Category Archives: Caribbean

In countries such as the UK and the US, Black and Brown people continue to be underserved by education systems and are more likely to leave school early without adequate qualifications for higher education or well-paid employment. This phenomenon is often linked to the White dominated environment in which they live. S. Joel Warrican draws a parallel between the plight of minority groups in these larger countries and in the Caribbean. He suggests that though they are in the majority in the Caribbean, Black and Brown people are still affected by the legacy of the regions White colonial past, where deeply entrenched education structures are maintained, even in the face of evidence of their harmful effects on todays students.

There is a crisis in the education systems in the Caribbean, and like elsewhere, certain groups in society are harder hit than others. In places such as the UK and the US, where Whites are the dominant group, Black and Brown children and youth are most likely to be the ones negatively affected by injustices in education systems. In 2017, a UK study reported that Black Caribbean students were performing below the national average. The report also presented a list of 24 factors that contribute to the low achievement of Black Caribbean students there, including (1) Headteachers poor leadership on equality issues, (2) Institutional racism, (3) Stereotyping, (4) Teachers low expectations, (5) Curriculum relevance and barriers, and (6) Lack of targeted support. The argument is that these students may not be achieving at the low level because of a lack of ability, but rather because of factors linked to inequities in the school system.

The story appears to be somewhat similar in the US. Evidence from a 2015 study suggests that Black students, including those with Caribbean connections, in US schools achieve at a much lower level than their White counterparts, especially in schools with a high density of Black students. This is apparently true even though the perception is that in recent years, achievement among Black students has been rising, but it is still lower than that of White students. One report suggested that in some states, the gap in achievement is not because the White students are performing at a particularly high level (their achievement is generally at the national average), but because Black students achievement is particularly low. A suggested explanation for this is that national achievement tests do not take into account cultural and linguistic backgrounds of Black youth in the US.

In the Caribbean, we are also aware of the possible negative fallout from assessment practices. Here, where the population is predominantly Black and Brown, unlike in the UK and the US, the negative impact is not always easily linked to race, but more to social class. Students from a working-class background are more likely to be disadvantaged and to achieve at a much lower level than those from more privileged backgrounds. Consider the following.

In the Commonwealth Caribbean (former British colonies), students in primary/elementary schools usually cap off this stage of education with an exit examination (known by names such as common entrance, 11-plus, and primary exit assessment). The results of these assessments are used for entry to secondary school, with the students with the highest scores being assigned to the most prestigious schools (those with British grammar-school-like histories). Year after year, these assessments come under scrutiny and criticism. Unsatisfactory results in student achievement often lead to calls to abandon this form of assessment, as it is recognised that generally, it is students from working-class homes who perform poorly on these examinations. In addition, these students are also, based on their results, assigned to the less prestigious, under-resourced secondary schools, continuing their trajectory of failure.

The outlook is even more grim among students exiting secondary level education. In the region, these students write Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations administered by the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC). The CARICOM Human Resource Development 2030 Strategy observes that the CSEC examination which serves the regions top academic students well, does not address the needs of the majority of students in the system. The report went on to state that:

only about 30 percent of the eligible age cohort is permitted to write CSEC examinations annually, and of that group, only 25 percent achieve five passes or more including Mathematics and English Language, while 25 percent obtain no passes in subjects. Passes in Mathematics and English Language are compulsory for entry into most tertiary education programmes. However, only very small percentages of students pursue many of the CSEC technical subjects such as Information Technology and the sciences that could lead to better employment opportunities upon graduation(p. 29).

It will come as no surprise to learn that the majority of the students who are not allowed to write these examinations or who perform poorly, are from working-class backgrounds. While many reasons are given for this poor showing (for example, poor cognitive ability, lack of interest in education, laziness, absence of parental guidance and interest), I believe that there is something else that is being overlooked or minimised. To me, what is not being given sufficient attention is the unjust, marginalising and debilitating systems of education that oppress and depress students whose language, culture, and values do not reflect those of the dominant White, male, middle-class ideals of modern education.

You may be wondering at this point why, in the Caribbean where we have already acknowledged the prevalence of Black and Brown populations, I am making reference to an education system that is White dominated. The answer is in a well-known Commonwealth Caribbean fact: the legacy of colonialism. The systems of education which prevails in the English-speaking Caribbean are firmly grounded in foundations established by the colonisers who set them up to serve their own interests, even in their absence. Linked to these systems is an approach to assessment that maintains a strong bias in favour of students from middle- and upper-class backgrounds; those whose value systems are more closely matched to those of the colonisers. It is noteworthy that this approach to assessment emerged from the work of the renowned (and later, disgraced) British psychologist, Cyril Burt, whose work was used by some to attempt to prove that Black and Brown people are intellectually inferior to Whites.

Despite the growing evidence of the harmful effects of assessment practices that do not take into account the background and needs of the students, education authorities across the region seem extremely reluctant to let them go, and a strong examination culture persists across the Commonwealth Caribbean. The argument that these high-stakes examinations are the fairest way of objectively assessing students continues to be put forward, and the injustice of a system that dehumanises and disempowers large proportions of the regions youth seems to be overlooked. Indeed, the actions of regional education authorities are similar to those displayed in countries with a dominant White culture, where moral licensing is evident. Moral licensing is a phenomenon where, having done a good deed, persons believe that this can counteract other less noble deeds. This seems apt in the Caribbean context.

