If there’s a more quintessentially Caribbean experience than having a rum at a Caribbean beach bar, we haven’t found it. Indeed, it’s the dream of toes-in-the-sand, rum-in-hand afternoons that bring so many travelers to the Caribbean year after year. And while Caribbean beach bars come in all shapes and sizes, what the best all have in common are a combination of great cocktails, great views and great personality.

While our 50 Best Beach Bars remains the global standard for Caribbean beach bar excellence, we’ve put together a new review of 11 particularly lovely beach bars you should think about visiting right now.

Prickly Pear, British Virgin Islands

Sand Box Bar & Grill, Prickly Pear, British Virgin Islands

If an island called Prickly Pear doesn’t already have your attention, then its beach bar will soon enough. This tiny islet in the North Sound of Virgin Gorda is one of the ultimate beach bar experiences, accessible only by boat, utterly calm and blessed with simply remarkable views.

The post 11 Caribbean Beach Bars You Should Visit Right Now appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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The Ritz-Carlton, St. Thomas has launched a unique new experience, the Pizza Pi Snorkel sail.

After a morning spent snorkeling the waters surrounding St. Thomas, guests will enjoy authentically New York-style pizza on the deck of a luxury catamaran, Lady Lynsey.

The Pizza Pi Snorkel Sail takes guests to explore the underwater world of sea turtles, rays and colorful fish.

Following the snorkel, fresh pizzas are delivered directly to the 53-foot catamaran, and are enjoyed with a selection of salads and cocktails from an open bar.

Pizza Pi, the Caribbean’s first pizza boat.

The pizzas arrive via dinghy from Pizza Pi, the Virgin Islands’ first floating pizzeria, accessible only by boat.

The custom-made vessel brings the food truck concept to the waters of St. Thomas, serving a large variety of classic New York-style pizzas.

The five-hour sail leaves every Tuesday at 10:30 a.m.

On Thursdays the hotel offers the Pizza Pi Turtle Snorkel Sail, which takes guests to the waters off Buck Island for a chance to discover the largest sea turtle population in St. Thomas.

— Dana Niland, CJ Contributor

The post How to Snorkel for Pizza in St. Thomas appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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There’s a pair of new places to stay in Negril.

Blue Diamond Resorts has officially opened its new Royalton Negril and Hideaway at Royalton Negril resorts in Jamaica.

The complex includes Royalton Negril, which is family-friendly, and Hideaway at Royalton Negril, which is an adults only resort.

Royalton Negril has a total of 407 suites, while Hideaway at Royalton Negril will include 166 suites. (Each Hideaway suite comes with butler service).

The complex also includes a special “Diamond Club Chairman’s Building” for a “more elite vacation experience,” according to the company.

Features include 11 oceanfront buildings, each with swim-out suites, a choice of pools, a splash park and eight luxury restaurants.

The steakhouse at Royalton.

“The hallmark of Royalton Luxury Resorts has always been to bring award winning first-class resorts to the world’s most breathtaking vacation settings,” said Jordi Pelfort, Managing Director of Blue Diamond Resorts. “We are very pleased to announce that we have accomplished that with these brand new modern luxury resorts on the breathtaking white sand shores of Negril, Jamaica.”

The resorts become the third and fourth Jamaican resorts for the brand, following the Royalton White Sands and Royalton Blue Waters properties.

“Jamaica has been very welcoming to Royalton and we’ve enjoyed tremendous success with the Royalton White Sands and the newly opened Royalton Blue Waters,” said Courtney Miller, General Manager, Royalton Negril and Hideaway at Royalton Negril. “We are confident that our highly anticipated Negril resorts will set a new standard of luxury for both international travelers and Jamaican visitors to the area.”

To book a stay at Royalton Negril click here.

To book a stay at Hideaway at Royalton Negril click here.

The post Royalton Negril, Hideaway at Royalton Negril Open Doors appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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The island of Nevis will welcome Crystal Yacht Expedition Cruises’ guests starting this November.

Luxury yacht Crystal Esprit will call on the island during its 14-day sailings for the next two years, according to the Nevis Tourism Board.

“Nevis looks forward to this new partnership with Crystal and commits to working hard to make this relationship a long term and mutually beneficial one,” said Nevis Minister of Foreign Affairs and Aviation Mark Brantley.

“Our aim is to provide the best possible yacht experience for travelers and as a luxury cruise line, Crystal Yacht Expedition Cruises is an ideal complement to the luxury experiences that Nevis offers,” Brantley said. “We are happy to welcome them.”

The agreement was reached jointly between Brantley; John Stoll, Crystal’s Vice President of Land Programs; and Claudius Docekal, Crystal’s Vice President of Deployment, during Crystal’s recent visit to Nevis.

“The island of Nevis is such a tranquil and stunning location, and the perfect locale for our luxury yacht, Crystal Esprit,” Docekal said. “We are looking forward to introducing our Crystal guests to this remarkable and unique destination.”

— Dana Niland, CJ Contributor

The post Crystal Cruises Adding New Caribbean Stop appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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JetBlue has appointed John Checketts its new Vice President of Network Planning.

Checketts will oversee the execution of the company’s network strategy through route planning, schedule planning and charter functions.

“We are thrilled to welcome John into his new role,” said Scott Laurence, Senior Vice President of Airline Planning. “He brings a wealth of experience and the depth of knowledge needed to deliver on the complex task of defining our overall network strategy.”

Checketts joined JetBlue in 2004 and has held various roles in revenue management, financial planning and analysis and route planning.

Most recently, he served as director of route planning, during which time he and his team established JetBlue’s position in Boston, Fort Lauderdale and the Caribbean, where the company has been expanding rapidly.

“I’m excited to be stepping up to this role and I look forward to adding to JetBlue’s exciting growth story,” Checketts said.

— Dana Niland, CJ Contributor

The post JetBlue Names New VP for Network Planning appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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