Category Archives: Caribbean

Today EFF and other internet and digital rights organizations are announcing the Alliance for Encryption in Latin America and the Caribbean (AC-LAC). The Alliance is a platform for collective capacity building and information, based on the principle that encryption is an essential tool for security and respect for human and fundamental rights in the region, including freedom of expression and privacy.

The virtual launch event is October 21, with the participation of member organizations. It is open to the public.

This regional Alliance seeks to advance a proactive agenda to promote and defend encryption in Latin America and the Caribbean. It aims to strengthen the use of encryption and generate an ecosystem of trust, security and stability within information and communications technologies (ICTs), particularly the critical infrastructure of the internet and its applications and services.

The platform,comprised of 14 organizations throughout the region, seeks to coordinate efforts with encryption initiatives at the global, regional, and national levels, and generate spaces for exchanging information and mobilizing actions to respond to the effects weakened encryption have on security and fundamental rights.

The member organizations, which have outlined a joint agenda despite their diverse natures and interests, are: Access Now, ALAI, APC; Article 19; Coalizo Direitos na Rede (CDR); Derechos Digitales; EFF; Karisma Foundation; IP.rec; IRIS; ISOC Brazil; Nic.br; R3D. The eLAC initiative will participate as an observer member. The Alliance is open to new members who share its principles and ideas.

On Thursday, October 21, during Global Encryption Day, AC-LAC will present its regional pro-encryption agenda. A live event will be held to introduce the Alliance and its mission, and discuss why encryption is imperative for a more secure internet.

In addition to the 14 member organizations, AC-LAC counts on the Institute for Digital Development of Latin America and the Caribbean (IDD LAC) as the Alliance's secretariat.

Follow us on our social networks: twitter: @aclac_alianza and linkedIn: AC-LAC or on our website http://www.ac-lac.org for more information.

Read the original here:

Meet the Alliance for Encryption in Latin America and the Caribbean - EFF

Disney Cruise Line will return to popular tropical destinations in the Bahamas including Disneys private island, Castaway Cay as well as the Caribbean and the Mexican Riviera in early 2023, delighting guests of all ages with one-of-a-kind cruise vacations.

A choice of spectacular itineraries will depart from home ports in the United States, including Miami and Port Canaveral in Florida; New Orleans; Galveston, Texas; and San Diego. Booking open to the general public on October 21, 2021.

Disney Cruise Line will expand the fun in the sun like never before in early 2023, with a variety of departures from Florida to tropical destinations around the Bahamas and Caribbean. Two cruise ships will depart from Port Canaveral near Orlando, Florida, and one from Miami. Each cruise departing from Florida includes a stop to Castaway Cay, Disneys exclusive island paradise.

Disney Wish will depart from Port Canaveral in 2023 on three- and four-night trips to Nassau, Bahamas, and Castaway Cay. Disneys newest cruise ship combines dazzling new entertainment and storytelling with the unmatched service and unforgettable moments that guests have come to expect when sailing with Disney.

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Disney Fantasy, which departs from Port Canaveral as well, will open the year with seven-night voyages to numerous popular ports in the Eastern and Western Caribbean.

Additionally, one unique eight-night trip includes two days in Bermuda, where visitors can sunbathe on the islands immaculate pink sand beaches, engage in thrilling water sports, or explore the islands magnificent underground Crystal Caves.

Disney Dream will depart from Miami on a variety of four- and five-night cruises to destinations such as Grand Cayman, Nassau, Castaway Cay, and Cozumel, Mexico. Additionally, a special five-night cruise will includes two stops at Castaway Cay.

Guests can enjoy a cruise that caters to every member of the family on all Florida departures, combining the adventure and relaxation of tropical destinations, the ease and luxury of an ocean cruise, and the world-class entertainment and service of a Disney vacation.

Disney Magic will depart Galveston, Texas, in January and February on a choice of four-, five-, six-, and seven-night itineraries to the Bahamas and Western Caribbean. Grand Cayman, as well as Cozumel and Progreso, Mexico, are among the tropical ports of call on these sailings.

Disney Magic is going down the bayou for the first time in February and March as part of a premiere season in New Orleans. The four-, five-, and six-night sailings will depart from the heart of New Orleans and travel along the great Mississippi River to the tropical ports of Grand Cayman and Cozumel.

Guests can venture into the Crescent City prior to or following their Disney cruise to savor the distinct flavors of renowned New Orleans cuisine, bask in the sweet melodies of world-renowned jazz music, and recognize the iconic sights and sounds that inspired the beloved animated film The Princess and the Frog.

All Disney Magic cruises beginning in early 2023 include two or three days at sea to take advantage of the onboard fun, entertainment, leisure, and memories.

