By the Caribbean Journal staff

The first commercial cruise ships called on St Maarten on Tuesday since Hurricane Irma, a major step in the island’s recovery.

Viking Ocean Cruises’ Viking Sea made its inaugural visit to St Maarten, welcomed by a delegation including Minister of Tourism Mellissa Arrindell-Doncher.

Viking Sea is homeporting in San Juan, sailing 10-day Caribbean cruises including stops in Barbados, St Lucia, Guadeloupe, Antigua, St Kitts, St Maarten, St Croix and St Thomas.

The cruise ship was in port with 672 passengers, mostly from the United States.

Cruise visitors received a steel pan welcome.

Viking Sea will be continuing its Caribbean itinerary through March 2018.

Also on Tuesday, TUI Cruises’ Marella Discovery ship called on the island.

The post Cruise Ships Return to St Maarten appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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Above: the Baoase Luxury Resort in Curaçao.

By the Caribbean Journal staff

Air carrier JetBlue is increasing its service to the Dutch Caribbean island of Curaçao, Caribbean Journal has learned.

The carrier will be adding a fourth weekly flight between New York’s John F Kennedy Airport and Curaçao International Airport.

Willemstad.

The expanded service will take effect in June 2018, according to a statement from the Curaçao Hotel and Tourism Association.

The new service will operate between June 19 and Sept. 4, 2018.

JetBlue first launched service to Curaçao in December 2018.

For more on Curaçao, see CJ’s recent feature on 15 photos that will make you fall in love with the island.

The post JetBlue Increasing Curaçao Flights appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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By the Caribbean Journal staff

One of the Caribbean’s leading business hotels has completed an “extensive,” four-phase renovation project.

The Hyatt Regency Trinidad in Port of Spain has officially debuted its new look, following upgrades to the property’s guest rooms, dining venues, main lobby and spa.

“We consistently work to make updates and additions to our hotel in an effort to ensure that guests are experiencing our passion for quality, innovation, service and the creation of a caring environment for our customers, associates and the community we serve,” said Hyatt Regency Trinidad General Manager Russell George. “This renovation was a necessary step to launch the hotel into its next decade of service.”

The hotel’s 43,000 square feet of event space was also given a total refresh, with new furniture and an updated color scheme.

In addition, local artists were commissioned to provide art pieces across the hotel.

The post Hyatt Regency Trinidad Completes “Extensive” Renovation appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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By the Caribbean Journal staff

The Dominican Republic’s Casa de Campo Resort and Villas has named a new director of hotel operations.

The La Romana-area complex has appointed Larry Tuck to the role, in which he will be responsible for overseeing the hotel in its entirety, from accommodations to food and beverage to golf courses.

Tuck comes to the property after most recently having served as the Resort Manager of the Four Seasons Resort Nevis.

“Larry has worked in all areas of resort operations, with many of the world’s top luxury brands. His extensive experience will make him a valuable addition to the team,” said Andres Pichardo, President of Casa de Campo Resort & Villas.  “At the heart of a resort’s success is how seamless and streamlined the operations run, especially at a destination resort of our size and caliber.  We have the utmost confidence in Larry to continue to uphold the highest standards while introducing new best practices that will continue to propel our resort forward while exceeding guest expectations.”

He has also worked for brands such as Fairmont, Sofitel, InterContinental and Westin.

“I am very happy to join the amazing Casa de Campo team and to bring my experience to an already unique and extraordinary place,” Tuck said.  “This property has an amazing history and roster of guests that range from Frank Sinatra to many US Presidents.  To be a part of such a resort is a great honor.”

The post Casa de Campo’s New Hire appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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By Dana Niland
CJ Contributor

Music superstar Rihanna has long had a deep relationship with her native Barbados, but the island has now taken another step to honor her contributions to the country.

This weekend, Barbados officially renamed Westbury New Road to Rihanna Drive.

Rihanna arrived for the opening ceremony on Westbury New Road in a “bright yellow ensemble,” to cheers and applause from a welcoming crowd.

Seated next to Prime Minister Freundel Stuart, she was surrounded by government officials, friends and family.

The two-hour ceremony was marked with tributes to the Grammy-award winning singer, and included performances from the neighboring Westbury Primary School and other Barbadians.

During her address, Rihanna reminisced about her days growing up on Westbury New Road, and attributed her success to the residents who all played a part in her upbringing.

“Welcome to Rihanna Drive — my home,” she said. “My whole life was shaped on this very road. I was just a little girl riding bikes, running around barefoot, and flying kites in the cemetery, but I had big dreams. Dreams that were born and realized right here.”

“Thank you to my family, my country and the people of Westbury New Road,” she continued. You will forever be a part of who I am, and for that I am honored to have this place named after me.”

The ceremony culminated with the unveiling of the Rihanna Drive street sign, as well as a monument which was constructed to display many of the business mogul’s achievements to date.

Lastly, Rihanna and the Prime Minister strolled to her childhood home to view the sidewalk plaque which was also created to celebrate the star.

The post Rihanna Gets Her Own Street in Barbados appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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