Tag Archives: british

The Oceania Vista will sail the world in 2026 – Travel Weekly

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Oceania's newest ship, the Oceania Vista, will sail its first world cruise in 2026, roundtrip out of Miami.

The Vista's 180-day Around the World cruise will visit 101 ports across 43 countries. Bookings open on March 13.

The Vista, which debuted in May of 2023, served as the swan song of the line's founder and now-retired CEO of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, Frank Del Rio. He retired shortly after the Vista set sail for the first time in the Med.

Related: First Call aboard the Oceania Vista

The cruise will feature more than 80 Unesco World Heritage sites; 11 overnight stays; complimentary, curated special events onshore; and optional multiday overland programs.

The Vista will depart from Miami on Jan. 6, 2026, to sail the eastern coast of South America and return north along its western coast up to Mexico and California. The ship will reach as far north as San Diego before crossing the Pacific to French Polynesia and Australia, continuing on to Southeast Asia and India.

Related: The new era of world cruising

Current plans also have the Vista passing through the Red Sea and Suez Canal to reach the Mediterranean, British Isles and Nordic region before returning to Miami along the U.S. East Coast.

The itinerary assumes the Red Sea will be safe for cruise traffic; attacks on shipping vessels by Houthi militants in Yemen that began late last year have led multiple cruise lines and shipping companies to avoid the region.

Guests will have the option to sail a shorter, 120-day cruise from San Diego to Miami or a longer, 197-day cruise from Los Angeles to Miami.

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The Oceania Vista will sail the world in 2026 - Travel Weekly

Britain to send 20,000 troops to NATO training – Yahoo News

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The UK is planning to send 20,000 military personnel to participate in a large-scale NATO training exercise that will take place across Europe in the first half of this year, news agency Reuters reported on Jan. 15.

Read also: UK weighing contingency to deploy forces to Ukraine if Russia greatly escalates war

Britain will send military personnel, ships and aircraft to Europe as part of NATO Steadfast Defender 24, aimed at practicing the defense of its eastern flank.

The deployment includes 16,000 British Army personnel based in Eastern Europe from February to June, and an aircraft carrier strike group. The Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II and reconnaissance aircraft will also be involved.

"I can announce today that UK will be sending some 20,000 personnel to take part in one of NATO's largest deployments since the end of the Cold War," said UK Defense Minister Grant Shapps.

The military will join forces with colleagues from 30 NATO countries and Sweden, providing a crucial deterrent against the threat from Russian dictator Vladimir Putin, Shapps added.

Read also: UK, Ukraine sign 10-year security deal

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Britain to send 20,000 troops to NATO training - Yahoo News

Grant Shapps heralds ‘biggest deployment of troops to Nato for 40 years’ – Grand Junction Daily Sentinel

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Grant Shapps discusses the biggest deployment of troops to Nato for 40 years.The Defence Secretary spoke to GB News as the UK prepares to send 20,000 troops in one of Natos largest military exercises since the Cold War.The alliance is practicing repelling an invasion by Russian President Vladimir Putins forces.This is a an operation which is designed to essentially allow NATO to test our approach in what is a much more dangerous world given the conflicts in Europe, the conflicts in the Middle East, but also the sort of intent of people like Putin to really disrupt the world order on our way of life, Shapps told Eamonn Holmes and Isabel Webster.Some 16,000 troops with tanks, artillery and helicopters will be deployed from the British Army across eastern Europe starting next month as part of the exercise.The Royal Navy will deploy more than 2,000 sailors across eight warships and submarines, while more than 400 Royal Marines Commandos will be sent to the Arctic Circle.

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Grant Shapps heralds 'biggest deployment of troops to Nato for 40 years' - Grand Junction Daily Sentinel

The Dutch Under Nazi Rule: German WWII Occupation of the Netherlands – The Collector

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Despite the fact that the Netherlands was a neutral country, it formed a strategically vital target for the Germans, who invaded on May 10, 1940. Five days later, after the bombing of Rotterdam, the Dutch surrendered.

The occupation lasted almost five years; for the Dutch, it was the most difficult period in their countrys history.

Dutch resolve, however, was not broken, and resistance continued amid brutal reprisals, starvation, and mass deportations that would see the Netherlands lose three-quarters of its Jewish population.

On May 10, 1940, Germany launched an invasion of the Netherlands, Luxembourg, and Belgium as part of Operation Fall Gelb (Operation Case Yellow) without any formal declaration of war. Clearly unprepared for modern styles of warfare, the Netherlands fell quickly.

It was one of the first examples of using paratroopers to seize objectives before the advance of the main ground forces. For the Germans, the entire operation was a stunning success.

The German advances were overwhelming, and the bombing of Rotterdam left incredible destruction. The Dutch knew that further resistance would be futile and only leave more destruction in its wake.

By May 14, the Dutch army had surrendered, although a small contingent in Zeeland continued fighting until May 17.

Queen Wilhelmina fled the country and formed a government-in-exile in the United Kingdom. Many believed that she had abandoned her country, but she was adamant that she would never become a puppet ruler under the Germans, and today, her flight is seen as a pragmatic move. She continued to address the Dutch people via radio throughout the war. The rest of her family escaped to Canada. The escape of the Dutch royal family was achieved with the assistance of the British, who led a rescue mission.

At the beginning of the Second World War, the Dutch had remained neutral in the hopes that they could avoid the conflict, but after the invasions of Denmark and Norway, it became clear to most that the Netherlands was likely a prime target. Hasty preparations were made, but it was not enough.

