Royal Caribbean Cruises is going green in a major way.

The company has announced plans to power its newest class of ships with liquefied natural gas and introduce the use of fuel cell technology.

Royal Caribbean has signed a memorandum of understanding with shipbuilder Meyer Turku under the project name “Icon.”

The vessels will be delivered in the second quarters of 2022 and 2024, with plans to begin testing fuel cell technology on existing Oasis-class ships in 2017.

“With Icon class, we move further in the journey to take the smoke out of our smokestacks,” said Richard Fain, chairman and chief executive officer of Royal Caribbean Cruises, Ltd. “We are dedicated to innovation, continuous improvement, and environmental responsibility, and Icon gives us the opportunity to deliver against all three of these pillars.”

For now, Icon design elements are in the early stages, the company said, although they will likely accommodate 5,000 passengers.

“Our guests expect us to push every envelope we can,” said Michael Bayley, president and chief executive officer of Royal Caribbean International. “And on this new class of ship, we began by challenging ourselves to find a new approach to power and propulsion that is safe, reliable, and more energy-efficient than ever before.”

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Nassau and Paradise Island are “open for business” following Hurricane Matthew, according to the popular Bahamian destination’s promotion board.

The destination is now welcoming guests following last week’s storm, which pummeled much of the Bahamas with heavy rain and wind.

“Member hotels and resorts were well-prepared for the storm and sustained minimal damage. Clean-up efforts began immediately following the storm’s passing on Friday and Lynden Pindling International Airport (LPIA) reopened on Saturday with all airlines having now resumed their normal schedules,” the board said in a statement.

The destination’s largest resort, Atlantis, is open and receiving guests, after sustaining “minimal impact” due to the storm. The Cove at Atlantis is closed but set to reopen on Wednesday.

The Bahamas will be embarking on a major recovery effort after sustaining what Prime Minister Perry Christie called “utterly devastating” impact.

— CJ Staff

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The classic all-inclusive concept means everything you want in a vacation without having to take out your wallet. Often, though, that can also mean never leaving the hotel.

That’s why one resort in St. Lucia is reinventing the all-inclusive concept with a rather clever idea: combining dining options both inside and outside the hotel.

In the Bay Gardens Resort’s exclusive “Dine Around” all-inclusive program, guests get access to seven additional restaurants in nearby Rodney Bay Village — meaning the option of eating out up to three times on stays of seven days or more — and the cost of transportation is included, too.

It’s thanks to the work by the hotel to partner with restaurants in town like Fire Grill, Buzz Seafood & Grill, Elegance Cafe, Memories of Hong Kong, Rituals Sushi, Tapas on the Bay, Jacques Waterfront Dining and Spice of India, spreading the impact of all-inclusive visitors around the community.

It’s a novel concept, but this small hotel in St. Lucia may be on to something big.

— Caribbean Journal

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While Hurricane Matthew passed over Exuma as a Category 3 storm, Sandals’ Emerald Bay resort sustained just “superficial damage,” according to the company.

The resort never lost power and guests remained comfortable, Sandals said in a statement following the passage of the storm.

“Initial review suggests that the resort sustained superficial damage, but a complete assessment will take place as soon as possible,” the company said.

Sandals was and is very prepared,” said Sandals Resorts Chairman Gordon “Butch” Stewart. “Our hurricane management protocol and ability to generate power at every Sandals Resort, allows our team to remain in communication and to provide services critical during a storm like Matthew.”

— CJ Staff

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The joy of St. Barth is that, while it’s a tiny island, it’s full of tucked away spots, secluded beaches and romantic vistas. Just take a quick morning trip and you’ll have the sand all to yourself, like here at Marigot Beach.

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