Daily Archives: February 18, 2024

With tensions continuing to cause travel concerns in the Red Sea and more cruises being impacted with itinerary changes, the fate of Royal Caribbean Internationals epic Ultimate World Cruise aboard Serenade of the Seas will be decided not by the cruise line, but by the passengers themselves.

Guests on the cruise will have the opportunity to vote on how their itinerary changes and what ports of call they visit, an unprecedented way for the cruise line to handle the situation.

Due to the tensions in the Middle East, including ports of call near the Red Sea as well as through the Suez Canal, Serenade of the Seas will not be able to preserve three segments of her original 274-night route.

Rumors that the ship would need to change her route have been circulating for weeks, but the decision has now been made that a change is essential for the safety and well-being of guests and crew members.

As weve continued to monitor what is taking place in and around the Red Sea for the safety of our guests and crew, we have made the decision to adjust plans for Serenade of the Seas transit through the Suez Canal this May, a spokesperson for Royal Caribbean said to Cruise Hive.

Because of necessary changes, three sections of the full world cruise will be impacted. The ship will be unable to sail the planned 18-night Ultimate Jordan, Egypt & Israel segment from May 9 through May 27, the 11-night Ultimate Bulgaria, Romania & Turkey segment from May 27 through June 7, or the 13-night Ultimate Greece, Turkey & Italy segment from June 7 through June 20.

Unlike other adjusted cruises that are simply informing guests of the itinerary changes, typically coupled with some compensation options or refund choices if travelers prefer opt out of the altered itinerary, Royal Caribbean is giving passengers the chance to decide where they will sail.

Read Also: The Impact of Red Sea Tensions on Cruising

In keeping with the adventurous spirit of our guests, we are engaging them for their thoughts and preference between two alternative itineraries that will take them on an epic adventure to Africa, the cruise line confirmed.

In a town-hall-style meeting held in the ships Tropical Theater, the situation was explained to guests and two alternative sailing routes were presented.

Both will go around the southern and western coasts of Africa to enter the Mediterranean through the Strait of Gibraltar, but each one has vastly different ports of call and experiences for travelers.

The first option, an Immersive Africa itinerary, features ports of call in 11 different African countries and a total of 20 port visits from May 9 through June 20.

Guests would enjoy visits to such unique destinations as Madagascar, Mauritius, Namibia, Angola, Ghana, and Senegal, as well as more popular ports in South Africa and the Canary Islands.

The second option is an Africa and Greece itinerary that cruises around Africa much more quickly with just three ports of call a visit to the Seychelles, an overnight in Cape Town, and a stop in the Canary Islands. This option, however, includes an overnight in Alexandria, Egypt and extensive exploration of the Greek Islands during the last week of the segment.

In comparison, the Immersive Africa itinerary features 21 days at sea during the 6-week period from when the ship will leave Dubai on May 9 until she arrives in Ravenna on June 20.

The Africa and Greece itinerary has 26 days at sea in the same time period, all of which are between May 10 and June 11 a full month at sea with just 7 port days, two of which are overnight calls (Cape Town and Alexandria).

Both itineraries have a stop in the Seychelles, an overnight call in Cape Town, and a visit to the Canary Islands. Dates and port times vary between the different schedules.

Guests onboard the ship can submit questions about the new options through February 20, and a webinar is planned with the cruise lines corporate office on Wednesday, February 21. After that, passengers will be able to vote on the itineraries, and the winning option will be confirmed on Tuesday, February 27.

All travelers will be receiving either a 25% or 50% pro-rated refund for the altered segment of the cruise based on their cruise fare and which option is ultimately selected. Guests can also opt to cancel and would receive a full segment refund and assistance with onward travel plans if they prefer not to continue the cruise.

They will receive compensation for the adjustment, and guests who prefer to not sail on the updated itinerary will receive a full refund and support for their travel arrangements, the statement from Royal Caribbean concluded.

