Daily Archives: February 28, 2017

It's only the second major cruise line to have guards at sea.

Making industry waves, Royal Caribbean just became the second major cruise line to staff its ships pools with lifeguards , rolling out a brand new water safety program on the Oasis of the Seas, one of the world's largest cruise ships, this past weekend. Before 2017, Traveler Reader's Choice Award-winning Disney was the only major American cruise company to employ on-board lifeguardsa move that came about after a near-drowning on one of their ships in 2013.

Considering most cruise ships dont have lifeguards (and whats more fun than floating in a pool in the middle of the ocean?), this is a pretty big step, especially for travelers with children. We are a family brand, Lyan Sierra-Caro, Royal Caribbean's manager of corporate communications, told Cruise Critic . Pool-based fun is an important aspect of the cruise vacation for all guests, and we are doing everything we can to ensure they have the safest vacation possible.

Having lifeguards on cruises is an important safety measure. In recent yearsand in the wake of other tragic incidentsguards at sea have been a talked-about topic . In 2015, a young boy nearly drowned in a pool on a Royal Caribbean ship ; and this past summer, an eight-year-old was found unconscious in a pool on RC's Anthem of the Seas.

Beyond lifeguards dotting every on-ship pool, Royal Caribbeans new water safety program also includes a 15-minute safety talk that both kids and adults can attend on embarkation day, and life vests for children ages 4 to 12 (a feature Royal Caribbean added to their ships in 2015).

Royal Caribbean expects the full water safety program, lifeguards included, to be fleet-wide by June. Until then, well keep a watchful eye to see if its a policy change that other cruise ships hop on board with, too.

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Royal Caribbean Cruise Ships Will Soon Have Lifeguards - Cond Nast Traveler

Beyond the postcard perfect beaches, a dark underbelly of intolerance brews in the Caribbean. Photograph: Getty Images

It is a strange thing growing up in an island called Little England. You inherit the legal system, the educational system and even the old English mannerisms and words. But you also inherit something far more sinister; a cornucopia of archaic laws and prejudices.

Imagine being a young child of six who realises that he likes boys. Now imagine this while living in a place where who you are, what you want to do and who you may choose to love is not only illegal, its seen as immoral. Imagine the impact that can have on a child. The absolute burden of knowing that you have to hide who you really are for the rest of your life.

At a party you hear 'shot the batty boy' and you cock your hand into a gun towards the guy who is even gayer than you

I love my country. Its beaches and its 365 days a year sun; I love the food, the humour and the easiness of the island. But there is a dark underbelly of intolerance, of religious zealousness and of rampant hypocrisy which if you are not strong enough will slowly kill you from the inside out.

I remember everything that was ever said that hurt me. Especially the words said by those I loved and who loved me. My father once shouting at my mother and saying: It is because of you and your mother [my grandmother] that he is like that. My mother years later telling me that she will never accept this when I finally officially came out to her. And even my wonderful grandmother once saying that she hopes I find more happiness than my uncle. My uncle, her son, is also gay.

School was even worse. Any slight movement of the head or hand could give you away so you had to watch and plan everything carefully. A few days ago I watched a video of Wentworth Miller, the gay actor, who said that every day growing up was like being in survival mode. It is as if he lived my life. All of us growing up gay in the Caribbean are in survival mode.

We defended ourselves against the religious leaders and followers who praise the lord by demonising that which they dont understand. Or as is common place in this island of masks that which they are but dont want to see.

We defended ourselves against the music. The music of Jamaica which called for gay people to be murdered and burned alive. Imagine being a gay closeted teenager and going to your first party and hearing the words shot the batty boy blaring from the speakers. What do you do? You bop your head, cock your hand into the sign of a gun and point it at the guy who is even gayer than you. Point it and humiliate the ones who dared to let their masks fall.

Here we live our lives through the eyes of others to be gay was bad but to be the parent of a gay son was worse

Growing up in this predominantly black society as a gay boy you try to take your inspirations where you can. But who? Mr Humphries from Are You Being Served? Perhaps Steven Carrington from Dynasty? Maybe Will and Jack from Will & Grace? But where were the gay men who looked like me? Who had my story? Who could understand that the life of a black gay boy in the Caribbean had its own narrative and its own tragedy?

I made it through school by never daring to dream of a life beyond quick fumbles in the back of a car or an existence of lies and excuses. I had partners but we all suffered from the sickness of invisibility and the scourge of self loathing. How could we possibly be good for each other when we were so harsh on ourselves?

My coming out was a night of high drama in my house. My father hugged me, told me I was his son and he would always love me. My mother seemed more concerned about what others would think. In the Caribbean we live our lives through the eyes of others to be gay was bad but to be the parent of a gay son or daughter was worse. You had failed. Your gene pool was infected. Your son or daughter was a disappointment. You get veiled sympathy and offers of beating the gay out of him. You get invitations overflowing to church. You get a shoulder to cry on and a willing ear to transmit it to all who would listen.

But today 25 years later I am seeing a change. Social media has helped young gay men and women in the Caribbean to know they are not alone. Amazing advocacy groups are increasingly popping up in Barbados, Jamaica and Guyana who are demanding that gay men and women have a voice and a right to be treated equally. The pond of role models is slowly deepening. We see ministers and diplomatic representatives, media spokespeople and doctors, artists and teachers increasingly being less guarded about who they are. We see people finding love.

I have seen boys and girls I have grown up with part of the survival mode clan living happily with their partners. I am getting an increasing number of invitations to weddings. Weddings! Growing up we never even allowed ourselves to think such a thing was possible.

