Caribbean

Albania, Zambia and Shropshire named as 'destinations to watch' this year

Abta says 2024 will be the year travel volumes return to 2019 levels, with Albania, Aruba, Zambia and Shropshire named among 10 destinations agents should keep their eye on this year

Eleven hurt as P&O Cruises charter flight hit by 'freak' turbulence

The Manchester-bound flight from Barbados diverted to Bermuda following the incident

Virgin Atlantic to increase winter sun capacity next year

The airline has ramped up services to the likes of Barbados, Dubai and the Maldives

One&Only announces new resort for Antigua

Set for a 2027 opening in Half Moon Bay, the new project will expand the brand’s presence in the Caribbean.

Carnival: the most fun you can have while wearing feathers

Saint Lucia’s Carnival is one of the most liberating experiences a traveller can have, finds our writer, fresh from dancing in the island’s streets this year.

Carnival Cruise Line ship rescues six men after cargo vessel capsizes

The search continues for the remaining crew members from the small cargo vessel which capsized near Dominican Republic

P&O Cruises makes 'largest-ever media investment' ahead of wave season

The line is launching a new campaign called Holiday Like Never Before on 18 December

Advantage boss confident current strong booking levels 'to continue into 2024'

Bookings departing between 18 and 28 December are up 44% year-on-year, according to Advantage’s chief executive Julia Lo Bue-Said

Princess Cruises reveals homeport for incoming Sphere-class ships

Star Princess will join Sun Princess in the Caribbean during the upcoming 2025/26 Americas season

Celebrity Ascent will offer 'best premium vacation ever', says Celebrity boss

The fourth Edge-series ship was named in Miami on Friday (1 December) and will operate Caribbean itineraries in its debut season

Budget Barbados and Montego Bay routes take off from Gatwick

Norse Atlantic Airways will operate its Gatwick-Barbados route up to five times a week this winer, and its Gatwick-Montego Bay service up to four times a week

'Business as usual' for Cuba specialists despite Tui flight axe

Captivating Cuba and Simply Cuba rebooking clients onto indirect services after Tui confirmed it wouldn’t operate its Manchester-Varadero route next summer, the UK’s only direct Cuba service

Virgin Voyages reports huge spike in Brits booking Caribbean cruises

The line’s Caribbean bookings are 31% up year-on-year this year, following a 10.6% rise in 2022 and a 4.9% hike in 2021

MSC Cruises signs deal to upgrade Bahamas marine reserve

MSC Cruises has revealed details of conservation and upgrading works to its Bahamas private island

Another villa specialist to up agent focus with new trade platform

Top Villas has more than 10,000 properties in its portfolio, and makes a play for agents in the UK with a new portal

Fred Olsen super-fan celebrates 2,500 cruise nights with line

Retired fish and chip shop owner Kevin Harrison first sailed with Fred Olsen in 1993

Celebrity Apex to return to the UK in 2025 after inaugural season next summer

Celebrity Apex will sail a full season from Southampton for the first time next summer before returning the following year

'Lobbying to get second UK-based Celebrity ship is constant,' says UK boss

Celebrity Cruises last had two ships homeporting in the UK in 2013

Panache aiming to become 'world's largest luxury cruise retailer by 2030'

The Chorley-based agency is also looking to increase its tour operations business next year

First Class Holidays aiming to grow product range and increase conversion rate in 2024

The Manchester-based tour operator held its annual strategy update in London last week

10 nuggets of news from the Caribbean

Arm yourself with the latest product updates to sell the Caribbean as the region’s high season approaches.

Costa Rica ready to double fam trip opportunities next year

Country’s tourism minister William Rodriguez said the trade was ’so important’ to Costa Rica

Tui launches Newcastle-Cape Verde flights as part of service ramp-up

According to commercial director Phillip Iveson, the new route will give people in the north-east “more choice and flexibility” when choosing a holiday

Jamaica fixes sights on growing arrivals to five million by 2025

Jamaica is to reveal the next steps in its ambitious tourism growth plans as it seeks to keep ’momentum’ going for a full post-pandemic recovery’