Monthly Archives: July 2017

Cue the calypso music and cruise to the Caribbean. Book one of our Caribbean cruise deals aboard our award-winning fleet sailing these crystal blue waters. Choose from twelve ships, including Norwegian Getaway, Norwegian Escape, and our newest ship to come Norwegian Bliss, seven convenient departure ports, and itineraries that offer island time in paradise for Southern, Eastern and Western Caribbean Cruises. And with all the choices and flexibility that come with Freestyle Cruising, it's no wonder Norwegian Cruise Line is the 2016 World Travel Awards winner for "Caribbean's Leading Cruise Line" for the fourth consecutive year.

Make your Caribbean vacation even better with our award winning fleet. Climb a waterfall in Ocho Rios, ride horseback along the pristine coastline in Aruba, or just grab a mojito with friends at Sugarcane Mojito Bar. Whether you thirst for natural beauty, fascinating history, or just Caribbean rum, theres something for everybody on our cruises. Come see why we are "Caribbean's Leading Cruise Line."

Sail year round from sun soaked Miami to the calm waters of The Caribbean on our newest and most modern ships: Norwegian Getaway and Norwegian Escape. Breathe in the fresh ocean air on The Waterfront, dine at Cagneys where perfect steak is the standard, be dazzled by spectacular entertainment, then unwind at the Mandara Spa. Our ships will have you relaxed like the Caribbean breeze.

A Variety of Caribbean Excursion Choices

We know the destinations you'll be visiting and what there is to see, do and experience. We offer you a variety of excursions to choose from, in every port you'll visit.

This tour was awarded Trip Advisors Certificate of Excellen...

Relax and enjoy your time at Tiki Beach, situated on Grand C...

Enjoy a countryside drive along the coast to one of the most...

Dennis Conner's America's Cup winning Stars & Stripes, Canad...

Find the perfect Caribbean Island for you!

Quit searchin' for your lost shaker of salt, its right here in the first-ever Jimmy Buffetts Margaritaville at Sea.

Explore one of our most popular destinations with these new itineraries.

Don't miss out on these Specialty Restaurant favorites on your Caribbean cruise.

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Caribbean Vacation Packages - Norwegian Cruise Line

Home > Where We Work > Regions > Caribbean

The Caribbean Sea comprises an area roughly 60% of the size of the contiguous United States. Within these waters lie 37 countries and territorieseach with its own unique history and culture but connected by the natural treasures that permeate each island and the vibrant sea they all share.

The Caribbean is one of the worlds most biologically diverse marine regions, with over 13,000 plant species, over 12,000 fish and other marine species and 10% of the worlds coral reefs. The nearly 44 million people who call these islands home depend on the coral reefs, beaches, fisheries and mangroves that sustain their livelihoods, economies and way of life. The fishing and tourism industries provide the basis of local economies throughout the region, and about half of all livelihoods are dependent on marine and coastal resources.

Recent decades have seen a steady decline in the Caribbeans once healthy and abundant ocean, coral reefs, beaches and fisheries caused by overfishing, unsustainable development, pollution and climate change. For more than 40 years, we have been working to protect the breathtaking beauty that makes the Caribbean the unique paradise that it is and the resources that sustain the millions who live there.

Currently working in 17 countries and territories, we protect and restore the ocean, coasts and coral reefs and apply innovative solutions to strengthen vulnerable communities in the face of climate change. Using a nature-based approach for long-term conservation success, we are working to secure a bright future for the Caribbean where nature and people can thrive.

Leading coral science and conservation organizations are joining forces to accelerate vital reef restoration work.

Find out why 2016 has been a remarkable year for conservation work in the Caribbean.

The Caribbean Marine Biodiversity Program protects and restores vital ecosystems to improve livelihoods and community wellbeing.

Six islands come together to promote marine conservation. See what they created.

View a slideshow about this Haitian village.

Learn about an innovative approach to funding conservation in the Caribbean.

Watch music videos from five Eastern Caribbean islands designed to inspire local residents to protect their oceans.

Learn about how we're protecting coastal communities in Grenada using nature-based solutions.

Excerpt from:

Caribbean Nature Conservation, Environment Issues | The ...

With its innate natural beauty, turquoise waters and temperate climes, the island of Martinique has long been a popular Caribbean destination for European travelers in the know, as Martinique is a French overseas territory. But with limited direct flights, the Flower Island has flown under the radar for North American couples with their sights set on Caribbean honeymoon locales. The good news is that Norwegian Air is poised to change all of that. The airline will offer direct routes between Martinique and New York City, Providence, Rhode Island, and Fort Lauderdale, Florida, during the upcoming peak Caribbean travel season this winter (November through March)and fares start at a shockingly low rate of $79 one way, or $158 round trip.

