By the Caribbean Journal staff

Disney Cruise Line is returning to Port St Maarten in January, another positive step for a port that welcomed its first commercial cruises since Hurricane Irma this week.

The Disney Fantasy cruise ship will be returning in January, calling on St Maarten as part of seven-night Western and Eastern Caribbean cruises.

Disney Fantasy will also be making port calls in St Maarten in February and March, according to St Maarten Tourism Minister Mellissa Arrrindell-Doncher.

The 130,000-ton Disney Fantasy, which entered service in 2012, has a passenger capacity of 4,000 and carries 1,458 crew.

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Cancun has long been Mexico’s most famous (and infamous) tourism destination, but that also means there’s no shortage of great hotel and resort options. But finding the right Cancun hotels for you means sifting through a mix of large and small properties, independent and brand-name hotels and quaint out-of-the way spots. Fortunately, there are Cancun hotels that fit just about every kind of traveler, at just about every price point, from the names you know to some under-the-radar getaways. Here are our five favorite Cancun hotels right now.

Nizuc This 274-suite stunner still, surprisingly, remains a bit under the radar, but that likely won’t be the case much longer. The standard-bearer for luxury Cancun hotels, Nizuc is a sleek, modern contemporary place with world-class food, an excellent spa and a mix of accommodations with wings that appeal to either adults or families. Want to really splurge? Go for Nizuc’s private villas, boasting their own infinity pools.

The Ritz-Carlton Cancun An institution among Cancun hotels, this luxury property remains among the leading options for those in search of a full-fledged luxury experience. All of the Ritz-Carlton standards are here — the spectacular lobby, the nine restaurants, the impeccable service. And that’s all without mentioning 1,200 feet of sugar-white sand beach. This is as good as it gets in Cancun.

JW Marriott Cancun This 448-room standout is set on a beautiful stretch of beach in Cancun’s hotel zone, with well-appointed rooms, marble bathrooms and, perhaps most importantly, a truly stunning oceanfront infinity pool. And then there’s the breadth of dining options, from the authentic Mexican eatery Sedona Grill to Mikado Japanese Teppan Yaki.

On the beach at Casa Turquesa.

Casa Turquesa Yes, you can go boutique in Cancun. This exceptionally relaxing all-suite hotel has just 30 suites, where the focus is on a remarkably broad collection of artwork. Despite its size, though, it’s got all the features of a far larger hotel, from 24-hour room service to five food and beverage options.

Westin Lagunamar Solid rooms, great beachfront space and a mix of pools all accompany the standard Westin service and design you’re used to. But it also features Westin’s focus on wellness — with everything from the brand’s “SuperfoodsRX” health-conscious menu to a wide selection of juices and smoothies in partnership with The Juicery. (The spa is stellar, too).

The post The Top 5 Cancun Hotels to Visit Right Now appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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By the Caribbean Journal staff

Four Seasons’ footprint is expanding in Costa Rica.

A new project is coming to Costa Rica’s Papagayo peninsula, dubbed the Four Seasons Private Residences Prieta Bay at Peninsula Papagayo.

The property will be located on 17 acres of prime oceanfront real estate adjacent to the existing Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica.

A path will connect the new neighborhood to the Four Seasons.

“Four Seasons is admired worldwide for their service culture and delivering experiences of exceptional quality. The combination of next generation residential design and construction with legendary Four Seasons service and amenities will create an extraordinary lifestyle unlike any other,” said Karim Alibhai, founder and principal of Miami-based Gencom, which is developing the project. “The amazing experiences that are Four Seasons hallmarks will become part of daily life on Prieta Bay.”

Construction is slated for completion in the middle of the fourth quarter of 2019.

“Four Seasons Private Residences Prieta Bay at Peninsula Papagayo will offer the best in sophisticated environmental design and luxurious finishes,” says Paul H. White, Senior Vice President and Co-Head of Residential at Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts.  “This is a unique opportunity to extend our presence in Costa Rica and offer discerning collectors the finest Four Seasons residential experience in one of the world’s most sought after eco-adventure playgrounds.”

The post New Four Seasons Residences Coming to Costa Rica appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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By Dana Niland
CJ Contributor

The brand new Basseterre Ferry Terminal has officially opened on the island of St Kitts.

The terminal aims to enhance the comfort and safety of passengers traveling between St. Kitts and Nevis, and to other neighboring islands, according to a statement.

With a 75-seat capacity, the terminal is fully air-conditioned, and “has added to the overall ambiance of the area,” which houses several bars, according to Denzil James, Chief Executive Officer of the Saint Christopher Air and Sea Ports Authority.

The new terminal will improve logistics and safety in terms of passenger flow, in that departing passengers will not be released from inside the terminal until arriving passengers would have already cleared the pier, he said.

The post A New Ferry Terminal in St Kitts appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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This year was not without its challenges in the Caribbean.

But in the face of overwhelming adversity, the Caribbean showed its toughness and resilience.

It’s something that’s eminently clear, as hard-hit islands quickly recover, with most already welcoming back travelers, from the British Virgin Islands to the US Virgin Islands to St Barth.

And let this be a reminder: the vast, vast majority of the Caribbean is open for business, and if you haven’t already made your return, it’s time to start planning it.

It’s also important to note that, before this fall’s storms, Caribbean travel was having a banner year, and there was much to cheer across the region, from surging arrivals in a host of destinations to continued hotel development and creativity.

Caribbean Journal’s annual Caribbean Travel Awards celebrates the best in Caribbean travel, as chosen by the editorial team of the world’s leading Caribbean travel publication.

Congratulations to all of this year’s winners.

— Alexander Britell, Editor and Publisher, Caribbean Journal

Caribbean Destination of the Year: Grenada Always the most-competitive category in the Caribbean Travel Awards, the Caribbean Destination of the Year honors a destination that combines strong tourism statistics, creative marketing and, most importantly, the “x factor” that has the travel world buzzing. This year, it’s Grenada, thanks to one of the fastest growth rates in the Caribbean, a surge in hotel development (with properties like the Kimpton Kawana Bay and Silversands in the pipeline) and a new branding push to bring travelers to a place that has long been one of the Caribbean’s most underrated destinations.

The post The Caribbean Travel Awards – 2017 appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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