There was a significant amount of denial within the country, with many people expecting Germany to leave the Netherlands alone. Nevertheless, for those who were more pragmatic and for those living in hope, the reaction was the same. Outrage swept the country.

A few days later, the fighting was over, and the emotion of outrage was joined with relief, humiliation, and a sense of abandonment, as many Dutch felt that the French and British should have stationed troops in the Netherlands to protect it from German invasion.

From the German perspective, the Dutch constituted fellow Aryans, and the Germans intended to treat the Dutch people a lot better than the citizens of many other conquered areas of Europe. From the Dutch perspective, they didnt expect to be treated well, as they had a significant distrust of the Germans.

For a minority of Dutch people, the invasion was a blessing. The Dutch Nationaal-Socialistische Beweging (National-Socialist movement / NSB) welcomed the German occupation as it brought the members of this right-wing movement significant power. Its leader, Anton Mussert, had expected to be installed as the ruler of a Dutch state allied to the Germans, but in reality, the occupation was under the control of the Austrian politician Arthur Seyss-Inquart, who served as the Reichskommissar of the Netherlands from May 29, 1940, to May 7, 1945.

The distrust of the Germans was exacerbated by the immediate effects of the German occupation in terms of food. The Germans blockaded the ports and effectively ended the importation of foodstuffs from abroad. Instead, the Dutch people would be fed by the Germans with careful rationing. The food that was distributed was healthy and based on modern dietary needs. It was low in fat, and the Dutch, who were used to a high-fat diet, began to lose weight; many assumed the Germans were starving them. This turned out not to be the case, at least not at this point in the occupation. Later on, as the Germans became more harsh towards the Dutch people, the threat of famine would turn into a reality.

Many Dutch people believed the occupation would be short-lived, some expecting it to be over by Christmas. Until then, they adopted a policy of conforming to the desires of the occupiers, or at least the appearance of conformity.

While the German soldiers, on the whole, treated the Dutch well during the beginning of the occupation, German leadership took control of all aspects of society and the economy, banning free speech and propagating Nazi ideology among the populace of the Netherlands. Naturally, most Dutch people saw this as an attempt to convert the country. While the NSB saw some initial growth, swelling to around 100,000 members, it remained a fringe group in terms of the total population and was utterly despised by the rest of Dutch society.

Before the war, Dutch society had been fractured and split along social, religious, and political lines. With the exception of the small minority of those who supported the NSB and the Nazis, the vast majority of the Dutch population found itself with a common enemy, and as such, a sense of unity thrived.

Around 5% of the Dutch people joined the resistance. While this may (or may not) have been a relatively small percentage, this was the section of society that went into hiding and used violent tactics to strike at German assets. Other forms of resistance were common and were much less active. The Dutch people took to hiding those wanted by the Germans. In particular, Jewish people found hope and protection in the families that secreted them away in the attics of houses. The famous Anne Frank was one of these Jews who were looked after by compassionate and brave Dutch people.

When those in the Dutch resistance were caught and executed, the Dutch were horrified. Given the initial attitude of the Germans towards the Dutch at the beginning of the occupation, it came as a shock. Especially since in the Netherlands, the death penalty had been outlawed for many decades, and the Dutch were not used to anybody being executed.

It was also not just Jewish people who the Nazi occupiers were after. Communists and outspoken critics of the regime were targeted, as well as people with mental disabilities.

Life was tough for everybody under Nazi occupation. Forced labor was implemented, and adult men were drafted to work in German factories, which were often targeted by Allied bombing runs.

After the German conquest of the Netherlands, a Joodse Raad was created, a council that acted as a liaison between the Jews and the Nazi occupiers. The Raad was run by Abraham Asscher and David Cohen, supplied the Germans with information, and was responsible for organizing and selecting Jews for deportation. Asscher and Cohen were both tried for collaboration by the Jewish Community in the Netherlands after the war but were exonerated. Many Jews found themselves in difficult situations, being forced to collaborate on pain of death.

For their part, the Dutch did not sit quietly and do nothing. With the first waves of antisemitic policies came pushback in the form of protests and strikes from the Dutch populace. In February 1941, a strike was met with violent suppression by the Nazi regime, which tried thereafter to limit the amount of violence dealt to non-Jewish Dutch people.

This situation of being forced to collaborate was not just a situation for the Jews. Many Dutch people, especially those in the government and the police, were compelled to perform heinous acts in order to protect themselves and their families. Forced collaboration was an incredibly difficult issue that raised many questions, especially after the war, when people were put on trial for their assistance to the Nazi regime.

The outcome of the Nazi policies in the Netherlands was that over 70% of Dutch Jews were deported. This was a higher proportion than in any other German-occupied territory in Western Europe.

Not all collaboration was forced, however. Some elements of Dutch society supported the Nazis and did so openly. Up to 25,000 Dutch men even volunteered to join the German army and the Waffen-SS.

Hope became a reality in September 1944 with the beginning of Operation Market Garden. Although the operation achieved very limited gains, it represented the beginning of the collapse of German resistance. In the following months, the Netherlands was freed from German control bit by bit. The Allies, however, concentrated their efforts on Germany, not the Netherlands, and Berlin fell before Amsterdam was liberated. Many parts of the Netherlands were only free of German occupation once the Germans had officially surrendered.

