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If you thought an all-inclusive Caribbean getaway was out of reach until your kids headed off to college, you were wrong in the best way.

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Sonesta Maho Beach Resort in the Caribbean.(Photo: Sonesta Resorts)

If you thought an all-inclusive Caribbean getaway was out of reach until your kids headed off to college, you were wrong in the best way.

Sonesta Maho Beach Resort on the island of St. Maarten is a huge resort with features just for kids, according toMelanie Reffes in a special for USA TODAY.

Kids over age 3 can splash in the watery playground, hang out in the indoor kids club, go on beach treasure hunts and clamber up the tree-house. Dining options abound with five restaurants.

Pajama and disco nights as well as movies by the pool appeal to kids of all ages.

Best of all,kids under 12 stay, play and eat free, and the nightly rate for 13- to 17-year-olds is $45.

Andread on about two more family-friendly Caribbean resorts.

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You can take a family vacation the Caribbean - AZCentral.com

The Program Director, Latin America and Caribbean (LAC) promotes the NatureServe Network mission to be the most comprehensive source of biodiversity data and expertise in the Western Hemisphere. The Program Director helps NatureServe ensure that the Network Programs in the region are financially stable, engaged in strategic alliances with other biodiversity experts, and fully participate in the NatureServe Network. Key activities include identifying and cultivating clients, creating funding opportunities, and co-developing collaborative projects. The Program Director will report to, and work with, the Director of Network Capacity to initiate and execute these and other LAC capacity-building activities.

The essential job functions listed below are not meant to be all-inclusive and may be subject to change at any time.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS:

PREFERRED SKILLS:

ESSENTIAL PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Ability to remain in a stationary position 50% of the time

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Program Director, Latin America and Caribbean - Ecosystem Marketplace

Melanie Reffes, Special for USA TODAY 8:08 a.m. ET Feb. 13, 2017

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Making a big splash in Jamaica, the Caribbeans first villas built over the water are open at Sandals Royal Caribbean in Montego Bay.(Photo: Sandals Resorts)

As the region where the modern-day all-inclusive was born, the Caribbean is chock-full of resorts that come with unlimited food, drink and play. Planning a getaway in the sun is a no-brainer, but choosing a resort that fits the bill is another story.Whether youre traveling with the kids or in the mood for an adults-only holiday, check out our best-of-the-best for families, foodies, couples and those seeking adventure.

Family time

Bigger is better on the southwest shore of St. Maarten, where youll find the Sonesta Maho Beach Resort, the largest all-inclusive (395 rooms and five restaurants) on the Dutch side of the dual-nation island and the first and only resort with a watery playground just for kids. Coming in at 4,000 square feet, Aqua Park is splash-central with animal-themed slides with water just 20 inches deep, making it ideal for kids over 3 years old.For grown-up onlookers, the pool deck is a comfy perch with loungers and sun umbrellas. Maho Bungalow Kids Club features an indoor slide that connects to a loft for dance classes and arts and crafts, and a 2,500-square-foot outdoor funhouse. Other kid-friendly features include treasure hunts and a tree house on the beach. Kids can play and swim all day and for lunch, they choose between a slice at Pizzeria Napoli, big buffet at Ocean Terrace or nachos and burgers at the Palms Grill, says Jeriesha David, who has been entertaining kids at the resort since last spring. The resort fronts Maho Beach next to the Princess Juliana International Airport where kids of all ages are spellbound watching the big jets come in. Sweetening the pot, kids under 12 stay, play and eat free, and the nightly rate for 13- to 17-year-olds is $45. When the sun sets, pajama parties, disco nights and movies by the pool keep families entertained.Ratesthrough April 16 start at $160per person, per night based on double occupancy(rate dips to$127per person, per night based on double occupancy for travel April 17-Dec. 22 ).

On a 75-acre ribbon of prime Grace Bay oceanfront real estate, Beaches Turks & Caicos is one of three Beaches all-inclusives in the family-friendly fleet (two are in Jamaica). The ginormous 758-room, suite and villa resort is also home to a 45,000-square-foot Pirates Island Waterpark with a wave pool, water slides and lazy river. More kid-pleasers include the Xbox Play Lounge, Club Liquid Dance Club for teenagers, Kids Camp for 3- to 5-year-olds and a nursery for wee ones under 2 years old. Larger-than-life Sesame Street characters roam the sprawling resort posing for snaps and tucking kids in bed at night. Picky eaters will find plenty of variety at 19 restaurants, sun tanners like the 12-mile-long alabaster beach and the whole brood can splash around in six pools, three with swim-up bars and one just for toddlers.For kids on the go, theres the Junior Golf Club, Kids Scuba Program, tennis and a boatload of water sports.Rates start at $330 per person, per night for adults; $61per person, per night for children ages 2-16;kids under 2 stay gratis.