Disney Wonder will return to the West Coast in April and May, sailing from San Diego. Cruises to Baja, Mexico and the Mexican Riviera will whisk cruisers away to sunny coasts brimming with lively culture, glistening sand beaches, energetic outdoor excursions, and fascinating water activities.

Sailings departing from San Diego will last between three and seven nights. Certain cruises to the Baja peninsula will include a stop in the picturesque seaside city of Ensenada, which is noted for its turquoise blue water and rough rocky scenery. Numerous departures feature a stop in Cabo San Lucas, a popular location known for its stunning rock formations and white sand beaches.

Seven-night cruises will depart from Mazatlan, the Pearl of the Pacific, known for its breathtaking natural wonders, vibrant culture, and colorful history, and from Puerto Vallarta, the idyllic seaside escape nestled along the Banderas Bays curve and surrounded by the stunning Sierra Madre mountains.

Continued here:

Disney Cruise Line Will Return to Popular Caribbean Ports in 2023 - Cruise Fever

When Tavel Bristol-Joseph moved to Austin in 2015, the first thing he did was seek out a Caribbean spot for a plate of sweet plantains and jerk chicken. But the chef, who had grown up in Guyana, could only find a couple of food trucks serving the kinds of dishes he craved.

Subconsciously, that made me feel like I, my culture, wasnt part of the community, he said. I had this emptiness in a sense. The food that I know is not on the level, is not given the same respect as other cuisines.

No matter, though. He was only in town for a bit, helping his friend Kevin Fink open a little restaurant called Emmer & Rye.

Six years later, after forming the Emmer & Rye Restaurant Group with Fink, opening four more highly acclaimed, distinct restaurants in the city (Hestia, Kalimotxo, Henbit, and TLV) and being named one of Food & Wines Best New Chefs of 2020, Bristol-Joseph has accepted that he isnt leaving Texas anytime soon. And hes finally ready to address that blind spot in the citys food scene thats gnawed at him from the start.

I thought, the next person that moves to Austin, they should never feel the way I felt, he said. I dont want to sit back anymore and say were (Afro-Caribbeans) not represented. I want to represent our food in the best way I can. So, whatever I need to do to create a space where people feel welcome and feel like a part of the community, thats what Im doing to do.

Harvard Aninye, Kate Houser and Tavel Bristol-Joseph.Photo: courtesy Canje

Last week, Bristol-Joseph opened his passion project, Canje, on the east side of Austin. Named for the national bird of Guyana, a pheasant, Canjes cuisine does not remain tethered to the mainland; it flits around the region, island hopping from Puerto Rico to Jamaica, and then trailing the Afro-Caribbean diaspora to places like Brooklyn and now, Austin.

I knew that we were doing something important when we decided to open this restaurant, he said. But it is bigger than what we thought it was going to be. The reception has been incredible. People are getting emotional eating and talking about when they were in Trinidad or when they were in Belize, and how important it is that this restaurant and this food is available to them here.

Bristol-Joseph says that while many of the cuisines in the region overlap in terms of ingredients, cooking techniques stand out. For example, while ceviche is common in countries like Puerto Rico, he says, Guyanese people wouldnt dare eat raw fish. Dishes at Canje also emphasize the influence of colonial powers like India, China and France in the region.

I really think that by showcasing more diversity in food, it opens peoples eyes, he said. And then we are here, were sitting at the same table in the same restaurant, eating the same food, sharing, talking, communicating. Thats important.

Bristol-Joseph created the desserts for restaurants like Hestia, our Best Restaurant of 2020.

For appetizers, the menu offers snacks like plantain chips served with mango hot sauce and pork fat mayo-ketchup for dipping; green banana escabeche with star fruit and onions; and Bacalato, a Puerto Rican fritter made from salt fish and potatoes, sauced with mojo roho. Mains include pork lechon, curry wagyu beef, jerk chicken rubbed with house-aged spices and a wild boar pepper pot.

And for dessert, the chefs specialty, you can find passion fruit flan with a cornmeal sable; guava, coconut and roasted white chocolate tres leches; and black cake with cream cheese frosting.

Each dish has a special meaning to Bristol-Joseph. Guyanese black cake, for example, is scarcely recognized outside of its home country. This celebratory, rum-meets-fruit-meets-pound cake can take up to a year to make. Typically, the elders of a family soak the main ingredientsstar fruit, hibiscus and melon skins, for examplein rum and red wine for months before preparing the dessert.

The fruit in Canjes black cake has been fermenting for six months.

It represents longevity because it takes so long to make, he said. It has a really deep meaning, culturally, and for me, its important to put [those kinds of dishes] on our menu. I want people to ask questions about it. I wanted people to have something special all day, every day.

