Category Archives: Caribbean

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

See also:Russian invasion to Ukraine condemned by ICAO Council

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Im going to try not to cry! Natasha Laggan smiles at me from the opposite end of a Zoom screen. Heart ever-present on the sleeve of her red shirt, her hair up in a simple clip Behind her are workmen doing maintenance and she tells me that she has promised to feed them some doubles, a Trinidadian street food made of dough and curried chickpeas or channa, when they are done This is the set of Trini Cooking with Natasha and it is also the kitchen in which her family breaks bread every night.

But despite hosting the Caribbeans most popular online cooking show, boasting 1.1 million Facebook followers and 242 thousand subscribers on YouTube and counting making her the number one food influencer in the Caribbean, Natasha Laggan is the humblest of people. She is simply a girl from Couva Trinidad with an insatiable appetite for cooking, and an unwavering love for her fans, her country and her food.

But this story begins long before cooking shows were even a thing more than 6000 years before the arrival of Columbus to Trinidad and Tobago.

Trini food is a melting pot of South Asian, African, Amerindian, European, Chinese, American, Latin American and Arab cuisines Corn pastelles or farines were introduced by Trinidads native Amerindians; one-pot medleys such as pelau, callaloo and oil down were brought to the New World by enslaved Africans; curries, aloo pies, rotis and doubles came over with laborers from India, and sweet n sour pork, fried rice and chow mein made their way over with Chinese indentured servants

These localized dishes are the product of a rich multicultural history and Natasha immerses herself in all the multifaceted flavors, textures, and smells.

Natasha Laggan, in the kitchen

Born in Trinidad to an Indo-Caribbean family that consisted of seasoned cooks, home economics teachers and restaurateurs, one can almost say that a profession in food was Natashas birthright.

I grew up in food, she laughs.

One of Natashas most cherished memories from childhood was her time spent in the kitchen with Mama, her paternal grandmother who passed away when she was a teen.

I can still taste her pumpkin and rice, she says, tears coming to her eyes. And it was just that pumpkin and rice. I dont even understand what she did, but it tasted so good.

From as far back as she can remember, Natasha was heavily immersed in her parents food business. As a child, she would accompany her mother to the market to shop for fresh produce and her parents made sure that she played a role in the family trade.

I would wake up at 5am every morning to help my mother make sandwiches for the business, she explains, painting images of a young girl in her school uniform helping her mother in the kitchen before the crack of dawn. She would also spend most evenings helping her parents at the family restaurant until it closed.

It was our livelihood, and I knew that, she says.

At Couva Junior Secondary School, Natasha would relish Home Economics classes, making lasagna, muffins, and simple meals. This was where she truly fell in love with the art of cooking.

At home, I would try recipes that I learnt, and I would watch Food Network religiously, she laughs. I would pretend I had my own show, and my younger sister Nicole was my audience.

When she graduated from high school, Natasha would join the family business full time in the capacity of General Manager, where she would remain for more than ten years.

But as fate and marriage would have it, Natasha would leave Trinidad in 2009 and migrate to Fort Lauderdale Florida. Leaving her parents eatery meant she had extra time on her hands, and she could finally explore cooking on her own terms. She began to compile personal recipes with the intention of publishing a cookbook. But over time, so many new entries had been added to her collection that her visit to the printers kept getting delayed.

At the end of this year, it is my goal for it to be published, she says, laughing.

From her new home, Natasha also began to support family and friends via video conference in their efforts to create home cooked Trinidadian meals. It seemed logical that she should begin videoing herself making some basic dishes rather than having to repeat herself over and over.

My initial thought was that my family and friends could now pause and rewind and cook at their own speed, she recalls.

On October 29, 2015, Natasha would load her very first recipe to the Trini Cooking With Natasha YouTube page.

I decided that I would video myself making my favorite food cassava pone, she recalls. Hesitant to be exposed on camera, a shy Natasha found a way to only show her hands as she demonstrated how to make the dense pudding of sweet cassava, pumpkin and coconut.

It might be tedious, but its worth it, she said to her small audience, as she demonstrated how to grate cassava in just the right way, and although her voice quivered slightly, her commitment to her craft was clear.

