Monthly Archives: April 2022

MIAMI (CBSMiami) A number of Caribbean nations have dropped their COVID protocols, making it easier to access the islands without proof of vaccination or a pre-flight COVID test, but not all.

It is a little more complicated, but there are countries where you do not need to do anything, just show up like before COVID, said Alexander Britell, Editor-in-Chief of The Caribbean Journal.

Countries and U.S. possessions that do not require any COVID documentation include Jamaica, Grenada, Bonaire, Curaao, Aruba, Dominican Republic (which never required proof), Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Wonderful you say? Not so fast. What was pretty much a simple blanket requirement to enter all Caribbean nations is now a patchwork of regulations.

There are countries where if you are vaccinated, you dont have to test. But if you are unvaccinated, you have to test. There are countries where they only allow vaccinated travelers, said Britell.

For example, the Bahamas. While the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has dropped its travel advisory level to the islands from three to level two, the Bahamian government has not changed its entrance requirements. They still require a test, whether you are vaccinated or not, and also require online pre-travel registration.

Bottom line you have to do your research. Each country has a travel website where requirements are listed.

U.S visitors must remember, even with restrictions being relaxed one issue remains for all travelers entering the U.S. or U.S. citizens returning to the states.

You have to do a COVID test 24 hours before you get on a plane to go back home, said Britell.

U.S. and Caribbean tourism organizations have strongly lobbied to drop the test requirement which they say is now not needed. They contend its a hassle for travelers and hinders business.

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Traveling To The Caribbean? Nations Have Mash Up Of COVID Regulations - CBS Miami

From relaxing Covid-test requirements to removing them altogether, several Caribbean islands have been scaling back pandemic-era entry protocols. And officials and travel executives say the moves will pave the way for regional recovery this year.

Coexisting with Covid seems to be the Caribbean's current rule of thumb, with the global downward trajectory of cases resulting in less hesitancy and more confidence among travelers to pack their flip-flops and sunscreen and head to the islands.

And although the BA.2 variant is causing a new wave of cases, unless it prompts lockdowns or the return of stringent measures, the region is poised to see a return to pre-pandemic arrival numbers.

"There are early signs from preliminary data that the Caribbean is recovering from the impact of Covid-19 at a quicker pace this year, 2022, than last year," said Neil Walters, the Caribbean Tourism Organization's acting secretary general. "A lot of this can be attributed to the easing of protocols.

"Destinations that began easing restrictions early are at a more advanced stage of recovery," he said.

Speaking during a Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association (CHTA) webinar on April 7, Walters said that arrivals increased 69% in 2021 over 2020 but were still down 41% over 2019.

Nicola Madden-Greig, the CHTA's president, cited positive indicators for 2022: Hotel occupancy rates for the first two months of the year averaged about 70% of the industry's peak performance for the same period prior to the pandemic.

She also attributed the growth to easier entry.

"We're pleased with the ongoing reduction in Covid-19 travel restrictions, which has eliminated some of the lingering hesitation about traveling to the region," she said. "Many jurisdictions are registering an uptick in arrivals. The CHTA expects the robust travel trend to continue throughout the summer months."

To be sure, Covid entry restrictions are still in place. Many Caribbean islands still require some sort of Covid test upon entry. Several destinations are still closed to unvaccinated travelers, and the rules still can change with frequency.

But members of the travel industry hailed the relaxing of policies, such as allowing vaccinated travelers to take rapid antigen tests prior to arrival in lieu of PCR tests, which are more expensive and can take up to 72 hours to deliver results.

"The last few weeks have brought good news to the Caribbean, with more destinations, including St. Lucia, Jamaica, Barbados, Curacao, Antigua and Grenada, easing travel restrictions and making it easier for visitors to come to the region," Adam Stewart, executive chairman of Sandals Resorts International, said in early April.

Jamaica, for example, no longer requires pre-arrival Covid testing for vaccinated or unvaccinated visitors. It has also ended its mask mandate.

In a recent speech, Jamaica minister of tourism Edmund Bartlett said the island nation's case levels had "steadily decreased in recent months, and visitor arrivals have been increasing with hopes for a full recovery in 2023."

Jamaica saw more than 1.5 million visitors in 2021 and this year projects up to 2.5 million.

St. Lucia this month dropped all pre-testing requirements for vaccinated visitors and eliminated document upload for all travelers. Unvaccinated visitors must still show proof of a negative PCR test taken within five days of arrival.

"We remain committed to coexist with Covid, and we look to the future with hope," Ernest Hilaire, St. Lucia's minister of tourism, said during a February webinar.

Dominica dropped its testing requirement for vaccinated travelers and removed a quarantine rule for unvaccinated visitors.

St. Kitts and Nevis on April 1 gave vaccinated travelers the option to submit a rapid test instead of a PCR test, which was previously required.

"We are confident that these amended entry requirements will aid in the rebound of our air arrivals and the ongoing recovery of our tourism industry and related economies," said Lindsay Grant, the country's minister of tourism, transport and ports.

Grenada, which last year had a mandatory, 48-hour quarantine in place, recently dropped testing requirements for all travelers. Aruba, Curacao and Puerto Rico have done the same.

The Dominican Republic hasn't required Covid testing since September 2020.

Visitor numbers last year neared 5 million, close to 2019 levels.

One policy that many cite as a roadblock to tourism recovery -- but one that is out of the islands' control -- is the rule that all international arrivals test one day before entering the U.S. Regional leaders have joined the chorus of industry voices pushing for the Biden administration to repeal the requirement for the vaccinated.

"We believe this will further stimulate Caribbean travel," Madden-Greig said.

