Caribbean Travel News And Deals

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News Americas, NEW YORK, NY, Thurs. July 27, 2023: Here are the top Caribbean travel news and deals this week in 60 seconds.

Canada is again warning nationals to “exercise a high degree of caution” if travelling to Jamaica or in Jamaica due to the high level of violent crime there. This included armed robbery and murder in large cities and tourist areas, including parts of Kingston and Montego Bay, despite the presence of police to counter criminal activity, officials said.

An American Airlines flight bound for Georgetown, Guyana, had to return to New York City’s John F. Kennedy International Airport after a disagreement arose between passenger Joel Ghansham and a flight attendant. The incident​occurred during meal service when a passenger asked for help stowing his bag, but the flight attendant refused, leading to an exchange of words.

Sunwing is getting ready for the winter vacation season. CEO Mark Galvin says the airline is once again offering direct flights to Varadero, Cuba this winter. Galvin says the flight to Varadero starts on November 16th and will be offered four days a week.

La Compagnie, which operates 100 percent business-class flights from New York to France and Italy, is planning what amounts to a test-run in the Caribbean. The company has partnered with travel agency E. Clarke Travel to launch a new Caribbean vacation program that includes all-business-class flights to St Maarten. The flights will operate once weekly on Sundays, with service set to begin on Nov. 26 and run through April 14, 2024 from Newark Liberty International Airport to St Maarten’s Princess Juliana International Airport and back.

​Barbados is counting down to the end of Crop Over with Grand Kadooment 2023 returning to its traditional stomping ground with the parade along​the old route from Warrens to the Mighty Grynner Highway on August 7th. It’s unclear if Rihanna will be part of the celebration this year.

And Grenada is also counting down to its carnival this year. This year’s Spice Island mas kicks off August 5th with Children’s Carnival Frolic; and ends the weekend of August 14/15th with J’ouvert/Pageant/Monday Night Mas and Parade of Bands/Last Lap.

If you are looking for a quick getaway, consider sailing on Allure of the Seas. She begins making 3- and 4-night voyages out of Port Canaveral on October 30 to Nassau and Perfect Day at CocoCay.

And get 65 percent off room rates now if you book a Sandal’s Vacation. This includes $186 per night at Sandals Ochi. Check all options at sandals.com/specials/

Team Antigua Island Girls In ‘The World’s Toughest Row’

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News Americas, ST. JOHN’S ANTIGUA, Thurs. July 26, 2023: In an extraordinary display of courage and determination, Team Antigua Island Girls, an exceptional all-female rowing team from Antigua and Barbuda, has achieved yet another momentous victory. Celebrated across the twin-island Caribbean nation for their historic accomplishments, these inspiring athletes are known as the first all-female, black team to row across the Atlantic Ocean.

The Team Antigua Island Girls are an all-female rowing team from Antigua and Barbuda comprised of Elvira Bell, Christal Clashing, Samara Emmanuel, Kevinia Francis, and Junella King. Collectively, they are four athletes and a skipper.

On July 23 2023 team members: Christal Clashing, Kevinia Francis, and Samara Emmanuel completed the Pacific Challenge Row Race, rowing from Monterey Bay, California, to Kauai, Hawaii, covering approximately 2,800 nautical miles in forty-one days.

Team Antigua Island Girls’ Christal Clashing, Kevinia Francis and Samara Emmanuel celebrate their accomplishment having arrived in Hawaii after forty-one days at sea for the Pacific Challenge. (Photo courtesy: World’s Toughest Row)

This remarkable endeavor, undertaken as part of the inaugural 2023 Pacific Challenge, spanned forty-one days at sea and was dedicated to a noble cause. The team’s extraordinary journey not only demonstrated the strength and resilience of women but also raised funds for building a home to support vulnerable girls in need.

The team embarked on this mission with a profound impact in mind: to raise funds for a charitable cause – building a home for women in conflict with the law, offering them a second chance in life and fostering women’s empowerment.

Overcoming immense challenges, Team Antigua Island Girls rowed an astonishing distance of approximately 2,800 nautical miles across the Pacific, participating in what is known as ‘the world’s toughest row.’ Starting their journey in Monterey Bay, California, they concluded their triumph in Kauai, Hawaii. Among fourteen competing teams, the Island Girls emerged as true champions, standing strong alongside their fellow all-women team, Row Aurora.

Speaking on behalf of Team Antigua Island Girls, Kevinia Francis expressed their vision, stating, “Through our efforts, we hope to raise awareness about the importance of women’s empowerment and provide a brighter future for young girls who deserve a second chance in life.”

The triumph of Team Antigua Island Girls has garnered widespread admiration, drawing praise from notable figures. The Honourable Charles Fernandez, Minister of Tourism, Civil Aviation, Transportation, and Investment in Antigua and Barbuda, commended the team, hailing their dedication to raising funds for young girls in need as truly honorable. Colin C. James, CEO of the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority, also lauded the Island Girls’ efforts, highlighting their unwavering spirit and commitment to representing their nation on the international stage.

As witnesses to their inspiring journey and advocates for their cause, we are called to support Team Antigua Island Girls and their noble mission. Together, we can make a difference, nurturing compassion and generosity to steer young women towards a future filled with hope, opportunity, and empowerment.

For those interested in learning more about Team Antigua Island Girls or contributing to their cause, please visit their GoFundMe page (https://bit.ly/island-girls) or make direct contributions to the Caribbean Union Bank account #20004631 in St. John’s, Antigua.