By Alexander Britell

FORT LAUDERDALE – Viking Ocean Cruises is planning a major expansion of its cruise fleet, the company announced.

Viking has announced a new agreement with shipbuilder Ficantieri that could mean six additional ships by 2027.

The news was revealed during the Seatrade conference in Fort Lauderdale this week.

The ships will be delivered in 2024, 2025, 2026 and 2027.

“When we launched our first ocean ship in 2015, we set out to reinvent ocean cruising. We focus on the destination, and we do not cram our ships with gimmicks and waterslides. Our understated, elegant, award-winning ships are designed to simply enable our guests to better explore their destination,” said Torstein Hagen, Chairman of Viking. “In our first two years of operation, we have been named the #1 Ocean Cruise Line, and this new order speaks to the positive response we have received from our guests and the industry. As we continue to expand our brand, we look forward to bringing guests to more destinations around the world and introducing them to the Viking way of exploration.”

Viking’s current fleet includes six ships, with two more ships in the next two years.

The plan is for a total of 16 ships by 2027.

Viking Ocean Cruises sails around the world, including the Caribbean.

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By the Caribbean Journal staff

It isn’t just the most popular destination in the Caribbean for tourists – it’s the most popular destination for hotel investors, too.

The Dominican Republic continued its hotel boom in 2017, with 12 new resorts having opened in the 2017 calendar year, according to new data from the country’s government.

Overall, the Dominican Republic increased its hotel stock by some 8,360 rooms, bringing the country’s total hotel stock to a total of 82,000.

There are another 13,000 new rooms under construction as well, according to a statement from Dominican Republic President Danilo Medina, while another 3,600 more are under renovation.

It’s the reason why one of the Caribbean’s leading resort companies, Apple Leisure Group, is bullish on the Dominican Republic right now.

— CJ

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By the Caribbean Journal staff

St Barth’s post-Irma tourism comeback has continued with the relaunch of the boutique Villa Marie Saint Barth.

The 23-room property from French hotelier Jocelyne Sibuet officially reopened this week.

The Flamands-area hotel has also added two new villas: the two-bedroom Villa Saline and the two-bedroom Villa Colombier.

Villa Marie is a mix of bungalows and villas, some with private pools, and all with either sea or garden views.

It’s the latest property to reopen in St Barth, following other St Barth hotels including Tom Beach, Les Ilets de la Plage and Hotel Le Village, among others.

The post St Barth’s Villa Marie Is Open Again appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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There’s a bit of everything in the St Lawrence Gap of Barbados: fish shacks, beach bars, nightclubs, restaurants, artists, characters and rum shops.

It’s the bustling, ever-energetic, colorful corner of the south coast of Barbados, a slice of life and a necessary stop on any trip to the island.

But there’s something hidden away here, a well-guarded secret that’s one of the island’s best places to stay.

It’s called the Ocean Two Resort and Residences, and it’s a modern, beautifully furnished resort right on a wonderful stretch of south coast beach.

It’s long been a favorite among travelers in the know, thanks to some of the most modern rooms on the island, terrific service and, well, a hard to beat location in the heart of the Gap.

But now the secret’s out.

For more information, visit Ocean Two.

— CJ

The post VIDEO: Checking in to Barbados’ Ocean Two Resort appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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By the Caribbean Journal staff

The British Virgin Islands’ Mango Bay Resort on the island of Virgin Gorda has announced plans to reopen.

Mango Bay has officially relaunched its reconstruction project, with plans to open for the tourist season of 2019, according to a statement on Facebook.

Before its closure, Mango Bay contained a mix of six villas, including two on the beach.

“As time passes we will keep all of our guests and friends updated on our progress,” the property said.

The post British Virgin Islands’ Mango Bay to Reopen in 2019 appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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