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    Luxury homes on the market in Siouxland – Sioux City Journal - December 3, 2023 by Mr HomeBuilder

    Welcome to this stunning executive home in Country Club!! This property has everything you'd ever want in a home. The fantastic kitchen features St. Charles Cabinets with updated cabinet fronts with burled walnut. Just off of the kitchen, you'll find a lovely entertaining space with gas fireplace, perfect for a cozy dining spot to overlook the pool, sitting area, or even a library area. Past the kitchen, you'll find a spacious laundry room with extra pantry space,St. Charles cabinets with burled walnut fronts,two desks, pull out drawers, and enough storage space to keep all of your extra holiday decor, crafting supplies, and more. This home is handicapped~accessible with a ramp from the garage, a concrete ramp around the terraced gardens in the backyard, and a handicapped suite in the home's addition with a lifted tub for easy maneuverability for a Hoyer lift. Next to this room, there is a guest bedroom with half bath with gorgeous tile work. In the upper levelof the addition, seller has added an executive office, with access to both original attic and garage attic for storage. This room has a walk~in closet and could be used as a bedroom. Seller has updated the basement with crisp, clean luxury vinyl plank floor in the family room (26x18), bedroom with egress (11x18), full bathroom (9x6), and the walk~in closet has carpet. This would be a great space for a live~in caretaker!! Grab your drink and your lawn chair to relax by the freshly~painted pool, under the ginkgo tree. Seller has improved the stone and concrete work to create a beautiful, relaxing, oasis. Enjoy the sounds of the fountain while you have your morning coffee. The lovely cabana with has an updated, fully functional kitchen, built~in entertainment center, a guest bedroom with closet and private 3/4 bathroom, and another 3/4 bathroom for the pool guests. The cabana hosts the pool equipment. Seller is offering buyer a $15,000 appliance allowance...

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    Luxury homes on the market in Siouxland - Sioux City Journal

    Mill Creek Adds 377 Contemporary Apartment Homes to East … – MultifamilyBiz.com - December 3, 2023 by Mr HomeBuilder

    AUSTIN, TX - Mill Creek Residential, a leading developer, owner-operator and investment manager specializing in premier rental housing across the U.S., announced the start of preleasing at Modera EaDo, a luxury apartment community just east of The Domain, which is commonly referred to as Austin's second downtown.

    The wrap-style community, which features 377 apartment homes at 11604 Stonehollow Drive, is situated less than a mile from The Domain and near a vast array of vibrant dining, retail and entertainment options. The convenient location is also within a short commute of many ofAustin'sthriving employment and entertainment districts.

    "It's amazing to witness the transformation of the area surrounding The Domain, which continues to morph from an industrial area to a vibrant mixed-use destination," said Matthew Bunch, managing director of development in Austinfor Mill Creek Residential. "We're excited to deliver this development in East Domain, which boasts a prime location in which residents can do a little bit of everything. We're prepared to offer an extraordinary living experience at Modera EaDo and look forward to welcoming home our initial residents."

    Modera EaDo is positioned in a northAustinlocale that is rapidly emerging as a key destination for a wide variety of luxury retailers and top employers. Prominent employers in the area include IBM, Indeed, Amazon, Facebook andCharles Schwab, which features a 50-acre campus immediately adjacent to the community.

    The community also sits just east of the future master-planned Uptown ATX site, a massive 66-acre mixed-use redevelopment project, and is within a quarter mile of a proposed CapMetro Red Line station, which will connect with Leander to the north and downtown Austin to the south.

    Modera EaDo offers studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom homes with select homes featuring private yards along an urban trail. The community is constructed with energy efficiency and sustainability in mind and received a Green Building rating from Austin Energy.Community amenities include an expansive 2,700-square-foot, club-quality fitness center open 24-hours, a resident clubhouse with a gaming area, indoor/outdoor social kitchen and music room, resort-inspired pool with water features and tanning ledge, poolside cabana, Zen courtyard, outdoor kitchen with gas grills, high-speed community-wide bulk WiFi and an electronic key fob system. Residents will also have access to Luxer One package lockers, dedicated bike storage and a dedicated bark park with connecting pet spa.Modera EaDo will also offer a self-service Grab-and-Go market from Impulsify, providing Point of Sale packaged snacks, meals, beverages and other convenience items.

    Apartment interiors are delivered with a variety of deluxe features, including two sophisticated finish schemes, nine- and 10-foot ceilings, wood plank-style flooring, stainless steel appliances, granite countertops, 42-inch custom cabinetry, under-cabinet lighting, and in-home washers and dryers. Select homes include wine fridges, private patios or balconies, linen closets, double-vanities, powder baths and walk-in showers.