Rather than seeking to dismantle education systems that disadvantage so many students in the region, education authorities introduce superficial good deeds that they indicate are designed to improve the educational lot of the many marginalised students. They provide enough places in secondary schools; they fiddle with the curriculum to introduce new content; they provide tablets for those who do not have them; they sponsor teachers to access professional development. All good deeds. But they do nothing about the underlying system that forces teachers to teach to the examinations, nor do anything to implement alternative approaches to assessment that do not depend on high stakes one-shot examinations. They seem to surmise that, with all the provisions that they are making, if students do not succeed, it must be because they and their parents are not making good use of the resources. Injustice? What injustice?

So, when we think of injustice for Black students in white-dominated countries such as UK and the US, we may think that Black and Brown students in the Caribbean would fare better in a context in which they are the majority. Unfortunately, there is no haven here for them.

Please read our comments policy before commenting.

Note: This article gives the views of the author, and not the position of USAPP American Politics and Policy, nor the London School of Economics.

Shortened URL for this post:https://bit.ly/3A7YiD8

S. Joel Warrican The University of the West Indies Cave Hill Campus, BarbadosS. Joel Warrican is a Professor of Education (Language, Literacy and Cross-Linguistic Studies). His research focus is on comparative education, multiculturalism and multilingualism, colonialism and education change. His research has appeared in journals such as Journal of Education for Teaching: International Research and Pedagogy, Teachers College Record, Teaching and Teacher Education, Reading Psychology, Journal of Curriculum Studies, and The High School Journal. He has authored several books including The Complete Caribbean Teacher: Literacy.

Read this article:

Students of color in the Caribbean share the same plight as counterparts in white dominated countries. - USAPP American Politics and Policy (blog)

Cruising is back sort of. As cruise lines around the world take their first unsteady steps toward a return to post-pandemic normalcy, the relaunch of a newly refurbished Windstar ship seems to exemplify the complexities of cruising in this moment.

Windstar's Star Breeze, a 300-passenger ship that's just emerged from a dramatic makeover that involved splitting it in half and adding a new section,returned to service for the first time post-pandemic on Saturday. She is outfitted with 50 additional cabins and sleek new restaurants elements that would be big news in the cruise world, and cause for celebration without the backdrop of a global pandemic.

The Caribbean, however, wasn't exactly ready to welcome the ship back. The problem? While all passengers were vaccinated a cruise line requirement some of its crew, which have been with the ship since its dry dock makeover in Sicily, were not.

This led three of the four Caribbean destinations on the ship's four-country inaugural itinerary St-Barthlemy, Anguilla and the British Virgin Islands to deny entry to the Star Breeze. SintMaarten, the fourth, allowed the ship to sail from its port in Philipsburg on June 19, and return there after the cruise is complete on June 26.

The islands' stances are understandable. Some of the first ships to set sail since the beginning of the pandemic immediately found COVID-19 cases onboard including a high-profile incident on the Celebrity Millennium, one of the first megaships to re-enter service on June 6. In that case, two passengers tested positive, even though all guests over 16 were required to have the COVID-19 vaccine. Given that vaccines don't provide 100% protection against COVID-19, some cases like this were inevitable on cruise ships and everywhere else.

But in a region where just a few COVID-19 cases can quickly overwhelm hospitals, and where vaccines have been less readily available than in the United States, some Caribbean islands weren't taking any chances. To use one cruise destination as an example, 26% of people in the British Virgin Islands are currently fully vaccinated against COVID-19, compared with 45% of Americans, according to the New York Times. The archipelago's 30,000 residents are served by a single hospital, which is equipped with eight ventilators.

Here, and in many other Caribbean destinations, there are risks that go along with allowing even vaccinated cruise ship passengers to visit. These seem especially significant when you consider that some Caribbean island ports, pre-pandemic, would see up to a dozen cruise ships each day, some carrying up to 5,400 guests.

Onboard the Windstar Star Breeze, about 80 guests including more than 20 journalists covering the relaunch set sail from Philipsburg, SintMaarten without knowing where they were, or if, they would be able to go ashore.

They knew in advance that the trip would face at least some disruption: the line called all guests prior to the sailing and informed them that the planned itinerary would likely not be possible. As a result, Windstar offered the sailing to guests for free, and allowed them to use the dollars they'd spent on the Star Breeze's inaugural voyage on a future cruise.

Most guests, with no money to lose, and when presented with the opportunity to see a mostly-new ship on its first voyage, decided to attend anyway.

"The majority of the guests said, 'OK, we're coming,' said Windstar president Christopher Prelog, who was onboard the ship for the Star Breeze inaugural sailing. "And it was a pretty good success. And that was the objective," he said.

Two days into the Star Breeze's seven-day Caribbean itinerary, which was supposed to have included trips to the blue waters of the Baths on Virgin Gorda, and high-end shopping Gustavia, St-Barthlemy, the itinerary still appeared to be in flux. The captain's announcements indicated that the line's staff was still trying to find a place for the ship to go into port, but wasn't having much luck.

