Destination News

New Sanitary Measures In Martinique

New York, August 12 – New measures were adopted by the Prefecture of Martinique on Monday, August 9, establishing reinforced lockdown in Martinique for a period of 3 weeks, starting Tuesday, August 10, at 7:00 p.m.

In view of the situation, the Prefecture of Martinique has recommended that vulnerable and unvaccinated tourists not continue their stay.

The Martinique Tourism Authority has specified that sanitary conditions are no longer met for stays in optimal conditions.

However, accommodation establishments will not be closed administratively during this period of lockdown. Visitors will therefore to have time if they wish to consider what to do, while complying with the new sanitary measures in force. The Martinique Tourism Authority is mobilized to respond to visitors’ requests for information and to provide assistance for their departure from the island.

Hotels and vacation rental platforms are offering flexible, no-cost deferral and cancellation terms tailored to this crisis. In addition, the four main airlines that serve Martinique at this moment (Air France, Air Caraïbes, Corsair and Air Belgium) have revised their flight plans to help French and Belgian holidaymakers organize their departure in the coming days. Air Caraïbes will provide up to three round trips per day between Fort-de-France and Paris. On the Air France side, three flights per day will be operated on August 11 and 12 from Fort-de-France, then two flights per day from August 13 to 15. As of Wednesday, the aircraft used by the company will have a higher capacity (up to 160 additional passengers). In addition, all passengers whose return was scheduled by August 22 and who wish to return to France before August 15, will be able to reschedule their departure at no additional cost.

Concerning U.S. travel to and from Martinique, American Airlines is due to resume its non-stop flights from Miami to Fort-de-France early November of this year.

For more information : https://www.martinique.gouv.fr/Politiques-publiques/Environnement-sante-publique/Sante/Informations-COVID-19/La-Martinique-face-au-COVID-19-mesures-attestations-recommandations

Cruise Resumes: Carnival Sunshine Calls at Ocho Rios on Monday

KINGSTON, Jamaica; August 13, 2021: Cruise operations will resume in Jamaica on Monday, August 16th, 2021. The Carnival Sunshine is scheduled to call at the Port of Ocho Rios and is the first cruise ship with international passengers to call at a Jamaican port since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. It will mark a major step in the phased reopening of Jamaica’s tourism sector, which has been adversely impacted by the global pandemic.

“I am very pleased to advise that Jamaica will finally see the return of cruise on Monday August 16th. We welcome this resumption as we know that thousands of Jamaicans depend on the cruise shipping industry for their livelihood, and it will have a positive impact on our economy in general,” said Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett.

“I want to assure the public that this call is being managed in accordance with strict health and safety COVID-19 protocols which are guided by global standards and best practices to ensure the safety and protection of our citizens as well as visitors.   Additionally, the vessel is being managed in alignment with the Conditional Sailing Order for Simulated and Restricted Voyages promulgated by the US Center for Disease Control (CDC). The arrival of the Carnival Sunshine on Monday marks a significant milestone in recovery efforts and the resumption of cruise operations, which was suspended in light of the pandemic,” he added.

“Under the strict measures governing the restart of cruise shipping approximately 95% of the crew and passengers are fully vaccinated and all passengers are required to provide evidence of negative results from a COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours of sailing,” Minister Bartlett explained. It was also outlined that in the case of unvaccinated passengers, a PCR test is mandated, and all passengers will also be screened and tested (antigen) on disembarkation.

While on board, the crew will also be required to adhere to strict protocols mandated by the official framework for Conditional Sailing Order. This requires that preventative measures be taken, and surveillance and response mechanisms be present on board at all times.

Professor Gordon Shirley, President & CEO, the Port Authority of Jamaica (PAJ), indicated that “the call by Carnival Sunshine is a representation of months of consistent collaboration and dialogue with our cruise line partners and the Ministry of Health and Wellness (MoHW). These stakeholders provided tremendous support and guidance to assist the PAJ with realigning operations with global standards considering the new COVID-19 operational paradigm.  In preparation for the resumption of cruise shipping operations in Jamaica, we have upgraded all our port facilities in accordance with guidelines and COVID-19 protocols and all our ports are retrofitted with isolation rooms and sanitation facilities.”

He added that: “We have worked very closely with the MoHW over the past year and having heeded their advice, followed the science, so the PAJ is confident in our ability to provide our usual award winning cruise passenger experience in a safe and secure environment, despite the challenges of COVID-19. We are truly grateful to the MoHW and our cruise partners for their unwavering support during testing times and look forward to the resumption of our cruise sector as we are cognizant of the significant positive impact the industry has on other businesses and the Jamaican economy in general.”