Guests who have been booked on one of the three individual segments of the cruise that are impacted are also being offered compensation options for the cancellation of their cruises. Their options vary depending on which part of the cruise they had planned to join.

Which cruise option would you vote for if you were on the World Cruise? Id go for the Immersive Africa opportunity myself, and use the pro-rated refund to book myself a Greek Isles cruise at another time. Share your choice on the Cruise Hive boards!

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Royal Caribbean Gives Unprecedented Choice on Ultimate World Cruise - Cruise Hive

Its raining in Grenada.When I open the car door, theres a surprise: the cover of an umbrella waiting for me, along with a smile. A staff member has rushed through the drops to ensure I get back to the lobby dry.

I cant think of a time thats ever happened to me at a hotel before, Caribbean or otherwise, but its a small symbol of the kind of service you get at the legendary Spice Island Beach Resort in Grenada.

The resort, set on the sparkling sands of the islands stunning Grand Anse Beach, is one of the most celebrated places to stay in the Caribbean for a reason its just that good.

Carefully stewarded by Grenadas Hopkin family for more than a half century, first by hospitality icon Sir Royston Hopkin and then his daughter Janelle Hopkin, this 64-suite property has few peers in the region: its a timeless, grand, thoughtful resort that has for decades redefined the concept of the luxury all-inclusive resort.

Of course, as you sip Westerhall rum at the edge of the sand or dine on tempura frog legs, kingfish with black bean spaghetti or a callaloo souffl, its easy to forget that youre at an all-inclusive at all. Because even at the greatest all-inclusive resorts in the region, youd be hard pressed to find food quite like this, with a menu that changes every day and a three-week cycle to ensure culinary originality.

The capacious suites are a mix of toes-in-the-sand rooms right on the beach and garden suites, many with their own private plunge pools, along with Molton Brown amenities, minibars, Nespresso machines and Alexa voice remotes.

The feel is rarefied and serene, no matter whether youre lounging by the central pool, strolling through the gardens or sitting at the lovely beachside bar. Thats what we want at a luxury resort the endless delight of quiet and tranquility, of catered indulgence.

The calm is only strengthened at the resorts Janissa Spa, where youll find waterfalls, outdoor showers, a sauna and four treatment rooms perfect for an afternoon of rejuvenation.

At the Sea and Surf Bar, the counter quickly turns into your own private club when the sun goes down. Its the rare Caribbean bar where your cocktail is immediately joined by a multi-tiered tray of delicious, handmade snacks, the kinds of little, thoughtful touches that separate luxury resorts from great luxury resorts.

But one amenity towers above them all: Grand Anse itself. When the sun hits this sand just right (and it does so just about every day), its one of the best beaches the world, with that perfect alchemy that turns white sand and turquoise water into unbridled bliss.

And here at Grand Anse, even on a beach thats the most popular in Grenada, youll feel like its your own private slice of sand.

Its almost indescribably beautiful on this beach, as you wade in the water and look back at the charming, sun-covered roofs of Spice, as just about everyone on the island calls it.

For a moment, you almost dont know which way to look. But at a place like Spice, its a dilemma as easily solved as a missing umbrella.

For more, visit Spice Island Beach Resort.

Continued here:

At Grenada's Spice Island Beach Resort, the Art of the Luxury All-Inclusive - Caribbean Journal

It took eight years for Guadeloupean native Malaury Eloi Paisley to complete her first feature, LHomme Vertige: Tales of a City, which premieres in Berlins Forum. In this debut documentary about her home city Point--Pitre, Paisley depicts the unvarnished and often harsh realities of isolated living in the French Carribean island.

In LHomme Vertige, Paisley follows the life of lonely and largely impoverished individuals who wander the city, interrogating them on their views on life, human connection and the island, with the backdrop of the concrete and contaminated landscape of the inner city. For Paisley, all the people in the film represent a shared unspoken human experience. No one is a stranger, we all embody a similar history. More importantly, I wanted to show that these people are not just victims of a system but have insight into the reality of society and what it means to be free. Its a simulation between the characters and the city. Throughout the documentary, Paisley also focuses on the barren and demolished infrastructure on the island, no beach in sight till the end, to demonstrate the isolation and confinement I felt growing up here.

