By Sarah Greaves-Gabbadon
CJ Travel Editor

Having a private island is the classic Caribbean dream. But the private island experience isn’t always as expensive as you think. We’ve found 5 private-island Paradises without over-the-top prices. Some are open only for day visits; others boast sumptuous accommodations you can settle into for a week-long escape from the everyday. But all offer that delicious sense of seclusion and the distinct castaway vibe that every island-seeker craves. Here’s our pick of some great affordable private island options in the Caribbean, all starting at less than $300 a night.

Saba Rock, British Virgin Islands This lively North Sound restaurant with eight surprisingly swanky suites (plus another debuting in time for the winter season) packs a whole lotta fun (including a tiny beach and one of the BVI’s best boutiques) into its quarter-acre footprint.

The post 5 Affordable Caribbean Private Island Resorts appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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Honduras is one of the Caribbean’s up-and-coming destinations, and that’s in large part to the increasingly popular Indura Beach & Golf Resort in the seaside town of Tela.

And now Indura is looking to carve out another niche for the area: as a digital detox destination.

The property offers guests the ability to request that all electronic equipment in their room be disconnected.

“More and more we learn about the impact digital technology has on our health and stress levels,” explains Jose Antonio Gutierrez, General Director of Indura. “At Indura, guests are naturally inclined to ‘turn off’ and go at their own pace for a few days. Just 72 hours of this disconnect can recharge a person fully, allowing them to be more productive upon their return home.”

It’s a way to experience the property’s gorgeous location, set in a tropical jungle.

“We firmly believe Indura offers the winning combination of natural attractions, adventure and wellness-oriented activities required for guests to truly unplug,” added Gutierrez. “The opportunity to enjoy life without any electronic distractions is greatly valued by our guests and we are committed to assuring our visitors leave feeling re-energized.”

— CJ

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Yes, luxury is in the details. But luxury is also in the big things — it’s about making sure that guests never want for anything — that they always have what they need — and that no request goes unanswered, no problem unsolved. When we look at luxury resorts, we examine primary factors: design, room quality, amenities (from wellness to sports), food and beverage and, most importantly above all, service quality.

Sure, many hotels have great pools, beaches, tennis, golf, clubs and restaurants — but the greatest resorts take those and by some magnificent alchemy turn them into something more. That’s ultimately the difference between a hotel and a resort, and between a resort and a luxury resort.

These are the Caribbean’s luxury resorts right now.

#1: Four Seasons Resort Nevis A regular among the top luxury resorts in the Caribbean, this Nevis standout is just about the most complete resort in the Caribbean, from its beautiful rooms to its top golf course to its immaculate service. And in the tradition of the best luxury resorts, it does it all without a hint of pretentiousness.

The post The Best Luxury Resorts in the Caribbean appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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Celebrity Cruises is planning to launch its new Celebrity Edge next year, with a major new offering: Eden, a three-deck venue that’s not like anything else at sea.

Eden, which includes almost 7,000 square feet of glass, stands at 368,640 cubic feet, bigger than the Hayden Planetarium in New York City, with a total of 12,650 square feet of space.

The project is the product of a partnership including designers Patricia Urquiola and Scott Butler of Wilson Butler Architects, along with Queen of the Night creators Variety Worldwide.

“Eden, like so many aspects of Celebrity Edge, represents a unique advance in cruise ship design,” said Richard D. Fain, Chairman and CEO, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. “It’s an experience that’s multi-faceted and innovative. Connectivity to the ocean is one of the most exciting hallmarks of Edge Class, and with more glass than any other room at sea, Eden embodies that outward-facing concept beautifully.”

By day, Eden is a “chilldful” escape for yoga or coffee, the company said, while in the afternoon it hosts enrichment seminars and tasting events. By night, the space becomes Eve at Eden, a fusion of performance art, culinary exploration and nightlife, led by the Eden Restaurant.

After dinner, guests are prompted to visit the Tree of Life, along with the Eden Bar.

“Our search for partners who are as passionate about world-class design as Celebrity led us to the incredibly talented Scott Butler and designer extraordinaire Patricia Urquiola, who offered a fresh perspective and keen eye,” said Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, President and CEO, Celebrity Cruises. “The entire space is magical throughout morning, afternoon, and evening when our guests will experience Eve at Eden, an experience produced by the visionary Variety Worldwide and our very own Cornelius Gallagher. They have all created something magical and magnificent.”

The post Celebrity Cruises’ New Garden of Eden appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers found 116 pounds (52.55 kilos) of cocaine concealed inside a private vessel inspected on Sunday. The estimated wholesale value is $1.6 million. On June 24, a private vessel named “Sweet Bite” was randomly selected…

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