Daily Archives: February 5, 2022

The Caribbean islands are located in the region of the Caribbean Sea. The Caribbean Sea region is located southeast of the Gulf of Mexico and the North American mainland, east of Central America, north of South America and West of the Atlantic Ocean. The Bahamas and Turks and Caicos Islands, considered as the Lucayan Archipelago and do not border the Caribbean Sea, they are technically part of the West Indies but not the Caribbean. The mainland countries of Belize, Guyana, Suriname and French Guiana are often included as Caribbean Islands due to their political and cultural ties with the region.

The Caribbean islands are made of 25 independent countries and other territories

For many travelers, the Caribbean represents the ultimate escape. Over 7,000 islands await exploration, surrounded by turquoise waters and home to pristine white beaches. On land, visitors can hike through vivid emerald wilderness, spot sunshine-yellow parrots and glimpse fiery-red orchids, and fish of every color dart through corals in shades of purple and orange under the crystal-clear waters. Bold and colorful in every sense of the word, the Caribbean beckons with its splendid scenery, delectable foods, friendly people and boundless opportunities for exploration, adventure and relaxation.

Due to the close proximity of many Caribbean islands to their neighbors, many travelers today island hop around the region, going from shore to shore to experience a variety of scenery and culture in one trip. The first island hoppers were actually the Arawaks, Amerindians who ventured west and north throughout the region, from Cuba to the Bahamas. Little else is known about the Arawaks, who lacked a written language, but one Arawak invention can be seen on the beaches of the Caribbean to this day the hammock.

Life in the region changed forever when, in October, 1492, Christopher Columbus landed on the shores of the Bahamas. He also island-hopped and developed the first European settlement on the island that today is split between Haiti and the Dominican Republic. Columbus and his fellow conquistadores recognized the riches in the region and saw money when they gazed upon the bountiful seas and fertile land. They exploited both the natural resources and the native populations, claiming lands as their own and enslaving the people of Cuba, Puerto Rico, Jamaica, the Dominican Republic and other islands.

The English followed suit in the 17th century, claiming St. Kitts, Barbados, Antigua and other lands, and the French soon followed, claiming Guadeloupe and Martinique. The Dutch also wanted a piece of the Caribbean, settling St. Martin, Saba and Sint Eustatius. For the next two centuries, the Europeans battled for control of the islands, and possession frequently changed hands.

The colonial infighting between European powers created an opportunity for locals to fight for their own independence. Haiti led the way, declaring independence from its colonizer in 1804, and Cuba and the Dominican Republic followed, along with other smaller islands in the region. Some islands, such as Puerto Rico and Guadeloupe, still maintain strong neocolonial relationships with their parent nations.

Modern Caribbean culture has been heavily influenced by the culture and traditions of Europe, along with hints of African culture and others that have come to the islands through immigrant populations. These various waves of migration have formed a truly unique blend of cuisines, music, art, customs and traditions in the region.

One of the most recognizable aspects of Caribbean culture is the region's music. Although they have roots in both European and African culture, the sounds of reggae, meringue, calypso, rumba and zouk music are distinctly Caribbean. Although the Caribbean islands share aspects of a common culture, each nation offers something unique and distinct to visitors. For stunning scenery and luxury resorts, they head to the Cayman Islands. St. Kitts and Nevis attract with their seclusion and lively music festivals, the unique flair of Barbados combines horse races by day and calypso dancing at night, and the US Virgin Islands draw visitors with their plantation tours and unspoiled beaches.

Nature enthusiasts can explore the botanical gardens underwater limestone caves and offshore reefs of the Bahamas, then gamble at twinkling casinos and delve into pirate lore without ever leaving the islands. In St. Lucia, they can unwind on an isolated beach, then indulge their adrenaline by zip-lining through a rainforest or climbing the Pitons. These are just some of the many unique experiences visitors can have while exploring the islands.

