By the Caribbean Journal staff

Port St Maarten kicked off 2018 on a very high note Tuesday with more than 12,000 passengers arriving to St Maarten on three cruise ships.

The first cruise vessels of the year in St Maarten were Disney Fantasy, Marella Discovery and Harmony of the Seas.

Disney’s visit marked the cruise line’s return to St Maarten in the wake of Hurricane Irma.

“We have started the New Year with a bang and are happy to see the return of Disney Cruise Line as well as Royal Caribbean International Genesis class vessels such as Harmony of the Seas,” the Port said in a statement. “At the same time, we call on all stakeholders and the community to continue to give the cruise ship guests a warm St Maarten welcome and smile.”

Royal Caribbean’s Oasis-class sister ships Harmony of the Seas and Oasis of the Seas carry up to 6,000 new visitors each week.

“The return of these mammoth vessels to weekly calls is a major development for the destination,” officials said.

The post Port St Maarten Kicks Off 2018 With Strong Start appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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By the Caribbean Journal staff

It will soon be significantly easier to get to one of the Caribbean’s best-kept secrets.

American Airlines will be launching new nonstop flights between Miami and Bonaire beginning in June, an American Airlines spokesperson confirmed to Caribbean Journal.

Bellafonte Bonaire, one of our favorite places to stay in Bonaire.

The new service will operate weekly on Saturdays on an Airbus A319 aircraft, beginning on June 9.

The flight takes approximately three hours.

Bonaire’s arid climate produces some landscapes largely unseen in the Caribbean.

It’s a boon for the Dutch Caribbean island, one of the world’s greatest diving and snorkeling destinations and an emerging culinary hub (indeed, its At Sea Bonaire restaurant has been on Caribbean Journal’s list of the top 50 restaurants in the Caribbean ever year since 2013).

At Sea, Bonaire, the island’s destination eatery.

Don’t miss our list of the top Bonaire hotels, ranging from luxury stays like the beachfront Harbour Village to the bohemian, laid-back Sorobon.

Bonaire also has a range of condominium and vacation home options, including the very popular Sand Dollar.

The post American Airlines to Launch Nonstop Flights to Bonaire appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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By the Caribbean Journal staff

The highly-anticipated Quintessence Hotel has made its debut on the island of Anguilla.

The boutique luxury property officially opened its doors on Monday, an impressive feat in the wake of Hurricane Irma.

The “Q” has a total of nine villas and suites, with services ranging from 24-hour full butler service to Swedish mattresses to Turkish marble bathrooms, among others.

The property includes an on-site restaurant called Julians, along with a “Q Wine Cellar” and a “Q Bistro Bar.” And while it’s a small hotel, all cuisine is available to guests around the clock, according to the property.

There’s also a spa, with customized treatments from massages to facials to manicures.

And it’s even possible to buy out the entire property for a large meeting or event.

For more information, visit Quintessence.

The post Anguilla’s Quintessence Is Now Open appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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While Montego Bay is known largely for its all-inclusive product, there are a number of charming European-plan Montego Bay hotels and resorts tucked away in the destination.

These greater Montego Bay hotels are the best of Jamaican hospitality, with an emphasis on authentic Jamaican luxury, warm, personable service and the kind of hotel design that put Jamaica on the map as a tourist destination during the jet-set age.

Because at the end of the day, the quality of your hotel will define your stay — and the ability of your chosen hotel or resort to both channel the local culture and make you feel welcome is the biggest test of any property.

Here are three Montego Bay hotels that fit the bill; they aren’t just the best Montego Bay hotels — they’re unforgettable vacations.

A villa at Round Hill.

Round Hill Recently crowned Caribbean Hotel of the Year in our 2017 Caribbean Travel Awards, this property (in which Ralph Lauren is a part owner) oozes charm, with a lovely little beach, world-class cuisine and a marvelous mix of both traditional guest rooms (with interiors by Lauren himself) and villas. While the villas are great for larger groups, the oceanfront rooms are truly perfect for couples and solo travelers.

It’s long been one of the region’s legendary hotels — and, unsurprisingly, the leader among Montego Bay hotels.

Half Moon While its renovation is still in process (with a projected completion date of October 2018), this Grand Dame of Montego Bay hotels remains a wonderful stay, thanks to a sprawling 400-acre site boasting 197 rooms and 31 villas, along with one of the most beautiful stretches of sand in Jamaica, the eponymous Half Moon Bay. And then there’s the delightful Fern Tree Spa. Our recommendation? Make sure you go for the so-called “West Cottages,” the original portion of the property that’s even played host to the Queen of England.

The Tryall Club Still a bit of a closely-guarded secret, this greater Montego Bay institution is perched on more than 2,000 acres, focused around condos and beautiful villas. But it’s the villas that are the real stars. Each villa is fully staffed (some even have their own kitchen gardens), making it a particularly good option for families and multi-generational travel groups. That’s without mentioning the recently-transformed, 6,836-yard on-site golf course.

The post 3 Montego Bay Hotels You Need to Try Right Now appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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By Alexander Britell

It was the greatest beach bar in Anguilla. Until Hurricane Irma tore it down.

But the beloved Garvey’s SunShine Shack did not let the storm win, and in just a few months, has totally rebuilt and reopened, the latest step in Anguilla’s inspiring recovery from the storm.

The SunShine Shack 2.0 began welcoming visitors again on Anguilla’s Rendezvous Bay this week.

All of the signatures are back: the stools, the grill, the umbrellas and the charming whitewashed shack, temporarily missing the hundreds of loving inscriptions it had once boasted  — although its walls will likely not remain empty for long.

After the storm, Garvey had been spending his  time helping friends and others until he was encouraged “it was time to rebuild his place,” he told Caribbean Journal.

“We want to welcome everyone back to Anguilla and to the SunShine Shack for the great times we always had,” he said.

The post Anguilla’s Best Beach Bar Has Rebuilt and Reopened appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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