Plantain chips.Photo: courtesy Canje

Bristol-Joseph grew up in tropical Georgetown, Guyana, and majored in home economics in school. At 17, he moved to New York to be with his mother and pursue his dream of becoming a professional basketball player. That, well, didnt work out, so he went to culinary school and excelled in the pastry program. He ate his way across the city, trying Italian food, strawberries, Thai food, apples and many other things for the very first time.

He then dedicated his career to pastries, primarily the European kind he was taught to immortalize in his education. He worked as a pastry chef for major restaurant groups in New York and Arizona, where he met his business partner, Finkthe one who convinced him to move to Texas.

Canje is the first restaurant where Bristol-Joseph will serve as executive chef. He took his team on a trip to Guyana before the opening.

The challenge is were asking chefs who have never cooked Caribbean food to create and cook Caribbean food, Bristol-Joseph said. Theres flavor profiles there that if youre not familiar with, youre going to miss.

Bristol-Joseph also had to learn the language of the kitchen. For example, he assumed they could build a beef curry in a big pot, cook it down to the right thickness and then dish it out when it was ordered. But in a restaurant environment, if they would have left a big pot bubbling on the stove all night, the product wouldnt have been consistent. The vegetables and the meat would have broken down to mush by the end of the night. So, he broke the curry apart and the cooks bring everything together to serve.

Bristol-Joseph and team traveled to Guyana for research ahead of opening.Photo: courtesy Canje

Tasting was also a big challenge, he said. Its very technical for professional chefs. Theyd say oh, it has a beautiful acidity, its there. Id be like, eh For me, its more of an emotional thing. Ask a grandmother and theyd say it needs a little more love. How do I communicate that?

His uncle, an investor in the business, has already visited and approved; his mother and the rest of his family will make the trip in November.

My uncle was just so proud and blown away and excited, he said. He was like, Ive never had this food like this before. That gave me so much joy.

Last night I had two older couples and they were true Guyanese. They were talking about how amazing it was that we had pepper pots on the menu. And they made sure to try the black cake. It was really cool to see the people that I didnt even know existed in Austin, coming out and being a part of this. Im so happy and proud to have a space that can say, this is a representation of me and my culture.

Seared Red Snapper over Coconut Broth with Okra, Cherry Tomatoes, Onions, Cilantro, GInger, LemongrassPhoto: courtesy Canje

He envisions the menu evolving, one day showcasing dishes from countries like Martinique, Haiti or Curaao, based on input from his chefs. Some of them have Afro-Caribbean backgroundsthey grew up in Dominican, Puerto Rican, Nigerian or Mexican homes.

Were going to touch as many islands as we can in the most genuine, natural way, he said. The staff is going to help me with that a lot. Im all ears. Im not going to act like I am an expert in Caribbean food, because Im totally not. By saying theres things that you dont know, it opens up the doors for other creative minds to excel. So, Im very excited to see where this journey goes.

See more here:

How Austins New Canje Restaurant Is Celebrating the Flavors of the Caribbean - Robb Report

The day Jamaica created history and qualified for the 2019 FIFA Womens World Cup, the axis of the womens game in CONCACAF shifted in a seismic way.

Jamaicas Reggae Girlzs qualification to France 2019 signified in part an unprecedented growth and development leap for the Caribbean.

Importantly, too, the fairytale success story was of monumental historical proportion, as the island became the first from the region to be catapulted into the stratosphere of the global game and its greatest stage, the World Cup.

On October 17, 2018, at the Concacaf Womens Championship inside Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas, Jamaica achieved the unthinkable.

In the third-place match, the Girlz defeated Panama in an epic match, which ended 2-2 after regulation and extra time. And the two, with the scent of the 2019 FIFA Womens World Cup in France in scope, had to be separated by the dreaded penalties. As it turned out, Jamaica triumphed 4-2, and the rest, as they say, is history.

On that magical journey, was assistant coach Andrew Price and he recalled the momentous occasion as if it happened yesterday.

The emotions were like a roller-coaster on the bench in that final qualifying game [against Panama]. We took the lead on two occasions and lost it twice. We deliberately saved our changes late in the game to ensure that we would have been prepared for extra time.

But the masterstroke was when we decided to replace goalkeeper Sydney Schneider with Nicole McClure. We had practised penalties the day before and Nicole was amazing in goal, so when we saw the clock winding down, it was important that we put her on the pitch before time expired, said Price.

As part of a technical team led by Head Coach Hue Menzies, the assistant coach revelled in the tactical astuteness of the coaches, for he thought the off-the-field decisions had a positive impact on the outcome of the match.

In practising the penalty kicks, we made the players make the long walk from half-line to the penalty box to take each kick, so for that match day the players would be prepared for the scenario, and everything worked to perfection. As you know, Nicole saved two penalties and we scored all our penalties, Price re-collected.