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    Mill Creek Adds 377 Contemporary Apartment Homes to East ... - MultifamilyBiz.com

    Charlottesville home listings for people who need a lot of living space – The Daily Progress - December 3, 2023 by Mr HomeBuilder

    New price adjustment! Chanticleer Farm sits on 55+ acres in Keswick with unobstructed views of the surrounding countryside. Custom designed and built, the home features an open-concept living room, family room, and dining spaces bathed in natural light. Don't miss the stylish library or quiet home office. The true gourmet kitchen has a Bertazzoni gas range, double wall ovens, two farm sinks, two dishwashers, and an oversized brick cooking fireplace w/raised hearth & custom iron work by renowned blacksmith Stephen Stokes. The primary suite has stunning vistas, a sitting area w/ fireplace, and spacious bath w/ heated floors. The terrace level is fully on-grade and offers flexible uses including a rec/media room, additional guest rooms, home office or gym. The main house has seven fireplaces w/ hand-carved mantels, hardwood floors throughout, a geothermal furnace for efficient heating & cooling, and ample unfinished storage space. Various covered porches, decks, and outdoor living spaces abound. No detail has been forgotten in the 2 bed/1.5 bath guest cottage above the 3-car garage. The property is nestled among Central Virginia's most revered historic sites, prestigious estates, and beloved wineries. 15 miles to Charlottesville.

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    Charlottesville home listings for people who need a lot of living space - The Daily Progress

    Resi Roundup: Winter season kickoff in Palm Beach County – The Real Deal - December 3, 2023 by Mr HomeBuilder

    Luxury real estate deals are closing across Palm Beach County as the winter season kicks off.

    The latest roundup of residential deals spans Boca Raton to Jupiter Island, with sales ranging in price from $8.4 million to $13 million.

    In Boca Raton, the ex-wife of longtime Planet Fitness boss Chris Rondeau sold her penthouse in One Thousand Ocean. Records show Michelle LeMay sold the combined units 603 and 604 at 1000 South Ocean Boulevard to a trust named for the address for $13 million. The true buyer is unknown.

    John Poletto and Mark Nestler of One Sothebys International Realty had the listing, and Marcy Javor of Signature One Luxury Estates brought the buyer.

    The 7,500-square-foot penthouse has nine bedrooms, eight bathrooms and one half-bathroom, the listing shows. Built in 2010, LeMay bought the units in 2021 for $12.1 million. She listed the penthouse for $14.7 million in July, selling for $1.7 million below the asking price.

    The seller, LeMay, heads LeMay Family Goodworks, a philanthropic foundation based in North Hampton, New Hampshire. She lives there on a 60-acre farm dubbed Le Beau Domaine, where she was recently seeking a director of estate management with an annual salary between $85,000 and $140,000, the job listing shows. LeMays ex-husband, Chris Rondeau, was CEO of Planet Fitness for 30 years until he was unexpectedly ousted in September, according to published reports. The pair sold a waterfront Delray Beach mansion for $10.5 million in 2021.

    Planet Fitness co-founder Michael Grondahl sold his mansion in the Bears Club in Jupiter for $14.5 million in October.

    On Jupiter Island, William and Marcia Ulm sold their SeaGlass condo for $8.8 million. Records show the Ulms sold unit 403 at 1500 Beach Road in Tequesta to Michael and Marla Murphy.

    Jane Letsche with Waterfront Properties & Club Communities had the listing. The buyers did not use a real estate agent.

    The condo spans 5,200 square feet, with four bedrooms, five bathrooms and one half-bathroom, the listing shows. The Ulms closed on the SeaGlass unit for $9.6 million in November of last year, when developer Jeffrey Soffer completed the 10-story, 21-unit project. They listed the condo for $19.8 million that month.

    Marcia Ulm founded Athens, Georgia-based MLU Services, a firm that provides temporary medical facilities for emergencies and events.

    Records show the Murphys bought a mansion at 103 West Bears Club Drive in the Bears Club for $8.3 million in 2017. Jeremy Browne and Thomas Hughes of Compass have the listing, which is asking $18.5 million for the 9,100-square-foot home.

    In another Jupiter gated community, Illustrated Properties agent Gregg Kelley sold an incomplete Admirals Cove waterfront spec home for $8.4 million. Records show an LLC named for the address and managed by Kelley sold the home at 115 Regatta Drive to another entity named after the address. The true buyer is unknown.

    Rob Thomson of Waterfront Properties & Club Communities had the listing, and Donna Lederman with Waterfront Properties & Club Communities brought the buyer.

    The 6,500-square-foot home will have five bedrooms, five bathrooms and two half-bathrooms. The 0.4-acre property will be completed next year, and will have a pool and dock, according to the listing. Kelley bought the house in September for $4.6 million in September, records show. He listed it in October for $13.5 million.

    On the island of Palm Beach, another real estate agent closed her own deal. Records show Brown Harris Stevens agent Mara Raphaels entity sold the house at 210 Osceola Way to Benjamin and Andrea Griswold for $8.8 million. Raphael represented herself and the buyers.