The sun always shines on the region, and many travelers are attracted to the balmy tropical climate when winter strikes their home countries. The temperatures do not vary much throughout the year, with average temps of between 75 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit regardless of season. Trade winds make days and nights relatively comfortable, but humidity can be high year-round. The rainy season arrives in autumn, and hurricane season spans June through November, but satellite forecasts now give plenty of warning so that precautions can be taken during a storm. Truly a year-round destination, there really is never a bad time to visit the Caribbean.

The pleasant weather is one of the reasons that tourism has become a key industry for the Caribbean economy. Millions of people come to the islands every year, but other major industries include textile, clothing and electronics manufacturing and oil refining and production.

Still, most Caribbean economies are largely dependent on tourist dollars. Luckily, there are no signs of the industry slowing. People all over the world dream of spending their days in the shade of palm trees on a sandy beaches, sipping tropical concoctions and feasting on the freshest seafood, dancing to the sweet rhythms of steel-drum bands at night and getting away from it all in an island paradise. The Caribbean offers all this and more, making it one of the world's premier travel destinations for anyone looking for a true tropical escape.

caribbeanislands.com English-original versioncaribbeanislands.com/pt Portuguese-translated versioncaribbeanislands.com/es Spanish-translated versioncaribbeanislands.com/de German-translated versioncaribbeanislands.com/fr French-translated versioncaribbeanislands.com/it Italian-translated versioncaribbeanislands.com/sv Swedish-translated versioncaribbeanislands.com/no Norwegian-translated versioncaribbeanislands.com/ru Russian-translated version

Go here to see the original:

CARIBBEAN ISLANDS :. http://www.caribbeanislands.com

The eastern edge of H Street NE just got a little hotter with the January arrival of Lydia on H, a lively destination for spicy jerk chicken, juicy rum cake, and well-made daiquiris.

Its Malawian chef/owner Victor Chizinga, formerly behind the menu at U Street NWs now-closed Bin 1301, makes use of the two-level space that formerly housed Halftime Sports Bar (1427 H Street NE). Lydia opened in early January with service across the first floor, where a bamboo-lined bar makes riffs on rum punch to go along with fragrant Afro-Caribbean fare parading out of an open kitchen.

A grand opening party is scheduled for Friday, February 4, starting at 5 p.m., with bottle service options still available.

Chizingas breakout project pays homage to his late mom, Lydia, who inspired him to cook at an early age while growing up in Africas southeastern country of Malawi. Some of her recipes live on at Lydia, like a curry chicken dish with potatoes, carrots, cabbage and rice.

I want to introduce people to Malawi its a small country and I want to put it on the map, he tells Eater.

Malawi is known for its masamba a compilation of kale, spinach, collards, peanut powder, onions, and tomatoes. Another veggie side that shines is made-to-order heaps of cabbage that regularly sells out. Its key ingredient is curry, but he declines to disclose much more.

People love it, he says.

Chizingas cherished vacations in the Caribbean, namely Jamaica, also inspire a menu filled with jerk chicken wings and sandwiches and salmon fritters. Mains include four-hour braised oxtail with jollof rice; grilled or fried whole snapper; and spicy alfredo penne pasta with sweet peppers and salmon. West African street foods like beef or chicken suya skewers are also in the mix. Hookah service and rotating DJs on the first floor also add to the laid-back atmosphere.

We are not uptight. Whether you come in with a suit or sweats youre treated like the same person the food is just like that, he says.

Last weekend, its second-floor lounge debuted for sit-down dinner and brunch service with a stage that hosts live jazz and entertainment. In mid-March, an adjacent upstairs speakeasy hidden behind a wall of books will open with classic cocktails made with Black-owned spirits.

Lydia represents a culmination of Chizingas 15-year hospitality career in D.C. The bartending vet also attended culinary school and started One Route Catering to service D.C. clubs and distilleries without kitchens.

Im bringing my whole experience of life and of work into one space, he says.

A leisurely Sunday brunch on island time (1 p.m. to 6 p.m.) caters to industry schedules he experienced firsthand.

When I bartended until 4 a.m., I wasnt getting up at noon for brunch. Ive always wanted a late brunch, he says.

Chizinga says the H Street location is just the start, and he plans to open multiple Lydia locations in D.C. and beyond.