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Paisley, who never thought of becoming a filmaker, originally trained in fine arts at Paris Sorbonne University. So making LHomme Vertige came as a form of salvation when she returned to Guadeloupe after three years of travel. As an artist, I felt I will never be able to make it on my own on the island, there was no art center, no conservatory, the idea of going back felt kind of melancholic, she says.

It was never in her plans to return to the island. However, when Paisley found that the French filmmaking workshop Ateliers Varan was being conducted in Guadeloupe in 2016, she decied to go back. It was at this workshop, with encouragemnt from directing mentors Alice Diop (Saint Omer) and Sylvaine Dampierre (Paroles de ngres), that she began experimenting with ideas of Guadeloupes complex colonial present, loneliness and how humans, the built environment and nature interact in the visual form.

After my travels to New Zealand, New Caledonia and South Asia, I became even more pessimissitic about the impacts of colonialism that I had seen growing up and realized I couldnt see the world from a lens where I didnt see that sense of domination, especially in Guadeloupe, where the French control is very strong, says Paisley. I wanted to explore the confinement this history created as well as reconcile the different versions of loneliness in the city, which I do in this film.

The short Paisley produced at Atelier Varan, Chanzy Blues, led to one of the jurors ultimately helping her produce it into a full-length feature that became LHomme Vertige.

With the films selection at Berlin, Paisley says, its such a great honor to be able to show this piece of my island in the Caribbean, to filmmakers I admire but also expose it to some people that I feel dont even know that we are out of here. I hope they see the universal essence in the characters.

For her next project, Paisley hopes to continue exploring solitude in Guadeloupe, but in relation to local island artists. She also hopes to pursue a film on her paternal Indian heritage and the colonial story of Indian arrival in the island.

Paisley looks forward to her coming ventures. Now that I have a taste of filmmaking, I have more ideas for cinema with a poetic vision, she says.

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Director Malaury Eloi-Paisley on Her Debut Documentary 'L'Homme Vertige,' and the Unvarnished Reality of ... - Yahoo Entertainment

The workshopssought to improve coordination on marine spatial data between the federal government and its territorial partners and stakeholders in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. These efforts provide foundational ecosystem-wide data generation that will help to support marine spatial planning in the region. This planning is vital to support the development of the blue economy, including industries like renewable energy and aquaculture.

The workshops had several key goals:

One key takeaway was the development of geospatial data layers for key ocean sectors. Other takeaways included identifying the need for:

Participants expressed that these improvements would help our collective ability to inform decision making. They emphasized the importance of involving local stakeholders early and consistently to improve planning efforts, and a focus on equity and environmental justice in data collection and planning.

These workshops were a huge step in promoting equity and collaboration in marine spatial planning, said John Walter, Deputy Director for Science and Council Services at NOAAs Southeast Fisheries Science Center. By working together, we are promoting the use of sound scientific data to make decisions about sustainable development of ocean industries in the U.S. Caribbean.

The discussions focused on six key ocean sectors:

Across many of these sectors, participants highlighted various data gaps and the need for enhanced, more accessible data. Some of the unique considerations raised included tourism, coral habitats, fishing, and social data. These critical pieces stemmed from the involvement of local stakeholders, who openly shared their knowledge and communities perspectives.

Besides data collection, the workshops helped us form this strong community of stakeholders in the region. said Jennifer Wright, regional spatial coordinator for NOAAs National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science. These collaborations are critical to ensure we are considering diverse perspectives when planning for the future of U.S. Caribbean waters.

As a result of this workshop, NOAA will continue working with local stakeholders on science planning. We will develop a publicly available spatial planning database and toolbox for the region. This database will include all of the information sources from the workshops, as well as other data from local data leads. The outcomes and partnerships developed during these workshops are critical for preparing for future development of the blue economy throughout the United States Caribbean.