“We are delighted to be the first cruise ship to return to Jamaica and to offer guests an opportunity to experience all of the country’s beauty,” said Christine Duffy, President of Carnival Cruise Line. “On behalf of Carnival, I would like to personally thank the Ministry of Tourism, the Ministry of Health and Wellness, and our partners for working with us to bring safe cruising back to Jamaica,” she added.

Passengers will be allowed to disembark the vessel to participate in tours within the COVID-19 Resilient Corridors, which have been in place for stop-over visitors with a demonstrated record of performance for over a year. The positivity rate within the corridors is at 0.6 percent.

The corridors are jointly monitored by the Tourism Product Development Company (TPDCo), the Ministry of Health and Wellness, the Ministry of National Security, the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development, and the Ministry of Transport and Mining.

“The Government of Jamaica has been in discussion with several cruise lines, and relevant stakeholders, regarding an efficient restart of cruise operations whilst observing health and safety protocols. We are therefore very happy that this is finally a reality.  I commend the efforts of all the stakeholders including the PAJ, the Ministry of Health and Wellness, and Jamaica Vacations Limited (JAMVAC) for their contribution to ensuring a safe and secure resumption of cruise operations in Jamaica,” said Minister Bartlett.

St. Vincent and the Grenadines Successfully Implements ‘Bubble’ as it Welcomes the First Cruise Ship for the 2021/22 Cruise Season

KINGSTOWN, St. Vincent and the Grenadines August 11, 2021: On Saturday 7^th August, 2021, St. Vincent and the Grenadines welcomed its first cruise line for the 2020/2021 season, after a hard hit to the cruise sector in 2020. Seaborn Odyssey, one of the world’s leading luxury cruise ships, visited the Grenadine island of Bequia with a fully vaccinated occupancy of 341 crew members and 81 passengers.

In addition to the warm Vincentian hospitality received by passengers and crew of Seaborn Odyssey, a short welcome reception was held to celebrate the momentous resumption of the cruise season. Seaborn Odyssey is expected to visit these shores bi-weekly until the end of October.

Passengers and crew who disembarked Seaborn Odyssey were a part of an organised ‘bubble’; where they were restricted to selected locations on island and their interactions were limited to only vaccinated service providers. The bubble is established to ensure that cruise lines abide by the prevailing precautionary measures outlined in the Cruise Tourism Protocols.

The first call of the Seaborn Odyssey was used as a trial run to assess the implementation of the Cruise Tourism Protocols for the upcoming Cruise Season.

According to Minister of Tourism, Civil Aviation, Sustainable Development and Culture Carlos James, the captain and crew of the Seaborn Odyssey expressed full satisfaction with the implementation of the Cruise Tourism Protocols during Saturday’s call.

“We have developed a comprehensive draft of the Cruise Protocols detailing how cruise passengers are expected to function within the bubble, and Saturday’s exercise was an excellent indication that with the Cruise Tourism Protocols the resumption of Cruise Tourism can work, despite the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic,” Minister James said.

Following the successful cruise call of Seaborn Odyssey, Minister James noted that the Ministry will be working closely with stakeholders to safely extend the bubble to include other tourism sites and establishments across St Vincent and the Grenadines.

“We have to ensure that all stakeholders benefit, inclusive of taxi operators, tour guides and vendors, providing that they are in compliance with the Cruise Tourism Protocols set by the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Tourism. The safety of the general public remains paramount during the cruise season,” Minister James said.

The restart of the season is due to the support shown by stakeholders within the Tourism and Hospitality Industry; as the thrust and commitment to revitalize the socio-economic benefits of this lucrative industry is at the heart of many stakeholders.

The 2021/22 cruise season is projected to be the year of resuscitation for the hard hit sector, so far, 224 cruise ships are expected to call this season, when compared to no cruise calls last year.

Carnival Vista Port Call to Belize City

BELIZE CITY, BELIZE, Wednesday, August 11^th, 2021:  Belize received the Carnival Vista today with 2895 guests and 1441 crew on board. As per the normal protocol, upon submission of the Maritime Declaration by the ship in anticipation of its call to Belize the ship reported that it had on board 27 positive cases, 26 of which were crew members and 1 passenger. As a result, the Minister of Tourism and Diaspora Relations, along with his team from the Ministry and the Belize Tourism Board, met virtually with officials from the Carnival Vista on August 10^th, 2021 to discuss the notification that persons aboard the vessel tested positive for COVID-19. The discussions provided an update on the current situation, and a thorough reassurance of the protocols put in place on the ship to effectively contain the situation. The team at Carnival noted that all positive cases have been isolated and contact tracing has ended with no additional positive cases found, and that the infected crew and passenger do not pose a threat to guests, crew or frontline workers in Belize.