A Lydia on the Wharf, a Lydia on U, and even Kansas City, where my wife [co-owner Erin Davis] is from, he says.

Lydia on H is the latest exciting addition to the end of the Northeast corridor. Daru, Indian restaurant and cocktail bar and Eater DCs 2021 Debut of the Year, opened around the corner last summer.

The party at Lydia will really get started in the spring, when a fenced patio out back comes to life. Hes calling it Lake Malawi Beach. A cement floor will be covered in sand, faux grass, and colorful chairs, looking up at a mural depicting a boardwalk and sunset. The alfresco setup plans to serve frozen cocktails and host taco Tuesdays.

Lydias current cocktail list includes the Warm Heart of Africa, made with the worlds first Afro-Caribbean rum blend (Equiano), coconut, grenadine, mango, guava and pineapple juice. Its about as laid back as it gets, per its menu description. The first floor bar also offers regular mixology classes.

The upstairs speakeasy will exclusively serve Black-owned spirits, beers, and wines and provide lockers for members to store their own. The six-month membership model is $200 per person, he says.

The secluded bar will be outfitted with couches, billowing black curtains, dimly-lit chandeliers, and a glossy Malawian artwork on the floor. One bartender at a time will stir classics like OId Fashioneds and Manhattans and customize tableside drinks with beet or apple syrups and bitters.

Sign up for our newsletter.

Read the original post:

Lydia on H Adds Afro-Caribbean Flair to the Tip of the Strip - Eater DC

PR Newswire

DUBAI, U.A.E, Feb. 2, 2022

DUBAI, U.A.E, Feb. 2, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The business world is witnessing a surge in the number of High Net-worth Individuals looking for a Caribbean passport. And that's why today, the Caribbean recovery is majorly influenced by these individuals and private equity.

In the latest interview with the CEO of CTrustGlobal, he mentioned a spike in the percentage of individuals applying for secondary citizenship. Most inquiries are from developing nations such as, but not limited to, Pakistan, India, and countries of the Middle East.

Caribbean Passport: An asset worth keeping for a brighter, safer future.

"Alternative citizenship gives you all the freedom of traveling visa-free to a lot more places. Apart from this, investing in real estate and setting up a business without much hassle acts as the extra icing, if Caribbean citizenship by investment is their choice," says CEO CTrustGlobal.

"If you are someone who is not dependent on a Job and is Independently Wealthy with an interest in Travel and Business investments, "Investment migration" is Your best way out," says CTrustGlobal CEO.

Most countries have citizenship by investment Program - all that differs is the time and price to secure it. One must go through all the research and base their decision according to the requirements and budget.

Where are the wealthy moving these days?

"Without a doubt, it's the Caribbean islands - Caribbean passports that offer visa-free travel to nearly 140 to 160 countries," says the CEO, CTrustGlobal.

Let's look at the secrets that make this region so attractive.

A Strong Economic Bounce-Back

The Caribbean is a tourist-dependent region. It remains one of the most prominent destinations in the world. And yet, it's situated in the eye of the storm.

Hurricanes have passed through with high frequency and intensity. Some of them are utterly destructive for tourist operators. But many have adapted to the bitterness of rising again from the ashes.

Story continues

COVID-19 impact may have been even greater to these regions. It struggled with border closures, flight cancellations, and a near-fall of the cruise-ship market. The human impact of the virus affected tens of thousands.

A report by the Caribbean Tourism Organization shows a drop in tourism arrivals in 2020 in comparison to 2019. The decline was estimated to be at 65%, the biggest in the region.

Despite these challenges, more and more HNWIs are eyeing the region. It makes one wonder what secret lies here. One of the reasons is the region's quick adjustment to situations.

Experts indicate that Caribbean countries were quicker to implement measures for the pandemic. Tourists returned faster compared to other destinations. It outperformed many other parts of the world, which experienced even steeper drops.

Such a strong economy would attract different investors. It's one of the reasons why HNWIs come here.

The Caribbean enjoys some of the highest levels of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) globally. Many of its economies have FDI to GDP ratios above 10%.

