By Gerard Best
CJ Contributor

PHILIPSBURG, St Maarten—Belize will host the fourth Caribbean Peering and Interconnection Forum, known as CarPIF, on June 6 and 7, 2018.

The 2018 meeting is expected to be the largest to date, according to organizer Bevil Wooding, an Internet strategist with Packet Clearing House and executive director of the Caribbean Network Operators Group. He described the annual event as “a truly unique opportunity for players in the Caribbean’s Internet community to connect with peers and industry colleagues.”

CarPIF is an initiative of the Internet Society, Packet Clearing House and the Caribbean Network Operators Group. Since its inception in 2015, the forum has brought together regional and international technology experts and telecommunications industry execs to discuss a range of topics related to Internet peering  and interconnection trends, and their relevance to the Caribbean region.

“International firms like Google, Facebook and Akamai have the opportunity to meet with decision makers from Caribbean internet service providers, digital content creators, regulators, government officials and other Internet entrepreneurs. Participants gain global insights on how the Caribbean can maximize the opportunities that can be derived through greater interconnection and peering,” Wooding said.

The 2018 meeting dates were announced at CarPIF 3, which was held in Phillipsburg, St Maarten on July 5 and 6. The two-day agenda featured interactive panel discussions, debates and open mic sessions, facilitated by Wooding and Shernon Osepa, manager of regional affairs for Latin America and the Caribbean at the Internet Society.

“The Internet Society actively supports peering forums around the world. We see CarPIF as a very positive step for development of the Internet economy in the Caribbean,” Osepa said.

The post Major Internet Conference Coming to Belize appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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Canadian hotel brand Royalton is expanding its wellness offering in a big way.

The company has announced the launch of Royalton Fit, a program that offers a mix of fitness and wellness classes for guests.

Royalton Fit will offer more than 500 fitness classes, with over 120 each week at the company’s resorts in Mexico, Jamaica, the Dominican Republic and St. Lucia.

Fitness programming will include everything from CrossFit to cycling to Zumba.

“Guests of Royalton Luxury Resorts have come to expect the best, and the fitness program should be no exception,” said Jordi Sole, Senior Director of Operations. “We have found a combination of fitness and health enhancing that our guests are very excited about.”

The program was developed by George and Belinda Kiriakou, Royalton’s team of fitness experts.

“It’s wonderful to watch people of all ages and fitness levels embrace their health while on vacation,” said George Kiriakou, Sports & Fitness Director at Royalton Luxury Resorts.  “I’ve seen everyone from grandparents, to young children and their parents try out a single class, then keep it up for the rest of their stay. It’s the perfect way to change your routine and set yourself on a path to feeling great.”

The post Royalton’s New Wellness Program appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — At a time when almost all the news about Puerto Rico in mainstream media is firmly focused on the island’s fiscal and economic woes, the deluge of negative headlines making the rounds on social media can feel overwhelming. It is precisely in times like these then, that…

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The traditional all inclusive Caribbean vacation is compelling — the beach, the food, the drinks, the rooms, all in one package, removing the need for ever pulling out your wallet. But what if you want to take that to the next level — to raise the quality of the food, the rooms and the total experience? Enter the luxury all inclusive, a full-fledged luxury experience with the unparalleled convenience of traditional all inclusive resorts. Because at the end of the day, luxury is about comfort — and it doesn’t get any more comfortable than these plush properties.

Here are the top luxury all inclusive Caribbean resorts to check out right now.

Grand Velas Riviera Maya The Mexican Caribbean’s premiere all inclusive has it all, from massive suites to some of the best food in the Caribbean — all inclusive or otherwise.

Zoëtry Agua Punta Cana The leading Punta Cana all inclusive is all about boutique luxury and wellness, with a thatched-roof style and less than 96 rooms in total.

Spice Island Beach Resort The resort that put Grenada on the tourist map, this is all about understated luxury right on the beautiful sands of Grand Anse Beach. As iconic as a resort gets in the Caribbean.

Galley Bay Antigua’s signature all inclusive has the feel of a private island resort, with a spectacular white-sand beach, terrific food and standout rooms led by the property’s famous Gauguin Cottages, which just underwent a major renovation.

Curtain Bluff Antigua’s venerable Curtain Bluff is all about grand luxury, with superb food, great beaches and the feeling that you’ve been admitted into a wonderful private club.

UNICO 20.87 This new adults only addition to the Riviera Maya is as modern as all inclusives get, from pop up events to butler service to an unmatched emphasis on local culture and experiences.

Le Blanc Spa Resort This adults-only property in the tourist hub of Cancun is Palace Resorts’ flagship resort, a hip, sleek property with everything from Bvlgari amenities to in-room double whirlpool tubs.

BodyHoliday The Caribbean’s leading wellness resort has a standout feature: every stay includes a daily, free 50-minute spa treatment with your stay. But that’s just the beginning, with everything from Ayurvedic treatments to an in-house “BodyScience” doctor. That’s without mentioning outstanding food and gorgeous rooms.

Hermitage Bay Whether you’re staying on the hill or right on the sand, this Antigua resort has some of the coolest rooms you’ll find in the Caribbean. Here, it’s all about exclusivity, with a beach that feels private and just 30 suites.

Fowl Cay What if the Caribbean’s ultimate vacations were also all inclusive? That’s the case at Fowl Cay, set in the heart of the spectacular Exuma archipelago of the Bahamas. Even better? Every room comes with its own gassed-up boat.

Serenity at Coconut Bay One of the Caribbean’s newest all inclusives is a major addition to the luxury segment. This adults only boutique in St. Lucia, adjacent to the Coconut Bay resort, has just 36 unique suites, all of which have their own plunge pools.

Sandals Royal Plantation This Ocho Rio institution isn’t like any other Sandals. This is a true boutique all inclusive, with the feel of a small private island resort. It’s intimate in a way few all inclusives are.

The post The Top Luxury All Inclusive Caribbean Resorts appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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You may not know it, but New England was a global hub for rum in the colonial period, when America was both bringing in rum from the West Indies and making a substantial portion of its own rum, too.

While that tradition waned over two hundred years, New England’s love of rum hasn’t changed, and there has been a rebirth in recent years, with a handful of new rum distilleries popping up.

One New England-based company is doing things a little differently, though, marrying the spirit of the West Indies with classic New England character.

Salem, Mass.-based Rumson’s curates Caribbean rums and then blends and finishes them on location in New England, with a mix of both traditional and flavored varieties.

And the result? It’s rather good.

We recently tried Rumson’s flagship expression, the Rumson’s Grande Reserve Rum, a blend of aged rums from Trinidad.

This rum, which comes in a round-edged bottle marked with the company’s “pirate dog” logo, has a dark amber color, with an aroma of caramel, vanilla and a hint of spice.

The flavor is marked by brown sugar, caramel, vanilla and spice.

The finish is very smooth, with a hint of butterscotch.

The verdict? An excellent rum, one that must be enjoyed neat.

— CJ

The post Rum Journal: Rumson’s Grand Reserve Rum appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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