The experienced tactician said there was self-belief in the camp that the World Cup dream was reachable as the team went through the layers of qualification.

The confidence and self-belief came after the first round of the Caribbean World Cup Qualifying held in Haiti. It was a difficult tournament in terms of the conditions and environment that the young ladies had to face.

The real test was the final game of the round, between ourselves and the host Haiti, as we battled for the one qualifying spot. We went into the game on similar points, but we had a superior goal difference of two goals. All we needed was to draw to advance. In front of a partisan and sometimes hostile crowd of 15,000 Haitian supporters, we trailed 2-0 in the first half.

But we showed our real strength by pulling a goal back before halftime. During the halftime talk, we told the Girlz to relax and play their normal game. They went out, and in a stirring performance, silenced the crowd with the equalizing goal. For the remainder of the match, we fought tooth and nail to ensure we advanced to the next round, Price reminisced.

As the qualifying journey took its twists and turns, the Girlz saw themselves more than just competitors but real contenders for a spot at France 2019.

With each passing round of the qualification, the confidence of the Girlz grew. They believed they were on a mission to accomplish something great. They grew into a closely-knit family -- all for one and one for all. They were willing to be patient and trust the process, and they did so one game at a time. They took obstacles as inspiration to work that much harder, said Price.

He said when the final whistle went in the decisive match against Panama, there was a feeling of euphoria that swept through the team and all the support staff.

We were just overcome with joy. The immediate reaction was to scream, We did it. We were so elated. We jumped and hugged each other. Then our next reaction was to get on the pitch and celebrate with the Girlz. The moment was surreal. It was as if time stopped for the moment, Price said.

Jamaicas success, said Price, was a signature moment for the entire Caribbean, a rallying cry that anything is possible if one dares to dream.

Most definitely it was a triumph for the entire Caribbean. No different from when Haiti qualified for their first Men's World Cup in 1974. It inspired nations like Jamaica and Trinidad & Tobago that it could be done. Similarly, our historic qualification will inspire other Caribbean countries. The gap is closing between the world powers in football and the others, as a global village has made the catching up achievable, he reasoned.

Previously in Concacaf, the automatic teams would be the USA, Canada and Mexico. But now you have Costa Rica, Jamaica, Panama, Haiti, Trinidad and others knocking at the door. This comes as a result of FIFA and Concacaf assisting significantly in the development of the Women's game, Price added.

In France, the Girlz lost all their Group C matches, but even in defeat against significantly stronger opponents, the learning experience was priceless.

From the draw, we were quite aware we were in the Group of Death, with top-ranked teams such as Brazil, Australia and Italy. It was always going to be difficult against these teams. But we made up our minds that we were going to be competitive and give a good account of ourselves. The experience we gained was all a part of the learning curve. It is the experience you can only get by playing against the best, Price noted.

See more here:

Jamaica's WWC qualification A triumph for the Caribbean - sportsmax.tv

By NAN Staff Writer

News Americas, BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, Tues. Oct. 12, 2021: Care to guess how many pandemic weary Americans travelled to the Caribbean in the last six months?

Some 4.3 million in the first half of 2021 alone, new data from the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) shows. Thats a 21.7 percent increase from 2020.

The Caribbean region may be hammered by spikes in COVID-19 rates and US travel advisories, but it still outperformed the rest of the world in the first half of this year, the CTO said.

Data from the agency shows international tourist arrivals to the Caribbean reached 6.6 million, considerably better than the global average of a 65.1 per cent decline.

While the tourist arrivals, however, continue to lag pre-pandemic numbers, the first half year performance was boosted by a second quarter spurt when overnight tourist visits to the Caribbean jumped between ten and 37 times greater than those in the corresponding months in 2020.

In absolute terms, there was a steady improvement, as arrival numbers increased from one million in April to 1.2 million in May to 1.5 million in June, according to data compiled by the CTOs research department.

Among the contributing factors cited was the easing of some travel restrictions and an increase in airlift.

These are encouraging signs that the hard work our member countries have put into adapting to the changing environment of the pandemic is beginning to pay dividends, said Neil Walters, the CTOs acting secretary general. Even as we embrace a recovery mindset and the opportunities the pandemic has given us, we must continue to be mindful of the challenges we currently face and the potential challenges a dynamic situation like the pandemic can present. The Caribbean tourism sector is known to be one of the most resilient in the world.

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Guess How Many Americans Travelled To The Caribbean In The Last 6 Months? - Caribbean and Latin America Daily News - News Americas

The tiny Caribbean island of Montserrat is now open to fully vaccinated visitors, albeit with a strict five-day quarantine requirement.