The first all-inclusive in St. Thomas, Bolongo Bay Beach Resort is family-owned for four decades. The 74-room resort on the south side of the U.S. Virgin Island offers unlimited water sports like kayaking, windsurfing, aqua tricycles, snorkeling, stand-up paddle boarding and scuba lessons in the pool. Home to St. Thomas Dive Club, tours explore the coral reefs and wrecks at the bottom of the sea and aboard the resort's own catamaran called Heavenly Days, families swim with sea turtles and sail to nearby St. John: the most laid-back of the U.S. Virgins. For parents and teens older than 18, Snorkel Booze Hunt is a 30-year-old resort tradition where snorkelers scour the bay for big bottles of Cruzan Rum distilled next door in St. Croix.Those with energy to burn sign up for deep-sea fishing tours, golf at Mahogany Run, horseback riding, day trips to sky-high Paradise Point and duty-free shopping in Charlotte Amalie where the cruise ships dock.Rates start at $595 per room, per night until May 1.

Romantic resorts

Making a big splash in Jamaica, the Caribbeans first villas built over the water are open at Sandals Royal Caribbean in Montego Bay. Over-the-top from infinity-edge soaking tubs, rope hammocks above the waves, gigantic teak beds and glass-bottom floors, the 2,000-square-foot suites also come with butlers, 12-year-oldAppleton Estaterum and Molton Brown amenities in the massive bathroom with a rainfall shower. Built along a wooden boardwalk, the sweet suites area is connected to the resorts offshore island called Sandals Cay, where youll find the Jerk Shack and Royal Thai two of eight restaurants at the 227-room resort. With these suites, guests experience a direct link to the Caribbean Sea, says Gordon "Butch"Stewart, chairman of Sandals Resorts. The five villas come with nightly rates of $1,435 per person including expedited immigration and resort transferfrom Montego Bays Sangster International Airport, which is a short 10 minutes away. Twelve over-the-water bungalows (slightly smaller and without private infinity pools on the deck) will be ready in the spring starting at $1,078 per person, per night.

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Peek inside the Caribbean's first overwater bungalows

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Marrying rustic with romance, Nisbet Plantation Beach Club in Nevis is the only beachfront plantation-turned-resort in the Caribbean. Across the channel from St. Kitts on the northeastern side of the smaller sister isle, the 30-acre all-inclusive (breakfast, afternoon tea and dinner) is home to 36 lemon-hued wicker-furnished cottages that sit on a palm-fringed 18th-century sugar and coconut plantation. Its history reads like a love story as the home of Fanny Nisbet, who married British Navy Captain Horatio Nelson in 1787 after he visited the plantation.With a AAA Four Diamond rating and honored by TripAdvisor as one of the Top Resorts in the World for Romance, the resort keeps the theme with a trio of fine restaurants including The Great House, built in 1778. To kick-start the day, Coconuts is the breakfast go-to for wait for it coconut pancakes. Weddings are popular on the palm-flanked great lawn or seaside on the beach with champagne-hued sand and to celebrate the occasion, a coconut palm is planted in honor of the newlyweds. For couples looking for a nicely wrapped package, Nevis is for Lovers includes candlelit dinner on the beach, breakfast in bed and a couples massage.Rates start at $1,009 per room through April 1.

Sandals LaSource Grenada is unplugged romance in a Sky Pool Suite with a soaking tub for two, solar-heated ocean-view infinity-edge plunge pool, premium spirits and a butler who arranges dinners on the beach and bubble baths pour deux. Sprawling over 17 acres, the posh 257-room and suite resort on the southwest coast is sweet on romance with swinging hammocks, hanging chairs built for two, chocolate buffets, five pools and 10 restaurants. Fronting a sugary swatch of Pink Gin Beach, where the water is so clear it shimmers past the rocks, couples surf, dive, explore down under on a glass-bottom boat or tie the knot on the waterfront pier. We arrange 24 weddings a month, says Deannette Johns, the resorts wedding captain, but only one couple each day marries at sunset. If you forgot to pack the bling, a duty-free jewelry store is open from 9 a.m.to 9 p.m.Celebrating comes easy at a six-pack of bars where the Grenada Sunset stirred with passion fruit, coconut rum and mango is a fruity refresher. Add-ons worth the splurge include Scents of Love couples massage at the Red Lane Spa,a Champagne and Seafood cruise,and the Spicy Island tour which visits the Belmont Chocolate Estate and the picturesque waterfront capital of St. George's.Rates start at $255 per person, per night.

Active all-inclusives

On a 300-acre island 2 miles off the northeast coast of Antigua, Jumby Bay, A Rosewood Resort is AAA Five Diamond for those on an escape mission from the 9-to-5. Accessible by small boat from the mainland (about 10 minutes), 40 rooms, suites and villas come with views of the beach and Caribbean Sea. Eco-focused before it was trendy, the resort produces its own electricity,the nursery houses thousands of trees and flowers and the only way to get around is on foot, golf cart and bicycles (no cars allowed, guests get loaner bikes).The beaches are protected areas for Hawksbill turtles and popular with nature buffs who come to see the endangered sea turtles during nesting season and also during the summer Hawksbill Turtle Experience. Other incentives to get active include three tennis courts (two lit for night play), 3 miles of hiking and biking trails, croquet lawn, a 25-meter lap pool, lawn bowling, putting green and a fitness pavilion with a yoga deck. In the water, theres no shortage of calorie-burners like windsurfing, kayaking, snorkeling and paddle boarding. For the bird-watchers in the brood, white egrets and blue pelicans also call the island home. Chill-outs include massages at the Sense Spa, cocktails and locally caught spiny lobsters at five restaurants and bars including The Estate House, the oldest building on the island dating back to 1830.Rates through April 22 start at $1,850 single or double occupancy.

