Daily Archives: March 4, 2022

In Trinidad, the Queens Park Hotel was busy entertaining visitors from around the globe and quenching their thirst with their own signature serve called a swizzle. A swizzle by definition is generally a mix of rum, water, and aromatics and inspired the name of the stirring tool, a swizzle stick, which helps to aerate a cocktail and bring out its flavors. There is no clear recorded attribution to the drinks creator, but it is not a stretch of the imagination that this particular cocktailwith its muddled mint and limetakes some cues from the mojito.

The major difference here, of course, is the use of dark rumsome recipes call for Guyana rum, which is dark and earthy, others call for Angostura 7-Year, which is Trinidadian, but was not created until the 1990s. The moral of the story: Use the rum that you enjoy the most and take it from there. I recommend Ten To One Dark, as it is a blend of Caribbean rums from Trinidad, Barbados, Dominican Republic, and Jamaica.

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Make These Famous Caribbean Hotel Drinks to Pretend Youre on Vacation - Thrillist

What happened

Cruise tourism stocks Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings ( NCLH -6.30% ) and Carnival Corporation ( CCL -5.69% ) ( CUK -6.32% ) are tumbling on anticipated higher fuel costs today, down 4.5% each as of 10:15 a.m. ET.

Rival Royal Caribbean ( RCL -3.13% ) isn't getting hit as hard, but it's still down a sizable 4%.

Image source: Getty Images.

A note from investment bank Macquarie Group out this morning highlighted the problem, as TheFly.com just reported. Cutting its price target on Norwegian Cruise Line stock by 23% to $23 per share, Macquarie warned that although demand for cruising still looks good, fuel prices are rising, and this is going to cut into the company's profitability.

How bad have fuel prices gotten lately? For the first time in history, the average price of a gallon of gas in some Californian cities has hit $5, and the "pain at the pump" could spread to other cities in coming weeks, according ABC and CBS News. And it turns out car drivers aren't the only ones hurting.

US Gulf Coast Ultra-Low Sulfur No 2 Diesel Spot Price data by YCharts.

As you can see in the above chart, the price of ultra-low sulfur diesel fuel, used to power cruise ships, is also skyrocketing -- up roughly 50% over just the past three months.

That's going to pinch cruise line profits the longer these high costs continue. According to data from Statista.com, fuel costs for a cruise company like Carnival can range from as low as 12% of total operating costs (about $1.6 billion) in a cheap year like 2019, to as much as 19.5% of operating costs ($2 billion) in a more expensive year like 2014. And these higher operating costs will mean lower operating profit margins -- and lower profits overall.

How bad will things get? Right now, with the spot price on low-sulfur diesel approaching $3, we're looking at a situation much closer to 2014 prices than to 2019 prices, and cruise line investors can expect fuel costs to represent as much as $1 out of every $5 of operating costs at the major cruise line stocks.

No wonder investors are worried.

This article represents the opinion of the writer, who may disagree with the official recommendation position of a Motley Fool premium advisory service. Were motley! Questioning an investing thesis even one of our own helps us all think critically about investing and make decisions that help us become smarter, happier, and richer.

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Why Norwegian Cruise Line, Carnival, and Royal Caribbean Stocks Are Out of Gas Today - The Motley Fool

MIAMI (CBSMiami) Worldwide sanctions that have crippled Russias air travel industry have also stranded thousands of Russian tourists in the Caribbean.

Aeroflot, the Russian State Airline, has seen all flights canceled out of South Florida and the cancelations have stretched right into South Floridas backyard.

As of Thursday, there were thousands of Russian tourists stranded and struggling to fly home from the Dominican Republic and from Cuba.

Zach Griff, an air travel expert and senior reporter for The Points Guy travel website said, They cant find a way back because of the air space restrictions and all the different sanctions imposed on Russia.

Russians tourists flock to Cuba and the DR to escape the cold winters.

The Dominican Republic received almost 184,000Russian tourists and nearly 86,000 Ukrainians in 2021, so it is not a surprise that reports are that 15,000 Russians have been stranded.

