Aruba is officially reopening for tourism, with a phased plan that will see the return of its largest source market, American travelers, on July 10. 

On June 15, Aruba will first open its borders to travelers from nearby Bonaire and Curacao. 

On July 1, visitors from Canada, Europe and the Caribbean will be able to return to Aruba. 

And on July 10, visitors from the United States will be able to visit Aruba. 

The phased reopening makes sense — it’s a dramatically different travel landscape, and this will give the destination, its airport and travelers the chance to get used to the new protocols. 

Many top Aruba hotels will be reopening, from the recently-expanded Boardwalk Boutique Hotel near Palm Beach to the Renaissance Aruba Resort and Casino and the Bucuti & Tara Beach Resort. 

“There are no words to express how happy we are to reopen Renaissance Aruba,” said Paul Gielen, General Manager at Renaissance Aruba Resort & Casino. “It is not just as a sign of reopening for the resort, but for our entire community and the industry that we love. While we realize there is a longer road ahead, this first step is monumental, and we look forward to welcoming our guests back to Aruba.”

The island’s hotels have had to shift their protocols, too, with new practices like at-home or in-room check-in, enhanced sanitation, social distancing and reduced capacity at eateries and the like. 

Even the island’s casinos are reopening with new protocols. 

The Wind Creek Crystal and Seaport Casinos, for example, will have maximum numbers of players at table games, slot machines with acrylic panels, required masks and “reservations” for play. 

Official opening dates for other markets like South and Central America “have yet to be determined,” officials said. 

“Aruba’s health and safety protocols will be revisited and reevaluated on an ongoing basis,” the ATA said. 

For more, visit Aruba. 

The post Aruba Is Reopening for Tourism in July appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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Blue Diamond Resorts is set to open five of its Caribbean properties, Caribbean Journal has learned. 

That will include two resorts in Cancun and three in Jamaica. 

On July 15, the company will relaunch the Royalton Riviera Cancun Resort and Spa, Hideaway at Royalton Riviera Cancun, Royalton Negril Resort and Spa, Hideaway at Royalton Negril and Grand Lido Negril.

“With advanced safety protocols and superior cleaning measures, guests will be able to relax in paradise and rediscover the wonders of our host locales,” said Jordi Pelfort, president of hotels and resorts at Blue Diamond’s parent company, Sunwing Travel Group. 

The company said its new “Safety Assured Vacations” protocols would apply, meaning new health and safety practices like the use of personal protective equipment, intense cleaning measures and social distancing guidelines. 

— CJ

The post Blue Diamond to Reopen Resorts in Cancun, Jamaica appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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Leading yacht charter firm Dream Yacht Charter has expanded in the Caribbean with a new base in St Thomas. 

The new base is set at Compass Point Marina, the product of a partnership with Virgin Islands Yacht Charters. 

“St Thomas is an important base for us in the Caribbean and we welcome the new partnership,” said Loïc Bonnet, founder and president of Dream Yacht Charter. “The natural splendor of the USVIs is often overlooked but now guests can experience this special part of the world, as well as the BVIs.”

Dream Yacht Charter’s USVI fleet includes a new Bali 5.4 and Soana 4.7, both with watermarkers and air conditioning. 

The company is running bareboat and skippered charters, along with an option for all-inclusive crewed packages on its luxury catamarans. 

“The ease of travel, with nonstop flights from many international airports, offers a convenience factor not associated with many other charter locations, as well as, cost-saving advantages. We look forward to integrating our high level of professionalism and work ethic into the Dream Yacht Charter family,” Bonnet said. 

For more, visit Dream Yacht Charter. 

— CJ

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