It is one less hurdle, however, for travelers to the U.S. territories. Puerto Rico dropped Covid protocols for all travelers on March 10. No proof of vaccination, pre-entry test or travel authorization is needed, which in combination with not having to test to return to the U.S. mainland, or have a passport to enter, makes it one of the easiest islands for U.S. travelers to visit. (The U.S. Virgin Islands has dropped pre-entry testing for vaccinated travelers, although unvaccinated travelers must still test.)

Jorge Hernandez, CEO of Aerostar Airport Holdings, operator of Luis Munoz Marin Airport in San Juan, called 2021 a "stellar year" thanks to consistent messaging, which he said the region should embrace.

"All the islands need this kind of messaging to explain to travelers that travel requirements are easier now that the pandemic is waning as the demand for travel is growing," he said.

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Tide shifts in the Caribbean as islands ease Covid entry rules - Travel Weekly

Upon my arrival, a 15-minute drive from the small airport led to Mandarin Oriental Canouan, a 1,200-acre property tucked away on a cliffside, like an island to itself. The hotel is as secluded as it is eye-catching, with pops of pink and white around the grounds that create a vibrancy to match the glowing turquoise ocean that serves as the propertys backyard. There are 26 suites and 13 villas, each with plush couches, en-suite marble bathrooms, high ceilings and ocean views, and even entry level rooms are a whopping 1,300 square feet. When hunger or thirst hits, guests can take their pick of five restaurants and two barswith a wine list that rivals some of the best selections Ive had in France.

For pampering, the resorts Balinese-inspired spa includes 10 hillside treatment palapas where you can enjoy services ranging from sleep therapy to facials using natural ingredients from the island. Two overwater treatment palapas debuted just this yearone of the only overwater spa experiences in the Caribbeanand include a full indoor suite for the spa treatments, an outdoor balcony overlooking the water, a steam shower, full dressing rooms, and a glass floor that reveals the Caribbean Sea.

Overwater spas at the Mandarin Oriental Canouan

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Canouan Is the Charming Caribbean Island You Need to Visit Next - Vogue

Did you know that Disneys Pirates of the Caribbean ride has almost as many animals as it does pirates? Youll find critters all throughout every version of the beloved attraction, from Disneyland to Disney World to Disneyland Paris. Theres a bona fide menagerie of furry and feathered friends popping up throughout Pirates, including in some of its most iconic scenes. They make this world seem realer than it would without them, as any 17th or 18th century Caribbean port town would clearly have an ample population of dogs, livestock, and other beasts of burden. In turn they also make Pirates of the Caribbean a more entertaining experience, injecting some cuteness and levity in a ride that actually tells a fairly tragic story. If youre a diehard Disney fan, youre probably familiar with every animal that pops up throughout Pirates, and you also probably know which ones you love the most. As a pop culture website, its Pastes sacred duty to rank literally everything we can possibly think of, so lets finally crank out our most important list ever, and rank every animal in Disneys Pirates of the Caribbean rideor at least in the Disneyland and Disney World versions. (Sorry, I havent been to France since before the pandemic, and dont remember if that Pirates has any unique animals of its own. Dont worry: the robot animals wont care if they get left out.)

Here it is: a complete ranking of every animal from the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction.

Goats are a top tier animal, easily one of the 100 or so best creatures on this planet, but two of the three Pirates of the Caribbean goats feel like an afterthought. Theyve stood by the water in the auction scene for decades, surviving the 2017 update that turned the auction from a lighthearted bit of human trafficking into a nonsensical scene of pirates auctioning off booty to other pirates. Thats pretty much all they do, just stand there, without making much of an impression at all. I honestly forgot they even existed until I fact checked this article between writing and publication. These goats sure arent the GOAT.

In 2017 the wench auction was replaced with a weird scene where two pirates are auctioning off stuff they stole from the city to other pirateswho youd think would just steal their own stuff, instead of paying other pirates for it, but whatever. Now the auctioneer is asking for bids on a flock of chickens, who sit there obliviously as their future hangs in the balance. How is a pirate invading a port town going to care for a dozen chickens? Or is the plan to just slaughter them on the spot and have a feast? The ride answers that question almost immediately, as in the very next scene we see those same chickens running amok in the town as the residents start fighting against the pirates. Its good to see they dont go down easy, but its also a little hard to get emotionally invested in chickens.

Unsurprisingly, there are a handful of parrots throughout Pirates. The least notable is the one perched on top of a treasure chest next to Jack Sparrow in the ride-ending treasure room scene. This bird doesnt have much of its own personality and doesnt add that much to the scene, existing pretty much just to accompany Jacks singing with the occasional whistle and squawk. Its the third parrot you see in the ride, and makes the least impact.

Dogs tie parrots on the Pirates scorecard, with three mutts popping up throughout the ride. Theyre all very good boys, of course, but three is a bit of overkill, even if its supposed to be the same dog showing up in different scenes. (Thats entirely possible, as they all basically look the same.) Unlike the parrots, the least notable dog is the very first one you see. It shows up in the scene where Jack Sparrow, hiding inside a barrel, studies a treasure map over the shoulder of a drunken pirate who boasts about stealing the map from Sparrow. Theres a dog quizzically looking at this Johnny Depp audio-animatronic poking out of a barrel, wagging his tale and threatening to blow the pirates cover. Hes the least important figure in this little scenario, and also the least important dog in the ride.

The Pirates ride has a bit of a macabre opening, with your boat sailing through a cove filled with the skeletons of long dead pirates. One of them was apparently run through with a sword that left his corpse pinned against a rock wall. In time all that was left was his skeleton, propped upright against that wall and with a sword sticking out through his rib cage. At some point a seagull built a nest inside the pirates hat. This seagull is a resourceful bird, which is very admirable, but it otherwise doesnt really do anything or make much of an impression. He makes for a good visual gag and little else. Sorry, seagull!