The problem? A patchwork of local and regional guidelines that are interpreted and implemented differently by each country.

"There are islands that are closed," said Prelog, describing the situation that has impacted the Star Breeze's inaugural sailing. "Whether you're vaccinated or not, Anguilla is closed. There are other islands that are about to open up, but are still closed. St. Barths is one of them. "

With St. Barth's giving mixed signals, the Star Breeze circled at sea for a few days before returning to Sint Maarten, where guests were allowed to go ashore for excursions but only if they followed distancing and mask-wearing guidelines.

All guests on the Star Breeze and on all of Windstar's ships are required to show proof of vaccination to board. Additionally, a nasal swab rapid COVID-19 test is administered by the cruise line to each guest on the pier immediately before boarding. Once guests board the ship, they are unable to leave unless they're part of a cruise-line-sanctioned shore excursion that maintains this tenuous vaccination 'bubble.'That means that people who like to explore independently in port on Windstar and on other lines won't have the option to do so for the time being. It's unclear how long these kinds of protocols will be in place on Windstar and across the industry, and will depend on a the same patchwork of varying local requirements that have impacted the itinerary itself.

The mood onboard, however, remained positive.

"The ship has been wonderful," said Star Breeze passenger Cindy Waldrop of Savannah, Georgia. "The itinerary change has not been that big of a deal. I just enjoy the chance to get away and cruise again."

Cindy and her husband Lou who typically sail on Holland America decided to book the Star Breeze inaugural at least partly because it was one of the first ships back at sea after an unprecedented industry pause caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. When Windstar called two days ahead of sailing to inform them of the itinerary disruption, they didn't consider canceling, and have been pleased with their experience despite the change.

"They've gone out of their way to make me feel content and happy," said Cindy Waldrop.

Windstar has already made plans to remedy the issue that ultimately hobbled the Star Breeze inaugural its partially unvaccinated crew members.

Prelog said that, following the inaugural voyage, the ship will be sailing to Puerto Rico on June 28, where the line has secured enough vaccines to cover the remaining unvaccinated members of its crew. They'll be given the Johnson & Johnson shot a more convenient option than the two-dose vaccineswhen your home is a cruise ship that's in a different place every day. "I understand that the islands need to get their populations vaccinated first. So we had to wait," said Prelog.

The line has canceled two itineraries, on June 26 and July 3, to accommodate the vaccination effort. Sailings will resume on July 10. Guests who booked the canceled itineraries will be given vouchers worth 125% of their original booking or a full refund.

Still, even with a vaccinated crew, that doesn't guarantee that future sailings will go fully uninterrupted. With COVID-19 still impacting the globe, cruising like all travel is still a long way from normal.

Laura Motta traveled on Windstar's Star Breeze by invitation.

See more here:

As cruising restarts in the Caribbean, the pandemic ensures it's not all smooth sailing - Lonely Planet Travel News

The View from EuropeDavid Jessop

Can the Caribbean avoid being caught up in the accelerating east-west struggle for global influence? Is the region likely to find itself in a bidding war, dancing to the rhythm of dollar diplomacy, as Jamaicas former Prime Minister, Bruce Golding, has suggested?

Reading the communiqu from the recently held G7 summit, it is hard to avoid the conclusion that the consensus arrived at by wealthy western nations on relations with China and Russia, the promotion of shared values, and investment in post pandemic economic recovery, will not be used to attempt to seduce the region.

Although the meeting held in Englands far Southwest touched on multiple issues, it is the future approach agreed towards China and its Belt and Road Initiative, and on corporate taxation which will likely become the most complex future issues that Caribbean governments must now respond to.

Despite differences between the US and EU about the detail, there was, according to US officials, a common recognition of the threat China posed.

In the final communiqu and at subsequent press conferences, it was made clear by President Biden and others that the G7 intend trying to counter Chinas growing global influence. Their objective is to offset its economic rise by offering developing nations an alternative infrastructure plan. This is intended to rival Beijings 2013 Belt and Road infrastructure and trade Initiative in which Jamaica, Trinidad, the Dominican Republic, Cuba, and many other nations are already participating.

The plan, President Biden said, is to create a values-driven, high-standard, transparent financing mechanism that will provide and support projects in four key areas: climate, health, digital technology, and gender equity.

Reflecting this, the communiqu makes clear that the G7 will continue to consult with its international partners on what it describes as competition in the global economy and collective approaches to challenging non-market policies and practices. The document links such new initiatives to spelt out concerns about respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms.

The approach is a belated recognition that Chinas rise to global economic preeminence is likely, and a fear that its values, system of government, and growing military strength may eclipse the global reach and influence of the US and its G7 partners: Canada, France, Germany, Italy, and Japan, plus the European Union.

Although the details of the G7s proposed Build Back Better World Partnership initiative have yet to be spelt out, it would appear to involve in the first instance the creation of a high level G7 committee to consider according to President Biden, how to meet the more than US$40 trillion needed for infrastructure in the developing world.