On the west coast of Barbados, all-inclusive at the 76-room Mango Baycomes with paddle boarding, snorkeling, kayaking, water-skiing and pedal boating.For those with scuba diving on their vacation to-do list, complimentary lessons are offered and for an afternoon on the water, theres glass-bottom boat cruises and cavorting with the Leatherback and Hawksbill turtles that call the west coast home. Sheltered from the Atlantic Ocean's swells, this side of the island is the calmer side and favored for the pink and white sandy beaches and gentle surf. In the town of Holetown in the Parish of St. James, the beachfront hotel is a short stroll to the upscale Limegrove Shopping Center and home to Julian Restaurant, where bands perform nightly.Rates start at $670 per room, per night, based on double occupancy.

It truly is a holiday for the body at The Body Holiday on a secluded cove on the northwest coast of St. Lucia. Surrounded by 40 acres of sweet-smelling gardens along Cariblue Beach, the 155-room resort with five restaurants and one bar is a magnet for those who enjoy more exercise than it takes to balance a pia colada in the pool. Activities include archery, spinning and yoga classes called Spoga in Tree House Spin Studio, golf and tennis.Keep moving with cycling along the coastline, hiking in the mountains and sunrise power walking on the beach. In the water, theres plenty to choose from like swimming lessons, two-tank boat diving, kayaking, sailing and snorkeling.For those who like to plan ahead, the resort offers a customized activity schedule arranged prior to arrival. Perks are creative like a pillow menu, herbal tea and cookie turn-down and daily treatments at the spa with a heated marble massage bed. Personal trainers are on hand for those serious about getting in shape.Rates start at $700 per person, per night.

Wine and dine

Foodies give the thumbs-up to the curated culinary experiences at Spice Island Beach Resort on Grenadas Grand Anse Beach at the edge of the Caribbean Sea. With a AAA Five Diamond rating and member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World, the 64-suite resort is beachfront elegance with stellar service, superb dining and spectacular suites with ocean-view whirlpool tubs and Phillip Starck designs. Where Prince Harry popped by for lunch during his recent visit to the Southern Caribbean, dining choices range from Oliver's, where the five-course dinner menu changes every three weeks (herb-crusted lamb rack with coconut rice is a standout), Sea & Surf Terrace and Barfor a light bite and a Spice Island Classic cocktail potent with sparkling wine and the island herb called sorrel and a bowl of deliciously addictive flash-fried green banana chips. The resort is all about eating local. Many of our staff havebackyard gardens, says Janelle Hopkins, deputy managing director, we buy what they grow like lemons, tomatoes and callaloo rather than import from outside the island. If you particularly like a dish on the menu, ask chef JessonChurch to show you how to make it and hell happily set up a mini-cooking lesson.Rates start at $1,387per room, per night, based on double occupancy.

Those who prefer their lobster and mango served with a side order of dramatic views are in for a treat in St. Lucia at Jade Mountain. High above its sister resort Anse Chastanet, distractions are minimal in the upscale suites withno TVs or phones (there is Wi-Fi ) and no fourth wall, leaving the impeccably appointed sanctuaries open to the warm breezes. On the southwest coast coveted for vistas of the mighty Piton Peaks and the Caribbean Sea, gourmands bunking in one of 29 suites with infinity-edge pools or Jacuzzis take their pick of haute cuisine at a quartet of restaurants. Michelin-starred executive chef Stefan Goehcke and James Beard-winning chef Allen Susser prepare works of art on a plate. Dining venues include Jade Mountain Club wrapped around an infinity pool, and the seaside Trou Au Diablofor a curry-filled West Indian flatbread called a roti and a frosty mug of Piton Beer to wash it down. Wine pairing menus at The Treehouse which really is a tree house are a big hit, while at Emeralds small plates are perfectly shareable. As the resort has its own farm, explains Karolin Troubetzkoy , co-owner along with her architect husband Nick, we deliver afarm-to-table experience with our own organic produce complemented by our handcraftedartisanalchocolate harvested from our estate cocoa trees. For fans of the sweet stuff, the Chocolate Alchemy package is chock-full of chocolate cocktails, chocolate-themed breakfasts in bed, chocolatey spa treatments, a tour of the Emerald Cocoa Estate and a class in the chocolate lab where choco-philes create their own bars.Rates start at $1,680 per couple for travel until April 15.

