By the Caribbean Journal staff

Carnival Cruise Line has taken delivery of the 26th ship in its fleet: Carnival Horizon.

The new 3,954-passenger ship will sail a summer schedule of four-day Bermuda and eight-day Caribbean cruises from New York before shifting to Miami for a year-round program of six and eight-day Caribbean cruises beginning in September.

The new ship has a range of new amenities from the Dr. Seuss-themed WaterWorks aqua park to Bonsai Teppanyaki, Carnival’s first teppanyaki restaurant.

That’s along with Guy Fieri’s Guy’s Pig & Anchor Smokehouse and even a portfolio of four craft beers brewed right on board the ship.

It’s the second ship in Carnival’s new Vista-class range.

“Carnival Horizon is an absolutely stunning ship offering so many ways to ‘Choose Fun’ both inside and out,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line.  “In addition to the many exciting innovations previously introduced on Carnival Vista, Carnival Horizon offers some new one-of-a-kind features and attractions that make this ship truly special allowing our guests to create a lifetime of wonderful vacation memories.”

The post Carnival Takes Delivery of Its Newest Ship, Carnival Horizon appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

Powered by WPeMatico

By Guy Britton

One of the world’s best beaches. Impeccable service. Forward-thinking design. Modern luxury.

And oh yeah, it’s an adults-only, too.

This is the Bucuti & Tara Beach Resort, the coveted adults-only resort in Aruba that’s our favorite place to stay on the island.

While the story certainly begins on the world-class Eagle Beach, the Bucuti & Tara hits all the marks, from a high-tech check-in process to an impressive dining program that’s particularly good for guests looking for organic, natural food and even gluten-free cuisine.

And then there’s the hotel’s commitment to being green, with a broad eco program that ranges from solar water heating to energy-efficient rooms.

It all adds up to a truly impressive resort, one that sets a standard for the whole region.

See more in the latest Caribbean Journal video at the top of the page.

Or visit Bucuti & Tara.

— CJ

The post VIDEO: Aruba’s Adults-Only Bucuti & Tara Beach Resort appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

Powered by WPeMatico

By Alexander Britell

You’re just a few blocks from the Queen’s Staircase, tucked away at a table in a corner of a colonial mansion in Old Nassau, when the spread arrives.

Cookies and pastries, house-made bonbons; trays of miniature sandwiches, cucumber; salmon; a box of refined Mighty Leaf teas, from tropical green to Earl Grey.

This is afternoon tea at the Graycliff Hotel and Restaurant in Nassau, and it’s about as civilized a way to spend an afternoon as you’ll ever find.

Graycliff is a portal to another place and time, a remarkably tranquil retreat with impeccable service, and the hotel’s new Afternoon Tea program is the latest addition to a broad list that includes everything from cigar rolling lessons to chocolate-making.

Our suggestion? Add the optional glass of champagne to cap things off.

It’s a classic British tradition with a Bahamian twist, and a signature experience on any trip to Nassau.

For more information, visit Graycliff.

The post Afternoon Tea in Nassau appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

Powered by WPeMatico

By Alexander Britell

One of the Caribbean’s hottest destinations is getting a huge lift from American Airlines.

American Airlines is planning to add a second daily nonstop flight from Miami to Antigua beginning in December, a spokesperson for the airline confirmed to Caribbean Journal.

Antigua.

The second daily flight to Antigua will begin operating on Dec. 19, with service on a Boeing 737-800 aircraft, according to the company.

Galley Bay in Antigua.

It’s an endorsement of Antigua’s continued tourism growth, led by a burgeoning hotel development pipeline.

Indeed, a number of brands are either making their debut soon on the island or working on eventual launches in Antigua, from Elegant Hotels’ Hodges Bay to a new Waldorf Astoria project to a Marriott Autograph Collection resort.

Valley Church beach in Antigua.

Antigua has been one of the region’s fastest-growing destinations in recent years, both in arrivals and traveler interest, with a foundation made up of some of the region’s top all inclusive properties.

American Airlines also announced this week an expansion of service between Dallas Fort Worth and both Cancun and San Jose del Cabo in Mexico.

The post American Airlines Is Adding a Second Daily Flight to Antigua appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

Powered by WPeMatico

By the Caribbean Journal staff

There’s a new seafood market in Turks and Caicos, with a famous name.

It’s called the Bubba Gump Seafood Market, and the market is the product of five decades of Turks and Caicos fishing experience.

The brainchild of Dameko Dean, the first location of Bubba Gump is located in Providenciales’ Grace Bay, offering everything from conch to lobster to fresh fish and more.

“Our boats go out every day and bring back fresh stock,” the market told Caribbean Journal.

Grace Bay’s Bubba Gump is located in the Alliance Business Center across the street from Providenciales’ Alexandra Resort.

The market, which gets its name from the popular film Forrest Gump, is not related to the United States-based Bubba Gump Shrimp Co.

— CJ

The post Bubba Gump Comes to Turks and Caicos appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

Powered by WPeMatico