By the Caribbean Journal staff

Global resort giant RIU Hotels and Resorts has opened its new expanded offering in Punta Cana.

The Riu Republica adults-only resort on Punta Cana’s Arenda Gorda beach has debuted a major new expansion including an exclusive water park, four new a la carte restaurants, three swimming pools and 300 new rooms.

The expansion officially debuted this week.

The resort now has a total of 10 restaurants: two buffets for breakfast and dinner; the Italian ‘Tarantella’; the Asian ‘Kaori’; the steakhouse ‘Quisqueya’; two ‘Kulinarium’ fusion eateries; the Spanish restaurant ‘Olé’, which serves typical dishes from Spanish culture; a new jerk grill open daily in the pool zone; and the ‘Taj Mahal’ Indiana eatery.

The Riu Republica now has a total of 1,382 rooms, including 8 suites, 12 two-bedroom family rooms and six rooms for guests with reduced mobility.

Other amenities include eight bars (one of which is open 24 hours a day), a gym, a Jacuzzi, and the flagship Renova Spa wellness center.

The resort is aimed largely at couples looking for a romantic stay, according to the company.

Riu has 95 hotels in 19 countries around the world, including a significant presence in the Caribbean region.

See here for an-indepth look at the Riu Republica.

The post Riu Opens Expanded Resort in Punta Cana appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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By the Caribbean Journal staff

One of the most important meetings for the global sailing industry will soon be coming to Bermuda.

World Sailing, the global governing body for the sport of sailing, is bringing its World Sailing Conference to Bermuda 2019, following a vote at its annual conference in Puerto Vallarta this month.

Delegates approved Bermuda’s bid last week.

“World Sailing’s Annual Conference is the single most important meeting of sailing’s key stakeholders,” said Chief Executive Officer Andy Hunt. “Key decision makers from World Sailing member nations, International Class Associations, boat builders and event organizers attend the conference to shape the future of the sport. More than 500 delegates attended the most recent edition of the Annual Conference in Mexico and we are thrilled to bring a similar audience to Bermuda in just under two years.”

The move comes after Bermuda’s hosting of the world’s most high-profile sailing race, America’s Cup, earlier this year.

“Bermuda has a long history with sailing, from its founding in 1609 and the creation of the Bermuda rig to the successful hosting of the 35^th America’s Cup in 2017,” said Bermuda Tourism Authority Chief Executive Kevin Dallas. “We are thrilled to add the World Sailing Conference to Bermuda’s ever-growing resume as a world-class sailing destination.”

The World Sailing Annual Conference is the central meeting “where the strategy of sailing is reviewed, discussed and celebrated,” according to a release.

The post World Sailing Conference Coming to Bermuda appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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If you subscribe to Caribbean Journal, you love traveling to the Caribbean. And so do your friends and family. So what do you get for your fellow Caribbean travel aficionados? We have you covered with the 2018 edition of the Caribbean Journal holiday gift guide, from must-have travel gadgets to the height of Caribbean style. Find the perfect gift for the holidays right here.

An Affordable, Foldable Drone

Drones aren’t always convenient for travel, but if you’re looking to get some great aerial footage and photos of your trip, now there’s an affordable option with a party piece: it’s foldable. It’s called the Force 1 Foldable Drone, and at $99, it’s the perfect gift. How to Buy It.

Tucket Footwear

We’ve long considered these waterproof boat shoes the best on the market, thanks to ultra quick-drying material and the kind of style that lets you wear them to an upscale island dinner, too. How to Buy It.

Tribord EasyBreath Full Face Snorkeling Mask

This relatively new mask has revolutionized snorkeling, making it easier and more enjoyable for everyone from the uninitiated to advanced snorkelers. The trick? Its unique design means you can breath normally, without having to breath through a tube. Long a CJ reader favorite. How to Buy It.

The Perfect Pocket Travel Camera

If you travel often to the Caribbean, you probably like taking photos — but lugging around a big SLR camera isn’t always practical. Enter this Sony gem, an utterly minuscule camera with world-class quality, from a 20.2 megapixel sensor to a Carl Zeiss lens. It’s something we use on all of our editorial trips. How to Buy It. 

A Great Travel Cigar Humidor

You may like to indulge on puros in some of the Caribbean’s great Cuban cigar shops, but if you want to bring some with you there’s a great solution: the Cigar Caddy 3240 10-cigar Waterproof Travel Humidor, an ultra-durable, floating box that will keep your cigars exactly how you like them. How to Buy It.