In Antigua, its all about coconut and codfish at the St. Jamess Club on the southeast coast. On 100 acres, 240-rooms, suites and villas are close to four restaurants and the seaside grill on Mamora Beach. Rainbow Garden is where youll find chef Dave Ralph cooking up an island storm of delectable edibles like shrimp and salty codfish dressed up in a tomato garlicky sauce, sides of callaloo and boiled bananas and his savory bowl of Fish Water filled to the brim with snapper and peppers. Ask for the national dish called fungee pronounced foon-jee and sometimes spelled fungi which is a robust mash of cornmeal and okra that looks and tastes like polenta.Every cook adds his or her own touch to the recipes, explains Chef Ralph as he flits about the open-air restaurant, these are dishes I have eaten since I was a small child and now as a chef, its my pleasure to encourage our visitors to try them. For a sweet finish, coconut dumplings with a cinnamon sprinkle and rum balls infused with real rum hit a home run.Rates start at $195 per person, per night.

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Caribbean all-inclusive resorts: Top spots for families, foodies, more - USA TODAY

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MSC Cruises, the leader in the European cruise market, is making waves as the cruise line jockeys for position in the #1 cruise market in the world, the Caribbean.

Last week I had the opportunity to sit down the CEO of MSC Cruises, Gianni Onorato, and we discussed tendifferent ways that the cruise line is going to elevate the Caribbean cruise experience.If youre not familiar with MSC Cruises and love cruising to the warm waters of the Caribbean, here are tenexciting features coming to MSC and the Caribbean.

11 New Cruise Ships MSC Cruises has an astounding 11 new cruise ships scheduled to debut in the next 10 years. Two of those ships, MSC Seaside and a Meraviglia class ship, will be sailing out of PortMiami by 2019. MSC Seaside will be christened in PortMiami this December and promises to be unlike any other cruise ship ever built. Not only will the ship turn heads, but the ship will offer more outdoor space per passenger than any other cruise ship in the world.

Lets be honest, you dont cruise to the Caribbean to stay inside. Its all about the sun, getting a tan, and enjoying the calm, blue water. With all of this outdoor space on MSC Seaside, passengers will be closer to the sea than ever before. From the extra wide outdoor promenade to the three separate pool areas (four if you count the Yacht Club), its no wonder that MSC Cruises calls this The ship that follows the sun.

Choices MSC Cruises will be all about choices. After all, its your cruise and you love to have options. Dining will have all of the options that we are now accustomed to, early/late seating as well as anytime dining. There will be a great variety of specialty restaurants that include an American steakhouse, sushi, seafood, Asian, and Teppanyaki. MSC will fly in fresh sea bass, oysters, and other seafood from the Mediterranean each week. No other cruise line does that.

However, the biggest choice will be when it comes to entertainment. MSC Cruises is known for their award winning shows, and on MSC Seaside, there will be afternoon and evening options so everyone can see the shows that they are interested in without dinner plans getting in the way.

Family Cabins In an effort to be the most family friendly cruise line, MSC will have joining cabins that will hold up to 10 passengers. This will be perfect for large families who like to cruise.

Solo Cabins Since no one enjoys paying double occupancy when you cruise solo, MSC Seaside will have cabins for solo cruisers that will also have a shared lounge.

Wearable Technology MSC Cruises has been working on wearable technology that promises to do everything that the Ocean Medallion from Carnival Corp. will do according to Mr. Oronato. Wearable technology, whether in a watch, bracelet, necklace, or by another method is the future of cruising. This will help the cruise line cater to your interests giving you the best possible cruise experience.

Smoke Free Casino While the casino on MSC Divina is entirely smokefree, MSC Seaside will have a separate section for smokers. This will allow everyone to be happy, especially since you often have to walk through the casino to get from one end of the ship to the other.

Different Ship MSC Seaside will be unlike any other cruise ship ever built. The aft section of the ship will resemble condos, and there will be open deck space everywhere you look.

View Cruises on MSC Seaside

Ship for Adventurers MSC Seaside will not only have the longest zip line at sea, but the vesselwill also have the largest and most interactive waterpark ever found on a cruise ship.

App/Tablets Passengers soon be able to download an app before their cruise and enter their preferences on it. Once on board, crew members will have tablets that will be able to instantly pull up that information. This will be perfect not only for passengers who travel with food allergies, but those who want a custom cruise experience catered to their likes and dislikes.

Future of Cruising The future of cruising will be all about accessibility. It will be affordable, but not done in a cheap manner.

Bonus Reason I would be remiss if I didnt mention Ocean Cay, the private island experience in the Bahamas being built by MSC Cruises. Ocean Cay will be an exclusive 85 acre Bahamian Marine Reservethat will have a dock so there will be no need for tendering.

The island will have six different beaches, an exclusive spa and wellness sanctuary for MSC Yacht guests, an inland lagoon for absolute tranquility, a thrilling zip line that crosses over the island, and a pavilion for weddings and celebrations. Ocean Cay will open in October 2018 and MSC Seaside will make weekly visits from PortMiami.

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10 Ways MSC Cruises is Elevating the Caribbean Cruise Experience - Cruise Fever

The United States Government passed the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) in 2010 and has been implementing it vigorously.

