Carnival Cruise Line has created a special tropical-flavored beer served exclusively at Carnival Vista’s RedFrog Pub & Brewery.

The new Miami Guava Wheat beer was unveiled at a recent shipboard ceremony, during which Carnival Vista’s expert brewmaster Colin Presby tapped the first cask of the refreshing new brew.

Guests on board were the first to sample the beer, hand-crafted by Presby using the finest ingredients and inspired by Carnival Vista’s Miami homeport.

Miami Guava Wheat has a light body and notes of tangy pink guava, the primary ingredient in Miami’s popular guava pastries.

“Since Carnival Vista began sailing from Miami, I’ve become fascinated by tropical fruit and Cuban cuisine so I’m beyond thrilled to create this new Miami Guava Wheat in honor of American Craft Beer Week for our guests to enjoy,” Presby said.

Available on a limited basis, Miami Guava Wheat joins the three other original draft beers brewed only onboard Carnival Vista — ThirstyFrog Port Hoppin’ IPA offering aromatic, floral and hoppy notes with tropical and citrus overtones; ThirstyFrog Caribbean Wheat, an unfiltered wheat beer with flavors of orange and spices; and FriskyFrog Java Stout, a take on a traditional stout, rich and creamy with hints of coffee.

The brewed-on-board beers are just several of the food and beverage offerings on Carnival Vista which also features the cocktail pharmacy-themed Alchemy Bar, the New England-inspired Seafood Shack, JiJi Asian Kitchen serving authentic cuisine from across the Far East, Fahrenheit 555 steakhouse, and Cucina del Capitano, a family-style Italian eatery.

Carnival Vista operates six- and eight-day Caribbean cruises from PortMiami to the Caribbean and will shift to Galveston, Texas, in fall 2018 when its sister ship, Carnival Horizon, launches year-round service from Miami.

The post Carnival Releases New Beer appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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Having to find a connecting flight to get to the British Virgin Islands could soon be a thing of the past.

Tortola-based BVI Airways has received approval from the U.S. Department of Transportation to operate nonstop flights from New York to the BVI.

BVI Airways, which is also planning to launch Miami-Tortola flights, said it was evaluating when it would begin scheduled flights out of New York’s John F. Kennedy airport.

The proposed flight from New York to Tortola’s Beef Island airport would take around three hours and 45 minutes, according to the company.

The carrier has also received authority to operate nonstop flights between Orlando on Tortola.

“We look forward to the opportunity to bring more guests to the BVI from this major international gateway to discover this vacation paradise,” said Jerry Willoughby, president and CEO of BVI Airways. “Additionally, connecting the financial capital of the world directly with the BVI will offer tremendous benefits to the professional and financial communities at both ends of the flights.”

BVI Airways said it would be formally announcing the launch of the carrier’s first-ever Miami-Tortola flight, which would be the first ever regularly scheduled nonstop flights from the U.S. to BVI in history.

The company will begin operations with a fleet of AVRO Regional Jet 100s, with capacity for about 86 people and a top speed of 500 mph.

The post Nonstop New York-Tortola Flights Could Soon Be a Reality appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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Affordable all inclusive getaways aren’t just a dream. Here’s how to do it.

By Sarah Greaves-Gabbadon
CJ Travel Editor

It’s impossible to really relax on vacation if, in the back of your mind, you’re constantly worrying about how you’re going to pay for it. All inclusive resorts, of course (which bundle your room, food, drinks and activities) eliminate the departure-day surprise. So when you find an all-inclusive that offers extraordinary value, it would be foolish to stay home, right? Right. Which is why we’ve corralled the best all inclusives under $300 per person per night right here.

Jolly Beach Resort & Spa, Antigua For a starting price of just $89 per person per night guests can save (big time!) while they savor this west-coast hotel’s simple pleasures, the highlight of which is that mile-long stretch of sand at Jolly Harbour.

The post 7 Affordable All Inclusive Getaways in the Caribbean appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — Zika transmission has substantially decreased in Puerto Rico below epidemic levels, and the Puerto Rico Department of Health (PRDH) has declared that the 2016 zika epidemic is over.  Zika levels have substantially decreased since the same reporting period in 2016.

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By Sarah Greaves-Gabbadon
CJ Travel Editor

Whether you want to light a new love’s flame or simply head on a romantic retreat, there’s no better place to do it than the Caribbean, where every sunrise brings the promise of secluded sands for two. And while there’s nothing wrong with checking into a sprawling property, we’re partial to smaller places, those intimate places to stay where we receive a hotel-style welcome and service, yet somehow still feel as if we have the whole place to ourselves. These tiny romantic hotels, none exceeding 13 rooms, are some of the most romantic places in the region.

Secret Bay, Dominica A Dominica vacation doesn’t get any more romantic than a getaway to these eight eco-luxe villas, which boast outdoor showers; private plunge pools; and dedicated butlers who’ll focus on your needs (while you focus on each other’s). (It’s also our favorite of all Dominica resorts).

The post 5 Tiny Romantic Caribbean Hotels appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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