All hail crab. Hes just hanging out on the beach, undisturbed by the skeletons around him, waving his claws in the air like he just dont care. Crabs one cool customer, he is. Hes scurried straight into the hearts of Disney fans for over five decades now, unflappable all the while.

At least one goat on this ride has some gumption. While those two other goats lollygag down by the water, meekly awaiting their fate, this go-getter somehow climbed up to one of the pillars on the bridge overlooking the auction. Its his way of asserting his dominance over the pirates below; they wont be auctioning this goat off, and given how incompetent most of these pirates seem, its entirely possible this goat will be captaining his own pirate ship when all is said and done. You cant keep a good goat down.

He can kind of keep a tune. Ill give him that. But this dog (who, again, could very well be the same dog we see at two other points during the ride) isnt even the most notable animal in this impromptu pirate band. And since two of the human members are needed to provide the music, and the third pirate is clearly the superstar frontman of the group (that striped shirt and red sash combo is totally something Harry Styles would wear), that makes the dog the fifth out of five. Hes a Pete Best waiting to happen, and although hes still a fantastic singer, that inherently limits how much we can care about him. Sorry, buddy!

The original Pirates at Disneyland starts off in modern day Louisiana, floating tranquilly by the Blue Bayou restaurant as unseen bugs hum and whir in the night air. There is one kind of bug you can see here, the fireflies that flit brightly in the distance as you coast past an old man picking at a banjo on the porch of his swamp hut. If youve only ever ridden Pirates at Disney World youve never seen these little dudes, and thats a shame: they add a tremendous bit of atmosphere to the rides first few moments, contributing to one of the most striking and singular sections of any Disney ride.

For decades there was an adorable parrot with a peg leg and pirates hat stationed outside the Pirates ride at the Magic Kingdom. The Barker Bird would squawk at passersby to check out the ride, occasionally singing bits of the theme song. Although removed in 2006, this bird still regularly pops up in Pirates merchandise at the park. This bird would be near the top of our list if he was still around; he no longer exists, but there is a similar bird at the Disneyland attraction that you can see in the queue at the entrance of the ride building. Hes not decked out like a pirate, but he chirps and talks, and shows more personality than most of the birds in the actual ride. Still, he cant beat our number one Pirates parrot

Near the end of the ride your boat passes under a bridge from which a drunken pirate who has lost a shoe dangles a filthy bare foot. It is an almost worrisomely realistic footyoull spend far too much time wondering how they made a robot foot look so much like the real thing. On top of the bridge, next to that pirate, a parrot sits on a barrel, squawking away. The foot might get most of the attention, but that bird is the cream of the parrot crop for Pirates, and exactly what you hope for out of a pet and a partner. Hes patiently watching over his beloved master, making sure he doesnt drunkenly fall into the water below, and waiting to call for help or scare away any blackguard who might try to mess with his human. Hes a true and loyal friend, which is all the more respectable after seeing how disgusting that dudes foot is.

We might be simultaneously disgusted and entranced by that drunken sots bare foot, but when it comes to lovable alcoholics in Pirates, theres only one true choice: Old Bill, the rummy slumped against a wall by the waterside whos trying to share his grog with three mewling kitties. The cats seem angry or scared or anxious or maybe just annoyed, with their tails sticking up straight and their cries never stopping. Do they want a taste of Bills rum? Are these starving babes begging Bill for something more appropriate for a cat, like milk or tuna? Or do they just want him to get out of their way so they can have some privacy for once? Cats are mysterious. Theres no mystery about Old Bills cats being totally awesome, though.

Weve all been there: totally smashed on rum while invading a Caribbean port city in the 18th century, and eventually passing out in a pigsty while snuggling and snoring along with three content little piglets. Easily the most relatable character in the whole ride, the hopeless drunk who has blacked out in the mud and filth of these three pigs is in store for the thrill of a lifetime when he wakes up and realizes hes actually gotten to cozy up to real live pigs while sleeping it off. These pigs are absolutely adorable, of coursethree round, filth-crusted balls of love whose bond with this drunken pirate is as unbreakable as it is new. Those Pirates movies wouldve been way better if they were about these guys.

The chubby pirate in the red stripes might be the Harry Styles of the band, but the singing donkey is every other One Direction member in one, with a helping heaping of Jagger, Bowie, Mercury, and Elton John, to boot. This donkey is a starone destined to go solo after he chafes under the ball and chain that is his band. Theres a reason TikTok is full of donkey fancams, and why hes become a style inspiration for all fashion forward pop fans. The singing donkey in the Pirates of the Caribbean band has unlimited starpower and a boundless futureassuming his personal demons dont derail his hopes and dreams. Stay strong, donkey, and dont let fame go to your head.

Could it be anybody else? The dog holding a jail cell key just out of the reach of desperate prisoners isnt just one of the most popular scenes in Pirates; its about as iconic as anything found in any Disney ride. Is it the same dog we see twice before during Pirates? Maybe, but even so, nothing he does earlier comes close to being as fun, cute, or memorable as keeping all hope just barely an arms length away from prisoners trapped in the jail of a town that is rapidly burning to the ground. You might be tempted to call this dog a cop, and maybe he is, but I prefer to think that hes just a very good boy doing what his people have trained him to do. You cant begrudge a dog from faithfully doing its job, even if that job isnt on the right side of the moral and ethical divide. No matter what exactly is happening here, you cant deny that this dog is the undisputed champion of Pirates of the Caribbean animals.