You are going to absolutely love this, she said at the end of the 6-minute video.

She might as well have been speaking to herself.

As I got into it and added more videos to YouTube, others outside my personal circle began to find me. People expressed that they liked that my videos were short and sweet, she explains. There is not a whole lot of storytelling so if people are in a hurry, they can watch the video and learn quickly so that they can get it done.

In 2020, during the pandemic, when people all over the world were confined to their homes due to global movement restrictions, Natasha decided to begin making better use of her Facebook channel and started sharing old YouTube content.

I just decided to flood the page with videos, she says, shaking her head with an air of disbelief. That was when everything took off. I started with about 4000 followers and then I began getting like 1000 followers a day, and then one day it got to 100,000 and then a million. It just kept adding up. I didnt use ads or anything. I just kept posting videos constantly and people would share them, and more people would start to follow.

People were home and embracing home cooking, and everyone was joining online communities. People needed to be comforted and were yearning for a sense of nostalgia. It was the perfect storm. A movement had begun.

Natasha Laggan, filming Trini Cooking with Natasha (Photo by videographer, Brandon Woods)

As her following grew, companies began to reach out to Natasha and she would partner with many of the regions big names such as Karibbean Flavours, Trinidads second largest spice company, and American brand, Big Green Egg.

Her viewer base would also grow to include international audiences in addition to Caribbean viewers both at home and in the diaspora, all from a variety of walks of life.

I am creating a sense of comfort and home in people, she says, of the sense of nostalgia that can be sparked by food.

A popular post like her recipe for Seafood boil can have hundreds of thousands of views, and a typical video, like her recipe for Dhal Dumpling soup, can have thousands of likes and shares. Hundreds of comments can follow from a single 5-minute video, ranging from basic questions about equipment or technique, to others that share personal stories and recollections, such as how a grandmothers recipe might have resembled or differed from hers.

And then there are the thousands of private and public letters of appreciation from those who have set up businesses using Natashas recipes or from those who have been able to rekindle family legacies of Trinidadian cooking that might have otherwise gotten lost.

Thank you, says one viewer in response to a simple recipe for garlic sauce. I love garlic sauce, but never realized it's so easy to make. This kind of comment, to Natasha, means she has done her job.

Natasha has over one million old friends who share in her love for Trini cuisine, and to her they are all like family. She tries to use ingredients that are easy to find and affordable and if they might not be accessible, she will offer a substitute.

What is most important is that it must taste really, really good, she says. There must be a lot of flavor and even if it is a complicated recipe, I want it to be easy to execute.

Her step-by-step instructions are simple and so easy to follow, says a reader in Facebooks online reviews. Great inspiration to have with me in my kitchen.I have learnt so much and have gained confidence in adding new twists to recipes.

Natasha Laggan is unapologetically Trinibagonian with an uncompromising devotion to local traditions, flavors, and seasonings such as pimento peppers which she says bring that Trini flavor to her food. She celebrates the patience required to unlock the distinct flavors of the region, sauting fresh garlic and onions before they are added to a recipe, instead of using powders, and embraces the Indo-Caribbean flavors created by methi (fenugreek), geera (cumin) and roucou (seasoning from the seeds of the achiote tree).

I want people to know about our food. I want people to taste our food. I want people to say, oh its so easy to make, says Natasha about indigenous Trinidadian food.

And if there is anything that Natasha loves just as much as the act of cooking food, it is the joy of eating it.

She recently developed a segment called Taste of D Town, where she showcases cities, restaurants and small mom and pop shops with a focus on food and hopes to eventually have her own show on Food Network or the Cooking Channel, where she can help spread the word about Trinibagonian cuisine and culture.

Natasha Laggan is not only a great chef, but she also has heart, soul and a deep love for family, her viewers, and her country.

I think people like me because Im just me. I am not scripted, and I still speak like a Trinidadian, she says. Im a mother, a wife, an influencer and an educator who is dedicated to making people happy. For me success is being able to balance your dreams and your goals while still having a happy family life. I just want to be able to do it all. But I never want to stop being humble.

