The US Virgin Islands is “dedicated” to the growth of the cruise industry in the Caribbean, according to USVI Tourism Commissioner Joseph Boschulte. 

Boschulte is in Miami this week for the Seatrade conference, the world’s premier gathering of cruise industry executives and destinations. 

“SeaTrade is an invaluable conference that I look forward to attending every year,” Boschulte said. “It allows industry leaders and professionals to get together and not only drive awareness to their individual goals, but to find opportunities for collaboration and partnership for the greater good of the tourism industry. The pandemic may have set us back but I’m optimistic of the future of cruising in the USVI.”

The USVI recently announced a partnership with the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association, one that will focus on increasing the destination’s overall economic impact from cruise tourism. 

That includes increasing cruise calls, adding new experiences with products, more employment and purchasing opportunities and the conversion of cruise guests into overnight visitors, among other objectives. 

“I am extremely grateful to the Florida- Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) for our partnership”, Boschulte said. “This collaboration aligns with the objectives we have been focused on as a destination since the Pandemic. The focus on converting cruisers to overnight guests allows us to truly market the amazing experiences a visitor can expect across the islands from dusk to dawn and creating a market for repeat visitation. Our cruising ports are the gateway, and through our partnership with FCCA and our work at the Department of Tourism, the floodgates will open to ongoing visitation.”

In a statement, the USVI said was positioned to exceed its previous cruise tourism expenditure highs and be the “destination of choice for overnight cruising passengers beginning summer 2022 and beyond.”

The post US Virgin Islands “Dedicated” to Growth of Caribbean Cruise Industry appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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The island of Bonaire is set for its most exciting event in years this June with the launch of Bonaire Rum Week Presented by Caribbean Journal. 

The celebration of premium rum will run across the Dutch Caribbean island from June 14-17, with multiple events each day. 

“We are endlessly excited about bringing Bonaire Rum Week to the island,” said Alexander Britell, editor and publisher of Caribbean Journal (CJ), which conceived of and is organizing the event, in collaboration with Tourism Corporation Bonaire. “It’s a truly unique rum event, one that lets travelers and locals experience world-class rums while enjoying the pristine beauty of Bonaire.”

Indeed, that’s what makes this event so unique. 

Equally satisfying for both rum neophytes and connoisseurs, it takes the traditional rum festival concept and reimagines it for the Caribbean — instead of stuffy expo halls, think oceanfront bars and tropical gardens, with each event allowing guests to sample and learn about rums from across the wider Caribbean Basin. 

“First and foremost, rum is a Caribbean product,” says Guy Britton, managing editor of CJ. “And that’s precisely the focus of Bonaire Rum Week — to shine a light on the amazing rums of this beautiful region, including some terrific rums out of the Dutch Caribbean.” 

The event begins with a welcome party at Bonaire’s premier bar, the legendary Rum Runners, presented by Aruba’s Papiamento Rum. 

Other featured events include a Rum on the Beach party at the Plaza Beach Resort; a cocktail competition by Ron Diplomatico; a Rum Lunch at the Harbour Village Beach Club by San Juan Artisan Distillers; an Oceanside Happy Hour by Clifton Estate Rum; a Rum Tasting Workshop for Bartenders at the Delfins Beach Resort; a Rum in the Gardens Happy Hour at the Divi Flamingo Beach Resort by Rom Rincon.

The event culminates in a rum-pairing dinner at the Brass Boer, the Caribbean restaurant of three-Michelin-starred Chefs Johnny and Therese Boer, followed by a cigar-and-rum pairing event with Papa’s Pilar. 

“Bonaire has long been primarily a diving destination; with Bonaire Rum Week, we are looking to spotlight the island’s growing culinary culture, both in the glass and on the plate,” Britell said. 

It’s even easier to visit Bonaire Rum Week, following the island’s recent decision to remove all testing rules — meaning vaccinated and unvaccinated travelers can visit the island without the need to take a test or show proof of vaccination.

CJ, the world’s largest travel media company covering the Caribbean, is also behind the Caribbean Rum Awards St Barth, the annual rum event in the French Caribbean, in partnership with the Rhum Room, the world’s leading rum bar. 

For more, visit Bonaire Rum Week. 

For more on the St Barth event, visit the Caribbean Rum Awards St Barth. 

Caradonna Adventures is the official travel partner for Bonaire Rum Week (you can find more on packages here).