There are reports that there are 3,000 Ukrainians in the Dominican Republic.

The tourist could take a flight from the Caribbean to maybe London or something like that and then connect to Istanbul or Dubai and make their way back to Russia, Griff told CBS News Miami.

Dominican Republic officials say they had reached a deal with hotel chains to guarantee the tourists accommodation until such time as a solution is found.

But there is more to it than just airline flights suspended.

This is going to be a very hard process for them. Their currency has been devalued and they will have to pay out of pocket for the cost for tickets back home.

But there is a lucky break for some of the stranded Russians, Aeroflotsaid they plan to carry out and will be allowed evacuation flights from the Dominican Republic through March 10th.

No word on those tourists who arrived on the various other Russian charter airlines that serve the Caribbean.

Hardest hit, Aeroflot already heavily sanctioned but now, Just today, we learned that SABR which provides the ticket selling process for Aeroflot will stop supporting them.

Getting Russians home will not be any easy task, said Griff.

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Sanctions Strand Thousands Of Russian Tourists In The Caribbean - CBS Miami

The title of "Best Cruise Ship" remains subjective. You might consider the ship with the best selection of restaurants or the longest list of amenities the "best," while someone else might prize elegance, the pool deck, cabins, or something else entirely.

Royal Caribbean (RCL) - Get Royal Caribbean Group Report, Carnival Cruise Line (CCL) - Get Carnival Corporation Report, and Norwegian Cruise Line (NCLH) - Get Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. Report, constantly battle for the title of "Best Cruise Ship," or at least best cruise ship among the players battling for family passengers.

Walt Disney (DIS) - Get Walt Disney Company Report, of course, might have a thing or two to say about those claims, but Disney's pricing -- generally much higher than that of its three rivals for family passengers -- sort of makes it a class of its own.

In the battle among Royal Caribbean, Carnival, and Norwegian, it's an endless sea of oneupmanship and innovation. Carnival has an onboard roller coaster on its latest ship. the Mardi Gras, while Royal Caribbean offers FlowRider surf simulators, simulated sky diving, laser tag, and waterslides that rival what's available on land.

It's an arms race that won't have a real winner because "best" means so many things to so many people. Royal Caribbean, however, has a new ship -- the Wonder of the Seas -- and while you can argue about whether it might be best in class, what you can't argue about is that the new ship, which has its first sailing March 4, can lay claim to being the biggest cruise ship in the world.

Image source: Royal Caribbean.

Wonder of the Seas becomes the latest in Royal Caribbean's Oasis Class. Coming in at 236,857 gross tons with 18 decks and accommodations for 5,734 guests at double occupancy (nearly 7,000 at full capacity), the ship wrests the "Biggest Cruise Ship" title from its sister ship, Symphony of the Seas.

The new ship also offers up a number of firsts, including having Royal Caribbean's only suites-only neighborhood. This new area contains a pool, the Coastal Kitchen restaurant (which appears on other ships to serve only suite guests), and a dedicated sundeck area for suite passengers.

Wonder also offers a new restaurant concept, Mason Jar, which offers southern staples like biscuits and fried chicken, along with a special drinks menu, for brunch, dinner, and late-night dining. In addition, the new ship offers "Wonder Playscape, an all-new interactive outdoor play area," according to the company.

The new largest cruise ship in the world also offers a number of Oasis-class favorites including the Ultimate Abyss, the tallest slide at sea; the FlowRider surf simulator; rock-climbing walls; and the Central Park neighborhood lined with more than 20,000 real plants.

Along with taking the revolutionary Oasis Class ships to a new level of wonder, innovation and adventure, Wonder sets the stage for the spring and summer vacations families and all travelers alike are looking forward to in the new year," Royal Caribbean President Michael Bayley said in a news release.

"The combination of brand-new features and favorites that span thrills, entertainment, dining and nightlife is unparalleled, and its what will make our latest and most innovative ship the worlds newest wonder and the ultimate vacation in the Caribbean and Europe.

Royal Caribbean also competes with Carnival and Norwegian when it comes to onboard entertainment. The company offers ice skating shows and a water-based "Aqua Theater" show on some ships, while featuring Broadway musicals including "Grease" and "Mamma Mia" on others.