The emphasis will be on infrastructure investment in low- and middle-income countries and in Africa. It will also involve other nations in seeking to orient development finance tools to address climate change; health systems and security; digital solutions; and advance gender equality and education. It will involve, the communiqu suggests, strategic partnerships that are market led, involve private sector capital, and support from national and development financing institutions.

After the summit, President Biden chose to place the initiative in the context of a contest not with China per se, but with autocrats, autocratic governments around the world, as to whether or not democracies can compete with them in the rapidly changing 21st century.

The inference is that by placing support in the context of values and competition for influence, the G7s leaders and those attending a subsequent NATO meeting have begun to frame the parameters of a new sort of cold war.

Chinas response has been rapid and unequivocal. As a group composed of developed countries, the G7 should contribute more to helping developing countries accelerate their development rather than drive conflicts and divergences to disrupt the process of global economic recovery, Chinas Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Wang Wenbin, told a press briefing in Beijing. Any attempt to meddle in Chinas internal affairs, undermine Chinas sovereignty, or tarnish Chinas image in disregard of basic norms of international relations is doomed to fail he added.

Writing recently in the Jamaica Observer about a coming cold war, former Prime Minister Golding, recognized the problem the G7s new thinking poses for the Caribbean. He noted that Washington is almost certain to insist on loan, grant and investment conditions designed to discourage recipient countries from engagement with Chinas Belt and Road. Observing the significantly greater leverage the US has in the region, he suggested that the Caribbean needs to start thinking now about how it responds to this new struggle between two economic superpowers with both of which we have comfortably enjoyed such good relations.

At their meeting, the G7 also agreed to continue trying to reach consensus on a global minimum tax of at least 15% on a country-by-country basis through the G20 and OECD, with the objective of reaching agreement this July when G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors meet.

The measure is aimed, the US says, at reversing a 40-year race to the bottom in relation to where tax liability is due. However, the initiative potentially threatens to undercut Caribbean fiscal sovereignty, every economy in a region where countries attract investment through low corporate taxation and tax holidays, and end legitimate business structured through the regions offshore financial centers. In doing so, it raises serious questions about future Caribbean growth, sustainability, job creation and the ability to fund education, health care and social provision, at just the moment the region is struggling to address worsening pandemic related indebtedness.

How quickly any of what the G7 has proposed will materialize, remains to be seen. This is because of the sheer complexity of implementation, its financing, and maintaining unanimity, when a possible return to Trumpist, America first unilateralism in 2025 has begun to be factored into medium term thinking in Europe about China, global trade, and US reliability.

By virtue of its location, smallness and need for development, the Caribbean will continue to struggle to be the mistress of its own destiny unless it can achieve unity of purpose, new thinking, a clear vision, and real-time execution. The coming chill in relations between the West and China will make finding solutions to the problems the region faces more challenging.

These are the themes that this column will now explore as after 26 years of continuous publication it moves from being weekly to monthly.

David Jessop is a consultant to the Caribbean Council and can be contacted atdavid.jessop@caribbean-council.org

Previous columns can be found at https://www.caribbean-council.org/research-analysis/

Visit link:

Difficult choices for the Caribbean - Dominican Today

Late last night, Disney World Guests riding Pirates of the Caribbean witnessed one of the boats derail off track.

Related: Pirates of Caribbean Animatronic Reportedly Topples Over, Attraction Closed

Sams Disney Diary (@samsdisneydiary) took to Instagram to share a handful of photos showing the boat on Pirates of the Caribbean off the track last night:

Pirates of the Caribbean is pretty amazing.. but Pirates DOWN is a sight to see! Check out these photos WE CAPTURED from a boat off the rails this evening at #magickingdom#piratesofthecaribbean #pirates #magickingdom #ridebreakdown #thisjustin #samsdisneydiary #thedisneynerdspodcast

From the looks of the images shared by Sams Disney Diary, it looks like the boat derailed near the last scene of the ride, where Guests see Jack Sparrow sitting surrounded by gold and treasure.

It appears no one was seriously injured. At this time, we do not know what caused the boat to derail, but Inside the Magic will update you as we get information.

Related: Pirates of the Caribbean to Receive Construction Work Soon

Pirates of the Caribbean is considered to be a classic attraction at the Disney Parks. In case you have never had the chance to ride it, the official Disney World website describes this classic attraction as:

Board a weathered barge for a treacherous voyage to the 17th century, when rowdy rogues and ruthless rapscallions ransacked Caribbean seaport towns. Sing along as pirates serenade you with their anthem, Yo Ho, Yo Ho (A Pirates Life for Me).

Sail past haunted Dead Mans Cove. Navigate cannon fire between a Caribbean fort and a striking 12-gun galleon. Behold boisterous buccaneers drunk on the spoils of plunderin as flames engulf a seaside town.

Be sure to keep a spry eye out for Captain Jack Sparrow, fromThe Pirates of the Caribbeanmovies. Ye beware, mateys: Dead men tell no tales!

Related: Disney Fans Explore Hidden Rooms From the Pirates of the Caribbean Attraction

Is Pirates of the Caribbean a must-do for you and your family? Let us know in the comments below.