Senior editor Garrett Martin writes about videogames, comedy, travel, theme parks, wrestling, and anything else that gets in his way. Hes also on Twitter @grmartin.

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Every Animal in Disney's Pirates of the Caribbean Ride, Ranked - Paste Magazine

Experience the Taste of Havana with Habit Burgers New Cubano Char. Image Courtesy of Habit Burger

Looking for a tasty new burger? Check out the newest, limited edition burger from The Habit Burger Grill which takes us to the Caribbean.

In a press email we here at Guilty Eats received on behalf of Habit Burger, we learned that on April 20, the burger chain is bringing the flavors of one of the Caribbeans most popular sandwiches to our taste buds. Introducing the all new, Cubano Char!

What is the Cubano Char and why are we eager to get our hands on of these next level burgers?

According to the description we received, the Cubano Char is part of their Charburger lineup and it,

features a crave-worthy mix of classic chargrilled flavor with flavorful Cuban-inspired additions. Handcrafted between a toasted Brioche bun, the Cubano Charburger is layered with mustard-grilled honey ham, two slices of melty cheese and zesty mustard atop The Habits signature seasoned chargrilled patty, giving guests a unique blend of flavors and textures all in one satisfying bite.

Sounds amazing right? We love every single bit of this description and the fact that they are bringing so many layers of flavor to the menu with this innovation. From the honey ham to the chargrilled beef patty, this sounds like a decadent burger that will satisfy any craving.

With the new Cubano Char being a limited time addition to the Habit Burger menu, we know that we need to head their as soon as possible so we can get our grub on! This wont be around for long, and we definitely need to give this one a try before it is gone.

What do you think Guilty Eats readers? Are you excited by this new addition to the Habit Burger menu? Will you be giving this Charburger a try for yourself? We want to know.

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Habit Burger Grill gives us a taste of the Caribbean with a new burger - Guilty Eats

Reporting live from Mariner of the Seas! Its the first day of our 4-night sailing from Port Canaveral to Nassau, Bahamas and Perfect Day at CocoCay. The first day is always filled with so much excitement and anticipation.

As we drove up to the port, we could see both Mariner and Anthem of the Seas in the distance. Busy day in port for a Tuesday!

Our boarding time was 1:30 this afternoon. Upon arrival, the parking lot appeared to be more full than our last cruise from Port Canaveral onboard Harmony of the Seas in late February.

We were prompted to park in an open lot that was a bit further than the parking ramp that we had previously parked in. It was $85 to park for the duration of the cruise.

Checking In

After showing our negative covid test and vaccine card, we walked inside the terminal to go through security.

I was curious to see if we could ditch our masks during the check-in process, as last night the news broke about the CDCs mask mandate being overturned. As such, all of the airlines dropped their masking requirements but I had yet to read any news about cruise travel being impacted.

We were almost immediately prompted to put on our masks while showing our travel documents outside the terminal, so that question was quickly answered.

Signs indoors also instructed cruise passengers that masks were required in the terminal. Masks are currently optional onboard, but the vast majority of passengers are not wearing them.

Check-in was a breeze, and we were on our way to board the ship!

Stateroom Impressions

By the time we boarded, it was almost 2:00 PM and the staterooms were ready. This was great news, as we opted to carry on our luggage for this short cruise rather than giving our bags to the porters.

Since we booked an inside guarantee cabin, our stateroom was assigned right before the cruise departed. We will be staying in cabin 8371, which is located at the very back of the ship. We found our stateroom, unloaded our luggage and spent some time getting settled.

This inside cabin oozes with nostalgia for us. As a family, we cruised many times onboard Voyager Class ships for nearly a decade, so this cabin truly feels like home. These ships brought our family everywhere from Canada to Greece and around the Caribbean multiple times. Recent cruises for us have been on newer ships, which certainly have more modern cabins with updated interior designs.

This cabin has everything we need to be comfortable though; in fact, it feels a bit roomier than our inside cabin onboard Harmony of the Seas a couple months ago.

Angie and I didnt pack too much for this cruise since its only 4 nights, but theres plenty of space and storage. We barely filled up the closet with our clothes, so I dont think we would need a bigger stateroom for the two of us even if we were cruising on a longer voyage.

It was quite windy today when we boarded the ship, so we were worried about whether our cabin location would make us feel the swaying of the ship more intently. We usually prioritize a midship cabin to limit motion, but we didn't want to pay extra to choose our cabin. Luckily, we havent felt the seas being rough, but I will keep you updated if my opinions change on that.

Itinerary Change

For the first time in all my cruising years, our sailing has a last minute itinerary change! Of course, this has become more common with the pandemic, but we were surprised to find an updated itinerary in our cabin.

Instead of having a sea day tomorrow, we will be docking in Grand Bahama Island. The letter stated that Mariner of the Seas needs to have some regularly scheduled ship maintenance, so this is a logistical stop, but we are able to get off the ship or book excursions if we choose.

This is interesting for a few reasons, as the change appears to be pretty last minute. Regularly scheduled ship maintenance is necessary I am sure, but I figured these logistical needs were built into the itinerary or performed on the ships turnover day in Port Canaveral. Ive inquired about the maintenance to multiple crew members. Theyve all been surprised to learn of the itinerary change themselves, so I haven't uncovered the need for the maintenance.

Needless to say, we are excited to explore a new port! Neither of us have visited Freeport, Bahamas so we plan to explore the port on our own.

Getting Acquainted

After settling into our cabin, we finished our virtual muster drill safety requirements. I hope Royal Caribbean keeps the virtual muster drill forever, as its infinitely better than the traditional drill where everyone crams together on deck 4 and learns how to put on the life jacket.

