Category Archives: Caribbean

WASHINGTON, March 14, 2017 A deeper economic integration among Latin American and Caribbean countries will make the region more competitive in international markets and boost long-term growth, according to a new World Bank report.

Better Neighbors: Toward a Renewal of Economic Integration in Latin America, argues that a renewed integration strategy that takes advantage of the complementarities between regional and global economic integration can contribute to growth with stability. This is particularly relevant for a region that is just coming out of two years of recession.

In todays world, regional economic integration offers a way forward to reactivate the economic growth needed for reducing poverty and boosting shared prosperity, said Jorge Familiar, World Bank Vice President for Latin America and the Caribbean. A more robust intraregional integration will make us more competitive in the global arena. Effective integration will require investment in infrastructure, connectivity and logistics, which will offer an additional boost in economic growth.

Since the 1960s, the region has been pursuing regional integration, with efforts intensifying since the mid-1990s. Still, intraregional exports in Latin America remain at a persistent 20 percent of total exports, much less than the 60 and 50 percent intraregional exports in the European Union and East Asia Pacific, respectively.

Therefore, the report proposes an open regionalism that reaps unexploited synergies between regional and global economic integration, on the premise that pro-growth integration with the world cannot be achieved without first strengthening the regions own neighborhood. To do so, the report lays out a five-pronged interdependent strategy:

The report concludes that in order to be successful, the region will need to design and implement these smart but complex policies to enhance intraregional economic integration while also lowering barriers to international trade with the rest of the world. While it will not be simple, the report argues that the time is ripe to bring these efforts to the forefront.

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Deeper Integration Vital for Growth in Latin America and the ... - World Bank Group

Why is Disneylands Pirates of the Caribbean still a must-see for theme park fans, 50 years after its debut?

Not even the most dominant sports teams enjoy a 50-year winning streak. No movie or Broadway show has played to paying audiences in one place nearly every day for 50 years, much less to packed crowds for almost all of those days. And no other theme park ride has spawned a multi-billion-dollar movie franchise. Pirates success is unique.

But why? Its a boat ride past a bunch of singing pirates. Why would it become one of the greatest hits in the history of the entertainment business?

Pirates continues to amaze millions of fans each year because its not that simple. A writer trying to analyze this ride is like a dentist trying to fix a pirate crews teeth its a never-ending, possibly impossible, task.

In one sentence, Disneylands Pirates of the Caribbean is a mild thrill ride that offers a family-friendly view of some of the most brutal criminals in history, who are all fake but look, act and sound real, in a series of outdoor scenes all staged indoors.

Thats a lot of contradictions. And thats why fans keep lining up to ride. There are a couple of drops for thrill fans, but the drops arent long enough to scare anyone, or even get you very wet, which makes the ride accessible to a wide audience. The use of audio-animatronic characters in richly detailed and convincingly lit sets makes the experience seem real, but of course its all totally fake. That means that even though you feel like youre in the middle of a pirate raid, you always feel happy and safe.

As Ian Malcolm said in Jurassic Park, If Pirates of the Caribbean breaks down, the pirates dont eat the tourists. Hows that for a show of respect from Disneys archrival Universal in its Jurassic Park movie.

The Pirates of the Caribbean attraction isnt just influencing writers and moviemakers. Among theme park designers and fans, it provides the standard by which all new projects are judged. You know a new ride might actually be pretty good if you ask Is it as good as Disneylands Pirates? and the people youre asking dont roll their eyes or laugh in your face.

Even today, few rides offer the immersive scenery, memorable song and engaging story that Pirates delivers.

And Pirates of the Caribbean sucks up people like the crew of the Black Pearl going through barrels of rum. The ride is famous among Disneys cast members for its huge hourly capacity.

When I worked on the East Coast version at Walt Disney Worlds Magic Kingdom, we routinely put through 2,400 people an hour, more than double the capacity of many of the other popular rides in the park. That kept our wait time under an hour on all but the busiest days of the year. So enjoyment of the ride isnt compromised by having to endure a long wait for it.