Although the 2008 financial crisis greatly reduced its FDI flow, the region has witnessed a considerable recovery recently. It's still one of the significant economic destinations around.

The Best CBI Programs

Citizen-by-Investment is the process of obtaining a second citizenship and passport through investment. One can buy a property in a host country to acquire citizenship. It's a much faster way of becoming a citizen than the traditional immigration method.

The investor does not need to visit or reside in the host country. CBI is the best way for HNWIs to invest in other opportunities globally.

An applicant can have approval roughly within three months. They will receive permanent citizenship, a valid passport, and visa-free travel, among other benefits.

This is what investors from third-world and developing countries look for. It's no longer just a luxury, but rather a necessity.

Let's look at the two countries that have the highest number of investments in the Caribbean:

India

A press release the Business Standard mentions a rise in the number of Indian HNWIs investing in the Caribbean. They are looking for a better way of diversifying their wealth.

This country faces uncertainties around the healthcare industry, primarily influenced by the pandemic. Also, essential tax rules are affecting their investments. Affluent Indians are therefore looking for a better life for their families and more stable financial assets.

CTrustGlobal reports a sharp increase in the Indian upper class investing in other countries. India has close to 7,000 ultra-high-net-worth individuals and over 100 billionaires.

The Global Wealth Migration Review report indicates that close to 5000 millionaires migrated abroad in 2020 alone. A larger percentage of them ended up in the Caribbean.

The Indian government has created flexible policies that allow HNWIs to invest abroad in the past few years. This has allowed them to get citizenship in these countries.

Caribbean countries offer the best CBI programs for Indians. It's no wonder the Indian community is growing steadily. More and more affluent Indians are coming here for business and wealth diversification and a better life for their families.

Nigeria

Despite having vast resources, the Nigerian HNWIs community faces too many global travel restrictions by the Nigerian passport. It grants visa-free access to only 54 destinations, which already includes other African nations.

This is a very small number compared to her neighbors like Ghana, Cameroon, and Cote d'Ivoire. Passports from these countries grant access to other high-end destinations like Europe and the USA.

Investing in Dominica citizenship is the best move. Pairing the Nigerian passport with a Caribbean passport opens doors to more than 150 more destinations globally. This includes the UK, the USA, Russia, and China, which are considered to be economic superpowers.

The CBI process is quick and straightforward. The process will take about three months to complete. Once done, the individual enjoys a wide range of benefits, including expanded visa-free travel to over 200 countries.

Also, investing in the Caribbean passport opens access to tax exemptions from different incomes, gifts, inheritance and wealth, and the best educational institutions. It's a great opportunity for any African investor looking for easy access to the global economy.

Other Reasons

There are several other reasons why the Caribbean has become a favorite destination for HNWIs. Consider the following:

A safe environment

The stable economic development of this region makes it an excellent place for investment. The entire region has been enjoying steady economic growth of about 5% per year, majorly from tourism.

Flexible tax policy

Caribbean countries like Grenada don't impose a foreign income tax, property tax, gift tax, wealth, or inheritance tax on investors. They offer corporate tax incentives to attract more investors, exempting all import taxes too. Also, there is no limit to the flow of capital and profits back home. These are attractive offers for HNWIs investors.

Excellent quality of life

The Caribbean CBI program allows investors to own dual nationality. With this comes the lowest-paid family costs in places like Grenada and Dominica. One can also migrate to the USA using the E2 visa, which allows them to establish, advance, and operate businesses. Besides, their spouse will have the rights to work, and the children can attend the school of their choice.

Final Thought

Investing in the Caribbean CBI is an excellent move for HNWIs who needs access to better business opportunities. The use of FDI promotion policies is more extensive and prevalent here than any other place. It's evidence of stable economic growth. With such a welcoming environment, there is no questions why it is so attractive to investors.