FATCA requires US persons, including those living abroad, to file yearly reports on their non-US financial accounts to the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network. It also requires all foreign financial institutions to provide information on assets and transactions of US persons to the US Department of the Treasury.

The definition of US persons includes foreigners holding upwards of US$50,000 in accounts with financial institutions.

The motivation for FATCA is two-fold: First, improved tax compliance and tax revenue collection, and second, to cut off or reduce funds getting to terrorist organisations. Nothing is wrong with either motive.

But the US is inadvertently causing serious damage to the small, developing economies of the Caribbean, who are its strong allies, because of the highly open nature of their economies and their dependence on international financial intermediation by foreign commercial banks.

Many in the region, however, believe that the US action was also related to the fact that it has listed 15 Caribbean countries as tax havens. FATCA adversely affects all international financing provided by correspondent banks. Adverse impacts include choking international investment flows, trade financing, transfers of remittances, debt servicing, transfers of profits and royalties.

Some US banks have either withdrawn or restricted some of these services to 16 banks in the Caribbean in spite of FATCA compliance by Caribbean jurisdictions. There have been meetings between the US Treasury and Caribbean ministers, but the region feels that there is insufficient empathy.

Jamaicas Finance Minister Audley Shaw made a strong statement when Caribbean finance ministers met with the US Treasury and the International Monetary Fund late last year. Prime Minister Gaston Browne of Antigua and Barbuda hosted a special conference shortly thereafter.

Recently, the leader of the Opposition in Trinidad and Tobago Mrs Kamla Persad-Bissessar did something almost unheard of by writing to then President-elect Donald Trump to remind him that in his presidential campaign he indicated that he would abolish FATCA. The Wall Street Journal took up the issue in an editorial.

Latest development is that a seminar is scheduled for tomorrow at the SUNY-UWI Centre for Governance and Sustainable Development in New York to mobilise support for a change in US policy. The strong Caribbean team includes Sir Kenneth Hall; former prime minister of Barbados Owen Arthur; Ambassador Dr Richard Bernal, pro-vice chancellor of global affairs at UWI; former president of the Caribbean Development Bank Professor Compton Bourne; and Dr Damien King of the UWI Economics Department.

Combating money laundering and terrorist financing is a goal shared by this newspaper and Caribbean governments. Suitable arrangements have to be put in place to ensure that this can be attained while allowing normality in international financing. Hopefully, the SUNY-UWI seminar will help influence the US to repeal FATCA.

We wish the team well in their mission.

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FATCA hurting Caribbean: Revoke it, Mr Trump - Jamaica Observer

Until this point, my experience of the Caribbean islands has been limited to notions of beautiful beaches and a vague awareness of the pitfalls surrounding Caribbean tourism. In his highly ambitious new book, Island People: The Caribbean and the World, however, author Joshua JellySchapiro attempts the seemingly herculean task of giving all these typically marginalized islands more depth and substance.

Though this work is perhaps most accurately called a travelogue, JellySchapiro also provides a historical account of the islands, which ranges from Christopher Columbus initial discovery to contemporary problems and politics. Island People is also, at times, a sociological account, as the author explores ideas such as the impact of tourism on the native populations and race relations.

Most strikingly, however, JellySchapiro promotes the idea that the Caribbean islands, far from being small players on the world stage, contribute much to both popular culture and academic study. This reader finds the author to be as comfortable discussing Afro-Caribbean identity as he is Bob Marleys impact on music.

Given the varied tasks of this book, JellySchapiro performs an amazing balancing act. Though it is true that each of the islands are not given equal space and depth, JellySchapiro still manages to leave the reader with a strong sense of each islands culture.

Some readers may find, however, that this work is occasionally too theoretical, and reading Island People is less a pleasure than an intellectual exercise. Despite this drawback, JellySchapiros distinctive prose style sets him apart. Although this work is nonfiction, JellySchapiro brings the people and places he encounters over the course of this expansive book to life, and the book, in these moments, reads more like a novel than an academic text. Moreover, although JellySchapiros love of the islands is clear from his introduction, he does not shy away from exposing the darker aspects of the islands cultures, governments and politics, and the picture of the Caribbean that develops over the course of the text has remarkable depth.

The goal of this work appears to be to alter the seemingly omnipresent view that the Caribbean is only the sum of its tourism industries, and in this JellySchapiro is astonishingly successful. The Caribbean, as it is presented here, becomes a place of astounding humanity and color.

Ashley Riggleson

is a freelance reviewer from Rappahannock County.

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Book review: 'Island People' brings Caribbean's humanity, color to life - Fredericksburg.com

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St. Louis' Man's Body Recovered in the Caribbean CBS St. Louis CBS Local ST. LOUIS (KMOX) In a Friday posting by the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force. The body of 32 year old John McGurk was discovered on the rocks ... St. Louis man's body found on Caribbean island beach | FOX2now ...fox2now.com all 2 news articles »

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St. Louis' Man's Body Recovered in the Caribbean CBS St. Louis - CBS Local

"Being my first year as a manager in Puerto Rico and knowing that Puerto Rico has not won in 16 years brings a lot of joy," said Puerto Rico manager and former Major Leaguer Luis Matos. "I'm very happy and I'm very excited. We've been down in every series. We were 0-3 and we came back with three wins, and we are champions right now."