Ultimately, Pirates of the Caribbean satisfies our need to not be simple. Sure, people want to simplify their lives by eliminating, or at least reducing, the debt, stress, clutter, chores and long commutes that make our lives miserable. But what if you actually did that? Simple is boring.

We want excitement in our lives. We want to see something so elaborate it confounds us. We want to sense danger without feeling risk. We want to experience something thats special, that we dont see, and cant see, every day.

And thats when its time to go ride with the Pirates of the Caribbean again.

.Robert Niles is the founder and editor of ThemeParkInsider.com. Follow him on Twitter @ThemePark

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Why Pirates of the Caribbean at Disneyland is so great at 50 years old - The Mercury News

Now that you've finally decided to take your dream trip to the Caribbean, its time to choose where you should stay.

Will it be Anguilla, St. Lucia, the Bahamas, or Turks and Caicos?

Regardless of where you end up staying, you'll enjoy spectacular views of see palm trees, pearly-white sand, clear, turquoise water, and incredible waves from your resort balcony.

For those of you looking for crazy Caribbean adventures, these resorts have also got you covered. Imagine staying at a resort that offers complimentary watersport activities, or one that allows you to rent yachts and jet skis. Go paddleboarding, kayaking, scuba diving, snorkeling, horseback riding, and even rappel down waterfalls.

If luxury and relaxation are more your style, each resort on this list offers wellness opportunities for guests, too. Enjoy getting a magical massage on the beach in St. Barts, practicing beachfront yoga in the Dominican Republic, or relax in luxurious pools and cabanas in Puerto Rico.

Here are some of the craziest and most luxurious Caribbean resorts you have to book to believe.

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5 crazy Caribbean resorts you have to stay in before you die - Fox News

Pirates of the Caribbean celebrates its 50th anniversary on Saturday, March 18, 2017, at Disneyland Park. (Paul Hiffmeyer/Disneyland)

Let us begin by going out on a plank and say this: The bulk of major theme park rides are generally remembered for that One Big Moment, like an upside-down loop-di-loop, or a giant splash, or a final scare.

And hurrah to that; leaving an impression is no easy task in the world of fantasy-making.

But then... there's Pirates of the Caribbean, an attraction that's so atmospheric, and evocative, and mood-laden, that longtime devotees can cite the smallest details as enduring favorites: The fireflies near the ride's start. The spots on the fur of the dog, the one cheekily holding the jail key in his mouth. The smell when you first enter.

Oh, that smell.

The dog, and the smell, and the parrots and pigs and ships and lanterns and ghostly figures have ruled the waves of Disneyland Resort for decades now, five decades to be specific, meaning millions of people have visited one of the best-known theme park must-dos in the world. And, of course, millions upon millions have seen the major movies inspired by the ride.

The low-lit, water-filled attraction is flat-out iconic, no ifs, ands, or bones about it. And it took far less than a half century to unlock that achievement.

But now we've gone and tipped our (tri-cornered) hat to what this is all about:Pirates of the Caribbean is marking its 50th anniversary on Saturday, March 18.

Do you need to know the whole yo, ho, ho before you sail for Anaheim? Because of course Disneyland is opening its proverbial treasure chest of celebratory to-dos for this party.

On March 17 and March 18 look for "pirate-themed entertainment" to bring the arrrr to the park's New Arrrrleans Square (actually, yes, New Orleans Square).

Special anniversary merchandise will also be for sale.

And edibles will be the theme on March 16, when a number of close-by restaurants, including the Blue Bayou, French Market, and Mint Julep Bar, break out the swashbuckling sweets and eats.

Not only has Pirates, which is now pretty much called "Pirates" by legions of on-the-go park guests, become one of Disney's most famous offerings in both the theme park and film realms, but it boasts historical importance to a nostalgia-minded company that's rife with meaningful milestones.

Of note to fans? Walt Disney himself famously worked on the ride before his passing in December 1966. That gives Pirates of the Caribbean additional gravitas for buffs of Disney history, and emotion, too, as the legendary creator of Disneyland missed its debut by just a few months.