However, the months in which liberation was achieved were not as happy as they could have been. The Germans cut off supply to the western region of the country where 4.5 million people lived, and as a result of the Hongerwinter (Hunger Winter), around 18,000 Dutch people starved to death, with relief only arriving as late as May 1945, with the complete surrender of the German forces in Europe.

By the end of the war, 205,901 Dutch people had died from war-related causes. Just over half of them were victims of the Holocaust. This total represented 2.36% of the entire Dutch population at the time and was the highest proportion in Western Europe.

For Dutch people today, the occupation of their country represents an awful time in their history. Generally being a liberal people who value freedom, the five years of Nazi governance is seen as a time that flew directly in the face of Dutch beliefs.

Not only did it aggravate Dutch ways of life, but it humiliated the Dutch people, who, for the most part, did what they could to resist.

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The Dutch Under Nazi Rule: German WWII Occupation of the Netherlands - The Collector

Bid to cut through post-Brexit red tape tying up UK trade with Flanders – theloadstar.com

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Research for Flemish firms has found that 74% of UK companies said they had been forced to consider other markets, due to post-Brexit administration struggles.

But GatewayBritain has promised to make trade between Flanders and Britain as frictionless as possible.

GatewayBritain, described as an innovative digital application that will bring visibility and transparency for trading with Flanders into one place, derives from a partnership between Port of Antwerp-Bruges, Flanders Innovation & Entrepreneurship (VLAIO), Flanders Investment and Trade and Deloitte.

The initiative was announced in June and will allow traders to fill out just one dataset online, which is then automatically shared with all the relevant supply chain and logistics partners.

Earlier this month, the pilot product of the application was launched. Functionalities include shipment and transport management, data authorisation management, document management, communication management and notification management.

Dirk Verlee, trade and investment counsellor at Flanders Investment and Trade, said: Flanders is a key route in and out of the EU for British traders. This means that if GatewayBritain solves the challenges of Brexit in the Belgian region, supply issues that have affected the UK should also be solved.

Flanders is a popular route into the EU for UK companies, due to its proximity to both the UK and Europes major business centres. A market of 400 million consumers, or 60% of Europes purchasing power, is within six hours of the region.

Trade figures for 2022 revealed that the total value of exports from the UK to Flanders was 33.77bn ($37bn), and imports into the UK from Flanders totalled 27.95bn ($30.7bn). The UK is Flanders fourth-highest export market.

However, research conducted in May by Censuswide of more than 1,000 UK traders found that some 74% of UK companies said they had been forced to consider alternative markets, due to difficulties in trading with the EU post-Brexit. And 42% had seen trade with the EU decrease, while 48% of the respondents said they would trade more if the process was simplified.

Minister and president of the government of Flanders Jan Jambon said: Britain is an important trading partner for Flanders. We know from our research that British companies have been looking at alternative markets due to the bureaucracy involved post-Brexit. GatewayBritain signals the end of that bureaucracy.

After the pilot shipments, stakeholders will be invited to share their feedback.

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Bid to cut through post-Brexit red tape tying up UK trade with Flanders - theloadstar.com

Rishi Sunak’s Brexit deal is up and running. It’s ‘cataclysmic’ for UK food exports – POLITICO Europe

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LONDON When Rishi Sunak signed his new Brexit deal in February, he boasted that it would deliver smooth flowing trade within the whole United Kingdom.

But just two months after the Windsor Framework came into effect, it's having huge unintended consequences for a key export sector, with hundreds of millions of pounds in trade now at risk.

Since October this year, all meat and some dairy products moving from Great Britain to be sold in Northern Ireland a part of the U.K. have been required to carry not for EU labels. It's meant to ensure goods aren't moved onward into the Republic of Ireland, an EU member country.

But the British government is going further.

From October 2024, all meat and dairy products sold right across the U.K. will also have to include the labels even if there is no intention to ever send the products to Northern Ireland.

The requirement will be applied to more U.K. food products from July 2025. And it applies whether the food is produced in the U.K. or imported.

Businesses say the plans for a U.K.-wide rollout go way beyond Brussels requirements as set out in the Windsor Framework and, crucially, could see EU exports plummet because of the costs and inefficiency of doing separate production runs for British and European markets.

Sean Ramsden, director of the Food and Drink Exporters Association and the CEO of food export business Ramsden International, described the new system as absolutely cataclysmic for food exporters.

Ramsden told POLITICO he fears that eventually all of the products he is supplied with by partner Co-op will be labeled not for EU, which means we cant export them to the EU."

While large manufacturers may find it easier to comply with the new rules, Ramsden says the changes could prove too costly for smaller operations.

A lot of manufacturers will probably just give up on the European market, he said. It seems an inconsequential thing to say put it onto the packaging, but in practice it means changing production runs. Manufacturers are saying this is crazy because they dont want to start doing additional production runs.

His concerns were echoed by Balwinder Dhoot, director of sustainability and growth at the Food and Drink Federation (FDF). He told British MPs recently that implementation costs of the labeling requirement would run into hundreds of millions of pounds a year across the industry.

It generates a risk for hundreds of millions, if not billions, of pounds worth of exports, he told MPs last month. That is an unnecessary domestic policy. You cannot have a trade policy that is trying to promote exports on one hand, and then undermine that with domestic policy on the other.

A spokesperson for the group, which represents food and drink manufacturers, said the labeling removes the flexibility that was agreed with the EU and will result in less choice for shoppers in both Northern Ireland and GB.

A more pragmatic approach would be to monitor supply before taking action, and work with the industry to find a practical solution.