The events were led by the NOAA National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science Marine Spatial Ecology Division and NOAA Fisheries Southeast Fisheries Science Center. Workshop participants included:

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Preparing for Development of the Blue Economy in the U.S. Caribbean - NOAA Fisheries

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PERU: DENGUE Perus Ministry of Health (MINSA) reports over 13,000 dengue cases so far in 2024, marking a 53.4 per cent increase from 2023, with 3,192 cases in the fifth week of 2024 alone. This surge coincides with prolonged El Nio-induced heatwaves. In the northern region of Piura, the region with the highest number of dengue cases, MINSA has reported more than 100 consecutive unusually warm days and over 200 warm nights, with the town of Mallares reaching a record summer temperature of 38.2 degrees Celsius on 8 January. The warm conditions, exacerbated by El Nio Costero, create favourable environments for dengue transmission, posing heightened risks to vulnerable groups. According to Perus National Centre for Epidemiology, Prevention, and Disease Control (CDC), the persistent El Nio conditions could result in up to 109,297 cases nationwide by June 2024.

HAITI: VIOLENCE Since 1 February, approximately 10,000 people in Port-au-Prince have been displaced due to ongoing violence, bringing the total number of people displaced since the start of the year to 20,000. Weeks of prolonged violence and insecurity have forced schools to close, halting associated school meal programs, and disrupted healthcare services, with some facilities being forced to suspend operations. Additionally, the violence has hindered the access of UN agencies and NGOs to carry out their programs in Port-au-Prince and other major cities. UNICEF has condemned the deaths of two children and expressed deep concern about the violences impact on children, while WFP has emphasized the urgent need for unimpeded access for aid agencies and the free flow of food supplies to prevent the already dire levels of hunger from becoming catastrophic.

COLOMBIA: ARMED STRIKE A critical humanitarian situation has unfolded in Choc, where from 10-14 February a non-state armed group (NSAG) initiated an armed strike in the municipalities of Medio San Juan, Nvita, Sipi, and Istimina, affecting 18,940 people. Communities faced restraints and restrictions in accessing essential goods, healthcare, education and basic sanitation. Since December 2023, indigenous groups have grappled with the persistent presence of NSAGs on their lands, resulting in the confinement of approximately 1,397 people (296 families) across various municipalities. The NSAGs directives have restricted movement in vital areas, notably those where food is sourced, exacerbating the growing humanitarian situation.

REGIONAL: EL NIO El Nio and Coastal El Nio conditions are driving climatic crises across the region. Chile and Peru have experienced persistent heatwaves in early 2024, with devastating wildfires affecting nearly 10,000 people in Chile, and extreme temperatures, reminiscent of previous El Nio years, spiking disease rates and heatstroke in Peru. The eastern region of Guatemala saw temperatures reach 40 degrees Celsius in February, despite it being the cold season. In Colombia, 515 El Nio-related events, including forest fires and flooding, have affected 97,000 people, while Ecuador, where half of the population live in floodable areas, faces intense rainfall, particularly in coastal regions. On 14 February, the Start Fund allocated US$265,082 in anticipation of El Nio-related flooding in the Santa Elena province of Ecuador. El Nio conditions are forecast to persist until at least March, with a 79 per cent chance of transitioning to ENSO-neutral by April-June 2024.

Read more here:

Latin America & The Caribbean Weekly Situation Update as of 16 February 2024 - Haiti - ReliefWeb

TheDiplomatic Representationsplay a vital role in representing the EU and its citizens around the globe and building networks and partnerships.

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Europe and Latin America & the Caribbean step up cooperation on cybersecurity - EEAS

Royal Caribbean has confirmed that the Ultimate World Cruise is making a significant itinerary change due to ongoing unrest in the Middle East.