And that it is truly one of the attractions that we most associate animatronics with, a legacy that continues to be both lively andalive-ly. As in lifelike, but then you knew what we meant.

Intrigued, buccaneers of ye olde SoCal? Best steer your ship for the harbor, we mean Harbor Boulevard, in Anaheim, and the theme park that's long sat grandly upon Harbor Boulevard's western shore.

Published at 2:19 PM PDT on Mar 15, 2017 | Updated at 5:14 PM PDT on Mar 15, 2017

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Happy 50th, Pirates of the Caribbean | NBC Southern California - NBC Southern California

The Coast Guard will convene a two-week hearing into the Aug. 17, 2016 fire on the 561 ferry Caribbean Fantasy that forced the evacuation of 511 passengers and crew off San Juan, Puerto Rico.

The sessions will open March 20 at the Caribe Hilton hotel in San Juan, with testimony from the Panamanian-flagged vessels chief engineer and ships officers.

The hearing will focus on the cause of the marine casualty, the adequacy of fire fighting protection systems, regulatory compliance including any physical or design concerns, adequacy of the vessels safety management system and evacuation procedures, and the Coast Guards mass rescue operation and procedures, according to a statement from the Coast Guard Seventh District headquarters in Miami.

The National Transportation Safety Board will join in the hearing, and ultimately issue its own report separate from the Coast Guards marine casualty investigation.

TheCaribbean Fantasyfire was reported around 7:40 a.m. as the vessel approached San Juan at the end of its thrice-weekly run between Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic. A massive response by the Coast Guard, local agencies and the ports tugs, fire boats and pilots resulted and almost all the passengers and crew getting off the ship by 10 a..m

Several passengers were injured on emergency exit slides and about two dozen reported hospitalized, but with few serious injuries.

Investigators will be questioning top managers with vessel ownerBaja Ferries,La Paz, Mexico, and looking closely at conditions on the vessel. Firefighters boarding the stricken vessel found a fire source in the engine room.

InCruise Control, a 2015 investigation of the cruise industrys health and safety records, the nonprofit journalism group Pro Publica reported theCaribbean Fantasywas cited for 107 deficiencies during Coast Guard inspections in recent years. One Jan. 21, 2015 inspectors report said of the engine room: Oil fuel lines shall be screened or otherwise suitably protected to avoid oil spray or oil leakages onto hot surfaces, into machinery air intakes or other sources of ignition.

The Coast Guard is soliciting information from passengers with an online survey in English and Spanish, where people can pass information to the investigation board. There is also an email account, CaribbeanFantasy@uscg.mil , for interested parties to make comments and ask questions. The hearing itself will be video live-streamed on the internet at https://livestream.com/USCGinvestigations/CaribbeanFantasy .

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Coast Guard hearing set for Caribbean Fantasy fire investigation - WorkBoat (blog)

Royal Caribbean Blog (blog)

Royal Caribbean shares new fleet wide Room Service menu | Royal ... Royal Caribbean Blog (blog) In light of the announcement that Royal Caribbean will begin charging a convenience fee to guests who order room service, the cruise line has published a copy ... Royal Caribbean to Charge Room Service Fee : Cruise Law NewsCruise Law News Royal Caribbean to Charge for Room Service Starting March 27 ...Travel Agent all 3 news articles »

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Royal Caribbean shares new fleet wide Room Service menu | Royal ... - Royal Caribbean Blog (blog)

SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO | There are more than 700 islands in the Caribbean, which has for decades thrived as a playground for people from all over the world. Wherever you stop, youre confronted with an atmosphere which is conducive to maana. For many throughout the Caribbean, every day is a day of rest.

A laptop and an iPhone keep you in touch with whomever and whatever you want, but there are many alluring options to dominate your mood and overwhelm your emotions. An early riser sleeps later in the Caribbean even when on work assignment. A fruit breakfast to start your day, a lunch by the sea, which roars ashore with continual and relentless intensity, and a dinner in a similar environment makes one want to extend the stay.