So if your idea of a dream honeymoon is to completely unplug and unwind in a slice of Caribbean paradise with options for eco excursions aplenty, look no further than Martinique's protected Caravelle Peninsula , a designated nature reserve that extends into the Atlantic Ocean from the island's eastern shores and remains largely undeveloped other than its beach access points, hiking trials, historic monuments and a cluster of civilization around the fishing village of Tartane. Here's what else you need to know to plan a Caribbean honeymoon with plenty of authentic island charm.

Courtesy Nicolas Derne/French Coco

Last summer, a new eco-luxe retreat quietly opened its doors on the Caravelle Peninsula. A labor of love by husband and wife hoteliers Robert and Nadge Pellegatta and Martinique's only property to be a member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World, French Coco features just 17 suites, each with its own private patio, plunge pool and decorative art pieces commissioned from local artists who work with repurposed materials. Walkways to the suites meander through the property's lush, native gardens, a wonderful sensory introduction to the island's abundant flora. In the spirit of the peninsula's natural ethos, "the buildings must disappear into nature," notes Nadge, ever the consummate host, who is likely to be spotted offering guests botanical tours of the grounds, which also include and an organic chef's garden and paths that lead to the beach. (In total, six different beaches are within walking distance.)

Extending several miles into the Atlantic Ocean, the peninsula's far end is laced with hiking trails, including routes for "le petit" (the small trail), which takes about 90 minutes to complete, and also for "le grand" (the large trail), which takes approximately 3 1/2 hours to complete. Both routes start and end at Chteau Dubuc , the awe-inspiring ruins of a 17th century plantation that was later abandoned and eventually named a historic monument by the French government. Routes trek through mangrove forests and dry tropical terrain, with an optional detour for a dip in the Baie du Trsor, but what's most spectacular are the scenic vistasthose ever-changing ocean views that surprise and delight at every turn. One of Martinique's most spectacular vantage points, with all of the peninsula stretching out before you, is the 360-degree lookout platform near the Caravelle Lighthouse, built in 1862.

Courtesy Erin Lindholm

The Caravelle Peninsula is home to some of the sweetest surfing beaches in Martinique, notably Anse l'Etang on the peninsula's north shore. Chez Bliss , a local surf school, offers a variety of board rentals, including shortboard, longboard, bodyboard or SUP, that are available to rent by the hour, day, or week. The island's other surf school, Martinique Surfing , is based to the north in Basse-Pointe, home of the annual Martinique Surf Pro international surf competition, but the company can arrange for private surf lessons at any of Martinique's surf hotspots, including Basse-Pointe, Tartane (the peninsula) and southernly Diamant.

No honeymoon to Martinique would be complete without a day spent sailing, swimming and snorkeling in Martinique's legendary Les Fonds Blancsthe shallow turquoise waters and white sand seafloor that surround many of the lets (islands) in the Baie du Robert, just to the south of the Caravelle Peninsula. In fact, catamaran tour company Les Ballades du Delphis offers departures from Anse Spoutourne on the southern side of the Caravelle Peninsula directly, as well as from the marina in the seaside town of Francois a bit further south. In addition to Les Fonds Blancs, highlights include let Chancel's iguana colony and ruins, a Crole lunch, numerous opportunities to swim and snorkel and the chance to sample Ti' Punch, a a typical Crole aperitif made with local sugar, fresh lime juice and local rum.

About that organic chef's garden on site at French Coco: It's not just for show. In fact, the fresh, organic ingredients grown throughout the property are omnipresent in the Crole and Caribbean menu offerings from Chef Nathanal Ducteil, a Martinique native who returned home last year to lead the culinary team at French Coco after some years abroad in Europeincluding time spent training with culinary legend Alain Ducasse. In applying refined, classically French techniques to traditionally rustic and homey island cuisine, Ducteil is breaking all sorts of culinary rules, and he's already raking in the accolades. French Coco was awarded the Grand Prix (Grand Prize) from the Acadmie de l'Art Culinaire du Monde Crole for 2016, a culinary arts institution that celebrates the gastronomic heritage of the Caribbean islands.

Just down the road, La Table de Mamy Nounou is another gastronomic delight, offering a nightly menu of Caribbean-inspired French fusion cuisine. Reservations are a must, but once you glimpse those sunset views, you'll understand why this tucked-away gem is beloved by locals and visitors alike.

See More: How to Have a Wellness Honeymoon in Bali

Originally posted here:

Get Off the Grid at This Caribbean Honeymoon Retreat in Martinique - Brides.com

Caribbean Development Bank supports Caribbean Tourism Organizations service and business excellence programme withover US$223,000

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO)s continued efforts at promoting service and business excellence in the regions tourism and hospitality sector has received a financial boost from the regional financial institution that focuses on harmonious economic growth and development in the Caribbean.

The Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), through its Caribbean Technological Consultancy Services (CTCS) Network is providing US$223,312 in support of the two key components of the Hospitality Assured (HA) Caribbean certification programme managed by the CTO as part of its product development and service quality thrust.

The funds will be used to engage business advisors and assessors to help strengthen the business performance and overall competitiveness of tourism-related micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in ten CDB borrowing member countries through the HA programme.

Our region needs to boost its reputation for service and business excellence and pay attention to the overall visitor experience. The Hospitality Assured framework provides the tool to drive this effort, said Bonita Morgan, the CTOs director of resource mobilization and development, and the CTO official with overall responsibility for the HA programme.

We are thankful to the CDB, through the CTCS Network, for supporting this effort to help Caribbean tourism businesses shore up their competitiveness.

For several Caribbean economies, tourism is an engine of growth, and MSMEs have the potential to make significant contributions to the sector. CDB is pleased to be supporting CTO in delivering the HA Caribbean certification programme, and deeply value the role it plays in helping regional MSMEs deliver an even higher quality product and experience in an increasingly competitive global tourism market, said Darran Newman, acting division chief, technical cooperation division, CDB.

Over the next year 30 businesses in the ten countries Anguilla, Belize, the British Virgin Islands, Guyana, Jamaica, Montserrat, Saint Lucia, St. Kitts & Nevis, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, and Turks & Caicos Islands will receive technical assistance as well as assessment services through the CDB funding.

The regional lending institutions support for HA dates back to 2014 when, through the United Kingdom Department for International Developments Caribbean Aid for Trade and Regional Integration Trust Fund, managed by the Bank, it provided funding support for six businesses in Grenada to participate in the certification programme.

Last year, CDB, through the CTCS network, provided financial support to conduct a week-long business advisors training workshop organized by the CTO to equip 15 business advisors to provide technical assistance to tourism-related businesses participating in the HA certification programme.

CTCS is managed within CDBs Technical Cooperation Division and operated in cooperation with regional and national institutions, laboratories, industrial enterprises, and consultants. It comprises a network of institutions and experts, and has as its primary aim, transferring knowledge, skills and technology to improve managerial and operational efficiency and competitiveness of MSMEs through the provision of technical assistance.

Hospitality Assured is a certification programme promoting service and business excellence in tourism and hospitality companies. It is owned by the Institute of Hospitality in the United Kingdom, and managed by the Caribbean Tourism Organization in the region.

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CTO receives financial boost from Caribbean Development Bank - South Florida Caribbean News

Lucy Martinek was 21 years old when she applied to medical school in Canada.

The Alberta native completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Alberta, taking on additional lab work andadditional academic opportunities to supplement her application.

Med school, however, wasn't in the books at least not in Canada.

"I didn't even get one interview that year," said Martinek. "The feedback I got back was that I should pursue a master's or a PhD to make my application stronger."

Not interested in betting several more years of her life on the slight possibility that she'd get in, Martinek assessed her options.She applied to medical school at St. George's University in the Caribbean country of Grenada.

Now 32and a physician in the U.S., Martinek isn't thinking about coming back home. Even though an estimated 4.5 million Canadians don't have regular access to a doctor, she says she doesn't feel like her country even wants her back.

It's a common feeling among Canadians who study medicine abroad, especially since most Canadians who study in places like the Caribbean often have to jump through many bureaucratic hoops to practise back home even after spending years earning their degrees.

According to the Association of Faculties of Medicine of Canada, almost 40,000 people applied to med school in Canada last year.Only 6.8per cent received an offer of admission.

An aerial view of St. George's, Grenada -- home of St. George's University, one of the leading medical schools in the Caribbean. (Getty Images)

For those students who choose to brave the application process a second or even third time, failing to get into med school means the end of a lifelong dream.

"You have two choices, let go of your dream ... or you think of another possibility to go to medical school," said Hassan Masri, an Ontario nativewho studied at the American University of Antigua.

"At that point, the Caribbean becomes an option."

And it's a difficult option.

Caribbean medical schools are modelled after their Canadian and U.S. counterparts students even take American and Canadian board exams so they can apply for residencies in both countries.Still, a Caribbean education comes with a number of caveats.

Tuition in the Caribbean costs an average of $23,000 per term;in Canada, tuition typically costs $6,000 to $26,000. However, once students factor in the cost of travel and residence, attending school in the Caribbean can easily cost $30,000 or more.

Then there's the matter of clinical rotations.In Canada and the U.S., most med students start their clinical rotations within their first year of studies.

In the Caribbean, students spend their first two years learning medical theory "on island." Clinical rotations are carried out duringthe final two years in the U.S.

What really causes anxiety forCanadians who study medicine abroad, however, is how difficult they find it to come back and practise medicine at home.

"You almost feel alienated by your own country," said Martinek. "I've worked hard and I'm good at what I do why wouldn't the Canadian government want to keep me?"

