By the Caribbean Journal staff

Delta Airlines is adding a major new route to the Dutch Caribbean island of Aruba.

The carrier announced this week that it would be launching new nonstop service between Boston and Aruba.

The new flights, which will operate weekly on Saturdays, will officially launch on June 9.

“This summer, Delta will proudly offer Bostonians more options with 113 daily departures to 44 top business and leisure destinations said, Joe Esposito, Delta’s Vice President — Network Planning, Americas.” Delta people have been hard at work during the last two years to give our Boston customers the global airline they deserve and we’re looking forward to continuing these expansions and enhancements for our Boston customers in 2018 and beyond.”

The Bucuti and Tara Beach Resort in Aruba.

The nonstop Aruba service will operate between June 9 and Aug. 18 on Boeing 737-800 aircraft with 16 seats in first class, 36 in Comfort+ and 108 in the main cabin.

It’s a big boost for Aruba as it looks to grow as a year-round Caribbean destination.

Aruba.

“Delta continues to be a great partner at Logan International Airport and they have had incredible growth over the last decade,” said Massport CEO Thomas P. Glynn. “Millions travel through Logan each year, many on Delta flights, and we look forward to offering more choices for our passengers.”

The new service complements existing flights between Boston and Aruba on fellow air carrier JetBlue.

Heading to Aruba? Check out our list of the Best Hotels in Aruba and the top Aruba All-Inclusive resorts.

The post Delta Launching New Nonstop Boston-Aruba Flights appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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By the Caribbean Journal staff

Saint Lucia’s multimillion-dollar cruise berth expansion project has officially opened in Castries.

The Pointe Seraphine Berth One extension was formally opened this weekend, welcoming Royal Caribbean’s Anthem of the Seas, the first-ever mega ship to visit Saint Lucia.

“In 2014, Royal Caribbean International indicated their intention to introduce the Freedom and Quantum Class Vessels to the Southern Caribbean for the 2015/2016 cruise season as well as plans to make Saint Lucia an anchor call for that voyage,” said Daren Cenac, acting general manager of the Saint Lucia Air and Sea Ports Authority. “In response to that opportunity and noting the cruise industry’s trend of increasingly larger vessels, SLASPA saw it necessary to ensure Port Castries’ ability to accommodate mega vessels such as the Anthem of the Seas, if Saint Lucia were to maintain its preferred cruise status within the region.”

The $18.8 million USD project is just the beginning of several other investments in tourism, according to Saint Lucia Prime Minister Allen Chastanet.

“We have entered into a partnership which we will be announcing shortly with regard to the redevelopment of the commercial activity here at Pointe Seraphine, which will also include the construction of a new hotel at this site,’ he said. “We’ve got to use Pointe Seraphine for more than just the cruise ship passengers, a regular call for locals, business people, and the guests staying at the other hotels.

The post Saint Lucia Debuts Expanded Cruise Port appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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By Alexander Britell

There’s a certain sparkle you notice the moment you land, from the floor to the automated immigration kiosk. There’s a newness. There’s a sheen.

This isn’t quite like any Caribbean airport you’ve been to — and it will play a big role in the growth of one of the region’s most exciting destinations.

Curaçao International Airport is currently in the midst of a major transformation project, one that is turning the Dutch Caribbean airport into a new exemplar for the region.

“We want to be one of the leaders in the Caribbean in terms of airport facilities,” CAP CEO Ralph Blanchard told Caribbean Journal. “We also want to be an example of what a public-private partnership can be.”

The nearly $48 million USD project began in 2014 with the enhancement expansion of the airport’s check-in area and airport boulevard; in 2016, the new arrivals hall and airport food and beverage services and stores made their debut.

The latter is something that’s already made a huge impact: there’s a popular bar in the arrivals area, something that is, surprisingly, unique for that setting at a Caribbean airport — but most welcome.

The overall terminal expansion project is slated for completion this December, at which all construction, including a new immigration departures area, will be finished.

That will also include a state-of-the-art duty free shopping component in the departure area with a walk-through design similar to that at Punta Cana’s airport, according to Bryan Elshot, project manager operation at CAP.

Dynamic advertising is also be a major component of the project, like the high-tech video screens that now dot many of the walls (background)

“What we want is to be an example for first and foremost our neighboring islands,” said Brian Elshot, project manager at Albo Caribbean, general contractor on the project. “We want to raise the quality over and over and offer quality service from the moment you park your car to the moment you board this aircraft.”.

Curacao Airport Partners expects that, by the time the expansion is completed at the end of this year, the number of annual passengers will have reached 1.8 million, with the aim of eventually being able to process 2.5 million passengers each year. (At that point, the airport will need to expand again).

Blanchard said he was very bullish on Curacao’s future as a destination, He also pointed to the large swathes of land, particularly on the northwest of the island, that represent one of the great untapped tourism development opportunities in the Caribbean.

It’s all part of what should be a very positive trajectory for an island that is still very much being discovered by travelers, particularly in the United States.

“We have good interest from the airlines, we just need to get the word out there,” he said. “We want to make sure that Curacao has a competitive airport — something the island can be proud of.”

The post Curaçao Airport’s Major Transformation appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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By the Caribbean Journal staff

When a Caribbean destination has 365 beaches, it’s hard to choose just one.

That’s why we’ve brought you on a quick journey to two world-class beaches on the island, to give you a taste of one of the Caribbean’s beach capitals.

Here’s a quick look at Morris Bay and Curtain Bluff beaches.

So if you haven’t already planned your Antigua getaway, it’s time to start.

— CJ

The post VIDEO: On the Beach in Antigua appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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By Alexander Britell

An exciting new hotel has opened its doors on the island of Saint Lucia.

The Harbor Club is a major addition to the greater Rodney Bay area, with a waterfront marina setting and striking, modern design.

The property has a mix of 115 nautically-inspired rooms and suites, along with five dining options, a fitness center, a spa, a dive center and a spectacular multiple-level pool deck.

It’s a different kind of hotel for the island: hip, sleek, extremely well appointed and boasting a beautiful marina-front setting.

The marina deck.

An affiliate of Aimbridge Hospitality is the management company for the property, which owned by Canadian entrepreneur Wes Hall.

Aimbridge has been expanding its footprint in the Caribbean of late, most notably with the recent debut of Jamaica’s Jewel Grande in Montego Bay.

The property’s on-site authentic pizzeria.

“I am excited to open Harbor Club and, with a team of world-class hospitality professionals, move one step closer to making this hotel and Rodney Bay a top destination for the world’s most elite travelers,” Hall said. “Not only are we opening a stunning hotel that will stand out to the world, we are also adding 200 hospitality jobs in Saint Lucia.”

A swim-up room.

The hotel’s crisp design (along with a very large, high-tech ballroom) make it an equally appealing destination for both leisure and business travelers.

The rooms are beautifully appointed, with everything from flat-screens to Nespresso machines.

But it’s the waterfront pool deck that is the party piece, a terraced pool system that includes a row of swim-up suites and a swim-up bar.

The nautical-themed rooms.

“Our multi-million capital investment in this destination hotel on the coveted island, along with Aimbridge Hospitality’s commitment to the guest experience, and our management team is the perfect combination,” Hall said.

While it’s currently in soft opening, Harbor Club will hold its grand opening in March.

For more information, visit the Harbor Club.

The post Harbor Club, An Exciting New Hotel in St Lucia appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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