A team from Puerto Rico has won the Caribbean Series 14 times, but the island had not taken home the title since Santurce won in 2000. Caguas had not won the Caribbean Series title since 1987.

Both streaks are now over.

"This is unbelievable and it's a feeling I've never felt before," said Twins Minor League pitcher Dereck Rodriguez. "It was a dry spell for Puerto Rico, but we broke that and hopefully from now on, it becomes a tradition."

A pitchers' duel for most of the game, Yadiel Rivera, who played 35 games in the big leagues with the Brewers last season, led off the top of the 10th inning with a double. He moved to third base on a bunt by Phillies Minor Leaguer Jesmuel Valentin and scored the game-winning run on a sacrifice fly by Jonathan Morales, who was in Class A with the Braves last season.

It was quite a week for Puerto Rico. It lost its first three games of the tournament before defeating the Dominican Republic, 10-2, on Saturday. On Monday, Puerto Rico topped Venezuela, 9-6, in the day's first semifinal game.

Next year's Caribbean Series is scheduled for the first week of February at Estadio Antonio Herrera Gutierrez in Barquisimeto, Venezuela. Cuba, a special guest during the past four tournaments, could return for one more year in that capacity and start the process to become a full member of the Caribbean Confederation. There's a chance Cuba could play host to the Caribbean Series in 2020 in Havana.

"If it depended on the Caribbean Confederation, Cuba could be a member and host just as other member leagues do," Caribbean Confederation commissioner Juan Francisco Puello Herrera said. "The problem with Cuba is that it doesn't depend on us, but on limitations due to political matters. Cuba even sent us a letter saying they wanted to be a member and possibly host a Caribbean Series in Havana in 2020. That would depend on us, too, but there are limits because of politics. Once that is resolved, Cuba could absolutely be a member of the Caribbean Confederation."

Panama might have the best chance of joining the Caribbean Series in the near future. Other countries are also petitioning to become members of the Caribbean Confederation.

"We have a meeting scheduled in Panama in early March, probably March 5 and 6," Puello Herrera said. "The presidents of the leagues and some executives are going. We are very interested in having Panama join our roster. I think we need to work out some scheduling and economic issues, but there is definitely an interest in having Panama become a member. As far as Nicaragua and Colombia are concerned, I'd say we have to wait a bit, but we are interested in having them join the Caribbean Confederation as well. It depends on economics and scheduling and finding a format that is viable for these leagues."

In the end, Mexico walked off the field proud. A team from the country has still won four out of the past seven Caribbean Series titles. Mexico also lost to Cuba in the championship game in 2015.

"The support we've received from Mexico's fans, especially from the state of Sinaloa, not just the city of Culiacan, and fans from other countries," Puello Herrera said. "We've witnessed a packed house, even for games in which Mexico didn't play. The attendance was around 19,000. We can't ask for more."

Jesse Sanchez, who has been writing for MLB.com since 2001, is a national reporter based in Phoenix. Follow him on Twitter @JesseSanchezMLB and Facebook. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

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Puerto Rico edges Mexico for Caribbean Series title - MLB.com

All inclusive vacation brochures from Vacation Express.(Photo: Mary Hance / The Tennessean)Buy Photo

If you are a fan of beach vacations and want to know on the front end exactly how much you will spend, an all-inclusive Caribbean trip may be right up your alley.

The reason I am writingabout these now (instead of some other time of year) is that American and Delta airlines currently have nonstop seasonal once a weekflights to Cancun,and tour operator Vacation Express kicks off its 2017 season of Nashville charter packagesin March with nonstop all inclusive service to Cancun, and later to the Dominican Republic, the Grand Bahamas, and Jamaica.

These packaged vacations that you can book on your own or through a travel agent, generally bundle airfare, transportation to your hotel, your accommodations at a fancy beachfront resort, and in most cases all food and drink, plus free nighttime entertainment, at one reasonable fixed price.

Other tour operators like Apple Vacations and GoGo Tours also offer all inclusive vacations, but Vacation Express is the only one currently offering non stop service from Nashville to these Caribbean destinations.

And for my money (and time), the direct service adds to the appeal of these trips.

It is hard to believe that you can get to these exotic emerald water beaches quicker than you could speed your SUV to 30A or the Gulf Shores area.

With some of these packages, you can hop on a nonstop charter flight at 7 in the morning and be on the Caribbean beach by about noon. And the price can be as little as $1,000 per person for a six-night stay, depending on when you go and what kind of resort you choose.

"They are very user friendly," said Genie Herron, whose Herron Travel agency sends dozens of couples and families and other groups on these package trips each year.

"People really seem to like them, because everythingis included," she said. "For the most part, you knowwhat you are going to get."

