luxurious Out Island escape destination located on South Andros, is now offering couples the "Run Away Together"package for reservations four nights or longer. This package includes a welcome champagne and a $200 credit for dinner at Lusca, the resort's signature restaurant. The booking window is open until 16 October 2023, and the travel period is from 25 October to 15 December 2023.

ABOUT THE BAHAMAS

The Bahamas has over 700 islands and cays, as well as 16 unique island destinations. Located only 50 miles off the coast of Florida, it offers a quick and easy way for travellers to escape their everyday. The island nation also boasts world-class fishing, diving, boating, and thousands of miles of the earth's most spectacular beaches for families, couples, and adventurers to explore. See why It's Better in The Bahamas atwww.bahamas.com or onFacebook,YouTube, orInstagram.

PRESS INQUIRIES Anita Johnson-Patty Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investments & Aviation [emailprotected]

Weber Shandwick Public Relations [emailprotected]

SOURCE The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investments & Aviation

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New Zealand named one of the friendliest countries in Conde Nast … – New Zealand Herald

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The Wharekauhau Country Estate was named the best resort in the Pacific and Australia by Conde Nast's reader awards.

Conde Nast Traveler has named a luxury country resort in the South Wairarapa as one of the best in the world - a position supported by the fact its readers voted New Zealand as one of the worlds friendliest countries.

The US guide for up-scale travel plans has published its 36th annual Readers Choice Awards, and there have been some minor changes to the awards.

Asking for votes and open nominations on travel experiences around the world the editors created categories that best reflect what travellers were looking for, of which there were 526,518 individual nominations.

Assessing every aspect of travel from carry-on luggage to private islands, there was one Kiwi property that came out on top.

Wharekauhau Country Estate was thrilled to be voted the best resort in the Pacific and Australia.

The $3295-a-night resort overlooking Palliser Bay won over votes for its wild location, just an hour and a half out of Wellington.

It is heart-warming to see that sharing our unapologetically authentic approach to ultra-luxury travel, said the resorts management.

New Zealand cropped up several times in the award categories, as a long-haul option.

The publications Top Countries to Visit in 2023 was dominated by Europe - matching what we were hearing anecdotally, they said. There were some breakout trends that loomed out of the awards Mediterranean obsession.

Scored out of 100, Japan top spot with an average score of 92.43. New Zealand which ranked fifth, with a score of 90.43, was the only other non-European destination to feature in the top 10.

The UK sister publication CN Traveller - which runs its own simultaneous breakdown of reader results - also scored New Zealand highly in its awards.

2023 was the year we recalibrated what was really important, said the UK editorial staff. The two topics, top of mind for the UK Conde Nast were food and friendliness.

Some have branded the category ranking a countrys inhabitants by friendliness of as: a bit ick.

However, once again, New Zealand made it into the top ten friendliest countries.

From the ever-beaming people of Ireland to the famously open-armed population of New Zealand, our planet is home to some seriously friendly countries, ready to share their love for their country with you, said Conde Nast.

With a score of 95.16, Aotearoa landed as the seventh in the world for most welcoming locals, down four places from 2022.

However manaakitanga league table was topped by Dominica in the Caribbean, for the warm welcome granted by its dramatic coastline and colourful hamlets.

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Annual Cruise Hive Awards Open for Best Ships, Cruise Lines and … – Cruise Hive

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The annual Cruise Hive Awards are now open for votes these are the awards chosen by cruisers to note the best ships, best features, and more for the year, and what they are most looking forward to for 2024. Voting will close on Friday, December 22, 2023, so be sure to get your votes in!

Voting opened on Monday, October 2, 2023. Each person can cast one vote in each of the eight categories, but each individual does not have to vote in every category for their choices to count.

Cruise Hive has run reader-driven annual awards since 2014 with the Great Cruise Vote 2014. In different years, new categories have come and gone as cruise lines have changed to meet cruisers changing preferences, but always the awards have been led by what readers real cruise travelers love most about cruising.

For 2023, the awards have been renamed from the Cruise Ship Awards to the Cruise Hive Awards to better represent all the voting categories, which include individual ship features, crew service, private islands, homeports, and more.

