Despite Puerto Rico being the hub of the United States’ naval response to the German blockade of the Caribbean, there is very little published scholarship on the island’s heavy involvement in the global conflict of World War II. Recently, a new generation of scholars has been compiling…

Powered by WPeMatico

The Caribbean’s food scene continues to get better, with a renewed focus on honoring local styles and ingredients and a growing slate of world-class restaurants. And 2016 was an eventful year for the region’s restaurants, with several stellar debuts like St. Croix’s Balter but also the sad closing in December of one of the Caribbean’s greatest restaurants, La Cave a Vins in Martinique (although the owners are reportedly moving to a new location on the outskirts of Fort-de-France.)

With our fourth annual 50 Best Caribbean Restaurants list, we again seek to highlight the diversity and quality of the world of Caribbean food, using our three pillars of evaluation: food, service and ambience. Because as we like to say, the most important thing about a restaurant is how it makes you feel. And the best restaurants tick all three boxes.

Here are this year’s 50 best restaurants in the Caribbean.

Le Pressoir

Chef Franck Mear has achieved a masterwork with Le Pressoir, a truly exceptional restaurant set in an old Creole house in the heart of Grand Case, St. Martin. It boasts impeccable service, wonderful Brittany-meets-the-French-Caribbean cuisine and a kind of rarefied but relaxed ambience that makes for an instantly memorable meal. It is, in many ways, the perfect Caribbean restaurant.

The post The 50 Best Restaurants in the Caribbean – 2016 appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

Powered by WPeMatico

Silversea’s latest refurbishment

By Sarah Greaves-Gabbadon
CJ Travel Editor

It took 7 days and millions of dollars and now Silversea’s 382-passenger Silver Whisper has emerged from dry dock in Freeport, Bahamas with several enhancements to its suites and public areas.

In a move to bring visual uniformity across the line’s eight-ship fleet,the vessel’s 194 suites were upgraded with new carpeting and marble-floored bathrooms. Restaurants La Terrazza, Le Champagne, and The Restaurant all received new wall coverings, upholstery and re-polished wood floors. In the Observation Lounge, new wood cabinetry, an enlarged bar and navigational monitor were added; the gym now boasts a wood floor and refrigerated refreshment center; and a pair of whirlpools were added on the pool deck.

“Our goal with this refurbishment was to refresh Silver Whisper‘s signature style and honor her superb legacy of hosting our iconic world cruises by revitalizing the onboard experience for our guests,” said Roberto Martinoli, Silversea’s CEO.

Silver Whisper’s next Caribbean sailing is on November 2, 2017, when it departs New York on an 11-day cruise with stops at destinations including St. Maarten, St. Barth, Antigua and St. Lucia.

It is the fourth Silversea ship to be refreshed in a $170-million fleetwide project scheduled to be complete by the end of 2017.

The post Silversea Completes Renovation on Silver Whisper Ship appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

Powered by WPeMatico

One of the Caribbean’s most innovative luxury resorts has a new creation: a classic Caribbean beach bar.

It’s called the Kastawey Beach Bar, and it’s a restaurant and bar serving “hook-to-table fare” and rum cocktails.

Set on the property’s southern border near its Reflection Pool, the bar has teak tables and chairs around a handcrafted Caribbean fishing boat.

“The new Kastawey Beach Bar is the perfect spot for guests to relax throughout the Caribbean afternoon or take in breathtaking sundowners,” said General Manager Ed Gannon. “Kastawey makes a sixth dining venue where guests can savour the authentic, fresh flavours of our island and enjoy an excellent view. Be sure to have our new signature dish and cocktail, the Kastawey Roll and the Kastawey Smash.”

Make sure you go for the Kastawey Smash, a rum cocktail using Nevis’ own Clifton Estate Rum.

The bar is open daily from 11:30 AM until sunset.

— CJ Staff

The post A New Beach Bar at the Four Seasons Nevis appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

Powered by WPeMatico

Norwegian Air has announced the extension of its flights between New York City and Martinique.

The carrier has announced plans to extend its thrice-weekly service through the end of April 2017.

Norwegian’s flights operate Tuesdays, Thursdays ad Saturdays between New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport and Martinique’s Aime Cesaire International Airport.

Norwegian also operates twice-weekly flights from both Boston and Baltimore/Washington to Martinique; the Boston service runs Wednesdays and Sundays and the Baltimore service runs Mondays and Fridays; those flights will operate through March 22 and 24, respectively.

The renewed flights are a boost for the island, which has seen strong growth particularly in its urban destination of Fort-de-France, home to one of the Caribbean’s coolest new hotels (see video above).

– Caribbean Journal Staff

The post Norwegian Extends New York-Martinique Flights appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

Powered by WPeMatico