Cision

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-caribbean-the-haven-for-the-wealthiest-people-in-the-world-301473470.html

SOURCE ctrustglobal.com

The rest is here:

The Caribbean: The Haven for The Wealthiest People In The World - Yahoo Finance

"Double rum and Coke please," is a phrase heard in every London bar and pub every night of the week. The rich, spicy, treacly and sometimes fruity spirit is a popular drink, but its traditions go far deeper - they evoke a spirit of community, connection and heritage that is inherent in Caribbean culture.

Rum has so much significance that Cashain David, now CEO and Rum Architect of Kromanti, remembers his Caribbean family always pouring out symbolic glasses of rum despite never drinking alcohol themselves. The East London rum master was born and raised in Yorkshire, England but had a strong connection to his Caribbean heritage - his family are from Carriacou, a small island that's part of Grenada - and rum, for him, is about sharing stories and connecting with communities.

"As a young child growing up in Yorkshire in the Caribbean community, rum shows up when you're 'hatched, matched and dispatched'," Cashain, 57, said.

"It's throughout all of the different life cycles. Rum is something that is used to celebrate, to remember, to call upon people's hidden strength, to recognise the wisdom of those who have gone before us and passed over.

READ MORE: London's first Black bookshop saved from closure after 90k raised in 11 days

"Whenever there was a funeral, the bottle or rum would be brought out, and the first drink would be poured on the ground - saving the first drink from any bottle of rum for the ancestors who have come before you, bringing them to you.

"When families are brought together through marriage, you will often spill some rum on the ground, invoking the spirits of togetherness, of people and families being recognised. The same happens when people are born."

Cashain said that these traditions aren't always something he fully understood as a child, but the more that he learned about Caribbean history he realised how far back these rituals went and how intrinsic they were in his heritage. He also made the salient discovery that rum was created as a byproduct of the sugar trade - a trade that was enabled by slavery - and that the traditions of rum were carried around the world by enslaved people.

With Kromanti, Cashain wanted to create a rum that held the spirit of heritage, connection and togetherness at its core, while also recognising the historical significance of the beverage and reclaim its distinctly Caribbean nature.

"It [is not] just about a liquid that you can have a party with, get inebriated with - I've never understood rum in that way," Cashain said.

"I've always understood it as having a much more spiritual significance - there's an aspect of the rum story that is rarely heard. An aspect of individual stories."

One way that Kromanti rum maintains this traditional significance is in its ingredients: it is infused with Caribbean herbs and botanicals, just like homemade rum is in Caribbean households, with a view to celebrate that heritage and pass on the legacy.

"When I've gone back to the Caribbean, and when my children have gone back to the Caribbean, [we've found] it's very common for each household to have a blend, a bottle of rum that's infused with a bark, or a spice, or whatever," he said. "And that knowledge of what you infuse for what purpose is actually one of the things I was fascinated about: how do we retain this information and be able to pass it on?"

Cashain also places an emphasis on building connections, which Kromanti does in its marketing and presentation of its product, encouraging people to maintain the rum's traditions. Cashain has worked in mental health as his day job for the last 30 years, and feels that connection - with each other, with heritage, with ourselves - is an essential facet of happiness that he wants his rum to embody.

He realised, both personally and through speaking with others, that younger people of Caribbean descent often had less of a sense of self, of where they'd come from, and he wanted to use the traditions of rum to reignite that fire. He wanted to connect the younger generation to the stories and wisdom of elders from their community, to ensure that stories of rum's cultural significance and ritual history, as well as more general personal histories, don't die out.

"It was something that I thought was really important, that people have a sense of who they are and what their value is based on. I think that a lot of people take it for granted, who they are and what their history is, and other people have to discover it," said Cashain, who has been building his own knowledge of his heritage and ancestry and wants others to be able to do the same by opening up conversations with elder family members.

"Kromanti is a product of very deep roots," he continued. "Deep roots in people's lived experience, in real culture, in real stories - it's something that was driven by a passion to leave a legacy, but also to find a way to engage that next generation and provide them with something that would help them understand who they are, their strengths, and things that they could rely on in times of adversity."

Kromanti has won a grant from dating app Bumble, part of its 'Bumble Black-owned Small Business Grants' initiative, to produce a series of videos of inter-generational conversations where elder family members pass on knowledge and wisdom to their children and grandchildren.

