Americans are being urged to steer clear of jet ski rentals in the Bahamas as U.S. officials warn of sketchy operators linked to deaths, injuries and reported sexual assaults. In a Monday statement, the U.S. Embassy in the Bahamas said that “rogue operators” are soliciting tourists on Nassau’s most popular beaches, including Cabbage Beach, Junkanoo … Read more
Although St. Barth has been known as a tropical playground for the rich and famous for several decades, it’s not so long ago that the Caribbean island was a scruffy, even rough corner of paradise attracting hard-living ex-pat dropouts who fancied themselves as modern pirates. If that sounds like a Jimmy Buffett song, that’s because … Read more
Cruise control. A passenger is suing a major cruise line for damages after stumbling over a mobility scooter. The high-seas tumble resulted in injuries that required surgery. Florida woman Colleen Parson was traveling aboard Royal Caribbean’s Jewel of the Seas last June when the fateful fall allegedly went down. Parson was walking through the onboard casino, … Read more
A long-standing cruise ship tradition has become the center of intense debate following stricter enforcement issued to passengers. For years, vacationers have used personalized signs, festive banners and colorful magnets to distinguish their rooms and celebrate milestones. Recent safety guidelines and stricter rules, however, are dividing the cruise-goer community. The latest debate started after passengers sailing on … Read more
Hate ’em or love ’em, Sandals resorts are to Caribbean tourism what bees are to Earth’s eco-system: Necessities of life. And signs of health. Of vim and vigor. Of zip and zing. Of rum and punch (perfect for buzz-seeking newlyweds honeying their moons). So, it was distressing when swarms of the mega-brand’s hives shuttered back in … Read more
Americans are being warned to rethink travel to a sunny Caribbean destination as crime and concerns about terrorism rise. The US Embassy in Trinidad and Tobago announced Thursday that the US Department of State had updated its travel advisory regarding American tourists. The advisory cautions that Americans should “reconsider travel to Trinidad and Tobago due to crime,” citing … Read more
No matter how much dough you’ve got, everyone hates feeling like they’ve been nickel-and-dimed — the very rich, most of all. Maddeningly, most resorts haven’t noticed. A luxury stay should feel smooth as butter. Signing a chit every time you sneeze isn’t that. It makes you pause and reconsider that second bottle of Chablis by … Read more
Talk about a change in tide. MSC Cruises is scrapping its Arabian Gulf winter season, pulling the plug on sailings aboard its mega-ship MSC World Europa — and sending it thousands of miles in the opposite direction. The vessel, which can carry nearly 7,000 passengers, was originally set to cruise out of Dubai, Abu Dhabi … Read more
St. Maarten’s government is warning travelers about a scam that charges tourists to process an immigration form that should be free. The fake third-party website is charging a fee to help visitors complete the island’s embarkation/disembarkation form, a form that’s required for entry. However, there are no fees associated with the real form, the St. … Read more
Thousands of cruise lovers hoping to set sail next summer just had their plans sunk. Royal Caribbean has abruptly canceled more than 20 sailings aboard Freedom of the Seas, per multiple sources online, wiping out its entire Summer 2027 schedule out of Miami — and leaving travelers scrambling to salvage long-planned vacations. The scrapped trips, … Read more
From car trunk speakers thumping merengue, to marketeers hawking fresh mofongo, Dominicans have many talents — spoiler alert: quietude ain’t one of them. That is, however, until you ask about their secret beaches — then a silence washes across their vocal cords like so much seaweed upon their shores. Of course, quisqueyanos quickly find their words … Read more
You’re over the snow, the slush and this whole blizzard thing — it’s time to get out of here. Right now, the No. 1 destination for NYC-based escape artists is the Dominican Republic, said Sully Montero of New Jersey-based Teach Travel Discover. But along with the perennially popular DR, she’s seeing a boom in interest … Read more
Spanish singer Julio Iglesias has denied having abused two former domestic employees who have filed a criminal complaint against him, describing the accusations as false in a social media post late on Thursday. The prosecutor’s office of Spain’s High Court has said it has opened preliminary proceedings over the complaint, which a rights group said involved human … Read more
Royal Caribbean is under fire for its handling of passenger Michael Virgil, who died onboard after being served 33 drinks at one of the Navigator Of The Seas bars in December 2024, per a wrongful death lawsuit filed by his family. Now, the family’s lawyer is accusing cruiseliner employees of stuffing the 35-year-old California father’s … Read more
The all-inclusive pendulum is starting to swing. For years, rum-soaked, buffet-laden resorts were rightfully associated with high volume and low quality. Fortunately, several hospitality brands are refining the model and upping their game without jacking up the price. So, how do you spot an all-inclusive that doesn’t suck? Frequent traveler, father of two and financial … Read more
For many families, Christmas in the Caribbean is a tradition. It’s just too bad that the holiday season follows the hurricane season. On Oct. 28, Hurricane Melissa, a Category 5 storm, smashed Jamaica, shuttering many resorts through the new year. While most of the holiday havens affected are rushing to reopen in time for the … Read more
If safety is at the top of your vacation checklist, one tiny Caribbean island just earned top honors for peace, calm beaches and a world-class food scene. Anguilla, a British overseas territory just north of St. Maarten and east of the Virgin Islands, was named the safest destination in the Caribbean, according to a 2025 ranking from … Read more
A Royal Caribbean cruise vacationer who has championed the sea for most of his retirement isn’t letting his current journey, spoiled by a nasty bout of norovirus running rampant on the ship, deter him from planning a 26th trip. Bob Pettit, 87, is one of nearly 100 passengers aboard the Royal Caribbean International ship Serenade … Read more
It’s not a pirate’s life for Keira Knightley. The English actress revealed if she has any plans to revisit her role as Elizabeth Swann in the “Pirates of the Caribbean” franchise. After Orlando Bloom said he hopes to get everyone back for a new “Pirates” film, Knightley admitted she wasn’t even sure where her character … Read more
If it isn’t literally the world’s chicest spot to downward dog, one suspects the Yoga Shala at Nômade Tulum is damn close. Crafted in rough-hewn timber and surrounded by lush Yucatan jungle, the open-air space features a vaulted ceiling that draws the eyes upward as you breathe in incense, bask in slivers of sunlight and … Read more