Travel news and deals for travelers

Where’s Wally goes transatlantic

Virgin Atlantic’s “flying lady” (on the side of a Boeing 747 aircraft Barbarella) has a new companion — the iconic traveller Where’s Wally? — for a year as she flies between the UK, US and Caribbean. The inaugural on March 5 took off from London Gatwick and arrived in St Lucia. Passengers onboard received goodies including masks, books and postcards. Join the fun and use the dedicated Where’s Wally? app on the Virgin Atlantic Facebook page to search for this aircraft as it roams the transatlantic skies.

Ladies nights at Yas Waterworld Abu Dhabi

From May 16, Yas Waterworld Abu Dhabi will host weekly Ladies Nights, 8pm to midnight every Thursday and from 9pm to 1am in June. Only boys eight years old and under will be allowed access along with their female relatives (valid photo ID or birth certificate must). Tickets are Dh210 for those 1.1m or more in height and Dh170 for those below. Ladies Nights continue until July 4 and again from early August after Ramadan, until the end of September. For more log on to www.yaswaterworld.com

Emirates opens 35th lounge

Emirates has opened its 35th dedicated lounge for first and business class passengers as well as Platinum and Gold members of Emirates Skywards at Milan Malpensa Airport. This is the first international lounge to feature the airline’s contemporary new interior design, with the airline’s trademark colour palette reflecting the neutral, earthy tones, after the lounges in Concourse A — Dubai Airport, the world’s first dedicated A380 Concourse. Located in the third satellite area of the airport, the lounge offers formal and relaxed seating for 158 customers, an array of luxurious facilities and amenities, a quiet area, a dining area, shower facilities, business centre, bespoke artworks and a dedicated prayer room.

Tourism Ireland FB campaign

Tourism Ireland has launched Greening Season 2013, a Facebook campaign with two competitions. The Great Green-Off (entries until March 24) invites people around the Middle East to create and share their own greening video or picture, with the best submission scoring a “Gathering” trip to Ireland this year – for the winner and five of his or her friends. The second competition the Dublin Doodle (entries until March 11) allows visitors to create a virtual green doodle, a selection of which will be projected onto the façade of Trinity College, one of Dublin’s most famous landmarks, on March 14 with live streaming on their website, Ireland.com. The winners will be announced in April.

Kristin Chenoweth is godmother of Quantum of the Seas

Royal Caribbean International’s much anticipated new cruise ship, Quantum of the Seas (debuting in fall 2014) will have Triple-threat, Emmy and Tony award-winning Kristin Chenoweth as its godmother. Chenoweth was chosen for her effervescent personality and ability to wow audiences. Historically an honour reserved for heads of state, politicians and celebrities, godmothers not only break a bottle to christen a ship, but also serve as guiding spirits to its guests and crew.