"We've got members of the Windrush generation and either their children or grandchildren, and we're sort of eavesdropping on the conversation between them," he said. "What is their life experience? What's the wisdom that they want to pass on to the next generation? What are the interesting things that we don't ask our parents or our grandparents?

"We're giving them this opportunity to ask those questions, to be interested, to be enthralled. It's that opportunity of getting together.

Do you want to stay up to date with the latest news, views, features and opinion from across the city?

MyLondon's brilliant newsletter The 12 is absolutely jam packed with all the latest to keep you keep you entertained, informed and uplifted.

You'll get 12 stories straight to your inbox at around 12pm. Its the perfect lunchtime read.

And what's more - it's FREE!

The MyLondon team tells London stories for Londoners. Our journalists cover all the news you need - from City Hall to your local streets, so you'll never miss a moment.

Don't skip a beat and sign up to The 12 newsletter here.

"Hopefully it will encourage other people to do the same. My real desire is that people will take our lead and sit down and ask their parents and their grandparents questions," he added.

"We've been through a very difficult period with a lot of our uncles and aunties and parents who came over as young children in the Windrush and got caught up in the whole terrible scandal. It's become quite a big issue, and this is one way to recognise their contribution and to hear their stories in a very intimate way.

"Some of them are quite difficult subjects, there's a whole treasure trove of information there, and I'm hoping that other people will be able to find their [history], something to feel happy and proud about that's part of who they are."

The series of videos produced with help from Bumble's grant will soon be available to watch through Kromanti's website and social media.

Got a story that you think MyLondon should tell? Email rachael.davis@reachplc.com

Read the rest here:

Meet the Londoner who serves incredible traditional Caribbean rum that's all about bringing families together - MyLondon

News Americas, NEW YORK, NY, Fri. Feb. 4, 2022: Investing is often a difficult choice. There are so many different investment options that it requires a lot of research in order to make the right choices. Its not just about making a profit either making an ethical investment is at the top of many peoples lists. This is why weve put together a guide to finding the very best ethical investments for your needs.

What Are Ethical Investments?

Ethical investments are often a confusing topic. Many people dont fully understand what ethical trading actually means, but its actually a pretty simple concept to come to terms with. Its basically investing in companies that behave in an ethically and socially responsible manner. This doesnt just mean being environmentally friendly, it also means treating employees, customers and stakeholders fairly.

For example, if a company ensures it avoids polluting the environment and only uses sustainable material, this would mean it behaves ethically towards the environment. However, if that same company uses sweatshops to create its products, then it would no longer be classified as an ethical company. This is what makes ethical investment such a difficult concept for some people. They only look at one particular aspect, rather than the whole picture.

Choosing Your Ethical Investments

The simple fact is that if you want to invest in an ethically responsible manner, then you will have to carry out research. The obvious first step in performing this research relates to the financial performance of a company. While investing in an ethical fashion is obviously an important part of the process, making a profit is still the end goal of investing. So, carry out the research thats required to fully comprehend what the different companies you are thinking of investing in have to offer.

Once you have done this, its time to look into the ethical behavior of those companies. As previously mentioned, this will be related to everything from how it treats its employees to what it does with waste. A great example of a company that is behaving in an ethical manner would be a company that uses the waste from one of its processes to create another product or to create energy. This would be an excellent way to reduce waste and protect the environment. It would also allow the company to be more financially sound.

Employee wages are another aspect that has to be looked into. If employees are not paid a living wage, then the company could not be called ethical. This is due to the employees being taken advantage of for the benefit of the company. If the company is well run, then it is possible to make a profit while also paying employees a fair wage.

Looking Into Areas

Two of the most positive areas when it comes to behaving ethically are the Caribbean and Latin America. Both areas have very high Environmental, Social and Government scores, especially when compared to companies from other more urbanized countries. This has allowed these two areas to become key for the ethical investment arena.

What has really helped Latin America with its shift to more ethical behavior is that it scores very high on the inclusion metric. While it would be disingenuous to claim that this is done solely because companies care, the fact remains that in Latin America, it is a sensible business decision to be inclusive. There are more poorer people in these areas than in other countries in the world, this means that behaving inclusively can be the difference between a brand being successful or not.