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Caribbeans Top Food Influencer, Natasha Laggan Shares Her Love Of Trini Food With The World - Forbes

KINGSTON, JAMAICA - Jamaica is being positioned to be the major aviation hub connecting the Middle East and the Levant countries of the Near East to the Caribbean and South American region. Extensive discussions are currently underway, with the second round of talks being held recently in Dubai with Emirates Airline, the largest carrier in the Middle East.

Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett had first-hand discussions with Chairman of Dubai World and Emirates Airline, His Highness, Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum.

The objective was to follow-up on our first meeting, which was very positive, and to get a second response at the level of Chairman to enable Jamaica to determine the possibility of a very early connectivity, Minister Bartlett explained.

He added that we were able to provide very solid data, which indicated that Jamaica had a presence in the Middle East that was quite significant and was strong enough to create a marketing arrangement that would allow for travel into the island, but more so that we would have abilities to move traffic from Jamaica into the rest of the region.

Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator the Hon Kamina Johnson-Smith and Director of Tourism, Donovan White also participated in the meeting. The latest round of meetings comes on the heels of recent discussions with other carriers including Saudia and Qatar Airways.

Minister Bartlett also indicated that the Jamaican delegation also had follow-up discussions with officials from Royal Jordanian Airlines. We had a further meeting with representatives from the Royal Jordanian Airlines in Amman, which was our second meeting, following the one we had with the Chairman and his team, he outlined.

He explained that steps are being taken to utilize Jordans capital as a major hub. There is a very strong move to use Amman as a secondary gateway to gain access to countries such as Turkey, Israel, Syria, Lebanon and nations in that region, which are called the Levant countries. The data supports what we are doing. So, the Jamaica Tourist Board will follow-up with the technical teams, including those that are dealing with route planning and commercial arrangements, to move the process forward.

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Jamaica positioned itself to be Middle East gateway to the Caribbean and beyond - Travel Daily News International

Royal Caribbean's newest cruise ship is ready to begin sailing, and I'll be onboard for her first two sailings to share with what it's like to experience this amazing ship.

Wonder of the Seas will sail from Fort Lauderdale later this week, marking the beginning of her career with Royal Caribbean. Each of the two first two sailings are 7-night cruises, with the first going to the Eastern Caribbean and the second to the Western Caribbean.

New cruise ships are always exciting, because it offers the latest and greatest Royal Caribbean has to offer. Plus, the first sailing tends to be more of a celebration that has graduation, new baby, and homecoming vibes mixed together.

My cruise begins later this week, but here's a cruise preview to share with you what to expect on the trip!

Wonder of the Seas begins cruising with a 7-night sailing on March 4 to Labadee, San Juan, Nassau & Perfect Day at CocoCay.

Being the inaugural sailing, I booked this cruise so that I could be onboard the first chance I could get to explore and show all of you what's new, different and the same.

In the interest of full disclosure, I had originally booked this cruise on my own, but Royal Caribbean later invited a number of media to come aboard as a guest of the cruise line. It's an honor to be invited to not only sail, but meet and speak to the many people that worked on making Wonder of the Seas a reality.

As of the writing of this post, I'm not certain which cabin type I have, but every media sailing I've ever been on has been a balcony room. More details later as to what additional opportunities I'll have to share stories and insight from Wonder.

I'll be cruising without my family on the March 4th sailing, although RoyalCaribbeanBlog writer and YouTube Editor Jenna will be onboard as well. We'll be tag teaming this new ship to bring you as much coverage of what is happening onboard as possible.

For the second sailing, my family will be joining me as it coincides with my kids' spring break.

We booked the 2 bedroom AquaTheater suite to accomplish two goals on this sailing: explore the new Suite Neighborhood on Wonder of the Seas, and penance to my wife for me going on a cruise by myself for a week while she stayed home with the kids.

On the second sailing, it will be another 7-night cruise that visits Cozumel, Costa Maya, and Roatan.

In the case of both sailings, this will be my first opportunity to cruise with the relaxed Covid-19 protocols, including optional mask wearing, no vaccine wristbands, and more.

Having cruised without masks back in early summer 2021, it will be nice to get back to a more open cruise experience.

Anytime Royal Caribbean launches a new restaurant concept, I want to try it.

