Disney Cruise Line is adding a new island destination: Bermuda.

Beginning in the fall of 2018 In fall 2018, Disney Cruise Line will sail on new itineraries and to new ports, including its first-ever visits to Bermuda.

For the first time, Disney Cruise Line guests can sail to the beautiful island of Bermuda.

Each of the five-night sailings includes two full days in Bermuda, while one special six-night sailing includes three days there.

An idyllic setting for outdoor enjoyment, Bermuda offers its famous pink sand beaches, lush forests and a range of water activities.

Shopping and sightseeing are plentiful and, at only 21 square miles, the island is easy to navigate and explore.

With its own distinctive blend of British and Caribbean culture, Bermuda boasts both a rich history in sailing and a passion for cricket.

Disney Magic cruises to Bermuda from New York set sail in October 2018.

— Dana Niland, CJ Contributor

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AGUADILLA, Puerto Rico — US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Air and Marine Operations (AMO) detected a single engine vessel on Tuesday evening attempting to smuggle more than 159 pounds (72 kilos) of cocaine north of Arecibo. Puerto Rico Police Department marine units intercepted the vessel.

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The Melia Nassau Beach resort in New Providence has completed a $19 million renovation project that first began back in 2014.

The 694-room resort has been “completely transformed,” according to the property, with 102 rooms belonging to Melia’s The LEVEL exclusive hotel-within-a-hotel wing.

Guest rooms and suites have been redesigned to feature what the property is calling “contemporary Caribbean style decor,” while the resort has also added a newly refurbished 24-hour fitness center and a stage for live entertainment.

The resort, which is open to adults and families, has three pools, seven dining venues and four bars, along with universal Wi-Fi, among other amenities.

For families, there is additionally a Kids Pool and a Kids’ Club.

– CJ Staff

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By Sarah Greaves-Gabbadon
CJ Travel Editor

Most visitors flock to the well known Jamaica tourist hubs of Montego Bay, Negril and Ocho Rios. But there’s even more magic to be found further east, in the coastal parish of Portland. Lush and peaceful, Portland is more than just its capital, the once-thriving banana town of Port Antonio. Today, despite being far off the beaten tourist track, it offers stunning natural beauty, singular experiences, and exceptional cuisine, all of which combine to make it well worth the trip. Here are seven reasons to visit Portland.

River Rafting Thank actor Errol Flynn for the magical experience of drifting down the Rio Grande on a slender bamboo raft – an activity formerly used to transport bananas from plantation to port, which he popularized back in the 1950s. Today, floating down the glassy waterway from Berrydale to Rafters’ Rest is an opportunity to see the island at its most beautiful.

Boston Jerk You can’t come to Portland without going to the town of Boston and sampling the uniquely Jamaican fiery fare. And while can’t go wrong with a quarter-pound of jerk pork or chicken at any of the smoke-filled roadside stalls, we’re partial to Little David’s.

Blue Lagoon Rumor has it that it’s bottomless, and we’ve even heard that there’s a dragon who lives in its depths. We can’t say whether either of those things is true but we can say that this swimming hole, fed by underground freshwater springs, is one of Jamaica’s most cinematically beautiful.

Trident Castle You have to see this quirky eight-bedroom castle, which sits on seven waterfront acres with its own helipad, pool and charming private chapel, to believe it. Better still, have your wedding at the distinctive venue in the village of Anchovy, and you can gawk at the photos

Monkey Island Kayak from San San beach to this sandy spot (also called Princess Island and Pellew Island) and enjoy tranquil sunning on its sandy shores and great snorkeling in the reef right off them.

Frenchman’s Cove When it comes to Jamaican beaches, few are more photogenic than this Porty shore, which is bordered on one side by lush gardens, on the other by warm clear water, and bisected by a refreshing river that runs between them.

Dickie’s Best Kept Secret You never know what will be on the menu at this quirky in-home restaurant precariously perched on a hillside as you enter Port Antonio. But you can be sure that the spread, prepped by the restaurant’s eccentric owner Dickie, will be both memorable and mouthwatering.

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The San Juan Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino has been sold to a buyer from China, brokerage JLL announced.

The 527-key Condado resort’s sale was arranged by JLL on behalf of Rockwood Capital and Interlink Group. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

JLL Managing Director Gregory Rumpel and Senior Vice President Andrew Dickey led the JLL team on the transaction.

“The San Juan lodging market has performed well over the past few years, despite short-term impacts in 2016 in the Caribbean region and Puerto Rico’s debt pressures. This transaction represents continued interest from investors in the Puerto Rican lodging market, given the robust demand drivers, no new supply, exceptional airlift and overall attractiveness of the opportunities in the market,” said Dickey. “This property garnered interest from both international and domestic investors due to its beachfront location, outstanding financial performance and affiliation with a globally recognized brand.”

The hotel property includes the Stellaris Casino, five food and beverage outlets, more than 14,000 square feet of meeting and event space and a pool set on the beach.

The resort is located on a four-acre beachfront site, and there is room to “add density to the resort,” JLL said.

The resort has averaged 87.6 percent occupancy over the last five years, significantly outperforming the Caribbean average.

Investors have been scooping up a number of Puerto Rico hotels in recent years, most notably the iconic El San Juan resort, which sold in 2015.

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