By the Caribbean Journal staff

Design work has begun on the major new cruise terminal at Florida’s Port Canaveral.

The Canaveral Port Authority has contracted with CH2M Engineering to provide the waterside design, engineering and support services for the Cruise Terminal 3.

The two-year work plan aims to build a state-of-the-art facility capable of serving cruise ships with up to 8,000 passengers.

It will replace one of the port’s oldest terminals, currently being used for single-day cruises.

“Port Canaveral continues to experience growth in all sectors, and particularly in our cruise business,” said Port Canaveral CEO Captain John Murray. “With 80 percent of our revenue from cruise operations, it’s important that we continuously improve our capabilities to meet the current and future needs some of the world’s largest, most sophisticated cruise ships.”

The Port is investing $150 million for the new terminal, which is targeted for completion in 2019.

“The popularity and avid use of the Port’s Jetty Park recreation facilities adjacent to the CT-3 terminal, especially the public boat ramps and fishing areas, are very important to the Port,” said Port CEO Murray. “The Port’s Board of Commissioners has directed that engineering staff make continued public access to these areas a priority, and to ensure before, during, and after construction that boat parking is minimally impacted.”

The post New Port Canaveral Cruise Terminal Begins Design Work appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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Charming architecture; beautiful vistas; vibrant communities. There are some picturesque towns scattered across the Caribbean, the sort of places that seem to instagram themselves. These are the Caribbeans postcard-perfect towns, perfect for a very different kind of vacation or a wonderful day trip, from the far reaches of the Bahamas to the some of the region’s still largely undiscovered islands. These are the prettiest towns in the Caribbean.

The post The Caribbean’s Prettiest Towns appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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Airbnb is making major moves in the Mexican Caribbean.

The home sharing giant recently announced the signing of a tax deal with the Mexican state of Quintana Roo, home to the country’s Caribbean destinations like Cancun and Tulum.

As part of the agreement, Airbnb will begin taking the “necessary steps” to begin collecting the 3 percent lodging tax by Oct. 1.

“I want this agreement with Airbnb to bring benefits to all Quintanarroenses,” said governor Carlos Joaquin Gonzalez. “We are modernizing our state by taking part in the era of information technology, because we want to give our visitors the chance to explore every inch of Quintana Roo and its beauties.”

Airbnb saw 131 percent in the Quintana Roo market in 2016, part of a wider 189 percent growth for the country overall last year.

The average Mexican Airbnb host makes around $4,000 each year.

The post Airbnb Signs Tax Deal with Quintana Roo appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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By Alexander Britell

You know something’s different when, after checking in, you don’t go through security.

You take a side elevator up to a private lounge, waiting until the time when you simply have to walk right down to the runway for your flight.

Tradewind Aviation is a very different experience — in a time when it seems that everything about air travel is becoming harder, it’s a sizable breath of fresh air.

Tradewind Aviation, which operates both scheduled flights and charter service to a number of islands around the Caribbean from Nevis to St. Thomas, is perhaps best known as the best way to fly to St. Barth. (Tradewind also operates flights across the northeastern Untied States).

Flying in style.

You fly to San Juan, go through the aforementioned check-in and in less than an hour you’re touching down at Gustaf III Airport.

Of course, the easy check in in San Juan is just the beginning, from the luxurious seating to the free wine and beer (and even champagne) during the flight to what is an exquisite level of service from everyone from the check-in desk to the pilots.

Then there is the aircraft itself, the Pilatus PC-12, the smoothest propeller plane you’ll ever travel in, the kind that made its name traveling around the tough climes of the Alps.

Ultimately, this is air travel as it’s meant to be, glamorous, adventurous and, most importantly, easy.

It’s why Tradewind isn’t just the best way to fly to St. Barth — it’s the best way to fly around the Caribbean, period.

See more in the latest CJ video at the top of the page.

For more information, visit Tradewind Aviation.

— CJ

The post Flying to St. Barth on Tradewind Aviation appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — The governor of Puerto Rico, Ricardo Rosselló, arrived this morning at the Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport to thank and support a brigade comprising 15 Puerto Rican rescue workers who will collaborate in the recovery work following Hurricane Harvey’s passage through…

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