Although the U.K.-wide labeling requirements do not come into force until October next year, some manufacturers appear to already be using the labeling system in preparation for the rollout.

As a result, Ramsden says his company is having to do manual checks on everything, take out the [labeled] products from the orders, return them to the supplier, credit them to the customer and take them off our list.

Another unintended consequence, Ramsden warns, is that non-EU consumers will be put off by the not for EU labels.

If we export to other markets, what are the consumers going to think when they see not for EU on the packaging? They are going to question whether its safe, he said.

For Ramsden, the labeling requirement is just the latest in a string of headaches resulting from the U.K. leaving the EU, which has already seen the companys sales with the bloc plummet from 25 million to 16 million as a result of Brexit.

This will finish it all because we are supplied by stock thats in circulation in the U.K. market.

A government spokesperson said: The Windsor Framework drastically reduces the paperwork and processes required compared to the old protocol. We continue to engage extensively with businesses to support them in adapting to these new arrangements.

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Rishi Sunak's Brexit deal is up and running. It's 'cataclysmic' for UK food exports - POLITICO Europe

‘Get Brexit Done’ is now ‘Stop the Boats’: Is the Rwanda Bill the Conservatives’ Trojan Horse? Byline Times – Byline Times

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One of the lines that stays with me from learning Latin at school is from Virgils epic poem, the Aeneid Timeo Danaos et Dona Ferrentes (I fear the Greeks, even when they bring gifts). This line was uttered by the Trojan priest, Laocoon, who was warning that the Trojan Horse apparently gifted to the city of Troy by the departing Greeks might actually be a trap.

In similar fashion, I cant help feeling that I cant Trust the Conservatives, even when they obey the Law.

A huge song and dance was made by the Government before last weeks first vote on its Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Bill that the legislation just stayed within the framework of the European Convention of Human Rights.

The Bill, if adopted, would allow government ministers to ignore temporary injunctions raised by the European Court of Human Rights to stop flights taking off at the last minute. However, it would still allow asylum seekers to launch legal appeals to argue that they should be spared deportation, if they can claim various special circumstances.

Supporters of the Governments approach argue that the Bill goes as far as it can, without breaching international law and that Rwanda itself would withdraw from the scheme if the UK went any further.

Conservative opponents of the bill, including 29 MPs from the right wing of the party, who abstained on the vote, argue that it does not go far enough and that the language should have explicitly ruled out the scope for any legal challenges to deportation, whether under domestic or international human rights law.

Former Immigration Minister Robert Jenrick, who resigned over his disagreement with Rishi Sunaks migration policy, was even quoted (ironically, on Human Rights Day) as saying that the Government must put the views of the British public above contested notions of international law and that MPs are not sent to Parliament to be concerned about our reputation on the gilded international circuit.

I feel a weary sense of dj vu. This is Brexit, on repeat.

Former British diplomat Alexandra Hall Hall reflects on the complexities involved in the conflict and why there are no easy answers if any

Alexandra Hall Hall

Yet again, we have some members of the Conservative Party arguing that the UK needs to abandon another European institution this time the European Court of Human Rights in order to take back control of immigration.

Yet again, they scapegoat others on this occasion lefty lawyers for thwarting the will of the people.

Yet again, they claim unique knowledge and possession of what that will of the people actually is though there has been no explicit vote put to the public as to whether they really do support the Rwanda scheme, even if it involves the UK derogating from some aspects of human rights law. Just as there never was any explicit indication in the EU Referendum that the British public wanted the most hardline break with Brussels, including departure from the Customs Union and Single Market.

Yet again, we have Conservative MPs misrepresenting the facts, to argue that the Rwanda scheme will brilliantly solve all of the UKs immigration problems despite the evidence that it will only ever be able to remove a few hundred migrants, at most, and only at vast expense; that it will do nothing to resolve the massive asylum claim backlog; and the fact that most immigrants to the UK come here legally, partly as a result of the Governments own migration policies.

But then, Conservative MPs never acknowledge inconsistencies in their arguments, whether over Brexit or now over immigration.

Just like during the Brexit debates, Conservative MPs now are also happy to gloss over inconvenient facts regarding migration such as that our health, care, agriculture and hospitality sectors are dependent on affordable immigrant labour, and that there are no safe, legal routes for asylum seekers to come to the UK.

Instead, they waffle on about this being yet another issue of sovereignty. Indeed, the Rwanda Bill goes one step further than Brexit, in deliberately overriding the Supreme Courts judgment on Rwanda, to assert that Rwanda actually is a safe country. So now, not just laws, but facts, are whatever the British Government says them to be.

Russian President Vladimir Putin or Chinese President Xi Jinping are no doubt delighted to see members of the British political establishment adopt their practices of disinformation and disdain for international law. How much easier it makes it for them to continue gulling their own citizens, and defying international conventions and treaties, when they can point to a country like the UK previously a stalwart defender of the international rules-based order doing the same.

And just as during Brexit, so now, we have different factions of the Conservative Party tearing themselves to shreds, while critical national and international problems go unaddressed.

The hapless Sunak is in the role of Theresa May, desperately trying to hold his party together and risking pleasing none. The same Goldilocks dilemma prevails his immigration policy risks being too hard for the One Nation group of MPs on the moderate wing of the party, but too soft for the so-called Five Families factions on the right wing of the party.

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Terrified of losing voters to Nigel Farage and the Reform Party, Sunak, like May, will keep trying to appease the migration hardliners, though they will never be satisfied until he has fully ruptured relations with the ECHR. Terrified of alienating traditional conservative voters in their constituencies, the centrist MPs will hold their noses and keep going along, putting party before principle, time and again.

