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Travel news roundup.

On the seas

That's not just fresh sea air you smell on MSC cruise ships. It's also MED by MSC – a man-made fragrance that's pumped into walkways and gathering places by the air-conditioning units and infused through laundering into such items as bedding, towels and table linens. Introduced on the Splendida in 2009, MED now wafts its way through the entire fleet, except for the Melody. According to the cruise line, the fragrance is "fresh and fruity, with warm notes of fig, almond and vetiver."

In the air

Airlines have named aircraft after artists, explorers and even the company president. At United, the honour sometimes goes to a customer. Most recently, it christened a new 747 after Chicago sales consultant Tom Stuker, the carrier's first 10-million-mile passenger. Since joining the Mileage Plus frequent flier program in 1986, Stuker has made 5,962 United flights. His combined jaunts are the equivalent of 400 journeys around the world, 20 round-trip flights to the moon or 5,400 return trips between Chicago and Houston.

In the room

Crowne Plaza has declared war on noisy snorers. Ten of the chain's European and Middle Eastern hotels are testing "snore absorption rooms," which feature soundproof walls and headboards, anti-snoring pillows and devices designed to make guests sleep on their sides. Going a step further, a Crowne Plaza in Birmingham, England, has employed a Snore Monitor to patrol the corridors. Should he find a room registering 100 "snore decibels," he will knock on the door and tell occupants they may be disturbing other guests.

Sources: MSC Cruises United Airlines, Crowne Plaza, Birmingham Post.



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