I remember when Royal Caribbean announced Oasis of the Seas would have a BBQ restaurant and I was not that excited because I don't each that much BBQ.

Then I tried it.

On Wonder of the Seas, a new southern American comfort food restaurant is available.

Looking at the menu, there's fried green tomatoes,po'boys, brisket, fried chicken and more. I can't wait to eat here a few times to sample as much of the menu as I can.

As a parent, I get a lot of satisfaction in taking my kids to places that they can't get enough of, and I think the new Wonder Playscape will be one of those places.

Royal Caribbean says this area will be anopen-air kids play area that has slides, climbing walls, games, puzzles, and an interactive mural activated by touch.

I hope the kids enjoy the experience and it becomes a fun sea day activity for them that they want to do a few times.

While I don't consider myself a "suite guy", I do appreciate how nice it is to stay in a suite when the chance presents itself.

Royal Caribbean has dedicated the most amenities yet to suite guests on Wonder of the Seas, and I'm excited to see how that differs from the suite experience on other ships I've sailed.

Our Wonder of the Seas cruise begins on Friday, March 4th, and I will be sharing the details on the blog, as well as across my social media channels. Be sure to follow me onFacebook& YouTubefor live updates throughout the day.

I invite you to share in this experience with me, by posting in the comments for any blog post questions and comments you may have. I try to make these live blogs as interactive as I can, so I want everyone to feel welcome to share their thoughts.

Thanks for reading all of this and welcome aboard our next fun live blog experience!

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Wonder of the Seas Live Blog - Cruise Preview - Royal Caribbean Blog

RWS Entertainment Group has hired Royal Caribbean Cruises executive Ryan Saab for its new Senior Vice President, Talent Casting & Recruitment role.

Saab will serve in this role for RWS and its subsidiary, Binder Casting.

Sean Webb, who serves as Senior Manager of Performer Casting, Dance, will join Saab at RWS and Amber Snead, Associate Casting Director, will join Saab at Binder.

These three additions come as RWS expands turnkey entertainment operations for theme parks, resorts, cruise ships and more while Binder Casting approaches its 40thanniversary milestone as the longest-running casting firm in North America, according to a press release.

RWS Entertainment Group will fill more than 6,500 roles around the world this year, creating opportunities for dancers, musicians, technicians and creatives on land and at sea.

As former head of Casting Operations for Royal Caribbeans entertainment division, Saab will now lead casting and recruitment for one of the largest entertainment talent providers in the industry.

Saab has nearly 20 years of experience as an entertainment production executive, responsible for product development, casting and strategic management. As Senior Vice President, Talent Casting & Recruitment, he will oversee casting and talent recruitment for RWS Casting, Binder Casting and RWS Fun Crew. Ryan oversaw the recruitment of all talent for the entire Royal Caribbean fleet, which included 26+ cruise ships worldwide with over 100 award-winning, internally produced entertainment programs and shows, including five Broadway licensed productions. In 2018 he was named Royal Caribbean Cruises Employee of the Year.

Ryans innovation and creativity are exactly what were looking for at RWS, said Founder and CEO Ryan Stana. With his international expertise in talent recruitment, his skill at organizing auditions, plus his ability to build a strong and diverse team, we are well-positioned to provide our clients with incredible talent.

Sean Webb has joined RWS as Senior Manager, Performer Casting, Dance. Webb joins RWS from bloc, a talent agency representing choreographers and dancers for film, theatre and television. He holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from University of North Florida.

Amber Snead joins Binder Casting as Associate Casting Director. Previously with 3-D Theatricals, Amber joins Binder bringing fresh perspective and dimension to the team as they embark on the companys 40thanniversary. Sneads unique experience, voice and talent, working in casting for nearly a decade, has been developed working on projects including Parade starring Davis Gaines, The Addams Family starring Rachel York and Kinky Boots directed by John Tartaglia. Snead holds a degree from CSU Fresno and is a member of the Casting Society of America.

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RWS Entertainment Hires Royal Caribbean's Ryan Saab, Other Execs Join - Cruise Industry News

Ahoy, me Hearties! Staying at a Disney Resort Hotel is a dream come true for many even pirate lovers! And now, Disney is giving us a look INSIDE its stunning Pirates of the Caribbean Suite that has us ready to spend some of our hard-earned gold doubloons.

