By the Caribbean Journal staff

Royal Caribbean is planning a $115 million makeover for its Navigator of the Seas cruise ship.

The focus of the large-scale transformation will be on experiences, from a new poolscape, two new waterslides, the “first blow dry bar at sea” and new dining concepts.

The ship, which will homeport in Miami, will launch Caribbean sailings in May 2019, including stops at the company’s private-island destination in The Bahamas.

New eateries include The Bamboo Room, a Polynesian-style lounge; the Playmakers Sports Bar; Jamie’s Italian (a new restaurant from celebrity chef Jamie Oliver), a Johnny Rockets Express and a Starbucks.

The changes are part of what Royal is calling the “Royal Amplified” fleet-wide modernization program, which launched with renovations to both Independence of the Seas and Mariner of the Seas.

“Each Royal Caribbean ship brings a new adventure uniquely designed to deliver on our guests’ preferences from A to Z,” said Michael Bayley, President and CEO, Royal Caribbean International. Every detail matters, and we’ve mapped out an unmatched combination of innovative features and experiences for this top-to-bottom transformation of Navigator of the Seas.”

— CJ

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SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — Along with members of Puerto Rican distilleries and other representatives … executive director of Rums of Puerto Rico, Alexandra Salgado Colón, launched … networks of the Government of Puerto Rico that promote the island internationally …

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By Melanius Alphonse Caribbean News Now associate editor melanius@caribbeannewsnow.com CASTRIES, St Lucia — During the parliamentary session in Saint Lucia on Tuesday, when numerous motions and bills were tabled and passed, including additional borrowing in excess of EC$200 million and to authorise after the fact a US$20 million World Bank line of credit, former prime […]

The post Former PM takes issue with St Lucia government accountability and ECCB monetary council appeared first on Caribbean News Now.

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BASSETERRE, St Kitts (MOFA) — Representatives from government agencies, the Taiwan embassy and the Chamber of Industry and Commerce engaged in robust discussions with members of the 11-member delegation of Taiwanese investors, who visited St Kitts and Nevis on a fact-finding mission. The mission was designed to create business, and human resource development opportunities which […]

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By the Caribbean Journal staff

While Puerto Rico has as diverse a hotel product as any island in the Caribbean, from small boutiques to ultra-luxe oases, it’s long lacked one major category: all-inclusives.

That’s now changing, thanks to upcoming debut of the newly relaunched Candelero Beach Resort.

The island’s only true all-inclusive, the Candelero is the result of a $3 million transformation to a four-decade-old property in the Palmas del Mar community in Humacao. (The property was once the Wyndham Garden Palmas del Mar)

The new Candelero, slated to debut in December, is owned by the Suarez family, who own Puerto Rican development firm Palmas Hill partners.

The 107-room property is a mix of king or two-double rooms, along with five culinary concepts (a number that will expand to eight by spring 2019), and nearly 18,000 square feet of banquet space.

Candelero is set in the Palmas del Mar community, home to a serious golf offering.

The resort also has two golf courses: one designed by Gary Player, the other by Rees Jones, along with an infinity pool, a marina, a beach and the largest tennis complex in Puerto Rico.

The property is about an hour’s drive from San Juan in Humacao, or about 40 minutes from Ceiba airport.

— CJ

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