By the Caribbean Journal staff

The Atlantis Paradise Island megaresort on Paradise Island is expanding its marine programs to coincide with World Oceans Day.

The new aquatic adventures include a five-day marine adventure summer camp; a twilight snorkel program that will allow guests to swim with more than 20,000 sea creatures in the Ruins Lagoon at the property; and the Playtime With Sea Lions program, which will let guests “discover the many behaviors in and out of the water” of the sea lions who came to the resort’s Dolphin Cay after they were rescued during Hurricane Katrina.

The most fascinating is almost certainly the twilight snorkel, which will take place at 7:45 PM daily, giving guests the opportunity to spend their evenings with Atlantis “Aquarists” and take an underwater guided tour of the lagoon.

The Ruins Lagoon houses more than 2.7 million gallons of ocean water and marine animals, ranging from sharks and rays to deep-reef fish.

The snorkel takes 45 minutes.

“It is such a rewarding feeling knowing that we are able to continue to make a difference within our country and local community by offering programming that supports both our marine education mission and the protection of our natural resources,” said Michelle Liu, Senior Vice President of Marine & Waterpark Operations at Atlantis, Paradise Island. “Whether we participate in coral reef out planting trips to help re-build damaged reefs, take guests out to the ocean for sea turtle releases or rehabilitate marine mammals on-property, conservation and sustainability is always top of mind.”

— CJ

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By the Caribbean Journal staff

Caribbean Journal took home one of the Caribbean’s most prestigious travel media awards at a gala dinner in New York this week.

Caribbean Journal editor-in-chief Alexander Britell won the CTO’s Virtual Visitor Award for his article, “Following Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in Bimini,” a chronicle of bonefishing with legendary guide Ansil Saunders, who hosted Dr. King during his visit to the island in 1968.

Britell accepts the award at the Caribbean Tourism Industry Awards.

“It is a tremendous honor to win this award,” Britell said in a statement following the Caribbean Tourism Industry Awards at the New Yorker Hotel. “I am humbled to have been chosen by the Caribbean Tourism Organization and so grateful to be able to celebrate this story.”

The mangroves of Bimini, featured in the award-winning story.

It is the third time Caribbean Journal and Britell have won the award.

See the article here.

— CJ

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By the Caribbean Journal staff

American Airlines is adding a new route to the Cayman Islands, Caribbean Journal has learned.

The company is launching new nonstop flights between Chicago-O’Hare and Grand Cayman’s Owen Roberts International Airport on Dec. 22.

Little Cayman in the Cayman Islands.

The new winter service will operate every Saturday through May 14, 2019, according to the carrier.

It’s another boost for a destination that has been seeing vastly expanded flight service from the United States.

— CJ

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By Alexander Britell

Saint Lucia’s locally-owned Bay Gardens Resorts has announced a major expansion.

The hotel collection has acquired the island’s Palm Haven Hotel, which will be renamed the Bay Gardens Marina Haven.

That 35-room property will become Bay Gardens’ fourth hotel in Saint Lucia, joining the Bay Gardens Inn, the Bay Gardens Hotel and the flagship Bay Gardens Beach Resort and Spa.

All of those resorts are Green Globe certified.

The Palm Haven.

“The hotel is in an incredible location,” said Sanovnik Destang, executive director of Bay Gardens Resorts. “It’s now our closest hotel to the Rodney Bay Marina, which is an exceptional facility for yachties as well as those looking to take advantage of numerous activities in the marina, from restaurants and bars to shopping.”

The newest addition to the portfolio will reopen in mid-July after undergoing a “soft renovation and staff training to align the property’s service delivery with Bay Gardens’ standards,” the company said in a statement to Caribbean Journal.

The Palm Haven will undergo a soft upgrade before reopening next month.

“There will be no reduction in staffing levels for Bay Gardens Marina Haven either during the period of renovation or upon its anticipated reopening in July,” Destang said.

The property is located within five minutes of the Bay Gardens Inn and Bay Gardens Hotel, and 10 minutes from the Bay Gardens Beach Resort.

Reduit Beach in Saint Lucia.

The Bay Gardens Beach Resort recently completed a renovation of its own, debuting a sleek new decor.

All guests at the Marina Haven will enjoy access to the Bay Gardens experience, from a set of six complimentary passes to the resort’s popular Splash Island Water Park, the use of beach chairs and the ability to charge spending across properties to their rooms.

The flagship Beach Resort is set on Reduit Beach, recently named one of the top beaches to visit in the Caribbean.

For more info, visit Bay Gardens.

— CJ

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By the Caribbean Journal staff

Sandals Resorts International has announced a major new partnership with global soccer powerhouse Real Madrid.

The partnership with the Real Madrid Foundation will implement the first-ever series of soccer clinics at Sandals’ Beaches Resorts in 2019.

Hosted in partnership with the Sandals Foundation, the educational and training programs will take place over two separate five-day periods in Negril from May 14-20 and in Turks and Caicos from May 22-28.

Each training session will feature “immersive instruction and sport values sessions by the Real Madrid Foundation coaches,” according to a statement.

“Partnering with Real Madrid Foundation presents a unique opportunity for us to bring local Caribbean children together with guests of the resorts, over the most popular sport in the world – soccer,” said Adam Stewart, Deputy Chairman of Sandals Resorts International. “Our work with the Sandals Foundation aims to improve the communities of the Caribbean, and this partnership is an exciting way for us to continue these efforts and facilitate bonds between visitors and locals alike.” For Andres Muntaner, Real Madrid Foundation’ Clinics Manager, “working with the Sandals Foundation is a new opportunity to educate the Caribbean kids using soccer for everyone.”

Beaches said it would be offering limited packages for guests aged 6-17 to participate.

— CJ

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