By the Caribbean Journal staff

The highly-anticipated Virgin Voyages just crossed a major threshold.

It’s officially open for business.

Sir Richard Branson’s new adults-only cruise line launched bookings on Thursday for its new-build Scarlet Lady ship, which will be sailing out of PortMiami beginning in 2020.

The ship’s inaugural season will run from April 1 to Oct. 25, 2020.

A rendering of the Scarlet Lady ship.

“I’ve dreamed of starting my own cruise line since I was in my 20’s, and now the launch is finally getting close,” said Richard Branson, Founder of Virgin Voyages. “We have taken the time to think about every detail and craft an experience that brings the Virgin brand to life and disrupts the travel industry.”

Virgin Voyages also announced another new destination: the island of Bimini in The Bahamas, just 50 miles from Miami, where it will run the “Beach Club at Bimini” Virgin Voyages experience.

Bimini joins three other ports of call that have already been announced: Puerto Plata in the Dominican Republic, Costa Maya on the Caribbean coast of Mexico and Havana, Cuba.

Virgin is looking to change the look of cruise ships.

Virgin has designed the new Beach Club at Bimini was designed with Miami-based architects EOA, with a large lagoon-style pool overlooking the ocean.

Virgin has also announced that Grammy winner Mark Ronson has been named the “founding DJ” for the Beach Club.

A look at The Beach Club at Bimini.

Virgin Voyages is looking to disrupt the cruise industry, from colorful, inventive design to new kinds of on-ship amenities from tattoo parlors to festival-style music events by popular producers and artists.

The company also said food would be free across the 20-plus eateries onboard the ship, along with complimentary group fitness classes, no gratuities or service charges, free Wi-Fi and free “basic” beverages like soda, sparkling water and coffee.

“At Virgin Voyages we are going beyond just great design, to defy and redefine luxury to be rebellious luxe,” said Tom McAlpin, President and CEO of Virgin Voyages. “This new luxury is about knowing you are taken care of, that you’re never being nickel and dimed, and what you want, even some of the things you didn’t know you wanted, are already taken care of for you.”

For more, visit Virgin Voyages.

— CJ

The post Virgin Voyages Launches Bookings, Reveals Bimini as New Destination appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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By Dana Niland
CJ Contributor

Eleven years after its inception, Miami’s best rum festival is heading back to its roots.

This year’s Miami Rum Festival will return to Coral Gables, with two days of tasting of rums from around the globe — along with seminars by industry leaders and cocktail demonstrations.

“Rum is a spirit that brings people together,” said Robert Burr, festival organizer and producer of Robs Rum Guide and the Rum Minute YouTube channel. “Our mission is to help our friends learn about rum, learn how to taste rum, understand rum and shine a light on the very best rums in the world. We are experiencing a rum renaissance of epic proportions, with so many fine rums coming to market. This is a chance to learn, and better appreciate, the fascinating spirit of rum.”

This year’s festival will take place May 17 and 18 at the historic Coral Gables Woman’s Club.

The festival has grown into South Florida’s premier rum event, with rum producers, collectors, enthusiasts and neophytes making the journey.

It’s a natural fit, given that Miami is the number one local rum market worldwide, with Florida the top U.S. market for rum overall.

The festival will begin for trade members and VIPs at 2PM on Friday, with the festival opening to the general public at 4PM.

The following day will see VIP admission at 2PM and then open to the general public at 4PM.

For more, visit the Miami Rum Festival.

— CJ

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Sometimes we just want some time to ourselves.

And thats where the adults-only resort comes in.

But the concept of the adults-only resort has diversified in recent years. Today, adults-only resorts have moved beyond simply being enclaves of quiet and tranquility, beyond dedicated wings in a megaresort. They’re all about experiences, about allowing you the freedom to relax or to be active — or both.

The modern adults-only resort can be anything from an energetic escape to an adventure hotel in the heart of a rainforest — and everything in between.

What do they all have in common? They’re still just for you and yours.

In other words, they’re the vacation that we all need from time to time.

Here are five must-visit adults-only resorts to try in the Caribbean right now, from more “traditional” adults-only options to tiny island boutiques to, well, you’ll see.

Beach House, Turks and Caicos While the Turks and Caicos Islands is as relaxed and tranquil a destination as there is in the Caribbean, you can still up the ante with a full-fledged adults-only resort. Enter the 21-suite Beach House, a Grace Bay boutique resort that’s all about an intimate ambience, from beach butler service to two on-site eateries and two bars. (Guests also get access to the Alexandra and the Blue Haven resorts).

The post 7 Adults-Only Resorts to Try Right Now appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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By Dana Niland
CJ Contributor

One of the Bahamas’ most venerable eateries is getting a new injection of culinary energy.

Atlantis Paradise Island has named Chef Alessio Pitzalis as the new Head Chef of its Café Martinique restaurant.

Pitzalis will guide a “comprehensive epicurean experience” for the anticipated update of the fine-dining concept, which is set to debut this month.

The decades-old eatery is perhaps best known for a visit by James Bond in the 1965 film “Thunderball.”

“We are pleased to welcome Chef Alessio Pitzalis to lead Café Martinique’s evolution as one of the leading culinary concepts in The Bahamas,” said Bryan O’Shields, Senior Vice President of Food & Beverage at Atlantis, Paradise Island. “He is a veteran in the culinary field and exudes passion, precision and forethought. Alessio’s acute taste for global flavors and fluency in local produce will shape Café Martinique as a paramount dining experience for our discerning guests.”

As Head Chef of Café Martinique, Pitzalis will apply his expertise in Mediterranean-Italian cuisine to oversee the revised culinary concept.

He comes to Atlantis with more than 15 years of experience and residencies in some of the world’s most renowned kitchens, including Ristorante Andreini in Alghero, Italy; Piazza Rossa in Moscow, Russia; Columbia Beach Resort in Cyprus; and Address Montgomerie in Dubai.

Originally from the Italian island of Sardinia, Chef Pitzalis will be leveraging cultural influences from both his home country and his international travels. 

He said he is aiming to infuse a unique taste of The Bahamas to guest palates through relationships with local producers and farmers and foraging for the most exclusive island bounty available.

Opening February 2019, Café Martinique will be Atlantis’ newest and only elevated dining concept to feature a plant-forward menu. 

With a commitment to using ingredients available only on Paradise Island & Nassau, dishes will strike a Mediterranean-Bahamian balance with inspiration from the coastal regions of France, Morocco, Italy and the Middle East.

— CJ

The post Atlantis Paradise Island’s Cafe Martinique Gets a New Chef appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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