The facts related to this current situation are as follows:

– Crew are 99.98% vaccinated
– Passengers are 96.5% Vaccinated

– All crew members who have tested positive are in isolation

– All persons who have tested positive are vaccinated, most are asymptomatic or have very mild symptoms.
– Contact tracing has been completed (including 400+ tests done on Saturday, 300+ tests done yesterday, and 200+ more done today)

– No further positive cases have been found.

– Additional protocols have been put in place including increased mask wearing indoors, use of N95 Masks by Crew, crew social areas have been closed, and as early as the next departure, all guests will require a negative rapid test, regardless of whether they are vaccinated.

After a thorough review of the situation, and after determining that the risk is low, including the fact that CDC is aware of the situation, it was concluded that the situation is contained, and safety protocols are  proving effective. Nonetheless, in an abundance of caution after discussions and consultations undertaken with the Ministry of Health and Wellness, an additional protocol will be implemented for today’s call. Effectively, all passengers that have a negative COVID-19 test will be asked to provide proof of this negative test, and for those passengers that do not have proof of negative test will be subject to random testing to be carried out by the Ministry of Health and Wellness. Additionally, we are pleased to inform that our personnel from the Ministry of Health and Wellness also carried out an inspection of the protocols on board the Carnival Vista this morning, and are satisfied that they have been able to verify that the measures put in place by the ship are meticulous and deemed highly effective. With this in mind, passengers will be allowed to disembark in Belize and conduct shore excursions as per normal. Belize’s tourism and health officials remain vigilant in order to maintain safety for all stakeholders, bearing in mind the delicate balance between health and the economy.

The safety of guests, crew and frontline tourism workers is the highest priority for cruise lines and destinations. The ability to manage and control health-related matters, COVID-19 in particular, is fundamental to the operations of all involved. Cruise lines have been sailing globally throughout the pandemic, and in July, resumed sailing in the Western Caribbean and Belize. The lines have maintained an exceptional safety record, and with the extensive protocols in place, it is arguably one of the safest ways to travel today, amidst the pandemic.

With the stringent protocols, it is inevitable that COVID cases will be detected, but it is imperative that these situations are handled correctly to avoid further spread or unnecessary cancelations. According to our local protocols, passengers will not be allowed to disembark if the total number of positive cases exceeds 2% of the ship’s passengers.

Belize continues to work to ensure the recovery of the tourism industry during the COVID-19 pandemic, with health and safety of all stakeholders as its priority.

Barbados Welcomes New Direct Virgin Atlantic Route From Edinburgh

On December 5^th, 2021, Barbados is set to become Scotland’s only direct route to the Caribbean, as Virgin Atlantic launch their new direct route from Edinburgh (IATA: EDI) to Bridgetown (IATA: BGI, Grantley Adams International Airport), Barbados.

Virgin Atlantic’s new flight connecting Scotland to Barbados will commence on the 5^th of December 2021, operating twice weekly, Wednesday and Sunday, on an Airbus A330.  Customers can choose to fly in one of three cabins, including Upper Class or Premium. Fares will start from as little as £419 per person.

Senator the Hon. Lisa Cummins, Minister of Tourism and International Transport for Barbados, welcomed the announcement by saying, “The fact that this new route is Scotland’s only direct flight to the Caribbean is something that fills everyone in Barbados with great pride. This will also be the first time that Virgin Atlantic has flown international flights from Edinburgh, so it really is a very important moment in history for both Scotland and Barbados. We look forward to showing Scottish travellers that Barbados is a safe destination, which is ready and waiting for them to enjoy.”

She continued “The establishment of this new service will offer even more connectivity options for Scottish holidaymakers, business travellers and residents. We are pushing for the diversification of routes, the airlift to support those routes, and new destinations that can partner with Barbados on multi-destination marketing and partnerships; so this is in line with that policy direction for Barbados and something that we will continue to build out.”

Edinburgh Airport is Scotland’s largest and busiest airport, serving more than 12 million passengers per year.

Nikki Goldsmith, Head of Caribbean at Virgin Atlantic, commented, “Barbados is Virgin Atlantic’s heartland in the Caribbean.  Not only have we significantly increased capacity to the island with the introduction of our newest plane, the A350, but we’re delighted to be flying from three regional gateways, of London, Manchester and our new home in Scotland, Edinburgh.  Our new flights mean more customers than ever before get to experience the stunning beaches, equisetic cuisine and rich culture that Barbados has buckets of.”

Scotland’s Minister for Transport Graeme Dey said “I welcome this news of Virgin Atlantic’s commitment to Scotland, and the launch of their new service to Barbados from Edinburgh.  It is encouraging to see airlines develop their connectivity to Scotland at this time and I am sure this news will be welcomed by passengers.”