Puerto Rico is a U.S. territory that came to us by way of the 1898 Spanish-American War. You remember Teddy Roosevelt and the Rough Riders? The battle of San Juan Hill? The United States came out of that long-ago conflict with considerable real estate, including the island of Puerto Rico. Although the island is a tax haven for many, Puerto Rico itself is essentially bankrupt.

While soccer is big in Puerto Rico, it was also the birthplace of one of the greatest baseball players of all time, Roberto Clemente. It was home for golfer Chi Chi Rodriguez until lately. For health and financial reasons, Chi Chi now lives in south Florida. Lest we forget, one of Puerto Ricos most accomplished sons is Manuel Diaz, the Hall of Fame tennis coach at the University of Georgia.

An invitation from Jay and Clare Walker led to a brief respite here, which was enhanced by sun, captivating views, breezes, moon-splashed outdoor dining and the ever-present waves of the Caribbean ringing in your ear which led to reminiscing about other years and other places like St. Croix, St. Thomas, the Dominican Republic and Jamaica.

Mealtimes can be an adventure, and every hour can be social hour when you come to the islands. I met a couple of new drinks that I really liked Lynchburg Lemonade and Coconut Sunset. The basic ingredients of the first are Jack Daniels, Cointreau and lemon. Try it, you will like it. The Coconut Sunset becomes addictive created with Bacardi rum, coconut, guava, a splash of ginger ale and mint.

Its best to enjoy such drinks with the Caribbean in view, rambunctious seas thundering, blue skies, waving palms, and mynah birds tweeting staccato, squawking sounds as they forage for crumbs.

The sun is always kissing bikini-clad bodies at the Caribbean beaches some fit for the Sports Illustrated swimsuit edition and some needing to be reminded that the calendar has taken its toll.

Traditional Caribbean music still falls pleasantly on the ear. Especially old-time reggae if you stop in Jamaica, along with calypso and traditional folk songs. On an earlier trip to the Caribbean this year, I was having lunch one day at a snack bar in the Dominican Republic, which softly featured the aforementioned music on the house system when a favorite folk tune sounded forth.

It carries the title, Shame and Scandal in the Familee.

Seems that this young boy from the islands became enraptured with a certain young girl and decided to marry her. He went to see his father and told him about his plan. He then told the father the name of his bride-to-be. To his amazement, his father was aghast, saying, Oh no, that girl is your sister, but your mama dont know.

Dejected, the boy decided he would not go against his fathers wishes and broke up with the girl he had selected to be his mate. Soon he found another girl and thought she would be the right one for him. Again, he disclosed his plans to his father, who came with the same refrain, Oh no, that girl is your sister but your mama dont know.

With the passing of time there was a third girl in whom the boy developed a serious interest. The same scenario surfaced once again with the father espousing the redundant disclaimer: Oh no, that girl is your sister, but your mama dont know.

In exasperation, the boy sought out his mother and told her what was going on. His mother laughed and told him to marry any girl he wanted, explaining that, Your daddy aint your daddy, but your daddy dont know.

Loran Smith is a contributing columnist to the Athens Banner-Herald.

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Loran Smith: Trip to Caribbean a feast for senses - Online Athens

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Hamilton article omits Caribbean's slave history - Columbia Daily Tribune

This past week, Cuba was once again the capital of the Caribbean, serving as venue to different regional meetings aiming to dialogue about key issues for our region like tourism, commerce, transportation, sustainable development, the environment and climate change.

The First Cooperation Conference of the Association of Caribbean States (ACS), held in Havana, last 8th March, focused on two important areas: the fight against climate change, and the connection by sea. Representatives from ACS member states as well as United Nations funds and programmes were in attendance. The strengthening of the concertation and cooperation capacity will favour ACS member states and associates to be in better conditions to face the issues and problems affecting the region.