RELATED: Sweet Video Goes Viral of Little Girl Scared of Jack Sparrow

Over at Walt Disney World Resort, weve seen new Resort experiences unfold such as new Moana-inspired rooms at Disneys Polynesian Village Resort and Incredibles-themed rooms at Disneys Contemporary Resort. Currently, Disneys Grand Floridian Resort & Spa is transforming several rooms for Disney Vacation Club Villas with a chance to win a stay in the new rooms!

While Disneys Caribbean Beach Resort at Walt Disney World Resort offers pirate rooms, they dont compare to whats available at Disneyland Resort! Thats right, Disneyland Resort has a Pirates of the Caribbean Suite at Disneyland Hotel, and were arrrr obsessed over it.

Come along with us as we sing Yo ho, yo ho, a pirates life for me as Disney provides a video tour of its impressive Pirates of the Caribbean Suite below or found here:

RELATED: Pirates of the Caribbean Boat Comes Off the Track With Guests Onboard

Arrgh! Were pretty sure if we stayed in this Disneyland Hotel suite, our family and friends would get sick of our pirate talk real fast.

Disney notes, The Pirates of the Caribbean Suite at the Disneyland Hotel recreates the exciting world of Disneys Pirates of the Caribbean films and attractions with unique furnishings and decor. Lodging fit for a pirate king or a loyal fan of Pirates of the Caribbean is found on the 11th floor of the hotels Dreams Tower.

From the doorbell playing Yo Ho, Yo Ho, A Pirates Life For Me to the stunning Spanish colonial-style furnishings and more, this is truly a dream come true for any Pirate fan out there. The suite also boasts spectacular views of the Never Land Pool area below, Santa Catalina Island, the nearby San Bernardino Mountains, and fireworks over Disneyland Park.

Want to take another look at the Pirates of the Caribbean Suite? Heres another detailed video tour:

RELATED: Me Hearties, Theres a Petition To Rehire Johnny Depp For Pirates Of The Caribbean

The suite cost starts at around $2,500 per night and can accommodate up to six Guests. Ready to inquire about prices and availability? Call Disneyland at (714) 956-6425. Happy booking, Maties!

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Video Tour of Disney's Pirates of the Caribbean Suite - disneydining.com

By Reinhard Jacobsen

VIENNA (IDN) The Commonwealth of Dominica announced its decision early February to join the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) that bans nuclear explosions by everyone, everywhereon the Earth's surface, in the atmosphere, underwater and underground. The Treaty was signed 26 years ago but it has yet to enter into force.

The reason: though 185 countries have signed the CTBT, of which 170 have ratified it, 44 specific nuclear technology holder countries have yet to sign and ratify it, including three of the nuclear weapon States: France, the Russian Federation and the United Kingdom. Of these eight are still missing: China, Egypt, India, Iran, Israel, North Korea, Pakistan and the USA. India, North Korea and Pakistan have yet to sign the CTBT. The last Annex 2 State to ratify the Treaty was Indonesia on February 6, 2012.

According to the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO), with headquarters in Vienna, Dominica's commitment to sign the CTBT, underlines the Treaty's universal recognition across Latin America and the Caribbean and highlights the regions leadership in non-proliferation and disarmament.

Subsequent to Cubas signature and ratification of the CTBT in February 2021, Dominicas signature will mean all 33 countries in the region will be States Signatories to the Treaty.

"This marks a new era of partnership with Dominica, and I look forward to further strengthening the norm against nuclear testing together," said Robert Floyd, CTBTO Executive Secretary, who met the Caribbean nation's Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit on February 7

Floyd was on his first visit to the region since taking over the CTBTO in August 2021 from Dr Lassina Zerbo of Burkina Faso. His 10-day visit included engagements in Barbados, Dominica, Costa Rica and Mexico, offering an opportunity to deepen engagement with key regional partners.

The importance of the visit is underlined by the fact that the states of Latin America and the Caribbean are committed and engaged advocates of the CTBT and important technical partners to the CTBTO, hosting 43 of the organizations 337 International Monitoring System (IMS) facilities and contributing important technical and scientific expertise to the global alarm system designed to detect nuclear tests.