Continued here:

Pirates of the Caribbean Boat Derails Off Track - Inside the Magic

The West Indies are set to host Pakistan for a white-ball contest for 3 T20Is and 5 ODIs, starting 30 June.

The five-match ODI series will form part of a vital preparation for the two teams as they will face each other in the ICC Womens Cricket World Cup Qualifiers that are due to take place in Sri Lanka in December for one of the three remaining qualifying spots to secure a seat at the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup in New Zealand, 2022.

The West Indies Womens team will play at home after a gap of nineteen months due to the impact of Covid-19. They last played in the Caribbean in a bilateral series against India in November 2019 where they were handed a clinical 5-0 defeat.

The Cricket West Indies Director, Jimmy Adams laid emphasis on the grander scheme of things as the focus now is on the road to the 2022 Cricket World Cup.

This is a very significant home tour for our women and we are delighted that our counterparts at the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) have worked with us to arrange these two series despite all the challenges we face with COVID-19. West Indies continues to invest in our international Womens program by hosting extended High-Performance camps between tours, two of which have already been held this year, said Adams.

The series is also an important part of our preparation for the ICC Womens Cricket World Cup Qualifiers in December. Our goal post this Pakistan series, is to have our squad play against more international opposition and take part in our Regional Tournament before heading to the Qualifiers in Sri Lanka at the end of the year, added Adams.

Fixtures

T20I Series:

June 30: Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, North Sound

July 02: Coolidge Cricket Ground, Coolidge

July 04: Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, North Sound

ODI Series:

July 07: Coolidge Cricket Ground, Coolidge

July 09: Coolidge Cricket Ground, Coolidge

July 12: Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, North Sound

July 15: Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, North Sound

July 18: Coolidge Cricket Ground, Coolidge

Read the original:

Women's Cricket returns to the Caribbean as Pakistan tour of West Indies announced - International Cricket Council

Here is some reaction to the changes to the UKs green list from our transport correspondent, Gwyn Topham.

The Balearic islands accounted for more than 8% of UK flights to EU countries in the last pre-Covid summer of 2019, when almost 1,000 flights a week would depart from the UK, according to data from analysts Cirium.

Next week just 214 are scheduled to fly from the UK to the islands, mainly from Jet 2 and Ryanair, with 32 to Malta and 19 to Madeira, although the number of flights is expected to rise rapidly. EasyJet said it would be adding more services to the Balearics to meet an anticipated surge in demand.

Virgin Atlantic welcomed the addition of Caribbean destinations to the green list but said the announcement did not go far enough. Shai Weiss, chief executive, said: The governments own evidence shows that the US is low risk and should be added to the green list now. Whilst the transatlantic corridor is closed, 23m in economic value each day is restricted.

He called for quarantine to be removed for fully vaccinated passengers from amber countries in time for the domestic reopening on 19 July.

The Business Travel Association described the updated green list as bitterly disappointing, saying the lack of major economies on the list was cutting off British business. The Unite union said that the small changes showed that the system was not fit for purpose, and reiterated calls for help for the beleaguered travel and aviation sector.

A spokesman said: Asking an entire industry to hold its breath every three weeks to see where countries will be placed on the traffic light system prevents sensible planning decisions being made.

The Airport Operators Association said any extension of the green list was welcome, but this is not yet the meaningful restart the aviation industry needs to be able to recover from the pandemic.

The chair of the transport select committee, Huw Merriman, who had slammed the shambolic traffic light system earlier this week, said the changes were a move in the right direction but that travel to the more than 150 countries on the amber list was still unnecessarily difficult.

He said the government should admit going abroad is safe for those who have had both jabs in time for the start of the July summer holidays.

The rest is here:

UK removes quarantine requirement for arrivals from Balearics, Malta and some Caribbean islands as it happened - The Guardian

(4 p.m. EDT) -- The newly stretched all-suite 312-passenger Star Breeze left St. Maarten on Saturday, June 19 on its inaugural sailing with 80 fully

vaccinated guests, but it was not quite the brave new post-pandemic cruise world that Windstar had hoped.

The original idea was a bubble cruise, visiting the British Virgin Islands, where Windstar passengers could do such shore excursions as visiting "The Rocks" caves, hanging out on beaches, driving their own Zodiac and attending a ship-sponsored beach BBQ, no independent touring allowed. St. Barths and Anguilla were both on the itinerary too.

But with few vaccinated among the 177 crew onboard, plans changed. Everyone has been wearing masks except when eating and drinking, at the spa or gym -- or away from others on deck. We sailed south passing Monserrat and St. Kitts and Nevis. Then it was back to St. Maarten.

Most of our views have come from being anchored in Simpson Bay, near the airport, with nowhere to go.

With some of these startup post-pandemic cruises, there are hiccups and unknowns.

In this case, the crew -- unable to get vaccines in Indonesia, the Philippines, eastern Europe and other home countries -- arrived at the Palermo shipyard, where the Star Breeze was overhauled, without having been vaccinated. Ten other crew arrived in St. Maarten with the same issue, including the Slovenian hotel director.

Windstar was not able to secure shots in Italy, nor in St. Maarten. It was a perfect storm of "no" from authorities says Chris Prelog, the line's president.

