Choose Your Cruise – August 28, 2020
Earlier this week, we profiled Holly Johnson, the President of Wings Airways & Taku Lodge in Juneau, Alaska. Holly and her staff are struggling to get by without a single paying client in 2020 thanks to the cruise industry shutdown. You can read the piece here. We were flooded with comments from
USVI Unscathed by Tropical Storm Laura
It seems like it’s been forever since we had good news to report in the Caribbean, but thankfully today is the day! The U.S. Virgin Islands are back open and operating after Tropical Storm Laura brought high winds, heavy rains and a dangerous storm surge over the weekend. Laura is continuing i
St. Kitts and Nevis to Reopen in October, Including Cruises
Another Caribbean nation is gearing up for a return to normalcy and it’s especially good news for cruisers! The Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis announced in a press release that international visitors would be welcome beginning in October. The reopening applies to tourists traveling to the i
Choose Your Cruise – August 14, 2020
Does it feel like summer is flying by? Pretty soon we’ll start to wake up with a crisp September chill in the air and you’ll know it’s time to head to a tropical beach somewhere. If you’re looking to book a cruise for 2021 and beyond, there’s never been a better time. T
Testing the Waters: a 3-Day Getaway to St. Thomas
Sometimes—even during a pandemic—a girl needs to immerse herself in a turquoise sea, feel powder-soft sand between her toes and have some crispy, deep-fried conch fritters for lunch. And so I decided, with the Virgin Islands open to visitors, to plan a quick three-day getaway to St. Thomas—a m
Tropical Storm Gonzalo Develops in the Atlantic Ocean
As if we didn’t have enough problems right now, Tropical Storm Gonzalo is knocking at the door. The tropical storm officially formed in the Atlantic Ocean this morning, 1,285 miles east of the Southern Windward Islands, according to the National Hurricane Center. On its current trajectory based on
MSC Cruises Announces New Homeport For Two Ships
Fort Lauderdale-based MSC Cruises has announced that Port Canaveral will be the new homeport for two of their ships this upcoming winter. MSC Seaside will begin sailing from Port Canaveral beginning in November and MSC Divina at the end of March 2021. This will be the first time MSC Cruises has used
Vacationing in Porto Back Yarda
As the return of cruising seems to be within reach, it’s time to mitigate lockdown loneliness. My brother Nick Leland sets it up perfectly in the song he wrote and recorded, Porto Back Yarda, a domesticated ode to travel wanderlust when travel isn’t possible. The song serves as a roadmap t
Caribbean Icon Robert Hamaty Passes Away
The cruise and travel industry lost a familiar face over the weekend as Robert Hamaty, founder of the Tortuga Rum Company, passed away at the age of 72. The company’s famous rum flavored treats and souvenirs have been a staple of the Caribbean since they first began back in 1984. Hamaty was origin
Cruising Will Return…But When is the Question
I’m not one to moan about inconveniences, but take away my life’s passion and I’m likely to go off the deep end. Take away the ability to cruise to the four corners of the earth and you will definitely hear from me. Not to cast blame on anyone in particular or throw caution to the […]
Turks and Caicos Plan to Reopen July 22
Last week, we reported several popular cruising destinations in the Caribbean were in the process of reopening to tourism. Over the weekend, the Turks and Caicos announced plans to reopen the island on July 22, 2020. The island had plans to reopen June 1, but Premier Sharlene Cartwright-Robinson, th
Choose Your Cruise – May 29, 2020
We know, cruise gang, the waiting isn’t fun. But! We’ve had plenty of good news this week with several popular cruise destinations announcing timelines to open up to tourism. Cruises might not be able to sail there yet, but if you wanted to hop on a plane and lay in the Caribbean sun, th
Windstar Cruises Announces Return Date
One of the foremost small ship cruise lines in the industry announced their date for return following the pause in operation due to COVID-19. Windstar Cruises will return to operation on September 3, 2020 when their motor sailing yacht Wind Spirit sets sail in Tahiti. The cruise line first
Nevis Announces They’re COVID-Free
When COVID-19 first began spreading globally, the island of Nevis in the Caribbean took an aggressive approach to fighting the virus and it appears those measures have paid off. The island’s Ministry of Health has declared the island free from COVID-19 after all four cases have successfully recove
St. Thomas Eyes June 1st Return for Tourists
In an address to the people of the U.S. Virgin Islands yesterday, Governor Albert Bryan Jr. outlined a five-tier plan to reopen the islands for tourism by June 1, 2020. A stay at home order remains in effect until May 4 when things will begin to ramp up from a business and tourism standpoint.
Choose Your Cruise – April 24, 2020
Fridays don’t quite mean the same things anymore, but we’re still here with an end of the week option for those dreaming about their next cruise vacation. We’ve got a special selection of cruises that all have one thing in common; they all stop at a private island. If you want the
Cunard Line Extends Pause in Operations
Citing “the continued impact of COVID 19,” Cunard Line made the decision to pause their voyages further past the initial date of May 15, 2020 previously announced. The line also announced they have cancelled the entire Alaska season and all departures on Queen Elizabeth through
Tortuga Rum Cakes Founder Talks History and Recovery
Some things really make you think of cruising, like Tortuga Rum Cake Company. The Caribbean brand of cakes, sauces, coffee and more was founded by Robert Hamaty and is one of the most recognizable brands from the region. We spoke with Mr. Hamaty from his home in the Cayman Islands to learn more abou
Tourism Outlook: US Virgin Islands Check In
Continuing our series of interviews around the Caribbean, today we interviewed Joseph Boschulte Commissioner of Tourism for the U.S. Virgin Islands about COVID 19 and what life is like on the islands. The Governor of USVI issued a state of emergency for 30 days around the time cruise ships stop
Virgin Voyages: New Kid on the Dock
Whatever you do, don’t call it a cruise. Call it a voyage. In fact, Richard Branson, founder of the world-renowned Virgin Group, was so inclined to stress the difference that he changed the original name of Virgin Cruises to Virgin Voyages in October 2016, less than two years after establishing hi