Two new voting categories are debuting for 2023: Best Cruise Line Booking Experience and Best Cruise Line for Service and Crew as both those experiences are very critical for cruise travelers. How will you cast your votes for each category?

This can be a brand new ship that debuted in 2023 or an old favorite from any cruise line. Which ship has all the features you love? Which vessel offers the best oceangoing vacation? This is a broad category and you can type in the name of any ship from any fleet.

Be sure to use the ships complete name if you just put Magic do you mean Carnival Cruise Lines Carnival Magic or Disney Cruise Lines Disney Magic? Would Radiance mean Carnival Radiance or Royal Caribbean Internationals Radiance of the Seas? Wonder, Dream, Fantasy These are all names that might refer to different ships, so be careful with the names!

One restriction only ships currently sailing in 2023 are eligible for this vote; no upcoming new-for-2024-not-yet-sailing vessels or former cruise ships now retired or scrapped are eligible.

Did you book a cruise this year? Whether or not youve already sailed, how was the booking experience? Was the website easy to use, were terms and conditions clear, could you easily find the ship, itinerary, and sailing dates you wanted? Have you been able to plan add-ons, and has the cruise line kept you updated as your cruise approaches?

So many cruise lines have amazing and distinctive features on their individual ships, something that set the line apart from the competition. Whether high-flying thrills, a need for speed, transformative spaces, or incredible views, which feature do you find to be the very best? Carnival Cruise Lines BOLT Roller Coaster won in 2022, but will it be displaced by another great feature on another cruise line?

A ships crew is the heart and soul of any cruise vacation, not only providing excellent service but often going above and beyond with extra details and memorable touches. Did a particular crew do something extraordinary to really make your vacation? Was there a unique situation that was dealt with in an amazing way? Did you find overall service to be more than you expected?

Private islands are growing in popularity as they offer cruisers exclusive experiences and memorable moments. Which island or destination offers the features you enjoy the most, or has something every cruiser can enjoy? Which one would you happily visit over and over again on every cruise vacation? Perfect Cay at CocoCay won in 2022; will it dominate again this year?

Which US homeport is the tops to set sail from? Maybe its close to home and convenient, or a great experience no matter how far you have to travel to reach it. Where is the smoothest embarkation, the best features, the easiest parking, the best waiting area? Which homeport would you happily set sail from over and over? Port Canaveral has already won a three-peat; will it be the best homeport four years in a row?

Which upcoming ship are you most eager to see? It doesnt have to be a ship youre planning to set sail on or already booked for, just a vessel that gets you excited about cruising next year. Maybe you want to go big with Icon of the Seas, get the royal treatment on Sun Princess, feel classically nautical aboard Queen Anne, experience the richness of Disney Treasure, or vote for any of the other upcoming ships.

So many amazing ships have debuted this year, this is your chance to vote for your favorite. Whether youve sailed on the vessel, are currently booked for a cruise, or are just a fan, cast your vote for the best new vessel that first welcomed guests in 2023! In 2022, Carnival Celebration won the vote; will Carnival Jubilee keep the streak alive or will a different ship take the title?

Voting in all categories will close on Friday, December 22, 2023, and the results will be revealed before the end of the year.

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The best islands in Europe: Readers’ Choice Awards 2023 – Cond Nast Traveller

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Where to stay: Domes Miramare was once the summer mansion of shipping magnate Aristotle Onassis, but is now a legendary adults-only hotel buried in ancient olive groves. Or see more of our favourite Corfu hotels.

Scarred by wildfires in the summer of 2023, Rhodes is a firm favourite among our readers. The beaches are beautiful, sure, but there are also ancient towns and tiny Byzantine mountain chapels dotted amongst the interior to be found here.

Where to stay: We love Casa Cook Rhodes, a bleached-out, boho-chic stay (splash out on a suite with a private pool, if you can).

Ischia is Italys island with the best beaches. This little volcanic island punches well above its weight, with smart hotels and slick spas dotted among rugged landscapes. This place is probably best seen by boat, where you might spot Castello Aragonese or Mount Epomeo from the water. This is also Italys natural spa island, so a dip in the thermal pools is a must-do, too.