So, a Latin American company behaving in an ethical manner isnt just the socially right thing to do, its also the right business choice. This plays a big part in making Latin America a very sensible ethical investment. While it might not always be a solid business decision, it is in this case.

Of course, there are a lot of different investment opportunities in both the Caribbean and Latin America, so its important to make sure that you research thoroughly what is available. It also doesnt mean that every company in these regions is ethically sound. So, ensure you look into how the company behaves rather than simply assuming its an ethical company. Regardless of any companies that dont behave in this manner, youre still more likely to find one that behaves ethically than you are elsewhere, so these regions should be your first port of call.

View original post here:

Looking To The Caribbean And Latin America For Ethical Investments - Caribbean and Latin America Daily News - News Americas

CLEARWATER, Fla. (WFLA) When Tiffany Highsmith realized her Amazon package was missing, she reviewed the video from the previous day on her front door ring camera.

Right away, she said she thought of the Disney films starring Johnny Depp.

Well I first thought of Pirates of the Caribbean, Highsmith said. But I mean it was pretty funny, I just couldnt believe that it even happened that he was dressed like a pirate.

Clearwater police said the man who was dressed like Captain Jack Sparrow is wanted for being a package swiping porch pirate.

I dont even think it was two minutes the package was delivered and he was making a U-turn to pull up in the driveway, Highsmith said. I just couldnt believe it.

Moments after the Amazon delivery driver left her home in mid-December, the video from the Ring camera shows a 2013 Subaru Forester pull into the driveway.

Highsmith said she hopes the video can help police hold the package pilfering suspect accountable.

Ring cameras are the best thing ever in my opinion, she added.

The suspect didnt take off with any valuable treasure, but rather Highsmith said he may have been disappointed to open the package and find a gift she had ordered for her son.

Hes practicing to be a barber, she said, so it was a leather booster seat gives that would give kids a little height if theyre sitting in a chair and then my husband and I were going to an 80s themed party so it was accessories for a party.

Highsmith tells 8 On Your Side Amazon has replaced the stolen orders, no questions asked,

Anyone who can help identify the Jack Sparrow look-a-like should call Clearwater detectives at 727-562-4242.

Read more:

Clearwater homeowner hopes police find Pirates of the Caribbean package thief - WFLA

Join a cruise group on social media or one on one of the cruise aficionado websites and the conversation invariably turns to one thing: "where should I stay the night before my cruise. It's a question that makes sense because many about-to-be cruise passengers fly in a night or two before their cruise and they generally want a hotel that offers transportation to the port.

It's a question asked so often on various Royal Caribbean (RCL) - Get Royal Caribbean Group Report and Carnival Cruise Lines (CCL) - Get Carnival Corporation Report Facebook groups that members of those groups often point newer members to old versions of the same question. Booking a hotel for before or after a cruise adds a layer of complexity to cruising that's not welcome because cruises already require air travel unless they live within driving distance from a port.

It's a problem that Royal Caribbean has largely ignored. The cruise line helps with air travel through its Air2Sea program -- which, if customers use it to book their flights gives them certain guarantees about not missing their cruise -- but it does not offer a similar service for booking hotel rooms.

With little fanfare, that changed on Feb. 2 (sort of) as one of the company's brands, but not its namesake brand, has added a hotel room booking service. But, that may not be the whole story if you are a Royal Caribbean customer of the company's titular brand.

Image source: Daniel Kline.

Royal Caribbean's Celebrity brand has introduced a hotel room book service that lets customers book four and five-star hotels for an unlimited number of nights before or after your cruise. There is, however, some hope that the offer will be soon extended to other brands within the Royal Caribbean group.

"While the program is now available for Celebrity Cruises only, it may be coming to Royal Caribbean too. Jessica Suchman, Celebrity's Sales Training and Development Specialist, told travel agents in a webinar, 'this will be a tool for all of our brands at Royal Caribbean Group, but we're beginning here with Celebrity Cruises,'" reported Royal Caribbean Blog's Matt Hochberg,

Currently, you can only book a hotel room through the "Hotels By Celebrity" program if have a Celebrity Cruises reservation number.

