This week’s Caribbean updates were dominated by news from the seas from new boat excursions offered by a popular Turks and Caicos resort to new Royal Caribbean itineraries to the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Seven Stars Resorts Offers Excursions on New Boat
Seven Stars Resort, located on the island of Providenciales, Turks and Caicos, announced earlier this week that it will be offering clients romantic and adventurous sailings aboard its newly acquired, 29-foot World Cat, named Lady Tamara.
With this latest addition to the resort’s varied activities and offerings, Seven Stars will provide clients with daily excursion options including sunset cruises, snorkeling and more, right from its very own shores.
Offering nightly Sunset Cruise excursions, couples can set sail aboard Lady Tamara to enjoy a scenic sailing trip as they watch the sun dip into the horizon along the waters of Grace Bay.
For those seeking a Caribbean adventure Seven Stars Resort is offering a Half-Day Adventure Cruise that sails east of Providenciales to Little Water Cay, Half Moon Bay and Leeward Island. The neighboring Cays feature such activities as iguana identification, sand dollar collecting, hidden treasure hunts at the sunken canyons and snorkeling. Half-Day Adventure Cruises accommodate up to eight guests and include a refreshing rum punch, as well as a variety of beverages and gourmet snacks.
Seven Stars’ Beach Getaway Cruise gives clients the opportunity to enjoy an idyllic retreat on the private island of Half Moon Bay. The resort provides the beach chairs, umbrella and food and beverages for half- or full-day excursions. Drop-off and pickup times vary depending on the guest preference for either the half or full-day outing.
Lady Tamara will take up to eight passengers on a private excursion to experience the history and lore of 17th and 18th century Spanish pirates who once sailed their ships in search of treasure throughout the area. The full-day Mangrove and Pirate Adventure Cruise sails to the southwest tip of Providenciales to Split Rock. Once docked, a scenic walk through the secluded mangroves takes clients back in time as they feast on a specially-prepared gourmet picnic. Private excursions are also available.
Seven Stars’ Snorkel Safari takes the fun to the sea for a chance to explore the area’s water. The excursion begins with a 45-minute boat ride to French Cay, an area off of Southern Providenciales. Passengers are encouraged to bring binoculars since French Cay is known for bird watching. Food and beverages, as well as all necessary snorkeling equipment, are included.
The island of West Caicos is an ideal day-long getaway for families with children of all ages. Seven Stars’ West Caicos Adventure takes passengers on a sailing tour through the ruins of Yankee Town, where the vestiges of an 18th century community remain. From cliff diving, to snorkeling in the calm waters that boast some of the island’s most colorful and active reefs, this adventure aims to leave guests in awe. Visit www.sevenstarsgracebay.com/theisland.php#activities.
Bahamas Ferry Expands Services to Allow Clients to Transport Larger Cargo
Baleària Bahamas Express, owned by Spanish ferry operator Baleària, and the Capo group, recently announced the ability to transport cargo between mainland America and Grand Bahama Island in Freeport, The Bahamas.
Traditionally known for ferry services for day-trippers or passengers seeking an overnight stay on-island, the hi-speed vessel, christened ‘Pinar del Rio’, operates daily between Fort Lauderdale and Grand Bahama Island. The service offers clients the opportunity to conveniently transport cargo of varying size and weight, such as furniture and automobiles.
Sailing at a comfortable 32 knots, the vessel undertakes the 76-mile crossing in just two and a half hours. Departing from Fort Lauderdale’s Port Everglades Terminal One at 10 a.m., the ferry arrives into Freeport Harbour at 12:30 pm. The return trip departs at 7:30 p.m. and arrives into Fort Lauderdale 10 p.m.
Baleària Bahamas Express offers three types of pricing for cargo: the rate for transporting pallets is $200; the rate for transporting bins is (3.6 feet x 5.4 height) is $250; those seeking to transfer automobiles are charged $400. Visit www.ferryexpress.com.
U.S. Virgin Islands Welcomes Royal Caribbean's Increased Arrivals
The U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI) has welcomed this week the unveiling of Royal Caribbean International's new Caribbean itineraries, which include two additional ships regularly calling on the Virgin Islands.
USVI Governor John P. de Jongh, Jr. said Royal Caribbean's new 2013-2014 deployment calendar demonstrates the cruise line's continued commitment to the Virgin Islands, and to the re-emergence of St. Croix as a port-of-call.
"The Virgin Islands has a wonderful relationship with Royal Caribbean, and that is reflected in the cruise line's newest itineraries, which frequently call on the territory's ports," said de Jongh in a written release.
Jewel of the Seas will visit St. Thomas several times during the 2013-2014 season, and Adventure of the Seas will call on St. Thomas and St. Croix on various voyages, Royal Caribbean announced.
Royal Caribbean International's announcement of the remainder of its voyages for the season after next marks the cruise line's largest deployment ever in the Caribbean region.
The deployment will include an increase in summer calls to the Virgin Islands by 16 - eight on St. Thomas and eight on St. Croix.
Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas will continue to alternate seven-night Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries with stops in St. Thomas, while Freedom of the Seas' Eastern Caribbean itinerary lists calls on St. Thomas.
USVI Commissioner of Tourism Beverly Nicholson-Doty, who attended high level meetings in Miami last week with the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA), echoed the governor's sentiments on the cruise additions to the territory - which already harbors hundreds of cruise ship visits each year.
"The newly announced itineraries reflect Royal Caribbean's belief that the ports of the Virgin Islands are highly desired by its passengers, and will remain so in the coming years," she said in a written release. "We are pleased about the additional ships that will be visiting the territory, especially during the summer months." Visit www.VisitUSVI.com.
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