Social media has connected those of us who thought we were alone; it has also given a voice to the cowardly and ignorant

But two things are consistent. One, to find this love and survival the vast majority of these brilliant, creative, passionate souls have left the Caribbean. And two, although social media has connected those of us who thought we were unconnected, it has also given a voice to the cowardly and the ignorant. Read the comments section to any article on the topic of homosexuality in the Caribbean at your own risk.

But these people are not on the right side of history. The younger generation is increasingly more accepting and able to think for themselves. My hope is that this free thinking will lead them on a path not to the dreaded tolerance but to acceptance of equality.

As for me, I just celebrated my 12th anniversary with my partner. My parents are my best friends having embraced my truth and embraced my partner. I silently work to push for equality at every stage I can. I am no longer in survival mode well not 100%. Like my home country I still have a way to go. But Im on the right route.

In the Guardian Global Development Professionals Network is highlighting the work of the LGBT rights activists throughout the world with our LGBT change series. Join the conversation at #LGBTChange and email globaldevpros@theguardian.com to pitch an idea.

Join our community of development professionals and humanitarians. Follow @GuardianGDP on Twitter.

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Growing up gay in the Caribbean, I was in constant survival mode - The Guardian

MASSACHUSETTS, United States, Tuesday February 28, 2017 If the 2017 Hotel Pricing Report is anything to go by, then travelers could be getting a big discount on hotel prices in the Caribbean this year.

Online travel planning and booking company TripAdvisor announced the results of the report today, revealing global accommodation trends based on the websites hotel shopping data. And it points to the Caribbean being a good idea for tourists right about now.

TripAdvisor hotel shopping data reveals that some destinations offer significant hotel value this year compared to last, including theCaribbeanwhere hotel prices are down eight percent, making it a perfect time for Americans to book a dream trip there, it said.

The Hotel Pricing Report is designed to help travelers discover destinations that offer great year-over-year accommodation value, and highlights the most affordable months to stay at hotels in popular travel destinations worldwide.

It noted thattravelers can find the best prices on hotels in the Caribbean from August through October, with nightly rates averaging as low as $301. Sincethat time is hurricane season, travelers were advised to watch the weather and consider purchasing travel insurance.

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Best (Most Affordable) Times To Travel to the Caribbean - Caribbean360.com (subscription)

FORT LAUDERDALE In 2015, Caribbean cooking show Taste the Islands made history by becoming the first Jamaican-produced and Jamaican-hosted series on US national public television.

Show creators Blondie Ras Productions have announced that the second season will premiere this June, Caribbean American Heritage Month, on Create TV and select PBS stations around the country.

Public televisions favorite Caribbean culinarian, Jamaican Hugh Chef Irie Sinclair, will be joined by two new cast members, Haitian Cynthia Chef Thia Verna, and island explorer Lisa Lee Arneaud. Fans of island cuisine can find out where to watch locally, as well as discover recipes.

Chef Thia, Lisa Lee and Chef Irie Photo Credit: David I. Muir

See behind the scenes images and more on the shows website, Taste The Islands.

Taste the Islands is a half-hour cooking series featuring delightfully exotic, deliciously accessible Caribbean fare.

The eight part second season includes segments with one or both chefs creating dishes inspired by various islands, while culinary travel stories explore the inviting mystique of the seasons host island, Barbados.

Viewers will also get a glimpse of life in Jamaica and Haiti through the eyes of the chefs who grew up there.

The family friendly program presents an opportunity for viewers to learn about the food and culture of the Caribbean. Along with her highness, the reigning queen of soca music Alison Hinds, cameo appearances are made by Jamaican Consul General Franz Hall and celebrity makeup artist Rory Lee.

The series also features the music of acclaimed Haitian musician Kapi of the band Tabou Combo.

This project has truly become a labor of love for our team at Blondie Ras Productions, and a mark of pride for the Caribbean American community, said Executive Producer Calibe Thompson.

Weve stepped up the production quality from the last season to this one. And after a long hiatus we are all overwhelmed by the support weve received from our major supporters, Barbados and Grace Foods, along with Lakay Food, Caribbean Airlines and Wright Style Clothing, as well as the Jamaica Tourist Board who made our first season possible. Myself, Associate Producer Lukkee Chong and the colorful characters in front of the camera are all excited to see the response this second time around.

Public television viewers can once again expect to be taken on a culinary journey through the islands in each episode.

Click image below to watch Taste The Islands Season 2 Promo

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Caribbean TV Series Taste the Islands Picked Up for Second Nationwide Run - South Florida Caribbean News

Grace Bay in Turks and Caicos was the highest ranked Caribbean beach, copping the second spot overall.

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, Tuesday February 28, 2017 The Caribbean has once again taken a prominent position in TripAdvisors Travellers Choice Awards 2017, with Grace Bay in Turks and Caicos (TCI) copping the second spot, and the region bagging four of the top 10 picks and another six in the top 25.

Travellers voted for the best beaches they had ever visited and the seven-mile-long beach at Grace Bay, which has a five-star rating on TripAdvisor, was narrowly edged out of the top spot it occupied last year by Baio do Sancho in Brazils Fernando de Noronha.

Eagle Beach in Aruba placed third, while beaches in Cuba and Mexico snagged the fourth and seventh slots respectively.

In 12th place, Seven Mile Beach in the Cayman Islands (technically 5.5 miles-long) reappeared on the list after a break last year, while Flamenco Beach in Culebra, Puerto Rico was right behind in 13th place.

Other regional beaches said to live up to the hype of brochures and travel guides were located in the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Honduras and Costa Rica, which ranked 14th, 15th, 20th and 23rd, respectively.

Travellers Choice Beaches award winners were based on the quantity and quality of traveller reviews and ratings for beaches on TripAdvisor gathered over a 12-month period.

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Caribbean Dominates TripAdvisor's Best Beaches in the World - Caribbean360.com (subscription)