Norwegian Cruise Line has unveiled its summer 2018 and fall/winter 2018-2019 itineraries, featuring new opportunities for guests to set sail to the Caribbean.

In summer 2018, Norwegian Gem will set sail for the Bahamas and Florida each Saturday from New York City.

Norwegian Sky will continue to sail three- and four-day Bahamas cruises from Miami year-round, providing guests a private island escape to Great Stirrup Cay, which is undergoing enhancements that include a luxury lagoon area for Haven guests, along with upgraded facilities, premium cabana furnishings and more family-friendly amenities.

In winter 2018-2019, Norwegian Escape will remain in New York, and bring guests to the beaches Florida and the Bahamas on seven-day cruises.

In addition to the Bahamas cruise options, guests can set sail to other Caribbean destinations on seven Norwegian ships in 2018 and 2019, sailing from departure ports including New York, Boston, Port Canaveral, San Juan, Miami, New Orleans and Tampa.

From December 2018-February 2019, Norwegian Escape will set sail from New York on extended 12- and 14-day Southern Caribbean cruises, as well as 14-day Western Caribbean Cruises, which will include a call at Harvest Caye≠ Belize’s newest resort-style port of call.

Norwegian Breakaway will also sail 10- and 11-day Eastern Caribbean cruises from New York for a sunny Virgin Islands getaway in the winter.

New for 2018, guests cruising from New England can set sail to the Caribbean from Boston on Norwegian Dawn for a 14-day Eastern Caribbean cruise in 2018.

Norwegian Gem will reposition to New Orleans, sailing to the Western Caribbean on seven-, 10-, and 11-day cruises from the Crescent City.

Guests sailing from Miami in winter 2018 can cruise to the Western Caribbean on Norwegian Getaway, which will sail seven-day cruises that will also include a call to Harvest Caye.

Norwegian Pearl will homeport in Tampa during winter 2018, sailing seven-day cruises to the Western Caribbean.

Norwegian Dawn will seasonally homeport in San Juan, Puerto Rico during the winter 2018-2019 season, sailing to the heart of the Caribbean on seven-, 10- and 11-day cruises, with calls in Barbados, St. Lucia, Antigua and more.

Guests can also sail to the Southern Caribbean from Miami on Norwegian Jade, on a 10-day cruise on select dates from November 2018 – April 2019.

Norwegian Epic will again return to Port Canaveral in fall 2018, sailing alternating seven-day Eastern and Western Caribbean cruises, along with the select longer 10- and 11-day Western Caribbean cruises from November 2018-January 2019.

— Dana Niland, CJ Contributor

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A major new hotel is coming to the Xcaret Park eco-destination on Mexico’s Caribbean coast.

The Hotel Xcaret will include 900 rooms, all suites, in a luxury property that will be the first to hold an EarthCheck certification for its planning and design, according to the Cancun CVB.

The resort will include rivers and coves, rainforest trails, infinity pools, three gyms, a business center and 10 restaurants.

The hotel will also include the Muluc Spa with treatment “caves” carved out of rock, a relaxation lounge, a hydrotherapy circuit, dermoaesthetics and even “salt water isolation cabins.”

All of the suites will look out on either the ocean, garden, river or pool.

— Caribbean Journal Staff

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One of the Caribbean’s leading resorts has been sold.

Residential resort investor Dolphin Capital Investors has entered an agreement to sell the 2,200-acre Playa Grande Golf and Resort Project, including the Amanera resort, to Third Point LLC, the company’s largest shareholder.

Consideration for the sale was $66.8 million, with the deal agreed at an enterprise value of around $146 million USD; Third Point also acquired all Playa Grande liabilities, amounting to around $78 million USD.

“We are proud to have developed the Playa Grande project and the Amanera Resort to its current status where it has been internationally recognized as one of the top luxury resort destinations in the Americas. This sale will enable the project to move on to its next stage of development,” said Miltos Kambourides, company founder and managing director of Dolphin Capital Partners.

Discovery Land Company has entered into a partnership to develop the Playa Grande Club and Reserve, with plans for a variety of developer-built luxury villas and custom homesites along the site’s beaches, cliffside and Robert Trent Jones Sr.-designed 18-hole championship golf course. (The course was recently renovated by his son, Rees Jones).

Playa Grande includes the aforementioned Amanera resort by Aman Resorts, which opened in November 2015 and has quickly become one of the region’s top luxury resorts.

“Playa Grande is a special place and we are proud and grateful for the opportunity to be involved with it,” said Michael Meldman, Chairman and CEO of Discovery Land Company. “The raw, natural beauty of the land is evident from the moment you step onto the property. The golf course is amazing with the perfect interaction between golf and ocean. The surf breaks on property and nearby make this an absolute haven for watermen. The beautiful Amanera resort is a great complement to the Discovery private residential community. I am excited to be in partnership with Aman and Third Point and I believe the collective project sponsorship will result in the creation of one of the best resorts in the Caribbean.”

Discovery has developed some of the world’s signature golf communities, including Iron Horse in Montana; Estancia in Scottsdale, Ariz.; and Cordevalle in Silicon Valley.

The post Dominican Republic’s Playa Grande, Amanera Sold appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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The Itz’ana Resort and Residences in Belize is planning a spring 2017 opening, the property announced.

The Placencia-area boutique resort and development will include a Great House featuring a signature restaurant called Limilia (the brainchild of renowned chef Mara Jernigan), a private “Rum Room,” a “Hemingway-inspired library,” an open rooftop deck and more.

The property also includes an 18-slip marina (with a max of 65 feet in length).

Itz’ana, which also has a major real estate component that includes a collection of solar-powered waterfront bungalows, boasts its own private island club.

— Caribbean Journal Staff

The post Belize’s Itz’ana Resort Planning Spring 2017 Debut appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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The Grenada Tourism Authority has named Miami-based PR agency Cheryl Andrews Marketing Communications to manage its communications and media strategy and social media strategy in North America and the Caribbean.

CAMC officially began managing the destination’s efforts in the U.S., Canada and the Caribbean at the beginning of the month.

“We are very pleased and delighted to now have public relations representation in the USA, Canada, and the Caribbean after many years. CAMC has years of industry knowledge and PR experience and emerged as the best agency after an intensive process to deliver the quality marketing support that the GTA wants,” said Rodney George, Chairman of the Grenada Tourism Authority. “Grenada, Carriacou & Petite Martinique cater to the discerning traveller looking for serene escapes and soft adventures off-the-beaten path, so strategic, targeted outreach is important to us.”

CAMC will help push the island’s recently developed “Pure Grenada” brand.

“We’ve been representing island destinations in the Caribbean for 30 years and are confident that we can connect Grenada with media and travelers in a way that will drive business for the island and its stakeholders, said Cheryl Andrews, CAMC president. “We love Grenada and can’t wait to inspire travelers to visit the island.”

— Caribbean Journal Staff

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