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Caribbean Cruise

Cruise Season Begins in St. Maarten With Five-Ship Day

 st maarten cruise season

The Caribbean cruise season is officially underway in St. Maarten. On Thursday, five cruise ships — Azamara Quest, Star Pride, Valiant Lady, Star of the Seas, and Independence of the Seas — docked at Port St. Maarten, bringing thousands of passengers and signaling the start of the 2025–2026 high season. “The port has done its […]

Following UNESCO Nod, a Serious Look at Culture in Barbados

Above: St. James Parish Church After last week’s announcement that Bridgetown and its garrison had been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Barbados Culture Minister Stephen Lashley said he hoped that heritage and culture would “be taken a bit more seriously.” Lashley was speaking after returning from the UNESCO committee meeting in Paris. “I sometimes […]

Jamaica to Have Direct China Flights

Jamaica should soon have direct flights to China, according to Minister of Tourism Edmund Bartlett. China is the fastest growing market for outbound travelers in the world, he said. The plan would introduce direct flights between Beijing and Montego Bay, something committed to by Chinese Ambassador to Jamaica Zheng Qingdian. Qingdian said he would be […]

Jamaica's Golding Removes Justice Minister Lightbourne from Cabinet

Above: Jamaican PM Bruce Golding and former Minister Dorothy Lightbourne (JIS photos) Jamaican Prime Minister Bruce Golding removed Sen. Dorothy Lightbourne from her post as Justice Minister today, replacing her with current House Speaker Delroy Chuck. Lightbourne was one of the most significant figures in Jamaica’s Extradition Crisis last year, along with an integral witness […]

Jamaica to Have Direct China Flights

 The government of Barbados is planning a $102 million (USD) project to diversify the sugar industry in the country with bagasse, ethanol, special sugars and molasses, Senator Darcy Boyce announced yesterday. The project initially cost approximately $200 million, but has been cut down to a size that makes it viable with the land currently existing […]

Mark Jones and the Secret of Jamaica's Unknown Market

 Global Gateway Chairman Mark Jones, left, and Commerce Minister Karl Samuda What began with a single visit to Jamaica in 2007 for Mark Jones has turned into a group of investments employing 1,000 Jamaicans in real estate, financial services and information communication technology. Jones, the chairman of Global Gateway Solutions, a call centre firm, is […]

Bahamians March Against Drugs

 Above: the march in Windsor Park (BIS Photo/Patrick Hanna) Bahamians took the streets this week to protest the abuse and trafficking of illegal drugs. The march was part of the Bahamian Ministry of National Security’s Four Point Solidarity March and Rally, in commemoration of the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. –Bahamas Information […]

Jamaican MP Leaves People's National Party in Dual-Citizenship Row

 Jamaican MP Sharon Hay-Webster has left the opposition People’s National Party, saying she could not tolerate what she described as a lack of support from the party over her case involving dual citizenship. Hay-Webster is among several Jamaican MPs who have been the subject of controversy by having dual citizenship, which is prohibited by the […]

CCJ Makes First Belize Judgment

 Above: the Caribbean Court of Justice By Alexander Britell Belize saw its first-ever judgment from the Caribbean Court of Justice, with the court finding that the Attorney General was allowed to bring an action for misfeasance in office against two former ministers, Florencio Marin and Jose Coye, alleged to have wrongfully sold government land. The […]

In the Diaspora, a Beacon for Reggae

 By Alexander Britell Every Saturday afternoon in Miami, the world of reggae finds a home at the WDNA 88.9 FM studio, where Jamaican native Howard Duperly operates his Reggae Ride program, a musical odyssey that takes listeners from the Mento music of the 1950s to the latest music of the present day. Duperly, who is […]

U.S. Embassy in Jamaica: No "Harassment" During Extradition Affair

 Above: U.S. Ambassador Pamela Bridgewater (JIS Photo) The U.S. Embassy in Kingston released a statement saying it disagreed with allegations made by Jamaican officials that U.S. personnel had been “aggressive,” “belligerent” or “harassing” in communications concerning the extradition of strongman Christopher Coke. According to the embassy, it “takes exception to this characterisation, and affirms that […]

In Hong Kong, Bahamas Maritime Authority Looks to Chinese Market

 From left: Huang He, director general of China’s Maritime Safety Administration, BMA Chairman Ian Fair and Bahamian Ambassador to China Elma Campbell. (BIS Photo) The Bahamas Maritime Authority is in Hong Kong as part of an promotional initiative across Asia, with a high-level delegation meeting with senior Chinese officials in the Ministry of Transport last […]