The island set southwest of Antigua officially reopened its borders at the beginning of this month.

So what do travelers need to know?

Fully vaccinated visitors need to quarantine for five days at their hotel or accommodation upon arrival. Between three and four days after arrival, visitors take a PCR test if negative, he or she can leave quarantine on day five.

(If visitors want to stay fewer than five days they can do so).

Montserrat charges $150 for the on island test.

All visitors need to complete an Access Declaration Form within three days before traveling; all visitors need to show proof of a negative PCR test taken and received within five days before arrival on the island.

Children under five are exempt from the pre-testing requirement; however, all children over two must take the on-island PCR test before being allowed out of quarantine.

Montserrat had previously been open only to select long-term visitors.

For now, only Fly Montserrat and SVG Air are currently operating flights service to Montserrat.

For more, visit Montserrat.

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The Caribbean Island of Montserrat Is Now Open to Vaccinated Travelers - Caribbean Journal

Author: Richard Waddington

Women from across Latin America and the Caribbean came together on October 13, the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR), for the virtual launch of this regional network to unite in their efforts to reduce and mitigate risks and ultimately prevent disasters in the region.

Through the Latin American and Caribbean Network of Women for Disaster Risk Reduction, women and girls will come together to share experiences, ideas and innovative and transformative solutions to the challenges posed by disaster risk in one of the most hazard-prone areas of the world.

At the time of the official launch, more than 700 women from all age groups and from 28 countries of Latin America and the Caribbean had signed up for the network. They include representatives of national and local governments, United Nations system agencies, intergovernmental organizations, non-governmental organizations, the private sector, the media and civil society.

It is so important that this network creates a space for the exchange of information, mutual support and knowledge that can influence disaster risk policies in the region, said Raul Salazar, head of the Regional Office for the Americas and the Caribbean of the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR).

Disaster reduction is especially important in Latin America and the Caribbean, where one in four of the worlds disasters occur and where almost 300 million people have been affected by these catastrophic events in the past 20 years.

Panellists highlighted that even though they are frequently first responders when disasters strike, women continue to face regular discrimination in preparedness, prevention, response and recovery efforts.

Maria-Noel Vaeza, Regional Director for the Americas and the Caribbean of UN Women; Claudia Herrera, Executive Secretary of the Coordination Centre for Disaster Prevention in Central America and the Dominican Republic (CEPREDENAC); and Tania Triminio Quintanilla, Director of the Honduran Green Cross; through their different perspectives, stressed the need to foster the leadership roles of women in disaster risk reduction.

Although particularly vulnerable in times of disaster, women have demonstrated time and again to be highly effective protagonists when it comes to prevention. Women in local communities bring to the equation invaluable insight for effective disaster risk reduction action, yet far too often they are ignored when decisions are being taken, panellists said. The only effective response to disaster risk is to recognise that women must take a central part in decisions, said Maria-Noel Vaeza.

Increased knowledge sharing through this network will undoubtedly strengthen the role of women and their ability to exert influence.

Participants in the launch also highlighted the opportunity for sharing of knowledge within the upcoming VII Regional Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction in the Americas and the Caribbean. This important virtual four-day conference, which starts on November 1st, is being hosted by the Government of Jamaica under the theme Building Resilient Economies.

COVID-19 has in many cases worsened the situation for women. Not only have they often suffered more economically from the crisis, but restrictions placed in response to the pandemic have triggered a rise in domestic violence against women and girls as well as their disparate access to essential services in many countries, the panellists added.

The particular vulnerability of women and girls but perhaps more importantly their role as agents of change is highlighted in the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, the global roadmap for disaster risk reduction adopted in 2015.

Among the key aims of this new network are the promotion of women-led and women-centred synergies and collaboration as well as in the fostering of national and regional collaboration on disaster risk. To substantially enhance international cooperation to developing countries through adequate and sustainable support is the theme of this years international day for disaster risk reduction. This focus along with the remarkable transformative potential of women for enhancing cooperation was inherently evident throughout todays launch.

Women may have borne the brunt of the global pandemic in many ways, but this has only sharpened their understanding of disaster risk and accentuated their importance as drivers of change. Whether as heads of household or heads of State, women have excelled in their response to the global pandemic Mami Mizutori, Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction, said in her video address.

This virtual launch event was organized jointly by the regional offices and representatives of the Global Network of Civil Society Organizations for Disaster Reduction (GNDR), UN Women and UNDRR. The network itself presents a unique opportunity in the Americas and the Caribbean for a gender-sensitive and truly transformative disaster risk informed sustainable development agenda.