The one advantage Sunak has over May is that it would be hard, even for this shameless party, to seek to replace him as party leader, without triggering a general election, in which on current polling many MPs would lose their seats.

But this is precisely why I sense a trap.

For now, Sunak can play the role of responsible statesman, doing his best to restrain the more extreme members of his party, and insisting that any British legislation should stay just on the right side of the law. If the legislation passes, and asylum seekers start being deported to Rwanda even if its only a few dozen he can make the case that his scheme works, and campaign in the general election for voters to back him, in order to allow it to continue.

But if the legislation falls, or squeaks through only to be defeated again in the courts, before any asylum seekers are deported, Sunak can switch tactics to campaign full bore in support of leaving the ECHR on the grounds that he has exhausted all options and that his hand has been forced into accepting the most extreme approach.

This ploy might not be enough to prevent Conservative defeat to the Labour Party, but it might be enough to save a few seats and to allow the party to keep posturing in hardline fashion on immigration, without ever having to suffer the embarrassment of the Rwanda scheme failing, or having to deal with the damaging wider consequences of leaving the ECHR, such as for the Good Friday Agreement, or our post-Brexit relationship with the EU.

Like the Trojan Horse, I believe the Rwanda bill is a set-up. Get Brexit Done is now Stop the Boats. But, unlike the good citizens of Troy, I believe British voters will not let themselves be suckered a second time.

Never trust the Conservatives, even when they bring gifts.

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'Get Brexit Done' is now 'Stop the Boats': Is the Rwanda Bill the Conservatives' Trojan Horse? Byline Times - Byline Times

Kevin Costner and Jewel set off romance rumors after getting cozy in the Caribbean – Yahoo Entertainment

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Kevin Costner and singer Jewel are sparking romance rumors after appearing together at a charity event in the Caribbean.

Photos obtained by TMZ show Jewel speaking into a microphone and appearing to sit on Costners lap, with his arms around her waist.

The two were on Richard Bransons Necker Island in the British Virgin Islands for a tennis fundraiser for the Inspiring Children Foundation, an organization started by Jewel.

Sources told TMZ the pair had flown to the Caribbean together, and hung out longer than the event, saying, "There was definitely something going on. They were flirty, and when they were together, it was like they both just lit up."

MEGHAN MARKLE, PRINCE HARRY SUPPORT KEVIN COSTNER'S STAR-STUDDED EVENT

Jewel mentioned the "Yellowstone" star on social media while recapping the event for fans. She shared a reel of photos, including a group photo featuring her and Costner.

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"Every year, my foundation @inspiringchildren and I go to Necker Island to help host a tennis event w @richardbranson to raise funds for our kids. Amazing players like @geniebouchard come and support us in playing doubles with the folks who come its an incredible time, and one I use to relax, rest and play w my son!" the 49-year-old wrote in the caption.

She also thanked Costner, writing, "@kevincostnermodernwest was kind enough to mentor our kids this year, and Sir Richard was his usual inspiring self- who also plays a mean game of doubles!"

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Representatives for both parties did not immediately respond to Fox News Digitals request for comment.

Earlier this year, Costner finalized his divorce from his wife of 18 years, Christine Baumgartner, with whom he has three children.

Baumgartner filed for divorce on May 1 citing irreconcilable differences. In documents obtained by Fox News Digital, Christine cited April 11 as the date of separation.

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She initially requested $248,000 in monthly child support for their three children, and a judge set a temporary monthly sum of $129,755 in July, only to rule in September that Costner would actually be responsible for $63,209 in monthly child support payments.

After a contentious four months in and out of court over child and spousal support payments, the former couple settled their terms in September, shortly before they were due back to establish who would be responsible for paying Baumgartners nearly $1 million in attorneys fees.

Costner has previously been married, first to Cindy Silva from 1978 to 1994, and they had three children together. The Dances with Wolves star is also a father to a son with Bridget Rooney.

Jewel was previously married to pro rodeo cowboy Ty Murray, and the couple share one son.

Fox News Digital's Tracy Wright contributed to this report.

Original article source: Kevin Costner and Jewel set off romance rumors after getting cozy in the Caribbean

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Kevin Costner and Jewel set off romance rumors after getting cozy in the Caribbean - Yahoo Entertainment

25 Most Beautiful Places in the Caribbean From Emerald-colored Sinkholes to Private Islands – Travel + Leisure

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Lush paradise, turquoise waters,idyllic getaway these are all phrases often used to describe the Caribbean. And though this collection of countries in the middle of the ocean contains a shared allure of natural wonders, each one also has its own history and cultural traditions.

Ive been fortunate to visit a number of Caribbean nations, bordered by white, black, and pink sands below swaying palms, and it never grows old. The vendors with freshly plucked coconuts and plastic cups filled with dark rum to enjoy as the sun sinks into sherbet-colored clouds. A plate of jerk chicken pulled from a charcoal-fired pit on the side of the road and splashed with mango chutney to cool the scotch bonnet. A parade of smiles and feathers and palatable joy as revelers make their way down the road for Carnival Tuesday. These are all moments that make the Caribbean beautiful.

Below, youll find a list of places that expand on that idea, from sustainable, jungle-shrouded hotels without any crowds to flavorful, farm-to-table experiences tucked on quiet hillsides. We tapped two Caribbean experts writer, editor and on-air travel expert Sarah Greaves-Gabbadon and author and chef Adrian Forte to help us compile a list of 25 of the most beautiful places in the Caribbean.