As with any cruise, we couldnt go more than a few hours without eating so we grabbed a quick lunch at Cafe Promenade. Angie and I both enjoyed our sandwiches. She also tried the cheese pizza and felt it was equivalent to Sorrentos pizza, which is her go-to lunch option when cruising.

I noticed immediately while sitting inside the cafe that the ship felt much busier than the last few times Ive cruised. We didnt have any issues finding a seat or waiting in a long line to get food, but the overall atmosphere felt more crowded.

The Bamboo Room

One of the things I was eager to try is The Bamboo Room, which is a tiki bar located in the promenade. Bright neon lights and greenery made this tropical venue easy to find. The bar had a very fun and inviting ambiance adorned with more neon lights, wicker lampshades, teal booths and floral wallpaper.

The bar was fairly busy, which was fine for us as we looked over the extensive cocktail menu. Specialty drinks seemed to included a multitude of rum and other liquors. There were so many quirky cocktails that we had a hard time choosing which ones to try!

I tried the On the Run cocktail while Angie tried a classic pia colada. Mine was served in a Bamboo Room plastic bag, which was a fun twist on the traditional cocktail glass! The cocktail was priced at $14, so I had to pay the extra $1 since my Diamond + drink coupons only cover up to $13 per drink. The up-charge was well worth it! We both loved our drinks and definitely enjoyed the island vibes.

One of my favorite parts of cruising is getting to talk to the crew members and asking about their families or home country. The Bamboo Room bartender was very chatty with Angie and I while fixing our drinks. When I asked where he was from, he responded he was from Ukraine. I asked if he had family back in his home country, to which he said yes he did. He briefly mentioned that his family is in a safer area, but it certainly made my heart heavy for him. I cant imagine how difficult it must be for him to be so far from his family during this time. We told him we would be back to The Bamboo Room to try more drinks; but I also added I would be thinking of his family and sending prayers for their safety. He was genuinely grateful and said he looked forward to seeing us again.

Sail Away

Our ship was scheduled to depart Port Canaveral around 4:00 PM, so we had to check out the pool deck for the sail away party. Did you even cruise if you dont wave goodbye to the port from the top deck?!

The pool deck was turnt-up with a DJ busting out some very classic, upbeat party tunes. There were lots of cruisers dancing with a drink in hand. The pools were pretty busy with kids swimming and also enjoying the fun atmosphere.

Again, it was much busier than the previous cruises Ive done; granted, my last 2 cruises were sailing at 25% and 50% capacity. I noticed a small line coming from both the pool bar and Solarium bar. Because this cruise was so cheap and booked last minute, I assumed the ship would be sailing with a lower capacity as well.

According to the crew, we are sailing with 3,500 passengers, which is just below sailing capacity.

Were also sailing at the tail end of spring break following the Easter holiday, so there are tons of families and college kids onboard. Normally, I feel like Angie and I are some of the youngest cruisers onboard - especially as weve been sailing on longer voyages to more unique destinations in recent years. What a change of pace!

These short getaway cruises attract an entirely different cruising population and the atmosphere feels much more party-like. Even the Solarium felt more lively than normal during sail away.

Angie and I both commented on the Solariums noticeable upgrades to feel more trendy and modern. There were multiple canopy beds intertwined with the lounge chairs and a greenery backdrop. These canopy beds looked super comfortable, so we are hoping to snag one during this cruise if we can.

As the ship sailed out to sea, we realized it was almost time for dinner. Time flies when you're having tiki drinks and head bopping to The Electric Slide.

Our normal routine while cruising includes a quick visit to the Diamond Lounge before heading to dinner, so we made our way up to Deck 14 to check it out.

The Diamond Lounge had a small selection of hors d'oeuvres with limited seating, but felt like it was pretty busy. We normally prefer when the lounge has a more intimate experience and you can get to know the staff and other cruisers.

Since we can use our Diamond Plus drinks at any bar now, Angie and I opted to just grab a cocktail before heading to Chops Grille.

Dinner at Chops Grille

Because this cruise was so cheap, we were able to treat ourselves and spend a little extra to enjoy a more upscale dinner at Chops Grille.

We took advantage of the pre-cruise deal for Chops + 1, which was on sale last week when planning our cruise. This dining package allows us to enjoy Chops and another specialty restaurant during our cruise.

Growing up, we never ate at the specialty restaurants onboard. Our parents always said we had already paid for food in the main dining room with our cruise fare, and we were very satisfied with the food and service we received when cruising. As cheap college students, my husband and I also found the main dining room to offer a very nice dinner experience each night and never felt we needed to spend extra for food.

Within the last 5 years, weve all grown to appreciate the specialty dining experience while cruising. We normally choose to go when the main dining room has a lackluster menu or we want to switch up the nightly routine. The BOGO deal for Diamond + cruisers is also a nice perk that makes specialty dining more affordable.

Tonight, our Chops Grille dinner started with a warm plate of bread, which included pretzel rolls and onion buns. We both ordered the bacon starter, which is a thick cut of pork with a light drizzle of sweet & spicy glaze. For the next course, I ordered the fried goat cheese salad and Angie tried the wild mushroom soup. Both were excellent.

For the main course, I ordered the petite filet mignon and Angie ordered the roasted chicken. A steakhouse isnt exactly the best place for Angie since she doesnt like beef, but she has always loved the chicken entree.

My steak was very tender and flavorful. We love most of the sides, so we ordered mashed potatoes, asparagus, giant guerre tots and Mac and cheese. The tots are our absolute favorite!