Excerpt from:

Women from Latin America and the Caribbean launch network for disaster risk reduction - World - ReliefWeb

By NAN Staff Writer

News Americas, NEW YORK, NY, Thurs. Oct. 14, 2021: A consortium of four Caribbean banks is set to acquire CIBC FirstCaribbean in Dominica, Grenada, St. Kitts and Nevis, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

The four members of the Consortium are: The National Bank of Dominica Limited; the Grenada Co-operative Bank Limited; the St. Kitts-Nevis-Anguilla National Bank Limited; and The Bank of St. Vincent and the Grenadines Limited.

The leading banks in the Eastern Caribbean say the agreement, executed on October 12, is subject to regulatory approval and customary closing conditions.

This acquisition expands the Consortiums loan base by more than XCD 600 million, net, the deposit portfolio by XCD1.5b; and provides the additional scale to better service the Consortiums respective communities and contribute to the regions economic and social advancement. Until regulatory approvals are obtained and the transaction closes, operations at all institutions will continue as they currently do.

As of June 30, 2021, the Consortium members held an aggregate deposit base of $6.4b representing a 53% market share in their combined markets. Collectively, they have been serving the peoples of the ECCU for a combined period of over 200 years. The Consortiums customer base includes consumers, small and middle-market businesses, large corporations, statutory bodies and Central Governments.

This acquisition by the Consortium represents a significant development in the evolution of the Banking System of the ECCU. Once approved by the regulators, we are very confident that it will lay the basis for further enhanced value creation in these economies and greater prosperity for our society, said Consortium Lead, and Managing Director of The Bank of St. Vincent and the Grenadines Limited, Derry Williams.

The four indigenous banks are an excellent fit for the banks St. Vincent, Grenada, Dominica, and St. Kitts business, given their knowledge of the local markets match with our product offerings and client base and a strong market positioning, said Colette Delaney, CIBC FirstCaribbeans Chief Executive Officer. They bring a depth of local knowledge to the market and the needs of our clients there.

CIBC FirstCaribbean was formed in 2002 with the merger of CIBC West Indies Holdings and Barclays Bank PLC Caribbean operations. In December 2006, CIBC acquired Barclays stake and became the majority shareholder in FirstCaribbean.

Originally posted here:

Caribbean Business - A Consortium Forms In The Eastern Caribbean - Caribbean and Latin America Daily News - News Americas

Wonder of the Seas is packed with lots to see, do, and eat onboard, and you likely want to know where everything is onboard.

Royal Caribbean designed Wonder of the Seas to offer a lot, and be easy to navigate. Being the biggest cruise ship in the world means it has to be simple for passengers to get around to avoid a negative experience.

All Oasis Class ships are separated by neighborhoods, with each area being visually distinguished from the others. Essentially, after you see one neighborhood, you should be able to quickly get a sense of what is offered there. In fact, Wonder of the Seas will be the first Oasis-class ship to have eight neighborhoods.

Before you step foot on Wonder of the Seas, here is what each neighborhood has to do, including dining and entertainment.

Location: Deck 6

The Boardwalk neighborhood is meant to evoke a feeling of the oldthe seaside piers that dot the coast of England and the nostalgic boardwalks of yesteryear such as Coney Island.

Located on the back of deck 6, it is an outdoor area that has dining and entertainment.

As soon as you walk onto the Boardwalk, you will be greeted by a handcrafted carousel. It is afull-sized, traditional carousel and complimentary to ride day or night.

If you're hungry, you will find lots of great dining choices for guests of all ages.

Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade takes up one entire side of the Boardwalk, and features as many television as they do beers and food to enjoy while you watch. There's also an arcade with fun games to play between innings or during halftime.

Boardwalk Dog House is where you can grab a hot dog customized just the way you like it and served quickly so you can be on your way.

Sugar Beach candy and ice cream shop is the sweet spot on the Boardwalk with more than 100 types of candies, a variety of ice cream flavors and toppings.

Filling out the nostalgic factor for the Boardwalk is Johnny Rockets restaurant.

You will also find the AquaTheater at the very rear of the Boardwalk, whichis an amphitheater-style entertainment space. You can expectmovie screenings and game shows by day and stunning aqua acrobatics and high-diving performances by night.

Location: Decks 15 & 16

Whatever kind of active fun you are into is sure to be available in the Pool and Sports Zone on Wonder of the Seas. Pools, slides, simulators and hot tubs are all available to enjoy every day of your cruise.

The adults-only Solarium is located at the front of the ship, which is enclosed in glass and offers a relaxed pool and lounging experience.

If you want a little more thrill with your pool fun, check out the Perfect Storm waterslides. Themultistory waterslides clear sections offer sliders views of Central Park down below.

Kids can also splash to their hearts' content at Splashaway Bay, which has water cannons, slides, drench buckets and more.