    Raphael bought the Osceola Way home for $4.3 million in 2021, records show. Built in 1953 on 0.2 acres, the six-bedroom, six-bathroom house spans 3,800 square feet, the listing shows. Raphael extensively renovated the North End property, which has a pool and deeded access to a beach cabana, according to the listing.

    She is married to John Mendell Jr., a managing director with West Palm Beach-based venture capital and private equity firm Comvest Partners. Raphael listed the home for $12.8 million in February, Redfin shows.

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    Resi Roundup: Winter season kickoff in Palm Beach County - The Real Deal

    Outback Splash’s resort-style pool The Lagoon is now open – Perth Is OK! - December 3, 2023 by Mr HomeBuilder

    Almost 10 years in the making, Bullsbrook fun park Outback Splash last week unveiled its spectacular resort-style pool, The Lagoon, just in time for summer.

    Created by the same team behind Crown Towers luxurious outdoor pools, The Lagoon features an expansive, crystal clear pool surrounded by lush green gardens and some lavish amenities thatll keep kids of all ages very happy.

    Were delighted to bring this concept to life and officially welcome guests to take a dip in our newest attraction, just in time for summer, said Outback Splash Director Paul Woodcock at The Lagoons unveiling last week.

    Opening The Lagoon showcases our commitment to creating a full day of fun for all ages. Outback Splash is a place where families can make lasting memories, friends can relax and play, and adventure enthusiasts can revel in the thrill of the adventurous waterslides there really is something for everyone.

    Evan Hall, Tourism Council Western Australia CEO, said the new pool cements Outback Splashs status as one of WAs leading tourism destinations.

    Watching the venue evolve, grow, and develop over the years has been truly inspirational, he said.

    Today, it stands as one of the States most distinguished tourism destinations. The unmatched quality of its attractions, the meticulously maintained grounds, and the industry-leading guest service standards are all commendable.

    Key features of The Lagoon include comfortable sun beds around the pool with private cabanas available to hire, a pop up poolside bar called The Pool House from Gage Roads and an array of water features including swim-up island and windmill waterplay structure for the little ones.

    Gage Roads will also be hosting a special showcase event on February 24 and 25 next year, with guests able to enjoy some limited released brews, merch giveaways and more.

    Outback Splash is open seven days a week from 10am-5pm over December-January, before dropping down to Wednesday-Sunday in February head to the website for more info.

    Image Credit: Supplied

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    Outback Splash's resort-style pool The Lagoon is now open - Perth Is OK!

    Morganton home listings for people who need a lot of living space – Morganton News Herald - December 3, 2023 by Mr HomeBuilder

    Custom built-one owner executive home on the golf course in NC Foothills! Your guests will be greeted by the stunning 2 story foyer! Home features 3 bedrooms (plus bonus room), 4 full baths/1 half bath, laundry room, spacious kitchen w/breakfast nook, living room & formal dining room for all your family gatherings. Large primary suite boasts a walk-in closet, soaking tub & separate shower. The HUGE bonus room w/full bath is used as a 4th bedroom. Study is located on the main level! Love to entertain?! The basement level offers an oversized family room (with gas logs), kitchenette w/breakfast bar, 2 booths for additional seating, plus a spacious game room...the perfect spot for your pool table. Basement has plenty of unfinished area for your storage needs, including the ideal space for your golf cart & workshop. Sitting on 2 prime lots (1+ acre)! Cedar Rock Country Club offers a club house, outdoor pool, tennis courts, social events, dining & more! Only 30 minutes to Blowing Rock!

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    Morganton home listings for people who need a lot of living space - Morganton News Herald

    Murdoch Nephew Lists Horse Estate in Brentwood for $21.5M – The Real Deal - December 3, 2023 by Mr HomeBuilder

    A nephew of media mogul Rupert Murdoch has listed a 6,300-square-foot ranch house in Brentwood for $21.5 million.

    Businessman and producer David Calvert-Jones and his wife Karina are selling the equestrian estate at 13233 Riviera Ranch Road, in Riviera Ranch, according to the Robb Report.

    The couple bought the two-thirds-acre property with a guest house and horse stable in 2010 for $4.4 million.

    The five-bedroom, six-bathroom home, designed by Cliff May in 1941, was owned for half a century by Hollywood actress and activist Maxine Cooper, best known for her role as private detective Mike Hammers secretary Velda in the 1955 film noir classic Kiss Me Deadly and TV spots on Dragnet, Perry Mason and The Twilight Zone.

    She and her husband Sy Gomberg, an Oscar-nominated producer and screenwriter, bought the home they dubbed Paradise Found for $122,500 back in the mid-1960s.

    The Calvert-Joneses renovated and expanded the split-level home, built of stone and stucco and topped by a red-tile roof.

    The house, hidden behind a hedge at the end of a gated driveway lined with mature olive trees, has rustic hardwood floors, vaulted wood-beam ceilings, and steel-framed windows and doors.