Dessert is also a highlight for us, so Angie and I ordered 3 different ones to try: key lime pie, warm chocolate cake and cheesecake. The warm chocolate cake was the winner, with its ooey gooey molten center, followed by the key lime pie. The cheesecake didnt do it for me, which was the only disappointing part of the meal - but we certainly didnt leave hungry.

Ice Show

We ended our evening with the ice show, which was called Ice Under the Big Top. We love the ice shows, and this one did not disappoint! We scurried our full bellies from Chops down to Studio B for the ice show and arrived with just a few minutes to spare; unfortunately, this means we got stuck behind a giant pole because the venue was packed.

There was no main headliner or welcome abroad show in the Royal Theatre tonight, which was interesting. Instead, they were playing a movie, Sing 2. This didnt appeal to me or Angie, although I am sure some of the families enjoyed.

The ice show was circus themed with some elaborate, dazzling costumes. It was certainly a show that anyone would enjoy, with some segments catered more towards kids and others simply showcasing the incredible skating skills of the performers. The littlest cruisers were very interactive with the cast members, often cheering and dancing in their seat.

Continued here:

Mariner of the Seas Live Blog - Day 1 - Embarkation - Royal Caribbean Blog

Shortage of physicians in the United States raises concerns in the medical community. Small, privately owned Caribbean medical school is helping solve this problem.

PARK RIDGE, Ill., April 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- A shortage of physicians in the United States is real and poses a major concern in the medical community. According to the American Medical Association (AMA), one in five physicians plans to exit the workforce in the next two years. The AMA calls this medicine's great resignation. While the medical community is struggling with this challenge, a small Caribbean medical school - Saint James School of Medicine (SJSM), is working hard to do its part to solve this problem.

With two campuses located on beautiful Caribbean islands of Anguilla and St. Vincent and the Grenadines, SJSM has been training physicians for over 20 years. Most of its students are from the United States, looking for a feasible alternative to a highly competitive and extremely expensive medical education offered in their home country. The result - over 600 SJSM graduates are doctors trained in a variety of medical fields and treating tens of thousands of patients. In addition, many graduates of Saint James School of Medicine are now Residency Directors for leading U.S. hospitals, granting opportunities to other aspiring physicians and further addressing the national shortage.

"Saint James School of Medicine was founded on an idea of quality and affordable medical education. Our students are extremely bright, hard working and talented individuals. Many come from underprivileged communities. As one of the most affordable accredited Caribbean medical schools, we do our part in solving the physician shortage in the United States and Canada. Last month, 70 of our students and graduates matched for residency in the United States and Canada."- said Raj Mitra, Vice President of Administration for Saint James School of Medicine.

While Saint James School of Medicine may not be able to single-handedly solve the physician shortage the medical community is facing, schools such as Saint James School of Medicine are showing how private institutions can be used to help resolve a nationwide problem.

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Saint James School of Medicine (SJSM) is a Caribbean Medical School that offers an affordable medical education to individuals throughout the world who wish to pursue their dream of a career in medicine. SJSM is committed to training students to think, solve problems, and apply their knowledge to the care and wellbeing of their patients, and society. SJSM believes that a high-quality medical education should be affordable and accessible to everyone.

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Website: https://www.sjsm.orgLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/saint-james-school-of-medicine_2/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mdsjsmTwitter: https://twitter.com/SaintJamesMedYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/SaintJamesMed

This press release was issued through 24-7PressRelease.com. For further information, visit http://www.24-7pressrelease.com.

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Small Caribbean Medical School Helps Solve Physician Shortage with 70 New Residents This Year - Yahoo Finance

BRIDGETOWN, BARBADOSOn Friday evening, Rwandan Paul Kagame arrived in Barbados, his latest stop in a whirlwind Caribbean tour. The meeting between Kagame and Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley highlights changing dynamics in both Africa and the Caribbean.

Americans and Europeans may primarily see Barbados as a vacation resort, but its diplomatic importance is far greater. Last September, 55-years to the day after winning independence from the United Kingdom, Barbados formally removed Queen Elizabeth II, inaugurated Sandra Mason as titular president and became a republic. No longer must locals register property deeds and transactions or argue court cases thousands of miles away. Barbados may be ahead of other former British colonies in the Caribbean, but it will not be the last. Anger about Britains colonial legacyand Londons deaf ear to itis growing across the region. Last month, for example, protests in Belize forced the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge to cancel the first stop of a regional tour. In Barbados, locals admire Kagame for his unwillingness to sweep history under the rug. He has not allowed France to shirk accountability for its role in anti-Tutsi genocide, finally winning the French Presidents acknowledgement.

Kagames official purpose for visiting Jamaica and Barbados might be to prepare for hosting in Kigali the 2022 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, but the symbolism of his trip goes further. What Caribbean nations sense but many in the United States and Europe do not understand is Kagames true legacy: While progressive groups criticize Kagame for various transgressions as often imagined as real, and as American, European politicians seek to act as both judge and jury, many in both Africa and the Caribbean recognize Kagame as a true anti-colonial figure.

Kagame, of course, is different than other anti-colonialists. He does not utilize the rhetoric of anti-colonialism to distract from accountability nor does he use anti-colonialism as a synonym for socialism or leftism, as the late Hugo Chavez in Venezuela and Robert Mugabe in Zimbabwe did. Rather, he seeks for Rwanda to engage as a partner rather than supplicant. By promoting free markets and reversing decades of dysfunctional corruption, he has transformed Africas densest country into an increasingly prosperous, educated society. Admiration for Rwandas economic success in the Caribbean and Africa juxtaposes increasingly with the irrationality of attitudes toward Rwanda among Wester progressives who claim to support independence and empowerment in theory, but then work to oppose it in practice.

