While you were away: This week’s top travel stories

Apparently, the Ace Hotel and Instagram go together like cats and the Internet.

Thank you for flying with us
The top 10 airlines in the world were named this week at the 49th Farnborough International Airshow, CNN reports. Topping the list was Hong Kong-based Cathay Pacific Airlines which snatched the top spot from last year’s winner, Dubai-based Emirates. Not a single U.S. carrier was included on the list which means the voters have apparently never tried a Delta inflight wine-pairing.

Best for boats and body shots
Pretty much everything is more fun on a boat, in a bikini, on a lake. That explains Thrillist‘s recent release of its “America’s 10 Greatest Party Lakes” list. Among the winners was Lake Cumberland in Kentucky, which happens to be the Guinness World Records’ pick for largest boat tie-up—imagine 1,651 boats, jet skis, inflatables and other water crafts, plus about another 2,000 or so Woooohs! and Yeaahhhhs!

West California, anyone?
A proposal to split the Golden State into six different states (including Jefferson, Silicon Valley and West California among others) has gathered enough signatures to head to the ballot box in 2016, CBS reports. But given that this sounds more like the plot of a sci-fi thriller set in a dystopian future, perhaps all the signatures came from people who thought they’d land roles as extras.

Cruising for a bruising?
If you’re a cruise fan with a nicotine habit, lighting up on a ship balcony could now get you into trouble, according to the New York Times. Last week, Carnival Cruise Line and Norwegian Cruise Line announced they’ll ban passengers from lighting up on ship balconies. While the new policy might send a few nic-fitting passengers into a tizzy, both liners said they’re doing it to preserve the “health and well-being” of guests and crew. Fresh ocean breezes for everyone!

Say cheese!
Style site Birchbox created a list of the top 8 most “Instagrammable” hotels in the U.S. this week. Making the cut was celebrity hangout Le Parker Meridien in Palm Springs; Portland, Oregon’s hipster haven the Ace Hotel; and art museum/boutique hotel the 21c in Cincinnati, among others. What, our favorite local No Tell Motel didn’t make the cut?!?! Not cool, Birchbox.

Tagged: California, Cruise, Disney, Florida, Uncategorized