    Behind its hand-carved wooden door is a fireside living room that doubles as a screening room, which leads into a formal dining room through pocket wood doors.

    A gourmet kitchen connects to a glass-lined breakfast room with an antler chandelier. Highlights include a family room and private office. A master bedroom has a fireside sitting area, walk-in closet and spa-like bathroom.

    Two French doors open outside, where the detached guest house and stable form a courtyard containing a swimming pool and open-air cabana. A motor court leads to a three-car garage.

    Brokers Drew Fenton and Bjorn Farrugia of Carolwood Estates, and Jade Mills of Coldwell Banker Realty hold the listing.

    David Calvert-Jones mother is Elisabeth Janet Murdoch Calvert-Jones, younger sister of the Australian-born publishing and broadcast mogul Rupert Murdoch.

    Dana Bartholomew

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    Murdoch Nephew Lists Horse Estate in Brentwood for $21.5M - The Real Deal

    The 8 best new cruise ships launching in 2024 – The Points Guy - December 3, 2023 by Mr HomeBuilder

    The coming year will be a big one for new cruise ships, with three major new vessels on the way that promise to break new ground in cruising.

    The most notable of the three, Icon of the Seas, is the first of a new series of megaships from Royal Caribbean that will be larger than any cruise vessels ever built. It'll be loaded with all sorts of gee-whiz attractions, restaurants, bars and entertainment.

    Icon of the Seas is just one of two major new Royal Caribbean cruise ships arriving in 2024. Also on the way is Utopia of the Seas, the sixth and final vessel in the line's hugely successful Oasis Class of ships.

    The year will also bring the first new ship in more than a decade from storied cruise line Cunard (Queen Anne) as well as the first of a new class of ship from cruise giant Princess Cruises (Sun Princess).

    For more cruise guides, news and tips, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter.

    Both of the latter vessels will feature notable new designs for the brands with an expanded lineup of restaurants, bars and entertainment areas.

    Those three vessels Icon of the Seas, Queen Anne and Sun Princess are the three new cruise ships for 2024 that have us the most excited here at TPG. But they're far from the only major new cruise vessels arriving during the next 12 months.

    To whet your appetite for cruising in the year ahead, take a look at our list of the eight new cruise ships arriving in 2024 that have us the most excited.

    Maiden voyage: Dec. 23, 2023

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    This newest ship for cruise giant Carnival technically arrives at the end of 2023, but its maiden voyage is so close to the start of 2024 that we're calling it a new vessel for 2024.

    The 15-deck-high ship is a sister to the line's recently unveiled Mardi Gras and Carnival Celebration, which have made waves in the past two years for their huge size and what might be the most unusual attraction ever on a cruise vessel: a deck-top roller coaster.

    Like Carnival Celebration, Carnival Jubilee will measure 183,521 tons, putting it in a tie with the former ship for the position of biggest vessel ever to sail for Carnival (at 181,808 tons, sister ship Mardi Gras is slightly smaller). Carnival Celebration and Mardi Gras, notably, are a whopping 35% bigger than the next-biggest Carnival ships currently afloat, and they are also bigger than all but a dozen other cruise vessels in the world.

    Like Mardi Gras and Carnival Celebration, Carnival Jubilee will have a roller coaster on its top deck. Dubbed Bolt: Ultimate Sea Coaster, it'll be similar to the roller coasters on its sister vessels, with an 800-foot-long track and vehicles that reach speeds of 40 mph give or take.

    Also, like its sisters, Carnival Jubilee has been designed to hold up to 6,630 passengers. That's just a tad below the 7,600 passengers that will be able to fit aboard Royal Caribbean's soon-to-debut Icon of the Seas the new world's largest cruise ship (more on that vessel below).

    Related: The ultimate guide to Carnival Cruise Line

    In addition to a roller coaster, Carnival Jubilee will have a giant water park on its top deck. Like its sister, its interiors will be filled with a far broader array of suites than earlier Carnival ships. But the vessel won't be a carbon copy of the previous vessels. New features will include two ocean-themed zones with new bar and dining options including an underwater-themed bar adorned with octopus arms that will serve drinks.

    The development of ships on the scale of Carnival Jubilee and its sisters has been a big deal for Carnival. Until recently, the line had resisted the trend among major brands to build even bigger vessels that offer a supersized megaresort-at-sea experience.

    Carnival's last new vessel before the arrival of Mardi Gras in 2021, Carnival Panorama, didn't even crack the top 40 list of biggest ships when it debuted in 2019.

    After an initial transatlantic voyage from Southampton, England, to Galveston, Texas, Carnival Jubilee will sail seven-night voyages to the Western Caribbean out of Galveston. Fares start at $669 per person, not including taxes and fees.

    Maiden voyage: Jan. 27

    Call it the new grande dame of the megaship world. At 250,800 tons, Icon of the Seas will be the biggest cruise ship ever built, and it'll be chock-full of more amusements, restaurants, bars and entertainment venues than any cruise vessel ever.