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Located on the southern end of Elbow Cay in the Bahamas, and only accessible by foot, boat, or bike, Tahiti Beach stays with you long after you've left it. As many times as Ive been to the Caribbean and to the Bahamas, youd think Id be immune to the beauty of this sandbar, which disappears at high tide. But its silky white sand, surrounded by a swath of iconic Bahamian blue, stuns me every single time, says Greaves-Gabbadon. Alaska Airlines also recently launched a number of nonstop flights from my hometown of Los Angeles to Nassau, so Ill be heading back to the country for Carnival next year.

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Untouched by cruise ships and crowds, Canouan is a 3.2-square-mile island in the Grenadines, just a 40-minute plane ride from Barbados. It's home to the jungly Soho Beach House and the coral-hued beachfront Mandarin Oriental. Snorkeling here is also supreme, with water so vibrantly blue, it glows.

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With 135 acres of private coastline floating in the Grenadines, Petit St. Vincent is a luxury resort with just 22 cottages steps away from cerulean waters. Posh but unpretentious, this all-inclusive private island resort is a bit of a haul to reach (from Miami, it takes two planes, a golf cart, and a boat), but the journey is worth it, says Greaves-Gabbadon. When Im not reading on the porch of my cottage (all serviced by butlers in a fleet of Mini Mokes), I like to hike up Marni Hill, laze on any (or all) of the four beaches, or sip a rum punch at the beach bar, Goatie's.

Jeremy Francis

I can close my eyes and see the roads from Kingston bumpy and winding but worth the three-hour drive to reach this slice of solitude on Jamaicas south coast. You won't find high-rise hotels or crowds here. Upon arrival, its a straightaway to my home away from home at Jakes, a boutique hotel with seaside bungalows and villas spread about Treasure Beachs rugged coastline. Spend a day at Jakes' poolside bar, order a rum punch, and repeat. In the morning, have a filling breakfast of ackee and salt fish with fried plantain at the propertys restaurant. And, if you love to read like I do, come for the biannual Calabash International Literary Festival, a weekend that includes communing with some of the worlds greatest literary minds as they read from their work with lapping waves in the background.

Courtesy of Sheer Rocks

Located on a cliffside on Antiguas west coast, this is dining with a view taken up a notch. It doesnt get much sexier than this waterfront restaurant at Cocobay Resort, where you can dine in cabanas built into the cliffs edge and swim in ocean-view plunge pools between courses, says Greaves-Gabbadon.

This plant-based, farm-to-table experience is offered in the hills ofSt. Ann, near Ocho Rios. Here, the flavors of Jamaica are presented as a love letter to the surrounding terrain that produces the food. Owners Chris and Lisa Binns seek to connect visitors to the earth at every turn, with a farm tour and rustic dinner of rotating dishes that have included a Jamaican mezze board of crispy plantain chips, coconut-crusted yams, and pineapple croquettes.

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Grace Bay in Providenciales sees its fair share of visitors and for good reason: The white-sand beach rivals those seen in the Maldives.

But go beyond Provo and youll reach Middle Caicos, the largest of the islands in Turks and Caicos, with a wild beauty of its own. Few visitors ever venture far enough to see this wild and wonderful beach, secreted at the southern tip of Middle Caicos, so I feel fortunate to have been introduced to it by a resident, says Greaves-Gabbadon. Walk through the stand of casuarina trees shielding the beach from the road and youll be rewarded with quite a sight: two miles of completely deserted, blinding-white sand that meets gin-clear water, knee-deep for almost a mile out. If beach was a religion, this would be its cathedral.

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Known for its world-class rums, Martinique has a slew of impressive beaches, too, from Le Diamant to Les Anses-d'Arlet. For a trip away from the islands sandy shores, head to Jardin de Balata and learn why Martinique is called the Island of Flowers. At this thriving, three-hectare botanical garden just outside the capital of Fort-de-France, more than 3,000 varieties of flora and fauna bloom brightly. Take a canopy ride for panoramic views. And for cultural events, there's Martiniques three-day Carnival in February, where Ive recently learned the crowd is entirely part of the parade in what's called a vid.

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On an island known for its exclusivity and luxury, visitors can opt for an adventure that only requires a good pair of walking shoes and a bathing suit. After a 30-minute walk along a winding path, youll reach two natural pools enclosed by craggy rocks jutting from the sea. If the waves are strong, it's best to watch from a distance, but on a clear day, floating in the emerald-colored water is simply magical.

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One of the most sought-after locations in Ocho Rios, Jamaica, the crystal-clear waters of the Blue Hole are surrounded by vegetation and a hilly interior. This is a series of natural limestone sinkholes and lush untouched forestry. I visited with my fianc and a few of our closest friends. The view from the top of the tropical falls is stunning, and if youre the adventurous type like me, jumping off a 30-foot cliff makes you feel like you can conquer anything afterward, says Forte.

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Nicknamed the Nature Island, Dominica is home to rain forests, bubbling rivers, ocean kayaking trails, and rushing waterfalls. A few of the islands most beautiful natural wonders include Morne Trois Pitons National Park, Champagne Reef, and the Botanic Gardens. For an eco-friendly retreat, check into Coulibri Ridge, a 14-suite, off-the-grid luxury hotel that uses solar energy as its main power source and features an open-air yoga pavilion. For a black-sand beach escape, my favorite pick is Secret Bay, set on a secluded cliff with residential-style villas that have their own plunge pools. In February, the streets become filled with revelers for Dominicas Mas Domnik Carnival celebration, which includes music competitions, a variety of parties, and masqueraders dressed in bright regalia.

