Bahamasair and Delta Air Lines Expand Nonstop Service to The Bahamas

BEGINNING on Saturday, October 12, 2018, Bahamasair will offer a nonstop service from Miami, FL (MIA) to San Salvador, Bahamas (ZSA). The Saturday-only service will operate on a Boeing 737 aircraft, which can accommodate 120 travelers per flight.

Additionally, Delta Air Lines will add a second daily nonstop flight to Nassau, Bahamas (NAS) from New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK). The expanded Nassau service will begin on October 1, 2018 and is currently available for booking.


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Luxury travel escape

FOUR Seasons Hotels and Resorts and NetJets, the worldwide leader in private aviation, are launching three new made-to-order packages that deliver the ultimate in personalised luxury travel. The dynamic packages combine world class Four Seasons accommodation with the freedom of flying private with NetJets.

Following the multiple-destination itineraries introduced last year by the two iconic brands, Four Seasons guests and NetJets owners can now visit Anguilla, Orlando or the Bahamas and create a uniquely customisable escape, complete with unmatched service, flexibility and access.

All three packages feature air transportation from NetJets, offering access from 5,000 airports in 170 countries around the globe, and luxury accommodations from Four Seasons. Travellers can fully customise each escape, with a menu of specialty à la carte activities for added personalisation.


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Bask in the Bahamas

THE Bahamas is already well known as a romantic getaway with beaches, restaurants and endless attractions. It is also a haven for all things water sports and unique experiences like the famous swimming with the pigs, wading with gentle yet playful nurse sharks, and seeing the Exumas coral and iguanas.

Worldwide Boat, a full-service yacht charter company, has announced that the number one destination #boat #charters will be setting for during spring 2018 is the #Bahamas. With other destinations, like the Caribbean, being severely impacted by hurricanes last year, the vessels that would typically travel there are instead routing to the Bahamas as a welcome alternate.

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R & R in the Bahamas

BIMINI in the #Bahamas is a peaceful, quaint getaway with a mix of adventure, exudes uniqueness, vibrancy and Bahamian authenticity. Located just 50 miles from Florida’s coast, Bimini is one of the most easily accessible islands from the United States, with North Bimini Island and South Bimini Island making up the two main islands.

Legend holds that Ponce de Leon landed on Bimini in his search for the Fountain of Youth, but during prohibition the island was a source for booze instead. Bimini prospered during prohibition thanks to its usefulness as a base of operations for rumrunners. The island was also a magnet for boldfaced names from Ernest Hemingway to Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Scuba diving, deep sea fishing, snorkeling, kayaking, boating, stand-up paddle boarding and hiking through the Bimini Nature Trail are several activities enjoyed by visitors to Bimini year-round and here are just a few of the many places to stay.

Hilton At Resorts World Bimini – The luxury resort on North Bimini boasts amenities including an infinity pool overlooking Bimini Bay, a boutique casino with more than 160 slot machines and a Serenity Spa and Salon, offering world-class body and beauty treatments. www.rwbimini.com

Bimini Big Game Club Resort & Marina – Located in North Bimini, this history-filled boutique resort is home to Bimini Big Game Bar & Grill, a fresh water swimming pool, the Big Game Dive Shop and a 75 slip full-service marina, popular for boating, yachting and fishing. www.biggameclubbimini.com

Bimini Sands Resort and Marina – Bimini Sands Resort & Marina offers a quaint, home-away-from-home experience on South Bimini. With more than 200 units, three freshwater pools and an easily accessible marina, Bimini Sands is perfect for families, as well as yachters. www.thebiminisands.com

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Picture Credit: Venture Minimalists 53809953@N02/28050363272 South Bimini Island via photopin

Cruise News . . .

THE world’s largest cruise line, Royal Caribbean International, has committed to a multi-year agreement with the island nation of The Bahamas that will help grow tourism to the destination, rapidly increase the cruise line’s employment of Bahamian nationals and invest in hospitality training to develop talent in the country.

“Royal Caribbean has been a long-standing partner of the islands of The Bahamas and their plans to significantly increase tourism to our country as well as to develop the talent of our youth and expand employment opportunities for Bahamians is commendable,” said Prime Minister Christie.

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Caribbean's leading luxury destination . . . .

AT a lavish gala held in Jamaica for the World Travel Awards The Bahamas was, for the second year running, named the 'Caribbean's Leading Luxury Destination'. The #Bahamas beat out Anguilla, Turks and Caicos Islands, Mustique and St. Lucia, to win the prestigious award.

With an island for everyone from Nassau and Paradise Island to Grand Bahama to The Abaco Islands, The Exuma Islands, Harbour Island, Long Island and others. 

Also preclearance through U.S. customs and immigration, and some of the world's best scuba diving, fishing, sailing, boating, as well as, shopping and dining the Bahamas make an ideal holiday destination.

For more information on travel packages, activities and accommodation visit www.Bahamas.com .

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Picture Credit: 14348473@N00/28214586261 F32T5036.jpg  via photopin.com

MSC Cruises reveals plan for Caribbean island

MSC CRUISES is to develop its own private island in the #Bahamas. 

The company will invest $200 million in the 95-acre island – to be called Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve – which will have a 1.5-mile beach, a purpose-built berth and pier, a 2,000-seat amphitheatre, and restaurants and bars. It will also be fitted out with watersports, a zip wire across the island and a pavilion for weddings.