Herron says the price differences are generally determined bythe quality of the resort. She explained that vacationers can choose their resort based on the star rating system that Vacation Express has, as well as on TripAdvisor reviews and the information that her agency pulls together from their trips and from their other clients' experiences. In most cases, the resort have a base price and then some upgrade options for ocean view, poolside, etc.

Beth Smith, of Southern Cross Travel and Tours in Mt. Juliet, is also a fan of these affordable and predictable vacations. "People really like that the food, and drink and entertainment and non-motorized sports are all included. And there are some resorts where kids can stay in a room for free." Herronsaid the feedback that her travel team gets on these trips is generally positive.

"We try to find out as much as possible about what they want andtry to match the people"with the resorts that have what the amenities they want. She said that some properties are adult-only;some are very family-focused and have more amenities and perks than others."Some offer golf, or casinos, or discos, or scuba or tennis or honeymoon packages." Smith said some of the resorts are divided where there are "adult only"areas and family areas, making them very versatile for destination weddings and other trips that attract groups with a variety of ages and interests. She said the best prices will be before and after the school year, and not in March when so many spring break travelers will hit the beaches. "April and May are good the weather is good and the prices can be better," Smith said.

Donna Lynch, who has just arranged her third all inclusive trip for her family of 18 (three generations rangingin age from 7-71) says compared to their previous beach-house trips to the Gulf Coast, the all-inclusive "is just a whole lot easier.

"With 11 grandchildren, if they want a snack, they just go get it (at the all inclusive resorts). At the beach house, we were making breakfast and then getting lunch ready. It took four cars to get there and when we got there, an $800 trip to the grocery.Thecost (of the all inclusive) may be a little more but it is just easy and the places have been nice,"she said referring to the resorts they have stayed in near Cancun and Punta Cana.

RafaelRoman, business development manager for Vacation Express which has relationships with 600 hotels in the Caribbean, says Nashville is his top market amongthe six states he oversees.

He said the price range is wide - $699 to $2,000 - for a six night stay. "The price really depends on the hotel. The hotel amenities make the difference."

Details of the four Vacation Express direct charter flights from Nashville

Cancun: These all-inclusive packages include air and six nights and run March 12 - August 6 with Sunday departures and Saturday returns.

Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic: These all inclusive packages include air, plus six nights and run May 14- July 30, with Sunday departures and Saturday returns

Grand Bahamas: These packages include air and four nights and the departure return dates vary. Dates include May 29-June 28.

Jamaica: These include six nights and Monday departure dates run from July 10- August 7

Vacation Express is owned by Sunwing Travel Group.Sunwing Airlines, Swift Air and Viva Aerobusoperatethe flights to and from Nashville to these resorts.

Advantages to anall-inclusivevacation:

No financial surprises. You pay on the front end for airfare, hotel, food and beverage and transportation to the resort, so you know exactly what your trip will cost.

The package pricing is definitely a bargain. Many of these packages could be cheaper than driving to the gulf coast for six nights.

It is quick and easy to get there. With these charters and direct flights, you can leave early on a weekendmorning and be on the beach by early afternoon.

Since everything is included, you can put your money and valuables in the safe and move around eating and drinking and taking part in resort activities with no worries about cash for yourself or your children or the people in your group. Even for people who do not drink alcohol, this arrangement can be a deal because you can order unlimited soft drinks, milk shakes, coffees, etc. on a whim all day and night, without spending an additional cent.

No schedule: Many of the resorts have some restaurants that require reservations, but they all have other options, including free room service at some, and restaurants where you could just show up at almost any time to eat. The ones I have visited have a wide variety of choices, and the food has been not exactly gourmet but mostly very good.

The security is generally good because the resorts want to keep out anyone but their guests who have paid.

These all-inclusives offer a great opportunity to be adventurous with the food because it is all included in your price. For example, if you ever wanted to try papaya juice or tapas or paella, or other exotic and different foods or drinks, this kind ofvacationis the perfect time to experiment.

Vacationtips

If you are going on anall inclusivevacation, here are some things to know:

You must have a valid passport to go to any of the Caribbean countries featured here. Some countries require that your passport be valid at least six months beyond the dates of your trip.

Don't choose the lowest price package unless you want to be at a resort with other people who pick the lowest end package. (You get my drift?) An extra $100 - $200 on the front end might bump you up to nicer accommodations (and maybe a classier crowd if that is what you want).

Know that your charter all-inclusive Sunday to Saturday trip does not give you an option of returning any time other than the next Saturday. If for some reason, you need to cut your trip short, you would need to fly with a commercial carrier at your additional expense.

Take everything you will need with you. The resort shops may have what you forgot in stock, but their prices probably will be crazy expensive. On our most recent trip myhusband went in search of mouthwash and ended up paying $15 for a small bottle of Listerine in the resort shop. An 8-ounce tube of Banana Boat 15 sunscreen was priced at $40. Yikes! I was glad I had packed plenty of sunblock.