Wonder of the Seas has a resort-style Caribbean vibe to the pool deck, centered around the Lime & Coconut. You can find two poolside bars and live music.

In fact, Wonder of the Seas will have thelargest poolside movie screen in the Royal Caribbean fleet.

Something else new for Wonder of the Seas is The Vue, which is anew cantilevered bar. The Vue offers panoramic ocean views from high above on the pool deck all day, and after sunset, it shines bright with a colorful mosaic canopy overhead.

If that isn't enough, Royal Caribbean came up with another new concept for the Sports Zone in Wonder Playscape.This is an underwater-themed play area with slides, climbing walls, games, an interactive mural activated by touch and puzzles.

Of course, no Oasis Class cruise ship is complete without signature activities Royal Caribbean always includes:the tallest slide at sea, The Ultimate Abyss; Wonder Dunes mini-golf; the FlowRider surf simulator, twin rock-climbing walls and the ten-decks-high zip line.

If you're hungry, you will find quite a few options for dining in the Pool and Sports Zone.

Location: Deck 8

The outdoor park found on Oasis Class ships is an open-air venue with lots of plants, trees, and shrubs that surround restaurants and retail venues.

There are quite a few specialty restaurants in Central Park, beginning with the new Giovanni's Italian Kitchen and Wine Bar.

Royal Caribbean revamped its Italian restaurant with a new menu, that extends into the nearby wine bar.Giovannis Italian Kitchen is a new take on Italian authentic Italian dishes, including made-to-order pizzas hand tossed front and center, and baked in the new, in-house pizza oven.

150 Central Park is known for its seasonal menu, while Chops Grille is the cruise line's well-known steakhouse.

At Park Cafe, you can enjoy breakfast, lunch, and snacks, including theKummelweck roast beef sandwich.

While in Central Park, you can take a ride on the Rising Tide bar, which moves slowly between Central Park and the Royal Promenade. The bar slowly rises and descends between the two decks, giving guests a great view all along the way.

Right outside Central Park is Music Hall, which is a dance venue that features live musical acts in a club atmosphere.

Location: Deck 5

Royal Promenade is like the downtown of Wonder of the Seas. It is a busythoroughfare with lots happening around its services, dining, bars, and entertainment.

Spotlight Karaoke is a dedicated venue for everyone that loves to either sing or see others try to sing well-known songs. There are even private karaoke booths if you prefer to sing without the audience to judge.

Boleros is Royal Caribbean's latin-themed bar where you will find music, mojitos, and mexcal.

The English-style pub has the widest selection of beers onboard, as well as a guitarist each evening.

After all that singing and drinking, a slice of pizza hits the spot. Sorrento's serves up plenty of it most hours of the day and night for no additional cost.

Speaking of no additional cost, Cafe Promenade is where to go to get a cup of coffee or tea, a sandwich, and maybe a cookie.

There is also shopping to be done on the Royal Promenade, where you can pick up souvenirs and duty-free goods.

You can also book another Royal Caribbean cruise at the NextCruise office, which gets you bonus onboard credit for simply booking something while onboard.

Wonder of the Seas has its own set of robot bartenders at Bionic Bar. Use tablets to order your favorite cocktail, and a robot arm will shake, stir, and serve it.

You will also find one of the main dining room decks on deck 5. The main dining room is a staple of dining on any cruise ship, and it serves up meals for breakfast and dinner every day (plus lunches on sea days).

Location: Deck 4

Whether you are looking for a show, drink, or performance, the Entertainment Place neighborhood is the spot for you.

At the front of the ship is the Royal Theater, home to nightly live entertainment, including shows, comedians, and performers.

Royal Caribbean has not revealed which shows specifically will be performed on Wonder of the Seas yet, but Studio B is at the heart of the space. Studio B is an ice skating rink that hosts regular performances (as well as open skate sessions for guests). It can also be used for aglow-in-the-dark laser tag game.

The Attic is where to go to see comedy shows.

Diamond, Diamond Plus, and Pinnacle Club members in the Crown and Anchor Society have a dedicated lounge to enjoy drinks,hors d'oeuvres, and meet other guests.

The Golden Room is listed on the deck plan for this area, although it remains to be seen what this space will be, or if it will be replaced by something else. Since Wonder of the Seas was originally designed for the Chinese cruise market, extra casino space was allocated. On other Oasis Class ships, this space is a jazz music lounge.

Speaking of gambling, Casino Royale is also found in the Entertainment Place neighborhood. All of your favorite casino games can be found here to try your luck at.

Royal Caribbean's Japanese cuisine restaurant, Izumi, is also found on deck 4. Maki, nigiri, and hand rolls are all available here, in addition to the crowd-pleasing hibachi tables.