Islands turned the ship away. The B.V.I. and Anguilla said no. St. Barths, which has not welcomed a cruise ship since the pandemic, waffled back and forth.

On Monday, two days into the voyage, the cruise line confirmed it was able to secure Johnson & Johnson vaccines for crew in San Juan, where Star Breeze will head next week without passengers Windstar has cancelled the next two sailings and plans to resume service on Star Breeze from St. Maarten on July 10. Guests on the cancelled sailings will receive a refund or a 125 percent future cruise credit.

Prior to the current sailing, Windstar contacted the 90-something guests booked (including a media group) to warn that this sailing might not follow the lines printed itinerary. Passengers who agreed to to fly to St. Maarten anyway were offered a free cruise. Less than a dozen guests demurred.

Still, onboard this week, the guests on their free sailing expressed surprise in learning that fewer than 20 percent of the crew had received vaccines and that no port calls had been secured.

David Hakimian, 58, an oncologist from the Chicago area, was looking forward to beach time. I just wanted to get away and relax, he said. I am a physician and have been working through the whole pandemic. I figured it was safe to be on a cruise deck.

He added he was stunned to get onboard and learn the majority of crew had not been vaccinated. Though with the safety protocols in place, he was not concerned.

Go with the flow turned into frustration. There were audible groans every time the Captain announced that it was unclear whether St. Barths would allow us ashore. On Tuesday afternoon, the announcement was that the ship would just keep hanging out around St. Maarten, with plans to dock in Philipsburg on both Wednesday and Thursday night.

There, passengers will have the opportunity to book shore excursions to do the Flying Dutchman zipline or a rum tasting or catamaran and snorkel tour and at least get off the ship. No independent touring is allowed though you can book a private car with guide for $525.

Its a beautiful place to be on vacation no matter where we are going but it would be nice to land somewhere, said Anna Gillon, 61, from Atlanta, before the docking announcementt. She added that she and her husband, David, did at least have a new experience on the ship acupuncture at the spa.

The ships watersports platform was open for a second day on Tuesday, so those looking to swim (the water has been too rough for paddle boarding and kayaking) can at least dip in the sea and lounge on floating mats, planes from St. Maarten's famed airport flying overhead.

Prelog said the original itineraries including the B.V.I., Anguilla and St. Barths should be in place once the crew is 100 percent vaccinated. The last weekly sailing in the region embarks on July 31.

Windstars health protocols for all their ship startups Wind Star also returned to sea in Greece last weekend and Wind Spirit will cruise in Tahiti beginning on July 15, with both of these ships fully vaxxed involve all crew and guests wearing masks and serious social distancing, for the foreseeable future.

Tables for four are blocked off for three making it difficult to dine with another couple unless you can find a table for six, on a ship where anytime, open-seating dining is a highlight. Guests had to remember to put on a mask every time they left their cabins.

Luggage is sanitized on the outside before coming onboard. Suite amenities now include a packet of masks and the guest services and shore excursion crew now sit behind a glass barrier.

The crew is great at service, smiling with their eyes at least, and remembering everyones favorite drinks and how they like their eggs at breakfast. But without vaccines, there have been odd moments such as where they back away from guests who get too close.

Onboard, theres at times that awful suspicious feeling weve all gotten when someone sneezes or coughs highlighted because we know most people onboard are not vaccinated.

To make sure there is no COVID-19 brought onboard, all guests received a nasal swab antigen test before boarding, and there was another test Tuesday so that we can get cleared to tour in St. Maarten later in the week. A third test will be administered before we disembark. Crew was tested before the cruise and are also being tested this week.

All this begs the question, why did Star Breeze set sail this week in the first place?

The ship has been ready to sail since October 2020, following a renovation that included cutting the ship in half and adding a new 84-foot midsection. Fifty new suites were added, the deck completely redone with a stunning new raised pool accessible from two decks added. Excellent new dining venues such as Quadro 44 by Anthony Sasso were ready to go.

With its sleek reimagined hull, the ship was ready to make its debut.

We thought about canceling but we wanted to show off the ship, said Prelog. I am joyful, excited, really proud of what the team has been able to achieve.

But the need to cruise goes deeper than that. Crew, many of whom have been bubbled on the Star Breeze for two months, without any shore leave, and all of whom have not seen guests for more than a year, were ready to get back to business.

Hotel director Milton Ceklic said it all in kicking off Windstars signature on-deck BBQ. I have been waiting two years to do this! he exclaimed.

After filling up on grilled lobsters and steaks at the BBQ, guests danced late into the evening around the newly expanded deck, while a live band played popular 1970s and 1980s dance tunes.

Anna, traveling with her husband, David, was delighted with the casual and nice atmosphere and the Star Breeze redo. The interior design of the suites is gorgeous, she said, noting she especially appreciated the added French balconies. I love the scale of the ship, and the overall ambience.

See the original post here:

Live From Windstar Star Breeze: A Cruise to Nowhere in the Caribbean - Cruise Critic

As Cayman is waiting a few more weeks for the release of its border reopening plan, other travel-dependent islands are moving at different speeds to restart their tourism industries.

