If you are a “frequent” Caribbean traveler, it’s likely that you’re a member of some kind of rewards club or have a special travel credit card. But not all such credit cards are created equal — and some may be far better for those making regular trips to the islands of the Caribbean. We’ve investigated the top options for travelers to the region, and found four cards that offer the most rewards (and optionality) for you. You just have to decide what’s more important – saving on flights or saving on hotels. We’ve ranked the best credit cards for those traveling to the Caribbean in 2017.

JetBlue Card from Barclaycard

JetBlue is no longer working on a card with American Express, meaning this is your new best option: the JetBlue Mastercard from Barclaycard. It includes some great features, ranging from no foreign transaction fees (a huge plus in the Caribbean) to 50 percent inflight savings on cocktails and food purchases on JetBlue flights to 3x points on JetBlue purchases. (That’s along with 2x points at grocery stores and restaurants).

You can redeem points for any seat at any time on JetBlue operated flights, meaning no blackout dates — and points awarded to your TrueBlue account don’t expire.

It’s a natural for consideration, given that JetBlue is the fastest growing airline in the Caribbean.

The Ritz-Carlton Rewards Credit Card

If you stay at luxury resorts in the Caribbean, this Visa card will be a big boost.

The perks are numerous: first, you get three complimentary nights at any tier 1-4 Ritz-Carlton hotel after you spend $5,000 in the first three months after opening your account.

Even better? You also get 5x points at any participating Ritz-Carlton hotel including brands like JW Marriott, Edition, Autograph Collection Hotels (think Atlantis, for example), Renaissance and Marriott Hotels. Other benefits include 2x points on airline tickets and at restaurants and car rental firms. This credit card also has no foreign transaction fees.

Citi AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard

Citi has partnered on four credit cards with American Airlines, but this is the top-level option. The Executive World Elite edition offers you the chance to earn 50,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000 in the first three months after opening your account. There is $450 annual fee, though, which is definitely something to think about. But that’s potentially offset by this card’s part piece: Admiral’s Club membership, giving you access to more than 50 global lounges and up to two guests. With Admiral’s Club day passes at $50, regular travelers could see this pay big dividends. Also included? Priority check-in and early boarding, along with a $100 statement credit every five years for your application fee for Global Entry or TSA Pre.

You also get 10,000 elite qualifying miles for every $40,000 you spend each year, with 2x miles on all eligible AA purchases.

Thanks to AA’s recent changes, accumulating miles means more in the Caribbean, with reward travel comparatively favorable in the Caribbean than some of the carrier’s other markets.

And then there are other inclusions, like lost baggage protection that can refund the purchase price of missing items or the cost to repair damaged items, and worldwide travel accident insurance.

Hilton HHonors Surpass American Express Card

The best Amex option for Caribbean travelers, this card is a great option, especially for those heading to the region for business travel. The annual fee is just $75, and you get 75,000 Hilton HHonors Bonus Points after you spend $3,000 on the card in within your first three months of becoming a member. Then there are the other perks: complimentary gold status; 12x Hilton Hhonors bonus points for any purchase at a hotel or resort in the Hilton portfolio; 6x Hilton Hhonors points for spending at restaurants, supermarkets and gas stations in the U.S., and 3x Hilton Hhonors points for all other purchases, among other features. Hilton has seven hotels in the Caribbean under the Hilton brand alone, along with several more under the Waldorf-Astoria, Curio, Conrad, DoubleTree and Embassy Suites brands.

The post The Best Travel Credit Cards for the Caribbean in 2017 appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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The new Firefly Villas beachfront home community has officially broken ground in the Grenadines.

St. Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves oversaw the ceremony in Bequia, which marks the start of construction on the residences.

The project is located in a 15-acre private enclave on a tropical plantation in Bequia.

Each of the residences will offer views across the beach, sea and plantation.

Firefly Villas is being developed by Bequia Development Ltd in association with Firefly Hotel Bequia and Firefly Hotel Mustique.

Buyers will year-round villa maintenance and in-villa hotel services, along with the option of placing homes in a rental pool.

The residences have been designed by Swedish architect Olle Rex.

Villas are priced beginning at $630,000.

“St Vincent & the Grenadines offers the opportunity to invest while enjoying a relaxing and rewarding way of life, something that, through this project, will be made available to investors from abroad, while providing local employment, stimulating the local economy, and generating additional revenue for the government,” said John Bowers, an executive at Bequia Development.

7th Heaven Properties has the listing on the residences.

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Leonardo DiCaprio’s highly-anticipated Caribbean hotel project is moving forward.

Blackadore Caye, set on a private island off the coast of Belize, will aim to set a new standard for green hospitality and local ecosystem restoration.

For the last six months, DiCaprio and his team have been gathering feedback from local stakeholders and citizens on the original project design, developers said.

The final design reflects that input, including even the removal of overwater structures which “garnered great design acclaim but caused concern for just a few local environmentalists,” according to the project.

Caribbean Journal has received the latest renderings by design firm Denniston.

As it stands, Blackadore Caye will feature 36 resort bungalows and 36 estate homes.

All of the project’s power will be sourced from renewable energy, while water will be provided through rainwater collection and onsite water treatment.

The island’s infrastructure has been designed under a “unique conservation framework developed by top biologists and ecologists,” who have reportedly studied ways to support and enhance the island’s habitat and biodiversity.

Developers will also replant mangrove, replacing invasive species with native species and enhancing soil and habitat.

The project was first announced in the spring of 2015.

DiCaprio first purchased the island in 2005.

The post Leonardo DiCaprio’s Caribbean Hotel Moving Forward appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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A huge new water park has debuted in the Dominican Republic’s tourism capital.

Hotel giant Riu has opened its first-ever water park, with the debut of the Splash Water World in Punta Cana.

The $3.5 million complex is accessible at no charge to guests staying at any of the five Riu hotels in Punta Cana.

The family-friendly park includes everything from the Body Vortex, a closed body slide that shoots guests towards the pool; the Kamikaze, with drops from various heights; and a “free-fall slide.”

There are also unique sections of the park for kids.

The park is open free for guests staying at any Riu hotel in the area, including Riu Palace Punta Cana; Riu Palace Macao; Riu Palace Bavaro; Riu Naiboa and ClubHotel Riu Bambu.

— Caribbean Journal Staff

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Norwegian Epic, one of the company’s largest ships, has arrived in Port Canaveral for the winter season.

Epic will be sailing a series of Eastern and Western Caribbean and Bahamas itineraries ranging from three, four, six and seven days.

The ship had spent the past year in Europe, where it underwent an extensive renovation.

“We saw great success in Port Canaveral when we returned to the port last year with Norwegian Spirit, so we felt it made sense to take our commitment to the next level by bringing Norwegian Epic, one of our largest and most awarded ships, to sail from the greater Orlando area,” said Andy Stuart, president and chief executive officer of Norwegian Cruise Line. “Norwegian Epic revolutionized the cruise industry when she debuted in 2010 and she arrives today in Port Canaveral a nearly new ship, having undergone extensive renovations through the Norwegian Edge program, and will offer a variety of itineraries varying in length and ports of call.”

Epic’s seven-day Caribbean itineraries will include stops in Tortola, St. Thomas and Great-Stirrup Cay, Bahamas.

Its Western Caribbean itineraries will stop in Cozumel, Grand Cayman, Ocho Rios and Great Stirrup Cay.

“Port Canaveral is the proud new homeport for Norwegian Epic and our goal is to provide excellent customer service for our cruise guests, which is what Norwegian Cruise Line has come to expect of us,” said John Murray, chief executive officer of Port Canaveral.

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