Princess Cruises’ Caribbean Princess ship will undergo an extensive renovation, the company announced this week.

The multimillion-dollar renovation will include new offerings focusing on families, including a Camp Discovery Youth & Teen Center, upgraded “Movies Under the Stars” and interconnecting staterooms.

The ship will also be wired for the company’s new Ocean Medallion tech offering coming in the 2018 summer Caribbean season.

“With new amenities catering to families, Caribbean Princess not only provides comfort and technology to stay connected but enriching experiences that can be shared together as a family or in our new Camp Discovery Youth & Teen Center – all renovated with the goal of helping our guests create lifelong memories,” said Jan Swartz, president of Princess Cruises.

The ship will also see the addition of 3,200 new “Princess Luxury Beds,” developed in collaboration with sleep expert Dr Michael Breus and HGTV designer Candice Olson.

The renovation will take place during a two-week dry dock.

— Caribbean Journal Staff

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Over the past four years, Bahamian Project photographers have created more than 120 high-quality portraits that capture the spirit of the people of the Bahamas.

These archival portraits hold great historical, social and cultural significance as they convey a visual statement about this time in Bahamian history.

The photographers hope that the collection of photographs will inspire the foundation of a permanent National Portrait Gallery.

The portraits tell the story of people from all walks of life throughout the islands– people whose character forms the basis of Bahamian cultural identity.

Many talented photographers have participated in the project, including Dante Carrer, Vado Culmer, Chris Day, Demetrius Francisco, Guilden Gilbert, Torrell Glinton, Rosemary Hanna, Nowe Harris-Smith, Ben Jamieson, Donald Knowles, Scharad Lightbourne, Rashad Penn, Alessandro Sarno, Andre Sheppard, Duke Wells, Ana-Lisa Wells, Lyndah Wells and Sofia Whitehead.

“Each of these photographic artists show their sincere dedication and passion for photography and their abiding love for The Bahamas by volunteering their time on this important Project,” said Duke Wells, the Bahamian Project’s Creative Director and Lead Photographer.

Representing a broad cross-section of the photographic community in the Bahamas, Bahamian Project photographers are committed to similar standards for high-quality portraiture.

Each artist has developed his or her own technical and artistic approach, taking on portrait assignments in their own individual style using lighting, locations, backgrounds and photographic techniques.

For more information, visit the Bahamian Project.

— Dana Niland, CJ Contributor

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Jamaica’s most iconic resort is planning a major renovation project.

Montego Bay’s Half Moon will be launching what the hotel is calling an “extensive renovation” beginning in May.

The project, which is slated for completion in October 2018, is the second phase of a $75 million master plan.

It will include new guest facilities and restaurants, expanded beach and accommodations and a total of 57 new rooms and suites that will replace 44 existing ones.

The second phase comes after the 2015 refurbishment of Half Moon’s Sugar Mill Restaurant, the resort lobby, the Robert Trent Jones-designed golf course and the addition of the Lester’s Cafe coffee bar.

Also near completion is a “centralized back of house complex,” the resort said, with new resources and modern facilities for staff.

“This period of development will be an exciting time for Half Moon, which has been the chosen retreat for royalty, presidents and generations of loyal guests,” said Guy Steuart III, chairman of the Half Moon Board of Directors. “Our investment demonstrates the ongoing commitment to our guests and loyalty club members and also our staff and the people of Jamaica.”

The resort will remain open for the duration of the renovation project.

“Our resort operations will not be impacted by this initiative,” said Sandro Fabris, general manager of Half Moon. “We will continue to provide the excellent service we are known for and ensure that our guests’ comfort will be our top priority.”

Last year, Caribbean Journal named Half Moon number one on the list of the best Jamaica hotels.

To book a stay at Half Moon click here.

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Headed to Puerto Rico? Don’t stop there! After you’ve explored the “Isle of Enchantment,” make time to visit its little sister, Vieques.

The island, which was for years the site of a US bombing range, is now one of the Caribbean’s up-and-coming destinations for hip, active travelers looking for a different kind of beach paradise.

In recent years, new boutique hotels have come on the scene in Vieques, as the island begins to define itself for the next tourism wave.

And yes, the laidback 52-square paradise eight miles off Puerto Rico’s eastern coast boasts expansive white-sand beaches; excellent snorkeling; and its star attraction, the world-famous bioluminescent Mosquito Bay.

With so much to do here a day trip definitely won’t cut it (flights are easy and short on carriers like Cape Air and Vieques Air Link), so plan to spend at least a couple of nights. Where? CJ Travel Editor Sarah Greaves-Gabbadon says you can’t go wrong at any of these places — the top five Vieques hotels.

W Retreat & Spa, Vieques Island What’s not to love about this slick north-coast resort that boasts whimsical, boho-chic décor in 156 spacious rooms; a stunning spa; and its own Instagram-worthy pair of sandy coves? It all makes for what is the top place to stay among Vieques hotels.

Hix Island House This hillside hideaway features 19 simple but stylish lofts that scream “eco-chic,” with glassless windows positioned to take advantage of the breeze; outdoor showers; and ocean-view patios.

El Blok With a must-try restaurant helmed by Puerto Rican chef Jose Enrique and a rooftop infinity pool that’s ground zero of trendy nighttime scene, this 22-room “tropical modern” adults-only inn in Esperanza is one of Vieques’ hottest hotels.

Bravo Beach Hotel In a residential neighborhood walking distance from the village of Isabel II, this small inn is a solid choice for families who can stay in its one- and two-bedroom apartments while taking advantage of its two pools and ocean access.

Inn on The Blue Horizon Looking for a romantic ambience, ocean-view infinity pool and the thrill of discovering an under-the-radar charmer? Then look no further than this homey 10-room bed-and-breakfast, which also wins raves for the fare at its Carambola restaurant.

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Destinations from around the Caribbean gathered this week for the Seatrade Cruise Global conference, the world’s leading cruise industry event.

Officials from Antigua and Barbuda to the U.S. Virgin Islands were on hand to promote their ports of call.

Most officials Caribbean Journal talked to were quite bullish about the region and the cruise industry at large, and the energy at Seatrade was defnitely at a far higher level than in years past.

That included both ports like Antigua, which has a major plan to transform its port in St John’s (and brought a high-level delegation including Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority Chairman Ricky Skerritt and CEO Colin James, along with newer ports like the Tortola Pier Park, which helped bring a large contingent to the British Virgin Islands’ port.

The Caribbean contingent was easily the liveliest of the show on the opening day on Tuesday in Fort Lauderdale, from a pannist at the US Virgin Islands booth to a DJ at St Maarten’s exhibit.

— Alexander Britell and Guy Britton in Fort Lauderdale

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