Wonder of the Seas will feature its own unique lineup of shows.

"Befitting of the worlds newest wonder, adventure and innovation will come to life across the cruise lines four signature and high-tech 'stages,' air, ice, stage, and water, with four new productions: 'inTENse,' performed by the first all-woman cast in the open-air AquaTheater; '365: The Seasons on Ice' at the iconic ice skating rink, Studio B; 'The Effectors II: Crash n Burn'; and 'Voices: An Intimate Performance on a Grand Scale' in the Royal Theater," the company said in a news release.

The ship will also offer country music in Mason Jar, live performances, and karaoke in its Music Hall venue, a "stowaway piano player popping up around the ship, a Latin band playing in Boleros as well as the cruise line's signature acoustic pub guitarist and Schooner Bar piano entertainer.

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Royal Caribbean Has a New Weapon In Its War With Carnival, Norwegian - TheStreet

The Dupr companies started the projects as the island was dealing with new concerns about sustainability. A 2016 Wildlife Conservation Society report stated that the islands environment is rapidly degrading because of land-based pollution draining into the sea and destroying marine habitats, urbanization and overfishing. A year later, Hurricane Irma devastated the island, worsening an already dire housing shortage for workers.

That tension may explain some of the animosity toward Ms. Dupr and her husband, Mark Nunnelly (a former managing partner at Bain Capital, former chief executive of Dominos Pizza and an investor in an outsourcing concern, a call center and other ventures). Someone scrawled Get Out Dupr Pig in red on the white construction wall a highly unusual act of vandalism on the mostly crime-free island. One of the English-language island online forums has a chat titled Death to Dominos Pizza in reference to the hotel project.

In one corner you have this billionaire business firm and in the other a bunch of local people saying please dont damage our marine life, said a Youngstown, Ohio, attorney, Eddie Czopur, who has been staying on St. Jean Bay during the winter season for years. It was like a Rocky story, that the locals won.

But Ms. Dupr and Mr. Nunnelly are hardly the only superrich who have been accused of making plans that seem to ignore island scale or Caribbean aesthetic. Islanders have watched as tycoons have increasingly competed to see who can anchor the biggest yacht in the harbor, or build the biggest villa.

Looking ahead. As governments across the world loosen coronavirus restrictions, the travel industry hopes this will be the year that travel comes roaring back. Here is what to expect:

Lodging. During the pandemic, many travelers discovered the privacy offered by rental residences. Hotels hope to competeagain by offeringstylish extended-stay properties, sustainable options, rooftop bars and co-workingspaces.

Rental cars. Travelers can expect higher prices, and older carswith high mileage, since companies still havent been able to expand their fleets. Seeking an alternative? Car-sharing platforms might be a more affordable option.

Cruises. Despite a bumpy start to the year, thanks to Omicrons surge, demand for cruises remains high. Luxury expedition voyages are particularly appealing right now, because they typically sail on smaller ships and steer away from crowded destinations.

Destinations. Cities are officially back: Travelers are eager to dive into the sights, bites and soundsof a metropolis like Parisor New York. For a more relaxing time, some resorts in the U.S. are pioneering an almost all-inclusive model that takes the guesswork out of planning a vacation.

Experiences. Travel options centered around sexual wellness (think couples retreats and beachfront sessions with intimacy coaches) are growing popular. Trips with an educational bent, meanwhile, are increasingly sought after by families with children.

The local government recently restricted the size of new villas to under 150 square meters (a little over 1,600 square feet). But at least 50 previously issued construction permits are still in the pipeline meaning new mega mansions will surely be erected. The once- crystalline waters around the island have turned cloudy as construction-runoff sediment damages reefs and drives off sea animals. One marine biologist who works on the island told me she cried after returning to a diving site once teeming with turtles and sharks and finding it barren.