Last week, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention lowered the COVID travel advisory risk classifications of several Caribbean countries to Level 1 the lowest risk rating.

The CDC still recommends that travellers are fully vaccinated if they travel to any of these locations, including Anguilla, Antigua, the British Virgin Islands, Grenada, St. Barts, Saint Kitts and Nevis or the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Montserrat and Cayman are also considered low risk on the CDC scale, but their borders are not yet open to tourists.

Barbados and Bermuda are classed as Level 2 (moderate risk) and the Bahamas is at Level 3 (high risk) meaning that unvaccinated travellers should avoid non-essential travel to these destinations.

Given that the majority of Caribbean islands are believed to represent moderate or high COVID-related risks, the entry requirements vary widely. Even the low-risk destinations follow different approaches in their travel restrictions.

St. Kitts and Nevis, for instance, only allows vaccinated travellers. Any tourists who enter the country have to stay in one of seven approved hotels for nine days when they are tested for COVID-19. Only then are they allowed to move freely, rent a car or participate in tours. Families with children have to stay in their accommodation for 14 days.

Anguilla, on the other hand, will not allow any unvaccinated travellers after 1 July, but has no quarantine requirements.

St. Barts was the only other Caribbean destination that required visitors to be fully vaccinated but changed its regulations on 21 June. Unvaccinated travellers now have to self-isolate for seven days. Self-isolation means that tourists are not allowed to visit restaurants and shops but can go to the beach wearing a mask.

Martinique, Guadeloupe and the British Virgin Islands mandate a seven-day quarantine for unvaccinated visitors only. Other destinations such as Barbados, Grenada and Dominica have shorter quarantine periods for vaccinated travellers than for unvaccinated ones.

Bermuda, which some in Caymans tourism industry have held up as an example for a travel destination that successfully opened its borders during the pandemic, recently changed its very open approach that included regular testing but no quarantine.

After a wave of 2,000 COVID cases that resulted in 19 deaths in a matter of six weeks in April and May, Bermuda now has a 14-day quarantine for unvaccinated visitors, while vaccinated travellers must to submit to the old regime of regular tests on days 4, 8 and 14.

Almost all Caribbean countries require PCR tests within certain timeframes prior to arrival, irrespective of the vaccination status.

In the Bahamas, the BVI and Puerto Rico, only unvaccinated travellers have to submit negative test results before they depart, whereas the island of Saba limits PCR tests to travellers from high-risk countries.

The Dominican Republic does not require prior test results unless visitors come from Brazil, South Africa or India. Instead, tourists are subjected to a body temperature check at arrival and a random number of travellers between 3% and 15% must take a breathalyser test, which authorities say is designed to indicate a recent infection from the virus. Arrivals who test positive must go into quarantine, where they are regularly tested.

All Caribbean destinations have some form of pre-registration and travel authorisation process prior to departure.

The BVI and Turks and Caicos demand, as part of this, proof of medical insurance that covers COVID. To visit Aruba or the Bahamas, visitors must buy the locally-offered travel or health insurance before departure.

Few destinations in the Caribbean have outlined plans for the further easing of restrictions based on vaccination rate targets.

In Cayman, Premier Wayne Panton indicated that opening plans will almost certainly be tied to most of the population being fully vaccinated. Panton last week stated a herd immunity target of 80% but said the number may be slightly lower than that depending on the medical advice that government receives.

Based on new population estimates, currently 67% of Cayman residents have had one vaccine shot and 60% are fully vaccinated.

If we look further afield to Hawaii, the US state is one comparable example for a group of islands that introduced a tier system based on vaccination targets that will ultimately lead to the lifting of COVID restrictions.

Hawaii is a popular destination for US travellers, which is also the main source market for the Caribbean, including Cayman.

Until recently, travel to the islands was not only restricted from other US states but also between the islands themselves.

The Safe Travel programme that screens arriving travellers began last October but many counties in the state opted for more rigorous restrictions with quarantine or more testing in addition to a pre-arrival test.

On 1 June, all tests on arrival were abolished and, on 15 June, all restrictions on interisland travel were lifted.

Once the vaccination rate reaches 60%, out-of-state arrivals who have been fully vaccinated will no longer need to submit a COVID-19 test before flying to the islands.

At a 70% vaccination rate, Hawaiis Safe Travel programme will end with no more testing or vaccination requirements for travellers.

Currently, more than 55% of Hawaiians is fully vaccinated.

Support local journalism. Subscribe to the all-access pass for the Cayman Compass.

Subscribe now

See the article here:

Reopening the Caribbean - Cayman Compass

The tourist season shows signs of recovery, still far from the pre-pandemic figures, but with a rising level. This is how the main association of travel agencies in Spain, Acave, values the opening of the summer, which this past week has valued the start of a crucial campaign for the travel industry.

According to their data, Spanish travel reservations for this next season have increased by more than 10% compared to the same period in 2020, although they still remain more than 50% below those of the summer before the pandemic.

TIP: Getupdateson upcomingCosta RicanRetreats & Events byjoining our newsletter. Don't miss out onwhat's happening around you!Click here.