MSC Yacht Club guests will have access to an exclusive area of the island which will be a spa and ‘wellness’ sanctuary with private bungalows and massage huts.

Pierfrancesco Vago, executive chairman of the line, said: ‘This is a natural progression for our company, which is growing very rapidly, and we are thrilled about providing this totally new experience for our guests in the Caribbean. Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve and its exclusive offerings will be a magnificent extension of our shipboard experiences.’

#MSCCruises plans to break ground on the development in March 2016, and it will open to guests in November 2017 with 240 staff recruited from the Bahamas.

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Picture Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/46236149@N06/6737450489">Reef colors</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/">(license)

Swimming with pigs in the Bahamas

THE BAHAMAS is the ‘Official Home’ of swimming pigs, according to the local tourist board – although, it’s not immediately apparent how many rivals the #destination has for the prestigious title. 

Visitors embrace the unique porcine swimming opportunity, greeting the pigs on the uninhabited island of Big Major Cay, affectionately called ‘Pig Beach’.

Chris O’Toole takes a dip with local tour operator, Coastline Adventures …

‘I’ll admit it wasn’t top of my priority list. Indeed, before touching down in The Bahamas’ capital of Nassau I wasn’t even aware swimming with pigs was possible, let alone desirable.

But having been told by both Joy Jibrilu, director general at the #Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, and Bahamas minister of tourism Obediah Wilchcombe, that it was the done thing, I thought I’d better give it a go.

Tour operator Coastline Adventures provided the opportunity, offering half- or full-day tours from the island of Exuma.

Boarding with captain Bob Smith, he answers the question on everybody’s lips by explaining that some years ago a pig farmer saw the need to put a few pigs on Big Majors Cay for breeding purposes.

Other local legends suggest the pigs were dropped off by a group of sailors who wanted to come back and cook them or that there was a shipwreck nearby and the pigs swam to safety.

However it was that they came to be, they are now the highlight of local tourism.

Approaching on board a luxurious yacht they came into view, splashing about in the crystal clear waters. Though feral, they are exceptionally friendly, with more running from under the shade of the almond trees to greet visitors they hope will bring them treats. The pigs frolic freely on the sandy beaches, and after basking in the sun for hours, they swim in the surf. They are also fed by the crews of passing yachts and vessels.

Approximately 20 pigs and piglets survive on Big Major Cay, partly because the island has three freshwater springs, and partly due to the generosity of visiting islanders and tourists.

Dipping into the water, it’s certainly a surreal experience, with the larger pigs swimming past at great speed. Some even attempt to board the boat.

But once the initial commotion dies down, the experience becomes calming and even therapeutic. The pigs splash past in pursuit of bread offered by tourists, while the visitors try to grab selfies in the surf.

Back on the boat, it’s time for complementary rum and fruit Punch! ’

http://coastlineadventuresexuma.com

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Where to swim with the pigs

HOLIDAYMAKERS in the #Bahamas can swim with pigs off the coast of the uninhabited island of Big Major Cay, which is home to these unusual creatures.

The pigs are feral, yet friendly, running from under the shade of almond trees to greet tourists who bring them treats. They've also learned that crews from passing yachts dump excess food in the sea for them as well. 

The pigs live freely on the sandy beaches and after basking in the sun for hours, swim in the surf. How the pigs came to be on the island isn’t known. They aren’t native, and the island has been inhabited. 

Popular lore suggests that the pigs were dropped off by sailors who wanted to return to cook them, or that there was a shipwreck and the pigs swam to safety. But now there are approximately 20 of them, able to survive thanks to the island’s freshwater springs and the Bahamians and tourists who feed them. 

Excursion boats to Big Major Cay run from the main Exuma islands, 35 miles south-east of Nassau.

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Picture Credit: Vorobek Bahamas - swimming pigsby cdorobek - Flickr: 08.2012 Vorobek Bahamas - swimming pigs. Licensed under CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons, Pigs and gulls on the beach by cdorobek - http://www.flickr.com/photos/cdorobek/7875533106/. Licensed under CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons 

Breaking News: FCO urges vigilance in Bahamas after violent crime incidents

BRITISH holidaymakers in the Bahamas have been warned about violent crimes and armed robberies. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) urged tourists to be ‘vigilant at all times’ in an update on crime in the islands.

The FCO’s updated travel advisory says: ‘There have been incidents of violent crime including robbery, which is often armed and sometimes fatal, in residential and tourist areas of New Providence, Grand Bahama and Freeport. The number of break-ins and robbery incidents reported to the High Commission has increased. There are police patrols in the main tourist areas.

‘Be vigilant at all times and don’t walk alone away from the main hotels, tourist areas, beaches and downtown Nassau, particularly after dark. Take care if travelling on local bus services after dusk on routes away from the main tourist areas. Do not carry large amounts of cash or jewellery. Robbers might be armed. Do not resist in the event of an attempted robbery.’

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Picture Credit: Jaws Beach by Bryce Edwards from San Jose, CA, USA - Jaws BeachUploaded by Tomer T. Licensed under CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons 

Carnival time on Grand Bahama

THE three-day Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival on Grand Bahama Island starts on May 7. 

In Nassau harbour and on Junkanoo Beach, the carnival comprises concerts, cultural events, and street parades.

http://bahamasjunkanoocarnival.com




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Tax change for Bahamas holidaymakers

THE Bahamas Ministry of Finance has repealed a ten percent hotel tax and replaced it with a 7.5 percent value added tax to be paid by hotel and self-catering villa guests.

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