Crystal Cruises is launching a new kind of itinerary, aiming to give travelers the same experience with shorter time commitments and extra savings.

They’re called “Crystal Getaways,” and they tend toward itineraries lasting closer to a week.

That will include Caribbean journeys, from an eight-day Fort Lauderdale-Barbados trip to a six-day voyage from Barbados to Charleston, both on Crystal Serenity.

“Luxury travelers continue to seek unparalleled service, amenities and experiences when they explore the world, even with limited time,” says Crystal CEO and president, Edie Rodriguez. “Crystal Getaways allow travelers to enjoy a standard of luxury, excellence and unforgettable adventures, without stressing their calendars – while also realizing tremendous savings on the all-inclusive Crystal Experience.”

All inclusive cruises for Crystal Cruises Getaways begin at $940 per person, the company said.

— CJ Staff

The post Crystal Launching Shorter “Getaway” Cruises appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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By Sarah Greaves-Gabbadon
CJ Travel Editor

There’s more to Jamaica than just rum and reggae (although we’re proud fans of both). But because the island is so big (at more than 4,000 square-miles it’s the largest English-speaking Caribbean country), it’ll likely take you much more than a weekend to discover its beyond-the-beach assets.

Cue the savvy marketers at Strawberry Hill, a 12-cottage resort nestled in the island’s famous Blue Mountains, who’ve introduced new promotion that offers an uncommon take on the famously irie isle.

Book the three-night Jamaica On A Platter package and you’ll enjoy a selection of tours that highlight the island’s artistic and culinary assets. Visit Kingston Coffee Traders, one of the leading manufacturers of prized Blue Mountain coffee; discover tropical fruit and vegetables at Coronation Market, Jamaica’s largest; and see the vibrant murals on Fleet Street in downtown Kingston, where the painted warehouse facades now form the island’s largest public art installation.

The package is valid for the last weekend of every month from now through the summer.

The post A New Way to Experience Kingston appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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Anegada: it’s the remote, beach-filled outpost of the British Virgin Islands, a throwback to the Old Caribbean that remains one of the region’s undiscovered gems.

More importantly, though, Anegada is without question the Caribbean capital of lobster — thanks to a remarkable surfeit of the creatures that ensures no meal takes place without a lobster (or two) on someone’s plate.

It’s no surprise, then, that one of the most popular events of the BVI Food Fete, a culinary event which first launched back in 2014, is the Anegada Lobster Festival, a two-day lobster extravaganza Nov. 25-26 that includes a “Lobster Crawl” on the 24.

Here are some of our favorite places to enjoy lobster on the island.

Anegada Reef

Perhaps the number one dinner spot on the island, the venerable Anegada Reef has fresh lobster and an even better setting right on the water.

Neptune’s Treasure

Come here on an off hour and watch the lobster get pulled from the trap at Neptune’s Treasure. Then come back in the evening and go to town on serious crustacean goodness.

Potter’s By the Sea

It’s the first thing most visitors see when they arrive to Anegada, and this terrific beach bar-restaurant serves a massive lobster dinner. Just make sure you reserve it early in the day.

Big Bamboo

This legendary spot set at the edge of Loblolly Bay is named for the eponymous Big Bamboo (cover photo), one of the island’s lobstering legends.

Wonky Dog

Rustic and laid back, one of the island’s newer spots has lobster that delivers, along with frequent music to add a soundtrack to your seafood consumption.

Lobster Trap

You’ll find lobster all over the menu at this lovely waterfront eatery, even in a delicious linguine. But the barbecued lobster is still the must-try dish.

Cow Wreck

The island’s greatest beach bar means you can consume ultra-fresh lobster right on powder-white sand, then take a dip with a rum in hand. It doesn’t get much better than that.

The post The Best Places to Eat Lobster in Anegada appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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“This could be a country.”

That’s the thought you have surveying the natural wonders of Peter Island, a private island that feels even bigger than its nearly 1800 acres.

Five white-sand beaches, stunning cliffs, gardens — it’s a haul that would make some sovereign islands greener with envy.

And that’s precisely what makes it just such an impressive island — while the Caribbean is filled with private island resorts, there’s a feeling here that this is more than just a private resort — it’s a full-fledged destinatio in the heart of the British Virgin Islands.

Even if there were no resort here, it would be a sought-after, romantic, bucket-list kind of island.

Of course, there is a resort here: 18 ocean view rooms, 14 deluxe rooms, 20 beachfront suites and three remarkable villas, along with a wide-ranging culinary offering (led by the wine-focused Tradewinds restaurant).

And then there’s the spa.

It is, plainly, a beautiful thing, a 10,000-square-foot facility with its own infinity pool, an oceanside jacuzzi and a garden, the kind of spa where just entering is a treatment in itself.

It’s something that gets even better when you begin to learn about its green efforts – the windmills, the recycling, the reverse osmosis plant.

It all makes Peter Island a truly complete place, where nothing goes wanting. And that’s a very special thing.

That’s our kind of country.

Watch the latest CJ video at the top of the page. 

The post VIDEO: Checking in to Peter Island, The Iconic Private Island Resort appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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By Dana Niland
CJ Contributor

St. Barth Properties has introduced a new addition to its portfolio, Villa ELA.

This St Barts villa compound is located directly on Flamands, one of the island’s most popular beaches.

An ideal winter getaway for family or groups of friends, the villa features eight en suite bedrooms housed in two separate bungalows.

The main house’s open floor plan, includes a kitchen, dining area, and furnished living room.

With its dark woods and white palette, the decor reflects a casually elegant beach vibe.

The living area opens to the deck and panoramic views of the sea, and an expansive two-tiered wooden deck provides a wealth of outdoor living space and remote-controlled awnings.

Guests can enjoy an over-sized pool, outdoor shower, tennis court and a wet bar for entertaining.

The master suite, which occupies the second floor of the primary bungalow, houses a mahogany four-poster king bed and a bath with sunken tub.

Adjacently located is a guest bedroom, with two additional bedrooms located on the lower level.

Of these three, two have four-poster French king beds and one is furnished with twin beds, while all across the board sport ocean views.

A two-storied guest bungalow offers garden views and four en suite bedrooms – three with French king beds and one a standard king) – making it deal for families with younger children.

The bungalow also has its own air-conditioned living area and kitchenette.

The post St. Barth Properties Adds New Villa appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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