Courtesy of Nayara Bocas del Toro Treehouses

With 16 overwater villas, this adults-only eco-resort on a private island along the Caribbean coast does not disappoint. Flanked by three miles of coral reefs teeming with sea life, snorkelers will have lots to explore at Nayara Bocas del Toro. Kayak, paddleboard, and swim directly from your room, but not before enjoying Caribbean breakfast classics like johnnycakes. Some villas here include glass floor panels for viewing underwater life, while two one-bedroom bamboo tree houses tower some 40 feet above the ground. The property also boasts the worlds first overwater beach, suspended on stilts and stretching 90 feet long by 20 feet wide.

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Youve likely seen images of Trinidads Carnival one of the greatest and most beautiful traditions in the Caribbean but you may not know its origin, which is rooted in rebellion and celebration against all odds by enslaved West Africans. Today, Trinidads capital, Port of Spain, draws travelers from around the Caribbean, Europe, and even Japan to party into the early morning rum in hand. My favorite moment of it all is Jouvert a call to meet the rising sun, bodies splashed in powder and paint and Caesars Armys A.M. Bush a wild party that takes place in an open field. A word to the wise: Get tickets early, as Caesars Army events are always the most popular during Carnival. In 2024, the energy is sure to be as magnetic as ever.

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Easily one of the most picturesque beaches in the Caribbean, Pigeon Point contains all the elements of a postcard-perfect day: sugary white sand, strikingly turquoise water, and palm trees swaying slowly above it all. Located on the southwestern tip of Tobago, its a popular place for sunbathing and water sports, without much foot traffic or noise.

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Tucked in the North Sound area of Virgin Gorda in the British Virgin Islands, Oil Nut Bay is 400 acres of luxurious relaxation. Visitors here will find a beach club with three pools and a swim-up bar; Nova, an overwater restaurant; and hiking trails with views overlooking the Caribbean. One of the villas, Compass Rose, spans 3,653 square feet and features two swimming pools. Another way to see the British Virgin Islands? The Moorings offers chartered catamarans and yachts to various destinations around the region, including Virgin Gorda, the less-frequented coral island of Anegada, and Saba Rock.

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Nicknamed the Caribbeans Spice Isle because of its abundance of cinnamon, nutmeg, and more, Grenada lures visitors with fewer crowds than neighboring islands, beautiful Grand Anse Beach, the history of Jab Jab during Carnival season (when bodies are splashed in black oil and paint as a symbol of Black pride), and an addictive plate of crabback at BBs. To take in the island's beauty, drive up to Fort Frederick for a panoramic view. Want to learn more about the island? My favorite guide, Roger Augustine, provides the best tours on the island. When its time to find a hotel, my first choice is always the Black-owned Spice Island Beach Resort. Six Senses La Sagesse will also open in early 2024, stretching across 38 acres in the bucolic parish of St. David.

Courtesy of Jade Mountain

Set between two beaches on St. Lucias southwestern coast, Jade Mountain offers views that seamlessly blend into its cliffside location above the Piton Mountains, plus rooms with 15-foot ceilings, infinity pools, and 24-hour butler service. Even from a distance while approaching by boat, its easily one of the most striking hotels in the Caribbean. Looking for a honeymoon location? This is it. It will be hard to leave your room, but if you do, the village of Soufrire, filled with great restaurants like Orlandos and the islands famous Sulphur Springs, is not far.

Courtesy of Yemaya Reefs

Past rows of mangroves and jungle, Yemaya Reefs on Little Corn Island reveals itself some 50 miles off Nicaraguas eastern coast. Step onto the sand and head to one of 16 individual casitas, some with plunge pools. Everything here is intimate, from the service to the communal yoga pavilion and thatched-roof restaurant. The food at Yemaya Reefs is particularly impressive, with dishes that celebrate Afro-Nicaraguan influences like gallo pinto (rice and beans) and rondn, a filling coconut-based stew with root vegetables and seafood like fish and crab. To get to Yemaya, youll need to take a 90-minute flight from the capital city of Managua, then a 30-minute boat ride from Big Corn Island all of which can be coordinated with the hotel.

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A tropical nature reserve located just off the coast of St. Martin, Pinel Island checks off all the boxes for a memorable beach day: soft white sand, beachfront restaurants, and a number of water activities. The best way to spend the day here? Grab a table or beach lounger at Karibuni and choose from dishes like octopus ceviche or a platter of conch boudin and cod fish fritters. The ocean views are worth admission alone.

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When I first visited Flamenco Beach on the island of Culebra, I stood still for a few moments, knowing the short plane ride I feared was well worth this remote slice of beach in front of me. The horse-shaped bay with shallow turquoise waters can be reached via a 15-minute flight or a 1.5-hour ferry. Upon arriving, there are a number of food stalls to enjoy as well.

Courtesy of Ambergris Cay

This 1,100-acre private island is a place to get away from it all, with 17 bungalows, eight villas, and a collection of privately owned homes and luxury accommodations. You'll share the place with sunbathing iguanas and, if youre lucky, a few whales in the distance. My favorite rooms are the beachfront suites with private plunge pools and an unobstructed view between the front door and the ocean.

