… Chakrabarti
Hurricane Maria devastated Puerto Rico’s “monkey island.” … Phillips is not a Puerto Rican name, whatever that means … Health.”
The Atlantic: “Rescuing Puerto Rico’s Monkey Island” — … the eastern coast of Puerto Rico, barely a kilometer from …

Powered by WPeMatico

By the Caribbean Journal staff

Disney Cruise Line has reached a new 20-year agreement with Port Canaveral, part of a plan to expand operations and add new ships.

The new deal will keep annual calls at 150 until 2023, when Disney will increase operations to 180 calls, with 216 calls on track in 2024 going forward.

“For decades we have worked with Disney Cruise Line building a partnership based on our mutual commitment to excellence. We are tremendously proud of our joint success and looking ahead at growing an even more exciting future with Disney Cruise Line and Port Canaveral as the homeport for its newest class of vessels,” said Canaveral Port Authority Port Director and CEO Capt. John Murray.  

Disney will retain its exclusive operation at Cruise Terminal 8, with plans to add new ships in 2021, 2022 and 2023.

Two of them will be homeporting at Port Canaveral for at least their first five years of operation.

“Port Canaveral was the inaugural homeport for our first ship and has served as a gateway for magical cruise vacations ever since,” said Jeff Vahle, president of Disney Cruise Line. “We value our longstanding relationship with Port Canaveral and look forward to expanding our presence there as we introduce new ships and new family cruise experiences.” 

Disney’s two biggest cruise ships, Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy, are currently homeported at Port Canaveral.

— CJ

The post Disney Has Big Plans at Port Canaveral appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

Powered by WPeMatico

By the Caribbean Journal staff

The Caribbean’s hotel sector slowed down dramatically last month after a solid first quarter, according to new data from analytics firm STR.

The region’s hotel occupancy was 69.8 percent in April, a 4.1 percent decline compared to April 2018.

That was accompanied by a 12.8 percent increase in average daily rates to $234.67, along with an 8.4 percent increase in revenue per available room to $163.79.

For the year, Caribbean hotel occupancy is down 0.1 percent to 72.1 percent, while daily rates are up 10 percent to $259.04 and RevPar is up 9.8 percent to $163.79.

STR’s data surveyed 1,951 hotels comprising a total of 252,580 rooms in the wider Caribbean region.

— CJ

The post A Sluggish Month for Caribbean Hotels appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

Powered by WPeMatico

… Fisheries Floyd Green, is in Puerto Rico where he is exploring the … ), which is taking place in Puerto Rico from May 18 – 25, a …

Powered by WPeMatico

By the Caribbean Journal staff

Another Royal Caribbean cruise ship is getting a makeover.

This time it’s Oasis of the Seas, which is set to undergo a $165 million “amplification” project, the company said this week.

The 63-day modernization project will add a reimagined pool deck, a new kids aquapark, a new water slide and new dining concepts like the company’s new Portside BBQ.

Upon completion, Oasis will head to New York in May 2020 as what will be the largest cruise ship to sail from the New York area.

“When Oasis of the Seas debuted as the world’s largest and most groundbreaking cruise ship a decade ago, the typical cruise vacation as the world knew it was forever changed. Today, our Oasis Class ships continue to lead the industry and attract vacationers new to cruising,” said Michael Bayley, President and CEO, Royal Caribbean International. “Now with the opportunity to disrupt the industry once again, we’ve gone all-in with our biggest and boldest amplification yet. Oasis will turn heads when she arrives to Miami this November and the Northeast in May 2020.”

Royal is also adding El Loco Fresh, a Mexican takeaway spot; Playmakers Sports Bar; and Sugar Beach, an ice cream-and-candy shop.

The company is also adding its Music Hall live music venue to the ship, which will include a slate of live cover bands and a dance floor.

— CJ

The post Royal Caribbean Plans $165M Revamp for Oasis of the Seas appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

Powered by WPeMatico