    In other words, if you're a megaship fan, this is your new go-to ship assuming you don't mind vacationing with a lot of other people.

    In size, Icon of the Seas will be about 6% bigger than the biggest of the Oasis Class ships, the one-year-old Wonder of the Seas. But it'll be able to hold about 7% more people 7,600 passengers as compared to Wonder of the Seas' total capacity of 7,084 passengers. That's a new all-time record for a passenger ship.

    The bigger passenger capacity is in part due to the ship's greater focus on family travelers. Icon of the Seas is being built with more cabins offering extra bunks to accommodate families with children. It'll also have more amenities geared to families, including a new-for-the-line outdoor "neighborhood" called Surfside dedicated to families with young children.

    Related: Icon of the Seas will cater to families

    Surfside notably will feature splash areas for babies and kids, pools and lounge spaces for parents, family-friendly eateries and shops, and a bar with "mommy and me" matching mocktails for kids and cocktails for grownups.

    Icon of the Seas will also feature the largest water park ever built on a cruise ship, with a record six waterslides. No other vessel comes close when it comes to water attractions on a cruise ship.

    Other notable new attractions will include the AquaDome a massive, glass dome-covered area at the front of the ship. A true engineering marvel (the 363-ton glass dome had to be built separately next to the ship and winched into place), the AquaDome will be home to the AquaTheater a venue found in a different location on Royal Caribbean's Oasis Class ships that hosts acrobatic and diving shows in a high-tech stage/pool.

    The AquaTheater will be the marquee attraction within the AquaDome, which also will offer dining and drinking venues, as well as cozy seating areas for daytime and evening hangouts. One such spot, the Overlook, is an elevated lounge featuring special nooks (Overlook Pods) and wraparound windows providing fantastic ocean views and easy viewing of the aqua shows.

    In addition, Icon of the Seas will have a record-for-a-ship seven pools, four of which will be at a main pool area called Chill Island. The latter area will be home to the line's first swim-up bar on a ship, Swim and Tonic.

    Related: The ultimate Icon of the Seas guide: Pricing, itineraries and what's onboard

    Ten new food outlets on the ship will include Surfside Eatery, a family-friendly buffet in the Surfside neighborhood, and Empire Supper Club, an upscale venue designed to evoke the atmosphere of New York City in the 1930s. The latter will serve an extravagant eight-course meal (think: caviar and wagyu), with each dish paired with a cocktail created by celebrity mixologist Tony Abou-Ganim.

    Among lodging options, Icon of the Seas will boast 14 new cabin and suite types plus 14 categories of rooms that already exist on earlier Royal Caribbean ships. That's a whopping 28 types of accommodation in all.

    Many of these cabin categories are family-friendly rooms that sleep four guests; some can accommodate six or eight guests. In total, 313 cabins and suites are listed specifically as family-focused accommodations, though many regular room types can sleep more than two people.

    Note that Icon of the Seas is just the first of three sister ships Royal Caribbean has on order for delivery by 2026, all of similar dimensions. Together, they will make up what is known as the Icon Class.

    Icon of the Seas will operate seven-night voyages to the Caribbean out of Miami. Fares start at $1,577 per person, not including taxes and fees.

    Maiden voyage: Feb. 8

    Like Royal Caribbean, Princess Cruises is going bigger with its next new ship a lot bigger.

    Under development for more than six years and the first of an all-new series of vessels for the line, the 4,000-passenger Sun Princess is about 21% bigger than the biggest ships currently in the Princess fleet. And yet, while it's 21% bigger, it's designed to hold just 17% more passengers.

    In other words, its space-to-passenger ratio will be greater, making the ship feel roomier if only modestly.

    Sun Princess will also be the first Princess ship with suites that come with exclusive access to a private restaurant, lounge and sun deck a sign Princess is finally getting serious about pampering its best customers.

    In addition, Sun Princess will boast an innovative new type of "cabana cabin" along the ship's extra-wide 10th deck, which will come with access to a private deck area (sort of a riff on the Havana-class cabins found on a handful of Carnival Cruise Line ships). Plus, the top deck of the ship is getting some unusual-for-Princess sizzle with the addition of a glass-dome-topped pool area that will transform into a nightspot after the sun goes down.

    Related: A sneak peek inside Sun Princess under construction

    Other notable differences between Sun Princess and earlier Princess ships include the lack of a buffet restaurant on its main pool deck. Don't worry, buffet lovers: There will still be a buffet-like venue on the ship. It will be eight decks below the pool deck, closer to the ship's central piazza and just off the ship's outside promenade.

    The ship's main theater, to be called the Princess Arena, will also have a new look. Its new-for-Princess in-the-round shape can be converted into a more traditional proscenium-type theater or a keyhole-type theater to allow for different types of productions.

    The ship's three-deck-high piazza called the Sun Princess Piazza, is getting an upgrade, too, with a new circular shape, a stage that pops up from the center of the floor for performances and a giant, three-deck-high moveable LED screen that will play a role in evening productions in the space.