If you want an all-inclusive trip, be sure that is what you book. There are some packages that do not include everything so be sure to double check.

It is probably not best to be on a diet when you go. Although there are plenty of fresh healthy options, the spreads of food, from the lavish breakfast buffet to a variety ofchoices at every other mealand any moment in between, is not conducive to a serious diet.

Do your homework before you book your trip. I would use a travel agent because it does not cost you any more than if you book it on your own, and a good agent knows the properties either personally or through the experiences of clients and colleagues. If you want a romantic getaway, one resort may be better than another, or if you want a family trip, or group reunion, another one might be better suited. Some resorts have better beaches than others, some have fabulous pools while others are more modest. Also most resorts have access (at an additional cost) to excursions, as well as golf, casinos, scuba diving, tennis etc. So check on those amenities if they are important to you.

I also would check TripAdvisor and the resort's website to see details on the property and any other information, such as whether it is family friendly or adult only, and details like tipping, whether currency needs to be exchanged and whether there is a dress code at the restaurants. I also would check weather reports for your planned dates because summer can be brutally hot in some of these places and not all of the common areas are air-conditioned, and of course there is a hurricane season to consider.

Once you are checked in, use the safe in your room. Put everything of value money, jewelry, passports, etc. in the safe and then no worries.

Talk to other guests at the resort when you first arrive to find out about best restaurants and quirky things that most of us don't figure out for a couple of days after we arrive. Plus you get to meet lots of interesting people from all over the world.

Take lots of $1 bills. The hardworking local workers at the resorts we have visited are so pleasant and are super appreciative of any tip.

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All inclusive Caribbean trips with nonstop flights hit the vacation spot - The Tennessean

HIGHLIGHTS

2016 closed with 10.7 million people affected, 10 per cent more than in 2015.

Floods are the most frequent type of disaster in the region, although drought affected more people.

The Atlantic hurricane season was more active than 2012 and more deadly than 2005.

The United Nations requested funding for US$339 million for emergencies in the region.

2016 marked the 25th anniversary of UN Resolution 46/182.

More than 10 million people affected by disaster in 2016

Drought, hurricanes, floods and earthquakes were the main disasters that affected people in 2016. Dengue, chikungunya and Zika affected another 3.7 million people.

Preliminary data shows that disasters affected 10.7 million people in Latin America and the Caribbean in 2016. Drought affected the largest number of people, followed by Hurricanes Matthew and Otto, floods and complex emergencies such as a lack of potable water in large cities in Bolivia, due to structural failures in the distribution systems.

Floods, earthquakes and the effects of violence and migration are some of the 75 events that also affected the region in 2016. There was an increase of more than 10 per cent in number of people affected compared with 2015 (1.4 million more people affected).

Zika, one of the major emergencies in 2016

Epidemics transmitted by the Aedes aegypti mosquito affected 3.7 million people some 2.5 million people fell ill with dengue, 700,000 from Zika and 495,000 from chikungunya. In November, the World Health Organization announced that Zika was no longer a sanitary emergency; however, it would continue to challenge public health systems. The virus reached a level of epidemic in 49 countries and territories in the region and was declared a global sanitary emergency due to the cases of babies born with microcephaly from infected mothers and cases of Guillain-Barr syndrome.

Hurricane Season 2016 The Atlantic Hurricane season was more active than 2012 and more deadly than 2005. La Nia contributed to the increased intensity, which caused an above-normal warming of the oceans surface, favouring hurricane formation. The season officially ended on 30 November and affected 2.7 million people in 13 countries. The hurricane season formally begins on 1 June, however, five months before in the middle of January Hurricane Alex formed in the North Atlantic, an event that has not occurred since 1955. The strongest and most deadly hurricane was Matthew, followed by Otto. In the Pacific, the season was very active but did not because major damage as the majority of the systems did not make landfall. Otto put preparedness measures to the test in Central America Otto was the seventh hurricane of the 2016 Atlantic Hurricane season. Northern Costa Rica received the worst impact. In Nicaragua, the hurricane made landfall as a category 2 with winds of up to 175 km/h, affecting the southern Caribbean area. Otto also caused damages in Panama.

The hurricane directly affected more than 10,000 people in Costa Rica, killed nine and caused US$56 million in economic losses in agriculture. In Nicaragua, authorities evacuated 11,600 people to safe areas and official shelters, while in Panama more than 2,500 people were affected by the storm. OCHA deployed a Humanitarian Affairs Officer to Costa Rica to bolster United Nations support to the Government response. OCHA also allocated US$30,000 in emergency funds for immediate relief items.

In total, Hurricane Otto affected 24,940 people in three countries, causing 18 deaths, 16,000 people to seek shelter, 120 houses destroyed and 2,300 damaged. Although Costa Rica was hardest hit, authorities responded immediately. Humanitarian needs were relatively small due to Governments leadership in the response, bolstered by joint efforts. For more information visit: http://www.redhum.org/emergencia

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Humanitarian Bulletin Latin America and Caribbean Volume 30 | November December 2016 - ReliefWeb