Human rights advocacy has turned into an industry worth hundreds of millions of dollars with leaders who too often dictate like colonial governors and whose researchers live posh expatriate lives. Frustration is rife in the developing world as often these Western groups conflate advocacy with political agendas. Kagame empoweredsuccessfullya grassroots, community-based Gacaca justice system that brought accountability for tens of thousands of gnocidaires and enabled reconciliation at a time when the UN-sponsored tribunal convicted just 85 individuals at a cost of $1.3 billion. Had Kagame listened to Western activists, not only would many gnocidaires never face justice, but the continuing open wound would also likely have undercut reconciliation and the stability Rwanda enjoys today.

Other countries also appreciate Rwandas increasing power. Its military contributes almost as many UN peacekeepers to conflict zones as India, a country whose population is almost 100 times as high. Rwanda has also supplanted France as the stabilizing power in the Central African Republic, and has been the most successful force in Cabo Delgado, where Mozambique faces and Islamic State insurgency. Caribbean nations face real threatsconsider Venezuelas aggression against neighboring Guyana or criminal gangs in Haitibut have difficulty gaining meaningful attention or support from countries like the United States, Great Britain, or France who often posture as if they will protect regional stability, but do little. Successive U.S. administrations may make counterterrorism a priority, but Africans and Caribbean residents see the hypocrisy of both Democrats and Republicans who exculpate terrorists whose victims are black.

Unfortunately, within the halls of the State Department, diplomacy remains ossified and lazy. Both Democratic and Republican administrations treat Africa as a backwater and the Caribbean as an afterthought. The mood is changing, however. Barbados increasingly seeks to renew its links to Africa, while China exploits the neglect elsewhere. The Rwanda-Barbados summit is a positive thing, but it should also be a warning: For the United States, neither neglect nor condescension are strategies upon which to build relationships. What Barbados sees in Rwanda is the type of strength and respect that its ties to the United States increasingly lack.

Now a 1945 Contributing Editor, Dr. Michael Rubin is a Senior Fellow at the American Enterprise Institute (AEI). Dr. Rubin is the author, co-author, and co-editor of several books exploring diplomacy, Iranian history, Arab culture, Kurdish studies, and Shiite politics, including Seven Pillars: What Really Causes Instability in the Middle East? (AEI Press, 2019); Kurdistan Rising (AEI Press, 2016); Dancing with the Devil: The Perils of Engaging Rogue Regimes (Encounter Books, 2014); and Eternal Iran: Continuity and Chaos (Palgrave, 2005).

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US Neglect in Africa and the Caribbean has a Price - 19FortyFive

Royal Caribbean (RCL) - Get Royal Caribbean Group Report returned to servicefrom the United Stateson July 2, 2021,with Freedom of the Seas sailing out of Miami. It was a celebratory trip, but with under 1,000 people on board and social distancing in place indoors as well as a mix of masked and unmasked venues, it was also clearly not normal.

Over the next nine months, protocol changes happened a lot. Mask rules loosened for vaccinated passengers, then they tightened again when omicron hit. Passengers had to prove they were vaccinated to board and show a negative test taken no more than two days before their cruise. Passenger counts rose slowly, but the presence of masks onboard (which were required) reminded passengers that while cruising was back, it wasn't fully.

During that period (March 4, 2022) Royal Caribbean debuted its latest biggest cruise ship in the world, Wonder of the Seas. It was a muted celebration to introduce something so special during such an odd period. But now, just a few months later, Wonder has its last U.S. sailing before heading overseas for a few months, and while some signs of the pandemic persist, Royal Caribbean has returned to near-normal operations.

Image Source: Daniel Kline/TheStreet

Since Royal Caribbean dropped its mandatory mask policy and has raised ship capacity to near-full, cruising has felt decidedly more like it did before the pandemic. You still have to wear a mask while checking in (the terminal falls under federal rules regarding transportation) and crew members and unvaccinated kids over 2 must wear masks, but aside from that, once you board there are few signs of the pandemic.

The final Wonder of the Seas sailing of the season from the U.S. left April 15 from Fort Lauderdale with something approaching a full load of passengers. The ship, however, has so many different areas that it rarely feels crowded.

An Oasis-class ship, Wonder of the Seas has both Central Park and the Boardwalk, two open-air areas that bustle with action during the busier parts of the day while offering tranquility later at night. Playmakers on the Boardwalk had a small crowd Saturday morning for some early Premier League soccer action (come on you Spurs!) while Central Park offered a classical guitarist playing in the evening hours.

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This tree-filled area hosts a number of specialty restaurants and while those eateries were bustling, the overall area was quiet at night. The wine bar adjacent to Giovanni's Italian restaurant, which offers a sampling of the eateries menu, held only a few passengers while the nearby Trellis Bar sat near-empty much of the night.

Image source: Daniel Kline/TheStreet

Wonder of the Seas has pretty much everything Royal Caribbean offers on any of its ships as well as a few new things. The Boardwalk and Central Park outdoor areas, while not new, remain remarkable. They do force Royal Caribbean to split the main pool deck in half, which makes the area seem a little bit less connected than its pool decks on Quantum-class ships.

The adults-only Solarium, which has a roof, never has much of a crowd and it offers multiple pool areas, hot tubs (which work decidedly better than the ones on older ships), a large bar and the Solarium Bistro, a sort of alternative buffet serving mildly healthier fare than what you get in Windjammer.

Near the Solarium, Royal Caribbean has added a bar cantilevered over the ocean. It's a crowded spot with open-air and stunning views. Broadly, the pool areas have enough bars to serve the crowds without passengers ever having to wait more than a minute or two.

