United Airlines is set for a major relaunch of its Caribbean service in November and December, Caribbean Journal has learned. 

The company plans to increase service on more than 40 Caribbean and Mexican “beach” routes in November.

In all, United is bring back or expanding service on 26 different routes in the wider Caribbean-Mexico region. 

That will include the resumption of service to six Caribbean destinations, including Antigua, Curacao, Grand Cayman, Nassau, Saint Lucia and Roatan. 

United will kick off its relaunch with a resumption of service from Newark to Nassau’s Lynden Pindling International Airport. 

That route will kick off with particular significance; on the same date, The Bahamas is launching new travel protocols that remove the need for a 14-day mandatory quarantine for visitors.  

That will be followed by the relaunch of flights from Newark to Grand Cayman and Antigua.

United will also be expanding its service to Cancun, Cozumel, Cabo San Lucas and Puerto Vallarta, while adding new service to Acapulco. 

“”For the month of November, we have adjusted our capacity to add flying for leisure travel to warm weather and beach destinations in Mexico and the Caribbean,” said Patrick Quayle, United’s vice president of International Network and Alliances. 

With the increase, United will be flying 44 percent of its schedule in November compared to the same month in 2019; that does represent a 4-point increase compared to October 2020, however. 

The increase comes as United recently launched three new routes to the Caribbean, with new service from Newark to St Thomas, US Virgin Islands and from both Washington and Chicago to San Juan, Puerto Rico. 

— CJ

The post United Airlines’ Big Caribbean Relaunch appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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The Bahamas is set to launch a new set of travel and testing protocols that would remove the country’s existing mandatory quarantine for visitors. 

Beginning Nov. 1, The Bahamas will remove the mandatory “vacation in place” requirements for all visitors, “enabling everyone to move about and explore the destination beyond the confines of their hotel or other accommodations,” the Ministry of Tourism said in a statement. 

The new protocols will require visitors, returning citizens and residents to obtain a negative result on an RT-PCR swab test no more than seven (7) days prior to their travel of The Bahamas. 

In addition, all travelers will take a rapid antigen test upon arrival in The Bahamas — and then again 96 hours after arrival in The Bahamas. (Children under 10 will be exempt from the antigen test requirement). 

All travelers will have to obtain a Bahamas Health Travel Visa before their trip, with the cost of the visa dependent on the length of stay. 

The rapid test will take place at approved ports of entry. 

For those arriving by air, antigen tests will take place in Nassau, Freeport, Marsh Harbour, North Eleuthera, Georgetown, Bimini and San Andros. 

For those arriving by sea, approved ports of entry include Nassau (Atlantis, Bay Street Marina, Lyford Cay, Albany and Nassau Yacht Haven); Grand Bahama (West End – Old Bahama Bay and Freeport – Lucaya); Abaco (Marsh Harbour Government Dock); Eleuthera (Spanish Wells Marina); Berry Islands (Chubb Cay Club); Bimini (Big Game Club and Cat Cay Club); Exuma (Georgetown Government Dock).

The rapid tests yield results in 20 minutes or less. 

Many hotel properties will provide relevant information on testing arrangements, while others will facilitate the required rapid test for their guests.  

All arrivals on yachts and other pleasure craft will be able to make arrangements for their required rapid tests at the port of entry or via the relevant site.

All other visitors, returning residents and citizens will be able to make arrangements for their required rapid tests at the port of entry or via the relevant website, according to the Ministry. 

“The Bahamas has remained diligent in its efforts to minimize the spread of COVID-19 throughout the islands, and these measures are imperative to ensure that remains the case,” the Ministry of Tourism said in a statement. “The health and wellbeing of both residents and visitors remain the number one priority of our public health officials.  It is important to note, however, that due to fluidity of the COVID-19 situation, both in The Bahamas and worldwide, protocols are subject to change.”

For more, visit The Bahamas.

— CJ

The post The Bahamas Is Launching New Travel and Testing Protocols for Visitors appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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The latest Caribbean Photo comes from Caribbean Journal reader Chris Zearley, who sent in this lovely shot of Culebrita on the island of Culebrita in Puerto Rico. 

Have you taken a great photo in the Caribbean?

Send it to news@caribjournal.com with CPOTW in the subject line, including your first and last name and the location of the photo.

It could be the next Caribbean Photo of the Week!

— CJ

The post Caribbean Photo of the Week: Culebrita, Puerto Rico appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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