A Great Dry Bag

Whether you’re on the beach or on a sailboat, you need a place to put important stuff where it won’t get wet. We like the Såk Gear Premium Waterproof Dry Bag, which comes in a range of colors at a great price. How to Buy It.

100 Percent Caribbean Clothing

This 100 percent Caribbean clothing company based in the British Virgin Islands has a terrific mix of men’s and women’s wear, from Suntek shirts to  shirts whose proceeds go toward Hurricane relief. How to Buy It.

Prada Linea Rossa Sunglasses

We swear by them — they’re exceedingly durable, they’re lightweight and they’re, well, very good looking. If you need some new eyewear for the Caribbean, this is it. How to Buy It

A Caribbean Cup of Joe

Jamaica’s Blue Mountain Coffee is among the best in the world. But you don’t have to travel to Jamaica to get it (although you should!) While there are a host of options, we like Magnum brand (above). How to Buy It.

Nanette Lepore Swimsuits

These beautiful swimsuits will make you the belle of the beach, like this Super Fly Paisley Goddess one-piece swimsuit, above. How to Buy It.

Headphones With Bob Approval

House of Marley Headphones The Marley brand’s global expansion is showing no signs of slowing down, and the family’s House of Marley audio brand makes some very good products. If you’re looking for stylish, high-quality headphones without the Beats-level splurge, try these at just $49. How to Buy It.

Tommy Bahama Women’s Wear

While it may be famous for its linen shirts for men, Tommy Bahama has a beautiful collection of women’s wear, from bathing suits to classic cover ups. How to Buy It. 

The Original St Croix Hook

Hook bracelets are perhaps the Caribbean’s most famous jewelry, and they’re the brainchild of St Croix’s Sonya Ltd in the heart of historic Christansted. How to Buy It. 

Make a Donation to the Caribbean Tourism Recovery Fund

As the Caribbean recovers, it needs your help. It needs you to keep traveling to the Caribbean, but there are other ways to help — like giving in someone’s name to the Caribbean Tourism Recovery Fund, a partnership with TourismCares, helping to bring back the Caribbean’s most important economic driver and help put people back to work, too. Donate here.

The post The Caribbean Travel Holiday Gift Guide 2017 appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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By the Caribbean Journal staff

The island of Montserrat is projecting an increase in cruise arrivals this season, officials said this week.

Montserrat’s port focuses on small and medium-sized vessels “seeking unique lcocations not typically accessible to large cruise ships,” according to the Montserrat Tourism Division.

Cruise lines like Crystal and Windstar will be calling on Montserrat this season, along with Sea Cloud’s MV Sea Cloud II, among others.

Passengers are typically sold excursions like the Cultural Centre (built from funds raised by former Beatles producer and Montserrat advocate Sir George Martin), the Montserrat Volcano Observatory and the island’s main attraction, the modern-day Pompeii, Plymouth.

“The Montserrat Tourism Division is delighted to welcome the vessels to the island for shore excursions and the opportunity to reaffirm to the cruise industry that Montserrat is still open for business,” the division said in a statement.

The post Montserrat Eyes Cruise Increase appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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By the Caribbean Journal staff

It’s something too many travelers take for granted.

But for many disabled travelers in the Caribbean, getting to the beach is seldom easy.

But now one of the Caribbean’s greatest beaches is now accessible, thanks to the efforts of one pioneering hotel.

The Valentines Resort and Marina on Harbour Island in the Bahamas has installed a new wooden ramp to get to Pink Sand Beach, a world-class beach that’s typically accessible only via uneven dirt paths.

“Guests with disabilities and mobility difficulty have been thankful that we have recently made this accommodation giving them the beach access so they can experience one of the top beaches in the world,” the hotel said in a statement.

Valentine’s also has a private beach club for guests on the beach, but the ramp means the beach is now open for any traveler looking for an easier way to get to this spectacular stretch of sand.

The design of the ramp system also ensured the most eco friendly design and construction possible, according to a statement.

“While some prefer the old natural approach to the beach, many now have easier access to the beach that limited or preventing them from enjoying it,” Valentine’s said.

Here’s hoping it’s a trend that continues.

The post How One Hotel Made One of the Caribbean’s Greatest Beaches Accessible appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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