Although the advance in vaccination and the European passport encourage long-distance destinations more than expected, the survey carried out each year by ACAVe among its more than 450 associated travel agencies shows that national and European destinations will continue to be the most requested also this summer , they point out. Acave highlights that the closure to tourism of some destinations and the restrictions of many countries, such as the United Kingdom, continue to be the main limitations for the reactivation.

The data confirm that this year Spanish travelers will maintain this trend and last minute bookings will continue to be recorded throughout the summer. According to the Acave survey, approximately 81% of reservations for this summer will enter less than or equal to 1 month before the trip. In fact, it is estimated that reservations in the last minute category (less than 2 weeks in advance) will account for 37% of the total. The agencies consulted attribute the lack of advance notice to the fear of travelers of possible changes in regulations or the risk of a change in the circumstances of the pandemic, as happened last summer.

All in all, Sarrate has insisted on his thesis that the full recovery of the sector is still far off, and that, despite the fact that vaccination is progressing at a good pace, it may still take between two and a half and four years to reach pre-pandemic levels. , has commented. In this sense, Sarrate has been confident that the veto on Russian tourists will be lifted, validating the Russian Sputnik vaccine, that the United Kingdom will green Spain as a safe health market, that tourism with the United States will be reactivated, that there will be a cruise tourism rebound and that Imserso trips also recover to give life to the sector in the low season.

We have a long season ahead of us. July, August and September have always been very good, added Serrate, who has also asked the Government and social agents to extend the ERTE until December 31 to help travel agencies. As for international travel, the Spanish who will embark on this type of trip this summer will choose destinations such as the Maldives, Costa Rica and the Caribbean, giving priority to those countries that facilitate the entry of tourists without quarantines and with very clear health requirements, such as vaccination certificates or negative PCR.

Both Sarrate and the manager of Acave, Catiana Tur, have highlighted the concern of travel agencies about the massive return of travel vouchers that these companies, the majority of SMEs, face. The two leaders have insisted that travel providers, mainly airlines, are preventing the return of trips canceled by the pandemic. Airlines such as Ryanair, Air Europa or Aero Mxico, among others, still owe 150 million euros to the agencies for flights abolished by the anti-covid restrictions. An amount that consumers can now claim and those travel agencies have to assume in the first instance.

LIKE THIS ARTICLE?Sign up to our newsletter and we will send you updates of our latest content as soon as they are available.Click here.

View original post here:

Costa Rica and the Caribbean, Among the International Destinations Preferred by Spaniards this summer - The Costa Rica News

One of the worst things about visiting Disney World, Disneyland, or any Disney Park is that at some point, you will have to leave!

Dealing with the Disney blues is something almost all Disney fans have to face, but there are ways to kick that sadness out and turn it into magical reminders of happiness. From adding Disney decor to your home to watching Disney attraction videos on YouTube, there are many options available for fans to be reminded of the magic.

Now, there is a new video game that may not only help with the Disney blues but will allow fans to dive deeper into an attraction that Walt Disney himself created. Sea of Thieves: A Pirates Life was just released as a collaboration with Disney, and the video game follows Jack Sparrows adventures that we have seen in the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction.

Although the video game takes inspiration from the films, it seems that the aesthetic and setting are very much based on the Disneyland version of the attraction. Players will not only feel like they are in the ride while playing, but they will be able to explore rooms and show scenes that, typically, a Guest would only get to watch from their boat!

Disney Parks Blog noted:

If you think that riding the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction immerses you into Jack Sparrows treacherous world plagued by scoundrels, this game will take that immersion to a whole new level. It showcases several iconic scenes from the original 1967 Pirates of the Caribbean attraction in Disneyland park, like the Treasure Room, the Ship Battle, and my personal favorite the Jail Scene featuring the dog holding the keys to freedom. Pirates fans can adventure and explore through these well-known scenes brought to life in the game in beautiful detail and truly authentic to the classic attraction. The exciting new gameplay experience casts YOU, the players, as the main characters within this adventurous world!

Many Disney fans would love to explore all of the different details on the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction, and it seems that this video game is a pretty close second to actually being able to do it in real life!

Disney Parks (@disneyparks) TikTok made a video that shows a side-by-side comparison of the video game and the attraction, and some scenes look identical to the ride.

You can explore iconic scenes from #PiratesOfTheCaribbean in Sea of Thieves: A Pirates Life

You can explore iconic scenes from #PiratesOfTheCaribbean in Sea of Thieves: A Pirates Life #Disney #DisneyParks #GamerTikTok #SummerOfGaming

original sound Disney Parks

As someone who played VMK (Virtual Magic Kingdom) in its heyday, I can say that Disney fans definitely need more theme park-based video games, as it allows us to explore the parks even if we cant be there in person. Sea of Thieves: A Pirates Life is available on mobile, Windows PC, Steam, and Xbox.

We have also discussed how the game brings back Jack Sparrow into the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise but does so without Johnny Depp. Read more about that here!

Would you want to play Sea of Thieves: A Pirates Life knowing it allows you to explore classic areas of the Disneyland Pirates of the Caribbean attraction?

See the rest here:

Disney Fans Explore Hidden Rooms From the Pirates of the Caribbean Attraction - Inside the Magic