The same can be said for the dining choices -- both free and paid. Free options like Boardwalk Doghouse, El Loco Fresh, the Solarium Bistro, and Park Cafe (in addition to the main dining room, Windjammer buffet, Sorrento's Pizza, and Cafe Promenade) make free dining varied and plentiful.

Wonder also has a near-endless array of entertainment with multiple music venues, a dedicated karaoke space, a piano bar, an Aquatheater, the main theater, and even a dedicated comedy club.

On a five-day cruise, you simply can't see it all (Wonder of the Seas generally sails 7-day itineraries), but if you accept that, the ship takes the Royal Caribbean experiencer to the next level. Add in the lack of masks, full crowd, and general relaxation of protocols, and it truly feels like sailing in the pre-pandemic world.

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What It's Like on Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas (April 2022) - TheStreet

April 28-May 1: SunFest, waterfront art and music festival, 100 S. Clematis St., West Palm Beach, sunfest.com

April 30-May 1: Fort Lauderdale Air Show, featuring the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, Fort Lauderdale Beach, fortlauderdaleairshow.com

May 4-8: Key West Songwriters Festival, various events and venues, keywestsongwritersfestival.com

May 6-7: Boca Bacchanal Wine and Food Festival, presented by Boca Raton Historical Society, bocabacchanal.com

The Jupiter Lighthouse (Scott Fisher / Sun Sentinel)

May 6: Outstanding Natural Area Day at Jupiter Lighthouse, includes 2-for-1 entry, 500 Captain Armours Way, Jupiter, 561-747-8380, jupiterlighthouse.org

May 14: Stock Island Art Stroll, Stock Island Arts District, Florida Keys, ilovestockisland.org

May 20: Viernes Culturales Arts and Culture Festival in Little Havana, featuring food vendors and live entertainment, 801 SW 15th Ave., Miami, 305-643-5500, viernesculturales.org

May 21: Ocean Brews & Blues Beer Fest, 149 SE 21st Ave., Deerfield Beach, deerfield-beach.com/1601/Ocean-Brews-Blues

May 21: Downtown Hollywood ArtWalk, featuring live entertainment and an artisan market, Hollywood Boulevard and Harrison Street, floridashollywood.org/ArtWalk

May 27-30: Home Design & Remodeling Show, Palm Beach County Convention Center, 650 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach, homeshows.net

May 28-29: Miami Beach Air & Sea Show, featuring watersports, display village, kids fun zone, live music by 3 Doors Down, pyro-parachute demonstrations from the U.S. Army Golden Knights Parachute Team and fireworks, usasalute.com

May 28-Sept. 5: Flotsam Fauna exhibit, featuring wildlife art made with flip flops and other debris picked up on South Florida shores. The sculptures are provided by Free Our Seas, a South Florida environmental organization. Flamingo Gardens, 3750 S. Flamingo Road, Davie, 954-473-2955, flamingogardens.org

A hot air balloon goes up for a tethered flight at the 2020 Up Up and Away Florida Hot Air Balloon Festival. The festival returns to the Lakeland Linder International Airport in May. (Patrick Connolly / Orlando Sentinel)

May 6-8: Hot Air Balloon festival, with entertainment, balloon and helicopter rides, Lakeland Linder International Airport, upupandawayflorida.com

May 14-15: Vero Beach Seafood Festival, Riverside Park, 3258 Riverside Park Drive, Vero Beach, verobeachseafoodfestival.com

May 21-22: Vero Beach Arts & Crafts Festival, 3280 Riverside Park Drive, Vero Beach, paragonfestivals.com/festival/vero-beach-arts-crafts-festival

May 21: Festival Latino, 110 SE Watula Ave., Ocala, ocalamarion.com/events/latino-festival-downtown-ocala

May 26-29: Jacksonville Jazz Festival, featuring United States Air Force Airmen of Note and others, jacksonvillejazzfest.com

May 7: Great Dock Canoe Race, featuring fun water events, 845 12th Ave. S. Naples, 239-825-1228

May 12: Evening on Fifth, featuring live entertainment on the sidewalks of the Fifth Avenue South shopping and dining district, 649 Fifth Ave. South, Naples, 239-692-8436, fifthavenuesouth.com

May 22: Naples Philharmonic and Naples Philharmonic Youth Orchestra, Artis-Naples, 5833 Pelican Bay Blvd., Naples, artisnaples.org

May 27: Limn Dance Company with Naples Philharmonic, Artis-Naples, 5833 Pelican Bay Blvd., Naples, artisnaples.org

May 5-8: Southern Shakespeare Festival, Tallahassee, southernshakespearefestival.org/free-festival/#

May 14-22: Soul of The Southside Arts and Humanities Festival, Lake Anita, Tallahassee, sosfesttlh.com

MooMba Beach on Aruba will host many of the shows at Soul Beach music festival on Aruba, May 25-30. (Mark Gauert)

April 30-6: Antigua Sailing Week, sailingweek.com

May 13-18: Grenada Chocolate Fest, grenadachocolatefest.com

May 25-30: Soul Beach music festival in Aruba, featuring Mary J. Blige and others, soulbeach.net

May 27-29: Festival de la Pia Paradisaca, including live entertainment, vendors with pineapples and other foods, Lajas, Puerto Rico, discoverpuertorico.com/article/annual-festivals-puerto-rico

May 28: Puerto Rico Rum Festival, Taste of Rum, includes rum and rum seminars, Old San Juan, tasteofrums.com

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Travel calendar: May events and festivals throughout Florida and the Caribbean - South Florida Sun Sentinel