    Among other standout venues, Sun Princess will feature a secret hideaway for magical performances designed in partnership with the Magic Castle performance venue in Los Angeles. Kids should love the new-for-Princess fun zone called Park19, featuring a ropes course and what's being billed as the first roll glider at sea, an electric ride that goes up to 11 mph.

    Sun Princess initially will sail in Europe through the fall before repositioning to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, for voyages to the Caribbean. Fares start at $467 per person, not including taxes and fees, for a five-night Caribbean sailing.

    Maiden voyage: May 10

    It's been a long time coming, but storied cruise line Cunard is finally launching a new ship. Built to an all-new design for the 183-year-old brand, the 3,000-passenger Queen Anne will be Cunard's first new vessel in 14 years an unusually long period for any line to go without a new ship.

    Queen Anne, notably, will embrace the latest trends of travel and cruising in a way that Cunard ships haven't done before, including a new focus on choice in dining and entertainment, wellness and onboard celebrations.

    The ship will offer 15 different places to grab a bite, more than double the number on the line's other ships. The options will include Aji Wa, a new restaurant concept for Cunard that will serve Japanese cuisine influenced by the seasons of the year. Also new for Cunard will be Aranya, an Indian eatery; Sir Samuel's, a high-end steakhouse; and Tramonto, which will serve Mediterranean dishes.

    Wellness-focused areas will include a new-for-the-line, glass-enclosed Wellness Studio at the top of the ship that will offer classes in yoga, Pilates, Zumba and line dancing during the day and ballroom dancing classes at sunset.

    A new juice bar and a cafe near the main pool will serve healthy dishes, and the ship's spa is being built as a temple to wellness. It'll offer a sprawling thermal pool complex that includes eight heated loungers, four experiential showers, a reflexology footpath with textured stones flowing with hot water, a cold room (a first for Cunard), a large steam room, a Himalayan salt sauna and a traditional sauna. A relaxation room and wellness suite will round out the offerings.

    Related: Peek inside Queen Anne under construction

    On the celebrations front, Queen Anne will have a lounge specifically designed for weddings that spills into an indoor reception room and, just beyond, a new-for-the-line private rooftop terrace space for wedding and vow renewal receptions.

    Other notable features of the ship will include an expanded Commodore Club observation lounge and a main pool area (The Pavilion) topped with a retractable glass roof designed to be as much a showpiece as a functional structure.

    Not everything about Queen Anne will be different from previous Cunard ships. A lot will be familiar. As is always the case for Cunard vessels, Queen Anne will have a soaring Grand Lobby with a cascading staircase where you can take selfies in your formal night splendor. That staple of all Cunard ships, the ballroom known as the Queens Room, is also making a comeback.

    Queen Anne initially will sail in Europe before setting off on an around-the-world cruise in January 2025. Fares start at $449 per person, not including taxes and fees, for a quick two-night cruise from Hamburg, Germany, to Southampton, England. Seven-night sailings in Europe start at $849 per person, not including taxes and fees.

    Maiden voyage: June 27

    The newest ship for the luxury line Silversea Cruises is a sister to the brand's recently unveiled Silver Nova a groundbreaking vessel that has been turning heads since it debuted in August.

    Like Silver Nova, Silver Ray will be bigger than Silversea's previous ships and feature an unusual, asymmetrical design for its public decks that reorients its key features toward the sides of the ship instead of the center. Whether you're floating in the ship's main pool or dining at its open-air Marquee restaurant, you'll be looking out at the sea (or whatever destination the ship is visiting) like you've never been able to before.

    Silver Ray's pool area, in particular, will be striking, as is the pool area on Silver Nova. The long and narrow pool won't be in the middle of the deck but offset to its starboard side, and it'll be oriented to face outward to the sea. Nearly all the lounge chairs around the pool will face in the same direction toward the sea, too.

    Related: The 5 best destinations you can visit on a Silversea ship

    As we wrote about in our recent first look at Silver Nova, part of what makes this new outward-facing orientation for these ships so magical is that they don't have any structures rising from the starboard sides of their pool decks. Passengers floating in the pools on these ships or lounging on nearby lounge chairs get an unobstructed view of the sea off the starboard side.

    Silver Ray's asymmetrical design will also be evident at two food and beverage venues at the top of the vessel both new-for-Silversea concepts that first debuted in August on Silver Nova.

    The first, Marquee, will be an alfresco dining venue that is also off-center, with an orientation that offers commanding views of the sea from the ship's port side. It'll be home to The Grill, Silversea's signature outdoor "hot rocks" dining venue, and also double as the ship's Spaccanapoli pizza outlet. The second venue, The Dusk Bar, will be an open-air sky bar at the back of the vessel that, like Marquee, is positioned on the port side of the ship.