The website allows visitors to book up to nine rooms at a time provided the check-in and check-out dates are the same.

"With added health protocols, spending a night or two in the departure city before the cruise begins has never been more important, and offering a hotel booking option offers a more complete vacation planning tool for guests," Hochberg wrote.

Royal Caribbean currently requires passengers to provide a negative Covid test taken within two days of their cruise departure date. That can be done before leaving home if it meets the timeframe, but many cruisers have opted to schedule their tests in the city they are departing from.

Royal Caribbean and Carnival both cater to families. Making it easier to book a cruise along with all of the other things the customer needs to actually take their trip provides a meaningful level of added convenience.

Under the current system, using Air2Sea lets people know what their airfare will be as they book their cruise. That's important because it saves them from having a higher-than-expected cost for travel after the fact and it gives them a true picture of what their vacation may cost.

In addition, Royal Caribbean also has the ability to book blocks of seats from certain cities to bring airfares down. Air2Sea also offers airport transfers which adds another profit center for the company along with an added convenience for customers who fly in on the same day as their cruise.

Adding hotel booking to the mix basically adds in the last piece of the puzzle. Customers can book a full trip all through one company without having to use a travel agent. That's a big convenience for customers which should lead to more bookings for Royal Caribbean as well as more profit since the company likely gets a bounty from the hotels it books customers in the way any travel website would.

Read the original:

Royal Caribbean Gives Customers Something They Really Want - TheStreet

The newest adults-only all-inclusive resort has officially opened its doors on the island of St Croix.

The dramatically transformed and rebranded, 200-room Divi Carina Bay Beach Resort and Casino began welcoming back guests this week to its new iteration as an adults-only property.

Set on the quiet east end of the island, its the only all-inclusive in St Croix, and one of just two adults-only properties on the island, joined by The Fred in Frederiksted.

Food and beverage concepts include the Waves Marketplace, Oceans Bar and Grill; Carina Cafe and Show Bar (set at the resorts on-site casino), Tuscany Ristorante Italiano and Pureroc, an eatery serving proteins grilled on a sizzling lava rock.

The resort has also debuted its new Oceans brand, a 50-room resort-within-a-resort concept that offers elevated amenities in its own room wing. (Theres also an Oceans resort at Divis St Maarten hotel).

Its a significant launch for St Croix, which has been in the midst of a tourism renaissance since the storms of 2017.

And its a major all-inclusive option for the wider US Virgin Islands, whose all-inclusive portfolio includes the all-inclusive program at the Bolongo Bay Beach Resort in St Thomas.

Thats led to the debut of a new branding for the island: St Croix, a Vibe Like No Other.

For more, visit the Divi Carina Bay.

For more on how to visit the US Virgin Islands, visit the destinations Traveler Screening Portal.

See the rest here:

The Caribbean's Newest Adults-Only Resort Is In St Croix - Caribbean Journal

On-demand charter operator Verijet is expanding its service to include points in the Caribbean, the Opa-locka, Florida-based startup announced this week. The company noted service to the Caribbean will be available on a limited basis because of government restrictions and the Covid-19 pandemic.

Established in October 2020 and operating a fleet of Cirrus SF50 Vision jets, Verijet offers short-haul charter flights in the Southeast and parts of the Western U.S. In its first year of business, the company completed more than 1,200 flights. We've seen tremendous adoption of our service on the East Coast with 51 percent repeat customers since launching in 2020, and we expect to see the same in the Caribbean market, said Verijet chairman and CEO Richard Kane.

Verijets focus is on providing sustainable travel and as such uses the single-engine Vision jet to save more than one ton of CO2 per hour of operation compared with other light jets. The charter company has also partnered with carbon offset credit provider 4Air to further reduce its carbon footprint.

See the original post here:

Verijet Expanding Charter Ops to Caribbean | Business Aviation News - Aviation International News