Florida parks boost security; beaches closed
Theme parks in Orlando are being more vigilant following the June 12 nightclub shooting that left 50 people dead. In an e-mail, Disney spokeswoman Jacquee Wahler wrote, "We have increased our security measures across our properties, adding such visible safeguards as magnetometers [metal detectors], additional canine units, and law enforcement officers on site, as well as less visible systems that employ state-of-the-art security technologies." Many Florida parks, including Universal Orlando, SeaWorld and the four Walt Disney World parks, started giving security heightened attention in December by adding metal detectors at entryways. Legoland in Winter Haven, Fla., about 45 minutes from Orlando, added metal-detecting wands and also began searching guests' bags. Meanwhile, beaches at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa were closed last week after a 2-year-old boy was killed in an alligator attack.
New York Times
Minneapolis man sues TSA
Dr. Hooman Nikizad of Minneapolis is blaming the long security lines at the airport for missing a recent flight to Los Angeles, and now he's suing the Transportation Security Administration and the Twin Cities airport's operator for $506. In the lawsuit filed in federal court, Nikizad said his wait of more than 90 minutes on March 19 before he passed through security screening made him miss his afternoon flight. "I had to buy a ticket with another airline to be able to make my destination and meet my obligations," Nikizad said in his claim, which noted the TSA had limited staff on duty at the time and "only one body scanner for the regular security line." Nikizad, a resident surgeon with the University of Minnesota, said in his suit that the TSA and Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport "have done a very poor job of getting passengers through security."
Paul Walsh
Sex cruise to set sail
Call it the literal (make) love boat. Mexican adult hospitality firm Original Group has chartered the Azamara Quest for a sex-themed experience in fall 2017, an eight-day voyage from Italy to Croatia and Slovenia dubbed the "Desire" cruise. Royal Caribbean Cruises' luxury line, Azamara Club Cruises, owns the 690-passenger, newly renovated Azamara Quest. The ship will be transformed with performances, couples workshops, themed nights and "intense icebreakers" designed for motion in the ocean. Open-mindedness is encouraged on the couples-only voyage, whether that be at the "mix-n-mingle" private playrooms or in clothing-optional areas, such as the pool deck. With a temporary promotion, cruises start at $2,883 and can go up to $10,996 per person.
Miami Herald
New Zealand, plus Tahiti
Book a round-trip ticket from Los Angeles to Auckland, New Zealand, on Air Tahiti Nui and receive a free stopover in Tahiti, with three nights at the beachfront Manava Suite Resort Tahiti. The deal starts at $1,098 per person, double occupancy (including taxes), a savings of about $800. Travel Oct. 2-Dec. 8 and Dec. 28-March 31. Separate travel arrangements to Los Angeles required. (Info: 1-855-837-9669, airtahitinui.com/us-en/two-countries-price-one-new-zealand-and-tahiti.)
Washington Post