    Additional dining venues on board will include versions of Silversea's main signature restaurant La Terrazza, French eatery La Dame, seafood eatery Atlantide and sushi outlet Kaiseki.

    In addition to asymmetry in many areas, one thing that will be particularly noticeable about Silver Ray is its spaciousness something it will share with Silver Nova. At 54,700 tons, the two ships are about 34% bigger than Silversea's last three new vessels Silver Muse, Silver Moon and Silver Dawn but they are designed to hold only about 22% more passengers. That gives them significantly more space per passenger.

    With every berth filled, Silver Ray will sail with 728 passengers the same as Silver Nova and just 132 more than the three earlier Silversea vessels.

    The extra space on the two vessels has allowed Silversea to expand its lineup of cabin categories, with more large suites. As is always the case with Silversea ships, every cabin on the ship will be a suite. But Silver Ray and Silver Nova offer new premium aft suites, including a massive 1,324-square-foot complex called the Otium Suite.

    Even the smallest cabins on Silver Ray will measure at least 357 square feet, which is unusually large for a cruise ship cabin.

    Silver Ray will initially sail in Europe before repositioning to North America in December 2024 for winter sailings to South America and the Caribbean. Fares start at $4,600 per person, including transfers, for a nine-night South America sailing out of Panama City.

    Maiden voyage: July 22

    Royal Caribbean's second new ship of the year will be a giant, too, though not quite as big as Icon of the Seas. The sixth and final vessel in the line's groundbreaking Oasis Class of ships, Utopia of the Seas is expected to carry up to around 6,700 passengers and measure around 237,000 tons, which would place it just behind Icon of the Seas as the world's second-biggest cruise ship.

    Like the five earlier Oasis Class ships (the newest of which, Wonder of the Seas, is the current size leader in the cruise world), Utopia of the Seas will be loaded with lots of family-focused attractions, including multiple main pool areas, a kiddie splash zone, surfing simulators, a miniature golf course, a basketball court and even a zip line. And that's just on its top deck.

    Inside the vessel, you'll find more lounges, bars, restaurants and shops than you can imagine, plus a huge casino, spas and theaters with Broadway-style shows.

    As with earlier Royal Caribbean ships, it'll even have an indoor ice-skating rink.

    In design and features, Utopia of the Seas will be nearly identical to Royal Caribbean's last new Oasis Class ship, Wonder of the Seas, which debuted in 2022. Like that vessel, it'll have a dedicated suite area with a private lounge, restaurant and sun deck something not found on the four earlier Oasis Class ships.

    Utopia of the Seas will be based in Port Canaveral, Florida, for short three- and four-night sailings to the Bahamas. Fares start at $431 per person, not including taxes and fees, for a three-night sailing.

    Related: Why Royal Caribbean is about to own the market for short cruises from Florida

    Maiden voyage: Aug. 19

    The world's newest cruise line, three-month-old Explora Journeys, is doubling in size in 2024 with the addition of Explora 2.

    Designed for 922 passengers, the high-end vessel will be an almost identical sister to Explora 1, the line's first ship, which debuted in August. It will similarly target the luxury market.

    Like Explora 1, the new ship will offer oceanfront suites, penthouses and residences designed to be "homes at sea," and it'll be packed with upscale amenities. They will include 10 distinct culinary experiences, 10 indoor and outdoor bars and lounges, four swimming pools, outdoor deck areas with private cabanas, wellness facilities and entertainment.

    A creation of the deep-pocketed MSC Group, which already owns MSC Cruises, Explora Journeys plans to launch at least six of the superluxurious vessels by 2028, with the first four being roughly the same size and the last two being even bigger.

    In just a few years, that'll give Explora Journeys a bigger capacity than such well-known luxury cruise operators as Seabourn and the recently relaunched Crystal.

    Explora Journeys is competing in the same upscale cruise space as Seabourn and Crystal, as well as luxury lines like Viking, Silversea and The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection. It's run completely separately from its sister brand, MSC Cruises, which caters to a mass-market audience.

    Explora 2 will initially sail in the Mediterranean before repositioning to North America for the winter. Fares start at $4,275 per person, not including taxes and fees, for a seven-night Caribbean sailing.

    Maiden voyage: Dec. 21

    Disney Cruise Line is shifting into growth mode again with the unveiling of Disney Treasure, its second new ship in two years (after a 10-year period where Disney didn't unveil a single vessel). Due at the end of 2024, it's coming out in relatively quick succession to Disney Wish, a similarly designed ship that arrived in 2022.

    Like Disney Wish, Disney Treasure is part of Disney's new Triton Class of vessels, and it'll share many of the same features and layout as its older sister. But it will be far from an exact copy. Disney has announced quite a few major changes for Disney Treasure, including the addition of an all-new Mexican restaurant called Plaza de Coco that is themed around the events of the "Coco" movie. It replaces the "Frozen-" themed eatery on Disney Wish.