The cruise line confirmed to PEOPLE that it has decided to cancel the nine-month voyage's original itinerary through the Red Sea and Suez Canal in May to keep its passengers and crew members safe. Instead, the cruise is presenting passengers with two alternative itineraries to gauge which route change is preferred among cruisers for the third leg of the voyage.

Royal Caribbean did not confirm the details of the two potential new routes.

Popular TikToker on the cruise,drjennytravels, shared footage from the cruise's town hall meeting on Friday and revealed that the ship will still travel to Dubai and then make its way around Africa in its third leg. However, she said that cruisers have the option to vote on what type of route they want to go on.

She explains in the social media clip: "We are going to Dubai. We also are going to Africa. We are gonna go all the way around the tip of South Africa. The itinerary is not finalized; we actually have two options. One, they're calling the 'Scenic Route' it does more of Africa. And the other is what they call the 'Highway,' which is a lot of sea days and does less stops in Africa."

"We learned that there will be compensation for both options," she continues.

Peter Bischoff/Getty

Royal Caribbean previously told PEOPLE that it was reviewing alternative routes for the Serenade of the Seas.

"The safety of our guests and crew is our top priority, and we are monitoring what is taking place in and around the Red Sea," a spokesperson for the company said in a statement on Feb. 9. "In looking ahead at potential itinerary adjustments, we are currently reviewing alternatives forSerenade of the Seas, which is currently scheduled to transit the Suez Canal in May. Our guests and travel partners will receive an update from us in mid-February."

Jeffrey Greenberg/Universal Images Group via Getty

Captain Stig, who guided the journey on its first leg around South America, shared an update with passengers about the possibility of major itinerary changes during a send-off ceremony on Feb. 7. According todrjennytravels,the captain said Royal Caribbean would be making an announcement on Feb. 16 regarding the changes.

Rumors that the Ultimate World Cruise could reroute or end early began circulating in January. Royal Caribbean stated to PEOPLE at the time that it would finish its tour of the Americas in February and embark on the second leg to Asia as planned.

Never miss a story sign up forPEOPLE's free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

"The Ultimate World Cruise has given guests the opportunity to see the world in a unique way, and we have loved watching their reactions to this incredible experience," Royal Caribbean's statement said. "This adventure will complete its first segment in February, and we can't wait to kick off the next part of the journey shortly after and begin exploring Asia."

The statement did not mention the third leg of the trip, which was scheduled to start in May and include stops in the Middle East and Mediterranean.

The Ultimate World Cruise is divided into four segments with 160 total destinations. The cruise departed from Miami on Dec. 10, 2023, to weave through the Caribbean and sail down the east coast of South America. The cruise then traveled around Cape Horn and braved the tempestuous Drake Passage near Antarctica; it then made its way up the Americas' west coast and concluded its first segment in Los Angeles on Feb. 11. The Asia portion started the same day and is scheduled to end on May 9.

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Royal Caribbean Confirms 9-Month Cruise Will Not Go Through Red Sea and Suez Canal Due to Middle East Unrest - PEOPLE

Cruise industry giant Royal Caribbean Group has ordered a new ship for its fleet just three weeks after launching its record-breaking Icon of the Seas.

The Miami-based cruise line has signed an agreement with French shipyard Chantiers de lAtlantique to build the ninth ship on the Groups current order docket.

The new ship will add to Royal Caribbeans Oasis Class, the seventh of its kind, to launch in 2028, 19 years after the class debuted with its namesake Oasis of the Seas. It will be the sister ship of Utopia of the Seas, which is set to enter service in the next six months.

Michael Bayley, president and CEO of Royal Caribbean International, described the busy period as exciting times.

These are exciting times for Royal Caribbean, and we have an incredible partner in Chantiers de lAtlantique to bring to life the lucky seventh Oasis Class vessel of what is a remarkable class of ships.

Along with the Icon, Royal Caribbean has also recently launched the Silver Nova and Celebrity Ascent.