If youre looking for the perfect Caribbean afternoon, this is your place. It includes all the necessary elements: good rum and wine; a pristine, uncrowded beach; and, of course, easy vibes. La Cabane on Barbados west coast provides a St. Tropez-style beach club experience without any unnecessary frills. Walk barefoot and order a lobster. While you wait, take a dip in Batts Rock Beach just steps away, and dont leave without a rum punch.Another favorite? Cutters. Ive frequented Barbados for the last five years consecutively to attend the Food and Rum Festival. I can say, without a doubt, the best experience Ive had on the island is at Cutters. They make the best rum punch in the world, using the best ingredients, including freshly pressed sugar cane for their simple syrup says Forte.

Courtesy of Guana Island

Total seclusion is king at this private island in the British Virgin Islands. There are private-island resorts and then theres Guana Island, a private-island resort thats so exclusive, non-guests cant even swing by for a drink or dinner. The result? A luxe, low-key getaway thats reliably tranquil, and whose seven beaches youll share with a maximum of 31 other (lucky) guests, says Greaves-Gabbadon.

Courtesy of Emara Estate

For a gorgeous group getaway located on eight acres, check into Emara Estate in Providenciales. This 17-bedroom villa is tucked away on its own private peninsula, nestled between tropical trees. Its one of the most beautiful private villas Ive been to and it was also formerly owned by legendary musician Prince Rogers Nelson, says Forte.

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Sprouting from the Caribbean Sea like a scene from Jurassic Park, these two volcanic plugs on St. Lucias southwestern coast leave me in awe every time I see them. While winding the hillsides of the country, the mountains peak out at various turns, but my favorite spot to view them is by boat or from the sand at Sugar Beach, A Viceroy Resort. Afterward, head to the town of Soufrire and have lunch at Fedos. (Tip: Dont skip the fresh juice of the day.)

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11 Best Caribbean Beaches You Should Visit on a Cruise – Cruise Critic

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Trunk Bay, St John Island, US Virgin Islands (Photo: Sorin Colac/Shutterstock) (Photo:Sean Pavone/Shutterstock)

When it comes to Eastern Caribbean cruise ports, heading to a great beach always tops the list of shore excursion picks. Some passengers sign up for pre-booked escapes to tried-and-true locales, such as beach bars specifically designed for daytrippers, while others look for beach resorts fronting the turquoise sea, which sometimes means purchasing a day pass to make it easier all around.

Whether you're looking for popular public beaches filled to the brim with other cruisers or tiny spots of sand, here are four excellent places in the Eastern Caribbean to rest and relax.

If you're looking for a top beach that checks all the boxes, Magens Bay Beach is the place you want to be. Magens Bay Beach, located on the island of St. Thomas, is the best Caribbean beach for families and large groups that need to please different travel styles.

The horseshoe-shaped beach is breathtaking, and on top of its beauty, it has a wide range of water sports and equipment rentals available. Lounge on the beach or take to the hills around the beach to enjoy sweeping vistas of the island itself or its pristine waters.

Due to Magens Bays popularity, the beach can fill up quickly and feel crowded. We recommend heading to the beach early to grab a lounger.

Beachgoers will pay a per-person fee to visit this pristine strip of sand and need to find a mode of transport. From St. Thomas cruise port, you can take a private taxi or shared shuttle bus to the other side of the island. Expect the journey to last around 20 to 24 minutes.

While beautiful Magens Bay is justifiably famous, it's usually offered as the beach excursion for most cruise ships -- thus, it's often extremely crowded. Instead, get a double dose of views at Sapphire Beach, a resort about a 30-minute taxi ride from the port.

Sapphire Beach is located on St. Thomas' east end and has a magnificent view of St. John and Tortola in the British Virgin Islands.

For those looking for calm, crystal-clear waters, this is it. Snorkeling is at its best; just walk right into the surf, and the fish are there to greet you. Windsurfers also have a great time, and all equipment and lounge chairs can be rented for the day.

Slip into a natural wonder that combines rock pools, boulders, caverns and a small strip of beach in Tortola. The main draw for The Baths is the chance to swim, snorkel and adventure around the crystal-clear pools and discover the Cathedral Room, a small natural pool inside a cave.

Getting a chance to explore one of the best beaches in Caribbean waters will require some extra planning. From Tortolas cruise dock, take a ferry to Virgin Gorda. The ferry trip takes 30 minutes each way. We recommend booking each leg of the ferry in advance and arriving early because you dont want to miss your ferry back to the cruise ship.

From the Virgin Gorda ferry docks, take a 10-minute taxi to the baths. Enjoy one of the most unique and best beaches in the Caribbean.

A visit to St. John isnt complete without a stop at the best Caribbean beach. Trunk Bay Beach is a beach lover's paradise with over a quarter mile of warm white sand and salty turquoise water.

Beach facilities include snorkel gear rentals, beach chair rentals, a snack bar and grill, restrooms, showers, public telephones and lifeguards. There is a per-person entrance fee at Trunk Bay Beach.

Besides the tropical sand and water, the key feature at Trunk Bay is the marked underwater trail for snorkelers. Beginner snorkelers can safely follow the path and explore the aquatic sea life.

Cruise ships dont dock at St. John but may anchor and tender to the National Park dock. Most cruise ships will dock at the neighboring island of St. Thomas and cruisers may catch a ferry to St. John. It is a 12-minute taxi ride to Trunk Bay Beach from Cruz Bay ferry dock on St. John.

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11 Best Caribbean Beaches You Should Visit on a Cruise - Cruise Critic