Romantic Travel Blog
Who's Responsible for Warning Cruise Travelers About Dangers in Port?
7/16/201012:04:44 PM Link | | Add comment
(6:30 p.m. EDT) -- Since Monday's tragic shooting death of a young Carnival Victory passenger on an independent tour of St. Thomas, we've heard -- on Cruise Critic's Facebook page, on the message boards and via our U.K. blog -- many times: "I never knew St. Thomas had a crime problem."
St. Thomas has long struggled with crime, much in the same way big cities throughout the United States do, which has been another major point of discussion among Cruise Critic readers. The difference here, though, is that St. Thomas is marketed as America's "paradise." And if it surprises some travelers to find out St. Thomas is far from paradise these days, rest assured its problems are no secret to residents, politicians, travel agents and cruise line executives.
Cruise Critic's St. Thomas port profile warns that "crime can be an issue" -- outside of tourist areas. A scan of local headlines (and recent press releases on the USVI Police Department's Web site, on topics ranging from drug and weapons arrests to domestic violence) paints a grim picture, though not against visitors.
But Monday's tragic incident changes the whole game. The shootout occurred in broad daylight, not far from a major -- and packed -- tourist area. The victim was traveling on a crowded open-air safari bus when she was caught in gang-related crossfire that had broken out in a cemetery en route to Coki Point Beach, where the Coral World aquarium is located.
In this case, a "person of interest" has been arrested. A spokesperson for St. Thomas shared a prepared statement from the United States Virgin Islands Department of Tourism, which dubs the shooting "an isolated incident" and says crimes against visitors are rare. A request for additional information on what St. Thomas is doing to protect visitors was not fulfilled by press time.
In the various debates that have cropped up this week on Cruise Critic, many want to know: When a ship visits a port of call where crime is a known issue, at least locally, is the cruise line and its staff responsible for warning its passengers?
Does that duty fall to planning guides and resources, like Cruise Critic? Should travelers take it upon themselves to decide to which ports or places they should and should not go?
Or is cruise travel in the Caribbean a case of caveat emptor: Let the cruiser beware?
So, what happens next?
Several cruise lines have halted excursions to the Coki Beach area, but none have pulled ships out of St. Thomas, a bold idea we discussed in our blog (it is U.K.-centric, but you don't have to be from the U.K. to read it). But if they do depart, it certainly won't be the first time rampant crime has led to Caribbean reshuffling. Consider St. Croix: The once booming cruise port, offering access to gorgeous scenery, great surfing and pristine beaches, still gets traffic -- but is far less popular than it once was.
Why? Crime wasn't battled, so cruise ships hoisted anchor and went elsewhere.
To that end, what happens next with St. Thomas largely depends on the response of tourism officials and law enforcement authorities. In the near term, the Virgin Islands Daily News reports that Tourism Commissioner Beverly Nicholson-Doty and Police Commissioner Novelle Francis Jr. will meet tomorrow with the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association, which represents 15 member lines sailing in the region, to share information on enhanced safety and security measures and the territory's crisis management plan.
Stay tuned.
--by Melissa Paloti, Managing Editor
Cruise CriticIsland of Taha'a finale location for Bachelorette
7/13/20104:34:14 PM Link | | Add comment
The beautiful island of Taha’a was chosen as the prime location for one of the season final episodes of ABC's The Bachelorette. This episode will air on Monday July 19 from 8-10 PM on ABC - be sure and tune in!
Bachelorette, Ali Fedotowsky and her three remaining bachelors started their adventure to paradise on award-winning Air Tahiti Nui. The first date in the islands took place at the breathtaking and remote location of Le Taha’a Island Resort & Spa, a member of Relais & Chateaux.
Ranked among the sexiest resorts in the world by Brides Magazine, the picturesque setting of Le Taha’a Island Resort & Spa will offer Ali the experience of a lifetime in her quest for that one simple “yes!” moment.
Nestled in the shadows of Bora Bora, Ali will explore the hidden paradise of Le Taha’a Island Resort & Spa by diving further into the depths of romance with her remaining bachelors. From cruising the crystal clear lagoon to flying high above Tupai Island (heart-shaped island) and Bora Bora in a private helicopter, America will witness how Le Taha’a Island Resort Spa was able to play matchmaker in creating such sacred and pivotal moments for Ali. Plus, viewers will not want to miss an unforgettable Rose Ceremony.
While these types of experiences may seem too-good-to-be-true and only “made for television,” Le Taha’a Island Resort & Spa has created a special Bachelorette Package to help bachelorettes and bachelors around the world experience their own special moment to remember.
The Bachelorette Package includes:
• Four (4) nights in a Raiatea Overwater Bungalow
• Complimentary daily American breakfast for 2
• Flower bed and ½ bottle of champagne upon arrival
• “Milky Way” romantic dinner on the terrace of the suite, which includes
Floral decoration in the suite on the day of the dinner
Bachelorette “Rose Ceremony” with flower decoration
½ bottle of champagne
3-course dinner for 2, with 1 bottle of wine (red or white)
• 50-minute Monoï Vanira massage for 2
• Daily special turndown
This package is 265,050xpf, plus taxes (or approximately USD$2650), per couple and is based upon availability. For additional costs, couples may upgrade the package to include specific experiences seen in the actual episode, such as a moonlight dinner on the beach or private islet, musical and dance accompaniments, or a scenic helicopter flight over Tupai Island (heart-shaped island) and Bora Bora.
Each special romantic rendez-vous experience at Le Taha’a Island Resort & Spa, Relais & Châteaux, makes it the perfect hideaway to discover true romance while exploring the hidden paradise of Tahiti. To continue following Ali’s quest for love, please tune into The Bachelorette on Mondays at 8/7 Central on ABC. For more information on The Bachelorette, visit http://abc.go.com/shows/the-bachelor. To learn more about Le Taha’a Island Resort & Spa, visit www.spmhotels.com/resort/taha-a.
About Le Taha’a Island Resort & Spa, Relais & Châteaux
Located on the coral reef of Motu Tautau with a spectacular view of Bora Bora, Le Taha’a Island Resort & Spa offers first-class accommodations in 60 luxurious suites and villas, warm Polynesian hospitality and excursions that range from romantic to adventurous. Guests who love the water will find an endless list of activity choices, from scuba diving, jet skiing and ray feeding to island jeep tours, evening lagoon cruises and excursions to black pearl farms and vanilla plantations. For a relaxing alternative, the full-service Manea Spa offers a wide variety of face and body treatments, incorporating the island’s natural elements to soothe and moisturize. Reservations can be made by calling 800-65-PEARL or by visiting www.spmhotels.com/resort/taha-a.
About The Bachelorette
In the hit primetime romance reality series The Bachelorette, one lucky woman gets the opportunity to find the man of her dreams — and hopefully her groom-to-be — in this two-hour reality series. This single, very eligible bachelorette — a confident, successful and sensitive woman who is ready to find love — will embark on a romantic journey as she meets 25 handsome and intelligent men. As the Bachelorette gets to know each one, she'll continue to narrow the field. They will travel to exotic locations and spend time getting to know each other; she will introduce them to her family and friends and meet some of theirs. At the end of her romantic voyage, if she has found Mr. Right, will there be a proposal — and from whom? Hosted by Chris Harrison, The Bachelorette is produced by Next Entertainment in association with Warner Horizon Television.