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Although the deal is subject to financing agreements, which the companies said would likely be completed before the end of 2024, Chantiers de lAtlantique said it indicated confidence from the cruise giant.

This order signals Royal Caribbean Groups continued confidence in our partnership that has delivered some of the most innovative ships at sea. We look forward to building upon this relationship as we help bring this ship to life, said Laurent Castaing, general manager of Chantiers de lAtlantique.

The Royal Caribbean Group owns three cruise brands: Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, and Silversea Cruises. It is 50% owner of a joint venture that operates TUI Cruises and Hapag-Lloyd Cruises.

Link:

Royal Caribbean orders new ship weeks after Icon of the Seas launch - Ship Technology

Royal Caribbean International has unveiled its 2025-26 lineup of cruises departing from seven U.S. cities in Florida, Northeast, Puerto Rico and Texas.

During its second consecutive winter season in New York (Bayonne), the Odyssey of the Seas will operate seven-night vacations to The Bahamas, including the Perfect Day at CocoCay and Nassau.

Sailing from Bayonne and Miami, the Symphony of the Seas will offer week-long eastern and western Caribbean vacations, visiting Perfect Day at CocoCay and Labadee; Falmouth, Jamaica; Philipsburg, St. Maarten; Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas; and more.

Guests looking for cruises from Fort Lauderdales Port Everglades can choose from alternating six- and eight-night eastern and western Caribbean voyages on the Oasis of the Seas to Charlotte Amalie, San Juan and The Bahamas Nassau.

Additionally, each eastern Caribbean getaway will include a visit to Perfect Day at CocoCay. The Allure will return to Galveston for seven-night cruises to the western Caribbean, with calls in Roatan, Honduras, and Costa Maya and Cozumel, Mexico.

The Liberty of the Seas brings a variety of four-, five- and nine-night sailings to the eastern Caribbean, Bermuda, Canada and New England, also sailing from Bayonne.

The Brilliance of the Seas will sail from Boston and San Juan, operating seven-night adventures to Portland Saint John, New Brunswick; Halifax; and more. In the winter, the Brilliance will homeport in San Juan first time since 2013. Guests can visit a variety of southern Caribbean destinations like Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao; Tortola, British Virgin Islands; and for the first time, Scarborough, Trinidad and Tobago.

In the winter, the Jewel of the Seas will operate Southern Caribbean getaways departing from San Juan exploring destinations such as St. Croix; Roseau, Dominica; Philipsburg; Charlotte Amalie; and Bridgetown, Barbados.

Sailing from Baltimore, the Vision of the Seas offers travelers a chance to visit Bermuda, Perfect Day at CocoCay or Canada on five- and nine-night summer voyages. The winter lineup of adventures will include eight-night getaways to The Bahamas and 12-night sailings to destinations in the southern Caribbean like St. Croix, Roseau and Philipsburg

Continue reading here:

Royal Caribbean Unveils 2025-26 Northeast, Caribbean Sailings - Cruise Industry News

Start: Fort Charlotte, Antigua - Monday 19 February 2024 - Antigua

 Track the Fleet in the 15th edition of the race & Follow the Race Updates via the Website, 

Live Blog and RORC Social Media

A spectacular fleet of 64 boats, ranging from 32ft (9.81m) to 107ft (32.55m) will be on the startline in Antigua for the 15th edition of the RORC Caribbean 600 on Monday 19th February 2024. Over 500 crew from 26 countries will compete in this classic 600 nautical mile race. For those lucky enough to be in the Caribbean, the start of this classic 600-miler can be viewed from Fort Charlotte, high above the spectacular Pillars of Hercules, or from Shirley Heights. The first start is scheduled for 1100 AST. Since the first edition in 2009, the RORC Caribbean 600 has evolved into one of the world’s most challenging 600-milers. 

Starting from Fort Charlotte, English Harbour, Antigua, the race heads as far north as the Anguilla Channel and south to round Les Saintes, off Guadeloupe. The non-stop race also takes in the devastating beauty of Barbuda, Nevis, St Kitts, Saba, St Barth's, Montserrat and Redonda. 