Location: Deck 14

Wonder of the Seas has a lot of great programming for kids and teens to enjoy, and Royal Caribbean will roll out its latest iteration of Adventure Ocean.

Adventure Ocean covers kids as young as 6 months old, and through their teenage years.

There will benewly designed, dedicated kids and teens spaces at Adventure Ocean, Social100 and The Patio.

The age groups each have a dedicated space: Royal Babies and Tots, ages six months to two years; Aquanauts, ages 3 to 5; Explorers, ages 6 to 8; and Voyagers, ages 9 to 11.

Royal Babies and Royal Tots is the cruise lines fully-staffed nursery.

Location: Deck 5 & 6

If you are looking to relax and indulge at the same time, the Vitality Spa is the spot for you.

The Vitality Spa includes a Thermal Suite, featuring heated ceramic loungers, saunas and steam rooms; more than 50 facial and body services in various treatment rooms, including the Thai Herbal Poultice Massage, acupuncture and medi-spa services.

In addition, the space offers a beauty salon and barber shop for hairstyling, hair treatments, manicures, pedicures, a clean share and more.

For those that want to get in shape during their cruise, the Vitality Fitness Centeroffers a wide selection of exercise machines, including the latest cardio and resistance equipment.

Location: Deck 17 & 18

Wonder of the Seas will be the first Oasis Class cruise ship to feature an eighth neighborhood, dedicated exclusively to suite guests.

What makes the Suite Class neighborhood different?Royal Suite Class guests will have their own plunge pool, bar and plenty of loungers and nooks.

There will also be suite favorites including the suites-only restaurant Coastal Kitchen, and the Suite Lounge.

Wonder of the Seas will also have the biggest Ultimate Family Suite yet for a family of 10.

Go here to see the original:

Wonder of the Seas neighborhoods tour - Royal Caribbean Blog

There are few places in the world where the greatest hazard on the roads is presented by copulating tortoises. But on the island of Mustique, during the hot and humid days of summer, they are such a feature that the publishing magnate and island regular, Felix Dennis, erected a giant statue of a couple mid-coitus on the islands main crossroads.

On my most recent trip , swerving to avoid one of these proliferating amphibians, I nearly wiped out the head of conservation, coming round a blind corner in the opposite direction. An appreciation of the ironic is important here, as are the supersized bonking tortoises, who provide a landmark since signposts are considered an invasion of privacy. They are also a fitting testament to the eccentric nature of Mustique itself.

Leased from the St Vincent government half a century ago (recently renewed for another 50 years), here you will find rock stars turned wildlife campaigners housing orphaned possums in their beachside sheds; world-renowned artists teaching a Sunday painting class; members of the Gates family dancing barefoot to calypso; and not a single request for a selfie when Mick Jagger and Tommy Hilfiger turn up for a drink at the stylish weekly Cotton House cocktails.

Its a community ripe for satire but which also summons respect for its continued adherence to the founding values of former owner Colin Tennant, 3rd Baron Glenconner, as an exclusive oasis where discretion and privacy are the most valuable commodities. Once you set foot on its hallowed ground, the welcome is warm and irresistible. But be warned, although there are few rules here, they are generally only visible once you have broken them!

Writing about Mustique is a risky business, as you never know who you might offend. Like the omnipresent tortoises brought here decades ago as pets, the homeowners, too, are imports and run the gamut from oligarchs to old money, celebrity to aristocracy.

In a world of social media, Mustiques continued secrecy is quite an achievement but like any small community, gossip is what fuels any stay. Youll find liberal servings at the Cotton House, where homeowners and hotel guests mingle over pre-lunch rum punch, an island fuel that also has anecdote-erasing properties.

These days, conservation and a significant charitable trust, which raised over 4million in a matter of days to provide urgent relief to the victims of the recent St Vincent volcanic eruption, have become priorities.

Indeed, the aforementioned head of conservation, a Trinidadian called Nakita, has done sterling work regenerating coral reefs, with 90 per cent of the coral returned to the sea on vast trees made of metal bars, and now flourishing.

Follow me below on a day in the life of this eccentric Caribbean idyll...

Despite the stream of globally renowned stars and billionaires that pass through Basils Bar, the iconic waterside wooden bar (and the islands most famous venue) sitting on stilts over the turquoise waters of the harbour is a flat shoes and beachcover-up environment. I once made the mistake of overpacking, but now have given in to the daily uniform of a cotton dress and flip-flops. And while the original stardust continues with the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, along with the likes of Bono and, erm, Jeremy Clarkson all beneficiaries of the islands Chatham House-styled charms most returnees do so because there are few places on Earth where they barely raise a glance.

Original post:

The insider guide to the most secret Caribbean island of them all - Telegraph.co.uk