As stated by Deputy Minister of Foreign Trade and Investment of Cuba Ileana Nez Mordoche, who visited Jamaica last May, 2016, the conference represented an opportunity to assess capacities, join forces, and integrate in order to achieve sustainable development in all Caribbean countries.

The capital of Cuba also hosted the XXII Ordinary Meeting of ACS Council of Ministers from 9th-10 March, chaired by ACS Secretary General June Soomer, and President of the Republic of Cuba, Raul Castro Ruz. Representatives from ACS members states participated. The Jamaican delegation was presided over by the Honourable Attorney General Marlene Malahoo Forte.

To discuss our common interests and the risks that Caribbean nations share was the main goal of the meeting. ACS member states were able to review the implementation of the agreements adopted at the Seventh Summit of the Association held in Havana on June 4, 2016, during which the Heads of State and Government, driven by their commitment with ACS and determined to strengthen its role as a platform for political dialogue, coordination and cooperation, approved the Havana Declaration and Plan of action.

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Cuba, Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla stated that in the face of the walls intended to be built, our choice should continue to be unity, solidarity and complementarity to defend the most legitimate interests of our peoples. Given the current scenario, we could only achieve that if we coordinate and concert our actions in an effective way around the consensus attained in those areas at the Seventh Summit. In this regard, we should enhance the possibilities of our Association to come up with a joint response.

CARICOM-CUBA

During the V Ministerial Meeting Caricom-Cuba, on 11th March, Cuba ratified the permanent compromise to maintain the traditional cooperation with the countries of this regional organisation in key areas like health, education, construction and response to natural disasters.

The meeting also served as an opportunity to convey our profound appreciation for the support of the Caribbean nations to our people and Government, especialy, in the fight against the economic, financial and commercial blockade imposed by the United States.

The ties between Cuba and the nations of the Caribbean are strongly based on solidarity and marked by a high political level. Cuba continues to feel proud of the excellent relations it maintains with every country of the Caribbean, and it shall continue working side by side with ACS and Caricom member states toward the strengthening of the diplomatic and economic relations. Likewise, it reiterates the willingness to continue and strengthen cooperation with ACS and Caricom in areas like health, education, sports, etc.

As stated by Chancellor Rodriguez Parrilla: The Caribbean can always count on Cuba. Our country will continue defending, at regional and international fora, the legitimate interest of the Caribbean nations, who deserve the gratitude of our people and Government for the permanent solidary and brave support.

Bernardo Guanche Hernandez is Cubas Ambassador to Jamaica, based in Kingston

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The Caribbean can always count on Cuba - Jamaica Observer

Royal Caribbean announced plans to build the largest cruise ship in the world on Wednesday.

The cruise lines next ship, Symphony of the Seas, is expected to be the largest in the world when it premieres next year.

In a phone call with journalists, Royal Caribbean International president and CEO Michael Bayley said that the new ship was the latest, greatest, newest, most beautiful baby thats coming soon, according to Skift. On their website, Royal Caribbean also referred to the ship as a mic drop.

Symphony of the Seas will have a capacity of 5,494 passengers when it debuts in April 2018. The ship is already under construction at a shipyard in France. Upon completion, it will weigh a record-breaking 230,000 tons. Bayley said that the ship was slightly longer and a tad wider than Royal Caribbeans current Oasis ships.

The ship is teased to have a whole new variety of features that have not yet been premiered aboard a Royal Caribbean cruise. Although its yet unclear what these new features are, the cruise line has confirmed that a multi-deck water slide area and a Bionic Bar (where the drinks are made by robots) will have a place on Symphony of the Seas. The ship is slated to sail for the Caribbean and Europe once put into operation.

The record for worlds largest cruise ship currently belongs to Royal Caribbean for its Harmony of the Seas ship, which premiered in 2016. That ship is capable of accommodating 5,400 passengers and weighs 226,963 gross tons. It has 28 less rooms than the Symphony of the Seas.

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Royal Caribbean Will Break Its Own Record for World's Largest Cruise Ship - Travel+Leisure