Practising medicine back in Canada is a matter of studying the right field of medicine, retaking certain medical board exams, and, in some scenarios, having to redo an entire medical degree.

After med school, students still need to pursue a residency and sometimes even a fellowship to launch their careers.

Here, Caribbean medical graduates beginto encounter professional hurdles.

Foreign-educated Canadians are classified by Health Canadaas international medical graduates (IMG) and not Canadian medical graduates (CMG).

The Canadian Resident Matching Services (CaRMS), anot-for-profit organization, works with Canada's medical schools and teaching hospitals tomatch med students with residency programs.

According to Lisa Turiff, the manager of communications for CaRMS, foreign-trained med students who apply to residency programs in Canada aren't separated based on their countries of origin.A Canadian who studied in the Caribbean is treated the same as a German who studied in Germany.They're all classified as IMGs.

Last year, only 100 of the approximately 1,800 IMGswho applied to Canadian residency programs including Canadians studying abroad in places like the Caribbean, Ireland, Australia, and the U.K. landeda spot.

Average med school tuition in Canada is almost $10,000 cheaper than the Caribbean. (CBC)

Would-be residents and fellows must study a medical specialty specified by the Pan-Canadian List of Needed Specialities (PCLNS).

Tammy Jarbeau, senior media relations adviser at Health Canada, says the listis organized by the provinces and territories to determine how many specialist doctors are needed each year.

"This list reflects the evolving pan-Canadian physician workforce planning landscape," said Jarbeau.

If, for example, Ontario determines that it doesn't need anymore chest surgeons one year, the government won't issue statements of need for chest surgery fellowships.

In fact, Martinekencountereda problem when she chased aminimally invasive surgery fellowship last year.

"That year, the Canadian government was thinking of not sponsoring anyone for a fellowship," said Martinek. "We got them to reconsider [but] they didn't approve my ... fellowship."

Martinek eventually landed a trauma surgery fellowship at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, Mass.,a teaching hospital that is part of Harvard Medical School.

Martinek also feels that most foreign-trained Canadians aren't given any preferential treatment when returning home, which ironically dissuades foreign-trained Canadian doctors from coming back at all.

"I don't know why they don't want us," said Martinek.

Health Canada, the provinces, the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada and the provincial physician colleges make clear thesteps required for foreign-trained doctors whether they're Canadian citizens, permanent residentsor foreign nationals to practise in Canada.

For some , it's as simple as verifying their medical degrees and taking specific college licensing exams. For others, it's more complicated.

Farhan Bhanji, associate director of the college, said it's not impossible for foreign-trained doctors to practise in Canada.

"Right now, there are many foreign physicians in Canada."

However, Bhanjialso said that the existing policies don't apply to every foreign physician. Foreign-doctors who attended medical schools not recognized by Canada, for example, need to retake certain exams to seek appointment to the college.

Other foreign-trained doctors can receive provisional licenses that allow them to practise under the care of a supervising physicianwhile awaiting the college'slicence exams.

"We're stuck with minimal choices," said Martinek.

A lack of returning Canadian doctors is difficult for some provinceslike British Columbia and Nova Scotiathat have describedtheir lack of doctors as a "crisis."Places like northern Ontariodon't fare much better.

Sandra Banner has 35 years of experience matching students to Canadian residencies. Today she works for St. George's University (SGU) as the consultant for university relations in Canada.

Banner says that there are "sweeping generalizations" about the quality of education at schools like SGU.

For instance, people assume that Caribbean-trained doctors boughttheir degreesor that the quality of medical training they received is inferior to that of their Canadian counterparts.

Banner says that'snot true.

The locations of the five most popular Caribbean med schools. (CBC News)

Still, Banner wouldn't recommend attending a Caribbean med school over a Canadian one.

"Never. No, no, no. Never," said Banner. "We would never suggest that they choose an international medical school over a Canadian medical school."

The difficulty of going back home is one of the reasons she'd dissuade prospective med students from listing a Caribbean school as their first choice.

However, "if [applicants]are not one of the lucky ones and they are determined to become physicians," Bannerrecommends a Caribbean school as an alternative.

Masri is one Canadian who did manage to come home.

He studied at the American University of Antiguaand today the 33-year-old critical care physician teaches at the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon.

In spite of his success, Masri is quick to mention that he's one of the few Caribbean-educated Canadian physicians he knows who wasable to come back.

"Most people do not come back to Canada because of how rigid the rules are," said Masri.

Just like Banner and all of the other doctors andmedical students interviewed for this story Masri says he wouldn't recommend his school as a first-choice pick for any student.

Instead, it's a second chance to pursue a life-long dream.

"If this is something you want to do ... giving up because there are limitations is not an option," said Masri.

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Pursuing the MD dream: How Caribbean-trained Canadian doctors struggle to come home - CBC.ca