The Treaty of Tlatelolco (the Treaty for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons in Latin America and the Caribbean), which opened for signature in 1967, established the worlds first nuclear-weapon-free zone in a densely populated area.

Speaking in Mexico at an event marking that CTBTs 55th anniversary, Floyd stressed the regions integral role in achieving the shared vision of a world free of nuclear tests.

CTBTO Executive Secretary Floyd said: "The Latin America and Caribbean region can stand tall and proud of its long history of leadership in nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament. Soon you will also be able to celebrate with pride and solidarity when every state in this region will have also ratified the CTBT. Latin America and the Caribbean States, I honour you."

In Barbados, the first leg of his tour, the Executive Secretary met senior officials including the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Jerome Xavier Walcott, and expressed his appreciation for the Caribbean states diplomatic support for the CTBT.

He also explored capacity-building initiatives for the Eastern Caribbean region and Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and met technical experts from various government agencies to expand cooperation in the use of CTBTO data in climate change adaptation and disaster risk management in a country affected by tropical storms and hurricanes.

Following his visits to Barbados and Dominica, Floyd travelled to Costa Rica, which hosts the CTBTOs auxiliary seismic station AS25 at Las Juntas de Abangares, overseen by the countrys Volcanological and Seismological Observatory, OVSICORI.

I have been impressed with the depth of technical capability and the active diplomacy in this country, he said, praising Costa Ricas non-proliferations efforts. I am also encouraged to hear a vision, which is about strong domestic implementation of responsibilities.

Engaging with students and staff at the United Nations-backed University for Peace in San Jos, Floyd joined the long-standing tradition of planting a corteza amarilla, a timber tree native to the region, as a symbol for CTBTOs engagement in educating and empowering the next generation.

Floyds final destination was Mexico, where he delivered an address at an event hosted by the Agency for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons in Latin America and the Caribbean (OPANAL) to mark the 55th anniversary of the Tlatelolco Treaty.

"What I find most powerful about the Treaty of Tlatelolco is that it allows countries in the region to speak in one voice on the issue of nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation, as well as work together to promote collective security, disarmament education and training, he said.

The CTBTO chief also met Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard, a long-standing supporter of the CTBT, to discuss Mexicos engagement to advance the universalization and entry into force of the Treaty. The country hosts five IMS facilities: three auxiliary seismic, one hydroacoustic and a radionuclide station with noble gas system.

At the Instituto Matias Romero, which educates and trains Mexican diplomats, Floyd discussed the state of play of the CTBT and the global nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament architecture. [IDN-InDepthNews 25 February 2022]

Photo: CTBTO Executive Secretary Floyd meets Dominicas Prime Minister, Roosevelt Skerrit. Credit: CTBTO

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This article was produced as a part of the joint media project between The Non-profit International Press Syndicate Group and Soka Gakkai International in Consultative Status with ECOSOC on 25 February 2022.

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Latin American and Caribbean Countries Support the Nuclear Test Ban - IDN InDepthNews | Analysis That Matters

It is the dry season and in St Vincent and the Grenadines, the countrys Central Water and Sewerage Authority (CWSA) has activated its dry weather emergency response plans.

The CWSA notes the Caribbean Climate Outlook Forum points to a short term drought watch up to the end of April 2022 for St Vincent and the Grenadines alongside countries such as Barbados, Western Belize, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Northern Haiti, Northern Puerto Rico and the USVI.

This may turn into a long term drought watch for these countries including St Vincent and the Grenadines.

According to the report areas ending up in long term drought by the end of May, may experience lower than usual water levels in large reservoirs, large rivers and groundwater at that time.

The CWSA says it has currently activated its dry weather emergency response plans which at this time includes the following:

Closely monitoring inflows to its systems and storage tanks

Seeking the assistance of the general public in reporting leaks and practising water conservation

Asking the general public to invest in water storage tanks/containers

Directing the general public to listen to local radio stations and the CWSA Facebook page to be updated on any planned disruptions in service.

Continue reading here:

Dry season is here: Vincentians urged to conserve water | Loop Caribbean News - Loop Caribbean News