For the Harbour Village Rum Lunch, contact reservations@harbourvillage.com. 

For the Brass Boer final dinner, contact reservations@delfinsbeachresort.com. 

For all other questions, contact rum@caribjournal.com.

Participating rums include: Papa’s Pilar; Papiamento Rum; Gosling’s Rum; Ron Diplomatico; Don Q; Ron Barcelo; Clifton Estate; Rom Tambu; Dutch Head Rum; Siesta Key; San Juan Artisan Distillers; Shaman’s Rum; and Rum San Pablo.

Bonaire Rum Week Partners include Tourism Corporation Bonaire; Caradonna Adventures; Delfins Beach Resort Bonaire; Captain Don’s Habitat, Rum Runners, Buddy Dive Resort Bonaire; Harbour Village Beach Club; Plaza Beach Resort Bonaire; Bellafonte Bonaire; Bamboo Bonaire; Bonaire Tours & Vacations; Cadushy Distillery; Kestrel and Tiki & Co.

The Wine Factory Bonaire is the exclusive distributor partner of Bonaire Rum Week. 

The post Why to Visit Bonaire in June  appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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Travelers who want to enjoy the legendary north shore beaches of Jamaica but avoid the big tourist districts of Ocho Rios, Montego Bay, and Negril have long known to detour east to the small resorts in Port Antonio, a coastal city with a rich history set between Blue Mountains National Park and Boston Bay, the unofficial jerk capital of Jamaica. For a Jamaica beach vacation that will put you closer in touch with island culture and a bonanza of outdoor activities, consider one of these top Port Antonio hotels and resorts:

Geejam

Unquestionably the best known of Port Antonio’s hotel, the posh Geejam is a haven for musicians and music lovers (it has an on-site recording studio) hidden in the coastal rainforest of the Blue Mountains. Accommodations are a mix of hotel rooms, villas, and cabins, all private and distinctly designed (the treehouse-like cabins are named for four of Jamaica’s most popular musical styles: Reggae, Mento, Rocksteady, and Ska). A DJ booth keeps the scene lively by the pool, but solitude awaits at quiet Geejam Bay.

The post The Best Hotels in Port Antonio, Jamaica appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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The Bahamas’ Atlantis Paradise Island resort is making major upgrades, Caribbean Journal has learned. 

The resort is going “bigger and bolder in 2022,” with plans for multimillion-dollar renovations and a number of new partnerships at Nassau and Paradise Island’s signature resort. 

In what the property is calling “massive upgrades and striking enhancements,” it is redeveloping all of its Royal Tower guest rooms and suites; reimagining its casino; and adding a new Michelin-star chef to its already-broad culinary lineup. 

That includes renovation of all guest rooms and suites in the Royal East Tower, which will be complete by this summer; followed by newly-renovated rooms in the Royal West Tower. 

“Design elements celebrate the natural seascape of aquamarine waters, white-sand beaches, and coral reefs to inspire a soothing environment where guests can relax and unwind,” according to Atlantis. 

Atlantis is also undertaking an expansive renovation of its iconic Bridge Suite next year. 

On the culinary front, Atlantis will be adding a new eatery from renowned Chef Michael White, who will add a new eatery called Paranoia at The Cove, expected to open this year. 

Another restaurant, the Mediterranean-accented Pita, will open near the Aquaventure water park. 

The resort’s Splashers water park, aimed at younger guests, will add new slides, climbing areas and other touches later this year; and The Cove, the luxury all-suite hotel at Atlantis just debuted the new Lapis Club Lounge, which has a full-service bar, hors d’oeuvres, daily breakfast and spectacular views of the island. 

And then there’s the casino, which will undergo a refresh that includes modern finishes, shimmering textures, celestial fixtures, and flowing lines echoing the refractions of the sea.” 

“We could not be more excited for all of the developments coming to Atlantis this year,” said Audrey Oswell, President and Managing Director of Atlantis Paradise Island. “With these incredible additions, we are continuing Atlantis’ legacy of offering guests endless, immersive experiences during their stay.” 

The news comes after the announcement earlier this year that Groot Hospitality’s David Grutman and Pharrell Williams would be transforming the property’s Beach Tower into a new “oasis-within-an-oasis” called Something Else, with 400 rooms and suites and plans to debut in 2024. 

For more, visit Atlantis Paradise Island. 

The post The Bahamas’ Atlantis Paradise Island Is Making “Massive” Upgrades  appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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