By the Caribbean Journal staff

Taking the time to plan your next career move? A Caribbean vacation is always a good way to start.

That seems to have been the plan this week for global basketball superstar and three-time NBA champion LeBron James, who spent this week vacationing on the island of Anguilla.

James, who was staying in a massive villa on Meads Bay, posted several times on Instagram documenting his getaway.

The Anguilla Tourist Board confirmed that James was staying in the ultra-luxe “Beach House Anguilla.” (Below and in cover photo).

The Beach House.

That was highlighted by video of his traveling companions jumping off a cliff in Anguilla’s Little Bay.

After doubts emerged that James, too, had made the jump, he posted video of himself making the cliff jump into the Caribbean water.

“Everyone asking me if I really jumped earlier from my story early on today, well here you go!”

Everyone asking me if I really jumped earlier from my story early on today, well here you go! Haters will say it’s fake(videoshopped). ????‍♂️. P.S excuse my language but it’s Still #BlackExcellence✊? #JamesGang?

A post shared by LeBron James (@kingjames) on Jun 28, 2018 at 8:18pm PDT

It’s a rather big boost for Anguilla, which was hit hard by Hurricane Irma and is still in the process of building back its tourism sector. Most of the destination’s top hotels (like the Belmond Cap Juluca) remain shuttered until the winter season.

The ATB got into the action on the major publicity opportunity, with the island’s tourist board replying to many of the comments on James’ posts.

James has long been a fan of the Caribbean, particularly The Bahamas, where he has regularly traveled over the years.

— CJ

The post LeBron James Vacations in Anguilla appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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By the Caribbean Journal staff

The JW Marriott brand is coming to Panama.

The Bahia Grand Panama, which first opened in 2011 as a Trump hotel, will be rebranded as a JW Marriott. It had been operating as an independent hotel.

Ithaca Capital, Hotel ToC and Marriott International signed the agreements to rebrand the property as a JW Marriott under a long-term management contract with Marriott.

“We are thrilled that our hotel will operate as a JW Marriott and we believe that this partnership, together with a talented team and spectacular hotel amenities, will be a success. We look forward to welcoming new and returning guests to this iconic property,” said Orestes Fintiklis, managing partner of Ithaca Capital.

The hotel is set in the tallest building in both Panama and Central America.

“Marriott International is proud to partner with Ithaca Capital for the re-launch of this iconic hotel in Panama City, a growing gateway city and a critical hub for Latin America. This hotel will represent the twelfth operating JW Marriott branded hotel in our region,” said Laurent de Kousemaeker, Chief Development Officer, Marriott International, Caribbean & Latin America Region.

The property has a total of 369 rooms and three restaurants, along with a large conference facility.

The post JW Marriott Opening in Panama appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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By Dana Niland
CJ Contributor

Windstar Cruises is homeporting one of its ships St. Maarten.

Beginning Dec. 1, the cruise line will homeport its Wind Surf cruise ship for seven-day cruises out of St Maarten.

Besides having the Wind Surf homeport on the Island weekly, Port St Maarten Management said they were also looking at accommodating the line’s Star Pride and Star Breeze vessels.

“We welcome this news especially catering to the homeporting segment of the cruise business,” Port St. Maarten Management said in a statement. “The spin off effect for the national economy will be great and we are happy to make this positive news announcement. It is the intention of the vessel to provision certain commodities on Island which is another benefit for attracting this type of business to St. Maarten.”

“Windstar Cruises offers high-end clientele and service along with an intimate experience. This is a niche market for destination St. Maarten,” said St Maarten Minister of Tourism & Economic Affairs Stuart Johnson.

“Destination St Maarten has homeporting experience,” he said. “We have the return of cruise ships, and now we must move forward in bringing back the homeporting business that we had before.”

“The Port is on the right track as they strategically move to a pre-Irma homeporting status,” he said. “This is another positive development for the country on the economic front and for the business community.”

The post Windstar to Homeport in St Maarten appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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