Put simply, it’s the best way to get from South Florida to Nassau. Period. 

Tropic Ocean Airways has launched its first regularly scheduled service between Fort Lauderdale and Nassau in The Bahamas. 

The carrier kicked off its inaugural Fort Lauderdale-Nassau service on Thursday, creating a new way to travel to The Bahamas’ ever-popular capital. 

And it’s a new standard for the Florida-Bahamas crossing. 

So what makes it so special? 

Tropic Ocean Airways, which operates scheduled and charter flights from Florida across The Bahamas, runs the flight out of its Sheltair terminal at Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport — meaning it’s a semi-private flight. 

And that means you get the private aviation experience — like an easy check-in and none of the hassles and long lines of commercial aviation. 

More importantly, you only have to be at the airport 45 minutes before the flight time, dropping off your car with complimentary valet parking. 

The flight takes about an hour — and it’s a throwback to the jet set age, a journey where you can marvel at the aquamarine wonders of islands like Bimini and Andros along the way from your seat in the Cessna Caravan EX.

And when you get to Nassau, it’s the same experience, thanks to Tropic Ocean Airways’ partner, Odyssey, which operates the FBO at Lynden Pindling International Airport. 

And that means you have more time to spend at your final destination, whether it’s a boutique getaway to Graycliff or a resort vacation at Atlantis or Baha Mar.

For now, Tropic is operating the service on Thursdays, Fridays, Sundays and Mondays, although that’s likely to expand, according to Rob Ceravolo, CEO of Tropic Ocean Airways.

“We have our eye toward adding flights with demand already very strong,” Ceravolo told Caribbean Journal. “I think it’s a great market.”

The move expands Tropic Ocean’s regularly schedule Bahamas service, which currently includes regular flights to destinations including Great Harbour Cay in the Berry Islands; Cat Cay and the North Bimini Seaplane Base.

The launch comes as travelers have placed an increased premium on private and semi-private flights amid the pandemic. 

“The shift toward private aviation has been great for us,” Ceravolo said. 

Indeed, amid the pandemic, flying away from the crowded experiences of major airports is a luxury — and with base rates starting at $350, it’s accessible — and at times even more affordable than some of the rates major carriers are charging to Nassau right now. 

For more, visit Tropic Ocean Airways. 

— CJ

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The Caribbean’s most popular travel destination is getting a pair of new resorts from Karisma. 

Karisma Hotels and Resorts has announced plans to open two new properties in the Dominican Republic: the new Azul Beach Resort Cap Cana and the new Azul Beach Resort Punta Cana.

Both resorts will open on Nov. 1, according to a statement from the company. 

The Azul Beach Resort Punta Cana is a rebranding of the former Sensatori Punta Cana. 

“After sustaining such a long-standing presence in top Caribbean markets with beautiful destinations like Cancun and Jamaica, it is with the utmost pride that Karisma Hotels & Resorts announces the expansion and revamping of the portfolio’s highly-praised Azul Beach Resorts brand,” said Mario Mathieu, SVP of Business Development, Design and Construction, of Karisma Hotels & Resorts. “With the addition of Azul Beach Resort Cap Cana and Azul Beach Resort Punta Cana we will deliver a brand and product that places an emphasis on providing guests with that unique touch of comfort, variety, and relaxed refinement for couples, families, and groups alike.”

The Cap Cana resort will be part of a broader experience, with access to the amenities at the adjacent Margaritaville Island Reserve Cap Cana. 

That property is also slated to make its debut in November.

The 251-suite Azul Beach Resort Cap Cana will have a range of rooms, from family-swim-up suites to beachfront suites. 

The 252-suite Azul Beach Resort Punta Cana will also include an adults-only section with both honeymoon and swim-up suites, according to Karisma. 

For more, visit Karisma. 

— CJ

The post Karisma Is Opening Two New All-Inclusive Hotels in Punta Cana appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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One of Saint Lucia’s leading resorts is joining the Zoëtry brand. 

The Marigot Bay Resort will soon relaunch as an all-inclusive under AMResorts’ wellness-focused Zoëtry brand. 

The rebranded Zoëtry Marigot Bay St Lucia will be the first AMResorts property on the island. 

It will feature 124 rooms and suites, with a spa, four eateries, four bars and a pair of infinity pools. 

The property, set on what has long been considered the most beautiful bay in Saint Lucia, is also home to the island’s leading marina.

The resort opening date has not yet been announced. 

Zoëtry also announced the addition of a new resort in Mexico, the Zoëtry Casa Del Mar Los Cabos, a similar conversion that is slated to open in November. 

“Demand for boutique resorts is at a high, as travelers crave more intimate experiences in a setting that prioritizes luxury, personalization and safety. Understanding how to optimize this segment for profitability can be a challenge, especially in a volatile market,” said Javier Coll, Group President of Global Business Development at AMResorts. For more than 13 years, AMResorts has provided successful brand-management services through the Zoëtry brand for resorts that are truly unique, while offering guests a consistent, reliable stay from property to property.”

Zoëtry’s other Caribbean resorts include properties in Jamaica, Punta Cana and the Riviera Maya. 

For more, visit Zoëtry.

— CJ

The post Zoëtry Is Opening a New All-Inclusive in Saint Lucia appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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The all-inclusive Verandah Resort and Spa in Antigua is reopening next month, Caribbean Journal has learned. 

The popular family-friendly property is set to welcome back guests on Sept. 1, parent company Elite Island Resorts confirmed. 

The Green Globe-certified, recently-upgraded resort, which is set on 30 beachfront acres, has a total of 180 villa-style suites, with a mix of one and two-bedroom units. 

That’s along with a collection of six full-fledged villas, all of which have two bedrooms and sweeping views of the bay. 

Dining concepts include the signature Seabreeze restaurant; Nicole’s a fine-dining eatery with a fusion of French and Italian cuisine; The Buccaneer, an a la carte, Caribbean-inspired restaurant; The Beach Bar and Grill; and the Wadadli Snack Shack right on the beach. 

That’s along with four bars and lounges, including the beachside Rasta Bar. 

The property’s Tranquility Body and Soul Spa has a variety of treatment options, along with salon services. 

That’s along with amenities ranging from an 18-hole mini-golf course to two white-sand beaches. 

The resort is adjacent to the new Hammock Cove Resort, a spectacular adults-only property.

The reopening of The Verandah will mean that all of Elite Island Resorts’ properties in Antigua are open, joining Hammock Cove; Galley Bay and St James’s Club and Villas.  

Here’s what you need to know before visiting Antigua and Barbuda. 

For more, visit The Verandah. 

— CJ

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