START TIMES:

Monday 19th February 2024 - Fort Charlotte, Antigua

First warning signal: 10:50 Atlantic Standard Time (-4 GMT) 

Proposed Start Sequence: 1100 IRC One, IRC Two & CSA, 1110 IRC Zero & Class40, 

1120 IRC Super Zero, 1130 Multihulls

LIVESTREAM OF THE START:

Join us on RORC YouTube from 10.45 AST (-4 GMT) - Watch the starts live from Fort Charlotte, Antigua with Axxess Marine connectivity, as Race Reporter Louay Habib and guests take us through all the action in the race build-up to the start as it happens.

RORC YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RORCRacing

 Race fans and spectators can keep up-to-date with the 600nm race via the Race Website, Live Blog and RORC Social Media channels. Track the fleet and follow all the updates as the race unfolds.

WEBSITE: Race Reports and regular news, links to the Race Tracker, RORC Photo Gallery, Live Results on SailRaceHQ, and much more. Go to: https://caribbean600.rorc.org

LIVE BLOG: Crews will be sending back photos, blogs and video when they can during the race, and the Media Team will be posting updates too. Check out the Live Blog button on the front of the website. caribbean-600-live-blog

RACE TRACKER: 

All yachts will carry a tracker so you can follow the progress of the whole fleet, particular class or individual boat from the race website: tracking

Plus, you can follow the race live by downloading 'YB Races' for free from the App store.

RESULTS & LEADERBOARD: https://sailracehq.com/live-results

WHERE TO WATCH THE START:

FROM ON SHORE: 

Yachts will be starting south of Fort Charlotte, Antigua on Monday 19th February. You can get a wonderful view from Fort Charlotte or Shirley Heights. The starting line is formed between an orange triangle on Fort Charlotte and an yellow cylindrical Outer Distance Mark approximately 0.50nm south of Fort Charlotte. The Race Committee may adjust this position with reference to the wind direction on the day of the start. Fort Charlotte is at the eastern entrance to English Harbour above the Pillars of Hercules and below Shirley Heights. There's also a chance to catch a glimpse from Pigeon Beach of the boats leaving Falmouth Harbour, headed for the staring area, and from Galleon Beach, those docking out of English Harbour.

FROM THE WATER:

For those wishing to watch the race from the water, please note that there will be an Exclusion Zone around the starting area effective from 1000 to 1200. The safety of spectator vessels and competitors is paramount. 

PLAY THE GAME:

If you're not on the start line in Antigua, join the virtual race and take part from the comfort of your armchair. Be prepared for some sleepless nights - it's addictive! Over 5,000 have signed up already.

RORC Caribbean 600 on Virtual Regatta: 

https://www.virtualregatta.com/en/offshore-game/?openrace&576-1

RACE ENTRIES: Latest entries can be found on SailRaceHQ HERE

SOCIAL MEDIA: We will be active on all our social media channels so follow us:-

#Caribbean600 @RORCracing

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/royaloceanracingclub

Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/rorcracing

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/rorcracing

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/rorcracing

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rorcracing

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/royaloceanracingclub

DAILY LIVE UPDATE: Tune into RORC Facebook at 1330 AST (-4 GMT) on Tues 20th, Wed 21st and Thurs 22nd for a 30-minute show with Race Reporter Louay Habib and special guests.

PROGRAMME

Thursday 15th February - Lay Day/Reserve Day

Friday 16th February - Antigua 360 - Race Antigua Race

Saturday 17th February - RORC Caribbean 600 Welcome Party + Antigua 360 Prizegiving

Sunday 18th February - Lay Day

Monday 19th February - Start of the 15th RORC Caribbean 600

Friday 23rd February - Final Prizegiving

Excerpt from:

How to follow the 2024 RORC Caribbean 600 - RORC Caribbean 600