    There also will be a new Haunted Mansion-themed bar that will replace the "Star Wars-" themed Hyperspace Lounge on Disney Wish.

    Other new venues include Jumbeaux's Sweets, an ice cream parlor and candy shop inspired by Jumbeaux's Cafe in the movie "Zootopia," and Skipper Society, a new bar inspired by Disney's Jungle Cruise ride and its wisecracking skippers. At the latter, which will be located where The Bayou is on Disney Wish, passengers will find a menu of themed cocktails and light snacks, such as waffles.

    Yet another new drinks venue is Periscope Pub, inspired by Jules Verne's "Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Seas" (and Disney's 1954 movie version of the book and theme park attraction). It will replace Wish's Keg & Compass as Disney Treasure's sports bar. The bar is designed to look like the Nautilus submarine from the story, complete with a giant periscope, porthole windows and a ceiling designed to look like you're underwater.

    Disney is also launching a new Broadway-style musical on Disney Treasure, "Disney The Tale of Moana." The show will feature popular songs and characters from the animated movie and mark the first time Disney has brought the story of Moana to the stage.

    The ship's two other main shows, "Beauty and the Beast" and "Disney Seas the Adventure," are repeats from earlier Disney ships.

    Read more from the original source:
    The 8 best new cruise ships launching in 2024 - The Points Guy

    Pendo CEO Olson withdraws plans for Topsail Island – Business North Carolina - December 3, 2023 by Mr HomeBuilder

    Todd Olson, the chief executive officer of Raleigh software company Pendo, says he has withdrawn plans to develop the southern end of Topsail Island.

    We are extremely disappointed to get to this point after two years, but we do not believe that a successful outcome is possible based on the current process, said Olson in a statement to Business North Carolina.

    Olson said there are three options for the property, known as The Point: a permanent conservancy by the community or town, a larger scale development by a professional development group, or a low-impact private development like the one his family proposed.

    The proposal was for single-family homes on 24 acres of a 150-acre area. The plan included six single-family dwellings, access roads, a swimming pool and cabana, a maintenance building and garage, a beach shelter, a gazebo and uncovered deck, and an elevated pier with six boat lifts.

    Olson said he signed a letter of intent with the NC Coastal Land Trust to establish a conservation easement on at least 80% of the land. He also took feedback from both residents and town officials and updated his plans and drawings to reduce the impact on the land to less than 4% impervious surfaces.

    We have listened, iterated, and stayed patient through a very tedious and lengthy process that unfortunately still remains far from complete two years later, said Olson in his statement.

    Topsail Beach, located south of Surf City, has a population of about 460 full-time residents. The proposed development was opposed by some in the community who believed it would harm the environment. Olson expressed frustration in dealing with local politicians.

    Despite our repeated requests for time to discuss the details of our rezoning request and come up with solutions together, the Commissioners refused to meet with us one-on-one and routinely passed us off to the Towns staff and external planning consultant, he said in the statement. Meanwhile, we understand the Commissioners directly conversed with members of the community who opposed our plans. This one-sided behavior has led to confusion and an unending set of proposed conditions.

    The land that Olson wanted to develop is currently zoned as a conservation district, and its located within an inlet hazard and Coastal Barrier Resources Act area.

    A nonprofit called Conserve The Point has said its interested in acquiring the property, which went on the market in 2019 for $7.9 million.

    The Topsail Beach planning board voted unanimously against conditional rezoning back in May.

    We invested the time, money, and energy to find a solution to protecting an area of the world we love, said Olson. But solving problems requires collaboration, which the Town appears to have been unwilling to do. We have no choice but to withdraw our application.

    Pendo is among the states most promising technology companies. Its market value has been estimated to be more than $2.5 billion. Olson cofounded the company in 2013.

    View post:
    Pendo CEO Olson withdraws plans for Topsail Island - Business North Carolina

    Newly listed homes for sale in the Marion area – McDowell News - December 3, 2023 by Mr HomeBuilder

    New Custom Log home. 24/7 secured Rumbling Bald Resort with golf courses, lake, marina, indoor & outdoor pools, tennis/pickleball courts, spa, sauna, exercise equip, wooded trails, restaurants & robust activities calendar for members. Excellent entertainment home. Main level features primary living quarters & attached garage w/ open floor plan, soaring vaulted beamed ceilings, huge great room /dining area, chef kitchen w/ granite countertops, walk in pantry, laundry room, primary suite with his/her walk in closets & adjoining bath, separate Den & guest bath, complete w/ outside deck/grill area. Lower level has gorgeous 10 designer tiled ceilings, oversized windows w/ quartz sills, full kitchen w/ quartz countertop, living room, large recreation room, washer/dryer room, 2 bedrooms & bath, huge office w/ separate outside entryway & high speed internet avail. Builder envisioned lower level (sound insulated from primary) to be used for entertaining or short-term rent. A must see!

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    Continue reading here:
    Newly listed homes for sale in the Marion area - McDowell News

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