Where to stay: We love Casa Cook Rhodes, a bleached-out, boho-chic stay (splash out on a suite with a private pool, if you can).

The Mediterranean sunshine island, so they say. Malta is so beautiful its been used as a film double in Game of Thrones, Gladiator and Murder on the Orient Express. There are 300 days of sunshine a year here, so a visit will likely be sun-soaked and glorious perfect for spending at beach clubs or swimming in the sea.

Where to stay: From the moment it re-opened under the uber-tasteful eye of Marie-Louise Sci, Mezzatorre became a magnet to the Italian glitterati.

This island, Turkey, in the northeastern Aegean Sea, is 250 miles from the capital. It can only be reached by boat, and is mentioned in the Iliad and other classical Greek literature, thanks to its crucial positioning in the Aegean sea.

Where to stay: Posthane Hotel, a sweet, affordable guesthouse.

One of Greeces Dodecanese islands, Kos is known for its gorgeous beaches some of the best in this corner of the Greek islands. Much of the ancient architecture here has been preserved, from 14th-century castles to the Plane Tree of Hippocrates, where the philosopher (supposedly born here) once taught.

Where to stay: We love Oku Kos, a laid-back minimalist property thats unmistakably Greek.

The smallest of the Sporades islands is also the most popular. Beaches such as Koukounaries are much-loved for the turquoise sea, while those on the west coast, such as Elia Beach, are quieter. The harbour is dotted with buzzing little restaurants, some of which spill onto the sand (we particularly like the taverna at Sklithri).

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Islands in the sun – Irish Post

Posted: at 5:18 pm

Maria Boyle goes Greek island hopping

Crete

This is the largest and southernmost island in Greece. We were based on the eastern part of the island, near Agios Nikolas, at the five star St Nicholas Bay Resort Hotel & Villas.

The 119-room hotel has two main pools, a private beach and sun decks, with views of Mirabello Bay, two bars and a spa.

Food is a superb. Breakfast is buffet style and also features a la carte options. Lunch can be served pool, beachside or at the hotels Blue Bay Restaurant with choices including sushi, Greek and super food salads, pastas and seafood.

For dinner, there are five restaurants to choose from. Particularly favourites were The Minotaure which offered a mix of Asian and international cuisine. We also loved The Greek Kafenion, which is one of the areas top restaurants, serving local Cretan dishes and fresh seafood sourced directly from the Bay.

To explore the coastline, we took a private boat tour to Spinalonga. The historic island was a stronghold of the Venetians. They built a massive fortress in 1579 to protect the bays of Elounda and Mirabello. Spinalonga then became a leper colony in 1903 with 1,000 Greeks being quarantined on the island over a 50-year time span.

Santorini

From the Cretan port of Heraklion we took the ferry to Santorini. The island is the most famous of the Cyclades, known for its plunging cliffs, its whitewashed houses, blue dome churches, winding paths and its incredible sunsets.

We stayed in Oia, the most northerly part of the island, in Andronis Arcadia on the fringes of the village. The five star hotel has a contemporary design, its 119 suites and villas each have earthy interiors (85 per cent of the furniture is hand made locally) and chic luxury touches, outdoor seating and your own private pool.

Activity wise, visitors to the island can do a spot of wine-tasting, or head to the historic site of Akrotiri, the Pompeii of the Aegean, now excavated from its ashen tomb, or explore the capital Fira.

We visited Museum Megaro Gyzi, built in 1700s in a house that belonged to a Venezian family. One of the few that survived the earthquake of 1956, it provides a fascinating insight in to the history of Santorini, a chance to see old documents charting life on the island and photos and newspaper cutting detailing the volcanic eruptions on the island.

Santorinis food offering is also excellent and the highlight of our stay on the island was dinner at Lycabettus Restaurant surely one of the best cliff top locations in the world.

Naxos

Naxos is the largest of the Cycladic islands, known for its stunning Venetian castle, captivating history, traditional mountain villages, immaculate sandy beaches and great food.