Ms. Dupr and her husband declined to comment for this article, referring questions to Mr. Stanton, a spokesman for Ms. Dupr and her company, SAS St. Jean Beach Real Estate. He said the company will appeal the ruling against the LEtoile permit to a higher court in France in March, but that adjudication will take at least 15 months. Ms. Dupr still hopes to build a hotel, but will fill in the hole as ordered once the collectivit grants permission, he said.

She has a deep background in hotel management, and Denise and the family have had a special affection for the island for more than 20 years, Mr. Stanton said. She and the St. Barts team she worked with feel they were very attentive to bringing a peaceful, beautiful thing to this beach, and will continue to engage in constructive dialogue with the community about the project.

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Billionaires Battle Over a Hotel and Quality of Life on St. Barts - The New York Times

Antigua and Barbuda has signed an agreement to host the prestigious RORC Caribbean 600 for another four years.

The renewal means that the destination will continue to attract sailing elite and promising sailors, building Antigua and Barbudas reputation as the Sailing Capital of the Caribbean, the countrys Ministry of Tourism said in a statement.

The agreement was signed by Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Minister Charles Fernandez, Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority CEO Colin C. James and Royal Ocean Race Club CEO Jeremy Wilton.

Antigua has been making it a priority to cultivate the sailing and yachting sectors as a means of economic development.

We continue to globally promote and position Antigua and Barbuda as a safe and picturesque location for the sailing community to enjoy local, regional and international regattas throughout the year, Fernandez said. We are also thrilled to have opportunities where we can expose our Antiguan and Barbudan talent and spotlight their performance, as was seen in this years race.

This years RORC Caribbean 600 attracted 74 teams with 738 sailors hailing from 32 different nations.

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Antigua and Barbuda to Host RORC Caribbean 600 For Next For Years - Caribbean Journal

Russian leisure airlines are starting repatriation flights from Cuba, Mexico, and the Dominican Republic, following the same steps Aeroflot also announces the suspension of its operations to the Caribbean, reports the Association of Tour Operators of Russia (ATOR).

As a result of the closure of airspace in the European Union and Canada, Russian leisure operators have announced the suspension of scheduled flights to several destinations in the Caribbean. All operations to Mexico, Cuba, and the Dominican Republic are planned for repatriation only.

The airline Royal Flight, a partner of the tour operator Coral Travel, has announced the suspension of flights to Cuba and the Dominican Republic. Tourists currently in these countries will return according to the dates indicated on their tickets.

Royal Flight on February 28 made a flight from Moscow to Varadero, Cuba with a stopover in Kamchatka, due to the closure of the airspace of the Nordic countries the duration of the flight is increased from 12 to 20-21 hours.

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The flight from Moscow to Kamchatka would take 8 hours, then from Kamchatka to Cuba 12-13 hours. However, a humanitarian corridor could be opened in the Atlantic in order to repatriate Russian citizens.

Tour operator PEGAS touristik has informed from February 28 to March 28, flights from Dominican Republic, Cuba, Mexico, and Venezuela have been temporarily canceled, only return operations will be carried out for tourists.

Nordwind and PEGAS Fly flights to these destinations have been suspended. Tours departing before March 28 to the Dominican Republic, Cuba, Mexico and Venezuela will be canceled. Tourists are offered to rebook requests for alternative destinations or save money on deposit the tour operator said in a statement.

Aeroflot has canceled flights to the United States, Mexico, Dominican Republic, and Cuba, unlike leisure airlines, the Russian flag carrier announced the cancellation until March 2, passengers have the option of a refund of their tickets.

According to data from ATORs Analytical Service, at the moment there maybe 6,000 to 8,000 Russians in Cuba, 3,500 to 4,000 in Mexico, and 5,000 to 6,000 in the Dominican Republic. In total Russian airlines would have to repatriate between 16,000 18,000 Russian tourists in the Caribbean.

According to Vestnik ATORs sources, Russian airlines will not be allowed to make regular flights to Cuba, although Cuban air operators are free from the ban on the airspace of the European Union and Canada.

Before, the air route used to go through Northern European countries, Canada and the United States, and it took more than 12 hours. Now it takes a long time to fly to Cuba, for example, through Kamchatka, almost a day and, what is more important, very expensive, In addition, carriers must provide airports for emergency landings on the route, and there are almost no such airports due to the sanctions of the European Union and Canada summarized ATOR.

