By Alexander Britell

ST GEORGE’S — St Maarten’s cruise port will reopen on Nov. 11, according to St Maarten Director of Tourism Rolando Brison.

Brison, who was speaking at the CTO’s State of the Industry conference in Grenada via Skype, said officials were eager to relaunch operations even earlier than that with lines like Royal Caribbean.

The harbor was not hit as hard as other tourism infrastructure on the island during Hurricane Irma.

“We will be reopening for cruise and expect to have at least one or two cruise ships returning to the destination every day,” Brison said. “[The plan is] to eventually get back to being one of the top cruise destinations in the Caribbean once again.”

“St Maarten is recovering,” he said. “We are moving forward, we’re not resting on anything at all.”

The post St Maarten Cruise Port to Reopen in November appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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By Dana Niland

CJ Contributor

Carnival Elation has completed a multimillion-dollar makeover that includes the addition of a new WaterWorks park, 38 new cabins, 98 stateroom balconies and a variety of food and beverage concepts.

Following the renovation, Carnival Elation will resume its year-round schedule of four- to eight-day cruises from Jacksonville, FL.

Carnival Elation is Jacksonville’s only year-round cruise ship offering four- and five-day cruises to The Bahamas featuring stops at Freeport, Nassau and the private destinations of Half Moon Cay and Princess Cays.

Carnival Elation will also offer a special six-day Bahamas cruise and an eight-day Bermuda voyage in April 2018 as well as a one-time seven-day eastern Caribbean cruise the following month.

The ship will now feature an increased capacity to welcome guests with its new two Grand Vista suites, 22 junior suites, two ocean view cabins and 12 interior accommodations.

Additionally, private verandahs have been added to 98 existing staterooms, creating new 230-square-foot balcony staterooms, all of which offer new island-inspired interiors with bright colors and soft pastels inspired by Carnival Elation’s tropical itineraries.

Located on Verandah Deck, the new WaterWorks park features an enclosed 300-foot-long Twister water slide full of twists and turns, two 82-foot-long racing slides and splash zone for kids.

A nine-hole miniature golf course has been relocated to Deck 14, providing another activity for families to enjoy together.

The ship has also added Camp Ocean, a marine-inspired play area designed for kids ages 2-11 that showcases the wonders of the sea through engaging interiors and more than 200 ocean-themed activities, including arts and crafts, science-oriented programming and more.

The ship’s new dining options include Guy’s Burger Joint, a free-of-charge poolside venue serving hand-crafted burgers and fresh-cut fries; RedFrog Rum Bar, another poolside option offering the Caribbean vacation vibe with refreshing rum-based frozen drinks and beers; and BlueIguana Cantina, a complimentary poolside Mexican eatery where guests can enjoy authentic freshly made burritos and tacos on homemade tortillas, as well as a toppings and salsa bar.

The post Carnival Elation Returns to Jacksonville Following Makeover appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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Above: recovery work at the famous Cow Wreck beach bar 

By the Caribbean Journal staff

The British Virgin Islands’ recovery continues in the wake of Hurricanes Irma and Maria.

Two of the destination’s airports have recently resumed commercial operations: Virgin Gorda’s Taddy Bay Airport and Anegada’s Auguste George Airport.

Resumption of operations was confirmed in posts by British Virgin Islands Director of Tourism Sharon Flax-Brutus.

Carriers already operating into Virgin Gorda include VI Airlink and Air Sunshine.

VI Airlink is also operating flights into Anegada.

The post Virgin Gorda, Anegada Airports Reopen appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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By the Caribbean Journal staff

Fast-growing Apple Leisure Group subsidiary AMResorts has officially opened its newest resort in the Caribbean.

The company has debuted its new all-inclusive Zoëtry Montego Bay Jamaica, the company’s first Zoëtry-branded resort in the country.

The luxury Zoëtry brand is AMResorts’ wellness and spa-focused brand.

“Expanding our Jamaican footprint by 50% since 2015, the Zoëtry brand was the perfect next step for AMResorts to bring to the region,” said Gonzalo del Peon, President of AMResorts. “Our signature Endless Privileges vacation concept offered at Zoëtry Montego Bay help meet the high level of luxury and amenities expected from today’s affluent traveler, while also honoring Jamaica’s ecological tapestry through the three-main buildings on property, focused on Wood & Water, Bamboo and Blue Mountain.”

The property held its official ribbon cutting during the recent JAPEX travel conference in Jamaica, with executives on hand including Alex Zozaya, CEO of Apple Leisure Group, Gonzalo del Peón, President of AMResorts, John Hutchinson, COO of Apple Leisure Group and Gabriel Felip, COO of AMResorts.

The 49-suite Zoëtry Montego Bay offers guests organic, fresh and locally-grown ingredients at every meal, with 24-hour in-suite dining always available.

Wellness offerings at the resort include a spa with gardens, a swimming pool that winds through the resort and other water-focused elements like outdoor whirpools and an infinity pool.

The post AMResorts Opens Zoëtry Montego Bay in Jamaica appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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By the Caribbean Journal staff

In the wake of Hurricane Irma, the island of Anguilla has announced new plans that would significantly expand its existing airport.

The plan unveiled by Anguilla Chief Minister Victor Banks would expand the airport’s runway by 600 feet to 6,000 feet.

That expansion would allow the airport to accommodate operations from larger aircraft like Boeing 737 and other international jet aircraft and potentially draw regularly-scheduled service from major carriers.

Today, Anguilla is only accessibly by small regional craft and by boat.

On the latter point, Banks also announced plans to rebuild the island’s Blowing Point ferry terminal, destroyed by Irma.

Architectural plans have already been commissioned for the design and construction of the new facility, with construction slated to begin shortly.

“We recognize that facilitating access to the island is the key to the revival of our tourism industry,” said Donna Banks, Chairperson, Anguilla Tourist Board. “Our goal is to provide access not only for visitors to Anguilla, but also for our neighboring islands, all of whom are dependent on tourism for their economic well-being.”

While Anguilla was hit particularly hard by Irma, the island is recovering, with phone and Internet restored to most parts of the island, roads and beaches cleared and grocery stores largely well provisioned.

The post Anguilla Planning Significant Airport Expansion appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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