We headed for Villa Flo, 30 minutes from Naxos Town. Managed by the highly efficient Maria, she welcomed us to the island and helped us discover some of the gems of Naxos.

Chora, the capital, was our first stop. We headed to the Old Market, packed with restaurants and boutiques tucked under archways, in tunnels, and stacked over multiple levels. We dined al fresco at Kastro located just under the towns historic monastery traditional Greek fare and seafood with a contemporary twist.

One of the buzziest spots was a caf and wine bar called Avaton located in the old Ursuline Monastery dating back to 1739. It served an excellent selection of creative cocktails on its rooftop in the evenings and, in the day, the building houses the Archaeological Museum of Naxos.

Naxos is known for its beaches and one of the best, just 10 minutes from the villa, is called Plaka Beach. We had lunch at Tortuga beach bar and club serves an excellent lunch of fresh seafood, Naxian potatoes, guacamole with watermelon salad.

On our final evening, private chef Babis Tsamadias from No Reservations No Recipes came to cook for us and prepared a seasonal menu which included local salads, tuna tataki, squid carbonara (his original creation made with the freshest squid cut in to thin ribbons, replacing the pasta), a mushroom dish which was the best ever vegan dish Ive tasted according to my daughter, followed by desserts.

Mykonos

A short 45-minute ferry trip took us to Mykonos. Harmony Hotel, our base, is a 22-room boutique hotel by the old port and a two-minute walk in to Mykonos Town.

The island has a reputation as the Ibiza of the Aegean yet its also incredibly laid back.

Retaining its historic charm, the stone windmills of Mykonos Town are a must-see as is Little Venice, and its fun to get lost in the narrow alleyways lined with shops, pavement cafes and bars.

Food is a big deal on the island given its international jet set reputation. We had dinner at Kalita located in a pretty courtyard in the heart of the old town, and enjoyed modern Greek dishes that were Michelin standard. As soon as we left the restaurant we were recommending it to friends who were visiting in a few weeks time. Its a must.

To enjoy the island vibe, we booked lunch at Zuma Mykonos As well as two large restaurant spaces, Zuma has a cool bar and huge infinity pool. Guests can feast on excellent dishes such as freshly seared wagyu sirloin tataki with truffle ponzu or jumbo tiger prawn with yuzu kosho and lounge on the Louis Vuitton branded sunbeds, overlooking the Aegean Sea while the resident DJ played tunes that appealed to all family members - quite a mean feat!

Another day we caught a bus to Ornos beach and went on a taxi boat (20 return, stops at multiple beaches). The wooden motorised boat service is run by a co-op of local fishermans family. We stopped at a number of the islands beaches before getting off at Platis Gialos to spend the afternoon there and enjoy its crystal clear water, beach bars and cafes.

For our last evening, we visited Bill & Coo Beef Bar located on Agios Ioannis Beach under the mulberry trees. The spacious restaurant has an excellent menu (Beef Bar fans will be familiar) with added Greek inspired dishes including Tarana Tuna with yuzu, grilled fish and jumbo prawns, and the only Kobe beef gyros in the world. As we reminisced about our epic Greek odyssey over cocktails, fireworks lit up the sky. We had enjoyed four mini holidays in one and loved every island. We just need to return to explore the other 223 inhabited islands perhaps next years holiday is already sorted?

TOP TIPS:

There are many ferry booking platforms, but the best one is Ferryscanner https://www.ferryscanner.com/en/ferry as you can see all the different options of ferry companies, ferry routes, times, prices available versus booking with one single ferry company.

WHERE TO STAY:

Crete: St Nicholas Bay, rooms from 220 https://www.stnicholasbay.gr

Santorini: Andronis Arcadia, suites from 560 https://www.andronis.com/hotels/andronis-arcadia/

Mykonos: Harmony Hotel, rooms from 150 Euros https://www.harmonyhotel.gr

Naxos: Villa Flo by Anamnesia Collection (travelstaytion.com) from 385 per night

Smile Rent a Car: portside pick up [emailprotected]

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Islands in the sun - Irish Post

Posted in Private Islands | Comments Off on Islands in the sun – Irish Post