During the 2021/2022 boreal winter season, several of the Russian airlines opted to increase their operation in the Caribbean, due to sanitary restrictions in Southeast Asian countries, now their long-haul operations will be significantly affected.

Data obtained by Aviacionline through the Cirium Platform during the month of February, the schedule of Russian airline operators was as follows:

The company operates these routes on Boeing 767-300ER and 777-200ER aircraft.

The company operates these routes on Boeing 777-200ER/-300ER aircraft.

The company operates these routes on Boeing 777-300ER aircraft.

The company operates these routes on Airbus A350-900 and Boeing 777-300ER aircraft.

The company operates these routes on Boeing 767-300ER and 777-300ER aircraft.Information on some charter operations is not available on the Cirium platform.

See also:Russian invasion to Ukraine condemned by ICAO Council

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Russian airlines start repatriation of national tourists in the Caribbean - Aviacionline

Caribbean Community (CARICOM) leaders have expressed deep concern with the United Kingdom-backed Commission of Inquiry into allegations of corruption in the British Virgin Islands (BVI) listing among their concerns the lack of transparency.

Earlier this year, the Governor of this British Overseas Territory, John Rankin, announced he had granted the Commission of Inquiry a second extension to complete its final report.

The Commission, headed by retired British judge Gary Hickinbottom, has until April to submit its report with the Inquiry citing delays in getting required information from the BVI government as the cause of the delay.

Former governor, Augustus Jasper, established the Commission of Inquiry nearly a year ago to look into allegations of corruption and abuse of office by elected and statutory officials. The Commission is also mandated to make recommendations on local government operations including the territorys law enforcement and justice systems.

A communique issued after their 33rdInter-Sessional summit in Belize, the CARICOM leaders expressed deep concern about the lack of transparency and the manner in which the UK-backed Commission of Inquiry into the British Virgin Islands was called and is operating without having obtained all the legally required approvals.

Heads of Government reiterated their call for the constitutional position of the duly elected Government to be respected and for self-governance to be upheld and not impeded.

The regional leaders called for the implementation of the UN resolution on the question of the British Virgin Islands adopted by the 76th UN General Assembly on December 9, 2021, which calls for self-governance and self-determination in the Virgin Islands to be respected.

Heads of Government agreed to adopt a unified position at the relevant UN decolonisation fora in support of the self-determination of the British Virgin Islands.

Hickinbottom initially was required to deliver his report to Governor Rankin in January this year, following an initial extension from July 18 last year.

The Commission Secretary, Steven Chandler, said in a statement that while several documents had been received from the BVI government, they were produced often in very poor order, adding that BVI elected officials had failed to take timely advantage of opportunities to recommend which documents should not be disclosed to the public.

He insisted that Hickinbottom had conducted his probe in an open and transparent manner, and urged Governor Rankin to publish both the findings and evidence.

But the Andrew Fahiegovernment has refuted the reasons for the delay, calling it puzzling.

In a statement, it said that all documents provided by local officials to the Commission are readily accessible by Rankin in unredacted form and could be submitted immediately and without change.

It is understandable that the Commissioner wishes to prepare a report in publishable form, but it is also surprising that the Commission should complain about delays in ministerial indications about which parts of thousands of pages of documents should be withheld for good reasons such as national security, the release said.

The government said that despite three requests between November 25 and December 30 last year, Hickinbottom has not told them which documents in particular he would quote or rely on in his report, and that ministers are anxious to share relevant documents and expect, as they have already promised, to be able to obtain Cabinet consent for any redactions which are needed within 10 days of being informed by the Commission which documents they should be looking at.

It is regrettable that this further delay in the process, which already consumed very considerable amounts of government time and resources in 2021, means that there will be further calls on these well into 2022 and further unnecessary harm may continue to be done in the meantime to the reputation of these islands, the BVI government statement added.

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CARICOM Heads concerned about UK backed Inquiry into the BVI | Loop Caribbean News - Loop News Caribbean